Capitola Soquel Times: February 2024

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February 2024 • Vol 29 No. 2

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Second District Candidates

With Zach Friend announcing he would not run for another term on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, David Schwartz of Corralitos, Kristen Brown of Capitola, and Aptos’ Kim De Serpa, Bruce Jaffe, and Tony Crane have all thrown their hat into the race for the Second District seat. Voters decide March 5 Candidate Q&A pages 14-15

First District Supervisor Candidates Q&A Full Story page 10

PVQA Quilt Show: Feb. 24-25

By Jondi Gumz Each year, Karen Foster looks forward to the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association’s annual show. It’s a showcase of more than 300 quilts, and an opportunity to find inspiration for her next project at the “bargain garden” of donated fabrics and notions.

This year’s event, “A Galaxy of Quilts,” will take place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. ... continues on page 4

State Champs Parade & Rally A Memorable Day for Soquel Knights Football and Fans

Photo Spread pages 16-17

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Table of Contents

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Cover PVQA Quilt Show: Feb. 24-25, By Jondi Gumz 4 5 6 9 11 12 13 23 24 6

Community News County Spelling Bee Winners Advance to State: Aria Menon and Kheiron Guin Earn First Place Cabrillo: 3-Year Grant to Meet Student Needs ‘Visionary’ Metro Chief to Depart Should State Mountain Lions be Protected?

Cummings Chairs County Board Reading Pericles • Jobs in Santa Cruz County Palace Art & Office Supply: 75 Years Strong Heading to London Meet Rydell Visual Arts Fellows California News Judge To Beverly Hills: Plan Affordable Housing, Then Permits OK, By Jondi Gumz

Letters to the Editor Save the Mountain Lions • Stop Encroaching On Wildlife Habitat • County Residents Sound off on March 5 Election Issues • Time to Protest Water Rate Hikes 20 Capitola, We Deserve Safety on our Streets 7

March 5 Vote: First District Candidates 10 Manu Koenig • Lani Faulkner March 5 Vote: Second District Candidates 14 Kristen Brown • Bruce Jaffe • Tony Crane 15 David Schwartz • Kim De Serpa Soquel Football Parade 16 Football State Champs Parade & Rally: A Memorable Day for Soquel Knights, By Jondi Gumz Pro & Con 22 A Small Ask to Address Critical Local Needs, By Tim Willoughby and Linda Kerner • Taxation Without Representation, By Tom Decker Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – I Was Wondering — What is the Sound of Humanity’s Freedom?, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 8 Lost Wages and Found Cauliflower, By Joe Ortiz 27 Why Isn’t Water Free?, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 30 County Master Plan for Aging: Survey Open til March 31, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Bareroot Season Begins in January, By Tony Tomeo SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Stellaaaaa!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Tim Willoughby, Linda Kerner, Tom Decker, Risa D’Angeles, Joe Ortiz, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo

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County Spelling Bee Winners Advance to State

A

Aria Menon and Kheiron Guin Earn First Place

ria Menon, a sixth-grader at Mountain Elementary School in Soquel, was crowned champion of the 2024 Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee elementary division; Clark Christensen, sixth-grader at Rio del Mar Elementary School placed second, and Emerson Brunner, fifth grader at San Lorenzo Valley Charter School, was third.

Kheiron Guin, a seventh-grader at San Lorenzo Valley Charter School, won the junior division; Zoe Coatney, seventhgrader at New Brighton Middle School in Soquel, placed second and Ella Vicar,

From left: Zoe Coatney, Kheiron Guin, and Ella Vicar. eighth-grader at New Brighton Middle School, placed third.

First- and second-place finishers advance to the California State Spelling Championship, scheduled for April

From left: Clark Christensen, Aria Menon, and Emerson Brunner 27 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

“Spelling Bee” page 19

COVER STORY “Quilt Show” from page 1 Karen Foster will be the featured speaker Saturday at 2 p.m.

Foster, 62, of Capitola, describes herself as an improvisational quilter.

For her, quilting is all about creativity.

“I like to try to make it my own,” she said.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she learned to sew in 4-H and dabbled in painting, then dove in to quilting until about a dozen years ago.

She made a quilt for a friend having a baby and she was off and running.

While some quilters are all about Karen Foster executing a pattern, Foster said, “I prefer working organically.”

Indeed she has.

Some of the quilts you’ll see at the show: Predictable, in which turquoise and fuchsia colors echo those in the Venetian Hotel in Capitola.

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Reflections, featuring colorful components made by members of Bee Sewcial, an international quilting bee.

Night Fancy, in which undulating strips of green and blue turn into the deep dark ocean currents.

Her work is recognized beyond our borders.

She is an “Aurifil Artisan,” receiving threads from the company, based in Milan, Italy, which posts finished creations by the chosen artists.

In August, her creation featuring Dresden blades with the flying geese was stitched together with Aurifil 12-weight thread.

Her work was selected for QuiltCon 2024, presented by the Modern Quilt Guild Feb. 22-25 in Raleigh, N.C. – one selection being “Reflections” and the other a work of denim.

That show offers a $1,000 prize for the best original modern design, a $5,000 best of show and a $1,000 people’s choice.

For Foster, the prize money is not the motivation, but she does like to share her

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work at her illustrated blog, “Capitola quilter.”

As she says, “There isn’t a color I don’t like.”

The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association show fills three buildings and offers many special features: An exhibit of pandemic flotsam quilts — repurposing surgical masks and gloves found on the street in Oakland and Berkeley, created by Bay Area artist Jenny Hurth, wearable quilts, a challenge of creating repurposed and sustainable wearables, “Bed Turning” with stories behind a number of quilts, which takes place multiple times, demonstrations, the bargain garden, a chance to win the raffle quilt, and a live auction of quilts Sunday afternoon. Admission is $15.

Lunch and snacks will be sold.

Find details at www.pvqa.org and click on the Quilt Show tab.

Covid policy of Fairgrounds enforced.

Parking is free and a shuttle will bring you to the show. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo: 3-Year Grant to Meet Student Needs O n Jan. 5, Cabrillo College announced a three-year grant totaling $633,334 to support programs that address students’ basic needs and improve graduation and transfer outcomes.

The grant will help Cabrillo College’s Nourishment and Essential Supports Team (NEST) Resource Center in Aptos improve students’ social, emotional, academic, and career development by creating a more centralized college navigation system connecting them with resources for food, housing, transport, and technology, as well as health and wellness coaching The grant will also enable Cabrillo to establish a NEST Resource Center at its Watsonville Center.

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Basic Needs - Supporting Student Success Program.

The goal is to have a ‘single stop’ model where students can get needs met in one place.

“For many college students in our 19th Congressional District, the

cost of living can make it difficult to attend school full time and get on with their careers,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley). “This federal funding will allow Cabrillo College’s one-stop NEST Resource Center to better assist students in navigating available community resources, provide counseling, and a supportive environment. This federal investment is another important step to help ensure students’ success in the classroom and in our community.”

“Cabrillo students are experiencing the most extreme levels of housing and food insecurity due to a severe shortage of affordable housing and the extremely high cost of living in Santa Cruz County,” said Matt Wetstein, Cabrillo president and superintendent. “We are grateful for this grant, which will allow our NEST

Resource Center to become a one-stop resource for our students, connecting them with the basic needs that often become a barrier to completion.”

Cabrillo staff will partner with Second Harvest Food Bank and Salud Para La Gente to refer students stable and sustainable food and healthcare resources.

Cabrillo NEST staff will also continue to work with the Santa Cruz County Continuum of Care partners to address housing insecurity.

The grant outcomes include increasing the number of students served at the Aptos and Watsonville NEST Resource Centers, as well as increasing the number of online students served by an online food ordering system.

The goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students served with basic needs grants by 300%, thereby increasing their persistence, completion, graduation, and/or transfer Another goal is to connect 300 additional students with health, mental health, and accessibility services. n

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• Incorporated affordable housing into ichael Tree, the CEO of the Santa Metro facilities, including 128 units at Cruz Metropolitan Transit District Pacific Station in downtown Santa Cruz for the past two years, guiding the change to faster and more frequent bus slated to start construction in February, service, is relocating to his hometown to and planning for the Watsonville Transit be closer to family and join Golden Empire Center to include 65 units.

Transit District as CEO. Tree and the staff launched One Ride at Tree, who joined Metro in April 2022 a Time, a rider loyalty program that wrapped with 27 years of transportation and city man- buses with iconic images of Monterey Bay agement, is retiring Feb. 16. and generated $237,000 for local environ“My decision to leave the agency and mental nonprofit partners. So far, $42,000 has the Santa Cruz community been distributed. comes with a heavy heart but Ridership in the quarter my decision was made for from July to September solely personal reasons related increased by 1% compared to to my aging parents,” said Tree. the prior year but it remains “The Metro Board and staff are down 27.5% compared to 2019. fully committed to Metro’s Ridership by youth and Cabrillo vision of increasing ridership, students increased but ridership growing our zero-emissions

by UC Santa Cruz students, fleet, and incorporating non-students and Highway 17 Michael Tree affordable housing into Metrocommuters decreased. owned facilities, so I am leaving the agency “On behalf of the Metro Board, I want in capable hands.” to thank Michael Tree for his numerous conTree worked with the Metro board and tributions and achievements for the agency,” staff on Reimagine Metro, an initiative that said Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Metro just launched in December.

Board of Director Chair. “Michael brought During his tenure he: visionary leadership and incredible energy to • Launched Youth Cruz Free, allowing the role of CEO. The programs and services all K-12 students to ride the bus free of he initiated during his tenure go beyond procharge; viding world-class transportation to Santa • Led the agency to receive grants of $148 Cruz County and rise to the level of true commillion; munity building. The Board and the entire • Bought 57 hydrogen fuel-cell electric Metro team are committed to continuing to buses (the largest single purchase of implement this vision.” hydrogen buses, at the time, in North The board was scheduled to meet Jan. 26 America); and to discuss interim leadership. n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Judge To Beverly Hills: Plan Affordable Housing, Then Permits OK

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By Jondi Gumz

he nonprofit Californians for Homeownership funded by the California Association of Realtors has won a court ruling ordering a moratorium on home improvement permits in Beverly Hills because the city failed to plan for affordable housing.

The ruling was by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin, who questioned not allowing more affordable housing in the city’s more affluent areas.

Beverly Hills plans to appeal the court ruling.

State law requires cities and counties to adopt “housing elements,” plans that

identify sites that could be developed into housing by 2029.

Beverly Hills, an affluent city and home to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has submitted five such plans to the state, but all have been rejected as inadequate.

One problem is that Beverly Hills was counting on medical office buildings and car dealerships to transformed into housing, and state officials were skeptical.

One example: A newly renovated Audi dealership on Wilshire Boulevard could turn into 41 apartments, according to the city.

“Beverly Hills” page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Save the Mountain Lions Dear Fish and Game Commission, ave the mountain lions.

Do not take them off the endangered species list.

Stop using rat poison to kill them.

Protect them.

— Theresa Boteilho ••• Stop Encroaching On Wildlife Habitat irstly, I’d like to start by thanking wildlife officials as well as Tiffany Yap for their ongoing battle to protect our big cats and for fighting for their right to exist and inhabit this marble we’re on.

Wildlife has a right to be here. Wildlife knows no indecencies, man creates them.

I do find it disconcerting however, that I would be reading this article titled; “Should State Mountain Lions be Protected?” when there is a crossover bridge already in progress underway on Highway 17. Why is this a topic and or question as, we’ve already got the answer hence, the passover to protect the wildlife. They continue to allow human sprawl in areas that should close their gates for ‘enough’ capacity.

Humans are pushing wildlife out of their habitat and the people that chose to buy and build in “their” habitat complain because their animals are disappearing due to wild animals. You don’t like race cars, don’t move next to the track.

Money has and will continue the greedy, entitled, gimme, mine, way of life and there is your problem.

Protecting wildlife, the concern for the homeless, the hungry, I feel, all go hand in hand. And with the climate, mudslides, fires, flooding, (I myself, have lived in a tsunami zone for 52 years) and the amount of people that have inundated this area in the past two years is nauseating. If there were an actual “natural disaster” like the 1989 quake, we wouldn’t be able to leave the area, too many people.

That’s what wildlife is going through but without a voice. Like a restaurant, “Close the Doors” at capacity because we need to preserve what is still here, including wildlife and the like. Now the greedy that choose to live without concern for wildlife or the concern of the pre-existing habitants are enduring salt water intrusion AND because they see deer, wild cats and coyotes at the beach at night.

Exactly! All because the almighty dollar seems to make those who have it untouchable. Well too gawd damn bad. I stand with those who will fight for nature and our planet 100% I would love to work in the fight for animals, nature, our oceans and our planet but I get sickened and become extremely depressed learning how foul humans truly are. So I have utmost respect for and am forever grateful to those that do. n — Stacey Jackson

County Residents Sound off on March 5 Election Issues here are a lot of issues in the county that affect us in our day to day living in this county.

• The cost of living with everything going up.

• Homeless — I know, where is this not a concern. But the camping on streets in neighborhoods ... there has to be a better way. Can they pull into the fairgrounds, the county building’s parking lots?

• Medical Care — this should be No. 1 probably, but it fits with cost of living. Due to cost of living here it is hard to get new doctors. Our clinics are short staffed. Trying to find a new doctor is almost impossible. Trying to get into a specialist takes months. They make appointments at urgent care. You can be turned away if you didn’t get an appointment. If you call for an appointment it can be 5 or 6 hours or more ... Urgent means urgent.

• Preschool Problems — We have an 8-monthold granddaugher who lives in Aptos. They have been visiting preschools to get on a wait list at 8 months?! They were telling me the prices per month for just 2 days ... $10,000/ year – $2,000 a month. or more. How can a young family do this?

• Consumer Help — At every turn it is harder and harder to shop. Nob Hill Foods/Raley’s is a prime example and the topic of all my gal friends almost weekly. They have an app with coupons and you have to activate them to get an ‘activated’ price. What a waste of my time … but it is money saved. I’ve written to the store several times about these practices being discriminatory. My 95-yearold neighbor shops there. She doesn’t get the

deals. It discriminates if we don’t have the app for that. She needs the deal more than I do but she doesn’t get it.

— Sheryl Coulston, Capitola ••• Time to Protest Water Rate Hikes oquel Creek Water District is at it again.

After the past five years of 9% each year (54% total), they’re changing our fixed hook-up fees and rates again. Apparently we all conserved too much for their bottom line so they’re raising our hook-up fees by 60% and most rates by 10% starting in March, 2024, and 12% annually for the next four years.

Despite claims of dire groundwater emergency, expert consultants from Montgomery & Associates announced last month that “the groundwater basin is doing pretty well.”

Where are the District’s cost-cuts in spending? Remodeling their office twice with bullet-proof glass windows? Why isn’t the District selling valuable excess properties like the large parcel next to the District office (worth over $2,000,000) or the 200 acres owned on Glenwood Drive? The list of excess properties goes on and on, but the District does not sell it to help offset costs.

The District General Manager gets paid $400,000 with benefits annually and the top three management staff have been receiving ongoing $1600 and $1000 monthly bonuses since PureWater Soquel Project got started in 2019 and will do so until the Project comes online many months in the future.

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“Letters” page 11

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Lost Wages and Found Cauliflower

By Joe Ortiz

Previous episode: After Mom finally kicked Dad out of the house, he found a job in Las Vegas.

••• hen Dad finally was gone, we lost track of him for a while. He wasn’t suddenly showing up at awkward times, trying to weasel his way back into our lives.

We started to hear rumors that he had taken a job in Bakersfield and might be doing all right for himself.

Months later, when Mom heard that Dad was in Las Vegas she let out a big sigh and said, “Vegas and your father deserve one another.”

Dad would visit us on occasion. I guess Mom felt it was important for me and Laura to let Dad come home on occasion.

But we knew they were truly separated because Dad always slept on the couch.

The last night of his first visit was like old times. Mom made rice and beans for Dad and we laughed and told stories.

Dad started talking about Vegas and said he wanted to bring me there. I could visit for a week before the start of baseball.

I could swim in the Muni pool and drive out to the desert with him for sunsets.

Mom listened but didn’t make a peep.

Like before, Dad made promises.

When we first arrived in California, he talked about the trotters running and promised to take me to Hollywood Park so often that it became one of those unfulfilled fantasies that ruled my life. Laura said later that everything Dad promised was an attempt at convincing Mom to let him back home.

On his next trip he brought me a onearmed bandit and a roll of nickels. During dinner, we talked about the six huge heads of cauliflower Dad brought for Mom. He knew she liked to prepare it by dipping the florets in egg batter and frying them in hot olive oil.

