Santa Cruz Follies Page 19
New PVUSD leaders Page 2
APTOS
SEPTEMBER 2016
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL
Vol. 5 No. 2
Christmas train making stop in Capitola By ERIK CHALHOUB CAPITOLA — After three years embarking from Watsonville, the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway is shifting its annual Christmas-themed train excursion to Santa Cruz, with a stop in Capitola. “Train to Christmas Town” will cease operations this year, and instead be rebranded as “Polar Express,” taking off from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and traveling to Capitola. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission voted 10-2 in favor of the switch Aug. 18. Commissioners Greg Caput and Jimmy Dutra dissented. According to a report by RTC Deputy Director Luis Pavel Mendez, the “Train to Christmas Town was not as successful as it was hoped.” A report by the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway to the commission further stated that the Train to Christmas Town garnered 4,200 passengers in 2015. A Polar Express line in Mississippi attracted more than 50,000 passengers, according to the report, based on the popularity of the brand.
The lagoon in Capitola winds around idyllic houses shrouded in fog during twilight. Photo by Bek Phillips
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Back to school From warriors Classes resume at PVUSD
to guardians
Sheriff introduces 21st Century Policing
Students at Aptos High School break for lunch on the first day of class of the 2016/17 school year for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
The community and the Sheriff’s Advisory Team met face-to-face at the meeting. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
By TODD GUILD
By TARMO HANNULA
APTOS — In busses and by car, on foot and astride their bicycles, more than 19,000 students made their way to school Aug. 17 for the first day of the year. At Aptos High School, some 1,500 students were navigating a newly implemented seven-period schedule, which shortens each class and adds a seventh. The plan was designed to offer students more college-ready classes and give them more
SANTA CRUZ — The community was introduced to the next and new chapter in policing Aug. 17, a plan known as 21st Century Policing designed to bring the community and police together in solving both big and small issues. From critical use of force to dealing with an annoying dog, the plan strives to strengthen relationships between law and the public and to
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HISTORY CORNER By John Hibble Call: 688-1467 Visit us online: aptoshistory.org Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
A new adventure awaits
People used to build houses out of mud. And some of those houses amazingly still survive, even on a grand scale. We have a chance to visit one on Sept. 10 right in our own backyard, the adobe of Rancho San Andrés. The Russians are coming! Rancho San Andrés was owned by the patriarch of the local Castro family, Jose Joaquin. But how and why did he come to live here? We know that Gaspar de Portolá led two expeditions to find the Monterey Bay and that Father Serra established a mission at Carmel. But they were not alone. This was the age of exploration and everyone wanted a piece of the New World. Among others, Russian fur traders were Please turn to Page 7
Inside ...
Classic cars..........................3 Briefs ...............................4-5 Guest columns..................11 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATSONVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 23 ******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER APTOS, CA 95003 CAPITOLA. CA 95010
September 2016
2 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
PVUSD welcomes two new leaders New superintendent, Aptos High principal start school year By TODD GUILD APTOS — Before the extensive interview process that preceded Michelle Rodriguez being hired as Pajaro Valley Unified School District superintendent Aug. 17, she did an “interview” of her own. Rodriguez went to every school site in the district, getting a sense of the schools and administration, and when possible speaking with the people who worked there. She also went kayaking through the sloughs. “I always say you can only make good decisions when you know what is actually occurring, and you can build off it,” she said. “That can only be done by getting out there and meeting everyone.” Unwilling to stop there, Rodriguez plans to expand on that idea during her first 100 days by holding “listening sessions,” in which she would ask for input from students, teachers, administrators and parents throughout the district. In becoming superintendent, Rodriguez follows in the footsteps of her father, who held that position in Turlock Unified School District for 16 years. Her mother was an elementary school principal, as was her sister. Her grandmother, meanwhile, was a school librarian. “My whole family was in education,” she said. “They all taught me that education is the great equalizer and that we can have a huge impact.” The PVUSD Board of Trustees on Aug. 10 unanimously approved hiring Rodriguez as district superintendent. Rodriguez comes from Santa Ana Unified School District, which has a population of more than 56,000 students, 96 percent of which are Latino, according to the district’s website. By comparison, PVUSD has around 20,000 students, around 80 percent of whom are Latino.
Village construction questionable To the Editor,
Peggy Pughe, a former assistant principal at Aptos High School, has been named the school’s new principal. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
She said she was drawn to the district for its similarity to her former district, and its mixture of high-achieving and students who need extra help. Rodriguez has a doctorate in educational psychology and is certified as a Chief Business Officer. She also comes with years of instructional experience. During her career Rodriguez has served as Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Teaching and Learning at Santa Ana Unified School District. She has been a teacher, literacy coach, principal, technology consultant and district administrator. She has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and Spanish, a master’s degree in elementary reading and literacy, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Southern California. Rodriguez will receive a salary of $210,000. She is also getting $10,000 in relocation expenses. She is moving to the Watsonville area.
Michelle Rodriguez now takes over as superintendent for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
She will soon be joined by her husband and her son, who is finishing his football season at his current school. The superintendent position is not the only new addition to the district. Peggy Pughe, former assistant principal at Aptos High School, has taken the top spot at that school, replacing Casey O’Brien. Pughe has been at Aptos High for 19 years, and during that time she has been a history teacher and an assistant principal, in addition to serving on the school site council and was involved in the school’s recent accreditation process. Pughe said she is particularly enthusiastic about the school’s new 7-period schedule, which adds a class while shortening the length of the others. This, she said, has increased access to classes for the students while increasing the number of courses accepted by UC and CSU systems. Pughe said the job is a “dream come true.” “I could not be more excited,” she said.
New officers installed for Cabrillo Host Lions Club Staff report
Publisher - John Bartlett General Manager - Amy Bartlett Editor - Erik Chalhoub Editorial Todd Guild, Tony Nuñez, Tarmo Hannula, Bek Phillips
Photography - Tarmo Hannula Advertising Sales
APTOS — An installation ceremony was held on July 14 at the Cabrillo Lions Clubhouse in the Aptos Village Park for incoming officers of the Cabrillo Host Lions Club. Krista Brassfield was elected as the club president for 2016-2017 year of service. Brassfield has been an active member of the Cabrillo Host Lions Club since 2012. Tim Piumarta was elected to serve as the new club secretary and was Past President of the club in 2013-2014. The club’s 1st
Vice President is Keavin Shine and the club’s 2nd Vice President is Elaine Cole. Cole is also a Co-chairperson of the club’s Bingo Committee, their number one fundraiser held every week at the Our Lady of Help Church, 2401 E Lake Ave. in Watsonville, in the Kennedy Youth Center on Wednesdays starting at 5:30 p.m. Contact Bingo Cochairperson, Lydia Habr, to come out to play or to volunteer at lydiahabr@icloud.com. 2017 marks Lions International’s 100th year of service. Cabrillo Host Lions club is hosting a new Branch Veterans Club as Please turn to Page 9
Tina Chavez, Allison Stenberg, Mark Pezzini, Adriana Novack, Veronica Iniguez
Production - Daryl Nelson Design - Mike Lyon Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Life in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel is a division of the Register-Pajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1894.
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No on Measure D Auxiliary Lanes on Highway 1 Won’t Reduce Congestion •The Caltrans’ Environmental Impact Report (2015) predicts “severe breakdown of State Route 1 by year 2035” following the widening project. • The Caltrans conclusion is consistent with a UC Davis survey that finds, “Adding capacity to roadways fails to alleviate congestion for long because it actually increases vehicle miles traveled.” -Susan Handy, “Inceasing Highway Capacity Unlikely to Reduce Traffic Congestion” (2015)
• South County residents have experienced morning congestion back up to Buena Vista Drive following the completion of the auxiliary lanes in Santa Cruz in 2013.
