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A Match Made in Heaven
For 26 years, the Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation hosted an annual golf tournament in the memory of two adored children who died of brain cancer, raising money for Jacob’s Heart, the nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for children with cancer. Full Story page 6
Fatal COVID Outbreak at Pacific Coast Manor Full Story page 7
Exceptional Generosity
Twin Lakes Holiday Food Drive Raises Record 1.8 Million Meals In six weeks, Twin Lakes Church in Aptos has raised a record amount in the Second Harvest Food Bank holiday food drive, surpassing all expectations in a year with a pandemic and devastating wildfires.
On Sunday, Nov. 22, Pastor Rene Schlaepfer announced to the congregation they raised $428,949.09 for the food drive. Since the food bank can buy four meals with every dollar, that means 1,715,796 meals. ... continues on page 4
The Apothecarium, which opened Nov. 11 on 41st Avenue in Capitola, brings a boutique style to shopping for cannabis for those 21 and over. Full Story page 21
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No. 12
Volume 25
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Table of Contents
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Cover Exceptional Generosity: Twin Lakes Holiday Food Drive Raises Record 1.8 Million Meals
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Community News CineLux Pivots to Take-Home Concessions A Match Made in Heaven: Jacob’s Heart Aims to Match $100,000 from Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation Fatal COVID Outbreak at Pacific Coast Manor, By Jondi Gumz Attention All Employers: New COVID Rules Hwy 1 Ramps Close During December • Supporting Survivors Workshop Dec. 5 • Panetta Seeks Aid for Wine Grape Growers • Jobs in Santa Cruz County Brookvale Terrace Resident Recognized Rootstock: Bringing Artisans Together, By Jondi Gumz Writers, Artists Offer Words and Art of Hope Amah Mutsun: When Fire Was a Tool, By Jondi Gumz Hearing on Hwy 1 Lanes Dec. 8 • When Will Capitola Historical Museum Reopen? Aptos Adopt-A-Family: Providing for Families in Times of Hardship Need Calm? The Apothecarium Can Help, By Jondi Gumz Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, and more Headline Online Fire Relief Benefit
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11 12 13 14 15 16 21 24
Business Profile 17 Redo Consign & Redesign: Your HGTV in Santa Cruz, By Rosie Alexander In Memoriam 18 Christopher David Ow: Feb. 23, 1966 ~ Nov. 5, 2020 • Mark Phillip Holcomb ‘Man of Seascape’: 1952 ~ 2020
Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Advent, Liturgy, Light in the Darkness, Festivals of Light, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29
Featured Columnists 19 How Soquel Wharf Became Capitola Beach, Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift 25 New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 27 Gradually Returning to In-Person Learning, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District 30 Let’s Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor 31 Do Your Trees Need an Arborist?, By Tony Tomeo
SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Ava!
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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz
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“Generosity” from page 1 “We always hope to kick off Second Harvest’s holiday food and fund drive with a splash, but I never expected to bring in this much,” Schlaepfer said. This is the largest holiday food donation Second Harvest has ever received. The previous record was in 2017, when Plantronics (now Poly) raised $319,000. After Schlaepfer made the announcement, Willy Elliot McCrea, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank, who was watching remotely, said he was “speechless … absolutely floored.” Then he said, “That is going to make such a huge impact for so many families. Since the COVID crisis began, and then the fires created more need, food distributions in Santa Cruz County have doubled.” This year’s holiday food drive goal is 4.5 million meals; all funds raised during the drive provide food to distribute at 165 partner locations, mostly nonprofits and churches. The congregation’s participation was enthusiastic and heartfelt, said Schlaepfer, who shared a handwritten note from one member: “Dear Twin Lakes Church, Over the months of our church being closed, we’ve been so grateful to join TLC online. My children wanted to contribute their allowance to the food drive. I hope and pray you can reach our goal of one million meals! In Christ, Michelle Leavitt.” The envelope contained $100 in cash. Donors were apparently undaunted by the pandemic, which has resulted in many church activities to be held
virtually, or by other disruptions including the devastating recent wildfires. “I hope the congregation never forgets this moment, that in the midst of these exceptionally troubled times, exceptional generosity and love are still possible,” said Schlaepfer. “Hope is still possible. We are all in this together. All is not lost.” Twin Lakes Church began participating in the Holiday Food Drive in 2006. Total donations were $947.70. Schlaepfer recounted how the holiday food drive took off at Twin Lakes after that: “The next year, we were studying the love of God, and I became convinced that our church needed to show that we truly do love our neighbors. So I challenged the church to increase our food drive participation, and I think we went to about $12,500, or 50,000 meals. We were so excited. Then someone in a church hallway challenged me after the service and said, ‘I don’t think God
wants us to settle for that. We should try for one million meals!’ And we did. We did not achieve that goal right away, but we have for a few years now.” He added, “This year, knowing how many families in the church are hurting, I really hesitated to make a million meals our goal. I did somewhat reluctantly, with the disclaimer that I knew many people could not contribute. I never, ever expected to raise this amount. I always hope our entire Santa Cruz County community sees the love of God showing through the church in practical ways. I think this helps.” n ••• To participate in the holiday food drive, go to https://www.thefoodbank.org/ holiday-food-fund-drive/ Editor’s Note: Valerie Webb at Twin Lakes Church reports more donations have come in since Pastor Rene made his announcement Sunday, and the new total raised is $469,275.72, which will provide 1,877,102 meals.
happy holidays in
happy happy holidays in in happy holidays in holidays
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Dine & Shop during the Holidays and enjoy the magic of the season. This year many stores will be accepting donations for
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COMMUNITY NEWS
CineLux Pivots to Take-Home Concessions O n Nov. 19, Paul Gunsky, the second-generation owner of CineLux Theatres, announced that “our cinemas have been placed on pause in compliance with state and local health response to COVID19. We enjoyed welcoming back our guests to our theatres and look forward to reopening soon.” The state placed Santa Cruz County in the Purple Tier on Nov. 17 due to a jump in COVID-19 cases, forcing movie theaters to close indoor operations. The county had 783 active cases as of Nov. 19. During this temporary closure period,
CineLux will host take-home concession events every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at its Scotts Valley and Capitola cinemas. These take-home events will offer discounted concessions for family movie nights, as well as Black Friday gift card deals. These events allow the company to provide continued employment to its staff members despite the interruption to its regular operations. n For more details and updates, visit CineLuxTheatres.com and follow CineLux Theatres on Facebook and Instagram.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation
or 26 years, the Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation hosted an annual golf tournament in the memory of two adored children who died of brain cancer, raising money for Jacob’s Heart, the nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for children with cancer. This year, because of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, the tournament could not take place. However, the two local dads who started the charity event were undaunted and determined to provide support to Jacob’s Heart. “As two fathers who have lost our precious children to cancer, we understand the importance of Jacob’s Heart firsthand,” said Rob Stuart and Peter Pillsbury, founders of the Jordan and Kyra Foundation. “We hope this matching challenge will inspire the community to give, and in doing so, double the impact on the lives of those hit hardest by this crisis.” This year, they are offering to match
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Kyra Pillsbury
Jordan Stuart
every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 for Jacob’s Heart. “To children with cancer and their families, this is a match made in heaven. The parents of Jordan and Kyra understand what the Jacob’s Heart families are going through,” said Lori Butterworth, founder of Jacob’s Heart. “They also understand what it means when someone cares. Our hope is that our community will match the generosity of Jordan and Kyra so we can continue to address the increasing needs and match each service with love.” Donations will go toward providing direct financial support to families with medically fragile children ensuring they can stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly grocery deliveries to avoid the risk of going to the store while caring for a child with cancer, door-to-door transportation to medical treatment, and crisis counseling to help families cope with the challenges of COVID-19. n ••• To learn more about Jacob’s Heart or this matching challenge, go to www.jacobsheart.org. To learn more about the Jordan and Kyra Foudnation, go to www.jordanandkyra.org/
“To children with cancer and their families, this is a match made in heaven. The parents of Jordan and Kyra understand what the Jacob’s Heart families are going through. They also understand what it means when someone cares. Our hope is that our community will match the generosity of Jordan and Kyra so we can continue to address the increasing needs and match each service with love.” — Lori Butterworth, founder of Jacob’s Heart
COMMUNITY NEWS
Fatal COVID Outbreak at Pacific Coast Manor E
By Jondi Gumz
ight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, with winter drawing nigh, Santa Cruz County exceeds 1,000 active cases with 47 hospitalized, the first outbreak at the jail, and an outbreak at Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola that resulted in deaths of two residents, which would bring the county’s total fatalities to 30. On Monday, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reported nine correctional officers have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now off work. Another six officers are quarantined, based on contact with infected coworkers, but no jail inmates have showed symptoms or tested positive, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which plans to test all correctional staff and inmates in the next 72 hours. Contact tracers from the county Health Services Agency are trying to determine the source of the outbreak. The initial tests were spurred by jail officers showing symptoms at work, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which put screening protocols in place in March to prevent an outbreak. The state reports more than 19,000 people have died because of COVID-19. Active cases are increasing dramatically, prompting health officials on Nov. 16 to put Santa Cruz County — and much of California — into the “Purple Tier,” which has the most restrictions on business operations, forcing restaurants, theaters, gyms, worship places to offer services outdoors only, and to adopt new rules for employers for the next six months, requiring them to fix workplace situations that allow the virus to spread, pay for testing when workers are exposed, provide masks and make sure workers wear them. Capitola Deaths acific Coast Manor is the third nursing home in the county where residents contracted COVID-19 and died – despite pro-active efforts by county health officials to prevent the virus from getting in. For example, visitors were not allowed and surveillance testing was instituted. A 99-bed facility owned by Covenant Care, Pacific Coast Manor has posted updates on its website, the latest on Nov. 29, reporting 61 residents and 34 employees tested positive for COVID-19 and two residents who tested positive died due to “this insidious virus.” Pacific Coast Manor reports 13 residents and 14 staff have recovered. The management said separate wings have been designated for residents who may test positive and a new observation unit was created for new admissions, where they can be quarantined, tested and monitored for symptoms associated with the virus before being assigned to a standard room. Before the outbreak at Pacific Coast Manor, two elderly residents died of
