Capitola Soquel Times: June 2024

SCCAL Athletes of the Year

Braylon Noble, Danica Kelley & Ashlyn Boothby

In a tradition started in 1977, the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League announces the winners of the 2023-24 SCCAL Male & Female Athletes-of-the-Year Award:

Braylon Noble, Soquel High School

Danica Kelley & Ashlyn Boothby, Scotts Valley High School

The awards are voted to seniors by the athletic directors.

In the 47 years, there have only been two ties previously (1994 and 2019), and this is the first time for a tie for the female awards. ... continues on page 4

By Jondi Gumz

My husband & I have owned our home in the city limits of Scotts Valley (1.6 miles from the fire station) since 1992. We have home insurance, Farmers then State Farm, and never filed a claim.

Story page 5

Venetian Court Celebrates 100 Years Full Story page 22

The Capitola-Soquel Times is pleased to recognize all of the Soquel High School valedictorians for their hard work that put them at the top of their class in 2024.

Story page 6

Table of Contents

SCCAL Athletes of the Year: Braylon Noble, Danica Kelley & Ashlyn Boothby Community News

5 Home Insurance Crisis: My Story, By Jondi Gumz

6 Soquel High School Valedictorians

7 Can You Lower Your Home Insurance Premium?, By Jondi Gumz

9 Students Create Community Trail Guide, By Carlo Albano, Principal, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary • Boat Captain Sentenced to 4 Years for Fire that Killed 34

10 Latin Rhythms at Cabrillo Stage: ‘In The Heights’, By Mindy Pedlar

19 Call to Artists for Capitola Plein Air • Free Well Water Testing Program

21 Young at Heart: Mid-County Senior Center Celebrates 50 Years

23 Nugent Promoted to Assistant VP • Bay Federal Credit Union Scholarship Winners • Fentanyl Kills 133 in Santa Cruz County

24 Ballot Measure: $87 Parcel Tax to Address Fire Resilience, Flood Protection, Recreation, By Jondi Gumz

26 Welcome Back, Capt. Grimm

27 Highway 1 Widening & Rail Trail Construction

31 10 Tips for Owners of Small Businesses, By Jondi Gumz Local Sports

8 Girls Beach Volleyball All League 2023-24 • Boys Volleyball All League 2023-24 Local History

22 Colorful Venetian Court Celebrates 100 Years, By Deborah Osterberg

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Gemini: Lines of Lightbeams, By Risa D’Angeles

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists

10 Sales Tax Increase Under Discussion, By Kristen Brown, Mayor, City of Capitola

12 Healing the Father-Son Wound, By Barry and Joyce Vissell

13 SUESD Students to Celebrate, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

16 The Milk Football, By Joe Ortiz

20 Some Americans Have Stopped Tipping. Should You?, By Christopher Elliott

25 Maximizing Water Reliability: Regional Optimization Study Underway, By Rebecca Gold Rubin

30 Nearly 100 Citations for Unpermitted Vacation Rentals, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Featured Pet • Page 31 – Not Peter … Justin!

Patrice

Jondi

COVER STORY

“Athletes of the Year” from page 1

Braylon Noble

Soquel High School

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Mindy Pedlar, Deborah Osterberg, Risa D’Angeles, Kristen

and Joyce

Scott J. Turnbull, Joe Ortiz, Christopher Elliott, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend layout

Ward Austin

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Braylon is a 3-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and track and field. Coaches call him a generational talent, and Athletic Director Stu Walters said he’s a great human being.

With a name that means “brave and ready for battle,” Braylon proved himself to be an outstanding competitor athletically and academically.

In football, he played wide receiver and defensive back, and, as team captain, led the Knights to a Central Coast Section championship and to Santa Cruz County’s first state championship in football.

In basketball, he was a 2nd-team AllSCCAL selection.

In track and field, he won the Bob Enzweiler Award for earning the most points at the SCCAL Track and Field Championships, winning four events – long jump, pole vault, high jump and 400-meter run.

With an overall 4.05 grade-point average, he was selected as the 2023-24 CCS Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Braylon is being recruited by college coaches. He has not selected his college destination yet, but he plans to pursue track and field, becoming a decathlete.

Kelley Scotts Valley High School

One of the finest wrestlers, male or female, to ever come out of Santa Cruz County, Danica had a remarkable senior season. Wrestling at 135 pounds, she was the SCCAL, Central Coast Section, and

California Interscholastic Federation state champion.

It was her 3rd consecutive league championship (her freshman year was canceled due to Covid), and her 2nd CCS championship. Danica will wrestle at Menlo College in the fall.

Ashlyn Boothby Scotts Valley High School Ashlyn is one of the most decorated runners to come out of Santa Cruz County.

In cross country, Ashlyn is a 4-time SCCAL individual champion and a 3-time Central Coast Section champion.

In track and field, she is a 3-time SCCAL champion and a 2-time CCS champion.

Ashlyn will keep running in the fall at Stanford University. n

Danica

Edwards editor

Gumz

Brown, Barry

Vissell,

Michael Oppenheimer graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer,

production coordinator

Camisa Composti-Talbott media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul

office coordinator

Cathe Race distribution

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti-Talbott

Michael Oppenheimer website photography

Female Athletes of the Year: Danica Kelley (left-photo credit Nick Reyes) and Ashlyn Boothby (photo credit John Lee)

Male Athlete of the Year: Braylon Noble

Home Insurance Crisis: My Story

By Jondi Gumz

My husband & I have owned our home in the city limits of Scotts Valley (1.6 miles from the fire station) since 1992.

We have home insurance, Farmers then State Farm, and never filed a claim.

We have paid faithfully for earthquake insurance.

Our home insurance has gone up from $1,000 a year to $3,290.

Our quake policy has gone up from $900 to $1,300.

We live on Whispering Pines Drive, where homes were built in 1974 tucked in between six 100-foot tall Ponderosa pines. Where we live was approved by the city. There was no requirement for defensible space.

After the windstorm last year, we noticed a 6-foot diagonal crack in one giant pine, the one tucked between our house and garage.

The way it was leaning, it could smash our garage, the PG&E power lines on the street, knocking out power for the neighborhood, and our neighbor’s house.

I asked PG&E’s Davey tree crew guy to look and got an opinion that it was a hazard, but he could not give a time frame as to when. My husband, who is retired, didn’t want to wait so we got bids. I called State Farm to see if this could be covered by insurance. No, I was told, only if it falls. My husband didn’t want to take that chance.

So we paid $10,000 to take down ONE tree — yes, $10,000 for ONE tree.

Our Social Security checks are not enough to pay this kind of expense over and over.

As I said, we have five of these 100-yearold Ponderosa pines.

Personally, I am still healing from breast cancer, diagnosed 2018.

I am thankful I am still here, and that my holistic integrative approach has so far been successful, but maintaining my health without side effects is unbelievably costly — about as much as cutting down four giant pine trees.

Still, my health is my priority.

In 2022, after the CZU, Dixie, Santa Barbara, & Caldor fires destroyed thousands of homes, and Gov. Newsom boasted the state of California had a $97 billion surplus, he should have proposed payments to homeowners in counties where wildfires had occurred to help them pay for safety improvements such as defensible space.

But I never heard that idea mentioned.

In 2023, the USDA put $97 million into California’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, which was to help communities in the wildland urban interface maintain resilient landscapes, create fireadapted communities, and ensure safe, effective wildfire response.

“Insurance” page 14

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

A 100-foot Ponderosa pine leaning with a 6-foot crack is cut down in Scotts Valley.

Soquel Valedictorians

The Capitola-Soquel Times is pleased to recognize all of the Soquel High School valedictorians for their hard work that put them at the top of their class in 2024. School staff say this is the list at the time of printing (May 27) but status may change at the time of graduation, which is 10 a.m. May 31 at the stadium.

Valedictorians

Charlotte Bakum

Parents: Lisa Alvarez-Bakum and Jerome Bakum

What will you do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I am going to Cabrillo Community College and eventually transferring into a nursing school and larger university.

Do you have a major in mind?

Yes, my major is nursing.

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

I was a part of the track and field team.

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

I really enjoyed being a part of the digital media class and the amazing experiences and skills I was able to learn participating in that class for three years.

Luke Battey

Parents: Meg Battey and Mark Battey

What will you do after you graduate?

I will be going to a 4-year college

Do you have a major in mind?

Construction management

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

I played football and golf. What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

The sports program

Samuel Crane

Parents: Jennifer Lee and Michael Crane

What will you do after you graduate?

Attend Duke University

Do you have a major in mind?

Economics

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

Student government, Media Production, baseball, Model UN, Asian Student Union

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

The strong school spirit and inclusive campus culture

Maia Goldring

Parents: Samantha Lucas and Kenny Goldring

What will you do after you graduate?

Cabrillo College for the summer and fall semesters and then a gap semester traveling abroad.

Do you have a major in mind?

Business and /or psychology

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High? AP classes

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High? AP classes

Rebeka Morales

Parents: Ana Martinez and Jose Morales

What will you do after you graduate?

Go to UC Santa Cruz

Do you have a major in mind?

History

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

I enjoyed my history classes.

Nathan Perry

Parents: Dan Perry and Emily Perry

What will you do after you graduate?

Attend Claremont McKenna College for pre-law.

Do you have a major in mind? Philosophy, politics, and economics. I might also add on to it by doing a dual major in international relations or a sequence in legal studies.

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

Mock Trial, Model UN, Ethics Bowl, student government, water polo

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High? I really enjoyed the community at Soquel High; the support, the celebrations, the competitions, and the lighthearted attitude.

“Valedictorians” page 8

TOP (from left): Rebeka Morales, Nola Salazar, Maia Goldring, Daniel Spadafora

BOTTOM (from left): Charlotte Bakum, Nathan Perry, Luke Battey, Samuel Crane

Photo Credit: Sam Crane

COMMUNITY NEWS

Can You Lower Your Home Insurance Premium?

By Jondi Gumz

Iattended the May 15 workshop in Scotts Valley on home insurance, hoping I could find a way to lower my State Farm premium, which has jumped from $1,000 a year before the CZU wildfire in Boulder Creek to $3,290 a year.

The panel of experts, Richie Sayavong from the state Insurance Commissioner’s office, Joel Laucher from the nonprofit United Policyholders (a UC Santa Cruz grad who spent 35 years with the state Department of Insurance, becoming chief deputy commissioner), Edan Cassidy and Kami Cady of Cassidy Insurance, the last independent agency in Scotts Valley, and real estate agent Maggie Barr, did not offer much hope.

Scotts Valley, a small city of 12,000 with the fire station 1.6 miles away, seemed safe until Cassidy Insurance Agency put up a map on the screen showing the city as a gray splotch surrounded by mustard color indicating high risk and a bit of yellow indicate moderate risk. All along Highway 9: Red for very high risk.

It was standing room only at the Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center, with all of the 264 seats filled.

There must be clearance around the property – no continuous plantings like we have, only small patches of flowers.

Shrubs and trees must be 10 feet apart.

If you’ve ever driven on Whispering Pines Drive, you can see this is not how homes were built in 1974.

I can touch the pine tree from my (wood!) deck — no clearance there.

Greene said getting your neighborhood certified as “FireWise,” a program of the National Fire Protection Association, makes you eligible for a discount.

How much?

One homeowner who commented on NFPA.org said the discount was $8, far less than what was spent to make the property safer.

When the audience was asked, “Is your policy not being renewed?” at least half the hands went up.

When State Farm decided not to renew policies in California after multiple wildfire payouts, that left 72,000 homeowners in limbo.

About 4,300 are in Santa Cruz County.

Sayavong mentioned the “wildfire risk score,” which was new information.

I checked my bill and found the score in small print near the back: 33.9%.

Wondering what that’s based on, I called to find out.

I was hoping my husband and I would get credit for our investment in dual-pane windows ($15,000) and removing a 100-feet Ponderosa pine ($10,000).

Alese Greene, a State Farm agent for 17 years, told me those actions are not considered mitigations that could bring a discount.

What’s required is a roof that is asphalt composition, tile, metal, or concrete.

Siding must be 100% noncombustible: Stucco, metal, fiber concrete, brick, concrete or stone.

Another commenter said point of FireWise is not necessarily discounts but working cooperatively with neighbors to make the neighborhood safer from wildfire risk.

Sally Mack, a FireWise coach in the Santa Cruz Mountains, encouraged attendees to look into FireWise.

She said there are 744 certified FireWise neighborhoods in the state and 56 in Santa Cruz County, investing $11 million and 112,466 hours in safety improvements.

On her road, which has 27 homes, neighbors created a phone tree, shared tools such as a chain saw and a chipper, and did a risk assessment, “ideally with the input of the fire department,” she said, and wrote a 3-year action plan.

Andrew Clark is CalFire’s defensible space inspector in this area.

He showed a photo of a firefighter in the dark, surround by glowing embers.

Those embers, carried on the wind, can easily start a fire.

For your home to be defensible by firefighters, CalFire wants five feet of space between your house and the rest of the property — “Zone Zero,” the “no burn zone.” n

To request a defensible space inspection, see https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace To view the Scotts Valley home

go to: https://scottsvalley.gov/Civic Alerts.aspx?AID=236

Joel Laucher, former chief deputy insurance commissioner, is now an advocate with the nonprofit United Policyholders.

