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

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April 15, 2021 • Vol 30 No. 8

Cabrillo Student Exhibition

Cabrillo Gallery’s Student Exhibition is an annual tradition that provides a comprehensive survey of artwork created in the Cabrillo College Art Studio and Art Photography Department, spotlighting the students’ dedication, creativity and hard work during the spring 2021 semester. Works will appear online this year. Full Story page 6

Native Americans on Cabrillo College and Colonialism By Jondi Gumz

hen Native Americans look at the place where we live, they think about how these places were named by their ancestors before Spanish explorers arrived. They think about how only 14 percent of the Native

American babies born at the Santa Cruz Mission survived to adulthood. They think about the bravery of Toypurina, a medicine woman who led a revolt against the Spanish missionaries and soldiers at Mission San Gabriel at age 25, whose descendants live in California. ... continues on page 4

Post-Covid Summer Full Story page 7

Nisene Marks: Applause for Paved Road

In February, residents on Aptos Creek Road complained that potholes on the narrow one-lane road made it hazardous for any motorist venturing in or out. Full Story page 5

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No. 8

Volume 30

Table of Contents

Cover Native Americans on Cabrillo College and Colonialism, By Jondi Gumz 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 27

Community News Nisene Marks: Applause for Paved Road, By Jondi Gumz Cabrillo College Student Exhibition 2021 Post-Covid Summer: Camps, Outdoor Events, Swim Lessons, By Jondi Gumz • Santa Cruz County Jobs COVID Ad Campaign Focuses on Black Community Chris Van Zanen Promoted • April 28 Public Meeting on Hwy 9 • Friends is hiring in Santa Cruz County • Santa Cruz Seeks City Manager • Santa Cruz Summer Rec • Deadline For Aptos Chamber Award Nominations Is May 21 • Student Debt Canceled Want to Get a Peek Inside Education? Highway 1 Big Sur to Reopen by April 30 Caltrans Taps VR Startup to Assess Hwy 1 by Elkhorn Sew Good!: Mask Maker in Aptos is Recognized $478 Million Rail Plan Fails: Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Vote Tied 6-6, By Jondi Gumz Seeking Justice for Our Sisters Koenig Ousts Leopold’s Cycling Reps, By Jondi Gumz Cabrillo Host Lions Club Turns 60, By Becky Steinbruner Fire Insurance Cancellation Moratorium: SB 824 Graduation Will Look Different This Year • When Will The Fence on Highway 1 Overpass Be Repaired? SC County Bank Expands SBA Team Youth in Crisis? Call for MERTY • Attorney General Alleges Brookdale Senior Living Lied to Medicare, By Jondi Gumz New Leaf Ends Sales of Single-Use Small Bottles  When Will Aptos Village Get Its New Park?, By Jondi Gumz

California News 8 State Officials Recommend Delaying Travel if Unvaccinated 21 Private Events To Be Allowed as of April 15 In Memoriam 19 Charlotte Mulcaster: June 1, 1945 ~ March 5, 2021

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Planting in the Temple: April Showers Bring May Flowers, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 24 Dr. Rodriguez Answers Questions On Testing, Graduation, HVAC and Food, Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 25 Travel Troubleshooter: Help! Lufthansa canceled our tickets but kept our money, By Christopher Elliott 30 County Budget Review: $53 Million in Federal Covid Aid Coming, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Reasons to Deadhead Spring Bulbs, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Happy Feels The Love

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Becky Steinbruner, Risa D’Angeles, Michelle Rodriguez, Christopher Elliott, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo layout

Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson

photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti 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

“Native America” from page 1 Consultant Kanyon “Coyote Woman” Sayers-Roods, daughter of respected Indian Canyon tribal chair Ann-Marie Sayers, author and scholar Cutcha Risling Baldy, Native American studies chair at Humboldt State University, and State Parks historian Martin Rizzo-Martinez, a native of New Mexico, where his grandfather traded with the Navajo, shared their perspectives on the question of renaming Cabrillo College at an April 8 webinar organized by the college. Posted on YouTube, it has 286 views. “That’s our hope — to expand people’s minds,” said Cabrillo president and superintendent Matthew Wetstein. The governing board is responding to a request from faculty and students to rename the college, founded in 1959, saying the Spanish explorer-conquistador Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who sailed the coast in 1542 is no role model for students today. “We need to have these uncomfortable conversations,” said Sayers-Roods, who is Costanoan Ohlone and Chumash, noting Native Americans did not get the right to exercise their religious ceremonies at sacred sites until the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978. “If we want to honor truth and history, it’s going to be uncomfortable,” she said, recommending listeners view www. native-land.ca to see a map of indigenous territories. The Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego was created in 1913 by President Woodrow Wilson, but no statue was created until the Portuguese government, thinking he was Portuguese, commissioned one for the 1939 World’s Fair. “We honor the colonizers — they didn’t deserve it,” Risling Baldy said, quoting reports where colonizers took Native Americans captive and threw their babies into the river and conquistador

Dr Cutcha Risling Baldy

Dr Martin Rizzo-Martinez

Hernan Cortes, who put young Cabrillo in charge of boat-building, ordered Native Americans to work in mines. “They had to name it to claim it,” she said. “There was no wilderness because every place already had a name.” Risling Baldy, who is Hupa, Yurok and Karuk, thinks of how “soldiers would catch an Indian woman for their prey … doing what they were told, just solders” as her ancestors “held each other at night and prayed for the future.” As she thinks of honoring those who remember the stories and the love that survives, she thinks of Toypurina, who had the courage to conspire against the Spanish padres for taking over Tongva territory and was exiled to Mission San Juan Bautista where she died at 39. Rizzo-Martinez, a Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz alumnus who is working on a book, “We are Not Animals,” shared a map by Ed Ketchum of the Amah Mutsun tribe, showing names of tribal territories that were renamed. Watsonville, the place of the elk, was Tiuvta. Santa Cruz was the place of red abalone, Aulintak. Aptos Village was place of the jackrabbit, Cajastaca. Aptos, which means “the people” in Ohlone, is one of the few places to keep its name. On Ketchum’s map, Aptos territory extends almost to Villa de Branciforte in Santa Cruz. The Spanish padres viewed themselves as saving souls, but many Native

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

Martin Rizzo-Martinez shows a map of Native American place names for Aptos and its surroundings.

4 / April 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Kanyon Sayers-Roods

Matt Wetstein

Americans did not survive mission life — the 1804 measles epidemic killed 25 percent of the Aptos people living in the Santa Cruz mission, Rizzo-Martinez said. Between 1791 and 1835, at the Santa Cruz Mission, 2,289 indigenous people were baptized and 2,078 were buried — a 91 percent death rate, he said. The numbers are similar at San Juan Bautista Mission: 4,434 baptized, 3,086 buried — 86 percent death rate. Only 14 percent of children born at the Santa Cruz Mission between 1791 and 1831 made it to adulthood; 53 percent died before their first birthday, 28 percent died between ages 1 and 5, and 5 percent between ages 5 and 15. Rizzo-Martinez said one cruel padre, at Mission Santa Cruz Andres Quintana, was assassinated (at age 24) after he nearly beat two young men to death. Some of the prominent Aptos people, he added, were Yunan, who was baptized as Serafina, and married to Yachaxci, who was renamed Donato and nearly beaten to death by Quintana. Rizzo-Martinez said the U.S. occupation of California in 1848 did not improve conditions for Native Americans because “genocide was the official U.S. policy.” “The speakers here today are here because their ancestors endured,” he said. “We are still living the legacies of colonial and genocide. It’s how we will choose to deal with these legacies.” When one Zoom attendee asked how can we support you, Cutcha Risling Baldy said, “Give the land back.” n ••• Remaining April talks: Thursdays, 6 p.m. April 15: Sandy Lydon, Retired Cabrillo College History Professor — How and Why Cabrillo College Got Its Name https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93990699782 April 22: Student Debate: Should Cabrillo Change its Name? https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/98813902824 April 29: President’s Essay & Art Competition Entry Awards (PEACE Awards) https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97432344983 ••• Visit tinyurl.com/cc-name-exploration for more information. Cover Photo: The Toypurina mural, created by a team of local artists for Ramona Gardens, a public housing complex in Los Angeles, aims to inspire generations.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Nisene Marks: Applause for Paved Road

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE.

By Jondi Gumz

n February, residents on Aptos Creek Road — the gateway to increasingly popular 10,000-acre Nisene Marks State Park — complained that potholes on the narrow one-lane road made it hazardous for any motorist venturing in or out. State Parks Sgt. Joe Walters, who oversees 29 parks, said that was a project for April or May when the rainy season had ended. April is here, and Aptos Creek Road has not been forgotten. Potholes were filled and a section of Aptos Creek Rd re-paved between Mangels Gulch and the Van Eck Tree, near the state park’s entrance station. Todd Marco, a new resident on the road, posted photos on Facebook at “Gateway to Nisene Marks,” a private group with 130 members. Earthworks, a local contractor, did the paving. “So happy to see the much needed repairs! Thank you State Parks,” posted Patrice Edwards, Aptos Times publisher, who began pushing for safety improvements in January after witnessing a 911 medical emergency in which vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the road delayed the ambulance in reaching the person needing help. “Great job they did,” agreed Matt

McCormick, who lives on Aptos Creek Road. State Parks Maintenance Chief Augie Ceballos told Walters that he hopes to have the rest of the road paved after the next fiscal year starts in July. The agency is short of funds, and has focused on repairing shuttered parks damaged by the CZU lightning fires in August. Marco said he met with Ceballos and discussed the possibility of forming an association to assist with and expedite road maintenance, as is done elsewhere in the county. Another topic during their conversation was the erosion danger of the lower section of Aptos Creek Road along Mangels Gulch. “This is a particularly treacherous area, not only because of the steep cliff, narrow roadway, deteriorating pavement, and lack of guardrails, but also because catastrophic roadway damage from a storm could cut off ingress and egress of residents and park visitors,” Marco pointed out. n To join the Gateway to Nisene Marks group, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/155276789651458 Cover Photo: Local contractor Earthworks did the paving job on a stretch of Aptos Creek Road leading to Nisene Marks State Park. • Photo Credit: Todd Marco

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo College Student Exhibition 2021 C abrillo Gallery’s Student Exhibition is an annual tradition that provides a comprehensive survey of artwork created in the Cabrillo College Art Studio and Art Photography Department, spotlighting the students’ dedication, creativity and hard work during the spring 2021 semester. Works will appear online this year. For a link, see https://www. cabrillo.edu/cabrillo-gallery/ student-exhibition/ This exhibition celebrates the quality and range of visual art disciplines taught at Cabrillo: Painting, drawing, serigraphy, intaglio, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, small-scale metal/ jewelry, graphic design, lettering and typography, digital fabrication, video; and traditional, alternative process, and digital photography. The works included are selected by students and faculty with up to three examples from each studio class. n

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

April 19–May 15

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Ryder Sinclair

Luis Mendoza

COMMUNITY NEWS

Post-Covid Summer: Camps, Outdoor Events, Swim Lessons By Jondi Gumz

ith new COVID-19 cases in the single digits and 194,000 vaccinations, Santa Cruz County expects a huge increase in demand April 15, when any Californian 16 or older is eligible for vaccine, and could potentially move April 27 into the least restrictive Yellow Tier, which allows gyms, saunas, dance and yoga studios, wineries, breweries and bowling alleys to operate at 50 percent capacity. Current capacity for those businesses is capped at 25 percent; live-audience events can be staged outdoors at 33 percent capacity. On April 6, Gov. Newsom announced the state has administered 4 million of doses of vaccine, a key milestone, and that if current trends continue, the state will fully reopen June 15, allowing conventions to resume, with maximum attendance of 5,000. “We’re really quite pleased,” Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci said Wednesday. “We have a low of 3.4 new COVID cases per day on a per 100,000 basis and our positivity rate is down to 1 percent, which is quite remarkable.” The single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine is on pause after 6.8 million doses – to investigate after six women under age 50 had serious blood clots and one died. “It’s going to take some digging to understand whether the vaccine is an increased risk,” Ghilarducci said. “Catching COVID itself can cause blood clots. We’ve lost people, sadly.” The pause is not expected to affect California, where Johnson & Johnson supplied

only 4 percent of the state’s vaccines, or Santa Cruz County. “It hasn’t impacted our clinics,” said Mimi Hall, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency director. “We’re just substituting other vaccines.” Given current restrictions, Cabrillo College has announced a virtual graduation ceremony 4 p.m. May 21, requiring students to RSVP by April 26. On March 26, the state announced guidelines for graduation ceremonies, and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District is planning in-person ceremonies. Aptos High school staff has been asking for student and family input. The Mariners have been playing football in a shortened season; track and field is under way, so is basketball. Events to Return abrillo Stage in Aptos plans to stage five musical productions outdoors in June and July, including “Circus: Knives, Blood & Water,” new show created by Capitola playwright Joe Ortiz. The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce plans to restart the Art & Wine Festival Aug. 21-22 with Cops ‘N Rodders Saturday and Bring Your Dog Day Sunday, and Watsonville Municipal Airport plans to host “Fire in the Sky,” an open house with remote control aircraft demos and fireworks on Sept. 4. Nothing in the state’s guidance would prevent a Fourth of July parade, according to Santa Cruz county spokesman Jason Hoppin, but no announcements have been made in Aptos, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek or Watsonville, which traditionally host parades.

The challenge is that Caltrans and typically the county have required a 90-day notice to apply for a permit to close a road for the parade, Hallie Greene, Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District manager, said. Members of the Boulder Creek Business Association, which puts on the parade, are strapped financially because of the state’s capacity limits, some at 25 percent. “Financially, that’s not viable,” Greene said. The Scotts Valley City Council will discuss the parade, which closes Scotts Valley Drive but doesn’t require Caltrans approval, at its 6 p.m. April 21 meeting on Zoom. See www.scottsvalley.org. Summer Camps ummer camps are restarting, such as Camp Kayetz at Temple Beth El in Aptos; capacity is limited to 50 percent. The popular Junior Guards and Little Guards, offered in three-week sessions by Santa Cruz County, opened phone registration April 3. The city of Santa Cruz will open online registration for both programs May 1, with time slots for residents and non-residents. Jim Booth’s Swim School will open first in Watsonville, then at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz. Summer camp at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, with one-week segments in June and July, has already sold out. Starting June 1, the state will allow overnight sleepaway camps. On April 1, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel took a ride on the Giant Dipper rollercoaster at the newly reopened Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — wearing her mask, of course. State guidelines allow amusement

parks to reopen rides for California visitors at 25 percent capacity. The Yellow Tier allows 35 percent capacity. Tight Supplies t Wednesday’s press conference, Hall, the county’s health services chief, urged people to be patient on April 15, when everyone 16-and-older is eligible to get a vaccine appointment through www. MyTurn.ca.gov. Federally qualified health care centers such as Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health are not using MyTurn, so to get an appointment there, go to santacruzhealth.org, click on vaccines and follow the directions. Another source, supported by the federal Centers for Disease Control, is www. vaccinefinder.org. Hall said no-shows are a problem locally, asking people who make more than one appointment to cancel the one not being used to give others who are waiting a chance for vaccine. It’s not clear how easy that is to do. Hall, who has experience as a “secret shopper,” said she tried to register on MyTurn to evaluate how it’s working. “It’s problematic,” she said, explaining that she entered various ZIP codes and got a reply that no appointments are available, try San Benito County, even though she knew as the agency director that appointments were in fact available. The upside is the state has corralled most health providers onto a single platform, making it easier to track California’s vaccination progress.

