Aptos Times: February 15, 2021 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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February 15 2021 • Vol 30 No. 4

Nisene Marks: How to Fix Safety Woes?

Aptos residents worried about illegally parked cars on the road for Nisene Marks State Park creating safety hazards for locals and visitors have learned two possible solutions they suggested have been ruled out. But one new idea, using technology such as an automated sign system, will be explored. Full Story page 8

Remembering Secretary George Shultz & His Compass of Honesty By SN Ward Mailliard Many of us at Mount Madonna School were sad to hear the news that former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz passed away on Feb. 6 at the age of 100, as we had formed a special bond with him over the past 15 years.

It was an honor to have the privilege of introducing so many Mount Madonna School students to Secretary Shultz. Beginning in 2008 we were able to take groups of students to interview him at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. ... continues on page 4

Scarce Vaccine Delays In-Person School Full Story page 7

More Children Seeing a Dentist; More Needs to be Done

Noel Kelsch, Cabrillo College dental hygiene program director, is awarded the Outstanding Dental Professional Award, for passionately promoting oral health care both locally and globally ... Full Column page 18

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No. 4

Volume 30

Table of Contents

Cover Remembering Secretary George Shultz & His Compass of Honesty, By SN Ward Mailliard 7

16 20 25 27

Community News Scarce Vaccine Delays In-Person School: Santa Cruz County Focuses on Elders Before Occupations, By Jondi Gumz Nisene Marks: How to Fix Safety Woes?, By Jondi Gumz Holiday Food & Fund Drive Tops 5.5M Meals • Student Speaking Contest Topic: Online Learning • $1.5 Million to Hire 75 Workers March 15 Deadline for Cabrillo Honors • Grand Jury Needs You • Pajaro Valley Art Poster Contest • Watsonville Resident’s Idea Chosen as Monterey Fair Theme • Ag Leadership Program Application Deadline: April 26 • NAMI Basics Class Starts March 9 • Red Cross Needs Blood • Sewer Rehab Means Traffic Delays • Youth N.O.W. Needs Help New PVWMA Projects: Board Approves Recharge & Recovery Plans Bearing Witness: Manifesting Black History from Photographic Archives • Latino Role Models Conference Goes Online Mistake Corrected: PVUSD Superintendent Rodriguez Fired, Then Rehired • Why PVUSD Will Delay In-Person Instruction College Lake Rural Pipe Under Study Questions About Homes on Rural Roads and Fire Safety Ash Wednesday Services $1 Million Grant Aims to Help Vaping Teens, By Jondi Gumz

California News Where Do Highways Need Bike Improvements?

8 9 10

13 14 15

Local Sports 11 Dueck Returns to Aptos High Volleyball Letters to the Editor 24 Panetta: Farmworker COVID Vaccine Outreach Vital for $50 Billion Industry • Can COVID Vaccines Prevent Nursing Home Deaths? Let’s Evaluate

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Chinese New Year of the Metal Ox niú & Valentine’s Day, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 18 More Children Seeing a Dentist, But More Needs to be Done, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor 19 Under the Pier, Photo Credit: Rich O’Rielly 19 I Ask You Not, By Aurora Justina Rufolo, née Falzone (1927-2020) 22 Help! There’s a blob on my new TV, By Christopher Elliott 23 Damaging Effects of Social Isolation Due to COVID-19, By Timothy R. Jennings  27 When Trains Brought Visitors to Aptos, Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift 30 Seven Ways To Make 2021 Better Than 2020, By Ron Kustek 31 Why You Should Avoid Extreme Pruning, By Tony Tomeo

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers SN Ward Mailliard, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Zach Friend, Rich O’Rielly, Aurora Justina Rufolo, Christopher Elliott, Timothy R. Jennings, Carolyn Swift, Ron Kustek, 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 media consultants 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 ©2021. 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

“Secretary Shultz” from page 1 On those visits, just to sit at the large round table in the Annenberg Conference Room where heads of state and government leaders would meet with Secretary Shultz was awe-inspiring all by itself. Mount Madonna students were always welcomed as honored guests with food, sodas and coffee on the side tables, just as they do for the dignitaries who engaged in that room. We would arrive, set up our cameras and get organized before Secretary Shultz arrived. His entrance brought us immediately and nervously to our feet, and he would greet each student, putting everyone at ease with a humorous comment or two, and then he would field our questions. Following each meeting with Secretary Shultz, participating students would reflect on the interview. During our interviews, some of Secretary Shultz’s answers would take time as there is much to say and stories to tell as he reflected on so many years of experience. He chose his words for clarity and understanding. He was a seasoned diplomat and kindly grandfather figure all rolled into one. During our 2012 interview, then-senior Aaron Storrs posed his question: “Mr. Secretary, you said in ‘Turmoil and Triumph,’ that you always start with ideas, and if you don’t, you get lost. Later in a Stanford speech you said that, ‘Ideas are a compass.’ Is there a central idea that you started with that has remained with you as a compass throughout your career?” Here the Secretary’s answer was startlingly brief. He paused for a moment and then replied, “I suppose the central idea is to be honest with yourself. And try to do things that are right.” There was a moment of silence. Then students realized that is all he is going to say, and his answer begins to sink in. A simple aphorism based on a career of dealing with complex issues. A clear set of markers on a long road of service to the nation.

George P. Shultz in a 2010 interview

These moments with Secretary Shultz provide at least one answer to the many questions posed in education today about how to include ethics and values in the content-driven world of our school system. At Mount Madonna School, we respond to this important need by holding conversations with those who understand, and more importantly, who have lived by the ideal that serving one’s community is a path to meaning and satisfaction in life. What do the students take away from an experience like this? Following are two revealing excerpts from reflections written by students following their senior-year interviews with Secretary Shultz: “In this fishbowl we call life, us humans like to consider ourselves intelligent creatures. We are on a constant quest to discover our life’s core purpose. While we work on that one, how about we start with a simple trait: Accountability. What connection do we have if we cannot be relied upon? Who are we if we do not have beliefs, or do not stand up for our beliefs? From completing childhood chores to passing bills in Congress, accountability is all we have. Secretary Shultz has a tie that reads, ‘Democracy is not a spectator sport.’ This means that as an American citizen, I am accountable for paying attention to the political process. No one can make me vote, which leaves

me the decision of whom to go and vote for. Deciding whom to vote for requires research; which according to Shultz is a vital factor of being a responsible United States citizen.” — Alida Lettunich (’12) “Interviewing George Shultz was one of the highlights of my senior year…One of my favorite things he said during the interview was in response to a question asked by Imogen about immigrants. He paused a moment before he responded, and then started to speak about what it means to be an American. He discussed a painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River, saying that most people notice George Washington but if you look at the rest of people in the boat there is great diversity. He spoke on the importance of diversity in the United States and how everyone is an immigrant from somewhere. Finally, he stated, ‘Anyone can come to America and become an American.’ This stood out to me because it is one of things that makes the U.S. unique.” — Sienna Clifton (’18) Secretary Shultz was a consummate teacher with the undeniable gravitas of someone who had “been there and done that” for all the world to see. He spoke softly, so we had to lean in a bit as he wove stories and the principles from which he drew together. However, these were not just personal stories, they were his personal insight to the events that we read about in the history books. He had seen combat in World War II, and knew firsthand, the true cost of war. It was part of what made him a consummate and thoughtful diplomat. As Secretary of State, he was the man who quietly brought President Ronald Reagan together with the Soviet ambassador one snowy day at the White House, and that lead to the beginning of the SALT talks, leading to a reduction of the nuclear arms race. Secretary Shultz was at the heart of many high-stakes negotiations that eventually led to the ending of the Cold War.

Mount Madonna School students interview George P. Shultz in 2014 at Stanford University’s Annenberg Conference Room.

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COVER STORY He also showed himself to us a family man and a man of great kindness. Each story had a lesson and in time the students realized that this was someone who learned from his experiences and applied those teachings as he went forward. I was pleased to hear from many of my students in the past few days, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to meet and speak with this man of history. Here are a sampling of those comments: “Our interviews with Secretary Shultz will forever be remembered as a central and meaningful experience to be cherished. It was an opportunity deserving of great gratitude, as I and the other students were more than fortunate to have been placed in his presence and to hear his advice, insight, and knowledge. Most memorable about Shultz was his presence alone. He presented with a great light; truly eager for the opportunity to speak with younger generations about important issues and to remind us of our potential. When an 18-year-old has the chance to meet with someone who has seen so much…..they better listen because it does not take long to miss something important that was said. The country has lost a great man. A statesman -- a Marine. Though he is gone, the impact he made through his noble service to our nation will

George P. Shultz (center) with visiting Mount Madonna School students in 2012. continue to show and shine as an example “I heard about the passing of George for future generations to live up to.” Shultz, and I just wanted to offer my con— Cyrus Kamkar (’18) dolences. He was a great man, and I was so “Meeting Mr. Shultz was my first honored to have the opportunity to interview encounter with someone who had a hand and talk with him. I learned a lot from his in shaping the world, yet his humble nature experiences and am very thankful to have made the conversation honest, deep, and gotten the chance to speak with him.” open. I admired his curiosity and dedi— Kira Kaplan (Class of 2021) cation to his work. I am so thankful for the chance to have met him and that he would When we talk to people who have take the time to think through the world’s taken part in history, we come to underissues with a group of teenagers.” stand that we as human beings create that — Zoe Kelly (’15) history. When we hear that they made

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history by perseverance, thoughtfulness, integrity and hard work, we know then what we must do. It is as important for our schools to be as concerned with the content of our students’ character as it is to measure their knowledge of the content of their books. Both are important and neither will serve well without the other. This is why we make the effort and take the time to prepare for and pursue interviews with those like Secretary George Shultz who contributed so meaningfully to his community and to the world. It is the character we hope our students will develop regardless of the disciplines they pursue or the jobs they hold. It is part of what makes Mount Madonna School what it is. We expose the students to the experiences, and we hope, as Secretary Shultz said, that they understand that “values and the ability to interact with people are the most important part of academics.” n ••• SN Ward Mailliard is founder of Mount Madonna School’s Values in World Thought program, which began in 2008 to bring high school students to interview Secretary Shultz. ••• Cover Photo: Mount Madonna School students listen to George P. Shultz in 2018.

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CALIFORNIA NEWS

Where Do Highways Need Bike Improvements? C altrans District 5 is looking for public input on its draft Active Transportation Plan, which identifies locations where bicycle and pedestrian improvements might be needed on the state highway system. The public can play a key role in establishing the community priorities by

providing input. The draft plan review opened Feb. 8 at https://www.catplan. org/and closes March 9. The final Plan will be available in May. “We look forward to hearing from the public on what they believe are the most important priorities in their communities and how we can best integrate

6 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

them into our transportation projects moving forward,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. Caltrans wants to align the state’s bicycle and pedestrian network with the needs of local communities, with an emphasis on improving social equity, reconnecting neighborhoods and improving access for all modes of transportation, including people who walk or bicycle. Caltrans is actively engaging with community members in areas where previous decisions may have created barriers to adequate transportation. n

••• For info visit catplan.org/district-plans.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Scarce Vaccine Delays In-Person School

Santa Cruz County Focuses on Elders Before Occupations By Jondi Gumz

ith active COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and ICU bed use down and deaths slowing, the U.S. Supreme Court tossing California’s ban on indoor worship and upholding religious freedom, 31,000 Santa Cruz County residents vaccinated and more vaccine clinics open to people age 65 and up, the next question to be answered is: When will public schools resume in-person instruction? The answer will depend on when teachers and other school staff can be vaccinated. On Thursday, county health officials said they are sticking to prioritizing vaccine for health care workers and then by age, as 90 percent of the deaths are people 65 and older and 54 percent are Latinos, according to Mimi Hall, the county Health Services Agency. “The main goal is to save lives,” she said. “Age is the biggest factor.” She expects vaccination by occupation to start at the end of February or beginning of March. She is worried about a forecasted surge in COVID-19 cases starting in midMarch, April and May, predicted by the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to be worse than the Christmas surge, when cases, hospitalization and ICU bed use peaked. The forecast at covid19.healthdata.org is the worst case of four scenarios. Dr. David Ghilarducci, deputy county health officer, said such projections “can be heavily influenced by vaccination rates and something as simple as wearing a mask... If we had a 95 percent mask compliance, we would be in great shape.” The Santa Cruz County Office of Education sent out a letter signed by all 10 superintendents citing plans for “a phased reopening of elementary schools beginning March and April” and that labor unions have agreed “staff would resume in-person instruction after their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.” Dr. Faris Sabbah, county superintendent of schools, said, “At this point, we can only open elementary schools.” That’s because the adjusted COVID-19 case rate per day is below 25. Opening secondary schools requires a rate of under 7 per day. “We plan on opening as many grade levels as possible starting with kinder and moving up,” Sabbah said, noting each

Photo Credit: Dignity Health

On Dec. 31, the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered to staff and residents at Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz, a retirement community and senior care facility owned by Dominican Hospital. More than 200 staff and residents received the Moderna vaccine, with the second dose slated in about 28 days. Vaccinations were given by Dominican Hospital clinical staff in a common room of the facility that was specially set up for social distancing. Here, Beverly Winthers, 95, receives her first dose. district must secure agreements with their bargaining units for hybrid in-person instruction. A press conference with details is in the works, he added. On Thursday, Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, Dominican Hospital president, and Dr. Steve Magee, president of Dignity Health Medical Group Dominican, reported the hospital has administered more than 10,500 vaccinations and the medical group more than 6,000 in Phase 1A and 1B, vaccinated 1,000 local farmworkers on Feb. 3 at Casserly Hall in Watsonville, with plans to vaccinate more than 1,000 preschool, kindergarten and day care workers in the next week. On Thursday, however, Pajaro Valley Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez told parents via letter that in-person instruction will be delayed “until potentially after spring break” March 29 through April 2. As of Sunday, the county reports 955 active cases-- the fewest in months-- 168 deaths, 30 hospitalized and 10 in intensive care unit beds, 14,232 cases overall and 112,418 negative test results. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are here, but the fractured delivery system, in which some goes to hospital and big medical groups for their employees and the people in their health plans, some to pharmacies for nursing homes and some to county Public Health, creates complications. Pooling Resources? ounty health has a drive-through vaccine site at the county fairgrounds

in Watsonville, targeting Latinos 65 and older and any county resident 75 and older. Sutter Health has a drive-through vaccine site on its property, the former flea market on Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz, targeting its employees and people insured with Sutter Health, but people age 65 and up who have tried to get an appointment online find none available due to lack of vaccine supplies. Hall said pooling vaccines with large medical groups would reach more people age 65 and up or targeted occupations “so that we could get anyone no matter what their health coverage is.” When the local Sutter Health group was allocated zero vaccine by its parent organization two weeks in a row, she said county public health provided two days’

worth of vaccine so the drive-through vaccination would not be cancelled. “We can’t have a complete stop,” Hall said. County statistics of the top 10 vaccine clinics do not include Kaiser Permanente, a big health care provider with facilities locally and in San Jose and Oakland. Ghilarducci said Kaiser has vaccinated mostly outside the county, focusing on those 75 and older but Kaiser told the San Francisco Chronicle it hasn’t been allocated enough vaccine by the state, which explains why people 65 and up with Kaiser coverage haven’t been offered vaccination. State Department of Public Health spokesman Darrel Ng did not provide an explanation, saying only that supply is “extremely constrained.” Despite difficulties, Hall said Santa Cruz County actually ranks 9th of 61 health care jurisdictions in vaccination rates and third for counties with 250,000 or more people. The county has vaccinated 39,911 compared to the population of 273,213, reaching 62% of those 75+ and 36% of those 65+. Healthcare Worker Priority County statistics show more than 34,000 doses of vaccine administered, 30,000 being first doses and 4,000 being second doses. Of the total, 31,000 doses have gone to county residents and 6,000 to people who who work in health care here and live in other counties such as Monterey, Santa Clara and San Mateo. Vaccine given at Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital has mostly gone to people under 65, because most hospital employees are under 65. “COVID Update” page 8

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Nisene Marks: How to Fix Safety Woes?

