Capitola Soquel Times: January 2025

Happy New Year!

Family Owned For 34 Years • Capitola, Soquel, Live Oak, Pleasure Point

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 2025©

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

January 2025 • Vol 30 No. 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR! EQUIPMENT RENTALS & SALES WE PAY THE SALES TAX ON RENTALS! OPEN AND DELIVER 6 DAYS A WEEK(Closed Sunday) 8 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! www.AToolShed.com • 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED

Treasure Cove: $1 Million for Accessible Park

On Dec. 11, County Park Friends announced more than $1 million dollars in private funding has been raised for Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park in Capitola – completing a 18-month effort to fund the city’s first-fully inclusive playground.

Full Story page 19

Judge Overturns Rule on Genetically Engineered Crops

First District: A Perceived Conflict or Not High-Rise Champion Tim Gordin Exits Planning Commission

By Jondi Gumz Lifelong local Rob Oliveros sees a conflict of interest in the First District, where county Supervisor Manu Koenig appointed founder of the Workbench development firm, Tim Gordin, as his planning commissioner, in 2021.

Gordin resigned his seat Nov. 18, three weeks before the

supervisors voted to up-zone 30 parcels — including 3500 Paul Sweet Road where Gordin proposes 105 apartments as workforce housing, making the property more valuable. The reason for up-zoning — to meet the state mandate to build more housing — 4,634 homes by 2031. ... continues on page 4

Full Story page 15

Thanks for Giving!

By Galen Getz We are so excited to announce that with the help of each and every one of you, we have almost reached our first goal of $12,500!!!

Full Story page 10

GARVEY PAINTING, inc.

THE REPAINT SPECIALISTS

License #1057716

(831) 688-6913 | www.garveypainting.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID APTOS, CA PERMIT 31 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003 EDDM Inc.

2 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

14

30

Cover First District: A Perceived Conflict or Not: High-Rise Champion Tim Gordin Exits Planning Commission, By Jondi Gumz

No. 1

Volume 30

18

Table of Contents

6

Community News Unanimous for Mayor Yvette Lopez Brooks, By Jondi Gumz Supervisors to Newsom: Prioritize Home Insurance Issue Form 700 Reveals Economic Interests, By Jondi Gumz Raising Money to Feed the Hungry: Do Small Contributions Make a Difference?, By Tara Fatemi Walker 14 Mobile Crisis Team Available Weekends • Young Scientists, By Jondi Gumz 19 Treasure Cove: $1 Million for Accessible Park 22 New State Laws Push Housing, By Manu Koenig 6 7 11 12

National News 15 Judge Overturns Rule on Genetically Engineered Crops, By Jondi Gumz

AGING IS LIFE At Aegis Living, we see aging as

Business Profile 18 Paradise Beach Grille: Resilience, Community & Family in Capitola, By Rebecca Levy 24 Dr. Joseph Kim, DDS: Using Technology to Benefit Patients

a gift. Aegis offers support for all

Letters to the editor 21 A Wonderful Opportunity for Seniors • A Question for Sheriff Chris Clark

short-term stays, assisted living,

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Beginnings — New Year 2025, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

8 10 16 25 27 30

Featured Columnists Method Acting: Using Past Experiences, By Joe Ortiz Thanks for Giving!, By Galen Getz Departing Mayor Reflects on Eight Years, By Kristen Brown, Mayor, City of Capitola Thank You, SUESD Community, for Measure P Success, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District 2025 Brings a New Era in Our Local Water Supply, By Rachél Lather, President, Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors Sheriff Chris Clark: Peace of Mind for All, By Sheriff Chris Clark

stages of senior care, including and memory care. We’d love to answer your questions and show you around.

Call us today! 831-359-4670

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Take Home The King of the Gods

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 3

COVER STORY publisher

Patrice Edwards

editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Tara Fatemi Walker, Manu Koenig, Rebecca Levy, Risa D’Angeles, Joe Ortiz, Galen Getz, Kristen Brown, Scott J. Turnbull, Rachél Lather, Chris Clark

layout

Michael Oppenheimer

graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin

photography Michael Oppenheimer

website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

production coordinator

Camisa Composti

media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul Cathe Race

office coordinator distribution

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2025. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

“Housing Conflict?” from page 1 The 6-story Sweet Homes project qualifies for the “builder’s remedy,” bypassing rules on height and density and bypassing public input because the state had not yet approved the Santa Cruz County Housing Element, the plan for future housing.

County planning staff write the Housing Element, which is reviewed by the Planning Commission and then by the Board of Supervisors.

The supervisors sent the Housing Element to the state in November 2023, meeting the deadline but approval by the state Housing and Community Development Department came after the Dec. 31 deadline, developers could take advantage of the builder’s remedy.

And Workbench did.

Gordin, the Nexties 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year, did not respond to questions from the Capitola-Soquel Times.

Koenig, who was re-elected March 5, did.

“Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture. Developers can only build what the law allows them to build,” he said.

“State housing law has changed radically in recent years and is now making possible 5- and 6-story projects in the unincorporated county, even though our local zoning code only allows 3. The big changes in the law have happened at the state level by removing local control. Therefore you can’t blame the local planning commissioner for these changes, you have to blame the state.”

Koenig explained: “I appointed Tim in 2021 because he and his firm were working creatively to solve the housing crises. They had designed pre-approved ADU plans for a number of cities and their largest project at the time was 15 units on Soquel Drive called The Dwellings.”

In 2021, Koenig appointed Lisa Sheridan as alternate Planning Commissioner.

He pointed out, “Lisa led the Sustainable Soquel effort to fight the Nissan dealership; is a strong voice for open space preservation at Anna Jean Cummings Park; and worked as a local Realtor, giving her a background in land use.”

Koenig added, “Tim, like any public figure, was bound by conflict of interest law and abstained from voting whenever the outcome had an impact on his business. The Paul Sweet Rd parcel was identified by staff for upzoning and Tim was not present at the meeting where the Planning Commission approved the rezoning. The fact that our county was thrown into Builder’s Remedy, even though we submitted our Housing Element on time is another example of the State subverting local control.”

The alternate seat was vacant for months while Koenig recruited.

Building in Santa Cruz County has been historically challenging, especially for multifamily housing.

According to the Texas A&M University Real Estate Research Center, which tracks permit nationwide by county, Santa Cruz County has issued fewer than 300 multifamily permits per year since 2010.

The highs were 250 in 2016, then 283 in 2021 and 278 in 2023.

The lows were 17 in 2009 after the housing market crashed, 33 in 2010 and 71 in 2020, when the Covid pandemic hit.

Housing advocates such as Sen. Scott Weiner, D-San Francisco, and YIMBY see a lot of catching up to do.

But there are questions about how the housing mandate numbers were generated, whether the population projections were fully vetted before assumptions were made to generate need for each city and county.

But during the last housing mandate cycle, a judge declined to intervene in a lawsuit in Southern California filed by the city of Irvine.

Oliveros is the founder of Santa Cruz against Runaway Development, Facebook group with more than 1,000 members.

Workbench team Tim Gordin (from left), Jamileh Cannon and Sibley Simon.

He said he wants to bring the conflict to light so it does not happen again.

16-Story Clocktower

For those unfamiliar, Gordin started Workbench in 2016 with architect Jamileh Cannon, a board member of housing advocate Santa Cruz YIMBY, who has designed a dozen multi-story housing projects, including 4575 Scotts Valley Drive, revisioning the vacant Seagate tech property into 100 affordable family rentals.

Since Event Santa Cruz named the pair Nexties Entrepreneur of the Year, Workbench has grown to 22 people, some local and some coming from Southern California.

Gordin’s completed projects include The Dwellings, 5701 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 13 townhomes and two home renovations, Hanover Homes, Multi- family housing near Branciforte Library, and two custom homes in Pleasure Point.

His projects in process include: 47 studios above the Food Bin, Mission St., Santa Cruz, 16 multi-family homes on May Street, Santa Cruz, a 6-story building, 76 residential units, 1023 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, and 100 affordable rentals at 4575 Scotts Valley Drive, formerly Seagate in Scotts Valley.

On April 3, Workbench unveiled a proposal to build a 16-story high-rise with 260 homes at 2020 N. Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, vacated by Lighthouse Bank, and purchased on July 19, 2023 for $4.375 million.

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

JOIN US FOR LUNCH & DINNER OPEN DAILY 11:30AM - CLOSE DINNER BEGINS AT 5PM

HAPPY HOUR DAILY SPECIALS BEAUTIFUL VIEWS 215 ESPLANADE CAPITOLA • 831-476-4900 • PARADISEBEACHGRILLE.COM

4 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COVER STORY This would be the tallest building downtown.

Workbench said this project “re-imagines an underutilized urban site as a sustainable high-rise community.”

This new vision and Gordin’s philosophy left shock waves.

On April 9, the 14 residents on the Save Pleasure Point Steering Committee, wrote to Koenig, citing Gordin’s interview in the Santa Cruz Sentinel explaining his philosophy for projects to have maximum density and substantial height.

They wrote, “We respectfully question Mr. Gordin’s ability to act impartially with understanding, appreciation and the obligation for a middle ground, which is preserving our community’s uniqueness to a developer’s wants for size, density and profit.”

They said they welcome development on Portola Drive, the thoroughfare through Pleasure Point following established guidelines that all new development be compatible with Pleasure Point’s style and character.

For those unaware, Pleasure Point is a historic surfing community with no buildings taller than 2 stories.

The steering committee made one more ask: “do not seat another developer (or the like) in this position.”

In response, Koenig said, “The scope of Tim’s projects changed significantly at the beginning of this year with the Clocktower project proposal in April and the

builder’s remedy projects. I responded to Save Pleasure Point’s letter by saying that I didn’t see any way that Tim would subvert the process or radically change densities through his position. I also said that I would start by appointing a new alternate Planning Commissioner (as Lisa had recently stepped off the commission).

He added, “The work the Planning Commission deals with is technical and complex and it’s important that appointees have some background in land use. That’s why I just appointed an architect (Shane Pavonetti) and a general contractor of 45 years (Luke Rizzuto).”

He elaborated, “I selected the new District 1 appointments because I’m confident they will champion incremental housing growth and small property owners. Luke brings extensive knowledge about building in this county thanks to 45 years as a local general contractor. Shane brings comparative knowledge having built his own home in Austin Texas as well as in Santa Cruz County.”

Sweet Homes

Sweet Homes, on .52 acres across from

Oakwood Memorial Park & Cemetery, is a project in the works since Workbench bought the property for $1.325 million on Dec. 7, 2022.

Gordin created an LLC for the project, Sweet Developments, on Nov. 17, and Sweet Developments GP on March 17, 2023.

On Oct. 10, when Koenig hosted a community meeting on the Thurber Lane-Soquel Drive housing project for 181 affordable apartments, he was asked if Gordin was still his planning commissioner.

The answer: Yes. Asked how is that not a conflict, Koenig said, “I appointed an alternate.”

The county website however listed only Gordin, with the space for an alternate left blank.

On Dec.10, Koenig made 2 appointments on the consent agenda, Shane Pavonetti, an architect in Texas, and Luke Rizzuto, as alternate.

841 Capitola Road

Sweet Homes is not Gordin’s first builder’s remedy project.

Gordin purchased a .89 acre-property at 841 Capitola Road with a home dating to 1925 for $1.65 million on Jan. 26, 2022.

Gordin created an LLC for the project, 841 LLC, on Jan. 7, 2022.

The Workbench website says 15 single-family homes were proposed but Santa Cruz Local reported Gordin proposed 40 apartments then reduced the number to 28.

Another Workbench Appointee

Gordin was not Koenig’s only appointee from Workbench.

For the county Housing Advisory Commission, which advises the Planning Commission, Koenig appointed Sibley Simon, a partner with Gordin in Workbench.

Simon is the founder of nonprofit New Way Homes, which is seeking investors for its affordable housing impact investment fund. He worked years to make Harvey West Studios, a five-story complex with 121 units of supportive housing at 119 Coral St., a reality.

This location is near an existing shelter for the homeless.

With Workbench handling design & construction, Simon’s projects include 801 River St., Santa Cruz, renovating a Victorian home into 7 units of supportive housing, Peace Village, 40 mixed income homes on Peace United Church property, and 841 Capitola Road, 28 mixed income rentals on Capitola Road, a 6-story project with 83 affordable family units and ground-floor commercial in Oakland and 75 affordable family units with ground floor commercial in Salinas. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

Upper Crust Good through 1/31/25 • Must present coupon when order is placed • Not valid with any other offers

809 Bay Ave.

CLEAN and SECURE Since 2011

Locally Owned and Operated

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!

Drop by for a tour and see

The Very Best in Storage!

(831) 465.0600

809 Bay Avenue, Suite H, Capitola, CA 95010 (In the Nob Hill Shopping Center)

www.capitolaselfstorage.com

www.facebook.com/capitolaselfstorage *See Staff for details and restrictions

6 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Unanimous for Mayor Yvette Lopez Brooks

N

By Jondi Gumz

ewly elected to the Capitola City Council, Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach took the oath of office on Thursday, Dec. 12, in front of a roomful of proud supporters in City Hall.

Next on the agenda: Choosing a vice mayor.

Jensen nominated Joe Clark, and Yvette Lopez Brooks seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

Next: Choosing a mayor to succeed Kristen Brown, departing after 8 years on the council due to term limits.

Clark nominated Yvette Lopez Brooks, and Melinda Orbach seconded.

Again, unanimous.

Brooks is in the mayoral role for the second time.

She has the distinction of being Capitola’s first Latina mayor.

She is in her second term on the City Council.

A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, she worked for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education before becoming the executive director for the non-profit Your Future Is Our Business.

She championed a proposal upgrade of Jade Street Park playground to be accessible to all children. Partnering with County Parks Friends, the goal to raise $1 million was reached in December.

A wife and mother, Brooks is passionate about ensuring opportunity for youth.

She spearheaded a ballot initiative in 2018 to increase the city’s hotel and visitor tax, creating a dedicated children’s fund.

She encouraged the growth and expansion of Capitola Recreation Department by partnering with Soquel Union School District.

She would like to see more family child care homes.

She is a board member at United Way’s

Gerry Jensen

Melinda Orbach

Youth Action Network and on the Semilittas Advisory Committee.

As a policy maker, she says she is committed to ensuring that Capitola is sustainable, safe, welcoming, and familyfriendly and supports the vision of Capitola’s residents in maintaining its intimate, smalltown feel and coastal village charm. She also says she is “focused on bridging the gap between social inequities and policy development.”

The council bid farewell to Brown and to Margaux (Keizer) Morgan, whose mayoral term was spent helping Capitola Village recover from epic storms in 2023 that tore the Capitola Wharf in two.

In September, the city unveiled the rebuilt wharf, better than ever.

The biggest issue for the new council –if plans are filed by Merlone Geier Partners– redeveloping the Capitola Mall to be a place abuzz with shoppers.

The city’s “Housing Element” plan, written to satisfy the states’ mandate to plan for 1,336 homes by 2031, for calls for 637 homes including 419 affordable units, which Merlone Geier considered financially not possible.

Last year, Brooks voiced hope that the developers would continue talking with city staff so the overhaul would not stall.

Ten months later, there is no visible progress. n

The new Capitola City Council (from left): Alexander Pedersen, Gerry Jensen, Yvette Brooks, Melinda Orbach, and Joe Clarke.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supervisors to Newsom: Prioritize Home Insurance Issue O n Dec. 10, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors authorized Supervisor Zach Friend to write a letter to Gov. Newsom, on behalf of the Board, regarding the current state of emergency for homeowners and commercial property insurance, requesting the governor take immediate steps to strengthen and stabilize the property insurance market through regulatory and legislative action.