Girls Beach Volleyball

First Team

• Summer Pederson (12) & Antonia Wilson (12) - Santa Cruz

• Shelby Leonardich (11) & Natalie Monroe (10) - Santa Cruz

• Sabine Kemos (11) & Maren O’Farrell (11) - Harbor

• Gwen Grigsby (12) & Isla Johnson (11)

- Harbor

• Grace Emanuelson (12) & Hayden Smith (10) - Scotts Valley

• Kenzie Smith (10) & Ella Dueck (9) - Aptos

Second Team

• Gemma Reyes (9) & Zoe Adams (10) - Soquel

• Cy Harris (12) & Anya Gonzalez (12)Mount Madonna

• Ava Boyd (12) & Haley Curatin (12) - Aptos

• Ava Lord (12) & Lily Pederson (12)Santa Cruz

• Aila Papopoulos (10) & Makayla McDonnell (10) - Scotts Valley

• Grace Stryker (11) & Tea Stockwell (11) - Harbor n

Boys Volleyball All League 2023-24

Justin Bates, who coached the Santa Cruz Cardinals, undefeated in league, was voted Coach of the Year.

Solomon Coleman of Mount Madonna School was voted Frosh of the Year, a special award, and Jackson Bloom of Aptos High was chosen for the first team.

Here are all the honorees: First Team

• Maverick Manor - Senior - Setter

• Tim Pohlmann - Santa Cruz - Senior

- Opposite

• Abe Schmidt - Harbor - Junior - Libero

• Jackson Bloom - Aptos - Junior - Middle Blocker

• Gammon Nilssen - Santa Cruz - JuniorOutside Hitter

• Leo Sapunor - Santa Cruz - JuniorMiddle Blocker

• Julien Pally - Santa Cruz - JuniorOutside Hitter

• MVP - Gammon Nilssen - Santa Cruz - Junior

“Valedictorians” from page 6

Nola Salazar

Parent: Maggie Martin

What will you do after you graduate?

Attend UC Santa Barbara

Do you have a major in mind?

Biology

What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

Varsity soccer, track and field captain, cross-country captain, Ceramics Club vice president, Youth for Environmental Action leader

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

Second Team

• Noah Luksich - Harbor - Junior - Outside Hitter

• Isaac Koontz - Soquel - Junior - Setter

• Gryphon Butler - Harbor - Senior - Opposite

• Jon McClaren - SLV - Senior - Middle Blocker

• Nathan MacCarthy - Soquel - JuniorOutside Hitter

• Grady McKee - Harbor - SophomoreMiddle Blocker

• Lucas Kamalani - Santa Cruz - Sophomore - Libero Honorable Mention

• Aptos - Iman Moshari, Anthony Smith

• Mount Madonna - Peter Shoemaker, Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp

• SVHS - Chase Welle

• Soquel - Francisco Rothman-Solado, Tucker Graessle

• Santa Cruz - James Bush, Charlie Hess

• SLV - Hunter Lallemand, Zach Frederich

• Harbor - Josh Rejfir, JJ Laughlin n

Daniel Spadafora

Parents: Michael Spadafora and Karen Spadafora

What will you do after you graduate?

I plan on attending Harvard University.

Do you have a major in mind?

I want to major in computer science. What activities did you participate in at Soquel High?

I did band, Model UN, and Coding Club

What did you enjoy most at Soquel High?

Bonding with my classmates through difficult classes like physics, Jazz Band, or calculus.

•••

Salutatorians

I enjoyed discovering my passion for biology, playing the sports I love, and building friendships that will last a lifetime.

Rawly Capone, Maya Cash, Mikayla Freiberg, Tucker Graessle, Tyler Lindahl, and Matthew Simon n

Students Create Community Trail Guide

By Carlo Albano, Principal, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary

Completing an outdoor science project, fourth and fifth graders at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School designed and created a guide for the trails behind their school, identifying more than 140 species of flora and fauna.

On May 15, they hosted an opening day celebration at the Chaminade Trail near Santa Cruz Gardens County Park, 113 Katherine Lane, Santa Cruz. The free trail guides are kept in wooden boxes built and installed by students.

In a new community partnership with the Chaminade Resort, students spent more than 60 hours on the trails in research, gathering field data and writing in nature journals.

This project is part of the SAGE Program, a science and garden program, begun at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary in 2022 to increase students’ inquiry-based learning, understanding of natural systems, environmental stewardship, and community service. That year, fifth graders turned an underused space at the school entrance into a community garden.

This year’s students took the lead in dreaming up the trail guide project. They worked in teams to create a plan including researching and mapping out different zones on the trail. They spent time on the trail nature journaling, identifying species, participating

in fungus forays, birding, hiking and enjoying mindful moments outside.

Fourth grader Gustavo said, “I had no idea how many species exist on this trail. I love going hiking because of this project.”

Their teacher, Brian Boyce, said students designed and budgeted the materials needed to build and install the brochure boxes.

The guides include scientific illustrations, articles on species, poems, short stories, meditation practices, and nature activities created by the students.

They got feedback on the trail guide content from local experts including the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, the Bird School Project, and local mycologist Paul Miller.

Evie, a fifth grader, said, “Our hope is that our community will spend more time outside connecting with the native plants and animals that we share this land with.” n

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is part of the Soquel Union School District. For information, call 831-464-5670.

Boat Captain Sentenced to 4 Years for Fire that Killed 34

On May 2,

Business Loans to Help

was sentenced to four years in custody and three years’ supervised release. Boylan is appealing.

“Boat Captain Sentenced” page 17

Jerry Boylan, 70, captain of a scuba dive boat that caught fire in 2019 near Santa Barbara and killed 34 people aboard, including local resident Vaidehi “Vai” Campbell Williams,

Students with binoculars look for birds on the Chaminade Trail.

Students built and painted wooden boxes, which they installed on the trail to keep their nature guides dry.

Sales Tax Increase Under Discussion

By Kristen Brown, Mayor, City of Capitola

For the City of Capitola, the pending 2027 expiration of Measure F, a .25% sales tax passed in 2016, poses financial uncertainty —potentially leading to a $1.1 million decrease to the City’s general fund.

However, as a city we have worked through many obstacles before, and as a city we are working together to evaluate options to move our community forward on a sustainable path.

Over the past two decades, our City’s sales tax base has struggled to keep pace with inflation, decreasing our city’s purchasing power by more than $1 million. Rising costs associated with prior pension obligations have strained our budget, and recurring natural disasters have forced the City to take a hard look at our long-term financial strategies.

At the same time, Capitola boasts the lowest sales tax rate in the county. Of those tax dollars paid by our community, the city also only receives 15% of the sales taxes collected in the City limits, 7.5% of the property tax, and 0% of the income tax.

Despite these challenges, the City has remained committed to delivering essential services.

We have successfully completed our commitments associated with Measure F three years ahead of schedule. We’ve rebuilt the City’s flume and jetty, and will soon be wrapping up the long-awaited wharf resiliency project.

In addition, while City staffing levels are the same today as they were in 2000, the demands on the City have risen exponentially.

We have also risen to meet these needs

COMMUNITY NEWS

by expanding our community outreach to include numerous social media channels, greatly expanding our recreation offerings to our youth and community members at large, and delivering on a number of public works projects throughout the City. However, maintaining our current level of service amidst rising demands has become increasingly challenging and we must acknowledge the need for sustainable revenue sources to secure our city’s future.

Because of this, the City Council has called on our staff to explore the possibility of replacing Measure F with a 0.5% sales tax measure beginning in 2025, which presents an opportunity to address our financial challenges proactively.

“Sales Tax” page 14

Latin Rhythms at Cabrillo Stage: ‘In The Heights’

By Mindy Pedlar

Rehearsals are underway for Cabrillo Stage’s production of In The Heights. This hip musical was an instant sensation when it premiered on Broadway 15 years ago.

It’s set in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood, a vibrant, tight-knit community where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the apartment windows are always open, and the cool breeze carries the percussive rhythm of the bustling city and its three generations of music. For this community on the brink of change, it speaks of hope, heritage and healing love; a universal story about chasing your dreams and finding your true home.

Winner of 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score, In The Heights is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music-filled love letter to the community of his youth. Like his Pulitzer Prize winning Hamilton, Miranda effortlessly combines traditional musical numbers with a hint of rap and a lot of pulsating Latin rhythms.

Directing this summer’s production

is the multi-talented Estrella EsparzaJohnson, who has a long history as an actor and creator with Teatro Campesino. Her overall artistic vision is one of “truth and authenticity. You will experience full Latino characters whose ethnic identity is rooted in their ideals of family, home, community and industry.”

Joining EsparzaJohnson is choreographer Chris “Boogy” Marcos who says, “The choreography is not just visual eye candy; it’s a tool to express feeling and emotion. The movement serves as a bridge between music and story with the cast as vessels to push the narrative forward in all directions.”

Marcos is using some high energy hip hop as well as a variety of Latin movements including salsa, bachata and a fusion of all styles.

The accomplished Michael J. McGushin

returns as musical director, assisted by hip hop specialist, Ron Johnson. McGushin will also be conducting the live orchestra that is a key ingredient to the success of all Cabrillo Stage productions.

In The Heights will win you over with its sweet story and tuneful score enlivened by the dancing rhythms of salsa and Latin pop. Don’t miss this entertaining, joyous and uplifting experience at the theatre.

•••

Online tickets are $55 general admission, $50 for senior citizens 65+ at cabrillostage. com

Performances: July 11 – Aug. 4, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., with a special matinee performance Saturday Aug. 3. Post-show discussion with the creative team on Sunday, July 14, immediately following the performance.

Box Office opens June 20 for phone and walk-up sales Thursdays - Saturdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and 1 hour prior to each performance 831-479-6154. n •••

Cabrillo Stage performs in the Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Estrella Esparza-Johnson

Ivy

Deborah Cypert Owner Bobbie Frandeen

Healing the Father-Son Wound

Ijust had the opportunity to talk with Jed Diamond, mostly about this important topic. You can watch this video conversation on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ pmJvM0_0ToQ.

I feel it is vital for not only men, but also women, to understand the father-son wound, and to know how to heal it.

Over the decades, I have watched (and of course helped) men become better fathers.

I have seen men who have had difficult relationships with their fathers go on to father their own children with much more love and awareness.

would rage. He was like a volcano. The pressure inside him would build when things didn’t go his way. Then he would explode with loud yelling. Sometimes, the explosion would become physical. I particularly remember defying him when I was perhaps 12 years old. He used his fists on me until I was bloody.

Of course there are father-daughter wounds, mother-daughter wounds, and mother-son wounds too. But I want to focus on the father-son wounds for this article.

Let’s look at two broad categories: The wounds from abuse and the wounds from neglect.

The wounds from abuse include verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. My father

The wounds from neglect include not being present enough (physically or emotionally) or withholding praise and love. My father often worked at a job swing-shift, the afternoon and evenings, a one-hour drive into New York City, making it 10 hours a day. I basically didn’t see him except for the weekends, when he mostly slept. I remember longing to have him play catch with me, but he never did.

Many people don’t realize that the neglect of an absent father can hurt just as much as the abuse of a raging father.

I didn’t realize until I was well into adulthood that my father was often jealous

By Barry and Joyce Vissell

of me. While my older sister, Donna, and my younger brother, Richard, seemed closer to my father, I was deeply bonded to my mother.

A typical evening on the weekend when my father was home involved watching television. There were two couches in our little TV room. On one couch sat my dad with my brother and sister on either side of him. On the other couch, I have fond memories of lying with my head in my mom’s lap, while she stroked my head.

Of course, he felt jealous. The way he expressed these feelings was not healthy. At every meal, when he was present, he insisted on being served first by my mom, and then the children after him.

quickly approached my dad in the kitchen. I gently took hold of his shoulders, looked into his eyes and said, “Dad, your yelling is scaring and hurting me!”

How do we heal these wounds? If our fathers are still alive, we can have important conversations with them, allowing them to hear our pain. Sadly, I never took the opportunity to do this before my father died. I expressed my anger at him plenty of times, but this did little good.

I would like to offer a powerful method of healing: Vulnerability. Here’s an example from maybe 30 years ago. As a child, I learned to cope with my dad’s outbursts of anger by disappearing emotionally. He would yell and I would be gone.

My body would be in the same room, but my mind and feelings were elsewhere. It’s called dissociation. Joyce would be incredulous after these explosions that I wasn’t aware of what had happened. I realized I needed help to stay in my feelings. I humbly asked the person who was acutely aware of the pain and sadness resulting from these episodes… my wife.

Thanksgiving was approaching in three months. My parents were planning to be with us for a week. I asked Joyce to train me to stay present in my feelings when the inevitable explosions of rage took place. She asked me how these explosions made me feel. I dug deep and felt the pain, sadness, and yes, fear. This was my key vulnerability that I needed to feel, rather than dissociate. It was like I was training for a marathon. I needed help, and Joyce was a dedicated trainer.

Finally, Thanksgiving came, and my father was in the kitchen wanting to cook something the day after they arrived. My mantra was “be ready, be ready.” My dad couldn’t find an ingredient in our cupboard, and I watched the old familiar build-up of volcanic pressure. The mantra kept going. Be ready. Be ready.

And I was ready when the explosion came. He started yelling at my mother, who was sitting at the dining room table. I allowed myself to feel the pain and sadness, then

It was just like I had awakened my father from a dream or trance. He was completely unaware of his behavior. I noticed tears forming in his eyes, then he said, “Barry, that’s the last thing I would ever want to do to you.” Within seconds, we were hugging each other, while my mom sat at the table watching and wondering what had just happened. I was prepared for these explosions to happen often during the visit, but it never happened again, so powerful was my vulnerable intervention.

The key here is to become aware of your feelings. Although Joyce helped me, you may need the help of a therapist.

And what if your father is no longer alive. The healing work can still be done. You can still voice your feelings to him, and it will help you.

Here’s another powerful healing tool: No matter how difficult your father was, nobody is all bad. Remember anything positive about him.

Once you open to even one good memory, others will follow. I now realize a great quality I inherited from my dad. He took social risks that would sometimes embarrass my mom, without caring what people thought about him.

Waiting on the checkout line at the supermarket, he would turn around and look into the shopping cart of the person behind him. He would say, “I see you’re buying asparagus.

