December 2011
C O M M U N I T Y N E W S T H AT M A K E S A D I F F E R E N C E
Vol 16 No. 12
Serving Central Santa Cruz County
2011 Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Guide
Gathered donated gifts his season, the Volunteer Center invites community members to reach beyond their normal holiday celebrations and create new traditions through volunteering. The Volunteer Center maintains an on-line listing of Holiday Volunteer Opportunities on their Annual website to make the Valley search for holiday volHoliday unteer opportunities Projects quick and easy. This Now through list will be available Dec. 22 now through New Year’s and will be regularly updated throughout the season. To view the listing visit www.scvolunteercenter.org and check out the list of opportunities. Feel free to call the Volunteer Center with any questions about Holiday Volunteering at 831427-5070. ••• he Valley Churches United Missions Thanksgiving Project provides ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal. The Christmas Project provides toys, gifts, basic necessities and food to families, seniors, disabled and homeless.
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Chairmen of the Second Harvest Food Drive.
SECOND HARVEST – THE POWER
OF
COMMUNITY
Your Holiday Giving Will Last Well Into 2012
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Bob Begun Remembered Former Capitola Mayor
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The Nutcracker Tradition
that can increase the risks of malnutrition and obesity. Communities are considered to have food security when everyone has access to culturally appropriate, nutritious food from local, nonemergency sources. Second Harvest Food Security projects
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fter three years of the economic recession, hunger has become a community crisis on the Central Coast. Many residents are faced each day with difficult choices in how to use their
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diminishing resources; whether it’s for transportation, food, rent, utilities or medicine. Many have to consider limiting their food purchases, which could result in periods of hunger. Such food insecurity often results in the purchase of cheaper, lower quality foods
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By Noel Smith
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help support this goal. To better understand the challenges faced by our hungry neighbors and the agencies that serve them, Second Harvest recently released its 2010 hunger study showing that:
World of Many Colors SC World Choir
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CommunityBriefs
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Cabrillo Winter Dance Concert abrillo College Dance Department Presents Annual Winter Dance Concert Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 & 3 at 7:30 PM • Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1:00 PM The Cabrillo College Dance Department proudly presents its annual The Winter Dance Concert. The concert features dances by faculty and guest choreographers, performed by Cabrillo College dance students. Guest choreographers include Flex Dance Company’s Leslie Johnson, SambaDa’s Dandha Da Hora, Hip Hop
choreographer Marissa Valera, and Damara Vita Ganley, of San Francisco’s critically acclaimed Joe Goode Performance Group. Faculty choreographers include David King, Cid Pearlman and Amy Farhood with her Watsonville Salsa Repertory class. Flex Dance Company and Dixie Fun Dance Theatre will also perform. ~~~ Friday & Saturday, December 2 & 3 at 7:30 PM | Matinee Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1:00 PM Cabrillo Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos Tickets: $12 General, $10 Students/Seniors, $8 Student Activity Card at www.brownpapertickets.com ••• Christmas with The Santa Cruz Chorale oin the Santa Cruz Chorale and friends in celebrating the Christmas season. Friday, December 16, 7 pm Our Lady Help of Christians 2401 East Lake Ave, Watsonville Saturday, December 17 8 pm – Sunday, December 18, 4 pm, Holy Cross Church, 170 High St. Santa Cruz Performing Bach’s Nun komm der Hieden Heiland, Magnificat in D major by Monteverdi, and some wonderful
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“Briefs” > 21
2 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Table of Contents
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Cover
VOL. 16 NO. 12
Second Harvest – The Power of Community – Your Holiday Giving Will Last Well Into 2012 By Noel Smith 2011 Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Guide
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Community News
Cabrillo Winter Dance Concert • Christmas with The Santa Cruz Chorale Bob Begun – Always Looking Into the Future By Noel Smith Capitola Mayor proclaims December 3 Heartland Hospice Day • Christmas Tree Sales Support School Programs Seascape Beach Resort’s Mad Hatter’s Holiday Tea Party December 11 The Nutcracker - A Santa Cruz tradition! December 16, 17 & 18 A World of Many Colors – New Concert by the Santa Cruz World Choir and Orchestra Give the Gift of Music – The Santa Cruz County Symphony Concert Season is here! Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to Protect 10,000 Acres – Group seeks final $2.5 million in $46 million fund-raising campaign Highway 1 Drainage & Guardrail Upgrades from Nov. 15 to March 2012 announced Hospice of Santa Cruz County Understands the Journey of Grief and the Holidays
Sports Wrap
Coastal Collision – Newest Martial Arts Showcase by Noel Smith • MidCounty Scoreboard
Business Profiles 16 AA Safe & Security – Over 50 Years of Security Solutions By Gail Penniman
20 The Wardrobe – Where Shopping is Always an Adventure By Gail Penniman
Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28 & 29
Monthly Horoscope • Page 29 - Your December Horoscope Annabel Burton, Astrologer©
Featured Columnists 21 Money Matters – Let’s Make a Winning Deal by Brian Cooke and Cole Strickland
22 The Book Bag by Robert Francis – Books with holiday themes for all ages…
25 Work in Progress by Camille Smith – There’s no pill for communication indigestion … only a cure
27 Out & About by Josie Cowden 30 Holiday Fire Precautions & Prevention by Mike Conrad, Division Chief Aptos La Selva Fire District
31 Seniors in Action – Is There Really a Santa Claus? By Noreen Santaluce SPCA Featured Pet • Page 31 – SPCA Opens Pet Adoption Store in Capitola Mall
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 3
CoverStory
publisher
Patrice Edwards publisher’s assistant
Lindsay Nelson editor
Noel Smith contributing writers
Noel Smith, Gail Penniman, Brian Cooke, Cole Strickland, Annabel Burton, Josie Cowden, Robert Francis, Camille Smith, Mike Conrad, Judy Chamberlin layout
Michael Oppenheimer, Mike Lyon graphic artists
Mike Lyon, Michael Oppenheimer production coordinator
Sandra Gonzalez advertising sales
Don Beaumont, Sadie Wittkins, Meredith Pozzi Feldsted office coordinator
Cathe Race distribution
Bill Pooley, Jana Mears
Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-weekly publication, the Capitola Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, printed twice annually and Hospice Magazine, printed once annually, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission. PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Opinions / Letters: editorial@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.cyber-times.com Graphics Dept: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: assistant@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com
“Holiday Gifts” from pg 1
They run Adopt-A-Family, Adopt a Senior Program, and a Christmas food Drive. Volunteers are needed to fill food bags, gift-wrap, for pick up and delivery, clerical support, and distribution help. They are open 7 days a week through Dec. 22. To Volunteer call 336-8258. ••• he California Grey Bears is a non-profit organization made up of seniors helping seniors. The organization’s Holiday Food Delivery is on Dec. 23-24, and help is needed to deliver food to seniors throughout the county. For more information, call 831-479-1055. ••• Adopt A Family Holiday Project Volunteers Needed he Holidays can be a worrisome time for families struggling to make ends meet. The Volunteer Center in partnership with fellow nonprofits, strives to make the holidays brighter for more than 400 local families by providing them with holiday packages of food, clothes, and gifts through the Adopt a Family Holiday Project. You can be the difference and share in the holiday spirit by volunteering to support this annual program. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout the project session. Our Adopt a Family Phone Lines are now open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm until Dec 9. Give a call to adopt a family, donate, volunteer or ask questions. 831427-5075 in Santa Cruz and 831-722-2364 in Watsonville.
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Beach Flats Community Center Annual Thanksgiving Meal oin us for our Thanksgiving dinner with all the Turkey Trimmings. This wonderful, warm celebration is open to all community members, and supports homeless & low-income folks. Volunteers needed to
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CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT:
www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment.
Volunteers work on decorations for gift packages.
4 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
help with the welcome table, set up, serving, kids activities and clean up. Dinner will be served from 3-6pm, but we will need volunteers from 1-7pm. Two hour shifts available. Dinner will take place at Beach Flats Park (corner of Raymond St. & Leibrandt Ave/ 160 Raymond Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060). In the case of rain, the meal will be held inside of the Beach Flats Community Center, at 133 Leibrandt Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Community Connection Thanksgiving Meal e are seeking 3-5 volunteers to support with preparing food for the Community Connection Thanksgiving Meal. This is a wonderful, free meal provided to low-income folks in south county @ the Watsonville Veteran’s hall. Traditionally, South County mental health staff serves the meal to the mental health clients in this festive, annual community event. Volunteers are needed to help prepare stuffing and mashed potatoes at the Watsonville Volunteer Center kitchen (located, adjacent to the Veteran’s Hall at 12 Carr Street, Santa Cruz, Ca 95076.) All ingredients and recipes will be provided, volunteers will simply support with the food prep work. Volunteer Shift. Tuesday, 11/22/11, from 9:30-12:30pm. For More Information/To Get Involved: Contact Community Connection Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Glynn @ rglynn@ccsantacruz.org or via phone 831.722.6708
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Holiday Camping Trip Sat, Dec. 10, 9am to Sun Dec. 11, 5pm olunteers ages 18+ are needed to assist with a fun Holiday Camping Trip for developmentally disabled children and adults. Volunteers will spend the night at Camp Krem in Boulder Creek and assist campers with their needs during their overnight visit. Volunteers will help us
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offer a wide array of activities including arts/crafts, music, dance, games, hiking. Volunteers will also assist with supervision, food prep and clean up. Please join us for this festive weekend, featuring tree trimming, a visit from Santa, a talent show and more! Volunteers should be mature, friendly and patient folks who can commit to a full weekend volunteer shift, from 9am on Saturday through 5pm on Sunday. Background Check required. To apply, email us at campkrem@gmail.com.
Mad Hatter’s Holiday Tea Party Sunday Dec. 11 lice, again, will venture into the Rabbit Hole to attend (and help host) the Mad Hatter’s Holiday Tea Party to benefit Toys For Tots in Santa Cruz County, sponsored for the third year by Aptos Seascape Beach Resort. This season, in an effort to involve as many characters as possible, the Mad Hatter is planning a cabaretstyle program, characters roaming tableto-table. This means adding an MC, performers, and yes, even MORE madness! Invited along to the party are the White Rabbit, King & Queen of Hearts, Jack of Hearts and the Caterpillar as character actors (adults please), and you know the rest! Event to benefit Toys For Tots-Santa Cruz County — Experienced child performers, and adults, are welcome to participate as: musical entertainers, · perform dance routines, · magicians, jugglers, and · performing skits that fit the theme. Bring us your creative ideas and talent for consideration! ·Adults needed for Director, Backstage and Production Crew assistance.
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Community Connection Christmas Party Dec. 22 11am - 1pm ooks (12/21 evening and 12/22 morning, deliver to our offices on 12/22 by 10am) (in our kitchen: 12/22: 7-10:30am). We need one to three cooks to prepare a variety of dishes from cranberry sauce to turkey. Cook in the comfort of your home and deliver to our offices for the party or bring your favorite apron and whip it up in our kitchen on the morning of the 22nd. Set Up 12/21 2-5pm: The party planners are seeking two people to help with pre-party set up. This includes hanging decorations, arranging tables and other odd jobs to make our office a magical Winter Wonderland. One or two people are welcome to make detailed adjustments to the party setting just before our guests arrive. This includes setting up tables, preparing food trays, sign making, and other tasks for our elf helpers. Wrapping Gifts 12/21: The Elf Wrapping Crew can expect to become tape masters, red and green paper twirlers, and scissor symphonists. Come transform our purchases into picturesque presents. Please call or email for shift times. n
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“Second Harvest” from pg 1
• Second Harvest serves 17,200 people each week by through its 200 member agencies. This total has increased 58 percent since 2006 and is now over 55,000 people each month. • 93 percent of these member agencies are staffed entirely by volunteers. • 45 percent of those served are children Second Harvest Food Bank was the first food bank in California and the second in the nation. Founded in 1972, Second Harvest began by distributing food from a parking lot in Santa Cruz to groups operating the Breakfast for Kids programs. For over thirty years, Second Harvest has distributed surplus locally grown produce and other food staples to the needy in our community. Second Harvest receives food from local growers and shippers, food industry manufacturers and retailers like local grocery stores, federal food programs, food bank networks, and community food drives like the Holiday Food Drive. Second Harvest Food Bank operations are streamlined and efficient, providing 55,000 clients per month with nutritious food and leveraging every dollar donated to provide four individual meals for needy families. This is done with a small staff and a low 5 percent overhead. How do they do it? It’s community working together to gather the donated harvest of fresh, frozen and prepared foods. It’s the fundraising gathering in the money needed to pay for food. It’s having professionals at Second Harvest and its member agencies working to coordinate all these efforts of community support and the host of volunteers. Its having leadership that maintains focus on its mission of helping to feed low-income families, children, seniors, and the working poor.
