Welcome Back!: SVUSD Focusing on Equity, Mental Health & Math, By

FEATURED COLUMNIST Welcome Back!

SVUSD Focusing on Equity, Mental Health & Math

By Tanya Krause, Superintendent, Scotts Valley Unified School District

Editor’s note: School started Aug. 11 Scotts Valley Unified School District. Superintendent Tanya Krause sent out this letter the week before. •••

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year!

I am very pleased that we now have a fully staffed District Office team with a new Director of Student Services, Nadia Oskolkoff, a new Director of Special Education, Amy Churchill, and a new Director of Human Resources, Michael Hanson. Additionally, we have a new administrative team at Scotts Valley High School with Mrs. Sarah Gialdini serving as the Principal and Mrs. Christie Danner serving as the Assistant Principal.

SVUSD has had a very busy summer in preparation for the launch of this next year. We have hired several new staff, including the addition of more counselors for each of our school sites. We will be continuing with our multi-tiered systems of support and augmenting our Positive Behavior Intervention Systems districtwide.

As I mentioned in my end-of-the-year letter, our District Areas of focus for this year include: 1) DEIB — Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging 2) Mental Health — Social Emotional

Learning (SEL); Positive Behavior,

Intervention, and Supports (PBIS)

3) Continue with Environmental Literacy

4) Math (academic area of focus)

As you know, we have added Transitional Kindergarten at both elementary schools for students who turn 5 years old by June 1, 2023. We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand our programming to include more of our community. Our programming will focus on play-based and experiential learning for students in a half-day program.

We have also been working with Champions over the summer who will provide before-and after-school programs on the elementary campuses. Our district team has been working very hard to get new portables in place on the Vine Hill campus and obtain approval for licensing by the start of this school year.

Also over the summer, the district launched a new districtwide website that is currently still under construction. We appreciate your patience as we complete the transition.

This summer we were able to install a new bell and PA system at Vine Hill and Brook Knoll schools. The IT team has also been working to implement the upgrade from 1 gigabit to 10 gigabytes at all school sites and the district office. Due to supply chain issues, we do not yet have all parts necessary for this district-wide improvement, but we are excited to be able to implement this in the fall of this school year.

Our Food Service Department will again be providing breakfast and lunch to your students daily and free of charge. The department will be sending out its Welcome Back letter soon. We are requesting that all families complete the application included in the letter as it will help generate additional funds for our district.

We are entering Year 3 of COVID with updated guidance and regulations. We will continue to adhere to CDPH guidance and requirements for students and adhere to Cal OSHA requirements for staff. At this time, masking indoors is highly recommended. We will continue to provide onsite testing through Inspire, however, our exposure notification and tracking requirements are now different than in prior years. We will no longer be managing a COVID dashboard and we are all working toward a more endemic response, as allowed by Public Health. We will be updating our protocols and communications regarding COVID recommendations and requirements. Our goal is to keep our schools open and safe.

As many are aware, the District has received its Equity Report, which is located on the district’s web page currently housed under the Student Services Department. The district DEIB work includes initiating a Diversity, Inclusion, and Awareness calendar. The calendar will include areas of focus and awareness in order to help us streamline our content standards with opportunities to broaden perspectives. Each month will have an area of focus for us to discover and learn about. This will happen in the classrooms, across the schools, and my hope, in your home. For example, in September we will focus on Hispanic Heritage Month. Teachers may incorporate highlights of Hispanic culture in their lessons or allow students to share their family traditions with their class.

SVUSD is a diverse community and we want to inspire our students, staff, and families to appreciate our differences. Our diversity should be celebrated as it inspires creativity, drives innovation, and encourages every member of our community to become a global citizen.

You will also notice areas of awareness. What better way to become more aware of topics such as “civility,” “the importance of attendance,” or, “ college readiness” than doing it together? Just as the areas of focus, teachers and school leaders will provide opportunities for students to become more aware of the world around them.

Please note that there are embedded resource links throughout the calendar. These are just some of the resources available for your families to explore. This calendar will provide the opportunity for meaningful conversations both in the classroom and at home. This is a useful and purposeful way to learn and I look forward to growing with you.

CAASPP State Testing: Last Spring, students in 3rd-8th and 11th grade participated in the CAASPP State testing. These tests can be combined with other measures like report card grades, class work, and teacher observations to give families and teachers a more complete picture of each child’s learning.

