Capitola Soquel Times: June 2020

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June 2020 • Vol 25 No. 6

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Music Brings Joy to Park Avenue

Can Al Fresco Dining Save Capitola Village?

Photos and Story By Jondi Gumz With the tourist economy in a tailspin due to COVID-19, Capitola is giving a green light to streetside dining as soon as the state and the county allow it.

By a unanimous vote May 28, the Capitola City Council endorsed the outdoor dining plan put

forward by the Capitola Village and Wharf Business Improvement Association to help local businesses recover from the shelter-in-place shutdown ordered March 16 to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19. ... continues on page 4

“Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Connected” is the mantra of Santa Cruz County residents due to the coronavirus shelter-in-place order, and owners at Capitola’s Park Avenue by-the-Sea complex are taking it to heart.

Full Story page 5

Restaurants, Hair Salons Can Reopen

Dine-in restaurants, hair salons and barbershops in Santa Cruz County got the OK to reopen after the state Department of Public Health approved the county supervisors’ request for a variance...

Full Story page 7

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No. 6

Volume 25

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20

31

Table of Contents

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Cover

Can Al Fresco Dining Save Capitola Village?, Photos and Story By Jondi Gumz

5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 18 19 21 22 23 26

Community News Music Brings Joy to Park Avenue, By June Smith Restaurants, Hair Salons Can Reopen, By Jondi Gumz How COVID-19 Spreads, By Jondi Gumz Kirby Senior Anthony Arya Named U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts • Hundreds of Seniors Get Great Plates • Goodwill: Too Early To Drop Off Donations • New Leaf Adjusts Hours New Grocery Shopper Program Aids Seniors: Forty-Five Volunteers Help 235 People; More Clients, Volunteers Welcome, By Christine Loewe • Santa Cruz County Loses 23,000 Jobs to Pandemic, By Jondi Gumz Trailer Housing for Homeless Worries Soquel Neighbors, By Jondi Gumz Cabrillo Graduates Largest Class: School’s First Virtual Graduation Ceremony Honors 1,641 Students, By Kristin Fabos Hearts Reunited at Pacific Coast Manor, By Heidi Stone May 21: Ben Kelly Day High School Graduation Events In Memory of Jett Ramsey: Virtual Fundraiser Aims To Raise $80K • Live Your Dream Winner Gets Regional Award Updates on Homeless Action Partnership County Investigates COVID-19 Clusters, By Jondi Gumz EDD Hiring 1,800 Temp Workers Everyone’s Talking About Café Rio, By Jondi Gumz AG: Let Cannabis Businesses Bank

Letters to the Editor 16 A Nontoxic Alternative to Roundup • Small Business Face Huge Hurdles As They Open For Business

Business Profile 20 Pet Pals: Great Danes Inspire Essential Local Business, By Erin KellyAllshouse

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Your November Horoscope Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Covid-19 Survey 29 Questions About How Coronavirus is Effecting You

Featured Columnists 12 A Cabrillo Grad Looks Back, By Ronald Kaplan 24 Social Emotional Learning in SUESD, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Unified Elementary School District 25 Intention Matters to Your Health, By Nisha Manek, MD, FACP, FRCP (UK) 27 How’s Your Green Thumb Feeling?: Watering and Other Tips for a Great Summer Garden, By Melanie Mow Schumacher and Rebecca Gold, Soquel Creek Water District 30 Summer Road Work and COVID Update, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Nature Gets Too Much Credit, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Big Brother and Little Brother

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COVER STORY publisher

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Jondi Gumz

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Jondi Gumz, June Smith, Christine Loewe , Kristin Fabos, Heidi Stone, Erin Kelly-Allshouse, Ronald Kaplan, Scott J. Turnbull, Nisha Manek, Melanie Mow Schumacher, Rebecca Gold, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti advertising sales Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey Cathe Race

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“Al Fresco” from page 1 The city of Capitola has projected a $2.4 million loss in sales tax and hotel room tax revenues due to the shutdown.

Countywide, the hospitality sector has taken a huge hit, with restaurants and hotels losing 9,900 jobs in April compared to a year ago.

Restaurants have been allowed to do takeout, but gathering and nonessential travel are prohibited.

At Margaritaville on Capitola’s Esplanade, the takeout window is open but much of the premises sits empty. Once Santa Cruz County’s request to the state, made Friday, for a variance to allow dining in restaurants is approved, Margaritaville could offer service inside – but the capacity of 100 would have to be downsized to comply with the six-foot social distancing rule. Christian Plata, a server who has worked there for a year, estimated this would allow 20-25 people inside.

“The solution businesses want is to move outdoors,” said Councilman Ed Bottorff, who suggested waiving permit fees usually required.

Mayor Kristen Pedersen called the business group’s proposal “quite brilliant.”

She said she had gotten 64 emails on the topic.

“I want us to open safely and productively,” she said, noting the limits on people allowed in shops and the 8-page guidance restaurants must follow.

She did not want to postpone action until the council’s next meeting June 11, saying, “A lot of business owners and a lot of our restaurants have waited a really long time to get some kind of relief. It’s our duty to help them find that relief.”

On May 18, Gov. Newsom began relaxing restrictions faster than county health officials expected.

As more businesses reopen, health officials expect the COVID-19 case count to increase. On Friday, there were 206 cases including six in Capitola and 91 in Watsonville where health officials found that unauthorized Mother’s Day weekend gatherings led to an upward spike. There have been two deaths and 7,848 negative test results. Most cases have been mild; as of Friday, three confirmed cases were hospitalized, including one person in intensive care.

The approved plan calls for allowing streetside dining from June to September, monthly check-ins, waiving fees, allowing up to three hours for parking in the village, opening the Cliff Drive and parking lots behind City Hall and providing parking for the guests of the Capitola Hotel, which will lose spots.

“We have a real opportunity to save our businesses,” said Councilman Jacques Bertrand, noting alfresco dining is

4 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Christian Plata, server at Margaritaville on the Esplanade, is masked up to write up takeout orders.

He said to operate, he’d have to invest common in Europe. “I think it’s going to be $50,000 in display cases, an investment he’s an amazing experience.” not sure would pay off.

Mask up “I’m waiting for the beach to open,” “Thank you for that vote,” said Carin Hanna, owner of the Craft Gallery and BIA he said.

Hanna said two new businesses are membership secretary.

She said visitors to her shop arrive remodeling spaces to open: British Ales, a with a mask, but she added, “In the street, tasting room for ale made in Marina, and Capitola Tap House, serving kombucha on they need reminders.”

Councilman Sam Storey said he tap with a membership model.

Going online noticed most people in the village are not Cierra Ryczek, owner of Lumen wearing masks.

City Manager Jamie Goldstein said Gallery, hired Soquel artist Stephanie banners are planned, providing a visual Rapisardo, owner of Line & Paper Design Studio, to paint her window to help catch nudge.

Hanna said the new dining option the eye of passersby.

Ryczek is covering her bases by will offer curbside parking clustered throughout the village, which means new putting everything in her collection, from signs, new stanchions for crowd control jewelry and beauty products to kitchen and new ramps for handicapped access, and home décor, on her website store, which the BIA will fund so the business lumengal.com.

Bhavana Patel, the new owner of the owners can invest in their own properties.

All this will take some time, so patrons Capitola Hotel, has reopened, putting Katey Fry back to work at the front desk must be patient.

“These things are coming, we can’t tell but with the ban on nonessential travel, business is “very slow,” Fry said. them when,” Hanna said.

Dennis Norton, a planning commisThe al fresco trend is being adopted nationwide as a safer alternative to eating sioner and former councilman, put forth an indoors, according to Studio One Eleven in alternative proposal to create a pedestrianfriendly Esplanade by closing it to cars, but Long Beach.

Capitola Village is chockfull of small, Police Chief Terry McManus and Central locally owned shops, some of which have Fire Chief Steven Hall had qualms.

Without lifeguards on the beach, if thrown in the towel due to the shutdown.

Cotton & Rye and Carmel Bay Co., firefighters got an ocean rescue call, “we two boutiques, and Sea Change Design couldn’t do our jobs,” said Hall.

Capitola’s newly formed Business & Studio, a home goods store, will not reopen; neither will Gaia Earth Treasures, Recovery Committee includes: Carrie which is shifting to sales from its websites Arnone, Capitola Chamber of Commerce, Brittany Barrett, Total Fitness, Kent and on Instagram.

Paradise Beach Grille on the Berman, Santa Cruz Hotel Group, Police Esplanade, for 22 years owned by Gary Capt. Andy Dally, Jill Ealy of Zelda’s and and Leslie Wetsel, announced it would Sotola, Anthony Guajardo, Mijo’s Taqueria close but streetside dining may lure them and BIA president, Katie Herlihy, community development director, Brian Kirk, back.

Rodney Wartzok, for three years the Capitola Mall, Benjamin Ow, Ow Propowner of Capitola Candy Co., said he can’t erties, with Richard Hill business liaison. n ••• reopen because his shop featured selfCover Photo: Artist Stephanie Rapserve sales from bulk containers, which are not allowed. This is due to concern that isardo paints the store window at Lumen Gallery in Capitola Village.

COVID-19 can persist on surfaces.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Music Brings Joy to Park Avenue

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By June Smith

tay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Connected” is the mantra of Santa Cruz County residents due to the coronavirus shelter-in-place order, and owners at Capitola’s Park Avenue by-the-Sea complex are taking it to heart.

When Sherry Arndt, a retired registered nurse, heard that the queen of Denmark chooses a song for her subjects to sing every day, she got the idea that her neighbors could also find a way to honor frontline workers.

Although some neighborhoods choose to howl, condo residents chose to sing instead, convening each night at 8 p.m. in corridor walkways.

Many of the units are used as vacation homes and not all are occupied, so social distancing poses no problem. The Fleming family of five finds their own way to observe distancing by cavorting outside on the community lawn in the center of the complex.

Gae La Torre, a retired special needs teacher, extended the invitation to all by placing notes at all the building entrances.

“I loved the idea of songs rather than howling,” she said. “In my sister’s complex, they sing ‘God Bless America,’ or play an instrument. It’s a great idea since we rarely see anyone during shelter-in, and at least we can wave.”

Arndt brought her Sonos speaker system outside onto the walkway of her unit and from then on, two new songs blasted throughout the complex every night.

Suggestions for songs were welcome. As a lover of music and dance and, I jumped in with favorites like “All She Wants to Do Is Dance” and “Dancing Queen.”

Many of the residents are seniors who love the all-time favorites, so “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer, “I Feel Good” by James Brown, “Simply

the Best” by Tina Turner, and “Jump” by the Pointer Sisters got everyone grooving.

International Nurses Week was honored with “Rescue Me” and a tribute for Little Richard featured his best-loved song.

For residents having a birthday, the whole congregation sang the Beatles “It’s Your Birthday!” By then, the Sing-a-Long had morphed into a dance party.

On Cinco de Mayo, Bob Suess, president of the Homeowners Association and wife Debra danced with bongos, maracas, and tambourines to accompany “La Vida es un Carnaval”

by Celia Cruz.

Suess, a retired middle-school teacher, is a musician and a member of the “Santa Cruz Beach Cowboys.” The couple soon became designated dance captains.

“Music” page 8

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Sho-Li Cheng and her husband I-Ming Cheng dance to the music.

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6 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Restaurants, Hair Salons Can Reopen

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By Jondi Gumz

ine-in restaurants, hair salons and barbershops in Santa Cruz County closed since March 16 got the OK to reopen after the state Department of Public Health approved the county supervisors’ Friday request for a variance from the state’s rules to prevent spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19.

County spokesman Jason Hoppin announced the state’s decision on Saturday, pointing business owners to a new order from county Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel and state guidance to reopen.

Businesses must follow requirements for wearing face coverings, providing hand sanitizer, training employees, and social distancing, which includes limiting the number of people allowed in.

The economy locally and statewide has been devastated by the shelter in place order, with jobs in Santa Cruz County shrinking from 114,000 to 90,100 compared to a year ago, boosting April unemployment tot a record 17.4 percent.

More than 40 percent of the job losses were in leisure and hospitality.

During Friday’s special meeting, Mimi Hall, director of the county’s Health Services Agency, spoke about the importance of addressing the COVID-19 situation through a public health lens, but the economic devastation was top of mind for people who spoke during public comment.

“My employees are broke, I’m broke,” said Rachael Murphy, owner of Callahan’s Pub in Santa Cruz. “My landlord wants me to pay rent, $5,000 a month.”

Patti Eller Robb, representing El Rancho Shopping Center in Live Oak, wrote a letter saying, “Action is needed before our local community loses even more businesses.”

Others questioned whether the restrictions were necessary given the low case count compared to neighboring counties.

County health officials prepared a 138-page application explaining how the county qualifies for an exception based on the state’s metrics: No more than 20 hospitalizations on a single day for the past two weeks, 1.5 tests per 1,000 residents per day — the county is doing 570 a day — and 15 staff per 100,000 to trace contacts of anyone infected and alert them to get tested.

