Aptos Times: January 15, 2024

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January 15, 2024 • Vol 33 No. 2

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Second District Candidates

With Zach Friend announcing he would not run for another term on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, David Schwartz of Corralitos, Kristen Brown of Capitola, and Aptos’ Kim De Serpa, Bruce Jaffe, and Tony Crane have all thrown their hat into the race for the Second District seat.

Candidate Q&A page 16-17

Zach Hewett New Aptos Football Head Coach Full Story page 6

PVQA Quilt Show: Feb. 24-25

2024 Rose Parade Local Teens Share Ride of a Lifetime

Paris Mahoney, 17, and Cavan Smith, 17, students at Oasis School on the Cabrillo College campus, practice at Trinity Rivers Equestrian, a program run by Michelle Mahoney on the campus of Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville. ... continues on page 4

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When the 135th Tournament of Roses parade stepped off in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, a two-hour spectacle of colorful floats and marching bands along a 5.5-mile route, two local teens who are avid equestrians got to participate in grand style.

Each year, Karen Foster looks forward to the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association’s annual show.

It’s a showcase of more than 300 quilts, and an opportunity to find inspiration for her next project at the “bargain garden” of donated fabrics and notions.

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No. 2

Volume 33

12

25

30

Table of Contents

7

Cover 2024 Rose Parade: Local Teens Share Ride of a Lifetime

5 6 7 8 9 10 13 22 23 27

Community News PVQA Quilt Show: Feb. 24-25, By Jondi Gumz Zach Hewett New Aptos Football Head Coach, By Jondi Gumz Kelly-Moore Paints: Sad Farewell, By Jondi Gumz Community Health Trust Awarded $2 Million to Develop Mental Health Center Meals on Wheels: Food from the Heart Fundraiser • Santa Cruz Chamber to Honor Matt Wetstein, Bruce McPherson Reading Pericles • Cummings Chairs County Board Meet Rydell Visual Arts Fellows Should State Mountain Lions be Protected?

Cabrillo: 3-Year Grant to Meet Student Needs A Peek at Ireland • Photos by Sarah Leonard

Business Profile 12 Curves Aptos: Changing Women’s Lives Through Exercise, By Teresa Hidalgo Dance Your Opinions 14 Time to Protest Water Rate Hikes, By Kris Kirby Board of Supervisors: Second District Candidates 16 David Schwartz • Kim De Serpa 17 Kristen Brown • Bruce Jaffe • Tony Crane Letter to the Editor 26 County Residents Sound off on March 5 Election Issues, Sheryl Coulston, Capitola Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Pluto Enters Aquarius & the Fourth Aquarian Salon, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 24 Men & Relationships, By Barry and Joyce Vissell 25 Come Experience The Mariner Expo Feb. 1: From Culinary Arts to Video Production to Drone Tech and More, By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal 27 Bareroot Season Begins in January, By Tony Tomeo 30 Watsonville Hospital Bond Measure, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Give This Queen A New Home

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COVER STORY publisher

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“Rose Parade” from page 1 The teens were thrilled by the invitation — and their Rose Parade experience.

Both girls ride half-Arabian horses, and they were asked by the Arabian Horse Association to join them in the parade. On the TV screen, it said the association was based in Sierra Madre.

Cavan wore classic Hunter style attire while Paris rode sidesaddle, like a proper Victorian lady, wearing a fuchsia jacket and riding skirt.

Ahead of the Rose Parade, they rode in EquestFest at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, along with the other horseback contingents.

At the parade, they got to meet people from many other organizations, including the U.S. Marines and U.S. Forest Service.

Cavan was surprised by how many floats and bands were in the parade.

“I had only ever watched the parade on TV, so the amount of people that came out to watch the parade in person is what surprised me the most,” Paris said. “I didn’t think there was going to be so many people!”

One special highlight was a stretch of road where the parade route starts to head down a hill, the view is one of a kind– “As you are at the top, you can see the whole parade in front of you, “ Cavan said.

Cavan rode a horse named Apaladore.

“We call him Blaze,” Cavan said. “Paris and I both used to show him but now he is ridden by kids at Monte Vista Christian School for physical education with Trinity Rivers Equestrian Center.”

Paris rode Pure Brandy Elegance.

“Brandy is a Half Arabian Western Pleasure and Hunter pleasure show horse I used to show many years ago around the age of 8,” she said. “Although she is mostly retired from the show arena she is still loved and enjoyed by the kids of Trinity Rivers Equestrian on the campus of Monte Vista Christian School.”

Paris Mahoney (left) dressed in a fuchsia jacket and riding skirt and Cavan Smith dressed in Hunter style attire.

Paris started riding at a young age.

“I have been riding my entire life, since my family are horse trainers and ranch owners,” she said. “I have been riding Arabians since one of my first horses, Foolish Question. Alongside Arabians, I have been riding in the Open Hunter Jumper world and have started competing in National Grand Prix level classes.”

In 2023 Paris had 4 wins and 3 second-place finishes in 1.35 jumper classes riding Cool Girl, Bowbore VDL, and in Germany riding Gran Torino Pj. Cavan’s best finish was 3rd at Interscholastic Equestrian Association Nationals.

Competitions coming up are this season’s

IEA regionals and in February we are attending Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Two years ago, Cavan switched to Oasis High School, an online school which offers more flexibility for students.

Cavan plans to attend a four-year college — and she is thinking about going to veterinary school.

Paris signed on to compete for the Fresno State D1 equestrian team. n Photos courtesy of Michelle Maloney ••• COVER PHOTO: The view of the Rose Parade in Pasadena from the perspective of participants in the parade.

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Clockwise from upper left: Cavan Smith and Paris Mahoney, on horseback, make their way down the Rose Parade route past hundreds of thousands of spectators. • Mahoney and Smith ride in the Rose Parade with the Arabian Horse Association. • The Rose Parade logo. • Local horses dressed in red roses for the Rose Parade.

PVQA Quilt Show: Feb. 24-25

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COMMUNITY NEWS

By Jondi Gumz

ach year, Karen Foster looks forward to the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association’s annual show. It’s a showcase of more than 300 quilts, and an opportunity to find inspiration for her next project at the “bargain garden” of donated fabrics and notions.

This year’s event, “A Galaxy of Quilts,” will take place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Santa Cruz Karen Foster County Fairgrounds: 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday.

Karen Foster will be the featured speaker Saturday at 2 p.m.

Foster, 62, of Capitola, describes herself as an improvisational quilter.

For her, quilting is all about creativity.

“I like to try to make it my own,” she said.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she learned to sew in 4-H and dabbled in painting, then dove in to quilting until about a dozen years ago.

She made a quilt for a friend having a baby and she was off and running.

While some quilters are all about executing a pattern, Foster said, “I prefer working organically.”

Indeed she has.

Some of the quilts you’ll see at the show: Predictable, in which turquoise and fuchsia colors echo those in the Venetian Hotel in Capitola.

Reflections, featuring colorful components made by members of Bee Sewcial, an international quilting bee.

Night Fancy, in which undulating strips of green and blue turn into the deep dark ocean currents.

Her work is recognized beyond our borders.

She is an “Aurifil Artisan,” receiving threads from the company, based in Milan, Italy, which posts finished creations by the chosen artists.

In August, her creation featuring Dresden blades with the flying geese was stitched together with Aurifil 12-weight thread.

Her work was selected for QuiltCon 2024, presented by the Modern Quilt Guild

Feb. 22-25 in Raleigh, N.C. – one selection being “Reflections” and the other a work of denim.

That show offers a $1,000 prize for the best original modern design, a $5,000 best of show and a $1,000 people’s choice.

For Foster, the prize money is not the motivation, but she does like to share her work at her illustrated blog, “Capitola quilter.”

As she says, “There isn’t a color I don’t like.”

The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association show fills three buildings and offers many special features: An exhibit of pandemic flotsam quilts — repurposing surgical masks and gloves found on the street in Oakland and Berkeley, created

by Bay Area artist Jenny Hurth, wearable quilts, a challenge of creating repurposed and sustainable wearables, “Bed Turning” with stories behind a number of quilts, which takes place multiple times, demonstrations, the bargain garden, a chance to win the raffle quilt, and a live auction of quilts Sunday afternoon. Admission is $15.

Lunch and snacks will be sold.

Find details at www.pvqa.org and click on the Quilt Show tab.

Covid policy of Fairgrounds enforced.

Parking is free and a shuttle will bring you to the show. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Zach Hewett New Aptos Football Head Coach

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By Jondi Gumz

he Aptos Mariners have a new head going as head coach. When I was the head football coach. track and field coach, recruiting the hallways Zach Hewett, 39, a 2003 alumnus was a core part of our strategy and roster and junior varsity football coach for nine building and it’s now just an innate thing years, succeeds Randy Blankenship, who that I do… having been the head track and held the reins for 14 years. field coach in the past, we’ve always had a Hewett chairs the physical education strong relationship between our track and department, teaches weight training, and football programs and I’m always going to was head track and field coach for six years. be committed to making sure that there’s no As a student-athlete, his event shortage of football players in was discus. our track program. But beyond Hewett has a bachelor’s that, we just want athletes degree from Willamette Uniand competitors and those versity in Oregon, where he come in all shapes and sizes. played football. He has a masPoint guards make great QBs, ter’s in athletic administration wrestlers are natural defensive from Ohio University. players, so on and so forth.”

“I left AHS to find my own Aptos families should not way for a while, but the idea expect a Randy Blankenship was always to return home,” clone.

Hewett explained. “I grew up “We have lots of commonZach Hewett here, went to AHS, my family alities and similarities, but we’re and closest friends are here, I love this town also different people and that’s OK!” Hewett and this community. But a primary force was emphasized. “I got a front-row seat to watch to come back and learn from Coach Blan- one of the greatest in CA history do his thing kenship while I tried to make myself ready and mentor me, but it’s a mistake to try to for this job when it did come up, whenever become him or act like him. When I took over that would be. I got to spend ~200-250 days the track program, it was a similar situation a year with him for 8-9 years, it was a tre- to Coach Dorfman where I got to learn from mendous period of learning and growth as a a legend, but I needed to take the lessons I’d person, teacher, and coach.” learned and apply them my way. There was Hewett comes with kudos from Aptos a lot about that program that resembled how High Principal Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, Ath- Coach Dorfman would have done it, but it letics Director Travis Fox, and Blankenship, was also done in a way that was authentic to who rolled up 300 wins in his 50-year career. me. I want our team to look a lot like how Blankenship’s teams dominated locally, they have for the last decade, playing fast, with eight League titles and four Central aggressive football that makes you think, Coast Section championships, and the team’s ‘Wow, they’re playing hard...’” field is named for Trevin Dilfer, son of NFL Hewett is listed on LinkedIn.com as a quarter Trent Dilfer, an Aptos alum. real estate agent. He told Aptos Times he has But this year’s team struggled with a 1-5 priorities. record in the strongest division of the Pacific “I’m a practicing real estate agent with Coast Athletic League, and overall 2-8. Oppo- my girlfriend of 6+ years, Kori Williams, but nents include Salinas, the defending league during football season, I’m a teacher first, champion, and two state champions, Palma coach second, boyfriend third, real estate and Soquel. agent fourth. She’s a full-time agent at David One of Hewett’s first tasks will be Lyng and is absolutely fantastic. Give her a recruiting more players. Aptos had 110 stu- call, she’ll knock your socks off!” dents in football last fall and 21 seniors are He describes Williams as “a dynamite graduating. volleyball player for Aptos herself as well as “It’s hard to replace so many seniors, playing at Sonoma State. Her father, Bob Wilbut this is the way it goes,” Hewett said. “A liams, was the head basketball coach at UC strong football program should be losing Santa Barbara for 20 years and is a great source ~20+ seniors a year if we’re doing our jobs of advice about all things coaching-related.” and making the program a place where Hewett’s parents, Eileen and Gary, live kids want to be. Recruiting the hallways in Felton and his older sister Sarah, who was always starts with building relationships a star softball and soccer player at AHS, lives and showing genuine interest in students as in Boulder Creek with his nephew Blake. people first, potential athletes second. “ At this time, Hewett is not a pet owner, He added, “I’ve had a good track record but says, “I would love to have an Irish wolfof success in finding and recruiting talented hound one day. I’m a sucker for any and all football players in the past and I’ll keep that goofy-looking dogs.” n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kelly-Moore Paints: Sad Farewell

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By Jondi Gumz

n Jan. 12, Kelly-Moore Paints, which has stores in Aptos, Santa Cruz and 61 more in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced the 78-year-old company would cease operations immediately and begin an “out-of-court wind-down of substantially all its business.”

Until last week’s layoffs, the company had 1,200 employees at 157 locations.

The closure announcement came from CEO Charles Gassenheimer, a former investment banker named to that role by the new owner in October 2022.

The buyer was the Flacks Group, which specializes in acquiring distressed businesses in hopes of orchestrating a turnaround. Purchase price was not disclosed.

Gassenheimer’s strategies included starting the process of relocating the Company’s headquarters from California to Texas, exploring new supply-chain partnerships domestically and abroad, planning technology and store upgrades, and resolving a sizeable portion of the pending asbestos claims.

For 30 years, Kelly-Moore Paints has been grappling with thousands of asbestos litigation claims related to its past use of asbestos in cement and texture products, a practice discontinued in 1981.

The company reported paying out $600 million over the past two decades to settle asbestos claims and a new study estimated future asbestos liabilities exceed $170 million.

Kelly-Moore said those settlements and the cost of defending against ongoing case filings led to a cash drain and inability to reinvest in the business.

The current owners also cited “insurmountable legal liabilities inherited” from their 2022 acquisition, including “millions of dollars of previously unpaid sales and use taxes” – and they will pursue their legal rights.

Kelly Moore Paints pursued opportunities for a potential sale, merger or reorganization, the announcement said, but with the unresolved asbestos litigation laying claim to revenues, it was impossible to attract any additional funding or interest to recapitalize, restructure or reorganize the business.

Neither a bankruptcy nor an in-court liquidation was

viable given the company’s inability to fund ongoing operations and its lack of owned real estate. All the facilities are leased so there were “no unencumbered hard assets that could be made available for distribution to creditors,” the announcement said.

The local store locations are prominent: Rancho Del Mar shopping center in Aptos, and Ocean Street in Santa Cruz.

As of last week, 700 employees were furloughed, as Kelly-Moore tried to persuade investors to come aboard and sought assistance from assistance from financial advisor Houlihan Lokey to raise new capital.

However, none of the interested investors stepped forward with a Letter of Intent, according to Kelly-Moore.

The announcement said Kelly-Moore employees will be fully compensated for regular time worked, and management will continue its efforts to collect receivables to pay all accrued benefits including paid time off.

“The ownership group’s commitment from day one was to fix the business if we could,” Gassenheimer said. “Sadly, no matter how great the Kelly-Moore team, products and reputation for service, we simply couldn’t overcome the massive legal and financial burdens that have been weighing on the Company for many years…My deepest sympathy goes out to our loyal employees, customers, industry partners and the communities where we do business, who have supported Kelly-Moore throughout its long history. Unfortunately, this was the only viable alternative remaining for us after evaluating all other potentially feasible options.” n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Community Health Trust Awarded $2 Million to Develop Mental Health Center T he Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley has been awarded $2 million in start-up funds from the State of California to open an allcove™ youth drop-in center in Watsonville.

