Scotts Valley Times: September 2021 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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Dignity, Anthem Make Deal pg 7

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September 2021 • Vol 24 No. 9

Fallen Troops: Remember Their Names Full Story page 4

Conor Gilliam Wins Jr Olympic Gold S cotts Valley’s Conor Gilliam, won gold in the 800meter race at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships, and achieved All-American status for boys 13-14-years-old on July 28. The meet took place at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

‘Gut and Amend’ Vaccine Bills Page 5

Conor’s winning time was 2:06.24. Conor, 13, had to compete against a field of 104 entries in the 800-meter trials in order to make it to the finals. The top eight fastest times from the trials made it to the finals. ... continues on page 4

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Penny Ice Creamery Opens ... and More!

By Mayor Derek Timm As summer started, there was elation in the air. A sense of relief as mandates were rolled back, and vacations, gatherings and travel were again embraced. Full Story page 9

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No. 9

Volume 24

Table of Contents

Cover Conor Gilliam Wins Jr Olympic Gold 4 5 6 7 8 15 16 17 23

Community News Fallen Troops: Remember Their Names AB 1102: Will Employer COVID Vaccine Pass?, By Jondi Gumz Show Afghan Women You See Their Bravery, By Carmel Jud Anthem, Dignity Reach Agreement: Deal Runs Through April 2025; Rates Dispute Left One Million Californians in Limbo, By Jondi Gumz County Workers Must Vaccinate or Test, By Jondi Gumz Recall Ballots Vary By County: Here’s Why FireWise Gathering: Sept. 11 in Soquel Drawing the Lines: In-Person Meetings to Discuss District Borders Sept. 22, 29, 30 Helen Elmer Wins Speech Contest •  Montessori School Seeks to Add Students • Wildfire Alert Webcams

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 Chamber Membership Decals Feature Local Artist: TESSA HOPE HASTY 12 Red Ribbon Grand-Opening Ceremony for Found Art Collective • Walk to End Alzheimer’s — Sept. 18 at Seascape Resort 13 Free Community-Wide Music Concert Moves to Siltanen for One-Day Festival On Sept. 26 • Valley Churches United Missions offers CZU Fire Support 14 Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival: Dog Day Sunday Turned Fun Day Letter to the Editor 18 Schools Focus on COVID Vaccine Tracking, by Tanya Krause, Scotts Valley Unified School District Superintendent

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Virgo – Temple of Light, Temple of Day, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21

Featured Columnists Penny Ice Creamery Opens & Shopping Center Remodel on the Horizon, By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley 19 Get Comfortable with Productive Solitude, by John P. Weiss 22 Need COVID Test? Mobile Site To Open in Felton, By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Ada & Rosalind — A Perfect Pair!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Carmel Jud, Tanya Krause, Risa D’Angeles, Derek Timm, John P. Weiss, Bruce McPherson layout

Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson

photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

Fallen Troops: Remember Their Names O Army Staff Sgt.

n Aug. 28, the U.S. Department of Defense identified the 13 members of the U.S. military killed in the Aug. 26 attack on the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, as they were working to safely evacuate people in the wake of the takeover by the Taliban. These 11 Marines, one Army Sergeant and one Navy Corpsman made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Ryan C. Knauss

Corryton, Tennessee Marine Corps Cpl.

Hunter Lopez Indio

Rylee J. McCollum

In alphabetical order, they are:

Jackson, Wyoming

Marine Corps Lance Cpl.

David L. Espinoza

Marine Corps Lance Cpl.

Rio Bravo, Texas

Marine Corps Cpl.

Humberto A. Sanchez Logansport, Indiana

Marine Corps Lance Cpl.

Jared M. Schmitz St. Charles, Missouri

Dylan R Merola

Rancho Cucamonga

Marine Corps Sgt.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl.

Nicole Gee

Kareem M. Nikoui

Sacramento

Norco

Marine Corps Sgt.

Darin T. Hoover

Daegan W. Page

Salt Lake City

Omaha

Navy Hospitalman

Maxton W. Soviak Berlin Heights, Ohio

••• Cover Photo: Remains of US service members aboard a military transport plane at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 27.

COVER STORY “Conor’s Gold” from page 1

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

Lawrence, Mass.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt.

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

Marine Corps Sgt.

Johanna Rosario Pichardo

Conor Gilliam sports his gold medal in the National Junior Olympic 800-meter race.

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

The trials had five heats. Conor won his heat and was the fastest qualifier with a time of 2:06.81. The top eight runners in the final race would be All-Americans, it was just a matter of what positions they would achieve. It was a hot and humid 104 degrees in Jacksonville on the day of the 800meter final race. The runners were all checked in, ready to go. Due to the unhealthy heat index, the race was postponed until evening just 15 minutes before the scheduled 2 p.m. start time. By the new start time of 7 p.m., it had cooled to 95 degrees. In the final race, Conor stayed in 3rd and 4th position through the first 600 meters. The first half of the race was a slow pace, so Conor was ready to use his kick when it came down to the end. He moved into 2nd on the final turn with 200 meters to go. With 150 meters to go, Conor started his sprint, catching and passing the leader with 40 meters to hold on for gold. Conor attends Monte Vista Christian

School in Watsonville, where he will be an 8th grader. His inspiration for running: His older sister Caelan, who competed for Los Gatos Track Club and runs cross country and track at Monte Vista. Following in her footsteps, Conor competes for the Los Gatos Track Club, former home to Scotts Valley High’s Jeremy Kain, state champion in the 1,600 this year. Conor and his teammates have been training since December for this year ’s Nationals. In addition to his National Junior Olympic gold in 800 meters, Conor was also an All-American in the 1,500-meter race, finishing 7th out of a field of 96, with a personal best time of 4:26.89. For three years, Conor has dreamt of becoming an All-American, and wearing the famous All-American hat. With determination and hard work, he now has two of them. n ••• Cover Photo: Conor Gilliam (right), 13, of Scotts Valley, on his way to a first place finish in the National Junior Olympic 800-meter race.

COMMUNITY NEWS

SEPTEMBER

15-19

AB 1102: Will Employer COVID Vaccine Pass? By Jondi Gumz

ill California lawmakers pass a bill requiring employers in California to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or test employees? The deadline to pass bills is Sept. 10. On Aug. 30, when the state reported 65,000 COVID-19 fatalities and test a positivity rate of 4.7 percent, AB 455, a bill to mandate all employers require employees to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or take a weekly COVID-19 test, was shelved until 2022 by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland). The process used to rewrite AB 455 is known as “gut and amend.” California Globe reports another “gut and amend” bill, AB 1102, would order an employer to require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. The fate of this bill remains to be seen. Wicks’ announcement cited the need to protect kids too young for vaccination and neighbors in hospital intensive care units. “I’m hopeful that this conversation will ultimately lead to an increase in vaccination rates and a decrease in COVID deaths and ICU stays,” her announcement read, promising “the strongest bill possible headed into 2022.” She was working with Senators Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, and Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Assemblyman Evan Low, D-Campbell. The cost of the testing was an issue, according to her office. Earlier, Democratic lawmakers were weighing a statewide mandate for people to show they are vaccinated before going inside restaurants, gyms, bars and theaters. Health care workers and state employees are already required to be vaccinated.

On Sept. 20, the state will require vaccine proof or a negative COVID-19 test at large indoor events such as concerts and sports with more than 1,000 attendees. AB 455, originally written to create busonly lanes on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, was completely amended near the end of the legislative session. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, a Republican running to replace Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom in the Sept. 14 recall, called AB 455 a threat to freedom. Asked about the bill on Aug. 31, Newsom said, “We’ve been actively engaged to see what’s possible,” but said “they’ve decided to shelve the bill for the moment.” The Small Business Majority reported an Aug. 18-30 survey of 353 California small business owners found 59% would support a state law requiring them to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees. AB 1102, introduced in February by Assemblyman Low, initially focused on telephone advice medical services. The rewritten bill’s language runs 35 pages, according to Katy Grimes of California Globe, who embedded the draft changes in her report at: https://californiaglobe.com/articles/ another-gutted-bill-amended-to-compelca-employers-to-require-covid-vaccine-ascondition-of-employment/ “As with AB 455, lawmakers are deliberately sitting on the amendments in draft form, and telling callers/constituents they have no idea what they are talking about,” she said via email. Sen. Scott Wilk, R- Santa Clarita, the Senate Republican leader, criticized the use of the “gut-and-amend” approach because it avoids the legislative committee process and vetting in public. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Show Afghan Women You See Their Bravery

O ARTWORK BY BRITTANY COSTANZO

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ADMISSION FREE! Hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce capitolachamber.com 831.475.6522

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By Carmel Jud

ur nonprofit has been working who survived torture by the Taliban. with women in Afghanistan for We’re currently working to help her many, many years. The nightmare and her children leave Kabul. Emerthere is starting to stretch our resources. If gency funds will support their living you’re looking for a way to support Afghan expenses once they are out safely. women, I hope you’ll consider donating to • Provide crisis management for the fundraiser I’ve launched. See https:// Afghan refugees in locations around www.gofundme.com/f/show-afghanthe world, including Pakistan and the women-that--you-see-their-bravery U.S. I’m trying to raise $500,000, which is • Offer skills training for Afghan more than I’ve ever raised. If you have funwomen in refugee camps to develop draising or marketing experience, and are artisan goods that are sold by U.S. interested in volunteering, that’s awesome. Rising survivor entrepreneurs. Volunteer inquiries go to: sue@risinginter• Create income generation opportunational.org nities for Afghan refugees. I’m raising money for the brave The Afghan women in the accompawomen of Afghanistan, who are at risk of nying photo are refugees. Their smiles and losing everything they fought for. Over- incredible resilience and determination night, their world has been shattered. remind us of the tenacity of the human Funds will go to the charity, Rising spirit. Join us to help ensure the brighter Worldwide (dba Rising International) life they now dream of for all Afghan that I started 19 years ago because of one women. extraordinary Afghan woman. Survivors of conflict need a way to All of us at Rising are deeply con- earn money, no matter their location or cerned for the safety of Afghan women circumstances. and girls. In fact, the future of Afghanistan Today, over 25,000 survivors of depends on its women. In the words of extreme poverty, gender-based violence, former President Barack Obama, “Empow- homelessness, human trafficking, and war ering women isn’t just the right thing to do from more than 20 countries (including the – it’s the smart thing to do. When women U.S.) count on Rising to provide critical life succeed, nations are more safe, more saving support and use our global platform secure, and more prosperous.” to sell their handcrafted goods. When the Taliban took control of To the women of Afghanistan, please Afghanistan more than 20 years ago, know that all this impact, and all these lives there was a radio broadcast announcing touched began with you. You changed and that women were essentially living under saved so many lives. We are here for you. house arrest. One brave Afghan woman We will not forget you. n had a vision: Economic empowerment for ••• women with no way forward. Nineteen Carmel Jud of Felton is the founder of the years ago, she found a way forward, and nonprofit Rising International. we worked together to bring her vision to life in Afghanistan. Now, I’m asking you to join us in protecting Afghan women. Your support will help Rising to: • Deliver emergency relief to Afghan women in Rising’s programs, beginning with the evacuation of one of Rising’s artisans Afghan women, survivors of conflict, need a way to earn money.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Anthem, Dignity Reach Agreement

