Scotts Valley Times: January 2021

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January 2021 • Vol 24 No. 1

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How to Survive the Winter of Your Life

By John P. Weiss My mother is an 87-year-old Parkinson’s patient. She was in a car accident years ago that caused a neck contracture, so her head is permanently bent to one side.

Full Story page 6

New Rules Eyed for Dead-End Roads Full Story page 7

Remembering Jun Lee Former Scotts Valley Mayor: 1936 ~ 2020

Jun Lee, former Scotts Valley mayor and one of the early Chinese pioneers in Santa Cruz, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2020, at the age of 84. His last years were spent at Westwind, a memory care community in Santa Cruz.

He was born on Feb. 12, 1936, the son of Gue Shee Lee and Sung Si Lee and the youngest of seven siblings: George Lee, Emily Lee Ow, Rose Lee Wong, Wee Lee, Young Lee and Luella Lee Yien Churchill. ... continues on page 4

Three New Sources of Help for Small Businesses

By Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm As we enter the new year, 2021 holds great promise, as we progress with hope toward the end of the pandemic.

Full Story page 9

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No. 1

Volume 24

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Table of Contents

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Cover

Remembering Jun Lee: Former Scotts Valley Mayor: 1936 ~ 2020

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Community News A Toy Story: Did You Have Postal Problems This Year?, By Jondi Gumz • Sue Rains Voted School Board President • County Conservation Strategy Meeting: Jan. 18 How to Survive the Winter of Your Life, By John P. Weiss New Rules Eyed for Dead-End Roads, By Jondi Gumz COVID Claims 83 Lives: California Governor Wants Schools To Reopen,

By Jondi Gumz Vitamin D Reduces COVID Deaths, Study Review Finds: 100+ Scientists & Doctors Call For Widespread Intake Immediately, Organized by Dr. Karl Pfleger and Dr. Gareth Davies – Original Letter and Signatories at https://tinyurl.com/Letter-VitaminDForAll Kristine Ronzano Joins SCCB Cross-checks Needed To Cut EDD Fraud: Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 SV 2020 Community Award Winners Announced: Stayin’ Alive Gala Virtual Event to Honor Our Winners and Gather as a Community; Business of the Year – Tam Communications; Educator of the Year – Erik Wyner 12 Presenting the Chamber’s 2021 Executive Team: President Jeanette Larkin; Vice President Phil Neuman; Secretary Jeanne Shada; Treasurer Victor Alejandro; Executive Director Danny Reber • Welcome! New Chamber Board Members: Brand-di Palmer; Susan O’Conner Fraser; Joanne Guzman 13 Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners: Man of the Year – Michael Hanson; Woman of the Year – Joanne Guzman; Youth of the Year – Anika Mistry 14 Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners: Beautification Project of the Year – City of SV Glenwood Preserve; Organization of the Year – SC Moose Lodge #545 • #ScottsValleyLove: A Way to Show Your Love for Our Community

Business Profile 16 Integrity Automotive Service, Inc.: Service That Stands Out, By Willa Reed

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Beginnings Are Fragile Things , By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Page 20

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Featured Columnists Three New Sources of Help for Small Businesses, By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley 22 Resiliency: Bright Spots in a Tough Year, By Bruce McPherson, Fifth District Supervisor

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Jondi Gumz , John P. Weiss, Karl Pfleger, Gareth Davies, Willa Reed, Risa D’Angeles, Derek Timm, Bruce McPherson layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

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

“Remembering Jun Lee” from page 1 He grew up in Santa Cruz’s tiny Chinatown where everyone in the family worked at jobs to help put food on the table.

Like all his brothers, he worked as a Santa Cruz Sentinel paperboy and threw papers accurately from his bicycle down Pacific Avenue. After 24 months on the job, he earned a certificate of merit in 1951 from the California Newspaperboy Foundation for his courtesy, dependability and business acumen.

With his shoe shining kit, he would set up at his favorite locations to offer his services and meet local businessmen.

The recently completed Chinatown Bridge Dragon Gate Monument on the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz is a tribute to the early Chinese pioneers and the people who lived in Chinatown—exemplified by Jun. He attended local schools. He was a proud member of Santa Cruz High School’s Class of 1954. He received his bachelor’s degree in business and industrial arts at San Jose State College, continuing with graduate work in regional planning and later earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial design in 1961.

He was patriotic and believed in his country and in that spirit he joined the Marines and was a Reservist graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego.

He began his career working as an engineer in the missile system industry.

In 1968 he joined the pioneering staff for the new City of Scotts Valley (incorporated in 1966) as their first planning director and assistant city manager.

He served on the Scotts Valley City Council from 1977 to 1982. In 1981 he was

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

Jun Lee (left) with George Ow Jr. Jun was George’s uncle, but he thought him like a brother and held him close.

4 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

selected by his fellow council members to be mayor, the first mayor of Chinese ancestry in the Monterey Bay Region.

After leaving politics, he devoted his time to his property investments.

Jun belonged to the Free & Accepted Masons of California, Santa Cruz-San Lorenzo Valley No. 38 and Past President of Rotary Club 5170 as their International Representative.

He was one of the founding fathers of the Scotts Valley Sportsman Association and was elected president in 1970. He was instrumental in establishing a shooting range for club members and the Scotts Valley Police Department. He loved to go elk and pig hunting in Colorado and Idaho with his hunting buddies and family.

Jun and his wife Carol Ann were active volunteers as docents at Wilder Ranch State Park for many years. He contributed fabulous memories as he guided tours Jun Lee as a young hunter. He was instrumental in through the Wilder kitchen building where establishing a shooting range for the Scotts Valley his dad worked for almost 20 years. His Sportsman Association and the Scotts Valley Police Department. stories were very popular with the public.

His passion was in the area of inter- ScottsValley, Jon Lee of Santa Cruz, retired national service. Representing Rotary, he Air Force Major Jeff Gose (Lynne) of Aptos, traveled with his wife to China with Assist and Terri Tomlin (Michael) of Washington; International to install cardiac monitoring grandchildren Trevor, Trenton, Dylan, equipment for Beijing Children’s Hospital. Cole, Elle, Scotland and many nieces and He represented Rotary on a joint medical nephews.

Viewing hours for the public will be 3 project to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In 1998, he was part of the Friendship Exchange to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at Benito & Azzaro Program to major cities in China, including Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Beijing, Xian, Chong King, Shanghai, Santa Cruz. Due to COVID health guidelines, masks and social distancing will be Pudong and Suzhou.

He volunteered with Assist Interna- required.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation tional, traveling to Guatemala helping with a hospital project for native Mayans and to the Cabrillo Stroke Center, 6767 Soquel was a contributor to the medical project Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 and Assist Internain Rwanda. In 2008, he initiated a project tional, in care of Bob Pagett, P.O. Box 66396, to serve one million bamboo farmers Scotts Valley, CA 95067 or a local charity of in Hunan, China, with Assist Interna- your choice in memory of Jun. n ••• tional, Rotary District 5170 and Maria Yee Cover Photo: Jun Lee at Westwind Furniture.

His daughter Junneen, a photog- memory care community, age 84 •Photos rapher, shared newspaper clippings from courtesy of Lee family his career: An award for planned equestrian-pedestrian pathways through the city; working with local leaders to launch a community event, Scotts Valley Days, with an antique roadster; unveiling plans for a new city hall to be operational in 1970; and raising money with Rotary to pay biomedical engineers to install cardiac monitoring equipment at Beijing Children’s Hospital, at the time the major children’s hospital in China.

Jun leaves his wife of 52 years, Carol Ann, and their children: Junneen Lee McCombs (Jason), of Jun and wife Carol Lee, married 52 years.

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Toy Story

Did You Have Postal Problems This Year?

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By Jondi Gumz

y the time I saw U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo’s Dec. 23 letter to the Scotts Valley mayor about an influx of Postal Service complaints in Scotts Valley, I had already experienced a problem myself.

I had ordered a LEGO toy, a mining kit, for my 4-year-old grandson as a gift 12 days before Christmas. The confirmation said it would arrive by Dec. 21 – plenty of time to wrap.

But Dec. 21 came and went, no package in sight. I rustled up another toy, just in case, and checked online to track my package, which made it to San Jose.

Two days before Christmas, my spirits rose when I saw the package was in Scotts Valley.

On the day of Christmas Eve, still waiting, I stayed at home, hoping my package would show up, finally going out late in the afternoon for last-minute shopping.

When I got home, I checked the package tracking, which said my item had been taken back to the Scotts Valley Post Office with the notation “individual picked up” at 2 p.m. – and I had been at home at the time.

My neighbors report similar problems including no mail for days at a time, forwarded mail returned to sender, mail delivered to the wrong person, and most concerning, packages containing medications marked as delivered when they are not.

A Postal Service spokesman informed KSBW-TV via e-mail that: “The Bay-Valley District is experiencing employee availability and processing delays due to COVID and extremely high volume mailings.”

The Postal Service says they have 33 carriers in training, according to KSBW. A sign at the Post Office indicates that jobs are open, and the online advertisement says entry-level pay is $19.93 per hour for city carriers, and no experience is necessary.

On Dec. 18, Eshoo wrote a two-page letter to Eddie Morgan Jr., district manager of the Bay-Valley Postal District, detailing the problems and calling for a timely response.

“It is alarming that packages would be shown as delivered only to have them arrive days later,” she wrote. “Tracking of packages should be accurate and dependable.”

Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm got a letter from the congresswoman, suggesting residents with mail problems email her staffer Nicholas Hargis at nicholas.hargis@mail. house.gov or call 650-323-2984.

Fortunately, my Postal Service story has sort of a happy ending. The package arrived the day AFTER Christmas, and the toy I selected was a hit was my grandson.

Now I just need to figure out how early to order for the next occasion to get delivery on time — unless Rep. Eshoo fixes the situation for us. n

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Sue Rains Voted School Board President ue Rains will serve as president of the Scotts Valley Unified School District for 2021, and Michael Shulman will serve as vice president.

The board voted for officers on Dec. 15.

Because of COVID-19, school board meetings are taking place remotely.

Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 12. For details, see scottsvalleyusd. org.

••• County Conservation Strategy Mtg: Jan. 18 he public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, on Zoom to learn about and provide input on the proposed 10-year Santa Cruz County Regional Conservation Investment Strategy.

For information on how to attend, visit: www.sccrtc.org/rcis.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Trans-

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CASA CARES ABOUT BEING THERE. NO MATTER WHAT.

portation Commission and the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County are developing the strategy to link potential environmental mitigation for proposed infrastructure to high-priority conservation projects.

The Regional Conservation Investment Strategy is a voluntary process guided by Assembly Bill 2087, a 2016 law that allows creation of a system of mitigation credits to advance conservation objectives of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect threatened and endangered species, other sensitive species, natural communities, ecological processes and connectivity.

Interested parties can provide written comments by email to: rcis_santacruzcounty@sccrtc. org; by mail to: SCCRTC attn: Grace Blakeslee, 1523 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; or through the RCIS Online Public Workshop, available from Jan. 11 – Feb. 19 via sccrtc.org/ rcis/workshop.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

How to Survive the Winter of Your Life

By John P. Weiss

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y mother is an 87-year-old Parkinson’s patient. She was in a car accident years ago that caused a neck contracture, so her head is permanently bent to one side.

She recently came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized, followed by many weeks in a nursing home. Now she’s back in her assisted living apartment, albeit weakened and frailer. Her mind is mostly intact, with occasional forays into mild dementia.

Mom’s skin easily bruises and tears, and she must constantly guard against bed sores. She requires oxygen now, and we recently began hospice to better manage her care and quality of life.

You would think she’d be depressed and frightened by this challenging stage of life. Surprisingly, she’s not. In fact, she’s often cheerful.

