Capitola Soquel Times: November 2021 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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Times Publishing Group, Inc.

November 2021 • Vol 26 No. 11

Covid Update page 7

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A Season to Cherish

The 2021 Soquel High girls volleyball season has been one my teammates and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. Full Story page 6

Sixth Annual Capitola Plein Air Artist Invitational • Nov. 1 –Nov. 7

By Laurie Hill Plein Air painting began in France in the 1830s and became very popular in 1840 with the introduction of paint in tubes. Plein Air is a French phrase that means painting in the open or “on location” rather than in a studio. The typical image is of a lone painter outdoors painting what he or she sees.

Entering our sixth year, Capitola Plein Air’s talent has already been favorably compared to Carmel’s Plein Air competition. This year’s event features invited award winners from Capitola Art and Cultural Commission’s previous competitions. ... continues on page 4

Capitola’s New Chief: Andy Dally Full Story page 8

The Monsters of Chavez Ravine Wins Gold

The Monsters of Chavez Ravine, by Capitola author Debra Castaneda, won the gold medal for English-language fantasy/ science fiction at the International Latino Book Awards. Full Story page 11

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No. 11

Volume 26

Table of Contents

Cover Sixth Annual Capitola Plein Air: Artist Invitational • Nov. 1 –Nov. 7, By Laurie Hill 7

21 23

Community News FDA: Pfizer Vaccine OK for Kids 5 to 11: Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID Deaths As New Cases Slow, By Jondi Gumz Capitola’s New Chief: Andy Dally • Matt Huffaker Tapped as Santa Cruz City Manager • Cal Fire’s San Mateo Santa Cruz Chief Ian Larkin Retires San Lorenzo River Levee Cleanup • Meaningful Gifts • Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director • New SC Symphony Executive Director • Redistricting Comments Due Nov. 2 on Redistricting • $3 Million Grant For County Behavioral Health Rotary Bike Ride Raises $200,000: Teen Kitchen Project, Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery to Benefit • Main Street Elementary Raises $21,300 in Boardwalk’s Drive for Schools The Monsters of Chavez Ravine Wins Gold for Fantasy/Science Fiction Forgiven PPP Loans Help SCCB To Record Earnings Capitola Beach Festival: Quite the Comeback, By Laurie Hill Second Harvest Food Bank: Helping The Community Bring Comfort to Those In Need Lions Peace Poster Contest for Kids $800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide

Local Sports League Champs: A Season To Remember, By Ciara Cantlen

8 9

10 11 13 15 19

Letters to the Editor 18 Kudos to Edita McQuary 21 Strike Out Raises $60,000 for WomenCARE

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Words Are Magic!, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 12 Bike Ride for Health with the Mayor, By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola 18 Zigni: Ethiopian Red Stew, recipe by Lakia Queen 23 Breaking the Silence, By Jasmine Najera  24 Embracing the Season of Thanks and Gratitude, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 24 Should National Parks be Returned to Native Americans?, From the Editors of E—The Environmental Magazine 25 County Strategic Plan: How Are We Doing?, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 27 Change Coming to School Board Elections: Five Areas to be Created to Comply with Voting Rights Act, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District 30 Recent Rains Haven’t Removed Wildfire Threat, By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 — Snuggling Into Your Heart

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Laurie Hill, Jondi Gumz, Ciara Cantlen, Risa D’Angeles, Yvette Brooks, Lakia Queen, Jasmine Najera, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend, Scott J. Turnbull 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

“Plein Air” from page 1 The event is sponsored by the City of Capitola and is led by a team of volunteers. You are invited to watch these artists paint — rain or shine — Nov. 1-6. Keep an eye out for easels, umbrellas, palettes of color, brushes and pastels. These artists work in oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, and gouache. Watch the artist lay out the piece’s composition, layer the colors and add the final details. Please watch from a safe distance, as just one bump on the shoulder can disturb the image the artist is trying to capture. Find these artists at work along a Capitola sidewalk or ocean bluff, tucked in protected alcoves, sitting inside and looking out (during rain), along your favorite walking and beach spots, and as far away as New Brighton State Beach, Nisene Marks, and Pleasure Point. This Plein Air event will capture Capitola’s iconic vistas from the perspective of 40 artists during the day and the night. They will paint vistas you might not expect, such as eye-catching architecture, colorful storefronts, beach cottages, maybe a pigeon on the seawall. The first prize painting in 2019 was a foggy morning view from Depot Hill. Previous winners have included an artistic take on street traffic along Stockton Avenue, the Capitola Trestle and shadowy images beneath Capitola Wharf.

The artists will all convene Sunday Nov. 7 at New Brighton Performing Arts Auditorium, 250 Washburn Ave., for the display, competition and sale of their work. View artwork created during the six days of painting and see which pieces are selected to become a part of the city’s growing art collection, receive honorable mention, or awards for People’s and Artist Choice. Doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. This is your opportunity to pick up an original piece that uniquely reflects an artist’s experience and perspective in Capitola. See www.Capitolapleinair.com Artists Sally Bookman Peggy Wynne Borgman Cathy Boyer Kerrie Brandau Tanvi Buch Bonni Carver Sandra Cherk John Crawford Paul Fortis Wendy Franklin Victoria Galitzine Stephanie Gelman Meisha Grichuhin Annie Haines Scott Hamill

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

Cover Graphic: www.freevector.com/autumn-leaf-pattern

Sun Bleached • Depiction of Rio Del Mar by Victoria Galitzine, a native of England now living in Aptos.

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Coraly Hanson Maggie Renner Hellmann Cyrus Hunter Bill Kennan Marie Massey Kristian Matthews Steven McDonald Annette D McGowan Mark Monsarrat Gia Moody Joe Ortiz Justin Owens Erika Perloff Barbara Reding Paul Rickard Lupe Santos Julia Seelos Alfred Shamble Randall Stauss Barbara Tapp Marti Walker Durre Waseem The sixth annual Capitola Plein Air is a free event. To view the artists at work, check out New Brighton Beach, Depot Hill, the Esplanade, and the Jewel Box area. n ••• For more information, visit https://www. capitolapleinair.com/ Cover Photo: “Blues of Depot Hill,” by East Bay native Cleo Vilett, was the Capitola Plein Air first place winner in 2019.

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LOCAL SPORTS

League Champs: A Season To Cherish T By Ciara Cantlen

he 2021 Soquel High girls volleyball season has been one my teammates and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. After missing a year of high school volleyball due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all incredibly eager to be back in our gym to work toward our goals once again. All season, the league championship and CCS have been our focus. We reached these goals due to our persistent hard work and grit, yet we would not be the team we are without our determination, our passion, our bond. Under a new head coach, we were determined to make a change in our team dynamic from past years. Stepping into the position, Coach Al Adamsen had a clear vision for how he wanted our team to function. From tryouts, the team philosophy he set is: “Attitude, focus, and effort.” As captain, I took responsibility in creating a positive yet hard-working environment and culture for our team, and we have most definitely accomplished that. Being a part of a team that is as close as we are is a very special experience — one not many are fortunate enough to have. We had a slow start. With only a week of practice before our first match and key players injured, getting a consistent rhythm on the court was difficult. This was quickly remedied with more quality time in the gym and injured teammates returning. Our first home league match against Santa Cruz High was a thriller. Five sets and we came up just a little short. Yes, the loss was difficult, but we were completely content with our play and knew in our hearts we would soon rectify that loss. As the season went on, we improved as players and as teammates.

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By the time our match at Santa Cruz High came around, we were determined and ready for the rematch. Here we are again, at the fifth set. The score is 17-16 in Soquel’s favor and we have more adrenaline and passion coursing through our veins than ever. We won the match and are tied for first place in the league — both teams with one loss to each other. We go on to win the rest of our matches in league play, putting us on top for the league championship title. One goal down. Then the league tournament. For the finals, you guessed it, Soquel vs. Santa Cruz. One last time. Scheduled for our home gym, with hundreds of passionate Soquel students and fans expected to show up for the match, our school’s power went out. The title game got moved to Santa Cruz High, which did have power. We were disappointed, but we did not let that deter us from winning the tournament and beating our cross-town rival. We took the league tournament championship by winning in four sets. It was exhilarating. We now are seeded first in our division for CCS and have high hopes for the remainder of our season. This season has been far and beyond anything I could have hoped for, and it is not over yet. Our success on and off the court has made this an unforgettable experience. I am forever grateful to Coach Al, my teammates, and our Soquel fans for making this season so special. n ••• Ciara Cantlen #16 is a senior at Soquel High. CCS playoffs begin Tuesday.

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The Soquel High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team Celebrates their 2021 SCCAL Championship. Top row, from left: Coach Morgan Ehritt, Coach Al Adamsen, Coach Ava Adamsen, Ciara Cantlen, Jessie Dueck, Kylee Eze, Ainsley Miller, Natalie Kamalani, Maya Rhee-Pizano, Ashley Muller, Maya Ramirez, and Makiah Dexel. Bottom row, from left: Jillian Winterburn, Carmella Muccilli, Kayla Rhee-Pizano, Maddy Petersen, Claire Petersen, Gianna Audisio, and Sadie Holden.

COMMUNITY NEWS

FDA: Pfizer Vaccine OK for Kids 5 to 11

Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID Deaths As New Cases Slow

By Jondi Gumz

n Oct. 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11, giving parents who want their younger children vaccinated a sense of relief even as new cases in Santa Cruz County are down 32 percent. The federal Centers for Disease Control’s advisers meet Nov. 2 to discuss whether to recommend the vaccine for younger kids. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC director, makes the final decision. Locally the Delta variant claimed four more lives in Santa Cruz County — all with underlying conditions — bringing the number of deaths to 220 — and hospitals saw an uptick, from four to seven cases. The county reports 20,106 cases since the pandemic began, with 606 requiring hospitalization. Pfizer and BioNTech requested approval Oct. 7 for kids 5 to 11. By Oct. 27, an advisory panel recommended in favor, though several panelists said the data for kids 5 to 11 does not support a mandate. About 3,000 children took part in clinical trials, which found no cases of myocarditis, heart muscle inflammation. The rare condition often resolves itself but if severe can cause sudden death. CDC data showed 12.6 cases per one million second doses, more common among men and boys. Researchers estimated that out of a million second doses given to boys ages 12 to 17, vaccines might cause up to 70 myocarditis cases, but would prevent 5,700 COVID cases, 215 hospitalizations and two deaths, The New York Times reported in July. The number in a clinical trial usually ranges from several hundred to 3,000. Because this heart condition is rare, increasing the number of participants might not allow regulators to better detect prevalence of the heart problem, Dr. Steven Black, co-director of the Global Vaccine Data Network, a consortium researching vaccine safety, told The New York Times. Physicians will know to look for it once the vaccine is in use, he added.To reduce the risk of side effects, younger children would get a third of the adult dose.

