Aptos Times: February 1, 2021 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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February 1, 2021 • Vol 30 No. 3

Wind Sets Off Freedom Fire

Kelly Klett, CEO and founder of Castlewood Ranch Foundation, had to evacuate 22 horses from her property in the Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley area last week when fire followed heavy winds and a power shutoff. “Everybody on this road is grateful for the swift response,” she said after a 60-hour stretch where she had not slept. Full Story page 12

Stay-at-Home Order Lifted; COVID Death Toll 136 Full Story page 22

Nisene Marks: A Park Loved to Death Cars, Cyclists and Hikers On Narrow Road Delay Ambulance Response By Jondi Gumz When the Marks family donated 9,000 acres in Aptos in 1963 to the state for citizens to enjoy the land in perpetuity, the agreement restricted use to camping, nature study, hiking and associated activities — and required adequate standards for public health and safety to be maintained.

Today, the Forest of Nisene Marks is so beloved, the road to reach the kiosk entrance station is lined by cars and overrun by visitors — people walking, people cycling, people walking dogs. ... continues on page 4

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Blossom’s Farm Needs A New Home

Blossom’s Biodynamic Herb Farm is looking for a new home, according to co-owner Carin Fortin, who has been growing crops with her partner Delmar McComb at 358 Merk Road in Corralitos. Full Story page 5

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No. 3

Volume 30

Table of Contents

Cover Nisene Marks: A Park Loved to Death: Cars, Cyclists and Hikers On Narrow Road Delay Ambulance Response, By Jondi Gumz 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 27

Community News Blossom’s Farm Needs A New Home, By Jondi Gumz Hospice Reforms Signed into Law, By Jondi Gumz Great Plates Delivered For Older Adults & Restaurateurs, By June Smith Students ‘Sculpt’ Blackout Poetry • Attorney General Sues Over Rule Helping Predatory For-Profit Colleges Gina Castañeda Joins Community Foundation Board • Panetta Attends Inauguration • Senior Outreach Groups Start Soon • James Schwab Takes Over as Interim Secretary of State • Tech for Takeout at Library Community Service in Times of COVID-19: Brownie Troop Tops Their Goal for Second Harvest, By Carrie Mulcaire Wind Sets Off Freedom Fire, By Jondi Gumz Rio Theatre: New Banff World Tour Santa Cruz County Jobs: December 2020 Meet Your New Fire Chief: John Walbridge Chosen To Lead Central Fire Protection District • New Job Resource For Veterans • Kiss, Kiss: Cabanayan’s Painting Comes in Third in Reflections of 2020 Fondue for Valentine’s Day • Finding Solutions to help Second Harvest Feed People Bezos Grant Aims to End Family Homelessness Locally • Federal Vaccine Tracker • Santa Cruz County Bank Opens in Monterey Pajaro River Flood Project Awarded $2.8M Stay-at-Home Order Lifted; COVID Death Toll 136, By Jondi Gumz Santa Cruz Elks Adopt-a-Family Success

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Letter to the Editor 21 State Lawmakers Call for Employment Development Department Fraud Hearings 15 17 24

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Mercury Retrogrades in Aquarius, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists I Am a COVID-19 Survivor, By Joyce Vissell Pictures From the Past: Walking the Rails, Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift PVUSD Q&A: Vaccines to Start February 1 for Teachers, By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Travel Troubleshooter: Can I get a refund for my canceled hotel stay in Mexico?, By Christopher Elliott For the Love of … Podcasts About Water!, By Rebecca Gold Rubin County Mid-Year Budget Update: More Cuts May Be Needed, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor Pruning Roses During Winter Dormancy, By Tony Tomeo

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, June Smith, Carrie Mulcaire, Risa D’Angeles, Joyce Vissell, Carolyn Swift, Michelle Rodriguez, Christopher Elliott, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend, 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 media consultants Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

“Nisene Marks” from page 1 Couples and families saunter into the woods on Aptos Creek Road — a one-lane road that is curving and narrow with no pedestrian path for safety — as cars and SUVs line up behind them, and sometimes drivers impatiently pull around people on foot only to get to the entrance station where they learn all the spaces in the parking lot (70 in winter, 80 in summer) are taken and they must turn around and exit. Anyone visiting the park via car has no idea the parking lot is full until they’ve driven a mile on the narrow road to the kiosk. There’s no advance warning. On a sunny weekend, there’s no space to park outside the park, either. Vehicles are jammed along the side of Aptos Creek Road every which way, next to Epicenter Cycling and a temporary dirt lot next to Swenson’s Aptos Village construction project is full, too. Parking is less available since a connector road to Granite Way was closed as part of that project and turned into a walking path. Close Call orst of all, on the afternoon of Dec. 27, when three people administered CPR to a man who had collapsed in the park, a possible heart attack — a time when

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 ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission 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 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

A visitor to Nisene Marks State Park drives past the “parking lot full” sign hoping for a space. seconds save lives — the ambulance faced But Brenner, the EMS administrator, one obstruction after another as pedes- said there are delays in response to calls in trians failed to follow state law and yield the park due to pedestrians on Aptos Creek right-of-way despite flashing red lights Road. She’s discussed this with AMR signaling an emergency. ambulance staff. Patrice Edwards, publisher of the This year, more than once, ambulances Aptos Times, saw the ambulance unable have been called into Nisene Marks State to move, blocked in both directions on the Park for medical emergencies, and people narrow road just beyond Mangels Creek on foot have just kept walking, ignoring Bridge — where county property ends the flashing red lights. and state park property begins — as a “Park Traffic” page 8 state parks staffer had stopped all traffic. Incoming motorists were turning around with bicyclists and walkers traversing all over the roadway. She took videos to show the problems were life-or-death serious — and to call for solutions. Eventually, parks staff allowed outgoing traffic, freeing a lane for the ambulance to enter into the park. Fortunately, although first responders were delayed, the man’s life was saved, according to State Parks Sgt. Joe Walters, supervising ranger. Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner, who lives next to the park, took up the cause after the CPR incident. That led to Walters hosting a Zoom meeting with Mike DeMars, fire marshal for Aptos/La Selva and Central fire districts, Brenda Brenner, Santa Cruz County EMS administrator, Nate Armstrong of Cal Fire, Steinbruner, Al and Bella Hughes, who live on private property surrounded by the park, and Times staff. Most times, Aptos La/Selva Fire gets to a 911 call in the state park first because the station is the closest, but Cal Fire responded to calls in Nisene Marks 19 times last year, 17 being medical. Nate Armstrong of Cal Fire said none involved traffic delays or a detrimental Graphic shows area impacted by congestion on outcome. Aptos Creek Road.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Blossom’s Farm Needs A New Home

By Jondi Gumz

lossom’s Biodynamic Herb Farm is looking for a new home, according to co-owner Carin Fortin, who has been growing crops with her partner Delmar McComb at 358 Merk Road in Corralitos. “Our 5-year lease ends this February and has not been renewed,” she said. “We have to find a permanent home since we farm mainly perennial crops and starting all over again is very costly and draining.” Those crops include biodynamically grown tinctures, bitters, skincare, hydrosols and herb powders, plus biodynamically grown foods, including vegetables, sauerkrauts, kimchi, kombuchas and kefirs, which are produced for the community with “lots of love.” Her goal is buy a piece of land with 12 usable acres with a well and ample water and sun for the farm within an hour of their farmstore & coffee shop in Watsonville. “Ideally we find a piece that is in the 20-40 acres range to have space for our animals which provide fertility for the land. And we need housing for ourselves,” Fortin said. “It has to be farmable Carin Fortin and Delmar McComb founders of Blossom’s Farm land, at least 3-5 acres flat open land, the rest can be trees and for animals/ grazing. land,” said Andrea Levy, senior associate Our animals: 5 cows, 4 pigs, 3 sheep, 26 with California FarmLink, which is based ducks and chickens and 3 rabbits and in Santa Cruz and serves farmers across the Popeye, our farm dog. And we need state. water to cultivate a farm/garden.” “We have a portal on our website The couple draw inspiration from they can register,” she added. Rudolf Steiner Two Santa Cruz and have hosted County properties are “Ideally we find a piece listed on California meetings of the that is in the 20-40 acres Farm Link, but Fortin BioDynamic Association of Northern range to have space for our is not sure they offer a California. animals which provide solution. Blossom’s also is The parcel on fertility for the land. a regular at the Aptos Pleasant Valley is not for And we need housing for sale, only for lease, she Farmers’ Market ourselves.” Saturday morning at noted, with a limited — Carin Fortin Cabrillo College. amount of water, which “We are looking an issue for growing. for a permanent home for both the farm An address was not provided for and ourselves, so purchasing land is our the second property, but Fortin said she preference,” Fortin said. “We are willing would will look into it. to make compromises if they make sense. Two weeks later, both listings were Leasing again is not one of the compro- gone. n mises we want to make — this is the third ••• time we have to move our farm, which is To see a 4-minute video about Blossom’s not only exhausting, but also costs a lot Farm go to https://vimeo.com/496078519 of money and keeps us from rooting and Send any options to info@blossomsfarm. becoming sustainable as a business.” com or call Delmar at 831-234-2965 or Carin “We definitely help farmers look for at 831-246-1137

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Hospice Reforms Signed into Law

By Jondi Gumz

he Helping Our Senior Population in Comfort Environments (HOSPICE) Act, introduced Feb. 10 by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-New York) is now law. This legislation mandates oversight and transparency of Medicare hospice providers. It was passed by the House unanimously as part of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act. Then the BENES Act was folded into the FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was signed by the president on Dec. 22. “Most hospice facilities provide compassionate care to patients and families, but there are some that fail to rise to the standards those in their care deserve,” said Panetta. “Our legislation increases transparency and accountability to support the safety and wellbeing of hospice caregivers and those in their care.” In July 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released two reports that identified significant deficiencies in the quality of care for Medicare hospice enrollees. According to the two reports, 87 percent of hospices had at least one care deficiency between 2012 and 2016. Twenty percent had at least one serious deficiency,

6 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

meaning that the health and safety of a beneficiary were in jeopardy. Based on 50 reports of serious deficiencies, the Inspector General found 12 cases where Medicare beneficiaries were seriously harmed. One individual with Alzheimer’s developed gangrene and had the lower leg amputated after the hospice did not treat pressure ulcers on the heels. Another hospice allowed maggots to develop around a man’s feeding tube while under care at home. In other instances, the hospice failed to recognize signs of sexual assault of a woman at an assisted living facility, did not intervene when a man caring for his father

at home would not help him up and would not clean his dirty briefs, and did nothing when a man living in an apartment had his medications for pain and anxiety stolen by a neighbor who came in naked and unannounced – even though hospice employees were aware of that situation. Of these 12 cases, only one hospice reported the harm to Medicare. The reports did not name hospice program operators where Medicare beneficiaries were seriously harmed. In 2017, Medicare spent $17.8 billion for hospice care for nearly 1.5 million beneficiaries, up from $9.2 billion for fewer than 1 million beneficiaries in 2006 but had only one remedy to penalize a poor performing hospice: Removal from the Medicare program. The Office of Inspector General issued a series of recommendations to improve quality in hospice care, many of which are addressed in this bill. The law, funded with $10 million, will require surveys of hospice programs every two years starting Oct. 1, and the results are to be published, in a searchable manner, on the Medicare.gov website starting Oct. 1, 2022. Trained multidisciplinary teams are to conduct the surveys. “Hospice” page 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Great Plates Delivered For Older Adults & Restaurateurs

By June Smith

n April 24, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a first-inthe-nation meal delivery service called “Great Plates Delivered” for California’s older adults. Santa Cruz County began the program on Memorial Day weekend and has since delivered thousands of meals. Great Plates Delivered serves two purposes: To help seniors and adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay at home by receiving three nutritious meals a day, and to provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses struggling to survive. Vendors must meet certain standards. Nutritional requirements for lunch and dinner must offer a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable in each dish, be low in sodium, and contain no sugary drinks. A Santa Cruz County committee first chose four local restaurants and one caterer — The Back Nine, Johnny’s Harborside, Roaring Camp, Pearl of the Ocean, and Swing Time Catering — to prepare the meals.

Photo Credit: June Smith

Jesus B. is ready for a signature after delivering my meal.

“Hospice” from page 6 Hospice programs failing to meet the requirements will be surveyed every six months. If program deficiencies jeopardize the health and safety of the participants, the HHS Secretary can levy a penalty of up to $10,000 a day, suspend federal payments,

Other providers have been added, including Collectivo Felix and Teen Kitchen Project. After learning about the program, I applied and was teamed up to receive meals from Team Kitchen Project. TKP’s Executive Director Angela Farley is grateful to be able to serve local seniors through the Great Plates Program, offering hearthealthy and diabetes-friendly medically tailored meals to local seniors who qualify. My first delivery included soup, a roasted vegetable salad with Feta cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, plus three more entrees. The meals come with a fact sheet outlining the ingredients included and nutritional data. Farley says, “TKP brings young people into the kitchen to learn to cook delicious and nourishing food. The meals are delivered free of charge to individuals and families who are in crisis due to a lifethreatening illness or those now observing the Stay at Home orders. We have an interview process that includes committing to adhere to Health Officer recommendations in and out of the kitchen. We have a stable group of youth with our team of adult chefs who work four days a week preparing meals. Work stations are at least six feet apart with no more than eight total people in our large kitchen at a time.” Their organic suppliers are Smart Chicken, Mary’s Chicken, and major funder Lakeside Organic Garden, who because of their monetary and in-kind donations, Teen Kitchen Project has been able to scale up dramatically to serve those suffering from COVID-19. A social worker from Dominican Home Health applied to Great Plates for local author and film critic Lisa Jensen when she learning that cooking and cleaning was often difficult for her due to multiple sclerosis. Jensen has been getting three deliveries a week with seven tasty dinners from

My first meal (Cabbage and Leek Gratin). Colectivo Felix. She says, “I still like to cook, but I’m always so curious to see what the next one(s) will be!” Chef Diego Felix says the program has been a huge help and source of income for his business. His summer season was almost fully booked with weddings, winery dinners, and private events, which have all been canceled. This program of the Human Service Department of the County has local support from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County as well as partnerships with other local organizations. Susan True, Chief Executive Officer of The Community Foundation, says, “Donors’ gifts to our COVID-19 Response Fund meant we could offer the local

Photo Credit: June Smith

matching funds that helped millions in federal dollars come back to feed and protect our community. Great Plates Delivered lets older adults at higher risk remain safe at home and also gives timely business to local meal providers struggling to stay afloat.” n ••• The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program originally authorized the service through 2020, but extensions were made due to the ongoing severity of the COVID-19 virus. The program was extended until Feb. 6, 2021, with the plan to have more extensions if necessary. Great Plates Delivered: covid19.ca.gov/ restaurants-deliver-home-meals-for-seniors/ To apply: 831-454-4406

appointment temporary overseers, or terminate the program’s certification. n ••• To read the bill language, go to https:// www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr5821/ text. To read the Inspector General’s reports, see https://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/media-materials/ media-materials-2019-hospice/

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COMMUNITY NEWS “Park Traffic” from page 4 Master Plan Solution dding to the congestion is the 49-unit Village Creek townhome complex was built in 1990 on Village Creek Road, a one-way street feeding into Aptos Creek Road — providing much-needed housing in a desirable location with walking distance to Nisene Marks, but also bringing more traffic to a road never designed to handle it. Historically, the narrow dirt road was created for the Loma Prieta Lumber Co. to access the forest and operate a mill at the headwaters. The gentle grade of the road today is evidence of the standard-gauge railroad that once entered the canyon during the logging era. Al Hughes is one of the homeowners living on private property with acreage on west side of Aptos Creek Road two miles past the kiosk. About 50 people own property in the park, half on the west side of the road and half on the east. Hughes’ property and that of his neighbors was never acquired by the state. Similarly, the state has a right-of-way for Aptos Creek Road but doesn’t own all the property the road exists on. For Hughes, illegally parked cars have created a dangerously constricted road — an accident waiting to happen. “Every day, they risk their lives to go in and out of their deeded access,” Edwards said. Hughes suggests that when the park’s parking lot capacity is full, park staff put up a sign before the Steel Bridge saying “Residents Only Beyond This Point” so people don’t try to turn around later at the Winter Gate, where they frequently end up in the ditch.

