Scotts Valley Times: October 2022

Open Studios

The

Scotts Valley City

The

Patrice Edwards editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Donna Lind layout

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

SV City Council Candidates

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artists

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The

Scotts Valley Times asked three questions of the Scotts Valley City Council candidates seeking two seats in the Nov. 8 election.

Here are the questions and their answers:

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said she plans to overhaul the agency, saying it failed to meet expectations during the Covid-19 pandemic. She wants an action-ori ented culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, communication, and timeliness.

COVER STORY

“Parrish” from page 1

She also thanked her training partner, Audrey, 16, who missed three weeks of class while Parrish practiced her moves on her, her teammates at Sunkist, her family and her boyfriend who came out, “and everyone who’s been messaging me and posting me and just, you know, encouraging me.”

The three Olympic medalists did not compete in the bracket this year. Defending champion Akari Fujinami of Japan, an 18-year-old phenom, withdrew due to a freak foot injury — throwing the compe tition wide open.

“No fear, have fun, active feet, fast hands,” Parrish told herself. “I wasn’t scared. I knew it was going to be tough.”

She had a few tense moments, adding, “I like coming from behind and winning. It’s the best feeling.”

Asked about Fujinami, Parrish said,

Allan TimmsDerek TimmJim Reed

Are you satisfied with the safety measures the council took during the Covid pandemic?

If yes, give examples. If not, what would you have done differently?

Jim Reed: It is not the city’s job to set public health policy within the County;

per the state constitution, this is a county responsibility.

At a time when our city government is long overdue to get “back to basics” — starting with making sure our police are paid at least the average salary of officers within Santa Cruz County — the last thing we should be doing is spending scarce resources duplicating county functions, whether it’s about COVID decisions or human care spending.

“She’s the target, right? We’re going to pick ’em apart and beat ’em.”

Parrish earned state titles while at Scotts Valley High School.

She went to Simon Fraser University in Canada, where she won two Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association individual titles at 123 pounds (2018 and 2019). In her senior season (2018-19), she won the Patricia Miranda Medal as the outstanding female collegiate wrestler who embodies the spirit of the sport’s pioneers, and was named the 2019 WCWA Wrestler of the Year, voted on by the association’s coaches, and was chosen co-winner of Simon Fraser’s 2019 Lorne Davies Female Athlete of the Year.

In 2020, she was the U.S. Open champion. She was eliminated before the finals of last year’s Olympic trials, went to Tokyo as a training partner for an Olympian and then lost in the quarterfinals of the 2021 World Championships team trials.

“Definitely was like, I don’t know if I love this sport anymore,” said Parrish, who competed in three junior world championships with a best finish of fifth.

Now she’s on a short list of American women who have won a world title at an Olympic weight: Helen Maroulis and Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who own Olympic gold medals, and Adeline Gray, a sixtime world champion and Olympic silver medalist.

Next on Parrish’s schedule: the 2022 Bill Farrell Memorial International at the New York Athletic Club Nov. 18-19. n

Cover Photo: Dominique Parrish, who earned state titles wrestling for Scotts Valley High School, reaches the freestyle finals before claiming a gold medal at worlds. • Photo Credit: Tony Rotundo

Camisa Composti

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine

Race

Pooley, Taylor Brougham

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, Brad King website

Santa Cruz Film Festival Debuts Locally

The new Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center, 251-B Kings Village Road, is one of three venues hosting the 18th Santa Cruz Film Festival, Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 6-9.

The opening film is Sam Now, to be shown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Encore screening at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.

Filmed over 25 years, two brothers go on a 2,000-mile road trip to solve a family mystery. Shooting on nearly every camera format imaginable, director Sam Harkness and his older half-brother Reed Harkness use their creative world of fiction film making to dive headfirst into dealing with the issue at hand: Sam’s mom is missing.

Sam’s wetsuit and mask wearing alter ego, The Blue Panther, bounds into frame with youthful energy and a heroic spirit of adventure. But can The Blue Panther save the day? And are these fun-loving brothers actually ready for what lies ahead? Solving the mystery of his mom’s disappearance is only the beginning of their story.

The 86-minute documentary uses a hybrid narrative approach, drawing from a vast archive of fictional films, home videos, intimate family interviews and vérité scenes as Sam ages from 11 to 36.

After-party will be 9 to 10:30 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley.

Friday, Oct. 7

Euforia, noon. Sebastian Williams along the Pacific coast of Mexico searches for perfect waves.

We Are All in This Together, 7 p.m. A man sets off on a cross-country bicycle journey, with no food, no money, and the hope of understanding the human connection.

Still Stoked, 9:15 p.m. with encore at noon Sunday, Oct. 9. Sean Goff, a 55-yearold British skateboard legend pushes his aging body to compete in one last com petition despite his surgeon’s concerns. Young Bucks: Black cowboys and cowgirls risk their lives.

Saturday, Oct. 8

The Soul of a Cyclist, noon. A group of cyclists and their common interest in the “classic” bicycle.

Sam Now

“Scotts Valley Candidates” from page 4

Money raised from our taxpayers already goes to the county for this purpose, which makes the city’s current approach of needlessly duplicating this spending very hard to understand. I’m proud of the city’s efforts to use COVID-relief money to help area businesses, and for the city’s model partnership with our chamber of com merce during the pandemic and since to keep our small businesses afloat.

Derek Timm: The pandemic presented such a unique set of challenges- that hit our community in so many different ways. Our City’s reaction was multifaceted. We quickly shifted everything online from meetings to submittals. We established an economic recovery committee, which I served on- to focus on making sure our local businesses survived the pandemic. At the beginning it was making sure they had access to masks and sanitizer (which we resourced and provided for free). As the pandemic evolved, it became education around best practices, creating community events to drive business and access to federal and state grants to keep their busi nesses afloat.

As Mayor, I was in weekly contact with our Health Director and other Mayors in the county on how to resource our community with information and vaccine distribution. When we had to shutter our Parks and Recreation programs and daycare due to inability to hold group classes- we partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to provide access to affordable daycare. We then worked with Congress to allocate grant funds to rebuild our Vine Hill childcare facilities. For a small City with limited resources, I think our reaction was the type of action-oriented culture that Dr. Rochelle Walensky describes.

However, I am concerned at the lack of adequate state funding to accomplish these mandated goals. I think everyone agrees that Scotts Valley will be better off if those that work here can afford to live here.

Allan Timms: The SV Council did way better than most peer organizations locally — in particular, the partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and local business measures were particularly effective. Early alignment was a crucial element here, and that enabled a quick move to action. I think that, like most governmental orga nizations, the council was hampered by process, which is always the enemy of an action-oriented culture, but nevertheless did a great job.

What was less good was the lack of funding for key initiatives and staff retention — I do believe, however, that the Council did a great job considering the state of the budget (declining sales taxes and occupancy taxes during the pandemic). With a more long-term, stable budgetary outlook, staff retention can be resilient – that is a key change I hope to

enact in the near future — and gain enough stability to ride out future challenges.

New state laws are pressing communities to build more housing to meet the need. Scotts

Valley is required to plan for 1,220 new residential units over the next eight years. Can these needs be met at the future town center next to Skypark, the former Aviza semiconductor property, and the former Valley Gardens Golf Course? How can city encourage more housing choices and maintain job-housing balance and quality of life?

