Capitola Soquel Times: June 2023

Soquel High Valedictorians

The Capitola-Soquel Times is pleased to recognize the 10 Soquel High School valedictorians and the four salutatorians for their hard work that put them at the top of the Class of 2023.

Soquel High School hosted the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 23, presenting awards and scholarships to the top graduating seniors.

Some of the valedictorians shared their future plans:

Isis Yao: California Seal of Biliteracy. Santa Cruz Elks Lodge Scholarship. Angell Family Scholarship

Nancy Wu Zheng: UC Davis, biomedical engineering. California Seal of Biliteracy. Science Department award. Louise & Henry Parker Scholarship ... continues on page 4

John Gerhardt, Ham Radio and Emergencies

Fleeing a forest fire has often forced some evacuees to leave their pets or farm animals behind. Such was the case during the CZU Lightning Complex fires that ravaged San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties in August 2020.

Full Story page 6

Kaiser Shelves 5940 Soquel Ave. Plans

Full Story page 9

Mom Makes Pasta Lenticchie but Dad Wants Arroz con Pollo

By Joe Ortiz

A lot of old-time Italians in our neighborhood used to joke about lentils being the beef steak of Basilicata ...

Full Story page 7

Table of Contents

Cover Soquel High Valedictorians

Community News

5 Kameryn Hawes to Receive PEO Scholarship • Capitola Library: June Activities

6 John Gerhardt, Ham Radio and Emergencies, By Teresa Hidalgo Dance

8 Public Art Proposal • Jobs in Santa Cruz County

9 Kaiser Shelves 5940 Soquel Ave. Plans, By Jondi Gumz • Santa Cruz County Fair: Home Grown & Locally Shown! • Bay Fed Offers Services to Businesses

10 What’s Happening with City Hall?: If City Hall is to be Relocated, Public Input Will Be Sought • County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel to Retire, By Jondi Gumz

11 Rehearsals Begin at Cabrillo Stage!, By Mindy Pedlar

15 Capitola Bounces Back, By Olivia Ma

17 Third Annual Skate-Tola

18 Joby to Celebrate New Santa Cruz HQ • New Judge: Leila Sayar

19 County Educator of the Year Awards

20 Grand Jury: No Bias in County Funding of Nonprofit Groups

California News

4 Bill to Ban Toxic Chemicals in Food Passes

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Gemini’s Light Beams & the Two Columns, By Risa D’Angeles

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists

7 Mom Makes Pasta Lenticchie but Dad Wants Arroz con Pollo, By Joe Ortiz

12 Celebrating SUESD Students, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

14 Capitola Beach Getting Ready for Summer, By Margaux Keiser, Mayor, City of Capitola

22 Pure Water Soquel Pipeline 90% Complete, By Rebecca Gold Rubin

23 Who Should Be Banned from Flying? Congress Asks, By Christopher Elliott

24 Insights Into Infertility, By Dr. Maureen Rozenn, LAC, DAOM, FABORM, Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®

25 Please, FDA, Protect Newborns from Aluminum, By Peter J. Pitts

27 Libraries: Something For Everyone A Click Away, By Judie Block

30 Preparing for Fire Season, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Sweet Koa Looking For New Home

Patrice Edwards editor

Jondi Gumz

Bill to Ban Toxic Chemicals in Food Passes

contributing writers

Teresa Hidalgo Dance, Jondi Gumz, Mindy Pedlar, Olivia Ma, Risa D’Angeles, Joe Ortiz, Scott J. Turnbull, Margaux Keiser, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Christopher Elliott, Maureen Rozenn, Peter J. Pitts, Judie Block, Zach Friend layout

Michael Oppenheimer graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer

production coordinator

Camisa Composti

media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine

office coordinator

Cathe Race distribution

Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

On May 15, the California State Assembly passed first-of-its-kind legislation that would prohibit the use of certain dangerous and toxic chemicals in processed foods and drinks.

Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), Assembly Bill 418 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product in California containing Red Dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propyl paraben.

These chemicals are already banned

“Soquel Seniors” from page 1

Julia Snelling: Colorado College, mathematical economics. Social Studies Department award. Biotech Department Award. Scholar Athlete Award. Wharf to Wharf Otis Chandler Memorial Scholarship, $6,000. Kiwanis Club Ken & Ruby Marion Memorial Scholarship for Business.

Lynda Otero: UC Berkeley. California Seal of Biliteracy. World Languages Department award. AVID Department award. Sunrise Rotary Scholarship. McNellis Leadership Scholarship. Omega Nu scholarship, $3,000.

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Nicholas Levie: UCLA. California Seal of Biliteracy. World Languages Department award. . Soquel High Fund scholarship. : Smith

in the European Union due to scientific research linking them to significant health harms, including cancer, reproductive issues, and behavioral and developmental issues in children.

“Today’s strong vote is a major step forward in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply,” said Gabriel. “It’s unacceptable that the U.S. is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to banning these dangerous additives. We don’t love our children any

less than they do in Europe and it’s not too much to ask food and beverage manufacturers to switch to the safer alternative ingredients that they already use in Europe and so many other nations around the globe.”

Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the connection between the chemical additives named in AB 418 and alarming health outcomes, including increased risk of cancer, behavioral issues in children, harm to the reproductive system, and damage to the immune system. n

American Revolution Good Citizen

Clayton Heath: UC Santa Cruz,

robotics engineering. California Seal of Biliteracy. Math Department award. Social Studies Department award. Industrial Arts Department Award. Louise & Henry Parker Scholarship

Joshua Fahrner: English Department award.

Caitlyn Eskew: California Seal of Biliteracy. Science Department award. Northern California Scholarships Foundation scholarship.

Salutatorians

Sean Watson: UC Santa Cruz, astrophysics. Math Department award.

Ryan Santee: California Seal of Biliteracy. .Soquel High Fund scholarship.

Sadie Spaulding: Theater Department award.

Tucker McCarthy: Cabrillo College, mechanical engineering. •••

Cover Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz — From left: Valedictorians Isis Yao, Nancy Wu Zheng, Julia Snelling, Lynda Otero, Nicholas Levie, Marisol Jenkins-Sorensen, Grace Howard, Clayton Heath, and Joshua Fahrner. Not pictured: Caitlyn Eskew.

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer website

photography

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz Soquel High salutatorians (from left): Sean Watson, Ryan Santee, Sadie Spaulding, and Tucker McCarthy.

Kameryn Hawes to Receive PEO Scholarship

Kameryn Hawes, a senior at Soquel High School, was selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

She was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter NJ of Carmel.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. The competitive STAR Scholarship is for women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

Kameryn, who is an excellent student, has participated in the Youth for Environmental Action program run by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, a leadership initiative designed to help students develop essential leadership skills while connecting youth with community efforts towards environmental sustainability and implementation of local solutions. She interned with the Soquel Creek Water District, and plays on the Soquel High lacrosse team, which she helped to found.

She will attend UC Santa Barbara to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a focus on environmental science and hydrology.

P.E.O. , which stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization, has been

helping women reach for the stars for more than 150 years. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit has helped more than 119,000 women pursue educational goals by providing $398 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans.

What started with a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America with close to 5,800 chapters. n

•••

To learn more, visit peointernational.org.

Capitola Library: June Activities

Friday, June 2, 2–4 p.m.— NextStage Productions Reader’s Theater presents 5 short comedies. • Rental — Valerie sends her best friend a surprise birthday gift.

• Rosa’s Eulogy — Requiem for a cat Ferris Wheel

• Sometimes the unexpected occurs at the Carnival Norm Anon

• Looking on the bright side Emotional Baggage — If your luggage could only talk!

•••

Wednesday, June 7, 5:30–6:30 p.m. — Start Smart for Teens & their Parents: California Highway Patrol is offering new driver education class for ages 12-18.

Friday, June 9, 11 a.m.–Noon — Find Your Poetry

Voice: Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatemi leads teens in poetry-writing activities.

Sunday June 18, 2–4 p.m. — Science fiction movies: Come watch Hugo award winning movies! Showcases some of the best science fiction and fantasy films in recent decades.

Thursday, June 22, 2–3 p.m. — Tom Noddy’s Bubble Magic: Join America’s Bubble Guy, Tom Noddy,

for an incredible display of bubble magic, filled with humor, joy, and wonder!

Monday, June 26, 2–3 p.m. — Fratello Marionettes present: Jack and the Bean Stalk.

Tuesday June 27, 5:30–7 p.m. — Fostering Compassionate Action in Santa Cruz County Neighborhoods: A meetup on the 4th Tuesdays presented by Housing Matters for people who want to learn how to take an active role in their neighborhood to bridge divides on the topic of homelessness. Call Marsa Greenspan, Housing Matters Volunteer Program manager (831) 226-2486.

•••

Youth Chess Club: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. — For ages 6-18. Instruction by Dana Mackenzie. Must register at santacruzpl.org

Tales to Tails: Sundays, 12:30–2 p.m. — Trained therapy dogs will be attentive reading partners for children in grades 2-12 reading aloud. On an appointment first basis. Call 831-427-7713 for an appointment. Each slot is 25 minutes.

•••

Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road

Kameryn Hawes

✸ 1,429 Graduates

✸ 51% Latinx

✸ 37 Honors Scholars

✸ 295 Transfer Students

✸ 61% of Associate Degree CSU Transfer Students are Latinx

✸ More than 295 students transferring to 4-year universities including: UCSC, Cal Berkeley, ULCA, Cal Poly SLO, & San Diego State

✸ 22 are UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program students & 7are UC Irvine Honors-to-Honors students

John Gerhardt, Ham Radio and Emergencies

By Teresa Hidalgo Dance

Fleeing a forest fire has often forced some evacuees to leave their pets or farm animals behind. Such was the case during the CZU Lightning Complex fires that ravaged San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties in August 2020. Once firefighters evacuated an area, it was closed off, preventing people worried about their animals from returning.

The volunteer group Equine Evacuation, which rescues horses and livestock during local disasters, were then permitted to evacuate the animals -- mostly horses, goats, and chickens -- and bring them to the county fairgrounds in Watsonville.

Equine’s rescue operations, however, would have been far more difficult and dangerous, if it were not for the ham radio operators present.

John Gerhardt, a ham radio enthusiast who was there, recounted how ham operators provided the communication necessary to ensure the safety of the equine teams on burnt land where falling trees were a constant hazard.

Gerhardt said, “We put a ham radio operator with each Equine Evacuation team and then stayed in touch by radio and kept track where they were and what location they needed to go to and helped make that operation more efficient but mainly, it helped keep everyone safe.”

If anyone ran into trouble, the ham radio operators made it possible to get help readily.

Gerhardt, who is the district emergency coordinator of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in Santa Cruz, is familiar with how ham radio operators, or hams as they call themselves, have been a perfect help for certain emergencies.

When conventional communication systems fail, ham radios, battery-operated and able to send and receive signals for long reaches (including to the moon and back), become indispensable.

Not surprisingly, in another emergency last January, the winter storms that slammed the Santa Cruz coastline and San Lorenzo Valley, hams were put on standby alert three times.

Gerhardt pointed out that ARES keeps up its on-call status by training constantly for emergency situations.

During the height of the COVID pandemic when hams were not needed, Gerhardt nevertheless maintained their readiness for emergencies all the while adhering to social distancing requirements. Gerhardt devised a variety of radio exercises that could be done without being in the same room. One was a scavenger hunt in which operators would drive around the county and report in information.

Ham operators in the county also keep their skills fresh through sporting events. Most recently the Sea Otter Classic, the world’s largest cycling festival in Monterey County, and the Big Sur International Marathon, also in Monterey, gave hams the experience of providing communication in crucial situations.

In the Sea Otter event, competing bikers traversed the mountains and back country of Fort Ord. Dozens of hams positioned themselves in remote locations of the racecourse and set up their equipment, making sure they could communicate back to the base.

“We would then report on the physical condition of the riders as they went through,” Gerhardt described. “We would also report on the status of the event where the organizers would know how far along the course the bikers were.”

A website can’t negotiate a home purchase or sale on your behalf. You need a REALTOR to guide you through the process. A REAL person who is interested in helping you. I am that person who has the qualifications and determination to close the deal from start to finish.

“Ham Radio” page 8

Photo Credit: Teresa Dance John Gerhardt

Mom Makes Pasta Lenticchie but Dad Wants Arroz con Pollo

Previous Episode: After being trampled at the Cisco Kid & Pancho personal appearance, my Aunt Rose soothed my pain and anguish with Cream Pudding.

A lot of old-time Italians in our neighborhood used to joke about lentils being the beef steak of Basilicata, the region in Italy where Mom’s side of the family had emigrated from. The region was so poor, they said, that every mother learned to cook a variety of vegetables and legumes in such flavorful ways that no one ever noticed not having meat.

Mom always started her pasta lenticchie (Mom pronounced it “lendique”) with a mixture of chopped celery, onion, and carrots, sauteed in olive oil until it was dark, aromatic, and flavorful. It was how her mother had made it. Whenever she tried to start it with a ham hock from the butcher, or with a few strips of bacon the way some other Italian mothers had taught her, everyone in the family would tell her it was wrong.

In fact, Mom couldn’t make any modern adjustments to any dish she cooked for us because someone would always notice and complain.

“No, don’t put the flavoring in first,” Dad said when he and I had come back from the shoe shop and Mom was stirring up the chopped vegetable mixture.

“This is how I always do it, Herman,” she said. “What’s the difference anyway? It all goes down the same pipe.”

“What’s the difference?” Dad said, “I’ll tell ya da difference. When you put the flava in first, it disappears. Lentils is a taste

all its own. You put the flava in later. Trust me.”

“Trust you?” Ma said. “You know what you can do, Herman?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Dad said.

Mom told him anyway: “O mangi questa minestra, o salti dalla fenestra.”

“I know,” Dad said. “You told me a million times, ‘Either eat this soup or throw yourself out the window.’ But we got bars on the window, so I might throw the soup out instead.”

