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

COMMUNITY NEWS Health Officials Urge Early Flu Shots

From the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division

In 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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Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein speaks at the socially distanced luncheon.

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COMMUNITY NEWS Artist’s Adieu: Art Show By Appointment

By Jondi Gumz

For artists, the new coronavirus has Aptos artist Terry Dowell is hosting made this a tough year. Galleries what is likely her last art show at her home are closed to prevent gathering in studio, with a circle of friends who have small spaces and transmission of the been taking her classes. contagious COVID-19. The long-running The show is Saturday and Sunday, Open Studios, when locals can visit artists Oct. 24-25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by weekends in October and buy their works appointment. Masks are required and a is not happening for the same reason. 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 in her studio. ago. Her project involves photos she

Virtual Open House October 17, 11:00am – 12:00pm RSVP to admissions@mountmadonnaschool.org to receive the Zoom link

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 rare. Dowell had to switch to smaller classes to provide more physical distance

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.

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Palace Art Youth Exhibit

The 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.