On December 21, as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, the Department of Health Care Services announced $50 million in grant awards to 69 organizations to fund youthdriven centers that provide safe spaces, where young people can access a variety of mental health services and supports in a single location. Governor Newsom’s press release can be read here.

In addition to the Community Health Trust, the organizational partners for the new allcove™ Pajaro Valley include the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, and the United Way of Santa Cruz County. The partners, with diverse areas of expertise working with youth and in behavioral health, offer a wide array of experience to contribute to the development and

long-term success of the new youth center. allcove™ Pajaro Valley is estimated to open in downtown Watsonville in 2025.

“This is an incredible opportunity for organizations and individuals vested in the mental health of youth to leverage what already exists and build something with, by, and for youth that helps them be well,” said DeAndre’ James, Executive Director of the Community Health Trust.

According to the Santa Cruz County California Health Kids Survey, 44% of Santa Cruz County students in 2021 indicated they felt sad and hopeless almost every day. In this same year, 14% of Santa Cruz County students surveyed indicated that they had seriously considered attempting suicide; more than one-third (36%) of LGBTQIA+ students contemplated suicide.

Local pediatrician and project partner Dr. Garry Crummer has witnessed a significant

8 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

uptick in emotional and mental health issues in youth. “Approximately two-thirds of my daily clinic visits involve child and adolescent psychiatric issues,” said Dr. Crummer. “Our youth are feeling isolated and disconnected.”

The new center will be an integrated, holistic mental health drop-in center for young people ages 12-25, following the allcove™ model developed by Stanford University’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing. The center will provide support for mild to moderate needs in mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, family support, and supported education and employment.

The design of the new allcove™ center will be youth-driven with ongoing participation from youth through the establishment of a youth advisory group. The goal is to decrease the stigma surrounding youth mental health, encourage early access to

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“This is an incredible opportunity for organizations and individuals vested in the mental health of youth to leverage what already exists and build something with, by, and for youth that helps them be well.”

— DeAndre’ James, Executive Director, Community Health Trust

supports and care, encourage help-seeking, and help increase the knowledge, understanding, and importance of youth mental health and well-being. n ••• Founded in 1998 and serving a tri county area, the Community Health Trust is recognized for its leadership as a convener in the South Santa Cruz County area. CHT is motivated to foster an equitable Paja ro Valley with health, wellness and a full quality of life for all through access to resources, activities, and choices that help prevent illness and improve quality of life. Learn more at https://pvhealthtrust.org/.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Meals on Wheels: Food from the Heart Fundraiser

M

Friday, February 2 • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chaminade Resort & Spa, 1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz

eals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, which delivers 3,500 meals each week to older adults seeking food security and community support, announces the return of its signature fundraising event, the Food from the Heart luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the enchanting Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz.

A program of Community Bridges, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County relies on private donations as government funding has lagged, with 2023 nearly identical to 2010, creating a shortfall.

The Food from the Heart luncheon, in its 11th year, will be a Valentine-themed affair featuring romantic gift items for silent and live auctions, raffle prizes, lunch of organic roast chicken, wild salmon or portobello mushroom catered by Chaminade Resort & Spa, and recognition of this year’s Sweethearts and Community Champions.

Sweetheart Awards Gary Lenker and Katie Nunez Gary Lenker has volunteered at Meals on Wheels’ Live Oak kitchen and dining site for more than five years, generously donating up to 15 hours per week to support the program with its mission of feeding and visiting local seniors. A retired carpenter from Pennsylvania, Gary drove Meals on Wheels delivery routes for 10 years before joining the team in Santa Cruz. Today, he arrives at the

Manu Koenig

Bruce McPherson

kitchen at 6:30 a.m. daily to package up to 600 meals for each day’s routes. He also carries out administrative duties.

As the older adult services supervisor for Watsonville Parks & Community Services Dept., Katie Nuñez works closely with Meals on Wheels’ team members to welcome more than 200 participants annually to weekday meals and community at the Watsonville Senior Center, where 46% of participants live alone, 44% live in poverty, and 59% are Spanish speakers. Katie’s skillful coordination of senior center activities and facilities makes her feel like a member of the Meals on Wheels family.

Community Champions Manu Koenig | Bruce McPherson | Lifespan First District Supervisor Manu Koenig has provided thoughtful leadership to Meals on Wheels program, headquartered at the Elena Baskin Live Oak Senior Center and Annex.

“Meals on Wheels” page 10

Santa Cruz Chamber to Honor Matt Wetstein, Bruce McPherson

T

he Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce presents “A Night of Stars,” honoring the stellar contributions of our community’s shining stars from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

April 11 at the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz.

Honorees personified humility, innovation, and an unyielding spirit in surmounting adversities.

They are: • Person of the Year: Matt Wetstein, president, Cabrillo College • Business of the Year: David Lyng Real Estate • Organizations of the Year: United Way of Santa Cruz County • Small Business: Allterra Solar

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Reading Pericles T he Saturday Shakespeare Club, with the Shakespeare Workshop at UC Santa Cruz, plans five weekly meetings on Pericles, via Zoom beginning Jan. 20.

Each Saturday session lasts from 10 a.m. to noon, and usually includes a talk of about 45 minutes by an expert on Shakespeare followed by a reading aloud of a section of the text.

In the past “Pericles” was rarely played, but it is now regarded quite highly. Most scholars accept that the play was co-authored

by Shakespeare along with a dramatist and pamphleteer called George Wilkins. Perhaps because of co-authorship, the First Folio of 1623, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, did not include it.

The schedule is: Jan. 20: Introducing the play will be Michael Warren, UCSC Professor of English literature Emeritus, and dramaturg for many Santa Cruz Shakespeare productions. Warren has regularly been the Club’s initial speaker, providing informative and thorough foundation for a play’s understanding.

Jan. 27: Beth Lopes, a freelance theater director and educator based in Los Angeles, will speak. She has directed Pericles for the New Swan Theater at UC Irvine. This past October,

Beth spoke to the Saturday Shakespeare Club about her direction of “As You Like It” for the 2023 New Swan Shakespeare Festival— a talk that was received with much enthusiasm.

Feb. 3: A recorded lecture by distinguished Oxford Shakespearean scholar Emma Smith on the First Folio, which was published 400 years ago, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. If not for the First Folio, about half of Shakespeare’s plays would almost certainly have been lost.

Feb. 10: Julia Reinhard Lupton, a distinguished professor of English at UC Irvine and co-director of the New Swan Shakespeare Center, which partners with UCSC’s Shakespeare Workshop.

Feb. 17: Viewing a DVD screening of the Stratford Festival Production of “The Adventures of Pericles.”

There is no charge, but members are asked to contribute to Santa Cruz Shakespeare with a check, payable to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, to: Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. Or give at https:// santacruz shakespeare.org/ n ••• For Zoom link, email saturdayshakespeare@ gmail.com.

Cummings Chairs County Board

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ustin Cummings will chair the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for 2024, the first African-American in county history in that position.

He was voted by his colleagues to take the gavel from Zach Friend, who held that position in 2023.

“I’m deeply honored to accept this role from my colleagues and look forward to the year ahead as we work with our community to build a more equitable and just Santa Cruz County for all residents,” Cummings said.

Cummings will serve a one-year term.

Supervisor Felipe Hernandez was chosen vice chair.

A native of Chicago, Cummings has a background in environmental sciences with a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz in ecology and evolutionary biology. He was elected to the Santa Cruz City Council in 2018, then elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022.

“Meals on Wheels” from page 9 Fifth District County Supervisor Bruce McPherson provides leadership and advocacy for the San Lorenzo Valley area, where Meals on Wheels drives deep into the Santa Cruz Mountains to bring home delivered meal staples to more than 100 residents annually, as well as nurture the tightknit community that gathers for weekday meals at Highlands Park Senior and Community Center in Ben Lomond.

In 2023, Lifespan celebrated 40 years

Cummings represents the Third Supervisorial District, which includes the city of Santa Cruz and the North Coast, including Davenport and Bonny Doon.

The Board Justin Cummings meets at 701 Ocean St., 5th Floor, Santa Cruz. To view agendas and meeting materials, visit https:// santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/citizens/ default.aspx. n To monitor Board meetings online visit www.santacruzcountyca.gov, www.facebook. com/countyofsantacruz or www.communitytv. org/watch.

serving as the first geriatric/aging care management agency in Santa Cruz County, providing professional care management, social engagement and supported activities. n ••• All proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County.

Tickets are $120 per person at cbridges.org.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and to donate love-inspired auction item, contact Anna Vaage, senior development analyst, at donations@ cbridges.org or 831-688-8840 ext. 205.

Celebrating equity and inclusion for all.

Everyone deserves inclusive representation and dedicated allies. Kaiser Permanente is committed to destigmatizing disabilities and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Learn more at kp.org/santacruz For all that is Santa Cruz County. For all that is you.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 11

BUSINESS PROFILE

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Curves Aptos

Changing Women’s Lives Through Exercise

By Teresa Hidalgo Dance

urves in Aptos is all about people–-from its members to its coaches and to the community at large. Its 250 members trust the gym completely to help them reach their fitness and health goals.

The Curves coaches help provide a fun, fast, and safe exercise experience through a low impact, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) 30-minute workout that is unique to Curves.

The use of hydraulic resistance machines (and resistance bands for their online programs), instead of weights, make the workouts safe for all ages and fitness levels.

Whatever the long-term and short-term goals, Curves Aptos strives to help their members meet them. “They can come in and say, ‘I want to lose weight before my wedding in June,’ ‘I want to work on my core for balance,’ or ‘I need to lower my cholesterol,’” said Annette Hunt, owner of Curves Aptos.

“We are here to help you feel good about yourself and help you live your best life.”

Originally founded in 1992, the Curves franchise was born out of a necessity to create a fitness space where women felt comfortable.

“The standard gym can be intimidating for women. We replace that intimidation with motivation, accountability, and consistent training,” Hunt pointed out.

Particularly for those who might feel isolated or intimidated in other fitness settings, the community aspect of Curves has been crucial in motivating and retaining members.

This community spirit is perhaps the most distinctive feature of Curves.

The members work out to each other’s encouragement and support, and the coaches help provide accountability.

Curves Aptos is a premier club, meaning it offers all the services Curves has developed for its clientele. Its new Health and Wellness series not only offers weight loss and weight management programs, it includes Balance and Posture classes, Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor routines, and lifestyle coaching.

This is how Curves Aptos goes beyond physical fitness to provide holistic wellness.

Whether 25 years of age or 94, all of Curves Aptos’ members are thriving. Hunt explained that whatever a member’s physical condition, Curves can modify her workout to maximize the exercises within her limitations or else drive her to work out even harder than she thought possible.

Mary Jo Kutch, 83, and a 20-year veteran of Curves, affirmed, “I am a firm believer in preventative medicine and consider my workouts at Curves to be precisely that.”

Curves also plays a role in supporting charitable causes.

Curves North America, which is

12 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

currently owned by Krishea Holloway, fully supports the American Cancer Society, ALS Research, and Women Against Alzheimer’s among many other national non-political causes.

Curves Aptos, for its part, raised over $7,000 for Women Against Alzheimer’s and contributed as well to the local Second Harvest Food Bank last year. The Aptos club also participates in Natasha’s Run, a race through Nisene Marks to raise money to support the sexually exploited.

Last Christmas, the gym adopted three low-income families in the community through the holiday gift drive of the Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center.

Hunt has always been into physical fitness, starting off with dance as a young child, then as a cyclist, swimmer, and aerobic dance instructor, before taking over the Curves club in Aptos five years ago. A graduate in dietetics, she knew owning a Curves club would be a good fit for her. She finds fulfillment in the fact that her club is “keeping our members strong and changing people’s lives.”

Sherrie Glaum attests to Curves changing her life “tremendously.” She revealed, “I feel I’m so much stronger, the biggest thing for me. I am just so grateful that Curves Aptos is open.”

As with other Curves club owners, Hunt believes that Curves represents more than just a gym; it is a movement, a community, and a testament to the power of fitness solutions centering around women. n ••• Try a FREE Curves workout for yourself!

Give them a call at 831-688-2348 or stop by 7000 Soquel Drive, Suite 1, Aptos or visit www.Curves. com/get-started. You’ll be so happy that you did!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Rydell Visual Arts Fellows F our local visual artists have been selected by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to receive Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship awards for 2024 and 2025.

Each fellowship recipient receives a $20,000 award to further their artistic career

Louise Leong

along with an exhibition of their work at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

The fellowships help individual visual artists pursue their creative work and are made solely on the merits of their artistry and not tied to the completion of any specific projects. The awardees are Christian Rex van Minnen, Louise Leong, Maria Isabel LeBlanc, and Shirin Towfiq.

Christian Rex van Minnen lives and works in Santa Cruz with wife Ashley Muse and two children. He received a bachelor’s degree from Regis University, Denver, in 2002. His oil paintings have been exhibited worldwide and are in prominent public and private collections throughout the world. He also leads Western Biological, any experimental oil painting workshop whose focus is recreating an old masters workshop intent on rediscovery of indirect painting tech-

niques and close attention to flora and fauna of the Monterey Bay. Louise Leong is a cultural worker, printmaker, and illustrator from the San Francisco Bay Area. She creates work that draws attention to things that are overlooked, inspiring levity and connection through nostalgia and humor. In 2018 she co-founded Little Giant Collective, a printmaking studio and community hub in downtown Santa Cruz. Her work has been exhibited at Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, Incline Gallery, Silver Sprocket, Legion Projects (San Francisco), Radius Gallery, R. Blitzer Gallery (Santa Cruz), Pajaro Valley Arts (Watsonville), and in Macau at Fundação Rui Cunha. She is head of exhibitions at the UC Santa Cruz Institute of Arts and Sciences. She has taught artmaking workshops for UCSC Porter College and community organizations, and for the Prison Arts Project in the Santa Cruz County Jail through the William James Association. She has a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in studio art and education.

María Isabel LeBlanc was born in New Orleans. She is a first-generation American and daughter to Colombian and Cuban parents. Her practice investigates her relationship with the landscape, both as a documentarian and as a humanist. Her projects

Maria Isabel LeBlanc

concentrate on a specific geographical region of California’s Central Coast, where the land provides markers of time and history. Her current project, De la Luz, documents her ongoing exploration of the agricultural area south of Santa Cruz, just off Highway 1.

“Rydell Fellows” page 18

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From routine checkups to lifesaving procedures, our team has the expertise and the dedication to care for your heart—and the person around it. Learn more about our innovative services at DignityHealth.org/DominicanHearts.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 13

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14 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Time to Protest Water Rate Hikes

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By Kris Kirby

oquel Creek Water District is at it again.

After the past five years of 9% each year (54% total), they’re changing our fixed hook-up fees and rates again. Apparently we all conserved too much for their bottom line so they’re raising our hook-up fees by 60% and most rates by 10% starting in March, 2024, and 12% annually for the next four years.

Despite claims of dire groundwater emergency, expert consultants from Montgomery & Associates announced last month that “the groundwater basin is doing pretty well.”

Where are the District’s cost-cuts in spending? Remodeling their office twice with bullet-proof glass windows? Why isn’t the District selling valuable excess properties like the large parcel next to the District office (worth over $2,000,000) or the 200 acres owned on Glenwood Drive? The list of excess properties goes on and on, but the District does not sell it to help offset costs.

