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March 1, 2022 • Vol 31 No. 5

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Meet Jaylen Dang

Jaylen Dang, a senior and four-year varsity player, led the Aptos High School girls’ basketball team in scoring this season. A 5-foot-8 guard, she averaged 14 points, four rebounds and two to three assists per game before she sustained a ligament injury. Full Story page 6

Input Sought on Aptos Jr High Upgrade Full Story page 13

Aptos Tops SC in CCS Tourney

Black Health Matters Initiative Wins Anthem Award

By Jondi Gumz

The winning strategy for Aptos edging Santa Cruz 50-47 Thursday night in the CCS semi-final was Defense + 3’s. Aptos (22-4) traveled to Burlingame (20-5) Saturday for the championship. Burlingame won 55-46. Tied 39-39 in the fourth quarter, Burlingame hit 3s and kept Aptos from scoring.

Aptos and Santa Cruz, the two best teams in the league, each 9-1 with one their loss to the other, were destined to clash once more. Mariner fans packed its side of the Santa Cruz High bleachers. So did Santa Cruz. ... continues on page 4

Exccdingectatiis! Exp

It is with great honor and distinction that the Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative accepts the silver award in the category of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ... Full Story page 5

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No. 5

Volume 31

Table of Contents

Cover Aptos Tops SC in CCS Tourney, By Jondi Gumz 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 22 23 24 25

Community News Black Health Matters Initiative Wins Anthem Award, By Angela Chambers Meet Jaylen Dang CDC Relaxes Mask Guidelines for 63% of Counties: Vaccine Mandate Proposed for All Workers, By Jondi Gumz Key Survey Findings Trustees Sought for Pajaro Valley Health Care District • Leadership Santa Cruz Taps Trudie Ransom Dignity Health: $1 Million for Harvey West Studios Five Questions for Author Buzz Anderson Deputy Sheriffs’ Association Gives $100,000 to Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial, By Kieran Kelly Input Sought on Aptos Jr High Upgrade Stop Signs for Safety on Larkin Valley Road, By Kieran Kelly Fire Training at Aptos Library Come Have A ‘Spring Fling’ on April 7: Pajaro Valley Chamber Business Expo & Job Fair • Ag Day Luncheon March 16 at Fairgrounds Walking & Biking: A Plan for Improvements • State to Beautify Watsonville’s Highway 129/152 Capitola Historical Museum to Debut ‘Perspectives’, By Deborah Osterberg Tesla Pays EPA $275,000 in Clean Air Settlement • Dientes’ Tiffany Turner Wins National Award • Got Inflation? Tell Us About It Aria Menon Wins Spelling Bee, By Jondi Gumz Teachers’ Union, PVUSD Agree on $4,000 Raise

In Memoriam 15 Robert Reader Business Profile 20 Aptos Personalized Tax Service: Quality Affordable Tax Returns Since 1972 Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Pisces — Two Fishes Saving the World, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 21 24 27 30

Featured Columnists Warm Season Vegetables For Spring, By Tony Tomeo Pastina: Food for the Soul, By Joe Ortiz Real Easy French Bread, From Marianne Evans of Capitola Mid-Year Budget Update and June Hotel Room Tax Hike, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Fabrienne: Shy But Affectionate

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Angela Chambers, Kieran Kelly, Deborah Osterberg, Tony Tomeo, Joe Ortiz, Zach Friend layout Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin photography Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

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 Soquel 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 Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2022. 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

“Aptos Basketball” from page 1 In fact, so many people came to watch the rivalry, the school opened up a side of the gym that’s usually closed and allowed fans to stand behind where the teams sit. Santa Cruz enjoyed an early lead, 10-5, but Aptos tightened up. The swishing stopped for the Cardinals, who fell behind 16-10 in the first quarter as Jack Spinelli, Harrison Bloom and Marcel Martin hit three-pointers. By the half, Aptos led 23-19 but it was never easy as Santa Cruz went on a scoring run and turned up its defense a notch. Aptos led 31-30 at the end of the third quarter, and despite the efforts of Aden Cury and Koi Warren-House, Santa Cruz never regained the lead.

Aptos’ Jack Spinelli (30) holds his ground against a driving Kosi Warren-House of Santa Cruz. When Spinelli and Cameron Saldana, Aptos’ top scorers, fouled out in the last minute, Santa Cruz got as close as 46-44. Hero for Aptos: Marcel Martin, who scored and put the game out of reach —

even though Cury’s final three-pointer went in. n Cover Photo: Aptos High School players and fans start to celebrate after the Mariners’ beat Santa Cruz 50-47 in the CCS semifinals.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Black Health Matters Initiative Wins Anthem Award

By Angela Chambers

t is with great honor and distinction a community initiative that promotes that the Santa Cruz County Black equity through a network of community Health Matters Initiative accepts the trust, advocacy, and collaboration to silver award in the category of improve the quality of life for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Black residents in Santa Cruz Best Community Engagement County,” she says. for the first Anthem Awards “Dismantling systemic inaugural season! Join our team racism and the frameworks they at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, for hold requires a multidimenthe live ceremony where we will sional approach through trust, be honored alongside so many partnership, transparency, and from around the country. equalizing all voices at the table Cat Willis The Anthem Awards was to develop new frameworks. launched in response to the prevalence Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters social good has taken within the national Initiative believes in the power of cultural conversation and cultural zeitgeist in place-making and the arts at the center to recent years. The inaugural competition achieve this.” received nearly 2,500 entries from 36 counShe adds, “Our work has only just tries worldwide. begun as we embark on year two of the “Black Health Matters Initiative was Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters born out of the response to the murder of Initiative through our Data Spotlight Mr. George Floyd and the Santa Cruz Black in partnership with United Way Santa community convening with one another to Cruz County, and our work with local take action,” founding director Cat Willis county and city government agencies, says. investors, and community organizations. “Through partnerships across the We believe that driving the investment in county with multigenerational and this work to take it to the next level is our multi-focused Black leadership, Santa next step. Cruz County Black Health Matters Ini“Anthem Award” page 8 tiative embarked upon and mobilized

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Jaylen Dang

aylen Dang, a senior and four-year varsity player, led the Aptos High School girls’ basketball team in scoring this season. A 5-foot-8 guard, she averaged 14 points, four rebounds and two to three assists per game before she sustained a ligament injury. The Mariners finished 17-11 overall (6-4 in the league, Santa Cruz was 9-1 and finished first), defeating Saratoga in the CCS tournament, 60-49, before falling to Capuchino, 55-40. She shares her memories with the Aptos Times. ••• When did you start playing basketball? started playing basketball in 4th grade starting at Aptos Youth Basketball Association, then to Swish, G-Ball, Aptos Storm (AAU), SC Premier (AAU), and West Valley Basketball Club. What’s your favorite moment from your career? y favorite moment in my career was the connections I made on and off the court. My parents, JD and Joanna Dang, coaches, teammates, the athletic director Travis Fox, the administration, Peggy Pughe and company, and last but not least, the one and only Randy who opened the

My favorite moment this year was beating Santa Cruz. It was in that game where our team clicked and worked together really well by playing to our strengths on both the offense and defense parts. What’s your favorite subject at Aptos High? y favorite subject at Aptos High is Anatomy and Physiology Honors because of the note-taking skills I refined, lab simulations, anatomical drawings, and model construction. Although I took this class online during the pandemic, I was still able to be fully engaged and interested. I really enjoyed doing research and applying the concepts of what I learned, and putting it together into an info-graphic that I could present for anyone to understand, which my main audience was my family. Some other extracurricular activities I do are participating in clubs. I am the president of the L.E.O. Club (leadership, experience, and opportunity) that is a community-based.

Photo Credit: Peggy Pughe

Jaylen Dang and her family at Aptos High School senior night. gym for me in the mornings before school, for anyone else who made me feel loved in were my biggest supporters. I can not ask this community.

our Make Y RA 2021 I ion ut Contrib gh Throu ! 5 April 1

“Jaylen Dang” page 9

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COMMUNITY NEWS

CDC Relaxes Mask Guidelines for 63% of Counties Vaccine Mandate Proposed for All Workers

By Jondi Gumz

sign the Covid-19 pandemic is easing: On Friday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed mask guidelines for 63% of counties. Based on new cases and hospital admissions, Santa Cruz County rates medium, yellow on the map, so new guidelines apply. The CDC said people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. The recommendation for those at high risk for severe illness is to talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions. Counties with a high level of Covid-19 (such as Monterey County) are red on the map and everyone is expected to wear a mask indoors. A sizeable number of counties (such as San Mateo County) have a low number of cases and are colored green, no restrictions. In the past two weeks, three Santa Cruz County residents with significant underlying conditions died of Covid-19, bringing the death toll over two years to 252. Underlying conditions were a factor in all 13 of the most recent deaths during the peak of the highly contagious and thoughtto-be-mild Omicron variant. Eleven of the people who died were 75 or older. Meanwhile, the number of active cases has plummeted – from more than 10,000 at the peak in January to 2,473 as of Feb. 24 – and a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Watsonville Community Hospital to the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Project. Statewide hospitalizations, which had exceeded 15,000 at the peak, have dropped below 5,000, and the test positivity rate, which was 23% in January, has fallen to 4%. Since the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 13 blocked the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandate that employers with 100 or more workers vaccinate or test, saying the agency did not have the right, California lawmakers have introduced various bills to address Covid-19. The Supreme Court allowed a federal vaccine mandate for health care workers and of course employers can mandate vaccines or tests for their employees if they feel it’s needed. On the table in California: AB 1993 Assembly Member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) to mandate vaccines for all employees and independent contractors — and require employers to verify their workers are immunized. It may be heard in committee March 13. Co-authors include Assembly Member Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley) and Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento).

Senate Bill 1479, proposed by Pan, to mandate Covid testing plans and require the California Department of Public Health to help school districts develop them. Senate Bill 871, proposed by Pan, to end a personal belief exemption in the state’s student vaccine mandate. Senate Bill 866, proposed by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, to allow children 12 and older to get COVID vaccines without parental consent. Track these bills at https://leginfo. legislature.ca.gov Hospital Sale Approved n Feb. 22, Judge Mary Elaine Hammond approved the sale of the Watsonville Community Hospital operation – which has 620 employees -- to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project, a local consortium that was the sole bidder. Fundraising has generated $20 million, and leaders such as Mimi Hall, formerly the county’s Health Services director, hopes to gain state funding, which could happen in light of a $20 billion budget surplus. To donate to the consortium, see https://www.pvhdp.org/ Watsonville Community Hospital has been sharing the local Covid patient load with Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. School Mask Mandate n Feb. 16, Santa Cruz County and Bay Area counties followed Gov. Gavin Newsom in lifting the indoor mask mandate in response to declining hospitalizations and test positivity. The state still requires masks at schools – attendees at high school basketball playoffs must be masked -- but will reassess data Feb. 28. Parent Rob Ellison was outraged by photos of Gov. Newsom, without a mask, with sports celebrity Magic Johnson, without a mask, taken at a sold-out, 80,000-fan Los Angeles Rams game and posted on Johnson’s Instagram page. His concern: Kids in masks with speech delays, reading delays, depression and anxiety – and the double standard for Newsom, according to the full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle. For information, email outragedparentsbayarea@gmail.com. Ellison created a GoFundMe campaign to spread the word and 300+ donors gave more than $15,000. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revoked that Emergencies Act nine days after police broke up a encampment of protesters in the nation’s capital seeking an end to Covid restrictions. Myocarditis n Japan, the number of case reports of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination have recently increased, according to a case study published in January 2022.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, which can lead to clots, a stroke or heart attack. The Japanese government amended the label for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna to add myocarditis to their list of significant “adverse drug reactions.” Young Kids, No Approval arents anxious to have shots for their younger children (six months to 4 years) must wait for Pfizer and BioNTech to gather more data on whether a third dose produces the desired result. That may be in early April. When Pfizer began applying for emergency use authorization for young children, the application was for two doses, not three. According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the goal was to see if two doses would provide enough protection. In January, Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical adviser, said younger children will likely need three doses because two shots did not induce an adequate immune response in 2- to 4-year-olds in Pfizer’s clinical trials. Mary Holland, president and general counsel of Children’s Health Defense, contends there is no COVID emergency for children under 5 years old. Children have a 99.995% recovery rate, and a body of medical literature indicates that “almost zero” healthy children under 5 have died from COVID, according to Holland. She cited these studies: • Germany: Zero deaths for children under 5.