“COVID-19 Update” page 10

Santa Cruz County Jobs February 2021 (Count taken 12th of each month)

Change from Sector February 2021 a year ago Government 18,900 Down 3,700 Leisure & Hospitality 7,800 Down 6,400 Pvt. Ed. & Health 16,800 Down 1,500 Manufacturing 6,900 Unchanged Other Services 4,400 Down 1,000 Trade/Transportation/ Utilities 16,200 Down 400 Prof. & Biz. Services 10,500 Down 400 Information 500 Down 200

Construction 4,400 Down 200 Financial 3,200 Down 100 Nonfarm 89,600 Down 13,900 Farm 5,600 Up 1,100 Total 95,200 Down 12,800 Labor Force 130,400 Down 7% Employment* 119,400 Down 9% Unemployment 10,900 Up 23% *Includes commuting to jobs outside county Sources: California Employment Development Department

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID Ad Campaign Focuses on Black Community A head of expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 15 for Californians 16 and older, the California Department of Public Health is putting out a message in the Black and African American communities to encourage people to get the vaccine. In the 30-second TV spot “Darius,” an African-American photographer from East

Palo Alto asks if the vaccine is safe and Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the California surgeon general and a Black woman, provides an answer. This new element of the “Let’s Get to ImmUnity” campaign is part of the state’s $40 million drive involving radio, print, social media, TV and billboard ads, with a focus on multicultural and multilingual media outlets. The campaign will begin in Oakland, partnering with small businesses and community leaders serving the local Black and African American community. “Data shows that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts Black and African American communities in terms of severity, mortality, and economics. These communities are also being vaccinated at disproportionately low rates,” said Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer. “We designed this campaign to speak to the understandable, culturally-specific concerns and questions surrounding the

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California Surgeon General

vaccine of Black and African American communities.” In Santa Cruz County the Latinx community is disproportionately affected, with 53 percent of the 15,301 COVID cases

although Latinos comprise only 33 percent of the county’s population. n ••• To view the 30-second spot, go to: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIGHn29MJr4

CALIFORNIA NEWS

State Officials Recommend Delaying Travel if Unvaccinated

n April 2, the California Department of Public Health recommended delaying travel until persons are fully vaccinated, because travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the infectious coronavirus COVID-19 that has claimed the lives of 58,000 Californians. The guidance aligns with recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control. Health officials say travel threatens to exacerbate community spread within and beyond California — particularly because travel (especially sharing breathing space on a plane, bus, or train) can increase a person’s chance of spreading and getting COVID-19, including Sars-CoV2 variants of concern. With 18 million vaccine doses administered in California, vaccines have made a difference and overall disease trends have improved dramatically over the past 10 weeks, health officials said. Case rates, test positivity, transmission rate, hospitalizations and ICU admissions have all declined since the winter surge. “While we have made great progress, many states and countries are experiencing increasing levels of transmission, and it is imperative that California continue to take steps necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and contain new sources of infection until we can achieve higher levels of vaccination in California and beyond,” the department’s announcement said. The state recommendations, which supersede the April 1 travel advisory: 8 / April 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

• Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19, and can travel safely within the United States and California. They should follow CDC travel guidance, but are not required to test or quarantine before or after travel unless they have symptoms for COVID-19 disease. Tourism or Recreational Travel if Unvaccinated alifornians should avoid non-essential travel outside of California, to other states or countries unless they are fully vaccinated. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California. Travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California, and should adhere to the quarantine procedures: • If not fully vaccinated, get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before travel, and get tested 3-5 days upon arrival at the destination. Stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if their test is negative. • If you don’t get tested, self-quarantine at home for 10 days after travel. The guidance may change as more people are vaccinated, as COVID-19 rates change, and as more scientific evidence becomes available. n

• All travelers arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries should follow CDC travel guidance at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-duringcovid19.html#if-you-travel : Get tested with a viral test 3-5days after travel, and self-quarantine for seven days. • All travelers who test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate for 10 days and follow recommendations at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Chris Van Zanen Promoted anta Cruz County Bank has promoted Chris Van Zanen from assistant vice president, relationship manager to vice president, relationship manager. Van Zanen joined the bank in February 2014 as a credit analyst and was promoted in 2018 to relationship manager, developing new business. Most Chris Van Zanen recently, he played a crucial role in delivery of Payroll Protection Program forgivable loans to local businesses. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management of economics from UC Santa Cruz, and studied business administration at San Francisco University. He is a graduate of the Focus Agriculture program and volunteers as a loan committee member with American Nonprofits. He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife and two young children. ••• April 28 Public Meeting on Hwy 9 anta Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Supervisor Bruce McPherson’s office, in partnership with Caltrans, will host a virtual public meeting at 6-7:30 p.m. April 28 to provide an update on two Highway 9 projects. One is the “Project Initiation Document” for a Caltrans “capital preventive maintenance” pavement project pursuing “complete streets” improvements in Felton, and the Measure D-funded “Project Initiation Document” examining other elements of the SLV Plan within the towns of Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and Boulder Creek. Capital preventive maintenance aims to extend pavement with minor distress by five-years, while roadway rehabilitation restores poor pavement for 20 years. A presentation by RTC and Caltrans staff will be followed by a question and answer session. For details see the RTC Highway 9/ SLV Complete Streets Corridor Plan Implementation webpage at sccrtc.org/slv. Join via Zoom: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/85090745206?pwd=Rk1qd3IvQ 1dqd2UwV2dDR29DbkR5Zz09 Dial-in Number (US): +1 669 900 9128 Meeting Passcode: 634811 Meeting ID: 850 9074 52 ••• Friends is hiring in Santa Cruz County ork with Friends! Become a visitor service aide and greet park visitors at entrance kiosks. Friends of Santa Cruz County State Parks is hiring for state parks and beaches throughout Santa Cruz County and coastal San Mateo County.

This position is a visitor service/kiosk staff role. The pay is $17.81 per hour. Friends is a nonprofit organization that works in concert with California State Parks to maintain and enhance the state parks in the Santa Cruz District. To apply, see https://thatsmypark.org/jobs/ ••• Santa Cruz Seeks City Manager nationwide search has begun to find the next Santa Cruz city manager to succeed Martín Bernal, who is retiring. A survey has been posted online in English and Spanish to seek community input to define the most important issues and key attributes the new manager will need. Responses will be accepted through May 1. See www.cityofsantacruz.com/cmsearch Teri Black & Co., LLC will conduct the search with a City Council subcommittee, including Mayor Donna Meyers, Vice Mayor Sonja Brunner and Councilmember Renee Golder. Recruitment is planned over the next four months, with a new city manager to be named in August. For information, visit cityofsantacruz.com/cmsearch. ••• Employer Deadline for CalSavers: June 30 mployers with more than 50 employees are reminded of the June 30 registration deadline for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program, the state’s new program for workers in the private sector that lack access to a workplace retirement plan. The pioneering program has already signed up 10,000 employers since the July 2019 launch and participants have saved $57 million. CalSavers has no fees for employers. The registration deadline for employers with at least five employees is June 30, 2022, but eligible employers can register at any time. Noncompliant employers will face penalties of $250 per employee. Information: wwwcalsavers.com ••• Santa Cruz Summer Rec Signups Start May 1 fter a year of COVID-19 cutbacks, the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation has an exciting summer line-up following all state and local safety guidance – including the return of Junior Guards and Little Guards. Little and Junior Guards programs will offer morning and afternoon sessions at Cowell Beach. Prior participants, who are City of Santa Cruz residents, will have priority registration. Summer Camps at Harvey West are back. Beach Baseball Camp, Skateboard Camp and SUP/Kayak Camp are back this summer, along with art, science and LEGO camps. Online registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 1, for City residents and 10

a.m. for non-residents. To create an account, visit www.CityOfSantaCruz.com/Register. Phone registration will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 3. Parks and Recreation staff are available by phone Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – noon and 1– 4 p.m. at (831) 420-5270. The Summer Activity Guide is online at santacruzparksandrec.com. Create your Parks and Recreation account at www. santacruzparksandrec.com or call 420-5270. ••• Deadline For Aptos Chamber Award Nominations Is May 21 he Aptos Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Man, Woman, Business, Organization and Outstanding Achievement of 2020-21. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, May 21, at 11:59 p.m. The awards dinner date will be announced later. To nominate, see the form at: https:// tinyurl.com/aptos-chamber-award-2021 ••• Student Debt Canceled n March 18, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a statement following U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Education will cancel student

loan debt for approximately 72,000 student borrowers who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges, including the predatory, now-defunct Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute. “We applaud the Biden Administration’s Department of Education for providing an additional $1 billion in student loan debt relief to borrowers who were defrauded by Corinthian Colleges and other predatory for-profit colleges across the nation,” said Becerra. “This is an important first step that builds on the work our office conducted with the Obama Administration and the legal challenges that we brought to oppose the Trump administration’s callous denial of debt relief… many students still await relief after falling prey to these same crooked tactics by dishonest for-profit colleges.” The March 18 announcement is a first step in making good on the promises that U.S. Department of Education made to defrauded borrowers nearly five years ago. The announcement applies to the cohort of student borrowers with approved relief claims, which includes tens of thousands of students who attended Corinthian and ITT. According to Becerra, many more borrowers should still be eligible for loan forgiveness because they have pending claims with the department or were rejected under the Trump administration. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2021 / 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Want to Get a Peek Inside Education? Editor’s Note: Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, is seeking participants for the “Inside Education” series for 2021, which starts in September. ••• am extending a personal invitation to you to participate in the Class 14 “Inside Education” series of workshops designed to better acquaint community leaders with public education in Santa Cruz County. Join us alongside the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, the ten local school districts, Cabrillo College, and other professionals and community leaders for a

“COVID-19 Update” from page 7 “There’s an appointment at old city hall (in Watsonville) now,” said Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin. “Take it.” Hall announced an agreement with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Dominican Hospital to partner on a vaccine clinic for students, targeting those at risk in South County, offering 1,700 county doses, in two or three weeks at a location to be determined. Priority anta Cruz County health officials have prioritized equity, allocating 60 percent of its doses for the greater Watsonville area and its Latinx community, which has seen the most cases. To reach them, the county has worked with ag employers and set up access codes so vaccines reach the 7,000 year-round farm workers. “We’ve done 5,000, we have 2,000 to go,” Hall said. “It’s working.” This week, the county began using geosensing, part of MyTurn, to see if people requesting appointments are in the priority group. Ghilarducci said 95076, the Watsonville ZIP code, has received the most vaccine. He cited these milestones: 72,000 county residents fully protected, 50,000 with one shot in the two-shot series, about half of the eligible population. Among those 65 and up, 86 percent have had one shot and 65 percent are fully vaccinated. Among those 16 and up, 52 percent have had one shot, and 32 percent are fully vaccinated. Asked about herd immunity, Ghilarducci said it’s “somewhere between 60 percent and 70 percent. We’re going to start getting to that threshold in mid-May” – unless a variant emerges that is resistant or “if we see more vaccine hesitancy.” Asked if the vaccine would wear off after six months, Ghilarducci said

first-hand, interactive look at the schools in Santa Cruz County. Meet with leaders in the field of education, visit schools and get to know more about the current challenges of educating students. Our program will provide you with an in-depth look at schools from preschool to higher education. Sessions will be devoted to numerous themes, and you will have the unique opportunity to observe and participate in a variety of school programs and events. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this series may begin virtually. A selection of elective events may

include: Mock Trial, Science Fair, School Attendance Review Board/Truancy, School Performances, Art Shows, Outdoor Science Education Camp, After-school Programs, Student Support Programs, Career/Academic Counseling, Job Shadowing, and the Career Technical Dr. Faris Sabbah Education Partnership’s career pathways programs, such as • Agriculture and Natural Resources • Arts, Media and Entertainment • Building and Construction

Trades • Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation, and Health Careers. By participating in this September through May, once-a-month, half-day series of events, you will be afforded a unique opportunity to learn about the intricacies of public education in Santa Cruz County. The SCCOE and the school districts want to partner with you to ensure strong community communication and collaboration in serving all of our students. I hope this brief summary of our program has piqued your interest. n To learn more or to register, contact Les Forster at lforster@santacruzcoe.org or call (831) 246-0988.

manufacturers evaluated the vaccine at the six-month point, finding it effective, but didn’t draw further conclusions. “We haven’t had enough time to know how long it lasts,” he said. Hall suggested taking a photo of the vaccine card from the first appointment, emailing it to yourself for safekeeping, and bringing it to the second appointment. It may help you get into a future sporting event, she said. With the state’s shift to MyTurn, more vaccines are going directly to health providers instead of county Public Health. Salud Para La Gente is eligible for 5,000 vaccines a week, and likely will partner with the county to use the fairgrounds at a clinic, Hall said. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education has created a campaign in Spanish to encourage educators, childcare workers and farmworkers get the vaccine. The information phone line is 831-466-5906. Economic Aid anta Cruz County government expects to receive $53 million in federal COVID relief, which will end furloughs for county employees enacted to close the budget gap. Cabrillo College in Aptos is getting $16 million in federal COVID relief, part of the $1.9 trillion package signed by President Biden. U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) who represents parts of Santa Cruz County, scheduled a webinar April 15 to explain how restaurants, food trucks, food carts, caterers, tasting rooms, brewpubs and bars can get federal aid. Julie Clowes, director of the Small Business Administration for Northern California, was to join her and answer questions. The aid package includes $25 billion for restaurants with grants to be awarded by the federal Small Business Administration, $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans for small business and nonprofits applying through a bank, $15 billion in targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance grants through the SBA, and $16

billion in grants to shuttered entertainment venues, also through SBA. From mid-November to mid-March, the pandemic kept restaurants, gyms and movie theaters from opening indoors, eliminating thousands of jobs and sending unemployment up to 8.4 percent. Shortage? hipments of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been expected to be extremely tight due to violations at a manufacturing plant in Baltimore run by its contractor, Emergent BioSolutions, and 13 to 15 million doses discarded due to contamination issues, according to The New York Times. Emergent has been cited before, according to the Associated Press. California, Texas, Florida and Virginia were expecting their weekly Johnson & Johnson delivery to shrink — in California, from 572,000 to 67,600, according to the New York Times. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine has two advantages over the others – one shot is needed instead of two and it can be refrigerated, not requiring extremely cold storage. The timing is potentially frustrating as more Californians get access to www. myturn.ca.gov, the app to sign up for vaccination. It may mean looking for appointments that do not exist. Alternatively, the other vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, may step up production and make up the shortfall. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 59,000 Californians. Deaths in Santa Cruz County have leveled off at 202, with 51 percent of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Locally, 79 percent of those who died were age 70 or older and 77 percent had other health conditions. A year after the pandemic began, with 23 million vaccine does administered and case rates plummeting, 22 counties are in the Red Tier and 33 in the Orange Tier. On Wednesday, Santa Cruz County reported only four people hospitalized with

