Aptos Times: June 15, 2024

Aptos High Students Build Tiny Home

By Jondi Gumz

When Ian Hsu, a junior, transferred to Aptos High from Danville, he heard about an interesting project on campus: Students in a class building a tiny home on wheels. Ian wasn’t taking that class, but construction teacher

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By Natalia Rodriguez

6 Want to Run for Office?: Candidate Information Nights in June

7 2024 Farmer of the Year: Big Creek Lumber President Janet Webb • SBA Loans Available for Storm Damage Repairs

8 County Roads Deplorable, Grand Jury Finds: Special District Assessment of $56 Not Increased in 36 Years

AG: AI-Generated Scams are Widespread & Tricky to

Fentanyl Crisis Team Announces Arrest, By Jondi Gumz 25 El Sistema Music Students Going to Finland • Second Harvest Calls for Summer Volunteers

27 Bay Federal Promotes Bennett & Torres • Clean California Projects in Santa Cruz County • Nonprofit Founder Arrested on Charges of Child Molestation

SLV’s Dahlen MVP: SCCAL All League: Boys Golf 2023-24 • Jorden Espinoza is Pitcher of the Year • 2024 PCAL All-League Girls Lacrosse

Horoscope • Page 26 – Honoring our Fathers & a Wedding in the Forest, By Risa D’Angeles Community

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“Tiny Homes” from page 1

He’s one of the 17 students who put in untold hours completing the tiny home on wheels unveiled at a June 3 event hosted by Julie Edwards, who heads the Career Technical Education program for Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

The project exemplifies a strong sense of community, Edwards said, with the new superintendent, Dr. Heather Contreras on hand to see.

What size is this tiny home? Twenty feet x 8 feet, with an efficiency kitchen, bedroom/living area with a ceiling fan, windows on either side for a breeze to blow through, and bathroom with shower, sink and toilet.

Such tiny homes on wheels have been legal since December 2022 in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, thanks to the advocacy of First District Supervisor Manu Koenig.

Could tiny homes on wheels make a dent in the local unaffordable housing market?

That remains to be seen but with tiny homes costing $30,000 to $70,000 to build

on average, it’s clear this is much more affordable than what’s on the market.

In April, the median home price in Santa Cruz County was $1.4 million based on 34 sales.

Building Skills

The goal of Career Technical Education is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world and get students on track for high-wage, high demand careers.

Freshman Aiden Gonzales, one of the students in the construction class, said teacher Dusten Dennis “helped every single one of us improve our skills.”

And Aiden is eager to start on the next tiny home.

Madisson Knudsen said she made new friends by taking the class and is more curious about construction. Her favorite part of the build: Insulation.

Granite Construction, which does projects nationwide and is headquartered in Watsonville, helped launch the tiny home initiative via $50,000 and a partnership with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Career Technical Education program.

Erin Kuhlman of Granite Construction

said this included creating an internship for a high school student, which had not been done before.

A tiny home on wheels under construction by Watsonville High CTE students should be ready in a year.

To be Sold

Katryn Bermudez, president of the Pajaro Valley Education Foundation, said the nonprofit will market the tiny home on wheels, and the proceeds will be used to fund construction of the next tiny home — selling price to be announced.

Ramon Gomez, an aide to county Supervisor Felipe Hernandez and a 1980 graduate of Watsonville High, said the tiny home “symbolizes hope and opportunity.”

Dennis introduced locals in the building trades who supported the students: Testorff Construction, Talmadge Construction, George H. Wilson Inc., Gabriel Regalado Electric, Elements Manufacturing, and the Eliad Group.

Another supporter: Les Forster of the nonprofit Your Future is Our Business.

Over the past two years, 200 students worked on this project.

The 17 students who did the most work: Alina Garcia, Ian Hsu, Elliott Ramsay, Tyler Thomas, Gregory Testorff, Madisson Knudsen, Carolyn Alcantar, Dylan HendrixWymore, Andrew Lopez-Rameno, Bryce Hoops, Camden Fincher, Jordan Torres, Aiden Gonzales Cisneros, Spencer Hancock, Greyson Agnello, and Daniel Perez.

“This is a labor of love,” said Aptos High principal Alison Hanks-Sloan.

As a reward for their efforts, the Eliad Group provided them with tool bags with this logo, “Team Tiny Home.”

There were not too many hiccups — except for returning a bathtub because plans called for a shower. And that was a fixable problem. n

Cover Photo: Aptos High Career Technical Education teacher Dusten Dennis (center in plaid shirt) thanks the contractors who supported the first tiny home project: From left, Pete Testorff, Andrew Talmadge, David Wright, Tyler Allen, and Gabe Regalado.

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Tiny home kitchen

Aptos High students with the tiny home on wheels they built on campus.

Katryn Bermudez

Dream of Housing and Health Care Now a Reality

By Jondi Gumz

On May 29, nonprofit MidPen Housing hosted a celebration for Bienestar Plaza Apartments, 57 affordable rentals at 1520 Capitola Road, Live Oak, long awaited and much needed in this community.

The apartments are next to a 20,000-square-foot health clinic opened by nonprofit Santa Cruz Community Health and nonprofit Dientes Community Dental Care 11-chair clinic, both of which opened in 2022.

This completes the vision of a partnership by Santa Cruz Community Health and Dientes and MidPen to turn an unused county property into a campus of health and housing in one location, which is rare but may become less rare locally.

The project was six years in the making.

“I’m very excited that these units are opening today,” said First District Supervisor Manu Koenig, Santa Cruz County. “Our community needs them. This model of combining housing and health care holds a lot of promise and the County is looking at more opportunities like this.”

Matthew O. Franklin, president and CEO of MidPen Housing, observed, “Housing is healthcare, and the combination of safe, affordable homes and access to high-quality healthcare services helps people thrive.”

He added, “We applaud the County

and our partners for their vision and commitment to a true community development that serves working families and people with the greatest need.”

The clinics together serve more than 12,000 patients, including MidPen residents, who now have next-door access to low-cost medical and dental care.

The county Redevelopment Agency was the prior owner.

“Bienestar Plaza” page 6

Photo Credit: MidPen Housing

Cutting the ribbon, from left: Daniel Perl, managing director, Wells Fargo; First District County Supervisor Manu Koenig; Natalie Magana Boyles, project manager, MidPen Housing; Jennifer Seeger, deputy director, Financial Assistance-State Programs, California Department of Housing and Community Development; Gina Harris, associate project manager, MidPen Housing; Rayne Pérez, principal management analyst, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz; Delaney Lazalde, Bienestar Plaza resident; Matthew O. Franklin, president and CEO, MidPen Housing; Joanna Carman, senior vice president, co-head of housing development, MidPen Housing.

Delaney Lazalde moved into Bienestar Plaza in April.

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• Women’s Issues

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Want to Run for Office? Candidate Information Nights in June

Learn how to run for office in the Nov. 5 Presidential general election.

Workshops will take place in

Capitola, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

“Run for Office” page 13

• Unblocking Creative Potential (831) 427-8282

9099 S o qu el D r #11 Apt o s , C A 9 50 0 3

“Bienestar Plaza” from page 5

After the state ended redevelopment, the county sold it to the nonprofits, lowering the price due to 30 years of remediation required because high levels of tetrachloroethylene, a cancer-causing chemical, was released into the ground by neighboring Fairway Dry Cleaning, no longer in business.

Renters at Bienestar Plaza include families and some with special needs, including people who have been homeless.

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are affordable for people earning 30%-80% of area median income (currently $29,200-$111,500, depending on family size).

Amenities include a community room with kitchen, a learning center, a multipurpose meeting room, a central courtyard with BBQs and play structures, and a community garden with Native artwork that honors the earliest stewards of the land.

Neighbors got their first look at the projected $46 million project at a community meeting in 2018 hosted by Leslie Conner and Laura Marcus.

And now it’s a reality.

Financing was provided by the County of Santa Cruz, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Wells Fargo, the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Central California Alliance for Health, and Central Coast Community Energy.

“Central California Alliance for Health is proud to support the construction of MidPen Housing’s Bienestar Plaza through a grant from our Medi-Cal Capacity Grant Program,”

said Michael Schrader, chief executive officer at the Alliance, the state-funded health plan that provides Medi-Cal insurance to people in five counties including Santa Cruz.

“This development recognizes that housing is one of the most important social determinants of health that directly impacts an individual’s health outcomes,” he added. “By providing supportive housing co-located with high-quality healthcare services, Bienestar Plaza empowers our members to achieve positive health outcomes and remain stably housed.” n

Bienestar Plaza’s architect is Wald Ruhnke & Dost Architects and the general contractor is Bogard Construction, Inc. Learn more at state-funded health plan that provides MediCal insurancehttp://www.midpen-housing.org/ (http://www.midpen-housing.org/).

A plaque recognizes that American hero Robert Merriman, a graduate of Santa Cruz High School, once lived here and raised chickens. He got his college degree in 1932, and volunteered in the 1930s to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War, going missing near Barcelona in 1938. He is believed to be the role model for Ernest Hemingway’s protagonist Robert Jordan in his wartime novel, “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

A view of the courtyard

COMMUNITY NEWS

2024 Farmer of the Year: Big Creek Lumber President Janet Webb

The 2024 Farmer of the Year is Janet Webb, president of Big Creek Lumber Company, a role previously held by her father and company co-founder, Lud McCrary, the 1988 Farmer of the Year, who died in August.

The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau will present the award at the 107th annual meeting at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 15, in a forest meadow at 476 Swanton Road in Davenport. The popular local band, the “Wildcat Mountain Ramblers,” will perform, and the public is invited.

Janet Webb has been a part of the forestry community in Santa Cruz County since her graduation from Humboldt State University in 1983.

She has been president of Big Creek Lumber since 2009, managing the wholesale division and continuing the company culture of supporting the greater community through nonprofits and educational institutions.

Previously she worked for Big Creek as a registered professional forester.

One of her most notable achievements has been building working relationships, and mutual trust and respect between Big Creek Lumber and local conservation organizations. This has led to several partnerships and creative approaches to the conservation of the Central Coast’s redwood forests while providing a sustainable resource for the local timber industry.

Through her diligence and building

rapport with stakeholders, she has shown that responsible timber harvest practices and preserving forests as working lands play an important and beneficial role in ensuring the health, longevity and beauty of the local redwood forests.

She has held seats on several boards, including for the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, California Redwood Association, and the California Forestry Association (Calforests).

With her husband Steve, she manages a cow-calf operation and ranchlands. The couple has been married since 1985 and share two children, Katie and Dennis, a daughterin-law, Michelle, and two grandchildren, Andy and June.

Tickets are $100 per person; reservations are required. For reservations, contact the Farm Bureau Office at (831) 724-1356 or e-mail sccfb@sbcglobal.net. Tickets can be purchased at: www.eventbrite.com (search for “107th Annual Dinner/Meeting” in Davenport). n

SBA Loans Available for Storm Damage Repairs

On May 16, the U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster for Santa Cruz County as a result of damage caused by the winter storms occurring between Jan. 31 and Feb. 9. This is FEMA-DR4769-CA.

The Disaster Declaration makes SBA assistance available to residents of Santa Cruz County by providing low-interest federal disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most nonprofits, homeowners, and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster.

Residents interested in SBA assistance can visit an in-person Disaster Loan Outreach Center, County Government Building, Community Room, 701 Ocean St.,

Santa Cruz for information on SBA loans and assistance with the application process. Hours: Monday, noon to 5 p.m. TuesdayFriday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can also apply by calling SBA at 1-800-659-2955, visiting the website at: www.sba.gov/disaster, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

• Loan application deadline for property damage: July 16.

• Application deadline for business economic injury: Feb. 18, 2025. n

SPECIALIZING IN Residential Repaints &

Custom Homes

Homeowners Associations

Property Managers

SUMMER SPECIAL

If we paint your interior and/or exterior by July 31, 2024 we will buy the paint.

Janet Webb

County Roads Deplorable, Grand Jury Finds Special District Assessment of $56 Not Increased in 36 Years

Editor’s note: This is the summary of the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury report on roads with information on the Special District 9D road assessment. The county Board of Supervisors and the Local Agency Formation Commission are required to respond by Sept. 3. To read the full report, see https:// www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/ County/GrandJury/GJ2024_final/2024-1_ Roads_Report.pdf

DCurrently more than 63% of the local roads are in poor to failed condition. This has prompted almost daily complaints to the County Board of Supervisors and the County agencies responsible for road maintenance.

uring our investigation the Grand Jury has found that roads in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County are in deplorable condition.

How are Your Roads in Aptos?

Email a jpg photo, at least 1 MB, of the condition with the name of the road to Aptos Times at info@cyber-times.com so we can share with county officials.

Chronic underfunding of roads and culverts has led to a deficit approaching $1 billion. For decades, the County’s strategy has been to forgo spending money on the roads that are in the worst condition and concentrate on pavement preservation on roads that are already in fair to good condition. Many unincorporated roads haven’t been resurfaced for decades.

Funding of County road maintenance is a complicated subject involving local, state and federal agencies. Most of the funds are targeted and the County has little discretion on how they are spent.

One possible source of additional funding for unincorporated roads could come from Special District 9D, created in 1988. Overseen by the Local Agency Formation Commission, it contains a road assessment fee that hasn’t been increased in 36 years.

By Jondi Gumz

Community members are invited to attend the in-person and virtual open houses this month to learn about the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s three proposed rail transit vehicle types — locomotive trains, multiple unit trains, and light rail vehicles to operate on the 22-mile branch line from Santa Cruz to Pajaro — and share their input.

Dates are:

• Monday, June 24: Civic Plaza, Community Room, 275 Main St., Watsonville, 6-7:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 25: Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 6-7:30 p.m.

• Virtual: Open at http://www.zeprt. com through July 18.

This report includes photos depicting the three types, with pros and cons. For example, a locomotive train is compatible with freight, intercity and commuter rail but requires a lot of fuel. Light rail is not compatible and operates at a lower speed, 60 miles per hour.