His wife Bella noted the 1989 earthquake put Nisene Marks on the map, as it was the epicenter of that temblor, but with COVID-19 restricting indoor activities and December stay-at-home order, the number of vehicles, bicyclists and walkers at the park has quadrupled. With Epicenter Cycling at the foot of Aptos Creek Road since 2009, the one-lane road is promoted by mountain bikers as a “legal” and “pretty” trail for aficionados. The 2005 master plan for Nisene Marks calls for a visitor center and a parking lot near the kiosk and the Emmett Reed picnic area, and identifies five more locations — the Dedication Tree, the West Trailhead, and the Mary Easton, George’s and Porter picnic areas — where a total of 66 to 95 parking spaces could be added, improving access for people with disabilities. Spaces were added in the Porter area, but not in the others. “Funding and timing are an issue,” said local historian John Hibble, who’s with the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. Proposed Remedies mong the remedies proposed by residents: Ticketing cars parked illegally, posting warning signs about parking fines in areas where it is illegal to park, and assigning state park staff near the mailboxes with radio communication to the entrance station to restrict parking to the capacity of the lot. It was agreed that ticketing cars parked illegally would discourage people from doing so. State Parks has hired four new officers with enforcement ability and have increased patrols inside Nisene Marks, according to Walters. Parking tickets issued by State Parks rangers bear a fine of $51.50 to $96.50,

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Cyclists are frequent visitors to Nisene Marks State Park, as the one-lane Aptos Creek Road is described as a “pretty” route for mountain bikers. 8 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

depending on the violation, according to Gabe McKenna, public safety superintendent for State Parks, and the penalty rises as processing fees are added on. Asked if State Parks plans to add parking, Walters said 10 spaces were added in 2019, but no other expansion is planned. Al Hughes suggested people park at the Aptos Village County Park, which has about 26 spaces. It’s not clear whether county park staff would approve. Move Kiosk? nother idea was to move the park entrance station closer to Aptos Village to address the hazardous illegal parking on the road. Steinbruner looked up the conditions of approval for the Aptos Village project, approved by county supervisors in 2012, in which the Swenson development company agreed to provide new entry signage and a kiosk for Forest of Nisene State Parks. The design details are to be approved by State Parks: http://www.scco planning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/ env/063.pdf?ver=t6XR52ZLmBGugVMOsz Vcjw%3d%3d It seems the Aptos Village Project developers could be of real assistance in moving the kiosk closer to the Village, as was agreed would be the best solution to control crowding and hazardous illegal parking along the roadway, Steinbruner concluded. Walters also agreed to: Look into restoring the payphone service at the Steel Bridge for emergency use, work with the sheriff to address the illegal campers along Aptos Village Way and in the dirt parking lot, ask the State Parks Roads & Maintenance Division about plans to fill potholes and improve road edges for safety turnouts. Aptos Creek Road actually is in two jurisdictions, Santa Cruz County and State Parks. There’s no marker on the road to indicate where the jurisdiction changes, so Walters agreed to find out. That would help clarify where the county Public Works Department is responsible for repairs. Hughes raised the issue of old trees potentially falling on the road, and Walters agreed to ask the State Parks’ Resource Division to assess whether any trees along the road are hazardous and should be removed. Walters agreed to host a virtual followup meeting in February to report back and discuss safety solutions. The 2005 State Parks master plan notes that since the Marks family donated the land, the county population has tripled. It also point out the location on Aptos Creek Road next to Aptos Village and a future development (which is not quite finished), saying, “The entrance at Soquel Drive, signage, and parking solutions

Photo Credit: Patrice Edwards

Multiple cars parked in no-parking areas along Aptos Creek Road.

remain issues for the Department in this area.” Nisene Marks is not the only park suffering from unchecked tourism. In 2019, Yosemite National Park began limiting entry at Wawona Road because of feces and trash on the side of the road after two campgrounds closed. Joshua Tree National Park closed campgrounds when bathrooms were at capacity and Death Valley, strained by overused outhouses, got help when a nonprofit donated money to reopen the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. This month, Palo Alto began closing the 1,400-acre Foothills Park nature preserve on weekends when the parking lot reached its 750-car capacity. If the Marks family could see this situation now, what would they expect to be done to maintain public health and safety? n Next time: Progress on solutions. ••• To read the 2005 Nisene Marks Master Plan, see: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/ download?doi=10.1.1.362.5218&rep=rep1&ty pe=pdf Cover Photo: Cars line up waiting to get into Nisene Marks State Park. • Photo Credit: Patrice Edwards

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

People walking dogs stroll on Aptos Creek Road share the road with cars because there is no pedestrian pathway or bike lane. Illegal parking narrows the road for first responders.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Students ‘Sculpt’ Blackout Poetry

n Mount Madonna School’s ninth grade Creative Expression class, students have been experimenting with different creative processes and ways of constructing that require them to stretch outside of their comfort zone and work with unusual methods and materials. “Working in this way can lead to new discoveries, happy accidents, flexibility and refreshed curiosity,” commented Angela Willetts, who co-teaches the course with Haley Campbell. For a recent project students explored a process known as erasure, or “blackout” poetry. They began with a “found” text - printed language from any source, and using this text, the students “sculpted” a poem using only words from within the text. Students were given pages torn from a 1950s magazine, and they all went in totally different directions. “The artist must find a way to visually obscure or subtract all the other language so only the words of the poem are emphasized,” explained Willetts. “This can be as simple as crossing out all the unnecessary words, but what a missed opportunity that would be! Instead, our artists were challenged to find ways to emphasize the poem in more visually interesting ways, perhaps even ways that relate to the meaning of their poem. One of the things we try to encourage in the Creative Expression class is the development of artists’ ‘habits of mind.’ Letting oneself play, experiment, and try new processes are skills essential to growth in the art.” n

Attorney General Sues Over Rule Helping Predatory For-Profit Colleges

n Jan. 15, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a lawsuit against Acting U.S. Secretary of Education Mitchell Zais and the U.S. Department of Education over its “last-minute” effort to ease oversight of questionable forprofit colleges at the expense of students and taxpayers. The department’s recently finalized “Distance Education and Innovation” regulations allow colleges to bypass requirements set out in the Higher Education Act intended to prevent federal Title IV funds, including federal student loans and Pell grants, from going to low-quality educational programs and predatory for-profit institutions. “Regulations that hold for-profit schools accountable were created to protect students,” said Becerra, contending the education department’s “new rules harm California students by steering them away from our excellent

public college and university system and into educational programs that are questionable at best, and outright scams at worst.” He added that this “last-minute attempt to dismantle oversight regulations on for-profit schools will not go unchallenged by California.” Under the Higher Education Act, colleges and their educational programs must meet eligibility requirements to participate in Title IV federal student-aid programs, including certification by the Secretary of Education that a college has the administrative capability and financial responsibility to receive federal funds. Becerra alleges the new “Distance Education and Innovation” rule illegally eases this review to benefit for-profit institutions. The new rule helps predatory institutions in at least two ways.

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Gina Castañeda Joins Community Foundation Board atsonville leader Gina Castañeda joined the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Board of Trustees on Jan. 1. A juvenile probation officer with the Santa Cruz County Probation Department, she is founder and program director of Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy, an innovative program engaging youth in the juvenile justice system through soccer, service, and mentorship. As a Watsonville teen, Castañeda expeGina Castañeda rienced intervals of homelessness and domestic violence while witnessing most of her siblings become involved in the criminal justice system. She succeeded with guidance from caring mentors and by playing soccer in high school. She built self-esteem and a more positive life path that ultimately motivated her to help her hometown’s youth struggling with gang involvement. Among her honors are the 2018 Bay Region State Probation Officer of the Year, the Tony Hill Award for Community Activism in Santa Cruz County, County of Santa Cruz Probation Officer of the Year, Aptos High School Hall of Fame for Outstanding Accomplishments, California Assembly’s 28th District first Peace Award and American Red Cross Lifetime Achievement Hero. Foundation CEO Susan True and board president David Doolin welcomed her experience and her activism. “Professionally, I have observed how the Foundation has made an enormous impact in our community,” Castañeda said. “ Being part of a team that is dedicated to our community and a positive future brings

“Predatory” from page 9 • A school’s recertification application is automatically approved if it has been pending for 12 months. *** Automatic recertification under these circumstances directly benefits predatory institutions like Ashford University, which Becerra sued in 2017 for defrauding students. Troubled schools often require reviews longer than 12 months pending investigation by the education department, an accrediting agency, or a state attorney general. • For-profit schools can now outsource 100% of a program’s instruction to a different school. *** This new rule leaves students unprotected by repealing an Obama-era cap of 50% on the amount

me great pride and inspires me to uphold the work of the mission, vision, and values.” ••• Panetta Attends Inauguration n Jan. 20, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) attended the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris in Washington, D.C. “In taking their oaths of office today, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embarked on their duty to unify our democracy,” Panetta said. “On the very same steps where we witnessed an insurrection two weeks ago, today, President Biden made clear his intent to heal our wounds by working together. We now can rely on our President to lead with faith and empathy to sustain the soul of the nation.” He added, “The next four years offer so much opportunity for our country and the Central Coast and I look forward to working with President Biden and Vice President Harris to deliver vaccines as well as pandemic relief, affirmatively act on the climate crisis, invest in our nation’s infrastructure, fix our broken immigration system, advance our values, and ensure greater opportunity for everybody. It really is our time to write our nation’s next chapter so that together everyone has a role to play in the future of our democracy.” Los Angeles poet Amanda Gorman mesmerized those who heard her read her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” in which she said democracy may be delayed but never defeated. ••• Senior Outreach Groups Start Soon enior Outreach, a program of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast, is offering support groups for men and women year-around. During these challenging times, the support groups give

their members an opportunity to connect with others once a week in a positive, supportive, and nourishing environment, sharing thoughts and feelings. Currently, all the groups meet via Zoom once a week for six weeks (90-minute sessions) and are facilitated by experienced peer-counselors. Four women’s groups and two men’s groups begin soon. One of the women’s groups, beginning Jan. 26, will offer the newest format, using a workbook and journal to increase feelings of well-being and empowerment. It also includes suggestions for activities you can do at home. To reserve a place or for more information, call 831-459-9351 x206 and leave a message for a call back within 24 hours. ••• James Schwab Takes Over as Interim Secretary of State ames Schwab has been sworn in as interim Secretary of State, succeeding Alex Padilla to succeed Kamal Harris as California’s United States Senator. Schwab previously was chief deputy secretary of state. Padilla listed accomplishments during his six years in office: • Adding 4.5 million voters to the rolls James Schwab and set modern records for voter turnout. • Making many business filing services available online.. • Digitizing California history in the State Archives and curating exhibits online. • Adding tools to make campaign finance data more easily searchable. “The Secretary of State’s office is in good hands,” Padilla said. “James Schwab knows this agency inside out and has been a leader in securing and implementing many

of instruction that a for-profit school can outsource to a school under common ownership. This means that a student can now be forced to take all of their courses at a school they did not enroll in. It also allows predatory institutions to operate as “portals” that funnel students into low-quality, online programs. This lawsuit continues Becerra’s work to protect student borrowers: • In November 2017, Becerra sued Ashford University and its parent company Bridgepoint Education for illegal marketing and collections activity, among other abuses; that lawsuit is pending before San Diego County Superior Court. • In June 2018, Becerra filed a lawsuit against Navient and its sub-

sidiaries for unlawfully misleading student loan borrowers, engaging in illegal collections practices, and steering borrowers to more costly repayment options. • In December 2017, Becerra filed a lawsuit against the education department over its failure to grant promised loan relief to tens of thousands of students defrauded by Corinthian Colleges. • In March 2020, Becerra filed a lawsuit against the education department over its action to repeal student loan borrower protections under the Gainful Employment Rule. • In June 2020, Becerra filed a lawsuit against the education department for failing to implement the Temporary Expanded Public

10 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

of our most impactful electoral reforms. And the Secretary of State’s office will soon be led by a fierce advocate for civil rights and voting rights when Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber is confirmed as our next Secretary of State.” Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Dec. 22 he would appoint Weber. The appointment requires confirmation by the State Senate and the State Assembly. The Secretary of State will be up for election in 2022. Schwab, 41, a native of Davis, has worked at the Secretary of State’s office since Padilla took office. Before that, he was a consultant for then-State Sen. Alex Padilla. Schwab graduated from UC Davis with a degree in International Relations. He lives in West Sacramento with his wife Alma Perez and their three sons. Perez is the senior consultant for the State Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. ••• Tech for Takeout at Library he Santa Cruz Public Libraries have created a collection of lendable technology devices that can be checked out with your library card. The collection includes Amazon Fire 7 Tablets, Chromebook laptops, WiFi Hotspots, and Chromebook + Hotspot bundles. The collection became available for checkout Jan. 19. Library cardholders can visit the catalog or use our mobile app to search for and request any of the devices or the bundle by name. For example, a keyword search for “fire tablet” or “hotspot” will work. Once the devices are on hold at the chosen library branch, they can be picked up at regular Grab & Go lobby service hours. Borrowers must be 18 years or older, and a lending agreement must be signed. The checkout period is 3 weeks, just like all other library materials. Instructional guides in English and Spanish are available. n