The county is building up to the 41 needed, with 15 on staff, 26 people to be trained by June 4 and 14 on a list to start training, 10 students and 10 promotoras

(health promoters) being identified for training.

As of May 27, the county had 205 confirmed cases, 8,398 negative test results and two deaths, one in March and one in mid-April.

The number of cases reported Saturday jumped to 212, with 96 of them in Watsonville where health officials say unauthorized multi-generational family gatherings on Mother’s Day weekend led to the spread.

Hospitalizations jumped from three to 12, which includes nine suspected cases; the number in intensive care remained one. Of the confirmed cases with one or more chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or asthma, 31 percent required hospitalization.

The application showed how easily the case count can change.

While there has not been an outbreak among jail inmates or among residents of seven skilled nursing facilities, two vulnerable populations, the county experienced its first cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with a shelter for homeless people – 10 of 27 residents tested positive.

Those with positive tests were moved to hotels reserved for isolation and quarantine, and Salud Para La Gente assisted in surveillance testing for residents.

The county is housing 521 people in shelters, including hotels reserved for the homeless, and there is capacity for 200 more.

Jim Booth, owner of Jim Booth Swim School, sent emails asking that pools be allowed to reopen.

“I know they are in stage 3 but I think they are essential for the health and welfare for the people of our county, “ Booth wrote, referring to where pools are in the governor’s recovery roadmap. “Where

else are people completely immersed in sanitizer, exposed to UV light and fresh air and able to get the exercise they do need?”

Seascape Sports Club, which has a five-lane pool in Aptos, noted the Centers for Disease Control reports there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can be spread through water in pools or hot tubs.

Bill Simpkins, who financially supported the county’s Simpkins Family Swim Center, emailed asking the pool be reopened to bolster health.

More than 770 people have signed a petition on Change.org, started by Kimberly Rutherfordhttp://chng.it/p9TfDyFXXx , to reopen the pool at Simpkins.

“These are your constituents,” Simpkins emailed.

Massage is not on the list to reopen in the county but massage therapists Julie

DePrima and Shannon Innis emailed to say they considered their occupations to be higher risk. They wanted protocols so they and their clients would be safe.

Hollis Molloy, owner of CrossFit Santa Cru, emailed to say he could keep people safe, using an outdoor space for recreation. Gyms are not allowed to reopen but Gov. Newsom has promised guidance will be out soon.

Becky Steinbruner of Aptos wanted beaches, hotels and vacation rentals to reopen. “Tourists are essential travelers because they are the economic lifeblood of the county’s economy,” she said via email.

Frustration was evident during public comment as people lobbed verbal attacks and expletives at Newel and the supervisors. Twice, people standing at the microphone were told to wear their face coverings, and 90 minutes into the meeting, Carlos Palacios, the county administrative officer, ordered the room cleared, and commenters were sent to a basement room to make their statements.

In response, Supervisor John Leopold said, “I stand strongly behind our health officer.”

Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said of Newel and Hall, “They have the board’s full support.”

Supervisor Greg Caput, chairing the meeting, was the only supervisor in the room Friday while the other four attended remotely.

“Reopening” page 23

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COMMUNITY NEWS

How COVID-19 Spreads

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By Jondi Gumz

an you get COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface?

A lab experiment published March 17 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the coronavirus could be infectious for up to 3 hours, on copper for up to 4 hours, on cardboard up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel up to 72 hours.

Scientists at San Diego State University are undertaking a new study, enlisting hundreds of people in the community to collect 10,000 samples from surfaces such as trash can handles, door knobs and ATM buttons, to gain insights into how COVID-19 spreads.

The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is led by viral ecologist Forest Rohwer and mathematician Naveen Vaidya. Others in San Diego are studying transmission through the air and for presence of the virus in sewage samples. Rohwer expects the studies altogether will yield greater understanding of the new coronavirus.

This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control revised its website on how COVID-19 spreads, emphasizing personto-person spread over other mechanisms such as touching surfaces.

Here is the new wording from the CDC: COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-toperson. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.

Person-to-Person Spread he virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

• These droplets can land in the mouths

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or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

• COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

The virus spreads easily between people How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, which means it goes from person-to-person without stopping.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious.

The virus does not spread easily in other ways COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads. It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads.

• From touching surfaces or objects. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.

• From animals to people. At this time, the risk of COVID-19 spreading from

animals to people is considered to be low. Learn about COVID-19 and pets and other animals.

• From people to animals. It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations. CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Learn what you should do if you have pets.

The CDC’s “best estimate” is that 35 percent of all people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and that those individuals are 100% as infectious as those with symptoms.

Based on data received before April 29, the CDC estimates 40 percent of the virus’ transmission happens before people feel sick, and that it takes six days on average from exposure to symptoms, explaining the need for social distancing and masks. n ••• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/hcp/planning-scenarios.html

“Music” from page 5

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Sherry Arndt, a retired nurse, plays music for her neighbors at her Park Avenue condo complex every night at 8 p.m.

8 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Cameras flashed thanks to homeowners/designated photographers, Linda Batey and Francine Thomas.

Sho-Li Cheng, a nurse-midwife, and her husband I-Ming, civil engineer, both retired and originally from Taiwan, are living part-time in Capitola. Having taken dance lessons in the past, they rarely miss the chance to participate.

Sho-Li said, “I love the body movement when the music is going; we are so blessed to have such great neighbors here at 850!”

A video taken on the night of “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles was shared with family and friends, prompting positive comments: “Cool Hood!” “This makes me so happy!” and “You folks are simply terrific, Party on!”

Adding her special brand of joy by frolicking through the halls greeting one and all is a rescued Jack Russell pup named Lily. Her owner, Susan Weeks, proclaimed the nightly gathering to be the highlight of her day.

Margaret Hammond Larson, a resident of 20 years, said, “Sherry’s music idea is bringing joy—truly!” n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kirby Senior Anthony Arya Named U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts A nthony Arya, a senior at Kirby School and 2020 National YoungArts Foundation award winner, has been named a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

This year, 161 graduating high school seniors are being recognized.

Arya joins an illustrious group of YoungArts and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts alumni, including Tony Award-nominated performer and choreographer Desmond Richardson; Los Angeles Music Center President Rachel S. Moore; novelist and National Book Award finalist Allegra Goodman; Grammy Award-nominated violinist Jennifer Koh; Bravo’s “Work of Art” winner Abdi Farah; Obie Awardwinning actress Donna Lynne Champlin; and RCA Records award-winning singer-songwriter and Grammy Awardnominated artist Chris Young.

“From basketball to mathematics to music, Anthony has always brought his whole heart to whatever he commits to.

He’s been generous with his time and talents and we couldn’t be more proud of

him,” said Christy Hutton, head of Kirby School.

Arya, who was on Season 15 of The Voice in 2018, is headed to Stanford University in the fall, majoring in American studies and music.

His first album, Going To California, was released in December 2018, and his second album, “The Road” came out in April — in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos congratulated this year’s honorees for their outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership.

“While they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps,” she said.

Sarah Arison, chairwoman of National YoungArts Foundation, said, “Now, more than ever, it is important that we as a country celebrate the hope and promise of the next generation of great architects and

designers, writers and poets, and visual and performing artists.”

Scholars are selected annually by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by the President, based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and writing ability. This year, more than 5,300 students qualified based on performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams, or nominations made

by Chief State School Officers, partner organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation.

One young man and one young woman are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, up to 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts and up to 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which has honored 7,600 of the nation’s top high school seniors, marks its 56th anniversary this year.

National YoungArts Foundation was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison o identify the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing

Anthony Arya

arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

The application process for ages 15–18, or grades 10-12, is highly competitive, judged by discipline-specific panels of artists through a blind adjudication process.

“Arya” page 23

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Hundreds of Seniors Get Great Plates undreds of local seniors are now enrolled in Great Plates, a Santa Cruz County Human Services program that delivers three nutritious meals a day from local restaurants to seniors.

Individuals who are 65 or older (or 60-64 and are high-risk) are eligible. To qualify, you must: • Live alone or with one other programeligible adult; • Not receive assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs (such as CalFresh, Meals on Wheels); • Have annual income that does not exceed $74,940 (single) or $101,460 (2-person); and • Cannot currently prepare or obtain meals.

How do you apply? Provide your full name, phone, date of birth, and preferred language on a confidential voice mail to (831) 454-4406 or email the information to hsd_greatplates@santacruzcounty.us.

Human Services staff will contact

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you for a free screening to confirm if you qualify.

This county program is in partnership with local community based organizations, and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of California with local support from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

This program ends June 10, unless extended by the state.

••• Goodwill: Too Early To Drop Off Donations ith many sheltering at home, people are cleaning out their closets and garages, so Goodwill Industries is asking people not to drop off their unwanted items at local Goodwill stores.

All Goodwill Central Coast stores and donation centers are still closed, so Goodwill officials are asking the community not to leave donations at closed donation

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sites. Leaving donations at closed stores and centers will cause them to be damaged.

Goodwill has stores and donation centers on the Central Coast including Capitola and Scotts Valley that will begin operations as soon as the state and counties allow. As soon as there is an opening date, everyone will be notified. The best way to be notified is to sign up for email announcements on the Goodwill website at ccgoodwill.org.

Career connection services and virtual training are available through Goodwill Central Coast’s website at ccgoodwill. org and at https://www.facebook.com/ goodwillcentralcoast/.

••• New Leaf Adjusts Hours o best support our community and staff, we here at New Leaf Community Markets have temporarily extended our shopping hours.

Half Moon Bay and Westside Santa Cruz locations will now be open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., with “Community Care Hour” reserved for

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seniors and those who are at-risk will be from 7-9 a.m.

A p t o s , Downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola locations will be open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., with the first hour of the day (8-9 a.m.) reserved for Community Care Customers.

Another change is stores will once again allow customers to bring in reusable shopping bags. Customers will be asked to bag their own groceries, and as a precaution are asked to wash the bags between uses.

We are continually reassessing our policies as the situation evolves in our communities, and will continue to do the right thing to keep our staff and customers safe. Find the latest updates at www. newleaf.com/stay-healthy/ Thank you to everyone who helped with suggestions. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

New Grocery Shopper Program Aids Seniors

Forty-Five Volunteers Help 235 People; More Clients, Volunteers Welcome

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By Christine Loewe

ver the past two months as businesses, schools, and non-profits have shuttered their doors and suspended programs, staff with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Senior Programs chose to focus their efforts on finding safe ways to maintain valuable connections with their most vulnerable senior participants.

Annually, the Volunteer Center helps more than 550 seniors to age safely in our community and maintain the independence they desire through programs like Helping Hands Senior Home Repair, Matter of Balance, and the Transportation Program.

Prior to the shutdown of services, volunteers with the Volunteer Center Transportation Program were providing more than 75 free rides per week for ambulatory fixed income seniors and the disabled.

These rides allowed those in need to get to necessary medical appointments or go grocery shopping and banking.

“When the shelter in place orders began, we recognized that senior safety was at risk as their needs for safe home repair, groceries, and human connection did not subside. We quickly set to work to brainstorm and devise plans for how we could creatively adapt some of our services to still meet the needs of our participants as they shelter in place.

Our first order of operations was to establish a phone check-in system with our program participants,” said Volunteer Center Senior Programs Coordinator Tara Ireland.

Since the start of this crisis, Senior Programs staff and volunteers have held phone consultations with more than 150 seniors.

“These phone calls have been invaluable for ensuring that seniors know how to access the resources they need while sheltering in place and for some this may be the only personal connection they have,” said Ireland.

From these brainstorming sessions and senior conversations emerged the Grocery Shopper Program. This new program serves the needs of fixed-income adults age 60+ as well as health-compromised adults 55+. The program uniquely serves those who can afford the cost of their groceries but can’t visit a grocery store because of the great risk to their health. Seniors are able to specifically request the items they want purchased.

Volunteers are recruited, background checked, and trained to take grocery orders and methods of payment from local seniors.

Volunteers then purchase groceries on behalf of the senior and deliver the groceries to their doorstep using social distancing practices. Volunteers are required to use masks and gloves and the volunteer never enters the home of the participant.

Since this program launched last month, it has served 235 people with the help of 45 volunteers who have collectively delivered more than 2,200 bags of groceries.

The program has proven to be an excellent way to lift the spirits of both those in isolation and the volunteers as well. Volunteers with the program have expressed

that volunteering gives them a dose of needed motivation and purpose.

“I love that we are meeting a critical need and helping people maintain meaningful connections with one another in the process. Finding creative ways to remain connected is so important for everyone’s emotional health as we ride the changing waves of the times we are in,” said Ireland.

Volunteers like Laura Chiavola couldn’t agree more.

“I’ve really loved volunteering with this program. I have been able to connect with people in my community that I otherwise wouldn’t and grocery shopping for them has been like a weekly treasure hunt.

I’ve gotten to know these folks through our phone conversations and always feel really good about getting them their special items and making sure they have what they need.

Being a volunteer grocery shopper has been a great experience that I recommend without reservation to anyone who loves grocery shopping and wants to help out in our community as we all make sacrifices and pioneer new ways to care for ourselves and each other,” Chiavola said.

