Record Year at Santa Cruz County Bank • Cat Eyes

COMMUNITY NEWS

Record Year at Santa Cruz County Bank

Santa Cruz County Bank, on the cusp of 18 years in business, reported earnings for 2021 was a record $21.3 million, 21 percent more than in 2020.

Fourth quarter net income was $4.7 million, up from $4 million in that quarter a year ago.

Pretax, pre-provision net earnings for 2021 exceeded 2020 by $9.4 million.

Santa Cruz County Bank President and CEO Krista Snelling said, “We recorded an incredible year of growth as evidenced by double-digit percentage increases, comparing 2021 to 2020, in assets, loans, deposits and net income, all of which set new historical milestones for Santa Cruz County Bank.”

Our amazing employees logged more 500 hours in community volunteer hours in 2021.

Bank staff supported business owners, providing guidance on the PPP forgiveness process to help position them for success.

The bank opened in February 2003.

The bank has five branches in Santa Cruz County, including Aptos and Capitola and Scotts Valley, one in Cupertino and one in Monterey, plus online banking. The bank plans to open a Salinas branch by the third quarter of this year.

Highlights for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2021 included: • Assets of $1.7 billion, up 20% • Total gross loans (excluding PPP) of $1.11 billion, up 21%,

Deposits of $1.5 billion, up 25%. The bank ranked 4th in overall deposit market share in Santa Cruz County, 2nd in Santa Cruz and 3rd in Watsonville based on FDIC once a year data as of June 30. • Basic earnings per share of $1.11 and $5.01 for the three and twelve-month periods ended Dec. 31, 2021, respectively. • Net interest margin was 3.78% for the fourth quarter of 2021, as compared to 4.04% in the trailing quarter and 4.08% in the same quarter of 2020. • For the quarters ended Dec. 31 and Sept. 30, return on average assets was 1.09% and 1.30%, respectively, and the return on average tangible equity was 11.85% and 14.10%, respectively.

• Efficiency ratio was 45.40% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 42.63% in the trailing quarter and 49.45% in the same quarter of 2020. • All capital ratios were above regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized institution with a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.89 percent. • Continued strong credit quality, with nonaccrual loans totaling $376,000. •••

Fourth Quarter

In the fourth quarter, the loan loss reserve was boosted $200,000 due to Krista Snelling growth in the non-PPP sector loans and factors associated with the Omicron variant. n

Cat Eyes

Winter Olympics

Susan Tannehill, who lives in San Lorenzo Valley, shared this stunning artwork (her first time with pastel pencils) on NextDoor. She got dozens of compliments.

ACROSS

1. Sleeps in a tent 6. Horror movie franchise 9. Varieties 13. Mozart’s “Die

Zauberflote” 14. Road crew supply 15. Moron 16. Workman’s cotton, once 17. Exclamation of surprise 18. Monte Cristo’s title, in

French 19. *Olympic Athletes from ____, 2018 hockey winners 21. *Figure skating jump (2 words) 23. Capone’s ilk, e.g. 24. Attention-getting sound 25. Eminem’s genre 28. Cashier’s call 30. Hit-or-miss 35. It will 37. *Triple one in figure skating 39. Hustle and bustle 40. German Mrs. 41. A mile racer 43. a.k.a. horse mackerel 44. Jargon 46. Workbench holding device 47. Health club offering 48. Diner, e.g. 50. Latin for “and others” 52. ____ Aviv 53. Ill-mannered one 55. Curiosity’s victim? 57. *2022 Winter

Olympics location 61. *Torch Relay starting point 64. “____ ____ the

Family” TV series 65. Refrigerator sound 67. Poppy seed derivative 69. Bitterly regretting 70. Egyptian cobra 71. Part of a stair 72. Seedy source of