Jim Reed: No, as currently conceived, those developments alone cannot accom modate such housing numbers. First, the state should better to reward jurisdictions like ours that have consistently built new housing instead of punishing us with their housing allocation formulas. Secondly, we should finally complete what we said we’d start years and years ago — finish our General Plan to plan thoughtfully for more housing and extend our affordable housing overlay to cover the entire city, not just portions as it currently does.

It’s unfortunate that during our recently completed Strategic Plan process, no other Councilmember joined me when I said it’s a failure on our part that not only haven’t these important updates been done, but we lack an exact timetable for finishing them. Especially since the cost of everything is skyrocketing, our government has to get smarter, more trans parent, more accountable, and better; we need a government worthy of our people!

Derek Timm: The Regional Housing Needs Assessment process has placed a heavy burden on Scotts Valley to zone for 1,220 units (the State’s goal is to see those homes built within 8 years-- and for approximately 75% of them to be affordable). Like other jurisdictions in our County, Scotts Valley will be undertaking an update to our Housing Element to accomplish these zoning changes.

This process will look at Scotts Valley as a whole and provide an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on where they think it is best to rezone to accomplish the State’s goals. I will be working with the community to encourage as much participation in this process as possible, so we are making changes con sistent with the community’s desires.

Allan Timms: The requirement clearly presents challenges to our community. Building 1,200+ new homes is no easy feat and needs thoughtful partnership with the community. Of course, a significant portion of this number needs to be affordable housing, and Scotts Valley absolutely needs a plan that ensures that people who work here can afford to live here.

This many new homes come with a nearly 50% increase in population and associated traffic, service and retail needs. One certain outcome is that the city needs to ensure that appropriately aligned

We should look at the problem, and in coordination with local, existing, popu lation determine which sites fit, what types of housing maintain the “feel” of Scotts Valley. I believe new community members enrich, not detract, so overall this is a pos itive step forward.

In June, Santa Cruz voters rejected a half-cent sales tax — now a tax on empty homes is on the November ballot. What’s the state of the City of Scotts Valley finances? Do you anticipate asking voters to raise taxes?

Jim Reed: Our finances are far worse than they appear today. Remember, it’s only because of the previous trust dem onstrated by our community that Scotts Valley has one of the highest local sales tax rates in California, 1.25 cents on every dollar spent.

Especially because of our relatively weak tax base, if we take that generosity for granted and the voters abandon us, we will lose our ability to provide even basic services. That’s why our government must do better about prioritizing police pay and always conducting ourselves to be worthy of the public’s trust; without it, it’s not hyperbole to say that we may not have a city at some point before long.

Scotts Valley is moving backwards on accountability, transparency and seem ingly making it harder for the public to engage in government processes is so dangerous for exactly this reason, and why especially during these challenging times, we must do better!

Derek Timm: Our community expects a certain level of service from its local government — and Scotts Valley citizens prioritize the safety of the community and enjoyment of our open spaces. Therefore, ensuring the service level meets expecta tions will always be a question of adequate funding. Scotts Valley has an underlying challenge in its funding because we receive only 6.5% of the property taxes our citizens pay (other jurisdictions in our County receive 2 to 3 times as much).

Our city sued to increase this allo cation and won (it used to be 4.5%), but still, we must make up for that difference in other areas. Certainly, the opening of Target and having our hotels and the 1440 Multiversity functioning back at capacity will help. Unlike Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley voters approved a special sales tax in March of 2020 — which helped our City avert a financial crisis.

Passage of the measure speaks to the trust our community has in the City leadership. As costs of services, wages and goods rise, the City may be faced with financial challenges in the future. It is important for the City to maintain the trust of the community so they know their tax dollars are well spent. I believe that as long as that trust exists, if we need help in the future, our community will be there to support our City.

Allan Timms: The current budget is positive, but I believe lacks long-term sta bility. As your readers are likely aware, the city revenues come disproportionally from sales and occupancy taxes (as opposed to coming from majority property taxes in other cities). This presents long-term chal lenges for the city, and before Measure Z times out, we need to look for a way to better stabilize the budget for the long term.

A raise of occupancy taxes from 11% to 12% seems to align with other cities and would clearly help. Bringing more retail and restaurant trade to Scotts Valley would also be a huge boost — with Target and the new performing arts center, there is a real opportunity to have visitors come to Scotts Valley as a des tination and providing them with more places to spend while they’re here is a huge opportunity for us. n

For more information:

Jim Reed: www.joinjimreed.com • mobile 831-707-4993.

Derek Timm: www.Timm4SV.com • Email Derek@Timm4SV.com • call 831.239.9203.

Allan Timms: www.timms.tv. • Email allan@timms.tv.

The36th annual Open Studios Art Tour will take place as usual the first three weekends in October, bigger and better, featuring 321 artists across Santa Cruz County.

Open Studios Art Tour 2022 Aptos Art Studios Aptos

It’s free, as usual, and you pick which artists you want to visit. Get a free copy of the guide listing all the artists.

North County artists are Oct. 1 & 2.

South County artists are Oct. 8 & 9.

On Oct. 15 & 16, the encore weekend, 268 artist studios are open.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here is what’s new:

A new symbol in the guide indicates 45 artists participating for the first time. So, even if you’ve attended Open Studios in the past, you haven’t seen their work.

About 40 artists are requesting attendees wear a mask in their home studios for Covid safety so there is a new symbol for “Mask Required.”

All the participating artists received a lime-green KN95 mask – promoting the event in the same color as the lime-green signs for each artist’s studio.

Another new symbol in the guide indicates the artist speaks Spanish.

The Santa Cruz Art League at 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, hosted a preview party — the first since 2019 — for more than 300 Open Studios artists and that exhibit is open the public through Oct. 16. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 6-8 p.m. on First Friday, Oct. 7.

“Open Studios” page 10

Art Studios will par ticipate in Open Studios, Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 15-16, giving people a chance to view eight artists at one location, the Aptos Warehouse Complex at 800, 802 and 804 Estates Drive, Aptos, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The artists are neighbors to a surf board company, a woodworker, and a tile store. Each artist has his or own artistic style and enjoys synergy with the others. Here is how they see their art in these interesting times.

Suzanne McCourt: I take a breath as I step into my studio. I face a daily banter between my ‘thinking’ artist & my ‘child-like’ artist. I know it will be a roller-coaster of trial and error.

I turn on my music, and a switch flips. I move, feel, and sometimes sing as my eye catches gooey colors of paint as I engage with creativity. I adore palette knives & large brushes for slather of paint on surfaces to create texture.

“Aptos Art Studios” page 10

Lynn Jaye

“Open

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

If that doesn’t fit your schedule, check out the virtual preview, created by Pajaro Valley Arts, from the convenience of your own home: https://my.matterport.com/ show/?m=aNu4AFtwnGT

Or look for Open Studios on Instagram or Facebook at @openstudios.scc

Neighbors, friends, collectors, and art lovers are invited to meet the artists, see their creative process up close, and buy art directly from the source.

