Aptos Times: November 15, 2022

Zwerling has been in love with KSCO since he was a high school kid broadcasting Santa Cruz High On The Air in the mid1960s. As the station owner since 1991, he’s created a radio station that’s a voice for pretty much everyone.

MONTEREY

KSCO Radio for Sale, By Jondi Gumz

Holiday Boutique at Aptos Methodist • Bay Federal Branches Go Green

Miracle: How Watsonville Hospital Was Saved, By Jondi Gumz

Deputy Sheriffs Thank You!: Fundraising for Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial in Final Stages, By Tricia Wiltshire Potts • Morielle Mamaril Joins PVUSD Board as Student Trustee

Student Leaders for Model UN Conference • More Santa Cruz County Fair Staff Resign

CT Scan Campaign: Dominican Goal: $1 Million • Aromas Hosts Holiday Art Festival

Judi Oyama: 4th Best in the World

Ready, Set, Go!: Help Second Harvest Holiday Drive • Farewell to Aptos Natural Foods, By Jondi Gumz

Septic Solution in Santa Cruz County?: What It Could Cost The Com munity: $75,000 & Up Per Home Owner, By Tom Decker

Pro Skaters Give Lessons at Seacliff Skatepark, By Kieran Kelly

Veterans Honored at Aegis Living Aptos, By Nandi Butcher

Covid, Flu or RSV? How Can You Tell?, By Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

PVUSD Identity Portraits

Thursday, Nov. 17 • 4-6 p.m.

Aptos and Watsonville High School students from Art I, English literature and Ethnic Studies will show their portraits at a reception on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 4-6 p.m., at Pajaro Valley Arts in the Porter Building, 280 Main St., Watsonville.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Ethnic Studies is the examination of contemporary nar ratives, contributions, struggles and resistance centered on Black American, Native American, Chicanx/Latinx and Asian American including Arab American communities.

The courses focus on these groups’ experiences in the U.S. and allow to reflection of social construction of race and racism built upon community experiences.

Stop by the Porter Building and check out the won derful artwork by local high school students! n •••

Identity Portrait Project Reception 4 – 6 p.m. • 280 Main St, Watsonville

COVER STORY

“Giving Season” from page 1

You may feel like we do, grateful to be a part of this community and wanting to give back.

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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

Here at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, we can help make your year-end giving meaningful and easy. A trusted center for giving for 40 years, we’re proud to be a place where charitable giving becomes local, personal, and meaningful.

Local Solutions

Our team works closely with effective nonprofits and leaders to build an in-depth understanding of the issues and resources that shape our community. We

can connect you to opportunities to make a difference in the areas you care most about.

Gifts to our Greatest Needs Fund and the Rise Together Fund for Racial Equity help nonprofits solving critical challenges. Recent grants have backed housing for vet erans and critical mental health services.

When many donors come together to join forces, they can make a bigger impact than they could on their own.

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or many, giving to a favorite nonprofit is as easy as writing a check or making an online donation.

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If you are age 70 ½ or older and have an IRA, you can use your Required Minimum Distribution for charitable giving. These charitable IRA “roll-overs” are tax-free and can benefit eligible charities. You can use your Required Minimum Distribution to contribute to any of our community funds or we can help you set up a new fund that benefits a cause you care about.

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Our hands-on, personal approach to philanthropy empowers you to show your generosity in ways meaningful to you. Regardless of the size of a gift, we’re able to recommend a giving strategy and with our deep knowledge and love of Santa Cruz County, help you give this holiday season with confidence–making a difference today and for many years to come. n •••

Susan True is the CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Hilary Bryant is director of donor services, and Sam Leask is director of philanthropic services.

Cover Photo: Community Foundation CEO Susan True with State Parks volunteer Rita Bryant, who has worked with the Foun dation to help preserve her beloved Schwan Lake. • Photo Credit: Jeremy Lezin

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KSCO Radio for Sale

By Jondi Gumz

Michael Zwerling has been in love with KSCO since he was a high school kid broadcasting Santa Cruz High On The Air in the mid1960s. As the station owner since 1991, he’s created a radio station that’s a voice for pretty much everyone.

But now, at 71 — his birthday was Nov. 9 — he has a new love in his life, Amy Hao, co-host of the China Watch show on KSCO and a veteran traveler, and he wants to spend his time traveling with her.

The couple, who met in 2019, are “totally into free speech,” Zwerling said.

They recently returned from a two-week safari in Africa.

“Amy’s not happy unless she’s traveling, and she wants to take me to all these places,” Zwerling said.

That’s why he’s looking for a buyer for KSCO 1080 AM, with sister station KOMY 1340, and the one-acre of flat land at 2300 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, overlooking Corcoran Lagoon.

Asking price is $1.5 million cash for the two radio stations and the broadcasting business.

Asking price is $6 million cash for the property, which includes the Art Deco studio building, garage, parking lot, concrete event patio, plus the three broadcast towers in the lagoon, which give the 10-kilowatt station the power of a 50-kilowatt station on dry land, according to Zwerling.

He said he’s open to keeping the land and leasing it to the next radio station owner for $15,000 a month.

Of course, a developer admiring the view at Silicon Beach could buy the property and go through the often onerous county permitting process, seeking to change the zoning from broadcasting to something else.

Every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, Zwerling — who dubs himself MZ — hosts the Saturday Special, an eclectic show that might feature him singing karaoke, propo nents and opponents of a proposed empty home tax in Santa Cruz, or the recently fired CEO of the Santa Cruz County Fair.

“KSCO Sale” page 9

*These providers and/or pharmacies will be a provider in our Medicare advantage network in 2023. They may also contract with other plans. Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1–800–MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

General manager Michael Olson at KSCO radio, which boasts an Art Deco studio.

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

Mortgage

Nuff said.

Aptos Sold in Past 30 days – 18 single family homes sold, with Average Days on Market (DOM) of 50 days and Median Sales List Price of $1,470,000 and Sales Price of $1,399,500, 95% of list. The high sale was 437 Beach, listed at $4,850,000 and sold after 119 DOM for $3,815,000, 70% of list. Low sale was 1110 Trout Gulch, a 1 bed, 1 bath, 532SF home sold for $633,000. One 3-bedroom condo at 2617 Willowbrook #90 sold for $835,000 after 38 days on market. 333 Granite Way townhome sold for $1,432,500 and 1113 Via Tornasol sold for $1,100,000. In the County, 103 homes sold (17 had price reductions before selling) with AVG DOM of 34 and Median Sales Price of $1,285,000. Active Listings – 24 homes are Active in Aptos as of 11/05/22. The AVG DOM for these homes is 61 days! The Median List Price is $1,647,000, which is $250K+ higher than what the Median Sales Price was last month. Only 5 homes have been on the market for less than two weeks, so homes are sitting much longer now and 12/24 (50%) have had price reductions since listing. 12 con-dos/townhomes are Active with an AVG DOM of 77 days! The market is very slowed down with very little inventory.

A Historical Reflection – Aptos AVG Sold Prices over the past 5 years are shown here. In 2017, we broke the $1,000,000 barrier, 2018 jumped a splish, 2019 had a slight correction back to $1M, then covid hit in 2020 and AVG jumped to $1,250,000+, 2021 jumped again to $1,400,000+, and early 2022 drove us up to $1,700,000. So growth from 2020 to 2022 was 40%, and 4-yer growth was 70%!! There does appear to be room for correction. The winter market is historically slow, and much will happen with our economy, government, and worldwide changes and between now and the Spring. But as they say, “hope springs eternal”.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Get Results With Ruth!

Holiday Boutique at Aptos Methodist

Aptos United Methodist Church is hosting its ninth annual Holiday Boutique Saturday, November 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the church campus, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos/ Seascape. Handcrafted items created by local artists will be featured. The boutique provides customers with an opportunity to buy unique holiday gifts at very reasonable prices.

Signs will be placed to guide people from Highway 1 to the church campus. Items offered for sale will include beaded jewelry, fused and slumped glass jewelry and dishes, glass wind chimes, window jewelry, Christmas shell ornaments and paper ornaments.

A variety of mosaic and wooden items will include cutting boards, trays, lazy susans, and planters. Soy candles will emit welcoming aromas. Original cards, prints, collages, and stationery will be on sale. Children’s blankets, crinkle toys and books written and autographed by Stephen Kellogg will be available.

Clothes items will include knitted scarves, gloves and hats, Minky scarves, and scarves and wraps made out of vintage Japanese kimonos. Needlefelted figures and wearable art will be offered.

Other fabric items on sale will include braided baskets and rugs, coasters, aprons,

oven potholders and mitts, eyeglass cases, bags and totes.

Foods on sale will include breads, cookies, jams and toffee. Church members are making jams and baked goods for customers to take home and enjoy. Dog biscuits for your pets also are being baked.

The church will have both poin settias and cyclamen on sale to decorate homes for the holidays. Many of the vendors are making Christmas decorations for sale in addition to their primary art offerings. Plants on sale will include succulents in pots.

Local artists showing at the boutique include Shirley Anderson, Chris Brown, Carmen Bryant, Barbara Coy-Bulicz, Vickie Crane, Aaron Del Carlo, Barbara Ginsberg, Christina Gustafson, Camilla Henneman, Melanie Kellogg Larson, Lee MacDonell, Coni McNair, Deborah Miller, Jerry Miller, Crecia Munson, Lisa Pizzo, Christina

Robert, Kirsti Scott, Jeanine Speckman, and Katharine Verhagen.

The Aptos UMC Holiday Boutique is known as a “one stop” shopping oppor tunity as you can find gifts for everyone at this locale.

Customers come from throughout Santa Cruz County to find unique gifts for special people while enjoying the warm welcome from volunteers and artists and the beautiful view of Monterey Bay seen from the church campus. n

Bay Federal Branches Go Green

Bay Federal Credit Union has trans formed its Aptos, Freedom, Salinas and Watsonville branches, garnering Green Business certi fications and joining 4,500 businesses in the California Green Business Network.

The conversion, which involved implementing 50-plus sus tainable measures, established a blueprint for Bay Federal to “Go Green” with its entire branch network.

“Bay Federal is committed to being a good environmental steward,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal’s president and CEO. “We’re pledging to bring all of our branches into the California Green Business Network in the coming months.”

Micah Arnold, facilities senior project coordinator, spearheaded Bay Federal’s participation in the green business programs.

“Because we have multiple locations and departments, 240 employees, and financial regulations that we’re required to

meet, we had to methodically assess each measure and then plan accordingly,” Mr. Arnold said. “The bonus is that this will allow us to certify our other locations faster.”

Arnold and his team worked with Jakki CastorenaDavila, a bilingual sustainability consultant with the CGB Network, to ensure Bay Fed eral’s success.

“We all have to deal with climate change, and this is a way that businesses can reduce their environmental impact,” Castorena-Davila said.

Santa Cruz County now has 325 busi nesses in the Califonria Green Business Network. Combined, they have:

• Saved over 2.7 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions

• Saved over 1.7 million kilowatt hours of energy

• Saved over 4.5 million gallons of water

• Saved over 2,000 gallons of fuel

Arnold encourages business owners

on the fence about joining the program to just dive in and apply.

“You’ll have many resources to help you to certify,” Mr. Arnold said. “Whether you’re concerned about how using nontoxic cleaning products will impact your operations or you’re unsure how to implement the changes — or even how you will fund the changes — your program coordinator will hold your hand through the entire process.” n

US

Rates top 7% for first time in 2 decades.

Barbara Coy-Bulicz is a church member, boutique chair and an artist who creates paper collages, boxes, ornaments.

Micah Arnold

Miracle: How Watsonville Hospital Was Saved

By Jondi Gumz

Last December, a dozen hospitals across the U.S. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to redo their finances, as budgets were the red due to lower reimbursements and fewer patients were coming in.

Eleven closed.

Communities lost important services, and thousands lost their jobs.

Only one has stayed open since then — Watsonville Community Hospital, with 106 beds and 650 employees, serving Pajaro Valley, a city of 53,000 plus people in unincorporated Monterey County just across the Pajaro River bridge, and the only medical facility with an emergency department in South County.

It’s a rare good-news story that Steven Salyer never tires telling.

Salyer is the CEO of Watsonville Com munity Hospital.

He’s the 21st leader in that position, a sign of the turnover that made it difficult to accomplish anything.

He clearly relishes a challenge.

On Oct. 13, speaking to the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, he shared his “sense of gratitude” to have another year at the helm.

“In the end, the community needs this hospital,” he said.

Coco McGrath, who was born at the old Watsonville hospital and whose family goes back to 1879, lives on a berry ranch. The berry pickers harvesting the crop “need our hospital as well,” she said.

