Aptos Times: February 15, 2024

Family Owned For 33 Years • Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom & Watsonville

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February 15, 2024 • Vol 33 No. 4

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League Tournament Champions

On Saturday, the Aptos High girls’ basketball team surprised Santa Cruz — 10-0 in league — to earn the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League tournament championship, and a banner to hang In the gym.

Full Story page 5

Supervisor Hopefuls Answer 10 Questions Full Story page 14

Aptos High Dance Team Sweeps Competition

Long Awaited and Loved

By Jondi Gumz opened the doors to let them in – young and old, people in wheelchairs, moms with kids in strollers, families, teens.

There was room for all.

Some bought a book from Friends of Aptos Library in the lobby; others checked out books to take home.

... continues on page 4

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The Aptos High Dance Team traveled to Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks for the USA Northern California Dance Regional, their first competition of the year.

Full Story page 7

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Hundreds of people showed up to see the new Aptos Branch Library — our first in 48 years — at the grand opening Sunday, Feb. 4, despite a county call for people to stay off the roads due to rainstorms and Santa Cruz Public Libraries staff cancelling the magician, musicians and guest speakers for the event.

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Table of Contents

6

No. 4

6 8

Volume 33

Cover Long Awaited and Loved, By Jondi Gumz

14 15 17 18 19 20 21

9 10 12

22 25 26 27

Community News Safety on Foot in Aptos Village, By Jondi Gumz Innovative Student: Noemi Munoz-Negrete, Aptos High • Aptos High, Watsonville High Offer Career Tech Education Have Your Vote Count March 5 Cabrillo College Welcomes Latinos with Mural, Photos by Kristin Fabos Cal Fire: Timber Harvest in Soquel State Forest: Trails Closed in Sulphur Springs Area Due to Widow Makers Supervisor Hopefuls Answer 10 Questions, By Jondi Gumz Food as Medicine: Maria José Hummel Proves It Works, By Jondi Gumz International Recognition New Leaf Accepts SNAP EBT via Instacart Girl Scout Cookie Time Will Feds Change Marijuana Restrictions?, By Jondi Gumz Dignity Health Remains Top Workplace for Diversity • Metro Wants Feedback on Route Changes This Month High School Chemistry: Silver Deposits & Redox Reactions Remodeled La Selva Beach Clubhouse Reopens, By Jim Rhodes • Bay Federal Employees Raise $12,600 for United Way Zach Friend to Chair CSAC Health and Human Services Committee Our Community Reads: The Monk of Mokha Upcoming Events

Local Sports 5 League Tournament Champions 7 Aptos High Dance Team Sweeps Competition 13 Cabrillo Men’s Basketball Finds Unbeatable Opponent, By Jondi Gumz In Memoriam 16 Barbara Chamberlain: 1935-2024 16 Remembering Reb Rebele: Feb. 17 in Aptos Letters to the Editor 16 Protect the Mountain Lions • Biologist: Protect Mountain Lions 23 Salmon, Once a $170 Million Industry, Has Received Zero Disaster Aid: State Sought $30.8 Million for Season Closure; Feds Propose $20 Million California News 22 AG: $150 Million Opioid Settlement • State to Evaluate Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program: 16 Cases, 18 Lost Livestock, $3 Million Exhausted 24 Indiana Artist Wins California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Lunar New Year of the Wood Dragon, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 27 Calling All Aptos High Parents!, Survey Open til Feb. 23, By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal 30 Serving on County, Regional, State and National Commissions, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Wind Is Messy — And Hazardous, By Tony Tomeo SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – A Goddess Among Us!

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 3

COVER STORY publisher

Patrice Edwards

editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Kristin Fabos, Jim Rhodes, Risa D’Angeles, Alison Hanks-Sloan, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo

layout

Michael Oppenheimer

graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin

photography Michael Oppenheimer

website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

production coordinator

Camisa Composti

media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul Cathe Race

office coordinator distribution

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

“New Aptos Library” from page 1 Kids stacked up books on the comfy sofa in the children’s area. Older people read books and magazines and eyed the exhibits by the Aptos History Museum.

Adults looked up the offerings – 23,000 newly purchased books — in the online card catalog.

Cookies were provided by local treatmaker Pacific Cookie Co. and no one missed the “entertainment.”

Library patrons did have something to say about the parking lot: Many spaces were filled by wide-bodied SUVs, leaving very little room to get out of your car — if you parked next to one.

You’d have to be Jack Sprat, from the nursey rhyme, to get out without dinging your neighbor.

The sale of SUVs has soared since 2015 overtaking sedans, a trend no one predicted when the public backed library project in 2016.

With space at a premium, some people parked in the street.

Eric Howard, the interim library director, said if it were up to him, he would re-stripe the parking lot. The decision is up to the Santa Cruz County supervisors. n ••• Photos Credit: Jondi Gumz

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

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Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission 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 / February 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

League Tournament Champions O n Saturday, the Aptos High girls’ basketball team surprised Santa Cruz — 10-0 in league — to earn the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League tournament championship, and a banner to hang In the gym.

The outcome was stunning as Aptos had lost twice to Santa Cruz during the regular season, finishing in second place with an 8-2 record.

Asked what made the difference in this championship played at Cabrillo College, the Mariner girls had a one-word answer: Defense.

Sophomore Abby Sherwood, who is 5-10, scored 11, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked six shots. She was named Player of the Game by MaxPreps.

Freshman Gabby Wickham, a sparkplug who has been averaging 18 points per game, scored 11, added eight assists and five rebounds.

Laurel Southall, a senior, scored 9.

Berkeley Ashby, a junior, scored 6 and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Mariners keyed in on Tiera O’Connor, a sophomore who has been averaging 11 points per game. This time, she scored 6.

Ava Lord, a senior who also plays volleyball, led the Cardinals with 11.

Aptos is 18-8 overall and Santa Cruz is 20-6, with Central Coast Section playoffs starting Feb. 16.

••• Aptos Boys Runnerup efense was the name of the game for the boys’ championship, too, with Santa Cruz topping rival Aptos, 43-36.

The Mariners led 12-9 after the first quarter but the Cardinals pulled ahead by halftime, 23-17.

Santa Cruz avenged an end-of-theseason 46-45 loss to Aptos, bringing their record to 21-5.

D Aptos’ Johnny Cornejo taking a shot under duress.

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball team celebrates it’s SCCAL Championship. From left: Coach Bruce Funk, Libby Reynolds, Abby Sherwood (next to Libby), Berkeley Ashby, (in front of Abby), Guin Lines and Laurel Southall holding banner, Sam Wickham, Eliya Sanchez, Gabby Wickham, Lillian McGee, Sophia Pursley, Grace Townsend, Angelina Arreola.

Aptos is 18-8.

For Aptos, senior Mateo Calfee scored 17, mostly on driving baskets.

Johnny Cornejo, a senior, scored 7.

Junior Isaiah Ackerman, who had been averaging 18 points per game, was

double-teamed whenever he had the ball.

He scored 4.

Senior Lawrence Ingram IV scored 5.

For Santa Cruz, senior Ben Dotten scored 15, with 7 coming on free throws, an grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kirby Seals, a junior, scored 12. n

Make a difference.

Leave a lasting legacy.

To learn more visit: aptossportsfoundation.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 5

I

COMMUNITY NEWS

Safety on Foot in Aptos Village

By Jondi Gumz

n October, when Caroline’s owner Christy Licker was struck by a car while in the crosswalk on Trout Gulch Road, one challenging aspect for people on foot was how to tell if cars were approaching because of the curve in the road and the overgrown hedge bordering Mentone restaurant limiting visibility.

The curve is still there, of course, but Swenson, which leases the building to Mentone, has cut back the hedge.

On Friday, two workers were out on the sidewalk trimming the hedge and sweeping up fallen greenery, which had grown explosively due to steady rainfall.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

The broom used by Swenson to sweep up greenery from the hedge on Trout Gulch Road, Aptos, that kept pedestrians from being able to see oncoming cars.

The Aptos Times photographed this improvement in progress but was told by the Swenson crew that photographs of the crew at work were not allowed.

The area is part of the $40 million 11.5acre Aptos Village Project, in the works since 2012, for which Phase 2 began in September.

The first phase was to retrofit the historic Apple Packing Shed for use by New Leaf Community Market (which opened in 2019). It included building 17 townhomes, 16 condos and new commercial space for stores (Cloud and Coffee, and SockShop Santa Cruz, 2019, and Penny Ice Creamery, 2020) and wineries (Sante Arcangeli in 2019) Ser (in 2020) and Doon to Earth (2023) Now Swenson is building the second phase: Seven buildings on either side of Aptos Village Way. The first floor will be reserved for commercial use, with the upper floors being residential rentals. Five of the 29 new homes will have “affordable” prices. Specific figures have yet to be announced.

In all, this development when complete will have 11 “affordable” units, which means buyers cannot exceed income limits. And prices will be lower than market prices.

The idea behind this project was to create

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Swenson is building seven buildings on either side of Aptos Village Way, first floor commercial, upper floors residential. a “heart” for Aptos and provide new housing, of which there is a shortage.

For the 29 new homes, each is to be assigned a garage, with a total of 43 spaces to accommodate homeowners and guests.

Residents are eagerly awaiting a new

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parklet, to be located on a 24,000-square-foot area to be deeded to Santa Cruz County Parks when construction is complete. County officials will decide the specific use.

“Aptos Village Safety” page 10

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos High Dance Team Sweeps Competition T he Aptos High Dance Team traveled to Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks for the USA Northern California Dance Regional, their first competition of the year.

The Varsity team competed in five divisions: Extra small, small lyrical, small contemporary, small dance/pom, and small hip hop — and they took home 1st in all five divisions.

This was the Aptos High Dance Team’s first clean sweep in history.

The nine members of Varsity are Amelia Valoroso, Bella Garvey, Bryanna DiazVazquez, E Evans, Juliana Alvarez, Mia Trujillo, Nahla Alcaraz, Natalie Perez, and Zoey Williams.

Three students competed as soloists.

Bella Garvey took 1st, Zoey Williams took 2nd, and Amelia Valoroso took 3rd out of 35 dancers from all over Northern California.

It was the Aptos High Dance Team’s first time having a Junior Varsity team and their first time competing. They competed in two divisions. They took home 2nd in JV hip hop and 3rd in JV dance/pom.

The five members of JV are Dorothy DeLisle, Eleanor Pursley, Hayle White, Hazel Berman, Kalleigh Estrada, and Rina Goodman.

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Aptos High soloists (from left): Amelia Valoroso, Zoey Williams, and Bella Garvey.

Coach Tanee Taylor said, “We are so proud of all of our dancers and how well they did at the first competition of the season. We have one more regional competition in San Jose this month and then are headed to nationals in Anaheim next month.” n

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COMMITTEE TO ELECT DAVID SCHWARTZ - FPPC 1463880

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Innovative Student: Noemi Munoz-Negrete, Aptos High N oemi Munoz-Negrete, a student at Aptos High, is one of three students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District accepted into the League of Innovative Students, an initiative involving more than 150 districts in 38 states to expand opportunity for each learner.

Also accepted are Jose Lopez and Gabriel Melgoza of Watsonville High.

The league, now hosted through the Center for Inclusive Innovation, brings together 40 students from across the nation who, as part of the 2024 Spring Design Sprint, will choose to collaborate virtually with mentors on meaningful projects.

Noemi, Jose, and Gabriel will be able to deeply explore areas such as equity challenges in education, co-design criteria for

equitable EdTech, and develop an inclusive EdTech evaluation model. These projects will not only enhance their research and designthinking skills but may contribute to shaping the national education landscape.

Noemi Munoz-Negrete of Aptos High School: Noemi applied for the League of Innovative Students to help find solutions to equity issues faced by first-generation students as well as students of color. She strongly feels that schools in lowsocioeconomic areas do not have access to the Noemi Munoz-Negrete same level of education compared to affluent areas even when they

belong to the same school district, furthering the achievement gap.

Noemi has been looking for leadership opportunities in her community so she can advocate and create change. She is excited to share her voice on a national scale.

Her dream is to attend University of Southern California to major in business administration and film.

She has participated in Your Future is Our Business and sge hopes to one day create her own organization to help youth with career exploration. She sees exposing students to career-related activities as important because many students are not sure what field they would like to pursue.

Jose Lopez-Cruz of Watsonville High School: Jose is learning to step out of his comfort

zone and greatly enjoys the experience of being a participant of the League of Innovative Students.

He looks forward to majoring in engineering Jose Lopez-Cruz and plans to apply to Caltech.

Gabriel Melgoza of Watsonville High School Gabriel appreciates the opportunity to express his ideas on how to improve student learning outcomes.

He looks forward to majoring in architecture Gabriel Melgoza and will apply to UC Berkeley and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. n

Aptos High, Watsonville High Offer Career Tech Education

I

n February, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District community celebrates the 3,800 students enrolled in Career Technical Education pathways who get work-based experiences before they graduate.

