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June 1, 2021 • Vol 30 No. 11

Dominican Honored with Friend of Agriculture Award

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital was honored with the 2021 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture award for its strong support of local agriculture and taking a leadership role in vaccinating Santa Cruz County farmworkers ... Full Story page 11

Yellow Tier: What Does It Mean? Full Story page 7

Aptos High’s Top Students The Aptos High School Class of 2021, which spent the past 14 months learning in a worldwide pandemic, will graduate with their well-deserved diplomas 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at the county fairgrounds in Watsonville.

The Aptos Times is pleased to recognize the 2021 valedictorian and the two salutatorians for their hard work that put them at the top of their class. Here they share their post-graduation plans. ... continues on page 4

Cabrillo Stage Is Back This Summer

Jon Nordgren, artistic director of Cabrillo Stage, promises “a safe and joyful Broadway experience — a Live Summer Festival like nothing you’ve ever seen before! We’re presenting a 5 Act - 5 week festival that celebrates our return to live theatre.” Full Story page 6

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No. 11

Volume 30

Table of Contents

Cover Aptos High’s Top Students

5 6

Community News Monte Vista Christian Valedictorian & Salutatorian Cabrillo Stage Is Back This Summer: Thinking Outside The Box To Present Live Musicals, By Mindy Pedlar Yellow Tier: What Does It Mean?, By Jondi Gumz Second Home in Incline Village? You May Be Due A Tax Refund • Cabrillo College Graduates 1,240: 50% Latinx For First Time Santa Cruz County Bank Promotes Sisk • Final EIR for Hwy 1 Widening Eve Nichols: Cabrillo College Saved My Life, By Jondi Gumz • Mitigation: 168 Trees at Soquel Park • Fiorello’s Gelato at Staff of Life • New Principals at Ohlone and MacQuiddy Dominican Hospital Honored with Friend of Agriculture Award Proposed Road Rules Comments Due June 22 Agri-Culture 2021 Scholarship Winners

7 8 9 10

11 13 17

California News 22 State Budget Surplus: $76B Or $38B?

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Mercury Retrogrades: a Magical Mystery Tour, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

15 18 21 23

Featured Columnists There’s No Business Like E-Business, By Ron Kustek This Terrible Year, By Charlie Lowe Good Eats: Tasty and Healthy Spring Rolls, from Sierra Bartsen County Perspective on State Budget: Proposals for Fairgrounds, Homeless, Broadband, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 23 California Comeback Budget Priorities, Homeless, Cal Grants, Water, School Breakfast & Lunch, Internet, By John Laird, California State Senator, District 17 25 Pure Water Milestone: Seawater Intrusion Prevention Wells Near Completion, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 31 To Propagate Favorite Plants, Try Layering, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Ratany’s Story

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Mindy Pedlar, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Ron Kustek, Charlie Lowe, Sierra Bartsen, Zach Friend, John Laird, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

“Vals & Sals” from page 1 Valedictorian Ximena Greatorex Future plans: I will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall as an aerospace engineering major. Mariner activities: I participated in JV Girls swimming for 3 years, and have been an avid competitive sailor for Aptos High School and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club throughout all of high school. I was also part of the Interact Club and Debate Team, for one year. What I enjoyed most at Aptos High: The friendships I’ve made at school. I’ve had amazing friends I’ve known since freshman year that I can’t wait to continue the friendship with even throughout college. I also had fantastic support and learning through the teachers at Aptos High. I’ve had the most fun learning with my math department teachers, and have improved the most with my writing skills from the help of all my English teachers

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 / June 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Ximena Greatorex

throughout the years. Overall, it has helped me to feel more confident with my communication skills! Parents: Mom Marina Escobar-Greatorex and dad Martin Greatorex ••• Salutatorians Jesse Chamberlain Future plans: After careful consideration, I have chosen to commit to the University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall. I also received acceptances from UCLA, UCB, UCSD, UCD, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a few others. Mariner activities: I was on the school varsity swim team as well as the girl’s varsity water polo team. I was the girl’s varsity water polo team captain my junior and senior years. I also competed on competitive teams outside of high school for both swim and water polo. I was vice president of my class freshman year and was president of my class sophomore, junior, and senior year. I was in the Surfrider club my junior and senior years and held the treasurer’s Jesse Chamberlain position for my senior year. I also held a job throughout my junior and senior year. What I enjoyed most at Aptos High: How many people I have been able to connect with throughout my high school experience. When I first came to high

school, I was worried I would always be too shy to venture outside of my friend group and meet new people. Once I actually sat inside of my classrooms I realized just how similar you can be to your lab partner or the person you borrowed a pencil from. Being able to meet new people in each class was always one of my favorite things about Aptos High. Parents: Dad Chris Chamberlain, mom Stephanie Chamberlain Fisher Johnson Future plans: I will be attending the University of Southern California to play baseball while also studying business administration. Mariner activities: I played three years of both varsity baseball and football. I also played varsity basketball (not this year because same time as baseball). What I enjoyed most about Aptos High: I enjoyed the community I created t h r o u g h advanced classes and also the athletics programs. I enjoyed Fisher Johnson making various “random” friends throughout the year and forming strong, real relationships. Parents: Paul and Cheryl Johnson n ••• Thanks for Peggy Pughe, principal at Aptos High School, for her assistance.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Monte Vista Christian Valedictorian & Salutatorian

onte Vista Christian School will graduate 133 seniors in the Class of 2021 at the campus in Watsonville the evening of May 28. Due to COVID safety guidelines, it is a closed ticketed event. Meet the top students in the Class of 2021. ••• ••• Valedictorian Salutatorian Madison Bindi Erik Lauta adison, who lives in Gilroy, has been at Monte Vista rik, who lives in Aptos, Christian School for four years. has attended Monte Vista Future plans: She will attend Christian School for four UCLA and study business years. economics. Future plans: He will Activities: Varsity Girls attend Tufts University and Soccer, National Honor Society play on the men’s soccer and California Scholarship team. He hasn’t decided on Federation. She received the his major. Ethics and Graphics Design Activities: California ScholAward and was a Scholar arship Federation and Scholar Award recipient. Award recipient. What she appreciates the His favorite thing about most about MVC: The teachers MVC: The loving community who are so dedicated to helping that makes everyone feel students. welcome. Parents: Cris Bindi and Parents: Amy and Andy Allana Bindi Lauta

Madison Bindi

Erik Lauta

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Stage Is Back This Summer

Thinking Outside The Box To Present Live Musicals

By Mindy Pedlar

on Nordgren, artistic director of Cabrillo Stage, promises “a safe and joyful Broadway experience — a Live Summer Festival like nothing you’ve ever seen before! We’re presenting a 5 Act — 5 week festival that celebrates our return to live theatre. Each weekend in July offers a different spectacular performance held in the newly renovated Cabrillo College Outdoor Amphitheater.” ACT 1, July 2-4: Enjoy the sounds of The Cabrillo Stage Big Band hosted by Jon Nordgren and Andrew Ceglio as they welcome you back with music that will keep your toes tapping! Travel back to the Swing Era in an early dance set followed by a parade of Stars of Cabrillo Stage reliving some of their favorite Broadway tunes and performances. ACT 2, July 9-11: Circus – Knives, Blood, and Water boasts a brand new musical score written by Joe Ortiz and directed by Greg Fritsch. Follow the rollercoaster twists and turns of a backstage story that reveals secrets long hidden, by the Circus… ACT 3, July 16-18: Features The Cabrillo Stage Pit Orchestra. Jon Nordgren elevates an All-star group of Cabrillo Stage Pit Musicians to the spotlight with Andrew Ceglio and Stars of Cabrillo Stage singing classic Broadway tunes. The finale features a “Battle of the Bands” and a Seasons of

Jon Nordgren

Love tribute dedicated to our founder, Lile Cruse. ACT 4, July 23-25: Tomfoolery. Mickey McGushin and Andrew Ceglio team up to bring us the music of Tom Lehrer, a Harvard educated math professor who taught at UC Santa Cruz and rose to fame through the hilarious satirical songs he wrote in the ‘50s & ‘60s. Lehrer took on subjects like pollution, The Table of Chemicals, and even the Vatican. Irreverent and wickedly funny, his songs remain controversial and relevant today. ACT 5, July 30-Aug 1: Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular comic opera, ends the Summer Festival on a high note. Directed by Joseph Ribeiro with musical director Cheryl Anderson, this beloved farce will be presented with pit orchestra and full ensemble cast. Performances will take place in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater. In keeping with all COVID-19 safety protocols, seating will be limited and socially distanced to insure the safety of patrons and performers. Tickets in the Bleachers are sold as Box Seats in sets of 2, 3, 4 or 5 seats. Lawn Seating is available in circular pods of 2, 3, 4 or 6 seats. Prices range from $50 for 2 seats to $215 for 6 seats, depending on placement within the amphitheater. Evening performances begin at 6 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Livestreaming is available for ACTs 1, 2 and 3. Online ticketing begins June 1. Box office is open Thursday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m. at 831-479-6154. n ••• For more information, go to www.cabrillostage.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Yellow Tier: What Does It Mean?

By Jondi Gumz

inally, after more than a year of life being crimped to knock out the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected 16,264 people locally and took 206 livers, Santa Cruz County is in the Yellow Tier — the fewest restrictions — and the governor promises the state will “open up” on June 15. What does that mean, exactly? The Santa Cruz County Fair organizers are hopeful while waiting for specific event guidance, and so are folks at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, but some happenings are on the calendar, of course with Covid safety precautions such as masks and social distancing. The Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District is putting on a poolside art and music fundraiser after a year and a half of no events, a Music & Art Festival 2-7 p.m. Sunday, May 30, at the Bear Creek facility. Tickets at $20 per adult and $10 for kids 3 and up are limited at https://www.bcrpd. org/music-and-artBlue Sun Cafe food will be available for purchase to go and bands will be livestreamed via Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/events/2817611631789685 Felton Music Hall will present Johnny Cosmic, the Roaring Camp after show, May 30 and May 31, with doors open at 9 p.m. On Monday, May 31, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History will offer an in-person gathering at Evergreen Cemetery with a self-guided walk-through between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m to learn more about the veterans buried at Evergreen and the local veteran community. There will be music, community guests, and historical highlights. The Veteran Surf Alliance will host a Surf & Paddle Out at 8 a.m. May 31 at Capitola Beach, providing six veterans with a surf experience. Rides will be open at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and at the Brookdale Lodge, Sugar by the Pound performs at 1 p.m. May 29 with Groovy Judy performing 1-4 p.m. May 31. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce won’t organize the 4th of July parade or the party this year, but the 4th of July parade in Scotts Valley will return, organized by City Council member Donna Lind. She needs volunteers. Look for Cabrillo Stage in Aptos to present musicals outdoors in July. Big Job Spurt ith 15,970 recovered COVID-19 cases, only 88 active cases, 136,000 negative test results and 296,000 vaccinations, the pandemic outlook in Santa Cruz County

the American Rescue Plan and the Small Business Administration stopped taking applications after three weeks on May 24. Restaurants, bars, and other businesses providing on-site food and drink submitted 266,000 applications seeking $65 billion, a “huge shortfall,” according to headline in the online Journal of Accountancy. Congress set aside $5 billion for businesses with 2019 gross receipts under $500,000, and the SBA set aside $500 million for small businesses like food carts and food trucks with gross receipts under $50,000; and $4 billion for those with gross receipts between $500,000 and $1.5 million. It wasn’t enough. Applications came in from 13,114 businesses making less than $50,000 requesting $330 million; 100,410 from businesses with less than $500,000 requesting $8.14 billion; and 61,535 applicants from businesses with between $500,000 and $1.5 million requesting $15.1 billion.