By Jondi Gumz

ptos residents worried about illegally parked cars on the road for Nisene Marks State Park creating safety hazards for locals and visitors have learned two possible solutions they suggested have been ruled out. But one new idea, using technology such as an automated sign system, will be explored. The 10,000-acre park, created in 1963 from one-time logging property, has proven wildly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting people arriving in cars, on foot and bicycles to enjoy the outdoors. But a safe pedestrian path has never been built, and neither have the parking lots or visitor center recommended in the 2005 master plan. Visitors park vehicles illegally, crowding Aptos Creek Road, which is one lane — narrow and curvy — resulting in close calls when the ambulance is delayed in reaching 911 medical emergencies. On weekends, homeowners such as Al and Bella Hughes and Aptos Times publisher Patrice Edwards, whose private property is in the park, never acquired by the state, navigate a treacherous situation on the road, meeting strolling visitors and cyclists around blind curves. At a Feb. 11 Zoom meeting with concerned residents, State Parks Sgt. Joe Walters, supervising ranger, said the Nisene Marks’ manned kiosk won’t be moved to what residents hoped would be a safer location, preventing more

“COVID Update” from page 7 Vaccines in Phase 1A have largely gone to white people, who dominate the healthcare workforce, rather than Latinos, who have had the most COVID-19 cases, but Ghilarducci expects that will change. He said a shortage of 1-milliliter syringes means using a 3-milliliter syringe, making it difficult to get all six doses out of the Pfizer vial, so some must be tossed -- to prevent infection, mixing doses is not allowed. Gaming The System ecently, when appointments for 1,000 doses in Watsonville were filled, county staff discovered more than half were under 65, and more than 100 were from as far away as Los Angeles — “people had learned to game the system,” Hall said. Online registration was cancelled, she said, and county staff started a new registration system for the 300 people “truly eligible,” scrambling to fill slots with people 65 and older in Watsonville, with 500 doses refrigerated for future use. That led to questions about a wait list. The county is reaching out to Pajaro Valley nonprofits to find out how to reach those eligible. Ghilarducci, who was giving shots that day with Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel, recalled seeing a carload of people with one elderly family member. “I would have loved to have given everybody in that car a shot...instead we had

Photo Credit: Becky Steinbruner

A no-parking sign on Aptos Creek Road near Nisene Marks State Park.

cars from entering when the park’s 138 parking spaces are full. (In January, he had estimated the park had 70-80 spaces.) Walters also said posting a seasonal staffer to direct

to target the vaccine,” Ghilarducci said. “I look forward to the day when we don’t have to do that, but we’re not there yet.” Opening Up ocal churches began offering indoor services after the Feb. 5 Supreme Court ruling, which came ahead of Ash Wednesday, an important observance for Christians. State Sen. Brian Jones (R-Santee) introduced SB 397, the Religion is Essential Act to require the governor treat religious services as an essential service just like retail during a declared emergency. “Americans are guaranteed religious freedom and the right to congregate with fellow members at their chosen house of worship,” Jones said, criticizing Gov. Newsom’s decision to shut down places of worship due to COVID-19. Newsom is getting pushback from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Mooney, who set a trial date for June 7 in the California Fitness Alliance lawsuit asking for evidence explaining why indoor fitness has been banned during the pandemic. In the Purple Tier, a gym can only offer one-on-one fitness training indoors. For those seeking respite outdoors, State Parks campgrounds have reopened for walk-up campers, with new reservations available at New Brighton, Seacliff, and Sunset State Beaches locally. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park reopened for camping Feb. 13. To reserve, go to https://reservecalifornia.com/

8 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

traffic on the road where the “Parking Lot Full” sandwich board sign is set out would be too risky because employees are not trained in traffic control. Todd Marco, who moved with his family to Aptos Creek Road in July, read about the problems at the park in the Aptos Times. He suggested using technology to monitor the number of available parking spots in the park. Sensors, he said, could count the number of cars entering, and report on a signal screen the number of parking spots left so people entering the park are informed early on, and sooner than the ranger kiosk. “I have a lot on my plate,” Walters said. “If you want to take that on, fantastic.” Marco answered, “I’d love to. I’m an electrical engineer.” Marco also suggested people could go to park entry points other than the main entrance, but the downside would be cars and traffic in those neighborhoods such as Vienna Woods. Another idea he had was to create a foot path from the Aptos Village county park, which has 28 spaces and could provide overflow when the Nisene Marks parking is full.

Santa Cruz County is in the Purple Tier, as it was in early December, with outdoor dining allowed and stores at 25 percent capacity, with masks required. Case counts are evaluated every Tuesday. To move into the less restrictive Red Tier, where restaurants and gyms could open indoors with capacity limits, the adjusted case rate would have to be below 7 percent and the positivity rate below 8 percent. Currently, the positivity rate is 4.9 percent and but the adjusted case rate is 18.8 percent. n •••

County COVID Deaths

As of Feb. 13 Age 90 and up: 51 • 80 to 89: 55 • 70 to 79: 31 60 to 69: 22 •50 to 59: 4 • 40 to 49: 2 30 to 39: 3 Race/Ethnicity White: 98 • Latinx: 54 • Asian: 14 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 129 • No: 39 Gender Male: 78 • Female: 90 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 6 • Aegis: 4 Maple House I: 4 Valley Convalescent: 4

“Nisene Marks Traffic” page 12

Montecito Manor: 3 Watsonville Nursing Center: 3 De Un Amor: 2 • Dominican Oaks: 2 Driftwood: 2 • Hanover House: 2 Maple House II: 1 • Paradise Villa: 1 Rachelle’s Home 1: 1 Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 98 Not at a facility: 70 COVID Cases By Town Aptos: 681 • Ben Lomond: 96 Boulder Creek: 129 • Capitola: 386 Felton: 130 • Freedom: 892 Santa Cruz: 3,323 • Scotts Valley: 352 Soquel: 304 • Watsonville: 7,510 Unincorporated: 195 Under investigation: 232 Total: 14,232 ••• If you are 75 or older or 65 and older and live in 95019, 95076 or 95077 zip codes, or are a healthcare worker, you can make an appointment online for the county’s OptumServe vaccine site in the council chambers at Watsonville Old City Hall, 250 Main St., Watsonville. Proof will be required and lineskipping not tolerated. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday, with 210 appointments daily. To register, see http://myoptumserve.com/ covid19 ••• Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at jondi@timespublishing group.com or call 831-688-7549 x17.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Holiday Food & Fund Drive Tops 5.5M Meals D espite the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank’s annual Holiday Food & Fund Drive raised enough for a remarkable 5,546,372 million meals, far surpassing the original goal of 4.5 million meals. The news was shared Feb. 2 with a Facebook Live broadcast. “I’m thrilled,” reports Carlos Palacios, co-chair of the holiday drive Megan Martinelli. “Businesses, neighborhoods, schools, churches and other organizations all worked so hard through the Holiday Food & Fund Drive to raise food for people in need,” said Willy Elliott-McCrea, Second

Harvest CEO. “It’s fantastic to come together to celebrate what our community was able to accomplish this year.” The ambitious 4.5 million goal was set prior to the pandemic when Martinelli and Palacios wanted to challenge to the community to reach the same number as the previous year. Despite challenges and changes to the Food Drive, the community of Santa Cruz County got creative, stepped up to the plate, and those who were able gave and gave and gave. As a result, more than 80,000 county residents – a third of the population – will receive food each month as Second Harvest

from the community especially during such a difficult time for so many.” A virtual awards ceremony will take place March 4 to celebrate this success. n

Student Speaking Contest Topic: Online Learning

his year, the topic for the California Lions Clubs Student Speaking Contest is “Distance and Online Learning: Pros and Cons,” with the top prize a $21,000 college scholarship. The Capitola Coast Lions Club will host a local contest at 5 p.m. March 9 at Redwood Village in Aptos, open to students living in the Multiple District Four Lions Clubs jurisdiction, in grades 9-12, of any high school or junior high school, charter school, private school, home school, independent study and foreign exchange students eligible. Contestants may have

completed grade 12 before the fall semester ended. Students will give speeches outside in person, which is a state club requirement. Visual aids, uniforms, costumes and props are not allowed. Prizes include: Scholarships of $4,500 each for 15 district winners, scholarships of $11,000 each for four area winners, and one top scholarship totaling $21,000 awarded after the finals in late May. Cash awards go to region, zone and club winners. For information, contact Krista

$1.5 Million to Hire 75 Workers

provides food to 165 partner agencies and food and nutrition distribution programs. Those served include families, veterans, children, and seniors. Getting food out to the community during this crisis is priority No. 1. “The pandemic crisis has increased the need as people are out of work or in between work,” Elliott-McCrea said. “The high cost of living here continues to stretch the resources of our residents. People are forced to make hard choices between necessities like medicine, housing, and food. So we cautiously set a high goal of 4.5 million meals and challenged the community to help more people in need, and, wow, did they come through. We are amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support

he Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board has been awarded a $1.5 million Department of Labor grant to fund employment of workers who are unemployed or underemployed due to the CZU Lightning complex fires. The Workforce Board is coordinating with Goodwill Central Coast, Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space, and Cultural Services and local State Parks. The Fire Impact Recovery Effort program will hire 75 displaced workers for up to one year and to conduct fire recovery and resiliency activities in park and open space locations impacted by the fires, including Big Basin State Park, Henry

Cowell State Park, Wilder Ranch State Park and more. Agency partners will recruit and approve interested applicants, with Goodwill providing case management services for the hired workers. All temporary employees will receive safety training and shall be eligible for up to $300 for items such as tools and work clothing. Workers will also receive assistance to secure permanent employment when the grant ends. Eligible individuals must be temporarily or permanently laid off because of the disaster, unemployed for 15 or more weeks or self-employed individuals unemployed or underemployed due to fires. For inquiries, info@workforcescc.com. n

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS March 15 Deadline for Cabrillo Honors ocal graduating high school seniors have until March 15 to apply to the Cabrillo College Honors Transfer Program. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 weighted high school gradepoint average in A-G requirements; or new SAT total of at least 1400; or Enhanced ACT composite of 29+. A 250-word essay and a letter of recommendation also are required. To ensure equal access to education and eliminate financial barriers, Cabrillo College is providing the first two years of tuition to any graduating senior from the Cabrillo College services area. For details on the Honors program, see https://www.cabrillo. edu/honors-transfer-program/ honors-graduating-h-s-seniors/ ••• Grand Jury Needs You ave you wanted to serve your community and wondered how to get involved? Does governmental waste, inefficiency, or lack of responsiveness concern you? The Civil Grand Jury in California was established to help hold local governments accountable. Serving on the Civil Grand Jury is not like being on a trial jury. It is significantly different. It is a creative, challenging, informative and rewarding way to be involved in your community. Consider applying to become a volunteer on the 19-member Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury. Because of COVID-19, much of the Grand Jury’s work is being done remotely with videoconferencing and cloud computing to carry out its mission. You must be at least 18, have a working knowledge of English, and have lived in the county for at least one year. For an application, see santacruzcourt.org. Applications must be received by April 26. For questions, email jury.information@ santacruzcourft.org. • Voicemail: (831) 454-2099 ••• Pajaro Valley Art Poster Contest ommunity members are invited to design a poster that tells us your COVID-19 story. Draw, paint, photograph, or collage your story. You can submit up to three poster designs. The deadline is March 7.

Over the past year, we have all learned to live with COVID-19. For most of us, this has meant wearing a mask as a method of protecting ourselves and others. We wear masks because we value our family members, doctors, nurses, essential workers and many others in our community. Images of your poster will be placed in Pajaro Valley Arts online gallery. Two $50 gift certificates to Kelly’s Books in Watsonville will be awarded, one each in the youth and adult categories. Submit the entry form with the jpegfile(s) to: Hedwig@pvarts.org For information visit https://pvarts. org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ Call-for-Entry-Poster-Contest_FINAL.pdf ••• Watsonville Resident’s Idea Chosen as Monterey Fair Theme he 2021 Monterey County Fair is scheduled for Sept. 3-6, with the theme, “Fair Fun in 2021!” proposed by Watsonville resident Cathy Meehan. A poster art contest using the theme, with both adult and youth divisions, is underway. Fair poster entries must be submitted as either a “draft” sketch or full artwork to the Fair office before 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, and include the official entry form with entrant’s name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail. Entry forms and rules are at www.montereycountyfair.com. Entries can be hand delivered to the fair office from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or mailed to: Monterey County Fair — Poster Art Contest; 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940. Entries can also be e-mailed to entry@montereycountyfair.com. The winning poster art will be announced March 1. One winning entry will be chosen as the official 2021 Fair poster art and one will be the 2021 entry guidebook cover. The adult winner will receive a $100 cash prize and the youth winner $50. Both winners will get a family package of fair tickets. For information, contact the Monterey County Fair & Event Center at (831) 3725863, email events@montereycountyfair. com or go to www.montereycountyfair. com. ••• Ag Leadership Program Application Deadline: April 26 pplications are now being accepted for Class 51 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Applicants should be mid-career growers, farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals and/or individuals working in allied businesses and organizations who are emerging leaders in agriculture.