Mom bit her finger at him and went back into the kitchen.

After they both calmed down, Dad settled into a chair at the dining room table just outside the kitchen door so he could talk to Mom while she cooked. He grabbed together his animal comforts: The sports page, a pack of Camels, an ashtray, and a bottle of Rheingold.

“Anna Pacinello says she puts her macaroni right inta the soup raw and lets it cook,” Mom said. “She told me that way the macaroni picks up the flavor of the lentils.”

“Don’t go trying nothin,’ Nonny,” Dad said, lighting up a cigarette. “It’s perfect the way you make it.”

“Then why you telling me to start it with bacon?” Herman.

“I know something about cookin’ too,” Dad said. “Besides, I like to get my ideas across.”

“Yeah, Herman, if you know something about cooking, how come I never seen you lift a pot?”

Dad growled.

Joe Ortiz Memoir: Episodes & Recipes

Joe Ortiz’s memoir, Pastina — My Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’s Good Soup, became the framework for the musical Escaping Queens, which ran at Cabrillo Stage in 2012 and 2013. Since 2022, the Capitola Soquel Times is the exclusive publication of various episodes from the book — including a recipe that helps shape each installment. You may have read one of the pieces in the Times a few months ago entitled, “Pastina, Food for the Soul — The Night Freddie the Bookie Showed Up with the Gun.”

The idea of weaving anecdotes about food with an ongoing narrative came to Joe after reading Heartburn by Nora Ephron.

“Using recipe descriptions to help tell a story seemed the perfect way to weave the angst of a father’s chaotic life with the salvation of a mother’s cooking,” Ortiz explains. “For me, the soothing aromas and descriptions of my mom’s food became the salve to assuage my father’s abusive actions, and the ironic humor of it all helped to dull the pain.” n

“Herman, I get tired of doin’ it the same way all the time.”

“Hey, I get tired, too,” Dad said. “When was the last time you made arroz con pollo?”

Mom pursed her lips and tried to ignore him.

“Don’t you have a half a chicken leftover in da fridge?”

Mom smirked and nodded her head.

“Pull that out, would’ja? I’ll tell ya how to make arroz con pollo. It’ll go great with da lentils.”

“I know your recipe, Herman,” she said. “YOU told ME a million times! Please shut up. I’ll do it. As long as you don’t tell me.”

Dad started to recite the recipe and Mom started to whine. But she knew it was no use fighting him once he had something on his mind.

So, he went through the whole description while sitting there, his bare feet curled up underneath his buttocks on the chair, smoking a cigarette, and defiantly dropping ashes over Mom’s clean kitchen floor. Here’s what he told her and it’s simple to make:

Recipe: Arroz Con Pollo

Take a half chicken that’s already been cooked (or you can start with a fresh chicken, I suppose, but in our house many a meal started with something left over from the night before). Chop it into one-inch cubes, then place the pieces on a broiler pan and roast them until the skin is crisp. Set aside and keep warm.

For the Spanish rice, take 3 to 4 cups of cold leftover rice. Make a mixture just

By Joe Ortiz

like the one Mom used to start the lentils— diced celery, diced carrots, and diced onions sautéed in a little olive oil. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste or catsup and stir in with a little water if necessary. When it’s cooked, turn up the heat and add a tablespoon or two of olive oil, and pour the rice into the mixture and heat the rice for a few minutes, just so it becomes coated, and a bit crispy. Place the rice on individual plates and top with the crispy, warmed chicken.

When Dad finished reciting the recipe to Mom, he got lost in the sports page. After scanning the ball scores and thumbing the women’s underwear ads, he noticed an item in the back of the sports page. His olive complexion turned pasty. He read out loud:

“Eddie Ryan, a small-time Irish loan shark, entrepreneur, and resident of Long Island City was found at the bottom of the East River yesterday. His feet had been encased in buckets filled with ... “

“Herman,” Ma insisted. “Stop right there. We don’t want to hear this nonsense.”

So, Dad avoided the bad stuff and went on. “ ... Suggesting some sort of gangland revenge.”

“HERMAN!!!”

No use. Still reading “ ... Eddie was known affectionately to his friends as Grimy Eddie and is survived by his wife Estelle.”

I guess a young kid’s memory is etched by those experienced linked together, because I can’t even think about Arroz con Pollo without calling up the happy golucky face of Eddie Ryan, when we last saw him in his linen suit. n

Public Art Proposal

Capitola’s Tree Stump Public Art project will be located at the lower public parking lot on Monterey Avenue, which is used most by the general population visiting the beach and Capitola Village.

This tree stump is estimated to be over 100 years old and arrived at its location as a result of a mudslide from heavy rains in 2019.

The stump is a landmark for the town and a small bit of Capitola’s history.

The proposed public art project is designed to incorporate proper preservation of the stump and include any measures necessary to maintain its integrity.

To learn more about the public art proposal, see https://www. cityofcapitola.org/acc/page/ capitola-tree-stump-project-proposal

Or attend the City Council meeting on May 25 at 6 p.m. when Council will consider approval of the proposal.

•••

Jobs in Santa Cruz County Sector April 2023 Change from April 2022

Farm 4,600 Down 1,200 Total 107,600 Up 1,500

Labor force 134,400 Up 1.1%

Employment* 126,400 Up .2%

Unemployment 8,100 Up 19%

Unemployment rate 6% 5.1%

Count is on the 12th of the month

*Includes commuters out of the county

Source: California Employment Development Department

Unemployment in Santa Cruz County at 6% is down from March, when it was 6.9% and up from a year ago, when it was 5.1%.

The difference is the rains in March took a toll on the ag sector, with 1,200 jobs lost, compared to a year ago.

Big gains were tallied for leisure and hospitality, and for private education and health services.

The labor force at 134,400 was smaller than in March but the number of unemployed was down from 9,400 in March.

In Aptos, Bruster Ice Cream is seeking a store manager and Ace Hardware needs a sales associate. Seascape Golf Club needs a golf cart attendant. Mentone restaurant in Aptos needs a part-time host/ hostess.

Comp Health is recruiting a gastrointestinal specialist with salary from $450,000 for a renovated center in a Central Valley community “close to California’s national parks.”

During the pandemic in 2020, unemployment hovered around 17% in 2020, fueled by state restrictions.

“Briefs” page 9

“Ham

Radio” from page 6

The man so committed to the emergency use of ham radio, Gerhardt, took up the hobby in high school. He earned his license in 1964. With a love of tinkering and “figuring out how things work,” Gerhardt was happy that when he got his license, he was expected to build a ham radio on his own.

But now, he noted, “electronics have gotten so advanced, things are so tiny that you need very sophisticated equipment to build a complicated radio.”

Ham radio, however, was not a hobby Gerhardt always indulged in, especially when he entered the working world. For 30 years, he was an electrical engineer for Plantronics, where he retired as senior director.

A longtime resident of Soquel, he is now 75 and holds the highest class of license for ham radio operators, Amateur Extra.

Communicating during emergencies is just one aspect of the hobby. Other aspects can include contests such as contacting as many stations as one can within a particular time period or contacting as many people in different countries as possible.

Another aspect is building equipment that can bounce radio signals off the moon before connecting to other amateurs. Some hams love tinkering, too, and can set up their radio equipment to run on solar power.

“I enjoy the public service aspects instead,” Gerhardt said. “I like helping people be prepared to communicate in an emergency. What interests me most is organizing people for emergency preparedness.”

Ham radios can be operated for emergency situations by those with only the first level of license, Technical Class.

As someone with the highest tier of licensing, Gerhardt oversees twice-aweek training exercises done entirely via ham radio, with each operator usually at their home. Practice can involve something as simple, though crucial, as rehearsing communication niceties such as not having everyone talking at once so that an urgent message can be heard quickly or not talking too long as to hog the channel.

Gerhardt sees to it that the Amateur Radio Emergency Service is available to all emergency agencies in the county. As a volunteer resource, the group helps the Office of Response, Recovery, and Resilience in its mission to coordinate recovery efforts for disasters, and cooperates with the Communication Emergency Response Team, which, being under FEMA, invariably

turns to ham radio operators in the communications end of an emergency.

Last April, at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in Live Oak, ARES took part in its first training exercise for CERT and is committed to this being a regular training feature.

Communication is not the only area CERT volunteers train in; the others include helping people out of collapsed buildings and administering first aid.

In a big emergency, the Emergency Operations Center at the Sheriff’s Office becomes the hub of activity for public safety professionals from the Red Cross to county and agency staff and public information. An incident commander, chosen to be in charge of emergency operations, may contact as many as half a dozen ham radio operators. These hams are “back-up”

communicators, becoming crucial to an emergency when regular communications are down.

Gerhardt performs an extra service to the public by overseeing weekly tests of the county-owned communications equipment at the Emergency Operations Center.

The protocol for ham radio operators during an emergency is to tune in first to a particular radio frequency so they can be contacted, told what is needed, and directed to places where communications need to be improved. There are 70 active members in Gerhardt’s service, all poised to respond when called.

Tireless in his work to promote ham radio operations in an emergency setting, Gerhardt is also the secretary of the Santa Cruz Communications Support, a nonprofit based in Scotts Valley, which accepts donations so the group can purchase better radio equipment and improve emergency preparedness materials.

Radio equipment is lent out to those licensed operators whose equipment have been ruined by the disaster at hand. Two years ago, PG&E gave a sizable donation which was used to buy pop-up shelters for ham radio operators out in the open and for signs and the like. The president of the nonprofit is Karen Corscadden.

An interesting detail of Gerhardt’s life that this writer could not let the reader not know: He changed the lightbulbs in the world’s first computer-generated scoreboard in the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, a job he proudly held while a student at UC Berkeley. n

•••

If you want to join John Gerhardt at ARES and be part of the public service aspect of ham radio, contact him at den6qx@gmail.com or on his call sign N6QX. For more about local emergency communications, see https://xczcomm.com/

Local volunteer ham radio operators test communications equipment weekly at the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center in Live Oak. Left to right are Stephen Betita KM6NEP, John Gerhardt N6QX, and Gary Watson K6PDL.

Kaiser Shelves 5940 Soquel Ave. Plans

By Jondi Gumz

In 2018, Kaiser Permanente shared a plan to buy a 4.98acre industrial site at 5940 Soquel Ave., the frontage road next to Highway 1 in Santa Cruz for a huge medical office — 160,000 square feet — and parking garage.

While some welcomed the idea of 24-hour urgent care, physical therapy, chemotherapy, optometry and pharmacy, along with 300 high-paying jobs, neighbors in Soquel objected and asked how the development proposal could help solve the traffic congestion with 100,000 vehicles on Highway 1.

Discussions with county planners never resolved that issue, and in the meantime, Kaiser Permanente expanded by opening a multi-floor medical office at 110 Cooper St, downtown Santa Cruz, offering primary care, pharmacy, laboratory, and Imaging.

Kaiser Permanente also expanded in Watsonville, opening a mental health and wellness center on Westgate Drive, and in Scotts Valley, expanded its space on Scotts Valley Drive offering mental health services, physical and occupational therapy, and an eyeglass shop.

Now Kaiser has shelved the plan for 5940 Soquel Ave. This explains why the expected community meeting on the proposed development has not been scheduled.

Asked for an explanation, Kaiser Permanente provided

this statement: “Kaiser Permanente is committed to Santa Cruz County, and as part of that commitment, we continue to explore ways to expand our specialty care offerings throughout the region. As part of our assessment of how to

best serve our members and deliver high-quality, affordable health care, we have re-evaluated the proposed project at 5940 Soquel Avenue and determined that we no longer intend to occupy this property. Going forward, we plan to continue expanding services throughout the County while thoughtfully considering the dynamic, local health care industry and the access needs of our community.”

The statement continued, “Since the proposed specialty medical office building project was first envisioned almost 6 years ago, Kaiser Permanente has grown our primary and specialty care services in both Scotts Valley and Watsonville, while opening new, expanded medical offices in downtown Santa Cruz featuring pharmacy, lab and imaging services which were previously only offered at our Scotts Valley and Watsonville locations. Additionally, to best meet the needs of our members, we opened our Watsonville Mental Health and Wellness Center offering addiction, recovery, and psychiatric services to the southern part of the County.”

Businesses operating at 5940 Soquel Ave. include Coast Concrete, Dogherra Towing and Gonzalez Towing. Owner Martin Gonzalez was looking for another location but now he doesn’t have to. n

Santa Cruz County Fair: Home Grown & Locally Shown!

The Santa Cruz County Fair announces the theme of the 2023 Fair and the winner of the Fair Theme Contest.

Drum roll please…

The Fair theme is “Home Grown and Locally Shown!”

The theme beautifully cap tures the spirit of the Fair and the agricultural roots of the community. The winning theme comes from

“Briefs” from page 8

Bay Fed Offers Services to Businesses

Bay Federal Credit Union, based in Capitola, now offers a full line of business services to their business members including loans, credit and debit cards, savings accounts, online banking, investment services, and merchant services. The credit union specializes in serving the needs of small business owners and provides a full line of products to support their operations.

With these services, Bay Federal can help increase cashflow, add capital via cash management tools and lending facilities, and provide more efficient merchant card processing avenues. All of these services have been developed and implemented to aid in the efficiency of local businesses’ growth and operations.

“Bay Federal’s goal from our

Kathryn Doman of Watsonville. Not only is Kathryn a fan of the Fair, but she’s also a neighbor.

“I live right next door to the fairgrounds in the house that I grew up in. It’s truly a joy to be neighbors with the fairgrounds. The love for this area lives deep within my heart. Thank you for considering my suggestion,” says Kathryn.

beginning is to support the deposit and lending needs of our members and continue to add programs based on the request of our membership. Being located in a region rich with small businesses and entrepreneurs, we developed these services for our members with small businesses.” said Carrie Birkhofer, president and CEO. “I’m excited to help local businesses thrive in our community.”

