My Family is Vaccinated, By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

FEATURED COLUMNIST My Family is Vaccinated

By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

As we turned the corner, the cheers were louder than I expected. You could feel the elation in the air as our community was able to celebrate together for what felt like the first time in ages.

Scotts Valley’s parade on the 4th of July, was not just a celebration of our country’s independence, but our own freedom after being under COVID restrictions for over a year. That joyous feeling has carried over into daily life, and I see it in ongoing reunions with family and friends that have been happening throughout the community.

Yet, lurking in the background, with even a name that sounds like an evil Marvel character, is the Delta Variant.

Rising COVID cases around the country threaten to throw a wrench into celebrations everywhere — from vacations to the Olympics. Underlying this rise in cases is the more infectious variant combined with a stall in vaccinations, as there are many who have hesitancy around taking the vaccine.

It is difficult to see the rise in cases, and not worry about the community’s overall health.

As a public official, I do not feel it is my job to tell people they must get vaccinated, but it is proper to share my experience and connect people with information. Personally, as a family, we have all gotten vaccinated, including our two teenagers. Our parents and siblings, and everyone in their families who are age-eligible have as well. None of us experienced any serious side effects.

In talking with community members, I have spoken with people concerned about taking the vaccine. I like to listen and understand what underlies their hesitancy — without judgment. If they ask for my recommendation, it is very simple — I suggest they talk to someone in the medical community that they trust. It could be any medical professional- a friend, acquaintance, family doctor, etc., but most importantly, someone that they respect and trust. There really is nothing that can replace a discussion with a trusted professional, from whom you can ask their opinion on the vaccine and its risks and rewards. Not long ago, we all relied on professionals trained in their field to give us advice on how to proceed with matters related to our health, and we believed it. However, our communities seem more divided now than ever, and much of that is based on the way we receive information. Algorithms determine which news we see in our browsers and social media feeds, and we are served information that fits our likes and dislikes. This news loop helps reemphasize our concerns by perpetuating only certain information. Breaking this cycle requires the step of receiving direct advice from someone with experience you trust.

There is a larger issue at play that we must keep in mind, not just about this pandemic, but the future of all public health. Dr. Vivek Murthy, our Surgeon General, recently relayed, “the spread of health misinformation … can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts.” Protections against misinformation used to be maintained through peer review and fact- checking media sources, but that is lacking in so much online commentary. Stopping misinformation is a larger societal mission that we must address, but as individuals, it simply underscores the need to check in with a professional you trust.

At the moment, we need to continue to celebrate the successes we have made as a community, but we also need to remember how fragile that progress can be. The world still has a long way to go before we move past the pandemic, and we all need to do our part to help. Individually, that may mean simply talking to someone you trust with a medical degree. These small steps, when taken by an entire community, are what will help us move past this crisis for good. n

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Derek Tim is mayor of Scotts Valley. Contact him at dtimm@scottsvalley.org or 831-239-9203.

Legendary Athletes

ACROSS 1. *Baseball’s “The Say

Hey Kid” 5. TV tube in days of yore 8. Proof of age, pl. 11. Medicinal succulent 12. Toward shelter, nautically 13. White heron 15. Poet ____ Angelou 16. Where a bib is tied 17. Taste like grapes 18. *First African

American to play in

MLB 20. Chap or fella 21. Do like Etna 22. Auction set 23. Property defacer 26. Italian vermouth brand 30. 2nd largest bird in world 31. Informal wear 34. “The Man Who ____

Too Much” 35. Relating to Scandinavia 37. Chicken ____ ____ king 38. Nearsited one 39. Bear in the sky 40. The largest Asian antelope 42. *Dolphin great ____

Marino 43. Reusable painting pattern 45. Stands out 47. Cotillion V.I.P. 48. Deli item 50. Cain’s brother 52. *a.k.a. The Great

Bambino 55. Oyster gem 56. Dwarf buffalo 57. Algonquian people 59. Body trunk 60. Hay spot 61. *”Battle of the Sexes” champion 62. A in FANBOYS 63. Altitude, for short 64. “Comme ci, comme ça”