School Impact nrollment in K-12 public schools dropped 2.6 percent in California from pre-pandemic to 2020-21 and this year’s decline is projected to be 8.7 percent . Factors include switching to online instruction in 2020, postponing sports, and restricting popular activities such as theater and singing groups for safety reasons. At Soquel Union Elementary School District, student numbers dropped from 1,908 in 2019-20 to 1,745 in 2020-21. Gov. Newsom announced plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccinations required to attend in-person school once the vaccine gets full approval from federal regulators for middle and high school grades. The Idaho Statesman and the Deseret News in Utah reported parents are leaving California because of SB 277, the 2015 law banning all but medical exemptions for vaccines. One mom who spoke to the Statesman was quoted by name, but the mom who shared her story with the Deseret News asked her name be withheld to protect the medical privacy of her children. Some parents worried about longterm side effects do not want to vaccinate their children. In other cases, if the children have had COVID, the parents contend they have natural immunity. Homeschooling in California is up, based on affidavits filed by homeschooling parents. The California Globe reported those numbers have nearly tripled -- from 14,548 in 2018-2019 to 22,433 in 2019-2020 and a record 34,715 in 2020-2021. Another 3,215 affidavits for private schools with 6 or more students were filed in 2020-2021. On Oct. 15, Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, told families that more than 70% of the kids age 12-17 are fully vaccinated. He anticipates vaccine clinics at schools for kids age 5 to 11 in November, once the FDA authorizes emergency use for younger children. With Inspire Diagnostics, his office has conducted more than 38,000 PCR surveillance tests for COVID in two months at no charge to those tested. He launched a website, santacruzcoe. org/coviddashboards, to report active

Peggy Bascou (left) and Hollie Wendt designed a new gift shop at Staff of Life. cases and test results. This dashboard links to individual school districts. Soquel Union Elementary School District reported one active student case at Soquel Elementary and one active staff case at Main Street Elementary. State guidelines require students and school staff working with them to be masked indoors although Santa Cruz County lifted its indoor mask mandate Sept. 29. Testing sites are open at Cabrillo College in Aptos, parking lot K, from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and at the PVUSD District Office parking lot, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. Students and their families, and staff and their families can use this free service. Those needing a test simply fill out the registration one time at http://sccoe. link/inspiresc and go to either site. No appointment is needed. Fatalities he state reports COVID has claimed more than 71,500 lives. All four Santa Cruz County residents who died had underlying conditions. Two were white women in their 90s; one fully vaccinated and one not. Two were Latinx, a man in his 60s and a man in his 50s; neither was vaccinated. As of Oct. 27, there were 289 active cases, down from 324, and 19,597 recovered; statistics are updated on Mondays and Thursdays. Hospitalizations in the county, which had been as high as 21, rose from 4 to 7, including one person in the ICU.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

On Oct. 27, dozens of cars lined up at the former drive-in on Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, where Sutter Health offered the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot, granted emergency use authorization by the FDA on Sept. 22. The authorization covers people 65 and up, those age 18 to 64 at high risk of severe Covid-19 or whose occupation/ institutional exposure puts them at high risk of Covid complications. The CDC tracker reports 79 percent of those eligible are fully vaccinated in Santa Cruz County, and a test positivity rate of .9 percent, lower than the statewide rate of 2.8 percent. For local vaccine information, see www.santacruzhealth.org Business Rebound igns of business confidence: The Capitola-Soquel Chamber is hosted a business mixer at Strahle Legacy Planning, and Capitola Village businesses will host Sip and Stroll Nov. 13. Think Local First hosted a mixer Oct. 21 outside KSCO radio. Staff of Life Natural Foods created a new gift shop inside the Santa Cruz market geared for holiday shopping. Sonya Yampolsky, owner of Jade Allen, a luxury clothing boutique in Capitola, opened her second shop at Aptos Center. Linda Meltzer, owner of Magnolia Fine Gifts & Gallery in Aptos has expanded into the former Mulberry Gallery space.

“COVID Update” page 17

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola’s New Chief: Andy Dally T he next Capitola chief of police will be Captain Andrew “Andy” Dally, succeeding Terry McManus, who retires Nov. 14. Dally was chosen after a nationwide search and a competitive testing and selection process. Dally is very familiar with Capitola after serving in the police department for 22 years. He came to the city after five years with the Butte County Sheriff’s Department. During his career, Captain Dally has taken a variety of policing assignments, including patrol operations, field training

officer, detective, sergeant, and most recently police captain overseeing both Administration and Patrol Divisions. “Captain Dally is dedicated to the safety of our community,” Mayor Yvette Brooks said. “His years of service demonstrate his commitment to Capitola. His problem-solving approach to community issues will benefit all. We are lucky to have him as our next Chief.” Capitola City Manager Jamie Goldstein added, “Andy’s willingness to listen and collaborate make him the right person to lead Capitola Police Department. Captain Dally understands the dynamics of our local

community and will bring new ideas to engage with all aspects of our community.” Dally has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and is a graduate of the Leadership Santa Cruz County Class 33. He lives in the city of Santa Cruz with his wife, Christy, and has called Santa Cruz County his home for 22 years. He anticipates further development of his young police department as well as a critical engagement with the citizens of Capitola and the larger Santa Cruz County community. When notified of the appointment, he said he was honored. n

Capt. Andy Dally

Matt Huffaker Tapped as Santa Cruz City Manager

atsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker is on track to become Santa Cruz city manager on Jan. 3, replacing Rosemary Menard who is doing the job on an interim basis. The city council unanimously recommended his appointment after a closed session, and a vote is slated for the Nov. 9 meeting. Huffaker, 37, started as deputy city manager in Watsonville and became city manager three years ago. Before that, he held leadership positions with the City of Walnut Creek for 10 years, advancing to deputy city manager. In Watsonville, Huffaker doubled

which is looking for a new home of the city’s General Fund reserves 10,000 square feet. while expanding aarks, Arts and He’s vice chair of the Monrecreation services. He led an terey Bay Economic Partnership inclusive public outreach and and treasurer of Second Harvest education effort that resulted in Food Bank. a 79 percent voterapproval for a He’s a 2006 political science half-cent sales tax, funding for Matt Huffaker graduate of Point Loma Nazarene police, fire and parks and recreation in perpetuity. Huffaker spearheading University with a master’s in public adminthe city’s first Employee Engagement istration from Cal State East Bay, and he Action Plan to build a more connected, attended UC Berkeley’s Executive Leadempowered, and valued organizational ership Program. He’s married to Jocelyn Huffaker and culture. Before this news came out, he and Wat- they have three children. “Matt has a unique set of qualifications sonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra visited staff at Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services, to make a positive impact for our community

quickly, said Mayor Donna Meyers. “Not only will he bring a wealth of operational experience to the role, but he will also arrive with deep relationships across the region already in place.” She added, “The Council was particularly impressed with his breadth of creative ideas that stem from his experience, vision, and leadership values.” Huffaker said, “I think my local experience and established regional partnerships will allow me to hit the ground running. I’m ready to get to work.” His 2019 salary in Watsonville was $206,000. Terms of his employment in Santa Cruz will be announced. n

Cal Fire’s San Mateo Santa Cruz Chief Ian Larkin Retires

al Fire Chief Ian Larkin, who since 2016 oversaw the San Mateo Santa Cruz Unit, where 86,500 acres burned in 2020 after lightning strikes, is retiring Nov. 5. He has served with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for 28 years. His replacement is yet to be named. Born and raised in Watsonville, he now makes his home in Scotts Valley with his wife and two daughters. Larkin began his fire service career in 1988, as a paid call firefighter with the Salsipudes Fire Protection District in Santa Cruz County and began his professional career as a Firefighter I with Cal Fire in the San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit (CZU) in July 1990. In October 1991, he took a permanent

firefighter/operator position with the Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District, returning to Cal Fire on July 1, 1993, in the San Benito Monterey Unit as a fire apparatus engineer through an agreement with the Aromas district. He was assigned to the Aromas Station and the Peninsula Battalion at the Pebble Beach and Carmel Hill Fire Stations. In November 1996, he promoted to a permanent fire captain position in the San Benito Monterey Unit, worked in the Monterey Emergency Command Center beginning February 2000, then returned to the Aromas Fire Station in September 2001. In December 2004, he returned home to Santa Cruz County as a fire captain specialist-rraining officer in the CZU Training Battalion, where he made significant impacts to the Santa Cruz County Fire

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Department volunteer firefighter training program and development of the Ben Lomond Training Center. In February 2007, he promoted to battalion chief-operations, responsible for Battalion 3 of CZU’s South Division, which covers stations from Saratoga Summit to Davenport. In January 2012, he promoted to division chief as the unit administrative officer and promoted again to deputy chief of operations in March 2013, overseeing all of the Santa Cruz County Fire Department Operations, as well as CZU’s Battalions 3 and 4, Training, and the Emergency Command Center. He also served as interim CZU Unit Chief following the transfer of Chief Scott Jalbert in April 2016. Larkin is a registered fire instructor with the Office of the State Fire Marshal in several fire service disciplines. He has been a member of Cal Fire

Ian Larkin

Incident Command/Incident Management teams since 2011, held the position of Resource Unit Leader on Incident Command Team 1, Plans Section Chief Trainee on Incident Management Team 6, and currently serves as the Deputy Plans Section Chief on Incident Management Team 2. n

COMMUNITY BRIEFS San Lorenzo River Levee Cleanup oin Save Our Shores for a cleanup along the San Lorenzo River 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 13. Meet on the riverwalk, corner of Beach Street and 3rd Street, Santa Cruz, near the train trestle by the Boardwalk. Parking is limited, so consider carpooling or biking. Participation will be limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteers must follow Covid-19 safety instructions and complete THREE waivers, details and forms for all three can be found at https://saveourshores.org/event/ san-lorenzo-river-cleanup-2/ Registration is required. Volunteers under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toed shoes, dress in layers, wear sun protection, and bring a filled reusable water bottle. All cleanup materials are provided, thanks to the City of Santa Cruz. The Save Our Shores marine tally app (Apple, Google) can be downloaded in advance to record the debris you collect, or you can use paper cards provided at the cleanup. Last year, 313 lbs. of debris was collected. Wavers: https://saveourshores. org/waiver/ • https://tinyurl.com/ saveourshores-CitySC Questions? Email volunteer@saveourshores.org. ••• Meaningful Gifts ommunity Foundation Santa Cruz County helps people carry on traditions, preserve what’s important in their families and communities, and take care of what we love. You can help take care of what you love through your Required Minimum Distribution. Using your RMD to make qualified charitable distributions is a tax-free way for people age 70 ½ or older to turn their retirement savings into a meaningful gift. Although qualified charitable contributions cannot be made to a donor-advised fund, they can be used to support important community causes. The Community Foundation has many funds that qualify for a qualified charitable distribution including the Greatest Needs Fund , COVID Continued Response Fund , Equal Access Santa Cruz County Fund , Friends of the Foundation Fund , or Rise Together Fund . Give yourself plenty of time, in order for a qualified charitable distribution to count toward your current year’s required minimum distribution, the funds must come out of your Individual Retirement Account by your RMD deadline, generally Dec. 31. If you have questions, call Sam Leask, 831- 662-2060.

••• Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director imberly Petersen has been named deputy director of the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department, succeeding Emily Balli, who is retiring at the end of 2021. Petersen began her career with the county in 2005 as a benefit representative and is currently a division director overseeing employment and benefit services. She has been a staff development trainer, associate human services analyst, and program manager. “I’m very excited to have Kimberly move into this new role,” Human Services Department Director Randy Morris said. “Because of her experience, she understands all aspects of a department that impacts the lives of one out of every three Santa Cruz County residents, and is committed to their health, safety and well-being.” Petersen said, “I’m honored … Human Services has a great team of dedicated professionals and partners working to help families and individuals of all ages who struggle with food, housing, and financial stability, and to keep at risk children and seniors safe in their homes.” Petersen has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Spanish, and a master’s in international policy studies with a specialization in human rights. She taught English oversees in both Germany and Ecuador, and served as aide to former Congressman Sam Farr. She also spent four years on the Watsonville City Council, including one year as mayor. ••• New SC Symphony Executive Director anta Cruz resident Gary Reece, who was interim executive director at the Santa Cruz Symphony for two months and berfore that a board member, is the new executive director. His career was in banking, business development and finance, an asset for the Symphony, which will be seeking addiGary Reece tional funding from donors and foundations. He has been successful in receiving Symphony grants from the federal government and private foundations. “Gary really stood out as a candidate because of his background in business management,” said board president Linda Burroughs. “This is critical for arts organizations because they must know how to operate with budgets, staffing, legal

requirements, contracts, financial management, and best business practices.” Reece was a financial management consultant and a partner in a commercial development business. He served on the boards of Santa Cruz County Bank, Cabrillo College, McPherson Center for Art & History, and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. A longtime Santa Cruz Rotary member, he is a past club president and assistant district governor. Burroughs also cited Reece’s ability to lead a team, motivate staff, create a positive working environment, and collaborate with the board, staff, maestro and musicians. Maestro Daniel Stewart said of Reece, “He is a proven and accomplished leader, and he brings a wealth of experience to us, including his understanding of our community, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.” ••• Redistricting Comments Due Nov. 2 on Redistricting embers of the public may submit proposed redistricting plans and maps for the five Santa Cruz County supervisorial districts until Nov. 2 using software under the “Mapping & Data” tab on http://santacruzcounty.us/Redistricting2021.aspx. The target population is 54,270. Current population: District 1 (Capitola-Soquel-Summit) is 54,147; District 2 (Aptos) 54,740; District 3 (Santa Cruz-Bonny Doon) 56,380; District 4 (Watsonville) 53,878; District 5 (Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley, decimated by CZU wildfire) 52,207. As for Latinos, District 4 has 43,185; District 2 has 19,036, District 3 has 13,390, District 1 has 11,916, District 5 has 7,049.