The third option is compatible and

Given the chronic underfunding of rural road maintenance, our local roads are becoming increasingly unsafe for daily travel and emergency access.

9D Spending Report Missing

The current flat assessments are $56.40 on improved properties and $28.20 on unimproved properties in the unincorporated areas of the County. CSA 9D funds account for over 25% of current funding for County road maintenance.

LAFCO is required to perform a periodic review of Service Districts. The last review of CSA 9D is dated Aug. 5, 2020. The report states that “the Board of Supervisors determined that the sub-zones’ service charges would vary based on the extent of benefit derived from such service provided to parcels within the sub-zones.”

LAFCO found the County has not varied the amount of the service charge since inception. The three zones that comprise 9D generate approximately $2.7 million annually.

Failure of the County to form the Special District with the inclusion of a range of assessment rates or a built-in inflationary

Which Rail Car is Best?

could operate on diesel, overhead electrical wires, battery or hydrogen with potential for speeds of 100 miles per hour but “battery and hydrogen technology is not as mature” as diesel or electrical and there are few suppliers in the U.S. market.

Problems identified include slow speeds on Walker Street in Watsonville, where the tracks are in the street, right of way constraints due to existing development along the tracks such as 7th Avenue in Live Oak, tracks curving by Harkin Slough, necessitating slower speeds, and newly built trail in Santa Cruz limiting the right of way required to operate a train.

Potential solutions include “pedestrian protections,” acquiring the right of way or moving the trail outside the right of way or narrowing the trail, creating a new track or straightening the curves, and rebuild the trail, narrow the trail or move the trail outside the right of way.

No further details are given, such as cost impact of such changes.

However, the report states, “The project

adjustment, which was allowed at the time, has caused this important funding source to become inadequate over time.

Average inflation over this time has been 3.45% a year. If the annual inflation had been part of the formula, a rate approximately 3.76 times the current amount would now be charged.

LAFCO’s report is supposed to detail revenue and expenses for the Special District with sufficient detail for the public to understand how their taxes are being used. The Grand Jury found that there was not sufficient detail in the publicly available LAFCO or County budget reports to determine how the funding was being used.

“County Roads” page 10

team is continuing to evaluate a number of potential solutions to address constraints that were identified during development of the initial conceptual alignment and which could inhibit constructability and/or impede operations.”

Station locations and maintenance locations have yet to be discussed. That is slated for the fall.

Preliminary cost estimates are expected in the winter, with right of way and final design coming in 2028 after two years of environmental analysis.

The RTC took ownership of the rail in October 2012 with the goal of providing passenger service and giving people driving on Highway 1 and creating massive congestion an alternative way to get to work and school.

The Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project proposes 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail: Segments 13-20 from Rio del Mar Boulevard in Aptos through La Selva Beach and Watsonville, as well as the Capitola Trestle (Segment 11, Phase 2). n

Cathedral

Trout Gulch

$0 Road Maintenance Not Sustainable

By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

What’s the discrepancy between this long list of road spending (in the county supervisors’ agenda) and the $0 that I mentioned?

The $0 is our discretionary County General Fund revenues that we are spending on regular road maintenance. The number comes from Community Development and Infrastructure — Public Works’ 24-25 Budget.

To understand this, it helps to take a step back and look at how the County’s funding works. The County’s budget is $1.15 billion. However, what the Board of Supervisors really has power over is the $220 million of discretionary General Fund revenues that come from our property taxes, local sales taxes, hotel taxes (aka transient occupancy taxes), and vehicle license fees. The rest is mostly “intergovernmental revenues” meaning state and federal money that comes into the county to be spent on specified projects.

So, that long list of road expenditures is being paid for by taxes we pay to the state and federal government:

Gas taxes, FEMA money, etc. And it’s going to specific projects, largely storm damage repair.

The issue is that state and federal money is not enough to maintain our road network. The estimates are that the County is falling short on regular road maintenance by about $16 million to $20 million a year. This has been going on for decades.

That’s what explains the condition of our roads and why these intense storms are washing them away so quickly.

The 2023-24 Grand Jury report explains this issue well. See https:// www.santacruzcountyca.gov/ Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2024_ final/2024-1_Roads_Report.pdf

“Road Maintenance” page 12

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County Road Work: How Much is Spent?

Editor’s note: On June 4, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig voted no on the proposed $1.1 billion budget approved by the other four supervisors, showing his dismay with $0 for road maintenance allocated from the county’s General Fund. His explanation is next to this. Readers who notice local roads deteriorating have asked how much money is available in the county budget for road work. Here’s the edited report from Public Works:

In a typical year, Santa Cruz County spends $21 million to $30 million on non-disaster road work.

Due to the 2017 storms, CZU fires, and 2023 climatedriven disaster events,

total spending more than doubled, peaking in 2023-24 at $80,762,545 due to 2023 storm damage projects.

Spending Breakdown, 2023-24

Regular Road Fund, $20,352,251 — Projects include the Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane and Congestion Mitigation Project, Highway 152/ Holohan Road intersection project, and the Green Valley Road multiuse path project. 2023-24 Storm Damage, $44,722,874 – A total of 282 storm repair projects have been completed since 2017. A public dashboard is in development.

“Spent” page 12

Santa Cruz County ParkRx Spend Time Outdoors for Better Health

What is ParkRx?

ParkRx is an international movement to prescribe parks, nature and programming to improve health.

The local effort, called ParkRxSantaCruzCounty, is staffed in-kind by Santa Cruz County Public Health’s CalFresh Healthy Living Program, County Park Friends, and Watsonville Parks and Community Services, who came together to address the desire for more equitable park programming and to help steward amazing local parks and beaches as key drivers of health and equity.

wheelchair basketball camp for youth in Santa Cruz County at Franich Park in Watsovnille.

This initiative aims to promote outdoor recreation and community connections. It is prescribed through ParkRx, but it is also free and open to the public.

ParkRxSCC programs are healing activities in the outdoors, prescribed and offered for free. The programs are found and designed to match the patents needs because spending time outdoors can support the health of the body and mind.

In fact, research shows that spending 2 hours outdoors a week can improve your health!

ParkRX Santa Cruz County is available through Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health. Ask your provider about ParkRx.

•••

Wheelin’ Bball

In 2022, County Park Friends and Brenda Gutierrez started Wheelin’ Bball, a free

4-week Sessions: June 10–July 6

6-week Sessions: June 10–July 20

8-week Sessions: June 10–August 3

•••

Nature Hikes

As part of the ParkRx program, patients are prescribed Nature Hikes and get to explore various locations in Santa Cruz County, guided by County Park Friends staff. Hikes feature state parks, county parks, and stunning state beaches, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Forest of Nisene Marks, Quail Hollow County Park and Seacliff State Beach. n

•••

For information, see https://www.county parkfriends.org/parkrx.htm

“County Roads” from page 8

The LAFCO report showed 100% of the funding coming from the property assessment taxes and 100% of the expenditure being used for “services and repairs,” but without any detail on what those services and repairs were.

The published budget from the County was also lacking this detail.

Residents currently are not able to

determine how their CSA 9D taxes were being used except in a general way. They could not determine what roads were repaired or resurfaced in their zone or what repairs were performed.

There is no way to determine that the funds were used correctly in the zone, where the funding took place, and to confirm the funds were not commingled with general DPW funding. Comingling of funds is not allowed. n

Aptos

Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

APTOS SOLDS (5/10-6/09)

12 HOMES sold; Average Sales Price was $2,148,462 and Median Sales Price broke $2 million at $2,065,000! I remember hitting $1.0 Million Median Sales Price in 2017, only 7 years later, that number has doubled! Wow! High sale was 739 Las Olas - $5,950,000, 4B/3Ba/976SF, followed by 613 Bayview - $3,700,000, 4B/3Ba/2337SF, 351 Coates - $2,525,000, 2B/2Ba/868SF, 120 Bryce Ct - $2,200,000, 4B/3Ba/2644SF, 403 Beach - $2,100,000, 1B/1Ba/840SF, 200 Barnes - $2,065,000, 3B/2Ba/2003SF, 163 Casa Linda - $1,450,000, 4B/3Ba/2261SF, 445 Los Altos - $1,400,000, 2B/2Ba/1217SF, 548 Monterey - $1,305,000, 3B/2Ba/1592SF, 204 Lake$1,299,000, 3B/2Ba/1330SF, 126 Falmouth - $1,266,000, 2B/2Ba/1547SF, and low sale was 544 Cathedral - $570,000, 1B/1Ba/768SF. 2 CONDOS sold: I closed a studio unit at Seascape Resort #306 for $630,000, and 2601 Willowbrook #15, 1B/1Ba/834SF sold for $565,000. 4 TOWNHOMES sold:120 Stephen - $1,055,000, 3B/2Ba/1368SF, 395 Racquet Landing - $1,015,000, 2B/2Ba/1202SF, 240 Carrera Circle - $979,000, 3B/2.5Ba/1450SF, and 287 Marlin Court - $978,500, 2B/2Ba/1328SF.

APTOS ACTIVE

There are 52 Active listings and only ONE is under $1 Million Dollars. The Average List Price is $2,990,942 and the Median List Price is $1,974,500. Average Days on Market (DOM) is 45, homes are coming on very high priced and days on market are growing. We now have 3 homes listed at over $10M! 422 Seaview-$12,500,000, 164 Pleasant Valley-$10,850,000 and 733 Via Gaviota-$10,000,000. Yikes! 618 Beach-$9,800,000, 888 Via Gaviota-$8,300,000, and 553 Beach-$7,498,000 are over $5M. Then 2 homes in the $4M, and 7 homes in the $3M range. Homes near “Median List” of $1,974,500 include: 140 Greenbrier-$2,150,000 – 9DOM, 106 Baldwin - $2,095,000 – 92DOM, 6651 Oak Ridge - $1,999,000 – 56DOM, 500510 Valencia - $1,999,000 – 80DOM, 450 Saint Andrews - $1,999,000 – 39DOM, 411 Seaview - $1,950,000 – 5DOM, 7051 Mesa, $1,950,000 –45DOM, 622 Cliff - $1,890,000 – 66DOM, and 208 Farley - $1,800,000 – 47DOM. Low list is 9396 Monroe - $997,000 – 84DOM.

PENDING SALES

The homes that are priced right move quickly to “Contingent” and “Pending”. In the past 30 days, 10 homes moved to “contingent” with only 21 DOM on average and an Average List Price of $1,302,778. Anything under $1.4M is in the ‘sweet spot”.

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

“Road Maintenance” from page 9

We should be supplementing our road spending with local money like property tax revenues, but we’re really not.

The data shared shows we’ve been spending on average $3.5 million a year of General Fund money on roads (the “transfers in”) — that’s about 1.6% of the General Fund.

The CAO claims it will be higher this year at $11 million: $7 million for debt service and $4 million for the Soquel Drive project.

“Spent” from page 9

2017 Storm Damage, $7,385,314

CZU Response, $0 — The majority was tree removal on County-maintained roads. 20202023. Also culvert and guardrail replacement.

Measure D, $2,994,589 — Resurfacing projects around the county. Since 2018, more than 33 miles have been resurfaced, and 5 miles will be resurfaced during summer 2024.

Other, $5,307,517 — Includes streetlight maintenance.

Roads Funding

Most discretionary roads funding can be spent on resurfacing, maintenance and repair projects, and is provided by local, State and federal sources. The County has the flexibility to identify and prioritize projects.

Measure D (local half-cent sales tax) passed in 2016 and Senate Bill 1 (State funding from vehicle registration fees/fuel taxes) passed in 2017. The state Highway Users Tax Account is a per-gallon gasoline and diesel fuel tax. These and other discretionary sources have provided about $95.4 million since FY 2017-18.

County residents also pay for roads through a special assessment in County Service Area 9D, which applies in the unincorporated area countywide. A single-family residential parcel usually pays $56.40 per year, which appears on property tax bills. CSA 9D has provided about $18.3 million in roads funding since FY 2017-18.

Over the years, the County has also contributed a part of General Fund property tax revenues to road projects.

One big challenge: The County receives a meager 13 cents on every dollar of property tax due (the rest is divided among schools and other special districts, water, fire, recreation) due to Proposition 13 in 1978. At the time, Santa Cruz County was a low-tax county compared to other counties and the low rate was locked in.

General Fund contributions appear as “Transfers In” to the Roads Fund. For example, the County General Fund recently contributed $1.7 million to the Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane and Congestion Mitigation Project and is expected to make another matching contribution of at least $1 million.

Even that is money that we’re being forced to spend on deferred maintenance (storm damage repair) and one special project. It’s not going towards regular maintenance to update safety and pavement on our larger road network. In fact, our regular road maintenance budget is shrinking 16%.

I think this is wrong. I don’t think we should be increasing the budget for other departments while the decreasing the regular maintenance of roads.

It’s unsustainable. Roads are our

storm damage repairs and federal reimbursements to pay for those projects.

Funding Sources, 2023-24

Emergency Reimbursements, $17,274,238

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Highway Administration and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services provide reimbursements for up to 94% of emergency projects costs during disaster declarations, and it takes a long time to get these dollars.

HUTA, $6,595,148 — HUTA funding historically goes for road maintenance crews. Due to the County’s cash shortage, road maintenance crews will be diverted to work on two storm damage projects estimated at $1.2 million in FY 2024-25.

SB1, $2,484,919 — SB1 provides flexible funding for local road repair and maintenance. Due to the extreme amount of storm damage on county roads, SB1 funding is being used as a local match to State and federal disaster relief funding for roadway storm damage repair sites.

Measure D, $2,995,132 — On Nov. 8, 2016, voters passed a half-cent sales tax dedicated to funding transportation projects in the County. Through Measure D, each jurisdiction in the County is allocated a portion of Measure D revenues (County share listed here) for transportation projects. This funding cannot be used to pay bond debt or debt service.

