Capitola Soquel Times: September 2021

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Family Owned For Over 30 Years • Capitola, Soquel, Live Oak, Pleasure Point

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

September 2021 • Vol 26 No. 9

Dignity, Anthem Make Deal pg 7

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Capitola Beach Festival Seeks Floats and Friends

Come join the fun at the 3rd Annual Capitola Beach Festival on September 25 and 26. Our all-volunteer team is helping bring back “Community Spirit” after such a challenging year.

Full Story page 5

Memories of Pleasure Point and Portola Drive

By Jo Ann Allen

have lived in Pleasure Point all my life in the same house I grew up in. I only moved down the street when I was first married in 1973 into a one-bedroom Apartment, furnished, utilities paid for $125 month rent — one block from the ocean.

Hard to believe now, but as the rents began to increase in the 70’s we moved back to my family home and have remained there, raising my children, and taking care of my mom. ... continues on page 4

Capitola Art & Wine Festival Returns Full Story page 11

Outdoor World Liquidating Capitola Store

For more than 50 years, the Thomas family has been supplying outdoor enthusiasts in Santa Cruz County, first at Peninsula Surplus, then at Outdoor World.

Full Story page 8

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003 Inc.

2 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

No. 9

Volume 26

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Table of Contents

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SEPTEMBER

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Cover

Memories of Pleasure Point and Portola Drive, By Jo Ann Allen

5 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 16 18 19 20 22

Community News Capitola Beach Festival Seeks Floats and Friends Anthem, Dignity Reach Agreement: Deal Runs Through April 2025; Rates Dispute Left One Million Californians in Limbo, By Jondi Gumz Outdoor World Liquidating Capitola Store, By Jondi Gumz Third COVID Death in August, By Jondi Gumz Public Invited to Observe Recall Election Capitola Art & Wine Festival Returns Yvette ‘Yvee’ Brooks Joins ‘Your Future is Our Business’ as Executive Director Human Race Fundraiser, Founded in 1982, Bids Farewell Panetta Provides Immigration Update, By Jondi Gumz Afghanistan: Let’s Talk About It Will Labor Shortage Cripple Recovery?, By Jondi Gumz FireWise Gathering: Sept. 11 in Soquel Forest Projects Funded with $3M

COOL SHADES & TRACTOR PARADES RACETRACK

Monster Trucks & Motocross WED & THUR 7:30 PM $ $

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ADULT

Twinkle Time 3 SHOWS DAILY TANK HOUSE STAGE

Michael Mezmer

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Bluebell — One in a Million

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

3 SHOWS DAILY IN THE BALLPARK

4 TOTAL SHOWS DAILY TANK HOUSE STAGE

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Virgo – Temple of Light, Temple of Day, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 12 Small Business COVID Grants Available in September, By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola 24 ‘60 is the New 40’ — But Not for Pipeline Replacement, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 25 $8M for Roads / $267M Work Needed, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 30 Seeking Hand Crew to Aid Firefighters: Disposable Straws, Utensils, Napkins, Condiments To Become “On Request”, By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

Los Moralitos Circus

Trance Nosis & Dangermagik

California News 17 PG&E Survey in March: 810 Responses

3 SHOWS DAILY ON THE PLAYHOUSE STAGE

CHILD

Local Sports 15 Nick Graessle Medals at Junior Guard National Championships, By Jondi Gumz

Captain Jack Spareribs

Circus Imagination Brads World Reptiles THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN THE BALLPARK

3 SHOWS DAILY IN THE BALLPARK

SAT 7:30 AMPITHEATER STAGE

The White Album Ensemble Camel Rides

All Alaskan Pig Races

santacruzcountyfair.com Highway 152 • Watsonville

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 3

COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jo Ann Allen, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Yvette Brooks, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend, Manu Koenig 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

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

“Pleasure Point Memories” from page 1 I have seen many changes to my neighborhood over the past 67 years, but what remains is the close sense of community within the several blocks I call home.

I understand people wanting to make it safer to walk, bike and drive and have a family friendly community — that was the neighborhood I grew up in.

As kids we all walked or rode our bikes everywhere. During the 50’s and 60’s we had some of the largest concentrations of children in the several blocks that made up 34th, 35th, 36th, and 37th Avenues.

My father built a covered bus shelter to protect us from the rain as we waited for the school bus. On any given day, between 30 to 40 children stood in front my house waiting to catch the bus. Everyone knew everyone and you didn’t dare do anything “bad” or a neighbor or other parent would call your parents. No one thought of calling the police. We all took care of each other, older kids looking out for younger ones, neighbors watching out for everyone.

It was a busy area of mom-and-pop business (my parents had one on Floral Drive), people going to and from work, with no sidewalks or bike lanes.

We were all taught the rules of the road (walking against traffic, riding bikes with

Little Jo Ann (right) and her two brothers

traffic, stopping at stop signs, looking both ways before crossing, etc). We didn’t walk or ride down the middle of the street like we were better than people driving cars – we respected drivers and drivers respected us. We got off and walked our bikes across busy streets.

Cars stopped at crosswalks while we hurriedly crossed Portola to the El Rancho Shopping Center.

The El Rancho Shopping Center: I am not sure what year this complex was built, but I remember going to the opening as a child. It was a wonderful place for our community. There was a beautiful grocery store, a bank (that I opened my first savings account at), many little retail stores, a pet store, and a bakery.

free and open to the public, 4-7pm!

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

Exhibitor Booths Still Available

4 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Register at www.santacruzchamber.org

My favorite thing was to walk to the bakery and get the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever smelled or eaten in my life. I would stand and watch the puppies in the pet store and peer in the windows at the other retail stores, as my family could not afford to purchase anything at these stores.

Pleasure Point was a community of low to middle income families and the El Rancho Center was a little more upscale than most of us could afford.

We usually shopped at Opal Cliffs Market, but my mom thought she would try the new store as it had a few more items and seemed to have some good sales, plus they gave you S&H green stamps. (I found a book of these in my mom’s things after she passed).

The center had monthly events and giveaways. Everyone in the neighborhood would gather in the parking lot for the festivities hoping they would be the lucky winner of the holiday turkey or other items from the center stores. I can still feel the excitement of the ticket holders and smell those cookies.

El Rancho Center has gone through so many variations of businesses over the past 40 years to its current configuration, but I still miss my little neighborhood bakery.

Pleasure Point Lumber was also one of my favorite places to go with my dad, the smell of cresol and fresh milled lumber brings back fond memories — it is sad to see it now.

Sometime in the 70’s Portola went sideways — businesses closed, bank closed, grocery store went away, more bars dotted Portola, “massage parlors” opened in El Rancho Center, along Portola, on the avenues, and behind storefronts on 41st Avenue.

These were not the spas of today — these were sex houses. The point was alive with the sex, drugs, rock and roll anthem of the era. Frenchy’s bookstore is the last bastion of this sexual revolution.

But the neighborhood still thrived with families and kids walking, surfing, riding bikes and having adventures.

My neighborhood remained low- to middle-income homes until the ‘90s, when wealthy people started buying up little beach houses and turning them into miniMcMansions, housing costs soared, rents soared and only a few of us low to middle income families were able to remain in the neighborhood.

A few other family-oriented folks were able to buy homes before the huge wave of housing prices increased to such ridiculous prices as $1.3 million for a 530-square-foot cottage.

I have watched the slow gentrification of Pleasure Point over the past 20 to 30 years, with the changes to East Cliff Drive, changes in type of businesses allowed, high cost of housing, and changing demographic.

“Memories” page 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Beach Festival Seeks Floats and Friends C ome join the fun at the 3rd Annual Capitola Beach Festival on September 25 and 26. Our all-volunteer team is helping bring back “Community Spirit” after such a challenging year.

The Festival’s highlight is Saturday’s Lighted Nautical Parade on Soquel Creek.

However, the team reports that only three floats are currently signed up.

Consider building a lighted barge for the parade. The Festival provides the floating barge and a site along the creek for gathering to decorate your float. You provide the lights and the fun. Contact the Parade Chair at 831-239-1611.

On Saturday there is a 3-mile fun run.

Runners must preregister with Wharf to Wharf, and space is limited.

Saturday’s free activities include Sand Sculpture Contest from 8-noon (sign up at the beach before you start to build).

The Children’s Art Project in Esplanade

Park runs from 11-2:00 (space and supplies are limited).

Dance away to the “Houserockers” concert 4-6 pm at Esplanade Park. The Lighted Nautical Parade follows at approximately 7:00 pm on Soquel Creek.

Sunday morning starts at 7:00 am with a Fishing Derby on Capitola Wharf (sign up at the Wharf — signed waivers required for all). A Horseshoe Tournament in the Sand starts early behind Zeldas (must preregister at 419-6399).

Chalk Art on the Seawall runs from 10- 1:00 (supplies and space are limited).

Rowboat races on Soquel Creek start at 1:00pm and you must preregister at the Creek between 12:00 - 1:00.

Join the festival’s volunteer team and help them bring back Capitola’s “Community Spirit”. Capitolabeachfestival.com or send us an email at Capitolabeachfestival@ gmail.com.

Parade collage by Marilyn Miles

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38TH ANNUAL

Capitola

Art & Wine E

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ARTWORK BY BRITTANY COSTANZO

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SEPTEMBER 11 & 12, 2021

Beside the beach in Capitola Village!

Sat, 10am – 6pm & Sun, 10am – 5pm Over 100 fine artists, wine tasting from 21 Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries, Local Artisans Marketplace, and Entertainment.

FREE parking and shuttle at Capitola Mall on Capitola Road in Capitola

Saturday Evening Concert

Sunday Afternoon Concert

The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin

Extra Large

5 – 7pm

ADMISSION FREE! Hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce capitolachamber.com 831.475.6522

capitolaartandwine.com

6 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

3 – 5 pm

COMMUNITY NEWS

Anthem, Dignity Reach Agreement

Deal Runs Through April 2025; Rates Dispute Left One Million Californians in Limbo

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By Jondi Gumz

n Aug. 16, a battle between two health care giants over costs that left a million Californians scrambling for doctors — many in Santa Cruz County — ended peacefully with a multiyear agreement.

The agreement is retroactive to July 15, 2021, and expires April 30, 2025, giving some peace of mind to people paying for an Anthem health plan to see Dignity Health doctors and get treatment at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz at lower “in network” rates.

Without an agreement, people paying premiums to Anthem would have had to pay higher “out of network” rates to keep seeing their doctor and access Dominican Hospital. Some had procedures cancelled; others put off doctor visits, a stressful (and not very healthy) situation for all involved.

Anthem, which is for-profit, and Dignity Health, part of the nonprofit CommonSpirit, were negotiating reimbursements to be paid to doctors and hospitals.

Anthem blamed Dignity Health, releasing a statement that Dignity rates were “almost 30 percent more expensive than other health systems,” and that “giving in” would mean higher out-ofpocket costs and premiums.

Dignity Health disputed the claim by citing a RAND study focused on 2016 to 2018 found eight other hospital systems in California have higher rates than Dignity Health.

The RAND study reported inpatient and outpatient rates combined at Dominican Hospital were 409 percent

“Memories” from page 4 Yet there is still the feel of the old Pleasure Point of my childhood with many of my cherished neighbors.

I believe the atmosphere of my childhood is what people are wanting to recreate with the proposed changes to Portola. A fun, safe, friendly environment where everyone takes care of each other, and you can meet and greet your neighbors to chat about this and that.

But sadly, with gentrification we may be creating an elitist neighborhood that I couldn’t afford to shop in growing up, where people judge you by the clothes you wear,

of Medicare rates, Stanford, 363 percent, Sutter Coast Hospital, 427 percent, and Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, 461 percent.

Dignity Health also posted that Anthem exceeded Wall Street expectations when its first-quarter profit was a record $1.7 billion.

It’s hard to tell if one side gave in because neither side provided details.

Anthem’s announcement mentioned “affordability” for consumers.

“While we understand this wasn’t easy for consumers, it was necessary for us to stand firm as part of our efforts to help slow the sharp rise in health care costs,” said John Pickett, Anthem’s regional vice president of provider solutions, in a post online. “We value our relationships with providers, which are important to creating choices for our consumers and fulfilling our mission of improving lives and communities. Our members remained our No.1 priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach an agreement with Dignity that helps protect affordability.”

In a statement, Dr. Robert Quinn, CEO of the Dignity Health Medical Foundation in Santa Cruz, called it “a win for our patients.”

In a statement posted at KeepDignity Health.org, Dignity said, “We know these negotiations were stressful for our patients, our medical staffs, the communities we serve, and our own team. We sincerely appreciate patients’ understanding during the negotiations.”

Dignity Health acknowledged “a brief out-of-network period,” noting “the new agreement is retroactive to July 15, the date the previous contract expired, and any care received since July 15 will be considered in-network. In anticipation of reaching an agreement, we held Anthem claims, so patients should not experience any impact on their bills.”

