Scotts Valley Times: October 2021

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

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

Covid Update page 15

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

October 2021 • Vol 24 No. 10

County Supervisors Want Investigation Into PG&E Outages

Power outages related to the fast trip settings began in July 2021 and have continued unabated as of this writing.

Full Story page 7

Open Studios Art Tour is Back!

“A Visual Journey Beneath the Water’s Edge” is one of the paintings that will be on display by author, storyteller, face painter, watercolor instructor and graphic designer Marsha Strong-Smith.

After losing her husband, Noel Smith, to cancer right

before COVID, she pulled out her dry watercolor paints and created a series of 30+ letter-size paintings called “Healing from Grief.” This inspired her to paint a larger variety of watercolors, which will be seen during the 2021 Open Studios.

Full Story page 8

50�OFF

$

Services over $500

Pages 11-14

10

$

OFF����.

OIL CHANGE Free Tire Rotation | Free Brake Inspection Not to be combined with any other offer

We have Tesla Tires!

For more specials & info visit

www.integritycarservice.com Two year warranty on all services

A Refugee Story You Haven’t Heard

By Edita McQuary Current Middle East events remind me of my family history of fleeing out of harm’s way 80 years ago.

Full Story page 4

20OFF

$

Limited Time Only

SMOG CERTIFICATION SPECIAL

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003 Inc.

2 / October 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

No. 10

Volume 24

9

17

23

Table of Contents

6

Cover

Open Studios Art Tour is Back!

4 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 19

6

Community News A Refugee Story You Haven’t Heard By Edita McQuary Birth Happens: On Display at San Lorenzo Valley Museum thru January • Cabrillo College Name: Still Under Discussion County Supervisors Want Investigation Into PG&E Outages Open Studios Art Tour is Back: After a Hiatus Due to Pandemic, Nearly 300 Artists Ready to Greet Patrons Free Electric Streetcar Demo in October Covid Indoor Mask Mandate Lifted, By Jondi Gumz Partners in Faith Help Second Harvest: From Glaum Egg Ministry to 2022 Taste Of Soquel, Watch for Ways to Help A Heart for Horses: Bike, Walk or Ride for Rescues on October 9, By Jennifer Wooten • ‘Nina and I’: A Book about Friendship Attorney General: Arrest in Student Loan Debt Case; Affected 19,000 Borrowers Local Sports Ryan Brabo – Making A Name for Himself: Scotts Valley High Runner Makes Top 20 in Woodbridge Classic

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 The Penny Ice Creamery Official Ribbon Cutting Join Us — The Whole Community Is Invited! • Scotts Valley Small Business Rent & Mortgage Assistance Grant Program 12 September Ribbon Cutting at Found Art Collective, Photo Credit: Arwen Reber & Robert Aldana 13 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County Step Up For Kids and Community 14 State of the City Address • Support Valley Churches United Through Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s RETURN THE FAVOR Giving Campaign

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Mercury Retrogrades in Libra, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21

Featured Columnists 22 Turning Customers Into Loyal Customers: And Loyal Customers Return — Again and Again, By Ron Kustek 23 Thorny Plants Are Naturally Repellent, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Meet our Pet of the Week, Jefferson!

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 3

COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Edita McQuary, Jondi Gumz, Jennifer Wooten. Risa D’Angeles, Ron Kustek, Tony Tomeo

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

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

A Refugee Story You Haven’t Heard T

By Edita McQuary

he more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Current Middle East events remind me of my family history of fleeing out of harm’s way 80 years ago.

In August, 1939, the MolotovRibbentrop Non-Aggression Agreement was signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union dividing northeastern Europe between themselves. The Soviet Union was to get the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), Belarus, Eastern Poland and Finland, while Nazi Germany was to get West and Central Poland.

Soon after this, the Lutheran pastors in Lithuania (and perhaps in the other affected countries) started to warn their parishioners who were generally of German ancestry to consider leaving southwestern Lithuania and emigrate to Germany.

Now who would want to emigrate to Nazi Germany, you ask? Many Germandescent families had already suffered under the Soviets in World War I. My grandfather and many other Lithuanian Lutherans spent years in Siberian prisons for allegedly being German partisans.

Grandfather Karl, in the late 1890s emigrated to the United States and worked in thePennsylvania coal mines for a number of years. Upon his return, he bought a 75-acre farm near Marijampole close to the German border. In 1903, he married Mathilda, a fellow Lutheran, and they raised a family.

At the beginning of World War I, they had three sons and two daughters

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / October 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

and a successful farm when a neighbor accused him of being a German collaborator, which, of course, he was not. The Russian army took him, as well as many others of German descent, to Siberia to spend the war years working in mines and subsisting on little more than potato peelings.

At war’s end In 1917, he and others were released to go back to their families.

Grandmother hardly recognized him – he was mostly skin and bones. Being young, however, he recuperated and he and grandmother had two more children, my aunt in 1919 and my mother in 1921. The older siblings used to call them the “two Russkies” because they were born after grandfather came back from Siberia.

Grandfather died of lung disease in 1936 in his early 60s — coal mines and Siberia killed him.

By February 1941, the Soviet Russians were already in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, and would soon be in southwestern Lithuania. Heeding the warnings of the pastors, grandmother Mathilda prepared to flee to Germany with her unmarried children: Two sons, two daughters — and my mother and father who had just married three weeks earlier so they could escape together.

Choosing to stay behind was the oldest daughter, Ona, her husband, Jonas, with their two young children. Grandfather had given them a good-sized farm as her marriage dowry and they did not want to leave this to the Russians.

Again, a neighbor accused them of being Nazi sympathizers and the husband was taken to Siberia. My aunt and the two children were transported to Tajikistan along with many other Lithuanian Lutherans.

She was forced to work on a cotton farm where there was very little food. Her two young children were put into a Soviet orphanage and grew up believing they were Russians. My aunt died at age 44 from starvation. Many other transported people also died.

Her husband, released from Siberia after the war, went back to Lithuania looking for his wife and children.

When told of their fate, he had a mental breakdown, became an alcoholic and also died young.

On Feb. 21, 1941, grandmother and her family hitched up the horses and drove a wagon out of Lithuania into Germany, out of the Soviet Army’s grasp.

Bombs were dropping being dropped over northern Germany regularly.

COMMUNITY NEWS The men were recruited (forced) to work in a mine in the Harz Mountains digging for minerals necessary for the war effort. After the mine gave out — there was no other work available except the German army. My uncles and father joined the army, were captured, and were not heard of for a very long time after the war ended.

Of course, these events, as bad as they were, pale in comparison to the slaughter of thousands of Lithuanian Jews in Lithuania by the Nazis with the complicity of the Lithuanian population. Fortunately, DNA testing was not known at that time. If it had been, my 2% Jewish DNA would have consigned me to the same fate.

We all know how this war ended.

Thank God for the Americans who helped the Allies save Europe but at a great loss of American military lives. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice!

After the war’s end, there was a choice for us displaced persons. We could stay in Germany and suffer the consequences of no shelter, no food, everything bombed out. Or, we could become refugees under the International Refugee Organization program of the United Nations and emigrate out of Germany. Between 1948 and 1952, 36,000 Lithuanians emigrated to the United States.

Many more thousands, perhaps millions, of displaced Europeans emigrated to the U.S., Canada, Australia, Great Britain and South America.

For about two months we stayed in the Displaced Persons relocation camp barracks and were carefully vetted to be sure we were not war criminals.

Then we had medical examinations every week. One week it was eyes, another week it was ears, then other parts of the body, and immunizations.

During one of these examinations, it was discovered that our mother had nasal polyps. They operated to remove the polyps so she could be healthy to support herself and her two children.

All of this was paid for by the International Refugee Organization, of which the United States was the biggest contributor.

On March 31, 1951 after a scary but

thrilling nine-day sea voyage on the U.S.S. General Blatchford, we landed on Ellis Island. Once on American soil, we were expected, with the help of our sponsors, to pay our own way.

We took a long train journey to Chicago where our sponsors lived. They had arrived in the U.S. a year or two before us and had agreed to shelter us, help Mom sign up for English classes, and take her to find work.

This Lithuanian married couple with two very young sons lived in a threeroom basement apartment in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, one of the poorer parts of Chicago.

They naturally wanted to help Mom find work and get us our own apartment.

In a month or so, Mom found a job and we were fortunate to rent our own two-room makeshift “apartment” built in the front of a garage.

I cannot say we were welcomed with open arms by the Irish-Americans in Bridgeport. We were not Catholic and we were competing for jobs. But, as we got to know each other and could speak English, we were accepted and became friendly neighbors.

Over time, as we immigrant families improved our English and got better jobs, we were able to move into better places and to live in better neighborhoods. Our version of upward mobility.

In those years, from after the war to perhaps early ‘60s, every immigrant had to fill out an address form each January and submit it to the government. The U.S. government wanted to know where we were living in case they needed to contact us. We never questioned this process and did not feel it violated our right to privacy. We were just thankful to be in the United States.

So that was Immigration Old School.

I am not saying it was a perfect system but it certainly worked for so many of us who arrived here in the U.S. after World War II. And, in spite of difficulties and setbacks, we all learned the language, became citizens, paid our taxes, educated our children, and wound up living good lives in this great land of opportunity!

God bless America! n

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE.

Discover the joy of learning at Kirby School, an independent college preparatory day school in Santa Cruz for grades 6-12.

Our challenging program is available both in-person, with enhanced safety precautions, and online, for at home learners. Social and emotional well-being is a top priority and vital to student success. Our caring team is committed to helping your child thrive.