Deal Runs Through April 2025; Rates Dispute Left One Million Californians in Limbo

By Jondi Gumz

n Aug. 16, a battle between two health care giants over costs that left a million Californians scrambling for doctors — many in Santa Cruz County — ended peacefully with a multiyear agreement. The agreement is retroactive to July 15, 2021, and expires April 30, 2025, giving some peace of mind to people paying for an Anthem health plan to see Dignity Health doctors and get treatment at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz at lower “in network” rates. Without an agreement, people paying premiums to Anthem would have had to pay higher “out of network” rates to keep seeing their doctor and access Dominican Hospital. Some had procedures cancelled; others put off doctor visits, a stressful (and not very healthy) situation for all involved. Anthem, which is for-profit, and Dignity Health, part of the nonprofit CommonSpirit, were negotiating reimbursements to be paid to doctors and hospitals. Anthem blamed Dignity Health, releasing a statement that Dignity rates were “almost 30 percent more expensive than other health systems,” and that “giving in” would mean higher out-ofpocket costs and premiums. Dignity Health disputed the claim by citing a RAND study focused on 2016 to 2018 found eight other hospital systems in California have higher rates than Dignity Health. The RAND study reported inpatient and outpatient rates combined at Dominican Hospital were 409 percent of Medicare rates, Stanford, 363 percent, Sutter Coast Hospital, 427 percent, and Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, 461 percent. Dignity Health also posted that Anthem exceeded Wall Street expectations when its first-quarter profit was a record $1.7 billion. It’s hard to tell if one side gave in because neither side provided details.

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Anthem’s announcement mentioned “affordability” for consumers. “While we understand this wasn’t easy for consumers, it was necessary for us to stand firm as part of our efforts to help slow the sharp rise in health care costs,” said John Pickett, Anthem’s regional vice president of provider solutions, in a post online. “We value our relationships with providers, which are important to creating choices for our consumers and fulfilling our mission of improving lives and communities. Our members remained our No.1 priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach an agreement with Dignity that helps protect affordability.” In a statement, Dr. Robert Quinn, CEO of the Dignity Health Medical Foundation in Santa Cruz, called it “a win for our patients.” In a statement posted at KeepDignity Health.org, Dignity said, “We know these negotiations were stressful for our patients, our medical staffs, the communities we serve, and our own team. We sincerely appreciate patients’ understanding during the negotiations.” Dignity Health acknowledged “a brief out-of-network period,” noting “the new agreement is retroactive to July 15, the date the previous contract expired, and any care received since July 15 will be considered in-network. In anticipation of reaching an agreement, we held Anthem claims, so patients should not experience any impact on their bills.” “Deal Done” page 10

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COMMUNITY NEWS

7500 Old Dominion Court | Aptos, California 95003 831.688.8987 | Seacliffinn.com

County Workers Must Vaccinate or Test

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By Jondi Gumz

n Aug. 24, with the state seeing the fastest increase in COVID-19 cases due to the more contagious Delta variant and a state order for healthcare workers to vaccinate, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for county employees. About 85 percent of the county’s budgeted 1,937 employees are vaccinated, and about 300 are deemed unvaccinated, according to County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios. “This is a significant statement by the Board on the importance of vaccinations to protect the health and safety of our community,” Board Chair Supervisor Bruce McPherson said. “Our employees have demonstrated leadership through their already high vaccination rates, and the Board encourages every community member to follow suit if they are able to obtain a vaccine.” At the time of the vote, Santa Cruz County ranked 13th among California’s 58 health jurisdictions for vaccination, with 68.7 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and 77.7 percent with at least one dose. The vote gave employees 30 days to comply with the mandate or submit to weekly testing. Employees who do not comply will face leave without pay or termination. An employee who refuses to vaccinate or test weekly “will be deemed to have subjected co-workers to unnecessary safety risks,” according to the staff report from the County Administrative Office. “Appropriate action may include a leave without pay for non-compliance or termination based on the circumstances. Simply allowing the employee to continue working would not be an acceptable option.” Due process in the form of a Skelly hearing is required for permanent employees who have a constitutionally protected interest in their job. Palacios did not have an estimate of the cost to carry out this mandate. Potentially the state could provide testing kits for free. If not, the cost of the kits is estimated at $40 or more, with the cost of testing administrators estimated at $70 to $100 per hour. County government is the second largest employer in Santa Cruz County; UC Santa Cruz is the largest. As of Sept. 1, Santa Cruz County has

vaccinated 68.7 percent of the population with at least one shot, and 61 percent are fully vaccinated. Cases Slow Down hree deaths were recorded in August, bringing the number of fatalities in the county to 210. All three who died in August were unvaccinated and had underlying conditions. The number of COVID cases dropped from 923 to 871, according to the county dashboard, which is updated on Monday and Thursdays. New cases are mostly in north Santa Cruz County. The 14-day change, a metric that is updated on Wednesdays, showed cases down 1 percent — a big change from increasing 64 percent, and then 23 percent earlier in the month. The number of hospitalizations, which had been as low as 12, rose to 21, with five people in intensive care, and 3 ICU beds available. Full Approval n Aug. 23, federal regulators granted full approval to the two-dose PfizerBioNTech vaccine, which means the fact sheet people get will no longer describe the vaccine as experimental. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had granted the Pfizer vaccine emergency use authorization in December after a clinical trial of 44,000 people 16 and older were followed for a median of two months after their second shot. Half got the shot, and half got a placebo, the FDA said, with the vaccine 91 percent effective. To get full approval, Pfizer followed 12,000 people for at least six months, the FDA said, and more studies will be required to assess the risk of heart damage as higher risk was observed for males under age 40, with the highest risk for those age 12 to 17. The Pfizer vaccine will now be marketed as “Comirnaty.” FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, in announcing the approval, said, “We recognize for some, the FDA approval may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated.” More Testing o help meet demands for free COVID-19 testing, Santa Cruz County Public Health and OptumServe has added a third testing lane at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, bringing daily testing capacity to 594.

“COVID Update” page 16

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Penny Ice Creamery Opens & Shopping Center Remodel on the Horizon

s summer started, there was elation in the air. A sense of relief as mandates were rolled back, and vacations, gatherings and travel were again embraced. However, the past few weeks have felt like the string on the yo-yo ran short, and we have been quickly pulled in the opposite direction. As smoke from wildfires again tinted our skies this week, I have had several friends remark with sadness about the world’s state of affairs from climate change — to Covid — to Afghanistan. Even as I write this message, I can’t escape the hazy red glow of the moon outside my window, as its light attempts to pierce the smoke in the sky. It is hard not to feel overwhelmed. However, I was reminded this past week of the hope that can come from focusing on the good things that are happening in our community. Our Chief of Police conducted a badge-pinning ceremony for two new officers who are joining our police department. It was the first time we had been able to welcome new officers in-person in over a year. It was hard not to be inspired by the ambition in their eyes, as the shiny new badges were presented to each of them. Our Chamber of Commerce also hosted an incredibly successful Art, Beer and Wine Festival. I worked at the event along alongside a dedicated army of volunteers. While we were setting up, I had a chance to chat with several of the artists. For many of them, this was their first opportunity display and sell their art at a festival in nearly two years, and they expressed their gratitude for the event planners and the community. For those who attended, the dog show and the Cops & Rodders car show were highlights. As the weekend came to a close, my highlight was sitting in the sun with my family and friends listening to James Durbin and the Lost Boys belt out some of my favorite tunes. Moments like that cannot be beat. There is also buzz in Scotts Valley with our community welcoming new businesses to the Hangar. Penny Ice Creamery will be the first to open in this beautiful

By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

Customers enjoy a snack at The Penny Ice Creamery in Scotts Valley Tuesday. new destination on Mount Hermon Road on Labor Day weekend. Other tenants with planned openings at the Hangar before the end of the year include Faultline Brewing Company and Home by the great minds at Zinnia’s. The patio will compete with the best beer gardens in the Bay Area and looks to be a destination for families and mountain bikers alike. Next door to the Hangar, Target has finished the design process on their new store, and construction is expected to begin soon. The shops in the surrounding shopping center are also about to receive a major upgrade. I am happy to announce the shopping center owner has just submitted plans to undertake an extensive remodel of the rest of the center, promising to make it one of the nicest in the area. The center will bustle once again and include expanded outdoor dining areas and local artistic elements. As a City, we are also looking to the future. Although our hearts are heavy with our City Manager departing to Coronado, we have made quick progress to ensure the transition is smooth. This week, we selected Brian Haddix to become our interim City Manager. His background includes an incredible resume

with over 30 years of work that spans the local, state, and federal levels, with numerous awards under his belt. In addition to helping us advance our City’s priorities and goals, he will also work with us on identifying a permanent City Manager. “Penny Ice” page 10

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

“Penny Ice” from page 9

free and open to the public, 4-7pm!

Exhibitor Booths Still Available Register at www.santacruzchamber.org

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

We also recently hired Chris Lamm to oversee public works. We are extremely lucky to have such a talented individual assisting our community, bringing a great deal of experience to the department. We are excited to have them both on our team. All of this good reminds me, that if you can see past the haze, there is always light on the other side. The smoke will

lift and with community cooperation, the Covid numbers will drop. There is a lot to look forward to on the horizon, and we need not look further than our own community to see it. n ••• Derek Timm is mayor of Scotts Valley. Email him at dtimm@scottsvalley.org. ••• Cover Photo: Penny Ice Creamery Regional Manager Rahul Bhambhani serves a customer.