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COVID-19 in Santa Cruz, one at Santa Cruz Post Acute, a 149-bed nursing home owned by Kindred and the other at Maple House II, a 40-bed residential care facility for the elderly under local ownership. A woman in her mid80s with underlying conditions died Nov. 10 at Santa Cruz Post Acute. The outbreak began Nov. 7. At least 29 residents there and 15 staff tested positive. A Caucasian woman in her mid90s with another significant condition died Nov. 14 at Maple House II, county Public Health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland said last week, noting it takes time to investigate each death. That outbreak began Oct. 31 and spread to 10 staff and 14 residents. The state fined Santa Cruz Post Acute $1,000 for failure to submit COVID-19 data on three occasions: June 6, Aug. 3 and Oct. 9. “This failure resulted in incomplete data reported to the Department necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak,” the state citation reads. “These failures had the potential to compromise the residents’ medical health and safety.” Wrongful Death Lawsuit n Nov. 10, the family of Donald Wickham sued Watsonville Post Acute, where he died Oct. 20 after contracting COVID-19, alleging elder abuse and neglect and wrongful death and seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Wickham, 94, was one of 16 residents with COVID who died at Watsonville Post Acute in a two-month stretch; 50 of 74 residents and 21 staff became infected. The lawsuit filed by Santa Cruz attorney David Spini of Scruggs, Spini & Fulton on behalf of Wickham’s son John, alleges the owners understaffed the nursing home to improve profits, brought in licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants from other locations, increasing the potential for introducing the virus, and provided inadequate training to prevent infectious diseases, allowing 70 percent of the residents to contract the virus. Spini noted infection control procedures at Watsonville Post Acute were found lacking six times by the state Department of Public Health, with an Oct. 6 report pointing out a housekeeper was not screened for signs and symptoms of COVID before starting work. In 2016, the state fined Watsonville Post Acute, which is owned by CF Watsonville
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West, a limited liability company in Los Angeles, $10,000 after a resident diagnosed with dementia left the premises and was found outside lying on a sidewalk with a fractured jaw. The state report noted the resident wore a WanderGuard but the director of nursing acknowledged there was no routine monitoring of this resident’s whereabouts. As of Nov. 30, Santa Cruz County had 4,529 COVID cases, 3,412 recovered, and 74,564 negative test results. In five days, active cases jumped from 957 to 1,089, a faster pace that began on Halloween, when the county was in the less restrictive Orange Tier. The county moved into the Red Tier for a week, then into the Purple Tier. The county update shows 118 people reported their symptoms began Nov. 16. The case rate has risen to 12 new cases per day per 100,000 population; before Halloween, the case rate was below 4 per day per 100,000. To get back in the Orange Tier, with fewer restrictions on business, the case rate would have to fall below 7 new cases per day per 100,000. Recently, cases have been increasing faster in Santa Cruz and among whites. Initially, cases were predominantly in Watsonville and the Latinx community, but now Hispanics account for 59 percent of the cases, down from 67 percent, with whites accounting for 18 percent. New Employer Rules n Nov. 19, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted an emergency regulation aimed at protecting workers across California from exposure to COVID-19. The regulation, which will be put into effect by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, requires all employers to: • Assess workplace hazards and create a written COVID-19 prevention program, allowing for employee participation; • Correct COVID-19-related hazards in the workplace; • Identify and notify all workers exposed to COVID-19-positive individuals; • Provide testing free to employees in the event of COVID-19-positive cases in the workplace; • Train employees on COVID-19 prevention;
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• Mandate and enforce the wearing of face coverings in the workplace; • Provide personal protective equipment free where needed; and • Adopt safety measures in housing and transportation provided by the employer. The regulation comes in response to a May 20 letter from the Worksafe of Oakland and the National Lawyers Guild Labor & Employment Committee. They sought protection for “essential” workers, those working but not deemed essential, those working to support their families, those working because they feared they would lose their job and those who would return to work fearfully as the economy opened up. “Without specific occupational health and safety measures… Californians will die unnecessarily,” the letter read, calling for specific requirements to give employers clarity on how to protect workers. Board staff noted the disproportionate impact on Latino communities but suggested a focus on businesses in Los Angeles County, where 40% of the cases and half of the deaths have occurred, or an emphasis on industries with a disproportionately high number of cases. However, Cal/OSHA agreed with the petitioners that an emergency regulation is warranted. Existing regulations protect workers in health services, homeless shelters and correctional facilities but not workers in meat and poultry processing, food processing, agriculture, garment manufacturing, warehousing, public transportation, and retail stores, where outbreaks have taken place. The regulation is similar to what the petitioners proposed, with the late addition of requirements for physical distancing and providing masks for workers in employerprovided housing and distancing, masks and ventilation in employer-provided transportation to work, including shuttles, ride-share vans and carpools. Holiday Guidance he sharp rise in COVID-19 cases is very concerning,” said Jen Herrera, Santa Cruz County’s chief of public health. “It is critical that everyone follow social distancing guidelines and not gather in groups as we head into the holidays.” On Friday, Nov. 13, the California Department of Public Health advised travelers should quarantine upon arrival. The agency also released Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings – ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and Christmas Dec. 2. A 10 p.m. statewide curfew was ordered on Nov. 21.
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“COVID-19 Update” page 10
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Attention All Employers: New COVID Rules W hat is AB 685? AB 685 is a California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 17, 2020. This law: • Requires employers to notify employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to report workplace outbreaks to the local health department. • Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to publicly report information on workplace outbreaks. • Authorizes Cal/OSHA to enforce COVID-19 hazards as an imminent hazard to provide immediate protection for workers. What information am I required to give workers? Upon identifying a COVID-19 case in the workplace, you need to provide the following information: 1) Notice to your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. You can inform other workers of the dates that an individual with COVID-19 was at the worksite but should not share information that could identify the affected individual. You must also provide this information to the exclusive labor representative, if any. 2) Information about benefits & options You must provide your employees with information about COVID-19 benefits under federal, state, or local laws. This includes workers’ compensation, company sick leave, state-mandated leave, supplemental sick leave, negotiated leave, and anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination protections. 3) A disinfection & safety plan You need to inform your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers of your disinfection and safety plan for the worksite, in accordance with CDC guidelines. You must also provide this information to the exclusive labor representative, if any. How and when should workers be notified? You must provide a written notice to your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers within 1 business day of receiving notification of potential exposure. The written notice can be handdelivered or given by email or text message and should be in both English and any other language understood by the majority of employees. You must also provide this written
notice to the exclusive labor representative, if any, within 1 business day. Which workers must be notified? All employees and employers of any subcontracted employees who were at the same worksite as the worker diagnosed with COVID-19 during their infectious period must be notified. For an individual who develops symptoms, the infectious period begins 2 days before they first develop symptoms. The infectious period ends when the following criteria are met: 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without use of fever-reducing medications), AND other symptoms have improved. For an individual who tests positive but never develops symptoms, the infectious period for COVID-19 begins 2 days before and ends 10 days after the specimen for their first positive test for COVID-19 was collected.) When am I required to report COVID-19 cases to the local health department? You must report COVID-19 outbreaks to the local health department. For nonhealthcare workplaces, this is defined as 3 or more COVID-19 cases among workers at the same worksite within a 14-day period. Once this threshold is met, you have 48 hours to report to the local health department in the jurisdiction where the worksite is located. You also must continue to notify the local health department of additional COVID-19 cases identified among workers at the worksite. What information should I report to the local health department? 1) Information about the worksite – name
of company/institution, business address, and North American Industry Classification System industry code. 2) Names and occupations of workers with COVID-19. 3) Additional information requested by the local health department as part of their investigation. How do local health departments and CDPH use this information? Local health departments will review information you share and work with you to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. Local health departments will also share information about workplace COVID-19 outbreaks with CDPH. CDPH is required under AB 685 to share information about COVID-19
workplace outbreaks by industry on their website. Who qualifies as a COVID-19 case? Under AB 685, a COVID-19 case is someone who: • Has a positive viral test for COVID-19, includes nucleic acid (PCR) and antigen tests. • Is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a licensed health care provider, • Is ordered to isolate for COVID-19 by a public health official, OR • Dies due to COVID-19, as determined by a public health department. If you are notified of individual(s) in your workplace who meets any of those criteria, you must notify workers and the local health department as described above. What does AB 685 authorize Cal/OSHA to do? AB 685 allows Cal/OSHA to: Issue an Order Prohibiting Use to shut down an entire worksite or a specific worksite area that exposes employees to an imminent hazard related to COVID-19. This allows Cal/OSHA to protect workers from an imminent hazard by prohibiting entry into a place of employment or prohibiting the use of something in a place of employment which constitutes an imminent hazard. • Cite or fine employers for serious violations related to COVID-19 without having to provide 15-days’ notice. • Cite or fine employers for violations of AB 685 worker notification provisions. “New Rules” page 10
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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Hwy 1 Ramps Close During December ultiple on- and off-ramps on Highway 1 in Aptos, Capitola, and Santa Cruz will be subject to intermittent closure beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2, and continue through the end of the year. Cooperative weather may shorten this time frame. Daytime closures will take place Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both the north and southbound on- and off-ramps at these interchanges will be subject to closure: State Park Drive, Park Avenue, Bay/Porter, 41st Avenue, Soquel Avenue and Morrissey Blvd. Other ramps impacted include: Southbound Ocean Street off-ramp, northbound Ocean Street on-ramp, southbound Plymouth Street on-ramp, and northbound Emeline Avenue off-ramp. No more than two ramps will be closed in any direction at the same time. The ramps are being closed for installation of thermoplastic pavement markings. It’s too cold at night to work with these materials, necessitating daytime closures. Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 10 minutes. •••
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“New Rules” from page 9 How is AB 685 different from CDPH’s COVID-19 employer guidance? CDPH’s guidance, “Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace for Employers,” also requires employers to notify local health departments if there are 3 or more cases of COVID-19 in their workplace within a 2-week period. This requirement is already in effect, so employers must follow it now. The additional requirements under AB 685 go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Which employers have to follow AB 685? All public and private employers in California must follow AB 685 except: • Health facilities are not subject to AB 685 requirements for reporting outbreaks to local health departments, but must continue to follow existing reporting requirements. All other AB 685 requirements apply to health facilities, including notifying employees about potential exposure to COVID-19. • Employers of workers who provide direct care or testing to individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not subject to AB 685 requirements. Where can I find more information about AB 685 and COVID-19 in the workplace? • AB 685 bill text — California Legislature