COVID, none in intensive care, only 158 active cases, and more than 127,000 negative tests. n ••• County COVID Deaths: 202 As of April 14 Age 90 and up: 55 • 80 to 89: 62 • 70 to 79: 43 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 6 30 to 39: 4 Race/Ethnicity White: 113 • Latinx: 72 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 156 • No: 46 Gender Male: 99 • Female: 103 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 • Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4 Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2 Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2 Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • La Posada: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 • Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 103 Not at a facility: 99 COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 772 • Ben Lomond: 113 Boulder Creek: 143 • Capitola: 442 Felton: 148 • Freedom: 955 Santa Cruz: 3,756 • Scotts Valley: 423 Soquel: 345 • Watsonville: 7,864 Unincorporated: 248 Under investigation: 257 Total: 15,466 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health ••• Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com or call 831-688-7549 x17. For details on what can open in the Orange Tier, see https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Highway 1 Big Sur to Reopen by April 30 O n April 8, Caltrans announced it will reopen Highway 1 at Rat Creek in Monterey County by April 30 – nearly two months ahead of its target date – ending a full closure that followed the Jan. 28 mudslide that washed out 150 feet of the roadway. The work is estimated to cost $11.5 million. Caltrans estimated a reopening in early summer when it began major emergency repairs March 1 and has been able to accelerate that timeline with favorable weather conditions. Crews can complete remaining construction work after the road reopens. “Reopening Highway 1 at Rat Creek just three months after a washout of this magnitude is great news for residents,

The famous Highway 1 roadway along Big Sur was washed out in a Jan. 28 mudslide.

recreationalists, business owners, and those who move goods through this region,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Caltrans has been focused on the emergency work needed to increase the resiliency of this highway section to extreme weather, and the fixes made will allow for safe travel.” Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins added, “Our crews have worked to create a safe road in challenging conditions, and we are excited to reopen this lifeline earlier than expected.” Caltrans estimated 70,000 cubic yards of trees, rocks, and sediment were taken off site and projected that 25,000 cubic yards of fill would be needed to be brought in to build up the support for the new roadway. After Caltrans identified the “enhanced fill design” repair strategy in late February, crews worked seven days a week during daylight hours to fill the canyon with compacted dirt to the road level. Caltrans will establish the base of a new road during the next two weeks, to be followed by paving and striping. Caltrans will continue construction

Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin (left) speaks with District 5 Construction Chief Tim Campbell as they ascend the north side of the canyon at Rat Creek on March 5. work that will require intermittent traffic control at Rat Creek following the re-opening as crews will install a new, redundant drainage system. A new 10-foot diameter culvert is expected to improve water flow during storms and

make the roadway more resilient to extreme weather. Caltrans will also work on landscaping and installing permanent guardrails throughout the early summer. n Photos Courtesy of Caltrans

Maternity care born from humankindness. Your journey to motherhood is a precious time. That’s why Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital’s Family Birth Center is here to support your big day with a customized birthing experience focused on you. From live virtual classes and birth center tours, to our midwifery program and Level III NICU, Dominican Hospital offers the highest level of care in the Monterey Bay area. See for yourself how we’re safely delivering humankindness at DignityHealth.org/DominicanBirthCenter.

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

12 / April 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Caltrans Taps VR Startup to Assess Hwy 1 by Elkhorn F

or the first time, Caltrans is using virtual reality to address sea level rise and evaluate mitigation options for a major highway in the state — Highway 1 along Elkhorn Slough. “Not taking action is not an option,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Due to sea level rise, we know this section of Highway 1 near A screen shot of Virtual Planet’s app “Sea Level Rise Explorer: Elkhorn Moss Landing and other Slough”, available in the Apple and Google app stores. coastal routes are vulnerable, so Caltrans experience of watching the water level has made climate action a primary goal. rise, as well as seeing the measures we can We are making our state transportation take now to make the transportation corridor more resilient and a benefit to nature system more resilient and sustainable.” The department relocated Highway in the Monterey Bay.” With only 10% of coastal wetlands 1 inland near Hearst Castle in 2017 after remaining and half of that remaining area coastal erosion threatened its viability. The “Sea Level Rise Explorer: Elkhorn vulnerable to loss from sea level rise, CaliSlough” experience was developed by fornia’s goal is to protect 30% of its land Virtual Planet Technologies, a startup in and water ecosystem targets by 2030. An in-depth analysis published last Santa Cruz. “As coastal communities worldwide year by the Association of Monterey Bay contend with sea level rise and coastal Area of Governments, the Central Coast erosion, Virtual Planet is leveraging the Highway 1 Climate Resiliency Study, demlatest technology and pairing it with onstrated a new approach to rebuild the creative storytelling to help these com- highway to benefit commuters and nature. The study highlighted the need to munities better understand the imminent impacts of climate change and visualize act quickly to implement solutions by practical solutions,” said Juliano Calil, 2050 to minimize losses to transportation Virtual Planet Technologies’ co-founder and critical habitats. The effort to inteand chief scientist, who earned his doc- grate transportation and natural resource planning not only tackles risks posed torate at UC Santa Cruz. An eight-mile section of Highway to both due to climate change but also 1 and five miles of railway in Elkhorn explores rebuilding the highway and Slough, home to extraordinary biological railway to benefit commuters and nature. “Not only do we believe this process diversity, is projected to experience regular will lead to better outcomes for the Monstorm and tidal flooding by 2030. The railway east of Highway 1 already terey Bay, we think this unique approach experiences flooding at extreme high tides. to planning, leveraging available tools The marsh area, the third largest in the and working in partnership with the state state, is especially vulnerable, with about and environmental groups will serve 85% projected to be inundated with 5 feet as a model for planning throughout the state,” said Heather Adamson, director of of sea level rise. “The impacts of sea level rise are truly planning at AMBAG. Caltrans recently completed climate hard to visualize,” said Alyssa Mann, coastal project director at The Nature Con- change vulnerability assessments for all 12 servancy. “Even though we know what is districts, including the Central Coast. likely to happen, numbers on a spreadsheet “Elkhorn App” page 13 and 2D maps are no match for the visceral

COMMUNITY NEWS

Sew Good!

Mask Maker in Aptos is Recognized

ptos resident Cathy Gamble was honored on April 10 for sewing well over 2,000 COVID-19 masks which she has given away for free during the yearlong pandemic. Several members of Aromas Hills Artisans were on hand in the Aromas

Town Square to present Gamble with their “Wings of Creativity” award, which included a certificate and a beautiful ceramic vase sculpted by Aromas artist Jane Rekedal. Many of the masks were given away in Aromas and Aptos. n

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Cathy Gamble, center, honored by Aromas Hills Artisans for her mask-making, is flanked by AHA coordinator Linda Bjornson and AHA President Jane Rekedal.

“Elkhorn App” from page 12 The $422,000 Elkhorn Slough project was primarily funded by Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. For information on the Central Coast Highway 1 Climate Resiliency project, click here. The Elkhorn Slough presentation features a customized 3D virtual space inspired by the visitor center at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and includes a step-by-step guided experience available in English and Spanish. Calil said, “We’re inspired by the potential of this powerful immersive digital experience to educate and drive action and envision a better future for our planet.”

The virtual reality experience can be viewed using Oculus GO VR goggles, smart phones (iOS and Android), and on the web and begins half way through the video. A 360-degree film about it is also available. The Nature Conservancy in California is partnering with Virtual Planet Technologies to test the use of virtual reality in helping communities prepare for climate change impacts, including a sea level rise tool for Long Beach and nature-based strategies for resilience for survivors of the devastating Camp Fire. To learn more, visit nature.org/cacities. n ••• h t t p s : / / w w w. e l k h o r n s l o u g h . o r g / experience-sea-level-rise-at-elkhorn-sloughvirtually/

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

APRIL 2021

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

It is a SELLER’S MARKET for sure. 21 homes Sold in Aptos in the past 30 days. The Median List Price was $1,350,000 and the Median Sales (MSP) Price was $1,550,000, $200,000 (14.8%) over list! As of 4/05, there are only 25 homes for sale in Aptos and the Median List Price is $1,288,000! I have a NEW LISTING COMING SOON (4/23) on Village Creek Rd at the entrance to Nisene Marks and walking distance to the Aptos Village, beaches, and out-the-door to the forest. Spacios, end-unit townhome, 1785 Sq. Ft., 2 master suites, 2.5 bath, backyard views to forest, one-car garage; asking $895,000. BUYERS, it is tough out there right now. To avoid any Red Flags being raised by the credit scoring systems, here is a list of things NOT to do during your loan process:

• Don’t apply for new credit – if you do this, your credit will be pulled by the potential creditor and you will lose points on your credit score. • Don’t make any large purchases – any changes to your credit card levels will signiﬁcantly impact your loan capabilities – Do NOT buy the appliances until after your loan is closed. • Don’t close credit card accounts. If you do this, it might look like your debt ratio has gone up. • Don’t max out or overcharge credit card accounts – try to keep your balances below 30 percent of limit during your loan process. • Don’t open, close, or change bank accounts – underwriters see this as a red ﬂag • Don’t deposit cash into your bank account during your loan process. If you get money from a family member for your purchase, you much have a gift letter for it. • Don’t co-sign loans with anyone.

It is always best to get as far along in the Loan Qualification Process as possible BEFORE submitting an offer. Many lenders are working hard to close loans in 21 days or less so that the buyer can compete with a cash offer. Be prepared, it will pay off.

COMMUNITY NEWS

$478 Million Rail Plan Fails Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Vote Tied 6-6

By Jondi Gumz

$478 million business plan to build an electric passenger rail service from Pajaro to the Santa Cruz Westside failed to advance after a 6-6 tie vote April 1 by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. A tie means the motion to accept the plan fails. The plan assumed $280 million would be available for construction, short $198 million, and $125 million short of the estimated $275 million annual operating cost. The plan covered expenses only for rail, not the bike and walking trail proposed alongside. Repairing the Capitola trestle is estimated to cost at least $20 million, according to RTC Executive Director Guy Preston. The commission, which consists of nine elected officials (who have alternates) and three representatives of Santa Cruz Metro, has dreamed of creating a passenger service since buying the rail corridor for $14 million in 2010. Voting yes to accept the business plan and its timetable to operate in 2035 were: Mike Rotkin of Santa Cruz and Aurelio Gonzalez of Watsonville, representing Santa Cruz Metro, Santa Cruz City Councilwoman Sandy Brown, Andy Schiffrin, alternate for Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, Watsonville City Councilman Eduardo Montecino, and South County Supervisor Greg Caput. Voting no were: Supervisors Manu Koenig and Bruce McPherson, Patrick Mulhearn, alternate for Supervisor Zach Friend, Scotts Valley City Councilman Randy Johnson, Capitola City Councilman Jacques Bertrand, and Capitola City Councilwoman Kristen Petersen of Capitola, representing Santa Cruz Metro. “The community cannot afford this rail plan,” said Koenig, who ousted incumbent John Leopold in November with a campaign to rethink the train. Koenig noted the county’s pavement rating of F for its 600 miles of roads and the Metro bus system’s deficit.

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No Votes

Bruce McPherson

Jacques Bertrand

Manu Koenig

Patrick Mulhearn

Kristen Petersen

Randy Johnson

Bertrand wants to improve the Metro bus system. Petersen said, “A lot of unknowns we don’t have answers for.” Those voting yes talked about options for the future. “It’s premature to end transit possibilities on this corridor,” said Rotkin. Brown cited the possibility of “a significant influx of funding,” and wanted “to position ourselves for the future.” Montesino, a veteran employee of Santa Cruz Metro, said, “My community --we’re in full support of this endeavor to keep our options open.” Caput said, “I’m all for connecting Pajaro to Santa Cruz to the state of California.” “Rail Plan” page 19

Yes Votes

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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

He questioned the assessment that pursuing $17 million to pay for an environmental review of the project had no fiscal impact. “Staff time costs $150 an hour,” Koenig said. “There is a very real cost. There is the cost of our time and attention … We need to spend time finding a way to reduce deaths, safe route to schools. We need a public vote (on a trail or a train in the rail corridor) as soon as possible.” McPherson cited three reasons to vote no: The plan showed a train wouldn’t impact Highway 1 traffic, physical challenges in building the rail line and it’s not financially feasible. Mulhearn said every consultant considered the passenger rail project “feasible if a series of impossible conditions are met. This project is infeasible.” He said Santa Cruz County (with 275,000 people) would have a tough time competing for federal funds against heavily populated areas. “We can’t be running an agency on magical thinking,” he said, adding his transportation solution: A dedicated bus lane on Soquel Drive/Avenue to get people to work and school faster. Johnson said, “This project sucks the oxygen out of all the transportation things we need to focus on” — such as road repairs and the bus system. He cited two rail projects with cost overruns — Sonoma and Marin’s SMART electric train and high-speed rail in the Central Valley — and the risks for local passenger rail: Funding, compatibility with freight service and a trail alongside, stakeholder support, project delivery — “so many red flags.” Bertrand said, “We just don’t have the density of people or high enough income to support a rail system. We bought an antique. It’s degraded… The Capitola trestle is not the Golden Gate Bridge.” He objected to data in the report that was not peer-reviewed, calling it “a major flaw.”

Andrew Schiffrin

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

Aurelio Gonzalez

Eduardo Montesino

Greg Caput

Mike Rotkin

Sandy Brown

COMMUNITY NEWS

Seeking Justice for Our Sisters

We maintain 15 active production wells that provide all the water for homes & businesses.

Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery • May 3-5

he Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery announce a collaboration with the American Indian Resource Center at UC Santa Cruz to support their virtual event series, “Seeking Justice for Our Sisters,” May 3-5. View the exhibit at https://art.ucsc. edu/sesnon/mmiwg. In Honor of Our Sisters collects photographs and narratives from Indigenous UC Santa Cruz students about important Indigenous women in their lives be they family members, community figures, activists, or political leaders. This exhibition was inspired by the REDress public art project by Jaime Black that raises awareness about the staggering numbers of missing and murdered Aboriginal women across Canada. The American Indian Resource Center hosts an annual event in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on May 5. Here is an excerpt from the exhibit by Jemzi Ortiz, a 2019 UC Santa Cruz graduate who is Northern Cheyenne: Rest in Peace Great Grandma Nathel. Rest in Peace Otissey he Cheyenne are a matriarchal society. The women lead and guide us, feed and nourish us; they created us. My great grandma Nathel Kitty Bell Fisher Show (Mo’oheme’ehn’e — Elk Appears Woman) had 8 children, 24 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. I am one of her 44 greatgrandchildren so was my cousin Otissey. Grandma Nathel passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19. This horrible disease has taken too many of our elders and knowledge holders and it took my greatgrandma away from my family too soon.

D I D YO U K N O W?