• England and Wales: Throughout 2020 and 2021, only one child under 5 without comorbidities died from COVID . A comorbidity means one or more diseases is present along with the primary infection. Vaccination ublic health officials consider vaccinations to be the number one tool to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. According to County Public Health, and the most recent three deaths were unvaccinated along with being older and having underlying conditions. (The county website now lists vaccination status as “yes” or “no.”) The most COVID fatalities in the county occurred in January 2021, when vaccines were not available and 22 people died in one week, according to the county Covid-19 dashboard. California reports 83% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot. On the CDC Covid tracker, Santa Cruz County reports 92.7% of residents age 12 and up have at least one shot and 84.6% fully vaccinated, numbers little changed fromtwo weeks ago. Fully vaccinated means having two shots (Pfizer or Moderna) or one Johnson & Johnson shot. All were developed for the initial Covid-19 coronavirus. For Omicron, a booster shot is needed. Booster shots are 90 percent effective against preventing Omicron hospitalizations, according to the federal Centers of Disease Control. “COVID Update” page 8

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 7

“COVID Update” from page 7 Public health officials say the scientific consensus is that Covid vaccines are safe, but protest leaders were skeptical about relying on science from drug-makers, which saw profits rise in 2021. They point to the U.S. government database, https://vaers.hhs.gov/, where health care providers are to report adverse events after a vaccine. The reporting site was created after Congress passed a law in 1986 protecting vaccine manufacturers from civil personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits resulting from vaccine injuries. After Covid arrived, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar invoked the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, a 2005 law that allows the HHS secretary to provide legal protection to companies making or distributing critical medical supplies such as vaccines unless there’s “willful misconduct” by the company, according to a report by CNBC. This lowers the cost of immunizations, and the protection lasts until 2024. Dr. Pamela Popper of Ohio has sued HHS, FDA and CDC concerning vaccines for kids under 16, hopes to get discovery, the point at which both sides can get evidence. Updates are at https://makeamericansfreeagain.com/ On Jan. 6, federal judge Allen Winsor in Florida denied a motion by the U.S. Department of Defense seeking to block discovery of evidence. The lawsuit was filed by 18 service members challenging the vaccine mandate. Omicron he assumption is Omicron, the most easily transmissible variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus, quickly drove the increase in January and the decline in February. Omicron was confirmed in two cases in the county on Dec. 16 and 17. The numbers ballooned from 325 cases

“Anthem Award” from page 5 This historic and groundbreaking report and initiative centers the Black residents of Santa Cruz County’s true quality of life; both by the numbers in raw data and through their lived and shared qualitative experiences.” By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. A portion of program revenue will fund a new grant program supporting emerging individuals and organizations working to advance the causes recognized in the inaugural Anthem Awards. This year’s Anthem Award Winners will be celebrated virtually at 2 p.m. Feb. 28, at anthemawards.com. Special Achievement Winners will recognized for their outstanding contribution and work to make an impact on society. This year’s Special Achievement Winners are: • Anthem Athlete of the Year: Naomi Osaka for claiming her third Grand Slam title while igniting a conversation

confirmed on Dec. 29 to 1,265 confimred on Jan. 20, according to the county health dashboard, which is updated twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays. Hospitalizations are down from 43 to 19, including five in intensive care, according to a state dashboard, which updates daily. Possibly people entered the hospital with another condition or for scheduled surgery, then got tested for Covid. The dashboard does not explain. The California Department of Public Health estimates Omicron comprises 91% of cases statewide and Delta 6.5% but does not have a breakdown of Omicron hospitalizations or deaths. Not all COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization are sequenced, and the proportion of cases due to the Omicron variant that die is still being determined. Less Deadly micron is less deadly than Delta, which raged in 2021. Santa Cruz County reports 252 Covid deaths, up from 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron. One statistic is similar: 79% to 81% of those who died had pre-existing conditions. Why do people fear Omnicron? They may have a pre-existing condition (diabetes, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure). Half of Americans do, so they are at higher risk for severe Covid illness. So are people 85 and older. Some people who got Covid experience “long Covid,” with fatigue and brain fog months afterward. A 2022 study in the journal Cell by researchers following more than 200 patients found many acute Covid patients had low cortisol, which could be addressed. Pajaro Valley Schools ajaro Valley schools, with 19,000 students, report 1,307 active student cases and 82 staff cases in February.

about mental health, racial injustice and police brutality. • Anthem Entertainer of the Year: Adam McKay for holding up a mirror

to society through his work, challenging the status quo, and for the powerful messages that he compels us to hear.

response antigen tests, courtesy of the County Office of Education, and schools are distributing more for home use. Directions are posted at https://drive. google.com/file/d/1U8AdsSyH14sDvrjD 6T25krhvOFRFsuXs/view For test options see: https://tinyurl. com/get-tested-santa-cruz. Shorter Isolation ased on federal recommendations, the state has shortened the isolation time for those testing positive from 10 days to five days. Booster shot appointments can be scheduled at https://myturn.ca.gov/ and by asking your local doctor and pharmacies. For local vaccine providers, visit www. santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine. For help scheduling an appointment, call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui). For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n •••

Total COVID cases: 3,238

••• COVID Deaths: 252 As of Feb. 24 Age 85 and older: 108 • 75-84: 58 • 65-74: 44 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 203 • No: 49 Race White 143 • Latinx 88 • Asian 16 • Black 2 Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 • Another 1 Gender Men: 128 • Women: 124 Location At facility for aged: 113 Not at a facility: 139 Jay Ellis, star of HBO’s Insecure, the upcoming film Top Gun: Maverick and host of The Untold Story: Policing podcast, is the awards host. n

Key Survey Findings

nformation was gathered in August and September 2021 via an online survey completed by 87 people and four online focus groups involving 31 people recruited by NAACP Santa Cruz County, Black Girl Magic, Black Surf Club and the Santa Cruz County Black Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity, with ASR staff as scribes. • 76% felt their healthcare provider addressed their concerns most of the time or always; 54% felt their race/ ethnicity impacted their quality of health care. • 20% said they or someone in their household had tested positive for Covid. 87% reported being vaccinated; 10% more were somewhat likely to very likely to get vaccinated. On Jan 13, 2022, the county reported 154 known cases among Blacks,

8 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Watsonville High School has the most student cases, 128, and 15 staff cases. Aptos High School has 42 student cases and five staff cases, Aptos Junior High has 26 student cases and 1 staff case. Valencia Elementary has 53 student cases and 3 staff cases; Mar Vista Elementary, 22 student cases and 3 staff cases. Rio del Mar Elementary has 14 student cases and zero staff cases. Testing anta Cruz County Office of Education, with Inspire Diagnostic, has provided 327,100 tests. Cases peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, dropping to 622 on Feb. 25. The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% a month ago, is down to 4.0%. The County Office of Education offers drive-though testing for students, staff and families at these locations: Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. Currently, all students in public schools countywide regardless of vaccination status are required to test weekly to participate in indoor sports, Band and Drama. Schools consider test results administered by health care providers, Inspire drive-through/school clinics or CLIA-certified labs. Home tests are only for parental use. Third-party programs on school campuses must follow CDPH guidelines which differ from those for schools. These rules may change Feb. 28. Hundreds of school staff have rapid

which is .58% of total cases, less than the percentage of Blacks in the county (.87%). • 56% reported racial discrimination they had experienced or witnessed affected their mental health often or very often. (In a school survey, 19% of Black 9th and 11th graders in the county reported seriously considering suicide in 20172019, compared to 13% statewide.) • 79% reported they were financially the same or better off this year compared to last year. 71% said they pay more than a third of their income for housing. 35% reported it was somewhat difficult or very difficult for their household to pay usual expenses in the past 12 months. n ••• The 69-page Santa Cruz County Black

Health Matters Spotlight, with more detailed info, is at www.unitedwaysc.org/research-reports ••• Black/African American Population Santa Cruz County: 1.7% (nearly doubled since 2013) California: 7% ~~~ County Median Family Income (latest available: 2019) Black: $78,381 Hispanic/Latino: $77,307 White: $123,248 ~~~ Santa Cruz High School 11th Graders Report Chronic Sadness or Hopelessness (2018-19) Black/African American: 38% Hispanic/Latino: 32% White 32%

COMMUNITY NEWS

Trustees Sought for Pajaro Valley Health Care District T Leadership Santa Cruz Taps Trudie Ransom L he County of Santa Cruz is seeking applicants to the board of the newlycreated Pajaro Valley Health Care District to govern activities associated with the delivery of medical care in the Pajaro Valley, and manage the sale of Watsonville Community Hospital. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District submitted the only bid during the ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize. Financial reports submitted to the California Department of Health Care show the 106-bed hospital lost $14.3 million in 2019 and $17.9 million in 2020. Court documents show the hospital lost $32 million in 2021. Watsonville Community Hospital serves an area of lower household income and access to quality housing, transportation, and healthcare, according to the California Healthy Places Index. Revenue comes largely from Medicare or Medi-Cal, the state program for low-income residents, and rates do not cover the cost billed for services. Despite the financial difficulties, the hospital remains fully operational. The amount of the bid has not been revealed, but the county contributed $5.5 million, Central California Alliance for Health $3 million, the County of Monterey $3 million, and the city of Watsonvllle $130,000 toward the local effort. Ten days ago, State Sen. John Laird ( D-Santa Cruz) told Monterey County Weekly the group had raised $18 million. To make the sale possible, he introduced

“Jaylen Dang” from page 6 We are sponsored by the Cabrillo Host Lions Club and we serve the local community through beach cleanups, collecting and reusing glasses for the homeless, and more. I am also the president of the SciComm Club (community of science), which seeks to bring student voices to embark on challenging conversations surrounding race and achievement gaps. Additionally, I became a Gravity Water’s Youth Initiative Student Ambassador my sophomore year where I organized a campaign to fundraise $2,500 to build a sustainable filtered-water system and provide a year-round supply of soap to a school in Nepal called Bishwa Shiksha Sadan Secondary School.

eadership Santa Cruz County opportunities and learning more about the Santa Cruz County community.” announces Trudie Her goal is “steering class Ransom as its new members to their best expeexecutive director. The owner rience ever at Leadership Santa of the SUP Shack at the Santa Cruz County.” Cruz Harbor and executive She’ll be shadowing Dave secretary at the Capitola Vincent, interim executive Chamber of Commerce, she director, as he wraps up Class was a member of Leadership 35, which graduates in June, and Santa Cruz County Class 30 Trudie Ransom welcomes Class 36 in the fall. six years ago. The nonprofit provides a broad Ransom said the experience “gave me the confidence to grow my business.” base of community knowledge to class She added, “I loved the networking members and creates opportunities to

SB 418, which was approved by the Legislature in 19 days and signed by Gov. Newsom on Feb. 4. A sales hearing was scheduled in bankruptcy court for Feb. 23. Applicants must be permanent residents of the boundaries of the Health Care District (see the map on application form), a registered voter in Monterey or Santa Cruz counties, and able to complete statements of economic interest. Ideal candidates are to “reflect the diversity of Pajaro Valley and have experience in healthcare, business, and/or community endeavors,” according to the county. The five board positions are voluntary.

Future terms will be subject to districtbased elections by the voting public. Applications are due by March 4. To apply, go to https://tinyurl.com/ PVHCDBoard.

interact with leaders in government, business, health care and other industries. For example, Class 35 will visit Watsonville on March 4, stopping at Watsonville Airport, the wetlands, and the Water Recycling Plant. Next comes a focus on agriculture, one of the top two industries in the county along with tourism, with stops at the county fairgrounds and Gizdich Ranch. Art & Culture Day is scheduled for April 15. n For information, visit leadershipsanta cruzcounty.org.