Ryan Coonerty & Willy Elliott-McCrea, Second Harvest CEO
CoverStory
Six-year-old Travis has raised hundreds of dollars by going door-to-door in his neighborhood selling homemade kites. All food and funds raised during the Holiday Food Drive will be used to purchase the food that Second Harvest procures, and that our network of 200 agencies and programs distributes throughout Santa Cruz County in the winter months. What foods should be collected? Canned Meat, Fish & Soups • Canned Ready to Eat Meals • Canned Vegetables & Tomato Products • Peanut Butter (plastic container) • Iron Rich Cereal (45% or more of daily value) • 100% Fruit Juice (48 oz. or less plastic bottles) • Canned Fruit (in juice) • Dry Beans (any type) • Enriched Rice or Pasta • Powdered Milk Stories shared at this year’s Holiday Food Drive Kickoff ranged from six-yearold Travis raising hundreds of dollars by going door-to-door in his neighborhood selling homemade kites, to St. Francis High School in Watsonville stepping up to raise 10,000 lbs of food, to Twin laves Church pledging to raise 1 million lbs of food in financial and food donations. There are also hundreds of private parties and community fund-raising events. We’re always astounded by the creativity and desire to make a difference that embodies this amazing community of ours. The Power of Community really makes a difference to all who live here whether they are the givers or those whose needs are met by the generosity and sacrifice of others. Find your way to tap into the Power of Community Merry Christmas! n ••• Cover Picture: Former and current Holiday Food Drive Chairmen (from left): Bruce McPherson, former California Secretary of State • Ryan Coonerty, Current Chairman & Santa Cruz Mayor • René Schlaepfer, Pastor of Twin Lakes Church.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 5
CommunityNews
Bob Begun – Always Looking Into the Future
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By Noel Smith
ob Begun was a futures person. Whether it was finance, land use, or city government, he was always looking for the best way to make Capitola a better place to live. Bob’s monthly column in the Capitola Soquel Times was already a fixture when I first became part of the Times Publishing Group, Inc. family in 2004. Each column dealt with not only the current issues facing Capitola, they also addressed how best to meet those issues. As a retired professional engineer, Bob was a pragmatist. He wasn’t always looking Robert “Bob” Begun for the most popular solution, but the most practical and cost effective. Because he cared deeply about Capitola, he brought the best he had in terms of his intellect and experience to crafting resolutions that he determined to be the best for the city. Every so often, I would get a phone
call from Bob inviting me to meet him for lunch at Carpo’s. He didn’t talk about his health or his past, the conversation always revolved around Capitola and its current challenges such as the library, the Rispin mansion, the Golino property, a proposed hotel or skate park or city finances etc. He wanted to know what I thought or suggested or was concerned about regarding Capitola. Bob will be sorely missed for his intellect, integrity and his attention to detail but most of all for his devotion to making Capitola a better place for all its citizens. n ••• Robert ‘Bob’ Arnold Begun Born: Oct. 1, 1927, in New York City Died: Nov. 20, 2011, in Santa Cruz Military Service: Ensign in U.S. Maritime Service, 1947 Education: College of the City of New York, bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering, 1950
6 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Career: Electronic engineer, manager at FMC, San Jose Civic Service: Capitola city treasurer, 2000-2006; City Council, 2004-2008 and mayor in 2009; served as Capitola’s representative to Local Agency Formation Commission and the Library Financing Authority; served as the city’s alternate on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission; founding member of the Capitola Economic Development Committee; chairman of the Capitola Finance Committee, 2011; active in the Senior Coalition; small business partner for Intelligent Automation, which built and supplied time stoppers for the Boy Scouts’ small car racers. Columnist: Authored Capitola Reflections; a monthly column for the Capitola Soquel Times since 2000 Survivors: Sister Sara Begun; daughters Ann Begun and Debbie Braga; partner
of 14 years, Doree Steinmann; two granddaughters; and a great-grandson Services: Burial in Los Gatos alongside wife Joan, who died in 1997 after 45 years of marriage. ••• Memorial Contributions can be made in Bob’s name to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, www.hospicesantacruz.org or the American Lung Association, www.lungusa.org
As a retired professional engineer, Bob was a pragmatist ... he cared deeply about Capitola, he brought the best he had in terms of his intellect and experience to crafting resolutions that he determined to be the best for the city.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 7
SportsWrap
Newest Martial Arts Showcase Arriving
Coastal Collision takes place December 10 at the Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds
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By Noel Smith
ixed Martial Arts (MMA) returns to the Santa Cruz county Fairgrounds on December 10. The Monterey Bay Fight Club presents coastal Collision 4. Doors open at 6 pm, first fight at 7 pm. A number of local martial art academies and fight clubs will have fighters represented at Coastal Collision 4. Richard Delfin, 25, one of the most dedicated local MMA fighters, wrestled for Richard Delfin Aptos high school. This 5’4, 145 pound fighter of Filipino ancestry won two league championships in 2003 and 2004. After high school, Delfin moved on to jiu jitsu where he eventually chose IMS where he has been a student of former IFPA World Champion Brian Burns for the past five years. Richard is also being trained by renowned athletic trainers Marv and Gary Morenovich at the academy located at 1037 17th Ave. Live Oak, in Santa Cruz, CA. Richard is a recent Bethany University graduate and is a minister at Grace Temple in Watsonville. His amateur MMA fight
record is seven wins and three losses. He strives to live by the famous saying “carpe diem” (Seize the day). MMA Basics ow can one tell if the match is a Mixed Martial Arts fight? First, the gloves are 4 oz if it’s a professional bout and 6 oz for amateurs. Next, the fighters are bare foot and shirtless. The ring is round and is circumscribed by a fence rather than ropes. There is a referee inside with the fighters and lots of screaming fans outside the ring. A match is won when the loser “taps out” (I quit, no mas), gets knocked out, is unable to continue (TKO), won by judges’ decision, stopped by a ring doctor due to an injury, the fighter’s corner throws in the towel, the fight is forfeited, or a fighter is disqualified. Coastal Collision 4 is an MMA amateur tournament with three 2-minute rounds per match with a one-minute rest period between rounds. Mixed Martial Arts is as the name says, a mix of boxing, wrestling kickboxing. jiu jitsu and any other martial art you can find. It’s kind of like a barroom brawl with (few) rules and a timekeeper. But its
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fans and practitioners wouldn’t have it any other way. There are a growing number of fighters in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, which is creating a growing business for
the martial arts academies and gaining sponsors for the tournaments. Don’t forget, Coastal Collision 4, December 10, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds at 6 pm, first fight at 7 pm. n
Sarah Savoca 4 blocks; Camille Steber 17 digs
Jack Hanagan Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Award: Brennan Craig – Harbor
Mid-County High School Sports Update
Girls Volleyball
Season Records – Soquel 33-5 Soquel (No. 2) def. Salesian (No. 7) (25-12, 25-14, 25-16) NorCal D-IV playoffs – First round oquel – Ragine Graves 20 assists; Bria Morgan 12 kills, 3 aces, 14 digs; Faith
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Apolskis 7 kills; Sarah Savoca 4 aces; Camille Steber 15 digs Soquel def. Sacred Heart Prep (25-23, 25-20, 26-24) CCS Division IV Final Soquel – Bria Morgan 23 kills, Ragine Graves 37 assists; Faith Apolskis 7 kills;
8 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Boys Water Polo
TCAL Mountain Awards MVP: Max Schell - Soquel Sophomore Player of the Year: Ivan Silva – Soquel Freshman Player of the Year: Max Somple – Soquel Coach of the Year: Marcelo Adas – Soquel First Team – Soquel: Max Draga, Cullen Raisch, Max Schell Zack Westerfeldt Second Team – Soquel: Ivan Silva, Max Somple Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Award: Caleb Howard – Soquel TCAL Valley Awards Sophomore Player of the Year: Gabriel Santos – Harbor First Team – Harbor: Avery Wilmot Second Team – Harbor: Cesar Diaz,
Girls Water Polo
TCAL Mountain Awards MVP: Lexi Mueschen - Soquel Senior Player of the Year: Lexi Mueschen - Soquel Sophomore Player of the Year: Liliana King-Adas – Soquel Coach of the Year: Ryan Chapatte – Soquel First Team – Soquel: Liliana King-Adas, Lexi Mueschen, Michella Parelius, Jillian Tarr Second Team – Soquel: Shelby White TCAL Valley Awards First Team – Harbor: Kayla Blackburn, Marissa Parker, Katie Ostermeier Second Team – Harbor Monique LeBourveau Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Award: Marissa Parker - Harbor
CommunityNews
Capitola Mayor proclaims December 3 Heartland Hospice Day
‘Light up a Life’ memorial celebration event planned to honor loved ones
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he Mayor of Capitola, Dennis Norton, has proclaimed Saturday December 3, to be Heartland Hospice Day. Heartland Hospice is located in Capitola and has been serving all of Santa Cruz County for the past 10 years. Heartland Hospice is dedicated to providing care wherever patients call home. Whether it is in the home lived in for years, a skilled nursing center or assisted living center, they tailor their caregiving to fit each patient’s needs and each family’s unique situation. To commemorate the proclamation, Heartland Hospice is hosting their first annual “Light up a Life” event, in the village of Capitola by the bandstand, Saturday December 3, from 3:30-5:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. “Heartland Hospice is a much needed member of our service community,” said Mayor Norton, “and we are honored to be in partnership with them to create this
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wonderful, family-friendly holiday event.” Participants are invited to decorate a
Luminary bag in honor of a loved one, and illuminate the bag in unison at about
4 years in Aptos, they moved to their current location in Live Oak. “When our first child started school, we realized what a great sense of community there was in Live Oak and we wanted our business to be part of that.” Their two children both attend Live Oak Schools and this has brought to their business a new dimension. Christine became a board member of the Home and School Club and saw firsthand the need for additional funding in the schools. They found a way to incorporate fundraising into their tree business. “We make flyers for the schools to distribute which gives the tree buyer 10% off their purchase and their child’s Home and School Club gets an additional 10% as well! The schools use if for field trips, student supplies, art and music programs, and assemblies, or however their parent club chooses to spend it. It ends up being a winwin for everyone because not only do our customers get a discount, but the schools get a donation, and the money is staying local instead of going corporate.” So far, they have worked mostly with the Home and School Clubs in Live Oak, but last year there were people from Scotts Valley to Aptos asking if they could participate. They would love to reach out and support as many kids as possible through sports leagues, daycare centers or other kids clubs countywide. The trees on their lot are Noble Fir,
Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Fraiser Fir, and Nordmann. This year they plan to feature local Silvertips, Sequoias, and Monterey Pines in addition to their Oregon trees. There are free jumphouses for the kids, visits from Santa, and a petting zoo. n ••• For information on getting your Home and School Club or business involved, visit www.furlanic.com and email Christine Furlanic: Christine@furlanic.com
5:15pm. Live musical accompaniment will be provided by Celina and the C Monkeys, who will be singing the beautiful song “somewhere over the rainbow”, ukulele Hawaiian style, at the moment the bags are lighted. She will also be performing throughout the event as participants are decorating their bags. “I’m just really happy to be able to support Heartland Hospice and the community by singing at this incredible event.” – Celina Gutierrez Free food and beverages will be served throughout the event, and participants can come anytime between 3:30 and 5 to decorate a bag, with the battery- powered lighting taking place at 5:15pm. n ••• Heartland Hospice Services – Capitola, 824 Bay Avenue, #40, Phone: 831-476-2158, Fax: 831-476-2925. For questions, contact Forbes Ellis at Heartland Hospice in Capitola, 831-373-8442
Christmas Tree Sales at Furlanic Tree Farm Support School Programs
his year, 2011, Adam and Christine Furlanic are celebrating their 20th year selling Christmas trees in Santa Cruz County. It started in Aptos in 1992 with Adam’s first experience selling Christmas Trees at the corner of Park Avenue and Soquel Drive where Bay Photo is currently located. The next year he met Christine when she came to the lot to buy a tree. They sold trees on that same corner until 1998 when Bay Photo was built and their lot moved two blocks down to Monterey Ave. In 2002, they purchased Aptos Village Produce Market in Aptos Village next to the Bayview Hotel. That was the first year that they sold pumpkins as well. They spent a lot of time cleaning up the firewood in the back area and started Aptos Firewood, which they still run today. After
The Furlanics
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 9
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10 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
CommunityNews
Seascape Beach Resort’s Mad Hatter’s Holiday Tea Party
December 11 annual event to benefit the 2011 Toys for Tots campaign
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eascape Beach Resort is set to once again host their annual Mad Hatter’s Holiday Tea Party to benefit the 2011 Toys for Tots Santa Cruz County campaign. This magical fundraiser, which is based on “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” will take place at the resort on Sunday, December 11. This third annual festive holiday tea party will feature a new production, under the direction of Eileen Tull, with local actors, including children, as Alice, the White Rabbit, and Mad Hatter. The magic of the season will come alive in this annual Holiday Tea Party that will take place at Seascape Beach Resort, One Seascape Resort Drive in Aptos from 12:30 to 3pm. Reservations can be made by going to
Seascape Beach Resort’s “calendar of events page” at www.SeascapeResort.com. Tickets are available by going online to Brown Paper Tickets directly at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2062 02. Questions can be answered by calling Seascape Beach Resort at 831-662-7108. Come and walk through the Queen’s Castle into Wonderland! Party guests will enjoy a hearty and plentiful buffet along with an array of sumptuous desserts provided by well-known community bakers will also be offered in Mad Hatter style! Of course coffee, hot chocolate, sparkling cider, and most importantly, Tea, will be offered while being entertained by these beloved storybook characters. Face painting, crafts, and photo opportunities with the characters in a photo booth will also be included. Raffle tickets will also be sold for opportunities to win fun prizes from local companies. Perhaps best of all will be the wonderful feeling of true giving in knowing that all net proceeds and an unwrapped child’s toy*
or cash donation from each participant will help brighten a deserving family’s holiday. Toy donations from last year’s event sold out event brought smiles to the faces of over 500 local children. The cost of this delightful afternoon is $29 for those aged 2-12 and $40 for those age 13 and over. Reservations are required by Friday, December 9. *Toys for Tots requests that for every two guests attending at least one new unwrapped toy be donated. The biggest needs are for children up to 3 years old and girls 9-12. Soccer balls, art sets, board games, etc. are popular with the latter age group. Please, no guns or toys of aggression, and for health reasons Toys for
Tots cannot accept unpacked stuffed animals. n ••• More information on the local Toys for Tots organization is available at http://santacruzcounty.toysfortots.org
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 11
CommunityNews
The Nutcracker - A Santa Cruz tradition!
