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

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November 2021 • Vol 24 No. 11

This Team Inspires Their Coach

The 2021 cross country season is winding down and Scotts Valley High School’s team is getting ready for league and beyond. It has been great this year to have a normal season with our dual meets and big invitationals. Full Story page 6

A Title of Her Own

League’s Best: Scotts Valley Junior Elana McGrew By Jondi Gumz When Elana McGrew tried out as a freshman to play golf for Scotts Valley High School, it was you show up—you make the team. This year, as a junior, her golf has been outstanding. She won the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League

COVID Update Page 4

championship Oct. 26 at DeLaveaga Golf Course in Santa Cruz, her 76 far ahead of the second-place finisher’s 89. Elana, 16, goes on to play Nov. 2 in the Central Coast Section golf championship at Laguna Seca in Monterey County. ... continues on page 4

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Giants vs Dodgers: A Surprising Outcome

As a young girl, seeing the dent in the skull of a gentle kindly man whose only crime was wearing a San Francisco Giants jersey to a baseball game in Los Angeles was something I will never forget. Full Story page 5

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No. 11

Volume 24

Table of Contents

Cover A Title of Her Own: League’s Best—Scotts Valley Junior Elana McGrew, By Jondi Gumz 4

Community News First Vaccine Clinic for Kids 5 to 11 Expected Nov. 8: Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID Deaths As New Cases Slow, By Jondi Gumz 5 Giants vs Dodgers: A Surprising Outcome, By Willa Reed 6 This Team Inspires Their Coach: Running Success & Taking Care of Each Other, By Todd Hoffman 7 Help Ralph Anybody Go Home: Fans of KPIG Deejay Donate To Restore His House, By Richard Stockton 8 Moms in Prayer, By Ana Schaffer 9 SOS to FDA: Cut Baby Food Toxins 16 Second Harvest Food Bank: Helping The Community Bring Comfort to Those In Need 17 $800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide • Meaningful Gifts • Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director • New SC Symphony Executive Director 18 Ryan Named County Water Resources Manager Letters to the Editor 10 Kudos to Edita McQuary 19 Strike Out Raises $60,000 for WomenCARE Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 Call for Nominations! Scotts Valley Community Awards • Santa Cruz County Bank Hires Chief Operations Officer Shamara van der Voort 12 The Penny Ice Creamery Ribbon Cutting • Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force Shop Local Campaign, By Susan O’Connor Fraser 13 Shop Small Saturday: November 27th, By Susan O’Connor Fraser • 2021 Scotts Valley Tree Lighting Festival 14 VCUM Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Words Are Magic!, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21

10 19 22

Featured Columnists Zigni: Ethiopian Red Stew, recipe by Lakia Queen Breaking the Silence, By Jasmine Najera Lucky: No Debris Flow After Rain But Winter is Ahead, By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Snuggling Into Your Heart

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Willa Reed, Todd Hoffman, Richard Stockton, Ana Schaffer, Susan O’Connor Fraser, Risa D’Angeles, Lakia Queen, Jasmine Najera, Bruce McPherson layout

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

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

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

First Vaccine Clinic for Kids 5 to 11 Expected Nov. 8

Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID Deaths As New Cases Slow By Jondi Gumz Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, anticipates the first vaccine clinics for kids age 5 to 11 will be Nov. 8. A Town Hall updating parents is posted on the SantaCruzCOE YouTube channel. On Oct. 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11, giving parents who want their younger children vaccinated a sense of relief even as new

cases in Santa Cruz County are down 31 percent. The federal Centers for Disease Control’s advisers are meeting Nov. 2 to discuss whether to recommend the vaccine for younger kids.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC director, makes the final decision. Locally the Delta variant claimed four more lives in Santa Cruz County – all with underlying conditions — bringing the number of deaths to 220 — and hospitalizations have been up and down, from four to seven, then five, with one in intensive care. The county reports 324 active cases, 20,210 cases since the pandemic began and 610 requiring hospitalization. “COVID Update” page 15

COVER STORY “Elana McGrew” from page 1 Her grandmother lives nearby, and she’s played the course 20 times before. Familiarity is no guarantee — ask Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth, at one tournament, you play your best, but at another, you don’t. That’s golf. The Scotts Valley High varsity girls won the League championship in golf this year but the League won’t send a team to CSS because two high schools, Harbor and Santa Cruz, did not field full teams. “If we had six teams, we could send a team to CCS,” Elana said.

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

Cover Graphic: www.freevector.com/autumn-leaf-pattern

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She’s the youngest of three children of Monte McGrew, an electrical engineer, and Diane McGrew, a doctor. She’s 5-8 and plays two sports, golf and basketball. She started playing golf in sixth grade. Her dad golfs, she said. In middle school, she only played golf during the season. As a Falcon, she’s out on the golf course all the time — in the summer, every day. She played with Candus Shi, a year ahead of her, who won the League championships three years in a row, with Elana second best on team. Candus, who is 5-5, became fascinated with golf with her father took her to the driving range at age 6. One thing Elana learned from Candus: “She’s very focused.” How much time does a golf match take? “Ideally four hours and 10 minutes,” Elana said. She’s been in junior tournaments lasting five to five and a half hours, not to mention the warm-up time beforehand. The better golfers play first, she said, recalling an occasion when her group finished in four-and-a-half hours. “I hit ball further,” she said. “That helps a lot to get onto the greens.” Pasatiempo Sponsorship lana is sponsored by Pasatiempo, a storied course that opened in 1929 in Santa Cruz. She frequently plays there, saying it’s probably her favorite. Her freshman-year coach, Steve Woodruff, told her about the sponsorship

and she wrote a letter to club pro Ken Woods to get it. The toughest hole at Pasatiempo? No. 11, she said, because “it’s uphill and you have to hit over a ravine. I play from the middle.” She also plays at DeLaveaga, which she said “has more people my age.” Summers, she’s played with a collegiate golfer who has a full-ride scholarship to San Diego State University, which has her thinking about playing golf in college. Favors Math cademics at Scotts Valley High are rigorous because of the International Baccalaureate college-prep courses for juniors and seniors. Elana is taking IB Math HL (higher level), IB Biology HL and IB Chemistry HL. “Those are really tough,” she said. Her favorite subject? Probably math, she said. That may be genetics, given the professions her parents chose and her older brother who scored 800 on the SAT math test and is now at UC Santa Cruz. Elana also tutors at Mathnasium — one week, she worked 15 hours. As a youngster, she found reading a struggle — until in third grade, she got glasses. How doe she juggle it all? “I have a Google calendar,” she said. “That helps… I study as much as I can. I try to keep focused.” Members of the 2021-22 team freshmen Cassie Mendivil, Maisey Chard, Taylor Suomela and Chloe Woelfel, sophomores Lola Challenor, Melina Sinclair and Hannah Mckibben and junior Elana McGrew. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Giants vs Dodgers: A Surprising Outcome

Willa Reed sits next to her dad Jim and her cousins at Dodger Stadium, where the Giants and Dodgers played for the National League Division crown. Before the game, she worried about her safety

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By Willa Reed

s a young girl, seeing the dent in the skull of a gentle kindly man whose only crime was wearing a San Francisco Giants jersey to a baseball game in Los Angeles was something I will never forget. I was an elementary school-age softball player in the years after Bryan Stow’s injury and recovery. Our little league — and the city of Scotts Valley — was shocked that the father of one of our teammates was savagely beaten, walking from a sporting event. I Bryan Stow couldn’t understand it at 10 years old, and I still can’t now. How could something as seemingly serene as baseball could polarize people such that somebody I knew almost died? That fear made me vow that I would never attend a Dodgers game. We went to Rockies games in Colorado, Angels games in Anaheim, Padres games in San Diego, but I would never set foot in Dodger Stadium. That was a promise. Almost 10 years later, I broke that promise. A month ago, I moved down to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. When I found out the Dodgers and Giants were playing — in the National League Division Series, no less! — I felt the same excitement any true fan would. When my dad told me a few days later

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Willa Reed excitedly hugs her dad, Jim, as they prepare to watch the Giants at the Dodgers in the NLDS. that he bought tickets and was driving down for the day so we could attend Game Four in Los Angeles along with my Los Angeles cousins, I was thrilled, but also filled with dread. Even though I’m 19 and knew I’d be surrounded by my family and lots of male cousins, thinking about cheering for my team at the place where Brian Stow almost died filled me with some of that fear I felt as a child 10 years ago. Expectations nce I convinced myself that it was silly not to attend because of one incident a decade ago, I wondered if I would enjoy the game if I didn’t do what I always did: Wearing my Joe Panik Giants jersey and yelling my head off for my team. I thought about how when I’ve attended Giants-Dodgers games in San Francisco. I always enjoyed making a point to drown out any Dodger cheers starting in the stands by initiating my own, “Let’s go Giants!” I always felt comfortable doing that at the Giants ballpark because I feel safe there, but would I at Dodger Stadium? I went to the game and meekly wore my Giants jersey and cap, but what I felt in Dodger Stadium was different from what I expected. I felt no hate. I felt no division or animosity. I only felt the electric feel of the ballpark, the excitement that only 55,000 fans strong could create. Unexpectedly, I felt unity.

