Aptos Times: February 15, 2025

PVUSD Chief:

District Must Cut 100 Positions

Editor’s note : This letter was posted to the community on Feb. 9.

When I was selected for the Superintendent position, I made a commitment to the Board that my leadership rested on collaboration, transparency, and community.

I knew I was inheriting a specific set of challenges that would need to be addressed including the sunsetting of onetime dollars and declining enrollment.

The one guarantee I could provide to PVUSD was that every decision would be made with community input and with transparency.

The creation of the Sustainable Budget Team was an effort to:

1) Involve the community in the recommendation for the first reductions of programs, services and positions that were added with one-time dollars. ... continues on page 4

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Cabrillo President to Retire

After more than seven years of service to Cabrillo College, including landing funds to build the first on-campus student housing, President-Superintendent Matt Wetstein will retire Dec. 31. Full Story page 7

State Farm Wants Rate Hike by May 1 After LA Fires Full Story page 13

CZU Fire: Emotional

Aftermath

By Nicole Sallak Anderson

Yesterday, after a long day deep cleaning the rental in Capitola-by-the-sea, I made my way back home to Bonny Doon. Nearly two years after the fires that took everything we owned... Full Story page 10

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“PVUSD Budget Cuts” from page 1

2) Live-stream, record, and post all materials related to budget, decision making, and discussions of school finance so that any person inside or outside of the community could have access the decision making process at any time. I have not heard of a district committing to this level of transparency related to budget.

The “right-sizing” of positions is an annual process. This process, simply put, is the alignment of the number of students enrolled to the number of staff needed to teach the students.

The staffing ratio set in the Education Code and in our Collective Bargaining Agreement with the teachers union. The District will and must follow staffing ratios and class size. There are no plans to make any changes or adjustments to class sizes. Our current class sizes as per contract will remain the same for the next school year.

Resolutions to close positions are a legal requirement. Using advice of legal counsel, and in the utmost commitment to full transparency, we have brought forward the Exhibit in Open Session.

This Exhibit indicates each position recommended for reduction. Sharing the Exhibit in Open Session has not been a past practice. Sharing this in Open Session is further testimony to our commitment to transparency.

Friday, February 21

eKaren Phoenix Band

Debut Performance: Karen Phenix has performed alongside renowned performers such as the Doobie Brothers, Johnny Paycheck, David Frizzell and many more. e band she has put together has played for many, many shows including sold out performances of “ e Tribute to Patsy Cline” at the Capitola eater.

Friday Night 2/21/25 at MCSC, they will be playing country swing, R&B, some jazz, and some soft rock. Come dance with Karin Phoenix on guitar and vocals, Allen Douglas on piano and vocals, Paul Jones from Reno, Nevada on drums and vocals, and Woody Parker on saxophone.

7 – 9 p.m. • $10/ Person

SeniorMid-CountyCenter

To be clear, this list is inclusive of all known reductions anticipated in the 20252026 school year. This list includes both the reductions approved by the Board due to one-time funding and necessary reductions due to enrollment projections for the 20252026 school year:

• 19.75 classified positions

• 14 teacher retirements

• 39 unqualified (legal term meaning not credentialed and on temporary one-year contracts

• 7 teachers on temporary status

• 11 intern teachers

• 7.5 certificated administrators

As a point of comparison, the Resolution and Exhibit to close positions for the 20242025 school year included 60 certificated staff.

To further mitigate impact to staff, PVUSD will be asking for Board approval of a $10,000 retirement incentive.

Additionally, we will continue to work closely with our labor partners to negotiate the impacts of any reductions and have already calendared dates for this work.

Reductions are something no district ever wants to endure. However, we must ensure we are fiscal responsible and fiscally solvent so we can continue to make our own local decisions and support our students in

the way our community believes is best. The impacts of COVID were challenging, and recuperating from the influx of the funding districts received to mitigate those impacts has proven to be very difficult as well.

Declining enrollment also has an impact, and unfortunately for PVUSD and most districts in California, these two challenges are coming together at one time.

We will continue to provide as much information to you in an open and honest manner in the days and weeks ahead. Please know I am available to you for questions and concerns, as is the PVUSD staff.

There appears to be some misinformation in the community, and we want to be sure to keep everyone apprised of the facts as we move forward and we want to keep the focus on our students so they can continue to achieve in the best way possible using the means that are provided to us. n

— Dr. Heather Contreras, superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

COVER PHOTO: Aptos High students Chiara McKay, Grey Shingu, Mikayla Newcombe, and Jacob Semb in “The Importance of Being Earnest.” • Photo Credit: Stacy Aronovici

FAQ: Why Cuts? 600 Fewer Students & One-Time Funds Gone

Are the Certificated 80.8 FTE and Classified 19.75 FTE going to the board at the February 12 board meeting in addition to the reductions approved by the Board of Education last month?

At the Jan. 15 Board meeting, the Board of Education heard the recommendations from the Sustainable Budget Team (SBT) and approved a plan for reductions, with a focus on services and supports started or supported by one-time pandemic funding.

The SBT, made up of parents, community partners, labor partners, educators, principals and district office administrators met from September through December prior to making their collective recommendations.

The reductions from the plan approved by the Board of Education on Jan. 15 as a result of the SBT are included in the Resolutions and Exhibits for the Feb. 12 Board of Education meeting. Why are there additional positions on top of those approved by the board from the Sustainable Budget Team recommendations?

The “right-sizing” of positions is an annual process. This process, simply put, is the alignment of the number of students enrolled to the number of staff needed to teach the students.

From this school year, 2024-25, to 2025-26, the district is projecting a loss of approximately 600 students which will reduce the number of classrooms and teachers needed.

The staffing ratios are set in the Education Code and in our Collective

Bargaining Agreement with the teachers’ union.

The District will and must follow staffing ratios and class size. There are no plans to make any changes or adjustments to class sizes. Our current class sizes per contract will remain the same for the next school year.

Resolutions to close positions are a legal requirement.

To be clear, the 80.8 certificated positions and 19.75 classified positions are inclusive of all known reductions proposed for the 2025-2026 school year.

This list includes both the reductions approved by the Board due to one-time funding (35.5 positions) and necessary reductions due to enrollment projections for the 2025-2026 school year. Of the 80.8 positions, 7.5 positions are administrator (management) positions.

When evaluating certificated teacher reductions, the district first looks at seniority and credentialing.

Per CA Education Code the district is obligated to consider the following categories of non-permanent staffing listed below before making reductions to permanent staffing.

Additionally, the district has 14 known teacher retirements that are part of the 80.8 certificated number and will likely receive more retirements as part of the early retirement incentive program going in front of the Board for approval on February 12.

Battery Storage Lawsuit Alleges Negligence

On Feb. 6, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of local residents impacted by the Jan. 16, 2025, fire at the Moss Landing Lithium Battery Energy Storage System, which prompted evacuation of over 1,200 residents in Monterey County.

The fire at the plant—touted as the world’s largest lithium-ion battery energy storage sites—caused widespread concern over public safety, air and soil quality, and the adequacy of fire prevention measures.

The lawsuit alleges that the plant owner, Vistra Energy, along with Pacific Gas & Electric, LG Energy Solution, Moss Landing Power Co., Dynegy Operating Co., and other corporate entities, failed to implement adequate fire safety measures, including proper maintenance, thermal runaway prevention, and compliance with updated fire safety standards.

Renowned environmental advocate Erin Brockovich joined forces with Singleton Schreiber, a San Diego based law firm that has recovered more than $3 billion for clients over the past decade, to fight for accountability and justice on behalf of the affected community.

Brockovich, known for her decadeslong battle to build a case against PG&E

for groundwater contamination, is lending her expertise and voice to ensure that residents receive answers, medical monitoring, and compensation for the harm they have endured.

“This is yet another example of corporate negligence putting profits over people,” said Brockovich. “Time and again, we see companies cut corners on safety, only for communities to suffer the consequences.

We will not stand by while families breathe in toxic air and worry about the long-term health effects of this disaster. They deserve transparency, justice, and real protections.”

Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for evacuation expenses, emotional distress, property damage, and loss of income caused by the mandatory evacuations and subsequent disruptions.

“This fire is a wake-up call for the energy storage industry,” said lead attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber, “Communities living near these facilities deserve better safeguards, transparency,

and accountability. Energy sustainability should never come at the expense of public safety.”

Beyond the fire hazard, the incident also raises significant concerns about potential environmental and public health risks due to soil and air pollution.

Lithium-ion battery fires release a complex mix of toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, which can pose

serious respiratory and neurological risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Additionally, the fallout from combustion byproducts, including heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese, may have contaminated surrounding soil and water sources.

“Lawsuit” page 6

Erin Brockovich

509 Bay Avenue Front, Capitola, CA 95010

9099 Soquel Drive, Building 2, Aptos, CA 95003 (coming soon) SandcastleToys.com

• Students with a math path to complete through AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics

• Comprehensive science curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principles

• A minimum of 5 years of high school science for all graduates

• Coding class for 6th-7th grade students

• Technology, engineering and art (T.E.A.) for 8th-9th grade students

• A full series of 9th-11th grade engineering courses in addition to the traditional science cannon and marine science

Coastal Commission

Did Not Issue Permit For Lithium Plant

Did the California Coastal Commission grant a permit for the lithium battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing?

Coastal Commission Joshua Smith says, “The Coastal Commission didn’t approve that project. The permit was provided by the county.”

He’s referring to Monterey County. Smith provided additional information on obtaining permits to build in the state’s designated Coastal Zone . These projects are subject to the 1976 Coastal Act, the state law designed to ensure that new development doesn’t degrade sensitive habitats or impede public access to shorelines and beaches.

• A Coastal Development Permit, or CDP, is generally required to build housing or other types of development in the Coastal Zone. All projects must be consistent with the Coastal Act.

• City and county governments process about 75% of all CDP applications, including for most housing projects. The rest are submitted directly to the California Coastal Commission, which has authority over projects in most submerged or public tidelands, as well as in areas where local jurisdictions have declined their permitting authority.

• The Coastal Commission also hears

“Lawsuit” from page 5

Defendants knew they were using dangerous lithium-ion batteries, housing them in what they knew was the most dangerous way, and ignored the safety of the community for their own profit, the law firm alleges.

As a result of this disregard for public safety and catastrophic fire, they say, residents suffered nasal and eye irritation, difficulty breathing, headaches, nosebleeds, sore/scratchy throat, lung congestion, fatigue, runny nose/nasal drip, burning lungs, dizziness, shortness of breath, unexplained discharge of blood, sores, metal taste, inability to focus, unusual smells, lung irritation, skin irritation and more.

Those with respiratory disorders have seen these conditions exacerbated and many community members have sought medical expertise due to their symptoms.

The Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage plant has experienced multiple incidents since its commissioning, with overheating and fire-related issues occurring in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

appeals of locally approved CDPs, on average about 40 to 60 projects a year. However, not all permits in the Coastal Zone are appealable to the commission — only for projects located between the sea and the nearest public road (often Highway 1), or within 300 feet of a coastal bluff or 100 feet of a wetland.

• Claims that the Coastal Commission routinely blocks housing are unfounded. The agency has denied only two multifamily housing projects since 2021, both of which would have required the demolition of existing housing and added no new residential density.

• The Coastal Commission has never denied a 100% affordable housing project. The commission would like to do more to address housing costs, but unfortunately, in the 1980s, the state Legislature stripped the agency of its power to require deed-restricted affordable units in new projects.

• Nearly 90% of the Coastal Zone is regulated by a Local Coastal Program, land-use and implementation plans drafted by city and county governments. Local jurisdictions (not the Coastal Commission) use these documents to, among other things, set density and height limits in seaside communities. n

The latest fire demonstrates a failure to address systemic safety concerns, putting nearby residents at ongoing risk, according to the law firm.

The plaintiffs are calling for:

• A full investigation into the root causes of the fire.

• Industry-wide adoption of updated safety standards and fire prevention measures.

• Compensation for damages and disruptions caused by the incident. This lawsuit underscores the need for more stringent oversight of energy storage facilities as California and the nation transition to renewable energy solutions, as Singleton Schreiber put it. n

Singleton Schreiber is the largest fire litigation practice in the country, having represented over 26,000 victims of wildfire, most notably serving plaintiffs in litigation related to the 2025 Eaton Fire, 2023 Maui wildfires, the Colorado Marshall wildfire, the Washington Gray wildfire, the Texas Smokehouse Creek wildfire, and several California wildfires. Call 831-777-2040 for more info.

Cabrillo College President to Retire

After more than seven years of service to Cabrillo College, including landing funds to build the first on-campus student housing, President-Superintendent Matt Wetstein will retire Dec. 31.

• Leading a renaissance of public art on the College’s two campuses, by securing funding for murals, sculptures, and performing arts events.

“Cabrillo College is a special place in a vibrant region,” said Wetstein. “The faculty and staff at Cabrillo are amazing and have built a caring culture for our students. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time that I have served as its leader … I will always cherish the friendships I have made at Cabrillo and in the Santa Cruz County community.”

Wetstein leaves a 29-year career in public higher education and plans to move to Stockton where he and his wife Cindy have a home — and spend time traveling.

He shared his plans with the Cabrillo College Governing Board Monday night. The board will establish a committee to begin the search for his successor, aiming for the new leader to start in January 2026.

During his tenure, Wetstein contributed to both Cabrillo College and the Santa Cruz County community. Highlights include:

• Hiring full-time faculty to increase the College’s offerings in programs like welding, nursing, ethnic studies, and community health, and to expand mental health services for students

• Leading Cabrillo College and the establishment of emergency shelters during the 2020 CZU wildfires and the 2023 Pajaro flood.

• Leading the Ccllege through the Covid-19 pandemic, serving as incident commander in Cabrillo’s Emergency Operations Center, keeping students, faculty and staff safe, and navigating successful pivots to online instruction and back to in-person learning.

• Guiding the creation of and serving on Cabrillo’s Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force and Leadership Team, resulting in faculty and staff development, increased funding for community events, and the hiring of a bilingual marketing professional.

• Serving on a statewide task force related to college affordability, food, and housing needs that generated policy briefs that shaped basic needs legislation and funding for affordable housing.

• Providing direction for grants initiatives that brought more than $14 million in federal funding to the college.

• Helping the Cabrillo Foundation staff grow the College’s endowment by nearly $30 million.

• Serving as a tri-chair of the Central Coast K-16 Education Consortium, which infused $18 million in state funds into the region for economic recovery efforts in career pathways focused on health care and computer science & engineering.

• Advocating at the state level for changes to the “Student-Centered Funding Formula,” which creates inequitable perstudent funding rates across California’s community colleges.

• Leading the Governing Board and College through community learning and listening sessions related to a proposed name change for the College.

• Serving on nonprofit boards in Santa Cruz County, including: Agri-Culture, Santa Cruz County Business Council, Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz Symphony, Sutter Health/ Palo Alto Medical Foundation Advisory Board, and United Way Santa Cruz County, and serving as a member of the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club.

• Named Aptos Chamber of Commerce 2019 Man of the Year, and 2024 Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year.

• Working with state legislators and UC Santa Cruz to secure $111.7 million in state bond funding to launch the 624-bed Cabrillo College and UCSC affordable student housing project, which is on schedule for a groundbreaking in fall 2025.

“Guided by his commitment to the values of compassion, gratitude and humility, Matt has contributed so much to Cabrillo College and the surrounding community during his tenure here,” said Christina Cuevas, Cabrillo Governing Board chair. “We will miss him, but know that in his time at Cabrillo, he made the College and the community it serves, a much better place.”

Before Cabrillo, Wetstein spent six years as assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction and planning at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. He taught political science there and served as dean of planning and research.