Supporting Survivors Workshop Dec. 5 upporting Survivors Coming Forward” is a virtual workshop in the Imagine Healing Series hosted by Survivors Healing Center, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. How can we better listen to, empower and support survivors of sexual abuse when they come forward? How can our community promote healing? One way we can empower those who have victimized by sexual abuse is by educating individuals what they should do when someone discloses to them that they are a victim of sexual abuse. In this online workshop, participants will have a safe place to hear survivor’s stories, ask questions and receive resources. This workshop is on a donation basis. Sign up by going to: SurvivorsHealingCenter.org or call 831-423-7601. ••• Panetta Seeks Aid for Wine Grape Growers n Nov. 19, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Representatives Mike Thompson (CA), Peter DeFazio (OR), Barbara Lee (CA), and Dan Newhouse (WA) announced the introduction of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan bill, introduced by members
from districts hit hard by wildfires, reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires. The WHIP program offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including winegrape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint. Currently, WHIP only covers losses in 2018 and 2019, and this bill would extend that support to losses in 2020. “This year, record-breaking wildfires wreaked havoc on many of our communities on the Central Coast of California. In addition to the structural damage, large swaths of our agriculture, including tons and tons of winegrapes, were tainted due to smoke exposure,” Panetta said. “WHIP+ historically has been a lifeline to producers who suffered this type of disaster. As it stands, unfortunately, the program does not cover
2020 losses. Our legislation, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, will ensure that wine grape growers, who suffered severe losses during this unprecedented wildfire year, are eligible for these crucial payments.” Learn more about the WHIP+ program at https://www.farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus. ••• Jobs in Santa Cruz County Change from Industry Oct. 2020 a year ago Government 19,300 Down 5,100 Leisure & Hospitality 11,500 Down 2,900 Private Ed & Health 15,400 Down 2,300 Trade & Transportation 16,100 Down 1,000 Other services 4,300 Down 900 Biz & Prof. Services 10,300 Down 800 Manufacturing 6,400 Down 800 Information 500 Down 100 Financial 3,600 Up 100 Logging & Construction 4,800 Up 100 Nonfarm 92,200 Down 13,700 Farm 3,500 Down 6,700 Total 95,700 Down 20,400 ••• Change from Unemployment 7.1% a year ago Labor force 131,700 Down 8.4% Employed* 122,300 Down 11.8% Unemployed 9,400 Up 88% *Includes out-of-county commuters Source: California Employment Development Department
Information webpage at https://leginfo. legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient. xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB685 • COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements (AB 685) — Cal/OSHA outlines how the bill enhances their enforcement of COVID-19 in the workplace at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ coronavirus/AB6852020FAQs.html • Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace for Employers — CDPH
guidance on how to respond to cases of COVID-19 in the workplace, at https:// files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/respondingto-covid19-workplace--en.pdfincluding strategies for transmission prevention, worker testing, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation. • CDPH Employer Guidance on AB 685: Definitions – CDPH definitions of terms used in AB 685. • Industry Guidance to Reduce Risk
— Information and resources for reopening businesses and facilities safely in California at https://covid19. ca.gov/industry-guidance/ • Blueprint for a Safer Economy — California’s plan for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities at https://covid19.ca.gov/safereconomy/ n
through SennecaDx.com/community and the Cabrillo College Health Center. In Santa Cruz, testing is at Sutter Health PAMF Urgent Care, Doctors on Duty, Dignity Health Medical Group, Santa Cruz Community Health, the County Health Center and the UC Santa Cruz Cowell Student Health Center. Online appointments are often required. For information on the State framework, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/ safer-economy/. 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 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n ••• COVID Cases as of Nov. 30 Aptos......................................... 182
Ben Lomond............................... 34 Boulder Creek............................ 39 Capitola.................................... 126 Felton.......................................... 39 Freedom.................................... 261 Santa Cruz............................. 1,008 Scotts Valley..............................118 Soquel....................................... 101 Watsonville............................ 2,480 Unincorporated......................... 43 Under investigation.................. 98 Total........................................ 4,529 Source: santacruzhealth.org ••• Most Common Exposure Sources Retired or not employed...........................................41% Const./maintenance/nat. resources............................24% Sales and office...........................................................11% Management/business/science/arts......................15% Source:santacruzhealth.org
S
O
“COVID-19 Update” from page 7 The safest way to gather is to spend time with people in the same household, gather virtually, or gather outdoors, according to Santa Cruz County health officials. Anyone experiencing COVID symptoms, even mild, should be tested, health officials said, adding that if you receive a negative test, you should finish quarantining and not end early – typically 14 days after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. Testing locations can be found at www. santacruzhealth.org/testing. Contact your medical provider if you have questions about your quarantine or isolation period. Neither Capitola nor Soquel has a testing site. In Aptos, testing is available at Doctors on Duty, Twin Lakes Church
10 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
J
Brookvale Terrace Resident Recognized
erry L. Bowles of Capitola is the second annual recipient of the Jan Beautz Award for Outstanding Service to the Mobile and Manufactured Home Community. For many years, he has been an effective voice and key strategist for manufactured and mobile home park residents. The award was established in 2019 by Santa Cruz County Mobile and Manufactured Home Commission. As an advisor to both the Mobile and Manufactured Home Commission and theBoard of Supervisors, Bowles provided insight on key legislation impacting the mobile and manufactured home community and connected the community with resources from around the state. As a member of the Advisory Council to the Assessor of Santa Cruz County, he advised the Council regarding issues related to mobilehome park property tax. Bowles inspired residents of investorowned parks and supported their efforts to convert to resident-owned communities. He founded the Santa Cruz County
Jerry L. Bowles accepts his award at Brookvale Terrace mobilehome park in Capitola. Resident-Owned Parks Group and served as chairman. He also served as vice president for Resident-Owned Communities on the Golden State Manufactured-Home
Owner’s League volunteer Board of Directors. Today, he serves on the board of directors for the Educational Community for
Homeowners, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting California homeowners associations with financial and legal issues, insurance, maintenance, and management. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 11
celebrate new traditions Shop safe this season and reserve your holiday entrees online. Choose tender, juicy cuts of California-raised, grass-fed beef from SunFed Ranch, and find the perfect bottle to serve with it in our wine pairing guide!
reservations
open dec. 3!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Rootstock: Bringing Artisans Together
S
By Jondi Gumz
ome people might see an empty storefront as a sign of these COVID-19 times, but for Nicole Graham, a graphic designer new to Pleasure Point, it was a business opportunity. Graham, 32, turned that empty space at 861 41st Ave. into a beautifully appointed shop featuring art, wood furnishings, wall hangings, and jewelry, all the work of local artists and makers. She calls it Rootstock Artisan Collective. Her goal is to have a permanent makers’ market, featuring different artists on Saturdays, “to rebuild the sense of community we all lost.” When the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration for the shop Nov. 7 — before the county was placed in the restrictive Purple Tier to prevent the virus from spreading — dozens of people came by to look and to buy. Tarra McPartland of Capitola was driving by and noticed the new shop. She bought a necklace. “People are eager to get out,” she said. “Having events like this is an attraction for shopping local.” Stacy Pappanastos, 43, was one of the artisans at a table outside. She was selling her Turq & Terra earrings. She also created the zen-like “moon phase” wall hangings on display inside. She said she learned about Rootstock
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Stacy Pappanastos of Turq & Terra makes these zen-like wall hangings, sold at Rootstock Artisan Collective. on Instagram when Graham began to follow her work and the two connected. Jacqui Hendricks, 32, a graphic designer turned full-time woodworker, said she sold a couple of pieces thanks to Rootstock and will be dropping off some new pieces. She creates coffee tables, desks, wall designs, signs and rain catchers under the name, TheWoodress, and will be selling at the Maker By the Sea event outdoors at the Santa Cruz Harbor. “Rootstock” page 13
Visit newleaf.com/holiday to plan your menu and learn about our safe shopping options. Nourishing the Central Coast since 1985
Half Moon Bay • Downtown Santa Cruz Westside Santa Cruz • Capitola • Aptos 12 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Nicole Graham is proprietor of Rootstock Artisan Collective, newly opened at 861 41st Ave. in Pleasure Point.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Writers, Artists Offer Words and Art of Hope A ptos author Kate Aver Avraham announces a new anthology in response to these challenging times: “Second Wind: Words and Art of Hope and Resilience.” She is editor along with Melody Culver of Santa Cruz. “It was born as we envisioned a way we might help those so impacted by the pandemic,” said Avraham, who called writers she knew to participate and got a “phenomenal” Words & Art of response. Hope & Resilience T h e anthology has 80 contributors — writers and artists of all ages and backgrounds — mostly from Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties or the Bay Area, but also from other places around the country. They share what gives them hope, what renews their spirits, and where they have found strength. These varied voices in prose, poetry and many forms of art speak of how we get through 2020, make the most of our changed lives, and move toward a meaningful future. Readers will find inspiration, humor and solace.
Second Wind EDITORS, K ATE AVER AVR AHAM & MELODY CULVER
“Rootstock” from page 12
Editors Kate Aver Avraham and Melody Culver
“Heartache in the Land” explores pandemic experiences and reactions. Sections look at loved ones and family; the political scene; musings of spirit, dreams and visions; creative expression; humor and play; and finally, reflections on the support and healing we receive from the abundant beauty of the natural world. In the words of one contributor: “This anthology answers your questions about what to do in any difficult time ... you gather friends, skills and possibilities, and create something that can tilt the balance of concerns for good.” The book costs $15 and is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Amazon.com. Avraham also has hosted open-air events where the book is available and more may be held in the future. n ••• All of the sales profits will be donated to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Covid-19 Relief Fund. ••• Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Website: RootstockCollective.com. To be featured in the shop, email rootstockcollective@ gmail.com
For her artistic enterprise, Instagram has been “a total game-changer,” she said. “I didn’t realize how important it was — it’s the perfect platform.” Graham said she used Instagram to connect with local artists to fill her shop. She lives close by on 33rd Avenue and noticed the “for lease” sign, a rare occurrence for this stretch of 41st Avenue. The property owner, she said, loved her idea, so she forged ahead, repainting the place herself. The space is bright, and there’s enough room to highlight each artist. Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz “With COVID, it’s nice to have A colorful painting by Amadeo Bachar at Rootstock Artisan Colthat extra space,” Graham said. n lective depicts ocean life.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 13
COMMUNITY NEWS
Amah Mutsun: When Fire Was a Tool
T
By Jondi Gumz
he evidence is in the diaries of missionary explorer Juan Crespi, who joined the Portola expedition in California in 1769, drew maps of the area and wrote in detail about what he saw. He saw indigenous peoples had burned the land frequently, noting this in his diary on Oct. 24, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, from Palo Alto to Half Moon Bay. About Half Moon Bay, he wrote: “Rolling hills burnt off with very good soil, good spot for a town, however, there is not a stick of wood anywhere about here.” That’s one piece of evidence cited by researcher Rob Cuthrell, director of archaeological resource management for the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, to document how native people used fire as a tool to steward the land until the Mission leaders outlawed indigenous burning in 1778. More evidence comes from macrobotanical analysis of charred plant remains from archaeological deposits showing most seeds found were edible seeds.