Here is the staff report: ••• alifornia is facing a growing homeowner and commercial property crisis across the state. While the California Insurance Commissioner’s Office continues to implore insurance providers to return to the marketplace and write policies, progress has been stagnant with little reprieve for residents in Santa Cruz County and across the state.

The lack of available insurance options and long-term viability of the California insurance market could halt real estate transactions and delay or prevent new housing development, worsening the existing housing crisis.

Additional action is needed through action by the Insurance Commissioner, Governor, and State Legislature to stabilize the marketplace.

Supervisor Friend is seeking authority to write a letter to the Governor on behalf of the Board requesting that he take immediate action to strengthen and stabilize the property insurance market.

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

SPECIALIZING IN

WINTER SPECIAL

Residential Repaints & If we paint your interior and/or Custom Homes exterior by January 31, 2025 Homeowners Associations we will buy the paint.

Property Managers

C

Two Largest Firms Pause

Last year, two of the State’s largest insurance carriers, representing over 27% of the insurance market in California, announced that they would stop issuing new homeowners and commercial property insurance policies in California.

Several other insurance carriers announced plans to limit new policy origination, especially in high fire severity zones, such as much of Santa Cruz County.

We have seen how the reduction of insurance options in the state has had a direct negative effect on consumer access to coverage, impacting homeowners and businesses. A lack of home insurance coverage leaves homeowners vulnerable and also has fiscal implications as homeowners may be unable to secure a mortgage without coverage.

Home Sales Affected

A recent survey conducted by the California Association of Realtors from across the state found that 13% of realtors reported they had a transaction fall out of escrow because

a buyer could not find insurance. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the 7% of realtors who reported this happening in 2023.

The vast majority of buyers who were unable to obtain homeowners insurance stated that it was due to denial of coverage, with a small percentage stating that the premium was too expensive.

Pricey FAIR Plan

Santa Cruz County residents are left with the sole option of turning to the insurance of last resort, the California FAIR plan, which is often significantly more expensive.

The FAIR Plan, a high-cost temporary insurance policy is a state-established risk pool intended to operate as a safety net while residents seek traditional insurance.

Instead, it is increasingly being relied on by homeowners in the region as the only option available to them.

In some of our most vulnerable areas of the county, enrollment in the FAIR plan has increased by a factor of ten between 2019 and 2024.

For example, in Boulder Creek 29% of homes with insurance policies are now enrolled through the FAIR plan.

“Home Insurance” page 8

THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING LOCALLY!

1501-J & K 41st Avenue Capitola • 464-2700 Open 7 days a week

palaceartsupply.com

(cannot be used to purchase Gift Cards) #1017176 Exp. 4/30/2025

Cash, check or bank card only. Limit one per customer per day. Not valid with other coupons. Must present coupon at time of purchase.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 7

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Method Acting: Using Past Experiences Editor’s note: This is the fifth in an ongoing series by Capitola creative Joe Ortiz.

••• erhaps not surprisingly, the craft of acting can help us learn to lead more creative lives.

Our daily interaction with friends and loved ones is in fact an “acting out” of our most authentic self — even if the most inspired version shows up only on our better days. As a disciplined extension of this everyday experience, the dramatic arts can shed light on how humans create.

In crafting characters for the stage, Russian stage director Konstantin Stanislavski taught student actors to lift themselves out of everyday life and into their imaginations by using their past experiences as a guide for revealing emotion. His concepts grew into what is considered Method Acting today.

The practices were appreciably modified during the ‘30s and ‘40s by Sanford Meisner, who taught actors to focus less on traumatic personal experiences, and more on being in the moment and responding authentically to their fellow actors on stage.

Both of these methods are still used

P

By Joe Ortiz

today in training actors for live theatrical performances and for cinema. They not only suggest good advice for everyday living but can also help artists cultivate stronger creative expression in a variety of art forms.

In Stanislavski’s immersive formula, actors are asked to combine a movement or gesture on stage with the recollection of an incident that arouses feelings in their own lives. For example, if, when an actress was a child, she saw her father light a matchbook on fire and flash it in her mother’s face, then hurl an ashtray at her, those objects might call up terrifying sensations in the present. Automatically, the ashtray becomes a potential vehicle for dramatic effect in a scene where the actress must express intense emotion.

8 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The Meisner technique would further emphasize that by using such objects and one’s surroundings on stage as a means to remain in the moment and cultivate deep listening, the actor’s physical movements will unfold without the need to strive for artificial high drama.

I think both Meisner and Stanislavski would agree that these principles extend beyond theater to other creative fields.

For example, if the actress mentioned above were to paint a still life containing an ashtray, the object would generate an “emotional memory,” which might be expressed unconsciously in the painting.

What We Can Learn?

Practicing artists often summon up the actions and emotion-filled objects of their past to embellish their art with sensations sparked by personal experience. “Write what you know” is one prevailing mantra.

For this reason Artificial Intelligence might

never attain the personally-invested kind of work created by living, breathing artists who possess their own rich and unique history. For example, no computer-based intelligence can use what memoir writer Mary Karr describes as “carnality” — details drawn from an individual writer’s senses of taste, smell, and touch — to bring a narrative to life.

Yet, any recollected memory we might use to trigger emotion doesn’t have to be a painful one. In fact, this original hallmark of Method Acting has received criticism in recent years because actors who use the technique of recalling traumatic memories can become psychologically drained after a series of intense performances. Without any such risks, we can use the practice to reach for emotionally charged expressions in our writing, painting, or any other art form.

What Can You Do Now?

When you work on an important creative project, you’ll find that the most effective details come readily from your experience.

If you trust personally relevant facts and images — and dig even deeper for them — the emotional impact of your work won’t have to be fabricated.

Instead, your expression will be colored with meaningful imagery and your drafts of stories, poems — even emails, lists, and texts — will resonate with a personally charged conviction. n

requirement for insurers to increase their policy offerings in underserved areas as a This issue is not isolated to our region, condition of incorporating catastrophe modhowever, and across the state there has been eling into ratemaking.

While these actions are important next a 41% increase in FAIR Plan policies between steps at the state September 2023 and level to secure and 2024. One of the limistabilize the volatile tations of a standard While these actions are insurance market, FAIR plan is that it important next steps at reform will not take only covers damage place until OAL from fire, smoke, the state level to secure and lightning. This approval is complete, and stabilize the volatile and it may take a few limited coverage requires many for the market insurance market, reform years owners to seek addito react. tional secondary Residents in will not take place insurance for other Santa Cruz County until OAL approval is necessary liabilities, are currently strugleading to significant gling with obtaining complete, and it may annual costs to necessary insurance take a few years for the protect their assets and are left with and homes. uncertainty for their market to react.

As part of Comfuture. Because these missioner Lara’s proposed regulatory comprehensive Sustainable Insurance changes will take time and inevitably lead Strategy, final wildfire catastrophe modeling to higher premiums for property owners, it regulations were submitted to the Office of is critical that we advocate for the long-term Administrative Law on Nov. 14, 2024, for stability and request our state partners to approval. The new regulations introduce a more promptly prioritize this issue.

“Home Insurance” from page 7

COME CELEBRATE WITH US! 2/22-2/23 Palace Art 76th Anniversary • Schedule of Events • First 75 customers (both days) will receive a free tote bag of goodies/limit 1 per family.

• Visit our Prize Table and spin & win valuable coupons or prizes!

• Most demos are 10-15 minutes, so there’s an opportunity to try a lot of great products!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 ND TIME

10:00am to 1:00pm

2:00pm to 5:00pm

PRESENTER

DESCRIPTION

Ryan Sward

FW Ink on Strathmore Papers

Dawn McKay Gary Lange *Andrew Cook Chloe Knutson

Aitoh / Collage and Origami Chartpak / Kuretaki Sennelier Oil Sticks / RGM Paint Knives POSCA Acrylic Markers / Art Alternatives Mini Canvas

*Amber Engfer

Jacquard Cyanotype Demonstration

*Melissa West

Speedball Block Printing Demonstration

*Suzy Radonsky

Acrylic Painting Demonstration w/ Amsterdam Acrylics/ Davinci Brush / Art Alternatives Canvas

*Maggie Renner Hellmann Ryan Sward *Chris Koehler Ryan Sward

Oil Painting Demonstration w/ Gamblin Oils / Princeton Brush / Fredrix Canvas FW Ink on Strathmore cards Pentel DAS Smart Modeling Clay

Dawn McKay

Holbein Acryla Gouache / Davinci Brush / Stillman & Birn

Scott Stevenson

Daniel Smith Watercolors and Gouache / Van Gogh Art Papers

*Jeff Olson

Royal Talens Amsterdam Acrylics / Van Gogh Art Papers

*Andrew Cook

Sennelier Oil Pastels on Cromia Papers

Chloe Knutson

POSCA Acrylic Markers / Art Alternatives

Palace Staff

Stabilo Markers / Strathmore papers

*Heidi Woodmansee

Mixed Media Demonstration w/ Winsor & Newton Watercolors / Faber Castell / Arches Watercolor Papers

*Christina Sayers

Collage and Mixed Media Demonstration w/ Aitoh Paper / Liquitex / POSCA

*Toaa Dallo

Oil Painting Demonstration w/ Winsor Newton Oils / Princeton Brush / Fredrix Canvas

*Marcelino “Chango” Cruz

POSCA Acrylic Marker Demonstration on Surfboard & Driftwood

Modern since 1887

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 RD TIME

10:00am to 1:00pm

2:00pm to 5:00pm

PRESENTER

DESCRIPTION

Tom Woody

Caran D’ache Supracolor / Neocolor II / Pablo Coloured Pencils

*Alden Knight

Speedball Screen Printing

Scott Stevenson

Daniel Smith Watercolors and Gouache / Van Gogh Art Papers

*Jeff Olson

Finetech Watercolors / Van Gogh Art Papers

*Andrew Cook

Sennelier Oil Pastels on Cromia Paper

Chloe Knutson

POSCA Acrylic Markers / Art Alternatives

Palace Staff

Sakura Gellyroll

*Kelli Foss

Acrylic Painting Demonstration w/ Golden Acrylics / Davinci Brush / Art Alternatives Canvas

*Janet Ferraro

Oil Painting and Drawing Demonstration w/ Gamblin Oils / General Pencil Charcoals / Fredrix Canvas

*Jason Cohen

Oil Painting Demonstration w/ Winsor & Newton Oils / Princeton Brush / Art Alternatives Canvas

Herman Kron

Bristle Magic. Brush cleaners and conditioning

Palace Staff

Copic Alcohol Markers

*Alden Knight

Speedball Screen Printing

*Andrew Cook

Sennelier Oil Sticks / RGM Paint Knives

*Kristen Brown

Liquitex Bio-Based Heavy Acrylics / Liquitex Recycled Canvas

*Ryan Martin

Winsor & Newton ProMarker Art Markers

Chloe Knutson

POSCA Acrylic Markers / Art Alternatives

*Evelyn Jenkins Drew

Acrylic Painting Demonstration w/ Golden Acrylics / Simply Simmons Brushes / Art Alternatives Canvas

*Sharon Medler

Watercolor Demonstration w/ Daniel Smith Watercolors / Hahnemuhle Papers / Simply Simmons Brushes

*Victoria Galitzine

Gamblin Oils / Davinci Brush / Legion Art Panels

*Carolyn Fitz

Pen & Ink Demonstration w/ Pilot Parallel Pens / Canson XL Papers

Herman Kron

Bristle Magic. Brush cleaners and conditioning

*LOCAL INDEPENDENT ARTIST

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 9

Beneficial Plants for California’s Mediterranean Climate • Edibles and Fruit Trees • Gift Certificates • Native and appropriate plant varieties • Family Owned & Operated • 2 Acre Display & Sculpture Garden for 30 Years

Open Daily 10-5:00 • 2660 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, CA 95076 831-728-2532 • sierraazul.com

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Thanks for Giving!

By Galen Getz Editor’s Note: On Nov. 1, Capitola-Soquel Times told readers about a young man in Capitola with cerebral palsy dreaming of taking a trip-ofa-lifetime cruise to Greece with his cousin Gigi Hard, who has a form of muscular dystrophy.

As they both use wheelchairs, they created a GoFundMe.com campaign toward that goal and founded a nonprofit called Freedom Trippers, with posts on Instagram & Facebook, to help people with disabilities accomplish their dream of travel.

Here is the update, posted on GoFundMe on Nov. 22: ••• e are so excited to announce that with the help of each and every one of you, we have almost reached our first goal of $12,500!!!

We are working diligently on finalizing details of our trip to Greece including setting up the excursions. We are documenting our experiences, trying to figure out these and look forward to sharing our solutions.

We have been filming content for our social media pages as well as working on writing down our experiences as we figure out the logistics of the trip.

We are forming a team locally in our hometown of Capitola, and are beyond ecstatic for the exceptional people that have joined in on our mission Together, all things are possible!

We would like to sincerely thank the

W

Locally Owned and Operated!

serving The community for over 30 years

Best

Capitola-Soquel Times for their article, and even more so we would like to think our biggest supporters for the time that they have taken to help us and for their belief in our vision.

A very sincere and special thanks to each and everyone of our contributors, but also especially to Bonny Getz and Jeff and Mo Burnham for their relentless pursuit in fundraising for us, and supporting our mission!

Also, a huge thank you to Jeff Stalling for his donation of a Hero GoPro with tripod and vest! Without these individuals, we surely would not have already reached our initial goal!

Keep an eye out around Capitola for our fundraising event and a thank you gala which we will be planning in the spring of 2025 prior to our bon voyage celebration.

If you would like to be a part of our fundraiser and are a local business who would like to contribute your services for us to have available for auction please contact us directly.

Thank you once again for all of your contributions and belief in our vision!

Stay blessed and stay Trippin! n ••• To support Galen Getz, text him at 831 252-3515 or see https://www.gofundme.com/f/ freedom-trippers-mediterranean-cruise

Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires ASK FOR A QUOTE TODAY! LOWEST PRICES ON NAME BRANDS

www.bigotires.com

SANTA CRUZ 1219 Soquel Ave. • 831.429.9989

Attractive financing options available! On approval, ask for details of different plans.

10 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

FRONT ROW: Freedom Trippers founders Galen Getz and Gigi Hard.

BACK ROW (from left): Gail Atlansky (Galen’s former principal at Soquel High School), neighbors Karl Shubert, Dawn Atlansky, Annie Morocco, Andy Morocco, Mo Burnham, and Jeff Burnham.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Form 700 Reveals Economic Interests

A

By Jondi Gumz

conflict of interest on a planning commission occurs when a commissioner is personally involved in a development project or has a financial interest in a property that is coming before the commission for a decision, potentially causing them to prioritize their personal gain over the best interests of the community when making a planning decision.

“Conflict of interest situations come up not only when there may be an actual conflict but also when there may be a perception by others of a conflict.”

That’s what C. Gregory Dale, AICP, wrote in the Planning Commissioners Journal in July August 1992. At the time, Dale was a planner in Cincinnati.

Assuming there are grounds for someone to believe you might not be impartial, Dale added, “then you should publicly disclose the existence and nature of the conflict and disqualify yourself from deliberating or voting.”

California’s Political Reform Act prohibits an official from taking part in a decision if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision would have a material financial effect on one or more of the official’s financial interests

California’s Political Reform Act prohibits an official from taking part in a decision if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision would have a material financial effect on one or more of the official’s financial interests distinguishable from the decision’s effect on the public. distinguishable from the decision’s effect on the public.