The Board of Supervisors will make appointments on March 22. An introductory meeting will take place March 24 followed by a planning meeting March 26. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Dignity Health: $1 Million for Studios To Address Homelessness D ignity Health is awarding a $1 million to Housing Matters to build Harvey West Studios, a residence for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Santa Cruz County. The total cost of this ambitious project, years in the making, is estimated at $25 million to $28 million. Construction for Harvey West Studios, designed by David Baker Architects, is expected to begin in fall 2022. This five-story apartment complex with 120 rental units with a manager’s unit and supportive services is be built at 119 Coral St., Santa Cruz, a new addition to the Housing Matters campus. The developer is New Way Homes, founded by Sibley Simon in 2015. Each studio will provide about 300 square feet of modest living space. Modular construction is planned for this all-electric building, with solar and “clean air” technologies to reduce energy requirements and environmental impacts. A fee waiver has been requested from the city of Santa Cruz. Housing Matters launched its Building with Purpose campaign for Harvey West Studios in June 2021. Most new housing built in Santa Cruz County is priced for middle income to

affluent households as those developments are more profitable than building rental apartments for the low-income market, although such units are much needed. Developers seek federal low-income tax credits but the funding provided by Congress falls far short of the need, stalling many projects. Although Santa Cruz County has received millions in state homeless funding, the Grand Jury in 2020 found that funding is inconsistent, making it difficult for local agencies to plan projects that take years to come to fruition. As a result, “temporary fixes tend to receive emergency funding…leading to reactive and tactical rather than strategic planning,” the Grand Jury added. Dignity Health, a longtime Housing Matters partner, is a nonprofit health system that includes Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and Dignity Health Medical Group – Dominican physicians and locations throughout Santa Cruz County. “As health care providers, we do all we can to mitigate the health impacts of our patients who are experiencing homelessness, but no amount of health care can substitute for stable housing,” said Dominican Hospital President Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz. “We are proud to

10 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

continue our longstanding partnership with Housing Matters as they provide innovative solutions to this pressing challenge.” Unhoused individuals lacking health insurance or a primary care doctor can seek medical care at a hospital emergency department. Dominican Hospital’s emergency

department is the only one in north Santa Cruz County, and under the 1986 federal EMTALA law, they must be treated, whether or not they can afford to pay. Santa Cruz County, which has little low-cost housing, has one of the highest per-capita rates of homelessness in the state. In January 2019, the Homeless Point-inTime Count, a federally mandated census, estimated 2,167 people homelessness. That’s one of every 125 residents. Some have a disabling condition. In 2022, California is providing monthly Supplement Security Income of $1,040. Their stability relies heavily on access to daily services like medical care and other supportive services, and permanent affordable housing. “Harvey West Studios will offer a healing environment where people can feel at home within a shared community,” said Phil Kramer, Housing Matters CEO. “On-site services and the proximity to services co-located on the Housing Matters campus will further support them on their individual paths to health and housing stability.” The design includes gathering areas for residents, landscaped spaces, and onsite medical and behavioral health services. “We’re so grateful to receive this contribution, which we see as a deep commitment to the health of our entire community,” said Mer Stafford, chief impact officer at Housing Matters. n ••• Images by David Baker Architects

COMMUNITY NEWS

Five Questions for Author Buzz Anderson L ifelong Santa Cruz County resident Buzz Anderson has been fascinated by the Ohlone tribe’s history since he was a young lad. Now Anderon, who lives in Live Oak, is the author of “Five Hundred Moons,” a 778-page historical novel about the Ohlone people starting in 1747 and the Franciscans on a mission to baptize them into Catholicism. ••• Q. How did you write this epic? y most creative time has always been in the AM, especially when I was working. When I retired it was easier to treat my writing as a job and the mornings were naturally better for me. I’d say a 80/20 split between AM’s Buzz Anderson and other parts of the day. There were some times when my writing bogged. To break out of it, I’d pour a glass of wine in the evening and re-read my latest

My most creative time has always been in the AM.

chapter, then take some notes and outline what was next. Q. How did you decide to add Gypsies to the story? wanted first and foremost the book to be a story, not just history, so I looked to introduce some interesting characters that I could totally make up. The gypsies filled that need. It was helpful that in 1749 (basically the start of my time frame) the Great Gypsy Roundup took place in Spain. I could draw parallels with the indigenous people of the New World in regards to both groups being persecuted under the yoke of Church and State. Q. You put the murder of the padre at the mission in this story although it didn’t happen until 1812, years later. Any objections from historians or native Americans? wanted include the story of of the Padre’s murder but my page count was getting out of hand.

I thought 800 pages was about enough, so I combined the murder with the attempted burning of the Santa Cruz Mission which took place 21 years prior. It was the biggest literary license I took in the book. I don’t profess the novel to be a scholarly work. It’s a work of fiction. I haven’t heard of any objections from other groups, although they are certainly welcome to have their opinions. Q. What’s the reaction been from native Americans? did offer five free copies to the local Amah-Mutsun tribe. I haven’t heard back from them. I should re-contact them for sure. Q. This does read like a TV mini-series. Any interest from producers? t’s flattering to think my book could be a mini-series. There are a couple of websites that claim to have connections with producers. My editor, Sheila Setter, suggested I contact them, but I’m not holding my breath for any big Hollywood deal! n ••• The book is available locally at Bookshop

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Deputy Sheriffs’ Association Gives $100,000 to Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial

By Kieran Kelly

he Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association announced the largest gift in the union’s history: A $100,000 “challenge grant” for the Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial at Willowbrook Park in Aptos. The Association’s membership voted to make the gift in memory of Sgt. Gutzwiller, who was killed in the line of duty on June 6, 2020. “The contribution is a commitment to the community, to Damon’s family and to our fallen brother,” said DSA president Ethan Rumrill. “This project brings all of us together, and we invite everyone to remember Damon by making this project a reality through their own contributions.” The donation was made public Feb. 14 when the association presented a check to the nonprofit County Park Friends. DSA members hope the community will match or exceed the donation, with many local community members and businesses having already contributed another $18,000 to the memorial. Red Apple Cafe in Aptos is donating a portion of all sales in February to Sgt. Gutzwiller’s memorial. “This is a transformative contribution from those

Photo Credit: Kieran Kelly

Deputy Sheriffs’ Association presents check for $100,000 donation for the Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial Project at Willowbrook Park. Left to right, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Lt. Nicholas Baldrige, Santa Cruz County DSA President Ethan Rumrill, County Park Friends Executive Director Mariah Roberts, and County Park Friends Board Chair Terry Corwin. that loved and worked with Sgt. Gutzwiller,” said County Supervisor Zach Friend. “My hope is that their gift inspires others in our community to bring improvements and a memorial — to a park he loved — one step closer.” The memorial will be constructed at Willowbrook

County Park and it will include the installation of a circular memorial seating area that looks out towards a new flagpole. As part of the project, updates and enhancements will also be made to the park’s entrance, play areas, and sport courts. The project’s supporters selected Willowbrook Park for the memorial site because Sgt. Gutzwiller was a resident of the surrounding neighborhood and could be frequently found there with his dog, Shasta. “We are grateful to see the continuing support and love from our neighbors,” said Faviola Del Real, Gutzwiller’s widow. “We have lost so much, and this project will stand as a reminder that there is one thing we will never lose – the memory of the sacrifice that Damon made on behalf of his hometown.” In partnership with the nonprofit County Park Friends, the Willowbrook Park Gutzwiller Memorial campaign aims to raise $805,000 in community donations and sponsorships through a variety of giving opportunities. n Visit https://www.countyparkfriends.org/willowbrook.html for more information, schematics of planned park renovations or to make a donation.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Input Sought on Aptos Jr High Upgrade O n Feb. 22, Aptos Junior High students walked into their newly renovated multi-purpose room for the first time this year. The four-month project that cost $1.8 million was made possible by the community through their support of Measure L and allowed for several significant renovations to a space that is used throughout the day and week by students as they connect in athletic Michael Mansfield events, as they enjoy their lunch, or entertain with school drama productions. A new floor was installed throughout the facility, new bathrooms were installed in the locker rooms, plus additional lockers,

water filling stations were, new bleachers, and accessibility upgrades. The Aptos Jr. High community is excited for the opportunity to dedicate the newly renovated space and we need your participation and input, according to Principal Michael Mansfield. There will be two community meetings to seek input on the criteria to be used in nominating someone for the dedication, nominations will be made, and the community will be able to vote on those nominations. The first meeting will take place on March 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Aptos Junior High multipurpose room. The second meeting will be April 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Principal Mansfield looks forward to seeing you. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Stop Signs for Safety on Larkin Valley Road

By Kieran Kelly

esidents living along Larkin Valley Road in Aptos can finally breathe a sigh of relief as new stop signs are being installed at two intersections on this twisting, scenic thoroughfare. At the Feb. 1 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to designate the intersection of Larkin Valley Road and Mar Monte Avenue, as well as the Larkin Valley Road and White Road intersection, as multi-way stop intersections. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend, who represents Larkin Valley, says, “This is in direct response to the steadfast advocacy of neighbors wanting to improve safety in the Larkin Valley area. People have been using the local roads as a cut-through, increasing speeding and traffic volumes, and these stop signs will help improve safety in the neighborhood.” Many nearby residents can attest to the danger of speeding drivers on the narrow country road. “More than once I have nearly missed being broadsided while merging onto Larkin Valley Road, and I’ve heard similar tales from my neighbors,” says Jo Farb Hernandez. “These intersections have been a deadly accident waiting to happen, and we are very pleased to hear that new stop signs will be installed.” Santa Cruz County’s Department of Public Works contracted with the engineering consulting firm Ruggeri, Jensen,

Azar to evaluate the intersection of Larkin Valley Road and Mar Monte Avenue. They used Kimley-Horn consultants to analyze the Larkin Valley Road and White Road intersection. Both studies determined that motorists did not have an adequate sight distance to safely enter Larkin Valley Road from either Mar Monte or White. Accordingly, both studies recommended the installation of multi-way stops

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at these intersections to reduce the chances of a deadly collision. According to Russell Chen, senior civil engineer for Santa Cruz County, the new stop signs will be installed in mid-March. Traffic warning signs will be placed near the intersections in the days leading up to the installation to alert residents to the new stop signs. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Fire Training at Aptos Library T he County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Public Libraries will partner with local fire agencies on a unique training opportunity to increase fire preparedness and response. Beginning Tuesday, March 1, and continuing through March 11, public safety personnel from paid and volunteer fire agencies throughout Santa Cruz County will conduct search and rescue training and building ventilation techniques using the shuttered Aptos branch library. The 47-year-old building will be demolished following the training exercise to make way for a modern and larger branch library. Residents can expect to see emergency vehicles in the Aptos Library parking lot, as well as simulated emergency activities including forcible building entry, hose deployments and the use of non-toxic theatrical smoke, which is being deployed with the permission of the Monterey Bay Air Resources District.

