Aptos Times: October 15, 2024 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

State of PVUSD: My Takeaways

By Jondi Gumz

You’ve probably noticed signs popping up in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District: “You Can’t ACHIEVE Your Dreams if you don’t SHOW UP to chase them.”

This motto was chosen out of 487 suggestions submitted by students.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

A student at Watsonville High submitted the winner — anonymously.

Even Superintendent Heather Contreras does not who should get the credit. She imagines this student talking to their parents, explaining this is my idea. ... continues on page 4

Water = No PFAS, No Drugs, No Pesticides

Some doubted this small agency serving Aptos, La Selva Beach, Opal Cliffs, Rio Del Mar, Seascape, Soquel, and parts of Capitola could pull off this big a project, but yes, indeed, on Oct. 3, the Soquel Creek Water District unveiled its completed $180 million water purification center. Full Story page 6

Putnam County Spelling Bee at Aptos High

By Mercy Nigh

Aptos High School Drama production proudly presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Full Story page 25 Pure

publisher

contributing

Jondi

Hanks-Sloan, Zach Friend distribution

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

PHONE: (831) 688-7549

FAX: (831) 688-7551

GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com

Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com

Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com

Editor: info@cyber-times.com

Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com

Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com

Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com

Production: production@cyber-times.com

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement

We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

“State of PVUSD” from page 1

I’m hoping the student will come forward so Aptos Times can share their story.

The new superintendent’s top priority is improving attendance, which has been an issue since Covid, and which could boost funding.

Her goal is 98%.

She wants everyone to help.

“Have no shame,” she said. “If you see a child in Target, ask ‘Why are you not in school?’’”

Contreras shared this with a crowd of people at Watsonville Civic Center community room Friday morning, Oct. 4, reporting on the state of the school district.

There are challenges: 60% English learners, 81% of students living in poverty, 16% with special needs, 10% migrants, and 9% without permanent housing.

The district budget is $326 million, and not surprisingly, 85% is spent on salaries and benefits.

Why PVUSD?

“I saw an opportunity in a community I love,” said Contreras, who previously was in Modesto.

Her grandfather taught at Watsonville High, she has family in Salinas, and she attended family reunions in Aptos.

At work, she sees “passion for the right things. It’s a great district now, but it’s going to be better.”

What’s working?

Dual Language Studies: 1,251 students at six schools

Arts & Music: Music at all 16 elementary schools, band at all six middle schools and dance and visual art at all 3 high schools

Career Technical Education: 1,251 students in 26 career pathways and 78 UC

college-prep courses (this is what led to Aptos High students building a tiny home on wheels)

Secondary Athletics: 1,345 girls in 50 sports, including the new flag football; 1,646 boys in 46 sports and 916 in 34 co-ed sports

Family Engagement: 9,510 students and family members at 15 monthly meetings and 47+ themed sessions

Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County

Professional Firefighters of Santa Cruz County, Local 3535

Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association

County Park Friends

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

Mid County Democratic Club

Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County Democratic Party

Save our Shores

Coastal Watershed Council

Sen. John Laird

Assm. Dawn Addis

Sup. Zach Friend

Sup. Manu Koenig

Mayor Kristen Brown

Trustee Kim De Serpa

Paid for by Santa Cruz County for Water & Wildfire Protection: Yes on Q, sponsored by Environmental and Community Organizations, FPPC# 1463816. Committee’s top funders: Peninsula Open Space Trust Sempervirens Fund

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

Sunday October 27, 2024 8:30am – NOON

OPTION#1 Scrambled Eggs w/ Cheese or Veggies, Hashbrowns, Bacon or Sausage, Fruit and ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES !!

OPTION#2 French Toast, Bacon or Sausage & Fruit $11/ Adults - $5/ Kids Ages 10 & Under

Patrice Edwards editor

Jondi Gumz

writers

Gumz, Denise Ward, Mercy Nigh, Risa D’Angeles, Daniel Esqueda, Christo-pher Elliott, Alison

Bill Pooley, Erik Long layout

Michael Oppenheimer graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin

production coordinator

Camisa Composti media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul office coordinator Cathe Race

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti website

Michael Oppenheimer photography

Aptos High Choir directed by Finley Asmuth, one of 2 student groups to perform. The other was McQuiddy’s Mustang Mallet Ensemble led by Miran McPoland.

School Connections: 74% of elementary students, 36% of middle schoolers, and 37% of high school students report supportive relationships

Daniel Esqueda, an Aptos High senior selected as the student trustee on the Pajaro Valley school board, talked about relationships and sense of belonging. His presentations was impressive and his remarks are on page 13

Contreras said he “rose to the top” of all the students who applied.

Rather than dismissing the runner-ups with a thank you, she offered them positions on her new student advisory board, which Esqueda meets with before board meetings to prepare his report. This way, he can represent all the high schools.

The advisory group was asked to bring issues to her attention. One of the first has already been acted upon: They asked for more training of substitute teachers. Staff had asked for strategies to help new teachers be successful; this year, new teachers are to get more feedback from peers and mentors.

What needs attention?

Starting in 2027-28, a state law mandates a semester course in personal finance, which will be a graduation requirement.

A new law AB3216 requires a policy to limit cell phone use by July 1, 2026. PVUSD has a pilot project at two sites where students are required to put away cell phones during

school hours. This, with outreach, will be used to develop the policy.

The superintendent told a story about how PBIS helps create a safe learning environment. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Two students who were fighting got suspended. The two were brought together and told: You made a choice that’s not great — what can we do so you make better choices?

“They are actually friends now,” Contreras said.

Declining Enrollment

PVUSD has 16,687 students, including preschool and adult education, and 2,383 staff — one of the largest employers in Santa Cruz County.

Fewer students means less funding, and Contreras sees a need to “right size” the district.

She has created the Sustainable Budget Team to make recommendations to the Board and Superintendent on strategies to reorganize the district’s programs to ensure quality educational programs and fiscal solvency. Members are:

Rather than dismissing the runner-ups with a thank you, [Heather Contreras] offered them positions on her new student advisory board, which Esqueda meets with before board meetings to prepare his report. This way, he can represent all the high schools.

The transitional kindergarten to grade 12 enrollment is 14,735, which is what the district is funded for.

That number is down 16% — 2,888 fewer students — since 2017 and projections predict a drop to 13,501 in 2026-27.

The decline accelerated during Covid, when health concerns shifted public education to learning online.

Contreras said families are moving and the birth rate has dropped, due to concerns about being able to afford a child.

Family Representatives

Marlon Olmos, Elementary School; Luz Sotelo, Elementary School; Ana Maldonado, Elementary School; Richard Gray, Elementary School; Sergio Perez, Elementary School Alternate; Carina Quiroz, Middle School; Yande Cervantez, Middle School; Jasmin Prado, Middle School; Rosemary Castro, High School; Graciela Lomeli, High School; Nancy Souza, High School; Ashley Yoro Flowers, High School

Labor Partners

Ari Parker, PVFT; Emily Halbig, PVFT; Gus Paz, CSEA; Diane Martinez, CSEA; Michael Floor - CWA District Office Leaders

Margarita Ponce, Director, Finance; Pamela Shanks, Director, HR, Classified Staff, Alternate

School Site Administrators

Caryn Lane, Elementary Schools Administrator; Katie Kriscunas, Middle Schools Administrator; Dr. Selene Muñoz Casas, Middle Schools Administrator, Alternate; Susan Graulty, High Schools Administrator Community Partners

Adriana Mata, Pájaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance; Nora Yerena, Raíces y Cariño; Isabelle Tuncer, El Sistema, Alternate Since September, they committed to meeting 8 times 6-8 p.m. with the committee to present recommendations to the school board at the first meeting in January. Meetings are livestreamed. Remaining dates: Nov. 6 and 20, Dec. 10 and 18. Information is at https://www.pvusd.net/Departments/ Business-Services/Finance--Budget/Finance-andBudget/Sustainable-Budget-Team/index.html

Dawn Acosta Valdivia, a parent who works in the business office, said she was pleased with the Community Schools initiative, started in 2022, in which her child’s elementary school is linking with the middle school her child will attend.

Kendra Fehrer of Heartwise Learning has worked with the first seven schools, and now 24 schools are participating.

Contreras said the key is “shared leadership at the school site if done with integrity and listening. Top down won’t work.” n

COVER PHOTO: State of the District photo op.

JoAnn Riniti, Ph.D.

Pure Water = No PFAS, No Drugs, No Pesticides

Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz

For Melanie Mow Schumacher, who has been with Soquel Creek Water District for 20 years and is now general manager, this was a day of celebration. Finally, a solution to seawater intrusion was at hand.

She called it “a momentous turning point in our work to preserve and protect the precious local groundwater.”

She expects this plant will bring “a new, drought-resistant and reliable supply of clean, pure water to the community we serve, that will help prevent further seawater contamination of our sole source of drinking water.”

About 200 people attended, federal, state and local officials, the builder and subcontractors, curious employees of neighboring water purveyors and even neighbors.

The promise is that this plant – by purifying wastewater with ozone to destroy bacteria, ultrafiltration to remove particulates, bacteria, protozoa and some viruses, reverse osmosis to remove pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products and PFAS

forever chemicals and ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and remove any remaining organic compounds.

The water then is re-mineralized and the pH is raised to match the existing groundwater. Then it’s pumped to three strategically located wells, where the purified water is pumped into the ground water to replenish the aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for 40,000 people. As water level rise, this creates a barrier to prevent salty ocean water from moving inland.

This is important because saltwater contamination of the groundwater has been verified at several locations.

“Pure Water” page 14

Our Community Reads Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

By Denise Ward

An enthusiastic crowd assembled at the Aptos Branch Library on Oct. 1 to select the 2025 book for Our Community Reads.

A reception was given by the Friends of the Aptos Library along with five other chapters of Friends: Capitola, La Selva Beach, Scotts Valley, Felton, and Garfield Park.

Five books were presented and then voted on. The list of finalists was created by a book selection committee whose members had spent the entire summer plodding through hours of reading!

The candidates were:

Brave the Wild River, by Melissa L. Sevigny California Against the Sea, by Rosanna Xia Better Living Through Birding, by Christopher Cooper

The Book of Hope, by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver

After listening to a presentation on each, complete with a video excerpt from the author, the participants were asked to choose just one book that they felt would resonate best with our community and one that would lend itself to an array of exciting events and activities

It was a tough decision, evidenced by the fact that the voting results were very, very close. The selected book garnered just 3 more votes than the runners-up which were tied!

All in all, each finalist had plenty of merit and each deserves a read.

Flight Behavior was ultimately selected, and it is a fine choice. The story, a novel, written quite eloquently by Barbara Kingsolver, delves into the topic of climate change and its effect on migration, specifically relating to monarch butterflies.

Set in rural Tennessee, the book explores logging, sheep farming, animal intelligence, community ecosystems among other topics.

Programming for Our Community Reads begins the last week in January and runs through the first week in March.

The timeframe happens to coincide with the time of year those of us in Santa Cruz are most likely to see the Monarchs leaving the area from their winter perch at Natural Bridges. A visit there will most definitely be included in our schedule of events.

Each year we offer a vast array of events, all of which are free and open to the public. They include, author talks, book discussions, art and music activities, panels and presentations, films and more.

For more information about Our Community Reads visit: https://www. friendsofaptoslibrary.org and click on Our Community Reads. n

Editor’s note: This 2012 novel was a New York Times best-seller, and was declared “Best Book of the Year” by the Washington Post and USA Today.

Flight Behavior was ultimately selected, and it is a fine choice. The story, a novel, written quite eloquently by Barbara Kingsolver, delves into the topic of climate change and its effect on migration, specifically relating to monarch butterflies.

SPECIALIZING IN Residential Repaints & Custom Homes

Homeowners Associations

Property Managers

AUTUMN SPECIAL

If we paint your interior and/or exterior by November 30, 2024 we will buy the paint.

Measure Q: Campaign Raises $682,158

By Jondi Gumz

The committee behind Measure Q, the $87 forever parcel tax for Santa Cruz County property owners — advertised as “Wildlife and Wildfire” protection — so far has raised $682,158.

This is 10 times the $59,401 raised by Friends of Central Fire District Yes on R, a $221 million bond to renovate or new build fire stations.

To compare, opponents of the Santa Cruz sugar-sweetened beverage tax — the American Beverage Association — have raised $850,000.

Measure Q fundraising started in November with nonprofit Peninsula Open Space Trust of Palo Alto giving $250,000, nonprofit Sempervirens Fund of San Mateo $100,000 and nonprofit Land Trust of Santa Cruz County $50,000.

