Scotts Valley Times: May 2023

Big Basin State Park Reopens

For the first time in three years, visitors can enjoy springtime at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek by exploring miles of recently reopened trails and fire roads. Full Story page 6

Newsom Visits Felton Library

On April 26, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited the Felton Branch Library and Felton Discovery Park to promote local libraries, spotlight State Park passes and Get Out and Explore kits, and read a book at a special outdoor storytime.

The event was part of National Library Week. In 2021, Siebel Newsom, the mother of four children,

launched a summer book club to help unlock children’s curiosity and passion for learning.

The First Partner’s Summer Book Club initially featured 23 books for children ages 3-12.

Siebel Newsom read “Fatima’s Great Outdoors,” a picture book about an immigrant family embarking on their first camping trip. ... continues on page 4

Making a Difference

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County will celebrate the 2023 Be the Difference Awards, Wednesday, May 24, from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz.

Full Story page 5

Cover Newsom Visits Felton Library

Community News

5 Making a Difference: Volunteer Awards May 24 at Cocoanut Grove

6 Big Basin State Park Reopens To Visitors: Nine Trails Open; Parking Reservations Required

8 Free Health Fair in Ben Lomond: May 6 • Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair: May 6

9 New Officer: Vitani Harrison • Apply for Affordable Rentals • Affordable Housing Open House: May 16

10 Highway 1 Groundbreaking, By Jondi Gumz

17 Hearts & Hands Resolves Litigation With Fine, By Jondi Gumz • Bay Fed Promotes Amy Ivey to Senior VP

19 New Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Leader • Santa Cruz Shakespeare Tickets Go On Sale May 1

23 Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14

11 Business Showcase & Ribbon Cutting: Bruno’s Bar & Grill — May 18 • New Member Spotlight: Spierings Communications

12 & 13 2022 Community Awards Gala

14 Erik’s DeliCafé Celebrates 50 Years: Surprise Award Presented at Chamber Gala

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – A Festival, an Appearance & Pluto Goes Underground, By Risa D’Angeles

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21

Featured Columnists

15 D.A.R.E. Empowers Students, By Jack Dilles, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

16 Student Summit Focuses on the Environment, By Avonlea Harwood

22 Storm Damage: $30 Million (Plus $70 Million for Covid & Fire), By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Fall in Love With Lovebug

831-359-4670

COVER STORY

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Patrice Edwards editor

Jondi Gumz

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Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Jack Dilles, Avonlea Harwood, Bruce McPherson

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“Newsom Visit” from page 1

Author Ambreen Tariq is an outdoors activist and founder of @ BrownPeopleCamping.

The visit included a nature-themed craft, a tour of the Felton Library’s spaces for teens and children, and a look at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which has been operating out of the Felton Branch Library off and on since the epic storms earlier this year.

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

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Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin

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“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to host First Partner Newsom and highlight all of the great work happening at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries,” said Yolande Wilburn, director of libraries. “The Felton Branch Library is a great example of all the ways Libraries can support their community through dynamic programming, free resources, educational materials, and critical community services.”

The branch is at 6121 Gushee St., Felton, which has a population of 3,500. Wilburn greeted Siebel Newsom along with county Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assistant County Administrator Nicole Coburn, State Park Ranger Jackie Jurek, and Library staff.

The First Partner’s Summer Book Club was launched in partnership with the California State Library.

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries supports community members of all ages in learning, exploring, and getting outdoors.

First Partner’s Summer Book Club

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The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

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Did you know California State Park Passes are available to be checked out online or at a Library branch? This gives library patrons access to any of the 280 state parks located across the state.

Community members also can check out a “Get Out and Explore” kit, which includes a State Park Pass, pocket guides, binoculars, and a compass.

All Library resources are free and available to all community members. n

The list of books has grown to include selections for teens. Here are a few titles for grades 9-12: Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America, edited by Margarita Longoria.

Notable Native People by Adrienne Keene

We are Okay by Nina LaCour

Cover Photo: First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom reading “Fatima’s Great Outdoors” • Photo Credit: Amanda Rotella

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, Brad King website

photography

Photo Credit: Amanda Rotella

From Left: Nicole Coburn, Yolande Wilburn, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Park Ranger Jackie Jurek, Supervisor Bruce McPherson, and Felton Branch Manager Phil Boulton.

Photo Credit: Amanda Rotella

Attendees join First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the Felton Library for a group photo outside.

Making a Difference

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County will celebrate the 2023 Be the Difference Awards, Wednesday, May 24, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz. This year, 46 individuals, groups, and businesses will be recognized for their volunteerism. They include:

• 1440 Multiversity of Scotts Valley

• Boulder Creek Fire Protection District

• Boulder Creek Business Association

• Dale Bieser, docent at the Seymour Center for Marine Discovery

• Joanne Weiger, of Scotts Valley, who volunteers with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program

• Mariana Moran Falcon, volunteer supporting Felton Flood and Disaster Relief

• Mark Woodward of Scotts Valley, photographer and founder of Native Santa Cruz, using social media to share good stories about his community

• Isaiah Williams, volunteer, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, based in Scotts Valley

Volunteer Awards May 24 at Cocoanut Grove

• Quilters for Hospice

• Friends of Felton Library

• Hopes Closet in Santa Cruz

• Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise

• Soroptimist International Capitola-bythe-Sea

• The Equine Healing Collaborative of Carmel

• Your Future is Our Business

The full list of honorees is at https:// scvolunteercenter.org/be-the-differenceawards.

Awards are given in six categories:

• Promote Social & Economic Justice for All

• Provide Health & Wellness for All

• Support Strong & Successful Families & Empower Youth

• Build a Green & Sustainable Community

• Create Vibrant Arts & Cultural Experiences

• Rebuilds Community After Disaster

“Volunteer Awards” page 7

from Milgard.

1440 Multiversity of Scotts Valley is nominated for a 2023 Be the Difference Award, for their outstanding service to the community through their staff-ran volunteer initiatives.

Big Basin State Park Reopens To Visitors

Nine Trails Open; Parking Reservations Required

For the first time in three years, visitors can enjoy springtime at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek by exploring miles of recently reopened trails and fire roads.

On April 28, the park, devastated by the CZU Fire in 2020 and hit hard by storms this winter, reopened eight trail segments, increasing access for visitors as redwood regrowth and spring blooms revitalize the forest.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park hasn’t been open to the public in the springtime since before the CZU Fire.