Through a partnership with Ecology Action, some volunteers have chosen to take on their volunteer effort by bike and see this as a way to help the environment while helping others.

“The great thing is that I know I’m not only helping the participant, but I’m also reducing the COVID-19 risk by reducing

Volunteer Center intern Brandi Farrar is a volunteer with the new Grocery Shopper Program. how many people are shopping, and also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by combining it with my own shopping trip,” said grocery shopper colunteer Brooke Wright.

The program is accepting new clients and volunteers. Fixed-income adults 60 or older, or immune compromised adults 55+ who are vulnerable to COVID-19 can call the Grocery Shopper Hotline at 831-4273435 to learn more.

Healthy individuals who are interested in volunteering can learn more about program by visiting the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County website at www.scvolunteercenter.org. n

Santa Cruz County Loses 23,000 Jobs to Pandemic

S

By Jondi Gumz

anta Cruz County’s tourist economy took a punch in the gut from the COVID-19 pandemic in April: 23,900 jobs lost, with 9,900 in leisure and hospitality.

The county unemployment rate hit a record 17.4 percent, up from 8.1 percent in March and 5.3 percent a year ago.

The data come from the two surveys by the California Employment Development Department, which reported 2,344,700 non-farm jobs lost.

“The unprecedented job losses are like nothing before seen in California history in a current data series that dates back to 1976, and are a direct result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the agency said.

In Santa Cruz County, nearly all sectors including real estate, construction and manufacturing suffered losses.

Accommodations and food services, a robust sector with 12,200 jobs at hotels and

10 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

restaurants, shrank 69 percent compared to a year ago.

Local government, which had 16,800 jobs a year, fell 25.6 percent.

Private education and health ser-

vices, which had 18,100 jobs, dropped 15.5 percent.

Retail, which had 11,800 jobs a year ago, dropped 11 percent.

The size of the labor force in the county retreated from 141,500 in early March to 132,800.

So did total employment, which includes people commuting out of the county, from 130,000 in early March to 109,700, leaving 23,100 people out of work. n ••• To view the report, see: https://www.labor marketinfo.edd.ca.gov/file/lfmonth/scrz$pds. pdf

COMMUNITY NEWS

Trailer Housing for Homeless Worries Soquel Neighbors

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By Jondi Gumz

or County Supervisor John Leopold, putting 10 state-owned trailer homes at the 89-acre Seventh Day Adventist property on Old San Jose Road is a way to house 27 young people who have aged out of foster care, reduce homelessness and prevent the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, but Soquel residents worry their new neighbors, who will be allowed to smoke in a designated area, could start a fire or use drugs and discard hypodermic needles.

Leopold has hosted two virtual meetings on the topic, where Central Fire Chief Steven Hall and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart attempted to reassure residents.

“There’s a very good plan in place to manage a small number of people,” Hart said, noting the property would be monitored by First Alarm security and his staff will generate weekly crime reports

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

For 71 years, the property has been used for summertime visits by thousands of guests but that won’t happen this year due to COVID-19. on the Adventist site and surrounding neighborhoods.

Hall said Central Fire has stations on Thurber Lane and in Capitola that could

respond. There are six fire hydrants plus 300,000 gallons of water in storage on the site.

During a usual summer, 10,000 guests

would come to camp for two weeks, but because of COVID-19, that won’t happen for the first time in 71 years.

Meg Clark of the nonprofit Encompass Community Services, which has been working with the young people ages 18-24 on their plans for the future, said 17 of the young people have been living temporarily at Simpkins Family Swim Center. Another 10, including several young families with children, need a place to live, she said.

“I wish everyone had the pleasure to know them,” she said.

Some have attended Cabrillo College, some are essential workers and others need support finding a job and housing, she said. Not all of them have cars or a bicycle, so a shuttle bus will make nine trips a day taking them to the bus stop near Porter Street.

“Homeless” page 14

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Graduates Largest Class

School’s First Virtual Graduation Ceremony Honors 1,641 Students

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By Kristin Fabos

abrillo College honored its largest ever graduating class in a first ever graduation ceremony held online May 22.

Cabrillo’s 61st graduating class is 1,641 students strong, a more than 11% increase over last year’s graduating class of 1,476 students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide orders prohibiting mass gatherings, Cabrillo’s graduation ceremony is a virtual ceremony, available for viewing online through Sunday, May 31.

This year, Cabrillo awards 1,034 A.A. degrees and 541 A.S. degrees.

In addition, 306 students will graduate with an Associate’s Degree for Transfer, a unique degree offered by the California Community Colleges for transfer into the CSU system. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T Degree and meet the California State University minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed admission to a CSU. “In total, we saw a 23% increase in award recipients compared to last year,” said Cabrillo Superintendent and President Dr. Matthew Wetstein. “To accomplish that feat in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis is nothing short of stunning.”

Cabrillo graduates also earned 287 Certificates of Achievement and 661 Skills Certificates. The Cabrillo College Class of 2020 comprises graduates ranging in age from 18 to 76 years with an average age of 29. Of the total graduates, 61% are women and 39% are men. As a federally

The Graduation Ceremonies can be found at www.cabrillo.edu, or on their YouTube page. designated Hispanic serving institution, 47% of Cabrillo’s graduating class is Latinx.

The Cabrillo College Class of 2020 contains a record 165 students who are graduating with a 4.0 Grade Point Average, nearly a 38% increase over last year. This year 249 students graduate with high honors (3.75-3.99 GPA), 311 students graduate with honors (3.5-3.74 GPA) and 649 students graduate with honorable mentions (3.0-3.49 GPA).

This year, 75 students graduate or transfer as part of the Honors Transfer Program, having completed all of the courses required to transfer, including at least 15 units of honors coursework,

while also maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA. Of those 75 Honors Transfer students, a record 34 of them are graduating as honors scholars, achieving a 3.75-3.99 GPA with at least 15-unit hours of honors coursework.

In addition to UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo’s Honor Transfer Program students have been accepted into some of the nation’s most prestigious four-year universities, including: Amherst, Boston University, Cal Poly Pomona, Northwestern, Oberlin College and Conservatory, Tufts, USC, and Vanderbilt, among others.

“Graduation” page 17

FEATURED COLUMNIST

A Cabrillo Grad Looks Back

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By Ronald Kaplan

abrillo College had its first ever “virtual graducountries that we had not been experiencing on our ation” online Friday May 22 at 4 p.m. for 2,005 own shores. Well those days are over now… students — including me.

On Monday March 16, we began to meet as a class The semester started out innocently enough on online. At first there was hope that we would return to January 27 with the usual crowds on campus, meaning campus, but alas we did not and it is uncertain when crowded and everywhere; in the bookstore, in the cafthe campus will in fact open up again. eteria, at the student center, in classes, finding parking I do believe that this world event will not only spaces, walking to classes, utilizing restrooms, meeting change what it means to get a college education, but and greeting, yelling and screaming, and hugging and Ronald Kaplan how we get it. It will disrupt the institutions of edukissing. cation and in the process will discover its values and a And all of this in a pre-covid-19 world, an innocent and reevaluation in the changed economic landscape of what college naïve world in a place and time we weren’t aware of, remi- should be. niscent of pre 9/11 when we were untouched seemingly, and “Kaplan” page 17 you might say, unaffected by terrorism on the shores of other

12 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Hearts Reunited at Pacific Coast Manor

By Heidi Stone Editor’s Note: When the March 16 shelter-in-place order was issued to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, visitors were prohibited at the county’s seven skilled nursing facilities. On

May 18, after a drive-by salute to the nurses and the staff at Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola, the staff worked with Capitola Police Lt. Leo Moreno to make a drive-by celebration possible for patients so they could once again see their loved ones.

••• n these difficult times we’re living through, most of us at least have the opportunity of sheltering in place with our loved ones and families.

For many who are in a skilled nursing facility, the staff becomes their extended families.

I would like to share with you an incredibly beautiful afternoon of memories that were made at our local skilled nursing facility, Pacific Coast Manor.

Pacific Coast Manor created a day I’m sure won’t soon be forgotten for their residents, family members and staff.

Words could not express the emotion of everyone who shared in the moments of this event.

The team at Pacific Coast Manor

I

One of 36 cars in the drive-by celebration, a family brings a message of love.

came together to create a magical day for their residents by inviting their loved ones to participate in an organized caravan drive by.

Residents and staff created signs as did the excited family members who awaited the drive with anticipation.

The Capitola Police Department helped with the planning by blocking off streets and holding traffic so we could drive through without interruption.

Many pictures and videos were taken that day, but I’m sure the memories we each took away will stay with us for a long time to come.

We feel it’s so important especially now to get these uplifting and beautiful moments shared with as many people as possible. Although we can’t touch in or hug in real time, we can touch hearts with these types of acts of kindness and community support you can see from our staff and caregivers, to our local police department. n •••

A patient at Pacific Coast Manor waves to a family member who waves back.

Heidi Stone is regional director, Business Development Bay Area, for Covenant Care, which owns Pacific Coast Manor.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 13

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14 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

KIRBY.ORG

or more residential units, with notice going to property owners and occupants within No one will be allowed to walk in or 300 feet. out, and no visitors are allowed. Pets must Todd Gallemore, the Seventh Day be leashed.

Adventist facilities manager, responding Clark said that if any of the partici- to questions about permitting, said the pants smoked outside the designated area property is in compliance and that septic or used drugs, that individual would be tanks are pumped but the site is not fully “exited” from the program. fenced, something he hopes to accomplish Three prepared meals a day will be in the future. provided, and the trailers will have microThe $600 per trailer space per month waves, small fridges and a bathroom with paid by the county would help cover some a toilet and shower. costs, he said.

There will be on-site staffing by comSoquel residents asked if other sites munity nonprofits working with the young had been considered, such as the county people, with two staff per 20 participants. fairgrounds in Watsonville or state park The trailer homes are scheduled parking lots at New Brighton Beach or Seato provide housing until the end of the cliff Beach, where tent camping is allowed.

COVID-19 emergency, prompting a Elissa Benson, assistant county adminquestion: Why invest so much time into a istrative officer who is overseeing homeless site that is temporary? matters, said the county requested use of Leopold’s answer: He thinks the the state park property but the state did health officer’s “shelter in place” order will not grant the request. extend beyond June 30. A potential phase As for the fairgrounds, it is being two could bring the number of participants reserved as a quarantine site in case there is up to 50. a large COVID-19 outbreak at a congregate The county will be able to keep the living setting, such as a shelter or in the trailers once the pandemic is over. farmworker community. So far, there has Soquel residents who participated in a not been an outbreak at a shelter or at any telephone town hall with Leopold voiced skilled nursing facilities in the county. frustration that they had not been notified Mark Swan was one of the few to about the project in advance. speak in support.

The Adventist property, which is “Where is our compassion?” he asked. gated and two miles from Soquel Village, “We’re capable of having bigger hearts.” has few close neighbors.

To further address concerns, Leopold Typically, the county requires a neigh- said he will create an ad hoc community borhood meeting for developments of five advisory group to provide input on the program.

This is the second time the Adventist campground was identified as a place to house people who are homeless. Two years ago, the Association of Faith Communities contemplated hosting a site at the Adventist campground for people living in their cars or RVs, but the idea – broached as an unsanctioned tent camp grew behind the Ross Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz shopping center in Santa Cruz -- led The Seventh Day Adventist campground property is leasing to a petition signed by more than space to the county for 10 trailers to house young people 500 people who opposed it, and the faith group found sites elsewhere. n aging out foster care.

“Homeless” from page 11

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COMMUNITY NEWS

May 21: Ben Kelly Day

A Day.

CASA CARES ABOUT BEING THERE. NO MATTER WHAT.

t the Board of Supervisors meeting, a proclamation was read declaring today, May 21, 2020, as Ben Kelly

The proclamation was drafted by First District Supervisor John Leopold to honor the loss of the local entrepreneur, who at the age of 26 had developed a marketing company and made his own brand of surfboards.

Kelly was surfing off Sand Dollar Beach Ben Kelly near Watsonville on May 9 when he was fatally attacked by a shark.

“Ben practiced his belief that surfing was so much more than just catching waves,” Leopold said in the declaration. “It was Katie Kelly about the people he met and the continuous grand adventures that made it fun while blessing others along the way.

Keith Greeninger performed a tribute at the ceremony, and Kelly’s wife, Katie, spoke about the loss of her husband.

“I’ve been so overwhelmed by the

Keith Greeninger performed a tribute.

way the Santa Cruz community has come along beside me, and Ben, and just really supported us.” Katie said. “We were only here for 3 ½ years before this … we just really, really thank you, the way that Santa Cruz has come, as like family to us. I really appreciate this. God bless you guys.” n ••• To view the video of the proclamation and responses, visit https://drive.google.com/drive/ folders/1ULk_0-ZP1Ppr2PS8MJGGB3I4 AnGk3F52.

Join us for an online information meeting to learn more about how you can be there for a child in foster care. All it takes is 2 hours a week to make a lifetime of an impact.