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ith the assistance of the Orchestra Manager, Norman Peck, Maestro John Larry Granger gathers the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra together each year since Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher, moved their Nutcracker to the Civic Auditorium in 2006. Tchaikovsky is renowned for being a master of orchestration, and gives every instrument something special to do. The pleasure of playing the music is something Starring Guest Artists and alumni Melody Herrera and Lucien Postlewaite, with Conductor Larry Granger and the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
December 16, 17 & 18
that John Larry Granger encourages, at the same time expecting, indeed demanding, each musician’s best effort. Norman says not only is this production glorious looking, but also because the musicians are in full view of the audience, they are more involved and immersed in bringing this story to the audience. Concert Mistress Kristina Anderson, a local professional violinist, said: “The music, especially for the first violins, is very difficult. The overture to The Nutcracker is on auditions for many major symphonies, and takes practicing every year, no matter how many times one may have played it.” She loves seeing the young dancers experiencing the grandeur and sheer danceability of this music as the story of The Nutcracker unfolds. Polly Mahan, who plays viola in the orchestra, was introduced to this holiday
tradition as a child. She says, “I was five the first time. I was thrilled and insisted on starting ballet lessons immediately!” She appreciates playing in her own town: “It holds a special charm.” In Santa Cruz, she can enjoy seeing current and former music students both onstage and in the audience. It takes a lot of people working hard to make sure this masterpiece by Tchaikovsky come to life each December. All the musicians agree that Santa Cruz Ballet Theater provides a magical production and that the holiday season would not be complete without The Nutcracker. Maestro John Larry Granger contends that The Nutcracker is one of the great symphonic scores that never gets old; as such, it continues to be a ballet that pleases audiences all over the world. His own rewards in the performance include working with Robert Kelley, Diane Cypher and their dancers and guest artists. “Of course, the greatest reward is witnessing the glow
on the audience’s faces after they have enjoyed this magical experience.” Co-Artistic Director Diane Cypher says that live music has changed the performance for the dancers. “They are so very fortunate to have the experience of waiting for the conductor’s downbeat before they start to dance and making eye contact with him on certain phrases for tempo. It is a thrilling experience for them and contributes to the electricity of live performance.” Co-Artistic Director Robert Kelley agrees and adds that there is no doubt that the orchestra brings the story to life in a way that a recording cannot. The fact that the audience can both listen to and watch the musicians along with the dancers makes the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre production even more compelling, especially for children. Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre hopes that you will join the orchestra and the dancers to enjoy the gift that is The Nutcracker. n
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s annual production of “The Nutcracker”
The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker will be performed for the sixth time at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium with a 55-piece symphony orchestra conducted by John Larry Granger. Performances: Friday, December 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday, December 17 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through www.scbt.org or www.santacruztickets.com. You may also purchase in person at the Civic Auditorium Box Office, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, or by calling 831-420-5260. An additional Nutcracker Sweet Treats backstage event, a delight for children of all ages, can be purchased separately. 12 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
CommunityNews
A World of Many Colors
New Concert by the Santa Cruz World Choir and Orchestra
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he Santa Cruz World Choir and Orchestra is a labor of love for composer and artistic director Stephen Bigger, and his labor is back on display with “A World of Many Colors” taking
place at the Rio Theater on December 11. Now in it’s second season, the SCWCO is unlike any other group in the area. Influenced by the visual artistry of performances like cirque du soleil, and the musical impact of groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, SCWCO draws upon the great wealth of talent in the area and brings a unique flavor to their holiday performance. This is not your typical choir. A veteran composer from a musical family many of the works to be performed are original compositions by Stephen Bigger. “ Growing up, music was everywhere, I would be trying to write a song on the piano in my bedroom... “I’d play like eight
14 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
chords in a progression (probably copping Chopin) and say “dad- what comes next?” and he would say, “its your song. What do you want to come next?” “ I approach composing for the group in a few different ways. Sometimes I will just listen to a certain style of music or a group from a particular region and listen for what is the unique flavor of that culture. I then begin to compose something for the group. Other times, a melody will get into my head and I have no choice but to get it out. Often, it will be influenced by what I have been listening to.” Stephen’s approach to taking the worlds musical traditions and blending them together is not only echoed in this year’s concert, featuring special guest, The Taiko Ensemble of Watsonville, it is also how Stephen is cooperating with other local groups to grow the audience for all. “ I first met Stephen last year in the Ugly Mug in Soquel. He was sitting next to me talking about the choir and how to market a new musical ensemble,” said
M i c h a e l Logue, a member of the Cruz Santa Chorale and now also an integral part of the SCWCO. “ I was intrigued, so I introduced myself. We began regular conversations about how we could grow the audience for each our groups by cooperating. In today’s economy it is the only way for the arts to thrive.” n ••• This years SCWCO concert, A World of Many Colors, is December 11, 7 pm at the Rio Theatre 205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. Tickets are $15 in advance available online from www.santacruzworldchoir.com or $20 at the door.
Famous Tacos Moreno Across from Sears & the Capitola Mall, Next to See’s Candies
Happy Hour: 4pm-7pm Every Day
2.75 Pints • $10.00 Pitchers
$
Free Chips & Salsa When You Buy a Pitcher
Try our new items:
Men this ad andtion receive a small foun tain drink
Fish Tacos & Shrimp Tacos • Taco Salads-Tortas Ceviche & Camaron Tostadas Shrimp Cocktail
New items are only available in Capitola location.
www.TPGonlinedaily.com www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 15
BusinessProfile
AA SAFE & SECURITY
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Over 50 Years of Security Solutions
By Gail Penniman
n Santa Cruz County, AA Safe & Security represents the most complete source locals can find for locksmith and security requirements, whether for business, residential, commercial, educational, industrial or institutional applications. The company is a full-service lock and security company that works with big clients such as Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Cabrillo College and UCSC as well as apartment complexes and individual homeowners. You can walk in and get a key made or have your locks re-keyed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. AA Safe & Security provides auto locks and accessories, decorative door hardware, key boxes, closed circuit TV systems, residential and commercial safes, high security locking systems, loss and liability control systems, storefront door hardware, keyless entry systems, loss prevention alarms, access control systems, bike locks, keyless entry systems, ADA compliance hardware and much more. They are proud to carry high security locks made by Medeco. ••• Secure at Home very 13 seconds a home is burglarized in this country. In over half of residential burglaries, entry is gained through a door. If anyone, such as a babysitter, cleaning service or auto mechanic, has access to
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a key, then a duplicate key can be made without identification. A Medeco key cannot be duplicated by just anyone. With their patented key control system, Medeco dealers are the only ones authorized to duplicate a key and only with proper identification and record keeping. Scott Edelstein, owner of AA Safe & Security, calls this “closing the circle of security.” When you hand out a key to someone who works for you and the key is returned, you will have peace of mind knowing that there are no other keys outside of your control. “What you want is real security not feel-good security,” Edelstein says. He also states that homeowners will buy themselves high-end entertainment equipment and home furnishings and then protect them with a lock off the rack from a discount home store for about the price of a pizza. Well-known brands of locks have been available for so many years that the companies have re-used combinations several times. His company is available to change out the hardware and locks or in many cases can install Medeco lock cylinders into an existing lock. Medeco security locks have unique combinations: no two are alike in the entire world. Installation of Medeco cylinders or locks and using their key control system, will add two new levels of security to any home.
Another form of home security is a fire and burglary rated safe. AA Safe & Security carries American made wall safes, floor safes, gun safes, and small to large capacity safes that are bolted down securely to the floor. The safe can be moved to a new home or sold with a home as a valueadded feature. A safe is a life-time investment to protect cash, jewelry, insurance certificates, deeds, photos, collectibles, tax returns, computer drives and disks, or anything you would not want stolen or destroyed in a fire. Although bank safe deposit boxes are a good form of security, a home safe provides more space and access to your valuables on your schedule around the clock and at a moment’s notice. ••• A Community Asset ince 1956 AA Safe & Security has had community safety as its number one goal. The expert staff is what Edelstein refers to as his company’s greatest asset, a group of individuals with decades of experience, professionalism and courtesy. They are available first as security consultants, analyzing the needs before suggesting and implementing solutions unique to each situation. AA Safe & Security holds a Green Business Certification and is a member of
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Think Local First Santa Cruz. They are involved with the local school districts and assist in ADA code compliance for public and private clients. AA Safe & Security takes the time to interface with Sheriff’s Department on a regular basis. Edelstein is currently working with the Sheriff to implement a local neighborhood watch program, preparing a combined powerpoint presentation to educate the citizens. His goal is to get all members of the community to think proactively about their security and safety needs. AA Safe & Security has established long-term relationships in our area and continues to do so, working with home owners, contractors, business owners, and large public and private institutions to discuss and solve their security needs. Whether the job is small or large, AA Safe & Security addresses it with this goal in mind: meet and exceed the client’s expectations and provide the safety the situation dictates. n ••• Visit their newly re-formatted website at www.aasafe.com. Located at 712 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Telephone: 831-4235415. Store hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 AM to 6 PM, Sat. 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
CommunityNews
Give the Gift of Music
The Santa Cruz County Symphony Concert Season is here!
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or the holiday season, the Santa Cruz County Symphony is offering special gift packages for the remaining three concerts of the Symphony’s 54th Season. This exceptional live classical music makes a perfect gift for the aspiring musician and music-lover alike, and will bring your friends and family happiness that will last far longer than your holiday decorations! This year, consider giving a meaningful gift that will both inspires and uplift the spirits of your loved ones… the gift of music! This season is a special one for the Symphony because it is the last to be conducted by the Symphony’s beloved maestro of over 20 years, John Larry Granger, before his retirement. Under Maestro Granger’s direction, the Symphony has advanced to become a fully professional organization. Its artistic caliber has improved markedly and it has received the highest ranking in its class by the California Arts Council. There’s no better time to hear this musical gem in our community.
ture by the early Romantic Swedish composer, Franz Berwald. Then Jon Nakamatsu, Van Cliburn Gold Medalist and favorite of local audiences, returns to Santa Cruz County to perform Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. This inventive work’s intimate exchange between piano and orchestra offers a unique glimpse at the composer’s tender and graceful side. The concert concludes with Johannes Brahms’ final majestic Symphony in E minor.