Sara Barth of Pleasanton, executive director of Peninsula Open Space Trust, is treasurer.

Mary Culley of Santa Cruz, a partner in Catalyst Strategies, a strategy and marketing firm in Palo Alto, is treasurer.

Sarah Newkirk of Felton, executive director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, wrote Measure Q.

Measure Q advertises water and wildfire protection but the text of the measure does not designate any money for fire districts.

All three organizations protect land through conservation easements, which restrict development rights on a property.

All three nonprofits could be eligible under the ballot language for funding.

17 Priorities

The measure, which is expected to raise $7.5 million a year, lists 17 priorities including wildlife crossings, wetland restoration, projects on beaches, public trails and recreation.

Measure Q earmarks $1.5 million for the County of Santa Cruz, $1.5 million for the four cities, $1.5 million for the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, and $3 million for nonprofits, which must submit a winning grant proposal.

There is no money earmarked for local fire districts, which is what prompted the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association — for the first time in history — to write a letter opposing a tax measure.

Boulder Creek Fire Chief Mark Bingham said he asked the Land Trust for “wildfire” to be removed from the ballot measure as he does not believe fire districts will get any funds.

At the North County Democrat forum, Sarah Newkirk said fire districts could apply for money.

On Oct. 3, San Lorenzo Valley fire chiefs in Boulder Creek, Zayante, Felton, and Ben Lomond explained their position to voters at a well-attended forum in Zayante.

Experts

The Measure Q campaign tapped a combination of mostly nonlocal experts with a few locals in hopes of winning a majority 50% plus one, which is required to pass.

Last year, the campaign paid Progressive Campaigns of Calabasas, expertise in signature gathering, $89,990, Team CivX of Orinda, public relations, $17, 073, and Miller Maxfield of Santa Cruz, public relations, $8,000.

The campaign also paid Bay Area Petitions of Santa Cruz $12, 426 for signature gathering, Plain Dan Solutions, of Santa Cruz, $5,940 for data, and the Monaco Group of Santa Ana, $9,165 for printing and shipping.

In February, the campaign got donations of $49, 999 from Save the Redwoods League, based in San Francisco, and $25,000 from the Trust for Public Land in Chicago.

Campaign expenses: Progressive Campaigns of Calabasas, expertise in signature gathering, $35,259, and Team CivX of Orinda, literature and consulting, $11,937.

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County was paid $12,437 for consulting, and office, $2,123.

Santa Cruz communications strategist

Grace Stetson was paid $8,375, listed as office expenses.

Measure Q’s committee made a contribution to Measure K on the March 5 ballot to raise the Santa Cruz County sales tax from 9% to 9.5%. Measure K passed.

In March, Progressive Campaigns kept gathering signatures and Team CivX provided consulting.

Big Donations

The next three months brought in $190,929, largely due to donations by Peninsula Open Space Trust of $125,000, and Patty Quillen, the wife of Netflix chairman Reed Hasting and a Santa Cruz resident, $49,000.

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks gave $10,000.

Christopher Wilmers, environmental studies professor at UC Santa Cruz who runs the Santa Cruz Puma Project, gave $5,000 via Democracy Engine of Washington, D.C.

Carol Fuller of Santa Cruz, who’s retired, gave $500.

Matt De Young of Felton, executive director of Santa Cruz Mountains Trails Stewardship gave $100 via Democracy Engine.

Campaign expenses: Team Civx, literature, $24,826; Team CivX, consulting, $22,601; Miller Maxfield, consulting, $23,000; Olson Remcho, an experienced election law firm, Sacramento, $7,602; Grace Stetson, consulting, $7,500.

The measure, which is expected to raise $7.5 million a year, lists 17 priorities including wildlife crossings, wetland restoration, projects on beaches, public trails and recreation.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County arranged for printing at Community Printers, Santa Cruz, $679.

Polling

In the last filing period, from July 1 to Sept. 21, the campaign spent $158,906 to get the message out.

That includes $9,268 in unpaid bills.

As of Sept. 21, the campaign reported $176,333 cash on hand.

The largest expense was for Fairbank Maslin Maullin Metz & Associates of Los Angeles, frequently hired for ballot measure research, for polling, $47,000.

Fairbank Maslin hired KGS Research, a call center in Las Vegas, Nevada, for $35,314, and Political Data Intelligence of Norwalk for a polling sample, $4,200.

The campaign hired Team CivX for

As a resident of Aptos for three decades, Kim knows our area well. She is a medical social worker with deep ties to our community as a parent, school board trustee, rural resident, healthcare leader, and an expert at moving the needle to get things done. Whenever there’s a problem, she steps up to help. And now she’s ready to fight for the 2nd District!

“Throughout District 2, many roads need immediate repair. Kim will prioritize road maintenance and focus resources from Public Works where they are needed most. — Casey O’Brien, former Principal of Aptos High School

“Affordability affects everyone in our community from college students, to young workers, families and seniors. As a social worker, Kim works daily to help people with housing and other essential needs. It’s time to put someone with real-world experience on the Board of Supervisors.” — Jane Barr, Affordable Housing Developer

“Public safety is one of the basic core functions of county government. Working with Kim for many years, I know she understands the various communities in the 2nd District and will work to prioritize First Responders and Public Safety.” — Amy Christey, former Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Lieutenant

“I’m grateful to receive so much support from our community,” says Kim De Serpa, candidate for District 2 Supervisor

consulting $32,500 and $3,450 for polling, $3,450, with the reporting showing $7,000 in consulting had yet to be paid.

Team CivX hired Political Intelligence for voter data, $3,000, Cornerstone Displays of Novato for doorhangers, $5,016, and Just Yard Signs of Orlando, Florida, for road signs, $2,172.

For consulting, the campaign hired former Santa Cruz mayor Bruce Can Allen, $15,000; Miller Maxfield, $10,000, and Grace Stetson, $9,501, Lily Black, Santa Cruz, $2,000.

Olson Remcho, the Sacramento law firm, was paid $6,628.

The campaign made a contribution to the Friends of Central Fire District Yes on Measure R to relocate fire stations, $5,000.

The last pre-election report—From 460 — covering Sept. 22-Oct. 19 is to be filed by Oct. 24. n

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

INTEREST RATES FALL

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half of a percentage point on 9/18. But/and, the Mortgage market had already anticipated that a bit. The 30-year Mortgage rate today (10/10) is 6.62%, down a bit from the 7% highs, but nowhere near the 5% range buyers are hoping for… eventually…

APTOS SOLD-TO-DATE 2024

A quick recap of Homes Sold in Aptos so far this year shows 145 Single Family homes sold. 888 Via Gaviota was the high sale at $7,045,888 on an original list price of $7,998,000 and 46 days on market (DOM). Low sale was 4415 Trout Gulch, a 1 bed, 1 bath, 1105 SF home on 1.34 acres which sold for $425,000 after only 8 days on market. The AVG Sales Price was $1,711,134 and the MEDIAN Sales Price was $1,500,000 (this is down slightly from the 2023 Median Sales Price of $1,517,944). The AVG DOM was 39 days, just over a month.

12 Condos have sold in 2024, 57 AVG DOM, AVG Sales Price $921,063. 31 Townhomes have sold in 2024, 31 AVG DOM, AVG Sales Price $987,903.

APTOS ACTIVE

There are 68 Active Homes in Aptos currently. The AVG List Price is a whopping $2,783,981 and MEDIAN List Price is $1,935,000. The AVG List is over $1 Million higher than the AVG Sale. The MEDIAN List is $435,000 higher than Median Sale. AVG DOM for Active Listings is 61 days, 2 months. (Solds averaged 39 days). There is pricing pressure here.

RUTH BATES PAINTS

Infant Formula-Maker Mead Johnson Settles for $2 Million

By Jondi Gumz

On Aug. 27, California Attorney

General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. and Mead Johnson & Co., LLC, resolving allegations that Mead Johnson sold infant and toddler formulas without the required warnings for exposure to lead, a violation of Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law.

Mead Johnson will pay nearly $2 million, consisting of payments for the violations, reimbursement of a portion of legal costs, and funding for a supplemental environmental project designed to reduce other sources of lead exposure.

Mead Johnson also is required to maintain the now-reduced lead levels in the formula products sold in California that the 2018 complaint alleged had exceeded the level requiring Prop. 5 warning. That level is under 5 parts per billion of lead for milk formula and 7 parts per billion for soy formula.

The settlement resolves the allegations and those of a private Prop. 65 enforcer, Community Science Institute, a nonprofit in Ithaca, N.Y. that monitors water quality, which sued Target and Walmart, as their stores sold Mead Johnson baby formula.

Joining Bonta in the settlement are the district attorneys of 11 counties: Santa Cruz, which received $ 35,416, Alameda, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano, and Sonoma.

The Mayo Clinic and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agree: There is no safe level of lead.

bicarbonate, according to a history by Emily Stevens, family nurse practitioner and PhD, and her co-authors, published in the Journal of Perinatal Education in 2009.

In 1932, with the regulation of advertising, manufacturers could not solicit nonmedical personnel, so they reached out to physicians. By the 1940s and 1950s, physicians regarded the use of formula as a well known, popular, and safe substitute for breastmilk.

Currently, infant formula-feeding is widely practiced in the United States and appears to contribute to the development of several common childhood illnesses, including atopy, diabetes mellitus, and childhood obesity, according to Stevens and her co-authors.

Today, breast-feeding is making a comeback as new research finds breast-fed babies have more beneficial microbes such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus in their gut improving gut health and the immune system. Babies born by C-section have fewer.

Mead Johnson was founded by Edward Mead Johnson in Jersey City, N.J., in 1905 and became majority owned by Bristol-Meyers Squibb in 1967. In 2009, it was spun off as an independent company, then in 2017 acquired by Reckitt-Benckiser, a British multinational firm, for $16.6 billion.

In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission reported Mead Johnson holds 39% of the infant formula market. Here are the other shares:

from being exposed to lead. I appreciate the partnership of the District Attorneys’ Offices across our State that led to this important settlement.”

“This judgment creates strong new protections and provides funds to assist eligible families in reducing their potential lead exposures,” said Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price.

The settlement resulted from an investigation of over 50 brands of formula sold into California.

The investigation found that Mead Johnson’s products contained lead at levels that required a warning for reproductive harm under Proposition 65, and that Mead Johnson had failed to provide such warnings, thereby violating both Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law.

I have a painting show at Red Apple Café right now, and I am participating in the Capitola Plein Air event 10/21-27, the show is Sunday 10/27 from 11:004:00pm at New Brighton Middle School. Come and by and say hi.

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

By law, food manufacturers have a responsibility to significantly minimize or prevent chemical hazards when needed, the FDA says on its website.

Abbott, founded in 1888 and acquired M & K Dietetics, maker of Similac baby formula, in 1964 for $43 million: 27%.

Nestle, the chocolate maker that acquired Gerber in 2007 for $5.5 million, 18%.

In January 2023 the FDA proposed to allow up to 10 parts per billion of lead in processed food for babies. This limit would not apply to baby formula.

Infant formula is one of the modern conveniences especially for mothers who have difficulty breast-feeding.

May Zhu, a registered Dietitian Nutritionist, recommends reading labels and avoiding corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, soy protein isolate, which may be genetically modified, palm oil, artificial DHA and ARA fatty acids, and carrageenan, which may pose potential health risks to infants. The European Union banned carrageenan in infant formula.

The first infant formula powder was patented in 1865, a combination of cow’s milk, wheat and malt flour, and potassium

Perrigo, which got into formula in 1998 and in n 2022 bought Nestle’s Gateway formula plant and owns Nestle’s Good Start formula, 13%.

In 2022, the infant formula profit margin was estimated at 14.2%, according to IbisWorld data.

“Several of Mead Johnson’s infant and toddler formula products had been exposing children to elevated lead levels without a Proposition 65 warning,” said Bonta. “My office will work to ensure that corporations, including food and drug manufacturers, are accountable under state environmental and consumer laws.”

He added, “Mead Johnson has worked with us to ensure that the lead levels in its formula products are kept as low as possible, and it has also agreed to fund a supplemental environmental project to help keep families

After being notified of the results of the investigation, Mead Johnson agreed to work with the Department of Justice and its District Attorney colleagues to take the steps necessary to minimize the lead levels in its products.

According to Bonta, Mead Johnson implemented changes to bring its products’ lead levels below the threshold that would trigger the requirement for Proposition 65 warnings, including changing the sourcing of some ingredients.

It requires Mead Johnson to pay a total of $850,000 pursuant to Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law, $470,000 in reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs, and $850,000 for a supplemental environmental project targeted at reducing levels of lead in Californians’ home drinking water.