Cuttrell was one of the speakers when the Amah Mutsun Land Trust hosted its first fire symposium on Nov. 19, an event on Zoom that attracted more than 600 viewers in the wake of the CZU August Lightning Complex fires that charred 86,000 acres and destroyed 925 homes in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, called fire a gift from Creator and “a tool to manage the landscape.” “Our people would burn that landscape (of coastal prairie),” he said. They would burn segments of land in a particular rotation, using lowintensity fires that were easy to watch over and that would not sterilize the ground. “The prairie had a lot of seed plants — fire was important to help seeds germinate,” Lopez said. “It would take care of birds and animals and people. Our diet was 40 percent seeds at times.” The second year after the fire, there would be tall shoots for deer and elk to
eat. The third year, bushy plants useful for basketry and traps. The fourth year, thicker plants used to make boats and housing. With the cycle complete, they would start over, once again burning the land to “balance and take care of the resources,” Lopez said. When burning was outlawed, shrubs started to encroach on the prairie, then other trees, then redwoods, he said. “There are very little grasslands now
on the Central Coast — the biodiversity is gone now,” he said. “Burning regularly rebuilds topsoil. The way we are talking about today will actually achieve that.” Kent Lightfoot, anthropology professor at UC Berkeley, said a 2007 study of Ano Nuevo presents “strong evidence of sustained cultural burning for many centuries, once every few years.” “Safe Fires” page 22
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Hearing on Hwy 1 Lanes Dec. 8 A 45-day public review and comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the proposed Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane Project from State Park to Bay/Porter is open through Jan. 11, 2021. The proposed project includes construction of auxiliary lanes, implementing bus-on-shoulder operations, replacing the Capitola Avenue overcrossing to include new bicycle/pedestrian facilities, building a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive, and installing sound walls. The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment, released by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Caltrans, identifies the project’s potential impacts and potential avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures. A virtual public hearing will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 5-6:30 p.m., to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the project and submit comments before a final design is selected. The meeting link at https://sccrtc.org/
DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
projects/streets-highways/hwy1corridor/ bayporter-statepark/ Written comments may be submitted by mail to Lara Bertaina, Department of Transportation, 50 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA, or by email to lara.bertaina@ dot.ca.gov. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 11. The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment is at https://sccrtc.org/projects/ streets-highways/hwy1corridor/bayporter-statepark/. n
When Will Capitola Historical Museum Reopen?
F
rank Perry, curator of the Capitola Historical Museum, which is closed due to COVID-19, provided this update via email. “Everyone involved with the Capitola Historical Museum is looking forward to reopening when it is safe to do so,” he wrote. “We have a reopening plan and have made some modifications to the exhibits. Unfortunately, reopening remains on hold due to the slip backward to the purple tier.” He’s turned to social media to connect with people interested in Capitola history. “Our YouTube channel now has over 40 videos, including interviews with people who share their memories of Capitola in years past,” he wrote. “We continue to post on Facebook.” Historical resources are on the museum website at https://www.cityofcapitola.org/capitola-museum: A historic walking tour with printed guides in a box in front of the museum, 410 Capitola Ave. Also two recent publications are
available for free, “Digging into Capitola History” on how to do historical research about Capitola — helpful for people wanting to research their house — and “A Companion to Capitola,” an alphabetical list of people, places, and events from Capitola history designed as a quick reference guide. Those walking by the museum will see a small display of historic photographs on the front of the building. The 2020 exhibition, “Capitola Then and Now,” will be held over through 2021, Perry said. n ••• People with historical questions or interested in donating a photograph or artifact, can call the museum at 831-464-0322 or email capitolamuseum@gmail.com.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 15
COMMUNITY NEWS
Aptos Adopt-A-Family
Providing for Families in Times of Hardship
O
EQUAL HOUSING LENDER | MEMBER FDIC | 831.457.5000
16 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
ver the last 28 years Aptos-AdoptA-Family has helping community members with medical catastrophes along with community members who need a little help for the holidays. There are hundreds of stories and thousands of gifts. It all started with a local businessman in Aptos who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. As the cancer progressed, he was unable to work or support his family as the holidays approached. Our community put on a spaghetti feed event and the money collected went to help his family. Patrice Edwards, of Times Publishing Group, Inc., and a friend, worked tirelessly to collect toys, food, clothes, rent money, and more to carry his family through the coming months. Over the years there have been gifts of wheelchairs, a handicap accessible van, lifts, food, clothes, toys, bikes, rent — gifts that have helped many a family enjoy their holiday with less stress. This year has been more challenging than others. There are community members who have lost a job, or possibly their home in the fires. Please reach out to your neighbors and friends and find out who might need some help this season. Sometimes people are afraid to ask but will talk to a friend or family member who can refer them to us. All referrals are confidential. We connect people who want to adopt, and they provide the family with gifts. They receive a list of the family’s wants and needs, they do the shopping, and then deliver them to our office and we
pass them along to the adopted family. We focus primarily on families that are having financial challenges due to a medical catastrophe within their family as well as families who have had a financial crisis. Our supporters have been tireless in their quest to make sure their adoptive family gets what they need, plus more! Call us at 831-688-7549 or email cathe@cyber-times.com if you would like to adopt a family or refer a family in need (all is confidential). If you cannot adopt but would like to support us please send your donation (of any amount) to Aptos Adopt-A-Family c/o Times Publishing Group, Inc., 9601 Soquel Drive, Ste A Aptos, CA 95003. n
BUSINESS PROFILE
Redo Consign & Redesign Your HGTV in Santa Cruz
C
By Rosie Alexander
urated with the perfect mix of Santa Cruz near Dominican Hospital and trendy and antique furniture and Marshall’s. Today, her store is thriving. Not only is it thriving, but Robin has home decor, walking into Redo been overjoyed to turn her enterprise into Consign in Santa Cruz is an HGTV dream. Around every corner you expect to see a family business. Her daughter, Ciera Zucker, now 31, Joanna Gaines exclaiming over an antique sign or raw edge table. As you walk around joined her after graduating from college. the open floor plan, you can visualize Although at first she was on a career path placing each unique piece in your home. in biology, Ciera quickly fell in love with the customers and the Under the sparkle furniture business. of chandeliers, you Ciera has a fire in her know you could belly for growth and spend hours looking improvement, which at these treasures. Robin welcomes with Robin Cross is the open arms. founder and owner “Ciera has of Redo Consign & been the best thing Redesign. She had that happened to noticed a lack of furthe shop,” Robin niture consignment Redo’s window sign says, explaining her shops in the Santa Cruz area and loved the idea of recycling daughter has fresh ideas, patience, and is furniture and home decor, reusing pieces whole-heartedly invested in the store. When COVID-19 regulations forced that might otherwise be discarded. In 2006, Robin found a 1,500-square- Redo Consign to close this year, Ciera took foot warehouse for rent in Scotts Valley, the bump in the road in stride. She used and opened her first store with a grand the opportunity to completely redesign the total of five pieces of furniture. She would store. During the three months of closure, roll up the warehouse door to the open air, and wait for people to come. By 2012, Robin the floors were steam-cleaned and sealed had outgrown her Scotts Valley warehouse and everything was deep cleaned, with the furniture now in a brand-new layout. and needed a larger space. The flow of the store became more She found a home for her store in
Treasures await discovery at Redo Consign in Santa Cruz.
Photo Credit: Rosie Alexander
open and airy, and you are able to walk around the entirety without ever feeling claustrophobic or crowded. Robin says Ciera is a great addition to the team, because two of them have different tastes. Ciera likes the small trendy things, and Robin likes the big historic items. Robin has a few favorite items she loves to keep in stock. Her favorites are mid-century modern tables, or the raw edge tables (she can’t decide), but she also has a soft spot for the vintage rugs from the ‘30s. Since each rug is hand-made and vegetable-dyed, no two are ever the same. Since reopening in June, there is a limit of five people inside the store at a time, and masks are required. Redo Consign also has a website, where people can browse through the pieces available and call to inquire. You can also call to make an appointment outside Robin Cross and Ciera Zucker, proprietors at Redo of business hours to see a piece privately. One unique thing about Redo Consign Consign & Design. is that you can take a piece of furniture are Monday though Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., home for a 24-hour “test drive” to see if and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (831) it works in your home. If it doesn’t work, 439-9210. Website: www.redoconsign.com Robin and Ciera will take it back and sanitize it before putting it back on display. Due to COVID, right now you cannot “test drive” anything upholstered because it’s harder to clean. Walking into Redo Consign, you can feel the love that Robin and Ciera have for the shop, and you can imagine the family history in each piece of furniture. Robin says, “I love the histories, I love the stories” of the antique pieces. You can see the history, the life of the people who owned it before. The history of a chair or dining table is what makes it special, and the love in this familyowned shop is what gives it a second life. n ••• Redo Consign is at 1523 Photo Credit: Rosie Alexander Commercial Way, Santa This chandelier sparkles at Redo Consign, which has an entirely new look Cruz, near Marshall’s. Hours this year.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 17
18 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
IN MEMORIAM
Christopher David Ow
C
Feb. 23, 1966 ~ Nov. 5, 2020
hristopher David Ow, of Santa Cruz, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 5 at age 54. He was born on Feb. 23, 1966 in Carmel. When he was six months old, he and his family moved to Santa Cruz County where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated from Soquel High School, attended Cabrillo College, and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal State Chico. He was a thirdgeneration member of the Ow Family, worked as a property manager with Ow Family Properties and was the on-site manager at King’s Village Shopping Center in Scotts Valley. In his youth, Chris was a competitive BMX racer, traveling across the country to races. At the 1977 JAG BMX Championship, he won the World Champion title in the 12-year-old division. He was sponsored by Wes’ BMX, Powerlite, and Patterson Racing teams. Chris started riding minibikes at
age 3, the beginning of a lifetime love of motorcycling. With his dad, he rode many Santa Cruz Ridge Runner Motorcycle Club events and they enjoyed participating in the Colorado 500 charity rides, where Chris won the Rider of the Year and Ironman awards. He rode dual sport and also competed in cross country and motocross racing, where he earned top honors of the #1 plate. Chris’ motto was “Ride Happy.” Racing and the racing community were an influential part of his life. The positive energy he brought to the racetrack led to many meaningful friendships. His unconditional love and caring spirit were the foundation of his character. His presence brightened the lives and brought smiles to all of those around him. He was deeply connected with the community and loved interacting with all those he met. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. “Chris Ow” page 23
Mark Phillip Holcomb: ‘Man of Seascape’
M
1952 ~ 2020
ark Phillip Holcomb, 68, passed away on Nov. 16, at his home in La Selva Beach. He was a devoted family man, a successful business entrepreneur, a sports fanatic, dealmaker, and an avid supporter of the Aptos community. Mark, known affectionately as “Big Cat” by those who knew him well, was born on May 4, 1952, in Merced, to Lois and Charles Holcomb. He was active from the start and walked by 10 months; this desire to “get moving” would stay with him for the rest of his life. He spent his youth involved in school and sports activities of all kinds. At an early age, his family moved to Napa, where his younger brother Grant was born, and later to Orinda, where Mark played football, baseball, and basketball at Miramonte High School. He graduated in the Class of 1970. After graduation, the Holcomb family moved to Aptos. Mark obtained his real estate license at the age of 18, and his real estate
Mark Holcomb
broker ’s license at 21, becoming the youngest real estate broker in Santa Cruz County. He attended college at Cal Poly and then San Diego State University, where in 1975 he graduated with a bachelor ’s degree in business economics and a minor in real estate. “Mark Holcomb” page 23
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Pictures From the Past
How Soquel Wharf Became Capitola Beach Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift
W
hen Frederick Hihn acquired land at Soquel’s beach in 1856, one of his first actions was to contract with builder Sedgwick Lynch to construct a wharf, which was completed the following year. Since the only landmark in the vicinity at the time was a warehouse, the site that is today Capitola Village was referred to for years as the Soquel Wharf Warehouse Lot. Within a few decades, however, beach vacationers were arriving in increasing numbers and Hihn could see that a summer resort would become a profitable venture. He gave Samuel A. Hall, who rented the land in 1869, permission to open Camp Capitola in 1874. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 19
20 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
Need Calm? The Apothecarium Can Help
T
By Jondi Gumz
he Apothecarium, which opened Nov. 11 on 41st Avenue in Capitola, brings a boutique style to shopping for cannabis for those 21 and over. With a wall of mirrors behind the quartz counter, it feels like a Sephora cosmetics shop. The look is based on Apothecarium’s flagship location in San Francisco, named best-designed dispensary in the U.S. by Architectural Digest. (Credit to Vincent Gonzaga.) Founded by three cousins and two friends in 2011, The Apothecarium was acquired in 2019 for $118 million by TerrAscend Corp., a Canadian company. The Capitola shop is the first California location outside the San Francisco Bay Area, but The Apothecarium also has stores in Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In two weeks of operation, store staff said, popular items include: State Flower brand for smoking, $55 for 35 grams; Valhalla chocolate, $18; and the CANN grapefruit-rosemary beverage, with a 6-pack of resealable cans selling for $26. Products from Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance are local favorites, too. Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in mid-March, many businesses have been struggling — but not cannabis. “Cannabis has thrived during the pandemic … It makes sense,” said Sharon Daigle, assistant manager of The Apothecarium in Capitola. “We’re an essential service. People seek us out.” Manager Jason Astorio agrees, saying the shop helps “people who need calm.”