They Left Me In a Big Hole om called me yesterday on her speakerphone. The conversation went something like this:

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Mom: “Hello my son, how are you doing?”

Me: “Pretty good, Mom, I just got done walking the dogs. How are you feeling today?”

Mom: “Oh, fine. Are we all set for Christmas? I want to make sure my cards go out.”

Me: “Yep, I’m sending out cards for you, and I took care of the gifts you asked me to get for everyone.”

Mom: “Great. Thanks for dropping off the small Christmas tree, the girls decorated it for me and the cats love it.” (Note: Mom has two stuffed cats in her room. She thinks they’re real.)

Me: “I’m glad. So, what are your plans for today?”

Mom: “Well, some golf on TV. By the way, yesterday, they left me in a big hole. I had to climb out. Haha haha!”

Me: “Um, wow. I’m glad you climbed out.”

Mom: “Okay Johnny, I’ll let you get on with your day. Say hi to the doggies.”

Mom has mentioned the “big hole”

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more than once. When she was in the hospital and we spoke on the phone, she told me in a hushed voice that she “spent some time in the big hole.” She said it took some effort but was able to climb out.

I think “the hole” is a mental construct for the void. The mystery of what lays beyond our mortal coils, to borrow from Shakespeare. At this twilight in my mother’s life, who knows what visions come to her. Perhaps the old, teetering on the brink of worldly existence, get a peek at the other side?

Before you and I reach that point, looking over the fence into the great abyss, perhaps we should think a bit about how to survive the winter of our lives.

Navel-Gazing Underachievers y wife and I have been watching the Netflix original drama “The Crown,” which chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times.

(Warning: spoilers ahead).

The seventh episode of The Crown season 3, “Moondust,” portrays Prince Philip facing an existential, mid-life crisis.

A man of action, he gave up his naval career after marrying the Queen and lives his life in the Queen’s shadow. Thus, he feels impotent and adrift.

In the episode, Prince Philip meets with a group of priests who assemble at St. George’s House, a sort of spiritual retreat for clergy. Philip rudely tells the assembled priests that they should stop navel-gazing and focus on doing. At one point he calls them “navel-gazing underachievers infecting each other with gaseous doom.”

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John P. Weiss with mom Patricia and son Conner

Later, Philip closely follows coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. At Buckingham Palace, Philip gets to meet his heroes, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Yet, when Philip probes these “men of action” for deep insights, he finds the astronaut’s answers lacking.

Having found no great insights or meaning in the space race, Philip returns to St. George’s House. He tells the priests about his mother’s death, his lack of faith, and that he’s desperate and lost. He asks the priests for help.

At one point Philip says, “Just like other people hitting that crisis, you resort to all the usual things to try to make yourself feel better. Some of which I can admit in this room and others which I probably shouldn’t.”

“Weiss” page 8

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Rules Eyed for Dead-End Roads

By Jondi Gumz

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onths after wildfires devastated large swaths of California including Boulder Creek and Bonny Doon, state forestry regulators are on track to adopt new rules to restrict building in rural areas for reasons of fire protection.

The state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection aims to have these “Fire Safe” regulations formalized by April 7.

The proposed rules trouble Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner and Tracy Rhine, legislative advocate at the Rural County Representatives of California, who point out the draft regulations would prohibit future building construction on property served by a road that has not been upgraded to current road standards, or dead-end roads that cannot be upgraded.

The upgrade requirements include widening, resurfacing, leveling grades and curves, and bridge improvements, from the property line to the nearest fire station, and apply to the building of a single residential unit or any business increasing its “service capacity.”

All required upgrades would be at the expense of the property owner.

The Rural County Representatives group, which has been talking with the forestry board staff about the proposal since April, contends these changes “will have extraordinary impacts on housing production, not only in rural areas of the state, but also in more urbanized regions of California.“ Santa Cruz County has been gripped by a shortage of housing for years, especially affordable housing, sending prices to record levels. The median home price topped $1 million in October for the fourth month in a row.

The “Fire Safe” regulations set forth standards for development beginning July 1, 2021, in “the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones of the Local Responsibility Area.”

Currently, regulations permit a dead-end road to be one mile long. To reduce the potential for wildfire evacuation hazards, the proposal would shrink that to a half-mile and prohibit dead-end roads from connecting to another deadend road.

“There is no mitigation besides creating another road,” said Edith Hannigan, land use planning program

manager for the board of forestry, during one workshop on the rules.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, all the discussions and community outreach have taken place virtually.

The Board of Forestry held an online workshop on Dec. 8 to discuss its proposal, where concerns were raised about dead-end roads in Santa Cruz County – “miles and miles” of dead-end roads that if widened would result in damage to the environment.

“This one issue … is much larger than we can imagine,” said Mike Jani, a board member, who suggested developing an exception to give counties more flexibility taking into account environmental damage.

One board asked for an estimate of the number of roads affected.

“Incalculable,” said Hannigan, acknowledging the impact.

Many public roads, including county roads, don’t meet the existing width standards in the fire safe regulations, Jani added.

Another virtual workshop took place Dec. 22, when more than eight hours of discussion took place.

In response to concerns, forestry board staff was directed to schedule another public workshop prior to the January board meeting, in order to solicit additional feedback from the public and board members.

“New Rules” page 10

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 7

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“Weiss” from page 6 In real life, Prince Philip did experience a late-life spiritual awakening and became a life-long friend of Dean Woods, the priest who created St. George House.

To Arrive Where We Started hen we’re young, life is often about action and achievement. We dive into our education, relationships, and careers. There are promotions to attain, accomplishments to achieve, children to raise, and dreams to chase.

Existential questions about life’s purpose, why we’re here, and where we are going, seldom distract youthful minds.

But then, in mid-life or later, such thoughts can thrust us into a crisis. Like what happened to Prince Philip.

Some people deal with this by chasing their youth. There is an entire industry of cosmetic surgery to cater to the anguished aging. Some are able to turn the clock back a few years, but time always catches up.

Others immerse themselves in exercise, action, and travel to temper their existential angst. But often, relief is fleeting.

Still, others resort to alcohol, drugs, affairs, and other reckless pursuits, hoping to escape the winter of their lives. But winter arrives none-the-less.

The poet T. S. Eliot offers some guidance with the following line: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

As Mohammad Lavaei wrote on Quora.com, in response to the above T. S. Eliot quote: “We are seekers by nature and we go forth onto the world, fueled by desire or reason, to search for that missing piece.

But at the very last, we realize with a burst of insight that what we were seeking was ourselves, and we always had it with us.

Only it was hidden beneath layers upon layers of petty worries and lofty ideas.”

The reason my mother gracefully navigates the winter of her life is that she never lost her childhood grace. That sweet, innocent, fun-loving part of her that is bigger than the indignities of aging.

T. S. Eliot was right. We spend a great deal of time exploring in our lives. The bumps and sharp edges of life may help shape our character and insights, but in the end, we return to ourselves. And know ourselves better.

You Are The Answer e are all on our own hero’s journey, as the late writer Joseph Campbell so famously outlined in his seminal work, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” — Joseph Campbell If we are to prepare ourselves for the vicissitudes of aging, and learn how to

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return to ourselves, the following things can be immensely helpful.

Loved ones: It’s the people we love, and the ones who love us, that enrich our lives. Animals count, too. Giving and receiving love creates a kind of armor. As a result, we are shielded from the slings and arrows of old age. Love sustains us. Gives us strength.

Mindfulness: When we’re young, we tend to fixate on the future. When we’re old, we ruminate about the past. Meanwhile, we miss out on what’s happening right now. Take time to experience the now. Slow down. Savor your coffee. Listen more deeply. Stillness is where we find the kingdom of God. Exploration: The winter of your life doesn’t have to be lonely and scary. There is so much to learn, see, hear, taste, feel, and experience. Try a new hobby. Explore a new genre of books. Take an online course.

Intellectual exploration and creative pursuits can open your mind and bring back the passion.

Negative self talk: It’s tempting to complain. We all end up experiencing health challenges and the slow march of physical deterioration. But telling everyone else about it only amplifies your misery.

Focus on the positive, and gratitude for the good things in your life.

Faith: Finding something bigger than yourself is a powerful antidote for egocentrism. It forces you to consider the larger picture and develop virtue in your life.

There are many faith traditions, but all tend to be rivers that lead to the same ocean of salvation. Others find solace and reassurance in science, and man’s ongoing quest for meaning.

Strong In The Broken Places one of us get to escape the march of time.

We will age, and life will bring its joys and sorrows. Pursue as many experiences as you can in life. Travel, meet new people, read many books, and experience new cultures.

These things will create memories to sustain you in the winter of your life.

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.” — Ernest Hemingway The “big hole” my mother alluded to awaits all of us. It haunted Prince Philip until he found help to dig himself out. In the end, as T. S. Eliot noted, we will “arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

If you want to know yourself better in the twilight of life, cling to loved ones.

Practice mindfulness. Explore, avoid negative self-talk, and find some form of faith or greater meaning outside yourself. This is how you will remain strong in the broken places, return to yourself, and become the hero of your own journey. n ••• John P. Weiss is a retired Scotts Valley police chief who draws cartoons, paints and writes about life. See johnpweiss.com.

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Three New Sources of Help for Small Businesses

By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

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s we enter the new year, 2021 holds great promise, as we progress with hope toward the end of the pandemic.

My wish for the New Year is that Scotts Valley emerges from the challenges of 2020 as a strong, vibrant, inclusive, and healthy community.

Part of that wish is that our small business owners can continue to weather the storm that has hit so many of them so hard this year.

Throughout the year, I was part of a coeffort between the City of Scotts Valley and Chamber of Commerce to lead local economic recovery efforts for our businesses.

We have aided businesses in: obtaining funding from government grant programs; accessing Personal Protective Equipment; providing guidance on compliance with ever changing State rules; and advertising the importance of shopping local.

is hosting a series of free daily webinars at 11 a.m. to cover the program details and help you know what to do to apply for these grants. www.santacruzsbdc.org.

Non-Recourse Business Loans he City of Scotts Valley and the Chamber of Commerce are teaming up with the rest of the County to provide loans through the National Development Council. These are very low interest loans that have very few restrictions. To apply to receive the loan: • NO Collateral needed • Very low documentation needed • Few restrictions — any type of business can apply AND can apply on top of any other funding received from previous loans and grants, PPP, EIDL, SBA, FEMA, etc.

T However, despite these efforts, many of our businesses are still on the precipice. There is some good news, as there are several new programs that are now available to help our local businesses.

California Small Business Grant Program he first is a $500 million COVID Relief Grant for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID and the health and safety

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restrictions. Details about the program are now available and the first round of applications will be accepted between Dec. 30 and Jan. 8.

Funds will be awarded in amounts up to $25,000 to underserved micro- and small businesses throughout the state by early 2021. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application materials please visit www.careliefgrant.com.

The Small Business Development Center

“Derek Timm” page 10

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 9

10 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“New Rules” from page 7 The draft rulemaking is set to be heard by the Board of Forestry at its Jan. 19 meeting, and another on Jan. 20 for submission to the Office of Administrative Law, which would formally adopt the “Fire Safe” regulations.

Steinbruner recommends affected local property owners contact local and state representatives to provide their input.

To learn more, see https://bof.fire. ca.gov/regulations/, to view the two public workshops on the regulations and download the accompanying power point slides. n ••• A video of the Dec. 8 Joint Committee meeting, where these draft regulations were

“Derek Timm” from page 9 While requirements are still being finalized, the minimum loan amount will likely be $35,000 with a likely term of 7 years. There are no micro-lending requests available (such as wanting only $10,000 or $15,000). At this time we are still waiting to get the terms of the loan (interest rate, deferral options, etc.).