The fire impacts on vegetation are immense but the decimated tree canopy has provided bucolic forest meadows where wildflowers thrive. Redwood violets are in full bloom, with other wildflowers on the verge of blossoming.

Currently available trails and fire roads include:

• Redwood Loop Trail

• Skyline to the Sea Trail from Old Lodge to Gazos Creek Road

• Dool Trail

• Meteor Trail

• Sunset Trail from Dool Trail to Middle Ridge Road

• Gazos Creek Road from North Escape Road to Middle Ridge Road

• North Escape Road from Park Headquarters to Meteor Trail

• Middle Ridge Road from Gazos Creek Road to Johansen Road

• Johansen Road

The CZU Fire burned over 97 percent of the park and destroyed nearly every structure, including the Park Headquarters, campgrounds and housing for park employees.

Last summer, the park reopened through a limited access day-use reservation system created and operated by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

The reservation site shows 90 parking spots available weekdays and about 45 on weekends in May, with availability dropping to 45 on weekdays in June.

Crews are working on an additional four trails and roads, with plans to reopen them later in the spring and summer this year.

Reservations are available for day-use parking and cost $8 each (including a $6 day-use parking fee with a $2 reservation fee).

State Parks day-use passes and other

park entry programs are honored but a reservation fee of $2 is charged.

A total of 96 parking spots, 4 disabled spots and 2 bus spots are offered daily. Check availability. All fees support the park.

Big Basin park staff report more than 80 applications for Art About have come in from artists to spend June 3-4 overnight and produce artwork documenting the occasion.

Ten artists are to be selected and notified by May 10.

Big Basin is one of the state parks chosen for the free Bay to Bay hikes on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The date is June 3.

For San Vincente Redwoords, the date is July 1. For Hentry Cowell Redwoods, Aug. 5.

To be notified, see http://www.savedbynature.org/bayto-bay-hikes

•••

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is hiring visitor service aides at $19.70 per hour to staff the entrance kiosk. Welcome visitors, collect parking fees and support park operations while working in a beautiful place. Apply at https://thatsmypark.org/jobs/

“Volunteer Awards” from page 5

Videos will highlight the top 5 honorees’ contributions to the community at the luncheon where local leaders will present each winner with their award.

The presenting sponsor of the awards is Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

“The gifts of time, dedication, and sincerity given by this year’s honorees — to both the causes they care about and the community at large — is unmatched,” states Karen Delaney, Volunteer Center Executive Director. “Our community has been through so much — from Covid to CZU and most recently, devastating floods. These volunteers have supported the community through it all. We can’t wait to honor their service, and inspire others to volunteer as well.”

Nominations are submitted by the community and vetted by a panel of community leaders who serve as judges this year.

To purchase luncheon tickets for $50 , visit: https://scvolunteercenter.org/ be-the-difference-awards

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, founded in 1967, engages with 500+ community partners and more than 15,000 volunteers who connect meaningfully to help more than 9,000 residents in need.

The Volunteer Center administers 19 programs to support community need, seniors, families, youth, disaster response, and government partnerships to make Santa Cruz County a happier, healthier place to live. For information, visit scvolunteercenter.org, Facebook and Instagram. n

Dale Bieser has volunteered at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz since 2011, and staff said she is the reason the Santa Cruz gem survived the pandemic.

The all-volunteer staff of the Boulder Creek Fire Protection District, also up for an award this year, was nominated by Camp Krem for their constant heroism in the face of fires, floods, and everyday emergencies.

Free Health Fair in Ben Lomond

May 6

Santa Cruz Community Health, the nonprofit that opened a clinic at 9500 Central Ave., Ben Lomond, in January 2022, will host a free health fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Highlands Park Senior & Community Center, 8500 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond.

The Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center in Ben Lomond serves patients who live in the San Lorenzo Valley and beyond.

At the health fair, there will be MediCal enrollment services, free Covid-19 test kits, activities and programs on health and wellbeing that are open to everyone.

Presentations are designed to address physical and emotional needs of the community, such as:

• The Power of A.W.E.: Overcome Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose—In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day, by local author and SCCH doctor Michael Amster, MD

• Evidence-based lifestyle medicine and enhancing longevity with Dr. Steven Leib

• Question and answer session with Mila Shank, SCCH Chief of Behavioral Health: anxiety, depression, trauma

• Question and answer session with Casey KirkHart, MD, SCCH Chief Medical Officer: Covid, flu, wellness, prevention

“We are so grateful to be a part of the San Lorenzo Valley community and are dedicated to improving the health of our patients here,” said SCCH CEO Leslie Conner.

The health fair had been scheduled for Feb. 25 and was postponed due to epic rain that uprooted trees, closed roads and created power outages.

Santa Cruz Community Health clinics offer primary care, pediatrics, prenatal care and education, mental health and

substance use treatment, chronic disease management, health insurance enrollment, food distribution, and more.

Clinic hours at the former Wee Kirk in Ben Lomond are: Monday 12-5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 am-1 pm, Thursday 8 am-5 pm, closed on the third Wednesday. n

•••

To schedule appointments call 831-4273500. See www.schealthcenters.org

Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair: May 6

The Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair is a free community celebration aimed at broadening our understanding and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity. Through various activities and experiences, the goal is to build community connection with the unique cultures and traditions present in Scotts Valley and the surrounding areas.

The Second Annual Multicultural Fair will be Saturday, May 6, from 10:30 am

to 2:30 pm at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road. Expect to find food, music, art and dance — such as Ibou Ngom teaching African drumming, Watsonvile taiko, dancers from Senderos.

There will be booths where people can showcase their culture, local vendors with foods from different cultures and a fashion show to showcase outfits from various cultural traditions.

Christine McQueen will be the lead organizer this year.

Student and adult volunteers made this event a success last year, so organizers decided to make it a tradition.

Sponsors of the inaugural event were: Karl and Lindsey Rice, Mari Rossi, Neil and Amee Sawhney, Derek and Tricia Timm, Carlos and Jane Arcangeli, Caitlin Santero, Nilesh Vora, Glenn and Uyen Wong, Marlene Bennett and the Berndt family. n

For info, see https://www.scottsvalleymcf. com/

Santa Cruz Community Health staff and partners will put on a free Community Health Fair at Highlands Park on Saturday, May 6.

New Officer: Vitani Harrison

Scotts Valley Police Department has a newly sworn-in officer on duty, Vitani Harrison. He recently graduated from the Monterey Peninsula College Police Academy.

