Scotts Valley Times: June 2021

Family Owned For Over 30 Years • Scotts Valley, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek & Felton

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

Congratulations Class of 2021

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June 2021 • Vol 24 No. 6

League Champions!

San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Cougars enjoyed hardwood success despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Both the boys’ team and the girls’ team captured the Santa Cruz County Athletic League titles ...

Full Story page 5

See You In Person This Summer Full Story page 15

Scotts Valley High Top Students The Scotts Valley High School Class of 2021, which spent the past 14 months learning in a worldwide pandemic, will graduate with their well-deserved diplomas with an in-person ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, on the football field.

The day before that, this year’s seniors will enjoy a

class picnic and then a senior breakfast on graduation morning.

The Scotts Valley Times is pleased to recognize the 2021 valedictorian and the two salutatorians for their hard work that put them at the top of their class. Here they share their post-graduation plans. ... continues on page 4

Covid-Crazy Home Sales

Is everyone who sells their home in Santa Cruz County as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes a millionaire? With seven out of 10 homes sold in April for more than $1 million, it feels that way.

Full Story page 6

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No. 6

Volume 24

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11

19

Table of Contents

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Cover

Scotts Valley High Top Students

Community News

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San Lorenzo Valley High School Class of 2021

6 7 8

Covid-Crazy Home Sales, By Jondi Gumz

Good Eats: Tasty and Healthy Spring Rolls, from Sierra Bartsen

Eve Nichols: Cabrillo Saved My Life, By Jondi Gumz • Cabrillo Graduates 1,240: 50% Latinx For First Time

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Hwy 17 Wildlife Crossing Funded • Incline Village Owners May Be Due A Tax Refund

Local Sports

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League Champions!: Stellar Season for SLV Boys & Girls Basketball

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14

11 New Member Spotlight: Found Art Collective Now Open on Scotts Valley Drive

12 Ribbon Cutting: Chamber & Corvin Legal Services • Scotts Valley Revolving Loan Funds for Small Businesses

13 Welcome Cruise Coffee Café

14 SVWD Launches Water Saving Challenge

California News

19 State Budget Surplus: $76B Or $38B?

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Mercury Retrogrades — a Magical

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20,21

Featured Columnists

Mystery Tour, By Risa D’Angeles

15 See You In Person This Summer, By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Ratany’s Story

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / June 2021 / 3

COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Sierra Bartsen, Risa D’Angeles, Derek Timm

San Lorenzo Valley High School Class of 2021 Valedictorians

Jordan King

• Will be attending a university and majoring in electrical engineering

Cadence Peters

• Will be attending the University of Nevada and majoring in anthropology 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 Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

Salutatorians

Kylee Bishop

• Will be attending Western Washington University and majoring in behavioral neuroscience and a minor in chemistry

Angelo Reis

• Will be attending a university and majoring in mechanical engineering

Jessica Williams

• Will be attending Arizona State University and majoring in nursing n “Scotts Valley High” from page 1 Cover Photo (from left): Logan Heine, Anvi Penmetsa, and Sophia Olender on campus.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz Valedictorian

Logan Heine

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

Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved.

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

Future plans: Go to the Cabrillo Honors program to figure out my exact major (something along the lines of creative writing), followed by transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Activities: Learning piano, tutoring others in math, playing video games, reading, writing and drawing.

What I enjoyed most about high school:

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

Jordan King

Candence Peters

Kylee Bishop

My art classes (including graphic design) and TOK (Theory of Knowledge).

Parents: Thor and Monica Heine ••• Salutatorians

Anvi Penmetsa

Future plans: I am going to major in computer science at UCLA. I hope to pursue a career in video game development.

Activities: Playing the flute and creating digital artwork. At school, I am a part of Key Club, Math Club, Maji Project Club, CSF, and Humanities Club.

What I enjoyed most about high school: I love working together with my classmates and participating in group discussions where we get to share our unique opinions and develop new ideas.

Parents: Ajay Penmetsa, Jaya Penmetsa

Angelo Reis

Jessica Williams

Sophia Olender

Future plans: I am majoring in biology at UCLA and plan on going to medical school afterwards. Currently I’m interested in anesthesiology, but that might change.

Activities: I’ve played on the girls’ varsity basketball team at SVHS for the past four years. I also play on a club basketball team in San Jose throughout the summer. I am the principal cellist of the Santa Cruz Youth Symphony. Sometimes I play in trios and quartets with other members of the symphony.

What I enjoyed most about high school: One of my most favorite memories is driving down to a tournament in Santa Barbara with the girls’ basketball team.

We had a lot of fun spending time with each other and developing better bonds as teammates.

Parents: Debora Wu and Sean Olender n

LOCAL SPORTS

League Champions!

Stellar Season for SLV Boys & Girls Basketball

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an Lorenzo Valley High School’s Cougars enjoyed hardwood success despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Both the boys’ team and the girls’ team captured the Santa Cruz County Athletic League titles, with banners for their gym, amidst being tested twice a week for COVID-10.

All the tests were negative, said Russell Gross, who coached the boys and personally tested negative 15 times.

The boys’ record was 13-2, including a 10-point victory over rival Soquel.

Success was sweet for Gross, who had coached the boys in middle school and became varsity coach three years ago. The team finished 1-23 his first year and 5-19 his second year.

What led to the turnaround? Three

freshmen — very good players — on varsity, and sophomores maturing as juniors, “a good group,” which includes his son, who is a junior.

“They’re a pleasure to coach — they like each other,” he said.

The girls’ team, coached by Adam Johnson and assistant coach Shanan McFall, finished with a 7-0 league record and 8-2 overall.

Freshman Hannah Morley was the top scorer, making 45 percent of her two-point shots, and sophomore Lucy LilienthalWynn was the second-leading scorer, making 44 percent of her three-point attempts.

Freshman Maiya Armstrong led in rebounds averaging 6.7 per game. n ••• Photos by Lucjan Szewczyk

Front (from left): Niko Iles, Michael Kelly, Jack Gross, Asher Dolinger, Max Baxter, Daniel DuVernois. • Second row: Cameron Gaither, Griffin Davies, Cade Petersen, Marshall Nielsen, Kai Groleau. • Standing: Vincent Verutti, Rider Saunders, Coach Jeff Groleau, Head Coach Russell Gross, Riley Mayo, JJ Jackman.

Front row (from left): Makayla Sutter, Jadynne Swint, Emmi Steiger, Ashli Trageser • Middle row: Lillie Trageser, Maiya Armstrong, Lucy Lilienthal-Wynn, Jamie McLean, Hannah Morley • Back row: Emma LaVerne, Abby Lahey, Head Coach Adam Johnson, Coach Shanan McFall, Sophia Lettiere, Alli Morley • Absent: Kiely Jordan

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

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID-Crazy Home Sales

By Jondi Gumz

s everyone who sells their home in Santa Cruz County as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes a millionaire? With seven out of 10 homes sold in April for more than $1 million, it feels that way.

Home prices have been hot for months, with a median price touching and surpassing $1 million, and in April, the median – the midpoint of what sold – was $1,281,000 – a new record, according to Gary Gangnes of Real Options Realty, who tracks the numbers.

Of the 205 sales, 143 sold for $1 million or more– 70 percent, the most ever.

A pattern of bidding more than the list price, seen in March, escalated: • 60% sold for more than $50,000 over asking price.

• 43% sold for more than $100,000 over asking price.

• 17% sold for more than $200,000 over asking price.

A home in Live Oak priced at $999,000 attracted 31 offers, 13 being all-cash, according to broker Datta Khalsa, leaving 30 would-be buyers searching.

The reasons, same as in March, are low interest rates, about 3 percent, and rising prices motivating work-at-home Silicon Valley tech employees to buy their new home — and office — here in Santa Cruz County, where they are closer to the beach and redwoods.

Fewer people are willing to sell –once you sell, can you find another home? -- so listings as of the first week of May were at an all-time low – 311 – compared to the 25-year average of 792. With 125 listings in escrow, only 186 are active, hardly enough to meet the demand from people who tried to buy and lost out to a lot of people putting in higher bids.

Gangnes sees these conditions as temporary but I’m not so sure.

are hopeful while waiting for guidance on events of that size, but Felton Music Hall, the Brookdale Lodge and Michael’s on Main are open and presenting live music.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History hosted an in-person Memorial Day remembrance with a self-guided walkthrough at Evergreen Cemetery replacing a ceremony where hundreds of attendees sat close together for an hour.

Big Job Spurt ith 15,889 recovered COVID-19 cases, only 74 active cases, 136,000 negative test results and 307,000 vaccinations, the pandemic outlook in Santa Cruz County is improving big-time with businesses adding 2,700 jobs between mid-March and mid-April, boosting the total to 98,600.

Agriculture added 1,600 jobs and hospitality — food service and hotels — added 600. Both sectors were hard hit by COVID. The unemployment rate dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.7 percent in April, with 3,000 people taking themselves out of the workforce — and 10,000 remain out of work even though everyone from Penny Ice Creamery to CVS is hiring, with McDonald’s on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz offering $15 an hour.

Moms were still at home overseeing schooling for their kids and the extra $300 a week in jobless benefits until Sept. 6 from American Rescue Plan kept some out of the work force.

Santa Cruz County, with 1.3 cases per 100,000, is one of 15 in the Yellow Tier, while Monterey County, with 1.9 cases per 100,000, remains one of 35 in the Orange Tier and must post a case rate below 2 for a second week to join Santa Cruz County.

The Yellow Tier allows 50% capacity at restaurants, gyms, saunas, dance and yoga studios, wineries, breweries and bowling alleys and larger attendance at outdoor events such as school graduations.

Test positivity was .5 percent in Santa Cruz County, below the 2 percent the Yellow Tier requires.

Research from 280 nursing homes in 21 states found vaccines protect residents -- only 1 percent of residents tested positive for the virus within two weeks after their second dose.

Restaurant Money Gone estaurants rushed the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund created by the American Rescue Plan and the Small Business Administration stopped taking applications May 24 after three weeks.

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A Crush Covid poster created by local volunteers attracts attention at the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce office.

Longtime agent Tom Brezsny at Sereno concludes this crazy market is a symptom of how the coronavirus has changed the world, a “let’s live in the moment” call to action.

After more than a year of life crimped to knock out the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected 16,169 people locally, took 206 lives, and Santa Cruz County is in the Yellow Tier — the fewest restrictions — and the governor promises the state will “open up” on June 15.

6 / June 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

What does that mean, exactly? For one, state health officials will end weekend and holiday COVID-19 updates.

