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Greenway Trail Initiative: 12,000 Signatures Needed for June Ballot The YES GREENWAY committee is collecting signatures to amend Santa Cruz County’s General Plan “to support building a safe, continuous, and beautiful interim trail down the center of the 32-mile unused rail corridor ... Full Story page 7
Strong Season for 11-Year-old All Stars Full Story page 11
Twilight Concerts Are Back!
If you live in Capitola, nothing beats the city’s Twilight Concerts. At the Esplanade Park bandstand in Capitola Village — with a view of the beach and the summer sunset. The very popular Extra Large entertained July 14 in
what everyone hopes ill be a post-COVID year. “It was packed and one of the most memorable concerts in the last decade,” said Kelly Barreto, who shared these photos. “Extra Large came out of retirement and brought much joy and love to their audience!” ... continues on page 4
Capitola Museum: Farewell Frank, Hello Deborah After eight years at the helm, Frank Perry retired June 30 as museum curator for the Capitola Historical Museum. Deborah Osterberg will be taking over as the new curator. Full Story page 9
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Volume 26
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Table of Contents
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Community News Capitola Art & Wine Festival To Return, By Carrie Arnone Poster Artist Brittany Costanzo • Thank You For Your Support! Greenway Trail Initiative: 12,000 Signatures Needed for June Ballot, By Jondi Gumz 8 Friday Night Live: Developing Next-Gen Leaders • Masonic Lodge Awards Scholarships • New Hire at Visit Santa Cruz County • Staff of Life Reopens Hot Bar, Salad Bar • Santa Cruz County Jobs 9 Farewell Frank, Hello Deborah: Capitola Historical Museum Welcomes New Curator, Says Good-Bye to Perry, By Niels Kisling 10 Vaccine Pleas and Mask Ask As Delta COVID Cases Rise, By Jondi Gumz 17 Capitola Beach Festival Preview 18 Water Shortage Emergency Extended to Spring Local Sports 11 Strong Season for 11-Year-old All Stars, By Steve Gray California News 12 Recall Candidates Knocked Out; Some Get Back on Ballot, By Jondi Gumz In Memoriam 13 Larry Robert Hattis: June 13, 1950 - July 2, 2021
Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Hercules, the Lion’s Skin & Two Full Moons, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29
Featured Columnists 21 Recipe Box: California Succotash (with Tarragon), recipe by Poppy DeGarmo 23 National Water Quality Month: Your Water is Clean, Safe and High Quality, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 23 This FM 100 App Doesn’t Work. Can I Get My Money Back?, By Christopher Elliott 24 Capitola Revives Concerts & Sunday Art, Starts Food Truck Fridays, By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola 25 A New Summer School and A New School Year: Classes Averaging 12 Students for Eight Weeks to Boost Learning, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District 30 Fire Season: Create Defensible Space Around Your Home, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Ground Cover Works Like Mulch, By Tony Tomeo
SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Floyd and Handsome: Family Sticking Together
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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz
publisher editor
contributing writers Carrie Arnone, Jondi Gumz, Niels Kisling, Steve Gray, Risa D’Angeles, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Christopher Elliott, Yvette Brooks, Scott J. Turnbull, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo
Capitola Art & Wine Festival To Return
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By Carrie Arnone
rt, wine, music, dance, and good vibes…all in the enchanting beachside setting of Capitola Village… summer’s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise!
layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson
Festival artist Brittany Costanzo at work
“Twilight Concerts” from page 1 Barreto is the administrative assistant
Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Stroll the 38th Capitola Art & Wine Festival Sept. 11-12, sipping exceptional wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains while admiring the artistic talents of more than 100 fine artists. Sway on Saturday to the rock ’n roll sounds of The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin, and funky grooves Sunday afternoon from Extra Large. Be inspired by local dance groups, and keep a look out for The Great Morgani, the always-costumed accordionist extraordinaire. This photo illustration of Capitola Village was created by Carrie A 20th anniversary commemArnone. oration featuring a procession led by Santa Cruz Pipes & Drums followed by Saturday to remember the victims of 9/11, first responders, and a special performance and honoring first responders, our heroes by James Durbin will take place 2 p.m. on the front lines. for the Capitola Arts & Cultural Commission, which oversees the Twilight Concerts, Sunday Art at the Beach on Aug.
1 and 15, and Movies at the Beach on two Fridays, featuring “Doolittle” Sept. 10 and “Frozen 2” Sept. 17. Visitors can bring a picnic or dine at a restaurant in Capitola Village. You have lots from which to choose. Here’s the Wednesday night lineup: Aug. 4: Mike Hammar & the Nails, playing blues Aug. 11: Tsunami, classic rock/R&B, dance Aug. 18: Everyday People, classic Latin rock Aug. 25: Beggar Kings, Rolling Stones/ dance Sept. 1: Digbeats, classic rock Enjoy your summer! n ••• Cover Photo: Russ Leal, lead singer of Extra Large, gets the crowd excited during the first Twilight Concert of 2021. • Photo Credit: Kelly Barreto
Photo Credit: Kelly Barreto
Fans of Extra Large came out to the Esplanade Bandstand in force on July 14 with the return of the Twilight Concert Series.
COVER STORY Poster Artist Brittany Costanzo he 2021 Capitola Art & Wine Festival poster features the colorful Capitola Venetian Hotel mere steps from the beach, a glass of wine and a seashell, and a pelican peeking out over flowers in bloom. The artist is Brittany Costanzo, a maker, artist, designer, and muralist based in Santa Cruz. She paints for commercial and individual clients. Much of her work is inspired by the beauty that is the Central Coast, as well as her love of animals, family and community. Born in Santa Cruz County, she grew up in a big family of outdoor enthusiasts, artists, and craftsmen. She earned a bachelor’s degree in the history of art and visual culture from
Thank You For Your Support!
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Festival hours: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is hosted by the CapitolaSoquel Chamber of Commerce. More info at capitolaartandwine.com. ••• Editor’s note: Carrie Arnone, who became the chamber’s executive director two weeks before the 2020 pandemic shutdown, has eight weeks to do what is normally is done in
T UC Santa Cruz and went on to teach art for a private studio in Los Gatos. Today she focuses on pet portraiture and freelance work. She has 1,700 followers on Instagram. She is enrolled at CSU Monterey Bay and will begin the Scientific Illustration program this fall. More info: www.costanzocreative.com.
he Capitola Art & Wine Festival is a community event, and the No. 1 fundraiser supporting the CapitolaSoquel Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization, as well as local nonprofit school and community groups that assist with set-up, recycling, breakdown, and more. We are grateful to our faithful volunteers that help in more ways than we can count. It takes a village, and we’re thankful for ours. — Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce
nine months, and she’s giving her all because she didn’t want the festival, a major fundraiser for chamber operations, to go dark two years in a row. She needs 400 volunteers. Ordinarily, she would reach out to schools, tapping students who are athletes, musicians and in leadership roles to assist, but school is not in session until Aug. 11. Readers, please call Carrie at 831-4756522 and offer your help, whatever you can do, to make this festival this best ever.
ABOVE: The Great Morgani, always entertaining, will be at the Capitola Art & Wine Festival. LEFT: James Durbin will perform at this year’s festival.
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Greenway Trail Initiative: 12,000 Signatures Needed for June Ballot By Jondi Gumz Editor’s note: On July 21, YES Greenway published a legal notice announcing the intention to circulate petitions for the Santa Cruz County Greenway initiative to collect signatures to get on the June 2022 ballot. County Clerk Tricia Webber reports 11,919 valid signatures are needed. ••• he YES GREENWAY committee is collecting signatures to amend Santa Cruz County’s General Plan “to support building a safe, continuous, and beautiful interim trail down the center of the 32-mile unused rail corridor — from the San Lorenzo Bridge in Santa Cruz to Lee Road in Watsonville. The rail corridor extends up to Davenport, where the cement plant that once shipped by rail is defunct. Once built, this trail could be used for “commuting, active transportation, and recreation by pedestrians, bicycles, wheelchairs, e-bikes, skateboards, and personal e-mobility,” according to the initiative. “It would include two lanes for wheeled traffic on a paved path, a divider, and an adjacent walkway for pedestrians.” Use of the corridor for rail would be preserved through railbanking, “a Federal program that allows an existing rail corridor to be used as a trail and leaves infrastructure such as bridges and trestles for future rail use,” the initiative reads. Stated goals include: Preserving the Roaring Camp tourist railroad from Felton to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and existing freight service in Watsonville. Supporter Names igning the petition are: Live Oak resident Buzz Anderson of Live Oak, who worked on county First District Supervisor Manu Koenig’s successful 2020 campaign unseating incumbent and railtrail supporter John Leopold, Watsonville resident Della Davis, who lives in Watsonville, Aptos resident Ellen Martinez, a founding member of Trail Now, former Capitola mayor Gayle Ortiz (and co-owner of Gayle’s Bakery) and publisher-turnedphilanthropist Rowland Rebele. “It’s time to give voters the opportunity to state their opinion on what to build on the unused rail corridor,” said Rebele, a resident of the Dominican Oaks retirement community. Supporters say funds to build the trail are available through Measure D, the
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Train engineers Carl Wulf (from left), Bob Bloom and Bill Rosenoff, who drove the last trains on the Santa Cruz Branch Line north of Watsonvile, come together July 13 to oppose passenger rail on the line and support the trail proposal advocated by Santa Cruz County Greenway as safe, effective, and affordable. .. sales tax dedicated to transportation voters passed in 2016. Responding to Yes Greenway, Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail released a statement by board president Faina Segal calling the ballot initiative “deceptive.” She contends it would: • Delay the trail from being built by cutting off funding sources and requiring a new planning and environmental review process. • Removes rail transit from the county plan. • Cut off Roaring Camp from the regional rail network and devastates their business. “We want better transportation options that will save us time, money and emissions,” Segal said. Interim? he word “interim” appears before trail twice in the initiative. Asked if that was deliberate, Anderson
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said, “Absolutely. We are not anti-train. We want to preserve the Roaring Camp train and the freight train in Watsonville.” The general plan changes they want include creating a Watsonville/Pajaro Junction “in the future.” This is a proposed new station in Monterey County — 1.3 miles south of Watsonville -- to serve Caltrain and Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor trains when service is extended to Salinas. Supporters say proposed changes would not affect land in the city limits of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola or Scotts Valley. Segal noted supporters of the electric passenger train include: Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties Building & Construction Trades Council; Santa Cruz County Democratic Party; Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club; Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County; Campus Democrats at UCSC; Santa Cruz City Council, Watsonville City Council, Regeneration Pajaro Valley, and Roaring Camp Railroads.