“SVUSD” page 18

Register Now for Fall Classes

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“Stolen Art” from page 6

When the petition was rejected, the family filed a lawsuit in California in 2005 asserting property claims under California law. Over the years, the case worked its way through the courts and was ultimately remanded back to the Ninth Circuit by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21 for further consideration.

Under California law, victims of art theft are entitled to make their claims against museums in possession of stolen art for up to six years after discovery.

In the amicus brief, Bonta asserts: • The district court misidentified the relevant laws in reaching its decision; • California’s interests will be more substantially impaired by an adverse ruling; • Because many wrongs occurred in multiple jurisdictions, the painting’s current location is not as important; • California’s modern law on recovering stolen art from museums outweighs Spain’s older adverse possession law; and • Applying California’s law will achieve the maximum attainment of the underlying purpose of all the relevant laws based on the parties’ expectations. n •••

Read the amicus brief at https://tinyurl. com/CAAG-return-holocaust-painting.

SPECIALIZING IN Residential Repaints & Custom Homes Homeowners Associations Property Managers FALL SPECIAL

If we paint your interior and/or exterior by September 30, 2022 we will buy the paint.

“Wildfire Prevention” from page 4

“The Land Trust has a vested interest in the project area, having protected nearly 500 acres for multiple conservation benefits including rare sandhills and wildlife movement,” says Matt Timmer, natural resource manager at the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. “We are encouraged to see this important project move forward and will work with the partners to ensure that the conservation values of these lands are protected during the project. The Lockhart shaded fuel break will make our communities safer and potentially set the stage for more hands-on habitat restoration work in the future.”

Fire suppression and old logging practices have shaped the current state of forests in Santa Cruz County, which are now more prone to catastrophic wildfire.

Projects like this will showcase how well-planned collaborative efforts can rebuild healthy forest ecosystems.

“Our long-term goal is to mimic historical landscapes with fewer but larger and healthier trees, that can more effectively endure the impacts of drought and wildfire,” explains Angie Richman, forest health specialist with the Resource Conservation District. “It can’t happen overnight, but the steps that we take today are critical to building the healthy forests of tomorrow.”

Project planning and permitting is expected to be completed next summer with construction beginning in the spring of 2024. n

For information on the RCDSCC’s Forest Health and Wildfire Resiliency program and services, visit https://www.rcdsantacruz. org/forest-management-and-stewardship.

Established in 1942, the RCD is a locally governed special district and one of the oldest environmental organizations in the County.

The Sun is in Virgo, an earth sign, offering us a picture of Ceres in the garden tending to Persephone, her daughter, who soon will enter into the underworld. And then Ceres, missing her daughter falls into grief and transforms the warmth of summer into the cool days of autumn and then the snowy cold of winter. And so the story goes.

Virgo is the sign of the Virgin Mother, pregnant with the holy child (new light), born at Winter Solstice. The child represents the Soul within each of us, the new light within that guides and directs the personalities of disciples. Virgo is the Virgin (pure) Mother who within her being is made of three components - Spirit, Soul and matter itself. As is humanity. These are esoteric temple mysteries written in the stars and in plain sight for all to see each month.

Wednesday, Uranus, the “awakener” becomes stationary retrograde, joining four other planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto - and one asteroid (Chiron) also retrograde. (Note: retrograde planets can be unpredictable to the point of magical.)

Uranus rules the Aquarian Age and Aquarius is the sign of humanity learning about true friendship, cooperation and community. Uranus will be retrograde till January 22, 2023. Uranus will remain in Taurus during its retrograde. Taurus is our stability, the illumined mind, it’s land, resources, money, possessions. It’s gold and all things that glitter. Uranus retrograde is an explosive energy if repressed. Uranus is potent, deeply psychological, analytical, with intuition and revelations occurring at the speed of light. Freedom is reawakened (think 1960s which our present times reflect on a higher dimension).