A perceived conflict arose in April with the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission.

Tim Gordin, co-founder of the local development company Workbench, in an interview with the Santa Cruz Sentinel on his proposed 16-story high-rise with 260 homes at 2020 N. Pacific Ave., vacated by Lighthouse Bank and purchased by Workbench for $4.375 million, spoke of his phlosophy for projects to have maximum density and substantial height.

This prompted a letter April 9 by the 14 residents on the Save Pleasure Point Steering Committee to county Supervisor Manu Koenig, who appointed Gordin in January 2021.

“We question Mr. Gordin’s ability to act

impartially,” they wrote, asking that Gordin be replaced. “Do not seat another developer (or the like) in this position.”

Koenig responded, saying he didn’t see any way Gordin would subvert the process or radically change densities through his position.

Gordin, who resigned Nov. 18, did not respond to a query from Capitola-Soquel Times.

Tiffany Martinez, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Department of Community Development & Infrastructure (formerly Planning), said “Board (of Supervisors) members have broad discretion to make these appointments (including to multiple Commissions or Committees) and there is nothing that would rule out specific professions from serving, including professions involved in the production of housing

(conversely, a lack of experience in land use policy does not prevent a nominee from serving, either).”

She added, “Having a specific profession serving on the Planning Commission is appropriate as long as the commissioner adheres to all state ethics and conflict of interest laws. Planning Commissioners have a mandated manner in which they must disqualify themselves from decisions made at a public meeting (including closed session decisions) and must publicly identify a conflict of interest and leave the room before the item is discussed.”

Each year, Planning Commissioners are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests, Form700.

Gordin, appointed in 2021, filed his first Form 700 on March 16, 2023, covering 2022.

This listed his investments: 841 Capitola LLC, value $10,000 to $100,000, and Sweet Developments LLC, value at $10,000 to $100,000, and 5701 Soquel Developments LLC (The Dwellings), value more than $1 million, and Workbench, value more than $1 million.

“Form 700” page 27

HAPPY

NEW YEAR FROM

20% OFF

USE CODE: TIMES20 until 2-28-25

omgallery.com 1201 PACIFIC AVE, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060

omgallery.com

(831) 425-9107

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Raising Money to Feed the Hungry

Do Small Contributions Make a Difference?

S

By Tara Fatemi Walker

econd Harvest Food Bank’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive, which goes through Jan. 15, is a great example of how people’s contributions can make a significant impact on hungry Santa Cruz County individuals and families.

“We are grateful for everyone’s hard work and creativity as we collaborate to feed our community,” said Second Harvest CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez.

Twin Lakes Church, a major donor, inspired long-time member Shelly Hernandez to create her own fundraiser. About 10 years ago Hernandez was listening to Pastor René Schlaepfer talk about the drive.

“I had this crazy brainstorm of an idea of what we could do as a family to support this,” Hernandez recalled. “Pastor Rene always asks, ‘What is your passion? What is your mission in life and how can it be used to encourage others?’ And then it just clicked. I love to cook.”

Hernandez started by hosting a small Christmas party at the family home with about 25 people: it’s now a large annual Open House and Food Drive with 80-90

attendees. It’s free, but participants make a financial or food donation for Second Harvest.

“Each year we are beyond blessed by the generosity of so many,” Hernandez said.

This year the event raised over $7,500, equal to 22,500 meals.

Because of the nonprofit’s relationships with partners including local farms and stores, each dollar becomes three nutritious meals for those in need.

Four years ago, Hernandez added a six-course spring dinner with advance ticket sales. The 2024 spring dinner raised $7,000.

“The events we host are never about our family, but what happens when we look beyond ourselves,” said Hernandez. “Each of us has something we love to do, that can be used to serve others. It is a blessing to live with a purpose and give back.”

Mary Doyle, owner of Park Avenue Fitness, is a lifelong Santa Cruz resident whose parents met at Watsonville High.

Her ties to food banks go back to the 1980s when her uncle was executive director at an Alaska food bank. “There have always been Second Harvest barrels everywhere I’ve worked. I regularly donated food to these. When I opened Park Avenue Fitness, where our focus is bringing health to our county in the way of fitness, we started Sunday, January 26, 2025 participating in the fund part of this drive!”

At first, she was intimidated by the 8:30 a.m. – NOON drive’s large financial goals.

8:30am – NOON OPTION#1 Scrambled Eggs w/Cheese Veggies, “There are all of these fabulous, giving, OPTION#1 Scrambled Eggs w/ Cheese Veggies, Hashbrowns, Bacon or Sausage, Fruitor and generous corporations we have in our Hashbrowns, Bacon or Sausage, Fruit and county. And you start thinking, why am I ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES! ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES !! even bothering? I am a drop. But let me tell OPTION#2 French Toast, Bacon or Sausage & Fruit OPTION#2 French Toast, Bacon or Sausage & Fruit you, as we know in this county, a drop can $11Adults / Adults-–$5/ $5 / Kids Kids Ages easily become a flood.” $11/ Ages10 10&&Under Under Doyle understands that for Second Harvest, the biggest drops are the cash donations. Park Avenue Fitness’s main Food Bank fundraiser is a Health Fair and Raffle, and all monthly events (including fitness workshops) partially benefit Second Harvest. This effort funded 12,000 meals last year, nearly 14,000 meals so far this year.

“No matter how small or big your business is, I encourage you to get involved,” said Doyle.

Jazzercise Santa Cruz has donated to the drive for decades. Local franchise Mid County Senior Center owner Robin Berkery, who took over the 829 Bay Avenue – Capitola, Ca 95010 business in 2019, maintains this philan831.476.4711 mcsc-capitola.org thropic tradition. On Thanksgiving Day, she offers a free team-taught workout at the Capitola Mall studio and asks attendees to make a monetary donation. Everything she collects goes to the Food Bank.

“Our amazing small but mighty Jazzercise community contributed $3,013 (9,039 meals) this time,” said Berkery.

BOWMAN RANCH BOWMAN RANCH BREAKFAST BREAKFAST Sunday October 27, 2024

Mid-County Senior Center

829 Bay Avenue Capitola, CA 95010 www.mcsc-capitola.org

12 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Michael Cinque

Shelly Hernandez turned her passion for cooking to raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Harvest. In November, Aptos High has supported the Food Bank for 20-plus organized the 8th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser where ceramics students make years.

“We have a shared mission to improve bowls that attendees buy to take home the health and quality of life for our resi- after enjoying soup made by culinary dents,” said CEO and President Dr. Nanette students and listening to the choir. Associated Student Body and the National Mickiewicz.

Every year, Dominican staff create gift Art Honor Society helped run the event, baskets. “We started years ago with very and graphic design students created the small, themed baskets,” said Mickiewicz. poster and flyers.

Countless individuals and businesses “They have morphed into an absolute extravaganza. We compete within the hos- — too many to mention here — have developed unique fundraisers and are pital to have the best basket.”

Last year, the hospital raffled 20 contributing to this year’s drive with the baskets. Through those and other sponsor- mindset that every fundraiser and every ships, they funded 140,913 meals. They aim dollar matters. n ••• to meet or exceed that number this year.

The Holiday Food and Fund Drive’s goal A few other fundraisers: Sante Adairius Rustic Ales partnered with the is 4,750,000 meals or about $1,583,333. To find Rio Theatre at a Mountainfilm on Tour ideas for small fundraisers like used book and bake screening last month. A portion of beer sales with your co-workers, see www.thefoodbank. and ticket proceeds benefited Second org/holiday-food-fund-drive.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 13

14 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mobile Crisis Team Available Weekends O n Dec. 12, Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health announced that Mobile Crisis Response Teams are now available 24/7/365 to respond to behavioral health crises for youth and adults across Santa Cruz County, including the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Capitola, and all unincorporated areas.

Yes, that means weekends.

The expanded hours “bring Santa Cruz County in line with a state mandate and our Crisis Now Innovation Project,” Health Services spokeswoman Sandra Hughes said.

“Our services are supported in part by the C.R.I.S.E.S. grant (staffing) and Crisis Care Mobile Units (CCMU) grant (infrastructure),” she added.

The Mobile Crisis Response Team helps remove barriers to crisis support access by meeting individuals where they are — whether that’s a park, school, or other safe location, including faith-based sites.

When a community member calls for the 24-hour Access Line, trained crisis call takers will assess the situation to determine if an

individual is undergoing a behavioral health crisis.

If appropriate, a team is dispatched to provide on-site evaluation and intervention.

Once the immediate crisis is stabilized, the team will connect individuals with services and community-based resources.

“Mobile Response” page 31

Young Scientists

T

By Jondi Gumz

hese kids at Main Street Elementary School in Soquel love science.

They are in the state-funded Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.

Once a week, these 20 students in grades 1-5 stay after school to learn about science.

Each week, they did experiments with their instructor Mandi Lopez. An instructional aide for 11 years, she provides positive behavior supports for students.

At the end of the semester, the students wanted to put on a science fair.

Each one got to pick an experiment, get their chemicals, write what they did on display boards and explain it to visitors.

Ethan, 9, shared his recipe for starch

Ethan, 3rd grade: Starch dough

Melisssa, 3rd grade: Fluffy textured slime. dough: ¾ cup cornstarch and ½ cup hair conditioner.

It smelled good and it was fun to squeeze.

Lopez said Ethan, a third grader, didn’t get the right formula on the first try.

At first it was too powdery.

So he added more liquid, but it was too much.

So he added more powder until it the dough was just right.

Trial and error, just like scientists do.

“Young Scientists” page 27

Judge Overturns Rule on Genetically Engineered Crops

O

NATIONAL NEWS

By Jondi Gumz

n Dec. 2, U.S. District Judge James Act, the National Environmental Policy Act Donato ruled that genetically engi- and the Plant Protection Act. All the plaintiffs are nonprofit and neered organisms for crops must be public-interest groups organized around conregulated.

The ruling overturns a May 2020 rule cerns for farmers, crops, food safety, and the under then-Agriculture Secretary Sonny environment.

Perdue wanted to streamline innovation.

Perdue exempting genetically engineered plants from review before they went to Opponents said it would allow the majority of genetically engineered and gene-edited market.

“This is a critical victory on behalf plants to escape USDA review.

Close to 100 new genetically engineered of farmers, the planet, and scientific plants have been exempted from integrity,” said George Kimbrell, USDA oversight since the 2020 rule legal director for the lead plaintiff took effect, according to The New Center for Food Safety, one of six Lede. plaintiffs. The U.S. Department of Donato, based in San Francisco, Agriculture (USDA) “tried to hand ruled for the plaintiffs on the Plant Proover its job to Monsanto and the tection Act “claim that it was arbitrary pesticide industry.” and capricious for APHIS (Animal The Center for Food Safety & Plant Health Inspection Servics) along with National Family Farm James Donato to not incorporate its noxious-weed Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Pesticide Action Network, Center for Envi- authority in the final rule and to implement the ronmental Health, Center for Biological conventional-breeding exemptions.

He added, “The parties are also directed Diversity sued the USDA in 2021, arguing that the rule violated the Endangered Species to jointly propose a status conference date for

the remaining procedural challenges under the ESA and NEPA.” He ordered the parties to file by Jan. 13, 2025, a joint statement addressing what effect, if any, this order will have on the rule identifying additional GE organisms qualified for exemption.

The decision sharply criticized the federal Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service after more than a decade of recognizing the harms of novel GE technology.

Donato wrote, “Nowhere in the final

rule does APHIS acknowledge the conflicting scientific evidence concerning the basis on which the exemption is premised.”

He also saw a lack of evidence to support the agency position, saying “the agency’s perceptions and beliefs are of little moment when, as here, they are asserted as fiat untethered to a clear and sound analysis.”

The topic is of intense interest as when the agency initially requested input, more than 88,000 comments came in. n

SENIOR BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES Founded by Bill Weber in 2000

SERVICES PROVIDED • Medicare Supplement Plans • Medicare Advantage Plans • Cancer Plans • Final Expense Plans Continuing the Caring Tradition

All Our Services come at NO COST to you!

KEN & KATHLEEN COOK Licensed Agents

CALL / TEXT (831) 661-0700 ken@seniorbenefits.care www.seniorbenefits.care 64 Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center in Aptos (between Susi’s Flowers and Ace Hardware)

Where Our Clients Send Their Friends

Kathleen Cook Kenneth Cook #0K59103 #0E46549 Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is a solicitation for insurance. By responding to this ad, a licensed insurance agent may contact you offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 15

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Departing Mayor Reflects on Eight Years

By Kristen Brown, Mayor, City of Capitola

R

ecently, as my time on the Capitola City Council and as your Mayor comes to a close, I have been reflecting not only on the past 8 years, as my time as a Councilmember, but on all my memories and experiences in our beloved City.

I feel deeply fortunate to have come from a long line of people who have cherished Capitola — not only for what it has been but for what it has become and what it has the potential to be. I have lived here for nearly 20 years, though my family has called Capitola home for four generations, proudly serving through the Police Department, Central Fire District, Soquel Elementary School District, and now the City Council. Serving our community has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am deeply thankful to the residents of Capitola for trusting me with this responsibility.

These past eight years have been transformative for our city, marked by challenges, major projects, and collective accomplishments. The past 4 years in particular have been particularly challenging: We faced a global pandemic, felt the impacts of nationwide social unrest, faced catastrophic storms that were worse than anything our City has seen in 40 years, and made difficult decisions made more difficult by the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media.

But in the face of these challenges, we as a City showed our resilience, strength, and commitment to equity, inclusivity, and progress.

I truly believe that nobody accomplishes anything alone, and there are so many things we can be proud to have accomplished, together. Here are a just a few of the things I am most proud or have been a part of since being elected in 2016:

Then-mayor of Capitola Margaux Keiser (center) hands the gavel to Kristen Brown at the start of Brown’s last term on the City Council.

• Taking part in the campaign for funding, the groundbreaking and the grand opening of the new Capitola Branch Library.

• Campaigning for Measure F in 2018, which has since provided funding for our jetty, flume, and wharf repairs, all of which have since been completed, ahead of schedule.

• Adding youth seats to our city’s boards, committees and commissions, working with then-candidate Yvette interior painting projects through 2/15/25

Brooks and advocating for a dedicated children’s fund that now supports vital programs, services, and scholarships, supporting the Cabrillo local government fellow’s program, and beginning the Youth Mayor for a Day Program.

• Completing tangible improvements to our City’s transportation infrastructure, including the Capitola Avenue Sidewalk Project, repairs to storm-damaged infrastructure on Park Avenue, Clares Avenue improvements, new sidewalks on Kennedy and out of Lower Pac Cove, and over 24 thousand linear feet of roadway treatments - that’s over 6 miles — nearly 24% of all Capitola roads.

• Paving the way for future infrastructure improvements: In this past year, the City has secured $3.3 million in Federal funding to help renovate our Community Center and obtained commitments for more than $10 million in

additional Federal funding to shore up Cliff Drive.

• Working to enhance equity and inclusion in our City through the overhaul of our community grant program process, and initiating a code of conduct and implicit bias training for councilmembers, commissioners, and staff, in alignment with our commitment to fostering a more inclusive Capitola.

• Working to address our housing crisis by launching a pre-approved ADU program, Enacting mobile home rent stabilization, breaking ground on two new, 100% affordable housing developments, and working with our planning commission to develop a recently-approved 6th-cycle housing element • Partnering with our community based organization to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community: administering a $500,000 CDBG grant to provide food and transit services to low-income families and successfully administering CARES Act relief to support local nonprofits and rental relief for small businesses.