DOWN

1. Mom in Scotland 2. Wing-shaped 3. Walk-the-dog toy 4. Bottom of the ocean 5. Fastener 6. Move a plant 7. *Pele or Bob Feller when they debuted 8. Armenia’s neighbor 9. Cabinet div. 10. Dirty dwelling 12. Declares invalid 13. Encourage, two words 14. *NHL’s “The Great

One” 19. Very angry 22. Type of English course, for short 23. Where women are from? 24. “To death” in France 25. Florence Nightingale, e.g. 26. Mountain goat terrain 27. Opposite of cathode 28. Himalayan country 29. *Track and field star of 1936 Olympics 32. Frozen rain 33. “____ at ease” 36. *He simultaneously played in MLB and

NFL 38. Ginger beer in a cocktail, e.g. 40. Pen point 41. Sea in the Mediterranean 44. Yo-Yo Ma’s instrument 46. Talks like a chicken 48. Overfamiliar from overuse 49. Terminate, as in mission 50. Same as eon 51. Shakespeare, a.k.a. ____ of Avon 52. “Ali ____ and the 40

Thieves” 53. *Tinker, Evers and

Chance, e.g. 54. Egg-layers 55. Parent volunteer organization 58. Id’s partner

SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 On display thru Oct. 31 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East Lake Ave., Watsonville Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden.

The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected more than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and collaborators. Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoor exhibit. Admission is free. Visitors can see works created by: Jamie Abbott • Cristy Aloysi • Susana Arias • Jeff Arnett • Nessy Barzilay • Michael Bashista • Lucia Bruer • Trudi Burney • Jay Capela • Lee Cavanaugh • Paul Cheney • Kathleen Crocetti • Sally Diggory • Franco Di Majo • Barbara Downs • Scott Graham • Leonard Groner • Roy Holmberg • William Hufmann • Kristen Kolbek • Marilyn Kuksht • Ron Lion • Lyn MacDonald • Mike McClellan • Kirk McNeill • Susan Megorden • Annie Morhauser • David Mudgett • Geoffrey Nicastro • Nancy Niles • Jeff Owen • Jane Reyes • Pierre Riche • Jewel Rogers • Mandy Spitzer • Judy Stabile • Richard Starks • Aaron Vanderkerckhove • Susan von Schmacht • Jenni Ward • Lea de Wit • April Zilber

SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE IS BACK! Featuring professional actors from around the country and inspired by deep local roots that go back more than 40 years, Santa Cruz Shakespeare stages bold productions of the plays of Shakespeare and other great playwrights that stimulate audiences’ senses and spark their imagination.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare performances take place in The Audrey Stanley Grove (or just “The Grove”) at Upper DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. •••

The Agitators: July 20- August 29

RII (Richard II): July 21- August 29 Tickets start at $25 For more info about SCS, visit https://santacruzshakespeare. org/season-2021/, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Due to limited capacity at the venue, people are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

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 Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull. Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. ••• Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza. Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org.

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

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by August 20

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: Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES 10-week Online Session, Begins Sept. 13 Registration is now open for fall Italian language classes. Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with instructors who are native speakers. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, the classes the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz is offering — beginning, intermediate, advanced, conversation — are for you.

The online 10-week session begins the week of Sept. 13, so register to secure your spot and get the early bird discount, which ends Aug. 21. If classes fill, a wait list will be created. The price ranges from $175 to $225 for 10 weeks. To register see: https://bit.ly/Dante-Classes. For more information email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com AUGUST ‘ROADMAP TO RECOVERY’ VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS FOR 2020 WILDFIRE SURVIVORS United Policyholders’ webinars in August 2021 for people affected by wildfires in California in 2020. •••

Survivor to Survivor Forums

Wednesdays, August 3 and August 17: 7 p.m. — Connect and confer with trained volunteers with past wildfire recovery experience. • Register: www.uphelp. org/aug3 / www.uphelp.org/aug17

Q&A for Wildfire Survivors

Wednesday, August 17: 5:30 p.m. — Team UP and CA-based experts will answer pre-submitted questions. • Register: www.uphelp.org/aug17_QandA

Submit your question: www.uphelp.org/r2rhelp

CAPITOLA’S FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS Do you love eating outside while enjoying live music? If so, the Capitola’s Food Truck Friday events are perfect for you!