Customers are lined up at The Penny Ice Creamery in Scotts Valley Tuesday.

“Deal Done” from page 7 According to Dominican Hospital President Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, “The Dominican Hospital team communicated regularly with patients and community members who were concerned about their coverage, and we submitted continuity of care paperwork to minimize any disruption in care.” During the negotiations, Dominican Hospital’s emergency department “continued to care for patients,” she added. Nonetheless, patients paying for the Anthem plan for their Dignity doctors were distraught. One woman said her choices were to “abandon all of my doctors and history including our specialty care at UC San

Francisco and move medical groups, wait it out and hope for the best, or change my insurance during open enrollment,” with Kaiser Permanente under consideration. One had foot surgery cancelled. One with heart problems put off seeing the cardiologist. Another who had to change doctors five years ago due to a job change in the family said the prospect of changing again created “unneeded stress in already trying times.” She felt Dignity should get “decent rates to help them offset all of their losses” for caring for patients with COVID-19, and she too is “starting to look much harder” at Kaiser Permanente. n ••• To view the RAND study, see www.rand. org/pubs/research_reports/RR4394.html

Chamber Membership Decals Feature Local Artist

TESSA HOPE HASTY

e are pleased to announce our Chamber Decal Artist — Tessa Hope Hasty — for the 20212022 Deal, featuring her Acrylic Gouache on Canvas painting “Tiger Lillies in the Forest” and the future 2022-2023 Chamber decal, which will feature “California Flow,” Acrylic painting on Wood Panel. When a business joins the Chamber a window decal is presented, and the decals are updated each year as the business renews its membership. Members promote their community involvement by displaying a Chamber of Commerce decal. The Chamber encourages its members to do business with each other. The membership window decal makes it easier to identify and support fellow Chamber members and for them to identify you. It certifies your business is one of the Scotts Valley leading business organizations. You will benefit from the added credibility and

recognition that comes from your membership the Chamber. You can see Tessa at the upcoming in The Bonny Doon Art Wine and Brew Fest on October 2. Tessa is an Open Studio Artist, and you can visit her on the Westside at 327 John Street; Artist Number 239 both weekends during the Arts Council Santa Cruz County Open Studios Tour in North County on October 9-10 and All County weekend on Oct 16-17, 2021. ••• About Tessa Hope Hasty essa is an ocean and mountain artist whose roots go back three generations in Santa Cruz and Yosemite. She enjoys landscape painting, screen-printing, and woodworking. She is the co-founder and designer at Feral Lux, a lifestyle company. Her elemental paintings interpret her experiences in nature as a surfer, hiker, and

backpacker. Tessa lives and creates on a lavender farm in Bonny Doon, California. Tessa began using her hands as a small child, in a creative home made by artistic parents. She has continually dedicated her time and energy to personal adventures and the creative process. Her training includes an eclectic combination of oneon-one apprenticeships with numerous prolific artists. In addition to direct mentorship, global travels, and artist in residencies, she received her bachelor’s degree in Pictorial Studies, with a double minor in Business and Art History, from San Jose State University. Tessa has completed commissions for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations regionally. More information can be found at tessahopehasty.com

Top: Tessa Hope Hasty Holding one of the new Decals Above: Tessa in her studio.

School is Back — Stay Safe: Mask Up!

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Red Ribbon Grand-Opening Ceremony for Found Art Collective

new Handmade Goods Gift Shop opens in Scotts Valley! The Found Art Collective was formerly located at Pleasure Point, the business has emerged from shelter-in-place with a new location, this time with a location close to home in Scotts Valley, where creators Elaine Sherer and daughter Jennifer Janisch both reside. The shop’s business hours for Fall are 12pm to 5pm, Wednesday through Saturday. When one steps into the shop, it’s not clear if you’ve stepped into the past or stepped into the future. A mash up of modern, contemporary aesthetic with farmhouse, rustic sets the stage for fine ceramics both new and vintage. You’ll find

Thursday, September 16th, 5:30-7 p.m.

local artists’ wares as well as handcrafted goods from other parts of the United States. Jennifer works in the tech industry but is a creative at heart. She provides the backof-house support. Found Art Collective is a small, woman-owned business that grew out of a love for pottery and a distaste for the mass production of 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 well-executed ceramics and other handmade goods. First introduced in Soquel in the Spring of 2018, the shop features pottery as well as other handmade goods, including textiles, stationery, jewelry, as well as natural bath and body products, many from local artists. The products are earth-friendly, and the artists use sustainable processes in their work. For more information on Found Art Collective, visit www.foundartcollective. com, call 831-221-0280, or visit @foundartcollective on Instagram or Facebook.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s — Sept. 18 at Seascape Resort

anta Cruz’s Walk to End Alzheimer ’s is happening in person this year at Seascape Park and Resort in Aptos on Sept. 18. The health and safety of walk participants, volunteers and staff remains one of the Alzheimer ’s Association’s top priorities. The Walk will follow all current public safety guidelines from state and local officials. The Alzheimer ’s Association will also continue to offer options to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer ’s online for those who wish not to participate in person. “We greatly appreciate the continued support from all participants, sponsors, and volunteers in our community,” said Gabrielle DiMariano,

Walk Manager. “With your dedication and commitment, we plan to move forward with another successful walk event providing awareness and funds dedicated to support, education, and research for those affected by Alzheimer ’s and other dementia.” The Alzheimer ’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer ’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer ’s care, support, education, and research. 1 in 3 American seniors die from Alzheimer ’s or another dementia. More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer ’s. Over eleven million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer ’s or other dementias.

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

Emcee, Veronica Macias, KION 5/46 news anchor: “I feel so fortunate to be able to host this community event that gives a platform for families experiencing Alzheimer ’s and dementia. People are my passion and I believe we can all learn from each other ’s experiences and that it’s important we share our stories.” In Santa Cruz County, there are an estimated 5,000 people living with the disease and over 9,000 caregivers. The Alzheimer ’s Association offers no-cost services to all Santa Cruz County residents at our local office and other locations throughout the county. To register for this year ’s Walk to End Alzheimer ’s, visit: act.alz.org/ santacruz

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Free Community-Wide Music Concert Moves to Siltanen for One-Day Festival On Sept. 26 M usic at Skypark has become a beloved community event, perfect for everyone – especially after a tough year of viruses, fires, and economic turmoil. The all-volunteer Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley will once again put on the concert and dedicate all profits to the music programs at local public schools (concert profits over the years now top $140,000). A key to this success has been the many supportive sponsors over the years. The FREE community-wide “Music at Skypark” concert series returns for its 12th season with a new format and a new location — Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley. “Music at Skypark” becomes “Music at Siltanen Park” this year! While Skypark undergoes repairs, the three-concert series morphs into a one-day festival on Sunday, September 26, at Siltanen Park, featuring three headliner bands, all with huge local followings:

at Siltanen Park! These classic Santa Cruz rockers deliver music of the 70’s with humor and style that guarantees to bring the audience along. Footstomping is back (even if you can’t remember the 70’s)! • 5 pm — The Joint Chiefs headlining for their 12th year at this concert series! Santa Cruz County’s most beloved bands, The Joint Chiefs, with their

totally danceable fusion of funk, acid jazz and classic R&B. This band alone is worth the price of admission – oh wait, it’s free! It just wouldn’t be Music at Skypark (or Music at Siltanen) without The Joint Chiefs. Come and enjoy the very best music this area has to offer! Scotts Valley Kiwanis and local

businesses will offer a range of food, wine, beer, and other concessions for sale. Volunteer opportunities and sponsorships are still available. Visit www. svkiwanis.org for details or contact Mike Stewart at (831) 334-8899 or Jim Melehan at jimbofx@msn.com. “Music at Skypark continues to be the main source of funding for our District’s music program,” remarked Beth Hollenbeck, the former music director of Scotts Valley Unified School District. “On behalf of our students, staff and administration please know how deeply grateful we are for your support of this growing program. It’s no wonder the NAMM Foundation repeatedly awards Scotts Valley the ‘Best Community for Music Education’!”

• 1 pm — Alex Lucero and Live Again leads the festival off with their huge range of high-energy soul, funk, jazz, jazz fusion, Afro Cuban, reggae, and Americana to the stage at Siltanen. What a repertoire! What creativity! Trust us, it’s always a memorable treat to experience this band – just ask all their loyal followers! • 3 pm — The Billy Martini Show (70’s Musical Tribute) totally excites every audience who sees them perform, so we grabbed them for our stage

Valley Churches United Missions offers CZU Fire Support

alley Churches United is one of the local nonprofit organizations that can provide support for fire survivors, depending on the unmet needs. We are part of the Long-Term Recovery Group that formed to provide resources and support for those eligible. Do you need assistance in recovering from the CZU fire? Email CZUFireHelp@ gmail.com or call 831-920-4764 to connect with a disaster case manager. Valley Churches is working with the CZU fire case managers to provide a variety of support for fire survivors. You can contact Valley Churches United by email at lrobinson@vcum.org or call 831336-8258 x229.

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival: Dog Day Sunday Turned Fun Day

he Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival’s second day turned out to be bright, sunny, and full of adorable furry friends and family vying for ribbons in seven different contests. Dog Day organizers, Susan O’Connor Fraser and Regan Eymann, added four new contests along with the usual favorites Best Tricks, Best Costumes, and Best Look-Alike. Among the new events were Largest and Smallest Dog, and crowd-pleasers Best Pooch Smooch and Fastest Fetchers, which was the final category fielding over 17 canine contestants along with their dog (or frisbee) throwing pet parent. Winners that day included: Lee & Gemma Roach and their dog Tutti for Best Costume; Jacqueline Linford and Beau for Best Look-Alike; Arwen Reber and Murphy returning winner of Best Tricks; Phil Irvine and Deliah for Best Pooch Smooch; Leilana Argentieri’s Nico for Smallest Dog; James Towner’s Plum for Largest Dog; and Sean Newcome and Luna for Fastest Fetcher. City Councilwoman, Donna Lind, led the judging team, which included Robert Aldana, Realtor and Founder of My Scotts Valley; Bobbie Ward, Owner and Teacher at Performance Vocal; and Lori Katz, Owner and Trainer at Kindred Spirits Dog Training, Phil Gomez was the MC and kept the day moving along and the crowds entertained. Leading up to the event, organizers held two Facebook contests for Cutest Canine—won by Melissa Boose’s Sandy—and Funniest Dog—won by Kim Sanford-Gidding’s Micky. Pictures of all the first through third-place winners were on display during the event. Dog Day Exhibitors greeted interested attendees to show off their wares or to explain how their organization was supporting our canine community. They included Birch Bark Foundation, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, PAWkit, Kayco Dog Shades, Oh My Dog Treats, and Coast Veterinary Clinic who sponsored the ever-so-popular photo booth. Other sponsors included Tam Communications and Bruno’s Bar and Grill who supplied prizes to the first-place winners.