No actual fires will be included in this training exercise. Any hazardous building materials in the 8,000-square-foot structure are to be removed prior to the exercise by Coastwide Environmental. Residents are asked to refrain from calling 911 to report activities associated with the training. With a design driven by community input and funded by Measure S, the new $14 million library is being built by Bogard Construction with architectural services by Anderson Brulé Architects. The 12,400-square-foot building is expected to be a “net zero” structure producing as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. n

IN MEMORIAM

Robert Reader O n January 22, 2022, we lost a great man, friend, and son. Robert F. Reader II was an icon in his own right within the Via Pacifica Gardens community. He was a great coach, a true friend, a die-hard San Francisco 49ers and Giants fan, yet loved all sports. He was also someone who would tell it like it is. Robert spent 18 years as a resident of Scotts Valley and nearly 14 years in Aptos. He was loved by all as he was full of life. Robert was known as “Blue” by many. He coached basketball for Bethany College. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, Robert had no next of kin to be able to handle his affairs in the event of his untimely death. However, he did entrust Phillip and Destiny with his instructions and wishes prior to his passing and as his friends we are making an effort to get

him to his final resting place in Jackson, CA, where he wanted to be laid to rest next to his father. Phillip and Destiny have worked hard with the Deputy Public Administrator of Santa Cruz Cunty in order to put things in order to accomplish Robert’s instructions and wishes. A GoFundMe Account has been established to help us fulfill his wishes and instructions. The link is https:// gofund.me/843df1b8 for online donations. To give a donation in person, please contact Destiny Castillo at (831) 353-1680 or (831) 7943846. All donations are highly appreciated and will go toward Robert’s cremation and burial expenses. We thank you in advance for your support at this time. As his friends and as a community you will help to accomplish Robert’s last wishes. Thank you and God bless! n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Come Have A ‘Spring Fling’ on April 7

Pajaro Valley Chamber Business Expo & Job Fair

t’s that time of year! The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s Business Expo and Job Fair is coming up on Thursday, April 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. There’s excitement in the Pajaro Valley, so come and meet the best businesses and taste the best food and drinks in Santa Cruz County! This is a fun event. It’s going to be bigger and better than ever and you definitely need to be there. Business owners looking for great employees and job seekers searching for employment opportunities are sure to make connections. Many lasting business

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Ag Day Luncheon March 16 at Fairgrounds

he 2022 National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon will be Wednesday, March 16, with the theme, “Spring — A Time for Celebration!” The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau with the organization, Agri-Culture, will host the luncheon in the Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $50 per person. See http:// www.sccfb.com/news/national-agriculture-day-spring-luncheon/ or call (831) 724-1356. One of the highlights will be the presentation of the Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award. Al Smith was the founder of Orchard Supply Hardware and donated 3,000 acres (Swanton Pacific Ranch) in 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 is presented annually to an individual, business or organization not involved in production agriculture but one who has done much for the industry. Last year’s honoree, Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, will present the award.

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anta Cruz County residents have until March 25 to comment on the draft 200-page Active Transportation Plan, which will be used to identify needed investments and improvements in walking and bicycling infrastructure. See the plan at https://ecoact.org/ poweredbyme. The Active Transportation Plan will represent the first comprehensive plan for pedestrian facilities in unincorporated Santa Cruz County. It provides community-identified needs as well as recommendations to support and encourage walking and bicycling, including possible funding sources. The goal is to support a healthy community, improve affordable transportation options for low-income and vulnerable residents, and help the County achieve statewide goals to address climate change by reducing vehicle miles traveled. The plan rates projects on cost and complexity, safety, connectivity, equity and whether identified as a community need based on public comments. The plan focuses on urbanized areas of unincorporated Santa Cruz County with the highest density of residents

and destinations, including Davenport, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, and Amesti. Two of the top-scored projects in Aptos, each with 80 points, installing class II bike lanes on Spreckels Drive uphill and “sharrows” downhill and extending the curb on Spreckels drive and Seacliff Drive to slow traffic. The plan does not cover Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville, which each have an Active Transportation plan of their own. Comments received by March 25 will be reviewed and may be incorporated into the final draft document, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors. n

State to Beautify Watsonville’s Highway 129/152

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18 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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s part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $1.1 billion Clean California initiative, Caltrans is awarding $312 million for 126 beautification projects along the state highway system — including 12 totaling $11.5 million in District 5 — Central Coast. Designed to foster cultural connections and civic pride, the projects are expected to generate 3,600 jobs as part of the multiyear initiative led by Caltrans to remove trash and beautify community gateways and public areas along highways, streets, and roads while creating thousands of jobs — 98 percent of the projects will benefit historically underserved or excluded communities. The one project in Santa Cruz County is to improve Highways 129/152, Watsonville’s historic Main Street. The project will replace plants in poor condition in the landscape median, improve soil health, and upgrade irrigation

to conserve water; add street furniture and colorful mosaic art; beautify a retaining wall with paint or other aesthetics, and install free-standing art and/or a gateway monument at community entryways. “Main Street” page 25

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 19

BUSINESS PROFILE

Aptos Personalized Tax Service

Quality Affordable Tax Returns Since 1972

ost people wouldn’t put the words “love” and “taxes” together in the same sentence, but for Lucille Nordgren at Aptos Personalized Tax Service, they are complementary. Preparing a tax return is a personal experience; requiring not only financial data but information about births and deaths; divorces and separations; properties bought and sold; relocation; insurance and stocks. The year was 1972, and Lucille Nordgren was an elementary school teacher, reading specialist and a mother of five to Dave 18, Jon, 14, Julie 11, Scott ,8 and Ken, 7. (As well as busy founding the first computer lab—procuring free Apple computers for students—and instrumental in setting up the first Life Lab for the Live Oak School District). Despite this full schedule, Lucille wanted to learn how to prepare her own taxes. To get it right, both she and her husband Ardean took a class with Watsonville Adult Education and received certification. (At the time, Ardeen was working to found the EH—now Special Education program—at the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.) By the end of the semester, not only was Lucille able to do her own taxes—but the instructor, impressed with her assimilation of knowledge and “can-do” attitude, gave her five clients and Ardean was given five clients as well. Lucille didn’t have an office, so she drove to each of these clients’ houses— from Aptos to Los Gatos to Salinas—to pick up necessary documents and then after the taxes were completed (at her home) she would once again drive to the client’s residence with the end product. As well as working on taxes on nights and weekends, she kept her teaching position. (She attributes her ability to hold down two jobs and raise a family of five to her husband’s willingness to split all domestic and childrearing duties.) At the end of that first tax season, she had 50 clients and within two years, almost 200. At the end of the second year, her husband decided to leave the tax business

Lucille Nordgren at Aptos Personalized Tax Service and devote his time to teaching and salmon-fishing. Over the next 20 or so years, Lucille established Personalized Tax Service, with the business multiplying to over 100 clients. She retained the “pick-up and delivery” model: after visiting a client’s home and receiving the necessary information, she calculated the tax at her home. The finished tax was hand-written on government forms; then she would send the rough draft by courier to southern California for data entry. It was returned by courier the next day and Lucille then delivered it to her clients. This was a time-consuming process; however, with improvements in tax preparation software and the availability of personal computers and printers, Lucille was eventually able to discontinue courier service and do in-home production (using Drake software for personal computers). After retiring from teaching in 1988, she took on tax preparation full time. The year 2009 brought the next chapter to Personalized Tax Service, when Lucille’s oldest son, David Nordgren, retired from a long career as a computer programmer with FedEx. After completing a comprehensive tax course, along with his daughter, Sally (Ginger), Dave

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and Sally joined Lucille, working from Lucille’s home. In fall 2011, Lucille purchased Aptos Tax, acquiring a completely equipped office and tripling the clientele (now adding the word “Aptos” to “Personalized Tax Service”). In 2012, Lucille’s daughter, Julie, who had experience in credit collections and real estate underwriting, decided to work with her mom, brother and niece. In 2019, Lucille’s youngest son, Kenneth, joined the team, working on weekends. Lucille claims that the best part of completing a tax return is getting her clients a generous refund. She, and the rest of the team, carefully considers each client’s individual scenario to get them that return. Her clients are “like family” and over the years she has helped their children and now grandchildren file their taxes. In 50 years of taxes, she’s had one audit. Her clients offer these testimonials: “Working with Aptos Tax Service has been a dream come true. I felt respected and cared for throughout the filing process. They made it easy and simple! I will be a returning costumer.” And this: “The Aptos Tax Team is awesome! The service is superlative! They always save me money on my taxes, even when I procrastinate until the last minute before the filing deadline! I can’t say enough great things about Aptos Personalized Tax Service!” •••

Julie (Nordgren) Fant specializes in corporate and trust taxes and is also available for bookkeeping and accounting and life coaching services. She’s at 831-688-1137. David Nordgren is a freelance musician, playing bass in several local bands. He’s at dnormand@comcast.net. Kenneth Nordgren works at UC Santa Cruz in the IT Department and is a trombonist, guitarist and singer. Sally Nordgren lives in Idaho and is currently working at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. She is a graphic and tattoo artist and a musician. Lucille Nordgren continues to prepare taxes from her home office; quilting, cooking, and caring for children and dogs in her spare time. ••• ptos Personalized Tax Service is a family partnership providing quality affordable tax returns for individuals and businesses in Santa Cruz County since 1972. Aptos Personalized Tax Service specializes in Federal and all States Income Tax Return preparation and filing and year-round bookkeeping services. The business welcome a diverse clientele and serve many local educators, artists and musicians from Aptos and throughout Santa Cruz County and beyond. n ••• Located in the Creekside Office Building, 9057-B Soquel Drive, Suite GG, Aptos CA 95003. Phone: 831-688-1137; Email: Aptostax@ sbcglobal.net; Website: Aptostax.net.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Warm Season Vegetables For Spring By Tony Tomeo

arm season annuals for next spring and summer are already replacing the cool season annuals that bloomed so dutifully since last autumn. As this happens, it is also getting to be about time for warm season vegetables to replace cool season vegetables. Strangely continuous warm daytime weather since December accelerated this process somewhat. Removal of cool season vegetables that are still productive is as unpleasant as removal of cool season annuals that are still blooming. Fortunately, most cool season vegetables are finished by now, or will be soon. Few linger into warm weather as some cool season annuals might. Regardless, warm season vegetables will need their garden space soon. Unlike most cool season vegetables, which actually are vegetative, the majority of warm season vegetables are actually fruits. The plants that produce them generally continue to bloom and produce more fruits throughout their respective seasons. Some, such as bush bean and determinate tomato, exhibit brief seasons. Many produce continually until frost. Therefore, indeterminate tomato, pole bean, squash, cucumber, many varieties of pepper and some varieties of eggplant need no replacement within the same season. Cucumber can get tired enough by early summer to justify replacement in midsummer though. Okra, as well as several varieties of eggplant and pepper, produce for relatively brief seasons. Phasing prolongs production of warm season vegetables that produce only once or only for a brief season. For example, corn

Frequent harvesting promotes continual zucchini production.

that matures so uniformly that it is ready for harvest simultaneously lasts only a few weeks in a garden. Phases for seeding that repeat every two weeks or so develop in two week cycles. As the first phase finishes, the next begins. Because so many individual plants are desired, and the seedlings do not transplant well, corn seed prefers direct sowing into the garden. So does seed for bean, root vegetables, and most greens. For tomato, pepper and eggplant, and perhaps cucumber and squash, small plants transplant well, and are not numerous enough in a garden to be expensive. Warm season vegetables grow slowly during cool weather, but accelerate as the weather warms. ••• Tomato ike most warm season vegetables, tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum, are actually seed-bearing fruit. They are both the most diverse and the most popular home grown produce. Grape tomatoes are smaller than little grapes. ‘Beefsteak’ can get wider than five inches. Although mostly red, some are yellow, orange, pink, green, brown, purple or pallid white. Tomato champions the The most warm season vegetables. popular varieties of tomato for home gardens are indeterminate. They produce fruit sporadically throughout the season, on irregularly sprawling stems. Tomato cages or stakes support their growth. Shrubbier determinate varieties seem to be more productive only because all of their fruit develops within a brief season. They work well for canning. Small tomato plants in cell packs and four inch pots, which are available from nurseries, should grow efficiently in the garden as the weather warms through spring. Varieties that are unavailable as small plants can grow from seed in cold frames through late winter, to be ready for the garden after last frost. Directly sown seed can be vulnerable to mollusks. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Historical Museum to Debut ‘Perspectives’

By Deborah Osterberg

he Capitola Historical Museum will premiere its new annual exhibition on Saturday, March 4, from noon until 4 p.m. The new exhibition entitled, “Perspectives – Capitola in the Eye of the Beholder,” will explore different perspectives of Capitola through both the art and words of its beholders, past and present. The exhibition will feature a variety of perspectives: The Pioneers, The Promoters, The Sportsmen, The Pleasure Seekers, The Conventioneers, The Developers, The Artists, The Hippies, and the Residents. The way we perceive a place depends upon why we came there and how we interact with it. The reasons for passing through or coming to stay are diverse and myriad. And so too are the depictions of Capitola over its long history. Taken together, they tell a compelling story. Accompanying these diverse perspectives will be period artifacts and pieces of

Capitola has attracted beach-goers for more than a century. Hotel Capitola, at the water’s edge, was built in 1895, but the 160-room resort burned in December 1929. “Perspectives — Capitola in the Eye rarely seen artwork from the museum’s collection, including some of the earliest of the Beholder” will be open to the public depictions of Capitola to modern views throughout 2022. A formal exhibition reception will take created for the annual Plein Air juried art competition and exhibition held every place Saturday, April 2 from noon until 2 p.m. to unveil a new painting by Ann Thiermann, autumn. One exhibit case brings to life the renowned local artist and art instructor lobby of the grand Hotel Capitola, built at Cabrillo College. She has created five by F.A. Hihn in 1895. The exhibition will major California Native American murals also provide the opportunity for visitors for libraries, museums, and California to share their own unique perspectives of State Parks plus 70 natural history murals throughout Northern California. Capitola.

