Aptos Times: August 1, 2020 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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August 1 2020 • Vol 29 No. 15

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Should Cabrillo College Change its Name?

In 1959, Wally Trabing, a columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, suggested naming the new community college after explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to arrive at the California coast in 1542. Full Story page 6

County Joins COVID-19 Watch List Full Story page 7

Giant Opportunity

Aptos Local Haydn King Signs Contract with San Francisco

Aptos local Haydn King chose the college route after being drafted out of high school by the Oakland A’s. He transferred to the University of Nevada Las Vegas as a sophomore. Now, the 6-foot-2, 215 pound left-handed pitcher recently signed a $20,000 free-agent minor league

contract with the San Francisco Giants. The Aptos Times asked him about growing up in a sports-minded family and his childhood dreams of a professional baseball career. We also heard from his dad, Matthew, about the role he played. ... continued on page 4

Aptos La Selva Fire Chief To Depart

Aptos La Selva Fire Chief Aaron Lowe, who has been helping guide the consolidation with the Central Fire Protection District, is departing after 28 months for Carson City, Nevada, where he will be deputy fire chief. Full Story page 5

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No. 15

Volume 29

Table of Contents

425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 kirby.org

Empowering Students to Shape Their Futures with Confidence

Cover Giant Opportunity: Aptos Local Haydn King Signs Contract with San Francisco 5 6 7 8 9 10

13 14 15 18 19 20 21 27 28

Community News Aptos La Selva Fire Chief Lowe To Depart, By Jondi Gumz Should Cabrillo College Change its Name?, By Jondi Gumz County Joins COVID-19 Watch List: Health Officer Expects Salons, Barbers, Gyms, Churches to End Indoor Service, By Jondi Gumz County Reports 4th COVID-19 Death, By Jondi Gumz 2020—A Different Ball Game: Annual Testicle Festival Fundraiser—Take Out to Enjoy at Home Panetta Backs Grants for Minority Businesses • Paycheck Protection Loans Total $812M in 20th District • Mount Madonna Seeking Waiver • Santa Cruz To Improve 21 Pedestrian Crossings • Highway 17 Tree Work July 27-31 Santa Cruz Trestle Trail Wins Fourth Award Tribute Tables Available at State Parks, Beaches Panetta Votes For Outdoors Act • Jobs in Santa Cruz County: June 2020 Coin Shortage Affects Local Businesses, By Jondi Gumz • Santa Cruz Works Webinars Free To Teachers, Students Santa Cruz Inventors Win Originality Award Visit Santa Cruz County Launches Safety Pledge Campaign County Sustainability: Public Comments Due August 21, By Jondi Gumz Progressive Rail Wants Out of SC Deal, By Jondi Gumz • Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau & Agri-Culture’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament PVUSD Announces New Admins

Continuity of education is a top priority for Kirby. Ask us about our increased commitment to Tuition Assistance. Contact our Admissions Office to help you through the application process (831) 423-0658 x 202 or email admissions@kirby.org.

KIRBY.ORG

Local Sports 11 Fall Sports Moved to December In Memoriam 16 Farewell to our Friend: Congressman John Lewis, By SN Ward Mailliard 17 Donald McCaslin—An Appreciation: Dec. 13, 1926 ~ July 16, 2020, By Ron Kaplan Business Profile 20 Sandcastle Realty: Century 21 LAD, By Edita McQuary

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Your November Horoscope

Featured Columnists 22 COVID-19: How can I cure thee?, By Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service 25 Top 10 Questions for Dr. Rodriguez, By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 26 County K-12 Schools: This Fall, Distance Learning Only 29 County Budget: More Cuts Ahead, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 30 National Water Quality Month: How To Do Your Part, By Rebecca Gold Rubin, Soquel Creek Water District 31 Nursery Cans Are Only Temporary, By Tony Tomeo

START @ GOODWILL Goodwill is a great place to start your shopping, build a base with local treasures found at every store.

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SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Tosh: Perfectly Imperfect

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COVER STORY publisher

Patrice Edwards

editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Jondi Gumz, SN Ward Mailliard, Ron Kaplan, Edita McQuary, Thomas E. Levy, Michelle Rodriguez, Zach Friend, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti advertising sales Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey Cathe Race

office coordinator

Bill Pooley, James Hudson

distribution

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Begonia Festival Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

“King” from page 1 Here is what they said: Born Into Baseball Haydn King was born into baseball. I guess you could say I had no choice (haha) … but I couldn’t get enough of the game. As a child I woke up every morning when the sun rose, and believe it or not ... I watched baseball highlights on ESPN while everyone else was asleep. My father and uncle, Matthew & Marc King, were Aptos High school standouts. Both are members of the Aptos High School 50th anniversary baseball team. Both played collegiately. Uncle Marc played professionally with the Montreal Expos while Dad went the coaching and scouting route — first as a coach at Cabrillo, then had a 12-year scouting career. Dad scouted for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins. Fortunately, when I was born, my dad stopped traveling and was there to coach me and teach me the game. So many scouts do such amazing and thankless work searching for pro baseball talent, but most of them miss their kids growing up. He never missed a key moment of my brother Brennan or my life. He gave up a pretty fun career but we have had a blast together.

Blue Moon Aptos

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

but loved spread to celebrate the many victories. ••• Great Memories! Matthew King was always honest with Haydn about his participation in sports — from how he conducted himself as a teammate to his performance. I finally figured it out when he was around 14 that my analysis didn’t always have a positive impact on him. So I began a process where I told him after his games win or lose / good or bad: “I really enjoyed watching you play ...” Then if he wanted to talk about the game we would talk and if not I would leave it alone. That extra space really helped the both of us. I know when he entered high school that if he passed 6 feet tall and stayed healthy, he would one day have a chance to play professionally. He had the tools, but he had the intangibles as well. First, he never gives up and he never lets down. When he is behind or flat he always believes he can still prevail. When he is ahead or playing well, he takes no prisoners. The thing I am proudest of is the fact that: • He will graduate in less than 4 years with a 3.6 college grade-point average. • He and his brother are best friends • He has learned to navigate his competitiveness and emotions (Don’t get me wrong, Haydn still spits nails at times, but maturity has brought the best out in Haydn.) His mom and I are proudest he is a respectful young man who is learning what it means to be a good human being and navigate life. n ••• Photos Provided By Matthew King Cover Photo: Haydn King signs his San Francisco Giants contract on July 21.

Growing up, I never missed a San Francisco Giants game on TV and went to many games. I learned early that I didn’t handle losing very well because I often cried when the Giants lost. I was a very competitive and emotional player for much of my youth. My parents were both athletes (my mom, Donya, was an All-American swimmer and whom I got my height and athleticism from. Sorry, Pops). No doubt I credit my love and knowledge of baseball to my father. Other than my dad coaching me, I give a ton of credit to coach Mike O’Boy (Mike is a fixture in Aptos for his real estate business and community minded focus). He has been a mentor of mine since I was 7 years old. Many of my greatest memories include playing ball with Mike’s son, and my good friend Jackson ... Then doing what my Dad and Mike loved the most: eating after the games. Let’s just say those two enjoyed coaching,

Haydn King, age 8, celebrates after his Aptos Little League All-Star team wins the District 39 title.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aptos La Selva Fire Chief Lowe To Depart

By Jondi Gumz

ptos La Selva Fire Chief Aaron Lowe, who has been helping guide the consolidation with the Central Fire Protection District, is departing after 28 months for Carson City, Nevada, where he will be deputy fire chief. His last day here will be Aug. 13 when the fire board may announce an interim chief. Aaron Lowe “It’s hard to leave,” Lowe said. “I can’t say enough good things about Aptos.” He thanked Karen and John Hibble of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce for their support. Lowe, 52, is leaving before his threeyear contract expires due to personal reasons. He declined to elaborate but he said he loves backpacking, fly-fishing and snowboarding. He came to the Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District in April 2018 during a time of tumult. The prior chief, Jon Jones, got a vote of no confidence by Firefighters Local 3535. Firefighters contended he lacked leadership skills. After that, the board voted not to extend his contract. In 2019, Aptos La Selva firefighters responded to 1,598 emergency medical calls, 43 structure fires, 32 car fires and 17 wildland fires. Lowe prioritized operational efficiencies, increasing staffing of community risk reduction and creating an academy to train aspiring captains. Under Lowe’s leadership, the two fire agencies have been working collaboratively under agreements for mid-management, administrative services, training, community risk reduction and logistics. Best Record ast month, the Santa Cruz County grand jury investigated whether fire agencies had conducted mandated

safety inspections of apartments, hotels, schools and preschools and found that Aptos La Selva and Central, operating as one agency, had the best track record in terms of citations and re-inspections to fix problems. Lowe said consolidation is “fiscally sound and operationally sound” and “the right thing to do, but you have to have the right people — we have the right people.” Firefighters are passionate about how it should be done, he added, explaining that the process requires collaboration to find compromises. Last year, the two fire district aligned budgets, conducted briefing meetings for all employees and worked with the labor groups on issues such as seniority, vacation and station assignments. Not all the tasks were completed by the July 1 target date, but the work is ongoing. “That was a target date to strive for,” said Aptos La Selva board president George Lucchesi. “[We] still have some unfinished business to complete for LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission).” The Aug. 5 LAFCO hearing has been postponed until that business is complete. Be Patient owe said one task on the list is working through the differences in CalPERS retirement packages, which he said is “lengthy but not insurmountable.” Another is working with labor groups, reviewing differences in their contracts and finding common ground. “We need to collaborate and trust the process,” Lowe said. “The key is to be patient.” The merger is not a new issue; the idea goes back 20 years. This time, the focus is on getting it right. Quoting one of his fire captains, Lowe said, “It’s not the velocity, it’s the trajectory.”

“Lowe” page 11

“[Consolidation is] the right thing to do, but you have to have the right people — we have the right people.” — Aaron Lowe, Aptos La Selva Fire Chief

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Should Cabrillo College Change its Name? By Jondi Gumz

n 1959, Wally Trabing, a columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, suggested naming the new community college after explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to arrive at the California coast in 1542. The college had been placed in Aptos, the midpoint between rival communities in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, and the Cabrillo name was acceptable — until now. Faculty members led by John Govsky, a digital media instructor, petitioned trustees for a change, citing Juan Cabrillo’s violent history. Madison Raasch, who served as student trustee last year, agreed. Others questioned whether spending $1 million on a name change — the cost estimate from Cabrillo superintendent/ president Matt Wetstein — was the best choice to support students and the trustees’ goal to prioritize equity, ensuring every student has an equal opportunity for success.

If you haven’t explored Cabrillo’s history, here’s a report from historian Gary Kamiya, who shared this story from biographer Harry Kelsey in the San Francisco Chronicle: At 13, Cabrillo was a young soldier who was first to draw his sword against Taino Indians in Cuba, resulting in a slaughter of nearly all the natives in the village. The reassessment of Cabrillo’s name comes in the wake of universities elsewhere reassessing their history, acknowledging stains and in some cases, making amends. • Harvard University Harvard figures Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister, and John Hancock, who signed the Declaration of Independence, owned slaves. Buried with expensive headstones near campus are Cicely and Jane, slave servants who served prominent Harvard men. In 2016, Harvard Law School retired

6 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

its logo because it was based on the family crest of an 18th century slave-holding family of Isaac Royall Jr., who endowed the first law professorship at Harvard in 1815. His father owned a Caribbean plantation and built the family fortune trading in sugar, rum and slaves. Harvard now offers a course called “Harvard and Slavery” but some students say the university should do more. • Georgetown University Georgetown was kept afloat in tough financial times in 1838 when Jesuits who ran the college sold 272 men, women, and children to pay college debts. In 2019, Georgetown students voted to establish a student fee to fund reparations for descendants of the 272 slaves. Georgetown renamed buildings bearing the names of Jesuits Thomas Mulledy and William McSherry, who had played key roles in the sale. The buildings are now named for Isaac Hawkins, the first slave sold in 1838, and Anne Marie Becraft, a free woman of color who established a school in Georgetown for black girls. • University of Virginia The University of Virginia was built by

slaves; students and faculty were served by slaves. In 2013, the university established a commission to examine its slavery connections. Since then, the university has acknowledged its participation in slavery and honored the people once enslaved. Students helped create a slavery walking tour of campus, and a prominent stone memorial is to honor an estimated 5,000 slaves working there between 1817 and 1865, when slaves were freed by President Lincoln. Reckoning With History n athletics, business and even environmental activism, organizations are reckoning with racism in their history in the era of George Floyd, who was killed in May in Minneapolis while in police custody, and the Black Lives Matter movement. The reporters who cover Major League Baseball will consider whether to rename the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, because it recognizes the Sporting News publisher who helped delay integration of baseball.

“Cabrillo” page 8

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Joins COVID-19 Watch List

Health Officer Expects Salons, Barbers, Gyms, Churches to End Indoor Service

By Jondi Gumz

fter months of flattening the curve of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, Santa Cruz County cases have risen dramatically, surpassing 1,000, warranting state scrutiny, and forcing many businesses to halt indoor services. Tests are hard to get now, but a UC Santa Cruz lab is expected to begin processing tests in two weeks. On Sunday, Santa Cruz County was placed on the state monitoring list because case rates topped 100 per 100,000 population for three consecutive days. (It’s now 138 per 100,000 people. ) This means a new state order will close indoor services at hair salons, barbershops, gyms, places of worship, malls, nail salons, and massage and tattoo parlors. Only outdoor services will be allowed. Also, offices for nonessential work will have to go virtual again. Samantha Gray, 31, who bought Crossfit Aptos in October, is prepared to switch to outdoor workouts. She has an accommodating landlord and her business is located in a building with roll-up doors that she can open for greater ventilation, which is recommended by health officials as a way to lower the risk of transmission. “We’ll make it work,” she said. The clampdown on indoor operations Dr. Gail Newel aims to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has ballooned to 1,030 cases in Santa Cruz County, with 665 active, including a record 78 cases reported on July 20. The overall count is up from 848 cases, 511 active, five days ago. As of Monday, 37 of California’s 58 counties were on the watch list. Santa Cruz County Health Office Dr. Gail Newel warned last week this could happen. For March, April and May, during the shelter-in-place order, the case rate in Santa Cruz County was one of the lowest in the state. In June, with the economy in tatters, governor opened up many more industries including tourism. Party Time eople felt it was party time,” said Newel, speaking to constituents of Supervisor John Leopold via Zoom.

lost the Poet & Patriot Pub, 99 Bottles, Pono Grill and the Salvation Army retail shop. None plan to reopen. South County has been hard hit with 582 cases. Last week, Latinos, who comprise 33 percent of the population, had 49.5 percent of the confirmed cases. This week, it was 52.5 percent. Jacob Martinez, Digital Nest founder, said Salud Para La Gente is sending out caravans in Watsonville to reach out to people in their native languages, Spanish and Mixteco, to explain how families can gather safely. Employers Can Help ewel is asking employers to help. Once a workplace has three or more cases, she said the employer will be asked to prepare a list of personal contacts to give the county’s “contact tracing” workers a jumpstart to alert community members to their exposure to the virus so they can be tested. Newel said in most cases, it’s not the workplace where the virus is spread, but people living together, socializing together or hanging out in the break room without a mask. If people would wear a mask, keep six feet apart, stay home when sick, and not share food, Newel predicted the pandemic would be over in four to six weeks.

N Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Samantha Gray, owner of CrossFit Aptos, will move fitness classes outdoors to comply with new Covid-19 restrictions. She contends the governor sent mixed if it’s cool. Playing basketball, he advised messages by retaining a statewide shelter- picking one person to guard to limit your in-place order but allowing tourism to exposure. For a family birthday, do BBQ and cake outdoors. reopen. Those simple steps could reduce the With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Fourth of July, families started gath- spread of COVID-19 and make it possible ering again, as if things were back to for businesses to reopen, which would normal. Some heeded the advice to wear mean getting jobs back. “Your job, or your friend’s job, may a face covering to prevent the virus from spreading but many thought the danger have just been cut,” Kilpatrick said. “Your favorite bar or business may go under.” was over. Already downtown Santa Cruz has Newel shared an example from interviews with people confirmed to have COVID-19: “oh, yes, I did go to a graduation party and now 14 of my family members are sick.” Of the 1,030 total cases posted at santacruzhealth.org, two-thirds have been confirmed in the past two weeks – mostly person-to-person contact, friends and family. About 37 percent are millennials age 18 to 34. At a Wednesday night webinar, “Don’t Kill Grandma, ” attended by 150 people, UC Santa Cruz research Marm Kilpatrick advised younger people meeting friends to get together outdoors, wear a mask and give a six-foot space to lower the risk of spreading the virus. Get takeout and meet in a backyard with lawn chairs six feet apart, he said. When riding with a friend to the beach, he suggested sitting in the back seat, rolling the windows down and wearing a hoodie

“Watchlist” page 9

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COMMUNITY NEWS

County Reports 4th COVID-19 Death

By Jondi Gumz

r. Gail Newel, Santa Cruz County’s health officer, reported the county’s fourth fatality connected with the contagious coronavirus COVID-19. A man in his 70s hospitalized for a heart issue was tested before being admitted and found to be COVID-positive, Newel said. It was “not hospital-acquired,” she added. “Other household members tested positive.” Newel said the county has 848 cases, including 511 cases in the past two weeks. “Our staff is overwhelmed,” she said. The number of cases in Capitola is growing. For data, see santacruzhealth. org/coronavirus. Newel said there’s a backlog in inputting cases into the state database because data must be entered manually from faxes or emails with test results. “And the system was down yesterday,” she added. Mimi Hall, director of the county’s Health Services Agency, said she expects “well over” 1,000 cases by July 27. She noted the “exponential growth in our case rate,” and test result turnaround taking 7 to 10 days, “which makes it very difficult to contact trace.” At the outset of the pandemic in March, the county’s strategy was to

“Cabrillo” from page 6 They are also considering whether to wipe the name of longtime baseball commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis from the Most Valuable Player trophy, because during his tenure from 1920-1944, the sport was basically all white. Two professional football teams are dropping names considered to be ethnic slurs: the Redskins in the NFL will become the Washington Football Team while searching for a new permanent name; and the Edmonton team in the Canadan Football League will no longer be called the Eskimos. Trader Joe’s grocery chain is phasing out Trader Ming and Trader Jose packaging after Briones Bedell, a high school student in Oakley, started a petition on Change. org, saying the marketing played on racial stereotypes. This past week, the head of Sierra Club apologized for founder John Muir making derogatory comments about Black and indigenous people and for his friendship with paleontologist Henry Fair-

expand the number of staff to investigate newly confirmed positive cases, have them isolate, find out who they might have exposed, and then call those individuals so they could get tested. With the test result lag caused by a worldwide shortage of a chemical used in the lab test and a huge increase in cases, the initial approach is no longer working. “You cannot contract trace or test your way out of it — it’s not containable,” Hall said. She said the county has “under a dozen” clusters, which means three or more cases connected to an industry. Employers Can Help he new strategy is to ask employers to identify contacts of the affected worker. “Once someone’s positive, they know before we do,” Hall said. “We need to get everybody’s help.” For a sample employee notification letter and a contact tracing form, see http://santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/ HSADivisions/PublicHealth/CommunicableDiseaseControl/CoronavirusHome/ PublicInformation/Employers.aspx The virus spreads at workplaces when employees take breaks together and eat together without masks, according to Hall, who said she had not seen the virus passed between employees and the public.

field Osborn, president of the American Museum of National History, who contended the Nordic race was superior. Committee Created uring the annual retreat on July 20, Cabrillo College trustees voted 7-1 to create a board subcommittee, likely with three trustees, to seek input from stakeholders, internal and external, on a name change. Adam Spickler was the sole nay vote. He favored a different process but he volunteered for the subcommittee, saying he’s not up for re-election. Voting yes were: Edward Banks, Donna Ziel, Dan Rothwell, who are not up for election, and student trustee Amidia Frederick. Also voting yes: Christina Cuevas, Rachael Spencer and Leticia Mendoza, who are up for re-election. Cuevas and Spencer have already filed papers saying they plan to run again. Trustee Comments ere are some of the comments trustees made on the name issue: Edward Banks (who consulted historian

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Asked if attendance at protests or memorials had spread the virus, Newel said she had not seen evidence of that. “It’s gatherings, family celebrations in backyards,” she said. Don’t Kill Grandma ore than half the new cases are millennials, young people age 18 to 34, prompting concern from the Santa Cruz County Business Council, which will host a webinar, “Don’t Kill Grandma,” from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday July 29 on EventBrite. The session will cover how to have fun with friends safely, with time for questions. Those who RSVP on EventBrite.com will be entered to win a mask; 120 are available. Though the latest case numbers look daunting and have drawn state scrutiny with Newel expecting Santa Cruz County to land on the watch list in 10 days – which would force hair salons, barbershops gyms and churches to halt indoor services and offer outdoor services – Newel offered a way out. “At any point, we could again flatten the curve,” she said, adding that if people wore face coverings, stayed six feet away from people outside their household and stopped gathering, “we’d be done in 4-6 weeks.” Hall elaborated on the county’s decision to allocate close to $1 million in

Sandy Lydon to find out how the name was chosen): “I don’t discount anything that anybody said. I still feel very conflicted over any name change.” Adam Spickler: “In the end, this will be a political decision.” Donna Ziel: “From what I heard tonight, it’s really important to have the student voice heard.” Christina Cuevas: “Our highest goal is equity for students. What’s the best we can do where we make students feel welcome and they can succeed?” Rachael Spencer: “The timing is really difficult. The communication is difficult… It’s going to take a lot of work to bring the community to understand this.” Amidia Frederick, (student trustee): “Sensitivity is going to keep growing. As an institution that cares about equity, we do need to go forward with the option to investigate this. We’re not fast-tracking this.” Dan Rothwell: “We want to be very open about receiving information. This is a hotbed, a political decision that can incite pretty strong feelings.”

federal CARES Act for lab equipment for UC Santa Cruz and for county labs to boost testing capacity. Then specimens from clinics could be sent to UCSC or processing. But it won’t happen overnight. “We haven’t purchased the equipment yet,” Hall said. New Hires She also explained the long onboarding process for 23 people newly hired as contract tracers boosting that workforce to 69. “It’s not like you hire them and they start tomorrow,” she said. Employees must undergo a security clearance, complete a 20-hour training, which can take a week, and then participate in additional training to learn the CalConnect system for tracking cases. “COVID-19” page 13

The Process he Cabrillo College Governing Board next meets at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 on Zoom. The subcommittee will likely be created then. Interested board members have been invited to notify Board Chair Leticia Mendoza of their willingness to serve. The agenda will be posted at https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/ cabrillo/Board.nsf/Public The review will likely take months. The Board subcommittee approach will allow select Board members to steer the process of studying the college name, its historic roots, and whether a more appropriate name is in order. External constituents from the business, education, and Cabrillo alumni community will be invited to provide input. The subcommittee will develop recommendations that will go to the full Governing Board for a vote. Renaming involves expenses such as changing signs on the campus and on highways and roadways, changing wayfinding maps, and obtaining a new website domain name, marketing materials and legal costs required for a name change. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

2020: A Different Ball Game

Annual Testicle Festival Fundraiser: Take Out to Enjoy at Home

he Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau will be holding its 12th Annual Testicle Festival on Saturday, August 15th, 3:00-5:00pm. In typical 2020 fashion, and due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event has been re-formatted from previous years. This year ’s event will be a Take-Out Barbecue chicken dinner. Firefighter Derek Witmer and his crew will be barbequing the chicken. The attendees will be treated to their own servings of Rocky Mountain Oyster appetizers while they are picking up their dinner. The popular local chef, Loretta Estrada, will be preparing the Rocky Mountain Oysters. The price, which includes the rocky mountain oysters and full chicken barbeque dinner, is $50 for adults, and

“Watchlist” from page 7 For those concerned about contracting the virus from packages or from a retail store, she said, “It’s pretty hard to get COVID-19 from inanimate objects or outdoors.” The virus is “tricky,” she said, infecting people before they realize it. “At least 40 percent are asymptomatic (no symptoms). They never get ill and they unknowingly spread the disease to friends and family,” she said. Kilpatrick said this is especially true for young people age 18-34. Santa Cruz County has 21 experienced investigators to do contact tracing and 29 new hires from the state, all working at home. It’s taken time to get the new hires their laptops and cellphones needed to perform their job. “But we are adequately staffed,” Newel said. Testing The county peaked at 10 percent positive on tests on July 22 but that has fallen to 5 percent as of July 29. The county reports 27,368 negative test results but getting a test is a challenge because of a global shortage of chemicals critical to run the COVID-19 lab test. As a result, the number of tests done in Santa Cruz County has shrunk from a peak of 431 on July 11 to 123 on July 22. Newel said it takes three weeks to get

$30 for children. The event will have a raffle (pre-purchased tickets), online live and silent auction as well as a Cow Pie Bingo* contest for adults and children. If you haven’t tried a rocky mountain oyster, now is the time! For more information, visit our website, www.Agri-Culture.us, or purchase tickets and sponsorships on www. eventbrite.com (search for “12th Annual Testicle Festival” in Watsonville). n ••• *Cow Pie Bingo ($50 per Square) – Experience the “sweet smell of success.” A bull will be turned loose on a fenced-in area which has been marked off into 64 squares. The cow determines the winner by making the first “deposit” on one of the squares. Chances on each square are sold for $50. The winner receives 50% of the sales. Kids and adults will both love this fun event. an appointment at the OptumServe site at Ramsay Park in Watsonville and the test results come back in 10 days, which “is no value to us.” By that time, people with a positive test have already exposed many others to the virus. The Ramsay Park facility will stay open until the end of August. To replace it, the county has allocated nearly $1 million in CARES ACT money to buy equipment for a UC Santa Cruz lab, where researchers have developed an alternative testing process. The UCSC lab is expected to ramp up from 150 tests a day to 900 or more tests a day with the new equipment. As a result, the number of tests done in Santa Cruz County has shrunk from a peak of 431 on July 11 to 123 on July 22. Newel said it takes three weeks to get an appointment at the OptumServe site at Ramsay Park in Watsonville and the test results come back in 10 days, which “is no value to us.” By that time, people with a positive test have already exposed many others to the virus. The workaround is the county has allocated nearly $1 million in CARES ACT money to buy equipment for a UC Santa Cruz lab, where researchers have developed an alternative testing process. The UCSC lab is expected to ramp up from 150 tests a day to 900 or more tests a day with the new equipment. n

Loretta Estrada prepares the Rocky Mountain Oysters for the guests along with her grandson, Zach Estrada, and Karen Pisturino.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Panetta Backs Grants for Minority Businesses O n July 28, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), U.S. Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) introduced legislation to enhance COVID-19 relief funding for nonprofit community economic development centers that support minorityand immigrant-owned small businesses. The Community Economic Development Center Jimmy Panetta Support Act would provide $75 million in grant funding through the Minority Business Development Agency in the Department of Commerce to local community economic development centers, said Gomez, who represents Los Angeles. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and Heroes Act provided funding for Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Centers, and Women’s Business Centers, which are associated with the Small Business Administration. However, other nonprofit organizations serving minority small business owners and entrepreneurs did not receive funding, despite increases in demand for their services due to the pandemic.

The Community Economic Development Center Support Act is designed to ensure that minority-owned small businesses can access lending and technical assistance from nonprofits that understand their communities. “Unfortunately, many minority and immigrant-owned small businesses not only were hit hard by this pandemic, but also were left out of the relief packages.” Panetta said. “To make it through this crisis, minority- and immigrant-owned small businesses were forced to turn to nonprofit community economic development centers. Those nonprofits specialize in serving minority customers, provide bilingual services and individualized assistance, and understand the needs our Central Coast community. My bill will provide supplemental funding to community economic development centers so that they may continue to assist our small businesses and help them survive this crisis.” Carmen Herrera Mansir, executive Director, El Pájaro Community Development Center in Watsonville, welcomes this legislation. “The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically highlighted the inequities that exist in our economy,” she said. “CARES act funds systematically excluded businesses owned by racially and ethnically diverse people located in low- and moderate-

income communities as it fails to provide funds for community economic development organizations like El Pájaro CDC that serve businesses in disadvantaged rural and urban communities,” she added. “The Community Economic Development Center Support Act will right a wrong! If authorized, it will enable our organization to bring hope and economic relief to thousands of business by providing bilingual and culturally relevant business development services and education including access to financing for the recovery of their business and assets. We applaud this initiative and urge congress to approve it!” Garcia said, “Immigrantand minority-owned small businesses are at the heart of my district in Chicago and they are the backbone of our local economy.” Sanchez added, “When our relief efforts shut out minority and immigrantowned businesses, we perpetuate systemic racism.”