Jonathan Dimmock
Suite. This concert also features Jonathan Dimmock, a frequent organist for the San Francisco Symphony, performing two major works by French composers Francis Poulenc and Camille Saint-Saëns. Poulenc’s dramatic Organ Concerto is rich with contemporary harmonies, vivid rhythms and haunting melodies. The powerful ‘Organ Symphony’ of Saint-Saëns is a triumphant work whose themes were featured in the movie “Babe.” March Concerts “Three B’s” Saturday, March 24 8 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Sunday, March 25 2 p.m. Mello Center, Watsonville he Symphony opens this program with Estrella de Soria, a rarely heard over-
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••• January Concerts “Certified Organic” Saturday, January 28 8 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Sunday, January 29 2 p.m. Mello Center, Watsonville he Symphony celebrates the 150th anniversary of the British composer, Frederick Delius, and opens this concert the opulent first movement of his Florida
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Jon Nakamatsu
May Concerts “Poetic Songs” Saturday, May 12 8 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Sunday, May 13 2 p.m. Mello Center, Watsonville he Symphony’s season concludes with the orchestra’s time-honored collaboration with the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of Cheryl Anderson. Following the brilliant Maskarade: Overture by Danish composer, Carl Nielsen, the chorus and orchestra perform Felix Mendelssohn’s extraordinarily beautiful Psalm 42. The concert concludes with Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, which features the dramatic and timely poetry of Walt Whitman about the human costs of war and peace. The Symphony is joined by Soprano Anja Strauss, and baritone Steven Berlanga for a rousing finale to its 2011/12 season and the accomplished career of Maestro Granger. n ••• Gift Subscriptions: Call the Symphony office at 831.462.0553 ext. 10 to purchase. Single Tickets: $20 - $65 On-Sale online at SantaCruzTickets.com — Civic Box Office phone: 831.420.5260 Civic Auditorium: 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz Box office opens 90 minutes before concerts Hours: Tu-F 11- 6 PM and Sat 10 AM – 1:30 PM All single tickets subject to taxes and service charges. Mello Center: 250 E. Beach Street, Watsonville Box office is open 90 minutes before concert only. Advance sales through Civic Box Office. All single tickets subject to taxes and service charges. Pre-concert talks by Dr. Don Adkins will take place at 7 PM in the Civic Auditorium prior to the Saturday evening concerts and by Dr. Anatole Leikin at 1 PM in the Watsonville Mello Center prior to the Sunday matinee concerts.
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Steven Berlanga
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 17
18 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
CommunityNews
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to Protect 10,000 Acres
Group seeks final $2.5 million in $46 million fund-raising campaign
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he Land Trust of Santa Cruz County announced today that it is in the home stretch of a campaign to protect 10,000 acres critical to water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational and economic opportunities for the people of Santa Cruz County by the end of 2012. This campaign is the first step in the implementation of the Land Trust’s Conservation Blueprint, which called for the protection of five times as much land over the next 25 years. A key acquisition over the next year will be the 1,200-acre Star Creek Ranch in the Pajaro Hills, the start of a longterm protection effort in that region. The Pajaro Hills are situated east of Watsonville and west of the Highway 101 corridor and form a natural greenbelt between Santa Cruz County and the urban growth that is spreading from San Jose to Salinas. “By the end of 2012, we will have protected a slice of old California that each generation will be able to discover anew,” said Terry Corwin, Executive Director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. Acquisition of Star Creek Ranch is the start of a long-term goal to protect 24,000 acres in the region, Corwin said, noting that the Land Trust’s Conservation Blueprint identifies the Pajaro Hills as a priority area for conservation. The hills provide a critical link between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Gabilan Range and protect the longterm health of wide-ranging species like the mountain lion and badger. In addition to protecting the Pajaro Hills, the organization will secure a conservation easement on 80 acres of apple orchard in the Pajaro Valley by the end of
the year. The transaction will keep the land in private ownership and permanently set aside the property for agriculture. Although the Land Trust currently protects another 1,300 acres of farmland in the Pajaro Valley, this transaction marks the first protected orchard land in the region. The campaign will also fund the protection of 100 acres of rare Sandhills habitat. The organization is working with three of its four Living Landscape Initiative partners, POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust), Save the Redwoods League and Sempervirens Fund on another major project that the Land Trust plans to announce in the near future. The total cost of protecting 10,000 acres will exceed $46 million. The Land Trust anticipates raising most of that from foundations, state bond measures and other conservation partners. A quarter of it, $13.5 million will be raised locally from individuals – making the campaign one of the largest in county history. The Land Trust says it has already raised $11 million from a few key donors and from its Board of Trustees – and is seeking to raise the final $2.5 million within the next year. “The big lesson I’ve learned these past six years is that the people of this county love it – and that they will dig deep to protect it for those who will follow us,” says Corwin. n ••• Formed in 1978 by local residents concerned about protecting the lands that make Santa Cruz County special, the Land Trust has protected more than 3200 acres of land and worked with other organizations to protect another 9,000 acres. The trust protects both working lands, like farms and timberland, and
natural lands with high conservation value – thus protecting water supplies, wildlife habitats and open space. For more information and to
browse a photo gallery of the lands the Land Trust will protect over the next year, visit www.landtrustsantacruz.org.
The Land Trust campaign to protect 10,000 acres of land by the end of 2012; more land Wilder Ranch State Park or within the Santa Cruz city limits. • ABOVE: Star Creek Ranch www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 19
BusinessProfile
Classy Consignment Comes to Capitola
T HE W ARDROBE Where Shopping is Always an Adventure
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By Gail Penniman
he Wardrobe consignment shop has been open for business for over 15 years and just recently has moved to its new location in the Brown Ranch Marketplace across from the Capitola Mall. The owners are delighted to offer the same high quality consignment clothing, shoes, boots, handbags, jewelry, scarves, hats, sunglasses, belts and more that they have displayed for years. This store is a win-win situation for the shopper as well as the consignee and is a place where fabulous treasures are waiting to be discovered. The Thrill of the Hunt hoppers at The Wardrobe will notice that the shop is beautifully organized into sections by color and the dressing rooms are spacious and comfortable. Consignment shopping brings out the creative side, putting together something from nothing and women often come in, not knowing what they are looking for, but are surprised to find one piece that com-
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pletes an outfit they have at home or are able to create an entire outfit from the garments and accessories they find that day. Every item in the store is selected by the staff that knows what their 20‘s to 60‘s clientele are looking for. Consignment shopping offers more satisfaction than ordinary department store shopping because you are not being told what to buy this season like in a department store and the cost savings is huge. At The Wardrobe, everything is in very good to excellent condition and is usually styled from three years ago or less. They also carry some vintage items. Because every item in the store is unique and since there is always movement of merchandise through sales and new consignment goods, the store looks different every time a shopper visits. “We say that accessories are what bind an outfit together, and we buy a lot of accessories,” the owner says. They carry scarves, wraps, ponchos, necklaces, ear-
rings, bracelets, watches and sunglasses that are not just eyewear, but can double as a headband.
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About Variety and Affordability he Wardrobe has casual to dressy clothing. A professional woman can find an outfit to wear to work, choosing a blazer and separates. They have dresses that are suitable for an evening out with a pair of their heels. For holiday dress, there is a selection of the “basic black dress” that can be tricked out with a piece of jewelry. On the racks at The Wardrobe, one can find clothing from stores at a fraction of what they cost originally. You’ll find lots of cashmere sweaters in beautiful colors, Coach handbags, clothing from Chico‘s, Italian shoes and sexy boots, Lucky, Seven, Joes and Calvin Klein jeans as well as other brands. The brands are always changing as the merchandise moves, but the quality is always excellent. Shopping Here is Green iving clothing, footwear and accessories a second life is part of the green movement. It is also a budget-conscious experience, which makes perfectly good sense these days. And it’s fun! The store hours are 11am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5pm on Sunday. Women can bring in clothing for consignment from 11am to 2pm on Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 1:30 to 3pm and an appointment is necessary to consign. The store is located at 3555 Clares St. Suite V, just around the corner from Fresh Choice. Telephone: 429-6363. n
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FeaturedColumnist
Let’s Make a Winning Deal I
Money Matters
Why investing with tax advantages is far better than saving without tax breaks
Brian Cooke
By Brian Cooke and Cole Strickland, LPL Financial Advisors
n the venerable CBS show “Let’s Make a Deal!” hosted by Wayne Brady, wildly dressed contestants weigh the potential of buying, selling or trading an offer of a less desirable item, such as a box of cereal, for a more valuable prize, such as a new car or trip. Items for trade are often hidden behind three numbered doors-1, 2 or 3. Let’s pretend Marie is our next contestant on our own show, “Let’s Make a Deal!” After Marie’s screams die down, she gets to pick one of three prizes: Behind Door Number 1 is a brandnew, six-person hot-tub worth $9,000 Behind Door Number 2 is a first-class trip to Hawaii worth $9,000 Behind Door Number 3, Marie is allowed to contribute $6,000 to her 401(k) plan, and her employer makes a $3,000 matching contribution Which door should she choose? Before we can answer that question, we need to know that Marie makes $40,000 a year, is in the 28% and 6% federal and state income tax brackets, respectively, and has never participated in any 401(k) plan. Also, know that, according to the Internal Revenue Service, for any amounts over $600, winners of game show cash and prizes must pay taxes on the cash they receive. Winners also pay taxes on the fair market value of non-cash prizes they receive (state income taxes also may apply). “Briefs” from pg 2
Renaissance Motets and Christmas songs from around the world. The Chorale will be joined by some of the Bay area’s finest instrumentalists. Tickets are available online www.santacruzchorale.org, from members of the Chorale or at the door. General Admission $23, Seniors $19, Students $5 For information call 831-427- 8023
•••
“Let’s Make a Deal!” Tax Savings Worksheet Marie’s Options New Hot Tub Hawaii 401(k)Plan Pre-Tax Income $40,000 $40,000 40,000 401(k) Contribution N/A N/A $6,000 Emp. Matching Cont. N/A N/A $3,000 W-2 Income $40,000 $40,000 $34,000 Value of Prize $9,000 $9,000 $3,000 Taxable Income $49,000 $49,000 $34,000 Fed. Tax Owed (28%) $13,720 $13,720 $9,520 State Tax (6%) $2,940 $2,940 $2,040 Total Taxes Owed $16,660 $16,660 $10,560 Tax Savings from 401(k) $0 $0 $6,100 (This example is not intended to be tax advice)
If Marie chooses to fund her 401(k) instead of taking the tub or trip, she would have $6,100 more to spend, after tax.
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Benefits of Retirement Plans ome savings plans offer tax advantages, and some don’t. It usually makes sense to use tax-favored plans before turning to those that offer no tax benefits. Your 401(k) plan offers the following tax advantages: Contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, which lowers your taxable income You pay no taxes on your employer’s matching contribution. This is “free money” No income tax is paid on any potential growth while your money remains inside the account
Hwy 1 Drainage & Guardrail Upgrades from Nov. 15 2011 to March 2012 MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES — A 14-mile project to install metal beam guardrail and make concrete barrier improvements along Hwy. 1 from Trafton Road in Monterey County to just north of 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz will begin next Tuesday, November 15, Caltrans officials announced today. This project will result in overnight alternating lane closures Mondays through Fridays from 9 pm to 6 am. Minimal delays are anticipated. Roadwork is expected to be completed by March 2012, weather permitting. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through Caltrans construction zones. n
Since taxes do not eat away at your earnings each year, your account has the potential to grow faster than comparable taxable investments, as the chart on this page shows:
Faster Growth Potential 5 Years 10 Years 20 Years Taxable Account $34,887 $81,521 $227,183 Tax-deferred Account $36,983 $92,093 $296,474
This example assumes contributions of $500 per month, a hypothetical 8% nominal rate of return compounded monthly, and a 28% tax bracket for the taxable account. It does not reflect the effect of taxes on withdrawals on either the taxable or tax-deferred account. This illustration is not intended to predict the return of any investment. Past performance does not guarantee or indicate future results.
Keep in mind that 401(k) plan withdrawals are not tax-free. The amounts you withdraw from your plan are generally considered income and will be taxed in the year received, and any withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% IRS early withdrawal penalty. n ••• This article is not intended to provide specific investment or tax advice for any individual. Consult your financial advisor, your tax advisor or us at (831) 476-SAVE if you have any questions. LPL Financial, Member FINRA/ SIPC Brian Cooke and Cole Strickland, MBA are Financial Advisors with LPL Financial CA Insurance Lic. #0D63585, CA Insurance Lic. #0G22630, LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC 1500 41ST Ave. Suite 244 Capitola, CA 95010 (831) 476-SAVE (7283).
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 21
FeaturedColumnist The Book Bag by Robert Francis
The Book Bag by Robert Francis
A Christmas Homecoming
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By Anne Perry Ballantine. $18 (Rating: Excellent) nne Perry constructs this unusual holiday mystery around Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Christmas is just weeks away and a theatrical troupe has been summoned to the coastal village of Whitby in Yorkshire to perform a special adaptation of “Dracula”. You might remember that this is the fishing village where Stocker’s Count Dracula arrives in England. The daughter of a local millionaire, Charles Netheridge, has written the play and it is all but impossible to perform. With tempers getting shorter and shorter and the weather getting nastier, it appears the play will not make it to the stage. Then a mysterious stranger arrives and takes over the directing chores. Is he a theatrical genius or something else? The production suddenly becomes strangely compelling and a brooding evil emerges under the man’s direction. When a murder mars the rehearsals and threatens the production, it is up to one of the company’s members to play amateur sleuth. Something quite sinister seems to have taken over the inhabitants of Charles Netheridge’s lonely hilltop mansion and totally marred the festive season. The question is whether anything can be salvaged of what is supposed to be a special holiday treat.