CSA 9D, $3,242,451 — A special assessment charged countywide for road maintenance.

Transfers In, $0 this year — These transfers include General Fund contributions to projects.

Other, $7,306,109 — State grants, impact fees, Greenwaste fees, encroachment fees, minor charges for services.

Borrowing for Storm Repairs

Over half of the spending in the last seven years has addressed the 2017 storm, CZU fire, and 2023 disaster damages. As the County awaits FEMA reimbursement, the Board of Supervisors approved borrowing money to address the cash gap.

This bond includes $56 million for completed 2023 storm damage projects and $7 million for new 2023 storm damage projects.

largest public space and the one county service everyone relies on every day. If we don’t reinvest property taxes into roads, then people won’t be able to get to work, to earn money, to pay their property taxes. The County is going to have to come up with a sustainable strategy sooner rather than later. n

•••

Manu Koenig is First District County supervisor. Email him at manu.koenig@santacruz countyca.gov.

Emergency Services for 2017 storm damage projects.

This is in addition to a $9 million advance for 2023 storm damage secured in June 2023. These advances and internal loans have been instrumental in meeting the County Roads Fund cash flow needs.

2024-25 Budget

Next budget year, $65 million is proposed to be spent on roads:

$11.1 million in 2023 storm damage projects (32 projects, $7 million debt, $3 million contingency)

$10.5 million in 2017 storm damage projects (31 projects)

$11.3 million in road and traffic improvements (7 projects)

$9.7 million in road resurfacing (7 projects, non-Measure D sources)

$4.9 million in Measure D road resurfacing ($4 million reserve)

$5.7 million in bridge projects (18 projects)

$8 million dedicated to road maintenance including pothole patching and pavement repairs, roadside vegetation management, and ditch cleaning (48 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions excluding drainage work)

Another $15.6 million, the largest spending line, is for debt payments ($1.8 million from discretionary road revenues and the remainder from federal reimbursements)

The road maintenance budget is down 16% from the prior year, after diverting road crews to two 2023 emergency projects and releasing a roadside vegetation management contract of $350,000.

Due to severe cash flow issues attributable to delayed FEMA disaster reimbursements, the County has 88 storm-related projects (54 in 2023 and 34 in 2024) for which there is no identified source of funds, either because they are not covered by a disaster declaration or because FEMA claims are in their initial stages.

For projects that will be covered by a disaster declaration, a source of local matching funds will need to be identified.

The 2024-25 budget proposes reserving an estimated $4 million in Measure D funding for larger projects in 2025-26 and beyond.

Other significant General Fund contributions include $2.4 million from American Recovery Plan Act Funding to replenish gas tax lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and $516,097 for the Green Valley Road multi-use path project.

Federal reimbursements for emergency projects comprised $103.6 million of $297 million in roads funding revenues since FY 2017-18.

Compared to this year’s roads spending of $80,762,545, roads funding was half as much: $39,897,997.

Note the large gap between spending on

This borrowed money must be repaid, and economists say this means higher taxes or reducing expenditures for other purposes.

The Roads Fund will use federal reimbursements received to make debt payments.

By FY 2027-28, the Roads Fund will need General Fund contributions of up to $1.4 million a year to make debt payments.

If federal reimbursements are not received, this contribution from the General Fund will need to be increased, until the debt is paid off.

This month, the County secured a second $9 million advance from the state Office of

Measure D may not and will not be used to pay bond debt.

Some HUTA funding has been budgeted to begin making bond debt payments in 2024-25.

The County has made internal loans to cover existing costs and new projects. As the debt is paid off through federal reimbursements, the County will regain bond capacity and make discretionary revenue available for new projects. n

To read the roads report, see https://tinyurl. com/SCGJ-local-roads

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor’s note: On May 31, Dr. Heather Contreras, the new superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District, sent out this message:

Greetings PVUSD

Educational Community

During this first month, I have taken time to engage meaningfully with and learn from as many people as possible — students, families, staff, and community partners.

This time spent with all of you has allowed me to observe an educational community that values relationships, trust, innovation, diligence, and joy while working hard to support student success and employee success.

I have been able to visit nearly every school site, to attend district and community events, and to participate in formal and informal district and community meetings.

As a leader I believe strongly in connection, communication and collaboration as values that will advance our collective work. My “Look, Listen and Learn” journey continues in the weeks ahead and I look forward to future opportunities for us to come together, take time and collaboratively develop a forward-facing vision for the district. I see, hear and understand what a truly special collective commitment and sense of community exists within PVUSD.

Next week many celebrations, promotions, and graduations will take place at school sites, venues and homes across our community. These moments are a source of great pride and wonder.

Congratulations to our students, families and staff as we close out the 2023-24 school year. And a special congratulations to our graduates as they embrace their futures and begin the next adventure.

With a full heart and in community … — Dr. Heather Contreras, Superintendent

Public Meeting

Protections Are Important

I wanted to let you know about a legislative victory that is crucial to government accountability and civic engagement. In a bipartisan vote, a committee of the California Legislature voted down AB 817,

“Run for Office” from page 6

Prospective candidates can attend any of the workshops or watch online; however, the presentations will have information specific to that City’s process. Contact your City Clerk if you have questions.

June 17: Co-hosted by Capitola City Clerk at 420 Capitola Ave, Capitola 6 to 7:30p m In-person workshop.

Capitola City Clerk Julia Gautho jgautho@ci.capitola.ca.us (831) 475-7300 ext.

228

June 18 & 24: County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors Chambers at 701 Ocean

keeping in place important public-meeting protections.

We opposed AB 817 because it would have excused a wide range of government bodies governed by the Brown Act to meet entirely virtually, without regard to emergencies or specific needs of those who choose to perform public service.

Newspaper editorial boards sounded the alarms, too: The Mercury News condemned it as a “another step toward local government secrecy,” and the Los Angeles Times rightly noted “the Legislature has poked enough holes in local governmental meeting requirements already.”

While this bill failed, the issue isn’t going away. Governmental interests have backed a number of pandemic-inspired bills (2023, 2022) that would allow officials to avoid meeting in person without following longstanding accountability rules.

We think the future of public meetings should include virtual and in-person options for the press and public. And any additional levels of flexibility for those who choose to perform public service must be narrowly tailored to specific needs, rather than granting an excuse note for any number of officials who want to phone it in.

Thank you for your interest in our work.

— Ginny LaRoe, Advocacy Director, First Amendment Coalition

Films Raise $11,000 for WomenCare

Thank you so much for sharing our WomenCare Virtual Film Fundraiser with all three of your papers. It was great to see! We ended up raising $11,000 for WomenCare and did it with your support as well as many others.

It is always amazing how our community continues to come out and support our local nonprofit community.

We hope to be back in the theatre next year.

Thanks again for all you do supporting our community with your newspapers, keeping us all informed on local events and news. n

— Kathy Ferraro

St, fifth floor, Santa Cruz. 6 to 7:30 pm Inperson workshop.

Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber, tricia.webber@santacruzcountyca.gov (831) 454-2060 Stanley Avila, Candidate Services Manager, stanley.avila@santacruzcountyca. gov (831) 454-2423

June 19: Co-hosted by Watsonville City Clerk at 275 Main St, top floor, Watsonville 5:30 to 7 pm Hybrid participation: In-person and online

Zoom Meeting ID: 1613804929

Watsonville City Clerk Irwin I. Ortiz irwin.ortiz@watsonville.gov (831) 768-3040 n

SENIOR

ken@seniorbenefits.care www.seniorbenefits.care

Police Should Shift Focus from Marijuana to Homelessness and Opioids

By Scott H. Silverman

The landscape of law enforcement priorities in California is shifting, and rightfully so.

As police declare that “the ship has sailed” on marijuana, it’s an important time for a pivot toward more pressing issues such as homelessness and the opioid crisis.

California’s Proposition 47 has reshaped the enforcement landscape for marijuana.

Under this proposition, possessing small amounts of marijuana results in nothing but a citation, like a traffic ticket.

The law enforcement community has grown frustrated with the process: conducting investigations, making arrests and bringing cases to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, only to see them dismissed for insufficient evidence.

This cumbersome cycle of busy work, with little to no support from the courts, has led to a pragmatic shift in focus.

It’s understandable why law enforcement has altered its stance, as the effort to prosecute small-scale marijuana offenses is simply not worth the resources.

This change is also influenced by the

dynamics within the marijuana market itself.

Legal retail marijuana sellers, who have invested significantly to comply with regulatory requirements, face competition from illegal distributors who bypass taxes and licensing fees. This disparity keeps illegal marijuana prices lower, frustrating legitimate businesses.

Despite these challenges, the reality is that the state’s efforts will never entirely level the playing field between legal and illegal sellers. The illegal market operates free from the constraints that legal businesses must navigate, such as payroll taxes and licensing fees.

does little to rehabilitate them. Prisons, lacking adequate rehabilitation programs, often turn inmates into more adept criminals. Upon release, these individuals may have forged new connections and acquired new skills, potentially enhancing their capacity for illegal distribution.

It’s a cycle with no end in sight, offering no real win for law enforcement or society at large. Given this scenario, it makes sense that law enforcement would question the value of making arrests for minor marijuana offenses when prosecution is unlikely.

Consequently, arresting small-time marijuana offenders only serves to populate prisons without addressing the root issues or deterring future illegal activity.

More critically, incarcerating individuals for marijuana-related offenses

If marijuana is no longer a sinking ship, we must ask ourselves why we continue to expend valuable resources pretending it is.

It’s time to shift our focus to the more urgent crises at hand, such as fentanyl overdoses and homelessness.

Despite these troubling statistics, there seems to be a lack of effort to tackle these issues head on. Instead, we are faced with frequent “shut up” campaigns and superficial programs that are as impactful as putting a Band-aid on a bullet wound.

Such measures fall short of the comprehensive action required to address these critical issues.

Education is a crucial first step. People need to recognize that the problems of homelessness and opioid addiction demand our immediate attention far more than marijuana prosecution.

It is essential to redirect our resources toward more impactful interventions.

For instance, increasing funding for rehabilitation programs could offer genuine help to those struggling with addiction, rather than merely cycling them through the prison system.

“Shift Focus” page 18

California houses half of the nation’s homeless population, and the opioid crisis claims more lives each year, with many of these deaths attributable to fentanyl. Astonishingly, about one in three Americans have lost someone to a drug overdose.

Support Treasure Cove, Where Kids of All Abilities can Play Together

By Dan Haifley

Life is not easy for children with cognitive, sensory, or physical disabilities. They and their families can be challenged by daily tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing, and moving around their world. More poignantly, many want the chance to socialize with their peers, but often can’t because they are unable to access public spaces.

For example, an individual in a wheelchair can’t roll in the sand on the beach nor onto a playground covered in tanbark. Also, some also may not feel welcome because of behaviors that others may view as disruptive, and others may feel unseen. Because of these barriers, many don’t get meaningful social time.

The community of people with disabilities is a beautifully broad spectrum; each individual has unique challenges and moments of joy. My wife Rebecca, son Aaron, and I know this experience well from our life with our wonderful daughter and sister, Julia.

But we can help create a solution by building universally accessible

playgrounds. These public spaces are specifically designed so all children, including the 12.2% in Santa Cruz County with disabilities, can play together.

Thirty-four years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, these playgrounds still are not common. In 2020, LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park, our county’s first universally accessible playground opened and immediately became a well-loved and popular play space.

LEO’s Haven inspired Capitola to engage in a public-private partnership with County Park Friends to create a universally accessible playground at Jade Street Park. In 2023, Verde Design engaged the community through surveys and community meetings to create plans for the custom playground. Out of more than 71 proposed names for the playground, the Capitola City Council chose Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park to celebrate the treasured friendships that will be forged in Capitola’s Jewel Box neighborhood.

County Park Friends is working to raise $1 million for the playground from the community, while the city secures the balance of the estimated $1.83 million project. Separately the city will upgrade the community center and surrounding park, which sits on land that is leased from the Soquel Union Elementary School District until 2052.

Thanks to the generous support of our community, County Park Friends has already raised over $500,000 for the playground and is also grateful to announce that thanks to a local donor, every new gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $200,000. The deadline to give is Jan. 31, 2025.

Your support will make a difference in the lives of thousands of children. To learn more or to contribute, please visit https://www.countyparkfriends.org/ jadestpark. Thank you. n

Dan Haifley is former executive director of O’Neill Sea Odyssey and Save Our Shores and is a volunteer fundraiser for Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park.

From left: Tricia Wiltshire, Oliver Potts, and Brenda Gutierrez-Baeza at LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park universally accessible playground.

Scott H. Silverman

Local Students Head to World Championship

By Natalia Rodriguez

On May 4, the X Academy Hephaestus team put seven months of effort on the line at a regional underwater robotics competition, and when they finished third out of 31 teams, team member Evelyn Potts,

who attends Aptos High, didn’t think they would qualify for the world championship.

Ten minutes before their time in the water at Watsonville High, the team’s remoteoperated vehicle was not floating and despite last-minute adjustments, it wasn’t going to.

But the tethered vehicle did work, and the team accumulated so many points in the competition, they got an invitation to the Marine Advanced Technology Education — Remotely Operated Vehicle World Championship, which is June 20-22 in Kingsport, Tennessee.

They are in the Ranger class for students with robotics experience.

Their task is to design and build an operational float — able to descend to the bottom and rise to the surface again — to collect data and monitor the ocean’s circulation, chemistry, biology, and overall health.

Essentially students create their own version of the remote-operated vehicles scientists use survey to water quality and monitor diseased coral — a complex task indeed.

11 Schools

Evelyn is a student who enjoys mathematical problem-solving. Since fourth grade, she’s been a member of the X Academy Math Circle, founded by Tim Sylvester, a Silicon

Valley veteran and a software engineer at Joby Aviation, and his wife Barbara Meister, a network master who worked 12 years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Evelyn is participating in the robotics competition with her twin sister Lauren, and students from 10 other schools.