No benefits, but lots of costs: - More traffic on Hwy 1 EIR Table 2.1.5-7 - 30 year bond debt - More greenhouse gases EIR Table 3-2 - Missed opportunity for real solutions paid for by Widening Won’t Work, a Committee Opposed to Measure D. WideningWontWork.org
We have land use laws designed to protect the environment and us. Why can developer Barry Swenson consistently flaunt a disregard for these laws during the development of the Aptos Village Plan? We are told that this is a “Smart Green” design, but is it really? This developer failed to follow any rules relating to safely removing diesel fuel from a long ago buried tank on site. Now they’re at it again. There is a law which protects bird nests by forbidding tree removal until after Sept. 1. Once again, Aptos developers ignored it by cutting down a number of eucalyptus and oak trees on Aug. 9, almost a month before the legal date. Nor was a qualified biologist on site as required. Can we logically trust the Village Plan will be a “Smart Green” project at all? I don’t believe so. Do you?? Let your county supervisor know how you feel. I did. Nancy Howells Aptos
Announcing the ‘Johnson Era’ Hall of Fame To the Editor, I coached for 62 years. I received my share of recognition. Coach of the year a few times, named into the California State Community College Hall of Fame and recently into the Cabrillo College Athletic Hall of Fame. I have coached many athletes during that time of course, some great, some not-so-great. But all contributed to our success. Nine of these years included Cabrillo College Women’s Softball (2003 through 2011), which I have named the “Johnson Era” Hall of Fame. All of these girls were named on the All Conference Teams during their playing years. I’m proud to say, all are products of Santa Cruz County schools (except one) and still reside in this area as far as I know. This list has never been published, and I think these girls (women now) would like to see their name in print. Cabrillo College Women’s Softball 2003-2011 All “Johnson Era” All Star Team Priscella Rubacava, 3B, 2003 Rachael Pena, SS, 2003-2004 Kristy Ballinger, C, SS, 2003 Shannon Weaver, C, 2006-2007 Shana Roth, C, 2008-2009 Katie Pleski, OF, 2007-2008 Rachael Gregory, OF, 2009-2010 Kayla Barker, OF, SS, 2008-2009 Jade Ohmann, 3B, 2008-2009 Adrianna Valdez, 1B, 2005-2007 Jose Crosetti, 1B, 2006 Caitlin Moran, 2B, 2007-2008 Bianca King, 2B, 2010-2011 Sarah LaFever, OF, SS, 2010-2011 Amber Bryan, OF, 2007-2008 Ashley Campbell, P, 2006-2007 Kelsey Rudolph, P, SS, 2007-2008 Tanya Mutz, P, 2009-2010 Coach Gene Johnson
September 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 3
Never been washed Corvair owner talks about classic vehicle By BEK PHILLIPS APTOS — In the short span of 10 years, the Chevrolet Corvair managed to change the auto industry, making its mark in history and in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Perhaps this is could not be reflected any better than in the words of Ralph Nader who famously claimed it was “unsafe to drive at any speed.” But this particular car was the peoples’ car. People who wanted a sports car, but who also had families and a need for practicality, had the Corvair. “When you go back, people were looking for family cars, sporty cars,” said Aptos resident Larry Donatoni, the owner of a 1963 Corvair. His car was one of the 165,892 Corvairs to be built in Ypsilanti, Mich. Unique in part because it is air cooled versus having a radiator or cooled by water, it has a six cylinder pancake engine. In the late ‘50s, General Motors had two cars: the Corvette (sporty) and the Bel Air (family). “They wanted [the Corvair] to be sporty but also appeal to family,” Donatoni said. Family was exactly the first memory that Donatoni associates with the Corvair, in part because it was the 1961 family station wagon that he eventually bought from his father. “We originally bought it as a family,” he recalled. “We drove it across the country from Flint, Michigan as a family trip.” The car met its unfortunate demise shortly after Donatoni took ownership when he totaled it in a front-end crash. Still, that was not the end.
“I took it to a friend’s house and rebuilt the whole thing,” he said. Today, the car he owns is not that original car. But that does not mean it has any less of a story. Bought from a friend from church, the transaction was just the beginning of an unusual turn of events. “I told him if he ever though about selling it to let me know, he said ‘funny you should mention it,’” Donatoni said. Driving it back on Highway 17, he noticed he was being followed by a Mercedes convertible when the man eventually waved, signaling him to pull over. “He walks over, says ‘my name is Bud, I’m the original owner,’” Donatoni recounted. “He was so happy to see this car.” Donatoni followed Bud home, and was rewarded with original documents, manuals and more. Bud, who had been in the Air Force and was made a POW during the Vietnam War, had stored the car first in storage and then eventually in a hangar for nine years. “That car has never been washed,” Donatoni said proudly. Instead, to help prevent rust, it is cared for by careful dusting, and spray cleaners and it sleeps in a garage in a cloth bag. “I always wanted a classic,” he said. “But most I couldn’t afford and I got hooked on Corvairs.” At the time of early production, there were few cars that could compete with it. Features such as independent suspension were eventually adopted by other car manufacturers and can be found in most cars today. “It was really unusual at the time,” Donatoni said.
Larry Donatoni drives his 1963 Corvair in the Fourth of July parade in Aptos. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
But then came Nader’s piece, and although it was ruled in the courts that his claims were unfounded, the damage was done. The last nail in the coffin was the production of the Ford Mustang and the beginning of a new era of muscle cars. But its popularity and affordability has made it attractive to people of all ages now, either for its attractive lines or because of nostalgia. “That’s what is so special about classics, and classics people could afford,” Donatoni said. “This is the car of a whole generation.” To date, Donatoni has collected binders of information on the Corvair. Building on what was given to him by Bud, old registration cards, magazines, pictures and more are all carefully stored in binders, preserved in plastic. Pictures of him rebuilding the station wagon, old receipts (all of them) for parts ... the list goes on. “People can get a little crazy about cars,” Donatoni said, laughing. “But it is kinda fun to step back through time.” It is for that reason that he continues to drive it, show it, and pass on its stories to others.
“My wife and I met in high school, we dated in a Corvair, I took her to the movies in it,” he said. “I love to share it with others, I am averse to sticking it in a garage.” It has also allowed him to collect stories from others as they come up to him and reminisce. “People of all ages come up to me; the younger ones say they love the style, the older people say, ‘I remember that car,’” Donatoni said. “It is something to be shared and enjoyed. I love to just take it out and drive it.”
The 1963 Corvair features fawn vinyl leather seats. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
‘66 was a good year Car owner reflects on a lifetime of memories By BEK PHILLIPS CAPITOLA — Fifty-year celebrations are hallmarks that few businesses can boast of and many people desire; people celebrate the magic number 50 for wedding anniversaries, businesses, nonprofits, sporting events ... the list goes on. For Pam Greeninger, it also holds a special meaning, particularly because 2016 marks the 50th year she has spent with her ‘66 Mustang. Originally purchased as she was graduating high school, her father spotted it in a car lot, and although she did not know how to drive a stick shift at the time, she said she fell in love instantly. “Of course I died the car pulling off the lot,” Greeninger said. “I refer to it as my first baby because I have had it for so long.” Recently, she showed her car in conjunction with Capitola Historical Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration, thinking that it would be neat to tie the two together. Dated ads were brought out, a display was set up and the time was spent reflecting on the time spent and trips taken. “I loved it, it’s the perfect little car,” she reminisced. “When I moved to Hawaii in 1971, I shipped it there. You get attached to things.” While the car has been freshened up with a couple of new paint jobs, Greeninger said that for the most part, it is still the same car she bought all those years ago. “I don’t know what the motivation is, it is hard to believe it is 50 years old,” she said. “But it is a fun little car, definitely a classic.” Always one for preventative maintenance, Greeninger said pride of ownership has a lot to do with it. The care, time and cost put into the car to ensure that it has all original parts has not always been easy. Today, the only things new include the carpet and the radio. “When you have something that is nice, you want to take care of it,” she said. “You never really think about it, I can’t think of a time I won’t have my car.”