Service Loan Forgiveness Program. • And in July 2020, Becerra filed suit against Secretary DeVos and the education department for repealing the 2016 borrower defense regulations and replacing them with regulations that would make it nearly impossible for defrauded students to obtain financial relief. n ••• A copy of the rule change is at www.federal register.gov/documents/2020/09/02/2020-18636/ distance-education-and-innovation (tinyurl.com/distance-education-innovation) A copy of the lawsuit is available at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/N.D.%20 Cal.%2021-cv-00384%20dckt%20 000001_000%20filed%202021-01-15.pdf (tinyurl.com/ag-for-profit-college)

COMMUNITY NEWS

Community Service in Times of COVID-19

Brownie Troop Tops Their Goal for Second Harvest

By Carrie Mulcaire

ow does a group of 8-year old Girl Scouts seek to reach out to their community and help those in need while maintaining health and safety during a pandemic? Parents expressed understandable concern for in-person community service work as COVID-19 ravaged on. Back in November, Brownie Troop #15015 had a financial literacy lesson on philanthropy. Kristin Fabos, Second Harvest board member and Cabrillo College marketing director, spared her time to serve as a guest speaker. She discussed the role of the local food bank in assisting with food insecurity in Santa Cruz County, especially during COVID-19. As a former Girl Scout, she understands the value

of learning about service work at an early age. Partnership is key — over 200 organizations partner on a weekly basis with Second Harvest. The food bank obtains discounts on food purchases as much as a quarter of what our normal dollar extends in the store. So when you donate $1 to the food bank, it is as if you are donating $4. Each individual meal is only 25 cents so that a donation of $1 translates into four meals! It was decided — the troop would participate in Second Harvest’s 2020 Virtual Holiday Food drive to raise funds and food! The fundraising effort lasted through December to emphasize the value of giving back during the holidays. The girls were imaginative in

coming up with their own solutions to fundraising in a safe but creative manner: • One troop member collected money from a lemonade stand • Others emailed out a link to their food drive webpage for friends and family to donate • Some posted the online food drive weblink on their parents’ Facebook page • One girl recruited family members to make a large donation • Many of the girls raided their own cupboards for canned food and advertised to their neighbors to drop off canned food at their doorstep and “Brownies” page 13

Theheroesamongus. As valued partners and dedicated professionals, health care providers and staff can be relied upon to do their best for patients every day. And as we manage COVID-19, they are all going above and beyond to ensure we meet the needs of our patients and the safety of our community. To doctors, every day, we thank you.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Wind Sets Off Freedom Fire

By Jondi Gumz

elly Klett is grateful. The CEO and founder of Castlewood Ranch Foundation, she had to evacuate 22 horses from her property in the Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley area last week when fire followed heavy winds and a power shutoff. “Everybody on this road is grateful for the swift response,” she said after a 60-hour stretch where she had not slept. The wind on Jan. 19 presumably sparked more than 18 vegetation fires in 18 hours, according to Cal Fire, the largest being the Freedom Fire in Aptos and the Panther Ridge Fire outside of Boulder Creek. The Freedom fire, burning in timber, grew to 40 acres before being contained. No one was injured. Klett’s nonprofit, for 16 years located on Nunes Road in unincorporated Watsonville, rescues horses from slaughter and offers horse boarding. When she saw smoke in an area she knew did not have any homes, she called it in and asked if anyone had called in a fire. “When the answer was no, I knew there was a problem,” she said. She has no Internet. It’s a lightly populated area where Internet providers are not competing for customers.

12 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“The amount of money they have to spend for 41 customers, they don’t want to do it,” she said. She activated her evacuation plan to get the horses tied up. Volunteers helped while she kept her eye on the ridge looking for flames. “Once we saw flames, I ordered, ‘Load and go,’” she said.

Next she started a telephone tree to alert neighbors. The horses were taken to the Santa Cruz County fairgrounds in Watsonville. People in about 100 homes left when Nunes Road was evacuated along with Gillette Road, Willow Heights, Ben’s Way and Halton Lane. Klett, a retired park ranger, stayed behind. “We had an evacuation plan and it worked very well,” she said, explaining that she had created “defensible space” at her home and she wanted to be on the premises to tell firefighters where the emergency shutoff was. She left behind five alpacas, a donkey, a pig, a mule and two miniature horses. It was the first evacuation for her since the 2008 Trabing fire. Defensible Space irefighters told her they would have not problem defending her home because she had defensible space. “It’s all about defensible space, if you don’t have it, they can’t save your home,” she said. She hopped in her vehicle with her friend Sue Glass, to alert her neighbors in their 70s. “We drove up the driveway, and his sawmill was on fire,” she said.

“Freedom Fire” page 13

“Brownies” from page 11 • The troop decided to donate a percent of cookie sale proceeds to the effort. Talking with Second Harvest, we learned that they were struggling with identifying volunteers to pick up food from donated drop-off sites — particularly near the end of December. So our troop offered to drop off the canned food directly at their Watsonville center. A few girls even got to pose with the Hungry Hero mascot after dropping off almost 400 pounds of food. In the end, Girl Scout Troop #15015 raised $1,073 or 4,149 meals, double their goal of $500 and 2,000 meals. One thing we learned is the USDA requires all donated canned foods are valued by poundage instead of the price tag, which means a $4 canned food item that weighs one pound is only valued at 20 cents. Girl scouts and their parents expressed gratitude for participating in this experience.

“It feels good to help families in our community! Part of being a Girl Scout is to be helpful!” noted one girl scout. Another troop member said: “This year has been tough! I loved helping those in need because it’s important to help other people! Otherwise, this world would be hard to live in!” Another parent said thank you for the opportunity for her daughter “to learn about ways to be thoughtful and giving!” It’s not too late to help Second Harvest and those dealing with food insecurity in our county! If you visit Nob Hill or Raley’s, you can donate to “Food for Families” at checkout whereby 100% of the proceeds go directly to providing food to our local residents (and at wholesale prices). And Second Harvest’s website will always accept cash donations or you can drop off canned foods at various locations throughout the county. For more information, visit the foodbank.org. n ••• For information about joining a Girl Scout troop, visit https://www.girlscoutsccc.org.

“Freedom Fire” from page 12 The neighbors had no idea because they couldn’t see what was happening. The fire was about a half a football field away. Klett wanted to say thank you to the county fairgrounds, Cal Fire, County Fire, Aptos La Selva Fire Central Fire and all the fire districts that came from far away — Vacaville, Woodside, Palo Alto and Santa Clara County. She thanked the Santa Cruz County Sheriff and CHP, which assigned roundthe-clock patrols for 48 hours to prevent looting in the evacuated areas. For those who are thinking about defensible space, vegetation grows. Klett called it “an ongoing annual process.” Here’s her advice: Ask yourself, “What do I need to do this year?” The day it’s your property at risk, if you’ve ignored defensible space, you’ll be very sorry. Power Problems ere’s another problem. When PG&E shut off the power at 2 p.m. the day of the fire, it stopped phone service for homeowners and firefighters. “Their radios weren’t working,” Klett said. “We’ve got to fix that.” When the power off, the pump systems for her well no longer worked. That means firefighters had to get water elsewhere, going to Freedom Boulevard a mile away. “These PG&E rolling outages, to avoid

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liability, they put the rest of us at risk,” Klett said. She’s concerned about children trying to do schoolwork online with slow or no Internet and their parents — an issue that affects 21 percent of California’s students. “For people in rural areas, this is a problem,” she said. “It’s very hard to work at home. It’s slower or it’s not working.” n ••• To get information on current evacuation, see community.zonehaven.com To get information on defensible space, see readyforwildfire.org. ••• Photo Credit: Sue V. Glass and Castlewood Ranch Foundation

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I Am a COVID-19 Survivor IN -CLUB NO MORE -HOME EXCUSES! AT A By Joyce Vissell

fter being so careful for nine months, my husband Barry mysteriously contacted the COVID-19 virus. Within days, he tested positive and within a few days after that, I tested positive as well. We never were in a gathering of people of any size. We always wore our masks, washed our hands, used hand sanitizer, and kept the required distance. And yet the virus found its way into our lives. Barry had a mild case, but I got really sick for more than four weeks. How did I survive this potentially deadly virus? There is much information on the internet on ways to take care of yourself medically if you test positive. These tips are extremely useful, like never lying on your back, and getting up and walking often. But in this article, I am giving ways to help your spirit, for keeping your spirit vital and alive is an important ingredient for healing. One important thing I did was to reach out and ask for help. I texted and emailed people I knew who believed in prayer, and I asked them to pray for me. In the beginning of my illness, I was so sick with fevers and a bad cough. I knew this virus can spread to the lungs so severely that within a matter of hours a person can die even before they make it to the hospital for help. It was a scary time for me. More than ever before in my life I knew that I needed the prayers and love from others. I texted my brother in Minnesota and asked him and his four children to

pray for me as I knew that this is a regular was such a beautiful outpouring of love act of caring all of which have the potential to part of their lives. I asked everyone I could and prayers, and that energy helped me so turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia n think of for help. This was both humbling much. ••• Everything people did for me helped and at the same time very empowering. It Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and was humbling as I felt so vulnerable and enormously. This was a time to not be alone psychiatrist couple since 1964 and Aptos resiweak, and knew I sincerely needed help. It but to receive the love from others. This dents since 1975, are passionate about conscious was empowering because I was reaching single step in reaching out and asking for relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They out and doing some- help was so vitally important in my sur- are the authors of 9 books. Call 831-684-2130 for viving the virus. thing for myself. information on counseling sessions by phone, Another important thing I did was on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or Barry then asked me to do to focus on what I have and what was their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their something that working, instead of only dwelling upon website, SharedHeart.org seemed absolutely the virus that was causing me to feel worse impossible. Each week since the pan- than I ever have before. In ten days, I lost demic has started, we have been posting 12 pounds and I felt like my body was NO M weekly short videos of inspiration and starving. I could not eat anything, though - TER I never lost my sense of smell and all foods music on YouTube. LONG TMENT We do not have a large following, smelled delicious. MI e COMeat e Then I discovered that I could maybe 150 people, but those people tell us Riska-Fr ! y r T o that they look forward to the videos each certain kind of white rice called Congee. My T Sunday. Barry asked me to do a video with blessed neighbor Donna made it for me. I FINISH THE YEAR STRONGER him, and asked me to ask for help on the could eat it and it made all of the difference. video. At first, I said a definite “No!” It felt I could not eat anything else but I could too scary to actually make a video with me eat this very plain almost tasteless rice. I focused on gratitude for the rice and tried feeling so sick and with a fever. In-club with a Coach At-home with a Coach In-club with a Coach At-home with a Coach Barry has gently pushed me into other to not focus on the many things I truly enjoy things in my life that I had not wanted like salads. Even though my whole body felt horto do out of fear, and I have felt grateful afterward. So I trusted him and said I rible, I could still breathe on my own and that Take control of your health and fitness with would do it. I spoke about feeling sick with one fact caused me to feel gratitude almost Call Us Today! Curves in-club or at-home! Get up and get moving! Combining an in-club Curves membership Call Us Today! FREE every hour. In so many ways all of my body the COVID virus and needing prayers and RESISTANCE Call Us Today! BAND * and MyCurves On Demand support. But then Barry put his hand on was very sick, but I could breathe and that FREE* means you’ll get: 831.688.2348 RESISTANCE BAND 831.688.2348 7000 Soquel Dr. Aptos my heart and asked people to pray for me was the one thing that I focused all of my COACHING in-club or virtual ✓ COACHING RESISTANCE gratitude on. The times that IBAND gave in to just AptosCurves@gmail.com while they were watching the video. WORKOUT access to On Demand Real Strength for Real Women ✓ in-club or MyCurves virtual 7000 Soquel Aptos on how really sick and sad I felt, focusing I started to cry and the fullness of my Dr. Franchise opportunities available. For more information: Curves.com/BuyCurves and Curves Club VALUED AT $30 WORKOUT Real Strength for Real Women in the vulnerability was seen right there on the those were very difficult times When you signday. up forBut EQUIPMENT included for home workouts WHO✓Franchise WANT TO CHANGE THEIR AptosCurves@gmail.com access MyCurves anflow In-Club At-Home opportunities available. Forto more information: Curves.com/BuyCurves of& gratitude, video. When we turned off the camera, I if I could keep up a steady SCIENCE with 28 years of research ✓ EXERCISE Membership! On Demand and 6 Week Training Plan for Alltotal Fitness Levels virus felt embarrassed to have shown so much my days and my difficulties with the✓ SAFE 30min body workout Curves Club ✓ FUN, FAST, vulnerability. But we sent it out and there were manageable. ✓ Progress Chart for Tracking EQUIPMENT And then also so important was to ✓ Access to MyCurves On Demand or Curves included for home receive all of the love and support that✓was Weekly Coaching workouts RES given. I kept up a steady flow of gratitude ✓ Nutrition Program Optional Add-On to each person who reached out to me and EXERCISE SCIENCE Locally Owned and Operated with 28 years of Franchise opportunities more Curves.com/BuyCurves when I was justavailable. too sick, IFor would lieinformation: in bed *Enrollment fee due up front andand varies by location. based onwho first visit for a 12-month recurring billing fitnessresearch membership. Resistance bandZIP included with think ofOffer people I enrollment knew loved me 7000 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 831.68 In-club withlocations a Coach only. Cannot beAt-home with a Coach first month charge. Sales tax will be added and varies by location. Open to new and existing customers. Valid at participating combined with any and were sending me their prayers love. other offer or discount. No cash value. Offer expiresand 12/31/21. Club instructions: SelectFUN, 2021Hybrid FAST, SAFE Receiving this love into© my heartAllwas a 2021 Curves. Rightssuch Reserved 30 minutes total body blessing. workout Ask usTake what’s new Curves! Services control ofat your health and fitness withNow Availab And the most important of all was to Locally Owned andNew Operated Franchise opportunities available. For more Curves.co Curves in-club or at-home! Get upinformation: and get moving! focus on God’s love for me and the steady 7000 Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003 *Offer expires 12/31/20. Available to new members, who sign up for a 6-week Curves Fitness membership, payable up front in full at Call Us Today!is purchased. Offer excludes CurvesSmart and Curves Nutrition Program. V membership valid only at the club where the membership feeling of caring. I thought of other combined verywithdifany other offer or discount. No cash value. Always consult your primary care provider before beginning a new exercis (831) 688-2348 FREE 831.688.2348 RESISTANCE BAND 7000 Soquel Dr. Aptos ficult and challenging times in my life and aptoscurves@gmail.com AptosCurves@gmail.com realized I had received help, and this time I www.facebook.com/CurvesAptos was also. So, to the unseen presence of God Real Strength for Real Women and to the many who prayed for me and did Franchise opportunities available. For more information: Curves.com/BuyCurves Enrollment fee due up front and varies by location. Offer based small acts of kindness, I give you my deepest on first visit enrollment for a 12-month recurring billing fitness gratitude. You made all the difference. membership. Resistance band included with first month charge. Sales tax will be added and varies by location. Open to new and “Too often we underestimate the power existing customers. 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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rio Theatre: New Banff World Tour F luff up your couch cushions, grab a snack, and make sure you have a good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is virtual. Travel to the most remote corners of the world, dive into daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comfort of your living room.

