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Cabrillo Dedicates Howard Ikemoto Studio • Santa Cruz County Bank Names Maxwell Sinclair EVP Chief Risk Officer
Ruth Bates
831.359.2212
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ruthbates1@gmail.com
CalBRE#01799929
BRAVE NEW WORLD
— It’s a ‘brave new world’ in so many ways. The Feds just announced the highest interest rate increase since 2000, a full .5% in eff orts ‘to fi ght infl ation’. As of 5/05, Bankrate.com shows the national Avg. 30-year fi xed rate at 5.48% (up from 4.89% last month). Infl ation is a global issue; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is causing oil and fuel prices to rise, and Covidrelated lockdowns in China are worsening the supply chain issues. California, if it were its own country, is the 5th largest economy in the world. And, California is now looking to “embrace and regulate cryptocurrency” as it off ers “potential for new companies, jobs, and opportunities.” In the US, it is believed that 16% of all adults have invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrency. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Our Real Estate market continues to fl ourish.Realtor.com just published their Spring 2022 Top Emerging Housing Markets based on economic vitality, attractive amenities and lifestyle options, access to the outdoors and desirable housing and Santa Cruz County is #2 in the US, behind #1-Rapid City, South Dakota, and in front of #3-Sarasota, Florida. APTOS SOLD — That said, the Aptos Real Estate market continues to fl ourish even in these uncertain times.29 homes sold in the past 30 days. The Avg. List Price was $1,992,270; the Avg. Sales Price was $2,243,267, 12.6% above list! Avg. Multiple off ers continue to be the norm. High sale was 1107 Via Malibu, listed for $3,995,000, sold for $4,325,000. We hit new highs for non-ocean-front homes, fi ve homes sold in the $3M range. 101 Elva list-$2,895,000, sold$3,600,000; 120 New Brighton list-$2,695,000, sold-$3,505,000, 304 Ventana list-$2,895,000, sold-$3,250,000, 213 Sand list-$2,695,000, sold-$3,100,000, and way out in Aptos Hills, 901 Meadow listed for $2,500,000 and sold for $3,000,000. Only 1/29 homes sold for under $1M, 915 Vista Del Mar sold for $848,888. APTOS ACTIVE — There are 28 Active listings in Aptos as of 5/05. Only 16 are “fresh”, on market <18 days. The Avg. List Price for these 16 is $1,464,806 and the Avg. Days on Market is 7. My guess is that when I report next month, the Avg. Sales Price will be at least $200K higher than list for these properties.
——— Call, email, text, and. Get Results With Ruth!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Cabrillo Dedicates Howard Ikemoto Studio
On May 7, Cabrillo College hosted a dedication ceremony of the Howard Ikemoto Art Studio on its Aptos campus on the Visual, Applied, and Performing Arts lawn.
In memory of Howard Ikemoto who taught drawing, printmaking, and painting at Cabrillo College for 34 years, from 1966 to 2000, George Newell and Bruce Nicholson spearheaded a fundraising campaign to name an art studio after him.
Newell and Nicholson raised $25,000 for an endowed scholarship in Howard Ikemoto’s name, and the Art Studio classroom will be named in his honor, in recognition of his incalculable contributions to art and artists in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
He was a beloved teacher, who, with a gentle sense of wisdom and humor, encouraged students to take risks and enjoy the process of artistic self-discovery. He was also a respected artist whose work was exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, and was widely collected.
One former student recalled how Ikemoto opened the print lab on Saturdays for extra instruction and a sense of comraderie.
Born in 1939, Ikemoto spent his early years in the Tule Lake war relocation center. The internment camp is where he first became captivated with drawing. He earned a master’s degree in art and began teaching at Cabrillo, where he taught every form of art except photography.
He was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. His first wife Jeanne Ikemoto, who was married to Howard for 24 years, helped arrange a last show of his artwork in 2017 at the Cabrillo Gallery to raise money for his care.
He died on Dec. 31, 2020, at age 81.
His second wife, soulmate and fellow artist Julie Connell died in 2009. Survivors include his daughters, Ami and Reiko and grandson Mateo. n
Howard Ikemoto
Santa Cruz County Bank Names Maxwell Sinclair EVP Chief Risk Officer
Maxwell Sinclair has joined Santa Cruz County Bank as executive vice president and chief risk officer.
He has 28 years in banking with executive-level experience in risk management, compliance, anti-money laundering and human resource management.
He spent 10 years as EVP chief risk, compliance & human resources officer at Pacific Mercantile Bancorp/Pacific Mercantile Bank, where he managed risk, compliance, and regulatory matters, human resources, regulatory relationships and corporate governance. He is a founder of an Arizona-based startup bank, chief risk officer with responsibilities for governance, audit, compliance and human resource management.
He was VP compliance & Bank Secrecy Act manager at Zions Bancorp (California Bank & Trust). Before that, he was VP compliance & Bank Secrecy Act officer and CRA & security manager at several banks in Southern California.
Santa Cruz County Bank President and CEO Krista Snelling said, “Maxwell served as an advisor in the areas of compliance and risk management. He stepped in at a crucial moment, before an FDIC examination, which he handled smoothly and professionally, and delivered best outcomes. The vast experience and professionalism he brings to the bank are already playing a key role in our success and growth. We’re thrilled to have him on the executive team.”
Sinclair said he has long admired Santa Cruz County Bank for its strong ties and commitment to the local community.
“Working strategically with the team and understanding its mission and vision lead to my acceptance of this incredible opportunity to permanently lead the Bank’s risk management enterprise,” he added.