He shared this with Scotts Valley Times:

Ihavelived all over the Bay Area in cities such as Alameda, Oakland, Hayward, and San Ramon.

I graduated from Alameda High School in 2016. After graduation, I went to Cabrillo College and played football there for 2 years before transferring to Cal State East Bay in 2019.

While attending Cabrillo, I met my long-time partner, Ashley, who was in my statistics class, and I have been with her for the past 5 years.

I used to coach high school football in my free time, which is a passion of mine.

I worked for Admiral Security Services for four years doing building patrols, as well as standing posts for corporate buildings.

Some of my hobbies include kayaking, weightlifting, and studying wars from the past.

Harrison added: “I am excited to work with you all in my new role and make some great memories.”

Apply for Affordable Rentals

Rental applications are being accepted up to 5 p.m. May 12 for Bienestar Plaza, a new affordable 56-unit housing complex at 1520 Capitola Road in Live Oak to be completed this fall. Applicants must meet income guidelines and will be selected by lottery.

There will be 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units. Amenities include onsite laundry facilities and bike room, a courtyard and children’s play area, onsite resident services, events, and a community room with lounge area.

Constructed and operated by MidPen Housing, Bienestar Plaza is part of a 3.7-acre housing and health hub located on former redevelopment property once owned by the County of Santa Cruz. The County contributed more than $7.5 million toward the project.

Affordable Housing

Open House: May 16

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay will host an Affordable Housing Month open house 5-6:30 p.m. May 16 at Rodeo Creek Court, 2340 Harper St., Santa Cruz (cross street is Chanticleer Ave.

Tour the homes at Rodeo Creek Court, Habitat’s 11-home development in the Live Oak neighborhood of Santa Cruz. A future homeowner will walk you through her soon-to-be-finished home and share what homeownership means for her family. See www.habitatmontereybay.com

2 Weeks

Bienestar Plaza includes 40 projectbased Section 8 vouchers, of which 25 will be filled by the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz from its Section 8 waitlist.

These units will have a local preference. The remaining 16 units will be filled

*

through MidPen’s waitlist for this property. To apply, visit www.midpenhousing.org/ bienestarplaza. Online applications are strongly encouraged. For questions, call (831) 318-6061 or email bienestarplaza@midpenhousing.org.

Pre-applications may be submitted online or downloaded from the website. Forms are at a temporary leasing office at St. Stephens Apartments, 2510 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon. thru Fri. n

Officer Vitani Harrison with Chief Steve Walpole.

Highway 1 Groundbreaking

By Jondi Gumz

Everyone who knows about the Highway 1 commuter traffic jam, especially in the afternoon southbound from Santa Cruz to Watsonville, tries to avoid being one of those 100,000.

Solutions have been elusive but on April 19, transportation leaders broke ground on a $100 million project they believe will break the logjam. The answer, we’re told, is “multi-modal.”

What does that mean?

It means investing in multiple strategies: Building auxiliary lanes and allowing Metro buses to bypass traffic on the shoulder — an initiative requiring legislation championed by then-Assembly member Mark Stone — building crossings over Highway 1 for people on foot and bike, and building a trail alongside the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

Metro, by the way, is working on more solutions: Boosting bus ridership to 7 million by 2027 and building 224 affordable rentals at its bus stations so people could live closer to where they work.

Here are the numbers: Downtown Santa Cruz (Pacific Center North), 120 units, to break ground in late 2023, Watsonville, 60 units, requires 24 months of design and permitting, and ParaCruz project, Highway 1/Soquel Avenue, 60 units, groundbreaking in 5-7 years.

The first phase of Highway 1 focuses on 41st Avenue in Capitola to Soquel Drive, with the pedestrian-bike walkway over the freeway connecting the Santa Cruz Gardens and Emerald Bay neighborhoods near the Animal Shelter with the Sheriff’s Office, a 2-mile walk to Twin Lakes State Beach or Schwan Lake.

Target completion date is end of 2025.

Bids are being sought for the second phase, from Bay/Porter in Soquel to State Park Drive in Aptos, including an overcrossing near Mar Vista Elementary, with the possibility of construction in late summer/ early fall.

For the third phase, from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard with four overcrossings, environmental work is underway.

Michael Tree, named Metro general manager in March, called bus on shoulder “a game-changer” in the agency’s push for buses to be seen as fast and reliable. Metro’s board committed to make buses arrive every 15 minutes, he noted.

Bus on shoulder was pioneered on freeways in San Diego, starting in 2022 for three years, using driver assistance technology.

Future Vision

Leaders of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, which is spearheading the project with CalTrans, are so excited about the future they ordered Freedom Bakery to create shortcake cookies topped by icing showing an uncrowded Highway 1 and a parade of people on the to-be-built overcrossing.

“It’s possibly the largest transportation project in our county,” said Supervisor Manu Koenig, who represents the area where the first overcrossing will be built.

Guy Preston, RTC executive director since 2018, was on hand, despite his foot being in a walking boot.

Sarah Christensen, RTC engineering construction

manager, emceed the groundbreaking, promising this would be “the first of many celebrations.”

She said construction will begin in a few weeks on the Soquel Drive buffered bike lanes, another part of the multi-modal strategy to reduce congestion, boost safety and encourage more people to switch from cars to bikes for short trips.

2,167 Jobs

Caltrans estimates the Highway 1 project will create 2,167 jobs.

The contractor is Granite Construction of Watsonville.

Another expected benefit is a reduction in greenhouse gases from vehicle emissions, aligning with the state Climate Action Plan.

The multi-modal approach has support from the state with Matthew Yosgott, deputy director of the California Transportation Commission, recommending $107 million.

He was in attendance for the groundbreaking along with Scott Eades, named in February as director of Caltrans Region 5, which includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

“It’s an iconic symbol, being able to move across the highway,” Eades said.

The multi-modal approach also found favor with Congress, getting $30 million in federal funds. It is one of nine in the nation to receive “mega grant” funding through the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in November 2021.

Officials credit voters for passing Measure D, the half-cent sales tax in 2016, leveraging state and federal funds to meet transportation needs over the next 30 years. n

Cover Photo: The April 19 groundbreaking on the Highway 1 multimodal improvements: Auxiliary lanes, bus on shoulder and freeway overcrossing.

Business Showcase & Ribbon Cutting

Bruno’s Bar & Grill — May 18

Be sure to put May 18 on your calendar for a great joint event at Bruno’s Bar & Grill in Scotts Valley.