• Supporting our small businesses during COVID by providing 33 temporary use permits that allowed outdoor dining, retail, and personal services to continue operating safely.

• Acting swiftly following the 2023 storms, partnering with the County and small business owners to get building inspectors in and assist businesses in reopening.

• Participating in the wharf working group,breaking ground on wharf repairs, and joining the community as we came together to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Capitola Wharf after nearly a year of repair and renovation.

• Collaborating, compromising, and building consensus with our friends at Boat & Bait, culminating in their longawaited and much celebrated return to the Capitola Wharf.

“Brown Reflects” page 20

COMMUNITY NEWS

2025 Cabrillo Board of Trustees

SERVICES WE OFFER color consulting

exterior painting

interior painting

custom artistic finishes

CHECK OUT OUR REVIEWS ON YELP!

www.transformationalcolor.com | CSLB# 1084266 | (831) 435 - 9706 16 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

O

n Dec. 9, newly elected and re-elected Cabrillo College trustees were sworn in

by Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati.

Ken Wagman, Area IV, the northern portion of Santa Cruz, Bonny Doon, and Davenport. He ran unopposed; Rachael Spencer did not seek re-election after 22 years.

Christina Cuevas, Area III (Capitola, Soquel and Live Oak) who ran unopposed Steve Trujillo, Area VII (Watsonville, Aromas and Pajaro), who ran unopposed Manuel Bersamin, Area V (Watsonville) who ran unopposed after being appointed in September to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Martha Vega. n

22 YEARS IN BUSINESS

2800 Daubenbiss Ave., Soquel 831.476.8780 | Interiorvision.biz

Monday – Friday: 9am-5pm & Saturday: 9am-2pm

The beauty of cork, wood and laminates Featuring Graber and Hunter Douglas Custom Draperies and Roman Shades!

Prices to Fit Every Budget!

Visit Our Full–service Showroom

Your local source for natural and environmentally friendly products Let us assist you from concept to completion Property managers, contractors, residential, realtors, commercial, welcome!

Hardwood • Luxury Vinyl Plank • Laminates • Carpet • Shutters • Wool • Sisal • Linoleum Cork • Custom Area Rugs • Custom Draperies • Window Shades

THINK GREEN Featuring Both Graber & Hunter Douglas Window Fashions

Environmentally Friendly Products Deborah Cypert

Owner

Bobbie Frandeen

Todd Ivy

Bianca Gera

CoOwner/Estimator

Sales/Estimator

Office Manager/Sales

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN SOQUEL VILLAGE

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 17

BUSINESS PROFILE

N

Paradise Beach Grille

Resilience, Community & Family in Capitola

By Rebecca Levy

estled along the Esplanade in Capitola Village, Paradise Beach Grille offers more than just waterfront dining with its picturesque views of Monterey Bay and the colorful Venetian condominiums.

Since its founding in 1998, Paradise has been a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Yet, the past few years have tested the restaurant and its staff in unprecedented ways, underscoring its resilience, community spirit, and familial bonds.

The Storm

For Paradise Beach Grille and its neighbors, the storm that swept through Capitola in January 2023 was a turning point.

With waves reaching 23 feet and debris wreaking havoc on the Capitola Wharf and Esplanade, the restaurant sustained severe damage. Even President Biden toured the dining room during his visit to survey the storm’s aftermath.

“The storm rocked us,” said Brigitt Nelson, a manager and server who has been with Paradise for 14 years. “We knew it was coming but didn’t expect it to be so devastating. Our entire dining room subflooring was pushed out by the waves and water. The patio had to be completely re-stoned, and all our benches were remade.”

On the heels of a seven-month closure during the pandemic, the storm forced the restaurant to close its doors again. The goal was to reopen by Valentine’s Day, recalls Brigitt, who reflected on the Capitola community’s efforts to repair and rebuild. “It really was a community experience. Businesses supported each other, and people came together to get the village back up.”

Despite reopening, it wasn’t until April that business began to stabilize. The loss of

nearly four months of revenue was a significant blow, but the restaurant’s commitment to its staff and community was steadfast.

Insurance covered much of the physical damage, and Paradise owners worked hard to find temporary positions for employees in other venues during the closure.

Family & Community

Since its founding by Gary and Leslie Wetsel in 1998, Paradise Beach Grille has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a second home for its staff and a gathering place for Capitola’s community.

The Wetsels’ vision of a fun, highquality restaurant was carried forward when Charles Maier, a local restaurateur and businessman, purchased Paradise in 2020. Maier retained staff and much of the original menu, including fan favorites like Coconut Prawns and the Beach Blanket Breadalon.

The restaurant features a casually elegant dining room, a cozy ocean view patio, and dishes that highlight fresh, local ingredients. Regulars and newcomers enjoy Pacific-Rim influenced fare like the Beach Blanket appetizer and the Sugar and Spice Salmon, according to Brigitt. “Our food is the best on the Esplanade and our patio is a great place to enjoy a meal with an amazing view,” she said.

Maintaining a family atmosphere has been key to the restaurant’s longevity, according to long-time employees like

18 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Brigitt and co-manager Margaux Morgan, who has been with Paradise for seven years.

The restaurant employs approximately 40 staff members, including part-time, fulltime, and seasonal employees.

“We’re definitely a team, but it feels more like a family,” says Margaux. “That’s what makes it easy to come to work every day. After everything we’ve been through— the storm, COVID, all of it – it’s the family vibe that keeps us strong.”

we’re providing an experience. It’s like hosting a party every day, and that’s something I truly enjoy.” n ••• Paradise Beach Grille, located at 215 Esplanade, Capitola, is open daily for lunch from 11:30 am-3 pm, for appetizers from 3-5 pm, and for dinner from 5-8 or 9 pm, depending on demand. Visit https://paradisebeachgrille.com/ or call 831-476-4900 for more information.

Industry Challenges

Running a restaurant in today’s economic climate is no small feat. Rising food costs and inflation have forced businesses to adjust.

“We updated our menu at the start of summer, to get a handle on increased costs of ingredients, overhead and labor,” notes Mark Rispaud, spokesperson for the Maier Group.

“This has allowed us to continue delivering the great food and service that our guests expect, while also supporting our team.”

The restaurant offers weekly specials Monday through Thursday and a daily happy hour in the bar area. These efforts aim to bring in more guests, even when discretionary income is tight.

Despite the challenges, Paradise Beach Grille remains a Capitola Village favorite, beloved by customers and staff alike.

“We really take pride in what we do,” says Brigitt. “We’re not just serving food;

Managers Margaux Morgan (left) and Brigitt Nelson

COMMUNITY NEWS

Treasure Cove: $1 Million for Accessible Park O n Dec. 11, County Park Friends announced more than $1 million dollars in private funding has been raised for Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park in Capitola – completing a 18-month effort to fund the city’s first-fully inclusive playground.

The goal is to create a place all children can play together without the barriers those with disabilities often experience at typical playgrounds.

Kristen Brown, wrapping up her year as mayor, said, “I am thrilled, but not surprised, by our community’s generosity and enthusiasm for Treasure Cove Playground, and by the support and hard work of County Park Friends. This project, specifically designed to be welcoming to all, will truly be a Capitola treasure for generations to come.”

The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, host of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, was a key anchor in the campaign by issuing a $250,000 matching grant challenge which members of the community quickly rallied to meet.

Dan Haifley, the community lead volunteer said, “Our team is grateful to all the donors and volunteers who’ve laid the foundation for Treasure Cove. Their generosity will bring much needed joy and laughter into the lives of countless children who’ll get to have a safe place to play alongside their peers. Its true impact will be immeasurable and priceless.”

Community fundraisers over the past 18 months included the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club’s 2024 Dinner and Auction, Kentucky Derby Party, and Pickleball tournament, the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual bike ride, the Boardwalk Chili cookoff, the Surf City Kiwanis annual crab feed, Santa Cruz Gives 2023, and a dinner at Britannia Arms in Capitola.

“Our members are delighted to be part of Treasure Cove, a place where the community can come together and have fun,” said Lowry Fenton, Capitola-Aptos Rotary 2024 president.

Support also came from private community members in honor of loved ones.

Rich Hamlin wished to donate in memory of his wife, Suzi, who passed away while on vacation in 2023 after being hit by a drunk driver.

Harold Brockman and Cynthia Smith fulfilled Harold’s dream to honor his first

Photo courtesy of County Park Friends

FROM LEFT: Dan Haifley, lead volunteer, Mariah Roberts, executive director, County Park Friends and Tricia Wiltshire, campaign manager. wife, Patricia, who passed away 28 years of community building project our organization loves to do and it’s only possible ago.

Notable foundation support for the because everyone steps up to play their project included Kaiser Permanente, donor part and make it happen.”

The City of Capitola plans to secure any advisors at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, and the Soquel Union remaining necessary funding by early spring, 2025, and to bid the project that fall. GroundElementary School District.

“County Park Friends is humbled breaking could be as soon as winter 2025. n Treasure Cove logo created by Verde Designs by the breadth of support from our community to make Treasure Cove a reality,” and County Park Friends COVER PHOTO: Sunrise Rotary Bike said Mariah Roberts, executive director of County Park Friends. “This is the type Ride • Photo Credit: Mariah Roberts

Care that keeps advancing.

Commitment that never changes.

At Dominican Hospital, we proudly embrace technological advances and pioneer best practices that continually raise the standard for comprehensive, award-winning care. And we are committed to delivering that care through a seamless experience that honors the whole person—mind, body and spirit. From our innovative Wellness Center programs, to our Level III Neonatal ICU, to our nationally recognized cardiac care, Dominican Hospital brings the medical edge of advanced tools and techniques to care that has put patients first for generations of Santa Cruz County families. Learn more about us at DignityHealth.org/Dominican.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 19

“Brown Reflects” from page 16

Campbell

Morgan Hill

Hollister

Salinas

900 DELL AVE.

95 E. MAIN AVE.

2610 SAN JUAN RD.

210 W. MARKET ST.

Santa Cruz

Watsonville

Greenfield

3700 SOQUEL AVE.

285 W. BEACH ST.

60 4TH ST.

408-378-4921 408-779-7368 831-638-1999 831-424-7368 Santa Clara

408-727-0822 2550 LAFAYETTE ST.

831-477-7133 831-722-0334 831-856-9100

w ww. AToolS hed.com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED

Open 6 Days A Week • Closed Sunday

WE DELIVER

Employment Opportunity Part Time Office Assistant

Qualifications Include: • Strong Computer Skills • Working Knowledge of MS Office • Experience using MAC computers • Self Starter & Self Motivated E-mail Your Resumé to sales@cyber-times.com or drop it off at our office

Times Publishing Group Inc. | 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos | 831-688-7549 20 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

• Beyond my official duties, it has been a joy in my tenure on council to volunteer at Capitola Foundation car shows & golf tournaments, lead token booths at our Art and Wine Festivals, serve as a judge for our lighted boat parade, pour wine at our Sip & Stroll events, represent our museum at local history fairs, welcome wharf to wharf runners to our bandstand, and generally be a part of all e makes Capitola special.

• Public service has been an incredibly fulfilling part of my life. I’ve loved connecting with residents, hearing their stories, and working together to solve challenges. Enacting meaningful policy changes, like our mobile home rent stabilization, where the impact is immediate and tangible, has reinforced the importance of this work. It’s moments like these that remind me why I chose this path.

To our two newest councilmembers, Councilmembers Jensen and Orbach: I am confident you will find immense growth and fulfillment in public service, just as I have.

Be prepared for challenges, for making mistakes, and for facing tough decisions — but also for the incredible rewards that come with serving this remarkable community. The years ahead will not be without difficulty, but I trust you will approach each decision with thoughtfulness and always keep the best interests of all Capitolans at heart.

On a more personal note, I want to take a moment to thank to a few individuals whose guidance, support, and camaraderie have profoundly shaped my time on the Council: Stephanie Harlan: You first encouraged me to run for office, served as a steady mentor, offered wisdom and guidance, and helped me find my footing in this role during my early years. You continue to be a dear friend and I am grateful for your support.

Sam Storey: When I first considered running for Council, Sam Storey offered me valuable guidance. He asked why I wanted to run, and I shared that I wanted to be the voice of the people. He wisely reminded me that the people often do not speak with one voice.

This insight has stayed with me throughout my service, often reminding me the loudest or most influential voices do not necessarily represent the voice of the majority, and that it is important to seek out and consider the voices we might not be hearing, ensuring all perspectives are part of our decisions.

Mike Termini: Your example of leadership taught me how to run an effective meeting with confidence and grace. You showed me the art of staying composed under pressure, rolling with the punches, and standing firm in decisions—skills that have been invaluable in my time on council.

Ed Botorff: I’ve come to deeply value your straightforward approach and pragmatic perspective. You’ve shown me the power of unexpected partnerships and the importance of finding common ground, even in the face of differences.

Margaux: You have an uncanny ability to bring levity and perspective into the toughest

moments. You’ve shown me what it means to take this work seriously without losing sight of joy, humor, and humanity. That balance is a gift, and I’ve learned so much from you.

Alexander and Joe: Thank you for your dedication and for stepping up to serve Capitola. It has been a pleasure working alongside you both in the past two years, and I know the City’s future is bright with you both on Council.

To all our City Staff: Your exceptional professionalism and boundless patience have been nothing short of remarkable. Your expertise and dedication have been a cornerstone of our collective success. You are the unsung heroes of our city’s progress, and I am forever grateful for the work you do and the support you have all provided during my time on the Council.

To Jamie: It’s hard to encapsulate everything we’ve faced together. From navigating the pandemic to weathering the storms — both literal and metaphorical — you’ve been a steady presence, even when the weight of it all has been immense. And while we’ve laughed about your uncanny ability to break bones, tear ligaments, pull muscles, or otherwise return from a weekend or vacation in some kind of cast or sling — it’s a testament to your resilience: no matter the circumstances, you show up, you lead, and you support your staff and your council. Capitola is so fortunate to have you at the helm and it’s been a pleasure to work with you..

To Yvette: I am so grateful to have been able to share this experience on Council with you. You’ve been more than a colleague— you’ve been an incredible friend, confidante, sounding board, and someone I could always count on to brainstorm with, challenge ideas, and even debate with about the best path forward. Your presence on this council, and in my life, has been transformative, and I consider it a privilege to call you a friend.

Finally, to my husband, Nick, whom I met for the first time, here, in the stairway at City Hall: You are the greatest gift this city has given me. In supporting my time on Council, you have endured more than I could have or should have ever asked for.

You’ve been the most amazing partner, talking through issues with me, lifting me up when things felt impossible, or simply reminding me of who I am. I’m endlessly grateful, and I hope you know — your wife is absolutely crazy about you.

My calendar is about to open up, and I’m looking forward to the many more wonderful adventures we will create in the coming years.

••• To close, I’d like to thank you to the residents, colleagues, and partners who embody the true spirit of Capitola. Capitola will always have my heart, and I will always be proud of what we’ve built together. This City has shaped who I am, and I’m not going anywhere. My commitment to lifelong public service remains unwavering, and I will continue to advocate for this incredible community I love so deeply.

Until we meet again, take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. n

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A Wonderful Opportunity for Seniors

D

ec.13 was the last day of the semester.

Our work was up on the walls. We were tired but ready to engage. Most of us agreed that the semester was too short!

In this art class at Cabrillo College, about half of us were over 60! We tried new things. We encouraged each other.

The class was stimulating and challenging, but we were not worried about grades! Cabrillo gave us this opportunity to explore and pursue our interests. One of the best things about the class was the sense of comradery.