PVUSD is seeking local companies, organizations, and business professionals who are interested in learning more about becoming CTE Partners and offering work-based learning experiences and opportunities for CTE students during the school year.

There are many ways for businesses and industries to participate and many benefits to becoming a CTE Partner, says Julie Edwards, CTE coordinator for PVUSD. “Options range from contributing as a once-a-year classroom speaker or serving on a career panel to arranging a field trip or offering opportunities for job shadowing or internships,” Edwards said.

The local companies will make contacts with candidates for parttime, summer jobs, or internships.

PVUSD is conducting outreach and can share how participation in CTE benefits local businesses, industries, and organizations in accelerating development of the local workforce. n ••• To find out more, contact: Julie Edwards, CTE coordinator, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Julie_Edwards@ pvusd.net, or call 831-786-2100 x2509.

Mahia Aguilar and Matthew Mickey, Aptos High School students in CTE culinary class, show off treats they made.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Have Your Vote Count March 5 A ny registered voter in California can decide whether to vote at a polling place or vote by mail.

Hours to vote on Election Day Tuesday, March 5, are 7 am to 8 pm.

Santa Cruz County is implementing the Voters Choice Act, passed by the state Legislature in 2016. That’s why you received a Vote-by-Mail ballot in the mail. This ballot can be returned by mail, in-person at a voting location or at an official ballot drop box.

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day, so March 12. If you are not sure your

vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can still vote in person the traditional way.

Polls have been renamed “Vote Centers.”

Hours will be: • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning Feb. 24) • Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning Feb. 25) Open since Feb. 5 for voting: Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz County Clerk/ Elections, 701 Ocean St., Room 310.

Watsonville — Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St., 4th Floor.

Opens Feb. 24 for voting: Aptos — Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd. Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, 5200 Soquel Ave. Scotts Valley — Scotts Valley Public Library, 251 Kings Village Rd. Opens March 2 for voting: Aptos — St. John’s Episcopal Church, 125 Canterbury Dr. (Sunday, March 3, hours are 1 to 9 pm) Boulder Creek — Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13230 Highway 9

Capitola — New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave. Felton — Zayante Fire Department, 7700 E Zayante Rd. Santa Cruz — Bonny Doon Elementary School, 1492 Pine Flat Rd. Santa Cruz — Depot Park, 119 Center St. Santa Cruz — Masonic Center, 828 N. Branciforte Ave. Santa Cruz — UCSC Stevenson Event Center, 520 Cowell-Stevenson Rd. Scotts Valley — Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Dr. Soquel — Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Rd. Watsonville — La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave. Watsonville — Pajaro Valley Community Trust, 85 Nielson St. Watsonville — Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. Open Election Day March 5 only for voting: Corralitos — Corralitos Community Church, 24 Browns Valley Rd. Davenport — Pacific Elementary, 50 Ocean St. Los Gatos — C.T. English Middle School, 23845 Summit Rd. Santa Cruz — Christian Life Center, 1009 Mission St.

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day, so March 12. If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Or you can drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at any of the 17 drop boxes at locations such as city halls.

The county Elections Department says Vote Centers offer a “full-service” voting experience: • Vote using an accessible ballot marking device.

• Receive voting assistance.

• Register to vote or update your registration and vote on the same day.

• Request a replacement ballot. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 9

FEBRUARY 2024

Aptos Real Estate Update Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

INTEREST RATES / INFLATION — As of 2/09/24, the 30-year rate is 6.99%, (6.75% last month), so rates went up a bit when the Feds did not do a rate cut at their January 30 meeting. The word on the street is that the Feds don’t expect to lower rates until it is confident that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%. Today the US inflation rate is at 3.35%, compared to 3.14% last month and 6.45% last year.

CALIFORNIA — has seen 3 years of population decline; another 75,000 people left the state in 2023. All income levels are leaving. The CA birth rate is at a record low, and 25%+ of the population is over 65. CA has the highest state income tax of all states at 12.3%, plus 1% more for income over $1 million. As of January 10, the state budget has a $38 Billion dollar deficit, leaving one to wonder how CA will balance the budget, a difficult task this year.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo College Welcomes Latinos with Mural

O

Photos by Kristin Fabos

n Feb. 12, Cabrillo College — one of 572 HispanicServing Institutions in the U.S. with more than 25% Hispanic students — unveiled a new mural in the cafeteria to show commitment to expanding educational opportunities.

The unveiling was timed to coincide with the Board of Trustees meeting.

Muralist advisor Guillermo “Yermo” Aranda, a wellknown multi-media artist, is at left with John Graulty, dean of the Visual, Applied, and Performing Arts Division.

Of the 11,000 students, 49% are Latino. For the past two years, Latinos comprised 51% of the graduating classes. n

APTOS ACTIVE LISTINGS — There are 24 homes on the market and 5 “coming soon”. The Average List Price is $2,227,683 and the Median List Price is $1,549,500.

The AVG Days on Market (DOM) is a whopping 52 days, so these homes are ‘overpriced’ on average. High remains to be 733 Via Gaviota, reduced from $10M to $9,950,000 and now 134 DOM. Low remains 3221 Redwood, 2 bed/2ba/1096 SF asking $789,000, 70 DOM. Homes near the Median List – 391 Belle Monti – 4 bed/2.5ba/1755SF, asking $1,599,000 and 186 Creek – 4 bed/2bath/1688SF, asking $1,625,000. Two Active townhomes – 7864 Tanias Ct, 3bed/2.5ba/1863SF, asking $1,190,000, and 391 Racquet Landing – 2bed/2.5ba/1202SF, asking $1,175,000. One Active Condo – 40 Seacliff – 2bed/1ba/828SF, asking $725,000.

APTOS SOLD PAST 30 DAYS — Only 6 houses sold in the past 30 days. 429 Seaview – 4bed/4ba/2835SF, $2,850,000, 3200 Pleasant Valley – 5bed/3.5ba/4163SF on 2.3acres, $2,100,000, 352 Los Altos – 3bed/2.5ba/2154SF, $1,898,000, 320 Hillcrest – 2bed/1.5ba/888SF, $1,198,000, 504 Santa Marguarita – 3bed/2ba/1526SF, $1,130,000, 501 Loma Prieta – 3bed/2.5ba/1687SF, $1,125,000

I just listed and sold 308 Cayuga in Seabright in 15 days. Prepare your home for sale, show it in its best light, and price it correctly, and it should sell after 14 days of exposure.

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

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Paid Advertising

“Aptos Village Safety” from page 6 Christy Licker is the creator of Caroline’s, the treasured nonprofit thrift shop at 8047 Soquel Drive, Aptos, from which she donates the proceeds in memory of her daughter to nonprofits that help children.

She recruits volunteers to staff the shop, which is always full of beautiful housewares and clothing donated by the community.

Since she began this charitable enterprise in 2010, she has donated $3,930,000 — yes, that’s millions — to help the organizations that helped her daughter.

This year, she gave $575,000 to 37 local nonprofits. The gifts ranged from $2,500 to $40,000.

Now that’s generosity.

I asked her what else could be done to make Trout Gulch Road safer for people on foot.

Her suggestion: How about a speed bump?

The county fee for a road bump is $5,085, “a portion of the costs” to be paid by residents requesting one, the county policy reads. n

10 / February 15th 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

The oversized check in the window of Caroline’s announces the proprietor has donated $3,930,000 since 2012 to local nonprofits that help children.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cal Fire: Timber Harvest in Soquel State Forest

Trails Closed in Sulphur Springs Area Due to Widow Makers

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Print Date: December 2021



All visitors are responsible for knowing State Forest regulations and fees.

Contact office for information at (831) 475-8643

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection



Soquel Demonstration State Forest

health treatments across 320 acres in the Sulphur Timber Harvesting Plan area in the 2,681-acre state forest.

Professional timber fallers are working across the area to fall the trees that will be removed after the winter. They are using a single-tree selection method; each tree was evaluated for removal by a Registered Professional Forester.

The timber sale is designed to improve forest Vicinity  Reference health and sustainably manage timber, with the Æ Ã harvest planning in the works for several years.

Through this operating Æ Ã season, no recreational Æ Ã use will be allowed in the Main Public Entrance to the State Forest Sulphur timber harvest area 29400 Highland Way Los Gatos, CA delineated on the map and posted with signage. ¶ There are allowances for weekend use of the roads through the area for hiking ¶ and biking, but no roaming off the road is allowed since Trail there are dangerous conditions Paved Road Unpaved Road including limbs hung up in trees that could fall at any time. ose R d

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s of Feb. 8, part of the Soquel Demonstration State Forest, which is bordered by Soquel Creek and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, will be closed to the public for timber harvesting and recreational use such as mountain biking will be prohibited through Oct. 15.

Cal Fire is undertaking timber operations and forest

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Disclaimer: This map and any data within shall be used for reference only. The State of California and CAL FIRE make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or third party on account of or arising from the use of data or maps.

These limbs are often referred to as “widow makers,” which emphasizes how dangerous they can be.

On May 1, operations with the use of heavy equipment and log trucks will begin in the vicinity of Sulphur Springs Road and Hihn’s Mill Road.

Any changes to closure areas or dates will be noticed in a new public notice.

The closures aim to give contractors the ability to concentrate the work into one year to minimize the closure and eliminate multiple years of impact along Sulphur Springs Road, which is a popular access route to the ridge and several mountain biking trails.

Cal Fire said no single-track mountain biking trails will have operations that will disturb the trail surface, and Corral Road will be restored to pre-operations conditions as the project is completed.

For details on the progress, follow Cal Fire CZU on X (Twitter) and Soquel Demonstration State Forest on Facebook.

An opportunity to participate in field trips of active operations will be provided in the summer and announcements about signing up will be posted on social media. n ••• The Soquel state forest has a web page at https://www. fire.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Natural-ResourceManagement/ Demonstration-State-Forests-Soquel-Demonstration-State-Forest

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LOCAL SPORTS

Cabrillo Men’s Basketball Finds Unbeatable Opponent

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By Jondi Gumz

n Feb. 9, the Cabrillo College men’s basketball team — which has 22 wins this season — could not find a way to contain Shakir Odunewu, a 6-11 giant from Cairo, who scored 20 and grabbed 15 rebounds, leading West Valley College to a 71-58 victory.

Cabrillo came closer than earlier in the season when West Valley won 93-69.

There’s a reason West Valley is undefeated 25-0 — and it’s largely Shakir Odunewu.

West Valley had 37 rebounds to Cabrillo’s 29.

West Valley made 49% of its field goals while Cabrillo, attempting more shots, made 39% because of West Valley’s tenacious defense.

Darius Best, a 6-2 sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., who has averaged 15 points per game, scored 14 and added 6 assists.

Solomon Tucker, a 6-7 sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., grabbed 6 rebounds.

Cabrillo’s roster this year includes players from Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, Utah, Nevada, and Canada as well as North Carolina and California.

One local player on the roster is Christian Quintero, a 6-2 freshman who graduated from Pajaro Valley High School.

For West Valley, Santa Cruz High alum Kosi Warren-House is a 6-1 freshman on the roster.

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Cabrillo’s Darius Best (2) takes a shot as West Valley’s 6-11 Shakir Odunewu defends.

Playoffs begin Feb. 28 with the state championship March 15-17 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

West Valley was ranked 1st in the state as of Jan. 29.

Only four colleges have won the state title with an undefeated record, and West Valley might be the next.

Cabrillo was ranked 7th before this loss.

Rankings are updated every two weeks. n ••• For championship details, and live broadcasts, see https://www.3c2asports.org/sports/ mbkb/Championships

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West Valley’s Shakir Odunewu, 6-11, positions himself form a rebound.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supervisor Hopefuls Answer 10 Questions

O

By Jondi Gumz

n Feb. 7, the five candidates for Santa Cruz County supervisor in the Second District answered 10 questions posted by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce leaders at a forum at Seacliff Inn, Aptos.

Mail ballots arrived Friday, and polling places are open Tuesday, March 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If no one gets 50% plus one vote, the campaign will go on until Nov. 5. Details: See www.votescount.us The chamber picked the questions at random, but here you’ll find the answers by question. Some questions were answered by only one candidate. Answers are edited for brevity and clarity.

Among the issues: Highway 1 traffic jams, delays to get planning permits, short-term rentals, and lagging FEMA reimbursement for disaster response.

What are the top 3 issues & how to solve them?

Bruce Jaffe: Affordable housing requires roads and water, which I know something about. Transportation: Traffic jams on Highway 1, it can take 45 minutes to get from La Selva Beach to downtown Santa Cruz.

There’s no one solution. Free rides on the bus. Passenger rail? I will look at that. If it’s

not feasible, I will say: Don’t go that way.

How to deal with traffic jams on Highway 1, north & south, and Soquel Drive?

Kristen Brown: I’m all about data David Schwartz driven policy decisions. I’m chair of the RTC Transportation Commission. Metro bought 57 hydrogen buses, bus on the shoulder of Highway 1 is coming, with signals on Soquel Drive to let buses through. Free fares for youth boosted bus ridership by 400%. We’re moving forward with electric passenger rail, but a lot of questions remain. Our culture is single-occupancy vehicles.