The District General Manager gets paid $400,000 with benefits annually and the top three management staff have been receiving ongoing $1600 and $1000 monthly bonuses since PureWater Soquel Project got started in 2019 and will do so until the Project comes online many months in the future.

The cost of the Pure Water Soquel project was originally $60,000,000 and is now approaching $200,000,000! The operational costs have more than doubled to $5,500,000 annually.

Despite receiving some grants and low-interest loans, the District is piling up tremendous debt due to the Project, but doesn’t have funding to pay for upgrading basic pipelines that rupture, like the recent Huntington Drive problem.

Rather than cut costs to be more efficient, the District wants to charge the rate payers more and more money.

These new water rate increases will drive our survival costs higher at a time when the

Despite claims of dire groundwater emergency, expert consultants from Montgomery & Associates announced last month that “the groundwater basin is doing pretty well.” cost of living is already staggering for many families struggling to make ends meet.

Many fixed income residents can’t afford showers or plant gardens because their water bills have been going up every year...and are about to go up even more!

A household that uses 5 units of water will increase from $97.84 to $127.36 in the first year and to $178.93 by the start of the 5th year. If you live in a mobile home complex and the bill for the whole complex is $6748.00 per month, the bill starting at the beginning of the fifth year will be $11,620.31/month!

This is all on top of our electric bills, grocery bills, gas, etc also going up.

When does it stop? It won’t, unless you send a written protest to the District that they receive by February 20.

All Soquel Creek Water District customers need to send in a Protest letter with their name, address, Assessor Parcel Number (APN) and signature to the District office by Feb 20, 2024. Go to www.protestscwd.com for more info.

We need you to help us get at least half of the customers to protest in order to stop this NEW rate change that will penalize those who have conserved the most water.

Soquel Creek Water District administration needs to be held accountable and demonstrate that everything possible is being done to avoid the steep rate and 60% service fee increases rather than digging deeper into our wallets. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 15

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: SECOND DISTRICT

JANUARY 2024

Aptos Real Estate Update Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

HAPPY NEW YEAR! In 2024 • It is a leap year, so we get a February 29.

• There will be an eclipse on April 18 — the moon will get completely in the way of the sun, darkening the earth in daytime.

• Wars continue — Israeli/Hamas and Russia/Ukraine, Myanmar civil war, and war in Sudan.

• 76 Countries covering 4 billion people will hold national elections including 8 of the 10 most populous countries: United States, United Kingdom and European Parliament, India, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia.

• 1/3 of the nation’s homeless live in California (181,000 / 650,000 total count).

56 “housing abundance” laws passed in the CA legislature in 2023 to begin rollout in 2024 to attempt to address the issue.

• The US Federal Reserve will do at least 3 interest rate cuts (UBS Chief Economist) and/or the Feds will do 6 rate cuts (Wall Street Journal); any amount of rate cutting will help the Real Estate world.

• In California, Security Deposits can no longer be more than one month’s rent.

• And … Amazon will begin selling cars in 2024 starting with Hyundai!

INTEREST RATES — As of 1/06/24, the 30year rate is 6.75%, (7.05% last month).

ACTIVE LISTINGS — 16 Active homes, 3 condos, 1 townhome for sale in Aptos, Average Days on Market (DOM) is a whopping 95 days, over 3 months on market.

High list is 733 Via Gaviota at $10 Million, now 100 DO., Low list is 3221 Redwood, 2 bed/2bath/1096 SF asking $789,000, 36 DOM. Median Home List is $1,500,000. Near Median: 744 Cathedral – 4b/3ba/1256SF, 92 DOM - $1,500,000, 417 Hillcrest, 3/2/1298SF, 40 DOM, $1,499,000, 300 Treasure Island – 3/3/1574, 52 DOM, $1,484,000, 179 Ramada, 3/2/1693, 38 DOM, $1,465,000. Condos: 3050 Marlo Ct#1 – 2/1/1045SF, $685,000 – 92DOM, 40 Seacliff – 2/1/828SF, $725,000, 81 DOM, Townhome: 7864 Tanias – 3/2.5/1863, $1,190,000, 47DOM. There is room for price negotiation on all Active listings.

APTOS SOLD PAST 30 DAYS —.8 houses and 2 condos sold in the past 30 days.

715 Clubhouse is high sale at $2,195,000 for 4/3.5/2438SF ocean view home, 40 DOM. Low house sale was 610 Nestora, 3/2.5/1554SF, 70 DOM, $665,000.

NEW LISTINGS FOR RUTH 308 CAYUGA — Spectacular Seabright remodel; asking $1,299,000.

306 SEASCAPE RESORT — Studio with fabulous ocean views, asking $639,000.

——— Call, email, text anytime and Get Results With Ruth!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Paid Advertising

David Schwartz

Kim De Serpa

Corralitos

Age: 69 Occupation: Owns tax preparation business

an additional $4,000 just to get the loan.

But, in the time the house was in escrow, the value went up What are the top by as much, so we issues for the 2nd went through with district? the purchase and are so glad we did. We he top issues David Schwartz need to create ways confronting the second district, not in any spe- that more people can buy vs. cific order, are infrastructure rent.

As an owner, you have (including roads), affordable protection against housing (homeless), permits, more crime, sufficient and affordable eviction and rental increases. water, taxes, and disaster Owning often gives you a way to move up as well. preparedness.

Many of these are Rent to own, could be a big interrelated. For instance, home- help. We may be able to get lessness is affected by affordable federal, State and businesses housing, which is related to helping with this. For renters, permits and water issues. So, we need to find ways to keep solutions to these issues will not rent affordable. If we offer low interest loans to homeowners be simple. to build ADU’s, where the rent What thoughts do you have on is tied to an agreed schedule boosting affordable housing, finding real solutions for home- for the life of the loan, maybe we can keep rents affordable lessness and the daily traffic for longer periods of time. jams on highway 1?

We could use the revenue ompletely revamp the permit process for home- from short-term rentals for this. owners, to make permits for The County receives 100% of ADU’s and basic home remod- this revenue for units in the Can you describe your family eling much more affordable in situation? Married/single? far less time.

Children/pets?

Community meetings to identify and develop neighhave been married to Natalain borhoods for higher density for 36 years. We have two housing, where the majority children, seven grandchildren of residents agree with the and two great-grandchildren. increases. Foster group homes, We also have two cats, small homes and local treatment George and Jenna. facilities in areas residents agree Your favorite spot are acceptable. in the 2nd district?

All public work needs to be y favorite spot in the planned ahead of time and allow second district is Seacliff for alternative routes without all State Beach, we walk there as roads being under construction often as we can. at the same time.

The beauty and power of The schedule of repairs the ocean in all its glory and should be provided by the potential are a wonder to behold.

County with estimated dates of You spend your starting and completion, with free time doing what? updates at least weekly on the n whatever free time I have, progress of each project.

I like to read mystery fiction, Can you talk about your work on my inventions, and housing situation? Homeowner enjoy the wonder and beauty of or renter? How does that help nature. you relate to 2nd District How long have you lived constituents? in Santa Cruz County?

What brought you here? y wife and I own a home.

When we bought our first have been here for 42 years home, we had to take out a first A good friend of mine and second mortgage to afford moved here in 1980 and spoke of the purchase. the incredible beauty of the area.

The second had four points “Schwartz” page 21 added to the loan, that cost us

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Aptos

Age: 56 Occupation: Medical social worker

Recently the school district and citizens in the Santa Cruz area passed a What are the top school bond which issues for the 2nd includes a plan for district? workforce housing.

This will assist their he top issues for district in recruiting second district Kim De Serpa include issues with new teachers and the planning department, with staff. Surrounding districts are citizens waiting many years for looking into implementing a permits, complaints about roads similar model. and lack of maintenance, lack I would focus on capturing of infrastructure for cell phone housing dollars from all sources service and internet connection including grants from state and disruptions in electricity. and federal agencies, working The cost of housing is a top issue with the housing authority to for all districts. maximize programs on the local Top issues countywide level, supporting our partners include the need for housing like Eden, Adobe, Mid Pen and at all levels from low-income Chispa among others to build our to market-rate housing. Our affordable housing. I will pledge teachers and staff, medical to include our local experts from professionals and first our realtor and developer groups responders deserve to live in in order to understand risks a community where they can and barriers to projects that will afford to buy a home. In terms benefit our local populations and of low-income housing, our need for increased housing. county currently has long or Regarding unhoused closed waiting lists for senior peoples, our state and governor housing and almost no dis- are making historic investments abled housing available for in services for our unhoused people with mobility issues populations. In our county who require accessibility. we have moved the needle a The state asked us to great deal, thanks to targeted update our housing element in housing navigation and case our unincorporated areas and management and increased it appears that we will need to housing ie hotel conversions. identify and build nearly 5,000 This focus has housed a great units. If we do not approve deal of vulnerable people. This these units, developers will takes a tremendous amount of be able to build in identified work. I know this because of my locations without potentially work as a medical social worker. planning approvals.

I have personally housed many Our lack of housing is medically fragile, unhoused impacting our county’s work- people with health, disabilities force needs in negative ways. It’s or mental health needs. so expensive to live in our county From start to finish, this that it’s hard to recruit and retain work is extremely difficult and excellent staff to fill vacancies in even after securing a section 8 all levels of employment across voucher, finding suitable housing many sectors. remains challenging. Often times What thoughts do you have on unhoused people need mulboosting affordable housing, tiple supports including case finding real solutions for home- management in order preserve lessness and the daily traffic their housing. I will continue to jams on highway 1? advance policies to expand efforts orking collaboratively in providing our most vulnerable with other jurisdictions citizens housing, health care and will assist with a comprehensive behavioral health supports in plan for affordable & other order to stabilize their lives. These housing. Allowing stakeholders efforts should be equally offered to advise on these issues is key to county wide with cooperation identifying, assessing, planning throughout the region. and executing efforts towards “De Serpa” page 20 solutions.

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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: SECOND DISTRICT

Kristen Brown

Bruce Jaffe

Capitola

Age: 37 Occupation: Vice president of government relations, Silicon Valley Leadership Group; two-term Capitola City Council member

Can you talk about your housing situation? Homeowner or renter?

How does that help you relate to 2nd District constituents?

Kristen Brown am a renter What are the top issues for in Capitola the 2nd district?

Village. In the last 7 years he top issues I see in that I have been on Capitola the 2nd District, and City Council, I have had to throughout the County, are move twice. Both times, I felt housing, transportation, and the concern that comes with wondering if you will be climate change.

These are interrelated able to find housing within issues that we need to your price range, especially since I had to find a place address comprehensively.

Being the most within the small footprint of expensive housing market Capitola city limits in order in the Country is driving to stay on City Council.

I have seen my parents, more people away from our area, causing more people my sister and her family, and to commute further to get several friends, relatives, to where they need to work and neighbors move hours and play, and leading to away in order to find a more increased greenhouse gas affordable housing market. emissions. These issues are I want to work towards impacting the quality of advancing solutions that life in our otherwise ideal allow our locals to remain local. community Can you describe your What thoughts do you have family situation? Married/ on boosting affordable single? Children/pets? housing, finding real solutions for homelessness have been married to my and the daily traffic jams husband, Nick Brown, for on highway 1? a year and a half. We have am interested in focusing a deaf Jack Russell terrier on increased affordable named Fender and a grey housing production, preser- tabby cat named Wally.

Your favorite spot in the vation of current affordable 2nd district? housing stock, safeguarding rental assistance, and t’s a tie between Nisene other housing protections, Marks and the Capitola investing in our transpor- Wharf.

Both provide tation and transit systems, opportunities for reflection, and mitigating the impacts of recreation, and reminders of climate change that impact all how fortunate we are to live areas of our region, from the in this County. coast to the mountains.

My husband and I like I have already been to take our dog to Nisene engaged in this work for Marks to explore the trails several years in my roles and take in the therapeutic as Vice Chair of both the nature of the forest.

Regional Transportation Before Capitola Wharf Commission and Metro shut down for repairs folTransit District, former Pres- lowing the January 2023 ident of the Association of storms, we used to walk down Monterey Bay Area Govern- to the Wharf early on weekend ments during our Regional mornings, order a breakfast Housing Needs Allocation burrito from the Wharf House process, and active member Restaurant, and spend a few of the Monterey Bay National hours fishing off the wharf.

Marine Sanctuary Foun“Brown” page 19 dation Advisory Committee.

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Tony Crane

Aptos

Age: 68 Occupation: Oceanographer

the outdoors; my favorite spots are the beach and redwoods.

What are the top I especially issues for the 2nd like the stretch district? of beach from Manresa Beach to he top issues the Pajaro River. for the 2nd Bruce Jaffe My favorite redDistrict include affordable housing, home- woods are Forest of Nisene lessness, climate adaptation, Marks.

You spend your free time equity, social justice, disaster doing what? resiliency, transportation, public safety, public health, hen my body is and community welfare. healthy enough, I play What thoughts do you have beach volleyball. on boosting affordable I also enjoy biking and housing, finding real hiking. solutions for homelessness How long have you lived in and the daily traffic jams Santa Cruz County? on highway 1?

What brought you here? ncreasing affordable have been here for 43 housing, decreasing years. homelessness, and lessI came to Santa Cruz ening daily traffic jams County because of the on Highway 1 require not quality of life here. We only County resources, have the beach, ocean, and but also State and Federal redwoods. resources.

What prompted you to run?

It all begins with good know it sounds cliché, leadership and working but I am running for collaboratively. Water is a supervisor to make a limitation on housing and difference. my leadership at the Soquel My background Creek Water District and includes working on the Santa Cruz Mid-County climate change, sea level Groundwater Agency is rise, and disaster response helping solve the water with world experts as a crisis. professional geologist/ I would like to serve the oceanographer. I have a County, as a supervisor, to PhD in Earth Sciences from increase affordable house, UC Santa Cruz and a Masfind real solutions to home- ter’s in Oceanography. lessness, and the daily traffic My comprehensive jams on Highway 1. understanding of enviCan you talk about your ronmental challenges housing situation? Homepositions me uniquely to owner or renter? How does tackle pressing issues such that help you relate to 2nd as disaster resilience and District constituents? climate change and its am currently a home- impacts on the county. As a owner, but I rented for the Director on the Soquel Creek Water Board for 21 years, first 40 years of my life.

I can relate to the issues now servings as the Presof both homeowners and ident of the Board, I have contributed to solutions to renters. water sustainability for our Can you describe your County. family situation? Married/ When I was first single? Children/pets? appily married, 2 elected to the water board, children college age, 2 our community was facing seawater intrusion that dogs. would contaminate our Your favorite spot in the water sources.

2nd district? o many great spots in “Jaffe” page 21 the 2nd District. I love

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Aptos

Age: 61 Occupation: Mortgage advisor

but they are sketchy.

Homelessness — This is a very What are the top broad term with issues for the 2nd many nuances. district?

