Aptos Times: October 15, 2020 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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October 15, 2020 • Vol 29 No. 20

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Calmness and Wellness Despite COVID-19

Melissa Manning Collins had worked in the healing arts for 26 years, yet when COVID-19 arrived, it threw her for a loop. Full Story page 6

COVID-19 News Full Story page 8

Sharing Holiday Spirit Story and Photos By Liz Ricks

e are the Ricks — or better known as Team Ricks. One thing our family loves is the holidays. My husband Ryan and I started decorating 15 years ago with our first three blow ups. These three are still among our yard today. Here we are 15 years

later. This will be our third year in our beautiful home in Aptos. Our home has let us expand a little — this year we have even more then ever. We add to our display each year. ... continues on page 5

Soquel Water District Candidates Answer Questions

Incumbents Bruce Daniels and Tom LaHue and challengers Corrie Kates and Maria Marsilio answered questions posed by Times Publishing Group, Inc. Full Story page 21

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No. 20

Volume 29

Table of Contents

Cover Sharing Holiday Spirit, Story and Photos By Liz Ricks 4 6 8 9 10

11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Community News New Aptos Library Design Impresses, By Jondi Gumz Calmness and Wellness Despite COVID-19, By Jondi Gumz 13 Die of COVID-19 at Watsonville Post Acute, By Jondi Gumz • Have A Safe Halloween! Holiday Gathering Guidance Jobs in Santa Cruz County: August 2020 • Agri-Culture Progressive Dinner: Oct. 24 • League of Women Voters Offers Ballot Information Forum • Holiday Lights Planned at Fairgrounds • County Jail Officer Arrested Sam Earnshaw Named 2020 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture: National Agriculture Day Contest Winners Receive Awards Health Officials Urge Early Flu Shots, From the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division Artist’s Adieu: Art Show By Appointment, By Jondi Gumz • Palace Art Youth Exhibit Humbled: How Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin Ocean Film Festival Virtual Screening: Presented by the Rio Theatre Signs to Show Bicyclists the Way • New FEMA Aid Deadline is Nov. 21 Ballots in Mailboxes: Record 168,000+ Voters Already Registered / Oct. 19 is Last Day To Register • Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims Be The Difference Awards Gala Reinvented EPA: $88M Loan for Soquel Creek Water: Agency Financing $13 Billion in Water Infrastructure Nationwide SqCWD Candidates Answer Questions Teen Kitchen Project Fundraiser: Virtual Celebration Takes Place Oct. 18, By Angela Farley • Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Letter to the Editor 10 Stanford to Test School Personnel Countywide

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Mercury Retrograde – Inner Direction, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar – Page 28

Featured Columnists 24 10 Questions For The PVUSD Superintendent, By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 27 It’s Showtime, Folks: Where’s Your Dazzle?, By Ron Kustek 27 COVID-19 Impacts Domestic Violence Survivors, By Delphine Burns 29 Pictures from the Past: One Way Trail, Photo Essay By Carolyn Swift 30 Partnering with Habitat for Humanity on Accessory Dwelling Units, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor 31 Spring Bulbs Begin In Autumn, By Tony Tomeo

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COMMUNITY NEWS Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Liz Ricks, Jondi Gumz, Angela Farley, Risa D’Angeles, Michelle Rodriguez, Ron Kustek, Delphine Burns, Carolyn Swift, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti advertising sales Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola 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 ©2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

New Aptos Library Design Impresses

By Jondi Gumz

he design of the new Aptos library — mindful of the community’s heritage in lumber, fishing and apples, got positive reviews from people who attended a virtual open house last week. “We are so impressed,” said John Hibble of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. “We can’t wait.” The new library at the same location, 7695 Soquel Drive, will be 50 percent bigger — 12,400 square feet instead of 8,000 square feet. Architect Mark Schoeman of Anderson-Brulé Architects said the tall One side of the new Aptos library design, showing the patio for the community room. glass windows surrounded by wood 22-23 charging and a book off drop-off in the Each area will open onto a garden feet high would create an iconic corner. parking lot. patio. The building will be shorter in the back Inside, visitors will be greeted by “I love the separate gardens,” one and 20 feet from the residential neighbors, library staff. viewer said. gated for security, Schoeman said. “I really like the staff space,” said Pamela Anderson-Brulé, founder and To take advantage of the sun., the librarian Heather Pereira. president of Anderson-Brulé, said her goal building will be angled on the property, The building is divided into quad- was to create a warm and welcoming space, which intersects with rants. The children’s foster human connection and celebrate Ledyard Way. Solar section with the sto- natural resources from the forest to the ocean. panels on the rear rytime corner will Thus, the ceiling has wood beams and roof will produce all be on the left and the color scheme includes greens, blues the energy needed the community room and earth tones. on site, but won’t be with a patio that can “We tried to pick colors different from seen from the street, be opened for events the other libraries,” said Susan Nemitz, Schoeman said. will be on the right. who heads the Santa Cruz Public Libraries A rc h i t e c t “There is a view system, which is undertaking revamps Angshupriya of the ocean when at branches around the county with $67 Pathak pointed out you step outside on million bond voters approved in 2016. The iconic corner at Soquel Drive and Ledyard Way how the driveway the patio,” Pereira It was suggested the teen furniture for the new Aptos library branch. will be relocated said. be easy to move to accommodate various away from the bus stop to protect people The adult section is behind the groupings. on foot. children’s section and teen area with a Duly noted, Anderson–Brulé said, There will be more parking spaces, maker space is behind the community adding that the furniture hasn’t ben 73, up from 69 now, with electric vehicle room. selected yet. Hibble, who started the Aptos History Museum, said he’s excited about being able to display artifacts at the new library. Library staff with concerns about cleanup of kids’ projects asked about alternatives to carpet, which was chosen for acoustical reasons. Nemitz said one solution may be to put carpet in the book stacks. n Images by Anderson-Brulé Architects

The new driveway for the Aptos library is designed to avoid conflicts with the bus stop and people on foot or using wheelchairs.

4 / October 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The entryway design for the new Aptos library.

COVER STORY “Halloween Spirit” from page 1 Halloween and the winter holidays are our favorites. Once Nov. 1 hits, you can find my husband on a ladder out front, hand changing each bulb. He loves the “old school” look so we hand screw in each bulb. It brings our three boys Talan, 10, Cayson, 9, and Brekin, 4, so much joy each year. They too are starting to see how the community also enjoys what we do. My son Talan had a class assignment, he was asked how is your family unique? He answered. My family is unique because we love to decorate, we love to show our neighbors holiday spirit and spread joy. This year more than ever we all need something to get excited about…even if it’s epic holiday lights. I truly hope you all enjoy it as much as we do. n ••• Cover Photo: The Ricks family loves to decorate their home in Aptos Seascape.

Team Ricks: Ryan and Liz Ricks of Aptos with sons Talan, Cayson and Brekin, during a Halloween trip to a Disney park. The holiday lights go on at 7 p.m. at the corner of Via Lantana and Dolphin Drive. Don’t miss the view from the back.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Calmness and Wellness Despite COVID-19 By Jondi Gumz

elissa Manning Collins had worked in the healing arts for 26 years, yet when COVID-19 arrived, it threw her for a loop. Collins, 51, of Aptos, is the founder of Livity Rising, a community service organization that has organized more than 60 free pop-up clinics in Santa Cruz County and beyond offering holistic healing modalities such as Acupuncture, Acupressure, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Qi Gong, Reiki and many others. “I was inspired by the Healing Clinic Collective, a group I volunteered for in the East Bay,” she said. With 20 years of experience as a yoga practitioner and teacher and a decade as an energy medicine and Reiki practitioner, she volunteered for the East Bay Healing Collective, caring for underserved and traumatized populations, then started Livity Rising in 2013 to bring holistic clinics to Santa Cruz County. “Healing is not a privilege,” she said. “It’s everyone’s right to feel good in their bodies, to feel safe and supported.” To offer the clinics, “we partner and ally with nonprofits and other community

service organizations,” she said, such as the Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center, Homeless Garden Project, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, the Tannery Arts Center (traumatized in 2015 by the slaying of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton), Bear Creek Fire relief, Second Harvest Food Bank and Project Homeless Connect. “Last fall, we went up to Paradise,” she said. The invitation came to collaborate with the Permaculture Action Network after the town was devastated by fire. Collins cold-called healing practitioners from the surrounding areas to participate, creating a healing team of 20 practitioners and support staff. More than 300 volunteers came to build compost bins, remediate soil and create a community garden at the site of the former Paradise Guild before enjoying a concert by the Rising Appalachia band. Livity Rising outreach came to halt because of the shelter-in–place order in mid-March to slow the spread of COVID-19, the contagious coronavirus. “I felt a bit of paralysis for few months,” said Collins.

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“Livity Rising” from page 6 Virtual Outreach hen she saw a way to pivot, with practitioners offering virtual free community wellness workshops and classes such as yoga and meditation, such as TRE (Trauma Release Exercises), Self Acupressure, Qi Gong, and meditation via livityrising.com and also posting a plethora of self-care tools, such as a way to tone your vagus nerve and the Sanskrit practice of alternate nostril Deborah Johnson breathing to calm your nervous system. Other practitioners created videos on “Easy Self Foot Massage” and “Flowing Body Warmup” on Livity Rising‘s YouTube channel. “Everything is structured toward beginners,” Collins said. “We know it’s intense out there. We want people to access calmness and wellness despite the craziness.” When the CZU Lightning Complex fires forced 77,000 residents in the county to evacuate, she felt people craving inperson compassionate care and connection. But could an in-person healing clinic be safe? What would it look like? Inner Light Ministries, founded in Soquel by Rev. Deborah Johnson, had hosted and collaborated with Livity Rising clinics before COVID-19, and she gave her blessing. The large courtyard, surrounded by trees, provided fresh air, space and shade. Safety Protocols ollins reached out to Acupuncturists Without Borders, a nonprofit that has been offering disaster relief mobile clinics during COVID-19, which agreed to participate.

In a month, Collins along with the Livity Rising organizing committee and their participating practitioners created a safety protocol: Temperatures taken, Covid symptoms screening, proper sanitization, mandatory masks, no linens, and stations under shade tents spaced apart. On Sept. 27, more than twenty practitioners offered services in acupuncture, energy work, reflexology, Reiki and massage. There were classes with Carla Brown on grief yoga, Core Trauma Repatterning with Sarah Cruse and Qi Gong with Dr. LeTa Jussila and Beth Freewomon Susan Willats played the harp, Michael Louge played the flute and hand pan and Kaitlin Jones played classical guitar. Renegade Apothecary served organic tea and Michael from Inner Light served hot soup. More than 30 volunteers assisted during the four-hour event, which was attended by 70 people. “I was a bit nervous, but it was safe and beautiful to connect with people in person,” said Collins. “If we are careful and thoughtful, we can do this.” She expects Livity Rising will return to Inner Light in the spring for another healing clinic. As for the future, Collins wants to raise $10,000 to $20,000 to buy a large van or small shuttle school bus to retrofit as a mobile unit on call to serve people in times of disaster and those for whom transportation to and from clinics is burdensome. “They don’t have to come to us -- we can come to them,” she said. Livity Rising would like to be able to hold mobile clinics up the North Coast, in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in Watsonville where she has a strong heart connection from the 10 years she spent as a Spanish immersion teacher in the Pajaro

Valley. She hopes to serve the farmers and campesinos who work so tirelessly in the fields in Watsonville. “They deserve respect, gratitude, and nourishing holistic care,” she said. To access Living Rising’s comprehensive and wellness resources and/or to provide support, visit www.livityrising. com or email info@livityrising.com. n ••• Volunteer Practitioners Maria Fernandez • Sarah Cruse Dr LeTa Jussila • Carla Brown Christina Gustafson • Kelly Meyer Kamala Taft • Lara Noel

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COMMUNITY NEWS

13 Die of COVID-19 at Watsonville Post Acute

By Jondi Gumz

hirteen residents at the Watsonville Post Acute Center have died after exposure to COVID-19, bringing the number of fatalities in Santa Cruz County to 23 on Wednesday. “It’s absolutely heart-breaking,” said County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel, speaking Tuesday night at a teletown hall meeting for constituents of county Supervisor Zach Friend. “It demonstrates the very real cost … people we love in our community.” The death toll of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19 has doubled from 10 three weeks ago because of the outbreak at the skilled nursing facility. Since the virus was detected Sept. 17 via staff testing, 50 of the 74 residents have tested positive along with 21 of the staff — “70 percent infectious despite all the best efforts on the part of the facility,” Newel said. The protocols include surveillance testing, which means one-quarter of the employees are tested each week, but the virus is sneaky and fast-moving. “Two days before symptoms appear is when you’re most at risk of spreading the virus,” Newel said, noting 21 residents at Watsonville Post Acute were infected in one day, a “super-spreader” situation. Asked if nursing home residents should have their Vitamin D levels tested as studies have found higher COVID-19 mortality for those with low Vitamin D, Newel said, “Good question — It’s under investigation.” National Problem cross the nation, the virus has hit nursing homes hard, with 40 percent of the COVID-19 fatalities being nursing home residents. In late May, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), ranking member of the Special Committee on Aging, co-introduced S. 3768 proposing $20 billion to help states, nursing homes and care facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by buying personal protective equipment and testing. The bill has 24 sponsors, mostly Democrats, but has stalled. A similar bill, HR 6972, sponsored by U.S. Anna Eshoo, D-Menlo Park, also stalled after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services distributed nearly $4.9 billions in relief to skilled nursing facilities to make up for revenue lost due to COVID-19. In late August the Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced nearly $2.5 billion was going to nursing

homes for increased testing, staffing, and personal protective equipment. In September, Sen. Casey and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Finance Committee released a new report that analyzed data reported by nursing homes for July and August to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The data show persistent shortages of personal protective equipment, testing and staffing in nursing homes and that on average during those months, more than one resident was infected every minute and 11 residents died every hour. Among the problems: Insufficient N95 masks, inadequate testing supplies to allow for repeat tests, and shortages of nurses and aides.