Christmas at Timberwoods
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By Fern Michaels Zebra. $7.99 (Rating: Very Good) imberwoods Mall is ablaze with Christmas cheer, but head of security Heather Andrews isn’t celebrating. If frazzled parents, disgruntled Santas and, rowdy teens and the occasional shopping bag snatcher aren’t enough to cause
Books with holiday themes for all ages …
Heather concern, Angela Steinhart has become a big headache. Besides designing the mall’s spectacular holiday displays, Angela is also known for her premonitions, which have a nasty habit of coming true. The young woman has had a vision that tragedy will strike the mall on Christmas Eve. As much as she would like to ignore Angela’s fears and dismiss them as holiday stress, Heather realizes she can’t just ignore the woman’s uncanny certainty that something really, really bad is going to happen at Timberwoods. As the days countdown to Christmas, Heather will need to stay very alert and look for signs that someone is about to outdo the Grinch on Christmas Eve. If she fails, it could be a very memorable holiday in the very worst way imaginable!
“Cousins are twisting and jumping and flipping. Great-aunts and uncles are stepping and dipping.” After dancing the evening away, everyone is tired except Rachel. “Biddy-biddy bim-bom bim-bom bop, I’m the only one still dancing at our Hanukkah Hop,” she says.
The 12 Bugs of Christmas
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By David Carter Little Simon. $12.99 (All ages) f you have enjoyed the series of bug popup books created by David Carter, you’ll definitely want to get a copy of this reworking of the traditional holiday song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…” Flip open the gailywrapped box on the accompanying page and you see a fruitcake bug in a pear tree!
The Hanukkah Hop!
By Erica Silverman Illustrated by Steven D’Amico Simon & Schuster. $12.99 (Ages 3-6) o one loves Hanukkah more than Rachel. While she helps her dad decorate the house and her mom whips up a batch of latkes, Rachel hums a Hanukkah tune. “ B i d d y biddy bim-bom bim-bom bop,” she sings. “I’ll whirl all night at our Hanukkah Hop.” When the house is ready and the food prepared, the family’s guests begin to arrive. “Bubbes and zaydes zoom in by plane. Nieces and nephews ride buses and trains. Great-aunts, second cousins, old friends from afar are arriving by motorbike, camper, and car.” After the menorah is lit and the dreidel song sung, everyone sits down to eat. And, when they are all done, the real fun begins. The four-piece Klezmer Band arrives and once they are set up the dancing begins.
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popular titles her readers have snatched up the second they became available. This season’s novel finds free-spirited Jacquie Grey heading west to start a whole new life. Her solo road trip is going great until she literally runs into Arizona rancher Choya Barnett. Luckily, no one is injured, but Jacquie’s car needs major repairs and she doesn’t have the money to make them. At this point Choya offers to give her a job taking care of his young son and home until she makes enough money to be on her way again. What choice does Jacquie have? Of course, a temporary job turns into something a little more permanent as the rancher and his new nanny/housekeeper discover an attraction that is very hard to resist. With Christmas just around the corner, perhaps there will be a very special present under the tree for this adventurous young woman. And for Choya and his little boy, this might be one of the best holidays they have had in a long time.
Santa’s New Jet
And so it goes. Cuckoo bugs, sneaky bugs, snowflake bugs, and so forth. It is when you get to the final days that you’ll see if Carter is up to the challenge. Of course, he is! On the eleventh day you’ll find eleven dainty bugs a-dancing and on day twelve up will pop a tree with a dozen angel bugs a-rising! Whether you collect pop-up books because you love their intricate paper engineering or just like unusual holiday books, this is certainly a little volume you’ll want to buy and share with friends and family.
To Santa With Love
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By Janet Dailey Zenith. $7.99 (Rating-Very Good) uthor Janet Dailey has been writing holiday romances for years. “Searching for Santa”, “Scrooge Wore Spurs” and “Maybe This Christmas” are just a few of the
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By David Biedrzycki Charlesbridge. $7.95 (Ages 3-6) oor Santa! It is almost time to start delivering toys but he is facing some major transportation problems. Not only does his sleigh need major repairs, but the reindeer are also totally out of shape after eating pizza and watching TV all summer. Fortunately, Orville the Elf has a solution to the problem. He and the other elves have designed a special jet that will whisk their boss off on his Christmas Eve journey. Unfortunately, the new mode of transportation isn’t perfect. In fact, it is hard to land on roofs and when the fog sets in, Santa is in a real pickle. In fact, it looks like no more gifts will be delivered unless some old friends can quickly harness up and come to Santa’s rescue. A lot of different spins have been put on Santa’s Christmas journey, but this is one of the more humorous ones. Children and adults will get a few chuckles as they watch how new, cutting-edge technology isn’t always the best solution to a problem! n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 23
CommunityNews
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Hospice of Santa Cruz County Understands the Journey of Grief and the Holidays
olidays once filled with joy can be a painful time when someone we love has died. Many people who are dealing with loss are often caught in the dilemma between the need to grieve and the pressure to get into the spirit of the season. Hospice of Santa Cruz County understands that many bereaved people simply ask what they can do to get “through” the holidays. Since every individual handles stress and grief differently, there is no one simple answer. Think about how following the same traditions might impact you during this time. You may even consider changing some of them. Linda Donovan, who is now a grief support volunteer for hospice said, “On one holiday season after my husband died, I decided that I didn’t want my daughters to experience the painful reminder that their father would no longer be with us. So, I changed our holiday tradition, and took the girls on a trip to a place we had never been before. We created new memories and had a wonderful time. It may be something as basic as going to a family movie together after a holiday dinner or making a
meal that is totally different than what you have had in the past.” Donovan also recommends the special services that hospice offers during the holidays. “The drop-in grief support group on Coping with Grief during the holidays and many people may find comfort in the Interfaith Memorial Service and the Tree of Lights Ceremony.” Another suggestion: do what is comfortable. “The holidays can create unbearable pressure,” commented Jack Gordon, President of HFA. “The key to coping with grief during the holidays is to find the way that is right for you.” Hospice of Santa Cruz County has several events planned that may provide support throughout an individual’s personal grief journey this holiday season. In addition to our ongoing individual and group counseling, we offer a number of community events during the holiday season to support healing and commemorate those who have died. Hospice Tree of Lights Ceremony Sunday, December 4, 5:30pm At The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz,
7807 Soquel Dr Aptos Hospice’s Tree of Lights ceremony is not only a remembrance service but also a way to raise much-needed funds to support Hospice programs. Family and friends are invited to remember and honor loved ones by dedicating a light on the tree. Each light will represent a thoughtful donation made in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate a special relationship. The trees will remain lit during the entire season as a reminder of the love and memories of special people in our lives. Funds raised provide hospice care for those who are uninsured or underinsured; community-wide grief support, including children’s programs; Transitions care for those not yet ready for hospice; education and outreach. To make a Tree of Lights donation in honor of a loved one, please visit www.hospicesantacruz.org or call 4303082. Hospice Foundation of America also suggests additional steps to help those grieving during the holidays: • Plan for the approaching holidays. Be
aware that this might be a difficult time. • Doing things a bit differently can acknowledge the change while preserving continuity with the past. • Be careful not to isolate yourself and don’t cut yourself off from the support of family and friends. Hospice of Santa Cruz County provides grief support to everyone in need in Santa Cruz County. If you are grieving the death of someone close to you, call HSCC at (831) 430-3000. Let them share how they can help. HSCC relies solely on foundation and community support to raise over $1 million each year to cover the costs of community grief support, Transitions care, hospice care for uninsured and under-insured patients, end-of-life educational and outreach efforts and the We Honor Vets program. Hospice programs include: Transitions: A program designed to ease the concerns of those who are not quite ready for hospice by helping to coordinate care and resources while providing an understanding of the disease processes. “Hospice” > 30
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Local News, King of the Hill Traffic, Sports in Your Shorts, Weather, Music from the Past, Comments about the Present and Your Telephone Calls about Everything 24 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
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Be heard by KSCO/KOMY’s audience of decision-making adults. Contact Michael Olson mo@ksco.com • 831-475-1080
Dave Alan, Easton Allyn, Kim Allyn, Gary Arnold, Steve Ashley, Tavia Avila, Sam Badawi, Jamie Baker, Mike Baxter, Dr. David Biles, Sam Blakeslee, Vernon Bohr, Catherine Boult, Jennifer Brewer, Allen Bushnell, Karen Calcagno, Al Carman, Don Carroll, Lisa Carter, Dr Matthew Chalmers, Rosemary Chalmers, Rebecca Costa, Katherine Cunningham, Donald Davidson, Jacques Delacroix, Ron Dornseif, Charley Freedman, Benjamin Fuchs, Jeff Galipeaux, Dr Cory Gold, Bill Graff, Steve Gregg, David Harken, Franklin Harris, Helbart, Pamela Fugitt-Hetrick, Thomas Hughes, Don Husing, Michael Jacobi, Donna Jacobs, Nikki James, Chris Jensen, Dr Pete Keesling, Steve Kuehl, Kristina Kuprina, Michael Larson, Al Lundell, Sun Lundell, Richard Luther, Jim Martin, Joey McMurry, Renee Mello, Dave Michaels, Nada Miljkovic, Michael Milligan, Bill Monning, Dr Stan Montieth, Kelsey Olson, Michael Olson, Ric Orlando, Rick O’Shea, John Pengally, Tom Quinn, Dan Rusanowsky, Michael Sammet, Michael Sarka, Tim Sculley, Edmund Scurich, Rocky Snyder, Jeff Shapiro, Rachael Shelton, Dr Aimee Shunney, Alan Smith, Carol Stafford, Mark Silverman, Susan Simon, Michelle Sousa-Pennuto, Chris Spenser, Teresa Thomae, Kurt Useldinger, Melanie Useldinger, Alex Valesquez, Katia Valesquez, Peter Vokos, Dr Joel Wallach, Rex Walters, Natalia Williams, Doug Winfrey, Kay Zwerling, Michael Zwerling
FeaturedColumnist
There’s no pill for communication indigestion … only a cure
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By Camille Smith
versations that sound something like this: “Be quiet… it’s too risky to speak up… it’s not my place to say something… he/she/they won’t understand… I’ll speak up next time.” Not only do we listen to the flurry, we believe it’s true and absolutely going to happen. What’s driving this internal snowstorm that freezes us? Many of us believe that being silent is better than risking saying something that might damage the relationship. Here’s the cosmic joke: The silence we invoke to protect the relationship often does more damage than a conversation that’s rough around the edges but wrapped in partnership. Our silence does not salvage the relationship, it sinks it. Our fear that we’ll lose the relationship actually is realized. Sad, isn’t it? Sometimes people have told me one of the myths they have believed is: It’s better to have a bad relationship that no relationship at all. While there isn’t a pill for this kind of laryngitis, there is a cure. Rather than putting something in us, we need to generate something out from us. We need to generate a commitment to who we want to be and how we want to show up. From there, we can then generate a way of communicating that’s summed up by this mantra offered by Susan Scott in Fierce Conversations: Model what I want. Learn the communication Heimlich maneuver: • Stand behind yourself. Take a stand for the kind of communicator you want to be. • Squeeze yourself. If you want openness and honesty from others, be open and honest when you speak. If you want others to reveal their secret agendas, share your hidden agenda first. Squeeze yourself to ask in this way, not others. • Dislodge myths. As you model the way you want to be communicated with, the myths that have kept you silent will be dislodged. Waiting will not dislodge them. Taking new actions Give yourself a communication will. • Use your words. Heimlich! Recognize the phrase? Yeah, that’s what we say to children • Stand behind yourself. who are throwing a tantrum. Maybe being silent, out of • Squeeze yourself. spite and not reflection, is an • Dislodge myths. adult tantrum. The “silent • Use your words. treatment” punishes both parties. Removing the blockage to communication begins with you. I know it may be annoying to keep
uring the changeover in a recent tennis game, one of my buddies reached in his bag and offered his partner some pills, saying “We really need our vitamin A today.” Wanting to join in, I quipped: “A for attitude?” They laughed, “No. A for Advil. Otherwise, we’ll seize up!” It got me thinking. What vitamin could we take for those times when our conversations seize up and words get stuck in our throats? You know… those times when you have something important to say, but don’t know how to say it so you swallow your words. Those times when you want to ask a question, but don’t. Those times when you overhear someone being verbally abused and rather than step in, as you wish you would, you quickly move out of the area to avoid being seen by the parties involved. Here’s what I experience as I help people regain their voice and learn how to deliver and receive difficult messages. When we go silent when we don’t want to, we are listening to a flurry of internal con-
Self-administered Heimlich Maneuver
hearing that it’s up to you. Too bad. You are that powerful. Modeling the behavior you desire from others is risky and rewarding. Risky because you don’t know exactly how the conversation will turn out. That’s uncomfortable. Rewarding because once you experience communicating in the manner you want to be communicated with, you’ll feel a new sense of power (not force), pur-
pose and partnership. That’s addictive. It’s either a tough or sweet pill to swallow when we get that it’s up to us to go first. We have the cure inside us, we just need to cough it up. Give yourself a Heimlich for what sticks in your throat. Be mindful that what comes out models the behavior you want to receive. You’ll stop chocking and breathe a lot easier, I promise. n
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TIMES ARE UNCERTAIN , DO YOU : 1. Feel out of control? 2. Stop communicating effectively? 3. Get crankier than usual?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these and you’re ready to get a grip and learn how to say “No” to these same questions, here’s a special offer:
Take an online assessment and receive coaching from Camille Go to www.wipcoaching.com/assessment, enter promocode: TPG to receive a $175 discount…and get a grip. Questions? Call Camille, 831-685-1480 www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 25
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FeaturedColumnist
&About
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Family Service Agency of the Central Coast and the Daisy Auxiliary he Family Service Agency of the Central Coast exists to assist members of the community who are struggling to face life’s challenges. The Agency is there to give a helping hand and some practical encouragement to those in need. For more than five decades, the Family Service Agency has been helping the community of Santa Cruz County by providing counseling, suicide prevention, education, outreach and supportive services.