He is a leader in the Research and Planning Community for California Community Colleges, having spent six years on the board of that organization and two years as president.

He is the co-author of three books on the Canadian Supreme Court, one book on abortion politics in the U.S., and has published more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles on judicial behavior, abortion politics, and community college student success. n

Matthew Wetstein

Cabrillo’s Black History Mural

To mark Black History Month, Cabrillo College and the Umoja Community hosted a ceremony Feb. 7 to unveil a mural in the cafeteria that celebrates Black history, culture, and the Santa Cruz region.

The nearly 30-foot mural was created by student artists of the fall 2024 Art 91 mural class, under the direction of guest artist and instructor Abi Mustapha who collaborated with art instructors Rebecca Ramos and Claire Thorson.

Participating students: Andre Albanese, Aya Avidov, Aidan Botticella, Sofia Chasey, Cat Conable, Jenny Dowd, Serika Drake, Sophie Dudley, Joel Froloff, Raymond Gallardo, Luke Johnson, Leo Lee-Yahng, Bailey Mills, Rey Olivas, Brook Picket, Serenity Ross, Nia Saleem, and Buddy Williams.

During the ceremony, students spoke about their creative process and the cultural and local inspiration for the imagery. People from the Santa Cruz County community are portrayed in the mural.

The design was created in a classroom

where students learned about local muralists, contemporary Black artists, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and other important moments in Black history — and gained insight from Black community members.

The mural highlights influential leaders and thinkers, well-known historical figures, some lesser-known activists, and some local changemakers in literature, politics, journalism, athletics, and the arts.

Subjects in the mural: Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Bessie Coleman, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Breonna Taylor, Audre Lorde, Barack Obama, John Lewis, Richard Mayhew. Justin Cummings, Micha Scott, Angela Y. Davis, Debra Hill-Allston, Don Williams, Marty Grimes, Chelsea Woody, Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin, Jacob Lawrence, and Ida B. Wells.

The Art 91 class, initiated and sponsored by Cabrillo College Umoja Community, an organization with a mission to uplift and inspire academic excellence and self-actualization for African American and other students.

The mural is on Building 900. n

Bay Federal Credit Union: New Branch Managers

Bay Federal Credit Union has announced the promotion of three key members of their company:

• Maribel Maldonado as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Salinas Branch

• Rachael Campos as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Aptos Branch

• Adrian Vargas as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the River Street Branch in Santa Cruz These appointments reflect Bay Federal’s commitment to fostering internal talent and supporting professional growth.

Maribel Maldonado led the Aptos Branch

for the past two years. A long-standing team member, she is recognized for her dedication to leadership development and driving positive outcomes for both staff and members.

Rachael Campos comes to Aptos after excelling as assistant manager at Bay Federal’s Member Service Center, delivering exceptional member service and operational efficiency.

Adrian Vargas was interim Branch Manager of River Street for the past two months. He showcased strong leadership and a collaborative approach that inspires team success. Previously he was lead financial services officer at Bay Federal’s Capitola Branch. n

Maribel Maldonado Rachael Campos

Adrian Vargas

Mural class guest artist and instructor Abi Mustapha (right) with students.

The Moss Landing Fire: Where Do We Go From Here?

The people of Moss Landing are experiencing what the people of Pajaro and Capitola have experienced before them. Three weeks after the catastrophic fire, news cameras and reporters are slipping away, they must deal with the aftermath while out of the spotlight.

This past weekend, I stopped to see Kim Solano at the Haute Enchilada Restaurant in Moss Landing. She — along with other local restaurants, shops, and bed and breakfasts — shut down when the highway was closed and the area evacuated. While reopened, they have not financially recovered, so please stop for a meal, buy something, or stay overnight.

Where do we go from here? I have asked for a complete, independent investigation. Scientific studies have come out piecemeal since the fire. The public deserves a complete investigation that is vetted in public. We need to know how the fire started, what can be done better in the future, and understand the public and ecological health impacts of the fire plume.

By Senator John Laird

The California Public Utilities Commission and the County of Monterey along with the relevant state public health agencies are pursuing these investigations.

In 2023, my Senate Bill 38 required safety plans for battery storage plants. It appears that both Vistra and PG&E did not submit these plans directly to Monterey County after the bill became law. They need to do this — and the County needs to advise the public of the adequacy of the plans.

The effects of a changing climate are here. Scientists point out that the intensity

of hurricanes and fires — such as the recent ones in Los Angeles — have increased due to the warming climate. The answer is to put less carbon in the air. Moving away from fossil fuels is key to doing that.

With the national government pulling out of the world blueprint for reducing carbon emissions, including the Paris Agreement, California must redouble our efforts toward the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045, as well the interim goals on the road to 2045 established by Senate Bill 1020 I authored in 2022.

Healing the heart. With heart.

We all have something that makes our hearts beat a little faster—a love for family, a fulfilling career, a favorite hobby. At Dominican Hospital, our cardiovascular team shares that passion, and we put it into caring for our patients every day. Our nationally recognized program offers advanced diagnostics, innovative treatment options and comprehensive rehabilitation services. From routine cardiac checkups to lifesaving procedures, we have the expertise and dedication to care for your heart—to help keep it beating strong for all the people and activities you love. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/DominicanHearts

As we move toward more wind and solar power, we are impacted during times when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

Battery storage allows for energy reliability — and less reliance on energy produced by fossil fuels — when it stores extra energy produced during windy, sunny times and returns energy to the grid at times when it’s dark and the wind isn’t blowing. Even with this storage, California continues to send solar power to Arizona’s grid, as we do not have enough battery storage to store it here.

California battery storage produced 500 megawatts in 2019, growing to 13,300 megawatts now, with the goal of 52,000 megawatts by 2045. In September 2022, when the electrical grid was on the verge of a black out, battery storage put more energy online than Diablo Canyon’s nuclear power during a few key hours — and the power stayed on.

“Lithium Fire” page 17

CZU Fire: Emotional Aftermath

By Nicole Sallak Anderson

Yesterday, after a long day deep cleaning the rental in Capitola-by-the-sea, I made my way back home to Bonny Doon. Nearly two years after the fires that took everything we owned; we were finally returning to the land of our hearts.

As I got off the exit in Scotts Valley however, the sky turned a nasty gray, and the smell of smoke filled the air. This was NOT the fog I’d grown used to in Capitola. My stomach did a little twirl. At the stoplight, I texted my son who was already home in the Doon and asked him if it was smoky there. It wasn’t but he got on CalFire’s Twitter page and discovered there was a fire, just in the next town over.

Inhaling deeply, I caught another whiff of the smoke and continued up the hill, reminded yet again that what was once my refuge is now a place on the edge — dry, unbearably hot in the summer, and utterly vulnerable to fire, whether man-made or not.

On our first afternoon home, my husband and I sat under the umbrellas in the garden talking about how much was collapsing around us economically, socially, and environmentally.

He said it was his hope our land in Bonny Doon would be our place of refuge and safety, and I had to hide my tears. This place will never feel safe again, at least, it isn’t yet for me. I told him so. I can’t hide the emotions still swirling within me. He wasn’t there the night I evacuated. He didn’t see the flaming leaves, the ash falling from the sky. He didn’t usher the child and dogs out under a blanket of smoke so thick, I couldn’t see the driveway clearly. He didn’t see the glow of the goat’s eyes through the barn window as I left him behind to die. Going to bed after a day of unpacking boxes, I realized there’s much about the evacuation I haven’t processed and moving home has shaken up some memories I’ve tried to forget.

I love this land, but my homecoming isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Of course, there’s the work of moving out of one place and into a new home, plus furnishing everything and getting insurance to pay. That part is always hard, and as I leave my second rental in less than two years, I feel for the renters who must do so on a regular basis. I’m grateful for the two homes that have sheltered me since I lost the house that burned, they’ve taught me so much about shelter and its purpose both physically and emotionally. One of the greatest blessings of Homeowner’s Insurance is what’s called the Loss of Use, or LOU, part of the policy. Knowing you’ll have a place to rest your head while trying to figure out your life after a total loss is the difference between being

a climate refugee and a climate survivor. It keeps people in the community as they navigate the minute details of rebuilding. In our case, it allowed us to live in two quite different towns, both of which I’d loved to visit before the fire. The first was Los Gatos, a quaint little Silicon Valley outpost inland from Santa Cruz. There, we lived in a house built before cars with a little red door, just steps from the downtown area. I allowed the fine food and fashion of Los Gatos to soothe my spirit as I began my recovery process. About halfway through that rental, I got the idea that our next home should be back in the Santa Cruz area and close to the ocean. I began looking into beach rentals and found the perfect spot near Capitola Village. While the food and fashion here aren’t as noteworthy, the sea is what made this the perfect second landing place. Our little blue house, also with a red door, was walking distance to the beach and every day I walked my dogs along the cliffs, sand, and the creek; allowing the water to heal my fire-fried soul. I felt my nervous system re-wire every time I set my eyes upon the undulating waves. There’s nothing that salt water can’t heal.

According to lore, a red door means “welcome.” In an old American tradition, if a family had a red front door, tired travelers knew the home was a welcoming place to rest and they would be able to spend the night there. A red door provides protection. This was true for both homes that have graciously housed us these past two years. I’ll never forget that first night in the Los Gatos home, having finally landed after hotels and sleeping at a friend’s house. My husband and I were there with our younger son, and while it totally sucked to have been in that situation, we all agreed the house was holding us. It wanted to care for us in our time of need. The beach house has been the same, only this time it was our older son who lived here with us. He thinks that deciding to live in Capitola this past year was my best idea in a decade (his words, not mine).

After two years of planning and replanning and tons of work, we’re finally home in the Doon, and on the one hand, I feel a great relief. Both rental homes have been lovely, but about a month ago it dawned on me that I’ve felt on vacation the past two years, and I just wanted to return to my bed under the trees. However, I’m not going home to the bed under the trees that I long for. For one thing, the trees are gone and it’s now so hot you can’t do anything in the afternoon but try to stay cool in the tiny homes while blasting the mini-split AC.

However, it is my bed and I love the tiny home village we’ve created. Sure, there

are some annoyances, but I’ll save that for another essay. Overall, these homes are nicer than the one we lost, and I like the plan we have. I love my comfy bed and I’m grateful for my own home again. Keeping someone else’s furniture clean when you own a bulldog is a pain in the ass and my style never matched the cheap hotel look of the rental furniture of the first house, nor the cheesy nautical thing the beach house had going for it. More than anything, I look forward to planting an apiary, orchards, and a vineyard with my newly retired husband.

Yet…

Returning home after an eco-disaster isn’t all joy, at least not for me. The busyness of the past two years, combined with the adorable red-doored houses that have cared for me, has allowed me to ignore deep grief and pain that only upon living on the land again can I truly feel, for now, I can’t escape it. My sleep has been restless since the last tiny home arrived, and I’ve been fighting off a bout of shingles. My body is telling me something isn’t right. I’m prepared for everything we’ve built to burn again; nothing will be left on the mountain that is too precious to lose.

So, I’m not afraid of another fire, yet the smell of that smoke as I drove home yesterday, as well as the quiet, empty neighborhood, brings me back to the night we fled. Before that dark night, I’d always assumed CalFire would protect my house in a fire. That they wouldn’t let it burn. I’d also always assumed they’d evacuate us with plenty of warning. Neither assumption is true anymore, and that is unsettling.

My cousin and his family were at the 4th of July parade in Highland Park last week when a broken man-boy with a military grade weapon preyed upon the people of his hometown. My cousin managed to get his son and wife under a park bench and survived the attack, but they will never be the same. When I was chatting with him, I realized the work going forward isn’t to get over these traumatic events. Instead, the best we can do is learn how to still find joy while knowing a very horrible truth about the world. In his case, he knows first-hand the pain and fear of our societal collapse. He knows that nowhere is truly safe because America is not of sound mind. We’ve created a monster, both in our young men, and in our political body that refuses to act in the face of evil. My cousin knows this, and he can never forget it.

In my case, I know that the West is burning. There isn’t enough water for all who want to live under the golden California sun and while our tent cities grow our aquifers are drying up, and all it takes a spark for everything to go up in flames. I know my state will let neighborhoods burn, because they’re unprepared for this ecological collapse, and I can no longer trust they will get

me out in enough time. We’re not sure how long after we fled that our home burned, but my son claims that he would most certainly be dead had I not been there to get him out in the middle of the night. I was supposed to be out of town with my husband that fateful weekend, but instead stayed behind. He’s probably right, the chances were high that he’d have slept in until 2 pm the next day, and things were burning in the vicinity then. We both know this, and we can never forget it.

Coming home has me feeling like two people. One Nicole who is so happy and excited about the work she’s accomplished. She can’t wait to get her hands in the dirt and co-create with the land and her husband. Yet some other Nicole lives within me now as well, and she’s not sure about the whole thing. That part of me is still fleeing with her son in the middle of the night, scared and alone and leaving behind many precious things. With time, she will learn to find joy in the dirt, birdsong, the flowers, and the bees, right alongside of me.

I’ll know when she’s okay because my body will relax, and I won’t feel this constant churning in my stomach. The day will come, but it is not this day. This day, I’m grateful for the return and pleased with all the work we’ve done.

Yet, I’m letting myself finally process the loss, and more specifically the evacuation. That is the work for now and I have faith the land will teach me how to learn to find the balance between joy and loss. n

Editor’s note: This was written in July 2022.

The Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter St., Soquel, will host Nicole Sallak Anderson, author of a powerful memoir, Wildfire: Losing Everything, Gaining the World, from 10:3011:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, the third in the Meet the Author series.

In the 2020 CZU Lightning Fire, she lost her home, belongings, beloved pets, bees, trees, and the gardens that had been her sanctuary for 13 years. Part eco-disaster handbook and part climate refugee chronicles, the book is also a love story about a piece of land and a family rebuilding together from scratch.

Call 831-475-3326 or visit www.porterlibrary. org/upcoming-events for more info.

Nicole Sallak Anderson

United Way Taps Yvette Brooks as CEO

United Way of Santa Cruz County has a new chief executive officer: Yvette Brooks, the first Latina mayor of Capitola, who served six years on the Capitola City Council, headed the nonprofit Your Future is Our Business, and worked 15 years at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

She brings experience in community leadership, strategic vision, and a deep passion for making a difference.

“Stepping into this role as CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County is an incredible honor and a natural extension of my commitment to this community,” Brooks said.

“While stepping down from the City Council was not an easy decision, I am excited to embrace this new opportunity to serve the entire county. United Way’s mission to ignite

Pajaro

Oour community to give, advocate, and volunteer resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to dedicating my efforts to ensuring our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families achieve financial independence.”

United Way of Santa Cruz County is a nonprofit based in Capitola with a $5 million budget and about 23 employees with a focus on education, health, and financial stability advocating, volunteering, and giving to improve the lives of local residents, particularly youth, to thrive in school and life.

impactful programs like Jóvenes Sanos, Youth Action Network, and United 4 Youth to reach more underserved communities.

“Together with the United Way team, I look forward to building a healthier and more equitable future for Santa Cruz County, ensuring that every resident has access to the tools and resources they need to thrive,” she said.

with career opportunities and mentorships. Under her leadership, YFIOB hosted career panels, job expos, and fostered partnerships with local businesses to prepare students for fulfilling careers.

Brooks is the first Latina CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County. She succeeds Keisha Browder, the first Black in that role, departing after six years to become executive director of United Way Bay Area.

