Fairgrounds and Community Will Suffer the Most

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Fairgrounds and Community Will Suffer the Most

Icame to the Pajaro Valley in late 2000 to serve this community as editor of the Register-Pajaronian. For the next decade, my staff and I covered a series of fair managers and scandals at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds and it seemed the fairgrounds, a huge asset to the people of the Pajaro Valley, was always facing bankruptcy. Finally, in 2011, the gates were locked, the facility closed due to a lack of funds.

Thankfully, Dave Kegebein stepped forward and led a coalition of volunteers who saved the fairgrounds from financial ruin. Kegebein left his own successful business to help this community and after two years of volunteering nearly every hour of his day to the fairgrounds, along with the use of his own heavy equipment, he started taking a salary in 2013.

Dave is constantly digging or pounding or planning. If you tell me that Dave isn’t that great of an accountant, I’m not surprised. If you know Dave, you know that money isn’t his motivating factor. If it were, he’d have been doing something else these past 10 years.

However, his passion for the fairgrounds, where his father has worked for 50-plus years, has driven him to rejuvenate the place. In the past 10 years it has risen up from financial ruin to be a real gem again.

Every weekend multiple community events are occurring. The annual fair has been having some of its best attendance ever, even as attendance drops at fairs across the country.

Many have just been shut down, which is where this fairgrounds is probably headed back now.

Firing Kegebein will be so detrimental to the fairgrounds that I don’t see it surviving. The only reason it’s still there to serve the community are the hundreds of volunteers and it’s the Kegebeins who have inspired a lot of that volunteerism.

Dave may have been paid, but that pay nowhere near compensated him for all his extra time and personal resources he poured into the place. The Kegebeins deserve a building to be named after them, maybe even a statue of both Dave and his father John.

In the end, this travesty will hurt the community much more than it will injure Dave Kegebein.

Dave will probably just move on and put his time and effort elsewhere, or maybe he’ll just retire and tinker with his antique tractors and enjoy the rest he deserves.

But the community is going to lose as the people behind this clearly don’t have the interests of the residents or the fairgrounds in mind. — Jon Chown, Marina

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CANDIDATE FORUMS FOR WATER & FIRE

Meet the candidates running for Soquel Creek Water District board and Central Fire Protection board seats and bring your questions! Here are your opportunities: • Sunday, Oct. 16 at Capitola Community Center, 4400 Jade St. Capitola. 1-3 p.m. Forum for Water District candidates ONLY. • Monday, Oct. 17 at Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. 6-8:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Aptos Grange. Soquel Creek Water District board candidates AND Central Fire District board candidates for the new Area 5, which includes vot-ers on the ocean side of Highway 1 between New Brighton Beach and La Selva Beach.

This is the first time Central Fire District will have district-based elections. See Area 5: https://ndcresearch.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/ index.html?appid=4cb830fa156a4ff7a988d40cba60c6b7

RED CROSS: HELP FLORIDIANS RECOVER

The American Red Cross is helping people devastated by Hurricane Ian in Florida. More than 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states — including 39 from Northern California — are helping those affected recover. “People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Hanna Malak, regional CEO for the Red Cross Northern California coastal region.

The Red Cross and its partners are providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on. On Oct. 2, nearly 2,800 people sought refuge in more than 30 Red Cross and partner shelters in Florida. Up to 80 Red Cross emergency vehicles are delivering food and supplies. Volunteers are helping families replace prescription medications, eyeglasses, canes and wheelchairs.

Dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled dozens of blood drives. Individuals in areas unaffected by Hurricane Ian — especially those with type O blood — are urged to give blood now.

Make a Donation: Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Give Blood: Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets. Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross blood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Volunteer: Review the most urgently needed volunteer positions at red-cross.org/volunteertoday and get involved.

Donation Dates

Oct. 25: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St., Santa Cruz. Oct. 27: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 5030 Scotts Valley Drive Scotts Valley. Oct. 18:10; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St., Watsonville.

20TH ANNUAL SCOTTS VALLEY HAUNTED HOUSE

Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive The haunted house is a Scotts Valley High School tradition, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is an outdoor walking tour that lasts 20 minutes. There may be a one-hour wait to get in; See the Thriller Dancers while you wait.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by October 21

The theme this year is Schmetterling County Fair.

Tickets are $10 per person, cash only, and are sold at the gate from 6:30-9:30 p.m. No advance tickets. Not recommended for children under 10.

Family tickets, intended for children ages 2-9, with scarier elements replaced by trick-or-treating will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29-30. Credit cards accepted for the family tour at https://svhaunt.org/public/home. html

AFFORDABLE DENTAL CLEANINGS

The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic in Aptos offers affordable cleanings and X-rays. There are 24 chairs, hospital-grade air filtration systems, lasers, intraoral cameras, and panoramic imaging, and treatment by dental hygiene students.

Fees are: Oral assessment, $20; cleanings, $50-$100, X-rays, $30-$60, and sealants, $25 per tooth. Payments must be by cash or check.

Appointments are three hours long, and multiple appointments are required to complete your dental treatment. Proof of vaccination is required. Appointment times for fall: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 831-479-6431.

REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY

The deadline to register for any election is 15 days before the election date, which this year is Nov. 8 (making Monday, Oct. 24 the deadline).

Online applications will be considered timely for the election if submitted by mid-night on the deadline. For information, see https://www.votescount.us/Home/VoterRegistrationInformation.aspx

LOSING A PARENT GRIEF SUPPORT

This virtual, 6-week group hosted by Hospice of Santa Cruz County ends Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Losing a parent can be challenging, no matter how old you are. Whether it was a long-term illness or sudden death, the loss can be jarring. You may reach for the phone or drive past their home, only to realize they are no longer there. This supportive group offers a safe space to open up, share memories and connect with others who have lost a parent. You don’t have to navigate the difficult waters of your loss alone. Advance registration is required. This isn’t a weekly drop-in event and may not be at the same time each week. To register call (831) 430-300 and ask for “Grief Support.”

POLL WORKERS NEEDED

Have you thought about being a poll worker for the Nov. 8 election?

As a poll worker, you help ensure a safe, fair, and efficient election for all voters. Poll workers support early voting locations, ensure technology functions, and help minimize delays at polling places on election day. Fill out the form at: https://www.votescount.us/Home/ ElectionOfficerRequestForm.aspx to employees, by informing them about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Providing this life-changing benefit to employees comes at zero cost to employers because it’s a free federal program.

An estimated 825,000 Californians could benefit from the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by having their federal student loans cancelled after 10 years of public service work, but fewer than 15,000 have benefited from this program to date.

From now until Oct. 31, it is easy to get credit for the PSLF program. For information, see: https://www.californiaborrowers.org/ about-the-campaign

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Second Harvest Food Bank will provide community distributions at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, on Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. to accommodate working families.

Dates are: • Oct. 24 • Nov. 7 & 21 • Dec. 5 & 19

Volunteers are welcome — and needed. Volunteers are asked to arrive at the fair-grounds before 3:30 pm for training. Second Harvest Food Bank will provide a light dinner and volunteers can take food for themselves or others. If you are interested, email Stephanie Russo at stephanier@ thefoodbank.org, or call (831) 232-8186.

WHERE TO PUT EV CHARGING STATIONS?

Where should public electric vehicle charging stations be located in six counties between Ventura and Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz County has joined with five other counties to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, which is currently in the process of determining the best locations to place public electric vehicle charging stations around the Central Coast.

An interactive mapping tool is available to the public through October 2022 at www.bit.ly/ CCZEV.

The goal is to identify ideal locations for new public charging stations in the six counties. Visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com. for more information. A video tutorial on how to use the interactive mapping tool is at www.bit.ly/InteractiveMapVideo

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

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

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter. org

ONGOING EVENTS

Daily thru October 31

SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden, 2660 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville The wildly popular exhibit “Sculpture IS: In the Garden” is back at Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden.

2022 marks the 16th Pajaro Valley Arts sculpture exhibit, in partnership with Sierra Azul.

Curators Susana Arias, Hedwig Heerschop, and Jeff Rosendale selected 90+ sculptures created by 48 artists and collaborators.

Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the exhibit! sierraazul.com

Ongoing Through Oct. 31

ADOPT A PET FOR A DONATION

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter has hundreds of adoptable animals looking for their forever home. Now through Oct. 31, all shelter pets will be available for a ‘Pay it Forward’ donation. The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can target their donation: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (spe-cialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

Santa Cruz Subaru will donate $100 for every dog or cat adopted during October.

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip (including registration), vaccinations, rou-tine treatment for fleas/worms, and a wellness exam by a local participating veterinarian.

According to the ASPCA, the average annual cost of having a pet is about $1,300, with the first-year cost of $3,000. Pets are a lifelong commitment, and the Shelter wants new pet owners to understand the financial responsibility they are taking on.

Tuesdays

PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM

6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/ griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

Fridays, Saturdays and a Sunday

HAUNTED MINE TOURS

October 21, 22, 28, 29, 30 5-9:30 p.m., Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Gate 7 (Tours start at 6 p.m.) The Artichoke Festival’s Miner Madness — A Haunted Mine Tour takes place on the last two weekends in October at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey; enter at Gate 7. Free parking on Fairground Road.

Produced with the creative team of Escape Room 831 of Monterey, this under-ground scare pit is open to miners and excavators age 12 and up.

Younger kids can visit the Halloween Maze (free Maze admission if you buy Mine Tour tickets in advance online).

Craft vendors will be on hand with treats, crafts and games, and entry to the Pumpkin Patch is free. Prices: $20 for general admission; $15 for active military and seniors 62+; $5 for Halloween Maze entry per person. No refunds. Tickets at artichokefestival.org.

Every Fourth Saturday

COMMUNITY WRITERS

Calling all writers! Monthly virtual open mic for poets and prose writers.

In October, it’s Oct 22, from 2:30 - 4: 30 p.m. via Zoom. Sign-up to read ahead of time at the email communitywritersscco@gmail.com or come at 2:15 p.m.