Aptos Times: December 15 2016

4FSWJOH 0VS $PNNVOJUZ 'PS :FBST t "QUPT -B 4FMWB #FBDI $PSSBMJUPT 'SFFEPN 8BUTPOWJMMF

%FDFNCFS t 7PM /P t XXX UQHPOMJOFEBJMZ DPN

Lance’s Story Twenty years ago in 1996 Lance Thorbrugh was a 14-month-old child with a brain tumor. His situation was desperate, He was traveling each week to Palo Alto for chemotherapy but the family car was old and unreliable.

Full Story page 16

Aptos High School senior Diego Letamendi

Aptos Times Celebrates 25 Years Aptos Times turned 25 years old in 2016, and we take some time and space to look back on the history of our locallyowned and operated newspaper!

Stories on pages 16-25

www.

MySantaCruzAgent.com

Sean Poudrier Realtor®

(831) 531-7171 Sean.Poudrier@cbnorcal.com

BRENT GARVEY PAINTING Interior & Exterior | Residential & Commercial ALL WORK GUARANTEED BONDED & INSURED WORKERS COMP & LIABILITY

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS BRE#01932326

Aptos High senior Diego Letamendi has been given the National Hispanic Scholar Award by the College Board based on his PSAT standings and an academic record of at least a 3.5 GPA at Aptos High.

AS an athlete Diego has competed in the Cross County, Tennis and Soccer teams for the Mariners.

Full Story page 5

8 3 1. 68 8. 69 13 | License #681095

It Passed!

Page 7

r u o m o r f s ! f e f h a s t i s w h t c s n Be os bra t p A

Happy 25 Anniversary th

Aptos Times!

Bay Federal appreciates your partnership and commitment to our community.

/ --- . %# / Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

2 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

No. 24 Volume 25

13

27

38

Table of Contents

6

7960 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003

Cover Aptos Times Celebrates 25 Years 4 5 7 8 9 10

Community News Agape Dance Academy Nutcracker Aptos High Senior Academically Honored Survivors, Veterans and Families Gather for Pearl Harbor Day by Edita Scholarship

County Engineers 11 Sea Odyssey Has Strong Impact On Youth 12 13 14 29

lecting, Eating Wild Mushrooms

30 Water Management Foundation Hires Darcy Pruitt 31 34 8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival 35 6 16

New In Town Aptos Times – 25 Years

18 20-21 23 25 Aptos Times Celebrates First Birthday 26

27 28 36 38

Since 1926 Instruments / Accessories / Sheet Music Sales / Rentals / Lessons 831-724-4798

Local Sports #OMMUNITY #ALENDAR s !RTS %NTERTAINMENT n Pages 32 – 33 -ONTHLY (OROSCOPE s Page 33 – Your December Horoscope Featured Columnists

30#! &EATURED 0ET s Page 31 –

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

musicstoreguy@earthlink.net

7960J Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003

Conveniently located off Highway 1 and just outside Aptos Village, the Aptos Village Square hosts a number of local Aptos businesses.

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 3

Patrice Edwards Mikayla Witmer Noel Smith

publisher publisher’s assistant editor

contributing writers Noel Smith, Camisa Composti, Patrice Edwards, Edita McQuary, Cate Kortzeborn, Terri Schneider, Zach Friend, Tiffany L. Mitchener, Jason Alderman layout Michael Oppenheimer, Kevin Markley, Liz Senteney graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Kevin Markley, Liz Senteney photography Michael Oppenheimer, Kevin Markley, Brad Hagenking website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Liz Senteney advertising sales Don Beaumont, Louisa Sandman Jay Peters office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, Annabelle Balcazar

Community News

Agape Dance Academy Nutcracker Dec 16, 17, 18 Aptos High Performing Arts Center

H

ave you heard of the show called

with three high caliber professional productions of the Nutcracker Ballet. IAD at the Crocker, SCBT at the Civic, and Agape Dance Academy at the Aptos High Performing Arts Center PAC. We would like to invite you to our 5th production of the Nutcracker directed by

the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker to students dancing alongside hired professionals to inspire dancers as well as local audiences.

Our own local students have the opportunity, unlike any other Nutcracker in town, to dance the lead roles of Sugar Plum Fairy & Cavalier, And Dewdrop Fairy with roles to local students is a chance in a lifetime for young ballerinas that stretches their dancing and performing abilities immensely!

Guest Artists, superb choreography, rich sets and backdrops, costumes and show apart as a treasured holiday event with some seats saved for those who would be unable to bare the

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-weekly publication, the Capitola Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Begonia Festival Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2016. 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 Opinions/Letters: editorial@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

sold at www.agapedance. be available at our three Agape Dance Academy

Thanks.

5013c organization bringing high caliber, fulllength ballets to Santa Cruz County.

Community News

Aptos High Senior Academically Honored

Diego Letamendi Receives Scholarship from the National Hispanic Recognition Program

A

ptos High senior Diego Letamendi has been given the National Hispanic Scholar Award by the College Board based on his PSAT standings and an academic record of at least a 3.5 GPA at Aptos High.

AS an athlete Diego has competed in the Cross County, Tennis and Soccer teams for

he is currently applying at a number of in Business Administration.

His father is a medical doctor and has the Clinica Medica Santa Maria in Watsonville while his mother is the business manager for the clinic. His father immigrated from Ecuador and his mother from Guatemala when they were in their 20s.

Diego has decided to follow the business side of the family.

Another dimension to Diego’s interests and activities besides athletics and scholarship, is that he is also an accomplished musician. He plays anything from Hip-Hop with his group, to Classical music

Gentle Exams & Cleanings to Cosmetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry

The Quality and Service Your Family Deserves from Our Family TUESDAY - THURSDAY: 8:00AM-5:30PM FRIDAY: 8:00AM-3:00PM SATURDAY: BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY

www.riodelmardental.com

TOD C. ANDERSON, DDS

9520 SOQUEL DRIVE APTOS, CA 95003

831-688-1006

NMSQT test and designated themselves as Hispanic. In order to be eligible, students

Program was initiated in 1983 by the College Board to identify outstanding Hispanic high school students and to share information about these academically well-prepared students with subscribing Assistant Principal Aptos High School an academic honor that can be included on college applications. It’s not a scholarship, but colleges do use this program to identify students and often provide tuition discounts.

Merit by the Music Teachers of California. about 5,000 of the 250,000 Hispanic/Latino

For more information search, “National Hispanic Recognition Program.”

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 5

CAPITOLA VETERINARY HOSPITAL Professional & Friendly Veterinary Care with Exceptional Client Service in a State-Of-The-Art Hospital

D

Pharmacy

NEW CLIENT OFFER

Exam + Dental Checkup & One Vaccine

$

Ocean Breeze Boutique awn Teall and Pam Nielsen, owners of the new Ocean

Entrances Surgeries

New In Town

3900

By Appointment only

a ribbon cutting with the Aptos Chamber of Commerce celebrating their grand opening on December

features the work of many local artists and artisans and a broad range of gift ideas. These include home for us, and we felt that our mostly

831-476-PETS (7387)

1220-H 41st Ave., Capitola

Teall and Nielsen are the founders of

in Scotts Valley, at the Capitola Mall, and in

Now Open for

FOOTBALL BREAKFAST

Sunday at 10 AM

Slow-Smoked BBQ Wood-Fired Pizza Craft Beers, Local Wines & Sports!

Voted best Happy Hour!

and again.� to support our local artists and give them opportunities to make a living as artists.�

They have turned the leadership of that “We were ready to retire from running

in Aptos,� said Teall. “Aptos is close to

FAMILY HELPING FAMILIES

.

Enjoy Assisted Living in the Comfort of Your Own Home!

For takeout or reservations call 831-662-2BBQ 10110 Soquel Drive, Aptos (On the frontage road at Hwy 1 & Freedom Blvd)

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: t $PNQBOJPOTIJQ $BSF t 1FSTPOBM )ZHFJOF $BSF "TTJTUBODF t 5SBOTQPSUBUJPO "TTJTUBODF t .FBM 1MBOOJOH 1SFQBSBUJPO Z B E P U $BMMB FREE t -JHIU )PVTFLFFQJOH

GPS IPNF t .FEJDBUJPO 3FNJOEFST JO OU

&ŀŠĎŠIJ 1ĚĎĝĝĜĝĴ t 1ĿğĽIJĿŠņ -Ďń 1IJĿŀğĝĎĚ *ĝġłĿņ

9053 Soquel Dr, Suite 206 Aptos, CA 95003 info@buckwalterlaw.com

TNF

"TTFT

(831) 688-0163

(831)462-3500

www.buckwalterlaw.com

PHILIP BUCKWALTER

Of Counsel

Contact us for a consultation.

NICHOLAS HOLDER

Attorney at Law

Protecting you, your property, and your legacy 6 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

The Ocean Breeze Boutique is located in the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, on the corner between JC Nails and Comerica bank.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, with extended Friday and Saturday hours in the last half of December. For more information, call (831) 708-4214.

Safe at Home Senior Care

3-6 p.m. $2 BBQ Sliders & $3 Burger Sliders $2 off craft beers and house wines

.

appreciated here. We would really like to stay here in Aptos and, hopefully, move to a larger space in the Center. But that will depend on how well we do over the holidays. We feel that once someone walks

#BZ "WF 4VJUF t $BQJUPMB $"

www.safeathomeseniorcare.com #0/%&% */463&% $"3& 1307*%&34

Community News Over two-thirds of Santa Cruz County Voters said “YES” to Measure D

Y

ears of analysis, planning, and negotiations resulted in a balanced set of

thirty years.

Measure D’s comprehensive and inclusive package of transportation elements guarantees every city and the county an ongoing source of local funding for local streets and road maintenance, bicycle and

children to walk and bicycle to school, Highway 9 corridor safety improvements, new bicycle-pedestrian crossings over Highway 1, transit to prevent additional service cuts, increases in paratransit to serve seniors and people with disabilities, construction and maintenance of the options for the rail corridor. For more sccrtc.org/move.

Commissioner Bruce McPherson, rep-

Lift Line dedicated funds for transit and paratransit service; and ensures funding and programs throughout the county,

measure received more than enough

Commission Board, the campaign team and the Yes on D voters for approving a well-balanced, sustainable transportation measure that will improve our network for everyone from

mission worked hard to include community voices in decisions about infrastructure investment to improve transportation and

meet the 2/3 superpass.

Don Lane, Chair Transportation Commission, stated, “Passing Measure D is a

diverse groups and individuals came together to support Measure D. This will be a game changer for mobility in our community for decades to come. Thank you

people with disabilities, to bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. We have a backlog of transportation needs and with our becoming a ‘self help county’ with our own revenues, we have greatly increased our chances to get state and federal grants to address those

get our community moving.” included in the measures, the level of community support, funding for the campaign, funded by the measure include streets and which have deteriorated over time.

the will of the voters, and uphold your trust.”

Success of Measure D is attributed to a well crafted the community’s diverse mobility needs; tions, and community members stepping up to publically support the measure; a

their lives.

setting up the framework with the Board

plans, establishing an oversight committee and other safeguards, pursuing matching grants, and working with the community partners -- the cities, c o u n t y, Lift Line,

ments, procedures and safeguards are outlined in the Measure D Ordinance.

implemented private campaign funded tions and individuals; and the public’s enthusiasm for supporting transportation

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 7

Community News

Survivors, Veterans and Families Gather

By Edita McQuary

O

group of men and a few women met at the California Grill in Watsonville for breakfast and to share memories of their military lives. vivors of Pearl Harbor, Howard Trotno, away.

Her father, a yeoman stationed aboard the because his ship was at sea and not docked at Pearl Harbor.

Watsonville resident Art Lee, retired navy commander of aircraft maintenance, was 13 years old in 1941 and also a military

The meeting was led by Frank Nigro, local businessman who comes from a navy family. He introduced special

the hymn of sailors, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”

One of the veterans who started the annual commemoration years ago was Erick Sorensen, who passed away on March 19, 2010. His son, Gary Sorensen, and daughter, Ingrid Larsen, along with colonel and test pilot, came to remember their dad and to share in the veterans’ stories. Gary’s 32-year-old son, Scott, was also present.

Guam when the war ended in the fall of 1945. He recalled how after the war about

Hospital. Esther had been to visit him and gave the group a report. (Since that visit, served from 1938 to September 1945 and

war was over, were hiding in the nearby woods. Gene and his mates soon dis-

made it home in April 1946.

Like many military personnel, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and completed his

Master Chief after 39 years of service.

was a gunner’s mate on convoy duty in the Atlantic for a year where he dropped depth charges on German submarines.

Community News T

County’s Safe Drug and Sharps Disposal Law Honored

clotheslines. They were captured shortly thereafter.