Bruce Jaffe: I was on Highway 85 when it opened and there was a traffic jam. I like David Schwartz’ idea for flexible hours for county workers. I worked with FEMA in a tsunami and there’s a lot of silo-ing.

David Schwartz: We have options other than buses. What about van pools and carpools? How many in this room carpooled today? (1-2 hands) Would you car pool if

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Kim De Serpa

Kristen Brown

there was a background check? If everybody on Highway 1 carpooled with one person, that could take hundreds of thousands of cars off the road. The train would go 20 mph, it would take an hour and a half, who’s going to ride that? Stop highway work during the day, do it at night, not during rush hours.

Kim De Serpa: I see young mothers with brown skin spending 2 hours of their day dropping off kids and picking them up. The county owns land on Emeline, Freedom Blvd and Ocean St where they could build workforce housing. The widening of Highway 1 will bring us relief.

Tony Crane: I’m not a big fan of widening. People will drive more. People don’t want to wait for a bus They want to be in control. How about incentives for a bus ride?

A stipend. I ride an electric bike but I can’t do it today in the rain. Passenger rail is futuristic.

What to do about the permit process at county planning that delays businesses from opening?

David Schwartz: I’d like to start with completely reorganizing the planning department. We need to inspire the staff to be customer-oriented, not process-oriented.

We need to reduce the cost, which means redoing the budget. The county gets a 12% tax on short-term rentals. Can that money be earmarked for new homebuyers? I see Metro buses hardly full. Why not have a smaller

Bruce Jaffe

Tony Crane

fleet of vans that picks you up at your door?

You’d have more riders.

Short term vacation rentals take away housing from residents. What to do?

Tony Crane: It’s hard to tell people what to do with their property. I owned an AirBnb. Monitoring is really important. Some advertise a vacation rental on the internet but it’s not legal. We need to hold people accountable.

Kristen Brown: We have 240 short-term vacation rentals and 46 hosted rentals with the owner on-site, and 81 on the waitlist. We’re maxed out. The city of Santa Cruz empty home tax failed. We could incentivize property owners with a tax break for long-term rentals.

We’d have to work with the Board of Equalization and the county assessor.

What to do about federal disaster reimbursement owed by FEMA which is years behind?

Kristen Brown: More than $100 million is owed by FEMA for disaster aid dating to 2017. Capitola just got FEMA reimbursement from the January 2023 storm disaster – that was fast. We need strong advocacy. I have worked with U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, State Sen. John Laird, Assembly Members Gail Pellerin and Dawn Addis. I advocate a change: Applying for grants, if the money is not spent, it’s returned to FEMA. “Second District Candidates” page 18

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Food as Medicine: Maria José Hummel Proves It Works

I

By Jondi Gumz

n Santa Cruz County, obesity is a reality for 21% of white adults and 34% of Latino adults.

Is it possible to close that gap?

The conventional wisdom is Hispanics won’t change what they eat, and what you eat is a huge driver for overweight and obesity.

The conventional wisdom is wrong — and Dr. Maria José Hummel, nutritionist, cookbook author, PhD and researcher with Eat for the Earth Santa Cruz has proved it.

She is in the middle of a 3-year project to encourage Spanishspeaking people in our county to change what Maria José Hummel they eat for 10 days — and the biometrics taken before and after show it works.

It’s called Salud En Tu Plato — Health on Your Plate.

Here’s what is checked: Fasting glucose, lipids such as cholesterol, blood pressure, height, weight and body mass index.

Now this initiative does not provide healthy food to the participants.

The budget did not allow that.

Instead, participants get advice on what to eat — whole food, plant-based — a daily text of encouragement with links to a 5-minute video and recipes.

Mostly, they are asked to eat fruits and vegetables, replacing meat with plant proteins such as beans, and avoid oil.

What did they eat? They were creative.

Amaranth. Scrambled tofu. Black beans with nopales (cactus). Zucchini noodles with avocados.

In the first year, 103 people participated and 95% showed improvement in at least one metric.

In the second year, 89 people are participating, 92% improved at least one metric and 59% improved 3 or more metrics.

One person lost close to 12 lbs. in that 10 days.

Participants were so pleased with the results they wanted to stick with the program.

A few examples (not their real names): Carmen: Fasting glucose dropped from 158 to 71.

Lola, started with diabetes: Fasting glucose dropped from 184 to 71; triglycerides dropped from 409 to 253.

Ana: Lost 8.6 lbs.

Dr. Hummel’s conclusion: A plantbased diet can work in different cultural settings.

And plant-based eating is simple and affordable. n ••• To learn more see https://eatfortheearth.org and https://www.healthfortoday.net/

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

IN MEMORIAM

Barbara Chamberlain B

~ 1935-2024 ~

arbara Jean Cowgill-Chamberlain, author, school librarian, leader of the Cabrillo Host Lions and an Aptos resident for more than 60 years, died on Feb. 2, 2024.

She was born on April 22, 1935 in Fresno.

The family moved to Los Angeles when she was 13 and she graduated with a Bank of America Achievement Award in the Field of Future Success and Service to Society from Belmont High School in 1953.

In 1955, she was awarded a scholarship to the University of Southern California to study journalism. She met and married Cecil David Chamberlain at USC in 1955 and they spent the next two years at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.

In 1959, they moved to Aptos where Dr. Chamberlain set up his dental practice and Barbara raised three children. Once the children were grown, Mrs. Chamberlain attended night casses at Cabrillo College, then earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California in 1987. She earned her master’s degree in information and library science from San Jose State University in 1992. Simultaneously she worked for 30 years at Bradley Elementary School in Corralitos as a part-time school

librarian. Then she worked part-time at the Carmel Library for 13 years.

Barbara Chamberlain was a prolific author, and in 1975, she became a Life Member of the National League of American Pen Women. The Prisoner’s Sword (1978) and Ride the West Wind (1979) were published by David C. Cook Publishing Co. She reprinted these books into a single volume as she had

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originally intended, and this reprint received a Recommended Reading by the National Council of Teachers of English in 2017.

Her short story, “A Bowl of Rice,” published in 2009 won a Writer’s Digest Writing Competition National Award. She wrote a beautiful children’s book, “The Flight of Alpha 1” published in 2013.

She also wrote the Jaden Steele mystery

Remembering Reb Rebele: Feb. 17 in Aptos

A

Housing Matters, https:// celebration of life for housingmatterssc.org/donate/ Rowland “Reb” Rebele, Cabrillo College Journalism a consummate newsDepartment, https://foundapaperman and generous tioon.cabrillo.edy/donate-2/ philanthropist who lived in Aptos Santa Cruz Symphony, and died at 93, will take place at 1 https://santacruzsymphony.org/ p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Crocker donate Theater at Cabrillo College, 6500 For a full obituary, see the Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos.

Rowland Rebele Dec. 15 issue of Aptos Times at Seating begins at 12:30 pm.

Donations in his memory are requested https://tpgonlinedaily.com/aptos-times-december-15-2023/ n to:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Protect the Mountain Lions ne dark morning among the trees when there weren’t so many wasps at Nisene Marks a younger wilder version of me saw paw prints along the fire road to Sand Point.

That was retrospectively a realization.

Wildlife is present.

I was the interloper.

The hummocks above the trail had eyes with glowing orbs of predation.

Nothing in the world compares to that fierce beauty.

Protect them.

Stacey Jackson’s letter to the editor thanking Tiffany Yap and Theresa Boteilho was a remembrance. These are people I don’t know but encroachment on wildlife, my little

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series modeled after her lifelong friend of 65 years, Tanya Johnson. These books are: A Slice of Carmel (2011), Slash and Turn (2012), The Sword of Smuggler’s Point (2015), The Edge of Carmel (2020), and Little Miss Muffet (in progress).

Throughout her life in Aptos was the constant thread of the Cabrillo Host Lions Club. Initially, she served as a Lion Heart, the Lions Club women’s club. She became a full member in 2004, and served as president of the Cabrillo Host Lions Club three times, vice-president once, treasurer four times, vice-district governor three times, and district governor from 2016-2017.

Her husband, Dr. David Chamberlain, died in 2023.

She is survived by her children, Katherine Loren Chamberlain, Elizabeth Ann Miklavcic, David Scott Chamberlain, grandchildren Hanelle Miklavcic, Evan Mikkelsen, Kyra Chamberlain, Nicolas Yurasek, Chris Cole, and Rachel Cole, great-grandchildren Lexie, Sophia, Shelby Yurasek and Jasmine, Nathan and Ariel Cole.

Barbara’s advice for a life well-lived: “Try to help people as best you can.” n ••• Donations in her memory can be made to Cabrillo Host Lions Foundation, PO Box 94, Aptos, CA 95001.

miracle dog and I, would like to help stop.

Protect them.

What can we do to help?

— Heidi Johnston, Capitola ••• Biologist: Protect Mountain Lions esponding to the question: Should state mountain lions be protected?

Yes! Mountain lions should be protected in California under the California Endangered Species Act. Their numbers are low, which brings in the concern for not having enough biodiversity in the genetics over time if we let the numbers go lower. Think about what happened to the California condor.

R

“Letters” page 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

International Recognition M arsha Strong-Smith of Capitola won an Honorable Mention Award from the 11th Abstract International Art Competition hosted by Teravarna Gallery.

Her artwork is being displayed, along with other artists, in the winner’s gallery at www.teravarna.com/ winners-2024-abstract-11 The piece she Marsha Strong-Smith entered, “Bamboo Dream,” is an assemblage of watercolor paintings she cut and glued together using archival adhesive.

“It is a very different style than most artwork but one I enjoy,” she said.

She’s participated in Arts Council Santa

Soquel Water

Bamboo Dream • Watercolor • Marsha Strong-Smith

Cruz County’s Open Studios, but this is her first time entering an international juried art competition.

For her, recognition for her artwork is satisfying. n

Living Water • Watercolor • Marsha Strong-Smith

“Letters” from page 16 Additionally, California mountain lions are a keystone species as a top predator in the ecosystem and without their presence a lot could go wrong going down the food chain.

I’m glad to see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded so positively to the petition from the Center for Biological Diversity.

It shows foresight and awareness early enough to hopefully make a difference.

— Carmen Bryant, Biologist, Aptos

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Leaf Accepts SNAP EBT via Instacart N ew Leaf Community Markets is now accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) for same-day delivery and pickup via Instacart.

This means people with electronic food stamp benefits can access local and organic produce and groceries online for delivery or pickup from Aptos, Capitola, two in the city of Santa Cruz and one in Half Moon Bay. Approval came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

With transportation often a barrier to get to the grocery store, New Leaf hopes to increase access to organic and natural food by enabling online grocery shopping and delivery.

“Working with Instacart, a fellow Bay Area-based business, to now accept EBT SNAP payment online is a great next step to offering additional options to our customers so we can meet them however and wherever they wish to shop with us,” said Andrew Krysiak, senior director of digital for New Leaf Community Markets.

EBT SNAP recipients create an Instacart profile, enter their EBT information as a form of payment, then enter their zip code to see if they are near a participating New Leaf and begin shopping and selecting items from the SNAP-eligible products.

Once items are in their cart, customers can select how much of their benefits to pay for eligible groceries.

Food stamps can be used to buy • Fruits and vegetables; • Meat, poultry, and fish; • Dairy products; • Breads and cereals; • Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

Ineligible items include: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, and supplements with a Supplement Facts label, foods that are hot at the point of sale, non-food items such as: food for pets, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene and cosmetics.

Customers will need a secondary form of payment for non-food items such

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as taxes, tips and fees, per federal SNAP guidelines.

Under federal guidelines, shoppers need a second form of payment (such as debit card or credit card) for non-food items such as taxes, tips and fees.

Orders can be placed for delivery or pickup in as fast as an hour or scheduled several days in advance.

Delivery is available in Santa Cruz County, Half Moon Bay, and the Silver Creek neighborhood in San Jose. n ••• To apply for SNAP: EBT in Santa Cruz County, call tollfree (888) 421-8080.

For information about EBT SNAP on Instacart, visit: https://www.instacart.com/ ebt-snap.

“Second District Candidates” from page 14

Kristen Brown: $119,000 is considered low income. Police officers and firefighters are not making that much. No. 1, prioritize affordable housing for essential workers.

Hiring bonuses. Longevity bonuses.

Bruce Jaffe: Where you choose to live depends on quality of life. It’s up to employers to provide a fair wage. It’s up to the county to prioritize its limited amount of funds to improve quality of life.

How will you work with other supervisors?

Tony Crane: People are not being held accountable for their decisions. The county squandered a million dollars on the Encompass behavioral health respite care home in my neighborhood. When a mistake is made, they don’t ‘fess up. I’d be a squeaky wheel.

How will you represent our voices at state and federal level?

David Schwartz: I’m new at this. I’ll meet with every department head to find out what issues hold them back from doing their job. With persistence and common goals, we can get things done. For Watsonville Community Hospital, private foundations have trillions of dollars and grants can be sought.