“SF vs. LA” page 23

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COMMUNITY NEWS

This Team Inspires Their Coach

Running Success & Taking Care of Each Other

By Todd Hoffman

he 2021 cross country season is winding down and Scotts Valley High School’s team is getting ready for league and beyond. It has been great this year to have a normal season with our dual meets and big invitationals. Our team started training with big goals of both girls and boys teams winning a league title and making it to the California state meet. The boys team, lead by captains Jeremy Kain and Austin George, have been running strong this year. They have led our team to an undefeated league season along with Ryder Brabo, Aiden Boothby, Jack Brownfield, Jonah Verinsky, Mason Lantz, and Drew Bryson. They also have run well in the invitationals. This year they ran at the Woodbridge Invitational in the sweepstakes race and placed 19th as a team (first division 4 team). They also ran in the championship race at Clovis Invitational and placed 15th (again, the first division 4 team). Both races they had to be invited to run in those races and were running against the best teams in the nation. The team won the Artichoke Invitational in Half Moon Bay and Bellarmine Invitational in Sunnyvale. The girls team, lead by Captains Greta Feague, Jessica Hill-Roddick, and Rafie Putnam, have been running great. They finished the league dual meet season undefeated with Amber Boothby, Ashlyn Boothby, Diana Alivov, Dresden Brabo, and Megan Wu. At invitationals, the girls have run very well while dealing with injuries. In October, they placed 6th in the small school division at Clovis and won the Artichoke Invitational and Bellarmine Invitational. Ashlyn Boothby placed 1st in those races while her sister Amber was unable to run due to injury. The other girls really stepped it up to cover Amber not running. Moreover, our Frosh/Soph and JV boys and girls are doing great. We have 43 runners on our team and they are training and racing hard. This year, we have 19 seniors, and our younger runners are developing well and will be strong next year. The next race is the SCCAL finals Nov. 4 at Pinto Lake County Park. Then on to CCS Championships Nov. 13 and the State meet, Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 27.

Scotts Valley’s Varsity Cross Country girls and boys teams at Clovis Invitational.

I’m so proud of how this team came together. They are so connected, take care of each other and have a fun time while working hard. Our captains do a great job of inspiring each person on the team. Every person on the team will help others to achieve their goals. They also care for the other teams and are cheering for each runner on the course. Our first meet against Aptos was right after the fatal stabbing there and our kids wrote notes of encouragement and put them on Cliff bars to give to Aptos runners. Yesterday at our meet against San Lorenzo Valley, our runners wanted to honor Cash Ebright (who was swept into the ocean at Laguna Creek Beach this year), and got headbands for our team and SLV’s team to wear during the race -- Cash always wore a headband when he ran. While our runners are running well and having success, they see the most important part of this sport is supporting each other and the other teams. It is all about sportsmanship and being good people and this team inspires me every day. Winning a league, CCS or state title would be a great way to end the season, but for me, the big win is seeing how this team became a family, supports each person on our team or other teams, and has fun while running hard. n ••• Todd Hoffman is coach of the Scotts Valley High School boys and girls cross country teams. Photos courtesy of Todd Hoffman

COMMUNITY NEWS

Help Ralph Anybody Go Home

Fans of KPIG Deejay Donate To Restore His House

By Richard Stockton

alph Anybody, the morning voice of KPIG radio in Santa Cruz, was on the air in the “Pigsty,” warning his listeners about the devastating wind when he got a call from his wife Ellen. “She said the tree fell and knowing the answer I asked the question anyway, ‘Our tree?’ We call our home Little House Big Tree and I knew the house was no match for the giant oak above it. We have all said it, ‘Wow, that could have happened to us.’ This time it did happen to us.” Ellen says she was in her home near Felton when she felt their big oak tree shove against the porch roof, moving the walls. “I was looking out the glass door and saw the tree on the rubble along the house, on the car and across the street. I smelled gas, leashed the dogs, ran out the back door and down the neighbor’s steps, calling 911 on my way down the hill to my family’s house down the street.” Walk into what is left of the house and you’ll see that this is no longer a house. The wind wielded the giant oak like a sledge hammer to knock the little house off of its foundation. The floor is askew. The windows and doors don’t work, the plumbing is fractured. Ralphie and Ellen have been driven from their home. Ralph shakes his head, “The expenses grow. We’re temporarily housed with our

On Jan. 19, 2021, punishing 100 mile per hour winds that roared through Santa Cruz County toppled enormous redwoods and oaks onto roads, power lines and a popular radio personality’s house. two little dogs Lily and Daphne in a rental. Thank you neighbors! Working full-time, the two of us face expenses, beginning with giant tree removal and on into rebuilding our home of 24 years while we struggle with our insurance to get the restoration started. The insurance company is not moving us forward.” Ralphie and Ellen say they are so grateful to those who have contributed to their Go Fund Me page. This has allowed them to get the giant tree off of their house. They are waiting for the county to look at the house to see what their legal path is to rights permits. The insurance company has offered little and done less. As for me, I listen to Ralph five mornings a week and when his show is over, I just want the man to be able to go home.

If you want to donate to Ralph and Ellen’s Go Fund Me page to restore their house you can contribute by going to www.GoFundMe.com, and enter Help Ralph Anybody Go Home. https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpralph-anybody-go-home?qid=1f2e5d06c28 2e1f8fbe5783b2a36f82d n ••• Richard Stockton is a local comedian. To find his latest gig, see richardstockton.com. ••• Editor’s Note: John Sandidge of Snazzy Productions and host of “Please Stand By” on KPIG Sunday morning, organized a fundraiser Oct. 23 featuring local musicians, singers and songwriters at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz, raising $3,000 for Ralph Anybody. Sandidge said it was one the best shows he’s done, but Ralph and Ellen are still short of their $20,000 GoFundMe goal. Please help if you can.

Ralph Anybody (aka Jeff Juliano) with his wife Ellen before the windstorm that made their home of 24 years unlivable.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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By Ana Schaffer

magine a world in which every child and school had a woman praying for them. Moms In Prayer International’s vision is just that — that every child and school in the world would be covered with prayer. While that is a big dream, it all started with one mom who prayed and asked that God would lead her to another mom to pray with. That was in 1984, and that was the beginning of Moms In Touch, now called Moms In Prayer International (MIPI). Other moms joined them and they began praying together the following week, and so the first prayer group was formed. “MIPI” has grown exponentially since those early days. There are prayer groups is all 50 states of the US, and in 161 countries around the world. Group members come from many different churches, including Pentecostal, Catholic, Baptist, etc. To join a group, all they need is a Bible and a pen! Prayer groups are being formed by women in many stages of their “mom” life, too. Some are not even moms yet. There are women gathering together to pray for the children they hold in their hearts and may or may not hold in their hands, such as nieces and nephews, or their children’s school and church. There are young women who have been prayed for throughout their lives and are now praying together on their school campus with their friends, we call these groups “Girls In Prayer.” There are “Grandmothers In Prayer” groups — women who prayed for their children, and are now praying for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

According to the website, “Moms In Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.” The Moms In Prayer website (MomsInPrayer.org) helps connect women to groups, provides them the resources they need to start and lead a group, including the MIPI booklet, which is now translated into more than 50 languages, as well as the prayer sheets they will need at the prayer group, which are available for download as well as a mobile version, both available in several languages. One important rule these women hold to is they do not pray on school campuses, but rather, they gather together in one another’s homes, or at one of their churches. The prayer groups meet regularly — either weekly or bi-weekly through the school year. They pray for their children, their school, the staff and teachers of the school and Moms in Prayer. And all that happens in one hour! How is that possible? That is where those prayer sheets I mentioned earlier come in. The group leader picks the topic for the week, downloads the prayer sheet and shares it with the group via their mobile phones on in printed form. They take turns reading a few related scriptures, and then they follow the “4 steps of prayer”: Praise, confession, thanksgiving and intercession. If you are interested in joining a MIPI prayer group, or start your own, go to MomsInPrayer.org or you can text GROUPS to 51555. ••• Ana Schaffer is MIPI Group Information Assistant, Area 10 and Scotts Valley High School and College and Career Group co-leader.

COMMUNITY NEWS

SOS to FDA: Cut Baby Food Toxins O n Oct. 20, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, with a multistate coalition, urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to act swiftly to reduce the concentrations of toxic heavy metals in baby foods. In February and September 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives released alarming reports showing baby foods manufactured by seven popular brands, including Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Earth’s Best, contained elevated levels of lead, inorganic arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. “No parent should have to worry that the foods they are feeding their baby might affect their brain development or make them sick down the line,” said Bonta. “Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are toxic metals with devastating health impacts on infants and children, especially in our most vulnerable communities. … I’m calling on the FDA to push manufacturers to lower the concentration of these toxic metals in baby foods. Nothing less than the health and wellbeing of our children is at stake.” He contends nationwide standards are necessary to push manufacturers to do more to reduce heavy metal contamination. The coalition asks the FDA to immediately set interim proposed action levels, which represents the limit at or above which the FDA will take legal action to remove products from the market, for these four toxic heavy metals in baby foods. The negative health impacts of heavy metal exposure are well documented. For example, impacts of lead exposure in children include behavioral issues, reduced IQ, slowed body growth, hearing problems, and kidney damage. There is widespread scientific consensus that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Cadmium exposure can cause damage to the liver, lungs, male reproductive systems, and kidneys. Inorganic arsenic exposure increases the risk of lung and bladder cancer. Heavy metals bioaccumulate in the body over the course of a lifetime.