Now enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year. Learn more at one of our upcoming in-person or virtual Admissions events. We offer a test-free application process and Tuition Assistance. Contact us to learn more.

Visit kirby.org for details.

KIRBY.ORG

425 Encinal Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060

t s e B

USS General R. M. Blatchford (AP-153)

Locally Ownedd! and Operate

mmunity for serving The co s over 30 year

OTE TODAY! ASK FOR A QU

Prices On Michelin MICHelin & BF Goodrich Tires LOWEST

Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires

BIG O and TIRES IS OPEN here to serve the community.

PRICES ON NAME BRANDS www.bigotires.com

Attractive financing options available! On approval, ask for details of different plans.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 5

RECEIVE $15 OFF your purchase of $50 or More J O I N U S FO R

Happy Hour Live Music Local Beer Patio Dining Game Day Specials & More

@Severino’s Bar & Grill @severinosbarandgrill VALID THRU 11/30/2021 T’s & C’s: Dine-in only. Limit 1 per guest. Not valid on alcoholic beverages, happy hour, banquet/catered events, or discounted items. Promo Code: 15OFF50TP

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

LOCAL SPORTS

Ryan Brabo: Making A Name for Himself

Scotts Valley High Runner Makes Top 20 in Woodbridge Classic

C

ould it be that kind of year for Scotts Valley High senior Ryder Brabo?

Competing with senior teammate Jeremy Kain — the two-time Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion — Sept. 18 at the 40th annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, Brabo took 19th in 14:34.7 of 222 runners in the 3-mile Doug Speck Sweeps.

Kain, heralded as one of the best in the state, finished 21st in 14:36.3.

Scotts Valley placed 26th with a score of 624, thanks to its top five finishers.

That would be: Senior Austin George (170th in 16:00) and junior teammates Aiden Boothby (201st in 16:23.9) and Jonah Verinsky (213th in 16:43.8).

Sophomore Mason Lantz (17:43.0) and senior Drew Bryson (17:54.7) also competed for the Falcons.

More than 50 races were run in the prestigious two-day event in Norco, where the starting line is 100meters wide.

Newbury Park, the 2019 CIF Division II champion, posted the top four finishers in the Doug Speck Sweeps.

Junior Leo Young won in a courserecord 13:38.1. He was followed by juniors Aaron Sahlman (13:42.3) and Lex Young (13:44.4) and senior Colin Sahlman (13:48.0).

Junior Kevin Sanchez of Vandegrift in Texas took fifth in 14:06.0. n

Scotts Valley High senior Ryder Brabo took 19th in the 222-runner Doug Speck Sweeps race at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic on Saturday night in Norco.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Birth Happens: On Display at San Lorenzo Valley Museum thru January Belardi Gallery, San Lorenzo Valley Museum, 6299 Gushee St., Felton.

This exhibit celebrates the history of midwifery in Santa Cruz County from precontact to the present, with a focus on the 1974 Santa Cruz Birth Center "Bust" and the resulting California Supreme Court decision.

Hours: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 1-4 p.m., and Friday 4-7 p.m.

••• Cabrillo College Name: Still Under Discussion s Cabrillo College’s exploration of a name change passes the one–year mark, it’s clear the decision won’t be made until 2022.

It’s also clear that the process so far has

A

focused on Cabrillo, a Spanish navigator who never walked on the soil here, and the little research done before his name was deemed an acceptable compromise to residents of North County and South County.

The fact that he became wealthy via slaveholdings makes him less of a role model for today’s aspiring students who might other appreciate his derring-do and navigational skills.

College officials, including a subcommittee of trustees charged with making a recommendation to the full board, have been hearing from historical experts, leaders of people who were displaced by missionaries, and students past and present, to get their thoughts.

“Briefs” page 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Supervisors Want Investigation Into PG&E Outages Editor’s note: On Sept 28, as a result of Fifth District Supervisor Bruce McPherson and Second District Supervisor Zach Friend providing the following information, the Board of Supervisors direct Chairman McPherson to send a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission requesting an investigation of repeated and unpredictable Pacific Gas & Electric “fast trip” power outages this summer in Santa Cruz County, which have left thousands of residents in the dark in Aptos, Corralitos, greater Watsonville, and the Santa Cruz Mountains, disrupting their lives and business operations and impacting their health and well-being.

••• ower outages related to the fast trip settings began in July 2021 and have continued unabated as of this writing. For example, on Sept. 20, an outage impacted more than 5,600 customers in the San Lorenzo Valley, including local schools, after a squirrel came in contact with a transformer.

Such outages demonstrate that the overly sensitive fast trip setting, which is ostensibly designed to reduce the risk of PG&E equipment causing a wildfire, is otherwise causing harm to residents by unnecessarily cutting power to large swaths of our area.

While the fast trip setting immediately shuts down power, it can take a significant amount of time to restore power as PG&E crews must then visually inspect the affected lines, which can only

P

happen during daylight hours. Many of the outages have taken hours or days to restore, often to be replaced with another outage just days later.

The County’s Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience has asked PG&E for data on the number of fast trip outages in Santa Cruz County since July 1, as well as the number of total service hours lost to constituents. OR3 has also requested data on the frequency of outages per week between July 1 and the week of Sept. 20, and the average time of outage per event.

It is hoped that PG&E will provide this information, as well as details of their efforts to fix the fast trip setting, in community meetings scheduled for Sept. 23.

Analysis e understand that the fast trip sensors are a response to the justified pressure PG&E is receiving for their equipment triggering fires throughout our state, causing the loss of life and structures.

For many years, residents and elected officials in our County and elsewhere have been calling on PG&E to invest in hardening its system in high fire danger areas rather than focus on extreme vegetation management and increasing power shutoffs.

While we support efforts to improve safety, it is hard to believe this fast trip approach (and the extreme sensitivity that triggers shutoffs) is anything other than an overcorrection.

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

SPECIALIZING IN

FALL SPECIAL

Residential Repaints & If we paint your interior and/or Custom Homes exterior by October 31, 2021 Homeowners Associations we will buy the paint.

Property Managers

W

“PG&E Outages” page 10

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 7

OPEN STUDIOS

Open Studios Art Tour is Back

After a Hiatus Due to Pandemic, Nearly 300 Artists Ready to Greet Patrons

T

his October means the return of the Open Studios Art Tour, a free selfguided tour that invites the public into nearly 300 artist studios working in dozens of mediums across Santa Cruz County.

There are seasoned artists who’ve participated since 1986, talented newcomers, and makers and creators of all kinds. Neighbors, friends, collectors and art lovers are invited to meet the artists, see their creative process up close, and buy art directly from the source.

“We’re so happy to be producing the tour again this year,” said Ann Ostermann, Open Studios director for Arts Council Santa Cruz County. “Artists are really looking forward to having one on one conversations with their visitors after a long year of interacting with folks online.”

She added, “We’ve supplied every artist with face masks, hand sanitizer and signage to keep themselves, their families, their helpers and their guests safe during the tour.”

This year, more than ever, it’s taken a lot of planning and rearranging to prepare for the tour.

“The payoff comes in the form of new connections, art sales, and a renewed sense of joy in sharing the artistic process,” Ostermann said.

A program of Arts Council Santa Cruz County, Open Studios takes place the first three weekends of October, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Studios are divided between North and South County (with the SantaCruz

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

Sue Holmes of Scotts Valley

Yacht Harbor as the dividing point) on the following schedule: Oct. 2-3: South County artists Oct. 9-10: North County artists Oct. 16-17: All County weekend featuring select artists.

There are many ways to plan your tour and they’re all free.

Whether this is your first Open

Studios or you’ve been attending for years, here are a few strategies for finding your way: 1) Pick up a FREE artist guide at Good Times drop off points throughout the County.

Find artists in your neighborhood, by medium, or simply browse through the guide and find artwork that captures your eye.

2) Download the FREE app — available Sept. 27 on iTunes & Google Play (search for “Open Studios Art Tour”).

Mark favorite artists, map their location, and then build a tour around that.

3) Follow the green signs. During Open Studios weekends you’ll see lime green signs with artist names and arrows all over the county.

Please consider every Open Studios sign as your own personal invitation.

Follow the signs and enter a studio.

4) Check out the preview exhibit at Santa Cruz Art League, featuring artwork from a majority of the participating artists.

The exhibit opens Friday, October 1 as part of the First Friday Art Tour, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 16.

It’s a great way to discover artists and plan your tour. Pop into the gallery, find artwork that intrigues you, and make a note of which studios you want to visit.

“Open Studios” page 10

COMMUNITY NEWS

Free Electric Streetcar Demo in October

get your free guide now!

Open Studios

Rides Oct. 16-17 in Watsonville & Oct. 21-24 in Santa Cruz

C

“Briefs” from page 6 During the current sessions, with one scheduled 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 on Zoom, participants are promised confidentiality and speakers were asked to be mindful about others waiting to speak.

About 30 attended last week, listening to answers to a question about who would feel good about a name change, and who might not.

The dialogue was respectful, and most speakers indicated they were in favor of a change. It’s not clear whether people supporting the name were not participating or not speaking up.

The expenses of a name change are estimated to cost $400,000, according to Cabrillo President Matthew Wetstein. Not all the expenses would be incurred at once, but spending of resources on new plaques and road signs, stationary and athletic

ART TO u R

Image shows the electric passenger train made by TIG/m LLC

public to see an example of a modern electric rail vehicle on two sections of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line track.

Each demonstration routes will be approximately 4 miles, with the Watsonville route running from the intersection of West Beach and Walker Streets to Harkins Slough and back, and the Santa Cruz route running from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Capitola and back.

