Jondi Gumz REI Co-op To Open in Santa Cruz This Fall, By Jondi Gumz

COMMUNITY NEWS REI Co-op To Open in Santa Cruz This Fall

By Jondi Gumz

On Feb. 18, REI Co-op, the outdoor retailer, announced plans to open a store in Santa Cruz in fall 2021 at the former Toys R Us at 1660 Commercial Way.

“The Santa Cruz community is passionate about their outdoor places and REI is excited to bring a store to the area to connect with the community even more,” said Kirk Peterson, REI regional director of Northern California. “We have a lot of REI members that live or recreate around Santa Cruz, and this new location will be a hub to provide resources, expertise and gear for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors.”

REI expects to hire nearly 50 employees for the Santa Cruz location, which is next to Marshall’s and has been vacant for almost three years.

At 22,622 square feet, the space seems large but it will include a professional bike shop and ski shop service, and it’s close to the average REI store size of 24,000 square feet.

The store is expected to offer virtual classes, workshops, and guided outdoor experiences with programming such as Learn to Kayak, How to Ride a Bike, Backcountry Navigation with a Map and Compass and more. Popular day trips like REI’s Bike N Brews Tour: Santa Cruz Coast are expected to return once the COVID-19 pandemic fades.

In the past five years, REI reports such classes and trips helped 110,000 people in northern California connect to the outdoors.

In Santa Cruz, REI will compete with Patagonia Outlet, still privately held by its founder, the publicly traded chain Big Five Sporting Goods chain, Helm of Sun Valley with ownership in San Jose, and locally owned Down Works, Outdoor World Sporting Goods and numerous bike shops. The landlord is locally owned Redtree Properties, which assembled the properties in the area for a development that initially included the computer store Circuit City. Soon CVS will begin construction on a drive-through pharmacy at 1515 Commercial Way, forcing Décor Furniture into a going-outof-business sale.

Numerous brand-name retail chains have been burdened with debt by private equity owners who expected big payouts on borrowed money. Payless ShoeSource, Gymboree, and The Limited are among those that struggled and closed.

In contrast REI, founded in 1938 as a member-owned co-op, is on a growth spurt. There are 168 stores currently with new ones planned in Tampa, Jackson, Wyoming, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and Orland Park, Illinois.

Last year — despite COVID-19 — openings took place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Appleton, Wisconsin, Columbia, South Carolina, Wichita Kansas, Billings, Montana and Gainesville, Florida.

REI Santa Cruz will be the co-op’s 15th location in Northern California where 1.4 people are lifetime REI members. The stores closest to Santa Cruz have been Saratoga and Marina, a 90-minute round trip at minimum and more with traffic.

In the last five years, REI reports investing $3.4 million in local outdoor nonprofits in the region to get people outside, with $125,000 directly benefitting the Santa Cruz community. This includes support for local nonprofits like Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, Ecology Action and Sempervirens Fund. Such support is expected to continue, REI said. n

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To join the REI team, apply online at REI. com/jobs Candidates must set up a job alert to be notified when positions are posted for the Santa Cruz store. New employees will get professional growth opportunities, 50 percent off REI gear and apparel and 30 percent off brand gear and apparel, competitive pay and retirement plan, two paid “Co-op Way Days” each year to get outdoors and paid day off on Black Friday to #OptOutside.

March Madness

ACROSS

1. Theories 5. T in Greek 8. Tarzan’s mother, e.g. 11. Mohammad Reza

Pahlavi, e.g. 12. Ingredient in talcum powder 13. Spectator 15. 5,280 feet 16. Tiny river 17. Note taker 18. *Last NCAA basketball winner 20. Any day now 21. Antiquarian’s concern, pl. 22. Diana Ross and

Michael Jackson movie, with The 23. Saw a nightmare 26. Caribbean rattles 30. Witch’s spell 31. Flocked-to destinations 34. Goo or slime 35. Plural of ostium 37. Leo mo. 38. Eurasian goat-like antelope 39. Showing signs of use 40. “Yo, ____!” 42. *Nothing but it 43. Wrap a baby 45. *____-elimination 47. Outrage 48. Fraternity K 50. One of the Bridges 52. *____ 1 schools only 55. ____less but pennywise 56. Decanter 57. In a frenzy 59. Threesome 60. Turkish monetary unit, plural 61. Dumpy establishment 62. Common conjunction 63. New York time 64. Male deer