10 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

More than 1,300 men and women have participated and are influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government and business. The 17-month program includes 55 days of formal activities. Fresno State, UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona deliver curriculum designed to improve leadership skills. Usually fellows participate in national and international travel seminars and receive individualized leadership development coaching; that may change due to COVID-19. CALF invests more than $50,000 per fellow to participate. Program costs are underwritten by individual and industry donations. Candidates are strongly encouraged to talk with Ag Leadership alumni about the program and to attend a COVID-safe recruitment event. The phase one application is at www. agleaders.org/apply. Phase one is due April 26. Individuals are encouraged to complete the application as soon as possible. ••• NAMI Basics Class Starts March 9 AMI Basics is a free 6-week education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been diagnosed. The next series is 6-8 p.m. March 9 on Zoom. NAMI Basics is offered in a group setting so you can connect with other people. You’ll learn the facts about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school and when they’re getting medical care. You’ll find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI Basics provides mutual support and shared positive impact—you can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. You also can help others with your own experience. Topics include: Managing crises, solving problems and communicating effectively; how to handle stress; advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings; current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects; and understanding the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on your entire family. To register, visit https://www. namiscc.org/nami-basics.html For a free Basics on Demand, visit h t t p s : / / p u b l i c c o u r s e a p i . n a m i . o rg / Learner/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F ••• Red Cross Needs Blood he American Red Cross is promoting blood drives this month. All blood types are needed. As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come

to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. In Santa Cruz, the dates are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Feb. 17 and Feb. 23 at t The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. In Watsonville, the day is noon – 5 p.m., Feb. 26 at Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit  RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. ••• Sewer Rehab Means Traffic Delays he Santa Cruz County Sanitation District announces that the intersection of 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive will be subject to traffic delays with potential lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., from Feb. 10, through April 7, weather permitting. These delays and lane closures are necessary for sanitary sewer improvements. Questions may be directed to Dan Valley at (831) 454-2373. For up-to-date information on County maintained roads in Santa Cruz County, visit: http://www.sccroadclosure.org/ ••• Youth N.O.W. Needs Help or 10 years Youth N.O.W. has provided a safe space with free tutoring for middle and high school youth in the Pajaro Valley during afterschool hours. Currently about 130 studetns are provided with homework help, access to tech and WiFi, project supplies, nutritious food, and enrichment and life skills activities. Most importantly, friendships are built, and caring staff and volunteers are available for guidance and mentorship. Without additional support, many of the youth of the Pajaro Valley will lose the opportunity to be successful contributors to the community of tomorrow. They need financial help to continue to provide services to youth. Youth N.O.W. has started a fund drive on GoFundMe with a goal of $200,000. So far, 50 people have donated. To give: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/ campaign/keep-our-doors-open-for-our-youth? fbclid=IwAR13xBL8hnEGfUPGxFeuKOVT3 3PtKj_x2Zl5HY81cqKZU5CTRld-dW5cl3M (https://tinyurl.com/ttp664wz) n

LOCAL SPORTS

Dueck Returns to Aptos High Volleyball A ptos High School admin and volleyball student-athletes all had a big Mariner smile on Wednesday as the school announced the hiring of a new Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach. Athletic Director Travis Fox was happy to report that Aptos High School and Cal Berkeley alumna Madison Dueck will be leading the team this season. Madi was part of some very talented Madison Dueck teams at Aptos High School from 20122016 and played under endeared volleyball coach Mark Hull. In college, Madison and her teammate Alexia Inman were the second-winningest pair in the history of University of California, Berkley beach volleyball! Madi’s own winning percentage was the seventh best mark of any player in Bears’ school history. She had 50 total wins in her career at Cal, and that was with a shortened senior season last spring. Most impor-

tantly to note, she was also a captain for two years and on the Pac-12 All-Academic team! “We truly feel lucky to have Madison step right in and take over during the current time where many unknowns still exist,” Fox said. “What we do know is that we have a great leader and role model for the girls and someone who will be able to provide the team with the opportunity to return to the sport they love.” Lake Merchen, the all-time leader in career aces, digs and kills at UC Santa Cruz, stepped down after two successful seasons in Aptos to join the West Valley College volleyball coaching staff. Madi will inherit a very talented team that is the current CIF Division IV State Champions, after beating Nordhoff HS (Ojai, CA) in Orange County last December. Though the team lost some talented seniors from the class of 2020 (Sophie Wilford, Brynn Mitchell, Natalia Ackerman, Rylee Mennie, Alana Patyk-Randa, and Gabby Giuffre) they return an experienced roster which features Madison’s sister Peyton Dueck, Izzy Pfeiffer, Jordyn

Madi Dueck plays beach volleyball at UC Berkeley in 2019. Waite-Ward, Angelina Ontiveros, Mikayla Santaella, Ava Riccabona, Leilani Valdez, Emma Yeaman, and adds Mount Madonna aophomore transfer Eve Willis to go along

with a very talented freshman and JV group of athletes. The future is bright for Mariner volleyball! n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 11

Photo Credit: Becky Steinbruner

Only one car parked illegally after cones were placed near Mangels Creek Bridge in Nisene Marks State Park. “Nisene Marks Traffic” from page 8

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“Not a bad thought,” said Walters, noting some of the land between the two parks is private property. To help residents on the road, Walters is working on a resident placard system, similar to the one for Seacliff Beach residents, which has worked well. Al Hughes asked if signs could be put up, saying, “Parking Lot Full. Residents only.” Walters said that’s done at Seacliff State Park. He envisioned putting up two signs, if funding is provided by the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Typically, that nonprofit provides some funding to State Parks from its fundraisers. Walters wasn’t sure how much, but he knew fundraising events were halted due to the pandemic, likely leaving the Friends with a budget shortfall. The benefit of working with the Friends, Walters said, is that nonprofit can use a commercial sign company to make the sign more quickly than if State Parks were to purchase one through the standard process, in which signs are made by prison inmates, taking months to get done. Walters said he would report back on whether there could be two “Parking Lot Full. Residents Only” signs installed, one at the mailbox cluster and the other at the Steel Bridge. Swenson, the developer building the new Aptos Village townhomes and stores adjacent to Nisene Marks, agreed as a condition of approval to pay for entry signs and a kiosk for the park — which appeared to be a solution — but Walters said the agreedto kiosk was merely informational, not big enough to accommodate a park staffer. What about asking Swenson for a larger kiosk at the entry area? asked Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner. Walters agreed to broach the question with State Parks land agent who handles such matters, and Edwards suggested a Swenson representative be invited to the next meeting a month from now.

One sign of progress on safety is that orange and white cones have been placed in the Mangels Creek bridge area, deterring many from parking there illegally. “It’s a huge improvement,” said Edwards, a resident on Aptos Creek Road in the park. “People aren’t even attempting to park. It’s working to keep the area clear.” Ticketing cars was proposed in January as one strategy, and Marco, the new resident, liked the idea, predicting that a sign saying “towed at owner’s expense would be pretty effective.” State Parks has four new rangers but none is assigned to Nisene Marks. Two are assigned to Wilder Ranch State Park, one to Seacliff State Beach, and one to Sunset State Beach. Walters said he would ask about enforcement at Nisene Marks. Asked how many tickets were issued last year, Walters said he knew of 37 cases for various violations and would look up the parking ticket numbers. As for the out-of-order AT&T pay phone at the Steel Bridge, Walters said there’s no cell phone service in the area, making the pay phone a necessity for public safety. He’s already started a repair ticket with AT&T. Another issue, illegal camping in the dirt parking lot next to the Aptos Village Project Phase 2, was addressed with Walters discussing it with Sheriff Sgt. Jordan Brownlee, who reported the campers are now gone. The road is under two jurisdictions, with the county responsible up to Mangels Gulch, and state parks is responsible for the rest. Another idea was to create “fire lanes” in the park to help emergency vehicles get to calls faster. Central Fire Marshal Mike DeMars said he is working with an officer at State Parks to install fire lane parking restriction signs in the county road area where there were red curbs in the past. “Road Conditions” page 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

New PVWMA Projects

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

Board Approves Recharge & Recovery Plans

n Jan. 20, the Pajaro Valley Water Board of Directors voted unanimously to certify the final environmental impact report for the Watsonville Slough System managed aquifer recharge and recovery projects and approve the projects. With this action, the board has approved all the Phase 1 projects in the Basin Management Plan Update. The Phase 1 projects were determined to be the most cost-effective new water supply projects to help stop groundwater overdraft, seawater intrusion and reach groundwater sustainability. “PV Water has prepared, certified, and approved two EIRs for two critical water supply projects (College Lake and the Sloughs) within 16 months,” said General Manager Brian Lockwood. “This is a significant achievement during the best of times, let alone over the course of a oncein-a-century pandemic. “ “The project approval also positions us well when applying for grant funding,” he added. The projects will include a new pump station at Struve Slough, a pipeline connecting the new diversion with the existing Harkins Slough water treatment facility, a pipeline to new recharge basins, and recovery wells. The facilities will be located on the San Andreas terrace, adjacent to Pajaro “Road Conditions” from page 12

Potholes esidents bemoaned the pothole hazards on Aptos Creek Road and erosion of the road into the creek. “The minute you look down to avoid a pothole, you put yourself at risk of hitting someone,” Edwards said. Steinbruner observed two piles of road base and drain rock in the park and hoped they could be put to use. Asked how much money is needed to fix the road, Walters said he would research that. But he also pointed out the time to fix the road is in April or May, not when rain is still coming. “An atmospheric river could flood the potholes and we’d lose all that rock,” he said, adding that resources are going Big Basin and Butano state parks because they were so badly damaged by the CZU lightning fires. Entry fees for the park go to State Parks’ general fund, so that money isn’t available to fill potholes.

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Valley Water’s existing recharge basin and recovery wells. The next steps for the projects include continued stakeholder outreach, evaluating grants and other funding opportunities, and pursuing environmental permits. Project information, including all documents and presentations delivered to the Board, is at pvwater.org. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency is a state-chartered district formed to manage water supplies to prevent further increase in and to accomplish continuing reduction of long-term overdraft. The agency also works to ensure sufficient water supplies for present and future needs within the greater coastal Pajaro Valley. n ••• For more info, visit www.pvwater.org or www.facebook.com/PajaroValleyWater. Marco said his 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son have been running a snack stand and donating the money to Housing Matters, a local nonprofit. Maybe they could raise awareness, he suggested. “Put up a sign: Fill the potholes,” said Steinbruner. If residents want to help raise money to fix potholes, Walters suggested they donate to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Al Hughes suggested grading the road, as was done in years past, rather than filling potholes. He said he had seen several State Parks graders at Rio del Mar Beach parking lot, seemingly available. Walters said he would look into that. “I feel like there has been progress, but I think there’s a long way to go,” Edwards said. n ••• Got ideas to solve the safety problems at Nisene Marks State Park? Email Jondi Gumz at jondi@timespublishinggroup.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 13

JANUARY 2021

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

SELLER’S MARKET — As of 2/04, there were only 12 Active Listings of homes for Sale in Aptos, and 23 homes have sold so far this year. This means there is only a ½-month supply of inventory in Aptos. In all of Santa Cruz County there are only 138 Active Listings and 141 Sales so far, so about a one-month supply for the County. A “normal” market is 4-6 months of inventory, so we are experiencing super low inventory and it is totally a “Seller’s Market”. Case In point — I just listed 260 Pebble Beach in Aptos, a lovely 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2553 Sq. Ft. home, for $1,499,000 — as that is what the comps indicated would be a good price to attract many buyers. I received 8 offers, and the accepted offer was $1,750,000 — cash — 8 day close, $251,000 over asking price, 17% above list. I also just listed and sold 332 Village Creek, a spacious 1785 Sq. Ft. 2-bed, 2.5 bath townhome in Aptos. Again, multiple offers, list price was $879,000 and while the MLS shows $875,000 as the sale price, the buyer represented himself and waived the commission, so the ‘real’ sales value was $896,875, or $21,875 above asking price, 2.5% above list. HOME VALUES — Aptos Home Values grew significantly year-over-year from 2019 (median sales price $1,000,000) to 2020 (median sales price $1,150,000) and they appear to be on an upward trend so far for 2021. In all of California, 2019 median sales price was $592,450, then $640,330 in 2020, an 8.1% rise. The forecast for 2021 is 1.3% growth to $648,760. I am looking for listings in 2021. I am offering to pay the Seller expenses for the Home, Pest and Sewer Lateral inspections (approx. $1,000 value). So if you know of anyone who might be thinking of selling, send them my way. “SOLD” is my favorite four-letter word.