Have A Safe Halloween!

Editor’s Note: This information from the California Department of Public Health lists safer ways to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. o protect yourself and your community, you should not go trickor-treating or mix with others outside allowed private gatherings this Halloween season. The safest way to celebrate Halloween is to spend time with people in the same household or to celebrate virtually. Some specific alternatives that are low risk but still capture the holiday fun include: • Creating a haunted house or candy scavenger hunt in your home • Having a scary movie night and Halloween-themed activities (pumpkin carving, face painting) at home • Participating in online parties/contests (costume or pumpkin carvings) • Attending car-based outings where people do not leave their car including drive-in events or contests

8 / October 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

or movies; driving through an area with Halloween displays • Eating a Halloween-themed meal with your household (alone or with up to 2 other households, not including your own, for a meal outside following all other gathering guidelines) • Enjoying a Halloween-themed art installation at an outdoor museum with your household • Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations • Giving treats at home only to those in your household. • Send a curated playlist and/or themed treats (or tricks) to your friends ahead of time. • Designing face masks that reflect your child/ren’s Halloween costumes • Prepare a Halloween basket for your children or Halloween hunt in your backyard “Safe” page 9

A study in Italy found 99 percent of those who died had other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and diabetes, a “co-morbidity,” in medical terminology. “The vast majority of us have a co-morbidity,” Newel said, noting 40 percent of Americans are obese, 40 percent are diabetic or pre-diabetic and others with high blood pressure, heart disease or undergoing chemo for cancer. All 20 of the county’s COVID deaths had a co-morbidity, she said, with of them older and at higher risk. The youngest, she said, was 38 and had a number of severe illnesses. Newel said the county has seen fewer deaths this year to date, fewer suicides, drug overdoses, homicides and fewer motor vehicle crashes. Two-thirds of the COVID cases are Latinx, many of them essential workers, and 57 percent in Watsonville, where more people live in crowded conditions. Newel called the state’s new health equity metric “complicated” and predicted Santa Cruz County would remain in the Red Tier “for weeks to come,” meaning no changes in business operations, no restrictions and no expansion. Asked about trick or treating, Newel cited the challenge of complying with the latest state guidance to be in a group of no more than three households and stay six feet apart. Asked about school ventilation as the rainy season approaches, Newel said aerosolization that could spread the virus is a concern in dental offices, but not so much for schools. Schools are looking to optimize ventilation but they’re not all able to meet the standard for acute care facility, she added. Newel noted contact tracing has found in almost all cases the virus is spread person to person, often someone in the household or a friend being within six feet for more than 15 minutes. Asked when a COVID vaccine might be available to the general public, Newel said January at the earliest, with law enforcement, paramedics, firefighter, military, hospital ICU and ER staff getting it first, then higher risk populations. Five clinical trials are underway in the U.S., and more than 12 worldwide. “A new normal in 2022, that’s my prediction,” Newel said. “Post Acute Deaths” page 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Holiday Gathering Guidance W ith Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas approaching, the California Department of Public Health has released updated guidance on private gatherings and celebrations to prevent the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19.

The guidance applies to backyard barbecues, public get-togethers and birthday parties. No more than three households may gather together in public or private outdoor settings. Gatherings are defined as social sit-

California’s Department of Public Health is strongly recommending that families follow its guidelines for holiday gatherings during the current pandemic.

“Post Acute Deaths” from page 8 As for therapeutics, she said zinc and antibiotics are already widely available while remdesivir — which was given to President Trump — has been reserved for the sickest patients, and the monoclonal antibody the president

“Safe” from page 8 Safer Alternatives for Día de los Muertos he safest way to celebrate Día de los Muertos is to spend time with people in the same household or to celebrate virtually. Some specific alternatives that are low risk but still capture the cultural celebration include: • Altars: Consider placing and creating your altar in a front window or outside so others can view from a safe social distance. • Virtual Altar: Create a virtual space to honor lost loved ones. Share with family and friends via email or social media. • Cemetery Visits: If you visit the cemetery, only visit with those you live with, wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing. Limit

got is “very experimental, not in clinical trials.” Newel urged everyone to get a flu shot. “We got our flu shots,” Friend said. “My 5-year-old son went first. He wanted to show it doesn’t hurt.” Newel and Friend will speak to the time spent to minimum necessary. Trick-or-Treating n general, the more people from different households with whom a person interacts, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with COVID-19 infection — symptomatic or asymptomatic — may spread it to others. Trick-or-treating without necessary modifications promotes congregating and mixing of many households, particularly on crowded doorsteps, which can increase the spread of COVID-19. That type of mixing is not currently permitted in California. Additionally, if there is a positive case discovered, it is very challenging to do appropriate contact tracing to identify all those who have been potentially exposed. n

uations that bring together people from different households at the same time in a single space or place. If a gathering is held, the host should collect the names of all attendees for contact tracing purposes. “Although any interaction with others increases the risk of transmitting COVID-19, the smaller the gathering, the lower the risk,” said Jennifer Herrera, Santa Cruz County chief of public health. “The new guidance recommends keeping the households you gather with stable over time.” Mandatory requirements include: • Gatherings must take place outdoors. Guests may enter a home to use a bathroom. • Gatherings should be two hours or less. The longer the duration, the risk of transmission increases. • Face coverings must be worn unless an exemption is applicable. • Seating must provide at least 6 feet of distance (in all directions—frontto-back and side-to-side) between different households. • Keep the households you interact with stable over time. Those in a high-risk group, such as older adults and people with chronic

medical conditions, are strongly urged not to attend gatherings. Those with COVID-19-like symptoms,such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of taste/smell, should stay home and avoid contact with anyone outside their household. Anyone who develops COVID-19 within 48 hours after attending a gathering should notify the other attendees as soon as possible regarding the potential exposure. Participating in multiple gatherings with different households or groups is strongly discouraged. Details are a https://tinyurl.com/ CDPH-Guide-Covid-19-gatherings. State health officials have posted separate guidance for gatherings that involve churches or protests. n

Aptos Chamber of Commerce noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, on Zoom. Topics include COVID-19, business and school reopening and ways to keep yourself and your customers safe. Donation is $10 chamber members, $15 general. Register at https://forms.gle/ gCvk8rHZYVNSmhTx5 n ••• COVID-19 Cases: Oct. 14 Aptos.................................................115 Ben Lomond...................................... 21 Boulder Creek.................................... 21

Capitola.............................................. 65 Felton.................................................. 25 Freedom........................................... 142 Santa Cruz........................................ 500 Scotts Valley....................................... 64 Soquel................................................. 65 Watsonville................................... 1,512 Unincorporated................................... 26 Under investigation............................ 77 Total............................................... 2,633 Source: santacruzhealth.org To read the Senate nursing home report, see tinyurl.com/covid-19-nursing-homes-pdf

“Although any interaction with others increases the risk of transmitting COVID-19, the smaller the gathering, the lower the risk. The new guidance recommends keeping the households you gather with stable over time.” — Jennifer Herrera, Santa Cruz County chief of public health

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Jobs in Santa Cruz County: August 2020 Change from Industry August 2020 Last Year Leisure & hospitality 11,700 Down 3,800 Private education & health 14,800 Down 3,100 Trade & transportation 15,500 Down 1,400 Business & professional services 10,200 Down 1,100 Manufacturing 6,300 Down 900 Government 21,300 Down 400 Financial 3,400 Down 200 Information 500 Down 100 Logging & construction 4,700 Up 100 Other services 4,400 Down 800 ••• Nonfarm 92,800 Down 11,700 Farm 4,800 Down 7,000 Total 97,600 Down 18,700 ••• Unemployment: 11.3% Change from a year ago Labor force 130,900 Down 9% Employed* 119,600 Down 13.5% Unemployed 11,300 Up 102% *Includes out-of-county commuters Source: California Employment Development Department ••• Agri-Culture Progressive Dinner: Oct. 24 he organization Agri-Culture will host its 24th Annual Progressive Dinner 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Casserly Hall, 562 Casserly Road, Watsonville. The event sells out every year, and is limited to 100 guests. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event will be a take-out dinner catered by Barbara & Co. Participants will also be provided a large bag and box of local produce — enough for several meals.

Steve Bontadelli, president of AgriCulture, said, “This year we have a special incentive for ticket holders. Anyone who purchases a ticket this year will have exclusive access to tickets for next year’s event prior to sales being open to the public.” Local wine will be available for sale to go with the take-out dinner. There will be an online auction, a raffle and a trivia game with a prize. This event is Agri-Culture, Inc.’s major fundraiser of the year. Proceeds fund community and educational programs. Tickets at $150 per person can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com (search for “24th Annual Progressive Dinner” in Watsonville). For more information or reservations, call 831-722-6622, email agri-culture@sbcglobal.net or go to: www. agri-culture.us and see upcoming events. ••• League of Women Voters Offers Ballot Information Forum he Santa Cruz Public Libraries will host the League of Women Voters’ Ballot Information Forum via Zoom at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The forum is free, and registration is required. To register, visit http://bit.ly/SCPL-2020Ballot “Civic engagement is mission critical for libraries, with voter education being the most basic requirement for a functioning democracy,” said Library Director Susan Nemitz. Making informed decisions on elections is one of the most important responsibilities for citizens and voters.

The League of Women Voters will give a nonpartisan look at November’s ballot propositions. You can listen, ask questions and get ready for election day. Voter information resources are on the library’s website at santacruzpl.org. League of Women Voters: www.lwv.org ••• Holiday Lights Planned at Fairgrounds he Agricultural History Project and the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation are starting a new event, a drivethrough Holiday Lights spectacular at the fairgrounds celebrating the holiday season. Picture a half-mile drive through the fairgrounds with spectacular lighted holiday displays all around you. Giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights — Santa — reindeer — snowmen — lighted tunnels and many more magical moments. You could be a sponsor of this stunning light display with your company’s name lit up along the route. The event will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for five weeks (14 evenings, weather permitting) from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas weekend. To become a founding sponsor, call

the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation at 831-786-9698. ••• County Jail Officer Arrested anta Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer Jenna Baldwin was arrested Oct. 4 and booked into the Main Jail on charges including sexual activity with an inmate, assault by a public officer and bringing contraband into a detention facility. An investigation began in May after detectives received information that Baldwin was having an inappropriate relationship with an incarcerated person at the Santa Cruz County Main Jail. Baldwin, 35, had worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2008 but is no longer employed by the agency, according to Ashley Keehn, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. This is the second time in a month that a female correctional officer with the Sheriff’s Office was arrested on charges of sexual activity with an inmate. On Sept. 4, Jessica Smith, 31, who had worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2015, was arrested on that same charge. That case involved an individual serving a sentence on supervised release. Smith was placed on administrative leave initially but is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office, Keehn said. Santa Cruz County has about 110 corrections officers. “After every significant incident we look at training and policy to see if or what can be added,” Keehn said. n

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Stanford to Test School Personnel Countywide Editor’s Note: This letter was posted Sept. 28 after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Watsonville Post Acute Center. Dear Families of Santa Cruz County: e have recently been notified by our local health authorities that COVID-19 cases are again on the rise in Santa Cruz County. We anticipate that we will move to a more restrictive Widespread (purple) level in the coming weeks under the Governor’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Our public schools continue to proceed carefully regarding all decisions regarding reopening for in-person instruction because we recognize these increases in transmission rates could put our students and staff at risk. To help protect our school community,

the Santa Cruz County Office of Education has partnered with Stanford Medicine to provide COVID-19 testing to all essential school personnel on an ongoing basis at no cost to the employee. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires that adequate surveillance testing for COVID-19 include a minimum of 25% of essential school staff to be tested every two weeks, or 50% a month. In addition to the recurring appointments required by CDPH, we will also be able to offer open testing to any school employee who requests it. Ongoing surveillance testing will become available in the coming weeks for school personnel at locations in both north and south county. This COVID-19 testing partnership represents only one factor of many that will

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be required prior to considering reopening for in-person instruction. We will continue working with our local public health authorities to develop the systems to minimize the risks to our students and staff. It is particularly important to remain cautious and vigilant in practicing protocols that help reduce the risk of COVID-19 such as continuing to shelter in place to the extent possible, wearing face coverings when in the presence of others, practicing healthy physical distancing, and performing adequate hand hygiene now and when we are able to create more inperson services for students. n Laurie Bruton, Superintendent, San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Lorie Chamberland, Superintendent, Live Oak School District

Eric Gross, Superintendent, Pacific Elementary School District Mike Heffner, Superintendent, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District Tanya Krause, Superintendent, Scotts Valley Unified School District Michelle McKinny, Superintendent, Happy Valley Elementary School District Diane Morgenstern, Superintendent, Mountain Elementary School District Kris Munro, Superintendent, Santa Cruz City Schools Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Faris Sabbah, County Superintendent of Schools Scott Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

COMMUNITY NEWS

Sam Earnshaw Named 2020 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture

National Agriculture Day Contest Winners Receive Awards

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ore than 170 tickets were sold for the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon that was to be held in March, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, finally took place last week at the Santa Cruz County fairgrounds. The event was reconfigured to allow for people to take out their lunch, or attend an in-person, socially-distanced lunch. The annual event is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the educational organization, Agri-Culture. At the luncheon, the 2020 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture award was presented to Sam Earnshaw for his strong support of local agriculture. The award was announced by Tom Broz, past president, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. Earnshaw studied forestry at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1974. He and his wife Jo Ann Baumgartner started out in farming, then transitioned to help the agricultural community. Between 1992-2011, he served as the Watsonville program coordinator for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, sponsoring monthly meetings and field tours for farmers, sharing information on biologically based farming techniques, and installing conservation plantings. He runs Hedgerows Unlimited and is a technical service provider with National Resource Conservation Service, working on the design and installation of hedgerows, grassed waterways, filter strips and riparian restoration on farms.