DOWN

1. Singular of #1 Across 2. Rikers Island weapon 3. Burkina Faso neighbor 4. Himalayan mountaineer 5. Tarnish 6. “____ ____ fair in love and war” 7. *School with most

NCAA basketball titles 8. Choir member 9. Hammer part 10. Blunder 12. Sad, to mademoiselle 13. Radio studio sign 14. *Mid-major school that’s become major powerhouse 19. Kind of ray 22. Is no longer 23. Arabian sailing vessels 24. Restart from seed 25. Uncredited actor 26. The Wise Men 27. Acting as a prompter 28. Snow impression 29. Eric Heiden’s “shoe” 32. *Oklahoma State’s super freshman ____

Cunningham 33. Mixed breed puppy 36. *2021 NCAA

Tournament location 38. What Edward Scissorhands does 40. Stout relative 41. Dream big 44. Ancient Celtic priest 46. Water nymphs 48. Fuzzy fruit, pl. 49. Deflect 50. Sanders’ campaign slogan “Feel the ____” 51. “National Velvet” author Bagnold 52. Expunge 53. Fail to mention 54. Scotia preceder 55. School-related org. 58. Liquor store pony

With Ash Wednesday (“from dust thou art and unto dust we shall return”), the day after Mardi Gras, we began the season of Lent (Old English for “springtime”), forty days and nights of purification, preparing us for the Three Spring Festivals (Aries, Taurus, Gemini), for spring equinox, for Holy Week, Passion Week, Palm Sunday and for Easter.

Everything is holy, everything biblical. During Lent we create new rhythms, overriding the old habit, no longer useful.

Whether we know, understand, comprehend or recognize it or not, everything is holy. Everything is biblical. And the events, the crisis we are all experiencing at this time in the history of our country and our world, they too are biblical. And the outcome will be biblical.

Whereas our history books are the history of wars, the reality is humanity’s true history is the history of our awakening, a history of consciousness and of slow development towards a greater state of knowing.

The history of humanity is the history of its religions. Each religion within each Age is the history of humanity’s developmental stages for the last eighteen million years.

We (humanity) have been here on Earth for eighteen million years. And will be continuing on for eighteen million more years, reincarnating thousands of times, in every culture, in all races, in different colors, speaking different languages. The kingdom is colorful, and we, humanity, the most colorful of all. Here we are beginning the Age of Aquarius. Aquarius is everyone’s friend. As Aquarius serves the world, Pisces saves it. Mercury was retrograde when Lent began. Mercury remains in its retrograde shadow until March 13th. Things move very slowly forward till then. During Mercury’s shadow phase, new information approaches us. We continue to assess, order and organize, eliminate what is no longer needed, so the future has room to make its appearance.

Lent is a time to create new rhythms. When we create new rhythms, what is no longer useful falls away. What new rhythms can we think about creating for Lent? What can we cultivate that is good, creating a new circulatory flow?

ARIES

A time of great change has arrived for you personally. You will find yourself in time, breaking with the past, attempting new endeavors and different ways of presenting yourself to the world. All relationships will assume different priorities, themes and hues, meaning everything becomes unconventional. Including your appearance. You will love it all.

TAURUS

Someone or something is asking you to adopt a new and different value system, one that is not your usual, traditional, conventional and learned way of being. You resist. That’s OK. However, there may be consequences. Perhaps you don’t know what they are yet. It’s a good idea to ponder upon these things. The old ways are in the way, everywhere, hindering you. There must be a clearing, cleansing, elimination. You can do it.

LEO

Do you sense the new economy coming forth? Do you sense money, finances, investments and legal issues affecting your life are changing, becoming somewhat erratic without controls? We are told these days to use our money for education and future safety. Your keen intuition is telling you to keep track of all market ups and downs and realize sudden changes may occur in business and relationship interactions. What is there for you to hold onto?

VIRGO

Some Virgos may unexpectedly fall into relationships, marry perhaps, without much thought. Some will divorce with even less. Other Virgos will be aware that strange things could occur within all interactions and relationship; erratic behaviors, a need for independence, major upsets and unexpected changes. Some Virgos will be shocked. Others will take this in stride. Astrologically aware Virgos will know that all’s well. And love underlies all happenings.

