Aptos Times: December 15, 2021

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December 15, 2022 • Vol 30 No. 24

Amesti Elementary Students Unveil Mural

With the help of teachers and community volunteers, the students at Amesti Elementary School created a threedimensional mural, “My Community, Our Community.”

Full Story page 16

Rail Trail Aptos: EIR Complete in 2023 Full Story page 8

Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health

Acts of Kindness

Church Raises 1.2 Million Meals for Second Harvest

world. Instead, we wanted to be dramatically positive,” said senior pastor René Schlaepfer.

The church organized into teams and even provided “Acts of Kindness grants” to help fund ideas.

... continues on page 4

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As rising anger in society made headlines, Twin Lakes Church in Aptos launched the “Acts of Kindness” initiative, raising more than $300,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank, enough for 1.2 million meals in Santa Cruz County.

“It’s so easy to fall into despair at the division in our

Dave Draper, the championship bodybuilder who outlived heart failure for almost 40 years by training and eating well, died Nov. 30 at his home in Aptos with his wife of 33 years, Laree, at his side. He was 79.

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No. 24

Volume 30

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18

30

Table of Contents

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Cover Acts of Kindness: Church Raises 1.2 Million Meals for Second Harvest

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Community News Tales of the Hunger Heroes Another Covid-19 Death: Why Health Officials Are Urging People To Get Booster Shots, By Jondi Gumz Rail Trail Aptos: EIR Complete in 2023 Watsonville Hospital’s Bankruptcy Filing, By Jondi Gumz Water Purification Center Groundbreaking: Soquel Creek Water District Expects Completion in 2023 New Health Services Director Prioritizes Equity Tiny Homes Rules: Target Date: Summer 2022, By Jondi Gumz College Lake Water Diversion Granted Amesti Elementary Students Unveil Mural Dohna Lee Dunderdale Day Wilburn to head Santa Cruz Public Libraries, By Jondi Gumz Remembering Dec. 7, 1941, By Edita McQuary Supporters Want Farmland Protection on 2022 Ballot Dominican to Boost Physician Training with Morehouse Med School

8 9 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23

In Memoriam 10 Championship Bodybuilder Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Venus Retrogrades – Review, Reappraise, Re-assess & Repattern, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 21 Wilder Ranch Lemon Prints, from the Wilder Ranch Cookbook 24 I Canceled My Hawaii Vacation. Hotels.com Will Only Give Me a Voucher, By Christopher Elliott 24 PVUSD: Wellness Center, SRO Committee, Covid Testing, Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 25 A Christmas Carol Revisited, By Ron Kustek 30 Improving County Cell Phone Coverage, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Meet Max, the Irish Wolfhound!

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

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“Twin Lakes Church” from page 1 “There were hundreds of projects, large and small,” said Schlaepfer.

Members cleaned gutters, cleared dead trees, and repaired vandalized property. Others gave gift bags to every staff member at Mar Vista Elementary School and built a new shed for a CZU fire victim. Members delivered necessities to the Warming Center in Santa Cruz. Another gave every Santa Cruz city police officer a gift.

“The women at Freedom Women’s Center in Watsonville are all being provided Christmas gift bags by another group,” said Schlaepfer.

The dramatic climax to the project came when the church revealed the total raised for the food bank.

“Our goal was one million meals.

I was frankly worried it was too big a challenge in these inflationary times,” admitted Schlaepfer.

The church actually raised 20% more than that goal: 1.2 million meals.

“This is such a gift to thousands and thousands of families who otherwise would have gone hungry in this season and beyond,” said Willy Eliot-McCrea, director of Second Harvest.

“Obviously we won’t stop being kind now that this emphasis is over!” said Schlaepfer. “But we felt we needed a boost to remember how good it feels to love our neighbors. This is not just being nice. In our cultural moment this is a revolution. There is only one weapon that can defeat our extreme polarization. Jesus said it: ‘Love your neighbor.’” n ••• The Second Harvest holiday food drive is ongoing for anyone who wants to contribute.

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

Act of Kindness (clockwise from top): Pastor René Schlaepfer reveals the Twin Lakes Church food drive total to holiday food drive co-chair UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive at church services Dec. 6. • Chuy Gardiner, Kyle Matthews, and Cathy Vanderbilt volunteer at Martha’s Kitchen. • Bruce and Sharon Fournier, Chuck Zimmerman, and John McBain clear storm damage for a new neighbor. • Sara Bently, Andrew Summers, and their fellowship group clean gutters for a neighbor in advance of winter storms. • John and Diane Gerbrandt and their fellowship group clear five dead trees and other fire hazards from neighbor’s yards.

For more information, go to thefoodbank.org. www.tlc.org •••

Cover Photo: Over 1,000 new pajamas are collected at Twin Lakes Church for children in transitional housing.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Tales of the Hunger Heroes H unger Hero” is the name for the incredible range of county residents of all ages, inventing ideas and investing time raising donations for Second Harvest Food Bank and its 80+ food distribution partners.

They make the annual Holiday Food & Fund Drive, Nov. 4 to Jan. 15, an annual success.

Heroes raise more than half of the food Second Harvest provides through the year for food-insecure families in our county. One hundred percent of Holiday Food & Fund Drive funds are feeding hope for local community members, no money raised goes to administration or overhead.

Who Are Our Hunger Heroes?

There are so many. Here’s a small sampling.

“Second Harvest Food Bank has always been our favorite to donate to,” says Robin Berkery, owner of Jazzercise Santa Cruz and Aptos. “Our community feels there is no better way of donating to this wonderful cause than through a

workout program. Last year we began selling virtual raffle tickets in exchange for food bank donations. People win prizes for local businesses like restaurants, massages, art, and wine. Our goal this year is beating last year’s record of $7,000.”

Feeding hope and nurturing empathy, Mount Madonna School’s second grade Hunger Heroes are leading their community’s food and fund drive. Guided by their teacher, students connect with preschool through 12th grade peers, asking school families, teachers, staff, and friends to help feed hungry people.

See the students’ Second Harvest donation page: https://give.thefoodbank. org/teams/16653-mount-madonna-school).

At the other end of the education spectrum, the UC Santa Cruz community has created a donation page at https:// give.thefoodbank.org/teams/16440uc-santa-cruz. Each year the university

Mount Madonna School second graders.

community runs a contribution campaign donating tens of thousands of dollars to this year’s drive.

“UC Santa Cruz is fully engaged in campus-wide support of the Holiday Food and Fund Drive — our Chancellor

is also chair of the county-wide effort this year,” points out Nathan McCall, manager, HR Business Information Services at UCSC. “Hunger Heroes” page 8

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season!

From your friends and neighbors who make up our family of healthcare professionals.

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Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Another Covid-19 Death

Why Health Officials Are Urging People To Get Booster Shots

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By Jondi Gumz

anta Cruz County reports one more COVID-19 death, bringing the number of fatalities to 225, and California health officials say people with two shots aren’t protected from the new Omicron variant, so they recommend a second booster.

• On Dec. 13, with California Covid cases up 47 percent and hospitalizations up 14 percent, the state Department of Public Health ordered masks be worn indoors to prevent this new highly transmissible variant from spreading. Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel had already ordered masks to be worn indoors as of Nov. 22, including at home with guests.

• On Dec. 13, Britain reported its first death connected to Omicron.

• On Dec. 15, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported Omicron infections are likely in people who are fully vaccinated.

A U.S. study, not yet peer-reviewed, found all three U.S. Covid vaccines appear to be significantly less protective against the Omicron variant in lab testing, but a booster dose appears to restore protection.

Pfizer reported three shots neutralized Omicron in the lab. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have not released data.

Santa Cruz County reports 612 active cases as of Dec. 13, up from 540 two weeks ago, 21,708 cases since the pandemic began, 632 hospitalizations, and 230,200 negative test results. Statistics are updated on Mondays and Thursdays.

County hospitalizations edged down from 14 to 12, including three in intensive care.

The man who died was white, in his 60s, with underlying conditions.

The CDC tracker hasn’t updated test positivity in Santa Cruz County; it was 2.37 percent two weeks ago; the statewide rate, which was 3.4 percent, has dipped to 2.3 percent.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education reports all positive cases of student and staff regardless of the source of transmission. See santacruzcoe.org/ coviddashboards 83 Student Cases ajaro Valley Unified School District, which has more than 19,000 students, reports 83 student cases and seven staff cases during December.

MacQuiddy Elementary had 13 cases, Watsonville High, 9, Bradley Elementary, 6, Landmark Elementary, 6, Rolling Hills Middle School, 6, Pajaro Valley High, 5, Hall District Elementary, 3, Ohlone Elementary 3.

In Aptos, Mar Vista Elementary had 9 cases, Aptos High, 5, Aptos Junior High, 2, Valencia Elementary, 2.

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Pajaro Middle School, Radcliff Elementary Mintie White Elementary, each reported two cases.

There was one student case at Freedom Elementary, Cesar Chavez Middle School, E.A. Hall Middle School, Lakeview Middle School, Pacific Coast Charter School, Starlight Elementary, Alianza Charter, and Calabasas State Preschool.

One staff case each was reported by Amesti, Freedom, H.A. Hyde, Landmark, MacQuiddy, Ohlone, and Starlight.

Testing he CDC tracker reports test positivity in Santa Cruz County at 2.37 percent, up from 1.54 percent seven days ago; the statewide rate has risen to 3.4 percent.

With Inspire Diagnostics, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education has conducted more than 123,700 PCR surveillance tests for COVID at no charge to those tested, and reports a 14-day positivity rate of .5 percent and 77 cases active in the past two weeks.

Testing for the school community will go on a holiday schedule: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec 20-22 and Dec. 27-29, then resume the regular schedule Jan. 3.

Regular testing hours are: Cabrillo’s parking lot K, 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; the PVUSD District Office parking lot, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, and the county Office of Education, 400 Encinal St., Santa Cruz.

Students and their families, and staff and their families can get tested free; fill out the registration once at http://sccoe.link/ inspiresc and go to any site --no appointment is needed.

Boosters ollowing authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available at the three local clinics for 16-17 year-olds who got their second does at least six months ago.

Booster doses of all three vaccine types are available for all school staff.

Appointments are required at https:// santacruzcoe.org/boosters/ Booster shots are available for school staff who got their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago.

For a list of COVID vaccine providers, visit www.santacruzhealth.org/ coronavirusvaccine.

Vaccine Mandates eaths are still rising — 801,000 in the United States, 74,700 in California, 225 in Santa Cruz County — and part of President Biden’s strategy is to mandate vaccines or

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weekly tests for employers with 100 more employees (part time as well as fulltime — independent contractors are not counted).

The deadline to comply is Jan. 4.

Due to legal challenges, the future of the mandate is not known.

Four judicial rulings put a hold on mandates, finding the administration’s orders mandating vaccines exceeded the power Congress had given the executive branch.

The rulings: Nov. 12: BST Holdings v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, opinion written by Kurt D. Engelhardt.

Nov. 30: Louisiana v. Becerra, Judge Terry A. Doughty stayed the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services order.

Nov. 30: Kentucky v. Biden, Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove stayed the executive order on federal contractors in three states.

Dec. 7: Georgia vs. Biden, Judge R. Stan Baker made the stay national in scope.

In Florida v. Department of Health and Human Services, a Florida district court upheld the CMS mandate. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed it on Dec. 6.

A CDC analysis published Nov. 18 in the American Journal of Infection Control found 30 percent of healthcare workers in more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals were unvaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 15.

The Biden administration backed off on penalties this year for federal workers and military personnel not fully vaccinated (or requested a religious or medical exemption)

by Nov. 22.

Enforcement will begin in 2022, when the unvaccinated may get a letter of reprimand.