The settlement also imposes injunctive terms, including the requirement that Mead Johnson consult with an independent food quality auditor and conduct compliance testing to ensure that lead levels in its formula products are minimized. n

•••

A copy of the settlement is at https://tinyurl. com/mead-johnson-2M-settle.

Deborah Cypert Owner Bobbie Frandeen CoOwner/Estimator Todd Ivy Sales/Estimator

The beauty of cork, wood and laminates

Featuring Graber and Hunter Douglas Custom Draperies and Roman Shades!

Historic Bayview Hotel for Sale

By Jondi Gumz

Cristina Locke, owner of the Bayview Hotel (built in 1878) in Aptos Village, hopes to sell the historic property. Listing price is $3.9 million.

The property, which sits on .8 acres, has 14 rooms, some with private bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, where meals were prepared for guests, an old-fashioned bar that

speaks of elegant days gone by, a Type 47 liquor license to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises, and a patio leading to a bigger than expected garden.

Ristaurante Bartolo in the hotel got its 15 seconds of fame in 2012 appearing on the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible,” in which chef Robert Irvine presided over a makeover and a new menu.

But the restaurant was sold, renamed, and never regained success of yesteryear.

Datta Khalsa, broker and owner of Main Street Realtors in Soquel, showcased the property to prospective buyers (including a local hotelier) Tuesday morning, Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon.

He said offers will be reviewed Oct. 15.

While the state is mandating cities and counties build more housing and the Legislature has passed a slew of bills — such as the “builder’s remedy — that trump local zoning to make it easier to build homes, apartments and accessory dwelling units, some housing advocates say neighborhood groups in the Bay Area are using historic preservation rules to block high-density housing.

Khalsa is hoping the buyer will be

someone who can bring this icon back to life.

The blue historic marker says the hotel was built in 1878 by Jose Arano, a French Basque who has married Maria De La Augustia, youngest daughter of landowner Rafael Castro.

“Bayview Hotel” page 16

Ensure Every Student Feels They Truly Belong

By Daniel Esqueda

Iam honored to stand before you as the Student Trustee for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. As we gather here to reflect on the state of our district, I want to focus on two fundamental pillars of our community: Relationships and belonging. These aren’t just buzzwords or abstract concepts; they are the foundation of what makes a school district not just function, but thrive.

We all know that education is more than just what happens in the classroom. Yes, our teachers impart knowledge and guide us through complex subjects, but at its core, education is about human connection. It’s about relationships — the relationships between students and teachers, between classmates, and between our schools and the wider community.

For students, these relationships are key to personal growth. In every handshake, every encouraging word, every group project where you learn from one another, something profound happens: students begin to understand not just the content of their lessons, but their own value and potential.

I’ve experienced it firsthand in my own journey. I have had the privilege of forming strong relationships with my peers, teachers, and mentors — relationships that have shaped my academic and personal growth, and that ultimately helped lead me to this role today.

But it’s not just about forming relationships; it’s about creating spaces where every student feels like they belong. This is where we, as a district, have a responsibility that goes beyond test scores or graduation rates. We need to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard, and valued. A sense of belonging isn’t just a niceto-have — it’s a must-have if we want our students to succeed.

the district. Their voices make it clear: they want to feel connected, they want to know that their experiences matter. They want their schools to be places where relationships aren’t just transactional but transformative, where they belong not because they fit a certain mold but because they are uniquely themselves.

Our district has made strides in fostering this environment. From community-building initiatives to studentcentered programs, we are moving in the right direction. But we also know there’s always more work to do.

As we reflect on where we are and where we’re headed, I challenge all of us — students, educators, administrators, and community members — to commit to deepening those relationships and ensuring that every student feels they truly belong.

Belonging allows students to take risks, make mistakes, and learn without fear. When students feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves, they begin to see their own worth and what they can contribute to their community. For many of us, the relationships we build in school are the first time we feel part of something larger. That sense of community is vital, and it’s something we must continue to nurture.

In my role as Student Trustee, I’ve had the chance to hear directly from students across

Because when students feel connected to their schools and their peers when they know they are supported by caring adults, they are empowered to reach their full potential. And when they feel they belong, they not only thrive academically but grow into confident, compassionate citizens.

So, as we look ahead to the future of our district, let’s keep relationships and belonging at the heart of everything we do. Let’s build a district where every student has the support they need to succeed, and where every person — student, teacher, or parent — knows that they are part of a strong, inclusive, and caring community. n

Daniel Esqueda

“Pure Water” from page 6

Notice what can be removed.

Pharmaceuticals — which is huge because an estimated 66% of Americans take prescription drugs. Standard water treatment plants do not have the capability to remove pharmaceuticals.

Pesticides — conventional wastewater treatment technologies are generally not effective at removing pesticides, which most people do not want to ingest.

PFAS Forever Chemicals — They are deemed carcinogenic The State Water Resources Control Board is studying this problem. Current water treatment technologies are unable to destroy PFAS, so if recycled water is using for irrigation and treated sewage sludge is used by farmers as fertilizer, that water and fertilizer will likely contain PFAS forever chemicals.

Schumacher said the construction cost $140 million, and design, permitting and buying the land added $40 million.

In 2014, the Mid-County Groundwater Basin that supplies Soquel Creek Water District’s 16,000 connections was designated by the state as “critically over drafted.”

Rainfall would naturally replenish the groundwater but Santa Cruz County has had many drought years.

That has put Soquel Creek Water district in a ‘Groundwater Emergency’ and “Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency” every year since.

District staff were dogged in their search for state and federal grants. The results:

• $87 million in grants and low-interest loans from the California State Water Resources Control Board

• $30 million Title XVI grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

• Low-interest — 1.5% — loans from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/ Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act

Before the plant begins operation, “commissioning” is required — testing and

verifying that a water treatment plant is designed, built, and installed correctly.

Schumacher expects plant operation to begin in December or January.

Is this new technology? It’s new to Santa Cruz County.

Jacobs, a Dallas company has a 10-year contract to operate the plant.

Howard Brewen of Paso Robles, regional general manager with Jacobs, said he manages 150 similar plants in North and South America.

What’s the Jacobs contract renewal rate?

Brewen answered, “98.5%.”

He said this plant will require fewer than 10 employees to run.

There’s a balance between being overstaffed, which costs the customer more, and understaffed, which could risk compliance issues.

Debby Burris, a civil engineer and president of DDB Engineering in Irvine, came. She worked on the project on a subcontract

from Brown & Caldwell. She had experience helping Orange County get permits to build their water purification plant, which opened in 2008.

Lakeisha Bryant, public relations representative with Santa Clara Valley Water District drove over the hill at the invitation of Becca Gold Rubin, whose columns on Soquel Creek Water District appear in Aptos Times.

Kyle Graff, a 2017 UC Berkeley chemical engineering grad who works for the state water board, was curious. He lives in Soquel.

Also represented: Employees of Pure Water Monterey, which began operating in February 2020 after seven years, with an expansion project to be finished by 2025.

The celebration, which took place on a sunny morning outside the new plant on Chanticleer Avenue, which is next to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. Cars driven by guests filled the sheriff’s parking lot and spilled over into the nearby Staples parking lot.

Dignitaries praising the project:

Jimmy Panetta, member, U.S. House of Representatives

Mae Wu, deputy assistant administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water

Roque T. Sánchez, deputy commissioner, US Bureau of Reclamation

E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair, California State Water Resources Control Board

State Sen. John Laird

California Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin and Dawn Addis

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend

Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley

Former Soquel Creek Water District general manager Ron Duncan Panetta said, “I’m proud that the federal government is focused on the safety and sustainability of our local water supply with a significant federal investment in the Soquel Creek Water advanced water purification center.”

Esquivel said, “Expanding water

recycling projects beyond major cities is a critical component of California’s plan to protect its resources from a hotter and drier future. We are eager to support local leaders who are using water recycling as a tool to diversify their water supplies and build resilience amid climate change.”

Soquel Creek Board President Bruce Jaffe said, “Over the last 10 years our small district kept its focus on the big picture of providing a supplemental water supply to replenish our groundwater basin, for the benefit of the entire region.”

Schumacher thanked all the companies that worked on the project: design-builder Black & Veatch, design builder Garney Construction, BBK, Brown & Caldwell, Jacobs, ction, Kennedy Jenks, Trojan Technologies, ESA, HansonBridgett, Trussell, Xylem, Montgomey & Associates, Santa Cruz County Bank, Capital Edge, Gutierrez Consultants, and Data Instincts.

After the speeches, officials who have been involved and supportive of the project gathered to cut a giant blue ribbon to mark the completion of construction.

The theme was “Water Transformed,” and attendees had the opportunity to release dozens of Painted Ladies butterflies as a symbol of transformation.

The water district tells its story of facing a serious water problem and choosing purified water recharge in a 2022 mini documentary, “Beneath the Surface: The Journey of Water” (presented by the International Water Association and produced for the District and Black & Veatch by BBC StoryWorks).

Attendees were excited to be part of celebrating this history-making project. Many took selfies with an over-sized butterfly wing backdrop in the colors of the Pure Water Soquel butterfly logo.

A “swag bag” for attendees included custom socks in blue with a recycled pure water theme, designed by Soquel-based Merge4 headed by CEO Cindi Busenhart. Ron Duncan, Schumacher’s predecessor, wore them to the celebration. n

Melanie Mow Schumacher (center), Soquel Creek Water District general manager, flashes a victory sign.

Consumer Bills Signed

On Oct. 4, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced that Gov. Newsom has signed 6 consumer bills he sponsored.

They are:

Expanding Access and Ensuring Anti-Discrimination in Health and Other Insurance

Senate Bill 729, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar, requires insurance coverage for fertility and infertility care under disability insurance policies and large group health plans.

This protects Californians’ access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and updates the definition of infertility to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ family planning experiences, despite any federal action to limit this coverage.

This applies to large and small group health care service plan contracts and disability insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

For CalPERS, the mandate begins July 1, 2027. SB 729 was co-sponsored with the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Equality California, Our Family

Coalition, and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

Assembly Bill 2258, authored by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, makes sure that all Californians have access to affordable and preventive health care without out-of-pocket costs.

This includes mandatory coverage for critical reproductive health care including contraceptives such as intrauterine device (IUDs), HIV prevention medications like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and screenings for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). AB 2258 was co-sponsored with APLA Health, Equality California, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Protecting Vulnerable Californians

Senate Bill 990, authored by Senator Steve Padilla, updates the State Emergency Plan to include best practices for local government and non-governmental entities to equitably serve LGBTQ+ communities during an emergency or natural disaster. This responds to data showing that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to become homeless or face negative health impacts

after a disaster. SB 990 was co-sponsored with Equality California and the California Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus. This update is required to occur as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2029, and be updated every five years.

Senate Bill 263, authored by Senator Bill Dodd, protects Californians, especially vulnerable seniors, from potential abuse and exploitation by curtailing harmful sales of annuities that are not in the consumer’s best interest.

Annuities are typically marketed to retirees to provide a guaranteed income stream. California will now adopt the updated NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation, creating additional consumer protections to ensure California’s insurance companies and licensed producers who sell annuities are following the highest standards of conduct.

Assembly Bill 2780, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, protects the safety of newly arrived immigrants by requiring commercial passenger transportation, prior to transporting 10 or more vulnerable passengers, to notify local authorities and follow basic requirements.

This important piece of legislation will

All of these sponsored measures go into effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

ensure California has the proper tools and support to welcome migrants in a humane manner and with the dignity and respect that migrants deserve. AB 2780 was co-sponsored by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.

Updating Important Insurance Laws

Senate Bill 577, authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado, helps clarify existing law, deletes obsolete and superseded code sections, and creates new laws agreed to between the Department and stakeholders.

“I am very proud of the work we have done with our legislative partners this year to secure crucial protections for California consumers,” added Commissioner Lara. “As we look ahead to next session, I aim to push solutions to help address more insurance-related problems while further expanding consumer protections in partnership with legislators and key stakeholders.” n

Discover your well power.

This Open Enrollment, choose access to Dignity Health.

When you’re comparing health plans this season, consider the advantages of a plan that connects you to Dignity Health, the largest physician network in Santa Cruz County. Like our more than 200 primary and specialty care providers located in more than 100 locations throughout the region. All backed up by Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized programs for heart, cancer, obstetrics and other specialties. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/SantaCruz

Zero Emission Passenger Rail & Trail

The Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project proposes a new high-capacity passenger rail service and stations on approximately 22 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from the city of Santa Cruz in the north to Pajaro, just south of Watsonville.