GEMINI

Flashes of insight become commonplace and grow each day. They give you information concerning decisions and what action is best to take. More and more your ideas are unusual and unique. This could lead somewhat to opposition from others, especially those in charge. They don’t understand your choices. Each day you seek more independence. You are not afraid anymore. The new era is here.

CANCER

Amidst the sudden decision to travel or have an adventure, you realize you’re seeking a utopia to live in. Not for you the conventional path. So customs and traditions are set aside so new independent ideas can flow, exotic places can appear that reflect the new era advanced ways of living and thinking. It’s an experiment. Caution is advised. Not too much though.

LIBRA

Your daily work environment, routines, schedules and also your health may become unpredictable, moving toward irregular. Some Librans love this for it allows for more freedom. Others need the structure, with reliable and regular agendas in place. You might become somewhat impatient, anxious and nervous. You sometimes learn the hard way, through sorrow and loss. Gather loved one around you. Be forgiving.

SCORPIO

You’re inventive and creative. At times you sense the need for a bit more self-control. You’ll learn this eventually. We all do. Selfknowledge sometimes comes through being reckless and foolhardy. Are you this way with relationships, perhaps? You want most of all at this time, freedom and independence and a retreat where you can work in solitude. Perhaps fish a bit. Visualize what and where that would be. Write it down, draw and color it. It will all appear, all that you need, in time. •••

SAGITTARIUS

Perhaps there will be another change to your home life. You want freedom to come and go at will, tending to all needs and phases of your life. You want different and unusual living conditions. More structured leisure, too. Although you love family traditions, they are counter to your needs at this time. The foundations of your entire life feel unreliable and changeable. This persists. It’s difficult but proves to be part of what creates your unexpected bright future.

CAPRICORN

Your thinking and communicating might become quite revolutionary to those around you. Gradually, spontaneously or unexpectedly (Uranian words) you realize the need the freedom, the gift of Uranus. You become involved in advanced, new thought thinking. Very few may think like you. A sense of aloneness develops until you stand on your own, assert your rights and find your group. Off you go, at a moment’s notice. People smile as you speed by.

AQUARIUS

Aquarius is the friend to everyone. When you hear someone in need you always say with graciousness, “How can I help? Call me. I’ll help you.” In the work of the Wisdom teachings, the disciple is always asked to “look for, see and recognize the need” in all situations and to assist in filling that need. In this way the Aquarian task of serving others (humanity) is always in the forefront. When one serves, one is also “served.” What one gives, one receives.

PISCES

You develop a deep need to be independent and completely free, working best without anyone over you. Your environments must be orderly, clean and clear so that your mind can synthesize information, unobstructed, effortlessly, with ease and skill. You need to be in the company of creative people, artists and musicians. People like yourself. Do not place yourself in limiting circumstances. That brings radical discomfort. You also need the beauty and fragrance of flowers. How can all this come about? “Fitness Centers” from page 24

While this is good advice, public health policy cannot ignore that many Californians simply cannot effectively exercise in their homes or outdoors due to poor air quality, lack of recreational spaces, or an inability to purchase and maintain at-home fitness equipment and subscriptions.

Additionally, many people have already tailored their own exercise regimen to get the best results working out at a well-equipped fitness facility.

To find a solution, large fitness facilities have come together to devise a reopening plan that follows CDC and other public health recommendations.

The California Safe Fitness Plan, if implemented, would represent the most stringent requirements in the country, while still providing critical access for fitness. The plan calls for limited capacity, increased physical distancing of 12 feet — double the national 6-foot standard — mandated face coverings and a record of every person who enters a fitness facility for contact tracing.

In addition, the plan would require sanitization of equipment every 20 minutes during operating hours, overnight closure from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to sanitize all surfaces and equipment, and closing all communal locker rooms and showers while a region is in the “Purple Tier.”

Perhaps most importantly, large fitness facilities allow for greater airflow and robust air circulation systems, and under the California Plan, fitness centers would be required to use a minimum MERV-13 air filtration standard.

The closure of indoor fitness centers has caused California’s vulnerable populations — already disproportionately impacted by the pandemic — to struggle even more with their physical and mental health.

I have experienced homelessness, hunger and health disparities during my youth, helping me to understand the importance of ensuring that all populations have access to interventions that help improve overall health outcomes.