Santa Cruz County needs more than one hospital emergency department, according to Rochelle Noroyan, corporate and community relations director at Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Go hang out at the Dominican Hos pital ER,” she said.

On Nov. 4, the Aptos Chamber recognized Watsonville Community Hos pital with the award for “Outstanding Achievement.”

Last year, Salyer was chief operating officer of UP Health System, a 222-bed hospital in Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

After working at hospitals in Tennessee, Florida and Michigan, Salyer, a California native who served in the Marine Corps in San Diego, wanted to get back to California.

The offer from Prospect Medical Holdings, which owned Watsonville Com munity Hospital, seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.

Once Salyer arrived in July 2021, he faced “significant chaos.”

Then, only months later, the bank ruptcy filing.

With so many hospitals closing their doors, the fact that Watsonville Community Hospital stayed open is a miracle.

What made it possible was raising $67 million to buy the hospital operation from the for-profit owner and fund initial oper ating costs, and creating a new nonprofit, which required legislation be approved at lightning speed to meet the bankruptcy judge’s deadline.

That success resulted from a lot of support in the community here and in Sacramento, where legislators had a record budget surplus.

“We asked for $20 million and they came through with $25 million,” Salyer said, crediting Sen. John Laird, D- Santa Cruz, for shepherding the legislation and championing the cause.

Laird told Salyer he had a suspicion the fundraising would be $5 million short.

The community came up with $40 million.

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, created when the old Watsonville hospital was sold, put in $6 million — “one of our key patrons,” Salyer said.

The funds go into a foundation with oversight from the Attorney General’s office for 20 years.

Keeping the doors open were the staff who stayed rather than bail out — and the patients “because you still need revenue,” Salyer said, noting “we kept 100% of the staff.”

Employee salaries and benefits rep resent the largest costs for a hospital, and over the years in Watsonville, negotiations produced agreements in which employees worked part-time and got full-time benefits.

“We’re asking them to put in a few extra hours,” Salyer said, “so we’re right-sized.”

He added, “We have staff physicians from the top medical schools. Our staff is the same way. We ‘re as good as our people ... Help us with the rhetoric out there.”

His recipe for a turnaround:

Boosting revenue by parity with payers such as Aetna and Kaiser Perma nente: $11 million.

Reducing spending for traveling nurses: $8 million.

Negotiating for parity with suppliers: $2 million.

Going nonprofit: $1 million.

Attracting patients with private health plans, such as Kaiser Permanente, which pay for more services than Medicare or Medi-Cal.

Currently 40% of patients have com mercial insurance plans, such as Aetna or Kaiser Permanente.

Salyer sees a need for a catheterization lab, which would serve heart patients.

“We have interventional cardiologists on staff,” he said, mentioning interventional radiology and new surgeons.

Dominican Hospital, in Santa Cruz, has the only cath lab in the county.

He’s hired June Ponce as the new out reach director.

An empty space on the second floor could be a psychiatric ward, Salyer said.

“We’re talking with the county.”

County meetings with the business com munity found there is a need, and demand, for additional in-patient psychiatric beds.

He has renderings prepared by an architect and expects that will be topic for upcoming strategic planning, replacing the prior owner’s micromanagement.

Strategic planning will involve the new board of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (Dr. Joe Gallagher, who was on the hospital staff, is the top vote-getter so far in the Nov. 8 election, followed by county budget chief Marcus Pimental) with a focus on key stakeholders such as Kaiser Perma nente and Community Health Trust, and bonding with the staff.

“How will we all work together,” he said, predicting that in two years people will say “this was the best thing ever.” n •••

The Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Board will meet in the afternoon on Nov. 30 and Dec. 28. The agendas and YouTube recordings of past meetings are posted at https://pvhcd.org/pvhcd-meetings/

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Steven Salyer, Watsonville Community Hospital CEO, with board member Marcus Pimental.

Deputy Sheriffs Thank You!

Fundraising for Sgt. Gutzwiller Memorial in Final Stages

By Tricia Wiltshire Potts

The Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs Association would like to thank the local community for sup porting the efforts to create a permanent memorial at Willowbrook Park for fallen colleague, Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. Thanks to com munity support, this vision is close to becoming a reality.

complete this project by raising the final $100,000 before the end of the year.

“The community has come together in an unprecedented way to help support this park, and we are ready to start construction. We know we are a little short from finishing the project and we are hopeful that additional community commitments will come forward to close the gap so we can com plete all phases of this memorial,” said Supervisor Friend.

Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller

Earlier this year, the Deputy Sheriffs Asso ciation announced a $100,000 matching grant, the largest ever in the organization’s history, to help inspire the community to support a memorial for Sgt. Gutzwiller, who was killed on duty on June 6, 2020.

Gutzwiller was a resident of the Wil lowbrook neighborhood and his family, including his dog, Shasta, frequented Willowbrook Park.

The fundraising campaign has raised more than $450,000 from a broad array of businesses, community organizations and residents and is now looking to

Construction is set to begin soon at Willowbrook Park on the first phase of the multi-phase project to build the memorial which includes a seating area, eternal flagpole and upgraded play ground, sports courts and park entry areas at the park.

“I’d like to thank the efforts of the DSA, Supervisor Zach Friend, the Parks Department and local community donors,” said Mariah Roberts, exec utive director of County Park Friends. “Opportunities are still available to sponsor personalized bricks and pavers within the memorial seating area. I encourage community members

interested in supporting this memorial to visit www.countypark friends.org to learn more.” n

•••

Editor’s note: Groundbreaking is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14.

Morielle Mamaril Joins PVUSD Board as Student Trustee

On Oct. 26, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District wel comed Morielle Mamaril as the student trustee for the 2022-23 school year. She is a senior at Watsonville High School.

Her responsibility is to be a con tributing and ethical member of the Board who supports the Associated Student Body as the official advocate for students.

“I saw this as another opportunity to build on to the reality that students can use their voices to make change in our community,” she said. “I’m thankful to know that this position is not the start, but a continuation of why it is so important to highlight the very people we strive to serve and represent.”

She added, “Every day, I am inspired by the passion students across our district have in order to obtain better for their peers, as well as the willingness they show in contributing to a fulfilling educa tional experience that every student truly

deserves. This makes me all the more excited to be part of this school board!”

Kimberly De Serpa, president of the

board, administered a symbolic oath of office to Ms. Mamaril.

“PVUSD is proud of having student

voice representation at the table where significant matters impacting our Dis trict are being discussed,” De Serpa said. “The work that we do every day is for students and it makes sense that we have this position as an integral part of the Board. Morielle is an example of hard work and intelligence. She is a joy to listen to because her perspective is so fresh.”

Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, PVUSD superintendent of schools, commended Morielle.

“Through the interview process, it was evident that Ms. Mamaril is a champion for her school community, interested in learning about the District’s vision and goals, and is com mitted to fulfilling the important role of the student trustee,” Rodriguez said.

“It was inspiring to hear Ms. Mamaril’s dedication to uplifting student voices through listening to her peers and com municating with students and families throughout the District.” n

Photo Credit: Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office From Left: Nick Baldrige and Ethan Rumrill, Deputy Sheriffs Association, Mariah Roberts and Terry Corwin, County Park Friends.

In an earthquake — remember Loma Prieta in 1989 a wildfire or major winter storm, KSCO provides a lifeline, replacing regular programs with news updates on current conditions, road closures and the like.

Zwerling leans conservative, but not all the listeners are.

In fact, Zwerling boasts that former Sen. Henry Mello (from 1980 to 1992) listened to KSCO on his way home from Sacramento.

Conservative radio icon Rush Lim baugh held the morning slot from 9 a.m. to noon until he died. Now Rob Carson, who used to write jokes for Limbaugh, fills that spot.

Local Talent

Watsonville local Charles Freedman offers local news talk from noon to 2 p.m. His claim to fame is you can call and actually get on the air. He has encyclo pedic knowledge of tunes from the 20s and 30s, used for his bumper music, playing requests, too.

Program director Rosemary Chalmers, with her delightful British accent, helms God Morning Monterey Bay from 6 to 9 p.m.

Other local hosts include:

• Gary Shapiro, From the Bookshelf, interviewing authors

• Pamela Fugitt-Hetrick of Money Moves, financial tips and tools

• Jonathan Parkhurst, My Empowered Hour, talking to people who have made a new life for themselves after incarceration and inspired others

• Conservative Kristin Hurley of Mama Bears Radio

• Dave Michaels, co-pilot of Flight 1080 from 4 to 7 p.m. and selling supplements produced by Dr. Joel Wallach, 82, the veterinarian-turned-naturopathic doctor who discovered that remedying nutrition deficiencies is the way to health.

Sales of those Youngevity products by Dave Michaels help finance KSCO operations.

But the radio operation isn’t a big money-maker.

In fact, Zwerling said he always operated the station at a deficit because he hasn’t had the heart to lay off any of his “great” staff.

“Not a smart way to run a business I know, but if I can’t have a radio station with a heart, a soul, and a personality, I don’t even want to be in that business,” he said.

He has about a dozen employees, and he’s loath to pay a sales staffer a salary because that person might not generate any advertising.

Other radio stations have gone auto mated, with message machines to answer calls instead of humans, but that’s no option for Zwerling.

It just wouldn’t be KSCO.

Zwerling’s mother Kay, who intro duced her son to talk radio, was often on KSCO, using her distinctive voice to comment on current events. She died at age 95 in 2017.

The KSCO lineup includes a few nationally known figures: Dr. Joel Wal lach’s show, “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie,” same title as his 1999 book, “Pharmacist Ben” Fuchs, a Youngevity rep, on Flight 1080 on Fridays, and George Noory’s Coast to Coast at 10 p.m.

Michael Olson, KSCO general manager and host of the Saturday morning Food Chain show, is active in Think Local First Santa Cruz County, a nonprofit formed to support locally owned businesses.

For several years until the pandemic, KSCO hosted Think Local First mixers on its concrete patio overlooking the lagoon. In August, Zwerling revealed on the Saturday Special that county planning department staff had ordered removal of much of the patio because there was no permit. Zwerling said he didn’t think a permit was needed. He signed an agreement that he hoped would resolve the matter, and afterward realized he had signed, in his words, “a blank check,” which he cannot afford.

The patio is still there, fenced off.

Another recent development: Rosemary Chalmers made a public service announcement to say KSCO can no longer be heard after sunset. Listeners must tune in to KOMY, the sister station at 1340 AM that KSCO bought in 1997.

Zwerling elaborated: KSCO has a 10,000 watt non-directional signal during the day, which is why it’s so strong, and a 5,000 watt directional signal at night, which resulted in losing 80% of the coverage area.

For years, Zwerling said, he had operated the non-directional signal at 20% at night because he believed it was in the public interest.

For years, Federal Communications Commission, which grants the radio station license, “looked the other way,” Zwerling said.

This year, surprise FCC inspections found the station not conforming with its license.

“In October, they got real tough with us,” Zwerling said.

The FCC has rules on “harmful inter ference,” and the enforcement bureau responds to complaints.

Zwerling contends there has not been a single complaint of interference.

After sunset, listeners must turn to 1340 AM, or listen online via the free KSCO app, but Zwerling expects the FCC problem to be resolved “fairly soon.”

Longtime followers of KSCO might recall that KSCO was put up for sale in 2007 but no sale took place.

Zwerling said he’s enjoyed his run, keeping the station alive for nearly 32 years, but it’s time for someone else to take over.

“I’m done,” he said.

This is what worries Michael Olson.

An employee purchase is not in the cards, so Olson hopes a gazillionaire will come out of the woodwork and buy KSCO.

Mackenzie Bezos? Reed Hastings? Sol Lipman?

But what if that doesn’t happen?

What if, on Dec. 31, there is no one to take over?

Does that mean the door closes forever?

Olson has an idea: Could KSCO follow the example of KMBY in Monterey?

That radio station was created after KNRY went silent in 2020 and then was donated to the Fresno nonprofit Hanford Youth Services.

KMBY began operating in April 2022.

Radio stations are bought and sold all the time but usually through behindthe-scenes channels, according to Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers, which covers the talk-radio industry.

Harrison called Zwerling “one of the industry’s most transparent owners… so this is just another case of him letting everyone in on what’s happening in his

business. He seems extremely concerned with the station continuing to serve the local community, which it has done for the last 30 years under his unique style of ownership.”

Asked about comparable radio station sales, Harrison said, “KSCO’s value cannot be judged solely on comps — the station is somewhat of a unicorn in terms of its special heritage not to mention location and assets. I cannot predict whether or not Zwerling will find a buyer in today’s radio market but it would nice if someone in the community could step up to the plate and keep this gem of a facility locally owned and committed to the region.”