The demonstration, originally planned for spring 2020, was delayed due to the pandemic and will follow current COVID safety guidelines require all passengers to wear a mask. Tickets are free but reservations on the Roaring Camp platform will be required. n Learn more at coastfutura.org or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

uniforms made some uncomfortable when there hasn’t been enough funding to meet student needs.

For details on the name discussion process, see https://www.cabrillo.edu/governing-board/ name-exploration-subcommittee/ ••• Got a Spare TV? nterim Inc. is in need of at least three new 32-inch TVs and three microwaves for clients who are coming in off the street from homelessness and into supported housing with Interim and their apartments are lacking these household basics.

They will be receiving case management, counseling, and other services to help them maintain their housing.

If you can assist, bring your items to Interim’s office at 604 Pearl St., Monterey).

Questions can be directed to Interim’s Development Officer Deb Shearer at (649) 4522, ext. 205. n

I

IS BACK SouTh CounTY oct. 2-3 norTh CounTY oct. 9-10 All CounTY oct. 16-17 hourS 11am-5pm

IS FREE at most Stacy Frank, Artist #213

oast Futura announces a free demonstration of an affordable, accessible streetcar on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, presented by Roaring Camp Railroads, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17, in Watsonville, and Thursday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 24, in Santa Cruz.

Tickets for the 45-minute ride will be available online from Roaring Camp Railroads starting Friday, Oct. 1. Sign up at coastfutura.org The Coast Futura demonstration rail vehicle was manufactured by Californiabased TIG/m, LLC., operating on batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

The vehicles are wireless and are expected to move quietly through neighborhoods alongside the Rail Trail, portions of which have been completed or are forward.

The innovative streetcar is envisioned to help in the fight against climate change, producing zero emissions and powered by batteries and hydrogen — and recharged with clean energy sourced from Central Coast Community Energy.

The demonstration aims to provide a proof-of-concept about what car-free commuting would look like.

The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission authorized the demonstration as an opportunity for the

PRESENTING SPONSOR

CoVid CourTeSY When visiting a studio, please respect any additional safety guidelines.

free guide

locations

free App itunes & google Play preView exhibiTS | oCT. 1-17 Santa Cruz Art League | scal.org r. Blitzer gallery | rblitzergallery.com

FIRST 3 WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER MAJOR SPONSORS

santacruzopenstudios.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 9

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

“PG&E Outages” from page 7 We would instead encourage PG&E to prioritize hardening the lines in these areas, including undergrounding. Basically, PG&E is telling their customers that they can choose safety or reliable power but not both.

The outages are more than just an inconvenience; they are a life safety and health issue. Without power, residents who rely on wells can’t pump water or use their sanitation systems.

Losing power has a profound impact on seniors and others who need reliable power service for medical equipment.

Students and workers cannot study or work from home without power and Internet access. Businesses struggle to operate without power, thus causing the loss of revenue that keeps people employed.

The outages compound trauma already experienced by many residents.

Some of the areas that have suffered outages were heavily impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020, and others from previous storm-related events.

These same areas were hit with PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) events in recent years, and we can only assume these areas will continue to be impacted by future PSPS events and these fast trip shutoffs.

To make matters worse, PG&E’s leadership has failed to adequately communicate with residents about what is happening. Only after more than six weeks of our repeated requests to host a community meeting with residents did the utility finally agree to host meetings on the afternoon and evening of Sept. 23.

This delay in response signaled once

This delay in response signaled once more that PG&E leadership clearly does not prioritize communication with their customers. more that PG&E leadership clearly does not prioritize communication with their customers.

We believe it’s important to elevate the voice of these residents to the CPUC, which has regulatory authority over PG&E and needs to take a closer look at what is driving the decision-making around wildfire safety and prevention.

Our request for a CPUC investigation into the fast trip approach is separate from — and in addition to — the pending formal complaint our County filed with the CPUC against PG&E related to the post-CZU Fire tree removal in 2020 that garnered multiple notices of violation by CALFIRE, the California Coastal Commission and other agencies. n ••• h t t p : / / w w w. c o . s a n t a - c r u z . c a . u s / government/boardofsupervisors.aspx

“Open Studios” from page 8 Can’t make it in person? Take a walk via a Virtual Tour, available on santacruzopenstudioes.com starting Sept. 29.

5) If you’re interested in art from the outlying studios, visit the satellite preview exhibit at the R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission Street in Santa Cruz.

This exhibit features work by artists in remote areas throughout the county, including Bonny Doon, Corralitos, Felton and more.

The satellite exhibit opens on Oct. 1 as part of the First Friday Art Tour and will be open to the public through Oct. 17.

6) Visit one or 100! No one is keeping score. Spend a day or just a few minutes.

Open Studios is a self-guided, free tour. Cater it to your style and mood. n ••• The Arts Council generates creativity,

Matthew Werner of Scotts Valley

vibrancy, and connection in Santa Cruz County. For 42 years it has fueled this creative community, supporting individual and collective artistic expression and building bridges and bonds between people throughout the county.

The council has provided grants to artists and art organizations, funded arts education programs that serve more than 17,000 kids across Santa Cruz County, and supported community initiatives such as Open Studios and Ebb & Flow.

The Penny Ice Creamery Official Ribbon Cutting Join Us — The Whole Community Is Invited!

M

Thursday 10/21, 5:30-7pm • The Hangar, 262 Mt. Hermon Road, Suite 104

anager Alyssa Jacobsen smiles as she places a fresh pan of Mascarpone Peach in the dipping cabinet. “The peaches are from Love Apple Farms,” she says with a smile. “It’s amazing to be scooping ice cream made with ingredients grown only a few miles

from the shop. And it doesn’t hurt that this flavor is delicious!”

On October 21st at 5:30pm founders Kendra Baker and Zachary Davis will join with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce to officially cut the ribbon on their newest location at 262 Mount Hermon

Road, their fourth Penny in Santa Cruz County. The shop is located in The Hanger, a new commercial development that will soon include a home decor store by Zinnia’s and a restaurant and tap room from Faultline Brewery.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Scotts Valley community,” says Davis. “Kendra has had relationships with local growers in the Santa Cruz Mountains like Love Apple since her days as Executive Pastry Chef at Manresa in Los Gatos and The Penny has been a vendor at the Felton Farmers’ Market for years. Now with a brick and mortar shop here in Scotts Valley we look forward to strengthening our local connections.”

The Penny Ice Creamery Scotts Valley launched quietly with a soft opening on August 30th but the word quickly spread.

“Everyone has been so fantastic,” says Baker. “One of my favorite things about ice cream is that it is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. We’re getting to know so many different people very quickly.”

The Penny Ice Creamery is the only ice cream shop in Santa Cruz County making delicious ice cream completely from scratch in house. Flavors change with the seasons, and feature locally farmed and organic ingredients.

Scotts Valley Small Business Rent & Mortgage Assistance Grant Program

T

he City of Scotts Valley and Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce a $250,000 Small Business Rent & Mortgage Assistance Grant Program.

The goal of this program is to provide economic relief to small businesses in Scotts Valley that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses selected to receive

grants are required to use the funding towards qualified rent or mortgage expenses that have been incurred between April 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021.

The City anticipates that somewhere between 20-30 businesses will be awarded a grant under this program.

As an example, applicants must be a for-profit small business with 25 or fewer employees, operating in Scotts Valley with a brickand-mortar store and have a demonstrated financial need as a result of COVID-19.

Keep an eye out for additional information and full eligibility requirements,

Halloween Season is Upon Us!

including a formal launch of the grant application period and full program guidelines to be publicly introduced at the end of October 2021.

If you are interested and think your business may qualify, please email Chamber Executive Director, Danny Reber, at dreber@scottsvalleychamber. com to be added to our list of interested businesses.

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 11

Scotts Valley Chamber News

September Ribbon Cutting at Found Art Collective Photo Credit: Arwen Reber & Robert Aldana

Donna Lind (City Council)

Jack Dilles

(City Council)

Danny Reber (Chamber Executive Director)

Elaine Sherer Owner Found Art Collective

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

Chamber Ambassadors Victor Alejandro Jay Topping

Scotts Valley Chamber News

I

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County Step Up For Kids and Community

n August 2021, following the loss of afterschool programming provided by the City of Scotts Valley, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County expanded our offerings from three clubhouse locations (downtown Santa Cruz, Live Oak, and the Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse in Scotts Valley) to also include onsite afterschool programs at Brook Knoll “Eagle Club” and Vine Hill “Bear Club” elementary schools, serving an additional 130 youth in Scotts Valley alone.

Each of these sites delivers what research says is most needed from out-of-school programs: healthy relationships with positive adult role models; a structured, safe and nurturing environment; and access to a diverse range of programs that includes recreation, self-expression, and opportunities for building positive behaviors.

To learn more about our Clubs we invite you to join us for just 10 minutes online for our GREAT FUTURES COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 9:00am.

This annual event will be held virtually this year, with a live premier on our website and social media platforms.

Hear from community members, youth, staff, and this year’s guest speaker, Dr. Faris Sabbah from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, as they speak to the growing needs of our youth and community. We’ll also highlight how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County is stepping up as a leader to serve youth from across the county by providing opportunities for safe, in-person interaction, academic enrichment and social-emotional development.

To support our Great Futures Community Breakfast text “COMMUNITYBREAKFAST” to 44-321.

For interest in the afterschool programs at Brook Knoll “Eagle Club” and Vine Hill “Bear Club” elementary schools please call 831-535-7017.

Visit our website: www.boysandgirlsclub.info, Follow us on instagram @bgcscc or find us on facebook.

Custom Design Restoration & Repair Market swings making you uneasy? Let's talk.