Boundary changes are considered after every census. Two proposed changes are being considered by the Board of Supervisors. One would shift the Apple Hill neighborhood bordered by Main Street, Highway 1 and Harkins Slough Road in Watsonville from District 2 to District 4. The other would shift the neighborhood between the Small Craft Yacht Harbor, 7th Avenue and south of the Brommer Street Extension from District 3 to District 1. One special evening meeting took place in person and via Zoom Oct. 26. A public hearing is set for Nov. 16, and the public can participate and comment until a plan is adopted by the supervisors in December. ••• $3 Million Grant For County Behavioral Health he County of Santa Cruz Behavioral Health is pleased to announce a $3 million grant from the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address mental health-related issues for people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. The two-year grant will help provide services to those experiencing serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, co-occurring disorders and homelessness. The grant will be supported by Behavioral Health Division in conjunction with the County’s Homeless Person’s Health Project(HPHP) and Housing for Health Division (H4H). Behavioral Health Director of Adult Services Karen Kern and Director of Community Engagement Cassandra Eslami secured the grant on behalf of the community. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Rotary Bike Ride Raises $200,000

Teen Kitchen Project, Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery to Benefit

ike riders from Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary participating in the 24th Annual Jon and Ken’s Most Excellent Adventure raised more than

Photo Credit: Jon Winston

From left: Sue Creswell (SCCMOD Board Member), Mary Alsip, Randall Leonard, Peter Truman, Pres. John Flaniken, Jim Felich (SCCMOD Board Member), Patrice Keet, Brent Dunton, Rhiannon Crain (Interim Executive Director), Tracy Cotten and Rod Caborn.

Photo Credit: Teen Kitchen Project

Executive Director Angela Farley (kneeling w/dog), TKP Board President Lisa Smith (sunglasses), TKP Board Member Cindy Evans (next to Lisa), TKP Teen chefs and staff, Sunrise Rotary President John Flaniken, and Rotarians Jon Winston, Randall Leonard, Brent Dunton and Rod Caborn.

$200,000 to support local organizations serving youth. Participants rode from Healdsburg to Santa Cruz, 200 miles in three days. “The ride brought together 80 riders and crew,” said Peter Truman, Bike Ride Committee chair and Sunrise Rotary Club past president. “Our riders not only had a fantastic time on the ride, but they also put their hearts into raising money.” The club raised $100,000 for Teen Kitchen Project, $34,000 for the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, $10,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank Food for Children program with the rest to support the club’s charities, grants, high school youth scholarship programs and other philanthropic causes. “When Teen Kitchen Project delivers nourishing meals for clients, time and safety is of the essence,” said Angela Farley, executive director of Teen Kitchen Project in Soquel. “This generous gift has funded the purchase of two refrigerated delivery vans, ensuring our neighbors living with critical and chronic illness don’t need to wait for services, and meals are safely held in refrigeration. Santa Cruz Rotary Sunrise members were our first ‘Delivery Angels’ and now they are our angels in a thousand other ways with this amazing show of community support.” “Over the years, we’ve raised more than $1.77 million for Santa Cruz County nonprofit organizations due to this ride,” said John Flaniken, Sunrise Rotary Club president. “And that’s all thanks to our amazing riders and supporters.”

Sunrise Rotary Club finish-line party. “The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery is a very grateful recipient of funds raised by the ride. This donation to the Museum comes at a critical moment in the 7-year history of our organization following our successful reopening after a 14-month COVID closure,” said Rhiannon Crain, interim executive director of Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery in Capitola. Funds will help the museum invest in new exhibits and programs for young children and expand hours. Past major beneficiaries included

Photo Credit: Roger Swenson

the renovation of the Santa Cruz High School Track and Field, LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park, and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services. n ••• To learn more about Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary, to register for next year’s bike ride or join the club for a meeting, visit www. SantaCruzSunriseRotary.org. Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe and in local communities.

Main Street Elementary Raises $21,300 in Boardwalk’s Drive for Schools

his year, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Drive for Schools, the largest school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County, raised a record-breaking $744,645. Scotts Valley High raised $33,450, a new record, and won the Sprit Award. Also setting records: Baymonte Christian School in Scotts Valley, raising the most for schools with multiple grades, $26,945; Main Street Elementary in Soquel, $21,300; and Bay View Elementary, Santa Cruz, $15,437. Ticket sales were exceptionally strong during the five-week campaign as the community emerged from the pandemic, which canceled many fundraisers in 2020.

Top-selling schools: • Elementary: Valencia Elementary in Aptos, $25,991 • Junior High: New Brighton Middle School, Capitola, $8,520 • High School: St. Francis High School in Watsonville, $38,065 The winner of the grand prize, $25,000, was Christian Garcia, a local who now lives in Oakland. “I was born and raised in Watsonville, and I bought the tickets from two nieces who attend Bradley Elementary School and another niece and my goddaughter who attend Watsonville Charter School of the Arts,” Garcia said. “I just got married a few weeks ago and at our wedding, the

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

girls were selling Drive for Schools tickets to our guests. It was so cute.” Participating schools keep all the proceeds from ticket sales and can decide how to spend the money to address school needs. “Valencia Elementary School was thrilled with our Drive for Schools fundraising outcome,” said Principal Caryn Lane. “We primarily use the money collected to fund instructional assistant support in the classroom for our TK-3 learners. We also use the funds to provide teachers with financial support for purchasing special classroom materials.” Since Drive for Schools began in 2005, it has raised $7.99 million. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Drive for Schools grand prize winner Christian Garcia is all smiles with a $25,000 check. covers the cost of the cash prizes and donates staff time to organize and run the fundraiser. Hundreds of school volunteers coordinate ticket sales. Dozens of local businesses donate prizes. n To see all the prize winners go to https:// beachboardwalk.com/drive-for-schools

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Monsters of Chavez Ravine Wins Gold for Fantasy/Science Fiction T he Monsters of Chavez Ravine, by Capitola author Debra Castaneda, won the gold medal for Englishlanguage fantasy/science fiction at the International Latino Book Awards. The novel, her second, tells the fictional story of residents in the Chavez Ravine area of Los Angeles resisting eviction by the city to make way for a public housing project, battling demons summoned to frighten people into moving away. “The history of Debra Castaneda the evictions is the backdrop for this novel, but the story is really about a plucky young woman and her quirky group of friends who band together to fight monsters terrorizing the old neighborhoods of Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop, which most people know as Chavez Ravine,” said Castaneda. “It’s part

adventure, part love story, and it’s about people doing what they can when faced with overwhelming odds.” The evictions of the primarily Mexican American residents in the 1950s have been in the news recently due to a protest at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game in September. Dodger Stadium was built in the Chavez Ravine area after the public housing project was canceled, years after most residents had left. Castaneda’s mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins were among the thousands of residents displaced. “There are some amazing nonfiction books about the residents being forced from their homes in the old neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine,” Castaneda said. “I wanted to tackle the topic through the lens of fiction, which allowed me to give the characters a bit more agency, and something to fight against other than city officials and the evictions. Since I love horror and fantasy, I set the story in 1952

when there were only 200 people left in the ravine — which is pretty eerie — and introduced monsters that come out at night.” She said the plucky young woman is “loosely based on what I imagined my great-aunt Vita to be like at that age, except Trini Duran is taller and a good shot. Vita was a woman ahead of her time — independent, feisty, and a small business owner. She ran a successful Mexican restaurant in L.A. for years.” The Monsters of Chavez Ravine is available on Amazon.com in Kindle for $2.99 and paperback for $7.79. An audiobook will be available on ACX, Audible, and iTunes soon. Growing up, Debra Castaneda spent most weekends in Boyle Heights, listening

to her grandmother’s spooky stories. She was a radio and television journalist before she turned to writing novels. She has also written a series of young adult novels called Surviving Hillside, set in Northern California and featuring a teen heroine who is Latina. See www.debracastaneda.com. When she’s not at her computer, Castaneda enjoys long walks, making Mexican food, binge-watching creepy shows, and texting her two daughters. She lives with her husband in Capitola. Finalists for the International Latino Book Awards come from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and 19 other countries. The awards are produced by Empowering Latino Futures, a nonprofit co-founded in 1997 by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler. n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Bike Ride for Health with the Mayor By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola

oin me Saturday, Nov. 6, at 10 am for the Capitola Mayor’s Bike Ride for Health, with Bike Santa Cruz County. Meet at Noble Gulch Park between 9:30 and 9:45. Roll out at 10 am, return by 11:30 am. All are welcomed and encouraged to ride with us on a family-friendly route on mostly neighborhood streets.

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

Helmets are strongly recommended for adults 18+ and required for youth 17 & under. The event will be cancelled if it rains. Town Hall Speakers Return am pleased to announce the next set of speakers in my Mayor’s Town Hall series. Nov. 9: Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah, 6-7 pm December: Congressman Jimmy Panetta, date to be announced To stream on Facebook Live, use this link (no Facebook account needed) h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / cityofcapitola To watch via Zoom, use this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8373683 5797?pwd=V2dmcEZ0OGtsTDlqKzFaN0J FRXV6dz... Or join via Zoom app, meeting ID: 837 3683 5797 For information please visit our website: https://www.cityofcapitola.org/ New Brighton School Traffic uring the morning and afternoon pick-up/drop-off times at New Brighton Middle School, traffic can back up

around the campus, on Monterey Avenue, and into the neighborhoods. The City has had our traffic officers and community service officer observe traffic flow patterns at the school and surrounding area. We have identified the times and durations of the congestion and have developed several ideas to possibly address the intermittent traffic congestion. Our staff plans to meet with school staff next week to explore our ideas and other feasible solutions that would not unreasonably impact the neighborhood and the traffic flow. 41st Avenue Signals ast week the Capitola City Council approved the agreement to install the adaptive signal control system in the Caltrans intersections. Caltrans staff has been working closely with City staff to develop multi-jurisdictional traffic signal coordination along the 41st Avenue corridor in Capitola. Plans are being finalized and we anticipate completion early in 2022. Chief McManus Retirement retirement celebration for Police Chief Terry McManus will be Nov. 10 with an open house noon-3 p.m. at Shadowbrook restaurant and presentations at 1:30 p.m. He’s been the chief since 2016.

“Mayor Brooks” page 14

Mayor Yvette Brooks, appreciating “Outside the Frame,” a temporary art installation in parks across Santa Cruz County.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Forgiven PPP Loans Help SCCB To Record Earnings S anta Cruz County Bank, which has expanded into Monterey and Salinas, reports profit for the nine-month period ending Sept. 30 was a record $16.6 million, up from $13.5 million in that period in 2020 during the pandemic. President and CEO Krista Snelling said bank assets reached $1.70 billion, a new milestone. She reported “solid” demand and more loans outside the federally funded Payroll Protection Program. Gross non-PPP loans were up 26% compared to Sept. 30, 2020. “Our ability to respond to and support businesses through the PPP loan process and grow new relationships … is a key indicator that our bank remains focused on and in tune with the needs of the communities we serve,” she said. Total gross loans (excluding PPP): $1.05 billion, up $216 million compared to Sept. 30, 2020. Deposits: $1.50 billion, up 27%, compared to September 30, 2020. Basic earnings per share: $1.42 for the quarter ending Sept. 30 and $4.29 for nine months ending Sept. 30. Provision for loan losses was $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $2.1 million for the prior quarter and $360,000 for the third quarter in 2020. The increase was driven by growth in the non-PPP sector of the loan portfolio and a specific reserve for one classified yet still performing loan of $1.3 million. Pretax profit prior to set-asides for potential bad debt was $9.9 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30, compared to $9.5 million for the quarter ending June 30 and $7.9 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2020. This was primarily interest income. Net interest margin, a measure of investment, was 4.04% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 3.80% in the third quarter of 2020. This is because funds invested in forgiven PPP loans have been reallocated to higher-yielding non-PPP loans and a lower cost of funds. A positive net interest margin indicates the bank is efficiently investing; in 2019, the average for U.S. banks was 3.35%. All capital ratios were above regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized institution with a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.12%.

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Only one unsecured loan of $384,000 was 90 days or more overdue with a single performing loan — payments historically made — contributing to the loan loss provision. A 10% stock dividend was declared Oct. 26 and payable Nov. 8 when chairman William J. Hansen noted the bank’s “exceptional financial performance.” Third Quarter or the third quarter, profit was $5.5 million, compared to $5.3 million in the second quarter. Noninterest income was $835,00 compared to $1.3 million a year ago due to gains of $340,000 on SBA loans sold vs. none sold in the third quarter of 2021. Management opted to curtail SBA loan sales, increase loan balances and “deploy liquidity,” according to the earnings report. Noninterest expense was $7.3 million for the third quarter, up $1.07 million from a year ago, as the bank hired to fully staff and equip a new branch in Monterey, and hire staff to expand into Salinas. Net interest income, the bank’s major earnings component, was $16.4 million, up $3.5 million over the 2020 third quarter. Assets grew 18% compared to third quarter 2020, due primarily to growth through PPP loan origination but also by expansion into Monterey County. PPP Loans s of Sept. 30, PPP loans accounted for $148 million of the loan portfolio, the majority of which was originated during 2021 while most PPP loans originated in 2020 have been forgiven. The bank’s cost of funds was 0.12% for the third quarter 2021 compared to 0.21% in the third quarter 2020. The bank reports $933,000 in PPP loans past due 30-89 days. More than half of the 2020 PPP loans were made to new customers, expanding business relationships, with the bank looking to capitalize on opportunities afforded by the PPP program into the current quarter. n ••• For more info: www.sccountybank.com.