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Jim Bushneff awaits customers at The Apothecarium, a chain with stores in the San Francisco area, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“The Apothecarium” page 23
Photo credit Jondi Gumz
The Apothecarium’s logo greets you as you walk into the store.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 21
“Safe Fires” from page 14
Great Reasons to Dine at Palapas Sand Dabs
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WEDNESDAY
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Housemade Tamales Chicken or Pork, Black Beans & Rice - or -
The burning, done “in small patches” in a mosaic pattern, would clear land, control insects, and boost the productivity of plants and animals, he said. Scott Stephens, a scholar in fire ecology at UC Berkeley, said fire scars on redwoods show indigenous burning took place on average every 9 to 12 years. As for the CZU fire damage in the San Vicente Redwoods Preserve in Santa Cruz County, he said, “Indigenous management would have prevented this.” Cal Fire has funded a research project on 25 acres in the San Vicente Redwoods with the Amah Mutsun, working together as a team, and Stephens hopes to secure a second site soon. “It’s time for innovation and restoration,” he said. Don Hankins, a geography professor Cal State Chico and a Plains Miwok, cited research expert Henry Lewis who found indigenous people had 73 reasons for burning, including game management and water stewardship. “Knowing how and when to set fire is important,” Hankins said. “In our stories, we have a knowledge about fires that goes back to the beginning of time.”
He quoted a Miwok elder saying, “If people stop burning, wildfire will become rampant. If you light fires, you must know you will bring the rain.” The Amah Mutsun Land Trust, formed in 2013, has four full-time staff, and is recruiting an executive director. Sara French, interim executive director, said the organization has funding for the first time from the Coastal Conservancy for the Native Stewardship Corps. The young people in the Stewardships Corps, certified as type 2 wildland firefighters, participate in training exchanges and prescribed burns with partners at Klamath TREX, Yurok TREX, San Vicente Redwoods, Ano Nuevo State Park and Big Basin State Park. French said she wants to build up an engine crew so the land trust can contract with landowners to do prescribed burning. The Amah Mutsun Land Trust also is working to protect Juristac, one of the tribe’s last sacred sites in Santa Clara County, from sand and gravel mining. “We need your help,” French said, urging listeners to subscribe to the tribe’s newsletter at https://www.amahmutsun landtrust.org/ n Photos courtesy of Amah Mutsun Land Trust
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22 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
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“Mark Holcomb” from page 18 It was there that he met the love of his life, Kay Gill. Mark and Kay were married in Incline Village, Nevada, on Aug. 7, 1976. After their marriage, Mark and Kay moved to Aptos and started a family. Mark soon joined his father in the family real estate, construction, and development business. Their office later moved to Seascape where The Holcomb Corporation went on to make a deep impact on the area, developing such projects as The Seascape Village Shopping Center, Palapas Restaurant, Seascape Resort, Seascape Ridge, Racquet Landing, and The Seascape Uplands, as well as many other single and multi-family projects within Santa Cruz County. Mark dreamed of creating spaces where generations of families could come together and share memories, and he was able to bring this dream to life through his
mastery of creative financing, development management, and as Mark himself would say, “perseverance.” Mark and his father, Charles, an architect, built and developed much of the Seascape area in Santa Cruz County, and Mark’s wife Kay staged interiors. They were a phenomenal team, working together for more than 40 years. Mark was recognized with numerous awards for his achievements and contributions. In 1994, he received the “Best of the West, Gold Nugget Award” from the Pacific Builders Conference for Best Specialty Hotel/Resort Property for the Seascape Resort and Conference Center. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce awarded The Holcomb Corporation “Business of the Year” in 1995, and Mark was awarded “Man of the Year” in 2006. In 2019, Mark received an honorary membership into the Aptos Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, and an honorary Aptos High School diploma, for his contributions to the local
“The Apothecarium” from page 21 Both of them have personal experience with cannabis. Daigle, 54, formerly a high school teacher, found the right combination of cannabis components CBD and THC targeted her lingering pain and inflammation from a back surgery. “The tin man just oiled my joint” is how she put it, allowing her to work and feel better. “The benefits are worth exploring,” she said. “It’s not for everyone but it might be for you. Until you try it, you don’t know.” Astorio, 47, said his drummer friend’s wife suffered from chronic headaches until she found the indica strain of cannabis was beneficial for her. The challenging part of opening in a pandemic has been hiring people when most of their face is covered by the requisite mask to prevent the virus from spreading. Still, The Apothecarium is fully staffed with 10 employees. Katie Rasche, 39, came from Whole Foods, excited to work at a place where she could help people.
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Art by Santa Cruz artist Eric Peterson adorns the wall at The Apothecarium.
“Chris Ow” from page 18 Chris is survived by his children, Amber and Austin Ow; his life partner Carmen Garcia; her son William Allen, his wife Amy Allen and their children Jessie, Thomas, and Shaddix, who Chris loved as family; his parents David and Judy Ow; sisters Karen Ow and Sharis Ow; nephew
Aptos community and local school athletic programs. Mark loved his family and friends; Willie Mays and the San Francisco Giants; family trips to Mexico, Palm Springs, and Lake Tahoe; and sports of all kinds. For more than 30 years, he proudly hosted the annual Anchovy Open golf tournament at the Seascape Golf Club, raising money for the Santa Cruz Special Olympics and other charities. His long-time college friends came annually to play in the tournament, and the event always made his year. Recently, Mark further followed his love of golf and acquired partial ownership in the Seascape Golf Club, where he was a former Men’s Club president. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Charles Holcomb, and brother, Grant Holcomb. Mark is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kay Gill Holcomb, his mother
Daigle said she had worked for a competing cannabis dispensary locally before coming to The Apothecarium. “What drew me,” she said, “was cannabis being a part of health and wellness.” Cannabis was outlawed by the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, with the name of the law indicating financial motivations rather than randomized clinical trials showing health hazards. In fact, in the 1830s, Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish doctor who had written a paper on cholera, was working in India when he documented that cannabis extracts could ease cholera symptoms like stomach pain and vomiting. By the late 19th century, Americans and Europeans could buy cannabis extracts in pharmacies and doctors’ offices to help with stomach aches, migraines, inflammation and insomnia, according to History.com. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana as Schedule I, which means it has a high potential for abuse, there is no accepted medical use in the United States and there is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Attempts to change this status in Congress have been unsuccessful. In recent years, opioids prescribed for pain have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with 50,000 dying last year in the U.S. due to opioids. Daigle contends cannabis is safer. “There’s no evidence anyone has died from too much marijuana,” she said. Although many states, California included, have changed laws to allow the sale and use of cannabis, the federal prohibition remains in place. As a result, most of
and godson Kyle (Nicole) Winterhalder, greatniece Kaylie Winterhalder, and niece Lauryn (Rob) Groh; niece BreAnne Rhett and nephew Bryce Rhett; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended family. Viewing hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz. Due
Lois Holcomb of Aptos, his daughters Kyla Holcomb Piramoon of Soquel, and Keri Holcomb Hope of Santa Barbara, his grandchildren Tessa Hope, Nicolas Piramoon, Camila Piramoon, and Carolina Piramoon, and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the entire Santa Cruz community for its outpouring of love, support, condolences and well wishes. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Mark’s honor to the Aptos Sports Foundation at https://www. aptossportsfoundation.com/donate or The Dominican Hospital Foundation at www. supportdominican.org/donate. n ••• A memorial “tribute room to Mark” will be set up at Seascape Resort from Nov. 28-Dec. 31, 2020. Please stop by to pay tribute to and celebrate Mark’s life. Reservations may be made online at https://markholcomb.getomnify.com.
