Our Community Reads 2022 starts Feb. 4

COMMUNITY NEWS

Our Community Reads 2022 starts Feb. 4

This season, Friends of Aptos Library has chosen “Red Letter Days” as the book and events represent collaboration with Friends groups in Capitola and La Selva Beach. The goal of these events is to create a shared experience that will increase appreciation for community libraries and for 24 local bookstores; foster pride in the varied experiences that our area offers; and the enrichment — culturally, intellectually, and emotionally — that comes from the joy of reading! • All events will be free and open to the public. • Attendance at in-person events will be limited due to Covid restrictions and require preregistration. • Masks will be required for in-person events.

For up-to-date details on registration, locations and links to online events see: https://www.friendsofaptoslibrary.org/ourcommunity-reads-2022.html

“Red Letter Days” page 29

“Navient” from page 23

Consumers do not need to take any action to receive the benefits required under the settlement.

Consumers receiving private loan debt cancellation will receive a notice from Navient, and they are to receive refunds of any payments made after June 30, 2021.

Consumers who are eligible for a restitution payment will receive a postcard in the mail from the Attorney General’s settlement administrator in spring 2022. More information is at www.NavientAGSettlement.com.

This settlement against Navient also includes terms designed to prevent future misconduct. Navient is to: • Ensure that call agents discuss the benefits of income-driven repayment with all borrowers seeking to lower or stop their payments; • Create a new cadre of repayment specialists trained to advise at-risk borrowers; • Stop compensating call agents in a way that encourages them to handle calls quickly, and instead ensure agents give thorough and accurate information to borrowers; • Implement changes to payment-processing procedures that will benefit borrowers; • Limit or reduce fees for late payments or entering forbearances; and • Improve its billing statements and other communications to better inform borrowers of their rights and obligations.

Navient must notify borrowers of the Department of Education’s important changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which offers millions of qualifying public servants a waiver that may count past payments, or previously non-qualifying periods of repayment, toward loan forgiveness.

Bonta encourages all Californians working in the government or non-profit sectors to review the PSLF website to determine whether they might qualify for loan forgiveness. Borrowers seeking loan forgiveness under the Department of Education’s recent changes must take action by Oct. 31, 2022.

Bonta joined the attorneys general of 37 states — Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin — in the settlement.

Read the settlement at https://tinyurl. com/navient-settlement. n •••

Share your Navient student loan experience with Times editor Jondi Gumz at 831-688-7549 x17.

SENIOR OUTREACH

Family Service Agency Senior Outreach offers free one-on-one counseling for people 55 and over via the phone, Skype or Zoom. Counselors are experienced. In-person counseling has been suspended to prevent Covid-19 spread.

Groups for men and women will be restarted as soon as possible, with a women’s group starting in February. Dates are not available due to the changing Covid situation.

Hopes are to restart peer training, for which there is a waiting list. To express interest in participating, call Barbara Salata, 831459-9351 ext. 206, who will return your call in 24 hours.

UC MASTER GARDENER CLASSES

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties offers free and low-cost gardening classes for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Coming up:

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning: Feb. 24, 5-6:30 p.m. (online) and March 12, 10 – noon, in-person, San Juan Bautista Historical State Park

Cost is Free. Donations appreciated. Register at mbmg.ucanr.edu

Winter is the best time to prune most fruit trees while they are dormant and their structure is easily seen. Winter pruning invigorates fruit trees to produce and support strong fruit production. Join Diane Mahan, UC Master Gardener and professional landscaper, to learn the why and how of winter fruit tree pruning of both old growth and newly planted fruit trees. The class is free to all with the option to provide a suggested donation of $5 or more to support the all-volunteer Master Gardener program.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing center.org

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS

This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost.

To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to jumpstart your future by earning an accredited high school diploma and career training through Career Online High School.

Is your 2022 resolution to go back to school and get your high school diploma? Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers a program called Career Online High School, designed for adults who were unable to complete high school and could benefit from additional job training.

This nationally accredited program allows adult students to earn an accredited high school diploma — not a GED — while gaining career skills in one of ten employment fields, from home care professional and office management to homeland security.

SCPL awards scholarships to qualified adult learners on a first-come, first-served basis. Career Online High School is a solution for those who need extra academic support and flexibility. Once in the program, students are assigned an academic coach who helps keep them on track and connects them with tutors if needed.