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

“Mayor Brooks” from page 12 Youth Action Network apitola partners with the Youth Action Network and I have the privilege to sit on as a committee member. Their work is crucial to supporting youth in our community and we need your help. Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership will offer training Dec. 13 from 3-5 pm via Zoom with one goal to identify strategies to make a youth-adult partnership more effective in your agency or program. Take a moment to sign up today. Register at: https://forms.gle/ kaZtFkLBvmz4KkaU6 Questions? Email semmert@united waysc.org Holiday Jobs at Capitola Mall ooking for extra funds for the holidays? Retailers at the Capitola Mall are looking for part-time and full-time employees. Visit https://www.shopcapitolamall. com/jobs/ or stop at your favorite store to fill out an application. Capitola Plein Air Art

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take a moment to sign up for our County’s Code Red program. You enroll yourself and receive alerts based on your home or business address. Visit https://public.coderedweb.com/ CNE/en-US/218A80E36F49 today and stay informed! Community Grants he City Council unanimously approved $174,000 to community grants applicants and the Parks and Recreation Department. These general fund dollars will support programs such as rental assistance, child care, senior care, and the Monterey Bay. Capitola Sip and Stroll apitola Village Sip and Stroll is back! Stroll through local shops and boutiques and sip on locally featured wines and beers in our charming historic Capitola Village. Registration will be at the Mercantile at 115 San Jose Road at 10 a.m. Nov. 13. Please bring identification and your purchase receipt from Eventbrite. We suggest that only vaccinated people attend. Wine/beer will not be allowed outside on the sidewalks or streets. City Council Meetings he Governor signed AB 361 allowing cities to continue virtual meetings during any emergency proclaimed by the governor. Every 30 days, the City must make findings that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, or recommend social distancing measures. AB 361 sunsets on Jan. 1, 2024. Capitola City Council meetings will remain virtual until we see a significant decrease of new cases of COVID-19 in our community. Redistricting Input very 10 years, after the Census, political districts must be redrawn so each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important to ensure each board member represents about the same number of constituents. Next public meetings: Public Hearing #3 and #4, in-person and virtual meeting/teleconferences, Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 10:45 a.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 10:45 a.m. In person at Supervisors Chambers, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/840783 27816#success Conference call: 1 (669) 900-6833 Webinar ID: 840 7832 7816) 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.

apitola Plein Air is back – 40 professional artists Nov. 1-7. The exhibition (free) and art sale is Sunday, Nov. 7, from 11 am to 4 pm at New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center, 250 Washburn Ave. The public votes for the People’s Choice Award! https://www.capitolapleinair.com/ Code Red ith inconsistent weather and unforeseen events, it is more important than ever to be prepared. Please

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Beach Festival: Quite the Comeback

By Laurie Hill

n June, after more than a year of canceled community events, a small and courageous committee of Beach Festival volunteers accepted the City of Capitola’s late approval to proceed with “quite the comeback” of a weekend full of events designed to bring families and friends together in the out of doors. In its third year, the Capitola Beach Festival, led by President Mary Beth Cahalen, dug deep into its shallow piggy bank and produced a Sand Sculpture Contest, Children’s Art, Music at the Beach (sponsored by Strock Realty), a Lighted Nautical Parade, Fishing Derby, Chalk Art, and Rowboat races on Sept. 25 and 26. The weekend opened with the ‘Lil Wharf 3 Mile Run produced by Wharf to Wharf — their first in-person race since September 2019 — with nearly 2,000 runners. The Sand Sculpture Contest, though lightly attended, brought smiles to three young girls who took the Grand Prize with their “Cinderella Coach, Magic Pumpkin.” Other Sand Sculpture Results: Younger Children: Panda Castle

Sand Sculpture winners hoist their prize for Cinderella Coach, Magic Pumpkin.

Older Children: Minion 1 Adult and 1 Child: City on a Turtle Small Group: Punk Rock Bowling’ Large Group: Castle K The “Houserockers” delighted the crowd at Esplanade Park with music and dance. The Lighted Nautical Parade filled Soquel Creek and lagoon with six lighted floats, music and theatrics all focused on the festival’s theme: Community Spirit.

Parade Chair Thea Luiten remarked, “Three late entry floats, with just over a week to prepare, saved the parade: ScAvengers’ “Our Community Superhero,” Cork and Fork’s “Music Brings Community Together” (third place with $500 donation to their charity: Their Future is Our Business), and the Festival Committee’s “Good Job — Health Care Team”

First place winner the Jewel Boxer’s Spirit of Capitola featured a talking octopus reminiscing about Capitola’s community events and encouraging vaccinations. The team won a $1,000 donation to their charity: Grey Bears Second place winner, Team ‘Tola, returning after winning the parade in 2018 and 2019, brought a feast for our eyes and warmed our hearts with “One Love” featuring a giant heart and rainbow. The team won $750 for their charity: Capitola Junior Guards. While the size of the fish caught at Sunday’s Fishing Derby was not large – the smiles of all the winners captured the delights of the morning on Capitola Wharf. Horseshoes on the Sand drew quite a crowd and the players — both amateurs and professionals — competed for hours to win both plaques and bragging rights. Several young players — some new to the game, and some not — held their own throughout the competition. “Beach Festival” page 17

We are proud to be the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year! We couldn’t do what we do without your support and are proud to be part of Santa Cruz County for over 35 years. We donate 10% of our after-tax profits back into local organizations year-round, and continue to be committed to responsible sourcing, local partnerships, and investing in comprehensive benefits and development opportunities for our staff.

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

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

“Beach Festival” from page 15 Horseshoe Tournament Team Winners: First place: Arty Vargas and Cruz Arriage Second place: Armando Arriaga and Bevan Perry Third place: Bennett Hall and Curtis Gomez Broken Shoe Award: Andy Dashwood and Aldo Cavillo The Rowboat Races closed the Festival on Sunday with all ages participants in timed heats with two to a rowboat. The Master ’s Division was the largest group.

“COVID Update” from page 7 Molly Bravo, owner of Wylder Space in Felton, debuts a lunchbox menu for cooler weather with sandwiches and soup on Nov. 1. Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz has live events scheduled, including TEDx with Merit Academy students. Numbers posted Friday show a healthy 105,100 jobs in Santa Cruz County in September, and unemployment down to 5.4 %. Hospitality jobs were up 1,400 from a year ago; professional and business services up 500. With more people commuting out of the county to work, joblessness dropped from 10,900 a year ago to 7,200 even as the labor force grew. Delivery jobs are available. UPS in Capitola offers $38 an hour for a full-time seasonal personal vehicle package driver. The U.S. Postal Service offers $17.78 per hour to new hires. Capitola needs a part-time assistant to the city clerk, starting at $27 per hour. Jobs paying $85,000 or more a year, according to Indeed.com, include: Pool repair technician in Aptos, labor relations

Rowboat Race Results: Youth 11 and under: Shiloh and Cindy Fargo Juniors 12-17: Jed Del Favero and Vance Westman Adults 18-35: Austin Weitzenkun and Destiny Jacob Masters 36 and over: Andrew Westman and Zoey Westman Thanks to the dedicated Festival Board, Event Chairs and volunteers for helping us all rekindle our “Community Spirit,” Please consider joining their team for 2022: capitola beachfestival@gmail.com. n

advocate at UC Santa Cruz and nurse case manager at Watsonville Community Hospital, which has a $15,000 signing bonus. Santa Cruz Metro offers a $4,000 signing bonus and training for drivers. The New York Times advised people to shop earlier this year because of expected shipping delays due to pandemic-induced supply chain problems. Shopping local is one way to avoid that problem. n Total cases: 20,106 ••• COVID Deaths: 220 As of Oct. 27 Age 85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 47 • 65-74: 40 60-64: 13 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 7 35-44: 7 • 25-34: 5 Underlying conditions Yes: 174 • No: 46 Race White 122 • Latinx 80 • Asian 15 Black 1 • Amer Indian/Alaskan native 1 Gender Male: 111 • Female 109 Aging Facility Yes: 105 • No 115

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Zigni: Ethiopian Red Stew L

D I D YO U K N O W? We regularly speak to small and large groups about mid-county water issues such as groundwater, water reliability, sustainability, and conservation.

akia Queen of Alkebulan Catering provided vegan East African food for the Black Health Matters Initiative’s one-year anniversary Oct. 16 at the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz. A mother and Santa Cruz resident, she strives to touch the hearts and minds of everyone she comes in contact with; to share stories with others from all walks of life and with different cultural perspectives to find the common thread that connects us. She is a core member of Santa Cruz County Lakia Queen Community Coalition to Overcome Racism, a local nonprofit that seeks to dismantle racism through educational events and forums. She studied literature at UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis in world literature cultural studies and feminist studies with an emphasis in law, politics, and social change. Formerly project administrator at New Teacher Center and administrative assistant at UCSC Women’s Center, she was vice chair for the Santa Cruz Commission for Prevention of Violence Against Women. A family and marriage therapist trainee, cooking is a passion for her. When she provided dishes from Africa at Mount Madonna School, she said one of her first cooking jobs was in a vegan, vegetarian raw organic food restaurant, where she learned to prepare healthy meals for people interested in eating for mind, body, soul and balance. ••• Zigni (Ethiopian red stew) 600g of firm tofu, diced 4 tbsp of olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 red pepper, quartered then sliced 1 whole onion 2 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 teaspoon of ginger, grated 2 tbsp of berbere spice 2 tbsp of tomato purée 3 plum tomatoes, chopped 500ml of veggie stock salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper 1. Season the firm tofu with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and sear the tofu on a high heat until evenly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside. 2. Turn the heat down and add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onion, peppers, ginger and garlic with the berbere spice for 20 minutes, or until soft. 3. Add the tomato purée, stir well and cook out for a 15 minutes. 4. Return the tofu to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes and stock and cover with a lid. Simmer on a very low heat for 1 hour, then remove the lid and simmer for a further half an hour, or until the sauce has thickened. 5. Taste to check the seasoning and serve hot. n

Share A Recipe!

o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Capitola-Soquel Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member. Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish. Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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

Kudos to Edita McQuary hank you for publishing Edita McQuary’s story. It should go to the New York Times! The public needs access to more of such real life experiences where

desperate persons are given a leg up by compassionate individuals and humane systems. Thank you, and many thanks to Mrs. McQuary. — Raymond Lawrence, Santa Clara

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Helping The Community Bring Comfort to Those In Need

hen family and friends gather to celebrate and give thanks, thoughts often turn to those who are not so fortunate. Generous folks may be interested in helping those who struggle with food insecurity, but it can be difficult to know the best way to help. Since tens of thousands of people in Santa Cruz County fight hunger on a daily basis — and not just during the holiday season — how can one person make an impact when the need is so great? ••• The Food Bank Makes Donated Dollars Go a Very Long Way ou may have heard that Second Harvest can provide four healthy meals for one dollar, but how do we do that? Because the food bank purchases food in large quantities to supplement our donations, we receive deep discounts that enable us to make a dollar go much further than the average consumer can.

Donate in Someone’s Honor onations may be made in honor of someone special. In lieu of a traditional holiday gift, this option is a nice alternative for those hardto-buy-for folks who “have everything” or would prefer not to receive a material gift. Instead, donors may choose to give Second Harvest a monetary gift in any amount. Fill out the online form, click Next, and you will be given the option to an honoree’s name. Host a Virtual Food Drive fun and interactive way to give to the food bank is to create your own Virtual Food Drive. When you register, you will receive your own customizable page on our website which posts your goal and tracks the amount you have raised. You will be able to send this link to all of your friends and family so they will easily be able to donate to your fundraiser online. Be sure to let people know that Second

That’s why, if given a choice between receiving a $10 bag of groceries or a $10 donation, the food bank will choose the monetary donation because we stretch that $10 into 40 nutritious meals. Give In a Way That Fits Your Style And Your Budget here are multiple ways to donate to the food bank. Choose to make a single donation or become a sustaining partner. A sustaining partner can customize the frequency and the amount of a regular, ongoing gift, and preferences may be updated at any time.