Virgo flows through Mercury before it reaches the hearts and minds of humanity. In Virgo, we analyze, refine, improve, and seek to serve others. For parents with Virgo children, we teach them how to first ‘serve” and care for themselves. This lays the groundwork for true service later on. “Let matter reign,” is the personality seed thought of Virgo. n

ARIES In the next several months you’ll break from the past and all things (people, ideas, beliefs, fears) that have hindered your freedom, self-identity, creativity and self-expression. You trusted others to have your interests at heart. However, you found this wasn’t always possible. An awakening is occurring informing you to be strong and make decisions about and for yourself, and to change your image to that of success. You can do this.

LEO More and more you find yourself thinking unconventional thoughts, doing out of the ordinary activities that actually begin to describe who you really are and provide you with freedom of expression. It would be good to tell close friends and family that you’re moving into an unusual, original, perhaps eccentric period of creativeness. It’s also a time to seek more play. Unusual attractions occur, too.

SAGITTARIUS You may be traveling unexpectedly. Perhaps travel is already planned. Something unexpected will occur providing you with a sense of freedom, liberation from difficult feelings, past beliefs, and that ongoing sense of limitation. Notice as you see the world differently than most, those that you meet reflect that difference. Tradition is cast to the winds as you begin to cherish and welcome the unconventional. It’s time to study something (unusual).

TAURUS You are awakening to the fact that you are of great value, something not realized before to such depth. As your thought of self as valuable grows, all that you value will change. I have found that without a sense of self-confidence firmly established there is less forward movement because the self doesn’t know what to choose or how to take action. This will change. Watch your finances. Always ask if your choice and actions are practical.

VIRGO The habitual, regular, normal, consistent, orderly and routine in daily life, work and relationships change unexpectedly. Anything confining will be liberated, including ideas and beliefs that create separations and block love, in your life. You might feel restless, and so a new rhythm will be found. Unusual methods of healing — laser light, energetic medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture — are of interest. Eventually only the unconventional (read holistic) will make sense.

CAPRICORN There is a review occurring concerning how you live each day, what your plans have been and what you want them to be. Also, you consider your career, how you as an authority relate to others. You want to be free of the past. However the past hasn’t revealed all of its secrets yet. More of your talents will be discovered, along with recognition that you approach your work in the world with dedication and care. Wherever you are, whenever you appear on the scene, everyone feels liberated. That is quite a gift!

GEMINI A return to a place with people previously known has, is or will be happening. You return to a neighborhood from long ago, or think about it to better understand that time in your life. You need new realities, ideas, fields of study, concepts that expose you to the future. Seeking new routines, you might dress, think, relate and express yourself differently. A new lifepattern comes forth. Read Christopher Alexander’s “A Pattern Language.”

CANCER You’ll return to an earlier interest, work, theme concerning family and home seeing how your history and early life interface with and influence your present. Don’t be surprised if home life is somehow disrupted, if time speeds up and slows down (like the tides), if routines keep changing, if decisions are quickly called for while patience dwindles. Hold all these things within a spirit of understanding that there’s no more normal, anywhere. For all of us, this is preparation.

LIBRA If interactions or relationships seem confusing or difficult, you’ll quickly walk away thinking the situation too hard to bear. Cooperation is needed to understand what actions are appropriate and, if everything feels limiting, how to respond. Explore with those you love ways that bring about wonder to replace boredom. Explore the impossible, impractical, the unattainable and the unachievable. The outcome is interesting, almost magical.

SCORPIO It’s a good idea to tend to money and resources with extra care as something could occur that’s unexpected, especially with shared resources. Keep up with all legal deadlines and matters – taxes, loans, debt. If not taken care of pleasure and ease could be limited and expenditures multiply. Something experimental and unusual will take place. Expect this and maintain balance each day through intentional Goodwill which creates Right Relations.

AQUARIUS Your circle of friends, groups that surround and love you, accept and listen intently to your hopes, wishes and needs. They begin to study what you are teaching for they are devoted to helping you and thus creating a life filled with all things new. A review each day is necessary. It provides a foundation for the needs of the coming days and weeks. what is to come forth. This is based on listening, asking, observing needs. These are the requirements of the Aquarian Age. Uranus provides the pathway.