Dad said he bought the cauliflower at a roadside produce stand on the highway

W

J

through the Mojave Desert.

“They’re a little bruised, Nonnie,” Dad said, “Cause they rolled around in the trunk all the way back. You shoulda seen the faces of da inspectors at the state line when I told ‘em I had a dead body in the trunk.”

Mom and Laura looked at one another and smirked. Would Dad ever change? We were beginning to wonder.

Still, there was more evidence that he was getting his life together. He started talking about the Baha’i Faith. Anyone who knew Dad understood the only time he prayed in his life was the night Freddie showed up with the gun. Dad had been baptized and raised a Catholic, but like he always said, “I used to be Catholic, but I gave it up for Lent.” So, it was hard for us to believe he got religion in Vegas.

He said he had met so many nice people attached to the Baha’i Faith who all wanted to help him. Then he mentioned Alice and his eyes lit up. It felt odd to me, but it had a calming effect on Laura and Mom. I guess it meant Dad was finally creating a life for himself.

“When I first got to Vegas,” Dad said, “The people in the Faith said, ‘You shouldn’t call it Las Vegas at all.’ If you didn’t consider it ‘Lost Wages,’ you wouldn’t last very long because you wouldn’t be able to handle the temptation.”

“But it’s great out there,” Dad said, “I wanna take Joey with me this time.”

There was a big silence.

“Ya wanna go, doncha, Joey?”

“I don’t know, Herman,” Mom said, which usually meant No.

Joe Ortiz Memoir: Episodes & Recipes

oe 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

8 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“What do you think I’m gonna do,” Dad said, “Teach him to gamble?

Stuff him in the trunk?”

We all laughed. It must have loosened Mom up, because she started to smile. So, Dad went on, “Take him out into the dessert, dig a big hole and . . .”

“HERMAN!” Ma yelled, “You’re aggravating me . . .” So, Dad stopped. Ma turned her sneer back into a halfsmile. Still, it was close to the truth. Even if it was

the old truth.

“Joey can go swimmin’ while I’m at work,” Dad said. “I’ll have him back in a week for baseball.”

“Oh, you’re coming back in a week?”

Ma said.

“I’d have to. You want him back, right?”

“Yeah, Herman!” Ma said. “I want him back.”

I was jumping out of my seat, but Mom was only swaying back and forth a little, the way she would when she was pondering Dad’s shifty plans or protecting me. She knew I wanted to go.

“Okay,” she said. “But you have to have him back next Sunday . . . Or else.”

We pulled into Lost Wages as the sun was going down, and just dark enough to see the million glittering neon lights on the Strip.

“This city never sleeps,” Dad said.

“They call it gaming but it’s just gambling.”

It was the first time I saw the giant Howdy Pardner neon cowboy outside the Nevada Club that made the giant donuts, tires, and ice cream cones in California look small in comparison.

Inside the Golden Nugget, I saw the card tables, dice tables, slot machines— in a glittery, well-lighted place—which Dad had always done in the dim-lit alley behind the shoe shop back in Queens.

“Yep, Joey,” Dad said. “There they are, all those lost souls. Here all night. The only time anyone goes home is when they lose everything.”

When the week was over, we got into the Hudson and headed back to Wilmington.

Late that night, on a barren stretch of road, Dad pulled over and swerved to a stop. He got out of the car and went around back of an abandoned gas station. He came back moments later, holding two huge heads of cauliflower said, “Got these at the produce stand, Joey. Don’t tell Mommy.”

What produce stand? I only saw rusty

gas pumps, a barren highway, an empty field.

Dad came back a few more times during those teen-age years. He always brought cauliflower. “There’s dis produce stand outside Bishop where they sell dis stuff. And it’s cheap.” Then he winked at me.

As usual, Laura pulled me aside and told me the real story: Dad had found the cauliflower on the side of the road, where it had fallen off the trucks that took them to the big produce market in Central L.A. That’s why they were always bruised.

And always more than we could eat.

Ever hear the expression, “We ate it until it was coming out of our ears”? Well, Mom knew all the recipes. It may have taken two weeks, but we ate cauliflower every day until we’d had enough, already.

It made the memory of Dad linger on long after he was gone. n Editor’s note: Joe Ortiz says Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria is not sold, just being remodeled.

••• Cavolfiori Fritti Fried Cauliflower om never let anything go to waste.

Especially the cauliflower Dad brought home from Vegas. We ate steamed cauliflower; cauliflower casserole with anchovies, pine nuts, raisins, and breadcrumbs; we ate cauliflower with garlic and tomatoes as a sauce for pasta; we ate cavolfiore fritti alla parmigiana. Try it with some anchovy mayonnaise.

Not too healthy, I know, but it’ll make you feel good, especially if you’ve been eating steamed cauliflower all week.

1 head cauliflower, cut into medium florets 3 eggs 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cups flour Salt and pepper to taste 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying Break the cauliflower into florets and trim their stems so they’re not too long. Run the florets under cold water just to rinse off, then pat them dry. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a deep saucepan.

Put the eggs in a shallow dish and beat with a fork. In another shallow bowl put the flour and grated Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Mix with your hand to combine.

Place half a dozen or so florets at a time, first in the egg to coat, then in the flour mixture to coat. Then drop them gently into the bubbling oil. Toss as often as necessary so they are all cooked golden brown, then remove to paper towels to drain. Continue with the rest of the cauliflower.

Serve them warm with anchovy flavored mayonnaise or with some catsup as an appetizer. They’re great at room temperature, too.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Should State Mountain Lions be Protected?

P eople in Aptos, Soquel and Boulder Creek frequently report sightings of mountain lions in neighborhoods.

Mountain lions are provisionally protected and a final decision to offer them permanent protections is expected this year by the California Fish & Game Commission.

To reach the commission, see https://fgc.ca.gov/.

How many mountain lions does California have?

Counting mountain lions is not easy. State officials had estimated a population of 6,000, and a new study modeling GPS collar data and genetic information from scat estimates 3,200 to 4,500.

Email your thoughts to info@cyber-times.com; put mountain lions in the subject line.

Here is the 2020 announcement from the Center for Biological Diversity: ••• In April 2020, responding to a petition from the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity and the Mountain Lion Foundation, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 5-0 to advance Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions to candidacy under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The vote follows a February 2020 finding by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that increased protections may be warranted.

The unanimous vote triggers a year-long review by the department to determine if these populations should be formally protected under the Act. The Act’s protections apply during the candidacy period.

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Female mountain lion, P-33, in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“This is a historic moment for California’s big cats and rich biodiversity,” said Tiffany Yap, a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson and primary author of the petition. “These ecosystem engineers face huge threats that could wipe out key populations. But with state protections, we can start reversing course to save our mountain lions.

Wildlife officials deserve a big round of applause for moving to protect these amazing animals.”

Genetic isolation due to roads and development threatens the health of the six puma populations included in the petition. Despite a more than 30-year ban on sporthunting, some mountain lion populations have low survival rates due to high levels of human-caused mortalities. Major

threats include car strikes, poisonings and sanctioned depredation kills.

Researchers with the National Park Service, UC Davis and UCLA warn that if nothing is done to improve connectivity for these wide-ranging large carnivores, populations in the Santa Ana and Santa Monica mountains could go extinct within 50 years. And those in the Santa Cruz, San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains are showing similar patterns.

“We’re grateful to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for their efforts and proud of the commission’s leadership to protect California’s mountain lions,” said Debra Chase, CEO of the Mountain Lion Foundation. “By advancing these mountain lion populations to candidacy, they are helping to ensure that these iconic cats inspire future generations.”

State protections under the Act will help address the many threats these lions face. Local authorities will need to coordinate with state wildlife experts to ensure that approved development projects account for mountain lion connectivity.

State agencies also will have a legal mandate to protect mountain lions. This could include building wildlife crossings over existing freeways; crossings have been shown to help maintain wildlife movement and reduce costly and dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions. State officials will also need to re-evaluate the use of deadly rat poisons in mountain lion habitat. And the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be able to develop and implement a mountain lion recovery plan to help facilitate coexistence with mountain lions. n ••• See page 7 for local opinions.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 9

MARCH 5 VOTE: FIRST DISTRICT CANDIDATES

Manu Koenig

Lani Faulkner

Live Oak

Live Oak

Age: 55 Since taking office I’ve been Community members on Occupation: Clinical Trial Manager, working to make County Planning fixed incomes are facing serious 14 Years more user-friendly. We combined challenges where many seniors the Public Works and Planning tell me they often must choose What are the top issues What are the top issues for the Departments and installed all between food, rent, and their prefor the 1st district?

1st district? new leadership in an effort to scriptions for serious diseases like change the culture. We created ousing, homelessness, traffic, he top issues I am hearing diabetes. pre-approved ADU plans and road safety (including traffic from the public include We need to focus on creating eliminated permit fees for ADUs affordable housing and homemore affordability for people who calming and regulating e-bike Manu Koenig Lani Faulkner of 750 sq ft or less. I identified a lessness, disaster preparedness work here because there is a huge usage), parking, vacation rentals, and climate change / gap between the average household income rural road conditions, flooding, coastal third-party plan check program that Marin and the average rental rate or home price. For erosion and fire safety.

In Santa Cruz County’s First environment.

County created and A good number this reason, people are highly overextended, What thoughts do you have on Supervisorial District, Manu implemented it here. of people, both young paying far more that the recommended 30% boosting affordable housing, finding Koenig is seeking a second and older, want much of their income towards rent.

Next I’m working real solutions for homelessness and the term. He faces challenger better public transporon a streamlined daily traffic jams on Highway 1?

At the same time, we need to work on Lani Faulkner. tation, very bad safety underlying systemic issues that have been hen it comes to the high cost of housing approval process for walking/biking on the undermining people’s ability to make ends in our area, a number of problems have projects that reserve streets, programs to enrich seniors and chil- meet. We must increase affordability as we collided to make the perfect storm. These units for our teachers, firefighters, nurses and dren’s needs. include more vacation rentals, telework other local workforce. increase the number of homes we build. If we On homelessness, we’ve made What thoughts do you have on boosting shortening the distance between us and do not collectively address the underlying affordable housing, finding real solutions for systemic issue we face as a country where Silicon Valley, and all of the red tape we have incredible progress with a 22% decrease from 2022 to 2023. We did this by closing large homelessness? to building more housing. the distribution of wealth is so extremely By far the biggest piece of the problem is encampments (like the San Lorenzo River he increasing homelessness problem top-heavy, the imbalances will continue to is due in part to the serious lack of erode the strength of the country. We must the red tape. It just takes too long to get through Benchlands) and handing out emergency affordable housing in tandem with seriously rebuild our strong working class as they are our County planning department. This means Section 8 housing vouchers to over 600 low incomes relative to the cost of living here, the backbone of the country. that we build less and what we do build is people. combined with a percentage of people who more expensive to build and those costs get “Koenig” page 20 “Faulkner” page 23 are facing mental illness and drug addiction. passed on to homeowners and renters.

Age: 38 Occupation: Tech Entrepreneur, County Supervisor

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COMMUNITY NEWS

J

Cummings Chairs County Board

ustin Cummings will chair the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for 2024, the first African-American in county history in that position.

He was voted by his colleagues to take the gavel from Zach Friend, who held that position in 2023.

“I’m deeply honored to accept this role from my colleagues and look forward to the year ahead as we work with our community to build a more equitable and just Santa Cruz County for all residents,” Cummings said.

He will serve a one-year term. Supervisor Felipe Hernandez was chosen vice chair.

A native of Chicago, Cummings has a background in environmental sciences with a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz in ecology and evolutionary biology. He was elected to the

“Letters” from page 7 The cost of the Pure Water Soquel project was originally $60,000,000 and is now approaching $200,000,000! The operational costs have more than doubled to $5,500,000 annually.

Despite receiving some grants and low-interest loans, the District is piling up tremendous debt due to the Project, but doesn’t have funding to pay for upgrading basic pipelines that rupture, like the recent Huntington Drive problem.

Rather than cut costs to be more efficient, the District wants to charge the rate payers more and more money.

These new water rate increases will drive our survival costs higher at a time when the cost of living is already staggering for many families struggling to make ends meet.

Many fixed income residents can’t afford showers or plant gardens because their water bills have been going up every year...and are about to go up even more!

A household that uses 5 units of water will increase from $97.84 to $127.36 in the first year

“Beverly Hills” from page 6 Beverly Hills was told by regulators to plan for 3,104 homes, with 75% affordable to lowand middle-income residents.

The city tried to protect residential neighborhoods with mega-mansions and apartment buildings by focusing new housing in commercial areas as “mixed-use development.”

Because the state has not certified the Beverly Hills “housing element,” the city of 33,000 is open to the “builder’s remedy,” which allows developers proposing affordable homes to bypass local zoning restrictions.

As February 2023, Californians for Homeownership, California Housing Defense

Santa Cruz City Council in 2018, then elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022.

Cummings represents the Third Supervisorial District, which includes the city of Santa Cruz and the North Coast, including Dav- Justin Cummings enport and Bonny Doon.

The Board meets at 701 Ocean St., 5th Floor, Santa Cruz. To view agendas and meeting materials, visit https://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx. n Board meetings online: www.santacruzcounty ca.gov, www.facebook.com/countyofsantacruz or www.communitytv.org/watch. and to $178.93 by the start of the 5th year. If you live in a mobile home complex and the bill for the whole complex is $6748.00 per month, the bill starting at the beginning of the fifth year will be $11,620.31/month!

This is all on top of our electric bills, grocery bills, gas, etc also going up.

When does it stop? It won’t, unless you send a written protest to the District that they receive by February 20.

All Soquel Creek Water District customers need to send in a Protest letter with their name, address, Assessor Parcel Number (APN) and signature to the District office by Feb 20, 2024. Go to www.protestscwd.com for more info.

We need you to help us get at least half of the customers to protest in order to stop this NEW rate change that will penalize those who have conserved the most water.

Soquel Creek Water District administration needs to be held accountable and demonstrate that everything possible is being done to avoid the steep rate and 60% service fee increases rather than digging deeper into our wallets. n — Kris Kirby Fund, and YIMBY Law had filed 12 lawsuits in Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Marin, and San Mateo County Superior Courts with the intention to file more in the coming weeks. The cities and counties sued include: Belvedere, Burlingame, Cupertino, Daly City, Fairfax, Martinez, Novato, Palo Alto, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, and Santa Clara County. atthew Gelfand, an attorney representing Californians for Homeownership, contends the governments that were sued “let the process get bogged down as the deadline approached, often as the result of opposition by anti-housing activists.”

Sonja Trauss, YIMBY Law executive director, contends there is no excuse to not have an approved plan to build affordable housing: “Cities have had years to plan for this.” n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Reading Pericles T he Saturday Shakespeare Club, with the Shakespeare Workshop at UC Santa Cruz, plans five weekly meetings on Pericles, via Zoom beginning Jan. 20.

Each Saturday session lasts from 10 a.m. to noon, and usually includes a talk of about 45 minutes by an expert on Shakespeare followed by a reading aloud of a section of the text.

In the past “Pericles” was rarely played, but it is now regarded quite highly. Most scholars accept that the play was co-authored

by Shakespeare along with a dramatist and pamphleteer called George Wilkins. Perhaps because of co-authorship, the First Folio of 1623, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, did not include it.

The schedule is: Jan. 20: Introducing the play will be Michael Warren, UCSC Professor of English literature Emeritus, and dramaturg for many Santa Cruz Shakespeare productions. Warren has regularly been the Club’s initial speaker, providing informative and thorough foundation for a play’s understanding.

Jan. 27: Beth Lopes, a freelance theater director and educator based in Los Angeles, will speak. She has directed Pericles for the New Swan Theater at UC

Protest the Proposed Water Rate Adjustments from Soquel Creek Water District!

You must protest

by February 20.

Go to:

www.ProtestSCWD.com 12 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Irvine. This past October, Beth spoke to the Saturday Shakespeare Club about her direction of “As You Like It” for the 2023 New Swan Shakespeare Festival—a talk that was received with much enthusiasm.

Feb. 3: A recorded lecture by distinguished Oxford Shakespearean scholar Emma Smith on the First Folio, which was published 400 years ago, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. If not for the First Folio, about half of Shakespeare’s plays would almost certainly have been lost.

Feb. 10: Julia Reinhard Lupton, a distinguished professor of English at UC Irvine and co-director of the New Swan Shakespeare Center, which partners with UCSC’s Shakespeare Workshop.

Feb. 17: Viewing a DVD screening of the Stratford Festival Production of “The Adventures of Pericles.”

There is no charge, but members are asked to contribute to Santa Cruz Shakespeare with a check, payable to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, to: Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. Or give at https://santacruz shakespeare.org/ n ••• For Zoom link, email saturdayshakespeare@ gmail.com.