What is the future of KSCO? Only time will tell. n •••

Interested parties should send an email with qualifications and questions to Michael Zwerling at mz@ksco.com.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz The concrete patio next to the lagoon is fenced off.

Student Leaders for Model UN Conference

Four Mount Madonna School high school students have been appointed to the Model United Nations con ference executive team for a regional conference to be hosted by Mount Madonna School on Feb. 11, 2023.

Sophomores Ezze Farrazaino, Lagi Hunnicutt, Lucy Harris and Nash Wilson were selected to oversee the creation, promotion and execution of a Model UN conference for grade 6-12 students.

“I enjoy participating in Model UN,” said Farrazaino. “It’s a fun and challenging experience during which I learn so much about both myself and the world. As the secretary general, I have a chance to share that experience with others and help them to have an amazing time. I will be over seeing the student leadership team and making sure the conference as a whole run smoothly.”

Hunnicutt, who will organize and plan the opening, plenary and closing ceremonies, said, “I find great value in mine and my peers’ involvement in MUN. I believe the only way that the world can begin to understand each other is through communication and meaningful conversa tions. If we cannot even do that, then we as

a society will be run into the ground. This is the whole mission of MUN to find and come to a consensus with each other.”

These students are participating in a Model UN conference Nov. 11-13 hosted by Stanford University.

Harris, who is involved for the first time, said, “I chose to be involved so that I could learn more about how one of the world’s most important organiza tions works. For the Stanford MUN, I am researching how France’s interests were affected by the Iraq-Iran war.”

“The committee that I’ll be in at the Stanford conference is the Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras,” said Hunnicutt. “The issue we will be covering is the economic crisis in Greece that has been going on for many years and sky rocketed during the global financial crisis during 2009.”

Wilson joined Model UN this year on the advice of peers to try something new and learning-filled.

“For the Stanford MUN, I am part of the United Nations Human Refugee Com mittee, and we are currently dealing with a large number of Ukrainian refugees,” said Wilson, “The country I represent is

Iran, and Iran is warm and welcoming to refugees. I wouldn’t have known this if I hadn’t been researching this issue.”

Middle school students Amelie Thams, Nolan McKibbin, Rebecca Piccardo and River Brinton are also on the conference team.

“In addition to the hard work needed to launch a successful conference, this is also an opportunity to develop superb leadership skills, ones that should rightly be highlighted on job applications, internship opportunities and college applications,” said Lisa Martin, director of lower school. “Most importantly, you have the opportunity to leave your mark on the culture of our school and on global edu cation throughout the region.”

She is one of three Model UN directors, along with teachers Chrislaine Miller and Greg Shirley.

Model UN involves close to half a million middle, high school and university students. In a Model UN simulation, students assume the role of a diplomat of a foreign country and look at an issue or problem through the lens of their “adopted” country. Students then work together to forge consensus around a reso lution that addresses the issue. It is highly academic and inherently social.

To successfully participate, delegates must know their issue well, understand multiple perspectives, argue their point of view and be open to compromise. They research, write policy briefs and resolutions, actively listen, negotiate and advocate.

Mount Madonna School’s Model UN program focuses on ways in which global issues play out in our region, for example water scarcity and climate change impacts on agriculture and tourism. n

More Santa Cruz County Fair Staff Resign

John Skinner, a member of the Santa Cruz County Fair Floriculture Com mittee, reports that in wake of the critical state audit that led to firing CEO Dave Kegebein after 11 years:

Cynthia Mazzei, Kegebein’s righthand staffer at the fairgrounds, has resigned effective Nov. 16.

Ann Ernst, longtime bookkeeper, has given her notice.

Interim CEO Don Dietrich already needs to recruit a new volunteer as secretary to take minutes at board meetings as Mary Bannister resigned.

Skinner, who is communicating with 60 supporters via email, wrote, “We are working to determine what pre cipitated this action by the State. Once we understand the instigators and their moti vations, we will create a plan to restore

control of our fairgrounds to Santa Cruz County. This will not happen overnight.”

The audit found that the Santa Cruz County fair had no receipts or super visory review for $163,442 of purchases from 2017 to 2021, spending $5,905 for unallowable food, improperly requiring the Speedway to donate $7,500 to the Fairgrounds Foundation, eight con tracts over $5,000 not bid as required, and travel expenses of $1,352 with no receipts.

The fairgrounds is state-owned property, with a nine-member board appointed by Gov. Newsom. Nicolas Calubaquib, 42, of Aptos, Watsonville’s parks director, and Rachel E. Bickert Wells, 29, of Felton, who was on the staff of Sen. Bill Monning from 2015 to 2020, have been appointed to replace Loretta Estrada

audit found that the Santa Cruz County fair had no receipts or supervisory review for $163,442 of purchases from 2017 to 2021, spending $5,905 for unallowable food, improperly requiring the Speedway to donate $7,500 to the Fairgrounds Foundation, eight contracts over $5,000 not bid as required, and travel expenses of $1,352 with no receipts.

and Jody Belgard, who voted against firing Kegebein, and lost their fair board seats shortly after.

Bill Barton of Aptos resigned; a replacement has not been announced.

Skinner added, “We are not working to restore Dave to his position. Nor do we have any affiliation with the Fair Foun dation or Ag History Project. While we appreciate all that they have done for the fairgrounds, association with us in any

way, might be detrimental to their ability to continue to function and support the fairgrounds as they have done so well in the past.”

Skinner recommended those on his email list write to decision-makers in Sacramento: Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, and the nine members of the agriculture committees in the Senate and Assembly. n

Ezze Farrazaino

Lagi Hunnicutt Lucy Harris Nash Wilson

The

I enjoy participating in Model UN. It’s a fun and challenging experience during which I learn so much about both myself and the world.

— Ezze Farrazaino

CT Scan Campaign

Dominican Goal: $1 Million Aromas Hosts Holiday Art Festival

Dominican Hospital has a team of nine radiologists and 30 technologists and staff doing about 64 CT scans per day for in-patients and out-patients, in the emergency department, cardiology, oncology and for other reasons.

In August, the hospital decommissioned a GE Light-speed (16-slice) CT installed in 2004.

That leaves a Siemens Somatom (64-slice) CT installed in 2008 and a GE Bright-speed (16-slice) mobile CT trailer added in 2020 due to repeated failures of existing equipment.

Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, MD, president/CEO of Dominican Hospital, calls CT scans “the most heavily used imaging technology in community hos pital settings,” and this is true at Dominican.

This is because CT scans are a key tool to diagnose disease.

Dominican Hospital Foundation has begun a campaign to fund two new CT scanners to provide sharper images with lower doses of radiation.

The $4.3 million campaign is supported by $1.5 million from Dominican’s parent,

CommonSpirit Health, and $1.8 million allo cated by Dominican Hospital Foundation.

The Foundation aims to raise $1 million in a local fund drive to buy two advanced Siemens Somatom Definition Edge 128-slice computerized tomography (CT) scanners.

These machines have CARE kV, a feature that automatically sets the right kV (radiation energy) for reproducible image quality and contrast enhancement at the lowest possible radiation dose, according to the Foundation.

“Providing the best imaging at the lowest possible radiation dose is of critical importance the effects of radiation over a lifetime are cumulative and often irreversible,” according to the Foundation’s campaign material.

Gifts will be matched 1:1 up to $50,000 to support the campaign.

The match is in honor of Sister Julie Hyer, OP, the long-serving president of Dominican Hospital, who died this year, and provided by Jim Thompson, former Foundation board member and long-time champion of Dominican Hospital. n

This year’s Holiday Art Fes tival will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday Nov. 20, hosted by the Aromas Hills Artisans in the Aromas Grange.

The nicely refurbished building will be filled with artwork and cel ebration. Jesse Martinez will sing his lovely—sometimes zany songs, keeping everyone in a joyful holiday mood. Original paintings, etchings photography and collage works will be for sale. Wood-turners and carvers will explain their methods and ceramic artists will show their wares. There will be beautiful stained-glass items, hand-painted Ukrainian eggs, hand-sewn aprons, handmade European-style greeting cards and many types of handmade jewelry.

Local authors Tina Baine, Debra Smith and Joyce Oroz will sign their newest books.

Aromas locals are baking up

a storm and will be selling baked goods and bowls of chili with corn bread on the side.

Sign up for one of the free handson workshops and make something wonderful that you can keep.

Tickets are sold for the Aromas Hills Artisans’ annual raffle fea turing two dozen pieces of original art. The drawing happens Sunday afternoon.

So drive out to the lovely little town of Aromas with its many murals and enjoy a delightful fes tival experience at 400 Rose Ave., Aromas. n

Sister Julie Hyer

Judi Oyama: 4th Best in the World

With help from the community, legendary Aptos skateboarder Judi Oyama made it to the World Skate competition in Argentina Oct. 27-Nov. 1.

She faced top athletes in the world — and the challenges of unpredictable weather.

She placed 4th overall, behind American Lynn Kramer, 18-time women’s world champ, who snared another gold medal. The young twins from Latvia, Anna and Eliza Gailite, took silver and bronze respectively. (Their brother Gustav won a silver medal in the men’s contest.)

Oyama was very close behind, missing the bronze medal by 5 points, and ahead of three other U.S. athletes.

“I am happy with the results,” she said.

A total of 13 women competed.

Russian and Belarusian skaters were not allowed to participate due to the ongoing war in Ukraine started by Russia.

Oyama’s strategy was to practice but not overdo it so she could save her legs for four days of racing competition. She:

Placed 3rd on the Hybrid Slalom Race on Friday, a hot day, putting her on the podium, which was one of her goals. Placed 5th on the Tight 68 cone Saturday, another super-hot day.

Placed 4th on the Special course, on a cold and windy Sunday. Skateboarders ran 74 cones, which is longer that most races. Placed 5th on the Giant Slalom hill on Monday.

“I was second in qualifying and 3rd but ran my slower run when it counted most,” Oyama said.

Way to go, Judi! n Read her blog at http://judioyama. blogspot.com

Judi Oyama on the podium for 3rd place in Hybrid Slalom at the World Skate competition in Argentina. In first is the United States’ Lynn Kramer and second is Anna Gailite of Latvia.

Judi Oyama participating in the Special Slalom race.

Ready, Set, Go! Help Second Harvest Holiday Drive

The campaign is on, and Second Harvest Food Bank needs your help to feed hope again this holiday season.

The goal this year is to raise enough money to serve 5 million meals.

Businesses, organizations, schools, and neighborhoods are encouraged to form teams and gather funds to meet this goal.

On Nov. 10, Second Harvest hosted an outdoor kickoff rally at the Aptos Village Green, next to New Leaf Market, featuring this year’s co-chairs, UC Santa Cruz Chan cellor Cynthia Larive and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County CEO Susan True.

While the Covid pandemic seems to be fading, the need for food assistance has not especially due to inflation. According to Erica Padilla-Chavez, Second Harvest Food Bank CEO, many families and working people are not making ends meet.

That’s why this year’s food and fund drive is crucial to make sure no one goes hungry in Santa Cruz County.

All funds raised during the holiday drive - 100% - go to provide food to dis tribute at Second Harvest’s 160 agency and partner locations in Santa Cruz County.

Every $1 raised will provide four healthy meals for neighbors in need.

The Holiday Food & Fund Drive will continue through Jan. 15, 2023. n •••

Find how to sign up a team for Holiday Food & Fund Drive 2022 at https://www.the foodbank.org/holiday-food-fund-drive.

Farewell to Aptos Natural Foods

By Jondi Gumz

After 22 years, Aptos Natural Foods — the logo with a red apple in place of an “o” in Aptos — has closed its doors.

The store opened in 1990, giving local shoppers access to organic produce that wasn’t available at the big supermarkets.

For the past seven years, the owner has been Gene (Dario) Dickinson, who came here from southern California to attend UC Santa Cruz and got involved with the Kresge Food Co-op, eventually becoming manager. After traveling the world and finishing his degree with honor in history, he began working at the Food Bin/HerbRoom in Santa Cruz.

He became general manager of Aptos Natural Foods in 2012 while he was general manager at the Food Bin/HerbRoom.

In 2015, he bought Aptos Natural Foods from the previous owners with the

help of his father, Dr. Vern Dickinson, a sports psychology professor.

His vision was to support small, local businesses and carry products made by companies that demonstrate a high degree of integrity.