PISCES Things unconscious and habitual come into your awareness. Then they are released. How do you feel about being anonymous and behind the scenes instead of being front and center? Pisces often hides away, initiating new realities from behind the scenes. Anything secret, already somewhat exposed, will have more light shed upon it. Nothing’s private anymore. The past needs shaking up and interesting coincidences continue to occur. The shimmering future eventually comes into view. “SVUSD” from page 15

Long-Term Hybrid Independent Study Program: This year we are excited to launch our Long-Term hybrid IS program for K-12. This program is for families looking for alternatives to traditional full-time in-person instruction and seeking non-traditional support. In the K-8 environment, students will be working with teachers in both remote and in-person settings. Students will be invited to their school campus 2-3 afternoons per week for social interaction and hands-on learning opportunities. At our high school level, students who wish to participate in school activities, but need an independent study program, can access our full and parttime IS program opportunities. You can find more information on our website under Instructional Services - Independent Study.

We are not only continuing with the PBIS school-wide and in the classroom structure this school year, but we are also rebooting with the additional focus on the five social-emotional competencies: Selfawareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness. Researchers show that a school-wide positive behavior structure coupled with social-emotional learning can provide a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to student wellbeing and academic success. There is wide agreement from a variety of educational research that considering a student’s SEL needs in the classroom is beneficial for all. For example, student needs may include feeling safe, understanding self, having positive relationships, or showing empathy.

As always, our focus is to support students’ safety – both emotionally and physically. In addition to social-emotional support and academic programs, district staff will receive training and refresher courses on school safety protocols, including drills and our partnership with SVPD. Administrators, counselors, and school psychologists will receive updated training for suicide intervention skills and also renewed progressive discipline practices.

As we prepare our schools to receive your students, we again want to emphasize the importance of student attendance and participation. You will notice on the Diversity, Inclusion, and Awareness calendar, the month of September is Attendance Awareness Month. We want to kick the school year off with a reminder of regular attendance. In order to maximize academic success and support social-emotional growth, we need students in school as long as they are healthy. The school/home partnership has always been important, but, now more than ever it seems, this partnership is critical to our student’s well-being. Please join us in that positive partnership to best serve your children and support them to have a wonderful educational experience!

I look forward to a great school year! Best, Tanya Krause, Superintendent

“Student Loan Relief” from page 10

Borrowers who meet income standards but did not receive a Pell Grant in college can receive up to $10,000 in loan relief.

The Pell Grant program is one of America’s most effective financial aid programs—but its value has been eroded over time. Pell Grant recipients are more than 60% of the borrower population. The Department of Education estimates that 27 million borrowers will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in relief, helping these borrowers meet their economic potential and avoid economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current students with loans are eligible. Borrowers who are dependent students will be eligible for relief based on parental income, rather than their own income.

If all borrowers claim the relief they are entitled to, these actions will: • Provide relief to up to 43 million borrowers, including cancelling the full remaining balance for 20 million borrowers. • Target relief dollars to low- and middle-income borrowers. The

Department of Education estimates that, among borrowers who are no longer in school, nearly 90% of relief dollars will go to those earning less than $75,000 a year. • Help borrowers of all ages. The

Department of Education estimates that, among borrowers who are eligible for relief, 21% are 25 years and under and 44% are ages 26-39.

More than a third are age 40 and up, including 5% who are senior citizens. • Advance racial equity. Black students are more likely to have to borrow for school and more likely to take out larger loans. Black borrowers are twice as likely to have received Pell Grants compared to their white peers. Other borrowers of color are also more likely than their peers to receive Pell Grants.

An Urban Institute study found that debt forgiveness programs targeting those who received Pell Grants while in college will advance racial equity.

The Department of Education will work quickly and efficiently to set up a simple application process for borrowers to claim relief. The application will be available no later than when the pause on federal student loan repayments terminates at the end of the year.

No one with federally-held loans has had to pay a single dollar in loan payments since President Biden took office.

Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief automatically because their income data is already available to the Department.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, The Administration is reforming student loan repayment plans so current and future low- and middle-income borrowers will have smaller and more manageable monthly payments.

The Department of Education has the authority to create income-driven repayment plans, which cap what borrowers pay each month based on a percentage of their discretionary income. Most of these plans cancel a borrower’s remaining debt once they make 20 years of monthly payments. But the existing versions of these plans are too complex and too limited. So millions of borrowers who might benefit do not sign up, and the millions who do sign up are still often left with unmanageable monthly payments.