Hephaestus team members are:

Autumn Feather and Josiah Staley, Scotts Valley High

Matthew and Nate Hofmann, Soquel High

Kaden Collier, San Lorenzo Valley High

Izaak Ocampo, Pajaro Valley High School

Uriel Marinez-Uribe, Watsonville High

Orlando Cazales, Diamond Technology Institute

Kai Herbst and Max Chen, Kirby School

Sophia Casaletto, Olivia Chen, Amber Williams, Pacific Collegiate School

Kaden Ortiz, St. Francis High

Blaise Benoit-Corey, Nami Brown, Daniel Fernandez, Ben Hillard, Bennet Menzer, Cole Williams, Santa Cruz High

The Hephaestus team is fittingly named for the Greek god of craftsmen, artisans and metalworking.

It is part of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education X Academy Robotics Clubs, a

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program launched at the start of the 2023-24 school year to offer hands-on experience in robotics to all high school students in Santa Cruz County at no cost.

Math Circle

Ten years ago Sylvester and Meister saw there was nothing in Santa Cruz for mathloving students like their son Andrew, so they started the Santa Cruz Math Circle.

“X Academy” page 16

Lauren and Evelyn Potts work on the float.

From left at the pool: Kaden Collier, Ben Hillard, Uriel Marinez-Uribe, and Max Chen at the control station.

“X Academy” from page 15

During the Covid-19 pandemic, participating students began building robots in their driveway. When more students wanted to participate, they rented space at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz. That’s how X Academy was born.

Last year, the X Academy team qualified for the MATE ROV World Championship, which took place in Colorado, and placed fifth of 35 teams.

Andrew, who was on that team, is now a math major at UC Santa Barbara.

A conversation with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education led to this question: Can this robotics program expand to Watsonville?

With funding from the county office, Sylvester’s answer was “Yes.”

Expansion

Last fall, interest grew from 10 to 52, resulting in two teams, one meeting at Sequoia High School in Watsonville.

More than 40 students from 16 local schools participated — and the second team, the Angry Otters, for novice high school students, finished second in the regional competition in the Navigator class.

Sylvester is the head mentor. Meister is the organizer. They had support from 15 mentors, parents and professors.

statement, “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work of every student who entered the MATE ROV competition, and grateful to the X Academy for this impactful local partnership.”

The Hephaestus team met weekly, working all the complex steps toward creating their robot, and preparing it to enter the pool.

Now they will compete against 37 top teams from around the globe, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Hong Kong, to name a few.

The team needs $2,500 per student to attend the world championship, and aims to raise $40,000.

So far they have 56% of their goal, about $22,000.

“Parents are enthusiastic,” Sylvester said.

When one professor saw these high school making circuit boards and writing software, he told Sylvester, “This is what my kids do in college.”

Do you have interest in supporting the future of youth robotics in Santa Cruz County? To donate, see https://www. xacademy.org/ To be a sponsor, email Tim@ Xacademy.org

Students sometimes stay up late, putting in extra time solving problems.

As the dinner hour approached Monday, Sylvester said, “The kids are at a pool right now testing the ROV.”

This year’s World Championships will be broadcast via Twitch, with color commentary by a University of Washington professor. See https://materovcompetition.org/

To learn more about local robotics, see https://cs.santacruzcoe.org/robotics n

Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, provided this

Editor Jondi Gumz contributed to this report.

Nami Brown

AG: AI-Generated Scams are Widespread & Tricky to Spot

On May 31, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning Californians to beware of scams that use artificial intelligence (AI) or “deepfakes” to impersonate government officials, distressed family members, or other trusted figures.

“Scammers are often quite literally in our pockets, just a phone call, social media message, or text away,” said Bonta. “AI and other novel and evolving technologies can make scams harder to spot. Knowing what to look for is an important way to keep consumers safe against these tactics. I urge Californians to take practical steps to guard against being victimized by scammers, including talking to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers.”

New technology – such as AI and deep fake video or voice manipulation – makes it easier for scammers to create sophisticated impersonations and to make more convincing requests for money or personal information. Scammers can use information available on the internet, including images and audio from social media, to convince people that

the voice on the other end of the call is someone they can trust. Bad actors can clone a person’s voice through AI technology using clips of audio taken from that person’s social media account(s) and can refer to personal information about the victim found on the internet, making the scam appear credible.

For example, a troubling new scam targets parents by sending them AI voice impersonations of their child begging for help. Recent reports have included parents receiving a phone call using the cloned voice of their child claiming to have been badly injured in a car accident or in need of money to pay bail. Grandparents are often the target of scams claiming that their grandchild is in trouble and in need of money. In 2023, the FBI received victim complaints regarding grandparent scams that resulted in nearly $1.9 million in losses.

Scammers often target consumers on their phones. In 2023, robocalls and robotexts resulted in more than $1.2 billion in reported losses nationwide. And most other methods of contact by scammers – including email, social media, and the internet – are also accessible by smartphones. These phone-based

scams are designed to steal money, identities, or passwords, or urgently demand payment through cash or gift cards. Scams can result in significant financial losses, ruined credit scores, and impacted security clearance for service members and others.

While younger adults reported losing money to fraud more often in 2023 than older adults, older adults who lose money tend to lose larger amounts.

Imposter scams were the most commonly reported fraud in 2023. These imposter scams often involve a bad actor pretending to be a bank’s fraud department, the government, a well-known business, a technical support expert, or a distressed relative, such as a kidnapped child. Other common phone-based scams include calls related to medical needs and prescriptions, debt reduction, utilities, bank fraud warnings, warranties, or IRS notices.

These scams can also spread misinformation about elections or political candidates. For example, in January residents of New Hampshire received scam election robocalls that allegedly used AI to impersonate the

president and discourage voters from participating in the New Hampshire primary.

Protect Yourself

Here are some tips to protect you and those you know from phone-based scams.

• Develop family code words: Develop simple ways of verifying if a family member truly is in trouble before responding to phone calls for financial help or sharing personal information. Talk with family about designating “safe words” or asking a question that only that person would know the answer to. When creating a question, be mindful that scammers might have access to information from social media and other online sources.

• Minimize personal audio/video content on social media accounts: Consider removing personal phone numbers and audio and video clips from your and your children’s social media profiles. AI scammers can use these clips to create clone voices and videos of loved ones.

“AI Scams” page 18

Safe at SeniorHomeCare

FAMILY

“AI Scams” from page 17

• Check privacy settings: Strengthen privacy settings on social media so that strangers don’t know facts about your life and your current whereabouts, including whether you or a family member is out of town.

• Don’t answer the phone: Let phone calls from unfamiliar numbers go to voicemail. They often are illegal robocalls.

• Don’t trust caller ID: Phone numbers can be “spoofed” to look like a familiar number from friends, family, a school district, or a government agency. Don’t assume the caller ID is accurate and be wary if anything seems different about the caller or if they ask for financial or personal information.

• Hang up the phone: If you suspect a scam call, immediately hang up. Don’t automatically trust automated messages: often pressing “1” to indicate you don’t want to receive future calls just notifies bad actors that they should continue calling this active phone number.

• Take advantage of call-blocking technology: Many cellular providers offer enhanced call-blocking technology that can assist in preventing robocalls from reaching you.

• Don’t click on suspicious links: Scammers will try to get you to click on links that are sent to you in texts, emails, or social media. Text messaging is particularly dangerous because you might hurriedly click on a link and begin entering a password, not realizing that the link is phony, and your password is being recorded.

• Go directly to websites: Go directly to the website of a company you are familiar with rather than clicking on a link that has been sent to you. Some fraudulent links are made to look very similar to the actual website address. You should never click on links that are texted to you – for example, by what seems like a bank. Instead, go to the bank’s website on your own internet browser.

• Use strong passwords: Protect yourself by using different, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Make sure

“Shift Focus” from page 14

Additionally, investing in affordable housing and supportive services for the homeless can provide stability and a path to recovery for those most in need.

California police, no longer held down by the tasks of small-scale marijuana enforcement, should now concentrate on the real emergencies affecting our communities.

By prioritizing the fight against the opioid epidemic and addressing the homelessness crisis, we can make meaningful strides toward a safer, healthier society. This reallocation of focus and resources is not only a sensible solution, but also imperative for the wellbeing of our nation. n

Scott H. Silverman is a crisis coach, counselor, two-time author, and the founder in 2014 of Confidential Recovery and in 2019 the Veterans Navigation Center, both in San Diego. He was previously an alcoholic, drug abuser, drug dealer and had attempted suicide.

that the passwords you use are at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager to provide suggestions and store strong passwords.

• Protect your Social Security number and other sensitive information: Keep your Social Security card at home in a safe place instead of carrying it around in your wallet. Only provide your Social Security number when absolutely necessary, such as on tax forms or employment records. If a business asks you for your Social Security number, see if there is another number that can be used instead.

• Beware of government impersonations and other common scams: Some scammers are sophisticated. They may offer to provide “documentation” or “evidence,” or use the name of a real government official or agency to make you think that their calls are legitimate. If a government agency calls you and asks for financial or personal information, hang up and go to the agency’s official website (which should be a .gov website) and call them directly. Government officials will not threaten you with arrest or legal action in exchange for immediate payment. They will not promise to increase your benefits or resolve an issue in exchange for a fee or transfer of funds to a protected account. And they will not ask for payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfer, internet currency, or by mailing cash.

In January, Bonta called on the FCC to address the threat of AI-generated robocalls, and the FCC subsequently declared voicecloning technology used in common robocall scams illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

In February, Bonta joined a coalition of 51 bipartisan attorneys general in issuing a warning letter to a company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls during the New Hampshire primary election. The calls allegedly used AI to impersonate the president and discourage voters from participating in the primary. n

Today, he has upheld his own sobriety for 40 years while helping those struggling with addiction and their families to complete recovery and get resources such as finding a job to make a fresh start. His approach were recognized in March 2008 when he was named one of CNN’s “Heroes” for his work with homeless individuals and those previously incarcerated.

•••

Editor’s note: On May 6, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart shared a video on Instagram explaining why he created the Fentanyl Crisis Response Team: 133 fatal fentanyl poisonings in 2023, twice as many as died in traffic crashes, homicides and suicides that year. The goal is to apprehend drug dealers responsible for distributing fentanyl and hold them accountable for the lives lost. Hart is partnering with schools, treatment providers, religious organizations and community as a whole to address this crisis. He said education, prevention, and support services are crucial components in mitigating the impact of fentanyl on individuals and families.

Welcome to the Garden

On June 1, UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties hosted a family-friendly celebration at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville to welcome the community to their newest demonstration garden.

The goal is to help people grow their own food and see firsthand how and what to grow in your own backyard, and learn how to protect the watersheds and Monterey Bay.

Special guests included U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s field representative Angela Bocanegra, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Parks Superintendent Sarah Shea, and UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Mark Bolda.

Lofgren’s message called the day “a significant milestone for our community” — “a living classroom, a space for learning, inspiration and community engagement” for gardeners of all ages.

Booths were staffed by Second Harvest Food Bank, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Cabrillo College Horticulture Department, California Native Plant Society, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley and UC Master Food Preservers, explaining their services. n

For information, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu

Natasha Flechsig (left), Santa Cruz, assists visitors checking out succulents. Booths line Pinto Lake County Park at the UC Master Gardeners celebration.

Cutting the ribbon at UC Master Gardeners’ new demonstration garden at Pinto Lake County Park are (from left): Mark Bolda, UC Cooperative Extension acting county director strawberry and caneberry farm advisor, Rita Bell, UC Master Gardeners president, 4th District County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Sarah Shea, Santa Cruz County Parks superintendent, and Angela Bocanegra, field representative for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s office.

LOCAL SPORTS

SLV’s Dahlen MVP

SCCAL All League: Boys Golf 2023-24

James Dahlen, who led the San Lorenzo Valley High School boys’ golf team to its first championship, was voted Most Valuable Player in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, and his dad, SLV Coach Luke Dahlen, was voted Coach of the Year. Here are all the honorees:

First Team

Keenan Buntz - SLV

Tyler Grosdidier - Aptos

Colton Duerson - Scotts Valley

Kaden Dunton - Harbor

Luke English - Soquel

Second Team

Ben Nowark - Aptos

Tobin Ortiz-McClendon - Santa Cruz

Colby Culbertson - Aptos

Shawn Rochelle - Aptos

Braden Brooks - Santa Cruz

Cliff Chestnut - Santa Cruz

Honorable Mention

Luke Garvey - Aptos

Andrew Cox - Aptos

Wyatt McCabe - SLV

Luke Fontinell - SLV

Sam Wickens - Santa Cruz

Bodie Weld - Santa Cruz

Cole Christensen - Soquel

Luke Battey - Soquel

Kaito Levy - Harbor

Kyler Samples - Harbor

Cal Rockow - Scotts Valley

Will Jackson - Scotts Valley n

Jorden Espinoza is Pitcher of the Year

Aptos High senior Jorden Espinoza, who helped the Mariners to a 10-4-1 season – first place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League – was voted Pitcher of the Year.

Blake LaRiviere, a Scotts Valley High senior who helped the Falcons to a 10-5 season for second place, was voted Player of the Year. He played first base, with a fielding percentage of .943, pitched with an earned run average of 2.36, hit two home runs, eight doubles and had 17 runs batted in.

Scotts Valley High Coach Sean Coyne was voted Coach of the Year.

Scotts Valley won 10 games in a row before falling to Homestead, 3-0, in the CCS tournament.

In the CCS tournament, Aptos fell to Hollister, 11-0.