This money can be used for working capital (to keep businesses running) or real estate (such as improvements/modifications needed to build or remodel or restaurants creating outdoor dining areas, etc.).

Final details on the program will be available in the next few weeks. If you are interested in applying or learning more about the business loans please email Angela Marshall amarshall@scottsvalleychamber.com with the Chamber of Commerce.

New Federal Covid Relief Bill n Dec. 27, the president signed into law a $900 billion relief package that includes additional relief for small businesses. This bill includes: • $284 billion for first and second Payroll Protection Program loans for small businesses that: º Have 300 employees or fewer º Show at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts in the first, second, or third quarter of 2020 relative to the same 2019 quarter.

• Additional PPP expenses now include: º Damage due to public disturbances not covered by insurance º Certain supplier costs º Worker protection expenditures (such as protective equipment) º Software/computing needs • Simplified forgiveness for loans under $150,000 º Borrower must sign and submit to lender a certification includes

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discussed, is at: attendee.gotowebinar.com/ recording/3260397634512947724 (the discussion takes place in the last 90 minutes of the meeting).

Here are the slides of the proposed regulations: bof.fire.ca.gov/media/oqapdhqh/ final-fire-safe-regs-presentation_public-workshops_nov-24-compressed_ada.pdf Here is a link to the Dec. 22 Board of Forestry workshop that gives instruction on how the virtual meetings are conducted and how the public can participate.: bof.fire.ca.gov/media/xu2o1nlv/ december-22-workshop-notice-fire-saferegulations_ada.pdf To reach the Rural County Representatives of California, contact Tracy Rhine at trhine@rcrcnet.org and view updates at www.rcrcnet.org/ barbed-wire-december-23-2020#story-5

› A description of the number of employees the borrower was able to retain because of the covered loan, › Estimated total amount of the loan spent on payroll costs, and ›› Total loan amount. º The borrower must also attest that borrower accurately provided the required certification and complied with PPP requirements.

• 501(c)(6) organizations, such as chambers of commerce and destination marketing organizations, are now eligible, provided lobbying does not make up 15% of their revenue or activities.

• Food service assigned to NAICS code 72 (accommodation and food service) are now eligible for PPP loans up to 3.5X average monthly payroll, instead of 2.5X payroll.

Other Important Provisions 1) Full PPP expense deductibility: PPP recipients will now be able to claim ordinary deductions for business expenses paid for with PPP funds, even if that PPP funding is forgiven.

2) Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loans (EIDL) Advance Full Forgiveness$10K EIDL advances are no longer subtracted from PPP forgiveness if both are received.

The bill provides $15 billion for grants for eligible live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums, and movie theaters who demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in revenues The City recognizes that these programs cannot fully offset the losses many of our businesses have experienced this past year.

Nevertheless, these programs may provide the funding that will help businesses keep doors open. Here’s to 2021! I know we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead. n ••• Derek Timm is mayor of Scotts Valley for 2021. He can be reached at dtimm@scottsvalley. org or 831-239-9203.

SV 2020 Community Award Winners Announced Stayin’ Alive Gala Virtual Event to Honor Our Winners and Gather as a Community

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e are very proud and honored to The Scotts Valley Chamber of Comannounce the 2020 Scotts Valley merce is very excited to announce the Chamber Community Award date and new format of the 2020 Gala winners.

Awards.

Through this very difficult and unprecIt will be a virtual event held on Satedented year of the Covid pandemic and urday, March 13th so be sure to save the the devastating CZU fire our community date. While the program is still coming has faced many hard challenges and even together, we’ll kick it off with a fun crowdthrough it all these awards are presented sourced music video featuring members of to an incredible group that gave us hope, our community dancing to a parody of the support, advocacy, optimism, encour- Bee Gee’s song “Stayin’ Alive”. agement, shelter and beauty of the great You can also look forward to enteroutdoors to sustain our health and enjoy. taining video profiles of all of the award winners, opportunity drawings, a silent Business of the Year auction, and opportunities to interact with the hosts and each other. It will be a Gala Tam Communications to remember.

Woman of the Year We’re currently on the look-out Joanne Guzman for sponsors who will benefit from not Man of the Year only the usual shout outs by the host Michael Hanson and on-screen graphics, highlights in Educator of the Year social media and other publicity, but Erik Wyner also a video promoting your business Youth of the Year produced by Scotts Valley’s own Tam Anika Minstry Communications.

Organization of the Year If you’re interested in being a sponsor, Santa Cruz Moose Lodge #545 contact the chamber at dreber@scottsvalley Beautification Project of the Year chamber.com or call (831) 588-9323.

Glenwood Preserve

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Educator of the Year

Erik Wyner

rik started teaching in the Scotts Valley area in 1998 as a gymnastics teacher in Felton, where he taught for 10 years.

He started at SVHS in 2001, teaching Psychology, Web Development, and a variety of math classes over the years.

In 2003, he started as assistant crosscountry coach, bringing a total of 12 teams to the state championship in the years since then. Also, in 2003, he was part of the first

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Business of the Year

Tam Communications

am Communications is a family-owned business founded in 1979 by Tam and Susan O’Connor Fraser. Tam is a Director/ Cameraman/Editor, Susan is the Executive Producer/Creative Director and Writer, and their daughter, Regan Eymann, is a Producer/Director who also helps with website development.

As a full-service television, video, and digital media production company, #TeamTam takes projects from concept to completion. They’ve worked with some of Northern California’s leading organizations from Intel to Apple, from Satellite Healthcare to Sciton and from the United Way of Santa Clara County to Sacred Heart Community Services to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to Second Harvest Food Bank.

They also produce television commercials including those for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and programming for cable networks like the Discovery Networks.

They’ve won hundreds of regional, national, and international awards for their work including the highly acclaimed

annual Scotts Valley Haunted After many major revisions House. By 2019, the event had and restarts throughout summer reached a size of nearly 200 and fall based on changing volunteer students, alumni, and regulations, sentiments, and community members, selling permissions, they worked with over 2000 tickets for its one a core group of volunteers to weekend. put together the 18th annual In 2020, Erik and the student Scotts Valley Haunted House, lead, junior Greta Feague, made reimagined as a drive-through Erik Wyner it a priority to keep the traall-ages experience largely comdition alive for the students and for the prised of creations delivered by dozens of community. students working at home.

Happy New Year!

From left: Susan, Tam and Regan

animated video, “Summer is Coming” for the Boardwalk.

The team has most recently been doing pro bono work for the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, creating videos for Scotts Valley-based businesses to help boost their brands and encourage the Community to shop local.

Additionally, they have created a series of television public service announcements featuring a number of Scotts Valley business owners. The commercials, which aired throughout the tri-county area, brought a wider audience’s attention to Scotts Valley and to the people and places that make our town such a special place.

The event quickly sold out, sending through nearly 1500 vehicles. Including this year ’s proceeds, Scotts Valley Haunted House has donated nearly $100,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2012.

Erik has coded several websites, including svhaunt.org. This year he created svhsfalcons.org to make distance learning an easier process at SVHS by automatically bringing students to each of their Zoom classes without the need for links.

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 11

Scotts Valley Chamber News Presenting the Chamber’s 2021 Executive Team

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Executive Board Member: President

Jeanette Larkin

eanette stems from a long line of Scotts Valley business owners and loves to assist new and tenured companies with fresh ideas and creative strategies.

She has chaired the annual Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival/Cops ’N Rodders Vintage Car Show for the past five years and received the SV Special Award for Volunteerism in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

Her family’s company Larkin Precision Machining Inc. was recently acquired in 2020 after 21 years and she currently works for the Santa Cruz Warriors. She enjoys long walks with her husband Seth and dog Ray. Her daughter Taylor is a junior at Washington State University.

••• Executive Board Member: Vice President

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Phil Neuman

hil Neuman is CEO of Cyber Ascend Technologies, a locally owned Information Technology firm operating from its headquarters in Scotts Valley.

CyAs Tech reflects Phil’s commitment to service and to the local community, as it is fully geared to support Santa Cruz County’s business builders with technology on their upward path to success.

After earning his Computer Science degree from Cal Poly SLO, Neuman grew his IT skills within The Santa Cruz Operation.

He increased his IT and businessbuilding expertise directing IT departments at Fortune 500 companies and dot com startups until the entrepreneurial bug bit

him in 2001 and he incorporated as PDNC, Inc. A big believer in the importance of community involvement, Neuman has served as a volunteer firefighter and board member with Bonny Doon Fire & Rescue. He’s enjoyed board member and ambassador roles with Scotts Valley’s Chamber of Commerce since 2017 and is a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County Class 34.

He’s a member of the Santa Cruz Business Builders BNI group, part of www.brandfusion media.com and www.staywellcopper.com, and active with Twin Lakes Church. Neuman resides in Scotts Valley. His wife and son are part of CyAs, supporting Phil’s vision for strengthening community through better tech.

••• Executive Board Member: Secretary

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Jeanne Shada

he new secretary of the SV Chamber Board of Directors is Jeanne Shada. She has lived in Scotts Valley since 1971 and has raised three children (Gigi, Vicky, and Kristian) here.

Jeanne became a realtor in 1977 and started her business, Scotts Valley Property Management, LLC in 1981.

She is a founding member of the SV Arts Commission, a former President of the SV Chamber Board of Directors, and a long-time member of the Scandinavian Cultural Center of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Symphony League.

Formerly, she taught in the SV Unified School District in grades 2, 5, 6-8. Jeanne has enjoyed the beauty of Scotts Valley and the positive attitude of its citizens.

•••

New Executive Board Member: Treasurer

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Victor Alejandro

ictor grew up in the Midwest, lived on the East Coast and received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of New Mexico. Victor has worked for 30 years in Silicon Valley with Apple, and Cisco, most recently as an Offer Lifecycle Program Manager.

Having served in a dual role as a Chamber Ambassador and Board Member — he looks forward to serving as the Treasurer on the Executive Board he also is a member of the Chamber’s Economic Recovery Task Force in partnership with the City of Scotts Valley.

He has volunteered for the Fallen Officers Foundation and is currently the President of the Exchange Club of Scotts Valley.

He is a happily married father of 3. His children attend Scotts Valley Middle School and Scotts Valley High School. He loves anything outdoor-oriented, including hiking and downhill skiing.

••• Executive Board Member: Executive Director

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Danny Reber

anny Reber currently serves as the Executive Director for the Scotts Valley Chamber and is a lifelong resident of Scotts Valley.

He is a past president of Scotts Valley Rotary and was named Scotts Valley “Man of the Year” in 2006. He also holds public office on the Scotts Valley Water Board where he currently serves as board president.

Danny has a passion for serving his community and serves on various other boards

New Executive Board (from left) — Back Row: Phil Neuman, Danny Reber, Victor Alejandro • Front Row: Jeanette Larkin, Jeanne Shada including: Valley Churches United, Leadership Santa Cruz County, the Scotts Valley Historical Society, and the Silicon Valley Chamber Coalition. He is also a Freemason and member of Paideia Lodge No. 852.

Some of Danny’s hobbies include hiking, playing guitar, singing, and he also hosts the Think Local First Radio Show once a month on KSCO. Danny and his wife, Michelle, consider themselves blessed to be able to raise their two daughters, Maya and Arwen, in this community they love and call home.

Welcome! New Chamber Board Members

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Brand-di Palmer

rand-di graduated from San Jose Christian College and William Jessup University with Degrees in Psychology and Theology.

For 17 years she worked with children with Special needs for both the Cupertino Union School District and Santa Clara Union School District.

In her spare time, she baked and designed cakes with her mother, Sharon, who owned

her own home baking business in San Jose.