Gene also served on Bikini Atoll, in the Marshall Islands, at the beginning of what was later termed the Cold War where

“the greatest generation.”

and more than 10,000 pounds of sharps, dramatically improving health, safety and

time classes. This award is made possible -

-

The annual award was presented to

Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship An Agri-Culture Scholarship Program gri-Culture is now accepting appli-

ference in Sacramento, held earlier this month. The ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2015.

8 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

of who, Dwight Lowery of the San Diego Chargers, is still playing.

The group plans to meet again on

bomb tests. He and his fellow sailors were instructed to clear the island of ordinance,

and Sharps Disposal Ordinance was recently awarded the 2016 Outstanding Policy/Legislative Advancement Award

County’s ordinance set the standard for those that followed, and demonstrated

education and shop at Cabrillo College. He also coached various sports. He is proud

A

American AgCredit.

To be eligible for the scholarships, students must live in

District boundaries, or be a member of the

for a student entering or currently attending posal of drug and sharps waste.

award will be allocated for the remaining cation of registration for each session of full

Farm Bureau. Criteria for the scholarship are based on student leadership skills, a demonstrated commitment to the industry,

Community News

B

ased on a short story by Leo Tolstoy

cobbler, a good and honorable man living in our village. One Christmas Eve he Christ was coming to his humble shop.

On Christmas morning he got up early and went into the woods to gather green boughs to decorate his shop for so great a

the kettle on to boil.

All morning he waited; then he saw a feeble old man walking by. The cobbler went to his door and invited the old man

old man hot tea and cakes. When he left, the cobbler gave him a package of his best bread and meat.

The day became afternoon. Then he saw a wounded soldier limping slowly down the street, his feet wrapped in bloody rags. The cobbler called and invited him into his shop. He unwrapped the bloody rags from the soldier’s feet, and then he bathed and wrapped them in clean cloth.

The cobbler gave the grateful soldier the sturdiest shoes in the shop. When the soldier left, he was barely limping and there was a new strength in his step.

As the evening of that long day approached, the cobbler became diswoman walking by shivering and crying, and saw that she was carrying a baby in her arms.

The cobbler called to her to come inside and warm herself asking what was wrong.

“Oh, sir,” she said, “My husband died of the fever and I couldn’t pay the rent. The landlord put my baby and I out of our home. I’ve been traveling since early this morning to stay with my parents But now I’m so tired and hungry, and my baby is so cold, I don’t know if I can make it.”

The cobbler sat her his dinner with her. He

The Deadline for submitting applications for the Agri-Culture Scholarship

www.agri-culture.us

Community Brief

then took the woolen cape and the blankets he had set aside for the Christ and gave them to the woman to keep her and the baby warm. Then, he hitched up his horse to his cart and town where they found her family.

It was very late and Christmas was over when he he had missed the Christ, he sank to his knees in tears and

Then it seemed he heard a “My child, I kept my word.

Three times I visited you and three times you showed your love for Me. I was the tired old man; I was the poor wounded soldier; I was the cold and hungry woman and her baby. You

wounded feet. You fed Me and clothed Me. Did I not say, ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of My brethren, you do it to Me.’” Merry Christmas

Plenty of Free Customer Parking

Wilder Associates Inc.

Yoga Within

Property Management Specialists

Exploring the Mind-Body Connection

662-0291

687-0818

Salon Aptos

Joy of Movement Pilates & Gyrotonic®

Hair and Nails for a Good Look

More Zest for Life

688-8804

688-8077

Warmboard Radiant Subfloor

Epicenter Cycling

Simply Smarter Radiant Heat

Trek Bicycles for All Types of Riders

that in donations of food and money, the

685-9275

662-8100

over 900,000 pounds of food during its 2016 Fall Food Drive. Schlaepfer said that

For All Your Beverage Needs

Village Liquors

Dentistry for Animals

688-5691

768-7148

would be met as contributions were still coming in.

Money and food contributions took riors donating its ticket sales from a special game night out for Twin Lakes Church

Dr. Judy Force, DVM

Kumon Math & Reading Center Learning for the Long Run

345-8377

Twin Lakes Reaching Second Harvest Goal

T

Schlaepfer of Twin Lakes Church presented Willy Elliot-McCrea, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, the news

of photos of sunsets by church member Stephanie Brunetti. The calendars are College Drive.

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 9

Community News Presented by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District

O

Metropolitan

Transit

District

of its 2016 Children’s Art Contest at their Board of Directors meeting Friday. Director

public transport.” have his artwork on the cover of the Headways, which is publication of the bus schedules and other agency information.

Additionally, his artwork will be displayed Two second place winners, Alma, artwork displayed on the outside of eight buses, along with their art being displayed In addition to displaying their Five third place winners, Olivia, age envelope with various goodies, spon-

Cookie Company, and Palace Arts for their generous donations.

also provides paratransit service to Santa providing about 98,000 trips per year.

thanks

Mission

Hill

Creamery, million.

buses.

Presleigh Named President of County Engineers

T

working on the transportation funding,

Presleigh has been named president of the County Engineers Association of California.

A 25-year County employee, PreDepartment of Public Works since 2009.

A staunch advocate for infrastructure improvements and local road funding, Presleigh will head the 102-year-old orgacounties’ leading voice on transportation issues in Sacramento.

“It’s an honor to represent my fellow engineers and transportation workers throughout California,” Presleigh said.

“Over the coming year, I look forward to 10 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

control issues needed to keep California moving forward.”

Presleigh has 33 years of management ously worked for a private engineering company, the State Department of Water Control Board, and the City of Sacramento in civil engineering. In 1991, he was hired later promoted to Assistant Director, overseeing surveying, development review, road design, operations, road engineering, redevelopment, and other functions.

Presleigh has bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering, from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and Water and Soil Science, from

He was a director and is past chapter president of the American Public Works Association, a past chair of the Interagency Technical Advisory Committee

Authority. He is also a fellow member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers,

manager of the Highway 1 Construction

Devices Committee.

Council, and a former alternate member

has a master’s degree in Civil Engineering

Community News

Sea Odyssey Has Strong Impact On Youth

Study Shows 95 Percent of All O’Neill Students Retain Lessons

A

completed its evaluation of student survey results for O’Neill Sea

school year and found that the free, oceangoing science and ecology program had a high impact on participating youth.

OSO engages 4th - 6th grade youth trip on a 65-foot catamaran on Monterey Bay and in a shore-side education center, in addition to ocean science curriculum provided for use in the classroom. It is free, and each class completes a community portation to and from our site for lower income schools.

The study measured the results of surveys of students administered before and after the program as well as the results of surveys completed by teachers whose classes participated in the program, and data about the participating schools. “We

at teaching ocean concepts across several inspiring environmental stewardship and Before participating, an average of 5,281 students in 202 classes participated in the program, fewer than the previous year due to El Nino-driven harbor shoaling that kept the Team O’Neill catamaran from being able to leave the harbor. The Student Survey showed that the program was in students’ environmental awareness.

-

classrooms. O’Neill Sea Odyssey, working

teachers and group leaders were asked,

Network, this month launch its classroom, ocean-based curriculum on Pepper’s national web-based platform. O’Neill Sea Odyssey continues to raise funds for bus transportation, having provided bus schol-

surveys were divided by income level, results showed that all groups of students increased their environmental knowledge after attending the program The students from lower and middleincome groups generally had lower overall

lot” from the program.

Seven percent had attended the program previously. Based on population -

the students attending the OSO program did not have English as their primary language, a slight increase since 2010-11. More pating groups were lower income groups, were higher income groups.

In 2014-2015, OSO developed a “virtual program” now available online fort students who physically cannot get to OSO’s facility, and also developed a new app that allows oceanographic data from the boat to be entered by students directly onto OSO’s website for their use in their own Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 11

Community News

O

pen your heart to music of peace,

the Air,” a seasonal concert by the

acclaimed conductor Dr. Sean Boulware. formances that underscore our shared the 65-member group will present a diverse program ranging from traditional carols (with Dr. Sean Boulware temporary composers, spirituals, and folk songs from Africa and Israel.

Beautiful harmony and poetic dissonance highlighting themes of peace,

Yako speaks to the importance of faith, community and perseverance, and is one of two rousing African songs.

Music will be in the air--and in our

hope to you this holiday season.

Dr. Boulware conducts choirs and orchestras regularly at Carnegie Hall, and in 2010 made his Lincoln Center debut in Alice Tully Hall. Internationally, he has conducted choirs and seminars in England, Scotland, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands,

choir whose purpose is to bring together

Glow, by contemporary composer Eric morning, with all its possibilities. Lament for Pasiphae by distinguished composer Morten Lauridsen translates the poem

annual spring and winter concerts, at interfaith services, and for community PV

currently Community outreach is a critical part

from all parts of Santa a musical work of elemental emotional power. Music Down in My Soul by Moses

wide variety of religious traditions and musical tastes including American and other country’s folk songs, gospel, clas-

venues and community events. We gratefully accept donations, which help us to

community.

Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 seniors, students and children, available at BrownPaperTickets.com, and at the door. poration, and all donations are non-taxable. For

endeavor with members representing a

Local Project Breaks Record: 10,000 Gifts Collected For Children In Need

A

ptos and surrounding cities volunteers have collected enough plies, toys, hygiene items and notes of encouragement—are delivered to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries around the world.

than 10,000 children in need through Christmas Child.

This record-breaking collection surpassed last year’s Aptos-area donations of

Counties Area Teams are now thanking the Aptos community for their gift donations already on their way to children in need worldwide. For many of these children, the have ever received.

Although local

Aptos

collec-

a photo and writing a note of encourthey build online. They can also follow

natural disaster, war, terror, disease and famine. Like online shopping, visitors can browse samaritanspurse.org/occ to 12 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

it will be delivered.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.

Community News

P

Bald Eagle Update

State Archaeologist Mark Hylkema, presents a fascinating look at the local prehistory and native lifeway before

eagle report I noted that one of eagles that had been nesting Harkins Slough since 2014 died, the remaining adult appeared

the bald here on and that to have

Ohlone people dwelled here. He will also early American periods.

Valley High School campus, 500 Harkins Admission is free but you must reserve a com/e/first-people-meet-second-people-

at 831-345-1226 or kathy@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.

we didn’t know if they raised any chicks this summer in their nest in the eucalyptus trees across the slough from our farm.

Then our eagleeyed daughter saw

Thanksgiving. The baby obliged by perching on a tree in our restoration area long enough for us to get a good picture. The young eagle is as big as his or her parents, but won’t develop the white head and tail for a few years.

This is now the fourth eagle to be born and survive to adulthood on Harkins Slough.

The eagles are a reminder that nature

T

access plan that include opportunities for recreation, research and education is being

agreement on a three-year pilot program to facilitate public safety and access to the

in 2018.

Open Space Trust, Sempervirens Fund and the Land Trust of Santa

Watsonville Wetlands Watch wishes can’t completely undo damage that has been done, but we can create conditions that are more favorable to letting nature resume its course.

Organics for contributing this article and keeping us updated on the progress of Eagle nesting in the sloughs.

services and safety while protecting Santa The proposal would provide for three personnel through the County’s Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services to protect natural resources, to the Board of Supervisors in February for neighborhood impacts. POST, Sempervirens and the Land Trust would assume the costs of the program.

in the Parks Department will be assigned

opportunity for the County to provide public services on a very large open space property on the North Coast at no County

program.

“Sempervirens Fund is proud and

“This is a great partnership between government and conservation groups to protect nature and provide public access,”

to support sustainable, well-managed recreational access and promote good natural lands in the county,” said Sara

Owned by POST and Sempervirens, -

largest privately owned parcel in Santa California. A community-based public

managing our public lands.”

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 13

Community News

I

t can’t be wrapped or placed under a tree, but the perfect gift can help save patient lives this holiday season.

donors to give the lifesaving gift of a blood donation in December, a time when donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady.

Barbara Coger will never forget the donors that gave the blood that her husband received during the holidays. “I have been donating blood for some time, but really started encouraging others to do so after my husband received a donation on Christmas Eve,” she said. “He had not been doing well and would not survive

he was able to share a big smile with me on Christmas morning, something I will always cherish.”

Donors of all blood types are needed this holiday season to help ensure a sufencourage donations, all those who come

T-shirt, while supplies last.

To make an appointment to give Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or

redcrossblood.org/rapidpass time when donating.

to

save

Santa Cruz Monday, December 19 from 9 a.m. - 3 Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street Tuesday, December 20 from 10 a.m. - 4 Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street Watsonville Wednesday, December 28 from 12 p.m. -

Donors are encouraged to make appoint85 Nielson Street Thursday December 29 from 9 a.m. - 3 85 Nielson Street

Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.

information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two check-in. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger have ments.

