MARCH 2019 EVERYTHING APTOS, CAPITOLA & SOQUEL Vol. 7 No. 7 Long-term housing
APTOS
Sports
County looking at Bay View Hotel
SOQUEL
pg. 2
Boys & Girls CCS Basketball pg. 13 & 15
CAPITOLA Photo by Tarmo HANNULA
A man and a woman lug lengths of driftwood into the bed of a pickup at Capitola Beach where a huge swatch of the beach is covered with storm-driven driftwood. Scores of people have been collecting their own samples of the free wood. A city official said anyone is allowed to collect the driftwood.
Soquel water rates to rise
HISTORY CORNER
District moving forward with water replenishment project
By John Hibble Call: 688-1467
By TODD GUILD
Visit us online: aptoshistory.org
SOQUEL — The Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors on Feb. 19 approved a five-year rate hike for its customers, which district officials say was created to help the district better maintain its aquifer supplies, fund ongoing operations and prevent saltwater intrusion caused by groundwater overdraft. The increase will also help pay for a
Visit the museum: 7605-B Old Dominion Court Aptos, CA
Paul Johnston, the man who did everything: Part 2
By TODD GUILD SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12 unanimously approved a plan to use a state grant totaling nearly $9.7 million to fund homeless services countywide over the next two years. The grant came from the statewide Homeless Emergency Assistance Program, also known as HEAP, which was created by California lawmakers
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as part of the 2018-19 Budget Act. The fund was created to address urgent homeless issues that are plaguing cities across the state. In a separate action, the supervisors also unanimously approved a plan to close the unsanctioned homeless encampment located at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, and establish alternative shelter sites. Please turn to Page 7
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Supervisors approve plans to help homeless
Last month’s story was about Paul Johnston’s early years in Capitola and Aptos, the apple business, marriage, his properties in Aptos Village, and his involvement in the community. The story continues. Aptos Village once had a Town Hall on the corner of Valencia Street and Trout Gulch Road, but it had been torn down. A town hall was the social center of any community so, around 1930, the fire department volunteers
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$90 million water recycling plant that will use treated water to bolster water supplies in the aquifer, from which Soquel receives 100 percent of its water supply. SQWD Board of Directors is expected to meet again in March to give final approval to the increase, which will take effect retroactively to March 1.
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APTOS
SOQUEL
CAPITOLA
Publisher
Jeanie Johnson
Editor
Erik Chalhoub
Editorial
Todd Guild Johanna Miller Tony Nuñez Tarmo Hannula
Photography
Tarmo Hannula
Advertising Sales Tina Chavez Jazmine Ancira
Production
Mike Lyon, Rob Chalhoub 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 RegisterPajaronian. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1868.
Bay View Hotel in Aptos is one of eight properties that are being considered for long-term housing. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Changes possible for Bay View Hotel, other properties County looking to create long-term housing By TODD GUILD APTOS — The iconic Bay View Hotel in Aptos is one of several properties being considered for conversion to long-term rental units. County officials are looking into a plan to convert the 149-year-old building at 8041 Soquel Drive, along with seven properties in Aptos, Felton and Boulder Creek. Still subject to approval by the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission and then the Board of Supervisors, the move would convert obsolete visitor accommodations, assisted living facilities and convalescent homes for residential use. The issue is far from settled. At its Feb.
13 meeting, the Planning Commission approved a proposal to create a so-called Permanent Room Housing (PRH) zoning district. That matter will now go the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for further discussion, amendments and possible approval. If approved, both agencies would then create the framework for the PRH district, deciding on such issues as which properties qualify, and what uses would fall into the category. This could include apartments and vacation rentals. County officials are targeting the properties to help alleviate the county’s notoriously tight and expensive housing market.
“These properties can serve an important role in addressing the housing crisis because the converted units are affordable by design due to their small size,” the Planning Commission agenda states. ••• Properties being considered • 10110 Soquel Drive, Aptos • 14630 Two Bar Road, Boulder Creek • 14650 Two Bar Road, Boulder Creek • 13320 Highway 9, Boulder Creek • 4700 Highway 9, Felton • 165 East St., Aptos • 222 Santa Cruz Ave., Aptos
Rancho Del Mar renovation continues
Contact Us
Rite Aid is one of several businesses that got a new look inside the Rancho Del Mar Center in Aptos. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
831-761-7300 newsroom@register-pajaronian.com
LifeA.C.S
Memorial brick program benefits museum, chamber By ERIK CHALHOUB APTOS — Anyone looking to commemorate an anniversary, death or any other important moment in their lives can now announce it right in the heart of the Aptos Village Project. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce and Aptos History Museum recently launched the “Name-A-Brick Program,” where for a $200 fee, a 45-character message can be inscribed on a brick that will be placed in a tree well in the Village Green. John Hibble, co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber, said the brick program could fill the void left behind when a memorial wall in Seacliff was removed in 2016.
“We think this is a great alternative for people that are trying to memorialize some activity in their lives,” he said. Aptos Village developer Swenson and Central Home Supply are helping out with the project, Hibble said. The brick program is a fundraiser for the Aptos History Museum and the chamber. Hibble said events throughout the year benefiting the museum go toward paying rent at its 7605 Old Dominion Court location, but the hope of the brick fundraiser is to help the museum, now in its 13th year, become more self-sufficient, including hiring a part-time curator. “It will really, really help both organizations if it has any kind of positive response,” he said. For information, call 688-1467.
MARCH 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 3
Shooting suspect pleads not guilty Collins returns to court March 11 By TODD GUILD SANTA CRUZ — The man accused of gunning down a woman and stabbing her ex-husband at their residence in the Aptos hills on Jan. 30 pleaded not guilty to the charges Feb. 6 during his second court appearance since his arrest. Patrick Aaron Collins, 36, remains in custody in Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. He is scheduled to return to court on March 11 for a preliminary hearing, during which a judge determines whether there is enough evidence for a trial. Collins wore orange jail clothes, and has shaved the Mohawk haircut he was sporting in his arrest photo. Police say that Collins shot Victoria May Aless Seidlinger with a shotgun inside her residence, and then went to a separate residence on the same property
where Seidlinger’s ex-husband lived. A neighbor who asked not to be identified said that Collins and Seidlinger were romantically involved. There, Collins allegedly stabbed the ex-husband, who had called 911 when he heard the first shot. It was during that altercation that the ex-husband shot Collins, police say. Police and prosecutors have not listed a motive for the killing, or described the relationship between Collins and Seidlinger. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a shooting at 3140 Trout Gulch Road at about 4:15 p.m. They arrived to find two people suffering from gunshot wounds, and another who was dead. The victims were flown by air ambulance to Bay Area trauma centers. Collins was arrested upon his release from the hospital.
