Capitola Soquel Times: October 2022

By

Women on Waves: Thank You, Ocean!

By June Smith

Women on Waves, the females of the surfing and swimming community are thrilled to bring back their surfing contest to Capitola Beach on Oct. 22 and 23. With more participants, they will be able to spread their mission of empowering women and enjoy more hours to soak in all the good vibes.

Aylana Zanville, the creator of Ola Chica surf wear, took over the leadership of WOW in 2018.

As an avid former-competitive surfer, involved with WOW for many years, she says, “There was no other event that existed like this one, with so much support and camara derie between competitors and viewers.” ... continues on page 4

Open Studios Art Tour 2022

The 36th annual Open Studios Art Tour will take place as usual the first three weekends in October, bigger and better, featuring 321 artists across Santa Cruz County. It’s free, as usual, and you pick which artists you want to visit. Get a free copy of the guide listing all the artists.

Full Story page 12

Capitola Candidates

Full Story page 9

Capitola Sailor Wins National Title

Capitola resident and local sailor Skip Allan won the 82nd International 110 National Championship regatta on Tomales Bay, Aug. 8-12.

Full Story page 11

Patrice Edwards editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

June Smith, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Joe Ortiz, Kevin Comartin, Sam Storey, Ron Kustek, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Manu Koenig layout

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

Warning: Don’t Drink the Water

Due to lower water levels, warm temperatures and an unseasonal rain Sept. 23, Santa Cruz County is experiencing a higher-thannormal frequency of naturally occurring algal blooms, such as at Schwan Lagoon. While some algae are harmless, others

such as cyanobacteria can release toxins that pose a risk to animals and humans.

Santa Cruz County Envi ronmental Health is leading testing of current algal blooms to determine toxicity.

COVER STORY

“Women on Waves” from page 1

Two summers past, she created bright red and pink WOW bracelets to wear in the lineup to launch a trend with a purpose. Wearing a bracelet is meant to show you are a friend and ally, so others can paddle over to say hi, and create community.

Partners Marisol Godinez and Corey Grace, passionate about the ocean and the environment, also felt the necessity to bring WOW back.

Marisol, professional communication and brand designer has been involved with the production of female-focused events.

opportunities for women, and dedication to the environment.

Whether you’ll be joining them in Capitola or from afar, they can’t wait to “sea” you again for this year’s inclusive, fun, awarenessraising event.

Their 2022 beneficiary is Sea Hugger. The theme for this year is Sea Happiness, selected to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the therapeutic benefits we get back from the ocean.

What are those mental health benefits?

1) Less stress.

2) Better sleep and more energy.

environment that helps to empower women who otherwise may not feel supported in the male-dominated sport of surfing.

She recently was featured in the short documentary by Elizabeth Pepin Silva, “Introducing the Super Stoked Surf Mamas of Pleasure Point. It focuses on community, surfing, pregnancy and friendship.

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 ©2022. 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

Due to her obsession with surfing and her love of the ocean, Sol y Mar’s one-of-a-kind surfboards for women were born.

Corey works in energy efficiency and market transformation consulting and has dedicated her career to improving the envi ronment on our planet. Her love of surfing developed in her 40s. Her involvement in WOW has enabled her to bring together the love of creating community, providing

3) Grounding — boosting the body’s immune system and reducing pain and fatigue.

The Women on Waves trio wants to create awareness to always be fully present and absorb all the joy and peace felt when surrounded by water: “Thank you, Ocean!”

Katie Loggins, a Pleasure Point Surf mama, says, “WOW offers an invaluable experience for women to surf in a safe

Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols Ph.D., author of the landmark bestseller, Blue Mind, says, “Water is one of the most potent and universal sources of hap piness, awe and wonder on Earth. What if everyone understood and practiced Blue Mind? Women on Waves and their peer organizations around the world are leading the way to that version of the future, one wave, splash, plunge, dip, stroke, or float at a time.” n

For more information about Women on Waves, write to P.O. Box 7335, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, call 831-359-1175, or visit https:// www.womenonwavessurfcontest.com/

Cover Photo: (From Left) Marisol Godinez, Aylana Zanville, Corey Grace

artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

coordinator

Camisa Composti media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator

Cathe Race distribution

Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

Michael

Camisa Composti

Michael

Bay Fed’s Angela Harden: Emerge Program Finalist

Angela Harden, facilities assistant manager with Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, is one of the five finalists in the 2022 CUES Emerge program, which starts at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at CUESEmerge.com

CUES Emerge applicants are young leaders employed by a credit union. This year, 30 people were chosen. They spent time learning from some of North America’s top educators, followed by mastermind sessions to discuss what they learned and how it can apply to a project at their credit union.

Her pitch is “Cul tivating a Stronger Culture Through Collaborative Work spaces.” She is proposing to release the Live Oak admin office, where capacity is under 20% due to pandemic work-from home policies, and consolidate all on-site back-office staff at the flagship Capitola branch, where capacity is also under 20%, and set a new standard for a hybrid work environment at the Capitola location.

Angela Harden

Applicants then wrote and sub mitted a business case for that project. A panel of five senior credit union execu tives chose five to proceed to the Oct. 5 Live Pitch, where they will pitch their idea via livestream to an international audience. The judges will select the winner.

Each of the top three will receive a tiered education and coaching package to sup-port their development and growth within the industry. n

Aspirin for Dinner?

By Joe Ortiz

Episode: While Dad was trying

Mom just said

Just as Dad began slipping into his shoes after frantically searching around the house for a fresh pack of smokes, Mom leaned her head out of the kitchen doorway and said:

“Don’t run out to the store tonight, Herman. Please?”

You could hear the oven door squeak as Mom pulled the bubbling casserole out of the oven and placed it on a cooling rack. “This eggplant Parmesan’s gotta cool for twenty minutes,” she said.

Dad was already halfway out the door.

“Herman, I mean it,” Mom said. “Don’t go! Ya got a bottle of Rheingold in the fridge and a half pack of Camels on the Victrola.”

Dad grumbled something under his breath, then reluctantly settled back into his chair and hid behind the newspaper.

“When Laura gets back from Glee Club,” Mom said. “Have her set the table, wouldja?” She untied her apron and threw it on the drain board.

“Herman?” But the paper only rustled a bit.

“I’m going down ta Angie’s,” Mom said, harping to the back of the sports page. “I’ve got to get a little parsley fa the top of the eggplant. Stay here, will ya?”

Dad dropped the paper to his lap and glared at her.

“Herman, Did’ya hear me?”

“Sure, sure, sure,” Dad said. “Go already, go.”

Mom blew a big, exaggerated breath into the air, and ran out. The moment the door slammed, Dad jumped up and threw the paper on the couch.

“Joey, I’ll be right back,” Dad said. “Stay away from the stove or Mommy’ll get mad. Laura will be home any minute.”

As soon as I was alone, I was free. Free from my parents arguing about gambling. About doctor bills. About Dad’s drinking. About me getting sick. Having been a sponge to absorb it all, I’d learned from them the patter of their constant bick ering. Words like “headache,” “bellyache,” “pain,” “fever,” rattled in my brain. I strung my parents’ litany of phrases together as my own fantasy story:

“Freddie is a real headache,” I mimicked my mother talking about the neighborhood bookie who always hounded Dad for money. “Quitcha bel lyachin’, Nonnie,” I said to myself, just as Dad might have answered. I went on in alternating voices: I only lost three dollars

.

It’s fa Joey’s doctor bill . . . I got a big deal goin’ in the morning’. . . This is aggra vating, HERMAN! . . .

. .

Just then Laura ran in. “Joey, ya talking to yourself again?” she said. “I saw Dad downstairs. He said to keep an eye on ya. Whataya gonna do Joey, turn into a pumpkin?”

“Laura, DON’T!” I said. “I’m just playing.”

“Ya not gonna get sick on me, are ya? Mom would slap me real good if ya did.” Before I could answer, she went into the living room and got so involved in a magazine that I became invisible.

When Laura said, ya not gonna get sick, I thought about Dr. Boccardi and what he prescribed after every visit. So, I mimicked Boccardi too: Just give him an aspirin, Annie, and put him to bed. Aspirin was one of my favorite foods. I enjoyed the tangy taste. I started to dwell on the aspirin in the kitchen cabinet. Lost in her magazine, Laura was oblivious, so I went into the kitchen, climbed up on a chair, and grabbed the aspirin bottle.

“Venice

Capitola City Council Candidates: Vote Nov. 8

TheCapitola-Soquel Times asked the five Capitola City Council candidates in the Nov. 8 election three questions.

Here are their answers:

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said she plans to overhaul the agency, saying it failed to meet expectations during the Covid-19 pandemic. She wants an action-ori ented culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, communication, and timeliness. Are you satisfied with the safety measures the council took during the Covid pandemic? If yes, give examples. If not, what would you have done differently?

Yvette Brooks: I think no one could have ever imagined experiencing a worldwide pandemic in their lifetime, nor having to lead a City, State or Country through it. I believe that we have all learned a lot through this experience, and although we all hope to never have to do it again, this pandemic has garnered a lot of opportunity to be better prepared should we have to.

The City of Capitola did a tremendous job in supporting its community by offering small business loans, creating child care for essential workers, funding food service agencies and offering rental assistance.

In addition, I suggested creating a COVID relief fund for any future unforeseen circumstances. I am proud to have been Capitola’s Mayor during this time and of the collaborative efforts of my fellow countywide Mayors.

Joe Clarke: The past two years of the pandemic have taken a lot out of us all. I believe the City Council did the right thing with all the information they had at the time, so many unknowns. From the Federal government to the State government, things changed weekly if not daily.

The City did a good job following federal and state mandates and keeping the community informed. The only thing I would have pushed to do away with would have been, teleconferencing meetings and bringing back in-person meetings sooner.

Enrique Dolmo Jr.: Yes, I was satisfied with the safety measures the council took during the Covid pandemic. I believe having all meetings virtual during the pan demic at the time was an excellent decision.

Although shutting the beaches down and closing indoor restaurants was more of a county and state regulation, that was fine at the time of the unknown.

But the council made fast adjustments and allowed outdoor eating, which was a great response during the pandemic.

Gerry Jensen: During the Covid-19 pandemic, our council followed the

Joe ClarkeYvette Brooks

direction and guidance of the Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel, to provide a safe environment within this guidance.