Vaccine vials from Mee Memorial Healthcare System in Monterey County make a statement. Restaurant Money Gone is improving big-time with businesses adding 2,700 jobs between mid-March and estaurants rushed the $28.6 billion Res“COVID Update” page 9 mid-April, boosting the total to 98,600. taurant Revitalization Fund created by Agriculture added 1,600 jobs and hospitality — food service and hotels -- added 600. Both sectors were hard hit by COVID. The unemployment rate dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.7 percent in April, with 3,000 people taking themselves out of the workforce – and 10,000 remain Plenty of Free Customer Parking out of work even though everyone from Penny Ice Creamery to CVS is hiring, with McDonald’s on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz Wilder Associates Inc. Village Liquors offering $15 an hour. Property Management Specialists For All Your Beverage Needs Moms are still at home overseeing 662-0291 688-5691 schooling for their kids and the extra $300 a week in jobless benefits until Sept. 6 from Kumon Math Joy of Movement American Rescue Plan keeps some out of & Reading Center Pilates & Gyrotonic® Learning for the Long Run the work force. More Zest for Life Santa Cruz County, with 1.3 cases 508-8200 688-8077 per 100,000, is one of 15 in the Yellow Tier, Warmboard while Monterey County, with 1.9 cases per Epicenter Cycling Radiant Subfloor 100,000, remains one of 35 in the Orange Trek Bicycles for All Types of Riders Simply Smarter Radiant Heat Tier and must post a case rate below 2 for 662-8100 685-9275 a second week to join Santa Cruz County. The Yellow Tier allows 50% capacity at restaurants, gyms, saunas, dance and yoga Dentistry for Animals studios, wineries, breweries and bowling Dr. Judy Force, DVM alleys and larger attendance at outdoor 768-7148 events such as school graduations. Test positivity was .5 percent in Santa Cruz County and 1 percent in Monterey County, both below the 2 percent the Yellow Tier requires. Research from 280 nursing homes in 21 states found vaccines are protecting residents -- only 1 percent of residents tested positive for the virus within two weeks after their second dose.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Second Home in Incline Village? You May Be Due A Tax Refund R esidents of Aptos, Scotts Valley, Capitola, and Soquel have long found Lake Tahoe is a popular area for second homes. Owners of property in Incline Village and Crystal Bay during 2002-2005 may not realize that, because one of the largest property tax lawsuits in the United States, they are due a property tax refund. Here’s the history of the case and how to get the refund. On Oct. 21, 2019, Judge Kathleen Drakulich of the Second Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada issued an order in favor of Village League to Save Incline Assets, Inc. (“Village League”), et.al. in the case of Village League to Save Incline Assets, Inc., et.al. vs. State of Nevada, et.al., Case No. CV03-06922. The Village League, a 501c3 nonprofit, sued in 2003 alleging the methods used by the assessor were unconstitutional. The Nevada State constitution mandates property taxes be fair and equitable, and only owners of property in Incline Village and Crystal Bay were assessed on their “view.” The case went to the Supreme Court of Nevada. The Court ruled in favor of the Village League, and in 2011, Washoe

County issued checks to property owners of record for 2002. The Village League then sued again for subsequent years: 20032005. It is this matter that is now being adjudicated. The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners filed an appeal of that District Court Order and the parties were referred to the Supreme Court Settlement Program. On Oct. 5, 2020, a hearing was held by the District Court to consider the resulting settlement agreement and Judge Drakulich issued an interim order of approval for the agreement on Oct. 12, 2020.

As a result, the Washoe County Assessor’s Office has been directed to replace taxable land values for certain parcels in Incline Village and Crystal Bay billed for tax years 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 with the 2002/03 (rollback) taxable land values, applying a factor of 1.08% to the 2002/03 values for the 2005/06 tax year only. Owners of record for a listed property during one or more of these tax years may be eligible for refund of a resulting property tax overpayment and applicable interest. The total amount of refunds has been estimated between $47 million and $56 million.

Owners of record or their inheritors must submit a claim in order with Washoe County to receive any refund: https:// forms.washoecounty.us/f/RefundClaim One local property owner told the Aptos Times he didn’t submit a claim because he bought in Incline Village late in 2005, and he didn’t think the refund would amount to much. The claim process does not provide the refund amount. Therefore, the Village League created a secure lookup facility for property owners of record to obtain their estimated refund amount: https://nevada propertytaxrevolt.org/?page_id=22. Calculations of the estimate are based on data provided by the Washoe County Assessor’s office. As of February more than two dozen Incline Village and Crystal Bay property owners of record living in Aptos, Scotts Valley, Capitola and Soquel had not yet used the Village League facility to lookup their refund amount, and likely have not claimed their refund. Refund amounts depend on the property assessed value for the period, and for second homes, generally range from a hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The clock is ticking. n

Cabrillo College Graduates 1,240: 50% Latinx For First Time

n May 21, Cabrillo College honored 1,240 graduates in a virtual ceremony, and for the first time at the federally-designated Hispanic-serving institution, 50 percent of the graduating class is Latinx. The college also recognized 115 nongraduates intending to transfer to four-year universities. Another 358 graduates intend to transfer to earn a four-year degree, for a total of 473 transfer students. A notable 76 students will graduate or transfer as part of the Honors Transfer Program, having completed all the requirements, including at least 15 units of honors coursework, while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Of those, a record 46 graduated as honors scholars, completing at least 15 units of honors courses with a minimum 3.4 transferable grade point average. This year, 32 students were certified for UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program into the College of Letters & Sciences — and 75

percent were admitted to their first choice majors at UCLA for fall. Ten students were certified for UC Irvine, completing at least 15 units of honors courses with a minimum 3.7 grade point average to get a guaranteed offer of admission. Besides UCLA and UC Irvine, Cabrillo’s Honors Transfer Program students were accepted into UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State, CSU Long Beach, San Jose State, CSU Monterey Bay, Northwestern University, Boston University, Bentley University, University of San Francisco, Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s University, and many others. This year, 66% of the graduates are women and 33% are men. Cabrillo awarded 1,066 associate of arts degrees and 499 associate of science

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degrees. And 349 students graduated with an associate’s degree for transfer offered by the California Community Colleges, which guarantees admission to a California State University campus. “I’m so proud of our students,” said Dr. Kathie Welch, Cabrillo College vice president of instruction, who is retiring after 21 years as the school year ends. “Despite challenging life and world circumstances, our students have persisted and reached their goals of graduation and/or transfer.” Cabrillo graduates earned 253 certificates of achievement and 209 skills certificates. The Class of 2021 ranged in age from 17 to 73, with an average age of 27. The 62nd graduating class also set a record for the most students graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, 165, up 9% from last year. High honors (3.75-3.99 grade point

average) were earned by 202 graduates, honors (3.5-3.74 grade point average) by 227 graduates and honorable mentions (3.0-3.49 grade point average) by 438 graduates. Cabrillo’s graduation ceremony was a virtual one again this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and county and state guidelines limiting mass gatherings. The ceremony, available for viewing at https://www.cabrillo.edu/graduation/, features remarks by Cabrillo President and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wetstein, Faculty Senate President Anna Zagorska, and Classified Employees Union President Jessica Carroll. Tomas Alejandrez, Student Equity Ambassador and UCSC Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity scholarship award winner, shared his story of overcoming adversity in achieving his degree and preparing to transfer to UCSC. “Graduates” page 13

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Santa Cruz County Bank Promotes Sisk anta Cruz County Bank announces the promotion of Jon Sisk from regional president to regional president/ chief banking officer. In his new role he will expand his leadership in the planning, development and execution Jon Sisk of the bank’s business development strategy for lending, deposits, and will lead growth in new markets. “Jon’s dedication to community banking, building longstanding relationships, and his many decades as a community leader are perfectly aligned with Santa

“COVID Update” from page 7 This indicates the economic experts advising Congress badly underestimated the pandemic’s impact on restaurants, food trucks and food carts. The Rescue Plan allocated $16 billion for Shuttered Venues Operator Grants, a first for the SBA, but it’s not clear how many Santa Cruz County venues — many closed for a year — might get funding. A $50 assist in paying for Internet also was included in the American Rescue Plan for people using food stamps or Medicaid and households with a child getting free school lunch and households who lost a job or was furloughed and make less than $99,000, single, and $198,00 for joint filers. The program ends when the money runs out. Check your status at getemergencybroadband.org. Student Support n May 10, federal regulators granted emergency use authorization for the two-shot Pfizer vaccine, for kids ages 12 to 15, following clinical trials for that age group. There is no approved vaccine for younger children, but there is little evidence of spread by young school-age children. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education will present an update on student support 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 14, with Spanish translation. Watch for details at https://santacruzcoe.org/ Santa Cruz County health officials have prioritized equity, allocating 60 percent of its doses for the greater Watsonville area and its Latinx community, which has seen the most cases. The county is closing its Wednesday mass vaccination clinic at the county fairgrounds, switching to a strategy of smaller no-appointment needed pop-up vaccination clinics. On April 27, the federal Centers for

Cruz County Bank’s commitment to being a trusted banking partner,” said Santa Cruz County Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer Krista Snelling. Sisk began his career in 1994 at Coast Commercial Bank in Santa Cruz. He was a founder and president of Lighthouse Bank in 2007 in Santa Cruz, and played a critical role in the merger with Santa Cruz County Bank in 2019. His leadership guided the bank’s growth in Silicon Valley. He volunteers with the American Bankers Association, Dominican Hospital/ Dignity Health, Dominican Hospital Foundation, Santa Cruz Board Riders Club, Santa Cruz County Business Council, Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary, and Second Harvest Food Bank. The Santa Cruz Chamber of

Disease Control issued new guidelines on wearing masks to prevent COVID spread, saying fully vaccinated people can skip the mask outdoors -- unless they’re in a big crowd. President Joe Biden told the Associated Press, “If you’re vaccinated, you can do more things.” California is waiting until June 15 to sync its mask guidance with the federal guidelines. To look for a vaccine see www. MyTurn.ca.gov. Most health providers are on this platform, making it easier to track California’s vaccination progress. Federally qualified health care centers such as Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health are not using MyTurn, so to get an appointment there, go to santacruzhealth. org, click on vaccines. The Toll OVID-19 has claimed the lives of 61,000 Californians. Deaths in Santa Cruz County have leveled off at 206, with 50 percent of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a percentage that was higher early in the pandemic. Locally, 78 percent of those who died were age 70 or older and 78 percent had other health conditions – those percentages have remained stable. A year after the pandemic began, with 36.5 million vaccine doses administered in the state, case rates plummeted. On Wednesday, Santa Cruz County reported four people hospitalized with COVID. n •••

Commerce named him 2009 Man of the Year. Sisk is based at 75 River St. in downtown Santa Cruz. The Small Business Administration ranks Santa Cruz County Bank 11th in Silicon Valley for number of loans and 10th in the San Francisco district by dollar amount. On April 28, Santa Cruz County Bank announced the purchase of a building at 480 & 482 South Main St. in Salinas with plans to remodel and open a full-service branch in 2022. ••• Final EIR for Hwy 1 Widening he Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment with findings of no significant impact for

the Highway 1 State Park-Bay/Porter Auxiliary Lanes project is completed and available on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission website. The project will widen Highway 1 to ease bottlenecks between post mile 10.54 to post mile 13.44 in the County of Santa Cruz and Capitola to include auxiliary lanes and to accommodate bus-on-shoulder operations between the State Park Drive and Bay Avenue/Porter Street interchanges. Also, the Capitola Avenue overcrossing is to be replaced and a new pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing built at Mar Vista Drive in Aptos.

Race/Ethnicity White: 114 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1

Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 103 Not at a facility: 103

Underlying Conditions Yes: 160 • No: 46 Gender Male: 102 • Female: 104 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 • Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4 Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2 Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2 Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • La Posada: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 • Rachelle’s Home II: 1

“Briefs” page 10

COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 815 • Ben Lomond: 126 Boulder Creek: 153 • Capitola: 458 Felton: 158 • Freedom: 998 Santa Cruz: 3,971 • Scotts Valley: 445 Soquel: 361 • Watsonville: 8,153 Unincorporated: 257 Under investigation: 282 Total: 16,177* Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health ••• Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com or call 831688-7549 x17. See what can open in the Yellow Tier at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy. ••• *Fewer than before because of data cleanup

County COVID Deaths: 206 As of May 26

Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 43 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 7 30 to 39: 5

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 1st 2021 / 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Eve Nichols: Cabrillo College Saved My Life

By Jondi Gumz

f not for her therapist, Eve Nichols might not be here, a proud 2021 graduate of Cabrillo College with a future ahead of her. Despite dealing with suicidal ideation, despite the COVID-19 pandemic turning her world upside down and forcing her classes and activities online, she survived — and is thriving. How? “The support system I was able to build at Cabrillo,” said Nichols, 21, who lives in Watsonville with her mom and two brothers. Nichols, who earned a diploma at Sequoia continuation high school, discovered she wasn’t prepared academically for Cabrillo College. Her first year, she took courses in English and math that didn’t give her credits transferable to a four-year university. She had to start at the lowest level of math. She persisted. “My mom’s really supportive,” she said. “She’s the reason I went to the college.” She connected with Avelar, a family therapist in Aptos, after being reported to the dean at Cabrillo.