According to Dominican Hospital President Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, “The Dominican Hospital team communicated regularly with patients and community members who were concerned about their coverage, and we submitted continuity of care paperwork to minimize any disruption in care.”

During the negotiations, Dominican Hospital’s emergency department “continued to care for patients,” she added.

Nonetheless, patients paying for the Anthem plan for their Dignity doctors were distraught.

One woman said her choices were to “abandon all of my doctors and history including our specialty care at UC San Francisco and move medical groups, wait it out and hope for the best, or change my insurance during open enrollment,” with Kaiser Permanente under consideration.

One had foot surgery cancelled.

One with heart problems put off seeing the cardiologist.

Another who had to change doctors five years ago due to a job change in the family said the prospect of changing again created “unneeded stress in already trying times.” She felt Dignity should get “decent rates to help them offset all of their losses” for caring for patients with COVID-19, and she too is “starting to look much harder” at Kaiser Permanente. n ••• To view the RAND study, see https:// www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR4394. html

the coffee you drink, the bike you ride, and low-income people do not feel welcome.

In my opinion that is not the “eclectic character” of Pleasure Point.

Pleasure Point is for all walks of life, all incomes, all beliefs, all genders, and all races – not just rich or entitled people.

That is the neighborhood of my childhood and the neighborhood I want to maintain – one that is safe and inviting to all.

So, forgive me if I see what is happening with Portola as a step in the direction of exclusiveness for a targeted group and not inclusive for all that currently live or would like to live and work here.

A beach community should not just be for the rich and entitled – it should be for all to live in and enjoy, with mixed housing types, diverse businesses, and respect for the environment.

A place that you can live, love, and grow old in without the fear of being pushed out because of increased housing costs.

We are not Los Gatos, Carmel, Huntington Beach, or any of the other areas people want us to be more like.

We are Pleasure Point, home to surfing, skateboarding, funky beach houses, working people, Pleasure Point bike ride, local musicians jamming on Saturdays, Pleasure Point

Night Fighters, neighborhood 4th of July parade, and many more things that make us the Point — we should strive to maintain our own identify and not be like “someplace else.” n

The Family Home

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Outdoor World Liquidating Capitola Store

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By Jondi Gumz

or more than 50 years, the Thomas family has been supplying outdoor enthusiasts in Santa Cruz County, first at Peninsula Surplus, then at Outdoor World. Now that long run is coming to an end, with the Santa Cruz store closed and an ongoing liquidation sale at the Capitola location.

At its peak, Outdoor World employed up to 50 people at three locations. Now about a dozen people will be out of work when the store at the Capitola Mall closes.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Chris Thomas, one of the co-founder’s sons, who said factors connected with the COVID-19 pandemic led to the decision.

The panThe Outdoor World logo demic disrupted was designed by a member dependable of the Thomas family. global supply chains as lockdowns slowed or halted raw materials and finished goods in multiple sectors, with experts recommending diversifying sources for products.

Under California’s health mandate to stay at home, stores selling outdoor gear were not considered essential and shuttered for a time, then restricted. Fewer people shopped at brick-and-mortar stores, opting to shop from home online.

Doing business in California is tougher because of its regulations, according to Thomas, who anticipated more regulations on the horizon.

His son is one of the people working at Outdoor World.

“My wife and I are ready to go to the next chapter in our lives,” said Thomas, who is 59.

His father, Bob Thomas, foresaw a demand for outdoor supplies when he and his wife Liz took their three sons fishing, hunting, and camping in national forests and national parks in the 1960s.

In 1969, he tapped his savings to put his brother in a partnership business, Peninsula Surplus, on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. In the mid-1970s, his brother left to pursue other interests and Bob’s two young adult children joined him.

He felt confident enough to leave his job with Longs Drugs, and the year 1978 brought a new name, Outdoor World, a corporate structure and a larger location at 136 River St. in Santa Cruz.

With the strong U.S. economy of the 1980s and more people camping, hiking, and fishing, Thomas’ third adult child,

Shoppers at the Capitola Mall walk by Outdoor World, a family-owned business that is liquidating that location. daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews joined the business to work at new locations, Seaside in Monterey County and Capitola.

Shoppers looked forward to Outdoor World’s weekly flyer detailing the best buys.

In 1998, Outdoor World created an e-commerce website where people could make their purchase online.

After 30 years in the business, Thomas retired in 2008 at age 74 from daily operations, turning those responsibilities over to younger family members.

Outdoor World was voted “best outdoor store in Santa Cruz County” for five years in a row by readers of Good Times. Then came COVID-19.

The Seaside store closed in June 2020 after the pandemic brought a stay-at-home order for all but essential businesses.

8 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

At its peak, Outdoor World employed up to 50 people at three locations.

The Santa Cruz store closed Aug. 14, its future clouded by the city’s project to widen the intersection of Highway 1 and 9 for safety reasons.

The widening project, which cleared an unsanctioned camp set up by homeless people and necessitated removal of the bold yellow “River Street” sign, is designed to reduce traffic congestion by adding a left-turn lane for cars heading south on Highway 1 to turn onto Highway 9, additional lanes on Highway 9 and River Street.

This stretch has been the site of a

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

number of crashes as truck drivers and motorists sped into the area, not anticipating a traffic backup.

The Capitola store started out in the Five Star shopping center, took the space in the mall vacated by Sears, and most recently moved to a smaller space where K&B Toys once was.

Hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores have closed nationwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic pushing people to shop safely from home.

In Capitola, “for lease” signs are posted on 41st Avenue and also in downtown Santa Cruz, historically two of the county’s strongest retail areas. n ••• Hours for Outdoor World Sporting Goods, 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. To reach the store, call 831-479-1501.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Third COVID Death in August

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By Jondi Gumz

n August, COVID-19 claimed the lives of three more Santa Cruz County residents, bringing the total number of fatalities to 210. All three were unvaccinated, according to health officials, and all three had underlying conditions.

As of Aug. 26, the county reported 893 active COVID cases. That’s an increase of 23 percent in the past 14 days, compared to a 64 percent increase as of Aug. 23.

Case counts are updated on Monday and Thursday.

On Aug. 18, the county reported 72 cases, with 71 on Aug. 9 and 73 on Aug. 11.

There were 15 COVID hospitalizations, up from 12, including three people in intensive care, according to the state, which updates those numbers daily.

Citing concern for cases and hospitalizations increasing due to the highly contagious Delta variant, the Santa Cruz County Health Officer mandated face coverings to be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status starting Aug. 21.

“While vaccination remains the best and most effective tool in preventing COVID-19, the Delta variant spreads quickly among the unvaccinated and may even be passed between vaccinated persons, although their symptoms are usually mild, said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel. “Face coverings will provide added protection until everyone is able to be vaccinated, especially children.”

The order is to sunset once community transmission levels return to “moderate” (Yellow level), as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See https://covid.cdc.gov/ covid-data-tracker/#county-view).

San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties had already ordered face coverings indoors to stop the spread.

Full Approval n Aug. 23, federal regulators granted full approval to the two-dose PfizerBioNTech vaccine, which means the fact sheet people get will no longer describe the vaccine as experimental.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had granted the Pfizer vaccine emergency use authorization in December after a clinical trial of 44,000 people 16 and older were followed for a median of two months after their second shot. Half got the shot, and half got a placebo, the FDA said, with the vaccine 91 percent effective.

To get full approval, Pfizer followed 12,000 people for at least six months, the

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A sign at New Leaf Community Market Santa Cruz

FDA said, and more studies will be required to assess the risk of heart damage as higher risk was observed for males under age 40, with the highest risk for those age 12 to 17.

The Pfizer vaccine will now be marketed as “Comirnaty.”

FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, in announcing the approval, said, “We recognize for some, the FDA approval may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated.”

Santra Cruz County has vaccinated 68 percent of the population with at least one shot, and 60 percent are fully vaccinated.

The indoor mask mandate applies to all businesses and governmental entities, which must require employees to wear masks and post signs that are clearly visible and easy-to-read at all entry points for indoor settings informing the public.

Those at home or working in a closed room or office alone or with members of their household do not have to wear a mask, and masks are not required during indoor activities such as eating, drinking, swimming, showering in a fitness facility, or obtaining medical or cosmetic services.

Signs are available in Public Health’s Signs/Media Library. https://www. santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/ HSADivisions/PublicHealth/CommunicableDiseaseControl/CoronavirusHome/ PublicInformation/SignsMediaLibrary. aspx Testing in Schools he state’s mandate for full vaccination or weekly testing of all teachers and support staff is to be fully implemented by Oct. 15.

Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, is ramping up testing.

He said, “As anticipated, some local schools have identified isolated cases of COVID-19 among students and staff, prompting our notification and exposure protocols. To allow students who were exposed to continue to attend school, we are required to test them twice a week...

This is not just about protecting our students, it’s also about protecting their family members and others they come in contact with.”

He added, “The lack of in-school

transmission is another reassuring signal of the efficacy of masking, vaccination, and other safety protocols. However, given the infectiousness of the widespread Delta variant and the lack of vaccine eligibility among our younger students and a portion of our community, we anticipate positive cases to continue to manifest in our schools.”

Students age 12 and older are eligible for vaccines; younger children are not eligible as yet.

In a case highlighted by the federal Centers for Disease Control, an unvaccinated Marin County elementary school teacher tested positive in May, with 22 of the 24 students, all ineligible for vaccine, getting positive test results.

For those in the two rows seated closest to the teacher’s desk, eight of 10 were positive compared to four of 14 in the three back rows. The outbreak “highlights the importance of vaccinating school staff members who are in close indoor contact with children ineligible for vaccination as schools reopen,” according to health officials who investigated.

In Santa Cruz County, Sabbah said, “We are also testing all unvaccinated school employees at least weekly in compliance with the recent statewide order.”

Surveillance testing is available at no charge to all Santa Cruz County teachers and support staff through a partnership with Valencia Labs.

“COVID Update” page 10

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Public Invited to Observe Recall Election T he Santa Cruz County Clerk/ Elections Department invites the public to observe all aspects of the Sept.14 Gubernatorial Recall Election at the Elections Department 701 Ocean St. Room 310, Santa Cruz. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Observers must sign in and observe current County Health COVID-19 protocols including wearing a face covering. If necessary, observers may be scheduled at different times to maintain safety.

Santa Cruz County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Tricia Webber said, “Those who wish to observe the election should contact us 24 hours in advance so that we can facilitate the observation process. You can call the election office at 831-454-2060 or toll free 866-282-5900 or send an e-mail to info@votescount. us.”

Logic and accuracy testing of the ballot tabulation equipment began Aug. 19, and vote-by- mail ballot processing began Aug. 23. Results from processed vote-by-mail and in-person ballots will be available shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Sept.14. Counting will resume on Sept. 17 and continue through the end of the canvass period.

“COVID Update” from page 9 Recently, the County Office of Education launched a central testing location at its office on Encinal Street in Santa Cruz available to all Santa Cruz County school staff. The testing requirement means more work for Soquel Union Elementary School District, and Pajaro Valley Unified reports 27 students and 15 staff have tested positive for COVID since school began Aug. 12.

Central Fire Policy n Aug. 17, the Central Fire District Board of Directors mandated all personnel be vaccinated against COVID-19 with exceptions “for the sincere religious beliefs and legitimate significant medical contraindications.”

Fire Chief John Walbridge cited local case rates rising and an expectation of more hospitalizations.

Most Central firefighters are already vaccinated, according to Sarah Melton, the district’s administrative assistant, adding that for the remaining personnel, the policy implementation date has not been set yet.

How to Find Testing ecause the Delta variant is so much more contagious than the initial virus, Santa Cruz County Public Health reminds

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The selection process for the 1% manual tally required under the California Election Code will occur at 10 a.m. Sept. 16, with the actual 1% manual tally beginning Sept. 20 at 8:30 a.m. and continue until certification of the election.

State law gives the Registrar of Voters 30 days after the election to certify the results.

Observers are also welcome at the in-person voting locations, the Elections Department in Santa Cruz and the Watsonville City Clerk’s office, which opened first, with 17 more opening Saturday, Sept. 11, including New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave. Capitola, and Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Rd. Soquel.

Early voting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11-12, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13.

Ballots also can be mailed, but must be postmarked on or before Sept. 14.

Delivery can take three to seven days. n ••• For more locations and the daily schedule of the VoteMobile, see www.votescount.us or call 831-454-2060.

For questions, contact Tricia Webber 831454-2409 or tricia.webber@santacruzcounty.us.

everyone to get tested if they feel sick. Free testing sites are available at www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus under the “Get Tested” button. The Delta variant spreads easily from person to person particularly indoors so the vast majority of new cases are considered to have no clear source of exposure, which limits the effectiveness of contact tracing.