Cabrillo team helps students learn the ropes of cybersecurity Staff report APTOS — Thanks to the work of a small team of Cabrillo College students, hundreds of middle school, high school and community college students from all over the Bay Area had the chance to showcase their cybersecurity skills at the Bay Area Regional Competition (BARC) on Feb. 23 at San Jose City College. Ten Computer Information Systems (CIS) student assistants spent the last four months designing, coordinating and preparing to host the upcoming cybersecurity competition. The Bay Area
competition is one of 10 regional California Mayor’s Cyber Cup competitions held simultaneously across the state. CIS Student Assistant Jacobs Otto said Cabrillo’s classes are excellent primers for hosting a large-scale competition like BARC. Otto and his teammates helped design many of the competition’s complex cybersecurity challenges, then tailored those challenges to teach younger students real-world skills. “One of the goals of this competition is to get the competitors ready for the job environment,” Otto said. “Cabrillo’s classes have taught me what to include in
the competitions to correctly convey onthe-job skills while preparing me for future jobs as well.” Cabrillo College Computer Information Systems Instructor Irvin Lemus is the lead planner for the Bay Area competition. His team of student assistants work on cyber competitions throughout the year and serve as mentors to local middle school and high school cyber teams — in addition to being cyber competitors themselves. “Cabrillo instructors take learning one step further by going above and beyond the basic required curriculum and challenging us to participate in collegiate level cyber
competitions,” Otto said. CIS Student Assistant Janelly Servin agreed. “Being on the other end of a competition gives you ideas on what else to challenge younger students with,” she said. Bay Area Community College Consortium hosted this year’s competition with support from Cabrillo College’s Career Technical Education & Workforce Development Office. The contest highlighted technical skill sets, leading cyber practices, good cyber-hygiene habits, and public speaking skills.
The FIT program, he said, essentially fast-tracks program participants, so they can receive the services they need within 24 hours. “It’s a proactive approach with a part of the population that has been resistant to change,” he said. They are then kept in custody until their arraignment to give them a chance to sober up. As an example, Hart told the story of a man who was arrested 43 times in 2018, and 11 times in the last 90 days. He also has 54 stay-away orders at locations throughout the City of Santa Cruz. “In many ways, this is just an example of the way that these people are calling out for help,” Hart said. “You can imagine the level of resources it takes to manage this one person.” Hart will return to the board in September with a program update. Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, whose district includes the Santa Cruz area, said
he hopes the program will help reduce crime in the downtown area. “This is the single most important issue facing my district, which is real fear and a lack of public safety in public spaces,” Coonerty said. “This is really an efficient way to address some of the most critical needs in law enforcement and some of the socalled troublemakers in our community,” Supervisor Bruce McPherson said. Watsonville Police launched a similar program based on the FIT model in 2016 when it paired a master officer with a mental health professional. That team will work with the FIT. “Our officers are committed to helping those in crisis and the Focused Intervention Team will broaden their ability to provide proper support,” Watsonville Police Chief David Honda said. “The County of Santa Cruz continues to lead in its efforts to provide multiple layers of care to its mental health community.”
Help for ‘serial offenders’ County launches intervention team By TODD GUILD SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12 heard a report on a new program created to help some of the county’s most recalcitrant criminals. Launched on Jan. 28, the Focused Intervention Team is comprised of three Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and three county mental health professionals. The group is tasked with identifying “serial offenders” with a track record of disruptive and criminal behavior. “This team of clinicians and law enforcement is going to focus on those people involved with criminal behavior and act in a way that scares people,” Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said. “Our community and our visitors deserve better. Law-abiding community members must be allowed to visit local businesses and open spaces without being fearful of the actions of a small number of people who
refuse treatment and help.” The program currently has 20 participants, all of whom are homeless. Participants will be connected to services such as mental health care, medical and food benefits and housing. The FIT program is funded by Measure G, the November 2018 half-cent sales tax measure approved by two-thirds of county voters. So far this fiscal year, $337,485 of Measure G funds have gone toward the program. An additional $55,811 will go toward staffing related to mental health services. The supervisors have approved funding for four full-time positions in the sheriff’s office, and three positions from the Health Services Agency. The program is expected to cost $1 million for the 2019-20 fiscal year. According to Hart, people booked into jail typically take a long time to be classified and housed.
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CELTIC SOCIETY
DAR SCHOLARSHIPS
DIGNITY HEALTH
Dignity Health Medical Group expands pediatric services in Aptos
Staff report Ímar will perform at Michael’s on Main on March 14. Contributed photo
Ímar to play at Michael’s on Main Staff report SOQUEL — The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay will present the acclaimed Celtic traditional band Ímar on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Michael’s on Main, 2591 South Main St., Soquel. Ímar is comprised of Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle), who share a strong background in Irish music – although only Murphy actually hails from Ireland; Rhodes and Callister are from the Isle of Man, while Amini is a Glasgow native, and Brown is originally from Suffolk. The line-up features current and former members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk, Barrule, Cara, Mabon and The Lowground. “It’s definitely more of a pure-drop trad sound than most of the other bands we’re involved in,” said Cork-born uilleann piper, flautist and whistle player Ryan Murphy (Mànran). Advance tickets are available online for $20, while the price at the door is $23. Celtic Society members receive a $2 discount. Visit www. celticsociety.org for tickets, reservations, and more information. Tickets are also available in person at Michael’s On Main.
Soquel High School student Raylene Allen (center), shown here with Good Citizens Chair Ruth Cuzick (left) and Regent Priscilla Partridge, earned the $500 Good Citizen Scholarship from the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for her essay. (Contributed photo)
Students honored as Good Citizens Staff report SANTA CRUZ — Eight local students were honored as Good Citizens by their high schools and the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Jan. 23. The Good Citizen awardees are: Raylene Allen, Soquel H.S.; Sophia Elizalde, Watsonville H.S.; Allison Friefeld, Scotts Valley H.S.; Sheligh Andi Mellon, Cypress Charter H.S.; Julia Poetzinger, San Lorenzo Valley H.S.; Mollie Scanagatta Long, Santa Cruz H.S.; Jaylene Solorzano-Diaz, Pajaro Valley H.S.; and Isabella Stephens, Aptos H.S. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing better education for children. Members are all lineal descendants of those men and women who supported the cause of independence in the Revolutionary War.