The county is closing its Wednesday mass vaccination clinic at the county fairgrounds, switching to a strategy of smaller no-appointment needed pop-up vaccination clinics.

Some business owners are more optimistic about the future, like Zach Davis and Kendra Baker, who announced they will open The Penny Ice Creamery this summer in The Hangar, the new building built by Corbett Wright and Rob Stuart behind the drive-through Starbucks on Mount Hermon Road.

Bob Slawinski, owner of the Green Hills Event Center in Scotts Valley, invested in improved ventilation for COVID safety and hopes to book gatherings.

Scotts Valley is bringing back the 4th of July parade in Scotts Valley, organized

by City Council member Donna Lind. She needs volunteers, and artists who apply to participate by June 15 get a discount on the fee.

Cabrillo Stage in Aptos will present musicals outdoors in July.

The Santa Cruz County Fair organizers

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“COVID Update” page 10

COMMUNITY NEWS

Good Eats: Tasty and Healthy Spring Rolls

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from Sierra Bartsen

ierra Bartsen is garden educator and nutrition services coordinator with Life Lab. In May, she gave a virtual demonstration for families in the Pajaro Valley Unified School Sierra Bartsen District on how to make this tasty and healthy spring roll.

••• Ingredients 1 package rice paper wrappers 1 head Romaine lettuce 2 carrots 1 head cabbage 1 bell pepper 1 bunch fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, mint) 1 large apple 1 jicama root Optional > Protein of choice (tofu, beef, pork, shrimp) > Your favorite veggies Sunbutter Sauce ¼ cup sunflower seed butter 2 limes juiced

2 tbsp Tamari 1 clove of garlic (minced) 1 tbsp honey or brown rice syrup Water as needed to thin sauce Optional > Substitute peanut butter for sunflower seed butter ••• Instructions Cut up veggies into small pieces In a bowl of warm water take one wrapper and dip it in warm water for 3-4 seconds. Place veggies into the center of the the wrapper and fold/roll (like a burrito). Mix together sauce ingredients for dipping. n Visit www.LifeLab.org for more information.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Eve Nichols: Cabrillo Saved My Life

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By Jondi Gumz

f not for her therapist, Eve Nichols might not be here, a proud 2021 graduate of Cabrillo College with a future ahead of her.

Despite dealing with suicidal ideation, despite the COVID-19 pandemic turning her world upside down and forcing her classes and activities online, she survived — and is thriving.

How? “The support system I was able to build at Cabrillo,” said Nichols, 21, who lives in Watsonville with her mom and two brothers.

Nichols, who earned a diploma at Sequoia continuation high school, discovered she wasn’t prepared academically for Cabrillo College.

Her first year, she took courses in English and math that didn’t give her credits transferable to a four-year university.

She had to start at the lowest level of math.

She persisted.

“My mom’s really supportive,” she said.

“She’s the reason I went to the college.”

She connected with Avelar, a family therapist in Aptos, after being reported to the dean at Cabrillo.

“I have cold-induced asthma,” Nichols said. “I was kicked out of class for coughing.”

No doubt embarrassing at the time, the incident led the campus nurse-practitioner and then Avelar contacting her.

“We’ve built a great relationship,” Nichols said of Avelar, whom she has known for three years.

Still, thoughts of suicide were never far away.

8 / June 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Eve Nichols celebrates her graduation from Cabrillo College.

With “a lot going on at my home,” Nichols overdosed.

She swallowed a bottleful of Xanax pills, a drug classified as a benzodiazepine, prescribed for anxiety, but it can cause depression and thoughts of suicide.

Avelar called her in the middle of this episode and called 911 for an ambulance.

That was a turning point.

“So many great people at Cabrillo are there for me,” Nichols said.

“I don’t struggle mentally like I did before. I feel very blessed.”

Suicide Trends verdose deaths accelerated nationwide in 2020 in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak changing life as we know it beginning in March with lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, toilet paper shortages, music venues, wineries and bars, gyms and yoga studios closed, capacity limits for stores, and requirements for restaurants to halt indoor service and offer takeout only.

Santa Cruz County bucked the trend of increasing suicides, with 32 in 2020 compared

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to 49 in 2019, according to county coroner Stephany Fiore.

Eve Nichols might have among them if not for Dianne Avelar and the support she got at Cabrillo from Letitia Scott-Curtis, who teaches English, Denise Colosi, who teaches math, Lisa Kirk-Williams, her mentor at the math learning center, and student activities coordinator Alta Northcutt, her advisor.

After starting at the bottom in math, Nichols advanced to calculus.

She took advantage of tutoring at the math learning center, and got a job there herself helping other students.

For her, the key was understanding that math is a different language.

“You can’t give up, you have to keep going,” she said.

“Alta Northcutt changed my life too,” she added. “I always admired her spirit. She lights up a room. Her laugh is contagious.”

Nichols connected with her after she was elected to the Cabrillo Student Senate and then chaired the Intern Club Council, which is under the Student Senate.

Representatives of all 13 active student clubs get together every two weeks, share updates and report on their activities and events.

“It’s a place to build community,” Nichols said. “It’s nice to see how many people were motivated to put in the extra work.”

Of course, those get-togethers moved to Zoom online after the pandemic arrived.

She didn’t let the loss of face-to-face interactions get in the way.

“Eve Nichols” page 17

Cabrillo Graduates 1,240: 50% Latinx For First Time

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n May 21, Cabrillo College honored 1,240 graduates in a virtual ceremony, and for the first time at the federally-designated Hispanic-serving institution, 50 percent of the graduating class is Latinx.

The college also recognized 115 nongraduates intending to transfer to four-year universities. Another 358 graduates intend to transfer to earn a four-year degree, for a total of 473 transfer students.

A notable 76 students will graduate or transfer as part of the Honors Transfer Program, having completed all the requirements, including at least 15 units of honors coursework, while maintaining a 3.5 or

higher grade point average. Of those, a record 46 graduated as honors scholars, completing at least 15 units of honors courses with a minimum 3.4 transferable grade point average.

This year, 32 students were certified for UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program into the College of Letters & Sciences — and 75 percent were admitted to their first choice majors at UCLA for fall. Ten students were certified for UC Irvine, completing at least 15 units of honors courses with a minimum 3.7 grade point average to get a guaranteed offer of admission.

“Graduates” page 18

COMMUNITY NEWS

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Hwy 17 Wildlife Crossing Funded

n May, the California Transportation Commission allocated $924 million for projects to improve critical transportation infrastructure, including $2.3 million to construct a wildlife undercrossing on Highway 17 near Laurel Road near Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County.

Nearly half of this funding — $458 million — comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“Caltrans is building a brighter future through a transportation network that serves

all Californians,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “This significant investment will help us fortify and enhance our state’s vast network of highways, bridges, transit lines, bikeways and pedestrian routes.”

Also approved: $7.6 million to widen and improve the bridge railing of the Castroville overhead on State Route 156 between the State Route 156/183 separation and Castroville Boulevard in Monterey County.

In March, the commission approved: • $5 million to build a tieback wall,

restore the roadway, improve drainage facilities, and install permanent erosion control measures on State Route 236 near Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County.

• $2 million to replace the San Lorenzo River bridge and the Kings Creek bridge on State Route 9 near Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County.

• $4 million to rehabilitate pavement, repair drainage systems, upgrade the median barrier and guardrail on U.S. 101 from north of Boronda

Road to north of CrazyHorse Canyon Road near Salinas in Monterey County. n

Incline Village Owners May Be Due A Tax Refund

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esidents of Aptos, Scotts Valley, Capitola, and Soquel have long found Lake Tahoe is a popular area for second homes. Owners of property in Incline Village and Crystal Bay during 2002-2005 may not realize that, because one of the largest property tax lawsuits in the United States, they are due a property tax refund.

Here’s the history of the case and how to get the refund.

On Oct. 21, 2019, Judge Kathleen Drakulich of the Second Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada issued an order in favor of Village League to Save Incline Assets, Inc. (“Village League”), et.al. in the case of Village League to Save Incline Assets, Inc., et.al. vs. State of Nevada, et.al., Case No. CV03-06922.

The Village League, a 501c3 nonprofit, sued in 2003 alleging the methods used by the assessor were unconstitutional.

The Nevada State constitution mandates property taxes be fair and equitable, and only owners of property in Incline Village and Crystal Bay were assessed on their “view.”

The case went to the Supreme Court of Nevada. The Court ruled in favor of the Village League, and in 2011, Washoe County issued checks to property owners of record for 2002. The Village League then sued again for subsequent years: 20032005. It is this matter that is now being adjudicated.

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners filed an appeal of that District Court Order and the parties were

referred to the Supreme Court Settlement Program. On Oct. 5, 2020, a hearing was held by the District Court to consider the resulting settlement agreement and Judge Drakulich issued an interim order of approval for the agreement on Oct. 12, 2020.

As a result, the Washoe County Assessor’s Office has been directed to replace taxable land values for certain parcels in Incline Village and Crystal Bay billed for tax years 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 with the 2002/03 (rollback) taxable land values, applying a factor of 1.08% to the 2002/03 values for the 2005/06 tax year only.

Owners of record for a listed property during one or more of these tax years may be eligible for refund of a resulting property tax overpayment and applicable interest. The total amount of refunds has been estimated between $47 million and $56 million.

Owners of record or their inheritors must submit a claim in order with Washoe County to receive any refund: https:// forms.washoecounty.us/f/RefundClaim One local property owner told the Aptos Times he didn’t submit a claim because he bought in Incline Village late in 2005, and he didn’t think the refund would amount to much. He reconsidered when he learned it was $900.

The claim process does not provide the refund amount. Therefore, the Village League created a secure lookup facility for property owners of record to obtain their estimated refund amount: https://nevada propertytaxrevolt.org/?page_id=22.

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Calculations of the estimate are based on data provided by the Washoe County Assessor’s office.

As of February more than two dozen Incline Village and Crystal Bay property owners of record living in Aptos, Scotts Valley, Capitola and Soquel had not yet used the Village

League facility to lookup their refund amount, and likely have not claimed their refund. Refund amounts depend on the property assessed value for the period, and for second homes, generally range from a hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.

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

“COVID Update” from page 6 Restaurants, bars, and other businesses providing on-site food and drink submitted 266,000 applications seeking $65 billion, a “huge shortfall,” according to headline in the online Journal of Accountancy.

Congress set aside $5 billion for businesses with 2019 gross receipts under $500,000, and the SBA set aside $500 million for small businesses like food carts and food trucks with receipts under $50,000; and $4 billion for those with receipts between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

It wasn’t enough.