Your Community Partner for Reliable Water Jemzi Ortiz • REDress Project Grandma Nathel was preceded in death by her parents, her 2 sisters and my sweet cousin, Kayanna Otissey Gonzalez. Otissey was stolen from our family at the young age of 21 in 2019. My family is still seeking justice for her murder and trying to heal from the wounds of her passing. I can only hope that my great-grandma Nathel and my cousin Otissey are together again. Today, I am living in what is now known as Santa Cruz, the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. I live near Mission Santa Cruz where I take walks to and think of the Native people who once lived there. My picture is to honor the Indigenous women who were affected by the missions. I have not forgotten them. n

Arely Hernandez • REDress Project

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Koenig Ousts Leopold’s Cycling Reps By Jondi Gumz

hen First District Supervisor Manu Koenig, newly elected on a platform of change, wanted his appointees to serve on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Bicycle Advisory Committee, he followed the agency’s bylaws and asked for permission from his fellow commissioners. Grace Voss and her alternate Janneke Strause, both appointed by Koenig’s predecessor John Leopold, objected and asked to complete their three-year terms. Koenig’s platform called for a vote to see whether people want a passenger train or a bike and pedestrian trail on the under-used rail corridor from Santa Cruz to Watsonville. Leopold favored a passenger train with a trail alongside and his appointees shared his views. The vote to replace the committee members passed 7-5 with commissioners Randy Johnson, Jacques Bertrand, Bruce McPherson, Kristin Petersen, Greg

Caput, and Patrick Mulhearn, voted yes with Koenig. All but Mulhearn are elected officials. Mike Rotkin, Andy Schiffrin , Sandy Brown, Eduardo Montecino, and chair Aurelio Gonzalez voted no. Brown and Montecino are elected officials. Caput said he respected Koenig’s right to be able to put whoever he chooses there. He agreed it’s political, adding, “That’s the field we deal with.” Gonzalez said volunteers should be able to finish their First District Supervisor Manu Koenig talks to the board about replacing his predecessor’s appointees. terms. Voss is editor of the Santa Cruz bike-related issues, including projects, their fellow commissioners. Nomination County Cycling Club newsletter. Strauss funding applications and legislation. in the past. was the executive director of Bike Santa The Advisory Committee is chaired Schiffrin asked the bylaws be Cruz County, by Amelia Conlen of Ecology Action. amended to allow for individual appointThe 11-member Bicycle Advisory The RTC bylaws allow commis- ments, replacing the current process of Committee provides input to the Regional sioners to choose their committee individual nomination, then confirmation Transportation Commission on many representatives by obtaining consent of by the full commission. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Host Lions Club Turns 60

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By Becky Steinbruner

t began with a phone call from the Aptos Postmaster Charles Spencer in 1961, asking Dave Chamberlain, a new dentist in town, if he would support forming a Lions Club in Aptos. Dave’s wife, Barbara, said “Go for it!” and the Cabrillo Host Lions Club was off with a roar of public service that is still going strong. On Sunday, April 11, many of the club’s members and honored guests met outside at the Aptos Village County Park to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their Charter. The event included awards to the Aptos High School Leos Club affiliates, induction of two new members, and presentation by Charter member Dave Chamberlain. In addition to the core focus of helping children and adults improve or recover their eyesight, the Cabrillo Host Lions Club has helped the community in many public service projects. The group built and donated the Community Center at Aptos Village Park, helped build permanent restrooms at Polo Grounds County Park, added a second sign welcoming all to historic Aptos Village, provides annual scholarships, landscaping at the Wrold War 1 Veterans Memorial Monument on Freedom Boulevard, and is assisting CZU Fire victims. The Club meets outdoors at the Aptos Village Park once each month until COVID

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Cabrillo Host Lions Club 1961 Charter

restrictions are lifted to enable them to resume evening meetings inside the Community Center on the second and fourth Thursdays each month. The Lions Club is an international public service organization with 1.4 million members who seek to improve the world through selfless public service to those in need. n ••• Find the Cabrillo Host Lions on Facebook or email cabrillolions@yahoo.com

Photo Credit: Becky Steinbruner

Cabrillo Host Lions Charter member Dave Chamberlain (left) with Ray Boles, Dick Steck, and Bob Matson get together to mark the club’s 60th anniversary.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Fire Insurance Cancellation Moratorium: SB 824

n the wake of the 2020 CZU lightning fire, some homeowners in Aptos have received cancellation notices for their insurance policy. Jon Fernandez, associate insurance compliance officer with the California Department of Insurance, provided this information for homeowners and SB 824 moratoriums: We believe that Santa Cruz is affected by the CZU Lightning Fire and a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Newsom on Aug. 18, 2020. These are some of the related laws that may address your recent concerns after SB 824’s effective date Jan. 1, 2019: • California Insurance Code §675.1(b) — Cancellations and Non-Renewals Within Fire Perimeter Note: This code applies to undamaged properties and partial losses. Effective for losses occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2019, an insurer shall not cancel or refuse to renew a policy on a property located in any ZIP code within, or adjacent to, the fire perimeter for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency, based solely on the fact that the property is located in an area where the fire occurred. This subsection would not apply to situations where the insured’s acts or omissions have materially increased the risk or where other factors unrelated to the disaster have caused the property to become uninsurable. For the purposes of this section, it is important to note that the fire perimeter is determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in consultation with California Office of Emergency Services. The information is then provided to the California Department of Insurance with data describing the fire perimeter sufficient for the commissioner to determine the zip codes that are within or adjacent to the fire perimeter. • California Insurance Code §675.1(a) (3) — Non-Renewal After A Declared Disaster Note: This code applies to total loss of the primary insured structure. Except for the reasons specified in subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, of Section 676, the insurer shall offer, for at least the next two annual renewal periods (but no less than 24 months of coverage from the date of the loss), to renew the policy in

If you or someone that you know will need our assistance during this emergency, please complete our Request for Assistance form from our website: http://www.insurance. ca.gov/01-consumers/101help/index.cfm

accordance with the provisions of subdivision (a)(1) if the total loss to the primary insured structure was caused by a disaster, the loss was not also due to the negligence of the insured, and losses have not occurred subsequent to the disaster-related total loss that relate to physical or risk changes to the insured property that result in the property becoming uninsurable. If you or someone that you know will need our assistance during this emergency, please complete our Request for Assistance form from our website: http://www. insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101help/index.cfm. There is a printable as well as an online complaint form on that page. The online complaint form link is titled “Consumer Complaint Online” inside the Consumer Complaint Center box. The Request for Assistance form is what we forward to the insurance carrier so we can access their file for a regulatory review. In the meantime, we recommend that you also visit our Wildfire webpage by clicking: http://www.insurance. ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/ WildfireResources.cfm That information may be useful during this emergency since it provides updates and resources when dealing with the insurance companies. If we can assist you in the future with an insurance problem, or provide information, you may contact us through the email system or you may reach the Consumer Communication Bureau at 1-800-927-4357. n

IN MEMORIAM

Charlotte Mulcaster

June 1, 1945 ~ March 5, 2021

harlotte (Kelley) Mulcaster cherished wife, mother & friend of many passed away in the early morning of March 5, 2021 at home in Murphys, CA. She was born June 1, 1945 in Madera, CA. Charlotte was a fierce warrior who lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma (Cancer) after a 3-1/2 year battle. Cared for in her final days by her loving husband Larry Mulcaster, daughters Kimberly Lane Mueller, Krista Nicole Hefner and the kind and gentle people of Adventist Hospice Sonora. An amazing artist working in oil on canvas, watercolors on paper, sculpting clay who was also an accomplished print maker. She was a respected member of the art communities of Santa Cruz and Calaveras county’s with many friends. Her work was selected for a number of juried shows and is in private

“Rail Plan” from page 14 Schiffrin said, “The plan makes it clear rail service is not feasible — 44% of the funding is not available. My concern is not losing the option, should it turn out to be feasible in the future.” He disputed Bertrand’s call for peer-reviewed data, saying there was no demand for peer review when the scope of services was reviewed. Gonzalez, who chairs the board, wanted to look for money for the $17 million environmental study of electric passenger rail service. “This county’s population is going to grow, especially the ‘dreamers’ …people from around the world will be parking in your neighborhood, Capitola, La Selva, Aptos,” he said. The business plan was largely the work of Steve Decker, a national recognized transportation consultant with HDR. After the failed vote, Schriffin proposed to accept the business plan to meet the requirement of $100,000 from Caltrans toward the study and Preston suggested deleting the time table for construction and completion. Johnson, who’s been on the RTC 21 years, objected, calling the move “seat of the pants.” He insisted on a staff report to explain the implications of that action.

collections throughout the United States. She is survived by siblings Gloria Kelley of Madera, CA and Ronald Kelley of Fresno, CA, her grandsons Paul Kammer, Calvin Kammer, Cameron Derr, son-in-law John Mueller, step children Sean, Jennifer and Christopher Mulcaster all of whom loved her dearly. Charlotte loved her Havanese dogs, El Greco and Leonardo who followed her everywhere. Gone now to be with the Lord, she’s no longer in pain. She was a sweet and loving person who saw the good in everyone. Our thank you to all for your love and kindness during this trying time. ••• There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial held for Charlotte at 1:00 PM on May 8, 2021 at the Beautiful Ironstone Vineyards & Winery in Murphys, CA, 95247. It is open to all!

... the RTC will discuss in May the $100,000 from Caltrans that helped pay for the business plan, and whether it must be repaid. The vote on Schiffrin’s motion was 6-6, so it failed. As a result, the RTC will discuss in May the $100,000 from Caltrans that helped pay for the business plan, and whether it must be repaid. The next meeting is Thursday, May 6, at 9 a.m. online. For details, see https://sccrtc.org/ Before Koenig joined the RTC, the RTC voted to support a visit by the Coast Futura streetcar, wireless and battery-powered, built by TIG/m, from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola, as well as in Watsonville, on Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 28-Sept. 6. The demonstration, scheduled in cooperation with Roaring Camp Railroads and pro-passenger train Coastal Rail Santa Cruz, was originally planned for spring 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic. n ••• For a report on Supervisor Manu Koenig’s request to replace his district’s representatives on the RTC bicycle advisory committee, see page 16.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Graduation Will Look Different This Year O n March 26, the state Department of Public Health released guidance for graduation ceremonies during the pandemic: No handshakes, no hugging! Wear masks and stay six feet apart. This guidance is intended to provide recommendations to help students, teachers, families, and school administrators celebrate the momentous milestone of graduation while also preventing the spread of COVID-19. School administrators and commencement organizers must identify and monitor the County Risk Level the school is operating in and make required adjustments to their commencement ceremony just as families must adjust their private celebrations. Across all Tiers: All commencement ceremonies must follow these requirements: • All attendees, including school staff, performers, students and families are counted toward any occupancy capacity limit. • If multiple ceremonies are planned for a single day, schools must allow for at least two hours between ceremonies to prevent mixing. • Limit attendee groups to a household unit. People from the same household do not need to be six feet apart. • Audience seating must be fixed or marked, with readily identifiable signs to indicate by section, row, and seat. Marked seats should clearly define

G space for individuals with appropriate space per person (no blanket reservations or group areas). All commencement ceremonies shall adhere to attendance limitations as defined within the CDPH Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances Guidance. Outdoor, in-person ceremonies are permissible, consistent with this guidance. If the current county tier the school is operating in does not permit an outdoor, in-person ceremony, see the Alternatives section below. Individual Measures ll attendees must wear masks as per CDPH Face Coverings Guidance and maintain distance of at least 6 feet from other attendees at all times, other than with household members such as when they are in their own vehicles.

• Speakers may remove masks during their remarks as long as they are at least 6 feet away from other attendees. Speakers should keep the time for comments brief to limit the time they are unmasked. • Attendance must be limited to school staff, graduates, household members, and family members and attendees must abide by travel limitations in the current CDPH Travel Advisory. º Attendees must sign up in advance of the graduation, and only those who have preregistered may attend. º Staff or attendants must monitor the number of attendees entering the graduation event and confirm they pre-registered. • Persons particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 (due to age or underlying conditions) should be discouraged from attending.

When Will The Fence on Highway 1 Overpass Be Repaired?

housands of drivers see it daily: The damaged fence on the overpass hanging over Highway 1 south of the State Park Drive exit in Aptos. The fence — a casualty of the winter 2016 mega-storm that left $130 million in damage — has still not been repaired. However, it has not been overlooked. Shannon Munz, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, provided this explanation: “We previously put this project out to bid in 2020 and received one bid, which was high. At that time, we decided to reject the bid and repackage the contract to include an interim fix since we have a Highway 1 project under development that will replace the bridge in its entirety in 5-10 years.” She added, “The repackaging of

• Individuals who are sick or in isolation or quarantine must remain at home. • All attendees should be screened or self-screen for fever and COVID-19 symptoms before leaving home for the event. Entering/Exiting raduates must enter and exit 6 feet apart from one another in a single line. Social distancing measures include: • Signage or pavement/ground markings • If a line forms outside of the graduation, staff should direct those waiting to maintain social distancing. • Tape, chalk, or other markings should be laid on the ground outside of the venue • Staff should direct people to maintain social distancing. • Staff should direct successive row-byrow exiting. Before, During, and After • Staff should enforce face covering compliance throughout. • The venue must be cleaned and disinfected prior to and after the event, particularly high touch surfaces (bathrooms). Consider cleaning hightouch surfaces (podium) between each speaker. Clean and disinfect shared equipment (microphones) between different users; consult equipment manufacturers regarding the appropriate method. • Receptions before or after the graduation must comply with the restrictions within the CDPH Guidance for Gatherings appropriate to the county Blueprint tier. • Food or drink concessions are only allowed per the tier limits outlined in the CDPH Outdoor Live Events and Performances Guidance. Students and families should be advised in advance regarding the availability of refreshments. • There must be permanent or added barriers to create at least 12 feet between where event attendees sit and the stage or podium. All attendees, including graduates, school administrators, guests or family members, must remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. º Attendees who are not part of the same household must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Members of the same household are permitted to sit together and less than 6 feet apart.

the contract required Caltrans approval of an encroachment permit rider, which we are still waiting for them to approve. We expect to be able to advertise for this project in the next few weeks and award

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in June with construction taking place this summer.” n Editor’s note: Thanks to Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner for asking the question.

“Graduation” page 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

SC County Bank Expands SBA Team S S E anta Cruz County Bank has expanded its Small Business Administration Lending Department, hiring three experienced business development officers, two processors and a loan underwriter. SBA is the federal agency overseeing the Payroll Protection Program of forgivable loans to small business owners for pandemic relief. New on the SBA team members are: ndrew Chambers, Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer, located in Windsor, covering the San Francisco Bay Area and north to the Oregon border. He brings 18 years of banking experience at Umpqua Bank and Poppy Bank, with a focus on SBA and USDA Andrew Chambers financing. He has a bachelor’s degree in

business administration from Oregon State University, with a history minor. mily Baxter, Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer, located in Fresno, covering the Central Sierra foothills to the Central Coast. She has nine years of SBA experience, working at Umpqua Bank and Poppy Bank, and was consistently named top SBA 7(a) Emily Baxter and USDA B&I income producer. She graduated magna cum laude from CSU Fresno. evin Rappleye, Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer, located in Elk Grove, covering the greater Sacramento area and north to the Oregon border. He has 30 years of experience in the banking most recently as vice president, business

development officer with First Community Bank, growing the SBA Division and focusing on SBA 7a loans. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from CSU Sacramento. Also new: Ricardo Monedero, Assistant Vice President, SBA Kevin Rappleye Loan Underwriter, former AVP senior SBA risk manager/underwriter in the Sacramento area; Dayna Herron, Senior SBA Loan Processor, previously served as loan processor II and AVP, SBA loan closing officer in Las Vegas and Temecula; and Laurie Frank, Senior SBA Loan Processor, formerly senior loan processor and loan documentation specialist with Wells Fargo. Santa Cruz County Bank’s Senior Vice President and SBA Department Manager

SCCB Announces Promotion

anta Cruz County Bank has promoted Kaylee Silverberg from credit analyst to relationship manager, based at 2020 N. Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. She started as a customer service representative at Lighthouse Bank, joining Santa Cruz County Bank as credit analyst in July 2019 before the two banks merged. A graduate of Kaylee Silverberg Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, she is also a graduate of the California Community Banking Network Credit Analyst school. n