Your
APTOS — Dignity Health Medical Foundation announced recently that it has expanded its pediatric services in Aptos with the addition of longtime Aptos residents and pediatricians Cory Parello, MD and Jill Parello, MD. They will also be joined by Dignity Health Medical Group pediatrician Stephanie Graziani, DO to offer expanded pediatric access and services to the community at 105 Post Office Drive, Suite F in Aptos. “We are committed to providing high quality pediatrics services to Aptos families,” said Dr. Jill Parello. “We look forward to joining the Dignity Health team as they expand their pediatric services in Aptos.” Jill Parello has been practicing pediatrics in Aptos for 12 years. She graduated from the American University of the Caribbean and completed her residency at Dignity Health’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. “We have had the privilege of serving the primary care needs of the Aptos community and are thrilled to now add pediatric services,” said Jerry Souza, executive director for Dignity Health Medical Foundation in Santa Cruz. This office will be the second Aptos location for Dignity Health Medical Group which already has a family practice location at 9515 Soquel Drive, Suite 100. Dignity Health Medical Group also serves pediatric patients at its Capitola location on 1820 41st Ave., Suite D. For information or to make an appointment with a pediatrician in Aptos, call 612-6264 or visit www.dhmf.org/dominican.
Natural Look
MARCH 2019
LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 5
LATINO ROLE MODELS
La Selva Beach Public Library. Contributed photo
Artist sought for La Selva Beach library project Staff report LA SELVA BEACH — The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services is seeking an artist to create a public art project for the La Selva Beach Public Library. The proposed artwork should enhance the visitors’ experience and should also help create a unique identity for the library, according to the county. In particular, artists should consider the setting, context and history of the area and the town of La Selva Beach, as well as literary themes, as sources to draw from for their proposals. The budget for the public artwork, which includes all costs associated with, but not limited to, design, materials, travel, insurance, fabrication, installation and documentation of the artwork, is $4,500. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 15. For information, visit www.scparks.com.
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Former NASA astronaut José M. Hernández will be the keynote speaker at the Latino Role Models conference on March 9. Contributed photo
Latino Role Models conference scheduled Staff report APTOS — The ninth annual Latino Role Models conference will be held on March 9 at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The conference is free and lunch will be provided. Students in grades 6 through college and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the conference featuring Latino professionals. The keynote speaker will be José M. Hernández, a former NASA astronaut and award-winning engineer. One of four children in a migrant farming family from Michoacán, Mexico, Hernandez didn’t learn English until he was 12 years old. He dreamed of flying in space ever since he was a teenager working in the fields and he heard on the radio that the first Latin American immigrant had been chosen to travel into space. For information about the Latino Role Models conference, call 854-7740 or email info@ SCSenderos.org.
NEW LEAF
An artist’s rendering of the New Leaf Community Markets in Aptos Village. Contributed rendering
New Leaf hiring for Aptos location Staff report APTOS — New Leaf Community Markets is hiring more than 100 positions for its new Aptos Village location, set to open in the spring. All Aptos job openings as well as compensation and benefits details are available at www.newleaf. com/careers. Openings include careers in culinary, operations, non-perishables and perishables. “After years of planning, we’re stoked to finally start hiring for our in-store team and bring New Leaf’s great food and variety of local, organic products to the Aptos community. We are very excited to join Aptos Village and get to know our neighbors,” said Chasity LeDoux, New Leaf Community Markets senior recruiting specialist. “We will be hiring from the community and supporting our Aptos team members with really competitive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities.” New Leaf will be opening in a remodeled Hihn Apple Barn. Its neighbors in Aptos Village include The Penny Ice Creamery, Cat & Cloud Coffee, Sereno Group, Sockshop & Shoe Company, and Mentone, a restaurant led by Michelin 3-star Chef David Kinch.
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History Corner
Continued from page 1
got permission to make the old vacant school house in the older part of town, (today’s Aptos Village Square), into a new Town Hall. The school house was in bad shape and needed a new floor so Mr. van Kaathoven, Ralph Mattison and Paul Johnston took out an $800 loan from the bank. The volunteers fixed up the building and built a stage at one end. The community pitched in and gave donations, dances, card parties and plays, and the loan was paid off within a year. Dances were the main social gettogethers of the time. Everyone came from Valencia, Capitola and Soquel. The dances were so crowded that half the people were standing outside. True to form, Paul played in a band. His brother played piano and they would have someone on a violin or saxophone. Paul played the drums. They were booked every year from September through the winter. They were paid to play from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Then they would take up a collection and play on until 5 or 6 in the morning. Life was good until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which galvanized the citizens of Aptos into becoming a major
Civil Defense and observation center. Just as the beaches in Aptos were a good landing place for rum runners during Prohibition, these same beaches were considered prime targets for a Japanese invasion. Paul was a member of the American Legion in Watsonville and was called up to form an Aptos militia. Sixty men volunteered to handle the blackouts and roadblocks. All of the volunteers were hunters and knew how to handle a rifle. They trained five nights a week. Paul was in charge of rifle training and trained more than 800 people including the Watsonville police. An observation tower was built in the Village to spot enemy planes and ships. The tower was manned around the clock by two people on two-hour shifts. Paul and his wife Christina took the 2 a.m. until 4 a.m. shift. After World War II, Paul operated the Village garage business, the gas station, and also, the AAA towing business for 26 years. He also continued to collect rents and maintain his properties in the Village. Many of Paul’s properties were built cantilevered over the cliff, which drops down to Aptos and Valencia Creeks.
Paul continued to repair and replace the building supports into his 90s. In 1984, at the age of 94, Paul Johnston was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Aptos World’s Shortest Parade and was also honored at the annual dinner of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. Paul’s best friend, Harry Hooper, the famous baseball player, had a large property north of Garberville where he regularly took Paul and his friends on camping, fishing and hunting expeditions. Venison was always available at the Johnston house. Paul remained a hunter through nine decades and bagged his last deer at the age of 99. Paul turned 100 years old on Aug. 26, 1989 and 60 days later, the most powerful earthquake to hit California since the great quake of 1906, the 6.9 Loma Prieta Earthquake struck less than three miles from Aptos Village. Twelve businesses, including Paul’s properties, were thrown off their foundations on the bay side of Soquel Drive. One of Paul’s buildings that had once been the second telephone exchange and a restaurant, was now a barber shop and an interior design business. This building dropped 18 inches and moved two or three feet away from the sidewalk, causing the waterline to break and wash out some of the footings. All of the 12 businesses were red-tagged as unsafe. Three weeks later, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, the barber shop and interior design building tumbled over the cliff. Paul had recently moved into a convalescent home and his daughters and granddaughter had to deal with trying to get the remaining buildings reopened. After six months of engineering and structural work, the properties were sold to a friend of the family, Henri Jeanrenaud of Scotts Valley. Paul Johnston died two weeks short of his 102nd birthday, a man who did everything. If you like these stories and would like to help the Aptos History Museum pay the rent, consider treating yourself and your besties to a great meal at Café Rio on the
The barber shop and interior design building collapsed on Nov. 8, 1989. Aptos History Museum archives
Rio Del Mar esplanade on March 6. The generous people at Café Rio will give a portion of the proceeds to the museum. Everybody wins. Would you like to commemorate the events in your family’s lives? There are so many memories, people and events in our lives that create an impact in our hearts. Whether you’re celebrating your favorite teacher’s retirement, welcoming your grandchildren to the world, or showing your spouse that your love is just as rock solid as it was when you said “I Do” — moments like these are meant to last a lifetime. Be a part of history. The Aptos History Museum and the Aptos Chamber are offering personalized bricks with your message, to be installed in the new Aptos Village green. The bricks only cost $200 and will help to finance the museum. Call the Aptos Chamber for details, 688-1467, or visit aptoschamber.com. Thanks for your support.