The project also proposes 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail Segments 13-20 from Rio Del Mar Boulevard through the community of La Selva Beach and the City of Watsonville, as well as the Capitola Trestle reach (Segment 11, Phase 2).

The project aims to take advantage of the publicly owned rail right-of-way to provide passenger rail service to connect the most populated areas of Santa Cruz County to each other and to the greater region as well as to provide integrated intercity travel options for riders on the Central Coast. Passengers will be able to bypass Highway 1 and local arterials that are highly congested, providing high-quality connections to key destinations within the county.

In addition to the 22 miles of rail transit service, the new trail would nearly complete the 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail providing a dedicated bicycle/pedestrian travel facility that serves the proposed rail stations by developing 12 more miles of the trail that are not constructed or currently under development.

In October 2023, as the first task of the project, the RTC began work on the Project Concept Report. This report will define, evaluate, and develop a project rail and trail build concept that will be advanced into subsequent project tasks. n

RTC Hosts Zero Emission Rail Input Sessions

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is hosting two informational community sessions via Zoom and in person for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s concept development.

Community members and interested stakeholders are invited to participate to hear project updates and ask questions.

Session 1

Wednesday, Oct. 23

The first session will focus on project funding and service type.

The meeting will include a presentation by Caltrans on the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, which helps facilitate the development of new or improved intercity passenger rail service in the U.S.

Session 2

Monday, Oct. 28

The second session will focus on the project’s ridership approach.

The meeting will feature a presentation by the project’s consultant team explaining the ridership modeling and analysis that will inform key project elements in the coming months.

Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Monday, Oct. 28

Time: 6 - 7 p.m.

Location: Join both sessions virtually via Zoom at https://hdrinc.zoom.us/j/92509060294

Webinar ID: 925 0906 0294

Passcode: 388931

Dial-in: 408-638-0968

Both sessions will be recorded and posted to the Santa Cruz County RTC project website. In addition, an online open house and in-person community workshops for the ZEPRT project’s Milestone 3 are anticipated to be held in November and will be announced soon by email and on the ZEPRT project website at sccrtc.org/zeprt. n

“Bayview Hotel” from page 12

For his service of 10 years in the Mexican military, the Mexican governor awarded him 5,500 acres, Rancho Aptos, where he was a prosperous cattle rancher who leased his land for mineral rights, logging, a lumber mill, and a wharf.

The Bayview Hotel sits next to the Trout Gulch Crossing, hosting Norma Jean’s coffee shop, Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop, Jet Set Bohemian clothing shop. All are tenants in a building owned by Laurie Negro, who operates Betty Burger around the corner.

The Bayview is next to the Santa Cruz Branch Line, railroad tracks connecting Watsonville and Davenport, a 32-mile corridor owned by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

Passenger trains stopped in 1959 declining ridership with the advent of auto travel made it unprofitable. The railroad station in Aptos was converted into Aptos Station shopping, 8035 Soquel Drive.

The RTC has been studying what locations could be suitable for a quiet electric train of the future in the corridor.

In October, the RTC sued Betty Burger and Cristina Locke to quiet title to a strip of land (parking for the Bayview and the shops next to it adjacent to the rail corridor) “planned for inclusion in the Rail Trail through the Aptos Town Center.”

The lawsuit added, “The crux of the

dispute concerns the parties’ interpretation of a 1876 indenture from Jose Aranos to the Santa Cruz Railroad Company.”

A stay was granted Sep. 6.

The next step for a government agency after seeking quiet title is to pursue eminent domain, taking the property for public use, with the Fifth Amendment requiring “just compensation” to the property owner.

David Skinner and Jefffrey Wilcox of Meyers Nave of Oakland represent the RTC.

Timothy P. Dillon, managing partner of Dillon Miller Ahuja & Boss in Carlsbad, represents Betty Burger. His specialty is real estate matters.

The case is before Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati. n

ELECTION 2024

State Propositions on the Nov. 5 Ballot

The Capitola Library hosted a presentation by the American Association of University Women Santa Cruz County and League of Women Voters Santa Cruz County on the 10 state ballot propositions on everything from building schools to prisons, a climate bond, rent control, and drug crimes penalties.

If you missed it, see short videos on each from nonprofit CalMatters at https://calm atters.org/california-voter-guide-2024/ propositions/

Photo Credit: Doreen O’Donovan

Your Local Candidates & Measures

County Supervisor, 2nd District

Kristen Brown — www.Votekristenbrown. com

Kim De Serpa — www.Kimdeserpa.com

Measures

M: Pajaro Valley Unified School District Bond — To update schools, marquee project is a performing art center at Pajaro Valley High School, $315 million, repaid by property owners over 30 years. Needs 55% to pass.

Q: Water and Wildlife Protection — $87 permanent parcel tax on property owners, raising $7.5 million a year for projects to be determined. Needs 50% plus one to pass.

R: Central Fire District — $221 million in bonds to renovate and/or build new fire

stations, repaid by property owners over 30 years. Needs 55% to pass.

Pajaro Valley School Board * = indicates incumbent.

Area 2

Georgia Acosta* — www.Vote4georgia acosta.com

Carol Turley — www.Carolturley.com

Area 3

Oscar Soto* (No website) Gabriel Jesse Medina — gabriel@medina 2024.com

Area 6

Adam Bolanos Scow* — www.Adamfor pvusd.com

Jessica Carrasco — votejessicacarasco@ gmail.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Awards Opioid Settlement Grants

Seven local nonprofits have been awarded $810,000 in grants from the Santa Cruz County Opioid Settlement Fund with the goals of treatment, recovery, prevention and early intervention.

These funds came from opioid manufacturers, pharmaceutical distributors, and pharmacies as a result of litigation brought against these companies for their role in the opioid epidemic.

Santa Cruz County expects to receive $29 million over 16 years for the purpose of opioid remediation activities defined as “care, treatment and other programs and expenditures designed to address the misuse and abuse of opioid products, treat or mitigate opioid use or related disorders, or mitigate other alleged effects of, including on those injured as a result of the opioid epidemic.”

The Health Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Division and Santa Cruz County Community Foundation chose the recipients from nonprofits seeking $3,656,321.

The grantees are:

Santa Cruz Community Health: $286,294. For adolescent opioid use disorder screening, prevention, treatment and recovery, and the Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative

Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County: $218,917. For the Adolescent & Young Adult Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative, Medication Assisted Therapy Advisory Group, and education and technical assistance for community organizations.

Encompass Community Services: $97,448. For the Zero Overdose program, which has created an Overdose Risk Questionnaire and Safety Plan to identify triggers and access support, a system used in New York State.

Siena House: $60,000. To expand residential and aftercare program capacity for women at risk of or experiencing substance abuse disorders.

Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance: $50,000. For the Opioid Awareness Unit.

Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos : $50,000 .For their youth-focused Opioid Treatment and Prevention Program.

Homeless Garden Project : $47,341. For the Employment for People in Recovery from Opioid Addiction program.

The grants will be distributed this fiscal year to be spent through June 2026.

Tiffany Cantrell-Warren, Santa Cruz County’s behavioral health Ddrector, said, “Together, we will build a sustained and comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment, and recovery.”

“We recognize that the complexity of opioid-related harm in our community requires continuous oversight, collaboration, and adaptability,” said Mónica Morales, Health Services Agency director.

“We are committed to maintaining strong partnerships with these organizations and the wider community, continuously learning and refining our approach to ensure the most effective response.”

In 2023, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a twoyear spending plan, which included the distribution of funds to non-profit organizations providing opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and other services to Santa Cruz County residents through a community grants program administered by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

“Our hearts go out to families who have felt the pain of the opioid crisis.

This first distribution of Santa Cruz County’s opioid settlement dollars are an investment in prevention and treatment systems that move us closer to recovery from this epidemic, said Susan True, CEO of Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. “We cast a wide net for new ideas, and we’re investing in those that show great promise accelerating progress on this public health challenge.” n •••

If you or someone you know needs access to substance-use-disorder support resources, visit the Santa Cruz County Opioid Prevention and Response webpage or call 2-1-1, available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

SEIU Local 521: Pay to Go up 11.5%

By Jondi Gumz

On Sept. 27, nine days after the contract with its largest bargaining unit expired, the County of Santa Cruz announced a tentative agreement with SEIU Local 521, which represents 1,700 workers.

The 3-year agreement, valued by the county at more than $41 million, must be ratified by SEIU members and the Board of Supervisors before becoming final.

As soon as the contract is ratified, pay will go up 4%, then another 4% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026.

Terms:

• SEIU employees would see an 11.5% pay increase over three years.

• More than 700 SEIU employees are to see supplementary raises through adjustments to job classification pay scales intended to make these positions more competitive with peer counties.

A salary study compared Santa Cruz County to Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo and Sonoma counties, with senior social workers earning 8% less and senior mental health specialists making 10% less in Santa Cruz.

• The County’s share of employee health care costs will remain 90-95%.

The union had called for “fair pay” to address understaffing in health and behavioral health clinics, roads, public works and

social services causing a vacancy crisis with some departments 40% vacant.

The union also called for “no takeaways to healthcare or other negotiated benefits.”

Also, the union proposed Santa Cruz County be the first to public agency to offer a 32-hour work week, which the union said would increase productivity and reduce staff burnout. That is not in the proposed contract.

In June, the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury reported that countywide job vacancy data was not available from the Personnel Department. The Grand Jury’s salary study found posted salaries in Santa Cruz County are on average 17% lower than in Santa Clara County. Their report said this is why “experienced entry level staff frequently seek out jobs over the hill to advance their careers.”

The new contract is to expire Sept. 26, 2027, which means that whoever is elected county supervisor on Nov. 5 will be giving direction on the next negotiations.

“We strongly believe this tentative agreement provides a framework to further strengthen a workforce that meets the needs of the community,” County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said. “We are grateful to the bargaining teams on both sides, which worked diligently to reach an agreement.”

The County has about 2,800 employees.

For details of the tentative agreement, visit https://santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/ Personnel/NegotiationsUpdate.aspx

Introducing Neighborhood Justice

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office is changing the name of Neighborhood Courts to the Neighborhood Justice Program, which is more aligned with the mission to divert low-level offenses from the criminal justice system.

The program occurs outside of the courts without judges or attorneys.

It is powered by the community to provide a restorative-justice based way of addressing harm within the community.

Since the program began in 2020 ;

As of December 2022, only 1% of participants have reoffended with a new criminal conviction after successfully completing the program, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

• 254 individuals have successfully completed it, diverting their cases from the criminal justice system.

• The number of conferences has increased from once a week in 2020 to three times a week in 2024.

• From 12 offenses eligible to participate, now more than 60 are eligible, with more offenses accepted on a case-by-case basis.

The Neighborhood Justice Program is a collaborative effort involving the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Cruz County Probation Department, the Conflict Resolution Center, and community volunteers. Individuals with low-level offenses can participate if they are willing to accept responsibility and amend the harm caused.

Dedicated community volunteers help ensure that the concerns of the victims and the community itself are heard when addressing those responsible for the harm.

To volunteer, see https:// santacruzdistrictattorney.us/Home/NeighborhoodJusticeProgram.aspx

Contact NJP program staff at njp@santacruzcountyca.gov

DURABILITY DEFINED. STYLE UNPARALLELED. QUALITY UNMATCHED.

Step into a world where beauty and resilience coexist. Choose the C650 Ultra™ Series for a home that shines inside and out.

■ Fiberglass frames resist temperature fluctuations, making them a weather-resistant, durable, lowmaintenance choice.

■ The window hardware is attractive, secure, and easy to operate.

■ Choose from four beautiful exterior frame colors to enhance your home’s look.

■ Use Black Bean or Bark to create the popular dark window look with matching interior and exterior frames.

■ Ultra Series windows are covered by the Milgard Lifetime Limited Warranty for peace of mind.

Pajaro River Levee Groundbreaking Project

On Oct. 2, local, state and federal officials hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking, signaling that the $599 million Pajaro River levee project bordering Watsonville and Monterey County is about to begin, aiming to provide 100-year flood protection to the oft-flooded community of Pajaro.

A massive levee breach in March 2023 sent six feet of water flooding through homes, businesses and fields, forcing hundreds to evacuate, closing Pajaro Middle School until August 2024 and leaving standing water for farmers who had expected to be planting soon.

These 75-year-old undersized levees first failed in 1955. Since then, residents of Watsonville and the town of Pajaro have lived in fear of the next big flood.

The huge project is to be built in phases and take five years – 2030.