Susan Chandler said, “Our commitment to supporting small businesses is unwavering, especially in these challenging times.” n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Private Events To Be Allowed as of April 15

n April 2, with vaccination rates increasing and the state’s COVID-19 test positivity rate near a record low, the California Department of Public Health issued new guidance allowing gatherings, private events or meetings such as receptions or conferences, and indoor seated live events and performances, starting April 15. Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said the changes reflect “the progress we are making both in vaccinations and in controlling the spread of COVID-19.” What’s allowed depends on which tier each county is in. Santa Cruz County entered the Orange Tier on March 31, and after three weeks if case counts remain low and vaccinations increase, could be eligible to move on April 27 to the Yellow Tier, which has fewer restrictions. Here are the details: • Gatherings: In the Red Tier, outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed. The gathering size increases to 50 people in the Orange Tier and 100 people in the Yellow Tier. In the Purple Tier, only outdoor gatherings are allowed, and they are limited to three households. Indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged in all tiers but are allowed with modifications

and capacity limits in the Red, Orange and Yellow tiers. • Private events or meetings such as receptions or conferences: In all tiers, measures to reduce risk are required, such as pre-purchased tickets or a defined guest list and assigned seating. º In the Purple Tier, these activities are only allowed outdoors and capacity is limited to 25 people. If all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination, capacity increases to up to 100 people. º In the Red Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people, and capacity increases to 200 if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. Indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination; capacity is limited to 100 people. º In the Orange Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, and capacity increases to 300 if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. Indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show full proof of vaccination; capacity is limited to 150 people. º In the Yellow Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 200 people, and capacity increases to 400 if all guests are tested or show proof of

full vaccination. Indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show full proof of vaccination; capacity is limited to 200 people. • Indoor live events or performances: In the Purple Tier these activities are not allowed. In the Red, Orange and Yellow tiers these activities are allowed with capacity limits and measures such as physical distancing, advance ticket purchases, designated areas for eating and drinking, and attendance limited to in-state visitors. º Venues with a capacity of up to 1,500 people: In the Red Tier, capacity is limited to 10% or 100 people, and capacity increases to 25% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In the Orange Tier, capacity is limited to 15% or 200 people, and capacity increases to 35% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In the Yellow Tier, capacity is limited to 25% or 300 people, and capacity increases to 50% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. º Venues with a capacity of 1,501 and above: In the Red Tier, testing or proof of vaccination is required, and capacity is limited to 20%. In the Orange Tier, capacity is limited

to 10% or 2,000 people, and capacity increases to 35% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In the Yellow Tier, capacity is limited to 10% or 2,000 people, and capacity increases to 50% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. “Private Events” page 23

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Youth in Crisis? Call for MERTY O

n April 8, the County of Santa Cruz launched the South County Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth to provide community and fieldbased crisis intervention services to youth age 21 and younger. To request MERTY services, call 1-800952-2335 Mon.–Fri. between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The mobile clinic — MERTY — is staffed by a bilingual clinician and bilingual family support partner to provide culturally responsive and clinically appropriate services, responding quickly to help stabilize youth, support families and connect them to additional services. One of the staff is family specialist Janet Garcia. If Spanish-speaking staff are not

The team uses this new van, fully equipped inside to provide a confidential meeting space.

available, families can access live translation services. “Urgent crisis services are a priority, now more than ever, as youth struggle with the ongoing pandemic and continue to be isolated from school, peers and social interactions,” said Cassandra Eslami, South County Services & Community Engagement Director. “MERTY reduces the need for transportation or office space by providing field-based urgent response coupled with a confidential meeting space inside the behavioral health mobile office.” The clinical team can provide services at sites such as schools, after-school programs and faith-based organizations. When news of the service was posted on the county’s Facebook page, the move was applauded by dozens of viewers. “Awesome, thanks for reaching out to the youth,” wrote Phyllis Dias, an artist in Watsonville. Julie Smith wondered if the service would become available on evening sand weekends as a crisis can happen at any hour. Aptos resident Jessica Janus asked if the service is available beyond Watsonville. Actually it is. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority, which funded this program, also provided another grant of $578,973 to add a second MERTY mobile unit in North County, for youth in crisis.

Santa Cruz County now has a bilingual team to respond to calls about youth in crisis Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We are excited to launch MERTY to meet the needs of children, adolescents and family members in our Watsonville community,” Behavioral Health Director Erik Riera said. “With COVID-19 being part of our daily lives for the last year, we understand this has been a struggle

for many, particularly children who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis or for those that there are concerns are not doing well--struggling emotionally. We want you to call, and we want to help. Please consider reaching out to us.” n

Attorney General Alleges Brookdale Senior Living Lied to Medicare

By Jondi Gumz

n March 12, Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined a coalition of district and city attorneys, led by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, in filing a lawsuit against Tennessee-based Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., a publicly traded company and the nation’s largest senior living operator, with 10 skilled nursing facilities in California. This lawsuit alleges that Brookdale ignored laws designed to Xavier Becerra protect nursing home patients’ safety when they are discharged. The lawsuit also alleges that Brookdale gave false information on nursing staffing hours to Medicare for calculating its “star ratings” for nursing homes on NursingHomeCcompare

which are used by consumers to evaluate quality for their loved ones. By lying to Medicare, the lawsuit alleges, Brookdale fraudulently increased its star rating to attract prospective patients and their families, in particular people covered by Medicare, which pays nursing homes more for care than California’s Medi-Cal program. The attorneys contend these practices violated the Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law. They seek a court order to prevent practices in violation of the state’s Business and Professional Code and civil penalties of $2,500 for each violation. The case targets Brookdale’s Riverwalk, a 120-bed nursing home in Bakersfield and cites three examples of patient discharges without the required notice to the resident, family or ombudsman resulting in stress and health crises. One man, 80, with Alzheimer’s, congestive heart failure, chronic atrial fibrillation,

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chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes and reflux was admitted to a hospital within a week of discharge. Another man, 78, with heart and kidney disease, difficulty walking and recovering from pneumonia, was discharged with a catheter attached to his body. The family of another resident asked Brookdale for help to find suitable care, but was given none, according to the lawsuit. “We categorically deny that Brookdale engaged in intentional or fraudulent conduc,” a Brookdale spokesperson wrote in an email to the Californian, which covers Bakersfield and reported the investigation began in 2016 in response to complaints. “Publicizing unproven allegations is reckless and undermines the public’s confidence in a service necessary to the care of elderly individuals,

especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brookdale is dedicated to providing quality care to our residents and patients, and we take our mission of enriching the lives of those we serve seriously.” Investigation he lawsuit was filed just before The New York Times published an indepth investigation March 14 analyzing millions of nursing home payroll records and finding nursing homes across America manipulating Medicare’s rating system by exaggerating nursing staffing hours and attracting patients who wanted the top five-star rating. From the “star rating” launch in 2010 to 2018, Medicare relied on nursing homes to report the average number of hours nurses and aides spent with patients. Outside experts said that incentivized nursing homes to fudge the numbers.

“Brookdale” page 27

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Leaf Ends Sales of Single-Use Small Bottles A s of April 22, Earth Day, New Leaf Community Markets stopped sales of single-use bottles of water, part of an initiative to boost its landfill diversion rate from 52 percent to 57 percent. The policy will apply to all New Leaf stores including Aptos, Capitola and Santa Cruz and all New Seasons Market stores. “Combined, beverage bottles, caps and lids make up the second most common form of ocean litter. By committing to using reusable bottles, we can remove almost 70,000 single-use plastic, aluminum and glass bottles a year,” said Athena Petty, senior sustainability manager at New Leaf Community Markets and parent company New Seasons. “We’re starting efforts with still water in containers one liter or less because opting for reusables is an easy individual choice to help lessen our collective environmental impact.” Lindsay Gizdich, associate brand manager at New Leaf, said, “To the best of our knowledge, we will be the first grocery chain to eliminate single-use bottles of still water at this scale in plastic, fiber, aluminum or glass containers.” Jimbo’s, a Southern California chain, stopped selling single-use plastic bottles in 2019, and San Francisco Airport banned the sale of plastic water bottles at its convenience stores, restaurants and vending machines in fall 2019. Gizdich said the New Leaf began planning the change in 2019 and scheduled a launch for spring 2020, but the CVOID-19 pandemic altered that timetable. New Leaf Community Markets still offers larger sizes in the grocery department, as well as singleserving bottles of sparkling and flavored water that are not available from the tap. To help customers change their habits, stores will offer one refillable single-serve bottle of still

“Private Event” from page 21 Fairs can now follow the same guidance as amusement parks such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with 25% indoor capacity and time restrictions in the Orange Tier and 35% indoor

“Graduation” from page 20 º If there is permanent seating, rows should be blocked off and kept empty to allow for sufficient distancing between rows. º Graduates must be seated 6 feet apart. • Mark 6-foot sections to help attendees understand what 6 feet looks like. This can be done with small flags, tape, or balloons. • To comply with the 6-foot spacing, handshaking and hugs should not occur.

The shelves at New Leaf include Pathwater in a refillable bottle but single-use one-liter bottles have been eliminated for reasons of sustainability. water from Pathwater, which comes in an aluminum bottle designed to be refilled. Customers can find reusable water bottles to purchase in the Home Goods department. The water bottle elimination is one step in the 2021 sustainability initiatives: • Reduce operational waste from our stores to achieve a

57% landfill diversion rate • Meet a company-wide goal to reduce energy use by 5 percent per revenue dollar • Reward Neighbor Rewards customers with 10 bonus points when shopping with reusables • Increase participation in e-receipts to save paper (Receipt paper is not recyclable.) n

capacity and time restrictions in the Yellow Tier. Overnight sleepaway camps are allowed to open as of June 1, creating an opportunity for many shuttered camps in Santa Cruz County to reopen. “As we continue to expand vaccine

distribution, California is poised for a safe and equitable recovery,” said Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to Gov. Newsom and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “We will continue to work with businesses, arts organizations, community

groups and others to open carefully, with health and safety top of mind, so that we never have to go backwards.” View the updated sector chart to see which activities and businesses are allowed in each tier. n For more info visit www.covid19.ca.gov.

• Consider limiting the sharing or exchanging of materials (such as throwing graduation caps, “sign-in” practices, programs, gifts, flowers). • Districts and schools should, if possible, send students diplomas and caps and gowns in advance through the mail or delivery so they can arrive dressed and with their diplomas in hand. • Graduates may be invited to walk across the stage individually and turn their tassel in lieu of receiving the diploma. Alternatively, diplomas and awards could be distributed if

bestowing the awards and diplomas is done in a manner that reduces contact (placing each diploma and award on a table as the graduate walks by to retrieve it). Or, hand hygiene should be performed before and after touching objects and should be available in the appropriate locations. Alternatives • Virtual, recorded or live-streamed graduation ceremonies. • Sharing videos of graduates’ pictures, speeches, graduates’ short messages from classmates, or videos highlighting graduates’ experiences.

• Car parades that meet local health department requirements. • Drive-in, outdoor ceremonies with graduates marching in the school parking lot but families watching in their cars and listening to the event via radio. • Use social or local media to highlight graduates • Postponement: Risky as no guarantee circumstances will be different later. n ••• Details: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/ DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19-GraduationGuidance.aspx

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Dr. Rodriguez Answers Questions On Testing, Graduation, HVAC and Food

I keep hearing that you are testing high school athletes. Is that true? Can people attend the games? n order for student athletes to play indoor, high contact sports such as basketball and wrestling, the student athletes must be tested twice a week using a PCR test. PVUSD has begun the testing of athletes involved in those sports so they can play their season. On April 6, the Sports Guidance from the California Department of Health was once again updated and can be found at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/ DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/outdoor-indoorrecreational-sports.aspx. The new guidance allows for spectators: For all youth and adult outdoor sports, spectators and observers are permitted pursuant to Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances. Spectators and observers for indoor sports is limited to observation of youth sports (age 18 years and under), and is further limited to immediate household members for the strict purpose of age-appropriate supervision. This prohibition shall remain in effect until the Indoor Seated Live Events and Performance Guidance is posted and becomes effective. Will students have to take the SBAC Assessment this year? o, the State Board of Education successfully negotiated testing flexibilities with the U.S. Department of Education, making the case for use of acceptable local assessments in lieu of Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and mathematics. In February, the PVUSD Board of Trustees, by resolution, set the district on the path to using local alternative assessments if allowed. As such, the District will be using the NWEA-MAP Growth assessments in lieu of SBA assessments for the 2020-21 school year. The NWEA-MAP tests will be administered remotely this spring as done earlier this school year. Testing will be scheduled during morning distance learning sessions so as not to take away from in-person instruction. Arrangements will be made for students with unreliable Internet to be brought to school during the morning session to complete testing. How is pick-up and drop-off going to go? Most schools are in residential areas, and with the required screening at drop-off, what will be done to prevent traffic issues? ick-up and drop-off at the sites has been going very well. Some challenges

Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

we have been experiencing has been due to road construction occurring close to the school sites. The construction companies are trying to work alternate hours to lessen the impact now that we are back to in-person learning. PVUSD has put in multiple solutions to ensure the required screening of students as they arrive on campus is done quickly and effectively. All students have received or will receive on the first day they attend in-person instruction an identification card with a lanyard linked to the home screening application they should be doing on their Chromebook at home prior to coming to school. Information on the home screening can be found at https://reopening.pvusd. net/home-symptom-screening. By doing the health screening at home, we are able to quickly move through the site’s screening of students as well as the taking of temperatures with the thermal scanners. We have also painted traffic flow pattern symbols so that students know where to go and how to remain physically distant from each other. What instruction will be given during the afternoon? Is a student who opted out of going to after school going to miss out on class instruction? Is a student who opted in just taking additional instruction that is not required for their core classes. Your explanation on ‘return to classroom’ doesn’t make sense. Please clarify what high school students will be doing on campus and if they are performing well, do they need to go? es, we believe that all students will benefit from the in-person instruction. Afternoon instruction at the secondary level is subject specific. This means that teachers will be providing lessons that facilitate student growth in the subject area. These could be lessons that re-engage a concept not mastered by students during the morning or it could be an extension learning for students demonstrating they have mastered skills and content presented. Several teachers are also taking the opportunity to have students access peer collaboration and projects as well as labs that could not easily be done virtually. We also recognize the social emotional benefits for students to be able to see and interact with other students in the learning environment.

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

For the elementary level, teachers have been provided suggested areas to focus on and how to prioritize this time. Classroom instruction may include social emotional learning, literacy, math, language development, and connections through live peer-to-peer interactions. Our goal is to provide additional opportunities to accelerate social emotional and academic growth in students who are accessing in-person instruction. What if my child has a medical exemption regarding wearing a mask and wishes to attend in person class? n accordance with the California Department of Public Health, there are some individuals who are exempt from wearing a mask. PVUSD has a face mask exemption form that must be completed prior to students attending school. This form is to be reviewed and completed by the student’s primary care physician. If you believe your child needs an exemption form, please contact Special Services, your site principal, school nurse, or special education teacher. Once the form is complete, please turn it into your site administrator for review. With the completed form signed by the doctor, school nurse and administrator your child will be able to attend school in person with accommodations to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Even though we know some individuals are exempt from wearing a mask, we are making every attempt to support all students to wear a mask at school as much as possible. Some of the things we are doing to support mask wearing include: providing clear masks for students that are hearing impaired, sensory friendly masks for students that may have a hard time tolerating typical face masks, providing social stories and videos for students to support understanding and tolerating mask wearing. We will continue to work with students and families to support mask wearing at school. Will there be in-person graduation ceremonies this year? es, we plan on holding in-person graduation ceremonies this year for our seniors. On March 26, California Department

of Public Health released new guidance on commencement ceremonies that will allow us to hold in-person graduations. Here is an excerpt from the guidance: Across all Tiers: All commencement ceremonies must adhere to the following requirements and modifications: • All attendees, including school staff, performers, students and families are counted toward any occupancy capacity limit. • If multiple ceremonies are planned for a single day, schools must allow for at least two hours between ceremonies to prevent mixing across attendees. • Limit attendee groups to a household unit. People from the same household do not need to be six feet apart. • Audience seating must be fixed or marked, with readily identifiable signs to indicate by section, row, and seat. Marked seats should clearly define space for individuals with appropriate space per person (no blanket reservations or group areas). All commencement ceremonies shall adhere to attendance limitations as defined within the current CDPH Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances Guidance. Outdoor, in-person ceremonies are permissible, consistent with this guidance. For all of the details on commencement requirements including information on screening and requirements needed to occur before, during and after the event, you can review the following link: https:// w w w. c d p h . c a . g o v / P ro g r a m s / C I D / DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19Graduation-Guidance.aspx For students opting in for in person learning, will parents still have to call them in as sick or for doctor’s appointments? es, please continue to notify the school office if your child will be missing afternoon instruction. Teachers are planning for students to be there so they can help to maximize learning during this established time. This will also help to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. Thanks for answering my question last week about the after school and students earning 20 more credits then the original 30. You did mention it was for seniors, so only seniors will be invited to this?