Kick Back and Save

Harvest provides everything you need in an online toolkit and you may also contact us if you need any assistance. Visit www. thefoodbank.org/hffd to create your online fundraising page. n ••• For more information, visit http://www. thefoodbank.org/hero or contact julie@thefoodbank.org

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20 / November 2021 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Lions Peace Poster Contest for Kids T he Capitola Coast Lions Club gives children ages 11, 12 and 13 (as of Nov. 15) a creative way to express their visions of peace through the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The contest theme is “We are All Connected,” — celebrating the things that keep us connected despite the global pandemic. The deadline to enter is Nov. 8. Judging takes place that week. Contact Krista Brassfield, Peace Poster Chair, 408-761-1218, or email coastlionsclub@gmail.com to submit your artwork before the deadline. One grand prize winner and 23 merit winners are chosen. Rules • Artwork must be original. Minimum size is 13 by 20 inches (33 by 50 centimeters), and no larger than 20 by 24 inches (50 by 60 centimeters). It must be on a flexible material, so it can be rolled for shipping in a mailing tube. Do not fold it yourself. • Artist signatures or initials should be written on the back. • No lettering or numbering can be on the front of the poster, in any language.

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• Do not mat, frame or laminate; no glue or staples. • One entry per student. • Entries become the property of Lions Clubs International. • The international grand prize winner is required to attend an award ceremony. To see a video of a past winner, go to https://youtu.be/X6Kbnk_yWyU n Visit lionsclubs.org/PeacePoster for more information.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Strike Out Raises $60,000 for WomenCARE hank you all for participating in our 25th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer bowling fundraiser! Thanks to you, we have raised $60,019!! Donations are still coming in and we hope to see that number grow closer to our goal of $70,000. This event is a fun-filled day that brings awareness to the face of cancer in our community and it brings much needed funding for WomenCARE. The money raised from this event, our biggest fundraiser of the year, keeps our doors open and allows us to continue to provide support services for women with cancer in our community, as well as to their loved ones. It is heart-warming to receive such support from so many people and to spend a day bowling, laughing, and getting to know each other better. We are so thankful to live in a community that offers such strong support to local organizations like ours. We have pictures! Please check out our Facebook page. We are still adding pictures so if you don’t see your team,

NEW LOCATION!

Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.*

keep checking. If you were snapping photos during the bowl-a-thon, and would be willing to share, please forward them on to me at jwaterswc@fsa-cc.org. Thank you!! Thank you again for your support of WomenCARE and Strike Out Against Cancer. We hope to see you again next year! — Janette Waters, Administrative director, WomenCARE (in Soquel) & Strike Out Committee Chair

Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.*

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

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Breaking the Silence

By Jasmine Najera

s a member of the Santa Cruz County Commission on Justice & Gender and co-board chair for Monarch Services, I want to break the silence, stigma, shame and guilt around being a domestic violence survivor — and share my story. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I was only 18, a freshman at UC Santa Cruz and incredibly isolated in my secret. My explosive, violent boyfriend attacked me on my birthday. I remember feeling deeply ashamed and embarrassed, and heavy with guilt. I remember I couldn’t hide the bruising on my face and I was outed. Eventually I reached out to Defensa de Mujeres (now Monarch Services), with the encouragement and support of my Aunt Olga. I had tried to cover my tracks but it was obvious something was wrong. I did not end the relationship immediately, but once I did, I was not free. Up to last year, I experienced vague

veiled threats via social media — from a relationship almost 30 years ago! This person physically harmed not only me, but also others whom I knew and loved. I have been on my own path of healing, which like grief is not something you address and put to rest, it pops up and I still deal with reminders and triggers. But I am in a much better space thanks to receiving support and therapy and by committing my time to support other survivors of domestic violence and those who work to support them. I know from experience: When you speak up and break the silence, it allows others to feel safer and in community with people who have similar experiences. I have also realized my healing is tied to the healing of others. By creating space for others and using my voice and experience in transparent ways, I can help others and in turn continue on

my own journey of healing. Owning and telling our own narratives around our collective healing from domestic violence is imperative, and we must create a community that works to stop the cycles of violence and create spaces for support and healing. This year’s national campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, highlights how widespread domestic violence is. Our local effort is talking about how we heal and break the cycles of violence and trauma. People deserve to be supported in their healing process — not shamed and silenced. Domestic violence is a societal problem rooted in patriarchy and the subordination of women. Experiencing abuse has lifelong impacts and can be passed on generation to generation, especially if there is no healing. People who cause harm also need help healing. We believe that together, in community, we can continue to heal if we

share our stories and see each other, in each other. The Commission on Justice & Gender is leading a Healing Campaign as part of our commitment to create opportunities that encourage people who have healed from surviving or witnessing domestic violence to share their stories, increase visibility, share experience and healing. If you are interested in participating, or know someone who may be, you can share this letter: http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ Portals/0/County/Commissions/jag%20 commission/Resources/Healing%20 Campaign%20Letter%20Oct%202021.pdf To learn about the Santa Cruz County Commission on Justice & Gender and other resources, see http://www.co.santa-cruz. ca.us/Government/Commissions,Commit teesAdvisoryBodies/CommissiononJusticeandGender.aspx n ••• Jasmine Nájera is a licensed clinical social worker, mother, wife, survivor, advocate, mentor and leader.

COMMUNITY NEWS

$800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide

federal grant of $800,000 has been awarded to launch the “Building Hope & Safety-Santa Cruz” project to address suicide prevention in Santa Cruz County. The project is funded through the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, which awarded grants for COVID-19 suicide prevention.

The 16-month grant will provide services to those experiencing domestic violence and are at-risk of suicide, especially due to increased strains related to COVID-19. The project will be supported by Behavioral Health Division in conjunction with Monarch Services and Applied Crisis Training and Consulting. “Our county has mourned 4 tragic

femicides related to domestic violence in just the past 10 months,” reported Delphine Burns of Monarch Services, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz and Watsonville focused on preventing domestic violence and assisting survivors of domestic violence. “We, at Monarch Services, have also seen our service numbers nearly double and our number of crisis line calls triple from 2019 to 2020, as the need for domestic violencerelated services has escalated significantly. “The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for community behavioral health are far reaching,” said Erik G. Riera, Director of Behavioral Health. “The risk of suicide and potential for negative mental health outcomes has been escalated by trends such as economic instability, high unemployment rates, increased social isolation from shelter in place orders, decreased access to community and religious supports, and a projected increase in child abuse and domestic violence due to the pandemic. We are grateful for this opportunity to receive funding to implement the Santa Cruz County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan.” The project provides direct services including emergency housing assistance,

training in suicide prevention and safety planning, crisis services, counseling, outreach, newly created behavioral health resource pocket guides, and a public education campaign all intended to support those at risk of suicide and domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call either the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, the County of Santa Cruz -Behavioral Health 24-hour Access Line at 1-800-952-2335, or 911 if it is a life threatening emergency. n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Embracing the Season of Thanks and Gratitude By Rebecca Gold Rubin

hanksgiving and the holidays are quickly approaching! Despite (or perhaps because of) the challenges and difficulties of the last year-plus, it’s nice to bring to mind and share some of the things for which we’re grateful. Doing this can be a heartening and restorative exercise, something that renews our appreciation for family and friends, reminds us of the many positives in our lives and our work, and replenishes our spirit. And that’s a large part of what the holidays are all about, isn’t it? At the Soquel Creek Water District, we have much to be grateful for, in particular the many partnerships and cooperative relationships – both formal and informal — that help us to better serve the community, every day. At the local level, our highly-valued partners and networks range from arts and environmental education groups to the business community; from schools and colleges to the local fire district; from museums to local agencies, cities, the county, and elected officials; and more. These are among the relationships that bring us closer to the local community, so we can better share information and gather input and knowledge, communicate about the water supply and our services, and ensure we are staying on course in our work.

On another level, we’re very thankful for our partnerships with the state and federal agencies, which continue to recognize the value and necessity of the Pure Water Soquel project, understand the District’s role, and have been so generously supportive. We have built these relationships over time by meeting and getting to know the individuals involved with those agencies, sharing our long-term objectives and action plans, and describing how we intend to make the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin sustainable. These agencies have responded with great support, providing significant grant funding and low-interest loans which have enabled us to proceed with Pure Water Soquel. Because of those partnerships, the entire community is closer to meeting the serious challenges in our water supply issues. From an “inside the District” perspective, we are grateful for the members of our Board of Directors, our standing committee members, our staff members, and our community partners. From the policy-level decision-making to the on-the-ground functional efforts, there is a tremendous shared commitment to the objectives and mission of the District. This dedication unites us, and encompasses the critical functions of reliably providing water to our customers, the maintenance

and build-out of our water service infrastructure, the District’s financial, customer service, and communications functions, and the supplemental water supply projects that the District is building and/ or exploring. We can’t let the season of thanks pass without a grateful affirmation of our natural earth and the water that sustains us. Water is the driving force in nature. It’s the lifeblood of humanity, our nations and our villages, our economies, and the wellbeing of families and individuals. There is no new water — all the water that we use today has already been recycled through the natural water cycle. It is precious, and we particularly recognize the value of water right now, as we

are experiencing a drought of historic magnitude. To be thankful for water isn’t really enough — we must protect and enhance our water supplies, for the good of all people, the environment, and the wildlife and critical habitats. And last but most importantly — we are continually thankful for our customers. Through your enthusiastic and productive involvement, our Community Water Plan was created, which continues to help guide our policies and actions toward the crucial development of supplemental water supplies. Soquel Creek Water District is proud and grateful to be your community partner for reliable water. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and our best wishes for the holidays. n

Should National Parks be Returned to Native Americans?

From the Editors of E—The Environmental Magazine

rior to white settlement, as many as 15 million Indigenous people inhabited what would come to be called the contiguous United States; by the 1890s only about 250,000 remained. Today, roughly five million Native Americans live in the Lower 48, but they control only about 2 percent of the lands. Recently tribal activists have renewed efforts to remedy this historical misappropriation by demanding that control of the national parks be given back to the tribes.

“The national parks are sometimes called ‘America’s best idea’, and there is much to recommend them,” reports Leech Lake Ojibwe tribal member and author David Treuer in a recent op-ed in The Atlantic. “But all of them were founded on land that was once ours, and many were created only after we were removed, forcibly, sometimes by an invading army and other times following a treaty we’d signed under duress.”

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

Indeed, Indians were extricated from Yellowstone, Glacier and Yosemite national parks despite their ancestors having lived there for 10,000 years. But what happened in these landmark parks was just the tip of the iceberg, as Indigenous peoples were “robbed” of hundreds of other naturally significant sites from coast to coast as well. “Apostle Islands National Lakeshore,

in Wisconsin, was created out of Ojibwe homelands; the Havasupai lost much of their land when Grand Canyon National Park was established; the creation of Olympic National Park, in Washington prevented Quinault tribal members from exercising their treaty rights within its boundaries; and Everglades National Park was created on Seminole land that the tribe depended on for food,” reports Treuer. “National Parks” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Strategic Plan: How Are We Doing?

here is no question the Santa Cruz County of today is different than it was 30 years ago and we know some elements will be different 30 years from now. How do we invest in the current and future needs of the county? Where can the County improve? Where should we focus our efforts? The Board of Supervisors adopted a countywide strategic plan to provide a framework to answer these questions. After a years-long effort, which included input from thousands of County residents, the board approved a six-year strategic plan with six main focus areas. Each of the strategic plan’s six focus areas contains four goals, for a total of 24, which are presented online at www.sccvision. us. As outlined in the strategic plan, the County develops two-year operational plans containing countywide strategies, department objectives and key steps for achieving the 24 strategic plan goals. These elements are broken into three parts: • Countywide Strategies: Approaches for achieving strategic plan goals. • Department Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) actions that work towards strategic plan goals and countywide strategies. • Key Steps: Critical activities or steps necessary to achieve each department objective. The Board of Supervisors recently received an update on the operational plan as it is meant to be a document that is reviewed, flexible and updated. The board wanted the community to have a transparent view of the goals, successes and challenges surrounding the objectives. Through the strategic plan website www.sccvision.us, the County tracks progress on each objective, as well as local, state and national indicators that demonstrate progress toward achieving the County’s goals, mission and vision. The website is updated twice yearly in June and December. It provides significant data and an opportunity for members of the community to see whether the County is meeting its targets and objectives.