Paycheck Protection Loans Total $812M in 20th District

n July 22, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) reported the Paycheck Protection Program provided financial assistance to 6,621 local businesses and helped to retain over 82,000 jobs on California’s central coast of California. This comes after the Small Business Administration (SBA) released data on the PPP’s impact in California’s 20th Congressional District. “To survive the pandemic, small businesses across the Central Coast are relying on the relief packages allocated by the federal government,” said Panetta. “I’m proud that Congress played its part and passed bipartisan legislation to provide such a large amount of funding to so many small businesses.” He continued: “Although there were some difficulties at times in the administration of the funds, I’m also proud that my office was there to help hundreds and hundreds of local businesses, including owners, non-profits, the self-employed and independent contractors, with getting their SBA loans. While I’m glad that the Paycheck Protection Program helped retain thousands and thousands of jobs in our community, I know that there is more work to be done. “Loans” page 15

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Mount Madonna Seeking Waiver ount Madonna School is applying for a waiver for in-person instruction for elementary school in light of Gov. Newsom’s order for distance learning at schools in counties on the COVID-19 watch list. Ann Goewert, the new Head of School at Mount Madonna, shared the plan Tuesday. “We are also hopeful that the cases will decline as we approach September so we can offer in-person instruction for all students,” she said. ••• Santa Cruz To Improve 21 Pedestrian Crossings $1 million project to improve 21 pedestrian crossings in the city of Santa

Cruz is scheduled to begin construction on Monday, July 27. The project, expected to be completed in December, will include ADA curb ramps, flashing beacons, warning signs, traffic striping and pavement markings. The goal is to increase safety for walking and bicycling throughout Santa Cruz as identified in the City’s Active Transportation Plan.

10 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The contractor is Precision Grade, Inc. Construction will occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There may be delays due to construction. Parking, bike lanes, and pedestrian access will be impacted. The cost is fully funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 8 grant. Any concerns or questions may be addressed to Project Manager Dan Estranero at destranero@cityofsantacruz. com or (831) 420-5189. Any changes to the construction schedule will be posted at www.cityofsantacruz.com. ••• Highway 17 Tree Work July 27-31 otorists can expect delays of 10 to 20 minutes Monday through Friday next week on Highway17 due to a Caltrans tree removal project.

This roadwork will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from Monday July 27 through Friday July 31, at the following locations on Highway 17. Monday July 27: Southbound from Sugarloaf Road to Vine Hill Road Tuesday July 28: Northbound from Inspiration to Old Santa Cruz Highway Wednesday July 29: Northbound from Inspiration Point to Old Santa Cruz Highway Thursday July 30: Southbound from the Summit to the Restaurant Friday July 31: Southbound from Crescent Drive to Santa’s Village Road This tree removal work is necessary for the safety of the travelling public and to protect surrounding properties. This roadwork will be performed by the Caltrans Santa Cruz Tree Crew. n

LOCAL SPORTS

Fall Sports Moved to December T he CIF Central Coast Section’s Executive Committee has determined that education-based athletics for the 2020-21 school year will have a modified season, with fall sports starting in December and winter-spring sports starting in February and March. Through the guidance and support of the California Interscholastic Federation and their continued work, we are continuously monitoring the directives and guidelines released from the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Education, the California Department of Public Health, and local county health departments and agencies as these directives and guidelines are followed by our member schools/ school districts with student health and safety at the forefront, Commissioner David Grissom said. As guidelines change, CCS schools may allow for athletic activity to resume under the summer period rules. Given this calendar change, the CIF and CCS has temporarily suspended certain bylaws thereby allowing students to participate on an outside team at the same time they participate on their high school team. n

“Lowe” from page 5 The more efficient the operation is, the more ability to be proactive in terms of reducing the risk of a wildfire — which Lowe is all too familiar with, having spent his career in Chico and seeing the devastating fire that leveled Paradise. That work will continue under Deputy Fire Marshal Marco Mack and the local FireWise organization. “I am very sorry to see Chief Lowe leave our area,” said Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner, who is active in FireWise. “He has done an excellent job of rebuilding the trust from within the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District personnel and throughout the community. He always showed great respect for all members of the public and worked diligently to address concerns we raised. He came at a time of great turmoil, but successfully and skillfully brought things around to be whole

Here are the start dates for practice and the dates of first competition and section finals. Season 1 Practice Start Finals Cross Country 12/14 12/28 3/20 Field Hockey 12/14 12/28 3/20 Football 12/14 1/8 4/10 Water Polo 12/14 12/28 3/13 Volleyball 12/14 12/28 3/13 Season 2 Badminton 2/22 3/8 5/22 Soccer 2/22 3/8 5/29 Tennis-Team 2/22 3/8 5/29 Tennis-Individual 2/22 3/8 TBD Swimming & Dive 3/8 3/22 5/29 Wrestling 3/15 3/29 6/5 Basketball 3/15 3/29 6/12 Baseball 3/15 3/29 6/19 Boys Golf 3/15 3/29 6/8 Girls Golf 3/15 3/29 6/9 Lacrosse 3/15 3/29 6/17 Softball 3/15 3/29 6/19 Track & Field 3/15 3/29 6/19 Traditional Cheer N/A N/A 4/3 Gymnastics TBD TBD TBD Competitive Cheer TBD TBD TBD

again. I will miss his kindness, great sense of humor, and his deep sense of integrity. I wish him all the best.” n ••• For information about the Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District, see https://tinyurl. com/aptosfire-report

“[Aaron Lowe] came at a time of great turmoil, but successfully and skillfully brought things around to be whole again. I will miss his kindness, great sense of humor, and his deep sense of integrity. I wish him all the best.” — Becky Steinbruner, Aptos resident

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz Trestle Trail Wins Fourth Award T he City of Santa Cruz has received a 2020 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Award for its San Lorenzo River Parkway Phase III/ Trestle Trail Project from the League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and California State Association of Counties. The Trestle Trail was recognized with top honors in the “Efficient and Sustainable Bridge Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects” category among many submissions for creative projects that improve local transportation systems while promoting fiscal and environmental sustainability. Before May 2019, Santa Cruz cyclists and pedestrians had only a 4-foot wide walkway to cross the railroad trestle bridge—a core city pathway. Thanks to the Trestle Trail, they now have a 10-foot wide ADA-compliant passageway providing improved safety and convenience.

The Trestle Trail is increasing active transportation while supporting climate action. The Trestle Trail was cantilevered from the existing railroad trestle which saved the city more than $4 million compared to an earlier plan that would have required a new bridge. This savings derived from a structural analysis funded by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. The Trestle Trail was the historic first segment of the Coastal Rail Trail to be built. The Coastal Rail Trail includes many projects that, together, will provide a 32-mile long separated bicycle/pedestrian path along the coast and is a part of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan. The City is currently constructing Segment 7/Phase I of the Coastal Rail Trail: A paved multi-use path from Natural Bridges Drive to Bay and

Ecology Action bike ambassadors cross the Trestle Trail at the project’s ribbon cutting on May 22, 2019. California streets that is expected to be completed this fall. This is the fourth award the Trestle Trail has received. It follows the American Public Works Association/Monterey Bay Chapter2020 Public Works Project

Award, the California Trail & Greenways 2020 Merit Award for Reconstruction of Unique Trail Project and an American Council of Engineering Companies/California 2020 Engineering Excellence Merit Award. n

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“COVID-19” from page 8 Hall said another issue is the county furloughs, which affects the Health Services Agency and creation of teams with new hires working together with experienced investigators. After COVID-free months at the jail, skilled nursing homes, and shelters for the homeless, cases are popping up in those places: A positive test for an inmate

entering the jail, cases that nursing homes where elderly residents are more likely to have a severe case, and eight staff and overnight guests tested positive at the Salvation Army shelter in Watsonville. Newel said she was not aware of any outbreaks in the Mixteco community in South County and she applauded the efforts of Salud Para La Gente around Watsonville, keeping cases among farm workers “relatively scarce.” n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Tribute Tables Available at State Parks, Beaches W ant to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone and support your community? You can have

an engraved redwood picnic table placed at a local state park or beach in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. It’s possible, thanks to Tribute Tables, a new program of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. “Tribute Tables are a meaningful way to show appreciation for a loved one or special milestone in your life while supporting our beloved state parks and beaches,” said Friends Executive Director Bonny Hawley. “A gift of a Tribute Table also will give park visitors a place to pause and reflect, or take a break to celebrate.” The program is a collaborative project between Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks, launched following a pilot program phase over the last several months. The minimum donation is $2,500. Proceeds support local state parks and beaches. Constructed of solid redwood, the custom-engraved picnic tables will provide a place of respite for the donors and other park visitors. The name of honoree is engraved into the cross-timber

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BBQ with friends and family when we can.” “Buzz loved the state parks. He ran and hiked in Nisene Marks and we were docents both there and at Seacliff,” said Tribute Table donor Susan Gorsky. “Thus, I could not find a better memorial for him.” n To learn more, visit https://www. thatsmypark.org/tribute-tables/. Or contact Jo Kenny by email at jo@thatsmypark.org or by phone (831) 429-1840, ext. 31.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Panetta Votes For Outdoors Act

n July 22, U.S. Rep. Jimmy servation Fund at the levels that were Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) voted promised. These resources will make for the Great American Outdoors sure that it continues to: Support enhanced park and recAct, a landmark conservation bill to help ensure public lands are protected and reational access for local communities preserved. The bipartisan legislation throughout the country; Addresses environmental injustice passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now heading to the President’s by creating green spaces near low-income communities and communities of color desk to be signed into law. “The bipartisan Great American Out- across the country by preserving our doors Act will encourage conservation, natural heritage in an equitable manner; Strengthens the recreation economy, recreation, and access to the outdoors while addressing significant deferred which is one of the fastest growing economic sectors and maintenance in our a key driver of jobs National Parks and across the country; Forests. By helping and to reduce critical Implements infrastructure recommendations backlogs, this from the Select bill will keep our Committee on the communities safe Climate Crisis’ and our public Solving the Climate lands resilient. Crisis action plan to Additionally, by support the goal of providing full and protecting at least permanent funding 30 percent of all U.S. for the Land and lands and ocean Water Conserareas by 2030 while vation Fund, which helping fragile ecohas supported conCongressman Panetta Speaks on the House Floor in systems, wildlife servation activities Support of the Great American Outdoors Act populations and on treasured public lands from the Los Padres National communities become more resilient to Forest to the Watsonville Wetlands, this the impacts of the climate crisis. To preserve the National Parks, the bill will help ensure our communities can continue to access and assist in the Great American Outdoors Act establishes conservation of our natural resources for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, providing future generations,” said Panetta. The Great American Outdoors Act federal land management agencies with is designed to ensure the $900 million critical resources to address the $22 permanently authorized by Congress billion deferred maintenance backlog on last year funds the Land and Water Con- our public lands. n

“Loans” from page 10 “That’s why I will continue to work at the national level to secure such critical assistance so that our small businesses at the local level not only survive this pandemic but also succeed in the future,” Panetta concluded. Panetta voted for the Heroes Act, which would extend PPP through December 31. The legislation is being considered by the Senate. Businesses in Panetta’s district received 6,621 PPP loans totaling $812.5 million, from 203 total lenders. The SBA data shows loans of $150,000 or less and loans of over $150,000. In March, Panetta voted for the

Jobs in Santa Cruz County: June 2020 Industry June 2020 Government 18,800 Leisure & hospitality 11,600 Private education & health 16,100 Other services 3,700 Trade & transportation 15,600 Business & professional services 10,200 Manufacturing 6,300 Financial 3,400

Change/2019 Down 4,600 Down 4,300 Down 1,800 Down 1,500 Down 1,300 Down 800 Down 700 Down 200

Information Logging & construction Nonfarm Farm Total

500

Down 100

4,700 Up 100 90,900 Down 15,200 4,900 Down 7,200 95,800 Down 22,400 ••• Unemployment 14.4% Change/2019 Labor force 132,600 Down 8.5% Employed* 115,300 Down 16.9% Unemployed 17,300 Up 184% *Includes out-of-county commuters

Source: California Employment Development Department

A construction project is creating jobs at 1850 41st Ave. in Capitola.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established the PPP, allowing small businesses and nonprofits to receive forgivable loans to cover payroll and other costs. Panetta also voted for the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which is now law, which cut red tape and made it easier for small businesses to use the loans and maximize loan forgiveness. The PPP Flexibility Act extended the deadline to apply for a PPP loan to Aug. 8. To find a lender, see https://www. sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/ coronavirus-relief-options or call the congressman’s office at 202-225-2861 for more info. n https://panetta.house.gov

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 15

IN MEMORIAM

Farewell to our Friend: Congressman John Lewis

By SN Ward Mailliard

he passing of iconic Congressman John Lewis is a deep loss to the nation and to the world. For me, it was also quite personal as our Mount Madonna School students had the honor of interviewing him in Washington, D.C. many times over the years. After the second time we interviewed him he would remember our group, and always express appreciation that the students came well prepared to ask meaningful questions, as he did in this short clip from our final meeting with him in 2018: https://youtu.be/ OE18DPmHr14 One of my favorite moments with Congressman Lewis that caught us all by complete surprise took place in 2006. We arrived at our meeting room in the Cannon House Office Building and got our cameras set up, and we waited … and waited. A half-hour went by and then it

Congressman John Lewis speaks with Mount Madonna students in 2018. was almost an hour. We were told by his staff he had been “detained.” Even though he was well behind schedule, Congressman Lewis finally kept his appointment with us, as he was a man who honored his promises.