Our council and city staff were pro active and worked with the business community to allow for outdoor dining and opened businesses as directed by the Health Officer.

I supported this approach by our council, as the city needs to rely on health professionals at the county, state, or federal level that have better insights into data and trends to keep our community safe.

Alexander Pedersen: I’m very sat isfied with the actions taken by our city council during the pandemic. Although the majority of our safety decisions were made by county and state governments, our city council was able to act quickly and deci sively in protecting our community.

The city council was able to facilitate rent relief to keep people safely in their homes, allowed parklets to keep businesses open and customers at a safe distance from one another, and waived to-go food fees to help community members access food in a safe manner.

Through my work with the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center, I saw first hand how effective our city council’s policy was in protecting our community. I worked directly with the City to administer COVID relief grants and we’re still working day in and day out to get emergency funding to struggling businesses.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw our city, our business owners, and our community come together and rise to the occasion and I’m proud of the dedication and hard work displayed by our city council.

What’s your take on the name for the Rispin Mansion park property?

Yvette Brooks: It has been a long time since Capitola has had the opportunity to name a new park, and what better time than now to seize the opportunity.

It would be fun to ask our community for suggestions.

Joe Clarke: I live next to the Rispin Mansion and have seen it sit unused for

Enrique Dolmo Jr.

decades. Its historic value should mean something to the community. I’m excited that the grounds of the park will be refur bished and made safe for public use in the near future.

I believe the name should remain the same. We have a unique opportunity to educate the community so we don’t lose the history of this beautiful property. I have enjoyed sharing all the stories that go with the Rispin Mansion and telling it to my children and now to my 12-year-old grandson and his friends.

Enrique Dolmo Jr.: Regarding my take on the Rispin Mansion park property, I do have concerns about using Rispin’s name on the park project in part because of racial exclusionary language in the land deeds.

Gerry Jensen: The new park at the Rispin Mansion has not been named yet. I am a firm believer that if the citizens of Capitola want to have any park in the city named or renamed, there should be a com mittee selected to establish a list of names from the community.

We should then poll the citizens and let the citizens make the decision to rename any park, not the city council.

Alexander Pedersen: I’m thrilled that we’re dedicating the time and resources to build out more parks and green spaces in Capitola.

I think this could be a great oppor tunity to get the community more involved and solicit ideas. I hope that this process will bring people together and that we can come up with a name that everyone can get behind.

What’s your take on the idea for Capitola to ask voters to OK an Empty Home Tax?

Why might it be needed? What should the revenue be spent on?

Yvette Brooks: The City of Capitola in 5 years will be facing an imbalanced budget due to increasing CalPERS (public employee retirement pension) cost and needs to find a solution fast.

If we do not, the City will have to begin making hard decisions on where to make cuts on things like staffing, roads, and community grants. The Empty Home Tax may be the solution.

At this time, the City has the opportunity

to learn from other jurisdictions like Oakland, San Francisco, Healdsburg and Santa Cruz on how to create a balanced, defensible policy around homes that are not occupied for most of the year.

We need more time to do so and to write something that is right for both homeowners and the City.

Joe Clarke: I’m not sure the time is right to go after an “Empty Home Tax” for a couple reasons, one being, inflation is through the roof and almost all people I spoke with about this are already feeling strapped.

Homeowners already pay property taxes and don’t need to be burdened by additional taxes. A bigger issue is how are you going to enforce the tax without invading an individual’s rights as a property owner?

Perhaps we could consider other ways to increase taxes that can help the com munity. One way to do this would be to raise “TOT” or Transient Occupancy Tax, so we are on par with other California cities.

Another might be by extending Measure F the 0.25 percent sales tax that is due to expire in a few years and was voted in with over 80% of the voters backing in 2017.

Enrique Dolmo Jr.: This is a very complicated question and I see both sides. I suggest we listen to our community and I think more study needs to happen around this issue.

I am 100% all in favor of our teachers, service workers, health care workers, care givers as well as state and county workers to be able to afford to live where they work.

If the Empty Home Tax Measures passes, then I believe the revenue should be spent providing housing for our essential workers, fostering a family-friendly envi ronment, creating programs for all youth and their parents, implementing smart traffic solutions and focusing on making Capitola a more walkable community.

Gerry Jensen: I didn’t support the idea of a second home tax as discussed at the June 9 city council meeting, nor did ⅔ of the surveyed community.

Alexander Pedersen

Gerry Jensen

New Covid Boosters Available; Cases Shrink

OnSept. 7, the new Covid-19 vaccine boosters became available in Santa Cruz County, where active cases have fallen in the past month from 1,217 to 445.

While cases are down, three more deaths were reported involving people 65 and older with medical conditions; one was vaccinated and two were not.

The boosters from Pfizer and Moderna aim to protect against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is no longer circulating, and the current dominant omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

To expedite emergency use autho rization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, boosters were not tested in humans but mice. Pfizer sub mitted findings based on 8 mice. Human trials began in August.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommends a booster 2 months after the primary series or the last booster dose, as the protection wanes.

Moderna’s is authorized for those 18 and older and Pfizer’s is authorized for those 12 years and older. The original mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are no longer authorized as booster doses.

“Updating our booster vaccines to combat the circulating variants marks our transition to living with COVID,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, deputy health officer for the County of Santa Cruz. “The COVID-19 virus continues to change and adapt and so must we. Staying up to date on your COVID

vaccinations continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

To get a booster, contact your healthcare provider or book an appointment through MyTurn, Vaccine Finder or local pharmacies. For a list, see www.santacruz health.org/coronavirusvaccine.

For local information call (831) 4544242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n

Active COVID cases: 491

COVID Deaths: 273

As of Sept. 29 Age

85 and older: 120 • 75-84: 62 65-74: 49 • 60-64: 15 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions

Yes: 223 • No: 50

Vaccinated

Yes: 36 • No: 237 Race

White 160 • Latinx 90 Asian 16 • Black 3

Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 Another 2 Gender

Men: 138 • Women: 135 Location

At facility for aged: 117 Not at a facility: 156

“Algal Blooms” from page 4

During an algal bloom, people and pets should not have contact with or drink the water. This includes coastal lakes and lagoons, and any outflows across local beaches. Toxins from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be fatal to pets.

Health risks to humans include respi ratory problems, liver problems, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal upsets.

Brownish or rust-colored algal blooms should also be avoided. Resi dents should heed posted advisories and wash your skin with clean water should an exposure occur. For information, visit www.scceh.com.

Suspected harmful algal blooms or related illnesses can be reported to the Cal ifornia Water Quality Monitoring Council at (916) 341-5357 or toll free at (844) 7296466. n

Central Fire Hosts First Open House

Central

Fire District of Santa Cruz County will host its first open house 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15,, at the Aptos Fire Station, 6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos. This event is free and open to visitors of all ages.

This is the first open house since the con solidation of Aptos/La Selva and Central Fire Protection Districts, as well as the 100th anni versary of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 9-15 this year.

The theme for Fire Prevention Week this year is “Fire Won’t Wait — Plan Your Escape!”

Participating agencies include Red Cross, Salvation Army, American Medical Response, State Parks/Lifeguards, Santa Cruz County Sheriff and SPCA, as well as the CERT (Com munity Emergency Response Teams) of Santa Cruz County. The focus is to promote public safety and disaster preparedness.

A special raffle will offer prizes from local

“City Council Candidates” from page 7

I feel that we need to establish a grassroots committee made up of a variety of community members to establish the needs of the city, then the cost impact of those needs, and then review all options for funding and what the community tol erance is for any tax increase.

Alexander Pedersen: The city of

“Ortiz” from page 6

I unscrewed the cap and took out a single pill. Then I jumped down, ran past Laura, and went into the bedroom. I lay down on Mom and Dad’s bed and chewed the aspirin until it was gone.

You’re a real pill, I said to myself. Quitcha bellyaching, I answered.

Mom and Dad hadn’t come back, so I tried to stretch my luck.

I went into the kitchen, got one more aspirin from the bottle, ran back into the bedroom, and again lay down to finish it off. I continued, one aspirin at a time, until I’d eaten more than I could count. I kept wondering if I’d get caught. I enjoyed the tension of not knowing. I was beginning to feel bad, but I didn’t know if it was from guilt or from medicine.

As I slipped into the kitchen for the half-dozenth time, Mom walked in the door. She saw that dad wasn’t there and blew her stack. “Daddy left you alone again,” she mumbled through her teeth. She looked at my face and could see some thing was wrong.

“Joey, ya look green,” she said. “What’sa matta?

She glanced into the kitchen and saw

businesses, including Play it Again Sports and Wonderland Toys, with 100% of the proceeds to the Santa Cruz County Fallen Officer Foun dation, which directly supports Santa Cruz. County first responders and their families in times of crisis. See: https://fallenofficer foundation.com/ Other activities include:

• Bounce house & junior firefighter course

• Live vehicle extrication demo

• Visit with Sparky the Fire Dog

• Dunk tank

• Food truck (Ate3One) http://www. ate3one.com/

• Games & activities for children

• CPR demonstrations

• Tours of fire engines, ambulance and other emergency apparatus n

www.centralfiresc.org

Capitola recently conducted a poll to gauge support for an empty home tax and it revealed that there likely isn’t enough public support to move forward at this time.

I think it’s an interesting idea and a potentially valuable source of revenue for the city but I’d like to see how the city of Santa Cruz’ empty home tax develops before we consider any further action.

the chair by the counter and the cabinet door open and started to panic. She put me to bed immediately and stuck a ther mometer in my mouth. Then she ran to the phone to call Dr. Boccardi.

In the bedroom, I started convulsing with hot flashes, my mouth wide open but no air coming in. Mom, seeing me gasping for breath and feeling helpless, screamed at the top of her lungs for Dad who just happened to be walking in the door with his bottle of beer and smokes. He ran into the bedroom and took me in his arms. He breathed air into my mouth as if his own life depended on it. At that point the fever seemed to break, and he laid me back onto the bed where, they tell me, I fell into a calm, peaceful sleep.

When Dr. Boccardi arrived, I woke up and found myself wrapped in a blanket on the couch. He took my temperature.

“One-O-Four,” he said as Mama howled.