COVID-19 has presented serious health care challenges and difficult decisions for policymakers. However, large fitness facilities want to be part of the solution by offering to implement stringent safety protocols that will allow individuals the opportunity to improve their overall physical and mental health while minimizing the risk of COVID transmission.

To read the California Safe Fitness Plan, go to: https://exerciseisessential4all. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ CA_SafeFitnessPlan_2.pdf n •••

Richard Carmona served as the 17th U.S. Surgeon General and currently sits on the Chancellor’s Board of Advisors at UC Davis. He advises fitness centers on ways to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their facilities. Email him at rcarmona@email.arizona.edu.

FEATURED COLUMNIST Environmentally Speaking

Contact Lens Recycling & Free Mattress Disposal

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful and biodiverse environments in the world. The local environment plays an essential role in our economy and quality of life.

Our County is often at the forefront of environmental programs and innovation. Here is a small set of some new (and ongoing) programs that might be of interest to you.

Contact Lens Recycling

Did you know that every year approximately 3 billion contact lenses end up in our local wastewater treatment plant? About 1 in 5 people flush used contact lenses down the sink or toilet, which contribute to harmful micro plastic pollution in the Monterey Bay.

The Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that requires all eye care practitioners and supply providers in the unincorporated area (such as Aptos) to offer a free contact lens recycling program. The purpose of this program is to provide an easy (and free) alternative to flushing contact lenses and packaging materials.

You can contact your provider for more information but all brands are recyclable as are the top foil and the opened plastic blister packs.

Reducing Single-Use Plastics and Disposable Cups

Beginning in January, a 25-cent surcharge was enacted for each disposable cup sold by coffee shops, restaurants and other food vendors in the unincorporated area (some local cities have also enacted similar surcharges).

There are ongoing discussions about allocating some or all of the surcharge to local environmental programs and cleanup efforts. While enacting the surcharge took an action of the Board of Supervisors, dedicating it for a specific purpose would require a Santa Cruz County vote. It’s estimated this surcharge could provide up to $2 million a year for local environmental programs and coastal cleanups such as those occurring along Aptos Creek, Seacliff and Rio Del Mar. Similar to the single-use bag fee at grocery stores, the fee is currently collected and retained at the point-of-sale location.

In addition, to reduce plastic waste in our landfills and beaches, the Board of Supervisors enacted a ban on small, singleuse plastic bottles of personal care products in hotels, vacation rentals and other visitor accommodations in the unincorporated county.

This was a multi-year phase-in process that has officially taken effect. While many hotels were already phasing them out, this now creates a standard that prevents single-use small plastic bottles from being used in these types of accommodations.

Millions of these bottles were being thrown away every year and the state ended up modeling a statewide law after our local ordinance to phase them out statewide.

Free Mattress and Motor Oil Disposal

Local residents can bring used motor oil and filters to the Buena Vista Landfill for free to the Household Hazardous Waste facility (limit of 15 gallons per visit). You can visit www.santacruzcountyrecylces. org for more information.

Additionally, in partnership with the Mattress Recycling Council, local residents can bring mattresses to the Buena Vista Landfill for free. Offering these services, for motor oil and mattresses, reduces illegal dumping and protects the environment.

Learning About Composting

Interested in learning more about composting? Composting enriches soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. County Public Works sponsors free (virtual) classes for basic composting.

Reservations are required. The next class will be held Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, and you can call (831) 824-6484 or online at goo.gl/Fw6BaK to make a reservation. n •••

As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting a tele-townhall on Tuesday, March 2, with Mimi Hall, director of the County’s Health Services Agency, from 6-7 p.m.

The call-in information is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# - you are welcome to speak about any issue during the town halls or you can always call me at 454-2200.

“Water Sustainability” from page 24

• An interactive planter box using wooden fruits and vegetables where children will learn the benefits of using compost and recycled water in agriculture — something particularly relevant in Santa Cruz County.

In addition to those water and conservation education components, the Eco Home includes interactive elements illustrating solar energy, composting, recycling, and other sustainability concepts. Through these and other interactive exhibits and activities, the Eco Home helps empower children to be part of the solution to the problems of water management, climate change, and degradation of the environment.