Fellow seniors, at Cabrillo, the cost per unit is not high, and registration is not really expensive, plus it carries over if you keep taking classes.

The instructors here are real teachers, not as focused on publishing as teachers are in other kinds of colleges. There are classes in many subjects, amazing facilities (a pool, a greenhouse [hydroponics!], a planetarium) and great equipment (3D printers, laser cutters). But perhaps best of all is the sense of community here.

If you wonder where **your** community is, maybe it’s right here at Cabrillo, where it’s all for one and one for all!

Registration for Spring 2025 classes ends Feb.2.

— Celine Grenier, Capitola •••

C

A Question for Sheriff Chris Clark

ongratulations on your new role as Santa Cruz County Sheriff. If I may be so bold, may I ask you one important question?

In your new role, are you committed to abide by Title 8? Title 8 United States Code 1324 (iii): It is a felony if you knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien from immigration authorities.

The reason I am asking you this is that I, along with other citizen residents of Santa Cruz County, no longer feel safe here.

As a candidate for the City of Santa Cruz District 4 in 2022, and as a homeowner in the Unincorporated District 1 of Santa Cruz County under the helm of Supervisor Manu Koenig, it would be quite incomprehensible to me for a person in your position to not uphold Title 8 for the reasons I outline below: Catch and Release — to knowingly release criminal aliens back into our community poses health and safety risks to our residents by choosing to “conceal” these criminal aliens and placing them back into our general population.

Title 8 is your legal obligation to proactively notify federal authorities in these

In your new role, are you committed to abide by Title 8?

cases. By removing these individuals from our general population, you will aid to substantially reduce: General Crime — including, but not limited to, property damage, home invasions, theft (automobile, bicycle, retail products, etc.), child trafficking, assaults, rapes and murders.

By failing to adhere to Title 8 and choosing NOT to assist Federal immigration agents in this regard, you will not only be breaking federal law, but you will also be placing the safety of members of the Santa Cruz County community at further risk–residents who you have sworn to protect and serve.

Illegal Narcotics — as you know, Santa Cruz County has a major drug epidemic.

Our homeless community has been especially hard hit by it. The number of annual overdoses is staggering. Fentanyl is now being laced into just about every street drug. It is cheap, plentiful and killing our community.

By ignoring your Title 8 obligations, you will be directly responsible for many of these future overdose cases and the related gang activity associated with the distribution of this deadly narcotic. Fentanyl and other narcotics like heroin and methamphetamine have permeated our schools and the lives of our children.

Our young people and our homeless communities are especially vulnerable and are relying on you to make a real impact in cleaning up our streets. Title 8 is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal where you can make a real difference. By choosing to “knowingly harbor and conceal” these individuals from Federal law enforcement and releasing them back into our community, it will become immediately apparent that you are NOT here to protect and serve us, but, in fact, to further harm us.

By not upholding Title 8, you are just another puppet of the politicians here — and we have had a long history of puppets in law enforcement in Santa Cruz County, Sheriff Clark.

It takes true courage to do the right thing. The tide is changing. You just have to care about the people here and help us to feel and be safe again.

Please go on the record in regards to your role and commitment in support of Title 8.

Believe me, the majority of the Santa Cruz County community will have your back if you have ours — and I’ll be the first to stand up for you.

— Greg Hyver, Santa Cruz Editor’s note: When asked by CapitolaSoquel Times, Sheriff Clark provided this response: “California’s law enforcement response to immigration is shaped by state policies. The state has adopted several measures that provide clear guidance in regard to our office’s collaboration with Federal Immigration enforcement.” n

We accept

Dental visits made

Sho&rter Easier

Dr. Joseph S. Kim, DDS

Thanks to latest technologies and in-house digital dental lab, we offer Shorter chair time Shorter turnaround time Digital scanning of your entire teeth Free initial consultation and x-ray

Dental Implants

Tooth Extractions

1016 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

(831) 423-2447

bestdentalbydrkim.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

New State Laws Push Housing

By Manu Koenig Editor’s note: Supervisor Manu Koenig posted this in October to explain the plethors of new housing development. The state push has led to creation of Catalysts for Local Control. See https://catalystsca.org/ ••• any of you who live near these proposed projects have asked how we can reduce the number of units or the size of the buildings. The County is extremely limited in its ability to halt or substantially alter these projects due to many recent changes in state law. Here’s an overview of just a handful of the recent laws that have changed the housing landscape.

SB 7 — The Housing + Jobs Expansion and Extension Act (2021) AB 3194 — The Housing Accountability Act (2018) SB 35 — Streamlined Affordable Housing Approval Process (2017) AB 1763 — Affordable Housing Enhanced Density Bonus (2019) In other words, the State of California is serving as coach, referee and scorekeeper when it comes to housing in our community.

They’re coaching us to include more housing in our zoning plan (SB 7); calling foul if we try

M

FEATURED SPECIALS 6-9PM

A rendering of 831 Water St project at the N. Branciforte Ave intersection. Although the Santa Cruz City Council initially rejected this project, they were ultimately forced to approve it under threat of a lawsuit and due to a state streamlining bill. to deny a project that was zoned for (AB 3194); and simply changing the score by forcing us to approve projects if we don’t comply (SB 35).

And the state laws keep coming. In September, the Governor signed 26 new housing bills. These new laws impose monetary penalties on cities and counties that fail to adopt housing element revisions or approve housing developments. They also reduce reduce regulatory barriers, promoting housing near transit.

State Laws in Action

We need look no further than the City of

TACOS & TEQUILA MONDAYS

Santa Cruz and the approval of the 831 Water Street development to see an example of these laws eliminating local control. Initially, the Santa Cruz City Council denied the project in October 2021, citing concerns about the clustering of affordable units, slope regulations, and incomplete environmental assessments.

However, the developer resubmitted plans under SB 35, the state law that limits local governments’ ability to deny housing projects if they meet specific criteria, including affordability requirements. The project ultimately gained approval in December 2021 after

revised plans addressed some of the council’s earlier concerns, including redistributing affordable units across two buildings. The threat of a lawsuit from YIMBY Law, which advocates for compliance with state housing laws, also influenced the council’s decision to move forward with the project.

The proposed projects for 41st & Soquel and Thurber & Soquel align with the plan that the state required us to adopt. In the case of Thurber Lane, the 6.26-acre parcel is zoned for high density residential and commercial projects with up to 281 units. The 181 units proposed are well within the allowable range.

Our Housing Element process required us to plan for thousands of new units and we concentrated this growth along transit corridors, like the area where this development is planned. This allowed us to avoid placing dense developments right in the middle of single-family neighborhoods.

Why Here?

It’s been asked, why here in Live Oak and Soquel? Why not put these projects somewhere else like Downtown Santa Cruz or Watsonville?” The State’s answer is — all of the above. Thurber Lane is located in the

GROW YOUR COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS BUSINESS

chef’s choice tacos with chips & salsa $2 off ALL tequilas $6 house margaritas, $24 liter margaritas or palomas

CALL TODAY to learn more

(831)688-7549 Reserve your ad space by 2/10/2025

BURGERS & BREWS WEDNESDAYS chef’s choice burger special

EMAIL FOR RATES

bottled & canned beer specials

22 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

7500 Old Dominion Ct. Aptos, CA 95003

SALES@CYBER-TIMES.COM

TIMES PUBLISHING GROUP, INC. | (831)688-7549| TPGONLINEDAILY.COM

COMMUNITY NEWS unincorporated part of the County. The unincorporated county received a state Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) number of 4,634 new units. The four incorporated cities also received allocations of thousands of units as follows: • City of Santa Cruz: 3,736 units • City of Watsonville: 2,053 units • City of Capitola: 1,336 units • City of Scotts Valley: 1,220 units • Unincorporated Santa Cruz County (including Live Oak, Soquel and Aptos): 4,634 units • County Total: 12,979 units When looking at the unincorporated area, we can’t place thousands of units in Lompico or Corralitos because they don’t have sufficient water and sewer infrastructure or easy access to jobs. We have to concentrate growth within the Urban Services Line where utilities are available, and fire risk is lower.

This is a pretty small area. The unincorporated county that is also within the Urban Services Line only includes Live Oak, Soquel, and Aptos.

Therefore, any large parcel like this that is adjacent to a major roadway is likely to see a significant housing project.

Water and Traffic

Many of you have questioned whether sufficient resources are available for these projects. It’s true that lacking access to utilities or high fire risk can slow things down, but a lot of the time they won’t stop a project entirely. Furthermore, as mentioned above, these sites are actually much better resourced than other parts of the County.

Water: If a project’s water needs exceed the local supply, the project may be paused until adequate infrastructure is built. In the case of Thurber & Soquel, the City of Santa Cruz Water Department is likely to find that sufficient supply exists.

The Water Department and Soquel Creek Water District and have been collaborating for more than a decade to invest in drought resilient infrastructure. Projects include the Pure Water Soquel recycled water facility that is opening this month and Aquifer Storage and Recovery, which stores excess winter flows from the San Lorenzo River and north coast streams into our midcounty aquifer for extraction and use in dry months.

Furthermore, multi-family housing units typically use about half the water of singlefamily homes due to reduced landscape needs and smaller household size.

Sewer: The Sanitation District confirmed on April 11, 2024, that: “Sewer service is available in Soquel Drive for the subject (Thurber & Soquel) development. No downstream capacity problem or other issue is known at this time.”

Work is also currently underway on multiple sewer replacement infrastructure projects, including the nearby Arana Trunk Line as well as the Upper and Lower Rodeo Trunk Line projects. The Sanitation District is close to completing a survey of sewer capacity countywide in preparation for future needed improvement projects.

These projects aren’t only necessary for future potential development, they are also critical for those of us who are already relying on

the system. See https://cdi.santacruzcountyca. gov/PublicWorks/SewerWater.aspx for information on the above-mentioned projects.

Fire: If fire services are inadequate, particularly in areas prone to wildfires, a development can face restrictions. California’s State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones impose stricter building standards.

These regulations often require access to adequate fire protection, such as proximity to fire stations. Furthermore, a project might be delayed or modified if the local fire marshal determines that emergency response times or firefighting resources are insufficient.

Both the Thurber & Soquel project and 41st & Soquel happen to be well within the urban area and the fire station is just down the street so there aren’t likely to be any firerelated issues that would stop these projects.

Traffic Impacts: Large developments that are projected to cause severe traffic congestion must undergo traffic impact studies as part of the California Environmental Quality Act process.

These projects are no exception. In general, if a project is found to significantly worsen traffic, it may be delayed until appropriate mitigation measures, like traffic lights, road widening, or public transportation improvements, are agreed upon.

In the case of these projects, $107 million of state funding is currently being spent upgrading Soquel Drive with smart lights, installing protected bike lanes, upgrading transit infrastructure and widening Highway 1 in the immediate vicinity.

Even if these changes don’t substantially improve traffic flow, new state laws like SB 743 shift the focus away from “level of service” to vehicle miles traveled, encouraging infill development like this and further limiting the County’s ability to block projects solely based on traffic concerns.

In short, it is unlikely that a resource or impact finding will stop these projects. There are few other places in the unincorporated County that are better resourced than these sites.

Need for Housing

After all this discussion it would be unfair not to reflect on why state laws are requiring us to build housing. For decades all of the approaches mentioned above have been successful at stopping housing construction. Now, Santa Cruz County is the most expensive rental market in the country.

As of June 2023, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom rental in Santa Cruz County was $4,054. A 2021 UCSC study found that 70% of renters they interviewed spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent. That means more than half of their take home pay is going to rent.

Meanwhile the average home price in the 95065-zip code was $1.325 million according to Zillow. At today’s 6.95% APR, a standard 20% down payment would be $265,000 and the monthly payment with taxes and insurance would be approximately $9,662. Conventional loans require that your housing payment be no more than 28% of your gross income.

“Housing” page 26

License #696146

CERTIFIED ROOFING CONTRACTOR RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 1,000’s OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

GOT ROOF PROBLEMS? WE CAN HELP: • Composition • Shake • Tile • Fibered Cement Repair

• Gutters & Downspouts • Steel, Flat, Systems • Skylights • Mobile Homes • Structural Repair

CENTRAL COAST PREMIER ROOFING SERVICES Knox Roofing has been serving the Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel and Los Gatos areas for over 40 years.

We can handle all jobs large or small. Call today for your FREE estimate!

Old world craftsmanship combined with new world technology!

831.226.7441 • KNOXROOFING.COM Visit Our Showroom – 46-A El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 23

BUSINESS PROFILE

D

Dr. Joseph Kim, DDS

Using Technology to Benefit Patients

r. Joseph Kim was born in Seoul, Korea, the oldest of three children.

His father was a professor at a medical school and his mother was a middle school teacher before they immigrated to Seattle in 1996.

When Dr. Kim graduated from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2002 with a bachelor of science in computer engineering, dentistry was not a career path he had in mind. After a few years of running his own startup in Seattle, Dr. Kim came to visit his cousin in San Francisco who had recently begun his own oral surgery center on Mission Street.

“When I saw my cousin perform surgeries, I knew that I wanted to become a dentist,” Dr. Kim said.

Following the footsteps of his two cousins, Dr. Kim earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2008.

Columbia University is distinguished by its rigorous curriculum requiring all its first-year dental students to study alongside the medical students. They are expected to build foundational knowledge in anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and so on to become a dentist who can respond to and

resolve dental issues in the context of the patient’s overall health.

Equipped with this knowledge and strenuous training, Dr. Kim excelled during his residency at the New York Methodist Hospital, where he was trained not only in dentistry but also in other medical fields.

Upon completing his residency, his cousin, Dr. Frank Chung, DDS, invited Kim to work at his Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center in San Francisco. Chung generously downloaded all his know-how as an oral surgeon onto his cousin, which helped Kim ramp up his learning curve faster than other newly minted dentists can.

Dr. Kim is a general dentist but his skill level in implant surgery does not pale compared to that of oral surgeons thanks to Chung’s mentorship and Kim’s relentless efforts.

Influenced by another cousin, then a professor at UC San Francisco School of Dentistry, Kim served as the clinical instructor at UCSF for a few years until he became too busy treating his patients as an associate dentist in multiple locations across the Bay Area.

At one point, he was splitting his time among different dental offices and surgery centers in San Francisco, Fremont, Oakland,

Dr. Joseph Kim and his family 24 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

and Merced to gain as much experience as possible. Merced, for example, was a pediatric surgery center where he treated dozens of children each week, many with serious dental issues.

His passion for dentistry drove him to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles over the years.

With a growing family, Kim wanted to settle down so he can spend more time with his family.

In June 2017, Kim and his wife visited the office of a retiring dentist who was looking for someone to take over his practice in the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz. The charming cottage was lined by fragrant roses along the walls, with the Buttery Bakery down the block and the Childish Toy Shop across the street.

Kim was thrilled to open his own dental office in this location and has grown attached to the neighborhood and the patients. Kim was proud to boast, “We have the most kind and warmhearted patients who have been with us for many years, including the Sisters at St. Clare’s Retreat who bless us with handwritten cards and gifts every Christmas time.”

He is also proud to say that Dr. Joseph Kim DDS is one of the first dental offices in the Bay Area to adopt digital dentistry.

Because Kim is still an engineer at heart, he naturally gravitates to new technology be it software-driven dental lab, 3D cone beam CT, tissue laser, or intraoral scanner. He proactively seeks out new ways to improve patient experience and clinical outcome and is proficient at applying them. Savings in costs and time savings gained by advanced technologies are shared with his clients in the form of cheaper costs, faster turnaround time, shorter chair-time and overall, a more satisfactory result.