The event, which starts at 5:30, is co-hosted by the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley Chambers of Commerce and Think Local First Santa Cruz County. It will combine a ribbon cutting celebrating the renovations at Bruno’s with a business showcase, especially for businesses who don’t have a traditional brick and mortar location.

Appetizers will be served and there will be a no-host bar.

Bruno’s Bar and Grill co-owner, Joanne Guzman, notes, “Our team has worked so hard on all the improvements downstairs and up. It’s great to be able to share our vision with the people who have been our cheerleaders day after day.”

Improvements have included revamping the award-winning main restaurant and bar downstairs. More recently, Joanne and her partner/husband, Rogelio,

have guided a serious make-over upstairs including the Jim lounge (voted best place to watch sports by Santa Cruz Sentinel), leading out to the ever-sopopular Cloud 9 Deck. Bruno’s is both a great place to eat but to also bring family and friends for pool, foosball, and shuffleboard.

Tam Communications’ co-owner Susan O’Connor Fraser commented “I’ve always been envious of businesses that can host ribbon cutting events because it gives them a way to showcase their presence and commitment to the community. An event like this gives companies like ours, who don’t have a physical

location, a way to do the same and in an awesome venue like Bruno’s. Win-win!”

Scotts Valley Chamber Executive Director Danny Reber adds, “We have so

many awesome virtual businesses in our collective communities, and this is a great way to honor their work and involvement in the vibrancy of our community.”

New Member Spotlight: Spierings Communications

Spierings Communications was born in 2017 when Martin Spierings left the position of Director of Marketing for Smith Micro Software an animation software company which was based in downtown Santa Cruz.

He applies his generalist digital marketing skills to helping small to medium companies with their online presence. He fulfills a need among local businesses in particular, who don’t have the budget for full-time marketing personnel, to strategize, set-up and execute their digital marketing needs.

Spierings Communications provides a varied suite of digital marketing services including website set-up and training, copywriting, social media management, e-commerce, and email marketing.

“Martin’s creative insight, humor and professionalism helped us launch our business profile on all of the relevant social media platforms. I would highly recommend him to other business owners,” said Mandy Draper of Community Real Estate Scotts Valley, a Chamber member.

He also helped Steve Simonovich, a Scotts Valley resident and owner of Santa Cruz Pasta Factory, launch an ecommerce website during the pandemic and continues to manage the online side of the business. Spierings lives in Scotts Valley with his wife and two children.

From his Erba Lane office, he enjoys meeting with other Scotts Valley businesses to help them grow and thrive.

Photo Credit: Paul Regen

Celebrating 42 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 - 2023

$6500/mo 4BR/3BA 2-story home plus ofc on Spiker Lane in Santa Cruz. Spa. Garage. Solar. Pet ok ....................................................................................................... Available early June

$6500/mo 4BR/3BA light & airy 2-story home on N. Main Street in Soquel. Patio. Garage. Available early June

$3900/mo 3BR/2BA Duplex unit on Old Orchard in Santa Cruz Mtns./Los Gatos. Incredible views. Wrap-around deck. Utilities included. Pets ok Available Now

$1600/mo Newly Renovated Studio Cottage on Redwood Avenue in Boulder Creek. Close to town. No pets. Available Now

$1450/mo Private room in a house on Glenwood Drive in Scotts Valley. Private bathroom. Laundry. Full kitchen. Deck. Views. PG&E & Water incl. Available Now

2022 Community

Sign up for Leak Alerts

Utilize WaterSmart to learn about your water use — register to ensure you are getting alerts! If you do have a leak, take care of it quickly so you don’t have to pay for wasted water.

For more information or to sign up for WaterSmart: www.svwd.org/WaterSmart

Photo Credit: Arwen

Erik’s DeliCafé Celebrates 50 Years Surprise Award Presented at Chamber Gala

At last month’s Community Awards Gala, the Scotts Valley Chamber surprised Erik Johnson with a special award, honoring him and Erik’s DeliCafé for their 50 years of serving Scotts Valley.

In September 1973, Erik Johnson started his first Erik’s DeliCafé in Scotts Valley. Prior to this, Johnson ventured into real estate after having worked as a security officer, an accountant, a cook, and food server. As it became clear that he was not suited to be a realtor, Johnson began to have ambitions of opening his own business.

After making unsuccessful bids on a health food store, ice cream shop and doughnut shop, Johnson purchased a 600 square foot location in Scotts Valley for $429. Borrowing the amount from his father, Johnson signed a note to cover equipment costs and took over the lease of the former Tartan Bakery. In the following year the neighboring TV store closed, and Johnson was able to expand Erik’s DeliCafé to 1800 square feet.

With the success of the first Erik’s in Scotts Valley, Johnson was then ready to take the next step in expanding Erik’s first in Santa Cruz County, then continuing outside the County. Erik’s DeliCafé now has locations throughout the Bay Area as well as locations in Roseville and a newly opened location in Folsom.

Although there have been some changes since Erik’s first opened in Scott’s Valley in 1973, what hasn’t changed and never will is their commitment to their customers. The pledge of a warm and inviting atmosphere, quality food served fast with friendly service is practiced in the stores every day.

Sandwiches are made with highquality meats, savory cheeses, and fresh produce. Slow-simmered and handcrafted soups, made to order fresh salads, and wonderful bakery goods are made from scratch with Johnson’s family’s recipes.

They invite you to bring friends and family to share in the hospitality and goodness of Erik’s DeliCafé.

D.A.R.E. Empowers Students

By Jack Dilles, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

Students face challenges beyond the pressure to succeed academically. Parents hear about many of these issues as their children move through middle school, high school and beyond. These challenges include peer pressure, drugs, harassment, bullying, discrimination and low self-esteem. How can we help our young people build self-confidence and deal with these pressures? One program that confronts such issues is the Scotts Valley Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program.

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

At one time, D.A.R.E. focused mainly on drug and alcohol reduction education. Such programs disappeared in some communities, but D.A.R.E. has remained meaningful by evolving into a current wide-ranging program.

D.A.R.E.’s innovative and highly effective evidence-based curriculum was developed by Los Angeles Unified School District health education specialists. The D.A.R.E. vision is defined as a “world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse, and other dangerous behaviors.”

D.A.R.E. officers receive 80 hours of special training to be equipped with all the tools they need to teach this relevant course.