Photo Credit: Patrice Edwards

Erica Padilla-Chavez, Second Harvest Food Bank CEO, speaks at the Second Harvest Holiday Drive kickoff rally Nov. 10.

Septic Solution in Santa Cruz County?

What It Could Cost The Community: $75,000 & Up Per Home Owner

By Tom Decker

Our San Lorenzo River watershed includes the commu nities of Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Felton, Lompico, Zayante, Mount Hermon and Scotts Valley. Our watershed has the highest septic system density of any comparable area in the state of California.

Within the 138 square miles of the watershed are more than 13,000 individual on-site private septic systems.

We live in Ben Lomond. We greatly appreciate and value the natural beauty of our forests, streams, creeks and the San Lorenzo River that flows through our valley.

We all want clean, pure drinking water. We all want our San Lorenzo River to be clean and safe for people, wildlife and fish.

The state of California tells us that they want the same things that we do. Nevertheless, the state’s answer for solving local problems often makes the problems worse.

A year ago, on Oct. 14, 2021, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Local Agency Management Program for our area. This is the state’s plan for oversight of septic systems in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.

The program is many pages long. What really stood out was the state’s concern over the large number of standard and non-standard private septic systems in the SLV watershed area.

The intention of the program is to protect our watershed, and keep our watershed safe for people, wildlife and fish. In order to achieve this, the LAMP program imposes some very harsh financial requirements on the homeowners in our area.

When fully implemented, the LAMP program would require a homeowner to replace their septic system with an

engineered wastewater management system if it didn’t pass the state’s new certification standards.

These systems are very expensive. The current cost to install an engineered system ranges from $75,000 to over $140,000. These systems also require 24/7 monitoring, which costs an additional $250 to $300 every month. The state expects the homeowners in our area to accept this very expensive solution to achieve a questionable result without questioning why.

We all want clean drinking water. The SLV Water District gets most of its water from the many mountain springs in our watershed. The quality and purity of our water consistently ranks among the best in the state.

We would like to swim in the river. Longtime residents of SLV will fondly recall swimming in the public swimming pools in Ben Lomond and Lompico every summer. These communities used these public pools on the river for decades.

Then the state put an end to using the river for public swimming.

They told us the reason for this was so fish could swim unimpeded in the San Lorenzo River.

Campus Tour

Tom Decker points out to county Environmental Health workers where homeless are using the San Lorenzo River in Boulder Creek for a toilet.

Pro Skaters Give Lessons at Seacliff Skatepark

By Kieran Kelly

the skatepark at Seacliff Village County Park on Nov. 3.

The trio put on a thrilling show for the gathered kids and their slightly

nervous parents as they demonstrated their skills on the park’s skate features.

“This was such a fun event,” said Tricia Wiltshire, 2nd District Parks Commissioner and Aptos parent. “My son, Oliver, was out there in his wheel chair skating along with all the other kids and having the time of his life. What a blast!”

Afterward, the pros provided lessons for beginning skaters on how to navigate the skatepark and gave out free skateboard decks and other gear to a thoroughly stoked crowd of young admirers.

Aunt Lali’s Ice Cream food truck was also on hand to provide some sweet treats for the crowd.

The free event was organized by County Supervisor Zach Friend, in con junction with skateboard company NHS Inc., the nonprofit County Park Friends, and the Santa Cruz County Parks Department. The event’s organizers are exploring the possibility of holding more family events in the future at the park.

Opened in February 2020, the skatepark at Seacliff Village County Park has been used heavily by skaters, both big and small, throughout the pandemic.

“Seacliff Park was envisioned to have options for different ages and interests and this event was a perfect showcase of that. From the youngest kids playing on the small play struc tures to slightly older kids receiving skate lessons and showcasing their

skills on the skate feature, it was exactly what a public park should look like — accessible, safe and welcoming,” said Supervisor Friend. “I’m grateful to NHS, County Parks Friends and County Parks for partnering with me on what could be a model event at this park moving forward.” n

For information about events at Santa Cruz County Parks, visit www.scparks.com

Veterans Honored at Aegis Living Aptos

a Flag Cake with strawberries and buttercream frosting and hot chocolate.

“It feels nice to be honored,” said John Radov, an army veteran. “The ceremony helped remind me of the good times in the Army and just how thankful I am to have made it home. The pinning ceremony was a wonderful gesture to show appreciation to all us men and women who served.”

The 15 veterans honored included:

Bill Hughes, Army • Christopher Radovan, Marine Reserves • Donald Craine, Air Force

• Frank McMillan, Army Air Corps • Harley Wilson, Navy • Harlow Swain, Navy • Howard Ellinwood, Navy • Jerry Miller, National Guard

• John Kiely, Navy • John Radov, Army • Karen Kirk, Airforce • Ken Ferrell, Navy Reserves

• Mahlon (Ship) Shipley, Air Force • Michael Leahy, Marines • Ron Jaye, Army n

[Not in order] Bill Hughes, Army • Donald Craine, Air Force • Frank McMillan, Army Air Corps • Harley Wilson, Navy • Howard Ellinwood, Navy • Jerry Miller, National Guard • John Kiely, Navy • John Radov, Army • Ken Ferrell, Navy Reserves • Michael Leahy, Marines

John Radov shows off his certificate of honor.

Bobbie Frandeen

Teacher Absentees, Subs, Short on

& Free Speech

What is the current absenteeism per centage and how does that compare with the same period last year? Is PVUSD differentiating the reason behind absences when tracking absenteeism?

The current absenteeism percentage from Aug. 15 to Nov. 4 is 10.58%. Last year the absenteeism percentage for the same period was 11.02%.

The reported percentage includes all absences, including both excused and unexcused absences. This reporting practice is consistent with the State’s chronic absenteeism calculation guidelines and should be the same process used by all California school districts.

I’m in high school. We had a sub when we were in lockdown and the sub didn’t know what to do. We had to tell her. I don’t think students should have to tell subs emergency procedures. What if that

happens in my little brother’s class? Do subs get an emergency procedure checklist when they check in? I’m worried.

All substitute teachers check in at the front office before they begin their day with stu dents. At check-in, they receive a folder with general site infor mation, as well as the safety protocols for their site.

All substitute teachers are asked to review the information in the folder and be prepared to assist in case of an emergency.

As we experience critical situations, it allows us to look at the training of both staff and students. This will be a topic at our next District-wide Safety Committee Meeting.

I received a message from my son’s counselor saying that he is short 10 credits.

She mentioned so many options that it was confusing. What do you suggest he do to make up those 10 credits?

In support of all students’ success and staying on track to graduate, counselors are making extra efforts to ensure families are aware if their student is defi cient in credits and assist in making a plan.

If you receive a message from a counselor regarding credit deficiency, it is expected that the counselor will meet with you (online or in person). It is important to ensure you and your student are designing a plan with the counselor that may include Winter Session credit recovery, Spring Semester credit recovery, Adult Education, and/or on-site Academic Lab credit recovery during the school day (if available).

Students who are over 30 credits defi cient need to start considering alternative education options and will be contacted by Student Services to help navigate that process.

Also be sure to download the Parentvue app, which allows families to support students by looking at current grades and attendance together. If a counselor does not return your call or schedule a meeting, please reach out to the Coordinator of Counseling: christina_maclean@pvusd.net.

I heard I need to spend my first allocation of supply funding but there is also a second allocation. Can you provide me the information again?

hired before Nov. 15 received $125 to spend at Palace by Dec. 1. Any money not spent will be removed on Dec. 2 and they will not be able to spend against this first allocation of money.

Teachers

Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

FEATURED COLUMNIST

In mid-January 2023, teachers will receive another $125 to spend in the 2nd semester/ round 2. The Purchasing Department will email info once round 2 money is set up and ready to be spent.

If they had a balance left over from 1st semester/round 1, that will not be carried over. They will start with $125 again to spend in 2nd semester.

All the teachers purchase order numbers, logins, and password infor mation will remain the same. They will not get an email with new login information, they will just log in using their current, round 1 information to place their order. They may start ordering, when they are informed by the Purchasing Department in mid January.

Will you do the Technology Winter Institute again this year for staff?

The Winter Institute is a 1-day EdTech Extravaganza that will be hosted Tuesday, Dec. 20. The Technology Department will have a variety of virtual sessions for staff to learn virtually from home, as well as in-person sessions at the District Office.

There will be fun, innovative learning tailored to meet a variety of interests and needs of diverse staff. Staff will receive supplemental pay for their time after the Technology Department confirms their attendance. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to request in-class support from any of the coaches.

Please sign up by Dec. 9. You may email the Technology Department if you have any questions at dtic@pvusd.net.

Do we have security on campus? Is it their job to break up fights and stop smoking in bathrooms?

Secondary sites have campus supervisors and elementary schools have yard duty supervisors on site who work with site administration to assist with supervision of students.

During the school day, both campus supervisors and yard duty supervisors move about campus to assist and supervise students during breaks and monitor campus activity during class time.

When there is an issue such as a fight or smoking, the supervisor or the admin istrator address the issue, many times working in conjunction with each other. Christmas curriculum is already showing up in my son’s elementary school. No sign yet that there is going to be any attempt to represent the many traditions out there equally. I haven’t had a positive response from my son’s principal in the past. Who can families reach out to if their school needs support with understanding and creating an environment that gives the same time/space/status to everyone?

Our PVUSD schools should be inclusive of all traditions instead of focusing on only one tradition. We have worked with site administrators on this topic so they can support their teachers.

Sites who need additional resources

are able to reach out to our district office for support and resources. Parents are encouraged to contact their site Principal with questions.

If you feel your questions were not answered, then please contact Kasey Klap penback (Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools) at 786-2133 or Lisa Aguerria (Assistant Superintendent of Sec ondary Schools) at 786-2395.

There has been a truck consistently parked on Valencia school campus with a confederate flag prominently displayed on the back of the vehicle. Why is this form of hate speech permitted to exist on campus? Are swastikas allowed? KKK symbols? Why is this vehicle allowed on campus at all? Is the district just going to wait to act until it elicits a potentially violent confrontation?

The District strongly supports the Con stitutional rights of all members of our school communities, as well as the law and our own policies on harassment. There are times when there is friction between these important rights.

Each member of our school com munity enjoys the First Amendment right to free speech. There are limited circum stances that allow us as a District to restrict these rights. There are court cases affirming that the display of a symbol, which may have different interpretations to different people, such as the Confederate flag, can be construed as protected free speech under the U.S. Constitution.

In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that the fact that someone might take offense at the content of speech is not sufficient justification for prohibiting it. We, as a District, are bound by these deci sions and our act of upholding the law is not an indication of agreement or disagreement with any specific protected speech.

As members of the community, we all enjoy the right to Free Speech, and to address speech with which we do not agree by exercising our own Free Speech rights. PVUSD supports ethnic studies for our students and culturally relevant professional development for staff and encourages individuals to engage in respectful and productive speech when we do not agree with the speech of others. The Saturday at Gilroy Gardens was such a great experience for my family. When and where is going to be the next one?

When will sign ups begin?

Expanded Learning Opportunities Pro gramming Intersession Pajaro Passport Day 3 will occur on Nov. 19, and Day 4 is on Dec. 10. Students who choose to participate in Intersession Saturdays are not required to also participate in after school programs.

In compliance with our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Plan, Intersession Saturdays are intended to be for TK-6th graders, however, our Intersession Saturday, Nov. 19, has many opportunities for the whole family.

The Gift of Solitude

When I tell people I’m driving almost 1,000 miles to raft Desolation Canyon of the Green River, an extremely remote and roadless 84 miles in eastern Utah, which will take me about a week, they assume, “Wow, what a nice trip I’m doing with Joyce and some rafting company with lots of people!”

Then I mention that it’s a solo trip,

just me, perhaps not seeing another soul for days at a time. Most people are appalled. They tell me I’m crazy. They tell me I’m reckless.

Perhaps I am, just a bit, crazy and reckless that is. But for me, I crave solitude in the wilderness, nature’s divine temple. I’m writing this from my first night’s camp, eight miles downstream from the put-in at Sand Wash. I am truly alone. I had lightning,

By Joyce and Barry Vissell

thunder, and rain while rowing in my little 12-foot raft, loaded with everything I need for a week away from civilization, with no cell service, internet, cars — or people.

My first choice, however, is not sol itude. My first choice is to be here with my beloved Joyce.

When the two of us are in nature, it’s like I’m alone. We are so attuned to one another that it feels like I’m with a special part of myself, rather than with someone else.

But alas, Joyce has a limit to the number of river trips she feels com fortable doing. And she doesn’t feel able to go backpacking with me anymore. With Joyce, we take off in our camper, and still get a fine nature experience. But a few times a year, as long as I am able, Joyce gives her blessing for my solo immersions into the wilderness. You ask, “Why solitude? Why not go with a friend or six?