245 Mt. Hermon Rd. Suite Y Scotts Valley greenejewelrydesign.com (831)438-1844 MKT-5894J-A-A1

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 13

Scotts Valley Chamber News

State of the City Address

Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-Noon

T

he Scotts Valley Senior Life Association is proud to host this year’s Scotts Valley State of the City Address. This event is open to the entire community free of charge.

The event will be held this Saturday, October 2nd from 10am to Noon. The location will be outdoors, in the shaded open space behind the Scotts Valley Community Center.

Socially Distanced seating will be available and masks are requested.

Speakers include: • Mayor Derek Timm • Interim City Manager, Brian Haddix • Police Captain, Jayson Rutherford • Fire Chief, Ron Whittle • SVUSD Superintendent, Tanya Krause • School Board President, Sue Rains

Support Valley Churches United Through Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s RETURN THE FAVOR Giving Campaign

V

alley Churches United Missions is very excited to be a part of Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s RETURN THE FAVOR CAMPAIGN. For every dollar you donate to Valley Churches

$2700/month

$2500/month

2BR/2BA 2-STORY HOME BEN 2BR/2BA 2-STORY CONDO IN 1BR/1BA HOME PLUS OFFICE IN LOMOND on Love Creek. Loft. W/D HIDDEN OAKS in Scotts Valley. Patio. SANTA CRUZ on Spiker Lane. W/D incl. Deck. No pets.

Deck. FP. No pets. incl. Garden. Patio. No pets.

AVAIL NOW AVAIL MID OCTOBER AVAIL NOW

$2000/month

To donate please visit Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s website at scccu.org.

To learn more about Valley Churches visit vcum.org or call (831) 336-8258.

• Scotts Valley Water District General Manager, Piret Harmon Key topics to be discussed will include: thriving through ongoing crisis, major city Initiatives, General Plan & development updates, and looking forward to 2022. Bring your questions to ask our City Leaders with entire group or individually after the presentation.

••• To RSVP or for additional information call (831) 438-1000 or email info@scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

Celebrating 40 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 - 2021

$2800/month

United Missions, SCCCU will match your gift (up to $50,000). This is an excellent opportunity to help raise needed funds to support our neighbors in need as we enter the holiday season. Please consider giving today.

$1500/month

1BR/1BA APARTMENT IN SANTA CRUZ off Graham Hill. STUDIO IN TRIPLEX IN BEN LOMOND on Glen Lomond Water, garbage & PG&E incl. Parking for 1 vehicle only. w/deck. W/D. Water & garbage incl. No pets.

AVAIL NOW AVAIL NOW

PROPOSED WATER RATE CHANGES 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 well replacement and improvements to 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. 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

Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter

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

CALL FOR SPECIAL RATES 831.688.7549

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Covid Indoor Mask Mandate Lifted

I

By Jondi Gumz

n Santa Cruz County, masks indoors are recommended, not required.

The change occurred on Sept.

29, after the Centers for Disease Control updated their COVID-19 Data Tracker to show Santa Cruz County moved to moderate (yellow) community transmission – a result the county’s face covering requirements are lifted immediately.

Then county mandated indoor face coverings on Aug. 21 after cases spurted up.

The county change does not impact face covering requirements issued by the State of California for unvaccinated individuals, school districts, businesses, venues or organizations requiring face coverings by policy. Residents are asked to respect these requirements by carrying a face covering with them at all times while in public. For information, see https:// covid19.ca.gov/masks-and-ppe/.

Face coverings and vaccinations continue to be the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect yourself and loved ones from infection, according Santa Cruz County officials.

Santa Cruz County is updating its Covid dashboard on Monday and Thursday, which shows 471 active cases,

down from 971 in early September, and 18,614 recovered.

The 14-day metric, which is updated only on Wednesdays, shows 26 percent decline in cases as of Sept. 29.

The number of hospitalizations, which had been as high as 21, is at 14, including 2 in ICU beds.

The number of deaths rose in September from 210 to 213, with all the new deaths involving men with health conditions who were unvaccinated.

For information of COVID-19 vaccinations and a list of vaccine providers including local pop-up clinics, visit www. santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine.

Popup clinics are scheduled for October.

As of Sept. 27, the percentage of county residents fully vaccinated was 65 percent, with 70.7 percent partly vaccinated. n ••• For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusor or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Businesses can still require all customers to wear masks at indoor venues.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Partners in Faith Help Second Harvest

From Glaum Egg Ministry to 2022 Taste Of Soquel, Watch for Ways to Help

T

he food bank system works as a huband-wheel system. At the hub are the purchasing, storage and transportation services provided by the food bank. Second Harvest sources more than 8 million pounds of food each year from farms, grocery stores, food manufacturers, distributors, and individuals.

At the ends of many spokes of this wheel are 100 food pantries, schools, soup kitchens, group homes and youth centers, distributing to those in need of food in our county, feeding about 55,000 people each month, in normal times. That includes children, seniors, veterans, homeless, the under-employed and others needing some help from their neighbors to make it through a tough time.

Among these partners are numerous faith-based volunteer organizations whose food pantries complete the work by regularly supplying food into the hands of those who need it. This story spotlights some of the food bank’s faith-based partners, helping accomplish this huge job every month in Aptos, Soquel, Capitola and Scotts Valley.

The diverse religions in our county clearly have some things in common. One of them is helping feed those among us who have difficulty buying enough healthy food. Faith-based congregations distribute food through their neighborhood pantries and raise donations to help Second Harvest make purchases.

Four meals for a dollar is what food bank donations buy, far better than buying food at retail and collecting it in bins all over the county. That was the former system, abandoned during the pandemic.

Scotts Valley t. Philip The Apostle Episcopal Church’s pantry, or Pip’s Pantry, as they call it, has been feeding anyone in need since 2010.

Pantry Team Leader Sally Sutter says, “It’s important understanding it’s more than just food. (We need) to break through, to think and act respectfully and Sally Sutter not be judgmental. We have many underserved people in Scotts Valley. The zip code doesn’t tell the story. For all the volunteers in our program, the weekly act of seeing the actual faces and hearing the stories of those experiencing food insecurity is a potent reality check.”

St. Philip’s Pip’s Pantry is open Thursdays from 5 – 6:30pm Soquel ongregational Church of Soquel provides healthy food for families in the county by teaming with Second Harvest.

“It’s a perfect fit for the heart of our ministry,” says Laura Hamby, a key volunteer. Two of the church’s long-standing partnership projects shared with Second Harvest include: • Hand-to-Hand — Initiated close to 20 years ago when the first group of church members and friends spent a Saturday morning at the warehouse packing family food bags. The tradition continued once each Fall and Spring ever since.

• A Taste of Soquel: Food and Music for the Common Good! — Debuting in September 2009. A Taste supports Second Harvest with 100 percent of proceeds and brings people together to celebrate Soquel. The event has provided 402,526 healthy meals and $100,631 over the last 12 years.

The 13th (Almost) Annual A Taste of Soquel will be Sept. 24, 2022 ••• Faith-based partners supporting Second Harvest in these four communities include: Temple Beth El and New Hope Community Church in Aptos; Soquel Bilingual Seventh-day Adventist® Church and Inner Light Ministries in Soquel.

S

No shortage resulted — because an outpouring of generosity in labor, love and financial support.

“Our county’s faith based community has always been great supporters of the food bank,” explains Richelle Noroyan, corporate & community relations director at Second Harvest. “Their contributions since the pandemic have been recordbreaking. They have filled gaps that allowed the food bank to go from serving 55,000 people monthly pre-pandemic to over 100,000. These contributions let many families to pay their rent or mortgage and have healthy food.”

Currently Second Harvest is seeing 75,000 to 80,000 people believe their access to good food is temporal.

••• Aptos win Lakes Church is seeing more new people. Robin Spurlock, People’s Pantry manager, recalls comments like, Wow! So wonderful! You’ve answered my prayers during unemployment.

T

“This is so rewarding to see,” Robin recalls. “We have a great working relationship with Second Harvest.”

Twin Lakes, with a congregation in the thousands, is consistently one of the top donors during the Robin Spurlock Holiday Food Drive.

People’s Pantry is open Wednesdays 4 to 5:15 PM esurrection Food Pantry has been providing food to the community for the past 18 years supported by the Resurrection Church.

The majority of folks receiving food there live in mid-county. Twenty percent come from other areas. Following last year’s shelter-in-place order, Resurrection Church reported the number of “regular” pantry visitors had gone down.

But more new families began arriving to receive food. Additionally, they’ve seen an increase in people experiencing homelessness and seeking assistance. The numbers changed but the pantry, staffed by parishioners, continues its communiy support.

Resurrection Pantry is open Monday & Friday from 10am – noon t. Andrews Presbyterian supports the food bank though its Youth Crop Walk, while the entire congregation collects non-perishable foods, explains Reverend Anne McAnelly.

The Egg Basket ministry of Dorothy Glaum, of Glaum Eggs, donates 30 dozen eggs each week for members and friends to buy at cost with all proceeds to Second Harvest. In 21 years, more than 150,000 meals have been donated. During the pandemic, this increased dramatically.

“We’ve raised thousands of dollars for Second Harvest while keeping people fed and safe, because of the Glaum family’s generosity,” McAnelly adds.

R

S

People’s Pantry, Twin Lakes Church 16 / October 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

C

Congregational Church of Soquel

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Heart for Horses

Bike, Walk or Ride for Rescues on October 9

C

By Jennifer Wooten

anham Farm Horse Rescue is a horse rescue, training and education facility dedicated to helping all horses in need with a special focus on wild horse rescue and advocacy.

