State Earmarks $30 Million for Highway 1 Improvement • School Trustees Authorize Move • Mountain Theater May Do CZU Fire Play • Nominate a Health Hero • Mayor Recognizes Pride Month • Santa Cruz County Jobs

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State Earmarks $30 Million for Highway 1 Improvements

On June 30, the California Transportation Commission allocated more than $30.3 million for the 41st Avenue to Soquel Avenue Auxiliary Lanes Project on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County.

The project will include auxiliary lanes from 41st Avenue to Soquel Ave. and a pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing at Mar Vista Dr.

The final environmental impact report was released in mid-May and is posted at https:// sccrtc.org/projects/streets-highways/ hwy1corridor/bayporter-statepark/.

Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for $29.8 million of this investment.

“This major allocation by the California Transportation Commission will improve safety for pedestrians and bicycle riders in the communities of Santa Cruz and Capitola. This important project is moving forward as a direct result of SB-1 and our commitment to multimodal transportation,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. •••

School Trustees Authorize Move

The Scotts Valley Unified School District will move district offices at 4444 Scotts Valley Drive to 108 Whispering Pines Drive, paying less per foot — $121 vs. #130 and getting more space.

On June 15, trustees authorized Superintendent Tanya Krause to sign a lease.

A move hasn’t been announced but the district office will close July 5-9, July 16 and July 23. Students who need work permits are advised to email csimonovich@scottsvalleyusd. org or call (831) 438-1820 x105 or x107.

The first school day of 2021-33 is Aug. 11. To register a new student call the school. More info is at scottsvalley-ca.schoolloop.com/ •••

Mountain Theater May Do CZU Fire Play

Peter Gelblum, president of Mountain Community Theater, and a resident of Boulder Creek, is working on a play about the CZU fire that destroyed 900 homes in Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek and Last Chance outside of Davenport.

Several members of the theater community lost their homes, according to Gelblum, and although historic Park Hall in Ben Lomond, where MCT shows were staged, escaped flames, MCT leaders cancelled the run of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which had been scheduled to open March 13, when county health announced a lock down for a week, that stretched on and on.

Currently, MCT is offering Ghost Light Theater, posting community submissions on YouTube.

••• Nominate a Health Hero Deadline: July 11

If there ever was a time to celebrate a health hero, this is it!

Our Pajaro Valley community is coming through COVID now because we each stepped up to help ensure our own and other’s safety. But some individuals stepped out beyond their role, their job, or their service in the care of others’ health and well-being during the pandemic. And still others have played a role over many years in transforming the health outlook of the Pajaro Valley.

Help us honor those who have contributed in truly unique ways to a healthier, more equitable community, and nominate them for the Community Health Trust’s annual Phil Rather Award for Leadership in Healthcare (https://pvhealthtrust.org/honoringthelegacy/)

Since 1999, the Community Health Trust has recognized the work of individuals and organizations with the Rather Award, named in honor of Mr. Rather’s legacy of service to the Pájaro Valley community. Over three decades Phil Rather advocated for access to healthcare for Pájaro Valley residents, especially those facing economic and social barriers. And he championed the creation of the Community Health Trust’s Diabetes Health Center (https:// pvhealthtrust.org/programs/diabetes-healthcenter/) which has filled a significant gap in diabetes prevention and self-management education services for the community.

If you know someone who, like Phil Rather, has taken action to build a culture of good health and well-being in the Pajaro Valley, nominate them today! (www.surveymonkey. com/r/N6LC89Q)

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We would love to hear from you. Take our short surveys to hear what’s important to you as a donor and to provide input on our 2021 signature annual event, An Evening of Wine & Roses! You could even win a chance for free tickets to the event. (Donor & Partner Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPPLX2L) •••

Mayor Recognizes Pride Month

On June 16, Scotts Valley Mayor read a proclamation saluting the local LBTQ+ community.

He invited everyone to reflect on “ways we can all live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding.” •••

Santa Cruz County Jobs

Report posted June 18 May unemployment 6.8%

May 2021 Change from a year ago

Leisure & hospitality 9,500 Up 2,000 Trade/transportation/ 16,200 Up 2,000 utilities Manufacturing 7,100 Up 700 Private ed. & health 17,100 Up 700 Other services 4,500 Up 500 Prof. & biz services 10,500 Up 300 Construction 4,500 Up 300 Financial 3,100 0 Information 500 0 Government 19,400 Down 900 Nonfarm 92,400 Up 5,600 Farm 9.900 Up 900

Total 102,300 Up 6,500

Labor Force 132,000 Up .5%

Employed

123,000 Up 9.3% Unemployed 9,000 Down 52%

Count is on the 12th of the month. *Includes commuting to jobs outside county

Sources: California Employment Development Department