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Katie receives the proclamation from Supervisor Leopold.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 15

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16 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Graduation Events

Soquel High School: June 5. For a video of the grads’ favorite memories and what they will do next, visit http://sccssoquel.ss8.sharpschool. com/newsletters/what_s_new/ knight_isolation_nation Harbor High: June 5 is diploma pickup day; grads should wear s cap and gown.

Santa Cruz High School: June 5 parade for grads and their families at the main parking lot of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with school staff cheering them on. When the parade ends, grads can get a professional photo taken at the end of the parade route.

Santa Cruz City School Alternative Family Education: June 4 drive-by

celebration 5:30-6 p.m. at 840 Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz.

Cypress Charter High School: Students are assigned to pick up their diploma on either June 3 and 4 and take photos with their family. A virtual graduation ceremony will take place on Zoom June 5.

Kirby School: Virtual music concert 5 p.m. June 5, virtual graduation ceremony 11 a.m. June 6, graduation car parade 4-6 p.m. June 6.

Mount Madonna School: Virtual graduation ceremony 6 p.m. June 2.

San Lorenzo Valley High School: Drivethrough graduation 10 a.m. to noon June 5 for grads and their families.

Scotts Valley High School: Graduation postponed until July 2.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Nontoxic Alternative to Roundup live in La Selva and have a concern about the use of Roundup in local gardens.

More people have been home because of the lockdown and more in their gardens.

I have noticed several gardens spraying the poison Roundup in the gardens and in the meridians and rock areas by their driveways if a house is mostly rock as the decor of the front yard.

After spraying they water the rock area and the drainage feeds into the street and drains. Dogs walk in this water, strollers drive over the water. I saw a mother with a child and a dog standing in the area someone while someone spraying the Roundup and it was windy.

Roundup is a known carcinogen and we are dealing with a pandemic that may be caused by the degradation of the environment and our misuse of resources including animals and soil.

I am surprised and concerned that for convenience Roundup is being used at a great cost.

There are many options that are nontoxic but they take some mixing up a couple of simple ingredient. One recipe calls for 1/2 gallon of vinegar, 1/2 cup of salt, and 2 Tablespoons of dish soap.

It is imperative we change our habits to be able to offer a future for those children going by in strollers and for the health of those around us. I hope this suggestion is taken seriously.

— Nanda Currant ••• Small Business Face Huge Hurdles As They Open For Business he Capitola Mall is open for businesses but for the small non-profit gift and art

I

T

gallery; Art of Santa Cruz, the preparations are enormous.

Run by Volunteers, most over age 65, manning the store is mostly impossible.

Plans are in the works to open for very limited days and hours. Things the board members can manage without calling out the rest of the troops.

Without income for 10 weeks, our merger resource as depleted, and we are managing on donations.

The cost to b incurred to be able to open with the safety of our volunteers and customers, will be large. Plexiglas barriers, masks, gloves, sanitizers.

I recently saw a statistic that TV and Radio advertising is down 41%. Is that because small businesses do not advertise if they cannot open their doors? How important is Small Business?? VERY! Ford, General Motors, Target, Safeway, Proctor and Gamble can continue and change their advertising but for the taco bar, Gift Shops, Bike shops, Local Tourists shops, not so much.

The Federal Government is clueless.

What Small Business relief offered was for those “small Business with sales under 5 Million — what about those under $500,000??

It was obvious with Shake Shack being given loans and the corner grocery was ignored.

Art of Santa Cruz is trying to reach our customers, with an online store.

Hopefully, Capitola Mall will be successful and the tenants will rebound with customers coming out to shop in safe conditions.

Shop Local — Drop by and Say Hi. — Elaine Kennedy

“Graduation” from page 12 Cabrillo’s Honors Transfer Program has had a 30% increase in applicants each year for the past three years. This year, the increasingly popular program had 160 applicants by mid-March.

Honors Transfer Program Director Carolyn Jackson advises, “Students can still inquire about the Honors Transfer Program for fall, and if seats are filled, can start at Cabrillo as a regular student in fall semester, then enter the Honors Transfer Program for spring 2021.”

Cabrillo Honors Transfer Program students had a 72% admit rate into the UCLA College of Letters and Sciences for the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program, which gives priority admission into the UCLA College of Letters and Sciences for fall 2020.

Two of Cabrillo’s Honors Transfer Program participants received notable scholarships. Jasmine Ruiz received the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award, and will be transferring to UCSC with a major in biology. The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Alejandra Zamora-Hernandez, who is transferring to UC Berkeley and majoring in political science.

“Kaplan” from page 12 Will community colleges become the shopping malls of present day with the disruption in retail and American’s consumer habits? Will it reinvent itself? Will people reskill to work at home going forward?

These are some of the questions the community of education will and should ask itself.

We have come to that proverbial “fork in the road” and as Yogi Berra would say that when we get there, “to take it.”

I recall hearing a lecture by Buckminster Fuller some 40 years ago when he spoke of telecommuting. Something I couldn’t quite get my head around at the time, but now it all makes sense.

I am very glad however that we had a chance to meet in person in class, as a group of classmates before becoming virtual classmates.

The upshot of engaging online for me with the “Shelter in Place” protocol and my four courses is that it became a welcome distraction from literally “hanging around the house.” It gave me structure and kept me busy, stimulating my mind and introducing me to the joy I would find in writing.

In my coursework I read that those

Cabrillo’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony begins with video footage from last year’s processional, followed by a welcome from Vice President of Student Services Sue Gochis. Cabrillo College President and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wetstein, Cabrillo Faculty Senate President Dr. Robin McFarland, and Cabrillo Classified Employees Union Interim President Jessica Carroll giving congratulatory remarks.

Wetstein and Cabrillo Board President Leticia Mendoza present the class of 2020.

Student Trustee Madison Raasch recognizes Cabrillo’s Transfer Students, and Associated Students of Cabrillo College Student Body President Ana Lopez conducts the ceremonial “Moving of the Tassel.” n ••• The graduation videos can be found at Cabrillo College’s YouTube page.

who go into the profession of journalism find something to love about it. What I found was a rediscovery of writing and a platform to express myself and my thoughts on politics, student life, and a chance to impart what I hope was a bit of wisdom on life and lessons learned with the perspective of age and life experience for those in their own formative years as The Cabrillo Voice Editorial/Opinion writer.

You can find a number of those pieces online at thecabrillovoice.com, The Voice of Cabrillo College for all of Santa Cruz County.

Place and time: Timing does play a role that can shape our destiny, whether it is the people we meet, the subjects or information we come in contact with, or the opportunities that present themselves by simply showing up.

Best of all, I’ve made some new friends, and in journalism, have found a new love of writing.

So, thank you Cabrillo College. I will miss my classmates and my instructors, even virtually. And as Shakespeare would say: “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be ‘morrow.” Now I can say from experience, that returning to education no matter what shape or form, is an invitation to a good ‘morrow. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

In Memory of Jett Ramsey

Virtual Fundraiser Aims To Raise $80K

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ocal real estate agency, the DeBernardo Team, has raised $20,000 of their $100,000 goal to remodel the well-used and much-beloved Hidden Beach Playground located in Aptos.

The DeBernardo Team is dedicating their efforts to raise the funding in tribute to Jett Ramsey, a 5-year-old who passed away from cancer in April during “Shelter in Place.”

Jett was the son of longtime Aptos residents Amy and Chris Ramsey and brother to Jack and Christian.

While overwhelmed with grief at the loss of Jett, the team has been humbled by the outpouring of love and support of the community to honor Jett’s battle against cancer.

Inspired by the community’s generosity and to celebrate Jett’s life and his impact upon all of us, the DeBernardo Team will host a virtual event on You Tube Live 5-6 p.m. June 11 to raise the final $80,000 for the playground. See youtu.be/iUKXxdxXOaM “We are going to cry, we are going to laugh, and we are going to make sure the new Hidden Beach Park Playground will be built so Jett’s memory and energy

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lives on!” said Frank DeBernardo of the DeBernardo Team.

Mariah Roberts, executive director of County Park Friends said, “We are humbled to be a part of this outpouring of love for the Ramsey Family. We gather virtually now, so we can create a place that connects families for generations to come.” n ••• For more information: www.countypark friends.org/hiddenbeachplayground.html

oroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea is proud to announce that one of its 2020 Live Your Dream award winners has been selected to receive a cash award presented by Soroptimist International, Sierra Pacific Region.

The winner, whose identity is being withheld for her safety, is the mother of two who is pursuing a degree in social work and has been able to maintain a 4.0 gradepoint average while raising her children, going to school fulltime and working part-time.

“I want to work with women and mothers and help them to overcome difficulties and to enjoy their precious life,” she wrote in her Live Your Dream application essay.

The Live Your Dream awards are given to women who are enrolled in or have been

accepted into a BA or technical training program, are the heads of their households and have demonstrated a financial need.

Each year, local winners’ applications are submitted to the Sierra Pacific Region where they are evaluated for additional financial support.

Regional winners receive a $3,000 cash award to help them continue their education. As a regional winner, her application now has been submitted for further consideration at the national level. n Soroptimist International of Capitola-bythe-Sea is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. For more information visit www.facebook.com/sicapitola, email info@ best4women.org or visit www.best4women.org.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Updates on Homeless Action Partnership

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he Homeless Action Partnership, a collaboration of the County of Santa Cruz, each city within the county, and local service providers working to reduce homelessness — 2,167 people in 2019 — has a new website: www.homelessactionpartnership.org. The site includes updates and new resources.

Highlights include: The COVID-19 Homeless Response: Weekly updates from the Santa Cruz County Shelter & Care Task Force, with the goal of minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

Hotel: A 55-room hotel in Santa Cruz is the third hotel to serve people who are homeless, 65 and older or medically vulnerable; 39 percent of the county’s homeless individuals reported a disabling condition. Food, mental health and health assessment are provided. This brings to 117 the total number of hotel rooms for homeless people, funded by the state’s Project Room Key. Currently, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases among those who are homeless.

Support: An unsupervised encampment on Coral Street in Santa Cruz has been cleaned up and become a site where18 people live and get three meals per day, hygiene services and health assessments. The new site, which passed inspection by the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Department, is operating under COVID-19 guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the California Public Health Department.

RVs and Cars Parking: A new overnight parking area for people living in their car, van or RV has been established through a partnership between the City of Santa Cruz and the Association of Faith Communities’ SafeSpaces program at parking lot #17 owned by the City of Santa Cruz.

There is space for up to 10 vehicles. The city provides hygiene facilities, and Faith Communities provides staff as monitors.

Soquel Advisory Board: — Supervisor John Leopold plans to form a community advisory board to help guide operation of a shelter at the Seventh-Day Adventist conference center on Soquel-San Jose Road in Soquel for “transition age youth” ages 18-25 aging out of foster care; 23 percent of the county’s homeless individuals reported being in foster care. The state is providing 10 trailers during the County Health Officer’s shelter-in-place order.

Up to 30 people are to live here during the first phase, including 17 young people at Simpkins Family Swim Center. The second phase, if approved, would include up to 20 more individuals for a maximum of 50. Participants would receive services to support their health and job training goals. The property will be subject to 24/7 security, a 10 p.m. curfew, and accessible only via car or shuttle bus (no walk-in or walk-outs allowed). A dozen trailers arrived May 18, with two slated to be moved to the Watsonville fairgrounds.

School Nurses: Local school nurses who have state certification are visiting shelters throughout Santa Cruz County to ensure the safety of participants and staff.

New Tool: Professional staff are collecting critical information from all shelter residents and entering the data into the Homeless Management Information System used by the Homeless Action Partnership throughout Santa Cruz County.

The data helps inform policy and operation decisions, ensure accurate budgeting and supports efforts to obtain reimbursement from state and federal agencies.

• Point-in-Time Counts for Santa Cruz County: current and previous counts that every two years provide a snapshot of the homeless population.

2019: 2,167, down from 2,249 in 2017.

• State and federal funding information: Current request for proposal opportunities for homeless service providers.

• Smart Path access: Contact information for organizations conducting assessments to match housing and/or services with those in need.

• Volunteer and donate: Find volunteer opportunities and information on how to donate to service providers.

The website features stories of success by organizations such as Families in Transition, Bill Wilson Center, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, and Housing Matters as well as individuals in their efforts to address and overcome homelessness.

Those who visit the website are encouraged to sign up for news electronically and stay informed of the latest info. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 19

BUSINESS PROFILE

Pet Pals

Great Danes Inspire Essential Local Business

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By Erin Kelly-Allshouse

et Pals, an independent, family business owned by Glenn Matherly and wife Lorraine, offers a large selection of pet food and supplies.

Glen and Lorraine – both 65 years old, have been partners in business and in life -- married 45 years.

In 1986 the couple started delivering dog food out of their garage while Glenn Matherly worked part-time as a furniture salesman.

“Pet Pals is not a chain and we did not buy it,” Matherly said. “We came up with the name and the idea to open a pet store in 1986 after we got our Great Danes in 1985.”

Dogs have always been a large part of their life and the couple has owned two No. 1 Great Danes.