Anyone with symptoms, such as sniffles or eye irritation, is urged get tested and self-isolate for 10 days. Unvaccinated individuals with a known exposure should get tested and self-quarantine, following guidance from the California Department of Public Health. If they test positive, they should self-isolate for 14 days.

Unvaccinated children with household exposures should quarantine for 14 days and refrain from attending school during their quarantine period.

Vaccinated individuals who are exposed but have no symptoms do not need to quarantine but should get tested

10 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

A Vote Mobile Kiosk at the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market on August 18

3-5 days after their last exposure and monitor for symptoms 14 days following their last exposure. They should wear a mask and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces for the 14-day period. If they develop symptoms or test positive, they should self-isolate and contact their healthcare provider.

The state reported 65,000 deaths, a number that has been climbing steadily, and 79.9 percent of Californians have received at least one dose and 22 million are fully vaccinated. n ••• COVID Cases by Town As of Aug. 26 Aptos: 940 • Ben Lomond: 188 Boulder Creek: 243 • Capitola: 534 Felton: 212 • Freedom: 1,050 Santa Cruz: 4,714 • Scotts Valley: 564 Soquel: 440 • Watsonville: 8,566 Unincorporated: 301 Under investigation: 313 Total: 18,095 ••• County COVID Deaths: 210 Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 46 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 8 30 to 39: 5

Race/Ethnicity White: 116 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Unknown: 2 Underlying Conditions Yes: 164 • No: 46 Gender Male: 105 • Female: 105 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Art & Wine Festival Returns

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Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12

fter a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the Capitola Art & Wine Festival returns, thanks to the dedication of the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce.

The 38th annual event, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, in the beach-side setting of Capitola Village, will feature more than 100 fine artists, exceptional wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains, local dance talent, and music for dancing.

It’s a weekend in paradise, and admission is free. Wine tasting requires the purchase of a 2021 Festival Glass and tasting tokens. Glass: $15. Tokens: $1 each.

Best place to park: Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave. Parking is free and a shuttle will take you to festival. Or ride your bike to the festival and take advantage of the free valet parking for your wheels.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, a 20th anniversary commemoration of Sept. 11 will take place with a procession led by Santa Cruz Pipes & Drums and first responders, and a performance by local talent James Durbin to remember the victims of 9/11, and honor first responders, our heroes on the front lines.

Local dance groups will showcase their best on both days.

Watch for the Great Morgani, accordionist extraordinaire and always in costume, to entertain you.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, you’ll hear the rock n roll sounds of The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, local favorite Extra Large will close out the festival. n ••• Information: capitolaartandwine.com.

Photo Credit: Carrie Arnone

The morning of the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, the tents are up in the seaside village and ready for visitors to enjoy summer’s last hurrah.

Eight decades of caring. One commitment to community.

Back when a movie ticket cost a quarter, plus another nickel for a chocolate bar, Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital began caring for the people in this community. And while the world has seen almost unimaginable change since then, at least one thing has steadfastly endured: our commitment to provide specialized medical care, delivered with a healthy dose of comforting compassion. Innovations in diagnosis and treatment continue, and we’ll keep pace. And we’ll continue honoring a mission of healing—not only the body, but the whole person.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 11

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Small Business COVID Grants Available in September

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By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola

t is hard to believe summer is nearly over for most of us. The weather has been beautiful and it has been so nice to see everyone out. As we imagined, we are seeing COVID-19 cases rise again and it is still very important for all of us to stay vigilant and follow CDC guidelines.

I ask all residents to please watch out for children while driving. Schools are back in session and more children will be out walking, biking, and scooting. Please be cautious while driving and patient as we see traffic increase.

Small Business Grants t our Aug 26 City Council meeting, we received a contract from the state Housing and Community Development Department authorizing block grant funds.

In the second round, the City will provide an additional $15,000 to Grey Bears, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Community Bridges for food services and fund 30 to 35

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grants for up to $7,500 to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

City staff will get the word out through social media, notifying business groups, circulating flyers, and emailing local businesses. The application at http:// https/:www.cityofcapitola.org/ covid19businessgrant will be open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.

COVID Protocols he City of Capitola has updated its policies to ensure the safety of our staff and community. Staff has been asked to wear their masks while indoors in shared spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

Capitola City Council meetings will continue to be held virtually. To attend a meeting visit https://www.cityofcapitola. org/meetings.

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Tobacco Grant citywide tobacco compliance check was completed on 11 local tobacco retailers. The objective was to determine initial levels of compliance with state law and code regulations prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco in the City, check for appropriate licensing and signage, and answer any questions businesses may have.

All retailers were found to be in compliance with the municipal code. Four of the 11 retailers received direction related to improper display of expired state licenses and appropriate signage. All retailers were very cooperative and appreciated the information.

A subcommittee has come together

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Pack lunches & to-go snacks with the best local produce!

in partnership with Soquel Union School District, Santa Cruz County Health Department, and the Capitola Police Department to create a program for tobacco prevention. The committee met to plan to explore a Teens Teaching Teens Model in collaboration with youth to train them to help lead the program.

Fun Facts: 2020 vs 2019 Capitola Waste Disposal s staff was compiling an annual report to CalRecycle, some interesting data jumped out at us.

• During 2020, the total waste disposal (trash, recycling, Greenwaste) decreased by 800 tons vs. 2019.

Between 2014 and 2019, the total increase was 300 tons, so this is a huge reduction.

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“Capitola Notes” page 13

10% of profits go back to the community

EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU SHOP

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SHOP FROM HOME

Sign up for Neighbor Rewards at newleaf.com/neighbor and start saving trees with e-receipts.

Local tomatoes and bulk organic grapes are in stores now!

For contactless delivery or curbside pickup, start your order at newleaf.com/instacart

12 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Half Moon Bay • Downtown Santa Cruz Westside Santa Cruz • Capitola • Aptos

COMMUNITY NEWS

Yvette ‘Yvee’ Brooks Joins ‘Your Future is Our Business’ as Executive Director

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our Future is Our Business wel- on planning a career path. The nonprofit comes Yvette “Yvee” Lopez Brooks is staffed by post-secondary interns, as the new executive director, suc- supervised by an executive director.

“I am thrilled to be part of such ceeding Mary Gaukel Forster.

Brooks brings 15 years of experience an incredible organization,” Brooks in public education to her new job. An said, describing the nonprofit’s work as “essential” to the community’s advocate for children and their future.” families, she currently serves as She added, “I am a tesCapitola mayor. She is married tament to what mentorship and and is a mother of a 7-year-old. advocacy can become when “Yvee brings strong leadcommunity leaders invest and ership skills and extensive I am so proud to continue this experience with public service, important work as my next education and youth-focused career.” programs,” said YFIOB Board Yvette Brooks A 2006 graduate of UC President David Wright. “She is uniquely qualified to manage the pro- Santa Cruz, Brooks previously worked grams and relationships that will help at the Santa Cruz County Office of EduSanta Cruz County students understand cation. A board member for the Childhood Advisory Council, she chaired the board the career options available to them.”

Your Future Is Our Business hosts of the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of monthly career panels and expos at Discovery in 2017-18. n schools, ranging from kindergarten to ••• 12th grade. Students get practical advice For information, see https://yfiob.org/ “Capitola Notes” from page 12

• In 2020, commercial waste decreased from 5,400 tons to 4,300 tons while residential waste increased from 4,600 tons to 4,900 tons.

Much of the change from commercial to residential was due to takeout dining and mail-ordered products during 2020.

Recruiting Police Chief, Planner virtual community meeting took place Aug. 23 to discuss the chief of police recruitment with the public.

Applications closed Aug. 30 for an associate planner/senior planner.

A

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

SPECIALIZING IN

SUMMER SPECIAL

Residential Repaints & If we paint your interior and/or Custom Homes exterior by September 31, 2021 Homeowners Associations we will buy the paint.

Property Managers

Youth Action Network he City of Capitola is happy to announce a partnership with the Youth Action Network.

YAN Is a newly reformed initiative (formerly known as the Youth Violence Prevention Network) that is building a collaborative of youth, adult allies, community partners, stakeholders and youth-serving organizations in Santa Cruz County to increase youth voice and youth leadership in local decision-making.

To participate apply by Sept. 3 at https://bit.ly/YANApplication2021

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“Mayor Brooks” page 23

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Human Race Fundraiser, Founded in 1982, Bids Farewell A fter 40 years, the Human Race Walk and Fun Run fundraiser for local nonprofits is retiring.

Sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, it was the longest running Human Race and one of the last two Human Race events in the nation.

In the last ten years, the Human Race raised $2.5 million for more than 250 local groups and close to $6 million since it began in 1982.

“This wasn’t an easy decision because so many people have grown up with this event, and like me, they look forward to it every year,” said Karen Delaney, executive director of the Volunteer Center.

“At the end of the day, our duty is to offer local activists, agencies and donors the best and most efficient way to raise funds collaboratively, and we are proud to be a founding partner in Santa Cruz Gives and continue the tradition of joyful, easy ways to give.”

Eager participants at the starting line of the Human Race.

Like the Human Race, Santa Cruz Gives is a crowd-sourced community fundraiser, but without the overhead costs of

a large event, so more of the money raised goes to create good.

Founded in 2015 by the GoodTimes

and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, the holiday fundraiser brought in more than $700,000 last year.

To accommodate nonprofits that relied on the Human Race, Santa Cruz Gives will double the number of participating agencies to 80.

The Volunteer Center encourages Human Race nonprofits to submit a proposal to join Santa Cruz Gives before the Sept. 7 deadline.

The Human Race was the first local collaborative, online, county-wide and crowd-sourced fundraiser.

Every one of these breakthroughs is common now, but in 1982, when the Volunteer Center had Metro buses bring people from Watsonville to the starting line in Santa Cruz, or in 1995, when the Volunteer Center launched the first website for the race, a decade before GoFundMe or Kickstarter, these were huge innovations.

“Human Race” page 17

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14 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

LOCAL SPORTS

Nick Graessle Medals at Junior Guard National Championships

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By Jondi Gumz

apitola lifeguard Nick Graessle made the most of a challenging year, earning four medals at the U.S. Lifesaving Association’s Junior Guard National Championships Aug. 4-7 in South Padre Island, Texas, and recognition as Junior Guard of the Year.

Nick, 17, entering his senior year at Soquel High School, finished second in Beach Flags, third in Ironman, Rescue Race and Ironguard in the under-19 age group.

In Beach Flags, competitors start from a prone position, rise, turn and race to grab a baton buried upright in the sand 20 meters away. Since there are always fewer batons than competitors, those who fail to snatch a baton are eliminated.

Nick got second place after three runoffs with Owen McCormac of the Hampton Lifeguard Association taking first.

“We both grabbed the same flag three times,” Nick said.

He’s looking forward to next year’s competition.

He has been involved in Junior Guards since age 6 and competing since age 9.

“It’s the best part of every summer,” he said.

Last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the championships were cancelled, so Nick didn’t get to compete.

This year, he won the Beach Flags event at the regionals in Huntington Beach, earning a trip to nationals.

Ordinarily a team of 50 to 100 athletes from Capitola would compete in the nationals, but that wasn’t possible because of budget issues.

Nick Graessle (left) edges out his opponent competing in “Beach Flags.”

Nick was happy to be Capitola’s sole representative in his age group, even though his flight to Dallas was cancelled due to weather, waves in the Gulf of Mexico were not like the waves back home, and temperatures in South Padre Island were upwards of 90 every day.

“We had to do events before the sun was out – 7 a.m.,” he said. “It was cool.

Everyone rallied for it.”

The pandemic is what gave him the opportunity to be named Junior Guard of the Year.

He was nominated by a lifeguard instructor.

Because the agency was understaffed, Nick volunteered to be an instructor, putting in time and effort to help the program.

“Now I’ve become an instructor,” he said.

Usually that position is restricted to teens 18 and older, but Nick has skills honed with years of experience.

“I like to practice my disciplines,” he said.

That includes swimming, running and paddleboating.

“Graessle” page 23

Two others from the area joined Nicholas Graessle in placing at the national championships. From left: Soquel’s Ava Burke, Los Gatos’ Skye Davies and Graessle display their medals.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 15

16 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Panetta Provides Immigration Update O

By Jondi Gumz

n Aug. 17, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, co-sponsor of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 to reform immigration, hosted a virtual town hall on immigration issues.

That bill, backed by President Joe Biden, would create a path for undocumented individuals to become lawful permanent residents after five years, keep immigrating families together, provide funding for ports of entry to process asylum seekers and prevent narcotics from entering the Jimmy Panetta U.S., and provide aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras conditioned on their ability to reduce the corruption, violence, and poverty that motivates people to flee their homelands.

Introduced in February, the bill has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats support it but 10 Republican votes are needed for passage.