What are you planning to do with it?

The person would hesitantly start to tell my dad their plans, but he would interrupt with something like, “Let me tell you what would be better.” And then he would, whether the person wanted this or not.

While I sincerely hope I am more sensitive than he was, I hope I have taken his gift to the next level, where I have spoken what I see even if it is met with resistance. Thank you, dad, for this chutzpah! n

Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personalspiritual growth. They are the authors of 10 books, including their most recent work

A Couple of Miracles: One Couple, More Than a Few Miracles, a semi-finalist for the Online Book Club’s Book of the Year, and a free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org.

Jed Diamond

SUESD Students to Celebrate

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

With the 2023-24 school year now in the books, it’s a great time to celebrate a few students who have especially embodied the spirit of each of our schools.

I trust that you will feel that, with young people such as these in our schools, our future is bright!

Main Street Elementary

Kanok Neamhun is an exceptional young person! He is completing his 4thgrade year at Main Street Elementary. Staff, students, and families all see the kind, warmhearted nature of Kanok.

He has the mind and heart of inclusivity, always considering others.

He shares the joy of being at school by welcoming friends at the start of the day with a big smile and positive words. He represents the Main Street Way showing respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring consistently!

We are so proud of him! Beth Willen, Main Street’s intervention teacher, shared that “Having known Kanok throughout the 5 years he has been at Main Street, this quality hasn’t changed. Starting kindergarten with limited English, he has always been friendly, funny, and kind.

I have enjoyed watching him grow (both educationally and physically) and become a valuable fixture in our school community.”

Soquel Elementary

Leila Hassani is a 5th-grade student at Soquel Elementary School. She excels as a student and as a leader while finding different ways to encourage and motivate others.

Leila is always willing to lend a hand to her peers and teachers and finds the fun in being a great role model to her kindergarten little buddy.

Leila’s growth mindset and passion for learning are two of

her greatest strengths, both of which never fail to show up on a daily basis. Leila is considerate, empathetic, and genuine.

Her friendly demeanor and ability to turn any negative into a positive will help her achieve any dream or desired aspiration.

At school, Leila is a dedicated member of Student Leadership who seeks to provide equitable student representation and voice. Outside of school, Leila has a passion for nature and helps to ensure it will be preserved for future generations.

Opal Cliffs School

Current 5th-grade student Matthew Emmanuel “Mateo” Martinez-Ascencio was a shy 3rd grader when he joined our district’s home-based school in August 2021.

Considered a secondlanguage learner, Matthew, who also goes by Mateo, had found distance learning especially challenging and was far below grade level.

As shy as he was, Matthew has had

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a level of motivation that is almost like a superpower.

After passing the state test secondlanguage learners are required to take each year until they can be reclassified as Englishproficient, his confidence and his reading have skyrocketed.

He has discovered a knack for math and found a way to blend his love for computers with his creative interests.

Mateo has reached hard-earned goals while staying true to the kind, curious, perceptive, and creative person he has always been.

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary

Sofia Alonsabe is a special 5th-grade student at Santa Cruz Gardens.

She has shown an immense amount of growth here, from her journey from her home country of the Philippines to Santa Cruz two years ago.

“Celebrate Students” page 17

Kanok Neamhun

Leila Hassani

Matthew Martinez-Ascencio

“Sales Tax” from page 10

Should the City Council move forward with placing the measure on the ballot, and the measure itself is approved by voters, the current Measure F that is slated to sunset in 2027 would end this year, and the new sales tax would immediately take its place in 2025.

As with Measure F, city residents pay only about one third of the sales tax generated in Capitola, while visitors pay the remainder.

If successful, the proposed measure would play a vital role in sustaining public safety, maintaining essential City services, help us in retaining our amazing staff, maintaining our public infrastructure, and continuing our recreational programs that enrich the lives of so many members of our community. With a potential to generate about $2.2 million per year, it’s a pragmatic step toward ensuring our city’s long-term fiscal stability while acknowledging the realities of our current financial landscape.

The City Council will be discussing this potential future funding strategy next month.

As we consider opportunities for

“Insurance” from page 5

Grants, 29 of them, largely went to fire departments, fuel breaks, fuel reduction, all well and good, but none for homeowners and none for Scotts Valley. If we’re going to be charged wildland rates in the city of Scotts Valley, shouldn’t Scotts Valley get help?

This year, the state announced federal grant funding up to $50,000 per household for wildfire mitigation and home hardening.

No help for us, because it won’t cover work you already did — like that $10,000 pine — and since I tapped my retirement accounts to pay for my holistic integrative health care and the tree, we are no longer a “low income” household at 80% of the $132,800 median.

Expecting us to pay for a 50-year-old government policy that is obsolete is just plain wrong.

If we have 100-foot pine trees within five feet of our house, and our garage made of wood is within 30 feet of our house, and

If successful, the proposed measure would play a vital role in sustaining public safety, maintaining essential City services, help us in retaining our amazing staff, maintaining our public infrastructure, and continuing our recreational programs that enrich the lives of so many members of our community.

securing a healthy financial future for the City of Capitola, let us remain optimistic about the possibilities while also recognizing the need for prudent decisionmaking and fiscal responsibility, allowing Capitola to continue to thrive as a resilient and vibrant community. n

•••

Kristen Brown is mayor of Capitola. Email her at thekristenbrown@gmail.com

our wood deck is attached to the side of the house because we can’t afford all this removal and demolition, does that mean under Regulation 2644.9, we will only be offered an insurance policy we can’t afford??

Should we drop our home & quake insurance policies and spend that money on tree and garage removal?

Is there any hope of the federal grant for median-income households?

Because if the neighbors on our city street get funding for hardening and we don’t, won’t our home pose a risk for the neighborhood?

What options do you see? n

How to Search for Home Insurance

Arepresentative of the California Department of Insurance told me he took a half day to find a better deal for his homeowner’s policy in Los Angeles County, using tools at www.insurance.ca.gov.

I haven’t tried it yet but here’s where to look:

Click on Consumers at the top, look at the third column and click on the box that says Homeowner/Residential., and you’ll see the Shop Around page.

Now you can choose Compare Premiums, where you can enter your county, type of coverage, age of home and how much coverage, and get estimates. I got 12 pages of companies to call. I recognize only a couple; most of them are not big on advertising. Alternatively, go back to the Shop Around page, click on Home Insurance Finder. I got names of 12 companies plus the FAIR last-resort plan funded by insurance companies. n

For your search to work, make sure to use Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.

The Milk Football

Previous episode: When my friend Manny brought me a carton of milk late one night, my mother started to confess something about Dad

Iwas starting to feel relieved about my stupid decision to buy all that milk from Manny, when my mother said, “I still don’t know what we’re going to do with all that milk.” But after she flicked off the kitchen light, she turned to me and said, “Joey, sit down.”

Oh no, Mom I thought. Do we have to talk? Can’t we just start drinking the milk tomorrow and forget about it? I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

I was beginning to hate the milk. I hated Manny for being such an optimist. I swore I’d do my best to drink the milk before it spoiled to convince Mom that her faith in agreeing to buy it wasn’t a mistake. That would be my penance.

I would drink more milk than I ever had since I was a little kid. Even if it took two weeks to finish. Even if I got sick. Even if, as usual, I would want to shout to myself, The milk can go bad and I don’t care if Mom thinks I’m an idiot for wasting her money.

“Do you remember the day your father

came to the café when Bill was there?” she said.

“Yeah, Ma,” I said. “The day Dad brought me the basketball.”

“It was more than the basketball, Joe,” she said. “I had to tell your father to leave. I had to.” She must have seen the look on my face.

“You don’t remember, do you?”

“What Ma?”

“He took you out behind the shed.” She went silent.

Knowing I must have blocked it all out, she described Dad’s anger. His coming after me with his fist held tight. His rage.

All these thoughts raced through my mind as protection from what else Mom was going to tell me. What else had happened?

“Well, he’s gone now,” she said. “And he’s not coming back.”

“But Mom . . .”

“No,” she said. “That’s all you have to know. So, go to sleep.”

•••

It took a long time for us to finish all that milk. Just like a bad memory, the last drops in the container lingered on and on until we had to pour the rest of it down the drain.

The box, even when crushed up, took up a lot of space in the garbage.

After we lived without milk for a while, I started craving it again, so we went back to buying it a container at a time. One day Mom sent me to the store for a single half gallon.

I remember feeling as if I could run a hundred miles an hour. So, I ran, gathering up speed. In the brown sack, moist from the container, the milk felt like a football, so I tucked it under my arm and zigzagged back and forth, giving straight arms to imaginary tacklers, then hurling myself into the air. I ran along the paths we kids had beaten through the green sticker bushes, freshly up in spring.

All out through the oil fields near our house and over the railroad track, I sprinted toward home and a touchdown. In the last few yards before our street, my foot hit a ditch. I hesitated, lost my grip, and fumbled. The milk football squirted up in front of me, suspended in mid-air.

I felt the milk gods and muses that haunt mischievous young boys frowning down on me when the container landed right under my foot, where I flattened it with the full weight of my body, sending me sprawling into the dirt.

I started to cry even before I could pick myself up. My tears were not caused so much by the fall but by the mortification of having

JBy Joe Ortiz

wasted food and the pang of having to tell my mother I had turned the milk to mud for the sake of an imaginary touchdown.

What would she say? I was always gambling with my responsibility. When I arrived home, crying and muddy, my mother said she didn’t care about the milk. She just wanted to know if I was alright. I was confused. My own suffering had nowhere to go; I craved for it to be recognized. Instead, we talked a little about the silly container of milk we’d bought from Manny.

We sat in the kitchen. Mom pulled out some crumb cake she bought at the supermarket. It came in a box wrapped in cellophane, and she said it was lousy, because it wasn’t fresh. But it was all we had. Since there wasn’t any milk in the house, we washed down the cake with some cold coffee left over from breakfast.

She became short of breath, unable to get a single word out. But when she saw my reaction, she pulled herself together.

“Bill came back a few days later,” she said. “He knew Dad from the old days. He told me Daddy died.”

When her tears came gushing down, she said, “Daddy’s dead, and I didn’t know how to tell you. It’s so sad.”

“Ortiz” page 18

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

“Boat Captain Sentenced” from page 9

The night-time Labor Day fire on the 75-foot boat Conception was the deadliest maritime disaster in recent history, according to the Associated Press, and led to changes in maritime regulations, congressional reform and ongoing lawsuits.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu.

Last year, Boylan was found guilty of one count of neglect of ship office.

He was the first to abandon ship and leap overboard.

Prosecutors said he failed to post the roving night watch and never trained the crew in firefighting.

One crew member and 33 passengers died, including Williams, a communications specialist who worked 18 years at Soquel Creek Water District, Tia SalikaAdamic, 17, and Berenice Felipe Alvarez, 16, classmates at Pacific Collegiate School in Santa Cruz.

All were trapped in bunk beds below deck.

Boylan’s attorneys successfully contended the deaths were the result

of one incident, not individual crimes, and Judge Wu dismissed a grand jury indictment charging him with 34 counts of manslaughter. A grand jury then indicted Boylan on one count of seaman’s manslaughter.

Williams is remembered with a memorial water-wise demonstration garden at Soquel Creek Water District offices, 5180 Soquel Drive, Soquel. n

“Celebrate Students” from page 13

She found her place at SCG Elementary immediately, and says one of her “favorite things about her school are the staff, friends, and community because they are so nice.” Sofia excels in all subject matter. Sofia plays competitive soccer and is a phenomenal athlete! She loves the different kinds of food in California though she continues to find her mom and dad’s amazing adobo and Filipino cooking to be the best! Her 5th grade teacher Mr. Boyce says “Sofia is a rad human being who is a true model for what it means to be an upstander. She consistently does her best as a friend and as an ambassador of our school.”

New Brighton Middle School

Tyler Sakkestad, 8th grade, is one of this year’s valedictorians and has always been a self-motivated student, achieving outstanding grades without the need for parental pressure. His intrinsic drive has paved the way for a bright future, with hopes of earning a scholarship in either track or academics depending on his Soquel High School path. Tyler participates in athletics as a way to relieve stress and momentarily forget about school pressures. Sports also serve as a social outlet, where he has found inspiration from friends, his

dad, and his coach. Reflecting on his middle school experience, he describes it as a positive journey filled with new friendships and supportive peers.

His advice to new students is simple but profound: “Be open to making new friends. Don’t just stay in your old friend group.” Tyler’s journey is a testament to the power of self-motivation and the importance of embracing new experiences.

Tamar Mitnick, 8th grade, is also a valedictorian and has always been self-motivated. Her academic success is complemented by her entrepreneurial spirit and creativity.

Tamar founded Koa Jewelry, a business that started as a joyful creative outlet and has grown into a successful venture with products sold in local stores and at pop-up events.

Sports provide Tamar with an emotional and social outlet, emphasizing the importance of having diverse interests that bring her happiness. Her biggest inspiration is her grandpa, whom she describes as the most hardworking and selfless person she knows. Their lunches together give her peace of mind and immense joy. Tamar looks forward to her future at Soquel High. Tamar’s advice to new students is practical and kind: “Don’t feed the seagulls — and be nice to everyone.”

Her journey highlights the importance of balancing academic pursuits with personal happiness and mental well-being. n

Scott J. Turnbull is superintendent of Soquel Union Elementary School District.

Sofia Alonsabe

Tyler Sakkestad

Tamar Mitnick

Vai Williams

“Ortiz” from page 16

I didn’t know how to react. I couldn’t understand why she was sobbing. Did she still love him? I thought we were supposed to be glad he was finally out of our lives after all the misery he had caused. I thought we were supposed to hate him.