Out of this hobby, in 2011, The Hot Pink Box dessert catering was born. Wanting to provide customers with more than cake, Brand-di began creating dessert buffets to serve as the centerpiece of our most special events. By taking our favorite desserts and making them bite-sized and stylized The Hot Pink Box is redefining the idea of celebration sweets.

Brand-di has pivoted her business during the pandemic and is now the premier “Baker” in Scotts Valley – You can order all things sweet and delicious at thehotpinkbox.com for pick up or delivery!

•••

S Brand-di Palmer

Susan O’Connor Fraser

usan O’Connor Fraser is co-founder of Tam Communications. Since 1979, Susan has written and produced literally thousands of programs for broadcast and cable, and for Northern California leading organizations.

In commercial production, Susan has

12 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

been the Executive Producer/Creative Director/Writer for spots for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Marine, and Graniterock. In the non-broadcast world, she has earned a reputation for crafting customized media solutions to drive sales, build image, motivate employees, or communicate corporate or product messaging through video and other digital media.

In the non-broadcast world, she has earned a reputation for crafting customized media solutions to drive sales, build image, motivate employees, or communicate corporate or product messaging through video and other digital media. She also has several direct-to-DVD programs to her credit.

Susan has received top honors from numerous industry competitions and was the 1988 recipient of the McFarland Award, presented in recognition for her many contributions to the Northern California media production community. She served on the

Susan O’Connor Fraser

board of the Mexican Heritage Corporation and the Professional Media Network of Greater San Jose. She was also the organization’s president for two years.

•••

Joanne Guzman

(see “Woman of the Year” next page)

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners ichael has been on team SVHS for the past 15 years. He was raised in Los Alamitos, Orange County, to a pair of devoted elementary school teachers.

As a kid he wanted to be a paleontologist, and later landed on being a teacher.

Following his interest in science, he studied biology at Cal Poly SLO and developed his passion for nature photography as he hiked the open spaces pondering the mysteries of life. A few adventures later it was time to apply for his first teaching job. SVHS said yes.

Michael began his career teaching IB Biology and Theory of Knowledge.

For him the fit could not have been better and he spent the next seven years exploring the wonders of life with his students.

He and his dog, Sadie, settled into the Santa Cruz area and fell in love with the forests, the seas, and Stephanie. Then Michael and a couple of friends thought, “hmm… maybe we should be school administrators”? In his four years as the SVHS assistant principal he focused on

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Youth of the Year

Anika Mistry

nika Mistry has been conducting research at the University for the past three years. Through her research, Anika created a virtual reality aid to teach neurodiverse individuals social-emotional skills.

Anika shared her research in the Santa Cruz County Science Fair where she won first place overall and was named a Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair finalist.

Her work has received the attention of leaders in both science and business as she has awards from Yale University, Scripps University, and her project was named one of the top 40 research projects in North America.

Anika is also an entrepreneur. This past year she branded and launched her company DevMind VR and pitched her venture nationally to business and tech leaders. Advocating for neurodiverse

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making the school a place where every student felt at home and could be their best selves.

Now in his fourth year as the school’s principal, his proudest accomplishments include creating the K St. Academy, developing a school culture rooted in Respect, Integrity, and Compassion, and being a father for Grace and Noah.

He is grateful to be a part of the Scotts Valley community and to work alongside such wonderful teachers, staff, and students. Ka-Kaw!

individuals, Anika wrote an essay for the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream Essay Contest.

Her piece placed in the top 15, which allowed her to speak on a panel alongside Angie Thomas, author of “The Hate U Give.” Anika has also spoken at national conferences and on podcasts about her work as a young entrepreneur and researcher.

Anika continues her leadership and community service through being the president of both the Interact Club and the Mock Trial Team at Scotts Valley High School. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley and represented Scotts Valley through the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference.

Anika is also pursuing a full IB Diploma at SVHS. To apply the skills that IB has taught her and help new researchers, Anika mentors high school researchers and students from India, Korea, Canada and the United States.

Woman of the Year

Joanne Guzman

oanne “Jo” Guzman has been very involved in the Scotts Valley Community for 17 years — as community influencer, organizer and a small business owner. Since purchasing Bruno’s Bar and Grill she has been the creative marketing mastermind behind her talented husband and Chef, Rogelio “Ro”.

Her creative community events at the restaurant has created a new fun place to “gather” - Her philosophy is treating staff and customers like family, and provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone who walks into Bruno’s. The restaurant tagline is #wherethefunis.

Joanne created the Stayin’ Alive Small Business Santa Cruz Facebook group with 270+ business owners and members to share information with other small business owners to help with COVID challenges, loans and assistance.

Her dedication to helping businesses thrive and pivot to stay open led her to join the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force a partnership between the City of Scotts Valley and the Chamber.

She provided her marketing expertise for events held to showcase Scotts Valley small businesses in these unprecedented times.

Although Jo and Ro were personally affected by the CZU Fire, having to evacuate their home and restaurant they never stopped helping others in the community. Providing free meals twice a month to CZU Fire victims and donating

$10,000 worth of food during to evacuees while being evacuated from their home and business.

Consistently, Jo thought of others and kept giving and supporting families who lost their homes, jobs, and kept donating to various non-profits since the pandemic arrived. Other community members who heard of the Guzman’s generosity and offered to help them – Jo declined and asked people to donate directly to those in need.

Joanne loves Scotts Valley for its small-town feel and the way its residents pull together to help one another, especially in times of crisis. She truly exemplifies this spirit of humanity and generosity; with her big heart and warm smile she is a friend to everyone she meets.

Cheryl D Rebottaro, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor

KT-9811B-A

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Man of the Year

Michael Hanson

MKT-9811B-A

221 Mount Hermon Rd Suite F Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4038 831-461-9311

edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 13

Beautification Project of the Year

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City of SV Glenwood Preserve

pecial gratitude goes out to the following individuals and groups whose commitment to the Glenwood Preserve made it possible: • Scotts Valley City Council: Mayor Derek Timm, Vice Mayor Jim Reed, Council Members Randy Johnson, Donna Lind and Jack Dilles, and former Council Members Dene Bustichi and Stephany Aguilar • Land Trust of Santa Cruz County • City of Scotts Valley with special appreciation for Kristin Ard and Planning and Public Works staff • Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz • Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation Commission • Friends of Glenwood and the Glenwood Preserve’s neighboring residents • Countless volunteers and supporters!

In April 2020, the City of Scotts Valley opened the East Glenwood Preserve, the final component of the Glenwood Preserve and the final chapter in a 20+ year

effort to establish this 170-acre open space area. Divided

by Glenwood Drive into West and East sections, the Glenwood Preserve is dedicated to public access and conservation. The West Section is situated north of Scotts Valley High School and provides 3 miles of trails for pedestrians, mountain bikers and on-leash dogs.

The East Preserve offers over 4.2 miles of gorgeous trails and vistas for pedestrians and equestrians.

A major component of the Glenwood Preserve is biological conservation of the diverse plant and animal species across its grasslands, oak woodlands and redwood forest habitats.

The Glenwood Preserve is managed by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, which has the lead in habitat enhancement, coordination of grazing, infrastructure, volunteer patrols, and fundraising for trail construction. The Land Trust partnered with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, which built the trails on the East and West sections from 2017 to 2020.

The City welcomes the community to come out and enjoy this world-class treasure, nestled right here in Scotts Valley!

Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners

Scotts Valley Chamber News

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Organization of the Year

SC Moose Lodge #545

he Santa Cruz Moose Lodge #545 focuses on being in the heart of the community by organizing fundraising events, raising money, donating to our local first responders and other local organizations.

The Lodge has supported local parks, the Senior Center, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Valley Churches, local Scout Troops and Packs, to name a few, and is a designated Red Cross Emergency Center.

In August, the Lodge opened as an emergency evacuation center during the CZU Complex Fire. There were over 50 campers in RV’s & tents during the evacuations. The Lodge board members, general members and their families took in and distributed donations for evacuees, delivered food, water and hygiene supplies to emergency workers. Three meals a day were

Top (from left): Jeff Shaver, Governor - Jeff Duncan, Prelate • Front Row (from left): Larry Beaman, Jr. Governor - Chris Grundy, Administrator - Jim Norkoli, Jr. Past Governor Dominic Carine, Treasurer - Daniel Goodwin, Trustee • Not Pictured: Benjamin Barber, Trustee; Haden Goodwin, Trustee

prepared by volunteers and served to 60-70 evacuees and first responders each day. After evacuation orders were lifted, the lodge continued by partnering with the SC Mustang Club and hosted a “Stuff the Boot” fundraiser assisting the four county fire districts and delivered food to the Scotts Valley Police and Fire Departments.

The Santa Cruz Moose Lodge is extremely honored to receive this award, and proud to be of service to our community.

#ScottsValleyLove: A Way to Show Your Love for Our Community

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fter the highly successful and wellreceived “The Treasure Hunt” before Halloween and “Holiday Open House/Family Passport Day” on Shop Small Saturday in November, the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force has announced another holiday-themed event. The Valentine-themed event will take place on February 13th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is called #ScottsValleyLove.

Like their other family-oriented, COVID-Safe events, this event will include a map to participating Scotts Valley businesses where community members can pick up candy or trinkets for a goodie bag provided for experience. Many of the businesses will provide special offers and to hold individual opportunity drawings for prizes.

Pictures will also be taken for posting

on social media and made available to all those who participate. It’s a great way for the community to get to know and support their local businesses and for the businesses to promote themselves to the community.

Outreach to businesses is currently underway. Any business interested in participating should contact amarshall@ scottsvalleychamber.com.

WATER USE EFFICIENCY REBATES

CURRENT RENTALS

Centrally located Large 2-story 3BR/2 1/2 BA Condo w/Garage on Bean Creek in SV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3500 Ideally located 2BR/2BA Home w/2-car Garage on Bear Creek in BC . . . . . . . . . $2800 Newly remodeled 3BR/1BA Home on Redwood Avenue in BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2650 Ground level 1BR/1BA Boulder Creek Condo w/Garage on King’s Highway in BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2000

• High-Efficiency Toilets† Up to $125 per toilet

• Low-Volume Irrigation* $0.50 per sqft

• Rainwater Catchment* $0.25 per gallon of container capacity

• Pressure Regulators† $50

• Lawn Replacement* $1 per sqft

• Smart/Weather-Based Irrigation Controller*† Up to $100

Complete list of rebates and more information available at

svwd.org/rebates †

Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter

14 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

CALL FOR SPECIAL RATES 831.688.7549

*Pre- and post-inspection required.

Receipt and additional documentation required.

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce 360 King’s Village Road Scotts Valley, CA 95066

COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID Claims 83 Lives

California Governor Wants Schools To Reopen

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By Jondi Gumz

n 10 days, while some families observed Hanukkah and others celebrated Christmas, the contagious coronavirus COVID-19 claimed 13 more lives in Santa Cruz County, bringing the deadly toll to 83.

For a growing number of local families, their holidays meant mourning the loss of respected elders due to COVID-19 as the virus is most deadly for people 80 and older. Two-thirds of the deaths have been in nursing homes, where visits have been halted for many months in an attempt to stop the virus from spreading.

Statewide, more than 25,000 deaths are attributed to COVID. Two days last week, the state reported more than 400 deaths a day. Hospitalizations in most of the state are up to the point of overwhelm, resulting in staffing shortages; the state asked for federal help and on Thursday deployed 1,280 federal, state and contracted personnel to deal with the surge.

On Dec. 30, Gov. Newsom proposed

to earmark $2 billion in unexpected state revenue as an incentive for elementary schools to pay for testing, ventilation and personal protective equipment to resume in-person instruction as global research shows younger children get COVID less often than adults, not many outbreaks occur at schools and children do not appear to be major sources of spreading the virus. He’s proposing $450 per student, and more for English learners, students from low-income families, and foster youth.