About 92 percent of federal employees are vaccinated.

91% One Dose ealth experts had surmised that once 70 percent of the population (or 80 percent or 85 percent) was vaccinated against COVID-19, the new coronavirus would fade away — the world could return to normal.

That hasn’t happened.

The CDC COVID Tracker says Santa Cruz County has 91.6 percent of those 12 and older with one dose and 81.6 percent of that age group fully vaccinated.

Studies show protection from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccine begins to wane after a few months, which is why booster shots are available to those 18 and older whose shots were six months ago.

Dominican Hospital’s vaccine clinic has provided COVID-19 booster shots every Thursday since they were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC. To make an appointment, see myturn. ca.gov.

Although protection wanes, studies show the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly protective against hospitalization.

The CDC said people can “mix and match” vaccines.

The Dignity Health Medical GroupDominican pediatric practices in Aptos and Capitola began offering the Pfizer vaccine to their patients 5 years and older after the FDA granted authorization.

“COVID Update” page 9

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Rail Trail Aptos: EIR Complete in 2023 P lanning is underway for Santa Cruz County Rail Trail segments 10 in Live Oak and Capitola and 11 in Aptos.

This is a 4.5-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail system that generally follows the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor, from the eastern side of 17th Avenue in Live Oak to the western side of State Park Drive in Aptos.

The trail is to be 10 to 12 feet wide next to the tracks.

According to the county, the project alternative is to “railbank” to simplify property rights issues, remove the tracks, and place the trail in the center of the tracks, determining the width during the preliminary design process.

The timetable calls for the Environmental Impact Report to be completed in summer 2022, public review in winter 2022, final EIR in winter 2022-spring

“Hunger Heroes” from page 5 The drive “allows the rare opportunity for the whole university community of students, staff, faculty, and retirees to engage in one effort,” he says. “In fact, a contingent of student leaders, employees, and retirees recently volunteered at Second Harvest to pack food for families.”

Alexander Pedersen, founder of Blue Circle and a Second Harvest Food Bank board member, is pledging to run a mile for every ten dollars donated. So far, he’s helped raise more than $800. To learn more about Blue Circle or to donate to his campaign, visit www.bluecircleusa.org.

Santa Cruz Montessori student Honu Blick running at a walkathon for Second Harvest Food Bank.

tation Commission, design consultant RRM Design Group and environmental consultant Harris & Associates.

The deadline was Dec. 7 to comment on the Notice of Preparation — potential environmental issues and project alternatives to be evaluated in the EIR, not the merits of the project itself or the project design.

There will be future opportunities for community input on the schematic plans.

Rob Tidmore of the Santa Cruz County Public Works Deparmtnet is project manager. He can be reached at 831-4542340 or RailTrail@santacruzcounty.us. n ••• To view a recording of the scoping meeting, see https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KMd3qfpbRWM. To view a PDF of the Scoping Meeting presentation, see https://tinyurl.com/ scc-scoping-meeting

2023 and certification of EIR in spring 2023.

Planning began with a scoping

meeting Nov. 17 with the County of Santa Cruz the lead agency, City of Capitola, Santa Cruz County Regional Transpor-

Sequoia Wealth Advisors in Aptos and San Jose, is a sponsor of this year’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive and major corporate sponsor for many food bank events, including the Chef’s Dinner. The company has engaged clients, staff and the community in fundraising.

“Our reasons for supporting Second Harvest are many,” says Kristina Kuprina, company president. “Increased financial pressure is amplifying food insecurity in our area. And no one should have to choose between food and other essential needs.”

For the students at Santa Cruz Montessori in Aptos, their effort started with a news story showing mile-long lines for food banks around the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teacher Kristin Tosello shared this news with her 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

She streamed videos from Second Harvest Food Bank explaining that one in three people and one in two children in Santa Cruz County face food insecurity.

Her students were shocked by the number of hungry people in their own community. But rather than feeling helpless, they organized a walkathon with a goal of $2,250, equal to 9,000 meals. Before they began walking, they surpassed this goal.

On the day of the walkathon, 17 students walked to Cabrillo College spending three hours at the track. One student racked up an amazing 12 miles. Each student walked more than 5.75 miles.

“After a while it started getting a bit tiring, but we reminded ourselves of our cause and walked on,” a student said.

The result? They raised 26,168 meals

Robin Berkery (far right), owner of Jazzercise Santa Cruz and Aptos, leads a workout fundraiser outdoors for Second Harvest Food Bank. and learned a valuable lesson — every step Become a Hunger Hero counts.

Second Harvest is supporting about 50 Others organized rummage sales and percent more people this year compared to prebake sales, employee raffles and online auc- vious year averages. Participating in the 2021 tions, and some converted their personal Holiday Food and Fund Drive is easy for inditime off to donations. Generous musicians viduals, organizations, or businesses. Contact in a band donated the proceeds from their — julie@thefoodbank.org or visit www.theperformance. foodbank.org/hero to order a ‘Mini Collection From surfers, cyclists, paddleboarders Barrel’ for cash collection. and joggers to firefighters, law enforcement Nominate a Hunger Hero and the faith community, our county unites Second Harvest is looking for all the hunger around the Holiday Food & Fund Drive. heroes. Nominees may be educators, advocates It’s impossible to acknowledge all the for food policy change or volunteers who use Hunger Heroes making a difference for so their time, energy, or resources to help fight many this year. This story celebrates them hunger in our county. The Hunger Fighter of the all. n Year is recognized at the annual Awards Dinner ••• in March. Nomination deadllne is Jan. 7.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Watsonville Hospital’s Bankruptcy Filing T

By Jondi Gumz

he financial woes that led to Watsonville Community Hospital filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 5 with plans to sell to a local consortium erupted six months after new operators took over.

That’s according to attorney Debra Grassgreen of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones, who explained the situation at the first-day hearing Dec. 7 in federal bankruptcy court in San Jose to Judge M. Elaine Hammond.

“The goal of keeping the doors open… is top of everyone’s mind,” Grassgreen said, noting that the closest emergency department is 25 to 30 minutes away depending on traffic.

The hospital is the third largest employer in Watsonville.

In September 2019, with the hospital in financial straits, new operators took over.

The building in which the hospital operates was sold to Medical Properties Trust of Birmingham, Alabama, a real estate company founded in 2003 that owns healthcare facilities worldwide.

Watsonville Community Hospital leases the property from MPT. Six months after the sale, the hospital operators were in default on that debt.

The reason: Patient mix, Greengrass said.

She’s referring to reliance on Medicare or MediCal, which pay only a portion of the cost of care, and not enough private-pay patients who pay full freight.

Staffing shortages led to hiring traveling nurses, which are more costly than staff nurses.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 made the financial situation worse.

Grassgreen said Watsonville Community Hospital owes MPT $40 million, which includes $9.25 million in emergency advances to keep the doors open.

She said there’s another $19 million in liquidated claims and potentially other unsecured claims.

The list of the 35 largest unsecured claims is headed by the California Nurses Association, followed by the California Technical Employees Coalition, Teamsters Local 912, Meritain Health Inc. of Amherst New York, and Principal Financial Groups of Des Moines, Iowa, and QHCCS Retirement Committee of Brentwood, Tennessee.

The filing then lists Health Trust Workforce Solutions of Atlanta, Georgia, $2.9 million, Guidehouse Managed Services, Chicago, $1.3 million, PG&E, $1.1 million, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, $930,000, Emergency Medical Services Authority of Rancho Cordova, $789,000.

Local entities in the top 35 include: Kaiser Permanente, $373,000, and Dominican Hospital, $215,0000.

WHM, the management for the nine physicians in Coastal Health Partners, has claims of less than $150,000.

The operators hope to sell the operation to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project, a new nonprofit entity in the process of formation headed by Mimi Hall, former Santa Cruz County Heath Service Agency director.

The consortium includes the county,

the city of Watsonville, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley and Salud Para La Gente.

Greengrass said the consortium is expected to assume the lease, and all employee obligations, PPO, pension and health insurance.

This year, two independent board members, Frank Williams and Jeremy Rosenthal joined the board, followed by David Gordon in September.

The new board appointed Rosenthal CEO. Greengrass said on the eve of Thanksgiving, the coalition was unable to pay the financing and sign the term sheet for the proposed sale.

The day after Thanksgiving, Watsonville Community Hospital posted state-required WARN notices indicating plans to lay off 677 employees.

At that point, MPT agreed to provide emergency financing while coalition pursued government funding to buy the hospital operation.

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662-0291 “COVID Update” from page 7 Drugstores also have Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11.

Some parents worry about myocarditis, heart inflammation, which has been reported in adolescent and young adult males. It is a rare condition and Dr. Steven Black, codirector of the Global Vaccine Data Network, a consortium researching vaccine safety, told The New York Times that physicians will know to look for it.

Some parents worried about long-term side effects do not want to vaccinate their children. In other cases, if the children have had COVID, the parents contend they have natural immunity.

Jobs Data: Dec. 17 anta Cruz County had a healthy 105,100 jobs as of mid-October, and unemployment was 5.2%, down from 7.4% a year ago.

November numbers will be posted Dec. 17.

Many businesses have “help wanted” signs.

Pandemic-induced supply chain

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problems have delayed the start of Aptos library construction project.

The New York Times advised people to shop earlier this year because of expected shipping delays due to supply chain problems.

To avoid that problem, shop local. n ••• Total COVID cases: 21,124 ••• COVID Deaths: 225 As of Dec.15 Age 85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 49 • 65-74: 40 60-64: 14 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 9 • 35-44: 7 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 179 • No: 46 Race White 124 • Latinx 82 • Asian 16 • Black 1 Amer Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Gender Male: 115 • Female 110 Aging Facility Yes: 105 • No 120

Greengrass said the goals are to sell the hospital, keep the doors open, keep providing health care services to people who need health care and preserve the jobs.

“There’s a lot riding on it,” she said.

The timetable calls for closing the sale by March 31.

The judge set Jan. 19 as the filing date for financial records after an attorney for the hospital said it could not be submitted accurately

by Jan. 4.

The second-day hearing will be by Zoom at 10 a.m. Jan 5 and with the third hearing at 10 a.m. Feb. 15, which will be hybrid, allowing in-person proceedings “This is new,” the judge said. “If we find we’re going to have too many people, we may limit it.”

She said she found Zoom works for large chapter 11 cases, but not for people who don’t generally show in such cases, older people representing themselves, people who are hard of hearing and people who aren’t English speakers. n A recording of the Dec. 7 hearing is on Stretto.com at https://cases.stretto.com/ WatsonvilleHospital

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IN MEMORIAM

Championship Bodybuilder Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health D

ave Draper, the championship bodybuilder who outlived heart failure for almost 40 years by training and eating well, died Nov. 30 at his home in Aptos with his wife of 33 years, Laree, at his side. He was 79.

A handsome blond who mentored Arnold Schwarzenegger, Draper became Mr. America in 1965, Mr. Universe in 1966 and Mr. World in 1970. He appeared in movies and on television. He wrote books.

He was a pioneer in opening gyms in Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley when training facilities were not available. He had a website, davedraper.com, and an email newsletter that at its peak reached 50,000 people.

Asked what he would want to be known for, Laree said she wasn’t sure but she noted one standout quality: Paying attention.

“Everyone who talked with him will tell you they felt like the only person in the room—his attention was singular on whomever he was talking to, even in an expo hall filled with thousands of bodybuilding fans,” she explained. “He’d be focused on one person and stayed focused until the person got all the needed answers. (Hence, we were late a lot.) It was remarkable, at a level I’ve never seen in anyone else.”

Asked what message he would leave for his followers, she responded: “Treasure and protect your health and don’t let your friends drift away.”