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Joey Cardiol at the checkout counter of The Apothecarium in Capitola.
the research on cannabis for medicinal use has been done in Canada or Israel. Santa Cruz County, long known as a favorable environment for growing superior fruit and vegetables, now is becoming a place where cannabis an be grown legally. “We’re in a unique area that grows the best cannabis in the world,” said Daigle. “I’ve traveled. I’ve sampled a lot of product.” The 2019 Santa Cruz county crop report does not list cannabis but it does list industrial hemp, with 21 growers registering 185 acres and harvesting 132 acres — numbers that are likely to expand over time. n ••• The Apothecarium at 1850 41st Ave., Capitola, is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone: 831-325-0691. Email: info@ theapothecarium.
to COVID health guidelines, masks and social distancing will be required. If you are feeling ill or experiencing symptoms, please refrain from attending. Due to the County of Santa Cruz’s move back to the state’s COVID-19 Purple Tier, the celebration of life planned for Saturday, Nov. 21, at Carl Connelly Stadium at Cabrillo College has been postponed until
it is safe to gather again. Chris would not want to jeopardize anyone’s health. Private services took place live online via Tribucast, at https://client.tribucast. com/tcid/876051267. The video will be available on until Dec. 21. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to a local charity of your choice in memory of Chris. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 23
COMMUNITY NEWS
Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, and more Headline Online Fire Relief Benefit L ove You Madly announces a streaming event at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 for Santa Cruz Fire Recovery with Sammy Hagar, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt, Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Joe Satriani, Colin Hay (Men at Work) and Los Lobos. Other acts include Rogue Wave, Laurie Lewis, The String Cheese Incident, T Sisters, Victor Krummenacher, Twiddle, and Prairie Prince. Emcees will include rock journalist Ben Fong-Torres, radio personality Bonnie Simmons, and Santa Cruz journalist Wallace Baine. T h i s evening of music, art, and impact on Nugs. TV at 2nu.gs/ loveyoumadly and SantaCruzFireRelief. org will support the Fire Response Fund managed by Community Foundations
Bonnie Raitt
Boz Scaggs
Santa Cruz County. Viewers will see original artwork, photography, and examples of how funds have already been put into action to help families impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fire. An online auction will let fans bid on guitars autographed by Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani , plus a custom Santa Cruz Guitar acoustic with inlays designed by a local firefighter. Love You Madly original art T-shirts are available for purchase at https://www.bonfire.com/ love-you-madly-santa-cruz-fire-relief/
24 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Colin Hay
Joe Satriani
Original Love You Madly artwork is also available on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hoodie at https://www.bonfire.com/loveyou-madly-santa-cruz-fire-relief/, 100% of proceeds to the Fire Response Fund. Santa Cruz County has been deeply impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, a historic wildfire resulting in the evacuation of 77,000 people, covering more than 80,000 acres, and destroying more than 900 homes. Thanks to heroic work by firefighters local and from afar, these wildfires – the most destructive in Santa Cruz County history – are now contained. The
Kevin Cronin
Sammy Hagar
community now shifts focus to the overwhelming task of recovery and rebuilding, which is estimated to take more than a decade. All donations raised will go directly to the Fire Response Fund managed by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, which has already granted over $600,000 from the fund, strategically distributed where needs are greatest, and will continue throughout the entire recovery process. To give, visit http://cfscc.org/loveyoumadly “Love You Madly” page 29
FEATURED COLUMNIST
New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use
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By Rebecca Gold Rubin
he “WaterSmart” Customer Portal is now available! As water metering technology continues to advance, the District is staying on the cutting edge by implementing the latest tools for our customers, giving you more control over your water use, billing, leak detection, and other tools. What’s the latest technology? It’s the WaterSmart Customer Portal, and it makes water use data from our ongoing intelligent meter (i-Meter) upgrade available to customers. This online portal is a great new way for you to keep a closer eye on your water use, even down to an hourly basis. It’s available now at soquelcreekwd. watersmart.com and you can register using your account number. With this user-friendly, self-service web portal you can get email, text, or phone alerts about potential water leaks in your system — you’ll be better able to find and fix that leak before it becomes a bigger problem. You’ll also have the capability to set customized water use and bill amount thresholds. With those in place, you’ll receive alerts when your water use or your bill amount reaches your desired thresholds, giving you the data you need to maintain
the most efficient water use possible. That means less wasted water, less potential water damage, and fewer surprises in your water bills. You will also be able to see your current bill and bill history and pay online or set up pay by text. The portal will also help you see how much water your irrigation system uses, identify water-saving opportunities, access conservation resources such as rebate program applications and waterwise landscaping ideas. Its easy-to-use online bill payment function allows you to both monitor your usage and pay your bill with a single log-in. We’ve nearly completed the upgrade of 16,000 meters to i-Meters within the District. This will allow your water meter to send your water use information to the District twice a day, via a fixed network infrastructure (some of the same technology used in cell phones, WiFi, walkie talkies, and baby monitors). The District’s previous generation of automated metering technology sent the water use information to a receiver in a District truck, which had to drive through your neighborhood once a month. Now, the latest electronic tools give us that information more easily, and much
more frequently. The end result? Saving you water and money! Our i-Meter upgrade is funded by new development as part of our Water Demand Offset (WDO) program, saving our ratepayers money. This program requires that new developments offset their projected water demand by funding new conservation or supply projects else-
“WaterSmart” page 26
Famous Landmarks
ACROSS
1. Octagonal sign 5. “Don’t have a ____!” 8. Can of worms 12. Pathetic 13. Spanish sparkling wine 14. Pico de gallo 15. WWII side 16. Like word of mouth 17. Church song 18. *Victoria in Zimbabwe or Horseshoe in Canada 20. *Home to Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle 21. Massachusetts university
The home page for Soquel Creek Water District’s WaterSmart app.
where in the District to make sure there is no increase in overall demand on the overdrafted groundwater basin. In addition to i-Meters, WDO fees have funded other water-saving programs, like rebates on the installation of thousands of ultra-high efficiency toilets.
22. “____ Be Home For Christmas” 23. Olympic torch, e.g. 25. On the move 28. Menu words 29. *Golden Gate or Mackinac 32. Goodbye, to bambino 34. Ruling in Islamic law 36. Variable, abbr. 37. Can, with thou 38. South American monkey 39. *Versailles or Buckingham 41. Thus far 42. Yoko’s John 44. Collectively 46. Party bowlful 47. Memory failure 49. Goals 51. *St. Basil’s or Canterbury
55. Independent, slang 56. Initial stake 57. Field of Dreams state 58. More than one stylus 59. Barnes and Noble or Barnum and Bailey 60. Jaunty rhythm in music 61. Don Quixote’s enemy 62. Urge Spot to attack 63. Besides
8. *La Sagrada Familia or St. Peter’s 9. Having wings 10. ____ of Man 11. Scottish cap 13. Ceiling panel in the Pantheon 14. Type of wheat 19. Cuban dance 22. Glacier matter 23. Medieval knight’s spiky weapon 24. Coffee shop order DOWN 25. *Home to Taj Mahal 1. BBQ side 26. Phonograph record 2. Taxon, pl. 27. Artist’s support 3. Fail to mention 4. Bygone Spanish money 28. Back, at sea 30. Director Reitman 5. Jeweler’s unit 31. Indian restaurant staple 6. Egg-like curves 7. *The Western one in 33. Giant Hall-of-Famer Israel or the Great one 35. *Moulin Rouge or Netherland’s landmark in China
37. Incense without prefix 39. Weasel-related onomatopoeia 40. Enigma machine’s output 43. One born to Japanese immigrants 45. Roman magistrate 47. Hawaiian veranda 48. V.C. Andrews’ “Flowers in the ____” 49. Naysayer’s favorite prefix 50. Bucolic poem 51. Type in all ____ 52. Agitate 53. Hole punchers 54. Like the White Rabbit 55. Any doctrine © Statepoint Media
Answers on 31 »
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 25
Advent, Liturgy, Light in the Darkness, Festivals of Light
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Esoteric Astrology • December 2020 • By Risa D’Angeles
ecember, month of hopes, anticipations and expectations (and suspense for the little ones), is filled with festivals that bring light to the ever-increasing darkness. There is a feeling that something new is about to occur. Everywhere we see preparations being made. Advent is a preparatory celebration in the Christian churches. Advent is a Latin word “adventus”, meaning “something’s coming” —winter, solstice, new light, birth, holidays, parties, festivities and revelations. Advent lasts four weeks. Evergreen Advent wreaths with four colored candles (3 violet, 1 rose) are made. Each Sunday night a new candle is lit. The candles represent a light glowing in the solemn darkness. We light our candles in the dark half of the year awaiting the light half of the year. Like each year divided into four seasons, the Liturgy of the Christian church divides the year into “liturgical seasons.” “Liturgical” is Greek for “the work of the people” — a communal participation in the “sacred” through worship, praise, tithing, prayer, acts of kindness and mercy. Each season has a different mood, theological emphasis, ARIES You’re out and about, in and of the world. You can’t help it. The world, people, events, food, travel, adventures, mountain peaks, plains, cultures, culture, civilization — all summoning you to participate. Perhaps you will consider writing a book, perhaps publishing becomes interesting, Think deeply on your goals. Create more. Ponder upon this statement, “I see the goal, I reach that goal and then I see another.”
TAURUS I ask that you also read and ponder upon the statement at the end of Aries. Then observe the many and varied goals, dreams, hopes & wishes filtering through your mind each day. There’s not enough time each day to accomplish everything, Time seems to have changed, accelerated. You have many plans to fulfill. Visualize yourself in the midst of abundant resources and money. See yourself as the Law of Attraction, accomplishing all dreams. GEMINI What are you planning for the holidays? Will you prepare with family and friends? With someone in particular? Tend carefully to the one closest to you. A silver light is shining on your relationship. Communicative intimacy is being called for. Past, present and future seem to be bundled together. You and another need to travel ... down a river or lake somewhere. Blue mountains ahead. CANCER Your health at this time is what matters most. Focusing on health is good because you have the capacity to purify, harmonize and heal more quickly now. Foods are also on your mind. Are you considering preparing food to give as gifts? Are endless tasks and responsibilities appearing moment by moment? Till you have no time? Say no to some. You need rest.
mode of prayer, decorations, colors, readings, themes and scriptures. In the Ageless Wisdom teachings, the year is divided into six seasons for the Three Laws & Three Principles of the Aquarian Age. The season we have just begun (Nov. 21 – Dec. 20) focuses on the Principle of Essential Divinity (divine fire at the heart of all matter). As we light our candles in the dark during December, we are reminded that the Essential Divinity within us is a fire, Agni. We are to be the light in the darkness. Upcoming Festivals of Light: Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas’ feast day. Nicholas was generous and kind, protector to those in need. He loved children. St. Nicholas is the Advent saint. He is Santa Claus. Dec. 11-18 – Hanukkah: Jewish Festival of Lights. Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary is the Mother of the Americas. Dec. 13 – St. Lucia (light). Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice, the new light begins. Dec.25 – the Light of the world is born. Always the festivals are from dark to Light. The Light appearing in the wilderness.
LEO Your heart seeks more adventure, fun, play and being tended to in a very creative way. You need to accept invitations to parties and festivities, be with friends, attend plays, art shows, dances, and visit other people’s homes. You need both a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah bush with lights and candles everywhere. You need to be loved, cared for, recognized and then loved some more. Who can do this?
SAGITTARIUS All parts of you are active, energetic, hopeful (we hope). You also become a bit more impulsive, quick to anger, impatient, wanting your own way (for a time). We see you as being more assertive, daring like a warrior. You become very attractive. However, be careful with everything — communicating, driving, walking running, using tools, implements. Things red, hot and sharp (all of which, to some, you are) might attack. You’re laughing. That’s good. Caution with language.