“We’ll try to deal with it in reconciliation,” Panetta said, referring to the budget process in which a bill can be passed by a simple majority vote, and Vice President Kamala Harris can provide the tie-breaking vote.

Panetta’s town hall came five days after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provided data on border security, reporting 212,672 cases of attempted entry along the Southwest border in July, an all–time high.

Mayorkas said 27 percent had tried to

cross the border at least once before, putting the number of individuals trying to cross at 154,288. He said 95,788 individuals were processed for expulsion under Title 42 to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, a policy that will be reviewed by the U.S. Center for Disease Control in 60 days.

Panetta said the Biden administration is accepting children and unaccompanied minors. He added that Vice President Harris is working on legislation “in the next couple months” to deal with the root cause of why people are fleeing their Central America homelands.

The Afghanistan situation, in which the Taliban toppled the government and took over, could lead to another refugee crisis, Panetta said.

His office is seeing a “deluge of requests” from family members who want to get their loved ones out of Afghanistan, he said, and is working with the State Department to process those requests.

Asked if immigrants are getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Panetta said, “Definitely.

It doesn’t matter what country you’re from, it will not affect your documented status.”

He gave this example: The GrowerShipper Association of Central California teamed up with Clinica de Salud Del Valle de Salinas to vaccinate 40,000 field workers, hailed on July 23 as a model by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, formerly California’s attorney general.

“Immigration” page 24

CALIFORNIA NEWS

PG&E Survey in March: 810 Responses P G&E offered its customers a survey in March, asking “Have You Thought About Hardening Your Home?” along with this statement: “2020 was the largest wildfire season in California’s modern history. Five of the six largest wildfires in California history occurred in 2020. In areas of our service territory where wildfire risk has grown significantly, a single ember can destroy a building from more than a mile away. To improve your property’s chances of withstanding a nearby wildfire, it is important to consider hardening your home in advance of severe weather. Which of the below steps have you taken to harden your home?”

“Human Race” from page 14 “If you have ever been to a Human Race, you will understand the pride in bringing together so many diverse groups, causes and people to unite in a single fundraising event in a spirit of fun, cooperation and love for all of our community,” said Delaney. “There is no event like it.”

Nonprofits, schools, faith groups, businesses, families and canine friends joined together once a year for causes they care about, from arts to mental health and from the environment to youth sports.

Here is a breakdown of those 810 responses: • Covered vent openings with metal mesh: 22% • Sealed gaps using weather stripping around openings like garage doors: 17% • Installed garden hoses to reach every part of your home: 16% • Replaced missing tiles and shingles with ignition-resistant materials: 15% • Cleared flammable debris from rain gutters: 5% • None of the above: 7% • More than one of the above: 17% n

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“It’s a demonstration of how working together across our differences helps us all succeed,” Delaney said.

Last year, the Human Race — pivoting to a virtual event due to COVID-19 precautions — raised $130,000, down from $237,000 the year before.

“While we are proud of how much good we have done with the Human Race over 40 years, we are ready to embrace the next leap forward to come together for good in new ways,” said Delaney. n To apply for Santa Cruz Gives by Sept. 7, see www.santacruzgives.org.

The Human Race started in 1982.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

Afghanistan: Let’s Talk About It F Campbell

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18 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

or those who have served in the U.S. military, especially those who served and sacrificed in Operation Enduring Freedom, last week’s takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and the scramble to evacuate American citizens and Afghan partners may bring about many emotions.

Many veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth their sacrifice, according to the U.S. Veterans Administration, which posted this list of resources: • Veterans Crisis Line — If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http:// www.veteranscrisisline.net/ ° For emergency mental health care, you can go to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.

• Vet Centers — Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.

• VA Mental Health Services Guide — This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.

• MakeTheConnection.net — information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

• RallyPoint — Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?

• Download VA’s self-help apps — Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.

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• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) — Request a Peer Mentor • VA Women Veterans Call Center — Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET) • VA Caregiver Support Line — Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET) • Together We Served — Find your battle buddies through unit pages • George W . Bush Institute — Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance. org • Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes — Join the Community • American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network — Peer Support and Mentoring • Team Red, White & Blue — Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.

• Student Veterans of America — Find a campus chapter to connect with.

• Team Rubicon — Find a local support squad. n For more information, see: https://tinyurl. com/afghanistan-lets-talk (Full URL: https://www.va.gov/ northern-california-health-care/stories/ afghanistan-lets-talk-aboutit/?fbclid=IwAR229md-4K3QtIAyLAtGTwOTkShLHUIqLEq2E-3L8PL0pFJYfGeagch8wE)

COMMUNITY NEWS

Will Labor Shortage Cripple Recovery?

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By Jondi Gumz

ave you noticed the labor shortage in Santa Cruz County?

Unemployment is at 6.6 percent — the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March 2020.

Analysts say the pandemic, which forced schools into online learning for students staying at home, made it especially hard for working mothers to go back to work. Some moms may not want to risk exposure to the Delta variant, which spreads more easily than the initial coronavirus.

In August, The New York Times talked with restaurant owners and managers who said they faced higher costs and difficulty finding cooks and wait staff because of the $300-a-week COVID boost in federal unemployment. That ends on Labor Day, Sept. 6.

However, workers in kitchens and bartenders told the Times about working 80 hours a week, being underpaid, underappreciated and even sexual harassed by customers.

Local employers have jobs they haven’t been able to fill.

That’s why Ella’s at the Airport in Watsonville hasn’t started a Sunday brunch – not enough people on staff.

That’s why Wild Roots Market in Felton posted a sign about openings for a cook and a deli clerk.

7500 Old Dominion Court | Aptos, California 95003 831.688.8987 | Seacliffinn.com

HAPPY HOUR IS BACK Monday - Friday | 3pm-5pm

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“We will hire staff as soon as they become available,” the notice said.

Meanwhile, the deli is not able to serve hot bar food for lunch or dinner and service ends at 7 p.m.

Dr. Duncan McCollum, a chiropractor, is looking someone to join his office staff in Brown Ranch Marketplace in Capitola.

In the same shopping center, Roux Dat restaurant is hiring. So is Paradise Tanning, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Spirit Halloween, which opened at the Capitola Mall in the former Sears space, is hiring.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE.

“Labor Shortage” page 23

Discover the joy of learning at Kirby School, an independent college preparatory day school in Santa Cruz for grades 6-12.

Our challenging program is available both in-person, with enhanced safety precautions, and online, for at home learners. Social and emotional well-being is a top priority and vital to student success. Our caring team is committed to helping your child thrive.

Ella’s at the Airport in Watsonville is hiring.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Now enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year. Learn more at one of our upcoming in-person or virtual Admissions events. We offer a test-free application process and Tuition Assistance. Contact us to learn more.

Visit kirby.org for details.

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425 Encinal Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

FireWise Gathering: Sept. 11 in Soquel W

MEET OUR DOCTORS!

Dr. Philip Bosse, DVM.

Dr. Philip Bosse hails from the great state of North Carolina and went to NC State for his undergraduate and veterinary degrees, graduating in 2008. He completed a rotating small animal internship in medicine and surgery in Norwalk, CT before finding his way to the “best” coast in 2009. Since arriving he’s fallen in love with northern California and it’s great outdoors.

In the hospital he enjoys internal medicine, dentistry and preventative care. Outside he enjoys beach volleyball, running, and fishing. Santa Cruz has beckoned to him for many years and it only took a pandemic to finally make that move. He’s very happy he did!

Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to 5pm, and we are currently accepting new clients.

We look forward to having you come in and meet our wonderful doctors!

1980 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010 831.222.5520 20 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

orried about wildfires? Learn how to protect your homes, keep your fire insurance, and get advice on emergency plans.

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy will host an informational session for North Rodeo Gulch FireWise USA from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept 11, at 2390 North Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel. Meet and greet starts at 9:30 a.m. with bagels and spreads.

The agenda for the first hour will be: First District Supervisor Manu Koenig; North Rodeo Gulch 3-year plan (Susan Ta t s u i - D ’ A r c y ; Arul Mathur FireWise leader) ; Inventor of a fireaddress signs (Central activated extinguisher Deputy Fire Marshal Marco Mack) ; Ham/MURS radio communication (Dawn Mackey, Bonny Doon community coordinator); Community Emergency Response Team (Rosemary Anderson, deputy director for CERT Auxiliary) ; CODE Red (Deputy Fire Marshal Marco Mack; Go Bags (Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy) .

The agenda for the second hour will be: Home hardening (Tony Akin, Central Fire defensible space/wildland fire hazard specialist); limbing trees and chipping (Matt Abernathy, Resource Conservation District) ; products NOT to use (Anush Anand, Replace Vinyl, Save Your House) ; innovative products and solutions: F.A.C.E. fire-activated

Anand Anush preps a demonstration on how fire affects building materials.

canister extinguisher funded in one day on Kickstarter (Arul Mathur, CEO and inventor) and FireFree.com; fire insurance and wildfire defense systems (Cindy Weigelt, State Farm) , ending with Q&A. North Rodeo Gulch FireWise 3-Year Plan Year One: Address signs on homes and driveways; home hardening 5 feet around houses and structures; establish micro communities with leaders; where to put a fire break (CalFire & Central/Aptos Fire); work with neighbors to clear 10 feet on your private road Year Two: Add road signage and improve access on narrow private roads ; promote guidance to voluntarily improve driveway access and water supply; remove dead and dying fuels within 30 feet of homes & structures ; coordinate with CalFire & Central Fire to improve fire breaks ; reduce hazardous vegetation within 10 feet on your private road ; all micro community leaders (MURS to ham) “FireWise” page 23

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 21

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D I D YO U K N O W? We provide free fun water education assembly shows to elementary schools in our area.

soquelcreekwater.org/H2OAssemblies

Your Community Partner for Reliable Water

22 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Forest Projects Funded with $3M W ith SB 85 providing $536 million in early action funding for efforts to accelerate forest health, fire prevention and climate resiliency, Cal Fire has awarded $3.03 million for five projects in Santa Cruz County.

The five forest health projects will be undertaken by the Resource Conservation District Santa Cruz County, a government agency based in Capitola working with partners in Aptos, Soquel, San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz.

Lisa Lurie, executive director of the local Resource Conservative District, said the agency will be permitting, and implementing these projects over the next three years.

Partners include State Parks, CalFire’s Soquel Demo Forest, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, San Lorenzo Valley Water District, UC Santa Cruz, and private landowners.

Lurie provided these descriptions of what will be done: Aptos Truck Trail/Buzzard Lagoon Road (up to 180 acres) his project will build off the previously completed Aptos Truck Trail/Buzzard Lagoon Road shaded fuel break, one of 35 priority projects in CalFire’s Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Report.

State Parks is the primary landowner, in partnership with CalFire’s Soquel Demo Forest (which encompasses 2,681 acres) and a private landowner.

The shaded fuel break follows the ridgetop roads protecting several rural communities in Santa Cruz County from the risk of wildland fires, but further steps are needed to improve the health of adjacent forests in the Aptos Creek watershed.

The proposed project will move into

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forested areas next to about 3.5 miles of the truck trail to reduce fuel loads and thin overstocked stands. Reducing stand density is expected to improve radial growth of individual trees resulting in greater long term, live-tree carbon storage.

Fall Creek Truck Trail (up to 62 acres of 2,390 acres affected) his project will build upon previous shaded fuel break work along an important fire access road and resident evacuation route on State Parks land between the at-risk communities of Felton, Ben Lomond, and Bonny Doon.

Mixed conifer forest will be thinned to increase defensibility and reduce stand density to improve individual tree radial growth and live tree carbon storage along one mile of the truck trail.

UC Santa Cruz Land Management Plan he 2,000-acre UC Santa Cruz campus is largely undeveloped “Wildland Urban Interface” land adjacent to the unincorporated town of Felton and the City of Santa Cruz.

Fire risk management plans exist for the developed portions of campus, but the remainder of the land the university owns has largely gone unmanaged since the campus opened in 1965. The result is high fuel loads and coastal ecosystem degradation.

The project will update the campus Land Management Plan, which will provide baseline information on existing conditions, detail specific actions for vegetation management to restore ecosystem health, and create clear priorities for forest health and fuel load reduction implementation on UCSC land that will tie in to regional forest health efforts and student research.

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“Forest Projects” page 23

Oak trees have been thinned, reducing ladder fuels in the shaded fuel break along Aptos Creek Truck Trail. See where the treatment stopped. The goal and function of a shaded fuel break to alter a fire’s behavior and provide a strategic location to not only fight fire but also use as an access route. The treatment focuses on ridgetops, trails, and roads. Typically, shaded fuel breaks are between 10 and 100 feet off of a line. The shaded fuel break is the first phase, with treatment further out into the landscape to follow, to make the forest healthier.