“PVUSD Q&A” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Travel Troubleshooter

Help! Lufthansa canceled our tickets but kept our money

hen Lufthansa cancels part of Po Yee Fan’s flight from San Francisco to Tirana, Albania, she tries to get a refund for the new ticket. Why won’t the airline help her? ••• efore the pandemic, my husband, my two friends, and I, were supposed to join a Gate 1 tour in Albania. Gate 1 booked us a Lufthansa flight, which consisted of three legs from San Francisco to Tirana via Amsterdam and Frankfurt. When we checked in at the gate in Amsterdam for the flight to Frankfurt, a Lufthansa representative told us that our reservation had been canceled. The agent at the boarding gate didn’t give us a reason for the cancellation. We had to buy a new ticket to get to Tirana. When we returned, we sent an email to Lufthansa, requesting a refund for the ticket we had to buy. Lufthansa denied our request. It also rejected our appeal. Can you help us get a refund of the $1,605 we had to pay for the new tickets? — Po Yee Fan, Oakland, Calif. ••• f Lufthansa canceled the flight, it should refund your ticket. But did Lufthansa cancel your flight? Your daughter contacted Lufthansa on your behalf. The airline said its records show that while the flight operated on

By Christopher Elliott

schedule, United Airlines canceled your reservation. (United is a code-share partner with Lufthansa Star Alliance.) You asked United Airlines for help, but it deferred to Lufthansa. It also noted that you and your husband were “no shows” for your flight to Tirana. That’s not possible since you were traveling as a group, and your two friends boarded the plane as scheduled. If you’re a “no show” for a flight, then the airline automatically cancels the rest of your flights. This is not the way it’s supposed to work. Gate 1 should have taken ownership of this problem, finding a replacement flight and fighting for any refund. Instead, you were getting bounced between two airlines and a tour operator -- and getting nowhere. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of all the executive contacts at https://www.elliott.org/companycontacts/gate-1-travel/, https://www. elliott.org/company-contacts/unitedairlines/ and https://www.elliott.org/ company-contacts/lufthansa-airlines/ I probably would have started with Gate 1, since it booked the flights. Since your flights were on Lufthansa, my second stop would have been the German carrier. It looks like your daughter tried to keep everything in writing, which is helpful. But there’s also a time to get

on the phone, and that time was when you were in Amsterdam and didn’t have a ticket to continue to Frankfurt. I would have exhausted every possibility, including calling Gate 1, Lufthansa and United before buying a new ticket. Getting money from an airline is almost impossible. But not entirely impossible. I contacted

all three on your behalf. After several weeks, United sent you a refund for the new flight. n ••• Christopher Elliott’s latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). Get help by contacting him at http://www.elliott.org/help © 2021 Christopher Elliott.

Fictional Monsters

ACROSS

1. “Turkey” dance 5. X minus III 8. Accounting acronym 11. Angel’s glow 12. Like list of chores 13. Inside info 15. “National Velvet” author Bagnold 16. Heavy Metal band Quiet ____ 17. *Worn by monster hunters and dragonslayers 18. *Sea monster with atomic breath 20. Brooms and cauldrons to a witch, e.g.

21. Subject of biographies, pl. 22. ____ of Aquarius 23. Saudi’s southern neighbor 26. Ceremonial flight 30. “I” problem 31. Sweet-talk 34. Marine eagle 35. The Revenge of the ____, 1984 37. ____ you sure? 38. Desires 39. Russia’s Romanov, e.g. 40. Comfy pants 42. Preceding month 43. Google Maps predecessor, pl. 45. Blackbird-like birds 47. Crow sound 48. Group of professionals 50. Like a bow string

52. *Witch of Russian fairytales 55. ____ con carne 56. G in 1000 g., e.g. 57. Loose hood 59. Was rebroadcasted 60. Prospector’s mother? 61. Bassoon cousin 62. Nod up and down 63. *He played Dracula and Count Dooku 64. *Like Sendak’s Things

7. Just a little 8. Michael Douglas’ 1978 mystery thriller 9. Like the Weasleys of “Harry Potter” 10. Second qtr. calendar month 12. Alex Trebek’s forte 13. Drooping 14. *Jeepers ____, sing. 19. Coats with Zn 22. Tap order 23. Yiddish busybody 24. Opposite of digest DOWN 25. Like high ground 1. England’s favorite 26. Pestilence pest drink, in French 27. Lock horns 2. *Addams Family’s Lurch: “You ____?” 28. Darlene or Jacob of Ozark 3. A dish of stewed meat 29. MCAT and LSAT 4. Waddle 32. *Amity Island fish 5. Bridal veil fabric 33. Bonanza find 6. Objects of worship

36. *Transylvanian bloodsucker 38. Shylock’s practice 40. Use a Singer 41. Up until now, 2 words 44. Like luxurious sheets 46. Another name for manatee, 2 words 48. Not kayak 49. Follow rules 50. Shakespearean “you” 51. What snob puts on 52. *Minotaur is half man, half ____ 53. Mongolian desert 54. Deserter’s acronym 55. ____, The Beloved Country 58. Zeppelin predecessor © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Planting in the Temple: April Showers Bring May Flowers

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

n the Agni Yoga Wisdom teachings, there are references to the light from stars, planets, moon and sun vitalizing trees and flowers to be used by humanity as foods, resins, oils and medicines. All these substances are life givers and thus planted in temple gardens. The flowers most mentioned are roses, freesias and lilac and trees of pine, cedar and eucalyptus. Oils are rose, cedar (deodar), eucalyptus, musk and amber and references to wreaths and garlands for healing. It is written that eucalyptus helps one in clear thinking. Cedar and eucalyptus purify and heal. Pine needles contain electrical energy received from the heavens. The wisdom texts recommend having the fragrance of freesias, gardens of roses, lilacs in the spring, cedars and eucalyptus on the roads leading up to the temple. Roses prevent imperil, freesias benefit the nervous system, barley for lungs is unsurpassed. Mint (leaves, essence, scent, oil) is a disinfectant. It is also a friend. Plant violets and freesias for their scent. Their fragrance tells ARIES

one a Benevolent Source is near. Licorice, senna, aloe, Artemisia (wormwood). The juice of carrots or radishes, or strawberries, are best in their raw, pure state. The ancient Rishis subsisted on these foods. There is alchemy in the plant kingdom. Like Mary pouring myrrh on Christ, the World Teacher’s feet. Symbolizing the power and radiance of love. In ancient temples peacocks were kept. Rays of the sun at dawn are recommended each day. Warm milk, honey and turmeric at night with a spray of pepper. At night the Teacher sends rays of healing to strengthen the heart. Vitalizing our bodies with the indicated “medicines.” April showers bringing forth May flowers. Increasing the prana, the life-force, the breath, the nature-valoris, starry light twinkling within us. NOTE: As Aries begins a new spiritual and astrological year for humanity, it’s good to review the signs … their habits, proclivities, abilities, needs and tasks. So we can understand each other better and love each other more.

LEO

This sign, initiating new ideas, also forms deep habits. As children and students, partners and lovers they need encouragement to be patient, punctual and steadfast. Eventually they move from instinct to illumination to intuition, releasing all that is undisciplined. They must learn how to serve, a principle of liberation, which saves and uplifts the world. They must learn to love or their mission fails.

When not assuming power over others, the lion can be playful, masterly and self-assured. It’s important they see fair play and sportsmanship as more valuable than competitive winning. Leos have a strong constitution and are generous because the Sun shines directly into their hearts. They can often over-reach beyond safety and see themselves as immortal. They are and they aren’t. Only with love is this true.

TAURUS

VIRGO

This is the sign of illumination, their minds like search lights, directing everyone towards the Path ahead. They can be focused researchers. To accomplish this they must fit themselves for service through exercise, sunlight, pure water, adequate protein, and a balance of work and leisure, comfort and a life without undue discipline. They reach into the source of light, radiating light outward into the darkness.

These are the students of the zodiac, learning everything in detail before embarking upon a game plan or endeavor. They leave no stone unturned and this provides them with acute perception and an intelligence that harbors great depths (unseen). Sometimes they are shy. Sometimes they are afraid of their intelligence. They turn away from dazzling.

GEMINI

LIBRA

SAGITTARIUS

These secret foodies, also musicians, are adventurous game players. They don’t like defeat. They play long and hard. Ideals and goals form their long-term value system. They’re very sensitive, can lose in games to those who concentrate on repetition and the humdrum. Sagittarius is the opposite of uninspired, never monotonous. Sag is restless, seeks freedom, the archer on the white horse (car), galloping (driving) over the plains. Oops, he’s gone. CAPRICORN

They work hard at everything. They’re dignified, prudent and very serious, until their dry sense of humor erupts and everyone’s startled to see the other side of Cap’s solemn demeanor tending to constant tasks at hand. They are traditionalists who overcome criticism or ridicule, which no one should overcome, actually. Their natural somberness needs to be met with light-hearted confidence. Joy seeks them. So the Light supernal within can emerge.

They stimulate and vivify all life (kingdoms) they contact, Whatever they do Librans are balanced, have a AQUARIUS keen precision, always adjusting acting as a transmitter of knowledge, disMany are artistic, graceful and unusual. Aquarians to circumstances. Sometimes they persing information, letting in the radiance consider others’ difficulties through the shouldn’t. They weigh each move; lens of the future and the past. Aquarians of truth. They seek to find their destined sometimes are so impartial they are often misunderstood. As they stand service, to act as a bridge between every- cannot compete. This is good for the new Sharing within and from the future, they can thing and everyone. They are the Antakarana (Rainbow Society that Librans will help create with the New bridge), lifting all kingdoms into heaven (the Soul), Group of World Servers. Libra is an extraordinary be thought of as dreamers. They are the visionaries. bringing heaven down to earth. Gemini’s are to plant nut ally with a splendid judgment, always focused on No one sees the future as they do. They must always have freedom, never be hemmed in. Their eyesight is collaboration and harmony. Everyone wins. and avocado trees. Geminis are the seed. extraordinary, sighting objects no one else sees. They do not humiliate. They are praiseworthy. CANCER SCORPIO It’s difficult to advise some signs. Cancer and Cap- The most courageous, the most battle-worn and PISCES weary (along with Pisces), the most ricorn are two such signs. They are their They win by retreating, never forcing the river, the hard hitting, the most tenacious and own advisors. Cancers are very intelpace, the play of life. In a Piscean lifetime persistent (like their shadow, Taurus), ligent, instinctual and later intuitional. and world there’s an attempt to perfect the most powerful (internally), the They need quietude, repose, tidiness an ideal, a spiritual ambition and to gain most defended (sometimes), the most feared (by and routine. Often their crabwalk circles these virtues. loving regard. To achieve the ideal they those who don’t understand astrology), the most We need to assist them in accomplishing their tasks excessive, with the most desires, the most experi- concentrate their mind, emotions and body. Their with equanimity and joy. Cancer can be fascinated enced in knowing the underbelly of society, which senses predominate. That is their protection. They see with habits long past their usefulness. Cancers should is why they always wear black and purple and sun- potential. They are vessels of compassion. They are to grow roses and honeysuckle. be protected. glasses. They understand shadows. •••

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

26 / April 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“PVUSD Q&A” from page 24

ll students were invited to return to in-person instruction. We already have quite a few seniors taking the opportunity to access increased instruction and support. After the April 28 board meeting, we will have confirmation of our earned credit reduction plan for this year’s seniors. At that point, additional seniors may decide to opt in. Site administrators and counselors will begin to reach out and set appointments to review the individual graduation plans for seniors so students and parents understand the expectations to earn the credit reduction. Students and families should be aware that the District cannot apply a credit reduction to a State graduation requirement. This Graduation Plan option, if approved, will allow us to serve more juniors and even sophomores to have access to credit recovery options during summer school since fewer seniors will need this option. Planning is underway for more concurrent credit recovery in the fall 2021 and during winter break 2021-2022 for all high school students. We will continue to prioritize students closest to their graduation year based on teacher availability, but we are confident student opportunities to recover will be available and students will be able to maintain a successful pathway to graduation. Santa Cruz City Schools has provided detailed ventilation reports for EACH classroom in EACH school within its district. Can you please provide this information for PVUSD schools by classroom? es, we have now included the listing of the ventilation reports by each site and classroom on our Return to In-person Learning website: https://drive.google. com/file/d/1HGvbxZxmwH9Bveb62kBR Quxer7HbzEr3/view Is food distribution changing now that there is in-person learning in the afternoons? s we return to in-person learning, Food & Nutrition Services will continue to provide take home meals for all children ages 1-18 through the existing morning meal pickups at 14 locations to support those families who are accustomed to this time. To help families who may start to take their students to campus in the early afternoons, we have added additional meal pickup windows that coincide with student drop-off times at 13 locations for their convenience. For those who cannot go to either the morning or early afternoon pickups, we also have 2 late afternoon meal distributions that provide a week of food each on Tuesdays at Calabasas and Thursdays at Starlight. Please find up-to-date meal distribution schedules at pvusdschoolfood.net for full schedule and details. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

When Will Aptos Village Get Its New Park? By Jondi Gumz

ith 135 members in the new Gateway to Nisene Marks State Park group on Facebook, the organizer of the group, Todd Marco, who moved with his family last July, had a question: When will the promised Aptos Village county park be planned? It’s a practical question because he and his wife have a daughter, 6, and a son, 3. “This is a huge thing,” Marco said. Back in 2012, when county supervisors approved the project, the new park on .74 acre was promised as one of the community benefits of the Swenson development adding retail and restaurant spaces, plus 69 homes, and displacing a bicycle pump track that had been a local favorite. County parks chief Jeff Gaffney has the answer. “If the County accepts the dedication then it would be part of the public process and would include the new residents that will be immediately adjacent and/or within walking distance to the land proposed for dedication,” he wrote in an email to Aptos Times. “This would be the most inclusive and accurate reflection of what the neighbors of this size of a park might want.” Typically Santa Cruz County notifies neighbors who live within a 300-foot radius of a property of an upcoming project. The original parcel number is 04-101-136. It’s not clear what might be suitable for the site -which is currently enclosed by cyclone fencing to prepare to build phase 2 — about half — of the development. Half of the property is covered by oak woodlands, and it’s steep with slopes of 30 percent or more, according to parks commissioner Kate Minott. The land slated for the park is held by Swenson, and Jessie Bristow of Swenson says the land won’t be turned over to the county until the development is finished.