To address these concerns, the Department of Education is proposing a rule to: • Raise the amount of income that is considered non-discretionary income and therefore is protected from repayment, guaranteeing that no borrower earning under 225% of the federal poverty level— about the annual equivalent of a $15 minimum wage for a single borrower— will have to make a monthly payment. • Forgive loan balances after 10 years of payments, instead of 20 years, for borrowers with original loan balances of $12,000 or less. The Department of Education estimates this reform will allow nearly all community college borrowers to be debt-free within 10 years. • Cover the borrower’s unpaid monthly interest, so no borrower’s loan balance will grow as long as they make their monthly payments—even when that monthly payment is $0 because their income is low.

For example, a typical single construction worker (making $38,000 a year) with a construction management credential would pay $31 a month, compared to $147. A typical single public school teacher with an undergraduate degree (making $44,000 a year) would pay $56 a month, compared to $197. A typical nurse with a bachelor’s degree (making $77,000 a year) who is married with two kids would pay $61 a month, compared to $295. For these borrowers, their balances would not grow as long as they make their monthly payments, and their remaining debt would be forgiven after they make the required number of qualifying payments. • Starting in summer 2023, borrowers will be able to allow the Department of Education to automatically pull their income information year after year, avoiding the hassle of recertifying their income annually.

“Student Loan Relief” page 22

Football

ACROSS

1. ‘90s Don Johnson TV character 5. India’s smallest state 8. Light on one’s feet 12. Arctic floater 13. Mouthful, swallowed 14. Rocks at mountain base 15. Reading helper 16. Serve soup 17. Clean & ____, in a workout 18. *QB’s target 20. Wholly engrossed 21. Religious ritual table 22. Scot’s woolen cap 23. Relating to milk 26. Oil-producing plant 30. Shakespearean “fuss” 31. Crowd 34. Like the White Rabbit 35. Chip feature 37. Mozart’s “L’____ del

Cairo” 38. Asian goat antelope 39. Turn sharply 40. Yield 42. Compass bearing 43. *When QB changes play at line of scrimmage 45. ____ identity 47. Failed Molotov cocktail 48. Alicia Keys’ instrument 50. Final notice 52. *It results in change of possession in football 55. Off-white color 56. Actor Pitt 57. Type of ore 59. Classic TV’s “lovely lady” 60. Stiff hair 61. Vegetative state 62. Distinctive elegance 63. Prior to, prefix 64. *Tom Brady’s 2008, 2018 or 2021 award

DOWN

1. *Professional football org. 2. Relating to armpit 3. Not all 4. Jazz subculture hipster 5. Tropical juice flavor 6. Comparative form of #40 Down 7. Imitator 8. *QB’s run 9. SAT or ACT ____ course 10. Catch one’s breath 11. “Owner of a Lonely

Heart” band 13. Malfunction 14. Hair product 19. Chosen few 22. Dress like Ancient

Greeks 23. Butterfly, premetamorphosis 24. Bye, to …lisabeth

Borne 25. Encrypted 26. *a.k.a. hike 27. Dog-____ pages 28. Do penance 29. Not as old 32. Casanova, e.g. 33. Two before Dec. 36. *NFL playing field 38. Shorthand 40. Antediluvian 41. Idi Amin’s country 44. Butane derivative 46. Not an expert 48. Less adulterated 49. All worked up 50. Like Joe Biden’s office 51. ____ Bora 52. Chef’s amt. 53. Son of Aphrodite 54. Boisterous play 55. *____ the kicker 58. “Uh-uh”

HOW TO USE WATERSMART

Scotts Valley Water District has launched a new video tutorial that explains how to use WaterSmart, a free online platform to track water use at homes and businesses in the District.

The 2-minute video walks people through how to sign up and the basic features of WaterSmart.

It’s at www.svwd.org/WaterSmart. WaterSmart is available to all District customers.

SCHOOL GARDEN GRANT PROGRAM

Big Creek Lumber Company announces its School Garden Grant Program for 2023. This annual program supports student education and grows gardens!

Applications are at bigcreeklumber.com. Completed applications must be returned to a Big Creek Lumber yard (Santa Cruz and Watsonville) in person by Monday, Oct. 31.

Marketing Manager Michelle Webb said, “Since we’ve started our formal grant program, we have donated over 50 garden bed kits to schools. …These students will get to learn carpentry, math, how to grow food and about healthy eating through this program. It is an honor to carry on a tradition of donating garden beds to our communities.”