From Top, left-to-right: Carole & Finley • Gabriella Rivero & Chili Dog • James Tanner & Plum • Janice Rose & Trixie Bear/Molly Bear • Joe Jean & Kody • Kevin Operman & Loki • Kimberly Perez & Lobo • Lee, Gemma & Tutti • Leilana Argentieri & Nico • Malia & Sandy • Newcome Family & Luna • Tutti • Paul, Irvine & Delilah • Mary Bellizzi & Teddy Bear

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PROPOSITION 218 NOTICE The Scotts Valley Water District is proposing a rate increase and changes to the rate structure. The rate increase is being considered so that the District can pay for ongoing operations and replace aging infrastructure. The District has fixed costs that need to be met regardless of customer water demand, including maintenance and upgrades, customer service, and staffing. Planned infrastructure upgrades include replacement of Well 3B and improvements to District water mains and storage tanks. The Scotts Valley Water District Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 during the regular Board meeting. The Board of Directors will consider adoption of the proposed water rates and changes to the water rate structure affecting all water customers. Interested persons are encouraged to attend and comment on the issues being discussed. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, online and in the Santa Margarita Community Room located downstairs at 2 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley, CA. If adopted, the proposed new rates would take effect January 1, 2022, with annual increases each January 1, up to and including January 1, 2026. Learn more at www.svwd.org/ratestudy.

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

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Recall Ballots Vary By County: Here’s Why W hen Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner observed the Sept. 14 gubernatorial recall ballot in Napa County ballot was quite different from the Santa Cruz County ballot, she wondered why. Could these differences affect the outcome? In Napa County, the recall question is in Spanish and English. The Santa Cruz County ballot is only in English, though the 2019 population was 34% Hispanic, according to the census. The order of replacement candidates is different, which can be significant for those at the end of a long list. The Napa County ballot is on a larger page and is single-sided, allowing voters to readily view the replacement candidate names. The Santa Cruz County Ballot is double-sided, so voters must turn the page over to see the list of replacement candidates. Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber, the election chief, explains the differences: ••• he Federal Voting Rights Act is what determines bilingual ballots. Each

decennial census the percentage of second language voters is determined, and then the Voting Rights Act tells the county what, if any, second language ballots are to be printed in. In 2010, Santa Cruz County did not meet that threshold, so we cannot print bilingual ballots. We will see if that changes when we get the census requirements from the 2020 census. We cannot look at the current census data as Voting Rights Act languages are only determined at the decennial census. We do however have 14201 languages – California Elections Code 14201 – in which the Secretary of State looks at languages in a non-VRA language county every 4 years and if an individual precinct has greater than 3% in a language, the county is required to post instructions in that language and required to make a facsimile ballot available for the voter to lay next to the English-only ballot. We do have 14201 requirements for Spanish, that is why we make our voter guide bilingual, provide facsimile ballots at the in-person locations, have at least one election officer at each location to provide Spanish language assistance, have a Spanish ballot on the accessible tablet, and we sent a facsimile ballot to all voters who requested Spanish language voter information. We previously had a few precincts that had 14201 requirements in Chinese and Tagalog. Those precincts no longer have the requirement, but we have people on staff that speak Chinese and Tagalog to provide assistance and have notices posted at all voting locations that language assistance is available. The candidates are listed in the random alphabetical order (by the Secretary of State’s office) and they rotate from Assembly District to Assembly District. “Recall Ballots” page 17

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

FireWise Gathering: Sept. 11 in Soquel

orried about wildfires? Learn how to protect your homes, keep your fire insurance, and get advice on emergency plans. Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy will host an informational session for North Rodeo Gulch FireWise USA from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept 11, at 2390 North Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel. Meet and greet starts at 9:30 a.m. with bagels and spreads. The agenda for the first hour will be: First District Supervisor Manu Koenig; North Rodeo Gulch 3-year plan (Susan TatsuiD’Arcy; FireWise leader)  ; address signs (Central Deputy Fire Marshal Marco Mack) ; Ham/MURS radio communication (Dawn

“COVID Update” from page 8 Hours are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., with closures from 11 a.m.noon and 4-5 p.m. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible, but to guarantee your test, make an appointment at lhi.care/covidtesting/. On Sept. 1, a second lane was added at the Ramsay Park OptumServe testing site in Watsonville, boosting daily testing capacity to 396.

canister extinguisher funded in one Mackey, Bonny Doon community day on Kickstarter (Arul Mathur, coordinator); Community EmerCEO and inventor)  and FireFree. gency Response Team (Rosemary com; fire insurance and wildfire Anderson, deputy director for defense systems (Cindy Weigelt, CERT Auxiliary)  ; CODE Red State Farm) , ending with Q&A. (Deputy Fire Marshal Marco Mack; North Rodeo Gulch FireWise Go Bags (Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy) . 3-Year Plan The agenda for the second hour Year One: Address signs on will be: Home hardening (Tony homes and driveways; home Akin, Central Fire defensible space/ Arul Mathur hardening 5 feet around houses wildland fire hazard specialist); Inventor of a firelimbing trees and chipping (Matt activated extinguisher and structures; establish micro communities with leaders; where Abernathy, Resource Conservation District) ; products NOT to use (Anush Anand, to put a fire break (CalFire & Central/Aptos Replace Vinyl, Save Your House) ; innovative Fire); work with neighbors to clear 10 feet on products and solutions: F.A.C.E. fire-activated your private road.

Year Two:  Add road signage and improve access on narrow private roads  ; promote guidance to voluntarily improve driveway access and water supply; remove dead and dying fuels within 30 feet of homes & structures ; coordinate with CalFire & Central Fire to improve fire breaks ; reduce hazardous vegetation within 10 feet on your private road ; all micro community leaders (MURS to ham). Year Three: Remove dead and dying fuels within 100 feet of homes & structures; work with neighbors to clear 10 feet on your private road ; all micro community leaders CERT certified; voluntarily improve driveway access and water supply; continue coordinating with CalFire & Central Fire to improve fire breaks. n

coronavirus under “Get Tested” link. Some sites may charge a fee. For local information on COVID-19, call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The OptumServe mass vaccination site at 250 Main St., Watsonville, which closed Aug. 29 to transfer operations to County Public Health, will reopen Thursday, Sept. 9, and The site wprovide Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Hours will be Thursdays, 9 a.m. –1 p.m., Fridays, 2–6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. –1 p.m. and Sundays, 2–6 p.m. Once reopened, appointments may be made at www.MyTurn.ca.gov.Walk-ins will be accommodated when possible. For other vaccine locations, see www. santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine Indoor Mask Mandate On Aug. 21, the Santa Cruz County Health Officer mandate for face coverings to be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status took effect. “While vaccination remains the best and most effective tool in preventing COVID-19, the Delta variant spreads quickly among the unvaccinated and may even be passed between vaccinated persons, although their symptoms are usually mild, said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel. “Face coverings will provide added protection until everyone is able to be vaccinated, especially children.” The order is to sunset once community transmission levels return to “moderate” (Yellow level), as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See https://covid.cdc.gov/ covid-data-tracker/#county-view). San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties had already ordered face coverings indoors to stop the spread. The state reported 65,430 COVID-19 deaths, a number that has been rising, with 80 percent of Californians receiving at least one dose of vaccine and 22.6 million fully vaccinated. The indoor mask mandate applies to all businesses and governmental entities, which must require employees to wear

masks and post signs that are clearly visible and easy-to-read at all entry points for indoor settings informing the public. The state’s mandate for full vaccination or weekly testing of all teachers and support staff is to be fully implemented by Oct. 15. In a case highlighted by the federal Centers for Disease Control, an unvaccinated Marin County elementary school teacher tested positive in May, with 22 of the 24 students, all ineligible for vaccine, getting positive test results. For those in the two rows seated closest to the teacher’s desk, eight of 10 were positive compared to four of 14 in the three back rows. The outbreak “highlights the importance of vaccinating school staff members who are in close indoor contact with children ineligible for vaccination as schools reopen,” according to health officials who investigated. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Education Faris Sabbah said all unvaccinated school employees are being tested at least weekly in compliance with the recent statewide order. n ••• COVID Cases by Town As of Aug. 30 Aptos: 988 • Ben Lomond: 192 Boulder Creek: 256 • Capitola: 542 Felton: 214 • Freedom: 1,058 Santa Cruz: 4,809 • Scotts Valley: 578 Soquel: 444 • Watsonville: 8,626 Unincorporated: 317 Under investigation: 316 Total: 18,340 ••• County COVID Deaths: 210 As of Aug. 30 Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 46 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 8 30 to 39: 5 Race/Ethnicity White: 116 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1 Unknown: 2 Underlying Conditions Yes: 164 • No: 46 Gender Male: 105 • Female: 105 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health

Hours are Wednesday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and closed from 11 a.m.noon and 4-5 p.m. Make an appointments at https://lhi.care/covidtesting/ Starting Sept. 10, County Public Health will open a mobile testing bus which can handle 84 tests per day, at Community Bridges’ Mountain Community Resource Center in Felton. Hours will be Friday-Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the foreseeable future. For information on rapid-turnaround tests see www.santacruzhealth.org/

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Drawing the Lines

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In-Person Meetings to Discuss District Borders Sept. 22, 29, 30

he state of California has begun the process of redrawing the lines for redistricting, making sure each district has equal population and complies with the Voting Rights Act. New census data will be released Sept. 30. This will likely mean new boundary lines for supervisorial districts in Santa Cruz County, Assembly and Senate districts and Congressional districts; maps must be approved by the county Board of Supervisors by Dec. 15. Santa Cruz County has established a Redistricting Advisory Committee, created a website at https://www.santacruzcounty.us/Redistricting2021.aspx and scheduled public meetings on the process. Local residents can use that website to provide input on which neighborhoods should be grouped together for supervisorial elections or attend an in-person meeting: Sept. 22, Mid-County, at Sheriff’s Office community room, 5200 Soquel Ave., Live Oak; Sept. 29: North County, Felton Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton, and Sept. 30, South County, Starlight Elementary, 225 Hammer Drive., Watsonville. All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. To attend via Internet, go to: https:// zoom.us/j/92519338521 (Webinar ID: 925 1933 8521) To attend via Conference Call, dial: 669-900-9128.