“Briefs” from page 9 Final design is expected in fall 2022, after right-of-ways are acquired, with bids to be advertised and awarded in 2022-23, and construction starting in spring 2023 and finishing in 2025. The Final EIR/EA with responses to all the comments is at https://sccrtc.org/ projects/streets-highways/hwy1corridor/ bayporter-statepark/. ••• Mitigation: 168 Trees at Soquel Park o mitigate tree removal for the Highway 1 auxiliary lanes, the RTC plans to plant 168 trees at Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel. The County Board of Supervisors reviewed this on May 25 (agenda item #30) and Supervisor Manu Koenig requested discussion on the June 7 agenda for public input and scientific analysis. Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner raises these questions: Trees require regular irrigation for the first few years so how will these 168 new trees be irrigated? Parks staff mows the meadow areas

“I don’t struggle mentally like I did before. I feel very blessed.” Suicide Trends verdose deaths accelerated nationwide in 2020 in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak changing life as we know it beginning in March with lockdowns, stayat-home orders, toilet paper shortages, music venues, wineries and bars, gyms and yoga studios closed, capacity limits for stores, and requirements for restaurants to halt indoor service and offer takeout only. Santa Cruz County bucked the trend of increasing suicides, with 32 in 2020 compared to 49 in 2019, according to county coroner Stephany Fiore. Eve Nichols might have among them if not for Dianne Avelar and the support she got at Cabrillo from Letitia ScottCurtis, who teaches English, Denise Colosi, who teaches math, Lisa Kirk-Williams, her mentor at the math learning center, and student activities coordinator Alta Northcutt, her advisor. After starting at the bottom in math, Nichols advanced to calculus. She took advantage of tutoring at the math learning center, and got a job there herself helping other students.

Eve Nichols celebrates her graduation from Cabrillo College. “I have cold-induced asthma,” Nichols said. “I was kicked out of class for coughing.” No doubt embarrassing at the time, the incident led the campus nurse-practitioner and then Avelar contacting her. “We’ve built a great relationship,” Nichols said of Avelar, whom she has known for three years. Still, thoughts of suicide were never far away.

With “a lot going on at my home,” Nichols overdosed. She swallowed a bottleful of Xanax pills, a drug classified as a benzodiazepine, prescribed for anxiety, but it can cause depression and thoughts of suicide. Avelar called her in the middle of this episode and called 911 for an ambulance. That was a turning point. “So many great people at Cabrillo are there for me,” Nichols said.

but will this be possible with 168 new trees, or would staff have to weed oat dry grass to reduce fire hazards? The trees are to be planted in a grassland habitat, with an ephemeral stream planned to support willow. How will a planting of this size affect fire risk and wildlife corridors? Would distributing the 168 trees among various County Parks accomplish the mitigation goals? Will any trees be replanted along the Highway 1 corridor? Could some of the trees be planted at the Seventh Day Adventist Conference Center hilltop in Soquel to hide the new cell tower? ••• Fiorello’s Gelato at Staff of Life taff of Life now carries Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato at its Café del Sol at 1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, and at 906 E Lake Ave., Watsonville. Fiorello’s, founded by Tony Bonviso, has been handcrafting this traditional Italian dessert in Marin since 1982. Gelato is different from the traditional ice cream as it has no air whipped in, making the flavor richer and more intense.

The Santa Cruz location has 16 flavors as principal for the last 6 years. He has a bachand the Watsonville location has 12. elor’s degree from Cal State Hayward, multiple Flavors change frequently and both stores subject credential and math authorization from will soon carry organic vegan varieties. Chapman University, master’s in educational ••• leadership from Cal State East Bay and adminNew Principals at istrative credentials from Cal State East Bay Ohlone and MacQuiddy and Contra Costa County Office of Education. he Pajaro Valley Unified School Dis- He has 10 years of administrative experience. trict Board of Trustees announces Gina Jacobson has been serving students since Elisalde as principal of Ohlone Elementary, 1999 as an elementary teacher, middle school Michael Dougherty as principal of Mac- teacher, academic coach and various adminQuiddy Elementary and Heidi Jacobson istrative roles. She has a bachelor’s degree in as academic coordinator at Ohlone liberal studies, and multiple subject credential Elementary. from Humboldt State University and masElisalde has 23 years of experience in edu- ter’s in teacher leadership from San Jose State cation, as an elementary teacher, math coach, University. She has 20 years of experience in and coordinator of site academics. She has a elementary education. n bachelor’s degree in political science and a multiple subject credential from Cal State Fresno and master’s in educational leadership from San Jose State University. Dougherty has been serving students since 2003 as a math teacher, assistant principal and at Ralston Middle School Gina Elisalde Michael Dougherty Heidi Jacobson

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

“Eve Nichols” page 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dominican Hospital Honored with Friend of Agriculture Award D ignity Health Dominican Hospital was honored with the 2021 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture award for its strong support of local agriculture and taking a leadership role in vaccinating Santa Cruz County farmworkers to protect against the contagious coronavirus, COVID-19. As the pandemic spread, Dignity Health Dominican Hospital held the first large-scale vaccination clinic in California, and likely the nation, that focused on farmworkers. Dignity Health Dominican Hospital reached out to the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau to develop a formula that ensured equity in the distribution of vaccines to local farmworkers. Dignity Health Dominican Hospital’s ongoing efforts during vaccine distribution made Santa Cruz County a model for prioritizing farmworkers for counties across America.

Sam Earnshaw, left, presents 2021 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award to Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, president/CEO of Dignity Health Dominican Hospital. The award was announced by Nishan COVID-19 Task Force, and presented by Moutafian, a member of the Farm Bureau the 2020 honoree Sam Earnshaw at the

National Agriculture Day spring luncheon May 19. More than 170 tickets were sold for the in-person event at Paddy Smith Park at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the educational organization Agri-Culture. The Friend of Agriculture award is named for Al Smith, the founder of Orchard Supply Hardware and donated 3,000 acres (Swanton Pacific Ranch) on the north coast to Cal Poly. The ranch has row crops, timber and even a one-third-scale railroad, which was Al’s hobby. The award, on a piece of redwood with a train, is presented annually to an individual, business or organization not involved in production agriculture but has done much for the industry. “Dominican Honored” page 12

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“Dominican Honored” from page 11 At the luncheon, winners of the 2021 National Ag Day Poster and Poetry Contests received their awards. Oliver Nakazawa Hewitt, 3rd grade, DeLaveaga Elementary School in Santa Cruz, won the poster contest. Allison Navarro Hernandez, 5th grade, H.A. Hyde Elementary School, Watsonville, took second place, and  Uriel Murillo, 6th grade, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Watsonville, was in third place. Honorable mentions went to: Jonah Diaz-Le, 4th grade, Anabelle Hardy, 3rd grade, Opal Amelia Weaver, 4th grade, all at Delaveaga Elementary in Santa Cruz; Erika Cruz-Rendon, 6th Grade and Emmanuel Perez Sahagun, 6th grade, both at Cesar Chavez Middle School, Watsonville, Aria Lindberg, 4th grade Good Shepherd Catholic School in Santa Cruz, and Mila Nicolier, 5th grade, Santa Cruz Montessori School in Aptos. Alme Shelby, 7th grade, Wavecrest, Santa Cruz Montessori School, in The Little Farm By Alme Shelby

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A look among the hills, a little farm It’s like a beautiful charm Whose luscious fruits are like mounds of gold, When autumn nights are crisp and cold. With wide blue skies hung overhead, The clouds are like a silky white bed. The farm, hemmed by orchard trees, The way they sway in the afternoon breeze. Flowers bloom in the lovely spring When all the enchanting birds sing. A small delightful garden, with all you need Lush vegetables and herbs, it will feed.

Poetry winner Alme Shelby with her mom, Sari Partanen

Aptos, won the poetry contest for “The Little Farm.”  Jade Haskins, 8th grade , Wavecrest Santa Cruz Montessori in Aptos, took second, and Sylvi Kayser, 7th grade , Wavecrest Santa Cruz Montessori in Aptos, took third. Honorable mentions went to: Sage Silver, 8th grade, Taylor Timucin, 7th grade  , Brooke Fabry, 7th grade  , and Saffron Roohani Russo, 7th grade, all at Wavecrest Santa Cruz Montessori in Aptos, and Jennifer Patz, 8th grade , Carley Anderson, 8th grade, and Mary Watson, 8th grade, all at Good Shepherd Catholic School in Santa Cruz. This year, Agri-Culture streamlined its scholarship program so all students could apply for multiple scholarships if they met the qualifications. The winners, announced at the luncheon, are: “Scholarships” page 17

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The winning poster by third grader Oliver Nakazawa Hewitt.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Proposed Road Rules Comments Due June 22 O n April 23, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s proposed rules requiring road upgrades for wildfire safety were published in the California Regulatory Notice Register, triggering a comment period that ends June 22. Here are a few highlights from the 52-page statement explaining the need for changes: This requirement specifies that building construction is prohibited where any existing road does not meet the standards. This is necessary to provide for consistent statewide minimum standards for all development regardless of size, intensity, or type. FireSafe regulations require existing roads to be at least 14 feet wide, and new roads to be at least 20 feet wide, collector roads are likely to meet the minimum standards. Local roads and other roads leading from a building to a collector road, on the other hand, might be as narrow as 8-10 feet wide. As the Fire Safe Regulations’ standards for new roads are two, 20-foot wide traffic lanes (plus shoulders and striping) and the proposed standard for existing roads is a 14-foot road (with some additional mitigation measures), it is appropriate for the definition of ‘access’ to include local roads and other roads along a route to the nearest collector road. This clarifies that “Eve Nichols” from page 10 For her, the key was understanding that math is a different language. “You can’t give up, you have to keep going,” she said. “Alta Northcutt changed my life too,” she added. “I always admired her spirit. She lights up a room. Her laugh is contagious.” Nichols connected with her after she was elected to the Cabrillo Student Senate and then chaired the Intern Club Council, which is under the Student Senate. Representatives of all 13 active student clubs get together every two weeks, share updates and report on their activities and events. “It’s a place to build community,” Nichols said. “It’s nice to see how many people were motivated to put in the extra work.” “Graduates” from page 8 Cabrillo Board President Rachael Spencer conferred the degrees and Vice President of Student Services Amy Lehman conducted the ceremonial Moving of the Tassel. “As a graduate of the Cabrillo nursing

the existing roads that must comply with these requirements are limited to the types of roads most likely to present life safety concerns during civilian evacuation and fire apparatus access. Maximum Lengths of New One-Way Roads: This section added the word “New” before “One-Way Road” to specify the applicability of this provision, which is necessary to ensure that future road construction conform to safe access standards, and to specify that this requirement does not apply to Existing One-way Roads. Maximum Lengths of New Dead-end Roads: This section was revised to include use of the term “New” throughout to ensure that the standards identified here only apply to New Dead-end Roads and not Existing Dead-end Roads. The comment period ends at the close of the public hearing, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22. Email comments, or comments as attachments to emails, can be sent to PublicComments@bof.ca.gov. n ••• To view the 45-day Notice, Initial Statement of Reasons, and Rule Plead at https://bof.fire. ca.gov/regulations/proposed-rule-packages/ You can register for the public hearing at register.gotowebinar.com/register/3650384515 941113867

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Of course, those get-togethers moved to Zoom online after the pandemic arrived. She didn’t let the loss of face-to-face interactions get in the way. “I still built great relationships,” she said. “It definitely got me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Alta helped me grow a lot and speak up for injustice.” With the switch to classes online, Nichols felt the focus shifted to “can teachers teach online?” with less focus on student success. “It’s scary to feel you’re rocking the boat,” she said. Nevertheless, she was compelled to speak up. Nichols, who is one of 1,240 graduates in Cabrillo’s Class of 2021, is transferring to UC Santa Barbara to major in psychology. “I think I want to be a therapist or come back to Cabrillo,” she said. n program, coming back to Cabrillo to work has been a wonderful and enriching experience,” Welch said. “I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day because Cabrillo is a caring community of professionals dedicated to the education and future of our students. I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference.” n