Paul Johnston’s buildings from the back side are shown in the late 1980s. Aptos History Museum archives
Paul Johnston canoeing in Aptos Creek estuary, 1910. Aptos History Museum archives
MARCH 2019
Homeless Continued from page 1
Grant allocation County officials have already allocated just over $1 million of the HEAP funds to cover urgent winter needs through June 30. This includes a $600,000 allocation to expand emergency shelters through June 30, $300,000 for public health and safety infrastructure and $100,000 for “public engagement” on homelessness issues. The money will also fund a full-time position to implement the HEAP funds. It could also pay for a round-the-clock shelter and navigation center for homeless people, but neither a location nor a provider have been found. County officials hope for a July opening date. The rest of the money will be disbursed through a request for proposals process. “This is a huge problem, especially in our county,” Supervisor Greg Caput said. “It’s exciting to see us going in there and actually finding solutions.” ••• Unsanctioned River Street camp to close Unofficially called the Gateway Camp, the homeless enclave at 470 River St. on the San Lorenzo River levee began in late October after one run by the City of Santa Cruz closed. It now houses an estimated 200 people who live largely in makeshift tents and lean-tos. “I’ve been here since it opened,” said a man who only wanted to go by the name DJ. “People here are nice. We all know each other. It’s about power in numbers. We all make sure we get what we need.” DJ said he used to work in the acoustic drop ceiling industry but was laid off. He said he made a “nice living.” “I’ve been talking with my parents and they might be able to help me move up to Washington where I can find work,” he said. “I need to get up and out of this kind of situation; I’m just trying to get my ducks in a row.” Another resident at the camp, who went by the name Allen, said he was searching for a room in a house that “I can afford.” “Money is not my problem,” he said. “I have a bank account — I have money— and I’m getting Social Security payments. I simply can’t find a room in a house that is affordable. It’s crazy.” The city provides port-a-potties and hand-washing stations at the unsanctioned camp, but residents and county officials have long expressed concern about the unsanitary conditions, and about the safety issues that have arisen. Yasmina Porter, who serves on the leadership council at the nearby Tannery Arts Complex, said residents have reported a 30 percent increase in crime incidents. Children who live at the complex, she said, feel unsafe walking to school by the camp, and residents often find used syringes and piles of human feces on the ground. Porter also said that port-a-potties have been seen leaking into the nearby San Lorenzo River. She asked the supervisors to move the camp further back from the river, add fencing along the public path and pay for security patrols at the Tannery. “Right now we feel under siege with what we are dealing with in terms of crime,” she said, giving the example of a teenage girl who was recently mugged near the camp. “All kinds of bad thing are happening because of the unmanaged camp at Ross,” Porter said. Residents now have until March 15 to leave. Under the new plan, the existing Salvation Army shelter on Seventh Avenue in Santa Cruz will be re-designated for men. In addition, the county will add a 40-bed shelter at the Salvation Army Laurel Street location for families with children, single women and “mobility impaired” people. Supervisor Bruce McPherson praised the work by city and county officials to address the county’s homelessness problems. “We have a moral obligation to better the homeless people and their living conditions but we also need to recognize the public health and safety risks that are posed by that community,” he said. ••• Tarmo Hannula contributed to this report.
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Water rates
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The new two-tier system is based on meter size and water use. Tier one covers most single family and multi-family residences with 5/8-inch meters, which make up about 73 percent of the district’s customers. According to the district, these customers will see an increase of no more than $5 per month on their bill during the first year of the increase. According to information provided by SQWD, multi-family residential homes with larger meters could see a much larger increase this year. Those with a 4-inch meter, for example, will see their bills increase from $490 per month to $1,557, a more than 200 percent increase. The decision allows the district to increase water rates every year through 2023, but whether they do is based on the district’s ability to secure $50 million in grant money, said Finance and Business Services Manager Leslie Strohm. If that happens, the rate increases might not be necessary, she said. “It’s really important for customers to understand that the district is trying to solve a very complex water supply issue, and we’re trying to do it in the most costeffective way we can,” she said. In addition to providing water to its customers, SQWD also offers conservation services and “water-wise” conservation house calls, and maintains approximately 173 miles of water mains and 19 production wells, Strohm said. If the district does implement all five years of the increase, customers on average will see an approximately 41 percent increase, Strohm said. The rates are necessary, district officials
say, to help fund day-to-day operations and to help battle the intrusion of seawater into the aquifers caused by groundwater overdraft. When this occurs, it renders freshwater undrinkable and unusable for irrigation. That is a pernicious problem in South County, where saltwater intrusion has been measured as far inland as three miles. “It is right offshore,” said SQWD General Manager Ron Duncan. “It is knocking on our front door step, poised to come in.” District officials hope that the socalled Pure Water Soquel groundwater replenishment project will help by injecting treated water into the aquifer, thus creating a “barrier” that will keep the salt water at bay. Board chair Tom LaHue said that, as customers of the district themselves, the board members are just as unhappy with the increases as the rest of the community. “But we’re all here and committed, because we are committed to making the water supply good for the people who will be here after we are gone,” he said. “We are just trying to do our best.” Many speakers urged the board to continue receiving water transfers from the City of Santa Cruz, which was rejected as unrealistic. Santa Cruz City officials have stated that the city does not have the supplies to maintain that program, Duncan said. In addition, the district cannot receive grants for a water transfer program because it is not considered a capital project that creates assets, Strohm said. The rate structure was created with the help of an advisory panel made up of
11 residents who balanced financial and conservation concerns. In an effort to publicize the impending increase, the district sent out mailers and posted the information on its website, Strohm said. Still, the meeting on Feb. 19 was packed with people who came to protest the hike, along with the Pure Water Soquel plan. In addition, the district received 239 letters of protest. Aptos resident Monica McGuire said she is concerned about the project, and the possibility that flushed pharmaceutical residue might make its way into drinking water supplies, a possibility that she said has not fully been tested. “I am not OK with the potential dangers of going forward with a hundreds of million dollar project that we do not need right now,” she said. Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner opposed the increases, which she said were created solely to fund the Pure Water Soquel project. Steinbruner said she has filed “legal action” in response to the potential environmental impacts. “Until that case is heard I do not think you should support improving a rate base that is structured solely to support that project,” she said. Board member Carla Christensen said the district has little choice but to move forward with the project. “If we don’t do anything we are facing some severe issues,” she said. ••• To see a full list of the rate changes, visit bit.ly/2txzoeQ.