S o l v i n g he main focus the problem for for my canthose that have Tony Crane didacy is to hold fallen on hard county officials accountable. times and just need a hand Our democracy requires up to get a fresh start has a a robust media that is willing separate solution than the to challenge the system and chronically homeless that hold people accountable. suffer from mental illness or Infrastructure — Our drug addiction which often roads are horrible. This has go hand-in-hand. been the case as long as I can Thank you Captain remember. This is an essential Obvious! The former can service of government and be resolved through addiour local government has tional affordable housing clearly dropped the ball. efficiently placed near the Our taxes are supposed commercial centers where to provide for this basic the jobs exist. service yet we are relying on Short-term financial state and federal grants to support or housing make up for years of neglect. supplements would be Our roads are the lifeline necessary with a robust of our economy and need to monitoring system. These become a priority. I think systems already exist but that the rail and trail is a those in charge of the wonderful futuristic solution programs must also be but we should not entertain monitored and held to a the idea until we have solved high standard. This flows other, more critical issues. into traffic and public What thoughts do you have transportation. on boosting affordable Traffic — It is my housing, finding real opinion that the traffic we solutions for homelessness are experiencing is the result and the daily traffic jams of poor long-term urban on highway 1? planning. Widening the ffordable housing — freeway without a plan for This is clearly a priority, sustainable growth will just however, the avenue by be a temporary fix. which we achieve the goal The current solutions needs to be reimagined. of free public transporBuilding housing is a tation and safe and sane for-profit endeavor so the bike paths are great, but problem and process starts we live in a society built with a dichotomy that is hard on roads and cars. We to overcome when private have become creatures of interests are involved. convenience and instant As a mortgage pro- gratification. A paradigm fessional, I know from shift is required to really experience that once the units make a difference. A exist, it is hard to navigate the public/private campaign system and then it is difficult focusing on incentives is to qualify those in need. worth looking at.

The Measure O and Can you talk about your Measure J systems need to be housing situation? Homerevamped which probably owner or renter? How does requires more personnel. that help you relate to 2nd ADUs are a hot topic but they District constituents? are currently cost-prohibitive have been a homeowner for most homeowners. since 1997.

There are some inter“Crane” page 20 esting offers in the market

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“Rydell Fellows” from page 13 De la Luz was photographed in film, primarily with a 4x5 view camera. She works as sole craftsman, from the moment the negative is exposed to the creation of the final silver gelatin print.

She has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia, Athens. She also pursued photographic studies at the Atlanta College of Art. Her work has been exhibited at Light Art Space (Silver City, New Mexico), Sparks Gallery (San Diego), Stonehenge Gallery (Montgomery, Alabama), Center for Photographic Art (Carmel), and Atlanta Legal Aid (Atlanta, Georgia).

Her work has been featured in Lenscratch Magazine, Analog Forever Magazine, PDN Photo, and Rfotofolio. She has given artist talks at Open Show Santa Cruz and Open Show San Diego. She is a member of Diversify Photo.

Shirin Towfiq is an interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis on installation, sculptural photography, textiles, and printmaking.

Drawing from her heritage as a secondgeneration Iranian refugee, her artwork explores the complexities of belonging and placemaking through archival research and intergenerational communication with a diasporic lens.

She focuses on everyday practices of belonging and visual culture, as produced by migrants, and reflecting on the traces of diaspora to investigate cultural memory,

Chistian Rex van Minnen

history, and temporality.

••• Roy and Frances Rydell established the Roy and Frances Rydell Visual Arts Fund at the Community Foundation in 1985 to promote Santa Cruz County artists and arts organizations.

Following their passing, their estate was bequeathed to the foundation. Their gift has generated more than $1.7 million in fellowships for artists and support for Santa Cruz County visual arts organizations.

The Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship program was developed with input from the

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local arts community to honor the wishes and intent of the Rydells in establishing the fund.

The fellowship program, now in its 18th year, has issued $20,000 awards to 38 artists. Gifts allow artists uninterrupted creative time to focus solely on their work and its impact on our local community and the larger world.

Susan True, CEO of the Community Foundation said, “Through their work, this new cohort of Fellows illustrate how artists help us understand and reflect on today’s issues.

From exploring personal identity and cultural heritage, to focusing on our relationship to land and our food systems, or finding beauty in the overlooked and the surreal, this group offers creative works that will be meaningful to a wide range of audiences. Roy and Frances Rydell understood the role artists play in helping us make sense of experiences we share, and we know they’d be pleased to see these artists’ visions supported.”

Sixty-nine artists applied for this round of fellowships from candidates nominated by 58 local and regional visual arts organizations

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and former Rydell Fellows. Nominees were limited to working artists, 25 years or older, who reside in Santa Cruz County and are not enrolled in a degree-granting program.

Nominating organizations were asked to consider the broad disciplines the Rydells thought of as part of the visual arts: Painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, installation, mixed media, stage set design, photography, costume design, textiles, glass, film and video.

In October 2023, three nationally recognized arts professionals met at the Foundation to judge the artists’ works and select fellowship recipients. They are Dr. Rhea Combs, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.; Michael Chavez, Public Art Program Manager for the City & County of Denver; and Alison Burstein, Curator at The Kitchen, a celebrated artist-run space in New York City.

The $80,000 in new Rydell Fellowships were complemented by another $250,000 in unrestricted grants made to local arts organizations this spring.

“The strength of our local arts sector depends on the strength of artists and their ability to create here, and the health of institutions that support them,” said Kevin Heuer, Community Foundation director of engagement & impact. “Together, Christian, Louise, Maria Isabel, and Shirin showcase the diversity, depth of imagination, and vibrancy of what’s being created here in Santa Cruz County. The Rydell Fellowships and grants we make from the fund are all about celebrating the visual arts, advancing artistic achievement, and integrating art into civic life. We’re delighted these investments mean audiences around the county will get more opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and engaged.” n ••• The 2022-2023 Rydell Fellows (Kajahl Benes-Trapp, Anna Friz, Kristiana Chan, Janette Gross) will be featured in the Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition at Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., in downtown Santa Cruz

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“Brown” from page 17 I never catch anything bigger than an anchovy — but I love witnessing the marine life and looking out over the coastline as it curves from Capitola village all the way around the bay to Monterey.

I find so much joy and peace in both of these places.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? y family has been in Santa Cruz County for 4 generations, though my parents moved us to Tracy for 8 years during my childhood before moving back to Capitola when I was 16.

I’ve personally been back living in the county for the past 21 years now. During the 8 years we lived in Tracy, we returned to Capitola every weekend because my mom and grandma played music in venues around the county.

My mom would pick my sister and I up from school on Friday, drive us down to Capitola, play a gig with my grandma on Friday and/or Saturday night, and then drive us back home on Sunday.

What brought you here? y parents eventually moved the family back to Capitola after 8 years in Tracy because they missed their hometown.

What prompted you to run? care deeply about this community and have a passion for finding public policy solutions to some of our toughest challenges in order to improve our overall quality of life.

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I have extensive experience in this work, and I love doing it.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf n 2022, I was president of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), the agency tasked with managing our regional housing needs allocation.

At that time, the AMBAG board was responsible for developing the methodology for allocation of housing needs to the region’s jurisdictions.

There were robust conversations both in the AMBAG meetings, and among myself and planning staff at AMBAG, about concerns over the requirements that were being handed down by HCD. However, to refuse to update the housing element, or ‘push back’ in any way that does not comply with State law only puts us at risk of losing even more local control.

When a jurisdiction is found to not have a compliant Housing Element, they risk being subject to what’s known as the “Builders Remedy,” which essentially allows for developers to propose projects that do not comply with any zoning codes or general plans.

Telling the state that we will not comply with our requirement to update our Housing Elements and plan for the number of units they assigned us because the auditor’s report showed flaws in their

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assumptions will not protect us from the Builder’s Remedy.

For this reason, I would rather spend the coming years working with our State elected officials to ensure that HCD is using sound assumptions and verifiable data in the next Regional Housing Needs Assessment cycle rather than defying the State and putting us at risk of losing the local control we currently have.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? hese are reasonable concerns about the resources required to support a growing population. Some issues — like those around clean water and electricity capacity — are already starting to be addressed.

Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel project provides advanced treatment to wastewater that is then used to replenish the groundwater basin and prevent saltwater contamination into our drinking water, allowing for a drought-proof water supply.

As we move into the future, we will likely need to consider additional innovative methods of water conversation and supply sustainability.

In terms of electricity, Santa Cruz County, along with all of the cities within the County, are part of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), a community-owned energy nonprofit that is on a path to sourcing 100% clean renewable energy by 2030.

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However, 2CE energy is still transmitted through PG&E infrastructure, which continues to face challenges with reliability.

Recent state legislation is looking to address this issue, though continued partnership with our state elected officials will be necessary to advocate for the ongoing energy needs in our community.

Road repair is also an ongoing issue in the county, since there is only approximately $200 million in unrestricted funds out of a $1.1 billion budget to use for things like repair of the more than 600 miles of roadway in the unincorporated county.

Moving into the future, it will be important to identify additional funding mechanisms in order to expedite road repairs and prevent the bad roads from becoming even worse.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? support legal cannabis cultivation and distribution businesses. Within the state of California, 56% of counties and cities do not allow any type of cannabis business.

Santa Cruz County, however, has legislation in place that takes care to consider both the needs of the cannabis industry as well as the needs of the county residents.

It is important that any changes or updates to cannabis business regulations strongly consider impacts to residents, neighborhoods, and existing businesses. n

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“Crane” from page 17 As a contractor, I have relied on sweat equity to put me in my current situation. I do not envy those in our district who need to rent. It is a high bar. Given my personal experience in my neighborhood, I worry about the rights of homeowners who have worked hard to live in this expensive area.

There are those that will infringe on these rights and then throw the term NIMBY around like it is a universally bad position.

It is the right of homeowners to protect their interests and probably the biggest investment they have ever made.

In many cases, it is the most determining factor in retiring comfortably.

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets?

Married for 27 years, 4 kids (34, 23, 18 and 18), 2 dogs Your favorite spot in the 2nd district?

You spend your free time doing what? y favorite spots are my home and the beach.

My free time is used for projects around the house, doing things with my wife and kids (mainly sports/working out), riding my e-bike, and hanging with friends How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? What brought you here? have lived here for 41 years, and the Santa Cruz lifestyle is what brought me.

What prompted you to run? n 2017, County and Encompass officials purchased a house in my residential neigh-

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“De Serpa” from page 16 With regard to Highway 1 traffic, it’s a battle that has been going on for several decades. I commuted on Highway 1 for several years and it pains me to see the backups often extending past Buena Vista in the mornings. Our citizen workforce is required to spend at least two extra hours of their lives commuting, taking them away from precious time with their families.

The local electorate overwhelmingly struck down Measure D, definitively opening the way to continue with plans for a mass transit solution on the railway. I hope to advance plans for this during my tenure.

Additionally, auxiliary lanes along with a bike trail is underway and should be built with expediency. Multi-modal transportation should continue to be offered in our county with bus transit, safe biking, housing built closer to services and transit corridors and other innovative solutions should be explored.

Homeowner or renter? How does that help you relate to 2nd District constituents? have been a homeowner since 1998 after purchasing my first home in Seacliff.

In 2003 I moved out into the rural Aptos area where I’ve owned a home for the last 20 years. I do think I can relate to many in my district and in particular in terms of rural needs.

I also have served our county as a social worker and understand the crisis of how expensive our rental market is. I have seen several families living in homes or even garages.

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borhood using a grant funded by the State of California (California Health Facilities Finance Authority).

The sole purpose of the grant funds ($1,126,000) was to purchase a property that could accommodate an 8 “bed” facility where “guests” experiencing a mental health crisis could “respite” for no more than 2 weeks at a time.

Residential zoning does not allow a facility where more than 6 “persons” “reside.”

At a public meeting on Aug. 21, 2017 with County and Encompass officials and our neighborhood in attendance, the question was asked: When would the mandatory increase to 8 “beds” occur?

Officials said: 1) There was no plan to increase capacity to 8 “beds” at that time.

2) No licensing for the program was required.

3) They had a 2-year extension to complete the implementation.

We made a FOIA request for all emails between the County and Encompass for several months before the purchase of the property to months after. These internal emails contradict statements made by officials at the public meeting.

There was a directive to expand to 8 “beds.”

Here are the emails: June 29, 2017: Senior Health Services manager Christine Sippl emails: Erik Riera’s direction on this is to complete the purchase and move a max of 6 people into the house

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets? am married to a wonderful physician who is a local neonatologist serving all local hospitals but employed by Stanford.

Together we have 6 grown children, many of them young adults. One of our daughters has special needs and her condition informs my knowledge of local services how they work or do not work to serve our local disabled population.

Our pets include three dogs, two cats and a beta fish.

Your favorite spot in the 2nd district? y favorite spot in the second district is Nisene Marks.

I love the redwoods and am a graduate of Humboldt State and really love the beauty of our forests.

You spend your free time doing what? n my free time I enjoy gardening, cooking and spending time with my family.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf am a firm believer that we do need more housing in our county. The limited stock has driven up home prices & caused rents to become astronomical.

Our medical staff, teachers, firefighters and law enforcement as well as our general workforce have trouble affording to live here putting strain on our systems and economic vitality. Our county suffers because we struggle to attract the excellent workforce our population needs.

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over time during the first year, without a big public announcement, and to use that first year to establish good relationship with neighbors, establish trust and a track record and then go through the process with Planning and Licensing to then convert the house to a Social Rehab for 8 residents during the second year… Monica and Erik plan to meet with Zach Friend soon and this will further inform our approach for working with neighbors.”

July 14, 2017: Director of Adult Services Pam Rogers-Wyman emails: “We have a hard date with CHFFA regarding the date for license of the end of December 2017. In my discussion with Erik today, I advised him that was not enough time to get licensed He said he had a very difficult time getting CHFFA to agree to that delay so we don’t have any wiggle room. We will need to proceed with the licensing process asap. We can advise CHFFA after we are underway that we are making a good faith effort that we are making every attempt to get licensed as soon as possible, …I know we are losing the ability to move into the neighborhood and not alert neighbors to the program by moving forward with the licensing process but we don’t have a choice.”

(Editor’s note: Erik Riera was Santa Cruz County’s director of mental health services.)

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf es, I will push back due to that very reason.

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I will push back if county staff and stakeholders indicate that our environment cannot support the increases that have been proposed.

I did read the auditor’s report and it appears errors were made in the calculations in some counties with not enough housing proposed. I pledge to collaborate with county staff, regional groups and other stakeholders to ascertain what works best in our areas. I am known for standing up for constituents and for doing the right thing.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? ecause I’ve lived in a rural area of Aptos over the last 26 years I am well aware of these issues. I believe our county needs a fair share of revenue in order to improve road maintenance, emergency services, cell phone and broadband coverage, access to homeowners’ insurance, improved permitting processes and alternate energy sources.

I too am concerned about water issues and hope we can find innovative ways to conserve and store water. As far as running out of room, I think we need to build smartly in terms of design and in areas near work and transit corridors.

This serves to reduce pressures on scarce agricultural land as well as make it more convenient for our workforce to access alternative transportation and services.

I will fight for increased revenue for our

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For example, at the community meeting for the Cabrillo housing proposal they tried to hide the fact that the Environmental Impact Report they are using was from 1999!! Only when I pushed the issue did they fess up.

Somehow this has been legally justified.

This is an example of the foreseeable disaster of the state mandate.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? es, I agree whole-heartedly. The once charming little hamlet of Santa Cruz is becoming something that is unrecognizable and unsustainable. Poor planning!

If I wanted to live in San Diego or LA Beach towns, I’d move there. Is that the vision for Santa Cruz? No thanks!

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling?

I am a proponent of legal cannabis for a few reasons, safety and economics to start.

I urge my kids to avoid it because, from personal experience, recreational use is a waste of time.