We sat there at the kitchen table weeping and holding one another, rocking back and forth. It was then that the hunkering down in the afternoon darkness and the whispering finally became the protection we needed from anyone else being able to see our grieving.

Then Mom explained to me why she cried so hard when she told me about Dad --she couldn’t bear to see its effects on me. She said we weren’t supposed to hate him for what he’d done to us. And that I wasn’t supposed to hate him for all the misery he had caused her. She said she just got to the point where she couldn’t live with him anymore.

I asked Mom if it was like Dad had always said, “Sometimes you gotta do something to change your luck.” But Mom said that it doesn’t have anything to do with luck—that sometimes you have to face life on your own.

When she told me everything would be all right, I didn’t seem to change the way I felt about Dad.

Crumb Cake It took a long time before I tasted a good crumb cake again. Years later one of the bakers at Gayle’s, Teal Basile came up with this one.

And when I tasted it, I let out with a moan because it reminded me of that night Mom told me about Dad, and how the California crumb cake could never live up to

those we had from the Silver Cup Bakery in Long Island City, Queens.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

For the cake batter:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 egg

5 ounces milk

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the topping:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

8 ounces salted butter, melted

FOR THE TOPPING : In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the melted butter in and gently mix with a rubber spatula, making sure to leave some big chunks of the mixture. Set aside.

FOR THE CAKE BATTER : In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In another small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. In a buttered baking pan measuring 7” by 9”, pour the batter in evenly. It won’t seem like much; but this is okay.

TO FINISH THE CRUMB CAKE , cover the pan containing the cake batter with the crumb topping. It is a lot of topping, but this is what you want.

Bake in a 325-degree oven about 20 minutes, until the crumb topping is golden and beginning to crisp up.

(Alternatively, you can put the batter and topping, evenly divided in buttered muffin tins and bake for a little less time.) n

Call to Artists for Capitola Plein Air

October 21 thru 27

Capitola Plein Air 2024 is happening!

Plein Air Artists are invited to apply to paint in Capitola Art and Cultural Commission’s 9th annual Plein Air event scheduled to take place one week earlier than past years.

During the week of Oct. 21-26, the selected artists will paint out of doors in Capitola. The public is invited to watch the artists paint throughout the week, but particularly on Saturday, Oct. 26, when all the artists gather in Capitola Village from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All completed paintings will be on exhibit and for sale at New Brighton Middle School auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 27.

This is a juried show and only 40 selected artists will compete for cash prizes, ribbons and special accolades from fellow artists and exhibition attendees.

Interested artists can apply at www. onlinejuriedshows.com. The application fee is $50, and the process requires the artist to include 2-3 images of their plein air work to be reviewed by jurors. Deadline for applications is Aug. 1. n

Details: www.capitolapleinair.com

7500 Old Dominion Ct. Aptos, CA 95003

Free Well Water Testing Program

Santa Cruz County announces a free water quality testing program that includes opportunities for point of use treatment and drinking water replacement for residents relying on groundwater wells for their drinking water.

In Santa Cruz County, an estimated 21,000 residents drink water from unregulated household wells and smaller water systems that have never been fully tested for safety.

Without knowing if their water is safe, these residents could face serious health risks.

This is especially concerning for those in South County, where high levels of nitrate, hexavalent chromium, and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) have been found.

Consuming too much nitrate can cause “blue baby syndrome,” which can be fatal.

A 20-year study of 2,200 women in Iowa found at levels of 2.5 mg/liter, there was a twoto-three-fold increase in bladder, ovarian, and thyroid cancers.

This testing initiative, funded through the Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program — Groundwater Assessment and Protection and a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, aims to collect data essential for developing sustainable solutions for water supply in affected areas.

All personal information gathered for testing purposes will be treated confidentially and will not be disclosed to immigration or law enforcement agencies.

Participants will receive their sampling

results along with a comprehensive “Guide for Private Domestic Well Owners,” interpretation of results, actions to take if contamination is detected, and strategies to safeguard the well from further contamination. Anyone whose well tests positive for contaminants will be provided with detailed information about their options and will be guided to free drinking water replacement programs if eligible.

“We encourage Santa Cruz County residents to get their household well tested through this free program to ensure that their water is safe to drink, “said Sierra Ryan, Water Resources Manager with Santa Cruz County Environmental Health. “If your well water does not meet drinking water standards, you may qualify for additional free alternate water sources, such as bottled water delivery, water storage tank filling, and Point of Use treatment systems.” n

Dr. Joseph S. Kim, DDS NEIGHBORHOOD

5-star rated dentist and staff will help you address you and your family’s dental issues

To schedule an appointment for free well testing, call the Central Coast Drinking Water Testing Program at (844) 613-5152 or visit www. centralcoastwelltesting.org

Kristian Matthews, first place, 2023

Natalia Aandewiel, native of Ukraine at 2023 exhibition

Some Americans Have Stopped Tipping. Should You?

Tipping is dead.

At least tipping, as you and I understand it. A mandatory 20% gratuity on every restaurant meal? Obligatory tips for housekeepers, concierges and tour guides? Kiss them goodbye.

And if you want to know why, just ask Gerri Hether.

Like many Americans, she’s tired of the attitude that all service workers are entitled to a tip. She became exasperated with the pointof-sale terminals that solicited a gratuity before even serving her food. But then the final straw was when restaurants started to add automatic gratuities to their bills for her “convenience.”

“I don’t tip anymore,” says Hether, a retired nurse from Mesa, Ariz.

Americans are known for generosity and willingness to tip for good service. But a recent poll by USA Today’s Blueprint found 63% of respondents say too many businesses are asking for tips, and 48% are tired of being asked for a gratuity.

By Christopher Elliott

Almost the same number of Americans (62%) in another survey said they wouldn’t give service workers year-end tips, according to the digital personal finance company Achieve. The reason? Tip fatigue.

Americans Have Had Enough

Anincreasing number of Americans believe that tipping expectations are unfair, says Carla Bevins, an expert on business management communication at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. And that’s led to a shift in public attitudes toward gratuities.

“The momentum behind the no-tipping movement stems from growing scrutiny over the fairness and necessity of traditional tipping practices,” she explains.

To hear people like Ian Duncan talk about it, it’s a reaction to the widespread attitude of entitlement in the hospitality industry. It’s tip jars at coffee shops, laundromats and grocery stores. It’s having to pay a gratuity before you even receive a meal or service.

Duncan, a small business owner from Toronto, booked a cruise recently. But when he received his invoice several weeks before his departure, the cruise line had added more than $200 in automatic gratuities to his bill.

Even etiquette experts say the time has come to talk about tipping.

“Tipping evolves over time, and we are long overdue to revisit the legal and social norms for how employees are paid,” says Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette expert with Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. “Expecting individual consumers to tip generously at every turn is not a long-term plan for economic success.”

Even Service Workers Agree

Even people who depend on tips understand that things have gone too far. Mike Aguirre, a blues guitarist who performs in the Caribbean, blames the new terminals that try to extract a tip from patrons before they receive their meal.

“Leaving a tip before you receive your order seems premature — no service has been rendered yet, but there is a palpable element of guilt involved,” he says.

It gets worse, actually. In Latin America, restaurant servers come to your table with a portable payment system and ask you to enter a gratuity while they watch. Talk about pressure!

“That did it for me,” he says. “I canceled the trip and asked for my deposit back.”

Duncan says he wants to decide who and when to tip — or if he should tip at all — and resents it when a company assumes it is entitled to a gratuity. He also doubts that the staff will receive any automatic gratuity added to his bill, which is a valid concern.

But people like Aguirre are likely to suffer because of the understandable tipping backlash. Many service workers have come to depend on gratuities to earn a living. Squeezing a tip out of a customer before the meal is served or under the watchful eye of your server is hardly the fault of the employee. But the employees are likely to pay for these misguided policies.

Even etiquette experts have limited their tipping. Etiquette consultant Rachel Wagner says she no longer tips at hotel self-serve snack bars (even when there’s a tip jar), at restaurants where you order at the counter, and at airport food kiosks.

“When the terminal shows me the tipping options, I choose ‘no tip,’” she says. She calls these kinds of tips “entitlements” and says she isn’t worried about the reaction from a service worker.

“All this person has done for me is take my money and place my items in a bag,” she says. “There is no need to tip!”

How to Avoid Tipping

Fact is, most service workers continue to rely on tips, and many believe you should always leave a gratuity. But there are ways to sidestep this unspoken obligation.

• Go to a no-tipping business. Some hotels and restaurants advertise themselves as “no tipping.” The easiest way to avoid a gratuity — and to encourage other companies to adopt sensible policies on tipping — is to give these companies your business. Have dinner at Thattu in Chicago, an Indian restaurant that pays its servers a competitive wage and doesn’t solicit tips. Or Casa Bonita the Mexican Restaurant in Lakewood, Colo, that doesn’t accept gratuities.

• Get take-out. No reasonable person expects you to tip your restaurant worker when you get takeout. So one way to avoid leaving a gratuity is to get your next restaurant meal to go.

• Refuse to tip. You can also send a message to a business about tipping by putting a zero in the tip line. Hether, the retired nurse who has stopped tipping, says the reaction from service workers has been one of resignation. It seems they know the system is broken, but they don’t know how to fix it.

The Future: Good Service

When it comes to tipping, the future may look a lot like the past. Travelers say they don’t think it’s fair that they should subsidize a service worker’s salary with a mandatory gratuity. But they like the traditional idea of offering a service worker a little extra for exceptional service.

Hether says she’s still open to rewarding good customer service with a gratuity. But she’ll never again fork over 20% of her bill out of a sense of obligation.

“Tipping should be based on exceptional service,” she says. “It’s not an entitlement.” n

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

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

Young at Heart Mid-County Senior Center Celebrates 50 Years

The Mid-County Senior Center is celebrating 50 years in Capitola, but the folks who run it want you to know this is not your parents’ senior center.

Teri Mantz joined when she was 53. She was signing her mom up when she learned anyone 50 and up is eligible. She’s been a member ever since; currently, she is second vice president.

Cindy Kiernan joined when she was 50, specifically to get a space to garden. She is also serving as treasurer.

The center’s garden is huge, all organic, no pesticides, with 54 spaces “… and there’s a waiting list of 18,” said Curt Jewell, the president and garden manager.

He is thinking of rebranding to Capitola Event Center to avoid the “senior” stereotype.

One admirable activity is growing the herb lavender, which goes into fragrant cachets sold at the center’s craft market.

Some 70 years ago, the garden was an orchard. Plum trees, fig trees, and apple trees are still there flourishing, along with sweet peas growing to incredible heights.

Beyond the garden, the Center has been a place for people over 50 to gather, socialize, exercise, play cards and games, sing and dance, and enjoy their retirement.

There are 38 different activities weekly, including bridge, bingo, senior exercise, Gi-Gong (exercises developed in China to optimize energy), photography, ukulele, Mahjong, and dancing.

These activities are stimulating — physically, mentally and socially.

New classes include basic Spanish, and classes on how to use the new software, myseniorcenter.com.

Activity fees are modest, generally $4 for members and $6 for non-members.

Membership is $45 a year.

Staff are mostly seniors who volunteer.

The gift shop offers a colorful selection of hand-knit caps, $5 for kids, $10 for adults. Knitters gather on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to socialize and make new items.

At Friday night dances, the place is hopping with live music — everything from

jazz and blues to country and swing. Cost is $10.

In June, the Friday night dances feature Bradley Presents, Country Feeling Band, and Kid Kameleon & the Lounge Lizards.

Don’t know how to do country line dance? Take a class on Monday afternoon.

The monthly Bowman Ranch Breakfast offers scrambled eggs, with bacon or sausage, fruit, and all-you-can-eat pancakes, or French toast with bacon or sausage and fruit. The price is $10 for adults, and $5 for children 10 and under. The next breakfast will be Sunday, June 23, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The Center was the brainchild of Sharon Ginocchio. In 1967, she first raised the need for a community senior center in Capitola to Father Brice of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The Center opened its doors on Sunday, Feb. 10, 1974, with 700 members Today, the center is a nonprofit member-owned corporation used by hundreds of people weekly, members and non-members.

Ask people who are regulars, and here’s what they say.

“When I retired, I wondered what I would do with all my extra time and not having people around,” Bella Hughes said.

“I joined Mid County Senior Center, even though I knew no one. Thirteen years later, I have a place to meet and keep friends. Play games, Mahjong, canasta and bingo. I also enjoy the monthly breakfast. This is a friendly, lovely place that provides recreational activities.”

Gertie Johnson, who books the Friday night bands, said, “My favorite thing about MCSC is the Friday dances because I’ve been attending them for almost 30 years and have met some of the most amazing dancers, many who became lifelong (whatever there is left of it) friends. It’s been a wonderful place to spend time that

many people just spend sitting at home—so much better to be in relationship with others than be alone.”

Attention: She’s scheduled a swing dance party Saturday, Aug. 24, from 7-10 p.m. featuring Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang for all those like to Lindy hop, East Coast swing, Balboa and Bai swing.

Cindy Kiernan said, “What I love most about the center is the garden. Having a space here to grow food and socialize and share information with other gardeners is priceless. The people here are so wonderful.”

Her husband, George Kiernan, said, “I enjoy working with other members of the MCSC community, where I share my knowledge of photography.”

The Center is celebrating its 50th year in Capitola with a fundraiser dinner/dance at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 29. The celebration will include a grand opening ceremony, a Mediterranean dinner, choice of Beef Bourguignon, Chicken Marbella, or Coq au Vin prepared by The Summit House and dancing with the 10 O’clock Lunch Band. n

Tickets are $50 and available for all ages to celebrate our seniors and help them sustain this wonderful oasis. Tickets can be purchased in person at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola, or online at www.eventbrite.com/e/mcsc-50th-anniversaryparty-tickets-862319499837?aff=ebdssbdest search

If you can’t attend, consider sending a donation.