Whether it be horses or ponies who have been neglected and need a place to rehabilitate, those who are gifted to us by their owners who can no longer keep them, horses bound for slaughter

in Canada or Mexico or unwanted wild horses, we try to help as many horses as we can.

Our mission is to work with rescue horses, horse owners, communities, organizations, government and advocate for wild horses to help improve welfare standards and stamp out equine suffering.

We also have a project called Horses Helping Humans aimed to use the healing power of horses for anyone suffering from anxiety, stress, people dealing with difficult circumstances, vulnerable youth and children and adults with disabilities.

The founder of Canham Farm Horse Rescue is Julia Hyde. She has been lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of time with horses when she was younger and through the years and has grown to love and respect them more and more. A proud mother of four grown children, she lives in Scotts Valley with

her husband, her own three horses, and rescue dog.

“Heart for Horses” page 18

‘Nina and I’ A Book About Friendship

A

s children go back to school, Julie Costa Langley is pleased to announce her first children’s book, “Nina and I,” a story about friendship.

With some determination and problem solving, the heroine of the story, Lisa, discovers how their unique differences make a friendship much more special. The book touches on body positivity and recognizing the beauty in being different.

Valier Bouthyette illustrated the story.

A Santa Cruz mother of four living in Scotts Valley with her husband Rich and teenage son, Nicholas, Langley said she based “Nina and I” on a true story from on her childhood. She is a first- and second-generation Portuguese American.

Her son Nicholas lives at home and she has two grandchildren.

Retired after 25 years of working for the County of Santa Cruz, she enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as writing.

“Nina and I” can be found on Amazon,

Campbell

408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE.

$15.99 for a paperback and $6.99 on Kindle. www.amazon.com/dp/0578959305 An autographed copy can be purchased by request for a special rate. Email your request to: julielangley66@yahoo. com. n Cover illustration by Valerie Bouthyette

Santa Clara

408-727-0822 2550 LAFAYETTE

Morgan Hill

408-779-7368 95 E. MAIN AVE.

Santa Cruz

831-477-7133 3700 SOQUEL AVE.

www. ATool Shed.com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED

Hollister

831-638-1999 2610 SAN JUAN RD.

Salinas

831-424-7368 210 W. MARKET ST.

Watsonville

831-722-0334 285 W. BEACH ST.

WE DELIVER

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 17

Mercury Retrogrades in Libra

I

Esoteric Astrology • October 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

n studying astrology one becomes very aware of the seasons, each one bringing subtle change to our world. These seasons are governed by the planets, stars, sun and moon. They guide humanity and all of nature by a rhythmic cycle of light and dark, growth and rest.

Another rhythm began last Sunday, September 26th– the rhythm of Mercury retrograde. This is our third and last Mercury retrograde for 2021. Mercury is retrogrades in Libra until October 18th.

The significance of this retrograde of Mercury is Libra, sign of deep intimate relationships, marriage, interaction with others, partnerships, diplomacy, balance and our social identity. Libra points out the duality and polarization within relationships and under Ray 3 (a star in the Big Dipper), Libra represents our intelligence, our ability to be democratic. Esoterically, Libra rules finances and the economy. All of these may be challenged during the retrograde.

With Mercury retrograde in Libra (air sign, thinking sign), we turn inward, assessing all that Libra rules. We become aware of miscommunication, misinterpretations and misinformation with our intimates, closest friends and partners. Conflicts with others arise, ARIES

there are challenges, social cues that may be missed, messages lost or forgotten, a struggle to express ourselves clearly. Mercurial themes are thinking, talking, gathering and offering information. Libra is all these with the “other”.

When we have the knowledge of how astrology works and how it will affect us, we then are able to work with the planets efficiently and effectively. How we do this is through observation of our lives and the best observation can be done during Mercury retrogrades.

During the retrograde (when everything can be reset, rearranged, reviewed, revisited, resolved) we make a point of remaining emotionally and intelligently balanced, poised, always observing self and others. We also give the benefit of the doubt to others. Everyone is experiencing the Mercury retrograde. But only a few understand it enough to work with (and not against) the retrograde energies.

We remember too, Shakespeare’s words, “All the world’s a stage, each of us playing our part.”Let our part be the bright more charming side of Libra — that of balance, goodwill, harmony and beauty — that which humanity longs for.

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Mercury retrograde is moving through your house of partnership and marriage. Notice any conflicts impatience or misunderstandings.

Notice thoughts and feelings concerning all partnership and relationships. Rearrange yourself so that harmony is the goal, not conflict. If anyone has wedding plans during the retro dates, it’s best to postpone the celebration. One does not want a Mercury retrograde marriage unless both partners were born with Mercury retrograde natally, which means they communicate telepathically.

As Mercury retrogrades through your third house of thinking and communication you may find yourself walking a bit more, traversing neighborhoods, camera in hand. You may also seek to understand how what you learned a child affects your present life. Attempt to bring balance to friend and sibling relationships. Notice if your use your hands more. You consider what thoughts and aspiration have brought you to this moment in time. And gain clarity about your authentic friends, collaborations and ambitions. At the end of the retrograde, blinders are removed from your eyes.

Mercury retrograde will traverse your house of groups, friends, hopes, wishes and dreams. It’s a perfect time to review these things. Who are your real friends? What groups do you belong to? Do they further your hopes, wishes and dreams?

What ARE your hopes, wishes and dreams? Is your technology up to date? Notice if anything technological just stops working!

Alternate sources of information may pop up unexpectedly.

Study them for their usefulness. Stay in the heart, Leo. There isn’t anything else to do!

TAURUS

VIRGO

Mercury retrogrades in your house of work in the world, how you’re recognized and it concerns the master plan for your life. You may need to ask others to assist you in completing previous tasks. You may be impatient, too, feeling the need to direct everything. However, that will be impossible. You are used to doing things by yourself, being your own boss, taking the reins. However, before the new can come forth everything concerning your world of work needs cooperation from others. Assess this so a re-balance can come forth.

During the retrograde, Mercury will be moving through your sixth house of everyday living. The sixth house rules health, service to self and others, small animals, diet, gardens, routines and daily work. It is important to focus on nutrition, how one tends and cares for the self. Be aware of the health of one’s animals, too. Be sure your daily routines are balanced between health and on work that is gratifying, rewarding and fulfilling.

You need a bit of enchantment.

In this Mercury retro in Libra, your values and resources are assessed. Also, your need to see the self as valuable. You may notice your need to rest more, seek comfort and calmness, not push your will so strongly. You may seek more in-depth personal communications with those you care about.

Feelings may appear that are unexpected and a sense of Venusian stillness and composure may arise. Your imagination may take hold and all things hidden away within may surface.

An important choice also will be made.

GEMINI

The Mercury retrograde takes your creativity inward, offering you the opportunity to explore different future pathways, imagine new directions and points of view. It calls you to be flexible and fluid so you can assess the last three months events and what may be in store the next three months. Nothing limits your ability to dream, visualize, imagine plans for the future. It’s important to explore ways to bring more of your creativity to light. I always thought you and Aquarius might have a found-art gallery. Try to recapture childhood spontaneity.

CANCER

This Mercury retrograde will offer you the opportunity to be out and about in the world offering your talents, gifts and abilities. You will, however, also long to be home, while being very aware of inner emotional shifts, feelings of missing someone or something, and focus upon all inner needs. New patterns of creativity are taking shape. You may also consider a reorganization of your home. Is the daily work you are doing offering enough creative opportunity? New aspirations emerge.

LIBRA

Mercury retro in Libra will be in your first house (Aries house) of self-identification and purpose. During these difficult times, has your awareness of self and your abilities, or your sense of purpose changed?

Do you find yourself more courageous, more risk-taking? As the retrograde progresses you may need to slow down, rest more, evaluate who you thought you were and who you might be now. A change has occurred within and the retrograde will introduce you to your “new self.” Practice a bit of reverie now and then.

SCORPIO

The Mercury retrograde will be in your house of mystery, religion, things hidden and veiled, which offers great refuge. During Mercury retrograde review and assess what religion or spirituality means to you. Perhaps you long for vision, hope, for refuge and a place for the mystical to be revealed.

Mercury retrograde is offering the sounds, colors, tones, and beauty of harmony and balance. Scorpio and Pisces are like sibling - one the Disciple, the other the Savior. You need each other. Do daydream a bit more. Dream about the future.

•••

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

Mercury retrogrades through your house of journeys, justice, and the law. We are all asked to take your blinders off and look around. Our world is in a state of conflict and chaos and since you are the messenger from the future, it’s important to recognize inner work is needed. You are to research the truths humanity needs to know in order to survive. Everything will slow down so you can do thorough work of study and research. You are and will be called to put on the professor hat soon. Get ready.

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

PISCES

Mercury retrograde travels through your Scorpio house of deep dark secrets, of puzzling things and mysteries and it calls you to gather your wisdom and your strategies to understand them. Uncovering secrets helps us create security and safety and truth in our daily lives. You have the wisdom needed to navigate our present difficult times. You will need patience, more courage than usual. In between your warrior work bring to all relationships tender loving care. They, too, may be on a “precipice.”

“Heart for Horses” from page 17 Julia says, “I have seen a lot of good things done with horses in my time but unfortunately I have seen more bad.

This is the reason I started Canham Farm Horse Rescue and Rehab — it was, and still is, a way for me to give back to all the horses that have, and are still, abused, neglected or unwanted.”

Canham Farm is hosting a fundraiser Oct. 9 in Scotts Valley. All donations from the fundraiser go directly to the care of our rescue horses!