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There’s No Business Like E-Business

iven the last 15 months of shelterin-place orders, social distancing and just surviving the craziness of 2020, E-Business is now more important than ever — for every business. It’s very likely that for each business that had an online presence established before the pandemic, you found that your E-practices likely paid off. Some businesses had to do a “crash course” in what it meant to become an E-business, which could have ranged anywhere from just having a website all the way to online ordering and fulfillment, including shipping, curbside order pick-up, delivery or a combination of all three. However you chose to buildout your online presence, you will likely continue that effort this year and for many years to come. According to the US Census Bureau courtesy of Statista, E-Commerce sales jumped to 14% of total retail sales in 2020 — and that excludes restaurant/food service sales: The only way many restaurants survived 2020 was to have nearly 100% of their sales shift to online ordering through their own website or using partner services such as Doordash, Gruhub and/or Uber Eats. None of us should be surprised that monthly sales of meals delivered have continued to rapidly grow well into 2021: There is no turning back when it comes to E-Commerce, as people’s shopping habits have permanently changed. Yes, there are many people who will continue buying in person, whether

By Ron Kustek

Source: https://brizfeel.com/ consumer-online-retail-shopping-behavior/

they need to finally get out into the world and shop again, or to get some fresh air, or to physically see and experience what it means to shop among other humans once again. But keep in mind that in January 2021, as vaccines were rolling out and the world started opening up, only 31% of consumers said they preferred to visit a physical shop, but nearly 60% of BrizFeel survey respondents said they preferred to continue shopping online: What that means for all retailers, whether you’re a restaurant, shoe store, gift shop or hardware store, is that people are now used to shopping online, and that E-commerce has become the “new normal” way of shopping. If you’ve been holding off any investment into improving your online E-commerce website, there is no more time to wait. “E-Business” page 17

Source: secondmeasure.com/datapoints/food-delivery-services-grubhub-uber-eats-doordash-postmates/

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want to embrace the internet when it began commercially in the 1990s. Don’t let your business become one of There are many companies who are available to help small businesses grow those forgotten relics of the past that gets fondly remembered their online sales by those who miss revenues, as well E-Commerce sales jumped to you. And to take as help businesses 14% of total retail sales in 2020 some great liberty optimize their social media presence. Both go hand-in-hand, with the last line from The Wizard of Oz, and no longer can a business depend on there’s no business like E-business. n the old formula of “Regulars + Foot Traffic Ron Kustek is a former senior marketing + Tourists = Sales Growth.” executive of The Cola-Cola Co., and entrepreneur Some of us can remember there used who is currently teaching business at Cabrillo to be many businesses that didn’t even College. Contact him at RoKustek@cabrillo.edu. “E-Business” from page 15

“Scholarships” from page 12 Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship, Anisa Velasco, $4,000; special award of $1,000 to Hayden Michael Hennie JJ Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Cole Margarite, $1,000. Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship: Henry Danner, $2,000. Farm Bureau President Arnett Young

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was emcee. Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, president/CEO, Dominican Hospital, spoke on “Celebrating Spring & the Vaccine!” Notables in attendance included Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra; PVUSD Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rodriguez; Community Foundation CEO Susan True; CASA of Santa Cruz Executive Director Lynne Petrovic; and Santa Cruz Sentinel Director of Operations, Advertising and Community Partnerships Steve Bennett. n

ALL NEW

is majoring in animal science, and minoring in music, and plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian. Henry’s interest in veterinary medicine blossomed in high school when he accepted a parttime job as a janitor at Valley Oak Vet Henry Danner Clinic in Scotts Valley. He and the clinic’s veterinarian, Dr. Arnold, bonded over their mutual love for science, animals and music. ole Margarite-Donart: Cole has attended UC Santa Cruz for two years and has a GPA of 3.42. He is majoring in plant science and preparing for a career as an agricultural crop field advisor for sustainable research and systems management. A 4th generation farmer, he is committed to helping farmers produce crops more efficiently to feed Cole Margarite-Donart America and the world. He works parttime with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources office. n ••• For info about Agri-Culture, Inc.’s Scholarship program, email: agri-culture@ sbcglobal.net.

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nisa Velasco: Anisa is a 12th grader at Watsonville High School with a GPA of 3.665. Anisa plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she will major in animal science in hopes of pursuing a career as a veterinarian. As a Anisa Velasco child, Anisa would use herbs and homemade remedies to help heal any animal she could, and helping the animals gave her a wave of excitement which has steered her toward the path of veterinary medicine. American AgCredit provides $2,000 of the $4,000 award. ayden Michael Mennie: Hayden graduated from Aptos High School in 2019, and attended Cabrillo College where he carried a 3.935 GPA. He plans to attend Fresno State University in the fall, major in Hayden Mennie agricultural business and prepare for a career in ag sales. He works for RJO Produce Marketing, and will continue while working on his degree. enry Danner: Henry is a 2019 graduate of Scotts Valley High School and attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he has a 3.6 GPA. He

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

This Terrible Year By Charlie Lowe

Editor’s note: Charlie Lowe, 11, of Aptos, a fifth grader, shares what he wrote for a school assignment in September 2020, calling it an accurate (or, as accurate as possible) record of the day he learned about the coronavirus pandemic. Enjoy. ••• This terrible year Has made wildfires and SARS-CoV-2. Perfect. That pretty much sums it up. I sit inside, staring at the ash on my dad’s car. Can’t go outside. Can’t see friends. So I guess I’ll write. Y’see, way back before the pandemic happened, 6 months or so ago, people were scared. This VIRUS had been made and no one knew how to fix it. On Friday, March 13, it was officially declared a pandemic. It was a novel virus that had the form of a coronavirus, a virus that had only been found infecting animals. That sparked terrified theories and scared news reporters talking about any animal could’ve started it; from the snake to the humble pangolin. You see, I could talk about the psychology of the debate that was coming up… the impeachment looming possible. But I would probably bore you.

18 / June 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

So, instead, I’ll talk about my birthday, just a couple days before March 13. I rushed into class. Finally, the portable classrooms (i.e. Giant Shoeboxes) littered around the school were taken down and we had a big building for 1st to 5th grade. The downfall was that sinking feeling you get when you walk into a white classroom with white walls and not much… pizzazz. Once there, I sat down and looked around. My small plastic chair is uncomfortable- well it’s always uncomfortable but it’s worse now. I look around. Survey says: Stony faces. Sad people. SIGH. Ok. Not the BEST omen. I clear my throat. Listen. Pin drop silence. Shoot. My teacher, Mrs. Wilson, sighs, straightens up. “The coronavirus has been the talk of the town for a while (New Yorker joke. That may have happened in real life, but most likely just in my mind.). I’d like to confirm any of your questions,” she says. “What is it?” asks a classmate. “I don’t know.” (Not what we wanted to hear) “How did it start?” “I don’t know.” Yeah. So we were all scared. We thought our teacher knew EVERYTHING. Or at least more than she did. The

Charlie Lowe bright lights reflect Mrs. Wilson’s face onto the SmartBoard. (It’s like a TV, but for teachers. Mrs. Wilson was and still is VERY tech savvy.) “Terrible Year” page 21

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Good Eats: Tasty and Healthy Spring Rolls

from Sierra Bartsen

ierra Bartsen is garden educator and nutrition services coordinator with Life Lab. In May, she gave a virtual demonstration for families in the Pajaro Valley Unified School DisSierra Bartsen trict on how to make this tasty and healthy spring roll. ••• Ingredients 1 package rice paper wrappers 1 head Romaine lettuce 2 carrots  1 head cabbage 1 bell pepper 1 bunch fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, mint) 1 large apple 1 jicama root Optional > Protein of choice (tofu, beef, pork, shrimp) > Your favorite veggies

Sunbutter Sauce ¼ cup sunflower seed butter 2 limes juiced  2 tbsp Tamari 1 clove of garlic (minced) 1 tbsp honey or brown rice syrup Water as needed to thin sauce Optional > Substitute peanut butter for sunflower seed butter

“Terrible Year” from page 18 “All we know is that old folks and babies are susceptible. The virus is especially dangerous to anyone with asthma and/or compromised lungs.” Pause. I scrape my chair across the floor. My mouth is a sack of sand. Not the sand part, the sack part. Burlap. But not the itchy part. That would be weird. Ms. Wilson mercifully interrupts my train of thought: “Any REASONABLE questions?”

••• Instructions Cut up veggies into small pieces In a bowl of warm water take one wrapper and dip it in warm water for 3-4 seconds. Place veggies into the center of the the wrapper and fold/roll (like a burrito). Mix together sauce ingredients for dipping. n Visit www.LifeLab.org for more information. One hand. Before I even realize that the hand is MINE, the question is out of my mouth. “Are they dying?” Eager heads everywhere. Mrs. Wilson stiffens like a news reporter being hounded for answers. “Um… yes.” Pin drop silence. “Lunchtime.” Wait. HOLD ON JUST ONE FLIPPIN’ SECOND! Did she just say my grandparents were in danger of death by disease

and had the NERVE to end that sentence with LUNCHTIME? My classmates file out to get hand sanitizer. They’re still freaked out. It’s like a prison camp. Only less cheery. Okay. Happy birthday to me. Ugh. I guess, nothing a little Charlie Charm can’t fix. What’s the problem? It’s not a PANdemic, only an EPIdemic. But still I had a feeling this epidemic would change into a pandemic. A big, earthshaking one. We all did. God, I hate it when I’m right. n

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CALIFORNIA NEWS

State Budget Surplus: $76B Or $38B? Editor’s note: Here is an edited version of the Legislative Analyst’s Office May 17 analysis: Key Takeaways e Estimate the State Has a $38 Billion Surplus to Allocate. We estimate the state has $38 billion in discretionary state funds to allocate in the 2021‑22 budget process, an estimate that is different than the Governor’s figure—$76 billion. The differences in our estimates stem from our differing definitions. The Governor’s estimate includes constitutionally required spending on schools and community colleges, reserves, and debt payments. We do not consider these spending amounts part of the surplus because they must be allocated to specified purposes. In Contrast to the Governor, We Recommend Legislature Restore Budget Resilience. Despite a historic surge in revenues, the Governor uses $12 billion in reserve withdrawals and borrowing to increase spending. The state will need these tools to respond to future challenges when federal assistance might not be as significant. We urge the Legislature not to step back from its track record of prudent budget management. State Appropriations Limit (SAL) Is Important. The Governor’s May Revision estimates the state will collect $16 billion in revenues in excess of the limit this year. However, the ultimate amount of a potential excess will depend on decisions by the Legislature, which has substantial discretion in how to meet the constitutional requirements. Addressing Many Issues or Making Significant Inroads on Fewer Issues. The May Revision includes roughly 400 new proposals. While the surplus is large enough to make significant inroads in addressing a few key policy priorities, it is unlikely sufficient to do so across the number of issues contemplated in the May Revision. If the Legislature preferred to make substantial progress in a few key areas, it could allocate the surplus in a targeted manner. Consider Postponing Some Decisions. The surplus, in combination with the federal fiscal recovery funds, represents resources equal to about half of pre-pandemic General Fund budgets. Departments’ capacity to allocate this funding in a timely and effective manner likely will be constrained. More importantly, the Legislature’s time to deliberate over choices is extremely limited. We recommend the Legislature delay some decisions.

Introduction n May 14, 2021, Gov. Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature, the “May Revision.” In coming days, we will analyze the plan in more detail and provide comments in hearing testimony and online. This information is based on our best understanding of administration proposals as of Saturday, May 15, 2021. In many areas, our understanding of the administration’s proposals will continue to evolve as we receive more information. We only plan updates for changes greater than $500 million. General Fund Condition evenues Higher by $51 Billion Compared to Governor’s Budget. Reflecting very strong cash collections in recent months, the May Revision adjusts 2020‑21 revenues (and transfers) up by $26.8 billion to $182 billion. This represents a 27 percent increase over 2019‑20, the largest singleyear increase in over four decades. Much of these revenue gains carry over into the budget year, with 2021‑21 revenues being adjusted up $24.4 billion to $179 billion. Constitutionally Required Spending Higher by $16 Billion. The constitution requires the state to spend minimum annual amounts on schools and community colleges (under Proposition 98) and budget reserves and debt payments (under Proposition 2). Mainly due to higher revenues, relative to January, constitutionally required spending is higher by nearly $16 billion. Costs Reduced by $3 Billion. Other budgetary costs are, on net, lower by $3 billion compared to January. This number obscures billions of dollars in budgetary changes. For example, relative to the Governor’s budget, the Legislature enacted $6.4 billion in spending increases and revenue reductions through early action.