“He’s going to be okay,” Dr. Boccardi said, his brown suit, warm and rich as hot chocolate, his tender brown eyes always sympathetic enough to soothe me— reminding me I was going to be all right.

“Joseph,” Dr. Boccardi finally said. “How many aspirin did you eat?”

I’ve heard concerns about the imple mentation in Santa Cruz so I’m glad that we will have the opportunity to learn from their experience and see what aspects might need to be revised if we decide to pursue a similar measure in the future.

What’s the best way for voters to find out more about you or get in touch with you?

I hesitated at first. Since I could hardly think and barely speak, I fumbled with my fingers, trying to calculate the number. I stuck up one, then two, then three . . .

As Mom grew impatient, she prodded me: “How many?” she said. “Come on!”

Yvette Brooks: https://yvettebrooks.com/ Joe Clarke: www.electjoeclarke.com

Enrique Dolmo Jr.: https://www. mrdolmo.com/ Gerry Jensen: jensenforcapitola.com

• Facebook: Gerry Jensen For Cap itola City Council. • Instagram: @ gerryjensenforcapitola

Alexander Pedersen: https://www. pedersenforcapitola.com/

“Come on,” I said in a daze. I guess all I could think about was dad teaching me how to call for my number in craps.

I held up five fingers on my left hand and two on my right.

“Come on . . . seven.” n

Soquel Creek Water District Board

Candidates: Vote November 8

Question: Are you satisfied with the Soquel Creek Water District’s action to provide safe, clean water? Please address the rising rates.

Carla Christensen

Bruce Jaffe

Corrie Kates

Kris Kirby

Rachél Lather

A

s a Soquel Creek Water District Board member for 8 years and a customer for over 30 years, I am proud to have contributed to protecting our sole source of water from sea water contamination, a threat evident for over 30 years.

In 2015 our district’s aquifer was identified as one of most severely over drafted in the state. The Board and District staff responded to this serious threat and now we are very close to completing a project that is the first new source of pure clean water in our county in 50 years. The State and Federal governments recog nized our approach’s wisdom and view our success as a model for other endangered communities.

Down the road, we will be able to share the pure water we produce with our neighboring communities to benefit all of us as the mega-drought continues.

The project’s cost has always been foremost in our planning. The State Water Resources Control Board, the federal Bureau of Reclamation and the Environ mental Protection Agency have awarded us enough grants and low-interest loans to finance 100% of the project. We will be able to keep rates low.

While we always strive to improve our performance, the combination of a strongly scientific-minded and financially aware board and staff have brought us our first chance at water sustainability in many decades.

Water is essential for life, for our environment, and for our economy. As a Director on the Soquel Creek Water Board, I will do everything I can to protect our water and to ensure that we have safe, clean drinking water for generations to come. We have a water deficit now because of pumping more water than was replenished in the 1980s and 1990s.

Groundwater levels are up to 10s of feet below sea level near the coast and seawater intrusion has already started to pollute our groundwater basins with salt making the water undrinkable. With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of droughts in the future, we need to help Mother Nature, who will not provide enough rain to bring the groundwater levels above sea level to halt seawater intrusion.

We need a new supply of water and that is not cheap. But the cost of letting seawater pollute our groundwater basins, which would change our lives and cripple our economy, is $1 billion or more.

To reduce cost to our cus tomer for a new water supply, I have worked hard to secure grants from State and Federal agencies totaling more than $80 million. This equates to more than $2,000 savings for each customer.

We are on the path to securing safe, clean water for the future, which includes avoiding the eco nomic catastrophe of contaminated aquifer that would be rendered useless. n

For more info, see www.facebook. com/BruceJaffeforSoquelWater Board/ and https://facebook.com/ Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather

There is always room for improvement. There is a need for more focus on maintenance and the delivery system.

This will improve reliability, water will be safer and clean for drinking along with reduced water waste. Also, there is a need to look at water resource opportunities and work more closely with other water agencies, local leaders, federal and state agencies on how to improve, provide and lower rates.

One way on how this can be done is by sharing opportunities on water retention and the re-use of recycled water jointly.

“Kates” page 22

Of course we are all worried about our water nowadays. The current drought is making us all more aware than ever. I’m not as trusting of the new “Pure Water Soquel” recycled water system that is currently being created to be able to treat recycled “waste” water and inject it into our pristine aquafer.

Soquel Creek Water District won’t and can’t guarantee its purity. Water is one constant that we all drink, cook with, use to shower with, use daily and I get more concerned every time one more of my friends is diagnosed with some form of cancer.

“Kirby” page 23

Soquel Creek Water Responds to Grand Jury

I am proud of the work that the Soquel Creek Water Dis trict has completed to provide safe and clean drinking water to our customers.

In 2016 I ran for office because I was concerned about what I per ceived as a lack of results in obtaining a long-term safe, sustainable water supply for the District. We now have results with the construction of the Pure Water Soquel (PWS) project!

The PWS project will keep our sole source of water, groundwater, safe from sea water intrusion using purified recycled water.

The

2021-22 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury con cluded a drought resilience action plan is needed and rec ommended the Santa Margarita Groundwater Management Agency and the Mid-County Groundwater Management Agency deliver drought resilience

project planning and execution. The Soquel Creek Water District disagrees. n

For the full report of the Grand Jury findings and the Soquel Creek Water District response, see https://www. co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/ GrandJury/2021-2022GrandJury ReportsandResponses.aspx

This is done by placing purified recycled water into the groundwater at critical locations to create a barrier that prevents seawater from con taminating our groundwater.

In addition, by using recycled water we are utilizing a resource that will be available even during extended drought periods. This means we will have a sustainable water supply even during times of drought.

We have a small but mighty staff that have given us 110% of their time and effort in order to obtain grant funding for the Pure Water Soquel project so our rate payers will have to pay less for the new water source.

Currently, we have secured over $80 million in grants for the project and are hoping to find more funding before the project is completed.

Bruce Jaffe

Carla Christensen

Kris Kirby Rachél LatherCorrie Kates

A

Capitola Sailor Wins National Title

Capitola

resident and local sailor Skip Allan won the 82nd International 110 National Championship regatta on Tomales Bay, Aug. 8-12.

The International 110 is a narrow, 24-foot, double-ended, two-person keelboat with a spinnaker and trapeze. These historical boats were first built in 1939.

Currently more than 20 boats race out of Inverness, on Tomales Bay, an hour north of San Francisco. The National Championship regatta is a seven-race, onethrowout series raced over four days.

This year, Tomales Bay served up

its typical fresh northwest breeze. Wind strength for the first two days was 10-15 knots. For the final two days of racing, the wind piped up to 18-22 knots.

Allan, with crew Sean Callagy from San Rafael, went into the 7th and final race tied on overall points with a team from Bristol, Rhode Island. Whoever won the last race would win the championship.

For the entire 6-mile race, both boats traded leads, never more than 3 lengths apart, Allan and Callagy prevailing in the last 50 feet to win by 3 seconds.

Photos courtesy of Ashley Tobin

Action from the International 110 Nationals on Tomales Bay. • © 2022 Mike O’Shea Skip Allan and his crew, Sean Callagy, won the Nationals with Smart Shoes, #695, a local InvYC boat.

Open Studios Art Tour 2022 Aptos Art Studios

The36th annual Open Studios Art Tour will take place as usual the first three weekends in October, bigger and better, featuring 321 artists across Santa Cruz County.

It’s free, as usual, and you pick which artists you want to visit. Get a free copy of the guide listing all the artists.

North County artists are Oct. 1 & 2.

South County artists are Oct. 8 & 9.

On Oct. 15 & 16, the encore weekend, 268 artist studios are open.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here is what’s new:

A new symbol in the guide indicates 45 artists participating for the first time. So, even if you’ve attended Open Studios in the past, you haven’t seen their work.

About 40 artists are requesting attendees wear a mask in their home studios for Covid safety so there is a new symbol for “Mask Required.”

All the participating artists received a lime-green KN95 mask – promoting the event in the same color as the lime-green signs for each artist’s studio.

Another new symbol in the guide indicates the artist speaks Spanish.

The Santa Cruz Art League at 526

Broadway, Santa Cruz, hosted a preview party — the first since 2019 — for more than 300 Open Studios artists and that exhibit is open the public through Oct. 16. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 6-8 p.m. on First Friday, Oct. 7.

It’s a great way to discover artists and plan your tour from there. Pop into the gallery, find artwork that intrigues you, and make a note of which studios you want to visit.

“Open Studios” page 16

Aptos Art Studios will par ticipate in Open Studios, Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 15-16, giving people a chance to view eight artists at one location, the Aptos Warehouse Complex at 800, 802 and 804 Estates Drive, Aptos, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The artists are neighbors to a surf board company, a woodworker, and a tile store. Each artist has his or own artistic style and enjoys synergy with the others. Here is how they see their art in these interesting times.

Suzanne McCourt: I take a breath as I step into my studio. I face a daily banter between my ‘thinking’ artist & my ‘child-like’ artist. I know it will be a roller-coaster of trial and error.

I turn on my music, and a switch flips. I move, feel, and sometimes sing as my eye catches gooey colors of paint as I engage with creativity. I adore palette knives & large brushes for slather of paint on surfaces to create texture.

“Aptos Art Studios” page 15

Jo-Neal Graves

Safeway to Pay

Million for Environmental Violations

Safeway’s 71 gas stations in California are lacking protection against poten tially disastrous underground fuel leaks, and the retailer will pay $8 million in a settlement with state and county govern ments, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The company, which sells gasoline from stations at Safeway and Vons super markets and has locations in Aptos and Soquel, agreed to install equipment to detect, prevent and contain leaks as the state requires, Bonta said at a Sept. 16 news conference.

He said the stations’ underground systems have been out of compliance since March 2015 but no spills or leaks have been reported.

“The reality is: Accidents happen,” Bonta said. “Without proper safety mea sures in place, an avoidable crisis can become an environmental catastrophe.”

Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Sacra mento, Placer and Solano counties took part in the suit.

Safeway’s corporate office did not respond to the San Francisco Chronicle’s request for comment.

Safeway is a subsidiary of Albertsons since being acquired by private equity investors led by Cerberus Capital Man agement in January 2015.