Funds raised go towards grain, hay, vet expenses, dental care, farrier costs, and much more. We are nonprofit run solely by volunteers and are always grateful to our generous supporters, donators, and sponsors!

Our Oct. 9 fundraiser is a chance for the community to come together to bike, hike, or ride for our rescues. The event will begin at Siltanen Community Park, 127 Vine Hill Road, Scotts Valley, with options of a mountain bike route, paved route, family friendly, or horse trail! A $39 donation gets you an entry ticket, event T-shirt, and entry into a raffle for prizes. Kids under 12 are free!

We look forward to a day of the community coming together to help support our rescue horses! n ••• Buy event tickets at: www.eventbrite.com/e/ bike-walk-or-ride-for-rescues-tickets-166258793527

COMMUNITY NEWS

Attorney General: Arrest in Student Loan Debt Case; Affected 19,000 Borrowers O n Sept. 21, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest of the leader of a nationwide, multiyear, multimillion-dollar student loan debt relief scam.

The defendant owned a network of third-party debt relief businesses based in Orange County. They employed managers and sales agents to operate multiple call centers that contacted individuals across the country promising to reduce or eliminate their federal student loan debt. Instead, the owner, as well as four call center managers and two sales agents allegedly stole over $6,130,000 in less than three years from over 19,000 victims, including 3,000 in California.

Two additional defendants have been arrested for their alleged connection to this scheme.

All of the defendants face multiple counts, including grand theft by false pretenses, computer access and fraud, and unauthorized use of personal identifying information. The lead defendant has been charged with all 87 counts of the indictment, as well as special allegations for money laundering in excess of $2.5 million and aggravated white-collar crime.

“Millions of Californians — myself included — know what it’s like to finish your education, only to start the often decades-long journey of paying off your student loans,” said Bonta. “Life happens, and whether it be because a person is out of work, faces an unexpected medical bill, or other life change, many struggle to make those monthly payments. When greedy companies prey on vulnerable individuals and use misleading tactics to steal from them, they must be held accountable.

I’m thankful to our local and federal law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation. Now, the work begins to bring to account those responsible for these alleged actions.”

“The victims are the most important people to remember in this case,” said Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “All of the work of the entire team, including OC Sheriff’s investigators, is well worth the effort to provide justice for unsuspecting students who thought they were paying off student loans. While it’s an unfortunate reality, scammers will take advantage of victims for their personal financial gain. The best defense against these scams is to be informed about

The lead defendant has been charged with all 87 counts of the indictment, as well as special allegations for money laundering in excess of $2.5 million and aggravated white-collar crime.

different types of fraud and how you can avoid becoming a victim.”

“This case demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting the U.S. taxpayer’s investment in the Federal student loan programs and we’re proud to be involved with this State, local, and Federal partnership that brought about today’s actions,” said Tom Harper, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Technology Crimes Division, the unit that works to protect education programs and network infrastructure by investigating technology crimes. “This should serve as a warning to anyone operating these and other scams aimed at students and student borrowers: you will be caught and held accountable for your criminal actions.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the U.S. mail from criminal misuse and is proud to be a part of this large-scale investigation with our law enforcement partners,” said Carroll Harris, Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division. “Together we seek to stop these scammers involved in illegal computer access, fraud, identity theft, and money laundering from continuing to defraud and victimize thousands of individuals located throughout the United States.”

Between 2017 and 2020, sales agents from the third-party debt relief call centers contacted an estimated 380,000 student loan borrowers who were struggling to meet their monthly debt obligations. These agents allegedly feigned an association with the U.S. Department of Education and, without authority to do so, guaranteed borrowers enrollment in programs to lower their monthly payments and result in loan forgiveness. If borrowers became suspicious or unsure, the agents would allegedly apply more pressure by implying that their company was the only way to enroll in these plans and that their offers only applied for a limited time.

By leading victims to believe they were with the U.S. Department of Education or that they were a commercial entity with the power to acquire loans or enroll students

in a federal loan forgiveness plan, the call centers allegedly led borrowers to divulge personal identifying information and then used that information to access and make

changes to borrowers’ Federal Student Aid accounts without consent. Allegedly, many victims also unknowingly signed a third-party authorization form or a power of attorney agreement that purported to give the third-party debt relief centers authorization to make decisions on their behalf.

“Student Loan Debt” page 22

World Series

ACROSS

1. Locker room infection?

6. Vow at #41 Across 9. Smoke plus fog 13. Veranda in Honolulu 14. Salmon on a bagel 15. Hindu religious teacher 16. To the left, on a boat 17. Hula dancer’s necklace 18. Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Crest Trail, e.g.

19. *Winningest World Series team 21. *Infield shape 23. Acronym, abbr.

24. Make or break, e.g.

25. Repellent brand 28. Minimal distortion

30. Loathes 35. Make children 37. Low-____ diet 39. Cry of the Alps 40. Swarm like bees 41. Location of #6 Across vow 43. Tiny piece 44. Lack of intestinal movement 46. Siren’s song 47. Buffalo lake 48. Makes sense, 2 words 50. “Aid and ____” 52. “Game, ____, match” 53. Like time with Bill Maher 55. Road, in Rome 57. *Current baseball champions 61. *Won in NLCS or ALCS

65. Mode of communication 66. “____ Now or Never” 68. Styluses 69. *____ Martin, 5-time World Series champion 70. Bad-mouth 71. Upright in position 72. Let it stand, to proofreader 73. Is, in Paris 74. Rodeo rope

DOWN

1. Kill 2. Spanish appetizer 3. Any minute, arch.

4. Winter cover 5. Of advanced technology, colloquially 6. Bad wishes 7. Buck’s partner

8. Nitrous ____, a.k.a. laughing gas 9. Sink or this?

10. Type of shark 11. Damien’s prediction 12. To put a girdle on 15. Showing signs of wear and tear 20. Writer ____ Jong 22. Retirement plan acronym 24. Like a Zoom session 25. Port of old Rome 26. *____ of dreams?

27. Let out of jail 29. *____ Classic 31. *Runner’s destination 32. Frankincense and myrrh, but not gold 33. Adjust, as laces 34. Between rain and snow 36. Outback birds

38. Prickle on a wire 42. “Super” Christopher 45. Definitely 49. p in mpg 51. Glittery decoration 54. Digression 56. Bone hollows 57. Young female socialites, for short 58. Fail to mention 59. Earnhardt of racing fame 60. Coating of aurum 61. Attention-getting sound 62. Pirates’ affirmatives 63. *ALCS counterpart 64. *Nickname of Red Sox manager who won two World Series 67. “____ the season ...” © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 19

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS SVHS: 19TH ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE October 22, 23, 26–30 This walk-though haunted experience is presented by students at Scotts Valley High School to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The experience is recommended for children 10 and up plus adults.

The 2021 theme is “Camp Schmetterling.”

Tickets are $10 and are sold at the gate of the school, 555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley. Tickets are not available in advance. Be prepared for a wait of more than an hour to buy tickets.

Questions can be emailed in advance to https://svhaunt.org/ public/contact.html to be answered.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by October 8 participants are encouraged to send a fee of at least $2 per session or $10 for the series to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, with a check made payable to the organization at 500 Chestnut Street. Suite #250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

People who are not yet on the email list but would like to attend and get the Zoom link should email a request to: saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com

DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS FUNDRAISER Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive for Schools, a fundraiser in its 17th year. The top prize is $25,000, with dozen more CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL prizes to be given out in a The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to jump drawing at the Santa Cruz start your future by earning an accredited high school Beach Boardwalk at 1 p.m. diploma and career training through Career Online High Sunday, Oct. 24.

School.

Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25. Tickets are sold SCPL offers a program called Career Online High through participating schools through Sunday, Oct. 17.

School, designed for adults who Purchased tickets must be returned to your school by were unable to complete high the school’s posted deadline. Purchased tickets will not school and could benefit from be accepted at the Boardwalk. additional job training.

Tickets sold on Oct. 24 at the Boardwalk will benefit This nationally-accredited program allows the Santa Cruz County Office of Education Special adult students to earn an accredited high school Education Department. diploma—not a GED—while gaining career skills in Since starting in 2005, Drive for Schools has raised more than one of ten employment fields across a wide spectrum, $7 million in support of local schools. from home care professional and office management to homeland security.

HICAP MEDICARE DRUG PLAN ONLINE CLASSES SCPL awards scholarships to qualified adult learners Senior Network Services Health Information Counseling on a first-come, first-served basis. Career Online High & Advocacy Program will host free online classes School is a great solution for those who need extra on Medicare Part D drug plans in October. The plans academic support and flexibility. Once in the program, change every year, so it’s a good idea to find about students are assigned an academic coach who helps keep changes and prices for 2022. them on track and connects them with tutors if needed.

Classes will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 and 28, at 1 p.m.

The online curriculum is accessible 24/7, which is Oct 12. and 4 p.m. Oct. 20. helpful to those balancing work and family obligations. To register call 821-462-5510, provide your name and email Students are given up to 18 months to complete the and you will be sent a URL link. program, but many finish sooner because previously earned high school or GED test credits are accepted.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES This is an opportunity to focus on advancing one’s As Covid-19 cases increase due to the Delta variant, education and career opportunities. Learn more at the Red Cross is concerned about meeting hospital santacruzpl.org/pages/career-online-high-school. demand for lifesaving blood and platelets during hurricane season.

SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE READING CLUB In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen blood TACKLES ‘THE TAMING OF THE SHREW’ donor turnout decline by nearly 10% while hospital The Saturday Shakespeare reading club will examine demand outpaces donations. Factors in the decline “The Taming of the Shrew” beginning Oct. 9 with a include blood drive cancellations due to the Zoom evaluation by UCSC Emeritus Professor Michael pandemic and back-to-school preparations for many Warren. families.