Jobs in Santa Cruz County

Sector Dec. 2023

Private education & health 19,200 Government 19,000 Professional/business 11,300 services Leisure/hospitality 14,300 Other 5,400 Manufacturing 8,000 Construction 5,200 Financial 3,200 Information 500 Trade/transportation/ 17,100 utilities Nonfarm 103,200 Farm 3,500 Total 106,700 ~~~ Labor force 132,100 Employment* 123,300 Unemployment 8,700 Unemployment rate 6.6%

Change from Dec. 2022 Up 1,100 Up 700 Up 500

Up 500 Up 100 0 0 0 Down 100 Down 200 Up 2,600 Down 100 Up 2,500 Down .2% Down 1.6% Down 32% 5.0%

Count is on the 12th of the month *Includes commuters out of the county Source: California Employment Development Department ••• Unemployment in Santa Cruz County rose 6.6% in December from 5.6% in November.

Unemployment remains low, compared to 17+% in 2020, fueled by pandemic restrictions.

Telemynd is seeking a remote clinical social worker, paying $100,000 to $150,000 a year.

Baskin Robbins is seeking counter help, paying $18-20 per hour.

Peet’s in Capitola is seeking a barista, paying $13 to $19 per hour.

Trader Joe’s in Capitola is seeking crew for the evening shift, paying $18 to $20 an hour.

Target is seeking a cashier in Capitola, paying $17.75. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Palace Art & Office Supply: 75 Years Strong C all Palace Art & Office Supply the phoenix that rose from the ashes. In its 75-year history, Palace has faced floods, earthquakes, a recession, the birth of e-commerce, and a pandemic. Still, it remains one of very few locally owned brick-andmortar only businesses in town.

What started as Palace Stationery has, since the Trowbridge Family purchased it in 1949, bounced around multiple Pacific Avenue addresses before expanding beyond the reaches of downtown.

With no succession plan as the original owners approached retirement, an exit strategy began to unfold. Once the imminent closing was announced, an outpouring of support came from the community, including a surprise offer for purchase.

“We can’t imagine Santa Cruz without Palace! Is it for sale?” Within weeks, Palace had a new lease on life for the next generation ahead.

While retaining its entire original staff, the new owners have paved the way for a refreshed shopping experience in the store.

“Anybody who has been in here will see the depth of product that we carry,” said Mark Rispaud, Director of Business Development.

“What might appear from the outside as old school is part of what really works for Palace.

We stay committed to providing excellent customer service and an entirely in-person shopping experience as well as expanding our offerings to include new products.”

Case in point: Palace recently broke through the physical wall of its neighboring space to welcome in Moods Clothing Boutique in August 2023. The boutique carries brands such as Free People, Johnny Was and Pendleton, to name a few.

Palace also now has an entire room dedicated to handmade papers and gift cards, some of which are made by local artists. This was in response to a resurgence in demand for the products shortly after the pandemic.

And for those who haven’t looked recently, Palace has a huge selection of STEAMfocused art and craft supplies, toys, games, puzzles, and educational materials for kids.

But still, at its core, Palace is a fine art supply store. The staff knows the store’s art products and tools through and through, having worked previously with them. Oftentimes, training in the products is offered to the staff by its manufacturers and to customers through free product demos in the store.

Palace also does good by sharing its business vitality with the community. They have a regular rotation of featured local artists through their Art on the Wall program as well as offer local artist demos and classes.

Indeed, it’s not all about business for Palace. The store has long supported the local art community represented by the Capitola Arts and Cultural Commission, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, Open Studios, Capitola Plein Air festival, and other local arts education initiatives.

So, call Palace a victor as it successfully fulfills its mission to provide nothing but the best in art, school, and office supplies and services to the community. n ••• Come help celebrate Palace Art & Office Supply’s 75th year in Santa Cruz County at its store at 1501 41st Ave., Capitola on Feb. 24 and 25 with free events featuring more than 20 local artists and 20 top manufacturers. Visit www.palaceartsupply.com/anniversary for complete event details and a demo schedule.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 13

MARCH 5 VOTE: SECOND DISTRICT CANDIDATES

Kristen Brown

Bruce Jaffe

Capitola

Age: 37 Occupation: Vice president of government relations, Silicon Valley Leadership Group; two-term Capitola City Council member

Can you talk about your housing situation? Homeowner or renter?

How does that help you relate to 2nd District constituents?

Kristen Brown am a renter What are the top issues for in Capitola the 2nd district?

Village. In the last 7 years he top issues I see in that I have been on Capitola the 2nd District, and City Council, I have had to throughout the County, are move twice. Both times, I felt housing, transportation, and the concern that comes with wondering if you will be climate change.

These are interrelated able to find housing within issues that we need to your price range, especially since I had to find a place address comprehensively.

Being the most within the small footprint of expensive housing market Capitola city limits in order in the Country is driving to stay on City Council.

I have seen my parents, more people away from our area, causing more people my sister and her family, and to commute further to get several friends, relatives, to where they need to work and neighbors move hours and play, and leading to away in order to find a more increased greenhouse gas affordable housing market. emissions. These issues are I want to work towards impacting the quality of advancing solutions that life in our otherwise ideal allow our locals to remain local. community Can you describe your What thoughts do you have family situation? Married/ on boosting affordable single? Children/pets? housing, finding real solutions for homelessness have been married to my and the daily traffic jams husband, Nick Brown, for on highway 1? a year and a half. We have am interested in focusing a deaf Jack Russell terrier on increased affordable named Fender and a grey housing production, preser- tabby cat named Wally.

Your favorite spot in the vation of current affordable 2nd district? housing stock, safeguarding rental assistance, and t’s a tie between Nisene other housing protections, Marks and the Capitola investing in our transpor- Wharf.

Both provide tation and transit systems, opportunities for reflection, and mitigating the impacts of recreation, and reminders of climate change that impact all how fortunate we are to live areas of our region, from the in this County.

My husband and I like coast to the mountains.

I have already been to take our dog to Nisene engaged in this work for Marks to explore the trails several years in my roles and take in the therapeutic as Vice Chair of both the nature of the forest.

Before Capitola Wharf Regional Transportation Commission and Metro shut down for repairs folTransit District, former Pres- lowing the January 2023 ident of the Association of storms, we used to walk down Monterey Bay Area Govern- to the Wharf early on weekend ments during our Regional mornings, order a breakfast Housing Needs Allocation burrito from the Wharf House process, and active member Restaurant, and spend a few of the Monterey Bay National hours fishing off the wharf.

Marine Sanctuary Foun“Brown” page 21 dation Advisory Committee.

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Tony Crane

Aptos

Age: 68 Occupation: Oceanographer

the outdoors; my favorite spots are the beach and redwoods.

What are the top I especially issues for the 2nd like the stretch district? of beach from Manresa Beach to he top issues the Pajaro River. for the 2nd Bruce Jaffe My favorite redDistrict include affordable housing, home- woods are Forest of Nisene lessness, climate adaptation, Marks.

You spend your free time equity, social justice, disaster doing what? resiliency, transportation, public safety, public health, hen my body is and community welfare. healthy enough, I play What thoughts do you have beach volleyball. on boosting affordable I also enjoy biking and housing, finding real hiking. solutions for homelessness How long have you lived in and the daily traffic jams Santa Cruz County? on highway 1?

What brought you here? ncreasing affordable have been here for 43 housing, decreasing years. homelessness, and lessI came to Santa Cruz ening daily traffic jams County because of the on Highway 1 require not quality of life here. We only County resources, have the beach, ocean, and but also State and Federal redwoods. resources.

What prompted you to run?

It all begins with good know it sounds cliché, leadership and working but I am running for collaboratively. Water is a supervisor to make a limitation on housing and difference. my leadership at the Soquel My background Creek Water District and includes working on the Santa Cruz Mid-County climate change, sea level Groundwater Agency is rise, and disaster response helping solve the water with world experts as a crisis. professional geologist/ I would like to serve the oceanographer. I have a County, as a supervisor, to PhD in Earth Sciences from increase affordable house, UC Santa Cruz and a Masfind real solutions to home- ter’s in Oceanography. lessness, and the daily traffic My comprehensive jams on Highway 1. understanding of enviCan you talk about your ronmental challenges housing situation? Homepositions me uniquely to owner or renter? How does tackle pressing issues such that help you relate to 2nd as disaster resilience and District constituents? climate change and its am currently a home- impacts on the county. As a owner, but I rented for the Director on the Soquel Creek Water Board for 21 years, first 40 years of my life.

I can relate to the issues now servings as the Presof both homeowners and ident of the Board, I have contributed to solutions to renters. water sustainability for our Can you describe your County. family situation? Married/ When I was first single? Children/pets? appily married, 2 elected to the water board, children college age, 2 our community was facing seawater intrusion that dogs. would contaminate our Your favorite spot in the water sources.

2nd district? o many great spots in “Jaffe” page 21 the 2nd District. I love

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Aptos

Age: 61 Occupation: Mortgage advisor

but they are sketchy.

Homelessness — This is a very What are the top broad term with issues for the 2nd many nuances. district?

S o l v i n g the problem for he main focus those that have for my canTony Crane fallen on hard didacy is to hold county officials accountable. times and just need a hand Our democracy requires up to get a fresh start has a a robust media that is willing separate solution than the to challenge the system and chronically homeless that suffer from mental illness or hold people accountable.

Infrastructure — Our drug addiction which often roads are horrible. This has go hand-in-hand. been the case as long as I can Thank you Captain remember. This is an essential Obvious! The former can service of government and be resolved through addiour local government has tional affordable housing clearly dropped the ball. efficiently placed near the Our taxes are supposed commercial centers where to provide for this basic the jobs exist. service yet we are relying on Short-term financial state and federal grants to support or housing make up for years of neglect. supplements would be Our roads are the lifeline necessary with a robust of our economy and need to monitoring system. These become a priority. I think systems already exist but that the rail and trail is a those in charge of the wonderful futuristic solution programs must also be but we should not entertain monitored and held to a the idea until we have solved high standard. This flows other, more critical issues. into traffic and public What thoughts do you have transportation. on boosting affordable Traffic — It is my housing, finding real opinion that the traffic we solutions for homelessness are experiencing is the result and the daily traffic jams of poor long-term urban on highway 1? planning. Widening the ffordable housing — freeway without a plan for This is clearly a priority, sustainable growth will just however, the avenue by be a temporary fix. which we achieve the goal The current solutions needs to be reimagined. of free public transporBuilding housing is a tation and safe and sane for-profit endeavor so the bike paths are great, but problem and process starts we live in a society built with a dichotomy that is hard on roads and cars. We to overcome when private have become creatures of interests are involved. convenience and instant As a mortgage pro- gratification. A paradigm fessional, I know from shift is required to really experience that once the units make a difference. A exist, it is hard to navigate the public/private campaign system and then it is difficult focusing on incentives is to qualify those in need. worth looking at.

The Measure O and Can you talk about your Measure J systems need to be housing situation? Homerevamped which probably owner or renter? How does requires more personnel. that help you relate to 2nd ADUs are a hot topic but they District constituents? are currently cost-prohibitive have been a homeowner for most homeowners. since 1997.

There are some inter“Crane” page 18 esting offers in the market

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MARCH 5 VOTE: SECOND DISTRICT CANDIDATES

Kim De Serpa

David Schwartz

Aptos

Corralitos

Age: 69 Occupation: Owns tax preparation business

with the increases. Foster group homes, small homes and local treatment facilities in areas residents agree are acceptable.

What are the top issues for the All public work needs to be 2nd district? planned ahead of time and allow for alternative routes without all he top issues confronting the roads being under construction at second district, not in any the same time. specific order, are infrastructure David Schwartz The schedule of repairs should (including roads), affordable housing (homeless), permits, crime, suffi- be provided by the County with estimated cient and affordable water, taxes, and disaster dates of starting and completion, with updates at least weekly on the progress of each project. preparedness.

Can you talk about your housing situMany of these are interrelated. For ation? Homeowner or renter? How does instance, homelessness is affected by that help you relate to 2nd District affordable housing, which is related to constituents? permits and water issues. So, solutions to these issues will not be simple. y wife and I own a home. When we bought What thoughts do you have on boosting our first home, we had to take out a first affordable housing, finding real solutions for and second mortgage to afford the purchase. homelessness and the daily traffic jams on The second had four points added to the highway 1? loan, that cost us an additional $4,000 just to ompletely revamp the permit process for get the loan. But, in the time the house was homeowners, to make permits for ADU’s in escrow, the value went up by as much, so and basic home remodeling much more we went through with the purchase and are so glad we did. We need to create ways that affordable in far less time.

Community meetings to identify and more people can buy vs. rent. develop neighborhoods for higher density “Schwartz” page 19 housing, where the majority of residents agree

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Campbell

Morgan Hill

Hollister

Salinas

900 DELL AVE.

95 E. MAIN AVE.

2610 SAN JUAN RD.

210 W. MARKET ST.

Santa Clara

Santa Cruz

Watsonville

Greenfield

3700 SOQUEL AVE.

285 W. BEACH ST.

60 4TH ST.

Age: 56 Occupation: Medical social worker

identify and build nearly 5,000 units. If we do not approve these units, developers will be able What are the top issues for the to build in identified locations 2nd district? without potentially planning he top issues for second approvals. district include issues with Our lack of housing is the planning department, with impacting our county’s workforce citizens waiting many years for needs in negative ways. It’s so Kim De Serpa permits, complaints about roads expensive to live in our county that and lack of maintenance, lack of infra- it’s hard to recruit and retain excellent staff structure for cell phone service and internet to fill vacancies in all levels of employment connection and disruptions in electricity. The across many sectors. cost of housing is a top issue for all districts.

What thoughts do you have on boosting Top issues countywide include the affordable housing, finding real solutions for need for housing at all levels from lowhomelessness and the daily traffic jams on income to market-rate housing. Our highway 1? teachers and staff, medical professionals orking collaboratively with other jurisand first responders deserve to live in a dictions will assist with a comprehensive community where they can afford to buy plan for affordable & other housing. Allowing a home. In terms of low-income housing, stakeholders to advise on these issues is key to our county currently has long or closed identifying, assessing, planning and executing waiting lists for senior housing and efforts towards solutions. almost no disabled housing available for Recently the school district and citizens people with mobility issues who require in the Santa Cruz area passed a school accessibility. bond which includes a plan for workforce The state asked us to update our housing. housing element in our unincorporated “De Serpa” page 25 areas and it appears that we will need to

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SOQUEL FOOTBALL PARADE

Football State Champs Parade & Rally: A Memo

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By Jondi Gumz

n Jan. 13, all the stars aligned with rainy weather taking a break for a parade and rally to honor the Soquel Knights football team winning its first state championship.

The event, put together by parents during winter break after that 22-7 victory over Jurupa Hills, brought crowds to Capitola Village, where local restauranteurs have faced an ocean of trouble, first with Covid shutdowns and then epic storms.

How many people came out? My guess is at least as many who attend Soquel Knights home games, and Soquel High Principal Greg O’Meara said the home side at Dewey Tompkins Field seats 1,500.

Everyone took photos. Soquel High senior Sam Crane was videotaping, Gerry Jensen had his drone camera in the sky, and KSBW-TV was on the scene.

Kudos go to parent Kevin Maguire, who hosted Zoom meetings with city of Capitola officials, high school staff, Santa Cruz City Schools district staff, Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce staff and parent volunteers to arrange for the top-notch Soquel High band taught by Jim Stewart, the drum line, the cheerleaders coached by Cory Montanez, trucks for coaches to ride in, signs to identify the coaches, rides for “the boys in the booth” who got the honor of parade marshal — announcer Murray Fontes, plus David Robles, Gil Courtney, Angelo DeBernardo Junior, Lia Robles — and two floats (one newly built by Chris Amsden and Brian Hawes) for the football players to ride on.

One float told the story of the team’s 12-2 record in newspaper reports complete with photos.

Coach Dwight Lowery, who played football at Soquel High, Cabrillo College, San Jose State and the NFL, where he was a stellar defensive back, held up the coveted state trophy for all to see, with his wife Ashley and two daughters seated next to him.

Adrian Cavlan, a well-known local deejay with Sound in Motion who joined the booth team this season, entertained everyone from a setup at David Lyng Real Estate and then became emcee for the rally at the Esplanade stage.

Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown presented a proclamation honoring the Soquel High team’s accomplishment — first in Santa Cruz County to win a state football championship.

Drea Blackwell, KSBW sports anchor and Monterey High alum, shared how she had followed the team. She told the players to “value all these experiences.” She had a special message for underclassmen: “I’ll see you next season.”