The environmental education/water conservation Eco Home interactive exhibit was created through a partnership led by the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, and including Soquel Creek Water District, Loves Gardens, the City of Santa Cruz, Knox Roofing, Green Space, San Lorenzo Lumber, Allterra Solar, Big Creek Lumber, Mission Tile, Habitat Resource, and all the wonderful community volunteers who helped make it happen. n

As always, if you have any questions about this month’s topic or anything else related to Soquel Creek Water District, feel free to contact us at outreach@soquelcreekwater. org or 831-475-8501 x118 and visit www. soquelcreekwater.org.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK DRIVE-IN MOVIES SCHEDULE Saturdays in March Croods: A New Age — Mar. 6, 6:30 p.m. Wreck-It Ralph — Mar. 13, 6:30 p.m. X-Men (2000) — Mar. 20, 8 p.m. Austin Powers: Int’l Man of Mystery — Mar. 27, 8 p.m. Cost $35 per vehicle. Visit https://beachboardwalk.com/Drive-In-Movies for details and restrictions

SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Second Harvest Food Bank drive-through food distribution schedule into March:

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by March 8

Watsonville: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

March 5 • March 19 ••• Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

YOUNGER LAGOON RESERVE VIRTUAL TOURS Younger Lagoon Reserve, which is part of UC in Santa Cruz, is now offering a virtual tour in both English and Spanish. This virtual tour follows the same stops as our behind-the-scenes hiking tour, and is led by a UC Santa Cruz student.

Visit https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/ index.html?appid=7bf4b74490c444068a326c4c 89a9a560 or https://ucanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ MapTour/index.html?appid=9e4aa7556bc24951a855cc3 bd4f6c473 (https://tinyurl.com/lagoon-reserve-virtual-tours) https://youngerlagoonreserve.ucsc.edu

NEW GROUPS STARTING FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Survivors Healing Center, a welcoming place for survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters, is forming new eightweek support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

There will be online groups in English and Spanish for men, women, mothers of survivors, partners of survivors, young adults and teens.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale. For more information: call (831) 423-7601, visit survivors healingcenter.org or email shc.program@fsa-cc.org.

CAREER MONTH AT CABRILLO Four free job fairs are available for current students at Cabrillo College in the month of April. The fairs take place from 3-5 p.m. four Thursdays starting April 8. Advanced registration is required.

April 8 — global & human studies

April 15 — entrepreneur, business & creative

April 22 — health & public safety

April 29 — science tech engineering math

There are also four resume workshops on April 6, 12, 19 and 27 and four career coaching classes on April 7, 16, 20 and 26. Students can register and employers can post jobs at https:// www.cabrillo.edu/career-services/

ONGOING EVENTS

Every Third Thursday of the Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255. First and Third Sunday MAKERS’ MARKET First Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz Third Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (Between Cathcart & Lincoln) Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market is returning! The market is held every first Sunday outside the Wrigley Building and every third Sunday on Pacific Avenue (Downtown Santa Cruz). The Wrigley market features vintage and handmade art, food and drink. The Downtown market features over 30 local artists and makers.

There is no charge to attend the market. The Wrigley Market will open the following week if delayed for rain, weather permitting. Visit http://scmmakersmarket.com for more information. Available thru Sunday March 28

450 PIECES TRI-GALLERY ART SHOW Online Gallery R. Blitzer Gallery, Curated by the Sea, and the Radius Gallery, all in Santa Cruz, are hosting the work of 300+ artists in Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s Visual Arts Network. Capitola artist Wendy Ballen is one of the participating artists at R Blitzer Gallery. Info: infor@curatedbythesea.com or “Which Came First?” call1 (408) 250-2224 vase by Daniel Osorio

Wednesday March 3

CAREERS FOR TEENS EXPO 4 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Libraries Zoom Expo “Teen Expo II: Homegrown Careers” is a show and tell event showcasing successful Santa Cruz County creators, makers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders to empower teens to consider turning their interests and talents into careers. Register through the Santa Cruz Public Libraries website: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7353633. For questions, email messagemalina@gmail.com.

Thursday March 4

HOUSING MATTERS CASE MANAGERS JOB FAIR Noon-4 p.m., Invitation Only Nonprofit Housing Matters is looking to hire a team of case managers to house 90 people currently in shelters and hotels over the next 15 months through the new Housing Now program. Pay will be $31+ per hour with benefits.