There are two lineups, Ruby and Sapphire, starting Feb. 4. Films can be purchased individually or for $28 as a bundle. Visit riotheatre.com for more information. Or go to https://filmfest.banffcentre. ca/?campaign=WT-163945 ••• Sapphire Program Attla: Explore the life and persona of dog sled racer George Attla, from his

Piano to Zanskar • Jarek Kotomski

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childhood as a tuberculosis survivor in the Alaskan interior, to his rise as ten-time world champion and mythical state hero, to a village elder training his grandnephew to race his team one last time. My Last Day of Summer: The last day of summer, Julia is at the local bike shop hoping her bike can be fixed. While checking out the flashy displays, a comic book catches her eye and she soon finds herself on a ride like no other. Piano to Zanskar: Facing his future in retirement, 65-year-old piano tuner Desmond O’Keeffe decides to transport a 100-year-old, 80-kilogram, upright piano, from bustling London to the remote heart of the Indian Himalayas. People’s Choice. ••• Ruby Program Mother Earth: Narrated by Daniel Wells, a member of Lil’wat First Nation, the film showcases the deep connection bikers and First Nations have with nature. Pretty Strong – Fernanda: In this segment of Never Not Collective’s feature length film, we follow Fernanda Rodriguez in El Salto, Mexico, as she runs a campground, owns a climbing gym, and picks her hardest climbing objective in 5 years. 12,000 km: The climate threat inspires a group of Swedish friends to travel by train and ferry from Stockholm to Japan, in search of deep powder and the adventure of a lifetime. Silks: Driven by three Squamish adventure athletes, stunning locations and hair-raising exposure, Silks showcases the art of aerial silk performance in a way

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Silks • James Frystak

never seen before. The Long Today: My Dad turned 70 this summer. So he found a “river” on a map, repaired one of his old wood canoes, and invited his family to help him celebrate. Fly Spiti – The Short Odyssey: Two experienced paragliding pilots explore the Spiti Valley in the Indian Himalaya. The pair find out why few have tried to fly in this place where, according to local folklore, the gods live. Zeppelin Skiing: A world first: three athletes fly with a huge zeppelin to the Eastern Alps in Austria to rappel and ski and snowboard on steep terrain. Frozen in Time: Lured by the vibe of a bygone era, three pre-eminent skiers— Eric Hjorleifson, Mark Abma and Chris Rubens — venture to Mt. Cain, a small, community-run hill on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. n

Mother Earth • Damien Vergez

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pictures From the Past

Walking the Rails Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift

A woman and her dogs enjoy a walk along the railroad tracks near Aptos Village about 1910.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz County Jobs December 2020

Change from Sector Dec. 2020 a year ago Government 18,800 Down 5,500 Leisure & Hospitality 10,700 Down 2,500 Pvt. Ed. & Health 15,200 Down 2,500 Manufacturing 6,200 Down 1,000 Other Services 4,200 Down 900 Trade/Transportation/ Utilities 16,500 Down 700 Prof. & Biz. Services 10,200 Down 600 Information 500 Down 100

Construction 4,600 Up 100 Financial 3,600 Unchanged Nonfarm 90,500 Down 13,700 Farm 1,500 Down 3,200 Total 92,000 Down 16,900 Labor Force 127,600 Down 8% Employment* 116,700 Down 12% Unemployment 10,800 Up 64% *Includes commuting to jobs outside county Sources: California Employment Development Department

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Your New Fire Chief

John Walbridge Chosen To Lead Central Fire Protection District

ohn Walbridge, a longtime local who has spent 30 years with Central Fire District, is the new Central fire chief. He got the job in a unanimous vote by the Central Fire Board of Directors on Jan. 12. Central Fire is in the process of consolidating with Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District. Walbridge had been interim fire chief since July 2020. His interest in the fire service started in the late 1970s when he was tasked by his father to ride his bike to Live Oak Fire Station #1 on 17th Avenue to retrieve burn permits from

firefighters that he would ultimately work with a decade later. Walbridge began his professional career in 1990 as a seasonal firefighter with Cal Fire. In 1991, he joined the Central Fire Protection District as a paid call firefighter. Since then, he held the positions of Firefighter, Firefighter/ Paramedic, Captain Paramedic, Battalion Chief, Temporary Division Chief and Fire Chief. He was one of Central Fire Protection District’s first three firefighter/ paramedics. His past responsibilities have included Logistics Chief, Opera-

tions Chief, Safety Officer, Central Fire Investigation Team, Emergency Response Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services Manager, and Facilities/Inventory Manager. He has an associate’s degree in fire protection technology from Cabrillo College and a bachelor’s in chemistry from UC Santa Cruz. He is also a California State Certified Fire Investigator I, Fire Officer and Chief Officer. The announcement of his appointment says, “He has the passion, history and dedication one needs for this role, as well as the respect of all our members.” n

New Job Resource For Veterans

eterans and their family members have a new resource through the public library. Our Veterans Information Page now includes VetNow at https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/ home.asp?a_id=7E7D0F69&ss=2&r= This tool has many resources for job seekers including: Live Job Coaching, a Resume Lab, and a Live Veteran

Navigator. The Live Veteran Navigator connects Veterans with experts on VA benefits, job coaching, and community resources. To access this resource, use your Santa Cruz Public Libraries Card and pin number. You can find VetNow on our Website at santacruzpl.org. If you need help, call 831-427-7713. n

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Central Fire Chief John Walbridge

Kiss, Kiss: Cabanayan’s Painting Comes in Third in Reflections of 2020

rtist Charina Cabanayan placed third in the novice category of City of Capitola’s “Reflections of 2020” digital art contest with her watercolor/pressed flowers on Baltic birch panel painting “Kiss, kiss.” “2020 has been a year full of changes and challenges on an individual and global scale,” Cabanayan said. “No one has not been affected somehow by the impact of the pandemic. For many, isolation feels like a loss in human connection and community. She continued: “Amidst the losses, there’s also a sense of hope. 2020 has in some ways also revealed what is essential. For me this is love. Cultivating more love is essential to me as I move forward into the next decade. Love is the opposite of fear - which has been certainly been rampant this year. In the moment when one takes their last breath, thoughts go back to the ones they love. “Love for our planet will help us preserve our natural resources and care for the earth. Love for our family and community allows us to make difficult decisions in how we choose to social distance and interact within our family “pods.” Love is complex, yet also so simple. Love is what remains when all else is stripped away. It is, at the core, the root to all healing. “This piece is titled “Kiss, kiss.” It is a portrait of my two daughters. I hope it lightens your heart.”

Charina is a mother, yoga teacher, and self-taught artist who lives in Aptos. She was a fashion designer in her previous life and had forgotten how much she enjoyed creating. During the beginning of the pandemic, Charina rediscovered her love for drawing. She has been teaching herself how to paint in water color while on a break from teaching in-person yoga. n ••• To learn more about Charina visit www. yogalyfe.com and see work in progress at https://www.instagram.com/charina. aquarella/

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fondue for Valentine’s Day L /2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract /8 teaspoon fine sea salt

ooking for something delicious to spice up your Valentine’s Day? Try this easy chocolate fondue. You won’t be disappointed! ••• EASY CHOCOLATE FONDUE Prep Time: 10 min. • Total Time: 10 min. Servings: 8 -12 servings

Dipping Ideas: Bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, clementines, marshmallows, Oreos, Graham Crackers, Milanos, whatever sounds good!

INGREDIENTS 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped into small pieces 1 /2 – 3/4 cup whole milk (depending on thickness preference, I use 1/2 cup) 1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter*

INSTRUCTIONS tart by preparing all of the ingredients/ treats you will be dipping in the fondue. The preparation of the fondue goes quickly so you want to have all the treats and skewers (if using) ready! For the fondue, combine the chocolate, 1/2 cup milk or cream, and

1 1

butter* and melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on Medium (50 percent) power for about 2 minutes. Stir until completely smooth. Add more milk if desired. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Serve immediately. If the fondue gets too thick (or starts to harden), reheat in the microwave in bursts of 15 seconds stirring in between each burst for 10 seconds until melted and smooth again.

*Butter results in a more mellow chocolate flavor. For a more intense chocolate fondue, leave out the butter.

Finding Solutions to help Second Harvest Feed People

hile some people see problems and wonder who will solve them, a young Santa Cruz entrepreneur saw the county’s hunger problem and took action. For the past three years, Andrew

Trowbridge, 12, has worked on generating financial donations for Second Harvest Food Bank. This year, after adding up the earned funds, he donated $2,175 to the food bank. Family and friends from his church

helped him. But Andrew managed the effort to its great success. Andrew first embraced becoming one of Second Harvest’s Hunger Heroes by

running a lemonade stand and earning several hundred dollars, which he donated. “Trowbridge” page 23

Photo Credit: Faith Trowbridge

Andrew Trowbridge stands next to “Hope,” Second Harvest Food Bank’s mascot.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Bezos Grant Aims to End Family Homelessness Locally H ousing Matters, the largest nonprofit in Santa Cruz County working on solutions to homelessness, is one of 42 organizations nationwide to be awarded a $2.5 million one-time grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. “We are so honored and excited to receive this grant,” said Phil Kramer, executive director at Housing Matters, where the goal is to end family homelessness in Santa Cruz County over the next five years. The most recent count, in January 2019, found 122 families with 419 members were homeless. About half were in a shelter; half were not. The Day 1 Families Fund awarded $105.9 million in grants this year. To select these organizations, the fund worked with an advisory board of homelessness advocates and leaders whose expertise spans housing justice, racial equity, direct services, homelessness policy, equity for Native American communities and antipoverty work.

Currently, when a family finds themselves in the crisis of homelessness in Santa Cruz County, they find a waitlist for the services and programs that could help them get back on their feet. Shelter beds are not readily available, and even case management programs are greatly impacted. Tom Stagg, director of programs at Housing Matters, explained that the goal is for families who need help to receive it immediately. “We know how to effectively and efficiently help families once they are receiving services and programs,” he said.

Federal Vaccine Tracker

o see how vaccinations are progressing, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created the COVID Data Tracker, an interactive map with state-by-state tallies. The page gives the total number of vaccines distributed, total number administered, total number of people who received their first dose and the rate per 100,000. Another data point tells how many doses the federal pharmacy program has provided to long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, which are prioritized under U.S. vaccination guidelines. As of Thursday, the CDC’s map shows West Virginia leads in doses administered with more than 7,000 per 100,000, followed by Alaska and then South Dakota and Vermont. All in all, according

to the CDC more than 31 million doses have been distributed. Data comes from healthcare providers, and the CDC Data Tracker is expected to be updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays excluding holidays. n https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-datatracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days

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“The biggest problem is that there is an incredible backlog of need; there just aren’t enough resources to go around.” He said Housing Matters will work closely with community partners to identify specifically what needs to be done. For a person without a home, every single day that passes adds to their trauma, said Diana Flores, Rebele Family Shelter program manager at Housing Matters. “Each situation is different,” she said. “But the sooner someone gets help, the sooner they’re able to get back on their

feet, and the more likely they are to be successful in retaining their housing.” Many people who need services don’t qualify for any of the existing programs, but this grant will allow that to change, she added. Another goal is to gather data on housing retention. “Improving our data collection and analysis will provide more effective systems change,” Stagg said. Housing Matters started collecting data on the effectiveness of the services in 2017, and has made key programmatic decisions based on that data. “We are thoroughly committed to ending family homelessness,” said Stagg. “And we’re looking at this holistically. We will take every step needed to reach our goal. It’s a bold goal, but I truly believe we can get there.” n ••• For more info, see: www.bezosdayonefund. org/day1familiesfund and www.housingmatterssc. org

Santa Cruz County Bank Opens in Monterey

n Jan. 19, Santa Cruz County Bank, with assets of $1.4 billion, announced the opening of a new full-service branch at 584 Munras St., Monterey. This is the 16-year-old bank’s eighth branch and the first in Monterey County. The 584 Munras Street building, built in 1984, was purchased by the bank in April 2020 for $1.55 million, according to Xome Inc. The building, centrally located at the corner of Munras Avenue and Webster Street in downtown Monterey, was previously home for a fitness center, Pouchet Training, and before that, Monterey Mattress. Following an extensive remodel, the new Santa Cruz County Bank branch looks much like the downtown Santa Cruz headquarters. It is open for business, with a staff of well-known bankers overseen by Rich Aiello, senior vice president, relationship manager, who came on board in 2019. Aiello took over his family’s fishing business before entering banking, first at Community Bank of Central California and later at Rabobank. He was praised on LinkedIn by the

Goodwill Central Coast chief financial officer for guiding the nonprofit through the federal Payroll Protection Program last year during the COVID pandemic. “Our expansion into Monterey County, with the opening of our eighth full-service banking office, allows us to better serve our long-established business relationships in Monterey County and attract new business,” said Santa Cruz County Bank board chairman and acting CEO William J. Hansen. “We know the right location coupled with well-regarded and wellknown bankers is the formula for success.” Aiello added, “We are well-positioned to help lead and support the community in the economic recovery of businesses impacted by the pandemic.” n

COMMUNITY NEWS

n Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced $2,815,000 in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. The funding will be used to complete the preconstruction, engineering, and design phase of the project in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. This funding is the product of extensive Congressional efforts and will help ensure the safety and prosperity of communities on the Central Coast of California. “I’m very proud Jimmy Panetta to announce this major amount of federal funding for such a crucial phase of the Pajaro River Flood Risk Reduction Project,” said Panetta. “It’s nowhere near finished and it’s been a slog to move the project forward, but this funding for the completion of the (next phase) is a huge step in the right direction.” He attributed the progress to “honest and trustworthy partnerships that we have developed with local leaders and national agencies, as well as our consistent communication, constant work, and continued focus on the goal of providing 100-year flood protection to economically disadvantaged and agricultural communities like Watsonville and Pajaro on the Pajaro River.”