Legislators will discuss how to spend the state’s $26 billion windfall -- from a faster than expected recovery -- in January.

On Dec. 30, the California Fitness Alliance, representing gym owners, learned Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Mooney declined to dismiss their lawsuit against the state contending the shutdown of indoor fitness in July was arbitrary and capricious. The next hearing will be Feb. 3.

The state issued a stay-at-home order

Dec. 18 for the Bay Area, which includes Santa Cruz County, to preserve capacity at hospital intensive care units. The earliest the order could be lifted is Jan. 8, and for that to be considered, the Bay Area region would have to have 15 percent ICU capacity; on Dec. 31, it was 8.5 percent.

Spreading by Gathering ecause this new coronavirus is so contagious and easily spread when unmasked people eat together or sing together, Santa Cruz County health officials advised celebrating with your own household instead of a multi-generational holiday gathering and advise being outdoors and active (such as walking) is safer than indoors.

The City of Santa Cruz sent out a reminder asking people to stay home for New Year’s as downtown festivities will not take place this year.

Private gatherings for Thanksgiving led to a spike of COVID cases on Dec. 7 in Santa Cruz County, with 100 or more people

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a day reporting symptoms six days in a row.

A new record was set Monday, Dec. 14, when 235 people reported symptoms. That week saw a burst of new cases, 169 people on Tuesday, 159 on Wednesday, 181 on Thursday, and 140 on Friday before easing off on the weekend.

On Monday, Dec. 21, another 165 people reported symptoms, followed by 175 on Tuesday, 157 on Wednesday, and 121 on Thursday, Christmas Eve. 77 Hospitalized n Jan. 1, a record 77 COVID patients were hospitalized in the county.

That number is twice as many as the 35 on the day after Thanksgiving.

Eighteen COVID patients spent Christmas in the Intensive Care Unit, the most since Nov. 4, when 20 COVID patients were in the ICUs.

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“COVID Update” page 19

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 15

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Integrity Automotive Service, Inc. Service That Stands Out

By Willa Reed

n a city where customer service is everything, Integrity Automotive Service’s friendly atmosphere and personal approach stand out.

Preet Grewal is the owner of Integrity Automotive, a Scotts Valley business that offers tire sales, changes, or realignments, oil changes, repairs for brakes, air conditioning, mufflers, suspension, and engines, headlight restoration, alignments, and maintenance.

The shop is known for tire work, offering a price-match guarantee, nationwide warranties, and no-interest financing. Tire customers get lifetime rotation, bouncing, flat repairs, and alignment maintenance.

Grewal had always wanted to own a business, and Integrity Automotive has been open for 18 years of quality service.

By meeting stringent quality standards, Integrity Automotive has earned ASE certification, which means technicians must pass a test to prove their expertise and retest every five years, and AAA approval,

which means AAA members can request a 10 percent discount on repairs.

The staff consists of a close-knit team of experienced employees, some who have been employed there for 17 years.

“I have an open door policy,” Grewal says, “and I consider my employees as my second family.”

Direct Manager Nathan McMillen has been with Integrity 15 years.

“I love it here,” he says. “I’ve seen customers who have been coming to me for a decade and have watched their kids grow up.”

That longevity builds relationships.

“We’re able to do little things for our customers, and a little goes a long way,” McMillen says. “We’ve known some customers for over a decade, and at this point, they’ll just throw me the keys and let me get to work because we have confidence and trust. We go the extra mile.”

When COVID-19 entered the scene in March of 2020, Integrity Automotive experienced a whirlwind of changes.

Their business faced uncertainty as shutdowns began, having to initially close, then reopen with different hours, investing in safety precautions such as Plexiglass shields, cleaning supplies, and gloves to protect their employees and customers.

Despite these challenges, Grewal and his team continue to offer their trademark friendly and personal service.

Customer William Lansdowne will attest to that.

“The entire atmosphere is welcoming and Photo Credit: Willa Reed inviting,” he says.

“I didn’t expect that Service is underway at Integrity Automotive in Scotts Valley.

16 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo Credit: Willa Reed

The team at Integrity Automotive Service, from left: Sam D’Augustine, Nathan McMillen, Jorge Orozco, Jose Magana, Noel Tapia, and Hector Ayala. from an auto shop, but Integrity has cus- being done to my car,” he says. “It was very tomer service down to a T.” refreshing.”

Lansdowne appreciated the way Integrity Automotive Service Inc. is employees explained his service in a way located at 107-A Whispering Pines Drive, that was clear and concise, answering any Scotts Valley. Hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. questions he had.

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat“They were extremely helpful and urday, and closed Sunday. Call 831-439-9631. made me fully understand everything Or visit https://integritycarservice.com/. n

By meeting stringent quality standards, Integrity Automotive has earned ASE certification, which means technicians must pass a test to prove their expertise and retest every five years, and AAA approval, which means AAA members can request a 10 percent discount on repairs.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vitamin D Reduces COVID Deaths, Study Review Finds

100+ Scientists & Doctors Call For Widespread Intake Immediately

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o all governments, public health officials, doctors, and healthcare workers, Research shows low vitamin D levels almost certainly promote COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Given its safety, we call for immediate widespread increased vitamin D intakes.

Vitamin D modulates thousands of genes and many aspects of immune function, both innate and adaptive. The scientific evidence1 shows that: • Higher vitamin D blood levels are associated with lower rates of SARSCoV-2 infection.

• Higher D levels are associated with lower risk of a severe case (hospitalization, ICU, or death).

• Intervention studies (including randomized clinical trials) indicate that vitamin D can be a very effective treatment.

• Many papers reveal several biological mechanisms by which vitamin D influences COVID-19.

• Causal inference modelling, Hill’s criteria, the intervention studies & the biological mechanisms indicate that vitamin D’s influence on COVID-19 is very likely causal, not just correlation.

Vitamin D is well known to be essential, but most people do not get enough.

Two common definitions of inadequacy are deficiency < 20ng/ml, the target of most governmental organizations, and insufficiency < 30ng/ml, the target of several medical societies & experts.2 Too many people have levels below these targets.

Rates of vitamin D deficiency <20ng/ml exceed 33% of the population in most of the world, and most estimates of insufficiency <30ng/ml are well over 50% (but much higher in many countries).3 Rates are even higher in winter, and several groups have notably worse deficiency:

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the overweight, those with dark skin (especially far from the equator), and care home residents. These same groups face increased COVID-19 risk.

It has been shown that 3875 IU (97mcg) daily is required for 97.5% of people to reach 20ng/ml, and 6200 IU (155mcg) for 30ng/ ml,4 intakes far above all national guidelines.

Unfortunately, the report that set the US RDA included an admitted statistical error in which required intake was calculated to be ~10x too low.4 Numerous calls in the academic literature to raise official recommended intakes had not yet resulted in increases by the time SARS-CoV-2 arrived.

Now, many papers indicate that vitamin D affects COVID-19 more strongly than most other health conditions, with increased risk at levels < 30ng/ml and severely greater risk < 20ng/ml.1.

Evidence to date suggests the possibility that the COVID-19 pandemic sustains itself in large part through infection of those with low vitamin D, and that deaths are concentrated largely in those with deficiency.

The mere possibility that this is so should compel urgent gathering of more vitamin D data.

Even without more data, the preponderance of evidence indicates that increased vitamin D would help reduce infections, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, & deaths.

Decades of safety data show that vitamin D has very low risk: Toxicity would be extremely rare with the recommendations here.

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

“Vitamin D” page 23

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 17

Beginnings Are Fragile Things

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Esoteric Astrology • January 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

elcome to our brave new world, 2021, everyone. We have a dreamy start to the new year as Mercury joins Neptune on the first day of 2021. Many of us as the new year dawns will be wondering what we actually believe in that’s real and not false or fleeting, mesmerized as we have been by so much intrigue, deception and fantasy.

Leo moon shines on the first day, too, telling us the new year’s focus will be on the recognition of and contact with the Soul as well as gathering and cultivating our talents, gifts and abilities, until they’re as shiny and bright as stars. Why? Because we’ll be asked in the coming year, to offer them to humanity, deeply questioning and in need.

Each January, as if to herald the new year, the Quadrantids meteor showers appear, radiating from near the North Star. The showers’ radiance (from Jan 1 – 5) can be seen, brief yet splendid, between the Big Dipper and Boötes on the right and Polaris (North

Star) and Ursa Minor (Little Dipper) on the left. The showers, many hued, begin after midnight and peak before dawn, January 4th.

Always as a new year dawns, we are to be very careful of its beginnings. We remember the quote from Dune, “Beginnings are fragile things. A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.”― Frank Herbert, Dune 1. And so today, at the beginning of a new year, we “take the most delicate care” that everything is in balance, that we have gratitude and Right Relations with all of life, that we are poised and calm, and that we bring kindness forth in all that we do.

Let us set a template for the new year together. Here is a mantram recited by Disciples. We can all recite together as the new year begins. We can recite it each morning as we face the surprise and magic of each new day in our brave new world. “Let reality govern my every thought. And truth be the master of my life. And so let it be. And help me to know and to do my part in the world.”

ARIES Deep and long lasting changes will affect your work in the world. If you are not focused upon serving others, you will be soon. You’ll have no choice. Your ambitions are so large and deep only someone with a powerful will can handle them. This includes yourself and all those encountering your energies. Inner strength will have to be drawn upon and this will increase month by month. New realities within your profession will continue to unfold. Be sure to center your intentions upon serving others. Then your success is guaranteed.

LEO This year, the next and for many years, work will increase, become more in depth and at times profound.

Keep your shoulders up and back as you carry the heavy burden of serving others. Maintain joy at all time. Remember, joy is a choice. You will be experiencing many complexities and different levels of responsibility (your keynote). Use the fire within your heart to guide your actions, and your high intelligence to discern what’s real and what’s not. Ask others you trust for help. You will be changed by the new world Aquarian experience.

SAGITTARIUS This year and the next — the way you handle your finances and resources will be restructured. You will build new ways of working with your money. It is important to be schooled and to study what these new ways are. I suggest again that you follow Catherine Austin Fitts — Solari.com. Locate local groups whose main goal is keeping money and resources local. There will be new currencies attempting to come forth — along with bartering and sharing. Gain knowledge about these and grow a garden even if in small or large pots. Whatever challenges you will also eventually be of great benefit to you.

TAURUS You will push yourself into the sphere of work that life has planned for you. It is rigorous, it will call you to a depth and height of knowledge, preparation, perseverance, planning and manifestation like never before. You will need other to assist you. Who are they? Do tend to caution a bit. Apply everything practically and with a focus on serving the whole. This will be a challenge. Your work, as always, is to prepare form and matter so that it survives and is sustainable into the seventh generation. Stand up straight. Drink alkaline water. Rest when you can.

VIRGO Should relationships become more complex, which they will over time, know that the true warrior’s stance is not anger but poise, stamina and communication that’s heartfelt, intelligent and compassionate.

Read Thich Nat Hahn when in confusion. Or the Tibetan’s (Alice Bailey) blue books. New levels of creativity will emerge. Follow them for their expression will provide new selfidentity, strength, and courage that you seek. Maintain a seasonal garden, study, and through these create your community.

CAPRICORN Pluto has been in your sign of Capricorn for many years now.

Has your life changed in ways great or small?

Have you experienced a metamorphosis of new things built upon the old. Pluto is most powerful. Sometimes people show up who act out the Pluto for you. They can be cruel and cold and unforgiving. Don’t allow them to hurt you. Hold on and keep moving forward. There will be others walking with you as your life shifts and rebalances. Keep your love intact, intentions for helping others continually on your mind, and you, in turn, will be safe. A new world is being built. You’ll be called to build it.