Top 3 issues Zach Friend did well, and top 3 you would handle differently.

Tony Crane: My experience is we requested his help for this behavioral health home in my residential neighborhood. We provided irrefutable evidence that it was improper and nothing happened. I spent seven years fighting the county. It affected my property rights – they established a precedent for crisis mental health in our neighborhood.

It sounds great but it doesn’t work. n

David Schwartz: Go to the state and say “we can’t afford this. Why don’t you the state finance it? Hold the IOU? Take the risk?” If the state says no, find an investment group that would buy this 80 cents on the dollar. We could do a lot if we had the money right now.

Kim De Serpa: The county is going for a bond to pay for this. I had a Public Works guy ride Trout Gulch Road (her neighborhood) to identify sections in disrepair for FEMA. FEMA only covers 80%, so we need money in reserve for these disasters.

How to deal with the county budget’s structural deficit?

Kim De Serpa: I won’t know til I get in deep, after the May revise. At the Pajaro Valley school district, we had to make a lot of cuts. The new superintendent did a line by line review; I expect the county would do the same.

Bruce Jaffe: The supervisors basically got it right. People talk about raising that 13 cents we get from property taxes, but who is going to give up their money? Public Works say what gets funded is sexy stuff not potholes. Get to know your inefficiencies. Other than that, live within your means.

With Santa Cruz County one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., how to retain and recruit essential workers?

Kim De Serpa: We have this problem in the Pajaro Valley school district. We give a $5,000 signing bonus to bus drivers; the county could do the same. To pay livable wages, you need revenue. Under the state formula, Santa Cruz County gets only 13 cents from every property tax dollar.

Girl Scout Cookie Time

COMMUNITY NEWS

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Meredith Baker, 14, of Watsonville, a member of Girl Scout Troop 10000, is selling Girl Scout cookies outside Aptos Safeway to raise money for future adventures. Cookies cost $6 a box. Sales in Aptos will also take place outside Cat & Cloud, the Farmers’ Market at Cabrillo College, New Leaf Community Market, Seascape Foods, and end March 10. For a schedule, see https://www.girlscouts. org/en/cookies.html

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / February 15th 2024 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Will Feds Change Marijuana Restrictions?

By Jondi Gumz

W

hen Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 at the urging of Federal Bureau of Narcotics Commissioner Harry Anslinger, a tax was imposed on the import and export of cannabis—and this quashed its use as a medicinal.

There were no scientific studies to back this decision but Anslinger, appointed by his wife’s uncle Andrew Mellon, was an ambitious man running a new division of the Treasury Department, and this was a way to build up his agency.

Anslinger had support from the Dupont chemical company, which had a patent on nylon, and wanted to eliminate hemp as a competitor, and pharmaceutical companies, which wanted people to buy their drugs rather than grow cannabis and make their own medicine.

In 1970 when Richard Nixon was president, he launched the war on drugs. The Controlled Substances Act, was adopted, listing cannabis as “Schedule I” with the most dangerous drugs -- maximum abuse potential but no medicinal value. Again, no studies were done to justify this action.

Now, 67 years after the tax act, researchers with the US Food and Drug Administration say marijuana actually has a less potential for abuse, and scientific reports support its use as a medical treatment. They propose reclassification on Schedule III. The Drug Enforcement Administration has the final authority to reclassify marijuana.

VOTE STATE SENATE

The rulemaking process is expected to have a period for the public to provide comments.

In 2022, President Joe Biden asked US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the attorney general to review the marijuana classification.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine sent a 252-page letter in

late August to the Drug Enforcement Administration supporting the reclassification to Schedule III, The letter noted marijuana was of use in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain,Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDs, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, persistent/severe nausea, and PTSD. Researchers also found a risk of physical dependence to be low or moderate. The National Institute on Drug Abuse concurs with the recommendation.

Reclassifying marijuana could open up research and allow cannabis businesses to bank openly.

California is one of 24 states, two territories and DC that legalized cannabis for adult recreational use.

It is one of 38 states allowing medical use of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

By some reports, cannabis has become a multibillion-dollar industry. n ••• Read the letter at http://tinyurl.com/ marijuana-sched-3-request.

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Dignity Health Remains Top Workplace for Diversity D ignity Health, parent of Dominican Hospital, has been recognized for the second consecutive year as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.

This survey of over 220,000+ individuals included representation at more than 1.5 million companies.

The list features the top large and mid-size companies recognized by their employees, via an anonymous online survey, for genuinely respecting and valuing individuals from different walks of life.

“Dignity Health has long been dedicated to creating a workplace that values equity and inclusion,” said Julie J. Sprengel, California region president, CommonSpirit Health. “By fostering diversity within our workforce, we are better equipped to meet the needs of the unique communities we serve.”

Many different genders, races, nationalities, sexual orientations and identities are represented at Dignity Health hospitals and

clinics, but the focus and commitment around diversity is more than that.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is a major focus of the Dignity Health residency program.

Being recognized on Newsweek’s list underscores the belief among Dignity Health’s leaders that a diverse workforce

Metro Wants Feedback on Route Changes This Month

S

anta Cruz Metropolitan Transit District is seeking public feedback on its project to review its entire network of transit routes and provide buses every 15 minutes.

An initial wave of changes was implemented in December 2023 and Metro now has a draft of Reimagine Metro Phase 2 available at www.scmtd.com/ReimagineMetro. Residents are welcome to visit the website to: Review the plan and proposed Phase 2 system map.

Take a brief online survey to provide feedback on the planned changes. The survey in English and Spanish will be through March 3.

Register for one of three hybrid public meetings via Zoom, which will include inperson meeting participation in English and Spanish. The dates are: Tuesday, Feb. 20: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Watsonville Civic Plaza, Community Room A, 275 Main St 6th floor, Watsonville Wednesday, Feb 21: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. London Nelson Community Center, Room 7, 301 Center St, Santa Cruz Thursday, Feb 22: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Watsonville Civic Plaza, Community Room A, 275 Main St 6th floor , Watsonville

COMMUNITY NEWS

brings a variety of perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and better outcomes for both employees and patients.

Among Dignity Health’s achievements: • Dignity Health hospitals have been recognized by the Healthcare Equity Index, a program of the Human Rights Campaign. The HEI is a benchmarking

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Metro Planning Director John Urgo listed key elements of the proposed plan: Frequent (15 minute) service in east Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos and Watsonville.

Saturday and Sunday frequencies that match weekdays on most routes.

All-day express service, 7-days-a-week, between Watsonville and Santa Cruz on Route 90X. More consistent service on Highway 17.

More direct east-west service in Santa Cruz and Live Oak, from UCSC to Cabrillo College.

East of Cabrillo College, Routes 1 and 2 would become Routes 61 and 62, with free transfers at Cabrillo College. n For more information and feedback opportunities, please visit www.scmtd.com/ReimagineMetro .

survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.

• CommonSpirit Health. Dignity Health’s parent, has entered into a historic 10-year $100 million dollar partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine to increase development of Black and minority physicians by ensuring that at least 300 additional underrepresented providers complete their residency training. Three new residency programs are under development in Dignity Health’s California Region, including one at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

• Dignity Health prioritizes cultural competency training for all employees to provide care that is highly sensitive to the concerns of those who are marginalized.

“Diversity is a widely discussed topic — and it remains a crucial factor as people look for an employer or a business partner,” said Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief for Newsweek. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

High School Chemistry: Silver Deposits & Redox Reactions R ecently, Mount Madonna School 10th grade students explored “redox reactions” — a high school chemistry class version of holiday crafting — during a lab activity. A redox reaction, also known as oxidation reduction, is a reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between “chemical species” or the atoms, ions or molecules involved in the reaction.

The students were transitioning between studying ionic compounds and chemical

reactions and teacher Lisa Catterall offered them a “perfect experiment” to reinforce their learning and to prepare them for the next unit.

“As students performed a four-step reaction inside a glass ball, the result of the final reaction is that silver ions are deposited on the glass,” explained Catterall. “This was an early chemical method of producing mirrors, and it makes for lovely uneven silver deposits on the balls for a handmade ornament. This is a lab we have done in chemistry for the last decade. It works well because it combines arts and crafts with chemical reactions.”

For a unit on electrochemistry, students will try electroforming with copper.

They have chosen small items from nature during a recent campus hike. The items are currently drying and pressing.

The students will create graphite paint in the lab and will paint the items, then submerge them in copper sulfate and run a current through the solution to make beautiful copper objects. n

CALIFORNIA NEWS AG: $150 Million Opioid Settlement

C

alifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a multistate agreement in principle on monetary terms, requiring opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals to pay up to $150 million to address its role in the opioid epidemic.

Hikma produces a range of branded and generic opioid products and sells hundreds of millions of opioid doses every year.

From 2006 to 2021, Hikma failed to monitor and report suspicious opioid orders from potentially illegal distributors, even while its personnel knew their systems to monitor suspicious orders were inadequate and prone to failure.

The announcement will provide $115 million in cash and $35 million in opioid addiction treatment medication to resolve claims brought by states and local communities against Hikma. States that do not accept the medication will receive cash in lieu of product.

“The opioid epidemic has shattered communities across this country, and

Hikma Pharmaceuticals bears responsibility for the grief and loss caused by this crisis,” said Bonta. “Although no amount of money could ever undo the pain that has been deeply felt by countless families impacted by this epidemic, today’s announcement is an important step that will help bring recovery to California.

At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to hold accountable those that fueled this public health crisis, build on our efforts to heal our communities, and respond to this epidemic from all angles.”

The negotiations in this agreement have been led by California, New York, Delaware, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with an executive committee consisting of the attorneys general of Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.

In addition to the financial terms, a final settlement remains contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes. n

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

State to Evaluate Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program

16 Cases, 18 Lost Livestock, $3 Million Exhausted

A

s part of its evaluation of the “WolfLivestock Compensation Pilot Program,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is posting outstanding wolf depredation reports dating back to August 2023.

The depredation reports confirm 16 wolf depredations totaling a loss of 18 livestock.

With this posting, CDFW will now finalize review of existing program applications and eligibility of livestock producers to receive payments for direct losses.

The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program is the first of its kind in California and has thus far: • Provided support to livestock producers in compensating for direct loss of livestock due to confirmed wolf depredation • Supported non-lethal deterrence techniques such as the use of range riders, electrified fencing and flags (turbo fladry), camera surveillance, motion lights and guardian dogs, and • Compensated livestock producers for the impact of wolf presence on livestock.

CDFW received $3 million in funding from the Budget Act of 2021 and began receiving applications in February 2022.

As of Jan. 12, CDFW had received 102 applications.

At that time, CDFW notified the public that the applications received were projected to exhaust the current fund.

The efforts to implement the pilot program have been important to wolf conservation and supporting livestock producers in the state.

Once the program is complete and evaluated, CDFW will make a summary public at https:// wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/ Gray-Wolf n Photo Courtesy of CDFW

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Salmon, Once a $170 Million Industry, Has Received Zero Disaster Aid

State Sought $30.8 Million for Season Closure; Feds Propose $20 Million

Editor’s note: On Feb. 5, leaders of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, the Golden Gate Fisherman’s Association, and the Northern California Guides and Sportsmen’s Association called on U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham for immediate full funding of salmon disaster funding assistance in wake of the fishery being closed by regulators for a year. The State of California requested $30 million in disaster aid but the federal government provided only $20 million.

The fishermen say the state’s economic analysis falls short of needs, and nearly a year after the salmon season closure, no relief funds have been made available to affected businesses or their employees.

Here is their letter: ••• s leaders of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, the Golden Gate Fisherman’s Association, and the Northern California Guides and Sportsmen’s Association we are calling on the Federal government to immediately and fully fund the State’s request for disaster assistance funding for the closure of the 2023 salmon season in California.

Collectively, PCFAA, GGFA, and NCGASA represent businesses in all ocean and inland sectors of commercial and recreational harvest of Fall Run Chinook. These three organizations have partnered together on numerous previous meetings with each other and federal and state fisheries managers seeking changes and improvements to California’s fisheries management. We have also been collectively engaged in petitioning for a 2023 closure as the responsible thing to do to protect and preserve the fishery, and working cooperatively with State and Federal partners to identify the economic costs that require disaster assistance compensation.

As a reminder: In March 2023 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife held their annual pre-season salmon briefing and reported some of the worst fisheries numbers in the history of the state. These numbers follow years of drought, poor water management decisions by federal and state managers, occasional failure to meet hatchery egg mitigation goals, inaccurate season modeling, and the inability of fisheries managers to meet their own mandated escapement goals.

Subsequently, the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the California Fish and Game Commission closed all commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the State of California.

In April 2023, California Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis requested fishery disaster

A

determinations for the Sacramento River Fall chinook fishery and the Klamath River fall chinook, ocean, and inland salmon fisheries.

On Nov. 21, NOAA Fisheries concluded a disaster took place in California salmon fisheries, clearing the path for the fishing industry in those areas to receive financial relief.