The Capitola-Soquel area is the traditional homeland of the Aptos, Cajastaca, and Uypi peoples. The new painting, commissioned by the City of Capitola, will depict Indigenous people, just before European contact, conducting traditional fishing and foraging of sea life at what we know today as Capitola Beach and Lagoon. The Capitola Historical Museum will continue to include Native American history and stories, past and present, in all of its future annual exhibitions. Starting March 4, the admissionfree museum will be open Friday through Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. at 410 Capitola Avenue, next to Capitola City Hall. n ••• Deborah Osterberg started as curator of the Capitola Historical Museum last June. This is her first exhibit.

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22 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Half Moon Bay • Downtown Santa Cruz Westside Santa Cruz • Capitola • Aptos

COMMUNITY NEWS

Tesla Pays EPA $275,000 in Clean Air Settlement O n Feb. 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Tesla Motors Inc. in which the electric car-maker agreed to pay a $275,000 penalty. EPA found Clean Air Act violations at their auto manufacturing plant in Fremont, which applied coating materials containing formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, naphthalene and xylene. Based on several information requests to Tesla, EPA determined the company violated federal regulations under the Clean Air Act from October 2016 through September 2019 by: • Failing to develop and/or implement a work practice plan to minimize hazardous air pollutants emissions from the storage and mixing of materials used in vehicle coating operations. • Failing to correctly perform required monthly emissions calculations needed to demonstrate that coating operations complied with federal standards on hazardous air pollutants, which are known to cause cancer. • Failing to collect and keep all required records associated with the calculation of the hazardous air pollutants

emission rate for Tesla’s coating operations. The EPA said Tesla has corrected the violations and returned to compliance. Tesla targets buyers concerned about the environment, boasting lower carbon dioxide emissions. The 2022 Model S starts at $44,900 and up while the high-end Model X starts at $104,990. “Today’s enforcement action against Tesla reflects EPA’s continued commitment to ensure compliance with federal clean air laws,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. People living in communities near sources of hazardous air pollutants may face significant risks to their health and environment. According to the EPA, the list of hazardous air pollutants includes more than 180 chemicals known to cause cancer or other serious health effects. The EPA said the settlement aligns with EPA’s National Compliance Initiative, Creating Cleaner Air for Communities by Reducing Excess Emissions of Harmful Pollutants. n ••• For info on Clean Air Act enforcement: www.epa.gov/enforcement/air-enforcement

Dientes’ Tiffany Turner Wins National Award

iffany Turner, chief operations clinics following strict protocols after a officer at Dientes Community two-month shutdown for all but emerDental Care in Santa Cruz, was gency visits. Her attention to detail has resulted honored with the prestigious Emerging Leader Award at the National Asso- in zero COVID outbreaks in Dientes’ ciation of Community Health Centers clinics to date, colleagues said. “Her high expecPolicies and Issues tations, guidance to annual conference in achieve goals, and Washington, D.C., on team-orientation, comFeb. 16. bined with on-the-job The Emerging experience, has allowed Leader Award is given multiple front-line staff to by George Washington advance without formal University’s Geiger management training,” Gibson Program in said Dientes CEO Laura Community Health Marcus. Policy to exceptional She added, “Ms. young leaders whose Turner goes above and work has helped further beyond to mentor and health care and better Tiffany Turner promote women of color health for medically underserved patients, communities, to leadership positions … We couldn’t be prouder to have a young woman of and special populations. Turner ’s initiative throughout the this caliber leading our operations. She pandemic enabled Dientes to reopen its is an inspiration.” n

Got Inflation? Tell Us About It

ow is inflation affecting you? In its fourth quarter report, Yelp says consumers described more inflationary experiences in their 2021 reviews than ever before. In 2021, mentions of higher costs reached a fiveyear peak — 49% higher than at the onset of the pandemic in the second quarter of 2020. For the April 1 Aptos Times, let us know how prices have changed for you: Rent? Groceries? PG&E bills? Gasoline? Used cars? To stick within your budget, have you cut back on other spending?

Tell us in 50-100 words we can share with readers. Email Editor Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aria Menon Wins Spelling Bee

By Jondi Gumz

ria Menon, 9, a fourth grader at Mountain Elementary School in Soquel is this year’s elementary winner of the Santa Cruz County virtual spelling bee. She will go on to compete in the state spelling bee in person May 14 in Stockton. Her mother, Sita Kaimal, said her daughter is an avid reader and was inspired by her brother Adi, 13, who competed for two years. During winter break, she got a

spelling list from the school and invested her vacation time in spelling. The payoff: She got every word correct and bested fifth graders and sixth graders. No doubt she’s reviewing new words this very minute. The elementary division is for grades 4-6. Runner-up was Ihan Kang, who attends Westlake School in Santa Cruz, and Manuel Mattila, who attends Valencia Elementary in Aptos, placed third.

In the junior division for grades 7-9, Ella Webb, a freshman at Scotts Valley High School, earned first place and the right to go to the state bee. Runner-up was Vikram Sathigh, who attends Scotts Valley Middle School and Sage Kelly who attends New Brighton Middle School, placed third. Locally, the spelling bee is organized and hosted by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. n

Aria Menon

FEATURED COLUMNIST

By Joe Ortiz

Pastina: Food for the Soul

he night Freddie da Bookie showed up with the gun, my father had his head stuck through the wrought iron security bars of our kitchen window. It was circa 1952 in the Queensborough Projects when I was 7 years old. “Help me,” he clowned in his Puerto Rican patois. “Joey, help me. I can’t get out! My head’s stuck inna bars.” “Let me try, Daddy,” I said. “Let me try.” For better or worse, my father was my hero and I wanted to do whatever he did. Mama, who was cutting up a chicken to make broth for pastina, had no time for these games. “Just like ya fatha,” she said disgustedly. “Betta ya should imitate me makin’ pastina. At least pastina’s good for ya.” She put the Joe Ortiz cut-up chicken in eight cups of boiling water along with a carrot, a stalk of celery, and a roughly chopped onion. Meanwhile, Daddy, his head still stuck out the bars, saw Freddie coming up the path to our apartment so he ducked into the back bedroom to hide. “Herman in?” Freddie snapped at Ma. “No, he just left,” my mother covered. So, Freddie pulled a pistol out of his waist and laid it on the stove next to the boiling broth. “He home now?”

“Ahhhhhh, Herman! He’s got a gun!” When he heard my mother scream, Dad came running, pulling up his pants and rubbing his eyes as if he’d been resting up just for Freddie’s visit. In the panic Mama let the broth boil over and that turned out to be a slice of good fortune. See, just like everyone in our neighborhood, Freddie knew a little something about pastina himself. “You shouldn’t ova boil the stock. It’ll bruise the broth,” Freddie said, sticking the gun back in his waist. After you give a man advice about his pastina, it just doesn’t seem right to fill him full of holes. Believe me, in our neighborhood a man’s life often hinged on smaller matters than good soup. Besides, Freddie was right. The boiling down of the broth is essential to the flavor. Cooked down too little, the flavor is weak; too much, the flavor is too intense, the broth too thick. Later, after the broth cooled, Mom put it on a potholder in the refrigerator and we went to bed. The next day, the whole neighborhood was gabbing about Freddie and my father’s gambling and the pistol and the whole mess. My mother just went right on making her pastina. She took the chicken broth out of the fridge, skimmed off the cold, white fat from the top of the pot, then took the meat off the bone to use with some leftover tomato sauce (we called in “gravy.”) for chicken cacciatore. Mom strained the chicken broth with cheesecloth and put in back on the stove to cook down a little more.

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After that my mother took off her apron, sat me down on the edge of the table and yelled out to my father in the living room, “Herman, watch Joey and make sure the chicken broth doesn’t boil ova. I’ll be right back. I gotta get some parsley from Aunt Rose downstairs.” As soon as she was gone, I went to the window and squeezed my head through the bars. Below me I could see Aunt Rose’s hand coming out her window to pick a few springs of parsley from her window planter box. That’s when I realized my head really was stuck. Just then I heard my father opening the front door and saying something about a quart of beer. “If the chicken broth starts ta boil, just turn it off,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” “But Daddy,” I squealed, “my head’s stuck . . . “ Too late. The door slammed and I was alone. In a minute the pastina started to boil. Steam began to crawl down the sides of the kitchen walls and roll out the window above my head. I started to scream for help but all that did was draw and appreciative crowd, eager for a good laugh. I could hear the broth boiling down, down, down and I knew my mother was going to be steaming when she found out I’d spoiled her hard work. The bars began to tighten around my ears. Finally, I saw Daddy walking up the path below me, carrying his beloved bottle of Rheingold Stout. He looked cockeyed at the crowd outside our place. Then he spotted me.

“Stop joking around, Joey,” he yelled. But then he looked at me again. He could see something in my face and knew I wasn’t joking. He ran up the stairs, put his beer down, checked the pastina, then reached around, grabbed hold of the bars, and spread them like a pair of suspenders. I dropped to the floor like a dirty piece of laundry. The curative effect of chicken broth is something Italians, Jews and other ethnic groups have long prescribed for any ill fortune, a sort of religious experience tied to suffering and repentance. Like Mom used to say, “You sin; you suffer. You pray (and eat a little, warm bowl of pastina): you save the soul.” “Pastina” page 25

COMMUNITY NEWS

Teachers’ Union, PVUSD Agree on $4,000 Raise O n Feb. 16, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District closed negotiations for 2021-2022 with an agreement to raise teacher salaries by $4,000 retroactive to July 1, 2021. The agreement is expected to be ratified by PVFT membership and the Board of Trustees in the next few weeks. The district will submit the required paperwork to the County Office of Education for review upon ratification. The intention is to have it ready for the March 23 board meeting for final approval, according to the district.