16 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

When he arrived, he said to us, “Sorry that I’m running a little late, but I just got out of jail.” That got a big surprised laugh from all of us, as he went on to explain, “Seven of us were arrested at the embassy of Sudan today, protesting what is going on there, and trying to sensitize and educate more American people around the world to put pressure on our government to do more. And the United Nations, and others really, to stop the killing, the mass murdering, the raping, and really put a mind to genocide.” I think that was the best opening line I ever heard at the beginning of an interview, and a superb excuse for being late. Congressman Lewis was a great storyteller. He was constantly being interviewed so the challenge was to find a story he had not already told. I remember one moment when a student asked him what was it was like for him March 7, 1965 on that fateful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The student wanted to know what was going through his mind when it

was announced through a megaphone that this was an illegal march and the marchers had ten minutes to disperse and then, just five minutes later, the officers fired tear gas, turned on fire hoses, turned attack dogs loose and then charged forward and began beating the marchers? For just a moment you could see a change in Congressman Lewis’s eyes, as he seemed to go inside and became very quiet. It was a pause in which we shared something with him that I can’t quite define. This march was a defining moment in his life, and certainly a defining moment for our nation. Bloody Sunday, as it is called, was a major turning point of the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King could not come that day, so the march was co-led by this brave young man just out of college. For his trouble, John suffered a fractured skull and that day, John Lewis stepped into history. He told us, “I thought I was going to die that day.” It was certainly not the only time John Lewis put his life on the line, and as it turned out, he was to give the full measure of his life to the principles of equality and non-violence. The filmed footage of that brutal attack brought the civil rights struggle home to the American people as nothing else could, much as the video of the recent death of George Floyd. It was so impactful that President Johnson and the Congress were forced to act, leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Every time Congressman Lewis met us, he did so with kindness and humility. He would shake the hand of each student and warmly greet them. He had a few selfdeprecating jokes that got better with age. “Senator Lewis” page 17

Mount Madonna students interview Congressman Lewis in 2002 in his Washington D.C. office.

IN MEMORIAM

Donald McCaslin: An Appreciation Dec. 13, 1926 ~ July 16, 2020

By Ron Kaplan

Geezers on Thursday nights at drink but was one of many on Severino’s in Aptos. the sidewalk watching, listening, I can tell you this, that and grooving with the crowd and Don told me that he “loved all cast of colorful characters on the musicians” during our last conso-called sidelines of the “field of versation. He will be missed play.” and is irreplaceable. There are so I thought to myself, “It would many songs I will probably not be so great to be able to sing with them someday.” And, it only took Donald McCaslin sing going forward, particularly ballads which crooners such as 20 years, but I eventually became a part of the band for the last 12 years of its me love to sing; as his knowledge was iteration of exchangeable players and past deep, and his audience appreciative. As to his audience, whom I called “the players sitting in. I characterize Don as the Art Blakey faithful,” would come out week in and of Santa Cruz, in that every musician of week out, not only at the Wharf House, note came through but to Severino’s as well. I saw a number his band at one of them drop off over the years, and that point or another. I would pull on Don’s heartstrings when consider those days they departed this plane. These people, out on the wharf not only his fans, but the musicians who on the weekends played with the band became a family; as some of my best a wonderful loving family, that we celetimes and memories brated each and every week when we were in Santa Cruz, and I also consider myself lucky, and am so very thankful to have shown up for the past 25 years to make music with Don, including over 15 years with Jazz Geezers perform with Don (keyboard) earlier this year. The Amazing Jazz

andleader Don McCaslin aka Jumpin’ Don was a local treasure. He was a a Santa Cruz institution from at least 1972, when the band known as Warmth started playing at the legendary Cooper House in Santa Cruz and kept performing for 38 years eventually migrating out to the Capitola Wharf House. When I first came to Santa Cruz in 1976, I would come downtown and listen to the band. It was a scene in itself, and was the literal “heart” of downtown Santa Cruz. Back in my UCSC student days I could not afford to be a patron and sit inside the outdoor enclosure for a meal or a

Woodcut depicts McCaslin’s band Warmth in the Cooper House days. together. It was Don who was the center and the glue of this concentric circle. I observed many people come up to Don and share their memories of good times and nostalgia every week. He touched so many lives, and he truly cared about those people. You could say that Don himself was a time and place, never to be repeated in the jazz history of Santa Cruz. n

is waiting for you

“Senator Lewis” from page 16 When we were in the room with him we had his full attention. There was nowhere else to be. The students were spellbound, knowing they were meeting a great man; great in his sacrifice, his humility, his perseverance, his commitment, and oh, so great in kindness. We will miss him as an iconic champion of human decency, and in a more personal way as a friend, although I can’t really make that claim. I am guessing that this feels like a personal loss for many, even to those who like me, may have only known him in all too brief moments of the generous gift of time and spirit that inspired our students. John Lewis was a friend to all of humanity and he embodied the best of what makes us human beings. My hope is that a little of what transformed this sharecropper’s son into a fierce champion of equality and non-violence will be

carried forward by the Mount Madonna students who had the privilege of meeting and speaking with him over the past two decades. It is with sadness and great gratitude we say good-bye. He said to us in 2006, “As Dr. King would say, we’re going to learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish as fools. And we will come to the conclusion that we are one people; we are one family, or what I like to call one house, one world. We have to, we don’t have any choice.” I think that even the chickens he always told us he preached to as a boy, but who never said amen, would have to finally say “Amen John…Amen.” n ••• Mount Madonna School teacher SN Ward Mailliard created the Values in World Thought social studies program, and has organized the MMS Values learning journeys for more than 30 years. He serves on the board of directors for MMS and for the Sri Ram Foundation. He lives with his wife in Watsonville.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

Coin Shortage Affects Local Businesses

By Jondi Gumz

endors at the Aptos Farmers Market are short of coins. So is New Leaf Community Market in Aptos. Signs have popped up at both locations asking people to bring their coins from home to help alleviate the shortage. Kristen Tatroe, assistant manager of the Aptos Farmers Market working Saturday at the Beckmann’s Bakery stand, said she asked for coins at the bank but no luck. Which bank? All of them, she said. The shortage is not just in Aptos, it’s happening nationwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 23, the U.S. Mint put out a statement, explaining there was a cutback “during the early phases of the crisis,” reducing the number of employees per shift to create the recommended social distancing to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19. As of mid-June, the Mint reported operating at full production capacity, producing almost 1.6 billion coins during the month.

The Mint expects to produce 1.65 billion coins per month for the rest of the year, up from 1 billion coins per month last year. The Mint said it contributes 17 percent of newly minted coins in circulation, with the rest coming from third-party coin processors and retail activity, which has slowed dramatically, again due to the pandemic. Shelter-in-place orders forced nonessential business -- including retail stores — in many places, pushing more people to shop online. Some businesses such as arcades have yet to reopen. The result: Coins are circulating more slowly than usual. “The slowed pace of circulation has meant that sufficient quantities of coins are sometimes not readily available where needed,” the Mint said. “You may be experiencing this in your local communities. We are asking for your help in improving this coin supply issue.” The way to do this, the Mint said, is to pay for purchases with exact change, putting coins back into circulation.

18 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Until coin circulation patterns return to normal, it may be more difficult for retailers and small businesses to accept

cash payments,” the Mint concluded. “The coin supply problem can be solved with each of us doing our part.” n

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Kristen Tatroe, working at the Beckmann’s Bakery booth at the Aptos Farmers Market Saturday, asks customers to bring their coins – quarters, dimes, nickel – for making purchases.

Santa Cruz Works Webinars Free To Teachers, Students

n July 16, Doug Erickson, executive director of Santa Cruz Works, and Faris Sabbah, County Superintendent of Schools, announced a partnership to provide educators and students access to local tech webinars. The partnership enables any transitional kindergarten-12th grade educator or student in Santa Cruz County to join Santa Cruz Works webinars for free. Santa Cruz Works hosts four to five virtual events per month focused on skills development, connecting the community with coworking & accelerators, businesses, venture capital, and other job-growth organizations. In the future, Santa Cruz Works will create educator and student-specific events. “We are excited by this long-awaited partnership,” said Erickson. “Connecting educators and students to startups and technologies fuels the skills and job opportunities our community needs to grow a vibrant economy.”

“It is essential students and educators truly understand the local high-tech workforce to be able envision possible career paths in our community” said Sabbah. “We have seen incredible collaboration and support between businesses and the community,” said Bonnie Lipscomb, director of economic development for City of Santa Cruz. “Organizations like Santa Cruz Works and Get Virtual have been invaluable in pairing tech volunteers and students with business owners to provide access to technology support to bring their businesses online and create new ways for customers to access their services in the need for more low-touch and no-touch business operations.” “Santa Cruz Works” page 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz Inventors Win Originality Award T wo Santa Cruz sixth graders were honored for their ingenuity at the 5 th annual Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, presented by Raytheon Technologies . They were among nearly 500 award-winning K-12 inventors from across the nation who were celebrated at a virtual awards ceremony on July 2. Invention Convention Worldwide is a global K-12 invention education curricular program mapped to national and state educational standards that teaches students problem-identification, problemsolving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship for life. More than 120,000 K-12 inventors from across the United States competed at local affiliate events for a chance to participate in the Invention Convention 2020 U.S. Nationals. Oliver Willet, left, and Jonah Guyers, who attend Happy Valley School, won the Originality Award for their invention, Splash Bag, a watertight â&#x20AC;&#x153;dry bagâ&#x20AC;? for a CADD-MS3 pump worn by people with pulmonary hypertension so they can do water-based activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My cousin has a lung illness called pulmonary hypertension or PH, and, like someone with diabetes, she has to wear a pump,â&#x20AC;? explains Oliver. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This pump cannot get wet. This prevents her from participating in activities and things that we take for granted (such as taking a shower). We designed the Splash Bag to protect her pump against any harmful water.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our design is a modified cell phone dry bag to hold the CADD MS3 pump, the one that Oliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin has,â&#x20AC;? Jonah added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We burned a hole in the seal of the dry bag with a hot nail so that the medical tubing can exit the bag while still maintaining complete watertightness. Overall, our invention solves Oliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem by allowing her pump to still pump medicine through her medical tubing without letting water in.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;While many things have been disrupted due to the pandemic, innovation and invention continue and are needed now more than ever,â&#x20AC;? said Patricia Mooradian, president and CEO, The Henry Ford. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to move forward, to create, to problem-solve and with programs like

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Oliver Willet (left) and Jonah Guyers won the Ingenuity Award at the national invention convention for the device to help people with pulmonary hypertension. Invention Convention, we are seeing our young people, our young innovators and inventors, lead the way.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ingenuity and agility are being demonstrated by students around the world. Seeing this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s convention â&#x20AC;&#x2022; and its participants â&#x20AC;&#x2022; shift their inventive spirit and excel in this virtual showcase is heartening,â&#x20AC;? said Randy Bumps, executive director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Raytheon Technologies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope that our support of programs like Invention Convention will continue to encourage student problem-solving, next-generation innovations and a passion for lifelong learning.â&#x20AC;? Prizes and opportunities this year include pro-bono patent awards from law firms including Wilmerhale, Cooley and Cantor Colburn, and invention experiences with partners like Koch Industries, where students can visit with marketers, product designers, and engineers to help advance their inventions to the next stage. Organizations interested in bringing the year-long program to their region can get more information at www.inventionconvention.org. n â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ Watch their video: https://youtu.be/ Yv12OGTOqko

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 19

BUSINESS PROFILE

Sandcastle Realty

Century 21 LAD

By Edita McQuary

ourth-generation Californian Kelley Trousdale, GRI, has been in the real estate business for more than 25 years. He and Kenn Ellis, the managing broker, have worked together for over 20 years. In June 2019 they moved Century 21 LAD Real Estate to a new location in the Rancho Del Mar in the Safeway Shopping Center, rebranding their business as Century 21 Sandcastle Realty. The business focuses primarily on Santa Cruz County Kelley Trousdale as well as Monterey and Santa Clara counties. They have been geared up for the shelter-in-place situation as most of their 20+ agents typically work out of their home offices. In March and April when only vacant properties could be shown, volume of sales decreased by approximately 25-30

percent, however, sales were still pretty good, according to Kelley. There has been a real lack of inventory for years in this area as well as nationally. People are tending to stay in their homes longer. Prices rose considerably due to the reduced supply and increased demand. “Interest rates are at their lowest in recent history and there is a abundance of cash in the marketplace. We have recently received three all-cash offers on one property last month. Some people living in the Santa Cruz hill communities want to move closer to the beach. The outlook for the local real estate market is very good, in my opinion, said Kelley. Especially in light of recent events which have made people reconsider their home and surroundings as a place to enjoy and spend more time in. Many of those buyers are seeking beach areas and more rural, peaceful settings. A home to “staycation” is the new thinking.

Kelley and his wife, Cindy, have lived in Aptos for 30 years. They raised their three children and have four grandchildren. They also have two dogs: Winston, a Boxer, and Lola, a Chinese Crested, that love to walk on the beach. For relaxation, Kelley plays drums with his musical friends. Are you interested in beach property? Call Sandcastle Realty. Know of anyone who wants to work in real estate? Call Sandcastle Realty and speak with Kelley. Kelley has been very successful investing in coastal real estate and representing buyers and sellers in that specialized marketplace. Kelley is a graduate of Georgetown University where he majored in international relations. He is a veteran and worked as a Defense Department analyst for nearly 20 years before his career in real estate. n •••

Kelley Trousdale of Sandcastle Realty in Aptos, appropriately masked to meet clients. Century 21 Sandcastle Realty, Rancho Del Mar Shoppng Center, Aptos. Cell: 831566-7070, Office: 831-688-1933; www. santacruzestates.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Visit Santa Cruz County Launches Safety Pledge Campaign

o promote safety and support local businesses as they reopen, Visit Santa Cruz County has launched “The Safety Pledge Campaign,” a positive approach that urges residents and visitors to be courteous, respectful, and caring of those around them — and that by wearing a mask and social distancing, they are protecting others and themselves. The Safety Pledge goes beyond stating the rules and appeals for a spirit of goodwill toward others. The pledge includes materials designed to be featured in shop windows, websites and social media platforms and are available to any organization willing to help promote the concept. Visit Santa Cruz County has established a new section of its website as a resource https://www.santacruz.org/ partners/covid-19-resources/, indicating businesses that are open and featuring updates on their COVID-19 safety measures.