Hearts”

“Shared

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

November: Season of Gratitude

At BirchBark Foundation, we are for tunate to witness and experience gratitude year-round. We see it in each family who receives support through one of our programs, and we see it reflected in each donor who is inspired to pay forward a bit of the love they’ve cherished in a family pet.

This year, we are grateful to partner with Santa Cruz Community Credit Union for their Return the Favor campaign, ending Nov. 30. This campaign is an oppor tunity for our community to show their gratitude by returning the favor with a gift -- a gift that Santa Cruz Community Credit Union will match, dollar for dollar.

Show your gratitude by Returning the Favor!

See https://www.grapevine.org/ fund/3QsO0/Birchbark-Foundation-Inc

Return the Favor!

When George the cat badly needed dental work, you were there for him. His mom wrote:

“This is a gift to me this Christmas to have George. Every day when I look at him I think back how stuck we were. It was one of the most challenging times of our lives. We are so grateful for BirchBark.”

Gratitude expressed only engenders more gratitude. Thank you for your show of love that enables pet families to stay together.

— Sarah Stender, interim director, Birchbark Foundation •••

State Audit Did Not Justify Firing County Fair CEO

On October 4th, CDFA Deputy Sec retaries Michael Flores and Haig Baghdassarian committed the most egre gious and arrogant act of forcing the 14th DAA Board of Directors to terminate longtime CEO David Kegebein. The manner in which they carried out this act was possibly illegal and certainly outside of normal policy procedures. It was definitely not in the best interest of the 14th DAA or the community.

Based on false complaints aired by three disgruntled Livestock Committee members, CDFA undertook a compliance audit “out of the blue” for the first time in 10 years. The audit evaluated processes that have never been explained or had pro cedures demonstrated for 14th DAA staff or management.

The audit revealed procedural defi ciencies, none of which indicate financial discrepancy or intent to defraud the DAA or CDFA. The disallowed expenditures are simply reported on the wrong forms or unclearly defined by formal agreement between Mr. Kegebein and the Board. There is no claim by the auditor of fraud ulent behavior.

Deputy Secretaries Flores and Bagh dassarian rushed to judgment with no intention of allowing correction of alleged compliance discrepancies. Nor did they take into consideration any of Mr. Keg ebein’s tremendous accomplishments since assuming the leadership of the once nearly bankrupt 14th DAA ten years earlier. Instead, the two men forced a closed session meeting of the DAA Board before Mr. Kegebein saw the audit.

The day of the meeting they arrived with five armed law enforcement officers and a small group of F&E staff. During the public comment period, more than a dozen community members expounded on the merits of Mr. Kegebein and the collective assertion that the 14th DAA would have failed had he not come aboard. In closed session Flores and Baghdassarian forced the Board to fire the CEO. Two long-time Board members voted against firing and were dismissed of their positions a week later. One other has resigned.

Deputy Secretaries Flores and Bagh dassarian have left what was one of California’s most popular and successful DAA’s in shambles. For what reason? In 2020 Gov. Newsom floated the concept of allowing local nonprofits to assume control and manage for community benefit certain DAA-managed fairgrounds. It appears now that CDFA officials are reversing that directive and exerting control over DAAs from Sacramento.

This heavy-handed bureaucratic takeover of the 14th DAA must be investi gated. Santa Cruz county citizens deserve a clear explanation and full apology by CDFA officials at once.

— Kevin Larkin

Editor’s note: Kevin Larkin, a dahlia grower in Corralitos, a member of the Santa

Cruz County Fair floriculture committee and a member of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation, sent this letter to State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), with copies to: Gov. Newsom, Karen Ross, secretary of the Cali fornia Department of Food & Agriculture Mark Stone, Sen. Robert Rivas, CDFA spokesman

Why Push Pricey Septic Rules?

Bruce McPherson, our Santa Cruz County Supervisor for the 5th District was the featured columnist in the November 2022 issue of the Scotts Valley Times.

In his column, Supervisor McPherson wrote, “The new septic rules (LAMP) are triggered when systems are replaced, if there is a major remodel or bedroom addi tions, or if the property is sold.”

According to Supervisor McPherson, the LAMP rules requiring the installation of a very expensive wastewater man agement system may still apply to anyone who wants to:

• Replace an old septic system

• Remodel their home

• Add a bedroom

• Add an ADU

• Sell their home

This is not what the Supervisors voted on during their Oct. 18 public meeting of the BOS regarding the LAMP. So even though the public stated very clearly at that meeting that they strongly oppose the LAMP, our supervisors want it anyway. My question is … why?

— Tom Decker, Ben Lomond

Steve Lyles, the Senate Ag Committee and Assembly Ag Committee

George the Cat • November: Season of Gratitude

Covid, Flu or RSV? How Can You Tell?

By Jondi Gumz

With Covid deaths declining nationally and cases becoming milder, parents have a new question when their child has a cough, runny nose or fever: Is it Covid? Or flu? Which seemed to disappear last year. Or is it is RSV? That’s respiratory syncytial virus, a middle name so complicated it’s been shortened to initials.

Doctors say a lab test is needed to make a diagnosis, although RSV has a unique symptom: Wheezing, a whistling or rat tling sound when breathing.

All three are infections, and these infections are treated the same way: Rest and fluids.

Experts say nearly all children get RSV by age 2.

The good news is that most children recover from RSV on their own – but about 2% are hospitalized for bronchiolitis, infection of the small airways in the lungs, or pneumonia, lung infection.

Nationwide, hospitals admit nearly 60,000 children under 5 for RSV each year.

Dominican Hospital is seeing an average of 6 RSV cases per day in the emer gency department. Last week, Dominican transferred two pediatric patients to the ICU at Lucile Packard Children’s Hos pital Stanford, and admitted 5 pediatric patients.

As for flu, it causes a fever of 103 or 104 degrees. Children under age 2 are at higher risk for complications such as dehydration, sinus infections or pneumonia.

Covid can present with a very bad sore throat, difficulty breathing and headache.

Santa Cruz County reports 489 active Covid cases, declining since July, with a barely noticeable rise in wastewater data in the past two weeks, and 274 deaths, unchanged for a month.

The last seven deaths were people who were vaccinated, according to the county

“PVUSD Q&A” from page 21

This month, we have Camp WOW with the City of Watsonville (TK-6), YMCA Enrichment Camp (K-6), Santa Cruz Warriors Game, San Jose Sharks Game, Science Workshop and a Wetlands Restoration Day.

Pajaro Passport enrollment infor mation will be shared with families on Thursday, Nov. 10, for Day 3 sign-ups.

dashboard, all 65 or older with medical conditions.

The California Department of Public Health reports 6 patients hospitalized in Santa Cruz County with a positive Covid test, none in intensive care. There is no breakdown between adults and children.

Pajaro Valley Unified School Dis trict reports 71 active student cases and 10 staff cases. Aptos High has 3 student cases and one staff Aptos Junior High, one staff case, Mar Vista Elementary, 3 staff cases, Rio Del Mar elementary, 1 staff case and Valencia, 4 student cases.

The very contagious BA.5 and waning immunity from vaccines boosted sum mertime Covid cases.

Now the CDC estimates BA.5 com prised 29.7% of Covid cases as of Nov. 6, with new variants BQ.1.1 at 24.1%, BQ.1 at 20.1%, BF.7 at 7.8% and BA.4.6 at 5.5%.

The new bivalent boosters mix vaccine for the original no-longer circulating strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the previously dom inant Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, which are far less deadly than the Delta variant.

As of Oct. 18, the state reported, 9% of eligible people had a booster. In Santa Cruz County, it was 14%.

The bivalent combo was expedited by federal officials who asked drug-makers to test on mice rather than humans. Pfizer submitted data based on 8 mice.

On Oct. 20, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously in favor of adding the Covid vaccine to the federal recommended immunization schedule for children and adults. The existing schedule recommends 27 doses of vaccine between birth and age 6.

Starting at 6 months, children should get the Covid vaccine, plus boosters, the committee said.

Enrollment/sign-up information for the Dec. 10 event will be shared with fam ilies by Nov. 22.

More information can be found on our second Intersession at https://asp. pvusd.net.

I want to thank you for the MiniMonday sessions. The last one related to fentanyl was very informative for me as a parent of a student at risk. I would like to attend future Mini-Monday sessions.

The committee heard Dr. Tom Shima bukuro report the death of a boy 13 days after his first dose of Pfizer Covid vaccine. The autopsy showed the cause of death was heart inflammation known as myocarditis; tests found no evidence of viral infection.

The death was reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System, and verified by the CDC. Committee members determined Covid vaccine ben efits outweigh the risks.

In November, Israeli researchers evaluated vaccine effectiveness based on 460,000 people, concluding that because of rapid waning and a relatively small impact on transmission, it’s time to reassess future booster campaigns.

The federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention plans to provide a recommended vaccine schedule in 2023.

The CDC said its recommendation is not a mandate.

“Local control matters,” Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the ACIP meeting. “We honor that the decision around school entrance for vaccines rests where it did before, which is with the state level, the county level and at the municipal level, if it exists.”

California’s SB 277 requires students be vaccinated to attend public school; no

exemptions for personal belief. Home schoolers are exempt.

The CDC stopped reporting Covid cases on Sept. 21, recognizing 95% of Americans 16 and up have some immunity, either from vaccination or infection.

In October, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, up to date with her vaccines, tested positive for Covid twice, the second time after taking Pfizer’s Paxlovid. TV host Stephen Colbert and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House Covid advisor, had the same experience.

The California health department now gives Covid updates weekly, not daily, and Gov. Newsom plans to lift the state of Covid-19 emergency Feb. 28.

With the U.S. averaging 545 deaths a day, compared to 3,000 last winter when the Delta variant raged, there is no evi dence the Omnicron subvariant causes more serious illness.

Santa Cruz County reported 49 Covid deaths after Omicron, compared to 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron.

According to the Santa Cruz Office of Education, cases in schools peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, and are now 148.

The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% in January, is now 1.17%.

Local information: www.santacruzhealth. org/coronavirus or (831) 454-4242 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Can you please let me know the themes that will be addressed?

Mini Mondays take place on the 4th Monday of each month during the school year, except December and June. The topics presented throughout the year are based on parent feedback and current trends in our schools and community.

To be responsive to the needs of fam ilies and the community we do not have a schedule of topics for the year. However,

we do have a flyer with all future dates and the Zoom link to join the meeting. Our topic for the Nov. 28 session is Safety in our Schools and Community.

Presenters will include district administration as well as members of law enforcement. The flyer for this Mini Monday will be shared with families via Remind next week. In the meantime, you can access the Mini Monday website www. pvusd.net/minimonday for future dates. n

“Local control matters. We honor that the decision around school entrance for vaccines rests where it did before, which is with the state level, the county level and at the municipal level, if it exists.”

— Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, speaking

at the ACIP meeting

Authenticity Can’t Be Duplicated

One of the things that doesn’t get asked enough, is how authentic is your business? What is its origin, its roots, its story of how it came to be — what is its essence?

We all want to have a business that connects with our community because we depend on our local community of neighbors, friends and repeat tourists to join our business family. Think of how you interact and entertain personally — you cook the foods that you or your guests enjoy, you share personal stories and experiences, you openly

share yourself and your life, not someone else’s. You’re not trying to be any ‘other’ neighbor or their ‘other’ friend - you’re con necting because of you and your story.

And that’s very similar to how businesses are viewed, and how we as a business connects in our community.

Let’s consider the challenges of companies like Peet’s Coffee, who in 1966 opened its first store in Berkeley, CA — well, it can never be or replace Pacific Coffee Roasting Co. Two dif ferent companies with two different families

of customers. Sure, Peet’s is a known national brand, but the experience and community con nection is just, well, different it’s not better or worse, but just a brand being true to itself.

Similarly, though New Leaf Community Markets began in 1985, they were acquired in 2013 by Portland-based New Seasons Markets (which is owned by Endeavor Capital, Inc.). Even with the Aptos location in the historic former Hihn apple barn, consider the challenges of being authentic to one’s origin when the ownership’s history and operation is nearly 700 miles away.

By Ron Kustek

For those of you around in 1985, you’ll likely remember ‘New Coke.’ After 100 years of history and authenticity, The Coca-Cola Company decided to secretly and suddenly reformulate, to taste sweeter, in order to not be beaten by rival Pepsi in blind taste tests. (Actually, RC Cola consistently outperformed both Coke and Pepsi in blind taste tests). So, for a short history lesson for those who weren’t around back then … consumers revolted.