Prior to this launch, Bay Federal was offering deposit accounts and limited services to their 2,400 business members. The credit union now looks to attract and serve more local businesses with their full suite of business services and loans. The business services program is under the leadership of Business Relationship Manager Jeff Heitmann. Those interested can visit www. bayfed.com, stop by a local branch, reach out directly to Jeff Heitmann at jheitmann@ bayfed.com, or call 831-479-6000. n

For submitting the winning theme, Kathryn receives a Fair VIP Family Pack. It includes a parking pass, four admissions, and carnival wristbands.

Thank you, Kathryn! At the Fair, which will take place Sept. 13-17, everything is Home Grown and Locally Shown!

The Santa Cruz County Fair celebrates the rich agricultural history of the community

and people and invests heavily in bringing this heritage to our youth.

The 2023 Fair will take place at the Fairgrounds on Highway 152 east of Watsonville. n

•••

Information on the Fair, and the Fairgrounds — a year-round entertainment and event venue, can be found at santacruz countyfair.com

What’s Happening with City Hall?

If City Hall is to be Relocated, Public Input Will Be Sought

One of the City Council goals for 2022-23 is to invest $50,000 in a study of City Hall options long-term.

Capitola’s City Hall and Police Department are located at 420 and 421 Capitola Ave., respectively, at the gateway to the Capitola Village.

The City Hall site, about 7 acres, includes the Capitola History Museum, Police Annex, and the Lower and Upper Pacific Cove public parking lots.

According to a report by Deputy City Clerk Austin Westly, City Hall and the police station are “older structures that are nearing a stage where they will require significant investment to maintain their functionality.”

Both buildings are smaller than typical given the current staffing and needs., he noted.

Another downside is that the site is in the floodplain.

In 2011, the Police Station and parts of the lower level of City Hall flooded due to an overwhelmed drainpipe in Noble Gulch Creek that ran under Pacific Cove Mobile Home Park to the ocean. The mobile home park was acquired by the city and turned into parking lots for visitors.

In 2010, the city obtained state funds to assess reuse options for the Capitola City Hall site and the parking lots. The study addressed alternatives for redeveloping the site, market analysis at for possible uses, alternative sites for City Hall functions, and future ownership alternatives for the site.

At the time, there was concern the study was developed without a high levels of public input.

The current request for proposals is structured to help the City better understand current circumstances on the site and provide multiple opportunities for public input prior to drafting alternatives.

During a budget workshop March 1, 2022, the City

Council prioritized the City Hall needs assessment and allocated $50,000 for it.

The Request for Proposals, which was released May 15, has two phases, the first being City Hall site needs assessment.

Proposals are due July 21.

This will include: A report on existing conditions and projections for future staffing over the next 20 years and facility needs, with a functionality analysis, advantages/ disadvantages, and an evaluation of the environmental constraints and hazards.

A second phase — alternatives analysis — can be initiated at the direction of the City Council after reviewing the first report.

Phase two involves identifying goals for the future City Hall by working with the City Council, members of the public, and staff.

This will include a presentation from the consultant at a community meeting and a City Council meeting.

This phase will identify future City Hall options for the City to consider, and an evaluation of how those options meet the identified goals.

The City Council is expected to approve a consultant contract for phase one in August, get the needs assessment report in December, and hear a presentation in January 2024. n •••

To share your thoughts with the City Council, see https:// www.cityofcapitola.org/citycouncil

County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel to Retire

By Jondi Gumz

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel, who led during the Covid-19 pandemic, will retire June 23 after four years.

“Dr. Newel exemplified the spirit of public service through her courageous and principled leadership,” County Administrator Carlos Palacios said. “We will miss her guidance but wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Newel was appointed July 2019, six months before American heard about the new coronavirus, which proved to be deadly for many people 65 and older and people who were obese and people with heart disease or chronic respiratory conditions.

County officials said her ability to communicate complex health information in a clear and relatable manner made her a trusted voice in the community, and she was a driving force for vaccination against Covid-19.

High Vaccination Rate

Santa Cruz County’s Covid-19 vaccination rate of 77.3% is one of the highest in California.

A total of 256 people died, mostly

in 2020 and 2021, with fewer deaths as the Omicron variant became prevalent, and the last deaths in March 2022.

Death rates in Santa Cruz County were among the lowest in California, 100.7 per 100,000 cases, compared to 251.7 statewide.

In April 2020, Newel ordered beaches in Santa Cruz County closed during Easter weekend and much of Passover to reduce the threat of the virus spreading. At the time, early in the outbreak, little was known about the new coronavirus.

Newel also accurately predicted the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk would not open in the summer. As it turned out, under the state restrictions on business operations to prevent the Covid-19 from spreading, that’s exactly what happened.

“It has been a great privilege to serve my community during these challenging past few years,” Dr. Newel said. “Many public health heroes supported me in my work, and I am indebted to each of them — thank you! In addition, I recognize the

hard work and sacrifice of our community members, all of whom came together to protect the health of their family, friends, and neighbors.”

She added, “Together we saved many lives and protected the health of our most vulnerable. I look forward to retiring here among you. See you at the beach!”

Courage Award

Dr. Newel was awarded the 2021 PEN/Berenson Courage Award with former county health services director Mimi Hall for their leadership during the pandemic.

“Dr. Newel’s remarkable career and contributions to public health have made her a trusted advocate and leader in her field,” Health Services Director Mónica Morales said. “Her unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of others continues to inspire and will make a lasting impact on the community.”

Later in the pandemic, in April 2022, Abhishek Singh and 11 researchers from

the U.S., including Mayo Clinic and Hershey Medical Center, and India, with funding by the Austrian Science Fund, produced a paper in Cureus on “Vitamin D: The Missing Nutrient the Two Deadly Pandemics, COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases.”

They cited a higher COVID-19 cases and death rates in African Americans and Hispanics than European American, as most likely due to lower vitamin D levels as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found 29% of Blacks had less than 10 ng/ml of Vitamin D.

This paper cited a pilot randomized clinical trial published in October 2020 showing a high dose of Vitamin D “significantly reduced the need for ICU treatment of patients requiring hospitalization due to proven COVID-19” and a 2020 study of 212 patients that found those with a Vitamin D level above 23.8 ng/ml had mild outcomes, while those with levels of 21.2 ng/ml had severe cases, and those at 17.1 ng/ml were critical cases.

“Newel Retiring” page 27

Gail Newel

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Rehearsals Begin at Cabrillo Stage!

By Mindy Pedlar

Singing beautiful music in harmony with others is one of my greatest joys.

Yes! Rehearsals have begun for Cabrillo Stage’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame based on Victor Hugo’s timeless novel, featuring songs from Disney’s Academy Award-nominated score.

Musical Director Michael McGushin describes the score as “lush and full of drama.” As he works with us, it’s clear he understands the musical nuances of the score and never loses sight of the story we are telling. With his clear instruction and commitment to quality, we know we are creating something truly special.

McGushin will also be conducting the full live orchestra, a key component of every Cabrillo Stage production. Meanwhile, renowned and inspirational Choir Director Cheryl Anderson prepares the onstage choir that will add more layers of harmony and vocal dynamics to this sweeping score.

“The choral-inspired music is very impressive to me,” says Director Vinh Nguyen who grew up in a Catholic household and sang in the choir throughout high school.

Vinh is drawn to the deep messages of this story “which condemns the mistreatment of people who are different than we are and preaches love, acceptance and unity. Hunchback of Notre Dame is a grand, epic musical

but I want to make sure we maintain the heart and humanity of the story.”

Vinh is excited to be collaborating with his cast “to explore these beloved characters in greater depths and celebrate the artistry and diversity of our performers.”

Such a large-scale show demands that the set must also be epic and grand! A challenge Scenic Designer Skip Epperson has embraced. His set design is amazing.

As an integral part of Cabrillo Stage, Skip feels he “has been blessed to enjoy working with the tremendous artists who have been part of Cabrillo Stage. Whether designing scenery, constructing sets, building props, or painting backdrops, I am always inspired by the quality of work that each production brings forth both onstage and backstage.”

With each show Skip works to create an inspiring theatrical space that can be explored by insightful directors, designers, technicians and casts who will “breathe life and excitement into this world transporting our audience for a couple of hours. To me, every show is an honor to share.”

The sets come together with the expertise of Resident Technical Director Marcel Tjioe, who enjoys the standards of excellence and collaborative environment of working with Cabrillo Stage. The show will be further enhanced by Brance Sousa’s lively, creative choreography and of course, glorious costumes by Designer Maria Crush.

New Artistic Director Andrea Hart could not be prouder of this remarkable cast and production team. n •••

Tickets are online at Cabrillo Stage.com. All performances are in the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Box Office opens for phone & walk-in sales June 15, Thurs. – Sat., Noon-6 p.m. 831-479-6154.

Decades of commitment. Generations of caring.

At Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, we’ve had the privilege of caring for you and your family for generations. Santa Cruz County relies on Dominican for comprehensive, advanced, award-winning care—including our nationally recognized cardiac program, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, our Wellness Center with classes to keep patients healthy and strong, among many other medical specialties. Learn more about us at DignityHealth.org/Dominican.

Musical Director Michael McGushin begins rehearsal for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Celebrating SUESD Students FEATURED COLUMNIST

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

With the 2022-23 school year now in the books, it’s a great time to celebrate a few students who have especially embodied the spirit of each of our schools.

While we have a whole district full of students that make us swell with pride, here are a few that regularly go above and beyond to make the most of their educational opportunities.

•••

Miebella Herrera

5th grade • Soquel Elementary

She models the Cougar Way (student learning expectations) on a daily basis, consistently in and out of the classroom, displaying a bright and “paws-itive” attitude to school and her learning experiences.

She is fantastic academically and as a leader. Not to mention, she’s kind and compassionate and always willing to lend a hand. Her personality and skill set will help her accomplish all of her goals and aspirations. She is an active and dedicated member of Student Leadership; she is a Kindness Ambassador and a Spirit Leader. She is willing to help and engaged as she supports school-wide assemblies, spirit day planning, and providing student voice in this leadership role.

Her teacher said, “Miebella is the definition of a role model. In addition to possessing many other qualities, she

is responsible, determined, confident, resourceful, empathetic, helpful, and loyal.”

Miebella’s student leadership advisor said, “Miebella is an outstanding member and integral part of our Student Leadership Team. As both a Spirit Leader and a Kindness Ambassador she serves with genuine kindness, positivity, and a willingness to make her school an amazing place.” •••

Sadie Summerrill

4th Grade • Main Street Elementary Sadie is a role model to others as she consistently challenges herself to do her best academically while being compassionate, caring, respectful, and honest. Sadie faces new challenges with a growth mindset, knowing that when she tries her best, she can accomplish anything. Not only is she an amazing student, but a loyal friend and a truly joyous person to be around. When not at school, Sadie enjoys playing volleyball with Main Beach at Cabrillo College.

Main Street Principal Ronnie Platt said, “Sadie is a student that other students look to for support”

Motivation, Access, & Passion Coordinator Marc Lewis said, “If you’re looking for someone to be the ambassador of kindness, then Sadie is your person, she consistently goes out of her way to make sure her peers and younger students feel safe and cared for.”

Sadie is a motivated, enthusiastic, and goal-oriented student who exemplifies the Main Street Way. Sadie is a true leader who is always willing to help anyone in need, students and teachers alike. One way Sadie helps others at Main Street is by being involved in school leadership. In school leadership, she works with classmates and her lead teacher to help build community by planning school-wide Spirit Days and events. Sadie also volunteers her own time during recess to help younger students in their classroom and at their PE and recess time.

Her teacher, Ms. Ann Wilson, said Sadie is a role model to others as she consistently challenges herself to do her best academically while being compassionate, caring, respectful, and honest.”

•••

Ellie Andes

1at Grade • Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Ellie Andes embodies the SCG Way of being Safe, Kind, and Responsible, and according to her teacher, Sally Walker she “works very hard in class, and always gives her best effort.

She cares deeply about her classmates and celebrates the success of others and helps students when they are upset. She is a role model for her peers.”

Ellie has made exceptional growth in reading and math this year, and that is a result of the hard work that she has put into these subjects.

Ms. Walker also reports that “Ellie has an exceptional heart and is a wonderful representation of Santa Cruz Gardens!”

It is especially exciting to have such a young student nominated for this honor and her characteristics embody the school’s commitment to Social Emotional Learning.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning describes SEL as “an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”

“Celebrating Students” page 16

Capitola Beach Getting Ready for Summer

By Margaux Keiser, Mayor, City of Capitola

Lots of things have been happening in Capitola! Our Public Works Department is working diligently to re-scape the beach and close off the Soquel Creek to the ocean. We will have a nice open beach and quaint lagoon in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Other great progress happening — at the May 11 meeting, City Council approved the Wharf Resiliency and Public Access Project. This project will go to bid by the end of May with hopes we can start the project sometime this summer!

Improvements to the Wharf will include widening and strengthening along with tackling the storm repairs. New restrooms will be added which will make for easy access for beach goers and Village visitors. If you are interested on the progress of this project, staff has posted a timeline guide at the base of the Wharf which also includes a QR code to scan for virtual information.

Our development director has been working tirelessly on Capitola’s Housing Development Update. The first draft was published on May 10 for community review and comment. It is important for the City to receive feedback on big items like these.

This plan is posted on our City website along with a hard copy at City Hall. See www.cityofcapitola.org/ communitydevelopment/ page/2023-2031-housingelement-update.

Feedback can be provided at either the next Planning Commission meeting on June 1 at 6 p.m. or the June 8 City Council meeting at 6 p.m.

Via email, public comment should be submitted by June 9 to kherilhy@ ci.capitola.ca.us

Never a dull moment, even for our small city!

We are looking forward to kicking off summer starting Memorial Day weekend and beyond!