Recently, the Scotts Valley Police Department held D.A.R.E. graduation ceremonies honoring all fifth graders at Brook

Knoll Elementary School, Vine Hill Elementary School and Baymonte Christian School.

These events were attended by City Council members, Police Chief Stephen Walpole, school principals, fifth grade teachers, Police Department command staff, and many parents. Remarks were made by City Council members, Chief Walpole, and principals. School Resource Officer Patrick Ahrens talked about lessons learned by students and the rapport he developed with them. All students submitted essays as part of the program; and the best essays at each school were selected for recognition. These students read their essays aloud and were presented with medals by Officer Ahrens. Lastly, teachers presented the students with their D.A.R.E. completion certificates.

It was my great pleasure to attend and briefly speak at two of these events.

Officer Ahrens leads all Police Department school programs, including D.A.R.E. He has been serving Scotts Valley since 2017. He was born and raised locally and graduated from Scotts Valley High School. He also received a degree in business administration from San Jose State University. He taught all of the classes, encouraging students to think and write about challenges they are facing or might face in the future. I could tell by listening that students paid attention and took the lessons to heart. Students are lucky to have an officer of his caliber working for us.

The Scotts Valley D.A.R.E. program provides our youth with the information and skills they need to live drug and violence-free lives. D.A.R.E. lessons focus on providing

accurate information about alcohol and drugs, teaching students decision-making skills, and showing them how to resist peer pressure. D.A.R.E. officers give students ideas for alternatives to drug use and violence. Through D.A.R.E., officers establish positive relationships between students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders.

Scotts Valley residents are blessed to live in a community where our Police Department strives to teach our youth valuable lessons that will help them succeed in school and future life endeavors.

The D.A.R.E. curriculum is open for review to any member of the community. For more information, please contact the Scotts Valley Police Department at (831) 440-5670, or visit dare.org. n

•••

Jack Dilles is mayor of Scotts Valley. Contact him at jdilles@scottsvalley.gov.

Photos Credit: Scotts Valley Police Department

Vine Hill D.A.R.E. graduation essay winners

Baymonte D.A.R.E. graduation essay winners Brook Knoll D.A.R.E. graduation essay winners

Student Summit Focuses on the Environment

By Avonlea Harwood

Monday, April 22, was a day filled with community collaboration, moving student stories, and abundant opportunities for change.

Youth for Environmental Action’s 2023 Summit: Empowering Teens for Climate Action embraced communication between students and policy-makers in a unique, impactful way. We, student leaders in Youth for Environmental Action (YEA), had been anticipating seeing our work-inprogress come to life, and could not wait to observe its impact on the high schoolers from across Santa Cruz County that joined us.

The summit was held at Koinonia Conference Grounds, where about 200 attendees gathered to educate themselves and take initiative for the planet. Despite it being a cold morning, the atmosphere was filled with an eager, hopeful sense of unity.

We heard from two resilient Pajaro Valley High School teens, both displaced due to the disastrous floods in March. As they began their stories of being evicted from their homes and forced to live in the county shelter, it became potently real how climate change is accelerating and our locals are facing the brunt of it.

One of the students bravely voiced, “We’ve been living at the Santa Cruz fairgrounds for a month now and I’m pretty sure there’s more to come. I’m pretty sure we got really affected but it was also a life lesson that we learned we could have

everything in a moment and then lose everything.”

The keynote panel, featuring Professor and ecological anthropologist Flora Lu, Youth for Climate Justice student leader Tamarah Minam, and director of the Natural History Museum, Felicia Van Stolk, was a true highlight. Tamarah’s comments uplifted the crowd, “So if we’re all able to work on smaller things … to work on curriculum and making our schools more sustainable, if we all do it together we can create change in this system and tackle this major issue.”

We then transitioned to the Community Action Fair, where the focus of the day leaped from absorbing the inspirational words of local leaders to taking the first step to change. In all, Environmental Innovations, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Homeless Garden Project, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Clean Oceans International, the Bird School Project, and Regeneración had 188 sign-ups for activities and volunteer opportunities.

Walking by the fair-like array of organization tablings, one would see students enthusiastically asking questions, suggesting ideas for community engagement, and even writing postcards to their congresspeople. Coastal cleanups were arranged, specific actions for making schools greener were discussed, and commitments to volunteer were taken.

Molly Gannon from Pacific Collegiate School said, “I thought it was really cool

how there were a variety of organizations from different environmental focuses. I went to the Regeneración booth and signed up for their newsletter. They hold meetings with local politicians and advise them to improve their environmental policy in Watsonville– an important agricultural center. I also thought more about my diet after talking to the Eat for the Earth booth representatives, and I’ve been trying to eat less processed and meat-based foods. It made me want to involve myself further with local organizations, even if it’s simply attending meetings or doing a volunteer day.”

Ziggy Lukasiewicz, from Pacific Collegiate School, added, “A big take-away from talking to all the booth organizations was that it’s inspiring to be around groups of people who are prioritizing similar things. I felt that not everyone is against the environmental movement, lots of people are pushing forward. It really reenergized me to keep fighting for the environment.”

Everyone proceeded to divide into school-based groups to brainstorm what needs to change in the school districts.

The San Lorenzo Valley High School group spoke with their superintendent, resulting in a productive conversation about

making board meetings more accessible for students. They plan to begin a dropbox for students to voice their concerns about school matters, and implement compost bins and use lower-footprint containers for cafeteria meals.

As the day came to an end, we closed with a speech, in which we quoted the following lines from We are the Change, a poem written by YEA member Carolyn Randolph: “And say we stay silent? / Listen in the call of the bird, the motion of the grass, the march of the ants / Each voice avalanches forming a chant.” n

•••

Avonlea Harwood is a senior at Pacific Collegiate School and a student leader of Youth for Environmental Action. She lives in San Lorenzo Valley.

Avonlea Harwood

Hearts & Hands Resolves Litigation With Fine

By Jondi Gumz

On April 13, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey S. Rosell announced resolution of litigation with Santa Cruz Skilled Nursing Center, Inc., doing business as Hearts & Hands Post Acute Care & Rehab Center at 2990 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, with a stipulated judgment, a $50,000 fine and paying costs of the investigation, calculated to be $52,584.

The investigation started in November 2018, when the state Department of Justice and the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s office began looking into allegations of improper discharges, substance abuse, and inadequate staffing at the 144-bed nursing home, which had residents with dementia and substance abuse disorders.