Brooks’ vision for United Way includes strengthening collaborations with local partners and expanding

At the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Brooks championed equitable access to education and resources for students. She spent three years leading Your Future Is Our Business, where she implemented work-based learning initiatives connecting Santa Cruz County students

Hajime Arnold, board chair for United Way of Santa Cruz County, said that Brooks’ “proven leadership abilities and deep roots in our community make her the ideal choice to lead our organization forward.”

He added, “The board and I look forward to working closely with Yvette to serve our community’s evolving needs.” n

Valley Unified School District Appoints Joy Flynn

n Jan. 31, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board voted to appoint Joy Flynn as trustee for Area I (Aptos-Corralitos), succeeding Kimberly De Serpa, who is now county supervisor.

In applying, Flynn said she is a trustee on the Second Harvest Food Bank board, vice chair of the Santa Cruz County Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a member of the Circle on Anti-Racism, Social and Economic Justice. She is a respiratory business specialist and a trustee with the Pacific Collegiate Charter School Board for almost three years.

She led the first peaceful action in the City of Santa Cruz after George Floyd, a Black man, was slain by a police officer, an action that received national attention, and her

activism led to changes by the Santa Cruz Police.

A founding member of the Santa Cruz County Black Coalition for Justice and Racial Equity, she worked with NAACP to bring the issue of health inequities in the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to the board of Supervisors, which led to a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. She’s on the advisory board of Black Health Initiative, recipient of the Officer Jim Howes service award and a Jefferson Award nominee.

As a young parent, she was president of the Bradley Elementary School Home and School Club.

Asked about PVUSD strengths Flynn cited the rich culture, resilience, strong community partnerships, community engagement and pride.

As for areas to improve, she listed creative budget solutions to address students’ needs, improved test scores, and board norms that empower respectful and productive conversations that are solutions oriented while embracing all perspectives.

She was one of two applicants. Nubia Padilla, an administrator with the Monterey County Office of Education, also applied but did not get the required four votes.

Flynn got votes from Misty Navarro, Olivia Flores, Jessica Carrasco, and Carol

to Board

Turley. Daniel Dodge Jr. voted no and Gabriel Medina abstained.

“Joy brings valuable experience and a forward-thinking approach to the Board,” said Dr. Heather Contreras, PVUSD superintendent. “Her ability to engage community stakeholders, collaborate with fellow board members, and think strategically will be an asset as we work toward providing a safe, enriching, and equitable education for all students.”

Olivia Flores, board president, echoed this enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Joy Flynn to the Board of Trustees. Her experience in education, commitment to community engagement, and advocacy for equitable educational opportunities will make her a strong addition to our team.” n

Yvette Brooks

Joy Flynn

State Farm Wants Rate Hike by May 1 After LA Fires

By Levi Sumagaysay, Cal Matters

Editor’s note This story was originally published Feb. 4 by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters at https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/.

State Farm, the largest insurer for California homeowners, this week asked the state to approve “emergency” rate increases for insurance policy holders, saying the recent Los Angeles County fires have imperiled its finances.

The company wants an average 22% increase for homeowners and 15% for renters to help provide “emergency” cash infusions as it attempts to pay out claims. State Farm said it would issue refunds if the requests it made last year — 30% for homeowners, 52% for renters and 36% for condominium owners — get approved and are lower than the interim rates.

The state’s Insurance Department is investigating the company’s financial situation.

In a letter dated Feb. 3, State Farm CEO Dan Krause and other executives wrote to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that

the company “needs your urgent assistance in the form of emergency interim approval of additional rate to help avert a dire situation for our customers and the insurance market in the state of California.”

State Farm has received more than 8,700 claims and paid more than $1 billion to its customers in the state as of Feb. 1, the executives said. “We know we will ultimately pay out significantly more, as these fires will collectively be the costliest in the history of the company,” they added.

The company has nearly 3 million policies in the state, including 1 million homeowner policies, the executives said. They mentioned that last year, credit-rating firm AM Best downgraded the credit rating for State Farm General, the California arm of the nationwide State Farm Group, because of its financial picture.

State Farm executives want the interim rates to be effective May 1, and referenced their pending rate requests from last year.

“Insurance Rates” page 17

• Depression

• Unblocking Creative Potential

Photo Credit: Alekz Londos

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

Happy February.

The Real Estate market is off and running full force! I have already put one buyer into a $979,000 town home; we offered full price the first day on the market and got it. And, I have four new listings coming on in March (Rio Del Mar home, Santa Cruz home, Santa Cruz condo, Aptos hills home — call for details).

APTOS SOLD (JANUARY)

Only 7 homes sold in January, and I represented the Seller on the high sale at 661 Meadow in Day Valley, Aptos. 4 bed/3bath/2754SF home on 1.8 acres sold for $2,575,000. 900 Clubhouse — 2 bed/2 bath/1572SF sold for $1,725,000, 800 Ranchitos Del Sol — 4 bed/2.5 bath/2064SF sold for $1,585,000, 2840 Wimbleton — 3 bed/2.5 bath/1768SF sold for $1,330,000, 120 Acacia Woods Court — 3 bed/2.5 bath/1678SF sold for $1,255,000, 404 Murray — 1 bed/1bath/936SF sold for $1,020,000 and 900 Bonita — 2 bed/1 bath/936SF sold for $680,000. Only 2 condos sold — 399 Sea Ridge #B — 2B/2BA/1216SF sold for $949,000 and 184 Seascape Ridge — 2B/2BA/1400SF sold for $905,000.

APTOS ACTIVE

As of 2/08/25, there are 36 homes for sale. 22 of these are New Listings in 2025, 14 are older listings with long days on market. Top 3 New: 10 Potbelly Beach — $5,750,000 (3/3/2036SF), 140 Zanzibar — $3,950,000 (3/3/2882SF), 168 Zanzibar $3,795,000 (4/3.5/3562SF). AVG List Price is $2,402,103, Median List Price is $2,096,750. New lists near the Median: 412 Ewell — $2,195,000 (4/2.5/2400), 439 Cliff — $1,998,500 (3/2/1426SF), 409 Townsend — $1,948,000 (4/2.5/2349SF). Lowest 3: 295 Mar Vista — $1,099,999 — (3/2/1133SF), 734 Loma Prieta — $990,000 (2/1/1288SF), 851 Burns — $899,000 (3/2.5/1284SF). There are 7 townhomes: 1083 Via Tornasol — $1,200,000, 300 Carrera Circle — $1,090,000, 443 Sailfish — $1,080,000, 270 Carrera Circle — $1,025,000, 2610 Phoebe Lane — $849,000, 113 Madeline #7 — $607,500, 6030 Soquel — $570,000. There are 5 condos: 2146 Penasquitas — $1,198,000, 240 Rio Del Mar #M — $1,300,000, 389 Sandalwood — $799,000, 2603 Willowbrook #21 — $783,995, 2607 Willowbrook #58 — $750,000.

MORTGAGE RATES

Unfortunately, the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.99% as of 2/05/25. Call, email, text anytime and Get Results With Ruth!

IB Student Art Exhibition

The IB Diploma showcase is an event that highlights student projects from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

IB Diploma seniors and juniors at Monte Vista Christian School taught by Darlene Sparks presented their art exhibition Feb. 7-14.

Students presenting their work:

Huai Wen (Ashley) Chang, Elizabeth McCuistion, Olivia Miller-Gil, Isabelle Montaigne, Karen Brown, Jayden Pham, Jana Bacero-Duncan, Nicolas Colaprete, Sophia Cortes, Jolie Donovan, Maia Kilinski, Kylie Brunelli, Tatiana Linares, Justin McCullick, Aidan McDaniel, Hailey Stansbury, and Carter Wright.

Photos by Kylie Brunelli

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

The theme of Elizabeth McCuistion’s art is hope.

Maren Brown’s theme for her art is beauty of anatomy.

Jana Bacero-Duncan stands with some of her art. Her portfolio is about humanity’s impact on the environment.

Aidan McDaniel’s art focuses on government propaganda.

Huai (Ashley) Wen Chang’s thread was self-conflict.

The beauty of cork, wood and laminates

Featuring Graber and Hunter Douglas Custom Draperies and Roman Shades!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Our Community Reads: Flight Behavior

EVENTS

Wednesday, Feb. 19 • 6:30 pm

On the Move: How Climate Change is Disrupting our Natural Habitats and Causing Unintended Migration

A discussion of factors causing displacement and population reduction of both marine and terrestrial creatures on the Central Coast.

Panelists are Catherine Courtier (PhD candidate, UC Davis and NOAA SWFSC) and Paige Kouba (PhD, UC Davis).

Moderater Lauren Hanneman, associate faculty, Cabrillo College Department of Environmental Studies.

“PVUSD Budget FAQ” from page 4

Live Oak Library Annex at Simpkins Family Swim Center — 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13813426

Saturday, Feb. 22 • 1 p.m.

Musing on Monarchs ~ Art Workshop Observe, draw, and write in this unique art experience, facilitated by artists and art educators Sharon Ferguson and Jo-Neal Graves. Your interest and love of the natural world are the only requirements.

Capitola Branch Library — 2005 Wharf Road Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/13813483

• 39 unqualified teachers (legal term meaning not credentialed and on temporary one-year contract)

• 7 teachers on temporary status

• 11 intern teachers

To further clarify, 35.5 positions of the total were reduced due to the loss of one-time funding as per the recommendations of the Sustainable Budget Team and Board approval on Jan. 15.

In comparison, last year’s Exhibit included 60 certificated staff.

Why is the district getting rid of the Math Director, Science Director, and VAPA Coordinator? Does that mean that we are cutting Math, Science, and VAPA instruction?

No, we are not getting rid of Math, Science, or VAPA instruction. Our Curriculum and Instruction Division is undergoing a reorganization. Currently, the division has a Director who oversees Language Arts, History, and Ethnic Studies.

This position is able to emphasize Literacy across the Humanities disciplines. When working with teachers, the position is also able to promote critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, preparing students for a more connected and informed world.

Establishing a STEAM Director in the reorganization of the division is crucial for guiding and integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math education, ensuring a balanced, innovative curriculum.

The position is able to foster interdisciplinary learning, support teacher development, and prepare students with skills needed for future careers in a rapidly evolving world. This position also elevates the duties and responsibilities held by the VAPA Coordinator position to a Director level.

Who will be able to support Math, Science, and VAPA teachers if you are getting rid of the Directors and Coordinator?

The Instructional Coaches in the Curriculum and Instruction division will continue to be able to support teaching staff on standards-based instruction and researchbased instructional practices.

Tuesday, March 4 • 6 pm Film: Flight of the Butterflies

The stunning cinematography of this Canadian film follows Monarch butterflies on their migration from Canada, across the U.S., to remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico, where they settle in the hundreds of millions.

Before the film, Martha Nitzberg, interpretive ranger at Natural Bridges State Beach, will share her expertise on the Monarchs of Santa Cruz. Art works from an Aptos High School student art competition, redesigning the Flight Behavior book cover, will be shown. Judges are staff members of Bookshop Santa Cruz and Two Birds Books.

Our Coaches, along with our STEAM Director and our Language Arts/History Director, are able to provide targeted guidance, professional development, and resources to Math, Science, and VAPA teachers, ensuring they continue to grow and effectively support student learning.

How will the district support GATE students if the VAPA/GATE Coordinator position goes away?

The following are best practices we will continue to support teaching staff with when working with our GATE-identified students.

These strategies can help ensure GATE students are both intellectually stimulated and supported in their social and emotional development.

1) Differentiated Instruction: Offer advanced content and allow for more complex tasks, such as project-based learning or independent research.

2) Flexible Grouping: Group students based on their strengths or interests to allow for collaborative learning and challenge.

3) Provide Choice: Give GATE students options in how they demonstrate their understanding, such as through presentations, written reports, or creative projects.

4) Encourage Critical Thinking: Provide opportunities for deep discussions, debates, and problem-solving activities that push students to think critically and creatively.

5) Foster Independence: Allow for selfdirected learning where GATE students can explore topics of personal interest at their own pace.

6) Social-Emotional Support: Recognize the emotional needs of GATE students by providing a balanced approach to challenge and support, addressing perfectionism or isolation tendencies that can arise.

7) Ongoing Assessment: Regularly assess students to monitor their progress and adjust learning plans, ensuring they continue to be challenged and engaged. I heard the district has a $60 million reserve? Why does the district have to make these cuts right now?

CA Education Code requires the Board of Education to review and approve a

Aptos Branch Library — 7695 Soquel Drive Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/13813578

Saturday, March 8 • 10:30 am

From Manzanita to Milkweed: Plants to Support Monarchs & Pollinators

Get to know the best native California flowering plants for your home garden. Learn how to source the plants and propagate some of them from seed. (Seeds will be shared, plus a list of resources.)

“OCR Events” page 27

multi-year budget projection that spans the current fiscal year plus two additional fiscal years.

In order to receive a ‘Positive Certification’ from the County Office of Education and the California Department of Education, school districts must show they can meet the minimum reserve for economic uncertainty in all three budget years from the unrestricted general fund. For PVUSD, the minimum reserve is 3% of total expenditures in the general fund.

At the 1st Interim budget period, the general fund projected an unrestricted ending fund balance of $56 million. However, several important factors need to be considered:

1) The district has seen the loss of 3,378 students, 18%, between 2013-14 through 2024-25.

According to projections from the CA Department of Finance, Santa Cruz County is expected to see a further enrollment decline of approximately 18% in the next decade.

Due to declining enrollment, the district will receive less Local Control Funding Formula revenue, which is the main “bread and butter” of schools. LCFF funding pays for the general education program, including general education teacher salaries.

In 2024-25, PVUSD will receive approximately $10 million less in LCFF funding than the prior year. These decreases will continue as enrollment and average daily attendance continues to decrease. At the same time, expenses continue to increase.

2) Due to the loss of LCFF revenue projected in the multi-year projection, the district is projecting to deficit spend $12.4 million in 2025-26 and $12 million in 2026-27.

Without course correction, this deficit spending will continue in each subsequent year and cannot be sustained.

3) The multi-year projections do not include any negotiated increases for any of the bargaining units.

The district has not settled for the current 2024-25 school year or any future years. Once these projected costs are included in the budget, the district will not meet the minimum reserve in 2027-28.

Due to the legal requirement to have a

multi-year projection that spans three years, the district will need to include the 2027-28 fiscal year for the first time in budget projections at the 2025-26 Proposed Budget period this coming June 2025.

If the district cannot meet the minimum reserve in all three years, the district will receive a ‘Qualified Certification’ next year.

4) The fund balance is not the same as the cash balance.

The fund balance includes accruals such as accounts receivables, which are receipts and revenues that are considered measurable and collectible within a certain time span.

Often the cash balance is lower than the fund balance. In 2024-25, the total expenditures projected from the general fund is over $386 million. The monthly payroll expenses alone are upwards of $24 million.

The district must maintain a cash balance in the bank to be able to maintain monthly payroll and expenses.

I also heard the district spends $40 million on consultants? Can we make reductions to consultants instead?

The district has been reviewing contracts and has started making reductions in 2023-24. The district will continue to reevaluate contracts as they expire or come to the end of the contract period.

The total 2024-25 unrestricted general fund expenditure budget is $40 million for the category called services and operating expenses.

This category is wide-ranging and encompasses standard operating costs such as utilities (PG&E, gas, water, garbage), insurance premiums, leases for buildings and portables, facility and vehicle repair costs, and legally mandated reporting and monitoring services such as independent third-party auditors and actuarial services — as well as services that directly support students and staff such as field trips, athletic costs such as referees, league fees and uniforms, all software and technology licenses, professional learning and development, special education agency hires, non-public school fees, parent engagement and school site council expenses, and much more. n

“Insurance Rates” from page 13

Also in their letter, they alluded to both their company’s financial position as well as the state insurance market’s ongoing struggles: “In addition to your other efforts, immediate approval of additional and appropriately supported rate… sends a strong message that the state is serious about reforming its insurance market and allowing insurers to collect sufficient premiums to protect Californians against the risk of loss to their homes.”