A noted Shakespeare authority and dramaturg for Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or Warren has frequently calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). kicked off the club’s Ben Lomond discussion series with an Friday Oct. 8: 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — The overview of the play under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, consideration, its history, 9545 Lovecreek Road relevance to its time and ours, and aspects of SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 special interest in it.

On display thru Oct. 31 The sessions, all 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East Saturdays at 10 a.m., will be on Oct.9, 16, 23, 30 and Lake Ave., Watsonville Nov. 6. Abby Heald, a lecturer in the UCSC Literature Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture Department, will be the speaker Oct. 30. Other speakers exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and will be announced later.

Garden.

The Nov. 6 gathering will present the Zeffirelli film The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected of “The Taming of the Shrew” with Richard Burton and more than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and Elizabeth Taylor. collaborators.

All sessions are free and open to the public, although Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, 20 / October 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoor exhibit.

Admission is free.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone.

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

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/.

The next Senior Life Online on Monday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. featuring Manfred Luedge of HealthMarkets Insurance presenting “Medicare 101,” an educational program.

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.

In the past 7 years, SVEF has donated more than $700,000 to support the needs of children from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Fourth Wednesday Each Month EXCHANGE CLUB OF SCOTTS VALLEY 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.

Saturdays SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, Kmart parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road.

The Market Match Program is now being offered at Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets with funding from Kaiser Permanente and the city of Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley, Felton, downtown Santa Cruz.

This means when customers swipe their EBT (electronic benefit) card for at least $10, they get $20 more to spend, giving them $30 to buy fresh fruits and Second Tuesdays of the Month vegetables from small local growers.

Since Market Match began downtown in May 2020, the TACO TUESDAYS average number of weekly EBT shoppers has increased 5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Food Trucks A Go Go presents Taco Tuesdays. Next date: from 35 to 250, giving them more money to buy healthy Information: (831) 247-1236 or email info@foodtrucksagogo.com. food for their families and boosting the income of the small local growers who sell produce at the farmers’ market. https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ Third Wednesdays Each Month SCOTTS VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION One Saturday Each Month 7 p.m., Zoom meetings The board of the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, COOKING WITH GREY BEARS’ POPPY DEGARMO 11 a.m. Online Class headed by president Robert Aldana, meets on the third Cooking with Grey Bears next few classes will be online Wednesday of the month.

To get the Zoom link, go to https://www.svef.net/about/ only.

Upcoming class: Oct. 23 and use the “contact us” feature to request a link.

First Tuesdays of the Month UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. https://arboretum.ucsc.edu

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Saturday October 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.

Second Sundays SANTA CRUZ ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave. between Lincoln and Cedar Streets The Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire features more than 40 outdoor vendors.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/santacruzantiquefaire/ for more information

DATED EVENTS Monday October 4 UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA 1-2:30 p.m., Alzheimer’s Association Online Seminar The Alzheimer’s Association will offer the “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia” webinar on phone and online.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

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

To register, call 80-.272-3900 or visit ALZ.org/CRF Once you complete registration, you will receive an email with the call-in information and instructions.

Tuesday October 5 MIKE ROTKIN TO SPEAK AT DEMOCRATIC CLUB 6 p.m., Online Zoom Meeting Mike Rotkin will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County on Tues., Oct. 5.

Rotkin, who served as a representative on the 12-member Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, will talk about the Coastal Rail Trail and a petition focused on giving people a chance to vote to pursue rail transit.

Rotkin will discuss how the rail Mike Rotkin line can benefit the community and help address climate change and social justice concerns.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

For Zoom meeting link, visit www.svslvdemocrats.org. Social time starts at 6 p.m. and club meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday October 9 MOUNTAIN PARKS FOUNDATION LOBSTER FEED 4:30-7:30 p.m., Picnic Area 1, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton Mountain Parks Foundation will present its annual

‘SHE ADVENTURES’ FILM TOUR Friday October 15 7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz The She Adventure Film Tour presents a carefully curated selection of short films designed to entertain and inspire adventurous women. The film festival will premier with an in-person viewing at the Rio Theatre. It will also be available online Oct. 15–24.

The 2021 tour will take you around the globe: Biking in an attempt for the speed record, longboarding in the French Alps, diving into the world of Sri Lanka’s first competitive female surfer, pushing the limits with French-Canadian sport of ice canoeing and joining Lucy Barnard on her walk around the world.

Tickets for the two-and-half-hour-show at the Rio Theatre cost $18 at EventBrite.com or $18 for a 48-hour rental at https://www.adventurereelstv.com/film/she-adventures-film-tour-2021/ Films included are: BETWEEN WALLS 2 minutes : Austria — In spring 2019 gigantic walls of snow piled up along the pass road to the Timmelsjoch, Austria. Johanna Bolanos Cabrera and Jasmijn Hanegraef grab their longboards and took the chance to downhill at great speed through this stunning scenery.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS ANYWAY 12 minutes : Canada — 50 years ago the first women’s ice canoe team crossed the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River during the Carnival of Quebec’s traditional race. In 2018, six women decide to form their own team. Their goal: to compete in the Quebec Ice Canoe Circuit.

EASTBOUND 50 minutes : UK — Join Jenny Graham’s attempt to become not only the first woman to ride around the planet unsupported, but also the fastest.

BLACKBERRY SWIRL 5 minutes : USA — Mountain bike pros Corinne Prevot and Ella McAndrew enjoy summer in Vermont as they zig-zag down flowy trails and leaf peep through the incredible forests of their home state.

WALK THE EARTH 22 minutes : Australia/Canada (top photo) — In a fleeting moment Lucy Barnard decided to become the first woman to walk the length of the earth. Starting in Ushuaia, Argentina she will be walking 30,000km over 5 years until she reaches Barrow, Alaska. She will be the first woman — and one of only a handful of people — to have ever completed it.

SKIVAS 17 minutes : France — Featuring 10 of the best female skiers and snowboarders, Skivas introduces us to some rad riding women.

The 100% female film proves that these “Ski Divas” are pushing the boundaries of freedom, creativity and sisterhood on and off the mountain.

Blackberry Swirl MUDDIEST KNOWN TIME 5 minutes: Australia — Young adventurer Milly Young runs the full 100-mile Port Davey and South Coast Tracks in remote southwest Tasmania, Australia. The gruelling course, with 7,000 miles of elevation gain, endless mud, obstacles, sleep deprivation and crazy weather, pushes her to the limit.

WE ARE LIKE WAVES 13 minutes: USA — Along the South Coast of Sri Lanka, surfing is everywhere. Yet only foreigners and local men fill the lineups. Surfing is not seen as a sport for girls. But when Sanu turned 18, she began working in the kitchen at a surf camp alongside her brother, a surf instructor, and the trajectory of her life changed dramatically.

Lobster Feed Saturday, Oct. 9, from 4:30- 7:30 p.m. at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, Picnic Area 1.

Attendees can enjoy a lobster feast served under the stars, serenaded by local band Wild & Blue, for $100 per person.

The lobsters come from Maine, accompanied by steaming corn-on-the-cob, toasted garlic bread, crisp green salad, drinks and dessert.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://www.mountainparks.org/stay-informed/upcoming-events/lobster-feed Proceeds directly support local redwoods state parks, Big Basin and Henry Cowell.

Saturday October 16 LAVENDER SALE AT APTOS FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-Noon, Cabrillo College Parking Lot The Mid County Senior Center Lavender Ladies will have their annual Lavender Sale at the Aptos Farmers Market. The Lavender Ladies are only here once a year, so you don’t want to miss it.

The Lavender Ladies will sell homemade masks, bowl cozies, eye pillows, sachets, and other items.

All proceeds benefit Mid-County Senior Center in Capitola.

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK CHILI COOK OFF 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Bring your appetite and join the fun as professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!

Schedule • 9-10 a.m.: Chef’s prep (no heat) • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Chili cook time • 10 a.m.: Tasting kits go on sale • 1 p.m.: Public tasting begins • 4 p.m.: Winners announced at Neptune’s Stage (beachside) Try Some Chili: Boardwalk admission is free.

Tasting kits are $10 each and include six taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot.

Benefits: A portion of the proceeds from Tasting Kit sales will benefit Your Future is Our Business. This nonprofit provides work-based learning opportunities to elementary, middle, and high school students as well as internships for post-secondary students within Santa Cruz County.

WAVES & WILDLIFE CONTEST DEADLINE Each year Save Our Shores hosts the Waves & Wildlife Marine Protected Areas Photo & Video Contest with support from the Resource Legacy Fund.

Raise awareness about the beauty and biodiversity of these essential protected habitats by submitting your favorite photos and videos by the end of the day. Dream Inn and Ethos Santa Cruz have donated prizes.

RSVP for Virtual Awards Ceremony 6-8 p.m. Nov. 5, which will be on EventBrite.

See photo of last year’s winner and register at https://tinyurl. com/waves-wildlife STRIKE OUT AGAINST CANCER Times below, Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff Street, Santa Cruz WomenCARE’s 25th Annual STRIKE OUT AGAINST CANCER Bowling Benefit on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Boardwalk Bowl.

This year also marks WomenCARE’s 29th anniversary!

We are looking forward to another fun day of bowling and raising money and awareness. We will be adhering to current CDC guidelines and COVID-19 safety protocols for the in-person events, as well as having a more dynamic VIRTUAL option.

There will be three bowling sessions, starting at 1 p.m., approx. 2:30 p.m. and approx. 4 p.m. There will also be a “virtual team” option for people unable to attend the event but wish to provide support.