“The Greenway is something all County residents will be proud of,” Anderson predicted. “It will be the spine of an ecological transportation and recreation network that will be used by a wide crosssection of people. And, it’s financially sound and buildable in a short amount of time.” He said consultants estimate the trail would cost $2 million to $3 million per mile to build while creating a passenger rail line with a trail alongside “would cost triple that.” Electric Train Cost hen a financial feasibility study in April estimated the cost of an electric passenger train at $478 million, the 12-member Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, which allocates Measure D money, deadlocked 6-6, indicating support has waned for the railtrail envisioned in 2011 when the county bought the corridor for $14 million.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Friday Night Live: Developing Next-Gen Leaders From Nervous to Role Model
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By Emily Palone ur Youth in Action Summit is an annual Friday Night Live peer-topeer leadership training. This summer, our theme was “Building Confidence and Embracing our Identities.” We thought this was an important theme and message to share with our peers as a way to recognize our individual strengths and support each other after an unexpectedly challenging year. I am a new FNL member. As a facilitator for this event, I was Emily Palone nervous because I did not know what to expect, especially because it was on Zoom. But I think we were able to create a really safe space because everyone who attended was attentive and ready to participate. That made my first summit facilitation a breeze! It was fun to work with fellow youth and share information about things like
By Marie Castello-Bunch hen I attended the Friday Night Live Youth in Action Summit, I learned that organizations are about more than just one person. They are about the people who follow and join in to form a movement. Being a leader is less about yourself and more about working together with others to set goals. The workshop leaders were mostly other youths. I am 11 and the leaders were a little older, probably 16 or 18. They made the workshop fun and Marie Castello-Bunch did an excellent job of modeling their principles of leadership such as kindness, respect, and inclusion. I enjoyed sharing my opinions and hearing the perspectives of others as we learned about different leadership styles and looked at ourselves to determine which styles we use. Then we learned about how we can
use our personal leadership styles to work together with the styles of others. I hope to bring back some of what I learned to my community, possibly by starting a Friday Night Live club at my school. The workshop helped me understand more about being a leader and helped me to be a more confident speaker. I would recommend the workshop and joining Friday Night Live to any young person who wants to learn about themselves and cares about improving their community. ~~~ Marie Castello-Bunch lives in Capitola and will enter seventh grade at Tierra Pacifica Charter School in the fall. ••• To find out more about Friday Night Live, which is sponsored by Santa Cruz County, see the website: https://tinyurl. com/FridayNight LiveSC or email: sccfnlp@santacruzcounty.us or call or text: 831-359-8450. n
president of Visit Santa Cruz County, said of Oliveira, “She already has established relationships with local properties and has built an impressive amount of credibility with our local lodging industry. This will benefit our hotel partners as we move toward recovery in 2021.” ••• Staff of Life Reopens Hot Bar, Salad Bar n July 15, Staff of Life, the natural food market, announced reopening of the hot bar and salad bar self-service stations at both locations, 1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, and 906 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. These services had been closed due to the COVD-19 pandemic. Customers can build fresh salads with all types of ingredients including greens, tomatoes, cabbage, cheese, grilled chicken or grilled tofu, mushrooms, cucumbers, olives and more. Hot bar choices include carnitas, chicken dishes, grilled and roasted vegetables, pasta, vegetarian entrees, mac and cheese, rice, beans, and mashed potatoes. And there is a rotating menu of hot soups to grab and go. The hot and salad bar in Santa Cruz is open for breakfast at 8 a.m, with lunch and dinner from11 a.m. to 7 pm. Watsonville
salad bar hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the hot bar open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ••• Santa Cruz County Jobs Report posted July 16 June unemployment 6.9% Sector June 2021 Change from a year ago Leisure & hospitality 10,000 Up 800 Trade/Transportation/ 16,100 Up 800 Utilities Manufacturing 7,200 Up 500 Other services 4,900 Up 500 Private education & Health 17,100 Up 400 Professional & 10,500 Up 200 Business Services Construction 4,500 No change Financial 3,100 No change Information 500 No change Government 19,400 Down 300 Nonfarm 92,400 Up 2,900 Farm 12,100 Up 1,400 Total 105,400 Up 4,300 Labor Force 134,300 No change Employed 125,100 Up 6% Unemployed 9,200 Down 44% Count is on the 12th of the month. Sources: California Employment Development Department n
Learning Leadership at Age 11
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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Masonic Lodge Awards Scholarships onfidence Lodge #110, a group of California Freemasons that meets in Soquel, annually gives scholarships to deserving local college students. In July, two students were awarded $4,000 each: • Benito Gonzalez (engineering student at UC Santa Barbara, graduate of Soquel High School) • Katherine Sarna (engineering student at UC Santa Cruz, Capitola resident, and graduate of Pacific Collegiate School) The lodge’s building at 3001 N. Main St., Soquel, is undergoing major renovations and is expected to be reopened by the end of the year. The contractor is Slatter Construction of Santa Cruz. Lodge members met as a group July 17 on Capitola Beach for a beach cleanup. “We have adopted this beach through the Save Our Shores Adopt-A-Beach program,” writes Senior Warden Zeke Floro. For information about the lodge, see http:// www.confidencelodge110.org/ •••
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how to showcase yourself on a resume, how to develop your leadership skills, and much more! The best part was that I felt like I could truly speak my opinions in the main room and in the breakout rooms without being judged. This is something that FNL strives to accomplish for its youth and others. Through events like Youth Action Summit, I have been able to grow my leadership skills by facilitating and participating. Before I joined Friday Night Live, I was not good at public speaking and breaking the silence in a room, but with FNL’s support and training I am now able to be a key facilitator for the Youth Action Summit and other events — which has allowed me to be a role model for my peers. I love having FNL as an outlet to help support my community and fellow youth. I cannot wait to facilitate and participate in another summit next year! ~~~ Emily Palone lives in Soquel and graduated from Soquel High in June. She will attend UC Santa Cruz in the fall.
New Hire at Visit Santa Cruz County lavia Oliveira is the new director of sales and marketing at Visit Santa Cruz County, responsible for sales in digital promotions, conferences, meetings, weddings, and co-op opportunities for local tourism-related businesses. In 2019, she earned the 40 Under 40 Award from ConnectFlavia Oliveira Meetings. In 2015, she was nominated for the President’s Circle Award with Marriott International. She previously was sales director with Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz. She began her career as an intern in the hotel industry in Brazil. After earning her college degree, she studied in Switzerland, where she joined Marriott International. By 2011 she moved to the U.S., working for Visit Oakland as a sales manager. She joined the Hotel Paradox in 2019. During the 2020 COVID pandemic, she became regional director, overseeing two Marriott brands and an independent property in three different Bay Area markets. Maggie Ivy, CEO and executive vice
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Farewell Frank, Hello Deborah
Capitola Historical Museum Welcomes New Curator, Says Good-Bye to Perry
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By Niels Kisling
fter eight years at the helm, Frank Perry retired June 30 as museum curator for the Capitola Historical Museum. “Altogether, my predecessor Carolyn Swift and I poured 28 years of love and care into this little museum,” Frank said. “We did everything from accepting gifts of rare artifacts to washing windows. This was never ‘just a job,’ it was a passion.” He added, “From the very first day, the museum board, museum volunteers, city staff, and people of Capitola were exceptionally welcoming. I cannot think of
Photo Credit: Lacie Gray
Deborah Osterberg, the new Capitola Historical Museum Curator, grew up in Capitola and graduated from Soquel High School in 1979.
“Greenway” from page 7 Asked to explain what “a short amount of time” means, Anderson said, “That’s a political question.” He said the former RTC director (George Dondero, who departed in 2018) did not believe in railbanking but his successor (Guy Preston) does and his staff produced a report on it this year. Caltrans wrote a report, updated in 2011, on “progressive” rail preservation programs in Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin “It’s used 2,000 places,” Anderson said. He suggested voters walk the corridor, from the San Lorenzo Bridge to Rio Del Mar, to see for themselves how narrow it is in certain locations. “How would they fit a trail next to tracks?” he asked. “Capitola (where he grew up visiting his grandfather) is a good example.”
a better way to have wrapped up a 50-year career in museums. The curator job gave me the opportunity to apply all that I had learned over the years about running a museum. I had plenty of opportunities to build exhibits, give lectures, produce videos, and do publications—all things I love to do. Most importantly, I got to delve deeply into Capitola’s wonderful history and share what I learned.” Your Capitola Museum is lucky to have Deborah Osterberg as our new curator. She has come home to Capitola once again, but when Deborah goes home, she goes home to Bonny Doon and the redwoods that she adores. Her journey began in grade school in Capitola. She was first a Capitola Viking then went on to graduate as a Knight from Soquel High School in 1979. Deborah graduated in 1984 from Chico State as a history and geography major, and later took graduate classes at UC Santa Barbara in cultural resource management. Her extensive service to National Park Service parks and monuments reads like several seasons of a reality TV travel show. Deborah worked at Yellowstone National Park, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Minute Man National Historical Park, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, Fort Sumter National Monument, Charles Pinckney National Historic
Photo Credit: Niels Kisling
Retiring Museum Curator Frank Perry at the opening of the 2014 “Take Me Out to Capitola” exhibit about local baseball star Harry Hooper. Site, Moore’s Creek National Battlefield, Mount Rainier National Park, and the National Archives at San Francisco. Needless to say, if you want to find, store, file or research something, Deborah is your top pick. Deborah put her career on hold to come home in 2014 to organize the estate of her father who passed away after a life well-lived. Last year Deborah evacuated for a month from her home in Bonny Doon due to the CZU Complex Fire. The residents who remained behind saved the homes on her road by being prepared with equipment needed to fight the ground fire. In the nick of time, however, a fire
crew showed up to douse fire developing in the tree line—a fire that the neighbors may not have been able to handle. Deborah published a book while her career was on hold. The book, Historic Tales of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Big Trees Grove, is a must-read and proves that the redwood forest is deeply imbedded in her soul. Deborah Osterberg has come home again to Capitola. She is excited about creating future exhibits at the Museum and rotating exhibits at the new Capitola Library. “Museum Curator” page 14
[Buzz Anderson] suggested voters walk the corridor, from the San Lorenzo Bridge to Rio Del Mar, to see for themselves how narrow it is in certain locations. With rail-and-trail, the Capitola trestle would be reserved for train use, requiring the trail to divert onto city streets, he added, while Yes Greenway wants the trail to stay in the rail corridor. To read the Santa Cruz County Counsel’s title and summary and the full text of the proposed amendment to the General Plan, see: https://www.yes-greenway.org/ The Fair Political Practices Commission number for YES GREENWAY is pending, Anderson said. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Vaccine Pleas and Mask Ask As Delta COVID Cases Rise By Jondi Gumz
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ith cases of COVID-19 and positivity rates rising locally and increased reports of the very infectious Delta variant, health officers in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Napa, and San Benito counties recommend everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places, grocery or retail stores, theaters and family entertainment centers. They urge businesses to adopt universal masking requirements for customers entering indoor areas to better protect their employees and customers. On July 22, public and private sector health leaders in Santa Cruz County gathered for a rare press conference outdoors, urging people to get vaccinated to avoid a hospital stay. Dr. Katherine Martin, a 2016 medical school graduate with Sutter Health in Watsonville, made a plea to millennials under 30, noting this age group tends to gather in groups, which increases risk of spreading, and has the lowest vaccination rate. “Even if you never develop symptoms from Covid-19, you can pass it to others,” she said. “Everyone who is currently in the hospital in Santa Cruz County is unvaccinated,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel. “The pandemic is not over. We are expecting more disease in the fall.”
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To compete for workers, Continental Inn in Santa Cruz is offering a $250 hiring bonus. The reason is 80% of California COVID cases are of the Delta variant, which spreads more easily. Reason For Spread study out of China referenced by The New York Times found viral loads in Delta cases to be about 1,000 times higher
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Vaccine Funding for Local Businesses, Organizations
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o further enlist the community’s help in ending the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Cruz County Public Health is partnering with Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to provide funding and support to local businesses and organizations interested in providing COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine information to their staff and the community. Funding is available to businesses and organizations for vaccine education and outreach, enrollment of priority groups for vaccine appointments, to support the establishment of pop-up vaccination clinics or provide incentives for those getting vaccinated. Incentives may include benefits such as gift cards, food, prizes or other giveaways. Funding may be used to
has increased from 15,975 to 16,1045 and fully vaccinated numbers from 144,000 to 154,000, with 177,000 fully vaccinated. This means 56 percent of the population is fully vaccinated and 64% partly vaccinated. President Biden wanted 70 percent by 4th of July. On July 20, nearly 77 percent of California adults were partly vaccinated, prompting the California Department of Public Health to work to spur demand for COVID-19 vaccinations. “COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe, and our best tool in stopping the spread and mutation of variants,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and state public health officer. Hospital Impacts r. Nanette Mickiewicz, president/CEO at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, said patients can choose their vaccine, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. “We are accommodating everyone without charge,” she said. “This is too important.” She said the hospital has seen an uptick in COVID patients in the last few weeks. “They are unvaccinated,” she said. By the time they get admitted, it’s too late to give the vaccine to impact their outcome, she explained. “The doctors are tired, the nurses are tired,” said Steven Salyer, CEO at Watsonville Community Hospital, noting hospital workers have left their profession because of the pandemic, straining the system. “We need the support of the community to help our frontline workers.” Dr. Cristina Gamboa, an obstetrician at Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville, encouraged family members of a pregnant woman get vaccinated to protect her. Watsonville has had the most COVID cases in the county. Here are the percentages of fully vaccinated people by ZIP code: Ben Lomond: 55% Boulder Creek: 56% Capitola: 76% Davenport: 63% Freedom: 66% Felton: 74% Santa Cruz (95062): 66% Scotts Valley: 70% Soquel: 67% Watsonville: 66%
offset any outstanding expenses related to providing vaccination services and information. “We are hoping to work with trusted community partners to help reach those who have had barriers in getting vaccinated,” said Jennifer Herrera, assistant director of the county Health Services Agency. Interested organizations can fill out the Vaccine Program Interest Form at https://tinyurl.com/ scc-biz-vaccine-funding The COVID-19 Vaccine Team will respond within the week. Questions can be directed to HSAC19VaccineClinics@ santacruzcounty.us. Preference will be given to proposals intended to serve those underserved by current vaccination outreach efforts.