GEMINI During the year you will meet with power – within yourself and as others demonstrate it. Learn to step aside if power is directed incorrectly at you. You can overwhelm others with your power, too. Great strength and endurance will grow month by month. All that you’ve done and/or hoped for will gather itself and be the foundation for future world work. Think now on what it is you truly want to accomplish and what goals will you set before yourself? Maintain an attitude of love and goodwill.

These will protect you and the future you envision.

CANCER You’ll want to leave whatever feels like home and send yourself out in search of adventure. Perhaps it will be travel or a new level of education. Studying martial arts, attending an inter-faith religious seminary, deep sea diving…these are some archetypal projects calling you. Do be careful with knees and thighs, tending to them with natural anti-inflammatory herbs cayenne and turmeric. Relationships will teach you many things – one is how to speak and act with more Goodwill, which creates Right Speech and Right Relations. And love, too.

LIBRA You would do well to consider what your limitations are, and then have the intention to respect them. In the meantime, deep emotional barriers and beliefs held since childhood need to fall away so your life can move forward. The level of security you seek is in direct relation to how much you can forgive, which brings understanding. This may be uncomfortable.

Your psychology of self is being restructured so you can see what truly kind and good things came from your childhood.

Simultaneously, rest more, don’t over work and tend to your health with loving care.

SCORPIO The ways you think, what you believe and what you were taught will change over the course of the next year, beginning now. Observe and note the changes. A journal of observation would be good. New impressions and ideas will be offered. You will ponder them deeply and find they are needed for new thinking to come about. Your thoughts will be potent.

Allow no self-criticism to exist, nor criticism toward others.

Everyone’s on their own developmental stage and yours will grow in leaps and bounds. Mental and emotional regeneration is occurring as the past disappears. You’re grateful.

•••

AQUARIUS Although I know you are powerful and building toward great success, it could be that some others cannot see this. Pay them no mind. We both know that something internally is shifting and a new sense of authority, power and strength are subtly yet profoundly coming into your awareness. Allow challenges with others to be times wherein you are strengthened in your self-awareness and resolve that you are good, you are successful and you are deserving of recognition, applause, praise, acknowledgement, appreciation and gratitude. And you, when appropriate, offer the same. You’re the future come to earth. A bright twinkling star.

PISCES Through your work in the world, a new network is being created. You’ve had to begin anew recently and you’ve done it courageously. We applaud your stamina and bravery. In the times to come, what you envisioned and aspired to will build until it becomes, no longer simply an idea within your heart, but real in time and space, form and matter. Then you will assume new leadership within your envisioned environment and form a magnetic core around which others will be attracted to. We see you are doing your work. The Hierarchy stands close by.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 18 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kristine Ronzano Joins SCCB

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ristine Ronzano has joined Santa Cruz County Bank as vice president, relationship manager to serve customers in greater Santa Cruz. She maintains her office at 2020 N. Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, where she is responsible for customer acquisition, lending and business development.

Ronzano began her 38-year banking career in 1983 at Coast Commercial Bank as a teller. Over 17 years she advanced to positions of increasing responsibility, including Kristine Ronzano operations supervisor, credit analyst, business banking officer and branch manager.

During her career at Wells Fargo, she managed a team of business relationship managers and business development officers, covering Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo, and most recently as principal relationship manager.

A native Santa Cruzan and wellknown veteran banker, Ronzano has deep ties in the community and has served on a wide spectrum of nonprofit boards and committees.

She currently is on the boards of the Fallen Officer Association, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Santa Cruz County Business Council.

Her past board service includes Second Harvest Food Bank, the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Kidney Foundation and Santa Cruz Ballet Theater.

She attended San Diego State University with an emphasis on finance coursework and has her associate’s degree from Cabrillo College. She lives in Scotts Valley with her husband Chris.

“It’s an honor to join Santa Cruz County Bank,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve admired the bank’s ability to make a direct impact on the local and broader community, and I look forward to contributing to their reinvestment in local business start-ups and expansions … The ability to be hands-on, nimble and responsive is what sets community banks apart.”

Angelo De Bernardo, Jr., executive vice president and chief lending officer at Santa Cruz County Bank, welcomed Ronzano, citing her experience in operations and lending and “her knowledge and reputation as a civic-minded and engaged community banker.” n

“COVID Update” from page 15 Those numbers remain high, with 17 COVID patients in the ICU on Dec. 30.

On Dec. 31, the case count was 8,747, with 2,383 active — a slight increase — in the last two weeks requiring contact tracing. The county has increased staff to do that work, with more than 40 people investigating cases and more than 40 people tracing contacts, and notifying them of exposure.

The priority is nursing homes, as all seven in the county have had cases, the jail, and high-risk zip codes, such as Watsonville, which has 55 percent of the county’s cases.

One positive sign is that the caseload in the Latino community has declined from 66 percent initially to 55 percent.

Santa Cruz County Health Official Dr. Gail Newel said she wouldn’t see her mother, who is 86 and at higher risk from COVID, at Christmas due to the regional stay–at-home order.

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Staffing Issues

here are 22 ICU beds in Santa Cruz County, 16 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and 6 at Watsonville Community Hospital. It’s possible to add beds, but staffing the beds would be a challenge due to the demand for ICU nurses through the region and the state.

Often, people hurt in car local crashes are taken to trauma centers in Santa Clara County, but COVID has limited the ICU capacity there as well.

The new Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 has been distributed to frontline workers at Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital but nurses at both locations object to the state’s staffing solution, allowing hospitals to increase their workload.

The state policy change allows hospitals to request a waiver to assign a single nurse, instead of two nurses, to care for three patients in critical condition or up to six noncritical patients (instead of four).

The California Nurses Association blasted the move and nurses demonstrated at Dominican and Watsonville Community Hospital two weeks ago. It’s not clear whether waivers have been requested for either location.

On Dec. 29, firefighters and emergency service workers from 13 agencies in Santa Cruz County got the new Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 in an event staged at Watsonville Community Hospital. Four Cal Fire CZU employees have tested positive, with those cases due to exposure in their households rather than the workplace, according to Chief Ian Larkin.

Police and deputy sheriffs are next in line for the vaccines.

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Stay at Home

he stay-at-home order, which prohibits private gatherings of any size, also ended outdoor restaurant dining, shuttered hair salons, barbershops, wineries and breweries, restricted retail stores to 20 percent capacity, forced non-essential office workers to work remotely and limited churches and protests to outdoor activities only.

The earliest the order could be lifted is Jan. 8, and for that to be considered, the Bay Area region would have to have 15 percent ICU capacity.

The regional percentage was 10.4 percent capacity as of Tuesday.

Even as the number of deaths increase,

the number of negative COVID tests keeps growing — 93,912 as of Thursday as testing becomes more readily available.

A new OptumServe site offering free testing opened Dec. 21 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. The state-sponsored site operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and can process 165 daily tests. No walk-ins are allowed. To make an appointment, go to https://lhi.care/covidtesting or covid19. ca.gov/get-tested/.

The same website can be used to make an appointment at the OptumServe testing site at Ramsay Park in Watsonville, which is now open seven days a week.

in her 30s died of the coronavirus Dec. 17 although she had no significant underlying health conditions.

County employees were on furlough 11 days in 2020, including Dec. 28-31, due to financial impacts from COVID-19, and will be on furlough eight days in 2021. n

he pandemic wiped out 18,600 jobs compared to a year ago, according to the count taken on Nov. 12, with agriculture, hospitality/food services and government reporting devastating losses.

Unemployment, which was 11 percent in July, is down to 6.7 percent but that is largely because the workforce is smaller — people have given up trying to find a job in the COVID economy.

The nonprofit Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, which began raising funds to meet needs created by the pandemic, has granted $4.9 million to local nonprofits to assist residents, largely with basic needs such as rent and food.

Among the recipients are Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, $774,700, Center for Farmworker Families, $772,000, Senderos, $557,000, Community Bridges, $338,000, Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, $223,000, Catholi8c Charities Diocese of Monterey, $210,000, Second Harvest Food Bank, $120,000, Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, $117,000, Salvation Army of Santa Cruz, $115,000, Hospice Santa Cruz County, $100,000, Grey Bears, $136,600, Monarch Services, $103,000, Dientes, $100,000, Salvation Army of Watsonville, $85,000, St. Francis Soup Kitchen, $45,000, and Valley Churches United Missions, $25,000, DigitalNEST, $10,000.

In addition, since school closures were announced on March 12 due to COVID-19, donor advisors have granted $5,573,144 to their local, regional, and national nonprofits.

Gifts postmarked by Dec. 31 were eligible for the 2020 tax year, and eligible for a special tax deduction of up to $300 due to the CARES Act. Congress just extended this tax deduction provision for 2021.

On Dec. 28, the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division reported 13 more deaths in the past 10 days, bringing the total to 83 deaths from COVID: 72 percent had underlying conditions, 69 percent were residents of nursing homes or care homes for the elderly, 66 percent were age 80 or older, and 57 percent were women.

Asked why COVID has been fatal for more women than men, public health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland noted women tend to live longer than men, so their ages put them at higher risk for the virus.

On Dec. 28, the county reported its youngest COVID death. According to county spokesman Jason Hoppin, a Latina woman

Underlying Conditions

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Community Aid

••• County COVID Deaths As of Dec. 28 Age

90 and up: 31 • 80 to 89: 24 • 70 to 79: 14 • 60 to 69: 10 • 50 to 59: 2 • 40 to 49: 1 • 30 to 39: 1

Race/Ethnicity

White: 42 • Latinx: 30 • Asian: 5 • Black: 1 • Other: 1 • Unknown: 4 Yes: 60 • No: 23

Skilled Nursing/Residential Care

Santa Cruz Post Acute: 19 • Watsonville Post Acute: 16 • Pacific Coast Manor: 12 • Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 6 • Montecito

Manor: 2 • Valley Convalescent: 1 • Maple House II: 1 • Total: 57

Gender

Male: 36 • Female: 47

COVID Cases By Town

Aptos: 396 • Ben Lomond: 58 • Boulder Creek: 74 • Capitola: 215 • Felton: 75 • Freedom: 535 • Santa Cruz: 1,935 • Scotts Valley: 201 • Soquel: 194 • Unincorporated: 99 • Watsonville: 4,804 • Under investigation: 163 Total: 8,749 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health

•••

Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@timespublishinggroup.com or call 831-6887549 x17.

To read the governor’s school plan, see https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/ Pages/COVID-19/Safe-Schools-for-All-PlanRationale.aspx

Year in Review

ACROSS

1. *New wardrobe accessory 5. *RIP, ____ 8. Flock’s echo 12. Reply from a tunnel?

13. Feline noise 14. Edward Teller’s “baby” 15. Beat 16. Competently 17. Savory jelly 18. *Blue vs. red competition 20. One third of a threepiece suit 21. Mailed greetings 22. Long time

23. ____ biloba 26. Anointing oil 30. Nurses’ org.

31. Leafy vegetable 34. “Cogito, ____ sum” 35. Mooring spots 37. Bring into play 38. Old Brazilian coins 39. Prefix with ‘graph’ 40. *Joe’s running mate 42. PGA peg 43. What bees did 45. Fixes firmly 47. Summer mo.

48. R in NPR 50. Widespread 52. *WHO’s March announcement 55. Cliffside dwelling 56. Drop-off spot

57. Sonic sound 59. Sports figures, e.g.

60. Persian backgammon 61. Water carrier 62. *Late basketball legend 63. *____ lightning, cause of California wildfires 64. X-ray units

9. What Joy Mangano does on TV 10. Do like exhaust pipe 11. *”Transplant” network 13. ____ of honor 14. It’s often wreaked 19. Zoo enclosures 22. Compass dir.