Applications came in from 13,114 businesses making less than $50,000 requesting $330 million; 100,410 from businesses with less than $500,000 requesting $8.14 billion; and 61,535 applicants from businesses with between $500,000 and $1.5 million requesting $15.1 billion.

This indicates the economic experts advising Congress badly underestimated the pandemic’s impact on restaurants, food trucks and food carts.

The Rescue Plan allocated $16 billion for Shuttered Venues Operator Grants, a first for the SBA, but it’s not clear how many Santa Cruz County venues – many

closed for a year — might get funding.

A $50 assist in paying for Internet also was included in the American Rescue Plan for people using food stamps or Medicaid and households with a child getting free school lunch and households who lost a job or was furloughed and make less than $99,000, single, and $198,00 for joint filers. The program ends when the money runs out. Check your status at getemergencybroadband.org.

Student Support n May 10, federal regulators granted emergency use authorization for the two-shot Pfizer vaccine, for kids ages 12 to 15, following clinical trials for that age group. There is no approved vaccine for younger children, but there is little evidence of spread by young school-age children.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education will present an update on student support 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 14, with Spanish translation. Watch for details at https://santacruzcoe.org/ Santa Cruz County health officials have prioritized equity, allocating 60 percent of its doses for the greater Watsonville area and its Latinx community, which has seen the most cases.

On April 27, the federal Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines on

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EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE

wearing masks to prevent COVID spread, saying fully vaccinated people can skip the mask outdoors — unless they’re in a big crowd.

President Joe Biden told the Associated Press, “If you’re vaccinated, you can do more things.”

California is expected to sync its mask guidance with federal guidelines on June 15.

Most health providers offering free vaccine are on www.MyTurn.ca.gov.

Federally qualified health care centers such as Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health are not using MyTurn, so to get an appointment there, go to santacruzhealth.org, click on vaccines.

The Toll COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 62,000 Californians.

Deaths in Santa Cruz County have leveled off at 206, with 50 percent of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a percentage that was higher early in the pandemic.

Locally, 78 percent of those who died were age 70 or older and 78 percent had other health conditions — those percentages have remained stable.

A year after the pandemic began, case rates have plummeted statewide with 37.5 million vaccine doses administered.

On Monday, Santa Cruz County reported two people hospitalized with COVID, none in intensive care.

••• County COVID Deaths: 206 As of May 31 Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 43 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 7 30 to 39: 5

Best of Senior Home Care

Race/Ethnicity White: 114 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 • Black: 1 Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Underlying Conditions Yes: 160 • No: 46 Gender Male: 102 • Female: 104 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4 Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2 Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2 Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • La Posada: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 • Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 103 • Not at a facility: 103 COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 814 • Ben Lomond: 126 Boulder Creek: 154 • Capitola: 458 Felton: 158 • Freedom: 996 Santa Cruz: 3,969 • Scotts Valley: 446 Soquel: 361 • Watsonville: 8,150 Unincorporated: 256 Under investigation: 281 Total: 16,169* 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@cyber-times.com or call 831688-7549 x17.

See what can open in the Yellow Tier at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy. *Fewer than before because of data cleanup

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Visit kirby.org and contact our Admissions team to learn more about our Test-Free Application process and to schedule a tour.

Kirby School 425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 KIRBY.ORG 831-423-0658 admissions@kirby.org 10 / June 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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hiring bonus for new employees

HCO# 444700020

Apply at www.LifespanCare.com ∙ 831-469-4900

New Member Spotlight

Found Art Collective Now Open on Scotts Valley Drive

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ound Art Collective, now open at 5167 Scotts Valley Drive, features pottery and other handmade goods, many from local artists. The products are earth-friendly, and the artists use sustainable processes in their work.

Mother-and-daughter team, Elaine Sherer and Jennifer Janisch, created Found Art Collective out of a love for pottery and a desire to offer an alternative to mass produced, disposable goods.

Elaine started collecting pottery in the Midwest in the 1970s, bartering with goods from the family’s woodworking

business, trading with other artists on the art show circuit. Now semi-retired, Elaine enjoys sourcing wellexecuted ceramics and other handmade goods. Jennifer works in the tech industry but is a creative at heart. She provides the back-of-house support.

When one steps into the Found Art Collective gallery, it’s not clear if you’ve stepped into the past or into the future. A mash up of modern, contem-

porary aesthetic with farmhouse, rustic sets the stage for fine ceramics both new and vintage. There are local artists’ wares as well as handcrafted goods from other parts of the country.

The ceramics offered range from sculptural vases to unique plates, bowls and mugs, as well as special purpose items like French butter dishes, and the occasional berry bowl. In addition to pottery, the shop offers jewelry, greeting

Save the Date: Art Wine & Beer Festival • Aug. 21-22

cards, kitchen accoutrement and self care products. Bath and body products range from scented soaps and shampoo bars to beard care products. The selection reflects a desire for simple, yet sophisticated, functional art for the kitchen, bath, and dining room.

••• The shop is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. You can visit their website at www.foundartcollective.com or follow them on Instagram @foundart collective.com where they share when new goods arrive in the shop.

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Red Ribbon Ceremony

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SV Chamber Office Reopens & Grand Opening for New Nortary Corvin Legal Services

ease join us in the courtyard in front of the Chamber Office located in the Kings Village Shopping Center at 216b Mt. Hermon Road on Thursday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This event is free of charge and open to the whole community (social distancing and masks required).

We will be celebrating the reopening of business as well as introducing new Chamber member, Cami Corvin of Corvin Legal Services.

There will be food provided by Bruno’s Cami Corvin Bar & Grill, Margaritas, and also wine poured by Kissed by an Angel Wines.

During this event, we will also be thanking and acknowledging the efforts the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task

Force for all of their hard work during this difficult last year.

Members of the Task force include: Derek Timm (SV Mayor), Randy Johnson (City Council), Jeanette Larkin (Chamber Board President), Susan O’Connor Fraser (Tam Communications), Joanne Guzman (Bruno’s Bar & Grill), Greg Wimp (Togo’s), Victor Alejandro (Cisco Systems), Angela Marshall (SV Chamber), and Danny Reber (Chamber Executive Director).

We are also pleased to welcome new Chamber member Corvin Legal Services.

If you are an individual having loan papers drawn up or you are a loan officer, a bank, or a title company and you need a document legally notarized the Chamber is happy to announce that Cami Corvin will be on-site every Monday at the Scotts Valley Chamber Office located in Kings Village Shopping Center from Noon to 1:30 pm.

She is also a mobile Notary who can

come to your place of business or home and the Chamber welcomes her to provide notary services onsite. Cami, is a trusted professional and a certified Paralegal with over 25 years of experience in various areas of law.

Last year with Covid, many people changed career paths, and Cami found her niche and freedom to start her own business.

Cami takes great pride in being able to serve her community with respect and ensures your confidentiality, which is her utmost concern.

Scotts Valley Revolving Loan Funds for Small Businesses

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he County worked together with the National Development Council to apply for a grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to create a revolving loan fund for small businesses. The grant was awarded to create the program for Santa Cruz County. All the city municipalities worked together with the County to establish how much each city would be allocated and created

a memorandum of understanding on the new revolving loan fund.

The Small Business Development Center is also a partner and will be assisting all the small businesses within the County with their loan applications. As these loans will be paid over a period of time, and the funds go back into the fund to be lent to other eligible businesses enabling the fund to be around for many years.

The City of Scotts Valley and the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce part-

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

nered together early on identifying small businesses with the greatest need and has been advertising for small businesses to take advantage of this funding opportunity.

The Revolving Loan is called The Covid - 19 Emergency Loan. This loan can be up to $50K for working capital and it is a streamlined application and approval process with low interest rates and 6 months of interest only payment.

There is a second NDC Loan that is available for businesses that need more that $50k, this loan is called the Recovery &

Growth. It is up to $500k and can be used for machinery, equipment, and real estate acquisition.

The application is simple and can be found at www.ndconline.org/santa-cruz/ To learn more about these two loans or if you need any assistance, you can reach out to Kyle Roseman at 831-479-6136 or via email: kyle@NorcalSBDC.org

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Welcome Cruise Coffee Café Opening in June

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rin Buchla, owner, and founder of Cruise Coffee Co. and Brand-di Palmer, owner, and founder of The Hot Pink Box Dessert Catering are so excited for you to join them at the new Cruise Coffee Café.

Situated in a building that has long been empty, Cruise Coffee Café has breathed new life into the Cavallaro Transit Center located at 246 Kings Village rd.

With an Estimated June 4th Opening, Brand-di and Erin are working tirelessly developing and tasting both sweet and savory dishes to tempt the masses.

From light and savory sandwiches and salads, to fragrant coffees and decadent sweets, Cruise Coffee Café will have something for everyone’s tastes and appetites.

“We want everything about your visit to Cruise Coffee Café to be inviting. Erin and I love the space we’ve created and we want you to feel welcomed from the moment you walk in.”

Cruise Coffee Café is your new ‘go to’ place to grab a Picnic Box for a relaxing lunch at Sky Park or to pick up a quick cake and sprinkles for a celebration dinner. And there’s so much more! But you’ll have to cruise on in to see it for yourself!

Custom Design Restoration & Repair

Financial strategies built just for you.

245 Mt. Hermon Rd. Suite Y Scotts Valley greenejewelrydesign.com (831)438-1844

Cheryl D Rebottaro, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor MKT-5894J-A-A1

221 Mount Hermon Rd Suite F

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

SVWD Launches Water Saving Challenge Raffle Contest Begins June 1

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cotts Valley Water District customers can enter for a chance to win prizes — including water bill credit — by lowering their water use this summer! Take part in the Water Saving Challenge starting June 1.

$4500

SOLAR TOWNHOME 4BR/3.5BA on 237 Bluebonnet Lane in Scotts Valley. End unit w/great light.

Chef’s kitchen. W/D incl. 2-car garage. No pets.

AVAIL NOW

$3800

TRANQUIL 2BR/2.5BA HOME on Hihn Road in Ben Lomond. Large kitchen. FP. Laundry room w/half BA. Vaulted ceilings. Wrap-around deck. Oak grove in huge yard. 1-car garage. No pets.

AVAIL EARLY JUNE COMING SOON

NEWLY UPDATED

2BR 2-STORY TOWNHOME on Bean Creek Rd. in Scotts Valley. Attached garage. No pets.

AVAIL LATE JUNE

The four-month program encourages District customers to aim for a 15% (or more) water reduction from the same period the prior year.