Vegetation removal, utility relocation and other site preparation begin this month, with civil construction starting early next year.

The timing of the ceremony was good for county Supervisor Zach Friend, chair of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, who is about to step down after 12 years representing the Second District.

For years, he has advocated for federal and state agencies to give higher priority to the levee project.

Members of the low-income community did not have resources to provide the required match for federal funds, and the state Legislature stepped in to fill this gap.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is covering 65% of project construction costs, about $389.5 million.

The non-federal cost share of $209.5 million will be fully funded by the State Department of Water Resources, a first for a project of its kind in California.

That includes advancing these State funds to Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency as the non-federal sponsor to secure

to Cost $599 Million, Take Five Years

right-of-way and property acquisition necessary for construction and long-term maintenance of levee improvements.

“The groundbreaking is a turning of the page from decades of fighting for this project to the beginning of a handful of years of construction of the project,” Friend said. “We are not out of the woods yet and know that we still have multiple winters ahead of us during construction, but we can see the path that takes us out of the woods and it begins now with this groundbreaking in Watsonville.”

Other speakers included: Col. James

Handura and Lt. Col. Timothy Shebesta of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Sen. John Laird, and California Department of Water Resources Deputy Director Laura Hollender.

The US Army Corps of Engineers, with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and the California Department of Water Resources, are to build and improve levees along both the lower Pajaro River and Corralitos and Salsipuedes Creeks.

The long-awaited project has garnered support and funding from the Biden administration for its alignment with Biden’s Environmental Justice 40 initiative, which facilitates the equitable delivery of public safety improvements for historically underserved, economically disadvantaged communities.

The focus of the groundbreaking is construction known as Reach 6, which involves building new levees where none currently exist along ~2.5 miles of Corralitos Creek, between Green Valley and East Lake Roads.

In January 2023, floodwaters overtopped the creek’s banks four times within this reach, flooding two large senior living communities in Watsonville.

According to the Army Corps, the levee project will provide benefits beyond flood risk reduction, including ecological enhancements and groundwater recharge.

Borrow material from excavations within the floodplain are expected to significantly reduce the amount of material that would be imported for levee construction, reducing project costs.

These features align with Army Corps’ Engineering with Nature principles. n

More information is at https://www.spn.usace. army.mil/Missions/Projects-and-Programs/ Current-Projects/Pajaro-River-Watsonville/.

Photos Credit: Jason Hoppin

COMMUNITY NEWS

Groppetti Lot Sold for

289 Affordable Rentals

$10.35

Million for Empty Soquel Drive Property

Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz

On Oct. 3, Cushman & Wakefield announced the sale of vacant 2.58acre site at 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive in Soquel acquired for a Nissan dealership, with plans to build a $200+ million apartment complex with 289 affordable rentals.

The buyer, Pacific West Communities, Inc. paid $10.35 million.

It was offered for $9.85 million.

Pacific West Communities, with development partner Linc Housing, plans to build two 5-story multi-family buildings over a podium garage with 240 parking stalls and an elevator.

Proposed are:

103 one-bedroom units (636 SF)

13 larger one-bedroom units (709 SF)

22 two-bedroom units (834 SF)

33 three-bedroom units (1,140 SF)

Common amenities are expected to include laundry facilities, on-site management, and a community room, a fitness center and playground.

The new buildings would comprise 333,255 square feet.

Reuben Helick, managing director with Cushman & Wakefield, facilitated the land sale.

He said, “This new exciting, high quality residential development will bring much needed affordable housing to the residents of Soquel and the broader Santa Cruz County/Central Coast market and aligns favorably with the desires of many in the community.”

The seller was Blam Jade LP, owned by

Don Groppetti, of the Groppetti Automotive Family, which after gaining county approvals in 2018 to build a Nissan dealership, decided not to proceed. That left the lot surrounded by chainlink fence.

Groppetti, who has dealerships in Visalia, bought 1.3 acres for $5.44 million, encouraged by then county economic development manager Andy Constable.

Soquel residents, organized under the banner of Sustainable Soquel, sued Groppetti, claiming the county’s environmental review of the project violated state law and that the project represented a departure from a community-backed plan for the area.

“Groppetti” page 25

New at Cabrillo College: Precious Twin

On Friday, Cabrillo College unveiled a new sculpture on campus.

The Precious Twin sculpture was designed by artist Gustavo Martinez with assistance from Payson McNett and the Art 34 sculpture class to celebrate diversity at Cabrillo’s two campus locations and to create a sense of belonging for all.

The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Grant #P116Z230058. It is a project of the Art Department at Cabrillo.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, but raised in the United States, Martinez’s relationship between Mexican history and American popular culture has shaped his experience.

“I feel fortunate to have experienced many opportunities through my passion for creating with clay,” said Martinez. “Teaching brings me joy as I share my creative process with others.”

He added, “In our fast-paced society, where artistic expression is often sidelined, it’s essential to embrace creativity as a unifying force. This public art sculpture on campus celebrates our multicultural community and honors Indigenous voices, reminding all who pass by of the vibrant light within us and the importance of creativity for personal growth and collective connection.”

He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from San Jose State University with a minor in Mexican American Studies. He achieved a master of fine arts from the University of Washington in 2011 and was awarded the Parnassus Teaching with Excellence award. He resides between San Jose, El Paso, and Tacoma.

To better serve its Latinx population and to become a truly Hispanic Serving

Institution, staff and faculty at Cabrillo College have been working with Dr. Gina Garcia, an author and a leading scholar on HSIs, whose research centers on issues of equity and justice in higher education and the transformational practices required to enact organizational change.

Today, nearly half of Cabrillo’s student population is Latinx, and this past May, Cabrillo’s graduating Class of 2024 was nearly 53% Latinx. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Summer Vacation Regrets

By Christopher Elliott

Flying a budget airline. Staying at a bad hotel. Traveling with the wrong people.

Vacation regrets, you may have a few for the summer of 2024. More than a few, actually.

I do. I didn’t plan in advance and I way overpaid for my airfare. ($630 for a one-way ticket from Berlin to Stockholm? Come on, SAS!) I should have spent more time in Europe, even though it was overcrowded. I should have complained less and eaten more German bread.

“Americans get so little vacation time,” says Kimberly Davis, a travel advisor. “But this summer, they have so many regrets.”

The most common one is the result of reflexively running through a “must do’’ list during the summer because you’re afraid of missing out on something. And in the process, you miss out on everything, “because you’re just running through a list,” says Davis.

Now, with summer ending, it’s a good time to take inventory of all our vacation regrets. Because there are future trips to plan — the upcoming holiday travel season, spring break and the summer of 2025. You don’t want to repeat any of these errors, right?

“It was just endless torture waiting around,” he recalls.

At one point, passengers started crowding around the gate, and they began screaming at the hapless agent. Wong says he learned an important lesson — don’t cut corners when you’re flying.

He’s hardly alone. This summer, I’ve heard from countless travelers who reserved a room at a hotel with horrible customer service or a vacation rental with none at all. People! You get what you pay for.

Poor Planning

Because time is at such a premium, many people tried to plan ambitious itineraries that left little room for error.

“Absolutely the number one regret my clients are having this summer is not allowing extra time with connections on international flights,” says Heather Herbert, a travel advisor with Heather Concierge Travel. She says in two of the cases, her client had a close connection from a domestic airport for an international flight, and weather delays resulted in massive delays.

But what are these regrets? They fit neatly into three categories.

Wrong Airline, Cruise Line or Hotel Sometimes, you can’t know what will happen.

For example, who could have known about the Delta Air Lines meltdown after the massive CrowdStrike software glitch? But some disasters are predictable. All those people trying to save a little money by choosing the cheapest flights or hotels — yeah, those were probably preventable.

Alex Wong, a consultant and writer, booked a ticket on a budget carrier that had zero customer service. His flight from Shanghai to Seoul was canceled because of bad weather, and the airline simply went silent.

“In one case, a mad sprint to the international terminal resulted in finding the cabin door closed. The captain, ultimately, did reopen the door in an act of great mercy,” she recalls.

Here’s a related regret: Stuffing your itinerary with so many activities that you can’t enjoy any of them. I got so tired of running from one appointment to another that I’ve started limiting my activities to just one per day. That’s right, one activity — preferably in the morning — and then the rest of the day to explore the destination on my own.

Biggest Regret

But there’s one vacation regret that towers over all of the others, and it’s the missed opportunity.

“Summer Vacation”

The Precious Twin sculpture, designed Gustavo Martinez along with Payson McNett and the Art34 sculpture class, celebrates diversity at Cabrillo College.

Gustavo Martinez

Christopher Elliott

Putnam County Spelling Bee at Aptos High

By Mercy Nigh

Aptos High School Drama production proudly presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

This quirky musical, which debuted on Broadway 20 years ago, examines the lives of six plucky middle schooler spelling bee contestants who compete to go to Nationals. Everyone has a story and struggles, and these kids are no exception. Their identities and their chance at spelling gold are on the line and they know it.

Chip Tolentino (Wyatt Leffler, 10) is last year’s champion and eager to prove himself; will he be responsible for his own demise?

Logainne Shwartzandgrubenierre (Chiara Mckay, 12) is a political activist desperate to appease her parents; will the pressure cause her to crack?

Leaf Coneybear (Kanoa Asistin, 12) is a carefree, imaginative young man, but is he smart?

William Barfee (Draven Willems, 12) was struck down at the previous year’s spelling bee; will he rise from the ashes?

Marcy Park (Madelyn Pate, 11) is an overachieving parochial-school girl; surely she’s going to take home the gold, right?

Olive Ostrovsky (Mercy Nigh, 12) is a sweet girl hiding familial dysfunction; is she more than she seems?

The fragile egos of these spellers are managed by Bee host and former champion the ever-sunny real estate agent Rona Lisa Peretti (Brielle Hopp, 12), stressed-out Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Grey Shigu, 12), and Mitch Mahoney, the comfort counselor (Alex Miller, 11).

With an exciting twist at every turn, there is plenty of pandemonium to go around!

Bee is directed by AHS Drama Teacher Stacy Aronovici (AHS class of 1985) and features a live band directed by long-time music educator Terrel Eaton.

Note that this show is rated PG, for some mature content and language.

Performances will be in the Aptos High School Performing Arts Center.

Reserve tickets ahead of time at seatyourself.biz/aptos or purchase at the door (subject to availability).

House opens half an hour before curtain.

Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m.

Friday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. n

Photos by Stacy Aronovici

“Groppetti” from page 23

The Sustainable Santa Cruz County plan, dated 2014 and created with input from 16 public workshops, called for a variety of housing types, such as 2- to 3-story apartments or a “medium-scale” building with apartments atop first-floor businesses.

In 2019, then-Superior Court Judge Paul Burdick ruled that the environmental impact report for the dealership didn’t analyze a range of alternatives as the California Environmental Quality Act requires.

The Sustainable Santa Cruz County plan has now been trumped by a state mandate to plan more housing — 4,634 units by 2031

Famous World Sites

— and a new state law SB 35 that streamlines housing construction when cities and counties have not built enough.

Kings Paint, which used to sit at the corner, relocated to 41st Avenue in Capitola and its former store was demolished.

Helick said this is “a prime intersection that is also convenient to Highway 1, making it highly accessible for commuters as well as walkable to an abundance of retail, shopping, restaurant, and recreational activities surrounding the project.”

Cushman Wakefield reported the buyer separately acquired an additional ±0.12 acres (5,000 sf) of land abutting the ±2.58-acre sale site, bringing its total ownership to ±2.7 acres to develop affordable housing. n

Sylvester, to Tweety

Jupiter Retrogrades — Contemplation on Loving More

By Risa D’Angeles

Jupiter, the planet of love and wisdom, and of all things good and benevolent, has retrograded in Gemini (thoughts, ideas, communication, interactions). Jupiter for the next four months is taking itself on a backwards journey, a back spin for a while.

We will have a respite from the world. It will be like entering a vast library where we rest in the intelligence of the cosmos while listening to the teachings of the gods. With the light of Mercury (the Soul) in attendance, we gain needed wisdom.

During Jupiter’s retrograde, we turn inward, as if entering a retreat or sanctuary. We realign goals, reorder our thoughts, ideas and refine our communication. Jupiter (from a star in the Big Dipper called Ray 2 of Love/ Wisdom) calls us also to cultivate more love.

With Jupiter’s retrograde in Gemini we focus on thoughts, ideas and communication, walking about in neighborhoods, talking with neighbors, being friends with everyone.

Jupiter retrograded at 21 degrees Gemini on Wednesday, October 9. It will retrograde for four months, turning direct February 4, 2025 at 11 degrees Gemini. Four months is a long retrograde!