“Septic Solution” from page 14

Historically, the San Lorenzo River had the largest population of steelhead trout and Coho salmon of any river in Central California.

Sixty years ago, the San Lorenzo River was home to one of the largest steelhead trout and Coho salmon hatcheries in the state. Then the state shut down the hatcheries. Since then, the trout and salmon population in the San Lorenzo River has dropped to almost zero.

A possible but never spoken-of solution to that problem might be to reopen the fish hatcheries.

It’s no wonder the residents of the SLV watershed area are upset. We don’t trust the state. We are angry about the harsh financial consequences being put on us from the LAMP program. We no longer trust the state as they try to impose their will in this very local matter.

The state wants the LAMP program to require every septic system in our watershed to be inspected and state-certified. They have a zero tolerance policy for failed systems.

What if every homeowner in the SLV watershed was ready, willing and able to replace their septic system with a new (and very expensive) engineered wastewater man agement system, how much would that help with the problem of wastewater getting into our watershed? No one really knows.

That’s a very important question.

A few weeks ago, we discovered a homeless man living in a heavily wooded corner of our property in downtown Boulder Creek. The San Lorenzo River flows along the southern border of our property. We dis covered that this man, along with a number of other homeless individuals, had been using the river under the Highway 9 bridge in Boulder Creek as their toilet.

We called the County’s Environmental Health Department. They sent out a crew to clean up the mess.

Last week, I discovered again the river under the bridge was still being used by the homeless as their toilet. Based upon my very

small and unscientific sample, I wonder how many times and in how many other locations along the 26 miles of the San Lorenzo River is this happening on a daily basis?

I’m curious if the state has factored in this information when determining the amount of raw sewage that is in our watershed.

The sad irony is that no matter how much we spend to upgrade our septic systems to meet the new state standards, it will never be enough. I believe that the minimal results achieved will never justify the high cost paid to achieve them.

The residents in the SLV watershed area are very diverse group. Nevertheless, there is one place where we all share common ground. Everyone has a septic system.

Any program that forces homeowners to spend more money to upgrade their septic system will not be received well.

To find out how the public feels about the LAMP, check out the public comment portion of the Oct. 18 Board of Supervisors meeting. On your computer search engine enter: Board of Supervisors Santa Cruz County, California. When you get to the BOS website, in the box on the left click on: Minutes and Agendas. Click on the Tuesday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. meeting: Video.

The public comment part of this video starts at: 3:10. You will see and hear many of your friends, neighbors and community members addressing this issue at that public meeting.

After hearing from the many members of the public, all of them opposed to the LAMP, our supervisors wisely voted modify some of the conditions of the LAMP. Our supervisors also wisely decided to kick the can down the road and look at this matter again at some later time.

It appears that the residents of the SLV watershed won this fight. Nevertheless, the war to require homeowners in the SLV watershed to upgrade their septic systems is far from won.

Stay vigilant. n

The month of Scorpio is often one of mysteries, things veiled and hidden away. Scorpio is the sign of deep intense desires and aspi rations. Everyone becomes Persephone living underground with Pluto, the only nourishment being the pomegranate. During this month of Scorpio people are feeling the inward focus more intensely with Mars retrograde.

Mars rules Scorpio and brings the Nine Tests of Scorpio. Under Scorpio we are learning how not to create more karma and how to communicate with love, com passion and care. We learn that our thoughts and words can create and/or destroy.

It is a most important time, between the social outwardness of Libra and the next four signs of discipleship, initiation, serving and the saving grace of Pi-sces.

Scorpio is Ray 4 of Harmony through Conflict and one of the four signs of the fixed cross (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, Cross of the Soul). Four horsemen of the apocalypse, four signs of the personality, four dimensions of thought and time, four Vedas (sacred scriptures), four qualities of man (San-skrit for “thinker”) and the

ARIES

Recognize and then cultivate your hidden talents and abilities. Your skills are needed by the new era and if offered will be embraced by all groups. With your initiating ideas, you have the ability to help transform how others think. Step out with confidence into the world of humanity. There is an aura of concern and Right Relations and love that can extend from you to others. It simply needs your awareness and a context/place wherein you can teach. You are of course the leader.

TAURUS

As you become more and more sensitive to personal matters of diet and health you realize you can assist others in the world of healing. This will be a great service to many for few understand the workings of the body and even less how to bring adequate nutrition into daily life. You are the sign of the illumined mind. Therefore, think on what information you can provide others based upon what you have learned. You can better serve the world when you serve first yourself and then all of humanity. Study the effects of alkaline water.

GEMINI

It is a gift to know how to play, have fun and amusement, understanding that in life there is pleasure (along with and amidst suffering). It is a skill to have a hobby and to choose recreation during times of stress. Knowing and acting upon these things allows you freedom and then an unusual leadership. Children especially love you when you’re at play, which then also strengthens your heart and affection for everyone. Can you teach playfulness?

CANCER

Gardening is an intrinsic and essential skill you possess. You are the nurturer of new life, of the seeds of creation. In the womb of your awareness, things grow and green and bloom and flower. Tend to all those around you in this way from young ones to elders. Tend also to yourself, to your environments, home, family and community. Each sign fosters a gift. Your gift is foundational to life itself. Yours is the lighted house wherein life itself dwells.

learning through Ray 4 –humanity learns through conflict, chaos, sorrow and suffering.

Scorpio calls humanity inward. It is a sacred withdrawal from the world of form. We are to cultivate discernment and discrimination. Only Scorpio (and Pisces) can see the inner essence veiled by form. Scorpio is the disciple, the occultist, the Ancient Wisdom teachings.

During Scorpio we review our lives and this year we are aided by retrograde Mars. We learn there is no death, only immortality. We encounter the four symbols of Scorpio –each a developmental stage – spider, scorpion, phoenix and eagle.

Scorpio, the eighth sign, offers us a new direction, preparing us to enter the Temples of Sagittarius. Scorpio is in between Libra (the Law) and Sagittarius (justice and the Temples of Learning). Above Scorpio in the sky is the Serpent and below and to the west is Lupus, the Wolf. All the animals in the zodiac protecting the Occult Temples, ensuring that humanity can enter the Halls of Wisdom and learn about itself. Above each Temple are the words, “Seeker, Know the Self.” It begins with astrology. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Giving thanks for everyone. n

LEO

It’s good to take a long walk in your neighborhood, get to know its flora and fauna, the animal and plant kingdoms, your neighbors, too, and watch the flow of traffic. It’s also good to make contact with family, friends and relatives, to contem plate and study your relationships with them, making amends if needed, offering forgiveness and a nurturing love. In this way you show others your combined mental and heartfelt ability to make contacts, which always, releases Love and then wisdom. Compassion is one of the tools of a true leader.

VIRGO

Your orderliness and organization, of detail and discrimination are important skills needed by humanity these days. Many of us were not taught these abilities when young. Our parents were working under different energies, needs and purposes. The Virgo skills are subtle yet highly effective if one is to have a sense of empowerment that leads to success in terms of practical realities and daily livingness. Contemplate upon your skills. Radiate them out toward humanity. We will then all learn from you.

LIBRA

The present time offers you a new self-identity and this comes forth when we learn new skills. Learning compassion is a new skill that Librans can begin to cultivate. It is very important for you at this time to create a powerful and dynamic energy that can lead others forward. Humanity needs to learn the art of Right Human Relations. Before the Aquarian teacher can reappear, humanity needs to cultivate Goodwill which becomes Right Relations leading to the process of peace. You understand this. You are to teach this by example.

SCORPIO

A crossroad appears, you see two paths; you visualize yourself walking both paths. Then you remember the story of Arjuna and realize you must choose one path or the other and you must do this very soon. Walking the middle path is so you can “see” and understand the polarities of the two paths. Each is an opportunity. Which is best for you to follow, which has value and leads you to more than a state of happiness (personality). Which leads you to service and joy (Soul path)?

SAGITTARIUS

Are you making unusual connections with others? Are you seeking a teacher or guide? Are you asking questions of your contacts with others, and are you sensing a closeness with others that is different than before? All social contacts contain an opportunity for radiating Right Human Relations. This creates a magnet in your life and in turn your hopes and wishes and dreams begin to come true. Think on what you do that is benevolent. Have benevolence as your primary goal. Goodwill, too.

CAPRICORN

The world may be honoring you in some form. Honoring how you present yourself, honoring your work or service or how deeply responsible you are. Should someone begin to stand in your shadow or shift the deserving light away from you, pay no attention and step forward into another sunbeam and another ray of light. Always show others your compassion and under standing. You are forming a new identity in the world. One that is providing guidance, direction and leadership to others. Nothing you say or do goes unnoticed.

AQUARIUS

It is an excellent time to visualize long range plans and agendas, to contact the future through understanding all the qualities of Aquarius (the new era). The future is found and built via the art of visualization, our creative tool. It’s important to listen to what others have to say. Add your voice, too. In planning do not argue, move slowly, tend to all communications. In this way the future flows into the present with appropriate speed and harmony.

PISCES

You have a great ability to plan and to have the needed money and resources. You are often mistakenly seen as someone unable to tend to practical matters. However, you are very able and skillful although your process is different than most. The important issues facing you now are money, resources, gold and silver, precious metals, banking and all things financial. Some Pisces also may need a new car. Ask for help in all endeavors. Be patient with others who don’t understand your ways. Just keep progressing forward.

In 2019, New Leaf Community Markets, founded by Scott Roseman and partners and sold in 2013 to Oregon grocer New Seasons, opened a supermarket in Aptos Village, one mile away from the little Aptos Natural Foods store in Aptos Center.

That can’t have helped.

Dario’s brother William, who lives in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and tried to help from Canada, explains what happened in a GoFundMe drive.

Two weeks after buying the business, Dario experienced a series of seizures.

After many tests, his family learned he had brain damage that affected memory and executive function.

To run the store, Dario brought in managers, but that did not work out, according to his brother.

Meanwhile, he experienced various personal calamities — his car (containing a bunch of his clothes) was stolen, he lost his Google Chromebook, where he kept his doctor appointments, and he needs about $25,000 worth of dental work.

William said his brother is very proud and private and that his GoFundMe post might upset him.

“But I would rather see him pissed at me than homeless with no money, no income and no future. I can see he’s at the end of his rope… So if you can, please help.”

See: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donateto-help-dario?utm_campaign=p_cf+shareflow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_ source=customer

“Business Matters” from page 25

Cries of “what have you done to ‘my Coke’” or “I want the Coke I grew up with back” were heard loudly and clearly by the company’s mastermind marketers at the time. Consequently, ‘Coca-Cola Classic’ was born — or reborn — or re-animated, or just brought back to the market, along with (new) Coke remaining. The Coca-Cola Company managed to alienate and undo 100 years of brand-building and customer loyalty in one brilliant move.

So, for every business that began locally, it’s time to embrace your roots, your heritage, and especially your story.

No one else has your story — no other company can be you if you are delivering on your essence and your true brand of who you are, and why you’re here. Your neighbors and family of customers will still come to your ‘house’ and eat your food, laugh along with you and share the experience of togetherness, for another sale, another smile, and another memorable connection with authenticity. n

Ron Kustek is the Business Department Chair and instructor at Cabrillo College. He was formerly a senior marketing executive with CocaCola USA as well as launching multiple small businesses. Contact him at rokustek@cabrillo.edu

Here’s my process. Day by day, I let go of time and schedules, instead experi encing nature’s time and timelessness. I eat when I’m hungry, rather than because it’s time to eat. I stop to rest when I get tired, and camp not because it’s time to camp, but because I have found a beau tiful spot that calls to my soul. I sing while I’m rowing or while hiking up an inviting side canyon. I notice nature’s loveliness (including the rain today), the wildlife along the river corridor. Today, I stopped rowing to watch a Great Blue Heron skillfully catch minnows in the shallows near the shore.

And best of all, day by day I feel the chatter and static of my mind calm down, replaced by a growing peace. Wilderness for me is a non-stop oppor tunity for meditation and prayer. Even my breathing takes on a more natural rhythm, and I more easily feel each breath than when I’m busy at home. The distractions from the simple act of being are reduced to a few simple camp chores. Most of my time in solitude, it’s just me and divine creation, and the infinite Source of creation. Right now, sitting near my campfire, it is enough just to gaze at the dancing yellows and oranges, and bask in its warmth.