The Esplanade businesses continue with moving forward & rebuilding. Some antique signage was unearthed over My Thai Beach & the Bay Bar, come check it out and take a walk down memory lane! n

Margaux Keiser is mayor of Capitola. Contact her at margauxkeizer@gmail.com

Dealing With Wharf Memorial Plaques

City of Capitola staff seeks input from plaque owners/purchasers and the Capitola community regarding the plan for memorials currently located on Capitola Wharf, which was badly damaged in the January storms and requires extensive repairs.

“We know that the Wharf memorials

are important to many people and strive to remain sensitive to each individual’s personal connection to the memorials,” the city memo said. n

Complete this short survey to help staff better understand the community’s wants:

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Capitola Bounces Back

By Olivia Ma

Five months ago, a natural disaster struck the village of Capitola. The once vibrant area known for its community beach and colorful strip of hotel rooms had been flooded. Once popular businesses overflowing with customers were fenced or shut down. The once joyous beach filled with families and dogs became filled with stray logs and branches. The once busy wharf filled with fishers was cut in half, guarded by a large white fence and caution tape.

Despite this merciless destruction, the people of Capitola tell a different tale.

A tight-knit community of about 9,000 people, Capitola has quickly returned to normalcy, most notably by supporting local businesses and their iconic beach.

As a wave of storms and natural disasters has swept across not just the nation but also the world, Capitola’s story of recovery and resiliency illustrate a story of love and support during a great struggle.

Tucked away from across the beach, Left Coast Sausage Worx attracts a multitude of customers. Some buy hot dogs to go while others catch up with friends as they admire the ocean view. The wellknown eatery lost power on Jan. 4 and was shuttered for 11 days. Afterward, it took almost another two weeks for the store to recover and open up, all thanks to the selfless locals.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” said Josh Fisher, the owner of Left Coast Sausage Worx and longtime property owner of several local businesses, “It takes a village to rebuild and we need everybody’s help… we’re happy that everyone’s working together and the community’s coming together.”

Along with returning to help clean up the beach as the recovery process got underway, people also discovered ways to reuse storm debris and make the most of it. Several tent-like structures stand defiantly on the sand, almost as if proving their resilience against the harsh storm, while children run around playing with logs and seaweed.

Capitola Wine Bar owner Doug Conrad created the Sip and Stroll event, in which 30 businesses worked together to bring the community back to life by attracting old and new customers, an estimated crowd of 500 locals and visitors.

Alongside the community spirit of civilians, the federal government stepped in to help. Up to $2 million for each business in low-interest catastrophe loans were made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Small Business Development Center located at Capitola City Hall, to help deal with damage to real estate and equipment.

Despite record-breaking flood levels, property destruction, and a power outage that lasted for days, Capitola’s small businesses and civilians have bounced back nonetheless, assisting one another through the tough recovery process while still managing to make the best of it.

“The pier and everything was bad,” Josh said as he expertly prepared a customer’s hot dog with shredded cheese and relish, “but they’ll rebuild.” n

•••

Olivia Ma has a passion for journalism. She is a KQED Youth Media contributor and a co-founder of the journalism club at Basis Independent Fremont Upper School. Her family has a house in Scotts Valley and frequents the beautiful beaches here.

Photo Credit: Olivia Ma

Inside Ethos

Photo Credit: Olivia Ma Left Coast Sausage Worx

Photo Credit: Olivia Ma

Visitors enjoy Capitola’s iconic beach with the colorful Venetian in the background.

“Celebrating Students” from page 12

Thank you, Ellie, for being such an SEL leader at Santa Cruz Gardens!

Marria Talavera & Adeline Lorber

8th Grade • New Brighton Middle School

Meet Marria Talavera and Adeline Lorber, a dynamic duo whose accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom have made them shine brightly amongst their peers.

Marria, the vice president of the Student Council and one of this year’s salutatorians, has shown amazing leadership skills and dedication to the school and community. Marria’s accomplishments have recently been recognized and she was awarded a Presidential merit scholarship to attend St. Francis High School. As Marria looks forward to the next steps in her high school career, she continues to dream of attending Boston University or Cal and swimming at the collegiate level.

Adeline, the 8th Grade representative for Student Council, will be honored with the Presidential Academic Excellence award for maintaining a perfect 4.0 gradepoint average throughout middle school. Adeline’s academic achievements are a testament to her discipline, hard work, and dedication. Adeline’s involvement in sports has also been impressive. She has played soccer for the NBMS team and also plays competitively for the Breakers. In addition, she also is dedicated to swimming competitively. Adeline dreams of attending Stanford as well as continuing to play soccer.

Principal Christina Hadreas said, “Together, both Marria and Adeline, have been exceptional students, not only in their role in Student Council, but also in their roles in Surf Club, Healthy Living Club, AVID, and the Capitola Junior Guards program. New Brighton Middle School is incredibly proud to highlight these students as they both represent academic, athletic, and extra-curricular excellence.”

Marria is an honor student who consistently demonstrates exceptional academic prowess, impressing her teachers and peers with her insatiable thirst for knowledge and her sometimes playful ways of demonstrating her learning. Marria’s dedication to her studies is matched only by her exemplary character traits, as she consistently displays kindness, helpfulness, commitment, integrity, and empathy in her interactions with others.

Similarly, Addie Lorber is a standout 8th grader known for her remarkable achievements and exemplary character traits. As an honor student, Addie consistently excels academically, going above and beyond to challenge herself and embrace new learning opportunities. Addie’s peers and teachers alike admire her dedication

to her studies and her unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Addie’s exceptional character traits, such as integrity, kindness, and empathy, further distinguish her as a role model among her NBMS peers.

Teacher David Wedmuller said, “Both Marria and Addie embody the qualities of outstanding students, not only excelling academically but also exhibiting exceptional character traits. Their dedication to their studies, involvement in student leadership roles, and responsible contributions to school-wide events and activities is a testament to their remarkable abilities and commitment to their school community. Thank you, Marria and Addie! You are leaving the school a better place!”

Teacher Edward Curzon said, “I have taught Adeline Lorber for two years in Math 7 and Math 8. She exemplifies the New Brighton Way and is living proof that hard work, passion, and a growth mindset are the keys to success. Adeline’s mathematical abilities are not the only thing that caught my attention: her genuine kindness and willingness to support her classmates in their mathematical endeavors have been inspiring to witness.”

Teacher Johaan Ryberg said, “Addie is an extraordinary individual who embraces every opportunity that comes her way with enthusiasm and determination. She devours every chance for growth, be it volunteering, attending the prestigious STEM camp at UC Berkeley, or actively participating on the student council at NBMS. Addie’s hunger for knowledge and personal development is truly inspiring, making her a joy to teach. Marria has been a shining presence in both my Humanities and AVID classes for the past three years at NBMS. I have witnessed firsthand her incredible ‘I can’ attitude, her outgoing nature, and her thoughtful consideration for the well-being of others. Marria’s dedication to building personal connections has not only enriched our classroom environment but also left a lasting impression on all those fortunate enough to know her. Her commitment to volunteer work at the SPCA and her accomplishments as a competitive swimmer further illustrate her determination.”

“Teacher Monica Prestegaard said, “Marria is a hardworking student, and she wants to succeed and understand. That is a considerable strength, especially in mathematics, to not be daunted by a task but to strive to understand and not be afraid to ask questions or for extra support. She is well-liked by her peers and gets along with many students. She is a delight to have in class.” n

Marria Talavera Adeline Lorber

Third Annual Skate-Tola

If you happen to be driving Highway 1 on Saturday, May 20, you might have wondered: What is happening at McGregor Skatepark in Capitola?

That was the Third Annual Skate-Tola, a free contest begun in 2019 and hosted by the Capitola Police Department. The goal is to connect youth with law enforcement – in a good way.

Here are some photos from the day, provided by the Capitola Police Department social media team. n

Come

Half Off Sale!

Joby to Celebrate New Santa Cruz HQ

On June 5, Joby Aviation and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the grand opening of Joby’s headquarters with Mayor Fred Keeley from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the former Plantronics complex, 333 Encinal St., Santa Cruz.

The company, founded by serial entrepreneur and 1991 Santa Cruz High School alum JoeBen Bevirt in 2009 on his ranch in Bonny Doon to develop an electric air taxi.

His goal is to end commuter traffic congestion by offering an alternative: A faster and cleaner air taxi that can get from Point A to Point B without jamming highways.

The technology is known as electric vertical takeoff and landing — eVOL for short.

Bevirt, who has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UC Davis and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, holds more than 160 U.S. patents in aerodynamics, aircraft design, electric and hydrogen propulsion.

He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife and four children.

Joby Aviation now has 1,317 employees, according to the city of Santa Cruz business license database.

Joby Aviation has raised $1.98 billion from investors, according to Crunchbase.

The corporate office was based in Westside Santa Cruzat 2155 Delaware Ave., Suite 225.

On May 3, Joby Aviation landed a $180 million equity investment from returning backer Baillie Gifford.

In April, Joby announced a $55 million

contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to produce nine aircraft for the military. The first two are to be delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in early 2024.

Delta Air Lines invested $60 million in 2022.

In 2021, Joby announced a partnership with REEF Technology and Neighborhood Property Group, one of the nation’s largest parking garage operators, to build out its network of vertiports, with an initial focus on Los Angeles, Miami, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.

That year, Joby reported 154.6-mile test flight of a prototype at its base in Big Sur, spending an hour and 17 minutes in the air on a single battery charge on its quest to gain certification with the Federal Aviation Administration and start commercial operations.

Plantronics was a headset pioneer that equipped U.S. astronauts but after acquiring Polycom, a San Jose tech company focused on collaboration, for $2 billion, the name become Poly.

The HP Inc. acquired Plantronics Inc. for $1.9 billion in 2022, and in November that year, the campus at 333 Encinal St. was sold to Joby Aero for $25,296,000. n Joby Avaiation has jobs in Santa Cruz, San Carlos, Marina, San Jose, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. See www.jobyaviation.com/careers

New Judge: Leila Sayar

Leila Sayar, 46, who immigrated from Iran, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Santa Cruz County Superior Court and will take the oath of office in June.

A criminal defense attorney, she fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John Gallagher.

She was an attorney at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff from 2012 to 2016 when the firm had the public defender’s contract with Santa Cruz County. She corepresented Adrian Gonzalez, 15, charged in the murder of Maddy Middleton, 8. He pleaded guilty and is in juvenile prison.

Sayar was a sole practitioner trial attorney from 2010 to 2012 and also since 2016 in San Jose.

She earned her law degree from New York Law School.

She was an associate at the Law Offices of Timothy A. Scott in San Diego in 2007, then became a deputy public defender at the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office from 2008 to 2010. She graduated from UC San Diego in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and political science. According to her Linkedin profile, she speaks Persian.

She is a registered Democrat, according to the governor’s office, and will earn $231,174 annually. n

Leila Sayar

County Educator of the Year Awards

On May 18, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education presented the 2023 Santa Cruz County Educator of the Year awards to staff from across the county who exemplify educational excellence and embody the values of the school community. The honorees are:

Teacher of the Year

Ferreira, special education teacher, post-senior class, Santa Cruz County Office of Education

Maria has dedicated her career to supporting students with special needs to have full access to the community and learn crucial safety and life skills while having a positive experience.

Maria has taught special education for 18 years, from early intervention to adults ages 18-22. She joined the COE in 2017. An immigrant from Paraguay who moved to the U.S. as a young adult, Maria learned English while attending

Fresno City College and eventually transferred to Fresno State University, where she earned her teaching credential.

Her first son was diagnosed with autism at age 2. After her second son was diagnosed with autism, she decided to make special education her career while spending countless hours doing and coordinating therapy for her boys. Her two sons with autism are now young adults and although they have many needs, they are both thriving young adults.

Classified Employee of the Year

Paige Lynd, administrative assistant, Happy Valley School, Happy Valley Elementary School District Paige has been an administrative assistant at Happy Valley for more than 15 years. Before that, she was a parent volunteer for more than 5 years as both her children were students. Her background in bookkeeping and as a registered nurse

helped prepare her to take on the many roles required in the position at a small one-school district.

Some days that can consist of payroll, HR, accounts payable, attendance, and state and federal reporting, while other days it’s everything from maintenance, snakes in classrooms, and flooding buildings to bandages and first aid to students.

“The students are definitely the best part of my job,” she says. “No day is the same, and I never get bored!”

Counselor of the Year

G. Morelos, academic counselor, Pajaro Middle School, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Raised in Watsonville, Jose is the youngest of seven children to a widowed mother who worked day in and day out to be the sole provider to her children. At a young age, he learned the importance of working hard and having

the resiliency to overcome many obstacles while learning the values and struggles of a first-generation immigrant family.

Like any young man of his generation, Jose had to make difficult choices to stay engaged in school. The Cabrillo Advancement Scholarship Program was an eye-opener to his full potential which put him on a path to higher education.

After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Mexican American studies, he returned to his community as an assistant social worker. After a few years, he returned to his true passion, teaching, and he went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling education and PPS credential. Jose has been a counselor for 15 years, 11 of those at Pajaro Middle School.

He also serves his community of Pajaro as an advocate, leader, and mentor for families, colleagues, and students, working to inspire and guide future firstgeneration professionals.

“Education Awards” page 24

Maria Ferreira

Paige Lynd

Jose G. Morelos

Grand Jury: No Bias in County Funding of Nonprofit Groups

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury reviewed the operational functions, processes and implementation of CORE (Collective of Results and Evidence-based) Investments awards to non-profit organizations throughout Santa Cruz County. CORE was established in 2015 to achieve equitable health and well-being in Santa Cruz County, using a results-based, collective impact approach that is responsive to the community needs.

The focus was to create a more equitable and unbiased approach to awarding funds.

Prior to CORE the County would hold public hearings for any organization or agency to present their case as to why they should be awarded funds. This series of actions was a very subjective process. This investigation was to determine if there were any inefficiencies, waste, or abuse in the current process and if there were any areas for process improvement.