The only action level for baby food, finalized by the FDA in August 2020 is inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, 100 parts per billion. The attorneys general urged the FDA to review and further reduce action levels for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. How does arsenic, a known poison, get into the cereal? Rice plants may be exposed to arsenic naturally present in soil as well as in water used for irrigation. This accumulation of arsenic in the rice plant results in arsenic in infant rice cereal, according to the National Poison Control Center. See www.poison.org The attorneys general lauded the agency for announcing its “Closer to Zero” Action Plan for Baby Foods in April 2021, but they believe many of the timelines are too far off when action to protect children is needed in the near term. They advocate for “a science-based, data-driven, and achievability-focused methodology” — developed based on a statistical evaluation by the New York Attorney General’s Office — for determining interim proposed action levels for heavy metals in baby food. They recommend the FDA use testing to identify the “best performer” with the lowest mean concentration in parts per billion of each of the four contaminants, then use that statistic as the interim action level. The baby cereal with the lowest overall arsenic, lead and cadmium levels is the HappyBABY Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Organic Whole Grains (available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pBCSya), according to Tal Ditye, a mom with a doctorate in neuroscience and founder of Mommyhood101.com. “Baby Food Toxins” page 23

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Zigni: Ethiopian Red Stew L akia Queen of Alkebulan Catering provided vegan East African food for the Black Health Matters Initiative’s one-year anniversary Oct. 16 at the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz. A mother and Santa Cruz resident, she strives to touch the hearts and minds of everyone she comes in contact with; to share stories with others from all walks of life and with different cultural perspectives to find the common thread that connects us. She is a core member of Santa Cruz County Lakia Queen Community Coalition to Overcome Racism, a local nonprofit that seeks to dismantle racism through educational events and forums. She studied literature at UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis in world literature cultural studies and feminist studies with an emphasis in law, politics, and social change. Formerly project administrator at New Teacher Center and administrative assistant at UCSC Women’s Center, she was vice chair for the Santa Cruz Commission for Prevention of Violence Against Women. A family and marriage therapist trainee, cooking is a passion for her. When she provided dishes from Africa at Mount Madonna School, she said one of her first cooking jobs was in a vegan, vegetarian raw organic food restaurant, where she learned to prepare healthy meals for people interested in eating for mind, body, soul and balance. ••• Zigni (Ethiopian red stew) 600g of firm tofu, diced 4 tbsp of olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 red pepper, quartered then sliced 1 whole onion 2 garlic cloves, sliced

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1/2 teaspoon of ginger, grated 2 tbsp of berbere spice 2 tbsp of tomato purée 3 plum tomatoes, chopped 500ml of veggie stock salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper 1. Season the firm tofu with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and sear the tofu on a high heat until evenly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside. 2. Turn the heat down and add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onion, peppers, ginger and garlic with the berbere spice for 20 minutes, or until soft. 3. Add the tomato purée, stir well and cook out for a 15 minutes. 4. Return the tofu to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes and stock and cover with a lid. Simmer on a very low heat for 1 hour, then remove the lid and simmer for a further half an hour, or until the sauce has thickened. 5. Taste to check the seasoning and serve hot. n

Share A Recipe!

o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Capitola-Soquel Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member. Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish. Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Kudos to Edita McQuary hank you for publishing Edita McQuary’s story. It should go to the New York Times! The public needs access to more of such real life experiences where

desperate persons are given a leg up by compassionate individuals and humane systems. Thank you, and many thanks to Mrs. McQuary. — Raymond Lawrence, Santa Clara

Call for Nominations! Scotts Valley Community Awards

he Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce seeks your assistance in recognizing the people and businesses that make our Community such a special place. Please send us your 2021 nominations for outstanding businesses and individuals for the following categories: We are looking for nominations in the following categories: • Alvin Scarborough Memorial MAN OF THE YEAR • Annette Marcum Memorial WOMAN OF THE YEAR • YOUTH OF THE YEAR • EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR • BUSINESS OF THE YEAR • ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR • Claire Hodgin Memorial BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT OF SCOTTS VALLEY

Criteria for nomination: • Each nominee must have made a valuable contribution to Scotts Valley. • It may be in the previous year or over a period of time which you will specify • A business of the year nominee must be a current Scotts Valley Chamber member. • An individual may live or work outside the city limits, but their contribution must be within Scotts Valley. • Youth of the year nominee must be of High School age ••• Nominating is quick and easy! • Go online to https://scottsvalleychamber.com/ chamberevents/ • You can also email your nominations to dreber@ scottsvalleychamber.com

Santa Cruz County Bank Hires Chief Operations Officer Shamara van der Voort

anta Cruz County Bank (OTCQX: SCZC) announced Shamara van der Voort has joined the Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer. Ms. van der Voort has a 25-year banking background with extensive experience in Branch and Banking Operations, Customer Service Management, Sales and Treasury/Cash Management Services. Her expertise in Operations includes revamping structures to drive efficiency, and creating metrics and reporting to measure efficiencies and functions. Her attention to exemplary customer experience practices includes acquisition and implementation of state-of-the-art products and services encompassing Commercial Card, Trade Services, Wire &

leading, coaching and develACH Operation and Internet/ oping a team of 40+ employees Electronic Banking & Implein all facets of Operations, mentations, while evaluating Loan and Customer Services. customer and prospect needs. Her career includes extensive Early in her career, Ms. van Management, Branch Operader Voort established herself tions, Customer Service, Risk as an expert in Treasury/ Management and Treasury Cash Management Services and Risk Management, Shamara van der Voort Management experience. Ms. van der Voort obtained taking on roles of increasing responsibility and gaining experience in a BA in Business administration from the product rollout, conversions and strategic University of Phoenix. Commenting on her new appointment, planning at large regional and major Ms. van der Voort stated, “I am extremely national banks. Most recently, Ms. van der Voort held excited and proud to join Santa Cruz an Executive role at Pacific Mercantile County Bank. I am honored to serve on the Bank where she was Head of Operations Executive team and to be working with so and Client Experience, and responsible for many amazing individuals throughout the

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organization. I look forward to leveraging my background and skillsets to further contribute to the Bank’s already sterling reputation and positive impact on the communities we serve.” Krista Snelling, President and CEO commented, “It is a pleasure to welcome Shamara as Chief Operations Officer and as a valued member of our Executive team. Her expertise in overseeing operations and the customer experience are a winning combination for our top performing community bank. We look forward to her contributions to the Bank and further enhancing the customer experience in the communities we serve.” Ms. van der Voort is based out of the Bank’s headquarters in Santa Cruz.

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

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Scotts Valley Chamber News

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Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force Shop Local Campaign

By Susan O’Connor Fraser

ou’ll soon see banners hanging from light posts up and down Scotts Valley Drive. They’re going up as part of a Shop Local campaign intended to get out the message to “Stay. Shop. Dine.” in Scotts Valley. The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is behind the effort with Joanna Guzman of Bruno’s Bar & Grill doing the

graphic design and branding. The colorful banners will celebrate all our great local businesses, many of whom have had a tough time through the pandemic. Fortunately, our city’s great community spirit have helped these businesses survive. As we enter the holiday season,

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

keeping the message alive to shop local is more important than ever. In conjunction with the banners, Tam Communications will be producing a series of television commercials to show off all the awesome retail establishments, eateries, and hotel properties we have in town.

Funding for the entire Shop Local campaign came from a grant from the City of Scotts Valley. Scotts Valley Chamber Executive Director, Danny Reber, said “We are so fortunate to have such a businessfriendly City staff that is invested in making sure our local businesses survive and thrive.”

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Shop Small Saturday: November 27 A

By Susan O’Connor Fraser

nother local business initiative started last year by the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, a partnership between the City and the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, is Shop Small Saturday. Scotts Valley joined other cities in the nationwide effort to celebrate small businesses every day and to help communities thrive and stay vibrant. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, November 27th. While details are still being worked out, organizers believe it will be much like the event in 2020 where participating businesses were invited to fill the stockings of local shoppers with candy or other trinkets. The businesses that took advantage were very excited about the community support. According to Susan O’Connor Fraser, one of the event organizers, “I can’t tell you how many business owners told me they either sold products that day or heard from attendees that they’d be back. Some longtime retailers evn said some people hadn’t realized they were around” Last year the campaign was kicked off with nearly two dozen participating businesses. Attendees picked up their Holiday passport and stockings at one location, got their picture taken, and then went to each participating business to get their passport stamped and pick up their goodies. At the end of the day, the passports were turned in and one winner was drawn. There was also an ugly sweater contest.

2021 Scotts Valley Tree Lighting Festival: December 4

ome traditions are worth preserving. Covid has changed our interactions, but has not changed the firm foundation of our Community. The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley is helping to preserve the giving spirit by coordinating this year’s Tree Lighting Festival. Valley Churches United will be accepting donations, as usual. Other Community Service Organizations will be pitching in to ensure we have an opportunity

to gather for a short program, and refreshments. There may be a special guest along the way, too! We invite you to join us at The Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 5:30-7:30 to celebrate the Holidays! Please contact Victor Alejandro, victor.alejandro.usa@ gmail.com, if you’d like to invest your Time, Effort and/or Resources into this event or be considered as a potential food collection location.

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Scotts Valley Chamber News

VCUM Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop V alley Churches United will begin the holiday season with six Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop dates. Enjoy the huge assortment of holiday items in an outdoor Covid-safe shopping experience. The Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop features a huge selection of quality Christmas decorations and supplies, lots of new toys, household items, jewelry and so much more. All items priced extremely reasonably with cash, checks and credit cards accepted. The dates are November 6th, 21st and 27th and December 4th, 12th and 19th. The hours are 11am to 4pm. All proceeds from the gift shop support Valley Churches United nonprofit year-round food pantry. The Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop is located at Valley Churches United in the heart of Ben Lomond at 9400 Highway 9. For more information, call 831-336-8258.

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“COVID Update” from page 4 Pfizer and BioNTech requested approval Oct. 7 for kids 5 to 11. By Oct. 27, an advisory panel recommended in favor, though several panelists said the data for kids 5 to 11 does not support a mandate. About 3,000 children took part in clinical trials, which found no cases of myocarditis, heart muscle inflammation. The rare condition often resolves itself but if severe can cause sudden death. CDC data showed 12.6 cases per one million second doses, more common among men and boys. Researchers estimated that out of a million second doses given to boys ages 12 to 17, vaccines might cause up to 70 myocarditis cases, but would prevent 5,700 COVID cases, 215 hospitalizations and two deaths, The New York Times reported in July. The number in a clinical trial usually ranges from several hundred to 3,000. Because this heart condition is rare, increasing the number of participants might not allow regulators to better detect prevalence of the heart problem, Dr. Steven Black, co-director of the Global Vaccine Data Network, a consortium researching vaccine safety, told The New York Times. Physicians will know to look for it once the vaccine is in use, he added. To reduce the risk of side effects, younger children would get a third of the adult dose. School Impact nrollment in California’s K-12 public schools dropped 2.6 percent from prepandemic to 2020-21 and this year’s decline is projected to be 8.7 percent . Factors include switching to online instruction in 2020, postponing sports, and restricting popular activities such as theater and singing groups for safety reasons. At Scotts Valley Unified School District, student numbers dropped from 2,717 in 2019-20 to 2,635 in 2020-21. Gov. Newsom announced plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccinations required to attend in-person school once the vaccine gets full approval from federal regulators. The Idaho Statesman and the Deseret News in Utah reported parents are leaving California because of SB 277, the 2015 law banning all but medical exemptions for vaccines. One mom who spoke to the Statesman was quoted by name, but the mom who shared her story with the Deseret News asked her name be withheld to protect the medical privacy of her children. Some parents worried about longterm side effects do not want to vaccinate their children. In other cases, if the children have had COVID, the parents contend they have natural immunity. Homeschooling in California is up,