Cavlan thanked sponsors for their support: New Leaf Market, Aptos Landscape

Photos By Virginia Sajan

Supply, First Light Farms, Driscoll’s, Aloha Island Grille, Sherri’s Cookies, Whitings Foods, Marini’s Candies, Sun Shops, FeeJays, Premo Roofing, San Lorenzo Lumber, Outdoor Supply Hardware, Classified Sound, Santa Cruz County Bank and Quality Water of Aptos.

More thanks went to Pono Hawaiian Grill and Olive Garden for offering discounted meals; the amazing Snack Shack lead volunteers Deborah Bredy, Justina Hildebrandt, Kelly Pelot, Summer Villarama-Mountian,

16 / February 16 / February 2024 2024 / Capitola / Capitola SoquelSoquel TimesTimes www.tpgonlinedaily.com www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Lisa Carey, Amy Miller, Sherry Boles and Holly Estupinian; the BBQ Team, Bernie Escalante, Tom Bredy and Dan Linneman.

Plus Lori Vienna, Chris Amsden, Brian Hawes, Marcela Moran, Gerry Jensen and Jondi Gumz.

••• Cavlan introduced varsity players by name: Django Daillak • Jake Escalante • Adrian López-Kais • Ayden McGuire • Hudson Summerrill • Sam Whelan

• Kevin Baskerville • Vaughn Bredy • Masen Coso • Luca DaSilva • Hudson Hogan • D’Rell Hopkins • Tyreis Lundy • Chase Mowry • Ben Palma • Alex Serna • Jackson Stevens • Tanner Trowbridge • Armando Villareal • Gabe Virgallito • Deion Williams • Luke Battey • Owen Cattaneo • Cruz Ferris • Esteban Gonzalez • Justice Grauel-Tebong • Jacob Magana • Jordan McCord • Braylon Noble • Cade Petersen • Tito Ramirez • Malakai Ross-Graves • Troy Vienna

SOQUEL FOOTBALL PARAD E

orable Day for Soquel Knights Photos By Jondi Gums

Next came coach introductions: Freshmen Head Coach TJ Moran.

JV Head Coach Sean Ortega and assistant coaches Adrian Garcia, Cherubim Lesui, and Stephen Youmans.

Varsity assistant coaches Charles Jones, Chris Weeks, Darryl Williams, Greg Jones, Jacob Myers, Jake Clark, Joe Grubbs.

Last but not least, Varsity Head Coach Dwight Lowery.

•••

Cavlan asked the four team captains about the season.

After winning the league division championship last year, Soquel was moved up to the top division to face the most challenging opponents.

Even so, Cruz Ferris said the whole team expected to do well.

“We put a chip on our shoulder to show we could compete,” he said.

Jacob Magana said the win over Aptos was big after losing to the Mariners his freshman year.

“We got them back,” he said.

Cade Petersen said he would remember the win over powerhouse Palma avenging a loss.

“We came in and we kicked their ***,” he said.

In the crucial playoff against Casa Roble — the northern California championship that would send them to the state final—the Knights declined an offer to play at Cabrillo College’s stadium.

Luke Beatty explained why: “We

want to play at our house with our atmosphere.”

And the Knights were victors by a score of 42-14.

Riding to Pasadena, the team watched movies to calm down.

Riding home, they had a lot to celebrate.

Coach Lowery thanked the community for their support, and he encouraged those attending to patronize Capitola Village restaurants.

With the weather clear, the crowd lingered to enjoy the moment. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Capitola SoquelSoquel TimesTimes / February / February 2024 2024 / 17 / 17

“Crane” from page 14 As a contractor, I have relied on sweat equity to put me in my current situation.

I do not envy those in our district who need to rent. It is a high bar. Given my personal experience in my neighborhood, I worry about the rights of homeowners who have worked hard to live in this expensive area.

There are those that will infringe on these rights and then throw the term NIMBY around like it is a universally bad position.

It is the right of homeowners to protect their interests and probably the biggest investment they have ever made.

In many cases, it is the most determining factor in retiring comfortably.

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets?

Married for 27 years, 4 kids (34, 23, 18 and 18), 2 dogs Your favorite spot in the 2nd district?

You spend your free time doing what? y favorite spots are my home and the beach.

My free time is used for projects around the house, doing things with my wife and kids (mainly sports/working out), riding my e-bike, and hanging with friends.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? What brought you here? have lived here for 41 years, and the Santa Cruz lifestyle is what brought me.

What prompted you to run? n 2017, County and Encompass officials purchased a house in my residential neigh-

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borhood using a grant funded by the State of California (California Health Facilities Finance Authority).

The sole purpose of the grant funds ($1,126,000) was to purchase a property that could accommodate an 8 “bed” facility where “guests” experiencing a mental health crisis could “respite” for no more than 2 weeks at a time.

Residential zoning does not allow a facility where more than 6 “persons” “reside.”

At a public meeting on Aug. 21, 2017 with County and Encompass officials and our neighborhood in attendance, the question was asked: When would the mandatory increase to 8 “beds” occur?

Officials said: 1) There was no plan to increase capacity to 8 “beds” at that time.

2) No licensing for the program was required.

3) They had a 2-year extension to complete the implementation.

We made a FOIA request for all emails between the County and Encompass for several months before the purchase of the property to months after. These internal emails contradict statements made by officials at the public meeting.

There was a directive to expand to 8 “beds.”

Here are the emails: June 29, 2017: Senior Health Services manager Christine Sippl emails: Erik Riera’s direction on this is to complete the purchase and move a max of 6 people into the house over time during the first year, without a

big public announcement, and to use that first year to establish good relationship with neighbors, establish trust and a track record and then go through the process with Planning and Licensing to then convert the house to a Social Rehab for 8 residents during the second year… Monica and Erik plan to meet with Zach Friend soon and this will further inform our approach for working with neighbors.”

July 14, 2017: Director of Adult Services Pam Rogers-Wyman emails: “We have a hard date with CHFFA regarding the date for license of the end of December 2017. In my discussion with Erik today, I advised him that was not enough time to get licensed He said he had a very difficult time getting CHFFA to agree to that delay so we don’t have any wiggle room. We will need to proceed with the licensing process asap. We can advise CHFFA after we are underway that we are making a good faith effort that we are making every attempt to get licensed as soon as possible, …I know we are losing the ability to move into the neighborhood and not alert neighbors to the program by moving forward with the licensing process but we don’t have a choice.”

(Editor’s note: Erik Riera was Santa Cruz County’s director of mental health services.)

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf es, I will push back due to that very reason.

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For example, at the community meeting for the Cabrillo housing proposal they tried to hide the fact that the Environmental Impact Report they are using was from 1999!! Only when I pushed the issue did they fess up.

Somehow this has been legally justified.

This is an example of the foreseeable disaster of the state mandate.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents.

Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? es, I agree whole-heartedly. The once charming little hamlet of Santa Cruz is becoming something that is unrecognizable and unsustainable. Poor planning!

If I wanted to live in San Diego or LA Beach towns, I’d move there. Is that the vision for Santa Cruz? No thanks!

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling?

I am a proponent of legal cannabis for a few reasons, safety and economics to start.

I urge my kids to avoid it because, from personal experience, recreational use is a waste of time.

Growing and selling has been going on here for generations. Why would we change that and send our revenue elsewhere? n

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Add Light In Your Home With A New Skylight

18 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Schwartz” from page 15 As an owner, you have more protection against eviction and rental increases. Owning often gives you a way to move up as well. Rent to own, could be a big help. We may be able to get federal, State and businesses helping with this. For renters, we need to find ways to keep rent affordable. If we offer low interest loans to homeowners to build ADU’s, where the rent is tied to an agreed schedule for the life of the loan, maybe we can keep rents affordable for longer periods of time.

We could use the revenue from shortterm rentals for this. The County receives 100% of this revenue for units in the Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets? have been married to Natalain for 36 years.

We have two children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

We also have two cats, George and Jenna.

Your favorite spot in the 2nd district? y favorite spot in the second district is Seacliff State Beach, we walk there as often as we can.

The beauty and power of the ocean in all its glory and potential are a wonder to behold.

You spend your free time doing what? n whatever free time I have, I like to read mystery fiction, work on my inventions, and enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County?

What brought you here? have been here for 42 years A good friend of mine moved here in 1980 and spoke of the incredible beauty of the area.

My brother and I decided to come down a year later and check it out. I have been here ever since.

If your main enterprise is Deja View Farm, tell me about the challenges & blessings of running an organic farm. arming is not my main enterprise.

My wife and I do love producing

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“Spelling Bee” from page 4 “Congratulations to our winners, and to each of the amazing students from across Santa Cruz County who participated this year!” said Barbara Huebner, multilingual achievement coordinator at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “The Spelling Bee is not just about words, it’s a celebration of language and a chance for students to build confidence in their abilities that they will carry forward for years to come.”

Hosted by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, the 2024 Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee took place Jan. 20 at UC Santa Cruz.

The annual academic competition includes two divisions: elementary (grades 4-6) and junior (grades 7-9).

Competitors first participate in school

organic food. But, there are just too many government rules, regulations, and requirements for our farms.

Even with eight certified organic acres being farmed with micro-drip irrigation, we still need a State license, must report the use of certified organic products used, and pay for water used from our own well.

Being a farmer also makes me aware of the air, water, and transportation issues involving District 2.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf e need to not only push back, but make the State responsible for any costs associated with the mandate.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? hey are partially correct. It is not that we don’t have the space (land) to build, but that we don’t have the essential services.

Although we have little control over people moving here, we do need to deal with the infrastructure needs, to avoid catastrophic failure.

Roads, water, sewage, housing, medical care, electricity, the list goes on. Without these essential elements, life in Santa Cruz County will be negatively impacted by the State mandates.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? ny legal business should be allowed to operate successfully, without undue influence.

We shouldn’t need separate treatment of one business over another. But, we must always strive to understand the needs of our constituents. n

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“Congratulations to our winners, and to each of the amazing students from across Santa Cruz County who participated this year!” said Barbara Huebner, multilingual achievement coordinator at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “The Spelling Bee is not just about words, it’s a celebration of language and a chance for students to build confidence in their abilities that they will carry forward for years to come.” spelling bees, with the top two finishers in each division advancing to the countywide competition.

Students from schools that did not host a spelling bee were able to apply to participate on an at-large basis, selected by lottery. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 19

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Capitola, We Deserve Safety on our Streets am writing to briefly communicate my thoughts on the millions of dollars (not all ours, I understand …) that is being planned to be spent on the elaborate Wharf “Resiliency” Project!

While I applaud all the efforts that have gone into this and the hours and hours of work, I will state again — what about the lack of millions or even thousands of dollars dedicated to the safety and “resiliency” of your Capitola community residents?

I applaud the new red flashing lights at Bay & Hill, Nob Hill … Long overdue and it took the loss of a life to focus on this!

We have crosswalks that are in dire need of painting (many!) we have many more intersections that need flashing crosswalk signs, we have rampant speeding in and out of the village and on and on!

The Wharf … yes! A tenuous historic signature piece of our village which may well not outlive me! But our citizens, our residents, we all deserve safety and security in our neighborhoods and on our streets & crosswalks! All our streets! Please focus on your citizens. The tourists will come … but we all need to live and be safe in our Capitola homes and neighborhood streets and by-ways! n — Molly Ording, Capitola

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“Koenig” from page 10 I also championed projects like Veterans Village, a motel conversion that will soon have 25 housing units for veterans and their families. One of our most cost-effective programs to address homelessness is the Association of Faith Community’s safe parking program. We need to expand this program.

We’ve also seen that self-governed communities are much cheaper than fully staffed shelters. We need to expand these more cost-effective programs while creating low-barrier return to work opportunities.

In regards to traffic, the important solutions are now underway. As a Metro director, I helped make the bus free for everyone starting the 2nd half of 2024. This will encourage more ridership and less car travel. Since eliminating fares for youth, we’ve already seen a 400% increase in student ridership. We’re also ramping up service to every 15 minutes across town.

I’m advocating for expansion of the bus on shoulder program on Highway 1 so that we have a fully dedicated transit facility on the highway and the bus doesn’t get stuck in traffic. We’re also putting in 22 smart lights on Soquel Drive (including a signal at Robertson!) so that traffic flows better and protected green bike lanes so that people can safely get around on bikes.

Can you talk about your housing situation?

Homeowner or renter? How does that help you relate to 1st District constituents?

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

The stop signs at Bay Avenue and Hill Street now flash for pedestrian safety. The flashing signs were ordered by the Capitola City Council in December after Debby Towne, 70, died in a hit-and-run crash nearby in November.

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y wife and I became condo owners in 2020. Up until then I was paying rent of over $3,000 per month.

When we became homeowners, we realized that we’d crossed the biggest wealth gap that exists in Santa Cruz: The renter — homeowner divide. This motivates me to help more people become homeowners, gain a sense of security and be able to become more involved in our community.

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets?

Your favorite spot in the 1st district?

You spend your free time doing what? ’m married with an 8-month-old daughter and a 2.5-year-old blue heeler.

Favorite location is a tie between Blacks Beach and the Chaminade trails.

Free time is spent hiking in the redwoods or on the beach with the family.

Also taking care of our many plants.

Biking and surfing when free time allows.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? What brought you here? was born and raised here.

I’ve moved away a few times, but came back for the Favorite Chocolate Cake at the Buttery and to be close to my parents and grandparents.

My grandfather is a big cyclist and rode his bike over from San Mateo County.

He ended up at the Corralitos Market, realized he’d discovered Shangri-La and ultimately moved here.

What prompted you to run? y desire to address the climate crises in order to make the world a safer

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place and protect our beautiful natural spaces.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions?

See https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/ reports/2021-125.pdf agree that the state’s so-called planning process is flawed. The housing numbers that they threw at us are largely aspirational and will be impossible to meet without billions and billions in subsidies.

However, I haven’t seen any jurisdiction successfully “push back” on their numbers based on the 2022 report that was cited. That’s why I’m more focused on doing what we can to actually build some housing rather than getting into a useless battle with the state.

I’m for less fighting and more doing.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? f we don’t build more housing, the cost of services will keep increasing dramatically.

You won’t be able to get in to see the doctor. Our community will lose the dynamic energy that makes it great.

Why? As the fastest aging county in California, we need to add housing for the next generation of workers.

For example, 30% of the workforce that maintains our water and sewer lines will retire within the next 10 years. Our

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My desire to address the climate crises in order to make the world a safer place and protect our beautiful natural spaces. nurses are overworked because we can’t recruit new people to move to expensive Santa Cruz. Our public safety is threatened because we can’t hire enough correctional officers to fully staff our jail or police departments.

Building housing will actually bring the cost of public services down by spreading the cost of infrastructure repairs out over more people and allowing us to pay less in public salaries because housing will be more affordable.

Regarding potholes: I’m building a coalition to correct the unfair state property tax formulas that deprive our county of money and have led to the degradation of our roads.

In the first 10 months of 2023, Santa Cruz County Coroner Stephany Fiore tallied 115 accidental fatal drug overdoses. County health officials want to be more proactive.

What more could be done? e can prosecute drug dealers who sell fentanyl for manslaughter. This will make it much riskier to be a dealer.

We can increase education, particularly at schools, and ensure that students can get Narcan. n

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“Brown” from page 14 I never catch anything bigger than an anchovy — but I love witnessing the marine life and looking out over the coastline as it curves from Capitola village all the way around the bay to Monterey.

I find so much joy and peace in both of these places.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? y family has been in Santa Cruz County for 4 generations, though my parents moved us to Tracy for 8 years during my childhood before moving back to Capitola when I was 16.

I’ve personally been back living in the county for the past 21 years now. During the 8 years we lived in Tracy, we returned to Capitola every weekend because my mom and grandma played music in venues around the county.

My mom would pick my sister and I up from school on Friday, drive us down to Capitola, play a gig with my grandma on Friday and/or Saturday night, and then drive us back home on Sunday.

What brought you here? y parents eventually moved the family back to Capitola after 8 years in Tracy because they missed their hometown.

What prompted you to run? care deeply about this community and have a passion for finding public policy solutions to some of our toughest challenges in order to improve our overall quality of life.

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“Jaffe” from page 14 I worked collaborative with the County, City of Santa Cruz, private well pumpers, the Central Water District and smaller water agencies to solve the problem of seawater intrusion by being instrumental in forming the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) and served as its first chair.

The MGA also is working to collaborative solve the problem of water during droughts. Among my personal qualities that prepare me for being an effective supervisor are good listening skills, open mindedness, patience, pragmatism, transparency, and being a critical thinker.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf aintaining the quality of life for the County requires thoughtful planning for future housing. The state is requiring Santa Cruz County to plan for an increase in housing; this is being done in an update to the Housing Element of the General Plan that substantially complies with state law.