Patti McIntyre, who in two years turned an empty space into a sanctuary.

Lavender ladies at work in the garden, from left, Linda Herring, Linda Neher and Sharon Caredio.

Colorful Venetian Court Celebrates 100 Years

By Deborah Osterberg

When most people visualize Capitola, the first scene that comes to mind is likely the Venetian Court. Completed in 1924, this striking cluster of multi-colored stucco dwellings adjoining the beach and lagoon is Capitola’s most iconic locale.

Captured over the years on film and canvas by countless artists, in 1987 the unique history and design of the Venetian Court was recognized as an Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2024, this colorful landmark celebrates its centennial.

Situated at the base of Capitola Wharf, the Venetian Court was one of the earliest and most architecturally distinctive of the developments which comprised oil entrepreneur Henry Allen Rispin’s modernization of Capitola. By the time Rispin purchased much of F.A. Hihn’s Victorian era resort in 1919, many buildings were outdated or dilapidated, or both.

The property at the base of the wharf was dotted with abandoned shacks of a once vibrant Italian fishing village. In the 1870s immigrant fishermen from Italy (mostly from the Riva Trigoso region) leased the property at the foot of Hihn’s 1857 wharf. Though the small fishing settlement flourished for several decades, most residents abandoned it in favor of the new and larger Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf completed in 1914. The fishermen’s languishing wood frame shanties and warehouses quickly fell into ruins and upon Rispin’s arrival, what remained was quickly demolished.

In 1923 Rispin sold the cleared site to Henry Roth and Homer Langdon of Roth Realty Company of San Jose, who in turn, contracted for a residential design with the San Jose firm of Wolfe and Higgins. The architects conceived of a threetiered, five-structure complex with 46 (which became 24) individually owned bungalows done in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival/ Mediterranean style, a favorite of Rispin’s.

The Venetian featured textured stucco siding, decorative relief work, and a flat red tile roof with a parapet and small pyramidal caps. The original plan also included eight small gardens, with a central garden at the front of the

complex. Situated along Capitola Lagoon, the development, originally called “Venetian Villa,” lived up to its name.

One reporter noted that “At night the effect is very Venetian, the colored lights in front of each bungalow reflecting on the water most pleasingly.”

An April 29, 1924, a Santa Cruz News advertisement noted that each bungalow had a 41-foot frontage along a shared walkway and each unit contained a living room (11’x16’), bedroom (9.8’x12.9’), kitchen (7’x15’), breakfast room (7’x8.6’) and bath (6’x9’). The lagoon and beach facing frontage was protected with a low, cement sea wall.

Later in the summer the newspaper reported that “… the cement used along the lower row was colored an unusual pink” and the other rows were to be graduated in colors to blend.

It must be noted that the Venetian Court’s famous, vivid multi-colored exteriors were not part of the original architectural design. The story is that back in the early 1960s, after seeing colorfully painted houses during a European trip, Ann Bucher was inspired to paint her unit pink. Ms. Bucher’s neighbors soon followed suit. Another misconception is that the Venetian Court was the first condominium complex in California.

Though the claim of first cannot be substantiated, the Venetian was certainly among the earliest such designs in California.

The Venetian cost approximately $150,000 to build (2.7 million in today’s money). The May 16, 1925, Modesto Bee declared that “… the new Venetian Court bungalows on the beach at Capitola …are as modern as a city home.”

Initial prices for individual units started at $2,000 and the parcels they sat upon ranged from $500 to $750. The Venetian’s proximity to the beach, lagoon and Soquel Creek was a major selling point. Most units were sold before construction concluded on the first row.

In 1923, completion of the Glenwood Highway (later Highway 17), easily linking inland towns to the coast, also likely played a role in the development’s speedy sales. Many original owners were Santa Clara Valley residents. Unit owners began to refer to themselves as members of the “Venetian Court Colony.”

By the late 1920s furnished units rented for $40 to $50 a week during the summer.

In 1926 the Venetian Court suffered damage from its first major storm. Two years later the Santa Cruz News noted “One-half of the main walk in front of the Venetian Court apartments had been carried away and two of the apartments on the southern end had been almost completely undermined.”

The resulting storm damage spurred the construction of a new, higher sea wall.

A few days later the Venetian’s developers stated they “… saw no engineering difficulties to speedy and permanent repairs, and with the lessons learned from the present unusual experience such repairs will be of a nature to successfully challenge a repetition of any storm damage.”

Though winter storms continue to batter it, the Venetian has stood the test of time.

Starting in 1926, Frank T. Blake, one of the original unit owners, began acquiring several of the street-side units to create the Venetian Court Motel.

When Ray and Edna Messini moved to Capitola in 1950, they purchased the motel. That same year, Capitola mounted its first Water Fantasy, the precursor to its famed, annual Begonia Festival.

Edna Messini served as the festival’s director

for many years and the Venetian Court became backdrop for the parade of colorful begoniabedecked floats each Labor Day weekend over the festival’s 65-year run.

In 1976 Lou and Isabel Bartfield bought the motel and embarked upon an extensive renovation. According to an article in the April 1977 issue of Sunset Magazine, Lou Bartfield said “… he found lots of surprises like solid redwood floors, doors, and beams that had been covered by layers and layers of paint and intricate castings on the exterior walls of medusa heads and dolphins.”

Bartfield commissioned nine new doors carved by artist Alan Thorpe. Bartfield chose themes for the doors from the art, literature, and music of Venice, Italy. Some of the doors contained whimsical elements such as Venetian gondolas moored at Capitola’s wharf.

Today the Venetian Court boasts 24 townhouses and a 17-unit hotel with adjacent office.

According to its National Register nomination in 1987, “… the property retains a high degree of its original appearance.”

Some research suggests that the Venetian Court Motel may be the oldest continuingly operated motel of its kind in California.

“Venetian Court” page 24

Courtesy of City of Capitola

View of Venetian Court in 2004.

Courtesy of Nicol Family Collection, Capitola Historical Museum. Canoes anchored in front of the Venetian Court in the late 1920s. Henry Allen Rispin’s failed Capitola Light Tackle Club can be seen on the wharf in the background.

Courtesy of Capitola Historical Museum

Colorful Capitola Begonia Festival floats sail past the Venetian Court

Nugent Promoted to Assistant VP

Bay Federal Credit Union has promoted Holga Nugent to assistant vice president of the Member Service Center. She joined the credit union in November 2021 during the pandemic, and immediately recognized the imperative for expansion and efficiencies at the Member Service Center.

Co-workers say she made “remarkable’ contributions supporting staffing, developing improvements to wait times, and establishing a new level of member service. Her recent advancement into a leadership role has resulted in an energized sense of morale for her team and exceptional quality of service for members.

“My ongoing goals encompass fostering a culture of collaboration, driving operational efficiency through process optimization, and empowering our talented team with ongoing training and development initiatives,” Nugent said. “Together, we’ll continue to elevate the member experience to new levels of delight!”

Before joining Bay Federal, Ms. Nugent

worked nine years for Logix Federal Credit Union in Burbank She had a collegiate soccer career at Concordia University where she earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sports science, before receiving her master’s degree in leadership and organizational studies from Azusa Pacific University. She continues to dedicate time to developing her process improvement expertise and has gained Six Sigma professional certifications, methodologies to improve quality and efficiency.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her adorable baby girl. n

Bay Federal Credit Union Scholarship Winners

Bay Federal Credit Union announces the winners of its 2024 Education Scholarship and Mac McCormac Employee Scholarship.

Members Felicia Mitchell, Kayla Magdaleno, and Katherine Hodges were named Bay Federal’s Education Scholarship recipients.

Felicia Mitchell, who is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing at University of San Francisco.

Kayla Magdaleno, who is pursuing a degree in cellular molecular biology at CSU East Bay.

Katherine Hodges, who is pursuing a degree in human biology and a double minor in occupational science and psychology at the University of Southern California.

Brittany Saldana, member service representative at the Salinas branch and accepted

Fentanyl Kills 133 in Santa Cruz County

On May 7, the Tri-County Collaborative serving Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties announced a state grant totaling $1,280,985 over 3 years to combat the alarming increase in fentanyl overdoses and poisonings.

Last year, fentanyl claimed more than 200 lives on the Central Coast.

Santa Cruz County reported fentanyl 133 deaths last year, according to Dr. David Ghilarducci, the county’s EMS director and deputy health officer, who calls it a “crisis.”

Key initiatives funded by the California Department of Public Health grant include:

1) Providing education programs in schools

2) Supporting overdose prevention and increasing access to naloxone (NARCAN®)

3) Improving local overdose data surveillance

4) Increasing access to treatment for those addicted to fentanyl or other opioids

“Fentanyl” page 26

into the CSU Monterey Bay master’s program for business administration, was awarded the Mac McCormac Scholarship in honor of the credit union’s first employee.

Each winner will receive $1,500 toward education-related expenses.

To promote education amongst its membership, Bay Federal has given back $90,000 in scholarships over many years.

“Each year I am inspired by the potential of our scholarship recipients,” said Carrie

Birkhofer, Bay Federal’s president and CEO.

“Bay Federal is proud to invest in these students. We look forward to the difference these individuals will make in the future.”

The application process included an essay exploring ways in which one can cultivate financial resilience such as saving for emergencies or managing student loan debt. Applicants were asked to share any personal anecdotes, research, or innovative ideas that can inspire positive change when building financial resilience. n

Ballot Measure: $87 Parcel Tax to Address Fire Resilience, Flood Protection, Recreation

By Jondi Gumz

Local environmental leaders are gearing up for a campaign to persuade voters to support an $87 permanent parcel tax for property owners in Santa Cruz County.

If approved by 50% plus 1 voters in the Nov. 5 election, the tax will be in place until ended by the voters.

The parcel tax is designed to “safeguard water quality, preserve clean ocean and beach areas, reduce wildfire risks, protect forests, enhance wildlife habitats, and improve community spaces,” according to an analysis prepared by the Santa Cruz County counsel.

Santa Cruz County has 101,311 parcels, and supporters say the parcel would raise about $7.5 million each year. There are no senior exemptions.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors would distribute funds, with 40% going to eligible applicants for eligible projects as grants, 20% going to the four cities for projects, 20% going to County of Santa Cruz projects, and 20% to the Resource Conservation District and “a local land stewardship

implementation partner” — not named — for projects on private lands resulting in a public benefit.

The initiative says each city should get at least $200,000 if the per capita allocation is less than that amount.

The measure also says: $600,000 for projects to increase fire resilience on forested property in North County protected by “the largest conservation easement in the County.” The property owner is not named, but the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is leading the campaign and owns more than 3,137 acres of conservation easements in the county. Sempervirens Fund has conservation easements over 495 acres in Santa Cruz County.

The measure also says: $600,000 a year for projects that benefit the residents of Pajaro Valley, including the City of Watsonville, 7 urban areas bordering the city, and areas within a mile of the Watsonville Slough system, Pinto Lake, and the Pajaro River and its tributaries. Funds are to go to one to three entities.

Many projects are eligible, including those focusing on water conservation, water quality, flood protection and restoration, protection of public access to beaches, wildlife protection, pollution reduction, development of shaded fuel breaks and reduction of hazardous fuels, forest management, wetlands restoration, trail development, park improvements, recreation programs, and climate risk-reduction.

Priority will go to projects that “address extreme weather and natural disasters, climate change impacts, water pollution, or saltwater intrusion impacts,” or “meet the greatest need of communities lacking adequate access to parks and recreational facilities in the incorporated cities,” or “repair or enhance existing parks and recreational facilities.”

The measure also gives priority “to the extent feasible,” to:

• Projects that are a local source of match funding that makes eligible or makes more competitive grant applications to other public or private sources

• Support multiple benefits maximizing climate resiliency and adaptation, including water conservation, air quality improvements, climate pollution reductions, habitat protection, and public health improvements

• “Invest resources for stewardship, development, restoration, Community Development, and other improvements in Disadvantaged Communities for flood protection, drought protection, improved water quality, groundwater supplies, improved public access to resources, or recreation, including improvements to lakes, rivers, creeks, beaches, ocean, wetlands, and the coast.”

The initiative creates a Citizens Oversight Advisory Board that would conduct hearings and receive public input, receive reports from local agencies on funded projects, and approve a five-year vision plan to help prioritize expenditures.

The measure, named the Water and Wildfire Protection Act, has support from

Sen. John Laird, (D-Santa Cruz), Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) and Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, and Watsonville City Councilmember Eduardo Montesino.

“Flooding, fires and other threats from climate change are real. We’ve seen the impacts in the Pajaro Valley, as well as throughout Santa Cruz County. We have to do more now and for future generations to become climate change resilient,” said Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, who represents Watsonville.

“Sempervirens is proud to help lead the effort to pass this essential ballot measure in Santa Cruz County,” said Sara Barth, Sempervirens Fund executive director.

Sarah Newkirk, executive director of Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, said the CZU lightning wildfire and the Pajaro River levee flooding were wakeup calls.

She added, “I’m excited about the coalition that has come together to support this measure because, for the first time, we have the opportunity to take collective action to stand up to climate change in Santa Cruz County.”

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has been working with the Peninsula Open Space Trust to develop easement terms with the owners of the 1,204-acre Estrada Ranch tin South County to permanently protect that property under the management of the Estrada family.

The measure also has the support of: Save Our Shores, Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County, Coastal Watershed Council, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Save the Redwoods League, Regeneración - Pajaro Valley Climate Action, County Park Friends, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, Friends of Watsonville Parks & Community Services, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship and Mid County Democratic Club. n •••

For info, see www.sccforwaterandwildlife protection.org

“Venetian Court” from page 22

Former Venetian Court Motel owner Lou Bartfield once stated that “… many Capitolans are so used to the Venetian that they don’t realize the beauty of it.”