DOJ investigators found that Hearts and Hands frequently failed to provide the mandatory 30-day notice to residents it discharged. Even when residents were provided with the appropriate discharge notice, they were sometimes inappropriately sent to temporary shelters or unlicensed ‘board and care’ homes not equipped to meet their needs.

In other instances, the facility ‘discharged’ residents by calling law enforcement to essentially evict them in violation of regulations and laws.

Investigators found evidence that indicated Hearts and Hands did not have enough staff to care for its residents and was relying on law enforcement to help manage

behavior at the facility. Some of those removed by law enforcement ended up without a place to live, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta.

In Sepember 2019, the California Department for Justice and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office sued the facility after investigators found it frequently discharged residents deemed too difficult — in violation of laws and rules meant to ensure their safety.

The lawsuit, filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, accused Hearts and Hands of violating California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising

Bay Fed Promotes Amy Ivey to Senior VP

Bay Federal Credit Union has promoted Amy Ivey to senior vice president, chief marketing officer and Patty Winters to senior vice president, chief human resources officer.

In her new role, Ivey will be responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of marketing strategies, supporting revenue growth and continued brand recognition. She will uphold the credit

union’s strategic vision by leading initiatives in marketing, branding, market research, sales enablement, and external communications. She is responsible for marketing strategy, public relations, corporate communications, events, employee education and development, financial education, and community development.

“Ivey” page 18

Law, misrepresenting staffing in reports to obtain the Medicare’s favorable Five Star rating.

The lawsuit also alleged the company had an inordinate amount of emergency calls at this location.

The owner is Trilochan Singh.

In April 2020, Santa Cruz Superior Court entered a preliminary injunction and appointed a monitor to report on compliance with its terms.

In January 2021, Hearts & Hands was accused of bad faith bargaining by Service Employees International Union Local 2015, but the case was dropped after two months.

Now, after almost three years of supervision by an independent monitor appointed at the request of DOJ and Santa Cruz County, Hearts and Hands “has made significant changes and progress in its operations and compliance,” Bonta said.

He noted full compliance with discharge planning and notice, reduction in emergency calls by 90% and improvement in patient care.

“For years, Hearts and Hands failed to properly treat vulnerable residents. I am glad to see that our lawsuit has improved conditions for these vulnerable residents and that Hearts and Hands is on a better path to meeting the standard of care its residents need,” Bonta said.

“Hearts & Hands” page 23

Amy Ivey Patty Winters

A Festival, an Appearance & Pluto Goes Underground

Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, the volcanic force that transforms us, retrogrades May 1st at 0 Aquarius. As Pluto retrogrades (till October 10), we move into deeper layers of interior awareness. Certain areas of our lives turn inward for assessment, reorganization and transformation. The question becomes how are we being transformed? With Pluto retrograde certain areas of life fall away, some things linger in shadows, some things rise up into the light. Pluto gives us a rare window into ourselves.

The talk today about halting AI is part of the Pluto in Aquarius (technology) turning retrograde (turn back). During the retrograde of Pluto, issues of birth, death and rebirth are considered. Pluto was last in Aquarius during the 18th Century, from 1778 to 1798. What happened during those years so long ago? From that research we get a glimpse of the issues that may appear in our present world too. Before the 18th century, Pluto was in Aquarius during the Holy Roman Empire. Pluto circles the zodiac every 246 years. Pluto is not subtle!

ARIES

A time of great change has arrived. You will find yourself breaking with the past, attempting new endeavors and different ways of presenting yourself to the world. However, as you do so, realize we have three weeks of Mercury retrograde. The past blends with the present and they both seek the future. Everything must be discerned for what is real. All relationships will also shift and change, take on different hues, meaning everything becomes unconventional. Including your appearance. Revel in all of it.

TAURUS

Someone or something is asking you to adopt a different value system, one that is not your usual and regular way of being. You resist (as you should, giving time for research and evaluation). Look deeply into all new ideas presented. The new era is a completely unknown. It’s a good idea to ponder what the new era means; what humanity needs at this time. The old ways are in the way, everywhere. They are falling down at the blink of an eye. There must be a clearing for the new Age to unfold. You are one of its thought leaders.

GEMINI

Be very aware that Mercury is retrograde at the moment. Mercury is your teacher, mentor, friend and healer. It’s your Soul and Spirit. Mercury is your angel and protector. Mercury and Venus work together. Mercury is retrograde now. Venus will retrograde the last week in July for forty days. Everything you thought you felt and knew will change. Anything you think, you must review and assess with a clear mind. For now, experiment. Everything’s magic in Mercury retrograde. Let it captivate you.

CANCER

Amidst the sudden decision to travel, have an adventure, go on a journey, you realize you’re seeking a paradise, utopia, a heaven, a dreamland, a community, a new way of life with like-minded people. Not for you the conventional path, customs and traditions. These are being set aside for new independent ideas and exotic places that reflect advanced ways of living and thinking. It’s an experiment. Research and caution are advised. What is your happiness goal?

Wesak Festival: We have a full moon lunar eclipse Saturday, May 5th. It is the Taurus Buddha full moon Wesak festival. It is a time when the Buddha makes his annual appearance bringing a blessing to humanity from the Lord of the World. Working with him is the Christ, his brother and thus it is a festival in which the east (Buddha) and west (Christ) meet.

Their presence invokes spiritual forces (extra planetary) to that “restore humanity’s health and well-being by re-establishing the Plan on Earth. Accompanying the Buddha and Christ are the Forces of Enlightenment who illumine the minds of humanity to recognize the truth. In the present Kali Yuga humanity is enfolded in darkness and cannot see the truth. It is the “Will of God” that we develop a clear mind, make right choice, care for and love one another, recognize our true identity, build the new era (Aquarian Age), and step upon the Path of Return. Everyone is invited to the Wesak festival. It’s in the Himalayas in a secret valley. We enter, through aspiration, in dreamtime. (Note: The Wesak story will be on www.nightlightnews.org Saturday, May 5th) n

LEO

Do you sense money, finances, investments and legal issues affecting your life are becoming a bit out of control. Do you also feel at a loss as to what to do? Your keen intuition is telling you to keep track of all market ups and downs and to realize sudden changes may occur in business and banking and also in relationship interactions. What is there to hold onto? A suggestion that is important for the future — invest in gold and silver as soon as possible. As much as you can.