Lara’s plan to address insurance availability in the state took effect at the beginning of the year, just days before the L.A.-area fires.

It is widely expected to lead to significantly higher premium increases as the state allows insurers to include catastrophe modeling and the cost of reinsurance when setting their rates.

In response to State Farm’s new request, the department is scheduling a meeting of

“Lithium Fire” from page 9

Every energy source has had a disastrous incident — whether it’s Chernobyl with nuclear power, bird strikes with wind power and solar towers, or countless incidents with fossil fuel — including a several day fire in 2003 on the very Moss Landing site that just burned. We recall too the loss of lives in San Bruno due to a natural gas explosion, and of course the recent, alarming fires at Moss Landing related to battery storage.

The transition to safer battery storage was underway before the fire. The original facilities — like some of those at Moss Landing — included batteries housed indoors, use a more volatile configuration of lithium. Newer technology has changed to a less volatile mix with lithium — and with a different physical configuration of batteries in enclosed individual containers that have individual fire suppression systems, and are outside on separate cement slabs.

Think of your smart phone in 2019 and now. In such a short span of time, the smart phone of today performs far faster, with less energy. Similar advancements are being made with battery storage.

Current proposals for new battery storage facilities will utilize newer, much safer components. In Morro Bay for example, we need to consider the appropriateness of that proposed location, however the proposed technology would be newer, safer technology and not the configuration at Moss Landing.

75% of California’s battery storage uses newer, safer technology. 25% is the older technology, such as what burned at Moss Landing. The state should have discussions about the 25% of battery storage facilities that use older technology. What do we do? Heightened inspection? Safety improvements? Phasing out over time? All of the above? If Vistra’s plant is rebuilt in

its rate-review experts, State Farm and Consumer Watchdog, which last year challenged the rate increases, insurance department spokesperson Gabriel Sanchez said. Department staff will then make an “urgent formal recommendation for action” to the commissioner, Sanchez said.

Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, said her group has repeatedly asked State Farm for more information about its finances, including why its parent company can’t “step in” and help its California business.

Consumer Watchdog last year accused State Farm General of redirecting profit by buying reinsurance from its parent company, an allegation on which the company would not comment.

“Insurance Commissioner Lara must require State Farm to prove it needs this staggering increase,” Balber said. n

There are no lithium safety standards in California. This is also an issue that extends beyond battery energy storage facilities and includes EV battery servicing, operation, and disposal. I am working with the California Professional Firefighters and IBEW/Electrical Workers on a possible bill to establish safety standards.

Moss Landing, it should be with newer, safer technology.

There are no lithium safety standards in California. This is also an issue that extends beyond battery energy storage facilities and includes EV battery servicing, operation, and disposal. I am working with the California Professional Firefighters and IBEW/Electrical Workers on a possible bill to establish safety standards.

In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission is considering an order about battery storage safety on March 13 — including monitoring whether facilities have complied with SB 38.

There are three major energy goals in California –move away from fossil fuels to a greener electrical grid, have safe, reliable, renewable energy sources, and keep the lights on. Our job in the coming months and years is to have the public at the table as we decide how to meet each of these goals without sacrificing any of them. It is a tall order. The future of our state and planet demands it, and the well-being of our communities deserves it. n

Senator John Laird represents California’s Central Coast, and is former Secretary for Natural Resources.

So Many Course Options at Aptos High

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

If you have ever been on the campus of Aptos High School, you understand the magic it has. The campus itself is over 88 acres with its own redwood grove and over five decades of community shared history.

Last month, we recreated that energy in an evening event known as Mariner Expo. We welcomed our incoming ninth grade families, anyone interested in transferring, and next year’s returning students. We hosted a presentation including our student leaders to share about academics, activities, athletics, arts, and assessments. In the main gym, our staff transformed the room into a hall filled with teachers excited to share about their content and why they teach.

From making robotics/drones to diving deeper into English literature, there were multiple dialogues among students, teachers, and parents. Students asked questions about Advanced Placement art class and the required projects, how anatomy class prepares students interested in medicine, and what is the difference between culinary arts 1 and 2.

We celebrate the many opportunities our students have in our school. In English, our students can select to be in the honors pathway. They also can choose ethnic studies literature. The state of California requires an ethnic studies class to graduate, and PVUSD was among the first to implement this requirement. Ethnic studies can be taken in the blended courses of English, History, or art. In ES literature, students read and analyze both fiction and nonfiction about historical and current events with a lens on ethnicity, race, nationality, and culture. It aims to educate our students to be socially, politically, and economically conscious about their own connection as well as our community’s connection to local and global events in order to create empathy and foster social engagement.

In upper-level grades, our students can take AP language and AP literature. They also have the option to take the art of writing as seniors. This course includes fine-tuning college admission essays, conducting independent research, engaging in a “How to Live” unit and developing a reflective senior portfolio.

Our math classes include several options after Math 1 and Math 2. Students can take math 3 or math 3/precalculus. We also have precalculus, which is among the courses preparing students for college math along with AP calculus AB and BC. There are also statistics and AP statistics courses, as well as financial algebra. A math teacher or counselor can help a student navigate the math choices.

Grade 9 science students choose between biology or biotechnology. Biology includes many “hands-on” activities, including labs and projects to make science “real” in its application to our daily lives. Biotechnology aims to help improve our lives and the health of our planet by harnessing biological processes.

Students use an integrated approach to study biology while exploring how the content applies and connects to biotechnology. The options continue to grow as tenth graders take chemistry or applied chemistry and biotechnology. By their junior year, several more options are available including AP classes and honor courses: Marine biology, environmental science, anatomy and physiology, physics, biotech, physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering technology (land and sea; air and space)

Social studies offers a variety of courses starting in the tenth grade. Students can choose between AP human geography, world history, and world history ethnic studies. There are several AP options and additional ethnic studies courses: US history, US government, and economics.

Some of our classes are best experienced when you see them at their peak moment, like our recent production of two one-act versions with attitude: Anne of Green Gables and the Importance of Being Earnest.

I am honored to brag about our school and the talent inspired by our teachers, including our arts. Ms. Stacy Aronovici, who is a Mariner graduate, has been inspiring our theater students for decades. The cast included students who have been on the stage for years to students brand new to performing.

The mix of students and experience created a splendid blend of talent and escapism.

I got lost in the most recent production as I enjoyed two student-directed one acts. I almost forgot I was at our Aptos High School Performing Arts Center. Our high schoolers’ talent took me back to the great escape of being in San Francisco or New York for a play. If you missed the performance, be sure to mark your calendar for the spring production of Peter Pan and Wendy the last week of April.

We also have a talented choir with a history of students (this year included) who qualify and perform at the CCS level.

Ms. Jessalynn Levine, our choir director shared with Aptos Junior High School, leads the students through powerful and entertaining songs from local events to a competition this spring in Disneyland. Their music has filled the room when our superintendent has visited our school, as well as our Second Harvest fundraising event, Empty Bowls. They also performed holiday songs at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. The students gain confidence, build teamwork skills, and experience a variety of music.

We have courses to build tiny houses, master food and safety while preparing delicious culinary creations, grow your language skills whether it is Spanish for students who speak it or students who have not yet developed their language skills, design and make ceramics, imagine and create visual art projects, and so much more.

Our physical education courses also include options like yoga for second-year PE students!

More detailed information is available on our Aptos High School website, aptoshs. net. Search the counseling page and click on the content/subject links. Email or call us if you have additional questions about being a Mariner. n

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Aptos High School choir, directed by Jessalynn Levine, sings for Aptos Chamber of Commerce.

Lawsuit Over Cutting University Indirect Cost Rate

By Jondi Gumz

As part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Feb. 9 announced a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health claiming they will decimate funds for medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country.

The NIH is the primary source of federal funding for medical research in the United States.

In fiscal 2023, NIH spent $35 billion on close to 50,000 grants to 300,000+ researchers at more than 2,500 U.S. universities, medical schools and other research institutions. Of that total, $9 billion went to indirect costs, leaving $26 billion for research.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, the lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s attempt to unilaterally cut “indirect cost” reimbursements at every research institution in the country, including at the University of California and at California State University.

University research reimbursements average 27% to 28%, but the rate for UC campuses has been 54% to 60%, according to the university system, while Stanford’s rate was 54% and San Jose State’s rate was about 46%.

“These universities negotiated sweetheart deals with the NIH,” 60% with no documentation required, according to Vinay Prasad, M.D., who worked at NIH for three years and is now professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and medicine at UC San Francisco, studying cancer drugs. “It’s completely unaccountable… I think 20%-25% is reasonable.”

Trump, who campaigned on downsizing the federal government and cutting spending to get inflation under control, named Tesla’s Elon Musk to the Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the bureaucracy.

The NIH is the primary source of federal funding for medical research in the United States.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the NIH announced it would slash indirect cost rates to an across-the-board 15% rate, bringing them in line with the Gates Foundation, which caps indirect costs at 10% for higher education institutions, and the Rockefeller Foundation, which sets a 15% ceiling for colleges and universities.

He added, “Universities are bloated bureaucracies” with “redundant administrators,” contending that if the reimbursement rate were cut, universities would have to reduce paperwork and cut bureaucracy.

The coalition obtained a temporary restraining order Monday from U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley to keep the payments going and set a hearing for Feb. 21.

Reimbursements typically cover expenses to carry out clinical trials, like lab, faculty, infrastructure, and utility costs, clerical staff, IT support and cybersecurity, along with administrative managers and occasionally business-class travel.

The NIH wanted to make this cut effective next business day, Monday, Feb. 10, giving universities and institutions no time to plan for the enormous budget gaps.

Universities feared this could mean suspension of clinical trials, disruption of research programs, and staffing cuts.

NIH is the biggest funder of University of California research, which received more than $2.6 billion during the last academic year; that is more than half of the total research awards.

UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., said, “Cuts of this magnitude would deal a devastating blow to our country’s research and innovation enterprise, undermine our global competitiveness, and, if allowed to go forward, will ultimately delay or derail progress toward treatment and cures for many of the most serious diseases that plague us today.”

CSU spokesperson Jason Maymon said,“The NIH’s drastic reduction in reimbursement for previously agreed upon administrative costs will leave the CSU’s 23 universities with millions in unfunded expenses, jeopardizing critical research and support systems needed for program success.”

On Nov. 26, Trump nominated Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford University to be the next director of NIH but he has not been confirmed by the Senate.

“Reduced Research Funding” page 21

“The stakes are especially high here in California,” Bonta said. “Ours is a state known as a national and global leader in life-saving biomedical research, and I will not allow the Trump Administration to jeopardize the extraordinary work being done right now by scientists, scholars, medical professionals, and other workers.”

Public Accountability Needed on Vistra Lithium Battery Plant Fire

By Megan Thiele Strong

On Jan. 16, one of the world’s largest lithium battery storage plants, the Vistra Power Plant in Moss Landing, erupted in flames, leaving approximately 1,500 nearby residents with a decision: Do I stay or should I evacuate?

public in doubt about what is dangerous and what isn’t. Maybe the cancers that my dad and uncle died from were caused by exposure to harmful pesticides in their childhood, or maybe not. There’s no way to tell.

But there are a few things we do know.

Although authorities initially issued evacuation orders for the hundreds of people closest to the site out of concern over dangerous gases harming air quality, that concern soon abated. Four days after the fire, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it had conducted air quality monitoring near the power plant and that there was “no threat to public health throughout the incident.”

As someone living 16 miles away from the site whose 7-year-old attended school less than 20 miles from it, I wasn’t sure what to do. Were we actually safe like the EPA was now saying? Why then did I have a metallic taste in my mouth during the burn? Why did community members report sore throats, headaches and nosebleeds in the days since the fire?

And now, with scientists confirming increased toxic metals in the nearby soil — hundreds to a thousand times higher than previous measurements — I’m as unsure about the safety of the surrounding community as ever.

As a professor of environmental sociology, I know the confusion surrounding chemical pollution is not unusual. There’s a term for it: toxic uncertainty.

Coined by researchers Javier Auyero and Débora Alejandra Swistun in their 2012 book “Flammable,” toxic uncertainty is part of the double life of pollution; pollution exists in our air and bodies, and can also consume our thoughts.

Producers of toxic substances understand that it works in their favor to keep the

We know cancer diagnoses are rising in the U.S., especially in younger populations. While there are a host of suspected contributing factors, we also know living near industrial energy sites trends with higher risk of cancer. We also know other industries can cause similar health risks to neighboring communities, including agriculture and manufacturing. And, that not everyone shares in this health burden equally. Industry and its disasters disproportionately burden historically and strategically marginalized communities of color and those with less economic resources in part because locally unwanted land uses, such as industry sites, tend to be located nearest these populations.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Industry values profit, not people — which is why those of us concerned with our collective well-being must push our government leaders at all levels to integrate the precautionary principle into policymaking.

Part of customary international environmental law, the precautionary principle holds that those who design products should be responsible for guaranteeing their long-term safety to public health before they are put into production. Thus, the onus is on the originator of the product, rather than consumer protection agencies and time. And, if there is significant risk present, we choose safety over potential harm.

Yes, enforcing the precautionary principle would be difficult. The Environmental Protection Agency already allows and regulates toxic chemicals in our economy. Over 3 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released in 2022 in the

Coined by researchers Javier Auyero and Débora Alejandra Swistun in their 2012 book “Flammable,” toxic uncertainty is part of the double life of pollution; pollution exists in our air and bodies, and can also consume our thoughts.

United States; nearly 600 million pounds directly to the air. There are likely hazards of which we are not yet aware. And even though experts recommend more regulation of synthetic chemicals in our supply chain, we are rapidly integrating new technology under a Trump administration that promises to resist regulation and climate care.

It might seem improbable then that the precautionary principle could gain momentum at the federal level anytime soon. But as with much of the resistance to the harmful policies of the current administration, efforts are not only about fending off the immediate harms but laying the groundwork for the long term. That work can start at the local level. And at that level, there is reason to hope. In 2003, San Francisco adopted the precautionary principle into its municipal code. With that on the books, San Francisco became a case study in environmental strategy for other cities to learn from and emulate.

The Vistra power plant fire presents an opportunity. Too often more financially resourced communities protect local spaces, but they fail to think globally. In that shortsightedness, environmental risk is simply relocated.

The company that owns the Moss Landing power plant, Vistra Energy, has set up a $450,000 fund for evacuees and is offering $750 gift cards to anyone

who resides in the evacuation zone. Californians, through direct organizing and pressuring our elected officials, can choose to let the company know that handing out a gift card and a few hundred dollars to everyone is not a sufficient response.

Vistra could run tests on the nearby water, soil and agriculture, conduct a thorough analysis of what went wrong and let the public know what it found. The company could also inform the public of what it intends to do to prevent another fire.

In so doing, the public has an accountability plan to hold the company to, and other communities where battery energy storage systems are located or are being considered have a potential plan at their disposal.

We need to more accurately measure the impacts of potential industrial bad events and hopefully eliminate the threat of them — because zero is always the recommended number of power plant fires.

Megan Thiele Strong is a sociology professor at San Jose State University and a Public Voices Fellow at the OpEd Project. n

A version of this piece originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. (https://www. sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/vistrapower-plant-fire-climate-action-20149086.php).

Megan Thiele Strong

Photos Credit: Jana Bacero-Duncan

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let’s Look at Alcohol as a Fuel

What the recent Vistra fire really shows us is the need for decentralized energy production.