He had already earned the title of Mr. America when steroids came on the scene, helping athletes become more muscular and powerful, long before a recent study found steroid use may damage the heart permanently.

Laree said he was open about his steroid use and didn’t hide it.

“But he didn’t talk about it much either because he felt that glamorized it,” she explained. “He was active in the local DARE program in the hope of helping keep kids off drugs; for him, it was young people using steroids that was the problem.

He knew pro athletes in many sports use performance enhancers. He just didn’t want young athletes getting caught up in them and then discovering their training tanks when trying to come off them. Many people quit training after taking and then stopping steroids; Dave was a strong and vocal advocate of life-long strength training.”

In 1982, before he met Laree, Dave was eating well, training and drinking heavily.

Chiropractor Dave Love, who met him at the gym and took care of his spine, found him passed out at home and took him to the Emergency Room.

For three weeks, Dave detoxed while unconscious in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

The diagnosis: Congestive heart failure.

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

Love invited Dave to join him at Santa Cruz Bible Church after he got out of the hospital, and he did, returning to the faith he had grown up with.

“When you hit bottom, you find Jesus,” said Love, who baptized Dave at Santa Cruz Bible Church.

“He lived his faith in a practical way,” Love said. “He was always so very grateful Jesus gave him a new chance.”

A skilled woodworker, Dave made his friend a cross, “the most amazing cross,” to show his thanks.

Once out of the hospital, he restarted his training and good eating, habits he kept for decades.

“I think his doctor would tell you that’s what got him through 40 years of a fouryear prognosis,” Laree said.

“At the time, the doctors, who knew about the steroid use, called it ‘alcoholic cardiomyopathy.’ They didn’t know much about the effects of steroids on the heart at the time, so it could be they just didn’t know.”

She said his doctors were very clear he wouldn’t survive another bout if he started drinking again. So he didn’t.

Laree met Dave at the gym in 1984.

They bumped into each other from time to time at a gym called Power Unlimited, long gone now, and then got together in 1986 to take pictures for a magazine article and work on a couple of projects. They were married in 1988.

Dave and Laree attended Santa Cruz Bible Church and Twin Lakes Church in Aptos.

In 1989, with three other partners, they opened World Gym in Santa Cruz, and then in 1991, World Gym in Scotts Valley.

“At the time, we felt the area needed that type of gym,” Laree said. “There are plenty of small and large gyms and personal training facilities now, but that wasn’t true in the late ‘80s.”

With the gym business and his writing, his days were full.

“Dave was a writer and a thinker,” Laree said. “He could spend a day working on a single paragraph.”

She said he was unusually observant, able to express what he saw in ways that captured the reader’s attention.

She and others noticed this trait: “We were in the same room, saw the same thing, but he saw it on a deeper level and explained it better.”

His most recent book and one Laree considers his best is a collection of memoir bits called A Glimpse in the Rear View.

Dave’s approach to food and nutrition: Higher protein, higher fat, lower carb, very structured.

“In the earlier days when he was trying to gain or hold weight, he ate every three or four hours,” Laree said. “As he got older, he ate when hungry instead of on a schedule.

For decades, every day began with a protein shake. I doubt if he missed a morning protein shake in probably 60 years.”

“Draper” page 12

COMMUNITY NEWS

Water Purification Center Groundbreaking

Soquel Creek Water District Expects Completion in 2023

O

n Friday, the Soquel Creek Water District hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its $88 million Advanced Water Purification Center, which will purify treated Santa Cruz wastewater for recharge wells, addressing seawater intrusion.

“After many years of working to find a way to protect our groundwater supply for the long term and achieve sustainability, I am happy to announce that the advanced water purification center — the heart of Pure Water Soquel — is now under construction and anticipated to be completed and operational in 2023,” said incoming Soquel Creek Water District Board President Tom LaHue. “This has been a monumental, multi-year effort.”

This construction is on Chanticleer Avenue near Soquel Avenue in Live Oak,

not far from Capitola, which is served by the Soquel Creek Water District.

The state considers the Mid-County groundwater basin — the sole source of water supply for customers of Soquel Creek Water District — as “critically overdrafted,” resulting in a shortage of drinking water and verified seawater contamination of the aquifer at several locations.

This project is designed to maintain a barrier against further seawater contamination, and provide a high-quality, reliable, and sustainable water supply for generations to come.

About 50 invited guests attended the groundbreaking.

“Projects like Pure Water Soquel are critical to fighting drought and reducing climate change impacts throughout the West,” said Tomas Torres, director of the Region 9 Water Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is

helping finance the treatment system. “This represents the future of water in the West.”

State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel said, “Water recycling is a creative solution, and we are working with partners like the Soquel Creek Water District to help broaden access to recycling projects beyond big, major cities.”

Other dignitaries who spoke: Richard Welsh, principal deputy regional director for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Interior Region 10, State Senator John Laird and State Assemblymember Mark Stone.

“Groundbreaking” page 12

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“Groundbreaking” from page 11 Members of the Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors, the Santa Cruz City Council, and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors spoke as well.

After the speeches, the group of dignitaries ceremonially turned over shovels-full of dirt to applause.

With a theme of “Water Transformed,” the groundbreaking gave attendees a chance to take selfies with an over-sized butterfly wing backdrop, in the colors of the Pure Water Soquel logo.

Some posted pictures with #watertransformed to commemorate the occasion.

The MidCounty area is not connected to any state or federal imported water system — it relies on rainfall to naturally replenish the groundwater — but rainfall has been in short supply due to persistent drought.

Soquel Creek Water District has been in a ‘Groundwater Emergency and Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency’ every year since 2014.

District customers have stepped up water conservation, but district staff say a reliable supplemental source of water is needed to raise groundwater levels and prevent further seawater intrusion. Pure Water Soquel is designed to accomplish that.

This construction is the third key element of Pure Water Soquel. Construction of an eight-mile pipeline system to recycle water from the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility to the Water Purification Center got underway last spring and will continue through 2022.

Three seawater intrusion prevention wells, where the purified water will be stored underground to recharge the aquifer, are substantially complete. n ••• For more info see www.soquelcreeekwater. org/pws.

“Draper” from page 10 Dave was born April 16, 1942, in Secaucus, N.J., the middle child with two older brothers, Don (Arizona) and Jerry (Florida), and two younger twin sisters, Dana and Carla (Oklahoma).

Growing up, he was introverted and insecure.

“Team sports were uncomfortable for him, but tinkering around with a little hand-gripper led to dips between chairs, which led to buying a used weight set from a neighbor,” Laree said.

At age 21, he won the Mr. New Jersey title, then came out West for a job with magazine publisher Joe Weider, who pioneered competitions of the top bodybuilders.

Journalist Dick Tyler, later author of West Coast Bodybuilding Scene, dubbed Dave the “Blond Bomber,” a nickname that fit.

Here is Tyler’s line about Dave at Mr. America 1965, competing after several Herculean and better-known contestants: “When Draper posed, you could see the looks of surprise on everyone’s face. “ Dave and his first wife Penny had a daughter named Jamie, who died in 2016. They have two grandkids, Taylor, who lives in Santa Cruz and teaches infant rescue swimming locally, and Cooper, who lives with his wife Jacki in

Clovis. Cooper and Jacki have a daughter named Vivianne—Dave and Penny’s great-granddaughter.

For Dave, Thanksgiving 2021 was “terrific,” Laree said. “His family was all here and spent the day together laughing and eating good food.” n ••• Photos courtesy of Laree Draper

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Health Services Director Prioritizes Equity T he new director of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency is Mónica Morales, who comes from the California Department of Public Health, where she has been deputy director of the Center for Healthy Communities. Her first day will be Jan. 17.

“There is much to be done to ensure we are moving forward equitable public health policies in our county,” Morales said. “I look forward to working with the community and dedicated staff in the Health Services Agency to assure that all members of our community are healthy, safe and resilient.”

She succeeds Mimi Hall, who left after three years and became a director at Manifest MedEx, a nonprofit health information network, and obtained an agreement for a new nonprofit health district to buy Watsonville Community Hospital from the corporate operator, which filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 5.

Another issue she will face is that county employees who are members of Services Employees International Union Local 521 have voted to strike over contract negotiations. SEIU 521 is one of the county’s largest bargaining units; SEIU members employed by Monterey County in October agreed to 7 percent wage increases over three years, Juneteenth as a paid holiday, controls over rising healthcare costs and a committee to resolve 600 vacancies.

Raised in Watsonville, Morales graduated from Watsonville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in

Mónica Morales sociology from UC Santa Cruz. After receiving a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Columbia University, she became a senior research analyst at Applied Survey Research, then joined the Nevada State Health

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Division, where she advanced to director of the Chronic Disease Prevention Section.

She returned to California as the deputy director of CDPH’s Fusion Center for Strategic Development before moving to the Center for Healthy Communities, overseeing programs to address environmental and occupational health, violence, addiction and prevention of chronic disease and suicide.

Morales is a planning member of the California Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative, and a representative on the UC Merced Farmworker Research project and the California Health and Human Services Alzheimer’s Advisory Committee.

She is a board member of the National Association of Chronic Disease directors, and served as president during 2019-20.

“As we engaged in a national search for our next HSA director, it became clear that the best candidate was raised in Watsonville and knows our community well,” said County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios, who was Watsonville city manager before taking the county post. “I’m pleased to welcome Mónica and her family back home, and look forward working with her to protect the health and well-being of our residents.”

Morales enjoys outdoor activities with her family, daughter Isa, 7, and Nico, 4, her spouse Adriana, and her dog Choco. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Tiny Homes Rules

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By Jondi Gumz

f Santa Cruz County permitted tiny homes, would they be affordable?

What’s the definition of affordable?

For county planner Daisy Allen, who is drafting the tiny homes permit regulations, that is a good question, one she’ll consider.

The county timetable calls for discussions with the Housing Advisory Commission, January to March 2022, a Planning Commission study session in January or February, Planning Commission hearing in February or March, County Board of Supervisors hearing in the spring and California Coastal Commission hearing in summer.

The challenge is to have rules that permit tiny homes as affordable housing and avoid polluting drinking water and stream habitat, especially in unincorporated areas with septic systems instead of sewage lines.

“Sewage, where it goes, it has to be addressed,” said Marilyn Underwood, county director of Environmental Health.

“With tiny homes, kitchen and bath, you’re going to increase the load.”

For those whose lost homes in the 2020 CZU lightning wildfire, time is of the essence.

“The clock is ticking because of our insurance,” one speaker old Allen at the Zoom meeting. “Most of us have limits, 3 years after the fire date.”

A small business owner in Ben Lomond said, “We spent so much on a building permit we ran out of money.”

Allen, who has looked at tiny home regulations in other jurisdictions, found one area where inspections were required after five years.

Would tiny homes we allowed on “unbuildable” lots?

Allen was not sure, given that steep slopes and environmental habitat can be issues.

Would the permits be ministerial over the counter?

“That’s an open question,” Allen said.

Several people asked if a composting toilet would be allowed as a stand-alone system.

Allen didn’t have an answer but Underwood said composting toilets are allowed as long as there is also a backup system.

One man said his installation of a regular septic system with a leach field cost $12,000.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Daisy Allen participates in a Zoom call.

Another said such a system could cost $50,000 to $70,000, perhaps topping the cost of a tiny home.

Underwood agreed such systems can be expensive when the house is close to a stream.

To another question about whether haulaways would work, Underwood said the decision is based on repairability, not economic concerns.

She added that haulaways are not cheap, costing $500-$600 for a service.

“I’m not sure they are economically feasible,” she said.

Another asked for a composting toilet pilot program, which Allen said would depend on interest.