VIRGO

With Saturn in Pisces, Virgo can feel quite free. Some Virgo’s may unexpectedly marry without much thought. Some will divorce with even less thought. Other Virgos will be aware that unusual realities may occur within relationships — erratic behaviors, independence, major upsets and unexpected fluctuations of emotion. All things are upside down inside out during retrogrades. Some Virgos will take all this in stride. It’s the astrological Virgos who will. They understand and remain poised.

LIBRA

Your daily work environment, routines, schedules and also your health may shift, become unpredictable moving toward the irregular. Think of it a creative, a time of opportunity. Some Librans love this for it allows for more freedom. Others need the structure of reliable and regular agendas imposed upon them. You might become angry, impatient, anxious and nervous. Careful with health. You sometimes learn the hard way. Through loss and suffering. Gather around your beloveds.

SCORPIO

You’re imaginative, ingenious, resourceful, inventive and creative. At times you sense the need for a bit more self-control. You learn this eventually. Self-knowledge sometimes comes through being reckless and foolhardy. Are you this way with relationships, perhaps? You want now most of all freedom and independence. How do these needs affect your relationships, co-workers, family and/or children? How are you using all your talents and skills?

SAGITTARIUS

Perhaps there will be a change to your home life, to the environments you live and/or work in. You want freedom to experiment, to journey forth, to come and go at will (from home and work). You want different and unusual living conditions. Although you love family traditions, they may feel counter to your needs at this time. The foundations of your entire life feel unreliable and changeable. This persists. It’s difficult but it is, in the long run, good. The new era will be everything we never expected it to be.

CAPRICORN

Your thinking and communications, over time, have become filled with qualities of leadership, right thinking, right reasoning, and thus quite revolutionary. Gradually, or spontaneously, or unexpectedly (Uranian words) you become involved in advanced, new thought thinking, the Wisdom Teachings. The foundation of these teachings is astrology, the 7th Art. Very few may think like you. A sense of aloneness develops until you find your group. Off you go, at a moment’s notice to discover it! Mercury will lead the way.

AQUARIUS

When Aquarians hear of someone in need, their heart opens and they often say, “How can I help you?” Are you able to say and do this yet? In the esoteric Ageless Wisdom teachings the disciple task is to always “see the need” and then to assist in filling that need however they can. In this way the Aquarian task of serving others (humanity) is always on the forefront of a disciple’s consciousness. When one serves others, one is, in turn, also always “served.” What we offer is returned to us ten-fold. How do you serve?

PISCES

Most think of Pisces as a quiet shy fish hiding behind ferns, a subtle, other worldly being surrounded by mists and veils. But there comes a time when Pisces emerges from the Neptunian waters and becomes a warrior, like St. Michael, holding a fiery sword, leading humanity into battle in order to save the world. This archetype of warrior with a fiery sword comes alive in all Pisces soon as darkness threatens to engulf the world. These words are offered as preparation for all Pisces to understand.

“Ivey” from page 17

Ivey previously was vice president of marketing and development. She has 25 years of marketing experience in financial services and healthcare industries. She is a Certified Strategic Marketing Executive and a graduate of Western CUNA Management School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from California Southern University.

“I continue to be inspired by the credit union’s commitment to assist all members in achieving financial success and its investment in innovative financial solutions to serve our community well into the future. The mission statement ‘make a real difference in the financial lives of the people in the communities we serve’ is truly at the heart of every decision made at Bay Federal Credit Union,” she said.

She is an emeritus trustee of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, serves on the Board of Directors for the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Monarch Services, the Monterey County Business Council, and volunteers for the Cabrillo College Foundation’s Women’s Educational Success program. She is a past member of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce board.

In her new position, Winters will be responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of human resources strategies, and supporting the credit union’s strategic plan including recruitment, talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, management training and development, as well as organizational development. She will continue to lead activities that shape the culture of Bay Federal and create a positive work environment, and oversee human resources, the facilities team, and the business continuity program.

Winters joined Bay Federal in 2012 and has been a leader in human resources for nearly three decades, focused on driving business results through the intersection of strategy, talent, and culture. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Purdue University and is a certified Professional in Human Resources.

“I am known to tell people ‘Life is short, work someplace awesome,’ and Bay Federal is truly an awesome place to work,” she said. Winters chairs Women in Philanthropy and is on the Board of Directors for United Way of Santa Cruz County. n

I continue to be inspired by the credit union’s commitment to assist all members in achieving financial success ... The mission statement ‘make a real difference in the financial lives of the people in the communities we serve’ is truly at the heart of every decision made at Bay Federal Credit Union.

New Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Leader

Ken Alstott is the new interim manager of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, also known as 14th District Agricultural Association, for the next six months.

He’s coming after Dave Kegebein was fired in October by the governor-appointed fair board after 11 years and a critical state audit, with board president Don Dietrich taking over as interim manager and then Kelley Ferreira as a part-time CEO.

In an email, Alstott described himself this way: “I’m a retired manager from the District Agricultural Association Fairs. I’ve managed/consulted numerous fairs over the past 18 years. My vision is to ensure the daily operations of the fairgrounds and the upcoming fair are met with high expectations.”

He added, “This area has a wonderful fair/facility in which they should be proud. We will work hard to maintain the

appearance and customer service this community expects. Please continue to volunteer and support your fairgrounds!”

Alstott was CEO of the Cow Palace in Daly City for three years. After that, he was called to the Mother Lode Fair, where his task was to reunite the board and listen to the community.

There he called himself a project guy who has experience with nonprofits and foundations.

He knows state rules and regulations for fairs.

Originally from the San Bernardino area, he spent 8 years at CEO of the San Bernardino County Fair.

He also spent 20 years in law enforcement, including working investigations at the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office.

San Benito County Fair has been

Santa Cruz Shakespeare Tickets Go On Sale May 1

This summer, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, a nationally recognized professional theater company in Santa Cruz County celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present Shakespeare’s King Lear and The Taming of the Shrew and Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will Productions will take place July 8 –Aug. 27, under the trees and stars in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz.

Tickets go on sale to the public May 1 online at santacruzshakespeare.org.

The seasonal Box Office opens for phone orders June 6. Hours: Tuesday through Thursday noon to 4 p.m. Call 831-460-6399.

Learn more at santacruzshakespeare. org/season-2023.

Community members are encouraged to become SCS members. Tickets for SCS members are on sale now. Membership packages include these benefits: Ticket discounts, early admission, and free parking. See santacruzshakespeare.org/ member/.

The 2023 season, dubbed “A Summer of Legacy,” takes place during the 400th anniversary of the creation of the first printed collection of Shakespeare’s works, preserving his legacy.