“Recall Ballots” from page 15 So, we are AD 29 and AD 30. The 29th candidate listed in the random alpha order (Angelyne) is first for AD 29 and for AD 30 James G. Hanink (30th Assembly District) is listed first. Napa County is a different AD, so their first candidate would be different than ours. However, the list is the same in the respect that in Napa, Angelyne would be followed by Hanink followed by Hillberg, Hewitt, Drake and on. Yes, the counties did design them differently. I chose to use the smaller paper and separate the recall question from the candidates because I knew the candidates would be in multiple columns and the layout seemed clearer to have the yes/no in its own column on the front and the candidates in their 3 columns on the back. Other counties had a different idea. Some are like us, others like Napa.

Members of the Redistricting Advisory Commission, which began meeting in May, are: Cheri O’Neil (1st District), Michael Watkins (2nd District), Kris Reyes (3rd District), Peter Radin (4th District) and James Mosher (5th District). To check your district, see https:// electiondatalookup.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ Default.aspx. n ••• The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is hosting online meetings to collect information about “communities of interest” across the state. Santa Cruz County is in Zone E with Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The commission also is accepting testimony online at https://DrawMyCACommunity.org/ For the timeline see https://www.wedraw thelinesca.org/timeline. For questions, call 916-323-0323. And others have the candidates listed on both the front and the back. Ballot design does vary from county to county for a variety of reasons – language requirements and the voting equipment are the main ones. For counties that are mandated to have bilingual ballots, they decide if they want all their languages on one card or if they want to make a separate card per language. LA County, for example, uses a different voting system than we do, so their ballots will look different. n ••• Editor’s note: Here are the results of the July 19 Secretary of State’s random alphabetized drawing for order on the ballot: 1.X 2.K 3.T 4.V 5.F 6.N 7.R 8.G 9.J 10.Y 11.Z 12.L 13.M 14.B 15.A 16.Q 17.H 18.D 19.I 20.E 21.P 22.C 23.W 24.S 25.O 26. U. The candidate whose name appears first on the ballot in Assembly District 1 drops to the bottom in Assembly District 1, giving each candidate more than one opportunity to appear at the top of the ticket.

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

Virgo – Temple of Light, Temple of Day Esoteric Astrology • September 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

Under Virgo (Madonna, Divine Mother, Mother of the World) humanity is called to cultivate the virtues of cleanliness and purity. Purity of thought, words and action, Purity of foods and drink. Disciples are aware of this Virgo task, thus guarding their health daily with pure food and water. Virgo is the pregnant Madonna, holding and guarding within herself the holy child, the new reality for the new era, the Fifth (5th) Kingdom, that of the Soul of humanity (the First Initiation, called the Birth). Virgo calls humanity to this recognition. Virgo’s pure body guards & protects the holy child symbolic of the Light of the Soul. Virgo calls humanity to be pure in thought, word and actions. Thought is to be golden, filled with intentions for Goodwill. When we entertain golden thoughts we build a temple within our bodies. Golden thoughts of Divinity become Divine. When pondering divine ideas, the mind gains the touch of divinity. A divine mind then conducts the alchemy of change for the body. The body becomes an abode of the Divine & it becomes a temple. We become as Gods.

Unorganized clay, like an unorganized mind is not useful. An unorganized mind can fall prey to confusion, anger, cruelty and violence. The intentional activity of building light-filled thoughtforms with the mind is a constructive activity. One must have an organized mind in order to build thoughtforms of Light. We can choose to have our personality (body, emotions, lower mind) become divine (or not). When thought is golden the mind transmits light. When light is transmitted, it is symbolically called the Day. Depending upon our thoughts we can build a temple of Light which then transmits divine love which becomes a service to humanity and the kingdoms. This is the task Virgo offers us. When we do not accomplish these tasks, there is no light, no day. We melt into darkness. The choice – light or dark. This is an invitation for some, a temptation for others. It is good to construct the Temple of Light. The Temple melts into the night. Then built into and called “the Day”. Om

ARIES

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

You become more dignified, more assured, cooperating more with research and investigation into the background of today’s world events. Desire for self-adulation shifts, becoming aspiration for others to be in the spotlight, so their gifts can also be seen and recognized. You will be more and more able to detect and diagnose situations and needs. A mystical and occult (they are different and both are needed) sense appears to pervade your thinking. You blend the two. You enter the Rain Cloud of Knowable Things.

You consider what your true feelings are about and toward your family. They can be extreme or they can be conflicted and perhaps somewhat suppressed. You are very loyal to the family you have chosen, to friends especially. Notice if you are overworked and perhaps how overworked your environments are, too. Set about changing the atmosphere, milieu, all surroundings you find yourself in. You need a bit of liberation, while maintaining what’s traditional. Leos need architectural beauty.

As the days progress notice you becoming more aware, sympathetic, compassionate, receptive, affectionate and even more sensitive. The volume of your particular vibration is turned up. Anything not peaceful you turn away from. When deeply emotional, you study what sacrifice means. Sometimes you’re sorrowful and in grief. You consider reading and writing poetry. The dream world beckons. You walk through that door seeking to help others, unassuming and unrecognized. You become the Adept.

TAURUS

VIRGO

You become keen on, passionate and zealous for fairness and justice. You seek ways to communicate, compromise, conciliate and cooperate. You begin to speak the ways of Compassionate Communication (non-violent communication). You attempt to refine and harmonize all desires in order to balance all interactions and relationships. You seek out bold and forceful people. Sometimes you’re impetuous. You wear red more. You’re recognized as a leader.

Your mind is stimulated to such a degree that sometimes you feel dizziness, a slight headache or perhaps heart palpitations. At times you could also experience anxiety. Stand in the Sun’s light allowing its rays to penetrate into your shoulders and the back of your neck. The Sun’s radiant light enters the body and goes directly to the spleen, which then distributes that light to all parts of the body, uplifting and vitalizing. Allow no criticism, conflicts or arguments. They diminish the light.

GEMINI

LIBRA

Usually found reading, writing or talking, your energy now focuses on activities that organize, order and categorize efficiently, effectively and practically. You become logical (and the aspiration to be pure and healthy outweighs usual food desires. I heard the question the other day, “What is comforted by comfort foods?” A good question indeed. Cooking and cleaning energetically become an industrious affair. Careful of cuts, scrapes and burns. And mosquitoes, gnats, ticks and chiggers. Cedar oil works.

You wake each morning trying to figure out how to gain wealth, success and material resources so you can achieve a certain important envisioned goal. Perhaps to build a home for mother, a compound for the family or a village and community for the “family called humanity.” You battle between using resources for self or for others. You have strong values and have worked passionately for them. You battle for and defend your morals, ethics, choices, principles and beliefs. But wait? Is someone being left out?

CAPRICORN

You assess the present day-realities in our world, our country, your town or village and how people are being stripped of their freedoms. You begin to consider what living in a sustainable organized intentional community would be like. You wonder where they are or perhaps you ask could you help create one? You know success is achieved through collective cooperative action now. The old ways are no longer working. You use the word, cooperative, at home because you know our first community is family. You teach the family cooperation first. You then turn outward and teach the world. AQUARIUS

Notice yourself in the days and weeks to come – notice further developments of persistence, perseverance, steadiness, poise, stability and ambition. Along with great practicality and responsibility to carry out actions in a professional and business-like manner. You work hard, over time, to gain position and reputation. Achieving success through long hours, dedication, questioning and overcoming obstacles. All of these are sterling qualities to be recognized, applauded and exalted. Good job. Carry on.

CANCER

You seek pleasure and entertainment, make room for children (and childish things), wonder where your childhood playthings went, remember what you left behind and perhaps weep a bit about their loss. Some Cancers speculate (gamble) strongly at this time and with an unusual intensity. The same for Cancer parents. They are known to ferociously protect their children and pets (greatly and especially needed now). There’s lots of drama (crying), playful energies, creative leadership. Happiness is a choice.

PISCES SCORPIO

Being a Scorpio, sign of discipleship and also of the underworld, you are always under the influence of Pluto and Mars. These planets belong to you. You are also always experiencing the Nine Tests. Every day you experience and recognize them. Mars and Pluto always testing your endurance, attitudes and beliefs make Scorpios feel like they are both dying and regenerating (internally) each moment of time. This experience allows you to speak free, uncompromised and uncomplicated straight talk. Important now. •••

Your intelligence along with curiosity become stronger. You seek adventure, something pioneering, a way of life reflecting your principles and beliefs. Publishing, religions, spiritual pursuits, mountaintops, horses, meadows, hills and valleys all expand your consciousness and motivation. You seek resources to see your visions for humanity come true. Seeing the state of the world today, you are inspired to teach and uplift humankind, especially the children. In time that dream will manifest. Be careful never to be critical and/or self-righteous. Love more, instead.