Dimiana Sarah Trigg reads her winning poem.

Sam Earnshaw, winner of the 2020 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award, with his wife Jo Ann Baumgartner. He is the author of the 2018 Hedgerows and Farmscaping for California Agriculture: A Resource Guide for Farmers, available at https://www.caff. org/resources/on-farm-sustainability/ and www.HedgerowsUnlimited.com. He chairs the Committee for Planned Growth and Farmland Protection to renew Measure U in the City of Watsonville. He has served on the NOPE Campaign (No Overpriced Pipeline Ever) in the Pajaro Valley, the Measure U Campaign for planned growth in the City of Watsonville, and the “No on Measure T” Campaign to preserve prime farmland in the City of Watsonville. He served as the Regional Program Director of Community Alliance with Family Farmers and he’s been a board member for Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Market, Organic Farming Research Foundation, California Certified Organic Farmers (Santa Cruz Chapter co-chair), Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, EcoFarm (planning committee and organizing annual bus tour) and Watsonville Wetlands Watch This award is named for Al Smith, founder of Orchard Supply Hardware, who donated 3,000 acres (Swanton Pacific Ranch) on the North Coast to Cal Poly. The ranch has row crops, timber and a one-third-scale railroad, which was Al’s hobby, but like so many properties on the North Coast, it was severely damaged by the recent fires. “Ag Day Winners” page 13

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Health Officials Urge Early Flu Shots

From the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division

n an effort to prevent a “twindemic” of COVID-19 and seasonal flu, County of Santa Cruz Public Health is urging everyone six months and older to get vaccinated for flu early before the virus starts circulating. Flu vaccination is part of a comprehensive public health strategy to reduce the burden of flu, but also to preserve health care resources for care of patients with COVID-19. Vaccines are available at doctors’ offices, and many pharmacies provide free and low-cost flu vaccinations to the public. “Flu shots are the best way to protect yourself, your family, and the community from becoming seriously ill with the flu,” said Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci. “Staying up-to-date on preventive vaccines is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic.” It is important to get the flu vaccine every year because flu strains change over time. In California, flu activity usually begins to increase in late November or December. It takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the body to build an immunity, so don’t delay getting a shot. “Vaccination not only reduces the risk of catching the flu, it also reduces the chance that you’ll be hospitalized, which will decrease the impact to our healthcare system,” said Chief of Public Health Jennifer Herrera.

Flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms including fever, cough, body aches, chills and fatigue. In most cases, people should not visit the emergency room for symptoms, but should call their healthcare provider and get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Those tested will likely have to stay home from work and isolate away from their families while awaiting results. Besides getting immunized, you can also take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs: • Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you or your child are sick for at least 24 hours after symptoms go away. • Cough or sneeze into your elbow, arm or disposable tissue. If you use disposable tissue, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward. • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. • Wear a mask. Certain groups may experience complications from the flu and should contact their healthcare provider promptly if they develop flu symptoms. These groups include pregnant women, children younger than five years old, adults 65 and older, and people with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Anyone who is very sick should go to the emergency room for treatment. n https://www.santacruzhealth.org

“Ag Day Winners” from page 11 The award is on a piece of redwood with a train depicted on it. It is presented annually to an individual, business or organization not involved in production agriculture but has done much for the industry. Dimiana Sarah Trigg, 7th Grade, St. Lawrence Academy, won the Poetry Contest, and read her winning poem to those in attendance, including the winners of the 2020 National Ag Day Poster and Poetry Contests. Zoe Alma Torres, 6th Grade, Tierra Pacifica Charter School, won the poster contest. This year, Agri-Culture allowed students could apply for multiple scholarships if they met the qualifications specified in each one. The winners of these scholarships were announced at the luncheon: • 2020 Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship – Jessica Rodriguez-Reyes, Fresno State. • 2020 Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship – MaryGrace Dudek, Oregon State. • 2020 JJ Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – Jose Villanueva-Vigil, Fresno State.

Caroline and John Eiskamp attend the Ag Day luncheon. • 2020 (Inaugural) Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship – Meghan Clifton, Fresno State. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Farm Bureau President Brendan Miele. The featured speaker, Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein, spoke on the “Importance of Educating Ag’s Future.” n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Artist’s Adieu: Art Show By Appointment

By Jondi Gumz

or artists, the new coronavirus has made this a tough year. Galleries are closed to prevent gathering in small spaces and transmission of the contagious COVID-19. The long-running Open Studios, when locals can visit artists weekends in October and buy their works is not happening for the same reason.

Aptos artist Terry Dowell is hosting what is likely her last art show at her home studio, with a circle of friends who have been taking her classes. The show is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Masks are required and a maximum of eight people will be allowed to enter at one time. Dowell specializes in encaustic art, an ancient form that involves painting with melted beeswax mixed with vibrant pigments. Her garage is a veritable beehive of activity with artists spaced around a large table working on their own projects and her three canines, Lucy, Missy and Johnson afoot. “The main thing is to find your own style,” Dowell said. “It’s all an experiment,” said Ann Bitonti. “You try this, you try that.” Judith Calson, a photographer, Aptos artist Terry Dowell shows a piece of her encaustic art started learning encaustic art a year ago. Her project involves photos she in her studio.

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took in Japan, some of bamboo and maple trees, some portraits. “I love it,” she said. “It’s a great outlet for my photographs.” Dowell, 72, discovered encaustic art eight years ago by attending a demonstration. “It was so exciting,” she said. “I knew I could do it.” She got a grant to build a studio in her garage with enough electrical outlets and tools — a setup that is Dowell had to switch to smaller classes to provide more physical distance rare. At her first Open between students because of COVID-19. Studios, she sold all her pieces. ••• She began offering workshops in the “A Fusion of Artists” will take place garage. Oct. 24-25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by “Until COVID hit, I had people lined appointment, featuring the work of Stacie up and waiting,” she said, estimating 350 Rodrigues, Koko Kooyman, Judith Calson, Ann people have come in to learn. “I just like Bitonti, Carol Smyth and Terry Dowell. For to teach.” information, call 831-588-1914. Because of COVID-19, she had to cut her class size to provide the physical distancing health officials recommend to prevent spread of the virus. This means much less income, and as a result, she expects to stop teaching. “Everyone is a friend,” she said. “I will miss them.” Bitonti is grateful she had the opportunity. “A place that’s safe to create is such a A photo taken in Japan by Judith Calson becomes blessing,” she said. n an artwork.

Palace Art Youth Exhibit

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he Youth Art Exhibit will be gracing the walls of Palace Art & Office Supply in Capitola’s King’s Plaza Shopping Center through November. This exhibit features artwork created by youth in Palace Art’s Mariposa Arts and SPECTRA arts education programs. When visiting Palace, be sure to follow their COVID-19 safety guidelines: masks required, maintain 6ft social distancing. This exhibit is made possible by volunteer advocates with the Arts Council’s Arts Education Committee, working for equity of access to arts education for every student in Santa Cruz County.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Palace Art & Office Supply, Scharf Investments, Gayles Bakery. David Reese Photography and Tannery Prints. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Humbled

ON NOVEMBER 3RD VOTE

How Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin

onterey Bay is a place of beauty and natural splendor, and is protected by federal law as a national marine sanctuary. It may be hard to believe that in the 1960s, plans called for a major industrial complex to be developed at the midpoint of the bay, starting with a refinery that Humble Oil intended as a linchpin of its West Coast operations. The building permit sought by the powerful company became the focus of a bitter and protracted conflict that divided the region. Most people in Monterey County wanted the jobs and economic stability that big industry would bring. But a vocal minority fought back hard against the industrialization of the bay. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved the permit, but ultimately Humble never started construction. The controversy was one of the first major battles of the modern environmental movement, and garnered state and national attention, including coverage in the New York Times. It was a critical turning point for the Monterey Bay, home to hundreds of species of sea life, marine mammals and birds. This slice of Central Coast history is examined in detail in the new nonfiction book Humbled: How California’s Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin, by Glenn Church and Kathryn McKenzie (Vista Verde Publishing, 2020). Readers can learn more about Humbled in a series of online book talks hosted by the Monterey County Historical

Society. Church and McKenzie, who live in Royal Oaks, will discuss the book, their research, and why they wrote it oat 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, with other dates to be determined. To watch the Zoom event, email mchs@ redshift.com. During these talks, the authors will donate to Monterey County Historical Society 25 percent of the proceeds from every book ordered from vista-verde-publishing.com. n ••• The 348-page book with 47 photos and illustrations is priced at $28. To read Chapter 1, visit vista-verde-publishing.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Ocean Film Festival Virtual Screening

Presented by the Rio Theatre ENDS OCTOBER 20!

Note: Once you start viewing the program you have 48 HOURS to finish watching it or until MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 20, whichever comes FIRST. ••• esigned to mesmerize and enthrall, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour showcases a cinematic celebration of our oceans comprised of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface. Featuring all new films, this carefully curated selection of short films document the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray; who chase the crests of waves; and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue. Inspiring and thought provoking, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour is filled with moving footage, touching interviews and insightful narrations. Each of the festival’s films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home. Locally sponsored by Sandbar Solar, Dream Inn Santa Cruz, Save our Shores and Santa Cruz Waves. Tickets and information visit www. riotheatre.com/events-2/2020/10/14/ocean-filmfestival-2020-presented-by-the-rio-theatre n

2020 Line Up The World’s Oldest Scuba Couple (4 minutes): Meet Phil and Grace who hold the title of the World’s Oldest Scuba Diving Couple. Street Surfers (9 minutes): Street Surfers follows big wave surfer Frank Solomon as he meets Mokete and Thabo, exploring a story of new friendships, shared experiences and common interest between individuals that are worlds apart.

Scott Portelli — Swimming with Gentle Giants (9 minutes): Swimming with Gentle Giants explores Scott’s close connection to these animals and showcases a fascinating variety of unique whale behaviour. Manry At Sea ~ In The Wake of a Dream (festival edit–45 minutes): With a goal of sailing from Falmouth in the US to Falmouth in the UK this ocean adventure will have you captivated from start to finish. A must see for ocean lovers, adventurers and boat enthusiasts alike. Forever — Tony Plant (3 minutes): Be awed by the talent and commitment of artist Tony Plant. Bare Existence (19 minutes): Ten years after they were designated as endangered; nothing of significance has been done to protect polar bears. But there are dedicated, passionate scientists, conservationists and volunteers in groups like Polar Bears International who can inspire us with their examples to make the right choices. A Peace Within (6 minutes): In what is quite possibly one of his most ambitious projects Philip Gray heads to Quintana Roo in Mexico with the aim of capturing the Cenotes by painting underwater. A Corner of the Earth (24 minutes): A cinematic exploration of surfing in the brutal northern winter featuring aspiring professional surfer Fraser Dovell.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Signs to Show Bicyclists the Way A s part of the new Santa Cruz County Bicycle Route Signage Program, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has completed the installation of bicycle wayfinding signage at 303 locations throughout the county. The signs, part of an effort to increase bicycle ridership and safety in the county, are designed to assist all types of bicycle riders — commuters, families, recreational riders and visitors — in finding and accessing major destinations throughout the county. The revised routing of the longdistance Pacific Coast Route (shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/adventurecyclingPCR) has also been signed. Previously, there were few and inconsistent bicycle wayfinding signs in Santa Cruz County, so the RTC worked with community partners to identify and sign preferred routes that have connectivity to bicycle lanes or paths. The new signage is expected to improve traffic safety by leading cyclists to better routes. The preferred routes include fully signed Regional and Local Routes

Bike and walking path road signs in Capitola.

as well as partially signed shorter Neighborhood Routes. “The bike signage program provides necessary signage to help cyclists stay safe and improve visibility, while also providing critical information for all transportation users,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold. “As we see more people on their bikes, this signage is a welcome addition to our community.” The 2020 bicycle route & bikeways web map is available online (shortlink: https:// arcg.is/1iSXqa0), showing the locations of all of the signs, along with maps of the preferred routes and the county’s bikeways. n ••• More information on the Santa Cruz County Bicycle Route Signage Program is at https://sccrtc.org/bikesignage.