A speaker pointed out the schematic designs Allen presented showed a tiny home on a standard-size lot and that parcels are bigger in South County, five, 50, 500 acres.

“The point is to get more housing,” the speaker said, asking for an example of tiny homes on a large lot.

One speaker suggested allowing a tiny office on wheels, which would not have a kitchen but provide more space for a family where adults are working at home, not commuting to work.

The county is asking residents to fill out a survey on tiny homes, which is at http://www.sccoplanning.com/ PlanningHome/SustainabilityPlanning/ tinyhomes.aspx “We’ve already had 100 responses,” Allen said. n ••• For questions, email daisy.allen@santacruzcounty.us or cal 831-454-2801.

Zoning information: Email Planning.

ZoningInfo@santacruzcounty.us or call 831-454-2130.

Building permit information: email Planning.BuildingInfo@santacruzcounty.us

COMMUNITY NEWS

I

College Lake Water Diversion Granted

n December, the state granted the Pajaro Valley Water Agency the right to divert up to 3,000 acre-feet of water per year from Salsipuedes Creek and College Lake for growers as irrigation, part of a long-developed plan to reduce seawater intrusion.

An acre-foot is equal to 325,850 gallons.

The Pajaro Valley Water Agency applied for the water right in 2017.

The diversion, designed to reduce groundwater pumping, is part of the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project.

The unanimous approval by State Water Resources Control Board marks a major milestone in the College Lake project, which is a key part of the local plan to bring the Pajaro Valley into sustainable groundwater management by 2040.

Pajaro Valley Water plans to seek state approval to build a new treatment plant to filter and disinfect diverted water plus new pipelines to distribute the water.

Conditions include monitoring impacts to steelhead, toxic algal blooms and non-native species.

“This is a success story on all levels,” said Sean Maguire, state water board member.

Pajaro Valley Water Board Chair Amy Newell told the state board: “I can’t overstate how important this project is to our plan for achieving sustainability of our groundwater basin.

The last 12 years of delivering blended recycled wastewater to growers on the coast for irrigation in lieu of groundwater pumping has already made a measurable improvement in slowing the rate of seawater intrusion and stabilizing groundwater levels.”

She said, “We are now at the point of not being able to meet the demand of growers for delivered water during the irrigation season. I can assure you that every acre-foot of water delivered from College Lake to our coastal distribution system will further reduce groundwater pumping by a comparable amount.”

Brian Lockwood, Pajaro Valley

Water general manager, testified on the growers’ economic value, producing fruit, vegetable, flower, and other crops worth more than $1 billion a year on 28,500 irrigated acres.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Marine Fisheries Service and Diffenbaugh Family Farms next to College Lake initially objected, then withdraw their protests after reaching agreements with Pajaro Valley Water.

Jerry Busch, co-founder of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, initially asked to speak on behalf of the public at a hearing, then reached an agreement with Pajaro Valley Water and withdrew his party status and his testimony.

The College Lake project is expected to provide an average of 1,800 to 2,300 acre-feet per year of surface water, offsetting that amount of groundwater pumping.

Groundwater accounts for more than 90% of water demand in the Pajaro Valley.

Overdraft in the basin has averaged 12,100 acre-feet over the past 30 years

— representing over 20% of the region’s annual water use.

This long-term overdraft has led to seawater intrusion into the groundwater basin, degrading water quality via substantial increases in chloride concentration along the coast. n

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

DECEMBER 2021

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

NEW LOAN LIMITS The Feds announced new conforming loan limits on 11/30/21 which are also nicely increased in High CostAreas. The new conforming loan limit for 2022 is $647,200 up from $548,250 and the new loan limit for high-costs areas including Santa Cruz County is $970,800 up from $822,375.

REDFIN ECONOMIC PREDICTIONS - 2022 Redfin’s chief economist predicts a more balanced Housing Market in 2022 and that: 1) Mortgage rates will rise to 3.6% which will end double-digit price growth and bring pricing more down to earth.

2) New Listings will hit a 10-year high, which still won’t make much of a dent in the ongoing national supply shortage 3) Rents will increase by 7% by end of 2022, more than double expected overall home price increase nationwide of 3%.

The end of mortgage forbearance will cause many homeowners to sell and rent instead. Rental vacancy rates are at all-time lows.

4) Homeowners will relocate to affordable cities like Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, PA over the sun-belt cities like Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix.

5) People will move to places that align with their politics….this will play with newly drawn electoral maps in swing states like Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.

6) Condo demand will take off. Buyers are opening up their home searches to condos and townhomes as viable, affordable options. But/and – the new infrastructure plan will bring improved access to remoter areas which will increase demand for single-family homes.

ZILLOW 95003 STATS Zillow’s 95003 report shows $1,334,347 as “Typical Home Value” last month vs. $1,065,604 a year ago (25% increase), and a 16.2% increase is forecast for the next year.

There were 24 homes for sale on 36 homes sold which is a 2/3 month inventory, still a huge Seller’s market!

HOMES FOR SALE IN APTOS There are only 13 homes on the market in Aptos <$3M as of 12/06/21. The Average List Price is $1,626,692 and the Median List price is $1,495,000. The Avg Days on Market is 27, and that is only because 4/13 homes have been on over 30 days. 80+% of listings are selling in the first 10 days.

——— December in Aptos is lovely.

Try to shop local whenever you can.

Happy Holidays to all!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

COMMUNITY NEWS

Amesti Elementary Students Unveil Mural W ith the help of teachers and community volunteers, the students at Amesti Elementary School created a three-dimensional mural, “My Community, Our Community.”

This mural, three years in the making, was unveiled Dec. 7, becoming a permanent part of the Amesti elementary campus in Watsonville.

“Every kid made their own house,” said project leader and teacher Lucia Herrera, “and a special group of kids worked on community venues like stores, the hospital, and the library.”

She added, “The kids are very proud and love to show it off.”

The mural featuring buildings made of clay gave the students an opportunity to work with materials they’ve never used before and resulted in a work of art that will last for years to come.

“During this process, the students were asked to become aware of what community meant,” Herrera said.“They saw how individual elements form a common whole and appreciated everything that belonging to a community brings to us.”

Lucero Santa Cruz Schools Plus Foundation

Alexander Pajaro CDC

They worked with local stores, churches and the fire department to learn what constitutes a community and how it operates.

Students first created drawings of their homes and community buildings, followed by cardboard mockups before crafting their final pieces of ceramic clay.

The installation required putting all

Luna Arts Council Santa Cruz County

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

the pieces together with help from teachers and community volunteers.

“The individual ceramic pieces were mounted onto a cement relief painted with acrylic paint in the form of a great city, representing our community,” Herrera said. n Cover Photo: Alexander: Watsonville Community Hospital

Alexandra Santa Cruz County Office of Education Kathy

Elizabeth San Patricio Church

Carmen

Amesti Elementary

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dohna Lee Dunderdale Day D ohna Lee Dunderdale, founder of the Made in Santa Cruz retail shop, got a special treat before Christmas — the Santa Cruz mayor declared Dec. 15 as Dohna Lee Dunderdale Day for her contributions to the community over the last 28 years.

In 1994, she had the idea to showcase the creativity of local artists, craftspeople, and designers.

Her shop, Made in Santa Cruz, located on the Santa Cruz Wharf, where the scenery is sensational, appeals to local residents and visitors alike.

Today, the shop features merchandise from more than 100 local businesses and artists, the “red dot” shirts from NHS, the “screaming hand” from Jim Phillips, and watercolor prints by Marie Gabrielle, to name a few.

Dunderdale, who turned 71 on Dec. 15, developed her own line of Za*Zen Recovery Pillows, weighted them with rice grown in Woodland, with aromatic lavender grown locally at Bonny Doon Farms, mixed in.

The pillow can be heated up in a

Dohna Lee Dunderdale enjoys unusual weather on the Wharf, where her shop Made in Santa Cruz is located. microwave oven and then placed on any veterans with the help of organizations like part of the body that needs warming and Operation Surf, Holistic Veterans, and the soothing. It also can be chilled, sealed in Santa Cruz Police and Fire Departments.

“We’ve never had a one returned,” said a zip lock bag in the freezer. The price is her friend Jeannie Collins, who designed $44.95.

Dunderdale, a massage therapist, has the logo for Made in Santa Cruz and who sold 72,000 and donated more than 800 to finds the recovery pillow beneficial herself.

18 / December 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Dunderdale grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1973, she joined an alternative community on “The Land” in the hills above Palo Alto.

She was one of many people from that community who found their way to Santa Cruz to become community leaders.

She and her partner John Peck moved to Santa Cruz for better access to midwife care, and both of her daughters were born in Santa Cruz.

Her work experience was diverse, from flea market sales to waitressing at the Davenport Cash Store and Gilda’s on the Wharf. She was lead singer for the rock band Colorform in the 1980s, then worked in real estate with Jim Lee and Coldwell Banker before her Made in Santa Cruz brainstorm.

Mayor Donna Meyers sent her congratulations on “the vision and success of Made in Santa Cruz for over 25 years on the Wharf.” n ••• For more information, see https://recovery pillow.com/ and www.MadeInSantaCruz.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Wilburn to head Santa Cruz Public Libraries Y

By Jondi Gumz

Bilbrew Library, which houses the county’s African American Resource Center, hosting a Black Books Expo, and opening the Manhattan Beach Library.

Next she spent three years in the Nevada County Community Library system, first as a deputy director and then program manager before being named library director. She oversaw six branches and two service locations in the Sierra Nevada foothills, completing an outdoor amphitheater, forging a partnership to provide musicians for the Summer Learning Program concert series, and participating in the Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries.

“Yolande’s talent and experience align perfectly with the direction of our library system,” said Carlos Palacios, Library Board Chairman and county administrative officer, in announcing her selection.

“Through Measure S, we are in the middle of the largest public investment in our system’s history, and Yolande is the best choice to carry this work forward.”

Wilburn said, “I sincerely look forward to working closely with patrons, staff and our community to make our system the best it has ever been. I’m grateful for the faith the selection committee has placed in me, and I’m ready to get to work.” n

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olande Wilburn is poised to be the next director for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, succeeding Susan Nemitz.

With approval by the SCPL joint powers authority board of directors, Wilburn would be the first woman of color to the lead the system in its 153-year history.

Her first day would be Jan. 3.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries consist of 10 branches, a $15 million budget, 98 fullYolande Wilburn time equivalent staff, 438,466 items in the collection and circulation of 672,684 for physical items and 467,875 for electronic materials.

Wilburn’s specialty is meeting the needs of the community via library services.

She comes from Torrance, population 146,860, where she was city librarian for two years, overseeing six branch locations with 573,000 items, circulation of 658,246 and a $7 million budget.

During the pandemic, she read children’s storybooks in “virtual storytime” on YouTube and implemented Polaris and Vega software to improve search functions for patrons and reduce staff time spent on catalogue management.

She was involved in the California Library Association’s Advocacy & Legislation Committee, proposing library database-sharing for youth, which State Librarian Greg Lucas then championed.

Wilburn grew up spending many hours at the Chicago Public Library. Later, she worked there as page. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. She got a master’s in library and information science at San Jose State University before returning to Chicago Public Library where she won a MacArthur Foundation grant to create the library’s first makerspace — which won the 2013 Social Innovator Award.

She went on to work at Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where students commonly used ebooks, returning to California as manager for the County of Los Angeles Public Libraries, overseeing renovation at A C

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

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Remembering Dec. 7, 1941

A

By Edita McQuary

day that will live in infamy” is how President Franklin Roosevelt described December 7, 1943 after 353 Japanese aircraft bombed the American military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Eighteen ships were lost, 2,403 Americans died and 1,178 were wounded.