10 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
than the alpha or beta variants. Tracking professional athletes has found players who test positive carry very high amounts of virus for seven to 10 days compared to two or three days of the initial virus. The Times cited two recent situations of Delta spread. One was a bachelorette party where a dozen vaccinated attendees went unmasked to downtown bars in Oklahoma City. Afterward, 17 guests at the July 10 wedding reported positive tests and mild symptoms. The other was July 4 in Massachusetts: 256 cases including 66 in other states were tracked back to in Provincetown, where a reported 60,000 unmasked people celebrated at bars and house parties. Twothirds of those cases were in vaccinated people. Newel reported 11 documented Delta cases in Santa Cruz County, noting most COVID cases are not being “sequenced” to determine the variant. Active COVID cases in Santa Cruz County, which had fallen to 40 in June, now stand at 140. Hospitalizations were at zero, but now four people are hospitalized, two in intensive care. Since June, the number of recoveries
“COVID Update” page 16
LOCAL SPORTS
Strong Season for 11-Year-old All Stars
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By Steve Gray
he 2021 Little League season almost didn’t happen. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging at its height in January, the Capitola-Soquel Little League board had to make a go or no-go decision. With the help of healthcare experts on the board along with consultation with the county public health department, plans were developed to ensure safety and get the kids playing ball again, after a 2020 season that was completely missed. Nearly 300 boys and girls ended up signing up for CSLL’s 2021 season, bringing life and joy back to the little league complex at Soquel High School’s campus. After the regular little league season concludes there is the summer All Star season. Three All Star teams — 10-yearolds, 11-year-olds, and 12-year-olds — are chosen based on ability, coachability, and of course availability, in case the team makes a deep run into the All Star brackets. This year’s 11-year-old team represented Capitola-Soquel Little
Photo Credit: Tracey Waddell
Capitola-Soquel Little League 11-year-old All Stars: Back row (from left): Manager Steve Gray, Coach Don Waddell, Jacoby Vasquez, Diego Gutierrez, Cody Waddell, Brandon Jones, Anthony Skinner, Noah Magana, Jackson McGee, Coach Arnold Vasquez. Front row (from left): Donovan Guzman, Nolan Summerrill, Zachary Gray, Ryan Miller, Hudson Sanden, Drake Coleman League with sportsmanship, teamwork, and a bunch of wins. The Capitola-Soquel squad started
its All Star season in the District 39 tournament, a double-elimination tournament at Franich Park in Prunedale. The CSLL
11-year-olds went undefeated en route to their District Championship, outscoring opponents 61-11 in four games, including two hard-fought wins against a strong and well-coached Aptos team. With a District Championship in hand, the CSLL All Stars headed to Los Gatos for the Section 5 Championship Tournament. Historically, CSLL teams that win the district and head to Sectionals find themselves overmatched by the larger leagues over the hill. This year, however, CSLL showed they belonged up against anyone. They won two games against a solid Santa Teresa (San Jose) Little League team, and ended up finishing second in the tournament, losing two close battles to the Section champions from Los Gatos Little League. The Capitola-Soquel team was full of hard-working young ballplayers with great attitudes who were always respectful in victory and gracious in defeat. “Little League” page 14
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 11
CALIFORNIA NEWS
Recall Candidates Knocked Out; Some Get Back on Ballot By Jondi Gumz
M
ore than 80 hopefuls filed intentions to knock out Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall election Sept. 14, but half of those names were knocked out after failing to file follow-up paperwork on time. One got back on the ballot after suing Secretary of State Shirley Weber, contending he had properly filed and getting a favorable ruling from a judge, who tossed out the new requirement to submit five years of federal tax returns.
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Who Are The Candidates? Democrats: Holly Baade, John Drake, Patrick Kilpatrick, Jacqueline McGowan, Kevin Pathrath, Armando Perez-Serrano, Brandon Ross, Joel Ventresca, and David Watts. Republicans: David Bramante, John Cox, Larry Elder, Kevin Faulconer, Rhonda Furin, Ted Gaines, Sam Gallucci, David Hillberg, Caitlyn Jenner, Kevin Kiley, Chauncey Killens, Jenny Rae LeRoux, Steve Chavez Lodge, David Lozano, Diego Martinez, Daniel Mercuri, Robert Newman II, Doug Ose, Sarah Stephens, Denver Stoner, Joe Symmon, Anthony Trimino, Nickolas Wildstar, and Leo Zacky. Green Party: Heather Collins, and Daniel Kapelowitz. Libertarian: Jeff Hewitt. No party preference: Angelyne, James Hanink, Kevin Kaul, Michael Loebs, Denis Lucey, Jeremy Marciniak, David Moore, Adam Papagan, Dennis Richter, and Major Singh. On July 12, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge James Arguelles ruled Gov. Newsom cannot be listed as a Democrat on the ballot because he missed the deadline on Feb. 28, 2020, to designate his party affiliation. Newsom contended it was a good faith error in responding to the recall notice. Orrin Heatlie, 52, of Folsom, a retired sheriff’s sergeant, began the recall process in 2020. He told the Desert Sun he was motivated by a video of the governor instructing immigrants in the country illegally not to open their doors to law enforcement unless officers had a warrant.
Elder, a radio talk show host on the ballot as “broadcast/author,” was initially left off the candidates’ list by the Secretary of State. He contended the official overstepped authority by requiring tax returns for recall candidates. Tax returns are required for gubernatorial candidates in a primary under a 2019 law, and Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie Earl agreed with Elder that a recall is not a primary and tax returns are not required. Furin, a nonprofit president, also got back on the ballot over the same issue. Faulconer, former mayor of San Diego, sued Weber because she disallowed his preferred ballot designation, “retired San Diego mayor.” He lost in court, and is listed at “businessman/educator.” Paffrath, 29, a real estate broker and investor, sued to use “MeetKevin,” the name of his YouTube channel with 1.68 million followers. He lost and is listed as “financial educator/analyst.” Bramante, a “Realtor/multifamily developer,” and Cox, a “businessman/ accountant/father,” declined to accept voluntary limits on campaign spending. All the others accepted. Mail Ballots In August he recall ballot has two parts. First, voters can choose “yes” or “no” to the question of whether to remove the governor from office. Second, the voter can pick a replacement candidate. The order of the names is based on a randomized alphabet drawing July 19 by the Secretary of State’s office.
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“Recall” page 19
IN MEMORIAM
Larry Robert Hattis
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June 13, 1950 - July 2, 2021
ith great sadness, we mourn the loss of Larry Robert Hattis, 71, of Soquel. Larry passed peacefully July 2 at his home, one day before his 31st marriage anniversary to the love of his life, Lisa Sheridan. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a high school teacher, a Realtor, and an active member of the community in Soquel. He was born at Saint Joseph’s Hospital on June 13, 1950 in Santa Monica, and graduated from Morningside High School in Inglewood in 1968. He then attended San Jose State where he earned his bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in English, specializing in speech. Larry wore many hats, but none were more important to him than his role as a father and husband. His humor, patience, and playfulness made him a fun-loving, supportive father. Lisa and Larry supported each other in their individual pursuits while also working together as business partners. As a couple, they traveled the world together, shared a passion for local activism, and never missed a Friday date night. For anyone who knew him, Larry considered work to be his hobby. His two passions were teaching and real estate. Larry was a high school teacher for 45 years at Soquel High School, winning speech and debate championships and national awards. He coached the Soquel High Mock Trial Team and mentored many speakers for Rotary and Lions Club competitions. In the early 1980s Larry began his real estate career along with teaching and later became a partner and owner of Thunderbird Real Estate. Never taking a day off, he would always answer the phone — “Larry here” — with his charismatic voice. His partners, students, and clients became some of his closest friends and continued to stay in Larry’s life for decades.
For anyone who knew him, Larry considered work to be his hobby. His two passions were teaching and real estate.
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Larry reveled in playful banter and was a true prankster. He was a man of many interests. He enjoyed intergalactic and sci-fi entertainment including Star Trek, Star Wars, Marvel movies, and comic books. A true intellectual, Larry was passionate about history, music, trivia, politics, and storytelling. He loved being surrounded by friends and family when watching major sporting events and playing endless rounds of pingpong. Larry will be remembered as a kid at heart, a true optimist, and always seeing things in a positive light. He would often say, “Today is going to be a great day.” Larry is survived by his wife, Lisa Sheridan, his daughters Anna and Kaila Hattis, her husband Zachary Bachmeier, grandson Bodhi Bachmeier, his brother Dale Hattis, and his dog, Charlie. A kind act of charity can be made in Larry’s memory for educational opportunities to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, attention “Larry Hattis Memorial Fund,” https://cfscc.fcsuite. com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=2947 His wife Lisa Sheridan said, “We plan to donate toward educational opportunities or individuals and programs that included speech, mock trial and/or hopefully Soquel High programs that did this. He loved Soquel High!” More than 200 people attended his memorial at Anna Jean Cummings Park. For those who would like to hear the celebration of life speeches — speeches he would have been proud of — visit https://www.lastingmemories.com/ memorial/larry-robert-hattis. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 13
“Museum Curator ” from page 9 Once we are past Covid, Deborah hopes to develop some costumed walking tours of the Village. She is excited about the Museum’s future and very proud to be the one chosen to tell the history of her hometown. The transition from Frank to Deborah has been smooth sailing so far. The Museum’s current exhibit “Capitola – Then & Now” was installed in the spring of 2020 but was only open to the public for a few weeks due to the pandemic shutdown. That is why it was decided to keep the exhibit up through 2021 so everyone can enjoy Frank Perry’s hard work on the final exhibit he created for the Museum. The admission-free Capitola Historical Museum at 410 Capitola Ave. is open on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. Under Deborah’s direction we recently published our latest newsletter.
Frank Perry created the “Capitola — Then & Now” exhibit for the 2020 season. Since the exhibit had to close prematurely due to the pandemic shutdown, it will now be kept up through December 2021. Capitola Sunset Summer 2021 is available on the Museum web site: https://www. cityofcapitola.org/capitola-museum Your Capitola Museum Board is honored to serve Deborah Osterberg, and, at the same time, we are happy for Frank Perry in his retirement. That is a win/win for you and for our hometown museum. n
“Little League” from page 11
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The team included: Drake Coleman (outfield), Zachary Gray (infield, pitcher, catcher), Diego Gutierrez (outfield, infield), Donovan Guzman (catcher, infield, outfield), Brandon Jones (infield), Noah Magana (infield, pitcher), Jackson McGee (outfield, infield), Ryan Miller (outfield), Hudson Sanden (outfield), Anthony Skinner (infield, pitcher, catcher), Nolan Summerrill (infield, outfield, pitcher), Jacoby Vasquez (infield), and Cody Waddell (infield, outfield, pitcher). Joining Steve Gray on the game-day coaching staff were Arnold Vasquez and Don Waddell, as well as amazing practice coaching from Josh Coleman, Nestor Guzman, Doug Jones, Alex Magana, and Don Skinner. Team moms, dads, grandparents, and other loved ones were invaluable in keeping the team healthy, happy, fed, and hydrated throughout the season. For those wishing to get their sons or daughters – as young as 4 and as old as 12 – learning and playing the great game of baseball this coming spring, keep an eye on www.csllbaseball.com. Registration for the spring season will open this fall.