If the County does not have a plan that is in substantial compliance, developers can invoke the so-called “Builders Remedy” that, according the Association of Bay Area Government,

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I have extensive experience in this work, and I love doing it.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf n 2022, I was president of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), the agency tasked with managing our regional housing needs allocation.

At that time, the AMBAG board was responsible for developing the methodology for allocation of housing needs to the region’s jurisdictions.

There were robust conversations both in the AMBAG meetings, and among myself and planning staff at AMBAG, about concerns over the requirements that were being handed down by HCD. However, to refuse to update the housing element, or ‘push back’ in any way that does not comply with State law only puts us at risk of losing even more local control.

When a jurisdiction is found to not have a compliant Housing Element, they risk being subject to what’s known as the “Builders Remedy,” which essentially allows for developers to propose projects that do not comply with any zoning codes or general plans.

Telling the state that we will not comply with our requirement to update our Housing Elements and plan for the number of units they assigned us because the auditor’s report showed flaws in their

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“requires a local agency to approve an eligible housing development project despite its noncompliance with local development standards.”

The actions of the current Board of Supervisors indicate that they do not want others to control the future of housing in the County. I agree.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? oom for new residents, enough water, reliable electricity, and maintenance of roads are challenging issues for our County.

I can address what is being done to ensure a safe, reliable, sustainable water supply for Soquel Creek Water District, where I have elected to the Board for six terms and am current the President of the Board.

The Board realized the need for additional water beyond what nature can provide through rainfall. The need for additional water is even more pressing given that droughts are forecast to become more frequent and more severe with climate change.

The Soquel Creek Water District is implementing a water purification and seawater intrusion prevention (seawater contaminating our groundwater would make it unusable) that is slated to be operational next year. This project will provide the additional

assumptions will not protect us from the Builder’s Remedy.

For this reason, I would rather spend the coming years working with our State elected officials to ensure that HCD is using sound assumptions and verifiable data in the next Regional Housing Needs Assessment cycle rather than defying the State and putting us at risk of losing the local control we currently have.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? hese are reasonable concerns about the resources required to support a growing population. Some issues — like those around clean water and electricity capacity — are already starting to be addressed.

Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel project provides advanced treatment to wastewater that is then used to replenish the groundwater basin and prevent saltwater contamination into our drinking water, allowing for a drought-proof water supply.

As we move into the future, we will likely need to consider additional innovative methods of water conversation and supply sustainability.

In terms of electricity, Santa Cruz County, along with all of the cities within the County, are part of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), a community-owned energy nonprofit that is on a path to sourcing 100% clean renewable energy by 2030.

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clean water needed by the customers and will improve environment at the same time.

The possibility to increase the water production of the project in the future holds the promise of water for parts of the County outside of the Soquel Creek Water District if it environmentally feasible.

However, 2CE energy is still transmitted through PG&E infrastructure, which continues to face challenges with reliability. Recent state legislation is looking to address this issue, though continued partnership with our state elected officials will be necessary to advocate for the ongoing energy needs in our community.

Road repair is also an ongoing issue in the county, since there is only approximately $200 million in unrestricted funds out of a $1.1 billion budget to use for things like repair of the more than 600 miles of roadway in the unincorporated county.

Moving into the future, it will be important to identify additional funding mechanisms in order to expedite road repairs and prevent the bad roads from becoming even worse.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? support legal cannabis cultivation and distribution businesses. Within the state of California, 56% of counties and cities do not allow any type of cannabis business.

Santa Cruz County, however, has legislation in place that takes care to consider both the needs of the cannabis industry as well as the needs of the county residents.

It is important that any changes or updates to cannabis business regulations strongly consider impacts to residents, neighborhoods, and existing businesses. n

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In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis business, growing and selling?

I haven’t formulated an opinion. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 21

PRO & CON

A Small Ask to Address Critical Local Needs

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Taxation Without Representation

By Tim Willoughby and Linda Kerner

oters in Santa Cruz County will be asked to consider a one-half cent increase in retail sales transactions when they mark their ballots for the March 5 primary election.

Measure K, the County sales tax ballot measure, would apply to the unincorporated areas of the county but it would provide essential local funding to support critical local needs countywide.

In January, Measure K won the support of the Democratic Club of Santa Cruz County when club members voted to endorse the March ballot measure.

While still reeling from the impacts of the devastating CZU fire in 2020, in January 2023, the county was hit with several severe atmospheric river storms that resulted in significant flooding, mudslides and damage to local roads, homes, and businesses. To respond to these disasters, the County activated its Emergency Operations Center to protect the lives and ensure the safety of county residents, maintain essential services, and keep residents informed of current conditions.

These disasters resulted in significant increased costs to the county for wildfire prevention and recovery services, flood mitigation, emergency response and road repairs — and there is still much more work that remains to be done.

The increased frequency and severity of natural disaster events due to climate change have wreaked havoc on the county budget.

The County incurred increased response costs from Disaster Service Workers who were deployed across the county to protect the public and staff the emergency evacuation shelters.

The County also obtained contractors to fortify the Pajaro River and other infrastructure at risk of failure. Now the County is dealing with managing resulting cash flow challenges while waiting for

By Tom Decker

PRO: Disasters resulted in significant increased costs to the county ... and there is still much more work that remains to be done.

CON: Measure K is a clever scheme to get half the people in our county to vote to increase taxes on the other half of the people in order to pay for our county’s unfunded retirement pensions.

FEMA reimbursements for past and current disaster response.

Measure K will provide funds for storm-related road and infrastructure repairs, but the funds will also help address other critical local needs, including support for more affordable housing for our county residents, emergency response services, and mental health services for children and other vulnerable populations.

Without the additional revenue from Measure K, infrastructure repairs will take longer and some services to the community will need to be reduced.

We believe that supporting Measure K is a small ask to help address the need to continue to provide critical essential services to county residents.

It is estimated that half of the revenue raised from the ballot measure will be from tourists and shoppers visiting Santa Cruz Coounty. Essential purchases like groceries, prescription medicine, diapers and feminine hygiene products are exempt from the tax.

The funds from the ballot measure would stay in Santa Cruz County and would fund local services and infrastructure upgrades and repairs. Revenue collected will help improve the quality of life for all residents in Santa Cruz County and we urge voters to vote yeas on Measure K! n ••• Tim Willoughby and Linda Kerner are members of the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County.

22 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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n Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m., my wife and I attended the monthly meeting of the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County at Bruno’s BBQ in Scotts Valley. This meeting was also the Democratic forum for the Democrat candidates running for Santa Cruz County supervisor for the 5th District.

I haven’t been a member of the Democrat party since the Carter years. Nevertheless, I was allowed to be in attendance as a courtesy. I was not invited to participate in the candidates’ forum. I accepted that. This was their forum. I was an invited guest.

Before the candidates made their opening statements, two presentations were given regarding Measure K. This measure is a local sales tax proposal that will be on the March 5 California primary ballot.

Measure K, if passed by the taxpayers, will increase the sales tax by half a cent in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.

Nicole Coburn presented the case for voting Yes on Measure K. She told us that Measure K will bring in an estimated $10 million dollars annually in new tax revenues to the county.

Ms. Coburn said the Measure K tax revenues will be used to help fix our roads, invest in emergency preparedness, fight climate change, help the homeless and pay for other essential county services.

Becky Steinbruner then made the case for No on Measure K. Ms. Steinbruner explained that 100% of the new tax revenues from Measure K would go directly into the Santa Cruz County’s general fund. She said there is no citizen oversight on the Measure K funds. The county can use them for anything they choose.

An interesting bit of information came out when Nicole Coburn was asked a question after her presentation. Someone from the back of the room asked Ms. Coburn why everyone in the county was being allowed to vote on Measure K when only the people living in

Measure K

the unincorporated area would have to pay the new sales tax.

Nicole Coburn explained that to increase taxes, state law requires that 66% of the taxpayers must vote to be taxed.

She said our Board of Supervisors knew that was unlikely. So, they chose another way to get Measure K passed.

The supervisors decided to put Measure K up for a countywide vote.

The entire county will be allowed to vote on Measure K. Which means that a simple 50% plus one vote majority decides the measure.

This is where the political cleverness comes in. Measure K now only needs a simple majority vote to pass. Half the people voting on Measure K wouldn’t be the ones paying the new sales tax. It will be very interesting to see if the people in the incorporated areas vote to tax their unincorporated neighbors.

When I got home, I was bothered by what I had seen and heard. I went back over my research regarding the County of Santa Cruz General Fund and the 2023 Santa Cruz County Budget.

I discovered that the County of Santa Cruz has a $43 million unfunded CALPERS pension liability that is coming due.

Since the county’s CALPERS retirement system is a defined benefit pension system, which is the gold standard of pensions, by law the CALPERS retirement benefits must be paid from the county’s general fund before anything else is paid.

That means that before wildfire response, or before giving money to retain frontline workers, or funds to increase services to vulnerable populations, or before anything — the retirement benefits are always paid first from the county’s general fund.

So to sum it up, Measure K is a clever scheme to get half the people in our county to vote to increase taxes on the other half of the people in order to pay for our county’s unfunded retirement pensions.

I’ll be voting No on Measure K. n ••• Tom Decker of Ben Lomond is running for Supervisor in the 5th District of Santa Cruz County.

COMMUNITY NEWS

“Faulkner” from page 10 45 years ago, when the country was strong and growing, unions were strong and corporations paid 70-85% taxes — they gave back!

Now many workers earn slave wages and corporations ‘give’ through philanthropy which allows them to control the people and organizations to which they give.

We need to look to building affordable housing and workforce housing on public lands as well as work with churches, landowners, and organizations that are willing to share their lands for affordable housing by creating public-private partnerships.

We must prioritize preventing people at risk for falling into homelessness by providing resources to those who need it. For example, if a family loses their job or has a major health issue, we can set up a process to provide bridge funds to help people at risk.

I support a Housing First model in getting people into housing right away so that they can get stabilized, and if needed, can work on receiving mental and drug abuse support.

It costs us 3- to 4-times more in the long run to not house people and have them go in and out of the systems as they struggle.

And the daily traffic jams on highway 1? f we are to address our severe climate and environmental issues as well as equity and access, we need to prioritize robust alternatives to driving cars/trucks.

We must create a robust public transit system and make it very safe for our most vulnerable, our seniors and children, to walk and bike to public transit and other destinations. I’ve heard many moms and families in the community say their kids cannot longer safely bike to school.

Safety on the streets has grown a lot worse over the past few years. As a member of the County Community Traffic Safety Coalition, in 2017 a report showed that every 3 days in our county someone is killed or seriously injured in our community! The rate of pedestrian deaths has increased even more than the rate of cycling deaths and our county is one of top three worst in the state!

I am committed to working on making our streets safer for everyone. This means calming traffic while also implementing smart protected bike lanes and crosswalks. We need to incentivize companies to provide free bus fare and incentivize people to take public transit. With the upcoming changes to our Metro service to 15-minute frequency, it will become important to encourage more people to ride the bus.

When building new developments, bus passes should be included for new residents.

By providing better busing, safer streets for biking and walking, and passenger rail, we can get more people who live and work here out of their cars and provide an option where tourists can eventually travel to Santa Cruz by train from over the hill, as we are considered a part of the State Rail Network.

Can you talk about your housing situation?

Homeowner or renter? How does that help you relate to 1st District constituents? have been a renter, an owner, and a landlord and have rented to Section-8 tenants as well, which I highly recommend.

We own our home now, but having been a renter while also being an owner.

I’ve rented from good landlords and bad landlords. I have had good tenants and had one bad tenant. Having experienced these things gives me a sensitivity to the many issues landlords and renters face.

As a homeowner, for most of our time

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Heading to London Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz Soquel High seniors Madi Taylor, left, and Andeia Bedford, who plan to travel to London Feb. 14 with their teacher Nehal Pfeiffer, are raising money for the trip with a bake sale.

The teens are students in the Career Technical Education Biotech course, at Soquel High. The teacher is Nehal Pfeiffer, a graduate of UC Santa Cruz, who worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific before founding NTP Biolabs; she also teaches at Cabrillo College. n

in Santa Cruz, we lived in a very small house that was not in the best condition because that is what we could afford. We didn’t want to over-leverage as the up and down cycles of jobs and lay-offs are pretty regular.

I am very aware it is impossible to afford a home on the average income one makes in Santa Cruz. We were fortunate to buy when we did so many years ago. Our son works locally and cannot afford to rent a place in town and so he currently lives with us.

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets? arried, one son, dog, cat, chickens. If I could, I’d have a goat to milk and some rabbits, fowl and fish as well — but I don’t.

Your favorite spot in the 1st district? You spend your free time doing what? eLaveaga Park trails I used to train for triathlons and marathons (run, bike, swim) and trained with Santa Cruz Triathlon Association.

I am an avid mountain biker and coached youth mountain biking for 7 years. I am a passionate urban farmer and a classically trained opera singer, but I haven’t sung classically in years. I do perform improvisational music jams with my musician friends.

I love cooking great food. I inherited a cioppino recipe from my dad that he got from an Italian San Francisco restaurant owner decades ago and it is one of the best cioppinos ever.

How long have you lived in Santa Cruz County? ince 1996/97. We’ve lived in Live Oak for 16 years, Happy Valley, Boulder Creek, La Selva.

What brought you here? y husband worked in Scotts Valley before we moved to the area and he fell in love with Boulder Creek.

I am a farmer and prefer the sun and after various life events, we moved to Live Oak. What prompted you to run? passionately care about people, especially our most vulnerable.

Most of my closest friends are seniors and I was shocked to hear from our seniors when the current supervisor first entered office that he fired two senior women volunteers from their commission seats instead of allowing them to complete their term, which is customary, and

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replaced them with his own friends.

My friends on the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Commission felt changes the incumbent was making left members feeling disempowered.

A number of seniors asked me to run because they have not felt heard nor did they feel their needs were being met by the incumbent. Since our seniors are our most rapidly growing demographic in our community, it is critical we ensure they have a voice in our community and provide systems that allow them access to a vibrant life.

It became evident as I attended the Regional Transportation Commission that the incumbent had his own agenda separate from the will of the majority of our community members. I was later approached by school board members who said the same thing, the incumbent had not shown up for them.

Having lived in Happy Valley, I was aware that fire board and community members in the rural areas were not getting their needs met — they felt mostly ignored by the incumbent and were planning on running a candidate. I met with that person and he decided to support my campaign.

The incumbent has focused energy on the needs of a few groups of people in the district, mostly wealthier areas like Pleasure Point and along the cliffs. It became important to me to challenge the incumbent when so many groups were reporting their needs were unmet.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf his is an area where I want to spend considerable time researching before I make any comments on what should or should not be done.

Our RHNA numbers indicate we need to build about 5,000 units, however the RHNA numbers do not address the degree of our need for affordability. We also need to grow multi-family and multi-generational housing within walking and biking distance to public transit if we are going to effectively provide

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robust alternatives to using vehicles.

We need to consider rezoning so multifamily can be built in some areas that currently might only be zoned for single-family residences and it makes sense to rezone so markets and cafes can located walking distances from most neighborhoods so a person doesn’t need to hop into a car to buy a dozen eggs.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? his is a complex question because our systems are not built to be conservation oriented and our urban design and infrastructure is poorly designed. For example, we need to make it easier and more affordable for community members set up greywater and water catchment systems.

Currently, it is expensive for people to implement water catchment so only the wealthiest people can afford it. We currently have an economic model, a grossly uneven distribution of wealth, that prevents a flow of capital to our community to the extent needed. As a county at high risk for fire, we should be eligible for grants that help us better prepare for disasters, including road repair on key escape routes.

I support Measure K with the focus that a larger share than 10% needs to be allotted for road repair. Given that we must move rapidly toward clean electrification, the need to ramp up clean power generation with Central Coast Community Energy and consider the potential of creating microgrids is critical.

While there is a gap between our current clean energy production and our future needs, especially as we build more homes, we are working rapidly to address this gap.

Water is a critical resource which overall we have been extraordinarily wasteful, and industry is probably a worst offender.

However, compared to decades ago, here in Santa Cruz, we are now using less water today per capita than in decades past through stronger conservation practices.

“Faulkner” page 30

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Rydell Visual Arts Fellows F our local visual artists have been selected by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to receive Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship awards for 2024 and 2025.

Each fellowship recipient receives a $20,000 award to further their artistic career

Louise Leong

along with an exhibition of their work at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

The fellowships help individual visual artists pursue their creative work and are made solely on the merits of their artistry and not tied to the completion of any specific projects. The awardees are Christian Rex van Minnen, Louise Leong, Maria Isabel LeBlanc, and Shirin Towfiq.