New FEMA Aid Deadline is Nov. 23

he deadline for Santa Cruz County survivors of August wildfires to register with FEMA for individual disaster assistance and apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration has been extended to Nov. 23. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious

disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Residents who lost access to water through their private well — if the well was physically damaged, collapsed and/or is no longer producing potable water as a direct result of the disaster — could also be considered for financial assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. “FEMA Deadline” page 20

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

Aptos has only 28 homes for sale (AS OF 10/05), and 27 homes sold in the past 30 days, so we have one month inventory, actually less. Of the 28 Active listings, 11 of them are ‘new’ (on market less than 21 days) and the remaining 17 are “old” (long days on market and all but 4 of these are priced over $2 million). Homes are selling as soon as they list and for above list price with limited contingency periods. There are only 3 Condos on the market and 4 Townhomes. Prices range from $749,000 to $899,000 for these 7 listings. 14 condos/ townhomes sold last month, so there is ½ month inventory here. If you are at all thinking about Selling, now is the time! On the flip side, it is getting increasingly more difficult right now to be a Buyer. Multiple offers are the norm, and Sellers will usually take a cash offer over a financed offer, even though both offers will end up the same. Sellers think cash is faster, safer and less effort on their part. So what’s a buyer to do? Well, here are some things you can do to help your cause. 1) Use a Local Lender — Sellers will be more confident in a local lender performing well than an online internet loan provider. 2) Have your Pre-Qual with your Lender taken as far down the underwriting road as possible; you want to be able to remove your Loan Contingency is less than the standard 21 days so that you can close your escrow in less than the typical 30-days with a loan. 3) Make you best offer first; don’t think you will be given a chance with a counter. Most Sellers are receiving 5-8 offers; if you aren’t even competing to begin with you won’t get a counter. 4) Get creative — be open to getting a co-signer on your loan, try getting a “gift” for down–payment, find a way to offer ‘cash’, and then refinance once the escrow closes. 5) Give up on finding “the perfect house” — it will be too perfect and thus too competitive. Find a home that will “work” and then get in and “work” to make it your own and fabulous. Home ownership with interest rates below 3% and as low as 2.5% will not be here forever,. Buyers — the time to act is now! My favorite 4-letter word is “SOLD”! Call, email, text anytime and Get Results with Ruth!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Ballots in Mailboxes

Record 168,000+ Voters Already Registered • Oct. 19 is Last Day To Register

oters will have begun to find election materials for the Nov. 3 Presidential General Election in their mailboxes this week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ballots have been mailed to all voters in Santa Cruz County to promote safe voting from home. The ballot is in a 9.5 by 6-inch envelope with a big XO on the flap. “I wanted something easy to spot in the piles of mail we all get,” County Clerk Gail Pellerin said. “So, I am mailing every voter a hug and a kiss with their ballot.” Inside voters will find their ballot and instructions on how to mark their choices and how to return the ballot. Voters may drop off their ballot in one of the 15 ballot drop boxes installed throughout the county, or walk it in to one of our staffed drop box locations, or mail it in the postage paid envelope. Ballots mailed on or before Nov. 3 and received by the 17th day after the election will be considered received on time under a new California state law. Every voter has also been mailed a County Voter Information Guide and Sample Ballot booklet. The guide is printed on white paper with the County Clerk seal

Ballot box drop off at the Aptos Library

at the top. The guide includes important information about voting as well as information on local measures and candidates running for local office. In the center of the book, voters will find a copy of their ballot they can use to get ready to vote. The State Voter Information Guide is being mailed by the Secretary of State to all households where there is a registered voter. The State is currently in the process of mailing this guide and has until Oct. 13 to mail to all households in the state. Both the state and county voter guides are also available online at www.votes-

count.us along with candidate statements and information on the local measures. Voters can also go online to find the locations of the ballot drop boxes. While ballots are being mailed to all voters, there will also be in-person voter services at several locations and days. Voters may go to one of these locations to get a replacement ballot, turn in their voted ballot, vote an accessible or Spanish ballot on the tablet, or obtain any other voter service. On Monday, Oct. 5, voting began at the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department at 701 Ocean St., Room 310, in Santa Cruz, and the Watsonville City Clerk’s Office at 275 Main St., 4th Floor (6th floor of the parking garage) in Watsonville. Starting Oct. 31, an additional 16 voting locations will be open in the county until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Locations and hours are printed in the Voter Information Guide and inserted with voter’s ballot. Since the printing, there has been one change. The Soquel Adventist Conference Grounds voting location has moved to Soquel High School. “Ballots” page 20

Tax Relief For Santa Cruz County Wildfire Victims

n Oct. 7, the Franchise Tax Board announced special tax filing relief for Californians affected by recent wildfires. Because of the governor’s state of emergency declared on Sept. 25 and 28, and his recent executive order, taxpayers in governor-declared disaster areas, including Santa Cruz County, are granted an extension to Dec. 15 to file California tax returns on 2019 income and make any

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tax payments that would have been due between now and Dec. 15 “Californians affected by this historic wildfire season need the opportunity to focus on themselves, their families, and their properties,” said State Controller and FTB Chair Betty T. Yee. “I hope this extension provides a small measure of relief under very difficult circumstances.” Taxpayers who are victims of wildfires may claim a deduction for a disaster

loss sustained in an area proclaimed by the governor to be in a state of emergency. Instructions are in FTB Publication 1034, 2019 Disaster Loss: How to Claim a State Tax Deduction. Taxpayers may claim their disaster loss in one of two ways. They may claim the disaster loss for the 2020 tax year when they file their return next spring, or they may claim the loss against 2019 income on this year’s return. An amended return may be filed by those who already have filed this year. The advantage of claiming the disaster loss in the prior tax year is that the FTB can issue a refund sooner. Taxpayers claiming the disaster loss should write the name of the disaster (for example, CZU Lightning Complex Fire) in blue or black ink at the top of their tax returns to alert FTB and to expedite any refund. If taxpayers are filing electronically, they should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information. Disaster victims can get free copies of their state returns to replace those lost or damaged by completing form FTB 3516 and write the name of the disaster in blue or black ink at the top of the request. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Be The Difference Awards Gala Reinvented T S he Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, along with presenting sponsor Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, will celebrate the 2020 Be the Difference Awards honoring individuals, groups and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. The top honorees are: Individuals: Penny Cotter, Foster Andersen Business: UPS Santa Cruz Nonprofit: Youth N.O.W. Group: UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab This year the awards gala will happen online via a pre-recorded watch party celebration premiering at noon Wednesday, Oct. 21, on the Volunteer Center website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. KION-TV 5/46 will provide video highlights of the winners and all 55 nominees will be recognized throughout the show. “While this year will look like never before in our 14-year history of the awards, we promise an incredible hour of lunchtime inspiration and entertainment social distance style,” said Volunteer Center Director of Communications Christine Loewe, noting that special guests include local singer-guitarist James Durbin of American Idol fame. Traditionally, more than 400 individuals, community leaders, and business representatives gathered in person to honor local service champions. “Given the incredible challenges we have faced in 2020, these awards serve as our opportunity to take a break from the news cycle and shine a light on the incredible resilience of Santa Cruz County,” Lowe said. “We could all use a bit of good news and we think hearing about those who do good in our community will serve as a much needed moment of joy as we close out October.”

To help offset the cost of producing this year’s event the Volunteer Center is offering two ways that community members can contribute while joining in. All friends who Foster Andersen donate $50 or more will be entered into a drawing to win a Warriors jersey signed by Draymond Green. Donations can be made at https://scvolunteercenter.org/events-2/ be-the-difference-awards/. Additionally, when community members buy a meal from Woodstock Pizza in Santa Cruz on the day of the premiere Oct. 21 between noon and 9 p.m., 25% of the meal proceeds will go to the Volunteer Center. “We hope you will grab some pizza and take a virtual lunch break with us to celebrate volunteerism and our 55 nominees,” Loewe said. n

2020 Be The Difference Award Top Honorees Foster Andersen oster Andersen is a true legend in Santa Cruz County. Through his work and volunteer activities he encourages community members of all abilities to participate in outdoor recreation activities, face new challenges, and widen the circle of community advocacy. He is most known as the founder and Executive Director of Shared Adventures, a nonprofit devoted to increasing recreational opportunities for disabled individuals. Starting in 1992 with the first Day on the Beach event, Shared Adventures has grown to an operation that hosts 80+ events and serves 2000+ participants each year.

Additionally, he has served as a member of the Santa Cruz County Commission on Disabilities for 16 years, has been on the advisory board of the Santa Cruz County In-Home Support SerPenny Cotter vices program for 10 years, serves as the ADA advisory member of the Rail to Trail Commission and as the ADA advisory member of the SC County State Parks Commission. Santa Cruz County is a more accessible and inclusive community due to his dedication.

Penny Cotter hen the pandemic hit Santa Cruz County, Penny saw a very clear need to get masks into the hands of those who needed them and therefore she decided to establish the FB group SC Mask Sewers. At the outset, there were five sewers and that group has now grown to more than 415. In the last six months, this collective of talented volunteers has delivered more than 16,000 masks to the community. Penny has been the key organizer and facilitator of this important process. Folks from all over the county show up at her door to access supplies and drop of masks. She has coordinated the distribution to Santa Cruz County law enforcement, first responders, the Metro, doctors, nurses, health care providers (forprofit and nonprofit), family organizations, mental health, nursing home and the list goes on. Her enthusiasm for the group’s efforts has united a group of men, women, and children in meeting a need for the community while instilling pride in their ability to contribute. She is a beacon of community volunteerism.

UPS Santa Cruz anta Cruz UPS staff, led by Manager Joe Medina, have volunteered thousands of hours over years. Approximately 40 of their staff regularly volunteer with community projects with their biggest volunteer activity being the Stuff the Bus campaign put on by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. UPS staff volunteer their time to transport donations of school supplies where they need to go throughout the county. During this year’s wildfire emergency in Santa Cruz County, UPS Santa Cruz teamed up with the Volunteer Center and 15 members of their team volunteered on their day off to help at the Fire Recovery Donation Warehouse in Santa Cruz. UPS Santa Cruz has chosen to make the community a part of their bottom line.

Youth N.O.W. ith a stalwart crew of volunteers, Youth N.O.W. delivers an after school program in Watsonville that provides a safe welcoming place for youth to thrive academically and socially. Volunteers support student’s academic success by providing homework help, 1:1 tutoring, and more. Youth N.O.W. has served 100+ students annually, providing them safety and guidance to make positive choices. Volunteers and staff partner together to create new experiences for youth such as an overnight backpacking trip, slacklining, guitar lessons, ice skating field trips, and a variety of art lessons, cooking, and enrichment activities. Youth N.O.W.’s outcomes show that 80% of students maintain or improve their grades, all students graduate high school, and 85% go on to further education (2- or 4-year, or career tech).

“Be The Difference” page 22

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / October 15th 2020 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

EPA: $88M Loan for Soquel Creek Water

Agency Financing $13 Billion in Water Infrastructure Nationwide

n Oct. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced an $88 million loan to the Soquel Creek Water District for an innovative water reuse project to produce safe drinking water by purifying recycled water. The project known as PureWaterSoquel is designed to help prevent further seawater intrusion by replenishing the critically stressed aquifer that serves as Soquel’s drinking water source. “Monterey Bay plays a vital role in the region’s marine health and biodiversity,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “EPA’s financial support to the Soquel Creek Water District will help protect the Bay while replenishing local groundwater and ensuring that the community is more resilient against drought.” The EPA said the project will use advanced technology to purify recycled water, producing 1.3 million gallons per day of safe, high-quality water and providing a reliable, sustainable and drought-resistant water supply that meets current and future demands. The technology involves reverse osmosis, microfiltration, and ultraviolet light/advanced oxidation. The project will prevent further intrusion of saltwater into the aquifer, support the preservation of a sustainable groundwater basin, reduce the need for future diversions from sensitive waterways like the San Lorenzo River, and reduce discharges of treated wastewater into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, according to the EPA. The low-interest loan comes from the 2014 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which aimed to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure.