The online curriculum is accessible 24/7, which is helpful to those balancing work and family obligations. Students have up to 18 months to complete the program, but many finish sooner because previously earned high school or GED test credits are accepted. For more info, see https://santacruzpl.mycareerhs.com/.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 11

CENTRAL FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONS HEARING

Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County invites all interested persons to attend public hearings on districtbased elections at 9 a.m. on February 10 at 930 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz.

Board members will discuss, consider, and take action on one or more district map(s). Actions may include modification of division boundaries, sequencing of elections. For more information , contact (831) 479-6842, or email: PublicComments@centralfiresc.org Information: https://www.centralfiresc.org/2279/ReDistricting-Process-2021-2022. 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.

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing Through March 6

TAKE AWAYS: ART TO GO!

Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday Pajaro Valley Arts is hosting its first exhibit of 2022.

This diverse annual invitational exhibit features artists from Santa Cruz County. The art on view includes a wide variety of mediums including: sculpture, drawing, ceramics, fiber, mixed media, encaustic (wax), printmaking, photography, and glasswork.

Masks are required. Information: Curators Jane Gregorius 831-332-8433 or Chris Miroyan 831-247-5921

MAH EXHIBITIONS

Thurs. thru Sun., Noon-6 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents two exhibitions starting in January.

Jan. 14–May 15: Atmosphere, an exhibition by artist and filmmaker Enid Baxter Ryce featuring paintings and soundscapes that explore the phenomena of Monterey Bay’s fog and atmospheric rivers. Ryce’s work will be exhibited with collections of archival photos, an interactive musical sculpture, and fog collectors created in collaboration with historian Dr. William Cowan, musician Lanier Sammons, sculptor Natalie Jenkins, and scientist Dan Fernandez.

Jan. 21–March 20: Rydell Visual Art Fellowship exhibition, honoring the legacy of local philanthropists Roy and Frances Rydell and featuring the 2020-2021 Rydell Visual Arts Fund recipients: Printmaker and illustrator Ann Altstatt; sculptor and designer Marc D’Estout; choreographer Cid Pearlman; and photographer Edward Ramirez. Presented in partnership with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. Suggested admission: General, $10; students / teachers / veterans, $8, free for members and children under 5.

PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career development workshops for teens and adults through April, thanks to grant funding.

Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops at 10 a.m.

Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone meetings for caregivers throughout the month: Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. Ongoing thru March 15

NAMI PEER-TO-PEER

5-7 p.m., Online Classes NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program via Zoom for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.

Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions and informative videos.

Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/peer-to-peer.html

Signing up does not guarantee enrollment, but puts you on the list to be notified about enrollment. Check your email within 5 business days of completing the form, and save anastasia@namiscc.org as a contact to prevent emails from going to spam. Contact (831)-824-0406 or anastasia@namiscc.org with questions or if you do not hear back within 5 business days.

First and Third Mondays Each Month

SENIOR LIFE ONLINE

4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/.

To participate, you need an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or smart phone. A 1-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-6. 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.

There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and wellness screenings. Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info.

First Tuesdays of the Month

UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m. Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. arboretum.ucsc.edu

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.

Saturdays & Sundays

ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH

Tours start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis.

Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ group-reservation/ to reserve a tour. For more info, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours/

First Sunday Every Month

WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE

11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz Come by on Sundays and shop at over 40 unique & wonderful artists, makers & vintage sellers — there’s something for everyone at the Westside Marketplace!

Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays.

The Market is free to attend and is 100% local!

All local and state health guidelines will be followed. Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. For more info, go to the event page: www.facebook.com/ events/ 170470481551895

DATED EVENTS

Friday January 28 thru Sunday January 30

STARTUP WEEKEND MONTEREY BAY

CSU Monterey Bay, Seaside Do you have an idea for a new business? Are you curious about entrepreneurship? Do you want to start a business but don’t know where to begin? Do you have technical or creative skills and want to understand how the business side works?

At Startup Weekend at CSU Monterey Bay in Seaside, you will get experience with the process of starting a business, learn how to develop your idea, explain it to people, and meet coaches who will help you move your business ideas. Register at https://event.techstars.com/e/startupweekend_ mb/2022. If you have questions, email the organizing team at info@startupmontereybay.com.