Underground storage tank systems are subject to strict regulations in Cali fornia because of the potential for even a small tank leak, if undetected, to cause substantial contamination to soil and groundwater.

California requires all underground storage tank systems be designed and constructed with primary and secondary levels of containment, continuous moni toring systems, constant vacuum pressure, equipment to prevent spills and leaks, and automatic leak detectors.

Beginning in 2015, Safeway is alleged to have violated state laws regulating the operation of underground storage tanks and the handling of hazardous

waste. Specifically, the Attorney General and district attorneys found evidence of recurring violations at Safeway gas sta tions, including failure to:

• Install and/or maintain automatic line leak detectors;

• Construct, operate, and maintain sec ondary containment systems;

• Maintain a monitoring system capable of detecting a leak at the earliest pos sible opportunity;

• Continuously monitor and conduct required testing of underground storage tank systems; and

• Properly notify local agencies of the release of a hazardous substance.

The settlement resolves these allegations.

As part of the settlement, Safeway will pay $7.5 million in civil penalties, including $600,000 to fund several envi ronmental projects, and another $500,000 for investigative costs.

Safeway will also be required to take immediate steps to improve spill and alarm monitoring, employee training, hazardous waste management and emer gency response at its gasoline stations. For example, Safeway will employ an environ mental compliance manager to monitor compliance and submit annual reports to the California Department of Justice.

My studio floor becomes my grab bag of handmade papers, stencils, pens, and found objects for inspiration. I relax and enjoy knowing that my love of art is felt within the process of just creating. suzannemccourt.com

Bonnie Minardi: As a painter, I am intrigued by texture and color. I use a variety of materials including collage papers, acrylic paint, and sometimes oil with cold wax.

I get absorbed in my passion for experimenting and exploring new materials and techniques. I am interested in creating a sense of mystery whether I am painting abstracts, landscapes, or the figure. faso.com/artists/bonniemi nardi.html

Gretchen Werner: After many years in the art world, I took up painting in 2012. I started with oils, and I have experimented in many different styles including still life, landscape, portraits, mixed media and abstract.

I’ve transitioned to using mostly acrylic. With a passion for abstract, I still allow myself the freedom to experiment. Being inspired by nature with daily walks on the beach with my dog Barney there is a plethora of inspiration all around …

Please stop by for a visit, I’d love to meet you. faso.com/artists/gretchenwerner. html

Jean Sheckler Beebe : I use color, layers, line and wit to make her artistic point whether with paint or college. My pieces range from very large (14 x 9 feet) to quite small (8x8 inches) with paintings on canvas, wood panel and paper. I am a narrative painter and work in a series of painting working through a theme.

My art is loose, bold and abstracted. I have been referred to as a “muscular” painter. Creating conversations with my viewers is one of my goals and searching for the edge of her dark humor is a chal lenge I accept with pure joy. jeansbeebe.com

Mike Beebe: My ceramics are part of a journey of discovery to capture the essence of nature through texture and surface quality.

Using wood-fired kilns as a paint, I create tea bowls which have sustaining interest. Wood-firing this ceramic work across many days creates variations in surface quality which when successful creates a meditative object. jeansbeebe.com

João de Brito: The last few years have been a roller-coaster worldwide, and shaken humanity.

I have been uprooted equally by these events. As an islander from the

mid-Atlantic, we seek comfort by over coming the unforeseen in Portuguese proverb: “O artista é a voz do povo = Artists are the voice of the people.” These events have influenced my artwork in such ways that the colors have become brighter and bolder, as this shares my hope to restore our voices.

I take on this responsibility to help others, if just for a few minutes, to be distracted by shapes, lines, colors and dis cover hope again. joaodebrito.com

Michael Mote: Nature is my spiritual center, and thus my paintings largely focus on landscapes and seascapes.

I am lucky to be able to paint every day, typically outside in the morning and in my studio in the afternoon. My focus is on light and atmosphere rather than in the details of a scene before me, and thus the rendering of an exact location or object is not important to me; it is my interpre tation of the light and atmosphere that matters.

To create these interpretations of nature, I use loads of thick oil paint.” michaelmote.com

Susan Costes: “I am a expressive, figu rative painter who uses bold brushstrokes, color and layers to create the narratives of everyday life.

My paintings make you l want to lean in to the canvas and engage with the char acters. This year, I decided that portraying humor and whimsy was a way to cope with change, bridge boundaries, reduce tension and show our global humanity.

Art is the way to run away from reality without leaving home.” susancostes.com

For more about Open Studios, see https:// santacruzopenstudios.com/

Blue Z”

Suzanne McCourt

“Open Studios” from page 12

If that doesn’t fit your schedule, check out the virtual preview, created by Pajaro Valley Arts, from the convenience of your own home: https://my.matterport.com/ show/?m=aNu4AFtwnGT

Or look for Open Studios on Instagram or Facebook at @openstudios.scc

Neighbors, friends, collectors, and art lovers are invited to meet the artists, see their creative process up close, and buy art directly from the source.

“Santa Cruz County is a magnet for creative people. The Open Studios Art Tour is a moment when that creativity becomes visible, when artists in every neighborhood throughout the County open their doors to art-lovers, neighbors and friends,” said Ann Ostermann, Open Studios director for Arts Council Santa Cruz County, which launched the event in 1986 and reports the arts generate $32 million of local economic

activity annually. “It takes a lot of planning and nerve on the part of participating artists, and it’s a joy to see it pay off with art sales and new relationships formed, old friends reunited, and neighbors getting to know each other.”

She added, “We know that art changes lives.”

More artists applied this year, 390, compared to the usual 350, and 85% were accepted, the usual percentage.

“We decided to err on the side on inclusion,” Ostermann said.

Those not accepted received feedback and are welcome to apply next year.

Not all artists have studios that are their work spaces.

“We don’t want that to be a barrier to participating,” Ostermann said. “So we have a few artists who will be hosting Open Studios in pop-up spaces, either at galleries like Pajaro Valley Arts or hosted by other Open Studios artists. One of them is our cover artist, Herme linda Vasquez-Matias, artist #318.”

Find photos and more at bit.ly/ openstudios-2022pr

The dividing line between North and South County is the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. So you can drive as much or as little as you want.

If you’re interested in rural studios, visit the preview exhibit Oct. 1-16 at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz, featuring work by artists in Bonny Doon, Corralitos, and Felton.

If you attend, you will see a vibrant sector of the local economy up close –and make connections in the creative community.

As Ostermann put it, in Santa Cruz the arts “are one of the most powerful vehicles for bringing people together, creating community dialogues, and strengthening relationships.” n

Cover art by Ed Penniman

A Reflection of Neurodiversity Removing the Stigma of ADHD

By Dr. Kevin Comartin, PsyD, LEP

my career as a school psychol ogist, I found myself in a meeting to discuss support strategies for a middle schooler with significant attention problems.

As his parents, teachers, and admin istrators took turns voicing their concerns, the student alternated between dropping his head back to sigh and laying his forehead directly on the table to moan.

Clearly he wasn’t enjoying the meeting. Later on, when I had a chance to speak with him privately, he told me he was tired of listening to “ADHD this, ADHD that” and then he said some thing that I will never forget: “I know I suck. I don’t need to hear about it from everyone.”

I know I suck. Let those words sink in for a moment. Although it was heartbreaking to hear, it opened my eyes to the deeply troubling narrative that many struggling students tell themselves. Since that day, I have met many more strug gling students with similarly negative self-concepts.

The shocking thing is that many of these students are highly intelligent and very creative, even gifted.

However, through no fault of their own, they were born with brains that

function quite differently from their neuro typical peers. And one of the most common examples of such a brain difference is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

ADHD is characterized by devel opmentally inappropriate and highly problematic levels of inattention, hyper activity, and impulsivity in children.

By definition, ADHD symptoms must appear prior to the age of 12 as well as result in significant home and school difficulties.

Dr. Kevin Comartin works with a young client.

Capitola’s Fall Doings

Duringthis past summer season there were many events in Capitola; including The Car Show, The Twi light Concerts, the Wharf-to-Wharf Race, Junior Guards on the Beach, Art & Wine Fes tival, and the Beach Festival. Summertime is bustling with activity in Capitola with events for tourists and residents. Summer may have ended, but the events and attractions in Capitola will continue.

Here are some of our fall attractions that you will want to put on your calendar. The best part is that entrance to all events is free!

Farmers’ Market At Capitola Mall: There is a new Farmer’s Market at the Cap itola Mall put on by the West Coast Farmers Market Association.

Come and shop for fresh, locally sourced produce, home goods, and more! The Capitola Farmers’ Market is open every Sunday 10 am to 3 pm and is located in front of the Capitola Mall entrance on 41st Avenue.

Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza: Every year the Rudolph Monte Foundation celebrates Capitola’s founding

by presenting a fall, fireworks extrava ganza. The fireworks are a Foundation fundraiser for local school and youth projects.

Participating restaurants donate to the Foundation a portion of their sales for the day. Make reservations or come early to your favorite Capitola restaurant. Be sure to let the restaurant know that you are there for the Monte Fireworks.

The fireworks will be on Oct. 9, and start about 7:30 pm. The show is over the Capitola wharf so position yourself accord ingly and enjoy the sights and sounds.

Capitola Village Halloween Parade: For kids and kids-at-heart the CapitolaSoquel Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Halloween parade. Come dressed up as your favority superhero, ghoul, goblin, fantasy character, or whatever your imagi nation can conjure.

Come to the upper Beach & Village Parking lot (behind Capitola City Hall) starting at 1:30 pm on Oct. 30. Parade will start at 2 pm and head through Capitola Village to

By Sam Storey, Mayor, City of Capitola

the Esplanade Park where trick-or-treat bags and refreshments will be handed out.

The parade will be led and accompanied by the Soquel High School Band. Afterwards the kids may trick-or-treat at the Capitola Village shops.

Capitola Plein Air: The Capitola Arts and Cultural Commission is holding their 7th annual Captiola Plein Air juried art competition, exhibition, and sale. The art competition will begin on Monday, Oct. 31, when about 40 artists arrive in Capitola.