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend added, “This is a major step toward ensuring equity for disadvantaged communities that have been neglected for too long. Our state, local, and federal leaders are pushing daily to elevate the voices of those who simply want flood protection yet have had to bear an outsized burden of vulnerability for over 50 years.” “The Pajaro levee project is crucial to protect loss of life and property in the community of Pajaro and surrounding areas,” said Monterey County Supervisor John M. Phillips. “The increased flood protection it will provide for both very vulnerable residents in Watsonville and Pajaro, as well as to valuable agricultural land, is of primary importance to our local

community. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our local sponsors of the project, and particularly our federal representative Congressman Jimmy Panetta for ensuring the continued advocacy to the Corps of Engineers for this project.” “Along with my colleagues in Monterey County, we on the staff level remain committed to working with the Corps to use these funds in an expeditious and efficient manner, with a sharp eye toward future construction of the project. We appreciate the active role that Congressman Panetta has played in securing funds to move this project into the preliminary engineering and design stage,” said Santa Cruz County Flood Control Division Manager Mark Strudley.

©Google Maps

Pajaro River Flood Project Awarded $2.8M O

The Pajaro River Flood Risk Reduction Project was authorized by the federal Flood Control Act of 1966, and local leaders have been working with the Army Corps since then to secure the authority for construction. In 2019, Panetta secured a final feasibility report for the project, which was over 50 years in the making. The Director ’s Report was the milestone that finally allowed the project to enter into its preconstruction, engineering, and design phase, which made it eligible for federal funding. In 2020, Panetta secured $1.8 million for the project and has been actively engaged in tracking the usage of these funds. n

LETTER TO THE EDITOR State Lawmakers Call for Employment Development Department Fraud Hearings ••• Editor’s Note: This bipartisan letter was sent Jan. 26 to Sen. María Elena Durazo, who chairs the Senate Budget Subcommittee, and Assemblymember Rudy Salas, Jr., who chairs the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. ••• ear Senator Durazo and Assemblymember Salas, We write today to call upon the Legislature to quickly hold hearings to address the continuing mismanagement of our state’s Unemployment Insurance program by the Employment Development Department (EDD). Since the pandemic began almost 11 months ago, we have heard horror stories from our constituents about unemployment claims being delayed, denied, or just lost in the bureaucracy.

Adding insult to injury, newspapers have reported that fraudulent claims totaling potentially billions of dollars have been paid, even while legitimate claims languish. Unfortunately, we have also seen the Governor’s past plans and initiatives fail to reform these problems, and the recently released Governor’s budget offered no new proposals for strategic changes, systems investment, or management improvements. The release today of the State Auditor’s report on the EDD backlog confirms that it is past time for the Legislature to do what is needed to help resolve EDD’s chronic issues. We also anticipate that an audit on EDD fraud, set to be released this Thursday, will highlight additional issues that should be addressed. To take that first step, we are

specifically requesting that Senate Budget Subcommittee #5 and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee quickly hold a hearing on these audit results. The hearing should focus on how EDD is implementing the recommendations from the Auditor reports, along with resources and reforms that we can put in place to ensure the quick and orderly processing of legitimate claims along with effective anti-fraud measures. We cannot stress enough the importance that this oversight begin as soon as possible. While some in our state government may have lost focus on ensuring that Californians can obtain their unemployment benefits, we believe that real oversight needs to begin by the end of next week. Delaying committee hearings until the end of February or March would be a der-

eliction of our duty and would ultimately tell our constituents that we are content with the status quo. It is our hope that you will join us in committing to hold hearings by the end of next week to ensure that the Auditor’s recommendations will be implemented and to ascertain what else needs to be done so that EDD pays honest claims quickly while preventing fraud. Californians who are awaiting much-needed assistance deserve no less. Brian Dahle 1st Senate District Jim Nielsen 4th Senate District Andreas Borgeas 8th Senate District Anna Caballero 12th Senate District Shannon Grove 16th Senate District Scott Wilk 21st Senate District Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh 23rd Senate District Melissa Melendez 28th Senate District Patricia Bates 36th Senate District Brian Jones 38th Senate District

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Stay-at-Home Order Lifted; COVID Death Toll 136

By Jondi Gumz

o speed up California’s fractured COVID-19 vaccine rollout lagging behind most other states, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced a new vaccine czar, a statewide eligibility system based on age starting in mid-February, a statewide network to hasten delivery to providers, and a new website, https:// myturn.ca.gov where people can learn when they can get a shot. On Monday, he lifted the stay-at-home order statewide after intensive care unit availability projections surpassing the required 15 percent, bringing some relief to local businesses such as restaurants and hair salons, whose operations had been curbed since Dec. 3 with the goal to slow spread of the contagious coronavirus during the holidays. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 37,500 Californians and 136 Santa Cruz County residents, with the death toll highest at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Locally, 65 percent of deaths are at care homes; 76 percent of those who died had other health conditions. The surge of post-Christmas and postNew Year’s cases seems to be over. In Santa Cruz County, cases per day peaked at 264 on Jan. 4 and have fallen to around 100, comparable to before Thanksgiving. The virus spreads mainly via gatherings of friends and family, and from one household member to another. People living in “overcrowded” conditions — more than one person per room — are particularly susceptible, and such conditions are pervasive in Santa Cruz County, where housing is among the most expensive in the nation. College student rentals are often crowded, and in Watsonville and in the Santa Cruz Beach Flats, multi-generational households are common, or families double up or rent out rooms to afford a place to live. Local COVID hospitalizations are down from a peak of 84 after New Year’s to 58 on Jan. 25, and five people are in ICU beds, down from 20 after New Year’s, giving hope that the worst may be over. When’s My Turn? he vaccine rollout, which started in mid-December and divided responsibility among various groups, hospitals, large medical groups, pharmacies, safety net clinics, and independent providers, left local residents eager for a vaccine in the dark. They asked their neighbors on the

about allergic reactions, then determined it was safe. People who want a vaccine won’t be able to pick a brand because it depends on what’s available, according to Dr. David Ghilarducci, the Santa Cruz County deputy health officer. Medical Groups arge medical groups such as Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente have been getting their own vaccine supplies but county officials have been in the dark as to how many vaccinations have been given, getting only a total for the corporation as a whole, not a county figure, and not knowing how many vacations have been given at nursing homes via pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens. “It’s kind of a blind spot,” Ghilarducci said. Dominican Hospital shed light on the situation, announcing Friday that it has given 5,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to Phase 1A health care workers in Santa Cruz County. That’s going beyond its own staff. Dominican focused initially on rontline clinical staff, then offered vaccine to all hospital employees and affiliated physicians. As of Friday, nearly 80 percent—more than 2,000 hospital staff members —who wanted the COVID-19 vaccine have received it, with many already having been administered their second and final dose, according to Dominican. More recently, Dominican opened up its vaccination clinics to frontline health care workers across the community -including paramedics/EMTs, hospice workers, behavioral health and safety net clinic staff, mortuary services employees, and staff in local physician offices. All told, the hospital reports nearly 3,000 vaccinations for essential workers. “Our health care team has faced months of unimaginable adversity and exhaustion,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, president of Dominican Hospital. “Yet, when asked to help get the COVID-19 vaccine to as many of their clinical colleagues in the community as possible, they didn’t think twice. They dug deep and responded with an enthusiasm I didn’t think was possible.” Newel applauded Dominican’s efforts, saying, “They are helping to pave our path out of this historic emergency.”

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Sutter Health’s drive-through vaccine clinic at the former flea market on Soquel Drive aims to get doses to health-care workers. social network NextDoor for their insights, puzzled why the distribution was so slow. Part of the problem is the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, so some was held back for that second shot. Everyone knew healthcare workers should be first in line, and in Santa Cruz County that’s 14,700 people in “phase 1A.” When the Trump administration, eight days before leaving office, called for states to allow people age 65 and older and those with health conditions to be eligible, the question on NextDoor became “When is my turn?” California has come up with an answer, using technology from Salesforce and Skedulo, https://myturn.ca.gov. Piloted in San Diego and Los Angeles counties, MyTurn allows people to sign up for a notification of eligibility and schedule a shot when it’s their turn. The official title for vaccine czar Yolanda Jackson is secretary of the Government Operations Agency. She procured personal protective equipment and led the team to transition state employees to work from home. She has health plan leadership experience and is known for her “get it done” style. Supply Shortage ocally, the biggest obstacle to providing vaccine to more people is the unpredictable supply of vaccine. Mimi Hall, director of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, said one week 200 doses came in, the next week 2,000.

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As a result, she’s been reluctant to schedule vaccinations for people over 65 and over 75, she said a press conference on Jan. 22. “We don’t have enough supply for everyone who wants one,” she said. To prioritize people in Watsonville, which has 53 percent of the COVID cases, the county started a free drive-through vaccine clinic at the county fairgrounds in Watsonville. Hours will be Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s by appointment. Register at mhealthcheckin. com/covidvaccine to find out if appointments are available. Once the fairgrounds site has a steady supply, Hall expects to be able to vaccinate 1,000 people a day. At that rate, it would take some time to reach the 47,000 county residents who are 65 and older. Hall expects the supply to improve once vaccines by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca are available. Johnson & Johnson plans to report next week on its phase 3 clinical trial results of its one-shot vaccine. The UK has approved the one-shot AstraZeneca vaccine, and a clinical trial in the U.S. with nearly 30,000 people is ongoing. Dr. Gail Newel, the Santa Cruz County health officer, expects FDA approval in April or May. California held up a batch of Moderna vaccine for a few days over questions

“COVID Update” page 23

“Trowbridge” from page 19 With baked goodies created by his church’s congregation members this past year, he’s expanded and eclipsed prior years by a wide margin. “There are so many important causes worthy of support,” says Andrew’s dad, Todd Trowbridge, a vice president at Palace Business Solutions. “But feeding people is so important. “ It’s a family tradition. “The reason Andrew started three years ago was because he wanted to help people who were on the side of the road holding signs asking for food,” Todd explains. “He’d heard what Palace had

“COVID Update” from page 22 The big medical groups are using pop-up drive-through clinics to provide vaccine to their patients. Capitola residents Molly and Micky Ording applauded Dignity Health’s drivethough clinic at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, calling the experience joyfilled, efficient and stressfree. On Jan. 14, Sutter Health, parent of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and a large provider in the county, set up a drive-through vaccine clinic in the former drive-in-turned flea market on Soquel Drive, a property Sutter Health owns. The drive-through operation is open only to Sutter patients by appointment, and Kathy Cheer of Santa Cruz raved, calling it effortless. Newel said Kaiser has also opened up its “phase 1A” vaccinations of health care workers and residential care workers to serve people outside of its insurance plan. On Jan. 20, county officials announced a partnership with Safeway to help distribute vaccine to health care workers, providing 1,200 doses for four stores to be used for those eligible. Safeway agreed to provide scheduling support to accommodate up to 500 people a day at a location to be announced. Partnerships with pharmacies and dental offices are being explored. One misstep occurred when Dr. Newel, the Santa Cruz County health officer, ordered a suspension of elective surgeries at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers on Jan. 5 as ICU capacity was shrinking. Three days later, she amended her order to be less restrict and match the state health officer’s order, and on Jan. 17, she rescinded the order altogether, allowing elective surgeries and procedures to resume. Even though the stay-at-home order is lifted, a travel advisory remains in effect, with the state encouraging people to skip visits more than 120 miles from home to slow the spread of the virus.

[Andrew Trowbridge’s] lemonade stand started as just a small way he could help feed people and has grown into something many in the community have gotten behind. —Andrew’s father, Todd Trowbridge

been doing for Second Harvest and asked if there was a way he could help. He has a deep desire to help people and has always been like that. He has always wanted to help others and make sure they were comfortable and taken care of. His lemonade stand started as just a small way he could help feed people and has grown into something many in the community have gotten behind. Andrew looks at the world and

sees people who are hurting and wants to figure out how to help them.” Andrew doesn’t have much to say about his enterprise other than, “It’s something I can do about the problem. I get more people fed,” he explains. He certainly does. This year Andrew’s donation will generate 8,700 meals for people in need in our county.

People arriving in California should self-quarantine for 10 days, based on a change in federal guidance from 14 days. What Can Open Santa Cruz County is in the Purple Tier, as it was back in early December. Outdoor restaurant dining and winery food services outside is allowed, although with a mega-rainstorm forecast, few people were dining outside Tuesday. Hair salons, barbershops and nail salons can open, so can massage services. Retail and shopping centers are allowed at 25 percent capacity, with food courts closed. Of courses, masks and social distancing are still required to prevent spreading the virus. To see what business activity is allowed see: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/ CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20 Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-FrameworkSeptember_2020.pdf Places of worship can have services outside. A federal appeals court ruled Friday against South Bay United Pentecostal Church in San Diego County, which argued the ban on indoor worship was discriminatory. The state presented evidence that large groups gathered indoors for an extended period, singing and chanting, pose risks that justify a ban to protect the public from coronavirus. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Judge Kim Wardlow said, “It is difficult to see how allowing more people to congregate indoors will do anything other than lead to more cases, more deaths and more strains on California’s already overburdened health-care system.” Capitola Woes Local small businesses are in dire straits, judging from a City of Capitola survey that found 58 of 132 businesses said they are in danger of closing in next 12 months. Eight said they would close in 1-2 months, 18 in 3-4 months and 33 said

they’re not sure how long they can stay open. Asked to elaborate, 81 cited a decline in consumer demand; only 12 have seen their business increase. Because of COVID, 71 are closed temporarily. Most got some federal aid, 40 got SBA disaster loan, 62 got Payroll Protection Program forgivable loan, 40 got an SBA disaster loan that must be repaid, and 20 got Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. To survive, they want grants -- not loans --lower fees and lower rent. One venue reported 33 weddings on the books in 2020 were cut to 5 and scaled down -- “We schedule 2021 but it’s only penciled,” the owner said. A variety of businesses responded, 23 salons/massage, 21 in food/wine, 20 retailers, and 18 catering to tourists with the rest in other sectors. A whopping 86 would take a city grant from federal funds if offered, with . 39 saying $15,000 to $20,000 would help. The survey was slated to be discussed by the Capitola City Council Thursday night. To move into the less restrictive Red Tier, where restaurants and fitness centers could open indoors with capacity limits, the adjusted case rate would have to drop below 7 percent, and the positivity rate would have to be below 8 percent. The current positivity rate is 7.8 percent but the current adjusted case rate is 28 percent. California is picking up the pace of vaccination but lags behind most states, according to the Bloomberg vaccine tracker, which is at https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/ covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/ n •••

County COVID Deaths 136 As of Jan.25

Age 90 and up: 46 • 80 to 89: 45 • 70 to 79: 25 60 to 69: 14 • 50 to 59: 1 • 40 to 49: 2 30 to 39: 3

One dollar’s donation to Second Harvest translates into four healthy meals, given the food bank’s purchasing power. Dollars are far more effective in fighting hunger than purchasing donated food at retail. This year, due to the economic fallout from COVID and wildfires, the food bank is feeding double the number of people per month than in years past. “You can clearly see we have a community in need,” says Jan Kamman, Second Harvest’s Corporate & Community Relations Director. “And people are responding with their generosity in so many wonderful ways.” n Race/Ethnicity White: 80 • Latinx: 41 • Asian: 12 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Unknown: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 103 • No: 33 Gender Male: 55 • Female: 81 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 16 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 7 Sunshine Villa: 5 Montecito Manor: 3 Valley Convalescent: 3 • Aegis: 3 Maple House 1: 3 De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 Hanover House: 2 Watsonville Nursing Center: 2 Driftwood: 1 • Maple House II: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 Rachelle’s Home 1: 1 Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Total: 87 Not at a facility: 49

COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 631 • Ben Lomond: 85 Boulder Creek: 115 • Capitola: 346 Felton: 119 • Freedom: 825 Santa Cruz: 3,018 Scotts Valley: 313 Soquel: 290 • Watsonville: 6,956 Unincorporated: 177 Under investigation: 213 Total: 13,088 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health ••• Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at jondi@timespublishinggroup.com or call 831-688-7549 x17. To find out more about Yolanda Richardson visit https://www.govops.ca.gov/departments/ executive-staff/richardson/

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

PVUSD Q&A: Vaccines to Start February 1 for Teachers By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

When will staff be receiving the COVID 19 vaccine? e continue to partner with the COE, County Public Health, Cabrillo College Nursing Department and Salud Para la Gente to be ready by Monday, Feb. 1, to start vaccines for our educational community. The finalized date will depend upon availability of the vaccine, which is currently only 2,000 per week countywide. The recent expansion of eligibility by the state to include individuals over 65 years old at higher priority levels has challenged the entire health system. There will be possible additional revised vaccination protocols from the state based on age criteria rather than occupation. There will also continue to be change in vaccination protocols coming from the federal level. Once the date is finalized, we will send out notifications to staff to sign up for an appointment time at our Educator Vaccination Center.