Part of owning a car is sharing the story with others. Being the original owner, she is in the unique position to do so. “It’s a part of me,” she said. “I love telling people that I have had this car since high school.” But if that was a highlight because that was when she bought the car, a wedding makes up the backbone of its second life. Her car had been driven for years, had seen her through moves, travels and a divorce, when she met her second husband in Hawaii. The miles put on it reflected its use, but when leaving for their honeymoon, something auspicious happened. “Reflecting further, the drive to our honeymoon when the odometer went back to 00000, marking 100,000 miles and a new beginning with my husband, Stewart, was the most memorable ride in my Mustang,” Greeninger said, smiling a small smile at the memory. But relationships with things, especially cars, is something Greeninger says is more reflected in the older generations. “People tend to not keep things like they used to,” she said. “Especially cars, people just get a new one in their favorite style with the newest gadgets.” For her, that is almost unimaginable. Although she keeps another car to drive most days, she said she still loves to drive her Mustang. “It is hard to let things go certainly,” she said. “But for many reasons: somebody made it for you, there are memories attached, you get used to it. It’s a dilemma.” There is also a feeling of comfort associated with the car. Memories and stories have nothing on being behind the wheel. “When you get back into it — it’s like going home,” she explained, tearing up. “It feels like home.” Today she and her husband have some more required maintenance to complete, but she plans on continuing to drive it and hopes to put it in more shows. She has a history of putting her car in the local shows, the first Capitola Rod and Custom Classics show featured her car.
“I can still remember going to parties in it, taking it to the beach, every Saturday I would be out there washing my cars — everybody knew I would be out there and would come by A 1966 Mustang, belonging to Pam Greeninger, was part of the display to talk to me. at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Capitola Historical Museum. ‘66 was a good Photo by Tarmo Hannula year,” she said. “If you have something you love enjoy it, but I try to share it with others.” Original advertisements were part of the Mustang display. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
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September 2016
4 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
CHILI COOK-OFF
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
DIABETES EDUCATION
Community Foundation awards grants
Diabetes classes begin Staff report
Staff report
Kris Klassen stirs some meat into the con carne chili during the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-off in 2011. File photo
Registration open for Boardwalk’s Chili Cook-Off Staff report
SANTA CRUZ — Registration is now open for the seventh annual Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off. The Cook-Off takes place along the Boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 22. Admission to the Chili Cook-Off is free. Visitors can watch chefs prepare their chili, and for $10 taste up to six different samples as well as vote for the People’s Choice winner. Cooking begins at 10 a.m., tasting starts at 1 p.m., and winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Boardwalk rides will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the event. The Casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom will also be open. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and education center dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals, with volunteers serving Santa Cruz County. For information including the official entry form, and Cook-Off rules, visit www.beachboardwalk.com/ chili.
WATSONVILLE — A free eight-week educational class on diabetes will begin Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Nutritionist Maria Jose Hummel, MS., MPH will be presenting a complete educational seminar on Type 2 Diabetes. Participants will learn what causes diabetes and what can be done for it. After each lecture, Hummel will be demonstrating healthy meals with food samples. Additionally, attendees will have an opportunity to also participate in a “Ten Day Challenge” which includes a before and after blood test, a 30-meal menu with recipes and coaching for $22. The classes are held at the Health Education Center below Seventh Day Adventist Church, 700 South Green Valley Road in Watsonville. For information, call 325-7993 or email tricia_ kaiser@yahoo.com.
APTOS — Fifty-four grants totaling $1,054,800 were awarded to area nonprofits from the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in recent funding. Grants went to organizations working in arts, history and culture, community development, education, environment, health and human services. The latest round of funding is part of the $5 million already awarded this year, which included grants from donoradvised funds. “Many of the grants were made based on our board’s growing attention to promoting education, job training and economic development within the county,” said CEO Lance Linares. Among the nonprofits receiving grants were: the Opportunity Fund, $15,000, for additional microloans to small business entrepreneurs in the county; California FarmLink, $20,000, to help new and struggling county farmers get land and capital; Digital NEST, $40,000, for career development for Latino youth; Santa Cruz County Regional Occupation Program, $20,000, for a course of study that integrates technical training with core academics; and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, $20,000, for further restoration of the Castro Adobe, California newest State Historic Park. For information, visit www.cfscc.org/ latestgrants2016.
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September 2016
VOLUNTEER CENTER
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 5
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
LEO’S HAVEN
Nominations sought for Be the Difference Awards Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County kicked off the call for nominations for the 10th Annual Be the Difference Awards. The “Be the Difference” Awards are about honoring the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses who make a difference in Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. All community members are invited to share their stories. Individuals who have worked alongside a dedicated volunteer, admire the way a particular nonprofit engages volunteers, or have observed a business going the extra mile for civic engagement are encouraged to fill out a nomination form. Nominations will be accepted now through Sept. 7. “Each of us can think of a volunteer that has touched our lives in some way, big or small. The Be the Difference Awards provide the annual opportunity for the larger community to say thank-you and to share the powerful stories of our local change-makers,” said Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney. More than 350 individuals, groups and businesses have been recognized since the inception of the event. “It is wonderful to see this number grow each year, to hear fresh new stories of individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who are dedicating themselves to the causes they care about, and to know that this is a clear indication that volunteer movement in Santa Cruz County is on the rise. It definitely leaves me a with a good feeling about the character of our community,” Delaney said. All nominees will receive a complimentary ticket and recognition at the Be the Difference Awards Lunch Gala which annually brings together more than 250 attendees in celebration of service. This year’s event will take place on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Cocoanut Grove from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Selected nominees in each category will receive special recognition through film and publicity in partnership with Lucid Sound and Pictures. For nomination forms, visit www.scvolunteercenter. org. For information, call 427-5070.
Designs for LEO’s Haven were recently unveiled. Rendering by Shane’s Inspiration
Soroptimist International member Lisa Cottle prepares one of numerous goody baskets in preparation for the group’s annual fundraiser Sept. 10. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Soroptimist International of Watsonville present fundraiser Staff report APTOS — Soroptimist International of Watsonville is hosting a fundraiser, “Bubbles, Bangles & Beaux,” on Sept. 10 from 3-8 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive in Aptos. The event will feature cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Jeff Heicksen, music by Travis Palmer & The Once In A Whiles Band, and an auction with auctioneer Terry Medina. Admission is $75. For reservations, contact Jo Ann Vear at 724-8622 or 818-9736.
Playground Project announces major donation Staff report SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz Playground Project announced a sizeable donation from Doug and Diane Deaver of Aptos toward the creation of LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park, an inclusive playground designed to meet the needs of local children of all abilities. The Deaver family donated $10,775 to sponsor the “Wee-Saw” after seeing a news coverage about efforts to build the project. Designs for the $1.9 million park are available at www.santacruzplaygroundproject. com. Since the fundraising effort was announced, many local residents, businesses and nonprofits have contributed time, resources and money toward establishing the county’s first all-inclusive playground. Local children have even pitched in by selling donated Newman’s Own Organics cookies at various locations, with the goal of raising $1,000 themselves.
September 2016
6 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Back to School
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options for electives. It also gives students more chances to take music, physical education and other classes, all of which were in full swing Wednesday. “We’re hitting the ground running,” said Principal Peggy Pughe, who took the top administrative spot after Casey O’Brien left. “We’re at 100 percent.” Sophomore Rikki Radliff, 14, who spent part of her summer at camp, said she started her day ruing the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. That changed once she arrived, and attended her English class and an AP European history class, she said. “Now that I’m here and I have my classes I’m kind of excited,” she said. Sophomore Kelly Taylor had no such misgivings. “For me coming back isn’t a big deal because I love school,” she said. “Learning to me is fun.” Carsten Gomez, 16, described his return to the sprawling campus as “fun.” “I like seeing all my friends and stuff,”
Christmas Train “In contrast to Watsonville, Santa Cruz as a city is a well-known destination throughout Northern California, and this familiarity will increase the marketability of the Polar Express event throughout the Bay Area,” the report stated. The Train to Christmas Town embarked from a makeshift station on Ohlone Parkway, passing through the Buena Vista Landfill on its way to La Selva Beach, where a temporary set was constructed to represent “Christmas Town.”