Since March, EPA has announced 15 WIFIA loans and updated four existing loans with lower interest rates, which the agency said would save ratepayers $1 billion compared to market financing. EPA expects this loan will save Soquel Creek Water District an estimated $66.7 million compared to market financing while project construction and operation are expected to create an estimated 581 jobs. “With 40 states anticipating some freshwater shortages within their borders in the next 10 years, projects like Pure Water Soquel Creek are taking the challenge of meeting 21st century water demands,” said David Ross, EPA assistant administrator for water. “EPA is able to support innovative water infrastructure to help diversify water supplies and protect groundwater while saving ratepayers money.” In February, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the National Water Reuse Action Plan, which identifies 37 actions led by a spectrum of federal, state, local and other water sector interests. Over the coming months, EPA will seek input from stakeholders to help inform the next iteration of the action plan, slated for release in spring 2021. The cost estimate for the Pure Water Soquel project has not been finalized but the water district plans to use its own funds, a Proposition 1 Groundwater grant and a Seawater Intrusion Control loan from the state of California. “I want to congratulate the Soquel Creek Water District for this significant milestone in the history of the Pure Water Soquel project,” said U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley). “Seawater intrusion into critical groundwater

20 / October 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

supplies is of great concern throughout my coastal district, and with this low-interest loan, the district can begin the next phase project, helping ensure the long-term protection of our local water supply.” “This very low-interest loan from WIFIA is a real landmark in Soquel Creek Water District’s efforts to address our critical water supply issues,” said Assembly Member Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley). “We are so fortunate here in Santa Cruz County to benefit from this extraordinary level of support and funding from the U.S. EPA, as well as from our own State Water Board, which is making the difference in assuring long-term sustainability of the community’s drinking water supply.” “Maintaining a clean, reliable supply of drinking water is clearly one of the most vital issues here and throughout California,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend, who represents Soquel, Aptos and Capitola. “With the help of this generous WIFIA loan from the U.S. EPA, the Soquel Creek Water District is poised to take a giant leap forward toward local water supply sustainability, by creating a new source of pure water, replenishing the groundwater, and preventing further seawater contamination.” “We’re grateful to the EPA for this WIFIA loan, which will help the District in our roles as both our community’s water supplier and environmental steward,” said Dr. Bruce Daniels, president of the Soquel Creek Water District board of directors. “Assuring the sustainability of our groundwater supply is paramount. With this loan, we’re able to accomplish that, while reducing the burden on our rate payers and providing a drought-proof water supply for today and future generations.”

“FEMA Deadline” from page 17 Apply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov; by downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY

“Ballots” from page 18 The county now has more than 168,000 registered voters – a record number! The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Monday, Oct. 19. Voters can register online at www.registertovote.

“This low-interest loan represents a valuable partnership and investment among the District, the EPA and our local rate payers in support of our Pure Water Soquel Project,” said Ron Duncan, Soquel Creek Water District general manager. “The project will replenish and protect the groundwater — our sole source of drinking water — from being further contaminated by saltwater intrusion, which is already detected in multiple locations. Thanks to the EPA and this WIFIA loan, we’re on track to implement Pure Water Soquel.” WIFIA is providing financial support at a critical time as the federal government, EPA, and the water sector work together to help mitigate the public health and financial impacts of COVID-19. Since the first WIFIA loan closed in April 2018, EPA has now issued 31 such loans totaling $6 billion to help finance $13 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 28,000 jobs and saving ratepayers $2.7 billion. n ••• About $5 billion in financing is available. EPA is accepting letters of interest for fiscal 2020 until Oct. 15. For information about the selection process, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ wifia/wifia-funding-currently-available. 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. To apply for an SBA disaster loan for a small business, call the Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center (800) 659-2955 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions, email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov n

ca.gov or pick up a card at any post office, library, city hall or county elections office. Voters can ask for a card to be mailed to them by calling 831-454-2060. n For more information, contact the County Clerk/Elections Department at 831-454-2060 or visit us online at www.votescount.us.

COMMUNITY NEWS

SqCWD Candidates Answer Questions

ncumbents Bruce Daniels and Tom LaHue and challengers Corrie Kates and Maria Marsilio are running for two seats on the Soquel Creek Water District board. They answered these questions posed by Times Publishing Group, Inc. Here are their responses in alphabetical order. ••• In the January survey of 427 ratepayers, 61 percent called the drinking water contamination by saltwater from the ocean a very serious or somewhat serious problem, down from 76 percent who said it was a serious problem in 2015. Do test results or other reports show the saltwater threat is easing? What is the situation?

Bruce Daniels: We all have more problems on our minds today than in 2015. I assure customers that their tap water is safe in the health and climate-change crises we’re witnessing – for now. Our community’s willingness to conserve reduced overpumping. Can people continue at the same level with homes threatened by fire and COVID-19 mandating frequent washings? Our Water District had to try the easy solutions first, like any doctor would. Now we need stronger medicine. There is no doubt among experts about this current bump-up in our water emergency. The State Department of Water Resources listed our groundwater basin as one of the 21 “Critically Overdrafted” basins. Recent airborne geophysical measurements show that our seawater intrusion threat is closer than we expected. On our East and West sides, monitoring wells show salt pollution. Enter the long-term planning strategy of our current Water Board, which had a regional plan in the works. A bold new state law requires that our plan be implemented. We’re ready for it. The plan has been unanimously approved by the 3 big water agencies, the County, and the Coastal Commission. A few people may not like every provision, but the plan works or fails as a whole. Corrie Kates: According to the Santa Cruz Mid-County Ground Water Agency, “... over the years, the local agencies have been taking actions to bring the basin back into balance by promoting water conservation and reducing groundwater withdrawals, moving pumping away from the coast, working collaboratively with partner agencies and private well owners, and developing a new source of supply. While we have been successful with several of these actions, developing a new source

Bruce Daniels

Corrie Kates

of supply has been a very hard challenge in our community.” I agree that continued action is needed and that will be my charge as a Board Member. It is important but not as stated by the incumbents stating it is an emergency. So as with other water districts I would look for opportunities that are within budget and obtainable. Tom LaHue: There are two important reasons it is imperative to act: 1) There is clear evidence of ongoing seawater intrusion at monitoring wells along our coast. Experts in hydrology determined minimum groundwater levels that are needed to prevent further seawater intrusion. While groundwater levels in some areas have met those minimums, water levels are still low in other areas and seawater contamination continues to move inland. Until those protective levels are reached, contamination from seawater intrusion is an imminent threat. A recent geophysical survey demonstrated that seawater intrusion is in the aquifers right at the coastline threatening to move inland and destroy our water supply. 2) The State has designated our groundwater basin as critically overdrafted. If we fail to make the basin sustainable, the State will take over and mandate water rationing and fees. Cooperatively, all the local water agencies created a Groundwater Sustainability Plan to protect our groundwater basin from further seawater intrusion, leading to sustainability. An integral part of that plan is the PureWater Soquel groundwater replenishment project that will create a barrier of purified recycled water to prevent seawater intrusion. It is the only available drought-proof way to reliably recharge and protect the groundwater basin for future generations.

Tom Lahue

Maria Marsilio

entire district. Also, several questions need to be answered about the study. What was the size of the sample in 2015? Were the same people asked the same questions in both studies? The following test results were provided in the presentation of March 15, 2018, by Max Halkjær of Ramboll and Cameron Tana of Hydrometrics regarding the Report Titled “Hydrogeological Investigation Salt-Fresh Water Interface – Monterey” pg. 76. “In general, groundwater levels at the coastal monitoring wells were the highest they have been since most of the wells were installed around 1984. As a result, the above wells represent the fewest number with groundwater levels below protective elevations. Lowering

groundwater levels to levels from just a few years ago would increase risk of seawater intrusion along more of the coast.” This study is 2 years old and is only one data point. Another study should be done to update the information so that we have a clear picture of the current state of the aquifers given the increased growth in the district. ••• Of those ratepayers survey surveyed, 61 percent filtered their tap water for drinking, 16 percent drink bottled water, and 16 percent drink unfiltered water straight from the tap. What does that tell you about drinking water quality in the Soquel Creek Water District?

Bruce Daniels: These statistics say something about the District’s educational outreach, but they say nothing about the actual quality of the water. Our District strictly meets the highest water quality standards by the State and Federal Environmental Protection Agencies. “SqCWD Q&A” page 23

Maria Marsilio: This is a small sample of given the number of households in the district. Thus, this may or may not be representative of the general opinion of the

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / October 15th 2020 / 21

Teen Kitchen Project Fundraiser

Virtual Celebration Takes Place Oct. 18

By Angela Farley

istorically, Teen Kitchen Project and our supporters gather together to celebrate accomplishments of the year. This year, we will again celebrate together — virtually! TKP will share our impact, which has been especially vital during this time of pandemic and health crisis, and illustrate areas where you, our friends and supporters, are invited to be a part of continuing to build healthier communities through food. Since the start of the pandemic in March, Teen Kitchen Project has been

“Be The Difference” from page 19 Their current collaborations extend to 20+ organizations to provide additional interventions, classes, activities and volunteer opportunities. University of California, Santa Cruz Molecular Diagnostic Lab his team of scientists, lab technicians and researchers used their expertise to develop processes, procedures, and administration protocol for local COVID-19 testing.

on the front lines, providing meals to those who cannot shop or cook meals, due to illness. Over the past six months, the need for meal service has continued to grow, and, thanks to the generous support of our community, we have not had to turn anyone away. However, we need you to help TKP to meet the continued demand for free, nutritious, delicious meals for individuals and their families dealing with life-threatening illness during this especially challenging time. Join us on Sunday, Oct. 18, for our Virtual Gathering, “Far Apart but Close at Heart.” Learn about Teen Kitchen Project’s latest activities, hear first-hand stories from our clients and volunteers, and donate to help those in our community who need it most. The fundraising goal is $100,000. If you donate $128 or more, and live in Santa Cruz County, you will receive a brunch box. The brunch box, made by our own teen chefs with guidance from Santa Cruz’s own Stephany Buswell, of The Food Network fame, will include a vegetarian seasonal frittata, homemade cinnamon rolls, berries, orange juice, champagne and 2 Verve Coffee drip kits. If you’re not able to attend, we will be sorry to miss you. However, you can still participate through making a donation or becoming an event sponsor. n https://www.teenkitchenproject.org

In only four months they initiated the process for licensing, received approval from federal and state agencies, and developed the capacity to test 400 people per day in a lab they built from scratch. Once established, the lab received a grant from the Santa Cruz Community Foundation to partner up with health-care nonprofits Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health Centers to provide testing for low-income and vulnerable residents.

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Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen A s more people are cooking at home due to COVID-19, Aptos/La Selva and Central Fire Protection Districts are offering timely tips to “Serve Up Fire Safety In The Kitchen.” Cooking caused an average of 172,900 reported home fires per year, about half of all home fires in the U.S., according to a 2020 report by the National Fire Protection Association that reviewed data from 2014 through 2018. Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties. One-fourth of the people who died in a cooking fire were asleep. In 2018, fire departments responded to an average of 470 home cooking fires per day. Home fires caused by cooking peak at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Local firefighters advise: 1. Never leave food cooking unattended. 2. Keep cooking areas clear of clutter.

Thanks to an additional partnership with the County of Santa Cruz to purchase more lab equipment, they are now capable of processioning 800 tests per day. This team created this lab outside of their normal work responsibilities and burned the midnight oil to offer more testing to our community. n ••• Visit scvolunteercenter.org/events-2/ be-the-difference-awards/2020-nominees/ or email events@scvolunteercenter.org.

3. Have a “kid free zone” of at least 3 feet in cooking areas. 4. Never put water on a grease fire – use the appropriate lid, for that pot or pan, to cover and smother the fire. 5. Turn pot and pan handles away from the edge of the stove to prevent spills and burn injuries. 6. Make sure that you have working smoke alarms in your home. 7. Call 911 if you have a kitchen fire – even if you extinguish it yourself. n For information, visit the Aptos/La Selva and Central Fire District websites at www. centralfpd.com and www.aptosfire.com. For fire safety/prevention questions, call the Community Risk Reduction staff at 831-685-6698.

Photo Credit: State Farm

COMMUNITY NEWS

UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab at work.

Keep projects within budget and ensure they are sustainable.