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The Daisy Auxiliary he Daisy Auxiliary was founded in 1968 as a volunteer organization benefiting the Family Service Agency. The Daisy runs a store in Capitola – an upscale resale boutique selling women’s clothing, purses, scarves, hats, shoes, jewelry, collectibles and more – which is manned entirely by volunteers. It is well worth a visit to rummage around and find that little treasure you can’t live without. All the money from The Daisy’s sales goes to help fund the Family Service Agency. A few weeks ago, I attended a fashion show at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz put on by The Daisy organization. As well as having a great time and seeing lots of friends who work at The Daisy, it was good to know that all the money raised is for a very good cause. Family Service Agency, 104 Walnut Ave., Suite 208, Santa Cruz, 423-9444. The Daisy, King’s Plaza Shopping Center, 1601 41st Ave., Capitola, 462-3686. www.fsa-cc.org.
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Sharp Quick he last thing you need during the holidays is a drawer full of blunt knives. With all the parties, family gatherings and endless meals to be prepared over the festive season, it’s good to have sharp knives that will cut and chop easily. Terry Beech, owner of Sharp Quick, has a speedy knife-sharpening business – and you can find him all over town at farmers markets and outside various stores. Beech had set up outside Staff of Life recently and sharpened several pairs of scissors for me. He also sells beautiful knives – many of them imported from Italy and Germany – that would make great gifts for Christmas. www.sharpquick.com
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Le Chef in Aptos e Chef in Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center is the most wonderful little kitchenware store. Almost everything in the place would make a good Christmas gift or stocking stuffer. Owners Keang and Dee Dee Lee have filled their store with and endless list of affordable items – all carefully chosen and attractively displayed. There are kitchen towels, aprons, chopping boards, colanders, scales, casserole dishes, rolling pins, and oven mitts, coffee pots, coffee presses, tea pots, and a fine assortment of teas. Several items caught my eye – a beautiful cheese board with two stainless steel knives for $40; gorgeous pepper mills (handmade in Maine) at various prices; little paring knives with a plastic cover for $5.99; and a good assortment of electric kettles ranging in price from $29 to $100. There are Gelpro kitchen mats for $100 – made in Texas – and even chopsticks. Le Chef, 94 Ranch Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos, 685-1808. Email: lechefkitchen@yahoo.com.
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Le Chef
Aptos Center Holiday Open House n Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m. there will be discounts and raffle prizes at every store in the Aptos Center – including Chic Boutique, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine, Frank’s Pharmacy, Aptos Natural Foods, Ace’s Flowers, Pacific Coffee Roasting, Blue Moon, Bella Donna and Campus Styling, Heather’s Patisserie, Carried Away and Mark Areias, Shoe Fetish and Patrick James. Santa will be making an appearance; so don’t miss this festive event.
By Josie Cowden
Aptos Center, Soquel Drive, Aptos (in the 700 block).
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Dining Etiquette on’t forget the golden rule of not clearing away a single plate until everybody at the table has finished eating. This is the correct thing to do. Restaurant servers make this mistake all the time –
prompting those left behind to hurriedly finish their food. Even at special events where people should be taking their time over each course – such as weddings and birthday gatherings – diners are always rushed. I call it Dine and Dash! n ••• Josie Cowden is a freelance writer and proofreader. Contact her at ravenone274@comcast.net.
At The Gym
49. Police ___ shot 64. Narrow water-filled 10. Used in angling 28. ____ E. Coyote ACROSS 51. Region of northeast11. ""Iliad," e.g. gorge 30. Silver in a cloud? 1. Can cause mass ern South America 12. Skin cyst 35. Often done cold turkey 65. And not destruction 15. *Exercise of the heart 54. Type of boom 6. *Part of a strength 37. Harsh, as in remark 67. Greek bazaar 56. Pelted, as with eggs 20. Piaf or Wharton 68. Raja's wife 39. Oil tanker training set 57. *Congratulatory 40. "Do ____ others as 69. *Sometimes follows 22. Unagi 9. Ball of yarn gesture 24. Ascetic Muslim injury you would have 13. Fear-inspiring 58. *Listen to one on monk 70. Himalayan country them do..." 14. Husk of corn headphones while 41. _____ like a dark 71. *____ gym, accessi- 25. *Glute exercise 15. It has two doors exercising 26. 1/16th of a pound ble to everyone cloud 16. "Boy _____ World" 59. Bad luck predictor 72. Kicked in yard game 27. Recognized 17. "He ___ and drank the 43. Bog down 29. Vietnam's neighbor 60. Kind of bird 73. Proficient precious Words..." 44. Sour in taste 31. Jodie Foster's "____ 61. It springs eternal? 46. Feed storage 18. Packers QB 62. Try not to fall into Island" (2008) 47. Don't forget to hit this DOWN 19. *Lookout man this 32. It describes the button when done 1. Tailor's actions 21. ____ the Great, king 63. Lot's wife turned siege of Troy 2. Sound from rival of 48. Ennui of Persia into a pillar of this 33. Courage to go on #28 Across 50. *Done to a sparring 23. Rolled grass 64. "To and ___" 3. Black and white treat 34. Light signal partner 24. Colored 52. Bear's winter hangout 4. Catcher's gear, pl. 36. Reality TV actress 66. South American 25. Socialist, abbr. tuber Spelling 53. Conservative talk- 5. Bequeath 38. "Wilhelm ____" by 6. Back seat show host Friedrich von Schiller 7. Jack Sprat couldn't 55. File a suit 42. Agitate 57. Red light, green light do this to fat © Statepoint Media 8. College president 45. *Often done in four 60. *Dumbbells and Answers on 31 » counts 9. Sweet talk plates www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 27
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Announcements
Bizaid for AIDS Campaign
November 25 thru December 5 ow in its 21st year, BizAID for AIDS was developed by New Leaf Community Markets and Santa Cruz Aids Project (SCAP) as a way for businesses to support people in Santa Cruz County living with HIV. Participating companies commit to SCAP a percentage of sales or a specific amount to donate during the ten days after Thanksgiving. SCAP provides critical support to people living with HIV/AIDS for free, including referrals, psychosocial support and financial support, plus outreach to high-risk populations to prevent the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted diseases. You can support SCAP by patronizing businesses displaying BizAID for AIDS posters in their windows. More information at: www.scapsite.org
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Become a CASA Advocate
or a child who has been neglected or abused, the world is a lonely place. In santa cruz county there are more than 250 kids living in foster care because they have suffered severe abuse or neglect at home. You can be a friend, mentor, and a powerful voice in court for a child in foster care. Join more than 1,000 members of our community who have been trained to serve children in foster care and as sworn officials of the court. Becoming a Court Appointed Security Advocate means volunteering 3-5 hours a week. For more information, call CASA at (831) 761-2956 today and find out how you can help.
Ongoing Events First Mondays of the Month
Lecture Series on "Great Decisions"
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7:00pm-8:30 pm, Episcopal Church of St. John, 125 Canterbury Dr. in Aptos ectures will be lead by Dr. Laina FarhatHolzman, sponsored by Santa Cruz Beach, American Association of University Women. For more information, call (831) 688-0541
Second and Fourth Mondays First and Third Wednesdays
Alzheimers Support Groups
Monday: 2:00 - 3:30pm Wednesday: 5:30 – 7:00pm Conference Room at Elena Baskin/Live Oak Senior Center, 1777-A Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz acilitated by Jill Ginghofer, this group is for caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimers.
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Learn helpful tools for coping: Share stories and receive support from people who care. No registration required, please call (831) 430-3000 for information.
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Women Care Drop in Cancer Support
rop in Support Group is a gathering for women with all types of cancer. We offer support for women through all stages from diagnoses through treatment. For more information or to register call (831) 457-2273
Tuesdays thru Fridays, Sundays
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®
Svaroopa Yoga Instruction at Aptos Yoga Aptos Yoga, 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. Ste.23B, Aptos. 831-688-1019 varoopa® Yoga is very different from what most of us think of as yoga. With the support of blankets, beginning students relax into easy poses designed to release the deepest tensions in the body along the spine. This release deeply relaxes the body, quiets the mind, reduces pain, accelerates injury recovery, and promotes better overall health. Classes five days each week. First Class free. For more information, call 688-1019 www.aptosyoga.org
First Tuesdays and Third Wednesdays each month
Orientations to Become Advocates for Children
North County, 5:30-7p.m., first Tuesday of month (for location details contact Danielle at 761-2956 X102) South County, 5:30-7 p.m., third Wednesday of the month at the CASA Office, 294 Green Valley Rd. Suite 326, Watsonville. ASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Santa Cruz County needs your help. Volunteer 3-5 hours per week to provide support, guidance, and a powerful voice in court for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Everyone welcome, men and bilingual folks especially encouraged. To RSVP call 761-2956 Ext. 102, or email Danielle@casaofsantacruz.org
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Wednesdays
Aptos Toastmasters
Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Rio Sands Motel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos.
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f you have trouble or fear of public speaking, this is a perfect opportunity for you to get over your fears! Call 970-2229 for more information.
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Lectures on Western Civilization
1:30pm-2:30pm, Monterey Peninsula College xciting lectures will cover fascinating topics such as "The Art of Alchemy," as well as "Lord Byron: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know." Purchase free parking tickets at the college, lectures are free.
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12:00pm at St. Philip Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley. ear of public speaking is the #1 fear in America. Since public speaking fears are so common, realize the tremendous power of influence that you will hold when you master speaking skills. Come and find out how you can lose your fears and realize your full potential at Redwood Ramblers Toastmasters Club.
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Coastal Professionals
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8:00am to 9:30am at Aptos History Museum, Old Dominion Court, Aptos. earn tips and make connections. Local professionals meet weekly to focus on business building and collaboration. Interested business owners, independent professionals and guests welcome. For more information: 621-1153, www.CoastalProfessionals.net
First Wednesday of the Month
Child Welfare Review
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6:00pm- 9:00pm 1400 Emeline Avenue room 206, Santa Cruz. he orientation is designed to review the child welfare system and to give you a chance to have your question answered by child welfare staff. To register to one of the meeting and for directions, please call 454-4024.
Fourth Wednesday each Month
Ongoing Constitution Classes
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7:00 pm Quaker Meeting House, 225 Rooney St. Santa Cruz iew video lessons of an in-depth teaching about our Constitution, one of the most respected and copied documents in our nations history. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/santacruz-freedom-forum or email scfreedomforum@gmail.com
Thursdays
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Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club Meeting
12-1:30 p.m. at Seascape Golf Course. ontact Doug at 831- 724-9192 or e-mail dnakashima@razzolink.com for more information.
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Fridays
Holiday Style Event for CASA
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Clutterers Anonymous
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5:30-6:45 Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center, 2900 Chanticleer Ave, Soquel Dr. Santa Cruz. ired of Clutter? Stuff piling up? Support is available. CLA meeting every Friday. For more info call 426-1868 FREE
Saturdays
Come As You Are Zen
9-10:30 am, Ocean Gate Zendo, 920 41st Ave. Suite B, Santa Cruz (next to Family Cycling Center) ome as you are Zen focuses on Buddhist practices that enhance our daily lives. This will be an informal talk with time for discussion. Free - donation accepted. Visit oceangatezen.org for more info.
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Aptos Certified Farmers Market
8:00 -12:00pm at Cabrillo College, Aptos. he Aptos Market, with over 80 vendors, is open year round, with the best selections of fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seedlings, flowers, local honey, fresh eggs, fresh fish, artisan baked goods and gourmet foods. In addition, family activities, music, cooking demos by professional chefs, gardening workshops, seasonal fairs and events are a part of the market.