“Forest Projects” from page 22 Sandhills Habitat Forest Health Enhancement (up to 30 acres of 6,000 acres affected) he Sandhills are a unique ecosystem found only on outcrops of Zayante soils―a poorly developed coarse sand soil that supports unique assemblages of plants and animals that include seven endemic plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.

Only about half of Sandhills remain undeveloped and the remaining habitat has been degraded in part due to exclusion of a natural fire regime.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has a vested interest in eight Sandhills properties - four fee properties and four conservation easements. The Land Trust has the primary goal of returning fire to the unique Sandhills landscape.

The eight Sandhills properties need varying levels of site preparation for prescribed burns. This includes understory/brush management, ladder fuel removal, and selective thinning, allowing native Sandhill plants species to dominate space.

Due to sensitivity of the habitat,

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“Mayor Brooks” from page 13 Bias Training he City Council and management participated in an Implicit Bias Training by CircleUp Education on Aug. 24.

This training comes from the request of myself and the Council to create a more inclusive organization.

Art Hike Installations he frames from the Outside the Frame initiative are available for photo ops through August in parks across Santa Cruz County. ​ Then frames will be auctioned to support scholarships and equity programming. To learn more, to obtain a map, or to support the organization visit www.countyparkfriends. org/outsidetheframe.html Events To End Summer enerous sponsors have extended the Wednesday night Twilight Concerts

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“Labor Shortage” from page 19 Many new positions with pay topping $35 an hour were posted in the past week on Indeed.com.

Pacific Collegiate Charter School in Santa Cruz needs a development director; pay starts at $68,289.

Housing Matters, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz, is looking for an individual giving officer; pay starts at $81,120.

County Supervisor Manu Koenig has an opening for an analyst; pay starts at $7,049 a month, topping $84,000 a year.

Monterey County is looking for a

area and 12 acres of eucalyptus trees are proposed for reforestation over the next several years.

••• Scheduling will depend on native wildlife needs and ideal weather conditions. For information contact Matt Abernathy at mabernathy@rcdsantacruz.org.

Within the next month, Cal Fire expects to award up to an additional $123 million for Fire Prevention projects and $2.3 million for Forest Health Research projects.

Many of the Forest Health grants were made available through California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-andtrade dollars toward achieving the state’s climate change goals while boosting the economy and improving public health and the environment. n

treatments will likely need to be implemented by hand crews with the possibility of using small, low-impact equipment where feasible. The first step is developing a fire management plan for the Sandhills properties that identifies and prioritizes the most beneficial areas and actions for habitat enhancement, then planning, permitting, and implementation.

San Lorenzo Valley Water District Post-Fire Recovery (up to 182 acres) LVWD has prepared and adopted a vegetation and fuels management plan and has identified a suite of projects designed to improve forest health and increase fire resiliency.

The CZU fire burned 1,838 acres of the 2,000 acres owned by the water district. In parts of land west of Boulder Creek, the Clear Creek subwatershed suffered high severity fire, particularly on the upper slopes and ridgelines to the north of the creek.

The upper portions of the Foreman and Silver Creek subwatersheds also experienced high severity fire, particularly on the south facing slopes and ridgelines associated with those

drainages. The areas of very high to moderate burn severity were previously forest land and are some of the highest priorities for reforestation. Scorched redwood trees on SLVWD lands will likely naturally re-sprout. Stands of Douglas fir and other conifer forests that experienced higher burn severity are included for reforestation.

Successful and feasible reforestation will depend upon site class, slope, and planting crew access. Site preparation for planting may include removal or chipping of dead and dying trees burned by the CZU Lightning Complex fire to clear space for seedlings and seeds.

About 12 acres of eucalyptus is on water district land, and it’s known to increase fire hazard, particularly where growing in close proximity to each other and where shed bark and foliage has accumulated beneath established trees and stands. Some eucalyptus were top-killed during the CZU lightning fire. Removal of eucalyptus and reforesting with native trees and species will improve forest health and increase fire resiliency.

A total of 170 acres in the burned

at the Esplanade bandstand by two weeks.

The remaining dates are: Sept. 1, The Digbeats playing classic rock, Sept. 8, Jive Machine funk/rock, and Sept. 15, B-Movie Kings classic rock. All concerts begin at 6 p.m.

The 38th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival will be Sept. 11 & 12 in Capitola Village.

Free parking and shuttle will be provided at the Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave., or ride your bike to the festival and park in the free Bike Valet Parking at the entrance.

The festival is admission free! Wine tasting requires the purchase of a 2021 festival glass ($15) and tasting tokens ($2 each).For information, to volunteer or check out the latest updates visit Movies on the Beach will be shown on two dates on the bandstand stage in Esplanade Park: Friday, Sept. 10, Dolittle and Friday, Sept. 17, Frozen 2

Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. (or dusk).

Bring a picnic dinner or dine locally at area restaurants. Low-back chairs, blankets, and jackets are recommended.

Just after fall begins, Capitola’s Food Truck Friday will take place Sept. 24 at Monterey Park, with food from Ate3One, G’s Mexican Tacos, and Good Dogs, live music by Coffee Zombie Collective, and a beer garden.

Capitola Foundation’s 15th Annual Golf Tournament will be Oct: 1. All proceeds go to local nonprofits. To learn more and to register visit https://capitolafoundation.org/golf/. 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.

communications officer, pay starts at $10,128 a month, topping $120,000 a year.

In Watsonville, GraniteRock, CalGiant, Nordic Naturals, and Martinelli all have manager jobs open.

Teamsters Local 853 hosted an in-person job job fair July 10 in San Jose, the first since the pandemic began, with 15 employers wanting to fill 150 “good union jobs” as drivers and in manufacturing and warehousing. Another in-person job fair is scheduled for Aug. 28 in Oakland in the Teamsters’ parking lot, offering 200 “high-paying union jobs” in the same categories as before.

For Ken Whiting, president of Whiting’s Food Concessions, which operates at

Up 200 the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the labor Professional/business 10,500 services shortage is real.

Up 200 He posted on LinkedIn a sign in a Construction 4,700 Up 100 store window saying, “The whole world Information 600 Down 100 is short staffed. Be kind to those who Financial 3,100 Government 17,100 Down 2,000 showed up.” n ••• Farm 12,600 Up 1,400 Nonfarm 91,800 Up 800 Santa Cruz County Jobs Report posted Aug. 20 • July unemployment 6.6% Total 104,400 Up 2,200

July 2021 Change from Labor force 135,100 Up .3% a year ago Employed* 126,100 Up 4.7%

Unemployed 9,000 Down 37% Leisure & hospitality 10,700 Up 700 Count is on the 12th of the month Manufacturing 7,000 Up 600 * Includes commuting to jobs outside county Other services 4,900 Up 500 Source: California Employment DevelPrivate education & health 17,100 Up 400 Trade/transportation/utilities 15,800 Up 200 opment Department

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“Graessle” from page 15

He trains at Capitola Beach, swims with the Quicksilver Club, and plays water polo on Soquel High’s team.

Ava Burke, entering her junior year at Soquel High School, won the Beach Flag event for 14- and 15-year-olds. She has won this event two years in a row in that age group.

She also won the Board Race, which requires paddling a board out and around buoys, then negotiating incoming surf and finishing through a funnel on the beach.

And she took third in Ironguard — a dedicated lifeguarding hopeful. n

“FireWise” from page 20

Year Three: Remove dead and dying fuels within 100 feet of homes & structures; work with neighbors to clear 10 feet on your private road ; all micro community leaders CERT certified; voluntarily improve driveway access and water supply; continue coordinating with CalFire & Central Fire to improve fire breaks. n Information: 831-462-5655.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

‘60 is the New 40’ — But Not for Pipeline Replacement

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o provide the community with highquality, clean water day-in and day-out, the Soquel Creek Water District takes great care in maintaining its infrastructure. The elements of this infrastructure include pump stations to wells, water meters to storage tanks, our buildings to electrical facilities, and more. Inspection, maintenance, and repair of these items is one of the core functions of the District’s operation, and all of those items are critical to how we accomplish our mission.

Another critical link in the infrastructural system that we must constantly keep in great working order is the network of water pipelines throughout our service area. Without them, we would not be able to deliver water to you!

One particular pipeline replacement project is anticipated to be completed later this fall — the Soquel Drive cast iron main replacement. For 60 years, the corrosive soils in the area have been literally eating away at the cast iron pipeline, leading to increasingly frequent cracks and breaks — most of which have been catastrophic, dangerous, water-wasting, and very expensive to repair.

Although it may be true for humans, the adage “60 is the new 40” is not at all the case for old-technology cast iron pipelines.

In fact, this particular set of pressurized pipelines has reached the end of its useful life — to be reborn as a brand-new water main to better serve the community.

The replacement project began in October of 2020, with the goal of replacing 9,000 feet — about 1.7 miles — of the old, corroded pipeline with a new, up-to-date water main. The new pipeline “Immigration” from page 16 Such efforts have brought the fully vaccinated rate in Monterey County to 68 percent.

Local immigration experts joined Panetta in answering questions.

“We need to make sure the evacuation pipeline is kept open,” said Magnolia Zarrega, an immigration attorney in Salinas.

She was born in the U.S. to Mexican immigrant parents who initially worked in the fields, took English classes, became citizens and now work at her office helping other people become U.S. citizens.

For a question about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals for some 650,000 “dreamers” who came to the U.S. before their 16th birthday with their parents, Panetta said, “We also need to take care of our DACA

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

is made of PVC — not the PVC pipes you might use for your home irrigation, but much stronger industrial-strength C900 PVC. This is the thickest-walled, most durable PVC pipeline manufactured today, and it can have a useful lifetime of 70 years or more, while averting many of the aging issues common to cast iron pipes.

According to Brice Dahlmeier, the District’s associate engineer overseeing this main replacement, “Many of these old pipes were put in the ground prior to the formation of the district in the 1960s and were not sized to provide adequate flows for fire protection. This main replacement project increases the watermain size from an 8” pipe to a 12” pipe, which will help increase the available flows from hydrants all along this corridor. These larger pipes also help with reducing energy costs, as our well pumps don’t have to work as hard to push water through a small pipe.

While these energy savings are small, they add up over decades.”

For the last year, the work has been taking place along Soquel Drive from Cabrillo College to State Park Drive, including work on many of the streets connecting to Soquel Drive along the pipeline corridor.

Locals know this stretch of roadway is quite busy with many commercial, retail, and residential buildings, and lots of steady traffic.

Crews utilized extensive, carefully planned traffic control measures, and also engaged in some night work in one spot to minimize traffic impacts.

In addition to the pipes, four new underground vaults have been installed, containing pressure-regulating valves. Each of those vaults

is about 8’ x 8’ x 14’ and weighs 60,000 pounds.

People driving by may have seen the craneassisted installation of these massive components.

Our service area has quite a bit of change in elevation between our water storage tanks in the hills, down to the ocean. These pressure-regulating valves allow us to reduce pressure in the lower elevations, which protects our distribution system as well as our customers’ plumbing.

This project follows a similar project completed in 2014, which replaced failing cast iron pipe along Soquel Drive from 41st Avenue to Cabrillo College.

With the completion of this current project, the District is making progress on its “backbone” to distribute reliable water to our community for decades to come.

District staff are justifiably proud of this complex project and the amount of people and agencies it takes to build a project of this nature.

At the District level, our Engineering department designed the pipeline, handles the project management and inspections and our Operations department coordinates the water shutoff notices, safely decommissions the old main and conducts the flushing of the new main. Our contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, provides the labor, equipment, and expertise to build the infrastructure. The County Sanitation department makes sure we can flush the new watermains into their system without overwhelming the sewer system. The County Encroachment department manages our impacts to traffic.

Not to mention all the coordinating with other utilities (PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, Cabrillo, sewer) for design and conflicts in the field and emergency response, when needed. It takes a village. Thank you to our customers for being

kids, dreamers…allow them to earn their citizenship.”

He added, “It’s not easy. In July, the court (in Texas) found it illegal but allowed us to continue processing of applications before July 16.”

The U.S. Supreme Court will have the last say.

Immigration attorney Jeraline Singh Edwards pointed out DACA applications will be accepted but not processed until the Supreme Court decision.

She has her own immigration story.

Born in the Fiji Islands, she immigrated with her family to the U.S. in 1987, graduated from UC Santa Cruz and served with the Army National Guard in Iraq. A graduate of the Monterey College of Law, she is the directing attorney for immigration and citizenship for Catholic Charities.

Zarraga said it’s important for DACA applicants to respond to requests for evidence, not ignore it.

“This is something that is monumental,” said Lily Ana Sturgis, an attorney with the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, a program of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County.

Her focus is on family-based immigration with an emphasis on cases involving mental or physical abuse and those seeking assistance under the Violence against Women Act. Asked if farmworkers would be included in immigration reform, Panetta said the United Farm Workers had a seat at the table during negotiations on the citizenship bill.