23. Labored breaths 24. *Jared Kushner to Donald Trump DOWN 25. Nigerian money 1. Copy cats 26. Part of an eye 2. Flu symptom 27. About to explode 3. Synagogue 28. Looked at, amorously 4. 1/100th of a ruble 29. Smelling organs 5. Bid again 6. Western neckwear, pl. 32. Two of the same 7. Gwyneth, to friends 33. Philosopher’s study 36. *Best Picture Oscar8. *Like a vote during winner lockdown

38. China grass 40. Party barrel 41. Having a cover 44. *What Zoom host does to guests, sometimes 46. Type of jacket 48. “M*A*S*H” character 49. Ticked off 50. *President Trump used this power in 2020 51. United ____ Emirates 52. Be undecided 53. *Caucus state 54. Like most universities 55. Pose a question 58. Robinson or Doubtfire © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 19

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS SHOW US YOUR FOOD Watsonville Coast Produce, Inc. is launching a restaurant social media promotion called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Show Us Your Foodâ&#x20AC;? to support the industry. You post pictures of your takeout meals from your favorite local restaurant in the Central Coast and Bay Area and post on Instagram @watsonvillecoastproduce with hashtag #showusyourfood for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to that restaurant.

The promotion runs eight weeks, with the first giveaway Wednesday, Jan. 6. Good luck!

ITALIAN CLASSES BEGIN IN JANUARY Beginning Jan. 25, the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz will offer Italian classes online: Beginning, intermediate, intermediate 2, advanced and conversation.

Beginners and Intermediates will engage twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays; one-hour sessions are offered mornings and evenings. All other classes meet once per week for 90 minutes.

Spots are limited. Classes cost $185-$235 for a 10-week session. Members get a $35 discount. Consider becoming a member. To register for classes, visit www.dantesantacruz.com.

For questions, email dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK: JANUARY DRIVETHROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION Friday, January 8: WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday, January 15: SANTA CRUZ: Beach Boardwalk, 9 a.m.; to 1 p.m.

Friday, January 22: WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

gravitational pull of the sun and the moon are in alignment. When these tides happen at the same time as stormy weather, water levels can rise even higher.

California King Tides are coming to Santa Cruz County! King Tides mean the highest tides of the year, but also the lowest, most dramatic negative tides. challenges to vaccine deployment and answer questions Friday, January 29: SANTA CRUZ: Beach These extreme low tides pose prime conditions for tide about efficacy and safety.

Boardwalk, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Her work has been dedicated to understanding the molecular pooling, miles of beach walking, and extended beach exploration.

Food hotline: 831-662-0991. mechanisms of childhood viruses, particularly human astrovirus, https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-californiaking-tides-are-coming/ human respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus.

NEW GROUPS STARTING FOR SURVIVORS Time will be made available for your questions.

OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Friday January 15 Call in: (831) 454-2222 Survivors Healing Center, a welcoming place for Thru Sunday January 17 Meeting ID: 145384# survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters, is CRUZHACKS 2021 forming new eight-week support groups for survivors of Monday January 11 Online Event, www.cruzhacks.com childhood sexual abuse.

The first virtual hackathon organized in Santa Cruz gives stuâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;END HUMAN TRAFFICKINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WEBINAR There will be online groups in English and Spanish dents and entrepreneurs a chance to find innovative technical for men, women, mothers of survivors, partners of 2 p.m., Zoom Meeting survivors, young adults and teens.

AAUW-Santa Cruz County will host the webinar â&#x20AC;&#x153;End Human solutions to pressing problems. The event started in 2014, You are not alone. You are not to blame. Services are Trafficking,â&#x20AC;? via Zoom. It will cover how predators manipulate and the 2021 CruzHacks board is Doug Erickson, Amanda offered on a sliding fee scale. young people, how to respond if you see signs, and what you Rotella, Nathan Westrup, Sue Carter, and Neha Pamidi.

So far, applicants come from 115 universities in 13 counFor more information: call (831) 423-7601, visit survivors can do to prevent it. A representative from Shared Hope will healingcenter.org or email shc.program@fsa-cc.org. speak and the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chosenâ&#x20AC;? will be presented, showing how tries; 1,000 are expected to participate using cloud systems such as AWS and Google Cloud and the newest alternative, girls age 15 and 13 are tricked into sex trafficking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Edge Computing,â&#x20AC;? with better bandwidth to improve Register in advance at: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/ DATED EVENTS the processing of high amounts of data for high-volume register/tZUvd-GpqT0sHdB4-GruvlzAv2wYMHrj3JPl applications such as streaming high-definition video.

For information on AAUW SCC, email Martha Mangan at Tuesday January 5 To apply to hack or to be a judge/mentor, visit mmanganesesc7@gmail.com or call (831) 425-1306.

VIRUS RESEARCHER AT UCSC TO SPEAK https://www.cruzhacks.com/ 6-7 p.m., Tele-Town Hall Monday January 11 Second District Supervisor Zach Friend will host a Monday January 25 thru Tuesday January 12 tele-town hall 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, with Dr. Rebecca CABRILLO CLASSES BEGIN CALIFORNIA KING TIDES DuBois, associate professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz. Dr. DuBois, whose lab is at the forefront Starts around 7 a.m. Monday / Ends around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cabrillo College classes begin for spring term the last week of January.

Various locations in Santa Cruz County of vaccine research, will offer a look at how the current You can apply at cabrillo.edu. n â&#x20AC;&#x153;King Tidesâ&#x20AC;? are high tides that occur when the COVID-19 vaccines work, why COVID-19 is unique,

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Jan. 22

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cross-checks Needed To Cut EDD Fraud Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom Editor’s Note: This letter from District Attorneys around California is being published to make our readers aware of statewide fraud that may involve up to $1 billion in tax dollars.

••• e write today (Nov. 23) to request a meeting on an urgent matter — widespread EDD fraud occurring in California. In addition to a meeting, we request your personal involvement in halting what appears to be the most significant fraud on taxpayer funds in California history.

District Attorneys and federal prosecutors, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement, have discovered that there is rampant and large-scale pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) fraud occurring in our communities, in the jails, and in state and federal prisons.

General estimates of the money already paid due to this fraud could near $1 billion.

Undoubtedly, this money has been utilized to further criminal conduct.

Fraudulent unemployment claims deny those who have lost their employment, many due to COVID-19, who are legally eligible for benefits and are truly in need from getting the financial assistance they need.

We write today to request your personal involvement in halting what appears to be the most significant fraud on taxpayer funds in California history.

There is no dispute that since the pandemic began in March 2020, EDD has faced unprecedented demands for unemployment insurance. Due to these demands and challenges faced by EDD, in late July, you created an EDD “Strike Team” to create a “blueprint” for improvements to EDD. You also directed that hundreds of employees be added to help process the nearly 1 million claims that were backlogged.

In September, the “Strike Team” made several recommendations to reform EDD in a written report. Nothing in this report specifically addressed preventing or detecting fraud involving incarcerated individuals.

Scope of the Problem ver the last several months, several media reports detailing this fraud have emerged. For instance, in Beverly Hills, police arrested over 100 people in a massive PUA scheme, totaling millions of dollars in illegally obtained benefits.

In September, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe filed charges against 21 jail inmates for PUA fraud

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amounting to $250,000 in illegally paid benefits.

It is no secret that fraud in widespread in jails and prisons. In fact, even incarcerated inmates have themselves made reports. On Oct. 31, 2020, Amber Jackson, an inmate serving a life term in state prison, wrote an article for the Santa Monica Observer, entitled, “California Prisons Are a Major Source of EDD Fraud, Including Identify Theft.”

In that article, Jackson states, “I see and hear my peers talking about this (EDD fraud) all the times. It surprises me how easy this is. There are even a couple of cases I’ve heard of the unemployment department sending checks directly to the prisons! What?? Oh yeah, this is an industry all its own. Now, don’t get me wrong. Some prisoners’ identifies are used without their knowledge or consent by their families or anyone who manages to get their personal information. Identify theft knows no boundaries.”

A recent KCRA3 investigation found, “Thousands of envelopes containing fraudulent California Employment Development Department claims that were sent to residents across the state are part of several fraud schemes… The schemes involve identify theft, the dark web and possibly an international crime ring.”

Individuals perpetrating this fraud are even flouting their illegal windfalls on YouTube. A link to this video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=niBFYeo2Ltk. Within the last two months, state and federal prosecutors have become keenly aware just how massive and pervasive this fraud is within our jail s and prisons.

Tens of thousands of local, state and federal inmates are involved. Unemployment claims have been made and paid in names of death row inmates and include some of California’s most notorious murders such as Cary Stayner, Wayne Ford and Isauro Aguirre.

As a result, California’s elected District Attorneys have created a Statewide EDD Fraud Task Force to combat this massive fraud. Law enforcement and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are critical partners within the Task Force. While EDD investigators have also assisted with these efforts, they have only 17 fraud investigators for the entire state and are therefore understandably overwhelmed by the amount of work this will entail. As such, the District Attorney Investigative Divisions are

assisting with these investigations. The enormity of this week cannot be underscored enough. Quite frankly, this may be the largest fraud investigation in California history.

Fraud Within State Prisons n response to a federal subpoena, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) have provided the U.S. Department of Labor with their entire inmate population list, across all institutions. The DOL thereafter ran this data against unemployment insurance date for the period of March 2020-August 2020./ This information was then provided to EDD. In the last two weeks, the results of this data have been released to the Statewide Task Force.

The Task Force has extensively researched this data and found the following: • The volume of fraud as well as the types of inmates is staggering.

• Fraud exists in every CDCR institution • Fraud encompasses every type of inmate: Death row inmates, inmates sentenced to life or life without the possibility of parole, and rapists, child molesters, human traffickers and other violent criminals • Many of the claims being paid are sent to outof-state individuals The data revealed the following: Overall CDCR Data Number of Claims Filed: 35,003 Number of Claims Already Paid: 20,150 Highest Single Claims: $48,600 Highest Claims for a Single Inmate: 16 Total Amount Paid, March-August: $140,253,207 Death Row Data There are currently over 700 inmates on death row. They represent the worst of all murderers. An extensive review of the data of death ro inmates revealed the following: Number of Death Row Inmates Named in Claims: 133 Claims Filed under Those 133 Inmate Names: 158 Highest Single Claim Paid: $19,676 Total Amount Paid Through August: $421,370 Fraud in County Jails here are 58 counties in California.

Early data shows that fraud within the county jails is also rampant.

Much like the state prisons, it is anticipated that fraud will exist in every county jail facility. Even small county jails have identified losses in the millions. Statewide, the fraud within the jails could balloon to hundreds of millions of dollars.

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Fraud in Other Detention Facilities he Task Force is additionally concerned that this fraud may also have permeated other facilities, including State Hospitals that house the following types of inmates or patients: Not guilty by reason of insanity, incompetent to stand trial, sexually violent predators, other civil commitments related to mental health.

In addition to this shocking information, Task Force members discovered that EDD has no cross-match system to stop the continued payment to incarcerated inmates. California is the most populous state in the country. It has been hailed as the center of technology. Yet the EDD’s lack of technology to cross-match incarceration data is costing this state hundreds of millions of dollars.

In 2016, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies conducted a national survey to gather data to improve the integrity of unemployment insurance benefit around the country. In response to queries related to cross-matching incarceration data against each state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency, the survey found: • 35 states cross-match claimants against state prison rolls. Many states do these crosschecks on a weekly basis to root out fraud.

• 28 state cross-match between claimants and county jail data.

• 6 states cross-match claims against federal prison data.

Sadly, California does not cross-match.

While the latest EDD improvements with “ID.me” should be applauded, they can be easily overcome by co-conspirators manipulating this system.

Thus, this widespread fraud will continue. Undoubtedly, millions more will be paid to those who are entitled to such benefits.

Undoubtedly, those lawfully entitled to benefits will continue to suffer at the hands of these criminals.