We beg to differ. Today’s residents and visitors to Capitola alike have valued the Venetian’s rich history and aesthetic appeal and continue to do so. n

Throughout the year, the Capitola Historical Museum will feature a series of rotating exhibits on the history of the Venetian Court at the Capitola Library at 1500 Wharf Road. The admission-free Capitola Historical Museum, at 410 Capitola Ave., is open every Friday through Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. This year the annual exhibition is “Little City Under Canvas” – The 150th Anniversary of Camp Capitola.

Deborah Osterberg is curator of the Capitola Historical Museum.

Maximizing Water Reliability: Regional Optimization Study Underway

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

The Santa Cruz Mid-County Regional Water Optimization Study (Study) is an important initiative aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the Santa Cruz MidCounty Groundwater Basin by 2040. This Basin is the sole source of drinking water for the District and its preservation is critical.

The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) was charged with developing and now implementing the State approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to address and remediate the critical overdraft condition of the Basin.

The GSP outlines a series of projects designed to achieve groundwater sustainability. In February 2022, the MGA was awarded a significant grant of $7.6 million from the California Department of Water Resources through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program. This grant, which does not require matching funds, is aimed at supporting the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

Part of this grant is funding a Regional Water Optimization Study jointly conducted by Soquel Creek Water District and the City of Santa Cruz.

Study Focus

The City of Santa Cruz recently presented to their Water Commission on May 6 key findings from their past 10 years of modeling and planning efforts as they focus on addressing drought and climate change water shortage reliability issues:

• Surface Water Availability: Limited due to climate change impacts and fish stream flow requirements.

• Beltz Groundwater Extraction: Insufficient to meet Mid-County Basin sustainability.

• City’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project Limitations: Constrained by available surface flows and basin sustainability.

• Pure Water Soquel Project: Provides opportunities for water supply for the City.

Given these challenges and opportunities, the primary goal of the Study is to optimize these projects to guide regional water agencies on longer-term projects and operations that will achieve Basin sustainability and meet regional water supply needs.

Progress and Findings

The Optimization Study, which kicked off in February 2023, is a collaborative effort by the Santa Cruz Water Department,

Soquel Creek Water District, and the Regional Water Management Foundation with a current focus on technical input/ analyses by Brown & Caldwell, Montgomery & Associates, Akel Engineering Group, Kennedy Jenks, Pueblo Water, and others.

Through rigorous analysis, innovative modeling, and cooperative planning, the Study aims to secure a sustainable water future for the community. n

For more information and to see the presentation from the May 7 board meeting, visit: https://tinyurl.com/optistudy

Groundwater Modeling and Optimization

Groundwater modeling has been a critical component of the Optimization Study, with various tracks and alternatives evaluated to identify the most sustainable solutions. The modeling approach involved:

• Evaluating water quality compatibility, financial/economic needs, and assessing project benefits against costs.

• Running thousands of groundwater model simulations using machine learning algorithms to optimize the alternatives.

• Identifying the alternatives for further evaluation:

1) Existing Baseline projects of Pure Water Soquel and Aquifer Storage and Recovery with no transfers.

2) Baseline projects with transfers between the City and District

3) Expanding the Aquifer Storage and Recovery project

4) Two combinations of expanding the Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Pure Water Soquel Projects.

Next Steps

The next steps in the Optimization Study involve:

• Completing groundwater and hydraulic modeling.

• Documenting the modeling tasks and results in technical memoranda.

• Performing water quality compatibility analysis.

• Conducting cost analyses for necessary infrastructure upgrades.

• Initiating financial, economic, and needs assessment evaluations. Tasks will continue to progress through the remainder of the year with the final report of the Optimization Study estimated to be complete by mid to late 2025.

Conclusion

The Santa Cruz Mid-County Regional Water Optimization Study represents a collaborative effort to ensure the long-term sustainability and reliability of the region’s water

The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) was charged with developing and now implementing the State approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to address and remediate the critical overdraft condition of the Basin.

At the Theater

Gemini – Lines of Lightbeams

Esoteric Astrology • June 2024 •

By Risa D’Angeles

Most of June is under the dual sign of Gemini, the two brothers, the two light – one waxing one waning. Gemini is considered the “fun” sign of the zodiac. Whereas Aries is always in a state of self-identity, And Taurus is learning the art of living, Gemini is having fun, being humorous, finding the world of duality interesting, while doing walkabouts in neighborhoods with siblings and friends. Gemini can be entertaining and fun to be with. It is the “fun of interplay.” The sign of Gemini is the sign of light beams revealing all the opposes in our material world. This is duality and is a characteristic of life on Earth. Gemini is the sign of relatedness. Often Gemini will relate two things, introduce two people or events to each other and then suddenly disappear...their work of relating things is complete. Gemini will blend, merge, create conflict or seem to harmonize dualities. So often they simply step out of the picture, onto the next duality seeking harmony. These are the functions of Mercury and Gemini (gather, distribute, find information for dispersement creating awareness). When Venus (as Soul ruler) steps in, there is harmony and balance.

ARIES

You wonder these days what your true values and ideals may be. It’s important to know for they presage the future. You ponder upon your circle of friends. Do you all think the same and do they bring you comfort? Our friends are important for support and nurturing. In the coming months and for several years you will re-evaluate and re-examine who your friends are and why. You will also assess your importance to them, your communication, and will deepen the spiritual basis that holds you together. Or separate.

TAURUS

Long held dreams, hidden and perhaps buried for years may reappear, lighting the way toward your future and a possible new vocation and profession. It may be the right time for new study and training, venturing into new fields of endeavor. You will assess your needs and the needs of humanity during these trying times. Before entering once again into fields of service, it’s important to tend and care for yourself in all ways — physical, emotional, mental and spiritually. This orients you towards the needed personal care. Your health is most important now.

GEMINI

You constantly seek knowledge — that is your spiritual task. Assess all that you have learned, the many fields of study you’ve endeavored to assimilate. Where is it you would like to go now? What would you like to pursue? Study? Previous beliefs and ideas that held you are now becoming useless. You will need to fashion a new philosophy and delve deeper into those you know will expand you spiritually. Long distance travel may be involved. Is there something holding you back?

CANCER

In your daily life you often think of loved ones who have passed on. Perhaps you feel they have left you behind. But the reality is they are working quite closely with you. Always by your side. You simply need to communicate from the heart with them. They will respond. On another subject, how is your monetary situation? Begin to use your resources based on creating a future different than the past. You will be called to nurture humanity, to teach them, and provide them with food. We thank you for all that you nurture now.

Gemini’s task is to behave in such a way that everyone see, experiences and learns about the basic duality in form and matter. Duality is a relationship of two things. There is this and that, up and down, light and dark, right and left, you and me, etc. Gemini points out that not only is there duality in our world but there is a deep and abiding relationship between the two. It is the relationship between spirit and matter, the father and the mother. In between the two is the child, born out of love, Ray 2 of Love/Wisdom.

Gemini, flowing through Mercury, is the conversationalist in everyday life. It is the butterfly in the meadow, sipping nectar from each flower. It is the two dual columns one passes when entering the Halls of Masonry or Solomon’s Temple. When duality is understand, wisdom and love are the result. Behind Gemini is Ray 2, the star of emergence of love and wisdom. Gemini changes, mutates, rearranges and adjusts everything so that, over time, the Soul can come forth.

Gemini, an air sign, rarely touches ground, living within the field of the etheric where the chakras are located. Gemini can be a mystery (like Pisces). They need to be tended to very carefully. n

LEO

It would be good to review all relationships, past and present, seeking the truth of how you communicate, your vicissitudes, moods, and what you offer others. Always cultivate a depth of connection with others for this releases love. How were you in relationships? Did you expect too much? Did you create illusions, were you defensive and demanding? Or were you always kind, loving and understanding? Do you understand that love is based on communication and seeing the Life-spirit within the other? Then you (and they) remain free.

VIRGO

It’s good to be especially careful with health for several months. You can be extra sensitive. Do not stay away from any particular food, unless you have an allergy. Instead create a balance by eating all foods, prepared in all types of ways. Some people follow diets for religious reasons, ignoring what their body needs. All work should be thought of as service work. Tending to the house and garden serves the mineral and plant kingdoms. Tending to the animals serves the animal kingdom. They show their gratitude. Tending to self serves the human kingdom.

LIBRA

Sometimes certain situations or relationships haven’t met your needs. And perhaps you suffered silently through it. ‘til one day you removed yourself. On one level this was courageous. So you could feel independent, never again allowing yourself to be hurt. This is wise. On one level. It depends on the type of relationship. If you have children tend to them with extra care. Much of the past is coming to your attention. Reframe it and make that past one of love and not abandonment. Creativity comes a ‘calling. Art is your refuge.

SCORPIO

Has your home undergone perhaps strange and subtle shifts and changes in the past several years? Are you feeling strange and subtle changes within, too? Our homes are our psychological fortresses. When we change, they change, and those changes at first disassemble our sense of security and safety. Does home feel confusing, is communication with family difficult? Attempt to make your home, or wherever you find yourself, as beautiful as possible. Beauty and order sustains us. Use love language all the time.

SAGITTARIUS

You reflect on deep inner concerns. Outer success seems less important. Instead you question and evaluate your life in terms of values and the world of spirit. Are you seeking inner fulfillment? You wonder what’s real and true or a charade and masquerade? Spiritual dimensions are tugging at you, perhaps not completely apparent but they are there. At times you want to withdraw, find peace, drop into deeper dimensions, classify your knowledge, and make new plans for the future. It will happen slowly, over time. Then in a blink of an eye!

CAPRICORN

A need to ensure your future through expanded resources is important with financial security a focus and goal. Begin with a budget, jotting down in detail how your money is spent, what you must have and what you can do without. Assess your skills, gifts and talents. This is where your future resources will emerge. A fundamental change of values has appeared. They have spiritualized. Take great care in decisions concerning property and ownership. The transition (economic, housing) we are experiencing will last a long time. Do you have your greenhouse yet?

AQUARIUS

You will review who you think you are as a person and who you are with others. Do they synchronize? Attempt to be aware of beliefs, ideas, notions, and judgments learned from childhood. How are they serving you? What do you think of your life thus far? Is it exciting and wholesome or is it sad and dreary? You will ponder upon and learn more about yourself in the next few months. Then a new self-identity gradually emerges. Do not feel confused by this. Cultivate compassion with all others. Always be kinder than needed. This will save you.

PISCES

Assess your lifelong experiences, accomplishments and learnings. Make them a book. Take time to focus upon yourself. Find places of quiet and solitude. Establish yourself there and notice your thoughts centering on life and death, beginnings and endings, the physical and spiritual realms. Also notice previous hopes, wishes, dreams and endeavors may no longer important. Your life energy is being withdrawn internally in order to establish a deeper spiritual sense of direction. The future will appear slowly, over time. It’s formed in the etheric realms first, where you and Gemini live.

Welcome Back, Capt. Grimm

After an assignment in Susanville, Capt. Jason Grimm is now commander at the CHP Santa Cruz area, posted in Aptos. One of his first duties: Introducing himself at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Seascape Golf Course May 9. He previously was assigned to the Santa Cruz area from 2015-2019 in the role of motor sergeant. At that time, the CHP had a safety campaign to reduce crashes by focusing on drivers holding their cell phones while at a wheel, a ticket-able offense. Grimm started as an officer with CHP Marin.

His journey with the CHP has taken him to locations such the CHP Capitol Protection Section, where he was an officer, and CHP Bakersfield and CHP San Luis Obispo, where he was a lieutenant. In 2023, he was promoted to captain in the CHP Susanville office. Grimm also had a fellowship with the FBI in Washington, D.C., as a sergeant/lieutenant as part of the Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team.

CHP Officer Israel Murillo Jr, who handles communications for the CHP office in Aptos, posted on Instagram: “Welcome back, Captain Grimm!” n

“Fentanyl” from page 23

The coalition consists of healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and government entities unified around the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies to address the fentanyl epidemic.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and has contributed to a staggering rise in opioid deaths since 2021.

Unbeknownst to people using drugs or ordering drugs online, fentanyl is frequently and cheaply mixed into counterfeit prescription pills and other drugs.

This makes it a particularly lethal substance, with even small doses often leading to accidental poisonings, overdoses, and fatalities.

On May 7, Fentanyl Awareness Day, the coalition issued a statement to “honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses and poisonings while standing in solidarity with individuals and families battling addiction.” n

For info in Santa Cruz County, see www. hipscc.org/saferx or email: SafeRx@hipscc.org

Jason Grimm

Highway 1 Widening & Rail Trail Construction

There is so much construction happening everywhere on roads in the County, it makes one wonder who is doing what and if they are coordinating their efforts?

Add to that the confusion caused when two of the five County Board of Supervisors recently voted to reject the plan to build a trail alongside the railroad tracks between 17th Avenue in Live Oak and State Park Drive in Aptos. It was shocking to many that Supervisors Bruce McPherson and Manu Koenig stood seemingly ready to risk rejection of a $68 million State Transportation Commission grant to build the trail, due to the uncertainty of being able to provide an additional $27 million to complete the project. What is going on? Let’s untangle the mess.

The Highway 1 widening is divided into three phases:

Phase 1, between Soquel Drive/Avenue and 41st Avenue, began last year and includes a pretty massive structure that will be exclusively for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is being managed by the RTC, Regional Transportation Commission, partnering with CalTrans and the County of Santa Cruz. This project is supposed to finish up this year.

Phase 2, between Bay/Porter and State Park Drive, began construction recently, and will include a second overcrossing for pedestrians and bicyclists at Mar Vista Drive. This should finish up next year.