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

The 2019-21 Operational Plan consisted of 180 objectives. County departments successfully completed 134 (74%) of objectives, and amended or consolidated the remaining 46 (26%) objectives into the 2021-23 Operational Plan. The 2021-23 Operational Plan includes 147 new objectives that focus primarily on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, CZU fires and climate resilience, and build a significant equity lens into County plans, programs and expenditures. Why is a strategic plan helpful? orking with the community to identify our community’s strategic direction prioritizes use of limited resources, set expectations and measurable objectives, help cope with environmental uncertainty and change, and provide an objective basis for programmatic and policy evaluation that previously did not fully exist. Additionally, having measurable performance metrics provides the community with something tangible to review the success of programs and policies. It supports data-driven decisionmaking and informs the budget process. Are our investments working? Should programs be reformed or improved? How do we best invest in improved outcomes? As a result, the Board of Supervisors created a two-year budget combined with a two-year operational plan to carry out the County’s strategic plan goals. This aligns the budget and operational plan to provide funding alignment to meet specific community objectives. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/super visorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200. Editor’s note: Currently posted are performance measures for substance abuse disorder services, with 40% completing treatment, Probation interventions with 142 individuals in “Courage to Change,” 222 receiving job training and 27 receiving therapy, CalFresh food stamps benefit application with 94% processed on time, and Zero Waste efforts by Public Works reporting 60% of solid waster diverted from landfill. A dashboard for Parks is coming soon.

On an Old Map

ACROSS

1. *Core of Persia today 5. *Belgian village where Roman soldiers enjoyed warm mineral springs 8. Pitch symbol 12. More luminous star 13. Abbott and Costello or Rocky and Bullwinkle 14. Eurasian goat-like antelope 15. Team’s ranking 16. Make someone angry 17. Mix in 18. *Formerly Ceylon (2 words) 20. What tide does half the time

21. Reggae subgenre 22. Back then 23. ____ profundo 25. Depleted (2 words) 28. Wet firecracker 29. Catch in a net 32. Hip bones 34. Dormer without D 36. Schiller’s poem 37. “It is silent” in sheet music 38. Discharge 39. Admirer 41. Earlier in time than, archaic 42. Not out (2 words) 44. Pinocchio and his kind 46. Evergreen creeper 47. “A League of Their Own” member, e.g. 49. Command to a fly

51. *Formerly Siam 54. Rain forest ruminant 55. Irish for Ireland 56. It’s under a fig leaf? 58. Shockingly graphic 59. Impersonator 60. Manlike man-eater of fairy tales 61. Crunchable information 62. Popular ‘60s drug 63. A ____ ____ move 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

DOWN

Opposite of outs Fish eggs, pl. Affirm solemnly Lowest points Seeking damages Kenosha Kickers’ music 7. On the sea

8. *Once named Kampuchea 9. Trunk appendage 10. Shining armor 11. Facsimile machine 13. Fire-starter in fairy tales 14. Trojan War military action 19. Red-dot pointer, e.g. 22. Cigar residue 23. *Myanmar, formerly 24. “____ One” on a ticket 25. Consumer 26. Stomach sore 27. Boat stops 28. John’s and Jane’s last name? 30. Pie a la ____ 31. *Tokyo, formerly 33. Absorbed, as in a cost

35. *Abyssinia, now 37. Jury duty event 39. Comedian Schumer 40. Has more elm trees 43. Roundish 45. Not digital 47. Ox prod, pl. 48. Propelled like Argo 49. Arctic jaeger 50. ‘80 TV series “____ to ____” (1 word) 51. Bluish green 52. Canceled 53. “American ____,” Jeanine Cummins’ bestseller 54. Like one of the Testaments 57. Modern, prefix © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Words Are Magic!

Esoteric Astrology • November 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

riday night, October 22, the Sun entered Scorpio, our most mysterious of signs (except for Pisces). We look forward to that ‘something wicked our way comes’, when Scorpio arrives! And if it isn’t “wicked” we shake in our boots knowing the Nine Tests have arrived, also in Scorpio. It’s such a dramatic, deeply intense, the underbelly of reality commanding sign (ruled by Pluto and Mars). No one forgets a Scorpio. At most, Scorpio is a most captivating sign. It is also the most inscrutable of signs. Before we enter Capricorn, Scorpio offers us points of crisis and moments of reorientation, two deeply important functions of Scorpio and of great value for us to understand (concerning ourselves as Scorpio Sun, moon or ascendant [rising sign], and friends and family who may be Scorpios). Our lives on Earth are our chosen Spiritual Adventure. There comes a lifetime when we have divine curiosity. We want to understand the underlying motives of livingness (our lives and others’). We ARIES

A shift is occurring, a threshold to be crossed, new realities, new work and responsibilities to appear. You emerge from your foundations and face the Sun, hidden by Scorpio waters. Although not a Scorpio you and the sign of Discipleship share the influences of Mars and Mercury. So you are both in the same “planetary families”. Both have work to do that’s transformative that helps humanity. The key is communication. Use it for Goodwill, for knowledge, to dispense intelligence. Use it to uplift.

want to step out of the “cloud of unknowing”. And, no matter what, we are eager to progress forward sanely, with strength and serenity. When thinking in this way, we are stepping upon the Evolutionary Path or the Path of Return (to heaven). We want to be practical, to understand what is of value to us. We are given power and want to understand the extent of that power (Pluto). We want to pass all of the Nine Scorpio tests offered to us by Mars. Mercury helps by informing us that we must be very careful of our thoughts and speech for they can destroy as well as create. “Words are magic”, Mercury tells us. It is only through understanding these principles along with the nature Scorpio and the nine tests that true insight is cultivated. Then, we are called to be Disciples. We want to feel optimism and understand what being a World Disciple means. Scorpio calls all Disciples. It calls all disciples to step forward. To stand with the Forces of Light, flaming swords held high. Scorpio is the warrior emerging from all battles triumphant. n

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter is now moving forward in Aquarius, your opposite sign. Leos are being called to serve in many and greater ways as the new era unfolds. Be aware that all Leos must begin to cultivate all their talents and gifts. Identity comes first. Identifying yourself through what you create is a hint. A new sense of self-expression comes through your creations. Sometimes you feel dramatic, exaggerated, and embellished, desiring a more glamorous and stylish life while also hiding away. We see and recognize you, Leo.

Communication is and will be an important theme this month and next. During Scorpio each year your communication enters into a state of retreat, a rest time. You enter into a more spiritual world which heals and comforts with its inner tending. You may feel somewhat nebulous and uncertain, as if veils have fallen between you and the world? It’s a protective mechanism. So you aren’t disturbed. Allow nothing piercing and sharp into your world.

TAURUS

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

Have cash on hand and structure your money in careful ways in the coming weeks and months. Purchase no non-essentials. Tend to debts immediately, paying more than minimum on credit cards. Consider purchasing silver and gold to back your dollars, keeping your money safe. A good source for coins is the Money Changer (https://the-moneychanger.com). They are intelligent, reliable, trustworthy and a source of invaluable monetary information. The value of the dollar is changing.

There seems to be no rest and each day provides new challenges, including that of health. Sometimes your back hurts, sometimes your head. Don’t let your heart hurt even if things seem somewhat dismal and dreary – weather, world or finance-wise. Help arrives when one asks for help. Unusual events occur, especially as you continue your intentions for assisting all aspects and endeavors of humanity. We work with you in morning meditation.

Communication on all levels and aspects is most important at this time as Mercury slowly moves forward in Libra. Mercury rules communication and it’s asking you what creative endeavors you are participating in, what thoughts, ideas and intentions you have concerning your talents and abilities. Soon Mercury will be in Scorpio and we will be talking about the Nine Tests. You already know to use communication to radiate love outward into the world.

GEMINI

LIBRA

You may be seeking love, or if already in love, seeking a closer connection. Remember that making contact, true and kind and good, releases love. Can you make that type of contact? You’re also seeking more harmony and balance and right relations which your heart longs for. Have the objective to radiate love at all times. Use no harsh or critical words. Also have the intention to always listen and understand. Aquarius often goes right to the heart of the matter.

SCORPIO

There is and will continue to be daily increased work and responsibilities. You must summon all your abilities to maintain health and strength in order to meet the present world needs. Complete all tasks put off since summer. Do you also need new shoes and a new bed? I heard you need a new car, too. Relationships have been testy, money’s been perplexing, and change has been ceaseless. Who listens to you? Where is your home? Call in the Soul. It’s our guardian, guide, healer and comforter.

AQUARIUS

The new era energies impel you toward your task as mes- With Mercury and Mars in the sign the scales, some Libras are senger - constantly offering information, pondering better communication in their relamore praise of others but most of all identitionships and better ways to display love. It’s fying your creativity. It seems that you bridge good to tie up all unresolved communication so many realities, especially between Spirit situations. Tend to shared money and finances and matter. This building is Gemini’s purpose. You connect and invest in real things. Release all relationships that are not people here and there in various multi-faceted ways, opening good or kind or respectful. A new world is continuing to unfold the minds of others to see a new light, a new day, a new with new laws and principles. Always say yes to what’s offered, life ahead. Although you may not understand how, you are giving love a chance. blessed. We bless you. CANCER

How are the issues of resources, values, finances and money appearing in your life? Are you tending to resources for yourself and/or others? It’s most important that you focus time and energy upon your own needs so you can be strong and able in all ways for the coming times. It may be your concerns have deepened for family and children? This will continue until your focus shifts toward how and what you create. Balance and harmony then appear.

During Scorpio you can come out from the shadows or retreat, becoming more hidden and complex. Others understand you less and that’s good because you have important work to do, part of which is a new self-identification. This happens yearly around Halloween. You drop into the dark underbelly of life, the dark waters to renew yourself and emerge only when comfort calls. Your communication becomes even more potent. Some understand this. You’re searching for Persephone. •••

Since we live in a time of “historical reconsideration,” he says, the national parks should be returned to Native control. “Indians should tend—and protect and preserve—these favored gardens again,” he writes, adding that not only would making such a transition be good for tribes, it would also be good for the American people and the parks themselves, which he says have been mismanaged in recent decades and currently face insurmountable federal maintenance and other backlogs. “All 85 million acres of national-park sites should be turned over to a consortium of federally recognized tribes in the United States,” urges Treuer, excepting “a few areas run by the National Park Service, such as the National Mall.” The total acreage would be a far cry from the 90 million acres taken from tribes by 1887’s General Allotment Act, he maintains, which regulated land rights on tribal lands (and served to further splinter already displaces tribal communities). It would ensure unfettered access to tribal homelands and would go a long way toward restoring the dignity of America’s original peoples. “To be entrusted with the stewardship of America’s most precious landscapes would be a deeply meaningful form of restitution,” he concludes. “Alongside the feelings of awe that Americans experience while contemplating the god-rock of Yosemite and other places like it, we could take inspiration in having done right by one another.” n ••• Read “Return The National Parks To The Tribes,” theatlantic.com/magazine/ archive/2021/05/return-the-nationalparks-to-the-tribes/618395. ••• EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

PISCES

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

“National Parks” from page 24

Photo Credit: Roddy Scheer

Yosemite National Park, famous for geysers and hot springs, became the first national park in the U.S. in 1872. Indigenous rights activists are calling on the U.S. to return control of Yellowstone and most of the rest of the nation’s national parks over to the tribes.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Change Coming to School Board Elections

Five Areas to be Created to Comply with Voting Rights Act

oquel Union Elementary School District’s Board of Trustees is currently engaged in a process that could potentially move us from “at-large” elections to “by-area” elections. The issue is well documented in our board agendas, dockets, and minutes. Still, I wanted to dedicate this space to informing you about the process. It is very important to us that this issue does not fly under the radar. The crux of this work is based on the California Voting Rights Act so let’s start there. The thrust of the CVRA is equity. In simple terms, it’s designed to ensure decision-making influence is spread out over an entire voting area (in our case, a school district). This approach is intended to make certain that the makeup of a decision-making body, a school board in our case, is representative of the school community as a whole. Or, as the actual legislation reads, “Existing law, the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA), prohibits the use of an at-large election in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice or otherwise influence the outcome of an election.”