Because he can use his time more productively, he can treat more patients in a given time, which in turn, makes him an even more experienced dentist. With the depth and the width of his experience, he can give informed advice to his patients on a variety of dental issues and is well prepared to deal with unusual situations during or after the treatment.

He was awarded the Fellow title by the International Congress of Oral Implantology

acknowledging his expertise in implant surgery. He is awaiting recognition in February 2025 as a Diplomate, which is the highest title awarded to select dentists who have passed rigorous written and oral exams and have presented hundreds of clinical cases.

When asked what he would like to do if he earned enough money to retire early, Kim answered without hesitation, “I want to continue to see patients,” unlike most people who would say they want to travel the world.

But it is not to say that Kim does not love to travel. His way to wind down after a busy week is to go camping with his wife and two young kids to the wilderness. His most recent trip was to Death Valley where he enjoyed camping out under the stars and driving offroad in the desert. n ••• Find Dr. Kim at his office on 1016 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.

Phone: (831) 443-2447 https://www.bestdentalbydrkim.com/

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Thank You, SUESD Community, for Measure P Success

C

Are you a Writer?

This is your opportunity!

Times Publishing Group, Inc. is looking for Writers Gain real-life experience in journalistic writing and photography by covering business, news, sports, and local events.

Send an e-mail to Editor Jondi Gumz

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

ommunity support for our schools means a lot. We want our schools to serve not only the students who currently attend them but also maintain them in a manner that will optimally serve future generations. That’s why our district placed a bond on the recent election ballot on Nov. 5. It passed! The success of SUESD’s General Obligation Bond, Measure P, will allow us to provide this community with high-quality school facilities for years.

Measure P will generate $73,000,000 for our district to use on school facility improvements. Passing Measure P also ensures access to our fair share of state funding via Proposition 2 (approved by statewide voters in the recent election).

We all know the adage, “Time is money,” and that is a saying that motivates us to move quickly. Construction costs escalate at a rapid pace. Completing most of our projects in the next three years means we will have more to show for our community’s money. In the spirit of moving expeditiously, our board recently approved a Master Facilities Plan, which you can find on our website (www. suesd.org/facilities-master-planning). The Master Facilities Plan provides a flexible living document to guide our school facility improvement priorities.

Many common projects must be addressed at all our sites, and each school site has unique needs. A standard project to be addressed first is to renovate each school’s field so our students can safely play

and enjoy the outdoors. We will replace the current fields with artificial turf so that there are no gopher holes to contend with. There will also be jogging tracks around the fields at our elementary sites and a high-quality track at New Brighton Middle School.

Some other district-wide areas of focus include, but are not limited to, the following: • Site safety and security fencing • Reconfiguring school offices • Accessibility upgrades • Modernization of aging facilities • Roof and gutter repairs • Parking and drop-off improvements • Upgraded school kitchens • Technology Infrastructure enhancements • Rainwater catchments • Concrete and asphalt replacement and restriping Each site also has some unique needs.

The following list is not exhaustive, but it will provide some insight into some of the planned projects at each school.

Soquel Elementary School Projects: • Enclose trash area • New TK/Kinder drop-off • Add TK student restrooms • Add staff restrooms Main Street Elementary School Projects: • New covered walkways • New amphitheater • Modernization of upper commons • Widen fire lane

info@cyber-times.com Include a copy of your resume and a writing sample.

You can also call

831-688-7549

Science Fiction

“Measure P” page 26

ACROSS

1 Le Corbusier’s art 5 *”The Matrix” protagonist 8 Captures 12 Funkiness in the air 13 Vegetative state 14 Capital of Vietnam 15 Fairy tale villain 16 Beware of these in March 17 Spiker and Sponge of “James and the Giant Peach” 18 *Bioengineered humanoid in “Blade Runner” 20 The Beehive State 21 Burn with coffee, e.g.

Rendering of a new synthetic field and track at Soquel Elementary School

57 Desperate 22 Tire meas.

23 Sea nymph 58 Karl of politics 26 Salad dressing option 59 *1979 film starring Sigourney Weaver 30 *Pierre Boulle’s 60 Fail to mention Cornelius 61 Bo Peep’s females 31 Hoity-toity 62 *”Do Androids Dream of 34 Back arrow key 35 Covered with sphagnum Electric Sheep” author 37 Tiny Tim’s guitar 63 Was ahead 38 Allegro ____, in music 64 *Spock’s are pointy 39 Sign of escape 40 Apprehension DOWN 42 Emergency responder, acr. 1 Point of entry 43 Neuron junction 2 Side of a ruler, e.g.

45 Sleeping sickness vector 3 S or C follower, in 47 *Katniss Everdeen’s business sister 4 Two-word threat 48 Hammerin’ Hank 5 Relating to node 50 Tennis “innings” 6 Make corrections 52 *2010 film starring 7 Kiln for hops DiCaprio 8 *Captain Nemo’s 56 Meat of coconut submarine

9 Tolstoy’s Karenina 36 *”Where no man has 10 This and that gone before” TV series 11 Bro’s sibling 38 “The Tortoise and the 13 Droning insect Hare” author 14 Niger and Nigeria 40 “It’s no ____!” language 41 Beale of Memphis, e.g.

19 In an unfriendly 44 South Korean port manner 46 Main dish 22 Parent org.

48 Japanese cartoon art 23 “He named ____” 49 Like thick smoke 24 Strong adhesive 50 Solo, pl.

25 Pine juice 51 Long narrative poem 26 Original thought 52 Worshiped one 27 Garment enlarger 53 Minnesota’s southern 28 *”The Hitchhiker’s Guide neighbor to the Galaxy” author 54 Last word on radio 29 Neil Diamond’s 55 Famed loch “Beautiful ____” 56 Rogue or rascal 32 *Frank Herbert’s famous novel 33 “I Like ____” 1950s © Statepoint Media campaign slogan

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 25

Beginnings — New Year 2025

Esoteric Astrology • January 2025 • By Risa D’Angeles “A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.” — F. Herbert, Dune t the beginning of anything new, we are to be very careful.

The first day of the new year is a new beginning, a template for the entire upcoming new year. On the new day of the new year of 2025, let us take the most delicate care that all things are in balance. With intentions to care for, tend to, harmonize bring comfort forth and to love one another more in the new year.

At the beginning of a new year, we are given the task of a new creation. “If enough of us believe, a new thing can be made to exist. And chaos is shifted into order.” (from Heretics of Dune).

The first day of a new year is under the guidance of Libra, the seventh zodiacal sign, that of balance, divine intelligence, and harmony in relationships. Libra also enters the Earth during times of transition (as we are now between the Ages of Pisces and Aquarius).

Libra calls us to the Law of Right Human Relations, to

A

ARIES Last year was a year of responsibilities, challenges, testing. And this year continues those lessons (with Mars retrograde), along with interesting new dreams coming true. You rush into the new year with your usual impatience, intrigued with what’s to come. At one point you realize your life is a Divine Plan that wants you to be happy. Education plays a big role in 2025. Your mind expands. Work is good and you initiate innovative changes. Spirit catches you. You don’t fall down.

TAURUS A balancing and sense of freedom occurs. Ceres comes along offering the nurturing, food, herbs, rest, quiet, care and warm waters you need. An integration happens at home which has been a long time coming.

Uranus in your sign shifts into Gemini this year. New worlds, ideas, thoughts appear! Expect brilliant flashes of insight, radical changes in identity, novel ideas, new doors opening. Tend very carefully to health. Have your well-being be a priority and goal all year long. Rest and sing and laugh more.

GEMINI You need a harmony, inner and outer balance and a feeling of care and contentment. You call these forth in great quantities in the new year through personal and intimate relationships. A strong bond grows between you and another. It’s important to challenge yourself, to move and act more. Do not allow anxiety or uncertainty to hinder feelings of health. Life may become fast, unusual and changing. Remain poised, remember the sign of the disciple is adaptability. You can do this. You already have in the past.

CANCER Your true self has often been hidden by the shell you hide under. It has offered great protection for your tender self. However, the new year will ask that you express yourself with more truth, candor and creativity.

You may encounter new and unusual people and their presence gives you the courage to be yourself. It will be a significant step for you, one you’ve longed for throughout many years. As the new and unexpected occur, you remain calm, cool and composed. Life is lived at your garden gate.

Daily & Weekly Updates

harmony (Venus), to new rhythms and rituals (Uranus), and intentions for Goodwill (Saturn). It is also the 7th day after Christmas, walking with the Magi Astrologer Kings in search of the holy child.

The first day of each new year is also the Feast of the Holy Family, acknowledging the sanctity of the family structure — father/will, mother/intelligence, child(ren), result of the Love between the mother and father. This is esoteric.

January 1, 2025, has Capricorn Sun and Aquarius Moon, a calling forth new structures of freedom for humanity. The Sun and Jupiter are prominent too — illuminating the love inherent within humanity. With Sun/Jupiter all things and relationships are adjusted. There is a planetary adjustment. Right angles are established. Wrong angles adjusted. Angels appear out of the angles and we hear during Christmas and Hanukkah and well into the new year — the words — Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all the kingdoms and peoples of the Earth.

And all is well for a time for humanity. n

LEO Being the sign opposite Aquarius, this coming year will bring needed unexpected changes to all Leos. Life and plans, routines and agendas shift and rearrange themselves. So many years you have felt under circumstances that held you back. This year, there will be a release from hindrances and limitations. You will feel freedom in acting more spontaneously, often on a whim. Some may think you odd. But really, you’re exercising your royal independence and sovereignty. One caution. Always act with and exhibit kindness. Or you lose your golden crown.

SAGITTARIUS We can at times, in this shadowy Kali Yuga time, feel lost in the darkness. However, we have the ability to hold a light up in the darkness, weaving into our lives holiness and connectivity with the sky, earth, sun and rain. And with the people we encounter each day. Sagittarius is the sign of inner silence.

When we remain in silence, we hear a still, small voice inside returning us to what is essential. We are now in the days when the light has returned. We are each a solstice and an equinox to each other.

VIRGO Perhaps you have been considering making certain life changes. But it hasn’t felt quite like the right time. Well, that time is soon in the new year. You will have the opportunity to express another side of yourself, one that is more lively, vivacious, vital and full of life. All parts of your life will substantially improve in relation to your expressions of a loving heart. All that you choose to do will be effective, refreshing and valuable to self and others.

Your ideas will bring people together into a unified field of endeavor.

CAPRICORN Some new movement, subtle shifts of energies will occur at home. You will make very important changes in the new year. With Pluto having left your sign and entered Aquarius, life now has the prospect of freedom and transformation. Saturn in Pisces brings good things, slowing things down for you to enjoy life more. Saturn also brings maturity and the ability to have conscious awareness and pride in yourself. You savor life and all that life offers. Share your dreams and aspirations and imagine yourself as what you are — wonderful, marvelous!

LIBRA Health, wealth, honor, riches, good times with friends and family, a hopeful ending of conflicts and separation through understanding, dreams coming true through kindness, patience and hard work. This already sounds like your hopes, wishes and dreams and actually somewhat of your life already. These will continue with more emphasis.

Care for yourself, then for your resources, learning to value whatever the past offered you. Let love be the heart of all communications. Have gratitude.

AQUARIUS Serenity is the keynote to your coming new year. Happiness, confidence and times of joy will bring tranquility to your life. The home situation remains moveable, changeable, shifting here and there. This keeps you flexible for the unusual times to come. Stability will come forth for you in time. Meanwhile, think of the new year as a fresh planetary breeze opening you up new opportunities, new attractions and unusual experiences. Love, maybe, too.

SCORPIO The new year offers such unpredictableness for you, so many changes that all you can do, what you would do well to do, is stand in the midst of the whirlwind, poised and anchored, calling forth stability and security to be your priority. These may feel elusive, but summon them to soothe any disruptive energies. Be open-minded, adaptable, allowing nothing to disrupt your sense of peace. This will be a test for you. But you’re used to tests, Scorpio.

Call forth your will and courage. You know the burning ground.

•••

PISCES New learning and new levels of communication, new realms to consider, some like thunderbolts, enter your life. The new year may feel like you’re in a dream. Music, healing, art, poetry, dance, photography, films form a pattern of offerings. You contemplate the idea of death at times. It’s important to state boundary needs or a situation can get out of control. Do not allow harmony to descend into chaos. A richness of friendships and opportunities enter your life for good. State your needs. The angels are listening. You are the White Magician.

@risagoodwill • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

26 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Housing” from page 23 That means a family would have to earn $414,085 per year to buy an average priced home in mid-county.

The real cost of these astronomical housing prices is a dwindling workforce.

Even doctors can’t afford to live here. You may have experienced firsthand that the wait times for appointments are getting longer.

Moreover, hiring is now local governments’ biggest challenge.

It’s near impossible to recruit people into our county to take roles in planning, law enforcement, and behavioral health because the cost of living is so high.

Your children probably can’t afford to live here either, unless they’re still living at home. The lack of young families shows up in statistics that show Santa Cruz is the fastest aging county in the State of California.

If we don’t add housing now, within 10 years we won’t have a local workforce to keep the lights on. n

“Measure P” from page 25 Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School Projects: • Outdoor teaching/school garden upgrades • New paved staff parking lot and fire lane • Renovate amphitheater • Implement drainage solutions New Brighton Middle School Projects: • Reconfigure the administration building for visitor visibility at the school entrance • Finish “Building J” (converting the old woodshop and art classrooms to science classrooms) • Update library • Repaint interior gym walls Measure P funds can only be used for facility improvements. The funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, and they cannot be used for staff salaries. There will be an independent Bond Oversight Committee that will ensure Measure P funds are spent appropriately.

As you can tell, our staff will be bustling these next few years, working with our partners to execute the priorities embedded in our Master Facilities Plan. It is so exciting that we have funds to use on those priorities.

We are beyond grateful that our school board took the initiative to place a bond on the November ballot. We are incredibly thankful for all our community members who endorsed Measure P. Words cannot express how much the support of our community’s voters means to us. We are so happy that our current students and staff will see these Measure P improvements happen in real time.

Also, it’s rewarding to think that somewhere in our community, a current toddler will come to school on their first day in a few years with all of these improvements already completed.

Thank you again, SUESD Community, for your support! n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

2025 Brings a New Era in Our Local Water Supply

By Rachél Lather, President, Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors

I

t’s my honor and privilege to once again serve the community as president of the Soquel Creek Board of Directors. I’m happy to share with you my perspective on the upcoming year — and indeed, 2025 will be a pivotal time for the District, for our customers, and for our water partners throughout the region.

This year, we’re on the cusp of starting operation of the Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project, fulfilling our promise of a new, safe, reliable water source. This truly marks the start of a bright, new era for our water supply.

Readers of this column know that the District has been working toward this goal for about 10 years, since 2014 when the Board selected advanced purified water for groundwater replenishment as the preferred water supply option to pursue. Fast-forward to 2024 when we’ve been going full steam with construction of the Pure Water Soquel Water Purification Center, which was ceremonially celebrated last summer with start-up and commissioning fully underway.

Now, as we near full operations of the project, our customers will be able to count on Pure Water Soquel to greatly reduce our local “water anxiety.” Everyone in the community should be proud of this accomplishment! On

“Young Scientists” from page 14 Lopez is in her third year teaching after school classes, running the art program as well as Lego engineering, journaling, and helping in brain teasers, healthy living, track and game club.

She said, “I have found that it is such a successful feeling for the students to see the

Owen. 4th grade: Kinetic sand

behalf of the District’s Board of Directors, I thank you for your patience as we have worked to arrive at this historic point.