“Main Street” from page 18 “Caltrans has partnered with communities throughout California to identify and develop projects that meet the specific needs of each region while also enhancing and beautifying public spaces,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “By working together, we’re better able to restore public pride in our communities and help change the habits that create litter in the first place.” Developed in collaboration with tribal and local governments, nonprofits and businesses, the 126 state beautification projects include art installations, green space, and ones that improve safety and promote community connections. Construction will begin in April. In Monterey County, projects are Alisal Neighborhood Beautification (three under-crossings) under US 101 in Salinas; pedestrian enhancements along Hwy. 156 in Castroville, Monterey County and restoration of the Arch landmark on Hwy. 183 in Castroville, In San Benito County, projects are: Hwy. 25 Pinnacles National Park Highway Beautification and pedestrian enhancements on Hwy. 156 in San Juan Bautista. A full list of projects can be found

“Pastina” from page 24 When my mother got done gabbing with Aunt Rose downstairs, she came back up and threw a handful of tiny star macaroni into the broth. “Don’t put too much in,” she told me. “It grows when it cooks.” All I could think about was my head expanding in the bars. When the macaroni was cooked, Mom chopped up a few springs of the parsley and added it to the soup. We all sat down

Both teams came to the table with good intentions, worked collaboratively, listened to each other’s concerns and were able to close negotiations quickly and efficiently, according to the district. ••• ll ongoing salary increases are retroactive to July 1, 2021. TK-12 Teacher Salary Schedule: Increase each step on the schedule by $4,000 Counselors, Athletic Director,

at https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/ projects. Governor Newsom made the announcement on Friday, Feb. 11 in San Francisco, at the site of a Clean California project that will include a tree nursery, dog park and other features. The 12 projects ($11.5 million total) located in District 5 include: • Highway 154 in Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara County — Chumash Museum Beautification Caltrans has been reviewing project proposals from cities, counties, transit agencies, tribal governments, and other governmental entities to almost $300 million in grants and will announce grant recipients on March 1. Over three years, Clean California will remove an additional 1.2 million cubic yards, or 21,000 tons, of trash from the state system alone — enough to fill the Rose Bowl three times over. The initiative has already resulted in 6,300 tons of litter being removed from the State Highway System and, to date, Caltrans has hired 528 new team members, including 428 maintenance workers who collect litter and perform maintenance duties like graffiti removal. n

to a golden, glowing bowl of pastina. With a few sprinkles of black pepper and a little parmesan grated on top, a warm bowl of pastina can lift the weight of any little agony a soul may have to endure. n ••• Joe Ortiz, author of “The Village Baker,” wrote and produced a musical inspired by bread and created a musical based on his family story, Escaping Queens, that was a hit at Cabrillo Stage. He and his wife Gayle received the 2016 Gail Rich Award for contributions to the arts in Santa Cruz County.

Activity Directors: These salary schedules are based on the TK-12 teacher salary schedule and adjusted for days. They will see an increase, based on the TK-12 teacher salary schedule. Nurse/Psych/SLP/Program Specialists: Increase all steps on the salary schedule by $2,000. Provide a one-time off-schedule payment of $1,000. Child Development & Migrant Seasonal Headstart: One-time offschedule $600 payment . 6% increase

to associate, assistant, teacher, & FCCS salary schedules Eliminate Steps 1-2.5 and Columns A & B on teacher salary schedule for MSHS: Column C will become 12-24 ECE Units. Eliminate steps 1-2 on Children’s Center Teacher salary schedule Adult Education: 5% Increase to the Adult Education salary schedule Health & Welfare: No changes to benefits ••• To review the full tentative agreement, it can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/ y7cv92vq.

The 1940s

ACROSS

1. Decree 6. *U.S./U.S.S.R.’s cold one 9. Harry Potter’s mark 13. Syrup flavor 14. ____ Khan 15. Bird of prey’s nest 16. Lieu 17. H+, e.g. 18. Bashful or Happy 19. *”1984” author George 21. *Best-selling pop artist Bing 23. Writer ____ Monk Kidd 24. Genghis or Kubla 25. Cranberry habitat

28. Not nice 30. Saddle holders 35. *Boris Karloff’s movie “The ____,” pl. 37. Actress Barrymore 39. Asian goat antelope 40. Supernatural life force 41. Seethes 43. South African antelope 44. Cook from above 46. Rotisserie part 47. Not odd 48. Italy in Italian 50. What snob puts on 52. .0000001 joule 53. Sound of a dropped tome 55. Beer acronym 57. *____ Doctrine, U.S. foreign policy 60. *”How Green Was My ____”

63. Another word for nutria 64. Ciao in the U.S. 66. Trip guide 68. Surveyor’s maps 69. Afflict 70. Will alternative 71. Additionally 72. Nucleic acid 73. Term of endearment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. Uses a Singer 10. Underwater hermit 11. Ethereal 12. Gridiron official, for short 15. Apollo Creed’s son 20. City in northern England 22. Old towel, e.g. 24. Rollerskater’s protector (2 words) 25. *Disney’s 1942 DOWN orphan Emergency acronym *1949 international 26. Abstractionism using optical illusion org. 27. Kind of salami Copycat 29. Crafts’ companion Chicken feet 31. Network of nerves Christian hymn (2 32. Treasure collection words) 33. Dreamer? Graveside sound 34. *Popular music style Gone by TV’s Yellowstone, e.g. 36. Ship canvas

38. *1939-1945 42. Parallel grooves 45. Acid turns it red 49. “Bingo!” 51. Daryl Hannah’s 1984 movie 54. Open up 56. In spite of the fact, arch. 57. Church sound 58. Swedish shag rugs 59. Plotting 60. Velum, pl. 61. Zeal 62. New Haven University 63. IRS employee? 65. Yang’s opposite 67. Canny

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 25

Pisces — Two Fishes Saving the World

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Esoteric Astrology • March 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

ach year, at the end of February and much of March and just before spring arrives, we are under the light, love and influences of the Lords of Pisces, sign of two fishes held together by a silken cord, one facing heaven, the other looking down into form & matter. The two fish represent the Soul, the other, the personality of each of us. The fishes cannot be separated. Eventually the personality when strong enough accepts the direction, care and tending of the Soul. The two fishes gaze in all directions, longing for their release (to save the world). Pisces understands these things. Pisces understands imprisonment, captivity, being confined, abandoned, betrayed, looked down upon, judged, criticized, not having freedom, caught so often in sadness, illusions and glamours, cults, drugs and sex. Pisces, the last of the zodiacal signs, and containing impressions from all the previous eleven signs understands sadness, sorrow, grief, melancholy, woe, and most of all, being misunderstood. All of which makes Pisces, after many lifetimes, able to offer understanding, compassion and care, which “saves the world.” ARIES

Pisces, when building the personality, experiences drugs, alcohol, dramatic emotions, drowning in a world of senses. On the Soul/Spiritual level, Pisces is the “Light of the World....the light that reveals the Light of Life itself. Pisces light ends forever the darkness of matter.” Those words “light of the world” sound familiar. Many of the Saviors who came to Earth were born in Pisces. They appear on Earth as Avatars to help humanity struggling towards the light. Jesus, the Christ, was One (savior). So was Buddha, Zarathustra and all the many religions teachers that have appeared on Earth since time’s beginning. In these dark times of the Kali Yuga Age (our present time, where the darkness is allowed to manifest so humanity can make a choice), we await the Reappearance of the Christ, the new Savior and World Teacher of the Aquarian Age. They say, “He will come soon to restore the Law. He comes with a fiery sword repelling those as do evil”. We too, in Pisces, stand with our fiery swords and lamps held high. So the way is not so dark for our brothers and sisters on the Path. n

LEO

While busy with professional shifts, changes, reorientations and rebalancing, turn your imagination more towards kind thoughts of forgiveness, towards friends and the future — where the true reality is. Set goals with others, helping them to stabilize and be successful. Don’t demand too much from others. It creates disappointments. This is a time of great creative potential. Do I see greenhouses & natural warm pools when I enter your realm?

You’re sensitive, more than usual. Leo, Cancer and Pisces (and hidden Scorpio) are most sensitive. Here you are in your reality and it seems something, over there somewhere, is either calling to you or opposes you. What this means is an integration (of things & thoughts, new & unusual) is attempting to occur. An absorbing and balancing of new realities. One reality may be that creating more companionship & alliances would assist you. Assist your heart, actually.

TAURUS

VIRGO

GEMINI

You become more practical with resources because you know needed changes, new experiences and a new education are coming that reorient your beliefs. That is, if you have the courage to step into a new reality, enter into a group of like-minded others, join the New Group of World Servers, work cooperatively with others creating the plan that saves the world. You have only a bit more time to prepare. Education in the New Aquarian Age calls to you. It’s never too late.

You want to play a little more. Some Libran’s are very serious; they don’t play much. They feel injustices in the world and seek to alleviate them. You do this. However, now’s the time for a bit of lightness — for friends, entertaining, communicating with loved ones, interacting with children. In the coming weeks and months, tend carefully to health. See a natural doctor, dentist, care provider, and a deeply listening therapist. Get new shoes. A new endeavor may appear. Don’t spend on things you cannot see.

CANCER

SCORPIO

The times call you to retreat, inner solitude, rest, repose There’s always so much to accomplish, so many people to and relaxation. This prepares you daily to contact, so many ideas to jot down & create be able to withstand and work with the goals with. It’s good that Virgos have a wellimportant reorientation and changes taking developed and orderly work ethic. Virgo is place in our world. In that inner time, conalways responsible and intelligent. Creativity sider new goals & plans, tending to their manifestation. is to be practical & purposeful this month. You remember This is “white magic”. Magic is the ancient word for using something. It makes you sad, glad, wondering, concerned, the imagination to create a thought form, then focusing happy, joyful. All those things together. Clap your hands! on it till it appears in form and matter. You have that gift. Write a poem! This is esoteric.

SAGITTARIUS

New thoughts and/or ideas, very unique, very futuristic, may be streaming through your mind, creating a feeling of Tesla-like electricity in your body. People can sense you’ve become a bit different. You need a close companion. Tesla’s closest companion was a dove. They communicated daily. Begin to speak from the heart with everyone around you. Focus on them more. Soon a strange new spirit of adventure unfolds. A new learning, a new lesson. It is not in form and matter. Not yet. CAPRICORN

Capricorn identities (who am I, really?) continue to appear, disappear, shift, change and be transformed. Venus, Mars and Pluto are in your sign, creating a great transforming field around your sense of friendship and choice of actions. People respond to you differently now. They see something – a light perhaps, a sense of focus, a power, a beauty. Stay close to loved ones. And should you require it, call forth all the resources needed in your life. They will arrive like angels at just the right time.

LIBRA

It’s tax time. Or soon will be. Sometimes that creates anxiety. This year with Neptune in Pisces and Chiron in Aries, it can be even more confusing. Sometimes taxes shift a person’s identity, feeling that everything’s just too complex. Like many, you may feel you’re on uncharted waters, in a boat with no captain, no shore in sight, and there’s rumors that pirates are just around the bend. Life feels like that now. Be sure to rest. And find soothing warm calm waters (or arms) to lay in.

AQUARIUS

Careful with money, assets, facts and figures. Know you always have enough. Keep track of your bank accounts, what’s in, what’s out. Be orderly about this. Don’t allow a lack of time or attention to take you away from this task. Train yourself to have a clear idea of all financial transactions. Have a book where you jot down finances, facts and figures. This calls for a bit of discipline, more practicality and it allows you to have a firm idea of all that you’re worth. Write down too the perfect work you want to do. It’s waiting. PISCES

So, happy birthday, Pisces …yesterday, today, this week, Tend to family with extra care, touching in, making contact next week. When our birthday month arrives, with all the family, even those not often the Sun’s rose gold light shines through us. seen. There’s a pull between home and It’s in our eyes, radiating outward. We are work, family & the world, internal & external beautiful. Our angels stand close by during realities. Try to meet personal needs first. our birthday month, waiting to hear our needs for the Remain at home in a state of calm and peacefulness. Let coming new year. A birthday celebration only truly occurs outer realities fall away. This gives you time to consider a when we talk with our angels. Telling them of our wants and different course of action concerning how to use your gifts, needs. They stand around us...waiting, listening, tending, talents and abilities in the world. What needs tender care patient as ever. They offer their gift of loving protection. And concerning your own self? of helping us receive all that we need. •••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Watsonville’s Garcia Named New Operations Manager in Salinas na Garcia of Watsonville has joined The Center for Community Advocacy in Salinas as operations manager. A Watsonville native, she worked for nine years as an administrative and legal assistant at the nonprofit Watsonville Law Center, which offers legal services for lowincome residents on the Central Coast. She moved as a teen to Sacramento, then moved back to her hometown in 2008 after getting married. She started working at the law center after about 18 months back home, working with the after-school program at the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Her leisure hours are spent mostly on “mom time,” taking her two sons and daughter to their soccer matches or watching their favorite teams play on TV. ••• Soquel Creek Water District: Water Shutoffs Resume uring the height of the pandemic, a moratorium was placed on water shutoffs in the Soquel Creek Water District. This meant that customers that were behind on their bills could keep their utility services turned on. That moratorium ended December 31, 2021. Beginning February 2022 Soquel Creek Water District resumed its normal shut-off procedures. This means you must pay your bill or sign a payment plan agreement to avoid shut off. The district has billing representatives to help. The district asks that you reach out as soon as pos-sible to bring your past-due account current or to discuss a payment plan at (831) 475-8500 option 3 or billing@ soquelcreekwater.org. ••• Santa Cruz Chamber Awards Gala anta Cruz Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its community award winners at a gala dinner 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, outdoors at the Colonnade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Honorees are: Person of the Year: Bonnie Lipscomb, Director, City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Businesses of the Year: Bay Federal Credit Union, 1st Capital Bank, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and Santa Cruz County Bank. Organization of the Year: Dientes Community Dental Clinic Lifetime (Legacy) Achievement: Willy Elliott MCrea, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Reserve your ticket for this fun event, raising a glass and congratulating our award winners. The year 2021 was a year for recovery from the novel coronavirus and its variants as businesses, nonprofits and the public sector worked to regain economic footing. Tickets are $155. Register at www.santacruz chamber.org/recognition-awards-gala.html n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Real Easy French Bread From Marianne Evans of Capitola