By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

Our school board members are currently elected via at-large elections. When one of the five seats on our board of trustees is up for election, the entire voting population within our school district votes. In a by-area election, on the other hand, only voters in an identified area would weigh in on a board representative from that particular section of the district. Our school board proactively looked into this issue in 2019 by passing a resolution to go through the process of transitioning to by-area elections. At the time, it was determined that waiting until we have the full data from the 2020 Census would be wise. Census data is crucial to one of the most important parts of the process and that is working with a demographer to determine by-area voting maps. Now that we have that Census data our board has passed a resolution to restart the process. Public input on this process, of course, is also essential. The most direct and practical input will come during what’s called the “Map Consideration” Hearings. These are two public hearings at board meetings to consider proposed by-trustee area maps. Additionally, we are in the process of

scheduling additional map input sessions. As soon as those sessions are scheduled, I will be posting to our website and social media outlets. The overall required hearing procedures include two “Pre-Map” Hearings, two “Map Consideration” Hearings, and a “Map Adoption” Hearing. Once we do that work in our district, the County Committee must hold at least one hearing to consider changing the method of election. You can probably tell from the number of hearings that this is very deliberate work designed to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for public input and awareness. Below are the specific dates we have identified for the process in our district: Pre-Map Hearing #1: Held Oct. 6, 2021

Pre-Map Hearing #2: Held Oct. 20, 2021 Map-Review Hearing #1: Nov. 17, 2021 Map-Review Hearing #2: Dec. 15, 2021 Adopt final map: January 19, 2022 County Committee: February 2022 Again, those Map-Review Hearings are the critical opportunities to provide input on our potential maps from members of the public. Going through this process does not change the terms of our current board members. All incumbents retain their seats for the duration of their elected term. Once our by-area maps are determined, they must be revisited and, if needed, updated after each federal census. We want your input. “School Board” page 30

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS THE RED CROSS STILL NEEDS YOU Thousands have answered the call to give to the American Red Cross, but 10,000 donors are needed before the holidays. Donors of all blood types — especially type O — are urged to make an appointments: Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors who give from Nov. 1-12 will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. Donors from Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Locations: Watsonville Nov. 3: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. Santa Cruz Nov. 4: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Ben Lomond Nov.19: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Lovecreek Road. Scotts Valley Nov. 20: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive. READING TUTORING RETURNS TO LIBRARIES 3-5 p.m., Wednesdays: Capitola / La Selva Public Libraries • Thursdays: Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library The Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ reading comprehension program, R.E.A.D. (Reach Every Amazing Detail) has returned. R.E.A.D. offers one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for students in grades 2 to 12 with 25-minute sessions with a California-credentialed teacher. Appointments are required. Call Telephone Information, 831-427-7713, to make an appointment. Holiday breaks will take place on Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 and 25; Winter break, Dec.13 to Jan. 25, resuming Jan. 26; and Spring break, April 5 & 6. SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. MONARCH BUTTERFLY COUNT BEGINS The annual monarch count (November through February) at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History started early when clusters of the orange-and-black butterflies were spotted in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. On Oct. 15, volunteers counted 1,316 monarchs. The program facilitates weekly counts at the sanctuary, where adults alongside middle, high school, and college students record the numbers of butterflies they spy in their overwintering grounds, which is full of eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and pine trees. The data collection is part of the statewide Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count covering nine other sites in Monterey County. The butterflies feed and huddle to keep warm before mating and moving on in their annual migration to

Capitola Plein Air is back after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. During the first week of November, 40 professional artists will arrive in Capitola to paint the village. Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of seaside city to paint live. On Sunday, the free to the public painting display, sale, CABRILLO STAGE PRESENTS ‘CHARLEY’S AUNT’ Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 5 thru 21, Black Box Theater, Cabrillo and competition takes place at New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave., Capitola. College, Aptos The public votes for the People’s Choice Award. Cabrillo College Theatre Arts’ fall production of “Charley’s Aunt” will take place on For information, visit www.capitolapleinair.com/ Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Black Tuesday November 2 Box Theater. GENEALOGY AT FAMILYSEARCH.ORG This wacky and hilarious farce, 7 p.m., Online Seminar directed by the masterful Joseph Terry Jackson’s family submitted family histories to Ribeiro, features love, deception, what is now called FamilySearch for many years. With confusion, and a guy disguised as an old lady, nutty as information online, it has provided interesting stories a Brazil nut! and cleared up family mysteries. Seating is unassigned, first come first served. Tickets A 35-year resident of Seaside and a retired social are $18.50 with a $2 discount for students, children and worker, Jackson will demonstrate how FamilySearch senior citizens, at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets. can help locals, sharing examples from his research. com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=1. You can also call the box The workshop, presented by the Genealogical Society of office: (831) 479-6154 Santa Cruz County, takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 2 Masks are required. via Zoom. To register, visit or call 831-427-7713. Learn more at https://www.cabrillo.edu/vapa/2021-fallThe descendant of Mormon immigrants, Jackson’s charleys-aunt paternal grandmother’s parents arrived in the 1890s; his paternal grandfather’s forebears came in the 1850s. His maternal ancestors were early converts to ONGOING EVENTS Mormonism and were among the first Mormon settlers Tuesdays in what became Utah and Idaho. GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS All the family lines he has traced from the U.S. have gone back to English, Scottish, and Irish roots. November 9 thru December 14, phone or online. Hospice of Santa Cruz County offers individual grief support sessions (via phone or Zoom) and a special group, Thursday November 4 Coping with Grief though the Winter Holidays, and Thursday November 18 meeting virtually via Zoom on Tuesday evenings. TECH TALK AT THE LIBRARY Call (831) 430-3000 for more information and to register. 11 a.m. to noon, Zoom Seminars Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers two free Tech Talks FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK this month for Apple and Android devices. Topics are: 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville Nov. 4: News Apps and Strategies El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by ComNov. 18: Media Manipulation munity Health Trust of Pajaro Valley. Check the library’s calendar, top of the website, at www. There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie santacruzpl.org to register and receive the Zoom link. Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and wellness screenings. Friday November 5 Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and LANDLORD APPRECIATION Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info. 10-11 a.m., Santa Cruz Police Community Room, 155 Center St., Santa Cruz Third Thursday Each Month Santa Cruz County housing officials will host a PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM Landlord Appreciation Event on 10-11 a.m. Friday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting Nov. 5, at the Santa Cruz Police community room, 155 BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Center St., Santa Cruz, to meet property owners and Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated talk about programs to provide money and support for by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third landlords and tenants. Thursday of each month. The county’s Rehousing Wave effort aims to Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport permanently house more than 800 people who received or call 831-471-7255. temporary shelter during the pandemic. Benefits for landlords include financial incentives such as $1,000 Second Sundays rental agreement signing bonuses, guaranteed on-time SANTA CRUZ ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE monthly payments and 24-hour tenant support services. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave. between Lincoln and Cedar Streets For questions, email SantaCruzLL@abodeservices.org. The Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire features more than Registered landlords will be entered to win $25 gift cards to 40 outdoor vendors. local businesses. Visit https://www.facebook.com/santacruzantiquefaire/ for more information Saturday November 6

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by November 16 Baja. Pacific Grove has celebrated the annual return of the butterflies with a festival and parade since 1939. Since the 1980s, however, the western population has declined by more than 95 percent. In 2020, only 2,000 butterflies were spotted from Mendocino County to the Mexican border, compared to the tens of thousands seen in the past. Last year, none were seen in Pacific Grove. For information visit www.pgmuseum.org. PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, and the first due date is approaching. Your bill can be paid in two installments. The first installment is due on Nov. 1 and becomes delinquent after Dec. 10, and a penalty is charged. The 2nd installment is due Feb. 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10. Penalties will be incurred if not paid before becoming delinquent. ONLINE SEMINARS ABOUT NURSING HOME LAW California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform offers three recorded legal seminars: Wednesday, Nov. 3: Medi-Cal Updates and the Future of Estate Planning for Long Term Care Wednesday, Nov. 10: The Role of Counsel for a Conservatee Wednesday, Nov. 17: Elder Financial Abuse Litigation: A Panel of Experts To register, visit http://www.canhr.org/ CANHR, a nonprofit, offers consumers a free fact sheet on nursing homes at http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/index.html, and will host The Elder Law Conference April 29-30, 2022, in Monterey. SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth. You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org TWO NEW GRACE HARBOR SHOPS The Rustic Table Restaurant and Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe are open at 55 Brennan St., Watsonville, sharing space with Grace Harbor Women’s Center, a satellite of the nonprofit faith-based Teen Challenge Monterey Bay and Pajaro Rescue Mission. Grace Harbor is a shelter and recovery program for women (and their children) facing life controlling issues such as drugs and alcohol. Hours at Rustic Table, a professionally trained studentrun restaurant with dine-in and pick-up options, are Monday through Saturday 8 am-3 pm. Hours at Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe, a secondhand retail store run by Teen Challenge students and staff, are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. The phone for both places is 831-761-3191.

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

DATED EVENTS Monday November 1 thru Sunday November 7 CAPITOLA PLEIN AIR Display Day: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave., Capitola

MAYOR’S BIKE RIDE 10 a.m., Noble Gulch Park, Capitola Capitola Mayor Yvette Lopez Brooks will lead a familyfriendly bike ride through our community with Bike Santa Cruz County. Meet at Noble Gulch Park between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to roll out right at 10 and return by 11:30 a.m. Kids welcome (Under 18 years, helmets required). Weather permitting: rain will cancel this event.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Saturday November 6 Sunday November 7 LIBRARY HOSTS DIA DE LOS MUERTES 2 p.m., Saturday at Felton Branch on Gushee Street / Sunday at Capitola Branch on Wharf Road Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites the entire community to the bilingual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Felton branch on Saturday and the Capitola branch on Sunday. A Spanish storytime and light refreshments will be provided, wrapped up to-go for your safety. Día de los Muertos altars on display at these branch libraries are the result of a community-wide collaboration, where members of the public shared their creative contributions such as art, photos, and poetry. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.

Sunday November 7 GIVE BUILD LOVE ONLINE AUCTION 5 p.m., Online Auction This is the deadline to bid on 70 items for the annual fundraiser auction Give Build Love for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. Visit https://www.32auctions. com/givebuildlove until 5 p.m. Nov. 7 to watch, bid, and win. Proceeds support the 11-home development Rodeo Creek Court in Live Oak. TEDX MERIT ACADEMY 1-3 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Merit Academy of Soquel will present student speakers for a TEDx event Sunday, Nov 7, at the Rio Theatre. Topics for the 2-hour event include: • How to protect yourself from water contaminated by fracking wells • How to use safe pesticides by using cordyceps mushrooms • How some building materials such as vinyl gutters & siding are flammable • How to save premature infants by using an inexpensive incubator • How to prevent diabetes by knowing your glucose numbers • How to reduce carbon dioxide by reducing transportation and using 100% recycled plastics • How we need to rethink how we live to stop devastation caused by climate change Tickets in advance http://tedxmeritacademy.com/tickets/ are $20; tickets at the door are $25.

Monday November 8 thru Friday November 12 CABRILLO COLLEGE VETERAN AWARENESS WEEK Nov. 8: Veterans Information Center Open House — 9-11 a.m., Room 913: With Companion’s baked goods and coffee. Nov. 10: Spirit Day — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 913: Wear your favorite pro-veteran shirt. To donate to the Cabrillo Student Veteran Endowment visit https://foundation.cabrillo.edu/donate/. Questions? Email flchacon@cabrillo.edu.