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Noah Magana • Photo Credit: Tracey Waddell
Anthony Skinner • Photo Credit: Tracey Waddell
Steve Gray is manager of the Capitola-Soquel Little League 11-Year-Old All Stars. n ••• Game Results June 26 (District 39 Tournament) Capitola-Soquel 30, Scotts Valley 0 June 28 Capitola-Soquel 16, Santa Cruz 1 June 30 Capitola-Soquel 9, Aptos 6 July 10 (District 39 Championship) Capitola-Soquel 6, Aptos 4 July 16 (Section 5 Tournament) Capitola-Soquel 13, Santa Teresa 3 July 17 Capitola-Soquel 4, Los Gatos 8 July 19 Capitola-Soquel 5, Santa Teresa 3 July 20 (Section 5 Championship) Capitola-Soquel 3, Los Gatos 5
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 15
“COVID Update” from page 10 Hesitancy? vaccination gap exists locally, with a smaller percentage of people in their 20s and 30s getting the vaccine compared to those 40 and older. Cabrillo College in Aptos is requiring students on campus this fall to be vaccinated — same policy at University of California and CSU campuses. Health officials have coined the term “vaccine hesitancy” to describe people chosing not to get the vaccine. Some are concerned about long-term side effects, and since the vaccines were created and tested in a year, those results are not available yet. Some found the online websites to sign up for a shot to be glitchy. Others may have jobs that do not allow time off, or they may be parents staying at home caring for young children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an increased number of deaths reported after a COVID-19 vaccination. Between Dec. 14, 2020, through July 19, 2021, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) received 6,207 reports of death among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC’s website says, “Reports of adverse events to VAERS following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem.” This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which granted emergency use of the COVID vaccines, requires healthcare providers to report any death after a COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS, even if it’s unclear whether the vaccine was the cause. A review of clinical information, including death certificates, autopsy, and medical records, has not established a causal link to COVID-19 vaccines, according to the CDC. Fortunately the number of local fatalities, 207, has not budged, since June. Pop-Up Clinics op-up vaccine clinics will take place with the help of San Lorenzo Valley Rotary at 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. July 31, Aug. 7
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and Aug. 21 at Liberty Bank in Boulder Creek. The Pfizer first dose and the Johnson & Johnson one-shot will be available July 31, with a gift card from a local business as a reward. Pfizer second doses and Johnson & Johnson will be available on the August dates, with the promised gift card reward. Barrios Unidos, 1817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, Pfizer first dose and Johnson & Johnson, available during food distribution 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 21. El Pajaro Community Devclopment Corp. commercial kitchen in Watsonville will hostSalud Para Gente at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 7, offering Pfizer second dose and Johnson & Johnson. Watsonville YMCA will host a vaccine clinic with the county 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 11 in Watsonville, offering Pfizer second dose and Johnson & Johnson. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz, will host a clinic noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug 13, offering the Pfizer second dose and Johnson & Johnson. On June 15, the state reopened for business after crimping life for more than a year to knock out the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected 3,786,031 and took more than 63,000 lives statewide. The number of state cases is fewer after data cleanup. Vaccines are available to everyone 12 years and older. There is no approved vaccine for younger children, but there is little evidence of spread by young schoolage children. Visit www.myturn.ca.gov or call 2-1-1 to find a vaccination site or see santacruzhealth.org For COVID data, see: https://covid.cdc. gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view. Hiring ith the June 15 reopening, the tourism and ag economy in Santa Cruz County has rebounded, adding 2,200 jobs in ag, and 600 in food service and hotels between mid-May and mid-June, boosting the total jobs in the county to 105,400. Still, 9,200 people are jobless. June unemployment was 6.9% down from 12.2% a year ago. In Capitola, Wells Fargo is looking for a teller, Gamestop needs retail staff, and the city is recruiting for a police chief to success Terry McManus who is retiring. Persephone restaurant in Aptos is hiring. Dollar Store in Scotts Valley needs stockers. In Santa Cruz, the Continental Inn is hiring for all positions and offering a $250 bonus while McDonald’s on Ocean St. is offering $15 an hour. The Toll eaths from COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County have leveled off at 207, with 50 percent of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a percentage that was higher early in the pandemic. Locally, 79 percent of those who died were age 70 or older and 78 percent had other health conditions. n •••
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D Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Wild Roots Market in Felton posts its mask policy. 16 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
Mask policies varied before county health officials recommended masking indoor as a precaution against the COVID Delta variant, which is more easily spread. County COVID Deaths: 207 As of July 21 Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 44 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 7 30 to 39: 5 Race/Ethnicity White: 115 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 161 • No: 46 Gender Male: 103 • Female: 104 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 • Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4 Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2 Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2 Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • La Posada: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 • Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 103 Not at a facility: 104 COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 839 • Ben Lomond: 128 Boulder Creek: 160 • Capitola: 470 Felton: 162 • Freedom: 1,007 Santa Cruz: 4,073 • Scotts Valley: 461 Soquel: 367 • Watsonville: 8,201 Unincorporated: 269 Under investigation: 288 Total: 16,472 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health ••• Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com or call 831688-7549 x17.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Capitola Beach Festival Preview T he Capitola Beach Festival, canceled last year by the pandemic, is returning at the end of September, with the help of volunteers. For the third annual festival, the theme is “Community Spirit.” For those who remember the Begonia Festival, many of the activities are the same, family friendly and free: Sand Sculpture Contest, Children’s Art, Chalk Art on the Seawall, Horseshoes Tournament in the Sand, Fishing Derby on Capitola Wharf, and Rowboat Races on Soquel Creek. Again, the Festival is partnering with Wharf to Wharf for a 3-mile fun run on Saturday.
The Lighted Nautical Parade is scheduled for Saturday night to light up Soquel Creek. Plans are underway for a possible Saturday afternoon concert in Esplanade Park. The Festival team invites you to join in all of these outdoor activities at Capitola Beach. Dance, play in the sand, fish, row a boat, and watch the parade. Join the festival’s volunteer team and be a part of bringing back our “Community Spirit” and help them make this all happen. For more information and to register for events visit capitolabeachfestival.com.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 17
COMMUNITY NEWS
Water Shortage Emergency Extended to Spring O n June 15, the Soquel Creek Water District Board voted to extend the Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency until Spring 2022 due to the chronic overdraft of the groundwater basin and the threat of seawater intrusion. Under a Stage 3 Shortage, the water district asks customers to voluntarily limit water use to an average of 50 gallons per person per day or around 2 billing units per person per month, follow all Stage 3 water restrictions, and comply with water waste rules which are always in effect. Soquel Creek Water District declared a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency in 2014 due to the community’s long-term groundwater supply shortage and the threat of seawater, salty water from the ocean entering freshwater aquifer, making parts or possibly all of the aquifer unusable. The conservation goal in 2021 and early 2022 is to collectively use 25% less water than the expected highest usage of 2,900 acre-feet per year. To achieve this goal, Soquel Creek Water District staff are encouraging an efficient residential water use of 50 gallons per person per day or less. More information about the water shortage declaration can be found in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan at https:// tinyurl.com/sqcwd-urban-water-report ••• Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency Guidelines • Efficient Water Use Guideline: Efficient water use is defined as an annual
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average of 50 gallons per person, per day. This is a general guideline only as each household is unique. • Car Washing Restriction: Use of a recycled water car wash is preferred. However, vehicles may be washed at home if done efficiently. This means any of the three methods: A waterless spray, a bucket and hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, and/or a pressure washer. All methods should minimize water running off of the property. • Exterior Structure Washing Restriction: No exterior washing of structures unless for sanitation and health purposes, or if preparing to paint or stain and a pressure washer is used. • Save Water Signage Requirement: Businesses and institutions must display provided signage encouraging conservation and reporting of water waste. Contact staff for free signs: Call Shelley Flock, 831-4758501, ext. 156, or email shelleyf@ soquelcreekwater.org Soquel Creek Water District has been in Stage 3 since 2014 due to the community’s long-term groundwater supply shortage and the threat of seawater intrusion to our water supply. Our conservation goal in 2021 and early 2022 is to collectively use 25% less water than our expected highest usage of 2,900 acre-feet per year. To achieve this goal, district staff encourages an efficient residential water use of 50 gallons per person per day or less. More information about the water shortage declaration can be found in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. n ••• Editor’s note: Residents in Soquel Creek Water District, share your water efficiency tips with your neighbors and email them to Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times. com by noon Friday, August 20, for the Sept. 1 issue.
“Beach Festival” from page 17
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e know our readers want to know what’s on the schedule so they can make plans. Here you go: ••• Saturday, Sept. 25 Little Wharf 3 MILER Fun Run 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Wharf-to-Wharf Race Committee presents a 3-mile fun run at 8 a.m. in the East Cliff Shopping Center located on East Cliff Drive near 16th Avenue. The course will follow East Cliff Drive to 41st Avenue, onto Opal Cliff Drive to Cliff Drive, and then down Cliff Drive across the Stockton Avenue Bridge, onto Esplanade, and concluding near San Jose Avenue. Must preregister. Shuttles available. Sand Sculpture Contest 8 a.m. – Noon; Award at 1 p.m. Registration online or on Capitola Beach at 8 a.m. Trophy judging at 12:30 p.m. Children’s Art 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sign up at Esplanade Park. Children pre-school age and above are welcome to create their own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade for all to enjoy! All tools for art project provided. Music at the Beach 4 – 6 p.m. (Tentative) Music and dancing in Esplanade Park.
Lighted Nautical Parade on Soquel Creek Approximately 7–8 p.m. Enjoy a parade of lighted barges as they travel down the river to the Lagoon. Float builders who wish to light up a barge must preregister online or with Thea – the number of barges is limited to 6. There will be no access to the trestle during the Lighted Parade. ••• Sunday, Sept. 26 Fishing Derby 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. near the end of the Wharf. Bring your own fishing poles. Open to all ages. Final tally begins at 11 a.m. Horseshoes on the Sand 7 a.m. – Finish Double’s tournament at Capitola Beach in front of Zelda’s Restaurant. Teams will be chosen by drawing names from a hat. Participants must pre-register online or (831) 419-6399. Check-in time 7-8 AM Chalk Art on the Seawall 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sign up at Esplanade Park. Children pre-school age and above are welcome to create their own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade for all to enjoy! Art chalk provided. Rowboat Races 1 p.m. – Finish Registration at the pathway by the Stockton Bridge from NOON until 1 PM. Timed heats on Soquel Creek with two people per boat — Boats are supplied! n
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Multi-talented artist Sally Bookman created this watercolor scene for the 2021 Capitola Beach Festival. “Recall” from page 12 Military and overseas voters are to be mailed ballots 45 days before the Sept. 14 election day, which is July 31. Ballots start to be mailed to active registered voters living in California will begin to be mailed 29 days, which is Aug. 15. Every vote-by-mail ballot comes with a first-class prepaid postage return envelope. Santa Cruz County residents, if unregistered, have until Aug. 30 to register to vote, according to Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber, who is in charge of local elections after the retirement of Gail Pellerin.
If you miss that deadline, you can still vote if you vote in person and do it at the county Election office, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz – where you must pay for parking -or take advantage of same-day registration on Sept. 14. PVUSD Recall hirteen days after the governor recall election, signatures to recall Georgia Acosta from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 27. Visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ upcoming-elections/2021-ca-gov-recall. ••• What issues would you like to see covered? Email editor Jondi Gumz at into@cyber-times.com. Put “Gov Recall Issues” in the subject line.
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20 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
FEATURED COLUMNIST
California Succotash
CASA CARES ABOUT BEING THERE. NO MATTER WHAT.
(with Tarragon)
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ugust is Wellness Month — a perfect time to think about cooking healthy and delicious. Our first recipe comes from chef-photographer Poppy DeGarmo. She graduated from Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco in 1993, interned at French restaurant La Folie, became a sous-chef at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, joined Bon Appetit Magazine, and cooked for “Nash Bridges” TV show cast & crew on Treasure Island. She lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains and has volunteered seven years at Grey Bears, teaching cooking. She uses local seasonal vegetables for personal and planetary health reasons. Her website is www.poppydegarmo.com “I call this dish California Succotash because I add more than the traditional lima beans and corn,” she said. “I replace lima beans with edamame, for extra protein and fiber. Squash and corn are in season as well as bell peppers. And fresh tarragon adds the extra touch and taste that is unusual and delicious.” ••• Ingredients 1 glug of olive oil 1 bag frozen edamame 3 ears of fresh corn, cut off the cob 2 bell peppers, diced 3 small squash, diced
a bunch of tarragon salt + pepper a few splashes of water ••• Directions Add a bit of olive oil to a frying pan Add edamame, corn, peppers, and squash (you can add any other chopped vegetable or cherry tomatoes) Add a little water so that the veggies steam a bit, on low heat, but don’t cook too long. You want the peppers and corn to have a little crispness. Add the chopped tarragon, salt, and pepper. Delicious! n
Share A Recipe!