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Baseline costs associated with the state’s major safety net programs are lower by $3.7 billion. Total Reserves Would Reach Nearly $20 Billion Under Governor’s May Revision. Under the administration’s proposals, total reserves would reach $19.8 billion in 2021‑22. This total differs from the administration’s estimate of total reserves because we exclude the dedicated reserve for schools and community colleges, which we do not consider part of General Fund reserves. Spending Choices he Governor made choice n allocating state and federal money, totaling $85 billion: the General Fund surplus, school and community college spending, American Rescue Plan funds for relief and capital projects. Schools and community colleges would receive the largest allocations. In the other category, the second largest, are $5.5 billion for broadband, $1.1 billion to replenish the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, and $305 million for the Employment Development Department to address workload. General Fund Surplus e estimate the Governor had a $38 billion General Fund surplus to allocate in the 2021 May Revision. This surplus reflects higher revenues, higher constitutional spending, and net lower other spending. What Is the General Fund Surplus? The Governor’s May Revision is the starting point for legislative deliberation. Ultimately, the Legislature will make its own determination about how to allocate available funds. Here we estimate how much capacity the budget has to make those allocations under the Governor’s revenue estimates. We answer this question by assessing which of the Governor’s proposals are “discretionary.” We

define discretionary spending to mean spending, reserve deposits, debt payments, and tax reductions not already authorized or required under current law. (Our definition of discretionary excludes the cost to maintain current state services, such as base increases for the universities and employee compensation.) Why Does This Figure Differ From the Governor’s Estimate? The Governor and administration have cited a surplus estimate of about $76 billion, which is different than our estimate. The primary reason is the Governor’s estimate of the surplus includes constitutionally required spending, whereas our estimate excludes it. For example, the Governor counts $27 billion in constitutionally required spending on schools and community colleges, nearly $8 billion in required reserve deposits, and $3 billion in required debt payments. After excluding these amounts, our surplus estimates are nearly the same. How Can These Monies Be Used? In a normal budget year, General Fund surplus monies are available to use for any public purposes. This is not necessarily the case in this May Revision. That is because the State Appropriations Limit, which limits how the state can use revenues that exceed a specified threshold, applies to the budget process this year. The administration allocates $23 billion towards purposes that meet SAL requirements. The remaining surplus is used more flexibly. The Governor Proposes Allocating $26 Billion in Surplus Funds to Spending. Using the $38 billion surplus, the Governor proposes roughly 400 spending proposals, which would cost $26 billion. Less than one-quarter of these proposals are unchanged from the Governor’s budget. The remaining three-quarters are either modified proposals or entirely new proposals. State Appropriations Limit AL Limits Use of Surplus. Each year, the state compares the appropriations limit to appropriations subject to the limit. If appropriations subject to the limit exceed the limit (on net) over any two-year period, there are excess revenues. The Legislature can use excess revenues in three ways: (1) appropriate more money for purposes excluded from the SAL (under the Governor’s proposal, the common new spending is capital outlay), (2) split the excess between additional school and community college district spending and taxpayer rebates, or (3) lower tax revenues.

“State Budget” page 24

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Perspective on State Budget

Proposals for Fairgrounds, Homeless, Broadband

ov. Newsom recently proposed what is believed to be the largest economic recovery package in California history. What exactly is part of this recent budget proposal (colloquially called the “May Revise”) and how will some of it impact Santa Cruz County? Here is a look at proposed state budget and some key elements. Budget Process The State Constitution requires the Governor to submit a balanced budget proposal to the Legislature by Jan. 10 of each year. This initial budget is generally revised closer to June in the “May Revise” as more details become known about the economic health of the state. Like our local County budget, the budget document outlines the state’s spending

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

plan for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. Nearly immediately after the introduction in January, the state Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal advisor, publishes a series of reports that review the Governor’s budget proposal. These analyses often inform the budget debate in the Assembly and the Senate and include economic projections, context and background information and possible revisions. Ultimately, the Legislature has until June 15 to pass the budget. Proposed Investments This year’s budget revision from the Governor includes $100 billion in funding with about 90 percent of the proposed increases for one-time costs, many spread over multiple years, and the other 10 percent is for ongoing programs. Total

reserves at the end of the fiscal year are projected to total $24.4 billion. For Santa Cruz County, some of the items of greatest interest include investments to combat homelessness, housing supports for behavioral health, climate, water and forest resilience and broadband infrastructure. Additionally, the Governor has proposed to provide tax rebates of $600 to $1,100 to many Californians, double rental assistance to $11.4 billion, provide $2 billion of utility bill assistance, and significantly expand tax exemptions, tax incentives, and fund grants to small businesses. Schools, likewise, will enjoy recordhigh funding levels. Total funding, including one-time federal funding, in the budget for K-12 public schools will exceed $20,000 per pupil for the first time. In addition, the Governor is proposing universal transitional kindergarten for all

4-year olds. The UC, CSU, and community college systems are also receiving notable increases. Here is a more in-depth look at some of these line items (and things that could end up providing some level of funding to our county). “Friend” page 30

California Comeback Budget Priorities

Homeless, Cal Grants, Water, School Breakfast & Lunch, Internet By John Laird, California State Senator, District 17

alifornia state budgets are confusing in normal times. Due to an over-reliance on income tax, state revenues overperform the economy in good times and underperform the economy in bad times. Why? Because just a few wealthy Californians account for a large share of state revenues. This year, a completely new scenario has emerged. As millions of Californians struggled through the shelter in place – losing their jobs as businesses closed or paused — the wealthiest Californians scored big in the stock market. The result is a projected $75.7 billion surplus for this year. With an additional $25 billion in federal relief, California is farther ahead in projected revenues than in any previous budget. Half of that $75 billion in revenue automatically go to schools and to the “Rainy Day Fund’ created under Gov. Jerry Brown. Given this situation, how do we

address California’s needs as we move to finalize the budget by June 15? First and foremost, those most in need due to the pandemic must be our central priority. Earlier this year, for the first time in history, California passed its own stimulus program to provide support to struggling businesses and citizens across the Central Coast, as well as the entire state. In the

budget now proposed by the Governor, an additional $12 billion is proposed to be returned to those most in need through stimulus payments and support. The Governor’s proposed budget for the remaining surplus will help all Californians address critical needs: • The updated budget makes the largest investment to address homelessness

in California history — $11.87 billion over two years. Project Roomkey worked to house homeless individuals and families over the last year. A proposal to spend an additional $7 billion for Homekey will further expand the types of housing available to those living with mental illness, seniors, and veterans. • A proposal to invest $5.1 billion over several years for a water resilience package to expand and protect water supplies in California as we confront another drought year. The funding would invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, water recycling projects, immediate drought support to communities, and environmental restoration projects to help vulnerable species survive a changing climate. “Laird” page 30

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“State Budget” from page 22 How Does the Governor Use the Surplus for SAL-Related Purposes? Under the administration’s proposals, $23 billion of the surplus is split between two SALrelated purposes: $15 Billion in Discretionary Spending on Excluded Purposes. The Governor’s General Fund discretionary proposals include $15 billion in discretionary SAL exclusions. These exclusions are proposals for capital outlay projects. $8 Billion for Tax Rebates. The administrations estimates indicate the state would have excess revenues of $16.2 billion across 2020‑21 and 2021‑22. The Governor allocates half of these excess revenues—$8.1 billion—to taxpayer rebates for taxpayers with incomes less than $75,000. The administration does not allocate the remaining half to schools and community colleges. (The State Constitution allows the state two years to make the payments.) The estimate of the amount owed to K-14 education could change substantially in coming years due to changes in revenue estimates and legislative decisions. Noteworthy Administrative and Proposed Statutory Changes. These three changes increase room under the SAL. First, the administration will stop counting vehicle registration fees as proceeds of taxes. Second, the administration is making an correction of its treatment of schoolrelated deferrals. Third, the administration is proposing trailer bill language to absorb school districts’ room. We think all these changes are reasonable. American Rescue Plan hat Are ARP Flexible Funds? The Rescue Plan included $350 billion in funding to state and local governments for fiscal recovery. California’s state government will receive $27 billion. In addition, California will receive $550 million in Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which also are available to the state on a more flexible basis. How Can These Monies Be Used? The state can use the fiscal relief funds: (1) to respond to the public health emergency or negative economic impacts associated with the emergency; (2) to support essential work; (3) to backfill a reduction in revenue that has occurred since 2018‑19; or (4) for water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. The state has until Dec. 31, 2024 to use the funds. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released detailed guidance. The Governor’s Proposal. The single largest proposal using these monies is $5.5 billion for broadband access, affordability, and infrastructure; next, nearly $5 billion to housing and homelessness and $3.6 billion to higher education, nearly $3 billion for health and nearly $3 billion for resources and environment. The administration also proposes language to provide flexibility to reallocate these funds. We are still receiving

information from the administration on the million endowment for learning-aligned employment. uses of these funds. Reserves and Debt School and Community Colleges overnor’s Spending Choices. The State 11 Billion in Constitutional Reserve Constitution sets a minimum annual and Debt Requirements. With the funding requirement for schools and com- administration’s revenue estimates, the munity colleges. The May Revision includes Constitution would require the state to nearly $23 billion in spending proposals deposit $7.6 billion into the Budget Stabito provide the constitutionally required lization Account and spend another $3.4 funding increases. The Governor proposes billion to pay down debts. These deposits allocating nearly $10 billion to pay down would be required regardless of whether deferred payments from previous years, $5 the state made withdrawals from the billion (including $2.1 billion ongoing) for account in 2020 to address the anticipated high-poverty schools and districts, nearly budget problem. They are large because of $1.4 billion for community colleges, and revenue revisions. the remaining $6 billion) for other K-12 Using Surplus, Governor Repays $700 spending. Million in Loans and Proposes Special Fund Budget Structure for Economic Uncertainties Balance of $3.4 or the $38 billion General Fund surplus, Billion. The Governor also dedicates $700 which excludes spending on schools million in discretionary resources to repay and community colleges, the Governor special fund loans and sets the balance of the fund at $3.4 allocates: $25 billion to billion for the end of one-time or temporary The [American Rescue 2021‑22, somewhat spending, including higher than balance nearly $15 billion Plan] included $350 at the end of June for capital outlay; $7 billion in funding to 2020. Notably, the billion to revenuestate and local administration’s related reductions; multiyear estimates $3.4 billion to the governments for fiscal include a negative Special Fund for Ecorecovery. California’s balance of $6 billion nomic Uncertainties; in the Special Fund and nearly $2 billion state government will for Economic Uncerto ongoing spending receive $27 billion. tainties in 2022‑23. increases, although Governor Mainthese costs would grow substantially over time. The Con- tains Borrowing and Reserve Withdrawals. stitution requires the state to set aside $11 The Legislature passed the 2020‑21 budget in the face of major uncertainty. Revenues billion for reserves and debt payments. were expected to fall sharply. The LegisOne-Time Spending he Governor proposes spending $25 lature took $54 billion in actions to address billion of General Fund surplus monies that problem -- it withdrew funds from on a one-time or temporary basis. The reserves, shifted costs, reduced spending, majority of these one-time proposals ($15 and increased revenues. However, under billion) meet the definition of capital outlay the administration’s estimates, General Fund tax revenues actually grew between under the SAL and are excludable. Governor Proposes $15 Billion in 2019‑20 and 2020‑21 by 27 percent, the Spending on Capital Outlay. The Gov- largest increase in four decades. While the Governor’s proposals this ernor proposes allocating $15 billion of General Fund to capital outlay. For year eliminate most of the spending-related example, the Governor’s General Fund budget solutions, they do use reserve withproposals include $2.6 billion for transit drawals and borrowing from 2020 for $12 and rail projects, $2 billion for affordable billion in spending. Tax Reductions college student housing, $550 million for Homekey (to house the unhoused), and overnor Proposes $7.1 Billion to Tax$500 million for zero-emission vehicle and Revenue-Related Reductions. The fueling infrastructure. If the Legislature most significant of these proposals is $8.1 wants to make different decisions (without billion in tax rebates to households with statutory changes or fund shifts), it can incomes of $75,000 or less. either: (1) use the funds to make tax rebates These payments would satisfy half of and additional payments to schools, (2) the constitutional requirement under the spend on other SAL-excluded purposes, or SAL.) Partially offsetting the cost of the (3) use the funds to reduce taxes. rebates is revenue from a proposal for a Governor Proposes $10 Billion in new tax on certain businesses. Spending on One-Time or Temporary Ongoing Spending Programs. The Governor proposes overnor Proposes $1.8 Billion in spending $9.8 billion on a one-time or Spending on Ongoing Programs, temporary basis for a various program With Significant Outyear Cost Increases. expansions that are not capital outlay. The The Governor’s spending proposals also largest proposals include $500 million for include $1.8 billion in ongoing discreGolden State teacher grants and a $500 tionary spending. (We exclude funding