Growing and selling has been going on here for generations. Why would we change that and send our revenue elsewhere? n

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county in order to better meet the needs of our infrastructure.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? am in favor of legalized cannabis. I graduated from Humboldt State University and was aware of the industry (though not legal at that time) as far back as the 1980s.

After legalization, the state and counties were anticipating tax revenues that have been untenable due to the highly regulated nature of production and sales. Our county has made amendments easing some of these rules.

Many growers in our region have not been able to break even due to oversaturation of production and the very expensive taxes and fees locally and at the state level.

Santa Cruz County has been more mindful compared to nearby counties. Also hurting our legalized growers is the black market.

Nonetheless according to projections, the industry will continue to grow by about 12% per year.

This industry will continue to provide employment for workforce across our region.

Some people point to a need for more dispensaries or other places to sell product including pharmacies and perhaps this would increase revenue.

I believe responsible use of cannabis products and resulting revenues generated are a positive development. n

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“Jaffe” from page 17 I worked collaborative with the County, City of Santa Cruz, private well pumpers, the Central Water District and smaller water agencies to solve the problem of seawater intrusion by being instrumental in forming the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) and served as its first chair.

The MGA also is working to collaborative solve the problem of water during droughts. Among my personal qualities that prepare me for being an effective supervisor are good listening skills, open mindedness, patience, pragmatism, transparency, and being a critical thinker.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf aintaining the quality of life for the County requires thoughtful planning for future housing. The state is requiring Santa Cruz County to plan for an increase in housing; this is being done in an update to the Housing Element of the General Plan that substantially complies with state law.

If the County does not have a plan that is in substantial compliance, developers can invoke the so-called “Builders Remedy” that, according the Association of Bay Area Government, “requires a local agency to approve an eligible housing development project despite its noncompliance with local development standards.”

The actions of the current Board of Supervisors indicate that they do not want others to control the future of housing in the County. I agree.

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“Schwartz” from page 16 My brother and I decided to come down a year later and check it out. I have been here ever since.

If your main enterprise is Deja View Farm, tell me about the challenges & blessings of running an organic farm. arming is not my main enterprise.

My wife and I do love producing organic food. But, there are just too many government rules, regulations, and requirements for our farms.

Even with eight certified organic acres being farmed with micro-drip irrigation, we still need a State license, must report the use of certified organic products used, and pay for water used from our own well.

Being a farmer also makes me aware of the air, water, and transportation issues involving District 2.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf e need to not only push back, but make the State responsible for any costs associated with the mandate.

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People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? oom for new residents, enough water, reliable electricity, and maintenance of roads are challenging issues for our County.

I can address what is being done to ensure a safe, reliable, sustainable water supply for Soquel Creek Water District, where I have elected to the Board for six terms and am current the President of the Board.

The Board realized the need for additional water beyond what nature can provide through rainfall. The need for additional water is even more pressing given that droughts are forecast to become more frequent and more severe with climate change.

The Soquel Creek Water District is implementing a water purification and seawater intrusion prevention (seawater contaminating our groundwater would make it unusable) that is slated to be operational next year. This project will provide the additional clean water needed by the customers and will improve environment at the same time.

The possibility to increase the water production of the project in the future holds the promise of water for parts of the County outside of the Soquel Creek Water District if it environmentally feasible.

What’s your position on legal cannabis business, growing and selling?

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

I haven’t formulated an opinion. n

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People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? hey are partially correct. It is not that we don’t have the space (land) to build, but that we don’t have the essential services.

Although we have little control over people moving here, we do need to deal with the infrastructure needs, to avoid catastrophic failure.

Roads, water, sewage, housing, medical care, electricity, the list goes on. Without these essential elements, life in Santa Cruz County will be negatively impacted by the State mandates.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? ny legal business should be allowed to operate successfully, without undue influence.

We shouldn’t need separate treatment of one business over another. But, we must always strive to understand the needs of our constituents. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Should State Mountain Lions be Protected?

P eople in Aptos, Soquel and Boulder Creek frequently report sightings of mountain lions in neighborhoods.

Mountain lions are provisionally protected and a final decision to offer them permanent protections is expected this year by the California Fish & Game Commission.

To reach the commission, see https://fgc.ca.gov/.

How many mountain lions does California have?

Counting mountain lions is not easy. State officials had estimated a population of 6,000, and a new study modeling GPS collar data and genetic information from scat estimates 3,200 to 4,500.

Email your thoughts to info@cyber-times.com; put mountain lions in the subject line.

Here is the 2020 announcement from the Center for Biological Diversity: ••• In April 2020, responding to a petition from the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity and the Mountain Lion Foundation, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 5-0 to advance Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions to candidacy under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The vote follows a February 2020 finding by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that increased protections may be warranted.

The unanimous vote triggers a year-long review by the department to determine if these populations should be formally protected under the Act. The Act’s protections apply during the candidacy period.

22 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Female mountain lion, P-33, in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“This is a historic moment for California’s big cats and rich biodiversity,” said Tiffany Yap, a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson and primary author of the petition. “These ecosystem engineers face huge threats that could wipe out key populations. But with state protections, we can start reversing course to save our mountain lions.

Wildlife officials deserve a big round of applause for moving to protect these amazing animals.”

Genetic isolation due to roads and development threatens the health of the six puma populations included in the petition. Despite a more than 30-year ban on sporthunting, some mountain lion populations have low survival

rates due to high levels of human-caused mortalities. Major threats include car strikes, poisonings and sanctioned depredation kills.

Researchers with the National Park Service, UC Davis and UCLA warn that if nothing is done to improve connectivity for these wide-ranging large carnivores, populations in the Santa Ana and Santa Monica mountains could go extinct within 50 years. And those in the Santa Cruz, San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains are showing similar patterns.

“We’re grateful to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for their efforts and proud of the commission’s leadership to protect California’s mountain lions,” said Debra Chase, CEO of the Mountain Lion Foundation. “By advancing these mountain lion populations to candidacy, they are helping to ensure that these iconic cats inspire future generations.”

State protections under the Act will help address the many threats these lions face. Local authorities will need to coordinate with state wildlife experts to ensure that approved development projects account for mountain lion connectivity.

State agencies also will have a legal mandate to protect mountain lions. This could include building wildlife crossings over existing freeways; crossings have been shown to help maintain wildlife movement and reduce costly and dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions. State officials will also need to re-evaluate the use of deadly rat poisons in mountain lion habitat. And the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be able to develop and implement a mountain lion recovery plan to help facilitate coexistence with mountain lions. n

Monarch Services Distributes 500 Warm Coats

By Maria Barranco, Program Director, Monarch Services

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onarch Services participated in the One Warm Coat initiative and received over 500 coats and successfully distributed them to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

One Warm Coat is a community-driven effort dedicated to supporting survivors and their families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

The initiative aims to raise awareness, provide support, and foster a sense of togetherness within the community.

••• Monarch Services has a 47-year history in Santa Cruz County, providing advocacy and services to women, families, and children affected by violence.

Services include court accompaniments, restraining order assistance, counseling, emergency confidential shelter, 24-hour crisis/support line, outreach and education, and support groups.

Monarch Services is the only rape crisis

center in Santa Cruz County and includes an emergency response team.

All services are available in Spanish and English and are free.

For further information about Monarch Services, please visit our website at monarchscc.org.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call the Monarch Service crisis support line at 1888-900-4232 24/7. n ••• Editor’s note: For more about One Warm Coat, see https://www.onewarmcoat.org/

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo: 3-Year Grant to Meet Student Needs O n Jan. 5, Cabrillo College announced a three-year grant totaling $633,334 to support programs that address students’ basic needs and improve graduation and transfer outcomes.

The grant will help Cabrillo College’s Nourishment and Essential Supports Team (NEST) Resource Center in Aptos improve students’ social, emotional, academic, and career development by creating a more centralized college navigation system connecting them with resources for food, housing, transport, and technology, as well as health and wellness coaching The grant will also enable Cabrillo to establish a NEST Resource Center at its Watsonville Center.

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Basic Needs - Supporting Student Success Program.

The goal is to have a ‘single stop’ model where students can get needs met in one place.

“For many college students in our 19th Congressional District, the

cost of living can make it difficult to attend school full time and get on with their careers,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley). “This federal funding will allow Cabrillo College’s one-stop NEST Resource Center to better assist students in navigating available community resources, provide counseling, and a supportive environment. This federal investment is another important step to help ensure students’ success in the classroom and in our community.”

“Cabrillo students are experiencing the most extreme levels of housing and food insecurity due to a severe shortage of affordable housing and the extremely high cost of living in Santa Cruz County,” said Matt Wetstein, Cabrillo president and superintendent. “We are grateful for this grant, which will allow our NEST

Resource Center to become a one-stop resource for our students, connecting them with the basic needs that often become a barrier to completion.”

Cabrillo staff will partner with Second Harvest Food Bank and Salud Para La Gente to refer students stable and sustainable food and healthcare resources.

Cabrillo NEST staff will also continue to work with the Santa Cruz County Continuum of Care partners to address housing insecurity.

The grant outcomes include increasing the number of students served at the Aptos and Watsonville NEST Resource Centers, as well as increasing the number of online students served by an online food ordering system.

The goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students served with basic needs grants by 300%, thereby increasing their persistence, completion, graduation, and/or transfer Another goal is to connect 300 additional students with health, mental health, and accessibility services. n

Recycling App Wins Congressional Challenge

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.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announces the winner of California’s 19th District’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge: Oakli, created by Caitlynn Sue, a student from Leland High School in San Jose.

Her app, “Oakli,” helps people recycle properly with a game-like system. With a tap of their finger, users can classify an object and get specific instructions for recycling that object from their county.

Caitlynn will be invited to the 2023

#HouseofCode Event in Washington, D.C., in spring 2024, and have her work being displayed at the U.S. Capitol for the remainder of the 118th Congress.

This year, 40 high school and middle school students in the 19th Congressional District participated in the challenge, developing 24 original apps tackling issues such as sustainability, education, and social justice.

“Caitlyn Sue” page 24

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U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta with Caitlyn Sue, creator of Oakli recycling app.

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Trek Bicycles for All Types of Riders

Dr. Judy Force, DVM

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Men & Relationships

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ver the years of working with men and their relationships, not to mention my own 59-year relationship with Joyce, I have seen some central issues emerge. The last thing I want to do is generalize, saying that all men do this or feel that.

However, I have seen certain tendencies which apply to many men. If any of the following applies to you, take it to heart. If not, let it pass, but be sure you are not in denial.

And women, please read the following. It may apply just as much to you.

1. First, learn to take better care of your heart.

Yes, by all means take care of your physical heart with proper nutrition and exercise. But also take care of your heart of hearts, your soul. Many men seem to have a tendency for workaholism, or as Swami Beyondananda calls it, the “do-be-do-be-do” imbalance. Many men are preoccupied with doing and spend too little time being.

How about starting the day with a time of stillness, deep breathing and selfreflection? There are other ways you can find to nurture your inner life, like spending time alone in nature, reading uplifting books, or taking time throughout the day to give thanks for all the good in your life. “Soulwork” is a necessary precursor for fulfilling relationships.

Plus, your partner will often feel less burdened knowing you are taking care of yourself.

2. Voice your appreciation to your partner and to all your loved ones.

We, as men, often tend to remain silent, assuming our loved ones know how much we love them. Or we assume our actions speak louder than words. Of course, our good deeds can convey our love, but it is not enough.

Our words of appreciation are nectar to the ones we love. More than simply saying “I love you,” let this person know exactly what it is about them you appreciate in each moment. Overcome your embarrassment about being poetic.

“Caitlyn Sue” from page 23 “With our daily lives becoming more and more integrated with our digital world, our young people will need to flex their creativity, ingenuity, and technical skills in order to compete in the global economy,” said Panetta. “The Congressional App Challenge provides a unique experience for students to test themselves and think outside-the-box to solve real world problems through the power

By Barry and Joyce Vissell

Your partner may be hungry for heartfelt expressions of love.

3. Learn how to be more vulnerable.

Intimacy is “into me see.” We need to let our partners see us more deeply. We need to feel and express our feelings. Yes, we as men sometimes feel hurt or afraid, but we’re often taught to keep it well hidden. Outwardly, we often present a strong, competent image.

Showing our human frailty to our loved ones gives them a very wonderful gift of love.

When we feel sad, instead of covering it up with activity, we can share it with a loved one. Instead of jumping into an angry posture every time we feel hurt, the vulnerable (and courageous) approach is to reveal the hurt feelings directly, without anger or resentment.

Whenever I have done this with Joyce, I have short-circuited a potentially long, drawn-out argument. When I only show her the anger, I am keeping myself defended, and lose out on the love I could be receiving.

4. Ask for help.

We as men tend not to ask for help enough. This can be another way to become more vulnerable. Ask for help with physical things, but also ask for help with your emotions, such as sadness, shame, or fear.

Showing your partner that you need their help empowers them and allows them to love you more fully. Perhaps the most vulnerable thing I do is to let Joyce know how much I need her love. Rather than appearing “needy” to her, she sees me as being strong and courageous.

It’s empowering to feel needed.

5. Learn to be a better listener.

Really listening to our partner is a profound gift. Often, we can’t listen because there is so much clutter in our own minds and emotions. Or we often listen with the purpose of fixing a problem.

Most of the time, there is nothing to fix, but plenty to compassionately hear.

Also, taking better care of ourselves and being more vulnerable will help us to be more present with our partner – and listen more deeply.

6. Practice taking the lead in the relationship.

Too many times, we as men yield leadership to women when it comes to the relationship. It often comes across as, “Here, the relationship is your thing. You make it work better.”

Women can’t help but resent this attitude.

Let’s make our relationships just as important as our work. When we are dying, we won’t regret spending more time on our job. It’s our relationships that more deeply nourish our souls. Initiate relationship growth.

Ninety percent of the couples who register for our retreats are signed up by the women. Invite your partner into a deeper conversation or to read aloud from an inspiring book. Initiate anything meaningful.

7. There is no substitute for inner child work.

Remember that your partner has an inner child that needs parenting by you as much as you need parenting by them.

It can bring such sweet joy to give this parental nurturing to your partner. Make it a practice to sometimes see past the grownup, powerful adult to the innocent little child in your partner. Gently, and tactfully, invite your partner to be held in your fathering arms in a physically non-sexual way.

It is so important to not have physical sexual energy mixed in with fathering energy.

Likewise, allow yourself to feel the little boy within you who needs the love and comforting embrace of the parent within your partner.

This is another way to give a profound gift to your partner, and deepen the relationship as well.

8. Reach out more to other men.

Many men tend to isolate themselves from meaningful relationships with other men. I have observed that many men are nearly starved for father/brother love.

Because of our fear of this need, we have pushed away half the population of the earth.

Practice vulnerability with other men, and you will find it becomes even easier to be vulnerable with your partner. Deepening your friendship with a man leads to deepening your friendship with yourself.

And this allows you to become more accessible to your partner.

••• If you want to go deeper, Joyce and I encourage you to read our two books, To Really Love a Woman and To Really Love a Man. Also, please consider attending my annual men’s retreat, Men Living from the Heart, March 15-17 in Willits, for a powerful, experiential journey into the heart of manhood.

Our newest book is A Couple of Miracles: One Couple, More Than a Few Miracles. n ••• Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 10 books including “A Couple of Miracles” and a free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org

of technology. Caitlynn, along with the other finalists and participants in this year’s Challenge, produced exceptional projects that should make us excited for future innovation in our community.”

