Helen Elmer Wins Speech Contest • Montessori School Seeks to Add

Ada & Rosalind — A Perfect Pair!

Meet 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

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Helen Elmer Wins Speech Contest

Helen 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 copresident 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

The 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 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. ••• Helen Elmer

View from the Mount Madonna Camera Wildfire Alert Webcams

PG&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. alertwildfire.org/southeastbay/index. html?camera=Axis-BlackMtSCC

“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, 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

Not 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.