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

provided to maintain the cost of current state services, such as base increases for the universities and employee compensation, from discretionary spending. These baseline cost increases increase ongoing spending by roughly $2.3 billion.) Some of the largest include the Governor’s proposals to increase child care slots, expand full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to all adults 60 and older and to implement reforms to Medi-Cal called California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Some of these proposals are phased in over a multiyear period, so we estimate the cost at full implementation of all of these proposals at $3.7 billion in 2024‑25. By 2024‑25, the state would spend $2.7 billion ongoing for Transitional Kindergarten. (Under the Governor’s proposal, spending on schools and community colleges under Proposition 98 would increase to accommodate this expansion.) ••• LAO Comments Budget Structure n Contrast to the Governor, Recommend Budget Resilience. Despite a historic surge in revenues, the Governor proposes to use nearly $12 billion in reserve withdrawals and borrowing to increase spending. Using strategies designed for a budget crisis to support state spending at this time is shortsighted and inadvisable. The state will need these tools to respond to future challenges when federal assistance may not be as significant. In the next recession, the state is likely to have sizeable declines in revenues. To avoid reductions to safety net programs that support Californians when economic hardship is most acute, budget reserves are critical. For instance, in last year’s budget process, when the state anticipated a historic budget problem, cuts to safety net programs were largely avoided because of the state’s significant reserves. We urge the Legislature not to take a step back from its track record of prudent budget management. Budget Decisions Are More Complex Due to State Appropriations Limit. The SAL places significant restrictions on how the Legislature can use the surplus. The Legislature, however, can make different decisions, which will affect whether tax rebates or future tax cuts are necessary. Moreover, the Legislature could change calculation of the SAL. Ultimately, the Legislature has substantial discretion. Spending Choices roposals to Address Problems Exacerbated by Crisis. Appropriately given the dramatic and widespread impacts of the pandemic, many of the Governor’s larger proposals seek to mitigate either the pandemic’s direct impacts or problems exposed by the health and economic crisis.

“State Budget cont.” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pure Water Milestone

Seawater Intrusion Prevention Wells Near Completion By Rebecca Gold Rubin

he Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel project has three primary elements: water treatment facilities; conveyance pipelines; and seawater intrusion prevention wells. I’m thrilled to share with you that one of those three key components — a set of three seawater intrusion prevention wells — is nearing completion of the well drilling! Construction of these wells is an important milestone for this project, putting us one major step closer to providing a new, drought-proof, supplemental source of water for the community. These wells go to a depth of around 500–800 feet and will be used to pump purified water into the groundwater

basin. This will help replenish the underground aquifers, raise the water level to create a barrier to seawater contamination, and supplement this source of drinking water. Part of the work on these wells included drilling activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week for two-tofour-weeks at a time. We are so grateful to the residents near these wells for their patience as the work was underway! The next steps of these seawater intrusion prevention wells will occur in 2022 with installing the well equipment, site improvements, fencing, and landscaping. Construction of the pipelines is commencing this spring that will transport water to and from the Santa Cruz Waste-

water Treatment Facility and the Water Purification Center (to be built at Chanticleer Ave and Soquel Ave), and then carry that ultra-clean water to the seawater intrusion prevention wells for replenishment into the groundwater basin. Be sure to visit soquelcreekwater.org/ PWSconstruction for information about

Screen-Free Playtime

ACROSS

ABOVE: Welding of the screen well casings. at the Willowbrook SWIP well RIGHT: These glass beads are the packing material that goes around the well casing. They allow water to flow out into the aquifer.

ongoing and upcoming construction for Pure Water Soquel, including maps and schedules, and to sign up for email construction updates. n ••• Visit www.soquelcreekwater.org/PWS for background and details about the Pure Water Soquel project.

1. Ivory, in the bathroom 5. Letter of the ____ 8. Kiln for drying hops 12. Marine eagle 13. Muffin Man’s Drury 14. Zest 15. Landlord’s collection 16. Chieftain in Arabia 17. Frequently precedes “nonsense” 18. *Tabletop fun (2 words) 20. Passage in a coal mine 21. Clear the whiteboard 22. Sean’s mom Yoko 23. Alpine structure

26. Slabbered 30. Clothing border 31. Incense burning container 34. Gauche or Droite, in Paris 35. In a frenzy 37. Unagi 38. Fancy necktie 39. Eye protection, sing. 40. Not dangerous to health 42. Dwight the President 43. Worked the dough 45. *Screen-free message 47. Hairpiece, slangily 48. Libra symbol 50. Buenos ____ 52. *Dirty hobby? 56. African prairie

57. Like family lore 58. Don’t let it hit you on your way out 59. *Ten-pin establishment 60. Challenge 61. Purse to match a gown 62. Lake of Scottish lore 63. *Between ‘game’ and ‘match’ 64. Deliver a tirade 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

DOWN

Belgrade native Dessert sandwich Pavlova, e.g. Tube-nosed seabird Tibetan priests Japanese cartoon

7. Used to be 8. *Explore the great ____ 9. ____ spumante 10. Editor’s mark 11. Craggy peak 13. Official emissary 14. Bird-deposited fertilizer 19. Same as schlock 22. Famous Bobby, on ice 23. *Sidewalk art medium 24. Macho man 25. *Tell jokes, e.g. 26. Sub station 27. Permissible 28. Extract a memory, e.g. 29. Try to prevent 32. It’s not a want 33. ____ Bernie Sanders, abbr.

36. *Guessing game 38. Administer an oil 40. “Don’t make me ___!” 41. With pleasure 44. Full of bunnies? 46. Full of gentleness 48. Ranee’s wrap 49. *Macrame or wood carving, e.g. 50. Expunge 51. Bodily disorders 52. Hermes and Apollo 53. ‘I’ in Greek alphabet 54. Person, place or thing 55. John Wayne’s “True ____” 56. Delivery vehicle © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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Mercury Retrogrades — a Magical Mystery Tour Esoteric Astrology • June 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

ercury begins a three-week retrograde retreat on Saturday, May 29th and continues in reverse ‘til June 22nd, moving from 25 to 16 degrees Gemini. It’s good to consider Mercury retrograde as an alchemical span of time when selfreflection, introspection, the ability to understand the past (since last Mercury retrograde) occurs. It’s a time of correcting misunderstandings and misconceptions, entering into a more unifying reality through inner contemplation. A true mindfulness takes place as we have time to pause and reconsider our lives past, present and future. Mercury retrograde asks us to consider the content and quality of our thoughts and communications. Do we talk about people, events or ideas — three different levels of the consciousness? Do we gossip, tell the truth, philosophize, practice ahimsa? During the retro we review, revise, reappraise, reevaluate, reassess, reexamine, reread and redo just about everything. We also eliminate thoughts and ideas no longer useful. I have suggested to students through the years to create a Retrograde Journal, writing thoughts, ideas, experiences, feelings in this journal only when the ARIES

planets are retrograde. That time is now and for the next three weeks. When Mercury is retrograde we enter into an experimental cycle of time, with new realizations and understandings. Mercury retrograde, especially in Gemini, impacts our communication, developing in us new thinking, ideas and plans. It causes us to be simultaneously both more alert and reflective, observing life from a higher perspective. The “do nots.” Remember we do not sign important papers, make important purchases, send important documents, expect agreements to be binding, understand each other or drive well. In Mercury retrograde, the rules and flow of energies are different, and everything seems to disappear. How we can work with the retrograde is to be playful, adapt to the changing rhythms, slow down, reconnect with the past, play games, listen to everyone’s communication, be humorous and consider Mercury as the magician taking us on a magical mystery tour. Note from Risa — For further study and daily updates, go to my website www.nightlightnews.org/ and click on Daily Studies & Postings.

LEO

Overtime, Aries who works predominantly with instinct, With friends and in groups, all plans may be delayed, changed or begins with Mercury’s help to develop intunot happen at all. Those close to you may seem ition. In the next three weeks that intuition distant (everyone’s internal during retrogrades), will assume a tone, color and focus. Care quiet or confused. Friends, places, ideas from the needs to be taken with thinking, compast make contact and you consider returning munication, writing and driving. Something from the past somewhere, to a place, a group or to friendships from long ago. reappears. Be aware of forgetfulness. Walk in your neigh- Allow no heartache or anguish from the past to remain in your borhood, be in touch with family and siblings and study the heart. Visualize yourself in warm soothing tropical waters. I Ching, book of Divination.

SAGITTARIUS

Maintain clear communication with partners, intimates and those close to you. All relationships may enter into a phase of mis-understanding, perhaps disappointments, criticisms, over-reactions, mixed messages and perhaps the need to call upon mediation for understanding to occur. It is a time to assess the quality and value of thoughts, decisions and needs and discriminate between the self and all others. A difficult task, but necessary. A new home might become a necessary.

VIRGO TAURUS

Do not create any shifts or waves in your financial picture. No loans (given or applied for), for example. Take this time to review finances, create new budgets (to be applied after three weeks), assess the flow of money (what’s coming in, what’s going out), the hows and whys of these transactions and review if everything monetary is proceeding as planned. Include a review of precious metals, your values. And remember to tithe.

Notice if there is sensitivity (extra) around these subjects: CAPRICORN money, partnerships, joint resources/ Everything concerning daily life is re-evaluated. Review everyday finances, something from the past, speaking agendas and weekly plans, check all surrounding with superiors, thinking about career choices, environments — the house, the car, the garden communicating with co-workers, being — for needed upkeep. Make lists. Assess how misunderstood while in public, your life path, your future. It you want to shift, change and adapt to make life seems like every subject is sensitive. When you feel you’re more happy and pleasant. You realize you require more peace, being tested, say over and over, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” quiet and beauty. Careful communication is needed. Always have Remember, also, that you’re perfect. Goodwill. But boundaries are essential too. Also assess the state of your health, diet, exercise and how you awaken each day. LIBRA

GEMINI

Are you feeling somewhat distant, detached, reserved and unable to communicate feelings? Are others wondering where you are these days? You become internally focused, assessing all aspects of yourself — who you are, why you are, what your values are, your everyday actions, who you’re with and why. You review previous choices asking if they reflect your present wants, hopes and needs. Then the answers change within the month.

Rest a bit for the next four weeks, make no promises or important decisions, refrain from the following — signing anything into permanence (it won’t be) or making travel plans. Thinking about communications, interactions and especially tending to your money (be careful) may be confusing, and previous realities won’t make sense. Only you will know why this is so (Mercury retrograde). Take up the Alan Watts Laughter meditation. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXWNMmj9qCk

Interesting situations and communication may occur with those close to you, with children, and your own self as a creative being. Any Issues not resolved in relationships will reappear. Try to listen to the core message within all communications. Don’t react or defend or ignore. These destroy. Listen with the heart. Unresolved issues must be dealt with or there will be a dissolving and dissolution of important connections. Assess everything with care. Take good care of yourself.

SCORPIO

PISCES

CANCER

Thoughts, ideas, beliefs, decisions and issues not tended to for a long time appear in the present seeking attention and needing reassessment. Much of your communication may not be heard or understood by others. Therefore, try to be very clear when communicating, speak slowly, listen well. Be non-judgmental, call forth compassion, retreat. This retrograde for you is a time of deep quiet, prayer and understanding forgiveness.