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o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Capitola-Soquel Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member. Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish. Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!
Join us for an online information meeting to learn more about how you can be there for a child in foster care. All it takes is 2 hours a week to make a lifetime of an impact. CA SAOFSA N TA C R U Z. O RG / SI G NU P 831 . 7 6 1. 29 5 6
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22 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
FEATURED COLUMNIST
National Water Quality Month:
Your Water is Clean, Safe and High Quality By Rebecca Gold Rubin
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very August is National Water Quality Month, and it’s a great opportunity to remind ourselves of how important clean, high-quality water is every day, to every person, to our environment and wildlife, and to our entire planet. Especially in a drought, we must remember to protect the quality of our drinking water, our lakes and waterways, and our oceans. Ensuring water quality is at the very core of the District’s everyday work. We are focused on providing safe, high-quality water to meet our community’s present and future needs. All of the water we supply to our customers is from the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin, and we regularly test that water from each of our groundwater wells to ensure it is clean and safe. In fact, we test for over 140 possible contaminants, and then report the results to the community in our annual Water Quality Report (you can see it online at soquelcreekwater.org). Any contaminants that may be found are removed or reduced to safe levels through our treatment process, in compliance with State and Federal Drinking Water Standards, before water is pumped into the distribution system.
We’re proud to report that the water delivered to you meets or exceeds all of those standards. And, we are committed to maintaining those high standards, as water quality regulations continue to evolve and become even more stringent. You can read our 2020 Water Quality Report at soquelcreekwater.org/210/ Water-Quality-Report. As this is Water Quality Month, I thought it would be fun to share with you a few ideas to help you and your family do your part in keeping our water quality to the very highest standards. How many of these are you already doing? How many more can you put into regular practice? • Put nothing but water down storm drains. Water in those drains flows to our natural waterways, the groundwater, and the ocean, taking with it any contaminants or trash it may contain. Only stormwater and other clean water should go into storm drains — no litter, chemicals, soaps, pool water, or other water that contains harsh chemicals. • Decrease polluted runoff on your property by replacing paved surfaces, where possible, with low-water-use landscaping or porous surfaces.
• Avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These can easily wash off your property and enter the natural water system, ending up in waterways. • Choose non-toxic cleaners, avoid antibacterial soaps, and never put medications down the drain or toilet. • Pick up after your pets — that waste material can also get washed away into the storm drains. • Check your vehicles for fluid leaks — this ends up on the street and eventually into the natural water system. • Try to patronize “green” car washes that recycle their water. The District’s water quality goals are a big part of the new supplemental water supply coming to the District — Pure Water Soquel. This project will put recycled water (purple pipe water) through an additional, three-step advanced purification process: Microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation. The result is purified water of neardistilled quality. The purified water will be
pumped underground to recharge the groundwater basin, providing a drought-proof supply of clean, safe water, and creating a barrier to seawater contamination (that is already occurring in some areas). The quality (and quantity — 1,500 acrefeet per year!) of this purified water is of great importance to not only the District and its customers, but to Santa Cruz, Central Water District, and the thousands of others who share the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin. I encourage you to learn more about National Water Quality Month at national waterqualitymonth.org and about the relatively small amount of fresh water we have on planet Earth. Protecting that water quality starts right here, in a partnership between the District and the community we serve. Together, we are contributing to our water quality — and what we and others do on a local basis, will in turn contribute positively to the worldwide issue of water quality. n www.soquelcreekwater.org
This FM 100 App Doesn’t Work. Can I Get My Money Back? By Christopher Elliott The FM 100 app installed in Matthew Scothorn’s kitchen doesn’t work. The manufacturer knows it. But can he get a refund? ••• ast year, we bought two faucets, an on-demand water heater with filters, and a little gizmo called the FM 100 for just over $1,000 from Franke Kitchen Systems. This FM 100 is a device that gives you readings on your water and filter usage and, along with an app called Still Pure, updates you as to their status. Sounds smart. Nothing I could do would make the FM 100 and the app work. I spent weeks coming back to it over and over, trying to get the system to work, assuming that I was doing something wrong. I contacted Franke customer service, and they told me that they’ve long known that The FM 100 and The Still Pure app never really worked. I was pretty shocked.
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I asked if they had informed local kitchen and bath showroom distributors and suppliers of this, and they said no. I asked them why they are still selling the parts touting their helpful features -- the ones that they know do not work -- and they said that they intend to keep selling the parts until they are sold out and then just not offer them anymore. They refused to refund me for the part. They also had no comment on the money I had spent to have this all installed or the money it would cost to remove it, nor any advice about whether I should keep it and whether it might work in the future. Why is Franke selling things that they know do not work simply because they still have stock? Shouldn’t they recall the items or at the very least tell suppliers to stop selling them? Franke should refund $717. That’s how much it cost for the FM 100, plus the amount that it will cost to have it removed, plus the
initial cost to have it installed -- unless, of course, they plan to have a new app that will make it work, in which case I would keep it. — Matthew Scothorn, Chicago ••• company should never sell a product that doesn’t work, of course. But when I researched the FM 100, I found it for sale online — and with a 4 ½ star review, no less. So does the FM 100 work or not? After reading the reviews, I would certainly consider buying one. But after reading your case, I would not. You could have reached out to one of the executives at Franke. They’ve listed on the Franke website: https://www.franke.com/ franke-group/en/about-franke/companyorganization.html. Email addresses at Franke are formatted firstname.lastname@franke. com. I reviewed the correspondence between you and the company. It doesn’t show that Franke knew it was selling a defective
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product. You say a customer service agent told you that by phone. I think Franke might want to review that call to find out what its agents are saying. If that’s true, and if Franke knows the FM 100 doesn’t work, I’d say we have a problem. I contacted Franke on your behalf. A representative responded that “the matter has been resolved” but didn’t offer any additional information. So I checked with you. “They contacted me with a complete attitude change,” you told me. “They apologized for the treatment and statements they had previously given to me.” Franke agreed to refund your purchase and installation costs, as well as the cost for a plumber to remove the device. n ••• Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@ elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www.elliott.org/help. © 2021 Christopher Elliott.
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FEATURED COLUMNIST
Capitola Revives Concerts & Sunday Art, Starts Food Truck Fridays
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ummer is upon us and there is a lot going on in the City of Capitola. As State regulations change and we look to a safer new beginning as we emerge from the pandemic, I am eager and excited to enter the warmer months. I know safety is a concern for all of us, so please continue to follow CDC guidelines. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ index.html Capitola Wharf Coastal Development Permit he Public Works Department is pleased to announce completion of a milestone for the Capitola Wharf rehabilitation project. The City’s Coastal Development Permit was formally approved at the July 8 Coastal Commission Meeting, almost an entire year after submittal on July 21, 2020. This collaborative effort was headed by the Public Works Department and our engineering consultant Moffatt & Nichol, with support from the Historical Museum and the Planning Department. Next steps include securing an Army Corps of Engineers permit, updating the Planning Commission, and preparing to bid Phase 1 with Council approval. Clares Street Public Workshop he Public Works Department hosted a virtual public workshop for Clares Street on June 30. There was a lot of input and support from the community. The presentation and a survey is posted on the City website and will be posted on social media to allow for additional participation. Next steps include reviewing and incorporating the comments received with our design team, Kimley Horn, and PS&E development in preparation to bid the project with Council approval this year. For presentation and the survey visit www.cityofcapitola.org/publicworks/ page/clares-street-improvement-projectcommunity-workshop Capitola Art Hike All Summer he City of Capitola is happy to be partnered with the County Park Friends, Santa Cruz County Parks, and the other cities in our county for a first-of-its-kind experience of healing and positivity. You are invited to the Art Walk through beautiful Capitola all summer long! Find all 5 frames, painted by local artists, installed along the path. The artist-painted frames put the
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By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola
focus on our beautiful parks, places and — you! Come enjoy nature, take a photo, be inspired and Get Outside The Frame! To learn more and to download the map visit: www.countyparkfriends.org/ capoutsidetheframe.html Summer Events e are excited to welcome back the community with music and fun for all! The Twilight Concert Series began Wednesday, July 14, featuring Extra Large. The Twilight Concerts take place weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Esplanade Bandstand, with the last concert Sept. 1. The City of Capitola, Art and Cultural Commission, and Recreation Division want to thank our sponsors for making these events possible, especially after the summer 2020 COVID-19 hiatus. Sunday Art at the Beach njoy an afternoon on the beach with the opportunity to view and purchase quality artwork including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and mixed media by local artists. Our first Art at the Beach started July 18 from followed by two more shows on Aug 1 and Aug. 15 from 11 am. to 5 p.m. Booths will be set up along the Esplanade. All Sunday Art events are familyfriendly and free for the public to enjoy. Friday Food Truck Series apitola Recreation is launch its Friday Food Truck series in Monterey Park. The first event will be July 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. The event includes a musical performance by Papiba & Friends and a beer garden hosted by the Junior Guards Parent’s Club. The City will host two more Food Truck Fridays on Aug. 27 and Sept. 24. Capitola ADU Questionnaire nder new state laws, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are now allowed in all residential zones within California. The State has granted the City of Capitola funds to create pre-approved ADU plans available at no charge to Capitola residents, aiming to save applicants a significant amount of time and money in the planning and building permitting process. The City of Capitola is seeking input from Capitola residents on what they would like to see in terms of size, number
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of bedrooms, architectural style, and features for the pre-approved ADU designs with a survey: https://tinyurl.com/ cap-ADU-questions New Capitola Museum Curator he City of Capitola welcomes Deborah Osterberg as our new Capitola Historical Museum Curator. Deborah’s first experience with a museum collection came as Sequoia National Park organizing materials for their centennial. Then, she took on her first permanent full-time position with the National Park Service at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in Danville. Deborah has finally come back home and we are thrilled to have her. Outgoing Museum Curator Frank Perry shared in the museum’s Capitola Sunset Newsletter: “I am going to miss the monthly meetings with board members, all of whom I consider friends, and the weekly chats with volunteers. Although I am retiring as curator, I will be continuing to be involved with local history and local museums as a volunteer. No doubt our paths will cross again.” Congratulations Frank on your retirement! A Call For Volunteers he Capitola Historical Museum is now open and looking for volunteers to help during open hours — Thurs-Sun 12-4 p.m. Whether you have volunteered at the Capitola Historical Museum in the past, have ever thought about volunteering or if this is the first time you considered it, we need your help. For information call 831-464-0322 or email capitolamuseum@gmail.com Employee Highlight eet Lorrie Wilson, a bright light for more than 20 years at the City of Capitola as the administrative assistant supporting the Chief of Police. Capitola Police Chief Terry McManus describes Lorrie as “presenting a professional and loyal demeanor that is reflective of the necessary trust needed and shared between the Chief of Police and his Administrative Assistant. She is passionate about our police department and our continued need to engage with all parts of the Capitola community.” Police Capt. Andy Dally worked with Lorrie for over 20 years and says, “She is
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Mayor Yvette Brooks, Councilwoman Kristen Petersen and Councilwoman Margaux Kaiser — the first women majority council in Capitola — pose with artist Brittany Costanzo’s art frame on the wharf. It’s one of five available to visit to make memories in Capitola, thanks to Friends of County Parks’ Art Hike. Details: countyparkfriends.org an amazing person who is a true asset to the citizens of Capitola. She is very accommodating, organized, and always willing to help. Lorrie is a modest person and I value her patience and consideration for other people.” The City of Capitola is indeed lucky to benefit from Lorrie’s many contributions. Capitola Police Officer Recognized fficer Tony Mendoza was recognized by CHP and NorCal AAA as a recipient of the annual Auto Theft Award honoring law enforcement officers’ for their expertise related to locating stolen vehicles and conducting thorough investigations that lead to the issuance of criminal charges against offenders. Please join me in congratulating Officer Mendoza for his receipt of this prestigious award. n ••• As always should you have any questions feel free to email me at brooksforcitycouncil@ gmail.com. You can also email citycouncil@ ci.capitola.ca.us and your note will automatically be sent to all five Councilmembers, the City Clerk, and the City Manager.