Will substitute teachers be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time that it becomes available to teachers? They will be needed on campus once we return to in-person instruction. es, substitute teachers will be able to receive the vaccine at the Educator Vaccination Centers. The first group to receive the vaccine will be classified, certificated and management currently working at sites and in person with students and families. The second group to receive the vaccine will be classified and certificated staff working remotely. The third group will be both classified and certificated substitutes.

Dr. Rodriguez, according to Eric Lofgren, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Washington State University, said at that point, he would restart in-person board game nights and one-on-one meetings with students, but he wouldn’t fly on vacation or go to a movie theater. “Immunity is not an on/off switch; it’s a dial,” he said.

“If you’re below herd immunity, the virus is still happily circulating in the population and there’s always a chance the vaccine isn’t working for you.” Scientists and doctors all believe that even after taking both dosages of the vaccine, it will be a matter of several months before we move forward. Keeping this in mind, shouldn’t teachers and students have a choice to remain teaching and learning long distance or take a leave of absence from March 1 until the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year? Thank you! e provided the date of March 1 to the staff and community to provide stability and allow them to make plans accordingly. We will not be able to provide the inperson hybrid instruction while we are in the purple tier. We should be able to see the trajectory of COVID-19 cases by the second week of February to know our next steps. We recognize that the medical community continues to learn more about COVID-19 and its variants. However, we do encourage our educational community to take the vaccine as we believe it will significantly reduce personal risk. Families will be able to continue in distance learning through the end of the 2020-21 school year, if they choose.

Why are you using county case count per/100,000 residents to make these decisions? The vast majority of (tragic) deaths are from nursing homes and have nothing to do with our kids. Case counts fluctuate and those statistics don’t seem to have a bearing on whether or not schools should open. As we learn more about the virus, I feel like our response should change with the information we receive. Thank you. ll schools in California follow State guidance and use their county case count per 100,000 residents because it is directly connected to the State tier system, which determines whether or not we can begin hybrid in-person instruction. As noted in the Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, when we are in the purple tier, we cannot begin hybrid inperson instruction. I have included the chart from the Guidance document below: As you note in the chart above, the adjusted case rate must be less than 7 to return to the red tier. Unfortunately, the Santa Cruz County

24 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

case rate continues to increase and is now at 71 cases per 100,000, which is 10 times the amount allowed to be in the red tier. Is there a way to anonymously report employees who have continued to disregard the travel advisory and returned to work in-person without quarantining? Where can we express these concerns? he process for reporting an unsafe work environment is outlined in the CSEA COVID-19 Pandemic MOU on page 5.The MOU with Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers does reference the District’s responsibility to adhere to the most recent COVID guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health and CalOSHA. The District encourages our employees to come forward and report potential unsafe work environments without fear of reprisal. Employees with information regarding a potential unsafe work environment can confidentially report it to their immediate supervisor or Human Resources.

What did you do in regard to the issue of the use of cameras? VUSD is committed to listening to stakeholders’ perspectives to maintain high quality instruction during distance learning. Student, family, and staff focus groups were held to gather information and better understand how our stakeholders feel about camera use and class engagement during the school day. In a forum setting, PVUSD also asked students and families for their input on how to increase student engagement and participation as well as feedback on questions for the student survey.

Based on the results of the student survey, PVUSD identified 12 tools that students reported would encourage them to engage, participate, and learn during distance learning. Those tools can be found in the Teacher Toolkit. Another recommendation of the focus groups and forums was to create a Parent Toolkit which was developed in collaboration with staff and parents who participated in the focus groups. Both of the toolkits can be found on the District website at pvusd.net. I have heard there is some small group instruction happening for students with IEPs, why are some students getting in person instruction? ach IEP team regularly monitors students for learning and progress on goals, in response to the student’s rate of progress, teams work collaboratively to address students’ needs. In some cases, students may require in person instruction to access their learning. This targeted in-person small group instruction has begun at specific sites where there are programs that support students with the most significant needs. Students are designated for in-person instruction based on a three-prong data review system, which analyzes a student’s ability to access their education. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s ability to access distance learning please reach out to your child’s teacher to collaborate on how to best meet their needs. You can also access resources on our website on how to support your child during distance learning.

“PVUSD Notes” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Travel Troubleshooter

Can I get a refund for my canceled hotel stay in Mexico?

By Christopher Elliott

Bernadette Cieslak’s spring break trip is washed out by the pandemic. But her allinclusive hotel won’t give her a refund, and her online travel agent is powerless to help. Is her $844 lost forever? ••• : I booked a week at the Senses Riviera Maya by Artisan in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for spring break. The pandemic happened and we had to cancel our vacation. I contacted Expedia and it helped me get a refund for my flights. But the hotel will not issue a refund. An Expedia representative said I should get a refund for the hotel, too. But the hotel will not give me my money back. Interestingly, my brother had reservations at the same hotel. The hotel refunded him. I tried to dispute the charges on my credit card, but my bank sided with the hotel. Can you help me get my $844 back? — Bernadette Cieslak, Hamilton, Ohio ••• f the hotel refunded your brother, it should also have refunded you. Actually, it should have refunded anyone who had to cancel because of COVID-19. On the day you were supposed to fly, the State Department issued a “do not travel”

advisory, urging Americans to stay home. You did the right thing by canceling. Most hotels offered a no-questions-asked refund after that, but some tried to keep their customers’ money. At a time like that, you can and should lean on your travel agent to help. But even Expedia was having some trouble persuading Senses Riviera Maya by Artisan to return your money. Why did the hotel refund your brother, but not you? The answer may lie in its current refund policy. It offers the ability to cancel on certain (more expensive) rates but not on all of them. It’s possible that your brother had booked a different rate, which the resort considered refundable. I like your idea of a credit card dispute and am sorry that didn’t work. A credit card dispute is typically the last resort for getting a refund. I’d say you were there. (By the way, I think it’s time for you to find a new credit card. Your bank is definitely not on your side.) You could have reached out to an executive at Expedia. I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of Expedia’s customer service managers on my consumer advocacy site, https://

w w w. e l l i o t t . o r g / company-contacts/ expedia-customerservice-contacts/ The next time you make hotel reservations, I encourage you to pay attention to the cancellation terms. If you think you might have to call off your trip, consider a travel insurance policy that will cover your loss.

I contacted Expedia on your behalf. It reached out to the Senses Riviera Maya by Artisan. But the hotel still refused to return your money. Expedia refunded your $844. n ••• Christopher Elliott’s latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). Get help by contacting him at http://www.elliott.org/help © 2021 Christopher

Valentine’s Day

ACROSS

1. “You’re the ____!” 5. Horse color 8. Interesting person, acr. 11. * Feeling of the heart 12. Nevada city 13. City in Belgium 15. Use a whisk 16. Greek H’s 17. *Popular Valentine’s Day delivery, pl. 18. *”Love means never having to say you’re sorry” movie 20. Ballpark calls 21. Strong adhesive 22. Greek letter N, pl.

23. Lord’s subordinate 26. Given to drinking 30. Ovine mom 31. Old storage medium 34. Fairy-tale beginning 35. Politician Pelosi 37. Tokyo, once 38. Bone hollows 39. Sky bear 40. Fitted with a name tag, e.g. 42. “Ever” to a poet 43. With more seeds 45. Attic 47. Summer sandwich? 48. Fraternity letter 50. Medieval headdress 52. *Only day more popular than Valentine’s for card giving 56. Like blue sky

57. Walk the Pacific Crest Trail, e.g. 58. Samoan money 59. *Dionysus’ pipeplaying companion 60. Affirm 61. Give off 62. Plays for pay 63. *Color of Valentine’s Day 64. *Lovers’ reunion

10. Part of T.G.I.F. 12. Like an abridged classic 13. Tiler’s paste 14. *”I Will Always Love You” singer 19. Stupefied 22. Us, in Mexico 23. *Cupid’s mother 24. In the know 25. Common thing? 26. Smoke plus fog DOWN 27. Lay to rest 1. Cry like a baby 28. Rocks at mountain base 2. Canyon sound 3. Convict’s weapon 29. *Symbol of Valentine’s Day 4. Conical dwellings 5. Get on juice diet, e.g. 32. Infantry’s last row 6. Opposite of binary 33. Roulette bet 7. Like a gossipmonger 36. *Chocolatier, pioneer 8. Exterminator’s target of the heart-shaped box 9. Change for a five

38. ____ apple 40. Risk something 41. Between eggy and eggiest 44. Feeling worse than before 46. Gave away 48. Thin piece 49. Annoyed 50. Russia’s alternative to caesar 51. Aries or Taurus, e.g. 52. Burn to a crisp 53. MADD member, colloquially 54. Climbed down, as from a carriage 55. Fill beyond full 56. Pharaoh’s cobra © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 25

Mercury Retrogrades in Aquarius

Esoteric Astrology • February 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

isciples, Adepts and the New Group of World Servers (NGWS) all know the secrets and cycles, timing and movements of planets and stars. This is the Royal Path of Yoga which offers us explanations and knowledge about our life experiences. The study of the Science and Art of Astrology makes it possible for us to experience the twelve Sun Signs (lights), the planets, stars and the lunar constellations reflected in our bodies, encountering the whole universe within ourselves. One major planetary cycle or movement is that of Mercury, which, three to four times a year, retrogrades (appears to move backward from our Earth perspective). Retrogrades offer humanity a time to reflect upon the last months and year, attend to things unfinished or not understood, and a time to eliminate what is no longer useful in preparation for the new information to be received in the upcoming months. This year, Mercury will retrograde in air signs — Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. Air signs are related to communication, the development of ideas and plans, interactions with and among people and the kingdoms. This first Mercury retrograde begins Saturday, ARIES

As you recognize the vital and initiating work you will bring forth, it’s time to learn how to participate in groups with both intelligent and heart-felt alignment. You are to construct part of the new world, culture and civilization. Is this in your awareness? Are you conscious of what this takes and the needs of humanity? You’re called to awaken again, to plan and lead boldly, take risks and see into the future, working with both heart and mind. Initiators will be summoned. Prepare.

LEO

GEMINI

Many forces are at work in your life. As a Gemini you always attempt to resolve polarities — higher with lower, Soul with personality. This is a vital and difficult task accomplished by, 1) the proper cultivation of the mind principle (which soothes the emotions), and 2) the right course of study that dissipates all illusions, distortions and maya. Later, on the Path of Ascent, Aquarius calls you to develop all seven levels of your mind. Begin now. Can you define the Soul yet? CANCER

Always we feel some form of conflict. Know both conflict and chaos are useful. They provide us with the ability to observe tensions and to express needs, fears and trigger points. For some there is a great battle going on between the Soul and personality. The Soul calls us to Right Action and Right Service. Often so many don’t know what these words mean. Ask the Soul. We are in a great state of reorientation with new information released into your mind. Asking, we always receive.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ve entered a time where relationships are vitally important yet at times you feel disconnected to anything or anyone. You’re in a place of balancing and choosing, an interlude state. Your inner reality concerning relationships and how you function in them is being modified so that you can display Right Relations while still expressing your unique creativity. Hold opposing forces in balance. A greater awareness emerges. Your love then flows once more. Love is your gift.

You should have a very good year, especially if you blend two realities – your personality and Soul. This produces harmony for a time. Then Divine Will enters harmonizing all levels of self. This may not be easy. Will is a fire. I see that your career will rise and make a big splash! In all of this up and downness, never be thoughtless. If you are, you’ll lose much. Remember as you go about life that “wisdom is knowledge gained through experience and implemented by love.” Ponder upon these thoughts.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

TAURUS

The architecture of your participation in life is changing. Previously you dreamed big dreams, pondered upon many realities, not concerned with what took shape. Now you’re competently leading and facilitating groups, preparing the components of the new world era. Taurus has an illumined and enlightened mind, able to see humanity’s future needs. You are aware that, in the breakdown phase, seeds of the new must be sowed. You’re to gather the seeds, put up the greenhouse while synthesizing all realities so others can participate.

January 30 and ends February 20 (26 back to 11 degrees) in the sign of Aquarius, this month and the new Age. As our Sun enters the field of Aquarius, we are moving from darkness to light, thus the great battle occurring between the two forces (dark & light. The last time Mercury retrograded in Aquarius was February 2020. What occurred at that time for each of us? We know it was before the Covid virus was released upon humanity. We will return during the next three months to pre-Covid times, attempt to pick up the pieces that were lost and fell to the wayside. And endeavor to recreate and restructure our lives into a semblance of regularity and beauty once again. When Mercury is retrograde it acts like Virgo, sign of detail, order and organization. Mercury retrogrades are helpful, supportive, beneficial to our growth and well-being. They are also, especially in Aquarius, experimental times. We learn what was left out this past year, we learn to incorporate what is needed for our wholeness and well-being. Mercury retrograde times are both magical and mysterious. So, returning to last year’s tasks, bringing them up to date ...