During this time we will assess the truth regarding events in our world. Jupiter flows through Sagittarius, the sign of truth. When we have truth, love happens and wisdom appears. Truth is needed during our present Kali Yuga when the dark is allowed to be seen.

ARIES

Through autumn you will consider many things related to Taurus — comfort, your value system, finances, resources and earning power. An interesting (perhaps fleeting) thought may concern worthiness — are you of value and are you worthy enough to seek what you don’t yet have? It’s a good time to create a system of savings, of appropriate spending that prepares for an unusual unexpected future, and to seek those in need to share your wealth with. You are wealthy in many and multiple ways.

TAURUS

The past is no longer viable, available or even of interest. Only the present/future is important and possible. However, as the present changes moment by moment and the future isn’t formed yet, your focus is to create an attitude and environment of freedom so that you can be completely adaptable to any situation. This allows you to create community anywhere, for self and others. Put food and water and meds aside for the many coming to you for stability and aid. Also, your environment needs ordering.

GEMINI

For several months you stand behind the scenes perhaps seeking a haven of peace, a spiritual protection and a refuge. You know that true refuge is only found when we raise our personality to the Soul (and later to the Will of God). For now, notice your virtues of compassion, empathy and sensitivity deepening. Your true sense of refuge is when you help others, serving them more and more. You’re the carrier of love and laughter and joy. They need distribution to a world in crisis.

CANCER

Your inner self begins to formulate long-range goals. Consider what you want to accomplish before your life on earth this time around is completed. This allow entrance into a greater spiritual realm, that state of mind, which, when we transition from earth to heaven, is how we will continue when we return (rebirth) to Earth? This is a broad and deep level of spiritual thinking and planning … creating goals for the next lifetime. Understanding this, many turn to you for nurturance.

Wherever Jupiter is, there can be an excess of something. During Jupiter retro — we pull back from anything disproportionate. This allows for introspection, and later assimilation. We turn inward, review the past year, reorganize our thinking (Gemini), realign our visions, hopes, wishes and dreams. We also realign our goals. What are they? When planets retrograde, humanity is given a gift of time in order to contemplate, assess, ponder upon and reorganize our inner and outer selves. It is like the sign of Virgo — everything becomes ordered and organized, research is easy and missing information is revealed. We realign, release and rest in the quiet of the retrograde.

As the truth dawns on us, disillusion is dispelled, inner hopes, wishes and dreams become more meaningful, we have visions of how they can be fulfilled. Jupiter offers us joy and guidance, playfulness and curiosity. And we are nourished like no other time of the year. During Jupiter retrograde, Pallas Athena opens a door to a room of higher wisdom that’s been waiting for us. n

LEO

The integrity and honesty you bring to your work holds you steady in the light as others assess your virtues and qualities for the purpose of a later promotion, new work opportunity, a grant, award and/or honor. You’ve gained much through experience, service and study. Now you can “be in everyone’s corner” so everyone too is in the limelight, everyone recognized and rewarded. Assess career goals and praise others who have helped you steadily along the way — family, friends, co-workers and lovers.

VIRGO

You become intellectually curious (more so), desire further education and travel, seek a study that explains your constant search for a sense of religion and/ or spirituality. You are seeking the Soul. A feeling of optimism surrounds all that you do. Begin to write now of your spiritual search, experiences, interests, your steps along the “road.” You are seeking the path to the temple of knowledge. Describe your days and nights in ways only an observant Virgo can write. Tolerance creates a deeper understanding. These virtues gestate within you till Christmas day.

LIBRA

Libra is on the cardinal cross — which means Libra is one of the signs that understands will and initiates new realities. The cardinal signs — Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn — know the difference between power-over and power-with. Libra shares power, seeking to include others, always creating balance, sharing resources. Having left much behind, you have become emotionally sensitive. Startling revelations occur, providing you with psychological understanding and personal transformation. The time of forgiveness is now for you to comprehend.

SCORPIO

Very quietly you begin to seek a deeper intimacy with family, friends and those close to you. If already committed to another, you establish more solidity, constancy and expand the depths in your relationship. Partnerships, negotiations and contractual agreements become your focus. Different cultures and people are of interest. All interactions, if held in goodwill, are successful. Challenges from the past settle down. You eventually become an advisor, popular and standing before the public. What is no longer useful slips away.

SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter, your ruler, is in Gemini, your opposite sign. And Jupiter is now retrograde. What does this mean for you? The introduction says everything. But of course there’s more. A certain joy will be experienced. You’ll see the outcome and benefits of your work and know your work is useful to many seekers on the path towards knowledge. You will seek to interact with and help others differently. Small tasks become important. You have true pride in your work and your integrity increases. A small animal, bird or creature may seek your company and friendship.

CAPRICORN

Although you always step into your and complete responsibilities, there is a secret hidden side to yourself and that is your creative imagination. Self-expression, creativity and a sense of inner freedom are experienced the following months and well into next year. A foundation is being built that later leads to recognition and reward. A hidden talent, one you’ve known about yet didn’t quite use, comes forth and you discover a new aspect and gift of self. Sometimes all you think about is music, art and travel. Soon.

AQUARIUS

Your thoughts center on possible changes in home, family, property, land, community and things domestic. You ask yourself what is needed, what is available and what is most comfortable in terms of your living situation. You consider what security and safety mean to you and how to create a home that provides these, along with comfort. You have an inner stability and you want that stability (which nurtures you) to manifest in your outer living situation. Nurture, nourish and praise and recognize others. A sense of well-being then pervades all aspects of your life. And that of others, too.

PISCES

Experiences you are having in life, especially with the world at large are providing you with increased knowledge, a shifting of values, and multiple revelations that are psychological insightful. Knowledge is expanding you at the speed of light. This is Uranus, the god of lightning, affecting your state of mind. Tend to your bicycle or car carefully. You actually many need a new one (bike or car). Equally tend to messages from others. Expand technologically. New friends are made. They are ancient (friends), actually. You’re seen as a gift.

“Summer Vacation” from page 24

Andrew Harper was working on a story about the best wine bars in Venice when he stumbled upon the legendary Cantina do Mori.

“Torn between stopping for a glass of wine and continuing on with my plan of galleryhopping, I decided to return later -- only to find that it was closed and wouldn’t reopen until after I flew home,” says Harper, who edits the Hideaway Report. “It was a good reminder to leave room in an itinerary for serendipitous discoveries.”

How Many Summers Left?

When I started my career as a consumer advocate, I met many readers who had spent their entire lives working and saving up to travel after they retired.

Then they booked a dream cruise or a safari, only to suffer a debilitating illness just before leaving (that’s why there’s travel insurance). And then they realized they would never travel.

“The biggest regret is not taking a vacation while you have the opportunity, health, mobility and time,” says Mitch Krayton, a professional travel advisor in Aurora, Colo.

It doesn’t take long for the barriers to pile up — a bad back, an unfavorable exchange rate, trouble getting around. I know what that feels like. I broke my pelvis in two places a few years ago in Switzerland, and a part of me just wanted to be at home sipping hot chocolate. Instead, I rested for a few weeks in Barcelona and then flew to the Antarctic.

Krayton is right; you only live once. I guarantee you’ll regret the trip not taken. And the older you get, the more those regrets pile up until you are at the end of your life and you have a long list of trips not taken. Don’t let that be your regret.

Elliott’s Tips

Y ou don’t have to break any bones or get a serious healthcare diagnosis to avoid a bad vacation decision. Here are some strategies for avoiding a regret-free getaway: Get professional help: Problems like overplanning, booking the wrong airline, or missing an important attraction, are avoidable with the guidance of a pro. Consult a travel advisor, travel coach, or a well-traveled friend before you start planning your next vacation. Travel with the ones you love: But make sure the ones you love want to travel. There’s absolutely no point in dragging your grandkids on a museum tour of Milan if they’d rather go to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. (Believe me, I’ve done this. It’s a recipe for disaster.)

Don’t wait: Stop putting off your vacation and go. I can’t remember the last time I met someone who regretted traveling. But I’ve met plenty of people who were sorry they didn’t travel. The best way to handle vacation regret is a do-over. In just a few months, planning season starts for next summer’s vacations, so why not get started now? 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 Aren Elliott.

Mariner Pride

Mariner pride is embedded throughout our community, and we at Aptos High School are very fortunate for that.

We witnessed that pride shining through several alumni who visited campus during recent reunion weekends. One particular graduate of 1973 was awe-struck as he walked through the Performing Arts Center (PAC) foyer. He loved the trophies and plaques capturing athletic, artistic, and academic successes. He was also amazed at the size and quality of our theater and gym.

The PAC is a result of Measure D, the bond that funded the building. Years later, Measure L funded new roofing on several buildings, our two giant water tanks, and sidewalks from the arch to the tennis courts, as well as technology upgrades.

Measure M

PVUSD’s Measure M on the November ballot would also improve our campus infrastructure and address some current building needs. The bond would be a small impact for homeowners, as another bond phases out.

Aptos High School is a beautiful campus, and just like those of us in our 50s, our age starts to show. The AHS heating system consists of the original units from 1969. When classroom parts need to be replaced, we often can not find the necessary pieces as they are outdated. Our maintenance team makes it work; however, a new system would keep that Mariner pride going.

the superintendent Dr. Heather Contreras this Monday to discuss the PVUSD process should the bond pass. The funding would also benefit Pajaro Valley High School and some much needed structures to provide more access to arts and athletics. Several other schools would also glean from Measure M.

Drive for Schools

We also want to thank everyone who directly supports our school during the October Drive for Schools. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk generously partners with so many businesses across our county to create the best raffle of the year. Every dollar spent goes directly back to our schools.

Our booster club consists of parents who bring pride and joy to find creative ways to fund our school’s extra needs. They have Drive for Schools information on a link on their website.

When ticket buyers purchase electronically, they can write the “group/class/sport” on page two under the notes section. Leaving it blank will go to AHS general donations and still be greatly appreciated. All purchases make the ticket buyer eligible for prizes, too!

We also dream about a permanent building for our social studies and culinary arts teachers. We take pride in the history we have in our locker rooms, yet we would be even prouder to have new plumbing, walls, and lockers.

Our School Site Council meets with

The grand prize is $25,000. There will also be five $1,000 winners and multiple local prize winners, including several local businesses in Aptos and across the county. Many students also have paper ticket books. Our raffle closes on Oct. 21. The prize list is updated periodically between now and the final drawing on Oct. 27; more details can be found on our AHS Booster Site or the Beach Boardwalk site.

Aptos Sports Foundation

Another source of Mariner pride in our community that prioritizes our school is the Aptos Sports Foundation. “Aptos loves

Aptos,” Paul Bailey always says with a genuine smile when you ask him about ASF. They constantly fundraise and strategize around ways to support sports at both our high school and the other Aptos schools. Recently, they painted the gym at Aptos Junior. It’s generous funding from the community, several businesses and places like Aptos Street BBQ that continue to donate and invest in our youth and our schools.

Bring your Mariner pride, or come to grow and glean some by supporting the upcoming October fundraiser. On Oct 25, ASF is hosting Vegas night, an evening of food, fun, and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker. This is a great chance to meet different people who share a love for Aptos and to win money and prizes while supporting our school. Tickets are available for $135 on the ASF website.

Building Pride Among All Mariners

How do we continue to build pride among all of our youth? We celebrate our Mariners when they SAIL (demonstrate our values: Safe community, Aspire higher, Integrity oriented, and Lead by example.) Each week, we have Mariner Moments which are shout outs to staff and students who SAIL.

We also give 5-star points, which can be accumulated for prizes from donated gift cards to a ride across campus or lunch in the conference room with pastries from Freedom Bakery. Ninety-nine percent of our students have received points.

Even with these strategies, we have room to foster more Mariner pride. Most students clean up their trash, but a

handful of students need daily reminders. Most students respect each other in line, but a few groups of students cut others off and act like they did nothing.

We also have a majority of students who take academics seriously and trust their teachers. Most students celebrate the success of others and support each other, creating a safe space to take risks.

As a community, please help us foster Mariner pride in our community with students of all ages. When you join us at a game or event, let’s remind each other that we need to support each other from when we embark to when we disembark. Keep cheering from beginning to end, especially when it gets hard or the waters get rough.

Those are the moments that Mariner pride truly counts. Thanks for SAILing with us. n

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOV. 5 ELECTION: IMPORTANT DATES

Oct. 21: Last day to register to vote for the November 2024 election and receive a ballot and voter guide in the mail.