We have learned a great deal during the process of analyzing, planning, financing, and building Pure Water Soquel, not the least of which is the value of local and regional partnerships. To accomplish this project, a high level of inter-agency cooperation and coordination was required – more so than the District had experienced in its history. We had the opportunity to build strong partnerships with federal and state entities, and local water agencies (and even the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission for the pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer!). Creating these partnerships came about through identifying mutual priorities toward the common vision of a reliable local water supply.

Our relationships with other local water agencies offer potential future benefits: the Pure Water Soquel facility is designed for a future expansion which would enable us to supply pure water to other agencies which may need it. And, they have the benefit of seeing how the project operates in advance of participating in use of the water.

With many lessons learned last year, and in the years prior, we are moving into 2025 with a great deal of confidence. Today, completed project on display that they have worked hard on.”

She added, “To be able to see students so proud and able to share about their weekly projects and accomplishments makes my heart happy and full. I have also found these shows truly help students grow tremendously in both confidence and pride. And, it helps bring closure to a chapter they are successfully ending.” n

Megan, 4th grade: Volcano

Soquel Creek Water District is no longer only a water purveyor – we are a water purification/groundwater replenishment, and water supply agency. So, in 2025 and beyond we will ensure our collaborations and partnerships are maintained and enhanced, as we continue planning and building for the future. We will remain nimble and able to quickly analyze, understand, and respond to changing circumstances and unexpected conditions or incidents.

As always, we will sustain a key focus on our core services of efficiently delivering clean water to the community, effectively managing our groundwater, and enhancing water supply reliability through proactive maintenance of our infrastructure. It is also a goal to continue providing the people who live and work within the District with the tools they need to maintain their ongoing, truly remarkable job of conserving water.

Whether it’s a time of drought or a time of water abundance, it is so critical to use water wisely, to maintain best practices of water conservation, and to remember that when it comes to our water use, we must think about the generations to come.

In that light, I firmly support the District’s public outreach efforts toward ensuring the community is fully and transparently informed, and engaged in our programs, projects, and activities. In the coming year, you’ll be hearing from us frequently. In the meantime, if you haven’t already done so please visit soquelcreekwater.org and sign up for our WaterSmart Customer Portal for easy access to water bills, leak alerts, watersaving tips, and more. You can also subscribe to receive periodic emails with a variety of information – from Board agendas and minutes, news items, and emergency alerts,

“Form 700” from page 11 On Jan. 25, 2024, Gordin filed three Form 700s on the same date, covering his initial appointment date as of 2021, then calendar 2021, and 2023. There is no explanation as to why.

Covering the period upon his appointment, he listed investments in 5701 Soquel Development LLC, value more than $1 million, and Workbench, value more than $1 million.

Another Form 700 listed his personal residence.

Covering activity in 2023, he listed investments 841 Capitola LLC, value $10,000 to $100,000, Sweet Developments LLC, value

Whether it’s a time of drought or a time of water abundance, it is so critical to use water wisely, to maintain best practices of water conservation, and to remember that when it comes to our water use, we must think about the generations to come.

to meeting and event notices, QuickSips monthly newsletters, and more.

The Soquel Creek Water District is your community partner for a reliable water supply. We’ve come so far together, through major water shortages all the way to completion of Pure Water Soquel. Through it all, this community collaboration continues to be vitally important.

Finding solutions, seeking opportunities, and facing challenges together makes this a strong community, and is key to the District’s success. It’s also what makes me so proud to be part of this community, and part of our ongoing mutual efforts toward a sustainable water supply.

Happy New Year! I thank you for continuing to do your part, and for your support of the District as we do ours. n ••• Ms. Lather has been on the Board of Directors since 2016, became President of the Board in 2020, and is serving again as President through 2025. She is a resident of Aptos and a retired civil engineer with more than 40 years of experience.

Ms. Lather also serves on the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission.

$10,000 to $100,000, Workbench, value more than $1 million, and 5701 Soquel Developments LLC value more than $1 million.

In this 2023 Form 700, he also reported real property interests, as LLC member, of 3500 Paul Sweet Road, value more than $1 million, and 841 Capitola Road, value more than $1 million, his status as managing member of LLC for Sweet Developments LLC and 841 Capitola Road LLC, and his status as managing director of Workbench.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission manages Form 700 filings and accepts complaints from members of the public. n For details see https://tinyurl.com/ Cal-form-700-info.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS HONOR DR. KING WITH SERVICE On Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, Jan. 20 — honor Dr. King’s legacy through service and volunteerism.

Second Harvest is looking for 100 volunteers to help pack bags of food that will be given out to the 65,000 people in need in Santa Cruz County.

This event will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds is required.

The minimum age to volunteer for this shift is 10 years old (children ages 10-12 may volunteer alongside a parent, youth 13+ can volunteer independently as long as there is a signed parental waiver on file).

This is also a fantastic opportunity for high school students to earn their community service hours while contributing to a cause that matters.

Serve together and make this MLK Day a day on, not a day off! Sign up at https://thefoodbanksantacruz.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/mlk/ PG&E OFFERS FREE GAS APPLIANCE SAFETY CHECKS To help customers prepare their gas appliances for safe use during the cold weather months, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is offering free in-home gas safety checks.

During the gas safety checks, PG&E will re-light pilot lights for customers who have heaters or other appliances that have been turned off during warmer months.

Free safety checks help ensure that gas appliances, including water heaters, furnaces and ovens, are operating safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning within the home.

Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it can’t be seen, smelled or heard.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

Since 2024 began, PG&E has responded to more than 75,000 incidents where the presence of carbon monoxide is suspected. Nearly 3,400 of those incidents were reported in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties.

“This free safety program is a great way for customers to prepare for increased use of their natural gas appliances as the cold season approaches. One of our gas team members will conduct safety inspections to help ensure that gas appliances are in proper working order and also relight pilot lights,” said Joe Forline, PG&E senior vice president, gas operations.

Before the colder winter months when natural gas appliances typically see the most use, PG&E encourages customers to schedule an inspection by visiting www. pge.com/pilotlights. Scheduling your appointment online is free and easy and will help you avoid hold times on our customer service line.

Customers can also call 800-743-5000 to schedule appointments.

If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, you should get out immediately and call 911. If a PG&E customer ever smells the distinctive “rotten egg” odor of natural gas in or around their home or business, they should immediately evacuate and then call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CERT CLASS Enrollment is now open for volunteers willing and able to take CERT Basic training during a 21 hour class.

The class takes place over four Tuesday evenings. 6 9:30 p.m., January 14, 21, 28 and Feb. 4, at Santa Cruz Senior Center, 222 Market St, Santa Cruz.

The final full training day and hands-on assessment will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Central Fire District administration building and practice yard, 930 17th, Live Oak. CERTs are trained in responding to emergencies in their neighborhoods and develop life-saving skills with emphasis on decision-making ability, rescuer safety, and

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com

For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. will award up to three $1,500 scholarships to individuals All sessions are required to become a CERT volunteer. enrolled in accredited colleges, universities, or trade Spanish-language materials available. Note: We are schools. working on a class presented in Spanish in March.

Applications are open to Bay Federal members who demonstrate a commitment to their education and have To sign up, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/ a vision for the future of financial literacy. Interested go/2025BasicSantaCruz#/ applicants should submit their completed forms, proof of enrollment or acceptance, and essays by March 16. A BAY FEDERAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP panel of judges will review the submissions, and winners Bay Federal Credit Union is accepting applications for will be announced by April 30. its 2025 Education Scholarship to support students as This year’s application asks students to reflect on the they pursue educational and career goals. The program

OUR COMMUNITY READS: FLIGHT BEHAVIOR Set in the Tennessee mountains, Flight Behavior by After the film, Dr. Gary Barbara Kingsolver looks at the effects of climate Griggs, Distinguished change on people and the environment. Dellarobia Professor of Earth and Turnbow stumbles upon a valley teeming with millions Planetary Sciences at UCSC, of Monarch butterflies which veered off course in their will moderate a brief Q&A. Dr. migration from the mountains of Mexico. As the news Griggs is Chair of the Calispreads, the tiny town becomes the center of media fornia Ocean Sciences Trust, attention, religious fanaticism, and scientific scrutiny. and a columnist for the Santa A team of ecologists investigates; tourists flock to the Cruz Sentinel. His latest book mountain; opportunists look for ways to make a fast buck; is California Catastrophes — myth-makers invoke religion to explain “the miracle.”

The Natural Disaster History of Our Community Reads is a program of the Friends of the Golden State. the Aptos Library in which the community selects a book La Selva Beach Branch and then comes together for a series of events related to Library — 316 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach. themes in the book.

Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13811658 Presented with the Friends of the Branciforte, Capitola, Wedensday, Jan. 29 • 6:30 pm Felton, Garfield Park, La Selva Beach, and Scotts Valley Photographers in Nature libraries, in partnership with Cabrillo College, Aptos High Local nature photographers Seraphina Landgrebe, Kevin School, Scotts Valley High School, and with the support Lohman, and Bruce Leventhal join fellow photographer of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Jim Bourne for a lively discussion of how to capture These events aim to create a shared experience that those special images in the wild. Seraphina Landgrebe will increase appreciation for community libraries and for has been awarded “Photographer of the Year” by the local bookstores; foster pride in the experiences this area Professional Photographers Association of the Monterey offers; and the enrichment –– culturally, intellectually, Bay Area and has operated a successful portrait studio and emotionally –– from the joy of reading! for 30 years in Santa Cruz County.

••• Kevin Lohman is an award-winning wildlife phoEVENTS tographer living in Santa Cruz, with an educational Tuesday, Jan. 21 • 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. background in marine science. Bruce Leventhal is an Field Trip: Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges educator, naturalist, and photographer with degrees in Join Martha Nitzberg, Interpretive Ranger, and biology emphasizing ecology, evolution, and behavior. volunteer docent June Langhoff at a Monarch overwin- Their work will be on display. tering site. Learn about their amazing migration and Radius Gallery at Tannery Arts Center — 1050 River St the Methuselah generation that winters on our coast. #127, Santa Cruz.

Weather permitting, take a short, guided walk to the Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13811548 Monarch grove. Binoculars will enhance the experience.

Saturday, Feb. 1 • 1 to 3 pm Coffee & snacks provided.

Poetry Writing Workshop Meet at Natural Bridges Visitor Center — 2531 W In a creative and supportive setting, poet-teacher MagCliff Drive (parking fee) Santa Cruz. Register at https:// dalena Montagne will guide you in writing poems inspired santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13810992 by the many themes of Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior Note: There will be an optional stop at Lighthouse Field (another — identity, belonging, climate activism, & social justice. No overwintering site) afterward. experience necessary; appropriate for teens and up.

Thursday, Jan. 23 • 11 am to 1 pm Scotts Valley Branch Library — 251 Kings Valley Road.

Book Discussion Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13811589 Join fellow readers to discuss major themes in depth.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 • 6:30 pm Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, Displaced: How Climate Change is Causing Dislocation will facilitate the conversation. Sandwiches provided by and Economic Hardship in Latin America & Beyond Aegis Living, Aptos.

Nick Rowell, Professor of Political Science at Cabrillo The Loft Coffee Sho: 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos. College, discusses how natural disasters and severe shifts Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13811178 in weather are destroying human habitats and forcing Saturday, Jan. 25 • 5 to 7 pm entire communities to abandon their homes and livelihoods, Film: Ice on Fire unwillingly joining the growing numbers of climate refugees.

Ice on Fire is a documentary narrated by Leonardo Aptos Branch Library — 7695 Soquel Drive, and via Zoom.

DiCaprio that premiered to a standing ovation at Cannes Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13811682 Film Festival in 2019. It explores the potential extinction ••• level effects caused by arctic methane release and new For more events visit https://www.friendsofaptoslibrary.org/ technologies that could reverse global warming. our-community-reads.html or read next month’s issue.

28 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

essay topic: How has technology impacted financial literacy and money management for your generation?

Describe what improvements you would make to these educational resources to make them more broadly accessible and useful for young adults and others in your community.

“Our scholarship program is not just about financial assistance—it’s about celebrating the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” said Carrie Birkhofer, president and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union. We’re looking forward to hearing their ideas on creating more inclusive, accessible financial resources for all.”

To access the online application, visit bayfed.com/scholarships.

PODCAST TO BROADCAST CLASSES For those who would like to use their voice to talk to the world, Community Television and Santa Cruz Voice are offering “Podcast to Broadcast” host-training series on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 7 to 28.

January’s Podcast to Broadcast is a prototype series presented at no charge by Community Television and Santa Cruz Voice. The class will debut as a Cabrillo College Extension class on April 1.

Classes will be taught by member hosts of Santa Cruz Voice, many of whom have decades of professional media experience, at CTV, 325 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.

Jan. 7: Hardware, Software & Distribution Jan. 14: Programming & Formatting Jan. 21: Recording, Editing & Processing Jan. 28: Marketing & Monetizing Podcast to Broadcast is open to area residents on a juried selection basis. Seating is limited.

To reserve a seat and obtain a syllabus, email your contact information and your theme / content (such as politics, sports, food) to info@santacruzvoice.com YOUTH POET LAUREATE: APPLY NOW! Santa Cruz Public Libraries with Urban Word, Watsonville Public Library, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and Arts Council Santa Cruz County, announces the call for applications to serve as the county’s second Youth Poet Laureate. This initiative celebrates the vibrant world of youth poetry and offers young poets a cross-county community.

The Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term from April 2025 to April 2026, championing their own poetic endeavors while inspiring their peers to embrace the art of poetry.

This award offers reading and publication opportunities for the selected poet. Finalists are offered similar opportunities as part of a cohort of teen poets. The position is open to eligible individuals between age 13 and 18 who live in Santa Cruz County and can commit to serving locally throughout the year.

Workshops on “Creating Your Youth Poet Laureate Application” are scheduled for January and February: • Wednesday, Jan. 29, 4:30 p.m., Watsonville Library • Thursday, Feb. 6, 4 p.m., Aptos Branch Library • Thursday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m., Downtown Branch Library • Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m., Felton Branch Library Application Process Eligible individuals who are passionate about poetry and eager to make a positive impact on their community are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1.

Finalists will be announced March 31.

A free celebration of finalists and announcement of the 2025-2026 Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate will take place 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College.

For details, visit the Youth Poet Laureate page at https://sites. google.com/view/santa-cruz-youth-poet-laureate/ or reach out to Farnaz Fatemi at sasqi@mac.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HOMELESS COUNT The next annual Point-in-Time Count is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30.

This count is an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single day in Santa Cruz County.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR In 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased slightly, up 2.6% to 1,850.

The count is a requirement to receive federal homeless assistance funds and is used to support strategic decisions about programs.

If you are interested in volunteering, attend at least one of the trainings. If you are interested in receiving meeting reminders, sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ santacruzcounty/2025-pit-count Most training is via zoom: Friday, Jan. 24 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Via zoom and in-person (location TBD) ZoomGov Meeting, https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov. com/j/1602531515?pwd=aL5C9nq0Kghdszw9a5TyhZhnBpzmAB.1 Meeting ID: 160 253 1515 | Passcode: 986265 Do you have lived experience of homelessness? There is a need for those who would like to be a peer guide during the Count.

If you are interested, add your email to the list at https://tinyurl. com/PIT-count-peer-guide.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES How to Donate Blood Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

The workshop will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Registration required at https://santacruzpl.libcal/ event/13620013

Sunday January 5

A Woman’s Song for Peace, featuring Holly Near, Ferron and Dance Brigade Photo Credit: Brooke Anderson | @movementphotographer

DANCE BRIGADE PRESENTS: A WOMAN’S SONG FOR PEACE Saturday January 18

REVERÓN PIANO TRIO CONCERT 4 p.m., Peace United Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz The Distinguished Arts Concert Series and Danny Alvarez, broker associate, David Lyng Realty, present the Reverón Piano Trio at Peace United Church.