First Team

Cole McCombs - Harbor - pitcher (11)

Morgan Toohey - Santa Cruz - pitcher (11)

Carlos Cruz - Harbor - infielder (12)

Isaiah Work - Aptos - infielder (11)

Jaden Shabry - SLV - infielder (11)

Damos Deworken - Santa Cruz - infielder (11)

Jack Sanders - Scotts Valley - outfielder (12)

Nick Bogomilsky - Santa Cruz - outfielder (12)

Matt Hood - Aptos - outfielder (12)

Kaden Smith - Santa Cruz - catcher (12)

Cole McGillicuddy - Aptos - utility/DH (9)

Second Team

Colin Melrose - Scotts Valley - pitcher (12)

Dylan Hull - Soquel - pitcher (10)

Jake Fiorenza - Harbor - infielder (12)

Edward Peters - Aptos - infielder (12)

Quinn Turowski - Scotts Valley - infielder (12)

Gabe Virgalito - Soquel - infielder (11)

Jake Escalante - Soquel - outfielder (10)

Cam Fusari - Santa Cruz - outfielder (10)

“Baseball” page 26

2024 PCAL All-League Girls Lacrosse

MISSION DIVISION

1ST TEAM

Aptos

Aryel Reyes Mager – Sophomore – Attack

Holly Hegna – Senior – Midfield

Avi Andrews – Junior – Midfield

Gamble Kellermyer – Junior – Goalie

Santa Cruz

Mikayla Lombrozo – Senior – Midfield

Julia Lombrozo – Sophomore – Midfield

Soquel

Amelie Stotland – Senior – Midfield

Ava Sullivan – Senior – Goalie

Reilly Kerko – Junior – Midfield

Monterey

Allison Olms – Junior – Attack

Remi Morgan – Junior – Midfield

Tiffany Nielsen – Junior – Midfield

Jo Bommarito – Junior – Goalie

Notre Dame

Olivia Suarez – Senior – Midfield

York

Maura Kragelund – Senior – Midfield

2ND TEAM

Aptos

Lucy Erikson – Sophomore – Defense

Kathleen Allari – Senior – Attack

Santa Cruz

Maddy McGrath – Junior – Attack

“Girls Lacross” page 22

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD, HERBS OR FLOWERS

Fentanyl Crisis Team Announces Arrest

By Jondi Gumz

On May 29, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Fentanyl Crisis Response Team conducted an operation that led to the arrest of a drug dealer on the 100 block of Coral Street in Santa Cruz, according to a press release.

This location is near shelters for homeless individuals, a future site for services and a future site for 120 rental units with support for people who are chronically homeless.

The Sheriff’s Office said an undercover detective bought fentanyl from Brandon Mahone, 39, no address given.

Mahone was arrested for narcotics sales and a probation hold was placed on him.

Last year, fentanyl, a deadly synthetic drug that is cheap to make, took the lives of 133 people in Santa Cruz County,

“Girls Lacross” from page 21

Jada Colehower – Junior – Midfield

Noemi Ruben – Senior – Defense Soquel

Elle Lindsey – Senior – Midfield

Addie Somerville – Sophomore – Midfield

Ayla Hymes – Sophomore – Midfield

Monterey

Chanel Nielsen – Junior – Defense

Elizabeth Tenoco – Sophomore – Midfield

Notre Dame

Gabby Smith – Senior – Defense

Alyssa Chubbuck – Senior – Goalie

Lauren Asuncion – Sophomore – Midfield

York

Sidney Thornsbury – Senior – Defense

Monterey

Selah Kwasnoski – Sophomore – Defense

ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM

Aptos

Kathleen Allari – Senior – Midfield

Santa Cruz

Louisiana Ellis – Junior – Attack

Soquel

Ava Gray – Junior – Defense

prompting Sheriff Jim Hart to create this new team.

Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl — a few grains smaller than a penny — can be lethal, and illegal manufacturers often disguise pills to look like Xanax or oxycodone M30.

In fake pills, 7 out of 10 are potentially fatal, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, based on pills seized from dealers.

One sad fatality this year: A 19-yearold freshman, the son of a tech star found dead in his dorm room, the autopsy finding fentanyl.

In announcing this effort in May on Instagram, Hart said, “It is a crisis.”

He noted last year’s deaths from traffic crashes, suicides, homicides totaled 66 — so the fentanyl fatalities are twice as many

His office is partnering with schools and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education to “prevent that first use,” and with Janus of Santa Cruz, which offers addiction treatment.

He’s doubled the size of his narcotic enforcement team, which includes a drug detection canine, and got agreement from federal prosecutors in cases where law enforcement can prove a drug dealer dealt fentanyl to someone who overdosed and died, they will prosecute those cases as homicides or manslaughter.

“We have to work together as a team,” Hart said.

Monterey

Selah Kwasnoski – Sophomore – Defense

York

Brianna Bailey – Senior – Midfield

Notre Dame

Lilia Mekri – Junior – Midfield

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Amelie Stotland - Soquel

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ava Sullivan - Soquel

GABILAN DIVISION

FIRST TEAM

Scotts Valley

Sofia Niklaus – Junior – Midfield

Skylar Dufour – Junior – Midfield

Dillon Fiorita – Junior – Midfield

Monte Vista Christian

Kyra Driscoll – Senior – Midfield

Jana Bacero-Duncan – Junior – Goalie

Stevenson

Macey Torres – Junior – Midfield

Brogan Dolata – Sophomore – Attack

Sydney Holland – Sophomore – Midfield

Grace Ishii – Junior – Midfield

“Over the past several months, the Fentanyl Crisis Response Team has seized over 500 grams of fentanyl,” the press release says. “We are working directly with local and federal prosecutors to hold the individuals dealing this poison to our community accountable.”

Lt. Billy Burnett, who heads the team,

Georgia Bonifas – Sophomore – Defense

Molly McAfee – Sophomore – Attack

Carmel

Kate Graham – Junior – Midfield

Anna Rassmusen – Freshman – Attack

Santa Catalina

Allie Fieber – Junior – Midfield Salinas

Dallana Alvarado Castellanos – Senior – Goalie

2ND TEAM

Scotts Valley

Stella Cheney – Senior – Defense

Claire Skinner – Junior – Defense

Campbell Flores – Freshman – Defense

Monte Vista Christian

Maya Moore – Freshman – Attack

Sophia Sheridan – Sophomore – Attack

Rhazelle Gonzales – Senior – Defense

Stevenson

Naiya Patel – Senior – Attack

Sarah Vanoli – Senior – Defense

Carmel

Anya Melton – Senior – Attack

Claire Bonyage – Sophomore – Defense

Lola Voss – Freshman – Midfield

says all fentanyl overdose death cases are being investigated as potential homicides.

“These people are literally supplying a product that is killing people and profiting from it,” he said. n

The Instagram video can be viewed at https:// www.instagram.com/santacruzcountyso/reel/ C6odDqnoZx5/

Santa Catalina

Sawyer Vogel – Junior – Defense

Sophie Fieber – Senior – Attack

Salinas

Emma Camacho – Junior – Midfield

Rylee Eastin – Junior – Midfield

ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM

Scotts Valley

Skylar Dufour – Junior – Midfield

Monte Vista Christian

Amanda Pasag – Senior – Defense

Salinas

Angelina Garcia – Senior – Defense

Santa Catalina

Cora Derbin – Senior – Defense

Carmel

Anya Melton – Senior – Attack

Stevenson

Maxime Vandendriessche – Senior – Midfield

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sofia Niklaus - Scotts Valley

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jana Bacero-Duncan - MVC n

Sheriff Jim Hart

Ivy

Deborah Cypert Owner Bobbie Frandeen

Want an Affordable Summer Vacation? Try This

By Christopher Elliott

Life is full of compromises, and that will never be more true than when you’re traveling this summer.

Flights will be packed. Just before Memorial Day, TSA set a new record for most air travelers screened. It checked nearly 3 million passengers on May 24, surpassing the previous record set last Thanksgiving. U.S. airlines are projecting a record summer. They expect to fly 271 million passengers in June, July and August, up 6% from last summer.

Roads will be jammed. GasBuddy’s latest summer travel survey predicts 76% of Americans plan to take a road trip sometime between Memorial Day and Labor Day — up 18% from last summer.

Hotels are full, too. Average hotel occupancy will rise to 63.4%, the highest level since 2019, according to the consulting firm HVS.

There’s only one way to get around the high prices and crowds: Be flexible.

“With peak season prices, crowds, flight delays and more, your itinerary should be in pencil — not pen,” says Bill Smith, CEO of Landing, a company that offers flexible rentals. “Being flexible can help to minimize your travel spend, while maximizing your adventure this summer.”

There are ways to become flexible during the busiest travel season of the year, from planning your trip to the tools that get you there. Being a more flexible traveler also means thinking about travel a little differently — bending, but not breaking.

Strategies this Summer

So how do you become more flexible? Here are a few examples:

• Fly to another city. Sometimes, the place you’re trying to visit is too popular —and expensive. That’s what happened to Phil Strazzulla when he tried to visit Milan last summer. Airline ticket prices were more than $1,000. But he could fly to nearby Zürich, Switzerland, for less. So he did. “Not only did this save us more than $300 for each ticket, but the drive over the mountains was spectacular,” recalls Strazzulla, who runs a software review company. “Travel flexibility can result in cost savings — and a unique experience.”

• Go off the beaten path. Being truly flexible can mean getting outside your comfort zone a little. “Instead of Rome, Italy, go to the Puglia region,” says Lynna Goldsby, a cruise planner with Travel With Lynna. “Instead of London, try Normandy or Bath.” Trying these alternate destinations can still satisfy your travel itch but also reduce your expenses for lodging, restaurants, tours and transfers, she says.

• Take a detour. Airfares are often less expensive if you fly out of the way through an airline’s hub. Don’t waste that opportunity, says Linda Robert, a travel coach with Back in the Groove Again. Airlines such as Icelandair, Qatar Airways and Copa have stopover programs that allow you to enjoy a day or two at their hubs before continuing to your vacation destination, often at no extra cost. “This strategy enriches your travel experience and offers a costeffective way to see more places,” she says.

Tools to Help

There are a few new ways to be flexible.

As an example, Landing, which is a favorite of digital nomads and locationindependent workers, rolled out a new tool. Its 12-month Flex Stay program offers renters the opportunity to save up to 30% on monthly rates by committing to living with Landing for a year, which has locations in more than 375 cities.

“This new offering gives members the freedom to roam throughout our nationwide network of fully furnished apartments as much — or as little — as they’d like throughout the year,” says Smith.

Another newish feature is Airbnb’s flexible dates search, which lets you select a period of time rather than a specific date, to see more options. Airbnb introduced the feature

during the pandemic, and it can help you save as much as 20% on vacation rental accommodations.

One of my all-time favorite tools is available on almost every self-respecting online travel site. It’s the ability to search for airfares or hotel rates based on a more flexible schedule. Google Flights and Kayak are great at showing you more flexible options. Pro tip: Don’t limit your flexibility to dates; select a region you want to travel to, which may include an alternate airport.

You can also be flexible when it comes to the rate you pay, says Virginia Tech hospitality and tourism professor Mahmood Khan. Hotels cut their rates by about 20% if you pay upfront (but you have to be sure you’re going, because those lower rates are usually nonrefundable).

“At times, selecting a hotel away from busy destinations, yet comfortable for commuting, helps in finding an economical deal,” he adds.

But how do you put it all together this summer, including the flexible itinerary and the tools? Funny you should ask.

Boosting Travel Flexibility

There are also new strategies to increase your travel flexibility, which can help you save money and a big headache when you’re on the road.

“A critical skill is knowing how and when to put white space into your itinerary,” says Stephanie Chastain, owner of Infinite Ireland Travel, a boutique travel consul-

tancy. “A too-rigid schedule leaves travelers vulnerable to travel hiccups that disrupt well-intended plans.”

What is white space? It’s literally that — a blank page on your itinerary. An empty afternoon with free time. A leisurely breakfast instead of getting up at the crack of dawn for an all-day tour. It’s a rest day every two or three days, to prevent yourself from vacation burnout and to give your schedule some wiggle room.

Flexibility is a lesson even the experts keep relearning. For example, I had to fly from Anguilla to Miami at the last minute recently, and flights were crazy expensive — around $800 for a one-way ticket. Just as I got ready to book, I realized that Anguilla is a short ferry ride away from St. Martin, which has more flights.

Total savings: $200.

Being flexible means thinking about travel in a different way than everyone else. It’s the belief that there are many ways to get to your destination and that if you don’t get there on the exact day your vacation starts, it’s not the end of the world. Travel companies love sticking it to you when you absolutely must be in one place at a fixed time. Be a contrarian. But don’t go too far.

Bend so you Don’t Break Some of the best travel advice for people who want to be flexible comes from veteran travel advisor Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips, a travel agency. She told me that lowering your expectations is one of the best ways to stay flexible.

“Life isn’t perfect,” she says. “Your trip will likely involve unforeseen and unpredictable events.”

One more thing: Being too rigid is a recipe for a terrible trip. I’ve made that mistake before, and believe me, it’s no fun.

You don’t want to take it too far. By all means, schedule your flight on a weekday to avoid high fares. Try booking your flight by using one of the flexible fare features on Google Flights or Kayak, or check out Landing’s new flex program.

But if you make too many compromises, it won’t be much of a vacation. You’ll end up staying in a motel in the suburbs, far away from all the attractions, and missing all the fun. Be flexible, but be smart.

Bend — but don’t break. n •••

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can email him at chris@elliott.org.

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

El Sistema Music Students Going to Finland

Music students in El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley will travel to Helsinki, Finland, to present a workshop at the 2024 International Society of Music Education Conference July 28 -Aug. 4.

They were selected from 550 entries.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been selected to represent our community at the 2024 ISME Conference,” says Camilo Ortiz, musical director of El Sistema’s preorchestra. “This workshop underscores our commitment to cross-cultural collaboration and the transformative power of music education.”

El Sistema, which means the system, is part of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities program.

The workshop, titled “Melodies of Hope:

The Lessons and Music of a Cross Cultural International Collaboration,” will bring together 8 students from Radcliff Elementary School, educators from El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, the prestigious Sibelius Academy, and a Finnish elementary school. Participants will explore the similarities and differences in teaching methods, language, and cultural influences, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for global music education and gaining practical strategies to enhance their own music programs. n

For information about El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley and its participation in the 2024 ISME Conference, contact Camilo Ortiz at Camilo_ortiz@pvusd.net.