All eligible schools will be entered in a drawing and two schools will be selected in the vicinity of each yard. Schools are encouraged to apply every year and recipient schools may apply again in two years. Ten garden bed kits will be delivered in the early spring

POLL WORKERS NEEDED

Have you thought about being a poll worker for the Nov. 8 election?

As a poll worker, you help ensure a safe, fair, and efficient election for all voters. Poll workers support early voting locations, ensure technology functions, and help minimize delays at polling places on election day. Fill out the form at: https://www.votescount.us/Home/ElectionOfficerRequestForm.aspx

HELP WITH STUDENT DEBT RELIEF

Employers in California can deliver tens of thousands of dollars in federal student loan relief to employees, by informing them about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Providing this life-changing benefit to employees comes at zero cost to employers because it’s a free federal program.

An estimated 825,000 Californians could benefit from the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by having their federal student loans cancelled after 10 years of public service work, but fewer than 15,000 have benefited from this program to date.

From now until Oct. 31, it is easy to get credit for the PSLF program. For information, see: https://www.californiaborrowers.org/ about-the-campaign

WHERE TO PUT EV CHARGING STATIONS?

Where should public electric vehicle charging stations be located in six counties between Ventura and Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz County has joined with five other counties to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, which is currently in the process of determining the best locations to place public electric vehicle charging stations around the Central Coast.

An interactive mapping tool is available to the public through October 2022 at www.bit.ly/CCZEV.

The goal is to identify ideal locations for new public charging stations in the six counties.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by September 27

Visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com. for more information. A video tutorial on how to use the interactive mapping tool is at www.bit.ly/InteractiveMapVideo

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR IS BACK!

September 14-18 The Santa Cruz County Fair opens Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the county fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, and closes Sunday, Sept. 18, featuring fair food, clowns, camel rides, mariachi and magicians, live music plus competitions to earn blue ribbons. Wednesday–Friday: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entertainment highlights

Wednesday: Free admission for kids 12 & under and veterans; seniors 62 & up, $12, swine & poultry shows, peewee & adult livestock showmanship, senior ice cream social, All-Alaskan racing pigs, Gary Blackburn Band, Los Moralitos Circus, Michael Mezmer TranceNosis.

Thursday: Sheep & dairy goat shows, All-Alaskan racing pigs, Country Cougars, Los Moralitos Circus, Michael Mezmer TranceNosis

Friday: Rabbit & poultry showmanship, livestock & vegetable judging, All-Alaskan racing pigs, Journey Unauthorized, Los Moralitos Circus, Michael Mezmer TranceNosis

Saturday: Junior livestock auction, diaper derby, All-Alaskan racing pigs, Heartless (Heart tribute), Los Moralitos Circus, Michael Mezmer TranceNosis

Sunday: Best dressed goat contest, salsa judging, All-Alaskan racing pigs, Los Reyes de la Banda, Salinas Valley Charros and Escaramusa Charra, Sonora Dinamitra, Los Moralitos Circus, Michael Mezmer TranceNosis Tickets at https://tickets.santacruzcountyfair.com/p/tickets are: $20 for adults, 13 to 61; $10 for kids 6-12; kids under 5 free. Active duty military are free every day. Parking in the main lot is $10. Valet parking is $30.

CZU FIRE RECOVERY WORKSHOPS

Insurance Problem-Solving Q&A for 2020 Fires Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. Register: www.uphelp.org/sept14 Survivor to Survivor Forum Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m Register: www.uphelp.org/sept20

Contents Intensive and Collecting Depreciation (2021 wildfires) Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. Register: www.uphelp.org/sept21

HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS Soquel High: Class of 1972

Friday Sept. 16 • 5-10 p.m.

The Inn at Pasatiempo banquet room and outdoor garden, 555 Highway 17, Santa Cruz. “A GOLDEN KNIGHT” 50th reunion

There will be food, beverages, and no-host cocktails, music, dancing and watching the golden sunset.

Other informal gatherings may arise; look for updates on the Soquel High School Class of 1972 Facebook page.

Tickets are $100 and must purchased by Sept. 1 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50th-reunion-a-goldenknight-tickets-269816316867 Questions? Email 1972classofsoquelhigh@gmail.com.