The next day, following this speech by the President, the U.S. Congress declared war on Japan.

It has been 80 years since this event and there are no more local World War II veterans.

However, sixteen people gathered to remember the event at breakfast at California Grill in Watsonville. They were Barry Jennings; Peter Telc; Brad Hubbard; Lt. Col Harry Wiggins and his wife, Clarice; Esther and Stan Jessee; Wayne and Jane Fort; Jane’s sister, Helen Bixler; Barbara A. Adamski; Marilyn Rivers; Bill McQuary; Bob Erbe; Ingrid Larsen and Frank Nigro.

Retired Watsonville teacher Esther Jessee and Watsonville businessman Frank Nigro organized the event.

Esther Jessee (age 4 aon that date) related how on that beautiful Sunday morning she and her 9-year old brother were walking to Sunday School when they saw an aircraft coming their way. They were both shocked to see the grinning face of the Japanese pilot and the symbol of the rising sun on the airplane as it swooped down toward them and continued on its bombing mission.

Among other recollections shared of their families’ military connections, was one by former Marine Wayne Fort. His father’s cousin was Cornelia Fort, the aviator and instructor as well as the second member of the WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots).

On Dec. 7, she and her student pilot almost collided mid-air with a Japanese aircraft. They barely escaped and when upon landing, the Japanese pilot strafed their airplane but fortunately they were able to get away.

Cornelia Fort was recognized for her aviation/piloting career in a recent PBS special.

Ingrid Larsen, widow of a military man, told about her father, Erick Sorenson who was one of the founders of the informal annual get-together and how much it meant to her family. In 2019, her brother, also ex-military, and his son attended the event. There was no event in 2020 due to Covid-19.

It was interesting to hear how everyone present had some connection to the military either by serving in it or having a relative that served in some capacity to aid the war effort.

The greatest generation is now almost gone. These were the people, along with their European allies, who saved the world from a dictator and made the world a better place. It is fitting that they be remembered. n

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Photo Credit: Edita McQuary

Sixteen people gathered in Watsonville to remember Dec. 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Wilder Ranch Lemon Prints B ake the Wilder Ranch way! If you’ve ever had a cookie or a brownie at Wilder Ranch State Park’s Old-fashioned Independence Day celebration or the Harvest Festival, you know how delicious they are.

The Wilder Ranch Cookbook is a compilation of historically accurate recipes handed down by the Wilder family. The recipes were meticulously researched

by Wilder Ranch docents who are active bakers and who do woodstove baking in the cultural preserve at the state park in Santa Cruz.

Recipes in the cookbook date from to the 1870s to the 1920s, when Wilder Ranch was an active dairy farm. There are more than 50 recipes for breakfast, cookies, breads and muffins, butter and ice cream, cakes, preserves and more.

Try a brownie recipe from 1896 that — surprise! — doesn’t include chocolate, or a cornbread muffin recipe that is more than 200 years old. The cookbook includes historical notes and living history, such as a scrapbook of Wilder Ranch special events and directions to make bubbles for kids.

This recipe for Lemon Prints is a fun twist to make a lighter, more refreshing cookie this holiday season. Plus, Meyer lemons are seemingly always in season in Santa Cruz County.

The simple recipe uses basic ingredients found in most kitchens. Bonus — if you’re back to cookie exchanges, this recipe makes a lot of treats to share!

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Ingredients ¾ C butter, softened ¾ C sugar 1 egg yolk 1 Tbsp. grated lemon peel 2 C flour ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt Directions eat the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Beat in egg yolk and lemon peel.

Stir in flour mixed with baking powder and salt.

Roll dough in small (3/4inch) balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet and flatten with fork.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or just until the edges begin to brown (golden). Cool on wire racks.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies. n ••• The Wilder Ranch Cookbook is available in the ParkStore at Wilder Ranch State Park and in Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks’ ParkStore Online (thatsmypark. org/products/cookbook-004590) for $16.95.

Proceeds benefit local state parks and beaches.

B

Share A Recipe!

D

o 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!

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supporters Want Farmland Protection on 2022 Ballot

O Spring ‘22 Semester Begins January 24th

Apply & Register Today!

COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption required to register for in-person classes.

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

n Dec. 13, a coalition of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley community leaders, farmers, and environmentalists delivered 3,180 signatures in support of a ballot measure to renew Watsonville’s Urban Limit Line through 2040.

Once signatures are ver- Supporters of farmland protection and planned growth in Watsonville ified, the measure protecting with 3,180 signatures aim to ask voters to extend the Urban Limit farmland can be scheduled to Line in 2022. go before City of Watsonville voters, likely — a historic compromise between farmers, business, and residents to protect Pajaro in November 2022.

State law requires initiative propo- Valley farmland, wetlands, and growth nents to collect signatures from 10 percent within the city for 20 years.

In 2013 Watsonville voters affirmed of Watsonville’s registered voters, about the Urban Limit Line by defeating Measure 2,170 signatures.

Leaders of the Committee for Planned T, a developer-backed effort to change it, Growth and Farmland Protection sur- with 77% of the vote.

Some of Measure U limits will expire passed that goal.

“We had thousands of supportive in 2022, with the rest expiring in 2027.

Supporters of renewing the Urban conversations with our neighbors all over town about the need to protect vital Limit Line point to city housing reports, farmland and encourage smart growth indicating the city has more than 100 sites in Watsonville,” said Sam Earnshaw, of developable land.

They also cite a 2020 city survey in cofounder of the Watsonville Farmers Market. “It is overwhelmingly clear which more than 95% of city residents that our community wants to vote on said the vity should create additional jobs renewing the urban limit line and we and housing near already existing infrastructure to help preserve natural and feel confident they will next year.”

Added Yesenia Jimenez, who is on the agricultural land.

The campaign reports endorsements staff of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, “It’s time to promote truly affordable housing in by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, Watsonville and not destroy our beautiful Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and more farmland and wetlands for unaffordable than 50 community leaders and farmers. n ••• sprawling developments.”

For info visit: www.Watsonville The Urban Limit Line was established by voters in 2002 via passage of Measure U PlannedGrowth.org

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dominican to Boost Physician Training with Morehouse Med School D ominican Hospital is one of seven sites selected to address the shortage of diverse clinicians via a partnership between CommonSpirit Health, Dignity Health’s parent company, and Morehouse School of Medicine.

The Nov. 30 announcement launches the first phase of the More in Common Alliance, a 10-year, $100 million initiative to expand medical education and improve access and quality of care for patients.

“We know that, statistically and anecdotally, patients have better outcomes when treated by a clinician who comes from a similar background,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, a historically Black medical school and a leading educator of primary care physicians.

“Yet, in the medical field, there are far too few providers from underrepresented groups, and the impact that has on patient care is astounding,” she added. “Our aim is to change the math and the face of health care in the U.S.’’ “Dominican Hospital was chosen because of the opportunity to impact patient outcomes in the diverse community that we serve,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, Dominican Hospital president.

“We are laying the foundation for patients to have more access to culturally competent providers and for underrepresented medical students, post-graduate residents and fellows to gain community-based experience that they need to be successful in their work.”

Santa Cruz County’s population is 56% white, 34% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 1% Black.

CommonSpirit Health is one of America’s largest health systems with locations in 21 states from coast to coast.

The partnership is expected to increase medical education opportunities for more Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).

Other sites besides Santa Cruz include undergraduate training opportunities at CommonSpirit hospitals in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lexington, Kentucky, and Seattle, Washington, and post-graduate residencies and fellowships in California in Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Ventura County.

Dominican Hospital is in the process of establishing its program, which includes an application process with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and typically takes several years.

With Morehouse School of Medicine as the program’s academic sponsor, postgraduate residents and fellows will benefit from training focused on addressing health inequities and underserved patients.

“Dignity Health, as part of CommonSpirit Health, trains nearly 900 post-graduate residents and fellows each year and we believe this number will grow through the More in Common Alliance,” said Dr. Gary Greensweig, system senior vice president and chief physician executive of physician enterprise at CommonSpirit Health. “We will expand upon our work with new opportunities that will build a more diverse and dynamic workforce that reflects the communities we serve.”

While the U.S. has 155 accredited medical schools, Morehouse School of Medicine and the other three historically

Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz

Black medical schools produce the majority of the nation’s Black physicians.

CommonSpirit Health serves some of the most diverse communities in the country and is a leading provider of MediCal services.

“The More in Common Alliance is the

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice

perfect example of what can happen when two health care organizations, devoted to the creation and advancement of health equity in underserved communities, come together,” Dr. Montgomery Rice said. n ••• Learn more: www.moreincommonalliance.org

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

I Canceled My Hawaii Vacation.

Hotels.com Will Only Give Me a Voucher

By Christopher Elliott

Beth Tananbaum cancels her Hawaii vacation at the height of the pandemic. But Hotels.com will only offer her a voucher for her accommodations — and it’s about to expire. Can she get a refund?

••• booked a family trip to Hawaii for May of 2020. Then COVID shut everything down. Everyone refunded my money fully except Hotels.com, which issued vouchers for the three rooms I had booked.

The vouchers expired before Hawaii even reopened.

Then I received an email that they were extending the vouchers to this December. Hawaii didn’t reopen fully until the end of July. I can’t get to Hawaii before December because some of my children are in college.

I never agreed to a voucher, and I didn’t cancel my trip by choice. I have spoken to the customer service reps at both Hotels.com and Expedia (which owns Hotels.com), who say the hotel denied my request for a refund because of the hotel’s policy.

The hotel claims that its policy is to fully refund customers in this situation.

I investigated, and it turns out that the hotel never even received the money from Hotels.com. It only gets the money the day before I check in. Hotels.com had my money.

I

I feel that Hotels.com has stolen my money. Can you help me get my $4,000 back?

— Beth Tananbaum, Plantsville, Conn.

••• ou booked a nonrefundable reservation at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (great hotel, by the way). Nonrefundable means that you can’t get your money back if you cancel your travel plans. But if the hotel cancels your reservation, you definitely are entitled to a refund.

You forwarded your paper trail between you, the hotel and Hotels. com. It looks like you contacted a revenue manager at the Outrigger, who opened a case with Expedia. As a result of that investigation, Expedia promised to issue a full refund within 7 to 10 days. But you never received the money.

Hawaii closed to tourism during the early days of the pandemic. Most hotels canceled their bookings and issued refunds. So something went awry with your canceled vacation. I think Expedia’s promise to refund the money makes this an open-and-shut case.

If you run into a problem like this in the future, you can always reach out to an executive at Expedia or Hotels.com.

I publish the names, numbers and email address of the Expedia and Hotels.com

Y

customer service contacts on my consumer advocacy site, https://www.elliott.org/ company-contacts/expedia.

I think contacting the Outrigger’s revenue manager was an excellent idea, because it led to opening a case with Expedia. You also kept a meticulous paper trail and all of your receipts and records.

Hotels.com claimed that Outrigger denied your claim because it’s against the hotel’s policy to refund a nonrefundable room.

However, an Outrigger representative said the hotel did refund all hotel guests.

It’s obvious that your case had been

taken over by some kind of automated system that sent you vouchers you couldn’t possibly use. That’s all the more reason to try to reach a human at Hotels.com or Expedia.

I reached out to Expedia on your behalf. Separately, you also reached out to the Expedia executives. The company reviewed your case and issued a refund. 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.

PVUSD: Wellness Center, SRO Committee, Covid Testing Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District I heard you talk about a new Wellness Center at the board meeting.

Where is it located? Is it free to all students and parents? ur first new Family Engagement and Wellness Center is located near EA Hall at 530 Palm Ave., Watsonville.