Addressing the Problem Based upon the clear data demonstrating widespread fraud within correctional facilities, we respectfully request the following steps immediately: • Add significant resources and investigative staff to assist the Statewide Task Force in the investigation and prosecution of those involved in this fraud.

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“EDD Fraud” page 22

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Resiliency: Bright Spots in a Tough Year

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020 began like many other years — unpredictable but full of promise. What we experienced, managing twin crises, was a test of our ability to meet the moment and adapt for the future. Although we end this year fighting a renewed battle against COVID-19, I see a lot to be optimistic about in 2021 and want to highlight a number of successes from the past year.

We celebrated several community milestones in 2020, including building the new Felton Branch Library and adjacent Felton Discovery Park. We also began renovations on the Boulder Creek Branch Library, which like the Felton branch, was made possible because Measure S passed in 2016.

We continued to repair roads damaged by storms in late 2016 and early 2017, primarily funded through federal sources.

Local and state funding from Measure D and Senate Bill 1, approved in 2016 and 2017, respectively, helped us tackle other road improvements and plan for projects, such as the Wildlife Crossing at Laurel Curve on Highway 17 and safety enhancements for Highway 9.

Since my first term in 2013, we have developed the first-ever Complete Streets Master Plan for Highway 9 in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Commission and Caltrans. Improvements seen already include restriping crosswalks, citing

“EDD Fraud” from page 21 • Employ a cross-match system to ensure that incarceration data is routinely matched against EDD claims so no further funds are paid to or on behalf of incarcerated individuals. If legislative action is necessary, seek urgency legislation.

By immediately addressing these systemic issues, those rightfully entitled to and desperately in need of unemployment benefits will obtain the assistance needed.

By Bruce McPherson, Fifth District Supervisor

flashing pedestrian beacons at key crosswalks, and improving the accessibility of many intersections along Highway 9 for our disabled neighbors.

In 2021, I look forward to Caltrans producing its first comprehensive Project Initiation Document to identify projects that can be completed through Caltrans’ regular maintenance and road improvement budgets. I am also especially pleased Caltrans is working on a separate Project Initiation Document to build safer pedestrian access from downtown Felton to the combined San Lorenzo Valley Unified Schools campus.

Progress came in other important areas including energy, water and public health and safety.

Monterey Bay Community Power, launched through my office, has become Central Coast Community Energy and now includes 33 jurisdictions across five counties, making it one of the largest community choice energy agencies in California and the one with the highest bond rating. As chair of the Policy Board, I look forward to the next chapter as the agency continues investing millions annually in complementary energy projects.

Meanwhile, the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency is undertaking very detailed efforts to draft its Sustainable Groundwater Management Plan. Working with two public water districts, private well owners and the County, we are on target to develop a plan by 2022 designed to collectively manage the basin amid climate change.

On the public health and safety front, we continue working collaboratively with the City of Santa Cruz to shelter more people experiencing homelessness and identify new investments in wrap-around services and problem-solving techniques designed to find appropriate and sustainable housing options. With the support of other Supervisors, my office also fought to keep sheriff’s staff assigned to our cannabis enforcement team despite efforts to trim those positions as a result of COVID-19 budget impacts.

Whereas the state primarily drives policy on the pandemic, the County plays a lead role in managing our collective response with the healthcare community on shelter, treatment and testing. We also have driven post-fire recovery by coordinating state and federal programs for debris removal

while establishing an expedited permitting process for rebuilding. We continue to monitor the threat of debris flows and coordinate evacuation planning.

This brings me to the watchword for 2021: Resiliency.

As the County’s representative to the California State Association of Counties, I support efforts to develop a statewide vegetation management plan to help property owners prepare for future fire seasons. Vegetation management is essential to creating defensible space around homes and businesses, but also to establishing fuel breaks that protect at-risk communities.

Also, the County is looking to update our wireless communication ordinance to cite infrastructure needed to better connect our community for work and school, as well as emergency response. Additional measures will come through the new Office of Response, Recovery and Resiliency, which I helped to establish with Supervisor Ryan Coonerty.

As a community, we need to recognize that fire, debris flows and other climaterelated natural disasters will continue and we must be prepared. I am so grateful to the firefighters, law enforcement officers and other emergency responders and essential workers for their incredible dedication to the community during this past year. n

The California District Attorney’s Statewide EDD Fraud Task Force continues to vigilantly work against fraudulent conduct that has so horrifically impacted law-abiding, legally entitled recipients from receiving their benefits. We stand ready to assist in any way to address these challenges. n Signed by Ann Marie Schubert, Sacramento District Attorney and chair, Statewide EDD Fraud Task Force, Task Force team leaders Jeannine Pacioni, Monterey District Attorney, S. Melyssah Rios, Lassen District Attorney, Lori Frugoli,

Marin District Attorney, Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno District Attorney, Michael Hestrin, Riverside District Attorney, Summer Stephan, San Diego District Attorney, Vern Pierson, El Dorado District Attorney and president, California District Attorneys Association, and Greg Totten, Ventura District Attorney and incoming CEO, California District Attorneys Association.

•••

after an uptick in claims. EDD and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are working with the U.S. Department of Labor to crosscheck unemployment claims against state prison rolls, according to Newsom’s letter. State Labor spokeswoman Crystal Page told the Sacramento Bee via email that 35,000 records have been checked, including 19,000 PUA claims totaling $380 million and about 3,700 of the Bank of America debit cards were frozen. El Dorado District Attorney Vern Pierson told the Bee the state got a $1.7 million federal grant for one year to run a system from Pondera Solutions of Folsom to crosscheck claims with publicly available data, but EDD did not keep the system.

22 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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Editor’s Note: Gov. Newsom responded with a letter to the district attorneys saying “bad actors took advantage of the crisis to abuse the system,” and new security were implemented in early September

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SCCAS Featured Pet

Looking For a New Home

“My name is Trego (ID#A277274) and I am a neutered male, red and white Siberian Husky. The shelter staff think I am about 2 years old and I have been at the shelter since Dec 11, 2020.” rego came to the Shelter after his previous owner was unable to care for him any longer. In his previous home, he lived with cats and coexisted nicely with them. A home with dog savvy cats may be an option provided there is a slow introduction and management.

Trego enjoyed running alongside his previous owner while he rode his bike.

Activities such as these will help Trego stay physically and mentally stimulated in his adoptive home. A home with anotehr playful dog may be a good match provided they meet at the Shelter.

Trego does have some resource guarding notated from his previous home.

Adopters will need to manage this behavior as it may occur with humans or other dogs. Older, respectful children may be a fit provided they meet at the Shelter and guardians oversee interactions, especially in the transition.

Trego can be a bit aloof when first meeting. Once he warms up to you, he is rather sweet and goofy.

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

crossword on 19 »

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Year in Review © Statepoint Media

“Vitamin D” from page 17 The risk of insufficient levels far outweighs any risk from levels that seem to provide most of the protection against COVID-19, and this is notably different from drugs & vaccines.

Vitamin D is much safer than steroids, such as dexamethasone, the most widely accepted treatment to have also demonstrated a large COVID-19 benefit.

Vitamin D’s safety is more like that of face masks.

There is no need to wait for further clinical trials to increase use of something so safe, especially when remedying high rates of deficiency/insufficiency should already be a priority.

Therefore, we call on all governments, doctors, and healthcare workers worldwide to immediately recommend and implement efforts appropriate to their adult populations to increase vitamin D, at least until the end of the pandemic. Specifically to: 1) Recommend amounts from all sources sufficient to achieve 25(OH)D serum levels over 30ng/ml, a widely endorsed minimum with evidence of reduced COVID-19 risk.

2) Recommend to adults vitamin D intake of 4000 IU (100mcg) daily (or at least 2000 IU) in the absence of testing. 4000 IU is widely regarded as safe.5 3) Recommend that adults at increased risk of deficiency due to excess weight, dark skin, or living in care homes may need higher intakes (eg, 2x). Testing can help to avoid levels too low or high.

4) Recommend that adults not already receiving the above amounts get 10,000 IU (250mcg) daily for 2-3 weeks (or until achieving 30ng/ml if testing), followed by the daily amount above.

This practice is widely regarded as safe. The body can synthesize more than this from sunlight under the right conditions (e.g., a summer day at the beach). Also, the NAM (US) and EFSA (Europe) both label this a “No Observed Adverse Effect Level” even as a daily maintenance intake.

5) Measure 25(OH)D levels of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients & treat w/ calcifediol or D3, to at least remedy insufficiency <30ng/ml, possibly with a protocol along the lines of Castillo et al ‘20 or Rastogi et al ‘20, until evidence supports a better protocol.

Many factors are known to predispose individuals to higher risk from exposure to SARS-CoV-2, such as age, being male, comorbidities, etc., but inadequate vitamin D is by far the most easily and quickly modifiable risk factor with abundant evidence to support a large effect.

Vitamin D is inexpensive and has negligible risk compared to the considerable risk of COVID-19.

Please Act Immediately esidents of the USA: Text “Go VitaminDforAll” to 50409 to send this letter to your state’s governor (free).

The signatories below endorse this letter. Affiliations do not imply endorsement of the letter by the institutions themselves.

This letter takes no position on other public health measures besides vitamin D. Personal views of individual signatories on any other matter do not represent the group as a whole.

All signatories declare no conflicts of interest except as noted.

To emphasize: The organizing signatories have no conflicts of interest in this area (financial or otherwise), nor have they done research in this area prior to 2020.

Signed by 135 scientists and medical doctors, with organizing signatories Dr. Kasrl Pfleger, PhD AI & Computer Science, Stanford. Former Google Data Scientist.

Biotechnology Investor, AgingBiotech. info, San Francisco, and Dr. Gareth Davies, PhD Medical Physics, Imperial College, London, UK. Codex World’s Top 50 Innovator 2019.

Independent Researcher. Lead author of “Evidence Supports a Causal Role for Vitamin D Status in COVID-19 Outcomes.”

••• As of printing, there are 172 signatories. The first two are: Dr. Karl Pfleger, PhD AI & Computer Science, Stanford. Former Google Data Scientist. Biotechnology Investor, AgingBiotech.info, San Francisco, CA, USA. (organizing signatory) Dr. Gareth Davies, PhD Medical Physics, Imperial College, London, UK. Codex World’s Top 50 Innovator 2019.

Independent Researcher. Lead author of “Evidence Supports a Causal Role for Vitamin D Status in COVID-19 Outcomes.” (organizing signatory) •••

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1—The evidence was comprehensively reviewed (188 papers) through mid-June [Benskin ‘20] & more recent publications are increasingly compelling [Merzon et al ‘20; Kaufman et al ‘20; Castillo et al ‘20]. (See also [Jungreis & Kellis ‘20] for deeper analysis of Castillo et al’s RCT results.)

2—E.g.: 20ng/ml: National Academy of Medicine (US, Canada), European Food Safety Authority, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Nordic Countries, Australia, New Zealand, & consensus of 11 international organizations. 30ng/ml: Endocrine Society, American Geriatrics Soc., & consensus of scientific experts. See also [Bouillon ‘17].

3—[Palacios & Gonzalez ‘14; Cashman et al ‘16; van Schoor & Lips ‘17] Applies to China, India, Europe, US, etc.

4—[Heaney et al ‘15; Veugelers & Ekwaru ‘14] 5—The following include 4000 IU within their tolerable intakes in official guidelines: NAM (US, Canada), SACN (UK), EFSA (Europe), Endocrine Society (international), Nordic countries, Netherlands, Australia & New Zealand, UAE, and the American Geriatrics Soc. (USA, elderly). No major agency specifies a lower tolerable intake limit. The US NAM said 4000 IU “is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals.” See also [Giustina et al ‘20].

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 23