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Schools Focus on COVID Vaccine Tracking e’re a little over two weeks into this new school year and while we are excited to see students back on campus, our site teams have spent a significant amount of time focusing on being trained to administer site-based COVID testing, being trained on the multiple required communications and data entry for CDPH (California Tanya Krause Department of Public Health) and unfortunately, not able to spend as much time focusing on how we normally kick off the school year. In the past two weeks, there have been many changes starting on the first day of school with the Public Health Order (on Aug. 11, mandating tracking vaccination for all school staff testing for all unvaccinated workers) and CDPH continuing to make alterations and changes to processes and procedures with requirements for schools. I have asked the site administrators to be in more direct communication with their school communities as situations differ from site to site. Please know that it is our intent to be communicative, but we have been focusing on addressing the new regulations, doing our very best to keep students and staff safe, and adhering to the new requirements. We are pleased to see students participating in school, athletics, drama, and outdoor activities. All school sites will be holding their back-to-school nights in the near future and you will be hearing more from them about the specific details. The staff has been working hard to learn and transition to the new student information system and we continue to work out the kinks. This year our district is focusing on common assessments to support teaching and intervention. Teachers across the district are currently working to assess students and determine how to best support them in content areas. Middle and High School teachers are using various assessment tools to monitor student progress on standards. Elementary teachers are assessing students’ reading, writing, and math, to determine how best to shore up areas of need and support students’ academic growth. Additionally, our elementary teachers recently participated in a refresher on literacy assessments. Thank you for your ongoing support, flexibility, and patience as we continue to experience new ways of doing things. — Tanya Krause, Scotts Valley Unified School District Superintendent ••• Editor’s note: On Aug. 27, all the school district superintendents issued a letter (including this one) describing initiatives to test students and staff and clinics 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Basketball Court, 7155 Highway 9, Felton, and Pajaro Valley High School. 500 Harkins Slough Rd, Watsonville, offering Pfizer vaccine on Sept. 12 to students 12 and older with parental consent.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Get Comfortable with Productive Solitude by John P. Weiss

re you familiar with flotation isolation? It involves floating on your back in a specially designed sensory deprivation tank of water. The tank is soundproof to prevent noise distractions. Floaters experience minimal sensory stimulation, including the sensation of gravity. It’s completely dark inside the tank. Just you and your thoughts. Flotation (or isolation) tanks are used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). The idea is that dark, quiet isolation in near-zero gravity is therapeutic, helping with conditions like anxiety, pain, and stress. Do sensory deprivation floating tanks work? According to some research, yes. An article in heathline.com notes: “A 2018 study showed that a single one-hour session in a sensory deprivation tank was capable of a significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in mood in the 50 participants with stress- and anxiety-related disorders. A 2016 study of 46 people who selfreported generalized anxiety disorder … found that it reduced … symptoms, such as depression, sleep difficulties, irritability, and fatigue.” As a writer and artist, what I found most interesting about flotation isolation research was the findings of improved creativity. Per the healthline.com article: “According to an article published in 2014 in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, floating in a sensory deprivation tank has been found in a handful of studies to increase originality, imagination, and intuition, which can all lead to enhanced creativity.” An article in medicalnewstoday. com echoed the findings above: “A 2014 study compared the advertising claims of sensory deprivation centers with clinical research. The authors found that several studies supported the idea that a person may experience a boost in creativity.” Isolation Supports Creativity hile these study results are not universal or definitive, they bend toward the view that isolation supports creativity. After the pandemic lockdown of 2020, I tend to agree. Even though I work from home and was already somewhat monastic in my

creative habits, the pandemic lockdown afforded me greater free time. The cancellation of travel plans and weekly get-togethers with friends meant more time to read, write, and create artwork. I took online classes, read more books, exercised more, and was more productive. Fewer commitments and distractions allowed more time to be with myself. More time to daydream, reflect, brainstorm, and focus on deep work. All of which improved my creative development and output. If you want to reach new heights of personal and creative breakthroughs, do the following: Get Comfortable With Aloneness and Productive Solitude eep in mind that solitude and aloneness are different than loneliness. They are not inflicted on you. You choose them. Yes, a healthy life includes family, friends, and positive social interactions. Human beings are social creatures, and we need one another to various degrees. But a busy social life devoid of solitude can hurt your creativity and wellbeing. I have found solitude to be a crucial state of being for my creative and artistic success. I first learned this in grade school, and years later when I found a seemingly abandoned toy in the woods. My Imagination Becomes the Universe was a shy and introverted boy in school. One of the things I hated in the classroom was group learning. In my experience, being split into groups meant the loudest and most aggressive students lorded over the rest of us. Pairing popular and awkward kids in groups seldom produced the vaunted student engagement and active learning teachers sought. My best school work was achieved alone in the library or at home in my room. There were moments of collaboration with a student friend or teacher, but mostly, I performed better on my own. “Closed in a room, my imagination becomes the universe, and the rest of the world is missing out.”-Criss Jami, Diotima, Battery, Electric Personality Even in adulthood, I hated professional meetings. They consisted mostly of unnecessary banter, grandstanding, and

the assignment of unproductive, timewasting subcommittees. My best professional work was achieved alone, where I could focus deeply and undisturbed by the tyranny of the group. I’m not alone in this celebration of aloneness and productive solitude. An article in Inc.com reports: “In

physics, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and James Clerk Maxwell, three of the greatest creative contributors, worked almost entirely alone. They profited from other people’s ideas not in direct collaboration, but by reading research papers and books.” “Productive Solitude” page 23

Back to School

ACROSS

1. *____ mater 5. *Graduate degree, acr. 8. Opposite of stereo 12. Defense ditch 13. Fishing rod attachment 14. More sure 15. One’s final notice 16. Dutch cheese 17. Golfer’s traction aid 18. *Half-year terms 20. At the summit of 21. Water nymph 22. Actor ____ Mahershala 23. Be a busybody 26. Metrical foot in poetry 30. Earlier in time, archaic

31. Become bony 34. Shakespeare’s tragic monarch 35. Labanotation founder 37. Theodor Geisel, ____ Dr. Seuss 38. Threshold 39. Relating to the ear 40. Weather advisories, e.g. 42. + or - atom 43. Widely esteemed 45. Most mature, as in fruit 47. Indian dish 48. Dashboard window 50. Female sheep, pl. 52. *”The Breakfast Club” punishment 56. Flower holders 57. Singles 58. High school breakout

59. Acoustic output 60. Overwhelming defeat 61. *Gym class test? 62. Catchall abbr. 63. *Geography class staple 64. Not talker?

11. Table scrap 13. Laces again 14. Milan’s La ____ 19. Manicurist’s office 22. Is it ____ wonder? 23. Hard on outside, juicy on inside 24. One of the Muses 25. Payment option DOWN 1. ____ of cookie fame 26. From a great distance 27. Chill-inducing 2. Stud site 28. Type of palm tree, pl. 3. Cripple 29. Council of _____, city 4. *Go to class in Italy 5. Mythological princess 32. *Back-to-School retail of Colchis event 6. TV cooking show pioneer James ____ 33. WWII general who became President 7. Contributions to the 36. *Faculty member poor 38. “Peace” with fingers 8. *Kind of choice 9. Black and white treat 40. TV classic “____ in the Family” 10. Less than average tide

41. Superlative of true 44. Lowest male singing voice 46. Small bomb 48. Christopher Columbus’ birthplace 49. Consumed (2 words) 50. Small ladies’ handbag 51. What one does at the altar 52. *College freshman’s new digs 53. International Civil Aviation Organization 54. Half as much as twice 55. ____-do-well 56. Every American’s uncle?

Answers on 23 »

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SHARE YOUR PASSION AT COUNTY FAIR It’s time to share your passion by entering what you create into the 2021 Santa Cruz County Fair, Sept. 15-19 at the county Fairgrounds on Highway 152 east of Watsonville. Entry categories include: Collections and Hobbies, Fine Arts, Photography, Legos, Canned Goods, Flowers, Quilts and many others. Walk-in registration for baked goods is Sept. 11. Registration for potted plants and youth container gardens is Sept. 13. To volunteer, go online at https://www.santacruzcountyfair.com/fair-time/general-info/volunteer The Fair opens at Noon Wed.-Fri. and 10 a.m. Sat. & Sun. Visit santacruzcountyfair.com for more information.

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

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES As Covid-19 cases increase due to the Delta variant, the Red Cross is concerned about meeting hospital demand for lifesaving blood and platelets during hurricane season. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen blood donor turnout decline by nearly 10% while hospital demand outpaces donations. Factors in the decline include blood drive cancellations due to the pandemic and back-toschool preparations for many families. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). ••• Ben Lomond WRITING MENTORS NEEDED Sept. 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Highlands Park Senior Wendy Thompson of the Young Writers Project is Center, 8500 Highway 9 recruiting mentors for students at Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz School and Costanoa Continuation High School. Sept. 28, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St., Mentors will work with Jessica Brown’s 8th graders Sept. 30, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Sponsored by IATSE at Branciforte on poetry about restoring balance and Local 611, the stage workers’ union, at Santa Cruz Civic equity and Maria Diaz Auditorium, 307 Church St. Perez’s 10th through Scotts Valley 12th graders at Sept. 25, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. — St. Philip’s Episcopal Costanoa, writing on empowerment. Mentors must commit to two days a week Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive Watsonville either from Oct. 4, thru Nov. 2 or Oct. 18 thru Nov. 23. Need a refresher on working with student writers? Two in- Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. person trainings for volunteers are scheduled at Branciforte : Best Practices Training on Sept. 25, and Traits of Good SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 Writing Training on Oct. 9. Each class is 10 a.m-1 p.m. Contact Wendy Thompson at wendy@youngwriterssc.org for On display thru Oct. 31 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East more info. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/YWP-fall-2021 Lake Ave., Watsonville Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture FIRE RECOVERY WEBINARS exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden. United Policyholders offers webinars and virtual survivor The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected more forums for people affected by wildfires in California in 2020. than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and collaborators. Roadmap to Recovery Virtual Workshops Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, Thursday, Sept. 9 • 4 p.m. — Confused or frustrated by “depreciation”? United Policyholders explains. relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoor exhibit. Register at: www.uphelp.org/Sept9 Wednesday, Sept. 15 • 5:30 p.m. — Q&A for Wildfire Admission is free. Survivors: Team United Policyholders and California-based SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS experts will answer your pre-submitted questions. This new program from Community Bridges brings Submit your question: www.uphelp.org/r2rhelp • enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, Register: www.uphelp.org/Sept15 cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and Tuesday, Sept. 14 and 21 • 7 p.m. — Survivor up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an to Survivor Forums: Connect and confer with trained UP internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. volunteers who navigated recovery after previous wildfires To participate, view the calendar at https://communityRegister: www.uphelp.org/Sept14 • www.uphelp.org/ bridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, Sept21 click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY Wednesdays, Sept. 29 thru Nov. 17 • 6-8:30 p.m. Zoom SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION meetings • 8-week commitment Second Harvest Food Bank’s National Alliance for Mental Illness Santa Cruz County drive-through food distribution offers the Family-to-Family series, a free, 8-week educa- will continue operating at the tional program for family, significant others and friends county Fairgrounds 9 a.m.-Noon of people with mental health conditions. Participants on the following Fridays: must commit to all 8 classes. Class size is limited. Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Research shows the program significantly improves Food hotline: 831-662-0991. the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people TECH TALKS WITH THE LIBRARY closest to a person with a mental health condition. The program is taught by NAMI-trained family 11 a.m., Online Zoom Meetings members who have been there, and includes presenta- Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents Tech Talks tions, discussions and interactive exercises. designed for people at all learning levels to increase their To sign up, fill out the interest form at https://www.namiscc. ability to safely and effectively use their mobile devices. org/family-to-family.html and await an enrollment email within For some help using Zoom for the first time, visit the tutorial five business days. at bit.ly/SCPL-ZOOM. Registration is required. Dates are: For questions, call (831)-824-0406 or email anastasia@ • Sept. 9: Smartphone 101 for Android. Register: namiscc.org. bit.ly/TechTalk909 20 / September 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

• Sept. 16: Smartphone 101 for Apple. Register: bit.ly/TechTalk916 • Sept. 23: Search Strategies for Android and Apple. Register: bit.ly/TechTalk923 • Sept. 30: Device and Account Security for Android and Apple. Register: bit.ly/TechTalk930

ONGOING EVENTS Mondays SCOTTS VALLEY ROTARY WEEKLY MEETING 12:15 p.m., Online Zoom Scotts Valley Rotary also meets in-person on the last Monday of the month, gathering outdoors at the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce courtyard or in a member’s backyard. Obtain Zoom link from President Patrizia Materassi at (831) 334-2383. 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/. Next date: Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. with Karen Kefauver talking about social media (No meeting on Labor Day). 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.