based on affidavits filed by homeschooling parents. The California Globe reported those numbers have nearly tripled -- from 14,548 in 2018-2019 to 22,433 in 2019-2020 and a record 34,715 in 2020-2021. Another 3,215 affidavits for private schools with 6 or more students were filed in 2020-2021. Youth Impact r. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County Public Health, reported 229 COVID cases in the last month among children under 19, 202 unvaccinated, one youth hospitalized, and 71% of youths age 12-17 fully vaccinated. With Inspire Diagnostics, the County Office of Education has conducted more than 38,000 PCR surveillance tests for COVID in two months at no charge to those tested. Sabbah launched a website, santacruzcoe.org/coviddashboards, to report active cases and test results. Scotts Valley Unified School District reported two active student cases at Scotts Valley Middle School and one at Brook Knoll Elementary, with no active staff cases. State guidelines require students and school staff working with them to be masked indoors although Santa Cruz County lifted its indoor mask mandate Sept. 29. Testing sites are open at Cabrillo’s parking lot K, 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; the PVUSD District Office parking lot, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, and the county Office of Education, 400 Encinal St., Santa Cruz. Students and their families, and staff and their families can use this free service. Those needing a test simply fill out the registration once at http://sccoe. link/inspiresc and go to either site. No appointment is needed. Booster Shots ooster shots for the Pfizer vaccine for school staff are available at the COVID testing site at Cabrillo College in Aptos, parking lot K, 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, according to Dr. Sabbah. Registration is required. The Pfizer booster shot, granted emergency use authorization by the FDA on Sept. 22, covers people 65 and up, those age 18 to 64 at high risk of severe Covid-19 or whose occupation/institutional exposure puts them at high risk of Covid complications. People can “mix and match” booster shots. On Oct. 27, dozens of cars lined up at the former drive-in on Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, where Sutter Health offered the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot. Fatalities he state reports COVID has claimed more than 71,500 lives. All four Santa Cruz County residents who died had underlying conditions.

Peggy Bascou (left) and Hollie Wendt designed a new gift shop at Staff of Life. Two were white women in their 90s; one fully vaccinated and one not. Two were Latinx, a man in his 60s and a man in his 50s; neither was vaccinated. As of Oct. 27, there were 19,666 recovered; statistics are updated on Mondays and Thursdays. Hospitalizations in the county, which had been as high as 21, rose from 4 to 7, including one person in the ICU. The CDC tracker reports 79 percent of those eligible in Santa Cruz County are fully vaccinated, and a test positivity rate of .9 percent, lower than the statewide rate of 2.4 percent. The state rate has been declining. For local vaccine information, see www.santacruzhealth.org Business Rebound igns of business confidence: Scotts Valley businesses are gearing up for Shop Small on Saturday, Nov. 27, in hopes people will opt out of chain-store shopping on Black Friday, Nov. 26, and choose instead to shop local. Malone’s Grille, which took second place in the Boardwalk Chili Cook-off, is hosting live music on weekends. Steel Bonnet Brewing celebrated its anniversary Oct. 2 with live music, with liv music slated through December. Staff of Life Natural Foods created a new gift shop inside the Santa Cruz market geared for holiday shopping. Molly Bravo, after catering summer weddings, has reopened Wylder Space in Felton with a lunchbox menu for cooler weather, soup and sandwiches. Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz has live events scheduled, including TEDx with Merit Academy students. Numbers posted Oct. 19 show a healthy 105,100 jobs in Santa Cruz County in September, and unemployment down to 5.4 %. Hospitality jobs were up 1,400 from

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

a year ago; professional and business services up 500. With more people commuting out of the county to work, joblessness dropped from 10,900 a year ago to 7,200 even as the labor force grew. Delivery jobs on Indeed.com: UPS in Mount Hermon offers $37 an hour for a full-time seasonal personal vehicle package driver. Amazon pays $21.50. The U.S. Postal Service offers $17.78 per hour. Jobs paying $75,000 or more a year, according to Indeed, include: Scotts Valley Police, $6,987 a month for an entry-level officer, and Housing Matters in Santa Cruz, individual giving officer, $81,120, and Janus of Santa Cruz, perinatal program manager, $75,000. New on Indeed: A virtual job fair for veterans on Nov. 19. The New York Times advised people to shop earlier this year because of expected shipping delays due to pandemic-induced supply chain problems. Shopping local is one way to avoid that problem. n Total cases: 20,106 ••• COVID Deaths: 220 As of Oct. 27 Age 85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 47 • 65-74: 40 60-64: 13 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 7 35-44: 7 • 25-34: 5 Underlying conditions Yes: 174 • No: 46 Race White 122 • Latinx 80 • Asian 15 Black 1 • Amer Indian/Alaskan native 1 Gender Male: 111 • Female 109 Aging Facility Yes: 105 • No 115

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Second Harvest Food Bank

Helping The Community Bring Comfort to Those In Need

hen family and friends gather to celebrate and give thanks, thoughts often turn to those who are not so fortunate. Generous folks may be interested in helping those who struggle with food insecurity, but it can be difficult to know the best way to help. Since tens of thousands of people in Santa Cruz County fight hunger on a daily basis — and not just during the holiday season — how can one person make an impact when the need is so great? ••• The Food Bank Makes Donated Dollars Go a Very Long Way ou may have heard that Second Harvest can provide four healthy meals for one dollar, but how do we do that? Because the food bank purchases food in large quantities to supplement our donations, we receive deep discounts that enable us to make a dollar go much further than the average consumer can.

Donate in Someone’s Honor onations may be made in honor of someone special. In lieu of a traditional holiday gift, this option is a nice alternative for those hardto-buy-for folks who “have everything” or would prefer not to receive a material gift. Instead, donors may choose to give Second Harvest a monetary gift in any amount. Fill out the online form, click Next, and you will be given the option to an honoree’s name. Host a Virtual Food Drive fun and interactive way to give to the food bank is to create your own Virtual Food Drive. When you register, you will receive your own customizable page on our website which posts your goal and tracks the amount you have raised. You will be able to send this link to all of your friends and family so they will easily be able to donate to your fundraiser online. Be sure to let people know that Second

That’s why, if given a choice between receiving a $10 bag of groceries or a $10 donation, the food bank will choose the monetary donation because we stretch that $10 into 40 nutritious meals. Give In a Way That Fits Your Style And Your Budget here are multiple ways to donate to the food bank. Choose to make a single donation or become a sustaining partner. A sustaining partner can customize the frequency and the amount of a regular, ongoing gift, and preferences may be updated at any time.

Harvest provides everything you need in an online toolkit and you may also contact us if you need any assistance. Visit www. thefoodbank.org/hffd to create your online fundraising page. n ••• For more information, visit http://www. thefoodbank.org/hero or contact julie@thefoodbank.org

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS $800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide federal grant of $800,000 has been awarded to launch the “Building Hope & Safety-Santa Cruz” project to address suicide prevention in Santa Cruz County. The project is funded through the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, which awarded grants for COVID-19 suicide prevention. The 16-month grant will provide services to those experiencing domestic violence and are at-risk of suicide, especially due to increased strains related to COVID-19. The project will be supported by Behavioral Health Division in conjunction with Monarch Services. “Our county has mourned 4 tragic femicides related to domestic violence in just the past 10 months,” reported Delphine Burns of Monarch Services, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz and Watsonville focused on preventing domestic violence and assisting survivors of domestic violence. “We, at Monarch Services, have also seen our service numbers nearly double and our number of crisis line calls triple from 2019 to 2020, as the need for domestic violence-related services has escalated significantly. The project provides direct services including emergency housing assistance, training in suicide prevention and safety planning, crisis services, counseling, outreach, newly created behavioral health resource pocket guides, and a public education campaign all intended to support those at risk of suicide and domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call either the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800273-8255, the County of Santa Cruz -Behavioral Health 24-hour Access Line at 1-800-952-2335, or 911 if it is a life threatening emergency.

••• Meaningful Gifts ommunity Foundation Santa Cruz County helps people carry on traditions, preserve what’s important in their families and communities, and take care of what we love. You can help take care of what you love through your Required Minimum Distribution. Using your RMD to make qualified charitable distributions is a tax-free way for people age 70 ½ or older to turn their retirement savings into a meaningful gift. Although qualified charitable contributions cannot be made to a donor-advised fund, they can be used to support important community causes. The Community Foundation has many funds that qualify for a qualified charitable distribution including the Greatest Needs Fund , COVID Continued Response Fund , Equal Access Santa Cruz County Fund , Friends of the Foundation Fund , or Rise Together Fund . Give yourself plenty of time, in order for a qualified charitable distribution to count toward your current year’s required minimum distribution, the funds must come out of your Individual Retirement Account by your RMD deadline, generally Dec. 31. If you have questions, call Sam Leask, 831- 662-2060. ••• Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director imberly Petersen has been named deputy director of the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department, succeeding Emily Balli, who is retiring at the end of 2021. Petersen began her career with the

county in 2005 as a benefit representative and is currently a division director overseeing employment and benefit services. She has been a staff development trainer, associate human services analyst, and program manager. “ I ’ m very excited to have Kimberly move into this new role,” Human Services Department Director Randy Morris said. “Because of her experience, she understands all aspects of a department that impacts the lives of one out of every three Santa Cruz County residents, and is committed to their health, safety and well-being.” Petersen said, “I’m honored … Human Services has a great team of dedicated professionals and partners working to help families and individuals of all ages who struggle with food, housing, and financial stability, and to keep at risk children and seniors safe in their homes.” Petersen has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Spanish, and a master’s in international policy studies with a specialization in human rights. She taught English oversees in both Germany and Ecuador, and served as aide to former Congressman Sam Farr. She also spent four years on the Watsonville City Council, including one year as mayor. ••• New SC Symphony Executive Director anta Cruz resident Gary Reece, who was interim executive director at the Santa Cruz Symphony for two months and berfore that a board member, is the new executive director.