Tools to Make Parenting Easier
First 5 Santa Cruz County triplep.first5scc.org 831.465.2217
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Summer Camp
K - 2 : Can You Dig It? (July 8-12, July 15-19) 3 - 4 : Art and Science in Nature (July 22-26) 5 - 6 : Biomimicry ( July 29 - August 2)
Connect to nature through exploration and hands-on investigation!
santacruzmuseum.org/camp $275 per week | $250 Museum members
MARCH 2019
8 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
First business opens in Aptos Village By TARMO HANNULA APTOS — Sereno Group, a commercial and residential realtor, was the first business to open its doors in the Aptos Village Project. On Jan. 25, the folks inside the business were adjusting to their new environs, said Coastal Regional Manager Gina Odom said. “We are excited to get into the new space and we’re looking forward to seeing the overall project further develop,” she said. Odom said the business, which is relocating from its previous spot on nearby Spreckels Drive, has 25 agents on board, along with two staff members. Odom said she was happy to learn that the Cat & Cloud Coffee Co. will soon be opening next door to her place, which is a business that has two other locations in Santa Cruz. “All our agents live in Aptos
and we’re happy to be a part of this community,” Odom said. “We’re a business that regularly gives back to the community.” She added that in 2018 Sereno Group handed more than $82,000 to local nonprofits and in 2017 they turned over $76,000 to nonprofits. Aptos Village will soon include the New Leaf Community Markets, among scores of other businesses. “We’re excited to be joining the community and bringing fresh, organic, locally sourced food to Aptos Village,” New Leaf’s website reads. “As is often the case with working in historic spaces, we’ve encountered a few challenges in our restoration and retrofitting of the Hihn Apple Barn. Despite these hiccups, construction is ongoing and we’re excited about our progress.” The overall project includes 19 condos and 28 townhouses in the first phase of the two-phase project.
Sereno Group is the first business to open its doors inside the Aptos Village Project. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
Water district breaks ground on pilot well Staff report APTOS — The Soquel Creek Water District ceremonially broke ground on a pilot well Feb. 7 which will be used to determine recharge and extraction capacity of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin. Once operational, the well data aims to help the district understand how the aquifer can be replenished to prevent seawater contamination with the goal of developing a system of recharge wells to
protect the groundwater basin and prevent further seawater intrusion. The well site is located on the Twin Lakes Church property in Aptos. Speakers at the event included John Laird, former California Secretary for Natural Resources, Mark Spurlock, executive pastor of Twin Lakes Church, Tom LaHue, chair of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency and president of the district’s Board of Directors, Ron Duncan, district general manager, and Taj Dufour, district engineering manager. “We are in
a new era of cooperation and a new era when people realize that we have to rely on each other when you are right next to each other, another thing this project represents,” Laird said. In his remarks, Spurlock expressed appreciation for the collaboration between Twin Lakes Church and for the pilot project. “We applaud this step in the direction of protecting our groundwater supply, this precious resource,” he said. “We applaud the hard work that this district and the staff puts into making something like this a
reality. We as a church are excited to have a role in something that we believe to be a blessing to our community.” This seawater intrusion/recharge pilot well is expected to begin operation in late spring, and will use potable water drawn from the district’s water supply. The total estimated cost of this pilot well project is $1.1 million. Funding is provided through Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board.
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MARCH 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 9
Fresh ink
A new start in Aptos for Freedom Tattoo By JOHANNA MILLER APTOS — When Freedom Tattoo and Piercing opened in Watsonville a decade ago, they were the first tattoo parlor to come to the city. Now, after moving to Aptos, they are once again the lone tattoo business in town. “We were surprised,” said shop owner and manager Geoffrey Wells. “We thought for sure there’d be one here, but I guess they’re pretty concentrated in Santa Cruz. So it’s great we can be here for both Mid and South County.” After Freedom Tattoo’s lease on Freedom Boulevard ended late last year, the business saw the opportunity to find a new space that was more suitable — and one they could have more control over. Wells noticed an empty building at 9032 Soquel Drive, on the frontage road between the Rio Del Mar highway exit and Aptos Village, and stopped to investigate. “It’s actually a slightly smaller space, but it has an open floor plan,” Wells said. “We now work together side-by-side. It’s great.” Tattoo artist Nolan Hatton explained that it took a lot of effort to convert the new space. “It was pretty bare,” he laughed. “We were like, ‘Yes, it will work — with a lot of hard work.’” Freedom Tattoo’s staff consists of Wells, Hatton and three others. All expressed their gratitude for being able to work alongside each other so well. “These guys are super talented and dedicated,” Wells said. “And they work really well as a team. We’re all on the same page here.” For tattoo artist Rudy Hooven, tattooing is a unique form of expression that goes beyond the artist’s vision alone.
Tattoo artists who make up Freedom Tattoo pose for the camera at their new Aptos location. Shown here are Niko “Neeks” De La Rosa (from left), Cruz Jose Cisneros, Geoff Wells (owner), Nolan Hatton and Rudy “Rooster” Hooven. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
“Getting a tattoo is a big step,” Hooven said. “It’s an important part of someone’s life. I really like being part of that.” Over the years, Freedom Tattoo has been awarded numerous times. Just recently, the staff was at the Santa Cruz Tattoo Expo, where Hatton received multiple awards, including first place in Media Black and Grey. Hatton, who grew up in Aptos, said he
wants people to know that Freedom Tattoo is dedicated to quality. “For us, it’s not about ego,” he said. “We’re not money-hungry. It’s all about making cool artwork and doing so as well as we can.” Freedom Tattoo is planning to hold an official grand opening celebration sometime in March. Meanwhile, they are acclimating to their new space and trying
Local author releases new book
to get the word out. “Being in Aptos is definitely different,” Wells said. “But so far the community has been very welcoming to us. We’re excited for this next step.” For information about Freedom Tattoo and Piercing, visit facebook.com/ freedomtatts. To schedule an appointment, call 662-1902.
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Staff report LA SELVA BEACH — La Selva Beach author Marc Darrow has published his next book, “Coattail Karma.” Darrow, who goes by the pen name Verlin Darrow, wrote “The Santa Cruz Guru Murders” and “Shrinking the Truth” in the 1990s. He published “Blood and Wisdom” in 2018. “Coattail Karma” follows
psychotherapist Sid Menk, who is dragged into a war between spiritual factions vying for control of the planet. In his author biography, Darrow is described as “a former professional volleyball player, country-western singer/ songwriter, import store owner, and assistant guru in a small, benign cult, from which he graduated everyone when he left.” For information, visit verlindarrow.com.