Policing
he said. In the days leading up to the first day, teachers throughout the district gathered in classrooms and boardrooms to prepare for the year. At the PVUSD district office on Green Valley Road, adult school teachers packed into a classroom for their orientation meeting. It was the first time the adult school teachers met since Watsonville/ Aptos Adult Education merged with Santa Cruz Adult School in July. That move came after the Santa Cruz school was unable to pull out of economic troubles it encountered during the 2008 economic recession. In the wake of the merge, the school rebranded itself to Watsonville Aptos Santa Cruz Adult Education. That name and a new logo will soon be visible on a new sign in front of the district headquarters. “I think that with Santa Cruz coming on board, we are going to be even stronger,” school director Nancy Bilicich said. “Our goal is to be the best we can be.”
Aptos High School students fill in the blanks about how they spent the summer. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
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According to Mike Edwards, SC&MB Railway general manager, empty rail cars that are stored on the line would be moved to sidings and spurs in the Watsonville area for two to three days at the beginning and end of the Polar Express operating season to bring train equipment in and out. Operating dates are scheduled from Nov. 17 to Dec. 23. Based on ridership estimates, the RTC expects to receive about $60,000 from the five-week event. The decision to move the holiday train
to North County has drawn ire from a number of residents, the majority of which expressed concern about the noise from the train and the proximity of the line to neighborhoods. In an email to the commission, Santa Cruz resident Michael Lesh opposed the plan. “This is an intrusion into my peaceful daily life, with blaring horns and dirty diesel smoke,” he wrote. With the decision, Dutra said Watsonville
will once again “lose out” to North County. He also said he felt that Iowa Pacific, which operates the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway, was “demeaning” to Watsonville in its report. “It’s very upsetting to me,” he said. “This is a big blow to Watsonville.” Dutra said he is now working on a way to obtain a number of tickets for Watsonville children, as well as looking into discounted tickets on certain days for South County families.
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provide the sharpest level of accountability of police actions. In light of a spate of police-related shootings around the country, some of which triggered race riots and fatal attacks on police, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart told a large audience Wednesday that it was time to move in a direction that aims to usher in transparency and accountability while promoting effective crime prevention strategies. In doing so Hart recently traveled to the White House where law officials from around the nation met with President Barack Obama. They learned first hand of Obama’s Executive Order that appointed an 11-member task force on 21st Century Policing. Hart said the president wanted
a quick yet thorough response that would begin the process of healing to restore community trust. The Sheriff’s Office formed a 15-member Task Force and a 13-member Advisory Team who met a number of times over the year to pool ideas about current policing models and how to change them for the positive. “This is a good day for us,” Hart said. “We have made a lot of changes. This is a culmination of eight months of hard work by us and our community. We want to closely examine our use of force through coaching and teaching and learning from our experience. We are also focusing on slowing things down and we want to improve our focus on dealing with mental
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illness.” Division of Law Enforcement Director Larry Wallace, who drove from the Attorney General’s Office in Sacramento, outlined how the state is adopting 21st Century Policing and he commended Hart for his department’s eagerness to get on board. “We have seen the gap grow between cops and the community,” he said. “We must work together. The truth is, we can all do better.” During a six-month period between February and July, Sheriff’s patrol supervisors spoke to 615 citizens following a service call to find out how they felt about the Sheriff Office’s performance. They asked three call-related questions: • Based on the urgency of the problem you reported, did we respond in a timely manner? (96 percent favorable responses). • Did we act professionally? (99 percent favorable responses). • Did we help in resolving the problem you called about? (96 percent favorable responses).
“I’m proud of the work our deputies do,” Hart said. “The public can count on us to help, act professionally and treat everyone fairly.” The Sheriff’s Office has boiled down their embracing of 21st Century Policing to what they call the “Six Pillars of 21st Century Policing:” • Building trust and legitimacy • Policy and oversight • Technology and social media • Community policing and crime reduction • Training and education • Officer wellness and safety The meeting was heavily attended by a host of dignitaries including Watsonville Police Chief David Honda. Hart said that in June his department had 9,000 calls for service with not one use of force. In July they also had 9,000 calls for service with one use of force. Hart reminded the crowd that “This is just the beginning,” and that “there is still work to be done.”
September 2016
History Corner
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 7 Continued from page 1
expanding down the coast from Alaska. Because of the Russian presence, Lieutenant-Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza brought 30 soldiers and their families from Sinaloa, Mexico, (New Spain), in 1775, in order to help populate Alta California, to reinforce Monterey and to establish a mission at San Francisco. Jose Joaquin Castro was a member of the Anza expedition at the ripe old age of 5 years old. He walked with his mother all the way to Monterey along with his father who was a soldier guarding the colonists. The Castros then moved to San Francisco where they helped build the mission and presidio. Later they helped to establish San Jose and Villa de Branciforte which was the town across the river from Mission Santa Cruz. When Jose Joaquin grew up he was granted the 8,912-acre Rancho San Andrés in 1833. His children were granted six additional ranchos including Rafael who had Rancho Aptos to the north. The Castros were granted more than 250,000 acres in what is today Santa Cruz County. The first adobe built on Rancho San Andrés was near the beach, but when Indians became hostile the Castros moved to a hill overlooking Larkin Valley. The new adobe was built between 1848-1850 by Juan Jose Castro, son of Jose Joaquin and brother of Rafael. The adobe has gone through many owners and many alterations. It has been through the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989. It is the last of seven adobes in the Pajaro Valley. The former owners, Joe and Edna Kimbro, bought it a little more than a year before the 1989 earthquake (be careful what you wish for). Edna was one of the foremost authorities on adobe restoration. The Kimbros were instrumental in getting the state to purchase the property for an historic park in 2002. Since that time, the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and volunteers have
worked tirelessly. The roof has been raised and repaired. A total of 2,550 adobe bricks were made for reconstruction and seismic stabilization. The floor has been replaced after an archeological exploration underneath. The second floor is called the Fandango room where dances were held. This feature is unique to the four surviving adobes in the county. The stairs have been replaced and an ADA compliant lift has been added to get disabled persons to the second floor although it will not be available by Sept. 10. The garden and the orchard have also been restored. Although the property is owned by California Department of Parks and Recreation, it is not yet officially open as a State Historic Park. Some construction is still ongoing. Joseph Ritchie is the Park Interpreter and he has promised us a custom guided tour tailored to our group. A unique feature of this adobe is the original onestory cocina or kitchen. How would you like to be the cook? The kitchen is outside and cannot be reached from inside the house. It is one of only five such Mexican kitchens remaining in the state. Joseph said that we will have tortilla snacks prepared for our group on the brasero or brick stove. This is your chance to step back in history and have an intimate look at how Rafael Castro of Rancho Aptos, and his mommy and daddy and brothers and sisters lived during the Mexican Rancho period. Please join us. Bring your children and your friends for an unforgettable experience on Saturday, Sept. 10. Reservations are required and space is limited. The first tour will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and if there are sufficient reservations, a second tour will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. A $10 donation benefits the Aptos History Museum. Call (831) 688-1467.
The Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe. Photo by Jeff Ritchie
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8 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
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September 2016
Guest Columnist
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 9
Guest Columnist
Recognizing and preventing elder financial abuse
By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® As the population of America continues to age and longevity continues to increase, a problem that is becoming more and more prevalent is elder financial abuse. According to a 2011 study done by MetLife, victims are losing an estimated $2.9 billion every year to scams and unscrupulous people. What is even more disturbing is the fact that a lot of the time it is the victim’s own family members and friends who take advantage of them rather than strangers. Just recently we were visiting three of our clients to discuss their quarterly reports. These three clients happen to be older, but all still live independently. While we have heard about the IRS phone scams and occasionally receive the random scam calls asking us to verify our credit
card number or something of that nature ourselves, we did not know the extent that our clients were receiving these types of calls until we casually asked them. One client said that she receives calls from people claiming to be the IRS on what seems like a daily basis. She says they tell her she is going to jail if she doesn’t pay some bogus outstanding balance. She knows this is a scam and just hangs up. Another client mentioned that he too receives the IRS phone scam quite frequently and hangs up as well. A third client says she receives mailings from the “Social Security Administration” asking her to fill out a questionnaire and send in a “donation.” Incredulous, we asked to see this mailing. Sure enough, it was a questionnaire from a random company with a P.O. Box for an address with about 10 very broad and generic questions about Social Security and at the end was a spot for a credit card number and a donation amount. The option was either a $17 donation or a blank space for you to fill in the amount. While maybe not an outright scam, it was a very deceptive mailing targeting elderly people. While these examples above highlight strangers trying to victimize elderly people, seniors often fall victim to people they may trust the most, their own family members. These people often come to the victim with a hard luck story about why
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they need the money. Or, these family members may need to “borrow” some money and then conveniently forget to pay the money back. Other will outright steal from their elderly family members. Again, the entitled mentality seems to be “I’m simply getting my inheritance early.” The question to ask is: what can we do to prevent this from happening? We think the first step is to establish a dialogue about your finances with someone you trust. This can be a trusted financial professional or a trusted family member. A survey conducted by Allianz showed that of the respondents over 65 who had fallen victim to a scam, only 8 percent were actively talking to others about their finances. Often times, when someone falls victim to a scam, they are embarrassed to talk about it or admit that it happened. On the flip side, if you are a child with aging parents and are worried about them falling victim to financial scams, engage them in conversation. Casually bring up and discuss some of the common scams that target older people and go over a game plan with your parents on what to do if they are unsure if something is legitimate or a scam. There is no question about it, many elders want to remain fiercely independent and there is a fine line between looking out for their best interest and just plain sticking your nose into their private
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business. But encouraging them to discuss money decisions they are making or mailings or phone calls they are receiving can help open the communication. Our experience is that although many do not want to say they do not understand a particular financial offer or solicitation, they will listen closely and consider the opinion of someone they believe has their best interests in mind. Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Croxall Capital Planning Securities and Advisory Services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), member FINRA/ SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Consulting and Investment Management offered through Croxall Capital Planning (CCP), a Registered Investment Advisor. CCP and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. NPC and CCP do not provide tax or legal advice. The information contained herein is for general education and is not intended as specific advice or a recommendation to any person or entity. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of NPC.
Continued from page 2
well as focusing upon Centennial Legacy Service projects in the areas of vision, youth, environment and hunger. According to one of the newest Cabrillo Host Lions Club member applicants, Jeannie Collins, Real Estate Broker, “I am looking forward to leading a new Legacy Tree Planting service project to benefit the families of veterans and continuing the Cabrillo Host Lion Club’s commitment to serving the community.” She is gearing up to present the project to the Cabrillo Lions Board of Directors with another new member, Bobby Buckter, horticulturist. The club is reaching out to the community with mixers and new membership orientations with the most recent mixer being held at the Wargin Winery Tasting Room at 5015 Soquel Drive in Soquel. Tasting Room owners Mikael and Denise
Wargin have recently joined the Cabrillo Lions club, as well as Linda Catalli, a stroke prevention nurse at Dominican. Since the club’s chartering in 1961, its members have worked on numerous projects in the local community, such as parks projects, beach cleanups, Student Speaker Contest, Lions International Peace Poster Contest for youth ages 1113, as well as health screenings, and vision screenings. Proceeds from past fundraising events have gone to annual scholarships for Aptos High School and Soquel High School and most recently to the construction of the new Restrooms and Concessions building in the Polo Grounds County Park. The club, whose motto is “We Serve,” is currently looking forward to working upcoming vision screenings to be held at Rio Del Mar Elementary School and Valencia Elementary on Sept. 8 and 9, respectively, and several more local schools during October. Free health screenings will be conducted for the public during the Capitola Art and Wine Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10 in front of the Capitola City Hall beginning at 9 a.m. in the “A.J. Robinson,” a mobile health screening unit outfitted for providing health screenings that may highlight risks for blindness or vision problems. The Cabrillo Host Lions Club and the Santa Cruz Lions Club are providing this service to the community as a joint effort. The trailer is also outfitted to be used for hearing screenings. The volunteers that staff it are also able to measure height, weight, blood pressure, resting respiratory rate, and blood sugar. The Cabrillo Host Lions Club has more than 40 members and meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Lions Clubhouse in the Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road in Aptos. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For information or to get involved with the Cabrillo Host Lions Club, contact club President Krista Brassfield at landmarkdesigns@gmail.com or 3310432.
10 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
September 2016
September 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 11
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
Ending veteran homelessness
By ZACH FRIEND
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Every Wednesday at the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Hall, many veterans gather for a weekly shared meal, strengthening the bonds of service that bind them together. But many also share another bond — about half are homeless. That so many of our honored vets are living on the street is not unique to Santa Cruz County; it’s a
Guest Columnist
shameful shadow that stretches across the nation. It doesn’t have to be this way. For all the discussion about homelessness in Santa Cruz County, actual progress is being made when it comes to housing veterans. Late last year I wrote about an initiative to end veteran homelessness in our county by the end of 2016. It sounds ambitious, and it is, but a number of local veterans advocates have noted that ending veteran homelessness in Santa Cruz County is within our reach. In fact, in 2014 there were nearly 400 homeless veterans on our streets. By late 2015 that number was cut in half. Real progress continues to be made but we aren’t there yet. How have the reductions been made possible? Through initiatives like the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, the leadership of the White House and amazing local veterans organizations the needle has begun to move. Homeless persons may need a variety of things — job opportunities, food and clean
clothes, mental health counseling — but one thing they all need is a roof. Once that most basic of needs is met, veterans can flourish. One of the main tools in achieving this has been federal housing subsidies available through the Santa Cruz County Housing Authority. Known as Housing and Urban Development —Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, they provide rent subsidies along with case workers who make regular visits to veterans in their homes, making sure they have access to food, employment services, medical care and more. Veterans are targeted that generally earn at or below 30-50 percent of the average median income in our county. Meaning, most of the veterans that are successfully using the program earn between $19,700$32,800/year — and many are homeless or without secure housing. Local landlords have been willing to take the HUD-VASH vouchers to house our local veterans. But there are many interested veterans, and available
vouchers, without available units. In fact, the county currently has about 300 HUDVASH vouchers available but it’s been difficult to find additional landlords willing to help fill the units. There’s no doubt the local housing crisis has both increased the number of homeless veterans but also decreased the number of available units and willing landlords. Put simply, if more housing was offered by landlords or even shared housing options, we could eliminate veteran homelessness locally. If you own property, veterans need your help. The vouchers are a dependable source of income, and the process of enrolling in the voucher program is simple. You fill out a form, and a local housing official will make a quick site visit to make sure that basic health and safety needs are being met, such as smoke detectors or that the front door has a lock. Contact the Santa Cruz Veteran Resource Center at 477-7515 to help. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please call me at 454-2200.
Guest Columnist
Ask Nicole: Teaching children to cope with anxiety By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW Is it just me, or is it getting harder to keep up with life? Some days, it feels like I’m on a treadmill that’s going too fast, but I can’t pause to catch my breath because I’m scared I’ll trip and fall. I think I’ve become so accustomed to this rapid pace that I’ve stopped noticing the stress it creates. That is, until I wake up at 2 a.m. multiple nights in a row from a recurring nightmare about an important meeting or deadline I’ve missed. It’s like those childhood
dreams where you show up at school unprepared for a test or can’t find your classroom. When this happens to me, it’s a clear sign that my stress and anxiety have taken over. It’s time to press the reset button. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, email me at triplep@ first5scc.org.