While they, PG&E and the PUC give us lip service about green energy, they take away incentives for rooftop solar, our safest, most reliable and arguably cheapest form of production widely available now, while promoting centralized energy banks that can make the 1% richer.

There is another even better, safer, less expensive, less toxic power source right in our own backyard. Dave Blume owns a farm, if we can help him keep it out of foreclosure RIGHT NOW, where he makes organic, 200 proof, pharmaceutical grade alcohol from molasses, agricultural waste, spoiled beer and more. He needs to be interviewed, promoted & supported NOW!

Making fuel-grade alcohol is a breeze for him and it is a sustainable, almost zeroemission energy source that will run in most any new fuel injected internal combustion engine with an oxygen sensor. My electrician has run his Prius on E85 from local gas stations continuously for at least 5 years. With ZERO MODIFICATIONS and ZERO ISSUES!

You’ve undoubtedly heard horrible things about alcohol production, emissions, engine performance and more. Guess what? This is all propaganda from the same oiligarchy that brought us global climate change and has been lying to us about what they knew since at least the 1970s. Recent reports now state they knew it in the ‘50s! Do you think they are going to tell us the truth about alcohol? Just like Rockefeller did when he got Prohibition passed?

Prohibition was not about stopping people from drinking alcohol. It was about making Rockefeller rich because he couldn’t compete with farmers & their stills who

“Reduced Research Funding” from page 19

Matthew Memoli, M.D., is acting director.

The attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s action violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

For example, the attorneys general argue that the action violates a directive Congress passed during President Trump’s first term to fend off his earlier proposal to drastically cut research reimbursements.

That statutory language, still in effect, prohibits the NIH from requiring categorial and indiscriminate changes to indirect cost reimbursements, according to Bonta. Most NIH-funding research occurs outside of federal government institutions such as both public and private universities and colleges. In California, this includes:

• The University of California: The UC system has 21 health professional sciences schools, five NCI-designated cancer centers, and six academic medical centers widely recognized as among the best in the nation, and they are international leaders in the education of health

were fueling many of the standard dual fuel Fords on the road then. This is all part of the Congressional Record. Look it up. While you still can.

Dave Blume wrote a book, Alcohol Can Be a Gas, with the foreword by Buckminster Fuller, where he tells us how to convert our old internal combustion engines and how to make our own alcohol, just as he has been doing since the oil embargo of the 1970s. Dave is for real.

Dave has been promoting decentralized, small-scale community stills for decades, but, as you can imagine, taking on Big Oil is a heavy load.

I urge you to contact him right away & find out the truth about how alcohol can literally save our world right now. Drop your biases at the door, as they’ve likely been planted by the biggest, most powerful liars the world has ever known and contact Dave now to put this green energy conversation on the right track, have your mind blown and save our planet, our economy and more.

I’ll make it easy for you. David Blume, Blume Distillation & Whiskey Hill Farms: 831-345-6716. Farmerdave@permaculture. com

We ignore Dave’s wisdom at our own, very real, peril.

— Ray Newkirk, Outside the Box Builders •••

E-Bikes & Cell Phones

Somethingthat was left out of the Feb. 2025 article on E-Bike issues is using cell phones while riding. I see this more times than I care to count.

I’m pretty sure it is illegal just like driving using one is. I watch the children riding these bikes and can’t help but wonder if they have any idea how bad they can be injured. It is not a matter of if but when.

— Thomas Mason,

Scotts Valley

professionals, in research that develops new cures and treatments, and in public service that provides healthcare for all Californians regardless of ability to pay. Federal funds are UC’s single most important source of support for its research, accounting for more than half of UC’s total research awards. In fiscal 2023, UC received more than $2 billion in NIH contract and grant funding.

• The California State University: The CSU system is the largest public university system in the United States and consists of 23 campuses. In the last audited year, CSU campuses received approximately $158 million in NIH funds.

In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta joined the attorneys general of: Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Mas sachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. n A copy of the lawsuit is at https://tinyurl. com/AGs-NIH-research-lawsuit.

2025 COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

coming soon online and throughout the county

COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Legal Clash on Betabel Road Roadside Attraction Would Help Kids with Cancer

On Feb. 3, California Attorney General Rob Bonta was granted intervention in a lawsuit challenging San Benito County’s approval of the Betabel roadside attraction, a proposed 108,425 square-foot project on 26 acres with a 125-room motel, restaurant, outdoor movie screen, gas station and convenience store and 500-seat outdoor event center, livestock corral and trails to be built within a116-acre tribal cultural landscape known as Juristac, which holds significant spiritual and historical value for the Amah Mutsun.

The goal of the roadside attraction is to honor the memory of Errol McDowell who died at 18 of brain cancer by generating revenues to be used 100% for funding research to cure childhood brain cancer, the number one cause of death by cancer in kids. He passed by the property every week on his way to treatment at UC San Francisco, and his parents bought the property, a junkyard with decrepit buildings before he died in 2018, and has spent more to clean it up.

In the lawsuit, Bonta filed a petition in intervention alleging the County’s approval of the project’s Environmental Impact Report violated the California Environmental Quality Act, including the requirement that the County consult with California Native American tribes and address impacts to tribal cultural resources that would be irreparably harmed by the project.

The Attorney General’s petition requests the court to order the County to withdraw its existing Final EIR, reopen tribal consultation under requirements added to CEQA by Assembly Bill 52, fully analyze the project’s impacts on tribal cultural resources, and consider feasible mitigation requested by the Tribe.

“Ensuring that California Native

American tribes are consulted about a project’s potential impacts to tribal cultural resources is crucial to support thriving tribal communities in the state,” said Bonta. “Project development and proper tribal consultation under the law are not mutually exclusive, and we’re committed to helping local governments find a sustainable path forward. At the California Department of Justice, we’re dedicated to elevating the voices of California’s tribal communities in asserting their rights under the law concerning their ancestral lands.”

CEQA includes important procedural requirements for public agencies to consult with tribes that are traditionally or culturally affiliated with a project site and analyze project impacts on tribal cultural resources during their environmental review process for a project.

The statute recognizes the expertise and knowledge of California Native

American tribes with regards to their tribal history, practices, and cultural resources, and upholds tribes’ rights to participate in and contribute their knowledge to CEQA’s environmental review process. Furthermore, CEQA requires that tribal consultation must be “meaningful and timely” so that tribal cultural resources can be identified, and culturally-appropriate mitigation and monitoring programs can be adopted by the lead agency.

Bonta contends San Benito County rushed through its tribal consultation process such that it did not sufficiently consider or address impacts to tribal cultural resources.

Several tribal cultural resources were not identified in the Draft EIR, according to Bonta, and thus the impacts on those resources were not adequately analyzed or disclosed, and mitigation for those impacts was not considered by the decision-makers or the public.

The petition alleges the County violated CEQA because it failed to:

• Analyze impacts to all tribal cultural resources in the Draft EIR and adopt mitigation specific to each of these resources in the Final EIR.

• Begin consultation with the Tribe within 30 days of their request for consultation, as directed by the statute.

• Consult on topics, such as recommended mitigation measures or significant impacts on tribal cultural resources, as requested by the Tribe and directed by the statute.

The Attorney General originally sought to intervene in this lawsuit in San

Benito County Superior Court in March 2023. But before the Court ruled on the Attorney General’s motion to intervene, it dismissed the lawsuit, finding that the Tribe and other petitioners in a related lawsuit had not met CEQA’s deadline for filing suit. The Tribe and other petitioners appealed that decision, and the Attorney General submitted an amicus brief in support of the appeal. The Sixth District Court of Appeal agreed with the Tribe and the Attorney General’s Office that the lawsuit was timely.

That decision sent the case back to the trial court and on Dec. 31, 2024, the Court vacated its prior dismissal, restarting the litigation. n

•••

Read the Environmental Impact Report at: www.sanbenitocountyca.gov/departments/ resource-management-agency/planning-and-landuse-division/betabel

Read about the project at: https://betabel project.com/

Several tribal cultural resources were not identified in the Draft EIR, according to [California Attorney General Rob] Bonta, and thus the impacts on those resources were not adequately analyzed or disclosed, and mitigation for those impacts was not considered by the decision-makers or the public.

Artwork representing plans for the Betabel Road Project.

Public Works Award for Pajaro Middle School

On Feb. 6, Pajaro Middle School received the Award of Merit for Emergency Disaster Preparedness from the American Public Works Association, Monterey Bay Chapter, recognizing the exceptional efforts to restore the school after damage caused by floods in March 2023.

Herlindo Fernandez, Pajaro Valley Unified School District director of maintenance and operations, and Sergio Ambriz, assistant director, received the award.

Also in attendance: Dr. Heather Contreras, superintendent, Olivia Flores, PVUSD board president, Jenny Im, chief business officer, and Andrea Willy, impact and resource development officer.

The project began in early February 2024 and focused on the comprehensive restoration and enhancement of Pajaro Middle School’s facilities, flooded when the Pajaro River breached its levee.

The initiative ensured that students returned to a revitalized campus six months later for the start of the 2024-2025 school year in August 2024.

“We are thrilled to receive the Award of Merit from the APWA,” said Contreras. “This recognition underscores the urgency placed on the project and our commitment to providing an inspiring learning environment for our students.”

County

The APWA Monterey Bay Chapter is an

Supervisors Reaffirm Support for LGBTQ+ Community

Led by Fifth District Supervisor Monica Martinez, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 28 to reaffirm the County’s commitment to protect women and the LGBTQ+ community amid harmful federal policies and proposals, and to direct the County Administrative Officer (CAO) to safeguard services and ensure timely responses.

The resolution directs the CAO “to work with County departments and community partners to identify opportunities and resources to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals and women continued access to the services they need to lead healthy, happy lives, free of fear of retaliation or discrimination” and to identify any state or federal policies that would interfere or jeopardize related funding.

The Board’s action comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending federal policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, which included protections for LGBTQ Americans.

“Given the current political climate, it is important that we reaffirm our

commitments to LGBTQ+ individuals and women,” said Martinez, who is s the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

“The ubiquitous, incessant homophobic, transphobic, anti-diversity, and antiautonomy narratives that are coming from our highest levels of government are taking a real toll on the health of our community.”

Acknowledging the County’s decades of formalized support for the wellbeing and health of the LGBTQ+ community and women, the resolution directs the CAO to bring recommended actions to the Board of Supervisors — including requesting a special meeting of the Board if necessary — to combat efforts that conflict with the County’s commitments.

“In a world where hate and prejudice are being emboldened, we need to do everything we can to stand together and protect those who are being attacked,” Martinez said. “This is our message to the community: You are welcome here, and we have your back.”

“Reaffirm Support” page 27

integral part of the larger APWA network in the public works industry.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pajaro community, students, families and staff, for their care and support throughout

this project,” added Fernandez. “Their collaboration has been instrumental in our efforts to enhance educational facilities and promote student success.” n

For more information see www.pvusd.net.

Monica Martinez

Booking.com Flight Booking Blunder! Can I Get Full Refund?

Story and Art By Christopher Elliott

When Deju Marshall booked a trip from Washington, D.C., to Banjul, Gambia, on Booking.com, she thought she had found a great deal. And it was a great deal — for Booking.com, which charged her for the wrong ticket and then kept her money.

Ah, another Booking.com blunder! But this one is extra frustrating, and it raises several important questions about the travel industry and how companies like Booking.com handle customer complaints.

• Can an online travel agency cancel your booking but keep your money?

• How can you get a full refund from a travel company when it only offers a partial refund?

• What are your rights as a consumer when a travel company makes a mistake with your booking?

But first things first. Let’s take a closer look at Marshall’s maddening story.

Your Booking Didn’t Go Through Marshall had spent $1,407 for her flights to Africa, But a day after making her reservation on Booking.com, she received some bad news:

Unfortunately, your Banjul flight booking didn’t go through. This could be for many reasons, but it’s usually due to an issue with the airline or the payment not going through.

If you were charged, we’ll issue a full refund of $1,407 immediately. Then, depending on your payment provider’s processing time, it usually takes 2-3 business days to appear in your account. To track your refund progress, go to your booking details.

If you still need a flight to Banjul, book again. **

So Marshall booked again. She found another flight to Gambia through Hopper. com.

But when the refund didn’t come through after two to three days, Marshall contacted Booking.com. A representative told her that contrary to the email she’d received, her first reservation was “active.”

How’s that? Booking.com claimed she had rebooked the same flight. But she had not.

“I was confused and frustrated,” Marshall said. “I had already booked another flight with Hopper.com, and now I was stuck with two bookings and no refund from Booking.com.”

Does she have to accept an $827 loss?

Not if I have anything to say about it.

Why do we always have to pay for their mistakes?

I’ve been advocating consumer cases my entire career, and Marshall’s case is not new. When a company makes a mistake, it often wants you to pay for it. And to get you to do that, it creates policies that benefit it — and that cost you.

As I reviewed the paper trail between Marshall and Booking. com, it struck me how insistent the company was that she had made a mistake. In fact, she was just following the company’s written instructions to book her ticket again.

What Booking.com didn’t say — but should have — is that its systems will try to run the card again. Our advocacy team has seen that many times, where a transaction doesn’t go through on the first attempt, but the online agency will keep trying until it does.

You have the right to the booking you made — not the booking your online agency claims you made. Important distinction, there.

***Can an online travel agency cancel your booking but keep your money?

Was Booking.com acting legally?

Marshall tried to contact Booking.com multiple times, but the company refused to refund her full amount. Instead, they offered her a partial refund of $580.

but not good enough. She should not have to pay for someone else’s mistake. But how do you get a company to give you a refund when it does something like this?

1) Keep a paper trail. The most important part of this exercise is keeping a record of all your interactions with the company. Do not call. You want to have everything in writing — the booking, the cancellation, the instructions for rebooking. Otherwise, it will be your word against the company’s. And you know who usually wins those.

2) Present your case to the company. Again, you want to keep everything in writing (which Marshall did, with the exception of a call or two). Contact the company in writing and appeal your partial refund. You should get a written response, which is important in case you have to file another appeal. 3) Escalate if necessary. And it might be. You’ll want to send your case — again, in writing — to one of the executive contacts I list on my site. Send them a brief, polite email asking to reconsider their decision. Or you can contact my advocacy team.

Strictly speaking, it can’t cancel your airline reservation and keep your money. But that’s not what happened here.

Booking.com says something went wrong with Marshall’s credit card payment. Sometimes, credit cards have fraud detection algorithms that will stop a payment. They almost certainly were triggered by a cus -

Booking.com should have told her to hold on while it tried to rectify the problem. It must have sent her the wrong notification. Technically, then, Marshall didn’t initiate the transaction that ended up going through — Booking.com did. A company representative claimed she reentered her credit card information to complete the booking, even though she hadn’t.

Bottom line: An online travel agency can’t just take your credit card and make a reservation without your explicit permission.

Booking.com messed up — big time. How can you get a full refund from a travel company when they only offer a partial refund?

A closer look at Marshall’s refund offer suggests Booking.com had canceled her first ticket and offered a refund of her taxes and fees. That’s better than nothing,

4) Go nuclear. Yep, I’m talking about filing a credit card dispute. Your credit card company can claw all the money back from the online agency, and then it’s “case closed.” (Here’s how to win a credit card dispute.)

What are your rights as a consumer when a travel company makes a mistake with your booking?

You have the right to the booking you made — not the booking your online agency claims you made. Important distinction, there.