The events are Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. Upcoming events are on Aug. 27 and Sept. 24. EL PAJARO KITCHEN ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING Aug. 9, Aug. 19 & 20, Sept. 1 El Pajrao Community Development Corp., which has a commercial kitchen in Watsonville for food entrepreneurs, will offer online training for free, with a focus on Spanishspeaking start-ups. The dates:

Monday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. Start a Food Business in the United States, online

Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. Commercial Kitchen Incubator, program orientation, online .

Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. Commercial Kitchens Incubator, program orientation online

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 6 p.m., Orientation of the Entrepreneur Program. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/el-pajaro-cooking.

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays COOKING WITH GREY BEARS 1 p.m., 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz or Online Join Cooking with Grey Bears live in-person or via Zoom — Your choice!

Chef Poppy DeGarmo is the instructor. To attend remotely visit https://us02web.zoom. us/j/92906805068. 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. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/.

Upcoming: Aug. 2 — June Gilliam will discuss her “Journey from a Former Chinese Communist to a Fervent American Patriot.” Aug. 19 — Dan Haifley, Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation’s Secretary of the Board, will speak about the Monterey Bay Sanctuary: its ocean health, research and education programs.

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.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday NAMI RECOVERY SUPPORT Mon/Wed 1-2:30 p.m., Fri 6-7:30 p.m., confidential Zoom meetings. National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Cruz County offers the “Connection Recovery Support Group,” a free, peer-led support group for any adult 18 or older who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition (no diagnosis required).

Groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. It’s confidential and drop-in friendly.

To attend, complete the registration form. You will immediately get an email with the Zoom link. You will need to do this only once, and will be able to use the same link for all groups in the future. Register at: https:// tinyurl.com/nami-zoom-register.

If you are unable to register, do not have an email address, or have other questions, call the office at (831)824-0406 or email anastasia@namiscc.org. View previous sessions at https://www.namiscc.org/ First Tuesdays Of The Month FIRST TUESDAYS FREE 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m. Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. https://arboretum.ucsc.edu Wednesdays thru Sept. 1 CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERTS ARE BACK 6-8 p.m., Bandstand at Esplanade Park, Capitola Village Aug. 4: Mike Hammar & the Nails, playing blues Aug. 11: Tsunami, playing classic rock/R&B, dance Fridays MIDTOWN FRIDAYS Ongoing thru Oct. 29, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (next to the fire station) Event Santa Cruz is hosting a Friday festival through the end of October. Called “Midtown Fridays,” the event will have a featured musical act plus food, artists, vendors, and more.

Admission is free.

Every Saturday SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, Kmart parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road. Ongoing thru Thanksgiving https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/

ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH Tours start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ group-reservation/ to reserve a tour. For more information, visit http://www.elkhornslough.org/ esnerr/tours/

DATED EVENTS

Sunday August 1 and Sunday August 15

ART AT THE BEACH 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Capitola Village’s Esplanade Park Enjoy Sunday Art at the Beach at Esplanade Park.

View and purchase quality artwork including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media from local artists.

This family-friendly event, presented by the Capitola Art & Cultural Commission, is free and open to the public.

Artists applications are accepted up to Aug. 10. Download an Artist and Artist Requirements at https://www.cityofcapitola.org/acc/page/sunday-artbeach-2021. For information, contact Leslie Fellows at 831-419-7485 or leslieafellows@yahoo.com

Monday August 2 Tuesday August 3

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION ONLINE WEBINARS 1-2:30 p.m., Phone/Online Seminar Aug. 2

Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

Aug. 3 Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior

Learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Please call 800.272.3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF. Once you complete registration for the meeting, you will receive an email confirmation with the call-in information and instructions for joining the webinars.