As always, I am a grateful Aptos resident, enjoying both the rain and the sunshine and all the natural beauty we have here. ——— For all things Real Estate, call, email, text and Get Results With Ruth!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Bearing Witness

Manifesting Black History from Photographic Archives

5 p.m, Curator’s talk via Zoom • Exhibit is ongoing Through March 12

Mayo has mined photographic archives for years, bringing to light historical images that acknowledge the experiences and cultures of underrepresented communities of color. Her inclusive, equity-minded research manifests hidden histories in lives lived outside of the dominant culture. From the family snapshot and the professional portrait to chronicles of photojournalism, these images can be many things — mundane, profound, tragic, uplifting, horrific, beautiful, shocking, poignant, Intimate, public, personal, political, sad, funny … they give mere glimpses into the broad spectrum of perspectives on human experience, but they bear witness to the stories that history—in the case of these images, Black history — is made of. In this exhibition, capital letters are used as a unified way Photographer unknown, W. E. B. Du Bois with the Fisk University class of 1888, to describe Black and individuals Gelatin Silver Print, c. 1888 source: “W. E. B. Du Bois with the Fisk University White Class of 1888.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections, Schomburg and groups. View the online Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division, The gallery at https:// New York Public Library, 2020.

abrillo Gallery presents “Bearing Witness: Manifesting Black History from Photographic Archives,” an online exhibit curated by Kathryn Mayo, professor of photography at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, who teaches antique photographic processes and the history of photography. Mayo will host a Curator’s talk about the exhibit via Zoom on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. you can register for the talk at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tJcpfu6tqD0vG9TQEtKnTVrco8XMbhbxw_qZ

Hugh Mangum, no title, positive image from double exposure on glass plate negative, no date source: Meier, Allison. “An Itinerant Photographer’s Diverse Portraits of the Turn-of-the-Century American South.” Hyperallergic, 21 Jan. 2019 photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNk5OiWIdBJPH5bqygzqj3Yhl8mDLO2V4GCZLtOFdQC9okvQ_zH9eTJ2E2DK_I8vA?key= Nl9jR3N1elgtSXJnVDdOSHFyS0pTLVIzTkd6WHNR n ••• The registration link and online gallery can also be reached at https://www.cabrillo.edu/ cabrillo-gallery/bearing-witness/

Latino Role Models Conference Goes Online

he 2021 Latino Role Models Conference with keynote speaker Manuel Pastor, sociology professor at University of Southern California, will take place 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 online. Latino Role Models, a free conference for Santa Cruz County students from grade 6 to college and their families, is conducted in Spanish with English translation. The goal is to inspire students to achieve their dreams for college and career. Speakers include Ambassador Alejandra Maria Gabriela Bologna Zubikarai, a career diplomat, Erandi Garcia, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and founder of nonprofit Juntos Podemos to educate Spanish–speaking people about public health; and Karen Yuslen Martinez Valencia, 21, a first-generation student who will graduate from UC Merced in spring

14 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Manuel Pastor

Alejandra Zubikarai

2022, and her mom, Claudia Valencia Rojas, a native of Oaxaca who has worked three jobs to survive since coming to the U.S. when her daughter was 6 in search of a better future. The conference is presented by: Senderos; Cabrillo College; Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County; Consulado General de Mexico en San Jose; Greater Opportunities for Adult Learning (GOAL); Live Oak School District, Pajaro

Erandi Garcia

Claudia Rojas • Karen Valencia

Valley Unified School District; Santa Cruz City Schools; Santa Cruz County Office of Education; Santa Cruz County College Commitment; Senderos; Soquel Union Elementary School District; UC Santa Cruz: The Humanities Institute and the Institute for Social Transformation. n To register, visit https://scsenderos.org/ events/latino-role-models2021/ Learn more at https://transform.ucsc.edu/ event/latino-role-models-2021/

Mistake Corrected

COMMUNITY NEWS

PVUSD Superintendent Rodriguez Fired, Then Rehired

n Jan. 31, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board voted unanimously to unconditionally rescind the action it took on Jan. 27, terminating Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. Those who voted in support of the action terminating Dr. Rodriguez on Jan. 27 were swayed by the outpouring of support for Dr. Rodriguez. A statement issued by the superintendent and Jennifer Holm, the new board president, said: “If there is a lesson to be learned in the events of this last week, it is that to be human we will occasionally make mistakes, but to be a strong human is to acknowledge and correct our mistakes. Tonight, our Board showed its strength by correcting a mistake. We ask for the community’s understanding to allow these lessons to come to fruition with grace. We appreciate our community for their involvement and support of our school district. We thank Dr. Rodriguez for her willingness to return and continue to lead our school district. Our Board is

Michelle Rodriguez

Jennifer Holm

dedicated to working together and with Dr. Rodriguez to continuously improve our District in supporting our students, classified, certificated and management staff and our community.” The statement capped a stunning turn of events, first with former board president Georgia Acosta presiding over the meeting where the board voted 4-3 to fire the superintendent. Voting with her were newly seated board member Oscar Soto, who had been chosen in December to be vice president, and trustees Jennifer Schacher and Daniel Dodge Jr. Holm voted no along with trustees Kim De Serpa and Maria Orozco.

A special meeting was set for two days hence to choose an interim superintendent. At that meeting, some 200 people wanted to comment, including revered actor Edward James Olmos, known for his role as a teacher in the film “Stand and Deliver,” who sent a video in praise of the superintendent. The public comments supporting the superintendent lasted more than four hours after which Schacher proposed to rescind the termination, an action that could not be taken as it was not on the agenda. Another special meeting was scheduled two days hence. The board listened to six hours of public comments, again supporting the superintendent. Then Acosta and Soto said they would change their votes, citing threats against themselves and their families. Dodge and Schacher also said they would change their votes. With that, the vote to rescind the

“If there is a lesson to be learned in the events of this last week, it is that to be human we will occasionally make mistakes, but to be a strong human is to acknowledge and correct our mistakes.” — Jennifer Holm, PVUSD Board President

termination was unanimous, and Holm was chosen as president, Schacher as vice president. Afterward, Holm and the superintendent issued a statement denouncing any threats of violence and supporting a criminal investigation. It’s not clear what prompted the attempted ouster. Hiring or firing a superintendent is a personnel matter requiring confidentiality, and there’s no requirement for an explanation to the public. n

Why PVUSD Will Delay In-Person Instruction

Editor’s note: Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Pajaro Valley Unified School District superintendent, Leticia Oropeza, president of California School Employees Association and Nelly Vaquera-Boggs, Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers president, sent this letter to parents on Feb. 11 to explain the delay in returning to in-person instruction. ••• Dear PVUSD Community, hank you to our students, staff, families and community for the resilience and flexibility that you have shown as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic. Teaching staff, students, and families made the challenging shift to distance learning. Classified staff have shown up each and every day to ensure students are engaged and the need of the whole child is met. Classified staff have also ensured facilities and services are operationally sound and meat all health and safety guidelines. We individually and collec-

tively continue to experience a range of emotions from great loss, frustration, isolation, and now of increasing hope. Out hope in recent months had been to return in-person instruction on Mar. 1. Unfortunately, data and conditions such as case- and vaccination-rates are not at the levels necessary to allow for a phased-in return to in-person instruction until potentially after Spring Break. Our readiness work continues unabated, and a path forward is becoming clearer as we move towards vaccinations for all staff, and case rates continue to decrease. “PVUSD Letter” page 17

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

College Lake Rural Pipe Under Study T he Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Board of Directors took another step to advance the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project by providing direction to staff to further investigate the “Rural College Lake Pipeline Alignment.” A technical study conducted by consultant Jacobs Engineers concluded the Rural Pipeline Alignment would have fewer impacts on the community by lessening the time of construction, avoiding utility congestion, and costing less than the alignment described in the College Lake environmental impact report. The Rural Alignment would avoid most of the City of Watsonville by going east and then south of the City center. The rural alignment was first considered in the 2014 Basin Management Plan update. “The PV Water Board wants to reach groundwater sustainability as efficiently as possible with the least amount of disruption to the community and we believe this alignment fits into our mission,” said Board Chairwoman Amy Newell. “The

Board works to keep costs as low as possible, and when we’re presented with better options for a future project we want to know more and do our homework.” The College Lake Project will provide much needed surface-water resources to the Pajaro Valley, by pumping, treating, and conveying College Lake water to Pajaro Valley Water’s existing 23 miles of coastal distribution system service area, which provides approximately 5,700 acres of farms with alternative water supplies compared to pumping groundwater, to stop groundwater overdraft and prevent further seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, which has been documented since the 1950s. Next steps include environmental studies of the alignment to prepare an addendum to the EIR. PV Water will be hosting public meetings to keep the community informed, to receive comments and listen to concerns. Pajaro Valley relies on groundwater to meet more than 90 percent of demand. To learn more about the College Lake

16 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Aerial view of College Lake looking east. Integrated Resources Management Project and the new preferred alignment, contact PV Water at 831-722-9292 or go to pvwater. org. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency is a state-chartered water management district formed to efficiently and economically manage existing and supplemental water supplies in order to prevent further increase in, and to accomplish continuing reduction of, long-term overdraft.

Photo Credit: PVWMA

The agency also works to provide and ensure sufficient water supplies for present and future anticipated needs within its boundaries, generally the greater coastal Pajaro Valley. PV Water’s Board of Directors is focused on achieving groundwater sustainability for the critically overdrafted Pajaro Valley Groundwater Basin. ••• For information, visit: www.pvwater.org or www.facebook.com/PajaroValleyWater.

“PVUSD Letter” from page 15 The formal decision for the delay to return to in-person instruction will occur at the Feb. 24 board meeting. The case rate for COVID-19 is gradually beginning to decline in both the state and in Santa Cruz County. However, the county continues to be in the widespread Purple category and the areas within PVUSD boundaries are currently double the percentage of known cases than in other parts of the county. Due to the significant number of cases in our District boundaries, we have placed substantial emphasis on ensuring that all staff — including classified, certificated, and management — have access to both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the return to in-person instruction. Dignity Health has partnered with PVUSD, through the County Office of Education, to provide vaccines to PVUSD employees ahead of the County Health Department’s Timeline. Dignity is prioritizing their own vaccines to include PVUSD classified and certificated employees who are working with preschool, transitional, and food services staff. In the last week, approximately 250 PVUSD employees have received an opportunity to be vaccinated. Over the weekend of Feb. 6, 310 staff members — including bus drivers, employees working in our Safe Spaces, elementary office staff, and yard duty personnel — will receive the vaccine. PVUSD is committed to swiftly providing the opportunity for all staff to get vaccinated and is continuing to work with local healthcare providers and the County Health Department to ensure all PVUSD employees have the opportunity to receive the vaccine. On the day teachers and instructional staff are assigned their vaccine appointment, they will be providing asynchronous work to enswure they have the adequate time to make the appointment. Staff should reach out to the site administrator if there are any questions or concerns. Apart from vaccinations, PVUSD has implemented multiple additional mitigation strategies to prepare for return to in-person instruction. Currently, we are utilizing the Small Group Cohorting Guidance successfully with seven Safe Spaces locations, 10 Special Education cohorts, three elementary

general education cohorts, and three secondary general education cohorts. We will continue to expand the number of students served in small-group cohorts over the next several months. Additional examples of mitigation strategies include: • Purchase of additional PPE and face shields for all staff and students • Installation of hand sanitizer stations throughout the campus at entrances and within classrooms without sinks • Acquisition of three-sided barriers for individual student desks to promote physical distancing • Comprehensive Interagency evaluation of ventilation system throughout district with $4 million of repairs to facilities HVAC up to MERV 13 filters and windows • Purchase of 1,200 HEPA filters for all classrooms and areas with the need for additional ventilation • Installation of thermal scanners for symptom screening at each site To ensure that our system is ready, we began Surveillance Testing on Dec. 4, 2020. PVUSD is currentloy providing surveillance testing to our employees within various departments including Food Services, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, and District Office. On Jan. 14, California Department of Public Health updated the surveillance testing requirement from one every two months to once every two weeks for hybrid in-person instruction. Therefore, when we are providing in-person instruction beyond the small-group cohorting, we must — and

will — provide surveillance testing to all staff every two weeks. To meet that expectation, in the next several weeks, we will expand surveillance

testing to additional classified and certificated staff currently working on site or with plans to work on site. Scaling up surveillance testing is another important readiness factor for returning to in-person instruction. PVUSD’s commitment remains to address the needs of our students and educational community, while keeping health and safety our top priority. Despite the hardship and uncertainty of these times, and regardless of our individual circumstance, our community has come together to support our students and each other. Please know that we all want to see our students back in the classroom when it is safe to do so. Sincerely, — Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent — Leticia Oropeza, CSEA President — Nelly Vaquera-Boggs, PVFT President

Visit https://tinyurl.com/y2vvavta to see the full graphic.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 17

FEATURED COLUMNIST

More Children Seeing a Dentist, But More Needs to be Done By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

n early February, the Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County Steering Committee — an organization made up of local nonprofit, education, health and elected leaders — hosted the virtual Oral Health Summit 2021. The purpose was to provide a state of local oral health in our community and to recognize those who have been championing oral health for the underserved in our county. The Oral Health Access Steering Committee was founded in 2016 in response to the first oral health needs assessment in Santa Cruz County, which showed significant gaps and need for improving access and outcomes in oral health care in our community. For example, fewer than 1 in 3 patients with Medi-Cal were accessing dental care at the time, even though they had dental insurance through Medi-Cal. The numbers were even lower for young, low-income, children. As a result, the Committee decided to focus on three key elements: 1) Promote a First Tooth First Birthday Campaign: To ensure that the youngest were seeing dentists around their first birthday to set them on a course of oral health moving forward 2) Encourage kindergarten oral health screenings 3) Expand treatment, prevention and clinical capacity The results have been very encouraging. Over the last four years, through partnerships with local dental clinics, County Health Services, local hospitals and safety net clinics a robust education campaign has significantly increased visits for 0-2 year-olds. In fact, MediCal 0-2 year-olds accessing dental care has risen from 16 percent in 2014 to 52 percent in 2018 (the most recent data) an increase of more than 200 percent. There is still room for growth but this increase is the highest in the state and appears due to the concerted outreach efforts. The second focus was to promote kindergarten oral health screenings. This ensures that children will have a dentist

David Brody, First 5 Santa Cruz County executive director, and Alicia Fernandez, health outreach and enrollment supervisor, won the Team Award for their synergistic collaboration to promote oral health education to families of young children. To expand treatment and clinical that they will see regularly and continue to build that connection with oral health. capacity, Salute Para La Gente increased The County Office of Education and local the number of dental hygienists and school districts worked to include oral Dientes added a 3-chair clinic in the health screening forms in enrollment Beach Flats as well as added a new chair packets and local dental clinics, such in the Watsonville clinic last year. As a result, treatments were able to as Salute Para La Gente and increase. In fact, there has been Dientes, prioritized these prea 51 percent increase in dental ventive visits. As a result, since visits and 30 percent increase in 2014, Medi-Cal visits for children dental patients compared to 2014. in this age group increased nearly Moving forward, Dientes plans to 80 percent. expand access further with a new The third focus was to expand clinic in Live Oak. prevention, treatment and clinical Even with these improvecapacity. From a prevention standAlicia Fernandez ments, it’s clear some gaps point, the Committee worked

Non-dental remain. with local pediatricians and professional We all have the ability to family doctors to apply Teams Award improve oral health outcomes fluoride varnish to teeth at medical well-child in our community, especially for the most visits for children 0-5. vulnerable. If you work for an organization Fluoride varnish is an that might be interested in incorporating easy and effective oral health education for employees you way to signifi- can Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County cantly decrease for support (website below). Education about the importance of oral dental decay and takes less than 30 seconds to apply. Dientes, Cabrillo health, and where services can be provided, and the County worked to train medical is one of the key gaps. Funding is always providers and staff on the application and another gap and attendees at the Summit ultimately there has been a 200 percent had asked for ways additional funding increase in the application of the varnish could be provided. Possible solutions presented included adding dental benefits to by medical providers.