It is the Grand Jury’s belief that the

CORE process is being administered with integrity, transparency, and to create equity of opportunity for all applicants. Through research, the Jury found that significant time and resources were spent

to communicate with and to support all potential applicants.

History

The County and City of Santa Cruz seek to fund community-based organizations to provide evidence-based safety net services that will collectively impact the well-being of the community’s most vulnerable people. As a result of this, Requests for Proposal (RFP) are solicited and threeyear contracts are awarded in support of a new model termed “Collective of Results and Evidence-Based” Investments, also known as CORE Investments.

In 2022, a total of 128 applications representing 78 organizations were received across all four funding tiers, representing all CORE conditions, with a total of $15,179,382 worth of requests.

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury wanted to understand how the

distribution process worked and how it was determined which organizations qualify for a grant or not.

Investigation

The RFP process is a three-year contract term. It allows increases to the base funding, including folding in the Set Aside Fund allocation, which is used as a reserve for organizations if they fall short on the services they are providing.

The resulting $4,799,000 in base County funding is available for awards. The City of Santa Cruz funding of $1,080,000 added to the base, provides a total of roughly $5,879,000 available funds to awarded grantees.

There is a tiered funding approach of small, medium, and large awards, with an additional, larger Targeted Impact award. A fair and equitable process is central to CORE investments and desired by applicant organizations. It’s understood grants of all sizes would be driven by community needs, as defined, and articulated by the applicants. Also, the selection staff used discretion to recommend awards up to no more than ten percent variance from applicants’ proposed budgets.

A total of 128 applications representing 78 organizations were received across all four funding tiers, representing all CORE conditions, with a total of $15,179,382 worth of requests.

Highlights of the applications are below, with further description of the application included in “Summary of Proposals/Applicant Profile”. ● 22 agencies submitted multiple applications, with 12 submitting 2, and 10 submitting 3 or more. ● 47% of applicants were from new

Food distribution by Second Harvest Food Bank at Mountain Community Resources in Felton.

A hall of photos representing kids who have been helped by Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services .

COMMUNITY NEWS

organizations (have never received CORE funding), representing 42% of total applications. ● While all CORE conditions were represented, the majority of the proposals were in the areas of Health and Wellness (36) and Stable, Affordable Housing & Shelter (23). ● Along the continuum of evidence-based practices, most proposals, 67% utilized evidence-based programs, followed by 24% utilizing an effective practice.

The review panel approach was guided by the RFP. Review panels were organized by funding tier and CORE Condition, and 58 individuals participated as panelists.

Panelists were assigned to panels based on their connection to the CORE Conditions of the proposals and demographics striving for locally representative, diverse panels — 76% of panelists stated lived experience within one of the CORE conditions and 91% of panelists stated professional experience with one or more of the CORE conditions, 86% percent of the panelists live in Santa Cruz County, 21% of the panelists were Latinx, with a total of 31% Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

All panelists completed a survey, and conflict of interest and confidentiality statements. A scoring rubric was developed for each tier, and proposals were scored based on the criteria of the tier for which the organization applied. Training on the CORE RFP and scoring matrix was provided to all panelists.

Nineteen review panels were created according to CORE Conditions, at least three panelists reviewed each application according to the scoring matrix. Panels were reconvened to discuss discrepancies in scores and a total of 34 reconvening meetings of 1–3 hours each were held across all panels for a total of approximately 63 hours worth of discussion.

The average panelist score for each proposal was used to rank applications within each tier. Funding Recommendations Funding recommendations are based on the score and rank of proposals within each tier and the dollar amounts available. The mix of proposed awards is different from the current list of CORE recipients; however, the geographic distribution and populations served are comparable to what is currently funded.

The recommended awards across all CORE Conditions reflect the spread of proposals that were received across the CORE conditions, with largest proportions going to Health and Wellness (31%) and Thriving Families (32%).

The geographic distribution of recommended awards closely mirrors the geographic distribution of all proposals received, and the geographic distribution

of current CORE Funding. The percentage of funding targeting seniors (32%) is comparable to the percentage of current CORE funding supporting seniors, and also reflects the county population of seniors under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The distribution of recommended awards by race/ethnicity closely matches the distribution of people living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with 50% of the funding going towards people who are Latinx.

Distribution of recommended awards across the tiers demonstrates progressively higher levels of evidence-based practices within the higher tiers of funding. All levels of results and evidence-based practices on the Continuum of Results and Evidence are utilized by recommended awardees. Conclusion

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury is delighted to report that the Santa Cruz County CORE (Collective of Results and Evidence Based Investments) program provides fair and equitable distribution of funds to the many deserving non-profit organizations throughout the County.

This process has removed any specter of bias and allows all potential organizations an even playing field. Their approach is completely transparent, from the application process, all the way through to the funded awards.

The equity-centered approach clearly sets Santa Cruz County apart from any other counties in the region. It provides very clear parameters of how the process works and how each organization can benefit.

The Grand Jury applauds the County and City officials and community members for their continued dedication and looks forward to the further evolution of CORE. n

To read the complete report, see https:// www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/ GrandJury/GJ2023_final/2023-2_CORE_ Report.pdf

The Retired Public Employees' Association of California

(RPEA) works to protect the pensions and health bene ts of all members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). With our pension and health bene ts dependent upon politics and the economy, we need to get our stories of public service out. For over 50 years the Surf City - Santa Cruz Chapter has been watching out for the interests of our local retirees.

Members are eligible for a range of bene ts including dental and vision insurance, pet insurance plans, and discounts at many venues. We also have a monthly newsletter.

The next lunch meeting will be June 13, 2023. Call Bill Philipps at 831-239-1154 for more information or visit the website: rpeasantacruz.org

Just $60.00 per year to join *our dues help pay for Legislative Analyst in California.*

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury is delighted to report that the Santa Cruz County CORE (Collective of Results and Evidence Based Investments) program provides fair and equitable distribution of funds to the many deserving non-profit organizations throughout the County.

Pure Water Soquel Pipeline 90% Complete

Pure Water Soquel construction has been underway since Spring 2021. Pure Water Soquel will:

• Replenish the local groundwater basin to prevent further seawater intrusion, and be a sustainable water supply that meets the community’s goals and values, and the State’s mandate under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

• Be a reliable, drought and climate change-resistant supplemental water source, which contributes to the diversification of the District’s water supply portfolio and enhances resiliency.

• Provide District customers with a high-quality and safe water supply. Pipeline construction has been ongoing since May 2021, and is 90% complete as of March. The Water Purification

Center (located at the corner of Chanticleer Avenue and Soquel Avenue) and the Recycled Water Facility (located at the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility) broke ground in December 2021 and construction is anticipated to last through early 2024.

We have built three recharge wells (two in Aptos and one in Capitola) to replenish the groundwater basin with the purified water produced from the Water Purification Center.

“Pure Water Update” page 27

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

Pipeline Construction

Who Should Be Banned from Flying? Congress Asks

Is it time to finally ban screaming babies from the plane? How about argumentative passengers? Or people who smell bad?

Those are serious questions. With the busy summer travel season right around the corner, Congress is considering a nationwide no-fly list for disruptive passengers.

Banning the biggest troublemakers in the skies, as the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act proposes, is an idea worth considering. So maybe this is the right time to figure out who belongs on that list.

Here’s the official answer: Under the law, passengers would land in the no-fly database for one of several offenses, including a conviction for assaulting, threatening or intimidating a crew member of an aircraft.

Unofficially, passengers have far different opinions on who should get grounded. And they are not shy about creating their own no-fly list, sometimes on the fly. Consider the recent Frontier Airlines flight in which passengers voted to remove an unruly passenger. Talk about frontier justice.

But making a “no-fly” list of disruptive passengers may be impractical when you start thinking about it. There may be a more effective way to deal with difficult air travelers.

Should we ban babies?

Bottom line: Banning all babies is impractical, and probably also illegal. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see a viral video incident or two this summer involving irresponsible parents getting kicked off a flight.

How about disruptive passengers?

Misbehaving passengers are another category of bannable flier. And here, too, it’s clear that air travelers have a broader definition than lawmakers.

By Christopher Elliott

On second thought, maybe no one should be banned.

All this talk of banning may be taking us to the wrong place. Stopping a violent or unruly passenger from flying is only the beginning. Margaret King, director of The Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis, says other groups could quickly follow, including anger management failures, drug addicts, and “maybe even passengers who are anxious and depressed.”

It could soon spiral out of control. People with comfort animals or carrying too much luggage could follow.

“It could become a long and inclusive list,” adds King. “Any condition that promotes disruptive behavior would be eligible. And that, when you think about it, is a widely distributed trait.”

Here, too, we’re entering dangerous airspace. Do we need to pass a psych evaluation to get permission to fly?

Should air travelers pass the sniff test? Of course, it’s not just behavior that can get you banned. It’s also how you smell. Or look. Every summer, there’s at least one well-publicized incident involving a passenger wearing an inappropriate T-shirt. Flight attendants order the passenger to change shirts, the passenger makes a TikTok about it, and life goes on.

Come to think of it, this idea of having a nationwide no-fly list might be a terrible idea, too. We already have a way of preventing criminals from boarding a flight. It’s called prison. And how about terrorists? There’s a terrorist watchlist.

Airlines and their friends in Congress believe the best way to stop more unruly flier incidents is to stop the unruly fliers from boarding. But maybe the fliers are unruly because flying is such a dehumanizing experience. Fix that and maybe you won’t need a no-fly list.

Babies

— especially the screaming ones — are high on the list of in-flight annoyances. And those of you without kids will probably add, “Is there any other kind?” Who can forget that viral video of an adult passenger on a recent Southwest Airlines flight losing it because of a screaming infant?

Under normal circumstances, air travelers are far less vocal about getting rid of babies on planes. Some travelers have told me that well-behaved children should be able to fly. But responsible parents ought to carefully consider their air travel plans if they know they have a cranky little flier.

It becomes a much more interesting debate when you ask if babies should be allowed in first class. Passengers have quietly signaled their support for child-free premium cabins, or at least a kids’ section in the back of the plane.

“Being disruptive in what could be a dangerous situation is unacceptable,” says William Muller, a restaurant manager from Miami who travels to Europe frequently.

“If someone has so little self-control that they can’t wait until the plane lands to address whatever issue they have, then they should not be allowed to fly.”

Mueller defines disruptive as a passenger who is so out of control that the plane has to be diverted or resulting in the passenger needing to be removed from the plane before takeoff. But he says other air travelers may have a more inclusive definition of disruptive.

They do. If by “disruptive” you mean the person sitting next to me who can’t stop talking, then we could be talking about half the plane. What about the guy who keeps hitting up the flight attendant for another drink — or hitting on the flight attendant?

Smells are more complicated. How do you define a bad smell? Is it someone wearing too much perfume? The wrong perfume? Someone who skipped a shower that morning? Someone who doesn’t believe in showering? Flight attendants have to make that call quickly when everyone is piling on board. And then, if you happen to be stuck next to someone who stinks, you have to deal with it.

How about sick passengers? They shouldn’t fly, either, if they’re contagious. Janet Ruth Heller recently sat in front of two passengers who were coughing and sneezing the entire flight.

“They were not wearing masks, and they did not cover their mouths with their hands,” recalls Heller, a frequent traveler and retired college professor from Portage, Mich. “I caught their disease and was very ill for a month.”

So now we have to medically screen passengers? This is getting complicated.

Elliott’s strategies for handling a disruptive flier Are you ready to share a plane with a disruptive passenger? Neither am I, but here are my strategies for surviving the flight.

Move to a different seat. The best advice for handling a problem passenger is not to handle one at all. Discreetly ask a flight attendant if you can move to a different part of the plane. Or, if there’s an empty seat in the same class of service, just move.

Apply gentle peer pressure. For baby-on-board incidents, a polite and nonconfrontational appeal to the parents can help. You know, if a toddler is using the tray table as a drum set, it’s OK to say something to Mom and Dad. The same strategy works with other groups, but don’t be too confrontational. Wouldn’t want to end up on TikTok now, would you?

“Baby on Board” page 26

Insights Into Infertility

By Dr. Maureen Rozenn, LAC, DAOM, FABORM, Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®

June is World Infertility Awareness Month, which was created to bring awareness to the scope of this issue, debunk myths, introduce couples to fertility enhancing solutions, and provide hope to the millions of people worldwide who are struggling to build their families.

Infertility impacts men and women all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, 15-20% of people experience infertility within their lifetime, leading WHO to dub infertility a worldwide health problem.

The diagnosis of infertility is generally given to couples who do not conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. If the female partner is over 35, the diagnosis of infertility can be given after 6 months. The term also applies to women with a history of frequent miscarriage.

We tend to assume that the responsibility of infertility lays with the female partner, but that is simply untrue. Looking at the statistics: 1/3 of the time infertility

is the woman’s “fault”, 1/3 of the time it is the man’s “fault” and in 1/3 of cases a couple’s infertility has its roots in both partners. Thus, 2/3 of the time the male partner has some influence on the couple’s fertility struggles! Yet, I rarely see both men and women wanting to build their families in my practice.

Why?

I believe that most people do not know how big of a role men play in infertility. For example, while many people know a women’s fertility declines as she ages, few are aware that the same is true for men. By age 40, men’s fertility starts to decline. While a lot of weight is placed the women’s age, men’s fertility declines with age as well.

Male fertility is plummeting around the world and is cause for great concern. We are seeing negative trends in sperm rates across the globe. The big question is why. There are many theories, but chemical pollutants, pharmaceuticals, alcohol use, smoking and stress can all have a detrimental effect on the key components of sperm health: enough fluid, good shape, motility and DNA.