Christian Rex van Minnen lives and works in Santa Cruz with wife Ashley Muse and two children. He received a bachelor ’s degree from Regis University, Denver, in 2002. His oil paintings have been exhibited worldwide and are in prominent public and private collections throughout the world. He also leads Western Biological, any experimental oil painting workshop whose focus is recreating an old masters workshop intent on rediscovery of indirect

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painting techniques and close attention to flora and fauna of the Monterey Bay. Louise Leong is a cultural worker, printmaker, and illustrator from the San Francisco Bay Area. She creates work that draws attention to things that are overlooked, inspiring levity and connection through nostalgia and humor. In 2018 she co-founded Little Giant Collective, a printmaking studio and community hub in downtown Santa Cruz. Her work has been exhibited at Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, Incline Gallery, Silver Sprocket, Legion Projects (San Francisco), Radius Gallery, R. Blitzer Gallery (Santa Cruz), Pajaro Valley Arts (Watsonville), and in Macau at Fundação Rui Cunha. She is head of exhibitions at the UC Santa Cruz Institute of Arts and Sciences. She has taught artmaking workshops for UCSC Porter College and community organizations, and for the Prison Arts Project in the Santa Cruz County Jail through the William James Association. She has a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in studio art and education.

María Isabel LeBlanc was born in New Orleans. She is a first-generation American and daughter to Colombian and Cuban parents. Her practice investigates her relationship with the landscape, both as a documentarian and as a humanist. Her projects concentrate on a specific geographical region of California’s Central Coast, where the land provides markers of time and history. Her current project, De la Luz, documents her ongoing exploration of the agricultural area south of Santa Cruz, just off Highway 1.

De la Luz was photographed in film, primarily with a 4x5 view camera. She works as sole craftsman, from the moment the negative is exposed to the creation of the final silver gelatin print.

She has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia, Athens. She also pursued photographic studies at the Atlanta College of Art. Her work has been exhibited at Light Art Space (Silver City, New Mexico), Sparks Gallery (San Diego), Stonehenge Gallery (Montgomery, Alabama), Center for Photographic Art (Carmel), and Atlanta Legal Aid (Atlanta, Georgia).

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Chistian Rex van Minnen

Maria Isabel LeBlanc

Her work has been featured in Lenscratch Magazine, Analog Forever Magazine, PDN Photo, and Rfotofolio. She has given artist talks at Open Show Santa Cruz and Open Show San Diego. She is a member of Diversify Photo.

Shirin Towfiq is an interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis on installation, sculptural photography, textiles, and printmaking.

Drawing from her heritage as a secondgeneration Iranian refugee, her artwork explores the complexities of belonging and placemaking through archival research and intergenerational communication with a diasporic lens.

She focuses on everyday practices of belonging and visual culture, as produced by migrants, and reflecting on the traces of diaspora to investigate cultural memory, history, and temporality.

••• Roy and Frances Rydell established the Roy and Frances Rydell Visual Arts Fund at the Community Foundation in 1985 to promote Santa Cruz County artists and arts organizations.

Following their passing, their estate was bequeathed to the foundation. Their gift has generated more than $1.7 million in fellowships for artists and support for Santa Cruz County visual arts organizations.

The Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship program was developed with input from the local arts community to honor the wishes and intent of the Rydells in establishing the fund.

The fellowship program, now in its 18th year, has issued $20,000 awards to 38 artists.

Gifts allow artists uninterrupted creative time to focus solely on their work and its impact on our local community and the larger world.

Susan True, CEO of the Community Foundation said, “Through their work, this new cohort of Fellows illustrate how artists help us understand and reflect on today’s issues.

“Rydell Fellows” page 26

“De Serpa” from page 15 This will assist their district in recruiting new teachers and staff. Surrounding districts are looking into implementing a similar model.

I would focus on capturing housing dollars from all sources including grants from state and federal agencies, working with the housing authority to maximize programs on the local level, supporting our partners like Eden, Adobe, Mid Pen and Chispa among others to build our affordable housing. I will pledge to include our local experts from our realtor and developer groups in order to understand risks and barriers to projects that will benefit our local populations and need for increased housing.

Regarding unhoused peoples, our state and governor are making historic investments in services for our unhoused populations. In our county we have moved the needle a great deal, thanks to targeted housing navigation and case management and increased housing ie hotel conversions. This focus has housed a great deal of vulnerable people. This takes a tremendous amount of work. I know this because of my work as a medical social worker. I have personally housed many medically fragile, unhoused people with health, disabilities or mental health needs.

From start to finish, this work is extremely difficult and even after securing a section 8 voucher, finding suitable housing remains challenging. Often times unhoused people need multiple supports including case management in order preserve their housing.

I will continue to advance policies to expand efforts in providing our most vulnerable citizens housing, health care and behavioral health supports in order to stabilize their lives. These efforts should be equally offered county wide with cooperation throughout the region.

With regard to Highway 1 traffic, it’s a battle that has been going on for several decades. I commuted on Highway 1 for several years and it pains me to see the backups often extending past Buena Vista in the mornings. Our citizen workforce is required to spend at least two extra hours of their lives commuting, taking them away from precious time with their families.

The local electorate overwhelmingly struck down Measure D, definitively opening the way to continue with plans for a mass transit solution on the railway. I hope to advance plans for this during my tenure.

Additionally, auxiliary lanes along with a bike trail is underway and should be built with expediency. Multi-modal transportation should continue to be offered in our county with bus transit, safe biking, housing built closer to services and transit corridors and other innovative solutions should be explored.

Homeowner or renter? How does that help you relate to 2nd District constituents? have been a homeowner since 1998 after purchasing my first home in Seacliff.

In 2003 I moved out into the rural Aptos area where I’ve owned a home for the last 20 years. I do think I can relate to many in

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my district and in particular in terms of rural needs.

I also have served our county as a social worker and understand the crisis of how expensive our rental market is. I have seen several families living in homes or even garages.

Can you describe your family situation?

Married/single? Children/pets? am married to a wonderful physician who is a local neonatologist serving all local hospitals but employed by Stanford.

Together we have 6 grown children, many of them young adults. One of our daughters has special needs and her condition informs my knowledge of local services how they work or do not work to serve our local disabled population.

Our pets include three dogs, two cats and a beta fish.

Your favorite spot in the 2nd district? y favorite spot in the second district is Nisene Marks.

I love the redwoods and am a graduate of Humboldt State and really love the beauty of our forests.

You spend your free time doing what? n my free time I enjoy gardening, cooking and spending time with my family.

Will you push back against the state demands for more housing, as the state auditor says those numbers were based on unsupported assumptions? See https://www. auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-125.pdf am a firm believer that we do need more housing in our county. The limited stock has driven up home prices & caused rents to become astronomical.

Our medical staff, teachers, firefighters and law enforcement as well as our general workforce have trouble affording to live here putting strain on our systems and economic vitality. Our county suffers because we struggle to attract the excellent workforce our population needs.

I will push back if county staff and stakeholders indicate that our environment cannot support the increases that have been proposed.

I did read the auditor’s report and it appears errors were made in the calculations in some counties with not enough housing proposed. I pledge to collaborate with county staff, regional groups and other stakeholders to ascertain what works best in our areas. I am known for standing up for constituents and for doing the right thing.

People in this district feel we are running out of room for new residents. Not enough water, not enough electricity — PG&E brownouts — and potholes instead of wellmaintained roads. What do you say? ecause I’ve lived in a rural area of Aptos over the last 26 years I am well aware of these issues. I believe our county needs a fair share of revenue in order to improve road maintenance, emergency services, cell phone and broadband coverage, access to homeowners’ insurance, improved permitting processes and alternate energy sources.

I too am concerned about water issues and hope we can find innovative ways to

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COMMUNITY NEWS

conserve and store water. As far as running out of room, I think we need to build smartly in terms of design and in areas near work and transit corridors.

This serves to reduce pressures on scarce agricultural land as well as make it more convenient for our workforce to access alternative transportation and services. I will fight for increased revenue for our county in order to better meet the needs of our infrastructure.

In this district, legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been restricted, and the industry has found other counties more welcoming, bring them more sales tax revenue.

What’s your position on legal cannabis businesses, growing and selling? am in favor of legalized cannabis. I graduated from Humboldt State University and was aware of the industry (though not legal at that time) as far back as the 1980s.

After legalization, the state and counties were anticipating tax revenues that have been untenable due to the highly regulated

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nature of production and sales. Our county has made amendments easing some of these rules.

Many growers in our region have not been able to break even due to oversaturation of production and the very expensive taxes and fees locally and at the state level.

Santa Cruz County has been more mindful compared to nearby counties. Also hurting our legalized growers is the black market.

Nonetheless according to projections, the industry will continue to grow by about 12% per year.

This industry will continue to provide employment for workforce across our region.

Some people point to a need for more dispensaries or other places to sell product including pharmacies and perhaps this would increase revenue.

I believe responsible use of cannabis products and resulting revenues generated are a positive development. n

Classic Toys

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ACROSS 1. Sri Lankan language 6. Something to chew on, especially for cows 9. Mascara holder 13. Muscat resident 14. “____ Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” 15. Father, colloquially 16. Jewish folklore creature 17. Debtor’s letters 18. Art class prop 19. *Barbie’s little sister 21. *____4 game 23. One less than jack 24. *____Frog educational toy

25. Nutcracker’s distinguishing feature 28. Taboo, alt. sp.

30. Cooking fat 35. Deserter’s acronym 37. President’s David 39. Shower accessory 40. Pro ____ 41. Conical dwellings 43. Prep flour 44. *Thomas or Henry, e.g.

46. Law school test acronym 47. Genealogist’s creation 48. Maurice of “Where the Wild Things Are” 50. Flying saucers 52. Make mistakes 53. Chemically-induced curls 55. Harry Potter’s Hedwig

57. *Certain Patch 61. *Not real dough 65. Normal 66. Clingy seed container 68. ____-____-la 69. Theater curtain fabric 70. Put into service 71. Female deer, pl.

72. Pub offering 73. Goo on a trunk 74. What’s in your e-wallet?

DOWN 1. Duds or threads 2. Wildly 3. French Sudan after 1960 4. All thumbs 5. Marine gastropod 6. Coconut fiber

7. *Shedding-type card game 8. Tie in tennis 9. Shark’s provision 10. Part of cathedral 11. Work detail 12. “Stop!” to marchers 15. Correspondence friend (2 words) 20. Make, as in a law 22. Edible type of grass 24. Complete payment (2 words) 25. *Banned lawn darts 26. Fully informed 27. Supreme Teutonic god 29. Get-out-of-jail money 31. Like Neverland boys 32. France’s longest river 33. Bid on a house, e.g.

34. *Certain gun ammo

36. “Best ____ schemes o’Mice an’ Men” 38. “La Vie en rose” singer 42. Counter seat 45. Flamethrower fuel 49. Party barrel 51. Swaddle 54. Type of puzzle 56. Words in song, sing.

57. Intersection of two arcs 58. Ascus, pl.

59. “____ after reading” 60. Switch’s partner 61. Get ready, for short 62. Comedian Carvey 63. Ford contemporary 64. Jumble 67. North American country

© Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 25

I Was Wondering — What is the Sound of Humanity’s Freedom?

Esoteric Astrology • February 2024 • By Risa D’Angeles

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nd so, the transformative planet Pluto entered Aquarius, sign of humanity itself, of freedom, of hopes, wishes and dreams of a new future, of community and cooperation and charity, last Saturday, January 20th.

After fifteen years in the earth sign of Capricorn, Pluto will be in the air sign of Aquarius (in and out a few times) for the next 20 years — ‘til 2043!

And so I am wondering these things and this has been on my mind. What will be the sound of our entire society of people in every country, everywhere in the world - what will be the sound of their response as Pluto moves through Aquarius, sign of freedom, liberty, self-determination, sovereignty and independence?

What will be the sound of humanity’s response to this change?

As Pluto moves forward in Aquarius, unimpeded, I am wondering what will be the responses and sounds, reverberations and expressions, the music and the arts of the people in the world as this critical shift of energy, element and vibration unfold. Like the soft petals of a lotus, we hope.

ARIES

What will be the sounds we hear in the new world, what will be the new narratives, the new friendships, new trends, new order of things? How will our innate sense of freedom evolve, grow, progress, advance, expand and display itself in daily life?

I am wondering these things. Perhaps we hear or sense a longing for vision, for community in humanity, impossible to describe.

The keynotes of Aquarius. Aquarius is the light that shine on Earth and across the seas. The light that shines within the dark, cleansing with its healing rays, that which must be purified until the dark is gone. Aquarius is the “electrical waters of life poured forth for thirsty humanity.” During the month of Aquarius disciples read the Labors of Hercules (the 11th Labor, Aquarius).

Humanity itself is Hercules. The 11th Labor is the cleansing of the stables (casting a cleansing light onto the darkness allowed to be seen in the Kali Yuga). Here is a link so you can join us, the New Group of World Servers, in reading — https://www.bailey.it/ files/Labours-of-Hercules.pdf n

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

You long to be free to pursue your usual pleasures and enjoyments. However ambition and success call and that requires Saturnian discipline and the full completion of all tasks, something unusual and not easy for Aries. Where is Taurus, you ask, the one who comes in and completes everything? Things silent, quiet and hidden increase around you. Imaginative ideas fill your mind. Something’s changing within you. It’s good and will be vital for the unfolding of the new era.

Many obligations will be met this month and though important it can result in much too much work. However you are ethical and will persevere and when you have completed these tasks a sense of self-worth emerges. Something may come to a crisis in the months leading up to June. It’s perhaps something that occurs to you in terms of remembering how you have cared for (or didn’t) others., How you may or may not have loved and valued those in your care. Visualize what could have been. Then a healing comes forth.

Your values, what you value, who is of value, you as valuable – these continue to be questions you are pondering.

I suggest no traveling until after mid-March.

Situations can feel empty ‘til then. Are unclear financial situations coming into focus? And how is your home life? Something feels challenging or limited or restricted there? Or perhaps new responsibilities have been incurred. A new structure or new foundation may be needed. Everything increases in value. Think, gather, find, share. Your keynotes.

TAURUS

VIRGO

Things were going along smoothly (somewhat) and then Pluto shifted into Aquarius. This is good. It allows Capricorns to assess their resources, and to see the self as a vital resource to the family. You may ask what new persona you want to project into the world. A transformation of self along with values will slowly unfold in the next months and years. New learnings will take place.

Perhaps a study group will emerge. Whenever conflicts arise seek to find and then radiate the “love that truly underlies all events.”

LIBRA

Many new ideas are occurring and these are stimulated by Sun in Aquarius. The new era is also stimulating you to make changes concerning old beliefs and long held ideas no longer useful. Has communication been difficult and are relationships a bit conflictual? Great things are in store for you in the coming months. Do take the time to listen quietly to your higher mind and open heart. Follow what inspires you and aim as high as you can. The new era calls to you. It needs teachers.

GEMINI

Things, people, events, ideas, everything in daily life may feel stalled, a feeling that nothing’s really happening. The reality is everything’s going into deeper layers of review and reflection. New structures are being called forth. All outer structures are slowly disappearing. There’s a question about your home. Is something occurring there? New people, new pets, new decor? The past is slowly coming into focus. Your interpretations of the past need review and revamping. It needs more love and care. You will learn this as the months unfold.

It’s good to have time alone, in solitude and quiet for lengths of time so you can rest, relax and rejuvenate. During this time it’s important to recognize your needs, then you can assess the needs of others. When we look through this lens of need, the entire world shifts.

Know that beginning now and for the next year or so, your money, finances, resources, values and all that you possess become important. Use your money very wisely. And praise those who have the courage of their convictions. Soon it will be time to evaluate what to do for Valentine’s Day. Something to do with the heart.

CANCER

SCORPIO

There are presently two planets in Pisces – Saturn which creates structures, discipline and is the teacher. And Neptune, offering us other worlds to contemplate. Both influence Pisces. Saturn offers the intelligence needed and Neptune, with its deep compassion fuses heart and mind. Then wisdom emerges. For long you’ve wanted to bring forth something in form and matter. This will call for mental realms of thought which will assist in this creation. Visualize what is needed, bless it daily and see it as beauty to be shared in the world.

This is magical work.

You’re called to be in the spotlight, to teach, mentor, lead and organize. Perhaps you are a co-teacher, or co-chairing a group, calling them to imagine, to envision and to help create a future different than the past. This takes you into a new life-direction that includes the arts which will define you more completely. The arts also highlight previous gifts from the past. You’re now more than ready to accomplish objectives. Remember to build the green house and the warm pool.

Aquarius is pouring it’s healing waters into your heart and mind.