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FEATURED COLUMNIST
A New Summer School and A New School Year
Classes Averaging 12 Students for Eight Weeks to Boost Learning By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” — Victor Hugo ••• t has been such a relief to open our doors back up for in-person learning. While we learned many valuable lessons that will improve our educational system through distance learning and the COVID-19 pandemic, having students back on our campuses is a wonderful feeling. It’s something none of us will ever take for granted, that’s for sure. We want those school doors opened more than ever to support our students. That’s why we significantly ramped up our summer school program in both length and breadth. We extended our summer school program to a full eight weeks, most of the summer break between school years. The program was divided into two four-week sessions to increase the chances that at least one of the sessions worked for family schedules. Typically our program is about half that long. We held summer school at all four of our comprehensive school campuses (Soquel Elementary, Main Street, Santa
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Cruz Gardens, and New Brighton Middle School), whereas we would host the whole program at a single school in the past. We wanted our summer school program to be easily accessible to students and families. Other enhancements included small class sizes and “Site Leads” on each campus. We kept the class size average to 12 students. There is no better way to enhance learning than to allow a capable teacher to work with small groups and individual students. We also hired a Site Lead at each of the four campuses. These folks did an outstanding job of being the point-person to support the other teachers in the program, ensuring students had a safe and nurturing environment, answering parent questions, and generally providing the program ran smoothly. Of course, the curriculum was the other key component in making sure we ran a successful program. With the impact of COVID-19 in mind, we concentrated on accelerating student learning. Simultaneously, summer school has to be a place students look forward to attending. We focused intervention efforts on culturally and linguistically responsive texts, leveled curriculum, and student-interest-based thematic units. Having such small classes allowed our teachers to tailor instruction to students’ strengths to ensure the instruction was rigorous and engaging. Student progress was monitored by both daily engagement and product analysis and a formal diagnostic assessment. The social-emotional impact of the pandemic on our students cannot be overlooked. As such, we funded our school nurse and a school counselor to be a part of summer school. We integrated “Social Emotional Learning” practices into summer school instruction. This means we took steps to ensure students felt connected and comfortable at school, so they were ready for learning. The summer school program staff worked closely with our Special Education summer program, Extended School Year, to create an inclusive learning environment for all students. The small-group settings afforded instruction in specialized programs by
trained staff for particular students where appropriate. All the effort made in designing and implementing our enhanced summer school program aimed to ensure equity to help decrease gaps in achievement
gaps and in educational opportunities. The program was made possible through months of extensive planning by a dedicated team of district stakeholders. “Summer School” page 26
Legendary Athletes
ACROSS
1. *Baseball’s “The Say Hey Kid” 5. TV tube in days of yore 8. Proof of age, pl. 11. Medicinal succulent 12. Toward shelter, nautically 13. White heron 15. Poet ____ Angelou 16. Where a bib is tied 17. Taste like grapes 18. *First African American to play in MLB 20. Chap or fella 21. Do like Etna 22. Auction set 23. Property defacer
26. Italian vermouth brand 30. 2nd largest bird in world 31. Informal wear 34. “The Man Who ____ Too Much” 35. Relating to Scandinavia 37. Chicken ____ ____ king 38. Nearsited one 39. Bear in the sky 40. The largest Asian antelope 42. *Dolphin great ____ Marino 43. Reusable painting pattern 45. Stands out 47. Cotillion V.I.P. 48. Deli item 50. Cain’s brother 52. *a.k.a. The Great Bambino
55. Oyster gem 56. Dwarf buffalo 57. Algonquian people 59. Body trunk 60. Hay spot 61. *”Battle of the Sexes” champion 62. A in FANBOYS 63. Altitude, for short 64. “Comme ci, comme ça”
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1. Mom in Scotland 2. Wing-shaped 3. Walk-the-dog toy 4. Bottom of the ocean 5. Fastener 6. Move a plant 7. *Pele or Bob Feller when they debuted 8. Armenia’s neighbor 9. Cabinet div. 10. Dirty dwelling
12. Declares invalid 13. Encourage, two words 14. *NHL’s “The Great One” 19. Very angry 22. Type of English course, for short 23. Where women are from? 24. “To death” in France 25. Florence Nightingale, e.g. 26. Mountain goat terrain 27. Opposite of cathode 28. Himalayan country 29. *Track and field star of 1936 Olympics 32. Frozen rain 33. “____ at ease” 36. *He simultaneously played in MLB and NFL 38. Ginger beer in a cocktail, e.g.
40. Pen point 41. Sea in the Mediterranean 44. Yo-Yo Ma’s instrument 46. Talks like a chicken 48. Overfamiliar from overuse 49. Terminate, as in mission 50. Same as eon 51. Shakespeare, a.k.a. ____ of Avon 52. “Ali ____ and the 40 Thieves” 53. *Tinker, Evers and Chance, e.g. 54. Egg-layers 55. Parent volunteer organization 58. Id’s partner © Statepoint Media
Answers on 31 »
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Hercules, the Lion’s Skin & Two Full Moons
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Esoteric Astrology • August 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles
he Sun entered Leo last Thursday (July 29th) And the next night, Friday, we had a full moon (Leo solar festival). There are two full moons under Leo. The second occurs on the last day of Leo (August 22), nine hours before the Sun enters Virgo. Both full moons under Leo are Festivals of Sirius, with emphasis on the second full moon, as it occurs in the heart of the lion which is the star Regulus, the Law Giver. Regulus is the Royal Star and thus referred to as Magha, Maga or magic. Sirius flows through Leo, offering humanity love, intelligence, liberty and freedom, qualities much needed by humanity at this time of the Kali Yuga when the world is filled with darkness. Each of the 12 Labors (zodiacal Gates and signs) of Hercules is a story about the Light, the Soul and personality. Leo is the 5thgate, sign, labor and task for Hercules. He is to overcome the Nemean Lion (reactive personality) destroying the lands creating fear in the people. Hercules is courageous, strong and brave - Leos qualities. There are two lions in the story. One is the kingly lion, Hercules himself (the Soul). The other is ARIES
the animal lion (the roaring personality). The animal lion (uncontrolled personality) is “destroying the countryside” (one’s life). And so Hercules, alone and unafraid enters the world and tends to his labor. Eventually he hears the “Lion’s roar in all the land, especially in the evening air”, and comes upon a cave and entering it faces the fierce lion whose breath is fiery hot. Hercules grasps the lion by the throat and lifts him into the air holding him aloft “til the lion’s roars of hate subside”. Hercules overcomes the lion with great courage, strength and an act of will. And the great Teacher, looking on, said to Hercules, “The lion is dead, Hercules, but lions and serpents must be slain again and again. You have done well. Rest now.” Hercules in his task wore a lion’s skin. It informed the Teachers he was ready for testing and training. Humanity must now slip on its lions’ skin, gather its strength and courage, stand valiantly with resolve, pluck and willingness, and actually save the world from the “menacing lions”. For humanity’s tests have already begun.
LEO
You may struggle physically, emotionally and mentally to maintain equilibrium between desires, hopes, wishes, dreams and what is actually possible. It’s good to study the subject of sacrifice (from the heart) — the 1st Law of the Soul. At the center of sacrifice is Love ... a paradox. Love and sacrifice both come from the heart. We’re on Earth because we each chose to be here, leaving heaven to experience earth. You may not have known this before. You have chosen the Art of the Warrior as identity. Your companion is Mars, then Mercury. Spiritual warriors always win. TAURUS
You assess all relationships in terms of value. You must also assess what you value, whether you are of value, what value that may be, and then the values you offer others. Often you sense there is more you can offer, supply and give. Always you are to begin when giving with intentions for Goodwill which create Right Relations. You offer the goodness, kindness and stability of yourself in relationships. You know love isn’t a feeling.
SAGITTARIUS
Ponder upon how you want to be seen, known, admired, Life becomes subtler, slightly different, a bit inside out, upside praised and recognized in the world. Consider down, too. These changes in our lives awaken your identity as one who is called to use all many feelings. One is that of compassion. In your talents to build the new culture and cividaily life, tend to all debts and then give (tithe) lization. Leos are to nurture the new era at its to charity. Example of giving to those in need: foundational stages because Leos are leaders. Begin to share St. Jude’s Hospital; Doctors Without Borders; the Heifer Project. with everyone your thoughts, ideas, resources and discoveries These are difficult financial times for many. The spiritual law is about the future. Cultivate all creative gifts. Leo’s talents must what we give is returned ten-fold. When we give to others our life move from self to the community called humanity. in turn is cared for. You need deep and loving care. VIRGO
CAPRICORN
You’re coming into a new self-identity. You keep re-identifying yourself. Your newest identity is filled with thoughts of goodness and goodwill. It’s important to tend to the home. Its value is now and in the future. A certain set of teachings holds possibilities for greater Love & Wisdom. This study allows you to enter into the life stream of humanity through understanding the mysteries. Uranus asks if you’re studying astrology and the wisdom teachings consistently?
Things seem transformative at times, restricted other times. Then along comes joy streaming in from the garden through the back door. An interesting photography book to consider doing would be called Dinner in the Garden. Sometimes the days and evenings seem moody. And sometimes a new identity is forming with the sense of a new self. The river of life is taking you downstream into new territories, showing you new ideas for the new culture and civilization. What do you think is your part in its creation?
LIBRA
AQUARIUS
Tend to all things great and small, to all events and tasks both in between and necessary in daily life. Observe all habits, agendas, and how you serve the kingdoms around you. We evolve step-bystep, beginning with tending to our physical, then emotional, then mental bodies. Then we progress to the Soul. Each day “brood as a Soul upon the work, tasks and service for the coming day.” Emotions are then calmed. And the full moon shines upon you.
It’s a spiritual practice, especially in Leo to realize that one is valuable. Is this consideration as one who is of value difficult for you? If so make lists of all your gifts, abilities, talents, kindnesses, good deeds, thoughts, ideas and plans and all that you give. There you discover, realize and recognize your value. Place the lists on your walls, reading them each day. This knowledge of self as valuable harmonizes you. It’s the beginning of your self-identity as a server of Goodwill for humanity.
You see the need for nourishment of self and others. One source of nourishment is financial security in terms of home and land. Visualize a home on vast amounts of land. Include many small cottages, a barn or two, a large workspace for the arts, multiple gardens, fruit and nut trees, ponds, a communal professional kitchen, a lodge. See friends and loved ones living close by, Work daily on this through visualization. Draw and paint and talk about it. These begin to anchor your dream.
CANCER
SCORPIO
You reassess goals and aspirations, plans and agendas for the next two months. Interacting with nature (soil, trees, plants, air, sky, weather) is very important for your well-being. Make sure you’re out and about in the sun both morning and evening. Stand in nature, the most balanced kingdom. Its radiations strengthen your heart and mind, refocus your enthusiasm (“filled with God”), allowing calmness to emerge. Where is your garden and are the devas your companions?
Things, stars, people sometimes go into hiding. You understand this because hiding away for Scorpio is second nature. Sometimes you find someone else hiding away and make their acquaintance. There’s someone in your life of great value to you. They’re knowledgeable and have the skills needed for your next creative stage. They are concerned with humanity’s future. Call forth all your resources, using them to help others. Then you have a reason to come out of hiding. •••
You sense the need to be creative, to construct and build something. Returning to a previous, perhaps put-aside creative work allows you to reaffirm its importance in your life. There’s a renewed fire in the mind, calling you to two things. Laughter with a sense of play, much missed in your life since childhood. And a new level of creative work reflecting art and beauty . All parts of you yearn to create a close spiritual community, offering humanity refuge. It will appear in its right timing. It will be a paradise.