If an online agency like Booking.com can’t deliver what it promised, you have a right to a full refund. And incidentally, under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your credit card company is required to return all of your money, and not just a portion of it, as Booking.com had offered to Marshall. What’s more, common sense tells you that this transaction is unfair. Despite having notified her that the transaction had not gone through, Booking.com’s system continued to try to clear the transaction and then pinned it on Marshall. When she asked for a refund, it only coughed up her taxes and fees, ensuring the company wouldn’t lose any money.

“Booking Blunder” page 26

tomer like Marshall trying to book a ticket to Gambia.

Why Do We Have Such Bad Inflation?

Look at Congressional Never-Ending

Spending

By Marc Cuniberti

For the last few months I have been detailing in various Money Matters articles how, in my opinion, no matter who was elected President, he or she would not be able to fulfill their promise of harnessing inflation. I have not altered my prognostication.

The reason we have such bad inflation is because of fiscal and monetary policy. Monetary policy simply means the amount of money created (printed) by those that control such things. In the case of the U.S. and indeed the entire civilized world, the central banks are responsible for printing up money. Here in the U.S, the central bank is the Federal Reserve (Fed).

Needless to say, all the central banks of the world find it an easy task to fire up the printing presses anytime the governments they are beholden to require more money to spend on whatever is they see fit to spend money on. Simply put, spending money makes everybody happy and keeps elected officials in office.

Eventually the inflation many warned about that would be caused by printing up gobs of new money caught fire driven by the tsunami of Covid cash. Now we find ourselves in quite the pickle. This is monetary inflation.

Although monetary policy is the actual creation of cash, the fiscal part of the equation is the spending of that money by government, along with tax policies, subsidies, tariffs, and other actions by government that distribute or redistribute where all that fresh cash ends up.

Although various actions and programs to address inflation by government have been implemented, most of those policies have actually been just more spending.

In my previous articles I have detailed that to address inflation, the powers that be must curtail spending, rein in credit and basically crush demand. That “crushing of demand” would essentially mean crushing the consumer.

Not casting a vote in either direction mind you, the first part of my previous discussions on why inflation won’t be harnessed come to fruition.

Simply put, many of the cuts proposed by DOGE and the new administration are already being challenged in court.

Ya, I get it. Cutting back on programs, subsidies, employees and the like is not going to be pleasant. There will be pain.

“Congressional Spending” page 26

A long time ago, most governments knew that printing up fresh money to helicopter drop on their constituents would eventually lead to inflation. ... Over time, those discussions went by the wayside and the printing presses were shifted into overdrive to address any and all

The 1960s

A long time ago, most governments knew that printing up fresh money to helicopter drop on their constituents would eventually lead to inflation. Being correct in their assumption, the conversations to keep money creation to a reasonable minimum were ongoing. Over time, those discussions went by the wayside and the printing presses were shifted into overdrive to address any and all economic and market upsets.

Corporate bailouts and consumer subsidies became the norm and the printing presses ran hog wild for decades.

Enter Covid and the subsequent shutdowns and a tsunami of new money was showered down upon the world to soften the blow.

Because crushing the consumer would result in massive economic pain on many fronts, my reasoning was whoever was in charge would not be able to accomplish enough cutbacks to make a serious dent in inflation.

Enter DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, the new advisory body tasked with essentially finding and eliminating government waste. Only in business a few weeks, the complaints and protests about proposed spending cuts are already on the rise.

Enter the pain part of the solving of inflation equation. Now comes the tug of war between those that want to cut, and those that don’t want to be cut.

28. *The Jackson 5 co-founder

Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 17. Affirmative to captain 18. Like a beaver?

19. *Che’s last name

*Stonewall riots location 23. Division of time

West African country

Refuse to comply

30. *Don ____ of Barney Fife fame 35. Soon, to a bard 37. Hyperbolic tangent 39. Sunlight’s interference 40. *Apollo Moon Landing org. 41. Operatic solos

43. Alexander Hamilton/ Aaron Burr incident

Deposit the ashes

Related to ear

Meat in a can

Transport onward, as in letter (2 words)

Not written

Pilot’s estimate, acr.

Ill-mannered one

Hawaiian welcome wreath 57. *Ford’s pony car

*Assassinated president

“____ death do us

Down Under runner

Hindu caste

Moonshine maker

*Spock’s was pointy

Comforter stuffing

Ruptured

Ground

Pisces, the World Savior & Not Quite of This World

“Booking Blunder” from page 24

In the western zodiac, the days from February 18th to March 20th, the Earth and her kingdoms (mineral, plant, animal, human) experience and are influenced by the light of Pisces, sign of compassion and the World Savior.

Whereas the task of Aquarius is the World Server, the task in Pisces is saviorship or saving the world. This is also the task of humanity, although the masses of humanity are not yet aware of this task. The suffering that humanity experiences is what cultivates this awareness. One begins with thoughts of Goodwill, which become Right Relationship, which then become hope, vision, love and peace.

Those born under Pisces Sun never fully enter matter. They remain within a very fine subtle etheric field of light. Here Pisces (water element) is joined by Gemini (air element), also living in the etheric plane. Pisces, the last zodiacal sign, includes all previous eleven signs. Pisces is like a gathering place of the zodiac, offering the gifts of each sign to Aries at springtime. Pisces (like Scorpio) can be thought of as challenging and difficult to understand. Pisces and Scorpio are both ruled by Pluto, planet of death and

ARIES

You become more intelligent, attractive and charming as the years unfold. And then you become needed as an initiator in the groups that build the new era. You carry often your heart on your sleeve, filled with unexpected feelings, desires and aspirations. Over time you cultivate diplomatic abilities and a keeping-the-peace aura. Things to do — involve yourself in art, theatre and dance, gather ancient artifacts and old music. Tend to self-care. Cooperate more.

TAURUS

You’re most likely in a state of deep contemplation, if not in retreat, seeking a new self-identity. You can be seen on walks in meadows, on farms, but not in crowds. Taurus is not very urbanized. A good thing. They are private, expressing love behind protective veils, in the quietude of work, gardens and homes. Venus is your intelligence calling you to a world in need. Taurus is either the singer or the one who cannot sing. Both express themselves in creative magical unseen ways.

GEMINI

You think about and envision hopes, dreams and wishes. Perhaps joining or forming a group of spiritual friends who share your same (esoteric) interests. This would make you happy (personality feelings) and joyful (Soul response). Venus, whose pale golden light protects you, assists in this endeavor. Venus is Earth’s elder sister and our God came from Venus. It would be good to make more contact with Venus. She waits patiently to hear your aspirations. A question — is there sadness?

CANCER

Cancers usually hide under a shell, but when they have friends, they nurture and nourish them. And so ... have you found new friends, perhaps one in particular? Do you realize you have qualities that are likable, knowledgeable, competent and practical? People welcome your presence. You have a kind and caring sense of authority and people listen when you speak. It’s good to pursue things artistic, herbal, medicinal, a garden of mints, bergamot and edible flowers.

By Risa D’Angeles

transformation. Both signs find life on Earth a hardship, disorienting, paradoxical and a struggle.

Each zodiacal sign exhibits a different level and phase of personality first, later unfolding the Soul light. Pisces, on the soul level, is the “Light of the world ending forever the darkness of matter.” It takes two fishes to complete this work (creating eventually one extraordinary human being). One fish faces the material world (in order to understand matter), the other faces the heavenly worlds. Around them is a silvery cord binding them (heaven and earth) together.

The two Pisces fishes are bound together until all of humanity is redeemed (lifted up to the soul light). This redeeming of humanity is the task of all World Saviors (Krishna, Buddha, Christ and eventually, humanity). This requires great sacrifice and suffering which is experienced by Pisces. Knowing these things about Pisces, understanding the task of Pisces, should we encounter Pisces in our lives, now we better understand them and can assist them. Their gratitude then becomes a blessing. n

LEO

Anything routine makes you feel caught and caged. You must be free at all times, able to write and speak, pursue travel, adventures, share new insights, new realities, and new waves of thought streaming through the ethers. Something evolutionary is occurring in the way you express yourself. Attractive before, now you’re magnetic and becoming more so, as you stand up for truth and independent thinking. Something you would never consider becomes a possibility. You release yourself from a limited reality.

VIRGO

Multiple realities and tasks, all connected to day-to-day endeavors all of a sudden appear! So much work to do, so little time each day although the light is increasing in moments as we move towards the green of spring. Something financial and resourceful comes forth. Sharing power becomes possible because you want to harmonize differences, soothe any chaos or conflict, become intimate in terms of spiritual understanding (also physical). If partnered, you realize the goodness of the other in the depth of your heart! It’s Valentines!

LIBRA

Venus, which is your guardian angel, the golden yellow star in the sky, provides you with the love needed and wisdom of how to be in a relationship. Libra learns in relationships how to develop the skill of being in a relationship. At some point you learn to love your partner with all your heart and soul. And now a new task - create deeper intimacy through praise and appreciation. This heals and brings forth unexpected gifts in the relationship. Be willing to compromise, adapt and make peace. If single apply these to friends and family. Everything and everyone becomes your relationship.

SCORPIO

You have a special task in the coming months. To begin to see, recognize, and have the intentions to create and anchor a true (inner and outer) harmony in all environments – in the home, the garden, the garage, the car, at work, with family and friends, in all realities. Organizing outer harmony will create an inner sense of joy and pleasure. Being successful now means being cooperative, instilling in everyone a team spirit, and having the willingness to understand and serve the needs of others. Try. Then try again.

SAGITTARIUS

You become more amiable, charming, playful and dramatic as the years unfold. Even your choice of music, playfulness, friends and food reflects this. Are children or young ones around? They will reflect this also, especially your deep and dramatic parts. Life outside ourselves always reflects our inner realities. Your self-expression subtly has entered a Venusian (soft, loving, romantic) phase of creativity. There’s so much to be happy, cheerful and joyful about. So much fun to have. So many dramatic situations to enter! So much love to share.

CAPRICORN

Your almost entire focus at this time, and for a while now, is the care and well-being of home and family. So many need your attention, often there can be an exhaustion as a result. In between time, in order to care for the self, you seek beauty, things traditional, of value, and colorful. Your home and all that you bring forth is peaceful, beautiful and colorful. You think about how to build a greenhouse to house and nurture your plants and feed your family. You are calm and serene. Home is your value, your holiness and your beauty.

AQUARIUS

Happy birthday to Aquarius, past, present, future. We find you talking a lot these days, making plans, being out and about in neighborhoods, possibly talking to gardeners and farmers or working with them to bring forth the necessary food for self, family, humanity. You love the farmers markets. You find many companions along the way who agree with your values, interests and there is an exchange of ideas that become ideals. All you do benefits humanity. Good work, star child.

PISCES

Happy Birthday to Pisces, too. You seek a level of contentment in your heart and mind. After days of conflict and chaos, understanding is needed, too. Wherever you are, you need to feel safe, secure and in the right place. If concerned about finances, security and the future, consider the buying and investing in gold and silver. Continue to offer yourself in service to others without thought of return or compensation. The North Node is in Pisces, which means the path for Pisces is appearing. On the path, more and more love is released which creates your present and future well-being.

Come on.

Will she get a full refund for this Booking.com blunder?

Marshall deserved to get every penny back for her Booking.com flight. She contacted my advocacy team, so I reached out to Booking.com and shared her case with the company.

“Our primary aim at Booking.com is to facilitate smooth and enjoyable travel experiences for all of our customers,” a Booking.com representative told me. “We’re very sorry about the delayed refund and the inconvenience this has caused. We can confirm that the customer has been refunded in full.”

Unfortunately, this doesn’t fully address Marshall’s problem. This wasn’t an issue of not having a “smooth and enjoyable” travel experience. She was on the hook for lots of money because of a Booking.com blunder.

Nor was it a problem with a delayed refund. It was, in fact, no refund. Booking. com had made a reservation against her wishes and then offered a refund of only the taxes and fees, which Booking.com would have gotten back from the airline. It performed an outrageous money grab, then gave the customer the runaround until they eventually gave up.

But true to its word to Elliott Advocacy, Booking.com refunded her in full.

“I got my full balance back,” Marshall said. “ I want to thank you so much for your help.”

You’re welcome. Let’s hope Booking. com fixes the next problem before I have to get involved again. 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 visit The Elliot Report at https://www.elliott.org or email him at chris@elliott.org.

“Congressional Spending” from page 25

But in my opinion, to harness the inflation we now have would be to take the proposed reductions and times that by 100. Don’t shoot the messenger. 50 years of economic study tells me there is no other way. But those same 50 years of being a human tells me it’s never going to happen.

Fret not half of you. The spending cuts are going to hurt, but they won’t hurt enough to slow the rate of inflation down significantly, let alone bring prices down.

To do that would take unimaginable cutbacks across many fronts.

And like I said, that is simply not going to be allowed to happen. n

Marc Cuniberti hosts a show, Money Matters, Fridays at 6 p.m. on

Student Learning at Elkhorn Slough

On a sunny day in January (prior to the fire at the Vistra lithium battery fire in Moss Landing), a group of Mount Madonna School students got in a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the important role that the Elkhorn Slough and the Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve play in the health of the Monterey Bay, the survival of seabirds and leatherback sea turtles.

Trailside and from wooden piers extending over slough waters, fifth and ninth grade students — “buddy” classes which periodically collaborate on science-related topics examined food webs — looked into the slough’s benthic life, engaged in water quality testing and learned about the broader ecosystem.

“The Elkhorn Slough field trip fits into our ninth grade biology curriculum as students study ecological principles — ecosystems, habitats, food webs, biomagnification, species relationships — and how it all fits into their lives right here where they live,” said science teacher Nicole Silva Culbertson.

“It brings to life the biology they have been learning in class. It is also a great opportunity for the ninth graders to become educators themselves, as they get to teach these concepts to the fifth graders, which enhances their own understanding.”

A highlight of the fifth grade experience at Mount Madonna School is a year-long, in-depth, cross-curricular project focusing on an environmental topic chosen by the students. This year, fifth graders have chosen endangered leatherback sea turtles.

“Students had a great microscope lab looking at invertebrates and plankton in a single drop of water,” said fifth grade teacher Jessica Cambell. “There was LOTS of life in the microscope lab and students were very engaged and surprised about how things appear magnified under a high-power microscope. Students also discovered in their single drop of water microfibers of plastic and even plankton eating the microfibers in one student’s scope!”

She added, “For fifth grade students, this all connects to learning about the health of the slough, as it determines the health of the ocean in general, and leatherback are a sensitive species drastically affected by the changing health of the oceans. In addition, many of the invertebrates that leatherbacks eat often originate in the slough as it is a ‘nursery’ habitat for many jelly fish. and other marine life.”

This field study included note taking, observation and even a brief opportunity to explore the reserve’s visitor center, however the learning highlight of the day was the macroinvertebrate lab where they could see in the microscope all of the organisms found in the slough water.

“The students yell in delight at everything they see and are often excitedly calling each other to their microscopes to see what they have found,” said Silva Culbertson. “It is a great way to bring the importance of our environment to life for the students.” n

Pajaro Valley Unified School District Regional Administrator Awards

Four Pajaro Valley Unified School District administrators have been honored as regional Administrators of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.

This prestigious recognition highlights their exceptional leadership and contributions to educational excellence.

The honorees are:

Heather Bailey Elementary Principal of the Year

Heather Bailey, principal at Radcliff Elementary, has created a dynamic a supportive learning environment, fostering academic growth and social-emotional development for students.

“Leading Radcliff Elementary has been one of the greatest privileges of Career,” she said. “Every day, I am inspired by the passion and resilience of our students and the collective commitment of our staff to create a learning environment where excellence and inclusivity thrive.”

Rich Arellano

Business Services Administrator of the Year

Rich Arellano, who leads PVUSD’s Purchasing Department, is recognized for his

“Reaffirm Support” from page 23

expertise in contracts, resource allocation, and ensuring district operations run smoothly.