Fourth Wednesday Each Month EXCHANGE CLUB OF SCOTTS VALLEY MONTHLY MEETING 5 p.m., Bruno’s Bar & Grill, 230-G, Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley For information, call 831-438-1000 x 22. First and Third Thursdays Each Month TRIVIA ON TAP 6:30-8 p.m., Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, 20 Victor Square B, Scotts Valley Trivia on Tap is back on a new day, with new questions, hosted by Steel Bonnet Brewing Co., starting Sept. 2. Join librarians Jenn and Victor every 1st and 3rd Thursday to test what you know. Participants can form teams of up to 6 people and will be asked 30 questions on a variety of different topics. https://myscottsvalley.com/event/trivia-on-tap-4/ Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255. 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. Fourth Fridays of the Month FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS 5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Food Trucks A Go Go presents Food Truck Fridays. Next date: Sept. 24, with live music by The Shady Rest, vendors Holopono, Nomad Momo, Pana, Miches & Ceviches, Aunt LaLi’s and beer & wine garden fundraiser for the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation. Info: (831) 247-1236 or email info@foodtrucksagogo.com.

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, Saturdays SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. https://arboretum.ucsc.edu 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, Kmart parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road. Second Tuesdays of the Month The Market Match Program is now being offered at Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets with funding from TACO TUESDAYS Kaiser Permanente and the city of Santa Cruz in Scotts 5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Valley, Felton, downtown Santa Cruz. Food Trucks A Go Go presents Taco Tuesdays. Next This means when customers swipe their EBT date: Sept. 14, with vendors Taquizas Gabriel, Miches & Ceviches, Mattia and beer & wine garden fundraiser for (electronic benefit) card for at least $10, they get $20 more to spend, giving them $30 to buy fresh fruits and Boys & Girls Club. Information: (831) 247-1236 or email info@foodtrucksagogo. vegetables from small local growers. Since Market Match began downtown in May 2020, com. the average number of weekly EBT shoppers has increased from 35 to 250, giving them more money Third Wednesdays Each Month to buy healthy food for their families and boosting the SCOTTS VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION income of the small local growers who sell produce at 7 p.m., Zoom meetings The board of the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, the farmers’ market. https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ headed by president Robert Aldana, meets on the third Wednesday of the month. To get the Zoom link, go to https://www.svef.net/about/ One Saturday Each Month COOKING WITH GREY BEARS’ POPPY DEGARMO and use the “contact us” feature to request a link. In the past 7 years, SVEF has donated more than $700,000 to 11 a.m. Online Class support the needs of children from kindergarten through high Cooking with Grey Bears next few classes will be online only. school graduation.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Upcoming classes: Sept. 18 and Oct. 23 Use this Zoom link to participate in your home at time of class: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/92906805068. First Sunday Every Month WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz 95060 The Westside Marketplace is an exciting monthly market where local art, handmade and vintage shopping meet delicious food! This collaboration between Food Trucks A Go Go and the SCM Makers Market presents a great mix of creators of all kinds! There is also live music at each event! The music on Sept 5. will be provided by Ancestree. Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays. The Market is free to attend and is 100% local! All local and state health guidelines will be followed. Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. For more information, go to the event page: https://www. facebook.com/events/170470481551895; Food Trucks A Go Go: https://www.foodtrucksagogo.com/; or SCM Makers Market https://scmmakersmarket.com/ for a list of all of the vendors.

DATED EVENTS Saturday September 4 FIRE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL 6:30 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport will host “Fire in the Sky,” a free open house and fireworks show for Labor Day weekend. Food trucks will be available, along with a free Covid-19 vaccine clinic. Walk-in admission is free; the fee to park a vehicle is $10 cash, and cash is required for food purchases. Schedule of events: • 6:30: Airport opens • 7 p.m.: Flag Jump and National Aanthem • 7:30 p.m.: Flyover • 8 p.m.: Movie — “Planes: Fire and Rescue” • 9:30 p.m.: FIREWORKS!!! The airport follows the County Health Officer order: Face coverings are required at the open house except when eating or drinking. The rules: No weapons, no fireworks, no coolers, no cans, no glass, no alcohol, no pets and no barbecues or cooking equipment on ramps, taxiways or runways. Information: https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/1478/AirportOpen-House

Tuesday September 7 GOVERNOR RECALL SYMPOSIUM 6 p.m. Open Links / 6:30 p.m. meeting begins, Online meeting The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will host a Recall Symposium at its monthly meeting . The symposium will include an information exchange and group discussion about the state of the race to recall Gov. Newsom. With the Sept. 14 recall election fast approaching, club members will discuss ways to help mobilize voter turnout for people who haven’t cast their ballots yet. Members of the public are invited to the symposium, which will be on Zoom. For the meeting link, visit www.svslvdemocrats.org.

Wednesday September 8 BUSINESS EXPO 4-7 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz The 2021 Business Expo features views of Monterey Bay with more than 100 businesses and nonprofits on hand, featuring samples from local food companies. For information, call Elana at 831-457-3713 or visit http:// www.santacruzchamber.org/business-expo.html

in Santa Cruz County, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the National Fallen Officer Foundation. To participate or ask questions, email: centralscstairclimb@gmail. com. To donate, visit GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/f9f4308c

Saturday September 11 Sunday September 12

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, SOUND, DIGITAL CULTURE Thursday September 16 thru Sunday September 19 5-10 p.m., Downtown Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) will debut Frequency, a new biennial festival of light, sound, and digital culture. Featured artworks include: Ocean of Light: Submergence and Orbital Phasing by Squidsoup (U.K.); Silver Lining by Sujin Lim (South Korea); Poems of Positivity by Orlosky Studio (Richmond, Va); Quilt City by Office Kovacs (Los Angeles), Entanglement by The Epicenter (Santa Cruz); Zoom Meeting by Visual Endeavors, Inc. (Santa Cruz); Quantum Elders’ Consciousness Vaccine by Karlton Hester (Santa Cruz); The Trellis Project by M. James Becker (Santa Cruz); CUBEISM 2: Baroque Edition by Patrick Stefaniak (Santa Cruz); Lite Sprites by David Crellin (Santa Cruz); and The Choose Your Own Adventure Show by Stellaria Creative Co. (Santa Cruz). There will be pop-up performances, artist talks, workshops, and late-night experiments. All outdoor attractions can be seen at no charge. Admission to the museum, hosting some indoor festival programs, is: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, and free for MAH members. Photo: Submergence by Squidsoup (UK)

Thursday September 9

Friday September 10

BASIC MEDICARE 101 6:30-8:30 p.m., HICAP Zoom Meeting For those turning 65, an online class, “Basic Medicare 101,” will be presented by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) of Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, a program of Senior Network Services, via Dignity/Dominican Hospital’s PEP program. This class is appropriate for those newly eligible to Medicare and family members/caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries. You must register to attend. To register, call 831-457-7099 or go online at www. dignityhealth.org/dominican/pep For information on future classes, call Senior Network Services HICAP at (831) 462-5510.

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES WEBINAR 1 p.m., Hospice of Santa Cruz Zoom Webinar Hospice of Santa Cruz County presents a webinar on how to identify your end-of-life healthcare values, complete your Advance Directive, understand the difference between an Advance Directive and a Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment Form, and to talk with your loved ones about your wishes. To register, visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdesrDMuGtBkV0CZQ7ffZf2ALWEcT1Mh

CAPITOLA ART & WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS! Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie Arnone says: “September is festival time and we could not be more excited about it!” Mark your calendar for the 38th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Sept 11-12; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free! Parking is free at the Capitola Mall with free shuttle service to the festival and back! Meet Festival poster artist Brittany Costanzo. Enjoy art, music and dancing. Volunteers are needed to make this event memorable as always. Groups and individuals can sign up on the festival website at capitolaartandwine.com. Take part in a treasured community event, make some new friends, and have fun doing it! Give us a call at 831-475-6522.

Tuesday September 14 CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST MONTHLY MEETING 4-5:30 p.m., Olive Garden, 3400 Clares St., Capitola Soroptimist International of Capitola by-the-Sea’s meeting is free and open to the public. Members will present fundraising ideas to replace projects canceled or reduced due to the pandemic. Members will vote, and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization providing women and girls with access to education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. For information, see www.facebook.com/sicapitola or www. best4women.org or email info@best4women.org.