408-847-2717
MountMadonnaSchool.org
MARCH 2019
10 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
Second District Update - Overview of current road funding and conditions an at-risk, poor or failed category. Here is an overview of our local roads, the costs to maintain them, their current conditions and funding mechanisms that are in place to address them. How large is the road network? There are approximately 600 centerline miles in the unincorporated county. Centerline miles represent the total length of a given road from its starting point to its end point. Just to put it in perspective, this is about the same distance as driving from Watsonville to Vancouver, Canada.
By ZACH FRIEND
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISOR
The Board of Supervisors recently received an overview of the condition of local roads, including a scoring measure called the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The PCI is a score from 0-100 that gives you a sense of the condition of local roads — from failed to very good/ new. A score of over 70 is considered good and is significantly less expensive to maintain than a road that has fallen to
What are the current conditions of our roads? Roads have different designations — such as arterials, collectors and local roads. An example of an arterial road would be Soquel or Freedom Boulevard. Collectors would include Sumner or Clubhouse and local roads are the roads you most likely live on (residential roads). The Pavement Condition Index for arterials in the unincorporated county is 64. The PCI for collectors is 54 while the PCI for local/ residential roads is the lowest at 40. What does it cost to maintain or repair the roads? While construction costs are constantly fluctuating, one thing that is constant is that it’s much cheaper to maintain a road in good condition than to repair and rebuild
a road in poor condition. According to Public Works, here are the costs per mile for doing road work on a road in good, fair, poor and failed condition. For a road in good condition, to do a single layer seal with no digouts, it costs approximately $141,000 per mile. For a road in fair condition (with a PCI somewhere in the 50-70 range, for example), it would cost about $352,000 per mile for a multilayer seal with digout work. This is the average range for our arterial roads. For a road in poor condition, $563,000 per mile and includes a full overlay and digouts. Many of our local roads and some of our collectors fall into this category. For a road in failed condition, which includes many roads in the rural areas (including the Aptos hills) as well as some of the agricultural areas in Corralitos and some local/residential roads the cost for full reconstruction is close to $1.1 million per/ mile. What are the current funding mechanisms? For the 2nd District, which I represent, Measure D funding (depending upon how sales taxes do in a given year) may bring in approximately $900,000/year for local roads. This is a significant infusion that wasn’t available before its passage. As you can see on the cost for road work above, it makes it hard to do reconstruction work on
failed roads but it does help improve roads that are at-risk or improve roads that are in poor condition. This past year a number of roads in La Selva were done via Measure D funding. Measure D (county-wide) is anticipated to bring in about $2.7 million in funding. While SB 1 (gas tax) funding is currently being used for major storm damage repairs, at its peak in a few years it’s estimated to bring in about $4 million in new money to the entire unincorporated area. Additionally, the county averages at least $1 million/year in state and federal grant funding and more funds come from a refuse vehicle impact fee and more. Overall, it’s estimated that about $8 million per year on average will be brought in for the 600 centerline miles of road. According to Public Works there are currently about $267 million in needs for the local roads, which will grow as some roads have conditions that are worsening. If you have a pothole or non-emergency road issue, you can submit service requests through the county’s free mobile app, Citizen Connect, available on the app store or Google Play, online via the Public Works Department’s website (found via www.santacruzcounty.us) or by calling 454-2160. As always, if you have any questions about this or any other issue please feel free to contact me at 454-2200.
Financial Advice
Steps to avoid outliving your money in retirement By GARY E. CROXALL, CFP® and SOREN E. CROXALL, CFP® The recent market volatility at the end of 2018 reminded us that markets don’t always behave as we would like. We’re sure that many people probably fell out of their chair after they opened up their Dec. 31 account statements. Even though volatility is normal and expected when investing, for people nearing retirement and in retirement, such market swings can be especially worrying. We felt it would be a good time to review ways to lessen the possibility of running out of money in retirement. Step 1: Put a Plan in Place … Well Before Your Expected Retirement — There have been numerous studies that show that when people expect to retire and when they actually retire are often
very different. You may expect to work longer than you actually do which could be caused by a variety of factors such as a company restructuring or you encounter a health issue that forces you into an earlier than expected retirement. This is why it’s important to begin working on a retirement plan well before you actually retire. This will give you time to understand what you are doing correctly as well as ways you may be able to improve. Step 2: Maximize Your Retirement Savings — This may sound obvious, but we can’t emphasize it enough. The Government Accountability Office released a study in October 2017 that found the median retirement savings for Americans age 5564 was approximately $107,000. This is similar to a study done by the Employee Benefit Research Institute in 2013 that found that 60 percent of workers age 55
and older had an average of $100,000 or less in retirement savings. Saving is tough and involves balancing current needs with future needs. It’s important to understand what retirement plans may be available to you through your employer and whether your employer offers a match. In 2019, the amount that employees can contribute to eligible workplace plans such as a 401(k) is $19,000 for those under age 50 or $25,000 for those over 50. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, don’t forget about IRAs. In 2019, the annual amount that you can contribute to an IRA is $6,000 for those under age 50 and $7,000 for those over age 50. Step 3: Understand Your Sources of Income in Retirement — As part of your retirement plan, you should have a good understanding of the sources of income you expect to receive in retirement. This can include sources such as Social Security, pensions, or income from part-time work. This will help you estimate how much of your living expenses will be covered by income sources and how much you may have to withdraw from your portfolio to cover any shortfalls. Step 4: Understand Major Retirement Expenses — An accurate and realistic budget is a cornerstone of a well thought out retirement plan. However, two expenses that are often overlooked and/ or underestimated are health care costs in retirement as well as a potential long term care need. Every year Fidelity Investments releases a study that estimates the cost of health care in retirement for a married couple age 65. In 2018, Fidelity found that an average couple age 65 may need approximately $280,000 (after tax) in today’s dollars to cover health care expenses in retirement. This number doesn’t even include a potential need for long term care in the future! A qualified professional can help you understand what you might expect to pay in health insurance
premiums and expenses in retirement as well as options to insure for long term care needs. Step 5: Review Your Portfolio — You should review your portfolio occasionally and make sure that it is still aligning with your overall goals and risk tolerance. Remember that volatility is to be expected as part of investing in the market and you shouldn’t make emotional decisions based on short term market movements. However, an overall assessment of your portfolio can help identify areas where you can make some adjustments. Also, if you are looking to create an income stream in retirement, don’t completely discount annuities. Annuities can be complex, but their main purpose is to help protect against longevity risk (i.e. outliving your assets). Although following the above steps cannot guarantee you will have adequate assets to last a lifetime during retirement, following them will give you a solid plan and map out what is realistically needed to maximize the resources that you do have. There is no question about it, starting as early as possible with a disciplined accumulation plan gives you a big head start. Gary E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Principal of LPL Soren E. Croxall, CFP® Registered Representative of LPL
Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA & SIPC. LPL Financial and Croxall Capital Planning do not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
MARCH 2019
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 11
Ask Nicole: Teaching kids about money Dear Nicole,
By NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW When I was young, my dad supported a family of six on a teacher’s salary. It was hard in the 1970s, and I can’t imagine trying to do it now. I remember grocery shopping with my mom and watching her keep a running total of every item in the cart to make sure she stayed within her budget. In high school, after I bought a record album on impulse, my mom made me create a budget and show her my income, expenses and bank statement each month. I hated it, but it taught me to live frugally and save money, which was an essential skill once I left home. I still love a good bargain and try to teach my kids the value of working hard and saving money. Sometimes I think they get it, and other times it seems like “job, budget and saving” are foreign words to them. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who’s 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, please email me at triplep@first5scc.org.