Phase 3, between State Park Drive and Freedom Blvd. exits will begin next year and finish in 2027. That project will happen concurrently with the rail trail Segment 12, which will greatly affect the Aptos Village area, and require the railroad bridges over Highway 1 be demolished and replaced, to allow the highway widening.

The Monterey Bay Scenic Rail Trail Project is the 32-mile-long railroad corridor from Davenport to Watsonville, and is described by “segments.” This map will help make sense of this, except the segments13-18 are not well-defined between Rio del Mar Blvd. and Watsonville: https://sccrtc.org/projects/ trail/monterey-bay-sanctuary-scenic-trail/ What was the county supervisor kerfuffle all about?

It related to the rail trail, known as “Segments 10 and 11” between 17th Avenue and State Park Drive area getting built next to the railroad tracks...or not. Here is where the confusion arises.

The trail construction itself for these two segments is being managed by County Parks Planner Robert Tidmore, even though the railroad corridor is owned by the RTC. The RTC is in the middle of a study to weigh the pro’s and con’s of building the trail next to the railroad tracks (known as the “Ultimate Trail” design) or pulling out the railroad tracks and building the trail in its place (known as the “Interim Trail” that would “rail bank” the tracks for future rail service).

That study is due this December.

Tidmore wanted the assurance of the Board of Supervisors that the County would stand behind the remaining $27 million cost above the $68 million state grant-funded construction of the Ultimate Trail. They felt it was not wise to make such promises without more information from the RTC about how that agency might be able to help fund the shortfall, whether Roaring Camp Railroad might help out, and whether costs might be trimmed. They felt borrowing from the Measure D pot of funding approved by voters in 2017 could jeopardize the rail trail to Watsonville getting built.

Tidmore worried publicly that the County’s wavering support could threaten the County receiving that whopping $68 million....the largest grant the state has ever awarded for such a project.

The RTC held a special meeting to discuss this. That commission, which is composed of 11 elected and appointed representatives including Supervisors McPherson and Koenig, voted to accept the Ultimate Trail plan and the state’s $68 million grant to fund it, commit to finding funding to fill the construction cost gap, work out a deal

with Roaring Camp Railroad and the current rail line lessee St. Paul and Pacific Railroad to help fund shifting the tracks to one side to make room for the trail, and to “direct staff to provide an analysis at the June commission meeting of the potential allocation of the remaining Measure D funds capacity ($97 million) as follows: $45 million for future development of , $45 million for maintenance, and $7 million to assist with budget for segments currently under development.” The RTC staff has applied for a federal grant that could add $16 million-$20 million; awards will be announced in June.

Neither Koenig nor McPherson attended that special meeting, but sent their analysts, who rejected the motion approved.

At the County Board of Supervisors meeting that followed, Tidmore reported on this special meeting, stating that Roaring Camp Railroad had agreed to shoulder the cost of relocating the railroad tracks in areas when necessary to accommodate the trail, and that the state would agree to the RTC committing to finding the funding to complete the project.

This time, the Board agreed on the motion to accept the Segment 10 and 11 rail trail project

and the state’s $68 million grant, although Supervisor Koenig expressed concerns that this is not a good time to take on more funding commitments. “It’s a hell of a time to take on a project this big, but I will not stand in the way.” he said, which brought forth cheers from the crowded chambers and hallway.

So, the work on Phase 2 of Highway 1 widening is happening, which has included the demolition of the Capitola Avenue bridge that will be rebuilt. And, the work will begin on the Segment 10 and 11 rail trail sometime this year.

Next Topic: How are these projects are affecting those who live next to construction zones? Some mobile home owners living on either side of the railroad tracks in Live Oak have gotten letters from the RTC saying their homes sit on property where the rail trail is to be built and they must move by June 2025. In Aptos Village, Segment 12, where the rails are next to parking lots for multiple businesses, the RTC is taking legal action to claim large areas of that property. n

Want to keep up with construction updates? See: https://sccrtc.org/about/highwayconstruction-updates/

Chanticleer pedestrian bridge under construction over Highway 1.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERTS START JUNE 12

6 p.m. Wednesdays, Esplanade Bandstand, Capitola Village

The Capitola Twilight Concerts are back for the summer of 2024.

All concerts take place at the Esplanade bandstand in Capitola Village.

These free events are made possible by the generosity of sponsors.

Schedule of bands:

June 12 Spun

June 19 Pacific Roots

June 26 Ribsy’s Nickel

July 3 Dirty Cello

July 10 Mike Hammar & The Nails

July 17 Extra Large

July 24 The Joint Chiefs

July 31 Dolce

Aug 7 Space Heater

Aug 14 The Inciters Band

Aug 21 Cowboys After Dark

Aug 28 The Alex Lucero Band

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WALL OF HOPE

The Wall of Hope is designed to support Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission of alleviating hunger in our community.

Tiles range from $700 to $2,000. Proceeds support Second Harvest and will be viewed by visitors to the food bank for years to come.

The Wall of Hope is located on the patio, just outside Second Harvest’s main entrance. The tiles will be previewed at the Party in the Parking Lot event.

For more information, contact Michele Bassi at (831) 288-3002 or e-mail michele@thefoodbank.org Tiles can be purchased at https://give.thefoodbank.org/ campaigns/32191-wall-of-hope.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

The Red Cross has teamed up with Tetris, creators of the best-selling video game, to celebrate their 40th anniversary and build the blood supply for patients.

All who give blood by June 9 will get an exclusive Tetris® + Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, and be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov. See RedCrossBlood. org/Tetris

Capitola

June 7: 9:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m., Jade Street Community Center, 4400 Jade St.

Santa Cruz

June 6: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Scotts Valley

May 31: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 5030 Scotts Valley Drive

To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY

When the next disaster strikes, hundreds of amateur radio (ham radio) operators will be ready to assist government agencies in Santa Cruz County and beyond. These volunteers will demonstrate their radio skills during their annual Field Day event on Saturday, June 22, in Aptos. Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The general public is welcome to attend and participate. Admission is free.

This year’s Field Day site is in the large open field behind Sevy’s (Severino’s) on State Park Drive in Aptos. It is the former site of Par 3 Golf Course and the three large aluminum antenna poles by Highway 1. Follow directional signs from the entrance on Old Dominion Court off State Park Drive.

SUMMER ITALIAN CLASSES

Registration is now open for summer Italian language classes with Dante Alighieri Society.

Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with native Italian-speaking Instructors. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, you will have an opportunity to practice via reading and discussion. The 8-week session has in-person classes and online classes. Read the descriptions carefully to determine the best class for you. The cost varies. The last day to register is June 9. Classes start mid-June.

To register go to: www.dantesantacruz.com/classes

GIANT DIPPER TURNS 100

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is celebrating Giant Dipper having turned 100 years old on May 17.

Starting May 29, rides on the Big Dipper will be $1 — retro price — every Wednesday through Aug. 7.

The Big Dipper has been continuously operating in its original location since May 17, 1924. It is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the U.S., and one of the top 10 oldest in the world.

SCLERODERMA SUPPORT GROUP

The Scleroderma Foundation of California announces a new support group for people living in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

The Monterey Bay Support Group will bring together individuals with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other areas of the body.

The support group will be led by volunteers Cheri O’Neil of Live Oak and Annette Rahn of Carmel. The mission of the Scleroderma Foundation of California is to empower

ART AT THE BEACH

patients to live better lives through programs dedicated to support, education, and research.

The support group will start by offering virtual meetings, with the goal of meeting monthly in person at a location convenient for members.

To learn more, email mbsclero@gmail.com. The foundation’s website is www.myscleroderma.org.

MAKE A MOSAIC FOR CAPITOLA WHARF

Capitola residents are invited to Capitola Mall to participate in a community mosaic making for the Capitola Wharf, which is being repaired after being cut in half by the epic storm in January 2023.

The mosaic panels, to be installed this summer, have a theme of sea life.

Volunteers can pitch in Mondays & Thursdays 3:307:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. until the project is finished.

Come to Space E09 by Kohl’s department store in the mall, 1855 41st Ave., Capitola.

The community project is led by artist Kathleen Crocetti, with collaborative partner Maha Taitano, and the City of Capitola as part of the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project. Funding was generously contributed by donors. This artwork will be part of the new entranceway of the Capitola Wharf, which city officials say will reopen Aug. 14, which would be prior to the Capitola Art & Wine Festival Sept. 14 & 15 and the Capitola Beach Festival Sept. 28 & 29.

ALL ABOARD TRAIN ART THRU AUG. 12

Studio Judy G presents All Aboard, an exhibition broadcasting the magnificence of trains through Aug. 12 with an artists’ reception, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at 430 Main St., Watsonville. See artwork by more than a dozen artists. If you have ever been delighted by trains, or train curious, this show is for you.

All Aboard exhibits the possibility of investing in a new Santa Cruz passenger train as locally owned tracks exist from Pajaro to Santa Cruz along the stunning scenic coast. This branch line, once upgraded, could connect with the state rail system, and Amtrak to go up and down the West Coast.

Judy Gittlesohn, owner of Studio Judy G, says, “The public wants trains. There is a well-formed anti-train group — and their goal is to remove the tracks and eliminate public passenger trains forever.”

Felipe Hernandez, Fourth District supervisor for Santa Cruz County, says, “Watsonville residents voted overwhelmingly against Measure D (to tear out the tracks), in fact the highest percentage in the county. They’ve expressed the need for sustainable multi-modal transportation and Zero Emissions Rail & Trail, specifically. They just want to alleviate the gridlock they face every day in traffic.”

Studio Judy G will host two All Aboard artists in residence, Helen Dang, Stanford scientist, artist, and

display will

map maker, in June, and Stephen Mallon, Beacon, N.Y. photographer of Passing Freight, in July.

A portion of sales will be contributed to Coast Futura, the electric rail car, and FORT (Friends of Rail and Trail).

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

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

Remaining dates are 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

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

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

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

First Wednesdays

SONS IN RETIREMENT

Time TBD, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz SIR (Sons In Retirement) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical public benefit organization of senior men. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of its members through social events while making friends.

The Twin Valleys, Santa Cruz Branch welcomes new members and meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Ray Disperati at 831-588-8876 for information.

Second Fridays of the Month

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

4:30-7:30 p.m., Monterey Ave. Park, Capitola Food Truck Fridays are back at Monterey Ave. Park on four summer Fridays.

Local-centric food and entertainment in a fun, familyfriendly environment. There is plenty of open spaces as well as an adult-only beer garden in the center of the action. Live entertainment is scheduled: June 14: TNT & the Explosions

July 12: Tsunami

Aug. 16: Digbeats

Sept. 13: Coffee Zombie Collective

Second and Fourth Saturdays SOQUEL HOMESTEADERS MARKETS

Pacific Roots • June 19

On

be Coast Futura’s real model train running on Judy Gittelsohn’s painted topographical map illustrating a future Santa Cruz branch line.

Soquel business’s Beer 30, Sunny Side Produce, Buzzo Wood Fired Pizza, and Carpo’s.

The Soquel Homesteaders Markets, organized by Jill Troderman of Holistic Family Nutrition, supports vendors of all good things, with a focus on promoting quality, natural, organic, and sustainable foods and products.

There will be vendors of locally grown produce, cottage industry foods, local meats, cheeses, ferments, natural products, homesteaders’ wares, arts and crafts, honey, candles, sweet treats, coffee and tea, health and wellness products, services, and practitioners, healers, spiritual endeavors, nonprofits, schools, plants, flowers, seeds and herbs, jewelry, green living and up-cycled garage sale items.

The Markets will include live music, food trucks, a gleaner’s table with free local produce, and a seed share/ seed bank.

There will also be homesteading classes from 12 - 1 p.m. Find “Soquel Homesteaders Markets” on Facebook.

Third Sundays of the Month ANTIQUE FAIR & FLEA MARKET

9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive Clark’s Auction presents a monthly Antique Fair & Flea Market on the third Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, starting March 17.

Admission tickets are $8 at https://www.eventeny.com/ events/ticket/?id=9559&action=ticket&action_ticket=14707

Earlybird tickets are $15 to get in at 7 a.m.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday June 1

SUMMER READING KICKOFF AT APTOS LIBRARY

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries will kick off the 2024 Summer Reading Program with a special event at Aptos Library, celebrating the newly opened branch.

Tour the remarkably designed, state-of-the-art library and to sign up to participate in the Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Program designed for all ages.

There will be performances for everyone to enjoy, from magician James Chan to a bilingual Musical Me storytime and a musical performance by Cement Ship, a local artist and Sound Swell artist from the SCPL SoundSwell local music database.

Children can get their face painted by Chelsea Wright of Wisteria’s Faerie Creations.

Remember when the grand opening with all of this entertainment was cancelled due to wintry weather?

This is your opportunity to experience all those special activities.

Celebrate the building, pick up a brochure and a keepsake sticker.

POTLUCK PICNIC ITALIANO

Noon – 4 p.m., Thomas Family Farm, Aptos

Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz invites you to the 2nd Annual Dante Scampagnata (Day Out in the Countryside) Potluck Picnic Italiano at the Thomas Family Farm.

Live music, tour the working farm, visit the owner’s small art gallery with fruit & flower stand, and play corn-hole toss. Bring a favorite Italian dish to share, labeled with its name and the Italian region of origin, and a beverage to share.

To reduce paper and plastic waste, bring your own plate, cup and utensils. Location, Italian cookies, sodas, and waters will be provided by Dante.

Limited tickets are at: https://bit.ly/Picnic-Italiano Cost: $10 for members & $20 for non-members. Registration & payment must be in by May 27, not at the

door. Parking information will be emailed to participants once registration and payment are complete. Proceeds will be used to fund Dante’s Cabrillo scholarship program & the Film & Lecture Series.