An interesting fact that many people, even reproductive endocrinologists (RE), do not know is that cannabis has

an detrimental effect on male fertility. From changing sperm shape, motility, DNA, hormonal balance and reducing testicle size, cannabis has been linked to male infertility in both animal and human studies for years. Cannabis also has a deleterious effect on female fertility, pregnancy and the postpartum era. Thus, in my practice I offer alternatives to cannabis so that patient’s needs (sleep, appetite stimulation, stress reduction, etc.) are met.

My job is to provide information and give options, but not to insist patients make diet and lifestyle changes they are not able or willing to make at the time.

In terms of women, age is one of the more well-known causes of infertility. Other conditions that predispose women to infertility are polycystic ovary syndrome, diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, irregular menstrual cycles, infections, and reproductive organ structural issues. Most women who have trouble conceiving go to their OB/GYN for advice.

Frequently they are referred to a RE for evaluation and treatment. This path often involves in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is often an expensive road and depending on the root cause of

infertility has a wildly varying degree of success.

In my practice I work with women (and hopefully men!) prior to embarking on Western treatment, during IVF cycles, or when Western treatment was not successful. One of my passions is working with women who have been told that they are too old to get pregnant. Earlier this year I had one mom aged 42 and another, aged 45 give birth. Both of them came to me during a failed IVF cycle.

“Infertility” page 26

“Education Awards” from page 19

Administrator of the Year

Craig Broadhurst, principal, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School, Soquel Union Elementary School District Melissa

Nix, assistant principal, Shoreline Middle School, Live Oak School District

Craig has spent more than three decades in education. He taught upper elementary and two years of middle school physical education from 1988 to 2007 — including a two-year position at the Vienna International School in Austria — before beginning a 16-year administrative career. He started as an assistant principal in Pajaro Valley Unified School District and later became principal of Main Street Elementary and New Brighton Middle School. At New Brighton, Craig successfully implemented the Advancement Via Individual Determination elective

program to enhance student college and career readiness.

He enjoys soccer, cycling, music, woodworking, and spending quality time with his daughter Milan and partner Nancy.

Melissa is in her third year as assistant principal at Shoreline Middle School, where she worked for 18 years as a math teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. She is recognized by colleagues for demonstrating the highest level of commitment to serving each student, staff member, and parent through an equity lens.

Melissa is married with two children, ages 12 and 9, and has been part of the Santa Cruz community for nearly 30 years.

Community Partner of the Year

Santa Cruz County — National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI Santa Cruz County deeply values inclusion, empowerment, and

equity, striving for well-being for all through education, support, and advocacy for those with mental health conditions, their loved ones, and the surrounding community.

Its programs include evidence-based support groups and classes for students, their caregivers, and school staff, as well as Help Lines for those looking for one-on-one support in connecting to local resources.

NAMI programs are offered in both English and Spanish, are always free to participants, and require only self-identification to join.

NAMI aims to help transform isolation

into community, stigma about mental illness into compassion and understanding, and a lack of resources into abundant and high-quality care. See namiscc.org.

•••

Aselectioncommittee reviewed nominations using the California Standards for the Teaching Profession, the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, and these criteria: Ability to create a passion for learning, high expectations for all students, strong communication and collaborative skills, strong sense of values, integrity, and professional ethics, knowledge of subject and curriculum content, commitment to the community they serve.

Typically a single individual is selected for each award. However, this year the selection process resulted in a tie for the Administrator of the Year, leading to two honorees.

Honorees received a plaque recognizing their service and their names will be engraved in the Educators of the Year perpetual plaque hanging in the foyer of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. n

Maureen Rozenn

Craig Broadhurst

Melissa Nix

NAMI Staff

Please, FDA, Protect Newborns from Aluminum

By Peter J. Pitts

The Food and Drug Administration has long recognized aluminum exposure as a serious toxicity risk for infants, especially those born prematurely. That’s why the agency has traditionally imposed tight limits on aluminum content in the specialized nutrition products that hospitals use to feed preterm babies.

But the FDA recently issued a new, draft guidance that would boost the allowable amount of aluminum in some products by as much as 17 times more than before.

Without more rigorous research and analysis, this new approach could put some of the most vulnerable children at risk.

Over 7,000 preterm babies are born in the United States each week, accounting for roughly one in 10 live births. Of these, over 1,000 babies are born before 32 weeks.

These preterm babies often require extensive stays in a neonatal intensive care unit and, despite the medical advances of recent decades, still face serious health issues such as developmental delays, chronic respiratory issues, vision problems, and hearing loss.

The estimated societal cost associated with preterm birth is $25 billion per year.

Infants born prematurely are especially susceptible to aluminum toxicity. Their digestive systems are not yet fully functional, so they require “parenteral nutrition,” in which nutrients are infused directly into the bloodstream.

Aluminum is a common contaminant in injectable nutrition products and may be impossible to remove entirely.

Because premature babies’ kidneys are not yet mature, the aluminum does not get filtered out through the kidneys. Instead, it accumulates in the body.

Babies exposed to aluminum toxicity can suffer developmental delays, neurological issues, and bone disorders as toddlers or elementary schoolers. These symptoms are hard, if not impossible, to reverse.

For many years, the FDA took the position that preterm infants may not receive more than 4-5 micrograms of total aluminum exposure per kilogram of body weight per day.

However, the FDA is now poised to raise the allowable aluminum to roughly 17 times the previously approved standard.

This dramatic change in policy is dangerous and unjustified. The FDA guidance suggests that high aluminum products can be labeled with an “adults only” restriction, even though very few adults require these products.

As the FDA is doubtless aware, these products would almost certainly be used for infants, despite their labeling.

Concerningly, this new draft guidance came just weeks before the FDA approved a generic version of a branded “cysteine hydrochloride injection,” an essential amino acid for premature infants, with aluminum

levels that far exceeded the FDA’s previous toxicity threshold.

While expediting the introduction of cheaper generics makes good sense -- and brings healthcare costs down -- the timing here is questionable. Boosting generic competition should never come at the expense of patient safety.

The health of our nation’s tiniest, most vulnerable patients depends on getting the question of aluminum toxicity right.

Absent more evidence -- made public -- the FDA needs to pause on implementing this guidance. n

•••

Peter J. Pitts, a former FDA associate commissioner, is president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at University of Paris School of Medicine. This piece originally ran in The Hill.

•••

Editor’s note : In Santa Cruz County, about 7 % of babies were born pre-term in 2020, which is the most recent figure available.

To read the FDA guidance, see https:// www.fda.gov/media/163799/download

Outdoor Fun

25. “I wish I ____, I wish I might...” 28. Cracked by yegg

63. Soft single in baseball

64. *Sun “kiss”

66. Beau’s and Jeff’s acting dad

68. Cut-down sailing sheep

69. How many “if by sea?”

70. Have effect

71. Gibbons, e.g.

72. Coniferous tree

7. Commercial break clips

8. Fast food option

9. Looking for aliens org.

10. Get bacon?

11. H.S. math class

12. All Nippon Airways, acr.

15. Rattled on

20. Writer Asimov

22. Like icee

38. Place for a house plant

Get an F

Serape, alt. sp.

Jet follower

Water-heating apparatus

Bulwark

Hundred Acre Wood creator

Wing motion

47. Color of a bruise

48. Trying experience

50. “The Breakfast ____”

52. p in mph

53. Ranee’s husband

55. ____ de plume

57. *Gather berries, e.g.

60. *Water slaloming

73. Rejuvenate or renovate DOWN

1. Knee-related acronym

2. Make pretty (2 words)

3. Mushroom spore sacs

4. Shawn Mendes’ 2016 hit

5. Parts of a play

6. Secular

24. Not an original

25. *Call to Polo

26. Opposite of adore

27. Triangular road sign

29. *Capture it!

31. Speech defect

32. Drink like a cat (2 words)

33. Chilled (2 words)

34. *Balloon filler

36. U.K. art gallery

Exude

Fish eggs, pl.

Winter precipitation

Person, place or thing

Swirling vortex

*Part of a bikini

Leave speechless

Gemini’s Light Beams & the Two Columns

We are now under the light and influence of Gemini, the Light of Interplay. Gemini, the 3rd sign of the zodiac, is portrayed as twin brothers. At other times as two columns, Boaz and Jachin, of Solomon’s Temple (and Masonry).

The pairs symbolize opposites, polarity and dualism, inherent in our world. The two columns (black and white, left and right, moon and Sun) signify earthly knowledge (B) and spiritual knowledge (J), one the personality, the other the Soul. See the High Priestess card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

Gemini, the first air sign of the zodiac, is the “thinker”. It is the thinking principle that lifts humanity up from the animal kingdom. Gemini energies alternate and flow in the air — here and there, up and down, and just about everywhere. The mind of Gemini is like a butterfly in a meadow of flowers, never alighting on one for long.

In Gemini there is mental restlessness and constant change that seems contradictory, which it is. Gemini’s task is to demonstrate this duality in our world so that it is in plain

ARIES

It’s time to step forward and recognize you are a leader, one who innovates and brings the light of knowledge to others. This light is what humanity needs to recognize their true selfidentity — as World Servers and Saviors. Whatever your discipline and vocation your words and actions are to be teachings for others. Then you will be seen as a “light bearer”. Before we can have true self-identity, we must have true knowledge. You are the mentor & teacher for this.

TAURUS

You take pride in your possessions, in your ownership of things. What you have is based on your values. But something is shifting now. A new set of values is coming forth. You no longer need to identify with what you own and what you’re worth based on possessions. This identity is the past. Not only must you create a secure and sustainable foundation, built to last, but you must also come into your creativity. Ponder on this. There are many levels of creativity.

GEMINI

You shine when you care for, make contact with and serve others. Your love opens the hearts of everyone, especially hearts that through suffering or sadness, loss or confusion, are closed. Because of this task you require times of rest, reflection and seclusion. Here you gather compassion so you can assist others whenever the need arises. Do not allow yourself to feel lonely. You are not alone. In your “isolated unity” we all stand with you.

CANCER

You have very high hopes, plans, agendas and goals, sometimes, no oftentimes, not expressed. It would be good if you could communicate what is in your heart. Sometimes you have a wide and open tolerance of others. Sometimes you forget. More and more you’re called to have a coherence of heart and mind. This calls for an upliftment from emotional choices to mental knowledge. Your close friendships are most important. Continue to keep them close.

sight. Behind this doublemindedness is a spirit seeking to fuse the many varied ideas into one harmonious whole. The display of dualism is Mercury. The fusion of the opposites is Venus. Gemini can be scatter brained or a genius. Geminis are adaptable and expansive, impressionable and intellectual. They are also childlike, quite charming and brilliant.

The Festival of Humanity, the Gemini solar festival at the time of the full moon. Saturday, June 3 is the Gemini festival, the Festival of Humanity, when the Forces of Reconstruction stream forth into our world. It is also World Invocation Day — using the Great Invocation, calling forth the Soul of humanity and the Soul of all nations. We call forth the Four Freedoms so that humanity may discern the truth, be led from darkness to light. Through the united power of thought and prayer, on this festival day, we create the thought-form of solution to humanity’s problems & together we can change the world. n

Music: Change the World — https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=x11NA63gLDM

LEO

What goals, successes, accomplishments and recognitions are you seeking? It’s important to realize your aspirations and ambitions because your capacity to lead is actually your purpose and when you know this, your energy is identified and focused. All levels of leadership are important to cultivate and this leads to your creativity and then to your success. Some Leos are shy. Shy ones can still be leaders. Quiet yet powerful ones. It’s about identity and purpose.

VIRGO

When Virgos turn their focus to the world around them, especially to their environments, especially to gardens and the other kingdoms in nature (mineral, plant, animal), they are able to control their restlessness and apply their vast organized and detailed state of knowledge to what is needed. Virgos are quite curious. But there is another call which is to venture out and be adventurous, quite unusual for Virgos. What could the Appalachian Trail and Spain’s Camino de Santiago (Way of St. John) mean for you?

LIBRA

Have you observed that your desires and aspirations have become intense, powerful and concentrated? The usual daily experiences are not enough. You need to go deeper, wider and higher, seeking what lies beneath the surface, and what lies within spiritual realms. Everything unexplored is magical and fascinating for you. Like the Hierarchy (inner world helpers), you must move in two directions — within and without, into deep emotional waters and into heaven itself — creating the Cross of Life. Libra balances all levels. Stay in love.

SCORPIO

For the next month or so create harmony wherever you are and whatever you do. Then take pride in creating that harmony in all interactions and relationships. You will feel the need to be close to loved ones, perhaps one or two in particular. You drop one or more of your veils of protection, knowing you’re safe being vulnerable and begin to say what you truly and deeply want and need. Social skills become easier. Peace results. This is a rare time for you. Observe and cherish it carefully.

SAGITTARIUS

All that you do concerning your work and profession are of course in relation to your sense of identity. Each day it’s most important to feel busy, to have activities planned and to produce work that is your very best. It is also important that you create Right Relations with everyone around you, including the kingdoms. If these are not cultivated each day, you somehow feel less than and it moves to depression. Upon waking each morning plan your day with intention to be a good steward to all you contact. Dedicate yourself to the Will to Love. The results are like magic!

CAPRICORN

You have special and unique qualities combined with a deep level of creativity. You must have time as well as opportunities to express yourself each day. You have a dry sense of humor, a bit ironic, a bit dramatic and a lot of fun. Eventually those who need to, notice you and this leads to new ventures and adventures. Knowing this calms your sense of restlessness. Children are most important for your creativity to emerge. Write the daily stories of your life down for future family generations.

AQUARIUS

You are private and protective about your home, family and personal life. You seek to find your way each day into a deeper sense of security and a foundation from which you can work. You seek to integrate all endeavors in your life under one roof. This is most practical and allows for greater flexibility. You seek emotional attachments so that your heart is not so lonely. Find a home first. Fill it with all that you love. Plant a garden, even a small one. Friends come by. They love you.