“Santa Cruz County is a magnet for

“Aptos Art Studios” from page 8

My studio floor becomes my grab bag of handmade papers, stencils, pens, and found objects for inspiration. I relax and enjoy knowing that my love of art is felt within the process of just creating. suzannemccourt.com

Bonnie Minardi: As a painter, I am intrigued by texture and color. I use a variety of materials including collage papers, acrylic paint, and sometimes oil with cold wax.

I get absorbed in my passion for experi menting and exploring new materials and techniques. I am interested in creating a

creative people. The Open Studios Art Tour is a moment when that creativity becomes visible, when artists in every neighborhood throughout the County open their doors to art-lovers, neighbors and friends,” said Ann Ostermann, Open Studios director for Arts Council Santa Cruz County, which launched the event in 1986 and reports the arts generate $32 million of local economic activity annually. “It takes a lot of planning and nerve on the part of participating artists, and it’s a joy to see it pay off with art sales and new relationships formed, old friends reunited, and neighbors getting to know each other.”

She added, “We know that art changes lives.”

More artists applied this year, 390,

sense of mystery whether I am painting abstracts, landscapes, or the figure. faso.com/ artists/bonnieminardi.html

Gretchen Werner: After many years in the art world, I took up painting in 2012. I started with oils, and I have experimented in many different styles including still life, landscape, portraits, mixed media and abstract.

I’ve transitioned to using mostly acrylic. With a passion for abstract, I still allow myself the freedom to experiment. Being inspired by nature with daily walks on the beach with my dog Barney there is a plethora of inspiration all around …

compared to the usual 350, and 85% were accepted, the usual percentage.

“We decided to err on the side on inclusion,” Ostermann said.

Those not accepted received feedback and are welcome to apply next year.

Not all artists have studios that are their work spaces.

“We don’t want that to be a barrier to participating,” Ostermann said. “So we have a few artists who will be hosting Open Studios in pop-up spaces, either at galleries like Pajaro Valley Arts or hosted by other Open Studios artists. One of them is our cover artist, Hermelinda VasquezMatias, artist #318.”

Find photos and more at bit.ly/ openstudios-2022pr

Please stop by for a visit, I’d love to meet you. faso.com/artists/gretchenwerner.html

Jean Sheckler Beebe: I use color, layers, line and wit to make her artistic point whether with paint or college. My pieces range from very large (14 x 9 feet) to quite small (8x8 inches) with paintings on canvas, wood panel and paper. I am a narrative painter and work in a series of painting working through a theme.

My art is loose, bold and abstracted. I have been referred to as a “muscular” painter. Creating conversations with my viewers is one of my goals and searching for the edge of her dark humor is a challenge I accept with pure joy. jeansbeebe.com

The dividing line between North and South County is the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. So you can drive as much or as little as you want.

If you’re interested in rural studios, visit the preview exhibit Oct. 1-16 at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz, featuring work by artists in Bonny Doon, Corralitos, and Felton.

If you attend, you will see a vibrant sector of the local economy up close — and make connections in the creative community.

As Ostermann put it, in Santa Cruz the arts “are one of the most powerful vehicles for bringing people together, creating community dialogues, and strengthening relationships.” n

Cover art by Sue Holmes

Mike Beebe: My ceramics are part of a journey of discovery to capture the essence of nature through texture and surface quality.

Using wood-fired kilns as a paint, I create tea bowls which have sustaining interest. Wood-firing this ceramic work across many days creates variations in surface quality which when successful creates a meditative object. jeansbeebe.com

João de Brito: The last few years have been a roller-coaster worldwide, and shaken humanity.

“Aptos

Third Annual Scotts Valley Halloween Treasure Hunt

Calendar of Upcoming Community Events

Thursday October 20

5:30-7 pm – Joint Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Join

us for the third annual Scotts Valley Halloween Treasure Hunt sponsored by Togo’s Scotts Valley and the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Come pick up your Treasure Map Monday October 31st from Togo’s Scotts Valley and begin your journey.

Event runs from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and

October 31st • 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Grand Opening

participating businesses on the map will be sharing treasure.

Sights, sounds and adventure awaits.

Fun for all ages! v v v v

Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center

On Saturday, October 1, Scotts Valley CELEBRATED the long-awaited arrival and Grand Opening of the Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center (“SVCPAC”)!

Nearly 500 Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz County residents enthusiastically descended upon the SVCPAC (located at 251 Kings Village Road — right next to the Library), filling the SVPAC to capacity, to celebrate the Grand Opening!

Larry Smith, President of the Scotts Valley Community Theater Guild, proudly unveiled its shimmering Cultural and Performing Arts Center to the world for the very first time. Mr. Smith explained that, 10-years in the making, this stunning performing arts center boasts one of the largest stages in Santa Cruz County, 264 velour theater seats direct from the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, brand new lush, plum cur tains, and over $1M in audio, lighting, sound, and other theatrical equipment.

MADabolic & Faultline Brewing Company

The Hangar, 262 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley

Monday October 31

10 am-9 pm — Halloween Treasure Hunt Sponsored by Togo’s & the Scotts Valley Chamber

Thursday November 3

5:30-7 pm — Grand Re-opening/Remodel Ribbon Cutting

Togo’s Scotts Valley 266 Mt. Hermon Rd., SV

Thursday November 17

5:30-7 pm — Networking Mixer & Movie

Cinelux Scotts Valley

226 Mt. Hermon Rd., SV

Friday April 14, 2023

Scotts Valley Community Awards Gala

Roaring Camp

2022 Cops ‘N Rodders Best in Show Winner

Joe Moses: 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible

The

classic car bug ‘bit’ Joe during his high school years. This Lincoln Continental was a dream that started maybe 20 years ago. His longtime interest in the ‘coach door’ Continental became a several year search for the right one.

A local Scotts Valley friend tipped Joe off to a car he came across on eBay. Joe was not originally interested in the multi-green interior, but the paint, chrome & brightwork on the car really shined; he eventually reached out to the Seller, saw the car in person, and purchased it in June 2017, trailering it back home from the city of Sonora.

Although not intended to be, when it began to have drivability issues, this Lincoln became the subject of a substantial 4yr restoration, led by local builder Dave Lawrence, of Dave’s Speed & Custom in Watsonville. The entire drivetrain was replaced new, including a 495hp LS3

motor & 4l65e transmission, supported by a Curry 9” rear end.

The car was outfitted with air sus pension and disc brakes at all 4 corners, hidden by custom made 17” aluminum wheels, styled proportionally after the stock 14” hubcaps.

Original leather seats were dry and cracked, needing new upholstery, which later led to a decision for a color change to the classy ‘tuxedo’ interior you see today.

Under the guidance of his Builder, Joe has been a part of almost every decision that you can see on the car.

A little over a year has gone by since Dave brought Joe’s vision to life … with a little over 3,000 miles on the car to date, Joe enjoys the car most with his wife, Gina, and son, Marciano, going on cruises with family & friends, along with visits to car events from time-to-time.