“It passed out of the House,” he said, with 32 Republican votes last year and 30

24 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Why is Soquel Drive in Aptos torn up? Because Soquel Creek Water District is replacing a 60-yearold cast iron main that has been prone to cracks and breaks due to age. patient with water outages, construction noise, and traffic delays.

Our staff does an amazing job of maintaining the entire infrastructure of the water system. It’s a job that’s always ongoing, one that is crucial to the system’s resilience and reliability. And we know how important it is to you — in our most recent community survey last year, 91% of respondents supported investment in our water infrastructure to ensure a safe, reliable water supply. We take that very seriously.

So, for us, infrastructure maintenance, repair, and replacement are not just tasks to be completed — they are fundamental responsibilities. We strive to ensure we are meeting those responsibilities by maintaining a system that our customers can depend on to get their water every day. n For a look at a map and information on this and other District projects, visit soquelcreek water.org/CIP. Republican votes this year. “In the Senate, unfortunately, it stalled.”

He’s pinning his hopes on getting something through the budget reconciliation process.

Ricardo Nunez, representative with the United Farm Workers Foundation providing immigration legal advice, offered to provide updates via text.

“Text ‘Si Se Puede’ to 877-877,” he said.

Born in Mexico, Nunez came to the U.S. in 1999 to reunite with his mother, who had worked in the fields since 1984. Nunez has focused on immigration since 2008.

For a question about citizenship papers burned in a fire, Panetta said, “Call my office, 831-424-2229.” n View the White House description of the Citizenship Act: https://tinyurl.com/USA-citizenship-act

FEATURED COLUMNIST

$8M for Roads / $267M Work Needed

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ne of the most common service requests we receive is on the condition of a road or road repair.

Often, we are asked, “Where do my taxes go?” “Why are the roads in the condition they are in?” After all, many residents pay thousands every year in property taxes and want to know why those funds aren’t being used to repair roads (or repair more roads).

Here is an overview of our local roads, costs to maintain them, current conditions and where your taxes go.

How large is the road network? irst, it’s important to understand the size and scope of the r o a d network that County maintains. There are approximately 600 centerline miles in the unincorporated county.

Centerline miles represent the total length of a given road from its starting point to its end point.

Just to put it in perspective, this is about the same distance as driving from Watsonville to Vancouver, Canada.

What are the current conditions of our roads? oads have different designations such as arterials, collectors and local roads.

An example of an arterial road would be Soquel Drive or Freedom Boulevard.

Collectors would include Sumner or Clubhouse and local roads are the roads you most likely live on (residential roads).

Most roads are local roads (comprising over half of the total centerline miles in the road network). Our district, the 2nd District, has 30 percent (the largest number) of centerline miles in the unincorporated county.

The Pavement Condition Index (PCI)

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By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

measures the condition of a road. Think of it as a test score on a scale of 0-100. Generally speaking, anything over 70 is a road in good condition.

A road between 45-65 is in fair condition and below 45 is in poor condition.

For arterials in the unincorporated county, the PCI is 64. The PCI for collectors is 54 while the PCI for local/residential roads is 40.

What does it cost to maintain or repair the roads? hile construction costs are constantly fluctuating, one thing that is constant is that it’s much cheaper to maintain a road in good condition than to repair and rebuild a road in poor condition.

According to Public Works, here are the costs per mile for doing road work on a road in good, fair, poor and failed condition.

For a road in good condition, to do a single layer seal with no dig-outs, it costs approximately $141,000 per/ mile. For a road in fair condition (with a PCI in the 50-70 range for example), it would cost about $352,000 per/mile for a multilayer seal with dig-out work. This is the average range for our arterial roads.

For a road in poor condition, $563,000 per/mile and includes a full overlay and dig-outs. Many of our local roads and some of our collectors fall into this category.

For a road in failed condition, which includes many roads in the rural areas (including the Aptos hills) as well as some of the agricultural areas in Corralitos and some local/residential roads the cost for full reconstruction is close to $1.1 million per/mile.

Where do my taxes go? he county has a different funding structure than cities. Over half of all

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County of Santa Cruz Public Works

Brodin Lane off Hames Road in Corralitos, before sealing (left) and after sealing.

county revenues come from the state and federal government.

These funds are generally pass-through funds to provide mandated services such as health programs or jail programs. These funds are restricted and generally can’t be used for local road repairs.

Approximately 22 percent of the county revenue comes from local taxes.

These taxes include property taxes, vehicle license fees, taxes paid at local hotels and sales taxes. And while property taxes make

up about half of that 22 percent, only 13 cents of every property tax dollar goes to the County. This means, for every dollar of property tax you pay, only 13 cents goes to the County for services.

So where does the rest of your property tax go to? The largest share, about 57 percent goes to schools while another 18 percent goes to local special districts, cities and the libraries.

“Road Work” page 26

Back to School

ACROSS

1. *____ mater 5. *Graduate degree, acr.

8. Opposite of stereo 12. Defense ditch 13. Fishing rod attachment 14. More sure 15. One’s final notice 16. Dutch cheese 17. Golfer’s traction aid 18. *Half-year terms 20. At the summit of 21. Water nymph 22. Actor ____ Mahershala 23. Be a busybody 26. Metrical foot in poetry 30. Earlier in time, archaic

31. Become bony 34. Shakespeare’s tragic monarch 35. Labanotation founder 37. Theodor Geisel, ____ Dr. Seuss 38. Threshold 39. Relating to the ear 40. Weather advisories, e.g.

42. + or - atom 43. Widely esteemed 45. Most mature, as in fruit 47. Indian dish 48. Dashboard window 50. Female sheep, pl.

52. *”The Breakfast Club” punishment 56. Flower holders 57. Singles 58. High school breakout

59. Acoustic output 60. Overwhelming defeat 61. *Gym class test?

62. Catchall abbr.

63. *Geography class staple 64. Not talker?

11. Table scrap 13. Laces again 14. Milan’s La ____ 19. Manicurist’s office 22. Is it ____ wonder?

23. Hard on outside, juicy on inside 24. One of the Muses 25. Payment option DOWN 1. ____ of cookie fame 26. From a great distance 27. Chill-inducing 2. Stud site 28. Type of palm tree, pl.

3. Cripple 29. Council of _____, city 4. *Go to class in Italy 5. Mythological princess 32. *Back-to-School retail of Colchis event 6. TV cooking show pioneer James ____ 33. WWII general who became President 7. Contributions to the 36. *Faculty member poor 38. “Peace” with fingers 8. *Kind of choice 9. Black and white treat 40. TV classic “____ in the Family” 10. Less than average tide

41. Superlative of true 44. Lowest male singing voice 46. Small bomb 48. Christopher Columbus’ birthplace 49. Consumed (2 words) 50. Small ladies’ handbag 51. What one does at the altar 52. *College freshman’s new digs 53. International Civil Aviation Organization 54. Half as much as twice 55. ____-do-well 56. Every American’s uncle?

© Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 25

Virgo – Temple of Light, Temple of Day Esoteric Astrology • September 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

Under Virgo (Madonna, Divine Mother, Mother of the World) humanity is called to cultivate the virtues of cleanliness and purity. Purity of thought, words and action, Purity of foods and drink. Disciples are aware of this Virgo task, thus guarding their health daily with pure food and water. Virgo is the pregnant Madonna, holding and guarding within herself the holy child, the new reality for the new era, the Fifth (5th) Kingdom, that of the Soul of humanity (the First Initiation, called the Birth). Virgo calls humanity to this recognition. Virgo’s pure body guards & protects the holy child symbolic of the Light of the Soul.

Virgo calls humanity to be pure in thought, word and actions. Thought is to be golden, filled with intentions for Goodwill. When we entertain golden thoughts we build a temple within our bodies. Golden thoughts of Divinity become Divine. When pondering divine ideas, the mind gains the touch of divinity. A divine mind then conducts the alchemy of change for the body. The body becomes an abode of the Divine & it becomes a temple. We become as Gods.

ARIES

Unorganized clay, like an unorganized mind is not useful.

An unorganized mind can fall prey to confusion, anger, cruelty and violence. The intentional activity of building light-filled thoughtforms with the mind is a constructive activity.

One must have an organized mind in order to build thoughtforms of Light. We can choose to have our personality (body, emotions, lower mind) become divine (or not). When thought is golden the mind transmits light. When light is transmitted, it is symbolically called the Day. Depending upon our thoughts we can build a temple of Light which then transmits divine love which becomes a service to humanity and the kingdoms.

This is the task Virgo offers us. When we do not accomplish these tasks, there is no light, no day. We melt into darkness. The choice – light or dark. This is an invitation for some, a temptation for others. It is good to construct the Temple of Light.

The Temple melts into the night. Then built into and called “the Day”. Om

LEO

You become more dignified, more assured, cooperating more with research and investigation into the background of today’s world events. Desire for self-adulation shifts, becoming aspiration for others to be in the spotlight, so their gifts can also be seen and recognized. You will be more and more able to detect and diagnose situations and needs. A mystical and occult (they are different and both are needed) sense appears to pervade your thinking. You blend the two. You enter the Rain Cloud of Knowable Things.

SAGITTARIUS

You consider what your true feelings are about and toward your As the days progress notice you becoming more aware, sympafamily. They can be extreme or they can be conthetic, compassionate, receptive, affectionate and flicted and perhaps somewhat suppressed. You even more sensitive. The volume of your particular are very loyal to the family you have chosen, to vibration is turned up. Anything not peaceful you friends especially. Notice if you are overworked turn away from. When deeply emotional, you and perhaps how overworked your environments are, too. Set study what sacrifice means. Sometimes you’re sorrowful and in about changing the atmosphere, milieu, all surroundings you grief. You consider reading and writing poetry. The dream world find yourself in. You need a bit of liberation, while maintaining beckons. You walk through that door seeking to help others, unaswhat’s traditional. Leos need architectural beauty. suming and unrecognized. You become the Adept.

TAURUS

VIRGO

You become keen on, passionate and zealous for fairness and justice. You seek ways to communicate, compromise, conciliate and cooperate. You begin to speak the ways of Compassionate Communication (non-violent communication).

You attempt to refine and harmonize all desires in order to balance all interactions and relationships. You seek out bold and forceful people. Sometimes you’re impetuous. You wear red more. You’re recognized as a leader.

Your mind is stimulated to such a degree that sometimes you feel dizziness, a slight headache or perhaps heart palpitations. At times you could also experience anxiety. Stand in the Sun’s light allowing its rays to penetrate into your shoulders and the back of your neck. The Sun’s radiant light enters the body and goes directly to the spleen, which then distributes that light to all parts of the body, uplifting and vitalizing. Allow no criticism, conflicts or arguments. They diminish the light.

GEMINI

LIBRA

Usually found reading, writing or talking, your energy now focuses on activities that organize, order and categorize efficiently, effectively and practically. You become logical (and the aspiration to be pure and healthy outweighs usual food desires. I heard the question the other day, “What is comforted by comfort foods?” A good question indeed. Cooking and cleaning energetically become an industrious affair. Careful of cuts, scrapes and burns. And mosquitoes, gnats, ticks and chiggers. Cedar oil works.

You wake each morning trying to figure out how to gain wealth, success and material resources so you can achieve a certain important envisioned goal. Perhaps to build a home for mother, a compound for the family or a village and community for the “family called humanity.” You battle between using resources for self or for others. You have strong values and have worked passionately for them. You battle for and defend your morals, ethics, choices, principles and beliefs. But wait? Is someone being left out?

CAPRICORN

You assess the present day-realities in our world, our country, your town or village and how people are being stripped of their freedoms. You begin to consider what living in a sustainable organized intentional community would be like. You wonder where they are or perhaps you ask could you help create one? You know success is achieved through collective cooperative action now. The old ways are no longer working. You use the word, cooperative, at home because you know our first community is family. You teach the family cooperation first. You then turn outward and teach the world.

AQUARIUS

Notice yourself in the days and weeks to come – notice further developments of persistence, perseverance, steadiness, poise, stability and ambition. Along with great practicality and responsibility to carry out actions in a professional and business-like manner. You work hard, over time, to gain position and reputation.

Achieving success through long hours, dedication, questioning and overcoming obstacles. All of these are sterling qualities to be recognized, applauded and exalted. Good job. Carry on.

CANCER

You seek pleasure and entertainment, make room for children (and childish things), wonder where your childhood playthings went, remember what you left behind and perhaps weep a bit about their loss. Some Cancers speculate (gamble) strongly at this time and with an unusual intensity. The same for Cancer parents. They are known to ferociously protect their children and pets (greatly and especially needed now). There’s lots of drama (crying), playful energies, creative leadership.

Happiness is a choice.