We hope to make this year our most successful yet!

Visit https://fsa-cc.org/strike-out-against-cancer/ for details.

Saturday October 23 Sunday October 24 GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz The 2021 Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch is on! It takes place one weekend only, outdoors in the heirloom orchard of the Live Oak Grange, with plenty of fresh air and room for social distancing.

Come see the creative ideas that Chris Johnson and the team have come up with this year. He will be at the 2021 ACGA Clay & Glass Festival Sept 11 & 12 in Palo Alto.

To preview his work, visit www.chrisjohnsonglass.com. Or join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/ClayandGlass. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Turning Customers Into Loyal Customers

And Loyal Customers Return — Again and Again

T

he question is how do we first turn our customers into happy customers, and then get them to be loyal customers?

The key is in understanding this is a 2-phase process which requires us to know our customers as much as possible, and that they understand how we value them for who they are, thankful for them visiting our business and buying from us.

Whether you sell online or in a physical store, or both, knowing details about your customer is the first part of making them happy.

A customer is a relationship, and to use a dating analogy — on your first date you don’t know that much about the other person, so you ask questions. You ask questions to get to know them, what do they like or not like. So getting to know what your customer likes or dislikes is extremely important.

And we cannot make assumptions. Just because they smiled and bought a service or item from you doesn’t mean they’re going to be happy when they get home to use or wear their item. If they leave with a smile, whether that’s from your website, restaurant or storefront, how do you know they’re smiling beyond that post-purchase moment?

Studies show if someone has a good “Student Loan Debt” from page 19 Each victim paid — or was scheduled to pay — the third-party call centers upfront fees and additional monthly fees totaling over $1,000 for services federal loan servicers provide at no cost.

Most victims believed these payments were being applied by the third-party call centers toward their student loan debt when, in reality, they were not.

This belief led many of the victims to

By Ron Kustek

experience with your business, they’ll tell on average 4-6 people. If someone has a negative experience with your business, they’ll tell 12-16 people! It’s critical to know how each customer feels after they’ve bought and left your business.

That’s why establishing a connection — a relationship with each customer is so vitally important. And to keep with the dating analogy, just because the other person smiled after your date doesn’t necessarily mean they had a good time (sorry).

But unlike dating, we can survey our customers directly, we can thank them for their review and/or we can interact with them on social platforms once they’ve shared pictures of their purchase. This is all part of what is known as “Customer Relationship Management.”

• Emailing Customers: Collecting customer emails is still a very important marketing and communications tool for your business. You can have customers opt-in to your email list from your website, or you can collect their email or text info from an intake form or quick survey given to them during their purchase. You’ll need to collect customer emails and commit to using email for thank you messages as well as emailing newsletters that provide helpful, relevant and valuable information each time you email your customers in the future.

• Review Thanking: This is also a much-needed step in developing your relationship with each customer, especially those that post reviews. If they spent the time and effort posting a review, either positive or negative, you will need to put forth an even greater effort to thank them for their review or offer assistance in resolving any issue they’ve posted.

• Social Platforms: Similar to reviews, if your customer has been especially happy with their purchase, they will likely be sharing that experience with their friends on twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook depending on which platforms they favor (which you’ll know from the customer survey you’ve done).

Being able to know when and how you’re being talked about is extremely important, as you can engage publicly with your customer — both current and future — because all will be seeing how you gratefully respond. And remember, being conversational and thankful is the best approach, resisting the urge to be self-promoting.

There are companies that can make parts of this process much easier with the help of their software tools. You may be using SQUARE for your credit card processing, and they offer a suite of helpful customer management tools so you know when each

customer last made a purchase, what they bought, how much they spent and how loyal they are.

Another company is FiveStar, which uses a customer’s phone number each time they ‘sign in’ to your business, so you are able to track their purchase history. This allows you to communicate with customers to develop their loyalty by offering return customer discounts and more, all via text messages instead of email.

Customer loyalty happens over time, and develops with multiple contacts and experiences between business and customer.

When you begin viewing each customer as the most important asset of your business, you’ll be on your way to better understanding how to keep them satisfied and returning today, tomorrow and into the future. n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior marketing executive at The Coco-Cola Co. and entrepreneur who currently teaches business at Cabrillo College. Contact him at RoKustek@Cabrillo.edu.

stop making their monthly payments on their actual student loans, which resulted in late payment notifications, increased loan balances, and sometimes, defaulting on their student loans.

Bonta reminds all federal student loan borrowers that the U.S. Department of Education and its federal loan servicers never charge any fees to qualify borrowers for loan forgiveness programs, change repayment plans, lower monthly loan payments, consolidate multiple loans,

postpone payments due to temporary hardship, or get loans out of default.

Visit www.studentaid.gov/resources/ scams for more information about how to avoid student aid scams.

The case was investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General.

The California Department of Justice’s eCrime Unit will handle the prosecution.

DOJ’s eCrime Unit (https://oag.

ca.gov/ecrime) investigates and prosecutes large-scale, multi-jurisdictional criminal organizations, networks, and groups that perpetrate identity theft crimes, use an electronic device or network to facilitate a crime, or commit a crime targeting an electronic device, network, or intellectual property. n ••• It is important to note that a criminal indictment contains charges that must be proven in a court of law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

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

Local Local Local

News ...

Sports ...

Politics ...

SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Thorny Plants Are Naturally Repellent

R J

Meet our Pet of the Week, Jefferson!

crossword on 19 »

efferson came to the Shelter with the rest of his “family” — including a nursing female boxer and 4 puppies. Jefferson has made great progress in his foster home and his foster dad has reported that he is a sweet and fun-loving boy!

Jefferson enjoys walks and excursions on sidewalks or trails, riding in the car, other dogs, and occasionally chasing a tennis ball. Jefferson is a social butterfly and thinks every dog is his friend and has even been seen putting his arm around small dog friends.

Jefferson often visits with his foster dad’s 94-year-old mother in Watsonville, and he does well with the other (typically small) dogs there and enjoys meeting the other seniors there. When they go for walks, Jefferson becomes a perfect walker staying next to the wheelchair.

Jefferson could live in a home with other animals given his new family is prepared to make safe introductions. While Jefferson will pull hard to go at his own pace when starting a walk, he will adjust after he gets the wiggles out. Jefferson’s foster dad provides lots of exercise and has focused on a strict housetraining routine, which has worked well for Jefferson.

Being the good boy he is, he already knows how to sit, stay, come, and sometimes down if an extra delicious treat is involved! Jefferson will benefit from a patient home who will help him with positive reinforcement training so that he can continue to learn some doggie manners and make the best canine companion!

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

By Tony Tomeo

oses might be more fun to grow and prune without their thorns.

Blackberries are easier to pick from thornless canes. Thorny vegetation is simply unpleasant to work with. Some very desirable plants, such as roses and most blackberries, are innately thorny. The only alternative to contending with their thorny condition is to grow something totally different.

Thorns and similar structures are as diverse as foliage, with a few distinct classifications. True thorns are simply modified stems, like those of hawthorn.

Spines are modified foliar structures or leaves, such as those of cacti. Prickles, such as those of rose, are modified epidermal structures. Spinose foliar margins, like those of holly, serve the same purpose.

The purpose that thorny vegetation serves is defense. It intends to inhibit consumption of foliage, fruit or bloom. That is why some trees are thorny only while young and low to the ground, then almost thornless as they grow beyond the reach of grazing animals. Thorny trunks of honeylocust may protect seed pods from bears, so birds can disperse the seed.

It is therefore no mystery that many of the thorniest plants are endemic to desert regions. The scarcity of edible vegetation in such regions increases the need for protection. Also, it is no mystery that most grazing animals are not too deterred by thorny vegetation to get enough to eat.

Otherwise, roses and firethorn would be exempt from the ravages of deer.

Despite its intentions of deterrence, thorny vegetation inhabits home gardens for various reasons. Some produces

World Series © Statepoint Media

Black locust is painful to handle.

desirable bloom or fruit, like roses and blackberries. Cacti and agaves develop remarkably striking forms. Such plants should be situated appropriately. Rose canes can be bothersome close to walkway.

Agaves can be downright dangerous.

Thorny shrubbery, such as firethorn, barberry, Natal plum and English holly, is a practical deterrent for unwanted traffic. Firethorn espaliered on the top of a fence is as effective as barbed wire, and is more appealing.

Maintenance of thorny plants is more of a challenge than for thornless plants. Otherwise, thorny plants should be more popular than they are.

••• Barberry t certainly looks innocent enough. The modern cultivars of barberry, Berberis thunbergii, barely get taller and wider than six feet. Densely dwarf cultivars might not get much taller and wider than only two feet.

Columnar sorts are quite narrow with mostly vertical stems. Even the old fashioned types get less than ten feet tall. Barberry is not exactly imposing.

H o w e v e r, like an angry chihuahua, it has Delicate foliage hides sharp a nasty bite. Its barberry thorns. finely textured foliage obscures thin but very sharp spines.

These spines are numerous enough to be visually appealing while the thin stems are bare through winter. Where necessary, they are sharp enough to inhibit encroachment.

Unfortunately, these spines are annoying to handle while pruning.

Most popular cultivars of barberry have richly reddish or almost purplish foliage. Few are variegated with white.

Some have bright yellowish chartreuse foliage. Formerly common green barberry is now rare. The small and neat leaves are obovate, and may seem to be circular.

They turn vivid reddish orange through autumn, prior to defoliation during winter.

Tiny red berries are rare. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

I

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Soquel Scotts Valley Times / October 2021 / 23