$4950/mo

$3850/mo

$3500/mo

Scotts Valley Chamber

“SVCPAC” from page 11

Smith shared that Lee Bess (the founder and creator of the SVCPAC) designed the space so that the seating, curtains, and stage, could be reconfigured into countless different arrangements, accommodating almost any type of user, performance, and presentation imaginable. Further, given the flexibility of design, the auditorium’s standard 264-seat configu ration could be increased up to a 500-seat capacity. Smith, on behalf of the Guild,

thanked the hundreds of Scotts Valley and greater area volunteers and donors for their enthusiasm, hard work, and material, money, and equipment donations, all of which made the SVCPAC possible.

Saturday’s Grand Opening event opened with the wonderfully evocative Field of Dreams movie clip (“If you build it, they will come”), was followed with a cool SVCPAC marketing video, description of the history of the making of the SVCPAC, and a very creative Abbott & Costello knock-off routine, and concluded with absolutely smashing performance of Newsies’ Broadway hit “King of New York”, put on by the uber-talented kids of the Nationally Recog nized local chapter of CYT (Christian Youth Theater).

The Grand Opening, lavishly adorned with balloons, flowers, and a redcarpet, also featured inspiring words and sentiments shared by Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind, City Council members Randy Johnson and Jack Dilles, Arts Com missioner Jeanne Shada, and Santa Cruz County 5th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson.

The Guild is gratefully accepting donations on its

website (www.SVCtheaterguild.org — see the donations tab) and is also accepting applications from anyone interested in using or working at the SVCPAC. If inter ested, please send them a message through their Contact Us section!

The Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center is now our com munity’s reality and promises to be the Cultural heart of Scotts Valley for years and decades to come! Enjoy!

Local Attorney Serves Her Clients With Warmth

Have you legally named guardians for your kids? Do you have a will? Do you have a trust? What is probate and how can you avoid it?

If these ques tions keep you up at night, Ashley Thompson, founder and owner of Beau tiful Life Estate Planning, A Professional Legal Corpo ration, says you’ve come to the right

place. For the past year, Ashley has been proudly serving her community with comprehensive legal planning for incapacity and death. Ashley’s mission as an estate planning attorney is to educate you and empower you to make informed decisions. She strongly believes in listening to your needs, wants, and desires so that she can provide you with an estate plan that works for your family.

Ashley loves serving families with young children. Ashley under stands the importance of ensuring that

a plan is in place for your children if something were to happen to you. As part of her thorough estate planning process, Ashley creates a Kids Pro tection Plan for your children to prevent your children from being taken into child protective custody and to give you peace of mind that your children would be raised by who you’d want, in the way you’d want if you were gone.

Ashley serves as a trusted legal advisor to you now and to your family in the years to come! She encourages

New Member Spotlight: Cherie La France-Anderson

Iam thrilled to be a part of the David Lyng Real Estate firm as my RE home. If my face looks familiar, it’s because I have worked with many of you when I was at the Sentinel and the Press Banner where I was GM/Mg.

Editor from 2017-2021. Or you could have met me at one of our SV Chamber events. I’ve been an ambassador with our local chamber since 2015, and have

served as President of the Ambas sadors for four years over this time.

My license may be new, but my knowledge of real estate transac tions is not. From 2004-2009 I was Founder of a R.E. Investment LLC. I worked nationally with investors, also an investor myself, during a time that investing in a home outside of CA was extremely intense. Dealing

with individual investors as well as REIT’s I marketed primarily with development companies to present their new homes to our dbase of 5K and sold nearly $5M in AZ, and NV during that timeframe.

I believe I’m well-armed to maneuver my way through the chal lenges our current market presents and welcome the opportunity to work

you to give her a call if you are looking to work with a compassionate and personable individual who makes estate planning understandable and relatable.

Ashley, welcome to the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Ashley serves her clients virtually or in the comfort of their home. Follow her on Ins tagram @beautifullifeestateplanning or TikTok @beautifullifeestate. Please visit her website at https://beautifullifeestateplanning.com or give her a call at 831-888-4900 to learn more!

• David Lyng Real Estate

with buyers and sellers or investors.

By making my home at David Lyng, there’s no limit to the knowledge available to me and my clients with the experience of so many successful realtors. Investing opportunities exist through my long-time partnerships in TX., FLA., NV., or AZ. My biggest joy is helping another realize their dreams. Let’s make YOURS happen!

New Covid Law Puts Doctors at Risk

By Jondi Gumz

Despite a protest at the Capitol, Gov. Newsom signed AB 2098, which subjects doctors to disciplinary actions by state medical boards if they provide misinformation or disinformation to patients about Covid-19, including false or misleading information regarding the nature and risks of the virus, its prevention and treatment; and the development, safety, and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines.

The law defines misinformation as “false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care” and disinformation as misinformation the doctor “deliberately disseminated with malicious intent or an intent to mislead.”

Disciplinary action means the doctor’s license to practice could be at risk.

“Physicians have a duty to provide their patients with accurate, science-based information,” according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.

Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) and Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) introduced AB 209 and SB 1018, seeing a need “to combat the spread of dangerous COVID-19 misinformation and protect public health.”

Laura Powell, founder of Californians for Good Governance, contends that silencing doctors would violate the constitution.

Dr. Jeff Barke, a board-certified family phy sician in Orange County, predicted the law would face a legal challenge.

Newsom said he signed the bill because “ it is narrowly tailored to apply only to those egregious

instances in which a licensee is acting with mali cious intent or clearly deviating from the required standard of care while interacting directly with a patient under their care.”

He added, “I am concerned about the chilling effect other potential laws may have on physicians and surgeons who need to be able to effectively talk to their patients about the risks and benefits of treatments for a disease that appeared in just the last few years. However, I am confident that dis cussing emerging ideas or treatments including the subsequent risks and benefits does not constitute misinformation or disinformation.”

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who heads the federal Centers for Disease Control, which makes federal policy on Covid-19 and vaccines, admitted in August: “We are responsible for some pretty dramatic, pretty public mistakes.”

To read the bill, see https://leginfo. legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2098

On Sept. 7, the new Covid-19 vaccine boosters arrived in Santa Cruz County, where active cases have fallen in the past month from 1,217 to 456.

While cases are down, three more deaths were reported involving people 65 and older with medical conditions; one was vaccinated and two were not.

Boosters from Pfizer and Moderna aim to protect against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is no longer circulating, and the current dominant omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

To expedite emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, boosters

were not tested in humans but mice. Pfizer sub mitted findings based on 8 mice. Human trials began in August.

A booster is recommended 2 months after the last booster dose, as protection wanes.

Moderna’s is authorized for those 18 and older and Pfizer’s is authorized for those 12 years and older. To get a booster, contact your healthcare provider or book an appointment through MyTurn, Vaccine Finder or local pharmacies. For a list, see www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine.

For local information call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n

Active COVID cases: 456

COVID Deaths: 273

As of Oct. 3

Age

85 and older: 120 • 75-84: 62 • 65-74: 49 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions

Yes: 223 • No: 50

Vaccinated Yes: 36 • No: 237

Race

White 160 • Latinx 90 • Asian 16 • Black 3 Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 • Another 2

Gender Men: 138 • Women: 135

Location

At facility for aged: 117 • Not at a facility: 156

Alert: One Pill Ordered Online Can Kill

This letter is from the 10 school superinten dents in Santa Cruz County.