Second place went to Anya Li and Andrew Li of Notre Dame High School in San Jose for their app, “Green Habit,” which provides ecofriendly reminders throughout the day.

Third place went to Aarini Naskar and Shriyanka Hiremagalur, also from Notre

Dame High School, for “Girlz Elevate,” a platform for young women to connect with each other on mental health, academic and peer pressures, and self-esteem.

Judges included: Santa Cruz County Office of Education Chief Technology and Innovations Officer Jason Borgan, U.C. Santa Cruz Department Chair of Computational Media Magy Seif El-Sasr, Naval Post-Graduate School Assistant Professor of Computer Science Marko Orescanin, UCSC Assistant

Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Owen Arden, and Western Growers Vice President of Innovation Walt DuFlock.

Winning apps are eligible to be featured on the House of Representatives website, www.House.gov.

The Congressional App Challenge was launched in 2015. n ••• For info on how to get involved in future competitions, visit: www.congressionalapp challenge.us/

24 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

When we feel sad, instead of covering it up with activity, we can share it with a loved one.

Instead of jumping into an angry posture every time we feel hurt, the vulnerable (and courageous) approach is to reveal the hurt feelings directly, without anger or resentment.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Come Experience The Mariner Expo Feb. 1

From Culinary Arts to Video Production to Drone Tech and More

A

re you ready to think about next year’s classes? In January, we dive into the course selection process for the next school year. We encourage our students to challenge themselves and expand their paradigms by taking Career Technical Education (CTE) classes.

Our CTE courses elevate our students by providing classes with skills that immediately apply to the real world. Many of our CTE classes are self-selected or have few to no prerequisites to enroll. Because the level of rigor often equates to a collegelevel course, many classes also provide a “grade bump,” for example making a B equivalent to an A. Our Aptos High School CTE classes connect to eight current pathways: Culinary arts, film & video production, residential and commercial construction, graphic design, visual and commercial art, health science and medical technology, drone technology, and public services.

In our food services and hospitality program, Skyla Higgins brings her restaurant

Janie Houser, a top wrestler at Aptos High with 24 pins, won the Second Harvest Food Bank video contest with this promotion of the holiday food drive featuring her teammates. View the video at https://www.facebook. com/reel/352971920717154

By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal

expertise and gifted ability to inspire students in how to transform ingredients into a masterpiece of dishes through culinary arts.

They work in teams to market, plan, and create meals. They develop menus and create recipes that they have to explain and justify in budget and flavor.

Our students also earn their “food safety license” which involves learning chemistry and food hazards. The license, ServSafe, provides food and beverage training and certification exams designed and required by many restaurant and foodservice professionals. We have a 99% completion rate on this exam, making our students marketable and restaurant ready.

In our film & video production classes with Joel Domhoff, our students have won numerous awards and earned paid opportunities. Recently, our students Janie Houser placed first, winning the title of “Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Influencer of 2023.” Scarlett Stateler and Nahla Alcaraz received honors in the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Video Contest. Second Harvest has featured all three of them on their social media channels.

Last spring, Kenzie Smith, Monreve Maguire, and Carina Kessler won a local video contest with Your Future Is Our Business (YFIOB), which connects students and local businesses. The three winning students were honored at a community luncheon.

Additionally, our local community TV airs AHS short films and documentaries in these classes on Xfinity channel 27 and Spectrum channel 73 by clicking on “SC Currents, Channels 27/73” tab at https:// communitytv.org/watch.

Recently, KSBW highlighted our residential and commercial construction CTE courses. Our students learn through handson projects. Their final project is designing and building tiny houses. Our students participated in a statewide contest in Sacramento last spring, thanks to our teacher Dusten Dennis. Students’ work with tiny houses provides a potential solution to a myriad of housing needs in our county. Community partners, including Granite, have actively and financially supported these projects.

Christopher Carothers, our CTE graphic design teacher, prepares our students by using Photoshop and InDesign to create new movie posters to socially conscious messages. He brings decades of experience as a graphic design entrepreneur and award winner for his talent. His students are playing with images, fonts, and colors. They learn to critique and support each other professionally.

We also offer CTE Visual & Commercial Art in graphic arts and photography. Joe Smith teaches graphic arts; Veronique Marks teaches our photography classes. They use the art and design 21st century skill standards which strengthen our students in communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

In health science and medical technology, our two chemistry certified teachers Mikayla Heffner and Lisa Homesley are preparing students through the courses of technology

of biology, applied chemistry and biotechnology, and hopefully next year, the science and ethics of biotechnology in collaboration with Cabrillo College.

Our science chairs, Joseph Manildi and Doug DeMuth, have been co-developing our drone class in collaboration with several partners.The newest CTE Land and Sea drone class learns about aerodynamics and building a prototype.

“Mariner Expo” page 26

Geography 101

ACROSS

1. Village People’s “____ Man” 6. Certain tray content 9. Little bit, in Mexico 13. Ammo in a quiver, sing.

14. Geological Society of America 15. Young eel 16. Song of praise 17. Snowy ____ or great horned ____ 18. Must-haves 19. *Strait between Russia and Alaska 21. *Smallest of the Great Lakes 23. Crime scene evidence

24. Peter the Great, e.g.

25. Consumer-protecting org.

28. Skiing helmet manufacturer 30. Mother-of-pearl, pl.

35. Type of sail, pl.

37. #29 Down anagram 39. Like Raphael’s cherubs 40. Face shape 41. Tie with a morning coat 43. Dwarf buffalo 44. Short version 46. “At ____, soldier” 47. Supposed giant Himalayan 48. Drool 50. Swimming hole 52. D.C. V.I.P. 53. Jim Acosta’s announcement

55. *Baltic ____ 57. *0∫ latitude 61. *Bay east of India 64. Cuban dance 65. John Keats’ “To Autumn,” e.g.

67. Fortune teller’s card 69. Jeered 70. China’s drinkable export 71. Bird-related 72. Dick and Jane’s dog 73. “Slippery” tree 74. Lean, past tense

DOWN

1. *Atlas page 2. Speedy steed 3. First Nation nation 4. Squirrel away 5. Possessing

6. Full of excitement 7. *Opposite of NNE 8. Saintly rings 9. Guilty, e.g.

10. Last word on walkietalkie 11. Ghana money 12. Guesstimate phrase (2 words) 15. Catch in a snare 20. Nigerian money 22. A Bobbsey twin 24. Steel on boots, pl.

25. *Inlet in Norway 26. Abalone seeker 27. Olden day calculators 29. *Compass ____ 31. TV personality Aiken 32. Ancient Scandinavian characters 33. What actors do

34. *Iberian Peninsula country 36. Serb or Croat 38. Comme ci, comme Áa 42. Past or present 45. Group of five 49. Actor DiCaprio 51. Like floss 54. “That’s all she ____” 56. Tequila source 57. Work units 58. Wisecrack 59. Rounded protuberance 60. Aid in crime 61. Show pleasure 62. Cantatrice’s offering 63. Student aid 66. *Tierra ____ Fuego 68. Big bang maker, acr.

© Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 25

Pluto Enters Aquarius & the Fourth Aquarian Salon Esoteric Astrology • Mid-January 2024 • By Risa D’Angeles

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he first months of 2024 is like the calm before the storm. I will say something interesting here. As we progress into the new era of Aquarius, and into 2024 and then into 2025, the only thing, subject, reasoning, art, science, understanding that will make sense is astrology. Why? The language of Aquarius is astrology!

It will be important to take up the study of astrology in order for ideas, events, realities, people, life itself in the Aquarian era to be understood. Pluto entering Aquarius is a signpost that we are quickly entering Aquarius, sign of the future, of freedom and of humanity itself.

Aquarius pours forth the “waters of life for thirsty humanity.”

Which, by the way, is also astrology! The waters of life are symbolic of a new light, vibration and electrical energy in the air. The light contains the new information we need to navigate an entirely new age!

Ages are eras of time. Ages last 2,500 years! Entering a new age is a profound experience for humanity. The topsy turvy inside out turmoil, disorder, confusion, tumult, havoc, unrest, upheaval, instability, and chaos in our present world has much to do with the ending of one age (Pisces) and the unfolding of the new age (Aquarius).

Why is it profound? There is a shift of elements, focus, values, ARIES

Saturn is restructuring and redefining your relationship to the divine. Deep inner feelings are beginning to form, thoughts of past lives perhaps, of karma, of grace, sacraments and blessings. What is your religion, your spiritual practice? You are simply going to redefine your relationships with God. And new behaviors, actions, and virtues will be the result. In partnerships you will come closer or remain apart based on Goodwill.

Something deep within provides strength. Let yourself be that strength.

TAURUS

Your everyday tasks, agendas and work consists in your recognizing what needs to be completed, reordered, given away and repurposed, concerning all resources and possessions, asking what’s important, what is a priority? I think you need assistance and help in these tasks. During the next four months the art of asking for help and being gracious in daily life emerges. Health matters will also be a focus. You are efficient in both. Use your resources wisely, care for your health, and remember kindness in all matters. Kindness matters.

LEO

As Aquarius unfolds, the lions of the zodiac will be called to not only cultivate their talents and gifts, but they will be called upon to share those talents and gifts with humanity. Therefore your communications and community work will be redefined.

In the past you have been recognized for the quality of your work and leadership. Now newer and bolder steps will be needed. You’ll assess how, what, when, where and with whom is in need of care. You will define the context of your service.

In the meantime, it’s good to tend to family and siblings with equal compassion and understanding care.

VIRGO

In the upcoming months notice if you are redefining your values. You will continue to ascertain the value of your time, your abilities and resources. You’ll seek ways of solidifying and building what you have. Each day you awaken with a plan. But then something occurs and plans change. Be aware of needing to pivot and then adapt when something new appears. A love of something new emerges. It makes you happy. Stepping into the flow of the waters of life, you are calmed and soothed.

GEMINI

I wonder if you can define, recognize and identify your creativity.

In the coming months you will note your creativity emerges from various sources: books you’ve read, writings you’ve done, letters you’ve written, love affairs, children in your life, salons you attended, the art of conversation, or perhaps simply walking about here and there in neighborhoods, gardens, forests and meadows. Should you not be able to identify your creativity, then the question is what would you want your creativity to be? The opportunity for knowing and defining it is now here.

LIBRA

A new age and a new year is unfolding for humanity. We are in an interim time. Libra is the sign that brings forth harmony and peace when conflict and chaos arise. As the times change, your appearance and how others perceive you will change too. All your virtues will shine forth. You may feel quite alone at times. The next months are a time of retreat - tending, reinvention, updating and improving. There’s someone you love who also needs tending with the greatest of care. Tend to them with prayer.

CANCER

You may find yourself turning from the outer world and facing inward — towards what is for you an inner sanctum and refuge, which is most likely your home and place you define as a foundation.

Some will remember clearly their childhood home, how they were (or were not) nurtured, nourished and provided love and beauty. Some will go about redoing, redesigning and redecorating. Some will go to culinary school. A new beginning will be sought. A new self-identity is cultivated.

Rays, energies, planetary and constellational influences. We don’t remember living 2,500 years ago when the age of Pisces began. From historical documents we know a holy birth occurred then, an event that transformed the world.

What does it mean to enter a new age, specifically the new era of Aquarius? Our Sun, which gives light and life to earth and our solar system, has moved into the area in the sky called Aquarius. Aquarius is the sign of community, humanity, freedom, ingenuity, technology and humanitarianism. At the heart of Aquarius is love.

Upcoming: The 4th Aquarian Salon will be Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m., PT right before Pluto enters Aquarius, after 15 years in Capricorn. Pluto will shift from Capricorn (earth) to Aquarius (air). As Capricorn is slow and precise, Aquarius is an all of a sudden type of energy — rapid, quick, surprising, here now, gone tomorrow! Whereas Capricorn stabilizes, Aquarius is a shaft of golden light, a lightning bolt. Life will change for everyone!

Read Risa’s daily writings on Risa D’Angeles FB page or her website

SCORPIO

A great inner shift is occurring to you. You will begin to see and feel and experience with all that’s been hiding, all of your past, anything emotional that has upset you in the past twenty-eight years. You’ll discover habits that no longer work, fears you thought were left behind, and a litany of actions needing assessments. All these you tend to as a warrior. The purpose is a restructuring of self so your future has a solid foundation.

Then your new world work emerges.

•••

SAGITTARIUS

I wish much for you; that your hopes, wishes and dreams be fulfilled. In the coming months certain groups of people with specific ideas will be of interest to you.

You discover the need to work with a like-minded group seeking to serve humanity in ways that open the doors to liberty, love, light and happiness. You discover a way to realize these aspirations for yourself. You will be tested as to your sincerity. New structures will be formed. Success follows.

CAPRICORN

Happy Birthday, Capricorn (sign of the unicorn on a mountaintop under the midnight sun). Birthday celebrations should last an entire month. You will be supported this year. Those close will see how dedicated you’ve been in the past years in caring and helping others. It’s good to now tell us what you need. You are allowed to be happy. A new life direction begins to emerge and soon a foundation is built toward new goals. Life changes. Flow with the Aquarian waters of change and each day, ask the Angel of Beauty to stand with you.

AQUARIUS

You’ll become a bit more philosophical, pondering upon gratitude and spiritual realities, observing life from an ever-widening lens. In daily life you interact with all of humanity — musicians, artists, adventurers, philosophers, writers, healers and intellectuals. New Aquarius energies will be flowing through the air. You will recognize them. All previous beliefs will be challenged and you help others understand what the Aquarian Age is all about. Meaningful events and people enter your life. You embrace them with curiosity, intelligence and love.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

PISCES

You feel the need, an actual push to bring forth new ways of working with people, new therapies, new education, offering new information. It may be important to create new financial structures.

The time has come for more serious plans to be activated. You have been free and easy with everything, both personally and professionally. This will need to be adjusted.

Your prayer each day — “I know O Lords of Life and Love about the needs of humanity and the world, touch my heart with love so that I too may love and give and do my part in the world.” There will be a response.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR County Residents Sound off on March 5 Election Issues here are a lot of issues in the county that affect us in our day to day living in this county.

• The cost of living with everything going up.

• Homeless — I know, where is this not a concern. But the camping on streets in neighborhoods ... there has to be a better way. Can they pull into the fairgrounds, the county building’s parking lots?

• Medical Care — this should be No. 1 probably, but it fits with cost of living.

Due to cost of living here it is hard to get new doctors. Our clinics are short staffed.

Trying to find a new doctor is almost impossible. Trying to get into a specialist takes months. They make appointments at urgent care. You can be turned away if you didn’t get an appointment. If you call for an appointment it can be 5 or 6 hours or more... Urgent means urgent.

• Preschool Problems — We have an 8-month-old granddaugher who lives in Aptos. They have been visiting preschools to get on a wait list at 8 months?! They were telling me the prices per month for just 2 days ... $10,000/year – $2,000 a month. or more. How can a young family do this?

• Consumer Help — At every turn it is harder and harder to shop. Nob Hill Foods/Raley’s is a prime example and the topic of all my gal friends almost weekly.

They have an app with coupons and you have to activate them to get an ‘activated’ price. What a waste of my time … but it is money saved. I’ve written to the store several times about these practices being discriminatory. My 95-year-old neighbor shops there. She doesn’t get the deals. It discriminates if we don’t have the app for that. She needs the deal more than I do but she doesn’t get it.