You will see them throughout the week in front of their easels painting landscapes of Capitola scenes. On Saturday, Nov. 5, between 10 am to 2 pm all artists will be painting and the public is invited to view their artistry in action. There will be a booth in Esplanade Park where you may pick up a map showing where each artist is painting.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, at Jade Street Com munity Center (4400 Jade Street, Capitola) between 11 am to 4 pm more than 100 framed artworks will be presented for competition, exhibition, and sale. The public is invited to

Celebrating 37 years together

vote for the People’s Choice Award. Thanks go out to our Plein Air sponsors City of Capitola, Gayle’s Bakery, Fairfied Inn & Suites, Shadow brook Restaurant, and Best Western Plus Hotel.

Election 2022: The mid-term elections will take place in Capitola and throughout the country on Nov. 8. This year Capitola will be electing three councilmembers for 4-year terms. The candidates this year are (in no particular order) Enrique Dolmo, Yvette Brooks, Gerry Jensen, Joe Clarke, and Alexander Pedersen.

I encourage all Capitola residents to learn about these candidates and to vote for your preferred three. Here’s a thank you to all candidates for running for elected office to serve our community. Regardless where you live be sure to vote!

At the conclusion of these events, Capitola will return to being a sleepy, little town exclu sively for the benefit and to the delight of many residents. Until at least the summer of 2023 when Capitola will come to life once again. n

Sam Storey is mayor of Capitola. Contact him at samforcapitola@yahoo.com.

Owned and Operated!

Expect Luxury at La Bahia Hotel & Spa

New Seaside Venue Expected to Open in 2024

By Jondi Gumz

Construction is underway on the long-awaited La Bahia Hotel and Spa in Santa Cruz — 155 rooms, luxury accommodations, event spaces, three restaurants, four bars, adjacent to the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and main beach with unobstructed views of Monterey Bay.

Ensemble Investments, the developer of Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, and Hotel Nia in Menlo Park, are in a joint venture with Santa Cruz Seaside Co. With San Jose-based Swenson as contractor, they expect to open in fall 2024.

“When La Bahia Hotel and Spa wel comes guests, it will be the culmination of a long-standing project more than 20 years in the making,” said Kam Babaoff, chairman and co-founder of Ensemble Investments.

“The Santa Cruz Seaside Co. is proud to be part of the team making a world-class luxury hotel at this historic site a reality,” said Santa Cruz Seaside Co. President Karl Rice.

Neither partner provided a figure for the dollar investment but Alan Reay, president of Atlas Hospitality Group, which tracks the hotel industry, estimated it would be a $100 million project, just over $645,000 per room.

He said the majority of new hotels built in California tend to be limited

service in the 120- to 175-room range, typi cally costing $175,000-$200,000 per room to build, excluding land.

The property at 215 Beach St. has been a landmark on Santa Cruz’s famed beach front for nearly a century.

The 44 apartments, designed in a Spanish Mediterranean style by illustrious UC Berkeley professor of architecture William C. Hays, were built in 1926. Before becoming La Bahia, it was known as Casa Del Rey Apartments.

Most recently, the Boardwalk, which owns the property, rented to UC Santa Cruz students and to seasonal summer Boardwalk employees.

Twenty years ago, city leaders envisioned a 250-room hotel and con ference center at the site. A proposal to renovate the historic buildings was approved but the project never went forward.

Other 4,800

16,600

Leisure/hospitality

Nonfarm 102,200 Up 3,400

9,900

Total 112,100

3,300

Labor force 138,600 Up 2.4%

Employment* 133,400 Up 5%

Unemployment 5,300 Down 35%

Unemployment rate 3.8% 7.2%

Count is on the 12th of the month *Includes commuters out of the county Source: California Employment Devel opment Department

Unemployment in Santa Cruz County ticketed up from 3.7% in July to 3.8%

in August as the labor force grew from 137,600 to 138,600.

Unemployment has hovered around 3.8% for the past three months, compared to 17+% in 2020, fueled by pandemic restrictions.

Construction, a typi cally higher-paying sector, is healthy with more than 5,000 jobs. So is manufac turing, which tops 7,500 jobs. n

“Lather” from page 10

We have the support and funding from both State and Federal agencies because this project is what is needed in order for drought impacted commu nities in the western states to flourish in the future. n

Facebook.com/Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather • Email: rachellather@sbcglobal.net.

“Kates” from page 10

There should have already been wide implementation of programs such as recycled water to irrigate parks, medians and golf course with recycled water versus using domestic drinking water as the source.

These types of projects are well vetted, proven and implemented all across the State of California. We should push to take advantage of the water inter-ties and create programs that will promote sustain ability and opportunities for utilization of the water resource and support system for the aquifer.

This is why it is important to work jointly with our community partners, it will benefit the entire community and lower costs to the rate payers. n

Corrie Kates: scwdboard.com. Email ckates4@scwdboard.com

“Christensen” from page 10

The PureWater Soquel water purifi cation plant merges scientific approach with community — based values. We must continue to work hard to complete this task, as affordably as possible. n

Best way to get in touch: ccchrist@aol.com. Facebook.com/Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather

Saturday Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus

Therarely staged “Titus Andronicus”

will be the focus of Saturday Shakespeare Club’s next series of gatherings beginning Oct. 8, all at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Titus is a Roman general who returns from a 10-year war, having lost 21 sons and feeling betrayed by his nation. He and Tamora, queen of the Goths, engage in a series of horrific events that produce one of Shake speare’s bloodiest plays.

The first speaker will be Michael Warren, professor of literature emeritus at UC Santa Cruz, textual consultant to

Shakespeare Santa Cruz and continuing this work with Santa Cruz Shakespeare.

Oct. 15: Sean Keilen, UCSC professor of literature, founding director of the Shakespeare Workshop on campus, and author or editor of books and essays about early British literature.

Oct. 22: Julia Lupton, who teaches English and comparative literature at UC Irvine, has written extensively on Shake speare and Renaissance literature and is co-director of the New Swan Shakespeare Center, which partners with UCSC’s Shakespeare Workshop.

Oct. 29: Abigail Heald, lecturer in

K — Santa Cruz City High School District Bond Measure

Measure K’s Ballot Description

To repair/upgrade local middle and high school classrooms/facilities to support achievement in science, math, technology, arts, and skilled trades; build affordable teacher-staff rental housing; install solar/ reduce environmental impacts; fix dete riorating roofs, plumbing and electrical; remove asbestos/lead; shall Santa Cruz City High School District’s measure autho rizing $249 million in bonds at legal rates

“Kirby” from page 10

Our water rates have been increasing at least 9% per year every year, year after year and are still going up.

Even while we all conserve and pay attention to our water usage, our bills go up and up to pay for the project and give bonuses to management, etc. We need financial responsiblity.

The district seems to not care how they are putting people in financial peril while they spend and sup posedly get grants and “free” money for this project. They have forgotten that Soquel Creek Water District is a municipality and they work for the rate payers. The Board meetings are still only on Zoom and they’ve reduced the public input time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes. They don’t seem to care about hearing from rate payers.

I’m running for the Board position to bring financial responsibility, honesty, common sense and safety to our local water district. n

UCSC’s literature department, whose focus covers Shakespeare, Renaissance literature, tragedy, gender, literary and film.

Nov. 5: The group will view a film of “Titus,” at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

To join the Saturday Shakespeare Club and obtain the email link to the gatherings, go to saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com.

In pre-COVID era, the Shakespeare Club asked members for $2 per session, which it used to rent a church for the lectures. Now it suggests all who par ticipate send $2 (or more) to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, at https://www.santacru zshakespeare.org/donate/ Donors are asked to indicate the gift is on behalf of the Saturday Shakespeare Club. n

Strike Out Against Cancer

Saturday October 22 • 1-2:45 p.m., Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz City High School District’s measure

million

be adopted, levying an estimated 3¢ / $100 assessed value ($12 million annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight and all money staying local? n

“Neurodiversity” from page 18

The CDC estimates that approximately 9.8% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD, with boys roughly twice as likely to receive the diag nosis compared to girls*. An evaluation (or educational testing) with a specialist is gen erally the first step to supporting a student with ADHD. Comprehensive evaluations lead to the creation of effective treatment plans that make sense for the student.

Fortunately, there are many effective interventions for ADHD, including classroom behavior management strategies, parent training, physical exercise, dietary changes, good sleep hygiene, social skills training, coaching, and targeted therapies. Medication can be a game changer for some students, but it is certainly not for everyone. There is no “one size fits all” approach — different children will respond to different treatments.

The classification of ADHD is in many ways a double-edged sword, on one hand necessary for obtaining treatment and school services, while on the other hand a potentially stigmatizing label.

WomenCARE’s 26th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer Bowling Benefit returns to the Boardwalk Bowl. The goal is $70,000.

This year marks WomenCARE’s 30th anniversary. Organizers look forward to a fun day of bowling and raising money and awareness, adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols for the inperson event.

A virtual option is also available.

There are several ways you can

At a young age, children begin to con struct narratives of themselves based on the messages they get from the world around them. The reality is kids with ADHD receive significantly more negative messages than their peers (“You’re just being lazy. Can’t you try harder?”). Over time, these disproportion ately negative messages lead to narratives of failure and inferiority. I know I suck is just one example.

We need to help children with ADHD tell different stories about themselves. We can start by challenging the miscon ceptions. ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, moral failings, or playing too many video games; nor is ADHD a reflection of willful defiance or laziness on the part of the child. ADHD is a brain-based phenomenon with genetic underpinnings — we have unquestionable evidence from decades of research.

ADHD can be a highly disabling condition. At the same time, it is also a reflection of neurodiversity in the human population.

We need to balance our language to reflect the facts about ADHD, as well as support children in developing healthy

support this year’s event: Bowl, sponsor pledge or donate. n

See https://www.bowlathon.net/event/ strike-out-against-cancer-2022/

images of what it means to live in the world with this condition.

So let’s change the narrative. No, you do not suck. You were born with a brain that processes, learns, and behaves in dif ferent ways than most children, ways that make boring and repetitive tasks quite dif ficult. You have many unique talents and strengths, including creativity, intelligence, curiosity, and energy.

You have many ideas all at once, which can make it hard to focus on just one. Boredom is your nemesis, and you need stimulation to stay on track. Sometimes this can get you into trouble with teachers and adults who don’t understand you. But we understand you. And we are here to support you in getting what you need to be successful.