AQUARIUS

You want to be practical with money and resources. After the Everything about home, family, early life, mother, real estate, retrograde travel would be good. For now, things domestic, comes into focus and will consider new goals concerning money and need careful evaluation and assessments. resources, reaffirm what is of value to you. Make no important decisions concerning the Eliminate what is no longer useful or what home unless an emergency occurs. Remember you haven’t used, touched or looked at in the past several everyone in the family is experiencing the present astrological months. Use this Mercury retrograde time to visualize new retrograde transit. And everyone is experiencing it differently. ways of living, building community and finding your like- Use your compassionate Pisces mind and heart to observe and minded companions. Consider all dreams as practical. discern the differences. And helping everyone to understand. •••

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

“State Budget cont.” from page 24 The Governor’s homelessness proposal would allocate significant resources to a longstanding problem that has been heightened by the pandemic. The state also plays a foundational role in enabling economic growth by maintaining well-functioning infrastructure, transit, and higher education. The May Revision includes many proposals in these areas. A notable number of proposals augment new programs, rather than making significant increases to existing safety net programs—like California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP)—or rate increases in programs like the Department of Developmental Services. Trade-Off: Address Many Issues or Inroads on a Few. The May Revision aims to address many well-known problems, for which solutions—particularly coming out of a pandemic—are less understood. For example, whether the administration’s workforce proposals will attract workers to retrain remains to be seen. Many of the Governor’s proposals touch on similar issues, but ways in which they would interact remain unclear. We recommend considering whether to spread funding across many dissues or to dedicate more substantial resources to a smaller set of problems for which the Legislature has greater assurance of success. Limited Capacity for Oversight. The surplus, in combination with the federal fiscal recovery funds, represents resources equal to about half of pre-pandemic General Fund budgets. This is an extraordinary amount of funding. Departments’ capacity to allocate this funding and oversee new spending will be limited. While the administration proposes a relatively small new unit in the Department of Finance to oversee new federal spending, more robust mechanisms for both state and federal funding—administratively and legislatively—are warranted. Consider Withholding Some Decisions. The administration proposes allocating almost all of the surplus and fiscal relief funds now. Given the constrained time line of the budget process, limited administrative capacity, and potential for future action at the federal level, we recommend the Legislature withhold decisions on some components of the May Revision. Delay would give the Legislature more time to determine which solutions would be most effective and develop a detailed plan. For example, the Legislature could wait to allocate the federal fiscal relief funds until more is known about what supports and services are needed as more Californians return to work, federal relief winds down, and the pandemic ebbs. n ••• To view charts and updates, see https:// lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLACK HEALTH MATTERS: FRESH AIR ’21 THIS SUMMER Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center’s Black Health Matters Initiative is kicking off a summer of free programming, Fresh Air ’21, to address and elevate the mental health and wellness of the Black community of Santa Cruz County. Black Health Matters, with Santa Cruz County Parks and County Parks Friends, will produce a diverse and accessible lineup of COVID-mindful events and experiences led by and for Black residents (and allies) in beautiful outdoor spaces. From movement classes, guided nature hikes, and selfcare workshops, to weekly virtual content, community gatherings, and celebrations, this summer-long campaign is geared toward having a seat at the table for all. Register: https://tanneryworlddance.com/bhm-happenings/ TWDCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twdcc_ dance/?hl=en

PVUSD SUMMER PROGRAMS Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s summer programs run from June 14 thru Aug. 4. The programs are separated into two sessions: Session 1 (June 14-July 9) includes Camp Connect for incoming 3rd- to 8th-Grades, Elevate Math for incoming 4th- to 9th-Grades, Credit Recovery (High School Students) and Family Engagement Activities. Session 2 is available at all PVUSD school sites and includes all in-person instruction, with standard transportation, nutrition and food services provided. Visit http://bit.ly/PVUSDSummer21 for more details.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by June 11 Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney. Second Saturdays Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull. Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. ••• Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza. Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org.

STUDENT STORY CONTEST DEADLINE Stories Due Wednesday, June 30 The Palo Alto Humane Society invites 7th and 8th graders in Santa Cruz County to participate in a writing competition on the theme of animals and people helping each other. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction and should illustrate a sense of kindness in their characters. The top prize is $500, with $200 each for two runner-ups. Winning stories will be published by Palo Alto Humane Society and highlighted during the 2021 Creating Compassionate Communities campaign. Stories must be original and between 800 and 1,000 RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES words. Competition guidelines — plus a submission form The American Red Cross urges individuals of all — are at https://tinyurl.com/paloalto-humane-write-2021. blood types to schedule an appointment now to Vandana Ravi won the inaugural contest in 2019 with a story about a lonely girl who came across a donkey give blood, and in most who also needed a friend. The 2020 winner was “The cases, those who have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. Knowing the Sun,” by Aaron Huang, depicting the life of a mother dog name of the manufacturer of the vaccine is important trapped in a puppy mill from the dog’s point of view. in determining eligibility. Appointments can be made 20TH ANNIVERSARY BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, VIRTUAL TOUR visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED June 11-20, Online Film Festival CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The 20th Annual Bicycle Film Festival offers a virtual Those who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma screening of short films curated for in May will be entered for a chance to win a travel Santa Cruz County. The Festival trailer camper that sleeps five, powered by Suburban is a fundraiser for local nonprofits Propane. The Red Cross will give people who donate May 28-June 13 a T-shirt, while supplies last. Donation Community Bike Collective and Bike Santa Cruz County. dates are: Tickets have sliding-scale prices of $10, $20 and $30 and can ••• be found at https://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/ Aptos June 5: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Highlands Park Senior PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Center/San Lorenzo Valley, 8500 Highway 9 Capitola PVUSD, PVPSA and Kaiser Permanente offers support June 4: 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. — Jade Street Community groups for Pajaro Valley families at 3 p.m. on the fourth Center, 4400 Jade St. Thursday of the month. The next dates are: Santa Cruz June 3. To register, email marisol.maciel@pvpsa.org June 3: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS Watsonville This new program from Community Bridges brings June 1: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. — Community Health Trust of enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS smartphone. Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. meetings for caregivers throughout the month: org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the 28 / June 1st 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR SCOTTS VALLEY ART WINE & BEER FESTIVAL The Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival is looking for artists for the 2021 event, Saturday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Siltanen Park on Vine Hill Road, Scotts Valley. The festival has been approved by the Santa Cruz County Public Health Director Gail Newell and the City of Scotts Valley. All artwork will be juried, with initial results posted on June 15. Artists must have original, quality art and excellent craftsmanship. No kits, mass-produced items, commercial reproductions or imports will be allowed. The charge is $220 for a single booth and $390 for a double booth for Santa Cruz County residents, and $330 and $620 for out-of-county residents. Artists apply at svartfestival.com. Artists who apply before June 15 get a $40 early bird discount. Applicants after June 15 will be juried on an individual basis. Final registration deadline is July 20. . Artist check-in is noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, with no late check-ins allowed due to limited access to the new venue. Artist questions? Email Angela Marshall, artist chair, at amarshall@scottsvalleychamber.com SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-through food distribution will continue operating at the county Fairgrounds throughout the summer with new hours beginning in May. Upcoming dates and times: Watsonville: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Fridays, 9 a.m.-Noon June 4 • June 18 • July 9 • July 23 Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

ONGOING EVENTS Ongoing Through Labor Day LOCH LOMOND RESERVOIR OPEN Hours: May & August–Labor Day: 7 a.m-8 p.m. • June & July: 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. • Closed Wednesdays Loch Lomond Recreation Area is owned and operated by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, primarily storing water for Santa Cruz residents and offering boat rentals, picnicking, fishing and hiking. After Labor Day, the Reservoir will remain open on weekends through the second weekend of October, open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Vehicle entrance fee: $8 • Season pass: $80 Information: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/ government/city-departments/water/watershed/ loch-lomond-recreation/park-map

June 21: Piret Harmon, General Manager at the Scotts Valley Water District, giving an update. To participate, you need an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. A one-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-5. Questions? Call George at (831) 334-7763. Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday NAMI RECOVERY SUPPORT 1-2:30 p.m., confidential Zoom meetings. National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Cruz County offers the “Connection Recovery Support Group,” a free, peer-led support group for any adult 18 or older who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition (no diagnosis required). You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others. Groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. It’s confidential and drop-in friendly. To attend, complete the registration form. You will immediately get an email with the Zoom link. You will need to do this only once, and will be able to use the same link for all groups in the future. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/nami-zoom-register (Full URL: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMld6trTgjEtOukidbv3qCQQTitZ92kXFf) If you are unable to register, do not have an email address, or have other questions, call the office at (831)-824-0406 or email anastasia@namiscc.org. For a recording of the March 18 speaker or more information on support groups and classes, https://www.namiscc.org/ Second Thursday Each Month GARDENERS CLUB MEETINGS 7 p.m., Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos The Gardeners’ Club is looking for people who share their love of plants and want to know more about gardening. The website is at http://www.thegardenersclub.org/ and there is a monthly newsletter. Dues are $15 per calendar year. Make check to “The Gardeners’ Club” and mail to P.O. Box 3025, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Meetings are held when they are allowed. Call Cherry at 831-475-0991 for information. Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

Every Saturday SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET! 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, Kmart parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road. Ongoing thru Thanksgiving The Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets in downtown Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Felton Westside First and Third Monday Each Month Santa Cruz, and Live Oak are phasing out senior only shopping hour beginning in May. Senior-only shopping, SENIOR LIFE ONLINE one-half hour before the official opening, started last 4 p.m., Online Meeting year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presen- Market staff says rates of COVID-19 remain fairly low tation by a local expert. Senior Life Online meets on the in the county and many seniors have received vaccinafirst and third Monday of each month at 4 p.m. View the tions in recent months. Peak season is nearly here and schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/. most farms and food businesses have long days, some have long drives and it’s time to give them a break. June 7: Scotts Valley Fire Chief Ron Whittle on Fire https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ Prevention for Property Owners.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DATED EVENTS Friday May 28 COYOTE WORKSHOP 9 a.m., California Fish and Game/CDFW Online Presentation The California Fish and Game Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife will present a second online workshop on coyotes focusing on educational campaigns and management plans. Speakers include Dr. Michelle Lute of Project Coyote, Kent Smirl of CDFW’s Wildlife Watch, Jonathan Young, Presidio Trust wildlife staffer, and Michael Bruckner, Arcadia assistant city manager. The workshops were scheduled after an increase in the number of reported conflicts between humans and coyotes to help residents understand the reasons and learn how to reduce future conflicts. Coyotes venture into populated areas to search for food, water or shelter. Human-coyote interactions are on the rise due to increased urbanization, availability of food and water sources, and access to pet food, human food, pets and small livestock. Interactions can lead to bites, pet loss and concerns about disease. To view the workshop, go to https://fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2021 To view the first workshop, seen by 375 people, go to https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYGwVbIf_6I

Wednesday June 2 YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR BODY 10-11:30 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association online seminar The Alzheimer’s Association presents: “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” a webinar available via phone and online. Join us to learn about research on diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation with call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar.

FIFTH ANNUAL GET HIRED 6:30 p.m., UCSC Competition 7 p.m., Santa Cruz Works Job Fair 7:30 p.m., Design Your Life Presentations More than 10 companies will offer 300+ jobs and internships, including Joby Aviation, Paystand, Parallel Flight Technologies, LIFEAID, Claret Bioscience, Astrea Forensics, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at this virtual event presented by Santa Cruz Works. The night starts at 6:30 p.m. with the UC Santa Cruz Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development Business Plan Contest. Watch the top 3 teams who won the annual competition and cast your vote in the People’s Choice virtual ballot. Sunday May 30 At 7:30 p.m., attendees can go to breakout rooms to meet recruiters, talk to company employees to learn BEERS & SHEARS WINES & VINES about career paths, or listen to author and career guru 2-6 p.m., Aptos Village County Park Nisene Rio Gateway, a new organization pursuing 501(c)3 Dave Evans, who will give a 30-pminute crash course on “Designing Your Life,” has taught to thousands. status, invites Aptos residents to meet your neighbors and volunteer to trim invasive ivy threatening oak trees at Tickets range from $0-$50. Register at https://www.eventbrite. Aptos Village County Park. Attendees must follow county com/e/5th-annual-get-hired-ucsc-cied-business-plan-contesttickets-153589643759 guidance on gatherings. RSVP via email to todd.p.marco@gmail.com or on Nisene Rio Thursday June 3 Gateway’s Facebook page. AUTHOR MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY Tuesday June 1 7 p.m., Mt. Madonna Public Speaker Online Series The Mount Madonna School public speaker series DEMENTIA BEHAVIOR based on the United Nations Sustainable Development 1-2:30 p.m., Alzheimer’s Association online seminar Goals presents “Rethinking Traditional Gender in Classic The Alzheimer’s Association presents “Understanding Literature,” featuring New York Times-bestselling author and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior,” a Maria Dahvana Headley. webinar via phone and online 1-2:30 p.m. Tues., June 1. Headley’s “Beowulf: A New Translation,” is a feminist Behavior is one of the primary ways for people with reworking of the tale of entitlement and encroachment, dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the powerful men seeking to become more powerful, and ability to use language is lost. Some behaviors can be one woman seeking justice for her child. Her most recent challenging for caregivers to manage. novel, “The Mere Wife,” follows the arc of the original Learn to decode behavioral messages, identify Beowulf but places the epic into a women-centered story common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help in modern suburbia. intervene with some of the most common behavioral Author, editor, and historian Tiffany Wayne, Ph.D., challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. former English teacher at Mount Madonna School and Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF an alumni parent, will moderate. Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation with Tickets are by donation at https://www.sdgspeakerseries.org/ call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar. VALLEY CHURCHES UNITED CHIEF TO SPEAK 6 p.m., Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County Online Forum Lynn Robinson, executive director of the nonprofit Valley Churches United, will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County on Tues., June 1. She will provide information on how Valley Churches United Missions is responding to the needs of San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley residents during these challenging times and services for residents needing assistance. She will also talk about opportunities for community members to support efforts to meet the needs of their friends and neighbors. Members of the public are invited. Visit www.svslvdemocrats. org for Zoom meeting link. Social time starts at 6 p.m. and club meeting begins at 6:30 pm.