“Brookdale” from page 22 After Medicare began requiring payroll records in 2018, the Times found nursing hours were boosted by including hours of administrators who don’t care for patients. Places with more nursing hours got higher “star ratings” even when patients complained about short-staffing. On Tuesday, Brookdale’s Riverwalk was rated four of five stars overall on Medicare’s NursingHomeCompare, based on five stars for quality of resident care, four stars for staffing and two stars for health inspections. In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S., Brookdale Senior Living’s stock price doubled from $3.27 per share to $6.81 per share before dipping slightly. Brookdale got $120 million in CARES Act funding in 2020 but reported revenue losses of $280 million, with CEO Cindy Baier hoping to receive more aid for losses in the second half of the year.

A billboard showing the approximate location of the new county park on Aptos Creek Road, which is the gateway to Nisene Marks State Park, a location where visitation has increased exponentially because of the pandemic. However, one of the 2012 conditions added by the Planning Commission was to require the future park land be offered to the county after five years. After the project was approved, Swenson decided to split the project in two phases. The final map for phase 1 was recorded in 2015; the map for phase 2 was recorded in 2020. Given that five years have passed, should the land for the park be offered to the county by now? Gaffney said, “No, I do not believe the time is up and more importantly we have not accepted the dedication.” Asked about enforcing the five-year agreement, Gaffney wrote, “As I understand it, the land is available and has been dedicated in perpetuity so there is nothing left to enforce.” Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner thinks that if the land were transferred to the County, that would speed up the process of getting the park. Is that assessment accurate? Gaffney said the issue is money. “We do not have money or resources to plan or construct this park and we would not speed things up if we did have the resources (until the residents were moved in),” he said. “We would want to include the neighbors (who are

A quarter of the COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have been at nursing homes, where residents who are elderly and have medical conditions are more at risk. The New York Times reported academic research has found little correlation between the star ratings and COVID-19 infection and death. Instead, the infection rates in the community and race of nursing homes residents were predictors in outbreaks. “We are holding Brookdale accountable for artificially increasing its profits by cutting corners when transferring or discharging its patients. It lured individuals to its facilities through false promises about providing the highest quality care,” said Becerra. “Choosing a skilled nursing facility is no simple task. Seniors, people with disabilities and their families rely heavily on accurate data to make that decision. Californians have been directly impacted by Brookdale’s behavior. We will ensure that they face consequences for violating the public’s trust.” “Rules designed to protect nursing

still populating the development) since they would be the most frequent potential users of this land.” In other parts of the county, people who want parks have turned to private fundraising. That’s what made LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park happen. Seacliff Skatepark, completed last year, had private support. Fundraising is ongoing, working with County Park Friends, for the Hidden Beach playground upgrade. If Aptos residents want a park sooner, does that mean they should organize and raise money for it? Gaffney answered, “This is always a very effective means to get parks developed and activated. Most likely it would accelerate things but we would still want input from the people who are moving into the development and would be the most likely users of the land.” All the homes completed in the first phase, about 36, have been sold, according to real estate agent Alistair Craft of Sereno, but about half the units have yet to be built. County Supervisor Zach Friend, who represents Aptos, said, “It’s true there isn’t a dedicated fund for a park — and the parcel itself is pretty difficult to do much with ... But some of this is theoretical right now as we need the second phase to start.” Marco, looking at the fenced off dirt lot pending Swenson’s second construction phase of the Aptos Village project is a dirt lot, asked participants in the Gateway to Nisene Marks Facebook group, for their preference on what should go there. A total of 33 people voted, with 11 in favor of paid validated parking for patron use during business hours, Nisene overflow on weekends/holidays and resident guests overnight and 10 in favor of unrestricted public parking. Only six thought it should be a county park. n

facility residents must be followed to ensure the dignity, respect, and compassion that residents deserve,” said Zimmer, Kern County district attorney, noting residents are often mothers, fathers, and grandparents who are facing challenging times. “When companies fail to comply with these rules, they create environments that subject the most vulnerable among us to unnecessary victimization, stress, and even physical harm. This case seeks accountability for offenders and is a reminder to all skilled nursing facilities of the importance of following rules designed to ensure the protection of vulnerable residents.” Brookdale Senior Living’s assisted living facility in Scotts Valley is not a part of the lawsuit but Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell joined the lawsuit, saying, “Protecting the elderly and disabled is one of the highest priorities for the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office … Participating in this case is part of our ongoing efforts to hold skilled nursing facilities and their owners accountable.”

Also participating in the lawsuit are Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. Skilled nursing facilities are required to give notice of transfer or discharge –known as a “TOD” notice — at least 30 days in advance, or as soon as practicable to patients, with a copy to the local ombudsmen. The law also requires the discharging facility to prepare patients for transfer or discharge, which could include explanations about ongoing care, medications, and training for home treatments such as oxygen. n ••• A copy of the lawsuit is at https://oag. ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/ Brookdale%20Complaint.pdf To reach the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in Santa Cruz County, see https:// www.advocacy-inc.org/programs or call (831) 429-1913. Services are free and confidential.

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CIVIL GRAND JURY WANTS YOU The Superior Court of Santa Cruz County is seeking applications to be a member of the County Civil Grand Jury. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 28. The Grand Jury is an historic institution playing an important role in the community. The 19-member jury investigates local government and responds to citizen complaints on government issues. Two informational meetings will take place at noon April 20 and April 21 on Zoom. The link is https:// santacruzcourt-org.zoom.us/j/98746762799 Meeting ID: 987 4676 2799 For information email jury.information@santacruzcourt.org

STUDENT STORY CONTEST DEADLINE Stories Due Monday, May 31 The Palo Alto Humane Society invites 7th and 8th graders in Santa Cruz County to participate in a writing competition on the theme of animals and people helping each other. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction and should illustrate a sense of kindness in their characters. The top prize is $500, with $200 each for two runner-ups. Winning stories will be published by Palo Alto Humane Society and highlighted during the 2021 Creating Compassionate Communities campaign. Stories must be original and between 800 and 1,000 words. Competition guidelines — plus a submission form — are at https://tinyurl.com/paloalto-humanewrite-2021. Vandana Ravi won the inaugural contest in 2019 with a story about a lonely girl who came across a donkey who also needed a friend. The 2020 winner was “The Sun,” by Aaron Huang, depicting the life of a mother dog trapped in a puppy mill from the dog’s point of view.

GRAB & GO WILDFLOWER KIT Begins Monday April 19, Santa Cruz Public Libraries In celebration of Earth Day, The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites the community to grow your own native wildflowers. Wildflower kits and instructions will be available for Grab & Go / Curbside pickup during service hours at all open library branches. Bring bees and birds to your yard with these wonderful flowers. Earth Day is Thursday, April 22

JOB BOARD ONLINE The Santa Cruz job market is picking up steam. Startups to established enterprises have open positions across countless work areas and industries. Software engineers, recruiters and more are all in high demand. As the local economy regains momentum, there are increasing opportunities for new hires. Joby Aviation has more than 100 open roles! ProductOps, Amazon, Blix, Santa Cruz Bikes, Zero Motorcycles and many more are looking for their next top hires. Every week Santa Cruz Works features a fresh catch of new jobs in at https://www.santacruzworks.org/jobs where employers and job-hunters can post for free. Details: https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/companieshiring-in-santa-cruz-and-beyond

OPEN STUDIOS APPLICATION DEADLINE Friday, April 30, Midnight Arts Council Santa Cruz County is making plans for the 2021 Open Studios Art Tour following guidelines for health and safety. The dates are: South County Oct 2-3, North County Oct 9-10, and all county Oct 16-17.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday NAMI RECOVERY SUPPORT 1-2:30 p.m., confidential Zoom meetings. National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Cruz County offers the “Connection Recovery Support Group,” a offering for spring-summer 2021 are for you. The online free, peer-led support group for any adult 18 or older who has experienced symptoms of a mental health 10-week session begins the week of April 19, so register condition (no diagnosis required). now. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and See: https://www.dantesantacruz.com/services successes of others. Groups are led by trained leaders Questions? Email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com who’ve been there. It’s confidential and drop-in friendly. To attend, complete the registration form. You CAREER MONTH AT CABRILLO will immediately get an email with the Zoom link. Four free job fairs are available for current students You will need to do this only once, and will be able at Cabrillo College in the month of April. The fairs to use the same link for all groups in the future. take place from 3-5 p.m. four Thurs. starting April 8. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/nami-zoom-register Registration is required. Remaining job fairs: (Full URL: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMldApril 22 — health & public safety 6trTgjEtOukidbv3qCQQTitZ92kXFf) April 29 — science tech engineering math If you are unable to register, do not have an email There are also resume workshops on April 19 and 27 and address, or have other questions, call the office at career coaching classes on April 16, 20 and 26. (831)-824-0406 or email anastasia@namiscc.org. Students can register and employers can post jobs at https:// For a recording of the March 18 speaker or more information www.cabrillo.edu/career-services/ on support groups and classes, https://www.namiscc.org/ Third Thursday of the Month PARENT SUPPORT GROUP PVUSD, PVPSA and Kaiser Permanente offers support Every Third Thursdays groups for Pajaro Valley families at 3 p.m. on the fourth PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM Thursday of the month. The next dates are: 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting April 29, May 20 and June 3. To register, email BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support marisol.maciel@pvpsa.org Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third CALL FOR ARTISTS: Thursday of each month. 15TH ANNUAL PVA SCULPTURE EXHIBITION Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport Deadline to Apply is Monday May 3 or call 831-471-7255. Curators Susana Arias and Hedwig Heerschop of Pajaro Valley Arts & Jeff Rosendale of Sierra Azul Nursery and Every Saturday Gardens invite your participation in the 15th annual SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET IS BACK! Pajaro Valley Arts sculpture exhibition, taking place 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, in the beautiful two-acre Sierra Azul Nursery demonKmart parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road. Ongoing thru stration gardens, 2660 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. Thanksgiving Submit online to Hedwig@pvarts.org. Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market The show will be June 1 through Oct. 31 outdoors and reopens for the season on pieces submitted must be weatherproof (to be insured), Saturday, May 1. Live music and of a scale suitable for outdoor display. Summer and seating return! There will be coastal weather includes sunshine, fog, wind and rain. strawberry shortcake on opening day. Sculptures larger than 30” is encouraged. Pieces https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ with bold negative and positive elements and pieces 5 to 6 feet tall show best in the garden. First Sunday Every Month There is a $30 participation fee for artists selected MONTHLY OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE IN SANTA CRUZ! and sales are subject to a commission, 30% for PVA 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, members, 45% for non-members. 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz 95060 Questions: 831-722-3062. The Westside Marketplace is an exciting, new monthly market where local art, handmade and vintage shopping meet delicious food! This colONGOING EVENTS laboration between Food Trucks First and Third Monday Each Month A Go Go and the SCM Makers SENIOR LIFE ONLINE Market presents a great mix of creators of all kinds! There is 4 p.m., Online Meeting also live music at each event! Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life The upcoming outdoor market is on Sunday, April 4 Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. Senior Life Online meets on at the Old Wrigley Building parking lot. Rain dates are the first and third Monday of each month at 4 p.m. View the scheduled for the following Sundays. Come hungry to sample an amazing array of food from schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/. the food vendors and shop local with 40 artists, makers May 3, Douglas Allen, Assistant District Attorney, and vintage sellers at this new monthly event. Santa Cruz County, on “How Senior Citizens can Protect The Market is free to attend and is 100% local — all Themselves from Scams” and May 17, Darshan Croskrey, vendors are based in Santa Cruz County! director of Scotts Valley Senior Center. All local and state health guidelines will be followed. To participate, you need an Internet connection and a Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while computer, tablet or smartphone. A one-time preregyou shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand istration is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-5. sanitizing stations will be available. Questions? Call George at (831) 334-7763. For more information, go to the event page: https:// Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior www.facebook.com/events/170470481551895; Food Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose Trucks A Go Go: https://www.foodtrucksagogo.com/; or mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens. SCM Makers Market https://scmmakersmarket.com/ for Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org. a list of all of the vendors.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by April 21 All Santa Cruz County visual artists over age 18 are invited to apply to be a part of this event where local artists invite the public to experience art at the source. The deadline to apply is midnight, April 30. For details, guidelines and FAQ, see https://santacruzopenstudios.com/ CZU FIRE RECOVERY SURVEY The County of Santa Cruz urges residents who suffered property damage during the CZU Lightning Complex fires to fill out a brief survey offered by United Policyholders to understand more about the recovery process. One survey per household is requested. The survey is intended to help to track progress, identify problems and gather information about insurance coverage in fire-impacted areas. The survey is anonymous, and results will be based on aggregate data and not include personally identifiable information. Email santacruzltrg@gmail.com to be added to the recovery group’s mailing list. Survey takers will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Survey: www.uphelp.org/surveyCA. GARDENERS CLUB The Gardeners’ Club is looking for people who share their love of plants and want to know more about gardening. The website is at http://www.thegardenersclub.org/ and there is a monthly newsletter. Dues are $15 per calendar year. For information call Cherry at 831-475-0991. Make check to “The Gardeners’ Club” and mail to P.O. Box 3025, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Meetings, when they are allowed, are at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges.org/ SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-through food distribution will continue operating at the county Fairgrounds throughout the summer with new hours beginning in May. Distribution at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will end after April’s dates. Upcoming dates and times: Watsonville: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: April 16 • April 30 Fridays, 9 a.m.-Noon May 7 • May 21 • June 4 • June 18 • July 9 • July 23 Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Fridays, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. LAST BOARDWALK DISTRIBUTION: April 23 Food hotline: 831-662-0991. ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with native Italian-speaking instructors. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, the classes the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz is

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 24. Price: Aptos History members, $10, general, $15. Zoom link will be e-mailed one week before event. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/seascape-golf-history

DATED EVENTS Friday April 16 PVA POETRY READING 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts Zoom. Pajaro Valley Arts Presents a free poetry reading, “Pandemic Take Aways,” featuring Alex Rocha, Gabriel J. Medina and Claudia Meléndez Zoom link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/91026783529 Meeting ID: 910 2678 3529 Contact: Shirley Flores-Munoz, shflores@cabrillo.edu

Wednesday April 28

Saturday April 17

Wednesday April 28 Thursday April 29

DINING FOR HISTORY & APTOS CHAMBER All day, Erik’s Delicafe, Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos Help support the Aptos Chamber, Aptos Museum and Erik’s DeliCafe all in one day by dining at Erik’s Delicafe. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Aptos Chamber and Aptos History Museum.