FELTON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

6121 Gushee St Making Your Home More Fire-Safe

Thursday, Sept. 22, 5-6:30 p.m. with Audrey Dawson of Felton Fire Protection District.

Participants will gather on the library patio on Gushee Street for a brief talk, then go to a home and property three blocks away for a demonstration of how to trend towards fire re-sistance as part of regular home maintenance.

Group size is limited; register at https://santacruzpl. libcal.com/event/9558445 ••• Shop at Wild Roots

Tuesday, Sept. 27, Wild Roots, 6240 Highway 9.

Wild Roods supports local nonprofits by donating 5% of net proceeds on Community Days.

On Felton Library Friends Community Day, Felton Library Friends will have an information table and its book sales cart in front of the store.

Proceeds will support enhancements to the Felton Branch Library and the Felton Discovery Park. ••• Library Programs for Inmates

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 4 p.m.in the Felton Library Community Room

Learn about library services and programs for Correctional Centers inmates and marginalized populations.

Jesse Silva, adult services librarian who manages Correctional Centers programs and services and also the Life Literacies Center at the downtown branch, will speak about this work.

The public library, with its community partners and open access to free resources, can be a lifeline for people recently released, Silva says.

SCOTTS VALLEY LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Now that the Scotts Valley Branch Library has reopened with a fresh look and many improvements, here are the upcoming and ongoing programs at Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley.

Tuesdays

Weekly story times for toddlers at 11 a.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 16.

Fridays

Weekly story times for preschoolers 11 a.m. starting Sept 13.

Thursdays

Teen Zine Club, 3-4 p.m. starts Sept. 17

Saturdays

Ping Pong Club (registration required), noon to 2 p.m. on 2nd and 4th Saturdays.

Advisory Council of Teens, open to young adults in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. Opportunity to fulfill community service credits, obtain job skills, develop leadership abilities, and acquire college extracurricular experience. 2-4 p.m. starting Sept. 17.

Friends of the Scotts Valley Library: Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6:30- 8 p.m.

Tech Talk: New iOS preview at 11 a.m. Sept. 15. See: santacruzpl.org/calendar.

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 info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org Tuesdays

PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM

6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

Fridays through Sept 30

MIDTOWN FRIDAYS

5-8:30 p.m., Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Featuring 25 local bands plus local eats and local artists and vendors.

The live music lineup presented by Off The Lip Radio Show includes (in order of appearance): September The Joint Chiefs • Papiba & Friends • Anthony Arya Band • Sweet Voodoo • The Grand Finale See https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtown-fridayssummer-block-party-2022/ Fourth Fridays

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Live music, a beer & wine garden and food trucks abound for the monthly Food Truck Fridays at Skypark.

Scotts Valley Educational Foundation hosts Beer & Wine Garden to raise money for Scotts Valley’s public schools.

Free admission, free parking, and friendly leashed pups are welcome. Bring lawn chairs & blankets — picnic tables available. Visit foodtrucksagogo.com for more information

DATED EVENTS

Friday September 9 Saturday September 10

SANTA CRUZ GREEK FESTIVAL

Fri. 5 p.m.- / Sat. Noon-10 p.m., Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Courtyard, 223 Church St, Santa Cruz

The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church announces the return of the Santa Cruz Greek Festival in downtown Santa Cruz.

Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, music, and dancing.

The festival will be in the beautiful courtyard behind the church at the corner of Center and Church, next to the Civic Auditorium. See https://www.livelikeagreek.com/sc-greek-festival

Saturday September 10

PAINT YOUR PET FUNDRAISER

1-4 p.m., Ella’s at the Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville Pregnant Mare Rescue presents “Paint Your Horse (or any pet) Warhol Style,” a fundraiser with the Painted Cork at Ella’s at the Airport.

Your ticket price includes a hand-sketched portrait of your pet, all art supplies, and 3 hours of professional instruction.

Tickets are $75. For more questions, email kim@ paintedcork.com. Get more details and register at www.paintedcork.com.

IMAGINE BENEFIT FOR CASA

3-7 p.m., Outdoors, Sesnon House, Cabrillo College, Aptos CASA of Santa Cruz County will celebrate 30 years of believing in foster youth outdoors at Sesnon House.

The event includes: Full-course meal catered by student chefs in Cabrillo’s Culinary Arts program. • An interactive