The program — Bach: Partita no 1: Fanny Mendelssohn Piano Trio Works by Latin American composers Teresa Carreno, Astor Piazzolla, Gabriela Frank and Ricardo Lorenz The trio’s goal is to introduce audiences to underrepresented music from Latin America alongside contemporary and standard repertoire.

Venezuelan pianist Ana Maria Otamendi, violinist Simon Gollo and Venezuelan cellist Horacio Contreras are not only exceptional musicians, but they are also true ambassadors of the music from Latin America.

The Reverón Trio is named after Venezuelan painter and sculptor Armando Reverón (1889- 1954), one of the earliest American modernists and considered one of the most important visual artists in Latin America.

Admission is: $40 | General online at: www.DistinguishedArtists. org., or suggested donation at the door of $40 or pay what you can.

7:30-9 p.m., Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos FOCUS AGRICULTURE CLASS 34 APPLICATIONS Krissy Keefer’s Dance Brigade kicks off its 50th anniversary season with a seven-city West Coast Tour — Applications are available to be submitted for Class 34 including a stop at Cabrillo College. of Focus Agriculture, a “first-in-the-nation” program, The troop will be performing **A Woman’s Song for Peace**, a new dance theater work featuring iconic designed for selected community leaders to learn musician and activist Holly Near, seminal queer feminist singer-songwriter Ferron, and groundbreaking about agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Afro-Caribbean jazz artist Christelle Durandy, intertwining their music with Dance Brigade’s fierce, nuanced Sunday January 12 Valley. choreography.

The program consists of once-a-month, daylong ESPRESSIVO ORCHESTRA CONCERT This is a cry for peace to end all wars so that peace and justice can prevail, not only in the Middle East, but seminars, held over a period of eight months. Speakers, 3 – 5 pm, San Lorenzo Valley High Performing Arts Center, 7105 also in Sudan, Ukraine, and at our borders and inner cities of the U.S. ranging from elected officials to representatives from Highway 9, Felton 1975 was the birth of the Wallflower Order Dance Collective. Original member Keefer has carried on the legacy environmental groups, address the class.

Espressivo — Santa Cruz’s “small intense orchestra” of provocative, feminist dance producing productions that explore the intersection between art and social justice The sessions cover such topics as: — will present a concert for string ensemble at the with Dance Brigade, a dance company, which formed in the Bay Area in 1984.

Technology • Marketing • Commodities • Research Performing Arts Center of San Lorenzo Valley High School.

Tickets are $30-$50 at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1894 • Environment • Farm Tours • History • Hands-on The program opens with Bela Bartok’s rustic and See https://dancemissiontheater.org/dance-brigade/the-peace-tour/ for more details. experiences lively Romanian Dances then Twenty people will be selected for Class 34. steps back two centuries into In announcing the application process for Class 34, the royal court of Frederick the First Saturdays Agri-Culture President, Steve Bontadelli, stated, “Many Great of Prussia, where Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – J. people who are involved in the community are interested ONGOING EVENTS CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP S. Bach’s second son – wrote his elegant keyboard in agriculture. Focus Agriculture was created to allow 9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park concerto in d minor. After the intermission, Espressivo Mondays community leaders an opportunity to learn, through Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of journeys to St. Petersburg, where Tchaikovsky LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE discussions and hands-on experiences, about local Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade composed his charming and Mozartian Serenade for 10 a.m.-Noon, Santa Cruz Bridge Center, 2450 17th Ave. agriculture.” Bontadelli continued, “We are proud that Park.

Strings in C. Conducting the concert is Russian-born Beginner bridge classes will start on Monday, Jan. 6 at the Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated the program is a recipient of a National Award.”

Alexander Katsman, music director of Livermore Valley Santa Cruz Bridge Center.

Alumni of the program include: to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve Opera.

Classes are taught by Nancy Wainer.

Jimmy Panetta, 20th District Congressman; John the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational The piano soloist is Hilda Huang, winner of the Leipzig Come and check out the world’s greatest game!

Laird, California State Senator; 2nd District County activities of Capitola.

Bach Competition when she was only 18 and now an Supervisor Zach Friend,; 4th District County Supervisor First class is free. Reserve a spot by emailing to NLMBRIDGE@ This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapi- international soloist. Santa Cruz will remember her recent Felipe Hernandez; Stephanie Connor Kent, CEO, Sutter yahoo.com. tolaSalty@gmail.com. spectacular performance of Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” Maternity & Surgery Center; Erica Padilla-Chavez, with Ensemble Monterey. General admission $45, senior Last Wednesdays of the Month CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; Nan Mickiewicz, $35, student $18.

DATED EVENTS President/CEO, Dominican Hospital; Ted Burke, Owner, PARENT/CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS Tickets at the door or at www.espressorch.org Shadowbrook Restaurant; Steve Gray, CEO, Watsonville 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Meeting Saturday January 4 Community Hospital; Bud Colligan, Founder/CEO, South Dr. Ramona Friedman of the Center for Child and WORKSHOP: COPING WITH LONELINESS Swell Ventures; and Susan True, CEO, Community Adolescent Mental Health in Soquel will be hosting 3-5 p.m., Aptos Public Library, 7695 Soquel Drive Foundation of Santa Cruz County. a free Parent Drop-in Zoom session. Parents and Loneliness and social isolation have reached epidemic Sessions will be held one full day per month comcaregivers are invited to log on and ask questions levels in America. mencing March 14, 2025 and ending October 24, 2025. to Dr. Friedman about youth mental health issues, To address this, the Friends of the Aptos Library is Applications are available online at www.agri-culture.us challenges, and ideas. offering a Jan. 4 workshop entitled “Loneliness and or at the Agri-Culture office, Parent Drop-Ins are free, 1-hour sessions where parents Social Isolation: Strategies for Understanding, Coping, and 141 Monte Vista Avenue, Watsonville and by calling Healing in a Disconnected World.” can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific Tuesday January 14 (831) 722-6622.

The goal is to provide participants with an undermental health disorders.

Parents can also connect with CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB MEETING Applications are due Thursday, January 9, 2025 standing of the ways these issues manifest themselves others facing similar challenges.

4 p.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, in people of all ages and to provide some tools and Clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, Suite 106 COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS resources to help them navigate these difficulties to lead Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will meet depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and mediThe Santa Cruz County Fair Board typically meets each a healthier life. at United Way of Santa Cruz County. The meeting is free month at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage cation, experienced youth mental health experts, host The workshop will be presented by Pat Emard, marriage and open to the public. each session.

Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., For more info, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/ and family therapist, Dr. Rachel Abrams, MD, and Kris Watsonville.

“Calendar” page 31 Francheschi, also a marriage and family therapist.

For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com parent-drop-in-soquel-ca/247794

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Sheriff Chris Clark: Peace of Mind for All

By Sheriff Chris Clark Editor’s note: Chris Clark, 45, an 18-year veteran of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and undersheriff for the past two years, took the oath of office as sheriff on Dec. 6 at Cabrillo College, succeeding Jim Hart, who resigned midterm and recommended Clark’s appointment to the county Board of Supervisors.

Here are Clark’s remarks: ••• t’s an honor to stand before you today as your new sheriff. As I look ahead to the future, I find it important to acknowledge the foundation that has brought me here — a foundation built on the wisdom, guidance, and camaraderie of so many remarkable men and women who have mentored me throughout my career.

From the supervisors who led by example, to the colleagues who taught Chris Clark me what it means to serve with integrity, their influence has shaped the leader I am today. It’s because of them — many in this room today — that I stand before you.

From the start of my journey, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by outstanding individuals. Former Lt. Jim Ross and Sheriff Robbins welcomed me into the department as a Deputy Sheriff, soon-to-be Undersheriff Jake Ainsworth opened his home to me as I began my career. Lt. Dimick, my first field training officer, was there for my first and last days of field training—both days that we will never forget.

Former Lt. Morales directed me toward gang training, which opened the door to a career in investigations where I was

I

Photo Credit: Ashley Keehn

Sheriff Chris Clark sits with his wife Sarah during the

fortunate to learn and work with Ian Patrick and Dan Freitas. Sheriff Wowak promoted me to my first leadership role as sergeant.

Retired deputy Mike Pruger guided me through my transition into supervision, teaching me coroner investigations and even helping my family find a home during a difficult time.

2020 was an extraordinarily tough year for our office, marked by multiple critical incidents, including the loss of Damon. During that time, I was honored to work alongside Jim Ross, Greg Lansdowne, Roy Morales, and Brian Cleveland. Retired undersheriff Mitch Medina showed me not only how to excel in the role of undersheriff, but how to keep family a priority while in leadership. He never missed a call from his wife or kids.

And lastly, Sheriff Hart, who promoted me to lieutenant, chief deputy, and undersheriff. Throughout my career, Sheriff Hart’s mentorship and leadership shaped my sense of duty to protect the health of this office.

You entrusted me with handling the press during the CZU fire, a responsibility I did not take lightly. Your legacy of leadership has left a profound mark, and I am committed to building on the strong foundation you established.

All these individuals go to show that our office is grounded in remarkable people— dedicated to serving our communities and upholding the laws where we come from, and it’s this legacy that ensures our future is bright.

To the Deputy Sheriffs Association and Correctional Officers Association, thank you for believing in me.

I also want to recognize partnerships from outside of the Sheriff’s Office that have been instrumental in my career. Our Board of Supervisors, Zach Friend, Bruce McPherson, Justin Cummings, Manu Koenig, and Felipe Hernandez, County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios — I’ve had the privilege of working closely with all of you and it’s evident you all share a passion for public safety. Thank you to Les Gardner, for your support and guidance.

Thank you to my parents, wife’s parents, and many family and friends here today who traveled from far distances. I appreciate all your support and love throughout my life.

I know there are so many more that have

30 / January 2025 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Sheriff Chris Clark’s sons, Mason (from left), Cameron and Jackson, enjoy the proceedings. helped me along the way --most importantly, my wife, Sarah. The significant others of first responders carry the heaviest load— the stress, the uncertainty, late dinners, and missed birthdays.

I know inside you’ve probably had some choice words if I was late again, but Sarah, you’ve always met me with more love and support than I ever could have dreamed of.

You’ve held everything together, or picked up the pieces, making sure our three boys never missed a practice or homework assignment, and were always understanding when I couldn’t be there. I wouldn’t be standing here today without your love and selflessness — a debt I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay. And to our three boys, Mason, Cameron, and Jackson — I appreciate your patience when your dad missed things — I’m so proud of each of you and the young men you are today. When I leave home every day, it’s you all I can’t wait to get back to.

As your sheriff, I want to tell you I approach this role with the same mindset I have for my own family — I want nothing more than safety, security, and peace of mind for all of you. My commitment is to ensure that our community remains a place where we can all feel safe, where our children can grow up without fear, and where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

I will work tirelessly to address your concerns,

to continue to build strong connections between law enforcement and the people we serve, and to seek out creative, collaborative solutions that make us all safer. Together, we will face challenges, but together, we will overcome them.

My promise to you is the well-being of this community will always be the top priority. And at the heart of this work is an amazing team dedicated to keeping this community safe. Thank you for your support and trusting me with this responsibility. I’m honored to serve you all, and I look forward to leading our office into the future. n

New Sheriff Chris Clark (center) with retired sheriffs Phil Wowak (left) and Jim Hart.

We provide local –

News ... Sports ... Current Events ... because it matters to you!

SCCAS Featured Pet

T

Take Home The King of the Gods

crossword on 25 »

his week we have a fantastic pet of the week — Zeus (#A315680)!

He is a 4-year-old neutered pit bull mix and is a real sweetheart. Zeus first came to the Shelter as a stray with a dog friend and since being here has shown that he has so much affection for humans.

Since being here at SCCAS he has met other dogs and been wiggly and playful and has also shown that he can be respectful with pups who are less playful, so he might fit well in a home with another dog. We do not know if he has ever lived with cats or children- all human family members would be advised to meet him before adoption.

Volunteers and staff love to spend time with Zeus and describe him as cuddly and adorable. If you are looking for a sweet furbaby for the holidays, come to SCCAS and meet Zeus!

••• 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. All adoptions are first come, first served.

••• 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

“Calendar” from page 29 Candidates and winners of the 2025 Live Your Dream awards will be announced, plans for the March 8 awards ceremony will be developed, and the results of the Holiday Beyond the Cash Awards will be shared.

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. the Galapagos Islands this past September. She will share by.the.sea@gmail.com photos and tales of her trip along with speaking about the benefits and power of social bonds between women.

Lorraine joined AAUW in 2015.

Saturday January 18 Lorraine is a current member of the Tech Trek Committee and WILD WOMEN TRAVEL TO GALAPAGOS has served as vice president for legal advocacy.

10:30 a.m.-Noon, Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road American Association of University Women-Santa Cruz Monday January 20 County meets at the Scotts Valley Library to discuss the MLK PEOPLE’S MARCH topic “Travel & the Importance of Friendships among Women.” No reservations are needed; bring a friend.

10 a.m. Start at corner Pacific Avenue and Cathcart Street Branch member Lorraine Margon of La Selva Beach 11 a.m. – Noon, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. began traveling in her late 20s when her job took her The NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch invites the to universities and astronomy observatories all over the community to join the 2025 MLK People’s March for the world. She later found her passion for travel to other Dream, beginning at the Pacific Avenue and Cathcart places, especially those with opportunities for wildlife Street intersection. viewing and interesting landscapes. She continues to We will march through downtown Santa Cruz, travel in her retirement and, a few years ago, became a then convene at the Civic Auditorium for an inspiring member of a small group of women that has combined program featuring a resource fair and keynote speaker budding friendships with travel.

Gregory Hodge, who is the Chief Network officer of the Hear Lorraine speak about the third annual trip of her Brotherhood of Elders Network, with a background in “Wild Women” group, which went to Quito, Ecuador, and community organizing and advocacy. n

“Mobile Response” from page 14 “Our Mobile Crisis Response Team is staffed with compassionate mental health professionals who understand the diverse needs of our Santa Cruz County community,” said Karen Kern, deputy director of Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health. “With culturally responsive, bilingual services, our goal is to provide timely and empathetic support during crises, helping individuals feel safe and empowered to continue their care journey. This approach also helps reduce the number of emergency room visits and law enforcement interventions.”

James Russell, director of access and

crisis services of Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health, added, “Our partnership with Family Service Agency of the Central Coast has been instrumental in allowing us to swiftly respond and de-escalate mental health crises on a 24/7 basis.”

For information about the Santa Cruz County Mobile Crisis Response Team, see www.santacruzhealth.org/CrisisResponse or call 1-800-952-2335. n ••• If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, reach out for help. You are not alone. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide free and confidential support.

Science Fiction © Statepoint Media

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2025 / 31

Capitola & Soquel

BY THE NUMBERS DEC 2024 MLS Data

4

new listings

1.32m median sale price

12.5 median days on market

99%

list price received

8

homes sold

New Year, New Possibilities Unique lifestyles. Unique properties. Unique service.

Uniquely Sotheby's International Realty.

Contact Amber today for a no obligation consultation or scan below for a free home value analysis.

AMBER MELENUDO Top 1% in Santa Cruz County 831.566.2263 AmberMelenudo.com ambermelenudo@gmail.com DRE 01921098