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Dear Nicole, My 9-year-old daughter is sweet and kind, does well in school, and doesn’t have any major behavior issues. Our problem is that everything makes her anxious and nervous. She gets really worried that something will go wrong, she’s forgotten something, or she’s going to make a mistake (i.e. fail). She gets so upset that she can’t think straight. I tell her everything will be fine, but that seems to make her more upset. I’m worried this will get worse as she gets older and faces more pressure. What should I do? Daniel Dear Daniel, You’re on the right track by taking your daughter’s emotions seriously. Anxiety is a natural reaction to anything the brain sees as a “threat,” including stress at home, school, with friends or in the community. Signs of anxiety can include a faster heartbeat and breathing, sweaty palms, tense muscles, light-headedness or an upset stomach. These physical reactions can make us more alert and prepared to do our best in situations like tests or sports. However, they can also be frightening for some children, especially if they experience frequent or intense anxiety. It can lead children to believe that something is wrong with them or something bad will happen. If left alone, these thoughts and feelings can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life. Here are some tips to help your family: Acknowledge and empathize with your child’s feelings. When children become upset, their “emotional brains” take over, making it hard for them to see the situation and options clearly. Many parents try to reassure their children that everything will be fine, solve the problem or tell them the situation is not really a big problem. While the parents might be right, children are more likely to believe these words once their fears have been acknowledged as real to them. A simple statement such as, “I can see you’re really worried,” or, “I’ve felt that way before,” can have a calming effect. Ask questions and listen. Try to find out
whether something happened recently that caused her to become anxious or nervous. Then ask a few questions to encourage her to express her thoughts and feelings. Listen and continue to acknowledge her feelings, even if you don’t understand or agree with how she views the situation. Guide your child through problem-solving steps. Help her define the problem or concern, then brainstorm possible ways to handle it. Encourage her to come up with ideas first before offering suggestions. Talk about the pros and cons of each idea, then help her decide which one to try. Have her practice what she’ll say or do to build her confidence in her ability to handle the situation. After she tries her solution, talk about how it worked and what she would do the next time something similar happens. Over time, this process will help your daughter learn ways to handle stress and anxiety before it becomes overwhelming. Stay calm and patient. Helping children deal with anxiety can add more stress to a family. Use coping strategies yourself, like taking deep breaths, saying positive affirmations, or taking a break. It will help you stay calm and patient, while also modeling healthy coping strategies. Final thoughts: Stress and anxiety are unavoidable parts of everyday life, but they don’t have to take over our lives. Learning to cope with anxiety in childhood is an important life skill that can be developed with time and practice. ••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 12 and 16, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. For information, including classes and one-onone meetings to help parents handle everyday parenting challenges, visit triplep.first5scc.org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or www.youtube. com/triplepsantacruzco. To find a Triple P class or practitioner, contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
September 2016
12 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
SEPTEMBER 2016
Aptos ready to go Seniors put previous success behind them, look to win sixth straight league title, make CCS finals run By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — Relieving. Exhilarating. Euphoria. Aptos High’s win in the Central Coast Section Division IV championship brought out plenty of emotions. “I was in tears,” said Aptos senior Jack Wolf. “We worked so hard to get there and win that game.” Wolf is just one of many returning starters who wouldn’t mind feeling that whirlwind of emotions once again. Aptos returns its two top runners from last season as well as its record setting quarterback and the vast majority of its starting defense. The Mariners, as usual, have not had to rebuild despite graduating the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Most Valuable Player of the Year, Jack Harris, and the league’s Lineman of the Year, Jason Bonsall — just to name a couple of Aptos’ seven senior All-League First Team selections from last season. The Big Blue Machine simply reloaded. “We’re doing the same thing we’ve always done — hard work everyday,” said senior defensive back Joey Riccabona. Riccabona and Wolf are two of the several juniors that starred in last year’s CCS championship-game win, which was Aptos’ third straight. Riccabona caught a pair of touchdowns and also hauled in an interception, running back Fabian Chavez had 128 total yards of offense and two touchdowns while also recording a sack on defense and quarterback Gavin Glaum threw three touchdowns. Senior running back Danner Pardue, who led the Mariners with 756 yards rushing while scoring seven rushing touchdowns last year, is also back after sitting out the playoffs because of a knee injury. All of those juniors helped the seniors go out on top in 2015 and hope they can capture their “own” title this season. “We want to stick together and be a good team,” said senior Caleb Martin, who was an All-League selection last season as a defensive lineman. “If that happens then we’ll go for our section and win it, then see how far we can go.” In the backfield, Wolf has packed on 10 pounds — now at 5-foot-11-inches and 185 pounds — since last season and will receive a heavy share of the offensive load with Pardue (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) and Chavez (5-11, 178). Glaum says he’s more comfortable
behind center than last season and is poised to have a big year throwing the football after setting the program’s single season passing yards record — 1,579 yards — as a junior. “I’m feeling a lot better than I was last year,” Glaum said. “I was still learning things last year. This year, I’m picking up where I left off from last year.” Despite standing just 5-feet-10-inches tall, Riccabona was Glaum’s go-to target last season and plans to continue that this season. Senior tight end Darrien Lee (6-1, 190) and junior wide receiver Ryan Fisher (6-1, 183) will provide Glaum with big sure-handed receivers. “[Glaum’s] gotten better,” Riccabona said. “He’s learning all the little things. But I think our offense as a whole has also gotten better.” The Mariners lone area of concern on the offense lies along the offensive line. Senior guard Ramon Ceja (5-11, 180) is the lone senior up front after Martin’s recent move from tackle to tight end. The other four, however, are young but not inexperienced. Massive junior tackle Alex Austen, who is 6-foot-4 for 255 pounds, started the last three games of the regular season and all three of the Mariners’ playoff games. Junior guard Justin Torres (5-11, 212) also moved up to the varsity level for the playoffs and gained valuable experience. The other two spots are still in flux. “They’re a bunch of young guys but I feel comfortable with our line,” Wolf said. On defense the Mariners are as fast and experienced as ever. Seniors Aidan McAnerney, Tate StoneHinds, Chavez and Riccabona return in the defensive backfield, while Wolf will also be in the mix at safety after playing outside linebacker last season. Senior linebacker Trenten Black (6-0, 177) is back for his third varsity season and will try to help junior linebacker Titan Garland (6-1, 184) and sophomore Marcos Reyes (5-8, 165) fit into the other linebacker spots. Up front Martin (6-0, 215) and fellow senior Chris Ilar (5-11, 260), who played inside linebacker last season, lead a stout and deep defensive line unit. Martin and Ilar are both entering their third varsity season. “We’ve all been playing together so we got our defense down,” Wolf said. “We know what to do. We know our assignments.” The defense will be tested thoroughly in the first five weeks of the season.