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Medicare and continued funding for local oral health programs from the State. If you’re interested in learning more you can see the 2021 Oral Health Report Card and listen to a recording of the Oral Health Summit at http://oralhealthscc. org/. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting regular tele-townhalls with County and community leaders monthly on the first Tuesday 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 any issue during the town halls or you can always call me at 454-2200. ••• Cover Photo: Noel Kelsch, Cabrillo College dental hygiene program director, is given the Outstanding Dental Professional Award for passionately promoting oral health care both locally and globally, advocating oral health care for vulnerable populations, and commitment to education and training of future dental professionals.

Cynthia Mathews wins the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of oral health promotion as past Mayor, Santa Cruz City Council member, and current member of the Oral Health Access Steering Committee during which time she has spearheaded water fluoridation efforts and advocacy, led the charge for increased investments to community programs including more access to dental services, and has supported a new dental clinic in the City of Santa Cruz.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Under the Pier

D I D YO U K N O W? We maintain over 160 miles of pipeline from Capitola to La Selva Beach.

Photo Credit: Rich O’Rielly

Your Community Partner for Reliable Water

This unusual perspective of the Aptos pier was well-liked on the Aptosia Facebook page. We like it, too!

I Ask You Not By Aurora Justina Rufolo, née Falzone (1927-2020) Editor’s Note: In January, the Aptos Times featured Capitola resident Aurora Justina Rufolo in a new column, Loved Ones Lost, about people who have succumbed to COVID-19. Her family shared

this poem explaining why she chose to be cremated. Would you like your family member featured in Loved Ones Lost? Email jondi@timespublishinggroup.com or call 831-688-7549 x17.

I ask you not to weep, Not to heap my grave With the weight of your tears.

Feel me in soft feline fur, Smell me in fragrant flowers.

Your tears burden me. I cannot sanction sadness, I am not interested in Sacred soil or barren land. You can see me in star-studded sky, Hear me in the ocean’s roar,

Seek me, find me In the song of a mocking bird And in the perfect curve of a rainbow. Unfettered, my memory Lives in your memory – If you will have it so. (2001)

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Questions About Homes on Rural Roads and Fire Safety T he state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will host a virtual workshop at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 to discuss proposed fire safety regulations that impact rural roads such as those in Santa Cruz County that are not 14 feet wide. A new draft, dated Feb. 8, is available for review at bof.fire.ca.gov/business/ under the header “February 24 Workshop.” Comment letters are requested arrive to Board staff by Feb. 17, so staff and Board members can review the letters before the workshop. Land Use Planning Program Manager Edith Hannigan is seeking feedback on several policy questions. Here is her request: Feedback Requested from Board Members & Stakeholders 1) Thresholds regarding ADU and Wildfire Rebuild Exemptions n the spring of 2020, the Board addressed the applicability of the

Questions: • Is this threshold for road width appropriate? • How frequently should this width be required — every few hundred feet, every quarter mile, every half mile, etc? 3) Thresholds regarding existing roads ver the last two months, to the Board and stakeholders asked for these regulations to establish a threshold for when a project should be required to address the safety of existing roads leading to the project. The offsite road requirements are in addition to complying with the Fire Safe Regulations within the project boundary. The Feb. 8 draft requires all building construction subject to these regulations to comply with all applicable requirements within the Perimeter of the proposed project (see § 1270.03(b) on page 14). Public comments, while generally supportive of thresholds for the need to improve existing roads, offered several different options for how those thresholds might be set or calculated. We have proposed three different options for stakeholders to contemplate. These options are not mutually exclusive; they could be combined in a final draft. Please see the options in § 1270.03(c) on pages 14-15 in yellow highlight. Questions: • Which of these options are preferable? Is there another option we have not contemplated here, and how or why is it superior to these options? • What thresholds might be appropriate for Option 2? The requirements for a project that must ensure existing roads providing access to the project meet the minimum requirements are in § 1273.05.02 Built Roads, page 41-43. This section includes criteria for when a development can be allowed on an existing road and when an existing road is unsafe to the degree that construction cannot occur along it unless the road is brought up to the minimum standard(s) in § 1273.05.02 Built Roads. Questions: • Are these thresholds reasonable? • Any additional safety criteria that should be considered here?

O State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the rebuilding of structures lost due to wildfire by using the emergency rulemaking process to write exemptions for both types of construction. The Feb. 8 draft proposes to keep those exemptions in place, with some modifications to the wildfire rebuilding exemption.

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See § 1270.03.01 Exemptions, subsection (b), pages 16-17. • Question: Is the allowable 20% increase appropriate? While the Board is sensitive to the intersecting, and at times conflicting, policy issues of increasing housing production and improving wildfire safety, it is worth contemplating if there is a point at which a road providing access to an ADU or a road within a wildfire perimeter is of such substandard quality that to build, or rebuild, along it would be creating or replicating an excessively hazardous situation. Staff would like to propose that where an existing road cannot provide a 14-foot wide traffic lane for at least 22 feet of length at a certain frequency or interval, the exemptions for ADUs and wildfire rebuilds are not applicable. • Question: is this limitation on ADUs and wildfire rebuilds appropriate? 2) Thresholds for Limiting Developing on Existing Roads taff would like to propose that where an existing road cannot provide a 14-foot wide traffic lane for at least 22 feet of length at a certain frequency or interval, no commercial, industrial or residential development be allowed until the road meets the minimum standards. The proposed 14-foot traffic lane width is the minimum required width for one-way roads and driveways, and the 22 feet of length is the minimum required length for turnouts under these regulations. Our proposal (see § 1273.05.02 Built Roads, subsection (a), on page 41) does not yet specify how frequently the traffic lane must be 14 feet wide.

S Independent, nonprofit school CAIS & WASC accredited Nonsectarian Bus transportation Take a virtual campus tour:

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“Rural Roads” page 22

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Help! There’s a Blob On My New TV There’s a blob on the screen of Pam Harper’s new Samsung TV. She wants a refund or replacement, but the company wants to fix it. Who’s right? ••• purchased a new 50-inch Samsung smart TV on sale for $416 at Target recently. It doesn’t work and I’m trying to get a refund or replacement. After I set up the TV, I noticed that the remote wasn’t working correctly. A red light kept blinking and the remote would freeze, unable to connect with the TV. I called and a Samsung technician talked me through several steps and determined it was a faulty remote. Samsung sent me a new remote. Earlier this month, the TV stopped showing an image. It just displayed a small strip of color at the top with the remainder of the screen totally black. It then switched from black to dark charcoal and back. Then

By Christopher Elliott

no picture would show at all and the sound was only intermittent. Several times a huge, rounded uneven black “blob” would appear around the middle of the screen, obscuring a big part of the picture. I’ve contacted Samsung on several occasions, finally appealing to the office of the president. A representative told me they couldn’t help because the TV warranty wouldn’t include a replacement. I have absolutely no faith in this new TV. I was advised not to bother with buying an extended warranty, but now I wish I had. Can you help me get a replacement or a refund? — Pam Harper, Kihei, Hawaii ••• our TV should have worked for more than a few weeks. And yes, while it’s technically true that your Samsung warranty doesn’t cover a replacement, the

22 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

company should have done more than just refer you to a local repair shop. Samsung did the right thing when it sent you a new remote. But when the rest of your new TV malfunctioned, it should have replaced the TV, too. It doesn’t work that way, though. Take a look at your warranty, at https:// www.samsung.com/us/support/service/ warranty/UN50TU8000FXZA. It says the company will repair or replace this product “if found to be defective during the limited warranty period specified above.” But Samsung gets to determine whether to repair or replace, not you. And the company wanted to repair by sending a technician. It looks like you tried to make contact with a nearby authorized repair center, but you couldn’t connect. Meanwhile, your TV sat in your living room during the pandemic, a useless blob. It looks as if you reached out to one

“Rural Roads” from page 20 4) “Areas of Refuge” As an alternative to requiring existing roads meet a certain engineering or construction standard, building construction could instead provide for an “area of refuge” where people could shelter safely at a site at or near their location. This alternative is not contemplated in the February 8 rule plead, but draft language for such an idea can be found in Attachment 3, Areas of Refuge Proposal. • Question: Should this concept be incorporated into these regulations? n

of the higher-level executive contacts at Samsung — see https://www.elliott.org/ company-contacts/samsung/ — and this was their final decision. But I list more names on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org, and you might have appealed to one of the managers. I’m not sure if an extended warranty would have covered you any better. Normally, an extended warranty only covers your device for more time. You were still well within the warranty period when you contacted me. I asked Samsung about your case. In response, the company offered you a full refund. n ••• Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www. elliott.org/help • © 2021 Christopher Elliott. •••

Reminder on emergency regulations The emergency regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law and took effect July 27, 2020. Two executive orders extended the usual timelines so these regulations will be in effect for 300 days, until May 26, 2021. The last day to submit re-adoption paperwork to Office of Administrative Law is May 14, so action must be taken at the April 7 Board meeting for these regulations to be in effect until permanent rules can be in place. The Board can readopt these emergency regulations twice, as usual, but each re-adoption will be in effect for 270 days (usually 90). Upon a first re-adoption of these emergency regulations at the Board’s April 7, 2021, meeting, these regulations will be in effect through Feb. 2022. To register for the workshop, go to: https://register. gotowebinar.com/register/523468841114997607

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Damaging Effects of Social Isolation Due to COVID-19

By Timothy R. Jennings

hope we can have reasonable and rational discussions about the various governmental responses to COVID-19 and their impact on society. From the beginning of this pandemic, I have been critical of the way various government officials have responded and dealt with this problem. I have voiced concerns of an imbalanced media that has focused almost exclusively on a single data point — the number of positive cases and reported deaths — which has subsequently heightened fear in the population and allowed for excessively restrictive policies to be passed without calculating the health impact of social isolation, making it difficult to create an effective but also balanced community response. Below, I summarize studies that have documented the negative health impact of social isolation on people. It becomes quite evident that certain leaders have made public policy decisions that are based on, essentially, one data point — COVID transmission — while ignoring the negative health impact of forced social isolation in their communities. The Evidence: • A systematic review of 40 studies found a significant association between social isolation and increased all-causes of death, increased cardiovascular disease, and worsening mental health. The researchers wrote, “Policy makers and health and local government commissioners should consider social isolation and loneliness as important upstream factors impacting on morbidity and mortality due to their effects on cardiovascular and mental health” (Leigh-Hunt, N., et al, An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness, Public Health; 152 (Nov 2017): 157–171.). • In another study, researchers found that after controlling for depression, physical co-morbidities, age, gender, living alone status, employment, and accommodation that social isolation was significantly associated, to a degree that was clinically relevant, with worsening physical health and well-being (Hawton, A., et al., The impact of social isolation on the health status and health-related quality of life of older people, Quality of Life Research; 20 (2011):57–67).

• A study of social isolation on white, Black, and Hispanic elderly individuals found that social isolation is strongly associated with physical and mental health problems in elderly populations of whites and Blacks and worsening mental health in Hispanics (Miyawaki, C., Association of social isolation and health across different racial and ethnic groups of older Americans, Ageing Society (2015 Nov); 35(10): 2201–2228). • In a study of more than 20,000 older people (58% women) from Asia, Europe, and America during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that social distancing negatively affects the physical and mental health of older people (Sepúlveda-Loyola, W., et al. Impact of Social Isolation Due to COVID-19 on Health in Older People: Mental and Physical Effects and Recommendations. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging (2020) https://doi. org/10.1007/s12603-020-1469-2). • Studies have found loneliness and social isolation alters gene expression in white blood cells, which decreases the body’s ability to fight viral infections (Cole, S., et al., Social regulation of gene expression in human leukocytes; Genome Biology 2007, 8:R189). • A study of more than 3,000 adults ages 57 to 85 found that social distancing increased the sense of social isolation, which directly predicted higher rates of depression and anxiety, while social

connection was directly associated with lower rates of anxiety and depression in older adults. The researchers concluded, “Public health initiatives could reduce perceived isolation by facilitating social network integration and participation in community activities, thereby protecting against the development of affective disorders [depression and anxiety]” (Santini, Z, et al., Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): a longitudinal mediation analysis, The Lancet Public Health; Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2020, pages e62-e70). This is just a brief sampling of the multitude of studies that have documented the negative impact of social isolation on health and wellbeing. The facts are clear: Social isolation worsens physical health and mental health and increases all causes of death. Yet, such mandates continue to be forced upon us with little or no regard for their damaging effects. Additionally, the increased stress from social isolation and the worsening in anxiety and depression can trigger multiple other health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, impaired wound healing, worsened pain states, increased inflammatory factors, which increase the risk of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dementia. Not only have these mandatory social restrictions contributed to health problems for

millions, but many who already had chronic health problems have missed or postponed appointments with their physicians, potentially worsening their health and putting them at a greater risk of complications and even death. Others have suffered unnecessarily as surgeries of all types have been postponed. The mandatory shutdowns of businesses have destroyed many family businesses that have provided income for their families for generations, and now these families not only have increased stress from new financial pressures, but their children and children’s children no longer have the business to provide for them and their families. The negative impact of the various governments’ mandates will be felt for generations to come. While I am critical of the superficial level of decision-making made by so many public officials, I am even more disappointed with the Christian community for being so easily manipulated by fear into closing their doors and abandoning their mission to take the gospel to the world and minister to their communities in this time of increased stress. Many Christian leaders have failed to remember that the primary purpose of the church is to promote the gospel, which brings people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ so they will receive eternal life. However, this COVID pandemic and the fear of death of this mortal life have caused many churches to pull back and conform to governmental restrictions on our religious liberty. Who knows how many people have died during these COVID restrictions without having received the gospel, people who would have been brought to Jesus had the churches remained open? Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NKJV). We could say, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains an extra 30 years of earthly life and loses his own soul?” The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of hope, of love, of truth – and perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). But the Bible says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV84). The roar of the lion doesn’t directly injure; it incites fear, and fear causes people to freeze, to stop thinking, to run away, and to act to save self. Fear and love are opposites. As fear goes up, love goes down; as love goes up, fear goes down. “Isolation” page 25

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 23

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Panetta: Farmworker COVID Vaccine Outreach Vital for $50 Billion Industry Editor’s Note: U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) led a group of Congressional members in a letter to Gov. Newsom to ensure outreach to farmworkers as part of the State of California’s Phase 1B distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine. ••• Dear Governor Newsom, e commend your decision to prioritize food and farm workers in the State of California’s Phase 1B distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine. As you continue leading the state’s vaccination efforts, we write to request that vaccine distribution is equitable for all full-time and part-time residents and that there is a robust educational campaign for these essential workers to feel secure in seeking out and accepting the vaccine. California’s 800,000 agricultural workers are an essential workforce responsible for sustaining California’s $50 billion agricultural industry and the production of America’s fresh food supply. Employment in California agriculture is highly cyclical, with more than 254,000 migrant, seasonal, or migrant foodprocessing workers traversing the state each year. At the county level, the seasonal workforce may double during harvest, however on an individual farm, the harvest-to-winter worker ratio may be as high as 100 to 1. Due to the unique composition of the communities in our districts, we encourage a farmworkerspecific component in any vaccination plan

that rises to the challenges of enumerating our migrant agricultural workforce to ensure they are accounted for. We applaud the steps you have taken to partner with Blue Shield of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expand the efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the state. We also commend your role in advising the private partners of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19, including CVS and Walgreens, on the unique needs of our great state. We will continue to advocate at the federal level for an increase in vaccine doses being sent out to states. As you continue the important task of making decisions and advising on the equitable distribution of vaccines and mobile clinics to counties, we urge you to include our migrant food and farm workers in your allocation plans.