Sunday June 2

DOUBLE RAINBOW: MARIGOLD FINE POETRY & MUSINGS

2 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

In her new memoir, Double Rainbow: Collected Poems & Memoir Musings , Marigold Fine tells of a Chicago childhood in the 1950s, a move West seeking spiritual life in the natural world, and creating a career as a video producer/documentary filmmaker.

The founder of Full Circle Video Productions, she lives in Santa Cruz with her husband Jim Stanford, writes, and performs locally with NextStage Theater. She will present an afternoon of poetry and musings at the Capitola Branch Library.

She brings her writing friends for brief readings of their works. Carolyn Davis Rudolph is co-owner of the local restaurant, Charlie Hong Kong and a food activist who believes in feeding the community healthy, organic food and supporting local farmers.

Judy Phillips is a long-time Santa Cruz resident, and a gifted writer and storyteller.

The book will be available for purchase and signing. Light refreshments will be provided.

Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12436255 to assist in planning refreshments.

Wednesday June 5

CAPITOLA SOROPTIMISTS MEMBERSHIP MIXER

4-6 p.m., Capitola Diner and Sports Bar, 1900 41st Avenue

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is hosting a membership mixer at the Capitola Diner and Sports Bar. Current members will share the club’s mission as well as socialize. Prospective members are welcome.

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 coined Latin phrase meaning Best for Women.

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

Thursday June 6 thru Sunday June 9

45TH ANNUAL MUSICAL ‘RAMAYANA!’

7 p.m. Thurs/Fri | 2 p.m. Sat/Sun, Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose

Mount Madonna School will present the 45th annual musical production of Ramayana! — a timeless classic — at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose.

Watch students take the roles of Hanuman the warrior, the monkeys, Prince Rama and Prince Lakshmana, journeying to Lanka to rescue Princess Sita.

Listen to traditional and contemporary music, and more than a dozen original standout songs.

Admire the costumes, the masks, the sets and props. Every item in the show is a work of handmade art.

“The production of ‘Ramayana!’ has been central to Mount Madonna School since its founding,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “With this show, we carry forward a tradition inspired by Baba Hari Dass (1923-2018) and supported by the Mount Madonna Center. It’s the culmination of months of work during the academic year and is a year-end celebration for our community embracing diversity and creative self-expression. The Ramayana is a timeless classic teaching the universal values of truth, duty, love and service to the greater good. As students work together to prepare for this ambitious show, they embody the values embedded in the Ramayana.” All seats are reserved. Tickets range from $30 to $55 at Ramayana.BrownPaperTickets.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WOMENCARE VIRTUAL FILM FUNDRAISER ( FORMERLY LUNAFEST

Available thru June 5 • Tickets at www.eventbrite.com

Did you know local favorite Clif/LunaBar was acquired by Cadbury maker Mondelez for $2.9 billion?

That shuttered the 2023 Lunafest film festival, a benefit for WomenCare, the nonprofit supporting women diagnosed with cancer. Lunafest raised $150,000 for WomenCare, averaging $16,000 annually, so this was a significant loss.

Local promoter Kathy Ferraro was heartbroken to lose such a brilliant and inspiring film festival, and the Santa Cruz Lunafest committee came up with alternative to raise money for WomenCare, a virtual film event with viewing from May 30-June 5.

There are 3 films about women, donated by the filmmakers. Tickets are $25-$40. Ticket buyers will receive an email with links and instructions on how to stream the films for one week from May 30-June 5. The three films together run about two hours. You can start and stop watching but you must finish before the links expire June 5.

The goal is to raise $10,000.

Presenting sponsor Lanai Financial Solutions and an anonymous local family foundation have donated $4,500 in matching funds. With sponsor support, $6,000 is in hand, and the committee hope community members will buy tickets — and make an additional donation if possible — to raise the rest for WomenCare.

Films:

)

A New Color — Decades before her nephew’s final words “I can’t breathe” ignited a national outcry for racial justice, Edythe Boone embodied the truth that black lives matter. A fearless muralist, activist, and educator, she works to tackle poverty. Ice Mermaid — Melissa Kegler’s freezing quest to swim colder and longer than any American. Mink! — Told by her daughter Wendy, Mink! is the story of the remarkable Patsy Takemoto Mink, a JapaneseAmerican from Hawaii who became the first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress, on her harrowing mission to co-author and defend Title IX, the law that transformed athletics for girls and women in America. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womencare-virtual-film-event-fundraiser-tickets-906938075197

TOP PHOTO: Mink! The story of Patsy Takemoto Mink

Saturday June 8

HABITAT DISC GOLF FUNDRAISER

8 a.m.-5 p.m., First Tee Facility at Twin Creeks Golf Course, 1551 Beacon Hill Drive, Salinas • Registration closes Saturday, June 1

Come to Twin Creeks Golf Course for fun, competition, and fundraising for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay at a pop-up temp course at the First Tee Facility.

Pros and amateur players welcome at this PDGA XC-tier tournament. Check-in is at 8 a.m. Awards are at 5 p.m.

Registration closes June 1 at 8 p.m. Walk-ups may be accommodated but cannot be guaranteed. Registration is $50 at www.discgolfscene.com/ tournaments/Hucks_Fore_Homes_Habitat_for_ Humanity_Charity_Disc_Golf_Invitational_Supported_by_ Innova_2024. This includes t-shirt, disc and lunch.

Goal is to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity to build homes and hope for families in need.

Saturday June 8

Sunday June 9

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

9 a.m.-5 p.m., Capitola Village

Capitola Village will host the 14th Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show.

Presented by the Capitola Foundation, this family-friendly event features more than 200 classic cars plus vendor booths in the seaside village. Streets in the village will be closed for this event.

Register at https://www.capitolafoundation.com/classic-car-show “Calendar” page 31

A New Color: Muralist, activist and educator Edythe Boone

Nearly 100 Citations for Unpermitted Vacation Rentals

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Until the last decade there were no caps, and very limited regulations, on vacation rentals throughout the county. However, growing concerns over the loss of housing and the commercialization of neighborhoods led the Board of Supervisors to ultimately restrict the total number of rentals within designated zones (generally speaking the coastal area of the county) and also create a set of new regulations and enforcement expectations for problematic vacation rentals.

Many operate in our county without issue, but for years those that were unpermitted or created neighborhood issues have done so with little recourse.

What are the current regulations?

This is a brief overview of some of the key regulatory requirements:

1) Rates capped at specific levels for both vacation rentals and hosted rentals in the designated areas in the county. This means that new permits wouldn’t be issued unless a permit became available through non-renewal, revocation, transfer of ownership etc. This provides for current levels of supply but limits additional negative impacts on long-term housing.

without any issues, permits can be renewed every 5 years. For properties with violations, including running a vacation rental without a permit, criminal and/or County Code or Health Order violations are proposed as potential reasons for revocation.

How Does the Permit Wait List Work?

When permits open up, the Board of Supervisors wanted a program that was administered fairly and impartially.

Prospective applicants would submit a Waiting List Request Form and payment to staff and all parcels on the list would be tracked by staff and mapped on a GIS Vacation Rental Waiting List Map. The program is structured as a first come, first served system.

What Enforcement Has Been Done This Year?

Using some of the funds generated by the rentals, the County has hired code enforcement staff who, among other duties, will enforce on complaints and even take rentals to revocation hearings.

2) Parking requirements (to minimize onstreet and neighborhood impacts)

3) Noticing/Input requirements so neighborhoods could have a public process to express concerns

4) A waiting list program for those looking to apply for permits as they become available

5) Taxation requirements (rentals are required to pay transient-occupancy-tax at a set rate)

6) Establish a revocation procedure for problematic rentals

How Can Permits be Revoked?

One of the key parts of the discussion was ensuring that problematic properties have a permit revocation process. For those

As part of this, the Board required annual reports on the enforcement program to include the number of complaints received by the Sheriff’s Office, the length of time it takes to resolve such complaints, number of active permits that have been recommended for revocation, how many are advertising but not registered with the County, how many hearings have been held and how many permits have been revoked or denied. County staff has completed its first annual report to the Board and that report showed enforcement efforts have begun.

The initial effort to conduct proactive enforcement resulted in warning letters sent to 385 property owners for lack of compliance on a number of issues — with the primary issue being an unregistered rental and some not paying taxes on the rentals.

Many came into compliance by changing the unit to a long-term rental while a handful

... growing concerns over the loss of housing and the commercialization of neighborhoods led the Board of Supervisors to ultimately restrict the total number of rentals within designated zones (generally speaking the coastal area of the county) and also create a set of new regulations and enforcement expectations for problematic vacation rentals.

applied for a formal permit to operate and others submitted delinquent taxes. Ultimately, Code Enforcement has issued nearly 100 citations for unpermitted rentals with about half coming from our district. Additionally, two revocation hearings were conducted by the County and those hearings are ongoing.

Code Enforcement added a quick link to simplify the reporting of alleged violations on properties with vacation rentals or hosted rental permits. This new feature is called the “vacation rental complaint form” and the community an easy way to report issues. If you visit www.santacruzcountyca.gov and click on the Planning Department you will see “Report a Code Violation” option on the front page. n •••

I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

SCCAS Featured Pet COMMUNITY NEWS

Not Peter … Justin!

Justin (A310026) is a male neutered shorthaired rabbit. He came into the Shelter as a stray initially with a wound on his ear and medical staff jumped in to help him heal. It took some time with cleaning and monitoring, but Justin has recovered and is ready to find his new family. Justin spent some time in a foster home so we could learn more about him. He appears to appreciate being the only bun in a home. Justin would thrive in a rabbitsavvy adoptive home that understands that some buns like their home set up a certain way and does not want people messing with their set up or food.

Justin is bunny that is full of personality and any rabbit knowledgeable home will be lucky to have him! n

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. 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

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

10 Tips for Owners of Small Businesses

By Jondi Gumz

Guy Kawasaki, the marketing guy for Steve Jobs’ Macintosh computer in the early Silicon Valley days, is now a prolific author and podcaster, interviewing “remarkable” people such as Jane Goodall, Steve Wozniak and Kristi Yamaguchi.

But did you know he is deaf in his right ear and relies on a cochlear implant to hear?

He shared his situation with the audience of about 200 at the Santa Cruz Small Business Summit hosted by Cabrillo College in Aptos.

It’s a great example of not giving up in the face of adversity and finding a workaround to achieve what you set out to do.

The Small Business Development Center at Cabrillo is one of many scattered across America, a part of the U.S. Small Business Administration, created to help aspiring entrepreneurs.

In Santa Cruz County, some 87% of businesses are small businesses, defined as fewer than 500 employees. Last year, the local SBDC provided 1,851 hours of advising, assisting 697 businesses, creating 499 jobs, retaining 1,233 jobs and helping launch 27 new businesses.

Alex Pedersen, director of the local SBDC for the past year and a Cabrillo mechanical engineering alum, invited Kawasaki to give the keynote and bought his new book, “Think Remarkable,” to give to every attendee.

not say “fake it,” like Elizabeth Holmes, the face pushing the Theranos blood test even though it did not work. Don’t worry that you don’t belong. Everybody’s thinking that. Confront your fears and keep trying.

4) Make yourself unique and valuable If you’re the 5th Mexican restaurant on 41st Avenue, what makes you different?

5) Go and see, go and be. Watch your customers to find out what they need. Better yet, experience what your customers experience and you’ll get insights. Example: Try using your own website. Is it customer-friendly or not?

6) Work backwards. In other words, stop trying to persuade customers to buy in to what you offer, find out what customers want.

Example: A guy at Kodak created the first digital camera but the company never pursued it because that would bury the film business.

7) Put skills first. Can the people you hire do the job? Kawasaki got a college degree, majoring in psychology, and a master’s degree in business, and he learned to sell by selling jewelry. Education exposes you to new subjects and connections – Kawasaki got his job at Apple through a classmate.

At the Theater

© Statepoint Media

Kawasaki, 70, who moved to Santa Cruz so he could spend more time surfing, is known for giving “top 10” talks. These are his top 10 tips for small business owners.

1) Alleviate the pain in your customers’ lives. One example: Marc Benioff, founder of Salesforce customer relations software affordable for small and medium-size businesses.

2) Embrace envy. Kawasaki, who grew up poor in Hawaii, wanted a better home, better neighbor and better car. That was his motivation. “Use your envy to drive you to success,” he said.

3) Face it until you make it. Notice he does

“Calendar” from page 29

Saturday June 15

FREE WELLNESS TALK

12:30-1:30 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road

Dr. Tom Yarema, a local practice MD, speaker/educator and volunteer for the nonprofit Foundation for Wellness Professionals, will give a free talk at the Capitola Library. His topic will be “What To Do When Viagra/Cialis Fails For Erectile Dysfunction.”

Sunday June 23

SIP FOR SECOND HARVEST

1-4 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Second Harvest Food Bank announces “Sip for Second Harvest” at Seascape Golf Club.

This will be a wonderful afternoon tasting fine, local wines, hosted at the beautiful Seascape Golf Club. Wine tasting, appetizers, and a stunning view all included!

8) Plant many seeds. It’s hard to predict which will grow, so planting many improves your odds of success. Networking with people at random can pay off. Thanks to local surfer Neil Pearlberg, Kawasaki was able to interview Chris Bertish, the 2010 Mavericks surf contest winner,

9) Become mission driven. Kawasaki used a vulgarism to describe Steve Jobs, who would steamroll anyone who got in the way of his mission to introduce the first successful personal computer with a mouse and onscreen icons and images rather than typing commands. Let your mission be: Let’s create the best (fill in the blank, whatever your business is) possible.

10) Make your decisions right. There is no perfect decision so take your best shot and don’t look back. n

All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and provide healthy food and nutrition education to neighbors in need in Santa Cruz County.

Tickets are $60 per person pr $110 for two at https://app. giveffect.com/campaigns/31918-sip-for-second-harvest-2024

Guy Kawasaki