PISCES SCORPIO

Being a Scorpio, sign of discipleship and also of the underworld, you are always under the influence of Pluto and Mars. These planets belong to you. You are also always experiencing the Nine Tests. Every day you experience and recognize them. Mars and Pluto always testing your endurance, attitudes and beliefs make Scorpios feel like they are both dying and regenerating (internally) each moment of time. This experience allows you to speak free, uncompromised and uncomplicated straight talk. Important now.

•••

Your intelligence along with curiosity become stronger. You seek adventure, something pioneering, a way of life reflecting your principles and beliefs. Publishing, religions, spiritual pursuits, mountaintops, horses, meadows, hills and valleys all expand your consciousness and motivation. You seek resources to see your visions for humanity come true. Seeing the state of the world today, you are inspired to teach and uplift humankind, especially the children. In time that dream will manifest. Be careful never to be critical and/or self-righteous. Love more, instead.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Road Work” from page 25 Why does such a small amount stay with the county? The distribution is determined based on what our county was collecting the year before Prop. 13 was passed in 1978. This means that some counties, such as Santa Clara and San Mateo, keep between 2 and 4 times what we can keep.

What about Measure D and SB 1 funding? or our district, Measure D funding (depending upon how sales taxes do in a given year) brings in approximately $900,000/year for local roads. This is a significant infusion that wasn’t available before Measure D passed in 2016.

As you can see from the repair costs, it’s hard to do reconstruction on failed roads but Measure D does help improve roads that are at-risk or in poor condition.

Since the passage of Measure D, a number of roads in La Selva, Rio Del Mar, Seacliff and most recently in Pleasant Valley/Corralitos were improved via Measure D funding.

Measure D is anticipated to bring in about $2.7 million in funding countywide.

While SB 1 gas tax funding is currently being used for major storm damage repairs, at its peak in a few years it’s estimated to bring in about $4 million in new money to the entire unincorporated area.

Additionally, the County averages at least $1 million/year in state and federal grant funding and more funds come from a refuse vehicle impact fee and more.

Overall, it’s estimated about $8 million per year on average will be brought in for the 600 centerline miles of road. According to Public Works, there are currently about $267 million in needs for the local roads, which will grow as some road conditions are worsening.

If you have a pothole or non-emergency road issue you can submit service requests through the County’s free mobile app, My Santa Cruz County, available on the app store or Google Play, online via the Public Works Department’s website (found via www.santacruzcounty.us) or by calling 454-2160. n ••• As always, if you have any questions about this or any other issue please feel free to contact me at 454-2200.

For the 2019 pavement management report with road conditions listed alphabetically visit https://tinyurl.com/SC-county-roads (Full URL: https://www.dpw.co.santacruz.ca.us/Portals/19/pdfs/Roads/2019%20 Pavement%20Management%20Report.pdf)

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Measure D is anticipated to bring in about $2.7 million in funding countywide.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SHARE YOUR PASSION AT COUNTY FAIR It’s time to share your passion by entering what you create into the 2021 Santa Cruz County Fair, Sept. 15-19 at the county Fairgrounds on Highway 152 east of Watsonville.

Entry categories include: Collections and Hobbies, Fine Arts, Photography, Legos, Canned Goods, Flowers, Quilts and many others.

Walk-in registration for baked goods is Sept. 11.

Registration for potted plants and youth container gardens is Sept. 13.

To volunteer, go online at https://www.santacruzcountyfair.com/fair-time/general-info/volunteer The Fair opens at Noon Wed.-Fri. and 10 a.m. Sat. & Sun. Visit santacruzcountyfair.com for more information.

WRITING MENTORS NEEDED Wendy Thompson of the Young Writers Project is recruiting mentors for students at Branciforte Middle School and Costanoa Continuation High School.

Mentors will work with Jessica Brown’s 8th graders at Branciforte on poetry about restoring balance and equity and Maria Diaz Perez’s 10th through 12th graders at Costanoa, writing on empowerment. Mentors must commit to two days a week either from Oct. 4, thru Nov. 2 or Oct. 18 thru Nov. 23.

Need a refresher on working with student writers? Two inperson trainings for volunteers are scheduled at Branciforte : Best Practices Training on Sept. 25, and Traits of Good Writing Training on Oct. 9. Each class is 10 a.m-1 p.m.

Contact Wendy Thompson at wendy@youngwriterssc.org for more info. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/YWP-fall-2021

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by September 20 native speakers. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, the classes the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz is offering — beginning, intermediate, advanced, conversation — are for you.

The online 10-week session begins the week of Sept.

13, so register to secure your spot. If classes fill, a wait list will be created.

The price ranges from $175 to $225 for 10 weeks. To register see: https://bit.ly/Dante-Classes. For more information email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com EL PAJARO KITCHEN ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING El Pajrao Community Development Corp., which has a commercial kitchen in Watsonville for food entrepreneurs, will offer online training for free, with a focus on Spanish-speaking start-ups. The dates: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 6 p.m., Orientation of the Entrepreneur Program.

To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/el-pajaro-cooking.

ONGOING EVENTS

Tuesday September 7

DEADLINE FOR MI CASA ES TU CASA Email forms to hedwig@pvarts.org Mi Casa es Tu Casa is Pajaro Valley Arts’ annual exhibit inspired by Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead, a CAPITOLA’S FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS traditional holiday in Mexico remembering those who Do you love eating outside while enjoying live music? If so, have passed away. the Capitola’s Food Truck Friday events are perfect for you!

This year’s theme is History, commemorating the The events are Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. Upcoming Mexican Pandemic, which began 500 years ago (1521event on Sept. 24.

1600), Loss, those who died during the 2020 pandemic & Healing, La Cultura Cura.

One Saturday Each Month Exhibit dates: Oct. 27 – Dec. 12, with an opening COOKING WITH GREY BEARS reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7.

You can participate by building an altar, installation 11 a.m. Online Class Cooking with Grey Bears next few classes will be online or other art medium and celebrate these remembrances.

Email entry form to hedwig@pvarts.org by Sept. 7. only.

To enter, download the entry form at https://tinyurl.

Upcoming classes: Sept. 18 and Oct. 23 Use this Zoom link to participate in your home at time of class: com/mi-casa-es-tu-casa-entry (Full URL: https://files. constantcontact.com/732194dc001/d7736cad-30c1-4d44https://us02web.zoom.us/j/92906805068.

98b8-62c4fbc6f1fc.pdf?rdr=true) First Sunday Every Month GOVERNOR RECALL SYMPOSIUM WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE 6 p.m. Open Links / 6:30 p.m. meeting begins, Online Zoom 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 meeting Mission Street, Santa Cruz 95060 The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will host a The Westside Marketplace is an exciting monthly market Recall Symposium at its monthly meeting . The symposium where local art, handmade and vintage shopping meet will include an information exchange and group discussion delicious food! This collaboration between Food Trucks A about the state of the race to recall Gov. Newsom.

Go Go and the SCM Makers Market presents a great mix of With the Sept. 14 recall election fast approaching, creators of all kinds! There is also live music at each event! club members will discuss ways to help mobilize voter Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays. turnout for people who haven’t cast their ballots yet.

Members of the public are invited to the symposium, The Market is free to attend and is 100% local!

All local and state health guidelines will be followed. which will be on Zoom.

Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while For the meeting link, visit www.svslvdemocrats.org. you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand Wednesday September 8 sanitizing stations will be available.

BUSINESS EXPO For more information, go to the event page: https://www.

4-7 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz facebook.com/events/170470481551895; Food Trucks A Go Go: https://www.foodtrucksagogo.com/; or SCM Makers Market The 2021 Business Expo features views of Monterey Bay with more than 100 businesses and nonprofits on hand, https://scmmakersmarket.com/ for a list of all of the vendors. featuring samples from local food companies.

For information, call Elana at 831-457-3713 or visit http:// DATED EVENTS www.santacruzchamber.org/business-expo.html have a featured musical act plus food, artists, vendors, and more. Admission is free.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday NAMI RECOVERY SUPPORT Mon/Wed 1-2:30 p.m., Fri 6-7:30 p.m., confidential Zoom meetings.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Cruz County offers the “Connection Recovery Support Group,” a free, peer-led support group for any adult 18 or older who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition (no diagnosis required).

Groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there.

It’s confidential and drop-in friendly.

To attend, complete the registration form. You will SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 immediately get an email with the Zoom link. You On display thru Oct. 31 will need to do this only once, and will be able to use 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East the same link for all groups in the future. Register at: Lake Ave., Watsonville https://tinyurl.com/nami-zoom-register.

Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture If you are unable to register, do not have an email exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden. address, or have other questions, call the office at The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected more (831)-824-0406 or email anastasia@namiscc.org. than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and collaborators. View previous sessions at https://www.namiscc.org/ Tuesday August 31 Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, SKIRT STEAK FUNDRAISER First Tuesdays Of The Month relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 75 Sakata Lane, Watsonville enjoying the outdoor exhibit.

FIRST TUESDAYS FREE Cal Giant Foundation is sponsoring a grilled skirt steak Admission is free.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, fundraiser, with proceeds to support local nonprofits.

The meal, which costs $20, includes salad, garlic Santa Cruz SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS bread, fresh berries and dessert. Order at foundation@ Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free This new program from Community Bridges brings admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m. calgiant.com or call 831-728-1773. enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, Pre-pay via Venmo, PayPal, or with credit card, cash or check. cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an https://arboretum.ucsc.edu Friday September 3 internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. thru Monday September 6 To participate, view the calendar at https://communityThird Thursday Each Month MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR CONCERTS bridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, 7:30 p.m. Fri-Sun / 4 p.m. Mon., Monterey County Fair & PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting The 86th Annual Monterey County Fair returns and BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support announces live music concerts at the Payton Stage: Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Left of Center — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Second Harvest Food Bank’s Journey Revisited — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 The Money Band — 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5 Thursday of each month. drive-through food distribution Samz School of Rock — 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6 will continue operating at the Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport ••• county Fairgrounds 9 a.m.-Noon or call 831-471-7255.

This year’ s fair theme is “Fair Fun in 2021.” Acts include on the following Fridays: magician Frank Thurston, Stilt Circus, Kevin K, 5-9 p.m.

Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Fridays nightly; and Racing Pigs and Pedal Tractors daily.

Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

MIDTOWN FRIDAYS Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adult and seniors, $10; children 6-11 $5; kids 5 and under are free. See Ongoing thru Oct. 29, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (next to ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES https://tickets.montereycountyfair.com/p/tickets. the fire station) 10-week Online Session, Begins Sept. 13 Seniors 62 and up, military and veterans with IDs get Event Santa Cruz is hosting a Friday festival through the Registration closes Sept. 3 for fall Italian language classes. in free noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. To RSVP, go to Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with instructors who are end of October. Called “Midtown Fridays,” the event will www.montereycountyfair.com.

28 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Parking on the fairgrounds through Gate 8 is $20 or at the Monterey Pines Golf Course Driving Range, $15. Parking tickets must be purchased in advance.

EMPRESARI@ BUSINESS EDUCATION APPLICATION DEADLINE Registration closes 5 p.m., Space is limited.

El Pájaro Community Development Corp. and the Regional Women’s Business Center are accepting applications for the Empresari@ business education program, available virtually to residents of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties.

The Spanish-language 13-session course takes place Wednesday evenings, 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 15 to Nov. 17, with supplemental classes on Monday evenings.

The course covers planning, marketing, and managing a business, assistance in analyzing your business idea, access to micro-loan programs to start or improve a business, business consulting and business incubation, and networking. Carmen Herrera-Mansir Rocio Andrade, executive director, values the course at $2,500.

Cost for the course is $50. To register visit: www.epcdc. eventbrite.com or call (831) 722-1224.

A virtual orientation in Spanish will be offered at 6 p.m. Sept. 1.

To register call (831) 722-1224.

Thursday September 9 NATURAL HAZARDS SEMINAR 6:30 p.m., Cabrillo Host Lions Club, 100 Aptos Creek Road Robert Hadley Sydnor, a senior engineering geologist retired from the California Geological Survey, will speak on “Natural Hazards in the Santa Cruz County region,

COMMUNITY CALENDAR and how citizens can effectively prepare.” The talk will include many photographs.

Natural hazards include: Landslides, debris flows, earthquake shaking, wildfires followed by erosion, surface fault rupture, torrential rains, coastal cliff landslides, and settlement of uncompacted fills.

Syndor, a veteran of dozens of landslides in Santa Cruz County over the past 40 years, is the author of a 142-page book on the 1987 Loma Prieta earthquake.

He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a Life Member of the California Academy of Sciences, the Seismological Society of America, the Association of Engineering Geologists, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The talk is free and parking is free.

For information, visit www.facebook.com/cabrillohostlionsclub, or call Jeannie Collins at: (831) 428-3135.