To view a video of the students playing music, see https://elsistema-sc-pajarovalley.org/

Second Harvest Calls for Summer Volunteers

While many enjoy summer vacations, the need for food assistance in our community does not take a break. Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County urgently seeks volunteers to join us every Saturday throughout the summer to help sort and pack food for the following week’s distributions.

We need your help to ensure that 65,000 people in our county continue to receive the food they need each month. Volunteers are crucial to our mission, and we need 20 volunteers for each shift (that’s 40 volunteers every Saturday!) at our Watsonville warehouse, located at 800 Ohlone Pkwy. There are two shifts to choose from:

• Early Bird Shift: 7:45 AM - 11:00 AM

• Late Riser Shift: 11:15 AM - 2:30 PM

No experience is necessary, and volunteers can sign up for one or multiple shifts. The minimum age to volunteer is 13. Summer 2024 Saturday Sort Volunteer Dates: June 15 June 22

July 6 July 13

July 20 July 27

August 3

August 10 August 17 “SHFB” page 26

Summer Blockbusters

Honoring our Fathers & a Wedding in the Forest

“Baseball” from page 21

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-June 2024 •

By Risa D’Angeles

In our last week of Gemini we celebrate Father’s day. We recognize and celebrate all Fathers in all shapes and sizes, genders & relationships, fathers who assume the role of mothers. And the mothers who are fathers, too.

Honoring our Fathers — On Father’s Day, we honor the principle of fatherhood and all paternal bonds, recognizing the vital and important influence of fathers in society and the family. Fathers are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down and enforce rules, to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Fathers, central to the emotional well-being of their children, are to be both capable caretakers and loving disciplinarians. Through love of their children, father’s become heroes. Saturn, the planet, is the cosmic disciplinary Father. For both we are grateful.

In June the Sun beginning its journey southward towards the Tropic of Capricorn (reached at Winter Solstice). Summer Solstice is the longest day of light. When the Sun begins moving southward, in the northern latitude we begin the dark half of the year. During the greatest time of light, the darkness begins. A paradox.

The Sun enters Cancer Thursday, June 20 and it’s summer solstice! Summer begins when the Sun reaches its highest point in the heavens (Tropic of Cancer). Solstice is from the Latin sol (sun) and sister (to stand still). At solstices, the Sun stands still (a “sunstanding”) for three days, before reversing direction.

ARIES

Being creative is a self-identity. Creativity calls you to initiate new endeavors that respond to all the changes coming your way in terms of work, how you’re recognized, relationships and inner spiritual beliefs. Everything is more than you think. Observe the world with calmness. Tend to health with a focus on proper digestion (probiotics, enzymes, green foods, etc.). This focus on health empowers you.

TAURUS

Home guards and sustains your relationship. There is so much to be done at home. What is the larger picture concerning your life, geography, relationships, partnerships and where you live? Careful working in the hot sun. You may not be absorbing enough water. Maintain adequate electrolytes each day. Something challenges you, calling you to consider other realities. Perhaps it’s your health. Are you in pain? Study the 12-tissue cell salts (Biochemic medicine).

GEMINI

Mercury, your planetary messenger, is in Gemini, calling for a focus on loving communication. A line of light beams from Sirius streams directly into your heart. Visualize this. It is unifying polarities and helping to heal old wounds. But only if you love (Ray 2) more, which happens when you’ve gathered enough information. Study facts on finances, resources, gold and silver, Venus, land, gardens, greenhouses and what sustains you. What does sustain you?

CANCER

Communication may be veiled, hidden and thus difficult to understand. Both what you are saying and other people’s communication, too. You may feel anger and frustration with certain groups. And then those around you may act out those feelings for you. Regarding giving - whatever we give opens a gate of prosperity. What we give is returned ten-fold. Is there a wound or hurt occurring? Are your feet painful? Is something limiting you? Erchonia’s cold laser light would help.

At the moment of solstice, for disciples who have participated in the previous twelve months of new and full moon festivals, the twelve Sun seeds and twelve moon seeds (deposited as light seeds), gather in a central chamber in the head (the 3rd ventricle, referred to as the marriage bed). There, at summer solstice, the seeds of light are kindled. A new state of enlightenment begins.

The symbology of this spiritual event is written in Shakespeare’s play, Midsummer Night’s Dream where a wedding takes place in the forest among the fairies and within all of nature. Humanity is part of nature.

Archangel Uriel assumes guidance over the Earth during summer months. He meets and teaches his students in meadows, grasslands, fields of flowers, savannas and prairies. He teaches humans and the fairy kingdom, as well. n

LEO

After just too much time with groups you seek a place of solitude and retreat. Thoughts of the past summon many deep emotions. Remembering the past and yourself with others a sense of seeking and offering forgiveness arises. Forgiveness heals and liberates. Gratitude follows forgiveness. It’s important to value every person and all occurrence in your life (past, present, future). When this occurs, a new and vital life force appears and all restrictions and obstructions disappear.

VIRGO

As you begin new endeavors, enter into them slowly and carefully, resting along the way so your physical body, emotions and mind can keep up. Be aware of all new thoughts, ideas, and realities coming from the mind of God. You are in a state of reorientation, where original values and resources can emerge from deep spiritual sources. To reflect all that is occurring, build a newer, more encompassing Vesta box. Fill it with treasures that reflect the hidden parts of yourself.

LIBRA

It’s important to move slowly from home to work and back again, having adequate time in between. At home deep emotions can be expressed in some form of art and creativity. At work, new information is becoming available. How is your health? Is something occurring that is veiling your ability to see or think, making realities ever-shifting? At times, you’re stretched out on a cross, your attention called in four directions. Only the angels of the four directions can consistently help you. Call upon them for help.

SCORPIO

Try not to be too harsh when communicating about people’s lives. Maintain ethics and kindness within the constant variations and changes in reality. Your values have shifted so now you’re better at evaluating communications. This is good. Home becomes a new reality where you seek comfort with small groups. A wound seems to come out of nowhere. Don’t worry about these strange occurrences. They are really normal in times of reorientation.

SAGITTARIUS

The focus of your experiences these days is relationships, partnerships, intimacy, and those you love. Questions appear concerning what you truly value. It’s good to create a list of values, concerning all aspects of life; personal, political, public, possessions, people. Who do you value? And why? What do you value, in terms of relationships and what do you value in communication? Your “other” self seeks to be discovered and so these questions are posed. Your arrow of aspirations is quivering.

CAPRICORN

An illumination, a fruition, a completion and then a new beginning occurs. In your day to day life, do you feel stretched upon a cross and called in four directions? This can feel very difficult. You have assumed the task of multiple responsibilities for multiple people. You are being trained in leadership. For help, place an angel at each of the four directions. Stand at the center of the cross and willingly, intelligently and lovingly direct from there. The angels speak these words: purity, dedication, love and service. They are potencies you are working with.

AQUARIUS

Careful with money. Keep track of all interactions. Careful with communication. Uplift others with it. Be grateful where you live. Nurture yourself within it. Careful driving. Stay focused at all times. Each day seems filled with responsibilities, tasks, errands in order to create comfort and nurturance. A dreaminess seems to permeate your afternoon and evenings. Perhaps more rest is needed. Attempt to be less strict and more conciliatory. People will listen more to you with depths of gratitude.

PISCES

You have been asked to step more into the world using your special talents and gifts. This is awakening a new state of self-identity and an ability to direct, work with and serve others. You may be resistant. However, all of these “others” need nurturing and you’re the one recognized as having the needed nurturing qualities. You also perhaps feel a great tension and unease of not being in the right place. Yet you continue forward. Something will change soon. Bravely and with determination, simply carry on.

Brady Downs - Soquel - outfielder (10)

Jake Abel - Scotts Valley - catcher (12)

Honorable Mention

Jack Reed - Aptos (12)

Josiah McKenzie - Aptos (12)

Ferris Vitali - Harbor (12)

Colin Karwick - Harbor (12)

Cody Houston - SLV (12)

Anthony Griffis - SLV (12)

Fernando Dacosta - Santa Cruz (11)

Emmet Desmond - Santa Cruz

Kaleb Wing - Scotts Valley (11)

Corbin Giesen - Scotts Valley (12)

CJ Clayton - Soquel (12)

Cash Moren - Soquel (10) n

“SHFB” from page 25

Please help us spread the word and ensure that no one in our community goes hungry this summer. For more information, visit our website at thefoodbank.org, to sign up here, or contact us at (831) 232-8141.

Thank you for your continued support! n

Contact: Mary Casey Chief Human Resources Officer Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Phone: (831) 231-8141 Email: mary@thefoodbank.org

Founded in 1972, Second Harvest was the first food bank in California and the second in the nation. Its mission is to inspire and support Santa Cruz County to provide nourishment for all community members.

Its network of nearly 80 local agencies and programs feeds 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month. For every dollar donated, it provides three healthy meals.

TheFoodBank.org

Bay Federal Promotes Bennett & Torres

Bay Federal Credit Union announces two promotions: Trisha Bennett to vice president of enterprise applications and project management office and David Torres to assistant vice president of home loan sales.

Bennett’s promotion comes on the heels of two successful milestones in her career — earning her Project Management Professional Certification from The Project Management Institute and being awarded the Credit Union’s 2023 Service Excellence Award.

She joined the credit union in 2019, where she began as assistant vice president of enterprise applications and project management office. She has demonstrated exemplary leadership and project management skills, helping streamlining Bay Federal’s operational efficiency and fortifying capabilities

to deliver superior service to members.

“I am excited for this opportunity to provide guidance amongst systems, applications, and project management processes, all while supporting our greater strategic initiatives,” she said.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz County, she graduated from UC Davis, with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife, fish and conservation biology, and obtained her Business Analysis Certification from the University’s extension program.

Bennett serves on the board of the Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival and is

secretary of the Pescadero Community Foundation. She enjoys spending time with her family in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and her family has two loving rescue cats and two rescue dogs who join them on their adventures.

Torres has been instrumental in leading both Bay Federal’s team of local home loan consultants and Bay Federal members through the challenges of the housing market. He has steadied the ship from a refinance boom driven by historically low interest rates to a challenging purchase market for first-time buyers.

In addition, he has developed new

Ctalent at the credit union and brought in applications and servicing tools to support borrowers.

“I’ve always really enjoyed the satisfaction of assisting our members in achieving their homeownership goals,” Torres said. “This new role will allow me to leverage even greater opportunities for our members and navigate the market at a much higher level.”

Before joining Bay Federal in 2014, he spent 11 years in mortgage banking. He became Bay Federal’s home loans manager in 2019.

He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Jose State University and serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife and 3 children and enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams. n

Clean California Projects in Santa Cruz County

altrans is spotlighting 319 beautification projects funded by $643 million from Clean California, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion multiyear initiative to clean up, reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces.

In Santa Cruz County, projects include:

• $ 1,079,045 To completely renovate the Main Beach public restrooms, which were deteriorating.

New ADA compliant, water-conserving fixtures, including a bottle-filling station.

Two 20’ x 7’-foot tile mosaic wall murals developed through outreach with the Beach Flats neighborhood. The site will get picnic tables, trash and recycling receptacles and signs discouraging littering, plus security cameras will be installed to monitor litter on beach, deter crime, and study sea-level rise.

• $5 million toward a $5,916,097 multiuse trail along Green Valley Road near Watsonville.

A dilapidated walking trail along Green Valley Road in the unincorporated county is to be replaced with a two-mile 10-foot wide path for people on foot and on bikes between Amesti Road near Amesti Elementary and Pinto Lake County Park. Protection is to be

provided by a landscaped buffer or bioswale with native and drought tolerant plans.

County supervisors listed this project as a priority in 2022. The project includes upgrading 5 Metro bus stops with shelters and one more with an accessible landing, plus trash receptacles. To discourage littering, there will be education programs at Amesti Elementary, community events at the parks, and community-driven art installation(s).

Also on the map: Transit project partnerships such as Santa Cruz Metro Bus Stop Improvement Project

The geographic information system mapping tool lets viewers enter a location of interest, or a zip code to locate completed or active Clean California projects in their area.

According to Caltrans, nearly all projects benefit underserved communities.

“Clean California projects are boosting community pride and making hundreds of neighborhoods safer, cleaner and healthier places to live,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “This new digital application gives Californians a comprehensive list of beautification sites across the state and where their important infrastructure dollars are being invested.”

Clean California Projects in Santa Cruz County Caltrans is spotlighting 319 beautification projects funded by $643 million from Clean California, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion multiyear initiative to clean up, reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces.

In Santa Cruz County, projects include:

• $1,079,045 To completely renovate the Main Beach public restrooms, which were deteriorating.

New ADA compliant, water-conserving fixtures, including a bottle-filling station. Two 20’ x 7’-foot tile mosaic wall murals developed through outreach with the Beach Flats neighborhood. The site will get picnic tables, trash and recycling receptacles and signs discouraging littering, plus security cameras will be installed to monitor litter on beach, deter crime, and study sea-level rise.

• $5 million toward a $5,916,097 multiuse trail along Green Valley Road near Watsonville.

A dilapidated walking trail along Green Valley Road in the unincorporated county is to be replaced with a two-mile 10-foot wide path for people on foot and on bikes between Amesti Road near Amesti Elementary and

Pinto Lake County Park. Protection is to be provided by a landscaped buffer or bioswale with native and drought tolerant plans.

County supervisors listed this project as a priority in 2022. The project includes upgrading 5 Metro bus stops with shelters and one more with an accessible landing, plus trash receptacles. To discourage littering, there will be education programs at Amesti Elementary, community events at the parks, and community-driven art installation(s).

Also on the map: Transit project partnerships such as Santa Cruz Metro Bus Stop Improvement Project

The geographic information system mapping tool lets viewers enter a location of interest, or a zip code to locate completed or active Clean California projects in their area.