“I am proud to support PVUSD schools and programs in our shared mission to provide the best educational opportunities for all of our students,” he said.

Claudia Monjaras

Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year

Claudia Monjaras, at the helm of Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Development, has developed innovative programs that promote student-centered learning, improving educational outcomes across the district.

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” she said. “I deeply appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me, and eager to continue the collaborative

work with my PVUSD colleagues in supporting the continued growth and success of our students and educators.”

Lisa Sandoval

Central Office Administrator of the Year

Lisa Sandoval has been an integral force in supporting PVUSD’s Child Development Department, showing exceptional leadership in district-wide initiatives in early education.

“I am truly grateful to the support from our community of educators and the families we serve. Thank you,” she said.

•••

Heather Bailey, Rich Arellano, and Claudia Monjaras, are advancing to be considered for the ACSA state-level Administrator of the Year Award.

Dr. Heather Contreras, PVUSD superintendent, said, “We are extremely proud of Heather,

January Attendance Champions!

PVUSD thanks students for being in school every day and helping PVUSD reach the 98% attendance goal. Here are the January champions:

• Comprehensive High School: Watsonville 93.01%!

• Middle School: Rolling Hills 91.99%!

• Elementary School: Mar Vista 93.93%!

• K-8 School: Watsonville Charter School of the Arts 92.93%! New School made the most improvement from December to January, with a 3.94% increase. They went from 81.93% in December to 85.87% in January. Way to Go, Aztecs!

Rich, Claudia, and Lisa for their outstanding leadership and dedication to our students. This recognition is a reflection of their commitment to providing high-quality education and supporting the entire PVUSD community.”

The County has established a webpage dedicated to providing information and resources for communities directly impacted by recent federal policy actions and statements. See https://santacruzcountyca.gov/ sanctuary.aspx n

The full text of the resolution and video of the board’s discussion is available under agenda item 9 for the Jan. 28, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting.

During the board presentation, the County’s Health Services Agency Director Monica Morales and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Mitsuno Baurmeister assured the board, county workforce, and members of the public that the County is bolstering internal resources and collaborating with nonprofit service providers, advocacy organizations and other local jurisdictions to support vulnerable community members.

“OCR Events” from page 16

With 20 years of California native plant experience, UC Master Gardener Janice Kuch has worked on local habitat restoration projects, including a current native plant garden project at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Felton Branch Library — 6121 Gushee St. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13814097

March 13 • 6 pm

questions inspired by Flight Behavior, its setting and subject matter. Book groups may participate, or you can fly solo. Meet upstairs (there’s elevator access). Food and drink available for purchase. Help wrap up another stimulating and entertaining Our Community Reads! Art works from a Scotts Valley High School student art competition, redesigning the Flight Behavior book cover, will be shown. Judges are staff members of Bookshop Santa Cruz and Two Birds Books. Bruno’s Bar and Grill @

Heather Bailey Rich Arellano

Claudia Monjaras

Lisa Sandoval

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEB.

24 DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR OVERSIGHT BOARD

With voter approval of Measure Q, the “Santa Cruz County Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Wildlife Protection Act,” the permanent $87 parcel tax, county staff and partners are seeking members of the public for a 9-member Citizens Oversight Advisory Board.

Each county supervisor will choose one, with the four cities each selecting a representative.

The deadline is Feb. 24 for county residents to apply at www.santacruzcountyca.gov/MeasureQ.aspx. City residents must contact their city manager to apply.

The board will begin meeting in March and conduct public hearings, review and publish annual reports, and oversee allocation of funds to ensure projects align with Measure Q priorities, including equity goals.

More than $7 million will be raised annually for projects that preserve natural resources, improve wildfire resilience, mitigate hazards, and enhance public parks, beaches, and trails.

The County is seeking a consultant to help guide the first Vision Plan of priority activities, to be developed with local stakeholders, experts and the community.

Measure Q funding allocation:

• 40% in grants for eligible projects anywhere in Santa Cruz County, with no less than $600,000 for projects in San Vicente Redwoods and no less than $600,000 for projects in Pajaro Valley.

• 20% for the four incorporated cities, based on population, but each city will get at least $200,000 a year.

• 20% for the County of Santa Cruz for projects in unincorporated areas.

• 20% allocated equally to the Resource Conservation District and a local land stewardship partner (to be selected at later by the oversight board) for projects on private lands that deliver public benefits.

The first half of the $87 payment will be on property tax bills due in December.

APTOS

PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS

Saturdays

Saturday Shakespeare • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The play will be Timon of Athens Timon is one of the less-often performed Shakespeare plays. He is immensely wealthy and his generosity makes him extremely popular, until his money runs out.

National Craft Month Events

1-3 p.m.

In celebration of National Craft Month, the Aptos library will host a craft program every Saturday in March.

March 1: 3D Origami

March 8: Printmaking, with Jane Gregorius

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

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Feb. 21

The gym will provide a state-required all-weather exercise and training facility for Juvenile Hall youth while the renovation will provide critical improvements to the aging facility as well as improvements to implement a new Seed-To-Table educational program. The proposed site-specific artwork should either enhance the experience of the residents and staff within Juvenile Hall or the families and support persons visiting the facility.

Proposals for the exterior may be free-standing in the landscape areas by the facility entrance or teaching garden. Artists may propose murals, sculptural pieces, or other for the interior spaces; suggested locations include the kitchen/dining area, day-use rooms, or the gym.

Important: Short-listed artists must pass a required background check should they wish to continue in the selection process.

The budget for the project is $135,000.

A “Call to Artists” which includes detailed information about the process, plans/elevations and sample contract, is at: https:// www.scparks.com/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/CalltoArtists.aspx

CALL FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS

Becky Olvera Schultz is an indigenous artist of mixed blood, Mexican/Azteca/Kickapoo/ Shawnee from her father and Italian from her mother, and she is known for her masks. She is trying to get a Native Arts Market going for the spring. She is looking for other artists in this community who identify as indigenous to the Americas/Native American that create art or craft to participate.

Contact her at becky@native-expressions.com or 831-295-7562.

TREE SCHOOL

UC Cooperative Extension will host California Tree School at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton on Saturday, April 5.

There will be 25+ classes on forestry and natural resources throughout the day, led by regional and global experts on forestry, ecology, and natural resource management. Topics include forest health, fire ecology, pile burning, prescribed burning and tax tips for forest owners.

Classes range from beginner to expert level, and participants choose 4 classes. The fee is $70; assistance is available. Email Kim Ingram at Registration is open at https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=44008

COOKING DEMOS FROM EVERYONE’S HARVEST Everyone’s Harvest Farmer’s Market announces a $100,000 grant from Central California Alliance for Health. This funding from the Alliance Medi-Cal Capacity Grant Program. Boosts Edible Education programming at farmers markets by:

• Hiring Community Health Champions to spread the word about healthy, culturally relevant eating and wellness.

• Increasing community awareness of Medi-Cal Medically Supportive Food benefits.

• Keeping the six farmers’ markets in full swing, ensuring everyone in Monterey County has easy access to fresh, wholesome produce.

“This fantastic support means we can help even more people discover healthy, budget-friendly foods,” says Dr. Hester Parker, executive director. “We’re excited to make 2025 our most nutritious year yet!”

Cooking Demos

Feb. 16: Free Ayurvedic cooking demonstration with Talya Lutzker, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and founder of Ayurveda Every Day with Talya, noon, Marina Farmers’ Market, 215 Reservation Road, Marina.

Talya will show how to whip up delicious, wholesome “Beautiful Beet Borscht” using farm-fresh produce. Learn how each ingredient can support vitality, balance, and overall well-being.

Feb. 20: Free nutritional tasting with Chef Alex Hernandez, Everyone’s Harvest’s Edible Education coordinator, demonstrating Apple, Beet, Carrot) Soup, 4 p.m., Seaside Farmers’ Market, Laguna Grande Park, Seaside.

Plus free makers corner/kids’ activities honoring Black History Month at the Marina, Pacific Grove, and Seaside Farmers’ Markets information table.

Find Talya’s recipe at https://www.everyonesharvest.org/edibleeducation/recipes/beautiful-beet-borscht/.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

For most state college financial aid programs in California, submit your application no later than March 3 (postmarked date).

YOUTH POET LAUREATE: APPLY NOW!

Santa Cruz Public Libraries with Urban Word, Watsonville Public Library, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and Arts Council Santa Cruz County, announces the call for applications to serve as the county’s second Youth Poet Laureate. This initiative celebrates the vibrant world of youth poetry and offers young poets a cross-county community.

The Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term from April 2025 to April 2026, championing their own poetic endeavors while inspiring their peers to embrace the art of poetry.

This award offers reading and publication opportunities for the selected poet. Finalists are offered similar opportunities as part of a cohort of teen poets. The position is open to eligible individuals between age 13 and 18 who live in Santa Cruz County and can commit to serving locally throughout the year.

The final workshop on “Creating Your Youth Poet Laureate Application” is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m., at Felton Branch Library Application Process

Eligible individuals who are passionate about poetry and eager to make a positive impact on their community are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1. Finalists will be announced March 31.

A free celebration of finalists and announcement of the 2025-2026 Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate will take place 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College.

For details, visit the Youth Poet Laureate page at https:// sites.google.com/view/santa-cruz-youth-poet-laureate/ or reach out to Farnaz Fatemi at sasqi@mac.com.

PROJECT SCOUT TAX PREP ASSISTANCE

Project Scout offers volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling for local residents during tax season at sites throughout Santa Cruz County. Volunteers are trained by Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board personnel. For disabled individuals unable to get to the tax sites, they have trained volunteers who can do in-home tax preparation.

Seniors get priority at all library sessions. Income of $64,000 and below, simple returns only. The Project Scout schedule for libraries is:

• Aptos Tuesdays 10am – 1 pm Feb. 4 thru April 15

• Capitola Wednesdays 2 – 5 pm Feb. 5 thru April 16

• Downtown Tuesdays 10am – 3 pm Feb. 4 thru April 15

Thursday, Feb. 20 • Mister Boom Boom, 3:30-4:15 p.m. — In honor of Black History Month, the Aptos library is hosting Frank Coates (aka Mister Boom Boom) in an interactive program where children ages 6 to 11 will learn to play a different range of West African hand drums.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 • Start Smart Driving, 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parent. The California Highway Patrol is offering new driver education class for children ages 12 to 18.

Thursday, Feb. 27 • Age Well, Drive Smart, 10-11 a.m.

— Take part in the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Age Well, Drive Smart Senior driver education class. Age Well, Drive Smart was developed to assist senior drivers, 65 years of age and older.

Saturday, March 15 • Saving the Redwoods, 10:1511:45 a.m. — Saving the Redwoods: The Story of Big Trees Grove. The event is free. AAUW presents an engaging talk by author Deborah Osterberg.

CALL TO ARTISTS: JUVENILE HALL

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public artwork for new and renovated components at the Juvenile Hall facility, 3650 Graham Hill Road.

CAMBIO FAMILY ART PROJECT

Monday February 17

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Capitola Mall, 1855 41at Ave., #10

Aptos children’s author and community organizer Taylor Lahey invites families to explore transformation through storytelling and art at the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery.

Lahey will host Câmbio Story Time & Community Art Project, where families will create a collaborative mural from recycled clothing, turning discarded fabric into a vibrant work of art. Inspired by Câmbio, Taylors story of a child trading trash for bus tokens to transform his neighborhood, this event invites families to create a community mural from repurposed clothing, showing how small actions can spark big change.

Families are encouraged to bring up to five pieces of clean, used clothing to contribute to the artwork. As a thank-you, each family donating fabric will receive a free signed copy of Câmbio! The project is especially looking for: Denim, bright-colored fabrics, plain light-colored fabrics (white, light gray, etc.) All clothing must be clean and ready to repurpose.

“This project is about showing kids how even worn-out clothes can be transformed into something meaningful,” says Lahey.

Admission: Free with museum entry.

• Downtown Saturdays 10am – 3 pm Feb. 1 thru April 12 Appointments are necessary for tax help and can be made by calling 831-427-7713 or by visiting the Downtown or Capitola Branch Library Information Desk. For info, call the Watsonville Office at 1-831-724-2606 or toll-free at 1-877-373-8297, or visit https://seniorscouncil.org/project-scout/

PG&E OFFERS FREE GAS APPLIANCE SAFETY CHECKS

To help customers prepare their gas appliances for safe use during the cold weather months, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is offering free in-home gas safety checks. During the gas safety checks, PG&E will re-light pilot lights for customers who have heaters or other appliances that have been turned off during warmer months.

Free safety checks help ensure that gas appliances, including water heaters, furnaces and ovens, are operating safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning within the home.

Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it can’t be seen, smelled or heard.

“This free safety program is a great way for customers to prepare for increased use of their natural gas appliances as the cold season approaches. One of our gas team

Becky Olvera Schultz

members will conduct safety inspections to help ensure that gas appliances are in proper working order and also relight pilot lights,” said Joe Forline, PG&E senior vice president, gas operations.

Before the colder winter months when natural gas appliances typically see the most use, PG&E encourages customers to schedule an inspection by visiting www. pge.com/pilotlights. Scheduling your appointment online is free and easy and will help you avoid hold times on our customer service line.

Customers can also call 800-743-5000 to schedule appointments.

If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, you should get out immediately and call 911. If a PG&E customer ever smells the distinctive “rotten egg” odor of natural gas in or around their home or business, they should immediately evacuate and then call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

CORRALITOS WOMAN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP

The deadline is March 15 to apply for the Corralitos Woman’s Club College Scholarship.

Applicants must be a high school student in a Pajaro Valley school with a minimum 3.5 GPA; or be a Santa Cruz County resident in one of the following zip codes: 95076, 95019, 95003; and be a U.S. citizen.

Recipients will be notified in May; scholarship awards will be sent to the college of their choice once a student ID# has been provided to the Corralitos Woman’s Club. This form is at: www.corralitoswomansclub.com

Application must be postmarked by March 15 and mailed to: Corralitos Woman’s Club PO Box 997 Freedom, CA 95019-0997

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet most months at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.

Upcoming Meetings: Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, and Oct. 28; none in September. Dates in November and December have not yet been decided.

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

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

10 a.m.-Noon, Santa Cruz Bridge Center, 2450 17th Ave. Beginner bridge classes will start on Monday, Jan. 6 at the Santa Cruz Bridge Center.

Classes are taught by Nancy Wainer. Come and check out the world’s greatest game! First class is free. Reserve a spot via emai: NLMBRIDGE@yahoo.com.

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

Thursdays

HAPPY HOUR

5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

GUT HEALTH IN DOGS & CATS

Tuesday February 18

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

A healthy gut is essential for overall health … for us and our pets. Our microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms inhabiting our digestive tracts — is vital for digestion, disease protection, and maintaining healthy skin and coats.

BirchBark’s first webinar of 2025 will explore the topic of pets’ gut health. Holly Ganz, PhD, chief science officer and co-founder of AnimalBiome, will talk about how to give you a stronger understanding of the gut microbiome, how you can recognize imbalances in your pet, and what steps you can take to improve and maintain your pet’s gut health.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/birchbark-events-collection/2025/2/18/gut-microbiome

Photo: Dr. Holly Ganz, Ph.D., and Friend

Second Saturdays

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is free.

DATED EVENTS

Wednesday February 19

LEGACY PLANNING 101

10:30 a.m.–Noon, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz.

Do you have questions about creating a legacy, estate planning, and charitable bequests?

