Boardwalk Is Hiring

COMMUNITY NEWS Boardwalk To Open

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, entertaining locals and visitors since 1907, is hiring for a fun and safe spring and summer season as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and state guidelines allow amusement parks to open April 1 after being closed last summer.

There are hundreds of open positions including rides, games, food service, parking and ticket sales. Positions also are available at the Boardwalk Bowl, Carousel Beach Inn, Sea & Sand Inn, all part of the family-owned business.

Safety procedures include temperature checks, personal protective equipment and sanitization. n

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To apply see https://beachboardwalk.com/ Jobs/Jobs-FAQ.

For questions, email employment@ scseaside.com or call (831)460-3377 ext. 6.

“Capitola Steps” from page 11

When your foot strikes a surface, the surface strikes back. The next time you walk up a flight of stairs, at home, in the village, or the set in Aptos near the cement ship, ascend the steps silently to reduce the impact.

Relax your shoulders and attempt to lengthen the back of your neck. Keep your knees over your ankles as you extend through your hips. Do it slowly, and I guarantee your thighs and butt will burn by the time you reach the top.

For an extra added bonus, pull your belly button in and up in order to lift your ribs off of your pelvis for core integration. I promise you that your heart rate will increase no matter how slowly you climb.

Repeat the process for fifteen to twenty minutes and, voila: a complete, full body workout, cardio included.

I like to think of my body as a fully restored, 1966 classic. It looks good, runs well, but as any car enthusiast will tell you, a classic requires more TLC than a newer model. You have to wax it, cover it, and store it, and the more frequently you drive it, the more time you need to spend under the hood.

You wouldn’t spin donuts in an empty parking lot in a classic car, and you wouldn’t peel out when the light turns green. You probably wouldn’t do 90 mph on the freeway, either. Perhaps you’d drive in the right lane so that people could envy you as they passed by.

We don’t need to wait until the parts wear out to ease up on the accelerator and enjoy the journey. And I’m not talking just about cars anymore... n •••

Tony del Zompo has been a Capitola resident since 2008. He is a physical therapist and personal trainer and he can be reached for private consultations at amdz1966@gmail. com. Mention this article in the subject line. Photos by Tony del Zompo

“Poll” from page 6

“Highway 1 commuters, including essential workers, need an option to free themselves of gridlock that robs them of time with their families,” Segal continued. “A zero-emissions light rail service will give our county an important tool in the fight against climate change. Rail service will also help improve public transportation for local seniors and those with disabilities.”

The greatest support appeared to be in supervisorial District 4, which includes Watsonville, where residents deal with daily traffic jams on Highway 1 to and from work.

The least support appeared to be in District 1, which includes Live Oak, which would access the train, and the Summit, which would not, and District 2, where train tracks run through Aptos.

The most opposition appeared to be in District 2, which includes Capitola, which is bisected by train tracks, and Aptos, followed by District 1, then District 5, Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley, which are the farthest from the branch line.

The announcement of the poll results did not include breakdowns of the “strongly” and “somewhat” in each supervisorial district. The Times requested that information and was told it is not available.

The poll asked about two other options: 19 percent were in favor of pausing the electric rail planning and keep building a trail alongside the rail line, and 17 percent were in favor of removing track and converting the corridor into a trail for walking and biking. n

“Hunger Fighters” from page 12

When a community member she befriended became temporarily homeless, then in a car accident and in a walker and living on very little, she spent many hours driving her friend to buy cat food, put rides on a bus pass, and get groceries.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award went to KSBW-TV under Joseph W. Heston, president and general manager who retired in 2020. KSBW hosted Share Your Holiday, which raised millions for Second Harvest and The Salvation Army. After shelter in place, KSBW organized Project Community: A Day of Help and Hope, raising $525,000 for tri-county food banks, with $236,000 for Santa Cruz County.

Community Spirit Awards

Olivia Strusis Bregante, inspired by her mom Melissa, a Sutter Health nurse, started a class project to raise 1,000 meals for families who lost their jobs because of COVID-19 and raised 2,748 meals.

Sisters Finnly & Juniper Grillos organized their first virtual fundraising campaign with a video, raising 3,069 meals.

Malia Nacht learned how to sew during the pandemic, sewing masks to keep friends and relatives safe and donating money she made. She raised 2,088 meals.

Main Street Elementary School office manager Jennifer Del Carlo organized teachers, students and families to focus Oliva Strusis Bregante Finn and June Grillos Malia Nacht and family

on virtual fundraising, generating 8,979 meals, a school record.

Neighborhood Awards

Under Gina Castaneda’s leadership, PV United Soccer joined the first worldwide Soccer United Against Hunger campaign and 15 local youth teams raised 19,772 meals.

Girl Scout Troop 15015, a small troop of girls, led a lemonade stand, donated from cookie sales, raising 4,149 meals.

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dressing up like Santa and his elves, cruising the harbor on a standup paddle or kayak, raising 8,021 meals.

Three days before Christmas, a generous donor offered to match donations by KPIG listeners who mentioned KPIG when they gave. KPIG staff loved the idea. A listener in Marin heard the “hog call” and gave another match — resulting in 72,000 meals.