All services at the center will be free for our students and families regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Will the District hot spot and Chromebook work in Mexico? My family is traveling there next week and I want my son to still work on his school work during our trip. es, as long as it is used in an area with strong cell signal PVUSD

O

Y

I want to be part of the SRO Evaluation Chromebooks and hotspots will work in Committee. How can I be part of it?

Mexico.

But keep in mind if students do not n alignment with the PVUSD Board return after winter break and are evenof Education’s approval of a pilot tually set as “inactive” in the pairing of a Mental Health attendance system, their Google Clinician and School Resource account will be disabled and no Officer at Watsonville High account will be able to login to School and Aptos High School, the chromebook or connect to the following form is being the hotspot. used for all interested parties If any families know that wishing to serve on the Pilot they will not be returning to Evaluation Committee.

PVUSD after the vacation, they The goal of this committee should return their chromebooks, Michelle Rodriguez is to review and analyze the hotspots, and any other district property to pilot data with regard to prevention their school site office. measures, educational outreach, and

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

I

outcomes of interactions with the pilot teams. Members will need to evaluate the data brought forward in the pilots to inform effectiveness and must be able to be present once a quarter, or four times a year, for an evening pilot committee meeting.

This application will remain open from Dec. 9 — noon Dec. 17. The committee will consist of 25 members including students, parents, community members, staff, law enforcement and mental health clinicians.

All applicants will be notified of status by Dec. 23.

“PVUSD” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

A Christmas Carol Revisited

I

n December of 1843, just 178 short years ago, Charles Dickens wrote ‘A Christmas Carol.’ It’s been made into countless movies, abridged, interpreted and modified.

However, it is often overlooked that one of the main tenets of the book is about business, and especially how the developing economic principle of Capitalism was affecting everyday people at the time.

This was one of the first novels written for the general public that characterized the haves (business owners) vs. the havenots (workers).

Likely, we’re all very familiar with the repentance and reclamation of Scrooge after being visited by 4 spirits: The ghost of Christmas Past, the ghost of Christmas Present, the ghost of Christmas Future, and the 4th spirit (actually the first to visit) was Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge’s former business partner.

A Christmas Carol is an illustration of how two young capitalists (Marley & Scrooge) joined forces to take over a business and in doing so, put Scrooge’s prior employer, mentor and subsequent competitor Fezziwig — out of business.

It all seemed the logical progression of success, being able to leverage one’s strength in order to outcompete in the marketplace to eliminate competitors.

Besides, Fezziwig and his wife were very simple ol’ school folks, who too frequently put the joys and welfare of their employees above their own need for more profits. In fact, the Fezziwigs were known for their employee Christmas parties, where gifts, music, food, drinks, appreciation, singing and dancing among all attending was known throughout the entire city.

But as the story developed, it became clear that the way Scrooge defined being a good and smart business person had some drawbacks.

Scrooge lost the love of his life in exchange for the love of money from business. Scrooge overworked his clerk Bob Cratchit — the father of Tiny Tim who was in need of medical care beyond what the family could afford.

Think of how we sometimes manage our businesses — tightening our profit margins, hiring qualified people for the

By Ron Kustek

amount we choose to pay them, because we also have to provide for our own families … just as every one of our employees must do.

So let’s revisit one of the most overlooked parts of ‘A Christmas Carol’ which Dicken’s foreshadowed in his preface that he “endeavored in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season or with me.”

As a refresher, Jacob Marley died alone, without any family or other friends, leaving everything he had to Scrooge. Marley’s only earthly friend was Scrooge, so Marley arranged for Scrooge to be visited by 3 spirits, in hopes that Scrooge would better understand how to be a better person in both life and business.

Jacob Marley’s ghost confronted Ebenezer Scrooge late on Christmas Eve, and the exchange between the two former successful business partners was one of the most poignant scenes in literature and in film: “But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” faulted Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.

“Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

It held up its chain at arm’s length, as if that were the cause of all its unavailing grief, and flung it heavily upon the ground again.

“At this time of the rolling year,” the spectre said, “I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down….”

So, to all of us workers, employers and community members, let’s all endeavor to embrace the teachings of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and truly make a reality Tiny Tim’s request of fairness and understanding, when he simply said, ‘God Bless Us, Everyone.’ n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior executive at The Coca-Cola Company and small business entrepreneur currently teaching at Cabrillo College.Reach him at rokustek@cabreillo.edu

Year in Review

ACROSS

1. Coalition of countries 5. King trump-er, sometimes 8. Cuckoo bird 11. ____ weevil 12. Smelting waste 13. Kitchen-wear 15. Coke or Pepsi 16. Check-in via text, email, etc.

17. Settler transport 18. *2021 Super Bowl winner, two words 20. Before long, to Shakespeare 21. Jeopardy 22. Auction action 23. Puts down

26. Coroner’s performance 30. Band booking 31. Snicket of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” 34. Stravinsky’s “The ____ of Spring” 35. Mine passages 37. *Build Back Better ____ 38. Eucharist plate 39. Table hill 40. Good review 42. “Tit for ____” 43. Buck feature, pl.

45. *First female VP 47. Evergreen creeper 48. It goes with gin, according to Snoop Dogg 50. Mongolian desert 52. *COVID-19, e.g.

55. Poison ivy or Poison oak

56. International Civil Aviation Org. 57. Distinctive smell 59. House coat 60. Asian cuisine food thickener 61. Pelvic parts 62. Gallery display 63. Self-proclaimed greatest boxer 64. Count on 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. Wayside stop 12. Thinly spread 13. Look forward to 14. *____ Papers, leaked offshore account information 19. Banana refuse, pl.

22. Exchange for money 23. Old World lizard 24. *January 20th honoree 25. Anti-elderly one DOWN 26. Those not in favor “Monty Python” 27. Pita, alt. sp. broadcaster 28. Take without asking Rioter’s take 29. Gossiper, Yiddish Cantina pot 32. *Perseverance landing Fasteners or holders spot Cover story 33. Edible tuber *Suez ____, too tight 36. *Kabul’s organization for Ever Given in power Like custard 38. *The Nobel ____ Prize Mythological ship was awarded to Ressa “High” time and Muratov

40. Snoop around 41. Snowmobile brand 44. Give the boot 46. *”Stronger” by Cindy McCain, e.g.

48. Southwestern hut 49. Sushi restaurant staple 50. ____ gum, food additive 51. Leave out 52. Home to the Leaning Tower 53. Not in use 54. One in mattress 55. Spot for a facial 58. *Actor Liotta, star in “The Many Saints of Newark”

© Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Venus Retrogrades – Review, Re-appraise, Re-assess & Repattern

T

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

he holidays may be different for everyone this year. Why? Every two years, Venus, planet of values, resources, beauty, love and relationships, retrogrades.

This year, Venus is retrograde from December 19, 2021 to January 29, 2022. When Venus retrogrades we are trned inward to assess and re-evaluate values, resources, money, and relationships. Venus is above all about relationships, as Venus rules Libra (sign of the “I and Thou”).

It is a time to consider the quality of our relationships, their value, and how we value ourselves within relationship. As our love nature has turned inward, it’s best to consider others first as friends, rather than lovers. It is definitely NOT a time for becoming engaged or married. Venus, planet of beauty, when retrograde is also a time to renovate and redecorate (carefully) and to bring more beauty into one’s life.

Important note: It is NOT a time to make valuable and important purchases, not a time for loans, excessive use of money. During Venus retrograde the true value of things becomes confused.

As in all retrogrades, people and events from the past appear for ARIES

You will assess and reassess your professional life and work in the world. Be sure not to do less than is expected. Pay attention and complete all tasks. This isn’t your greatest strength but it’s important now that projects be on time, that negotiations go smoothly, that you do your very best and more the next several months. Review goals. Do you like your work?

Are you challenged? Are you dutiful? These are important questions.

continuance, completion or for closure. We might ask ourselves do we love enough? We may feel difficulty with spontaneity or expressions of love and care. Challenging relationships may end. Nothing superficial is allowed. Venus retrograde can be a deeply spiritual time where we create new relational patterns and interactions.

It’s enlightening to remember that the Solar Angels who created us (humanity) came from Venus; our God came from Venus, as did the bees that pollinate flowers.

In the sky, over eight years of Venus retrogrades, a magical geometry is created by Venus. The retrograde cycles, rhythm and motion of Venus create a mystical rose pattern, revolving very slowly in sidereal space. It is a 5-8 ratio (five petals over 8 years) of Venus.

The Mayans who followed the path of Venus knew of this, and called this rose pattern the pentagram or five-petaled rose of Venus. This rose petalled pattern signifies actually the “heart” or essence of Venus as Earth’s elder sister, her guardian of knowledge, wisdom and beauty.

When Venus is retrograde she is closest to the Earth. For 40 days and 40 nights, Venus is retrograde. The number forty is significant. n

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Evaluating daily tasks you ask are they effective and efficient, orderly and organized? Increase technical work skills that affect work routines. Expect challenges in communicating and understanding due to Venus retrograde. Notice if animals begin to feel unease, agitated or become ill. You too, must look after your health. Go slower than usual, know that resting is good and all that happened in your past also was good. There was love.

Take extra care with friendships. Be patient and kind. You’ve been mentally active, engaged, diligent and industrious for so long. This is the year to settle down, learn to have late afternoon tea, for deep friendships of trust, and to assess resources slowly and cautiously with gratitude. An internal orientation eventually rebalances your energy, helps organize your future.

You will see goals clearly and visualize how to reach those goals.

Learn archery, tend to horses, go to chef’s school.

VIRGO

TAURUS

You think about romance, children, creativity, pleasure, You will sense the need for a spirit of adventure. Perhaps entertainment. Creating a winter garden, you will reassess your faith and beliefs. A beginning a creative project, visiting museums great vision settles upon you. Venus is your and galleries, choosing to be playful instead guardian angel (also Gemini, Capricorn of serious, remembering generous moments and Pisces). But Venus likes you best! On from the past, reconnecting with loved one – these and your mind are faraway places, visions and dreams, higher more are part of your life the next several months. They’ve learning, teaching and creating realities altogether new. Consider how your values and beliefs affect your relationships. already begun actually. Consider changing the way you ask for Do they help or hinder? Do they include others’ thoughts, affection. Expressing it more is one way. ideas and needs?

CAPRICORN

A sense of independence is most important to you and for your well-being. For several months you feel restless, realizing something’s changing foundationally in your life, your self-identity, your usual ways of being. You will experience your usual winter identity as Persephone (females and males) living underground with Pluto. You become deeply internal. Continue eating the pomegranates and persimmons. They keep you alive and well. Spring does come. That’s a promise.

LIBRA

You will experience an interesting state of insulation the next You will be concerned with resources and sharing feelings. several months. You will ponder upon many Nothing about this Venus retrograde is things – the state of your home, the foundalight for you. Love will call you to be kind tions of your life, your parents, especially and patient and more sharing. Also to be mother. You’re both mental and sentimental. honest about finances, resources, desires, As you sustain and nourish others you’ll need to hide away, intimacy and relationships. Are you studying the mysteries hibernate with warmth and comfort. Tranquility will be your yet? At some point you will commit to this. Then your life aim. Forgiveness the outcome. Forgiveness is an act that frees will change. You may look back for a while, remembering us, freeing everyone around us, too. things.

GEMINI

CANCER

Many people passed your way and left an indelible mark on your heart. You will remember relationships, past and present, assessing their goodness, value, what you learned, gave and received. All relationships help us learn how to be in them. Then one day we’re ready and the real relationship comes along. Your practicality creates a solid foundation of trust. You question what is most important in relationships. You question everything.