His career was in banking, business development and finance, an asset for the Symphony, which will be seeking additional funding from donors and foundations. He has been successful in receiving SymGary Reece phony grants from the federal government and private foundations. “Gary really stood out as a candidate because of his background in business management,” said board president Linda Burroughs. “This is critical for arts organizations because they must know how to operate with budgets, staffing, legal requirements, contracts, financial management, and best business practices.” Reece was a financial management consultant and a partner in a commercial development business. He served on the boards of Santa Cruz County Bank, Cabrillo College, McPherson Center for Art & History, and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. A longtime Santa Cruz Rotary member, he is a past club president and assistant district governor. Burroughs also cited Reece’s ability to lead a team, motivate staff, create a positive working environment, and collaborate with the board, staff, maestro and musicians. Maestro Daniel Stewart said of Reece, “He is a proven and accomplished leader, and he brings a wealth of experience to us, including his understanding of our community, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.” n

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Words Are Magic!

Esoteric Astrology • November 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

riday night, October 22, the Sun entered Scorpio, our most mysterious of signs (except for Pisces). We look forward to that ‘something wicked our way comes’, when Scorpio arrives! And if it isn’t “wicked” we shake in our boots knowing the Nine Tests have arrived, also in Scorpio. It’s such a dramatic, deeply intense, the underbelly of reality commanding sign (ruled by Pluto and Mars). No one forgets a Scorpio. At most, Scorpio is a most captivating sign. It is also the most inscrutable of signs. Before we enter Capricorn, Scorpio offers us points of crisis and moments of reorientation, two deeply important functions of Scorpio and of great value for us to understand (concerning ourselves as Scorpio Sun, moon or ascendant [rising sign], and friends and family who may be Scorpios). Our lives on Earth are our chosen Spiritual Adventure. There comes a lifetime when we have divine curiosity. We want to understand the underlying motives of livingness (our lives and others’). We ARIES

A shift is occurring, a threshold to be crossed, new realities, new work and responsibilities to appear. You emerge from your foundations and face the Sun, hidden by Scorpio waters. Although not a Scorpio you and the sign of Discipleship share the influences of Mars and Mercury. So you are both in the same “planetary families”. Both have work to do that’s transformative that helps humanity. The key is communication. Use it for Goodwill, for knowledge, to dispense intelligence. Use it to uplift.

want to step out of the “cloud of unknowing”. And, no matter what, we are eager to progress forward sanely, with strength and serenity. When thinking in this way, we are stepping upon the Evolutionary Path or the Path of Return (to heaven). We want to be practical, to understand what is of value to us. We are given power and want to understand the extent of that power (Pluto). We want to pass all of the Nine Scorpio tests offered to us by Mars. Mercury helps by informing us that we must be very careful of our thoughts and speech for they can destroy as well as create. “Words are magic”, Mercury tells us. It is only through understanding these principles along with the nature Scorpio and the nine tests that true insight is cultivated. Then, we are called to be Disciples. We want to feel optimism and understand what being a World Disciple means. Scorpio calls all Disciples. It calls all disciples to step forward. To stand with the Forces of Light, flaming swords held high. Scorpio is the warrior emerging from all battles triumphant. n

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter is now moving forward in Aquarius, your opposite sign. Leos are being called to serve in many and greater ways as the new era unfolds. Be aware that all Leos must begin to cultivate all their talents and gifts. Identity comes first. Identifying yourself through what you create is a hint. A new sense of self-expression comes through your creations. Sometimes you feel dramatic, exaggerated, and embellished, desiring a more glamorous and stylish life while also hiding away. We see and recognize you, Leo.

Communication is and will be an important theme this month and next. During Scorpio each year your communication enters into a state of retreat, a rest time. You enter into a more spiritual world which heals and comforts with its inner tending. You may feel somewhat nebulous and uncertain, as if veils have fallen between you and the world? It’s a protective mechanism. So you aren’t disturbed. Allow nothing piercing and sharp into your world.

TAURUS

VIRGO

There seems to be no rest and each day provides new challenges, including that of health. Sometimes your back hurts, sometimes your head. Don’t let your heart hurt even if things seem somewhat dismal and dreary – weather, world or finance-wise. Help arrives when one asks for help. Unusual events occur, especially as you continue your intentions for assisting all aspects and endeavors of humanity. We work with you in morning meditation.

Communication on all levels and aspects is most important at this time as Mercury slowly moves forward in Libra. Mercury rules communication and it’s asking you what creative endeavors you are participating in, what thoughts, ideas and intentions you have concerning your talents and abilities. Soon Mercury will be in Scorpio and we will be talking about the Nine Tests. You already know to use communication to radiate love outward into the world.

GEMINI

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

Have cash on hand and structure your money in careful ways in the coming weeks and months. Purchase no non-essentials. Tend to debts immediately, paying more than minimum on credit cards. Consider purchasing silver and gold to back your dollars, keeping your money safe. A good source for coins is the Money Changer (https://the-moneychanger.com). They are intelligent, reliable, trustworthy and a source of invaluable monetary information. The value of the dollar is changing. AQUARIUS

The new era energies impel you toward your task as messenger - constantly offering information, more praise of others but most of all identifying your creativity. It seems that you bridge so many realities, especially between Spirit and matter. This building is Gemini’s purpose. You connect people here and there in various multi-faceted ways, opening the minds of others to see a new light, a new day, a new life ahead. Although you may not understand how, you are blessed. We bless you. CANCER

How are the issues of resources, values, finances and money appearing in your life? Are you tending to resources for yourself and/or others? It’s most important that you focus time and energy upon your own needs so you can be strong and able in all ways for the coming times. It may be your concerns have deepened for family and children? This will continue until your focus shifts toward how and what you create. Balance and harmony then appear.

With Mercury and Mars in the sign the scales, some Libras are pondering better communication in their relationships and better ways to display love. It’s good to tie up all unresolved communication situations. Tend to shared money and finances and invest in real things. Release all relationships that are not good or kind or respectful. A new world is continuing to unfold with new laws and principles. Always say yes to what’s offered, giving love a chance.

You may be seeking love, or if already in love, seeking a closer connection. Remember that making contact, true and kind and good, releases love. Can you make that type of contact? You’re also seeking more harmony and balance and right relations which your heart longs for. Have the objective to radiate love at all times. Use no harsh or critical words. Also have the intention to always listen and understand. Aquarius often goes right to the heart of the matter.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Ryan Named County Water Resources Manager

ierra Ryan has been selected as Santa Cruz County’s next water resources manager, succeeding John Ricker who retired in 2020. “I’m honored to be chosen to serve in this capacity,” Ryan said. “Water is one of our most precious resources, and responsible stewardship of our water is key to our communities, our environment and the ecosystems that depend on water for their survival.” Ryan has 14 years of experience working with water and environmental health issues in Santa Cruz County, including serving as a resources planner for the last 7 years with the County of Santa Cruz. She has experience working closely with water purveyors and other stakeholders to protect and enhance water resources in Santa Cruz County, including providing technical assistance and guidance on the development of local groundwater sustainability plans. The County Water Resources Manager monitors and evaluates water resources issues within the county, tracks and evaluates water-related legislation, makes policy recommendations, and works with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including elected officials, community groups, consultants and other government agencies, to assure the sustainability of local water resources. n

PISCES SCORPIO

During Scorpio you can come out from the shadows or retreat, becoming more hidden and complex. Others understand you less and that’s good because you have important work to do, part of which is a new self-identification. This happens yearly around Halloween. You drop into the dark underbelly of life, the dark waters to renew yourself and emerge only when comfort calls. Your communication becomes even more potent. Some understand this. You’re searching for Persephone. •••

There is and will continue to be daily increased work and responsibilities. You must summon all your abilities to maintain health and strength in order to meet the present world needs. Complete all tasks put off since summer. Do you also need new shoes and a new bed? I heard you need a new car, too. Relationships have been testy, money’s been perplexing, and change has been ceaseless. Who listens to you? Where is your home? Call in the Soul. It’s our guardian, guide, healer and comforter.

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

Sierra Ryan

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Breaking the Silence A

By Jasmine Najera

s a member of the Santa Cruz County Commission on Justice & Gender and co-board chair for Monarch Services, I want to break the silence, stigma, shame and guilt around being a domestic violence survivor — and share my story. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I was only 18, a freshman at UC Santa Cruz and incredibly isolated in my secret. My explosive, violent boyfriend attacked me on my birthday. I remember feeling deeply ashamed and embarrassed, and heavy with guilt. I remember I couldn’t hide the bruising on my face and I was outed. Eventually I reached out to Defensa de Mujeres (now Monarch Services), with the encouragement and support of my Aunt Olga. I had tried to cover my tracks but it was obvious something was wrong. I did not end the relationship immediately, but once I did, I was not free. Up to last year, I experienced vague veiled threats via social media — from a relationship almost 30 years ago! This person physically harmed not only me, but also others whom I knew and loved. I have been on my own path of healing, which like grief is not something you address and put to rest, it pops up and I still deal with reminders and triggers. But I am in a much better space thanks to receiving support and therapy and by

committing my time to support other survivors of domestic violence and those who work to support them. I know from experience: When you speak up and break the silence, it allows others to feel safer and in community with people who have similar experiences. I have also realized my healing is tied to the healing of others. By creating space for others and using my voice and experience in transparent ways, I can help others and in turn continue on my own journey of healing. Owning and telling our own narratives around our collective healing from domestic violence is imperative, and we must create a community that works to stop the cycles of violence and create spaces for support and healing. This year’s national campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, highlights how widespread domestic violence is. Our local effort is talking about how we heal and break the cycles of violence and trauma. People deserve to be supported in their healing process — not shamed and silenced. Domestic violence is a societal problem rooted in patriarchy and the subordination of women. Experiencing abuse has lifelong impacts and can be passed on generation to generation, especially if there is no healing. People who cause harm also need help healing. We believe that together, in

community, we can continue to heal if we share our stories and see each other, in each other. The Commission on Justice & Gender is leading a Healing Campaign as part of our commitment to create opportunities that encourage people who have healed from surviving or witnessing domestic violence to share their stories, increase visibility, share experience and healing. If you are interested in participating, or know someone who may be, you can share this letter: http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/

Portals/0/County/Commissions/jag%20 commission/Resources/Healing%20 Campaign%20Letter%20Oct%202021.pdf To learn about the Santa Cruz County Commission on Justice & Gender and other resources, see http://www.co.santa-cruz. ca.us/Government/Commissions,Commit teesAdvisoryBodies/CommissiononJusticeandGender.aspx n ••• Jasmine Nájera is a licensed clinical social worker, mother, wife, survivor, advocate, mentor and leader.