The American Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their nization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Use Caution When Collecting, Eating Wild Mushrooms SACRAMENTO — With seasonal rains promoting the growth of wild mushrooms, California Department of

is reminding people that collecting and

liver or kidney.

lead to serious illness and even death. wild mushrooms that are poisonous and those which are safe to eat,” said Dr. Smith. Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been carefully

Wild mushroom poisoning continues to make people ill and send them to the hospital. According to the California of ingestion were reported statewide from November 2015 to October 2016. Among

such as liver failure leading to coma and/ or a liver transplant, or kidney failure

outcome, such as dehydration due to 14 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

amount of a mushrooms growing in yards or neighborhood parks. facility. unit.

The most serious illnesses and deaths have been linked primarily to wild mushrooms known to cause liver damage, including Amanita phalloides, also known as the “death cap” and Amanita ocreata, or “destroying angel.” These and other poisonous mushrooms grow in some parts of California year-round, but are most commonly found during fall, late winter or spring.

Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage or death.

Anyone who develops symptoms after

eating wild mushrooms should seek immediate medical attention. People who develop these symptoms, or their treating health care providers, should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222- 1222. educational resources about mushroom people identify mushrooms they have picked.

Photos courtesy of Trent Pearce, Tilden Nature Area

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 15

Aptos Times — 25 Years

Twenty-Five Years of Local News

By Noel Smith

T

PG,

publisher

of Aptos

Times,

Valley Times, has been documenting local news and events in our county for 25 years, since 1991. Instead of an “If it bleeds,

over the years. The events, fundraisers and help so many children and adults in our community.”

Each holiday season the Aptos Times sponsors its own Adopt-A-Family program and the community always steps up to

emphasis has always been on the positive, side of the news.

Publisher Patrice Edwards moved to Aptos from Los Gatos in 1988 working as an interior designer. Asked by a friend about what she really wanted to do, Patrice hometown newspaper for Aptos. First she for two years to learn the business. After another 9 months of selling her dream to went to press.

“I wanted to bring people together by using the power of a hometown news-

Lance Thorbrugh (upper right) on the December 1996 cover of Aptos Times has a big heart and it has been our honor Second Harvest, CASA, Big Brother and Big Sisters, The Monte Foundation, Friends

pay gas and electric bills, provide transportation and even the rent — whatever is needed.

Twenty years ago in 1996 Lance Thorbrugh was a 14-month-old child with a brain tumor. His situation was desperate, He was traveling each week to Palo Alto for chemotherapy but the family car was old and unreliable. Lance needed blood transfusions, which cost was donated. Patrice Edwards, publisher of the Aptos Times, and the Aptos

Cinnamon Bay Clothing offers creative, comfortable and affordable lines from designers all around the world, including Italy, Denmark, France, Canada, and the U.S.

30% OFF

EVERYTHING IN STORE (with coupon) - Regular priced merchandise only.

Valid through 12/24/16. Not valid on previously purchased items and special orders.

Aptos High Performing Arts Center

Shows at the Beautiful Aptos Performing Arts Center 16 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

6 Seascape Village | Aptos, CA Across from Seascape Resort Mon-Sat 10-6 | Sun 10-5 Phone: 831-685-1233

25 Years — Aptos Times

Chamber of Commerce through AdoptA-Family and the community came to help even though Lance’s situation was anything but promising. He was #3 of

sports, the arts, senior issues, health and adopting pets and their care, environmental actions and issues, living green, as well as book, theater, art and music

CAPITOLA-APTOS ROTARY CLUB We are 1.2 million neighbors, friends and community leaders who come together to have fun and to create positive lasting change in our communities and around the world.

Mentoring Youth

Community Involvement

Community Fundraising

International Service

Join us for lunch every Thursday @ 12:15 Seascape Golf Club 610 Clubhouse Dr., Aptos, CA

TPG received a letter that tells the rest of instance of how a hometown newspaper with a heart can bring people together.

The Times newspapers also regularly publishes articles and columns on current events, local politics, education, school

help bring our community together by keeping its readers informed and entertained while encouraging them to become involved.

“25 Years” page 19

Visit www.capitolaaptosrotary.org to learn more about

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 17

Aptos Times — 25 Years

By Patrice Edwards

T

his 25-year anniversary begs for ories that mean so much to me I’m not sure where to start. I do know that I never thought when I was selling ads to local businesses out of the back of my car 25 years ago that I would be publishing today. It was so motivating to meet new people and hear their stories and put them into print that as they say, “the ink got in my blood”. There was been no turning back!

There are a few memories I would like to share with you that will always remain special to me.

He was in his late 80’s when I arrived for the interview, I walked into his house on the top of the hill above Aptos Village. He introduced me to his 60-year-old turtle and then asked me what was on the California

unless I answered correctly. Woo-hoo, of course it is the bear! I stayed for hours as he recapped his life including stringing

was truly a pioneer for all of us!

Then there was my interview with Lucille Aldridge. She also lived in Aptos

Parade. We bonded immediately since she had run an Aptos paper for many years. She had so much to share about our sweet little town and we remained in touch for many years. She passed onto me some original

was so meant to be. We have come a long way from staying up all night cutting and pasting the columns and ads together on morning, and now of course it is all digital.

As I began to forge relationships with together we could fundraise, hold successful events, grow small businesses and help others by reaching out to our readers I knew I had to keep going.

Together we were able to inform resiMonte Foundation—which is in their 23rd year! — and the building of Seascape

So many memories … that was my humble beginnings that made me feel this

constant moral support through thick and thin. My children, Courtney, Camisa, and Wyatt, have grown up with the papers and understand the importance of community involvement. Over the years they and many of their friends and cousins, Gage Munyon,

eight years. Many of you know Don and his level of commitment to TPG, he has gone above and beyond. Don has forged

M

athe Race been here for over 21 years. Years

can get along with everyone and her heart

irst is my husband, Rod, who actually encouraged me to start the paper. He

on Beaumont, sales representative

C

this issue one spectacular Adopt-A-Family story from 20 years ago.

I could go on forever but I ‘d like to use this space on what really has made the Aptos Times so important. It’s all of you,

F

D

countywide and is articulate and bright, we also love his dry sense of humor!

managed many employees and been there for my children through the years. There are almost no words to describe the sacri-

happen here at the Times. I’ll begin with the ones that have been here the longest.

Noel has received awards for his participation in the community, Noel had given

worked in distribution, mailings, writing, Adopt A Family and more!

proud of their accomplishments. The nearest and dearest to my heart is the beginning of the Aptos Adopt-A-Family

and our many faithful advertisers. I wish I could list all of you!

Above all I want to acknowledge the

18 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

heart. Whether its writing articles about And I said, “start a paper”! He has hung in through the birth of our children, late night deadlines, where he would cook his

always helping where every he’s needed and playing Santa for many years for Adopt-A- Family!

N

oel Smith our Editor has been with us for many years. You’ve all heard of the push pull between editors and publishers.

Noel and I have had our share of that!

Sometimes he wins, sometimes I win, but we always part with smiles on our faces. A veteran who has served our country, Noel has taken the Times to a new level with community involvement and his caring

ike Oppenheimer has been our graphic artist for the past eight years.

We have depended on Mike to design our newspapers and he has never missed a deadline. Mike is also a veteran who has served our country; we feel blessed to have him as an integral part of our team. Always making the papers on time has been his priority.

I also want to thank the rest of the Camisa Composti, Liz Senteney, Louisa Sandman, Kevin Markley, and Jay Peters. Thank you to our distriBill Pooley and Annabelle Balcazar.

Finally, I want to thank the many past employees, columnists and contributors that have made the Aptos Times the paper that it is.

My wish is that with your help we can carry on for many years to come.

25 Years — Aptos Times “25 Years” from page 17 During our twenty-five years (A appearance of paste-ups, Pagemaker, more driving your paste-ups to the printer after an all-nighter. Today it’s which is sent to the printer as a PDF over the Internet. And now there is which you will see links on our Website Also during the past 25 years we have seen the birth of two more TPG “Hometown” newspapers, the Capitola

two more publications were established, Coastal Wedding and Coastal Home & Garden. In addition each year TPG pub-

Capitola Begonia Festival Guide, and the But the content of our newspapers and see your name and photos in our publications, chronicle our community’s events, news, and its successes; we want to tell stories of our history, of those who made a

1991 Trout Gulch Vineyard (October 1 Inaugural Edition!

1997 Course 1998 2003

Our Youngest Paper-Girl: Camisa Anne Composti

2008 County’s Planning Dept. Center of Controversy over Appeals Process 2009 The World’s Shortest Parade Has Come a Long Way 2009 Cabrillo College opens new Visual & Performing Arts Center.

2010 County Approves Aptos Village Plan 2010 ciation Plants New Palm Trees on Esplanade 2012 High Students Take a Tour of Our Nation’s Capital As you can see, a community newspaper can cover a lot of interests for

2003 Aptos High Football CCS Champs!

2003 Aptos Chamber Man and Woman of the Year, Laura Brown & Tom Hart 2004 Lori Butterworth Founder of

a small part of what you will find in

2004 Lisa Leuschner on American Idol 2005 40th year 2005

That’s Fit to Print” (first used October

Glider 2006 Aptos HS alum Trent Dilfer awarded NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year 2006 Monte Foundation Fireworks 2007 County Planning Department conditions could close Salesian School 2007 Stage Audience 2008 Memorial for Cabrillo College

interesting and informative with something for everybody that fits the slogan from another time, and another Times

The news that TPG prints “Fits” the community and our readers. We’ve been doing this for 25 years and today there is a core group here at TPG that make it

Michael Oppenheimer, Graphic Artist

But if it wasn’t for you, our readers and advertisers, we wouldn’t be able to do community’s news, the news that brings us all together and makes us as one.

Thank you.

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 19

reisersOSOtvvoeerrie22 t+roCSrtoioe S r e e v v v o o C C + + 600 600 600

“In today’s times, it isitrare toto have “In today’s times, is rare haveaalocal local community newspaper community newspapersoso involved involved with with locallocal community members, community members,orgaorganizations, nizations,businesses businesses & & their stories. their stories.ItItisis truly truly a privilege a privilegetotohave have The The Aptos times Aptos timesworking working as as such an an integral such integralpart part of of our our community. community.The TheAptos Aptos timestimes has has been an an instrumental been instrumental supsupporterporter of this community inin many of this community manyways ways for many years, sharing the for many years, sharing theimportant important & for& this we we areare grateful. for this grateful.Seascape Seascape BeachBeach Resort, Palapas Restaurant, Resort, Palapas Restaurant,SeaSeascapescape WineWine & Spirits, && The & Spirits, TheHolcomb Holcomb Corporation have enjoyed a agreat Corporation have enjoyed greatrelarelationship withwith TheThe Aptos tionship AptosTimes Timesfor for 25 25 years,years, & we’re looking forward & we’re looking forwardtoto the the next next 25! We congratulate 25! We congratulateyour youraccomaccomplishments & wish you allall the plishments & wish you thevery verybest best in theinfuture.

Here’s to to your the future.

Here’s yourcontinued continued success!” success!”

—— Mark MarkHolcomb, Holcomb, Holcomb HolcombCorporation Corporation “The“The Aptos Times started Aptos Times startedduring during aa period when daily newspapers period when daily newspapers were were beginning to be challenged beginning to be challengedwith with the the loss of andand ad ad revenue lossreaders of readers revenuedue due to to thethe Internet.

Internet. The The Times’ success Times’ successshows shows thatthat people people still still value news value newspublicapublicawritten writtennews newsstories stories andand information information which celebrates which celebrates the the uniqueness uniquenessofofaalocal local community. community.Congratulations Congratulations Aptos Aptos TimesTimes for for keeping keepingour ourcommunity community pridepride strong during thethe past strong during past2525years!” years!”

— Jess Brown, Executive — Jess Brown, ExecutiveDirector Director Santa Cruz County Farm Santa Cruz County FarmBureau Bureau

Ready tRoR ede eaS ayr dtv yoetSo eerO eO rSvu vC eo u u rOC Cm oum orm ttyy m n niim u m

Ribbon Designed by Freepik

Ribbon Designed by Freepik

“For 25 years the the Aptos Times “For 25 years Aptos Timeshas hasgiven given a voice to tothetheAptos a voice Aptos comcommunity.

WeWe areare fortunate munity. fortunateto to have a community have a communitypaper paper thatthat covers coversstories stories about about our our friends and friends andneighbors neighbors andand reminds usus why reminds whywe welive live in this place.” in amazing this amazing place.”

— Zach Friend, County — Zach Friend, CountySupervisor Supervisor

“The“The Aptos Times hashas a fantastic Aptos Times a fantasticteam team of professionals who of professionals whonever never fail fail to to impress theirtheir clients.