It’s all in how you frame it. n

Dr. Kevin Comartin is a Licensed Edu cational Psychologist (LEP #3861) serving students and families in Santa Cruz County. He can be reached at drkevincomartin@gmail.com. More information at: www.drcomartin.com

*Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Data and Statistics about ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

Top 10 Reasons You Should Own Your Own Business

By Ron Kustek

It’s

very likely that you — or someone you know, owns their own business. They’ve taken the ‘entrepreneurial plunge’ and have created a brand new business, employing themselves and others in our community.

You’ve likely asked them ‘why’ and have gotten various responses, often with a smile on their faces and a glow in their eyes.

There are many reasons why people go into business for themselves:

Personal Reasons

• Independence — Many of us love not having to be somewhere or expected to do something for someone else. Instead, entrepreneurs want to be somewhere and do the things that are important to them.

• Seizing An Opportunity — Freedom of choice — Destiny — Doing what

you believe in, seeing what others don’t, and just getting stuff done!

• Family — The option of working from home, whether that means in a quiet and comfortable environment and/ or one that includes partners, pets or children — or just working in a geo graphic area that you really love.

• Legacy — What does your life mean after spending hours, days, weeks

and years working? Many feel it’s important to leave something tangible to one’s family in order to self-actu alize, or to feel like this journey makes sense and is worth the trip.

• Personal Challenge & Growth — Can you do it, especially if you’ve always wanted to? Owning your own business will never be boring. You’ll always be learning, especially if you have a passion to keep up with the latest knowledge and information that impacts your business, and the life styles and needs of your customers.

Business Reasons

• Control — Being your own boss and making the decisions you feel are best, without any bureaucracy of larger companies that require memo writing & meetings.

• Flexibility — Working your own schedule, when you get inspired or even when you just can’t sleep. Maybe you don’t want the “9 to 5” lifestyle and all that goes along with it.

• Choice — The ability to focus on what matters to you, whether that means dealing with just a few key customers or working with people you like to be around (and hire).

• Impact — The chance to develop a reputation for creating something of

“La Bahia” from page 20

Discussion turned to demolition and redevelopment, which was deemed more cost-effective than renovation, and a project to build a new hotel on the site was approved in 2014.

The property’s architecturally dis tinctive bell tower was saved for this new project.

Then came the pandemic.

Developer Prime Group of Chicago and the Boardwalk went their separate ways.

Ensemble is based in San Francisco, with a portfolio of 13 hotels with 2,200 rooms, valued at more than $950 million.

As owner of the Santa Cruz Dream Inn steps from the Boardwalk, Ensemble knows Santa Cruz.

The new hotel’s look is described as a contemporary interpretation of Spanish and California Coastal interior design.

quality and service, and also making a difference in society by solving problems.

• Change — Especially when your creativity is being stifled from many corporate environments, owning your own business allows you to experience new and different business challenges.

Conclusion

Making the decision to launch your own business requires time, reflection, and being honest with what you know, and what you don’t know.

There are many great resources to help you flush out whether you’re the entrepre neurial type or not, from Business courses from Cabrillo College, to consulting with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to speaking with representatives from the Service Corp of Retired Execu tives (SCORE).

Regardless of the reasons, owning your own business is preferred by the members of our Santa Cruz business community, and by all of us who ‘shop local’ and support our independent busi nesses.

Ron Kustek is a former senior executive at The Coca-Cola Company and small business entrepreneur currently teaching at Cabrillo College. Email him at rokustek@cabrillo.edu.

La Bahia’s spa, a Moorish-inspired private indoor/outdoor rooftop oasis, is to feature a modern interpretation of the famous salt baths of Santa Cruz’s storied past.

Forrest Perkins Design Group, with offices in San Francisco and New York, describes itself as defining luxury.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to revitalize and re-imagine a historic building in a destination as beloved as Santa Cruz,” Babaoff said.

Among the amenities planned: A casual street-front bar/restaurant; a chefinspired restaurant for special occasions; an iconic pool bar serving classic cocktails and poolside eats; and a champagne lobby bar; fire pits; an event deck; and banquet and event ballroom spaces.

Swenson Vice President Jeffrey Huff said the company “is honored to partner with an amazing team in building the his toric La Bahia Hotel and Spa and seeing it come to life again.” n

Pure Water Gains International Attention

Local Project One of Two U.S.

Series About Water

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

We’re thrilled to let you know that a mini-documentary focusing on the District’s Pure Water Soquel project was released last month as part of the international online series, “Beneath the Surface: The Journey of Water.”

The film, produced for us by BBC Storyworks, is part of this human-centric series presented by the International Water Association.

The series was launched on Sept. 19, and Pure Water Soquel is proud to be one of just 16 from throughout the world, including Spain, Uganda, Brazil, Scotland, Sweden, Por tugal, and other countries, and one of only two from the United States. The entire series can be viewed at www. purewatersoquel.com, and www.beneath thesurfaceseries.com

The mini-documentary tells our story of the severe drinking water challenges faced in the California mid-coast region, and how the District, its community, and its partners determined that replenishing groundwater with advanced purified recycled water was the most productive path toward a sustainable water supply.

It also highlights the overarching critical role that water plays in every com munity, and how recycled water must be part of the solution for a secure water

future — for people, and the environment.

The series “Beneath the Surface: The Journey of Water” presents films that profile the innovations and innovators who are advancing positive change toward water sustainability. Pure Water Soquel will take recycled wastewater from the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility, purify it to drinking water standards at a new state-of-the-art water purification center, and then pump it underground to replenish the ground water basin.

This process will raise the groundwater to pro tective levels to prevent further seawater con tamination and contribute to the region’s drinking water supply. By recycling water for beneficial reuse, Pure Water Soquel will also reduce ocean discharge of treated wastewater to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The short films in this series describe water-related projects from throughout the world, and encompass a wide variety of socio-economic conditions. But they all share the common thread of highlighting game-changing technological advances and ways communities are coming together to protect this precious resource.

For example, one is the story of a village in Uganda where people walked hours each day to access clean water, often in difficult conditions and taking much of

their day away from school, family, and community.

Through extensive partnerships and collaboration, a second water treatment plant in the region was built which — for the first time — allowed water to come directly to outlying villages, securing a clean, affordable water source and giving the people there a greater opportunity to be a thriving community.

Another short film focuses on

remarkable new technology being developed in Denmark that utilizes the natural protein “aquaporin” as part of the water treatment process.

This protein, present in the membrane of all living cells, is extremely efficient in allowing molecules of water — and only water — in and out of a cell, leaving behind all other organic and inorganic materials.

Libra — Sign of Contemplation

We are in Libra now, the sign of creating Right Relations with those around us, with family and friends, with our world, the kingdoms and all that we encounter. Right Relations are created when we stand within intentions for Goodwill.

Libra is also the sign of balance. Notice in Libra we oscillate between two opposing points until a point balance is achieved. In Libra, we make a serious, spiritual life choice. Do we return to previous realities or move forward into the new, eventually into Scorpio, sign of the Nine Tests, regen eration, reorientation, of warriorship, discipleship and eventually triumph (of the Soul).

Libra creates an interlude and streams into our world during times of transitions, offering humanity a choice. Poised as we are between the two ages — Pisces and Aquarius — Libra points out the two paths ahead. Will we remain in the past era or build towards creating the new Aquarian era, under the New Laws & Principles? Libra offers all of humanity this choice now.

During Libra’s interlude as we assess the two paths before us, we better understand Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.”

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood. And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler. Long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could,

ARIES

Something appears, is seen, recognized, brought to balance and creates an interlude in your relationship(s). Perhaps you identify how to have true Right Relations with those who love you. Perhaps you learn that through relation ships your true self emerges because relationships are an I/Thou situation and this awareness always balances you, provides structure and discipline and leads to true intimacy. You ponder on these words.

TAURUS

There are times when others tell you their deepest needs. Sometimes you can’t hear or understand them. This month your needs, usually hidden and unknown to you, thus hardly ever tended, will emerge. Changes, small and subtle, begin to manifest in how you express yourself, who you speak with, and the awareness of long term wishes, desires, needs and wants. Since your usual word is “no” everyone, surprised, listens attentively.

GEMINI

Who is your family? What does the word ‘family’ mean to you? Does family means criticism and judgments or love, care, gardens and nourishment? Whatever family signifies for you, you know the impor tance of creating your own family, in order to bring balance and love, discipline and rules, kindness and com munication into your life. We have times when we can imagine with our creative visualization, certain realities. This time has arrived for you. An alchemy of love can be created.

CANCER

You’re both in the world and not, at home wherever you are. Family is close by and yet for some reason it feels as if they’re not. They remain in your heart. You all have spiritual work to accom plish though perhaps not to be in the same geographical region. A new awareness of needed resources emerges. Your specific and particular talents and skills are a deeply needed resource. They nurture and nourish and when you share them, we learn and are grateful.

To where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other, just as fair.

And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference.”

Contemplation is under Libra. We contemplate Libra’s meditative seed thought — “I choose the Way which leads between the two great lines of force.”

This “Way” signifies making the Right Choice. Right Choice is always aligned with the Will-to-Good, which creates Goodwill. Always. Making conscious choices under the Light of Libra is the work of the White Magician. The path of Libra leads the disciple to Shamballa.

Steadily the Angel of the Presence shines forth.

Steadily Libra reveals the Lighted Way of the Soul Libra reveals the Eightfold Path & the way to the Royal Road ~to the Peace-filled chamber of Shambhala.

On Friday, Oct 2, Mercury, stations direct in Virgo. Our thoughts turn to health, service, to autumn gardens with its ripening orange fruits and to helping the “little ones.” The Jewish Festivals have begun. Keep up with daily messages at www.nightlightnews.org/dailypostings/

LEO

A tradition, perhaps religious or spiritual or intellectual, becomes important in order to summon within you a new discipline, structure and ritual and like royalty, this brings order and stability to your life. Perhaps you’re remembering a parent, teacher, someone older and wiser than you, who instilled ethics, virtue, morality and justice. Someone who considered you an equal. Who is this person? What is this ritual? Honor it with your heart.

VIRGO

Notice what resources you have in common with another. Resources means more than money. Resources also includes values, possessions held in common, intimacy, interaction and relationship. There’s a question about rela tionship and perhaps a feeling of restriction and grief? Realize the beginnings of your relationships and their original value. Can you remember these again? What seems so far away is usually what is closest by. Love awaits always.