Over the past several months, we worked across the aisle to secure substantial funding in H.R. 133 for agricultural worker safety. Since that bill was signed into law in late December 2020, we have been advocating for at least $1 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture funds for COVID-19 mitigations in agricultural communities. As we continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure USDA prioritizes agricultural worker safety, we look to you to take steps to conduct both linguistically accessible and culturally appropriate outreach to agricultural communities that have suffered disproportionately from this virus. While agricultural communities have worked to provide personal protective equipment and take measures to safeguard employees, farmworkers have accounted for a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic. Recently,

a University of California Berkeley white paper (published Dec. 2, 2020), detailed the outcomes from the first long-term study on the prevalence of, and the risk factors for, COVID-19 infection among California’s agricultural laborers. From mid-July to November 2020, 13% of the 1,091 farmworkers enrolled in the study tested positive for COVID-19. This is 8% higher than California’s population as a whole. Further, antibody results from farmworkers who tested negative for active infection revealed that antibody was 19.4% by October. The need for rapid vaccination in these communities is clear. However, we are concerned that, due to previous harmful rhetoric and efforts to create distrust in immigrant communities, there may be added challenges when it comes to ensuring our food and farm workers have the information they need to access vaccine distribution sites and feel safe taking the vaccine. Unfortunately, with dangerous new strains emerging around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The coming weeks will be critical to curb the spread of this virus and we must work together to keep our promises to the agricultural communities in California who have shown up to do their jobs and put food on our tables. We look forward to partnering with you on these efforts. Sincerely, — Jimmy Panetta, Member of Congress — Jim Costa, Member of Congress

Can COVID Vaccines Prevent Nursing Home Deaths? Let’s Evaluate

Editor’s Note: The clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines evaluated the effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease and severe illness, and did not include long-term care residents. The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living are asking the federal Centers for Disease Control to evaluate the vaccines’ effectiveness in this population for preventing spread and reducing mortality. Here is the appeal from Mark Parkinson, AHCA/NCAL president & CEO, to Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the CDC director. ••• hank you for your leadership in helping to prioritize long-term care residents and staff for the COVID-19 vaccine. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide

care to approximately five million people each year, appreciates the CDC’s efforts to both expeditiously and methodically vaccinate our unique population. Facing an unprecedented and monumental task, the CDC’s pharmacy partnership program for long-term care has been a great success. This reflects the hard work and commitment of your agency to ensure that vaccinations in long term care are efficient and effective. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have also appreciated the CDC’s rapid development of guidance on infection control practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has been devastating to long term care residents and staff. This guidance, which included restricting visitors and group activities, was necessary to help

24 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

save as many lives as possible, as the virus uniquely targets our residents—primarily older adults with multiple chronic conditions. However, now with millions of our residents and staff getting vaccinated, we hope to see swift changes to the current guidance in order to improve the quality of life for our residents. To achieve this goal, we ask for CDC’s support to rapidly evaluate the vaccines’ effectiveness among the long-term care population in both preventing spread and in reducing morbidity and mortality. We understand the clinical trials only evaluated the effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease and severe illness, and participants did not include long term care residents. Therefore, further study is needed on the vaccines’ impact

on transmission and our population before revising guidance to long term care settings. We support this approach; however, we ask that the CDC expedite this evaluation of the vaccines in order to bring clarity to states, providers, residents and family members as soon as possible. Fortunately, preliminary analysis by AHCA/NCAL suggests that the vaccines may be as effective as we hoped. Our research division, the Center for Health Policy Evaluation in Long Term Care, found that COVID-19 cases decreased at a faster rate among nursing homes that had completed their first vaccine clinic, compared to nearby nursing homes that had not yet administered the vaccine. “COVID Vaccines” page 26

Ash Wednesday Services The Episcopal Church of St John he Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist plans “Ashes to Go” on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the church parking lot. The new location is designed to distribute ashes to those that want them and discourage congregating as in years past. All services will be “no contact” — individuals will impose ashes on themselves from individual ash containers, and no communion is planned. Here is the schedule: Ashes to Go, 6:30-9:30 a.m., parking lot. Ash Wednesday liturgy, noon, front courtyard. Ashes to Go, 4-6:30 p.m., parking lot. Ash Wednesday liturgy, 7 p.m. online, Zoom & YouTube. If you’d like to have ashes to impose

“Isolation” from page 23 During this past year have you heard the roar of our enemy the lion? Have you heard the drumbeat of “fear, fear, fear”? Have you felt the pressure to isolate, to stay at home, to stop ministering in your community, to shut the doors of your church? Have you seen love go down in our society? Have you seen people more and more focused on themselves? Have you seen the arguments at grocery stores, in parking lots, “wear your mask, get back six feet, don’t walk down that aisle”? Where is the love, the compassion, the respect? Has concern for this mortal life eclipsed concern for your neighbor’s eternal life? Have we allowed community leaders and media outlets to so fill our minds with a worldview of fear that we have lost sight of Christ and our mission to fulfill His commission to take the gospel to the world? What makes this even more incredible is that this has not happened with a disease like the bubonic plague (Black Death), which kills nearly 100 percent of the people who contract it and which killed up to 50 percent of the population in 14th-century Europe. No – this panic has happened in response to a relatively benign virus in which 99.5 to 99.8% of people who contract it survive! What I am saying is this: The biggest threat to our society is not the virus itself; it is the fear we have allowed to take root in our hearts that has caused us to stop thinking, to focus almost exclusively on one data point, and then take actions (social isolation) that injure ourselves, our communities — now and for generations to come — and obstruct the gospel of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to stop focusing on the virus, stop listening to the fear-promoting media, and step back, refocus on Jesus,

on yourself during the online service at 7 p.m., you can pick up a container during either of the “Ashes to Go” drive-through times in the church parking lot. You could also “create” ashes for yourself at home by lighting a candle, blowing it out, and then touching the wick once it has cooled to get a small amount of ash on your fingertips. ••• Resurrection Community ass will be indoors at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7600 Soquel Drive. Masks must be worn. Reservations are required. For reservations see https:// pastorstoolbox.com/save-a-seat/135d62f19aa8-554a-bb41-2120990d40ea/315. No events available means seating

expand your perspective beyond a single data-point, consider the larger reality and the impact of any intervention, and consider all of this under the umbrella of love for others, valuing the kingdom of God and eternal life over the self-first kingdoms of this world and temporal life. For those inquiring about what I think is a rational, reasonable public response to COVID-19, it is to provide citizens with information as it becomes available and to allow them to determine the level of risk they are willing to take without governmentmandated restrictions on liberty. I would recommend supporting any action that does not interfere with individual liberty and the gospel commission, such as removing objects that people share (pens, magazine, etc.), increased hand-washing, making available hand sanitizers, stop handshaking (something I personally did several years ago simply because I was tired of getting common colds), voluntary mask wearing, voluntary increased spacing of seating, increased cleaning of common surfaces, individual testing for the virus when indicated, etc. But any actions that mandate closure of churches or businesses, or which prohibits ministry to people in need, including prohibitions on families from visiting their relatives in hospitals and nursing homes, should be opposed. n ••• Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., is a boardcertified psychiatrist, master psychopharmacologist, international speaker, Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Fellow of the Southern Psychiatric Association. He is president and founder of Come and Reason Ministries and has served as president of the Southern and Tennessee Psychiatric Associations. Dr. Jennings has authored many books, including The God-Shaped Brain, The God-Shaped Heart, and The Aging Brain.

COMMUNITY NEWS

capacity has been reached. Ashes will be distributed at both masses, contact-free. There will be a 9 a.m. livestream for those at home. Ashes will be distributed from 10 a.m. — noon and 5–6 p.m. for those unable to attend in person or have concerns about attending an indoor mass. ••• Aptos United Methodist sh Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten journey toward the Easter celebration. This year there will be a reflective service of scripture and music online at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

To view, go to https://zoom.us/j/952 46349962?pwd=Vk5hS254dm9iK3RkMi9D Y0RrUW92Zz09 The service will be recorded and posted to watch later in the day. The Worship Team is buying small plants for members. Last year’s ashes will be sprinkled over the plants, which will be staged outdoors at the church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, after the Sunday service. Members can pick their plant up anytime between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening. In this time of social distancing, you are invited to apply the dirt and ashes at home to yourself, or between members of your household. n

Golden Age of Television

ACROSS

1. *Quiz show whistleblower, ____ Stempel 5. Time std. 8. “____ Like it Hot” movie 12. Walkie-talkie word 13. Wild hog 14. Blender setting 15. Coniferous tree 16. Of long ago 17. Gastric problem 18. *A show that had a Ball 20. Surveyor’s map 21. Changes to a manuscript 22. Mai follower 23. Get a move on

26. * Superman portrayer 29. Knot-tying words 30. Like unskilled work 33. Play with a bow 35. New Mexico’s state flower 37. Will Ferrell’s Christmas classic 38. On the radio 39. Nobel Peace Prize capital 40. Beat around the bush 42. Toddler 43. SAT administrator 45. Software plug-ins 47. Facebook photo option 48. Indulgence of impulses 50. Brees or Barrymore 52. *”Dragnet” sergeant 56. Old Brazilian coins

57. Pakistan’s official language 58. *”Your Show of Shows” comedian Reiner 59. Novelist Zola 60. Not made up 61. *”The ____ of Night” 62. Extinct bird 63. Call minus c 64. Gloom’s companion

DOWN

1. Arizona tribe 2. Bad to the bone 3. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe 4. Warrant for officer promotion with no pay 5. As opposed to stay in 6. Chagall and Anthony 7. 3-pointer in basketball 8. *”Toast of the Town”

host 9. Willy of “Free Willy” 10. Track event 11. Always, to a poet 13. Reference to the writer 14. Between larvae and adults 19. Allergic reaction to bee sting 22. ____ Aviv 23. *Ranger’s call to Silver 24. Sunbaked, archaically speaking 25. Wall or pedestal support 26. Kon-Tiki, e.g. 27. One of the Muses 28. Offspring 31. Getting warm 32. Not in good health 34. Tiny leftovers 36. *Abbott’s comedic

partner 38. Online purchase 40. *Marjorie Reynolds in “The Life of Riley” 41. Scolding 44. Schoolmarm’s whip 46. Defrosted 48. Popular winter boot brand 49. Put it to the metal 50. Audition tape 51. SWAT attack 52. France/Switzerland border mountain range 53. Carpenter’s groove 54. Ben Affleck’s 2013 Oscar winner 55. Original matter 56. *Buttons or Skelton © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 25

Chinese New Year of the Metal Ox niú ( ) & Valentine’s Day

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-February 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

t is also the year of all bovine cattle — the Cow, Bull, Yak, Water Buffalo. The terrestrial earthly branch symbol chǒu ( ). The Chinese system of the zodiac (circle of small animals), was built from the observation of Jupiter, which remains in one sign for twelve months. Twelve animals were selected for each month and year. The zodiac (ancient Greek word) was divided into twelve sections (mansions in daily life, the hours of the ox are from 1–3 a.m. Chinese seasons are based on observations of the sun and moon. The Chinese calendar begins its new year at the 2nd new moon after winter solstice. Their system of marking time is very Taoist. Chinese astrology is as old as the stars, and connected to an ordering/ counting system, days of the week, twelve direction, Chinese kings and the five elements ( Fire ( huǒ), Water ( shuǐ), Wood ( mù), Metal ( jīn), and Earth ( tǔ). It’s good to draw the ARIES

Everything concerning daily life is re-evaluated. Review all plans each day, assess the condition of all people, places and environments around you. Consider what ways you want to change and adapt to make life more orderly and pleasant. You realize you must think differently now on how to bring forth more beauty and perfection. Careful communication is needed with coworkers. Also assess the state of your health, diet, exercise and how you awaken bright and early each day. TAURUS

Interesting situations and communication may occur with lovers, children, and your own sense of creativity. Tend carefully and with great detail to your health. Issues not yet resolved in relationships will reappear. Try to listen to the core message of all communications. Don’t react or defend. These destroy. Unresolved issues must be dealt with or there will be a dissolving and dissolution of important connections in the future. Respond to everything and everyone with care. GEMINI

Everything about home, family, early life, mother, real estate, things domestic, comes into focus and will need careful evaluation and reconsideration. Make no important decisions unless an emergency occurs. Remember everyone everywhere is experiencing the present astrological transits. And everyone is experiencing them differently. Use your Gemini mind and heart to observe and discern the differences. You remember to be non-judgmental, non-critical and loving (your purpose). CANCER

Cancer (sign of the crab) always circles a situation, entering the center from every direction. They do not walk a direct line to anything for they are always wary of prey. Thus, they have a very developed intuition. In the next three weeks that intuition will take on a different tone and focus. Care needs to be taken with communication, thinking, writing and driving. Something from the past reappears. Be aware of forgetfulness. In the meantime, make home beautiful, as if it’s a secret garden.