WeWe know impress clients. knowthat thatwe we are inare great hands when working in great hands when workingwith with them.them. been a pleasure working with It’s been a pleasure working with “What What aIt’s local paper does that other “What alocal local paper does other paper does thatthat on athe subjects that Iother write and the subjects that I write on and onon theon subjects that I write on and covering local Aptos story’s covering quickly, local Aptos covering local Aptos story’s quickly,story’s ofMexican us at Man “All of “All usquickly, at usManuel’s of at “All Manuel’s Mexican “ themwith for the pastpast 20 20 years have them for the years– –they they have papers papers larger circulations cannot papers with larger circulations cannot with larger circulations cannot often receive suggestions for often suggestions foraccurately, other oftenother receivereceive suggestions forand othermost accurately, important accurately, of important allandRestaurant most important of allwant and most of all want ft want toRestaurant congratulate Restaurant to congratulate been been aon valuable asset to to our alocal valuable asset ourcompany. company. is s focus issues.

In is focus focusononlocal local issues. issues.

In In that subjects impact subjects that impact subjects that impact unbiased.

In a time where unbiased.

In aAptos time where unbiased.

In a time where Aptosthis Times at reaca Times at reaching Aptos Times at reaching thismilemileOnOn this this special special the he Aptos Times 25 years the Aptos AptosTimes Times years 25 25 years Aptos.

The paper keeps Aptos.

Thekeeps paper keeps Aptos.most The paper people go to the most people to the stone! most people go to the go stone!

We stone!

We We c anni25th anni- of of service to the local 25th comof service servicetotothethe local comlocal comthe community informed the community the community informed Internet for theirinformed news, for their Internet forInternet their news, appreciate a pnews, p r e c iaaptper e c i a t e W versary, The The munity munity it has given versary, local munity itithas hasgiven given local local and connected to what and connected toI always what look and Iconnected to what always look forward I always forward local forwardlook the the local the local y is happening here. In happening In to my is happening here. my In here. tois receiving receiving my new news tonew receiving new news and news and and t Severino’s Bar Bar discuss discuss topics that Severino’s relate discuss topics topicsthat that relate that is what relate the end the that end that what the end what isTimes issue of isAptos issue Times of Aptos issue of Aptos community c o Times m m u ncommunity ity y & Grill want to express our & itGrill want to express oursincere sincere o Aptos, has given a voice and a to to Aptos, Aptos, has given a voice a Times itithas given a voice andItand a brings the Times does best. the the Times does Itthe brings themailbox. the doesinbest. brings myIt best. mailbox.

I have in myI mailbox. in my have o r Ii ehave oriented n toer ide n t e d c appreciation for for the great appreciation the greatpartnership partnership potlight to local businesses and it spotlight spotlight local businesses itbuild local businesses and and it tolocals localstoto together and helps locals a together and build together and helps to helps build ato always greatly appreciated always the covgreatlyreporting appreciated the covalwaysagreatly appreciated the cov- reporting reporting youthe you do, value you and do, and value thedo, b friendships wewe have shared. and friendships have shared. We We has hasand become a source of information hasstronger becomea asource source of information become of information community.” stronger community.” stronger community.” erage they have erage given the erage Monte they have giventown the Monte they have given thesmall Monte small Here’s town approach! a small town approach!

Here’s appro a t theyresidents. keep up up allWhen thethegood work hope they keep all good work for or hope Aptos I started for Aptos Aptosresidents. residents.

When I started When I started Foundation Events over Foundation the over past Foundation Eventspast over Events the few cheers the fi fewpast cheers to the 25, and best fewthe cheers tofirst the first 25, andto best and continue anan to and being inspiration to I writing writing forcontinue thebeing Times 5inspiration years ago writingfor forthe the Times 5 years Times 5 years ago Iago I twenty-five years.twenty-five I look forward twenty-five to years.

I to lookfor forward to years. I look forward wishes for at least wishes at for least 25 more!!

Hip, wishes at least 25 more!!

Hip, community!” our community!” didour not realize the impact that the did did not notrealize realizethethe impact impact that that the the the next 25.” the next 25.” Hip Hurray! the next 25.”

Hip Hurray! Salud!”

Salud!”

Hip Hurray!

Salud!”

Jason — JasonIwatsuru Iwatsuru Times Times has on our local—community.

Times hason on our local community. has our local community.

“The Aptos Times is as much part Aptos is — as muchMonte, a part Deluxe “Thea“The Aptos Times isTimes as much a part Marc MarcFoods Monte, Deluxe Foods — MarcFoods Monte,—Deluxe “ I am continuously approached amcontinuously continuously approached II am approached of Aptos as the cement ship.ofAlways of Aptos as the ship. cement ship.and Always Aptos as the cement Always Monte Foundation and Monte Foundation and Monte Foundation Manuel’s M Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant T 20 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

rrie2s5OYveear 25 Yea rs rs

! ! e e r r o o M M s s r r a a e e Y Y 5 5 2 2 r r o o f f tyunity im

nManuel’s Mexican “Congratulations to the Aptos “Congratulations to the Aptos Times our ComourTimesComwithin Mid-County issuesissues within thetheMid-County te nt to for being the news voice of localmunity news for for forcongratulate being the voice of local for munity for region.

Whether we’re promoting region.

Whether we’re promoting e-reaching this mile- a quarter a quarter 25 years. 25 It years. It our water conservation rebatesor or our water conservation rebates c e n t u r y. c e n t u r y. always a always a announcing community meetings announcing community meetings We thank We thank pleasure read what about is what– ismany pleasure to read to about – many of our customers find find of our customers you for you for in our community.” going on ingoing our on community.” out about out about the efforts the efforts — Karen Hibble, Aptos Chamber — Karen Hibble, Aptos Chamber w h awt h’ as t ’ s share the sucyou have madeyou to have sharemade the tosuci n g g o ig no g cesses, inform us must of news “We that must cesses, inform us of news that “We appreciate the long-standing appreciate the long-standing w i wt i h t h do, be andheard, value and the for he betelling heard, and telling tales of partnerships the for tales of the theTimes Aptos Times partnerships that the that Aptos Soquel CreekWater Water District District Soquel Creek pproach!

Here’s town a this a town of Aptos.” this special of special Aptos.” has with forgedpublic with public has forged sector sector through TimesPublishing Publishing through the the Times he first 25, and best— Gwen and Doug st — Gwen and Doug Kaplan, organizations, Kaplan, businesses, organizations, businesses, clubs/ clubs/ Group’s weekly papers.

Congrats Group’s weekly papers.

Congrats east 25 more!! Hip, p, groups, schools, andcomthe comgroups, schools, and the on 25th the 25th anniversaryofof the the on the anniversary lud!” munity at-large.

This paper has Aptos munity at-large.

This paper has Times.”

Aptos Times.”

“Congratulations to the Aptos abecome “Congratulations to the Aptos a valuable resource of become valuable resource of — Ron Duncan, Soquel Creek — Ron Duncan, Soquel Creek el’s Mexican nt Times local for bringing localinformation news to information TimesRestaurant for bringing news to local and news and for localfornews District General Manager WaterWater District General Manager

“The “The Santa SantaCruz Cruz County County Regional Regional TransTran portation portation Commission Commission values values the Aptos the Apt Times Times and and other otherTimes Times publications. publicatio The The paper paperhas has well-written well-written aa rr t ii cc l lees s about about local local topics topics and and isis an an important important ccoo m m muunni it yt y resource. resource. Congratulations Congratulations on the on 25-year the 25-ye anniversary anniversary ofofthe the Aptos Aptos Times!”

Times!”

Commission Commission of Santa of Santa CruzCruz County Coun

p.s. p.s. Also, Also, aa huge hugeTHANKs THANKs Aptos Aptos TimesTim readers readers for for joining joiningthethe 83,800 83,800 voters voters that th passed passed Measure MeasureD,D,thethe 30-year 30-year TransporTransp tation tation Improvement Improvement program. program.

“Times “Times Publishing Publishinghashas been been our o media media partner partnerforfor many many years. years.

We W value value their theircommitment commitment to publish to publi current current and and relevant relevant stories stories about abo individuals individuals and andbusinesses businesses in the in t cc oo m mm muu- nities nities they they ss ee r vv ee . .

C Co o n ggrraat t- ulations ulations and and thank thankyouyou Times Tim Publishing Publishing for for2525wonderful wonderful yearsyea serving serving our ourcommunity!” community!”

—— Mary Mary Anne Anne Carson, Cars Santa Santa Cruz Cruz County County Bank Ba

“Aptos “Aptos Times Timesisisa a valued valued window window into in the the community community that that gives givesvoice voice to to the the many many interesting interesting and and unique unique stories stories that that make make Aptos Aptos special. special.Robert Robert andand I look I look forward forwa to to reading reading each each edition.” edition.”

“I “I worked worked atatTPG TPG forfor 15 15 years. years.

Being Bei there there in in the thebeginning beginning with with Patrice Patr was was hard hard work workand and wonderful wonderful work! wo The The people peoplewere were great, great, it was it was a great a gre place place to to work, work,and andI made I made manyma friends! friends! Happy Happy 25th 25th Aptos Aptos Times!”

Times!”

— Joyce — Joyce Marble Mar

“Every “Every community community needs needs newspapers newspape with with local localroots rootsand and local local focus. focus.

The T

25 25 years. years. Second Second Harvest Harvest Food FoodBank Bank serves serves Santa Santa Cruz Cruz County, County, and and The The Times Times has has kept keptusus in in close close touch touchwith with local local readers readers who w care care about aboutlocal local issues. issues.

Without Without strong stro local local voices voiceslike like The The Aptos Aptos Times, Times, we w couldn’t couldn’t serve servethe the community community as well as w as as we we do, do,providing providing healthy healthy foodfood and a produce produce to toover over 55,000 55,000 county county residents residen every every month. month.We Weneed need strong strong locallo institutions institutions now now more more than than ever.ever.

We’re We so so appreciative appreciative ofofNoel, Noel, Patrice Patrice and a everyone everyone atatThe TheAptos Aptos Times Times for all for you you do do for forour ourcommunity.” community.”

— —Willy Willy Elliott-McCrea, Elliott-McCrea, Second Seco Harvest HarvestFood Food Bank Bank Santa Santa CruzCruz County Coun Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 21

15 DAYS UNLIMITED

personal training

Great Reasons to Dine at Palapas DINNER

Training for all ages

Weight Training BEFORE

AFTER

Tues: Mahi Mahi Tacos w/Mango Salsa Fresca

Chile Verde Enchiladas de Pollo con Mole Wed: Sand Dabs w/Garlic Tomatillo Sauce

Chile Verde Enchiladas de La Cocina Fresca

Chicken, Beef or Cheese

Thur: Housemade Tamales Chicken or Pork

Chile Verde Ensalada del Mar Crab and Shrimp salad

Senior Classes

All special entrees $13.95 All specials dine in only including Kids Dine Free offer. *Offer is good for one child’s (under 12) menu item per entree purchased from our regular menu by an adult in party. Valid Monday thru Thursday except holidays. Expires 4-6-17.

Weight Loss Support

Safe, Sensible & Sustainable Training for Life!

708-2323 | SeascapeVillageFitness.com

Fine Dining Mexican Style

Ocean View, Lunch & Dinner Daily, Reservations Suggested 21 Seascape Village, Aptos 831-662-9000

Congratulations “The Aptos Times has been an instrumental supporter of this community in many ways for many years, and Seascape Beach Resort has enjoyed a great relationship with The Aptos Times for 25 years and looks forward to the next 25!”

— Mark Holcomb, Holcomb Corporation

22 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

Bring the family to Palapas for dinner Monday thru DINE FOR Thursday nights for our unique style of Mexican food and your children dine for free! *

KIDS FREE

MID-WEEK SPECIALS

$59

www.palapasrestaurant.com

Aptos Times25 —Years 25 Years — Aptos Times Some Favorite Articles From The Last 25 Years Awesome Fireworks Display

S

pectacular

By Stacy Fisher events are

sometimes

one such person. Together with countless Aptos neighbors and residents of Santa maintain that spirit of community. Community is trust, supporting neighbors doing what’s right and respecting the munity is fun! And on October 12, the sky sight and sound. What a great time of the

F I N AL DAY S RE TI RE M EN T S AL E

I

Settlement Proposal Seeks Secession Solution (1997)

By Dick Little t certainly doesn’t rank with ending the

the determination shown by both sides of the Aptos Secession movement indicates there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel after a group of politicians, secessionists and other “interested parties� announced they had agreed on a way to

October 1994 Cover

What is Your Ideal Way to Get Around!

(1998)

By Dick Little ptos are residents made it clear where they stand on transportation alternatives, the Highway One Freeway needs to

A

for funding. That information is from an County Transportation Commission, at the

School District.

tation was the clear winner.