LIBRA

Mercury retrograde first in Libra, then moves forward in Virgo. Relationships and health. This is an important passage of time, a growing up and maturing developmental stage for you. There are chal lenges, frustrations and time issues. Within the shadows and pressures, wisdom is seeking to guide you. There will be times of absolute stillness and times of acceleration. Pray for guidance in all decisions. And it is most important that you rest more. Call upon the angels to assist you in all choices and decisions. And, again, rest more.

SCORPIO

Your deepest desires come forth and although directed at others, the reality is the desire to know the self, to create a new image that better defines you, and the need for partnership between your emo tions, intellect, body and Soul. Emotions will be passionate; people may shy away should you display too much a depth of feeling. Assess who’s safe, who understands, who will stand with you. Then share with them as safety and trust are assured.

This concept of creating technology through “bio-mimicry” holds great promise for water treatment.

Filming and production for the Pure Water Soquel footage began in March, and includes interviews with Melanie Mow Schumacher, Pure Water Soquel’s program director; Cindy WallisLage, Black and Veatch’s executive director for sustainability and resilience; and Bridget Hoover, the water quality protection program director for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

SAGITTARIUS

Turn toward your religious or spiritual roots, studying the teachings as guidelines that illumine and make sturdy your inner and outer life. This may sound old fashioned. However, major planets are traveling through that sector of your life now and these planets provide safety, order and direction. Another choice is to enter into a state of reflection, contemplation, solitude and seclusion. Accompany these with religious music and good food.

CAPRICORN

A cycle ends, a new cycle begins. At first this new cycle is hidden. However, it’s connected to the harvest festival, gathering fruits of the summer’s season into a root cellar of darkness. It’s time to begin fall & winter planting. I suggest a study of Bio-dynamics, which uses special plant, animal and mineral (homeopathic) preparations, and follows rhythmic influences of the sun, moon, planets, stars (of which you are one). Micro greens seem to be calling, too!

AQUARIUS

An entirely different set of ideals (values, goals) appear and you begin to view your life differently. Notice it seems the rules have changed, previous values become less important, things taken for granted are no longer useful It’s time for new studies, definitely new adventures and travels to new cultures. No matter what occurs you remain positive. You dedicate yourself to helping others. You decide to live only from the heart.

PISCES

You think about life and death, and the process of aging. It’s important to take walks morning, noon and evening. Make contact with the elements, the devas in the plant kingdom, the most balancing of kingdoms. Gather seeds, pods, notice what is ripening yet still green, stop and view the architecture of nature, notice what soothes and comforts. Read A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander. Begin your own photographic journal. Life finds you in other places soon. The Groups are gathering. You’re being called.

As part of this international series of mini-documentaries, the District’s Pure Water Soquel project is gaining global attention and helping to raise awareness of our local groundwater challenges with seawater intrusion that are also faced by many other regions around the world.

Through this film, people can gain a further understanding of how important a project like Pure Water Soquel is to a sustainable water future and in combating seawater intrusion into the groundwater supply.

The mini-documentary also points to our network of partners that are crucial to Pure Water Soquel’s success. That network includes the City of Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Management Agency and its member organizations, and state and federal officials and agencies, which have provided generous grants and low-interest loans to help build Pure Water Soquel.

The Pure Water Soquel water purification center is currently under construction by Black & Veatch Con struction, Inc. and anticipated to be operational in 2024. n

CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFFORDABLE DENTAL CLEANINGS

The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic in Aptos offers affordable cleanings and X-rays. There are 24 chairs, hospital-grade air filtration systems, lasers, intraoral cameras, and pan oramic imaging, and treatment by dental hygiene students.

Fees are: Oral assessment, $20; cleanings, $50-$100, X-rays, $30-$60, and sealants, $25 per tooth. Payments must be by cash or check.

Appointments are three hours long, and multiple appointments are required to complete your dental treatment. Proof of vaccination is required.

Appointment times for fall: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 831-479-6431.

NEW YOUTH GROUP OPEN TO STUDENTS

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is facilitating a new, mental-health focused student leadership group this year. Called the Youth Mental Health Leadership Council, the group was formed in partnership with Monarch Services, Rising Worldwide, DigitalNEST and Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary. It is currently recruiting Santa Cruz County high school students, who can apply at sccoe.link/ YMHLC.

Students will learn intervention and prevention strategies, gain leadership skills including peer advocacy, contribute to the design of youth wellness centers in schools, and be the spokespeople for issues youth are facing at school and in the larger Santa Cruz County community.

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride, from Sept. 29-Oct. 1, raised funds to support this group.

POLL WORKERS NEEDED

Have you thought about being a poll worker for the Nov. 8 election?

As a poll worker, you help ensure a safe, fair, and efficient election for all voters. Poll workers support early voting locations, ensure technology functions, and help minimize delays at polling places on election day.

Fill out the form at: https://www.votescount.us/Home/ ElectionOfficerRequestForm.aspx

WHERE TO PUT EV CHARGING STATIONS?

Where should public electric vehicle charging stations be located in six counties between Ventura and Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz County has joined with five other counties to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, which is currently in the process of determining the best locations to place public electric vehicle charging stations around the Central Coast.

An interactive mapping tool is available to the public through October 2022 at www.bit.ly/ CCZEV.

The goal is to identify ideal locations for new public charging stations in the six counties. Visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com. for more information.

A video tutorial on how to use the interactive mapping tool is at www.bit.ly/InteractiveMapVideo

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 info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter. org

ONGOING EVENTS

Daily thru October 31

SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden, 2660 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville

The wildly popular exhibit “Sculpture IS: In the Garden” is back at Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden.

2022 marks the 16th Pajaro Valley Arts sculpture exhibit, in partnership with Sierra Azul.

Curators Susana Arias, Hedwig Heerschop, and Jeff Rosendale selected 90+ sculptures created by 48 artists and collaborators.

Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the exhibit! sierraazul.com

Tuesdays

PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM

6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/ griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

Saturdays & Sundays

ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH

Tours start: 10 and 11 a.m., Sat. and Sun.,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough. Group size is limited to one household or up to five people, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ group-reservation/ to reserve a tour. For more info, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours/

DATED EVENTS

Tuesday October 4

CANDIDATES’ FORUM

6-8 p.m., Capitola City Council Chamber, 420 Capitola Ave.

The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce presents a candidates’ forum at the Capitola City Council Chamber.

Five candidates are running for three City Council seats:

• Yvette Lopez Brooks, incumbent

• Joe Clarke

• Enrique Dolmo, Jr.

• Gerry Jensen

• Alexander Pedersen

Candidates will state their vision, priorities and answer questions.

Former Capitola Mayor Mike Termini will moderate.

The Chamber encourages the community to submit questions by Oct. 3 by emailing capcham@ capitolachamber.com or by calling the chamber, 831-475-6522.

The public can attend in person or watch via Spectrum Cable Channel 8 or City of Capitola YouTube Channel.

Thursday October 6

SALSA CLASSES BEGIN

10 a.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Dr.

Are you over 50 and looking to learn salsa in the mornings? Come to a new class at Aptos Village Park.

Price: $108 for six weeks. Register with Santa Cruz County Parks Department at scparks.com.

Saturday October 8

WATER HARVEST FESTIVAL

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Heart of Soquel Park, 4740 Soquel Dr, Soquel

The Water Harvest Festival is a free and fun water education event for the whole family at Heart of Soquel Park (behind the Soquel Post Office).

Kids and families will learn about water resources, water-wise gardening, water supply, groundwater geology, infrastructure, plumbing, water conservation, water-shed protection, pollution prevention, and all things watery.

There will be free face painting, live music from the Banana Slug String Band, and a raffle.

ALL ABOUT LABYRINTHS

1-4 p.m., Parish Hall, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz Calvary Episcopal Church is hosting “All About Labyrinths” in the Parish Hall, at the corner of Lincoln and Cedar streets. The event features Lars Howlett is an expert in the design and creation of labyrinths for walking meditation and personal healing. The event is free and open to the public.

Howlett is is a Veriditas-Certified Labyrinth facilitator and faculty member and former chairperson of World Labyrinth Day. He will:

• Explore the history of labyrinth designs

• Explain how to create sacred space

• Discuss ways labyrinths transform commu nities

• Show examples of labyrinths from around the world.

Attendees can participate in creating a temporary labyrinth on the Calvary grounds and join in a facilitated walk of the labyrinth.

Sunday October 9

WELCOME BACK MONARCHS DAY

11 a.m.-4 p.m., Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 W Cliff Dr. Welcome Back Monarchs Day will take place at Natural Bridges State Beach, known for its prime overwintering location for Monarch butterflies. Parking is $10.

This family-friendly celebration includes arts and crafts, music, information tables, food for sale, hand painting, handmade pumpkin ice cream, a Monarch superhero skit, a parade and free cake.

New this year at Natural Bridges: Silk butterfly earrings crafted by Ukrainian artists and beautiful Monarch-inspired jewelry by local artist Liz Reid. For information email or call (831) 423-0871.

Tuesday October 11

SOROPTIMISTS MEETING

4 p.m., Little Tampico Mexican Restaurant, 2605 S. Main St., Soquel

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will meet at Little Tampico. The meeting is free and open to the public.

New members will be inducted, progress on the search for Live Your Dream pro-gram applicants will be reported, new fund-raising projects will be presented and members will choose which will be implemented.

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empow erment.

For information, visit www.best4women.org.

Tuesday October 11

Wednesday October 12

GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER

6 p.m., Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Get answers on Financial Planning, Medicare and Funeral Pre-planning, (including green burial options).

Three local experts offer a presentation along with a light meal with your advance RSVP.

For more information on the event or speakers see www. PrePlanWithPatricia.com, call or text Patricia Kimie at 831-756-1381.

Free parking in rear of the chapel.

Wednesday October 12

GROW GARLIC WORKSHOP

5–6:30 p.m., Online Class

Have you ever wanted to add garlic to your food garden? Now is the time to plant garlic from seed for harvesting next year. With so many varieties available, it can be hard to choose the right ones for our area.

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties offer a free workshop online 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, led by professional garlic grower Pete Rasmussen.