“My wife started showing them at AKC dog shows and got hooked,” Matherly said. “Lorraine co-bred the No. 1 Great Dane in 2013 which earned the record of Best in Shows of any Great Dane in history through today. She also won 39 Best in Shows.”

After purchasing food at the local pet store for their Great Danes, the couple noticed the price was high, they never had good stock and had to dust the bags off before purchasing.

“We thought there was a better way and decided to do it ourselves,” Matherly said.

So they did.

In 1989 the ambitious couple opened a brick and mortar store in Marina and moved through three locations before opening their store in Soquel in 1995.

“My wife actually started the business and I joined her after leaving my furniture sales job,” Matherly said.

Lorraine does most of the purchasing for the 15,000 square-feet store.

“We incorporated Pet Pals in 2005 and at that time my wife became the president of the company,” said Matherly. “We are pretty much the Costco of pet stores.”

With concrete floors, 24-foot ceilings and pallet racks, the recipe for success is offering a huge selection of food and supplies then offering low discount prices, Matherly said.

The couple employs 22 crew members.

Paco Deas has been a manager with Pet Pals 25 years and Michael Montoya, also a manager, has been with Pet Pals for 15 years.

“Our goal is to offer pet supplies at low everyday discount prices; thus the name “Discount Pet Supplies,” Matherly said. “We do not sell live animals, only food and supplies for dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.”

Pet Pals has a close relationship with local rescue organizations including the SPCA, Rabbit Haven, Santa Lorraine Matherly, with one of their Great Dane’s, Scout

20 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Cruz County Animal Shelter and local dog training clubs.

Matherly said the store often provides space for adoption clinics, dog training and low-cost vaccinations but not grooming.

“Being in our current locations for 25 years, you can imagine the customer base we have been so lucky to acquire,” said Matherly. “We even have customers come from Monterey, Watsonville and Los Gatos –- really all demographics.”

After the shelter in place order in midMarch, as some essentials at grocery stores were hoarded and took a long time to return to the shelf, Pet Pals also saw some supply chain interruptions.

“We have worked through most but some manufactures don’t have enough product in their warehouse to restock stores,” he said. “This really caught retail by surprise.”

Now it is business as usual, with hours the same — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day — as before the COVID-19 coronavirus, plus curbside pickup. A webstore is under construction.

“We are very lucky that the state considers pet stores essential businesses,” Matherly said. “I see the suffering of other business owners and it just kills me.”

“My managers Paco Deas and Michael Montoya are very connected to the customer base and have a real sense of

community responsibility,” said Matherly.

“They enforced the use of face masks by our employees, cleaning check out stations between customers and offering a “sanitizing station” for customers.”

They also installed Plexiglass barriers between our cashiers and customers.

The couple plan to keep a close eye on the health of all their employees during the next few months and keep in place all of the sanitizing protocols.

Matherly said one employee who is 67 wanted to remove himself from one-onone contact with customers and other employees and is sheltering at home until the situation is resolved. Another employee has his father living with him and his father’s health is compromised, so he decided to stay home as well.

“Both of these great employees continue to be paid by Pet Pals for their time off and we look forward to their return,” Matherly said.

“We will continue to offer a fantastic selection at the lowest prices around and look forward to seeing old and new customers,” he added. n ••• Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies, Inc., 3660 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA 95073 831-464-8775 • glenn@epetpals.com • www.petpals.net

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Investigates COVID-19 Clusters

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By Jondi Gumz

he Santa Cruz County Public Health Division has identified four clusters of COVID-19 transmission in South County involving family gatherings and is encouraging everyone to maintain social distancing and follow shelter-in-place orders during Memorial Day weekend.

On Friday, the county reported 186 cases, including 10 on Thursday — the most on a single day since the pandemic began.

Of the 186 cases, Watsonville has 77, unincorporated areas, 45, city of Santa Cruz, 44, Capitola, 6, Scotts Valley, 6, with 8 under investigation.

Five people are hospitalized in Santa Cruz County, four positive cases, and one suspected, including one person in intensive care, according to the state health department. Among those with two or more chronic conditions, 31 percent with COVID-19 required hospitalization.

The investigations into the clusters are ongoing, but the county reported all known transmission is associated with close contact between households during family get-togethers including a multigenerational Mother’s Day gathering and a large gathering involving individuals who traveled from out of state.

The March 16 county health order to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus prohibits non-essential travel and gatherings of any size, as does the governor’s shelter-in-place order.

County officials warn that if the number of cases continues to increase, efforts to reopen sectors of the community could be jeopardized.

“I want to thank the community for all they have done so far to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel. “But we can’t let our guard down now, there are still more lives to save.”

All clusters are being monitored and investigated by the Communicable Disease Unit, including contact tracing and isolation/quarantine guidance.

“We understand that as the shelterin-place orders enter their third month, people have a strong desire to gather with friends and family, particularly on holidays when the weather is good,”

said Santa Cruz County Chief of Public Health Jen Herrera. “We want residents to understand that they may unwittingly place those they love at risk for getting COVID-19, especially the most vulnerable among us.”

Mimi Hall, the county’s Health Services Agency director, said the county has 18 contract tracers, and she expected to have 35 trained this week.

Testing availability has increased since Margaret Lapiz became the head of head SAVE Lives Santa Cruz County two weeks ago.

“We have the capacity to conduct 3,000 tests a week,” she said, noting a new site at Ramsay Park in Watsonville, run by contractor OptumServe, which is free.

An appointment is required by phone or online at covid19.ca.gov; you must set up an online account first to get the test results but a doctor referral is not necessary.

For the first week, 658 of the 660 appointment slots were filled.

Metrics Met n Wednesday, before the uptick of cases, Hall said the county met the state’s metric requiring 1.5 tests per 10,000 residents, which is 420 tests a day.

She also said the state had relaxed the tracer requirement, allowing counties to attest that they have the resources to track cases and apply for a variance to allow retail and dine-in restaurants. This is slated to be on the Board of Supervisors agenda June 2.

On Thursday, before the uptick was posted, Manu Koenig, candidate for First District supervisor, hearing from business owners, said the board could call a special meeting and not wait til June 2.

If the state approves the variance, the county health official must write a new order to replace what exists now.

In Capitola Village, where June to September can account for 50 percent of business revenue, restaurant owners plan to ask city officials about outdoor dining on the Esplanade once the state allows.

That will be discussed when the Capitola City Council meets at 7 p.m. May 28.

Beaches Closed 11-5 ocal beaches remain off limits from11 a.m.-5 p.m., unless you are crossing the sand to engage in water activities.

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Local News ...

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EVERY ISSUE!

“Clusters” page 23

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

EDD Hiring 1,800 Temp Workers O n May 27, the Employment Development Department announced plans to hire 1,800 new temporary full-time and hourly staff over the next several weeks from throughout California to bolster the delivery of critical unemployment benefits to workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The workers will be trained in call center operations, processing UI claims, and analyzing documents from claimants and employers to make wage determinations for benefits.

The effort is being done in partnership with CalHR, the CHP, and the California Correctional Health Care Services department who are helping with screening applicants and conducting interviews.

“This urgent hiring effort will further enhance the department’s ability to process an unprecedented surge of benefit claims, while offering an opportunity for employment to Californians during this difficult time,” said EDD Director Sharon Hilliard.

Teleworking options are available, as well as in office locations throughout the state. Available positions include: • Employment Program Representative — requires college education and public contact experience to process claims and assist customers, including over the phone and off-phone work.

• Office Technician — requires clerical skills to assist customers over the phone.

• Financial services classifications — including Tax Auditor and Accountant 1 Specialist, Accounting Technician, and Accounting Officer positions requiring professional accounting coursework along with up to three years of accounting/ auditing experience. These positions are in Sacramento.

The EDD receives federal funding to administer the unemployment insurance program in California based on workload.

With the surge from record low unemployment in February to record high just two months later, the EDD is receiving increased federal funding to support the staffing needed for keeping up with

this historic demand for unemployment benefits.

The mass hiring comes on the heels of a push to process claims throughout the Memorial Day weekend by 700 volunteer unemployment insurance and redirected staff.

They focused on claims that arrived via paper and those where the identity of the claimant couldn’t be verified through the state’s data matching systems. Such claims cannot be auto processed and demand staff handling.

As May 16, the EDD processed over 5.1 million claims for unemployment benefits and paid more than $16.1 billion in benefits to workers in need since the pandemic began.

The new hires will join about 1,200 current trained staff involved in processing Unemployment Insurance claims, as well as more than 1,300 staff who have been

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redeployed from other state positions, and 500 temporary vendor staff, all who are helping to expand capacity to serve customers until state hires can be made. In addition, some vendors are assisting the EDD to optimize call center operations to serve customers.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Everyone’s Talking About Café Rio

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By Jondi Gumz

ptos is atwitter over the live music that poured out of Café Rio on the Esplanade Sunday during the Memorial Day weekend while the county “shelter in place” order to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19 remains in place.

Some 250 people commented on the Aptosia Facebook page.

They ranged from “Freedom” and “I enjoyed it” to “Freedom to spread a deadly contagious virus” and “irresponsible and put our community at risk.”

When some blamed Café Rio owner Jeanne Harrison, radio host Neil Pearlberg fessed up. Here is his statement on Facebook: “To those concerned, this was my idea to provide some music to the community

“Arya” from page 9 All YoungArts award winners receive financial awards and the chance to learn from notable artists and mentors such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas as well as past YoungArts award winners such as Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Viola Davis, Allegra Goodman, Josh Groban, Judith Hill, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson and Hunter Schafer.

“Reopening” from page 7 “We’re getting a lot of pressure from all sides … we’re weighing everything the benefit and the burden … a lot of people are afraid of the coronavirus,” Caput said. “We know the economic strain we’re putting on everybody … please don’t direct your anger at one or two people …

The good news is hopefully we’re going to be able to open up things. We‘re listening to people and we hear you, OK? Both sides.”

State guidance on schools is expected

and I did not realize it would gather such a crowd, for that I apologize. This was no fault of Jeanne Harrison or Café Rio Aptos, who has less of an idea than I did, please don’t take it out on her, and I hope one and all will continue to support her business that has been an institution in Seacliff/ Aptos for many years.”

For some, the apology was not enough, as they pointed out the potential for a cluster of COVID-19 cases, as resulted from Mother’s Day family gatherings in Watsonville.

“Everyone wants normalcy again,” one man wrote. “We all try to sacrifice now so we can all achieve normal life again sooner and because we care about our fellow community members.”

“All of us need to follow the six-foot thing,” wrote one woman who enjoyed the music.

“Except hardly anyone was following the six-foot rule and most weren’t wearing masks,” another woman responded.

“I hope no one gets sick, or gets anyone else sick, as a result of gathering there,” one man wrote.

If that happens, the county’s contract tracers will know where to start looking.

YoungArts award winners are eligible for creative development support including fellowships and residencies and awards; professional development opportunities in partnership with major institutions nationwide; financial support; and access to YoungArts Post, a private, online portal for YoungArts artists to connect, share their work and discover new opportunities. n ••• Anthony Arya, 2020 Presidential Scholar in the Arts, put out his second album in April. soon, at which time the county health officer will review the guidance and local epidemiologic data to determine next steps. n ••• For guidance related to dine-in restaurants, go to https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/ guidance-dine-in-restaurants.pdf.

For guidance related to barbershops and hair salons, go to https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/ guidance-hair-salons.pdf. Operations that involve touching faces such as eyelash services, eyebrow waxing/threading and facials are not allowed.

The warm weather and the holiday weekend brought people out to the beaches to cool off – even though the county has closed the beaches from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day to prevent crowds from spreading COVID-19.

Ashley Keehn, the county sheriff’s spokeswoman, emailed a “beach closure reminder” Friday.

“We are seeing many visitors from the Bay Area, Central Valley and Sacramento area coming to the beaches with the interpretation they are open for leisure, but they are not,” she wrote by way of explanation.

More rangers and lifeguards were on duty for the weekend.

“We increased our staffing to educate and enforce the shelter-in- place,” said Gabriel McKenna, state parks superintendent for the Santa Cruz district office.

He said about 30 citations were issued over the weekend, carrying fines of hundreds of dollars to $1,000.

Some citations were alcohol related, he said, and some were issued to people in

“Clusters” from page 21 Residents are advised to follow the order to wear face coverings while engaging others at work or in public and to wash the face covering frequently.

Children 12 and under are not required to wear a face covering and those 2 and under must not wear one. Health officials advise: • Washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds • Avoid touching your face • Coughing or sneeze into your elbow

closed areas of parks that are closed such as the “Garden of Eden” swimming hole.

“It was definitely a holiday crowd,” McKenna said.

Sharks have been sighted in the waters near Sand Dollar Beach where Ben Kelly, a well-known surfer, surfboard shaper and local business owner, was fatally bitten May 9. Friends have raised $140,000 on GoFundMe.com for his wife Katie.

Last week, Marlene Wells posted a photo on NextDoor of a dark fin jutting out of the water at Seacliff Beach.