Very new revelations stream into your mind concerning Whatever it is you hope for, radiate it with Love from your heart (like pink spun sugar) and ajna (third how to structure daily life. How we function eye, diamond) center. These are where love within our daily life prepares us to function streams forth. Then new life will take root all within the new dimensions and structures around you, expressing itself as harmony, slowly emerging in our new world. Have dedication and devotion to detail, write down all ideas beauty and peace (a process). Your love eases disharmony impressed upon your mind. Be aware if weariness occurs. and conflict when it abruptly arises. You do remember that You then must rest which soothes, calms and changes Harmony comes after conflict and chaos, yes? It’s how humanity learns. As you send love forth, the higher level of your perspective. harmony is released and comes forth. LIBRA

Although, under the veil of Libra’s charm, you’re a strong and powerful force, a greater level of Love/Wisdom must begin to express itself through you. You can do this with intention. It begins with gratitude for everyone and everything (small and great) offered to you. Follow this up with these words, “Love expresses itself through me always and Wisdom follows.” Then your life and relationships proceed with protective healing care.

AQUARIUS

This year you have great energy and potential, needed as new ways of living and sources of income are sought. You may also want to control impatience. Be aware when you are irritated or intolerant. You could end up being a bit thoughtless toward others. Remember to be courageous and kind, show sympathy to those who have less than you. A new self-identity continues to emerge. Be sure it includes goodness, generosity and love. We experience what we give.

SCORPIO

You will begin to have solitary times thinking things great and small. Create an environment that nurtures you at all levels of care – the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of yourself. Be in touch and talk with each of the kingdoms – Soul, human, animal, plant and mineral. Love combined with your great intelligence will form a foundation for the new life emerging. It begins where you live. Later you’ll be asked to teach these actions to others. •••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

PISCES

You have begun the arduous task of understanding your feelings, thoughts, aspirations, actions and vulnerabilities. Much of your life has been treading the pathway of service and sacrifice, which you know well. A new beneficent cycle has begun, expanding your courage and strength of character. This may not be acceptable to some. Maintain privacy, walk away from disharmony, don’t believe criticism. A triangle of stars protects you and your work in the world.

“PVUSD” from page 24 I witnessed as I came home for lunch. My daughter’s class is being yelled at, and I mean yell at the top of his lungs to his class. This is verbal abuse! My daughter is here to learn and to be taught. If there is a student/students not listening, this should be brought up to that individual/Individuals, and parent conference. This is uncalled for. I get it, everyone is probably on edge. But my child is a child. This teacher is an adult. Do you have any training for these teachers to help them cope with stress or whatever they are dealing with their own issues at home? lease know that we take all incidents seriously and this behavior is not the norm. We want to know about all incidents. We ask that when incidents occur that people communicate directly with site administrators for intervention. This is a stressful time for all and we encourage any stakeholder whether they are a staff member, student or family member to request any needed additional resources through either Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance or the socioemotional counselor at your site.

When trying to enter into the weekly engagement log why don’t I see any codes when I open up Daily Participation? f you don’t see any of the numerical codes when looking at the Daily Participation, it is most likely because you have reduced the size of your window or are zoomed in. To fix this, maximize your window and make sure that your zoom is set to 100% or less. A quick tutorial on how to do this can be found here. If these suggestions do not resolve the issue, please call the Tech Support line at 786-TECH.

What do I do when my power goes out or I lose connection to the internet? What should I be working on? f you are unable to connect to your Google classroom due to a power outage or loss of internet, you should contact your school by phone if possible and let them know. With the current weather, we do recommend that you keep your computer fully charged and set up offline mode as you may have WiFi but not have electricity depending on your WiFi connection. Below is the link to the section of the tutorials for students’ page that has how-to videos in Spanish and English showing how to set up offline mode and how to set the weekly planner and any other documents to be accessible offline. https://sites.google.com/pvusd.net/ learnfromhomeresources/tutorials-forstudents?authuser=0#h.jac8r0mc7ght (tinyurl.com/PVUSD-offline-study) Students will need to do this first while online, then they will have access in the event of a power or Internet outage. Once the weekly planner or any document is set to be available offline, the latest version will always be accessible. That way, if a student does not have the ability to log in to Google Meet, they should complete any activities off of the weekly planner that they are able to. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

For the Love of … Podcasts About Water!

ere we are in February, the month of love! This pandemic Valentine’s Day may be a bit different so I hope everyone can find creative, safe, and socially-distanced ways to express their love and gratitude. As for Soquel Creek Water District, we continue our traditional February article with a “For the Love of…..” theme. Over the years we’ve covered music, books, and movies. This year we’d like to let you know about some water-related podcasts that may enhance your own love of water! Podcasts are digital audio files available on computer and mobile devices and can be very entertaining, educational, and even inspirational. A recent study in January 2020 identified more than 850,000 active podcasts being created, which is pretty startling growth considering there were just 500,000 active podcasts in 2018 (Podcast Insights, 2020). With over 70% of the US population aware and listening to podcasts, we wanted to share a few water-related podcasts with you: • The Water Values Podcast series takes you on an exploration of water issues aimed at uncovering the true value of water. Each episode (there are over 180!) covers a different aspect of water, so you can pick and choose. Subjects include: Water Treatment; The Birth of the Western Water Market; Water Use

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

in Vertical Farming, Water Reuse; and more. • Words on Water series by Water Environment Federation features conversations with people who work on water issues and discussions about the opportunities and challenges facing one of Earth’s most precious resources. Topics include infrastructure, innovation and technology, workforce, resource recovery, management, research, and public awareness. Words On Water is produced by the Water Environment Federation, a nonprofit education and technical organization with over 170 podcast episodes. • Meet the Ocean is an educational podcast that improves science communication through storytelling. Its content is great for all ages. There are over 80 podcasts to choose from and topics and interviews provide journeys to the polar regions and other far-off destinations. A few of the highlights include: Blue Whales in Antarctica; Becoming the Glacier; World Oceans Day; and The Marine Mammal Center, among others. • WQA Radio, from the Water Quality Association, focuses on residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment. You’ll hear leading voices in the treatment industry, and members of WQA. With almost 200 episodes, they have covered the Flint

water crisis, women in the industry, and treating water for beer. • Water You Talking About, is a podcast series of over 30 episodes that are produced by doctoral students researching urban water technologies. A recent episode focused on how the sewers of Paris have captured the imagination of writers, engineers and politicians; another featured stories of the water legends throughout time who have made water systems great. Happy Valentine’s Day and while

we focus on keeping our social pod small during this pandemic, may we keep ourselves entertained with some podcasts. n ••• As always, if you have any questions about this month’s topic or anything else related to Soquel Creek Water District, feel free to contact us at outreach@soquelcreekwater.org or visit soquelcreekwater.org. We also encourage community members to access our ‘Current and Upcoming Projects’ webpage www.soquelcreek water.org/NeighborhoodProjects and to sign up for updates on the Pure Water Soquel Project at https://tinyurl.com/pwsconstruction.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz Elks Adopt-a-Family Success

espite challenges presented by COVID-19, the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge #824 Adopt-a-Family effort was a success. More than $5,000 was spent on clothes, toys and food for local families in need. Through the holiday program, the Lodge supported several local organizations including the Jesus Mary Joseph Home, Siena House, Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, and Walnut Avenue Family and Women’s Center. Wrapped gifts were delivered to 19 families with 39 children, and unwrapped gifts of

new jackets and toys were provided to Walnut Avenue Family and Women’s Center. Founded on Feb. 16, 1868, the Elks are a charitable organization dedicated to helping veterans, giving scholarships, and all around bettering our communities. The Elks created the first veterans’ hospital and gave it to the US government. It is also the largest private provider of college scholarships in the United States. n ••• The Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, established 1903, is located at 150 Jewell St. in Santa Cruz. To learn more about the lodge and membership, visit www.santacruzelks.org.

From left: Sachiko and Jim Miller, Michael Szeles, John Scally, Kristina, and Stella Sofia Salciccia.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 8

ONGOING EVENTS

Fourth Thursday of the Month PARENT SUPPORT GROUP PVUSD, PVPSA and Kaiser Permanente offers support Register at https://ucsc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrcuyr index.html?appid=7bf4b74490c444068a326c4c groups for Pajaro Valley families at 3 p.m. on the fourth rz0oH9CDLjkt6nHih0CFUYCUVHtM 89a9a560 or https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ Thursday of the month. The next dates are: ••• MapTour/index.html?appid=9e4aa7556bc24951a855cc3 February 25: Finding Balance in Disorienting Times. bd4f6c473 (https://tinyurl.com/lagoon-reserve-virtual-tours) The Califas Legacy Project is a multi-year, multi-medium, Meeting ID: 823 7074 8744 Password: 757434 https:// collaborative endeavor launched by Museo Eduardo Carrillo in tinyurl.com/y2y9455u https://youngerlagoonreserve.ucsc.edu Santa Cruz to document the legacy of our region’s Chicano/a March 25: Topic to be announced. Meeting ID: 885 cultural treasures. The project found its roots in a 1982 UCSC 0351 4197 Password: 308147 https://tinyurl.com/ NEW GROUPS STARTING FOR SURVIVORS conference Carrillo organized with Juventino Esparza, Tom á s y26ablzk OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Ybarra-Frausto and Philip Brookman, which brought together Survivors Healing Center, a welcoming place for SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters, is innovative Chicano artists, intellectuals and visionaries, titled DATED EVENTS forming new eight-week support groups for survivors of “ Califas: Chicano art and culture in California.” Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. childhood sexual abuse. Second Harvest Food Bank drive-through food Tuesday February 2 SHOW US YOUR FOOD There will be online groups in English and Spanish distribution schedule into March: DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF N. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MEETING for men, women, mothers of survivors, partners of Watsonville Coast Produce, Inc. is launching a restaurant Watsonville: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 6 p.m., Online Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. survivors, young adults and teens. social media promotion Feb. 5 • Feb. 19 • March 5 • March 19 Santa Cruz County health officer Dr. Gail Newel You are not alone. You are not to blame. Services are called “Show Us Your ••• will be the guest speaker at the offered on a sliding fee scale. Food” to support the Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Democratic Club of North Santa industry. For more information: call (831) 423-7601, visit survivors Feb. 12 • Feb. 26 Cruz County monthly meeting in You post pictures healingcenter.org or email shc.program@fsa-cc.org. Food hotline: 831-662-0991. February. of your takeout meals Dr. Newel will provide an from your favorite local restaurant in the Central Coast EDUARDO CARRILLO: COMUNIDAD DE CALIFAS YOUNGER LAGOON RESERVE VIRTUAL TOURS update on local impacts of and Bay Area and post on Instagram @watsonvillecoastYounger Lagoon Reserve, which is part of UC in Santa Virtual Art Exhibit, February 3 thru April 3 the COVID-19 pandemic in Reception: Feb. 3, 4 p.m. on Zoom with artist and culture critic produce with hashtag #showusyourfood for a chance to our county. She will also discuss the science Cruz, is now win a $50 gift certificate to that restaurant. Amalia Mesa-Bains and Philip Brookman, consulting curator offering a virtual behind the vaccines, how the vaccination rollout Jacquie Roque of Skin Care By Jacquie is the first with the National Gallery of Art. tour in both English plans are progressing and where people can get winner of a $50 gift certificate to Five Mile Buzz and Spanish. This virtual tour follows the same stops as This virtual exhibition will showcase the breadth of vaccinated. Eduardo Carrillo’s work spanning from his early career House our behind-the-scenes hiking tour, and is led by a UC Members of the public are invited. Visit www.svslvdemocrats. The promotion runs eight weeks, with the first giveaway after his studies at UCLA to his later life living in Santa Santa Cruz student. org for zoom meeting link. Social time starts at 6 p.m. and club Cruz, where he was professor of art at UC Santa Cruz. Wednesday, Jan. 6. Good luck! Visit https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/ meeting begins at 6:30 pm.

WATSONVILLE BRILLANTE ARTISTS DEADLINE Local artists are invited to participate in the design process for Watsonville Brillante, mosaics celebrating cultural heritage on the Civic parking garage. The deadline to submit your art is Wednesday, Feb. 10. Download the application at https://communityarts empowerment.org/local-artists-invitation/. Email watsonvillebrillante@gmail.com or message Instagram @ watsonvillebrillante

28 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesday February 2 FOOD DRIVE RESULTS Noon, Facebook Live Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County will announce the results of its annual Holiday Food & Fund Drive at noon Tuesday, Feb. 2 via a Facebook Live broadcast. In January 2020, an ambitious goal of 4.5 million meals was established prior to the pandemic. Food drive co-chairs Megan Martinelli and Carlos Palacios asked the community to match the A12102 TAB Issuu.pdf prior year’s goal, a task challenged by vastly greater food demand, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. To view the full story and food drive results, go to: https://www. facebook.com/SecondHarvestSantaCruz

Wednesday February 3 ADVANCE DIRECTIVE WEBINAR Noon to 1 p.m., Hospice of Santa Cruz Online Seminar Hospice of Santa Cruz County will host a free Advance Directive Webinar Wednesday, Feb. 3, focusing on how COVID-19 might impact your wishes, what options you and your loved ones may want to consider, how to explore your own values around healthcare at end of life, and how to navigate conversations with your loved ones about your preferences. Community Education Coordinator Vanessa Silverstein will present the essentials of advanced directives and medical social worker Emily Lauri who will review the Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment. Advanced registration is required. To register and get dial-in information, visit: https://www. hospicesantacruz.org/event/plan-ahead/. For more information, call (831) 430-3000 or visit www.hospicesantacruz.org.