GEMINI
PISCES
Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
“Summer School” from page 25 Altogether, in both sessions, we served approximately 15% of our overall student population (231 students) in our summer school program! A question you may have is: “This all sounds great, but how did you afford such a robust program?” We were able to leverage part of the California Assembly Bill 86 COVID-19 relief funds afforded to California school districts — specifically, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant. We are very grateful to have the extra funds and proud to have used them immediately and directly to support students. Our approach is that there is no better use of those funds than to get small groups of students in our schools with excellent teachers. New Principal s we look forward to the 2021-22 school year, we are excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Eric Witter as the new principal of Soquel Elementary School. He is a resident of Santa Cruz County. His professional background is a perfect match for the school’s students, staff, and community. Mr. Witter is an experienced educator and administrator. He began his teaching career in the late Eric Witter 1990s and has served as a middle school assistant principal and elementary principal in Cupertino Union School District from 2010-2018. He recently successfully led the transition of Don Callejon School in Santa Clara Unified School District to become a K-8 school. He emphasizes collaboration, team building, and active listening. Everyone we spoke with emphasized Mr. Witter’s calm and caring communication skills. Mr. Witter states, “We do our best work when we collaborate effectively, and I have many years of experience leading teams toward student-centered goals.” He has a strong background in workshop instruction, Readers Workshop & Units of Study in Writing, which is the perfect fit for Soquel Elementary. When we began our search, we had hoped to find someone with three main characteristics: Experience as a principal, expertise in Readers Workshop, and a collaborative and caring leadership style. We are excited to have found someone in Mr. Eric Witter that fulfills all three. n ••• Scott J. Turnbull is superintendent of Soquel Union Elementary School District
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE IS BACK! Featuring professional actors from around the country and inspired by deep local roots that go back more than 40 years, Santa Cruz Shakespeare stages bold productions of the plays of Shakespeare and other great playwrights that stimulate audiences’ senses and spark their imagination. Santa Cruz Shakespeare performances take place in The Audrey Stanley Grove (or just “The Grove”) at Upper DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. ••• The Agitators: July 20- August 29 RII (Richard II): July 21- August 29 Tickets start at $25 For more info about SCS, visit https://santacruzshakespeare. org/season-2021/, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Due to limited capacity at the venue, people are encouraged to purchase tickets early. SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 On display thru Oct. 31 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East Lake Ave., Watsonville Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden. The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected more than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and collaborators. Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoor exhibit. Admission is free. Visitors can see works created by: Jamie Abbott • Cristy Aloysi • Susana Arias • Jeff Arnett • Nessy Barzilay • Michael Bashista • Lucia Bruer • Trudi Burney • Jay Capela • Lee Cavanaugh • Paul Cheney • Kathleen Crocetti • Sally Diggory • Franco Di Majo • Barbara Downs • Scott Graham • Leonard Groner • Roy Holmberg • William Hufmann • Kristen Kolbek • Marilyn Kuksht • Ron Lion • Lyn MacDonald • Mike McClellan • Kirk McNeill • Susan Megorden • Annie Morhauser • David Mudgett • Geoffrey Nicastro • Nancy Niles • Jeff Owen • Jane Reyes • Pierre Riche • Jewel Rogers • Mandy Spitzer • Judy Stabile • Richard Starks • Aaron Vanderkerckhove • Susan von Schmacht • Jenni Ward • Lea de Wit • April Zilber ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone meetings for caregivers throughout the month: Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney. Second Saturdays Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull. Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. ••• Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza. Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.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 virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by July 19 have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.
First and Third Monday Each Month SENIOR LIFE ONLINE 4 p.m., Online Meeting SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Second Harvest Food Bank’s Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a drive-through food distribution presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at will continue operating at the scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/. county Fairgrounds 9 a.m.-Noon Upcoming: on the following Fridays: Aug. 2 — June Gilliam will discuss her “Journey from a Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Former Chinese Communist to a Fervent American Patriot.” Food hotline: 831-662-0991. Aug. 19 — Dan Haifley, Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation’s Secretary of the Board, will speak about ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES the Monterey Bay Sanctuary: its ocean health, research 10-week Online Session, Begins Sept. 13 and education programs. Registration is now open for fall Italian language classes. To participate, you need an Internet connection Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with instructors and a computer, tablet or smartphone. who are native speakers. Whether you are new to the A one-time preregistration is required at https:// Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, tinyurl.com/SVSLA-5. Questions? Call George at the classes the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz (831) 334-7763. is offering — beginning, intermediate, advanced, Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life conversation — are for you. Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is The online 10-week session begins the week of Sept. 13, to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at so register to secure your spot and get the early bird discount, http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org. which ends Aug. 21. If classes fill, a wait list will be created. The price ranges from $175 to $225 for 10 weeks. To register Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday see: https://bit.ly/Dante-Classes. For more information email: NAMI RECOVERY SUPPORT dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com Mon/Wed 1-2:30 p.m., Fri 6-7:30 p.m., confidential Zoom meetings. CAPITOLA’S FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Cruz County Do you love eating outside while enjoying live music? If so, offers the “Connection Recovery Support Group,” a free, the Capitola’s Food Truck Friday events are perfect for you! peer-led support group for any adult 18 or older who The first event is Friday, July 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. with has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition two more dates, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24. (no diagnosis required). On July 30, several food trucks featuring different Groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. cuisines will be at Monterey Park in Capitola, with live It’s confidential and drop-in friendly. music by Papiba & Friends. Capitola Junior Guard To attend, complete the registration form. You will Parent’s Club will host the beer garden, a cordoned-off immediately get an email with the Zoom link. You will area where beer is available for purchase. need to do this only once, and will be able to use the same link for all groups in the future. Register at: https:// EL PAJARO KITCHEN ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING tinyurl.com/nami-zoom-register. Aug. 9, Aug. 19 & 20, Sept. 1 If you are unable to register, do not have an email El Pajrao Community Development Corp., which has a address, or have other questions, call the office at (831)commercial kitchen in Watsonville for food entrepreneurs, 824-0406 or email anastasia@namiscc.org. will offer online training for free, with a focus on Spanish- View previous sessions at https://www.namiscc.org/ speaking start-ups. The dates: Monday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. Start a Food Business in Tuesdays the United States, online FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. Commercial Kitchen 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville Incubator, program orientation, online . Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. Commercial Kitchens El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley. Incubator, program orientation online There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 6 p.m., Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and Orientation of the Entrepreneur Program. wellness screenings. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/el-parao-cooking. Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info. CABRILLO STAGE: UPCOMING EVENTS Pirates of Penzance: July 30-Aug 1 ROTACARE RETURNS! Performances are in the Cabrillo College Outdoor Amphi5:30-8 p.m., Behind Star of the Sea Church, 515 Frederick St. theater. Visit cabrillostage.com for tickets. Santa Cruz The Free RotaCare Santa Cruz Clinic is reopening at its ONGOING EVENTS new location. Mondays For more info, call 831-204-6040 or visit https://www. COOKING WITH GREY BEARS rotacarebayarea.org/santacruz 1 p.m., 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz or Online Join Cooking with Grey Bears live in-person or via Zoom First Tuesdays Of The Month — Your choice! FIRST TUESDAYS FREE To attend remotely visit https://us02web.zoom. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz us/j/92906805068. Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free
28 / August 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m – 5 p.m. Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. https://arboretum.ucsc.edu Wednesdays thru Sept. 1 CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERTS ARE BACK 6-8 p.m., Bandstand at Esplanade Park, Capitola Village Aug. 4: Mike Hammar & the Nails, playing blues Aug. 11: Tsunami, playing classic rock/R&B, dance Aug. 18: Everyday People, classic Latin rock Aug. 25: Beggar Kings, Rolling Stones/dance Sept. 1: Digbeats, classic rock Fridays MIDTOWN FRIDAYS Ongoing thru Oct. 29, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (next to the fire station) Event Santa Cruz is hosting a Friday festival through the end of October. Called “Midtown Fridays,” the event will have a featured musical act plus food, artists, vendors, and more. Admission is free. Saturdays ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH Tours start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ group-reservation/ to reserve a tour. For more information, visit http://www.elkhornslough.org/ esnerr/tours/
DATED EVENTS Saturday July 31 FALL IN LOVE WITH BIRCHBARK 6:45-8 p.m., Online Fundraiser Join the “FALL IN LOVE WITH BIRCHBARK” Virtual Celebration and Fundraiser. As a fundraising organization, the need for support is critical, and a memorial gift is a way to show how much you care for a pet who has passed on. A week-long Silent Auction will begin July 24th Registration is free at: birchbarkfoundation.org/fil2021 or call 831-471-7255. To learn more or to donate, contact birchbarkfoundation.org • info@birchbarkfoundation.org.
Saturday July 31 DROUGHT: GLOBAL CHALLENGE, LOCAL SOLUTIONS 10 a.m.-Noon, Open House at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency will host an open house at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 31, to share progress on groundwater sustainability in the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley. Register at: https://bit.ly/smgwaevent Ask questions. Get stamps in a “passport” to enter a prize drawing. Listen to presentation at 11 a.m. Free activities for kids. The Santa Margarita basin is the major water source the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, the Scotts Valley Water District, the Mount Hermon Association and other private pumpers. New oversight was mandated by a 2014 law after three years of severe drought. The agency is about to release a draft groundwater plan for public review. The final plan is expected to be adopted in December. See https://www.smgwa.org/
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Bonny Doon Fire Safe Council is offering a two-day training Aug 14-15 open to people living in the urban wildland interface, with priority to Bonny Doon residents and then to residents of Santa Cruz County. The class is limited to 40 people. The cost will be $500 per resident. Must enroll by July 29. See bdfsc.org and click on home ignition zone training. For questions, email hiz@bdfsc.org or leave a message at 831-824-4155.
DATED EVENTS (cont.) Saturday July 31 Sunday August 1 10TH ANNUAL BONNY DOON STUDIO TOUR 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Various Homes around Bonny Doon The Bonny Doon Studio Tour: 24 artists in 12 studios amidst spectacular scenery. The tour is free for one weekend. You can see work by Ed Dickie, Dyann Paynovich, Joan Hellenthal, Mattie Leeds, Raf Strudley, April Zilber, and more. Bonny Doon is can be reached from Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Davenport, then take Bonny Doon Road. Four artists are in Davenport. www.BonnyDoonStudioTour.com
Monday August 2 Tuesday August 3 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION ONLINE WEBINARS 1-2:30 p.m., Phone/Online Seminar Aug. 2 Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources. Aug. 3 Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior Join us to learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Please call 800.272.3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF. Once you complete registration for the meeting, you will receive an email confirmation with the call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar.
Tuesday August 3 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: ZOOTOPIA 5 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz Police Department celebrates National Night Out, co-sponsoring with the Santa Cruz Warriors a free family movie night, showing Zootopia. There will be games, crafts, bounce house, K9 demos, popcorn, and treats. Movie starts at 6:30 p.m. No pets, no smoking, and no alcoholic beverages are allowed. An adult must accompany children under 12. National Night Out is designed to reinforce relationships between citizens, businesses, and local law enforcement. RSVP at bit.ly/scpdzootopia The Capitola Police Department is postponing its National Night Out until October, Police Chief Terry McManus said.
Sunday August 15
REIKI I CLASS Saturday July 31 • Sunday August 1 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Pregnant Mare Rescue, Larkin Valley Road, Watsonville Reiki master teacher Cindie Ambar of Heartsong Animal Healing leads this two-day class. Peaches (top), Penny (left) and Niyol will be the horses assisting the class. Are you interested in a healing modality that is easy to learn and can support you and your animals in reducing pain, depression, inflammation, and anxiety, help address behavioral challenges, improve mobility and overall physical and emotional well-being? Reiki is an ancient Japanese meditative practice used for spiritual development and to practice oneness with all living things. Ambar uses the Let Animals Lead approach as taught by Kathleen Prasad, Animal Reiki Source. The course includes an overview of Reiki, how it relates to healing self, and other self-treatment chair treatments for humans, with charts for hand placement throughout the body. To learn more visit www.HeartSongAnimalHealing.com
Saturday August 7 LIONS ‘MAGIC MARKET’ 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road Cabrillo Host Lions will present “Magic Market,” a benefit supporting Lions charities. Vendors include Ed Jenkins, who makes wooden toy trucks, Megan Purdue, who makes signs out of driftwood, and Dale Herra, who sells avocados, and Mid-County Senior Center will sell produce grown in the garden in Capitola. For information, call 831-688-3356.