“SqCWD Q&A” from page 21 Our expert team works hard to keep it that way. Many people don’t realize that bottled water quality is not monitored or regulated by law like water from our Water District. They prefer a brand’s taste or convenience. Groundwater contains natural minerals that aren’t bad for you but do affect the flavor and leave residues on household surfaces. That’s why some people favor personal water filtration systems that soften the water by removing minerals. It would be unfair to make the whole community pay for what is a personal taste issue, not a public health issue. Our District’s water surpasses all standards because we’ve been willing to invest in infrastructure. Nature doesn’t do it by herself. For example, when the District detected naturally-occurring arsenic in a well, the Board quickly approved adding a new treatment station to fix that problem. Seawater intrusion is the big future threat. We cannot fix that without new alternative supply infrastructure. Corrie Kates: The Soquel Creek Water District provides a report to the rate-payers that states that the water is safe to drink. People can choose to drink bottled water, use an osmosis device, and filter the water or just drink from the tap. The water at times may smell chlorinated and for some that maybe a concern. As a future Board Member, it is my charge to review the reports with professionals of the water content and making sure the delivery of domestic water is safe for consumption by the rate-payers. Tom LaHue: We are fortunate to have safe, clean, high quality tap water, though we certainly work hard to keep it that way. The water in our District is indeed safe, is tested regularly and rigorously, and meets all regulatory requirements. Our complete water quality report is published annually and made available to all customers. People may choose bottled water for convenience, but over 50% of bottled water is from tap water. Throughout the country, many people filter their water through a refrigerator filter for taste. Groundwater is often naturally high in various minerals which can impact taste and can cause mineral deposits. For public safety, we are required to add chlorine to the water for disinfection and that can sometimes have a slight odor. Water quality is important to all of us, and we treat water beyond federal and state requirements. The PureWater Soquel facility will actually produce water from recycled water that will be more pure than most groundwater and bottled water (similar

to that of distilled water) and thus could improve the overall water quality. Maria Marsilio: Soquel Creek Water District drinking water meets the required standards. The Pure Water Project involves injecting into the aquifer recycled waste water that has been cleaned up through a reverse osmosis process. That water is not safe to drink, but the state allows it to be injected into the aquifer. It will be up to the rate-payers to decide if this will affect the quality of their drinking water. Bear in mind that there are compounds that are unregulated and various others that are not tested. According to the Center for Disease Control, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are unregulated in drinking water, and the CDC web site states, “There is evidence that exposure to PFAS chemicals can lead to adverse human health effects. Some, but not all, studies have shown that certain PFAS may: affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children, lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant, interfere with the body’s natural hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system, and increase the risk of cancer.” I propose using recycled water for irrigation instead. In that way, the water will percolate through the ground and be filtered naturally, and there is potential for collaborating with neighboring districts that have a larger agricultural need for water. ••• Voters have a choice of retaining incumbent board members with experience or opting for candidates with new perspectives. How do you make your case to the voters? Bruce Daniels: This election is about one question: Whom do you trust with your health and safety? Congressman Jimmy Panetta trusts LaHue and myself: He has publicly said: “I have been impressed with [Daniels and LaHue’s] expertise and concern for the well being of their community.” I earned my Ph.D. in Hydroclimatology

studying local water, so when climate change causes a serious drought shortage, I can act quickly. You may have lost your electricity in the last year, but you were never without water because people with specialized experience were in charge at the other end of your water pipes. Our Board’s experience inspires trust, so outside agencies funded our planned solutions ($176 Million so far). Just being new is not qualification enough. Our challengers haven’t added a single new perspective. Many of their “new ideas” were implemented more than a decade ago; some are planned. However, some of their extremist notions are dangerous, even illegal. The lesson I learned from my years leading the State’s Regional Water Quality Control Board is how to prevent pollution. Our District is in a climate-change crisis, but we’re nearing the end of a 20-year process to fix it. I ask for your trust to take it across the finish line. Corrie Kates: Fresh eyes and new ideas to collaborate the common need that is water and listening to the rate-payers and being transparent. Our goal as Board members is to reduce water rates. We will work to return Tier 1 level to 7.99 units and stop penalizing families. Develop an action plan for completing infrastructure projects. Work with cities and other water agencies on projects for the betterment of the whole. Consider alternate projects such as recycled water for irrigation in medians and parks (County parks had to stop irrigating this year as a result of Soquel Creek Water District rate increases). Develop the 160-acre Glenwood Drive reservoir property the District owns and create an opportunity for water storage and percolation ponds. Develop a multi-year and long-range Capital Improvement Project Plan (the District until recently did not have one at all) and designate funding goals.

Tom LaHue: I see knowledge and experience in coastal water issues and a scientific background as valuable to our district. I also provide a strong voice for protection of water quality and have a reputation for serving with integrity, studying each issue carefully, being fiscally responsible, and thoughtfully considering the best choice for the long term in a fair manner. While it is accurate that the challenging candidates do not have water board experience, it is not necessarily correct to assume that as incumbent board members, we do not bring new perspectives. We bring new perspectives by listening to our customers, seeing issues from the perspectives of others, and constantly learning to improve. The fact that we both served on the California Regional Water Quality Board also has helped. Maybe one of our strongest attributes is our ability to bring people of different views together to collaborate and find solutions. This is demonstrated by the fact that we are endorsed by groups ranging from the Sierra Club, to the Democratic Party, to Santa Cruz County Business Council. Our job is to represent all of our customers’ perspectives, while also keeping our future generations in mind.

Maria Marsilio: The incumbents have been with the board over 17 years. According to the 1980 UC Santa Cruz survey, saltwater intrusion was present then, and the problem still exists meanwhile district water rates have increased. New ideas and solutions are needed to reduce water rates and provide a sustainable water source. The rate-payers consistently complain about significant increases in their water bills. A more collaborative relationship with neighboring water districts is needed. Water transfers from the City of Santa Cruz is one of the solutions will be encouraged because the infrastructure exists, and the Santa Cruz City Water Treatment Plant now has more capacity to process water. This provides water to the district at a less expensive rate because the City cannot charge more than it costs to produce the water. According to the district 2019-2020 Community Report, 148 feet of water main pipe was replaced. This is a small amount. As a new board member, I will put greater effort into fixing leaks in the infrastructure utilizing the $50 million in bond money that the voters approved and that has been under-utilized. Thus, saving water and pumping less. Other sustainable solutions are percolation ponds, rainwater harvesting, and use of recycled water for irrigation. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / October 15th 2020 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

10 Questions For The PVUSD Superintendent By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Q. What’s being done for expectations/ uniformity throughout all schools? (When it comes to social distance learning) My child’s school will request children to keep the camera on while in school. But when I email the board, I am told it isn’t a rule from the district. Are principals allowed to implement their own rules for distance learning aside from our current district plan? Demanding or “highly encouraging” or “rewarding” students for keeping their camera on and ignore Zoom fatigue, anxiety and all other negative aspects of this is dangerous to our children’s well being. he issue of camera/no camera is indeed connected to student wellbeing. The original intent of the “no camera required” rule was to recognize the challenging learning environment that some students may encounter at home, the technology issue the use of the camera causes for some students, and the psychological impact it has on other students. At the same time, some of the goals

of synchronous learning are to build community, decrease the sense of isolation and provide actionable feedback to students. Many of the goals are enhanced when the students have their cameras on. We have found a higher level of learning from engaged students when they receive consistent feedback, and therefore, we are highly encouraging students to keep their cameras on. Many teachers and administrators are using positive incentives to encourage students to have their cameras on. No one can require students to have their camera on. To address this issue, I am holding a focus group with approximately 35 people including students from each secondary school, parents from Migrant Ed, DELAC and SSC, teachers, counselors and administrators on Friday, Oct. 16 to come up with additional recommendations and solutions.

24 / October 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Q. Why is my student’s teacher telling them that they HAVE to have their cameras on or they will lose participation points? e should not be requiring students to use their cameras and they should not be losing points or receiving lower grades due to not using their cameras. As noted in the previous question, we are encouraging students to have their cameras on so that we can provide a higher level of instructional and behavioral feedback. Please contact your child’s teacher first and then the site administrator if necessary. Q. What are the locations of your Safe Spaces? How can I get my child to attend a Safe Space? VUSD Safe Spaces are located at Aptos Junior, Radcliff, Mar Vista, Pajaro Middle and Watsonville High. Safe Spaces exist to provide a supportive and supervised environment for high need students who need specialized

intervention and support. Referrals are made only through the Site Wellness Team. If you feel that your child could benefit from attending a Safe Space, please contact your site administrator. The Site Wellness Team will decide if this is the appropriate action to be taken or if other interventions should be tried prior to attending a Safe Space. If it is the best option, the Site Wellness Team will refer the student to the District Wellness Team. Once the District Wellness Team receives the referral, they will work with the family to place the student in a Safe Space. Q. How do I apply for low-cost internet through Cruzio through Equal Access Santa Cruz County? ou may apply to low-cost internet through Cruzio, you can apply through the links below, one in Spanish and one in English. cruzio.com/services/broadband/ easc-suf-espanol/ or cruzio.com/services/ broadband/easc-suf/.

FEATURED COLUMNIST To submit the form you will need the Signup Code, which is EASC2020SCHOOLS, otherwise you will receive an error code before submitting the form. Q. What training has been provided to administrators regarding materials distribution? Our site’s materials distribution is chaotic and nothing is being kept track of for teachers regarding which students receive what ... some students get some supplies, others don’t. Our site administration has said that it is the principal and AC and only a couple of volunteers passing out. Where are the classified staff that is supposed to be funded by our ASP funds? This is a huge debacle for families, students, teachers and admin that needs to be ironed out. ll Elementary Site Administrators have been provided training in following PVUSD Health Safety protocols pertaining to COVID-19 before the distribution of instructional materials and supplies. As part of this training, they have been provided appropriate personal protective equipment, signage to help ensure physical distancing is maintained during distribution events, along with staggering grade level pickup times. A variety of school staff assist in the various distribution events. In addition, we have also highlighted best practices as an administration team as well as individually supporting sites from our district office level, as well from other district departments. All Secondary Administrators have also been trained in the Health and Safety precautions of COVID-19 prior to distribution events this year. In addition, sites break down distribution events through several formats to ensure physical distancing and protocols are followed. This can include grade-level time span assignments, multiple day distribution, and specific course materials pick up by subject area. Classified and certificated personnel on campuses plan and execute the distribution events within the safety precautions. In past years, afterschool programs were staffed by a combination of Certificated and Classified staff who were also regular day employees. Now during Distance Learning, these staff are providing student support online during the school day. There were a few afterschool staff who were not district employees as well. We are hoping to recruit any available nondistrict staff over the next few weeks to provide targeted student support. This fall is quite different from last spring, since most instruction is taking place through digital platforms such as Google Meets, Google Classroom, and Seesaw instead of instructional learning packets as in the spring. Please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate Assistant Superintendent, so they are able to work with the school site

administration directly to support the safe distribution of materials on that campus. Q. Could you review the expectations regarding COVID safety precautions for staff working at school sites? Specifically, what are the expectations regarding staff wearing masks in shared indoor spaces? At my site, office staff are not wearing masks while they are working in the front office and only put them on when other people enter the office. My understanding had been that staff need to wear masks at all times when working in indoor public spaces, and this feels unsafe for me as a staff person entering the main office. f a staff member is in any room or enclosed area where other people are present, and they are unable to physically distance they need to wear a mask. Except for the following directives included in our local county health order: • If a person is working in any space visited by members of the public, such as a reception area, waiting room, a restroom, or exam room they need to wear a mask. • If a person is working in or walking through any common areas such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities they would wear a mask. • If a person is in a private cubicle, but are less than 6 feet from someone walking by or present in your cubicle they need to wear a mask. When are masks not required? • If a person is in a private office as long as members of the public do not visit that office. Further Guidelines • Lunch should be eaten out of the office with at least 6 feet between people. Eating outside when the weather permits is a great idea. It is not a good idea to eat with other people in a contained space, in fact the chance of being infected with COVID is higher. • Breaks that are taken with others need to continue with mask wearing protocols and maintaining physical distancing, and not in a small space. Q. I’m an Instructional Assistant working from home. I now have to use my own ink to print my weekly homework packets to model for the students I work with. I know Certificated are getting a stipend for using their Internet.