Therefore, you will experience many expansive changes in the coming months in terms of how and what you think, what your ideals and goals are and your knowledge of the world. Travel is important now during the springtime. Travel, new destinations, new books and contact with people of different cultures, one in particular should be considered. It would be good to ask if you are as sensitive as you can be with others. Sensitive meaning “acting from the heart of the matter.”

It’s good to assess and revise any monetary situation that is becoming too much to handle. And to be very careful with finances on all levels. What helps in this situation is to value all people, resources and interactions. It’s also important to recognize the intuition (Pallas Athena) you bring into daily life. This gift builds and strengthens your self-identity. Tend to your creative gifts – Mars is calling you in your house of creations. It’s almost time to plant spring seedlings!

Your usual creativity edges sideways giving you opportunity and inclination to make changes in terms of how much time you give to your artistry, how much time you are out and about in the world and how much time you actually give to those around you. A new exploration is beginning into your emotional world. And new life paths appear. So many times this year you’ve wanted to hide. A new level of pleasure and gladness are sought, new goals, too. But the call to artistry is what is most heard.

•••

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

PISCES

“Rydell Fellows” from page 24 From exploring personal identity and cultural heritage, to focusing on our relationship to land and our food systems, or finding beauty in the overlooked and the surreal, this group offers creative works that will be meaningful to a wide range of audiences. Roy and Frances Rydell understood the role artists play in helping us make sense of experiences we share, and we know they’d be pleased to see these artists’ visions supported.”

Sixty-nine artists applied for this round of fellowships from candidates nominated by 58 local and regional visual arts organizations and former Rydell Fellows. Nominees were limited to working artists, 25 years or older, who reside in Santa Cruz County and are not enrolled in a degreegranting program.

Nominating organizations were asked to consider the broad disciplines the Rydells thought of as part of the visual arts: Painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, instalShirin Towfiq lation, mixed media, stage set design, photography, costume design, textiles, glass, film and video.

In October 2023, three nationally recognized arts professionals met at the Foundation to judge the artists’ works and select fellowship recipients. They are Dr. Rhea Combs, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.; Michael Chavez, Public Art Program Manager for the City & County of Denver; and Alison Burstein, Curator at The Kitchen, a celebrated artist-run space in New York City.

The $80,000 in new Rydell Fellowships were complemented by another $250,000 in unrestricted grants made to local arts organizations this spring.

“The strength of our local arts sector depends on the strength of artists and their ability to create here, and the health of institutions that support them,” said Kevin Heuer, Community Foundation director of engagement & impact. “Together, Christian, Louise, Maria Isabel, and Shirin showcase the diversity, depth of imagination, and vibrancy of what’s being created here in Santa Cruz County.

The Rydell Fellowships and grants we make from the fund are all about celebrating the visual arts, advancing artistic achievement, and integrating art into civic life. We’re delighted these investments mean audiences around the county will get more opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and engaged.” n ••• The 2022-2023 Rydell Fellows (Kajahl Benes-Trapp, Anna Friz, Kristiana Chan, Janette Gross) will be featured in the Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition at Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., in downtown Santa Cruz from Jan. 19 to March 24. For information visit: www.santacruzmah.org/exhibitions/rydell-2024

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Why Isn’t Water Free?

S

ince 1961, Soquel Creek Water District has been a faithful and reliable service provider to our Santa Cruz Mid-County customers. As a local, notfor-profit water district, we take great pride in providing safe, reliable water and dependable customer service.

The District is in the process of studying the water rates and considering rate increases in an open, transparent manner. We understand that water rates, like other utility charges, directly impact our customers and the community.

The Board of Directors and several of our staff are also rate-paying customers, and all of us truly care about this community that we serve. Our staff take their jobs and responsibility to serve our customers very seriously and we are committed to ensuring the District can provide safe, high-quality water and protect the groundwater basin for decades to come.

Our costs to deliver the water service that customers expect are rising and changing. We are not alone; utility costs have increased across California. Costs have risen for critical capital projects, as well as for energy, fuel, equipment, parts, labor, and toward meeting regulatory requirements. Just like any business, as these costs change, our rates and charges must reflect the cost of providing the service.

Here are several important factors to consider about the water and services we provide and the essential role of water rates: 1. Water rates are more than just a financial transaction; they reflect our societal values.

Investing in vital water infrastructure — mostly invisible in our daily lives — ensures clean, safe, and reliable water for over 40,000 people in the District, along with essential services to schools, parks, and businesses.

2. It’s important that aging pipelines, groundwater wells, water distribution systems, and storage tanks are regularly maintained so that we can provide reliable water, 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year.

Our customers rely on us for meeting their daily water needs and for providing

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

water for fire protection. We also have interties with neighboring agencies to provide aid in times of emergencies.

3. Our groundwater basin remains critically overdrafted with seawater intrusion and contamination at our coastline.

The Pure Water Soquel project is sorely needed and will remedy this trend. In 2014 the state of California designated our basin as critically overdrafted (1 of 21 in the state) and it must reach a state mandate of sustainability by 2040.

Pure Water Soquel will help meet this mandate and protect our basin from further seawater intrusion.

4. We proudly meet state and federal regulatory requirements.

Stringent regulations ensure that water treatment adheres to the highest standards, guaranteeing the delivery of water free from contaminants.

Compliance with these regulations means adapting to new requirements, implementing ongoing technological advancements, rigorous water quality monitoring, and skilled personnel, all of which come at a considerable cost.

5. The rate setting process was data driven with customer input: The process of setting rates is not arbitrary; it’s based on data analysis, financial planning, and social considerations.

We engaged a Water Rates Advisory Committee comprised of 10 customers and two board members during this process to incorporate diverse perspectives and ensure that decisions are grounded in the principles of equity and community needs.

This approach was insightful when considering water costs are shared fairly among all customers based on their collective uses [or demands on the system], and collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship and basin sustainability.

6. The proposed revised rate structure is partially driven by the District’s guiding principles of increased equitability and fairness.

Basin-wide benefits of replenishment of the overdrafted condition, protection against further seawater intrusion, and aiding in meeting the state basin sustainability mandate are now also included in our fixed charge.

The environmental stewardship of protection against further seawater intrusion and aiding in meeting the state basin sustainability mandate are now more proportionally included for all customers, not just the high-water users (which includes large families).

7. The rates include several measures to reduce expenses for our customers.

We are a ‘small but mighty’ staff that has implemented new technology to improve our operational efficiency such as smart meters.

We’ve also secured more than $95 million in state and federal grants and lower-interest loans, saving another $45 million in debt service.

Water rates are not just about covering operating costs; they are about valuing our water, our community, and our planet.

We have an obligation and broader environmental responsibility to use water efficiently.

This instills in us that every drop counts and that every decision we make in managing water resources is guided by the principles of sustainability, equity, and shared responsibility for our collective future. n ••• Join us at our Water Rates Open House on Feb. 8 at Temple Beth El in Aptos. Visit soquelcreek water.org/ratestudy for all the details.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MAH 2024 EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is pleased to announce its exhibition program for 2024, which CAPITOLA MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS includes solo and group shows, collaborative partnerships, Do you love history? If so you are in luck because the and the return of its biennial, countywide multi-arts festival.

Capitola Historical Museum is Highlights from the season include: the return of the — for a student entering or currently attending college and partnership with Exhibit Envoy highlights Indigenous recruiting for volunteers.

Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship showcase; a retrospective majoring in agriculture, or a related field, political science, peoples’ and women’s connections to seaweed and its The museum preserves the history, marine biology, wildlife management, or culinary arts. of renowned landscape painter Richard Mayhew; a group vital role as the base of the food chain. history of Capitola by creating The online application is at: http://www.agri-culture.us/ exhibition about Filipino migration and labor in the Pajaro Seaweeds have three requirements for survival: Someexhibitions, maintaining a collection Valley presented with UC Santa Cruz; an exploration of thing to hold onto, sunlight to provide energy, and nutrients scholarships/ of historic photographs and photographic media with Ansel Adams, Norman Locks, ••• to fuel growth.

They find these three artifacts, conducting oral histories, Karolina Karlic, Shelby Graham, Binh Danh, and Edgar elements in a thin section of the To request an application, contact the Financial Aid office at and participating in special events.

Cruz; a touring exhibition of works by contemporary Black ocean, which accounts for less than your school or the Agri-Culture office, 141 Monte Vista Ave., Volunteer docents are the museum’s ambassadors 2% of the sea floor. Yet seaweeds are Watsonville or call (831) 722-6622 or (831) 818-1193 or email: artists including Ed Clark, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Mickalene to the community and help support the operation of the Thomas, Kara Walker, Tavares Strachan, among others; supreme eco-engineers, oxygenating agri-culture@sbcglobal.net museum and promote museum activities.

CommonGround, a 10-day festival of outdoor art and the waters and creating habitats for Museum volunteers can greet visitors during two-hour performance hosted across the county; and an in-gallery, countless organisms, keeping our EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOUGHT museum desk shifts and/or assist with special community Josie Iselin planet opulently rich in life.

Leadership Santa Cruz County is now hiring an executive immersive Afrospeculative experience featuring Bay Area events and museum projects.

Iselin, who teaches in the School of Design at San Fran- director, a part time position with salary commensurate to muralists Timothy B, Zoe Boston, and Shogun Shido.

Apply at https://www.cityofcapitola.org/capitola-museum/ cisco State University, has a bachelor’s degree in visual experience. webform/be-ambassador-capitola and environmental studies from Harvard and a master’s in The executive director is responsible for carrying out fine arts from SFSU. the mission of the organization under the direction of the WAS YOUR HOME IMPACTED “The Curious World of Seaweed,” released by Heyday Books in Board of Directors. Applicants should be familiar with the

BY A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER? From Left: Manuel Bersamin • Binh Danh, 2023 — Untitled • August 2019, was shortlisted for the Northern California Book inner workings of Santa Cruz County’s institutions, its If you are a Santa Cruz County property owner whose Richard Mayhew, ©1990 — Fog All Chemy • Karolina Karlic, Award and the Alice Award, recognizing illustrated books. decision makers, and current affairs. home was impacted by the 2020 CZU fire or either of the 2023 — Blue Dancer • Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, 2018 The executive director plans and coordinates the program Winter Storm disasters of 2023, the Santa Cruz County ~~~ for each class year and is expected to be active and Office of Recovery & Resilience is seeking your feedback The MAH is a thriving community gathering place that visible in the community working with other governmental, on the rebuild process and new financial recovery support business, and nonprofit organizations. This position requires offers rotating art and history exhibitions, visual and perresources may be available. strong skills in organizational planning and program devel- forming artworks, public festivals, education and outreach Share your experience via anonymous survey. Your opment, public speaking, group facilitation skills, budgeting, programs, and cultural celebrations in collaboration with feedback will help county staff better understand re-build and knowledge of fundraising strategies and opportunities. its many partners. barriers and improve county ability to support your It maintains a permanent collection of regionally Graduates of Leadership Santa Cruz County or a similar recovery goals. It may also help open additional doors to significant art and artifacts, a research library, a historical program are preferred.

The Curious World of Seaweed support your recovery. archive, and historic sites including the Evergreen CemMore than 1,600 individuals have graduated from The survey is at http://tinyurl.com/2023-winter-storm-survey etery, Octagon Building, and Davenport Jail. It is also home AGRI-CULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINE APPROACHING Leadership Santa Cruz County since it was founded in to Abbott Square, a vibrant public plaza on the museum’s 1985 to enhance the civic participation of emerging Agri-Culture is accepting applications for six scholarships.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM doorstep that offers food, social events, and year-round community leaders.

CERT Basic Training is free. The 21-hour course is conducted The deadline is: Feb.16. creative happenings.

The six scholarships are: If interested, submit resume to: lmurphy@cityofsantacruz.

by FEMA-certified instructors, with classroom and hands-on MAH is located at 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz.

Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship ($4,000) — for com with a minimum of three references. More information: training on weekday evenings and/or weekend days. a student entering or currently attending college and leadershipsantacruzcounty.org.

Training covers: Disaster Preparedness, Fire SupARTS DIRECTOR SOUGHT majoring in agriculture. This award includes $2,000 from pression, Medical Aid, Search and Rescue, Disaster American AgCredit.

CALL TO ARTISTS Pajaro Valley Arts seeks a dynamic and experienced leader Psychology, & Terrorism Response, Team Organization, Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) — to serve as executive director to advance the mission The Recovery Center in Santa Cruz has put out a Call to Disaster Simulation for a student active (past or present) in California High Artists to develop a site-specific public art component for of the organization: Bringing the Community Together Upcoming Classes School Rodeo Association District 4 or California 4-H Through the Arts. their 265 Water St. location.

• NEW! Central Fire Admin Building, Live Oak. 4 Horse Program, entering or currently attending college and The deadline to submit a proposal is March 1.

PVA has a vibrant exhibit program and blossoming Thursday evenings and one full Saturday. Begins majoring in agriculture and/or animal sciences.

Janus of Santa Cruz will operate and staff the center, arts education programs housed in a 1,200-square foot Thursday, Feb. 22 J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) — providing a safe environment for non-violent intoxicated gallery. Responsibilities include leading a capital campaign • NEW! Loma Prieta Elementary, Loma Prieta. 4 for a student entering or currently attending college and individuals to rest and recover until they are sober. The to remodel the Porter Building, a 12,000-square foot comThursday evenings and one full Saturday. Begins majoring in agriculture. munity facility in downtown Watsonville (owned debt-free) Recovery Center will provide treatment options, and Thursday, April 18 Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) — for a links to case managers, physicians and more. to expand programming.

Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/CERTBasic#/ The ideal candidate will be a visionary who has Sign up for the class you want using the class tab or drop-down student entering or currently attending college and majoring The budget for the public artwork, which includes all in agriculture or a related field or majoring in culinary arts. costs associated with but not limited to design, materials, outstanding management, development, organizational, tab, not the landing page.

Frank Prevedelli Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) — travel, insurance, fabrication, installation, and documen- and communication skills/experience. Bilingual/Spanish for a student entering or currently attending college and and arts programming experience are highly desirable. tation, is $6,300.

SOQUEL KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION Details at https://www.scparks.com/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/ This is a part-time (20-29 hours per week) position, with Registration for kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year majoring in agriculture or a related field.

Lou & Carol Calcagno Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) CalltoArtists.aspx. the possibility of becoming full-time as programming is open in Soquel Union Elementary School District. To expands at the new facility. be eligible for Kindergarten, your child must turn 5 on or The position is at-will, paid hourly and does not include before Sept. 1, 2024.

DR. MICHAEL GREGER: HOW NOT TO AGE health benefits. The executive director serves at the A child who turns 5 between Sept. 2, 2024 – Sept. 1, pleasure of the Board of Directors. Pay commensurate 2025, is eligible for the Transitional Kindergarten program. Saturday February 3 with experience $40-$55 per hour.

The registration process for all grades, as well as 7-9 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz To apply, send a resume and cover letter to apply@pvarts.org registration information & procedures may be obtained Best-selling author and physician Dr. Michael Greger will speak at the Rio Theatre on from your neighborhood school near where you live.

“How Not to Age,” which is the title of his newest book.

LIBRARY CHIEF SOUGHT To determine your school of residence, see https://www.

Bookshop Santa Cruz is cosponsoring the event, with all proceeds going to nonprofits The Santa Cruz Public Library System is seeking an schoolsitelocator.com/apps/soquel/ and enter your home Eat for the Earth, Santa Cruz VegFest, Center for Farmworker Families and Vegan experienced professional librarian and leader to serve address.

Outreach. as head librarian for the Santa Cruz City/County Library For questions, call the district office at (831) 464-5639.

Dr. Greger is on a nationwide tour, presenting his latest book, How System, which has branches around the county.

Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4.

CURIOUS WORLD OF SEAWEED You Get Older. He will share simple, accessible, and evidence-based The salary is $178,212 to $227,352 annually.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History presents methods to preserve your body and keep you feeling youthful, physiTo review the comprehensive advertising brochure including “The Curious World of Seaweed,” an extraordinary cally and mentally. job requirements, compensation and benefits, go to https:// exhibition featuring captivating color portraits of seaweed The event will feature whole-food, plant-based appetizers created by Eat for the Earth, www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/ based on the book by photographer and author Josie including: Savory Mushroom Poppers, Artisan Cultured Nut Cheese Mini-Sandwiches on Onionhuman-resources/city-jobs/library-director-recruitment.

Iselin through March 3.

Flax Bread and Carob Mint Pie with Coconut Crust For questions, contact Teri Black & Company, LLC at www.