A large crowd was on hand‌ talking

Aptos Times Vol. 1, No. 1

Aptos Times The Aptos Community’s Number One News Source Published by the Times Newspaper Group Associate Publisher Patrice Edwards Executive Editor Jon Kennedy Editor Art Director Account Exec’s Joyce Marble, Eliza Ruiz Ad Coordinator Luis Guillen Administration Tami Bellou Circulation Manuel Austin Mailing Robeck’s Mailing Service 600 Nisene Meadow Ct. Aptos, CA 95003 (408) 688 0422 Fax (408) 688-5602

"GUFS PWFS ZFBST XF BSF DMPTJOH UIF TUPSF BOE FWFSZUIJOH NVTU HP JODMVEJOH UIF DBTFT JEWELRY ANTIQUE WATCHES ARTWORK COLLECTABLE & RARE TREASURES 8F TUJMM IBWF B XPOEFSGVM TFMFDUJPO

Monterey Bay

&TUBUF +FXFMSZ "OUJRVFT (FU ZPVS )PMJEBZ

HJGUT IFSF 4PRVFM %SJWF 4VJUF % "QUPT

Lowest Prices Over Next 10 days

Across from the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center

Top Honors For Aptos Community Members (2004) he results are in! The Aptos Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2004 award recipients for the Man, Woman,

5VFTEBZ 4BUVSEBZ

T

Men of the Year

Ted Burke and Bob Claire BianBusiness of the Year The Best Organization of the Year The Rotary Club of Capitola/Aptos Outstanding Achievement Awards: Save the Music and Senator Bruce McPherson.

A

By Noel Smith fter 26 years as a Sheriff’s Deputy,

11, 2005 to serve out former Sheriff Mark “Excerpts� page 24 Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 23

Aptos Times — 25 Years “Excerpts” from page 23

versity and graduated from San Francisco

started over again on 55-plus acres on Enos Lane. At the time there were only two or three other residents along that private rural road. They began by building the school.

Tracy, a 33-veteran who headed the spend more time with his family. Elected Noren and ran unopposed in 1998.

Debate continues over former Aptos Par 3 site (2006)

Your Local Full Service Jeweler Since 1969

Custom Wedding Rings | Fine Gemstones Antique & Estate Jewelry Goldsmiths & Watchmakers on Site Insurance Appraisals

drawn its application for a housing mean the debate is over about the future of the 13.5-acre property.

County Housing is interested in locating another partner for a combined market

Housing had been collaborating on the pre-

housing. And, the newly formed neighis still looking for ways to keep the entire

Aptos HS Student wins art contest (2009) ASHINGTON, D.C. – Werdmuller Von Elgg, a senior at Aptos High School, is the winner of the local division of the 28th annual Congressional Art Competition. His painting, titled

W

Bautista.

arship from the Savannah College of Art and Design. His painting will also be dis-

Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center Update (2012)

By Courtney Dimpel he third design meeting held on August 22 yielded some interesting news. Safeway announced that they have hired the Small Business Development Center at Cabrillo College to help all the

T

Center to, “take look at their business ballot to purchase the land for a park, a tions to purchase the land and donate it to the County, which would operate it as a nine-hole golf course.

County vs. Private School (2007)

By Noel Smith he County Planning department has proposed a number of conditions that

T

Corralitos must meet to continue operation.

CUSTOM CREATIONS

Catholic religious order that once had a girl’s school in the Porter Sesnon house they were forced into selling the property to Cabrillo College and moving to Cor-

All work done on premises.

Aptos Center 7552 Soquel Drive 831-688-2799

Carmel by the Sea Ocean & Mission 831-624-5621

www.AreiasJewelers.com 24 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

of having their property taken through eminent domain so that the College could

the Center or elsewhere. According to SBDC Director Teresa Thomae, there is a has invested, and will be visiting every business in the Center in the coming weeks.

Safeway’s focus of the meeting was again the overall design, look and feel, and layout of the Center. Safeway his updated drawings based on the feedback and input given in previous meetings led the discussion.

Some of the changes included “green walls,” to resemble the Aptos creek bed, and wooden stairs similar beach. While the drawings were nice, 60,0000 foot Safeway that will lay under of the structure.

25 Years — Aptos Times

O

ne year ago this month, the Aptos community gave birth to a bouncing baby 16-page newspaper. Since its christening, the Aptos Times has grown to its present 20 pages and begun to develop a look and personality all its own. And that’s

without your continuing support. We hope helping us to become the best community newspaper we can be. If you have ideas or

If you have a news tip of story idea, let us know; there are plenty of things happening in Aptos that we may not be aware of. Send

us your letters, your pet of the month submission, your feature ideas. Oh, and let our advertisers know you saw their ads in the Times; those ads are out food and drink!

the Times hopes to grow up big, strong and healthy, adding pages, features and more and better coverage of local news.

But we couldn’t have gotten where we are today without you, our readers and advertisers — nor can we grow and thrive

I n de p e n de n t l y O wn e d f o r 30 Ye a r s

Cr e di t A va i l a b l e

$24.95 Drive-Thru Oil Change $20.00 OFF MOST

10 point inspection 5-30 conventional oil

462-3323

M-F 8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

Sat 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Sun CLOSED

Lube chassis

With coupon. All other oils additional.

Excludes other offers. Expires 3/15/17

BRAKE SERVICE

With coupon. Not to be combined with other offers. Exclusions may apply. Expires 3/15/17

2842 Soquel Ave. (Between 7th Ave. and Hwy 1 Off Ramp)

Acupressure Face Lift Package

Prepay for 5 Acupressure Face Lift Sessions for $80 $65 each

www.autoexpresstirepros.com

Karen Ahn Ruiz HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER Ac u p re s s u re Fa ce L if t Ac u p re s s u re Swe d is h Pre - Nat a l Rei ki Ene rg y V it a l Force B a mb oo Fus ion Add - on Tra d it io n a l Tha i Auri c ul a r Th era py To view d et ail ed d es cr iptions of t he se ser v ices pl ea se v isit my webs ite at www.ka renah nr ui zhhp.st rikin gly.co m .

W E D N E S DAY S & F R I DAY S O N LY 9099 Soquel Drive

Beautiful Cottage 5

Aptos, CA 95003

831.428.3536

S E R V I C E S P E R F O R M E D AT M OX I E S A LO N Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 25

Green Valley CINEMA

ounty C h t u o Your S heater!

T

you g n i Wish olidays! GVC GIFT y H CARDS ARE p p T a THE PERFEC H GIFT!

Aptos High School Players Selected to All-League 2016 MVP Joey Riccabona, QB/SE/DB/ Lineman-of-the-Year Chris Ilar, OG/

Plenty of free parking Applebees restaurant on site Stadium seating Serving Santa Cruz County for over 17 years - locally owned by the same family GREENVALLEYCINEMA.COM

Local Sports

1125 SOUTH GREEN VALLEY RD.

FREE SMALL POPCORN

with this coupon and your movie ticket when you pick up your new loyalty card.

Coach of the Year kenship; ( Valley

Randy Blan-

Jack Wolf, 6’0” 185, Senior; Danner Pardue Roman Ceja, 5’10” 180, Senior; Joseph Gutierrez-Lee Kieran Woodley, 5’10 150, Senior

WEEKLY SPECIALS

First Team Defense Caleb Martin, Aptos, 6’0” 215, Senior; Jimel Victory, Aptos, 6’0” 194, Senior Trenton Black Senior Aiden McAnerney, Aptos, 6’1” 165, Senior; Bubba Gallardo, Aptos, 6’0” 156, Sophomore

Alex Austen, Aptos, 6’4” 260, Hayden Mennie, Aptos, 6’1” 204, Sophomore Darrien Lee, Aptos, 6’0” 195, Senior Second Team Defense Darian Gutierrez-Lee, Aptos, 6’0” Marcos Reyes Sophomore

neighbor nights

Dinner Entreés starting at !"#$%& Sunday-Thursday*

breakfast skillets

Honorable Mention Cody Whitney Joe Mendoza Chris Ibanez Marcus Reich-Gamble, ST, 6’1” 250, Senior (QB = Quarter Back; RB = Running Back;

Only !'$%& Each • Monday-Thursday*

lunch specials

Only !%$%& Each • Monday-Thursday*

Lineman; LB = Line Backer; DB = Defensive

HAPPY HOUR

!& Drinks & &#( Off Appetizers *pm-+pm Sunday-Thursday*

Aptos High School Scoreboard Soccer Boys Season Record (1-3-1, SCCAL 0-0-0) Coach: Roberto Zuniga Watsonville 4 – Aptos 0 Sacred Heart (Atherton) 4 – Aptos 0 Aptos 2 – King City 2 Aptos Stats Woodley Goal Prospect (Saratoga) 4 – Aptos 3 Aptos Stats

(!"#$%&&'-)#'* SanderlingsRestaurant.com

Aptos Stats

One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos * Not available on holidays or holiday weekends

26 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

“Scoreboard” page 34

Featured Columnist

By Zach Friend, County Supervisor 2nd District

A

s I begin each new year as your County Supervisor, I like to report back in this column on some of the things we’ve accomplished because of your partnership and communication

P

ublic Safety safety focuses this year was working

creation of a Multi-Disciplinary Interview

on transportation and road issues, neighborhood public safety concerns, winter storm preparation and culvert cleaning, environmental issues, health and human

family-friendly facility for conducting forensic interviews for child victims of and calls to us.

Here is a small overview of what we

C

-

ommunity Meetings

Corralitos, La Selva Beach and Watsonville and held or attended over 30 community Selva Beach, Aptos, Watsonville, Capitola and Corralitos. In addition, I’ve written 45 columns in local papers and neighborhood newsletters and sent a number of e-newsour district about county happenings. arks

P

County.

-

struction, of new permanent restrooms at the Polo Grounds.

Additionally, we secured funding and began improvements at Aldridge Lane Park in Corralitos (which includes improvements to the tennis courts and -

multiple agencies, a MDIC works to have the child interviewed once in a more childcentered and supportive environment. The initial start up of this program has begun with greater implementation occurring in

with the moving of the historic apple barn and the County approving bids for the road improvements in the Village area.

The County’s mobile app we helped create, improved options for residents to include reporting of potholes, trash, abandoned dumping, illegal grows, sewer spills, street signs down, tree trimming and

area. ocal Roads and School Safety radar feedback signs and other safety improvements (including crosswalks,

system, schedule Building Inspections and conduct other county business all from their smartphone.

During our budget hearings we voted to continue to increase our reserves, which has led to improved bond ratings and lower borrowing costs. We continued to look at ways to help streamline the county planning process by allowing for electronic plans submittal.

Additionally, our continued work toward improving broadband in our district has taken a step forward with the

Mar Vista and Valencia Elementary schools all saw safety improvements as part of grant funding we received.

Freedom Boulevard, a section of San Andreas was resurfaced, State Park

-

pedestrian bridge took a large step toward becoming reality. Measure D was passed -

Winter Fun

conomic Vitality and Reserves

now register to vote, view or pay property

of schools in our district were installed this year. Amesti Elementary, Aptos High,

At the Polo Grounds Permanent Bathroom Ribbon Cutting

E

Seascape Park including a new picnic area,

L

prioritize what we do. Call us at 454-2200 and have a great New Year!

much of our district. oving Forward partial list of what we’ve done this year and I know there is a lot more to do

M

year we estimate that we addressed over

ACROSS

1. *e.g. “A Winter’s Tale”

by Mark Helprin 6. Bag in Paris 9. *Cold-weather lip trouble 13. Speak one’s mind 14. “What?”

15. What phoenix did 16. Used a lot in sports 17. ____ of Aquarius 18. Misrepresent 19. *Troika ride 21. *Has two eyes made of coal 23. Beluga yield 24. Found in a wall 25. Reggae precursor 28. Whiskey without water 30. Mother of Calcutta

35. What little kittens did with their mittens 37. Computer operating system 39. Ascetic holy Hindu 40. Hippocrates’ promise 41. Chemically induced waves, pl.

43. Good obtained illegally 44. Garment fold 46. Sandwich alternative 47. Northern freshwater fish 48. No, they don’t really crawl in one’s ear 50. Substance abuser 52. Neither 53. Type of tide 55. Jamie ____ Curtis 57. *Popular cold weather fabric 61. *Desired winter destination, pl.

64. Don McLean: “Drove my chevy to the ____” 65. *Elf on the Shelf, e.g.

67. *Remove its furniture in winter?

69. Like a Harvard building?

70. Call to Bo-peep 71. Painter Degas 72. Mrs. Lincoln’s maiden name 73. Weary traveler’s destination 74. Lofty homes 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

DOWN

Us, in Mexico Prefers Tiny bottle “C’mon in!”

Wound Persian king Precedes Sep.

8. Maiden’s “hope” storage 9. Captain’s team 10. Islet in a river 11. Half-way around the world 12. Part of a hammer 15. Residences 20. “Faster!” to a horse 22. *Roast a chest____ over an open fire 24. Cavalryman’s foot holder 25. #61 Across, sing.