According to Caltrans, nearly all projects benefit underserved communities.

“Clean California projects are boosting community pride and making hundreds of neighborhoods safer, cleaner and healthier places to live,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “This new digital application gives Californians a comprehensive list of beautification sites across the state and where their important infrastructure dollars are being invested.” n

Nonprofit Founder Arrested on Charges of Child Molestation

At the end of May, Joshua Alfaro, 42, founder of the nonprofit Alisal Community Arts Network, which provided thousands of East Salinas kids a chance to learn guitar, color guard, drumline, marimbas and mariachi after school, was arrested in Monterey County on charges of child molestation.

He is accused of sexually molesting three girls under the age of 14 dating back to

2018 and most recently in April. Prosecutors say the alleged victims were not in the afterschool music program.

His bail was set at $2.7 million.

Monterey County prosecutor Lana Nassoura asked the community to report any suspicions to law enforcement.

Dr. Heather Contreras, Pajaro Valley Unified School District superintendent, issued a statement saying Alfaro was very

briefly a consultant to the district, and that the agreement with PVUSD was “terminated immediately upon learning of the arrest.”

She noted, “During the consultant’s brief tenure, from May 22 to May 24, 2024, he visited Pajaro Middle School, Lakeview and Pajaro Valley High, to speak with band directors about musical instrument needs and did not have direct contact with students.”

She added, “Our hearts are with the

minors involved in this distressing situation and their families. We remain committed to keeping the safety and well-being of our students as a number one priority at PVUSD.” n

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation awarded Alisal Community Arts Network a $30,000 grant in 2021 to support the Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble and SoundSport Marching Band for a year.

Trisha Bennett David Torres

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

APTOS LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Mon-Thur: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Closed Sunday • 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos Upcoming

June 22 • 11 am to noon: Fratello Marionettes’ musical retelling three fairytales “The Three Little Pigs,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” and “The Ugly Duckling.” Set to a fanciful score by Saint-Saens.

June 24 • 3:30-5pm. Free: Triple P workshop on ADHD: How ADHD affects children’s health, behaviors, and emotions at home and school. Tips for working with teachers and school staff.

June 28 • 2-3 p.m.: Food to Help Build Your Memory Palace with Colleen Wysocki-Woods, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Lactation Consultant with a master’s in food science & human nutrition.

July 6 • Noon to 5 p.m.: Youth Chess Tournament, competitive yet friendly format, allowing players to test their skills against other players of similar age and experience levels. Three rounds.

Sundays

First Sunday: ACT Advisory Council of Teens: 11 am to 1 pm Mondays

Bridge Club, 10:30-noon, partnership with County Parks, except for Monday holidays

Writers Workshop, 1-3 p.m. 2nd & 4th Mondays

Tech Help in person, 1-3 p.m. weekly. Make an appointment (831-427-7713)

First Monday: SciFi Flicks, 6-8 p.m. Snacks provided.

Scheduled movies for 2024:

June: The Sixth Sense

July: Independence Day

August.: Beetlejuice

September: The Truman Show

October: The Addams Family

November: Everything Everywhere All At Once December: Nightmare Before Christmas Tuesdays

Storytime for ages 3-5, 11-11:30 am weekly

Aptos Youth Chess Club, 3:30-4:30 pm weekly

Wednesdays

First and Third Wednesdays: Pilates Classes: 12:30-1:30 p.m. (Bring your own yoga mat please)

Programs are first come first serve, and beginner friendly. Minecraft for ages 8-18, 3:30-5:30 pm

Thursdays

Tai Chi, 10-11 am weekly

Mah Jongg 2-4 p.m. weekly

READ Help for Kids 3-5 pm weekly by appointment. Ages 6 to 18 with credentialed teachers. Email elibrary@ santacruzpl.org

First Thursdays: Friends of Aptos Library Meeting, 5-6 pm.

Second Thursdays: Book Discussions, 1-2:30 pm online and in-person. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/11782362

Fridays

Third Fridays: Bring Your Own Book Discussion, 11 am12:30pm

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WALL OF HOPE

The Wall of Hope is designed to support Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission of alleviating hunger in our community.

Tiles range from $700 to $2,000. Proceeds support Second Harvest and will be viewed by visitors to the food bank for years to come.

The Wall of Hope is located on the patio, just outside Second Harvest’s main entrance. The tiles will be previewed at the Party in the Parking Lot event.

For more information, contact Michele Bassi at (831) 288-3002 or e-mail michele@thefoodbank.org Tiles can be purchased at https://give.thefoodbank.org/ campaigns/32191-wall-of-hope.

CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERTS

6 p.m. Wednesdays, Esplanade Bandstand, Capitola Village

The Capitola Twilight Concerts are back for the summer of 2024.

All concerts take place at the Esplanade bandstand in Capitola Village.

These free events are made possible by the generosity of sponsors.

Schedule of bands:

June 19 Pacific Roots

June 26 Ribsy’s Nickel

July 3 Dirty Cello

July 10 Mike Hammar & The Nails

July 17 Extra Large

July 24 The Joint Chiefs

July 31 Dolce

Aug 7 Space Heater

Aug 14 The Inciters Band

Aug 21 Cowboys After Dark Aug 28 The Alex Lucero Band

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY

When the next disaster strikes, hundreds of amateur radio (ham radio) operators will be ready to assist government agencies in Santa Cruz County and beyond. These volunteers will demonstrate their radio skills during their annual Field Day event on Saturday, June 22, in Aptos. Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The general public is welcome to attend and participate. Admission is free.

This year’s Field Day site is in the large open field behind Sevy’s (Severino’s) on State Park Drive in Aptos. It is the former site of Par 3 Golf Course and the three large aluminum antenna poles by Highway 1. Follow directional signs from the entrance on Old Dominion Court off State Park Drive.

CASTRO ADOBE STATE PARK RESTORED

Monthly Open House: June 15, Aug 11, Sept. 21, Oct. 13, Nov. 16, Dec. 8

10:30am- 3:30pm, 184 Old Adobe Rd, Watsonville

Thanks to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, the historic Castro Adobe has been restored and enriched with many new multimedia exhibits.

This two-story adobe is a prime example of rancho haciendas in the Monterey Bay area.

Come view unearthed artifacts, enjoy the Fandango lessons, and learn about the vaquero culture.

Admission is free. Carpooling advised due to limited parking.

SCLERODERMA SUPPORT GROUP

The Scleroderma Foundation of California announces a new support group for people living in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

The Monterey Bay Support Group will bring together individuals with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other areas of the body.

The support group will be led by volunteers Cheri O’Neil of Live Oak and Annette Rahn of Carmel. The mission of the Scleroderma Foundation of California is to empower patients to live better lives through programs dedicated to support, education, and research.

The support group will start by offering virtual meetings, with the goal of meeting monthly in person at a location convenient for members.

To learn more, email mbsclero@gmail.com. The foundation’s website is www.myscleroderma.org.

COUNTY SEEKS NONPROFIT PROPOSALS

Deadline: August 2

The County of Santa Cruz has announced the deadline for nonprofits to apply for county and city funding from the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments Program.

The goal is to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

COUNTY PUBLIC ART: THE LETTERS

The County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Public Libraries announce installation of “The Letters,” a striking blue seven-foot steel sculpture created for the new Live Oak Library annex, next to Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz.

Bay area artists David Sehyoon Choi and Sooja (Soo) Choi collaborated on this piece of public art, composed of 1,000+ individually cut letters which form a figure kneeling to pick up words. Viewers will see words of affirmation such as “liberty,” “happiness,” “love,” “unity,” “justice,” “peace,” and “hope.” David and Soo immigrated to the U.S. from Korea in 1982. David is an award-winning printmaker; Soo creates large public sculptures. They often do joint exhibitions. Later this summer, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artists at the annex grand opening; check www. parks.santacruzcountyca.gov or www.santacruzpl.org for details.

For information on the County public art program, visit www.parks.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/FindaProgram/ ArtsCulturalPrograms/PublicArtPrograms.aspx

The Live Oak annex community rooms can be reserved by emailing reservations@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

The Request for Proposals was released on June 3. This year, $3,790,025 will be awarded for the 2025-28 three-year funding cycle, with the top priorities being: Lifelong Learning and Education, Thriving Families, and Healthy Environments.

County Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Councilmembers approved setting aside $1.5 million of the funding to be awarded specifically for shelter and homeless prevention services through a separate process. CORE Investments, formerly known as community programs, has operated for more than 40 years to allocate local funds. It now engages experts in the proposal review process, provides technical assistance to applicants and promotes equitycentered and outcomes-driven results. To view the RFP see https://santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/GeneralServices/Purchasing/Solicitations.asp

For more information dates and training, visit: https://www. santacruzhumanservices.org/Home/FundingOpportunities/ COREInvestments

SECOND HARVEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS ASAP

While many enjoy summer vacations, the need for food assistance in the community does not take a break.

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County urgently seeks volunteers to come every Saturday during the summer to help sort and pack food for the next week’s distributions for 65,000 local residents.

About 20 volunteers are needed for each shift every Saturday (so 40 every Saturday) at the food bank’s Watsonville warehouse. The two shifts are:

• Early Bird Shift: 7:45 – 11 am

• Late Riser Shift: 11:15 am - 2:30 pm

No experience is needed, and volunteers can sign up for one or multiple shifts. The minimum age to volunteer is 13. Dates: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10 and 17.

To sign up, visit thefoodbank.org or https://tinyurl.com/ SHFB-volunteer, or call (831) 232-8141.

ALL ABOARD TRAIN ART THRU

AUG. 12

Studio Judy G presents All Aboard, an exhibition broadcasting the magnificence of trains, on display through Aug. 12 at 430 Main St., Watsonville. See artwork by more than a dozen artists. If you have ever been delighted by trains, or train curious, this show is for you.

All Aboard exhibits the possibility of investing in a new Santa Cruz passenger train as locally owned tracks exist from Pajaro to Santa Cruz along the stunning scenic coast. This branch line, once upgraded, could connect with the state rail system, and Amtrak to go up and down the West Coast. Judy Gittlesohn, owner of Studio Judy G, says, “The public wants trains. There is a well-formed anti-train group — and their goal is to remove the tracks and eliminate public passenger trains forever.”

Felipe Hernandez, Fourth District supervisor for Santa Cruz County, says, “Watsonville residents voted overwhelmingly against Measure D (to tear out the tracks), in fact the highest percentage in the county. They’ve expressed the need for sustainable multi-modal transportation and Zero Emissions Rail & Trail, specifically. They just want to alleviate the gridlock they face every day in traffic.”

Studio Judy G will host two All Aboard artists in residence, Helen Dang, Stanford scientist, artist, and map maker, in June, and Stephen Mallon, Beacon, N.Y. photographer of Passing Freight, in July.

A portion of sales will be contributed to Coast Futura, the electric rail car, and FORT (Friends of Rail and Trail).

ART AT THE BEACH

Sundays: June 23 • July 7 & 21 • August 4

11 a.m.-5 p.m., Esplanade Park in Capitola Village

The Capitola Art & Cultural Commission presents Art at the Beach on four Sundays at Esplanade Park in Capitola Village where you can enjoy stunning views of Monterey Bay.

From beautiful paintings to captivating photography, unique sculptures to dazzling jewelry, and everything in between, you’ll find it all here. Best of all, this familyfriendly event is totally free and open to everyone.

Pacific Roots • June 19

Artists Sooja Choia and David Sehyoon Choi visit their newly installed public art at the Live Oak Library annex.

FATHER INVOLVEMENT MONTH

MENtors announces the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisor Proclamation sponsorship, declaring June as Father Involvement and Fatherhood Month. This recognizes the critical role fathers play in the lives of their children and families.

Community Events: Organizations are encouraged to host or sponsor events celebrating fathers and promoting family bonding. These events can include workshops, seminars, recreational activities, and community gatherings.

Supportive Services: Service providers can offer resources and programs tailored to fathers’ needs, such as counseling, educational initiatives, and health and wellness services.

Awareness Campaigns: Businesses and nonprofits can use their platforms to share inspiring stories, informative articles, and social media campaigns about the importance of fatherhood.

“Father Involvement and Fatherhood Month is a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of fathers and to support them in their journey,” said Deutron Kebebew, executive director at MENtors Driving Change for Boys, Men, and Dads. “We believe that by coming together as a community, we can provide the resources and support necessary for fathers to thrive and, in turn, enhance the well-being of their families.”

For more information, contact Deutron 831-588-7592.

PVUSD JULY SUMMER CAMPS

Your child has been invited to to apply to attend Expanded Learning’s July Summer Camps, which run from July 1 to Aug. 13.

These programs are for PVUSD students currently in grades TK-11. Themes are: Adventure, College and Career Discovery, Creative Arts and Sports and Fitness.

This is a free program for your child to enrich their summer break.

Many of these camps will not be available after this year as some are funded with one time ESSER and COVID-19 funds, which end this year.

Breakfast and lunch may be provided (will vary by camp). Transportation for summer camps is available and limited.

Call Expanded Learning, 831-786-2360, or email expanded_learning@pvusd.net

Camp availability dates and times will vary by provider. Parents will be asked to complete additional enrollment forms by the camp provider if your child is selected to attend. Registration does not guarantee enrollment.

PVUSD SUMMER MEAL SITES

Breakfast: 8:15-8:40 a.m. | Lunch: 10:41–11:41 a.m.

Mar Vista Elementary, 6860 Soquel Dr, Aptos

PVUSD Food & Nutrition Services will offer meals at 15 sites to all children during summer school, including Mar Vista Elementary in Aptos.

Any child between the ages of 1-18 can receive meals at no cost.

For the complete list, see: https://tinyurl.com/27yhgxjs

SC PARKS: MOBILE REC & TOTS TRIATHLON

3:30-5 p.m., Various locations

Santa Cruz County Parks provide incredible recreational activities. This summer new activities include Mobile Rec, and Super Tots Triathlon.