However, while the State of California and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ultimately requested $30,784,670 to be spread across commercial, processor, bait and charter industries, last week the Secretary of Commerce announced that the state would only receive $20,605,103, a reduction of more than 33% of the already minimal amount of funding requested.

This reduction of funding is unacceptable and a slap in the face of a salmon industry that supported the decision to close the 2023 for the protection and preservation of the species, with a specific promise that their industries would be made whole through Federal disaster funding.

Further, it is nearly a year since decisions were made to close the salmon season, and to date not ONE affected business or individual has received any financial compensation.

Mortgages, bills, and food must continue to be purchased while businesses and their employees have lost 100% of all income from the fishery. The funding today is literally “a day late and a dollar short” and an insult to the men and women struggling to survive this closure.

Challenges with the calculated and awarded amounts also remain. As an example, in discussions with CDFW prior to submission to Department of Commerce, the commercial fleet raised the issue of compensation to the large number of businesses that both support and are supported by the commercial salmon fleet.

Specifically, fuel purveyors, ice machine operators, chandleries, and boat yards provide critical services to the fleet; in return, they rely on a robust commercial salmon season as part of their business. They were not included in the disaster assistance request with the rationale that commercial ex-vessel value includes support of these affiliated businesses.

Plans have been proposed for a portion of the commercial award to be applied to support this group. With a one-third reduction in award value, however, the fleet is likely to recover only the net value of the fishery, in essence removing our ability to support affiliated businesses, or reduce our fair compensation to distribute funds where they are desperately needed.

Similarities exist across all industry sectors. Arguably, the compensatory amount the state is requesting is smaller than it should be because of the large group of businesses that were neglected by the CDFW estimate of loss. In addition to those businesses mentioned above, the request also excludes bait shops and booking agents which are also being severely impacted by the closure,

hotels and restaurants, tackle stores and many others.

A final note about how severely impacted this salmon community has become. The economic value of this industry during the last disaster declaration, in 2008-2009, was $170 million.

Today we sit with an industry with a calculated economic loss of $30 million (and only $20 million funded), not even 15% of the economic output it was 17 years ago.

Most industries grow over time. This one is declining at such a rapid pace that it might not even exist 17 years from now. If that is our intent, we are doing a pretty darn good job at extirpating not only the species but the industries and the men and women who work alongside it.

California’s salmon anglers depend on talent, luck, and the good governance of the salmon fishery by federal and state agencies to make a living. Salmon bring tourism and supports small businesses and rural areas.

These businesses are steeped in multi-generational traditions and culture.

Every percentage carved off the relief package brings families closer to the decision to shutter their businesses, leave the state, and turn away from the only careers that they and their families have known for decades. If we want them to be successful in the long term, we must appropriately and swiftly address the true economic cost of this crisis and ensure these businesses and their employees are made whole through federal funding. n

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

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Indiana Artist Wins California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest A painting of wild turkeys has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2023-2024 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The painting was created by Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana.

This is Klinefelter’s third win in a row, and seventh win overall, in the California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art contest. He also placed first in the 2020-21 California Duck Stamp Art Contest.

Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife the annual contest determined the official design for this year’s California Upland Game Bird Stamp.

Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in ornithology, conservation, art and printing.

Designs were judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

The judges noted the “flawless” turkeys in Klinefelter’s painting, pointing to the anatomical accuracy in the proportions and posture as well as the realism in the face and eyes.

but I found that They also comkind of California mented on the landscape difficult amount of detail in to replicate.” the feathers, in both He also found definition and color, the turkeys themand appreciated selves a challenge. how the crispness “I have a lot and vibrancy made of experience with the turkeys “pop” eastern turkeys while remaining here in Indiana,” he realistic.

The said, “but no expeshowier male conrience with the Rio trasted well with Grande subspecies, the duller females, the most common and the more Winning artwork of wild turkeys by Jeffrey Klinefelter. subspecies in Calimuted background habitat brought all three turkeys into fornia and the one I decided to paint.”

He focused his attention on the differfocus while still being detailed enough to create a sense of place representative of ences between the two, especially in the tail feathers, and overcame the challenge admiCalifornia.

Sense of place was a conscious effort rably, as the judges can attest.

Klinefelter, now in his 70s, is an active on Klinefelter’s part, and one he found very challenging as someone who doesn’t live in Lion in his hometown, which is near Potawatomie Wildlife Park, 317 acres of California.

“I wanted to create a more open back- fields, woodlands, ponds, and wetlands borground,” he said, “something wide open, dered by the Tippecanoe River.

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

He is inspired by nature.

He has no computer and depends on friends to alert him to contest opportunities.

Carolyn Jenkins of Deltona, Fla., placed second in this year’s competition. Diane Ford of Bethesda, Md., received third. Jill Binger of Burney, Calif., received honorable mention.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The validation replaces the stamp through CDFW’s Automated License Data System, but the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request.

Monies generated from upland game bird validation sales are dedicated solely to upland game bird-related conservation projects, hunting opportunities, public outreach and education.

CDFW annually sells about 165,000 upland game bird validations and distributes about 24,000 stamps. n Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/ licensing/collector-stamps.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Remodeled La Selva Beach Clubhouse Reopens

A

By Jim Rhodes

fter a year of renovation, La Selva Beach Community Clubhouse welcomed back a large crowd of neighbors on Jan. 30 to a re-opening event to acknowledge those who helped on the project.

La Selvan band Local Honey kicked things off with a mini-concert and was followed by a question-and answer-forum with all five candidates running for the Second District supervisorial seat in the March 5 primary.

Kristen Brown, Tony Crane, Kim De

Serpa, Bruce Jaffe, and David Schwartz introduced themselves and then responded to questions from the audience.

The outgoing incumbent supervisor, Zach Friend, was in attendance earlier to receive appreciation for his 12 years of service to La Selva Beach.

C2 Builders Inc, Scott Haggblade of Urfer & Associates, Peter Bagnall of William Bagnall Architects, and local construction consultants Frank Dickinson and Josh Schneider were also honored by La Selva Beach Recreation Department. n

A large crowd attends the reopening of La Selva Beach Community Clubhouse.

U.S. Presidents

From left, Marla Dickinson, Frank Dickinson, project manager, Ashley Winn, La Selva Beach Recreation District director, Josh Schneider, consultant, Claudia Schneider

Bay Federal Employees Raise $12,600 for United Way

B

ay Federal Credit Union announces their January workplace campaign raised over $12,600 for United Way. Employees of The Credit Union made both one-time donations and payroll deductions in support of United Way of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

“United Way is a vital organization in our community,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal president and CEO. “We are very grateful for the work that they do, and I am so proud of our Bay Federal employees who are eager to support this amazing organization year after year.”

As part of their award-winning volunteer program, Bay Federal Credit Union

has hosted a fundraising campaign in support of their local United Way for nearly 30 years. By making monetary donations and volunteering time, the support given to United Way helps build stronger, more resilient communities where everyone can thrive.

United Way works to improve the health, education, and economic mobility of every person in every community that they serve, making life better for more than 48 million people a year. n ••• To learn more about Unitied Way visit https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/ california/united-way-monterey-county or www. unitedwaysc.org/.

23. Pac-Man venue ACROSS 26. Long and adventurous 1. Falling out journey 5. Bottle top 30. Rudolph’s Clarice, e.g.

8. Door fastener 31. Like life, according to 12. Shoe emanation? some 13. Staff note 34. Is it enough?

14. Home to Buccaneers 35. Jalisco plant 15. Actress Spelling 37. As opposed to rent 16. Thor’s father 38. Grassy mound 17. Kidman’s husband 18. *He served two noncon- 39. Flat-top hill 40. *W in George H.W. Bush secutive presidential 42. Nicki Minaj’s genre terms 43. Reusable painting 20. *JFK and RFK’s pattern relationship, abbr.

45. Sacred songs 21. Foreword 22. J. Edgar Hoover Building 47. Horse control 48. Laughing predator org.

50. Gunk 52. *Nobel Peace Prize winning president

56. Social media button 57. Tangerine-grapefruit hybrid 58. Greek god of love 59. Cautious gambler 60. Trousers 61. Baltic capital 62. Port in Yemen 63. Follow ems 64. Not ever, poetically

DOWN 1. Campus drillers 2. One on a pedestal 3. Golfer’s warning 4. “Jeopardy” question, e.g.

5. Closet wood 6. ____ acid 7. Body between England and U.S.?

8. *President who spent the shortest time in office 9. Orator’s stand 10. Pampering establishments 11. J.M. Barrie’s Peter 13. Like hot lava 14. Short and plump 19. Endow 22. *WW2 Pres.

23. *Thomas Jefferson was his VP 24. “Thesaurus” author 25. Cut it out 26. Sound on Old MacDonald’s farm 27. Annoy a bedfellow 28. “Bravo! Bravo!” e.g.

29. Online reviews 32. Delivered by a mare

33. Hole punching tool 36. *a.k.a. Old Kinderhook 38. Danish money 40. Intelligent humor 41. Vomiting 44. Pressed beverage 46. Tap house 48. TV classic “_____’s Heroes” 49. Egg parts 50. Past tense of chide 51. Sand trap tool 52. Ill-mannered 53. Albany-Buffalo canal 54. Theater section 55. Russian ruler 56. #10 Down, sing.

© Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Lunar New Year of the Wood Dragon

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-February 2024 • By Risa D’Angeles

2

024 is the lunar new year of the Wood Dragon. The lunar new year of the Wood Dragon began this year, 2024, on Saturday at the new moon (February 10) and ends at the full moon Lantern Festival (Saturday, February 24).

Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons are endowed with leadership abilities and revolutionary ideas. The dragon is an auspicious, mysterious and extraordinary creature of talent and excellence, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, good fortune, blessings and success. A Dragon year is an opportune year, containing both change and challenge (which the dragon always overcomes).

Wood Dragon is a year of intelligence, courage, enthusiasm and confidence. Unafraid of challenges, often taking risks, dragons break away from tradition, paving the way for a new creative future. In Chinese culture, the dragons are powerful and majestic. They are spirited leaders. Ancient China emperors often regarded themselves as the Dragon, the Son of Heaven.

In Chinese element theory, each sign is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. Thus five types of Dragons, each with different characteristics. A person’s ARIES

characteristics are decided by their birth year’s zodiac animal sign and element. The Wood Dragon is like a Scorpio or Pisces – they are introverted and it takes a long time to create trust in relationships.

Wood Dragons are more diligent, dedicated and careful in life than the other dragons, their enthusiasm is often cloaked and hidden.

Auspicious are colors gold, yellow, red and deep lavender.

In the garden and around the door of the home, it’s beneficial to plant bleeding heart flowers (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) and dragon flowers (snap dragons – Antirrhinum).

Dragons especially love the Chinese signs of rat, monkey and rooster. Dragons are journalists, teachers, architects, engineers. Famous Dragon people — Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809), Earth Dragon; Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940), Gold Dragon; John Lennon (October 9, 1940) Gold Dragon; Vladimir Putin (October 7, 1952), Water Dragon.

Dragon Years — 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, and 1928. The Dragon is the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiacal cycle. It’s fun to draw dragons. Children’s drawings are best. We too can draw like a child. We also begin to gather our lanterns for the Lantern Festival. n

LEO

Try and try again with all endeavors. However, don’t expect anything to come to fruition until after the April eclipse. You can have many trial runs, planning and perfecting activities that highlight creativity, which will be inner focused and not outwardly seen. Maintaining optimism, being fully constructive and encouraging the self and others will create a most helpful atmosphere and environment. Do not think failure on any level. Think preparation.

You find you want to change your looks, how people see you. There may be a feeling of impatience when energies, thoughts, ideas, contacts sent out into the world don’t seem to make much impact. The energies you are working with now are internal and from the past (south node) and so adjustments have to be made in how you interpret other people’s responses or non-responses. Careful with fire and sharp tools in daily life. Guard your head and face. Don’t push any river, person, event, plan or yourself. Be the tortoise, not the hare.

TAURUS

Many Virgos will go into contemplation, delve into the value of their thought processes, their conscious and subconscious minds. They may read up on Jung and archetypes, symbols, myths and Joseph Campbell books till mid-year and emerge with an entirely new and different aspect on religion, spirituality and their place in the world. In between reading assess all possessions and clean closets, garages, art spaces, drawers, shelves and under all furniture so that your places are purified and perfected, ordered and orderly — qualities that belong to you completely.

The invisible world is with you the entire time.

Everything will be about the correct foundations being created and stabilized, about patience being recognized as an asset and redoing everything if at first the work is not prepared with the needed perfection, harmony and balance. Perhaps you’re building a greenhouse. Give yourself and others working with you more than ample time to make sure all parts are safely intact. Many may ask your reasoning for such exactness and precision. You may remain silent or give a lesson on beauty and order. Lifting everything to the Kings of Beauty.

GEMINI

Life, people, communication, the mail, correspondence, messages — all will seem to be filled with rules and laws and this leads to difficulty as you are more of a free spirit in life. Mars is in Capricorn and it’s asking you to follow-through with thoughts, ideas, and plans that remain incomplete. It could be that patience is in short supply. What you must do is small tasks, undemanding and repetitive, including repeating information over and over. You will find your way through these interesting obstructions. You’re clever, a wizard, a trickster and sometimes the fool in Tarot.