26. Bear Down Under 27. In the Asteraceae family 29. Again 31. Wood file 32. Buzz Aldrin’s first name 33. Plumed military headdress 34. *Ice Angler’s drill

36. *Warm winter day occurrence 38. *Winter Holiday, for short 42. Abracadabra, e.g.

45. Preserved in a can 49. “Fancy that!”

51. Go back into business 54. Cover story 56. Horace’s poem 57. Dart 58. Prefix in levorotary 59. Like a zealous fan 60. Pauper’s permanent state 61. Bridge 62. Units of work 63. Cut and run 66. *Gingerbread creation 68. 60 mins., pl. © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 27

Featured Columnist

By Tiffany L. Mitchener, DVM

T

is the season for gift giving. Many families will be including their furry companions in the tradition. So, what

High quality, age appropriate nutrition — What is the best food for meets AAFCO standards and matches your pet’s life stage. Young dogs and cats should eat puppy or kitten food

large breed dog, like a Great Dane, will need to switch to a senior diet earlier than a Chihuahua. But be careful not to overdo it! Obesity is a real threat to your pet’s long-term health.

Consult your veterinarian if you have amount of food to give your pet.

Shelter — Every pet deserves a sheltered place to live. Make sure your pet has a living situation that keeps him protected from the wind, cold, and rain. Older pets, in particular, need a soft place to lie down as they tend to sleep more. Our pets deserve Make sure children know to respect your pet’s bed and give your pet a safe space to rest, especially during the busy holidays.

Toothbrush — Dental health is an important part of your pet’s wellness. be a large source of pain for your pet

28 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

Daily tooth brushing is the single most important action an owner can do to maintain dental health. Buy a dog or cat toothbrush and toothpaste, and then make it a routine to brush his teeth daily.

Toys — avoided with appropriate toys for your pets. Make sure your puppy

Nylabone to chew. Avoid meat bones or rawhides, which can splinter with persistent chewing and cause fractured teeth or gastrointestinal issues.

These can keep dogs occupied and out of trouble while you are away from home. Give cats an appropriate scratching surface. Sprinkle it with catnip to make it more appealing than other surfaces in the house.

Dog training lessons — Give your dog the gift of manners. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for a reputable dog training class, The time and attention you give your dog through this training will last lifelong. Consistency is key. Make sure everyone in the household is maintaining the training regimen. The long-term behavior issues.

Pet proof your home for the holidays — Take the time now to assess your

household from your pet’s point of view. Avoid ribbons, yarn, or tinsel if you have cats. Many cats will try to eat these items and end up with an intestinal blockage. Avoid bringing poisonous plants into the household.

When in doubt, leave the plant outside or in an area of the house inaccessible of reach of your dog. Do not share table scraps with your pet as this can lead to a bout of diarrhea or worse.

Exercise — The holidays are such a busy time of year that many people neglect their own regimen. Give your pet the gift of your attention and maintain their

veterinarian about any changes you have noticed in your pet’s health.

Early detection of a disease can often

toys. Dogs love their daily walks or be good for both of you!

Microchip — Give your pet the gift manent. Contact your veterinarian if you would like to have your pet microchipped. If your pet already has one, take a moment this holiday season to make sure that your contact information is up to date with the microchip company.

Veterinary annual exam — Preventative care is essential to a long and healthy life. Give your pet the gift of erinarian. Make sure he is up to date on his vaccines. Be sure to talk to you

pet has not been to a vet for a long time, then don’t delay. Give him the one today!

Forever home — but the best gift you can give your pet is the guarantee of a home for the rest of his life. If you have room in your heart, consider adopting a shelter animal. Give the gift of a forever home to an animal in need this holiday season. The unconditional love you will receive in return will be your pet’s gift to you all lifelong!

Season’s greetings to you and your pets this holiday time of year!

Community News Local Organizations Distribute Food at Farmworker Communities WATSONVILLE — If you have driven through Watsonville during the growing season, you’ve probably seen the large teams of farmworkers who cultivate and harvest the Central Coast’s famous strawberries, apples, artichokes, and other fruits and vegetables. But this nearly empty; there’s little work available for those who pick a huge portion of the nation’s produce. work some of the country’s most productive land are vulnerable to hunger at a time when the rest of the community is feasting to celebrate the holidays. The of this disparity and involves Cal Fire, the

and Second Harvest Food Bank.

worker communities in southern Santa Monday, December 19. About 200 farmworker families will cereals, tuna, cooking oil, canned goods, and other staples, as well as a 20 to 30 lb. bag of fresh produce to help get them

The Christmas Project Monday, December 19, 2016 9:30 a.m. – San Andreas, 295 San Andreas, Watsonville

10:30 a.m. – Parkhurst Terrace, 6100 Freedom Blvd., Aptos 11:30 a.m. – Villas del Paraiso, 320 Amesti 12:30 p.m. – Watsonville 1:30 p.m. – Watsonville 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Carlton Camp, 885 Carlton

To make the holidays complete, Gladys and community donors will return the week of Christmas to deliver wrapped Donors and volunteers can provide a gift for a child or volunteer to wrap gifts at For more information, please call

or e-mail grace@thefoodbank.org, or visit www.thefoodbank.org.

The Christmas Project, founded in 1978 in response to the needs of many children in Santa Cruz County, including children served by Child Protective Services, provides toys, gifts, and food to needy children and parents mainly in the Migrant Labor Camps of Santa Cruz County. www.thechristmasprojectsc.com Founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food

hunger and malnutrition by educating and local agencies and programs feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month. For every dollar donated, it provides four healthy meals. thefoodbank.org

Watsonville Wetlands Watch Docent Training Begins in January

T

Docent Training Program begins

provide an inside look at the wetlands of Watsonville, with classes covering the cultural and natural history of the wetlands, including the birds and native plants.

The focus of docent training is to teach new docents how to facilitate student

program consists of Wednesday evening trips, where docent trainees have the opportunity to visit little known areas of the wetlands.

The focus of docent training is to teach new docents how to facilitate student Docents can also help with community events, work on art and other creative

Annie Steinhardt and a Great-horned Owl named Boggs

testing, and more. There is a need for

whose mission is to protect, restore and foster appreciation of the wetlands of the Teacher, writer, musician and class of 2016 docent Anne Steinhardt notes, “It is really rewarding to help kids learn about feel that we are doing important work by encouraging a new generation to become stewards of the wetlands.”

The Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a

the website at www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.

Please contact the Volunteer Coordior email kathy@watsonvillewetlandswatch. com for details and to enroll. The deadline for enrollment is Jan. 9.

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 29

Community News

W

hen I talk to people with Medicare about planning for the end of their lives, the statistic

your doctor or call your state hospice

-

that allows you to look up local providers

and 25 percent say the hospital. But when you look at what actually happens, only 25 percent of people get to die at home, while The only way you can ensure that your doctor understands your wishes is by talking about them. And now, Medicare will reimburse your doctor for that conversation. This is called advance care planning.

It’s designed to help people with Medicare learn about various options for end-of-life care; determine which types of care best wishes with their family, friends, and physicians.

One option you can discuss with your doctor is hospice care. Hospice is intended to help terminally ill people live out their

lives as comfortably as possible, usually in their own homes. Hospice doesn’t focus on curing disease and it’s not only for people with cancer. care, and you shouldn’t have to go outside ations. Once you choose it, your hospice

You can get hospice care if you have

tancy of 6 months or less; instead of care to cure your illness;

your family will work with your hospice provider to set up a plan of care that meets your needs.

You and your family members are the most important part of your medical team.

Your team can also include doctors, nurses or nurse practitioners, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, hospice aides, homemakers, and volunteers.

A hospice nurse and doctor are on-call and your family support and care when you need it. You can also include your regular doctor or a nurse practitioner on your medical team to supervise your care. and your family to stay together in the comfort of your home, unless you need care in an inpatient facility. If your hospice provider determines that you need inpatient care, the provider will make arrangements for your stay.

care instead of other Medicare-covered treatments for your terminal illness and related conditions.

You have the right to stop hospice at any time. If you do so, you’ll go back to the type of Medicare coverage you had before you chose a hospice provider, like Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, or another type of Medicare health plan.

Depending on your illness and related conditions, the plan of care your hospice team creates can include doctor

and any other Medicare-covered services needed to manage your terminal illness and related conditions, as recommended by your hospice team.

For more information on Medicare’s

pdf/02154.pdf. prescription drugs; hospice aide and homemaker services; physical and occupational therapy; speech-language pathology services; social worker services; dietary counseling; grief and loss counseling for you and your family; short-term inpatient

regional administrator for Arizona, California, You can always get answers to your Medicare (1-800-633-4227).

Regional Water Management Foundation Hires Darcy Pruitt

T

sidiary of the Community Foundation, announces the hire of Darcy Pruitt as senior planner to support

year. Pruitt will be the lead planner to the groundwater agency in developing its groundwater sustainability plan for the mid-county basin. Pruitt will be employed by the Community Foundation through its water management foundation.

The mid-county groundwater basin is shared by

thousands of private wells and small water systems in

in response to the historic drought in California, signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which led to the formation of the local groundwater agency. Prior to

School of Law and is a member of the California Bar Association. She served as a planning consultant and

agencies and municipalities handled groundwater management decisions. In order to comply with the state legislation, the new groundwater agency was established in March 2016.

throughout California.

knowledge of environmental and land use law that makes

30 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

Management Foundation.

Community News

This Holiday Season

Adopt a Pet for only $75 to Help Our Community’s Neediest Animals

I

n the spirit of the holiday season, the

Forward” special to help fund the Shelter’s important community programs and services. Beginning December 1, the adoption price for all dogs, puppies, cats and kittens SCCAS is also asking the community to “pay it forward” to their community’s neediest animals by also donating at least aboo was adopted from us as an adorable young pup and then returned as an adult dog. She’d developed behaviors that led her previous people to believe they could not provide her with the best environment.

She’s not great with other dogs or cats and can be very protective of her home -

home by adopting a companion animal for medical rehabilitation for animals beyond what our shelter budget permits

that will help the local homeless and underserved animals in your community.

Shelter is an open admission shelter that goal is to be a humane resource for the community by providing a safety net and second chance for local animals.

There are two locations where

medication and other supplies for underserved animals in the community

with local participating veterinarians.

SCCAS currently has beautiful cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and rabbits waiting for a forever home. Open your heart and

lost pets, adopt new animal companions, or sign up for PLANNED PetHood, our low cost spay/neuter program available for all resident pets.

Our success is achieved through a variety of life-saving services and programs which are described in detail on our website, www.scanimalshelter.org.

The support of our community is crucial to

toy/can of green beans back. All you need to do is throw and admire her airs above ground in awe.

We know that there is an ideal home situation out there for our “Boo-Boo.” who’ve got some land, and are looking for a wonderful and devoted canine protection. visit www.spcasc.org.

The SPCA main shelter is located at 2685 Chanticleer Center and Gift Shop located in the Capitola Mall near Target, which is open Wed-Fri from 11am-5pm and Sat-Sun 11am-4pm.

sonville

crossword on 27 »

Donation Fund, which supports animal adoption, animal enrichment and public outreach and education programs The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip (including tions, Felv/FIV testing and cat carrier

This 60 lb., 6 1/2 year-old Carolina dog is completely house-trained, very mild mannered in the home, athletic and active outdoors, and knows basic com-

© Statepoint Media

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 31

Community Calendar Ongoing Events

Aptos Chamber of Commerce

of Love Whether You Can Be There or Not this will be a safe structured environment for sharing stories if you so Thursday Jan. 12 choose, and learning healthy ways to deal with separation ASA empowers volunteers from anyone. Co-sponsored to directly influence lifeby Alienated Grandparents oin us for our first breakfast changing decisions affecting Anonymous www.AGA-FL. children in foster care. Court appointed special advocates that provide information and are everyday people that, with support to grandparents who breakfast and network with feel alienated or estranged to have a lifetime of impact for a their grandchildren. other chamber and comchild who has been abused or Questions: pat@invisiblegrand munity members. neglected.

Cost: $20 members/ $25 parent.com (831) 601-9195 More info www.casaof non-members santacruz.org or call (831) Tuesdays 761-2956 XT.102

C

Save the Dates!

Business Debtors Anonymous

5:15-6:30pm, Calvary Episcopal Church, Parish Second Tuesdays: 5:30-7 p.m. Hall, 532 Center Street, Santa in Capitola Cruz. : 5:30-7 p.m. e specifically focus on recovering from debting Third Thursdays: 2-3 p.m. on one’s business. in Santa Cruz For more information: 831Third Fridays: 12-1 p.m.