I want my kids to learn the value of money. My partner and I both work two jobs to make ends meet, and we live on a tight budget. Meanwhile, our kids (7, 10, 15) constantly ask for money and complain if we say no. My oldest earns some money from dogwalking but spends it as soon as she gets it. We don’t mind giving them money occasionally, but we don’t want them to expect it all the time. Got any suggestions? — Troy Dear Troy, Good question! Learning to manage money is an important life skill that’s necessary for independence in adulthood. Here are some tips to try: Create a family budget. If you haven’t done this already, create a simple budget that shows how much you earn and spend each month on essential items like food, housing, transportation, utilities, child care and other bills. This can help children see how much (or little) money is left for other things like clothing, entertainment, and school or social activities. Teach your kids about the family budget. Kids are often unaware of the family budget because they’re not involved in day-to-day spending decisions. Although we don’t want children to worry about the
family’s financial health, it’s still good for them to learn the importance of budgeting and saving for the future. This can be hard to teach, especially since kids might not see people use physical money very often. With more options to buy things online, by credit or debit card, or with apps connected to bank accounts, kids might truly believe that money magically appears. To make the concept of money and budgeting more concrete, try using play money from a board game to demonstrate how much money comes into the household each month, how much gets spent on essential items, and how much is left over. Help them set goals for earning and saving money. If your kids want certain items, have them research the costs then prioritize one thing they want to buy. Help them identify all the ways they can earn and save money — small jobs at home or in the neighborhood, a job in the community, an allowance, or any money they receive as gifts — even if it’s a few cents at a time. Teach them to create a budget and keep track of how close they are to reaching their goal. They can create budgets using paper, a spreadsheet, or envelopes or containers marked “Saving” (money they won’t spend) and “Spending” (money for buying items they want). This can help kids make a concrete connection between working, earning and saving money. Encourage them to find contentment from things that don’t cost money. While it can feel good to buy things with hard-
earned money, it’s also valuable for children to learn to experience happiness and contentment in other ways. One of the simplest ways to do this is to set a good example — talk with your kids about things that make you feel happy, content, grateful and loved — including your family and other non-material things. Final thoughts: People often say, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” and “Money can’t buy you happiness.” These sayings may seem old-fashioned, but they’re as true as ever. Teaching kids about valuing and managing money without relying on material things for happiness is essential for their future independence and lifelong well-being. ••• Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 15 and 18, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, 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. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc. org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
Second Harvest unveils food drive totals A total of 4,817,235 meals were donated during the 2018 Holiday Food and Fund Drive, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County announced Feb. 5 during an unveiling event at Dominican Hospital. The number surpassed the nonprofit’s goal of 4.8 million meals, and is a record for the annual drive. Each year during the Holiday Food and Fund Drive, members of the community and local organizations donate food and/or money to Second Harvest of Santa Cruz County to keep those in need from going hungry during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of Dominican Hospital
If your mortgage or rent increased to $5,600 per month would you be able to afford it? That's the average monthly cost of assisted living in Santa Cruz County.... Source: Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Study
Contact Croxall Capital Planning For a complimentary consultation on your long term care planning options A: 9057 Soquel Dr. Bldg B, Ste A Aptos, CA 95003 P: (831) 661-4006 E: gary.croxall@lpl.com W: www.croxallcapital.com
Gary Croxall is a registered principal of and securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. CA Insurance Lic. #0532176
12 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
MARCH 2019
MARCH 2019
SPORTS PALO ALTO — Aptos was hoping it would withstand Monterey’s initial push. It didn’t. The Mariners were also hoping the Toreadores would take their foot off the pedal a bit after. That wasn’t the case either. There was no mercy on Monterey’s mind. Only championship trophies. “We came ready to play today,” said Monterey coach Greg Daniels. Clearly. Top-seeded Monterey cruised to its second Central Coast Section Division III crown in three years with a 59-31 rout of No. 2 Aptos on Feb. 23 at Palo Alto High. Aptos (18-11) scored the first points on a layup from senior center Anthony Sanchez, but Monterey (22-4) responded with a 16-1 flurry to break things open. The Dores led 25-9 after the first quarter, and the Mariners were never able to close the gap. “The first quarter, they jumped on us,” said Aptos coach Brian Bowyer. “They got hot, and we had a hard time responding.” Senior guard Mohammed Adam scored a game-high 19 points for Monterey, and splashed home a pair of 3-pointers during the Dores’ first-quarter blitz. Mohanid Adam and Tahjae Ordonio also swished a 3 during the first quarter for Monterey, which last season finished runner-up to Archbishop Riordan a year after beating Saratoga for the program’s first-ever section crown. “After winning one and losing one, we knew both sides,” Daniels said. “This year, it was all about not being on that other side of the trophy ceremony.” Sanchez paced Aptos with 12 points, but nobody else scored in double figures for the Mariners, who tied their lowest scoring output of the season in the loss. “We played the best we could, but we made some mistakes,” Sanchez said.
Aptos turned it over 15 times. Six came in the first quarter. The Mariners gave it away four more times in the second quarter, and went into the half down 34-16. Feb. 23 marked the second time the two teams had met. Monterey won the first meeting in early December by 31 points. It was much of the same once again. “We didn’t want to give Aptos any confidence,” Daniels said. “I know [Max Pepperdine] is a really good player, and I didn’t want him to get in any kind of rhythm.” Pepperdine, the Mariners’ senior point guard, finished with five points, four rebounds and four assists in just his fourth game back from a foot injury. Aptos, which was playing in its first CCS final since the 2014-15 season, had reeled off three straight victories in Pepperdine’s return, including its upset of Santa Cruz in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League tournament final. The Mariners had also Aptos senior not allowed a team to Charles (24) score more than 50 points Tony Nunez in a game since Jan. 18. “It’s all icing on the cake right now,” Bowyer said. “We were able to get a share of the league title, and that was unbelievable. We made it here, and that was unbelievable,
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 13
WITH
TONY NUNEZ
center Anthony Sanchez (3) works on Monterey senior forward Evans during Feb. 23’s CCS D-III Championship at Palo Alto High. Photo by
too. We win another game? That’s great. This is all icing on the cake. We’re going to go play as hard as we can, and let things happen as they happen. I’m so excited to
be here. Two teams made it this far, and we were one of them. I’m really happy. Really happy.”