Fentanyl continues to pose a threat to our school community due to the high risk of accidental

overdose. The California Department of Public Health is now warning of a new trend of brightly colored fentanyl, referred to as rainbow fentanyl.

Rainbow fentanyl can be found in many

forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy.

“Fentanyl Online” page 16

“Fentanyl Online” from page 15

Regardless of its color, shape, or size, any pill that does not come from a health care pro vider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.

Fentanyl is extremely potent. It is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illicit fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive.

The Santa Cruz County school districts and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education are continuing to promote age appropriate overdose awareness and prevention training for both staff and families as one way we work to ensure the safety of our school community. These actions include:

• Distributing “Let’s Talk” booklets to families of students entering 9th grade in English and Spanish, to raise awareness and facilitate conversations about sub stance use and mental health

• Holding staff trainings on use of naloxone and establishing naloxone policies within all districts

• Expanding partnership with SafeRx Santa Cruz County coalition

• Participating in SafeRx Santa Cruz County’s youth-focused fentanyl town hall Naloxone (brand name Narcan®) is a lifesaving medication that is used to reverse the effects of overdoses from opioids, including fentanyl. Currently, all public high schools in Santa Cruz County have naloxone available onsite for use in the case of a sus pected overdose.

We are continuing to work with SafeRx Santa Cruz County, the Public Health Department of Santa Cruz County and other partners to expand naloxone availability and training and to ensure our school community is able to stay informed and respond proactively to this evolving threat.

Each of us has an important role in raising awareness as well as identifying and acting to prevent an overdose.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about this information so they know the risks of buying or sharing pre scription medication and that these pills are out there.

According to SafeRx Santa Cruz County, signs associated with an opioid overdose can be remembered by the acronym PS CHUG:

• Pale or discolored fingernails, lips, or skin

• Slow/shallow/stopped breathing

• Cold/clammy skin

• Heartbeat has become very slow or stops

• Unconscious/unresponsive

• Gurgling, vomiting, or choking

If you believe someone is overdosing, acting quickly is crucial:

• Administer naloxone if available

• Call 911 immediately

• Give one rescue breath every five seconds to supply oxygen

• Stay with the person needing help until EMS arrives

• Lay the person on their side to prevent choking

Additional information, a naloxone resource directory, and a recording of the April 25 fentanyl town hall are at the SafeRx website, https://www.hipscc.org/saferx.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work to keep our school com munity safe. n

Libra — Sign of Contemplation

Weare in Libra now, the sign of creating Right Relations with those around us, with family and friends, with our world, the kingdoms and all that we encounter. Right Relations are created when we stand within intentions for Goodwill.

Libra is also the sign of balance. Notice in Libra we oscillate between two opposing points until a point balance is achieved. In Libra, we make a serious, spiritual life choice. Do we return to previous realities or move forward into the new, eventually into Scorpio, sign of the Nine Tests, regen eration, reorientation, of warriorship, discipleship and eventually triumph (of the Soul).

Libra creates an interlude and streams into our world during times of transitions, offering humanity a choice. Poised as we are between the two ages — Pisces and Aquarius — Libra points out the two paths ahead. Will we remain in the past era or build towards creating the new Aquarian era, under the New Laws & Principles? Libra offers all of humanity this choice now.

During Libra’s interlude as we assess the two paths before us, we better understand Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.”

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood. And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler. Long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could,

ARIES

Something appears, is seen, recognized, brought to balance and creates an interlude in your relationship(s). Perhaps you identify how to have true Right Relations with those who love you. Perhaps you learn that through relation ships your true self emerges because relationships are an I/Thou situation and this awareness always balances you, provides structure and discipline and leads to true intimacy. You ponder on these words.

TAURUS

There are times when others tell you their deepest needs. Sometimes you can’t hear or understand them. This month your needs, usually hidden and unknown to you, thus hardly ever tended, will emerge. Changes, small and subtle, begin to manifest in how you express yourself, who you speak with, and the awareness of long term wishes, desires, needs and wants. Since your usual word is “no” everyone, surprised, listens attentively.

GEMINI

Who is your family? What does the word ‘family’ mean to you? Does family means criticism and judgments or love, care, gardens and nourishment? Whatever family signifies for you, you know the impor tance of creating your own family, in order to bring balance and love, discipline and rules, kindness and com munication into your life. We have times when we can imagine with our creative visualization, certain realities. This time has arrived for you. An alchemy of love can be created.

CANCER

You’re both in the world and not, at home wherever you are. Family is close by and yet for some reason it feels as if they’re not. They remain in your heart. You all have spiritual work to accom plish though perhaps not to be in the same geographical region. A new awareness of needed resources emerges. Your specific and particular talents and skills are a deeply needed resource. They nurture and nourish and when you share them, we learn and are grateful.

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, just as fair.

And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference.”

Contemplation is under Libra. We contemplate Libra’s meditative seed thought — “I choose the Way which leads between the two great lines of force.”

This “Way” signifies making the Right Choice. Right Choice is always aligned with the Will-to-Good, which creates Goodwill. Always. Making conscious choices under the Light of Libra is the work of the White Magician. The path of Libra leads the disciple to Shamballa.

Steadily the Angel of the Presence shines forth.

Steadily Libra reveals the Lighted Way of the Soul Libra reveals the Eightfold Path & the way to the Royal Road ~to the Peace-filled chamber of Shambhala.

On Friday, Oct 2, Mercury, stations direct in Virgo. Our thoughts turn to health, service, to autumn gardens with its ripening orange fruits and to helping the “little ones.” The Jewish Festivals have begun. Keep up with daily messages at www.nightlightnews.org/dailypostings/

LEO

A tradition, perhaps religious or spiritual or intellectual, becomes important in order to summon within you a new discipline, structure and ritual and like royalty, this brings order and stability to your life. Perhaps you’re remembering a parent, teacher, someone older and wiser than you, who instilled ethics, virtue, morality and justice. Someone who considered you an equal. Who is this person? What is this ritual? Honor it with your heart.

VIRGO

Notice what resources you have in common with another. Resources means more than money. Resources also includes values, possessions held in common, intimacy, interaction and relationship. There’s a question about rela tionship and perhaps a feeling of restriction and grief? Realize the beginnings of your relationships and their original value. Can you remember these again? What seems so far away is usually what is closest by. Love awaits always.

LIBRA

Mercury retrograde first in Libra, then moves forward in Virgo. Relationships and health. This is an important passage of time, a growing up and maturing developmental stage for you. There are chal lenges, frustrations and time issues. Within the shadows and pressures, wisdom is seeking to guide you. There will be times of absolute stillness and times of acceleration. Pray for guidance in all decisions. And it is most important that you rest more. Call upon the angels to assist you in all choices and decisions. And, again, rest more.

SCORPIO

Your deepest desires come forth and although directed at others, the reality is the desire to know the self, to create a new image that better defines you, and the need for partnership between your emo tions, intellect, body and Soul. Emotions will be passionate; people may shy away should you display too much a depth of feeling. Assess who’s safe, who understands, who will stand with you. Then share with them as safety and trust are assured.

