COMMUNITY NEWS
Cultural Nonprofits Eligible for COVID Aid
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By Jondi Gumz
egistered 501 (c)(3) cultural nonprofits such as dance companies, theater companies, musical groups and museums that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for a state grant from March 16 through March 23 from $50 million in funding out of $2 billion in small business aid approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor. Nonprofits with 2019 revenue of $1,000 to $100,000 are eligible for $5,000; those with revenue of $100,000+ up to
Office of Business and Economic $1 million are eligible for $15,000 Development, is overseeing the and those with more than $1 program. Minority-owned Lendmillion in revenue are eligible istry, an online lender founded for $25,000. in 2015 by Everett Sands and Grants will be prioritized CDFI-certified, was chosen by the based on percentage revenue state to process applications and decline comparing the second and distribute grants. third quarters of 2020 with those In its first two funding quarters in 2019. Everett Sands rounds, 40,000 small businesses Applicants must apply at and nonprofits were selected out of 350,000 CAReliefGrant.com. California’s Office of the Small applicants to receive $500 million in grants. Business Advocate, part of Governor’s The requests exceeded $4.5 billion.
“Staff of Life” from page 21 99% Organic hoppers entering the Watsonville store will see organic produce front and center, “99 percent organic,” Bascou said. He suggests shoppers who want non-GMO food — not genetically modified — buy organic. To showcase Watsonville’s agricultural tradition, antique farming implements — borrowed from the Agricultural History Project at the fairgrounds — are on display. William de Ess Studio created the signs on canvas depicting well-known sites such as a plane at Watsonville Municipal Airport, an apple orchard, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Local artist Roy Johnson created the unusual light fixtures. Above the produce, some lights are shaped like apple baskets. At the deli, bakery and smoothie bar, the lights are painted to look like artichokes, strawberries and squash. There will be a new menu including baked goods (including gluten-free) prepared in Santa Cruz, grab-and-go items made in-house and gelato. For the outside windows, Aptos artist Art Thomae painted harvest murals. Each section of the store can easily be found thanks to the distinctively familiar signs by artist Mott Jordan, a former Staff of Life employee. Vitamins and cosmetics have their own section up front. Meat, poultry and seafood raised without antibiotics or hormones are toward the back. So are wines. Of course, there will be rotisserie chicken and a big cheese selection. The bulk section gives shoppers a way to buy grains, beans, nuts, seeds, granola, trail mixes, flours, and teas
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Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Gary and Peggy Bascou, married for 20 years, are happy to see Staff of Life ready to open in Watsonville March 30. at lower prices and avoid packaging waste. Unlike many self-serve jars, where you reach in with a scoop, all the dispensers are gravity-fed, Bascou said, and the county health department has approved their use, requiring the levers be cleaned every two hours to prevent virus spread. Frozen food occupies one wall on the side, and Hollie Wendt, the store’s market specialist, pointed out the variety of pizzas “without chemicals,” many ice cream choices including coconut milk and oat milk, and many options for vegans. Home canning supplies will be available along with other kitchen tools, everything from a meat thermometer to a cast-iron skillet. Customers will see a lot more Indian food, Bascou added, and an aisle devoted to international foods.
22 / March 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Lots Of Parking peaking of aisles, they’re wider in Watsonville compared to the Santa Cruz store, easier to maneuver with a cart. Another difference: The parking lot is ever so big so it should be easy to find a space. As for prices, Josephson made this statement, “We strive to offer our customers the best prices on the best products available … We work hard every day to earn loyal shoppers.” The Watsonville store will be staffed by 80 employees, some of whom have worked at the Santa Cruz location, which has about 100 employees. Nadia Scally, tapped as Watsonville store manager, started as a bagger and cashier seven or so years ago and worked her way up. She’s bilingual. After buying a home
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Waitlisted small businesses were eligible to apply for Round 3 from March 5-11. New applicants can apply in Round 5, March 25-31, and applicants not awarded a grant in the previous rounds are automatically considered. Dates for Round 6 have not been announced, but applicants not awarded a grant previously are automatically considered. n For info from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, see www.business.ca.gov
in Monterey County, she wanted to cut her commute. Ana Bucio is transferring from Santa Cruz to become vitamin manager in Watsonville. Bascou said Chris and Clark Codiga, who own the shopping center, are Staff of Life customers and “made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.” When the decision to open in Watsonville was made, the local economy was humming. Unemployment was low; competition for talent was high. With the pandemic’s safety restrictions forcing many businesses to cut hours or close, many local residents have been jobless — 8.6% unemployment in January — but there’s been no need for a Staff of Life job fair because so many people are applying. Staff of Life offers senior discounts. And it is known for its Sharatoken and Givback programs, which in the last five years donated more than $100,000 to local charities. Bascou and Josephson, in business together for 52 years, are both in their 70s, so naturally the question of succession came up. Bascou’s wife Peggy had a heart-toheart talk with her son, a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and UCLA Law School, when he turned 40. “He’s always been a foodie,” she said. He chose to change careers, becoming a part-owner, and has no regrets. Peggy worked at Bread & Circus, the natural food retailer, and in bookkeeping, advertising and then nursing, including 14 years at Watsonville Community Hospital. She wants to have a dietitian offer a class – when gathering is allowed — on how to shop smart and eat healthy. “It’s definitely in our plans,” she said. n