Omega-3s 73. More, in Madrid 74. Changes to a manuscript

DOWN

1. Cape ____, MA 2. Copycat 3. Carte du jour 4. Spectrum maker 5. Delilah’s lover 6. Roofed colonnade 7. Expression of satisfaction 8. Angry 9. Revered one 10. Fancy ride 11. Japanese zither 12. Pas in ballet 15. “Freezing” Marvel character 20. Letter-shaped girder 22. “____ the land of the free...” 24. Designer’s studio 25. *Biathlon gear 26. Skylit lobbies 27. Manufacturing site 29. *2022 Winter

Olympics number 31. Like Curious George 32. Monocot’s alternative 33. “Killers of the Flower

Moon” Oklahoma location 34. *Olympic award 36. *Olympic sled 38. For fear that 42. Respond 45. Circling 49. Far, old-fashioned 51. Capital of Punjab 54. Early Irish alphabet 56. Sort of warm 57. Vomit 58. Twelfth month of

Jewish year 59. Pelvic bones 60. Put a hex on 61. Concert units 62. Not yet final 63. Edible fat 66. *Miracle on Ice winner 68. Not Miss or Ms.

HEARTS FOR THE ARTS

Online Through Feb. 14 In response to the Omicron variant, Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s annual February fundraiser for arts education, Hearts for the Arts, will be a simple online fundraiser.

The council’s teaching artists are in the classroom Monday through Friday, and this fundraiser helps bring creative outlets to kids throughout the county.

The goal is for 300 donors to give at least $10 and raise $3000 by Valentine’s Day. No auction but still lots of heart.

All gifts are tax-deductible. See https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/n0L3QwEjQ5oGGEWgqlJM1Q

SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING

Suicide Prevention Services is recruiting volunteers for training, which starts Feb. 17 and ends April 21.

After working for 20 years with suicidal people and the painful aftermath of a suicide death, Celeste Cisneros says suicide is individual, complex, and personal. She says what helps is a compassionate volunteer trained to connect with the caller by validating,

believing, and caring.

Most suicidal callers agree to be safe and follow a safety plan by the end of the call. Lives are saved. Families, friends, and communities are spared unbearable pain.

More than 80 volunteers answer 400 calls per month from residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. These courageous people are neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

They may be the person in front you in line at the movies or the grocery. Volunteers work behind closed doors and perform heroic acts of kindness. They pick up the phone, weave an invisible lifeline of caring, and commit to the safety and well-being of the caller.

More volunteers are needed. Previous experience is not necessary. What is needed is a willingness to learn new skills and to listen. If you have questions, call 831-459-9373.

SENIOR OUTREACH

Family Service Agency Senior Outreach offers free one-on-one counseling for people 55 and over via the phone, Skype or Zoom. Counselors are experienced.

In-person counseling has been suspended to prevent Covid-19 spread.

Groups for men and women will be restarted as soon as possible, with a women’s group starting in February. Dates are not available due to the changing Covid situation.

Hopes are to restart peer training, for which there is a waiting list. To express interest in participating, call Barbara Salata, 831459-9351 ext. 206, who will return your call in 24 hours.

UC MASTER GARDENER CLASSES

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties offers free and low-cost gardening classes for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Coming up:

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning: Feb. 24, 5-6:30 p.m. (online) and March 12, 10 – noon, in-person, San Juan Bautista Historical State Park.

Cost is Free. Donations appreciated. Register at mbmg.ucanr.edu.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 25

Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza. Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org.

Winter is the best time to prune most fruit trees while they are dormant and their structure is easily seen. Winter pruning invigorates fruit trees to produce and support strong fruit production. Join Diane Mahan, UC Master Gardener and professional landscaper, to learn the why and how of winter fruit tree pruning of both old growth and newly planted fruit trees. The class is free to all with the option to provide a suggested donation of $5 or more to support the all-volunteer Master Gardener program.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing center.org

FELTON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

While the Scotts Valley library branch is closed for renovations, the Felton branch at 6121 Gushee St., Felton, is open.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For information: call 831-427-7708.

Garden work party at Discovery Park, Feb. 5, from 9–11 a.m., weather permitting.

Knitting: Mondays, 12:30-2 p.m. Bring yarn and knitting needles. All ages welcome.