Then Specialized Helicopters, the Watsonville company that gives tours, reported seeing “an extraordinarily close call between an aggressive 15’ great white and a lone surfer,” circling and then diving until the shadow of the helicopter passed over the shark and it turned away from the surfer. “Take this as a serious warning,” the post concluded.

McKenna’s advice to surfers: “They need to be very careful and check with the lifeguards.” n

• Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces • Stay home when ill except to seek medical care Testing locations, including information about populations served, hours of operation and contact information can be found on the county’s web site at www. santacruzhealth.org/savelives. n For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “COVID19” to 211211. Residents may also call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Social Emotional Learning in SUESD “I have no doubt that the survival of the human race depends at least as much on the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence, as it does on the development of technical knowledge and skills. Most educators believe that the development of the whole child is an essential responsibility of schools, and this belief is what has motivated them to enter the profession.”

— Linda Darling Hammond Professor of Education Emeritus at the Stanford Graduate School of Education ••• ’m writing this article as we wind down this unique year in public education.

I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank all of SUESD’s teachers, staff, parents, and students for finding a way to carry out education during this time of COVID-19 related school closures. Right now is the perfect time to write about our district’s approach to “Social Emotional Learning.”

“Social Emotional Learning” is a part of our schools’ culture, and this has shown through as our staff supports students and families during these unprecedented times.

So, what is “Social Emotional Learning”? The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning defines it as “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”

I am proud of the emphasis our district has placed on “Social Emotional Learning” because, ultimately, students who understand and manage emotions effectively significantly increase their ability to learn rigorous content standards.

SUESD’s implementation of “Social Emotional Learning” has been multifaceted, but we took a distinctive step in creating a position focused on this area.

We created a teacher on special assignment position specifically focused on “Social Emotional Learning” in time for the start of the 2018-19 school year.

The idea was that if we valued “Social Emotional Learning,” we needed to make sure our teachers and staff had the proper support to engage in meaningful professional development around the subject. A terrific veteran teacher, Suzanne Denham, was hired for this role. Suzanne, along with

I

By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Unified Elementary School District

consultant Wendy Baron, co-founder of the New Teacher Center, has made a tremendously positive impact on our district’s “Social Emotional Learning” implementation growth.

Suzanne and Wendy have taught us too much to capture in a brief article. One concrete “Social Emotional Learning” approach they have taught us about is RULER. This is a school-wide approach designed for kindergarten through eighth grade to promote emotional literacy, which includes “Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating” emotions, the “RULER” skills developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

The framework has four anchor tools; The Mood Meter, Charter, Meta-Moment, and Blueprint.

The Mood Meter helps students build awareness of their feelings, what’s causing those feelings, and how they maintain or shift. The Charter is a document used to describe an ideal environment in which to prosper. For us, each class develops a Charter describing how they want to feel at school every day and what they need to do to cultivate those feelings.

The Meta-Moment provides our students specific steps for knowing when something triggers them and how they can step back in an attempt to be their best selves. Finally, the Blueprint provides an empathetic approach for resolving con“Social Emotional Learning” is not an flicts and restoring relationships.

We don’t just use these tools with isolated initiative. As seen in the accompanying diagram, it students. We also use is part of a broader the tools in our staff Social Emotional Learning: approach to supteams. My Administrative Council, The process through which porting our students “Multifor example, has children and adults acquire through Tiered Systems developed a Charter and effectively apply the of Support.” This and regularly reviews knowledge, attitudes, approach acknowlit to ensure we are creedges the unique ating and maintaining and skills necessary to needs students come the best working enviunderstand and manage to public education ronment possible for emotions, set and achieve with, and how our staff. The RULER districts must be preanchor tools can be positive goals, feel pared to meet those used at home in the and show empathy for needs. family setting as well. others, establish and Our foray into The tools provide “Social Emotional support in answering maintain positive Learning” has been this challenging relationships, and make very impactful for our question: “How do responsible decisions. district. I know that it we hold students has been beneficial for accountable for their behavior while simultaneously moving me as an educator and lifelong learner. It has provided me the labels and science to away from disciplinary approaches?”

24 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

understand what I have always believed, that until students have their emotional needs met, they’ll never be able to fulfill their academic potential.

Remember learning about Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” in a psychology class? That’s the foundation of the “Social Emotional Learning” approach in that we, as humans, can’t optimize our potential in higher levels of the human experience if our basic needs are not met. Those basic needs include social and emotional development.

Teaching is an incredibly demanding profession. It speaks volumes about our teachers that they have taken time from their already demanding work lives to put energy and passion into growing in “Social Emotional Learning.” Our “Social Emotional Learning” journey is still in the beginning phases, and we are committed to maintaining a focus on it in the future and expanding to include SUESD families. We are proud of the investment we have made in this area and how it helps us support our current students and future generations.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Intention Matters to Your Health

T

he coronavirus lockdowns have made people hit the pause button on life.

What’s next?

Prepare to raise your game and create a new reality with intention. The current story is fundamentally about finding your stability, your inner core. Emerging from the pandemic is going to take grit, courage, and a new set of tools.

When I began my inquiry into the role of the acupuncture system’s subtle energies for health, I quickly discovered an integral aspect: Intention. Defined

by Merriam Webster dictionary, intention is what one intends to do or bring about. As a concept, intention is attention directed to an object of knowledge. It is focused thought.

Stanford University’s Emeritus professor Dr. William A. Tiller discovered it is possible to change materials like water by consciously holding a clear intention to do so. This is very exciting. Even more exciting is the fact that you can activate your intention and “pump up” your supplements, food, water, and much more. You’re mobilizing your remarkable tool intuitive tool.

In investigating the power of intention, Tiller’s research reached into laws of nature. All life is governed by the second law of thermodynamics. This says that the natural state of matter is randomness

By Nisha Manek, MD, FACP, FRCP (UK)

and disorder. Tiller’s research showed that focused intention increases order and coherence. Intention is like a laser light.

Laser-like intention can boost immune health, be a powerful defense against illness, and coheres your body’s acupuncture energy system. Every intention can have a stabilizing effect around which reality can re-gather.

The truth is, it’s accessible. The first thing to do once you read this column is to be willing to try it. Get a pen and paper. For five minutes, clear your time. Write down your wish for optimal health and your anxieties. This puts you in touch with your inner feelings and experiences.

An essential part of the process is that intention is written down. There is something magical about writing things down.

Why is writing effective?

In my experience, the action of writing says something about the relationship between intention – a creative mental aspect – and the physical act of writing. There’s something about holding the piece of paper, about the thought you’ve put into it. The time it took you to write, paying attention to your wishes, is a form of applied love. Once on paper, you become familiar with your inner positions and attitudes. Surrender and let go of your resistance. You may be surprised at how quickly you become

adept at it. Establish a routine and keep a notebook where you write down your daily intentions.

Once you have written your intention, come back to it after some time, and revise it. Take time to discover yourself. When doubt arises, notice it. Treat doubt like a pet or a toy such as your favorite teddy bear. Put the teddy bear aside while you write your intention. Intention is made powerful by the removal of doubts, fears, and inhi-

bitions. With the removal of negativity, dynamic forces are unloosed, so that what were once impossible dreams now become actualized goals.

Read your intention and hold it in mind. Then let it go. This is a secret. To surrender it and all outcomes. The mechanism of surrender is of great practical benefit. It follows the dictum of “Know thyself.”

“Intention” page 26

Tony Winners

ACROSS

1. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” beginning 5. Clock std.

8. U-____ 12. *Webber’s “Evita” collaborator 13. Away from wind 14. Boy Scout rank 15. Picnic invaders 16. Digestive aid 17. Change, as in the Constitution 18. *Like Tony Awards 2020 20. Entry document 21. Fill with spirits 22. 10 decibels 23. *”Kiss Me, Kate” composer/lyricist

26. Sound of leaves in wind 29. Before, archaic 30. Admirer 33. “My bad” 35. Garments 37. Barbie’s beau 38. Annoy a bedfellow 39. Result of too many drinks 40. Type of tunic 42. F in FWIW 43. Brown’s beagle 45. *M in “M. Butterfly” 47. Bar association 48. “Mack the ____” 50. *Tony winner David ____ Pierce 52. *Musical with the most wins, with The 56. *Jellicles’ cries 57. Vietnam’s neighbor 58. Flu symptom 59. Pond buildup

10. Longer forearm bone 11. Bulb type 13. “All ____!”

14. Roof overhang 19. Humble requests 22. Pesky, clingy plant 23. Cribbage pieces 24. Un-written exams DOWN 25. Old episode 1. Catch-22, e.g.

26. *”La Bohéme,” 2. Brown bagger reimagined 3. *Before and after 27. Shower accessory intermission 28. Erasable program4. Final six lines of a mable read only sonnet memory 5. Sparkle 31. Thumbs-up 6. More than a scuffle 32. Gridiron official, for 7. Like a ball ready for a short drive 34. Blood fluids 8. *Musical with most 36. *Coveted destination nominations 38. Mix-up 9. *Tony nominee, “Rock 40. Typically has April of ____” 15th as deadline 60. Sunrise point 61. “Just ____ ____” 62. *4-time winner Tom Stoppard’s output 63. Tap choice 64. Tallest volcano in Europe

41. In the thick of 44. Falstaffian in body 46. Base of the decimal system 48. Cattle enclosure in African village 49. Pirate’s “necklace” 50. *Setting of Tony winner ‘Hadestown’ 51. Vinyasa workout 52. #19 Down, sing.

53. *The Grand Slam of showbusiness, acr.

54. The Colosseum, today 55. Pura ____, or pure silk 56. Atlas page © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 25

Your June Horoscope Times Publishing Group, Inc. Cancer (June 22-July 22)

You’re all over the place emotionally as June begins, so there’s no reason to make any hasty decisions right now. It might not seem like it, but you’ve got a lot more time than you realize to make the changes you want to make. Your motivation is waning mid-month, making procrastination an attractive alternative to actually putting in any hard work. Is there a reason you’re so tired, or are you just trying to avoid the inevitable? The month closes out with you in an “I can do anything I put my mind to” vibe. If there’s something you thought would be difficult, now is the time to tackle it.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

The month begins with you ready to embrace new people and relationships. Still, a lot of your focus will be on the past. This is your chance to use the lessons you’ve learned to help propel you to a more successful future. Plans are falling through mid-month, especially concerning family. This isn’t an ideal time to plan a reunion, especially if a lot of relatives have to travel to attend. Late in June, a relationship that went sideways seems to be back on track. This is a good time for apologies if you were at fault, and it’s also to forgive someone who hurt you. It’s hard to taste something sweet with the lingering bitterness still in your mouth.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)

A combination of warmth and charisma fills you as the month begins. Making new connections may be unexpected, but will be welcome. You should be able to feel your way out of any unfortunate situations you find yourself in mid-June. When things don’t go as planned, it’s nice to have your instincts to rely on.

You experience an amazing energy boost late in the month, so don’t let it go to waste. Finish outstanding projects so you can move on to bigger and better things.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)

Erratic energy surrounding you early in June can be a problem, so wait for it to settle before making any major decisions. In times when you can’t really control what happens to you, it’s how you react that matters most. There are mysteries mid-month that you can’t quite solve, and the harder you try to see something, the fuzzier it becomes. It might be best to just relax and wait for this frustrating time to pass. Your love life and financial world are back in forward motion as the month comes to a close. If you’ve hit pause on either of these areas recently, it’s time to get some positive momentum going again.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Your carefully laid plans are being scattered to the wind as the month begins. It all feels exciting and maybe even a little dangerous to not know what’s coming next, doesn’t it? Clarity is not coming easily mid-month.

In fact, you’re more confused now than you were before. Luckily, your intuition can guide you out of a jam if you’re confident enough to listen to it. You are filled with some powerful energy as June comes to a close.

If you’ve been putting something off, this is the time to power through it and get the job done. Doing things entirely on your own terms leaves you with little regret.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

You feel a full range of emotions early in the month. Your impulses might not lead you down the best path right now, so avoid doing anything or making major decisions that might have long-term consequences. You’re feeling overly sensitive mid-June, when the inevitable things go wrong (like technology, communication, and travel). Luckily, you can use intuitive energy to feel your way out of trouble this time around. Late in the month, you are able to see things how they really are and not just how you wish they could be. Yes, it might be shocking at first, but in the long run it’s so much better to face reality than to try to live in a dream world forever.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

June opens with your warm, inviting nature attracting potential new friends and lovers. You also have a knack for inviting new opportunities into your life to accumulate wealth. This isn’t the time to be greedy, though. There’s enough to go around. Expect communication breakdowns with family members through the middle of the month. Just because you sent a text to your spouse, mom, or child doesn’t mean they received it. Remember, you can’t count on the things you usually can during this time. Late in the month, while love and money issues get back to “normal,” you might still feel like something is missing. Avoid making sudden movements. Wait until all things feel “normal” before deciding anything for sure.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)

The beginning of the month brings some very uncomfortable indecision. When you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, there is no good option. Don’t waste your time or energy trying to solve a problem that has no solution. Your intuition helps guide you through some difficult parts mid-month. The confusion and fear that come from having to navigate a pathway alone at night are alarming, but you’ll be so much stronger when you come out the other side unharmed. Your take-charge attitude returns as June comes to a close. If you find yourself in a position of power, don’t be afraid to really stand up and take charge.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

You have an aggressive, uber-competitive vibe early in the month, one that you aren’t really comfortable with.