On an Old Map

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Strike Out Raises $60,000 for WomenCARE hank you all for participating in our 25th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer bowling fundraiser! Thanks to you, we have raised $60,019!! Donations are still coming in and we hope to see that number grow closer to our goal of $70,000. This event is a fun-filled day that brings awareness to the face of cancer in our community and it brings much needed funding for WomenCARE. The money raised from this event, our biggest fundraiser of the year, keeps our doors open and allows us to continue to provide support services for women with cancer in our community, as well as to their loved ones. It is heart-warming to receive such support from so many people and to spend a day bowling, laughing, and getting to know each other better. We are so thankful to live in a community that offers such strong support to local organizations like ours.

ACROSS

We have pictures! Please check out our Facebook page. We are still adding pictures so if you don’t see your team, keep checking. If you were snapping photos during the bowl-a-thon, and would be willing to share, please forward them on to me at jwaterswc@fsa-cc.org. Thank you!! Thank you again for your support of WomenCARE and Strike Out Against Cancer. We hope to see you again next year! — Janette Waters, Administrative director, WomenCARE (in Soquel) & Strike Out Committee Chair

1. *Core of Persia today 5. *Belgian village where Roman soldiers enjoyed warm mineral springs 8. Pitch symbol 12. More luminous star 13. Abbott and Costello or Rocky and Bullwinkle 14. Eurasian goat-like antelope 15. Team’s ranking 16. Make someone angry 17. Mix in 18. *Formerly Ceylon (2 words) 20. What tide does half the time

21. Reggae subgenre 22. Back then 23. ____ profundo 25. Depleted (2 words) 28. Wet firecracker 29. Catch in a net 32. Hip bones 34. Dormer without D 36. Schiller’s poem 37. “It is silent” in sheet music 38. Discharge 39. Admirer 41. Earlier in time than, archaic 42. Not out (2 words) 44. Pinocchio and his kind 46. Evergreen creeper 47. “A League of Their Own” member, e.g. 49. Command to a fly

51. *Formerly Siam 54. Rain forest ruminant 55. Irish for Ireland 56. It’s under a fig leaf? 58. Shockingly graphic 59. Impersonator 60. Manlike man-eater of fairy tales 61. Crunchable information 62. Popular ‘60s drug 63. A ____ ____ move 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

DOWN

Opposite of outs Fish eggs, pl. Affirm solemnly Lowest points Seeking damages Kenosha Kickers’ music 7. On the sea

8. *Once named Kampuchea 9. Trunk appendage 10. Shining armor 11. Facsimile machine 13. Fire-starter in fairy tales 14. Trojan War military action 19. Red-dot pointer, e.g. 22. Cigar residue 23. *Myanmar, formerly 24. “____ One” on a ticket 25. Consumer 26. Stomach sore 27. Boat stops 28. John’s and Jane’s last name? 30. Pie a la ____ 31. *Tokyo, formerly 33. Absorbed, as in a cost

35. *Abyssinia, now 37. Jury duty event 39. Comedian Schumer 40. Has more elm trees 43. Roundish 45. Not digital 47. Ox prod, pl. 48. Propelled like Argo 49. Arctic jaeger 50. ‘80 TV series “____ to ____” (1 word) 51. Bluish green 52. Canceled 53. “American ____,” Jeanine Cummins’ bestseller 54. Like one of the Testaments 57. Modern, prefix © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS THE RED CROSS STILL NEEDS YOU Thousands have answered the call to give to the American Red Cross, but 10,000 donors are needed before the holidays. Donors of all blood types — especially type O — are urged to make an appointments: Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors who give from Nov. 1-12 will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. Donors from Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Locations: Santa Cruz Nov. 4: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Ben Lomond Nov.19: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Lovecreek Road. Scotts Valley Nov. 20: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by November 22

Since the 1980s, however, the western population has Tuesday, Nov. 16 declined by more than 95 percent. 5:30 p.m. — Get the “Scoop on Scope”: Correct In 2020, only 2,000 butterflies were spotted from your insurance company’s “dwelling” estimate to Mendocino County to the Mexican border, compared to accurately reflect what you lost. the tens of thousands seen in the past. Last year, none Register: www.uphelp.org/nov16 were seen in Pacific Grove. 7 p.m. — Survivor to Survivor Forum on “Being For information visit www.pgmuseum.org. Grateful.” Register:www.uphelp.org/nov16s2s PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, CABRILLO STAGE PRESENTS ‘CHARLEY’S AUNT’ and the first due date is approaching. Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 5 thru 21, Black Box Theater, Cabrillo Your bill can be paid in two installments. The College, Aptos first installment is due on Nov. 1 and becomes Cabrillo College Theatre Arts’ fall production of “Charley’s delinquent after Dec. 10, and a penalty is charged. Aunt” will take place on Fridays The 2nd installment is due Feb. 1 and becomes and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and delinquent after April 10. Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Penalties will be incurred if not paid before becoming delinquent. Theater. This wacky and hilarious farce, ONLINE SEMINARS ABOUT NURSING HOME LAW directed by the masterful Joseph Ribeiro, features love, deception, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform offers READING TUTORING RETURNS TO LIBRARIES confusion, and a guy disguised as an old lady, nutty as three recorded legal seminars: a Brazil nut! 3-5 p.m., Wednesdays: Capitola / La Selva Public Libraries • Wednesday, Nov. 3: Medi-Cal Updates and the Seating is unassigned, first come first served. Thursdays: Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library Future of Estate Planning for Long Term Care Tickets are $18.50 with a $2 discount for students, The Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ reading comprehension Wednesday, Nov. 10: The Role of Counsel for a children and senior citizens, at https://cabrillovapa. program, R.E.A.D. (Reach Every Amazing Detail) has returned. Conservatee universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=1. You R.E.A.D. offers one-on-one reading comprehension Wednesday, Nov. 17: Elder Financial Abuse can also call the box office: (831) 479-6154 instruction for students in grades 2 to 12 with 25-minute Litigation: A Panel of Experts Masks are required. sessions with a California-credentialed teacher. To register, visit http://www.canhr.org/ Appointments are required. Call Telephone Information, CANHR, a nonprofit, offers consumers a free fact sheet on nursing Learn more at https://www.cabrillo.edu/vapa/2021-fallcharleys-aunt 831-427-7713, to make an appointment. homes at http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/index.html, and will Holiday breaks will take place on Veterans Day, Nov. 11; host The Elder Law Conference April 29-30, 2022, in Monterey. Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 and 25; Winter break, Dec.13 to ONGOING EVENTS Jan. 25, resuming Jan. 26; and Spring break, April 5 & 6. SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Tuesdays Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood This new program from Community Bridges brings sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower November 9 thru December 14, phone or online. enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of Hospice of Santa Cruz County offers individual grief support sessions (via phone or Zoom) and a special group, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and children and youth. Coping with Grief though the Winter Holidays, up in their homes at no cost. You are not alone. You are not to blame. To participate, you need an internet connection and a More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing- meeting virtually via Zoom on Tuesday evenings. Call (831) 430-3000 for more information and to register. computer, tablet or smartphone. center.org To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. Third Thursday Each Month org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the TWO NEW GRACE HARBOR SHOPS PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem The Rustic Table Restaurant and Lighthouse connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. Treasures Shoppe are open at 55 Brennan St., Wat- 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting sonville, sharing space with Grace Harbor Women’s BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated MONARCH BUTTERFLY COUNT BEGINS Center, a satellite of the nonprofit faith-based Teen by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third The annual monarch count (November through Challenge Monterey Bay and Pajaro Rescue Mission. Thursday of each month. February) at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural Grace Harbor is a shelter and recovery program for Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport History started early when clusters of the orangewomen (and their children) facing life controlling issues or call 831-471-7255. and-black butterflies were spotted in the Pacific such as drugs and alcohol. Grove Monarch Sanctuary. On Hours at Rustic Table, a professionally trained student- Saturdays Oct. 15, volunteers counted run restaurant with dine-in and pick-up options, are SCOTTS VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET 1,316 monarchs. Monday through Saturday 8 am-3 pm. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center, Kmart The program facilitates Hours at Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe, a secondhand parking lot, 270 Mount Hermon Road. weekly counts at the sanctuary, retail store run by Teen Challenge students and staff, are The Scotts Valley Farmers Market at Scotts Valley where adults alongside Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Square, is nearing the end of a season with fresh middle, high school, and The phone for both places is 831-761-3191. local produce, Market Match for SNAP shoppers, college students record the locally made food, cafe numbers of butterflies they CZU FIRE WEBINARS seating and live music spy in their overwintering grounds, which is full weekly. United Policyholders hosts Roadmap to Recovery of eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and pine trees. The last date for the webinars for people who lost homes in the 2020 CZU market is Nov. 20. The data collection is part of the statewide Western fire. On Oct. 30, Sugar by the Monarch Thanksgiving Count covering nine other Monday, Nov. 8 Pound, featuring Cristy sites in Monterey County. 5:30 p.m. — Q&A: Staff members and expert The butterflies feed and huddle to keep warm before panelists will answer pre-submitted and frequently asked Sugar by the Pound Aloysi, Erin Valdivia and Alison Steele, (L to R in mating and moving on in their annual migration to insurance claim questions photo) in Halloween costumes, entertained patrons. Baja. Pacific Grove has celebrated the annual return of Register: www.uphelp.org/nov8 https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ the butterflies with a festival and parade since 1939. Submit your question: www.uphelp.org/r2rhelp 20 / November 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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 November 1 thru Sunday November 7 CAPITOLA PLEIN AIR Display Day: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave., Capitola Capitola Plein Air is back after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. During the first week of November, 40 professional artists will arrive in Capitola to paint the village. Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of seaside city to paint live. On Sunday, the free to the public painting display, sale, and competition takes place at New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave., Capitola. The public votes for the People’s Choice Award. For information, visit www.capitolapleinair.com/

Thursday November 4 and Thursday November 18 TECH TALK AT THE LIBRARY 11 a.m. to noon, Zoom Seminars Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers two free Tech Talks this month for Apple and Android devices. Topics are: Nov. 4: News Apps and Strategies Nov. 18: Media Manipulation Check the library’s calendar, top of the website, at www. santacruzpl.org to register and receive the Zoom link.