Interviews are by invitation. Email resume to recruiter@housingmatterssc.org. Housing Matters seeks people with experience in housing navigation and in Santa Cruz County, who like working as part of a team, and who are efficient problem solvers. For details, see https://housingmatterssc.org/about/careers/

ANNUAL HUNGER FIGHTER AWARDS CELEBRATION 4:30 p.m., Second Harvest Food Bank Virtual Event Holiday Food & Fund Drive Co-Chairs Megan Martinelli and Carlos Palacios along with Second Harvest Food Bank staff will announce their Hunger Fighters of the Year. The event can be viewed by giving an RSVP at https:// give.thefoodbank.org/campaigns/17468-annual-awardscelebration-celebrating-you

Thursday March 4 and Saturday March 6

RED CROSS ASKING FOR BLOOD Thurs: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., SC Sat: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Highlands Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond Record-breaking cold and winter storms across much of the U.S. cancelled hundreds of American Red Cross blood drives in about 30 states and caused more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

BOARDWALK BLOOD DRIVE 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Vitalant are urging eligible individuals to donate blood to help prevent delays in lifesaving medical care for patients.

Vitalant blood drives follow strict COVID protocols including checking temperatures, social distancing and requiring face masks.

Type O blood is the most widely used by patients because 39% of the population has O-positive blood—the most prevalent type. Type O-negative is called the ‘universal type’ because it is used to save the lives of all other blood types, especially in an emergency when there isn’t time to type and cross-match the patient. Donors will find out their blood type if it is unknown.

Vitalant tests every donation for COVID-19 antibodies and informs donors of their results. If positive, Vitalant produces COVID plasma, known as convalescent plasma, from the donation. These donors can then give a convalescent plasma donation in the future to help give COVID-19 patients a boost of antibodies to fight their illness.

Friday March 5 thru Saturday March 13

NINTH ANNUAL WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL Co-founded by Consuelo Alba, this year’s festival features: Fandango at the Wall, Our Quinceanera, El Guardian de la Memoria, El Sembrador, La Felicidad, Juan de los Brujas, Jamaica & Tamarindo, El Centro, Corazon de Mezquite, El Ultimo Balsero, La Bruja de Texcoco, Pasajuego, Nahjum, Cholitas, plus student films co-presented with Digital Nest. All films are free online at https://watsonvillefilmfest.org/

Sunday March 7

MONTHLY OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE BEGINS 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz The Westside Marketplace, presented by Food Trucks A Go Go and the Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market, is a new monthly outdoor market with local food, art, handmade goods and vintage shopping.

This new market will be open every first Sunday of every month at the old Wrigley building parking lot. Rain dates are for the following Sundays.

All 40 artists, makers and vintage sellers are local. All local and state health guidelines will be followed. Wear your mask, distance while you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. For information, go to the event page on Facebook, foodtrucks agogo.com or scmmakersmarket.com for a list of vendors.

Monday March 8

DEADLINE TO ENTER STARTUP CHALLENGE MONTEREY BAY Got a great startup idea? Ready to pitch your plan? Enter the Startup Challenge Monterey Bay. In its 12th year, the Startup Challenge has had more than 840 entrants who have won $400,000 in prizes. Startup Challenge companies have raised more than $35 million in funding.

New businesses (less than two years old) based in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties can enter. There are four categories: • Venture (businesses intended to scale and provide venture-investor level returns) • Social Venture (businesses with a significant social mission) • Main Street (small businesses and sole proprietorships) • Student (students in middle school through graduate schools)

This year, you’ll compete on a new online event platform, startupchallengemb.com. The platform will feature the finalist companies and will broadcast the final pitches (aka the Otter Tank) and announcement of winners May 7. To enter see https://startupchallengemb.com/

Tuesday March 9

WALLACE STEGNER LECTURES*: DR. MICHAEL E. MANN 7 p.m., Online Lecture Climate scientist and author Dr. Michael E. Mann will address how we move forward together on climate change.

Dr. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State University.

Dr. Mann is author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and six books. https://openspacetrust.org/wsl2021/ *Cost for the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series is $30. The price gives you access to four lectures, plus the ability Michael E. Mann to watch recordings until April 30. This includes January’s Dolores Huerta & Luis Valdez, February’s Erin Brockovich and April’s José Andrés lectures.

Thursday March 11

STORYTELLING SEMINAR 6:30-8 p.m., Zoom session. Professional storyteller and librarian Barbara Chamberlain will led a Zoom seminar on storytelling 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 11, for teachers, parents, and children of all ages who enjoy a good story.