Chinese calligraphy for the elements. The Year of the Ox ends January 21, 2022. Ox was once a god, compassionately helping people in need. In an ancient love story called the “Seventh Night, about a family of four, mother (Weaver Girl), father (Cow herd) and their two children. The mother became separated from her family and she was found on the far side of the river, in the Milky Way. Ox, seeing the sadness in the children, became a boat to ferry the children to their mother. One day a year, on the 7th day of the 7th month, Ox becomes a boat and magpies make a bridge so the father and mother can be together again. This is a major festival and known as Chinese Valentine’s day. ••• Sunday was Valentine’s Day. Mercury retro/Jupiter/Mars aligned in the sky tell us, “be of love a little more careful than of everything...guard her.” Especially this year.

LEO

Do not create any shifts or waves in your financial picture. No loans (given or applied for), for example. Take this time to review finances, create new budgets (to be applied after three weeks), assess the flow of money (what’s coming in, what’s going out, its usefulness), the hows and whys of these transactions and review if everything monetary is proceeding as planned. Include a review of precious metals, your values. And tithe. VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

Notice if there is sensitivity (extra) around these subjects: money, partnerships, joint resources/finances (something from the past, hurts, wounds, relationships), speaking with superiors, thinking about career choices, communicating with co-workers, being misunderstood while in public, your life path, your future. It seems like every subject is sensitive. During these critical times of change, we stand in the burning grounds, being tested. Say over and over, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” And know that life’s perfect.

Are you feeling somewhat distant and unable to commuCAPRICORN nicate feelings? Are others saying you’re difficult and distant? During this time, Rest a bit for the next four weeks, make no promises or important decisions, refrain from the major you’re very internally focused, assessing all decisions, large purchases, making travel plans, aspects of yourself – who you are, why you traveling long distances. Realize most thinking, are, what your values are, your everyday actions, whom communications, interactions and people you’re with and why. You review previous choices, asking if they reflect your present wants, hopes, wishes and (watch them with interest) are internally focused. So all outer orderly realities may be quite disorderly and not making sense. needs. Hold on. Things change within the month. It will be a mixed up, topsy-turvy time. Only you will know why. LIBRA Life as we know it is changing. If feeling stress remember to do Thoughts, ideas, beliefs, decisions and issues not the Alan Watts meditation ... laughing all the time. tended to for a long time appear in the AQUARIUS present, seeking attention and needing reassessment. Much of your communication You want to be practical with money and resources. After the retrograde travel would be good. For now, may not be heard or understood by others. consider new goals concerning money and Therefore, try to be very clear when communicating, resources, reaffirm what is of value to you. speak slowly, and most of all listen well. Listen with the Eliminate what is no longer useful or what you heart. Be non-judgmental, call forth compassion, retreat for a while. This retrograde for you is a time of deep haven’t used, touched or looked at in the past several months. quiet, prayer and understanding forgiveness. Be a new Use this retrograde time of Mercury to research, order, organize and visualize new ways of living, building community and finding era person, a “loving understanding.” your like-minded companions. Consider all dreams as practical. SCORPIO

With friends and in groups, all plans may be delayed, changed or not happen at all. Those close to you may seem distant (remember everyone’s internal during retrogrades), quiet or confused. Some though, may talk endlessly. Friends, places, ideas from the past make contact and you consider returning somewhere, to a place, a group, an idea, ideal or to friendships from long ago. Allow no heartache or anguish from the past to remain in your heart. Visualize, instead, swimming under stars and in warm tropical waters. •••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

PISCES

Maintain clear communication with partners, intimates, friends and those close to you. All relationships may enter into a phase of mis-understanding,, criticisms, over-reactions, mixed messages and perhaps the need to call upon grace, prayer, retreat or even mediation for understanding to occur. Pisces also at this time must begin to assess the value of their own thoughts, decisions and needs and discriminate between the self and their beloved’s. A difficult task, but necessary. A new home in a different place altogether may be considered.

“COVID Vaccines” from page 24 More specifically, the CHPE analysis found: • Vaccinated nursing homes experienced a 48% decline in new resident cases three weeks after the first clinic, compared to a 21% decline among non-vaccinated nursing homes located in the same county. • Similarly, new staff cases declined by 33% in vaccinated nursing homes compared to 18% in non-vaccinated facilities. While encouraging, further study is needed to determine if these trends will continue in subsequent clinics or after the second dose of the vaccine. We ask that data and funding be made available to the research community to expedite this ongoing analysis. AHCA/NCAL stands ready to assist the CDC in this effort. We can facilitate data sharing between providers and researchers as well as connect with experts from the public and private sector to assist with data waiting to be evaluated. The need for urgency on this matter is painfully evident. For nearly a year, long term care residents have been unable to visit with their loved ones in-person or participate in enriching social activities. Despite our staff’s heroic efforts to keep residents engaged and fill the void of family members, we are deeply concerned that the prolonged isolation of our residents is impacting their health and wellbeing. Prioritizing research on the vaccines’ effectiveness among our population would help ensure these facilities can swiftly and safely reopen, improving the lives of our vulnerable seniors. Meanwhile, with millions of residents and staff receiving their second doses, many states have begun to explore reopening strategies. State governments play a vital role in contributing to the protection of our residents and staff during this time. However, in this situation, we believe that cohesion is needed to ensure effective outcomes. Without guidance from the federal government, states may create confusing or inconsistent practices. Since ongoing evaluations are needed, we recommend that CDC reiterate the rationale for current guidance to states, providers, residents and families as soon as possible, as well as outline what is needed in order to modify existing guidance. Clear communication with stakeholders can help ensure everyone understands the continued need for vigilance until we know more about the vaccines’ effectiveness. Thank you again for your leadership. The CDC has made an immeasurable difference in the lives of all Americans during this unprecedented time. Perhaps next to you, no one could wish for an immediate end to the pandemic than those who live and work in long term care. We look forward to working together to protect our residents while still offering the highest quality care. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pictures From the Past

When Trains Brought Visitors to Aptos I

Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift

t might be assumed the Ocean House once had a view of the ocean, although not for long. It was built soon after the Santa Cruz-Watsonville Railroad was broad gauged and visitors began to arrive at the Aptos Depot in need of a place to stay. Bordered by a lovely garden in the

middle of Aptos Street, the hostelry was constructed in the mid-to-late 1880s and was first operated by Louis Thurwachter. It was most often run as a family operation and in later years served more as a boarding house than a hotel. These photographs show the Ocean House in its heyday and later, during demolition.

LEFT: Ocean House being taken down. ABOVE: Ocean House around the beginning of the 20th century.

COMMUNITY NEWS

$1 Million Grant Aims to Help Vaping Teens

By Jondi Gumz

or teens in Santa Cruz County, cannabis is illegal but easy to get. Judging from disciplinary incidents, vaping has been on the rise. Now help is at hand, thanks to a $1 million state grant to be spent over three years. The money was awarded to the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Division’s Substance Use Disorder Services Prevention Unit from a Proposition 64 grant to decrease cannabis use among youth. Starting with Santa Cruz City Schools, which has social workers and interns available to work with youth, the new Thriving Youth & Community program will create a system to support academic success, social and emotional well-being, and connection to school and community with the goal to reduce disciplinary incidents. Students can be referred by a parent, school staff, or probation staff. Teen self-referrals are encouraged. Youth will be placed in one of three pathways — prevention, intervention or smoking cessation. All three will offer positive youth development programs with Invincible Youth and leadership opportunities with Friday Night Live. Up to 125 students can be served in the prevention pathway.

The “Seven Challenges” program, with weekly group sessions, will be part of the intervention pathway. Project EX, a researched program with a talk show

format and yoga to address motivation to quit, will be part of the cessation pathway, which will be open to students countywide and take place online due to COVID-19 restrictions. In a 2019 survey, 65 percent of Santa Cruz City School ninth graders reported it’s “fairly easy” to “very easy” access to cannabis. And vaping-related referrals to juvenile probation were up. Erik Riera, the county Behavioral Health Director, predicts participating youth “will have increased knowledge of the harmful impacts of recreational cannabis use and well as increased refusal skills and decreased vaping use” and “experience an increase in peer, adult, school, and community connectedness.” School staff, parents and teens can make a referral to: https://www.pvpsa.org/tyc-referralorcontactPVPSA at 831-728-6445 or email adriana.mata@pvpsa.org. n ••• For more information, see http://www.santacruzhealth.org/ HSAHome/HSADivisions/BehavioralHealth/SubstanceUseDisordersServices/YouthTreatment Coordination.aspx, call 831-359-8450 or email monica.nicholas@santacruzcounty.us. For a 2.5-minute video about the program, see https://spark. adobe.com/video/SInAXMitRohTl

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK DRIVE-IN MOVIES SCHEDULE Saturdays February The Greatest Showman — Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. March Croods: A New Age — Mar. 6, 6:30 p.m. Wreck-It Ralph — Mar. 13, 6:30 p.m. X-Men (2000) — Mar. 20, 8 p.m. Austin Powers: Int’l Man of Mystery — Mar. 27, 8 p.m. Cost $35 per vehicle. Visit https://beachboardwalk.com/Drive-In-Movies for details and restrictions

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 22 is now offering a virtual tour in both English and Spanish. This virtual tour follows the same stops as our behind-the-scenes hiking tour, and is led by a UC Santa Cruz student. Visit https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/ index.html?appid=7bf4b74490c444068a326c4c 89a9a560 or https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ MapTour/index.html?appid=9e4aa7556bc24951a855cc3 bd4f6c473 (https://tinyurl.com/lagoon-reserve-virtual-tours) https://youngerlagoonreserve.ucsc.edu

831-428-1014. Instagram.com /taquizasgabriel • Facebook. com/taquizas.gabriel ••• Saucey’z: Hours will vary. Orders to go: 831-419-8159 Details: Instagram.com/sauceyz/ or Facebook.com/sauceyz

SHOW US YOUR FOOD Watsonville Coast Produce, Inc. is launching a restaurant social media promotion called “Show Us Your Food” to support the industry. You post pictures of your takeout meals from your favorite local restaurant NEW GROUPS STARTING FOR SURVIVORS in the Central Coast OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION and Bay Area and post on Instagram @ Survivors Healing Center, a welcoming place for Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters, is watsonvillecoastproduce Second Harvest Food Bank drive-through food forming new eight-week support groups for survivors of with hashtag #showusyourfood for a chance to win a $50 distribution schedule into March: gift certificate to that restaurant. childhood sexual abuse. Watsonville: Jacquie Roque of Skin Care By Jacquie is the first There will be online groups in English and Spanish Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds winner of a $50 gift certificate to Five Mile Buzz House for men, women, mothers of survivors, partners of Feb. 19 • March 5 survivors, young adults and teens. The promotion runs eight weeks, with the first giveaway March 19 You are not alone. You are not to blame. Services are Wednesday, Jan. 6. Good luck! ••• offered on a sliding fee scale. Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz For more information: call (831) 423-7601, visit survivors Beach Boardwalk ONGOING EVENTS healingcenter.org or email shc.program@fsa-cc.org. Feb. 26 Every Third Thursday of the Month Food hotline: 831-662-0991. FOOD TRUCKS AT CAPITOLA MALL PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM Taquiza’s Gabriel: Hours Monday – Saturday noon YOUNGER LAGOON RESERVE VIRTUAL TOURS 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Younger Lagoon Reserve, which is part of UC in Santa Cruz, to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Orders to go:

28 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255. Fourth Thursday of the Month PARENT SUPPORT GROUP PVUSD, PVPSA and Kaiser Permanente offers support groups for Pajaro Valley families at 3 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month. The next dates are: February 25: Finding Balance in Disorienting Times. Meeting ID: 823 7074 8744 Password: 757434 https:// tinyurl.com/y2y9455u March 25: Topic to be announced. Meeting ID: 885 0351 4197 Password: 308147 https://tinyurl.com/ y26ablzk First and Third Sunday MAKERS’ MARKET First Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz Third Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (Between Cathcart & Lincoln) Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market is returning! The market is held every first Sunday outside the Wrigley Building and every third Sunday on Pacific Avenue (Downtown Santa Cruz). The Wrigley market features vintage and handmade art, food and drink. The Downtown market features over 30 local artists and makers. There is no charge to attend the market. The Wrigley Market will open the following week if delayed for rain, weather permitting. Visit http://scmmakersmarket.com for more information.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DATED EVENTS Wednesday February 3 thru Sunday March 28 450 PIECES TRI-GALLERY ART SHOW Online Gallery R. Blitzer Gallery, Curated by the Sea, and the Radius Gallery, all in Santa Cruz, are hosting the work of 300+ artists in Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s Visual Arts Network. Capitola artist Wendy Ballen is one of the participating 1000 Squirrels Project • Wendy Ballen artists at R Blitzer Gallery. Info: infor@curatedbythesea.com or call1 (408) 250-2224

Wednesday February 17 BLACK HISTORY MONTH STORIES 7-7:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Libraries Facebook Librarian Jackie of Santa Cruz Public Libraries will celebrate Black History Month with books, songs, activities, and a special craft on the library’s Facebook page and then on Youtube. Pick up your craft kit during your local Library Grab & Go hours so you can craft along. On alternating weeks, Jackie reads bedtime stories, sing songs, and chant rhymes for families. New programs are available every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. and on the library’s YouTube Channel after that. https://www.santacruzpl.org n

Thursday February 18 VIRTUAL POETRY OUT LOUD EVENT 3-5 p.m., Santa Cruz County Office of Education Online Presented by the California Arts Council, Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Participants master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. This event will showcase Santa Cruz County high school student finalists in their final competition before going on to the state level. To Register: https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQn5G5OSCmhfNNpgMq-jP5ePnds_ hoBry8UJWuaP0BmL7ERA/viewform