VIRGO You are the light of the world to your family. You are the one who must connect them, one to the other, create festivities that make them feel at home. You must begin to plan a large gathering so that those who have no family are welcomed (where you are). You must merge separate realities, unify oppositions, and synthesize all the parts and pieces. You love these tasks.
CAPRICORN You may feel fatigued, weary and often in need of rest. Soon you will need to be out and about in the public more, so take this time to draw back, do less work. Pluto, the lord of deep and permanent transformation has been working on your self identity for years now. You are changing day by day. Continue to plan and create goals. However, take time acting upon them. Make health, rest, and well-being your central focus. Allow these to be your directives for at least a month. Are you writing a book?
LIBRA Being out and about in the neighborhood, dropping in on neighbors, driving around town seeking the most dramatic holiday decorations, having dinner with friends, gathering holiday decorations, seeing relatives, talking on the phone, sending holiday cards – all these you love to do You look forward to the beauty of this season all year long. Who is your family these days? SCORPIO For the next several weeks you sense a light shining on you. You’ll feel lucky, able, capable, resourceful, wealthy, emotionally supported. Don’t run out, however, and buy everything you fancy and shining brightly. Unless it’s for a loved one. Then be lavish. However, most appreciated would be your heart, given to another. Even if it’s to a friend. We think of you as internal, hidden, watchful. Give a little more of yourself for a while. •••
AQUARIUS As you go out and about be careful not to be too reckless. You have energy and enthusiasm, you have hopes and wishes, you have opportunities and invitations. Amidst the many possibilities, attend only one or two at a time. Say thank you, exit gracefully, then focus on several more. Pay all bills promptly, don’t worry about money. You always have the needed resources and resourceful people. You always will. Write down your needs by hand in a journal. PISCES You become more public, more of your leadership qualities are summoned. A forum or group invites you to teach, to offer your gifts of communication, counseling, intelligence and knowledge. You prepare. However, you are aware that at any time, things may dissolve away. So, you are hopeful, patient, accepting, acquiescing, yet you are also wary, cautious, circumspect, careful and coiled like a kundalini snake, its body filled with seven rays of Light.
Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
“WaterSmart” from page 25 Water conservation is a crucial component of ensuring we have a sustainable groundwater basin. At the same time, to provide our customers with a reliable water supply today and into the future, we are pursuing new sources of water that can be used to replenish the overdrafted groundwater basin and stop seawater contamination of our water supply. Pure Water Soquel is the key project aimed at providing the quantities of water needed to raise the groundwater to protective levels. Learn more at soquelcreekwater.org/purewatersoquel. Tracking your water use and your billing trends will be much easier with i-Meters and the WaterSmart Customer Portal. We’re thrilled to be providing you with the latest technology, giving you the tools you need to save water, support sustainability of the groundwater basin, have better control over your water use billing, and save money. WaterSmart Software has more than 4 million meters under management across over 120 water utility partners and is recognized as the self-service and customer engagement platform leader for the water industry. Water providers using WaterSmart’s portal have been proven to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction by more than 25%. WaterSmart is a winner of the globally coveted World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers Award for their potential to “significantly impact business and society through the design, development and implementation of new technologies and innovation.” n ••• Register today for the WaterSmart Customer Portal at soquelcreekwd.watersmart.com. Your registration code is your billing account number. Please take this opportunity to make sure we have your current email address on file, as that’s an important tool in the i-Meter functionality. Call us at 831-475-8500, or email us at custserv@soquelcreekwater.org to update your information.
Tracking your water use and your billing trends will be much easier with i-Meters and the WaterSmart Customer Portal.
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Gradually Returning to In-Person Learning
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020 is nearing its end and never has a year provided so much to reflect on. Thinking back to January, I don’t think any of us could have imagined what our society, including our public school system, was about to go through in the coming year. Who could have imagined that Zoom, distance learning, virtual town halls, synchronous instruction, and asynchronous instruction would become common talking points when discussing our schools? Not many of us, I don’t think. Yet, here we are. Having worked in public education for more than 30 years, the idea of closing our schools seemed next-to-impossible to me eleven months ago. COVID-19 came along and changed that reality. As you know, all school districts in our county shut down in-person operations and provided distance learning to students as a response to COVID-19 during 2020. Our teachers miraculously transitioned their entire curriculum over to digital platforms. Rather than moving herky-jerky with school openings and closings, our district, like all districts in our county, have instead looked for ways to serve families in new ways and gradually return more in-person learning and services. Each part of our school district has taken on the challenge of serving families in new ways. For example, our Social Work & Counseling Team has been very proactive. They sent out a letter that can be found on our website, acknowledging that “the sustained uncertainty of the COVID-19 health crisis may leave students with feelings of stress, anxiety confusion, and sadness that may be uncomfortable and disruptive during an already unpredictable time. To address these potential needs and ensure our students are fully supported while away from campuses, the SUESD counseling team will be available to meet with students and families through virtual platforms like Google Hangouts and Zoom.”
By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District
Our Information Technology Team has distributed approximately 1,600 Chromebooks (our district serves about 1,800 students to put that number in perspective) and several hotspots to ensure all of our students have access to distance learning and other online resources. Our Community Liaison has worked with several families on the process of securing free or low-cost internet access. Our Child Nutrition Services Department has distributed approximately 56,000 free meals to our community’s families since the onset of COVID-19. Our dedicated Child Nutrition Services staff is one group in particular that has stayed working onsite throughout the pandemic due to the nature of their work. It is not an overstatement to refer to them as unsung heroes. Our School Librarians have coordinated several days of book distribution. They did this on their initiative because of their deep belief in books’ power to enrich children’s lives. Many staff members have stepped up to work in new capacities. This flexibility has allowed us to meet the needs of our community better. For example, bus drivers have helped with food distribution, and office staff has helped our principals with materials distribution at school sites, just to name a couple. We have been and will continue to be committed to meeting our families’ socialemotional, nutritional, and technical needs through this pandemic. These are basic needs that must be met to ensure distance teaching and learning are realistic. We have begun to bring back small cohorts of students. We have used an equity lens to prioritize students for these small cohorts. While distance learning has provided some challenges for all students, we have identified certain factors that act as additional barriers to distance learning success. Some of these factors include learning disabilities, language barriers, or technical challenges despite our other outreach.
These and other factors were considered in bringing a small percentage of students back for in-person supervision. To be clear, most of these students still receive their distance learning in the same manner as if they were at home, but they are doing it under the supervision of support staff members who have flexibly stepped in to monitor and help them in the process.
This small cohort approach provides us the best possible combination of safety and addressing student needs. Having a minimal number of students on campus allows us space to properly enforce physical distancing while also allowing us to serve our students who need the most support. “Soquel Notes” page 29
SHOP LOCAL for the HOLIDAYS!
presents
v ISuAL ArTS
N e t w o r k
A CurATeD DIreCTOrY Of SAnTA Cruz COunTY vISuAL ArTISTS
Art on Your Schedule Any Time All Year Long Find your favorite artists and discover new ones! Return often for updates.
preseNtiNg spoNsor
Major spoNsor
visualartsnetworkscc.com
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 27
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS CELEBRATE BEETHOVEN’S 250TH ONLINE CONCERT SERIES Distinguished Artists Concert Series presents Beethoven’s 250th, featuring significant works for his favorite instrument — the piano — will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, Dec. 6-9 online. This four-day festival features performers who are among the most esteemed interpreters of his music, including pianists Jonathan Biss, Garrick Jonathan Biss Ohlsson, Alon Goldstein and Audrey Vardanega with cellist Tanya Tomkins. The festival will include favorites like the Pathetique Sonata and Les Adieux, as well as the towering Hammerklavier. The opening concert will begin with Tanya Tomkins remarks from the director of the Center for Beethoven Studies at San Jose State University, Dr. Erica Buurman, and will conclude with a live Q & A session featuring the performers. The schedule is: • Sunday, Dec. 6—Alon Garrick Ohlsson Goldstein, piano • Monday, Dec. 7—Tanya Tomkins, cello, and Audrey Vardanega, piano • Tuesday, Dec. 8—Jonathan Biss, piano • Wednesday, Dec. 9—Garrick Ohlsson, piano The price is $3 in advance or $15 the day of the concert. To RSVP, see https://www.groupmuse.com/events/11193distinguished-artists-presents-beethoven-s-250th-celebration
Nonprofit Grey Bears is offering its first drive-through Holiday Dinner at 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, and the Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., Watsonville, with requirements for people to sign up in advance at https://www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/ to choose a 10-minute pickup slot. fire resilient and solutions around biomass. With 400 requests for Chanticleer, that site is fully Short talks will address broadband access, progress on a vaccine for COVID-19, and the importance of local investing. booked, and a second day has been added to allow State Sen. Anna Caballero will address next steps for everyone to receive their dinners. Pick-up slots are still available in Watsonville on Dec. 6 by reserving at https:// housing in California. www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/. The new chef, Matt This year’s Community Impact Award goes to leaders who battled 2020’s incredible fire siege. Accepting on behalf Hereford, will prepare a delicious, healthy dinner plus dessert, with help from his volunteers. of their colleagues are: David Fulcher, CalFire San Benito/ Monterey Unit Chief, Michael Urquides, Monterey Regional See https://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/ Fire Chief, Jonathan Cox, CalFire San Mateo Division deputy chief and Chief Chris Clark of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Wednesday December 9 Office. GREY BEARS THRIFT SALE Tickets are $59. Register at https://attendify.co/WX2UbtG 4-6 p.m., at 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz Grey Bears Thrift Store will host its 6th Annual After Thursday December 3 Hours Holiday Boutique and 50% Off Sale. ONLINE ART SALON The shop has one-of-a-kind items, holiday decorations, 6:30 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts Zoom Showcase housewares, furniture, TVs, computers, laptops, audio-video Pajaro Valley Arts in Watsonville will host an art salon at 6:30 gear, art, knick-knacks, clothing and accessories — plus p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 on Zoom. Join Heidi Alonzo, Randie books, books on CD, DVD & VHS movies, audio CDs. Silverstein, and John Babcock who will present their work See https://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/ and processes, including painting, glass, and papermaking. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82003209226 Wednesday December 9 Meeting ID: 820 0320 9226 • Passcode: artsalon UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA 10:00-11:30 a.m., The Alzheimer’s Association and Salinas Sunday December 6 Public Library Webinar And Sunday December 13 Alzheimer’s disease is GREY BEARS’ DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY DINNER PICKUPS not a normal part of Reserve 10-minute Time Slot in advance, 2710 Chanticleer aging. Learn about the Ave., Santa Cruz and Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St impact of Alzheimer’s;
Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Dec. 14 HOLIDAY WINDOW CONTEST It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Capitola Village, where the holiday window contest is underway and you have a chance to win. Participating stores have a flyer in their window with a code to scan to take you to the voting form or an online address you can type in. The competition runs for 3 weeks with two winners. The winners will get to donate $150 to a charity of their choice.