Scotts Valley Farmer’s Market
9a.m.-1p.m. SV Community Center, 360 Kings Village Drive www.santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Sundays
Main Beach Volleyball Club Blenders Program
9:30am - 11:30 am Cabrillo College Gym 5-6th grade coed, 7-8th grade girls. Contact Jan Furman at 831-345-1441
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6:00pm at Aegis, 125 Heather Terrace, Aptos oin other adults who are grieving the death of a friend or family member.
Terri and students at Aptos Academy
28 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
12:00pm-5:00pm, 736 Chestnut St. Santa Cruz eet local artists, support local businesses, and enjoy holiday music. Find great gifts, such as jewelry, artwork, handmade skin products, winter tonics & elixirs, local organic edibles, fair trade products, discounted gift certificates, and packages for SCNMC and more! For more information, call (831) 477-1377 or visit www.scnmc.com
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5:00pm-9:00pm, Urban Groove Salon, 575 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz ot Groove Salon and more than a dozen local beauty and health related businesses will host "Hot for The Holidays," a night of socializing, shopping, and a silent auction that will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates, in memory of Celestial Cassman, a former salon client and a member of CASA's Board of Directors. $10 in advance, $15 at the door includes gift bag and complimentary glass of wine.
Saturday December 7
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Auditions for the Santa Cruz Youth Symphony
here are openings in all sections of the orchestra, including all strings. Scholarship assistance is available. For audition information, email info@sccys.org or call (831) 607-9678
Thursday December 8 Women in Business Annual Giving Luncheon
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11:00am-1:30pm, The Cocoanut Grove he Women in Business program of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual "Giving Luncheon" which will feature keynote speaker, John Gray, sponsored by Bay Federal. John Gray, PhD, is the best selling relationship author of all time. He is the author of 17 books including "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." As our Call to Action, the Committee is asking attendees to donate new and gently used coats to support Coats for Kids, a project created by Classic Cleaners. Cost for Chamber of SC members is $37, Cost is $50 for non-members. For more information, contact the Chamber at (831) 457-3720 or visit www.santacruzchamber.org
Thursday December 1
Tuesday December 13
Open House at Aptos Academy
Sons In Retirement (SIR) Ladies Holiday Luncheon
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Drop in Grief Support
Local Artisan Holiday Gift Faire at the Santa Cruz Naturopathic Medical Center
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7:30pm at the Cabrillo Community Center, Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd. ublic is invited to all programs. Contact President Paul Henry 831-688-31 or Past President Barbara Chamberlain at 831-688-3356. For meeting/dinner reservations or information or visit www.cabrillohostlions.org.
Dated Events
7 p.m., 920 41st Ave., Suite B, Santa Cruz. (next to Family Cycling Center) lease join us on Tues. nights at 7pm beginning with a 30 min. meditation, followed by a Dharma talk. Tea & cookies served after the talk, during a discussion/question period. Visit oceangatezen.org for more info.
Saturday December 3
Cabrillo Host Lions
Second and Fourth Thursdays of the month
Tuesdays
Ocean Gate Zendo
For more information, call (831) 688-1080, or visit www.aptosacademy.org
6:00pm-8:00pm 1940, Bonita Dr. Aptos he Aptos Academy invites you to an Open house to meet the schools friendly, inspiring teachers and view a video of the beautiful, five acre campus with a theater, running track, and horse facility. Learn how PreK-8th grade students at this WASC-accredited, non-denominational school are inspired by individualized, arts-enriched academic programs, and daily PE.
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11:30am, Aptos Seasape Golf Course, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos. ntertainment will be the Mele O Ke Kapuna (The Music Of The Elders) band playing holiday and traditional music of the Islands. SIR is an organization for retired men for which there are no dues or fees, political or religious agendas. Call 688-0977 for information. n
Your December Horoscope Annabel Burton • Astrologer ©
This month begins on a high as Venus and powerful Pluto meet, bringing passion and love into your life. You are distracted by this so that other matters are on hold for a while but you are keen to make an impression with long lasting consequences. A situation that is in the balance resolves itself after the 25th and in fact Christmas Day could be a turning point for you as you reflect on the previous months. Your priorities are changing which can have far reaching consequences, and the time for actions starts from the 22nd.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
Announcements
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The 2012 Aptos History Calendar is finally Available!
his calendar, created by Heidi and Dick Garwood of Aptos, features photographs and brief anecdotes describing historical events in mid-county. It also features ads from many local advertisors! Buy it now at seven Aptos locations as well as the Capitola Book Cafe.
Holiday Tree Walk
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November 25, 26, 27; December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18: train departs at 11:00am & 12:30pm assengers riding the stream train will delight in the tree-lined walk of festive holiday trees displayed atop Bear Mountain. Guests may sip hot cider and view beautifully adorned trees, decorated by area businesses an organizations as they raise funds for their respective organizations. For more information, visit www.roaringcamp.com
Donate to the Holiday Boutique and Santa's Workshop!
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9400 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomand. he Holiday Boutique remains open from through Christmas! Visit the shop and purchase slightly used items or drop off donations. There are many ways to volunteer, from baking cookies to building senior boxes. For more information, call (831) 336-8258
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Ageless Art Project
rtists/Crafts people volunteers Share your talent and make creative expression possible by leading an art group of care facility residents. Become an Ageless Art Project Volunteer. For information call 459-8917 ext. 208
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SPECTRA Arts Learning
he Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County is seeking stories and anecdotes from people with current or past experience with SPECTRA Arts Learning. These stories will serve as examples of successes students have found through the Council’s SPECTRA program over the years, and may be used to promote the Council’s Arts Learning Resource Directory. If you are an artist, parent, teacher or student with a story to share about your experience with SPECTRA, you are invited to send a brief narrative to Sonia Deetz at the Cultural Council: sonia@ccscc.org.
Ongoing Events
Mondays and Wednesdays
Salsa Rueda Class
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7:00pm at Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. earn Salsa Rueda. For more information visit www.salsaruedasantacruz.com or call 831-457-7432
Tuesdays
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BINGO
6:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St. osted by Soquel Sports Foundation. BuyIn $25. Also, we have a special BINGO, celebrating our 2nd anniversary, on Sept. 28 at 6:30. Buy-in only $15. www.soquelsports.com
Tuesdays and Weekends
Fourth Saturdays of each month
Live Music on the Esplanade
Writers and Poets Open Mike
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Paradise Beach Grille 215 Esplanade, Capitola. ive music weekends and acoustic guitar Tuesdays. For schedule and more information: (831) 476-4900 Or visit paradisebeachgrille.com
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2:00pm-4:00pm, Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter St. Soquel riters and Poets are invited to a new monthly open mike reading series. Come and read your fiction, essays, or poetry. For more information, call Jean at (831) 475-4221
Dated Events
Wednesdays
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Peninsula Banjo Band
7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Harry’s Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose orty-seven years of performing in the Bay Area, over 250 popular tunes. Come see our band for Free in Sunnyvale Every Wednesday. No cover. Contact Lee McLaughlin, Booking Agent, at 408-993-BAND (2263) for information about booking the band for Nonprofit events (donations are tax deductible). www.PeninsulaBanjoBand.org
Fridays
Ballroom Dancing
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7:30- 11:00pm at Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave, Capitola. ive music by The Rainbows. Refreshments, large floor, friendly atmosphere, free parking. All for a donation of $8 per person.
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First Fridays of each month
First Friday Art Tour
he First Friday Art Tour is a Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts event, managed in conjunction with the participating art venues. The event takes place year-round and illuminates some of the most talented local artists from local galleries. To find out where to participate in a First Friday art tour, visit firstfridaysantacruz.com (Most galleries are open 12-9 pm for First Friday viewings.)
Fridays thru Sundays thru Nov. 19
Cabrillo Theatre Arts Presents: The Three Sisters
Friday & Saturday nights at 8:00pm; Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm and a special performance, on Nov. 18 at 10:00 am or ticket information, call (831) 479-6154 or visit www.ticketguys.com Tickets are $15 for students/seniors, $18 for general public
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Every other Friday
Shakespeare Club of Santa Cruz
10:30-12:30 pm, First Congregational Church, 900 High St. Santa Cruz, Starting November 4th hakespeare's club is seeking new members to join in the study of his plays. For more information, visit www.fridayshakespeare.org
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Fourth Friday of each month
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Musical Me Inc. Family Jam Night
6:30-8:30p.m. 239 High St., Santa Cruz. ring your favorite music to dance to and any instruments you'd like to share or perform with. Sliding Scale donation per family of $10-$25 (all proceeds going to our scholarship fund.) For more information call 831-438-3514.
Saturday, November 26
Holiday Gift Show at Center St. Grill 12:00pm-6:00pm, 1001 Center St. Santa Cruz enter Street Grill and Community Bridges invite you to the 5th annual holiday gift show featuring beautiful and unique gifts from local vendors. Wares include jewelry, accessories, photography, ornaments, wreaths, soaps, candles, jams, candy and much more! Each artist and the restaurant will donate a portion of sales to Community Bridges. Please join us for a day of shopping along with live jazz and a wine and Champagne bar. For more information, call (831) 423-4745
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Saturday November 26 Sunday November 27 Santa Cruz Holiday Faire
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Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 10:00am3:00pm his holiday faire will feature arts, gifts, crafts and more. Meet the artisans and shop their wares. They will feature their creative treasures, including gifts, jewelry, dolls, toys, wearables, scents, computers, electronics, cameras, candy, and foods. Admission free with donation to Valley Churches United Christmas Food Drive or pay $3 per person. Free for active military families and well behaved children under 13.
Purchase a festival glass and enjoy wine tasting, hot spiced Chaucer's Mead and Christmas Carolers while meandering throughout our cellars filled with fantastic gift options. Food will be available for purchase, Private Wine Club Reception Saturday, Dec. 3 (6:00pm-8:00pm.)
Sunday, December 4 Corralitos Festival of Lights
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10:00am-6:00pm, Corralitos Community Church, 26 Browns Valley Rd. ome visit the second happiest place on earth! Our festival of lights features music, tasty food, gingerbread houses, and cookie decorating. Santa and Mrs. Clause will ride in on a Fire Truck at 2:00pm for photos, and a fabulous Tri-Tip Dinner will be served from 1:00-6:00pm. For more information call Shirley at (831) 724-7962 or Joyce at (831) 722-2919
Sunday December 11 Third Annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party
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12:30pm- 3:00pm, Seascape Beach Resort, 1 Seascape Resort Dr. his 3rd annual festive tea party will feature local actors, including children, as Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter. All proceeds and one unwrapped toy per person will be donated to Santa Cruz Toys for Tots. Donations: $29 ages 2-12, $40 ages 13 and up. For more details, visit www.seascaperesort.com or call (831) 662-7108
Vinnie Hanson Book Signing
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Saturday December 3 Sunday December 4 $25 or Less Handmade Gift Sale
Saturday December 3rd at 1543 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz; Sunday, December 4th at The Art Factory, 9099 Soquel Dr. Aptos fter you watch the Parade in downtown Santa Cruz, enjoy this fabulous gift sale. Items for sale will include handmade jewelry, clothing, organic preserves, sea glass treasures, and much more! Fore more information, contact Yvette at (831) 688-8862, or Jenny at (831) 425-0960
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Bargetto Winery 20th Annual Art in the Cellar
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11:00am-5:00 pm, Bargetto Winery hop local artists fine art and gifts in Bargetto Winery's Historic Cellars.
Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)
While much of this month you are thinking about the path you want to take and your direction long term, you are also mindful of how this fits in with your relationship. Mars here has been stirring things up and if you are in a new relationship, then it is in the exciting and passionate time. You are juggling with so many demands on your time it's hard to know how to do as much as you want without being burned out. But you are resourceful and will go with the flow without worrying too much about the consequences. Let intuition be your guide but be grounded in commonsense particularly after the 21st.