— Sheryl Coulston, Capitola

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“Mariner Expo” from page 25 They fly drones, and they have worked with Joby Aviation, colleges, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office to see how drones are evolving throughout our community. Students have learned about FAA rules and regulations, examine legal and responsible safety guidelines, and engage in science and ethics dialogues.

Our emergency response pathway includes a fire technology course available and housed in Watsonville later in the day.

Our district continues to develop more CTE opportunities, thanks to Julie Edwards who oversees all of the PVUSD CTE programs including the courses at AHS. Our work aligns with state and national CTE standards and pathways. n ••• If you want to learn more about programs and classes at Aptos High School, please join us at the Mariner Expo on Feb. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center/Main Gym.

COMMUNITY NEWS A Peek at Ireland • Photos by Sarah Leonard

Dingle Peninsula

River Liffey in Dublin

Tralee

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Bareroot Season Begins in January

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By Tony Tomeo

hristmas trees and associated items are no imposition for nurseries. They are seasonal while not much else is appealing to a retail market. They occupy retail area that summer and autumn commodities relinquished earlier. Then, they relinquish their same space as bareroot stock becomes seasonable. The chronology is very coincidentally very efficient.

Bare roots are dormant for winter.

Bareroot season is not actually contingent on the end of Christmas tree season. It begins with winter dormancy of bareroot stock. This dormancy merely and fortuitously coincides with Christmas. It is as effective as anesthesia for surgery. Basically, dormant stock goes to sleep on a farm, and awakens in a new home garden. Timing of the process is critical.

Bareroot stock initially grows in the ground rather than within nursery cans.

Separation of its roots from the soil they grew is harmless during dormancy. Both roots and stems need simultaneous pruning.

Then, stock is ready for transport without soil. Some gets packing of moist sawdust in plastic bags. Most awaits resale from bins of moist sand at nurseries.

Bareroot stock has several advantages to more familiar canned nursery stock. It is much less expensive. It is also much less cumbersome. So, not only are more items affordable, but also, more fit into a car at the nursery. Their relatively small roots systems are easy to install. More importantly, without binding, their new roots disperse much more efficiently.

Deciduous fruit trees are the most popular

bareroot stock. This includes stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, plum, prune, peach and nectarine. Also, it includes pomme fruits such as apple, pear and quince. Roses and cane berries are likely the second most popular of bareroot stock. Persimmon, pomegranate, fig, mulberry, and nut trees are also available.

Some of the more unusual bareroot stock is available only from online catalogues.

More variety seems to become available locally though. Elderberry has only been available in California for the past several years. Currant and gooseberry are variably available here. Artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberry are perennials that are available bareroot. Cultivars of blueberry and grapevines are available.

••• Heath eaths, which are several species of Erica, derive their name from their natural habitats. They are endemic to shrublands of acidic and seasonally dry soil of inferior quality. Such ecosystems, or heaths, do not sustain many big trees or shrubbery. Species from heaths should be resilient to dry chaparral summers. However, they dislike locally alkaline soils.

H

This is unfortunately why heaths are quite rare within gardens here. They are popular as blooming potted plants for winter, but become scarce afterward. Within planters of potting media, they may grow and bloom for many years.

In the ground though, they are likely to languish without acidifying amendment.

They prefer the company of coniferous species.

H e a t h blooms for winter or very early spring. Heather is a similar relation, Heath for winter. Heather for but blooms summer. for summer or autumn. Floral color ranges from white to pink to rustic purplish pink. Flowers are dinky but abundant. Comparably dinky evergreen leaves are like soft juniper scales.

Almost all available heaths grow less than five feet high. Most grow less than a foot high.

••• Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo. com.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MAH 2024 EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is pleased to announce its exhibition program for 2024, which WAS YOUR HOME IMPACTED includes solo and group shows, collaborative partnerBY A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER? ships, and the return of its biennial, countywide multi-arts If you are a Santa Cruz County property owner whose To participate in or support this program, call (831) 479-6101 or festival. home was impacted by the 2020 CZU fire or either of the Highlights from the season include: the return of the visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/cabrillo-youth-strings.

Winter Storm disasters of 2023, the Santa Cruz County Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship showcase; a retrospective Office of Recovery & Resilience is seeking your feedback of renowned landscape painter Richard Mayhew; a EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOUGHT on the rebuild process and new financial recovery support Leadership Santa Cruz County is now hiring an executive director, group exhibition about Filipino migration and labor in resources may be available. the Pajaro Valley presented with UC Santa Cruz; an a part time position with salary commensurate to experience.

Share your experience via anonymous survey. Your exploration of photographic media with Ansel Adams, The executive director is responsible for carrying out the feedback will help county staff better understand re-build Norman Locks, Karolina Karlic, Shelby Graham, Binh mission of the organization under the direction of the barriers and improve county ability to support your Board of Directors. Applicants should be familiar with the Danh, and Edgar Cruz; a touring exhibition of works recovery goals. It may also help open additional doors to by contemporary Black artists including Ed Clark, Tunji inner workings of Santa Cruz County’s institutions, its support your recovery.

Adeniyi-Jones, Mickalene Thomas, Kara Walker, Tavares decision makers, and current affairs.

The survey is at http://tinyurl.com/2023-winter-storm-survey Strachan, among others; CommonGround, a 10-day The executive director plans and coordinates the The Curious World of Seaweed festival of outdoor art and performance hosted across program for each class year and is expected to be RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES the sea floor. Yet seaweeds are supreme eco-engineers, the county; and an in-gallery, immersive Afrospeculative active and visible in the community working with other oxygenating the waters and creating habitats for countless The Red Cross and the National Football League are experience featuring Bay Area muralists Timothy B, Zoe governmental, business, and nonprofit organizations.

This partnering in January, during National Blood Donor Month, organisms, keeping our planet Boston, and Shogun Shido. position requires strong skills in organizational planning opulently rich in life. to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help and program development, public speaking, group Iselin, who teaches in the School tackle the emergency blood shortage. facilitation skills, budgeting, and knowledge of fundraising of Design at San Francisco State Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in strategies and opportunities.

January will automatically be entered for a chance to win University, has a bachelor’s degree Graduates of Leadership Santa Cruz County or a similar a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, in visual and environmental studies From Left: Manuel Bersamin • Binh Danh, 2023 — Untitled • program are preferred. from Harvard and a master’s in fine visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Richard Mayhew, ©1990 — Fog All Chemy • Karolina Karlic, More than 1,600 individuals have graduated from Josie Iselin To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood arts from SFSU. 2023 — Blue Dancer • Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, 2018 Leadership Santa Cruz County since it was founded in “The Curious World of Seaweed,” released by Heyday Books in Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED ~~~ 1985 to enhance the civic participation of emerging August 2019, was shortlisted for the Northern California Book CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The MAH is a thriving community gathering place that community leaders.

Award and the Alice Award, recognizing illustrated books.

••• offers rotating art and history exhibitions, visual and perIf interested, submit resume to: lmurphy@cityofsantacruz.

Ben Lomond forming artworks, public festivals, education and outreach com with a minimum of three references.

More information: Jan. 19: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of CABRILLO YOUTH STRINGS programs, and cultural celebrations in collaboration with leadershipsantacruzcounty.org.

Latter-day Saints, 9545 Love Creek Road Registration for the String Orchestra Program is its many partners.

Scotts Valley underway. Classes will begin Jan. 26 for 9 weeks on It maintains a permanent collection of regionally CELEBRATING LOWRIDER CULTURE Jan. 20: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Philip’s Episcopal Church, consecutive Fridays in the Cabrillo College Music Building, significant art and artifacts, a research library, a historical Pajaro Valley Arts VA invites your participation in an 5271 Scotts Valley Drive VAPA 5000, Aptos. invitational/juried all-media exhibit, which seeks to honor archive, and historic sites including the Evergreen CemSoquel An entry level String Orchestra Class, 4th-6th Grade etery, Octagon Building, and Davenport Jail. It is also home and highlight the lowrider spirit of creativity, culture Jan. 23: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Soquel High School, 401 San Beginning Strings for violin/viola/cello will be offered on to Abbott Square, a vibrant public plaza on the museum’s and ingenuity, by shifting from negative stereotypes to Jose Road Fridays, 4-5:15 p.m. doorstep that offers food, social events, and year-round empowering narratives.

Deadline: Feb. 2.

Watsonville Auditions for Festival Strings (beginning note-readers) creative happenings.

Consider entering 2D or 3D artwork such as: PhotoJan. 26: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro and Cabrillo Strings (intermediate-advanced) will be Friday, MAH is located at 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz. graphs, graphic design, pinstriping, airbrush, lowrider art Valley, 85 Nielson Street Jan. 26, from 3:45-4:15 p.m. with a rehearsal following. tattoos, apparel, painting, and sculpture.

Exhibit design/ Festival Strings will meet 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Cabrillo AGRI-CULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINE APPROACHING jurors: Consuelo Alba, Jessica Carrasco, Monica Galvan, COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM Strings will meet 4:15-5:55 p.m.

Rose Sellery & Judy Stabile.

Agri-Culture is accepting applications for six scholarships.

CERT Basic Training is free. The 21-hour course is String players ages 6 to 18 are welcome to join the This exhibit March 10-June 30 celebrates all things The deadline is: Feb.16. conducted by FEMA-certified instructors, with classroom String Orchestra and Chamber Music programs. Register lowrider, the 15th anniversary of the film La Mission, the The six scholarships are: and hands-on training on weekday evenings and/or for the String Orchestra session by Jan. 12 at https:// 12th anniversary of Watsonville Film Festival, the 40th Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship ($4,000) — for weekend days. www.cabrillo.edu/cabrillo-youth-strings or call Cabrillo a student entering or currently attending college and Training covers: Disaster Preparedness, Fire SupExtension, 479-6331, or email extension@cabrillo.edu . anniversary of Pajaro Valley Arts, and the 2nd Art on pression, Medical Aid, Search and Rescue, Disaster The 5-week Chamber Music Program will begin on April Wheels Festival. Opening reception is March 10 with the majoring in agriculture. This award includes $2,000 from Watsonville Film Festival.

American AgCredit.

Psychology, & Terrorism Response, Team Organization, 12. Register by March 29.

Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) — Disaster Simulation for a student active (past or present) in California High Upcoming Classes School Rodeo Association District 4 or California 4-H • NEW! Central Fire Admin Building, Live Oak. 4 MAXWELL STRING QUARTET FROM SCOTLAND Horse Program, entering or currently attending college and Thursday evenings and one full Saturday. Begins majoring in agriculture and/or animal sciences.

Saturday January 20 Thursday, Feb. 22 J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) — • NEW! Loma Prieta Elementary, Loma Prieta. 4 7:30 p.m., Sunset Center, San Carlos St., Carmel for a student entering or currently attending college and Thursday evenings and one full Saturday. Begins The Maxwell Quartet will perform at Sunset Center in majoring in agriculture.

Thursday, April 18 Carmel.

Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) — for Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/CERTBasic#/ Travelling all the way from Scotland, these chaps were a student entering or currently attending college and Sign up for the class you want using the class tab or drop-down scheduled to appear in Carmel in the 2021-2022 season majoring in agriculture or a related field or majoring in tab, not the landing page. of Chamber Music Monterey Bay, but Covid nixed that culinary arts. opportunity.

Frank Prevedelli Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) — CURIOUS WORLD OF SEAWEED Finally a new date has been found. for a student entering or currently attending college and The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History presents They will present classical gems, Scottish folk songs, and majoring in agriculture or a related field.

“The Curious World of Seaweed,” an extraordinary works you may not have heard of, but that are beautiful discoveries!

Lou & Carol Calcagno Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) exhibition featuring captivating color portraits of seaweed As the Scottish Herald wrote of a Maxwell performance, “… brilliantly fresh, unexpected and exhilarating.”

— for a student entering or currently attending college based on the book by photographer and author Josie Iselin They won 1st Prize and Audience Prize at the 9th Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in 2017. and majoring in agriculture, or a related field, political through March 3.

The Quartet’s debut CD on Linn Records reached number 3 in the classical specialist charts. science, history, marine biology, wildlife management, or A low tide walk is scheduled Jan. 20, with an author The Quartet is formed of four close friends who grew up playing folk and classical music together in youth culinary arts. presentation at the Museum on Feb. 15. The exhibit in orchestras and music schools across Scotland.

The online application is at: http://www.agri-culture.us/ partnership with Exhibit Envoy highlights Indigenous The group officially began in 2010 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where its founding members met as scholarships/ peoples’ and women’s connections to seaweed and its postgraduate students. In 2011, the Maxwell Quartet was named as Residency Artists for Enterprise Music Scotland ••• vital role as the base of the food chain.

2011- 2013.

To request an application, contact the Financial Aid office at Seaweeds have three requirements for survival: SomeThe quartet currently holds the position of associate artist at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, and your school or the Agri-Culture office, 141 Monte Vista Ave., thing to hold onto, sunlight to provide energy, and nutrients at Music at Paxton Festival in the Scottish Borders. to fuel growth. They find these three elements in a thin Single tickets are $30-$75. Information: Chamber Music Monterey Bay, 831-625-2212, and www.chambermusicmontereybay.org Watsonville or call (831) 722-6622 or (831) 818-1193 or email: agri-culture@sbcglobal.net section of the ocean, which accounts for less than 2% of

ANNOUNCEMENTS

28 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by January 24

COMMUNITY CALENDAR BAY FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST Application Deadline: Wed., Jan. 31 Bay Federal Credit Union is accepting applications for its 2024 Education Scholarship Contest.

Up to three individual winners will be awarded $1,500 toward their education or career training expenses.

Acceptance or enrollment into a post-secondary education program at any accredited college, university, trade, or technical school is required.

The application process, which is now entirely digital, includes a signed and completed application, proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance, and an original essay on the following topic: Building financial resilience.

Essays should explore ways in which one can cultivate financial resilience such as saving for emergencies or managing student loan debt. Applicants are asked to share any personal anecdotes, research, or innovative ideas that can inspire positive change when building financial resilience.

Applications are at bayfed.com/scholarships. A panel of judges will review and score each eligible applicant’s submitted materials.

Winners will be notified via phone and/or email by April 30.

Over the past 15 years, the credit union has awarded $84,000 in scholarships.

CHOIR SHOWCASE 3 p.m., St Stephens Church, 2500 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz NextStage sponsors a Choir Showcase at St Stephens Church.

This event features Amica, Key of 3, Pacific Voices, and Congregational Church of Soquel Chancel Choir.

In the finale when 50+ voices join as one.

Donations welcome at the door; there’s a post-concert reception.

SCOTS FOLKSINGERS JIM AND SUSIE MALCOLM Tuesday January 30

7:30 p.m., Location TBA The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay presents the Scots folksingers Jim and Susie Malcolm at an intimate house concert in Soquel.

Jim Malcolm is the ultimate Scots troubadour. Traveling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, engaging wit he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic. He is highly regarded as an interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been described as one of the finest singers in Scotland in any style.

Susie is an award-winning Scottish traditional singer, who has been performing with Jim Malcolm throughout Scotland for 20 years and more.

She sings complex harmonies in a traditional style, and is known as a tradition bearer for the ancient ballads of Scotland, with particular expertise in the bothy ballad tradition from North East Scotland.