Free Safety Pledge window signs are available for storefront businesses throughout the county. For a printable version, see https://www.santacruz. org/partners/covid-19-resources/. Local businesses can pick up copies of various sizes of signs at these locations: Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, El Pajaro Community Development Corporation, Capitola City Hall, Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation, Pacific Trading Co. in downtown Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek Pizza, Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Scotts Valley City Hall. “This local campaign shows that our valued, locally owned eateries, boutiques, breweries, and other spots in Santa Cruz County can be safely patronized, in part by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and abiding by local health orders,” said Maggie Ivy, CEO and executive vice president of Visit Santa Cruz County.

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She added, “If each of us does our part, our local businesses can operate safely, provide needed services, support local employment and our economy. Over 80% of local businesses are small, with less than ten employees. They are struggling to keep their doors open and survive the pandemic Photo Credit: Christina Glynn impacts, which Jennifer Jones, owner of Jones and Bones in Capitola Village takes the Visit Santa are likely to con- Cruz County Safety Pledge. tinue for another twelve to eighteen months.” all lodging properties in the county, To spread the message, Visit as well as some restaurants and other Santa Cruz County staff are visiting businesses. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Sustainability

Public Comments Due August 21

By Jondi Gumz

he deadline to comment on the Santa Cruz County Sustainability Update, which opened July 1, has been extended from Aug. 3 to Aug. 21. Information is posted at the county’s new project website: https://www.sccoplanning.com/sustainabilityupdate The update covers housing, transportation, agriculture, code modernization, sustainable communities, commercial development, community services and environmental justice in the unincorporated areas: Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos Freedom, Davenport, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Paradise Park, La Selva Beach, and Pajaro Dunes. The update comes out of the 2014 Sustainability Santa Cruz County Plan, code modification efforts in 2015 and 2016 and the 2018 county strategic plan. It includes countywide design guidelines, the Pleasure Point corridor vision and design principles for Portola Drive. Once adopted, the update will supersede the 1994 general plan. Comments can be submitted by email to: CEQA-NEPA@santacruzcounty.us. Put “Sustainability Update EIR Scoping Comments” in the subject line. The county notified more than 80 local agencies, districts, and organizations that the Sustainability Update was ready for review, according to Stephanie Hansen, Santa Cruz County principal planner. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the required public scoping meeting for the environmental impact report was presented during a 90-minute web-based video conference on July 21. There were 14 registrants, including county and consultant staff, according to Hansen.

“Santa Cruz Works” from page 18 Among the first events educators and students are invited to attend are: • 29 Jul: One Woman’s Journey to Climate Investor • 05 Aug: Santa Cruz Works New Tech: 2020 SC Biotech Startups • 05 Aug: Regeneración Climate of Hope A full events calendar can be found at santacruzworks.com Santa Cruz Works was recently recognized by State of California Treasurer Ma for generating $432,000 of gift

To view the scoping meeting 30-slide PowerPoint or watch a video of the scoping meeting on the County’s CEQA page, go to http://www.sccoplanning. com/PlanningHome/Environmental/ CEQAInitialStudiesEIRs/CEQADocumentsOpenforPublicReview.aspx under the project name “Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Update Environmental Impact Report (EIR)” Dudek is the EIR consultant; Stephanie Strelow is project manager and Catherine Wade is deputy project manager. Kimley-Horn is the transportation consultant. The methodology for transportation analysis has changed to using vehicle miles traveled. Comments are welcome on environmental issues that should be studied, methods of analysis, measures that could reduce environmental impacts and alternatives that could avoid or reduce impacts. Once the environmental issues have been identified by county staff, other agency staff and the public, the consultants will respond to each comment and draft an environmental impact report, which is expected to be ready in winter 2020 or spring 2021. The final EIR is expected to be ready in fall 2021 to go to the county Board of Supervisors. n donations to local businesses impacted by Shelter-in-Place. Partner companies and advisors include: Amazon, Bay Federal Credit Union, Central Coast Angels, City of Santa Cruz Economic Development, CruzFoam, Cruzio, Digital NEST, Inboard Technologies, Joby Aviation, LifeAid, Looker, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, NextSpace, Poly, productOps, Richter Law Offices, Santa Cruz County Bank, Santa Cruz County Business Council, Santa Cruz Tech Beat, South Swell Ventures, Startup Sandbox, UC SantaCruz and Wynn Capital Management. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

COVID-19: How can I cure thee? By Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: None of the information that follows in this article is intended to be used by anyone as direct medical advice. Rather, the article is intended only to make the reader aware of other treatment possibilities and documented scientific information that can be further discussed with a chosen health care professional. â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ robably never before in history has anything or any event mixed fact, fiction, fear, and confusion like the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019-2020. Political and medical â&#x20AC;&#x153;expertsâ&#x20AC;? have been in abundance, primarily regurgitating the same message as though it was something new every time they get interviewed: Wash your hands, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask as much as possible. And the public and the news media always take great comfort that an â&#x20AC;&#x153;expertâ&#x20AC;? told them the truth. Trouble is, you can always find another â&#x20AC;&#x153;expertâ&#x20AC;? of equal credentials who will offer a completely contradictory perspective. Understandably, this generates much of the

While still unknown to most fear and confusion noted above. practitioners of traditional or The good hygiene and virus â&#x20AC;&#x153;modernâ&#x20AC;? medicine, acute viral avoidance advice noted above is syndromes, COVID-19 included, helpful, although it is probably a can all be easily prevented most of bit overblown when discussing the time. And when such viruses how important a mask is in do get a foothold in the body, they preventing virus transmission, are still easily eradicated if the especially outdoors. It seems ludicrous to mandate mask wearing Thomas E. Levy patient is not too close to death before receiving any of a large at all times, indoors and outdoors, although this is being given consideration number of treatments established to be by some governmental (and medical) effective. Many doctors get attacked for proauthorities at the time of this writing. However, this advice only scratches moting treatments as cures for afflictions the surface with regard to the numerous traditionally considered to be incurable. options available to avoid contracting Certainly, it is true some treatments prothis infection, or to even cure it. There moted as being reliable cures are either is no point in suffering from misguided fraudulent or of only nominal benefit. advice when COVID-19 can be prevented However, failing to assert the validity of or reliably cured in short order. As will be a true cure for a medical condition is just clearly explained in this article, nobody as detrimental to the health of an ailing needs to die from COVID-19, or even to patient as it is promoting a false cure. Many doctors know of highly bensuffer needlessly (as many virus victims have remained quite ill for months before eficial treatments that cure or vastly improve medical conditions that are little finally recovering). affected by traditional therapies. Yet, fear of license revocation for telling the truth about inexpensive and natural therapies that cannot be protected by patents keeps most health care practitioners from promoting those beneficial therapies. Nothing is ever embraced, and seemingly not even permitted, that would take away large profits from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and even many of the doctors themselves. Whenever you are absolutely stupefied and cannot figure out why a valuable treatment is not being used, just take the time to identify, expose, and analyze the money trail involved with the prescription drugs and/or overall treatment protocol that would be displaced. The reason for the avoidance or suppression of that therapy will then become apparent. To be perfectly clear: The health of the patient must always be the primary concern whenever rendering medical care.

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There exists a First Amendment right in the United States that permits free speech, including the writing of books and articles. This right has even protected authors who openly provide information on how to make bombs and promote terrorism. One can only hope that discussing inexpensive and effective medical treatments will continue to receive the same protection. However, it is very clear this right is

rapidly disappearing, in light of the open suppression of free speech that has been occurring for some time, but especially in the last few months. In light of this, then, the information in this article is being presented. There already exist numerous ways to reliably prevent, mitigate, and even cure COVID-19, including in late-stage patients who are already ventilator-dependent. Some of the modalities have already been proven to work, although not in the classic â&#x20AC;&#x153;prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled trialsâ&#x20AC;? conducted on hundreds to thousands of patients. A perceptive clinician realizes that one overwhelmingly impressive case report where an agent or intervention promptly and unequivocally reverses the condition of a rapidly declining patient back to good health simply cannot be dismissed and disparaged as anecdotal and irrelevant. Furthermore, it is the existence of such cases and unequivocally positive responses that makes it completely unethical to put other patients into placebo-controlled trials when the treatment is dramatically beneficial to most patients and harmless to all. Allowing patients in the placebo group to suffer greatly and even die under such circumstances can never be justified. Unfortunately, even when multiple scientifically-sound clinical studies actually do get conducted and reported on inexpensive, nontoxic and highly effective therapies, those therapies rarely get utilized clinically. Although there are many examples of such therapies, an especially noteworthy example of the suppression of good medicine is seen with vitamin C. The continued avoidance of the use of intravenous vitamin C, especially in septic patients in the intensive unit, stands out as a clear example of flagrant malpractice. Conservatively, thousands of ICU patients around the world, on a daily basis, would be saved or at least spared substantial suffering with a simple protocol utilizing intravenous vitamin C. And the morbidity and mortality of many different infections and toxin exposures outside of the ICU setting would also be readily mitigated and even resolved with vitamin C-based protocols. But this is not happening, even though the literature has unequivocally indicated the clinical importance (and safety) of vitamin C for over 80 years. The following therapies can be used, and many have been used, to prevent and

FEATURED COLUMNIST treat COVID-19 (and many other infections, viral or otherwise). Not all of them have been equally welldocumented or proven as being effective. Some have strong literature, research study and clinical support. Others represent simply logical applications of treatment protocols that have already been proven to be highly effective in eradicating other viral infections and should be expected to have comparable effects on the COVID-19 virus. The treatments described below are categorized as having the ability to prevent, to improve and to cure COVID-19 and other viral syndromes. ••• Vitamin C (prevents, improves, cures) itamin C has been documented to readily cure all acute viral syndromes in which it has been adequately dosed. As the ultimate virucide, vitamin C has been documented to inactivate/destroy every virus against which it was tested in vitro (in the test tube). Similarly, vitamin C has consistently resolved nearly all acute viral infections in patients treated with sufficient doses. Vitamin C has cured Zika fever, another epidemic virus that struck in 2016. Along with hydrogen peroxide, intravenous vitamin C has also been documented to be highly effective against the debilitating pain of Chikungunya virus. Intravenous vitamin C has also resolved influenza. A high degree of protection against infection by many other pathogens is also achievable with a variety of treatments featuring oral forms of vitamin C. In an ongoing clinical study on hospitalized COVID-19 patients, a combination of vitamin C, methylprednisolone, heparin, and thiamine (created by Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance) has already resulted in a dramatic decrease in hospital mortality rate.

Vitamin D (prevents, improves) itamin D has been clearly documented to strengthen immune function and decrease the risk of infection from any pathogen, including the COVID-19 virus. Patients with the highest vitamin D levels have shorter and less symptomatic courses of infection. While vitamin D has not been demonstrated to cure viruses as a monotherapy, maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is vital for both preventing the contraction of infectious diseases as well as for recovering more rapidly from such infections, with a clear decrease in mortality rate. In a recent study not yet published, Indonesian researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on mortality in 780 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. They found that 98.9% of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml died. Yet, less than 5% with substantially higher levels of vitamin D died. Consistent with these findings, it has been shown the most life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurs much more readily in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency. Clearly, vitamin D supplementation should be part of any treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease. Zinc (prevents, improves) inc is needed inside the virus-infected cells to stop virus replication by inhibiting viral RNA polymerase. It is a possibility that many of the younger individuals that are either killed or made severely ill by COVID-19 are chronically zinc-depleted due to inadvertently zincdeficient diets. Since supplemental zinc has only a limited ability to reach the cytoplasm of cells due to its ionic nature, zinc ionophores (agents that complex with zinc and

transport it into the cell) are known to be good general antiviral agents. Quercetin is one such supplement, and it can serve as a good adjunctive agent to any COVID-19 treatment protocol. Chloroquine is also a zinc ionophore, perhaps explaining its potent anti-COVID-19 effects. Magnesium Chloride (prevents, improves, may cure) agnesium, especially as magnesium chloride, has been documented to have substantial antipathogen properties, and it has been reported to cure poliovirus infections as a monotherapy when ingested orally. While it remains unclear what an aggressive regimen of this agent would do as a monotherapy for COVID-19, it can be expected to be a positive adjunctive agent in any COVID-19 prevention or treatment protocol. Ozone (improves, cures) zone is probably the single most potent antipathogen agent available today. It readily eradicates all pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. It has many routes of administration and can be utilized as an effective monotherapy, although it positively supports all treatment protocols in an adjunctive and usually synergistic fashion as well. Ozone has been documented to cure advanced cases of Ebola virus, for which there are still no known effective mainstream medical therapies. For someone with ready access to ozone, different applications of ozone could certainly be used to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses as well. However, with the other simple and effective antiviral measures listed in this article, using ozone for prevention is not really needed. Hydrogen Peroxide (prevents, improves, cures) ydrogen peroxide has been used for many years as a monotherapy as well as part of many different treatment protocols for a wide variety of infections. A clinically effective dose will typically cost less than a dime. During a severe epidemic of influenza in 1919 a protocol of intravenous hydrogen peroxide given only to the most severely ill patients dramatically decreased the death rate. Due to its well-documented and potent antipathogen properties, along with producing no toxic byproducts upon killing pathogens, hydrogen peroxide is now being proposed in the literature (by Italian researchers) for an off-label use via oral and nasal washing, a regimen of gargling, and administration via nebulization immediately upon symptom appearance with the presumptive diagnosis of COVID-19. Impressive anecdotal evidence already indicates this application, especially

via nebulization, appears to be a powerful preventive and even curative therapy against all respiratory-acquired infections, viral or otherwise. A large number of other agents can also be nebulized that have pathogenkilling and mucosal cell-healing properties, including, but not limited to: DMSO, magnesium chloride, sodium ascorbate [vitamin C], nascent iodine, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, zinc chloride, glutathione, and N-acetyl cysteine. Hyperbaric Oxygen (may improve, may cure) yperbaric oxygen therapy is the breathing of pure oxygen inside a chamber that is pressurized between 1.5 to 3 times normal atmospheric pressure. It has been documented to consistently help eradicate deep-seated and otherwise nonhealing wounds and infections. Ozone therapy, which has destroyed all viruses and pathogens against which it has been tested, has been shown to share some mechanisms of action with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This certainly raises the reasonable possibility that hyperbaric oxygen might also be a very effective antiviral therapy in addition to its established antibacterial effects. Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (improves, may cure) lso known as photo-oxidation therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy has been effectively treating infections for many decades now. In a series of 36 cases of acute polio (spinal type), the blood irradiation treatment was successful in curing 100% of these patients. Viral hepatitis and bacterial sepsis were also found (in the 1940s) to be very effectively treated with ultraviolet blood irradiation. This irradiation therapy would likely be equally effective against any other pathogens, especially viruses. Chlorine Dioxide (improves, cures) hlorine dioxide has long been recognized as a powerful antimicrobial agent. It has been around for over 100 years, and it is used both to purify water and to purify blood to be used for transfusion. As a therapeutic agent for infectious diseases, it has been given both orally and intravenously with great effect, and it has been shown to be very effective against COVID-19 as well.