From Mobile Rec will be providing free activities and a snack in county parks in Santa Cruz County. Activities include sports, nature scavenger hunts, even juggling.

Dates are:

North County — Felton Covered Bridge

June 10: Juggling (learn and make your own)

Sept. 11: Sports

Dec. 11: Nature Scavenger Hunt

Mid County — Brommer

Aug. 14: Juggling (learn and make your own)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WORLD’S SHORTEST PARADE: APTOS

THURSDAY JULY 4

10 a.m., Corner Soquel Drive & State Park Drive

Now is the time to sign up to participate in the Fourth of July World’s Shortest Parade! Party-in-the-Park follows, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. in Aptos Village Park with music by James Durbin & the Lost Boys. To participate in the parade, call 831-688-1467. https://aptoschamber.com/event/worlds-shortest-parade-aptos/

Nov. 13: Nature Scavenger Hunt

South County — Mesa Village

Oct. 9: Nature Scavenger Hunt •••

Super Tots Triathlon is a first-time event for ages 3-5.

There will be 3 practice dates Sept. 7 at 10 am, for bicycling, Sept.14 at 10 am for running, both at Felt Street Park, Sept. 21 at 9 am for swimming at Simpkins Swim Center and Sept. 28 at 8-10 a.m., the triathlon, also at Simpkins Swim Center.

Fee is $89 for county residents, $98, non-county residents.

Kids 6-12 are invited to enter the triathlon for beginner athletes: 8-10 am Sept. 28 at Simpkins Swim Center.

Fee is $25 for county resident, $28 for non-county residents.

•••

Register at www.scparks.com

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.

Record-breaking summer travel may prevent donors from being able to give. When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Those who give by June 30 will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details.

Capitola

June 15: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave.

Santa Cruz

June 25: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Watsonville

June 18: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

June 28: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

Third Thursdays

SIP AND STROLL

6-9 p.m. (check-in starts at 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos

Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works. Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine30-sip-strolltickets-668910307737

Last Thursdays of the Month CARS ON THE COURSE

6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Love cars? Seascape Golf Club will host “Cars on the Course” through October. All cars are welcome (but not sideshows). Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)

Fridays (except First Friday of the Month) LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP

10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

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

Second and Fourth Saturdays SOQUEL HOMESTEADERS MARKETS

11 a.m.-3 p.m., 2505 and 2525 South Main St. parking lots Soquel Homesteaders Markets is in a new location and on a new day and time starting April 13 and active through Dec. 14. The markets will be in the parking lots across from Soquel business’s Beer 30, Sunny Side Produce, Buzzo Wood Fired Pizza, and Carpo’s.

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November. Remaining dates are June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3.

There is no meeting in September or November. Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.

For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

The Aptos Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

First Wednesdays

SONS IN RETIREMENT

Time TBD, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz SIR (Sons In Retirement) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical public benefit organization of senior men. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of its members through social events while making friends.

The Twin Valleys, Santa Cruz Branch welcomes new members and meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Ray Disperati at 831-588-8876 for information.

Last Wednesday of the Month

PV HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS

6 p.m., Watsonville Community Hospital, 85 Nielson St. Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, which oversees Watsonville Community Hospital, is holding monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month through 2024, except Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 due to the holidays.

The Soquel Homesteaders Markets, organized by Jill Troderman of Holistic Family Nutrition, supports vendors of all good things, with a focus on promoting quality, natural, organic, and sustainable foods and products.

There will be vendors of locally grown produce, cottage industry foods, local meats, cheeses, ferments, natural products, homesteaders’ wares, arts and crafts, honey, candles, sweet treats, coffee and tea, health and wellness products, services, and practitioners, healers, spiritual endeavors, nonprofits, schools, plants, flowers, seeds and herbs, jewelry, green living and up-cycled garage sale items.

The Markets will include live music, food trucks, a gleaner’s table with free local produce, and a seed share/ seed bank.

There will also be homesteading classes from 12 - 1 p.m. Find “Soquel Homesteaders Markets” on Facebook.

Sundays

THE FARM & GARDEN MARKET

11 a.m., 3 p.m., Corralitos Cultural Center, 127 Hames Road The Farm & Garden Market is a small, friendly, open air market made up of local farmers and gardeners who grow within a five-mile radius of Corralitos at the Corralitos Cultural Center.

Seasonally there are strawberries, blueberries, cherries, lemons, tomatoes, herbs, squash, potatoes, carrots, peas, beets, and avocados, as well fruits, vegetables, lettuces and salad greens.

Bakers offer treats, and there may be beautiful potted flowers, handmade natural soaps, and homemade jams and preserves.

The market is open to those who grow anything from a garden to a good back yard fruit tree.

For a booth, a $5 donation is requested to the CVREA, the nonprofit that maintains the Corralitos Cultural Center.

For inquiries, contact Wayne Miller: wayne@catalyst2001.com / (831) 724-1332

“Calendar” page 31

Parks Improvements Coming This Year

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

The current County budget picture paints a number of challenges for our community in the coming year. Over the last decade, we have worked to prioritize funds for parks improvements in our district and have upgraded multiple parks (from new bathrooms to playgrounds) and even opened a new park in Aptos.

This year, we set aside funds for additional improvements in our district that will improve outdoor opportunities for local residents. Some of these projects are contingent upon securing funds from the recently passed Measure K, while others we funded in the budget process or through public/private partnerships. Here is an overview of what’s planned in the coming months in our district.

Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach Park is a gem in our community and, in the last few years, through a partnership that included private funding, community donations and County funding, we were able to significantly update and improve the play equipment at the park. We added new accessible features and improved the overall set of options at the park.

One remaining element was to secure funding for a new permanent restroom at the park to replace the single portable option.

County Parks secured a grant for a permanent restroom from the State of California’s Coastal Conservancy. The grant covers the cost of preparing the final plans, purchasing and installing a prefabricated restroom building to provide both park and beach users with flushing toilets and handwashing sinks.

the turf quality (and drainage) have been a challenge.

Polo Grounds

Last year, we secured $50,000 to completely redo one of the baseball fields at Polo Grounds. Our wonderful County Parks crew performed much of the work to replace the field — which had not seen meaningful updates in years. The field included new turf, new infield and pitcher’s mound, a new warning track, new outfield fence and more.

This year, we plan (in part through the new Measure K funding) to redo the soccer field at the Polo Grounds and also install a small new set of bleachers for those watching the games. The soccer fields are used by many in our community but

Replacing the soccer field area will provide a great option for youth and adult leagues that use the field.

Costs for redoing the fields will be kept low as County Parks staff will perform much of the labor needed for the project.

Pinto Lake

Similar to the Polo Grounds soccer area, the fields at Pinto Lake are important gathering and recreation spaces for South County residents. However, the soccer fields are also showing signs of wear and could use upgrades. Additionally, there are limited options for families to sit and watch their kids play in a youth league.

In this year’s budget we are working to also redo the Pinto Lake soccer fields and add some small bleachers for sitting.

As with the Polo Grounds, County Parks staff will do much of the work in order to keep costs down.

We have made a number of improvements at Pinto Lake Park in the last few years from a new pump track and walking

trail improvements — these upgrades to the soccer fields will provide additional options for local residents.

Freedom Lake

One project that I have been particularly interested in seeing through is a restoration project for Freedom Lake (3101 Freedom Boulevard, adjacent to Scott Park). It would be a multi-pronged process of vegetation management and then water remediation work (with annual maintenance) in partnership with local nonprofits.

This year I have secured some initial funding to start this process and we are working to secure additional funding (through Measure K or other means) to complete the restoration process and return this amenity to the community.

If you haven’t been to the area, it is a beautiful and serene spot in South County that, when restored, would afford another important outdoor access opportunity for our community. n •••

As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on parks needs in our district (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

The bathroom will be installed soon and provide a wonderful new amenity for users of the park and beach.

SCCAS Featured Pet COMMUNITY NEWS

Florida Kittens!

Our Pets of the Week is our Florida kittens!

This week be prepared to be charmed by a quintet of adorable kittens, each named after a beloved Florida city. Meet Jacksonville, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Clearwater!

These five bundles of joy, 12-week-old Domestic short hair cats, were discovered nestled in the bushes by a kind-hearted Good Samaritan. Now, they’re ready to bring their own brand of Florida sunshine into your life.

Fort Myers (A312782) is a spunky brown tabby as vibrant as the Sunshine State itself. Full of energy and curiosity, this little explorer will keep you on your toes with his playful antics and affectionate purrs.

Pensacola (A312781) a stunning tortoiseshell beauty, her coat a mesmerizing blend of rich browns, deep oranges, and creamy whites, reminiscent of the sun setting over the Gulf Coast. Always up for a cuddle session, Pensacola will melt your heart with her gentle demeanor and sweet meows.

Clearwater (A312784) is a fluffy gray tabby who loves nothing more than soaking up the warm sun. With his laid-back attitude and penchant for lounging, he’ll make the perfect companion for lazy afternoons spent basking in the sunshine- right inside your own backyard!

Sarasota (A312783) is a petite calico with a feisty spirit and a heart of gold. Like the city known for its vibrant arts scene, Sarasota is full of personality and charm, always ready to entertain you with her playful antics and endless affection.

Last but certainly not least, we have Jacksonville (A312780), a sleek black male kitten with eyes as deep and mysterious as the Gulf waters. With his elegant grace and magnetic charm, Jacksonville will capture your heart from the moment you meet him. These five kittens are not just adorable; they’re also looking for their forever homes! If you’re ready to add a touch of Florida flair to your life, come meet Jacksonville, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Clearwater today at SCCAS today. n •••

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. 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

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

New PVUSD Principals

Nicole Marsh Pacific Coast Charter School

Pajaro Valley Unified School District announces Nicole Marsh is the new principal of Pacific Coast Charter School. She starts July 1.

She started as a 4th grade teacher in 1998 and has since been an elementary school teacher serving intermediate grade levels, a 7th grade ELA/SS core teacher, a reading intervention teacher, an academic coordinator for Bradley Elementary and Rio Del Mar, the coordinator of early childhood literacy for PVUSD and most recently as the principal of Main Street Elementary in Soquel.

She received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s in education from Bethany College. She earned her multiple subject teaching credential from Bethany as well. She has an administrative credential from CSU East Bay.

“Calendar” from page 29

DATED EVENTS

Friday June 14

YOUTH IN ACTION LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Community Action Board Luna y Sol Familia Center, 15 Madison St., Watsonville Santa Cruz County youth entering grades 7-12 are invited to attend the Youth in Action summit at the Community Action Board Luna y Sol Familia Center. The event is free; attendees must register.

The daylong program with peer-led games, art, and guest speakers Leading for Change is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live, a program that provides opportunities for youth to build confidence and community, and meet with supportive mentors.

Light breakfast, snacks, lunch and water will be provided. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2024YAS.

Saturday June 15

EMPOWERING WOMEN’S VOICES

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr Meghan Kissell, the senior director of policy and membership advocacy at the American Association of University Women, will speak to locals about advancing gender equality at the federal level at the Aptos Library

She will provide insider insights into federal legislative issues like the Equal Rights Amendment, Title IX, and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

She will also present strategies for effective advocacy, motivating locals to exercise their right to vote to drive positive change.

This event is free.

FREE WELLNESS TALK

12:30-1:30 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road Dr. Tom Yarema, a local practice MD, speaker/educator and volunteer for the nonprofit Foundation for Wellness Professionals, will give a free talk at the Capitola Library.

His topic will be “What To Do When Viagra/Cialis Fails For Erectile Dysfunction.”

Ken Johnson

Assistant Principal, Pajaro Valley High School

Pajaro Valley Unified School District announces Kent Johnson as a new assistant principal of Pajaro Valley High School, starting July 1.

He began his career as a fine arts teacher, specializing in music and choral instruction.

He has been the director of instrumental music for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

He was assistant principal for the Sedona Red Rock High School, simultaneously servingas the principal for the 6th-8th grades at that same school. Most recently he was assistant principal at Prospect High School.

He has a bachelor of arts degree from Metropolitan State University in music education, a master’s of science in education from CSU Hayward, a single subject credential and an administrative credential. n

Tuesday June 18

PAJARO VALLEY CHAMBER MIXER

5-7 p.m. El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville The Rotary Club of Freedom will host a mixer for the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture at El Vaquero Winery.

Wine, food & prizes.

Saturday June 22

JUNETEENTH AT HARTNELL

1–5:30 p.m., Hartnell College main campus, 411 Central Ave., Salinas The Salinas Juneteenth Celebration Association and Hartnell College announce the 4th Annual Salinas Juneteenth Celebration at the main campus with the theme, “Participate in Our Freedom.”

There will be live music, art displays, a kids zone, and opportunities for community togetherness.

“Hartnell’s commitment to celebrating Juneteenth reflects our promise to foster an environment where our AfricanAmerican community is valued and respected,” said Michael Gutierrez, president/superintendent of Hartnell Community College District. “We embrace cultural heritage and committed in nurturing a sense of belonging within our student body, in our city, and in the wider community.”

Recognized as a national holiday, Juneteenth marks a significant turning point in American history, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States while fostering a spirit of reflection and celebration.

“Freedom is a constant yet beautiful struggle,” said event organizer Asya Guillory. “We invite everyone to join us for this special event.”

Visit www.salinasjuneteenth.com.

Sunday June 23

SIP FOR SECOND HARVEST

1-4 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Second Harvest Food Bank announces “Sip for Second Harvest” at Seascape Golf Club.

This will be a wonderful afternoon tasting fine, local wines, hosted at the beautiful Seascape Golf Club. Wine tasting, appetizers, and a stunning view all included! All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and provide healthy food and nutrition education to neighbors in need in Santa Cruz County.

Tickets are $60 per person pr $110 for two at https://app.giveffect. com/campaigns/31918-sip-for-second-harvest-2024 n