ama cut this out of the Sunday newspaper magazine section sometime in the 1950s. I’m sure I have made it, literally, well over a thousand times, and always in the same 2-quart Pyrex casserole. I made soup every Sunday for many, many years… maybe 30-plus. French Bread 1 pkg yeast (not instant) 2 cups lukewarm water 4 cups flour 2 T sugar 3 tsp salt Dissolve yeast in one cup of the water. Sift flour, sugar and salt together into a large bowl, then stir in the dissolved yeast. Add just enough the second cup of water to hold the dough together. Mix until you have a soft, sticky dough. Cover and let rise until double in size –- 2 to 4 hours depending on the warmth of your kitchen. (I have sometimes forced it in a very low oven.) When dough is high and spongy punch down with your fist and give it a good sound beating with your hand. (It will be pretty messy.) Grease a casserole or baking sheet very well…I use Crisco. Don’t skimp on the grease or you’ll be sorry! The recipe says to put dough, divided into 2 parts in 6” casseroles, but Mama made one large loaf on a cookie sheet. I use a 2-quart Pyrex casserole. Cover with a clean cloth and let

Share A Recipe!

o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Aptos Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member. Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish. Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

rise until double in bulk. Brush with melted butter (I no longer do this) and bake at 400 for about an hour. Test it by thumping it with your knuckle. It should sound firm and hollow. This makes a thick-crusted rustic loaf. Serve hot or warm…not very good cold. Great for toast. Great bread for soup or steamed clams. n ••• Editor’s note: A wonderful idea for a chilly day. Thanks, Marianne, I bet you will start a run on 2-quart Pyrex casseroles.

soquelcreekwater.org/transform

Transforming Your Water for Tomorrow

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOPS March 5,12, 19, 26, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Polarization is a problem in America. Many of us avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family members whose politics differ from our own. Or we use language that makes it worse. Are you interested in finding ways to help reduce hostility between Democrats and Republicans? Braver Angels, a grassroots organization active in all 50 states aims to bridge the partisan divide via online workshops. These no-cost gatherings teach skills for respectful conversations that clarify differences without demeaning, and skills to disagree while searching for common ground. Workshops are slated for four Saturdays. Pick a date that works for you and register at https://tinyurl.com/ braver-angels-signup. (Full URL: https://hobbyschool.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/ form/SV_4T2JSnBmqRmz0sS?Q_DL=iEJKIevM0oJ8Yr b_4T2JSnBmqRmz0sS_CGC_KTMook4EGU3BRj0&Q_ CHL=email) Participants can take a survey as part of a research study and earn a $10 gift card upon completion. 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. 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 STARTUP CHALLENGE MONTEREY BAY ENTRY DEADLINE The deadline to enter your idea in the 2022 Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is March 7. Workshops for contestants will be led by CSU Monterey Bay’s Institute for Innovation and Economic Development Executive Director, Dr. Brad Barbeau, via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, and Thursday, March 3. Register at https://startupchallengemb.com/prepareto-compete/ The qualifying round takes place April 8 and the finals are in May. Startup Challenge is an annual competitive business accelerator for new businesses that teaches, coaches, mentors, networks, and connects entrepreneurs to the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in the marketplace. The Challenge is open to new businesses based in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties, operating for less than two years. There are divisions for Main Street businesses, Venture businesses, Social Ventures and students. Judging is based on identifying a problem and a solution, revenue and

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 Committee, and History Museum Board. Meetings take workshops at 10 a.m. Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill place via Zoom. See https://www.cityofcapitola.org/bc/page/serve-city-board- workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m. Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance commission-or-committee at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January. MAH EXHIBITIONS LIBRARY TECH TALKS Thurs. thru Sun., Noon-6 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz 11 a.m.-Noon, Online Classes Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents two The Santa Cruz Public Libraries offer Tech Talks four exhibitions starting in January. Thursdays in March to help you become tech-savvy. Jan. 14–May 15: Atmosphere, an exhibition Each class is free. by artist and filmmaker Enid Baxter Ryce featuring Registration is required. The Zoom link will be paintings and soundscapes that explore the emailed upon registration. If you need help with phenomena of Monterey Bay’s fog registration call 831-427-7713. and atmospheric rivers. Ryce’s work ••• will be exhibited with collections March 3: Calendar Optimized — Organize your of archival photos, an interactive built-in calendar app on your iPhone or iPad. Register at musical sculpture, and fog colhttps://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935564. lectors created in collaboration with March 10: Smartphone 101 for Android users — historian Dr. William Cowan, musician Register at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935693. Lanier Sammons, sculptor Natalie Jenkins, and March 24: Two-Factor Authentication — Register at: scientist Dan Fernandez. https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935736. Jan. 21–March 20: Rydell Visual Art Fellowship March 31: Smartphone 101 for Apple users — Regexhibition, honoring the legacy of local philanthropists Roy and Frances Rydell and featuring the 2020-2021 ister at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935764. Rydell Visual Arts Fund recipients: Printmaker and illustrator Ann Altstatt; sculptor and designer Marc ONGOING EVENTS D’Estout; choreographer Cid Pearlman; and photographer Edward Ramirez. Presented in partnership with Ongoing thru March 15 Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. NAMI PEER-TO-PEER Suggested admission: General, $10; students / teachers / 5-7 p.m., Online Classes veterans, $8, free for members and children under 5. 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 CULTIVATE GRANTS AVAILABLE Dreaming up a new artistic creation or leveling up your and their recovery. Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, artistic career? Apply for a Cultivate Grant to fund your this program includes activities, discussions and creative project or professional development. Grants of up to $3,000 for artists, nonprofit organiza- informative videos. Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/peer-to-peer. tions, and other partnerships are available. Application html closes at 5 p.m. March 23. Signing up does not guarantee enrollment, Grants awarded in July. but puts you on the list to be notified about Information at https://www.artscouncilsc.org/for-grantenrollment. Check your email within 5 business seekers/ days of completing the form, and save anasQuestions? Email grantsprogram@artscouncilsc.org . tasia@namiscc.org as a contact to prevent emails from going to spam. PVUSD REGISTRATION OPEN Contact (831)-824-0406 or anastasia@namiscc.org with Registration for kindergarten (https://tinyurl.com/ questions or if you do not hear back within 5 business days. y9jjfdml) and transitional kindergarten and expanded transitional kindergarten (https://tinyurl.com/ydyn78bn) Ongoing Through April 17 ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA for the 2022-23 school year is now open. Families can register online or can pick up a Thurs.–Sun., 12-6 p.m., Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St. registration packet from their neighborhood school. Art of the African Diaspora, in partnership with the NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR VISIT SANTA CRUZ BOARD Richmond Art Center, supports artists of African Visit Santa Cruz County and its Nominating Task Force descent in the Bay Area through representation, professional development, and building a creative are seeking nomi-nations to the Board of Directors. community. Deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 24. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this Responsibilities of the 25-member board include exhibition program, and features over 100 artists of participation in general advocacy for the tourism African descent. Artwork is on view at the Richmond industry and active participation at board meetings Art Center, as well as in open studios and satellite six times per year. Board members serve for two exhibitions at venues across the Bay Area. terms. This satellite exhibition is curated for the Santa Members represent regions of the county, 13 Cruz Museum of Art & History by Santa Cruz artist lodging seats, and a cross-section of representatives and organizer Abi Mustapha and MAH Historian in of businesses, cultural, governmental and organiResidence Luna HighJohn-Bey. zations with affiliation to the travel and tourism Featured artists include Abi Mustapha, Zoe industry. Boston, Tiffany Conway, Carla Golder, Louise For a nominating form, see https://tinyurl.com/visit- Schine, Janet Barnes, Eijah Pfotenhauer and Justice scc-board-nomination Renaissance. Call 831-425-1234 for more information. https://www.santacruzmah.org

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by March 21 go-to-market strategy, and competition, to name a few. Benefits include making connections with potential investors and perfecting your pitch. Finalists receive cash prizes, mentoring opportunities and additional workshops. Enter at https://startupchallengemb.com/ LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY ACTIVITIES The La Selva Beach public library is now open Tuesday thru Saturday Tues-Thurs: 11-6 • Fri-Sat 12-5. Book drops open 24/7. Contact us by phone: 831.427.7713; text: 831.264.0647; online chat: https://www.santacruzpl.org/ contact/?display=chat; or send a question at https://www. santacruzpl.org/contact/ Preschool Storytime: Tuesdays, 11 am – noon outside on the patio. Dress for the weather. R.E.A.D Reach Every Amazing Detail: Wednesdays 3- 5 pm. One-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade with California credentialed teachers. Sessions last 25 minutes. By appointment only.. Call 831-427-7717 or email pro@santacruzpl.org Stories for Bedtime: New programs every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook, presented by SCPL Librarian Jackie. The episode then is added to the library’s YouTube Channel after that. See Storytimes for Children playlist at the SCPL YouTube page: https:// www.youtube.com/user/santacruzpl Passionate Readers Book Discussion: 4th Thursday at 10:30 am. In-Person Tech Help: Fridays 10 am to noon. Tech-savvy staff will help you troubleshoot your issue with a 25-minute (or less) appointment. Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/laselva Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit information desk or call 831-427-7713 for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation. Visit https://tinyurl.com/la-selva-library-events for more details and future events. HELP FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS A coalition of local governments and nonprofits in Santa Cruz County has launched the Behind Every Employer initiative. This is a business resource network for local employers interested in workforce and other local business services. Behind Every Employer Santa Cruz County connects businesses needing assistance recruit-ing talent, identifying needed workforce training, consulting about challenges facing a busi-ness, finding information about the local market and locating needed financing. Behind Every Employer is a project of Workforce Santa Cruz County, the County of Santa Cruz; the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola and Scotts Valley; the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center and El Pajaro Community Development Corp. For information: https://behindeveryemployer.org/santa-cruz/ TEENS CAN SERVE Teens who live in the Soquel Elementary Union School District and attend Soquel, Harbor or Aptos high school can apply to serve on City of Capitola advisory bodies. Openings are available for: Art & Cultural Commission, Commission on the Environment, Finance Advisory

28 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 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/. Upcoming Events: March 7: “How to Declutter or Downside Your Home” with Christy Best of Clutterbug. This presentation includes tips for how to get encouraged, inspired, motivated; and selling, donating and gifting things. Best, an organizer for 30 years, is a former member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals since 1995, as well as a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of NAPO and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. 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. Tuesdays CHESS AT THE CAPITOLA LIBRARY 3:30-4:30 p.m., 2005 Wharf Rd, Capitola The Aptos/Capitola Youth Chess Club started back up on Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and continues every Tuesday. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8243107 The Chess Club with Gjon continues at the Downtown Santa Cruz Branch Library on Saturdays from 2-3:30 p.m. FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley. 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.

Thursday, May 12: City Councils Thursday, July 7: School Boards Thursday, Sept. 8: Commissions & Groups For details, see https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/ legislators/womens-legislative-network/institute-for-electedwomen-california.aspx.