PISCES

You take walks each day because you need a change of scenery. You need life in all its forms, but especially people to talk and share with. You need new friendships and new conversations. You adapt well, but only to a point. You are a teacher and need to teach. You are curious about others, asking lots of questions. Many don’t understand you. You never use powerover with others. Only power-with. Sometimes you’re sad. You need music all the time. And beauty.

“Baby on Board” from page 23

Ask a flight attendant for help. Crewmembers are trained to handle confrontations with disruptive passengers. Again, you might want to ask the flight attendant for help — out of earshot of the disruptive passenger — unless the passenger is a screaming infant. n

•••

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can email him at chris@elliott.org.

“Infertility” from page 24

Given that infertility is a world-wide issue, studies have been conducted across the globe showing East Asian Medicine can dramatically improve male and female fertility through acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements and dietary therapy.

In addition to describing the problem of infertility, plus giving information and solutions, Infertility Awareness Month has the goal of providing hope. There is hope for the 15-20% of you reading this article struggling with infertility; you have options.

Riding the rollercoaster of disappointment every month can leave couples feeling overwhelmed and depressed. If you are not experiencing infertility but know someone who is, let them know that they are not alone and that there is help. •••

Dr.

Maureen Rozenn has been helping women become pregnant for over two decades. After attaining a doctoral (DAOM) dual specialization in women’s health and pain management, she went on to become the first female DAOM to become a fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Rozenn authored a book on fertility and co-authored several research studies examining the effects of different acupuncture protocols on IVF outcomes. She has enjoyed teaching the amazing field of integrative fertility to doctoral students since 2010.

Dr. Rozenn blends East Asian Medicine, Japanese acupuncture, and functional medicine to enable her patients to reach their health goals at her private practice in Santa Cruz. n •••

For more information, contact her at 831.426.1093 or office@acupuncturesantacruz.

Libraries: Something For Everyone A Click Away

By Judie Block

Do you love books and love to read? Most of us have a library card. but do we know the true value of our library card?

A library card has no monetary value. It is free to California residents who want one. Just walk into any of our 10 libraries and sign up or do it online. It will serve as a doorway to adventure, dreams and educational opportunities.

Libraries have changed. They are much more than big buildings with shelves of musty books. Thanks to Proposition S, in Santa Cruz County we are rebuilding and acquiring state of the art libraries — community centers that offer more than books. Much is technology now in our beautiful new community centers.

From cookbooks, mysteries, science fiction and biographies, the libraries have something for readers of all ages and interests.

Card-holders now have free access to streaming video and music as well as books, popular magazines, newspapers and resources. Library card users can

“Newel Retiring” from page 10

They also cited a 2008 review coauthored by Suzanne Judd, MPH, in Circulation, of studies on Vitamin D and heart disease, and although scientists have not figure out how Vitamin D protects, the conclusion was: “it may be prudent to screen individuals who are at highest risk for vitamin D insufficiency (institutionalized elderly, osteoporotic individuals, chronically ill patients, African-American patients, especially those with cardiovascular disease) and treat with vitamin D to a D level of 30 ng/ml.”

During the pandemic, when Dr. Newel was asked about Vitamin D, she said there was not enough research.

Dr. Newel did focus on reducing public health disparities, spearheaded initiatives aimed at promoting community health and improving access to healthcare services.

On Aug. 16, 2020, Newel helped declare racism a public health crisis in Santa Cruz County, leading to a Board of Supervisors resolution to incorporate educational efforts in all County departments to address racism, and a provision for the Health Services Agency and Human Services Department to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity on behalf of the County.

She played a pivotal role in developing strategies to combat the opioid crisis. She

download from home with a simple click into this new world. Did you know that one can check out a telescope to go stargazing from our libraries? Did you know that you can get a free 3-week pass to all of our State Parks?

Santa Cruz Libraries are a goldmine in our own backyards. We can stream movies from Kanopy, get animated picture books from Tumblebooks amongst other downloadables.

promoted expansion of access to Narcan (Naloxone), a prescription medicine that reverses opioid overdoses.

On May 10, she received a letter of appreciation from the county’s Syringe Services Program Commission for her service.

Dr. Newel’s career began in clinical practice over 30 years ago.

She was clinical faculty with the UC San Francisco training program and as associate clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She later served as medical director for Maternal Child and Adolescent Health in Fresno County’s Department of Public Health and as San Benito County’s health officer.

June 15 Update

Her last public event as Santa Cruz County health officer will be a virtual presentation of the “State of the County’s Health,” 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15.

She will provide an update, followed by a moderated Q&A. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O7DIHs3XTcauPRSxwSZWag#/ registration

A recording will be made available later at www.santacruzhealth.org. n

•••

Editor’s note: Santa Cruz County recruited for a new health officer in February and March. The position pays $226,574 - $303,680 a year. The county seeks a “skilled and innovative leader who naturally empowers, inspires, and motivates.”

Doing research? We have a huge science database, reliable US history resources, Consumer Reports and various news resources.

Interested in your ancestry, we have numerous genealogical sources… Again, no charge.

There are also monthly events from Nature Journaling to Dungeons and Dragons.

Libby is a resource to stream books

“Pure Water Update” from page 22

Throughout 2023, the District will be constructing site improvements at these recharge well locations. We anticipate the project up and running in Fall 2024.

We are very fortunate and grateful for the financial investment and continued support that State and Federal agencies have provided for the project.

Helpful Links:

Pure Water Soquel Overview : purewatersoquel.com

Construction Updates: soquelcreekwater. org/PWSConstruction

into your own home on your personal computers or tablets.

The resources are great for saving money and being entertained and educated.

Libraries are among our country’s most democratic institutions. They promote free and open access to information for everyone.

One of the easiest ways to promote this mission is to help people get a library card. Libraries use their signup statistics to prove their value to local policymakers and advocate (for always) much needed funding. By having a library card, it shows you know how important libraries are to our country.

As a library user, let your community know what is out there by telling them to go to www.santacruzpl.org on the computer and all the info is at your fingertips. No computer?

They are there waiting for you at the libraries. n

Learn more at www.santacruzpl.org.

Judie Block and her library card

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARKS SURVEY: COUNTY WANTS YOUR INPUT

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department is working with partners, stakeholders, and community members on a 5-year update to its 10-year strategic plan.

A comprehensive bilingual survey has been drafted to gather feedback, which will help county staff better understand the wants and needs of the Santa Cruz County community and finalize this update to the Parks Strategic Plan.

Those who complete the survey and provide an email address will be eligible for free swim passes to the Simpkins Family Swim Center. The survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DM2DGZC

LUNCH WITH SEN. JOHN LAIRD

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr. Aptos Chamber of Commerce plans its 4th luncheon meeting of the year Friday, June 9 at Seascape Golf Club with special guest speaker Senator John Laird.

Price: $35 per person. Reservations required. See http://aptoschamber.com/ or call 831-688-1467.

NEW IN SANTA CRUZ: ELECTRIC BEACH SHUTTLE

The City of Santa Cruz is introducing a new electric shuttle service for summer 2023.

The Santa Cruzer Beach & Downtown Shuttle will operate weekends and holidays between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day including 4th of July from noon to 8 p.m., taking riders from downtown Santa Cruz to the beach area for $1 per ride.

Free ride coupons are available from sponsors Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Humble Sea Brewery. Pickup spots are:

• Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave #4415

• Locust Street Garage, 124 Locust St

The new bus was unveiled May 22 at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, 35 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, which is the beach drop-off point.

The shuttle is partly funded by an AB2766 grant to reduce vehicle emissions from the Monterey Bay Air Quality Control District.

ART AT THE BEACH IN CAPITOLA

Enjoy an afternoon in Capitola at the Sunday Art at the Beach event this summer at Esplanade Park overlooking the Monterey Bay. Browse quality artwork including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and mixed media from local artists.

The dates for 2023 are: June 25, July 30 and Aug. 13.

This family-friendly event presented by the Capitola Arts & Cultural Commission, is free and open to the public.

https://www.cityofcapitola.org/acc/page/sunday-art-beach-3

RECREATIONAL HALIBUT SEASON OPENS

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the opening of the 2023 recreational Pacific halibut fishery, which will remain open every day until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier.

The 2023 Pacific halibut quota for the California subarea is 39,540 pounds – approximately the same as the 2022 quota.

CDFW’s recommended season dates were informed by a scoping process that included an online angler survey conducted earlier this year.

The open dates are not guaranteed days, and the season could be closed early if it is determined that projected catches will exceed the California quota.

Anglers can check for updated information on season dates, bag/possession limits and gear restrictions at https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/recreational-pacific-halibutfishery-set-to-open-may-1#gsc.tab=0

REDWOOD MOUNTAIN FAIRE AT ROARING CAMP

Saturday June 3 and 4, Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton

This is a weekend-long, family-friendly music festival with 20+ bands on three stages, local beer/ wine/cider, local artists, locally made food and a kids zone.

It all takes place in an open field surrounded by redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Gates open at 10:30 am. Music, 11 am-8 pm. This is a benefit for local nonprofits. Buy tickets at the gate, $30 per day for adults. Kids 12 and under free.

$20 parking: cash only or pre-purchase online.

Green event: Bring a RMF glass or purchase onsite

More details at www.redwoodmountainfaire.com

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

The American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood now to address a recent drop in donation appointments that could lead to fewer transfusions for patients in the weeks ahead. Type O blood donors are especially needed.

Those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice.

Ben Lomond

June 3: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Highlands Park Senior Center/San Lorenzo Valley, 8500 Hwy 9 Capitola

June 2: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Jade Street Community Center, 4400 Jade St. Santa Cruz

June 14: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Scotts Valley

June 9: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 5030 Scotts Valley

Drive

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit Red-CrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM KICKS OFF

The annual Summer Reading Program runs June through July at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and is all about supporting summer learning through reading, programs, and events.

Community members are encouraged to sign up and track how much they read this summer. There are prizes and programs for all ages.

The theme this year is: Find your Voice!

Our voices have power. We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Our voices include not only the sounds we make, but the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, and the actions we take each day to impact our world. Download the Summer Reading Program Guide at www. SantaCruzPL.org/SRP

RODGERS HOUSE TOUR GUIDES NEEDED

Would you enjoy being in a lovely house built in 1870?

You can help guide people on tours though the Rodgers House during the Santa Cruz County Fair, from Sept. 13-17, if you’d like!

Just come to the informational meeting at the Rodgers House on the fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m., to find out about it.

The fairgrounds are at 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville.

Hope to see you there!

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

Santa Cruz County Parks presents free family-friendly movie nights under the stars this summer and fall. Family Movie Nights is a series of free outdoor movie events. Movies begin at dusk. Low back chairs, blankets

MUSIC, MOVIES AND MORE AT THE BOARDWALK

June 15 – Aug. 11

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach, Santa Cruz, hosts free live music, free movie and free entertainment all summer.

Thursdays, 8:30-10 p.m. — Bands play on the Colonnade.

June 15 EXTRA LARGE • June 22 MAN IN BLACK • June 29

EXTRA LARGE • July 6 FAST TIMES • July 13 SANTA CRUDA

• July 20 TSUNAMI BAND • July 27 THE DEADLIES • Aug. 3

4TO PRES-TIGIO • Aug. 10 PACIFIC ROOTS

Fridays, 9 p.m. — Movies will screen on the beach in front of the Colonnade.

June 16 THE LOST BOYS • June 23 MAMMA MIA! • June 30 SPACE

JAM • July 7 LABYRINTH July 14 SELENA • July 21 MINIONS: THE RISE of GRU+ July 28 TOP GUN: MAVERICK • Aug. 4 SHREK • Aug. 11 THE NEVERENDING STORY

Daily Entertainment: June 19 – Aug. 11 from Noon-6 p.m.

Shows on the Colonnade stage in front of the Pirate Ship at 12 p.m. • 2 p.m. • 4 p.m. • 6 p.m.

and jackets recommended. No alcohol, please. Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy! The dates:

June 23: Encanto @ Mesa Village Park, 790 Green Valley Rd., Watsonville

July 14: Jurassic Park @ Highlands Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Aug. 11: Lego Batman Movie @ Anna Jean Cummings Park, 461 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel

FREE TAI CHI CLASSES

Santa Cruz County Parks has won a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association to train staff to teach tai chi for arthitis.

The class will be taught by Ruby Perez. For dates and more info, email recreation@scparks.com.

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

1:30 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville

Here are the remaining County Fair Board meeting dates in 2023. Each meeting takes place on a Tuesday: June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Oct. 24, and Dec. 5, all at the fairgrounds.

Meetings also take place on Zoom. For agendas, see santacruzcountyfair.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

Tuesdays through Aug. 29

LOW INTENSITY CONDITIONING & STRETCHING

9:15-10:15 a.m., Anna Jean Cummings Park, 461 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel

Santa Cruz County Parks offers a new fitness class for active adults, low-intensity anaerobic conditioning & stretching Tuesdays at Anna Jean Cummings Park. Walk-ins are welcome. Register at scparks.com. Information: 454-7941.

Wednesdays thru Aug. 30

CAPITOLA TWIIGHT CONCERTS

6 p.m., Esplanade Bandstand, Capitola Village

The Capitola Twiight Concerts are hosted on Wednesday evenings during the summer months.

All concerts take place at the Esplanade bandstand. These free events are made possible by sponsors.

June 14 – Jive Machine • June 21 – Dirty Cello •

June 28 – Tsunami • July 5 – The Alex Lucero Band •

July 12 – Ribsy’s Nickels • July 19 – The Joint Chiefs

• July 26 – Pacific Roots • August 2 – Delta Wires •

August 9 – Extra Large • August 16 – Billy Martini Show

• August 23 – Everyday People • August 30 – Digbeats Learn more about the bands at: www.jivemachine.com • www.dirtycello.com • www.tsunami-rocks.com • www. alexluceroband.com • www.reverbnation.com/ribsysnickel

• www.thejointchiefsband.com • www.pacificrootsmusic. com • www.deltawires.com • www.extra-large.net • www. billymartini70s.com • www.everydaypeopletheband.com

Fridays thru Sept. 29

MIDTOWN SUMMER BLOCK PARTY IS BACK!