“Cure COVID-19?” page 24

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST “Cure COVID-19?” from page 23 Dr. Andreas Kalcker directed a clinical study with doctors in Ecuador on COVID-19 patients using oral and intravenous chlorine dioxide. 97% of over 100 COVID-19 patients were vastly improved with clear remission of the severest symptoms after a four-day treatment regimen with chlorine dioxide. No deaths were reported. Oftentimes a dramatic clinical response was seen after only 24 hours. A clinical study on the effects of oral chlorine dioxide on COVID-19 patients in Colombia was initiated in April of this year. Dexamethasone (improves) arly findings in the Randomized Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY (RECOVERY) Trial in the United Kingdom indicate that the addition of dexamethasone significantly improved clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. A 35% reduction in death was seen in treated patients already dependent on mechanical ventilation, and a 20% reduction in death was seen in the treated patient group just receiving supplemental oxygen therapy. This response of COVID-19 patients on ventilators is very consistent with the benefits of dexamethasone seen with acute respiratory distress syndrome unrelated to COVID-19. Budesonide (may prevent, improves, may cure) udesonide is a corticosteroid approved for inhalation via a nebulizer (Pulmicort Respules), and it is primarily used for persistent asthma and asthma exacerbations in children and infants as young as 12 months. Dr. Richard Bartlett, a West Texas physician, has treated several dozen COVID-19 patients as of mid-June with nebulized budesonide, and he has asserted all have promptly and dramatically responded positively and none have died. Sequential, or even combined, nebulizations of budesonide and hydrogen peroxide would appear to have great potential for a safe and rapidly effective treatment for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19. The hydrogen peroxide would serve to promptly kill the virus in the airways, and the corticosteroid would relieve the COVID-19 inflammation (“cytokine storm”) and the associated shortness of breath. Nebulized budesonide has also been shown to be an effective treatment for preventing fungal infections of the nose and sinuses. Patients already on mechanical ventilation can also benefit greatly from the direct nebulization of therapeutic agents through the endotracheal tube. This can certainly be done with budesonide and hydrogen peroxide as well. Too many ventilatordependent patients are left to eventually

overcome the virus with whatever remaining immune capacity they have. Having a treatment that can directly attack the virus present in the lungs while relieving the inflammation with a resultant improvement in oxygenation should result in many of these patients getting weaned off the ventilators and eventually recovering completely. To date, being hospitalized with COVID-19 and eventually ending up on a ventilator still appears to be a death sentence for the vast majority of such patients. Convalescent Plasma (improves, may cure) onvalescent plasma is plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from an infectious disease resulting in the formation of antibodies. Depending on the severity of COVID-19 infection and the inherent immune capacity in a given patient, the transfusion of convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients has nearly always significantly reduced the viral load and clinically improved the patient. When the viral load is lowered dramatically, a clinical cure can be expected. A significantly improved survival rate has been seen in COVID-19 patients who have received convalescent plasma therapy. Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine (prevents, improves, cures) I have had the opportunity to see clear-cut and dramatically positive clinical responses in six individuals with rapidly evolving symptoms consistent with fulminant COVID-19 infection treated with oral chloroquine phosphate. In these individuals (ranging from 35 to 65 years of age), therapy was initiated when breathing was very already very difficult and continuing to worsen. In all six, significant improvement in breathing was seen within about four hours after the first dose, with a complete clinical recovery seen after about an average of three days. The oldest individual had a pulse oximeter reading of 80 before the first dose of chloroquine, and the reading improved to 94 after about four hours as the labored breathing eased. The rapidity with which the shortness of breath evolved in all these individuals strongly suggested that respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome was imminent. The chloroquine dosing was continued for several days after complete clinical resolution to prevent any possible clinical relapse. While a large, definitive study on chloroquine and COVID-19 remains to be completed, there is already a great deal of published evidence supporting its effectiveness and overall safety. A recent clinical trial demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine given with azithromycin eradicated or significantly decreased measured viral load in respiratory swabs.

24 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are old drugs that are very safe at the doses shown to be effective in treating COVID-19, and they are both recognized as having significant nonspecific antiviral properties. Also, chloroquine, and probably hydroxychloroquine as well, are zinc ionophores, which is likely the reason why they have such significant antiviral properties. As noted above, agents that greatly facilitate zinc transport inside virusinfected cells rapidly accelerate virus destruction and clinical resolution of the viral infection. Many clinicians now feel chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine therapy for COVID-19 and other viruses is optimized by concomitant zinc administration. Certainly, there is no good reason to avoid taking zinc with these agents. As might be expected, drugs as potently antiviral to COVID-19 as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine would be expected to be effective preventive agents as well, particularly in the setting where exposure is known or strongly suspected to have taken place, or in a setting where repeated and substantial exposure will reliably occur, as in COVID-19-treating hospitals. Many front-line health care workers are on such preventive protocols. But many of the physicians who are taking one of these agents to prevent COVID-19 infection are still resistant to giving it to infected patients. This is difficult to logically reconcile if patient welfare is of the uppermost concern. Radiotherapy (improves, cures) n a recent pilot trial at Emory University, five nursing home patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were given a single treatment of low-dose radiotherapy over the lungs. All five patients had radiographic evidence of pneumonia and required supplemental oxygen. All five were felt to be deteriorating from a clinical perspective. The radiotherapy consisted of a 10- to 15-minute application of 1.5 Gy (150 rads). Four of the five patients were noted to have a rapid improvement in their breathing, and clinical recovery was seen to occur between 3 and 96 hours post-irradiation. General Recommendations hile many supplement regimens can be used for COVID-19 prevention, such regimens should include at a minimum vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium chloride, and zinc. Any of many additional quality nutrient and antioxidant supplements can be added as desired, largely dependent on expense and personal preference. Nebulizations of powerful antipathogen agents, especially hydrogen peroxide, can readily prevent respiratory viral infections like COVID-19 from taking hold, and initiating such nebulizations even after an infection has been contracted will still make a substantial contribution to a more rapid and complete recovery.

Interventions such as ozone and ultraviolet blood treatments have the potential to be effective monotherapies, although it is always a good idea to accompany such treatments with the baseline supplementation regimen and nebulizations as mentioned above. In the hospitalized setting, intravenous vitamin C and dexamethasone should always be part of the treatment regimen. Nebulizations with hydrogen peroxide and budesonide can accelerate recovery substantially. Also, patients already on ventilator support should always be given vitamin C and dexamethasone along with these nebulizations in addition to anything else felt to be indicated by the attending physician. Low doses of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine along with zinc should always be given in the setting of highrisk exposure. Azithromycin can be taken with these agents as well. Higher doses of these agents should always be part of any regimen in the treatment of a suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 patient, whether asymptomatic or already in the hospital. While the politics of the COVID-19 pandemic are beyond the scope and aim of this article, there remain no valid medical reasons for not using any of the agents or interventions itemized above for either preventing or treating COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, many combinations of these treatments can be applied, depending on their availability and the clinical status of a given patient. Traditional medicine insists on “proof” of any therapy before it is used routinely, even though this standard of proof is never actually obtained for many of the usual prescription drug approaches to infections and other diseases. When an agent is inexpensive, virtually harmless, and with substantial evidence of providing benefit, there is no justification for a physician to refuse or even actively block its administration to a patient otherwise assured of prolonged suffering and likely death (as with hospitalized COVID-19 patients on ventilation support). With the treatment options available, there is no good reason for most people to even contract COVID-19, and there is certainly no good reason for anyone to die from this virus, much less have a prolonged clinical course of infection with a great deal of needless suffering. n ••• Cardiologist and attorney Thomas E. Levy is the author of a books, “Curing the Incurable: Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins,” “Primal Panacea” and “Stop America’s #1 Killer.” His email is televymd@yahoo.com. For a free subscription to Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, visit orthomolecular.org/subscribe. html. For footnoted reports and the archive, see orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Top 10 Questions for Dr. Rodriguez By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Q. Why haven’t we announced distance only for at least the first semester so that teachers can learn how to teach our kids that way now? The Coronavirus Can Be Airborne Indoors, World Health Organization Says. The agency also explained that people without symptoms may spread the virus. The acknowledgments should have come sooner, some experts said.... ... mounting evidence has suggested that in crowded indoor spaces, the virus can stay aloft for hours and infect others and may even seed so-called “super spreader” events. On July 14, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers and California School Employees Association released a joint press release announcing that due to increasing infection rates, it was clear that the pandemic is not yet under control and returning to class is not safe. The recommendation was made to fully shift and open with a PK-12 Distance Learning model for the first semester. Therefore, the teachers, staff and administration will focus all of their attention and resources towards supporting high quality distance learning. Q. I don’t quite understand. Are school campuses reopening? I hope not. I will not send my child. The recommendation is to fully shift and open with a PK-12 Distance Learning model for the first semester. The PVUSD Board of Trustees will make the official vote on the plan to begin the school year in a PK-12 Distance Learning model at the July board meeting.

Q. Can a hybrid approach be implemented before the semester ends if COVID case counts are coming down? Our contingency plan is designed to provide flexibility and allow us to pivot as necessary. At the same time, we want to create some stability so that staff, parents and the community can plan and prepare for the next few months. Therefore, we determined that we would engage in distance learning for the entire first semester.

notebooks, pencils and other consumables to accompany and support their distance learning assignments and the live teaching sessions we will be providing? Yes. As a district, we will be providing each student grades PK-12 with a Back to School Kit which will provide needed resources and supplies according to their grade level. This will ensure that all students have the materials they need to successfully engage in distance learning.

A listing of the identified supplies by grade span will be available by Aug. 1 so that all staff, parents and community members are aware of what each child will be receiving and when the specific day the kits will be available for pick up prior to the start of school. Teachers may provide additional materials according to their classroom’s instructional design. “10 Questions” page 29

Dr. Seuss

Q. Do I have to sign up my child for distance learning this new school year? Or they are automatically put in distance learning? All PVUSD sites will be engaging in distance learning in grades PK-12. You will not have to sign up or register for the 2020-2021 school year for distance learning unless your child did not attend PVUSD last year. Q. Will teachers be required to teach out of their classrooms if a decision is made to begin the school year fully with distance learning (K-12) or will there be an option to work from home? Teachers will be able to provide distance learning instruction from home. If they choose, they may also work from their classroom between the hours of 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All campuses will be closed outside of those hours to ensure our ability to continue deep clean and disinfect the sites. Q. Thank you for making the decision to start the year off with distance learning. Will teachers be allowed to give and/or loan students materials like math manipulatives, workbooks,

ACROSS

1. On a cruise, 2 words 6. Horse poker 9. Deadly slitherers 13. Way to curl hair 14. *Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another ____.” 15. Islam’s Supreme Being 16. Subway coin 17. Salve for Tin Woodman 18. Grim Reaper 19. *”A ____’s s Fine-Something-ThatAll-People-Need.” 21. *”Christmas Day will always be, Just as long as we ____ ____.” 23. Structure named for 31st President 24. Indoor allergy trigger

25. Ship pronoun 28. H. H. Munro’s pen name 30. Something or anything 35. Madam, to a cowboy 37. Dr. Jones, to his friends 39. Best not mentioned 40. Not in favor of 41. Myths and legends, e.g. 43. Maître d’s list 44. France’s longest river 46. *”I Can Read ____ My Eyes Shut!” 47. Use a beeper 48. In direct line of descent 50. Italian car maker 52. Equinox mo. 53. Coral barrier 55. Not a friend 57. *”From there to here, From here to there, Funny ____ are everywhere.”

60. *”Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. ____ ____.” 63. Canine foe 64. However, poetically 66. Full 68. Up and about 69. Porridge grain 70. Say something 71. Start of a conclusion 72. Parental involvement org 73. Popular garden flower

DOWN

1. *”Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing ____.” 2. Turkey dance 3. Punjabi believer 4. Correct 5. Pause in breathing, pl. 6. *”If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is ____.”

7. “Wheel of Fortune” request, 2 words 8. Indian metropolis 9. Sheltered, nautically 10. BBQ side 11. Toupee spot 12. “Zip it!” 15. Countdown to Christmas 20. Inbox item 22. Chowed down 24. Middle of a torso 25. *”A person’s a person, no matter how ____.” 26. Capital of Vietnam 27. Dine at home 29. *”You’re on your own. And you know what you ____.” 31. Pipe smoker’s tool 32. Letter-shaped girder 33. Polynesian kingdom 34. *”Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is ____ than you.”