• Monthly raffle prize: either a $100 water bill credit or a choice of a gift certificate from a Scotts Valley business • Grand prize: either a $500 water bill credit or a choice of a gift certificate from a Scotts Valley business Scotts Valley receives all its water supply from underground aquifers that are recharged by rainfall. The area has received just 40% of normal rainfall this year and the region is in a drought.

Because we cannot predict if next year will also be dry, we must prepare now and slow our water use to preserve our water supply.

All District potable water account holders, who have had water service at least for a year and achieve at least 15% reduction in water use in comparison with the same period prior year, are eligible to enter the Water Saving Challenge. To be eligible for grand prize, the

customers have to achieve 15% savings and submit entries in all four months or two bi-monthly cycles.

Log Into WaterSmart (svwd. watersmart.com) to Participate Follow these steps to track your water use on WaterSmart: • Monitor your water use throughout the summer months: June, July, August, September • Check to see if you are on track to achieve 15% reduction from the same period last year • Have you had an i-Meter for at least a year? Track monthly GPD (gallons per day) for each month by accessing the “Track / Your Seasonal Use” feature • Did you get an i-Meter within the last year? Track bi-monthly GPD for the 2-month meter read cycle by using the “Track / Comparing Your Use Last 24 Months” feature 6 tips to reduce your water use 1) Water outdoors 2 days a week or less 2) Pick up free water-saving devices at the District office 3) Cover your pool to reduce evaporation — new rebate available!

4) Reimagine your yard by changing landscaping to water-efficient options

Win Raffle Prizes!

FOREST LAKES

2BR/2BA UNIQUE SINGLE-STORY HOME on Quarry Rd. 2 kitchens. Ample storage.

AVAIL IN JULY

Save water to win prizes!

JOIN THE SUMMER WATER SAVING CHALLENGE Join the challenge at svwd.org/water-saving-challenge

Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter

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

CALL FOR SPECIAL RATES 831.688.7549

5) Replace high-water-use fixtures with more efficient models and receive a rebate 6 Utilize free recycled water for irrigation — the Recycled Water Fill Station will reopen for the summer Submit the raffle entry by 7th of the following month • July, August, September, October for customers on i-Meters at least for a year • July, September for customers on i-Meters for less than a year Complete the form at https://svwd. watersmart.com/raffle to submit your monthly entries. (Pro tip: bookmark it now!) Questions? Email us at conservation@svwd.org.

All District potable water account holders, who have had water service at least for a year and achieve at least 15% reduction in water use in comparison with the same period prior year, are eligible to enter the Water Saving Challenge. To be eligible for the grand prize, the customers have to achieve 15% savings and submit entries in all four months or two bi-monthly cycles.

How will raffle winners be selected and notified, and claim their prize?

After eligibility verification, one winning customer will be selected at random each month. District staff will contact them to inquire about their choice of prize. If the winning customer does not respond within 7 days of notification, they will receive a $100 credit on their next water bill.

At the end of the Challenge, one winning customer is selected at random.

District staff will contact them to inquire about their choice of prize. If the grand prize winner does not respond within 7 days of notification, they will receive a $500 credit on their next water bill.

All prize winners will be made public.

••• Visit www.svwd.org for more details.

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

See You In Person This Summer

C

CASA CARES ABOUT BEING THERE. NO MATTER WHAT.

By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

lassroom bells are ringing across our Santa Cruz County this week, signaling the last day of school and the beginning of summer. If you live in Scotts Valley, you could not help but notice the bright faces of our graduates lining the streets on banners down the middle of town. Their smiles signal the hope we all have for the year ahead, as we are all eager to celebrate the return of so many cherished events in our community.

What is a bigger tradition than watching graduates march to “Pomp and Circumstance”? Most graduations are are now in-person. Through the good work of our community, our County moved into the yellow tier and our schools gave us the good news that they were increasing the number of people who could attend graduation. The increase in attendance was incredibly important to families to be there together to celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates.

On June 15, California plans to finally exit the tiered system, and with 75% of our County population receiving at least their first vaccination shot, summer looks to be fun. What better time to enjoy the outdoors and everything our City and County have to offer!

On Father’s Day, I will be kicking off the Mayor’s Art Hike Challenge “Outside the Frame” at 2 p.m. at the Glenwood Open Space Preserve. With the four other mayors from across our county, we are supporting local art and the beauty of our local parks. Join me for a hike on which we will discover frames decorated by our local artists framing the beauty of our Scotts Valley parks.

In Scotts Valley, our community will be celebrating the 4th of July with a parade once more after a year lost, and we are ready to party like it is 1776. Watching vehicles, floats and bands work their way down the center of town, with the community celebrating together, will be more

Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

360 Blue Bonnet Drive

Food Truck Fridays & Taco Tuesdays June 15 & 25, 5-8 p.m. for additional dates see facebook.com/foodtrucksagogo

Juneteenth Celebration

June 19 www.santacruzjuneteenth.com

Mayor’s Art Hike Challenge 2 p.m. June 20 www.countyparkfriends.org/ outsidetheframe.html

Pride Month

www.santacruzpride.org

Fourth of July Parade

3 p.m., Scotts Valley Drive

SV Art Wine & Beer Fesitval

Join us for an online information meeting to learn more about how you can be there for a child in foster care. All it takes is 2 hours a week to make a lifetime of an impact.

CA SAOFSA N TA C R U Z. O RG / SI G NU P 831 . 7 6 1. 29 5 6

August 21-22 10 a.m. -6 p.m. www.svartfestival.com

Summer Concerts

at Roaring Camp www.feltonmusichall.com

1440 Multiversity www.1440.org

Cinelux

www.cineluxtheatres.com special than ever. The parade will take place on Scotts Valley Drive at 3 p.m.

(Special thanks to Councilmember Donna Lind, who is doing the heavy lifting to make it happen.)

Despite major damage to Skypark fields from heavy vehicles staged during last year’s fires, the City was excited to reopen part of the field this past week.

We are excited to see sporting programs beginning to return, the return of Food Truck Friday and the new Taco Tuesday at Skypark. It has been so fun to see people back in our park enjoying the food, drinks and music together. The next events will be June 15 and 25 from 5-8 p.m.

Our Farmer’s Market is open again.

Here you will find organic garden greens, fresh eggs, berries, cheeses, breads, artisan meals, music and your community. Come enjoy local produce and dishes every Saturday morning 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Mayor Timm” page 17

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

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

“Mayor Timm” from page 15 This summer presents great opportunities to celebrate our diversity with our neighbors. June is Pride month and every first Sunday in June, the Santa Cruz County community joins with the voices of LGBTQ communities and their allies around the world in celebration of Pride Month. Details of this year’s event are still being ironed out, so check santacruzpride. org.

Our community is also celebrating Juneteenth and this year’s theme is liberation. Juneteenth is a special day for anyone who believes in freedom and equality for all people. Join us for hiking, music, poetry, dance, delicious soul food, arts & crafts, basketball skills contest, and the annual sack race June 19 at Henry Cowell and Laurel Parks, details at: santacruzjuneteenth.com We all need more music in our lives and Felton Music Hall has joined forces with Roaring Camp to bring us great live music all summer. Dance under the redwoods with your favorite bands. See Felton Music Hall’s website for performance dates at feltonmusichall.com.

Throughout the summer, please keep our local businesses in mind as you shop and dine. Our cinema is open once again and CineLux needs your patronage. Our 1440 Multiversity has reopened and is a wonderful place to escape. 1440 is offering Rest & Renewal packages featuring locally sourced, freshly prepared meals served at Kitchen Table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Spend time experiencing wellness

“Eve Nichols” from page 8 “I still built great relationships,” she said.

“It definitely got me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Alta helped me grow a lot and speak up for injustice.”

With the switch to classes online, Nichols felt the focus shifted to “can teachers teach online?” with less focus on

Scotts Valley Cinelux

classes including yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and meditation offered throughout the day and into the evening.

Summer’s end will see the return of our beloved Art, Wine & Beer Festival, hosted by our Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 21st and 22 at Siltanen Park. In addition to wonderful local artists, there will be food trucks and vendors with innovative cuisine, and live music. The Kids Fun Zone will be back and the area’s most prestigious wineries and award-winning microbreweries pouring their best. The ever-popular Cops ‘N Rodders Car Show will be on Saturday and on Sunday, the fun-filled “Dog Day” will feature many canine contests and prizes. Details: www. svartfestival.com There are great opportunities to dine, shop and play local all summer. Looking forward to seeing you all in person once again. n ••• Contact Mayor Timm at dtimm@scotts valley.org

student success.

“It’s scary to feel you’re rocking the boat,” she said.

Nevertheless, she was compelled to speak up.

Nichols, who is one of 1,240 graduates in Cabrillo’s Class of 2021, is transferring to UC Santa Barbara to major in psychology.

“I think I want to be a therapist or come back to Cabrillo,” she said. n

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

Mercury Retrogrades — a Magical Mystery Tour Esoteric Astrology • June 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

M

ercury begins a three-week retrograde retreat on Saturday, May 29th and continues in reverse ‘til June 22nd, moving from 25 to 16 degrees Gemini. It’s good to consider Mercury retrograde as an alchemical span of time when selfreflection, introspection, the ability to understand the past (since last Mercury retrograde) occurs. It’s a time of correcting misunderstandings and misconceptions, entering into a more unifying reality through inner contemplation. A true mindfulness takes place as we have time to pause and reconsider our lives past, present and future.

Mercury retrograde asks us to consider the content and quality of our thoughts and communications. Do we talk about people, events or ideas — three different levels of the consciousness? Do we gossip, tell the truth, philosophize, practice ahimsa?

During the retro we review, revise, reappraise, reevaluate, reassess, reexamine, reread and redo just about everything. We also eliminate thoughts and ideas no longer useful. I have suggested to students through the years to create a Retrograde Journal, writing thoughts, ideas, experiences, feelings in this journal only when the

planets are retrograde. That time is now and for the next three weeks.

When Mercury is retrograde we enter into an experimental cycle of time, with new realizations and understandings. Mercury retrograde, especially in Gemini, impacts our communication, developing in us new thinking, ideas and plans. It causes us to be simultaneously both more alert and reflective, observing life from a higher perspective.

The “do nots.” Remember we do not sign important papers, make important purchases, send important documents, expect agreements to be binding, understand each other or drive well. In Mercury retrograde, the rules and flow of energies are different, and everything seems to disappear.

How we can work with the retrograde is to be playful, adapt to the changing rhythms, slow down, reconnect with the past, play games, listen to everyone’s communication, be humorous and consider Mercury as the magician taking us on a magical mystery tour.

Note from Risa — For further study and daily updates, go to my website www.nightlightnews.org/ and click on Daily Studies & Postings.

