COMMUNITY NEWS
Presented by Aromas Hills Artisans An outdoor event at Aromas Sports Park, 300 Aromas Rd. Sunday, November 21st–10am to 3pm A wonderful variety of art work and handcrafted gifts. hands-on workshops, live music and tasty refreshments. Raffle drawing. Rain cancels event.
AHA AHAcreates.com
Armstrong Appointed CalFire CZU Unit Chief C
hief Nate Armstrong is the new Cal San Mateo County Fire Department, Santa Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Cruz County Fire Department, Coastside CZU chief, succeeding Chief Ian Fire Protection District and the Pajaro Larkin who retired after 33 years of service. Valley Fire Protection District. Armstrong’s appointment, effective Armstrong’s face may be familiar from Nov. 6, was made by Cal Fire Director briefings during the August 2020 lightning Thom Porter. wildfires, which burned 86,500 acres and Armstrong leads the unit’s 280+ destroyed more than 900 homes, most of permanent and seasonal staff them in Santa Cruz County. from CZU headquarters in He’s also familiar with the Felton across 16 fire stations, safety issues raised by people one Department of Corrections who live on Aptos Creek Road, and Rehabilitation Conserthe busy two-lane route to the vation Camp in San Lorenzo heavily forested Nisene Marks Valley, one State DemonState Park. stration Forest in Soquel and Before this appointment, 110 volunteers across 8 addiArmstrong was the unit’s Nate Armstrong tional fire stations serving deputy chief of operations. residents in San Mateo and Santa Cruz He has 22 years of experience in Cal Fire counties. operations, paramedic services, training, As the CZU unit chief, Chief Arm- emergency command centers, adminstrong also serves as fire chief through Cal istration, and state Incident Command Fire’s cooperative agreements system for Teams. n
Kaiser Gives $200,000 to New Mental Health Center in Watsonville
K
aiser Permanente is granting $200,000 toward a new behavioral center in Watsonville with substance abuse treatment and other outpatient programs. “Kaiser Permanente is making a significant investment in our community’s future,” said Monica Martinez, CEO of Encompass Community Services, a nonprofit that operates Sí Se Puede in Watsonville, a 23-bed program for men who speak Spanish and more than a dozen more behavioral health programs. “We are incredibly grateful.” Kaiser Permanent’s grant to
“Vets Village” from page 17
• Commercial • Residential • Vacation Rental
New Construction • Repair • Factory Certified •
831-476-2023
Skylightplace.com
20 / November 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
He said the project has been nearly two years in planning and as it becomes a reality, “it will be a community effort, using local services, vendors, and workers.” “It takes a village to support the Vets Village,” said Susan True, Community Foundation CEO. “Purchasing this property makes a significant step towards ending homelessness for our veterans and we’re honored to work with the Vets Hall, Santa Cruz County Bank, and generous
Encompass is one of 10 awarded to nonprofits in Santa Cruz County totaling $1.87 million: • Housing Matters: $500,000 to help fund 120 studio apartments for chronically homeless individuals who will have on-site access to 24/7 support services. “Mental Health” page 26
community members to help solve local challenges together.” n Instrumental support on this project came from Veterans Village Committee members and supporters: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, United Veterans Coalitions, and Support Services for Veteran Families; Santa Cruz Free Guide; Robert Ratner with the Housing for Health Division of Santa Cruz County; Front Street Paget Center; and Supervisor Manu Koenig, real estate agent Paul Zech, Jack Tracey, Lynda Francis, David Pedley, Stoney Brooks, and Keith Collins. https://www.veteranshall.org/about/