Oct. 26: Three more in-person voting locations open.

Nov. 2: Thirteen more in-person voting locations open.

Nov. 5: Election Day – polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.

Nov. 12: Vote by mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 12 will be counted. Dec. 3: Last day to certify election results.

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

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:

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 a.m. weekly

Mah Jongg 2-4 p.m. weekly

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

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

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

Third Thursdays: Bring Your Own Story to Share, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., People bring whatever book they’re reading (nothing assigned) and share with the group. All welcome. Join the Facebook group “Aptos Book Club” for updates.

Fridays

Third Fridays: Bring Your Own Book Discussion, 11 a.m.

– 12:30 p.m.

BAY FEDERAL TO OPEN EIGHTH BRANCH

Bay Federal Credit Union announces plans to open its eighth branch at the Promenade at the Dunes in Marina by June 2025.

Located at the gateway to the Promenade at the Dunes in Building G, adjacent to Trader Joe’s, the 1,750-squarefoot branch will offer personal and business banking services, including account openings, loan consultations, and financial services.

A 24-hour ATM will be outside.

CALIFORNIA DATE CONTEST

Through Oct. 31, the California Date Commission will hold a national consumer contest. Prizes include:

• Boxes of California Dates with $100 grocery gift cards

• A private online cooking class for contest winners hosted by California Dates ambassador and celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira.

• A California Dates VIP Experience at the Palm Desert

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st

Food & Wine Festival (March 2025). The prize package includes a 3-night stay at an area hotel, tickets to the Celebrity Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, tickets to the Saturday Grand tasting event, and a California Dates Swag bag.

Consumers 21 and older can enter at https://woobox. com/mheo5s

For an extra chance to win, follow @datesaregreat on Instagram

HALLOWEEN SEASON EVENTS

Saturday October 19

SCOTTS VALLEY HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN FEST

10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 1800 Green Hills Rd, unit 101, Scotts Valle Shastina Troup, owner of the new Haven Play Lounge, hosts the first Halloween extravaganza at 1800 Green Hills Rd, unit 101.

There will be carnival games, free raffle, food and beverages, a cake walk, local vendors and a costume contest.

Info: 331-7349 or https://www.havenplaylounge.com/

Thursday October 24 thru Saturday October 26

SCOTTS VALLEY HAUNTED HOUSE FOR KIDS

4-8 p.m., Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Dr. Scotts Valley Haunted House, a 21-year tradition hosted by students at Scotts Valley High School to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, has been newly designed for elementary school children and parents.

In the past, it was geared for teens. Along with the haunted house, there will be booths and Thriller Dancers to entertain attendees.

The haunted house is put together an run by the Scotts Valley High students. Erik Duffy is the teacher advisor.

Tickets are $10 before Oct. 22 and $15 starting Oct. 23 at https://svhaunt.org/public/tickets.html. Tickets arrive via email.

Friday October 25

SPOOKY MUSIC AT CABRILLO

12:30-3 p.m., Samper Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos Join the Cabrillo Music Department for a concert of Halloween music.

There will be a murder mystery raffle and special guest artists. Family friendly!

Tickets $8-$10 at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets.com/w/ event.aspx?id=1885

Saturday October 26

EVERGREEN CEMETERY: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

12:30-4 p.m., Evergreen Cemetery, 261 Evergreen St, Santa Cruz

A vibrant gathering to celebrate life and death, at Evergreen Cemetery.

For the past 6 years, the team at the MAH has had the opportunity to experience, grow, and share Día de los Muertos with more and more of Santa Cruz County.

Enjoy live performances by Senderos’ Centeotl Danza y Baile at 12:30 p.m. and Ensamble Musical de Senderos at 2 p.m.

Stroll through the cemetery in a self-guided presentation of community altars.

Learn about Dia de los Muertos from our community members.

Hear the story of Dia de los Muertos in our community.

NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS ON ZOOM

NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for loved ones of those who have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.

By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you can gain hope and develop supportive relationships.

WITCHES BALL AT BROOKDALE LODGE

7 – 11:30 p.m., Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale

Dance the night away at the Brookdale Lodge Witches Ball Escape Room!

The escape room should not be missed. Assemble your team and keep your wits about you.

Compete for the best escape time as you solve puzzles and challenges to get out of the clutches of the evil night watchman.

Magical vendors and midnight pancakes at the diner. Multiple bars will serve witch’s brew.

Costume contest will be for cash and other prizes. Categories will be: Most scary, most creative, best couple, and group. Separate $10 entry fee.

Ball tickets: $49-55 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/witchesball-24-tickets-898703043997

Saturday October 26

thru Monday October 28

SANTA CRUZ HARBOR WITCHES SUP

10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 135 5th Ave., Santa Cruz

Join the SUP Shack for their 13th annual Halloween Paddle, where they bewitch onlookers and have general shenanigans at Santa Cruz Harbor. There are separate outings each day.

Sunday October 27

CAPITOLA VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

2–5 p.m., Capitola Village

Calling all ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls ... for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade.

Parade will be led by a Central Fire engine with music from the Soquel High Band.

Line up at 1:30 pm in the lower Beach & Village Parking Lot 2 behind the Capitola Police Department. Parade begins promptly at 2 p.m. Trick-or-treat bags will be waiting at Esplanade Park. Kids can trick-or-treat at participating Capitola Village shops afterward.

Thursday October 31 HALLOWEEN!

• Treats at Aptos Village Green, 3-4:30 p.m.

• Trick or treating on Santa Cruz Wharf, 5-7 p.m. (Wharf specials start Oct. 19)

• Trick or treating in Boulder Creek, 5-7 p.m. Costumes recommended.

Friday November 1

WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS: ANNUAL DIA DE MUERTOS

4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St.

A celebration of film, music, dance, art, tradition, and community!

Enjoy films under the stars, live music, dance, art activities for children, community altars and the screening of the film Coco.

This group allows your voice to be heard and provides an opportunity for your personal needs to be met. It encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community. You’ll benefit from other’s experiences, discover your inner strength and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.

NAMI’s support groups follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.

• Free to participants • Drop-in friendly

• Designed for loved ones of people with mental health conditions

• Led by family members of people with mental health conditions

• 90 minutes • Confidential

• No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed

There are five different Family Support Groups: for loved ones of adults, loved ones of young adults, parents and caregivers of youth, and Spanish speakers.

Questions? Email sophia@namiscc.org, or call (831)-824-0406.

HOSTILE TERRAIN ‘94

Cabrillo College is hosting the memorial installation Hostile Terrain ’94 which showcases 3,800 handwritten toe tags representing undocumented migrants who died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert between the 1990s and 2023.

Through Dec. 6, the exhibit will be at the Library, Building 1000, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, then at the Watsonville campus in the spring. The exhibit is free. The Undocumented Migration Project, which created the exhibit, is directed by Dr. Jason de León, UCLA professor and author of The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail and Soldiers and Kings , a finalist for the 2024 National Book Awards. He spoke at Cabrillo Oct. 17.

MI CASA ES TU CASA

Exhibit Dates: Oct. 16 – Dec. 1, Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville

This year, the exhibit Mi Casa es Tu Casa at Pajaro Valley Arts embraces the theme In the Arms of our Ancestors, an exploration of the deep connections between the living and those who have passed. Opening reception: Sunday, Nov. 3, from 1-3 p.m., with performances by White Hawk Aztec Dancers, Grupo, and Estrella de Esperanza.

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November. Remaining dates are Oct. 22, and Dec. 3. There is no meeting in 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).

Dr. Jason de León

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.

Last Wednesdays of the Month PARENT/CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS

5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Meeting

Dr. Ramona Friedman of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Soquel will be hosting a free Parent Drop-in Zoom session. Parents and caregivers are invited to log on and ask questions to Dr. Friedman about youth mental health issues, challenges, and ideas.

Parent Drop-Ins are free, 1-hour sessions where parents can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific mental health disorders. Parents can also connect with others facing similar challenges.

Clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and medication, experienced youth mental health experts, host each session.

For more info, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ groups/parent-drop-in-soquel-ca/247794

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

Second and Fourth Saturdays SOQUEL HOMESTEADERS MARKET

11 a.m.-3 p.m., 2505 and 2525 South Main St. parking lots Soquel Homesteaders Markets is in the parking lots across from Soquel business’s Beer 30, Sunny Side Produce, Buzzo Wood Fired Pizza, and Carpo’s.

It will be active through Dec. 14.

DATED EVENTS

Thursday October 17

SECOND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: HEALTH AND WELLNESS

9:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m. at Mount Hermon Conference Center, 37 Conference Drive

The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce announces its 2nd annual Women’s Leadership Summit at Mount Hermon Conference Center, a tranquil place for reflection and growth.

The theme is “Cultivating Renewal, Resilience and Empowerment.”

Speakers

Lauren Seaver, KSBW news anchor

Margaret “Magi” Graziano, best-selling author

Haley Sage, professional grief coach

Karen Gosling, occupational, physical and speech

therapist

Keisha Browder, CEO, United Way of Santa Cruz County

MariaElena De La Garza, CEO, Community Action Board

Annie Morhauser, Founder, lead designer, Annieglass

Cathy Conway, CEO of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, will lead a mindfulness session.

“We are thrilled to bring together inspiring speakers and an engaging panel of women leaders to guide us on a journey to foster health and well-being,” said Summit Chair Chris Maffia. “We recognize the

importance of being able to come together and explore ways we can be empowered both personally and professionally.”

There will be networking, breakout sessions, and mindfulness activities.

Tickets are $150 at https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/ Women-s-Leadership-Summit-6399/details

HOUSING FIRST EXPERTS TO SPEAK

9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Civic Plaza Community Room, 725 Main St., 6th floor, Watsonville Hosted by the Housing for Health Partnership, Housing First: From Principles to Practice will take place at the Civic Plaza Community Room.

Attendees will focus on:

• The difference between the Housing First philosophy and the implementation of a Housing First program.

• The key ingredients for successful implementation of Housing First practices at a national level and program level.

• How to create high-fidelity Housing First programs at the local level, using evidence-based tools, training and coaching.

• The current challenges of implementing Housing First in Santa Cruz County.

• Building partnerships locally to expand and improve Housing First programs in Santa Cruz County.

Guest speakers include Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs, Y-Säätiö, a Finnish nongovernmental organization that boast 19,000 apartments for homeless individuals; and Cheryl Winter, MPH, LICSW, associate director of Corporation of Supportive Housing, who over 12 years has worked with hundreds of housing and homeless service providers to navigate Medicaid/Medi-Cal contracts, billing, and service delivery.

She also has worked with data analyses targeting high users of crisis health systems.

To RSVP, see https://housingforhealthpartnership.org/GetInvolved/Events.aspx

Saturday October 19

RAÍCES Y CARIÑO MILK DRIVE

1-3 p.m., 1205 Freedom Blvd, #3B, Watsonville Raíces y Cariño, a safe space for the community to gather and raise their children together, will host a 2-Year Birthday Party at 1205 Freedom Blvd, #3B.

The mission: Connecting diverse families, educators, and organizations to create cross-cultural connections and well-being for the whole family.

Raíces y Cariño has an important partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank Californi, hosting a human milk collection site —the only one in the area, next closest in Fairfield. This initiative is a vital step forward in supporting families and babies in need.

Nursing parents are encouraged to donate their human milk to help fragile infants in need.

A resource fair will provide an opportunity for partners to connect with each other and the families we serve.

BEYOND THE FANTASY

7:30 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz Teton Gravity Research brings its latest ski and snowboard film, Beyond the Fantasy, to the Rio Theatre. Beyond the Fantasy is a testament to the power of turning dreams into reality. Witness athletes as they transform improbable mental images into breathtaking feats of athleticism and creativity.

From the world’s most stunning mountain landscapes to the joyous absurdities that make riding on snow a way of life, this film is full of adrenaline-pumping action.

For ticket, $20 for adults, visit riotheatre.com, or www. tetongravityresearch.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

OPEN STUDIOS: LAST WEEKEND

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The final weekend of the 39th annual Open Studios Art Tour, presented by Arts Council Santa Cruz County, features all of the more than 100 studios and more than 250 artists across the county.

Open Studios Art Tour is a program of Arts Council Santa Cruz County, which awards grants to artists and arts organizations, offers arts education programs serving more than 18,000 youth, and community initiatives such as Open Studios, the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, and the Watsonville Center for the Arts. Learn more at artscouncilsc.org • Art by Ingrid Marianne of Aptos

Saturday October 19

Sunday October 20

WOMEN ON WAVES

7 a.m., Capitola Beach

Welcome to the Women on Waves contest!