The couple’s duo CDs “Auld Toon Shuffle,” “The Berries,” and “Spring Will Follow” are filled with memorable songs, gorgeous harmonies and have had excellent reviews.

Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $25 at www.celticsociety.org. ~~~ Photo: Jim and Susie Malcolm

SHE ADVENTURES FILM TOUR 7 PM, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz The She Adventures Film Tour announces its highly anticipated return for another year of celebrating and honoring adventure women around the world. Join us in a celebration of the inspiring women of the adventure world.

Born out of a desire to showcase the strong, inspirational, adventurous women of the outdoor world, the She Adventures Film Tour presents a carefully curated selection of short films that will entertain, enthrall and enlighten.

Showcasing a 2 1/2 hours program of the most heartfelt, inspiring and entertaining films celebrating adventurous women from independent filmmakers around the globe.

Visit https://www.riotheatre.com for tickets and list of films.

Tickets $20 plus fees. A portion of ticket sales benefit Girls Rock — Womens Mountain Biking

COUNTY SEEKS LIVED EXPERIENCE EXPERTS The Housing for Health Partnership is seeking community members for two separate Lived Expertise and Youth Lived Expertise advisory groups, both to launch Saturday January 27 in spring 2024.

Sunday January 28 Once appointed, advisory group members will INTO THE WOODS AT MT. MADONNA work with like-minded individuals to recommend 2 p.m., Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Rd, Watsonville improvements to County leaders regarding Santa Cruz Packed with humor, memorable melodies and witty lyrics, County’s various housing systems, in an environment Into the Woods combines several well-known fairy tales meant to develop leadership skills. The H4HP is with an original story of a childless Baker and his wife, seeking people from different backgrounds and life who initiate the story’s action by attempting to reverse a experiences, including people who identify as LGBTQ+, curse on their family in order to have from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and of a child. different abilities and ages.

Into the Woods is a monumental Robert Ratner, director of the County of Santa Cruz work by one of the most beloved, Housing for Health Division, said, “Together, this are co-hosting an important and timely conversation in revered and important American DATED EVENTS diverse collective of individuals will use their voice preparation for International Holocaust Remembrance Day composers/lyricists of musical theater, and experience to make a difference.” with Holocaust survivor and speaker Sunday January 21 Stephen Sondheim, who died in 2021.

Advisory group members must be: • Currently Gitta Ryle at the Capitola Branch “Sondheim’s works are both clever ‘40 YEARS OF INSPIRED EXPRESSION’ OPENING RECEPTION experiencing or previously experienced homelessness Library. and lush and lead the listener into 2 to 4 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts Gallery, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville • Living in Santa Cruz County • Passionate about Registration is required; there is a The next exhibit at Pajaro Valley Arts Gallery will be “40 wait list at https://santacruzpl.libcal. profound thoughts and feelings,” said Holly Ota, MMS being a part of collaborative community change • performing arts music director. “This story challenges Years of Inspired Expression,” the annual members’ com/event/11719758.

Ages 18 – 24 for the Youth Advisory Group exhibit curated by Tim Sterling, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25.

Gitta Ryle, born in 1932, is a sur- students — and the audience — to consider what they Advisory group members will be paid $25/hour for a Gitta Ryle wish for, what means they are willing to employ to pursue For the past 40 years, PVA has presented extraordinary vivor of the Holocaust during World 20-hour monthly commitment. Interest forms are due artworks in exhibitions that honor emerging voices and War II. She has been presenting her story and journey to those wishes and what the true value of receiving those Jan. 19 and can be found at: https://bit.ly/LivedExpertise established artists in the Pajaro Valley and beyond. forgiveness and mental well-being at schools, houses of wishes may be.

ActionBoard This is a significant anniversary, at a significant time, worship, juvenile centers, and other organizations around Tickets are online at mms-intothewoods.brownpapertickets.com.

Adult tickets are $15; $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved. when more and more we rely on art to help us make the country, turning trauma into teaching.

ONGOING EVENTS sense of a complex and the uncertain world.

Every Jan. 27, the UN urges every member state to honor Sunday January 28 Pajaro Valley Arts: 40 Years of Inspired Expression the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of Mondays commemorates PVA’s history while also looking forward to other victims and to develop programs to help prevent future CELLIST AMIT PELED RETURNS BRIDGE CLUB its future. genocides.

4 p.m., Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., Santa Cruz 10:30 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf https://pvarts.org Grammy-nominated cellist Amit Peled performs music by Road Saturday January 27 American composers George Gershwin, Samuel Barber, The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club Wednesday January 24 CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST MARIA GITIN TO SPEAK Florence Price, Aaron Copland sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

OUR COMMUNITY READS: THE MONK OF MOKHA and Guy Eylon at Peace 3-4 p.m., Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Rd. Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social BOOK DISCUSSION United Church of Christ. This Author Maria Gitin will talk at the Scotts Valley Library players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. is his first return visit since the about the summer of 1965, when she 11 a.m.m The Loft, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz Covid pandemic. volunteered to canvas for Black voters in Join your fellow readers to talk about our 2024 selection and County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

The concert is presented rural Wilcox County, Alabama. discuss major themes in depth. Casey Coonerty Protti, owner Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

by Distinguished Artists Her book, This Bright Light of Ours, of Bookshop Santa Cruz, will facilitate the conversation.

Concert Series. records the events of that harrowing Second Friday Each Month Register for waitlist at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ Maria Gitin summer and highlights the unheard voices Peled has performed as event/11631318 NEW BRIDGE GROUP of grassroots Freedom Fighters who formed the backbone a soloist with many orchestras and in the world’s major Sandwiches provided by Aegis Living Aptos 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. concert halls such as: Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, of the Civil Rights movement.

Come for bridge on the second Friday of each month from Thursday January 25 New York; Salle Gaveau, Paris; Wigmore Hall, London; She augments her personal story and those of others 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Konzerthaus, Berlin; and Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium. with a slideshow on this critical turning point in U.S. First meeting was Oct. 13. Bette Harken, Master Bridge HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR GITTA RYLE TO SPEAK history.

“Calendar” page 31 player, will give an introduction for beginners.

6:30-8 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road This Bright Light of Ours will be available for purchase and signing.

Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Temple Beth El

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Watsonville Hospital Bond Measure

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

T

he upcoming March ballot will have a handful of community funding measures.

For many in our district, there will be an option to consider a request from the Pajaro Valley Health Care District for a bond measure for Watsonville Community Hospital.

What is the purpose of the proposed bond measure and what would it fund?

Who does the Pajaro Valley Health Care District serve?

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District spans from Aptos in the north to Las Lomas in the south.

In 2022, over 32,000 individuals sought emergency care at Watsonville Community Hospital, and approximately 900 babies were delivered, surpassing any other hospital in Santa Cruz County.

Why was a bond measure considered by the Pajaro Valley Health Care District?

Over the last few years, Watsonville Community Hospital stood on the precipice of closure. Facing the repercussions of bankruptcy initiated by its previous for-profit owners, the hospital faced closure and, with it, a significant impact on our entire local health care delivery system.

Community efforts established the Pajaro Valley Health Care District with a goal of returning Watsonville Community Hospital’s status as a community-owned, nonprofit hospital. Significant local fundraising efforts and legislative action formed the Pajaro Valley Health Care District with a goal of not only saving the 128-year-old healthcare provider but also

stabilizing the financial situation for longterm viability.

The District’s new leadership has addressed approximately 80% of its deficit through a combination of costsaving measures new care initiatives and has done so without resorting to layoffs or reductions.

However, at recent public meetings of the District, it was noted that financial challenges remain for the hospital. As a result, the District is putting forward Measure N before voters.

What is Measure N? Measure N is a $116 million general obligation bond for Watsonville Community Hospital. According to the Health Care District, it would fund the following projects: 1) Emergency Room Expansion: Nearly doubling in size, the emergency room will be upgraded for enhanced emergency care 2) Imaging Systems Upgrade:

30 / January 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Investments in the latest X-ray, MRI, and CT scanner technologies 3) Property Acquisition: Measure N proposes the purchase of the hospital property, a move projected to save over $3 million annually in rent payments.

These savings can then be redirected back into the hospital.

4) Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Investments in deferred maintenance (plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and the roof) 5) M o d e r n i z a t i o n Efforts: Healthcare facilities will be modernized to offer an expanded range of services locally, eliminating the need for residents to seek care out of the county for certain services.

What is a General Obligation bond?

General Obligation bonds, like Measure N, are a common financial mechanism to fund projects such as the infrastructure and

modernization projects the Health District is proposing to fund.

The funds raised are earmarked solely for upgrading and renovating facilities and cannot be utilized for salaries or administrative needs.

What is the financial commitment of Measure N for property owners?

The estimated tax rate per property is $24 per $100,000 of annual assessed valuation, translating to approximately $2 a month for most property owners.

Homeowners who purchased their homes within the last 10-15 years can anticipate an additional $100$250 on their annual property tax bill, while those who purchased in the 2000s and prior decades, when the median home price in the district was lower, will s e e an increase of around $50, according to estimates from the Health Care District.

“Bond Measure” page 31

SCCAS Featured Pet

“Bond Measure” from page 30 What is the oversight on the bond / how the funds are spent?

By law, all Measure N funds must be spent locally and cannot be appropriated by the state. These funds are earmarked exclusively for healthcare facilities and cannot be diverted to salaries or administrative purposes.

In addition, a local independent

Admission: $40 general online at www.distinguishedartists.org. At the door suggested donation is $40 or pay what you can.

For information visit www.distinguishedartists.org

Tickets are $40 online at: santacruzflyfishing.org/productcategory/annual-fundraiser/ Seating will be limited, purchase your ticket now.

For information, visit Santacruzflyfishing.org

Tuesday January 30

FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP

Wednesday January 31

Wednesday February 7

“Calendar” from page 29

O

Give This Queen A New Home

crossword on 25 »

ur Pet of the week is Nala (A306135) a beautiful 2-year-old Belgian Tervuren!

Nala came to the Shelter as an owner surrender after her previous guardian was unable to continue caring for her. Nala has lived in a home with children ages 6 years and older and has done well. She sometimes would jump up on the kids with exuberance so a home with sturdy kids is recommended. Nala previously was outdoors only and did not go for walks off the property.

Because of this, she came to the Shelter under-socialized with new environments and new dogs- since being at the Shelter she has gone to events, on walking buddies and spent time in volunteer’s home and has done well in all of these situations. Nala is now housetrained thanks to our volunteers that have been taking her on overnights!

She is very smart and enjoys learning new things, being near people, playing with puzzle toys, and riding in the car.

The previous owner stated that Nala can be reactive with new dogs, but she has been doing well at different shelter events such as hikes with other dogs and meeting dogs in public. A home with a dog another dog-savvy dog may be a fit with a slow, thoughtful introduction and management.

Nala has a history of chasing cats so a home without cats and/or small animals is recommended.

Nala is a smart, fun loving girl and is looking for a home that is going to support her physical and mental enrichment — she also would do well with positive reinforcement training. This pretty pup has come so far since coming to SCCAS and is waiting for her new home- could that be with you?

••• The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us.

You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events.

••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Website: www.scanimalshelter.org SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Geography 101 © Statepoint Media

oversight committee will be established if Measure N passes — the committee will be charged with ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

10:30 a.m.-Noon, San Juan Bautista State Historical Park, OUR COMMUNITY READS: THE MONK OF MOKHA 2nd Street & Mariposa Street AN EVENING WITH EGGERS AND ALKHANSHALI Do you have fruit trees in need of pruning? Do you want 7p.m., Tannery Arts Center, 1050 River St #127, Santa Cruz to learn the difference between a thinning cut and a Monk of Mokha author Dave Eggers and the monk himself, heading cut?

Mokhtar Alkhanshali, talk about the multiyear collaboration Bring your gloves and pruners for a free hands-on fruit that became the story of Mokhtar’s quest, traveling from tree pruning demonstration in the San Juan Bautista State San Francisco to the remote coffee farms of Yemen in Historical Park orchard. search of the world’s most dangerous cup of coffee.

After a brief demonstration and orientation, join UC Questions from the audience are encouraged.

Master Gardener Diane Mahan in the orchard for an Register for waitlist at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ opportunity to analyze established fruit trees, and event/11631400 practice your newfound pruning skills.

In the Radius Gallery Visit mbmg.ucanr.edu to register.

WATSONVILLE SOROPTIMISTS MEMBERSHIP MIXER 2024 ELECTION OUTLOOK 4-6 p.m., Ella’s at the Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Location TBA Soroptimist International of Watsonville is hosting a Following up on the engaging discourse initiated during Membership Mixer at Ella’s at the Airport. the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s Annual State Women interested in joining other women to help of the Region in November 2023, the nonprofit will host women and girls achieve their educational goals are a lunch and panel discussion on 2024 Election — welcome to attend. Mingle and meet other women Democracy, Hope, and Action, lunch included, at a interested in supporting the Soroptimist mission of location to be announced. enabling women to achieve their goals and live their This panel discussion features speakers including Mike dreams, and enjoy “happy hour.” No speeches, no Madrid, an expert on Latino voting, Debbie Mesloh, one meeting, just cocktails and conversations. of Kamala Harris’ senior advisors, and Amanda Renteria Soroptimist International of Watsonville is a global of Code for America, who serves on the President’s volunteer organization that provides women and girls Commission on Hispanic Affairs. with access to education and training to achieve The session will be moderated by Zach Friend. economic empowerment. Soroptimist is a coined Latin Panelists will delve into the current political climate, phrase meaning Best for Women. analyzing trends, challenges, and potential pathways for For information, visit siwatsonville.org or email at siwatsonville@ the future. soroptimist.net. RSVP to Jan King at 831-722-6831.

This event is free to MBEP members, $39 for the

Friday February 2 OUR COMMUNITY READS: THE MONK OF MOKHA THE RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL ROLE OF COFFEE IN YEMEN 6 p.m., Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road Dr. Flagg Miller, UC Davis Professor of Religious Studies, talks about the role coffee plays in Yemeni culture and about his current coffee-growing research project in Yemen.

Dr. Miller’s academic focus is on cultures of modern Muslim reform in the Middle East, especially Yemen.

Dessert and coffee will be provided.

Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/11631545 In the Fireside Room

Saturday February 3 FLY FISHING FUNDRAISER 5 p.m., Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun, 557 ½ Lakeview Rd, Watsonville The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club will host its annual fundraising dinner at Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun. The dinner will feature grilled wild-caught Alaskan salmon, door prizes and a huge raffle.

general public.

To view the previous event, see https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Emfsw8vY5nA

Saturday February 10 PAINT YOUR PET! 2-5 p.m., 2100 Delaware Ave, Suite B, Santa Cruz Join Pregnant Mare Rescue for a Paint Your Pet fundraiser at an studio on the westside of Santa Cruz.

A complimentary glass of wine, beer, Gatorade, soda or coffee and nibbles are included! Feel free to bring in your own food and drinks to enjoy.

Tickets are $75; price includes a hand-sketched portrait of your pet onto a 12 x 12 stretched canvas, all art supplies, and 3 hours of professional instruction.

Register for the event at http://tinyurl.com/pmrpaint-your-pet-2024 and then email a picture of your pet to kim@paintedcork.com, and it will be hand sketched on-to your canvas for you before the event.

Please send your pet picture as soon as possible and no later than Feb. 6. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 15th 2024 / 31

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