“Aptos

I have been uprooted equally by these events. As an islander from the mid-Atlantic, we seek comfort by over coming the unforeseen in Portuguese proverb: “O artista é a voz do povo = Artists are the voice of the people.”

These events have influenced my artwork in such ways that the colors have become brighter and bolder, as this shares my hope to restore our voices.

I take on this responsibility to help others, if just for a few minutes, to be distracted by shapes, lines, colors and dis cover hope again. joaodebrito.com

Michael Mote: Nature is my spiritual center, and thus my paintings largely focus on landscapes and seascapes.

SAGITTARIUS

Turn toward your religious or spiritual roots, studying the teachings as guidelines that illumine and make sturdy your inner and outer life. This may sound old fashioned. However, major planets are traveling through that sector of your life now and these planets provide safety, order and direction. Another choice is to enter into a state of reflection, contemplation, solitude and seclusion. Accompany these with religious music and good food.

CAPRICORN

A cycle ends, a new cycle begins. At first this new cycle is hidden. However, it’s connected to the harvest festival, gathering fruits of the summer’s season into a root cellar of darkness. It’s time to begin fall & winter planting. I suggest a study of Bio-dynamics, which uses special plant, animal and mineral (homeopathic) preparations, and follows rhythmic influences of the sun, moon, planets, stars (of which you are one). Micro greens seem to be calling, too!

AQUARIUS

An entirely different set of ideals (values, goals) appear and you begin to view your life differently. Notice it seems the rules have changed, previous values become less important, things taken for granted are no longer useful It’s time for new studies, definitely new adventures and travels to new cultures. No matter what occurs you remain positive. You dedicate yourself to helping others. You decide to live only from the heart.

PISCES

You think about life and death, and the process of aging. It’s important to take walks morning, noon and evening. Make contact with the elements, the devas in the plant kingdom, the most balancing of kingdoms. Gather seeds, pods, notice what is ripening yet still green, stop and view the architecture of nature, notice what soothes and comforts. Read A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander. Begin your own photographic journal. Life finds you in other places soon. The Groups are gathering. You’re being called.

I am lucky to be able to paint every day, typically outside in the morning and in my studio in the afternoon. My focus is on light and atmosphere rather than in the details of a scene before me, and thus the rendering of an exact location or object is not important to me; it is my interpretation of the light and atmosphere that matters.

To create these interpretations of nature, I use loads of thick oil paint.” mich aelmote.com

Susan Costes: “I am a expressive, figu rative painter who uses bold brushstrokes, color and layers to create the narratives of everyday life.

My paintings make you l want to lean in to the canvas and engage with the char acters. This year, I decided that portraying humor and whimsy was a way to cope with change, bridge boundaries, reduce tension and show our global humanity.

Art is the way to run away from reality without leaving home.” susancostes.com

For more about Open Studios, see https:// santacruzopenstudios.com/

Jack Has a Plan, 2:30 p.m. When Jack, a man with a terminal brain tumor for 25 years, decides to end his life, his family and friends struggle to accept his decision.

Do I Need This? 4:45 p.m. About American excess, and the stuff from which happiness is truly made.

Bobcat Moretti, 7 p.m. An obese man with multiple sclerosis takes up his late father’s sport of boxing to find inner peace.

Emmageddon & The Phoenix, 9:15 p.m. Emma is a struggling screenwriter who is secretly Emmageddon, a super heroine with the social graces of a Jane Austen protagonist. The Phoenix: After acquiring superpowers, a young girl attempts to fix her parents’ marriage.

Sunday, Oct. 9

Still Stoked & Young Bucks, noon.

True Believer & White Guys Solve Sexism, 4:45 p.m. True Believer is the story of down-on-their-luck siblings who inherit a dusty cabin in the middle of nowhere. When neighbors and strangers start showing up, things get out of hand. Can they survive a long weekend of family secrets, mystical questions, and home improvement mishaps?

This 89-minute drama by directorscreenwriter Alana Purcell, produced by Keith Woolf won best feature in the 2022

True Believer ... won best feature in the 2022 California Women’s Film Festival and the 2022 Fly Film Festival.

California Women’s Film Festival and the 2022 Fly Film Festival.

View the trailer: https://vimeo. com/713940724

A Q&A with filmmakers follows the screening.

It’s paired with a 6-minute dark comedy, “White Guys Solve Sexism.” Because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, two men realize that all of their favorite movies are now sexist, leading them down a dark path of discovery.

Beat the Shift, 7 p.m., with a closing party to follow. A landfill worker yearns to reconnect with his estranged son while sidestepping orders from his troubled parole officer.

Tickets are free; registration required at https://santacruzfilmfestival.eventive.org/sche dule/63158b8c45a6be00691ff48b

The other venues are the Santa Cruz Vets Hall and the Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz.

For a schedule, see https://santacruzfilm festival.eventive.org/schedule

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RED CROSS: HELP FLORIDIANS RECOVER

The American Red Cross is helping people devastated by Hurricane Ian in Florida. More than 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states — including 39 from Northern Cali-fornia — are helping those affected recover.

“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Hanna Ma-lak, regional CEO for the Red Cross Northern California coastal region.

The Red Cross and its partners are providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on. On Oct. 2, nearly 2,800 people sought refuge in more than 30 Red Cross and partner shelters in Florida. Up to 80 Red Cross emergency vehicles are delivering food and supplies. Volunteers are helping families replace prescrip-tion medications, eyeglasses, canes and wheelchairs.

Dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled dozens of blood drives. Individuals in areas unaffected by Hurricane Ian — especially those with type O blood — are urged to give blood now.

Make a Donation: Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to pre-pare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

Give Blood: Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets. Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-7332767).

Volunteer: Review the most urgently needed volunteer positions at red-cross.org/volunteertoday and get involved.

20TH ANNUAL SCOTTS VALLEY HAUNTED HOUSE

Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive

The haunted house is a Scotts Valley High School tradition, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is an outdoor walking tour that lasts 20 minutes. There may be a one-hour wait to get in; See the Thriller Dancers while you wait.

The theme this year is Schmetterling County Fair.

Tickets are $10 per person, cash only, and are sold at the gate from 6:30-9:30 p.m. No advance tickets. Not recommended for children under 10. Family tickets, intended for children ages 2-9, with scarier elements replaced by trick-or-treating will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29-30. Credit cards accepted for the family tour at https://svhaunt.org/public/ home.html

AFFORDABLE DENTAL CLEANINGS

The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic in Aptos offers affordable cleanings and X-rays. There are 24 chairs, hospital-grade air filtration systems, lasers, intraoral cameras, and pan oramic imaging, and treatment by dental hygiene students.

Fees are: Oral assessment, $20; cleanings, $50-$100, X-rays, $30-$60, and sealants, $25 per tooth. Payments must be by cash or check.

Appointments are three hours long, and multiple appointments are required to complete your dental treatment. Proof of vaccination is required.

Appointment times for fall: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 831-479-6431.

REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY

The deadline to register for any election is 15 days before the election date, which this year is Nov. 8 (making Monday, Oct. 24 the deadline).