LET LOVE GROW EVENT LEO’s Haven, Chanticleer Park, 1975 Chanticleer Ave, SC Culmination of County Parks Friends’ 30-day membership drive, where participants can help “seed bomb” LEO’s Haven Chanticleer Park with native wildflowers seed from Live Like Coco. Memberships start at $25. To join and for more information, visit https://www.countyparkfriends.org/membership.html

Tuesday April 20 VEGAN COOKING DEMO 4-5 p.m., Zoom Class Join Café Carmel chef Sarah Cook for a virtual cooking demo spotlighting a vegan dish 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. The demo is free and open to everyone. To join Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92835341968?pwd= RXdpcG9PcUJIRnVUa2psZjFLMlFjUT09 Meeting ID: 928 3534 1968 Passcode: 495514

Tuesday April 20 Thursday April 22 ROADMAP TO RECOVERY VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS 7 p.m. (April 20) and 4 p.m. (April 22), United Policyholders United Policyholders, a non-profit consumer organization helping disaster survivors for 30 years, presents “Survivor to Survivor” forums in April for households impacted by California wildfires such as the CZU lightning fire in August. Topics are: April 20: Staying connected with your kids, 7 p.m. Register: www.uphelp.org/apr20 April 22: Collecting Every Dime. Determine what your insurer has compensated you for so far and how much more is available and owed to you 4 p.m. Register: www.uphelp.org/apr22 For information visit www.uphelp.org Questions? Email info@ uphelp.org

Wednesday April 21 PLANKTON MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND 6 – 8 p.m., Save Our Shore Online Seminar Join Save Our Shores and local expert panelists from Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, One People One Reef, and OceansMicro for this Speaker Series event. This is an opportunity to view these tiny organisms live through the eye of a microscope, peering into a water sample from Monterey Bay. Register at: https://saveourshores.salsalabs.org/planktonmaketheworldgoround

Monday April 22 OCEAN RECORD-KEEPING TALK 6-7 p.m., Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Zoom Session Must register by 5 p.m. to receive link. On April 22, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History welcomes Dr. Emily Miller from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Attendees must register at https://www.pgmuseum.org/event-calendar A research technician, Miller will present a talk titled

SPRING PLANT SALE: ONLINE POP-UP NURSERY Monday April 19 thru Sunday May 2 UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties will host a Spring Plant Sale at an online pop-up nursery Monday, April 19, through Sunday, May 2. There will be 20 varieties of tomatoes, a dozen varieties of peppers, varieties of squash and cucumbers, herbs, California natives, succulents and more. A limited number of tomato cages are on offer, along with handmade decorations for Mother’s Day gifts. Curbside pickup will be by appointment at the greenhouse in Salinas. All funds benefit the all-volunteer UC Master Gardener program, which offers a gardening help line, events and seasonal classes. Visit mbmg.ucanr.edu. “Marine Algae as Ocean Record Keepers.” She will cover how her team used older algae specimens to extend the Bakun upwelling index back to 1878, 70 years before monitoring of upwelling began in Monterey Bay. Her goal is to document patterns to help understand the shifts in the foundation of the food web to make more informed conservation decisions in the future of Monterey Bay. Until now, this process has been largely limited to instrument records and observations that begin around 1950. The talk is free, but the suggested donation is $15 per person.

FOOD SECURITY CONFERENCE The seventh annual Confronting Climate Change Conference at UC Santa Cruz will focus on Food Security in a Changing World Wednesday and Thursday, April 28-29. Free. Advance registration is required to attend. The UCSC Division of Physical and Biological Sciences cosponsors the event. April 28 Two short films from UCSC’s Social Documentation MFA program will be available for on-demand viewing beforehand: El Cacao: An indigenous farmer in Panama confronts environmental and economic complexities of growing, harvesting, and selling cacao beans for the global chocolate market. Open Line: A Yup’ik fisherwoman teaches her son how to fish for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, while an impassioned debate over a proposed open-pit copper mine is taking place. Filmmakers Michelle Aguilar and Andrés Camacho will join in a panel discussion moderated by Rita Mehta, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and Daniel Costa, director of UCSC’s Institute of Marine Sciences. April 29 Panel discussion on food security moderated by Stacy Philpott, professor of environmental studies and director of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at UCSC. Panelists are: Noah Diffenbaugh, the Kara J. Foundation Professor of Earth System Science and Kimmelman Family Senior Fellow at Stanford University; Aditi Sen, a lead policy advisor at Oxfam, focusing on the nexus of climate change, food, and land use and addresses the drivers and impacts of climate change stemming from food systems; Galina Hale, professor of economics at UCSC, looking at how the financial system can help solve problems related to climate risks and what economists can do to promote a more sustainable food system; and Naya Jones, an assistant professor of sociology, critical geographer, and cultural worker at UCSC who studies Black geographies of community health and healing and has abook project on African-American gardening and migration beyond the South. n

love story “Romeo and Juliet” over the next month. Four authorities will discuss the play, starting with Michael Warren, UC Santa Cruz emeritus professor and Santa Cruz Shakespeare dramaturg, who frequently offers the Saturday group an insightful overview of each play being considered. This is the first of five sessions. Future sessions include: May 1: Santa Cruz Shakespeare Artistic Director Mike Ryan will be the speaker. In 2018, the local company presented “Romeo and Juliet” at Delaveaga Park, with Ryan as Friar Lawrence. May 8: Sean Keilen, professor of literature at UCSC and director of the school’s Shakespeare Workshop, will Friday April 23 provide his insights. SCCRTC TELEWORK SURVEY DEADLINE May 15: Abbey Heald, a lecturer in UCSC’s literature Complete a telework survey that has been put together by the department, will offer a provocative perspective. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, May 22: Franco Zefferelli’s version of “Romeo and Juliet” will Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, City of Santa Cruz be screened. The film won an Academy Award for cinematography and Transportation Agency for Monterey County, to get an and earned Zefferelli a best director nomination. understanding of future plans of businesses and organizaAll sessions are open to the public. Each Saturday Zoom tions around teleworking post-Covid and what this might session will begin at 10 a.m. To connect to the Zoom meetings, mean from a land use and real estate perspective. contact saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Telework- In lieu of the usual $2 per session suggested contribution, MontereyRegion. This survey will be open until April 23. the group urges participants to send a donation to Santa Cruz Shakespeare at 500 Chestnut St., Suite #250, Santa Cruz, CA FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS 95060, or to https://www.santacruzshakespeare.org/donate/ Thursday May 6 5-8 p.m., 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Food Trucks A Go Go DUCKY DERBY 9:30 a.m. to Noon, Online Event is bringing Food Truck Fridays back to Skypark. 2 p.m., Online Fundraiser The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s 7th Annual Celebrate the season kick-off with delicious dinner from This fundraiser for Omega Nu’s scholarship program will Regional Economic Summit will take place online. your favorite food trucks, which will rotate month to month. be a virtual event at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24. Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to the Gov. All local and state health guidelines will be followed. Info: http://www.duckyderbysantacruz.org/#duckyderby Newsome and director of the Governor’s Office of Follow @foodtrucksagogo on social media or email: info@ Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), will foodtrucksagogo.com SEASCAPE GOLF CLUB HISTORY share what the state is doing to keep companies 4-5 p.m., Online Seminar in California, insights into the current legislative Saturday April 24 Dick Garwood will present a pictorial history of the Aptos session, implications for our region, and how the budget surplus is being used to provide relief to golf course from its beginnings with the Aptos Beach ROMEO & JULIET SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE Country Club, Rio Del Mar Country Club, and Seascape businesses affected by the pandemic. 10 a.m., Saturday Shakespeare Club Zoom Session Register at https://tinyurl.com/MBE-dee-dee-myers n The Saturday Shakespeare Club will examine the tragic Development. His talk will be 4-5 p.m. Saturday, April

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Budget Review

$53 Million in Federal Covid Aid Coming

s our county appears to be turning the corner on the pandemic, the economic recovery also appears to be picking up. Over the last year, the local economic impacts of the pandemic have been significant. Many small local businesses have struggled, some closed — and many had to lay off or furlough workers. Local residents struggled to pay rent and overall spending declined. This led to a loss of tax revenue with widespread impacts on local government budgets. Fortunately, the County had significantly built up reserves over the last few years in anticipation of a potential recession. The County used nearly 30 percent of the available reserves to address the downturn and recent fire and storm related events expended additional contingency funds set aside for emergency repairs and response. There is a light at the end of the tunnel — a combination of the vaccine, economic improvements and a new federal recovery bill that is providing an infusion of funds to our area. What Have COVID-19 Costs Been? esponding to the pandemic — direct County COVID-19 related costs — were more than $130 million. Additionally, the County lost more than $25 million in revenue. Previous state and federal funding efforts have left a $55 million deficit related to COVID-19 costs. Fortunately, the federal government just passed another relief bill that will provide approximately $53 million to the County (as well as additional funding to local cities) to address COVID-19 related costs as well as revenue loss. While this doesn’t fully make up what was lost, it provides a significant infusion that without it would have required cuts

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

over twice those seen during the Great Recession. County departments are still significantly reducing expenditures, and furloughs of County workers have been continuing, in order to ensure a balanced budget in the coming year. How Can These Federal Funds Be Used? ccording to the legislation, these funds can be used to “respond to or mitigate the public health emergency with respect to the COVID-19 emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and impacted industries.” Some of the acceptable categories include: Providing government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the public health emergency — making necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure and more. What Is Being Considered? he federal funds will be provided to the County over a two-year period. The County is proposing to spend about $25 million on direct COVID-19 related expenditures (some of which are outlined below) and $28 million on revenue loss that will help restore some of the cut programs, services and positions associated with the pandemic. Some examples of programs and services include continuing the program known as Great Plates Delivered (the senior meals program), providing for non-congregate and expanded shelters, supporting public safety costs such as enhanced decontamination, nursing support, distance learning and housing and reentry support, supporting compliance with California’s SB95 and Families First Coronavirus Response Act for expanded emergency paid sick leave, looking at ways to support broadband

expansion, maintaining programs intended to be covered by FEMA but that FEMA may determine are not eligible for cost recovery, supporting continued Parks programs and operations including Distance Learning and Virtual Recreation programs and more (this is just a small sample). Local Economic Outlook he good news is that the local economic outlook appears positive. Many state economists believe that steady economic growth in our region is likely as vaccines reopen the economy, consumer

confidence increases (and as a result sales taxes increase) and continued low interest rates spur investment. Hotel tax revenue and other tourismrelated revenues are also starting to increase with an expectation that they may return to pre-pandemic levels in the coming year. 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 you are welcome to call me at 454-2200.

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

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SCCAS Featured Pet

Happy Feels The Love

crossword on 25 »

appy (A279050) came into the shelter as a stray, in notso-great condition. He had been found by a good Samaritan who passed by as another dog was attacking Happy. People were standing-by filming it. Thankfully, the Good Samaritan stepped in and took Happy away from the situation. Unable to keep the dog, and concerned for his condition, he reached out to the SCCAS to get Happy the medical treatment he needed. We don’t know about Happy’s past but it is evident that he has been through a lot. The scars of numerous bite wounds cover his body. His mouth was infected from years of neglect, and this likely led to the loss of his lower jaw. Through the medical care of Shelter staff, as well as Dentistry for Animals, Happy is looking and feeling so much better! Despite his medical struggles, Happy thrives in the home. He is housetrained, and LOVES to hang out on the couch. It’s his favorite spot to snuggle up and squeak around on his many toys!. But he’s not ALL about laying around; Happy is also an active puppo! He loves exploring with his nose, and makes a great hiking and walking partner. Happy is anxious about interactions with other dogs but has warmed up on walks with easy going dog pals. He gets overwhelmed in areas with lots of doggos, but has made several walking friends through slow introduction and positive reinforcement. Happy has spent the past 5 weeks blossoming into quite an endearing and quirky little pup. His positive attitude suggests that he would do well with children, but we still recommend they meet at the Shelter first. On the other hand, a home with cats and small animals is not recommended for Happy. He would likely do best as the only dog in the home, and with an adopter that is prepared to show him patience and love. 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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Reasons to Deadhead Spring Bulbs

By Tony Tomeo

ow that the various spring bulbs have finished blooming, or will soon, many will benefit from deadheading. The techniques are simple, and actually benefit many plants besides spring bulbs. In the most basic terms, deadheading is merely the removal of deteriorating flowers after bloom. Ideally, it should happen prior to the development of seed structures. A most obvious advantage of deadheading is that it eliminates unappealing carcasses of finished flowers. This neatens the appearance of remaining foliage. The foliage of some spring bulbs shrivels soon after bloom, but remains intact through the process, to sustain development of new bulbs. It is easier to ignore without prominently shabby floral stalks. Deadheading also conserves and redirects resources that would otherwise sustain seed production. Such resources can instead promote vegetative growth, including production of new bulbs to replace the old. Furthermore, depriving bulbs of seed provides an added incentive for vegetative regeneration. If unable to survive by one means, they try another. Some bulbs are more reliant on deadheading than others. Grape hyacinth and snowdrop are too profuse with bloom for minor seed production to inhibit their performance. In fact, they produce viable and genetically stable seed, which could be an advantage if more of the same are desirable. Although seed production is limited, seed disperses extensively. Dutch crocus are an example of sterile hybrids that are unable to produce viable seed, or waste associated resources on such

What happens when daffodils finish blooming?

efforts. Other extensively bred bulbs that are not so sterile may not be true to type. Consequently, their progeny are likely to be very different. Freesia do not require deadheading, but can produce feral seedlings with insipid bloom. Lily, narcissus, daffodil, tulip and hyacinth are some of the popular spring bulbs that now are ready for deadheading. Summer bulbs and perennials will get their turn later. Canna, dahlia and perennials that continue to bloom through summer will be tidier, and perhaps bloom more abundantly with efficient deadheading. They need not wait until next year to express their gratitude. ••• Grape Hyacinth re they reliably perennial or invasive? In ideal situations, old fashioned grape hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, can get a bit too eager to proliferate and migrate. Not only do their bulbs divide efficiently, but their seed disperse beyond bulb colonies. However, bulbs do not migrate too rapidly for containment. Thorough deadheading inhibits seed dispersion. Grape hyacinth provides some of the earGrape hyacinth is very liest spring bloom. reliably perennial. Floral spikes of tiny rounded flowers do not get much more than six inches tall, but are delightfully abundant. The rich blue color is exquisite. Hybrids and other species can bloom with pale pink, pale purple, white, yellow, or various shades or tints of blue. The grassy foliage is somewhat rubbery. If they do not migrate efficiently enough, established colonies of grape hyacinth are easy to divide in autumn. Of course, it will be necessary to mark their locations as their foliage dies back at the end of spring. Division is easier and faster than growing new plants from seed. If hybrids produce seed at all, it may not be viable. If it is, it may not be true to type. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com

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

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# 1 D A V I D LY N G R E A L E S T A T E A G E N T I N A P T O S

Aptos Times: April 15, 2021

Articles inside

When Will Aptos Village Get Its New Park?, By Jondi Gumz

Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District Reasons to Deadhead Spring Bulbs, By Tony Tomeo

our money, By Christopher Elliott County Budget Review: $53 Million in Federal Covid Aid Coming, By

Unified School District Travel Troubleshooter: Help! Lufthansa canceled our tickets but kept

Highway 1 Overpass Be Repaired? SC County Bank Expands SBA Team

Featured Columnists

Cabrillo Host Lions Club Turns 60, By Becky Steinbruner

Fire Insurance Cancellation Moratorium: SB 824

New Leaf Ends Sales of Single-Use Small Bottles

Seeking Justice for Our Sisters

Koenig Ousts Leopold’s Cycling Reps, By Jondi Gumz

$478 Million Rail Plan Fails: Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation

Award Nominations Is May 21 • Student Debt Canceled Want to Get a Peek Inside Education?

Sew Good!: Mask Maker in Aptos is Recognized

Highway 1 Big Sur to Reopen by April 30

Chris Van Zanen Promoted • April 28 Public Meeting on Hwy 9

Cabrillo College Student Exhibition 2021

Community News

Post-Covid Summer: Camps, Outdoor Events, Swim Lessons, By Jondi

Caltrans Taps VR Startup to Assess Hwy 1 by Elkhorn