CANCER

You may attempt to do many different projects during this time and not just one. But you realize multi-tasking doesn’t work. You don’t want to waste time, which is something you may feel is occurring. Follow up on every endeavor with care and effort. Monetarily make no changes and do not output more money than is the usual.

Conserve your energy and resources and instead of action, create long term plans that you can implement the second half of the year.

Create a journal where what you value is recorded and see if these values change as the year unfolds. Your garden is of value.

VIRGO

LIBRA

Everyone’s in the same boat of realizing the world and time has accelerated. In the meantime, with this is a bit of confusion, people feeling they are not keeping up. So not much is getting done, things seem like they’re failing and falling, and group work and friends and even hopes and visions for the future seem somewhat hard pressed, difficult and, at times, carried away to ... well, we don’t quite know where. It’s time to have fun, to generate parties and pastimes that dislodge any prevailing blues.

Only you can initiate this. Make the gatherings plentiful and often till spring comes. Valentine’s day is soon.

SCORPIO

It is not time to appear in the world and assume a leadership position. It is time, though, to build a firm foundation, to plan and strategize what your purpose and work truly is in the world. Consider how you want to be seen and recognized and what gifts you will bring forth. Study those you admire, those you would mentor, and those whose success reflects your aspirations. After tending to self, turn to the world and think of how to serve others. This takes the focus away from competition, survival, losing or winning. This is a time of repositioning your creative ideals and anchoring them in your heart.

•••

SAGITTARIUS

Your goals…what are they really? Not outer goals specifically but inner ones for these are what propel you toward the direction that is yours alone. It is your pathway to discover, to keep and later to lead from. It is possible you have already discovered this path and become devoted to it. Once this Path is revealed you will march forward with focused will, strength, courage and determination. Mars is the inner arrow in the bow of the Archer.

Mars reveals your values and virtues. The arrow of Mars is now on the Capricorn mountaintop, the place of Initiation. You stand in the light supernal. You have become the unicorn.

CAPRICORN

Your inner life at this time is of tremendous importance. You will encounter a new state of identity, that of the Path walker. Along the way, take care with how money in your hands is spent. Always have a list of how the money was spent, where and why. It is an excellent time to renew, reawaken, revive, relight and rekindle your most intimate relationship. This will set a new foundation for years to come. And it will be what sustains you in the changing times.

Do you need new shoes? Research, assess and purchase shoes that best comfort your feet.

AQUARIUS

It’s important to offer Goodwill to all friends, relationships, partnerships, and those who work around you. Be generous with everyone around you, with those you work with and all you meet but especially with loved ones. You receive loving generosity in return. Working together in close association can create a strong bond that will assist in rising above possible impatience and frustrations. Realize that success is linked to all parties attempting compromise and Right Relations. As the leader, you are to go first.

Aquarians are the mentors of humanity.

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

PISCES

Create and maintain a regular schedule, one that doesn’t change often, but provides you with constancy, dependability and reliability. You will be called to work overtime which could stress you physically and emotionally. Tend to your work early, don’t try to work too long. Walk around the neighborhood often each day.

Everything is in a state of realigning on inner and outer levels, all around the world. Think of everything as an experiment, which it is. It’s stated in Ancient Wisdom texts that when one is in an Initiation they are often alone. Remain poised. Each night, reviewing the day, know that the day was good.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Zach Friend to Chair CSAC Health and Human Services Committee

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he California State Association of Counties has reappointed Santa Cruz County 2nd District Supervisor Zach Friend to serve as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

The one-year term expires in January 2025.

“I am honored to continue serving the Health and Human Services Committee as chair and remain committed to bringing forth policies that will address critical issues faced by our community and beyond,” said Friend.

“We congratulate Supervisor Friend on his reappointment and are thankful for his dedication and support of mental health initiatives.

His ongoing advocacy enhances our local voice in crucial funding discussions at both the state and federal Zach Friend levels, addressing systemic challenges related to behavioral health services and support for individuals experiencing homelessness,” said Health Services Agency Director Mónica Morales.

As chair of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee, Supervisor Friend has been recognized for advocating on behalf of CSAC for all 58 counties via public testimony during legislative hearings on the Mental Health Services Act and other mental health initiatives, as well as advocating for counties through media and in meetings with legislative members.

Friend, a three-term supervisor, advocates on behalf of the County at the federal level, serving on the National Association of Counties Board of Directors and with various local and regional agencies.

CSAC represents county government before the California Legislature, administrative agencies, and the federal government, seeking to improve the finances of all California counties so they can meet the demand for public programs and services. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Calling All Aptos High Parents!

Survey Open til Feb. 23

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

ur school values and depends on our parents. From surveys to celebrations, we need your input and participation.

Our YouthTruth: Online ‘til Feb. 23 PVUSD sends out an annual survey called YouthTruth (YT). YT is also the name of the nonprofit organization that works with hundreds of schools/districts across the nation.

All the responses of the anonymous survey go directly back to them who share the results with our school. Your 15-minute response guides us in our planning and programming for the upcoming year.

Parents/guardians can log onto the computer or get a paper copy from our school. Online, parents can access it in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or five other languages. It must be completed in one sitting or answers will not be calculated or saved.

The survey is available online until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 23.

If you have a student at other PVUSD schools, you will also be asked to fill it out for that specific school, too. If you have more than one child at our school, you can complete the survey again. It is one log-in per pupil.

The survey asks families about how our school can improve. It also asks our families to rate statements about the quality of education and how proud they are of our school.

Families get to rate if they think discipline is fair, whether they would recommend the school to others, and how our school respects others.

Parents also get to express how teachers, staff, and school leaders treat their students, communicate with families, and address their concerns. Questions include parent opinions about safety, high expectations, academics, and necessary resources.

Creating a place for all students to have a sense of belonging is included in several questions. Families can express how they feel about the school’s learning environment, communication, school activities, visual messages, and overall approach to welcome diverse backgrounds.

At the end, there is an opportunity for families to provide comments, share positive experiences, and/or express concerns

or wonderings about how the school can/should improve. We encourage you not to include names or something that might specifically identify you, as the comments are shared. All of the responses are anonymous, and they are combined with all the parent/guardian responses in the final report.

The report will be reviewed at the AHS parent advisory, posted on our website, discussed at our school site council, reviewed by staff, and emailed to parents. It also helps us determine our goals and priorities for next year, including financial areas and programming priorities. Thanks for taking the time to complete YT. Booster Club Auction & Dinner: March 2 The Aptos High Booster Club is a parent/guardian created nonprofit organization that funds curricular and extracurricular activities at Aptos High School. It is the leadership of our parents and the generosity of our families and the community that create a team of support and extra dollars to support our students and staff.

On March 2, the Booster Club is hosting our Dinner and Dance Auction. This over-21 event makes for a great evening out and a chance to meet other adults, including alumni, parents/guardians, and community partners. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, an auction more entertaining than any game show, and a variety of music.

The food, provided by a variety of supporters in our community, comes from local restaurants and markets.

It will not disappoint! From grill masters to local bakers, it is a terrific variety of flavors and foods. The auctioneer brings his wit and humor; we guarantee he will have you laughing. We also are honored to have our local talent and AHS parent, Lizzy Smith, performing: 10c Town with Lizzy Smith.

The auction items come from donors like you. Your gifts which range from photography services to top-of-the-line skin care products/ services bring our local businesses and shopping needs to one place in one evening. There is a silent auction, as well as a variety of public auction items, including your own parking spot, tickets to the Giants game, and much more!

Lizzy Smith & 10¢ Town band

Please reach out to Maria Meade, our Booster Club President, if you would like to contribute to the auction. If you have already donated, THANK YOU! It truly makes a difference.

We appreciate all of the donations from community members, business, and families. Every dollar that the Booster Club earns goes directly back to Aptos High School. It funds projects, such as the Robotic Club, drama trips, and surf team, as well supplies like warm up clothes or needed equipment for a sports team. It also provides Five-Star prizes for our students who are celebrated for their positive leadership. When our teachers work 12-hour plus days for back-to-school night or Mariner Expo, it is the Booster Club that helps provide dinner and snacks. They also host a teacher appreciation breakfast and fundraise for a senior celebration before graduation. n ••• Please join us for the Annual Aptos Booster Club’s Dinner and Dance Auction. Tickets are $40 per individual/$75 per couple at the Corralitos Grange Hall, March 2, from 6 - 10 p.m. Come join the fun while also getting to know other parents and staff. Tickets can be purchased on our Aptos Booster Club website: https://www.aptoshs.net/About-Us/Community/Booster-Club/index.html.

COMMUNITY NEWS Our Community Reads: The Monk of Mokha Upcoming Events

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ll events will require registration on the SCPL website calendar. For more information about Our Community Reads and a description of events visit: www. friendsof aptoslibrary.org.

••• Sunday, Feb. 18 Johann Sebastian Bach’s Coffee Cantata (live music) | 3 p.m.

Bach’s aria will be sung by lyric coloraturasoprano Lori Schumann, co-founder of the Santa Cruz Opera Project. She will be accompanied by piano and flute. Come enjoy the music and learn about Bach’s relationship to coffee. (Hint: He drank 30 cups a day!) Learn a bit more from Dinah Phillips about the intertwined history of coffee and music over the years.

Downtown Library Meeting Room, 2nd floor — 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz ••• Wednesday, Feb. 21 “A Small Section of the World” (film) & Coffee Tasting | 1 p.m.

A moving documentary about a group of women in a small, remote farming community in Costa Rica as they spark a revolution in the coffee growing world. Stay to taste some Costa Rican coffee after the film. (Program ends at 2:30 p.m.)

Felton Library Community Room •••

Saturday, Feb. 24 Verve Coffee Tour and Tasting (field trip) | 1 p.m.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the coffee roasting process and learn about the secret sauce behind third-wave coffee. Our tour leaders, Hannah Meade and Laney Drury, represent this world-famous coffee company headquartered in our own backyard.

104 Bronson St. Suite 19, Santa Cruz ••• Sunday, Feb. 25 Dror Sinai Musical Adventures | 4 p.m.

“Rhythm is all around us, in everything we see, we touch, we breathe.”

Experience this true force of nature as Dror Sinai shares his musical gifts and tells stories about his Yemeni roots.

La Selva Beach Community Church — 26 Florido Ave., La Selva Beach ••• Tuesday, Feb. 27 Trivia Night | 6 p.m.

The ever-popular 2nd District Supervisor Zach Friend poses challenging questions from The Monk of Mokha. Join us for a fun-filled evening. Bring your book club members, friends, or come solo to show off your knowledge of The Monk of Mokha and all things coffee-related. Dinner & Drinks available for purchase at this new venue. n

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Red Cross National Blood Collection Program in 1941. His work with the Red Cross helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians during World War II. APTOS LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Dr. Drew’s efforts to increase the blood supply led to the Mon-Thur: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Closed use of bloodmobiles and other collection, preservation and Sunday distribution processes still used today. students who have made an impact in their community or ARTS DIRECTOR SOUGHT 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos ••• who have overcome personal challenges.

Pajaro Valley Arts seeks a dynamic and experienced leader Mondays Roll up a sleeve to give blood. Use the Red Cross Blood to serve as executive director to advance the mission Bridge Club, 10:30-noon, partnership with County Parks, Applications can be found on PG&E’s website at http://tinyurl.

Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood or call com/pge-grants-2024. of the organization: Bringing the Community Together except for Monday holidays 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an Through the Arts.

Writers Workshop, 1-3 p.m. 2nd & appointment.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOUGHT PVA has a vibrant exhibit program and blossoming 4th Mondays All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in FebTech Help in person, 1-3 p.m. weekly. Make an Leadership Santa Cruz County is now hiring an executive director, arts education programs housed in a 1,200-square foot ruary will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. gallery.

Responsibilities include leading a capital campaign a part time position with salary commensurate to experience. appointment (831-427-7713) ••• to remodel the Porter Building, a 12,000-square foot comThe executive director is responsible for carrying out SciFi Flicks, 6-8 p.m. first Monday of the month with Santa Cruz munity facility in downtown Watsonville (owned debt-free) the mission of the organization under the direction of the snacks.

Feb. 20: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santa Cruz Firefighters at Board of Directors. Applicants should be familiar with the to expand programming.

Tuesdays Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. The ideal candidate will be a visionary who has inner workings of Santa Cruz County’s institutions, its Storytime for ages 3-5, 11-11:30 am weekly Feb. 27: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of outstanding management, development, organizational, decision makers, and current affairs.

Thursdays Latter-Day Saints, 220 Elk St. and communication skills/experience.

Bilingual/Spanish The executive director plans and coordinates the Tai Chi, 10-11 am weekly Watsonville and arts programming experience are highly desirable. program for each class year and is expected to be Mah Jongg 2-4 p.m. weekly Feb. 20: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Health Trust of This is a part-time (20-29 hours per week) position, with active and visible in the community working with other READ Help for Kids 3-5 pm weekly by appointment.

Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. Ages 6 to 18 with credentialed teachers. Email elibrary@ governmental, business, and nonprofit organizations. This the possibility of becoming full-time as programming Feb. 23: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of expands at the new facility. position requires strong skills in organizational planning santacruzpl.org The position is at-will, paid hourly and does not include Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson S. and program development, public speaking, group Coming in March: facilitation skills, budgeting, and knowledge of fundraising health benefits. The executive director serves at the Tuesdays: Aptos Youth Chess Club, 3:30-4:30 pm LEAP OF KINDNESS DAY pleasure of the Board of Directors. Pay commensurate strategies and opportunities.

Wednesdays: Minecraft for ages 8-18, 3:30-5:30 pm February 29 happens every four years, so why not do Graduates of Leadership Santa Cruz County or a similar with experience $40-$55 per hour. something extra special with that extra day. The Pajaro program are preferred.

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to apply@pvarts.org NOMINATE ORAL HEALTH HEROES Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture asks More than 1,600 individuals have graduated from Due Fri., March 15, Noon. everyone to participate in Leap of Kindness Day. Leadership Santa Cruz County since it was founded in RED CROSS SEEKS BLOOD DONORS Nominations are open for the 2024 Oral Health Hero Awards Consider donating your time and talent to help local people, 1985 to enhance the civic participation of emerging For Black History Month, the Red Cross honors the that recognize outstanding commitment to improving oral charities and non-profit organizations. It’s an excellent opporcommunity leaders. legacies of three trailblazers: health for the underserved in Santa Cruz County. tunity to thank first responders, nurses and Veterans too.

Frederick Douglass, a prominent Black abolitionist Two awards will be given – one to a dental professional If interested, submit resume to: lmurphy@cityofsantacruz.

Non-profits are encouraged to email Info@pajarovalley com with a minimum of three references.

More information: and author who escaped slavery, one to a non-dental professional. Recognition of the Oral chamber.com to share what your organization needs. These leadershipsantacruzcounty.org. supported Clara Barton’s efforts to Health Heroes will be at the Oral Health Summit on April 24. requests will be shared on the Chamber’s Instagram page. establish the American Red Cross.

Submit nominations at: https://bit.ly/OralHealthHero2024 Businesses: Let us know what you plan to do for Leap of MAH 2024 EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS Having been impressed by Barton’s Kindness Day so you get an Instagram shout-out!

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is pleased aid to soldiers who were Black COUNTY SURVEY ON AGING to announce its exhibition program for 2024, which during the Civil War and her desire To initiate Age Well Santa Cruz County, a new county COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS includes solo and group shows, collaborative partnerships, to improve the protection of the initiative, a local survey launched on Jan. 8 to collect and the return of its biennial, countywide multi-arts festival. wounded during wartime, Douglass Frederick Douglass The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in community feedback focused on aging. The deadline to 2024 except September and November.

Highlights from the season include: the return of the Rydell signed the original Articles of Incorporespond is March 31.

Remaining dates are Feb. 27, March 26, April 23, May The survey is supported by a steering committee of engaged Visual Arts Fellowship showcase; a retrospective of renowned ration for the Red Cross in 1881. February is designated as 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3. landscape painter Richard Mayhew; a group exhibition about Black History Month to honor Douglass’ birthday on Feb. 14. community members and outreach efforts to maximize There is no meeting in September or November. community participation will take place widely. Results from the Filipino migration and labor in the Pajaro Valley presented with Howard University, one of the nation’s top historically Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth UC Santa Cruz; an exploration of photographic media with Black colleges and universities, formed its Red Cross unit survey will inform the local master plan goals.

Ansel Adams, Norman Locks, Karolina Karlic, Shelby Graham, in March 1917 under the leadership of Red Crosser Hallie Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 Age Well Santa Cruz County will partner with orgaBinh Danh, and Edgar Cruz; a touring exhibition of works by E. Queen. Determined to aid the war effort, students met East Lake Blvd., Watsonville. nizations, businesses, clubs, agencies and individuals For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see throughout Santa Cruz County to ensure as many people contemporary Black artists including Ed Clark, Tunji Adeniyi- daily to make 1,000 hospital supplies before the semester santacruzcountyfair.com Jones, Mickalene Thomas, Kara Walker, Tavares Strachan, ended and coordinated entertainment for Black soldiers as possible participate in the survey.

The survey is online at www.wagewellsantacruzcounty. among others; CommonGround, a 10-day festival of outdoor stationed at Fort Meade. Howard University carries on this art and performance hosted across the county; and an tradition today through its Red Cross Club, which hosts org and www.buenavejezcondadodesantacruz.org. For ONGOING EVENTS in-gallery, immersive Afrospeculative experience featuring Bay blood drives and completes community service projects. questions, email AgeWell@santacruzcountyca.gov Dr. Charles R. Drew, a surgeon and pioneer of modern Ongoing thru May 12 To request a paper survey in English or Spanish call (831) 454-4397. Area muralists Timothy B, Zoe Boston, and Shogun Shido..

MAH is located at 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz. blood banking, was named the first medical director of the RICHARD MAYHEW: INNER TERRAIN Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St. DEADLINE FOR PG&E SCHOLARSHIPS: MARCH 15 A rare and timely exhibition of the artwork of Soquel artist Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will award more than JACK HAS A PLAN Richard Mayhew (b. 1924) at the Museum of Art & History, $200,000 to college-bound high schoolers as well as feature works that speak to American arts, culture, and current college and continuing education students living in Saturday February 17 • Sunday February 18 history.

Northern and Central California.

See below for Details Mayhew blends multiple genres including Baroque The scholarships were created by PG&E’s 11 employee Two free screenings are planned for “Jack Has a Plan,” an awardlandscape, Impressionism, plein-air, Abstract Expresresource groups and two engineering network groups, winning documentary about Jack Tuller, a budding San Francisco sionism, and Color Field painting using mechanisms which support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. musician diagnosed with a brain tumor and given six months to live. from each.

Scholarship winners will receive $1,000 to $6,000 for He surprised everyone by living for 25 years, creating experimental He calls his landscapes “moodscapes” as an introexemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership. movies, diaries and funky dance moves before deciding upon a graceful spective excavation of the terrain of his mind.

The PG&E Foundation will award $350,000 in Better exit from this world via medical aid in dying.

This exhibition — guest curated by Shelby Graham and Kajahl Together STEM Scholarships for students pursuing A panel discussion will follow, featuring director Bradley Berman, — is presented with support from Community Foundation Santa Science, Technology, Engineering and Math disciplines.

Judy Neall Epstein, executive director of End of Life Choices Cruz County and Santa Cruz County Bank.

There will be 60 scholarships in amounts of $10,000, California, Jim Van Buskirk, Final Exit Network, and Dr. Stephen $5,000 and $2,500 awards.

Waltcher, medical aid in dying prescribing physician. Dr. Jen Hastings Mondays Last year, the foundation upped the number of scholarPhoto Credit: Jonathan Lemon BRIDGE CLUB ships from 40 to 60 students. In 2022, eligibility expanded will moderate.

Jack Tuller’s 58th birthday party.

• Saturday: 2-5 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 6401 Freedom to students admitted to Historically Black Colleges and 10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 Blvd., Aptos, Universities as well as California colleges and universities.

The Aptos Branch Library will host Bridge Club ses• Sunday, 2-5:30 p.m., Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.

Awards are based on demonstration of community leadership, sions on Mondays (except holidays).

Berman is looking for donors to help him get his documentary on PBS. personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement.

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz Information: Myriam Coppens, LMFT, 831-454-8467.

The goal is to give the next generation an opportunity County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

If you know someone in crisis, call 988. to learn and succeed in higher education and support Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com by February 21

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesdays and Thursdays WALKING ADVENTURE GROUP 9:30-11:30 a.m., Various locations Walking Adventure Group, offered by city of Santa Cruz Recreation, offers weekly coordinated walks at locations around the county.

Join this group of active seniors for a weekly walking adventure Walks can be canceled by inclement weather: Tuesdays: Smell the Roses Thursday: Walking Adventure Group To register visit https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/ government/city-departments/parks-recreation/seniorprograms For more information call 831-420-5180 or e-mail WalkingAdventureGroup@gmail.com.

Rice and friends will take place at the Aptos Branch Library, and is sponsored by the Aptos History Museum.

After 25 years working at San Francisco’s Grabhorn Press, Sherwood & Trina Grover retired to Aptos in the early 1960s and continued to produce fine printing in the studio of their Seacliff beach residence.

Here, with equipment from the Grabhorn press, the Grovers operated old-style printing presses and set type by hand to manufacture books under their Grace Hoper imprint to the 1980s.

Learn more about the Grace Hoper Press from Felicia Rice, proprietor of Mendocino’s Moving Parts Press, who will talk about her early association in Santa Cruz with the Grovers and their Grace Hoper Press.

Second Friday Each Month NEW BRIDGE GROUP 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge on the second Friday of each month from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

First meeting was Oct. 13. Bette Harken, Master Bridge player, will give an introduction for beginners.

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

CABRILLO STAGE AUDITIONS: ‘IN THE HEIGHTS’ Sat: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sun: 1-3 p.m., Crocker Theater, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos Come be a part of the music and the magic!

Cabrillo Stage is auditioning for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, “In the Heights” at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, by appointment only.

All roles are open for actors/singers/dancers age 17 and up.

Bring sheet music in your key; accompanist will be provided. Dress ready to move with appropriate shoes as you may be asked to join the dance callback.

More details and frequently asked questions are available online.

Schedule an appointment now at www.cabrillostage.com/ auditions

DATED EVENTS Friday February 23

Saturday March 2 Sunday March 3

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART: PAM BONSPER Monterey County artist Pam Bonsper, whose paintings celebrate diversity and educate about systemic racism, will have a show at East Village Coffee, 498 Washington St. Monterey, for February, Black History Month. Some paintings vividly depict the horrors of slavery, redlining, and the Tulsa Massacre. Other paintings are more hopeful showing the beauty of the “mixed bouquet.”

Bonsper was inspired and compelled to create the images that were haunting her dreams. Ever since the murder of George Floyd, she immersed herself in reading about Black history - the history she had never been taught in school.

She is a member of Caste Action Alliance, Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative, and the Monterey NAACP. Contact her at brushstrokesandmarkers@gmail.com.

View Pam’s paintings online at https://casteactionalliance.net/index.php/paintings-grid/

CABRILLO COLLEGE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cabrillo College Room 913, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos This training — valued at $150 — is free for students and staff of Cabrillo College, open to community members Thursday March 7 for a $50 fee.

This is a blended training: WATER SUMMIT Part 1) 2-Hours Independent Pre-Work due by Feb. 21 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Part 2) In-Person Live Training on Feb. 23 from 8 a.m.

K&D Landscaping of Watsonville announces the 3rd to 2 p.m.

Annual Central Coast Water Summit, a gathering of This training is open to all students and employees of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss and The meeting is at the Fairfield Inn and open to the public Wednesday February 28 Cabrillo College interested in: collaborate on sustainable water management strategies with public comment at 1 p.m. The agenda is at https:// • Becoming certified in mental health first aid BLM: COTONI-COAST DAIRIES TOUR at the Cocoanut Grove. ow.ly/WWlR50Qzhga.

• Learning how to help others in distress 12:30-4 p.m., Fairfield Inn, 2956 Mission St., Santa Cruz This event is open to landscape & irrigation profesThere will be a virtual option via Zoom. Meeting • Gaining knowledge of signs, symptoms, and risk The Bureau of Land Management will host a field tour at participants must register in advance at https://ow.ly/ sionals, contractors, property managers, students, factors of mental illnesses and addictions the Cotoni-Coast Dairies.

Hwwi50QywRs to receive an email with the meeting link. homeowners, HOA boards and curious minds.

• Engaging in experiential activities that build an Tour participants will meet at the Fairfield Inn. Speakers include: Justin White, Kam Brian, DJ Seeger, The council will be briefed on the management of understanding of mental illness Members of the public can attend, but must provide their the Cotoni-Coast Dairies unit of the California Coastal Max Moreno, and Michael Johnson.

• Learning about evidence-supported treatment & own transportation, meals, and water.

National Monument in Santa Cruz County. The BLM is Tickets are free to city and county employees, $35 for CLCA self-help strategies RSVP by Feb. 23 to Philip Oviatt at poviatt@blm.gov. seeking feedback on habitat restoration and recreation members, and $50 for general public, avialable at https:// • Increasing personal mental wellness centralcoastwatersummit.ticketleap.com/kd-central-coast-waterfacility development. The Resource Advisory Council Register at http://tinyurl.com/cabrillo-mental-1st-aid.

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PANEL summit/ will also receive updates from the BLM Central 6-8 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road California District and field offices and hear fee Saturday February 24 Better Santa Cruz will host a Housing Affordability Panel at proposals from the USDA Forest Service for sites in the Saturday March 9 AAUW INTER-BRANCH COUNCIL LUNCHEON Capitola Branch Library.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Stanislaus Sunday March 10 Panelists are: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos National Forest.