Discover resources, meet experts, and gain insights to help you navigate these questions at a special seminar co-hosted by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and UC Santa Cruz Gift Planning featuring Santa Cruz estate attorney Emily Buchbinder. RSVP now, seats are limited!

If you have questions, reach out to Abbey Ohtake at aohtake@ cfscc.org or (831) 662-2033.

Thursday February 20

COME MEET OUR NEW SHERIFF!

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Enjoy the Aptos Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Seascape Golf Club with the new Sheriff Chris Clark. He will discuss all things Aptos and County. There will be time for questions and community reports.

Admission: $35. Reservations required, no walk-ins please. Visit aptoschamber.com or call (831) 688-1467.

Saturday February 22

I AM NOBODY’S SLAVE: VIEWING AND DISCUSSION 10 a.m.–Noon, Capitola Library’s Ow Family Community Room, 2005 Wharf Road

Join a community viewing of the recording of the SCPL Virtual Author Talk with Lee Hawkins and join the discussion afterward.

Hawkins’ book, I Am Nobody’s Slave , tells the story of one Black family’s pursuit of the American Dream through systemic racism and racial violence. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America, influenced each generation, and how they succeeded despite these challenges.

Hawkins was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead reporter on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the Wall Street Journal, where he worked for 19 years. He is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Salute to Excellence” Award. The creator and host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” he lives in the New York City area.

Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is recommended and drop-ins are welcome. To view the live interactive discussion, visit https://libraryc.org/ santacruzpl

Hawkins explores the role of racism-triggered childhood trauma and chronic stress in shortening his

ancestors’ lives, using genetic testing, reporting, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how genealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all races.

Register to join the conversation https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/14022465

Saturday February 22

Sunday February 23

SANTA CRUZ CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St Sample the largest and longest-running clam chowder competition in the country at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Rain or shine.

Amateur competition is Saturday; professional competition is Sunday. More than $3,000 in prizes plus bragging rights. Awards are given for Best Chowder in each category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best-Themed Booth. Look for wild and crazy costumes on the cooks. Boston and Manhattan categories, so no matter your favorite, you’re covered.

Tasting kits are $15 and include 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot. Proceeds go to Santa Cruz City Pakrs and Recreation.

Buy at https://beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-off n

HIP TO BE SQUARE

10 a.m.-5 p.m. (4 p.m. Sunday), Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville See the largest Quilt Collection in the County.

The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association is having its annual Quilt Show “Hip to Be Square” featuring more than 300 quilts at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Featured speaker: Thom Aiken, art quilts and beaded quilts. Live quilt auction Sunday 12:30 p.m. Ongoing needlework demos, vendor mall, bargain garden, wearable walkabout and more. Admission: $15. Ample free parking and shuttle. For details see www.pvqa.org

Sunday February 23

ITALIAN FILM SERIES

6:30 p.m. p.m., Cabrillo College VAPA Forum Room 1001, The Winter 2025 Italian Film Series, “Chain Reaction/ Reazione a catena,” sponsored by Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz, begins in February at Cabrillo College. This season’s films follow protagonists living during pivotal eras of Italian history whose lives are unexpectedly changed by the far-reaching consequences of a decision. Set in the 19th century and in post-war Rome, these dramatic art films invite us to consider how historical circumstances shape our lives and how our choices create effects that ripple through history. All films are in Italian with English subtitles.

Logan Walker, film lecturer from UC Santa Cruz & director of programming, SV Film Festival, will introduce and have a Q&A after the film.

No tickets required, although seating is limited; first come, first served.

Cash donations welcome at the door.

To sign up for event reminders: https://www.dantesantacruz. com/events

The Tale of King Crab (Re Granchio). Directed by Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis. 2021. 105 mins. “Calendar” page 31

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supervisors to Newsom: Prioritize Home Insurance Issue

On Dec. 10, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors authorized Supervisor Zach Friend to write a letter to Gov. Newsom, on behalf of the Board, regarding the current state of emergency for homeowners and commercial property insurance, requesting the governor take immediate steps to strengthen and stabilize the property insurance market through regulatory and legislative action.

Here is the staff report:

California is facing a growing homeowner and commercial property crisis across the state. While the California Insurance Commissioner’s Office continues to implore insurance providers to return to the marketplace and write policies, progress has been stagnant with little reprieve for residents in Santa Cruz County and across the state.

The lack of available insurance options and long-term viability of the California insurance market could halt real estate transactions and delay or prevent new housing development, worsening the existing housing crisis.

Additional action is needed through action by the Insurance Commissioner, Governor, and State Legislature to stabilize the marketplace.

Supervisor Friend is seeking authority to write a letter to the Governor on behalf of the Board requesting that he take immediate action to strengthen and stabilize the property insurance market.

Two Largest Firms Pause

Last year, two of the State’s largest insurance carriers, representing over 27% of the insurance market in California, announced that they would stop issuing new homeowners and commercial property insurance policies in California.

Several other insurance carriers announced plans to limit new policy origination, especially in high fire severity zones, such as much of Santa Cruz County.

coverage, impacting homeowners and businesses. A lack of home insurance coverage leaves homeowners vulnerable and also has fiscal implications as homeowners may be unable to secure a mortgage without coverage.

Home Sales Affected

A recent survey conducted by the California Association of Realtors from across the state found that 13% of realtors reported they had a transaction fall out of escrow because a buyer could not find insurance. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the 7% of realtors who reported this happening in 2023.

The vast majority of buyers who were unable to obtain homeowners insurance stated that it was due to denial of coverage, with a small percentage stating that the premium was too expensive.

Pricey FAIR Plan

Santa Cruz County residents are left with the sole option of turning to the insurance of last resort, the California FAIR plan, which is often significantly more expensive.

The FAIR Plan, a high-cost temporary insurance policy is a state-established risk pool intended to operate as a safety net while residents seek traditional insurance. Instead, it is increasingly being relied on by homeowners in the region as the only option available to them.

In some of our most vulnerable areas of the county, enrollment in the FAIR plan has increased by a factor of ten between 2019 and 2024.

For example, in Boulder Creek 29% of homes with insurance policies are now enrolled through the FAIR plan.

We have seen how the reduction of insurance options in the state has had a direct negative effect on consumer access to

This issue is not isolated to our region, however, and across the state there has been a 41% increase in FAIR Plan policies between September 2023 and 2024. One of the limitations of a standard FAIR plan is that it only covers damage from fire, smoke, and lightning. This limited coverage requires many owners to seek additional secondary insurance for other necessary liabilities, leading to significant annual costs to protect their assets and homes.

As part of Commissioner Lara’s comprehensive Sustainable Insurance Strategy, final wildfire catastrophe modeling regulations were submitted to the Office of Administrative Law on Nov. 14, 2024, for approval. The new regulations introduce a requirement for insurers to increase their policy offerings in underserved areas as a condition of incorporating catastrophe modeling into ratemaking.

While these actions are important next steps at the state level to secure and stabilize the volatile insurance market, reform will not

take place until OAL approval is complete, and it may take a few years for the market to react.

Residents in Santa Cruz County are currently struggling with obtaining necessary insurance and are left with uncertainty for their future. Because these proposed regulatory changes will take time and inevitably lead to higher premiums for property owners, it is critical that we advocate for the longterm stability and request our state partners to more promptly prioritize this issue. n

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SCCAS Featured Pet

A River of Love

Meet our Pet of the Week Hudson (#A317374), the black and white pittie mix! Hudson came to the Shelter as an owner surrender at the beginning of December after his previous guardian’s home burned down and they could no longer keep him. In his previous home he lived with children age 12 and did well. He was described as an active boy who enjoys playing and running. Hudson lived with three other dogs and did well with them, provided they weren’t trying to share food.. that’s a bit of a no-go for this guy. Hudson has quickly won the hearts of staff since his arrival. He greets people with a blur of a wiggly body.

He has been a client services foster pup (hanging out with staff in the front office) for some extra TLC while he is waiting for his adoptive home. He has been learning some life skills and manners to take into his adoptive home such as keeping his paws on the floor when someone approaches to say “hi” and settling while people are doing their work. Hudson is enjoying the mental stimulation of positive reinforcement learning and has caught on quickly with the help of play and yummy snacks. Hudson loves squeaky toys and makes staff laugh as he happily squeaks his toy while playing in the office area. Several staff have commented how adorable, social and goofy sweet Hudson is. With some patience in the transition to a new home, we anticipate this love bug will be someone’s BFF. Could that be you? 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

“Calendar” from page 29

This off-beat, sumptuously photographed film tells the tale of Luciano, a wandering outcast from a remote, late 19th-century village in Tuscia. Luciano’s life is undone by alcohol, forbidden love, and a bitter conflict with a prince of the region over the right of passage through an ancient gateway. Luciano is exiled to the distant Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego where, with the help of ruthless gold-diggers, he searches for a mythical treasure, paving his way toward redemption.

Saturday March 1

PVUSD FAMILY CONFERENCE

8 a.m. – 3 p.m., E. A. Hall Middle School, 201 Brewington Ave., Watsonville

The 2025 PVUSD Family Conference will be at E. A. Hall Middle School, featuring informative workshops in the morning and fun interactive activities for families in the afternoon.

Breakfast and registration will begin at 8 am and the conference will begin at 9. Lunch is included.

Youth between the ages of 12-18 who go to the conference with their parent/caregiver will attend workshops at E. A. Hall.

Free childcare for ages 3-11 at Mintie White School across the street.

For info call the Family Engagement Team, at (831) 786-2365

Saturday March 1 and Saturday April 5

KIDS FLY FREE

9 a.m.-2 p.m., Watsonville Aviation Education Center, 60 Aviation Way

Kids Fly Free is scheduled for March 1 and April 5 between 9 am and 2 pm at the Watsonville Aviation Education Center, weather permitting. The Young Eagles Program has been developed by the EAA Aviation Foundation to welcome young people ages 8-17 into the world of aviation. Participants should expect to spend 1-2 hours at the airport. Youth get quality, one-on-one time with EAA pilots. The hope is that the experience will spark a young person’s curiosity to learn more. Each Young Eagle participant receives a certificate and is entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” maintained by the EAA Air Adventure Museum.

EAA Chapter 119 has safely flown over 7,000 kids since 1992. The program consists of an explanation of how airplanes fly and a flight of approximately 20 minutes around the Watsonville — Santa Cruz area. After the flight, each child receives a certificate commemorating the experience. Parents / guardians are required to sign a registration form.

Pre-registration at https://events.eaachapters.org/.

Saturday March 8

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE FARM

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville

Bring your family, friends and neighbors to 2nd Saturday on the Farm at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Society of Santa Cruz: “Mico’s Path to Heaven: The Frescoes of the Guidalotti Chapel” at Cabrillo College’ VAPA Forum, Rm 1001.

Art and architectural historian from UC Santa Cruz Allan Langdalewill discuss the frescos of the Way of Salvation and The Triumph of Thomas Aquinas by painter Andrea da Firenze, commissioned in 1365 by the patrician Buonamico Guidalotti after the ravages of the Black Death. The frescoes can be seen to be Dominican propaganda synergized with the celebration of the Order’s most famous theologian.

No tickets required, although seating is limited; first come, first served.

Cash donations welcome at the door. For more info: https://bit.ly/LectureMarch2025

Tuesday March 11

HIVE POETRY COLLECTIVE

7 p.m., Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave. The Hive Poetry Collective announces the next offering in their bimonthly series The Hive Live! is at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Featured poets are Luke Johnson, Ellen Bass, and Jan Beatty.

Information and registration: hivepoetry.org.

Thursday, March 13

4TH ANNUAL WATER SUMMIT

8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz

Mark your calendars as K&D Water Management hosts the 4th Annual Central Coast Water Summit at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove.

This year’s focus: Solutions for sustainable water management. Panel discussions, interactive exhibits, and networking.

Speakers: Justin White of K&D Landscaping and JW Group, Kevin Battistoni of Hunter Industries, Justin Black, City of Roseville Business Water Efficiency program, and Michael Johnson with California Horticulture Services.

The Summit is designed for: Landscape and irrigation professionals, contractors, property managers, homeowners, students and HOA boards.

Register at https://kndlandscaping.com/

Wednesday March 19

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY SPRING LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville

The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau with the organization, Agri-Culture, will again host the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon in the Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

This popular annual event brings together the community from North and South County, elementary school students, high school students, and the farming community.

Statepoint Media

The Agricultural History Project’s 2nd Saturday events are like taking a step back in time! In addition to all the winter-themed special activities, you’ll be able to milk a “cow,” drive a tractor and learn about the history of agriculture in the Pajaro Valley while visiting the many museum exhibits.

There will be story time, Kid’s Drive-a-Tractor, hay wagon rides around the fairgrounds and so much more! And in the case of inclement weather, festivities move inside the spacious Codiga Center & Museum building. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic on the lawn. Admission is free and donations are gladly accepted.

Sunday March 9

MICO’S PATH TO HEAVEN

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Cabrillo College Aptos Campus, VAPA Forum, Rm 1001, 6500 Soquel Dr. Enjoy an Art History lecture sponsored by Dante Alighieri

One highlight will be the presentation of the Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award, presented by last year’s honoree, Zach Friend.

Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture co-sponsor a poster contest (grades K-6) and poetry contest (grades 7-12) in Santa Cruz County and Pajaro Valley schools. Winning entries will be displayed during the luncheon and contest winners will be introduced.

Another highlight is the presentation of the 2025 Agri-Culture Scholarships. There are seven different scholarship: The Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship, the Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship, the Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship, the JJ Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, the Frank Prevedelli Memorial Scholarship, the Lou & Carol Calcagno Memorial Scholarship and the Matt Ryan Community Service Scholarship.

Tickets are $75 per person. Reservations and sponsorships are available. Call (831) 724-1356. n

U n r i v a l e d s o p h i s t i c a t i o n m e e t s b e s p o k e e l e g a n c e a t 4 0 9 T o w n s e n d , w i t h e a c h d e t a i l c a r e f u l l y c u r a t e d t o c r e a t e a m o d e r n , y e t w a r m a n d w e l c o m i n g h o m e . D r a m a t i c o p e n b e a m c e i l i n g s , u p d a t e d w i n d o w s t h r o u g h o u t a n d m u l t i p l e s k y l i g h t s c r e a t e a n a b u n d a n c e o f n a t u r a l l i g h t & a l l o w y o u t o t a k e i n v i e w s o f t h e l u s h t r e e l i n e . A n e n t e r t a i n e r ' s d r e a m , t h e o p e n c o n c e p t d e s i g n s e a m l e s s l y c o n n e c t s t h e k i t c h e n , l i v i n g r o o m & s p a c i o u s d e c k o f f t h e d i n i n g a r e a , c r e a t i n g a h a r m o n i o u s i n d o o r - o u t d o o r f l o w f o r C a l i f o r n i a l i v i n g a t i t s f i n e s t . R e l a x i n f r o n t o f t h e f i r e & i t s o n e - o f - a - k i n d m a n t l e , a l l b e a u t i f u l l y f r a m e d i n M o r o c c a n t i l e o r c u r l u p w i t h y o u r f a v o r i t e n o v e l i n t h e b o n u s s p a c e p e r c h e d p e r f e c t l y a b o v e t h e l i v i n g r o o m T h e c h e f ' s k i t c h e n s p a r e s n o e x p e n s e , f r o m t h e h a n d m a d e Z e l l i g e t i l e b a c k s p l a s h t o t h e W o l f r a n g e & k e t t l e f a u c e t . 4 b e d r o o m s p r o v i d e e x c e l l e n t s e p a r a t i o n o f s p a c e , w i t h t h e p r i m a r y f e a t u r i n g a w a l k -

A M B E R M E L E N U D O