425-3272 in Aptos

: 2-3 p.m.,

7:30-9:00 a.m., Thursdays,

S

W

$20 members/ $25 nonmembers Reservations call 688-1467 or Mondays email esme@aptoschamber.com 12-1 p.m., PAMF, 2850 Commercial Crossing, Santa Cruz 5:00-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Locations various Chamber Members eptember Mixer County invite you to attend a

Overeaters Anonymous

beginning meditators

6:30-7:30pm Christ Lutheran Aptos Noon Toastmasters Church, 10707 Soquel Dr. 12:00-1:00p.m. Rio Sands Aptos Hotel, 116 Beach Drive o you have a problem with supportive group of people friendly free 12-step support Caregiver Support Group for group with the solution group beginners to more advanced. location TBD those caring for someone with with the solution. Teens and We’re here to help you discover $5 members/$10 non-members a serious illness. adults welcome. Includes com- your voice and share it effecWhen a loved one is seritively. Everyone is welcome! ously ill, it can be a challenge and bulimia.

Follow us on Facebook: for the entire family. In this Located in the Gazebo Room. Facebook.com/AptosNoonToastcom ongoing support group, Call 831-429-7906 if you have masters or more info: (831) we will share stories, learn any questions 236-1171 tools for coping and receive support from people who Tuesdays & Thursdays care.

Orientations to Become Contact Hospice of Santa Cruz County Grief Support 6 pm, 65 Nielson Street #121 Noon, Elks Lodge at 150 Jewell St. Greater Bay Area (GBA) Program. (831) 430-3078 his statewide group of ASA volunteer Advocates retired men invites you to receive 35 hours of Overeaters Anonymous be our guest at our monthly 7:00pm-8:00pm, Soquel luncheon. You’ll meet kindred Congregational Church, 4951 appointed special advocates spirits, have a fine lunch and are everyday people that, with learn something new from a Soquel Dr. o you have problem with top notch guest speaker. fellowship of relatives and have a lifetime of impact for a Call Greg Horne at (831) friends of addicts who have child who has been abused or 684-1834 to RSVP & bring a been affected by someone else’s friendly free 12 step support group with the solution. Teens neglected. friend! addiction. As of October 1, and adults welcome. It will be 2016, three meetings are now in the next Advocate training Fridays held in the Anne Hutchinson contact cita@casaofsantacruz. org or (831) 761-2956 Any questions call (831) 12-1 pm, Hospice of Santa 429-7906 For meeting locations, Cruz County, 940 Disc Dr., please call our helpline at Scotts Valley 831-291-5099 or contact Second Mondays saveyoursanity@aol.com.

12pm-1:15pm, Pacific Cultural County is offering a Invisible/Alienated Visit our Northern California Grandparents Support Group Center 1307 Seabright Ave. drop-in grief support group for website for meeting listings loom of the Present Insight adults grieving the death of a 4:-5:30p.m. in our area and region: www.

Meditation teacher Carla family member or a friend. This ed by Dr. Pat Hanson naranoncalifornia.org/norcal/ Brennan leads a drop-in group is a place where you can author of Invisible meetings group every Wednesday it is share stories, learn tools for

S

D

C

Announcements

C

W

T

D

H

L

32 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

B

coping, and receive support from people who care.

For more information, please call (831) 430-3000.

First & Third Fridays

Church, 909 High Street his is the oldest women’s

T

club meets to study the life, works and times of William Shakespeare. Members share group readings and insights, discuss history, and universal themes found in his plays and writings.

For more information please call 831-684-2832

Sundays 9:45 a.m: Bible Study

F

irst Baptist Church of Aptos

bible study and worship every Sunday.

Call (831) 688-5842 for more info

Overeaters Anonymous

other meetings, or call our Hotline has been heavily planned after at (831) 429-7906.

Showdown, which brought over 50 teams and over 100 players to

Dated Events

Saturday, Dec. 3 thru Friday Dec. 23 Nov. 25-26, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-23. ide a holiday train through sip hot spiced cider, listen to carolers, meet Santa & Mrs. Clause.

Departs from Beach Boardwalk Go to roaringcamp.com for more info.

Saturday Dec. 17 Holidays on the Ranch

will start at

Tuesday Dec. 27 5:30 p.m., Aptos Branch library 7695 Soquel Drive riendship. Tea. Chilean History.

Feminism. All in Less Than One Hour.

F

Bring your favorite teacup/mug!

Light refreshments served of Tea Time; documentary with

Spanish with English subtitles State Park elebrate the warmth of the holiday season with crafts, games, music and merriment from For info contact 831-427-7702 the early 20th century. We’ll busy or email cinephile95060@gmail. your hands with holiday wreath- com

C

old-fashioned sing-along around the player piano, and provide you with materials to make Victorian play games like dreidel, take a draft-horse carriage ride, decorate the tree or create ornaments to bring home to your own tree while spending the day on the grounds.

9:05 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, 2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz vereaters Anonymous is a Roundnet Tournament Free, Friendly 12-Step group 10 a.m. for those who have a problem he 2nd annual spikemas with food. will feature some of the Visit www.santacruzoa.org for nationwide! This tournament current times and locations of

O

Free admission for those wanting to watch, and participants must

T

Arts and Entertainment

Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach, CA 95076 t’s fun and easy to do!

Friendship put to music; family Volunteers Needed for the friendly. Class takes place every Thursday Night at our new he Monterey Symphony is home in La Selva Beach! (Take seeking volunteers. If you love Mar Monte off of Hwy 1, turns music and want to be involved, into Playa Blvd., turn right on

Announcements

I

T

www.montereysymphony.org for more information.

Ongoing Events

For more information, contact Sue Harris or Don Benson at (831) 7267053 or e-mail at caller4u@att.net.

Facebook page for more details. and sounds of the beloved story.

Times: 1pm, 3pm, 5:30pm, FREE 7:30pm. Not all departures occur Second Sundays Each Month on each day. For more info visit santacruzthepolarexpressride.com

bucket list of places you want to visit someday, or eat yummy food from your favorite country to keep

Antique Street Fair

the power of meditation late in the month, but your time might not allow for a complete submersion.

9:00am-4:00pm, Lincoln St. (Between Pacific and Cedar) he “Original” Downtown

O

cean-inspired gifts from local artists, live music, children’s crafts, and more - all while

T

C

S

Cedar Street est known as part of Marcus

B

and a creative force on the San decade, pianist Adam Shulman reprises his tribute to Bay Area

S

A

V

7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Harry’s Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose orty-seven years of performing in the Bay Area, over 250 popular tunes. Come see our band for Free in Sunnyvale Every Wednesday. No cover.

Contact Lee McLaughlin, Booking Agent, at 408-993-BAND (2263) for information about booking the tions are tax deductible). www.PeninsulaBanjoBand.org

F

First Friday Art Tour

T

of Contemporary Arts event,

T

sights and sounds of the beloved story.

Run Times: 1pm, 3pm, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm. Not all departures occur on each day.

For more info visit santacruz thepolarexpressride.com

Thursdays

Square Dance 6:30 pm, La Selva Beach

Friday and Saturday with Michal

Smith; Gabriel Williams dances all performances. Check the website the participating art venues. The Performance times are Friday the event takes place year-round 16th at 8pm, Saturday & Sunday and illuminates some of the most 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. the 17th & 18th at 1pm and talented local artists from local 4:30pm. For more information galleries. and to purchase tickets visit www.

To find out where to participate time, recreated to match all the sights scbt.org in a First Friday art tour, visit firstfridaysantacruz.com (Most galleries are open 12-9 pm for First Friday viewings.)

Thursday Dec. 1 thru Friday Dec. 23

T

Second Saturdays Each Month Nov. 18 thru Dec. 23 (Also runs Dec 19-20, no train Thanksgiving)

Dated Events

he First Friday Art Tour

2nd Saturday on the Farm

11a.m.-3p.m., Ag History Project Center at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds oin us every 2nd Saturday on the Farm for free family activities.

Each month we select a new theme to highlight historical agriculture with games, activities, and demonstrations that relate. We often have guest appearances from farm animals like llamas, draft horses, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, something fun and entertaining for the whole family.

Check our website and

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)

vu. Don’t repeat your mistakes.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Don’t let your friends feel alone in their failures as the month begins. You love to get creative mid-

1965 holiday classic, A Charlie Third Sunday of Every Month Brown Christmas.

Tuesdays Dinner begins at 6pm. For Science Sunday BINGO more information visit www. his is a night for true “Social 6:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, kuumbwajazz.org Tango.” Order a wonderful Santa Cruz, 95060 150 Jewell St. meal from the Star Bene eymour Marine Discovery Friday Dec. 16 Argentine Menu, (or their well Center presents a public snack bar available. First Tuesday lecture from a marine scientist thru Sunday Dec. 18 the ambiance of Argentina and the third Sunday of every month. Topics are presented in Orchestra www.soquelsports.com to music from the Golden Age an entertaining and easySanta Cruz Civic Auditorium of Tango. to-understand format, with Private instruction and classes by up-to-date photos, video, and us for our 15th production arrangement. For more information, discussion. with full professional orchestra.

6-8 pm, Esplanade Park call Michael (831) 239-2247.

Science Sunday does not meet in December. For more info visit concert schedule.

Guest starring professional seymourcenter.ucsc.edu First Fridays each month

H

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

world as a whole new place. Maybe you aren’t the most romantic sign but you’re walking

Thursday Dec. 15

and check it out! Browse through a wide assortment of treasures 6:30 p.m., New Hall, La Selva Beach including books and photographs, Club House, 3124 Estrella Ave. Second Monday each month lasses every Thursday night.

For more information call Sue and ceramic collectibles, vintage 7 p.m., Volunteer Center of Santa Harris or Don Benson (831) 726Cruz, 1740 17th Ave., 95062 7053 or email at caller4u@att.net original artwork, and a whole lot titchers-by-the-Sea, the local of whatnot! chapter of the Embroiderers’ Last Thursdays each month For more info, please contact us Guild of America, holds regular at (831) 476-6940 or visit us on meetings open to the public each Facebook.

Bene Italian/Argentine Restarante month. No admission fees.

4:30pm-9:30pm, Star Bene

T

Your December Horoscope

Aries (March 21-April 20) that’s been lingering on your to-do list lately. You know that one irritating thing you know you have on the agenda as the new year approaches, and while an open-ended ticket around the world would be nice, you’ll settle for any distance you can put between you and your regular everyday life.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

go for it. The feeling of accomplishment you get is like no other. You love your life mid-month, and it’s nice to look around and see so many things going right. Even if you’ve had your share of an attempt to mask your true feelings. You aren’t fooling anyone.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

and mysterious ways. You have great conversations with everyone mid-month, and if you aren’t if it interferes with your ability to support loved ones. You don’t like to take sides, but make sure you know where your loyalty lies.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

The start of the month is a great time for collaboration. A meeting of the minds with pals or associates these great days to shop around your portfolio or show your artwork to a gallery/art dealer. If you very punctual as December continues, and the details matter more to you than almost anyone else.

Some may call you picky, but you prefer to think of yourself as precise.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

You love to see and be seen as the month begins. There’s a whole big world out there for you to

Someone might try to sneak something by you around the holidays but your observational skills are in top form, so very few things get by you. Good try, though.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)

You’ve been trying to put something out of your mind for the longest time, but for some reason you of what’s going on around you mid-month, because it only takes a second of distraction to totally attention. Everyone wants to rush you as the new year approaches, but you’re comfy in your own little bubble. If there’s a slow lane, you should be in it.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)

get places in life with your skills, not by who you know. Sometimes, though, calling in a favor is twice as much fun. You’re feeling a bit greedy around Christmas time, but it’s your hard-earned money, and there’s no rule about sharing. The time will come when you need a favor, though, and

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) month begins. You’re prepared for disappointment, but the outcome isn’t set in stone so don’t panic tions where compromise may be the only answer. It’s usually your way or the highway, so your pliant demeanor is a pleasant surprise to those who know you. Your power is at its peak late in the month,

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

The beginning of December is about honoring the wonderful relationships you have in your life. you’re aiming for mid-month, because few people are willing to talk about the controversial/taboo your interests. Your friends come to you for advice as the end of the year nears because they know

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 33

Community News

SANTA CRUZ — Actors’ Theatre presents the 22nd Annual

The annual ten-minute play festival is one of the most anticipated and popular Continuing their new format, Actors’

“Over the years we have received plays from writers all over the world,” says Artistic Director and Festival founder Wilma Marcus Chandler. “The 8 Tens @ Eight has become known as the premiere ten-minute play festival on the West Coast. We have proudly kept in touch with many of our winning playwrights and have seen them go on to have plays produced in larger venues, knowing it all started for them here in

-

F

“A” Night Sheila

Cowley

MAN by Claudia

from their national playwriting contest, festival.

Every summer Actors’ Theatre holds

plays will be presented as an “A” and “B” night, eight ten-minute plays on each night,

select group of local writers and directors.