A low tide walk is scheduled Jan. 20, with an author Tickets are $25 at bit.ly/GregerSantaCruz tbcrecruiting.com. presentation at the Museum on Feb. 15. The exhibit in

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by February 14

28 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LEAP OF KINDNESS DAY February 29 happens every four years, so why not do something extra special with that extra day. The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture asks everyone to participate in Leap of Kindness Day. Consider donating your time and talent to help local people, charities and non-profit organizations. It’s an excellent opportunity to thank first responders, nurses and Veterans too.

Non-profits are encouraged to email Info@pajarovalley chamber.com to share what your organization needs. These requests will be shared on the Chamber’s Instagram page.

Businesses: Let us know what you plan to do for Leap of Kindness Day so you get an Instagram shout-out!

SUESD SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY The Soquel Union Elementary School District is seeking to fill a vacant seat of Trustee Area 4 after Phil Rodriguez resigned Dec. 26.

He had been on the board for a decade, and his resignation letter did not give a reason. His term expires in 2026.

The district will accept applications until 4 p.m. on Feb. 14. Applicants must be 18 years or older, a district resident of Trustee Area 4 and a registered voter. Trustee Area 4 is south of Highway 1 and encompasses Bay Avenue and Monterey Avenue in Capitola.

Board members Amanda Jackson-Miller, Kallista Edmundson, Robert Dickenson and Ted Donnelly plan interview candidates and make a selection on Feb. 21. The appointee would serve until the next election in November 2024.

To request an application, call the school district at 831-4645639.

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November.

Remaining dates are Feb. 27, March 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3.

There is no meeting in September or November.

Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.

For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com

A complimentary glass of wine, beer, Gatorade, soda or coffee and nibbles are included! Feel free to bring in your own food and drinks to enjoy.

Tickets are $75; price includes a hand-sketched portrait of your pet onto a 12 x 12 stretched canvas, all art supplies, and 3 hours of professional instruction.

Register for the event at http://tinyurl.com/pmrpaint-your-pet-2024 and then email a picture of your pet to kim@paintedcork.com, and it will be hand sketched on-to your canvas for you before the event.

Please send your pet picture as soon as possible and no later than Feb. 6.

Tuesday Feb 13

RICHARD MAYHEW: INNER TERRAIN On Display February 1 thru May 12

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St. A rare and timely exhibition of the artwork of Soquel artist Richard Mayhew (b. 1924) at the Museum of Art & History, feature works that speak to American arts, culture, and history.

Mayhew blends multiple genres including Baroque landscape, Impressionism, plein-air, Abstract Expressionism, and Color Field painting using mechanisms from each.

He calls his landscapes “moodscapes” as an introspective excavation of the terrain of his mind.

This exhibition — guest curated by Shelby Graham and Kajahl — is presented with support from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz County Bank.

CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB 11:30 a.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106 Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will have a luncheon club meeting at United Way of Santa Cruz County. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Club members will finalize the plan to celebrate the seven 2024 Live Your Dream winners at an awards ceremony in March, and review the possibility of a new “Big Goal” project.

For information, visit www.best4women.org, or email sicapitola. by.the.sea@gmail.com ••• Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training to achieve economic empowerment.

Soroptimist is a Latin phrase meaning Best for Women.

Saturday February 24 AAUW INTER-BRANCH COUNCIL LUNCHEON 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos California Women are Essential: American Association of University Women luncheon at Seascape Golf Club features Holly Martinez, Executive Director of CA Commission on the Status of Women.

Tickets are $40 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aauw-sccand-aauw-mcb-inter-branch-council-2024-luncheon-tickets642556121657

discuss the Governor’s budget proposal for the next fiscal html/event-form/for-the-love-of-children-luncheonregistration/95832/tickets year and Proposition One, which will be on the March 5 primary ballot.

For information, call Magi Diego, 831-761-2956 x 106.

The proposition would provide bond funds for mental health treatment facilities for people with mental health 2024 ELECTION OUTLOOK and substance abuse challenges and housing for 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Location TBA Saturday February 24 individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming Following up on the engaging discourse initiated during Sunday February 25 homeless. the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s Annual State CA PIG CHASE Also, candidates running for the Democratic Central of the Region in November 2023, the nonprofit will host Cabrillo College Tennis Courts, 6500 Soquel Dr Aptos.

Committee in the 5th District will be introduced. a lunch and panel discussion on 2024 Election — Cabrillo College will host the CA Pickleball is Great Club meetings are upstairs at Bruno’s Bar and Grill in the Democracy, Hope, and Action, lunch included, at a ONGOING EVENTS tournament at the tennis courts.

Kings Village Shopping Center. location to be announced.

Men & women’s doubles play Saturday; mixed doubles Mondays Members of the public are welcome to attend.

This panel discussion features speakers including Mike are Sunday. Age brackets from under 50 to 60+. Gold, Madrid, an expert on Latino voting, Debbie Mesloh, one BRIDGE CLUB silver and bronze awarded. Round Robin format.

Wednesday February 7 of Kamala Harris’ senior advisors, and Amanda Renteria 10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 Deadline to register is Feb. 18 at 11:45 p.m. Fee is $45. of Code for America, who serves on the President’s ComThe Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club SECOND DISTRICT CANDIDATE FORUM CA PIG Chase events are scheduled each month thru mission on Hispanic Affairs. sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, The session will be moderated by Zach Friend. Panelists June.

Bridge Club will move to Aptos Library after it opens Aptos Register (and more details) at http://tinyurl.com/Cabrillo-PIGwill delve into the current political climate, analyzing Feb. 4.

All five candidates for 2nd District supervisor, Kristen chase. trends, challenges, and potential pathways for the future.

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz Brown, Tony Crane, Kim De Serpa, Bruce Jaffe, and David This event is free to MBEP members, $39 for the general County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Schwartz, will attend a forum and luncheon sponsored by Saturday March 9 public.

Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event. the Aptos Chamber at Seacliff Inn. Sunday March 10 Candidates begin speaking at 11:45 a.m. Admission is To view the previous event, see https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Emfsw8vY5nA Second Friday Each Month $35, payble to the Aptos Chamber.

RISING STARS NEW BRIDGE GROUP Register at www.aptoschamber.com.

10 a.m., 829 Bay Av., Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Wednesday February 7 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Avenue, Capitola thru Friday February 9 Come for bridge on the second Friday of each month from FOR THE LOVE OF CHILDREN LUNCHEON Presented by Santa Cruz Bridge Center. Limited/750* Sectional 11:30 am-1 pm, Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos MAR VISTA SCIENCE FAIR 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Entry fee is $15 per person per session.

First meeting was Oct. 13. Bette Harken, Master Bridge For the Love of Children is an annual event hosted by the 2 p.m., Mar Vista Elementary School, 6860 Soquel Drive, Aptos Find information at https://www.santacruzbridge.org Friends of CASA at Seascape Golf player, will give an introduction for beginners.

Mar Vista Elementary School Parents Club presents the Club.

Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

Saturday March 23 Mar Vista Science Fair for grades 3-6.

This luncheon, where the Project set up and judging will take place the same KIDS FUN RUN community comes together to day. Student tours will be Thursday and Friday in the 6:30 – 10:30 a.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. DATED EVENTS learn more about CASA, raises multi-purpose room.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hosts a Kids Fun Run. money for the CASA Children’s Tuesday February 6 There are two races: a 1K for kids 12 and under, and a 5K Fund, providing much needed Saturday February 10 LAIRD TO SPEAK for kids age 4 and up. (and families). items for foster children and The fee is $25 for the 1K and $40 for the 5K. Fees go PAINT YOUR PET! 6:30 p.m., Bruno’s Bar and Grill, 230 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts families. up after Feb. 23.

Valley 2-5 p.m., 2100 Delaware Ave, Suite B, Santa Cruz Plated lunch, vegetarian and Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaCruz/Boardwalk Sen. John Laird will be the guest speaker for the vegan options; order tickets at $100 per person by Jan. Join Pregnant Mare Rescue for a Paint Your Pet FunRun n Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County. He will fundraiser at an studio on the westside of Santa Cruz.

30 at https://casaofsantacruz.org/news-events/calendar.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Master Plan for Aging: Survey Open til March 31

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ecently, the County Human Services Department’s Adult & Long-Term Care Division began the process of developing a Master Plan for Aging in partnership with the Seniors Council and local cities within the county.

The Master Plan effort harmonizes with current state efforts to ensure our county (and state) have the framework needed to ensure that community members can age well within our area. The local effort is called “Age Well Santa Cruz County.”

What is Age Well Santa Cruz County and what is the Master Plan for Aging? he Age Well Santa Cruz County initiative will allow the County to develop our area’s first blueprint for a local Master Plan on Aging. According to California’s Master Plan for Aging, the goal is “affirm the priority of the health and well-being of older Californians and people with disabilities.

It is a blueprint for state government, local government, the private sector, and philanthropy to prepare the state for the coming demographic changes and continue California’s leadership in aging, disability, and equity.”

The State has set forth five priority goals as part of the process: Housing for All Stages

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“Faulkner” from page 23 A good amount of water that falls is lost to runoff. We need to move toward implementing water catchment, which will become more necessary as we face intense storms and intense droughts. Seeking additional funding sources is key and having someone who works well with our state and federal legislators is also critical.

As a Democratic State Delegate, I have and will continue to work well with our legislators. We’ve also been warned by representatives that Santa Cruz needs to keep its promises when we receive large sums of grant funds from the state for things like transit and trails.

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

& Ages (providing adequate housing for our aging population, those with disabilities and additional needs), Health Reimagined (closing the health equity gap and improving lifespans and quality of life), Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation (having lifelong opportunities for work, volunteering, engagement, and leadership to protect from isolation, discrimination and neglect), Caregiving That Works (having one million caregiving jobs to ensure care for an aging population) and Affording Aging (to ensure economic sufficiency as we age).

The blueprint is a 10-year horizon (that started in 2021). Additionally, there is a data dashboard that provides information about California’s older adult population and also tracks progress on the State’s Master Plan goals. This can be found on the State’s dedicated site: https://mpa.aging.ca.gov As part of this process locally, the County is conducting a Community Needs Assessment Survey (in English and Spanish) to collect community feedback focused on aging in the county. The goal of the plan, and the survey, is to ensure people of all ages and abilities in our county are engaged, valued, and afforded equitable opportunities to thrive as they age, how and where they choose.

We can build more housing here in a way that is environmentally wise but we need to take a more systems level approach to doing so. Geneva, Switzerland, is denser than New York City, but you wouldn’t suspect this because of how the Swiss people build.

They are incredibly technically savvy conservationists and we can learn a lot from how other cities do things well.

In the first 10 months of 2023, Santa Cruz County Coroner Stephany Fiore tallied 115 accidental fatal drug overdoses. County health officials want to be more proactive.

What more could be done?

It is critical that we target our schools, children and families, to share with them

30 / February 2024 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Where can you find the survey to participate? he survey can be found at this link: www.agewellsantacruzcounty.org — in addition, the survey can be found from the County’s Human Services website by clicking on Adult & Long Term Care and you will see the Age Well Santa Cruz County link.

If you would prefer a paper version of the survey, you can call Human Services at (831) 454-4397 or send an email to: AgeWell@ santacruzcountyca.gov with “Mail Me a Paper Survey” in the subject line.

In the email they are requesting your first and last name, your mailing address, what type of survey you are requesting (English, Spanish, Large Format in English), and how many copies you need of each. The survey will be open until March 31. Results from this survey will help inform our local goals and priorities.

What does the Human Services Department Department Adult & Long-Term Care Division do? he Adult & Long-Term Care Division assists older adults and people with disabilities to maximize self-sufficiency, safety and independence.

Additionally, they provide casework services and resource information that offers a choice of community services and care options. The Adult & Long-Term Care

Division is taking the County’s lead in the Age Well Santa Cruz County process. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

the seriousness of what is going on and how drugs like fentanyl are being delivered to children through seemingly harmless ‘fake’ prescription or over the counter drugs.

The amount of fentanyl it takes to kill a person is so small, it is impossible to detect these high potency synthetic drugs that are killing so many people. The amount of Fentanyl the size of three grains of sand is enough to kill a young person.

Kids in school may buy or sell or offer drugs like oxycodone, Xanax, or Adderall to their friends that they get from an untrustworthy source. These pills look identical to legitimate prescription medications but are synthesized on the black market.

Seven out of ten ‘faked’ pills the DEA has tested have deadly levels of fentanyl! Over 80% of drug related deaths in teens are due to fentanyl.

Kids don’t know that pills that look like prescription drugs are easy to fake and even pharmacists cannot tell a real pill from a faked pill. A kid might get a hold of a pill from a friend thinking it is Xanax, not knowing it is not from a trusted source. Laced with unknown concentrations of fentanyl, one pill can result in sudden death.

Every student should be carrying naloxone and trained on how to use it. We should provide naloxone in all public facilities, just like we now have AEDs. n

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Bareroot Season Begins in January

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Stellaaaaa!

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ur Pet of the week is stellar Stella (#A305284)!

Stella was our POTW in November but has not been adopted yet! She is still as smart as a whip and since the last time she was featured she has gone to a foster home and is having a blast!

She loves playing with her 95lb dog foster sibling and is getting so much enrichment and socialization with their time together. Stella sleeps through the night, is potty trained and is learning all kinds of new things.

At the Shelter she had been a little mouthy when she was over tired or over stimulated but in her foster home, and with plenty of exercise and play with her foster brother, she has been very well behaved and not mouthy.

While she came to the Shelter with a lot of pent-up energy and typical puppy enthusiasm for life she has learned so much from staff, volunteers and her foster family. She is such a smartie pants she already knows sit!

She is a prime candidate for an adopter who is excited about working with a dog and using positive reinforcement training to create a trusting relationship. Adopters are recommended to be dog-savvy and understanding.

We do not have any history of Stella with cats. Because Stella thrives so much with other dogs she is required to go to a home with another dog.

So if you are looking for a new playmate for your energetic pup, Stella is your girl!

••• 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.

You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events.

••• 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

By Tony Tomeo

hristmas trees and associated items are no imposition for nurseries. They are seasonal while not much else is appealing to a retail market. They occupy retail area that summer and autumn commodities relinquished earlier. Then, they relinquish their same space as bareroot stock becomes seasonable. The chronology is very coincidentally very efficient.

Bareroot season is not actually contingent on the end of Christmas tree season. It begins with winter dormancy of bareroot stock. This dormancy merely and fortuitously coincides with Christmas. It is as effective as anesthesia for surgery. Basically, dormant stock goes to sleep on a farm, and awakens in a new home garden. Timing of the process is critical.

Bareroot stock initially grows in the ground rather than within nursery cans.

Separation of its roots from the soil they grew is harmless during dormancy. Both roots and stems need simultaneous pruning.

Then, stock is ready for transport without soil. Some gets packing of moist sawdust in plastic bags. Most awaits resale from bins of moist sand at nurseries.

Bareroot stock has several advantages to more familiar canned nursery stock. It is much less expensive. It is also much less cumbersome. So, not only are more items affordable, but also, more fit into a car at the nursery. Their relatively small roots systems are easy to install. More importantly, without

Classic Toys © Statepoint Media

Bare roots are dormant for winter.

binding, their new roots disperse much more efficiently.

Deciduous fruit trees are the most popular bareroot stock. This includes stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, plum, prune, peach and nectarine. Also, it includes pomme fruits such as apple, pear and quince. Roses and cane berries are likely the second most popular of bareroot stock. Persimmon, pomegranate, fig, mulberry, and nut trees are also available.

Some of the more unusual bareroot stock is available only from online catalogues. More variety seems to become available locally though. Elderberry has only been available in California for the past several years. Currant and gooseberry are variably available here. Artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberry are perennials that are available bareroot. Cultivars of blueberry and grapevines are available.

••• Heath eaths, which are several species of Erica, derive their name from their natural habitats. They are endemic to shrublands of acidic and seasonally dry soil of inferior quality.

Such ecosystems, or heaths, do not sustain many big trees or shrubbery.

Species from heaths should be resilient to dry chaparral summers.

However, they Heath for winter. dislike locally Heather for summer. alkaline soils.

This is unfortunately why heaths are quite rare within gardens here. They are popular as blooming potted plants for winter, but become scarce afterward. Within planters of potting media, they may grow and bloom for many years. In the ground though, they are likely to languish without acidifying amendment. They prefer the company of coniferous species.

Heath blooms for winter or very early spring. Heather is a similar relation, but blooms for summer or autumn. Floral color ranges from white to pink to rustic purplish pink. Flowers are dinky but abundant. Comparably dinky evergreen leaves are like soft juniper scales. Almost all available heaths grow less than five feet high. Most grow less than a foot high. n ••• Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo. com.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2024 / 31

Capitola & Soquel

BY THE NUMBERS Dec 2023 MLS Data

2

1.75m median sale price

new listings

54

median days on market

98% list price received

3

homes sold

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