Online applications will be considered timely for the election if submitted by mid-night on the deadline. For information, see https://www.votescount.us/Home/Voter RegistrationInformation.aspx

LOSING A PARENT GRIEF SUPPORT

This virtual, 6-week group hosted by Hospice of Santa Cruz County ends Wednes-day, Nov. 9.

Losing a parent can be challenging, no matter how old you are. Whether it was a long-term illness or sudden death, the loss can be jarring. You may reach for the phone or drive past their home, only to realize they are no longer there. This sup-portive group offers a safe space to open up, share memories and connect with others who have lost a parent. You don’t have to navigate the difficult waters of your loss alone.

Advance registration is required. This isn’t a weekly drop-in event and may not be at the same time each week. To register call (831) 430-300 and ask for “Grief Sup-port.”

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. Visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com. for more information.

A video tutorial on how to use the interactive mapping tool is at www.bit.ly/InteractiveMapVideo

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of sur vivors 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

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing Through Oct. 31

ADOPT A PET FOR A DONATION

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter has hundreds of adoptable animals looking for their forever home. Now through Oct. 31, all shelter pets will be available for a ‘Pay it Forward’ donation. The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can target their donation: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/ neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (spe-cialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

Santa Cruz Subaru will donate $100 for every dog or cat adopted during October.

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip (including registration), vaccinations, rou-tine treatment for fleas/worms, and a wellness exam by a local participating veterinarian.

According to the ASPCA, the average annual cost of having a pet is about $1,300, with the first-year cost of $3,000.

Pets are a lifelong commitment, and the Shelter wants new pet owners to understand the financial responsibility they are taking on.

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.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday October 8

ALL ABOUT LABYRINTHS

1-4 p.m., Parish Hall, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz Calvary Episcopal Church is hosting “All About Labyrinths” in the Parish Hall, at the corner of Lincoln and Cedar streets. The event features Lars Howlett is an expert in the design and creation of labyrinths for walking meditation and personal healing. The event is free and open to the public.

Howlett is is a Veriditas-Certified Labyrinth facilitator

and faculty member and former chairperson of World Labyrinth Day. He will:

• Explore the history of labyrinth designs

• Explain how to create sacred space

• Discuss ways labyrinths transform communities

• Show examples of labyrinths from around the world. Attendees can participate in creating a temporary labyrinth on the Calvary grounds and join in a facilitated walk of the labyrinth.

Sunday October 9

WELCOME BACK MONARCHS DAY

11 a.m.-4 p.m., Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 W Cliff Dr. Welcome Back Monarchs Day will take place at Natural Bridges State Beach, known for its prime overwintering location for Monarch butterflies. Parking is $10.

This family-friendly celebration includes arts and crafts, music, information tables, food for sale, hand painting, handmade pumpkin ice cream, a Monarch superhero skit, a parade and free cake.

New this year at Natural Bridges: Silk butterfly earrings crafted by Ukrainian artists and beautiful Monarch-inspired jewelry by local artist Liz Reid.

For information email or call (831) 423-0871.

Tuesday October 11

Wednesday October 12

GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER

6 p.m., Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Get answers on Financial Planning, Medicare and Funeral Pre-planning, (including green burial options). Three local experts offer a presentation along with a light meal with your advance RSVP.

For more information on the event or speakers see www. PrePlanWithPatricia.com, call or text Patricia Kimie at 831-756-1381.

Free parking in rear of the chapel.

Wednesday October 12

GROW GARLIC WORKSHOP

5–6:30 p.m., Online Class

Have you ever wanted to add garlic to your food garden? Now is the time to plant garlic from seed for harvesting next year. With so many varieties available, it can be hard to choose the right ones for our area.

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties offer a free workshop online 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, led by professional garlic grower Pete Rasmussen.

He’ll discuss all aspects of growing great garlic, from soil preparation and seed selection, to planting, fertilizing, and harvesting.

Free; donations appreciated. To register, go to mbmg.ucanr. edu

Friday October 14

RISE TOGETHER CELEBRATION

6-8:30 p.m., 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos Community Foundation Santa Cruz County will host a celebration for Rise Together, a group of 32 Leaders of Color with a foundation team.

Members include: Angela Chambers; Ashlyn Adams; Brenda Griffin; Dr. Carmin Powell; Cat Willis; Valentin Lopez; Consuelo Alba; DeAndre’ James; Elaine Johnson; Erica Padilla-Chavez; Esabella Bonner; Fe Silva-Robles; Gina Castañeda; Helen Aldana; Jacob Martinez; Jaime Molina; Jennifer Herrera; Jenny Kurzweil; Jorge Savala; Justin Cummings; Kara Meyberg Guzman; Keisha Browder; Kevin Heuer; Maria Ramos Bracamontes; MariaElena De La Garza; Dr. Nereida Robles

Vasquez; Dr. Rebecca Hernandez; Ruby Vasquez; Stephanie Barron Lu; Stacey Marie Garcia; and Susan True.

There will be art, music, food, dancing, and community joy as leaders talk about their work to advance racial equity in Santa Cruz County and gather resources to take action going forward.

Food from: Areperia831, Sambusas, The Slough Brewing Collective , Tita Lalaine’s.

To RSVP, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rise-togethercelebration-tickets-419223848817

Saturday October 15

thru Saturday October 21

UC MASTER GARDENERS FALL PLANT SALE

Order online, pick up by appointment at Watsonville and Salinas locations

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners announce their annual Fall Plant Sale, with the online pop-up nursery open for one week.

Fall is the best time to plant cool-weather food crops and California native plants and other perennials, when the soil is still warm and can get established through winter rains.

Our fall plant collection features drought-tolerant, water-wise and native and/or pollinator perennials with a robust selection of winter vegetables and herbs. The collection includes indoor plants, succulents and bulbs ready for the garden.

All funds benefit the all-volunteer UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, which offers a gardening help line, events and seasonal classes to empower our home gardening community with knowledge and skills to grow food and garden sustainably.

For information, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu .

Saturday October 22

BOWL STRIKES AGAINST CANCER

1-2:45 p.m., Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz. 2022’s WomenCARE’s 26th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer Bowling Benefit will once again be at the Boardwalk Bowl. The goal is $70,000.

This year marks WomenCARE’s 30th anniversary. Organizers look forward to a fun day of bowling and raising money and awareness, adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols for the in-person event.

A virtual option is also available. There are several ways you can support this year’s event: Bowl, sponsor pledge or donate. See https://www.bowlathon. net/event/strike-out-against-cancer-2022/

CELEBRATING 2022 ARTIST OF THE YEAR

7 p.m., Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos

Annie Morhauser, founder of Annieglass and the 2022 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year, will talk about her life’s work at an event in her honor at the Crocker Theater. A Q&A will follow.

Admission is free; seating is first-come, first-served. Masks are required.

Her dinnerware and home décor products, with a new collection twice each year, are sustainably handcrafted. She has two pieces in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

She employs more than 20 people in her 16,000-square foot production studio on Harvest Drive in Watsonville.

She donates cash and in-kind donations to 400 nonprofits annually.

CHILI COOKOFF

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St.

Bring your appetite and join the fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as professional and amateur chefs compete for the title of Best Chili! 10 am to 4 pm.