ARIES

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Overtime, Aries who works predominantly with instinct, begins with Mercury’s help to develop intuition. In the next three weeks that intuition will assume a tone, color and focus. Care needs to be taken with thinking, communication, writing and driving. Something from the past reappears. Be aware of forgetfulness. Walk in your neighborhood, be in touch with family and siblings and study the I Ching, book of Divination.

With friends and in groups, all plans may be delayed, changed or not happen at all. Those close to you may seem distant (everyone’s internal during retrogrades), quiet or confused. Friends, places, ideas from the past make contact and you consider returning somewhere, to a place, a group or to friendships from long ago.

Allow no heartache or anguish from the past to remain in your heart. Visualize yourself in warm soothing tropical waters.

Maintain clear communication with partners, intimates and those close to you. All relationships may enter into a phase of mis-understanding, perhaps disappointments, criticisms, over-reactions, mixed messages and perhaps the need to call upon mediation for understanding to occur. It is a time to assess the quality and value of thoughts, decisions and needs and discriminate between the self and all others. A difficult task, but necessary. A new home might become a necessary.

VIRGO

Notice if there is sensitivity (extra) around these subjects: money, partnerships, joint resources/ Do not create any shifts or waves in your financial finances, something from the past, speaking picture. No loans (given or applied for), for with superiors, thinking about career choices, example. Take this time to review finances, communicating with co-workers, being create new budgets (to be applied after three weeks), assess the flow of money misunderstood while in public, your life path, your future. It (what’s coming in, what’s going out), the hows and whys seems like every subject is sensitive. When you feel you’re of these transactions and review if everything monetary being tested, say over and over, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” is proceeding as planned. Include a review of precious Remember, also, that you’re perfect. metals, your values. And remember to tithe.

TAURUS

CAPRICORN

Everything concerning daily life is re-evaluated. Review everyday agendas and weekly plans, check all surrounding environments — the house, the car, the garden — for needed upkeep. Make lists. Assess how you want to shift, change and adapt to make life more happy and pleasant. You realize you require more peace, quiet and beauty. Careful communication is needed. Always have Goodwill. But boundaries are essential too. Also assess the state of your health, diet, exercise and how you awaken each day.

LIBRA

Rest a bit for the next four weeks, make no promises or important decisions, refrain from the Are you feeling somewhat distant, detached, reserved and following — signing anything into permaunable to communicate feelings? Are others nence (it won’t be) or making travel plans. wondering where you are these days? You Thinking about communications, interacbecome internally focused, assessing all aspects of yourself — who you are, why tions and especially tending to your money (be careful) you are, what your values are, your everyday actions, who may be confusing, and previous realities won’t make you’re with and why. You review previous choices asking sense. Only you will know why this is so (Mercury retroif they reflect your present wants, hopes and needs. Then grade). Take up the Alan Watts Laughter meditation. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXWNMmj9qCk the answers change within the month.

GEMINI

AQUARIUS

Interesting situations and communication may occur with those close to you, with children, and your own self as a creative being. Any Issues not resolved in relationships will reappear. Try to listen to the core message within all communications. Don’t react or defend or ignore. These destroy. Listen with the heart. Unresolved issues must be dealt with or there will be a dissolving and dissolution of important connections.

Assess everything with care. Take good care of yourself.

CANCER

SCORPIO

PISCES

Thoughts, ideas, beliefs, decisions and issues not tended to for a long time appear in the present seeking attention and needing reassessment. Much of your communication may not be heard or understood by others.

Therefore, try to be very clear when communicating, speak slowly, listen well. Be non-judgmental, call forth compassion, retreat. This retrograde for you is a time of deep quiet, prayer and understanding forgiveness.

You want to be practical with money and resources. After the retrograde travel would be good. For now, consider new goals concerning money and resources, reaffirm what is of value to you.

Eliminate what is no longer useful or what you haven’t used, touched or looked at in the past several months. Use this Mercury retrograde time to visualize new ways of living, building community and finding your likeminded companions. Consider all dreams as practical.

Everything about home, family, early life, mother, real estate, things domestic, comes into focus and will need careful evaluation and assessments.

Make no important decisions concerning the home unless an emergency occurs. Remember everyone in the family is experiencing the present astrological retrograde transit. And everyone is experiencing it differently.

Use your compassionate Pisces mind and heart to observe and discern the differences. And helping everyone to understand.

•••

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

“Graduates” from page 8 Besides UCLA and UC Irvine, Cabrillo’s Honors Transfer Program students were accepted into UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State, CSU Long Beach, San Jose State, CSU Monterey Bay, Northwestern University, Boston University, Bentley University, University of San Francisco, Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s University, and many others.

This year, 66% of the graduates are women and 33% are men.

Cabrillo awarded 1,066 associate of arts degrees and 499 associate of science degrees. And 349 students graduated with an associate’s degree for transfer offered by the California Community Colleges, which guarantees admission to a California State University campus.

“I’m so proud of our students,” said Dr. Kathie Welch, Cabrillo College vice president of instruction, who is retiring after 21 years as the school year ends. “Despite challenging life and world circumstances, our students have persisted and reached their goals of graduation and/or transfer.”

Cabrillo graduates earned 253 certificates of achievement and 209 skills certificates. The Class of 2021 ranged in age from 17 to 73, with an average age of 27.

The 62nd graduating class also set a record for the most students graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, 165, up 9% from last year.

High honors (3.75-3.99 grade point average) were earned by 202 graduates, honors (3.5-3.74 grade point average) by 227 graduates and honorable mentions (3.0-3.49 grade point average) by 438 graduates.

Cabrillo’s graduation ceremony was a virtual one again this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and county and state guidelines limiting mass gatherings.

The ceremony, available for viewing at https://www.cabrillo.edu/graduation/, features remarks by Cabrillo President and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wetstein, Faculty Senate President Anna Zagorska, and Classified Employees Union President Jessica Carroll.

Tomas Alejandrez, Student Equity Ambassador and UCSC Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity scholarship award winner, shared his story of overcoming adversity in achieving his degree and preparing to transfer to UCSC. Cabrillo Board President Rachael Spencer conferred the degrees and Vice President of Student Services Amy Lehman conducted the ceremonial Moving of the Tassel.

“As a graduate of the Cabrillo nursing program, coming back to Cabrillo to work has been a wonderful and enriching experience,” Welch said. “I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day because Cabrillo is a caring community of professionals dedicated to the education and future of our students. I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference.” n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

State Budget Surplus: $76B Or $38B? Editor’s note: Here is an edited version of the Legislative Analyst’s Office May 17 analysis: Key Takeaways e Estimate the State Has a $38 Billion Surplus to Allocate. We estimate the state has $38 billion in discretionary state funds to allocate in the 2021‑22 budget process, an estimate that is different than the Governor’s figure—$76 billion.

The differences in our estimates stem from our differing definitions. The Governor’s estimate includes constitutionally required spending on schools and community colleges, reserves, and debt payments. We do not consider these spending amounts part of the surplus because they must be allocated to specified purposes.

In Contrast to the Governor, We Recommend Legislature Restore Budget Resilience. Despite a historic surge in revenues, the Governor uses $12 billion in reserve withdrawals and borrowing to increase spending. The state will need these tools to respond to future challenges when federal assistance might not be as significant. We urge the Legislature not to step back from its track record of prudent budget management.

State Appropriations Limit (SAL) Is Important. The Governor’s May Revision estimates the state will collect $16 billion in revenues in excess of the limit this year. However, the ultimate amount of a potential excess will depend on decisions by the Legislature, which has substantial discretion in how to meet the constitutional requirements.

Addressing Many Issues or Making Significant Inroads on Fewer Issues.

The May Revision includes roughly 400 new proposals. While the surplus is large enough to make significant inroads in addressing a few key policy priorities, it is unlikely sufficient to do so across the number of issues contemplated in the May Revision. If the Legislature preferred to make substantial progress in a few key areas, it could allocate the surplus in a targeted manner.

Consider Postponing Some Decisions. The surplus, in combination with the federal fiscal recovery funds, represents resources equal to about half of pre-pandemic General Fund budgets.

Departments’ capacity to allocate this funding in a timely and effective manner likely will be constrained. More importantly, the Legislature’s time to deliberate over choices is extremely limited. We recommend the Legislature delay some decisions.

W

Introduction n May 14, 2021, Gov. Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature, the “May Revision.”

In coming days, we will analyze the plan in more detail and provide comments in hearing testimony and online.

This information is based on our best understanding of administration proposals as of Saturday, May 15, 2021. In many areas, our understanding of the administration’s proposals will continue to evolve as we receive more information. We only plan updates for changes greater than $500 million.

General Fund Condition evenues Higher by $51 Billion Compared to Governor’s Budget.

Reflecting very strong cash collections in recent months, the May Revision adjusts 2020‑21 revenues (and transfers) up by $26.8 billion to $182 billion. This represents a 27 percent increase over 2019‑20, the largest single-year increase in over four decades. Much of these revenue gains carry over into the budget year, with 2021‑21 revenues being adjusted up $24.4 billion to $179 billion.

Constitutionally Required Spending Higher by $16 Billion. The constitution requires the state to spend minimum annual amounts on schools and community colleges (under Proposition 98) and budget reserves and debt payments (under Proposition 2). Mainly due to higher revenues, relative to January, constitutionally required spending is higher by nearly $16 billion.

Costs Reduced by $3 Billion. Other budgetary costs are, on net, lower by $3 billion compared to January. This number obscures billions of dollars in budgetary changes. For example, relative to the Governor’s budget, the Legislature enacted $6.4 billion in spending increases and revenue reductions through early action.

Baseline costs associated with the state’s major safety net programs are lower by $3.7 billion.

Total Reserves Would Reach Nearly $20 Billion Under Governor’s May Revision. Under the administration’s proposals, total reserves would reach $19.8 billion in 2021‑22. This total differs from the administration’s estimate of total reserves because we exclude the dedicated reserve for schools and community colleges, which we do not consider part of General Fund reserves.

Spending Choices he Governor made choice n allocating state and federal money, totaling $85 billion: the General Fund surplus,

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school and community college spending, American Rescue Plan funds for relief and capital projects. Schools and community colleges would receive the largest allocations. In the other category, the second largest, are $5.5 billion for broadband, $1.1 billion to replenish the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, and $305 million for the Employment Development Department to address workload.

General Fund Surplus e estimate the Governor had a $38 billion General Fund surplus to allocate in the 2021 May Revision. This

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surplus reflects higher revenues, higher constitutional spending, and net lower other spending.