He’ll discuss all aspects of growing great garlic, from soil preparation and seed selection, to planting, fertilizing, and harvesting.

Free; donations appreciated. To register, go to mbmg. ucanr.edu

Friday October 14

RISE TOGETHER CELEBRATION

6-8:30 p.m., 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos Community Foundation Santa Cruz County will host a celebration for Rise Together, a group of 32 Leaders of Color with a foundation team.

Members include: Angela Chambers; Ashlyn Adams; Brenda Griffin; Dr. Carmin Powell; Cat Willis; Valentin Lopez; Consuelo Alba; DeAndre’ James; Elaine Johnson; Erica Padilla-Chavez; Esabella Bonner; Fe Silva-Robles; Gina Castañeda; Helen Aldana; Jacob Martinez; Jaime Molina; Jennifer Herrera; Jenny Kurzweil; Jorge Savala; Justin Cummings; Kara Meyberg Guzman; Keisha Browder; Kevin Heuer; Maria Ramos Bracamontes; MariaElena De La Garza; Dr. Nereida Robles Vasquez; Dr. Rebecca Hernandez; Ruby Vasquez; Stephanie Barron Lu; Stacey Marie Garcia; and Susan True.

There will be art, music, food, dancing, and community

joy as leaders talk about their work to advance racial equity in Santa Cruz County and gather resources to take action going forward.

Food from: Areperia831, Sambusas, The Slough Brewing Collective , Tita Lalaine’s.

To RSVP, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rise-togethercelebration-tickets-419223848817

8TH ANNUAL STATE OF THE REGION

9 a.m.-4 p.m., University Center, 4314 6th Avenue, Seaside

You are cordially invited to the 8th Annual State of the Region Conference on Friday, Oct. 14 in person at CSU Monterey Bay. Business, government, and educational leaders from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties will attend.

Presentations and conversations will focus on how to drive equitable regional economic recovery and development, housing for all, reducing the digital divide, policy and legislation.

Tickets are $139. To register, see https://tinyurl.com/8thstate-of-region-2022

(Full URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annualstate-of-the-region-tickets-399183106417?aff=ode imcmailchimp&utm_source=Regional+Report&utm_ campaign=987512cce2-EMAIL_CAM

PAIGN_2022_05_18_10_44_COPY_01&utm_ medium=email&utm_term=0_49b099d7f6-987512cce2194946593&mc_cid=987512cce2&mc_eid=66244ddae7)

Saturday October 15

FRIENDS OF CAPITOLA LIBRARY

10 a.m., Capitola Library Porch, 2005 Wharf Road

The Friends of the Capitola Library will meet on the porch of the Capitola Library.

Members will be discussing programs they would like the Friends to sponsor dur-ing 2023. Do you have an idea for a program you would like to lead? Or, are there programs that you would like to participate in were they offered at the library?

Anticipate a free-ranging discussion of possibilities. For questions, contact Toni Campbell at lilyjustine65@gmail.com.

Saturday October 15 thru Saturday October 21

UC MASTER GARDENERS FALL PLANT SALE

Order online, pick up by appointment at Watsonville and Salinas locations

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners announce their annual Fall Plant Sale, with the online pop-up nursery open for one week.

Fall is the best time to plant cool-weather food crops and California native plants and other perennials, when the soil is still warm and can get established through winter rains.

Our fall plant collection features drought-tolerant, water-wise and native and/or pollinator perennials with a robust selection of winter vegetables and herbs. The collection includes indoor plants, succulents and bulbs ready for the garden.

All funds benefit the all-volunteer UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, which offers a gardening help line, events and seasonal classes to empower our home gardening community with knowledge and skills to grow food and garden sustainably.

For information, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu .

Saturday October 22

CELEBRATING 2022 ARTIST OF THE YEAR

7 p.m., Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos

Annie Morhauser, founder of Annieglass and the 2022

Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year, will talk about her life’s work at an event in her honor at the Crocker Theater. A Q&A will follow.

Admission is free; seating is first-come, first-served. Masks are required.

Her dinnerware and home décor products, with a new collection twice each year, are sustainably handcrafted.

She has two pieces in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

She employs more than 20 people in her 16,000square foot production studio on Harvest Drive in Watsonville.

She donates cash and in-kind donations to 400 nonprofits annually.

CHILI COOKOFF

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Bring your appetite and join the fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as professional and amateur chefs compete for the title of Best Chili! 10 am to 4 pm.

Cook-Off Schedule

9am-10am: Chef’s prep (no heat)

10am-1pm: Chili cook time

10am: Tasting kits go on sale for $12. Part of each sale goes to the Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial.

1pm: Public tasting begins

4pm: Winners announced at Neptune’s Stage (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom)

DAVID WEBB

BROKER ASSOCIATE

KAREN BISH

Friday October 28

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR AT RIO THEATRE ON OCT. 28

7 p.m. (Doors open 6 p.m.), Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.

The Rio Theatre will host the films in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children and students at RioTheatre.com and the day of the event. A portion of tickets sold will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

See the complete playlist at https://www.riotheatre. com/events-2/2022/30/mountainfilm n

Tiny Homes on Wheels: One Step Forward

By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

InSeptember, the Board of Supervisors held their first public hearing to con sider a proposed ordinance which would provide a permitting pathway and framework for Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs). Staff provided an excellent presentation and draft ordinance, and the Supervisors engaged in a productive dis cussion as well as heard comments from the interested public. After several requests for amendments, the motion was made by Supervisor Friend to send the draft ordi nance back to staff for revisions. The draft ordinance will return to the Board for a new public hearing and first reading on Oct. 18.

Together with 5th District Supervisor McPherson, I first requested staff create a THOW ordinance back in January 2021.

After several months, numerous community meetings, Housing Advisory Commission and Planning Commission meetings, it is exciting to the see this ordi nance finally take shape. I will continue to listen to public input and work with the other members of the Board to create an ordinance that balances neighbor and environmental concerns with the need to provide more flexible, affordable housing stock that is so sorely needed in our County.

It is our goal to create a policy that works for people, so more are encouraged to engage with the process and permit their tiny homes on wheels.

To join in the conversation, provide your comments at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Agendas may be viewed at: http://santacruzcountyca. iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx?.

LCP Amendments to Coastal Commission

Over two years ago, the Board of Super visors approved amendments to the Public Safety Element and Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan/Local Coastal Program (LCP);

amendments to Chapters 16.10, 16.20, and 16.22 of the Santa Cruz County Code; and the addition of Chapter 16.13 to the Santa Cruz County Code.

The amendments represent changes to the LCP Land Use Plan and Implemen tation Plan and require certification by the California Coastal Commission.

In February 2022, the Coastal Com mission bifurcated the amendments, approving the proposed amendments to the Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan in the first part (as modified) and separating out the sections of the LCP Amendment addressing development on coastal bluffs and beaches. An October 2022 deadline was set for Coastal Com mission consideration of the second set of amendments.

At the Sept. 20 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, County Planning staff presented a report stating that approval of the amend ments to LCP Coastal Hazards as currently pro posed was unlikely.

According to Coastal Commission staff, the amendments as proposed would, in their judgment, require major modi fications to be found consistent with the Coastal Act, and if brought to the Coastal Commission it would be with a staff rec ommendation of denial.

County Planning therefore asked the Supervisors to consider either withdrawing the amendments or maintaining the status quo and allowing the Coastal Commission to act on the amendments as proposed.

While County staff’s recommendation was to withdraw the amendments, the Board, led by a motion from Supervisor Friend, voted to move forward with sub mitting the amendments to the Coastal Commission. If the Coastal Commission does indeed reject the LCP Coastal Hazards amendments in October, it is the Board’s hope that it will be with a clear direction on how to move forward toward an agreement.

Sustainability Update to Supervisors

A

fter several public hearings, the Planning Commission made their final recommendations to the Sustain ability Update and sent it onward to the Board of Supervisors. Planning staff will adopt their revisions and prepare a report to present to the Board, tentatively on Nov. 15.

The Sustainability Update includes updated regulations for housing pro duction, transportation, agriculture and resource conservation, sustainable com munities, code modernization, commercial development, community services and environmental justice.

Consistent with County priorities under the Vision Santa Cruz County strategic plan, the Sustainability Update is being conducted through an equity lens, and recognizes that effective land use and transportation planning are necessary to create sustainable urban communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide additional housing options for all county residents while protecting our natural resources and agricultural areas.

For the latest information, visit: www.

We welcome your feedback and involvement!

Give us a call anytime, (831) 454 -2200 or email first.district@santacruzcounty.us.

Join us at an upcoming community town hall meeting:

October Town Hall

Tuesday, Oct. 11 • 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Hybrid meeting: Loma Prieta School in The Forum, 23800 Summit Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033 and on Zoom: https:// zoom.us/j/96708318897

November Town Hall

Thursday, Nov. 10 • 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Hybrid meeting: In-person location TBA and on Zoom: https://zoom. us/j/96708318897

December Town Hall

Thursday, Dec. 8 • 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Hybrid meeting: In-person location TBA and on Zoom: https://zoom. us/j/96708318897

For a full list of meetings, including recordings of past meetings, check our website: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Government/ BoardofSupervisors/District1.aspx.

Come to our office at the Sheriff Center (5200 Soquel Ave.) for Office Hours with Supervisor Koenig, the first Wednesday of

Meet Hazel and Eros

This week the Pets of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter are two adorable bunny rabbits- Hazel and Eros!

This week the Pets of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter are two adorable bunny rabbits- Hazel and Eros!

Hippity hoppity, here are two funny bunnies looking for their new human pals! Hazel and Eros are two bonded year and a half year old rabbits who came in from the same home when their owner had to move and couldn’t take them.

These bunnies have been at the Shelter for a few months and have really shone their best selves since being here. Volunteers and staff love hanging out with these two because they are super social rabbits who love cuddles and snacks. They hang out in our brand new rabbit room and show off to all members of the public who come in to see all of our furry friends.

Hazel and Eros are the best ambassadors for SCCAS and our “pocket pets”bunnies, guinea pigs and other small, furry pets. Right now we have lots of special fuzzy bunny pals here at the Shelter who are looking for homes, so if you have a spot in your house and heart come in and meet Hazel and Eros!

The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can select a fund for their donation to go to: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (specialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

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 pre pared. 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