Thursday September 16

LUNCH WITH REP. PANETTA 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Chaminade Resort & Spa, 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) will speak at a luncheon presented by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. Price is $42 for members and $55 for non-members. Saturday September 11 Register at https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/ THIRD-ANNUAL SEPT. 11TH MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB Luncheon-Speaker-Series-Washington-Report-from-Jimmy8 a.m., Seacliff State Beach Panetta-4257/details This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on American soil. Saturday September 25 To commemorate those who lost their lives, Central NATURAL HAZARDS SEMINAR GREY BEARS ANNUAL HARVEST GALA Firefighters Local 6:30 p.m., Cabrillo Host Lions Club, 100 Aptos Creek Road 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz 3535 will host Robert Hadley Sydnor, a senior engineering geologist Eat, learn, move and shop at this year’s Harvest the Third Annual retired from the California Geological Survey, will speak Celebration 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, outside September 11th on “Natural Hazards in the Santa Cruz County region, Grey Bears in Santa Cruz. Memorial Stair and how citizens can effectively prepare.” The talk will Enjoy appetizers and savory barbecue lunch (veggie Climb at the Seacliff include many photographs. options), music, live comedy, free classes including Natural hazards include: Landslides, debris flows, State Beach stairway. chair yoga, auction and storewide 50% off sale. earthquake shaking, wildfires followed by erosion, Central firefighter 10:30 am – 11:30 am: 15-min. free chair yoga surface fault rupture, torrential rains, coastal cliff Brent Moyer, the organizer this year, invites all fire, law classes with Suzi landslides, and settlement of uncompacted fills. enforcement, military and EMS personnel to participate. 11:30 am – BBQ lunch Syndor, a veteran of dozens of landslides in Santa Donna Lind, founder of the Fallen Officer Foundation 11:45 am – Comedy with DNA and friends Cruz County over the past 40 years, is the author of a in Santa Cruz County, said the first year included stair 12:15 pm – Keynote speaker, Supervisor Manu 142-page book on the 1987 Loma Prieta earthquake. climbs to represent the same number of steps in the He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a Life Koenig World Trade Center wearing full gear. Member of the California Academy of Sciences, the Seismo1 pm – Recycling tour This year will again include stair climbing and logical Society of America, the Association of Engineering 1:30 pm – Auction bagpipes, plus a flyover by the Air National Guard Geologists, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. To donate products or services to the auction, call 831-479Blackhawk helicopters. The talk is free and parking is free. 1055 ext 223. To donate cash see https://www.greybears.org/ For information, visit www.facebook.com/cabrillohostlionsclub, Participation fee is $25. The goal is to raise $10,000. support/ n All proceeds will be donated to: Fallen Officer Foundation or call Jeannie Collins at: (831) 428-3135.

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Need COVID Test? Mobile Site To Open in Felton By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

ue to a surge in COVID infections and my colleague, Third District Superbrought on by the Delta variant visor Ryan Coonerty, to direct County staff of the virus, I am thrilled we will to provide options for removing requirelocate a mobile testing site based in Felton ments for survivors to investigate and through a partnership with Mountain mitigate pre-fire geologic hazards as part Community Resources. The Community of the permitting process to rebuild. Numerous constituents let my office Bridges program, located at 6134 Highway 9, has provided great service to the San know that our code posed a major impediment as insurance Lorenzo Valley for proceeds, and time, many years, and has I agreed that making our to rebuild are running once again, stepped fire survivors account for out. Supervisor up to help. Coonerty and I agreed This news pre-fire conditions, many of that making our fire comes on the heels which have been present for survivors account of several successful hundreds or thousands of for pre-fire condivaccination clinics, called Vax the Valley, years, was not reasonable or tions, many of which have been present for that San Lorenzo compassionate. hundreds or thouValley Rotary hosted sands of years, was in partnership with the Boulder Creek Business Association, not reasonable or compassionate. We are Liberty Bank and our County’s Public scheduled to hear about those exception options during our Board meeting on Sept. Health Department in July and 14. August. Offering free and conveThen, two weeks later, on Sept. 28, nient vaccinations is critical in our we are scheduled to review the results of efforts to increase immunization a fire-zone flood study funded by the in the Valley, where rates Community Foundation to more are among the lowest in the closely identify the risks associated County. But it is also critical to with debris flows. While the provide equally free and potential for landslides have convenient testing to slow long existed in parts of the the spread. San Lorenzo Valley, the fire The new testing site will exacerbated this threat in be open starting Sept. 10, from 10 some areas. a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Tuesday, and While we were lucky because it is mobile, may be offered in to avoid debris flows during other locations in the future. Appointlast winter’s rains, we need to ments will not be required but certainly be prepared for future years. The are recommended, and the link to sign up study will help inform the Board will be live on the first day of operations about the community’s risk, at the County’s coronavirus website: www. which decreases over time, santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus. and how we might manage the While the changing COVID dynamic continues to be top of mind, recovery from situation under our geologic hazards code the CZU Fire also continues to be a top pri- going forward. Of course, public safety and welfare ority. On Aug. 10, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a request by me is our ultimate concern, but we must

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

Local Local Local

also balance those potential risks against the very real difficulties that our code has caused for survivors who want to rebuild and for whom time is of the essence. There are real risks to the mental and emotional well-being of survivors if they are unable to return to the homesite they loved and to the community they chose. Other California counties overseeing recovery from catastrophic fires have demonstrated some flexibility in their codes to meet the needs of the community, and I believe we should, too. I want to thank the organizers of the Community Remembrance event for CZU survivors at the Brookdale Lodge on Aug. 18 that marked the one-year anniversary of the fire. The food, music, and sense of community were all wonderful. Lastly, I want to report some real progress in our efforts to complete a

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Groundwater Sustainability Plan within the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency. I applaud this multi-year effort among San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Scotts Valley Water District, the County and well owners to develop this plan, which is required under state law to be completed by January 2022. The collaboration among the agencies and community members has been fantastic, and I am hopeful we will approve the plan unanimously in December. The goal is to maintain a healthy groundwater basin into the future, which benefits the environment and stabilizes our water supply, which is ever important during drought years like this one. n ••• I hope you are having a great summer, and as always, please contact my office at Fifth. District@santacruzcounty.us or 831-454-2200 if we can assist you with anything.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Ada & Rosalind — A Perfect Pair!

crossword on 19 »

eet Ada Lovelace and Rosalind Franklin two black kittens that are searching for a forever home together! Did you know that black cats like Ada and Rosalind have trouble finding a new home? We know it is difficult to believe with how cute these girls are but sadly some people have superstitions about black cats, often leaving them the last to be adopted. While Ada and Rosalind have beautiful black fur, there is nothing dark and spooky about them! These two social butterflies were transferred to us from Oakland Animal services when they had an influx of kittens and needed assistance. Volunteers have written that these ladies are sweet and cuddly. Ada and Rosalind even participated in a Girl Scout tour at the Shelter and played with the whole troop. Ada and Rosalind didn’t mind that the Girl Scout troop didn’t bring them any cookies, they were just happy to hangout, play with their toys, and be pet by the children. Because these two are bonded, Shelter staff and volunteers want them to go to a home where they can live together. So, what’re you waiting for?! Come meet Ada Lovelace and Rosalind Franklin today at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter! 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

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Helen Elmer Wins Speech Contest elen Elmer, a June graduate of Scotts Valley High School, won first place in the Richard D King speech contest, according to the Scotts Valley Rotary, which sponsored the local competition. Helen, who is continuing her education at UCLA, was coHelen Elmer president of the SVHS Interact with Anika Mistry, who took third place in the speech contest. See mug in July 30 video at Scotts Valley Rotary Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ScottsValleyRotary ••• Montessori School Seeks to Add Students he Montessori Community School is seeking permission to expand capacity of the existing preschool and childcare facility at 123 South Navarra Drive, Scotts Valley, from 88 to 110 full- and part-time students. The Scotts Valley Planning Commission will host a virtual public hearing on amending the use permit at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 via Zoom. Bill and Regina Tershy own the property. The head of the school is Madelynn Van Den Heuvel. The agenda will be available at https:// www.scottsvalley.org/AgendaCenter on the Friday before the meeting date. To view

“Productive Solitude” from page 19 Author Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, drives home the idea that distractions like social media and endless email pull us away from independent, focused, deep work. The kind of work where stuff gets done. Newport has explored the subject of creative breakthroughs on his blog. An excerpt: “When I talk about my purposefully disconnected life, a common retort is that I’m missing out on the creative possibilities born of the frequent exposure to new people and ideas delivered through social media and related technologies.” Friends have suggested to me the same thing. That I’m missing out on creative growth without frequent collaboration. The thing is, most of my creative breakthroughs and original ideas happen alone, either in my studio or out walking my dogs. They never happen when I’m on social media or hanging out with friends. Newport’s blog post concludes: “But here’s the thing, for the most part, this is not how high-level creative work is accomplished. It’s not, in other words,

the meeting, go to the Agenda Center and use the Planning Commission link. Comments can be emailed to Jonathan Kwan, contract planner, jonathank@ csgengr.com. •••

View from the Mount Madonna Camera

Wildfire Alert Webcams G&E wildfire alert webcams are available to the public for monitoring conditions in the South Bay and East Bay, with cameras posted locally in Bonny Doon, Brookdale and Mount Madonna. Aptos resident Becky Steinbruner reports this information was distributed via the FireSafe Council of Santa Cruz County. To view current conditions or a time-lapse version, see: http://www. a l e r t w i l d f i re . o rg / s o u t h e a s t b a y / i n d e x . html?camera=Axis-BlackMtSCC

lack of input that stymies creative breakthroughs.” Ever notice how you get great ideas or solve work problems when you’re alone? Maybe in the shower, exercising, or driving somewhere? It’s because our brains are free to wander. Instead of feeding our social media addiction or looking busy for the boss, solitude provides that much-needed serenity for our brains. How to Belong to Oneself ot long ago I came across an abandoned toy in a park. It was a tattered, stuffed animal. It looked kind of pathetic and lonely. I almost felt sorry for it. But then I thought, what if it escaped? “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”-Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays Maybe the toy had enough of rough handling and noisy children? Maybe it understood the importance of alone time and solitude? Perhaps it was happier? I passed by and left the toy to its relaxation and reflection. n ••• John P. Weiss, retired Scotts Valley police chief, writes and cartoons at JohnPWeiss.com.

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

Scotts Valley Times: September 2021

Articles inside

Need COVID Test? Mobile Site To Open in Felton, By Bruce McPherson Supervisor, Fifth District

Helen Elmer Wins Speech Contest • Montessori School Seeks to Add

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20

Get Comfortable with Productive Solitude, by John P. Weiss

FireWise Gathering: Sept. 11 in Soquel

Recall Ballots Vary By County: Here’s Why

Penny Ice Creamery Opens & Shopping Center Remodel on the Horizon, By Derek Timm, Mayor, Scotts Valley

County Workers Must Vaccinate or Test, By Jondi Gumz

Schools Focus on COVID Vaccine Tracking, by Tanya Krause, Scotts

Drawing the Lines: In-Person Meetings to Discuss District Borders Sept 22, 29, 30

Anthem, Dignity Reach Agreement: Deal Runs Through April 2025 Rates Dispute Left One Million Californians in Limbo, By Jondi Gumz