Friday June 4

ELEMENTARY PROMOTION CEREMONIES Mar Vista Elementary: 9:30 a.m. on the field. Rio Del Mar Elementary: 9:30 a.m. on the blacktop. Valencia Elementary: 9:30 a.m. on outdoor stage on the blacktop. For elementary promotions, families will be checked in from the list of pre-registered guests. If you plan to attend any promotion or graduation and have not registered, contact your site administrator as soon as possible to ensure your spot.

Monday June 7 UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S 1-2:30 p.m., Alzheimer’s Association online seminar The Alzheimer’s Association presents “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” a webinar available via phone and online. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference

LUNAFEST 2021 Thursday June 3 thru Saturday June 5, Virtual Film Festival Viewing begins June 3 at 7 p.m. Ticket sales end June 5 at 7 p.m. Details below LUNAFEST is a series of short films by and about women. The Santa Cruz virtual screening June 3-5 will benefit WomenCARE Santa Cruz; proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships go directly to WomenCARE, which provides a safe haven where women with any type of cancer find mutual support, shared experiences, and open hearts. Virtual viewing begins Thursday, June 3, at 7 p.m. You have 48 hours from then to unlock the films and then 24 hours to watch them. The run time is 86 minutes. Ticket sales end at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 5. This year’s films feature strong women, powerful images, and impactful language — and may not be suitable for children or teens. ••• OVEREXPOSED: FILMING AN ARCTIC ODYSSEY : By Holly Morris. A behind-the-scenes look at the film team that captured the daring story of the Women’s Euro-Arabian North Pole Expedition. KNOCKING DOWN THE FENCES: By Meg Shutzer. AJ Andrews, the first woman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, struggles to make it as one of the best professional softball players in the world. A LINE BIRDS CANNOT SEE: By Amy Bench. Separated from her mother at the border, a 12-year-old sets out on a harrowing journey to the United States to find her. THE SCIENTISTS VERSUS DARTMOUTH: By Sharon Shattuck. A young neuroscientist and her colleagues make a life-changing decision to speak up for women in science. UNTIL SHE IS FREE: By Maria Finitzo. Mixed-media artist Sophia Wallace imagines a world where all people are able to live with possibility and purpose. CONNECTION: By Tracy Nguyen-Chung & Ciara Lacy. A lifelong angler, Autumn Harry had never fished beyond the waters of her reservation — until she picked up a fly rod. BETYE SAAR: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: By Christine Turner. There’s no stopping this legendary artist, even at age 93. ••• Tickets are $20 at https://www.lunafest.org/screenings/virtual-screening-friends-of-womencare-santa-cruz-060321

between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources. Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation with call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar.

Tuesday June 15 VIRTUAL PVUSD ACADEMY SIGNUP DEADLINE To enroll your child at Virtual Academy, for 2021-22, go to virtualacademy.pvusd.net and complete the enrollment/waitlist form. Indicate if a student has a 504 Plan or IEP. The staff will contact you. n

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“Friend” from page 23 Homelessness Funding For homelessness, the proposed budget includes funding for Project Roomkey—$150 million one-time General Fund to support the stability of the state’s FEMA-funded non-congregate shelter population and transition of individuals from Project Roomkey into permanent housing following the September 2021 sunset of the federal reimbursement. It also includes $2.75 billion over two years for additional acquisitions and rehabilitation of sites through these programs. Other funding includes supportive services for formerly homeless veterans—$25 million one-time funding to administer a competitive grant program to support aging veterans and $1.4 billion in 2022-23 to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate behavioral health assets to expand the community continuum of behavioral health treatment resources. Community Resilience Funding he May Revise could provide local funding in different ways. For example, counties will be able to access grant funding

“Laird” from page 23 We must also backstop water agencies who have lost revenue during the pandemic as customers were unable to pay their water bills. • As the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear, we cannot return to business as usual in our approach to education of California’s next generation of innovators and leaders. The budget must make meaningful investments in our financial aid system and enact the debt free college plan. This would allow for over 300,000 more students, particularly non-traditional and older students, to be eligible for Cal Grants. Expanding Cal Grant eligibility for students in both public and private universities would be investment of about $1 billion. I am committed to working with my colleagues and the administration to find a path to success for this important program. • The Legislature has the opportunity for significant investment in K-12 education. As Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, I advocate that we require Local Education

for community hardening through a new “Prepare California” program at CalOES. Counties with fairgrounds, and other local facilities that are regularly used for disaster and evacuation, will have access to funding for significant upgrades through a new California Department of Food and Agriculture allocation. Funding for climate adaptation, home hardening, and hazard mitigation is also included. Specifically, the proposal includes $250 million of one-time funds to develop and implement a new initiative, Prepare California, modeled after a successful FEMA program. It is designed to build disaster-resistant communities through state, local, federal, and private sector and nongovernmental organization partnerships. $150 million is proposed to support the development and enhancement of community resilience centers. Funding could be used to support infrastructure for emergency evacuation, shelter, base camps during emergency events, and critical deferred maintenance. Elements for this infrastructure may include cooling and heating centers, clean air centers, and

extended emergency evacuation response centers. These centers could be equipped with community kitchens, shower facilities, broadband, back- up power, and other community needs due to wildfires, floods, and other emergencies or climate events. For wildfire protection, the May Revision proposes to maintain the Governor’s January Budget proposal with $708 million in 2021-22 to support the Forest Management Task Force’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan while adding $38.9 million to support the staffing of three additional California National Guard crews for a total of 13 fire crews from July through December, and continue staffing 8 additional CAL FIRE crews that began in April. Broadband he Governor is proposing to invest over $7 billion in broadband infrastructure. If approved, on top of other proposals at the state, the investments could lead to significant broadband improvements throughout the state. The funding would extend reliable high-speed access to homes and businesses and build a backbone infrastructure that

The budget must make meaningful investments in our

financial aid system and enact the debt free college plan. Agencies to participate in the National School Lunch Program, as they would be able to offer breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income level. This would modernize our approach to school nutrition and ensure any student who wanted a meal would get one. Further, this would eliminate stigma for students who receive school meals and alleviate barriers faced by immigrant families who are reluctant to provide information in order to receive meals, finally removing “school lunch debt” from our vocabulary. If this crucial investment gets included in the budget, it will cost between $500 million to $1 billion. • The digital divide continues to persist across rural and urban California. In response, this budget makes significant investments in broadband connectivity, an issue made even more important as schools and workplaces were forced to

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close their doors and relocate to homes, garages, or anywhere there was a signal. Students should not be faced with no option other than to sit in front of storefronts to access online classrooms, nor should our increasingly digital workforce struggle to tap into adequate broadband speeds to contribute to our economy. To address this inequity, between those able to fully embrace our technologically driven state and those who remain disconnected, California is investing $7 billion over three years as part of a plan to expand broadband infrastructure, increase affordability, and enhance access to broadband for all Californians. Expanding and enhancing internet connectivity is a long overdue step toward the future. • And also of great importance, this revised budget includes $24.4 billion in reserves, which as last year demonstrated, is vital in budgeting

will make future investments more efficient and competitive. Of the $7 billion the proposal calls for $4 billion for a statewide middlemile network, reducing the cost of future last-mile deployment and increasing competition and affordability. $2 billion will support last-mile fiber through an existing state subsidy program, providing 100 Mbps broadband to those without. Additionally, $35 million is slated to expand broadband access to isolated and under-served communities through a collaborative partnership of local education agencies, regional libraries, and tele-health providers. This is just an outline of the significant number of budget proposals and how they may impact our area. At this point, they are just proposals and still need adoption by the legislature. If you would like to see more information you can visit the state’s budget site at http://ebudget.ca.gov n ••• As always, if you have any questions about this or any other County issue feel free to contact me at 454-2200.

through difficult circumstances. The proposed budget will continue to pay down the state’s long-term retirement liabilities, paying down over $10 billion in liabilities over the next 4 years. ••• As legislators, it is important that we invest in today’s needs and better prepare the state of California for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities — both in terms of investments to meet our biggest challenges, returning money to those in need, and saving money to be ready for the next downturn. As a veteran of the state’s budget cycles, I can say unequivocally that this spending plan likely poses once-in-alifetime opportunities to make investments that will benefit California for decades to come. That’s what we should aim for as the legislature fine-tunes the Governor’s proposal. n ••• State Sen. John Laird represents the 17th District, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties and parts of Monterey and Santa Clara counties. To contact him, see https://sd17. senate.ca.gov/

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SCCAS Featured Pet

To Propagate Favorite Plants, Try Layering

I H

Ratany’s Story

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ello everyone, I’m Ratany (A281241), but don’t take me for a shrub! I’m a 1 year old male black and white domestic shorthair with quite the story. Before arriving at the shelter I lived in an RV with 50 other kitties! Trust me, it was not as fun as it sounds! In fact, it has left me a bit hesitant. I like to take my time getting to know new folks, but once I know you’re safe I warm up fast! My favorite thing to do is talk to you. Yup, I’m one of those! I can talk all day every day, especially if I learn that you give good cheek scritches. I also LOVE toys. Playing is the fastest way to my heart. Personally, I prefer the wand toy, as it requires a superior level of skill which I have honed during my time here at the shelter. And yes…that is an open invitation to challenge me. *winks* So if you’re bringing lots of love, fun, and patience to the table, come down to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter so we can have a chat! 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

vy is creepy. It creeps everywhere. As it does so, it extends roots into or onto whatever it creeps over. Not only does it do this to climb, but it also does this to propagate. It literally roots as it goes, to function more as a swarm of countless small plants instead of a single big plant. A bit of wellrooted stem may grow independently from the original as a “layer.” M a n y vines do the same, even if they are normally climbing vines that just happen to fall onto the ground. A few shrubs and trees, especially riparian sorts, are happy to do it also if lower limbs lay onto damp soil. Such a rooted stem is known as a layer because it lays on the ground to root. In a home garden, a layer might root below a layer of mulch or soil. In fact, many plants in home gardens are easy to propagate by intentional layering. Many develop roots more reliably if layered than if propagated from cuttings. They grow almost like cuttings, but while attached to the original plants to sustain them. Layering produces only one or a few new plants, unlike cuttings, but for most home gardens, that is enough. Some plants are easier to layer than others. Pines and most eucalypti are uncooperative to the technique. Rhododendrons,

Ivy takes root as it grows. azaleas and camellias layer relatively easily, but may take more than a year to finish. Elms and magnolias are even happier to layer, but rarely retain low stems. Some plants layer best after spring bloom. Others layer through winter. An intentionally layered stem should be partially buried, with a few inches of stem below the soil, and a few inches of the tip of the stem protruding above the soil. Notching about a third of the way through the underside and applying rooting hormone promotes rooting. Regular watering is necessary through the process, which continues at least until winter. ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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