What about us, who also use our internet, our ink? How about Doc Cams are those available for us? Those would come in handy too. e recommend that if you need to obtain printed materials to implement lessons, please coordinate

with your teacher to pick up a packet or contact site office staff to coordinate use of the printers and/or copiers on site. Additionally, you may utilize the District Office printers in the Special Services department. We are open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and able to support these types of needs. Discussing your needs with the teacher or case manager you are working with is another option. Please work with site administration to get equipment that you need such as document cameras. If the document cameras or other equipment you need are not available at your site, then contact the Special Services office and they will work to locate the equipment. “PVUSD Safety” page 26

The 1970s

ACROSS

1. Muscular contraction 6. D.C. mover and shaker 9. “That was close!” 13. Blood circulation organ 14. FEMA provisions, e.g. 15. Not bob, to a boxer 16. Like a whistle? 17. UN labor org. 18. Speck in the ocean 19. *Fallen South Vietnamese capital 21. *War movie and Oscar-winner 23. Once around 24. Hippocrates’ promise 25. Ribonucleic acid 28. Bakery unit

30. Foliage vein 35. In fine fettle 37. Scoop or skinny 39. Nephew’s sister 40. “Metamorphoses” poet 41. *ABBA’s genre 43. Thailand money 44. Temporarily ban 46. Way to fry 47. Jamie Fraser of “Outlander” 48. *”The Gods Themselves” author 50. Romanov ruler 52. Give it a go 53. It prevents objectivity 55. Brewed beverage 57. *First U.S. space station 60. *Mr. Jefferson 63. Nest for an eagle

64. Between Fla. and Miss. 66. Cold cream brand 68. Does like some coffee makers 69. Tasseled hat 70. Not snail mail 71. Back talk 72. *Nicklaus’ peg 73. Smartly dressed

9. Boll weevil, e.g. 10. Saintly sign 11. Like never-losing Steven 12. Kind of nurse 15. Not outside 20. Egg-shaped 22. Cash dispenser 24. Compensating equivalents 25. *”The Mary Tyler Moore Show” spin-off DOWN 26. Center of a church, pl. 1. Anatomical pouch 27. Defendant’s excuse 2. Plural of #6 Across 29. Black tropical cuckoo 3. ____ 51, Nevada 4. *”____way to Heaven” 31. “I call first ____!” 32. Undergo a chemical 5. Feed beet reaction 6. Some have a high 33. Blood of the Greek tolerance for it gods 7. *1973 ____ crisis 34. *First Lady, familiarly 8. *Oliver Sacks’ 36. Dutch export “Awakenings” drug

38. South American wood sorrels 42. Talk like Demosthenes 45. Paso ____, CA 49. By means of 51. Go back into business 54. Behind a stern 56. Pleasant odor 57. Serum, pl. 58. *Cheryl Ladd on “Charlie’s Angels” 59. Golfer’s dread 60. Fixed look 61. Flying biter 62. Blue pencil mark 63. Internet pop-ups 65. *”Enter the Dragon” star 67. *”Rocky” star’s nickname © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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Mercury Retrograde – Inner Direction

Esoteric Astrology • October 2020 • By Risa D’Angeles

ercury, the planet that clarifies thinking, observing, deciding and making intelligent choices, etc. turned retrograde on Tuesday (Oct. 13) in Scorpio (sign of the Nine Tests & the call to Discipleship). And as if providence will step in with direct instructions for humanity, Mercury will actually turn stationary direct on election day (Nov. 3), in Libra (sign of making a life-changing choice, of Right Relations and the Rule of Law). Mercury retrograde is like Virgo. It offers us inner direction. When we turn inward we are able to clearly assess what our tasks are and bring order and organization to our choices. We are able to perceive how to act with intentions of Goodwill and how to choose more clearly harmony and balance. Mercury retrograde informs us what and why things aren’t what they seem. During this Mercury retrograde humanity is to assess who we will be voting for? And why? Mercury itself rules contracts and agreements. Although we are advised to NOT make important final decisions or sign anything during Mercury retrograde, during this Mercury retrograde we are forced to

make one of the most important decisions of our lifetimes and that of our country. Who will be President of the United States of American and the world leader? Mercury retro gives us the opportunity for reflective contemplative thinking, reorganizing our thoughts, redoing and reassessing. We don’t suspend our lives nor do we (mis) use the Mercury retrograde to excuse behaviors. Instead, we adapt to turning inward, and live intelligently with the knowledge of a retrograde’s purpose. It is a gift to us. Retrogrades signal that we are to gather and review all past information, and allow the data to be either eliminated or integrated for their usefulness. Let us, during this Mercury retro in Scorpio (returning to Libra) invoke the truth of what matters. May we be inspired with Right Choice, seeing the essential meaning behind freedom, liberty, voting and the elections. May we choose the candidate who stands under and for the Will-to-Good for all of humanity. We are the ones who will choose. What a profound and sacred task we have been given!

ARIES It’s possible you will review something from the past that was a deep loss — a person, resource, marriage, an intimacy. Review this loss and turn it around. Make it a gift, a power received, something of great value to you. Review your desires and aspirations. Do you know the difference? Ask everyone around what they value in you. You learn new things about yourself. A new identity comes forth.

LEO SAGITTARIUS You may see family and friends from the past, perhaps Sorrows and sadness from the past seek a new state from childhood. Family may seek to of gladness to replace them. All thoughts include you in celebrations, attempting begin to be clothed in compassion. to relive their past — a past you have There’s no longer the question of why. set aside. You remember younger years, There’s only the feeling of goodness, when you were free and wandering, when the light you that life’s precious and paradox is acceptable. You will lived under came only from the sky, sun and stars. walk through a door in the next several weeks. You will You sense impressions from the past seeking new open that door and then shut it behind you. You will see interpretations. Plant blue and violet morning glories a mountain with ascending light. You glimpse your life inside and out. ahead. It’s important to have good shoes for the journey.

TAURUS You will ponder upon new, very different, more inclusive ways of communicating. You will realize that you must listen now with curiosity and penetrating questions (instead of solving problems) when others speak. With deep listening great insights occur for both listener and speaker. Search for ways to have more trust. Then you can reveal the sterling truths about yourself without fear. Then you can love more, too.

VIRGO Over and over the same thoughts and ideas travel through your mind. You want to discover all aspects of a puzzle, attempting to put it together. Thoughts and dreams and clouds of information appear, but you are unable to decipher many of them. In this unusual silence, your eyes see more than ever before. It’s as if your senses shifted. As one sings, the other doesn’t. Seek to understand everyone’s truths. Let them stand equally with your truths. Everything flowers.

CAPRICORN During this retrograde time, be very aware of new insights, revelations and new understandings appearing quietly and subtly at the most unexpected time. All previous experiences, especially sadness, coalesce into new states of knowledge. An old friend makes contact; strange twists and turns of relationships begin to ease. Defeat becomes triumph. Speak your mind with truth at all times. Allow others to adapt to you. Frustration turns to opportunity. The voice of the artist calls to you.

GEMINI LIBRA Care for and nurture your health in all ways, from When you look around your home, living, working morning till night. Make this your priand garden environments, you realize ority. Begin with morning exercise before you’ve come to love, appreciate and eating. Move onto fresh juices (celery, value all different sorts of realities. cucumber, apple), green smoothies They each offer a specific calmness and (almond milk, kale, lemon, parsley, apple, pear, barley orderliness that you need. They soothe your spirit grass). Make cilantro pesto. Eat an avocado a day. and provide your life with daily context. They relieve Something, both dissolving and refining, occurs with anxiety. You realize you’ve had this all along, since your health. Seek to understand a partner’s sorrows. birth. The change has occurred within. Have gratitude Listen & observe. Maintain quiet. for the past. It built your present.

AQUARIUS You don’t allow any glamorous nonsense to be in your life and environments. You only want practical and ease to travel. Everything seems to be changing every moment. This sense of change will continue. You will seek stability wherever you find it. New revelations occur. New thinking. Use all of these in your work and present them to the world. Allow others to respond and exteriorize whatever is in them. You know your path. It’s always the surprising unusual view. Community calls. You are a server, serving those in need.

CANCER SCORPIO You will consider what in the past brought you joy, what Over the next several weeks and a bit beyond you helped you be creative, and what allowed assess your self-image. Not what others you to feel enthusiasm. You will see how think of you but what you think of you’ve become more than you thought yourself. And then you begin to create a possible. Non-verbal ways of expressing new image. No longer an outer persona, yourself are more appropriate now. Spend most time in but one more in depth to be presented to the world. gardens, museums, places filled with art, creativity and You no longer need to veil, arm or protect a self that’s beauty. Explore forests, wild areas where the devas live. no longer real. You are more and more authentic. Nature is the most balanced of kingdoms. Your natural There’s nothing to lose, nothing to gain. You’re the self comes forth. Buddha on the road. •••

PISCES Up till now you’ve had a firm grasp of what you want in your future. This will change in the coming months. You will accept where you are and the situations and environments you are in. An old dilemma becomes a great Truth. A philosophy is differently interpreted and you cherish it like a golden apple, a golden coin. Old friends drop away seeking a different path. Your work expands. You build within the crystal square. Standing in the diamond light.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

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“PVUSD Safety” from page 25 Q. What steps are being taken to keep racist, misogynistic, transphobic and overall harmful teachers accountable? How can community be made aware they are being heard without violating HR laws. What are the consequences for such poor behavior? I have seen it in multiple teachers and when students speak up, nothing is done. he District has a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in education and zero tolerance for this type of behavior. We have board policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and bullying based on any protected trait, such as race, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Our policies prohibit any employee from acting in a manner that is racist, misogynistic or transphobic while performing their duties for the District. If anyone is aware of the violation of these policies while performing their duties for the District, I encourage them to file a complaint with the District, using our UCP process. pps-pajaroca.schoolloop. com/ucp We investigate all uniform complaints against employees. The consequences will be based on the outcome of the investigation and the severity of the policy violation, Q. Can you put back Google Hangouts, please? I have awesome memories on it. n order to abide by the Child Internet Protection Act, and student data privacy laws, school districts cannot provide accounts in communication systems to be used for non-academic purposes. PVUSD must do everything possible to make sure that students are using district provided resources appropriately (for academic purposes) and in a safe manner. Currently Google does not provide a way for district and school administration to monitor Google Chat in order to ensure that it is being used appropriately by students. PVUSD is in the process of evaluating other instant communication systems such a Remind App that may be implemented for academic purposes with the needed oversight built in. Q. My child is depressed with all of this that is going on and only wants to cry. He says he feels depressed and I cannot explain how he feels makes me worried. Do you have some resources to help students who are suffering the same as my child? es. We have several supports in place for students including our own social emotional counselors (contact your site administrator to connect with a counselor) and our community partner, PVPSA. Links to all of the community resources can be found at the following webpage: www. pvusd.net/p/resources. Please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance for your child or to recommend that others do. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

It’s Showtime, Folks: Where’s Your Dazzle? By Ron Kustek

hat famous line by Joe Gideon (played by Roy Scheider in the movie “All That Jazz”) will hopefully soon be resonating throughout the land, when the all clear is given upon the end of these Covid times. Will you be ready? These challenging times have called for our remaining businesses to be even better than before. Better for the locals who loyally “shop local.” Better for the community who supports small businesses. Better for each employee who wants to get back to work, earning a living, and providing for their family. So how will you be better? If you have a storefront (brick & mortar business) then what have you done during these past 7 months to improve your offering? Have you improved your location? Have you taken the time to put

systems in place to capture customer information to communicate with them? Have you fixed those areas that you weren’t able to, when you had customers in your store on a daily basis? If you haven’t taken this time to make improvements to your business, then you’ve wasted this time. I understand it’s costly, it’s unpredictable, it’s not guaranteed to give you a return on your investment. But I can tell you that customers will be even MORE demanding once we’re back to a “new normal.” In a recent Forbes article about brick & mortar being “dead,” international studies found the following: • 58% of people will continue to avoid crowds (think traffic-flow in your location) • 52% will avoid unnecessary travel (so much for counting on tourism to save the day) • 46% will spend less time inside stores (consider focusing on those SKUs that move the fastest)

• 45% will dine out less often (think how you’re going to get customers back) What this rather bleak near-term outlook tells us, is that we will have to do much more business with fewer customers. Forget about raising prices, as people have been leveraged enough with ever-increasing taxes and rents. Forget about putting signs in your window or on the curbside, because if fewer people are out in the marketplace, fewer will see what you’re trying to tell them. Which is one of the key points: What will be your message? Step 1: Hopefully you’ve taken this time to improve your shopping experience for customers. This means that you’ve invested more time and money making your location more inviting, improving on lighting and cleanliness, furniture, décor and your overall ambience. You’re planning to present a “better you” to your customers, including an improvement in customer service, which has been taken for granted by many small businesses –

as has the lack of providing a “customer experience.” “Showtime” page 29

COVID-19 Impacts Domestic Violence Survivors By Delphine Burns

Editor’s Note: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, Monarch Services saw a 40 percent increase in crisis line calls after the “Shelter in Place” order took effect particularly from domestic violence survivors. The nonprofit also saw a 35 percent increase in clients needing safe housing and financial assistance for necessities after being displaced due to domestic violence or loss or a job. ••• ct. 1 marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 female-identifying individuals and 1 in 9 male-identifying individuals have experienced sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. While Monarch Services supports survivors of domestic violence every month, October is a unique chance for community members to proactively discuss domestic violence, demonstrate their support for survivors and raise awareness. This year, the impact of domestic violence has been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation has left many survivors in homes that are unsafe and has fractured some support networks that survivors may typically rely on to seek help or escape violence. While the shelter-in-place orders are necessary to protect our community from further spread of the virus,

home is not the safest place for those being abused by their partners. Monarch Services has seen a swift uptick in the number of domestic violence survivors we are serving. In fact, we served an average of 15 new clients weekly for the first few weeks follow the “shelter in place” mandate. Monarch Services encourages individuals experiencing violence to call our crisis line for support. While individuals are physically isolated and may feel emotionally isolated as well, we want to remind them they are not alone. Additionally, we encourage thirdparty individuals to call if they witness or hear domestic abuse. This October and every month, join us as we mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate survivors’ healing process and unite against domestic violence. Check in on your friends, reach out to your loved ones, remind them they are not alone. Your support makes a difference. Our 24-hour confidential, bilingual crisis line at 1-888-900-4232 remains fully staffed and we encourage anyone who needs help escaping violence, safety planning or emotional support to call us any hour of the day. Actions You Can Take • Be a caring and consistent adult in the life of a child • Talk to loved ones about violence and oppression

• Create a culture of consent in your home • Use social media to raise awareness among your peers • Listen to and validate a survivor of trauma n ••• Delphine Burns is communications manager at Monarch Services, the only rape crisis and human trafficking center in Santa Cruz County. Monarch Services offers court accompaniments, restraining order assistance, counseling, emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, outreach, education and support groups. All services are available in Spanish and English and are free or low cost. Info: 1-888-900-4232 or www.monarchscc.org.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR VIRTUAL EVENTS Wednesday October 21