5 to 8:30ish p.m., 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Celebrate the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block

/ Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

John Laird

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors

The free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands, local eats, local artists and vendors. Midtown

Fridays starts June 2 and runs through to Sept. 29. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show. Bands:

June 2: Broken English w/opener Soquel High Jazz Band

June 9: The Neverland Band w/opener Shoreline Middle School “Summer Band”

June 16: James Durbin & The Lost Boys w/opener Coffee Zombie Collective

June 23: Ribsys Nickel w/opener Joshua Cremer

June 30: Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz w/opener Carolyn Sills Duo

July 7: Ancestree w/opener Hijinx

July 14: The Rayburn Brothers

July 21: Dirty Cello

July 28: Alex Lucero Band w/opener Asher Stern

Aug. 4: The Dylan Rose Band w/opener Maddie & Jackie

Aug. 11: Santa Cruda w/opener Yaya’s Kitchen

Aug. 18: Mak Nova

Aug. 25: Cowboy’s After Dark w/opener Corrina & Rick

Sept. 1: The Joint Chiefs

Sept. 8: Locomotive Breath

Sept. 15: Funkranomicon

Sept. 22: AC Myles

Sept. 29: The Expendables

Details: https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtownfridays-summer-block-party-2023/

DATED EVENTS

Saturday June 3

BUILDING FOR GENERATIONS WALK

10 a.m., Natural Bridges parking lot, 2531 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Bouilding for Generations announces the 2023

Fundraising Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3 at Natural Bridges parking lot, 2531 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, to the lighthouse. Lunch and raffle ticket included with $30 donation.

The special project for 2023 is to raise the money to put in the doors and windows at what will be the first adult youth living facility in Arusha, Tanzania. Currently supporters have raised $1,500 toward a matching grant of $7,500.

You can participate by walking and collecting donations from others or donating directly to help fund our initiatives. Your generous donations over the holidays have made it possible to put on the roof!

Sandwich or vegetarian option at Steamers across from Lighthouse included with $30 donation plus 1 free raffle ticket.

Sunday June 4

FIREWISE COMMUNITY EDUCATION

1:30-4:30 p.m., Temple Beth El Grounds, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos

FireWise neighborhoods — Viewpoint, Cathedral-Redwood, North Trout Gulch-Fern Flat, and Porter Gulch — have organized a FireWise community education event outside at Temple Beth El. Program begins at 2 p.m. Topics are:

• Preparing for 1st Responders

• Home Hardening Concepts

• Situational Awareness

• Resource Conservation District

• Home and Fire Insurance

• Email questions to nlyellin@comcast.net.

Monday June 5

FORUM ON WHY POLICY MATTERS

6:30 p.m., Online Forum

WILDR announce a forum focusing on Why Policy Matters: the power of public service

POETRY AFTERNOON

Sunday June 4

1-4 p.m., Brommer Street County Park, 1451 30th Ave., Santa Cruz County Park Friends and Santa Cruz County Park will offer a free afternoon of poetry at Brommer Street Park. Bring a picnic to enjoy during the poetry reading for all ages from 1-2 p.m. with local poets Victoria Bañales, Billy Butler, and Farnaz Fatemi.

After, from 2-4 p.m., youth ages 10 to 18 are invited to participate in free, fun poetry-writing activities. Bañales teaches English at Cabrillo College and lives in Watsonville. Butler is a writer and educator from Northern California. Fatemi is serving a two-year term as Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate. Top Photo (from left): Farnaz Fatemi, Billy Butler and Victoria Bañales

This forum is for anyone who wants to see and support more women and diverse representatives in elected, appointed, or community service to impact policy such as housing, climate action, and education. Register at: https://bit.ly/WILDR060523

A list of speakers will be out soon. Info: wildrsantacruz.com.

Tuesday June 6

PUBLIC DEFENDER HEATHER ROGERS TO SPEAK

6 p.m., Online Meeting

Santa Cruz County Public Defender Heather Rogers will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County online gathering. Rogers will talk about the justice system and issues related to homelessness, including cycles of recidivism, the right to fair treatment, and mental health issues exacerbated by homelessness. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Visit www.svslvdemocrats.org for the zoom meeting link. Social time starts at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday June 8 thru Sunday June 11

44TH ANNUAL MUSICAL ‘RAMAYANA!’

7 p.m. (June 8/9) • 2 p.m. (June 10/11), Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose Ramayana! — the 44th Mount Madonna School musical theater production — returns to entertain audiences of all ages Mexican Heritage Theater. The production features a cast of students ranging from preschool to high school, and includes traditional and contemporary music and features an adult choir and musicians, with more than a dozen original, standout songs.

This version of the show features choreographed fight scenes, monkeys and monsters, comedy, deep introspection by many characters, including King Ravana (in his 10-headed costume). Within the action are rousing choreographed dances from Bharatanatyam to Hip Hop, as well as plenty of stage combat and spectacle. The costumes, demon and monkey masks, elaborate sets, props, and monster rigs were created by Baba Hari Dass, as well as artisans associated with both the center and the school. Every item in the show is a work of handmade art.

All seats are reserved; tickets available at mountmadonna school.org/ramayana.

Saturday June 10

NATASHA’S RUN

9 a.m. to 1 p.m (Registration 7:30 a.m.), Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd.

The second annual Natasha’s 5k Run for Justice, presented by Arukah Project, will be at Aptos Village Park

This will be an all-ages event. After the 5k run/ walk through Nisene Marks State Park, attendees are welcome to enjoy activities, including face painting, bounce houses, a concert by the danceable Alison Sharino Band that starts at 10 a.m., food trucks, a beer and wine garden.

Register to run at https://raceroster.com/ events/2023/73132/natashas-run-for-justice# For information about Arukah Project, visit www.ArukahProject.org

JAPANESE CULTURAL FAIR

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Outside Akido Santa Cruz, 103 Emmett St., SC This event with Japanese culture, crafts, music and food, will take place at 103 Emmett St. in Santa Cruz. There will be chanting, martial arts, storytelling, dance and taiko. The kimono workshop will be at 3 p.m. Due to Covid concerns, Akido Santa Cruz will not open its studio this year.

LWV ANNUAL MEETING

9:30 am – Noon, Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos

The League of Women Voters Santa Cruz County will have its annual meeting at Seascape Golf Club.

Guest speaker Assembly member Gail Pellerin will give her perspective on what is happening with legislation in the California Assembly.

Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. with The Classic Breakfast buffet from 10:00-10:30 a.m., followed by business meeting and guest speaker.

Please pay in advance $30 via PayPal at https:// my.lwv.org/california/santa-cruz-county/event/annualmeeting-lwvscc

If you wish to attend, contact Barbara Lewis at Bobbi44@ gmail.com. She will send you a link to join.

Saturday June 10

Sunday June 11

CAPITOLA ROD & CUSTOM CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Parade begins Saturday Morning, 8:30 a.m. at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

The 16th Annual Capitola Rod and Custom Classic

Car Show is hosted by the Capitola Public Safety & Community Service Foundation. Watch these classic beauties cruise the coastline Saturday morning from the Boardwalk to Capitola.

Enjoy a weekend filled with awesome cars, great music, charming shops, restaurants for every taste, and family fun at the beach.

Info: www.capitolafoundation.com/car-show or email info@ capitolafoundation.com

Tuesday June 13

CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB MEETING

4 p.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106

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

The club is planning for the 2023 Santa Cruz Shakespeare festival, the group’s main annual fundraiser, staffing the rental booth for the shows which will run July 8 through Aug. 27.

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 empowerment. For information, visit www.best4women.org, or email sicapitola.by.the.sea@gmail.com.

Wednesday June 14

RESTAURANT WALK FUNDRAISER

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.,

The Santa Cruz Restaurant Walk is coming up on Wednesday.

Fifteen downtown Santa Cruz restaurants will provide samples of their cuisine to everyone present-ing a Passport.

Passports are at Eventbrite.com at Santa Cruz Restaurant Walk for $40. This event sold out last year.

The Capitola Coast Lions Club sponsors this event as a fundraiser for Common Roots Farm, with pro-grams for youth and young adults of all abilities. Projects include the Garden Classroom and the Seed to Salad Garden. See: www.commonrootsfarm.org.

The Capitola Coast Lions Club also supports: Baseball for All Abilities Lions Club Allstars Team, Lions International Peace Poster Contest for Youth, California Lions Student Speakers Contest, Hunger Initiatives and Holiday Toy Drive, and the Farm to Table Winemaker’s Dinner at Common Roots Farm.

Saturday June 17

SANTA CRUZ JUNETEENTH

Noon-5 p.m., Laurel Park (behind the London Nelson Center), 301 Center St., Santa Cruz

On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and Blacks were now free.

Now, 155 years later, people celebrate this remarkable event at Juneteenth celebrations across the country. A long-held tradition among African-Americans, Juneteenth celebrates culture and is a special day for anyone who believes in freedom and equality for all people.

Come June 17 to Laurel Park behind the London Nelson Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz for music, poetry, dance, delicious soul food, arts & crafts, basketball skills contest, and the annual sack race! Celebrating 30 years!

This year’s theme is art. There will be an open mic, art gallery and silent auction. Information: https://www.santacruzjuneteenth.com n

Preparing for Fire Season

The last few years have been marked by weather extremes — from extreme drought to extreme flooding our area has experienced the worst of a changing climate.

With this year’s rains (including rains from just a few weeks ago) it might be hard to think about fire season.

But as we move into summer, now is the time to take some steps to help protect your homes and businesses from fire risk.

What steps can you take to mitigate risk?

There are some things that you can do to help protect your home or business from a wildfire or a structure fire. Local and state fire agencies have put together some recommendations on how to get started.

One of the first things is to ensure that you have a home emergency plan (and evacuation plan) and practice it with your family. All homes should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and at least one ABC-rated fire extinguisher in your home.

Ensuring the Fire Department can respond quickly also means having visible address numbers on the outside of your home and business (and if you have a sidewalk — along the curb).

All homes should be kept clear of combustible debris such as cardboard boxes, rags, paper products, flammable liquids

and fireplaces and wood stoves should be maintained and cleaned and inspected annually.

The topography of Santa Cruz County, and location of homes within the rural areas, means that it’s imperative to create a defensible space around your home.

Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home or business and the vegetation that surrounds them to prevent these structures from catching fire.

The defensible space can reduce risk to both your home (from fire directly or radiant heat associated with fire) as well as to firefighters using the space to defend your property.

How do you create a defensible space?

California State law requires that you maintain 100 feet of defensible space around your home and other buildings on your property.

This is a minimum recommended amount and should be increased if your home is on a steep slope.

You can create a defensible space by ensuring that trees are the furthest from your home and that elements that are less likely to burn (or burn at lower temperatures) such as small plants/ beddings/high water content plants etc. are closer to the home.

For the first 30 feet from all buildings, decks and structures you should:

• Remove or mow all dead plants, grass, or weeds.

• Create paved or gravel driveways, walkways, patios as firebreaks.

• Remove dead or dry leaves and needles from yard, roof, and gutters.

• Trim trees regularly and maintain a minimum of 10’ between canopies.

• Remove branches that overhang your roof and any dead branches close to chimney.

• Remove flammable items near any structure.

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

For the next 70+ feet from your home (extending to at least 100 feet from your home) you should:

• Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4”.

• Maintain 10 ft clearance around woodpiles.

• Thin trees and shrubs and leave big gaps between plants.

• Remove dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and branches from ground. How can you get more information?

The Central Fire Protection District website — https://www.centralfiresc. org — contains preparedness information on defensible space, general fire prevention and a smoke alarm program where Central Fire personnel provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide

alarms for the District’s senior citizens and low income residents (click on the “education and preparedness” tab on their website).

Fire Safe Santa Cruz County also maintains a comprehensive site with downloadable fact sheets and videos on how to prepare your home or business https://www.firesafesantacruz.org/ (click on the “education” tab on their website).

Lastly, the County’s OR3 website has a resources link with a lot of valuable information: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ OR3.aspx (click on the “plan and prepare” tab). n

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As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

Wildfire! Kameika & Joey Prepare, by Misty Knightly, who was living on a two-lane road in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the 2020 wildfire season and witnessed the devastating loss. The 70-page book is $35 at mistyknightly.com. A part of net profits will be donated to the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council. The book is illustrated by Ira Baykovska

SCCAS Featured Pet

Beneficial Plants for California’s Mediterranean Climate

• Edibles and Fruit Trees

• Native and appropriate plant varieties

• 2 Acre Display & Sculpture Garden

Sweet Koa Looking For New Home

Our Pet of the Week is a sweet dog named Koa! This very adorable 4-yearold black Chinese Sharpei mix was an owner surrender when his owner could no longer care for him.

At first Koa was a little scared at the Shelter but has really opened up after working with staff and volunteers- his shining personality has come out and charmed everyone! He has gone to events with volunteers and not only loves riding in the car but is great with people out in the world.

At the Shelter he has made several dog friends and would probably do well in a home with another dog provided they meet prior to adoption. This pup has a little history with resource guarding around other animals and will have to have separate mealtimes with other dogs and caution with high value items.

In his previous home he was described as mellow and lived with other dogs (large and small), kids under 12, men, women, and seniors- and has done well with all! Koa loves to roll in the grass and play fetch- especially with tennis balls!

This smart cookie knows “sit”, “down” and “shake”. He could continue his learning and skills with positive reinforcement training which also helps with bonding and daily mental stimulation! This dog is a real treat and is just waiting for the perfect forever home.

Come by the Shelter and meet our superstar dog! n

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Right now the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian. ganley@santacruzcounty.us. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is located at 1001 Rodriguez St and is open every day from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

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Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us