Aptos High senior running back Danner Pardue is set to have a big season in the Mariners’ run-heavy offense. Photo by Tony Nunez
Aptos High seniors Caleb Martin (from left), Jack Wolf and Joey Riccabona are part of a strong senior class which will look to continue the Mariners’ impressive run under head coach Randy Blankenship. Photo by Tony Nunez
Aptos opens the year with four straight games against playoff teams. They traveled to Salinas High (8/25) first and then over the hill to Foothill College to play Archbishop Mitty (9/2) before hosting Capital Christian (9/9) and Palma
High (9/16) the following two weeks. The Mariners make the trip to Aragon High in San Mateo (9/23) to close out their preseason. Please turn to Page 14
September 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 13
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September 2016
14 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Aptos looks to return to CCS By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — The Aptos High Mariners not only made it to the Central Coast Section playoffs last season but they made history by notching their first-ever postseason victory. Now they want more. “This team wants to get back there,” said Aptos third-year head coach Mark Knapp, “and I don’t see why they can’t accomplish that.” Aptos returns plenty from the historic team to help accomplish the feat. Senior Kiegan Lee, who led the Mariners in scoring with 66 goals, while also adding 17 assists, is back and so is star senior goalie Desiree Guzman. But the graduation of three-year varsity standout Kate Jeffery, who was a FirstTeam All-Monterey Bay League Gabilan division selection last season, does leave a big hole in the leadership department. Enter Lee. The Mariners will lean heavily on the four-year varsity starter, who worked in the summer on the mental side of the game. She said her understanding of how to run an offense and a defense has skyrocketed over the offseason.
“I have a lot that I can share with this team because I’ve been playing this game for so long,” said Lee, who started playing water polo in eighth grade. “But it’s not really about me this season. I want it to be about the team and the way we work together as a group.” Junior Kamil Nugent, sophomore Kristen Malone and senior Skyler Poulos combined for 59 goals and 37 assists last season and will be more prominent in the attack this time around. Sophomore Quinn Youngs, who moved up from the junior varsity level, has also impressed. “We’re expecting a lot of good things out of [Lee] but at the same time we have some players that can help her out,” Knapp said. The Mariners started their trek to the CCS playoffs Aug. 25 with a league game at home against the Santa Cruz High Cardinals at 6 p.m. Soquel High, which has not lost to a league opponent since 2012, is the runaway favorite to win the MBL-G for the fifth straight year but second place is wide open. Carmel High, San Lorenzo Valley High and Santa Cruz will all be competing for the league’s automatic CCS qualifying
Football Preview
Continued from page 12
The Mariners had a similar schedule last season — substituting Bellarmine for Aragon — and struggled. They beat Salinas to start the season but went on to lose their next four, which was the longest losing streak in the Randy Blankenship era. This year’s group stands by the early challenges, saying it helps whip them into shape for the second half of the regular season and, more importantly, the playoffs. “Those teams are a lot tougher and meaner than the teams in our league,” Wolf said. “It shows you how to play real football. It’s really fast paced and I think it
really helps us improve.” After the preseason, the Mariners strength of schedule takes a big dip through SCCAL play. Of the five teams in the league, only San Lorenzo Valley High and Scotts Valley High finished above .500 — both made the playoffs. Santa Cruz High, Soquel High and Harbor High finished with a combined 3-27 record. San Lorenzo Valley, which returns three All-League First Team players, and Santa Cruz, who’s junior varsity won the SCCAL title last season, have been touted as the two major candidates to put an end to the Mariners’ five-year reign over the league.
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The Mariners are aiming to make the Central Coast Section playoffs for the second straight year under head coach Mark Knapp (second from left). Photo by Tony Nunez
spots, which go to the second and third place teams. Christopher High will also be in the division but San Benito High will not field
a team because of low numbers. “We know that we have to take one of the top three spots,” Knapp said. “Our chances of doing that are as good as any.”
The Mariners’ players say they’ve heard the chatter from the outside saying they might finish third in the league. They said they simply smile and continue to work. “It doesn’t matter to us,” Wolf said. “We just keep doing what we’ve been doing.” What they’ve done in the past is win. Aptos has not lost a league game since 2010, winning its last 27 games against SCCAL opponents. In that time, the Mariners have also made four straight CCS championship games and are currently on a nine-game winning streak in the playoffs. Last year’s CCS title — the program’s
fourth overall — put Aptos in the history books yet again. They became the only program from Santa Cruz County to win three straight section championships. But as Blankenship tells his players: last year, was last year. This year’s team will have to earn that success all over again. “That’s what we’re working for this whole year,” Riccabona said. “Winning a championship so we can get that feeling again.”
September 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 15
Featuring a Frank Sinatra 100th Birthday Musical Tribute
Happy Days Are Here Again Directed by Kris Wheeler
September 14, 15, 16 & 17 at 1:00pm September 16 at 7:30pm Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Adult Tickets: $20
Call: (831) 423-6640 Email: santacruzfollies@att.net Facebook: Santa Cruz Follies Website: santacruzfollies.net
September 2016
16 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Big talent, high hopes Mariners eye MBL-G title; work toward replacing top three scorers from last year By TONY NUNEZ APTOS — Despite graduating their three leading scorers from last season, the Aptos High Mariners are confident that they can be even better this season. And with an athletic, cohesive and talented group why would they not be confident? Aptos did indeed graduate its top shot makers, including Alex Stratton, who led the team in goals (91) and assists (20), but for what they lost in offensive firepower they easily gained in experience and familiarity. A majority of the Mariners’ starters spent the summer in the pool playing on the same team for the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club. The three senior Tallmans Eric, Ben and Jordan — Ben and Jordan are brothers and Eric is their cousin — and fellow senior Ryan Malone all kept close to develop their team chemistry and skills in the water. Juniors Ryan Yeaman and Trevor Foley also kept busy this summer. And the work is noticeable. Malone has bulked up, all six players are faster swimmers and they all have a good feel for what their individual strengths and weaknesses are. “We’re all trying to make this season special both team wise and individually,” Malone said. “We’re all putting that effort in.” By special Malone means capturing the ever-illusive Monterey Bay League Gabilan division championship. Aptos came close last season but finished one game behind Santa Cruz High and tied for second with Soquel High and Salinas High at 8-4. If they can win the league this season, it would be their first title since 1978. “We came pretty close last year but not quite,” Eric Tallman said. “We want to do it for all the seniors and everyone on the team.” Eric Tallman returns inside the cage a year after wowing the league for the second straight season. He was named the MBL-G
Sophomore of the Year in 2014 and an MBL-G First Team selection last season. He was the Mariners’ security blanket, averaging 10.1 saves per match, according to the stats recorded by Maxpreps. “Having his skills back there really takes the pressure off us so we can go and attack and play defense,” Malone said. “When a shot comes right at Eric, we know that a majority of the time he’s going to block it.” After scoring 22 goals and dishing 11 assists last season, Malone is expected to be a bigger part of the offense this season, according to second-year head coach Cody Gilbert. The team captain said he’s fine with the added workload. In fact, he welcomes it. “I’m ready to step it up for the team,” Malone said. “I feel like it’s my time as well as the other seniors. It’s our team. We have to step up and make a difference.” Jordan Tallman, who matched Malone in goals last season while also adding six assists, will also be called on to power the offense along with Ben Tallman, who had 16 goals and 16 assists in 2015. Sophomores Beck Escalante and Matt Morse also bring in speed and loads of experience. The pair played for Gilbert on the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club U16 team during the summer. The Mariners said they will bank on their tough defense and speed on the subsequent counterattack. Unlike last season, when the scoring distribution was skewed toward Stratton, Aptos could produce four players with 40-plus goals with their new, balanced attack. “The duties are more distributed,” Ben Tallman said. “You don’t need just one player to win a game. You need a team to do it.” Which is why they like their chances in the race for the league championship. Santa Cruz returns four All-League players, including the Freshman of the Year, Isaiah Discipulo, and the Sophomore of the
Aptos High senior Ryan Malone fires away a shot during a Tuesday evening practice at Aptos High. Malone is one of the Mariners’ senior captains who will try to lead the team to its first league title since 1978. Photo by Tony Nunez
Year, Logan Jackson. Soquel, which had previously won 20 straight league titles before last year, returns senior Charlie Bailey, who scored 82 goals and made 42 assists en route to being named the league’s Co-Junior of the Year. Fellow senior and All-League selection Henry Bistrin, who was second on the team in goals (79) and fourth in assists (37), also returns along with the Knights’ third leading scorer Kalani Fouts, who had 67 goals as a junior. Carmel High, which knocked Aptos out of the end-of-season league tournament, is also a contender with its top two goal scorers — Kevin Auger and Parker Fisher — back. The Padres finished third in the MBL-G at 7-5. Salinas, however, is an unknown after graduating its top three scorers and its AllLeague goalie, Liam Parrish. Aptos will have a chance to send an early message to the league. They played at Santa Cruz Aug. 25 in their season opener and then host Soquel at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6. “We’re gonna take it like any other game but I think we know if we beat the league champs from last year its going to be good for us,” Eric Tallman said. “We’ll know we can take down any team in the league.” The Mariners, however, will not be at full strength in the opener. Jordan Tallman is on a college trip to Catalina with other students from Aptos. “It’s a hit but I still think we have enough to compete with them,” said Gilbert, a 2010 Aptos graduate. “We’ll make up for it.”