MARCH 2019
14 - LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel
COMMUNITY CALENDAR March 6
March 13
Dining for History
Networking lunch
Cafe Rio, 131 Esplanade in Aptos, will donate a portion of proceeds from 3-9 p.m. to the Aptos History Museum.
March 7 Our Community Reads art display
Our Community Reads, a program of the Friends of the Aptos Library, is partnering with Aptos High School students in a display of original poetry and personal stories inspired by the book, “The Death and Life of Monterey Bay.� The free event will be held at the Aptos High School Library, Upper Campus, 100 Mariner Way, from 7-9 p.m. For information, visit friendsofaptoslibrary.org.
March 9
The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly networking lunch at Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St. in Soquel, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gayle Ortiz, capital campaign chairperson of the Capitola Library, will give an update on the new library. Admission is $20 for chamber members, or $25 for non-members. For reservations, call 475-6522.
Red Cross blood drive
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Drive in Aptos, from 12:306:30 p.m. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
March 21
Latino Role Models
The ninth annual Latino Role Models conference will be held on March 9 at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For information, call 854-7740 or email info@SCSenderos.org.
‘Saving Democracy’
A panel of national experts in politics, government and media will talk during “Saving Democracy� at Cabrillo College. Speakers include Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend, former California
MARCH 2019 Assembly GOP Leader Kristin Olsen and others. The time and location will be announced at dastardlycleverness.com.
March 23 Scrabble Tournament
The Santa Cruz County Law Library is hosting its 10th annual Scrabble Tournament from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 701 Ocean St., room 070 in Santa Cruz. Participants play three 30-minute games. Students play free. Adults suggested donation is $25. All donations benefit Teen Peer Court and the Santa Cruz County Law Library. To register, email scclawlib@ yahoo.com or Jackdilles@icloud.com or call 420-2205.
March 30 International Festival
Women’s
The International Women’s Festival, taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the La Selva Recreation District, 314 Estrella Ave., will honor women’s accomplishments in all walks of life. Tickets are $29 in advance or $35 at the door. For information, visit internationalwomensfestivalcentralcoast. org.
Symphony League gala
The Santa Cruz Symphony League will hold its annual gala party event, this year called the Beach Ball Gala, from 5:30-10 p.m. at Holy Cross Hall, 170 High St. in Santa Cruz. Tickets are $150, and proceeds support the Santa Cruz Symphony. For information and tickets, visit www.santacruzsymphonyleague.org or call Cheryl or 475-9482.
March 31 Espressivo concert
Espressivo, a small orchestra, will perform a program of Romantic music at 3 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St. in Santa Cruz. Under the title “Romanticism — Morning to Evening,� the program consists of Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll,� Arnold Schoenberg’s “Chamber Symphony� and others. Tickets are available at www.espressorch.org or at the box office.
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MARCH 2019
SPORTS PALO ALTO — The celebration was not championship material, but the play on the court was — without a doubt. Top-seeded Aptos won its second Central Coast Section Division III crown in the last three years, and the Mariners made it look easy with a 58-37 redemption win over No. 2 South San Francisco on Feb. 23 at Palo Alto High. “This means everything to us,” said junior forward Natalia Ackerman. “We’ve worked so hard this season, and I don’t even know how to put it in words.” Their actions didn’t fully express the overwhelming joy they felt after exacting sweet revenge over S.S.F. (20-9) either. When the final horn went off, a few players lifted their arms and a couple let out a shout. The jumping joyous hugs of two years ago following the Mariners’ (23-6) first section title since 1983 were nowhere to be found.
“I think we were all so tired,” Ackerman said through a laugh. “That was the lamest celebration ever.” Ackerman earned a long rest after yet another standout postseason performance. The 6-foot-1 human pogo stick was all over the floor for the Mariners, finishing with a game-high 28 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four steals. The Cal PolySan Luis Obispo commit averaged 29.3 points and 17 rebounds over Aptos’s threegame CCS postseason run, which included a 40-point, 18-rebound flurry against No. 9 Capuchino in the quarterfinals. “There’s not many high school basketball players that can beat her with her pure athleticism, and over the last few weeks she’s started to play so smart,” said Aptos first-year coach Chris Grieves. “When you combine that with her athleticism, she’s an unstoppable player at this level.” Junior point guard Gabby Giuffre added
Aptos junior forward Natalia Ackerkman (35) throws up a layup during Feb. 23’s CCS D-III championship game against South San Francisco at Palo Alto High. Photo by Tony Nunez
Aptos senior guard Hannah Hocom drives to the bucket on S.S.F.’s senior Gabby Nativida (25) during Feb. 23’s CCS Division III championship game at Palo Alto High. Photo by Tony Nunez
LIFE everything Aptos, Capitola and Soquel - 15
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TONY NUNEZ
13 points and four rebounds for Aptos, and junior wing Emma Stefanini provided 11 big points in only her second start of the season. The game was tied 12-all after the first quarter, but Stefanini’s back-to-back makes from 3-point range served as the exclamation point of the Mariners’ 16-3 run to open the second quarter. Aptos went into the half up nine, and pulled away in the third quarter with another quick shower of buckets from Giuffre and Ackerman, and a running layup from senior guard Hannah Hocom. “I wasn’t expecting [those shots],” Stefanini said. “I knew to win we had to go out and run at a fast pace. I was open, and I just shot it.” Stefanini said she played all of three minutes in last year’s CCS final loss against S.S.F., but that did not lessen the sting that accompanied the Mariners’ letdown. “Everybody was sad and super down, some people were even crying,” Stefanini
said. “It’s amazing that we won again. It’s great to come back and take [the trophy] again.” Sophomore point guard Alex Salise paced S.S.F. with 13 points and senior center Becca Tassi added 12. Salise was a thorn in the Mariners’ side during last year’s CCS final at Piedmont Hills High, but Aptos managed to take away her lanes to the bucket by switching to 2-3 zone as it pulled away. Her 3-pointer during the early moments of the third quarter was one of only two field goal makes for the Warriors in the frame. Aptos won the third quarter 12-5, and Ackerman’s 3-point play off an offensive rebound on the opening possession of the fourth was the proverbial dagger. “I was just going for it,” said Ackerman, who had 11 offensive boards. “I didn’t even realize that I was scoring like that. I felt like everything was coming within our offense. We weren’t forcing shots.”