This amateur longboard surfing event presented by Ola Chica takes place at Capitola Beach. Surfing begins at 7 a.m. each day. An open water swim is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday.

This year’s theme is “I Sea You!” Support. Encourage. Admire.

I SEA YOU is about women and girls coming together, supporting, uplifting, cheering, and learning from each other while sharing the same purpose and passion. Our purpose: To continue building a beautiful community of people in love with the ocean. Our passion: Waves, waves, and more waves … and people from all walks of life who ride them.

The contest is nearly sold out in the 11 categories for surfers but spots are open for swimmers. See www.womenonwavessurfcontest.com/surf-contest-info

Sunday October 20

FOOD AS MEDICINE – SANTA CRUZ

8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., Santa Cruz Food As Medicine is an in-person (and virtual) conference bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and experts to delve into the transformative power of plant-based diets, will take place.

Organizer Wendy Gabbe Day says attendees will explore the latest scientific findings on plant-based nutrition, the

effects of diet on chronic disease prevention and control, and how to design an optimum plant-based diet for patients and clients in a clinical setting. Presenters are healthcare providers who are experts in the use of food as a tool for healing. Speakers include Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Columbus Batiste, and many others. The event includes networking, a resource fair, a whole food plant-based lunch, and a culinary medicine demonstration. Lunch and snacks will be low in salt, and free of added sugars and oil

This conference is designed for healthcare professionals, but others with strong interests in nutrition and health are welcome to attend.

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).

The Commission on Dietetic Registration has approved 7.25 CPEU hours for dietitians.

The fee is $249; for students, $99. Register at: foodasmedicinesantacruz.org.

Photos (from left): Drs. Columbus Batiste, Elise Atkins, Maria Jose

Monday October 21

SUPERVISOR CANDIDATES FORUM

6 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St. The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and Santa Cruz Voice will host a Candidates Forum for Watsonville City Council and Santa Cruz Supervisor Second District at the Watsonville Civic Plaza. “Calendar” page 31

Hummel, MIchael Klaper, Rak Jotwani

Magi Graziano

Increasing High-Speed Internet Access

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Over the last few years, the County has worked to improve broadband internet accessibility, reliability, and affordability. Many in our community still have have limited access to reliable (and affordable) high-speed internet — particularly in some of the more rural parts of our county.

Through state and federal funding sources, the County recently developed the Broadband Master Plan (showing gaps and opportunities for broadband deployment), and I brought forward an item to use $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan, which was awarded to Cruzio, that ended up expanding services to 3,000 households throughout the hard-to-serve sections of the county.

Additionally, the County has been active in pursuing federal and state broadband grants, including $10.3 million from the CPUC for last-mile fiber expansion and $5.7 million for Cruzio’s middle-mile and lastmile projects.

However, recent reductions in the state’s middle-mile fiber network plans (due to state budget cuts) have raised concerns about the future of broadband expansion in our county, especially in underserved areas.

Grant Activity

The Federal Funding Account (FFA) managed by the California Public Utilities Commission is designed to distribute and oversee federal funds for utility-related projects in California. Under FFA allocation for Broadband expansion, the County of Santa Cruz was allocated $10.3 million that could be applied to the installation of last-mile fiber or cable broadband in the county.

The County reached out to all the regional internet service providers to encourage providers to focus on several underserved /non-served areas as defined by the grant requirements — and outlined in the Broadband Master Plan work the County recently performed.

amount of $4.4 million serving an estimated population of 1,423 unserved individuals.

In addition to this funding bucket, The California Advanced Services Fund is a program that helps provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas in California, working to reduce the digital divide. It funds infrastructure projects that improve broadband services in communities lacking adequate internet access. The program operates as a grant program that is open to internet service providers to apply for funding to support these broadband expansion projects.

In February, the CPUC awarded Cruzio $5.7 million for the Equal Access Summit to the Sea which will deploy a fixed wireless middle-mile and last mile to 749 unserved locations in our region (this funding is not limited to Santa Cruz County).

In June, the CPUC awarded Surfnet $10 million to construct last mile broadband to some unserved locations in our county including fiber construction along Empire Grade into San Lorenzo Valley.

State Funding Challenges

In July 2021, Governor Newson signed SB156 to create an open-access middlemile network that will provide a backbone for last-mile high-speed broadband service to households, businesses, and anchor institutions.

The original plan for middle-mile in Santa Cruz County was to be constructed along Highways 9, 17, and Highway 1 from Davenport to the Santa Cruz/Monterey County border.

In July 2024, the Middle Mile Advisory Committee (citing State budget challenges), removed over 2,000 miles of middle mile fiber from the original 10,000 and Santa Cruz County’s allotment was reduced from 66 miles to only 9 miles.

have an open access middle-mile fiber network that can be used by any vendor for providing internet access either through the CPUC grants (FFA and CASF) or the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant (BEAD).

The area surrounding the Highway 9 corridor contains areas of unserved and underserved for broadband accessibility due to geographic constraints along with areas where only a single broadband provider is available.

Loss of the middle-mile constrains the ability of providers to use BEAD funding to reach unserved populations as well as create a competitive environment for residents seeking broadband connectivity.

Broadband Equity Access & Deployment

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a federal initiative aimed at enhancing broadband infrastructure, with a particular focus on underserved areas.

Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the BEAD Program provides significant resources to states to expand highspeed internet access.

California has been allocated approximately $1.86 billion from the BEAD program, which will be distributed by the CPUC.

Surfnet, a regional provider, applied for an FFA grant and has been approved for fiber construction in the Hutchenson, Mount Backe and Radonich areas for a total grant

The current construction plan includes a small area near the summit on Route 17 and a small section from Watsonville on Highway 1 to the Monterey border.

The impact of the request on broadband expansion is that the Highway 9 and Highway 1 near Davenport will no longer

The Board of Supervisors, along with regional partners including the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership have been advocating to State elected officials, the Middle Mile Advisory Committee and the California Department of Technology to reconsider the decision.

At this juncture, unless additional funding is allocated, it is unlikely that the project deletions will be restored.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration approves the final map of non-served and unserved locations — which helps dictate the distribution of this funding.

The County, along with local community-based organizations and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, engaged with local residents to learn about underserved and unserved areas in our community (based on speeds and coverage in general).

“Public Internet” page 31

We provide local –News ... Sports ... Current Events ... because it matters to you!

SCCAS Featured Pet

A Cat for All Seasons

Meet our Pet of the Week Chrissy (A#313738). Chrissie came to the Shelter via a good Samaritan that took her in for a few months but could not keep her long term as there were already a lot of cats in their care.

Chrissie was outdoors during the day in her previous home and then came in at night. Throughout the day, she also had access to the indoors. Due to this history, a home with access to indoor/outdoor may be appropriate after a period of acclimation.

Chrissie was litterbox trained in her previous home. She has been around children around 16 years old and was described as friendly. She loves to play with toy balls.

If you are looking for a steady sidekick, Chrissy is your girl! Now through Oct. 31, we are having a “Spooky Low Adoption Fees” promotion. All cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies will have a reduced adoption fee of $31, while small animals will have a fee of $13. No tricks, all treats! 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. All adoptions are first come, first served.

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

“Public Internet” from page 30

The goal is to ensure that these areas are included in the final map and ultimately we will learn in November what the approved final map is with the grant process to be announced in early 2025.

For Santa Cruz County, the areas of unserved and non-served are primarily located in the rural and mountain areas of the County,

“Calendar” from page 29

Candidates will be asked where they stand on important issues by moderator Michael Olson of Santa Cruz Voice. The forum will be aired live on www.SantaCruzVoice. com. For information, visit www.pajarovalleychamber. com

Parking lot entrance is on Rodriguez Street on the sixth level of the parking structure.

COLLEGE AND CAREER FAMILY NIGHT

6–8 p.m., Cabrillo College gym, Building 1100, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos

Cabrillo College hosts College and Career Family Night, which is a chance to meet more than 45 university representatives from numerous public, private, and out-of-state colleges and universities in the gym. No high heeled shoes are allowed on the gym floor.

It is also an opportunity to learn about Cabrillo College’s degrees and programs, attend workshops offered in English and Spanish on financial aid, dual enrollment, transfer pathways.

Workshops start at 6:15 p.m. and will be repeated twice.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is free.

Saturday October 26

BOARDWALK CHILI COOKOFF

10 a.m.- after 4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Registration for the Boardwalk Chili Cookoff ends Oct. 18. Enjoy a day at the beach while cookin’ up a pot of your best chili!

• Amateur and professional divisions

• Fun atmosphere and camaraderie

• Over $3,000 in cash and prizes

• Two free ride wristbands and event T-shirts per team

Tasting Kits are $15 each and include 8 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot.

Buy your tasting kit(s) at any ticket booth, starting at 10 a.m.

Tasting begins at 1 p.m. and winners are announced at 4 p.m. at the Pirate Ship Stage.

WOMENCARE’S STRIKE OUT AGAINST CANCER

1 p.m., Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz WomenCare’s 28th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer Bowling Benefit will take place at Boardwalk Bowl.

where geographic constraints have made broadband expansion expensive in the past. The County is working to ensure these areas are prioritized as part of this funding and have submitted information for that consideration. n As always, if you have any questions about these efforts or any other matters in our district, please don’t hesitate to call me at 454-2200. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media as well at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend.

VOLKSMARCH

10 a.m. | 11 a.m. start, Aran Gulch Park, 101 Mentel Ave, Santa Cruz Volksmarch (people’s march) is a non-competitive walk, either a 3-mile or a 6-mile distance walk in nature. The goal is fun, friendship, and fitness. Everybody’s welcome! The 6-mile starts at 10 a.m. and the 3-mile starts at 11 a.m., all at Aran Gulch Park. Meet at the corner of Mentel Avenue and Agnes Street.

Entrance fee is $25, includes the walk, one Beer Stein with beer + brat or a T-shirt + Brat at VFW Post 7263, 2259 7th Ave, at noon.

Pretzels and root beer for kids. Kids under 10 free. Kids 11-17, $10.

There will be music, beer, cider, non-alcoholic drinks, and bratwurst!

Saturday November 2

HOT RODS AT THE BEACH

All Day, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk parking lot, 400 Beach St. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk parking lot will be full of classic cars for the 26th Annual Hot Rods at the Beach, rain or shine.

All proceeds go to scholarships for local high school students who are heading towards careers in the automotive/ restoration industries. The show is connected with the nonprofit Santa Cruz Police Officers Association # 77-0509499, which collects the registration fees.

No judging, just come, show off your car and have fun. If you want to park with your club and/or friend you must be pre-registered and arrive together at the gate. Registration is $60 and non-refundable at https://www. hotrodsatthebeach.com/online-registration

No Pop-Up tents in show area and absolutely no gas or charcoal barbeques. Confirmation will be mailed to you with additional information.

For information call Margaret Trowbridge (831) 566-8763, Lisa Pisanis (831) 234-0007 or Bettie Burton (831) 818-0579.

Friday November 8

2024 STATE OF THE REGION

9 a.m.–5 p.m., CSU Monterey Bay University Center, 4314 6th Ave., Seaside

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership presents the 2024 Annual State of the Region event at the CSU Monterey Bay University Center.

Statepoint Media

Sessions are 1-2:15 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.

Or organize a virtual team.

Each team is asked to raise $500.

Organizers hope this will be the most successful yet! The team with the highest donation total will win a fabulous prize basket that includes gift certificates for each team player from a variety of local businesses.

Additional prizes will be awarded for the highest scores at each session, the highest score overall, and to the individual player with the highest donation total. There are even prizes for best team costumes.

Raffle prizes will be given away during each session. Each bowler receives one raffle ticket when signing in. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased.

This year’s event will feature topics aimed at driving regional economic recovery and development, exploring strategies for ensuring good jobs, housing for all, reducing the digital divide, and examining the impact of local, state, and federal policies and legislation on our region.

Speakers include: Dilawar Syed, deputy administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, Bulbul Gupta, president & CEO of Pacific Community Ventures, and Steven Packer, MD, president and CEO of Montage Health. Tickets are $149 through Oct. 18 at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/2024-state-of-the-region-registration978827558577

Friday November 15

APTOS CHAMBER COMMUNITY AWARDS

5 – 9 p.m., Seascape Beach Resort, 1 Seascape Resort Dr, Aptos The annual Fall into Community Awards Dinner & Auction will take place at Seascape Beach Resort. Early-bird tickets are $125 per person until Oct. 21, then $150. RSVP at 831-688-1467 or email chamberaptos@gmail.com. n