AQUARIUS

There are four rulers of Aquarius. The dour strict rule-oriented Saturn (old ruler) who criticizes a lot. The revolutionary Tesla-like newbie Uranus creating the Aquarian Age. The loving wise teacher, Jupiter. And the lightninglike revelatory Uranus (again). Which would you like to be? Knowing the rulers of each sign and what their tasks are allows us to assume multiple and different identities. Blending Uranus and Jupiter is good (wisdom and love). When we’re Saturn we scare everyone. Jupiter loves you. Maintain all that comforts you.

SCORPIO

Your mind expands exponentially through study, training, travel, culture and the mysteries. One study particularly important is the Electric Universe. It seems our present scientific systems are all wrong. Gravity isn’t holding us together. Electricity is. Studying this subject of the electrical universe places you on the very edge of the new reality. Continue to visualize your dream/vision. It comes quietly on little cat’s feet. During these times, always be sincere. Don’t fret over delays.

•••

PISCES

Be caring and kind to everyone. Have as your new year’s intention to bring harmony to all relationships and interactions. Have this as a goal. You may reconnect with past friends and lovers. There are several you would like to see, talk with, create new friendships with. This may or may not happen.

Many are on another path. Be generous, helping those in need.

Everyone is in need of something. Discover it. Offer it. Don’t withdraw. Love more. Choose wonder!

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

All students, staff and families can use the PVUSD District Office, Cabrillo and County Office of Education locations to receive a free COVID-19 test.

PVUSD District Office Testing Site 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday–Wednesday Dec. 20-22, and Dec. 27-29 Closed Dec. 23-24 / Dec. 30-31.

“PVUSD” from page 24 Will I be able to test my child before we return back to school from Christmas break? e encourage all parents to test their child prior to returning back to school from winter break, especially if they have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive relative or have any symptoms.

All students, staff and families can use the PVUSD District Office, Cabrillo and County Office of Education locations to receive a free COVID-19 test. The PVUSD District Office testing site is available 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 20-22, and Dec. 27-29 and closed Dec. 23-24, and Dec. 30-31.

We are requesting expanded times for the week of Jan. 3 and will release the dates and times once they are confirmed.

Will students have to quarantine after they return back to Mexico?

VUSD continues to follow current local and state health requirements. There are currently no travel quarantine requirements for students and families traveling to Mexico.

As noted in the previous question, we encourage families to test for COVID-19 if there are any concerns about the possibility of having COVID-19. n

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P

EVERY LITTLE PATIENT IS A BIG DEAL

No two families are the same. That’s why we offer personalized, high-quality pediatric care for you and your littlest loved ones. To learn more, visit kp.org/santacruz.

Scan code to watch a video about our services in Santa Cruz.

Tomorrow’s health care. Today.

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR zations may be sub-applicants. Half of the overall funds must benefit or be located in underserved communities.

Eligible projects shall include, but not be limited to: PARKING FOR HOPE Community litter abatement and beautification, litter December 18-25 abatement events and educational programs.

The City of Santa Cruz with the Downtown Association A local match ranging from 0% to 50% of the project PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs; of Santa Cruz host the eighth annual Parking for Hope costs is required.

The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, Goodwill Central Coast’s training and employment holiday program Saturday, Dec. 18, through Saturday, Projects will be selected based on need and potential services; and the nonprofit Your Future is Our Business.

Dec. 25, when proceeds from street meters are donated and the second installment due date is Feb. 1. The bill to beautify public space and for greening to provide The grant also funds devices and hotspots, transpor- shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, and use becomes delinquent after April 10. to Hope Services, a local nonprofit. tation to interviews, and MBEP’s Monterey Bay Career The first installment was due on Nov. 1 and became Hope Services has helped to keep Pacific Avenue and of native drought-tolerant plants, along with public delinquent after Dec. 10. Penalties will be incurred if not Coach Tool for job seekers. other downtown Santa Cruz streets clean for 23 years engagement in the project proposal.

A second grant for $15,000 creates a formal while providing training and support services to adults paid before becoming delinquent.

Information: https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grants partnership between Santa Cruz Public Libraries and the with developmental disabilities.

Workforce Development Board of Santa Cruz County, SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS The nonprofit’s Downtown Litter Abatement Crew supporting education and training for library staff and a ONGOING EVENTS employs six part-time workers who enjoy being outdoors Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s and appreciate the work. support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood Resource Fair for job seekers in the spring.

Ongoing thru Dec. 26 To date, Parking for Hope has generated $202,525. sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASS REGISTRATION 5:30-9 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Registration is open for Winter 2022 Italian language children and youth.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS Ave., Watsonville classes beginning Jan. 17.

You are not alone. You are not to blame.

This new program from Community Bridges brings The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with our native More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, Agricultural History Project presents Holiday Lights, a Italian-speaking instructors over 10 weeks of classes. cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and center.org drive-though light show at the fairgrounds.

Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally up in their homes at no cost.

Holiday Lights is open rain or shine Thursday, Friday, fluent, or everything in between, the Dante Alighieri To participate, you need an internet connection and a LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Saturday, and Sunday, featuring giant Christmas trees Society of Santa Cruz is offering classes for you, computer, tablet or smartphone.

The La Selva Beach public library is now open Tuesday thru twinkling with lights. Santa, reindeer, snowmen, lighted Register today to secure your spot and take advantage tunnels, and many magical moments.

To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). of the early bird pricing, which ends Jan. 3. Pricing & org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the Tues-Thurs: 11-6 • Fri-Sat 12-5. Book drops open 24/7.

Tickets are purchased for time slots, $20 per vehicle purchased location (on-line, in-person, or hybrid) varies by class; at https://fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-lights/ and $25 link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem Contact us by phone: 831.427.7713; text: 831.264.0647; connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. online chat: https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/?display=chat; for details, see https://www.dantesantacruz.com/classes at the gate; oversize vehicles, $45.

For questions, email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com or send a question at https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/ STRIKE OUT HUNGER RETURNS TO BOARDWALK BOWL Preschool Storytime: Tuesdays, 11 am – noon CABRILLO SPRING REGISTRATION After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the Boardwalk outside on the patio. Dress for the weather.

Registration is under way for the spring semester at R.E.A.D Reach Every Amazing Detail: Bowl in Santa Cruz is once again hosting the Strike Out Cabrillo College, which begins Jan. 24.

Wednesdays 3- 5 pm. One-on-one reading compreHunger food drive through Jan. 2.

Bowlers of all skill levels and ages can hension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade Visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/catalog-and-classschedules/#browse-classes for more information. with California credentialed teachers. Sessions last 25 participate. They get to bowl for free by bringing a can of food for Second Harvest minutes. By appointment only.. Call 831-427-7717 or AGRI-CULTURE, INC. 2022 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE Tuesdays Food Bank of Santa Cruz County to help feed local families. email pro@santacruzpl.org Agri-Culture is accepting applications for its four college FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK Stories for Bedtime: New programs every other In 2019, Strike out Hunger provided 21,334 meals to 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook, presented by SCPL scholarships, with Jan. 28 the deadline to apply. local families in need.

El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by ComThey are: Participants who make a $100 cash donation to Second Librarian Jackie. The episode then is added to the • Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship: $4,000 for munity Health Trust of Pajaro Valley. library’s YouTube Channel after that. See Storytimes for Harvest during Strike Out There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie a student entering or currently attending college Children playlist at the SCPL YouTube page: https:// Hunger will receive 25 and majoring in agriculture. (includes $2,000 from Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and www.youtube.com/user/santacruzpl free bowling passes for wellness screenings.

American AgCredit).

Passionate Readers Book Discussion: 4th use during future visits to the Boardwalk Bowl.

Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and • Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship: Boardwalk Bowl league players who bring in 3 cans of Thursday at 10:30 am.

Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info. $1,500 for a student active (past or present) in In-Person Tech Help: Fridays 10 am to noon. Techunexpired food during league play get 3 bowling passes California High School Rodeo Association District 4 savvy staff will help you troubleshoot your issue with a for future use. or California 4-H Horse Program, entering or cur- CENTRAL FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONS HEARING 25-minute (or less) appointment. Make an appointment: “We are very proud to again offer Strike Out Hunger rently attending college and majoring in agriculture Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County invites all in support of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/laselva and/or animal sciences. interested persons to attend public hearings on districtAdvance appointments are prioritized. Visit inforCounty,” said Willie King, director of Boardwalk Bowl.

• J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 based elections at 9 a.m. on January 13 and February mation desk or call 831-427-7713 for help making “Strike Out Hunger helps feed local families in need for a student entering or currently attending college 10, at 930 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz. an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after while having fun.” and majoring in agriculture.

Board members will discuss, consider, and take action scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation.

Now in its 14th year, Strike Out Hunger received the • Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship: $2,000 on one or more district map(s). Actions may include Charity of the Year Award from the Bowling Proprietors Visit https://tinyurl.com/la-selva-library-events for more details for a student entering or currently attending college modification of division boundaries, sequencing of elecAssociations of Ameirca and is the official charity of the and future events. and majoring in agriculture or a related field, or tions. For more information, contact (831) 479-6842, or Northern California Bowling Centers. majoring in culinary arts. email: PublicComments@centralfiresc.org PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS For information, visit https://boardwalkbowl.com/strike-outThe online application is at: http://www.agri-culture.

Information: https://www.centralfiresc.org/2279/Re-DistrictingThe Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career hunger Some restrictions apply. us/scholarships/ Process-2021-2022. development workshops for teens and adults through To request an application, contact the Financial Aid office at April, thanks to grant funding.

APTOS LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL REGISTRATION your school or the Agri-Culture office, 141 First Tuesdays of the Month Monte Vista Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076 or Registration is open for the spring season of Aptos Little Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE workshops at 10 a.m. call (831) 722-6622 or (831) 818-1193 or League Baseball.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill email: agri-culture@sbcglobal.net.

Little League is open to boys and girls age 5 to 13.

Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

Early bird registration ends Jan. 2. admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS GET $296 MILLION Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance Starting Jan. 3, fees increase by $20.

Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, As part of Gov. Newsom’s Clean California initiative, at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in Kids who play Little League enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade.

Caltrans will fund local beautification projects in January. learn teamwork, sportsmanship https://arboretum.ucsc.edu communities throughout the state with $296 million These services are funded by two Library Services and and baseball skills through an Third Thursday Each Month in competitive grants.

Applications for grants up to $5 Technology Act grants.

A $100,000 project called the organization that has been part of million began Dec. 1, and Caltrans will announce grant PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM “Santa Cruz Workforce Collaborative” brings together our community since 1949. recipients on March 1.

6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s Workforce Games and most practices are at Aptos Applicants must be local or regional public agencies, BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Development Initiative; Cabrillo College’s Career Junior High School & the Polo Grounds In Aptos.

Technical Education; the Workforce Development Board’s transit agencies, or tribal governments. Nonprofit organi- Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated To register, visit www.aptosll.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by December 23

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sunday December 19

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.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP 11 a.m.-3 p.m., VFW Hall, 1960 Freedom Blvd., Freedom It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so kick off the holiday season at Santa’s Workshop at the VFW Hall.

Visit Santa and his elves, build a toy, make an ornament, play reindeer games, and enjoy elf snacks.

Face masks are required for all participants.

Enjoy all the festivities for $5 per child. Adults are free.

Proceeds will support recreation scholarships for Watsonville youth. Santa’s Workshop is hosted by Recreation Advocates, a nonprofit, Watsonville McDonald’s and Home Depot.

For information about Santa’s Workshop or to request financial support for youth recreation activities, call 831-722-6012.

Saturdays & Sundays ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH Tours start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis.

Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ group-reservation/ to reserve a tour.

For more info, visit http://www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours/

Thursday December 23

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL IS BACK First Sunday Every Month WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec presents the 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Santa Cruz.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Tickets go on sale Dec. 18 in time for gift giving.