Tuesday November 9 CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB MEETS 4-5:30 p.m., Point Chophouse, 3326 Portola Drive, Pleasure Point Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will have its monthly club meeting at The Point Chophouse. Members will discuss the search for eligible candidates for Live Your Dream award plus recent and future fund-raising activities. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/sicapitola, www. A limited number will be selected to participate at no best4women.org, or email info@best4women.org. charge. Those interested must email events@scparks.com: • Title your email “Craft Faire 2021 application” Wednesday November 10 • First: list your name, phone number, address, and CELEBRATING THE MARINE CORPS’ BIRTHDAY email address at the top of your email 5-7 p.m., Veterans’ Hall, Downtown Santa Cruz • Next: list your medium (such as jewelry, textiles, Celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps before glass) Veterans’ Day. • Followed by: a brief description of what you plan to Info: https://www.veteranshall.org/event-directory/ sell • Include: a link to Etsy, website, Facebook, Instagram Thursday November 11 where your work can be purchased: JOURNEY FOR CHANGE 11-MILE WALK • Attach: a maximum 300dpi jpg or tif image of your Starting at 8 a.m. at Natural Bridges State Park Parking Lot, work Santa Cruz Vendors will be notified by Nov. 19. Shoppers can view the Craft Faire website Dec. 1 at http:// A nonprofit with a mission to reduce suicides among veterans, will host an 11-mile walk to raise awareness to scparks.com/ save lives. The walk will stop at the Veterans Hall, which is hosting Saturday November 13 an “open door day” providing information and resources BOWL FOR VETERANS 10 a.m. and Noon, Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St, Santa Cruz in its auditorium, 524 Front St., downtown Santa Cruz. The next stop will be Cabrillo College in Aptos, where The Terry Plank Memorial bowling tournament at Boardwalk Bowl will be raising money for Vets 4 Vets. veterans can take part in a drive-though BBQ, courtesy of All proceeds support local veterans. the Veterans Information Center on campus. Please RSVP To bowl, please RSVP Dean at scveteranadvocate@gmail.com at https://tinyurl.com/vets-barbecue (Full URL: https:// or call (831) 420-7348. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ_oKY13oXI5Y1iNeMc9Lb0ZX-uByjjrBy5Ki2hDlx4tkWTA/viewform) MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR: SANTA CRUZ Buzz Gray, a veteran who started Journey for Change after 7 pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz recognizing his own post-traumatic stress disorder 47 years Mountainfilm on Tour brings a adventure-packed and after leaving Vietnam, says 22 veterans every day die at their inspiring documentary films curated from the Mounown hand. He wants to federal law to identify suicide risk tainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado, to the Rio Theatre. factors and implement mental health interventions before Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of film, art servicemen and servicewomen are discharged from active duty. and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. More information: https://www.facebook.com/journeyforveter- The Rio Theatre has been organizing Mountainfilm on Tour for anchange and the Santa Cruz County Veterans Service Office, several years and has been working with local schools to host Mountainfilm in Education to area students. 831-454-7276. ••• List of films: A VERY SHORT GUIDE TO UNION GLACIER GET YOUR VETERANS’ ID CAMP • NOW IS THE TIME • THE MYSTERY • RESIL11 a.m., Mello Center, Watsonville IENCE • INVISIBLE BEAUTY • ERIC AND THE BEES • County Veterans Services will help veterans obtain TABIRA • COMING HOME - AG TEACHT ABHAILE • a veterans ID. Eligible veterans can have the word “VETERAN” added to the front of their driver’s license/ ONE STAR REVIEWS: NATIONAL PARKS ID card to indicate service in the U.S. military. Please For tickets and details about the films, visit https://www.riotheatre. com/events-2/2021/11/13/mountainfilm-on-tour-santa-cruz bring your DD214. Or if you served in the National Guard or Reserves, bring your DD Form 256 or DD LA SELVA BEACH HOLIDAY FAIR Form 25. AND LIBRARY OPENING CELEBRATION 10 a.m.-4 p.m., La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave Thursday November 11 La Selva Beach Improvement thru Sunday November 14 Association and Friends of the La VETERANS DAY FUNDRAISER Selva Library present 28 unique art & 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room, 12 Del Fino craft vendors sell handcrafted goods at Place, Carmel Valley the La Selva Beach Clubhouse, brining Twisted Roots Wine will host a fundraiser starting on back an event that was not held in Veterans Day and running through the weekend at its 2020 due to the pandemic. tasting room. The event is also celebrating the Part of the proceeds from sales of wine at the tasting room Nov. 11-14 will be donated to the Veterans newly remodeled La Selva Beach Transition Center, a Marina nonprofit whose mission Library and features a big used book sale, live music and a is “to empower veterans to transition from crisis to magic show. Bake sale and prize raffle benefit La Selva CERT. self-sufficiency.” Ate3One and other food trucks will be operating. Since 1996, Veterans Transition Center has operated Free admission! on the former Fort Ord complex to provide homeless Email BooksandBrewsLSB@gmail.com for more information. veterans and their families with food, clothing, case management, life skills, substance abuse counseling, Sunday November 14 benefit enrollment, medical referrals, employment training, and housing. A CULINARY TOUR OF ITALY Details: (831) 594-8282, email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com 5:30-7 p.m., Zoom class or see www.twistedrootsvineyard.com. Chaney Janssen and Meghan O’Connell, of Destined for Grapeness, will complete their virtual tour of Italy Sunday, Nov. 14, with a cooking lesson from Umbria, Friday November 12 home to porcini, morels, and truffles. DEADLINE FOR HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIRE The presenters will taste a delicious Umbrian Local artists and craftspeople who would like to sell wine and walk you through preparing a simple and their wares at the Santa Cruz County Parks all-virtual delicious, vegetarian meal — from the comfort of your Holiday Art & Craft Faire in December must apply by own home. The 90-minute class starts at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. Nov.12.

Participants receive a PDF in advance with the shopping list and suggestions on where to buy the wine. Free for Dante Alighieri members; $15 non-members (only one ticket required per household). Register at https://www.dantesantacruz.com/event-details/ mushrooms-umbria-final-destination-in-3-part-series

Wednesday November 17

DIGITAL NEST 7TH BIRTHDAY 6-7 p.m., YouTube live stream Jacob Martinez, founder and executive director of Digital NEST, the Watsonville nonprofit that has empowered 2,200 young people to develop essential workplace skills, invites you to celebrate its 7th birthday. The event will be streamed live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCeBTOd4a5se6Paea6S09row Attendees will hear about accomplishments and four members will share their personal passions about the future and what it means to them, their families and their community.Digital NEST Development Manager Jenna Rodriguez will co-host. Visit www.digitalnest.org for more info. INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE & CANDLE LIGHTING 6:30 p.m., Online or at Resurrection Catholic Community, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos Hospice of Santa Cruz County invites you to the Interfaith Memorial Service & Candle Lighting in-person (masks required) at Resurrection Cathlic Community or online: hospicesantacruz.org/event/ fall-interfaith-21 This is an opportunity to pause during the busy holiday season and tune into what counts: Remembering a beloved family member or dear friend who has died. Whether your loved one recently passed, or is someone who you have carried in your heart for many years, this memorial service nourishes hearts and spirit by honoring both the sadness and joy that comes with remembrance. Services are free. Attendees are welcome to bring a photograph or object of your loved one for the remembrance table. Children and families are welcome.

Friday November 26 MEET SANTA AT THE MALL Time TBA, Capitola Mall, 1855 41 Ave., Capitola Santa is arriving at Capitola Mall the day after Thanksgiving. Santa’s Christmas Cabin will be between Macy’s and the new Food Hall until Dec. 24. For days and hours, see shopcapitolamall.com. ••• Visitors to the mall will find new stores: Santa Cruz Special, Knotty and Grain, Vintage Nouveau, Seconds, Flair, Tragically Hip and Hadbro Collectables. Coming soon: Exit Escape Rooms. Upcoming holiday shops: Go! Calendars - Games & Toys and Tibet Creations. New in the Food Hall: Ramen Kaito, East West Pizza Company, Tako Mex and Yumi Poke. Local food trucks Taquizas Gabriel and Saucey’z park at the far east end of the parking lot across from Kohl’s. For days and hour, see their Instagram pages.

Wednesday December 1 CABRILLO IMPROV FOLLIES 7 p.m., Black Box Theater at Cabrillo College, Aptos Cabrillo College Theatre Arts Department presents an evening of improvisation in the Black Box Theatre. Students in the Improvisation class will perform fun and thought provoking skits as their final exam. Tickets available the day of the event; box office at Crocker Theater opens at 6 p.m. Call (831) 479-6154 n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Recent Rains Haven’t Removed Wildfire Threat By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

ire mitigation and prevention efforts remained a top priority for our office during October. While we are excited to welcome recent rains, the threat of wildfire remains. After requesting in September for the Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience (OR3) to work with County Fire and any other relevant parties to obtain permission, cost quotes, and other logistical needs for several new ALERT Wildfire camera installations to serve Santa Cruz County, the Board received a status update from the OR3 on Oct. 5, identifying 6 new locations the OR3 will be analyzing further. Potential locations identified included: Watsonville Fire Station #2 Cell Tower, City of Santa Cruz coastal area (wharf, Dream Inn, Long Marine Lab), Silver Mountain Winery/Summit Area, Davenport Cement Plant, Cabrillo Horticulture/Mid-County, and Mount Madonna Center. The OR3 will return to the Board of Supervisors in January 2022 with an update on costs and feasibility of these locations.

Adding additional ALERT Wildfire camera and other thoughts and concerns related locations will greatly increase our County’s to the proposed medical office building project (Kaiser Permanente) at early-detection capabilities, 5940 Soquel Ave in Live Oak. allowing us to be more prepared Director of Public Works, Matt for future fire events. Machado and Assistant Planning Reducing fire risk and Director, Stephanie Hansen, developing mitigation and emerjoined us to provide background gency-response strategies is a top and technical expertise. concern for residents throughout More than 100 participants the county. attended the hybrid meeting via My office continues to support the formation of local Shane Mckeithen Zoom or in-person at the Live FireWise communities, and we encourage Oak Sheriff’s Center Community room. Next steps for this project include residents to organize into FireWise communities within your unique neigh- another developer-hosted meeting on Nov. borhoods in order to work together 3, with public hearings before the Planning to reduce wildfire risk in your Commission to occur in Nov./Dec. 2021, area. By working together and before the Board of Supervisors in to address fire risk and early 2022. To learn more about this project, or increase prevention and mitigation efforts to sign up for the developer’s mailing list, in our neighborhoods, go to https://www.5940soquelave.com/. we can all become FireWise! Our office will continue to spread the F o r more information about becoming a word about upcoming meeting dates and FireWise community, visit: Firewise USA opportunities for public comment on this Recognition Program (firesafesantacruz. important project. This last month we welcomed a new org). In October, we hosted a neighborhood member to our team, Shane Mckeithen. meeting to discuss the traffic impacts, Shane was raised in Watsonville and potential transportation improvements completed his K-12 education within the

PVUSD school system. He has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and a master’s of public administration from CSU Long Beach. Shane brings seven years of experience in the legislative sphere, having worked at the City, County, and State level to serve residents of Long Beach and Monterey County. From 2017 to 2021, Shane was a senior field deputy in the City of Long Beach, crafting policy, providing constituent services, and implementing strategies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, housing needs, quality of life, and social equity concerns. He is a proud AfroMexican American with a diverse wealth of knowledge and experience. He enjoys playing chess, drawing caricatures, mentoring youth, and spending time with loved ones. He is excited to be back in Santa Cruz County, and is looking forward to meeting 1st District residents and serving the 1st District community. Want to get in touch with us? Give us a call at (831) 454-2200, email us at first. district@santacruzcounty.us, visit our website at http://www.co.santa-cruz. ca.us/Government/BoardofSupervisors/ District1.aspx, where you can find a full list of upcoming community meetings. n

“School Board” from page 27 Please spread the word about this. We do not want anyone surprised when the next election comes around. There are two main websites you can use to get informed and get involved. First, we have dedicated a page on our website to the CVRA process. If you go to www.suesd. org/cvra, you will find plentiful information on this subject. We will use this page to continuously update where we are in the process. Secondly, if you go to our board

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

Local Local Local

page at www.suesd.org/board-oftrustees, you will find information related to our board meetings. Those meetings now include the

News ... Sports ... Politics ...

ability to view them on YouTube and provide public comments via email or text. Of course, you can always attend our board meetings in person. Please always be sure to preview the agenda and note where each meeting is being held. Also, be sure to be on the lookout for two additional meetings that will be scheduled so that we can get even more input on our map building process. n ••• Scott J. Turnbull is superintendent of Soquel Union Elementary School District.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Snuggling Into Your Heart

crossword on 25 »

r. Snuggles is ready to snuggle his way into your heart! This sweet guy came into the Shelter when his previous owner was unable to keep caring for him. Mr. Snuggles was with his previous owner all the time so he doesn’t like being left alone. Mr. Snuggles is 10 years young and ready to find a family to settle down with. Mr. Snuggles is the definition of a “Good Boy” and he has joined small dog playgroup at the Shelter and likes to coexist with the other pups. A home with another mellow dog may be a fit provided they meet at the Shelter first. This good boy even visited Santa Cruz Subaru for a special adoption event, and he was a social butterfly and made tons of friends. Mr. Snuggles has not lived with cats but with a slow introduction and management — we are thinking he could coexist nicely. He has enjoyed spending time with volunteers and staff while at the Shelter, but he is ready to find his forever home! So, what are you waiting for? Come meet this handsome guy today at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter! 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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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / November 2021 / 31

NOVEMBER 2021

CAPITOLA & SOQUEL BY THE NUMBERS

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Median Sale Price

8. 5

Average Days on Market

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Capitola Soquel Times: November 2021

Articles inside

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Words Are Magic!, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28

Change Coming to School Board Elections: Five Areas to be Created

Recent Rains Haven’t Removed Wildfire Threat, By Manu Koenig

County Strategic Plan: How Are We Doing?, By Zach Friend, Supervisor

Forgiven PPP Loans Help SCCB To Record Earnings

Capitola’s New Chief: Andy Dally • Matt Huffaker Tapped as Santa Cruz City Manager • Cal Fire’s San Mateo Santa Cruz Chief Ian Larkin

Bike Ride for Health with the Mayor, By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of

San Lorenzo River Levee Cleanup • Meaningful Gifts • Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director • New SC Symphony Executive Director • Redistricting Comments Due Nov. 2 on Redistricting • $3

FDA: Pfizer Vaccine OK for Kids 5 to 11: Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID Deaths As New Cases Slow, By Jondi Gumz

Rotary Bike Ride Raises $200,000: Teen Kitchen Project, Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery to Benefit • Main Street Elementary Raises $21,300 in Boardwalk’s Drive for Schools

The Monsters of Chavez Ravine Wins Gold for Fantasy/Science Fiction

League Champs: A Season To Remember, By Ciara Cantlen