OUR COMMUNITY READS 2021: THE GREAT BELIEVERS For 2021, the Friends of the Aptos Library will host virtual events centered on “The Great Believers,” by Rebecca Makkai, a novel set in Chicago at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and in Paris in 2015. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Our Community Reads will take place remotely. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required to access each event. To register: Go to the Santa Cruz Public Library website at www.santacruzpl.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Virtual Events.” Scroll down the list of events until you find the one you want, and click “Register Now!” Feb. 19: Trivia Night with prizes and Supervisor Zach Friend returning as emcee. Come on your own, with friends, or with your book group (virtually of course) to show off your knowledge of The Great Believers. You supply your own cocktails and snacks. • 6 p.m. Feb. 21: “Memories: My Brother, a Quilt, and the AIDS Project.” Join this moving conversation with Dinah Davis, a local resident who lost her brother to HIV/AIDS. She tells how the illness affected her family at a time when many members of the LGBTQ community remained closeted. The event, led by life coach Kris Franceschi, includes a short documentary on the San Francisco gay scene of the 1980s, narrated by Cleve Jones, who conceived the AIDS Memorial Quilt to which Dinah contributed. You can view the documentary at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0Ju8IhoXQ • 5 p.m. Feb. 24: Santa Cruz Public Library Book Discussion Group. April Zilber of the Felton Library Friends leads a thought-provoking group discussion. • 6 p.m. March 4: “Pandemics, Politics and Public Health.” An interactive talk with Dr. Ronald P. Hattis, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor of preventive medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and past president and current secretary of the Beyond AIDS Foundation, discusses his history, beginning in the early ‘80s, in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which he calls a “slow-moving pandemic,” and connects this to the current faster-moving COVID-19 pandemic. • 7 p.m. noon Thursday Feb. 18 for Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources, which moved from Soquel to Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, 19 Rancho Del Mar AB, Aptos. The store, owned by Hannah Stubblefield and Teresa Shellen, carries quality toys, classroom resources, books, games, puzzles and more. Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more info, visit https://wonderlandsantacruz.com/ or call (831) 316-7261

Saturday February 20 and Saturday February 27

WINTERDANCE FEST 4 p.m., Tannery World Dance online Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center presents its fifth annual Winter Dance Fest, featuring premieres from worldrenowned and emerging Black choreographers, airing for free at 4 p.m. Saturdays via www.tanneryworlddance.com. Coming up: Feb. 20, Gregory Dawson, The Human Project, exploring themes of change, sacrifice, community, and death, and Feb. 27, Norwood Pennewell choreographed a solo for TWDCC’s Artistic Director and Garth Fagan Dance principal alum, Micha Scott entitled … And Still She Moves, to find balance between opposing elements.. Taliha Abdiel performed Feb. 6 and Angela Chambers performed Feb. 13. HOPE & HEALING MEMORIAL Artist videos premiere each Saturday in February at 5:30 p.m., Wherever You Are http://tanneryworlddance.com/winterdance-fest/ along Covenant Care, which operates Pacific Coast Manor with interviews of each artist on the podcast Speak For in Capitola, announces a “Hope & Healing Memorial.” Change, hosted by Thomas Sage Pederson. Sign up for Families, staff, front line workers, and volunteers and communities are invited to participate wherever you are notifications on Facebook. in remembering, recognizing, honoring any loss you’ve Learn more about Dawson Dances at http://www.dawexperienced over this last year, and moving forward into sondancesf.org/ or see this report at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DCMmLUx1UHk this year with hope and healing. Staff and patients will write thoughts, prayers, feelings, and memories on bags, which will be illuminated in remembrance and placed outside the facility for local residents to drive by and experience. The staff invites you to write a message to memorialize your loss, whether it’s a loved one, job, friend, time, or opportunities. Or you could hold or place flashlights, lamps, candles, or lanterns outside at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, in a moment of silence, followed by prayer and song. For more info visit www.covenantcare.com.

WONDERLAND TOYS RIBBON CUTTING Noon, 19AB Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center (next to Safeway) The Aptos Chamber of Commerce plans a ribbon-cutting at

dozens of legal cases and campaigns over the past three decades, including a variety of groundwater contamination issues, oil and natural gas pollution, fracking and pharmaceuticals. During her talk, Erin will share inspiring stories of how bringing people together to address environmental issues can have an enormous impact. Cost: $30. https://openspacetrust.org/wsl-2021/ *Cost for the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series is $30. The price gives you access to four lectures, plus the ability to watch recordings until April 30. This includes January’s Dolores Huerta & Luis Valdez, March’s Dr. Michael Mann and April’s José Andrés lectures.

COVID-19 VACCINES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 6 p.m., Online/Telephone Forum Free online community forum in Spanish, English, Mixteco and Trique. Community Bridges hosts the first-of-its-kind free multilingual forum on COVID-19 vaccine safety, effectiveness and distribution, to provide public health information to all members of our community. The forum will be in Spanish with real-time translation to English, Mixteco and Trique. Topics will include vaccine hesitancy, myths, and how to get the vaccine. The speakers are: • Gail Newell, MD, Santa Cruz County Health Officer • Oscar Gantes, MD, Salud Para La Gente • Martha Sandoval, MD, Sutter Health • John Hanley, PharmD, CERT auxiliary safety officer Attendees will be able to ask questions and five $100 raffle prizes will be awarded. Register at www. communitybridges.org/events Adriana Frederick Sutton, reporter with Univision Costa Central, will moderate. Sponsors are Bontadelli Inc, California Giant Berry Farms, Community Action Tuesday February 23 Board of Santa Cruz County, Community Health Trust of WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: ERIN BROCKOVICH Pajaro Valley and Save Lives Pajaro Valley. COVID-19 has had an outsize impact on Santa 7 p.m., Online Lecture Cruz County’s Latinx community, which has had Erin Brockovich was working 54% of cases despite comprising only 33 percent of as a file clerk at a Los Angeles the population. And vaccination rates are lower. The law firm in 1992, where she federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uncovered documents that reports 60% of those vaccinated so far are white, ultimately led to more than 600 11.5% are Latinx, 6% Asian and 5% Black. residents of Hinkley, California filing a lawsuit against utility giant PG&E. Wednesday March 3 Since then, Erin has worked Erin Brockovich CAREERS FOR TEENS EXPO on a host of environmental 4 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Libraries Zoom Expo issues across the country. She has been involved in “Teen Expo II: Homegrown Careers” is a show and

tell event showcasing successful Santa Cruz County creators, makers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders to empower teens to consider turning their interests and talents into careers. Register through the Santa Cruz Public Libraries website: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7353633. For questions, email messagemalina@gmail.com.

Thursday March 4

ANNUAL HUNGER FIGHTER AWARDS CELEBRATION 4:30 p.m., Second Harvest Food Bank Virtual Event Holiday Food & Fund Drive Co-Chairs Megan Martinelli and Carlos Palacios along with Second Harvest Food Bank staff will announce their Hunger Fighters of the Year. The event can be viewed by giving an RSVP at https:// give.thefoodbank.org/campaigns/17468-annual-awardscelebration-celebrating-you

Thursday March 5 thru Saturday March 13 2021 VIRTUAL WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL The Festival, co-founded by Consuelo Alba, is in its ninth year, showcasing primarily Latinx stories to inspire audiences and spark conversdations. The program will be posted soon. View last year’s line-up of films at https://watsonvillefilmfest. org/virtual-wff, or support this celebration of storytelling and community by becoming an Amigo del Festival (https:// watsonvillefilmfest.org/amigos).

Tuesday March 9 WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: DR. MICHAEL E. MANN 7 p.m., Online Lecture Climate scientist and author Dr. Michael E. Mann will address how we move forward together on climate change. Dr. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State University. Dr. Mann is author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and six books. https://openspacetrust.org/wsl-2021/ *Cost for the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series is $30. The price gives you access to four lectures, plus the ability to watch recordings until April 30. This includes January’s Dolores Huerta & Luis Valdez, February’s Erin Brockovich and April’s José Andrés lectures. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Seven Ways To Make 2021 Better Than 2020 t’s an understatement to say that businesses, especially small businesses, have had their hardest 9 months to change, re-engineer and survive. Unfortunately, many small businesses operated on the edge of profitability, and the recent pandemic has rewarded those who had little or no debt, and invested properly to adjust. But what happens next? The first thing to realize is that there has been a seismic shift in the way customers purchase. As discussed before in this column, if you don’t have an online e-commerce website, then you likely closed. Many successful businesses have taken this time to truly look at their website and how they present themselves to customers. Here are some of the priorities you should be focusing on: 1) Clarifying your product/service offerings: Customers are used to quick convenience. Meaning, if they can’t understand how to navigate your site to make an order or purchase, they leave. Simplicity is key because people are used to efficiency and speed in their online transactions. You should follow the 80/20 rule, which is focusing on the 20% of goods that result in 80% of your sales. 2) Design for cross-device, not just mobile: Though customers are increasingly using their phones to

By Ron Kustek

buy everything they need, there are many who still use a tablet, laptop or desktop to see a larger font or picture to make comparisons and choices. Choose the BEST software to make sure your site is flexible for ALL viewing devices. 3) Develop a loyalty program: The best way to keep customers loyal is to offer them an incentive to keep coming back and buying from you. You need to have an online system that tracks and automatically rewards loyal customers to remain loyal customers. There are many low-cost tools you can use, and there’s really no excuse to not invest in your best customers. 4) Promote. Promote. Promote: This means, be where your customers are. People have much more time on their hands and are tweeting, sharing on Facebook and purchasing through their Instagram feeds. If you’ve not put out the effort to understand these social marketing platforms, you may be too late. You need to be where you customers are, and if they’re not out and about walking past your location, then you need to be in front of their eyes which are usually glued to the tools they use for connecting. But don’t waste your money on every platform – as the more you know your target customer, the better you’re able to know where they’re spending their time, for you to efficiently spend your money. 5) Don’t treat every customer the same: Remember that you have both repeat customers and first-time customers. You may get first-timers by better optimizing your site for organic search results, or being on platforms that you haven’t tried

30 / February 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

before. You should know by now which are new customers and which are repeats, without physically seeing and recognizing them. Software does this for you. 6) Don’t Forget Emailing – The #1 Digital Marketing Tool: You should have an email list by now. If you don’t, you’ve wasted valuable time. With every order, whether by phone or online, simply ask for the customer ’s email, telling them you’d like to add them to your VIP list or customer appreciation/loyalty program. Let them know that besides offers from your location, you may also send them discounts from partner or neighboring businesses, that is, if you’ve put out the effort to make these alliances. 7) Take pride in creating your online-to-offline experience: The sale doesn’t stop when the money reaches your bank account. Think of adding a personal hand-written

thank you note or other physical communication that becomes a ‘surprise’ when opened by your customer. Many businesses take locals for granted, thinking that just because they’re a small business they’ll be supported. Remember: People like to be appreciated. ••• These are the seven areas you should be focusing on to make your 2021 a great year! There’s no mystery or magic in being able to commit your energy, time and financial resources to improving your business. I fully understand this is hard work that requires a lot of research and time. But isn’t that why you decided to open your own business in the first place? n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior marketing executive of The Coca-Cola Co. and serialentrepreneur who is currently a business instructor at Cabrillo College. Contact him at RoKustek@Cabrillo.edu

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Why You Should Avoid Extreme Pruning

C Spicy Dee!

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Miss Dee (A278660) here! I’m a spicy, a 7-year-old gal who, like everyone else these days, is a little quarantine thick. That’s why I’m looking for an owner that’s committed to helping me improve and live my best life! In other words, love is in the air this week, and I’m swiping right on potential workout partners. It’s not all about the weight loss though! I prefer an owner that can treat me like a queen! That means indoors only, and respect for an older gals boundaries! Sure I’m a little nervous at first, but this adopting thing is weird! Just give me some space and we will be Netflix and cuddling in no time! Oh and by the way, I don’t do young children and I’m honestly not sure about other animals. Hey, don’t judge! Kids are stressful and I’m no Ace Ventura! If you’re looking to grow together before cuffing season ends, you can e-mail Jill at jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us to adopt. 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

oppicing and pollarding are the most extreme of pruning techniques. They may also be among the oldest in some cultures. Yet, arborists are correct to condemn both as improper. Coppicing is the complete removal of all stems and trunks back to a stump. Pollarding is the removal of all stems back to main stems and trunks. Both procedures happen in winter, annually or every few years. Both coppicing and pollarding stimulate vigorous and prolific cane growth during the next season. Lush foliage of such growth is useful as fodder. Foliage of pollarded mulberry is the primary food of silk worms. Canes are good kindling for the following winter. Thin canes of various species are useful for basketry. New foliage of pollarded eucalypti is useful for both essential oils and floristry. Of course, few rely on modern urban gardens for fodder, kindling, eucalyptus oil, or basketry material. Arborists disapprove of coppicing and pollarding because both techniques ruin trees. Many of such trees are too structurally compromised to support the weight of secondary growth after the first year. Consequently, they rely on annual coppicing or pollarding. Some trees will support their weight for a few years. Strangely though, many properly coppiced or pollarded trees live for centuries. Coppiced trees generate from stumps of cut down trees. Ideally, they begin young. Grafted trees are less cooperative. They are likely to generate suckers below their graft unions. Pollarded trees get to develop their main trunks and limbs prior

Pollarding is a long term commitment.

to their first pollarding procedure. The locations of the first pollarding cuts is very important. Subsequent pruning will be back to the same locations. Distended ‘knuckles’ develop after repeated coppicing or pollarding back to the original pruning sites. Pruning must be flush to these knuckles. Stubs interfere with healing. Annual pruning leaves smaller wounds than less frequent pruning. Secondary growth should be able to overgrow wounds efficiently. Cutting below knuckles leaves wounds that may be too big to heal before they decay. ••• Norway Maple apanese maples get all the notoriety. They have such delightful texture and form. Many are proportionate to small spaces, such as atriums. Realistically though, they are overrated and overused. Meanwhile, other maples that work as larger shade trees remain obscure. Norway maple, Acer platanoides, gets broad enough to shade much of an urban garden, but rarely gets to 40 feet tall. Of course, Norway maple has innate limitations. It dislikes arid and harshly warm desert climates. Nor Few maples perform as does it like to be too well here. close to the coast. Los Angeles is about as far south as it wants to live. In the Pacific Northwest, it gets much bigger, and develops greedy roots. The noncultivar species is invasive there. Norway maple defoliates neatly for winter, but then refoliates late in about April. Almost all local Norway maples are cultivars. ‘Schwedleri’ has richly bronzed foliage. It is rare now, but was a popular street tree in the 1950s. ‘Crimson King’ has richer purplish foliage, but is less vigorous. ‘Drummondii’ displays delightful variegation. The deciduous foliage of Norway maple turns soft brownish yellow or gold for autumn. The palmately lobed leaves may be five inches wide. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2021 / 31

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