A series of at-home tastings with Deborah Madison, a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, sharing secrets to bring out the best in farm-fresh produce and making some of her favorite salad dressings. Guests will have the chance to come to the Farm between noon and 6 p.m. Oct. 24 to harvest your own salad greens, vegetables and herbs along with an accompanying gift bag featuring a bottle of wine and fresh, delicious, gourmet pasta from La Posta restaurant, in a reusable tote bag. A UC Santa Cruz alum, Madison was founding chef at Greens in San Francisco before becoming an acclaimed food writer and cooking teacher. She is an expert on vegetarian cooking and her work highlights Slow Food, local foods and farmers’ markets. and support wild nature while producing healthy food. Her memoir, “An Onion in My Pocket,” will be Franzen is the recipient of a National Book Award for released in mid-November, detailing her journey from fiction, the EuroNatur Prize for his work in conservation, her childhood in Big Ag Northern California to working and the Utah Award in the Environmental Humanities. in the kitchen of the then-new Chez Panisse, and from His essay “Why Birds Matter” inaugurated National the birth of food TV to the age of green markets everyGeographic Magazine’s Year of the Bird. where. You can order your copy from HGP by selecting The Homeless Garden Project operates a 3.5-acre organic farm it as an add-on to your ticket for this event. and provides job training, transitional employment and support Tickets are $25 to $95 at bit.ly/Deborah4HGP or at https:// services to people experiencing homelessness. homelessgardenproject.org/ n

STATE OF PAJARO VALLEY SCHOOLS 8:45–10:30 a.m., Pajaro Valley Unified School District Livestream Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District, will host the State of the District Stream, sharing achievements and challenges. This virtual experience starts with a student performance, followed by remarks from community leaders, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Willy Elliott-Mccrea and co-directors of Life Lab, Don Burgett and Judit Camacho. Viewing is free at https://www.youtube.com/c/PVUSDconversation about the mutually beneficial relationship Streaming. between sustainable agriculture and the birds. Baumgartner will talk about the latest research on birds as natural pest-control allies, and give practical remarks about how to sustain and encourage healthy bird populations on healthy farms. Franzen will discuss the critical role that farming can play in nature conservation. They will answer questions after their Saturday October 24 presentation. This online presentation is free and open to the public. CHEF DEBORAH MADISON SHARES SECRETS Register in advance at https://bit.ly/FarmsBirds to 6:30–7:30 p.m., Homeless Garden Project Online. In-person receive the zoom link. visit to farm noon–6 p.m. Thursday October 22 The Wild Farm Alliance helps farmers benefit from Homeless Garden Project launches Sustain in Place: TALKING ABOUT BIRDS AND FARMS 5 p.m., Homeless Garden Project Online Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Join Jo Ann Baumgartner, the executive director of the Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Oct. 22 Wild Farm Alliance, and author Jonathan Franzen in a

28 / October 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pictures from the Past: One Way Trail

Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift

ne Way Trail” is perhaps the most memorable movie made in and round Aptos a century ago. In 1919, actress Edythe Sterling came up from Hol-

lywood with her own production company to star in the silent film that was finished in just a few days. Edythe and her horse performed heroic acts to save the day and rescue the endangered mountie shown in

this scene at the Loma Prieta Lumber Camp. The hills around Aptos had the nearest groves of redwood trees that could be cast by Hollywood to represent the Canadian northwest. n

Actress Edythe Sterling comes to the rescue in this scene shot in 1919 at the Loma Prieta Lumber Camp in Aptos.

“Showtime” from page 27 Likely most of what you sell can be bought online — so why would people come to your location to buy? Think “EXPERIENCE” — Think “Disneyland.” Think about the experience each customer feels when in your location, which becomes the memory they walk away with and tell others about on social media platforms and in person. In Miami, the RazzleDazzle Barbershop is decorated as an old-time shoppe

with the staff dressed in ‘20s attire, big band music playing throughout the day, where customers can get an espresso or a free drink from the liquor cabinet. Their unique atmosphere draws their target customers who want more than just a haircut — they want an experience. Their brand and positioning is reinforced with their ambience, their products and especially their customer service. They actually listen to each customer, as the regulars are greeted by name, with their favorite beverage upon being

seated, and everyone is smiling, sharing, connecting with the ambience and experience that many business owners have forgotten about, or didn’t think was necessary. But it’s now essential. Creating and delivering an experience is the way to get people to leave their homes to spend money at your business. But you’ll also have to tell them you’ve changed. Step 2: Advertising and communicating through the right vehicles and social media platforms. Your customer email list

that you’ve hopefully curated over the years will be even more essential for your communications. We’ll be exploring this more in future articles. There’s lots to do. But as Walt Disney said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior executive and small business owner who is currently a business instructor at Cabrillo College. Contact him at rokustek@cabrillo.edu.

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity on Accessory Dwelling Units By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

hroughout California there are discussions about how to address the significant affordable housing crisis. The recent fires also highlight the need for displaced residents to have access to safe and affordable housing. Recent studies done on home affordability have shown that in some coastal communities less than a quarter of people earn enough income to be able to purchase a home in their community and many can’t afford rising rents. Seniors are struggling to stay in the homes they own with an overall rising cost of living and our county is no exception. In fact, there are over 15,000 families currently on the Section 8 voucher waiting list locally. Of those who have received housing choice vouchers, over 400 families have been unable to find a landlord willing to accept the fair market rates offered under the program. There isn’t one simple solution to reducing housing costs. But one promising approach is to increase the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The state (and many local communities) have been working to provide incentives for increased ADU construction. Over the last few years the County has significantly streamlined the process for building ADUs making it easier for homeowners to design, permit and construct these units. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors reduced permitting fees, streamlined the permit process and created a forgivable loan program (that could cover the cost of fees and even construction in some cases) for units that are deed restricted affordable housing units. Put simply, it’s now cheaper, easier

and faster to build an ADU in the unincorporated area. Even with these changes, cost is still a barrier for many people to build ADUs. Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with the State and County, has some programs that could help. Habitat was awarded CalHOME funds from the state of California, which allows more flexible financing for homeowners interested in building an ADU or JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit) on their property for increased rental income, and creation of long-term affordable housing units. Habitat offers $100,000 of funding per ADU and doesn’t charge for labor. However, whatever difference there is must be covered by the homeowner, either through savings, equity, or a commercial loan. These funds can cover actual construction costs, as well

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as predevelopment costs such as architectural, engineering, or legal services; permit or application fees, bonding, site preparation, water or sewer development and more. It is financed as a 30-year low or no-interest loan. To qualify, households must have incomes at the low income, very low income, or extremely low income brackets. Households impacted by an event deemed later as a disaster can have incomes up to 120 percent of these levels as well. For example, the 2020 income limits for two, three, and four-person households are $85,000, $95,600, and $106,200 per year, respectively. That’s 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size. The 120 percent figure for two, three, and fourperson households are $105,600, $118,800, and $132,000 per year, respectively. The homeowner must live on site, but once the ADU is built, the homeowner can continue to live in their home or move into the ADU.

New construction, conversions (of garages for example) as well as rehabilitating, repairing, and reconstructing ADUs are eligible activities. Additionally, these ADUs are not allowed to become shortterm rentals (vacation rentals). In addition to the CalHome program, the County is making up to $80,000 available at 3 percent simple interest (deferred for 30 years) as a loan to applicants who agree to make their ADU affordable to those making up to 60 percent of area median income for a specific period of time. Through the “My House My Home” program, the County has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay and Senior Network Services to assist lowincome seniors interested in building ADUs to create extra income and remain in their homes. The loan is also payable upon sale or transfer. In exchange for participating in the My House My Home Partnership, homeowners will enter into a deed restriction that will require them to rent the ADU or the primary home at a rent affordable to low income households, defined as those whose incomes are at or below 60 percent of area median income adjusted for household size. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). You can learn more from Habitat for Humanity about these programs by contacting familyservices@habitatmontereybay.org or by phone at (831) 469-4663 x14. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting regular tele-townhalls with County and community leaders on Tuesday nights from 6-7 pm. The call in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# - you are welcome to speak about this issue during the town halls or you can always call me at 454-2200.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Spring Bulbs Begin In Autumn

S S

Fate Shines On This Stray

crossword on 25 »

olar came to the Shelter as a stray but in a rather unique way — by hanging out under the Shelter solar panels! For the past couple months, staff have observed Solar relaxing on the roof and have been slowly befriending her. She was rather skittish and would run off when people attempted to approach her. Slowly but surely, Solar warmed up to us and allowed a staff member to pick her up and bring her indoors to safety. We scanned her for a chip and held her in the Shelter for her mandatory stray period. Nobody came forward claiming Solar as their cat so she is now looking for a new adoptive home! Solar is a social sweetheart who is looking for a cat savvy adopter. We are age guessing her to be about 2 years old. She does spook easily and needs a patient home that will slowly transition her into their space. Although Solar had been outdoors previously, she is perfectly content relaxing safely indoors on a soft bed and getting scratches. If adopters are interested in enriching Solar’s environment, a cation — an outdoor enclosure for cats — may be a great fit! Solar may be able to live with another cat or a dog-savvy dog with a careful, slow introduction. Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076  SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

By Tony Tomeo

pring bulbs lack immediate gratification. They will, of course, justify their habitation of the garden as they bloom next spring. For now, they are not much to look at, and do not stay visible for long. While dormant, they possess neither foliage nor significant roots. Most look something like small and disfigured onions. Burial in shallow graves conceals their uninteresting exteriors through winter. Cool season bedding plants can effectively obscure the otherwise bare soil over the gravesites of some types of bulbs. Mulch might be best for those that should start to grow immediately or that will develop an abundance of foliage. While plants above them may need watering until the rainy season begins, dormant spring bulbs need no more attention. They disperse roots through winter. Spring bulbs, including corms, rhizomes, tubers and tuberous roots, are oblivious to the discomforts of transplant while dormant. However, they want to wake from their dormancy in situations that are conducive to normal development and bloom. Some prefer shallow planting. Others require significant depth for stability. Most but not all spring bulbs perform best in small groups or colonies. Narcissus, daffodil and crocus are the first spring bulbs to bloom as winter ends, or even earlier. Tulip, hyacinth, grape hyacinth, freesia, anemone, ranunculus and some types of iris bloom shortly afterward. Late iris, lily and montbretia bloom later, and some types are considered to be summer bulbs. Spring bulbs become

Spring bulbs bloom months from now.

available in nurseries while seasonable. Summer bulbs arrive later. Most spring bulbs bloom only once. Planting them in phases a few weeks apart within their respective seasons can prolong bloom. Each subsequent phase begins bloom as the preceding phase finishes. However, narcissus, daffodil, grape hyacinth and others that can naturalize will bloom simultaneously after their first season. Most spring bulbs unfortunately do not naturalize reliably here. Gladiolus and allium are summer bulbs that bloom once. Calla, canna and dahlia bloom through summer. ••• Abyssinian Gladiolus ummer bulbs and bulb like perennials bloom after spring bulbs. They therefore prefer later planting. Abyssinian gladiolus, Gladiolus murielae, is likely unavailable in nurseries while spring bulbs are seasonable. Their bulbs should be obtainable and ready for planting later, while other summer bulbs are in season. Abyssinian gladiolus blooms late in summer, or may still be blooming now. Abyssinian gladiolus is more discreet than the more common hybrid gladiolus. It is also more reliably perennial. In favorable condiAbyssinian gladiolus tions, bulbs might might still be blooming. multiply enough to be somewhat invasive. The narrow leaves stand more than two feet tall. Floral stems can be three feet tall, to loosely suspend a few white flowers with garnet red centers. Each mildly fragrant flower is about two inches wide. The bulbs, which are technically corms, prefer organically rich soil that drains well. Digging and storing them through the locally mild winters is unnecessary. After many years, established colonies of bulbs might migrate upward and closer to the surface of the soil. Digging dormant bulbs that have gotten too shallow to stand upright while foliated, and burying them deeper, improves stability. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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AMBER MELENUDO 831.661.5591 REALTORÂ® DRE 01921098 amber@davidlyng.com ambermelenudo.com

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Aptos Times: October 15, 2020

Articles inside

Featured Columnists

Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor Spring Bulbs Begin In Autumn, By Tony Tomeo

Pictures from the Past: One Way Trail, Photo Essay By Carolyn Swift

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity on Accessory Dwelling Units, By

Teen Kitchen Project Fundraiser: Virtual Celebration Takes Place Oct. 18

SqCWD Candidates Answer Questions

Humbled: How Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin

19 is Last Day To Register • Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims Be The Difference Awards Gala Reinvented

EPA: $88M Loan for Soquel Creek Water: Agency Financing $13 Billion

Agriculture Day Contest Winners Receive Awards Health Officials Urge Early Flu Shots, From the Santa Cruz County

Letter to the Editor

Arrested Sam Earnshaw Named 2020 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture: National

13 Die of COVID-19 at Watsonville Post Acute, By Jondi Gumz • Have A