36. Bog down 38. Sasquatch’s Himalayan cousin 42. Elevator passage 45. Breadwinner 49. Race part 51. 50-50 54. Bar by estoppel 56. Related on mother’s side 57. Baloney 58. Rwanda’s majority 59. a.k.a. The Islamic State 60. Itty-bitty bit 61. ___ von Bismarck 62. Not quite an adult 63. Latissimus dorsi, for short 65. *”It’s a shirt. It’s a sock. It’s a glove. It’s a ____.” 67. Wine quality © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 25

Your August Horoscope Times Publishing Group, Inc. Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)

Your focus is more one-on-one early in August, and you seek to strengthen your family unit or bond with a close friend or lover. You know which relationships are most important, and you’re ready to keep them thriving. You have an opportunity to look at your own recent actions mid-month, to figure out how they’re tied to your success or failure. Is it time to step up and take more responsibility, or are you doing okay in this area? It’s time to get back to business as the month comes to a close. You may have had a lot of fun the last few weeks, but you can’t (and don’t want to) avoid your responsibilities forever.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)

You’re likely feeling rebellious and maybe a little bit strange as the month begins. You might find yourself on a team with other power players, but you’ll still want to express your individuality. Working together is key, but finding the right dynamics won’t be easy. Mid-month is a perfect time to get started on a creative project. Expressing your artistic skills now brings a high chance to be noticed positively. People will be impressed by your willingness to put yourself out there! It is time to buckle down and get organized as August comes to a close. Whether at the home, the office, or just offering to help others, the feeling of accomplishment is what you seek.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

If you’ve been waiting to make a splash, then the beginning of the month is your time to shine! Express yourself loudly and proudly now, and don’t worry what other people may think. Your stubborn nature takes hold as power struggles come to a head mid-August. It probably won’t end without someone giving in, and it’s probably not going to be you. The month ends on an intense note, especially if you’re dealing with an unexpected crisis. You feel flustered when you don’t have time to think, which could lead to poor decisions. Don’t feel pressured into making any quick choices about love or money.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

You’re feeling compassionate and understanding as August begins, a shift from the excitement you had at the end of last month. But if you pay attention to this nurturing energy, you won’t miss those moments quite as much. You normally don’t like to spend a lot of free time on non-adventures, but mid-month you can’t help doing the chores that need to be done when you them staring back at you. Tending to the mundane helps you feel productive. There have been some rough times around love and money of late, and as the month comes to a close you have a hard time reflecting on them positively. You deserve to be happy, but you still need commitment and discipline to achieve success.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Your conversations are bold and dynamic early in the month. You love to embellish, and some “extra” details to see people’s reactions can be entertaining. You’re feeling a bit sarcastic mid-month. Passiveaggressive behavior feels appropriate right now, and you’ve been known to get in some strong barbs here and there. Still, only you can control how you react to other people’s actions. You are more at ease near the end of August as you revisit some of your unfinished goals. You’re encouraged to forge ahead with the ambition you’re known for. Very few things can stop you now.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)

Your eccentric side is poking through early in the month, making it a perfect time to think outside the box to tie up any loose ends you may have. Your pioneering spirit helps you come up with ideas that other people would never be able to even dream of. Your need to forge your own path is tempered a bit mid-August as you explore some less-unusual alternatives. Nothing has to be decided for sure now, but following a traditional path something to think about. Communication late in the month will likely be precise, accurate, and detailed. If you say you’re going to text someone, you do it, and you expect the same in return.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

You’re a little less shy early in August, more likely to speak your mind. While you’re normally happy working backstage, you don’t mind being in the spotlight right now. You are looking for love and attention anywhere you can get it mid-month. Pay close attention to the comments on your social media posts. It’s possible someone will say something you weren’t expecting that makes you feel really good about yourself. It might be difficult to remain calm during events at the end of the month. Whether you caused it or had no part in it, the effects are still the same. You’ll have to find a way to deal with it instead of sticking your head in the sand.

Aries (March 21-April 20)

You are drawn to the unknown early in the month. Others may be surprised at your focus on the strange, but when have you cared about what anyone else thinks? Later in the month you’re feeling the luck and courage that you’ll need to fight some unexpected battles. Everyone might think things come easily to you, but underneath it all you’re a warrior going hard for what you want. Late in August you’re not feeling quite as intense, gaining a valuable earthiness that you can apply to your everyday life. There is a lot to be said for calming down and getting into a set routine.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

It’s hard to apply logic to many of situations you find yourself in as the month begins. Try not to make any sudden moves; accidents can happen when you don’t plan ahead. As you move through to mid-August, your attention shifts to home life and how you can make things more comfortable. You might experience more mood swings now than usual, but it’s only because you’re so concerned about everyone else’s feelings. Late in the month you feel the beginning of a long journey of self-discovery and reflection upon you. Life isn’t always predictable, but your reaction to it can be.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

You want to make a difference as August begins, and you’re best when teamed up with others to fight for a good cause, but if that’s not possible you can do plenty on your own. Try to wrap up loose ends before starting something new. Sudden changes mid-month may leave you feeling surprised and unsettled, but you should have a few months to work through any major problems. Use the time to figure out the best path forward. Communicating with friends and co-workers becomes practical late in the month, but be sure you’re not coming across as short or uncaring. You take communication issues seriously, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for humor.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

You might have outstanding issues in both family and finances early in the month, but there isn’t an urgency to deal with them. You believe that good things will come if you’re patient, so relax and make plans. You are more likely to grow when you’re open to new ideas and opinions, but when things change suddenly mid-month, they can take you off guard. It may take some time to find the best way to react to challenging situations. You finally feel ready to reign in the lack of control you’ve been feeling at the end of August. Make a list of what you need to get done and start tackling the most important chores first.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

You’re sense of drama is in full swing at the beginning of the month. You don’t exactly lie, but you love to emphasize parts of every story now. You give some pretty impressive compliments as well, even if they are exaggerated. Mid-August is a time of reflection, the beginning of a long look at what has held you back this year and how to keep that from happening in the future. It could take months to figure things out, but if you’re patient you have time. There’s a moment of optimism coming your way late in the month. If you’ve put in the work, you should see some rewards and recognition coming you way.

•••

www.tpgonlinedaily.com 26 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County K-12 Schools: This Fall, Distance Learning Only Editor’s Note: This column was coauthored by Dr. Faris Sabbah, county superintendent of schools, and all ten Santa Cruz County school district superintendents. ••• ue to the continued upward trend of confirmed COVID-19 cases in California, Gov. Newsom set forth a new mandate on July 17 for California K-12 schools that provides long awaited clarity to educators and parents as we look to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Newsom’s order mandates all counties who qualify for the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Monitoring List to continue with distance learning only until they are able to remain off this list for 14 consecutive days. The CDPH monitoring list criteria is determined by elevated levels in the areas of disease transmission, increasing hospitalization, and limited hospital capacity specific to each county. Santa Cruz County has met the criteria to be on the state monitoring list as of July 20. Therefore, school districts, charter schools, and private schools are now required to provide distance learning instructional services only. Schools may reopen for in-person instruction once Santa Cruz County has not been on the county monitoring list within the prior 14 days. Santa Cruz County schools will reopen when local public health data demonstrates that it is safe to do so, with reduced transmission levels and the availability of testing and contact tracing for the school community. Based on the trajectory of the pandemic in our county, it is unlikely schools will be able to re-open for in-person instruction prior to January 2021. This summer, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and county school district superintendents have been working in partnership with our local public health authorities to prepare guidelines for Santa Cruz County educational institutions that will facilitate a safe return to site-based classroom instruction when local public health conditions allow. We are pleased to announce this document is ready for distribution, and

is applicable to all K-12 schools, public or private, throughout Santa Cruz County. View the Full Reopening Framework for Santa Cruz County Schools by visiting sccoe.link/reopening_framework. We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of our local public health department and the many teams of school personnel in the development of this framework. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented tremendous challenges to our education system and to the students and families that our schools serve, bearing disproportionate challenges for our most vulnerable youth. We recognize that the rapid emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and sudden changes it has imposed on families has been extremely disruptive and a source of significant hardship. When our local COVID-19 data no longer places us on the CDPH monitoring list for the requirement of 14 consecutive days, Santa Cruz County schools will transition to in-person educational models that allow for the reintegration of limited, small group in-class learning opportunities for students. In the interim, Santa Cruz County public schools are committed to ensuring that all learners have the resources and access to essential services they need to succeed and thrive via distance learning. Essential services including daily free meal and grocery programs, social and emotional support services, and free and reduced-cost internet connectivity will continue to be provided to students and families throughout the extended school closures. Parents can expect to be contacted by their child’s school for specific information and resources pertaining to their distance learning program as the first day of school draws nearer. n ••• For more information and resources, visit sccoe.link/coronavirus.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Progressive Rail Wants Out of SC Deal P By Jondi Gumz

rogressive Rail, the Minnesota firm that in 2018 was voted a 10-year contract by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission over local competition to run the Santa Cruz branch line, wants out of the contract, which worries Big Creek Lumber, one of its big freight customers in Watsonville. “The rail line in Watsonville is in good repair,” said Bob Berlage of Big Creek Lumber, which has been using rail freight for nearly 50 years. “It would be a bad decision in the long run to lose that infrastructure. We’re wanting to get more information.” Big Creek bought its property in Watsonville specifically for the rail head, he said, adding, “It’s very important to us. It helps us stay competitive with big box stores.” Berlage said he had talked with folks at Progressive Rail and learned that another carrier may be taking over. “We’re hoping to have those conversations,” he said. Attempts to reach Progressive Rail employees and chairman Dave Fellon and were unsuccessful. The RTC, a regional agency with a 12-member governing board, posted an announcement July 1 saying Progressive Rail, also known as Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad or SPP, intends to terminate the agreement, which covers freight and passenger service on the 32-mile Santa Cruz branch line. After being asked why, RTC spokeswoman Shannon Munz posted an update, saying the rail carrier “stated the reason for termination is due to illegal activities

by third parties, including trespassing. The Commission is working with SPP to resolve the stated problems, in order to avoid termination of the agreement. At present, freight customers will continue to be served by SPP and there should be no interruption of service.” She added, “As we are in the process of working with SPP to resolve their issues, we will not be answering any other questions on this at this time.” A McKinsey report in June reported the COVID-19 pandemic has scrambled demand for U.S. freight, cutting ocean shipping by 25 percent and rail freight by 20 percent while boosting small deliveries by truck as people have shifted to shopping online. Asked about trespassing and COVID-19, Berlage said he hadn’t heard about either issue from Progressive. Trail Now, a local group founded by Aptos resident Brian Peoples advocating a trail for walking and bicycling in the rail corridor, contends Progressive Rail wants to end its operations on the Santa Cruz Branch line because there is not enough freight operations to sustain a railroad business.

Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau & Agri-Culture’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament

he Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture are hosting their 27th Annual Golf Tournament Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Seascape Golf Club in Aptos. Due to the restrictions surrounding COVID-19, the format for this year’s tournament will be slightly altered, but it will still be a very fun event. Single golfers can sign up for $225. All players will receive tee prizes, lunch, and a gift certificate to a local restaurant. There will be special player contests on the course as well as raffle prizes that will be distributed to the winners as they finish play. “Golf” page 28

For a railroad operator to be profitable on the line, there needs to be 1,000 carloads per year, according to Trail Now, which

estimated Progressive had 300 carloads last year. “We hope the public begins to realize that trains are not a viable business on the Santa Cruz Branchline,” TrailNow wrote in its newsletter to members. The RTC is in the middle of a study to determine the locally preferred alternative for public transit on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, which is expected to be completed early next year. Until that study is completed, the RTC does not plan to consider alternatives to the existing rail agreement, according to Munz. n

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Golfers at the SCC Farm Bureau & Agri-Culture 2019 Golf Tournament

Times Publishing Group Inc.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 27

COMMUNITY NEWS

PVUSD Announces New Admins W atsonville High School welcomes alumna Dr. Maria Clara Fernandez back as principal to serve and lead over 2,200 students. Dr. Fernandez has worked with students of Pajaro Valley from 2000 to 2011 in the After School program, in Migrant Education and as an Elementary Maria Fernandez teacher. Dr. Fernandez was an Elementary Assistant Principal in Salinas for 5 years and an Elementary Principal for the past 2 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies and Masters in Education from UC Santa Cruz, Administrative Credential and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Jose State. Nichole Salles-Cunha is advancing to principal of Duncan Holbert. SallesCunha began in 2014 as a Special Education Teacher at Mintie White and a Teacher on Special Assignment for SELPA. She was a PVUSD innovator of the year for 2019 and supported Special Education programs and new teachers

in her current TOSA role and as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Lead. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Administrative Credential from San Diego State, and Nichole Salles-Cunha a Special Education Mild/Moderate teaching credential from CSU Monterey Bay. Academic Coordinator for Bradley Elementary, Sara Pearman, has been at PVUSD since 2008, serving students as a teacher at Freedom, MacQuiddy and Ohlone Elementary schools. Pearman holds a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in History and a Master of Sara Pearman Arts in Education from UC Santa Cruz. She received a Master of Arts degree in Education/Educational Administration from Concordia University Irvine. Rick Maldonado is the new assistant principal of Watsonville High School. Mr.