Friday November 5 LANDLORD APPRECIATION 10-11 a.m., Santa Cruz Police Community Room, 155 Center St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County housing officials will host a Landlord Appreciation Event on 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the Santa Cruz Police community room, 155 Center St., Santa Cruz, to meet property owners and talk about programs to provide money and support for landlords and tenants. The county’s Rehousing Wave effort aims to permanently house more than 800 people who received temporary shelter during the pandemic. Benefits for landlords include financial incentives such as $1,000 rental agreement signing bonuses, guaranteed on-time monthly payments and 24-hour tenant support services. For questions, email SantaCruzLL@abodeservices.org. Registered landlords will be entered to win $25 gift cards to local businesses.

Saturday November 6 MAYOR’S BIKE RIDE 10 a.m., Noble Gulch Park, Capitola Capitola Mayor Yvette Lopez Brooks will lead a familyfriendly bike ride through our community with Bike Santa Cruz County. Meet at Noble Gulch Park between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to roll out right at 10 and return by 11:30 a.m. Kids welcome (Under 18 years, helmets required). Weather permitting: rain will cancel this event.

Saturday November 6 Sunday November 7 LIBRARY HOSTS DIA DE LOS MUERTES 2 p.m., Saturday at Felton Branch on Gushee Street / Sunday at Capitola Branch on Wharf Road Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites the entire

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday November 10 CELEBRATING THE MARINE CORPS’ BIRTHDAY 5-7 p.m., Veterans’ Hall, Downtown Santa Cruz Celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps before Veterans’ Day. Info: https://www.veteranshall.org/event-directory/

Thursday November 11

community to the bilingual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Felton branch on Saturday and the Capitola branch on Sunday. A Spanish storytime and light refreshments will be provided, wrapped up to-go for your safety. Día de los Muertos altars on display at these branch libraries are the result of a community-wide collaboration, where members of the public shared their creative contributions such as art, photos, and poetry. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.

JOURNEY FOR CHANGE 11-MILE WALK Starting at 8 a.m. at Natural Bridges State Park Parking Lot, Santa Cruz A nonprofit with a mission to reduce suicides among veterans, will host an 11-mile walk to raise awareness to save lives. The walk will stop at the Veterans Hall, which is hosting an “open door day” providing information and resources in its auditorium, 524 Front St., downtown Santa Cruz. The next stop will be Cabrillo College in Aptos, where veterans can take part in a drive-though BBQ, courtesy of the Veterans Information Center on campus. Please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ vets-barbecue (Full URL: https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ_oKY13oXI5Y1iNeMc9Lb0ZXuByjjrBy5Ki2hDlx4tkWTA/viewform) Buzz Gray, a veteran who started Journey for Change after recognizing his own post-traumatic stress disorder 47 years after leaving Vietnam, says 22 veterans every day die at their own hand. He wants to federal law to identify suicide risk factors and implement mental health interventions before servicemen and servicewomen are discharged from active duty. More information: https://www.facebook.com/journeyforveteranchange and the Santa Cruz County Veterans Service Office, 831-454-7276.

Those interested must email events@scparks.com: • Title your email “Craft Faire 2021 application” • First: list your name, phone number, address, and email address at the top of your email • Next: list your medium (such as jewelry, textiles, glass) • Followed by: a brief description of what you plan to sell • Include: a link to Etsy, website, Facebook, Instagram where your work can be purchased: • Attach: a maximum 300dpi jpg or tif image of your work Vendors will be notified by Nov. 19. Shoppers can view the Craft Faire website Dec. 1 at http:// scparks.com/

Monday November 15

Saturday November 13

Wednesday November 17

BOWL FOR VETERANS 10 a.m. and Noon, Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St, Santa Cruz The Terry Plank Memorial bowling tournament at Boardwalk Bowl will be raising money for Vets 4 Vets. All proceeds support local veterans. To bowl, please RSVP Dean at scveteranadvocate@gmail.com or call (831) 420-7348.

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR: SANTA CRUZ 7 pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Mountainfilm on Tour brings a adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado, to the Rio Theatre. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to Sunday November 7 create a better world. GIVE BUILD LOVE ONLINE AUCTION The Rio Theatre has been organizing Mountainfilm on Tour for 5 p.m., Online Auction several years and has been working with local schools to host This is the deadline to bid on 70 items for the Mountainfilm in Education to area students. annual fundraiser auction Give Build Love for ••• Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. Visit https:// List of films: A VERY SHORT GUIDE TO UNION GLACIER www.32auctions.com/givebuildlove until 5 p.m. CAMP • NOW IS THE TIME • THE MYSTERY • RESILNov. 7 to watch, bid, and win. GET YOUR VETERANS’ ID IENCE • INVISIBLE BEAUTY • ERIC AND THE BEES • Proceeds support the 11-home development 11 a.m., Mello Center, Watsonville TABIRA • COMING HOME - AG TEACHT ABHAILE • Rodeo Creek Court in Live Oak. County Veterans Services will help veterans obtain ONE STAR REVIEWS: NATIONAL PARKS a veterans ID. Eligible veterans can have the word For tickets and details about the films, visit https://www.riotheatre. TEDX MERIT ACADEMY “VETERAN” added to the front of their driver’s license/ID com/events-2/2021/11/13/mountainfilm-on-tour-santa-cruz 1-3 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz card to indicate service in the U.S. military. Please bring Merit Academy of Soquel will present student your DD214. Or if you served in the National Guard or LA SELVA BEACH HOLIDAY FAIR speakers for a TEDx event Sunday, Nov 7, at the Rio Reserves, bring your DD Form 256 or DD Form 25. AND LIBRARY OPENING CELEBRATION Theatre. Topics for the 2-hour event include: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave • How to protect yourself from water contaminated by Thursday November 11 La Selva Beach Improvement Association and Friends of the fracking wells La Selva Library present 28 unique art & craft vendors sell thru Sunday November 14 • How to use safe pesticides by using cordyceps handcrafted goods at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse, brining VETERANS DAY FUNDRAISER mushrooms 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room, 12 Del Fino back an event that was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic. • How some building materials such as vinyl gutters & Place, Carmel Valley The event is also celebrating the newly remodeled La Selva siding are flammable Beach Library and features a big used book sale, live music Twisted Roots Wine will host a fundraiser starting on • How to save premature infants by using an and a magic show. Bake sale and prize raffle benefit La Selva Veterans Day and running through the weekend at its inexpensive incubator tasting room. CERT. Ate3One and other food trucks will be operating. • How to prevent diabetes by knowing your glucose Part of the proceeds from sales of wine at the tasting Free admission! room Nov. 11-14 will be donated to the Veterans numbers Email BooksandBrewsLSB@gmail.com for more information. • How to reduce carbon dioxide by reducing transpor- Transition Center, a Marina nonprofit whose mission is “to empower veterans to transition from crisis to Sunday November 14 tation and using 100% recycled plastics self-sufficiency.” • How we need to rethink how we live to stop Since 1996, Veterans Transition Center has operated A CULINARY TOUR OF ITALY devastation caused by climate change on the former Fort Ord complex to provide homeless 5:30-7 p.m., Zoom class Tickets in advance http://tedxmeritacademy.com/tickets/ veterans and their families with food, clothing, case Chaney Janssen and Meghan O’Connell, of Destined are $20; tickets at the door are $25. management, life skills, substance abuse counseling, for Grapeness, will complete their virtual tour of Italy Sunday, Nov. 14, with a cooking lesson from Umbria, benefit enrollment, medical referrals, employment home to porcini, morels, and truffles. training, and housing. Monday November 8 The presenters will taste a delicious Umbrian Details: (831) 594-8282, email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com thru Friday November 12 wine and walk you through preparing a simple and or see www.twistedrootsvineyard.com. CABRILLO COLLEGE VETERAN AWARENESS WEEK delicious, vegetarian meal — from the comfort of your own home. The 90-minute class starts at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 8: Veterans Information Center Open House Friday November 12 Zoom. — 9-11 a.m., Room 913: With Companion’s baked DEADLINE FOR HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIRE Participants receive a PDF in advance with the goods and coffee. Local artists and craftspeople who would like to sell their shopping list and suggestions on where to buy the wine. Nov. 10: Spirit Day — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 913: wares at the Santa Cruz County Parks all-virtual Holiday Wear your favorite pro-veteran shirt. Free for Dante Alighieri members; $15 non-members Art & Craft Faire in December must apply by Nov.12. To donate to the Cabrillo Student Veteran Endowment visit (only one ticket required per household). A limited number will be selected to participate at no Register at https://www.dantesantacruz.com/event-details/ https://foundation.cabrillo.edu/donate/. Questions? Email flchacon@cabrillo.edu. charge. mushrooms-umbria-final-destination-in-3-part-series

VIRTUAL TOUR OF SV PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 4 p.m., Online Tour Senior Life Online presents a virtual tour of the new soon-to-open Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center, followed by Q&A. Pre-register any time at https:// tinyurl.com/SVSLA-6 Scotts Valley Senior Life Association is a 501(3)3 nonprofit, organized to benefit the health and education of local seniors citizens. Tax deductible donations are appreciated. For questions call: (831) 438-1000.