Aptos High senior Eric Tallman returns in the cage after two years in which he was honored as an All-League selection. Photo by Tony Nunez
The coach speaks with plenty of knowledge of the rest of the league. Like mentioned before, Gilbert coached the U16 team in the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club through the summer. Along with players from Aptos, Gilbert also mentored Soquel and Santa Cruz players. Likewise, the U18 team also had Cardinals, Knights and Mariners come together. Both teams competed in the National Junior Olympics, which was hosted at Aptos High and Cabrillo College during the summer. “It’s nice to see the whole league get up to a higher level,” he said. “It’s cool to see water polo make a comeback in the county.”
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September 2016
18 - LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
SEPTEMBER Public Meetings All meetings take place at Capitola City Hall 420 Capitola Ave. Sept. 6
Museum Board, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 10-11
Art and Wine Festival
The Capitola Village will host the 34th Annual Art and Wine Festival. There will be a variety of 23 wineries, with free admission. The festival welcomes everyone, there will be food, a children’s play area, art and entertainment. On Saturday the event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. On Sunday the event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
Sept. 13
Art & Cultural Commission, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14
Architectural & Site Review, 3:30 p.m. Traffic & Parking Commission, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15
City Council, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20
Finance Advisory Committee, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22
City Council, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28
Architectural & Site Review, 3:30 p.m. Commission on the Environment, 6 p.m.
Sept. 29
City Council, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20
Sons in Retirement luncheon
The Aptos Branch Sons in Retirement will hold a luncheon at Severino’s Restaurant, 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos, at 11:30 a.m. The menu includes Stuffed Roast Pork Loin with the “trimmings” followed by Bill Gillette presenting images and a talk on flying P-51s in WWII. For information, call Jim at 708-4133.
Sept. 29
Watsonville Film Festival
The Annual Watsonville Film Festival has changed its dates and locations. The festival will now take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 at the Fox Theater in Downtown Watsonville. Films from local and international filmmakers will be shown. For information, visit www.watsonvillefilmfest.org.
Sept. 10
Bubbles, Bangles & Beaux
Soroptimist International of Watsonville is hosting a fundraiser, “Bubbles, Bangles & Beaux,” from 3-8 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive in Aptos. The event will feature cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Jeff Heicksen, music by Travis Palmer & The Once In A Whiles Band, and an auction with auctioneer Terry Medina. Admission is $75. For reservations, contact Jo Ann Vear at 724-8622 or 818-9736.
Sept. 24
Thunderbirds on the Santa Cruz Wharf
On the Santa Cruz Wharf the 19th annual event will include more than 100 Thunderbirds from 1955 to 1966 classics and retro 2002 to 2005 Thunderbirds. The event will include a raffle and Thunderbird clubs from over California and Nevada. The classical event is free to participate in and the event will take place rain or shine starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.
Sept. 14-14
Santa Cruz County Fair
The annual fair will take place at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Activities include: livestock, races, local artists’ work, a carnival, food and more. Tickets at the gate will be $10 for general admission and senior admission. Tickets for kids between the ages of 6 and 12 will be $5. Wednesday to Friday gates will be open from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, gates will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. Sunday gates will open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
Sept. 27
September Mixer
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold a mixer at Seascape Golf Course, hosted by American Pacific Mortgage, from 5-6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for chamber members, $10 for nonmembers.
Oct. 5
Candidates Forum
The Capitola Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the Capitola Candidates Forum. It will be held in the Capitola City Council Chambers from 7-9 p.m. This forum will be televised live on Charter Communications Cable Channel 8 and will be replayed on Community Television of Santa Cruz County prior to the election.
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September 2016
LIFE Everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel 19
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The ‘best kept secret’
Santa Cruz Follies present ‘Happy Days Are Here Again’ By ERIK CHALHOUB SANTA CRUZ — Despite being around for more than 60 years, the Santa Cruz Follies are still relatively unknown, longtime performer Kris Wheeler said. While the performers in the Follies are used to being in the spotlight on stage, getting the light shined on them outside of the theater is something they are pushing for this year. And so, armed with fliers with the slogan “The Best Kept Secret,” the Follies have spread out across the county, hanging the fliers in areas that are highly visible with heavy foot traffic. The secret is out: The Follies will perform Sept. 14-17 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. Showtime is 1 p.m. on each day, with an extra showing on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Follies are a throwback to the vaudeville days of old, with high-energy dancing and singing. This year’s show is titled “Happy Days Are Here Again,” featuring a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra. Wheeler, who has been involved with the Follies for the past 24 years, is directing the show for the second time.
Over the years, she has been a performer, costume director and music director. “This year for me has just been a real pleasure,” she said. Taking place on Main Street USA, “the town you fantasized that you would like to be from,” Wheeler added, this year’s show features a mixture of old and new songs. Hailing from a musical family, Wheeler said she was never fully invested in performing until she got involved with the Follies. “It’s been a blessing, a wonderful experience for me,” she said. “It’s made my life so much richer.” With a cast of 30, all of whom are 50 years old and over, many have found the Follies to be the perfect way to stay active as they head into their senior years. Santa Cruz resident Mary Kane Roitz, 83, has been with the Follies for 11 years. “This keeps me going,” she said. “It’s like food for your soul.” A Watsonville High School graduate, Roitz said she performed in musicals at the school, but like Wheeler, was never much involved in performing until she witnessed her first Follies show. “When I saw that, I said, ‘this is for me,’” she said. “It’s just a passion.”
Dee Sargent (right) and back up dancers perform during a rehearsal for the Santa Cruz Follies. Photo by Steve Nieman
Dee Sargent, 83, of Watsonville is now in her eighth year with the Follies. She started out as an usher, and admitted that she would “sneak up and watch the show.” “I just loved it,” she said. “Everyone is so supportive. They clap and cheer you on.” ••• The Santa Cruz Follies will perform Sept. 14-17 at the Santa Cruz Civic
Auditorium, 307 Church St. Showtime is 1 p.m. on each day, with an extra showing on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which cost $20, are available at the door about two hours before the show starts. A variety of preshow entertainment will take place before each performance. For information, call 423-6640 or visit santacruzfollies.net.
What a Wonderful World My mom has always been an optimist. She sees hope when others just see rain. For as long as I can remember, each fall, when temperatures cooled and the autumn rains rolled in over our pasture, she pointed out a symbol of that hope. We would wait, and when the sun broke just the right way, it would emerge. A rainbow! I cling to those now. Rainbows. Because they are harder for her to point out. Over the course of my mom’s life, severe arthritis and a weak heart now make bending and reaching painful. Cooking and laundry are impossible without help. My dad and I have tried home care services and worked shifts ourselves, but Dad is exhausted
and they’re becoming housebound. I think it’s time for a change. If an older parent needs daily assistance, maybe they’re not independent anymore. Consider Áegis Living for professional help. We are the trusted, local senior care provider, specializing in assisted living and memory care. We offer the finest care, cuisine, social activities and comfortable warm home surroundings with committed staff. Come in for a tour and lunch with your parent. Let them experience our community filled with new friends, and new hope. Please call our community and learn how we can help you
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