Mission Street, Santa Cruz 95060 Tour dates are: Feb. 25, 26 and 27, at 7 p.m. each night at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.

Come by on Sunday and shop at over 40 unique & This event benefits the UC Santa Cruz Wilderness Orientation Willie Williams Scholarship Fund and wonderful artists, makers & vintage sellers — there’s Adventure Rec student scholarships. Each year, nearly $20,000 of scholarship funds are awarded to UCSC something for everyone at the Westside Marketplace! students based on financial need, affording them the chance to share in outdoor adventures.

Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays.

Each night features a different lineup, Maple, Larch and Spruce. Tickets are $25 for Saturday and $23 for The Market is free to attend and is 100% local!

Friday and Sunday.

All local and state health guidelines will be followed.

To buy tickets, visit https://recreation.ucsc.edu/adventure/banff Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand sanitizing stations will be available.

This is the 14th annual Nutcracker for Santa Cruz City Santa (aka Peter Melton of Aptos) will be available for For more info, go to the event page: www.facebook.com/events/ photos and the ribbon-cutting will be at 4 p.m. Message Ballet.

170470481551895; Food Trucks A Go Go: www.foodtrucks This Nutcracker has it all — from the youngest dancing on Instagram @littletrendsllc agogo.com/; or SCM Makers Market: scmmakersmarket.com/ gingerbread cookies to aspiring professional dancers and for a list of all of the vendors. guest artists, Tchaikovsky’s iconic music, plus gorgeous WINTER WONDERLAND costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing.

6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., YMCA, 27 Sudden St., Watsonville Tickets are $40-$45 for the general public and Central Coast YMCA will host its annual Winter DATED EVENTS $35-$40 for senior citizens, students and children.

Wonderland at the Watsonville Family YMCA. Purchase tickets at www.NutcrackerSantaCruz.com Thursday December 16 The free event for the entire community will feature thru Sunday December 26 ornament-making, face painting, gingerbread houseNUTCRACKER AT THE CIVIC TOY TRAINS ARE BACK making, snacks and more.

1 p.m. / 5 p.m., Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Noon-6 p.m., Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., SC For info, call (831) 757-4633 or go to centralcoastymca.org.

Street, Santa Cruz Visit the whimsical world of Toy Trains, hosted by the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” Museum of Art & History for the 16th year.

Friday December 17 on the stage of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, accomMembers of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be thru Sunday December 19 panied by a live orchestra, a tradition since 2002. on hand Thursdays thru Sundays to share their amazing AGAPE NUTCRACKER BALLET The production features SCBT company dancers, collection of toy trains. The exhibit will close early at 3 p.m. many of whom are on the cusp of professional careers Times Below, Monte Vista Performing Arts Theater, 2 School on Dec. 24, and will be closed Christmas Day. in dance.

Way, Watsonville Masks are required when viewing the train display.

A COVID vaccination card or negative test result Agape Dance presents the Nutcracker Ballet live at the There is no charge to view the exhibit. within 72 hours of admission — with matching I.D. for Monte Vista Performing Arts Theater. https://www.santacruzmah.org The sweet Sugar Plum Fairy, frosty Snow Flakes, tasty everyone age 17 and older — must be shown to enter the Civic.

Ginger Snaps and the dramatic Nutcracker Soldiers all Friday December 17 The protocol applies to all ages. come to life on stage — plus stunning costumes, sets LITTLE TRENDS HOSTS SANTA SCBT recommends viewers be at least 3 years old: and Tchaikovsky’ s vivid music score.

2:30 to 5 p.m., Little Trends, 1052 S. Green Valley Road, The performance is 2 hours long with one 20-minute Shows are at 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m.

Watsonville intermission. Concessions will not be sold.

Saturday; and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Little Trends boutique for babies, toddlers and tweens, Tickets can be purchased at SantaCruzTickets.com, or call The Petite Nutcracker featuring youngsters ages 3-7 owned by sisters-in-law Araceli Gonzalez and Laura (831) 420-5260, or purchased directly at the Civic Box Office and their favorite dances is 10-11 a.m.

Saturday.

Espindola, will host Santa Claus at a ribbon-cutting with Tickets are $20-$40 at: AgapeDance.com. Info: 831-359-0850. in front of the auditorium, which is open Tuesday-Friday 12-4 the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce. p.m.

Saturday December 18 Sunday December 19 NUTCRACKER MAGIC IN APTOS 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m., Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos Santa Cruz City Ballet at International Academy of Dance presents the full-length Nutcracker Ballet at Cabrillo College Crocker Theater.

Masks must be worn indoors.

SANTA AT EL VAQUERO WINERY Times Below, El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville Santa (aka Peter Melton of Aptos) will appear at El Vaquero Winery.

He will be on site Saturday, 5-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:15-2:45 p.m.

The winery will also be hosting a holiday party Sunday from 2-5 p.m., with music and dance performances.

Visit https://www.elvaquerowinery.com/ for more information.

For Santa dates, visit www.SantaCruzPartyCompany.com

VETERAN FAMILIES: HEALING AFTER A DEATH 4 p.m., Online broadcast.

Wreaths Across America Radio presents the final episode in its 2021 RoundTable series on Veteran Healing, sharing stories of resilience, purpose, and success at www. wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio via the iHeart Radio app.

The RoundTable will focus on emotional support following a death in the military for veterans and their families, risk factors for complicated grief, and how to turn challenges into purpose. Guest panelists include: Dr. Chantel Dooley, director of Impact Assessment and Research for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. She came to TAPS as the surviving fiancé of U.S. Air Force Capt. Alex Stanton.

Cindy Tatum, of Tennessee, who became a Gold Star Mother on Dec. 24, 2007. Her son, a veteran of Iraq, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Lee Tatum, was killed in an automobile/train collision outside of Camp Pendleton.

Friday December 24 5TH ANNUAL REINDEER RUN 5 K 9 a.m., Junction Park, Boulder Creek The 5th Annual Reindeer Run will take place the day before Christmas, Dec. 24, at Junction Park in Boulder Creek at 9 am for runners, 10 am joggers and 11 am for walkers.

Price is $20; includes T-shirt. Register: https://bcrpd2.wufoo. com/forms/renegade-reindeer-run-2022-p1ja0mc0177atq9/

Monday January 3 Tuesday January 4 BASKETBALL JONES CAMP 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (8:45 a.m. drop off), Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos, CA 95003 Youths ages 7-14 can attend the Basketball Jones Winter Camps at Aptos High School.

Students attending should dress in (or bring) layers and wear shoes for outdoor and indoor surfaces, bring their own ball, water bottle, hearty lunch and healthy snacks as the camps do not provide either.

Cost for two-day camps is $100; one-day camps, $50.

Sibling, multiple camp and team discounts are available.

To register see: https://www.basketballjonescamps.com/

Tuesday January 6 PVUSD BUS TOUR Noon-4 p.m., PVUSD District Office, 294 Green Valley Rd., Watsonville See what’s new on a tour of sites that have seen an upgrade, modernization or new construction, including Aptos Junior High (1:20 p.m.), funded by Measure L. A light lunch and beverages will be provided.

To join the tour, you can ride the bus or meet at the site at the noted time. To ride the bus, email Alicia_jimenez@ pvusd.net by Jan. 4 and meet at the district office at noon.

For full details about the tour stops, visit https://tinyurl.com/ y33o3wts n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Improving County Cell Phone Coverage

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

T

he County is in the process of modernizing local codes to improve cell coverage within our region.

Over the last two years, a number of high-profile incidents have highlighted the growing need for improved cell coverage. From the CZU fires to the recent tragedy at Aptos High, the inability to reach out to emergency responders because of inadequate cell coverage was a repeated theme.

Recently, the Board of Supervisors conducted a study session on the current gaps in and changes in state and federal laws that necessitate updates in our local ordinance.

What are the Current Challenges? ounty cell phone coverage, especially in the rural areas, is spotty at best. The Sheriff’s Office and CHP have spoken publicly about the need for improved coverage throughout the County in order to ensure that residents have the ability to contact emergency services. But the need for improved cell coverage expands beyond public safety.

As we saw during the pandemic, wireless communications (and high-speed internet) are essential tools for modern

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life. From economic activity to remote learning to tele-health, many in our community rely on wireless options as their primary way to access information and communicate.

According to David Witkowski, a local resident and nationally-recognized expert on wireless communications, in the Western United States more than 60 percent of households are wireless-only — they rely exclusively on cell service for their phone needs. He notes these rates are even higher for low-income households, renters and younger community members.

According to an analysis by the California Emerging Technology Fund, 15 percent of households access the Internet exclusively from a smartphone. More than 80 percent of calls to emergency services originate on a cell phone. Yet, coverage (and capacity) throughout our area is inadequate.

State and Federal Law urrent County regulations surrounding wireless facilities are out of compliance with regulatory changes at the state and federal level.

California’s recent adoption of Assembly Bill 537 (AB 537), which becomes law on Jan. 1, 2022, codifies into state law the Federal Communications Commission’s time constraints or “shot clocks” under which local governments must review and approve or disapprove an application for a wireless communication facility.

In late 2018, the FCC issued an order to remove certain state and local regulatory barriers that inhibit the deployment of wireless facilities. A key component

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

Local Local Local

County cell phone coverage, especially in the rural areas, is spotty at best. The Sheriff’s Office and CHP have spoken publicly about the need for improved coverage ... But the need for improved cell coverage expands beyond public safety. of this order was the creation of a new shot clock that places time constraints for approval of these proposed facilities.

With the passage of AB 537, California codified the shot clocks as set forth in the FCC order. The shot clocks are as follows: • Co-location of small wireless facilities: 60 days to act upon to an application.

• Co-location of facilities other than small wireless facilities: 90 days.

• Construction of new small wireless facilities: 90 days.

• Construction of new facilities other than small wireless facilities: 150 days.

What Changes are Proposed? n the proposed regulations, most subjective requirements have been removed or reserved for sensitive locations, and many repetitive sections (e.g., co-location and visual impacts) have been merged or removed.

Overall, the proposed regulations contain more objective standards while eliminating language that is subject to varying interpretations. The proposed regulations would comply with state and federal regulatory changes (such as AB 537) and create a streamlined process for applications.

The County is also looking at requiring 72 hours of backup electrical power for all wireless cellular sites, which aligns with recent California Public Utilities Commission requirements and Senate Bill 431.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a general framework to send to the Planning Commission for a public hearing to officially begin the process of updating and modernizing the code. The Board directed County staff to conduct

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environmental review regarding adoption of the proposed amendments pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. After Planning Commission consideration, the item will come back to the Board of Supervisors for an additional public hearing. If adopted, these changes should improve the number of options for cell coverage throughout our county. n ••• If you have any questions about the proposed code changes, or any other matters in our district, please don’t hesitate to call me at 454-2200. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media as well at www.facebook.com/ supervisorfriend.

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Meet Max, the Irish Wolfhound!

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ax was an outdoor only dog in his previous home, and he didn’t get a lot of attention or exercise. Max would frequently get out of his yard by jumping the fence, so his owner decided to surrender him to the Shelter.

Max will need time to adjust to a new lifestyle, but he is ready to embrace the change! His new family will need to give him structure, guidance, and work with him through positive reinforcement training. Max is a sweet big dog and he is hoping to find a home for the holidays. Come meet him today at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter!

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

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WE DELIVER

Year in Review © Statepoint Media

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

Merry Christmas May your heart be warm with happiness & your home be filled with joy through this holiday season and always. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

AMBER MELENUDO REALTOR® 831.566.2263 AmberMelenudo.com ambermelenudo@gmail.com DRE 01921098