Thursday August 12
SENIOR DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM 9 a.m., Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Community Room FREE TEEN DRIVER CLASS located at 5200 Soquel Ave. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Online Seminar The California Highway Patrol is offering a traffic safety The California Highway Patrol offers a free traffic safety program for senior drivers. program for teenage drivers and their parents, Start The Age Well, Drive Smart Program is designed Smart, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5. to provide drivers with the keys to driving safer and Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for driving longer. This program is designed as an edu15- to 20-year-olds so the goal is to provide teens and cational tool for mature drivers. Topics of discussion parents with an understanding of how poor choices will include: behind the wheel can affect the lives of numerous • How to tune up driving skills. people. Topics include: Defensive driving, traffic laws, • Refreshing their knowledge of the rules of the road. dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic • Learning about normal, age-related physical collisions, and DUI — driving while under the influence changes and how to adjust to them — awareness. • When it may be time to limit or stop driving. The class will be virtual via Microsoft Teams. • Understanding the alternatives to driving. Information on how to log onto Microsoft Teams will be Age Well, Drive Smart classes are approximately sent after the class reservation. two hours long and are free of charge. These classes Call the Santa Cruz CHP Office to reserve a spot: (831) 662-0511. are geared toward drivers age 65 and up, but they are
Thursday August 5
open to anyone who feels they can benefit from this information. Space in this class is limited. To make a reservation, call the Santa Cruz CHP Office at (831) 662-0511.
Saturday August 14
SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB ANNUAL PARTY 4-8 p.m., Aptos Hills The Santa Cruz Dinner Club, a fine dining club, is planning the annual party for current members and potential new members who have been vaccinated. If you love to cook, enjoy fine wine and conversation, this is your opportunity to meet vaccinated locals that share your interests. A festive, gourmet meal with margaritas and wine (for purchase) will be served along with live music. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. Price is $20 for non-members. To learn more & get the location, email Rhonda Mills in advance at info@SantaCruzDinnerClub.com.
Saturday August 21 Sunday August 22 SCOTTS VALLEY ART WINE BEER FESTIVAL 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.(Sat.) – 5 p.m.(Sun.), Siltanen Community Park, Scotts Valley Scotts Valley Art Wine and Beer Festival is back in a new venue for 2021 in the beautiful park setting of Siltanen Park. Visit the festival website at svartfestival.com to take advantage of the pre-sale online tasting kits and drink tickets to receive a large discount. The festival entrance will be via the Shugart Park Walkway and Bridges pathway on Glenwood Drive across from Scotts Valley High School. Parking is available at Scotts Valley High School and Skypark & FREE shuttle service will be provided at both parking lot locations.
Saturday August 28 13TH ANNUAL TESTICLE FESTIVAL 3-7 p.m., Estrada Deer Camp, 140 Hazel Dell Rd, Watsonville The Testicle Festival, put on by the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, will feature the “No Respect!” band, known for a wide range of songs from rock n’ roll to Latin. Local chef Loretta Estrada will prepare Rocky Mountain oysters; firefighter Derek Witmer will barbeque chicken. The price, which includes the Rocky Mountain oysters and chicken barbeque dinner, is $50 for adults, $20 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5. There will be a raffle, live and silent auction and horseshoe contest for adults and children. The popular “It’s All in the Sauce” Contest will take place. Attendees can vote on their favorite accompaniment for Rocky Mountain oysters. For information, visit www.Agri-Culture.us, or buy tickets on www.eventbrite.com (search for “Testicle Festival” in Watsonville).
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Free Comic Book Day, one of the comic book industry’s most beloved and anticipated celebrations, will again be a single-day event. The event, traditionally on the first Saturday in May, shifted to August in hopes that disruption related to COVID-19 will have passed. As this is the 20th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, there are themed t-shirts and posters. Joe Field, founder of Free Comic Book Day and owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, said, “While the world has changed over these last 20 years, our love of comics and the power of comics to entertain and enlighten is stronger than ever. … I can’t wait to see all the first-time comic-curious readers, as well as our long-time faithful fans come together.” Free Comic Book Day 2021 will feature up to 50 free titles at participating shops, including Atlantis Fantasyworld, 1020 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831-426-0158, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday August 30 and Comicopolis, 829 Front St., Santa Cruz, 831-427RECALL REGISTER DEADLINE 1929, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The deadline to register for the Sept. 14 governor recall Visit freecomicbookday.com. vote is Aug. 30. Visit votescount.us to do so. If you miss that deadline you must use same-day Saturday August 14 registration, register in person Sept. 14 at the county Sunday August 15 Election office or a voting center, and your ballot will be FIRE SAFE COUNCIL TRAINING conditional until the voter registration is processed. Begins each day at 8:30 a.m., Bonny Doon Elementary School, To find your polling place, see https://www.sos.ca.gov/elec1492 Pine Flat Road tions/polling-place/ n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 29
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Fire Season: Create Defensible Space Around Your Home By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District
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ith our extremely dry winter comes the increased risk of a serious fire season. There are some things you can do to help protect your home or business from a wildfire or a structure fire. Recently, our office co-hosted a community preparedness meeting with representatives from the County’s new Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience (OR3) and County/Cal Fire to discuss ways to keep your home safe. Here are some general tips to get started. One of the first things is to ensure you have a home emergency plan (and evacuation plan) and practice it with your family. All homes should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and at least one ABC-rated fire extinguisher in your home. You can sign up for emergency notices, such as Code Red at www.scr911. org to learn about possible evacuations or changes in conditions. Ensuring the Fire Department can respond quickly also means having visible address numbers on the outside of your home and business (and if you have a sidewalk — along the curb). All homes should be kept clear of combustible debris such as cardboard boxes, rags, paper products, flammable liquids and fireplaces and wood stoves should
be maintained and cleaned and inspected annually. The topography of Santa Cruz County, and location of homes within the rural areas, means it’s imperative to create a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home or business and the vegetation that surrounds them to prevent these structures from catching fire. The defensible space can reduce risk to both your home (from fire directly or radiant heat associated with fire) as well as to firefighters using the space to defend your property. How do you create a defensible space? California State law requires that you maintain 100 feet of defensible space around your home and other buildings on your property. This is a minimum recommended amount and should be increased if your home is on a steep slope. You can create a defensible space by ensuring that trees are the furthest from your home and that elements that are less likely to burn (or burn at lower temperatures) such as lawns, small plants/ beddings/high water content plants are closer to the home. For the first 30 feet from all buildings, decks and structures you should: • Remove or mow all dead plants, grass, or weeds. • Create paved or gravel driveways, walkways, patios as firebreaks • Remove dead or dry leaves and needles from yard, roof, and gutters. • Trim trees regularly and maintain a minimum of 10’ between canopies. • Remove branches that overhang your roof and any dead branches close to chimney.
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• Remove flammable items near any structure For the next 70+ feet from your home (extending to at least 100 feet from your home) you should: • Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4” • Maintain 10 foot clearance around woodpiles • Thin trees and shrubs and leave big gaps between plants • Remove dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and branches from ground. How can you get more information? The Central Fire Protection District website — https://www.centralfiresc.org — contains preparedness information on
defensible space, general fire prevention and even the power shutoffs that have occurred. Fire Safe Santa Cruz County also maintains a comprehensive site with downloadable fact sheets and videos on how to prepare your home or business www.firesafesantacruz.org. Lastly, the County’s OR3 website has a resources link with a lot of valuable information: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ OR3.aspx 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 you can always call me at 454-2200.
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FEATURED COLUMNIST
Ground Cover Works Like Mulch By Tony Tomeo
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Floyd and Handsome: Family Sticking Together
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eet Handsome (A283537) and Floyd (A283539), a father/son pair that have been at the shelter since early July. These two guys were brought to the shelter from Davenport after a good samaritan found them tied to a pole with no food or water. Handsome is a tan pit bull/rottweiler mix that the shelter estimates to be around three years old. Floyd is a black rottweiler mix that the shelter estimates to be around one year old. You can read more about their unfortunate abandonment situation here: https:// tinyurl.com/davenport-abandoned-dogs. These two guys were understandably nervous when they first arrived at the shelter, but it didn’t take long for butts to wiggle and tails to wag! Both of them are friendly towards people, and even more friendly towards other doggos! They can each be a bit “rough and tumble” in their own way. Handsome likes to play rough but his intentions are pure, while Floyd plays like a puppy and looks super cute doing it. Shelter staff think they would do well in a home with other dogs that can handle their overzealous approach, and we definitely recommend they meet at the shelter first! Both of these guys will need to go to homes with patient adopters that can help them with their manners. While they always mean well, their excitement with new people can lead them to jump and lightly mouth. Staff recommends they go to a home with older children that can give them lots of love and play! While Handsome and Floyd are father and son, they thrive both independently and together! Staff is confident that whether they are adopted as a pair or separately, they will be happy additions to their new home. So what do you say? Want to give Handsome and Floyd the life they always dreamed of? 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
eeding otherwise bare and unused ground is no fun. Nor is weed whacking. Mulching inhibits future weed growth, but requires occasional replenishment. For many situations, ground cover plants are more practical. Once established, many sorts effectively exclude most weeds. Even more contain dust, and inhibit erosion of the surface of the soil below. As the terminology implies, ground cover plants are simply plants that disperse laterally, over the surface of the ground. Many migrate by subterranean stems known as rhizomes, or by stems on the surface of the soil, known as stolons. Some are vines that behave like stolons. Also, many are merely prostrate shrubbery that does not stand upright very high. Ground cover plants generally require more maintenance than mulch, and most want for some degree of irrigation. Conversely they require less effort than weeding. Furthermore, ground cover plants can live on slopes that are too steep for mulch to adhere to, and are more appealing than mulch. They might be as colorful or fragrant as other sorts of plants. Prostrate shrubbery, such as creeping cultivars of juniper, manzanita and ceanothus, are best in areas that are big enough to accommodate their width at maturity. Within confined spaces, they need pruning around the edges, which exposes unappealingly bare interior stems. Prostrate shrubbery generally gets higher than other types of ground cover plants. The many vines that work as ground cover probably stay lower than prostrate shrubbery, unless of course they climb into
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Ground covers, simply speaking, cover ground.
bigger shrubbery and trees. Algerian ivy and English ivy are famously aggressive if they overwhelm other vegetation. Also, they can cling to walls and ruin paint and siding. Star jasmine climbs too, but does not cling, and is more docile. Perennial ground cover plants, such as various iceplant, trailing gazania, trailing African daisy and pigface (freeway iceplant), tend to stay lower than other types. Most require no grooming over their upper surface, so only need trimming around the edges. Scraps from trimming during winter can become cuttings for bare patches or elsewhere in the garden. Several types root efficiently. ••• English Ivy ompared to Algerian ivy, English ivy, Hedera helix, may seem to be more complaisant. As ground cover, it mostly stays a bit lower, with smaller leaves, and a more refined foliar texture. It is generally easier to maintain and to mow if it does not get too deep. However, where it naturalizes, English ivy is more aggressive and more invasive than Algerian ivy. Rampant English ivy can If contained, overwhelm trees. English ivy is a splendidly dense and evergreen ground cover that excludes most weeds. Containment is very important! English ivy must not climb into shrubbery or trees. It otherwise overwhelms its support and disperses seed. Although reasonably safe on bare concrete walls, it ruins wooden, painted and stucco surfaces. Growth is very fast! ‘Hahn’s’ is likely the most popular cultivar of English ivy. It branches well, to fill out fast as ground cover. Cultivars that are variegated with white or yellow grow significantly slower, but provide elegant foliage for big pots or planters of mixed annuals or perennials. Foliar lobes are variable. For example, lobes of ‘Needlepoint’ are distinctly narrow and pointed. ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / August 2021 / 31
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