“State Budget” page 22

Screen-Free Playtime

ACROSS

1. Ivory, in the bathroom 5. Letter of the ____ 8. Kiln for drying hops 12. Marine eagle 13. Muffin Man’s Drury 14. Zest 15. Landlord’s collection 16. Chieftain in Arabia 17. Frequently precedes “nonsense” 18. *Tabletop fun (2 words) 20. Passage in a coal mine 21. Clear the whiteboard 22. Sean’s mom Yoko 23. Alpine structure

26. Slabbered 30. Clothing border 31. Incense burning container 34. Gauche or Droite, in Paris 35. In a frenzy 37. Unagi 38. Fancy necktie 39. Eye protection, sing.

40. Not dangerous to health 42. Dwight the President 43. Worked the dough 45. *Screen-free message 47. Hairpiece, slangily 48. Libra symbol 50. Buenos ____ 52. *Dirty hobby?

56. African prairie

57. Like family lore 58. Don’t let it hit you on your way out 59. *Ten-pin establishment 60. Challenge 61. Purse to match a gown 62. Lake of Scottish lore 63. *Between ‘game’ and ‘match’ 64. Deliver a tirade 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

DOWN

Belgrade native Dessert sandwich Pavlova, e.g.

Tube-nosed seabird Tibetan priests Japanese cartoon

7. Used to be 8. *Explore the great ____ 9. ____ spumante 10. Editor’s mark 11. Craggy peak 13. Official emissary 14. Bird-deposited fertilizer 19. Same as schlock 22. Famous Bobby, on ice 23. *Sidewalk art medium 24. Macho man 25. *Tell jokes, e.g.

26. Sub station 27. Permissible 28. Extract a memory, e.g.

29. Try to prevent 32. It’s not a want 33. ____ Bernie Sanders, abbr.

36. *Guessing game 38. Administer an oil 40. “Don’t make me ___!”

41. With pleasure 44. Full of bunnies?

46. Full of gentleness 48. Ranee’s wrap 49. *Macrame or wood carving, e.g.

50. Expunge 51. Bodily disorders 52. Hermes and Apollo 53. ‘I’ in Greek alphabet 54. Person, place or thing 55. John Wayne’s “True ____” 56. Delivery vehicle © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCOTTS VALLEY FESTIVAL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Planning for the 2021 Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival is well underway. We are calling for volunteers to help make this year’s event a success!

Volunteer shifts will begin early on Friday, August 20 to help with the event set up, such as tents, signage, tables, chairs. Specifically, checking in the festival artists and wineries and assisting them on to the field. We also need a team of volunteers to help on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22 during the main event.

Volunteers Shifts include the following areas: Festival set up (Friday) • Meet and greet festival goers, hand out programs • Check ID’s and & Drink Bracelets • Artist assistants • Parking Lot assistance • Kid Zone • Cops N Rodder’s Car Show (Saturday only) • Doggy Day (Sunday only) • Tear Down (Sunday afternoon) If you are interested in a leadership role or have past festival experience and would like to volunteer for a specific role, please email us at volunteerchairartwinebeerfest@gmail.com All volunteers will receive: Festival T-Shirt • Food and Drinks during your shift • Volunteers over 21 will receive a festival glass and drink ticket • Invitation to Volunteer Appreciation Party!

Sign-up today — and If you need to change it, it’s ok!

We need to get a head-count early — so we appreciate your commitment to volunteer today! You can edit your shift or cancel before August 1st. You can do that by logging in to your registration sign-up and make the change at any time!

For more information, contact (text only) Cherie La-France Anderson, Volunteer Chairperson, at (831) 239-4616, or Kevin Anderson, Volunteer Chairperson, at (831) 206-2943.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by June 18 health and wellness of the Black community of Santa Cruz County.

Black Health Matters, with Santa Cruz County Parks and County Parks Friends, will produce a diverse and accessible lineup of COVID-mindful events and experiences led by and for Black residents (and allies) in beautiful outdoor spaces.

From movement classes, guided nature hikes, and self-care workshops, to weekly virtual content, community gatherings, and celebrations, this summer-long campaign is geared toward having a seat at the table for all.

Register: https://tanneryworlddance.com/bhm-happenings/ TWDCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ twdcc_dance/?hl=en CABRILLO CLASSES Cabrillo College’s summer session begins June 14. Act now to see if the class you’re looking for is available.

The fall semester begins Aug. 23.

Register at www.cabrillo.edu

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone meetings for caregivers throughout the month: Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney.

Second Saturdays CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR SCOTTS VALLEY ART WINE Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — & BEER FESTIVAL Facilitator: Diana Hull.

The Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival is looking for Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. artists for the 2021 event, Saturday, Aug. 21, from 10 ••• a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 Second Wednesdays p.m. at Siltanen Park on Vine Hill Road, Scotts Valley.

Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana The festival has been approved by the Santa Cruz Mendoza.

County Public Health Director Gail Newell and the City Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org. of Scotts Valley.

All artwork will be juried, with initial results posted on STUDENT STORY CONTEST DEADLINE June 15.

Stories Due Wednesday, June 30 Artists must have original, quality art and The Palo Alto Humane Society invites 7th and 8th excellent craftsmanship. No kits, mass-produced graders in Santa Cruz items, commercial reproductions or imports will County to participate in be allowed. The charge is $220 for a single booth a writing competition and $390 for a double booth for Santa Cruz County on the theme of animals residents, and $330 and $620 for out-of-county and people helping each other. Stories can be fiction or residents. nonfiction and should illustrate a sense of kindness in Artists apply at svartfestival.com. Artists who apply their characters. before June 15 get a $40 early bird discount. Applicants The top prize is $500, with $200 each for two after June 15 will be juried on an individual basis. Final runner-ups. Winning stories will be published by Palo registration deadline is July 20. .

Alto Humane Society and highlighted during the 2021 Artist check-in is noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, with Creating Compassionate Communities campaign. no late check-ins allowed due to limited access to the Stories must be original and between 800 and 1,000 new venue. words. Competition guidelines — plus a submission form Artist questions? Email Angela Marshall, artist chair, at — are at https://tinyurl.com/paloalto-humane-write-2021. amarshall@scottsvalleychamber.com 20TH ANNIVERSARY BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL BLACK HEALTH MATTERS: VIRTUAL TOUR FRESH AIR ’21 THIS SUMMER June 11-20, Online Film Festival Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center The 20th Annual Bicycle Film Festival offers a virtual Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center’s Black Health screening of short films curated for Santa Cruz County.

Matters Initiative is kicking off a summer of free proThe Festival is a fundraiser for local nonprofits Comgramming, Fresh Air ’21, to address and elevate the mental munity Bike Collective and Bike Santa Cruz County.

20 / June 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Tickets have sliding-scale prices of $10, $20 and $30 and can be found at https://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/ SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone.

To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-through food distribution will continue operating at the county Fairgrounds 9 a.m.-Noon on the following Fridays: June 4 • June 18 • July 9 • July 23 Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

First and Third Monday Each Month SENIOR LIFE ONLINE 4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. Senior Life Online meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

View the schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/currentactivities/.

June 7: Scotts Valley Fire Chief Ron Whittle on Fire Prevention for Property Owners.

June 21: Piret Harmon, General Manager at the Scotts Valley Water District, giving an update.

To participate, you need an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. A one-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl. com/SVSLA-5. Questions? Call George at (831) 334-7763.

Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

DATED EVENTS Wednesday June 2

YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR BODY 10-11:30 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association online seminar The Alzheimer’s Association presents: “Healthy Living Ongoing thru July 31 for Your Brain and Body” a webinar available via phone SUMMER READING and online.

All ages are invited to register for the Santa Cruz Public Join us to learn about research on diet and nutrition, Libraries’ Summer Reading Program June 1 – July 31 and exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and earn prizes and entries to a raffle of local merchant gift cards. help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan Go to santacruzpl.org/srp, call 831-427-7713, or text for healthy aging.

831-264-0647 to sign up and for more information.

Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Kids up to age 18 get a $10 Atlantis Fantasyworld gift Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation with certificate toward a collection of comics and graphic novels. call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar.

After reading for 5 hours, kids up to age 11 get a new book selected by librarians, kids 12-18 get a tote FIFTH ANNUAL GET HIRED bag with goodies, and adults get a tote bag and a raffle 6:30 p.m., UCSC Competition ticket. Prizes include a free scoop from The Penny Ice 7 p.m., Santa Cruz Works Job Fair Creamery. Grand prize is family membership to the 7:30 p.m., Design Your Life Presentations Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Santa Cruz Museum of More than 10 companies will offer 300+ jobs and Art and History. internships, including Joby Aviation, Paystand, The Beanstack online platform with mobile app Parallel Flight Technologies, LIFEAID, Claret will track summer reading and allow readers to claim Bioscience, Astrea Forensics, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, rewards. Paper reading logs are available.

June 2, at this virtual event presented by Santa Summer reading events include magic shows, circus acts, Cruz Works.

NorCalBats, musical performances, and STEAM projects. See The night starts at 6:30 p.m. with the UC Santa Cruz santacruzpl.org/calendar.

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development Business Plan Contest. Watch the top 3 teams who won Ongoing Through Labor Day the annual competition and cast your vote in the People’s LOCH LOMOND RESERVOIR OPEN Choice virtual ballot.

Hours: August–Labor Day: 7 a.m-8 p.m. • June & July: 7 At 7:30 p.m., attendees can go to breakout rooms a.m.-8:30 p.m. • Closed Wednesdays to meet recruiters, talk to company employees to Loch Lomond learn about career paths, or listen to author and Recreation Area career guru Dave Evans, who will give a 30-pminute is owned and crash course on “Designing Your Life,” has taught to operated by the thousands.

City of Santa Cruz Tickets range from $0-$50. Register at https://www.eventbrite.

Water Department, com/e/5th-annual-get-hired-ucsc-cied-business-plan-contestprimarily storing tickets-153589643759 water for Santa

ONGOING EVENTS

Cruz residents and offering boat rentals, picnicking, fishing and hiking.

After Labor Day, the Reservoir will remain open on weekends through the second weekend of October, open 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Vehicle entrance fee: $8 • Season pass: $80 Information: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/ government/city-departments/water/watershed/ loch-lomond-recreation/park-map

Thursday June 3 AUTHOR MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY 7 p.m., Mt. Madonna Public Speaker Online Series The Mount Madonna School public speaker series based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals presents “Rethinking Traditional Gender in Classic Literature,” featuring New York Times-bestselling author Maria Dahvana Headley.

