2021 County Fair Apple Pie Winner, recipe by Janice Weaver

FEATURED COLUMNIST 2021 County Fair Apple Pie Winner

Yes, Thanksgiving is approaching — and what will you make for your holiday table this year?

Some people love pumpkin pie but if it’s not a favorite for your family, why not try this award-winning apple pie recipe from Janice Weaver of Santa Cruz? She won “best of show” at the 2021 Santa Cruz County Fair’s apple pie contest, organized by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau.

Fresh apples grown locally are in season at farmer’s markets — no longdistance shipping needed.

To make this dessert extra-special, add a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream — something the kids can help with!

By the way, South County was wellrepresented in the apple pie competition with Elijah Tomasini of Aromas first in the youth division and Rita Hewitt of Watsonville first in the adult division. •••

Pie Crust

Janice Weaver

1 C unsalted butter 1⁄2 C water

Whisk dry ingredients together. Cut butter into flour in little pieces. Add cold water, and combine until holding together. Divide in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least one hour.

Filling

4-5 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1 T lemon juice 1 C sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1⁄8 t salt 1 T cornstarch

Roll out one half of dough and fit into 9-inch pie pan. Toss filling ingredients together and pour into shell. Roll out second half of dough for top of pie. Crimp it together, add vents, and bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes. n

Share A Recipe!

Do you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Aptos Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.

Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.

Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

“Aptos High Fatality” from page 25

For the past few years, staff has participated in ALICE — Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate — training, a model for active shooter preparedness and response. This ensures staff learn skills to respond actively, swiftly and safely in threatening and unsafe incidents, including active shooting.

For the last few years, the district has used “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports,” a three-tiered framework to influence student outcomes through proactive and preventative support.

Tier I includes sharing best practices with all students to promote success. Tier 2 is for students not experiencing success with universal measures and Tier 3 is for students to receive more intense and individualized support to improve behavioral and academic results.

The superintendent is committed to successful, evidence-based and relevant academic programs to which all students have equitable access.

She noted safety efforts are ongoing and can evolve as opportunities to improve come up. n

DID YOU KNOW?

We regularly speak to small and large groups about mid-county water issues such as groundwater, water reliability, sustainability, and conservation.

STRIKE OUT HUNGER RETURNS TO BOARDWALK BOWL After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the Boardwalk Bowl in Santa Cruz is once again hosting the Strike Out Hunger food drive through Jan. 2. Bowlers of all skill levels and ages can participate. They get to bowl for free by bringing a can of food for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County to help feed local families.

In 2019, Strike out Hunger provided 21,334 meals to local families in need.

Participants who make a $100 cash donation to Second Harvest during Strike Out Hunger will receive 25 free bowling passes for use during future visits to the Boardwalk Bowl.

Boardwalk Bowl league players who bring in 3 cans of unexpired food during league play get 3 bowling passes for future use.

“We are very proud to again offer Strike Out Hunger in support of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County,” said Willie King, director of Boardwalk Bowl. “Strike Out Hunger helps feed local families in need while having fun.”

Now in its 14th year, Strike Out Hunger received the Charity of the Year Award from the Bowling Proprietors Associations of Ameirca and is the official charity of the Northern California Bowling Centers. For information, visit https://boardwalkbowl.com/strike-outhunger Some restrictions apply.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, the American Red Cross is facing an ongoing emergency blood shortage. Donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.

Ben Lomond

Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Lovecreek Road

Scotts Valley

Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. — St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive

Santa Cruz

Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street Nov. 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange #503, 1900 17th Avenue

Watsonville

Nov. 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson Street

READING TUTORING RETURNS TO LIBRARIES 3-5 p.m., Wednesdays: Capitola / La Selva Public Libraries • Thursdays: Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library The Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ reading comprehension program, R.E.A.D. (Reach Every Amazing Detail) has returned.

R.E.A.D. offers one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for students in grades 2 to 12 with 25-minute sessions with a California-credentialed teacher. Appointments are required. Call Telephone Information, 831-427-7713, to make an appointment.

Holiday breaks will take place on Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 and 25; Winter break, Dec.13 to Jan. 25, resuming Jan. 26; and Spring break, April 5 & 6.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by November 19

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.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY COUNT BEGINS Monarch butterflies are back in the eucalyptus grove at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, delighting visitors after a year when few — if any — were seen.

An estimated 3,000 butterflies are hanging out in the trees in the park, which is at the end of Swanton Boulevard. Visit Santa Cruz County posted an update on Facebook about the Monarch’s return, which got more than 1,200 shares.

“Amazingly beautiful” posted one visitor. Another wrote that seeing the butterflies was on her “bucket list.”

Yet another encouraged people to keep planting milkweed, as Monarchs enjoy nectar from the flowers and help pollinate the plants, which helps the milkweed thrive.

The news spurred comments like “check this out” “we gotta go!” and “Thanksgiving weekend.” The park is open 8 am to sunset. Hours at the Visitor Center: Friday-Monday, 11 am to 4 pm. Parking is $10 and supports the park. Visitors must wear masks at the kiosks for day-use entry.

PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, and the first due date is approaching.

Your bill can be paid in two installments. The first installment is due on Nov. 1 and becomes delinquent after Dec. 10, and a penalty is charged. The 2nd installment is due Feb. 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10. Penalties will be incurred if not paid before becoming delinquent.

ONLINE SEMINARS ABOUT NURSING HOME LAW California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform offers three recorded legal seminars:

Wednesday, Nov. 17: Elder Financial Abuse Litigation: A Panel of Experts

To register, visit http://www.canhr.org/ CANHR, a nonprofit, offers consumers a free fact sheet on nursing homes at http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/index.html, and will host The Elder Law Conference April 29-30, 2022, in Monterey.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing center.org Watsonville Film Festival via their platform: https://niot. eventive.org/schedule along with discussions.

A Call to Action: Inspired by Not In Our Town Films will be a bilingual virtual program with simultaneous Spanish interpretation 6:30 – 8 p.m. via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 17, moderated by Rabbi Paula Marcus. Panelists include: Isabella Bonner, Gloria Nieto, Dr. Faris Sabbah, and Adam Spickler. Registration is required in advance at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8478954 or at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8488103 for Spanish interpretation. All open library branches offer a United Against Hate Week book display and book lists for reading. The Book List for Kids and Teens is at: https://www.santacruzpl.org/kids/lists/ view/332 and the Book List for Adults is at: https://www. santacruzpl.org/lists/view/326.

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY ACTIVITIES The La Selva Beach public library is now open Tuesday thru Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). Tues-Thurs: 11-6 • Fri-Sat 12-5. Book drops open 24/7. Contact us by phone: 831.427.7713; text: 831.264.0647; online chat: https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/?display=chat; or send a question at https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/

Preschool Storytime: Tuesdays, 11 am – noon outside on the patio. Dress for the weather.

R.E.A.D Reach Every Amazing Detail: Wednesdays 3- 5 pm. One-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade with California credentialed teachers. Sessions last 25 minutes. By appointment only.. Call 831-427-7717 or email pro@santacruzpl.org

Stories for Bedtime: Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7 pm on Facebook or Youtube, presented by SCPL Librarian Jackie. New programs every other Wednesday on Facebook and on the library’s YouTube Channel after that. See Storytimes for Children playlist at the SCPL YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/ santacruzpl

Passionate Readers Book Discussion: 4th Thursday at 10:30 am. Nov. 18: The Last Palace by Norman Eisen. Special date for November.

In-Person Tech Help: Fridays 10 am to noon. Techsavvy staff will help you troubleshoot your issue with a 25-minute (or less) appointment. Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/laselva

Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit information desk or call 831-427-7713 for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation. Visit https://tinyurl.com/la-selva-library-events for more details and future events.

TWO NEW GRACE HARBOR SHOPS The Rustic Table Restaurant and Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe are open at 55 Brennan St., Watsonville, sharing space with Grace Harbor Women’s Center, a satellite of the nonprofit faith-based Teen Challenge Monterey Bay and Pajaro Rescue Mission.

Grace Harbor is a shelter and recovery program for women (and their children) facing life controlling issues such as drugs and alcohol.

Hours at Rustic Table, a professionally trained studentrun restaurant with dine-in and pick-up options, are Monday through Saturday 8 am-3 pm.

Hours at Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe, a secondhand retail store run by Teen Challenge students and staff, are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. The phone for both places is 831-761-3191. CABRILLO STAGE PRESENTS ‘CHARLEY’S AUNT’ Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 5 thru 21, Black Box Theater, Cabrillo College, Aptos Cabrillo College Theatre Arts’ fall production of “Charley’s Aunt” will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theater. This wacky and hilarious farce, directed by the masterful Joseph Ribeiro, features love, deception, confusion, and a guy disguised as an old lady, nutty as a Brazil nut!

Seating is unassigned, first come first served. Tickets are $18.50 with a $2 discount for students, children and senior citizens, at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets. com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=1. You can also call the box office: (831) 479-6154

Masks are required. Learn more at https://www.cabrillo.edu/vapa/2021-fallcharleys-aunt

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing Through Sunday December 12 MI CASA ES TU CASA AT PAJARO VALLEY ARTS Mi Casa es Tu Casa is Pajaro Valley Arts’ annual exhibit inspired by Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead, a traditional holiday in Mexico that remembers community members and family who have passed away.

Altars/Ofrendas are built in homes, churches, schools, cemeteries, and museums that honor and remember the dead.

As part of this exhibit at 37 Sudden St., Watsonville, there is a book discussion, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/ 98587540894#success

Tuesdays GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS November 9 thru December 14, phone or online. Hospice of Santa Cruz County offers individual grief support sessions (via phone Zoom) and a special group, Coping

with Grief though the Winter

Holidays, meeting virtually via Zoom on Tuesday evenings. Call (831) 430-3000 for more information and to register.

Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

Second Sundays SANTA CRUZ ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave. between Lincoln and Cedar Streets The Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire features more than 40 outdoor vendors. Visit https://www.facebook.com/santacruzantiquefaire/ for more information