This event supports the Cabrillo Lions Club. Cost is $12 for the seminar, a synopsis of the class, and a copy of Barbara’s CD, Rockin’ Folktales. Send your check to 123 Merideth Court Aptos 95003 and you will be sent the link to the seminar.

Thursday March 18

APTOS CHAMBER VIRTUAL LUNCH MEETING Noon-1 p.m., Zoom Casa de Fruta partner Gene Zanger will speak at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce virtual lunch meeting on Zoom. For link, RSVP at: https://docs.google.com/form s/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6x9UOIM9SsOeJUbRPSz6729L2oXFABkNakziz3LhAGBcFA/viewform Cost: $15 general/ $10 members/free for Premier and Grand Champion members.

Saturday March 20

11TH ANNUAL SHE.IS.BEAUTIFUL SANTA CRUZ 5K, 10K & HALF MARATHON Virtual or Touchless Race information available via registration Founded by Melissa McConville, the She.is.beautiful race started with 500 women in Santa Cruz and has grown to 6,000. This year’s events offer options for COVID safety. She.is.beautiful’s local charity partner is Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center.

The Santa Cruz Half Marathon and SIB Challenge events are sold out. Registration is still open for the 5k and 10k races.

Virtual Race Week is Monday, March 15-Sunday, March 21, with the Touchless Santa Cruz Experience March 18-21.

The difference between the Virtual and the Touchless race options is that for the Virtual you can participate anywhere in the world and your swag pack is sent to you, and the Touchless option means you will come to Santa Cruz, pick up your swag bag and participate on the actual race course during race week. The Touchless option includes a Passport to Santa Cruz where you can redeem free items at businesses all over town (coffee, pedicures, cookies, beer and wine, and plants). Virtual Live Race will take place Saturday, March 20, with all levels welcome. Register at https://runsheisbeautiful.com/

Friday March 19

The goal is increase the turnover of high-polluting equipment to reduce harmful diesel exhaust emissions, Funds come from the cap-and-trade climate initiative. Grant applications are at https://www.mbard.org/diesel-engineequipment-replacement-program.

Wednesday March 24

BRANDENBURG CONCERTO 300TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Monterey will host a worldwide celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Brandenburg Concerto, a JS Bach masterpiece, with two Livestreams – one at 2 to 3:30 p.m., and the second at 7 to 8:30 p.m. on March 24 via Zoom.

This celebration is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Music and Performing Arts Department at CSU Monterey Bay.

It’s all completely free – a gift to the world from Monterey, California, to honor one of the most significant pieces of music ever written.

The Brandenburg is a significant part of Monterey County’s cultural history – the Carmel Bach Festival, starting in its second year (1936), played all or part of it every year for 21 years, and dozens of times since. Zoom Links March 24, 2 p.m. Showing: https://csumb.zoom. us/j/85276768706 March 24, 7 p.m. Showing: https://csumb.zoom. us/j/88080717562 For information, or to register (optional) go to https://brandenburgconcerto300thanniversary.com

Saturday March 27

BOARDWALK OPEN AIR MARKET 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk plans an Open Air Market 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdarday, March 27, with ocean views and shopping at up to 30 local artisan and direct sales booths. Face masks will be required. If you are a local artist, maker or business, apply for a booth at https://beachboardwalk.com/ Open-Air-Market?utm_source=Email&utm_ medium=Email&utm_campaign=Open%20Air%20Market

Sunday April 11

PRESCRIBED BURN WORKSHOPS 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Davenport • Registration due by April 4. Learn the fundamentals of prescribed firelighting and wildland firefighting during this hands-on field training in Davenport.

Training will cover fireline construction, communications, prescribed fire ignitions, operation of a firefighting pump, installation of a hoselay and more.

You will be prepared to participate in local cooperative burns hosted by the new Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association (calpba.org). If you do not have wildfire or prescribed fire experience, the one-day workshop will be a prerequisite for participation in future CCPBA burns so don’t miss out.

The training can certify you as a Basic Wildland Firefighter 2, with pre-completion of online coursework plus an “arduous pack-test” prior to attending the in-person field day if you are interested. Cost: $20 with scholarships available upon request. Space is limited. Full Details and Registration at: https://ucanr.edu/survey/ survey.cfm?surveynumber=33128. For questions email Jared Childress (childress.ember@gmail. com) or Devii Rao (drorao@ucanr.edu). n