The winning plays are then produced into

available to see any “A” and “B” showing throughout the run of the Festival. “Our

contest has become nationally renowned, with over 200 entrees this year from across the country and internationally.

a wide variety of comedy and drama.

They are plays with heart, conscience and humor.”

Directed by Susan Forrest A LONG TIME COMING by

Directed by Anita Actors’ Theatre presents

Directed by MarNae Taylor THE NICE Bill Peters “B” Night

O

January 6 - February 6, 2017 Wednesday - Saturdays urday and Sunday Matinees @ 3 PM Please visit www.sccat.org for a full calendar of “A” and “B” night performances.

Center Stage Theater, 1001 Center Street, Tickets

Wilma Chandler

www.brownpapertickets.com or 800-8383006 for 2-night package special.

Founded in 1985, Actors’ Theatre has a long history of being a vital part of the greater Santa Cruz area’s theatre community, known for its productions of classical, contemporary and new plays. Today, Actors’ Theatre is a production company producing the 8 Tens @ Eight Festival – loved not only by the public, but also by the theatre community as well.

Actors’ Theatre Producer/President:

Marcus Cato Marcus Chandler. www.sccat.org.

“Scoreboard” from page 26 Girls Season Record (2-1-1, SCCAL 0-0-0) Coach: Jessica Perkin St. Francis (Mountain View) 3 – Aptos 1 Aptos Stats Lauren Inman Assist; Caroline Miller 9 Saves Aptos 9 – Santa Catalina 1 Aptos Stats

Goal; Brynn Mitchell Goal; Maya Pruett Goal 34 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

Aptos 0 – Presentation (San Jose) 0 Aptos 4 – Gilroy 2 Aptos Stats Goal; Maya Pruett Goal; Mary McGinn Goal; Marylu Escutia Goal

Basketball Boys Season Record (4-0, SCCAL 0-0) Coach: Bryan Bowyer 37th Annual Gilroy Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament Aptos 47 – Ann Sobrato (Morgan Hill) 32

Aptos 49 – Hollister 42 Aptos 55 – Abraham Lincoln (San Jose) 33 Aptos 57 – Pajaro Valley 41

Girls Season Record (6-0, SCCAL 0-0) Coach: Stefan Hocum

36th Annual Watsonville Wildcatz Tourney Aptos 59 – Watsonville 46

Aptos 55 – Gilroy 48 Aptos 65 – Hollister 31 Aptos 70 – Pajaro Valley 33 Aptos 54 – Westmont (Campbell) 41

Community News

By Terri Schneider The 13-months of planning leading the Trenches of Extreme Endurance Sports n the fall of 2011, I led a human powered

I

With in-country support from the Bhutan -

Bhutan and their concept of Gross National our route through the country (with no our adventure.

community showing of Crossing Bhutan at developing a close-knit relationship with the BOC, our host while in the country. In the BOC was interested in me helping them create events in Bhutan to aid the country in not only promoting tourism through sport, but developing sport for youth. enormous production while solidifying our relationship with the BOC, we came to Bhutan for two months in the fall of 2011 and covered 500 miles, including 121,000 feet of elevation gain while trekking, and mountain biking from the far west to the far east, all while in a cultural emersion—

pondering the concept of “what matters” to the Bhutanese.

“Crossing Bhutan” page 37

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 35

Featured Columnist

By Jason Alderman

E

eligible for Medicare.

But becoming eligible for and actually

things. In fact, if you miss the initial window to sign up for certain parts of Medicare and later decide to enroll, you could wind up rest of your life.

If you’re approaching 65, get familiar

people pay no monthly premium for Part A, provided they or their spouse have paid FICA Medicare Part B helps cover medically necessary doctor’s services, outpatient preventive services. It’s optional and has a monthly premium. For most people there’s a

65 and older (and those under 65 with certain most people, the initial enrollment period is the seven-month period that begins three months before the month they turn 65. If you miss that window, you may enroll between

be responsible for 20 percent of the Medicareapproved amount of the service, provided the doctor or other provider accepts Medicare.

Medicare Part C insurers as alternatives to Original Medicare Parts A and B. Most cover prescription drugs

Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility and hospice services, as well as home health care. Most

36 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

doctor, hospital and pharmacy provider network, which may be more restrictive than

providers you can access through Parts A and B. Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. It’s optional and carries a monthly premium.

These privately run plans vary widely in terms of cost, copayments and deductibles and medications covered. If you’re enrolled in a Part C plan that includes drug coverage, you don’t need Part D. Many people purchase additional

insurers and helps pay for many items not covered by Medicare. Medigap plans can

premiums could increase 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t sign up (the Part D penalty is currently covered by an employer’s plan you can enroll later without penalty. as premiums, copayments and covered medications can change from year to year, so carefully review enrollment materials from your current plans to make sure they still match your needs. right Medicare options for your individual situation can be a complicated and timeconsuming process. For assistance, call

and states participating so compare your options carefully.

copayments and coinsurance may apply, depending on the service provided.

easy-to-understand language, and tools to compare prescription plans, hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and Medigap plans in your area.

Community News “Crossing Bhutan” from page 35 What we did not know prior to our roll out the red carpet for our group, shake deal.

When we touched down in Paro

love with Bhutan after reading the Lonely Planet Bhutan guidebook cover to cover. But as tears streamed down my face while standing on the airport tarmac, I felt that same visceral connection that I always have when arriving at an event that not only holds a dear place in my heart, but for which I had toiled for months in preparation.

Bhutan is spiritual, unusual, remote and traditional. The country’s initial governmental change-ups, including giving more power back to the people via democracy, were fully implemented when son in 2008. Though fraught with growing pains, the changes were refreshing in a world packed full of political greed and power-hungry leaders. With the inception of the Internet and television in 1999, the Bhutanese have started gradually part because of their severe geography— Bhutan is mostly high mountains and deep valleys—most of the country remains a

This event is a rare opportunity for the Bhutanese to race alongside athletes from around the world on their own turf, as well as a medium to inspire and develop sport and wellness in Bhutan.

For the most part, life is pared down and simple in Bhutan. Villagers have most of the same problems inherent in but on a smaller scale. Their culture is a testament to the fact that the Internet may give us access to more information and greater productivity, but it doesn’t interpersonal connections. Traditional Bhutanese family/ village bonds and Buddhist practice revolve around one-onone and group connection; to truly know Bhutan is to develop an up-close relationship with its people and culture, and this happens slowly, over time.

You’ll get a taste of that intimate culture in Crossing Bhutan, which will air

High Theatre. Proceeds from this evening

author—in 2016 she released her third book,

Country Team as well as Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs (baowe.

PaperTickets.com. For more info contact terri@terrischneider.net.

of Extreme Endurance Sport. She is co-founder with the Bhutan Olympic Committee of the

Terri Schneider is an endurance athlete, speaker, coach, sport psychology consultant and

doing volunteer work in Bhutan since ExpeCrossing Bhutan, was created. For more info go to www.terrischneider.net and www.facebook. com/CrossingBhutanCommunityShowings

There’s still time to catch the great investment opportunities in Las Vegas.

Move here, Vacation here, Invest here….

and each time I return I feel the strain of that pressing task.

Vegas!

capital, Thimphu. There, we and support

Call me for your free market analysis.

Their ongoing challenge is to sustain their

Shannon S. Barton, Realtor® Premier Real Estate

before continuing eastward on bike and foot, riding a couple of sections with one of the top mountain bikers in Bhutan, as well as the current Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay. Through the additional trekkers

to Bhutan eight times and will head back again this coming February. I have lived and volunteered in the country for almost a year working with the BOC—consulting on

Direct: (702)335-1122 ShannonSBarton@gmail.com www.ShannonBarton.com

and co-producing the Bhutan InternaAptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 37

Business Guide

Featured Columnist Dear EarthTalk: Are self-driving cars good for the environment?

— Billy Shea, Boston, MA

Y

ou know the future is here when you see that the car beside you at a red light has nobody at the helm. That’s already happening in California where a few companies begun testing autonomous vehicles on the open road—albeit with human drivers at the ready in case anything automakers have begun integrating autonomous driving technologies (blind spot detection, GPS mapping,

own fully self-driving cars once lawmaybe as early as 2018.

Proponents say that not only will driverless cars make our roads safer (as they can sense walkers, bikers, other cars and road infrastructure

Wadud, who co-authored a study released earlier this year assessing the travel, energy and carbon impacts of autonomous vehicles, says the widespread adoption of the technology could reduce energy consumption “Automated vehicles can interact with each other and drive very closely as a ‘platoon’,” reports Wadud. “This can reduce the total energy con-

Yet

another

environmental

road altogether. “Your car could give you a lift to work in the morning and then give a lift to someone else in your family—or, for that matter, to anyone tination, it doesn’t sit idle in a parking lot for 20-plus hours every day,” report MIT researchers Matthew Claudel com article. “By combining ride sharing with car sharing... it would be possible to take every passenger to his or her destination at the time they need to be there, with 80 percent fewer cars.” They conclude that clearing

motive energy consumption through

!

TO ADVERTISE IN THE BUSINESS GUIDE SECTION

call our offices 831.688.7549

38 / December 15th 2016 / Aptos Times

autonomous vehicles can provide a net gain for society and the environment, but only if we are careful about how we implement the technology. “To ensure that autonomous vehicles deliver economic, energy we will need supporting policies increased fuel-economy standards, investments in public transportation

Policy argues in The Wall Street work, watch a movie or sleep while in the car, perhaps you will take a car rather than public transportation or be more likely to drive for long trips.” He adds that autonomous the universe of potential drivers”

closely behind each other face less air resistance.” Beyond the platoon

mass transit, walking or biking and into cars.”

the road and possibly increasing total vehicle miles travelled overall. “Even car-sharing services could increase energy demand if the ease and convenience pulls people away from

vehicle technologies.”

For his part, Wadud agrees with actually be bad for the environment depending on how things shake out.

“Let’s not be blinded by the driverless cars by saying they can solve everyand be careful about them,” he says.

“That said, I do hope that driverless cars will encourage car sharing and help reduce our energy use and carbon emissions. However, what will happen in reality remains to be seen.”

CONTACTS: “Help or hindrance?

The travel, energy and carbon impacts of highly automated vehicles,” www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S0965856415002694; Claudel and Ratti’s “Full Speed Ahead: How the Driverless Car Can Transform Cities,” www. mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability-and-resource-productivity/ our-insights/full-speed-ahead-how-thedriverless-car-could-transform-cities; Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy, energypolicy.columbia.edu.

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss and is a registered Network. To donate, visit www.earthtalk. org. Send questions to: question@ earthtalk.org.

LUXURY DIAMONDTOME MICRODERMABRASION FACIAL

$99 EACH

(A $125 VALUE)

SKIN CEUTICALS PEEL FACIAL

NUFACE MICROCURRENT LIFTING & PLUMPING PAMPERING FACIAL

or $275 FOR ANY SERIES OF 3

(A $375 VALUE)

Each includes additional mask, head, neck and scalp massage.

LUXURY PRODUCTS, WAXING, MASSAGE, EYELASH EXTENSIONS, MAKEUP APPLICATION, AIRBRUSH TANNING, SWIMWEAR, CLOTHING & JEWELRY 887 41ST AVE.

831.251.2736

www.pinksaltspa.com

Gift Cards Available!

Aptos Times / December 15th 2016 / 39

Deluxe Foods of Aptos

Supporting the Aptos community for 40 years ÂœÂ˜Â°ĂŠĂŒÂ…Ă€Ă•ĂŠ->ĂŒÂ°ĂŠn>Â“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ™ÂŤÂ“ĂŠUĂŠ-Ă•Â˜Â°ĂŠn>Â“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠn“ *iiĂŒÂ˝ĂƒĂŠ ÂœvviiĂŠ Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Â°ĂŠĂŒÂ…Ă€Ă•ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆĂŠĂˆ>“ÊUĂŠ->ĂŒĂŠEĂŠ-Ă•Â˜ĂŠĂ‡>“

10% OFF TAKE-OUT EVERY DAY 5-8PM

4.65� x 2��

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. Aptos, ca CA 95003 Upstairs in the Deerpark Shopping Center t 8& %&-*7&3!

783 Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 688-7442 www.deluxefoodsofaptos.com

RayBan Sale!

FOOD & DRINKS * This offer cannot be combined with insurance

WE ARE CELEBRATING 37 YEARS IN BUSINESS with 37% OFF all Ray Bans in stock, sunglasses & RX frames.

20% OFF special orders. Over 37 styles in stock. Shop early for best selection.

Off good until December 30th.

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

BANKS

Bank of America US Bank

BUSINESS SERVICES

Galapagos Travel PDM International SAR Asset Mgmt. Inc. Scurich Insurance Ship Smart Stearns Lending Wavestaff, Inc.

PERSONAL SERVICES

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

So Close To Home !