CANNABIS PERMITTING WORKSHOP 10-11:30 a.m., Zoom Workshop The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Cannabis Control and State Water Resources Control Board will host a commercial cannabis cultivation permitting workshop via Zoom Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85790781060 The free workshop is for new and existing commercial cannabis cultivators, consultants and interested parties. No registration is required. DCC will review requirements for commercial cannabis farming. CDFW will cover its online notification system, types of permits issued and compliance requirements. The State Water Board will review cannabis policy and permitting process. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov with “Cannabis Webcast” as the subject line. Questions not answered during the webcast will be forwarded to the appropriate agency. For information on becoming a licensed commercial cannabis farmer, see cannabis.ca.gov, call 1 844-61CA-DCC (1-844-612-2322) or email info@cannabis. ca.gov. To report suspected illegal cannabis activity, visit https://cannabis.ca.gov/resources/file-complaint/ . To report pollution, water diversions and poaching, call the hotline at (888) 334-2258 or text information to “TIP411” (847411). For compliance assistance regarding the Division of Water Quality, email dwq.cannabis@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5580. INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE & CANDLE LIGHTING 6:30 p.m., Online or at Resurrection Catholic Community, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos Hospice of Santa Cruz County invites you to the Interfaith Memorial Service & Candle Lighting in-person (masks required) at Resurrection Cathlic Community or online: hospicesantacruz.org/ event/fall-interfaith-21 This is an opportunity to pause during the busy holiday season and tune into what counts: Remembering a beloved family member or dear friend who has died. Whether your loved one recently passed, or is someone who you have carried in your heart for many years, this memorial service nourishes hearts and spirit by honoring both the sadness and joy that comes with remembrance. Services are free. Attendees are welcome to bring a photograph or object of your loved one for the remembrance table. Children and families are welcome. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / November 2021 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Lucky: No Debris Flow After Rain But Winter is Ahead By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

he storm that drenched Santa Cruz County on the evening of Oct. 24, while much needed in terms of rainfall, thankfully came and went without a debris flow event in the burn scar of last year’s CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Out of an abundance of caution, the Sheriff’s Office increased by ten-fold the number of households covered under the order based on forecasts from the National Weather Service. Luckily, the speed with which the rain came down was slower than anticipated and, therefore, the risk of debris flows lessened. This should not, however, reduce our community’s concern about the potential for debris flows to occur as we head into the winter season. We recognize the challenges posed by evacuations and appreciate the cooperation of our residents as we work through the first couple of years after the fire and the heightened risk for these dangerous slides. Many thanks go to our County emergency response team, the Red Cross, the City of Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley Unified

School District, and other community organizations that coordinated the response to the storm. We learn more and improve our operations each time we have such an event. Speaking of vital community organizations, this is a great opportunity to thank Community Bridges for all its support of the San Lorenzo Valley through its fantastic Mountain Community Resources center in Felton. MCR has provided important safety-net services in the Valley for many years, including the recent establishment of a COVID-19 testing site. MCR was also responsible for distributing almost half of the more than 500,000 pounds of food provided by Community Bridges in 2020, a year that brought the dual challenges of the fire and the pandemic. On Oct. 29, during MCR’s “Mountain Affair” fundraiser in Ben Lomond, I had the privilege of being invited to present the Mary Hammer Green Hart Award to volunteer Suzie Schwilk, who was honored for her support of MCR’s food pantry program. Suzie’s efforts certainly personify

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

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Bruce McPherson with Suzie Schwilk

the life’s work of Mary Hammer, who helped to establish the Valley Women’s Club and has worked tirelessly to support the San Lorenzo Valley. We congratulate Suzie and thank her for her dedication to our mountain residents. Lastly, the County is undergoing the redistricting process related to supervisorial districts, which occurs every 10 years after the federal census. While there are no major changes recommended for District 5 by our redistricting commission, there are boundary shifts suggested around the Santa Cruz harbor and in South County. However, the current proposal will not dramatically change the districts as they

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have existed during the past 10 years. I want to thank Jim Mosher of Felton, who has been a critical figure in maintaining local control of our water systems during recent years, for representing District 5 on the redistricting commission. The community has two upcoming opportunities to participate in the process during public hearings at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 9 and 16 during the Board of Supervisors meetings. Two hearings have already been held, as well as an informational meeting at the Felton Library for North County residents in September. n ••• As always, please contact my office at FifthDistrict@santacruzcounty.us or 831-4542200 if we can assist you with anything. ••• Editor’s note: It’s true no major changes are recommended for the Fifth District. However, a major change was suggested by Ben Lomond Jim Coffis, who explained that mountain residents have shared interests as do coastal residents. Would it be possible to draw district boundaries in a horizontal fashion rather than vertical to create five districts each with the target population of 54,270? If it’s possible, would this result in better representation? Let me know at info@cyber-times.com.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Ditye recommends parents avoid rice cereal for their infants because of the contamination and choose oats or barley instead. Happy Baby also makes an oats and quinoa mix. Her review covers vegetable puree, fruit puree and formula. By the way, all of the packaging makes

Snuggling Into Your Heart

r. Snuggles is ready to snuggle his way into your heart! This sweet guy came into the Shelter when his previous owner was unable to keep caring for him. Mr. Snuggles was with his previous owner all the time so he doesn’t like being left alone. Mr. Snuggles is 10 years young and ready to find a family to settle down with. Mr. Snuggles is the definition of a “Good Boy” and he has joined small dog playgroup at the Shelter and likes to coexist with the other pups. A home with another mellow dog may be a fit provided they meet at the Shelter first. This good boy even visited Santa Cruz Subaru for a special adoption event, and he was a social butterfly and made tons of friends. Mr. Snuggles has not lived with cats but with a slow introduction and management — we are thinking he could coexist nicely. He has enjoyed spending time with volunteers and staff while at the Shelter, but he is ready to find his forever home! So, what are you waiting for? Come meet this handsome guy today at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter! Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076  SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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“Baby Food Toxins” from page 9

“SF vs. LA” from page 5 Sharing a Passion hat National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Giants ended up being one of the most fun weeks of my life. In my dorm hall, several of us huddled around a tiny computer screen watching every game, Giants and Dodgers fans alike. During that week, we became friends not because of the team we supported, but rather for the love of baseball we collectively shared. I discovered we could bond regardless of our affiliations over this shared passion. Even my cousin, a Los Angeles native who attended the game with me, said, “Going with Giants fans was fun, especially because of the banter between us. It made it a high-stakes game because the fans of the winning team would be able to trash talk on the ride home. Even if the Dodgers had lost, it still would have been fun … the experience of being in the ballpark, especially during a playoff game, and having great seats with some great people was an experience I’ll never forget.” I felt that fun and friendly competition when we left Dodger Stadium after the game, walking the same parking lots where Brian Stow was attacked. My dad and brother and I were lightheartedly heckled by Dodger fans because the Giants lost — but I wasn’t afraid. It was friendly and jovial (some hilarious insults, I might add). We were all laughing and having the time of our lives. Nobody truly cared who won or lost; it was about each other, the interactions fellow fans shared. It was about unity.

the baby food product appear to be a good choice. The coalition’s 37-page letter was addressed to Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting FDA commissioner of FDA and Dr. Susan Mayne, director, FDA, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. The petition was filed by attorneys general of 22 states: California, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. n ••• Read the petition at: https://tinyurl.com/ baby-food-toxins. (Full URL: https://oag.ca.gov/system/ files/attachments/press-docs/NYOAG%20 et%20al%20-%20Baby%20Food%20 Petition%20to%20FDA%20%2810-212021%29-with%20appendices.pdf) Read the blog with https://mommyhood101. com/nontoxic-baby-foods-and-formulas

Sports have the capacity to lift up the world. Track star Jesse Owens blew superior race theory out of the water and unified the world, winning four gold medals in the face of Adolf Hitler and the 1936 “Nazi” Olympics in Berlin. Jackie Robinson set the stage for black liberation in America by demonstrating his determination, breaking the color line on Major League Baseball in 1947. Home run king Babe Ruth, with his eminently quotable wisdom, inspired fans who saw him do what no others had done before and pointed out baseball is a team sport. Today, Bryan Stow remains an avid baseball fan. He founded the Bryan Stow Foundation, whose online mission statement states that people should “live kinder lives.” Stow speaks at schools about bullying and fan violence. He serves as a symbol of bravery and joy, a reminder of the capacity sports have to change lives, to unify; the same unity that beamed from Dodger Stadium, that lit up the faces of fans of all sorts of affiliations. Baseball is home. It elicits life’s goodness and pure togetherness, uplifting the world through pure fun and joy. In the world of sports, we are one. n ••• Willa Reed, who graduated from Scotts Valley High School in 2021, is a freshman at UCLA. This is her first column for the Scotts Valley Times. Cover Photo: Willa Reed (right) with dad Jim center and brother Jimmy at left, outside Dodger Stadium share the joy of baseball.

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

Scotts Valley Times: November 2021

Articles inside

Lucky: No Debris Flow After Rain But Winter is Ahead, By Bruce

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Words Are Magic!, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20

First Vaccine Clinic for Kids 5 to 11 Expected Nov. 8: Santa Cruz County

Help Ralph Anybody Go Home: Fans of KPIG Deejay Donate To Restore

This Team Inspires Their Coach: Running Success & Taking Care of Each

$800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide • Meaningful Gifts Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director • New SC Symphony

SOS to FDA: Cut Baby Food Toxins

Second Harvest Food Bank: Helping The Community Bring Comfort to

Giants vs Dodgers: A Surprising Outcome, By Willa Reed