Hanging out in the background and doing your thing usually works for you, but this introverted attitude makes you stand out in a bad way right now. This energy remains mid-June, clouding your judgment and taking away the comfort you get from escaping into your daydreams. You rarely like having to face the music, but it’s so loud that there’s no getting away from it. Late in the month, you can sense how life may go for a while. The good news is, what you’re facing doesn’t seem as harsh as you feared it would be.

Aries (March 21-April 20)

New connections made early in June might only be temporary, but they each serve a very specific and short-term beneficial purpose. Be careful when doing DIY projects mid-month, especially around the house. You have some excellent ideas about how to make changes without spending a lot of money, but cutting corners can lead to unforeseen complications. Relationships get back on track and start moving forward again late in the month, but you might not be entirely out of the woods just yet. It’s easy to forgive but much harder to forget. When you grab the initiative, you show everyone that you aren’t afraid to take on new challenges.

COMMUNITY NEWS

AG: Let Cannabis Businesses Bank T his month, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined a bipartisan coalition of 34 attorneys general urging the U.S. Congress to give licensed cannabis businesses access to the federal banking system as part of any future coronavirus relief package.

Passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act or similar legislation would provide Xavier Becerra much-needed revenue to state and local governments, they pointed out.

“The continued exclusion of the licensed cannabis industry from the federal banking system is untenable – and unwise,” said Becerra. “The coronavirus crisis has only exacerbated the economic and investigatory challenges that arise from keeping a $15 billion industry in the shadows. Congress should move swiftly to pass this commonsense legislation and provide relief to the many local cannabis businesses that are playing by the rules.”

The coalition points out that the ability to efficiently collect tax revenue from the cannabis industry, estimated to have generated $15 billion in sales in 2019, would provide critical relief for state and local governments predicting budget shortfalls due to the pandemic.

Additionally, cash intensive businesses are

often a target of criminal activity, with threats to public safety only intensifying since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The large presence of cash transactions also places law enforcement, tax regulators, consumers, and patients at heightened risk of exposure to the virus.

A year ago, Becerra and 37 attorneys general, sent a letter to Congress urging passage of the SAFE Banking Act, but action has not been taken.

Attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, sent the letter to Congress. n

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Hold off on making any major life changes early in the month. Your first instinct might be to go for it, but you know you’ll probably regret it in the morning. Your judgment remains hazy mid-month, but this time your dreams can be instrumental in making better choices. If you’ve been having a recurring dream or remembering certain symbolism each time you wake up, explore any potential meanings. Your eyes are opened even wider in the second half of June, exposing all of the dirty little things you’ve successfully swept under the rug lately.

Just because you knew this day would come doesn’t make you any more prepared for it.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

There’s a charismatic air about you as the month begins that makes you stand out from everyone else.

However, issues from the past could resurface to spoil some of your fun. Be open and honest and try not to let what’s already happened ruin what’s still to come. Something in the air could sabotage your plans mid-June You have to make home improvements or finish DIY projects around the house, and last-minute changes can be frustrating, but it’s better to go with the flow than stick with methods that clearly aren’t working. You are thinking quickly late in the month, which should help you make some very wise shortterm investments. Gather as much information as possible before you let a great financial opportunity pass you by.

•••

www.tpgonlinedaily.com 26 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Intention” from page 25 Practicing intention in my life has reshaped my world view as a doctor. This is a skill I routinely teach my patients so they can take charge of their health, release fear, and thrive with the uncertainties of life.

You can write that your supplements be beneficial to your body’s cells and immune system, and the nutrition is assimilated effortlessly. You may desire

optimal functioning in the emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of your life.

Conscious intention will lead to a deeper understanding of what you are. You can open new vistas and change your life. n ••• Dr. Nisha Manek is an integrative rheumatologist and an alumnus of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. She is the author of Bridging Science and Spirit: The Genius of William A. Tiller’s Physics and the Promise of Information Medicine.

Visit her at www.nishamanekmd.com.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

How’s Your Green Thumb Feeling?

Watering and Other Tips for a Great Summer Garden

W

e are all craving some normalcy in our lives right now, with these uncertain and unprecedented times. So, in this month’s column, let’s go back to basics and get down to earth. The earth in your garden that is!

Since last month, most nurseries and gardening retailers can be open for business (with social distancing and other public health guidelines), so now you can get what you need for a healthy garden. Support your local nursery by calling or visiting to get advice about plants, soil, and irrigation, and then purchase your supplies there.

We also have a great online resource for picking plants for your garden at santacruz.watersavingplants.com.

You can explore beautiful, sustainable, climateappropriate, and drought-tolerant plants and trees that thrive in Santa Cruz County.

You may already have your drip system or other water-efficient equipment set up to irrigate your garden. If so, be sure to check for leaks, over-sprays, or other water-wasting issues. If you haven’t set up a drip system yet, take a look at soaker hoses that attach to your garden hose, or feeder hoses with smaller lines leading to water emitters with your selected gallonsper-hour flow rate.

And if you don’t have a “master” watering timer, you can get small timers that attached directly to your faucet to help provide a regular watering schedule.

Using drip irrigation conserves water by directing it to the base of the plants, where it’s most needed and reduces evaporation.

You’ll get the best use out of your water and help your garden grow. And don’t forget that the District has a rebate for drip irrigation!

Once you’ve got your plants in the ground — whether beautiful blooming flowers or your favorite delicious vegetables — think about your watering schedule. With warmer temperatures, you may be tempted to water frequently, maybe every day. But keep in mind that it’s often more efficient to water flowerbeds two or three times a week with plenty of water, rather than watering them every day with less water.

When’s the best time of day — or night — to water? Common sense might tell you to water at night, but in fact, that can encourage fungus growth. It’s been

By Melanie Mow Schumacher and Rebecca Gold, Soquel Creek Water District

shown that doing most of your watering in the early morning is more efficient and better for your plants. But generally, try not to water in the heat of midday. At that time, the soil tends to soak up the water faster, leaving less for the main attraction of your garden — your plants —also, no sprinkler use between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Be sure to feed your plants — they’ll thank you! Depending on the plant type, you can choose from a variety of plant foods (check with your nursery for help).

Some types of plant food use containers that attach directly to your hose to automatically deliver the right amount of food. Also, try putting a three-inch layer of good mulch around your plants. This will help the soil retain water and keep plants insulated from high temperatures. Mulch also helps keep weeds down.

It’s a good idea to remove any diseased, damaged, or dead debris from your garden — if left in place, these can block airflow and growth of the rest of your plants.

For your flower garden, when you see dead blooms, go ahead and cut them back (it improves the overall look and also helps ensure healthy growth next season). Don’t forget the weeds …! They love summer heat and will steal nutrients and water from your other plants Regularly check for and remove them by hand (preferred to any type of systemic poison). In fact, I find weeding to be a calming, therapeutic exercise!

There are many sources of information on planning and planting your garden (or a new water-saving landscape). Here are some great online resources to get started: • Water Conservation Coalition of

Santa Cruz County — www.water savingtips.org (click on Resources and Yard and Garden Resources), which offers landscape design and plant selection information, plus all kinds of indoor and outdoor water saving tips.

• Water-Smart Gardening in Santa Cruz County — www.santacruz.watersaving plants.com, which is a great local resource for plant lists, garden pictures, information links, watering guide, and more.

• Find a Green Gardener who is trained in sustainable landscaping at www. green-gardener.org • The District offers 7 outdoor Rebates: w w w. s o q u e l c r e e k w a t e r . o r g / conserving-water/rebates We hope our community stays healthy, and your garden, during this shelter-inplace, gives you happiness (and maybe some great vegetables!) all summer long! n ••• As always, if you have any questions about this month’s topic or anything else related to Soquel Creek Water District, feel free to contact the District at outreach@soquelcreekwater.org or visit www.soquelcreekwater.org.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE MONTEREY SYMPHONY The Monterey Symphony is seeking volunteers. If you love music and want to be involved, please call (831) 646-8511 or visit www.montereysymphony.org for more info.

THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIANITY Airing on Community TV — Comcast 27 and Spectrum 73 Saturdays: 11:00 am • Sundays: 3:00 pm In this video replay on Community Television, Mary Alice Rose, a Christian Science practitioner and teacher talks about parallels between the study of physical science and the study of Christian Science. She’ll help you to understand how Christian principles, scientifically applied, heal the body and transform lives.

Rose had a 20-year career in science and technology that included work as a meteorologist for the National Severe Storms Laboratory and a manager developing the ground system for the Hubble Space Telescope. Now her life work is Christian Science healing and teaching others to heal.

Visit www.cschurch.info for more information Sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Santa Cruz (Soquel)

ONGOING EVENTS

Daily SANTA CRUZ ‘USED’ BOOKSHOP 10 am- 3 pm 2710 Chanticleer Ave. Santa Cruz Grey Bears: Every Monday and Friday is $10-a-bag

With the current COVID-19 Crisis, please check in advance before attending any ongoing or dated events listed here.

We will continue to print regular ongoing events that are expected to return.

Registration required. Call 457-2273 for more information and to register. No cost to attend. www.womencaresantacruz.org

Tuesdays BUSINESS DEBTORS ANONYMOUS 5:15-6:30pm, Calvary Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 532 Center Street, Santa Cruz.

We specifically focus on recovering from debting on book sale. Fill up a shopping bag with books for only Do you have a problem with compulsive over- or under- one’s business. $10! Thousands of titles for $1.50 or less: cookbooks, eating? Anorexia? Bulimia? Compulsive exercising?

For more information: 831-425-3272.

You are not alone. Drop into a free, friendly OA 12-Step gardening, sci-fi, mysteries, classics and all sorts of fiction and nonfiction. Non-profit Grey Bears has served meeting with the solution. All are welcome!

Tuesdays & Wednesdays For information on other meetings in Santa Cruz County: www. SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUPS our community for 45 years. Grey Bears provides recycling services and accepts books and other dona- santacruzoa.org/meetings Monarch Services offers a safe space to meet other survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and tions for our thrift stores. human trafficking survivors, and to listen or share Proceeds benefit our Brown Bag Program, distributing nutri- Third Mondays STITCHERS BY THE SEA experiences. Childcare provided on site. tious food to 3,900 seniors every week.

7 –9 p.m., St. Stephan’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave., Spanish – Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Servicios Santa Cruz Monarca, 233 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville (831) Weekdays The Santa Cruz County chapter of the Embroi722-4532 CASA ORIENTATIONS TO BECOME derers Guild of America meets on the third English – Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Monarch ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN Monday of every month, except June and Services, 1590 Seabright Avenue, SC (831) 425-4030 CASA empowers volunteers to directly influence December. Meetings are free to attend. All are For more information, visit www.monarchscc.org life-changing decisions affecting children in foster welcome. care. Court appointed special advocates are everyday Second Wednesdays people that, with just a few hours a week can have a Mondays & Tuesdays SANTA CRUZ SONS IN RETIREMENT lifetime of impact for a child who has been abused or WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM MONTHLY MEETING neglected.

Noon, Elks Lodge at 150 Jewell St. More info www.casaofsantacruz.org or call 831-761-2956 x102 12:30 - 2 p.m.

WomenCARE ARM-in-ARM support group for This statewide group of retired men invites you to be women with advanced, recurrent and metastatic our guest at our monthly luncheon. You’ll meet kindred Mondays cancers. Meets weekly Mondays & Tuesdays, with spirits, have a fine lunch and learn something new from OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS MEETING a separate meeting every First and Third Tuesday a top notch guest speaker.

7 - 8 pm, Soquel Congregational Church, Ann Hutchinson every month.

Cost: $18. RSVP at 479-7096 Room, 4951 Soquel Dr., Soquel

28 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONGOING EVENTS (cont.)

Second and Fourth Wednesdays WELLNESS ON THE CANCER JOURNEY 11-12:30 pm, Old Soquel Plaza Learn how to safely support your body and emotions through the journey of Cancer — from diagnosis to softening the impact of chemo, radiation, and recovering well from surgery. We’ll address nausea, low energy, weakness, digestion, immune support, grief, stress and more. Feel free to bring your partner or care team to this free class. Please come fed; water is available.

Limited Seats. Please register all attendees on Eventbrite — Wellness on the Cancer Journey or call 831-254-3270 to RSVP. Address given upon registration receipt.

ADHD SUPPORT GROUP 6:30-8 p.m., Aptos Fire Station, 6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Branch of CHADD hosts monthly support group meetings for anyone who would like to learn more about ADHD or has questions or concerns. Come share with those who understand.

Second Wednesdays’ meeting is for parents of children, teens, and young adults with ADHD. The group for adults with ADHD, spouses, partners of someone with ADHD meets fourth Wednesdays of every month.