Why don’t we give ourselves the gift of solitude in nature? I can think of two main reasons. There may be more. One is fear. Even more than the fear of physical injury, or getting eaten by a bear, in solitude there is the chance to get to know ourselves better. What if things that have been buried, like old shame or regrets, come up to the surface? Then I say, “Great! Let them come up so we can work them through to deeper healing and possible self-forgiveness.”

On the second day of my river journey, while hiking up a rugged side canyon, I reached ahead of me to break off a branch blocking my path. It’s such an automatic response on the trails around our home, but here in the desert, the vegetation is quite different. As the branch snapped, a huge splinter embedded itself into my finger. I tried to pull it out, but it broke off just under the skin where it couldn’t be reached. That night, my finger swelled up with infection and pain. If I were at home, this potentially serious incident wouldn’t bring up as much

fear as it did in my complete solitude in the wilderness.

I had moments of true fear, with the possibility of a medical emergency, of even losing my finger — or worse. In between those moments of fear, I needed to trust that I would be okay. I used anti biotic ointment and bandaged my finger, endured the pain for two more days, and finally my finger ejected the largest splinter I have ever seen. Going through the fear and uncer tainty was part of the gift of solitude.

The other reason for not giving ourselves the gift of solitude is our feeling of unworthiness. Do we actually deserve to give ourselves this gift of solitude? Isn’t it selfish to spend time alone when we can be “productive” members of society? I’m often reminded of the Native American saying, “Humble yourself to receive, before you can truly give.”

Solitude is a chance to recharge your life batteries, so you can really be productive by giving your love and your gifts.

So I challenge you. Do you have enough solitude in nature? Of course, you don’t need to solo raft 84 miles down a wilderness river.

Going for a hike on a local trail, perhaps sitting directly on the earth, or on a rock near a creek, can do wonders. Even sitting in your backyard garden, however small, can give you a taste of solitude in nature. But give yourself time alone, quiet time for reflection, time without electronics or screens. Sit next to a plant, breathing in the oxygen that it breathes out just for you. And give the plant your exhaled carbon dioxide as a special gift for its life. Bring balance and harmony to your body, mind, and soul.

Sometime near the middle of my trip, I saw people for the first time. A group of five friends in three canoes, faster craft than my raft, passed me on the river. A man called out, “Don’t you get lonely being here all by yourself?” I smiled and said, “No, not at all.” n

Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psy chiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for information on counseling sessions by phone, on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JACOB’S HEART: ADOPT A FAMILY

Every year, the Jacob’s Heart Adopt-a-Family program helps alleviate some of the stress families feel during the holiday season.

Some of our families feel the burden of medical expenses, constant hospital trips, grocery needs, and other financial challenges the most during the holiday season.

Your help can lessen this burden and bring joy to these kiddos and their families. We still have 25 families that need to be adopted.

Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/jacobsheart-AoF-signup or reach out to pao-la@jacobsheart.org to learn more about how you can give some holiday cheer to a child who has cancer. •••

Another way to help: Host a Holiday Drive. It doesn’t have to be toys. It could be shoes, coats, or household essentials. Help Jacob’s Heart spread some holiday cheer and sign up for a Holiday Drive today! Reach out to Brianna@Jacobsheart.org to learn more.

THANKSGIVING AT VETS HALL

Volunteers are needed to help prepare & serve the Thanksgiving meal Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall, 840 Front St., Santa Cruz.

Available shifts are:

The team will follow all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state.

Collectors interested in being considered for the show should call (646) 493-2184 or email at AmericanPickers@ cineflix.com. Include full name, city/state, contact information, and a brief description of the collection.

The Pickers only pick private collections, so NO stores, malls, flea markets, museums, auctions, businesses, or anything open to the public.

POINT IN TIME COUNT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

As the County of Santa Cruz transitions to conducting the Point in Time homeless count annually, instead of every 2 years, community support will be key to collect-ing accurate data.

The 2023 PIT count will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 using an app-based data collection tool, guide participation and coverage of the entire county in one morning. Volunteer recruitment will begin after Thanksgiving and will be followed by an opportunity for community members to sign up.

2601 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, on Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. to accommodate working families.

Dates are: Nov. 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.

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY

The Passionate Readers Book Discussion group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 10:30am to 12pm at La Selva Beach Branch Library, 316 Estrella Ave. All adults are welcome. Meeting will be in-person and virtually via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, register at https://santacruzpl. libcal.com/event/9845126

This month’s selection is Never by Ken Follett.

DATED EVENTS

Tuesday November 15

SEACLIFF INN BLOCK PARTY

5-8 p.m., Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos In celebration of the newly renovated hotel and restaurant, Seacliff Inn will host a Grand Re-Opening Block Party.

Enjoy complimentary handcrafted cocktails, beer, wine + snack on all-new menu items including Cavatappi mac & cheese, bacon wrapped shrimp, and Durham Ranch beef sliders.

Mingle among live music, face painting, lawn games, a photo booth and more! Bring your friends, family, kids, and neighbors.

RSVP at https://www.seacliffinn.com/

Thursday November 17

HOLIDAY MIXER

5 - 6:30 p.m., The Closet Shopper, 1203 41st Avenue, Capitola

The Closet Shopper will host a holiday mixer for the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, Nov 23

10-11:30 a.m.: Turkey Prep at India Joze or United Methodist Church on California Street. Working at India Joze preparing the turkeys for transport to Beckmans to be roasted. They need to be debagged, cleaned out, seasoned and salted, placed in a tray and covered with aluminum foil. This is a critical task and Joe needs 4 or 5 really dedicated people.

12-2 p.m.: Washing, chopping, sorting and peeling all of the vegetables for the meal, working at United Methodist.

Thursday, Nov 24

Serving: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. • 12:15-1:45 p.m. • 1:45-3 p.m.

11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.: Greeting guests, checking bags, busing tables, sweeping or moping floors, directing people in and out of the building and bathroom patrol, stand by the recycle and compost collection barrels to make sure that what can be recycle or composted is, anything else requested.

1-3:30 p.m.: Cleanup.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Deadline to submit a proposal: Friday, Dec. 16

An artist will be selected to create a public art component for Heart of Soquel mul-ti-use parkway. The walking and biking trail (completed in 2020) con nects the Heart of Soquel Pla-za County Park to Porter Street, Main Street at Soquel Lyons Park, and to Soquel Elementary, along the top of the bank of Soquel Creek. The final addition to the parkway is the public art. The budget for the public art-work, which includes all costs associated with but not limited to design, materials, travel, insurance, fabrication, installation, and documentation of the artwork, is $27,000.

A “Call to Artists,” which includes information about the RFP process, the site plan and other materials, is at: https://www.scparks.com/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/ CalltoArtists.aspx.

AMERICAN PICKERS COMING TO CALIFORNIA

The TV show American Pickers on the History Channel plans to return to California in January. The crew is looking for leads on interesting characters with fascinating items — something different, unusual, of unique items — something they’ve never seen before with an extraordinary story.

The Housing for Health Partnership and Applied Survey Research will be hosting three community meetings to gather input and volunteers Friday, Nov. 18, and Friday, Dec. 16, and Thursday, Jan. 12, Each is 11 a.m. to noon.

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ santa-cruz-county-2023-point-in-time-count-planningmeeting-tickets-464743970727

For questions, contact: john@appliedsurveyresearch.org or in-fo@housingforhealthpartnership.org.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give now to help fight the potential impact of seasonal illnesses and a potentially severe flu season on the blood supply.

Donors — especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets — are asked to make an appointment to give.

There is no waiting period to donate blood after receiving a flu shot. Make an ap-pointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is offering donors who give Nov. 1 thru 22 a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice; a Red Cross knit beanie (while supplies last) to those who give Nov. 23-27; and a $10 Amazon gift card to those who give Nov. 28-Dec. 15.

Details at rcblood.org/perks and rcblood.org/together.

•••

Nov. 16: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St., Santa Cruz.

Nov. 19: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley.

Nov. 22: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St., Santa Cruz.

Nov. 25: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St., Watsonville.

Nov. 26: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Live Oak Grange #503, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz.

GREY BEARS VOLUNTEERS

Choose from 20 volunteer opportunities at Grey Bears. Fill out the form at https://greybears.org/volunteer. Call Rosie: 831-479-1055 ext 226.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Second Harvest Food Bank will provide community distributions at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds,

WELLNESS & STRESS MANAGEMENT

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education offers a free online support group for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 22 Wednesdays 3-4 p.m. and a free support group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. More information at https://www.diversitycenter.org/ Meeting link for both support groups: http://santacruzcoe-org. zoom.us/j/85783611933

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

CHILDCARE RESOURCES

The Child Development Resource Center, a program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, has launched a new website to better assist local families searching for childcare. See https://childcare.santacruzcoe.org/.

ONGOING EVENTS

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.

Every Fourth Saturday COMMUNITY WRITERS

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

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.

Time limit 5 minutes for any original work. Free. All levels of writers welcome. Zoom: 532 385 492 • passcode 42020 communitywritersscco@gmail.com

Enjoy beverages, light appetizers, shopping and raffle prizes, while connecting with business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members. The Closet Shopper is a buy, sell, trade boutique for women with a wide range of clothing, accessories, jewelry, body products and home goods.

SPECIAL PARENTS ONLINE WORKSHOP

6:30-7:30 p.m., Online Meeting

SPIN, Special Parents Information Network, will host an online workshop via Zoom on Protecting & Empowering Our Adult Children.

In this online workshop, learn social-emotional safety skills to help differently abled adults.

Questions about this workshop? Contact Sonia Plageman at (831) 423-7713 or splageman@spinsc. org.

For the zoom link, email info@spindc.org

UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK: PANEL DISCUSSION 6 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road (or Online) Join local youth and community leaders in a frank discussion about three local inci-dents of racial violence and how young people and adults can work together to ed-ucate, prevent, and respond to incidents like these in the future.

Join in person at the Capitola Branch Library or online via Zoom. Attendance is free; registration is required at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/9849562.

This program is part of the United Against Hate Week events Nov. 13-20 through-out Santa Cruz County. Sponsored by Santa Cruz County for Safe and Inclusive Com munities, Temple Beth El, Resource Center for Nonviolence, and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Friday November 18

COFFEE WITH A COP

7:30 a.m., Peet’s Coffee, 50 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos

The California Highway Patrol will host Coffee with a Cop at Peet’s Coffee. All com-munity members are invited!

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Jus-tice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Most of the contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergen-cies or emotional situa tions. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship-building, and some community members may feel officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and al-lows for a relaxed one-on-one interaction.

LA SELVA BEACH HOLIDAY FAIR & USED BOOK SALE

Saturday November 19

10 a.m.-4 p.m., La Selva Beach Clubhouse & Lawn, 314 Estrella Avenue

Find all your holiday shopping needs at the La Selva Beach Holiday Fair!

Over 50 arts and crafts vendors will showcase their work in booths inside the Clubhouse and on the outdoor lawn, featuring handmade jewelry, art, pottery, books, bags, clothing, olive oil and vinegars, plants, garden art, home decor and more.

The Friends of La Selva Beach Library will host their Used Book Sale with books in all genres.

The one-day event takes place at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse & Lawn.

• Nibble on homemade baked goods and sip hot drinks from the Bake Sale while shopping – guilt-free since all proceeds benefit the La Selva Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Enjoy lunch or a snack, or take foods home from local favorite food truck Ate3One.

• Friends of the Library will be selling raffle tickets and drawing winners throughout the day for fine art and craft prizes donated by vendors. Buy tickets to win and help out the Library.

The event is sponsored by the La Selva Beach Improvement Association and the Friends of the La Selva Beach Library.

Admission is free!

For more information contact: booksandbrewsLSB@gmail.com

Thursday November 24

VETERANS’ THANKSGIVING DINNER

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz

For nearly 30 years, veterans have hosted a Thanks giving meal at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz for those in the community who are houseless or of very modest means. Public health considerations arising from the Covid pandemic caused the veterans to suspend the meal until it could be hosted safely. And now that time has come.

The Veterans for Peace, along with the Friends of Thanksgiving, announce that the Santa Cruz Com munity Thanksgiving Dinner will return to the Veterans Memorial Building, this Thanksgiving.

Everyone is invited to enjoy a hot, traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings created by chef “India Joe” Schultz.

The hall will again be decorated by local Girl Scouts and music provided by local artists. Eat, share stories and experiences and enjoy the holiday spirit. Volunteer at vetshalldinner@gmail.com

Your donation will help turn a time of want and need into a season of joy and gen-erosity. See: https://gofund.me/c50416f2

Saturday November 26

SURFIN’ SANTA VISITS CAPITOLA

Noon-3 p.m., Capitola Beach off Capitola Village Surfin’ Santa returns to the shores of Capitola Beach.