Friday March 4 thru Sunday March 6 CAPITOLA COLLECTACON Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave, Capitola Capitola Collectacon will take place March 4-6 at the Capitola Mall inside the former Sears Building. Friday will be a VIP event from 3-8 p.m. featuring former American Idol contestant James Durban Saturday and Sunday will be Gen. Admission, starting at 10 a.m. and ending 5 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Prices are $20 per day for General Admission/$35 for both days. The VIP pass is $50. See https://www.capitolacollectacon.com/ for more details and event options.

IRISH BAND LÚNASA AT KUUMBWA Friday March 4

7:30 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay presents the internationally acclaimed Irish band Lúnasa at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Lúnasa, formed in 1997, is renowned for superb musicianship and touring around the globe in 36 countries. since the band formed in 1997. Folk Roots magazine called this lineup an “Irish music dream team.” Bassist Trevor Hutchinson was a key member of The Waterboys, and later he, with guitarist Donogh Hennessy, formed the rhythm section of The Sharon Shannon Band; Ed Boyd (Flook, Michael McGoldrick Band) recently replaced Hennessy; fiddler Sean Smyth is an All-Ireland champion who has played with Donal Lunny’s Coolfin; Kevin Crawford, considered to be among the finest flutists in Ireland; and piper Cillian Vallely of the Vallely artistic clan has performed with Riverdance and recorded with Bruce Springsteen. Attendees must provide proof of vaccination at the door. For children under 12, proof of a negative PCR test within the past 48 hours is required.. Masks must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking. Tickets are $25 at www.celticsociety.org; $30 at the door.

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 Tuesday March 1

MARDI GRAS PARTY TO BENEFIT APTOS HISTORY MUSEUM 5-7 p.m., Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” or Carnival, a celebration kickoff before Easter. Come celebrate with great appetizers, music and more at the Seacliff Inn. Bring your beads and masks. There will be prizes for the best dressed, a no-host bar featuring Bourbon Street classics, and Uke4Joy will provide the music. Help raise funds for the Aptos History Museum by bidding on silent auction items and a 50/50 Raffle. Tickets are $40 general/$35 for museum members. Call (831) 688-1467 or aptoshistory.org for information and reservations. Let the good times roll!

STARTING A BUSINESS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 2 p.m., Online Seminar Adviser Keith Holtaway of the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center is offering a free one-hour webinar First Sunday Every Month on the logistics of starting a new business in the County WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE of Santa Cruz. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Subjects include: Legal Structures • Fictitious Mission Street, Santa Cruz Business Name • Business Licenses • Possible Permits Come by on Sundays and shop at over 40 unique & wonderful artists, makers & vintage sellers — there’s Needed • Employer Identification Numbers • Required something for everyone at the Westside Marketplace! Tax Documents • Employee Classification • Business Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays. Insurance • Business Funding Register at www.santacruzsbdc.org/event/santa-cruz-startingThe Market is free to attend and is 100% local! All local and state health guidelines will be followed. a-business-in-the-county-of-santa-cruz-5/. For more small Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while business events, visit www.santacruzsbdc.org/events/

Wednesday March 2 TITANS OF TECH 2021 7-10 p.m., Online Celebration (In-person if possible, location TBA) Santa Cruz Works’ annual Titans of Tech features community members who have made an impact on the Santa Cruz tech community that year, plus Hometown Heroes, who helped us get through the year of COVID and wildfires. Organizers hope this will be an in-person + streaming event. For tickets, see santacruzworks.org

Thursday March 3

Saturday March 26

BOARDWALK FUN RUN 8 a.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Lace up your shoes and get outside with a familyfriendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Register by March 25 at https://tinyurl.com/ boardwalk-fun-run-signup Two options: 1K (six-tenths of a mile) for age 12 and under and 5K for ages 4 and up (parents too). Cost is $20 for the short run, $40 for the longer run, plus sign-up fees. Runners get a medal, Boardwalk Swag Bag, up to 3 hours of freeplay in the Casino Arcade and $15 off Ride Wristband on Race Day.

Wednesday May 4 Thursday May 5 NEST FLIGHT Virtual Conference, Details to come NEST Flight will be a 2-day virtual experience, in time for graduation season. This annual conference is geared toward young professionals, recent grads and current students in high school or college. If you are 17 to 24 and exploring your options for the future, this conference is for you. Hosted by Digital NEST and founder Jacob Martinez, this event features 20 inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, powerful panel discussions and one of a kind networking opportunities — crafted to help students propel their careers, no matter where you are in your job exploration. Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings is keynote speaker. Emcee is Amber Gonzalez-Vargas, senior program manager at Latino Community Foundation, which has invested $17 million in 150 grassroots Latino-led nonprofits. Registration: $20. See https://www.nestflight.org/

OUR COMMUNITY READS: TRIVIA ON TAP 6:30 to 8 p.m., Steel Bonnet, 20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley. Hosted and moderated by Jenn Hooker, librarian with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Trivia on Tap will feature questions selected from Red Letter Days, challenging teams of no more than six persons to answer 30 questions. You can get snacks at Steel Bonnet, or at outlets in the Friday May 20 same complex, or make food at home and have a picnicREGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK style meal while you ponder the questions. Winners get the 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Online Seminar grand prize of a $25 gift certificate to the Steel Bonnet. MBEP’s 8th Annual Regional Economic Outlook will feature Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner of WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP FOR DIVERSE Beacon Economics, LLC. REPRESENTATION Widely considered to be one of the nation’s leading 6:30-8 p.m., Online Seminars economists, Dr. Thornberg is an expert in revenue This is the second of five seminars which focus on a specific topic and include a panel of speakers, small group forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and discussions for networking, and provide an opportunity for labor and real estate markets. Beacon Economics is a leading independent research and connection for mentorship in the political field. consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, Session 2: How to Build a Campaign — Steps to take to start a campaign, developing a team, developing a and objectively-based economic analysis to public and private winning message, fundraising, issues specific to diverse sector clients in California and across the United States. women running. Resources and connections for running. Tickets are $29. Register at https://tinyurl.com/MBEP-REO2022-register n Upcoming sessions:

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Mid-Year Budget Update and June Hotel Room Tax Hike By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

he Board of Supervisors recently received a mid-year budget update. While there were some positive indicators with revenues recovering from the pandemic impacts, some challenges remain. Here is an overview of the budget as it stands mid-year. Key Trends verall, General Fund core revenues have recovered from significant pandemic impacts. The big three revenue streams, Property Tax, Sales Tax and Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel/ vacation rental) have all increased. For example, sales tax is projected to finish this year with at least 7 percent growth, property tax 4 percent growth and transient occupancy tax at 31 percent annual growth. Additionally, a budget surplus at the state should provide additional revenues to the county for various health and human service functions and potentially funding for wildfire mitigation and other needs. However, nearly $19 million in pandemic related costs appear to not be

covered by the federal government and the County contributed $5 million toward the acquisition/operation of Watsonville Community Hospital with the Pajaro Valley Health Care District project as the new the successful bidder for public ownership of the hospital. Property Tax Revenue s part of the budget presentation, information was shared regarding property tax revenues and how much stays locally. We often receive questions about property taxes (given the high amounts people pay on local assessed value) and how much of your property tax dollar stays locally. Due to a Prop. 13 formula, the County of Santa Cruz retains some of the lowest amounts of property taxes of any other County in the state. Only 13 percent of your property tax dollars end up back with County government to fund our local services. On average, this equates to $463 of property tax dollars per resident. By comparison, Santa Clara County (under the Prop. 13 formula) retains $10,831 of property tax dollars per resident - San Mateo County about $4,500 and Napa County about $4,000. Approximately 50 percent of residents live in the unincorporated county (compared to about 4.5 percent or so in Santa Clara County). This has significant impacts on how the County provides services. As you can imagine, counties that are able to retain higher amounts under their Prop. 13 formula have more money available for roads and services without

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30 / March 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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needing new funding streams to backfill these needs. If the Prop. 13 formula were to change in the state at some point in the future, unincorporated residents could see significant improvements to services and infrastructure without increased taxes - by simply having more of your local property tax dollars stay with local County government. As Prop. 13 was approved by voters as a state constitutional amendment, any changes to the formulation and distribution cannot occur at the local level. Sales Tax imilar to property tax, the County receives a lower share of sales tax than local cities in our County or other counties in the region. Half of the population lives in the unincorporated county but the County receives less sales tax per capita than local cities. While it is common that the unincorporated area of a county does not contain the same number of commercial or brick and mortar zones as local cities, our County has less sales activity than peers across the State. For example, Santa Cruz County receives about $89 of sales tax per-resident while Napa and San Mateo counties receive well over $400 per-resident. Local cities in our county average over $275 per-resident. Further exaggerating this underfunding is that all online sales taxes are distributed to each taxing entity based on their proportional share of sales tax in their jurisdiction, and not based on where the online shoppers live. Until there are more comprehensive sales tax reforms, the County will not fully benefit from the online sales from the 50.5 percent of residents who live in the unincorporated area. Proposed June Funding Measure ransient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is imposed by most cities and counties on hotels, motels, inns, and similar lodging establishments on persons staying overnight for thirty days or less. Typically, the

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lodging provider collects the tax from the guests and turns the funds over to the County or City. The County currently imposes an 11 percent TOT, which was approved by voters as a general tax. Together with local cities, TOT has been levied locally for more than two decades. The last increase to the TOT was passed by voters in 2012. At the time, it increased the TOT in the unincorporated area from 9.5 percent to 11 percent, a figure arrived at after discussion with the Santa Cruz County Hospitality and Lodging Association and the Cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola. Similar outreach was conducted this year to consider an increase in the TOT. If approved by voters, and with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2023, this proposal would increase the County’s TOT rate for hotels, motels, and inns from 11 percent to 12 percent, generating approximately $160,000 in the first year and add $440,000 to the base for FY 2023-24. Nearly all of these funds are paid for by those visiting our community from out of the area. For vacation rental properties, this proposal would increase the TOT rate from 11 percent to 14 percent, generating approximately $700,000 in the first year and add $1.9 million to the base for FY 2023-24. The additional revenue would be treated as part of the General Fund resources used to fund mandated programs and critical services that are not fully funded, such as public safety, parks, and public health operations. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200. Editor’s note: The deadline to get a measure on the June 7 ballot is March 11.

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Fabrienne: Shy But Affectionate

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abrienne is a 3 year old brown tabby and white domesticated shorthair who has been at the shelter for a month. Fabrienne is as beautiful as her name, starting with her sweet little heart-shaped nose. She is a little shy at first, but she loves pets, and is very gentle and affectionate. They say good things come in small packages, and inside this furry little girl, is a big heart full of love. 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 Noon – 5 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

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 31

Deluxe Foods of Aptos

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BUSINESS SERVICES:

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FOOD & DRINK:

Deer Park Wine & Spirits DeluxeFoods / Panda Inn

Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar Red Apple Cafe

PERSONAL SERVICES: Agape Dance Academy Black Cat Tattoo Brian Del Core, DDS CVS Pharmacy

Del Mar Cleaners Eye Shapes Opticians Fig St. Design / Highlights for Hair J-Bella Nails / Klub Nico Laser Hair Solutions Rad Academy Royal Paw Spa

Aptos Times: March 1, 2022

Articles inside

Real Easy French Bread, From Marianne Evans of Capitola

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28

Teachers’ Union, PVUSD Agree on $4,000 Raise

Tesla Pays EPA $275,000 in Clean Air Settlement • Dientes’ Tiffany Turner Wins National Award • Got Inflation? Tell Us About It

Warm Season Vegetables For Spring, By Tony Tomeo

Trustees Sought for Pajaro Valley Health Care District • Leadership Santa Cruz Taps Trudie Ransom

Five Questions for Author Buzz Anderson

Black Health Matters Initiative Wins Anthem Award, By Angela

Dignity Health: $1 Million for Harvey West Studios

Stop Signs for Safety on Larkin Valley Road, By Kieran Kelly

CDC Relaxes Mask Guidelines for 63% of Counties: Vaccine Mandate Proposed for All Workers, By Jondi Gumz

Key Survey Findings

Deputy Sheriffs’ Association Gives $100,000 to Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial, By Kieran Kelly