Maldonado has been serving the students of Pajaro Valley since 2016 as a Social Emotional Counselor. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication from CSU Monterey Bay, Pupil Personnel Rick Maldonado Services Credential from National University and Administrative Credential from Santa Clara. PVUSD announces the promotion of Ms. Colleen Bugayong to Director of Fiscal Services. Ms. Bugayong, a Watsonville High School graduate, brings a wealth of experience to her new position with a strong financial background rooted in her Colleen Bugayong experience working for the District. She has been with the District since 1991 working in a variety of positions such as Accounting Specialist, Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, and over the last twelve years as the Supervisor of Accounting. n

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golfâ&#x20AC;? from page 27 Sponsorship opportunities are available: Diamond ($5,000) Eight (8) players, special gift & recognition, tee sign & gift. Your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo will be placed on the Golf Tournament tee prizes. Logo ($2,500) Four (4) players, special recognition, tee sign & gift. Your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo will be placed on the Golf Tournament tee prizes. Gold ($1,250) 4 players, tee sign, special recognition, gift. Team ($950) 4 players, recognition & tee sign. Hole ($350) Tee sign Tee Box Booth Add $500 to any sponsorship level above for a TEE BOX BOOTH on the course to promote your business. If you are interested in supporting this event in some way, please contact the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau office at (831) 724-1356; Email at sccfb@sbcglobal. net Registration can be completed online at www.Eventbrite.com (search or â&#x20AC;&#x153;27th Annual Golf Tournamentâ&#x20AC;? in Aptos) You are guaranteed a great day of golf and fun! n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Budget: More Cuts Ahead By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

n June, the Board of Supervisors passed a placeholder budget to meet our state constitutionally mandated timeline of July 1. The budget was to simply provide a baseline for our upcoming discussions in early August that will provide the true budget for the coming fiscal year. Our local economy has been hit hard from the impacts of COVID-19, and the County budget will see cuts to address the revenue loss. Sales tax and tourism-related taxes and revenues are down, and unemployment rates remain high in our region and state. What Cuts Have Been Made? he County, and local cities in our county, have projected revenue losses totaling tens of millions of dollars. In anticipation of the continued revenue declines this year, the County worked with employee groups on furloughs. The Board of Supervisors and other executive management took the largest reductions in pay to help reduce impacts to staffing and services and frontline county staff took furloughs of 7.5 percent as well as other cost-saving measures. These furloughs were essential to maintaining as many staff and programs as possible during this downturn -- which has seen revenue losses even greater than in the Great Recession that begin in late 2008 — but will not be enough on their own to eliminate the need for additional cuts. Every department has been providing budgets that provide different cost reduction scenarios from 10-20 percent depending upon actual tax receipts as well as whether any state or federal infusion of funding arrives. What are the Challenges? ounties provide critical frontline services needed for the nation’s COVID-19

“10 Questions” from page 25 Q. How about if we start taking attendance with online education this fall? It will help ensure accountability for our students so that they don’t fall behind or completely skip their online education this semester. Massive online truancy, if not kept in check, will have dismal consequences for the district when this pandemic is over. Yes, we will be providing daily “live” teaching sessions and attendance will be taken during that time. All students will be required to engage in distance learning. If a student is not par-

response and recovery efforts, including public health and safety programs. Given the increased rates of unemployment coupled with pay reductions for many that are still employed throughout our region, the County has seen a significant increase in the number of safety net program requests (food assistance, housing assistance, health care needs and more). These state and federal programs all require local cost shares/matches from funds that have been reduced by the declines in revenue. Additionally, public safety (Sheriff’s Office) and public health programs and staff are funded through the same revenue streams that are seeing significant declines -- all while costs for the public health and safety response have increased during the pandemic. What’s Being Done? ortunately, the County was already preparing for a potential recession and had made some moves toward ensuring we had a softer landing. Granted, it wasn’t anticipated that the drop would be this extreme or this sudden but the Board had tripled our reserves to approximately $58 million, improved our credit rating (for lowered borrowing costs if needed), reduced pension obligations and controlled employee growth to minimize costs. Additionally, we advanced some deferred maintenance work to reduce longer term costs associated with aging buildings and fleets. The reserve, and employee furloughs, will be used to shore up the losses the County has already incurred since March as well as for anticipated revenue losses for the rest of the fiscal year. Additional reductions throughout the

ticipating, a process has been developed to support the student and family to identify barriers to their participation and recommendations to increase engagement and learning. Q. Will the PVUSD virtual academy have Accelerated Math and Accelerated Language Arts? Yes, all 6th-12th grade students will have access to accelerated math courses according to their academic level including Algebra I and II Honors, Probability and Statistics Honors, and AP Calculus AB/ BC. Likewise, all 6th-12th grade students

budget to fill the remaining holes will be explored at our hearings in August. Some funds have been made available from the state’s share of the original CARES Act funding that can also be used by the County for our COVID-related expenses. It doesn’t cover all of our expenses by any stretch but does help mitigate some of the added costs that the County is facing. Ideally, additional federal funds would be provided to state and local governments to address not just the loss in revenues but significant additional costs in public health related expenses (testing, tracing, treatment). Such discussions are occurring in Washington, DC right now and a bold program would allow for our County (and for that matter our region and state) to recover more quickly. If not, and if it takes as long as some economists predict it will

take to climb out of this downturn, cuts to programs, services and staffing could be greater than what we experienced in the Great Recession ten years ago. As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/ supervisorfriend and during the shelter-inplace order I’m hosting tele-townhalls with County, State and community leaders. If you’re interested in the town halls or just want to connect on an issue you can always call me at 454-2200. n ••• Editors Note: Furlough days, when county offices will be closed, are July 24, Aug. 21 & 28, Sept. 4, Oct. 9 & 30, Nov. 25, Dec. 28-31, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, March 5, April 9, May 14 and June 11. Budget hearings are scheduled Aug. 10-13, concluding Aug. 18.

will have access to accelerated language arts courses including English I and II Honors, AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition. Elementary students seeking acceleration may take middle school courses identified through their Personalized Learning Plan.

required to do a minimum 20 hours of instruction a week, however, secondary students may move through the courses at a quicker rate with a maximum of 45 credits per semester.

Q. Will students be able to work at their own pace through PVUSD virtual academy? Yes. Students can move through the courses at their own pace. Students are

Q. How will seniors get help with college apps and other related things? Yes. Students will continue to have the support of their academic counselors, the EAOP staff at the College and Career Centers throughout the school year through virtual appointments, and access to Naviance while we are engaged in distance learning. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

National Water Quality Month: How To Do Your Part

very August is National Water Quality Month — an annual opportunity to remind ourselves of the crucial importance of water in our everyday lives and the necessity to protect the quality of our drinking water, our lakes and waterways, and our oceans. For this year’s National Water Quality Month, we want to emphasize that a key tenet of the District’s mission is to provide safe, high-quality water to meet our community’s present and future needs. So, what do we do to ensure your drinking water is of the highest quality? We regularly test the water from each of our groundwater wells, which provide all the water that we treat and deliver to your homes and businesses. This is no small task — we test for over 130 possible contaminants, and then report the results to the community in our annual Water Quality Report. Our treatment processes are operated to ensure that any contaminants that may be found are removed or reduced to safe levels regulated by the State and Federal Drinking Water Standards before water is pumped into the distribution system.

By Rebecca Gold Rubin, Soquel Creek Water District

Please take a look at our Water Quality Reports on our website at www.soquelcreekwater.org/waterqualityreports. Our water quality goals extend to the new water supplies that the District is pursuing — purified recycled water and surface water transfers. The Pure Water Soquel project, which is just beginning construction, will put recycled water (purple pipe water) through an additional, three-step advanced purification process: microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation. This process produces purified water. Those enhanced purification and disinfection treatments are similar to those that are used today by bottled water companies, baby food manufacturers, and kidney dialysis machines. The purified water will be pumped underground to blend with and replenish the groundwater basin. In addition to providing a drought-proof water supply, recharging the groundwater is a key tool in preventing seawater intrusion.

30 / August 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

With saltwater already creeping inland and threatening our entire water supply, replenishing the groundwater basin will raise groundwater levels. Thus, creating a barrier preventing that saltwater from entering and contaminating the District’s wells, and the thousands of other wells that share our groundwater basin. For surface water transfers with the City of Santa Cruz, the District and City are conducting a pilot project to evaluate the water quality conditions when blending surface water and groundwater. The chemical characteristics of groundwater and water from surface water sources (reservoirs and rivers) are different. Surface water supplies will tend to be softer with lower levels of naturally occurring minerals that, without treatment, will tend to be more corrosive than groundwater supplies. Surface water will also tend to have higher levels of total organic carbon than groundwater. While the levels of organic carbon in surface water sources vary considerably, disinfecting water containing organic carbon as part of the water treatment process results in the formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. Unless the organic carbon is removed before the disinfection step in the treatment process, disinfection byproducts can continue to form as the water travels through the distribution system. Recent issues with source water changes in Flint, Michigan, and Fresno, California, are reasons our two agencies are working together to conduct the pilot project and are exercising prudent planning for implementing water transfers in the future. Those are just some of the things we are doing to protect water quality. What can you and your family do? Here are a few ideas:

• Put nothing but water down storm drains. Water in those drains flows to our natural waterways, the groundwater, and the ocean, taking with it any contaminants or trash it may contain. Only stormwater and other clean water should go into storm drains – no litter, chemicals, soaps, pool water, or other water that contains harsh chemicals. • Decrease polluted runoff on your property by replacing paved surfaces, where possible, with low-water-use landscaping or porous surfaces. • Avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These can easily wash off your property and enter the natural water system, ending up in waterways. • Choose non-toxic cleaners, avoid antibacterial soaps, and never put medications down the drain or toilet. • Pick up after your pets — that waste material can also get washed away into the storm drains. • Check your vehicles for fluid leaks — this ends up on the street and eventually into the natural water system. • Try to patronize only “green” car washes that recycle their water. We’d love to hear from you with other ways you and your family are helping to protect and maintain water quality – feel free to send us a note to outreach@ soquelcreekwater.org. We’ll share your ideas in an upcoming article. Our water quality depends on a partnership between the District and the community we serve. If we all do our parts, we can rely on a clean, safe, and reliable water supply for generations to come. n ••• For more information about the Soquel Creek Water District, visit www.soquelcreek water.org, and learn more about the Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project, at www. soquelcreekwater.org/pws.

Seeking Small Studio Gone Monday–Friday (sometimes Sat.) 9 Hours/day at work. Reclusive Female, Prefer Aptos Area (831) 332-6204

SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Nursery Cans Are Only Temporary

G T

Tosh: Perfectly Imperfect

crossword on 25 »

osh (A254511) is in a foster home with two adults and other dogs. She loves being in her bed on the couch or snuggle up to whoever is sitting next to her. She is housebroken. Tosh has a history of an abnormal gait and particularly uncoordinated left rear leg. The previous owner stated this dog has scoliosis since birth. The adopter will need to have her assessed by their veterinarian; medications may be beneficial for this dog. Further diagnostics may also be recommended. She will need a particularly dedicated person to care for her special physical needs. Tosh loves the yard and moves very quickly in her unique way. Tosh will not walk on the floor if it is not carpeted. Tosh, in anticipation of her walk, is excited when she sees her harness and leash and loves her walk. She barks as a greeting anyone coming into the house. She eats well and sleeps all night. It does not appear as though she lived with other dogs before. At first, she would jump off the couch if they came by and bark at them. After a few days, she seems more relaxed about them being around her and has even started to play a little with one of them. Tosh is looking for an adopter who will care for her and provide her with an amazing life. She could live with mellow, dog savvy dogs provided they meet at the shelter and get along. Tosh could potentially live with a cat with a slow, careful introduction. Older children who would be respectful of Tosh may be appropriate. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is currently doing adoptions by appointment only. An application must be submitted and landlord permission or proof of home ownership received prior to arranging a meet. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter has two full-service, open-admission shelters: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076  Hours: CURRENTLY CLOSED SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

By Tony Tomeo

arden enthusiasts would understand the temporary nature of nursery cans better if they knew more about how plants grow in nurseries. Few plants actually grow in the retail nurseries that market them. They grow in production nurseries, where efficiency is a priority. Nursery cans, which retailers and consumers refer to as ‘pots,’ are the most efficient means with which to contain the crops. Most nursery cans are thin black vinyl. While plants are small, crowded ‘can to can’ arrangement shades the black vinyl so that it does not get too hot from sunlight exposure. Those on the western and southern edges of a crop might get shade from a temporary row of empty cans or a plank leaned against them. As plants mature and need more space, their growing foliage shades the vinyl. As plants become marketable, they go from production nurseries to retail and wholesale nurseries. From there, they go to new landscapes and home gardens. Only then do they finally escape the nursery cans that they grew up in, to disperse their roots into real soil. The nursery cans have finished their job. Plants can not live in them forever, even if they continue to live in other types of pots. Nursery cans are efficient, but not necessarily comfortable. By the time they are marketable, the plants that they contain are generally about as big as they can get within their cans. If they get any bigger, their roots will be crowded. If too exposed to sunshine, the black vinyl gets hot enough to cook the roots within. Plants

Nursery cans are not permanent pots.

prefer to be in the ground, or at least pots that are more comfortable. Potted plants that will grow bigger should live in pots, planters or other containers that are bigger than the nursery cans that they grew in. Some will want even larger containers as they grow more later. Annuals and plants that will not grow much bigger are not so critical. However, all potted plants that will not shade their own pots appreciate containers that are better insulated than thin vinyl. Clay pots, wooden planters and even concrete urns are as practical as they are appealing. ••• Shiny Xylosma s a backdrop for more interesting plants, shiny xylosma, Xylosma congestum, may not get the respect that it deserves. If it seems to be a bit too common in some big landscapes, it is probably because it is so practical. It can function like the strictly shorn hedges that were popular decades earlier, but is a bit more adaptable to modern landscape styles. It can be formal or quite informal. Formal hedges of shiny xylosma are typically no taller than eight feet, and a bit more plump than old fashioned privet hedges. They can get a bit sparse if kept too lean. Shiny xylosma should Informal hedges get more respect. are mostly lower and plumper, with casually irregular surfaces and no corners. Old shiny xylosma can grow as a small tree more than eight feet tall. Younger specimens are of the shorter cultivar, ‘Compacta’. Established shiny xylosma is surprisingly resilient. Roots disperse impressive distances to reach moisture so that old specimens can survive without direct irrigation. Although, they prefer regular watering. Overgrown specimens can eventually regenerate nicely from coppicing or pollarding. The main disadvantage is that vigorous new growth will likely develop concealed but sharp thorns. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / August 1st 2020 / 31

everything...so close to home. FOOD & DRINK

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Deer Park Marketplace #37 | Rio Del Mar/Hwy 1 Aptos | Above Deluxe Foods | www.EyeShapesAptos.com

(831) 688-3012

PERSONAL SERVICES Agape Dance Academy Aptos Academic Trainers Body in Motion Brian Del Core, DDS CVS Pharmacy Del Mar Cleaners Eye Shapes Opticians Highlights for Hair J-Bella Nails Klub Nico Laser Hair Solutions Royal Paw Spa Santa Cruz Dance Supply

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We will be available for emergency dental services by appointment. Please stay healthy, be safe, God bless you. Dr Del Core

give us a call

Deer Park Wine & Spirits Deluxe Foods Panda Inn Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar Red Apple Cafe

Anderson & Company HOA Management Employnet Galapagos Travel PDM International Peak Accounting Services SAR Asset Mgmt. Inc. Scurich Insurance Wavestaff, Inc

Implants, Invisalign, Family, Cosmetic

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delcoredental.com

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Bank of America

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All of us at Deer Park are hoping that your family is safe and healthy during these challenging times. We continue to be here for you today and in the days ahead. Highway 1 & Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Aptos