RISING STARS • Evan Morrison, The Free Guide California Women are Essential: American Association Time for individual public comments may be limited 10 a.m., 829 Bay Av., Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay • Santa Cruz City Mayor Fred Keeley of University Women luncheon at due to the number of persons wishing to speak.

Avenue, Capitola • 1st District Supervisor Manu Koenig Seascape Golf Club features Holly Written statements can be sent prior to the meeting • Former Santa Cruz City mayor & No on Measure M to the BLM Central California District Office, Attention: Presented by Santa Cruz Bridge Center. Limited/750* Sectional Martinez, Executive Director of Entry fee is $15 per person per session. campaign, Don Lane CA Commission on the Status of RAC meeting comments, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Find information at https://www.santacruzbridge.org • Diana Alfaro, Workbench Women.

Dorado Hills, CA 95762, or emailed before the meeting • Dr. Robert Ratner, director Housing for Health Santa to poviatt@blm.gov to be recorded in the meeting Tickets are $40 at https://www.

Wednesday March 13 Cruz eventbrite.com/e/aauw-sccminutes.

Holly Martinez and-aauw-mcb-inter-branch-councilAttendees will discuss what is “affordable,” why are we REMARKABLE AI here, what works and what doesn’t and what to do from Saturday March 2 2024-luncheon-tickets-642556121657 6-8:30 p.m., Coconut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz here.

Santa Cruz Works presents “Remarkable AI” featuring a CRAB FEED AT THE FAIRGROUNDS Saturday February 24 Organizers say: Join us to discuss one of the biggest 5:30 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Blvd., book signing with Guy Kawasaki pressing issues to our community today. Let’s come Sunday February 25 (his 16th) and a fireside chat with AI Watsonville together and find constructive paths forward. Together we CA PIG CHASE The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation will once experts at the Coconut Grove. can make a difference!

Expect 15 interactive demos by again host its annual Crab Feed.

Cabrillo College Tennis Courts, 6500 Soquel Dr Aptos.

RSVP at www.bettersantacruz.org AI companies like Midjourney and Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for children at Cabrillo College will host the CA Pickleball is Great Horizon3.AI, and insights from tech https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink. tournament at the tennis courts. leaders Lila Tretikov and Claire aspx?name=E254765&id=55 Men & women’s doubles play Saturday; mixed doubles Thursday February 29 Guy Kawasaki Delaunay.

BLM: COTONI-COAST DAIRIES MEETING are Sunday. Age brackets from under 50 to 60+. Gold, Sponsored by Santa Cruz Ventures, co-sponsored by silver and bronze awarded. Round Robin format.

8:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., Fairfield Inn, 2956 Mission St., Santa Cruz FINE PRINTING IN APTOS Insperity.

Deadline to register is Feb. 18 at 11:45 p.m. Fee is $45. The Bureau of Land Management has rescheduled its 11 a.m.-Noon, Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive Tickets are $25. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ CA PIG Chase events are scheduled each month thru June. in-person public meeting of its Central California Resource “Fine Printing in Aptos: Sherwood & Katharine Carruth Register (and more details) at http://tinyurl.com/Cabrillo-PIG-chase. Advisory Council (RAC).

Grover and their Grace Hoper Press,” a free talk by Felicia remarkable-ai-tickets-815848413567 n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Serving on County, Regional, State and National Commissions

E

ach year, the Board of Supervisors makes appointments of its members to local boards and commissions. Additionally, some appointments might be made through our state or national affiliations.

Sometimes you may need help on specialty issues that are associated with these commissions and in my final year as County Supervisor (and on these commissions) I wanted to give you an overview of these commissions and encourage you to reach out if you have constituent needs associated with any of them.

California Health and Human Services CARE Act Working Group - Board Member A provision of the CARE Act requires CalHHS to convene a Working Group to provide coordination and ongoing engagement with, and support collaboration among, relevant state and local partners and other stakeholders throughout the phases of county implementation to support the successful implementation of the CARE Act. California State Association of Counties Health and Human Services Committee - Statewide Chair The CSAC Health and Human Services Committee has responsibility for the development of policies and proposals relating to: aging and long-term care, alcohol and drug programs, mental health, the Medically Indigent Services Program, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (Cal Works) program, foster care, child welfare services, adult protective services, the In-Home Supportive Services program, the General Assistance program and homeless services.

California State Association of Counties Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee - Statewide Vice-Chair The AI Steering Committee (consisting of County Supervisors in California) discusses best practices for the use of AI systems by counties, develops guiding principles for its use, and develops language for the CSAC County Platform for legislative advocacy.

Criminal Justice Council - Board Member The Criminal Justice Council of Santa

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Cruz County was created over 30 years ago in an effort to provide a more effective criminal justice system for the citizens of Santa Cruz County.

The CJC works to increase coordination and cooperation between criminal justice partners — government, non-profit, educational and others, reduce youth involvement in gang, create a forum for discussion of and recommendations for programs and plans for solutions to criminal issue and provide long-range planning for the criminal justice system.

Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Zone 7 - Chair Zone 7 was formed for the primary purpose of improving the flood carrying capacity of the Pajaro River, Salsipuedes and Corralitos Creek system within the Pajaro Valley floodplain. Zone 7 capital projects are intended to limit the potential for flooding within the floodplain area.

Library Financing Authority - Board Member Including members from the cities and county, this joint powers authority exists for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and improvement of public library facilities.

Local Agency Formation Commission - Board Member LAFCO was created by state law in 1963 to regulate the boundaries of cities and special districts. LAFCO’s objectives are: Encourage efficient service areas for services provided by cities, counties and special districts, to guide urban development away from prime agricultural lands and open space resources and to discourage urban sprawl.

Monterey Bay Air Resources District - Chair The Air District is responsible for air monitoring, permitting, enforcement, long-range air quality planning and education related to air pollution as required by the California Clean Air Act and Federal Clean Air Act. The District also provides rebates for fireplace conversions (to cleaner burning options) and electric vehicle lease or purchases.

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

National Association of Counties - Telecommunications & Technology Committee - Board Member The National Association of Counties serves as the primary advocacy organization for counties.

They advocate county priorities in federal policymaking and allow for information sharing of model county polices and practices to optimize taxpayer resources and provide cost savings.

This committee focuses on all matters pertaining to telecommunications and technology policy, including the county role as a telecommunications regulator, service provider, and consumer, cable services technology and implementation, information technology development and implementation, information technology innovation, e-governance, and geo-spatial data collection and utilization.

National Association of Counties - Board of Directors The Board of Directors for the National Association of Counties serves as the primary voice on county policy priorities to our federal partners including the Administration and Congress.

National Association of Counties - Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee - Board Member NACo’s AI Exploratory Committee covers emerging policies, practices and potential applications and consequences of Artificial Intelligence, through the lens of county government governance, operations, constituent services, innovation, public trust, privacy, and security, and workforce productivity.

Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency - Chair The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency is a joint powers authority of the County of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation Zone No. 7, the County of Monterey, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and the City of Watsonville.

The new agency’s purpose is to plan, finance and implement projects and programs to reduce flood risk from the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

Regional Transportation Commission - Board Member The RTC sets priorities for the transportation network including highways, major roads, bus and paratransit and the rail corridor.

The RTC pursues and allocates funding for all of these transportation elements and adopts policies to improve mobility, access and air quality.

Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board - Alternate The Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board oversees the activities of the five redevelopment successor agencies in Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz Mid-County Water Agency - Board Member The MGA is an 11-member board who oversee the groundwater management activities of the Mid-County Basin Area in Santa Cruz County.

The basin management goals are: Ensure water supply reliability for current and future beneficial uses, maintain water quality to meet current and future beneficial uses and prevent adverse environmental impacts.

Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced Managed Medical Care Commission - Board Member This commission is the governing board for Central California Alliance for Health The board has fiscal and operational responsibility for the health plan, sets policy and strategic priorities for the organization and oversees health plan service effectiveness.

The board is composed of members of government, the Alliance’s health care partners and the public in the Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mairposa, San Benito and Merced counties.

Santa Cruz County Sanitation District - Board Member The Sanitation District is responsible for the collection of wastewater within the district’s boundaries and environmental compliance. n ••• As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts. If I can be of any help on these commissions or in my capacity on the Board of Supervisors please don’t hesitate to contact me at 454-2200.

I’m also maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend

SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Wind Is Messy — And Hazardous

A O

A Goddess Among Us!

ur Pet of the Week is Athena (#A307841)!

This gal came to the Shelter as an owner surrender after her previous guardians were allergic to her and unable to continue caring for her.

Athena was previously outdoors in the home and may need some patience transitioning into an indoor companion dog lifestyle.

She is a smart cookie and has already learned lots of things that will help her bond with her new guardian. She knows “sit”, “wait”, “lay”, “heel” and “mano”.

Athena interacted with people that would come visit the house. She would alert bark at first and then warm up and solicit pets.

At the Shelter, Athena has befriended staff and volunteers. She is still working on some house training but is a quick study so adopters should anticipate her picking it up quickly.

She likes to play with toys but is equally as keen on people and attention. Athena has solicited play from other dogs at the Shelter and has several walking buddies. She has gone to events and done great with other dogs, riding in the car and socializing with people.

A home with a playful, dog savvy dog is likely a fit provided they meet at the Shelter prior to adoption.

We do not have any history of Athena with cats. A home with sturdy children is likely to be a fit. ince February is the month of love we are looking to help our Shelter animals find the love of their lives! For the month of February we are offering half off adoption fees for all animals at SCCAS! Come in and meet your new love!

••• 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

crossword on 25 »

S

By Tony Tomeo

rborists become more popular after storms. That is when consequences of negligent tree maintenance become more apparent. Wind dislodges limbs and destabilizes whole trees. Unfortunately, the most diligent of tree maintenance can not prevent all damage. Trees and other vegetation are naturally vulnerable to frequently stormy winter weather.

Deciduous trees try to be less vulnerable to wind by defoliating prior to winter.

Without foliage, they are less resistant to wind. In other words, they are more aerodynamic. Wind blows through them rather than against them. Unfortunately, some defoliate slowly within the mild climate here. With such minor chill, some retain foliage until spring replacement.

For example, some sweetgum still retain much of their foliage. That is an advantage for the display of their autumn foliar color.

It is a major disadvantage for their aerodynamics though. As a deciduous species, it does not expect to be so vulnerable to wind through wintry weather. What is worse is that sweetgum trees are innately structurally deficient.

Evergreen trees and other vegetation seem to be less concerned about wind.

Actually, they merely employ different defensive tactics. Most cypress and some spruce are too dense and sturdy for wind to penetrate. Many pines develop sparse canopies that wind blows through. On the coast,

U.S. Presidents © Statepoint Media

Trees lose limbs to strong wind.

coast live oak stays low and broad for wind to blow over.

Regardless of their efforts, trees of all sorts are vulnerable to damage from wind.

Falling limbs or entire trees are very hazardous. Also, they can damage or destroy what they fall onto. That is why timely maintenance of trees is so very important. Any tree that becomes too hazardous to salvage necessitates removal. All trees eventually age and deteriorate.

Also, all trees, as well as all other vegetation, are messy. Some are messier than others; and many get messier as a result of wind. Some of such mess clogs eavestroughs and downspouts when they are most helpful.

Detritus fills curbside gutters also. Actually, it gets everywhere. Its removal will be easier between the windy storms that generate it.

••• Eucalyptus Blue Gum lmost no one adds blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus, to a landscape intentionally.

Almost everyone who is familiar with it understands why.

It is much too big and much too messy. Even where space is sufficient for it to mature, it is innately hazardous. It sheds big limbs from very high up. It often disperses its roots too shalBlue gum easily outgrows home lowly to maintain gardens. adequate stability.

However, blue gum inhabits a few home gardens. Some were already there as gardens developed around them. Some grew from seed from nearby trees. Blue gum naturalizes in some regions. Mature trees are tall enough to share their shade, debris and seed with a few gardens. The copious debris inhibits weeds, but also inhibits desirable vegetation.

Blue gum in the wild is one of the tallest trees in the world. Naturalized trees commonly grow more than a hundred and fifty feet tall here. They stay shorter in windy situations.

The tall and straight trunks constantly shed long strips of smooth tan bark. Fresher bark is tan, gray, greenish or even pinkish. The curved lanceolate leaves are quite aromatic. Ovoid juvenile leaves are bluish gray, and even more aromatic. Fuzzy staminate bloom is white. n ••• Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo. com.

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

Aptos & La Selva

BY THE NUMBERS JAN 2024 MLS Data

26

1.745m

new listings

median sale price

52.5

median days on market

96% list price received

10

homes sold

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Buying or selling, relocating or downsizing, your needs are as unique as your home.

Contact Amber today for a no obligation consultation or scan below for a free home value analysis.

AMBER MELENUDO Top 1% in Santa Cruz County 831.566.2263 AmberMelenudo.com ambermelenudo@gmail.com DRE 01921098