Judy Brenis: jbbrenis@comcast.net, or call 831-8189619.

Last Wednesdays Each Month MAGICIANS’ CLUB 7 p.m., Antonelli Club Room, 2655 Brommer St., Santa Cruz Attention Magic Lovers! Our new Magicians’ Club meets on the last Wed. of every month at 7pm in the club room at the Antonelli Mobile Home Park.

If you do magic or want to get started in this fun hobby, join us.

Questions? Call Jim at 685-3829 Thursdays FRIENDSHIP PUT TO MUSIC! 6:30 p.m., New Hall, La Selva Beach Club House, 3124 Estrella Ave. Classes every Thursday night. For more info call Sue Harris or Don Benson (831) 726-7053 or email at caller4u@att.net LUCKY STEPPERS MODERN SQUARE DANCE 6:30 pm, La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach, CA 95076 It’s fun and easy to do! Friendship put to music; family friendly. Class takes place every Thursday Night at our new home in La Selva Beach! (Take Mar Monte off of Hwy 1, turns into Playa Blvd., turn right on Estrella) For more information, contact Sue Harris or Don Benson at (831) 726-7053 or e-mail at caller4u@att.net.

Second and Fourth Thursdays CABRILLO HOST LIONS CLUB MEETINGS 6:30 p.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road.

Want to make a difference in our community?

Join the Cabrillo Lions Club twice every month and see what you can do to help in Santa Cruz County.

Please RSVP cabrillolions@gmail.com

and friends of addicts. There are no dues or fees to join.

Just come to a meeting. You will hear others, who are going through similar problems, talk about how they cope and find recovery.

To locate additional times and locations of meetings, please go to our website at www.nar-anon.org.

DROP-IN GRIEF SUPPORT 12-1 pm, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, two locations: 940 Disc Dr., SV • 85 Nielson St., Watsonville Hospice of Santa Cruz County is offering a drop-in grief support group for adults grieving the death of a family member or a friend. This group is a place where you can share stories, learn tools for coping, and receive support from people who care.

For more information, please call (831) 430-3000. Preregistration is required.

First Fridays each month FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR The 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.)

Saturdays PILLS ANONYMOUS (PA) 8 a.m., Sutter Hospital, 2025 Soquel Ave The purpose of PA is to provide a safe, secure, and supportive place for people who are addicted to pills who want to get off of them. PA is offered all over the world.

For questions, please contact Gary at (831)801-9578 or Kristin at (831)345-6515 SANTA CRUZ TENNIS CLUB 9 a.m., Soquel High School Tennis Courts The nonprofit Santa Cruz Tennis Club meets every Saturday morning at the Soquel High School courts beginning at 9:00 am. We play doubles and mixed doubles, mostly at an intermediate level, and switch around the players every 45 minutes.

Balls are provided. $2 for first time visitors.

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COVID-19 SURVEY

imes Publishing Group, Inc. is asking our readers to respond to this survey to gather information on coronavirus disease COVID-19 and social distancing behavior from our community to share with our policymakers.

To return the survey, cut it out and mail it to us at Times Publishing Group, Inc., 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003, or type it into an e-mail and send it to info@cyber-times. com. You can also find the survey online at https://tpgonlinedaily.com/survey/.

Please only fill out the survey once.

••• On a scale of 1-5, 1 being NO WAY How comfortable would you feel would I ever and 5 being ABSOLUTELY feel getting your haircut? comfortable, rate the following: No masks?

5 4 3 2 1 How comfortable do you feel about If your hairdresser/barber wore a mask? getting tested?

5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 If you and your HD/barber wore a mask?

How comfortable do you feel going 5 4 3 2 1 to the grocery store?

Do you work at or own a business With a mask? affected by COVID-19?

5 4 3 2 1 Yes q How comfortable would you feel No q going to the beach — to hang out and Do you have a pre-existing condition? relax, appropriately distanced from (Such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma) strangers?

Yes q With a mask?

No q 5 4 3 2 1 Prefer not to say q How comfortable would you feel sitting and eating at a restaurant With a mask?

5 4 3 2 1 How comfortable would you feel going to a bar for a drink?

With a mask?

5 4 3 2 1 How comfortable would you feel going to church — appropriately distanced from others With a mask?

5 4 3 2 1 How comfortable would you be going into a retail store to browse and shop With a mask?

5 4 3 2 1

What age group are you in?

18-35 q 36-50 q 51-65 q 65+ q Gender Male Female

q q

Where do you live?

Aptos Capitola Soquel Scotts Valley Watsonville Santa Cruz Locally, not listed here

q q q q q q q

Second Saturdays Each Month 2ND SATURDAY ON THE FARM 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ag History Project Center at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Join us every 2nd Saturday on the Farm for free family activities. Each month we select a new theme to highlight historical agriculture with games, activities, and demonstrations that relate. We often have guest appearances from farm animals like llamas, draft horses, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and more! You are sure to find something fun and entertaining for the whole family.

Check our website and Facebook page for more details. FREE

Sundays NAR-ANON SANTA CRUZ 6:30 p.m., Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center (Sutter Room), 2900 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz Nar-Anon is a twelve step support group for families and friends of addicts. There are no dues or fees to join.

Fridays Just come to a meeting. You will hear others, who are going through similar problems, talk about how they NAR-ANON SCOTTS VALLEY 6:30 p.m., Camp Recovery Center (Bison Center Room), 3192 cope and find recovery.

To locate additional times and locations of meetings, please go Glen Canyon Road, Scotts Valley.

Nar-Anon is a twelve step support group for families to our website at www.nar-anon.org. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 29

Business Guide

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Summer Road Work and COVID Update

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

E

ven as much of the County’s focus in on the health and economic response to COVID-19, the County is still maintaining general operations. One of the areas that will see some noticeable work this summer will be on local road and infrastructure projects -- specifically Measure D and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funded projects and storm damage projects.

Which areas will be repaired under Measure D and STIP funds? easure D is a half-cent sales tax measure approved in late 2016 for transportation projects.

Depending upon how much sales tax is collected, approximately $900,000 a year is available for local road projects in our district.

This year, a major repair in Corralitos and a number of residential roads in Seacliff will be addressed using Measure D and STIP funds.

In Corralitos, the long-awaited repairs to Pioneer and Varni will occur soon. Specifically, repairs will be done to Pioneer Road between Amesti Road and Green Valley and Varni Road between Corralitos Road and Amesti.

This heavily used route is used by residents, agriculture businesses and bicyclists. The funding became possible after an item I supported at the Regional Transportation Commission that changed funding from a competitive process to a formula basis — ensuring that the unincorporated areas in the County would receive more road funds than previously provided.

In Seacliff, a number of residential streets will be repaired as a result of this year’s Measure D allocation. Specifically, the following streets will be completed this summer: • Seacliff Drive between Santa Clara Avenue and Broadway.

• Santa Cruz Avenue between Broadway and Seacliff.

• San Benito Avenue between Seacliff and Seacliff (the loop).

• East Street between Santa Cruz Avenue and Center.

• Valencia Avenue between East Street and Seacliff.

M

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE BUSINESS GUIDE SECTION

call our offices 831.688.7549

www.tpgonlinedaily.com 30 / June 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

• Santa Clara Avenue between Seacliff Drive and Center Avenue.

• El Camino Del Mar between Seacliff Drive and Center Avenue.

What about storm-related damage? ome significant progress has been made on storm damage repairs in the last few months. The significant damage on upper Valencia (by Flume) has gone to bid and will be under construction soon. This more than $3 million project is funded by federal emergency repairs.

The lower Valencia damage design and environmental is nearly complete with just right-of-way acquisition to finish. Once done, that project will go to bid with construction expected next year.

Multiple projects on Highland Way were awarded contracts in late spring with construction planned soon.

Projects on Trout Gulch and Hazel Dell are also completing environmental and/or right-of-way acquisitions with most of those projects going to construction next year. The storm damage project on McGregor was already completed in the spring.

S

How do I get more information about the road repairs? ou can visit the project website at https://santacruzcounty resurfacingproject.info/ for more information. In general, up to date information on County maintained roads in Santa Cruz County is

Y

available online at http://www. sccroadclosure.org/.

Where can I get the latest information on COVID including cases, the health order and reopening information? he County has a live, staffed hotline — open every day between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm.

Call (831) 454-4242.

I’m also maintaining regular updates on social media at www. facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting weekly tele-townhalls with County and community leaders on Tuesday nights from 6-7 pm. The call in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384#.

Lastly, the County Health’s website, www.santacruzhealth. org has up-to-date information on cases, demographics, provider and business guidance and more.

Guidance is changing from the state on a regular basis and the County’s new order aligns our timeline for most re-openings with the state’s order.

As is the case throughout the state, the County can take a stricter approach to reopening should local conditions warrant it or the state can deny a county’s request to move into a next stage if conditions change. n ••• As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do feel free to reach out to me. You can always call me at 454-2200.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Nature Gets Too Much Credit V

By Tony Tomeo

M

Big Brother and Little Brother

crossword on 25 »

eet Charlie (A259815) and Norbert (A268782) — a special pair of adoptable cats looking for their forever home.

Charlie, now about a year old, was very anti-social when he wasdropped off at the shelter at approximately four months old. He was placed with one of our experienced fosters to learn that life is not so scary, and slowly but surely made strides.

Charlie needs to get used to new people, but is friendly (on his own terms) once he warms up, and is happiest when he is hanging out, snuggling and/or playing with other cats.

Recently, Norbert was brought to the shelter as a four-week-old stray kitten.

He was social, outgoing, and ready to take on the world but he needed some time to grow big and strong, so he went to the same foster home as Charlie, and the rest is history.

Norbert has become Charlie’s constant companion. Through their friendship, both boys have blossomed.

We would love for Norbert and Charlie to be adopted as a pair for both their sakes; Norbert adores Charlie and Charlie is a much happier, more confident, and relaxed cat in Norbert’s presence.

Their ideal forever home will be with cat-savvy humans who are willing to give lots of time, space, and tasty treats to make Charlie feel comfortable in the new environment. Charlie and Norbert could be your instant cat family or they could join an existing playful, social cat (or 2). A home without children would be best.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is doing adoptions by appointment and you can even submit your adoption application online! Call 831-454-7200 or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter has two full-service, open-admission shelters: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 Hours: CURRENTLY CLOSED SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182

egetation makes people feel closer to nature. It is, after all, what most of us expect to see out in the wild. Most vegetation that is observed in forests and undeveloped areas really is natural. Much of the associated insects and wildlife are natural as well. Such flora and fauna know how to survive within their respective ecosystems. They can not rely on any unnatural intervention from anyone.

Naturalized exotic (non-native) species proliferate only because they are adapted to similar environmental conditions. A lack of pathogens that afflicted them within their natural ranges is a major advantage for most of them. Nonetheless, they are unnatural components of what is commonly considered to be nature. Most naturalized exotic species actually interfere significantly with nature.

Vegetation and associated wildlife that inhabits synthetic landscapes is very different from that which lives out in nature.

Only some of the vegetation has potential to naturalize. Even less is native. Almost all of it is reliant on artificial intervention, particularly irrigation, for survival. Associated wildlife is reliant on the survival of the reliant vegetation. Landscapes accommodate. Nature does not.

With few exceptions, landscapes that emulate nature are impractical. Landscapes within forests are some of those few exceptions that might need no more than what the forests provide. Even in such situations, combustible vegetation and structurally deficient trees should be cleared away from homes. In California, nature is innately combustible. It is messy and potentially dangerous too.

Most urban landscapes of California would still be dreadfully bleak if limited to natural components. Both San Jose and Los

Tony Winners © Statepoint Media

So much of nature is unnatural.

Angeles are naturally chaparral regions.

They were formerly inhabited by sparsely dispersed trees on scrubby grasslands.

Now, relatively abundant vegetation in both regions is more appealing, and improves urban lifestyles, but is nothing like what nature intended.

Nature is simply inadequate for what is expected of urban landscapes of California.

•••

‘Sticky monkey flower’ sounds too silly.

Sticky monkey flower hat a silly name this is! Sticky monkey flower, Diplacus aurantiacus (or Mimulus aurantiacus), is native to a broad range of ecosystems of California and the Northern Coast of Baja California. It is famously happy in situations that are too rocky or sandy for most other species. The resinous foliage really can be rather sticky during warm weather. The relevance to a monkey is a mystery.

Sticky monkey flower is more popular among hummingbirds and insects than anyone else. Those who welcome hummingbirds and insects into their garden happen to like it too. Honestly though, it might a bit too casual for refined landscapes. It works better in or on the outskirts of rustic gardens. If not already growing wild, cultivars and the straight species are available in some nurseries.

Bloom begins late in winter or early in spring, and might continue through summer, but is rarely impressively prolific.

The bisymmetrical and tubular flowers are about three quarters of an inch long.

Almost all are pastel orange, sort of like circus peanuts. Gold and yellow are uncommon. Supposedly, there are rare cultivars that bloom in red or white. Mature plants get more than three feet tall. n Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com

W

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / June 2020 / 31

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