Santa will be riding the waves via Outrigger canoe, rain or shine, for his annual vis-it to Capitola Village, arriving at noon to visit with all the kids.

Once toweled off, he’ll settle in his beach chair for a nice, long visit.

Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa’s wave riding arrival, and your little one’s visit with Santa.

It makes a great holiday photo!

This is Small Business Saturday, so you can visit your favorite Capitola Village shops and restaurants and #ShopSmall.

Tuesday November 29

GIVING TUESDAY

Giving Tuesday, often styled as #GivingTuesday for hashtag activism, is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organi zations to transform their communities and the world.”

CRUMBL COOKIES RIBBON CUTTING

11 a.m.-Noon, 2750 41st Avenue #E, Soquel Join the Capitola-Soquel Chamber in welcoming Crumbl Cookies to Soquel with a Ribbon Cutting at their new location.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Attendees will receive a free Crumbl Cookie card good for a delicious cookie of your choosing.

Crumbl Cookies is locally owned and operated. Cookies are made fresh every day. The menu rotates weekly to give offer 4-5 different specialty flavors. The store’s famous Milk Chocolate Chip will always be available.

Looking for the best cookie delivery service? Crumbl offers gourmet desserts and treats ready to be delivered straight to your door. https://crumblcookies.com/cacapitola

Wednesday November 30

HABITAT RESTORE EXPANSION

4-6 p.m., Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore at 555 Main St., Watsonville

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore will host a grand expansion ceremony with re-freshments and live music with DJ KokoLoco.

Parking is behind the building. RSVP with nick@restoremb.org You can also register to attend at https://tinyurl.com/HfHReStore-expansion

Thursday December 1

PURE WATER SOQUEL PUBLIC HEARING

5:30 p.m., Online Meeting

The public is invited to attend a virtual hearing on the Pure Water Soquel Ground-water Replenishment Reuse Project. The public hearing will online via Zoom. Join from a computer/phone/tablet by using this link: https://tinyurl.com/pws-public-hearing-dec-1-2022 Passcode: 676862 (Full URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87868498787?pwd=b mlyK0hQRHBXcTFxVTZNOVMxQ3o4QT09) •••

Public comments are due by 5 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 8. All public comments on the Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project Title 22 Engineering Report can be made as written or oral comments at the public hearing. Email: PureWaterSoquel@soquelcreekwater.org Use subject line: PWS Title 22 Engineering Report

HOMELESS GARDEN PROJECT HOLIDAY BENEFIT 6:30-9 p.m., Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., SC The Homeless Garden Project will host a Holiday Celebration to benefit their training and employment programs for individuals experiencing homelessness at the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

The celebration features participant accomplishments, the film “Mission: JOY” and Douglas Abrams, co-author of The Book of Joy, focusing on Nobel Peace Prize winners His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu talking about the challenges of living a joyful life.

The film consists of never-beforeseen footage shot over 5 days at the Dalai Lama’s residence, as these luminaries recount stories from their lives, each having lived through periods of incredible strife. Small bites and beverages, plus products for sale made in Homeless Garden Project’s training program. Ticket price: $15 at https://bit.ly/HGPHoliday22, or $10 per ticket at Homeless Garden Project downtown store, 1338 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask.

Thursday December 1

Friday December 2

HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIR

11 a.m.-4 p.m., Community Health Trust, 85 Nielson St, Watsonville (across Airport Blvd. from the Watsonville Com munity Hospital main entrance)

You are invited to attend Silver Circle’s annual Holiday Art & Craft Fair at the Community Health Trust.

Bring a friend or two and enjoy the warmth and music of a Christmas celebration. Parking, attendance and a cup of hot cider are all free.

Thirty juried artisans will display their hand-made items. See hand-carved wood, quilts, knitted goods, jewelry, ceramics, handmade greeting cards, fresh flower arrange ments, succulents, honey and herbs.

Enjoy baked goods as you listen to Jesse Martinez sing.

This art fair was quietly held for many years as an in-house Christmas sale for the convenience of doctors and nurses. Now that the secret is out, the sale has gotten bigger and gone public.

Buy hand-crafted items to fill your Christmas list. Maybe you’ll see something for yourself that’s really special that you just can’t live without.

Raffle tickets for featured artwork will be sold at $5 each. Profits go to Silver Circle, a lively seniors group focused on exercise and good health. For info about Senior Circle, contact Sonia Westphal at keson1comcast.net

Saturday December 3

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

1-5 p.m., Aptos Village Green (in front of New Leaf Com munity Market)

Join us for a free family-friendly holiday celebration at Aptos Village.

Enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, the lighting of the village Christmas tree, music, gifts for sale from local craft vendors, hot chocolate and more! It’s free. Potential vendors should call the Aptos Chamber of Com merce for information: 831-688-1467.

Saturday December 3

Sunday December 4

WINTER CHORAL CONCERT

2 p.m., Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way

Aptos High School will present “Sounds of the Season” Winter Choral Concert at the school, featuring three choirs plus “sensational” soloists.

Holly Ota will direct this festive event, with talented accompanist Marina Thomas, who immigrated from Ukraine 8 years ago.

Selections will feature Christmas, Hanukkah and winter, plus two songs on unity and integrity, which Ota says have always been December concert themes.

A new instrumentalist will perform, playing drums, clarinet and saxophone. Dr. Kelly Corbin, from southern California, is Valencia Elementary’s new music teacher. General admission is $8; students $5, with tickets sold at the door and seating 30 minutes be-fore the concert.

Monday December 5

HOW TO COMBAT FLU & COLDS

6-7:30 p.m., 2121 41st Ave, Suite 102, Capitola American Institute of Medical Massage is giving a free seminar at 2121 41st Ave, Suite 102, on how to combat the cold and flu season.

Alla Mia, a certified Massage Therapist and founder of the institute, will give a demonstration on sinusitis and share ideas on how to stay healthy and prevent get-ting worse if you become symptomatic.

Register in advance to attend by emailing aimmhigh11@gmail.com or calling 831-291-1025. www.institutemedicalmassage.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season

The holiday season is traditionally one of the largest sales times for many retailers. Over the last few years, local businesses have been facing additional pressures as a result of the pan demic, supply chain issues and economic insecurity.

Many have faced declines in sales as online retailing has increased and others are having staffing chal lenges that have required a reduction in hours. As a community, we have a unique opportunity to show support for our small, locally-owned businesses as they compete with national online retailers — especially during the holiday season.

In Santa Cruz County, 82% of local businesses have less than 9 employees. Many in the mid and south county work for locally-owned businesses and our local economy is dependent upon a robust small business sector.

Some of the local businesses offer

online ordering (with same day pick-up) and there are many options (from tra ditional retail items, to bakery items to hardware) that you can order locally online and pick up straight from the local business.

Many in our area are working with local Chambers of Commerce to advertise extended holiday specials that extend beyond the traditional Black Friday or Small Business Saturday (which is Saturday, Nov. 26 this year) timeframes.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, “locally owned busi nesses play a central role in healthy communities and are among the best engines that cities and towns have for advancing economic opportunity and building resilient places.”

Specifically, they note work from an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta that showed counties with larger shares of local small businesses outperform

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

their peers on three critical economic indicators: they have stronger per capita income growth, faster employment growth and lower poverty rates.

Additionally, an analysis from the Government Finance Review found that smaller-local businesses (versus box stores) provide more tax revenue on the aggregate while costing less in government services.

We have many locally-owned busi nesses that provide a variety of options for our holiday shopping including kid’s stores, restaurant gift certificates, great coffee shops, clothing stores, jewelers, locally-owned hotel getaway options and more.

Some of these small businesses have been recognized nationally for their unique options and all of these busi nesses employ local residents and many are owned by residents right here in the mid and south county. A number of these businesses are now offering shipping options to you or to those you are pur chasing gifts for to save you a trip this holiday season.

If you’d like additional information, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce has a businesses directory and holiday specials at www.aptoschamber.com or the Capitola/ Soquel Chamber at www.capitolachamber. com and the Pajaro Valley Chamber at www.pajarovalleychamber.com. n

As always, I appreciate hearing from you. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend

Autumn Foliar Debris Fills Gutters

By Tony Tomeo

Autumn foliar color certainly is pretty while it lasts. Although less prominent locally than it is where cooler weather begins earlier, it is an asset to many home gardens. It generally appears a bit later within mild climates here, but might also remain suspended a bit later. Ultimately though, with enough wintry wind and rain, it eventually becomes foliar debris.

obstructing sunlight. It can also promote proliferation of fungal pathogens. This is why prompt raking is very important. Foliar debris can stain pavement and decking, and may be hazardously slippery. Behind chimneys, it can promote decay, and pos sibly become a fire hazard.

Silk Tree

Black Beauty

Onyx is a sweet young girl who came to us with her kittens; she was such a loving mama. Her kittens have all been adopted, so now she is ready for a home of her very own.

She is very loving and gentle and would love nothing more than to snuggle up in your lap. Onyx went to a Halloween event and did amazing — she sat quietly, observed everything going on around her. She also met some kittens at the event and was very sweet with them. Everyone she met fell in love with her!

Onyx is 3 years old and been at the Shelter since August and would love to find her furever home! She is very confident, and seems comfortable around other cats, dogs, and groups of people.

She would probably fit well into a household with another cat or a cat-savvy dog, with a slow introduction.

This sweet girl wants to be your best snuggle buddy this winter!

Come visit Onyx at 1001 Rodriguez in Santa Cruz from 10-6pm every day!

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 pre pared. 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, Watson ville, 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

Evergreen foliage also contributes to the mess. It is likely less abundant than deciduous foliage is during autumn, but only because it sheds through more extensive seasons. For example, Southern magnolia sheds mostly through spring, as new foliage replaces older foliage. It then continues to shed additional debris throughout the year, including autumn.

Regardless of its various origins, foliar debris becomes more of a concern during autumn for two simple reasons. Firstly, and obviously, more of it accumulates during autumn than during any other season. Sec ondly, since autumn is the beginning of the rainy season, it is the most inconvenient time of year for such debris to accumulate within home gardens.

Roadside gutters, eavestroughs and their downspouts should drain efficiently. However, foliar debris can interfere with their drainage when it becomes most important. Roadside gutters are more accessible, so are easier to observe and clean. Eavestroughs and their downspouts may be beyond reach, but may need more cleaning if defoliation continues.

Foliar debris is unhealthy for turf, groundcover and shrubbery that it accu mulates over. It inhibits photosynthesis by

Resiliency

is typically an attribute. It is how silk tree, Albizia julibrissin, adapts to various urban landscapes. Unfortunately, it is also how it naturalized within a few ecosystems of North America. It grows easily from seed, whether or not it is appropriate to where it does so. Many naturalized specimens somehow find good situations in which to grow though.

With good exposure, most mature silk trees develop rather low but broad canopies. They have potential to grow taller than forty feet, but if not competing with taller trees, may stay half as tall. Their arching limbs flare elegantly outward in low mounding form. Their finely textured foliage provides appeal ingly uniform shade that is neither too dark nor too light.

The lacy and bipinnately compound leaves of silk tree are between half a foot and a foot long. Each leaf divides into as many as a dozen pairs of pinnae (leaflets). These pinnae divide into about twice as many pairs of pin nulae (leaflets of leaflets). Such minute foliar components disintegrate during autumn defoliation, and can disappear into groundcover.

The pink and fluffy summer bloom can actually be messier than the deciduous foliage. It does not disintegrate as it falls, so may accumulate on top of vegetation below. Cultivars generally bloom with richer pink color, although at least one blooms with white. ‘Summer Chocolate’ exhibits richly bronzed foliage that con trasts strikingly with pastel pink bloom. n

can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

Tony Tomeo

Falling leaves eventually become abundantly messy.

Silk tree leaves are bipin nately compound.

H a p p y T H A N K S G I V I N G

T h a n k s g i v i n g i s a t i m e o f g r a t i t u d e a n d I w a n t t o t a k e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y t o s a y t h a n k y o u t o a l l o f m y f a m i l y , f r i e n d s a n d c l i e n t s , p a s t a n d p r e s e n t . I t r u l y h a v e b e e n b l e s s e d m e e t i n g s u c h a m a z i n g f a m i l i e s , a n d w o r k i n g w i t h s o m a n y e x c e p t i o n a l h o m e b u y e r s a n d h o m e s e l l e r s . I w i s h y o u a w o n d e r f u l T h a n k s g i v i n g , a j o y o u s h o l i d a y s e a s o n a n d a h a p p y N e w Y e a r !

T h a n k y o u !