Coordinators of The Year

Jillian Ritter, a county analyst, was the coordinator for county government employees, a challenge since many worked at home. But she believed they would do their best. Departments held virtual gift basket raffles, silent online auctions, and got a match, surpassed their goal.

Sarah Marshall, coordinator at Rio Del Mar Elementary School, engaged the whole community, designing their very own flyers and raising 40,592 meals. • Helping Hands Award: Community

Foundation Santa Cruz County and executive director Susan True, for leadership through the pandemic and the fires, facilitating collaboration, and assisting with surveys, funding and matches. • Above & Beyond Award: Bay Federal

Credit Union raised the most ever, 127,599 meals, thanks to competition, prizes and pride at branches, among co-workers and supervisors with customers joining in and a generous donor matching donations. • Lap Award: Canepa Motors owner

Bruce Canepa pledged donations to

Second Harvest Food Bank for every collector car sold during the pandemic, and donated 240,000 meals. • Tech Feeds Hope: Susan Lovegren, who joined the food bank board in

July, launched the Tech Feeds Hope

Initiative to engage tech companies and tech professionals to fight hunger in Santa Cruz County, raising 371,148 meals.

Civic Engagement Awards

Christina Alberti, office supervisor in City of Santa Cruz Public Works, and her co-chair replaced cupcake sales with selling an online cookbook with recipes from city employees. City Manager Martin Bernal and his department heads supported competitions such as one between police and fire, won by fire. In all, city employees raised 69,235 meals.

Capitola City Clerk Chloe Woodmansee coordinated efforts by her 66 co-workers and with a match, they donated 8,301 meals.

Santa Cruz County analysts Jillian Ritter and Amy Miyakusu accepted the county award. They emphasized the importance of everyone contributing a little, and collectively that would amount to a lot. They surpassed their goal and a generous donor matched up to $50,000, raising 477,832 meals. • CEO Award: Nathan McCall, manager of UC Santa Cruz human resources business information services, knew many neighbors and students faced food insecurity. The Banana Slugs raised 175,000 meals. • Chairman’s Corporate Award: Santa

Cruz Community Credit Union, led by president and CEO Beth Carr, launched “Return the Favor” to help nonprofits and donated 64,924 meals. • Presidents Trophy: County of Santa

Cruz employees’ goal was $50,000 and they raised $67,000, more than 477,000 meals, despite COVID restrictions, staff furloughs and the CZU wildfires. A matching donation of $50,000 helped.

Heavy Weight Champions

Twin Lakes Church members and staff made a massive effort — lemonade stands, home-prepared meals, outreach to friends and family, raising more than 2 million meals — a historic number.

When COVID hit, Driscoll’s was one of the first to call the food bank and ask, “What do you need?” At the time, a forklift was needed. Soon a forklift showed up, followed by sponsorships, and a large donation: More than 425,000 meals. n

Capitola Garden Spaces Available

The Mid-County Senior Center has garden spaces for rent at 529 Bay Ave., Capitola. Gardeners must become a member of the senior center ($40 a year, at least 50 years old), work Saturday mornings in the garden, agree to grow organically and pay $45 in annual garden rent.

To inquire, email garden manager Curt Jewell at cjewell9@gmail.com •••

Live Oak Parking Program Vote Taking Place April 13

The 2021 Live Oak Parking Program program is slated to be voted on by the Board of Supervisors at the April 13 remote meeting, which starts at 9 a.m.

The March issue of the Capitola-Soquel Times reported the vote would be April 7; that was incorrect.

First District Supervisor Manu Koenig is seeking feedback from constituents prior to the meeting. If you have feedback on the program email First.District@SantaCruzCounty.US

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Electrification Education Grants

Central Coast Community Energy is offering $285,000 in electrification education grants to encourage changing from fossil fuel-based transportation and building energy use toward clean electrical energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligible communities include Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Barbara.

Proposals providing education to disadvantaged communities and stimulating the local economy are encouraged.

The application deadline is May 6. For an application visit https://tinyurl. com/3cenergy-grants (full URL: 3cenergy.org/electrification-educationgrant-program/?mc_cid=629c9a71e4&mc_eid= 66244ddae7)

Email programs@3ce.org with questions. •••

Jobs in Santa Cruz County Change from

Sector

Jan. 2021 a year ago

Government 18,800 Down 5,500 Private education & health 15,200 Down 2,500 Leisure & hospitality 10,700 Down 2,500 Manufacturing 6,200 Down 1,000 Other services 4,200 Down 900 Trade/transportation/ utilities 16,500 Down 700 Professional & business services 10,200 Down 600 Information 500 Down 100 Financial 3,600 no change Construction 4,600 Up 100 Nonfarm 90,500 Down 13,700

Farm

Total

1,500 Down 3,200

92,000 Down 16,900

Labor Force 127,600 Down 8%

Employment

116,700 Down 12% Unemployment 10,800 Up 64% *Includes commuting to jobs outside county

Source: California Employment Development Department n

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