OUR COMMUNITY READS 2021: THE GREAT BELIEVERS For 2021, the Friends of the Aptos Library will host virtual events centered on “The Great Believers,” by Rebecca Makkai, a novel set in Chicago at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and in Paris in 2015. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Our Community Reads will take place remotely. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required to access each event. To register: Go to the Santa Cruz Public Library website at www.santacruzpl.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Virtual Events.” Scroll down the list of events until you find the one you want, and click “Register Now!” Feb. 1: HIV/AIDS in the 80’s: “Firsthand Accounts of the Santa Cruz Scene” with State Sen. John Laird leading a panel discussion with men who were living in Santa Cruz as the epidemic was exploding. No effective treatments were yet available, and misinformation was rampant. Audience Q&A will follow. Sponsored by the Friends of the Capitola Library. • 7 p.m. Feb. 3: Capitola Branch Library Book Discussion, led by Lorena Lopez. • 10 a.m. Feb. 7: “HIV/AIDS, Activism, and the Politics of Pandemic,” with David Reichard, CSU Monterey Bay Professor of History & Legal Studies and Interim Associate Dean in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at CSUMB, describing the history of grassroots HIV/AIDS activism—especially in the 1980s and 1990s—and how it illustrates the ways marginalized groups advocating for changes in healthcare access, policy, and resources can shape the course of a pandemic. Audience Q&A will follow. • 5 p.m. Feb. 11: Aptos Library Book Discussion led by Judy McNeely. • 1 p.m. Feb. 13: Cut-Paper Art Workshop with Felton glass artist April Zilber leading a hands-on art project. Have colored paper (look in your recycling bin), pencil, scissors, and glue stick or tape. This is your chance to be creative, a small gesture of art in respect to The Great Believers. Sponsored by the Felton Library Friends. • 4 p.m. Feb. 19: Trivia Night with prizes and Supervisor Zach Friend returning as emcee. Come on your own, with friends, or with your book group (virtually of course) to show off your knowledge of The Great Believers. You supply your own cocktails and snacks. • 6 p.m. Feb. 21: “Memories: My Brother, a Quilt, and the AIDS Project.” Join this moving conversation with Dinah Davis, a local resident who lost her brother to HIV/AIDS. She tells how the illness affected her family at a time when many members of the LGBTQ community remained closeted. The event, led by life coach Kris Franceschi, includes a short documentary on the San Francisco gay scene of the 1980s, narrated by Cleve Jones, who conceived the AIDS Memorial Quilt to which Dinah contributed. You can view the documentary at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0Ju8IhoXQ • 5 p.m. Feb. 24: Santa Cruz Public Library Book Discussion Group. April Zilber of the Felton Library Friends leads a thought-provoking group discussion. • 6 p.m. March 4: “Pandemics, Politics and Public Health.” An interactive talk with Dr. Ronald P. Hattis, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor of preventive medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and past president and current secretary of the Beyond AIDS Foundation, discusses his history, beginning in the early ‘80s, in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which he calls a “slow-moving pandemic,” and connects this to the current faster-moving COVID-19 pandemic. • 7 p.m.

Wednesday February 10 CASA VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER 4 p.m., CASA of Santa Cruz Online “For the Love Of Children” virtual fundraiser. Registration is free, and any donations go to the Children’s Fund to help support children who have an immediate need. To register, visit https://casaofsantacruz.org/fortheloveofchildren/fortheloveofchildren.html

Visit https://resurrection-aptos.org, call 831-688-4300 ext. 10, or e-mail kmvictorino@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Tuesday March 9

WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: DR. MICHAEL E. MANN 7 p.m., Online Lecture Monday February 15 Climate scientist and author Dr. ART GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN Michael E. Mann will address Artists and organizations will be able to apply for the how we move forward together on Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s next round of Cultivate climate change. RETHINK YOUR DRINK Michael E. Mann Grants supporting creative projects and professional Food Smarts Pajaro Valley Parent Workshop: Discover Dr. Mann is Distinguished development beginning Feb. 15. tips for healthy eating and delicious snack recipes for your Wednesday February 10 Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State thru Saturday February 13 Virtual grant workshops will take place. Deadline to apply is family. 6:15 p.m. arrival. 6:30 - 8 p.m. workshops. Use University. 5 p.m. March 15. More info at https://www.artscouncilsc.org/ your child’s Chromebook. Funded by USDA CalFresh. For RESURRECTION CHURCH ONLINE “FUN”-RAISER Dr. Mann is author of more than 200 peer-reviewed 5 p.m. Wed., virtual auction opens for bidding; closes Sat. at for-grantseekers English workshops, click on meet.google.com and edited publications, numerous op-eds and com10 p.m. Meeting ID: qbb-wysh-wgm mentaries, and six books. Tuesday February 23 6-8 p.m. Sat.: Virtual Cocktail class and Trivia Phone: 1-774-298-7003 PIN: 928 347 784# https://openspacetrust.org/wsl-2021/ For information call, text or email: Jennifer Larkin at 831-535- Resurrection Church will be hosting its annual “FUN”- WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: ERIN BROCKOVICH raiser event, this year a virtual silent auction beginning 7 p.m., Online Lecture 2239 or jennifer.larkin@santacruzcounty.us Tuesday April 6 Wednesday and on Saturday a virtual cocktail class and Erin Brockovich was working as a file clerk at a Los WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: JOSÉ ANDRÉS Wednesday February 3 a trivia game. Angeles law firm in 1992, thru Sunday March 28 7 p.m., Online Lecture Items are available for bidding starting at 5 p.m. on where she uncovered Chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés will 450 PIECES TRI-GALLERY ART SHOW Wednesday. Bidding closes 10 p.m. on Saturday. Items documents that ultimately led appear in conversation with Bay Area food personality Online Gallery will be available to preview at www.32auctions.com/ to more than 600 residents Jesse Ziff Cool to discuss his work as founder of R. Blitzer Gallery, Curated by the Sea, and the Radius resurrectionchurch after February 3rd. of Hinkley, California filing World Central Kitchen, helping to feed those in need Gallery, all in Santa Cruz, are hosting the work of 300+ Saturday evening activities include a Cocktail a lawsuit against utility giant throughout the course of the pandemic. artists in Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s Visual Arts Mixology class from 6-6:45 p.m. and “A Taste of Team PG&E. Andrés is a Michelin-starred, James Beard AwardNetwork. Trivia” from 7-8 p.m. Since then, Erin has winning Spanish-American chef, as well as the author Information:infor@curatedbythesea.com or call1 (408) Log-in information for Saturday’s events will be worked on a host of of three cookbooks and the New York Times best-selling 250-2224 or email emailed to you after payment. You will also receive the environmental issues across We Fed an Island, which describes how Andrés and his Erin Brockovich the country. She has been ingredient list for the cocktail so you can make your own Tuesday February 9 team cooked for thousands of hungry people in Puerto at home. involved in dozens of legal cases and campaigns Wednesday February 10 To purchase tickets: https://resurrection-aptos.org and click on over the past three decades, including a variety of Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Andrés advocates for sustainability in the restaurant industry. CALTRANS CONTRACTORS BOOT CAMP groundwater contamination issues, oil and natural the Donate Now button. Choose Event Tickets 8:30 a.m. to noon, virtual event on WebEx. gas pollution, fracking and pharmaceuticals. During https://openspacetrust.org/wsl-2021/ n More information is available on our website about the ••• Day 1: Bonding and surety. Day 2: Estimating and labor festivities at https://resurrection-aptos.org. her talk, compliance. Erin will share inspiring stories of how bringing people *Cost for the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series is $30. The price This event will benefit Resurrection Church and our many gives you access to four lectures, plus the ability to watch Register at www.tiny.cc/bootcamp2021. For info: Bob Adams, ministries at the church and in the local community. together to address environmental issues can have an recordings until April 30. This includes last month’s Dolores Caltrans District 10, call 209-948-7855 or email bob.adams@ Cost is $30 per login (i.e., buy a ticket). There is no cost to just enormous impact. Huerta & Luis Valdez lecture. dot.ca.gov Cost: $30. https://openspacetrust.org/wsl-2021/ view items and make bids.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Mid-Year Budget Update: More Cuts May Be Needed By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

he local economic impacts of the pandemic have been significant. Many small local businesses have struggled, and while some have been able to find creative ways to stay afloat, a number have closed. As a result of these impacts, a number of local residents have become unemployed or had their hours reduced. Industries that rely on tourism and the greater hospitality industry have been hit hard and this loss of tax revenue has significant impacts on local government budgets. The Board of Supervisors recently received a mid-year budget update to survey the current landscape and get a sense of what additional cuts may need to be made to offset the shortfall. As you can imagine, overall tax revenue is down. In fact, County revenues have declined about 15 percent (numbers that in some cases are higher than the Great Recession). Much of these declines have been offset by significant County department reductions of up to 20 percent, including layoffs and furloughs. Fortunately, the County had significantly built up reserves over the last few years in anticipation of a potential recession (although no one could have anticipated this steep of a drop in such a short time). But to illustrate the magnitude of the reductions, in just the last 9 months, the County used nearly 30 percent of the available reserves. Additionally, the recent fire devastation meant the County expended additional contingency funds set aside for emergency repairs and response. Current

rains and emergency debris flow challenges will lead to additional emergency costs and it’s possible that continued rains will lead to road and other facility damage that will require additional funds. With reserve funds already reduced by 30 percent and emergency repair contingencies expended, more cuts may be necessary to ensure there is adequate funding to meet these needs. The pandemic, and resulting shelter in place orders, have disproportionately impacted the hotel and visitor serving accommodation industry. Hotel taxes are down approximately 41 percent from what was estimated

30 / February 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

before the pandemic and sales tax is down approximately 17 percent one the same time. However, property taxes have remained relatively stable, due in part to pressure from people from Santa Clara County and the greater Silicon Valley area purchasing homes as new work-fromhome options. With limited housing stock for sale this has unfortunately led to a sharp increase in already high home prices. While that means that property taxes have remained stable (even with an overall decrease in sales) it will have other impacts on affordable housing moving forward. What’s the future outlook? ome tax numbers have shown signs of rebounding and most are estimated to

grow in the coming year (although still remain below pre-pandemic levels). For example, sales and hotel taxes are both rebounding but the County still estimates a multimillion-dollar shortfall in revenues this fiscal year. Some of the tax rebounding will help, and the sooner we can get out of emergency response we can eliminate the emergency-related costs, but much of the County’s outlook will be determined by if there is additional federal stimulus funding — specifically, funding for state and local governments (most of which would be used to fund the significant additional frontline pandemic response costs the County has incurred). n ••• 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-in-place order I’m hosting regular tele-townhalls with County and community leaders monthly on the first Tuesday from 6-7 pm. The call in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# - you are welcome to speak about any issue during the town halls or you can always call me at 454-2200.

As you can imagine, overall tax revenue is down. In fact, County revenues have declined about 15 percent (numbers that in some cases are higher than the Great Recession). Much of these declines have been offset by significant County department reductions of up to 20 percent, including layoffs and furloughs.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pruning Roses During Winter Dormancy

C P

Pops is Ready to Retire

crossword on 25 »

ops (A277998) came to the Shelter from our friends at Hitchcock Road Animal Services in Salinas. He has been hanging out in a foster home for the past couple days and is doing wonderfully! This 9 year old gentleman would fool you with his energy. He loves to go for walks and sniff EVERYTHING. He is strong on leash but walks nicely with his Freedom Harness on. His foster mom says he is “the most energetic 9 year old dog she has ever met”. Pops is in foster with a 4 year old female spayed heeler/collie mix and enjoys playing with her. Pops really is the best of both worlds — social and energetic enough to go for hikes and adventures but has enough soul to be relaxed and watch the world go by. He has been very relaxed about passing people, dogs and cars on his walks. His foster mom says he LOVES fuzzy blankets. She wraps him up in blankets like a little burrito. Pops goes up and down the stairs okay and is eager to jump in the car for adventures. Our veterinary staff say that Pops appears to be in good health for his age! If you are looking for a gentleman to call your best friend — look no further than Pops. Due to Shelter in Place, our current hours are reduced to 12-4pm. Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076  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

ontrary to what the recent pleasant weather suggests, it is still winter. Most plants are resisting the temptation to break dormancy prematurely. They must know that the days are still short, regardless of the weather. M o s t plants are surprisingly proficient with scheduling. Nonetheless, dormant pruning should happen sooner than later. This includes pruning roses. They have been ready for a while. Technically, roses are ready for pruning as soon as they begin to defoliate. Also technically, rose pruning can be as late as the buds of the bare stems remain dormant. Later pruning is preferable in some regions where pruning wounds are susceptible to pathogens. Such delay is riskier here where mild weather can disrupt dormancy prematurely. Wounds are less vulnerable to pathogens. Pruning roses is about as important as pruning deciduous fruit trees. Without adequate pruning, rose plants become too overgrown to perform properly. Crowded stems are unable to elongate as they should. Diseases and insects proliferate in congested foliage, and damage bloom. Specialized pruning concentrates resources into fewer but significantly more vigorous stems and flowers. Although the technique may seem to be drastic, pruning roses is not very complicated. Hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda roses should retain only three to six of their most vigorous canes. The canes should be only about two feet tall, and cut just above a healthy bud. If possible, they should be canes that grew during the pre-

Pruning now promotes better bloom later.

vious year, from bottom to top. Older canes should be removed. Pruning roses of other classifications may be slightly different. Some types may retain more canes. Climbing types likely retain old canes for several years before replacement. Carpet roses and other ungrafted roses can be cut nearly to the ground, leaving no canes at all. Tree roses are like bush types, but on top of short trunks. New canes grow from their graft unions on top of the trunks. Of course, potentially vigorous sucker growth that develops from below the graft union of any grafted rose must go. ••• Cecile Brunner Rose ew modern rose cultivars are as tolerant of neglect as Cecile Brunner rose. Furthermore, few recover as efficiently from renovation after many years of neglect. Old overgrown thicket growth that might be unsightly while bare through winter can be spectacular in bloom. Alternatively, it does not mind aggressive pruning, even if only stumps remain. It easily regenerates with fresh new canes. Bloom is nicely profuse early in summer. The individual fluffy pink flowers are not much more than two inches wide, but Cecile Brunner rose is are rarely alone. elegantly simple. They develop in big and possibly billowy clusters. The faint fragrance is easy to ignore, but appealing to some. After primary bloom, subsequent bloom is sporadic. Green stems are less prickly than stems of most other roses. Foliage is rather light green. Shrubs are vigorous but compact. They may not get much taller than two feet. Most stay less than four feet tall. However, there are actually a few cultivars that are known as ‘Cecile Brunner’. Those that are most familiar are climbing types that can easily get higher than twenty feet. Their bloom is sparse after profuse early summer bloom. Some might bloom rather profusely again for autumn. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 1st 2021 / 31

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Aptos Times: February 1, 2021

Articles inside

Friend, Second District Supervisor Pruning Roses During Winter Dormancy, By Tony Tomeo

Santa Cruz Elks Adopt-a-Family Success

Mexico?, By Christopher Elliott County Mid-Year Budget Update: More Cuts May Be Needed, By Zach

PVUSD Q&A: Vaccines to Start February 1 for Teachers, By Dr. Michelle

Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Travel Troubleshooter: Can I get a refund for my canceled hotel stay in

Stay-at-Home Order Lifted; COVID Death Toll 136, By Jondi Gumz

Meet Your New Fire Chief: John Walbridge Chosen To Lead Central

I Am a COVID-19 Survivor, By Joyce Vissell

Students ‘Sculpt’ Blackout Poetry • Attorney General Sues Over Rule

Rio Theatre: New Banff World Tour

Takes Over as Interim Secretary of State • Tech for Takeout at Library Community Service in Times of COVID-19: Brownie Troop Tops Their

Great Plates Delivered For Older Adults & Restaurateurs, By June Smith

Hospice Reforms Signed into Law, By Jondi Gumz

Community News