DATED EVENTS Wednesday December 2 SIXTH ANNUAL STATE OF THE REGION 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Virtual Event Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s 6th Annual State of the Region will be a virtual event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2 Bruce Katz, founding director, Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, will share insights on how COVID-19 has highlighted the power of local communities. He is an expert in shifting demographic and market trends and policies that are critical to metropolitan prosperity. Dr. Micah Weinberg, CA Forward CEO, will discuss how California is building an equitable and resilient recovery. Jessica Morse, deputy secretary for forest resources management at the California Natural Resources Agency, will speak on lessons learned from this year’s fire siege, including strategies implemented to make the state more
28 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
COMMUNITY CALENDAR the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources. Please call 800.272.3900 or visit tinyurl.com/ UADM120920 to register. Once you complete registration for the meeting, you will receive an email confirmation with the call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar. This event will be conducted via phone and web meeting.
Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy in Friday December 18 the Agape Ballet’s 2020 Nutcracker movie. thru Sunday December 20 Showtimes will be 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. AGAPE DANCE ACADEMY’S NUTCRACKER BALLET on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive-In Tickets, which are $45 per car at www.agapedance.com, will Theater Melanie Useldinger, founder of Agape Dance Academy, benefit Jacob’s Heart and Agape Dance Foundation Inc. is staging Nutcracker Ballet, Covid-style, as a movie Monday January 4 to be viewed at the Boardwalk drive-in theater shows the evenings of Dec. SUPERVISORS SWEAR IN 18-20. Time and Location TBA She hopes to The swearing-in of the newest member of the Santa create beautiful memories of triumphant times in the Cruz County Board of Supervisors is slated for Monday, challenging year of 2020. Jan. 4, with the time and location to be announced. Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Manu Koenig, elected to represent the First District, Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy begins serving at noon that day, succeeding John in this holiday production, which features dozens of Leopold, who held the post for 12 years. dancers as sweets and gingersnaps and the famous The election results were expected to be certified by County Snow Waltz and Waltz of the Flowers. Clerk Gail Pellerin by Nov. 26. n
“Soquel Notes” from page 27 At one point earlier this year, when the COVID-19 case rate had decreased, we had hoped for the possibility of implementing a hybrid learning model in January. A hybrid model would increase the number of students receiving in-person learning on any one day to approximately 50% of a school’s enrollment. As you know, though, case rates have since significantly increased. At the time of writing this article, our county was in the Purple, or Widespread, Tier on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Given that we are approaching winter, cold and flu season, and the holidays, it is no longer realistic to transition to a hybrid model of instruction in January. We will continue to be in a distance learning environment in January. We are staying the course on two essential items. First, we are staying the course with our small student cohorts that are currently in place. Secondly, we are staying the course on the planning of hybrid
“Love You Madly” from page 24 Since Love You Madly launched in September, performances from more than 50 artists have been shared to raise awareness and funds. “This streaming event continues that work, kicking it up a notch with incredible music from a new collection of artists with hearts as big as their talent” said Jon Luini, producer of Love You Madly with co-producer Matthew Swinnerton. “We recognize the arts as a critical tool to supporting those impacted by the fires and all of this music is just one representation of the outpouring
instruction. We will take all the stakeholder survey data we have collected and build our hybrid program’s details. This way, we can continue to monitor the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and be ready to implement our hybrid program when it is safe to do so. For all of us in society, 2020 has indeed been a challenge,and school districts are no different. I want our community to know that we have approached this challenge by identifying our families’ basic needs and how to address them. We have always put the safety of our students and staff first. We have balanced the need for physical safety with the equity-based need to serve small cohorts of students inperson. We are committed to implementing a hybrid model of instruction when it is safe to do so. I wish all of our students could be back on campus now. They are the reason all of us got into are in the field of education. n ••• Scott J. Turnbull is superintendent of Soquel Union Elementary School District.
of love and support for our community. It’s really incredible to see these artists take time to share personal messages along with their music. It helps to lift spirits, raise funds that go directly into helping the long road to recovery, but especially makes for a great virtual concert to enjoy!” “Santa Cruz County has been a haven and inspiration for musicians, artists, poets, and storytellers for generations,” said Susan True, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County CEO. We are grateful to all of the artists that are contributing their hearts and art to this fundraiser, and to the community of listeners who are giving so generously.” n
425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 kirby.org
Empowering Students to Shape Their Futures with Confidence
Continuity of education is a top priority for Kirby. Ask us about our increased commitment to Tuition Assistance. Contact our Admissions Office to help you through the application process (831) 423-0658 x 202 or email admissions@kirby.org.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 29
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Let’s Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season
T
he holiday season is traditionally one of the largest sales times for many retailers. This year, local businesses have been facing additional pressures as a result of the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn. As a community, we have a unique opportunity to show support for our small, locally-owned businesses as they compete with national online retailers — especially during the holiday season. In Santa Cruz County, 82 percent of local businesses have less than 9 employees. Many in the mid and south county work for locally-owned businesses and our local economy is dependent upon a robust small business sector.
By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor
Some of the local businesses offer online ordering (with same day pick-up) and there is even a new Aptos-based startup InStock. org — that helps you find local businesses with items you may be looking for. Many in our area are holding extended holiday specials that extend beyond the traditional Black Friday or Small Business Saturday timeframes. According to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, “locally owned businesses play a central role in healthy communities and are among the best engines that cities and towns have for advancing economic opportunity and building resilient places.” Specifically, they note work from an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta that showed that counties with larger shares of local small businesses outperform their peers on three critical
30 / December 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
economic indicators: they have stronger per capita income growth, faster employment growth and lower poverty rates. Additionally, an analysis from the Government Finance Review found that smaller-local businesses (versus box stores) provide more tax revenue on the aggregate while costing less in government services. We have many locally-owned businesses that provide a variety of options for our holiday shopping including kids’ stores, restaurant gift certificates, great coffee shops, clothing stores, jewelers, locallyowned hotel getaway options and more. Some of these small businesses have been recognized nationally for their unique options and all of these businesses employ local residents and many are owned by residents right here in the mid and south county. A number of these businesses are now offering shipping options to you or to those you are purchasing gifts for to save you a trip out and provide an extra layer of safety this holiday season. If you’d like additional information, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce has a businesses directory and holiday specials at www.aptoschamber.com or the Capitola/
Soquel Chamber at www.capitolachamber. com and the Pajaro Valley Chamber at www.pajarovalleychamber.com. n ••• As always, I love hearing from you. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and I’ve been hosting regular tele-town halls with County and community leaders on most Tuesday nights from 6-7 pm. The call-in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# - or you can always call me at 454-2200.
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SCCAS Featured Pet
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Do Your Trees Need an Arborist?
A Ava!
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iya, I’m Ava (A225666), a female kitty loaf that loves to relax and cuddle! I’m 11 years old, but don’t let my age fool you, I still love to play when the mood hits me. I’m an all around love-bug that just wants warm laps and good scratches. Today would be the purrrfect day for me to get adopted! So if you can’t resist these lovable green eyes, come meet me at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter today; 1001 Rodriguez St, open 10am – 6pm daily. The Shelter is at CATpacity so come meet your new best friend. We are having a Winter Whiskerland adoption event. With this Pay it Forward cat adoption special, you can adopt a cat or kitten for only $25! We are asking that when you adopt a cat or kitten with this special you also make a donation of at least $25 to one of the following funds: Planned Pethood (funds free spay/neuter surgeries), Extra Mile Fund (allows medical rehabilitation for animals beyond what our Shelter budget permits) or the General Program Donation Fund (supports animal adoption, animal enrichment, and public outreach and education programs). Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
By Tony Tomeo
rborists are very specialized horticulturists. They prefer to work with trees. Of course that is not as simple as it sounds. Some are nurserymen who grow trees. Some select appropriate trees for landscape design. Even some of the orchardists who work with many trees of a similar type have earned this prestigious designation. Decades ago, we still knew many of them as tree surgeons. Arboriculture, which is the specialized horticulture of trees, has certainly evolved through the decades. Tree surgeons no longer graft fruit trees directly in home gardens. Nurserymen graft trees in production nurseries, to make them available from retail nurseries. However, modern tree surgeons now work with much more diversity of many species that were unknown to their predecessors. As storms become more frequent through autumn and winter, the need for arboriculture becomes more apparent. More unstable trees fall. More structural deficient limbs break. Many trees prefer to be pruned while dormant through winter. In actuality, arboriculture is important throughout the year. Some procedures, for some sorts of trees, should happen significantly earlier or later. Trees are the most substantial features of home gardens. Once they grow beyond reach, they need to be maintained by qualified tree surgeons. Regardless of what most say, very few gardeners are qualified to perform major arboricultural procedures. Many tree surgeons will attest to finding that most damage that trees endure
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Tree surgeons maintain the big trees.
is caused by gardeners with minimal regard for arboriculture. Tree surgeons who are Certified Arborists of the International Society of Arboriculture, or ‘ISA’, have demonstrated their proficiency with arboriculture. After passing their certification examination, Certified Arborists maintain their credentials by continued involvement with educational seminars, classes and workshops of the ISA. Not many other horticultural professionals are so dedicated. More information about procuring the services of an ISA-certified arborist can be found at www.isa-arbor.com. ••• Freeman Maple t is a hybrid. It is naturally occurring. Yet, most cultivars (garden varieties) resulted from intentional hybridization and selection. It is not as strange as it seems. Freeman maple, Acer X freemanii, is a naturally occurring hybrid of silver maple and red maple. It grows wild where the natural ranges of the parents overlap. From their example, breeders learned to selectively breed the cultivars. These cultivars combine the fast growth rate of silver maple with the structural integrity of red maple. None get to be as imposing Freeman maple colors as the silver maple. with minimal chill. Some get to be about forty feet tall and wide, which is a bit bigger than red maple gets in local climates. Foliage is lacy like that of silver maple, but more substantial, like that of red maple. It develops brilliant orange and red color for autumn. Freeman maple, although locally uncommon, is one of the more practical maples here. Like silver maple, it does not require much chill in winter. Like red maple, it develops a symmetrical canopy with reasonably high branches. Roots should be complaisant with concrete. Because it is a hybrid, it is mostly sterile. It does not produce enough seed to be invasive in more conducive climates. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com .
I
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / December 2020 / 31
MERRY
christmas
May your heart be warm with happiness & your home be filled with joy through this holiday season and always. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
AMBER MELENUDO REALTOR® 831.661.5591 ambermelenudo.com amber@davidlyng.com DRE 01921098
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