Saturday September 11

Participating volunteers will meet us at Natural Bridges State beach and will also be involved with our special tobacco waste data collection effort. (All materials will be provided.)

Friday September 24 Saturday September 25 BOARDWALK CAMPOUT FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Deadline to register is Sept. 23, or until full.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk sponsors the Fall Campout Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Gold Together for Childhood Cancer.

Registration is $84.95 per person.

To register, see https://beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Overnights

Saturday September 25

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

THIRD-ANNUAL SEPT. 11TH MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB Friday September 17 8 a.m., Seacliff State Beach This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 7 p.m., Rio Theatre, Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz attacks on American soil.

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road on the heels of the festival in Alberta, To commemorate those who lost their lives, Central making stops in 550 communities and 40+ countries, including the Rio Theatre. Award-winners and Firefighters Local 3535 will host the Third Annual audience favorites are among the films selected from more than 400 entries.

September 11th This event will require proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative test within 72 hours of attending and Memorial Stair masks worn unless eating or drinking. Check RioTheatre.com for updates as protocols are subject to change.

Climb at the For list of films visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2021/9/17/banff-centre-mountain-film-festival-world-tour Seacliff State ••• Beach stairway.

CORAL PROGRAM Central firefighter ACCOMPLICE — The Passport: 2020, USA, 8 minutes. Hannah Bergemann and Veronique Sandler Brent Moyer, the travel to the high Himalayas near Ladakh, India to explore remote mountain ranges. organizer this Mount Logan: 2020, France, 13 minutes. 48 days of adventure, 250km of ski touring, 3800m of ascent up year, invites all fire, law enforcement, military and EMS Mt. Logan, a first descent down the East Ridge and a 400km river trip back to the sea for three adventurers. personnel to participate.

Cholitas (Tour Edit) (photo): 2019, Spain, 53 minutes. Five Indigenous Bolivian women embark on a unique Donna Lind, founder of the Fallen Officer Foundation expedition as a symbol of liberation and empowerment. Their goal: The highest peak in the Americas, Aconcagua. in Santa Cruz County, said the first year included stair Pathfinder — Life Beyond Fear: 2019, Norway, 10 minutes. Six slackliners deep in the Norwegian climbs to represent the same number of steps in the mountains attempt walking a highline elevated in the vastness between two colossal cliffs.

World Trade Center wearing full gear.

Ten Thousand Bolts: 2020, USA, 18 minutes. Coarse language. A portrait of Toni Arbones, a professional This year will again include stair climbing and rock climber who has helped turn Siurana, Spain, into one of Europe’s most popular rock climbing areas. bagpipes, plus a flyover by the Air National Guard K2 — The Impossible Descent (Tour Edit): 2020, Austria, 23 minutes. Coarse language. On July 22, Blackhawk helicopters.

2018, Polish ski-mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel makes “the impossible descent” of K2 Participation fee is $25. The goal is to raise $10,000.

All proceeds will be donated to: Fallen Officer Foundation Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) will speak at meeting is free and open to the public. in Santa Cruz County, the National Fallen Firefighters a luncheon presented by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Members will present fundraising ideas to replace Foundation, and the National Fallen Officer Foundation.

Commerce.

To participate or ask questions, email: centralscstairclimb@gmail. projects canceled or reduced due to the pandemic.

Members will vote, and prizes will be awarded to the Price is $42 for members and $55 for non-members. com. To donate, visit GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/f9f4308c winners.

Register at https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/ Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is Luncheon-Speaker-Series-Washington-Report-from-JimmySaturday September 11 a global volunteer organization providing women and Panetta-4257/details Sunday September 12 girls with access to education and training they need to CAPITOLA ART & WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS! achieve economic empowerment.

Saturday September 18 Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie Arnone says: For information, see www.facebook.com/sicapitola or www.

SAVE OUR SHORES COASTAL CLEANUP “September is festival time and we could not be more best4women.org or email info@best4women.org.

9 a.m.-Noon, Natrual Bridges State Beach excited about it!

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education Tobacco Mark your calendar for the 38th Annual Capitola Art & Thursday September 16 Use Prevention Education program, is joining forces Wine Festival, Sept 11-12; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and with Save Our Shores, the Marine Mammal Center, and CLASS OF 1976 REUNION TICKETS Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition, to Reunion on October 16, 3-6 p.m., Bargetto’ s Winery, 3535 N. Admission is free! Parking is free at the Capitola Mall participate in the 2021 Annual Coastal Cleanup Day 9 Main St., Soquel with free shuttle service to the festival and back! a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept.18. Volunteers will meet at The Watsonville High School Class of 1976 will gather Meet Festival poster artist Brittany Costanzo. Enjoy Natural Bridges State Beach and also be involved with a for its 45th reunion in October, but limited tickets are art, music and dancing. special tobacco waste data collection. only available thru Sept.

16.

Volunteers are needed to make this event memorable The price, with the meal catered by Carmona’s, is $70 Register at https://saveourshores.org/coastal-cleanup/. as always. Groups and individuals can sign up on the During September, download the Clean Swell App festival website at capitolaartandwine.com. Take part in per person. Only 100 tickets are available. at https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/ a treasured community event, make some new friends, Info: Email kimvest@yahoo.com, suzgalla@aol.com, or international-coastal-cleanup/cleanswell/ to collect and have fun doing it! Give us a call at 831-475-6522 ... call 831-722-3268. Checks can be mailed to WHS Class data on the types of trash you find on the beach. we love our volunteers!” of 1976, care of Susan Radin Gallagher, 11 Rialto Drive, The Santa Cruz County Office of Education Tobacco Watsonville.

Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program, is joining Tuesday September 14 forces with Save Our Shores, the Marine Mammal Center, LUNCH WITH REP. PANETTA CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST MONTHLY MEETING and the Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Chaminade Resort & Spa, 1 Chaminade to participate in the 2021 Annual Coastal Cleanup Day 4-5:30 p.m., Olive Garden, 3400 Clares St., Capitola Lane, Santa Cruz event held on September 18th from 9am-12pm.

Soroptimist International of Capitola by-the-Sea’s

GREY BEARS ANNUAL HARVEST GALA 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz Eat, learn, move and shop at this year’s Harvest Celebration 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, outside Grey Bears in Santa Cruz.

Enjoy appetizers and savory barbecue lunch (veggie options), music, live comedy, free classes including chair yoga, auction and storewide 50% off sale.

10:30 am – 11:30 am: 15-min. free chair yoga classes with Suzi 11:30 am – BBQ lunch 11:45 am – Comedy with DNA and friends 12:15 pm – Keynote speaker, Supervisor Manu Koenig 1 pm – Recycling tour 1:30 pm – Auction To donate products or services to the auction, call 831-4791055 ext 223. To donate cash see https://www.greybears.org/ support/

Saturday September 25 Saturday September 26 CAPITOLA BEACH FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Saturday Little Wharf 3 MILER Fun Run 8 – 11 AM Must preregister. Shuttles available.

Sand Sculpture Contest 8 AM – Noon; Registration online or on Capitola Beach at 8 AM. Trophy judging at 12:30 PM. Award at 1 PM Children’s Art 11 AM – 2 PM Sign up at Esplanade Park. Children pre-school age and above can create their own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade. Art chalk provided.

Music at the Beach 4 – 6 PM Houserockers sponsored by Strock Real Estate. Music and dancing in Esplanade Park.

Lighted Nautical Parade on Soquel Creek approximately 7 – 8 pm View a parade of lighted barges will travel down Soquel Creek to the Lagoon — no access to the trestle allowed.

Sunday Fishing Derby 7 – 11:30 AM Registration begins at 7 AM near the end of the Capitola Wharf.

Bring your own fishing poles. Open to all ages. Final tally at 11 AM. Horseshoes on the Sand 7 AM - Finish Doubles tournament at Capitola Beach in front of Zelda’s Restaurant. Teams will be chosen by drawing names from a hat.

Must pre-register or call (831) 419-6399. Check-in time 7 - 8 am.

Chalk Art on the Seawall 10 AM -1 PM Sign up at Esplanade Park. Children pre-school age and above can create their own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade. Art chalk provided.

Rowboat Races 1 PM - 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 supplied.

Registration is at: Capitolabeachfestival.com n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / September 2021 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Seeking Hand Crew to Aid Firefighters

Disposable Straws, Utensils, Napkins, Condiments To Become “On Request”

By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

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ver the last few months, the First District office has been busy working on several issues that affect you and your neighborhood. Our focus has been on fire prevention and preparation, road improvements, and the environment. Here are a few highlights: Fire Prevention and Preparation ur office continues to work on several efforts to help prepare for and reduce the risk of another potentially devastating wildfire.

We requested and received an additional $50,000 for the FireSafe Council of Santa Cruz County during the June budget hearings, and we have participated in several neighborhood Firewise meetings.

We applaud County residents for working together to reduce fire risk and make their communities Firewise. At the beginning of 2021, there were 13 Firewise neighborhoods; today, another 16 communities have initiated the process, more than doubling the number of homes who are prepared, not scared.

On Aug. 25, we hosted a virtual community meeting on fire preparedness, “Prepared, Not Scared,” featuring guest speakers from the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery, and Resilience, CalFire, and the Central Fire Protection District. Our discussion focused on how our community can be prepared for future fire events, including fire mitigation resources, community preparation efforts, and other fire-related topics.

Our office has reached across county lines to Supervisor Don Horsley of San Mateo County to collaborate on a new hand crew site to be established at Camp Glenwood in Scotts Valley. In August, I requested the Chair of the Board write a letter to Gov. Newsom and the State Board of Forestry

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and Fire Protection to request funding and assistance for establishing this hand crew camp, which would jointly serve Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. It is vital that we establish new hand crews to assist our firefighters.

Also, the First District office has identified a list of potential new camera sites to improve our early detection system, and we will be moving forward with installations as quickly as possible.

Road Improvements etween Aug. 23 and Oct. 29, significant work will be done on several First District roads.

The Mid-County Road Crew will perform pavement repairs on roads in Live Oak, including Capitola Road, 7th Avenue, and East Cliff Drive, as well as on Soquel Drive.

Additionally, Fairway Drive, Glen Haven Road, Soquel-San Jose Road, Prescott Road, and North Rodeo Gulch will also see improvements. We will be tracking these projects, and will help to publicize the work dates to minimize impacts on

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30 / September 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Local Local Local

residents. We are so pleased to see these road improvements move forward!

Unanimous Vote for “Skip The Stuff” n August, Supervisor Friend and I proposed a “Skip the Stuff” ordinance to reduce disposable single-use foodware accessories, including straws, utensils, condiments, and napkins.

The ordinance will require restaurants and other prepared food vendors to provide single-use foodware accessories only on request, and also requires online platforms for ordering food to enact an opt-in model for foodware accessories across all digital platforms and applications.

This new ordinance is intended to reduce litter and waste, and the Public Works Department will conduct outreach and education efforts to affected businesses in advance of implementation. Fines for violating the ordinance would not start until March 2022, the same time as the County’s single-use cup ordinance goes into effect.

Tracking Developments he comment period for the draft EIR for the planned Kaiser medical office buildings at 5940 Soquel Ave. closed in

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August, but our office continues to receive and respond to constituents’ comments and concerns regarding this proposed project.

As the Kaiser project progresses, we will continue tracking it closely and documenting all correspondence we receive.

The applicant will hold a coderequired community meeting in the fall, and our office will hold a neighborhood meeting in the coming weeks. Details to come soon. n ••• As always, we invite you to share your feedback on these issues and others. Email us at first.district@santacruzcounty.us, and join us for one of our constituent meetings.

Visit District 1 (santa-cruz.ca.us) for a complete list of upcoming constituent meetings.

The [Skip The Stuff] ordinance will require restaurants and other prepared food vendors to provide single-use foodware accessories only on request ...

SCCAS Featured Pet

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Bluebell — One in a Million

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luebell (A283346) came to the shelter as a stray, so we don’t know much about her history, but it seems almost irrelevant because she has shown herself to be nothing but wiggles, smiles, and pure joy. She is currently living with a senior male pittie and has met tons of dogs on her outings with her foster family and has done beautifully with all.

She is the same with humans; loves everyone she meets and will go out of her way to make friends of all ages.

Bluebell is easy going, housetrained, loves car rides, great on outings of all kinds (breweries, errands, restaurants) and just generally a happy go lucky girl. She has been doing very well getting acclimated to being left home alone (with her foster brother) for extended periods when necessary but would really rather have people around or be taken along. Bluebell does seem a bit too interested in small animals to be a candidate for a home with cats (rabbits, etc.).

We think Bluebell may have an old knee injury but that doesn’t slow her down … she happily jumps on and off of couches and beds and in and out of the car. We think she is part bull dog/pitbull.

Bluebell is ready to find her forever home and we know the perfect family is out there!

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

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