In-Person Tech Help: Mondays, from 2-4 p.m. Tech savvy and bilingual (English/Spanish) staff can help you troubleshoot your tech issue with a 30 minute (or less) appointment.

Reading in the Redwoods Book Group: Meets on the fourth Wednesday at 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Bedtime Stories: See Facebook or Youtube for Bedtime Stories presented by SCP in 2021. Librarian Jackie reads bedtime stories, sing songs, and chant rhymes.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to jumpstart your future by earning an accredited high school diploma and career training through Career Online High School.

Is your 2022 resolution to go back to school and get your high school diploma? Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers a program called Career Online High School, designed for adults who were unable to complete high school and could benefit from additional job training.

This nationally accredited program allows adult students to earn an accredited high school diploma — not a GED — while gaining career skills in one of ten employment fields, from home care professional and office management to homeland security.

SCPL awards scholarships to qualified adult learners on a first-come, first-served basis. Career Online High School is a solution for those who need extra academic support and flexibility. Once in the program, students are assigned an academic coach who helps keep them on track and connects them with tutors if needed.

The online curriculum is accessible 24/7, which is helpful to those balancing work and family obligations. Students have up to 18 months to complete the program, but many finish sooner because previously earned high school or GED test credits are accepted. For more info, see https://santacruzpl.mycareerhs.com/.

MAH EXHIBITIONS

Thurs. thru Sun., Noon-6 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents two exhibitions starting in January.

Jan. 14–May 15: Atmosphere, an exhibition by artist and filmmaker Enid Baxter Ryce featuring paintings and soundscapes that explore the phenomena of Monterey Bay’s fog and atmospheric rivers. Ryce’s work will be exhibited with collections of archival photos, an interactive musical sculpture, and fog collectors created in collaboration with historian Dr. William Cowan, musician Lanier Sammons, sculptor Natalie Jenkins, and scientist Dan Fernandez.

Jan. 21–March 20: Rydell Visual Art Fellowship exhibition, honoring the legacy of local philanthropists Roy and Frances Rydell and featuring the 2020-2021 Rydell Visual Arts Fund recipients: Printmaker and illustrator Ann Altstatt; sculptor and designer Marc D’Estout; choreographer Cid Pearlman; and photographer Edward Ramirez. Presented in partnership with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. Suggested admission: General, $10; students / teachers / veterans, $8, free for members and children under 5.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS

This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost.

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

PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career development workshops for teens and adults through April, thanks to grant funding.

Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops at 10 a.m.

Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone meetings for caregivers throughout the month:

Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney. Second Saturdays Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull. Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. •••

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing thru March 15

NAMI PEER-TO-PEER

5-7 p.m., Online Classes NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program via Zoom for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.

Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions and informative videos.

Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/peer-to-peer.html

Signing up does not guarantee enrollment, but puts you on the list to be notified about enrollment. Check your email within 5 business days of completing the form, and save anastasia@namiscc.org as a contact to prevent emails from going to spam. Contact (831)-824-0406 or anastasia@namiscc.org with questions or if you do not hear back within 5 business days.

Mondays

SCOTTS VALLEY ROTARY WEEKLY MEETING

12:15 p.m., Online Zoom Obtain Zoom link from President Patrizia Materassi at (831) 334-2383.

First and Third Mondays Each Month

SENIOR LIFE ONLINE

4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/currentactivities/.

Upcoming Events:

Feb 21: “History of Glenwood Open Space Preserve” with Stephany Aguilar, former Scotts Valley City Council Member

March 7: “How to Declutter or Downside Your Home” with Christy Best of Clutterbug. This presentation includes tips for how to get encouraged, inspired, motivated; and selling, donating and gifting things. Best, an organizer for 30 years, is a former member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals since 1995, as well as a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of NAPO and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.

To participate, you need an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or smart phone. A 1-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl.com/ SVSLA-6. Questions? Call George at (831) 3347763. Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

First Tuesdays of the Month

UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

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