Headley’s “Beowulf: A New Translation,” is a feminist

COMMUNITY CALENDAR reworking of the tale of entitlement and encroachment, powerful men seeking to become more powerful, and one woman seeking justice for her child. Her most recent novel, “The Mere Wife,” follows the arc of the original Beowulf but places the epic into a women-centered story in modern suburbia.

Author, editor, and historian Tiffany Wayne, Ph.D., former English teacher at Mount Madonna School and an alumni parent, will moderate.

Tickets are by donation at https://www.sdgspeakerseries.org/

An on-site lunch will be available. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required.

Visit https://sirinc2.org/branch20/ for more information.

Thursday June 10

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SEMINAR: WARNING SIGNS 3-4:30 p.m., Online Class The Alzheimer’s Association presents: “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” webinar, available both online and by phone.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking Sunday June 6 and behavior problems that interfere with daily living.

DANTE ALIGHIERI: ‘ART OF THE ITALIAN APERITIVO’ Learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; 3:15 – 5 p.m., Online Zoom Class (Waiting room opens at 3 p.m.) how to approach someone about memory concerns; the Prosecco is the base for many Italian aperitivos: the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; famous Aperol spritz, the Bellini, and the less known possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic Hugo spritz or Negroni Sbagliato. process, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

In this class, Chaney Janssen of Destined for Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Grapeness will teach you to make your own spritz at home. Lecture will include a demonstration of Aperol OCEAN & CLIMATE JUSTICE SUMMIT spritz and a “Spring Bellini/strawberry Bellini.” She will walk through what makes Prosecco a perfect ingredient 4-6 p.m., Online Summit TRUTH + JUSTICE = HOPE is a California Ocean & for an afternoon cocktail.

Climate Justice Summit.

Meghan O’Connell will teach you how to make a The summit, hosted by The Resource Center for Nonsimple “stuzzichini” based on local ingredients to pair violence and Save Our Shores, will amplify the stories of with your aperitivo. emerging BIPOC environmental justice leaders to inspire Cost is $10. Link: http://bit.ly/dante_aperitivo For more information, email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com California to recognize how its diverse population, cultural influence, vast wealth, and startup mindset can be essential collective forces to regenerate our ocean.

Monday June 7 Tickets and link information are available at Eventbrite.com UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S (https://tinyurl.com/cal-ocean-climate-summit) 1-2:30 p.m., Alzheimer’s Association online seminar The Alzheimer’s Association presents “Understanding Friday June 11 Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” a webinar available via ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SEMINAR: phone and online.

DEMENTIA CONVERSATIONS Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF 1-2:30 p.m., Online Class Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation The Alzheimer’s Association presents: “Dementia with call-in information and instructions for joining our Conversations” webinar, available both online and by webinar. phone.

When someone is showing signs of dementia, it’s time Tuesday June 8 to talk. Often, conversations with family about changing OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT behaviors can be challenging and uncomfortable.

7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz This program provides tips for breaking the ice with Quench your thirst for international travel with the 2021 your family so you can address issues such as going to Ocean Film Festival World Tour, a short-film online the doctor for a diagnosis or medical treatment, deciding festival benefiting Save our Shores. when to stop driving, and making legal and financial The festival is presented by Rio Theatre and will open plans for future care. on the big screen and then be available online through Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Monday, June 21.

Sunday June 13 The 2-1/2 hours of short films will take you free diving in the Coral Sea, sailing north to Alaska, PRESCRIBED BURN WORKSHOP exploring remote Russian Islands and surfing in 9:30–11 a.m., near La Selva Beach Spain.

Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association will host a Meet Benoit, a surfer from Basque country who lost pile burn workshop/work party near La Selva Beach. his arm, Wayan Nyo, a fisherman who pulls plastic trash The burn workshop, which is free, will cover the basics from the ocean so he can fish again, conservationist and the permit process. Afterward participants will burn Vladimir Burkanov, and kayakers Lucy Graham and vegetation piles for wildfire safety; the landowner will Matilde Gordon. provide lunch. Sign up with Jared Childress at childress.

Cost to attend the limited live audience show at Rio Theatre is ember@gmail.com $18.90.

You can also e-mail Jared if you are interested in Cost to rent online the festival for a 48-hour period is $18. joining a “Wildfire Preparation Brigade” for both the Get tickets for either at https://www.riotheatre.com/eventsSanta Cruz Mountains and the Northern Santa Lucia 2/2021/6/8/ocean-film-festival-world-tour Mountains.

Wednesday June 9 SONS IN RETIREMENT HONORS VETERANS Noon, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz Sons in Retirement of Santa Cruz will meet with Major General Bob Ostenberg, who will be awarding Vietnamera lapel pins to any veteran who served in the military from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1979.

If you plan to attend, email JimHealey36@yahoo.com

by June 7.

Tuesday June 15 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SEMINAR: HEALTHY AGING 1-2:30 p.m., Online Class The Alzheimer’s Association presents: “Healthy Aging”, available both online and by phone.

Science is providing insights into how to lifestyle choices may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age.

LUNAFEST 2021 Thursday June 3 thru Saturday June 5, Virtual Film Festival Viewing begins June 3 at 7 p.m. Ticket sales end June 5 at 7 p.m. Details below LUNAFEST is a series of short films by and about women. The Santa Cruz virtual screening June 3-5 will benefit WomenCARE Santa Cruz; proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships go directly to WomenCARE, which provides a safe haven where women with any type of cancer find mutual support, shared experiences, and open hearts.

Virtual viewing begins Thursday, June 3, at 7 p.m. You have 48 hours from then to unlock the films and then 24 hours to watch them. The run time is 86 minutes. Ticket sales end at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 5.

The films are: OVEREXPOSED: FILMING AN ARCTIC ODYSSEY

by Holly Morris • KNOCKING DOWN THE FENCES by Meg Shutzer • A LINE BIRDS CANNOT SEE by Amy Bench • THE SCIENTISTS VERSUS DARTMOUTH by Sharon Shattuck • UNTIL SHE IS FREE by Maria Finitzo • CONNECTION by Tracy Nguyen-Chung & Ciara Lacy • BETYE SAAR: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS by Christine Turner ••• This year’s films feature strong women, powerful images, and impactful language — and may not be suitable for children or teens.

Tickets are $20 at https://www.lunafest.org/screenings/virtual-screening-friends-of-womencare-santa-cruz-060321 To view, visit: https://zoom.us/j/97161327724 Learn about research on diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and tools to help Meeting ID: 971 6132 7724 you incorporate these insights into a plan for healthy aging.

Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Thursday June 24

Tuesday June 15 and Friday June 25 FOOD TRUCKS AT SKYPARK 5–8 p.m., 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Local food trucks will be gathering at Skypark in Scotts Valley for two special events this month.

The first event is a mid-month Taco Tuesday on the day California will be relaxing COVID-19 restrictions!

Taquizas Gabriel, Holopono and more will bring their regular menu and their signature tacos for all to enjoy.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Next, the food trucks are joined by live music and a beer & wine garden for a Friday evening in the park. The Paperback Ryders will perform Beatles tunes and the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation will host a beer garden fundraiser. Food vendors at this event include Pana, Taquizas Gabriel, Saucey’z and Aunt LaLi’s.

Spread out and eat at the picnic tables, bring a blanket and picnic on the lawn or order your food to go.

Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/762864271075610

Wednesday June 23 CHEF IVAN COOKING DEMO 4 p.m., Online Class Executive Chef Ivan from Tarpy’s Roadhouse will give a free demo of healthy Farmer’s Market salad creations.

BOOK TO ACTION: JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS 8 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Libraries Online Seminar The Watsonville and Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite teens and adults to participate in a Book to Action Zoom meeting featuring Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen author Jose Antonio Vargas.

Free copies of his book are available at all library locations while supplies last. It’s also available in e-book and audio formats.

About 280 seats are available. Register at https://www. santacruzpl.org/pages/book-to-action/ n

Saturday June 26 HOME WILDFIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP June 26: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Woods Cove Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association will host a wildfire home hardening and defensible space workshop at Woods Cove.

Topics include: Native cultural burning, logging and brush encroachment; current lack of stewardship; tools such as broadcast burning, pile burning, targeted grazing, saws, chipping, mastication; 3’ to 30’ to 100’ zones; tree killers such as sudden oak death, pine bark beetle, Monterey pine canker.

The workshop costs $10; scholarships are available.

Register at: https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey. cfm?surveynumber=34949 n

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

“State Budget” from page 19 What Is the General Fund Surplus? The Governor’s May Revision is the starting point for legislative deliberation. Ultimately, the Legislature will make its own determination about how to allocate available funds. Here we estimate how much capacity the budget has to make those allocations under the Governor’s revenue estimates. We answer this question by assessing which of the Governor’s proposals are “discretionary.” We define discretionary spending to mean spending, reserve deposits, debt payments, and tax reductions not already authorized or required under current law.

(Our definition of discretionary excludes the cost to maintain current state services, such as base increases for the universities and employee compensation.)

Why Does This Figure Differ From the Governor’s Estimate? The Governor and administration have cited a surplus estimate of about $76 billion, which is different than our estimate. The primary reason is the Governor’s estimate of the surplus includes constitutionally required spending, whereas our estimate excludes it. For example, the Governor counts $27 billion in constitutionally required spending on schools and community colleges, nearly $8 billion in required reserve deposits, and $3 billion in required debt payments. After excluding these amounts, our surplus estimates are nearly the same.

How Can These Monies Be Used? In a normal budget year, General Fund surplus monies are available to use for any public purposes. This is not necessarily the case in this May Revision. That is because the State Appropriations Limit, which limits how the state can use revenues that exceed a specified threshold, applies to the budget process this year. The administration allocates $23 billion towards purposes that meet SAL requirements. The remaining surplus is used more flexibly.

The Governor Proposes Allocating $26 Billion in Surplus Funds to Spending. Using the $38 billion surplus, the Governor proposes roughly 400 spending proposals, which would cost $26 billion. Less than one-quarter of these proposals are unchanged from the Governor’s budget. The remaining three-quarters are either modified proposals or entirely new proposals.

State Appropriations Limit AL Limits Use of Surplus. Each year, the state compares the appropriations limit to appropriations subject to the limit. If appropriations subject to the limit exceed the limit

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(on net) over any two-year period, there are excess revenues.

The Legislature can use excess revenues in three ways: (1) appropriate more money for purposes excluded from the SAL (under the Governor’s proposal, the common new spending is capital outlay), (2) split the excess between additional school and community college district spending and taxpayer rebates, or (3) lower tax revenues.