Cook-Off Schedule

9am-10am: Chef’s prep (no heat)

10am-1pm: Chili cook time

10am: Tasting kits go on sale for $12. Part of each sale goes to the Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial.

1pm: Public tasting begins

4pm: Winners announced at Neptune’s Stage (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom)

Friday October 28

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY, HALLOWEEN STYLE

4:30-7:30 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley It’s our annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Food Truck Friday at Skypark. Everyone dressed in a costume receives candy at all the food vendors.

Food vendors include Scrumptious Fish & Chips, Mattia Pizza, Taquizas Gabriel, Kuki’s Bowls, Cracked Cookies & Aunt LaLi’s.

Alex Lucero and The Live Again Band will perform.

Free admission & free parking; friendly leashed pups are welcome. Bring lawn chairs & blankets — picnic tables also available.

The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation is hosting the popular Beer & Wine Gar-den. For more info: www.foodtrucksagogo.com.

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR AT RIO THEATRE ON OCT. 28

7 p.m. (Doors open 6 p.m.), Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventurepacked and inspiring documentary films curated from the Moun tainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.

The Rio Theatre will host the films in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children and students at RioTheatre.com and the day of the event. A portion of tickets sold will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

See the complete playlist at https://www.riotheatre. com/events-2/2022/30/mountainfilm

Monday October 31 thru Sunday November 7

CAPITOLA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL

Art Sale: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jade St. Community Center, 4400 Jade St., Capi-tola Capitola Plein Air will return Oct. 31, when 40 professional artists arrive in Capito-la to paint the town … literally!

Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of seaside Capitola, to paint live for four days.

You’ll find more than 100 paintings on display, for sale, and entered into a compe-tition on Sunday at Jade St. Community Center.

You can vote for the People’s Choice Award, have a meal from the food trucks, and take home a piece of Capitola culture.

For full details, visit https://www.capitolapleinair.com/ n

Police Department Nears Full Staffing

By Donna Lind, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

Iwas

an honored to participate in a long-standing Scotts Valley tradition, the annual Scotts Valley Police formal inspection. This tradition that began in 1978 and I’m thankful it has continued all these years later.

The annual inspection is more than the fanfare of all Police Personnel standing at attention in formal uniform. It’s also more than a time to recognize the hard work that our Scotts Valley Police staff perform all year long. Inspections ensure the Department is prepared to serve the community, that officers are professional in appearance and knowledge. It is also to show that staff takes pride in not only their presence in the community but their service to the community. Officers’ appearance is inspected and they are questioned on policy and law.

After inspecting each officer, dis patcher and explorer, the Chief and command staff inspect each vehicle (cars, motorcycles, bicycles and ATV) for clean liness, required supplies and to ensure all equipment is in good working order. It’s not a matter of just running a car through the car wash, although Scotts Valley Car Wash has assisted with the exterior wash. It also includes cleaning engines, door frames and even the ridges of the trunk.

Each and every office and file is inspected to ensure consistency and accuracy. There are many State mandates that cover reporting of various crimes and accidents to the State. Not only are these records audited, but training files and evidence records are all audited. Doing this on an annual basis is important as like any profession, things can get busy. The annual inspection and audit provide the checks and balances to ensure all records are accurate and current.

Having served a total of 40 years with Scotts Valley Police Department, I have to admit we dreaded the work it took to prepare for the annual inspection, but we also recognized the importance. Each member of the Scotts Valley PD worked for several weeks cleaning their assigned area, paint is touched up as needed, equipment repaired if necessary and various records reviewed to be sure all were up to date. It is common for family members to come to assist with the preparation which includes removing HVAC covers, ceiling light fix tures, windows and more; dusting and cleaning to be sure they could pass the white glove examination.

The Scotts Valley City Hall including the Police Department is the oldest in the County, having moved to this location in

1986. It’s the dedication of staff and the support of the Public Works Department that has maintained the Department in a clean and professional condition.

The annual inspection is also an opportunity for Chief Walpole to share a State of the Department address and rec ognize employee accomplishments.

Chief Walpole gave his state of the department address, which consisted of an update on staffing for the organization.

For the first time in many years, both the dispatch center and patrol division are fully staffed. The department is still recruiting for one open police officer position and one sergeant position. Filling these vacancies will allow the department to fully staff an investigations detective and detective sergeant position.

Currently, the agency relies on a retired annuitant detective, an officer who splits their responsibility two days a week in patrol, and two days a week in investi gations, and tasking the school resource officer (SRO) with additional investigative assignments.

Chief Walpole gave accolades to staff members who revitalized the department’s Explorer program. Police Explorers assist with traffic control, parade coordination, crowd control, and many other tasks. It is a great opportunity for the department to develop local youth to be responsible, pro ductive, and service oriented members of their community! Two current Scotts Valley police officers are former Explorers.

Chief Walpole was proud to highlight that for the first time in many years, we have a full-time police motorcycle officer. This position’s primary responsibility is to reduce collisions through education, enforcement, and high visibility. Addi tionally, for the first time in decades, a bicycle patrol team has been established. Officers will be utilizing bicycles to patrol parks, open spaces, shopping centers, and special events such as 4th of July activities, Cops-N-Rodders car show, and other com munity events.

Possibly the most profound

announcement is that Capt. Jayson Ruth erford was accepted to the FBI National Academy. Only three previous members of the Scotts Valley Police Department have attended this prestigious training.

The FBINAA (FBI National Academy Association) is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by law enforcement leaders because of demon strated leadership qualities. Attendees study the fundamentals of law, behavioral sciences, report writing, forensic science, and basic and advanced investigative, interviewing, and intelligence techniques. The academy, representing all 50 states, 194 countries, and over 8,200 law enforcement agencies has over 53,000 graduates.

Capt. Rutherford went through an extensive application process and was recently accepted into this program. He will be attending the program in Quantico, Virginia, for approximately three months where he will undergo intense physical training and classroom learning. Congratu lations, Capt. Rutherford. n

Donna Lind is mayor of Scotts Valley. Email her at dlind@scottsvalley.gov.

Annual inspection of Scotts Valley Police.

Police Capt. Jayson Rutherford

SCCAS Featured Pet

Meet Hazel and Eros

This week the Pets of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter are two adorable bunny rabbits- Hazel and Eros!

This week the Pets of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter are two adorable bunny rabbits- Hazel and Eros!

Hippity hoppity, here are two funny bunnies looking for their new human pals! Hazel and Eros are two bonded year and a half year old rabbits who came in from the same home when their owner had to move and couldn’t take them.

These bunnies have been at the Shelter for a few months and have really shone their best selves since being here. Volunteers and staff love hanging out with these two because they are super social rabbits who love cuddles and snacks. They hang out in our brand new rabbit room and show off to all members of the public who come in to see all of our furry friends.

Hazel and Eros are the best ambassadors for SCCAS and our “pocket pets”bunnies, guinea pigs and other small, furry pets. Right now we have lots of special fuzzy bunny pals here at the Shelter who are looking for homes, so if you have a spot in your house and heart come in and meet Hazel and Eros!

The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can select a fund for their donation to go to: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (specialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

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 pre pared. 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!