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
You are more positive and upbeat and looking forward to the season of goodwill. Indeed, you have plenty to keep you occupied and although parties and celebrations may not be quite what you expect, nevertheless you are resourceful enough to make this a happy time for those who feel less than enthusiastic. Initially there may be conflict around a work or health issue, but this doesn't dampen your spirits. You are ambitious and looking for a change regarding work and this could come through in the New Year.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
While you have had the feeling that certain matters have been on hold for a while, this is set to change this month, when your preparations are now on track and your expectations are high. Your personal hopes and wishes are more likely to be fulfilled, but this has a lot to do with other aspects of your life reaching a natural conclusion. Venus links to Pluto at the start of the month and this helps you to feel effective and passionate about what is important and fairly ruthless about what isn't. Harmony prevails from the 22nd onwards.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Relationships are under the spotlight and you could be catching up with past loves or those who have been away for a while. this is a time when team work is best for you and a helpful ally brings you the assistance you need to get a project off the ground at last. Mercury goes direct again after the 14th and those matters that have floundered somewhat are now back on track. Use your resourcefulness to plan ahead for the New Year and enjoy the spirit of Christmas in a simple and creative way.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Intriguing developments at the start of the month could mean new love for some of you, and perhaps a really meeting of hearts and minds for others. Venus in your chart area of relationships bodes well for the month, at least until the 21st. After this time the Sun enters this area. This is a time when you feel less like taking charge and are happy to be guided by your special other. You could do with some serious rest and relaxation and a last minute break is tempting. The lunar eclipse on the 10th in Gemini invites you towards a more spiritual and peaceful time.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The Sun is in the most playful part of your chart initially and you can make the most of this by rediscovering your inner child, making things for Christmas and not being to precious about being perfect or caring what other people think. Mercury is here too, promising plenty of activity and invites and you are witty and great company to be around (nothing new here!). Take note of the eclipse around the the 10th as this puts a focus on your friends and associates. You have an ideal and a vision you want to share to make the world a better place.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)
Saturday December 3 1:00pm-3:00pm Cross Roads Books, 1935 Main St. Watsonville ocal author Vinnie Hansen is a recent retiree after 27 years of teaching at Watsonville High School. She will be signing her locally set mysteries featuring intrepid heroine, Carol Sabala, a baker and private investigator. For more information, visit vinniehansen.com, or contact the author vinnie@vinniehansen.com
This month brings a helpful alliance between Neptune in your sign and Saturn. This can have the effect of making your dreams real, and some of your wackier ideas being a working reality. By now you will have done your homework and research on what is important and begin to allow a venture to take shape at last. Venus enters your sign after the 21st and brings a more peaceful and collaborative time, especially when you are dealing with others. After the 22nd, you know your limitations and can work with what you have to greatest effect.
Sunday December 11 Youth Music Showcase
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3:00pm, Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Dr. Aptos he Santa Cruz County Music Teacher's Association of California presents a concert uniting Santa Cruz's three youth orchestras, Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony, the Santa Cruz Chamber Strings, and the Cabrillo Youth Strings Baroque-Classical Ensemble, as well as solo performances by selected young musicians. The audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the multiple talents of our communities young musicians. Admission is free, for more information contact panofsky@cruzio.com
Wednesday December 14 Good Shepherd Catholic School Presents their Annual Holiday Concert
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6:00pm, 2727 Mattison Lane, Santa Cruz he students at Good Shepherd Catholic School will present their annual Holiday Concert. The preschool through first grade students will perform at 6:00pm, the second through fifth grade students will perform at 7:00pm. Admission is free, for more information please call (831) 476-4000 n
All month Mars is working its way through your sign. On the one hand you are ready to battle, and on the other you want to create something new and change the way things were done previously. This could get you into all sorts of hot water, but you have what it takes to make things happen. Your relentlessness could leave you feeling somewhat exhausted, so do the right thing and delegate if necessary. You take the initiative, which is fun, and as such you could stir things up at home. Your travel plans are looking great after Christmas Day.
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)
You have been feeling under pressure to do more than you are willing to do and take on board commitments that you are not absolutely sure of. This may mean that others think you are stubborn but you have good reasons. You are protective of your space and don't want to be invaded! Be clear and make sure there are no misunderstandings. The lunar eclipse on the 10th works well for you and allows you to rise above petty squabbles. All is peaceful later and you can enjoy the festive season. You win respect for some hard decisions towards the end of the month.
Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)
What you hear and understand can have quite an impact on you initially and it's these kind of chance encounters that can lead you down a different path. Take note of how you feel towards someone new and see that there could be a great future collaboration here that you can both benefit from. You are particularly clever with your cash in December and boost your income in ingenious ways, particularly after the 14th. You reach a kind of turning point on the 10th as an idea takes hold. After the 21st, travel is an important feature and you could be changing your mode of transport.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
This month Mercury has been retrograde in your sign, which may have the effect of holding things up a little but also giving you valuable time to rethink something that is important and precious to you. this has an impact on your closest relationship which was helped by Venus in your sign. Now with the lunar eclipse in your opposite sign of Gemini on the 10th certain agreements can be made which enhances your future together. Your focus is on your resources after the 22nd. Counting the cost of Christmas? ••• Find Out More www.AnnabelBurton.tv
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 29
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Holiday Fire Precautions & Prevention
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By Mike Conrad, Division Chief Aptos La Selva Fire District
t’s the holiday season; everyone is busy with the hustle and bustle that goes with this time of year. So, while you are enjoying family and friends this year, please take a few moments to ensure their safety. Kitchen & Cooking Safety tatistics from the U.S. Fire Administration shows that during the month of December, 72 percent of all structure fires are in residential buildings and the leading cause involves cooking and is closely followed by heating related fires. While you’re busy in the kitchen this year pay close attention to the common causes of holiday cooking fires. Cooks can often become distracted during this time of the year, by family, friends and yes, even adult beverages. On average 54 percent of cooking fires during the holidays will result from either food or cooking equipment being left unattended or combustible items like towels, wooden utensils, oven mitts and cook books being left too close to a heat source. Keep all combustibles well away from any heat source and never leave items cooking left unattended, it only takes a few minutes for oil in a pan to reach its ignition temperature and possibly ruin a holiday. Fireplace, Wood Stove & Open Flame Safety uring the holidays, we also see the use of open flame in our homes increase, with the use of a fireplace, wood stove and candles. With this increase we also see an increase in fire’s not only from the obvious of items coming into contact with these open flames but also from kids playing with fire.
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You’ll Find it here 30 / December 2011 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
“Hospice” from pg 24
Grief Support: Support for Hospice families or to anyone faced with the loss of a loved one. Healthy Understanding of Grief (H.U.G): helps children and teens with their grief by helping them to feel and direct their emotions of loss in a positive and healthy manner.
Be very careful with candles keep them away from combustible items and never leave a candle burning when you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure items are not stored to close to the fireplace or wood stove and if you have children in the home remind them that fire is a tool, a very dangerous tool and should not be played with. Depending on the age of your children you may consider taking this time of year and teaching them the proper use of fire and how to safety start a fire in the fireplace or light a candle, always under adult supervision. Christmas Tree Safety hile the number of Christmas tree fire incidents tends to be low, they can produce the most dangerous fires of all. An average Christmas tree will burn with the same intensity as a 2-foot pool of gasoline. How fast a Christmas tree fire will spread depends mostly on how dry it is. Take a few minutes and search for videos of Christmas tree fires on the internet, you will find many that show a fire in a tree spreading to the entire room in just a couple of minutes. If you have a real tree, keep it well watered and remove a dry tree right away.
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Charity Hospice Care: Helps provide Hospice care for the under and uninsured community. Education and Outreach: A variety of programs that help educate the community about the services that Hospice of Santa Cruz County provides. We Honor Vets: Our newest program identifies the special
Always keep the tree well away from ignition sources like the fireplace or heater and inspect all lights that you place on the tree and never leave them on while away from home or when going to bed. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors ake sure you always have working smoke detectors in your home, change the batteries twice a year, you should have done this in November with the time change. While maybe not as exciting as many other holiday gifts, the gift of a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher may give the gift of life. On behalf of the members of the Aptos La Selva Fire District I, would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season. Oh, and don’t forget you can spread the joy of the holiday season by stopping by any of the fire stations and donating food or toys for those in need. For more holiday safety tips, please contact your local fire department or visit Holiday Fire Prevention at www.sufa.dhs.gov/safety/tips/holiday.shtm If you have any questions for Chief Mike, e-mail him at, mikec@aptosfire.com
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needs of Veterans, honoring their services and connecting Vets and their families with benefits and resources. n ••• For more information about Hospice of Santa Cruz County and how they can help your family, call 831-4303000, or visit them online at www.hospicesantacruz.org.
SPCA Opens Pet Adoption Store in Capitola Mall
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adoptable animals while interacting with the public on a large scale is a wonderful and welcome change. “We look forward to being more accessible to the public and for our orphaned animals to have a greater amount of exposure. Running this store in such a well-known place will help us really show people who we are as an organization,” said Carter. The mall also sees the partnership as beneficial. “Retail locations make great alternative adoption centers for people who do not want to visit the shelter. It benefits the mall by attracting visitors that might not come to the mall otherwise,” says Capitola Mall manager, Merrie Ann Millar. Adoption policies and procedures will be followed as normal and the original shelter will continue to run as usual. The Santa Cruz SPCA recently purchased land for the construction of a new home shelter and is currently in the design process. As pet lovers, we are excited to see the world continue to lean in the animal-friendly direction, with big business providing animal organizations and owners alike opportunities directly benefiting their pets. n ••• The Santa Cruz SPCA is a private, non-profit, no-kill rescue that relies solely on donations. They are located at 2685 Chanticleer Ave in Santa Cruz. Visit their website at www.santacruzspca.org or call 831-465-5000.
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s There Really A Santa Claus?” is the question posed by the Choraliers In their quaint December 18th Christmas Show. Director Wanda Kocina has written this show from the viewpoint of an eightyear-old girl reporter seeking answers to this whimsical question from a variety of people in local locations. She finds an overwhelming opinion that even busy shoppers know, “We Need A Little Christmas” and the tinkling of “Silver Bells” on each corner adds to the feeling of the holiday spirit. She also is told that a group of visitors from the North Pole really do work in a “Toyland” for Santa. They also relate that at the right time “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and that they hope it will be a “White Christmas” to add to the mystique and charm of the holiday. Even the furry creatures who guide Santa in his sleigh are eager to explain how “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and that they feel quite badly about this. They also know they must hurry to complete their Christmas Eve journey so ‘hurry-up’ practices to the “Reindeer Boogie” are great fun and useful exercise. As she travels along, our girl reporter notices that there seems to be a Santa Claus and carolers on every corner. As the carolers are performing familiar, heart-warming and mood elevating Christmas Carols, she stops to listen and enjoy them while waiting for her chance to ask them their opinion on the burning question about the reality of Santa Claus. Unfortunately, they move on and the question remains unanswered. An original song, featured with the carols, was written by the late Don Mitchell. It will be performed by his wife
By Judy Chamberlin
Betty in this show. This song truly captures the spirit of the Holidays encompassing the anticipation of this season as well that indefinable something that seems to capture us when we realize, as he writes, “The Christmas season’s comin’ you can tell, the feelings in the air.” Don’s song, “Christmas Feelings “is truly a gift to all who hear it. Leaving the carolers, our girl reporter continues on her way suddenly finding her school friends. She learns that one of them wants a rather different gift while another gushes about mistletoe, ribbons and candy canes and says, “That’s What We Love About Christmas.” The only thing missing on her journey, sure enough, suddenly appears as she encounters angels. One is a rather amusing while the other encourages her to believe in them and, ”Find something good in everything you see.” Does our aspiring young reporter find an answer to her burning question, “Is There Really A Santa Claus?” Come to Mid-County Senior Center for the show on December 18 at 2:00 p.m. to find the answer. Assisting Wanda in this show are musical director, Carolyn Crocker, Choreographer, Alice Peterson, Pianist, Charlotte Gaidos, Violinist, Alice Yerkes, Guitarist, Sena Knornschild, accordionist, Dolores Diego, Don Ratto strumming the ukulele and Doug Meyers on the saxophone and flute. There is a donation of $5.00 per person for the show that includes refreshments served at the end of the performance. n ••• If you are interested in any activities come to the Mid-County Senior Center or call 4764711.
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n November 15, tails began wagging at the new Santa Cruz SPCA store in the Capitola Mall for the holiday season. The 5,000 square foot retail space is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering dog and cat adoptions as well as the sale of jewelry, t-shirts, greeting cards and other SPCA merchandise. Aside from adoptable animals, visitors can also expect to see award winning Santa Cruz photographer Portia Shao at the new store offering holiday pet portraiture for new adopters as well as the public and their pets. High fashion canine garments MyFavoriteCouture made by local designer Anastasia Torres-Gil, will also be on display for sale. Manager of the Capitola Mall, Merrie Ann Millar, invited the Santa Cruz SPCA into their high traffic shopping center because of her love for animals. “I have always had wonderful experiences with SPCA and it’s a chance for everyone to learn more about the organization and what they actually do for our community. The bonus is that this exposure leads to more animals finding “forever” homes.” Millar said. One-day adoption events have been held at the Capitola Mall in the past, but nothing quite like this. “We feel absolutely privileged to have been given this amazing opportunity and plan to put as much effort into it as possible,” said Lisa Carter, Executive Director of the Santa Cruz SPCA. The chance to showcase
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Standing: Dolores Diego (from left), Patricia Samaras, Emma Peterson, Lois Duncan and Marilyn Quaintance. Kneeling (center): Director Wanda Kocina. www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2011 / 31