How Does the Governor Use the Surplus for SAL-Related Purposes? Under the administration’s proposals, $23 billion of the surplus is split between two SAL-related purposes: $15 Billion in Discretionary Spending on Excluded Purposes. The Governor’s General Fund discretionary proposals include $15 billion in discretionary SAL exclusions. These exclusions are proposals for capital outlay projects. $8 Billion for Tax Rebates. The administrations estimates indicate the state would have excess revenues of $16.2 billion across 2020‑21 and 2021‑22. The Governor allocates half of these excess revenues—$8.1 billion—to taxpayer rebates for taxpayers with incomes less than $75,000. The administration does not allocate the remaining half to schools and community colleges. (The State Constitution allows the state two years to make the payments.) The estimate of the amount owed to K-14 education could change substantially in coming years due to changes in revenue estimates and legislative decisions.

Noteworthy Administrative and Proposed Statutory Changes. These three changes increase room under the SAL. First, the administration will stop counting vehicle registration fees as proceeds of taxes. Second, the administration is making an correction of its treatment of school-related deferrals. Third, the administration is proposing trailer bill language to absorb school districts’ room. We think all these changes are reasonable.

American Rescue Plan hat Are ARP Flexible Funds? The Rescue Plan included $350 billion in funding to state and local governments for fiscal recovery.

California’s state government will receive $27 billion. In addition, California will receive $550 million in Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which also are available to the state on a more flexible basis.

How Can These Monies Be Used? The state can use the fiscal relief funds: (1) to respond to the public health emergency or negative economic impacts associated with the emergency; (2) to support essential work; (3) to backfill a reduction in revenue that has

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Local Local Local

occurred since 2018‑19; or (4) for water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. The state has until Dec. 31, 2024 to use the funds. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released detailed guidance.

The Governor’s Proposal. The single largest proposal using these monies is $5.5 billion for broadband access, affordability, and infrastructure; next, nearly $5 billion to housing and homelessness and $3.6 billion to higher education, nearly $3 billion for health and nearly $3 billion for resources and environment.

The administration also proposes language to provide flexibility to reallocate these funds. We are still receiving information from the administration on the uses of these funds.

School and Community Colleges overnor’s Spending Choices. The State Constitution sets a minimum annual funding requirement for schools and community colleges. The May Revision includes nearly $23 billion in spending proposals to provide the constitutionally required funding increases. The Governor proposes allocating nearly $10 billion to pay down deferred payments from previous years, $5 billion (including $2.1 billion ongoing) for high-poverty schools and districts, nearly $1.4 billion for community colleges, and the remaining $6 billion) for other K-12 spending.

Budget Structure or the $38 billion General Fund surplus, which excludes spending on schools and community colleges, the Governor allocates: $25 billion to one-time or temporary spending, including nearly $15 billion for capital outlay; $7 billion to revenue-related reductions; $3.4 billion to the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties; and nearly $2 billion to ongoing spending increases, although these costs would grow substantially over time. The Constitution requires the state to set aside $11 billion for reserves and debt payments.

One-Time Spending he Governor proposes spending $25 billion of General Fund surplus monies on a one-time or temporary basis. The majority of these one-time proposals ($15 billion) meet the definition of capital outlay under the SAL and are excludable.

Governor Proposes $15 Billion in Spending on Capital Outlay. The Governor proposes allocating $15 billion of General Fund to capital outlay. For example, the Governor’s General Fund proposals include $2.6 billion for transit and rail projects, $2 billion for affordable college student housing, $550 million for Homekey (to house the unhoused), and $500 million for zeroemission vehicle fueling infrastructure. If the

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Legislature wants to make different decisions (without statutory changes or fund shifts), it can either: (1) use the funds to make tax rebates and additional payments to schools, (2) spend on other SAL-excluded purposes, or (3) use the funds to reduce taxes.

Governor Proposes $10 Billion in Spending on One-Time or Temporary Programs. The Governor proposes spending $9.8 billion on a one-time or temporary basis for a various program expansions that are not capital outlay. The largest proposals include $500 million for Golden State teacher grants and a $500 million endowment for learningaligned employment.

Reserves and Debt 11 Billion in Constitutional Reserve and Debt Requirements. With the administration’s revenue estimates, the Constitution would require the state to deposit $7.6 billion into the Budget Stabilization Account and spend another $3.4 billion to pay down debts.

These deposits would be required regardless of whether the state made withdrawals from the account in 2020 to address the anticipated budget problem. They are large because of revenue revisions.

Using Surplus, Governor Repays $700 Million in Loans and Proposes Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties Balance of $3.4 Billion. The Governor also dedicates $700 million in discretionary resources to repay special fund loans and sets the balance of the fund at $3.4 billion for the end of 2021‑22, somewhat higher than balance at the end of June 2020. Notably, the administration’s multiyear estimates include a negative balance of $6 billion in the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties in 2022‑23.

Governor Maintains Borrowing and Reserve Withdrawals. The Legislature passed the 2020‑21 budget in the face of major uncertainty. Revenues were expected to fall sharply.

The Legislature took $54 billion in actions to address that problem -- it withdrew funds from reserves, shifted costs, reduced spending, and increased revenues. However, under the administration’s estimates, General Fund tax revenues actually grew between 2019‑20 and 2020‑21 by 27 percent, the largest increase in four decades.

While the Governor’s proposals this year eliminate most of the spending-related budget solutions, they do use reserve withdrawals and borrowing from 2020 for $12 billion in spending.

Tax Reductions overnor Proposes $7.1 Billion to Tax- and Revenue-Related Reductions. The most

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dramatic and widespread impacts of the pandemic, many of the Governor’s larger proposals seek to mitigate either the pandemic’s direct impacts or problems exposed by the health and economic crisis.

The Governor’s homelessness proposal would allocate significant resources to a longstanding problem that has been heightened by the pandemic. The state also plays a foundational role in enabling economic growth by maintaining well-functioning infrastructure, transit, and higher education.

The May Revision includes many proposals in these areas. A notable number of proposals augment new programs, rather than making significant increases to existing safety net programs—like California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and Supplemental Security Income/ State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP)—or rate increases in programs like the Department of Developmental Services.

Trade-Off: Address Many Issues or Inroads on a Few. The May Revision aims to address many well-known problems, for which solutions—particularly coming out of a pandemic—are less understood. For example, whether the administration’s workforce proposals will attract workers to retrain remains to be seen. Many of the Governor’s proposals touch on similar issues, but ways in which they would interact remain unclear. We recommend considering whether to spread funding across many dissues or to dedicate more substantial resources to a smaller set of problems for which the Legislature has greater assurance of success.

Limited Capacity for Oversight. The surplus, in combination with the federal fiscal recovery funds, represents resources equal to about half of pre-pandemic General Fund budgets. This is an extraordinary amount of funding. Departments’ capacity to allocate this funding and oversee new spending will be limited. While the administration proposes a relatively small new unit in the Department of Finance to oversee new federal spending, more robust mechanisms for both state and federal funding—administratively and legislatively—are warranted.

Consider Withholding Some Decisions.

The administration proposes allocating almost all of the surplus and fiscal relief funds now.

Given the constrained time line of the budget process, limited administrative capacity, and potential for future action at the federal level, we recommend the Legislature withhold decisions on some components of the May Revision. Delay would give the Legislature more time to determine which solutions would be most effective and develop a detailed plan.

For example, the Legislature could wait to allocate the federal fiscal relief funds until more is known about what supports and services are needed as more Californians return to work, federal relief winds down, and the pandemic ebbs. n ••• To view charts and updates, see https://lao. ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

SCCAS Featured Pet

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Ratany’s Story

ello everyone, I’m Ratany (A281241), but don’t take me for a shrub! I’m a 1 year old male black and white domestic shorthair with quite the story.

Before arriving at the shelter I lived in an RV with 50 other kitties! Trust me, it was not as fun as it sounds! In fact, it has left me a bit hesitant. I like to take my time getting to know new folks, but once I know you’re safe I warm up fast!

My favorite thing to do is talk to you. Yup, I’m one of those! I can talk all day every day, especially if I learn that you give good cheek scritches. I also LOVE toys. Playing is the fastest way to my heart. Personally, I prefer the wand toy, as it requires a superior level of skill which I have honed during my time here at the shelter. And yes…that is an open invitation to challenge me. *winks* So if you’re bringing lots of love, fun, and patience to the table, come down to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter so we can have a chat!

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

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significant of these proposals is $8.1 billion in tax rebates to households with incomes of $75,000 or less.

These payments would satisfy half of the constitutional requirement under the SAL.) Partially offsetting the cost of the rebates is revenue from a proposal for a new tax on certain businesses.

Ongoing Spending overnor Proposes $1.8 Billion in Spending on Ongoing Programs, With Significant Outyear Cost Increases. The Governor’s spending proposals also include $1.8 billion in ongoing discretionary spending. (We exclude funding provided to maintain the cost of current state services, such as base increases for the universities and employee compensation, from discretionary spending.

These baseline cost increases increase ongoing spending by roughly $2.3 billion.)

Some of the largest include the Governor’s proposals to increase child care slots, expand full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to all adults 60 and older and to implement reforms to MediCal called California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Some of these proposals are phased in over a multiyear period, so we estimate the cost at full implementation of all of these proposals at $3.7 billion in 2024‑25.

By 2024‑25, the state would spend $2.7 billion ongoing for Transitional Kindergarten. (Under the Governor’s proposal, spending on schools and community colleges under Proposition 98 would increase to accommodate this expansion.)

••• LAO Comments Budget Structure n Contrast to the Governor, Recommend Budget Resilience. Despite a historic surge in revenues, the Governor proposes to use nearly $12 billion in reserve withdrawals and borrowing to increase spending. Using strategies designed for a budget crisis to support state spending at this time is shortsighted and inadvisable.

The state will need these tools to respond to future challenges when federal assistance may not be as significant. In the next recession, the state is likely to have sizeable declines in revenues. To avoid reductions to safety net programs that support Californians when economic hardship is most acute, budget reserves are critical. For instance, in last year’s budget process, when the state anticipated a historic budget problem, cuts to safety net programs were largely avoided because of the state’s significant reserves. We urge the Legislature not to take a step back from its track record of prudent budget management.

Budget Decisions Are More Complex Due to State Appropriations Limit. The SAL places significant restrictions on how the Legislature can use the surplus. The Legislature, however, can make different decisions, which will affect whether tax rebates or future tax cuts are necessary. Moreover, the Legislature could change calculation of the SAL. Ultimately, the Legislature has substantial discretion.

Spending Choices roposals to Address Problems Exacerbated by Crisis. Appropriately given the

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