The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson Director: Laura Gordon

Opening Night: July 13, at 8 p.m.

Alove letter to William Shakespeare, this moving and joyful comedy tells the story of two actor friends of Shakespeare who worked to preserve his plays and legacy seven years after his death. This not-to-be-missed production stars incoming Artistic Director Charles Pasternak and outgoing Artistic Director Mike Ryan.

•••

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Director: Robynn Rodriguez

Opening Night: July 14, at 8 p.m.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most raucous–and controversial–comedies will explore Kate and Petruchio, two deeply complex characters as they struggle against the roles they have been prescribed, whether gender, class or age. These struggles provide hilarious moments as well as opportunities for reflecting on the human cost of maintaining the status quo.

“SC Shakespeare” page 23

advertising for volunteers since February.

Community volunteer

Ron Sandidge said Alstott has stepped in and resolved issues with multiple fairgrounds.

Currently Alstott lives in Tennessee and will split his time between here and there, Sandidge said, noting Alstott hit the ground running “by getting staff to weed flower beds at Heritage Hall entrance before the Farm Bureau lunch. He’s made time to meet with representatives from the Fair Foundation to review their reports to the fairgrounds and was favorably impressed.”

Sandidge said Alstott has talked to Fairgrounds Foundation volunteer executive director Jeannie Kegebein and John Kegebein, the fair CEO who retired in 2010, and Jessica Ayala, a regular attendee at fair board meetings and a critic of Dave Kegebein.

“He apparently cuts right to the chase, and sees through the hogwash,” said Sandidge of Alstott. “Everything we have heard about him so far is favorable.” n •••

The fairgrounds office phone number is (831) 724-5671. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The next meeting is 1:30 p.m. May 23. The agenda will be posted at www.santacruzcountyfair.com

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCOTTS VALLEY HIGH EVENTS

May 1: IB exams begin

May 6: Prom

May 12: Falcon Club golf tournament, Spring Hills Golf Course (Pay at www.falconclub.org)

May 12: Powder Puff football game, football field

May 15: International Baccalaureate Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

May 16: Senior Awards Night, 6 p.m.

May 19-20: Senior trip to Magic Mountain

June 1: Graduation, football field, 4 p.m.

June 1: Grad Night Hornblower Cruise in Berkeley, 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

June 2: Scotts Valley Middle School Promotion for 8th graders, 11 a.m. June 2.

SCOTTS

VALLEY LIBRARY EVENTS

Second and Fourth Saturdays

Noon to 2 p.m.: Ping Pong (May 13, 27)

Saturday, May 20

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Author Talk — Buzz Anderson talks about his new novel, Five Hundred Moons, which is historical fiction focused on 1749-1793 in California and the conflict between the Ohlone tribe and Spanish missionaries who came to rule the coastal area. See Q&A at https://issuu.com/timespublishinggroup/docs/ ct2202_tab_issuu?e=3533832/91301428

Wednesday, May 24

10 a.m. to Noon: Age Well, Drive Smart (for seniors 65+) — The California High-way Patrol is offers this free program. Topics include: How to tune up driving skills, refreshing knowledge of the rules of the road, learning about normal, age related physical changes and how to adjust them, when it may be time to limit or stop driv-ing.

Registration required. Reserve a spot by calling: 831-2190200.

3-4 p.m.: Tales to Tails — Aims to help children improve their reading skills by giving them the opportunity to read to certified therapy dogs. For kids 6-11.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley

The region’s favorite Friday returns to Skypark with Food Trucks A Go Go’s Food Truck Friday season opener. Back for its eighth season, Food Truck Friday will have more food trucks and more surprises! More dinner options and live music.

This year’s Food Truck Friday dates are: May 19, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 27.

The Beer & Wine Garden is hosted by Scotts Valley Educational Foundation with proceeds supporting Scotts Valley’s four schools.

The Scotts Valley Ping Pong Club will be set up for play & fun!

Free admission; free and easy parking. Plenty of open space for families to spread out & plenty of picnic tables. Bring a blanket & lawn chairs — friendly pups on leashes are welcome!

RECREATIONAL HALIBUT SEASON OPENS

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announces the opening of the 2023 recreational Pacific halibut fishery, and remain open every day until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier.

The 2023 Pacific halibut quota for the California subarea is 39,540 pounds – approximately the same as the 2022 quota.

CDFW’s recommended season dates were informed by a scoping process that included an online angler survey conducted earlier this year.

The open dates are not guaranteed days, and the season could be closed early if it is determined that projected catches will exceed the California quota.

Anglers can check for updated information on season dates, bag/possession limits and gear restrictions at https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/recreational-pacific-halibutfishery-set-to-open-may-1#gsc.tab=0

BEELINE BLOOMS: RECOVERY FROM FIRE

Beeline Blooms in Ben Lomond is a labor of love. This is a flower farm with 300 varieties of naturally grown dahlias and a haven for honeybees. This goal is to help the community recover from the CZU lightning complex wildfire that ravaged the area in August 2020.

Last year, owner Karla DeLong invited the community to come in August, relax, wander among the rows, and bask in the beauty of these amazing flowers. The farm was open in August on select Saturdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

Entry for CZU fire survivors was free, all others by sliding scale donation. Proceeds from 2022 were donated to rebuilding the beloved Alba Schoolhouse, where Karla taught most of her homestead classes. (She also teachers at Mountain Feed & Farm Supply.) Guests can also donate directly to the Alba School House at https:// rebuildalbaschoolhouse.org

Or support Beeline Blooms at https://beelineblooms. com/volunteer.html#features4-7s

Want to help? Volunteer opportunities abound! All ages and skill levels welcome. Whether you have never planted a seed or you are a seasoned gardener Karla would love to have your help.

Scheduled volunteer days are coming. For questions, see https://beelineblooms.com/volunteer.html

SCOTTS VALLEY FARMERS MARKET OPEN

The Scotts Valley Farmers Market opens for the season 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Boys & Girls Club, 5050 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley. Free strawberry shortcake from Beckmann’s Bakery toped with berries from JCG, Live Earth &Vasquez Farm plus whipped cream. Closes Nov. 18.

Future FoodShed dates: July 15, blackberries and a scoop of Penny Ice Creamery ice cream, workshop with Mountain Feed & Farm Supply; Sept. 23, fruity wreath making with dried fruit, flowers and foraged foliage.

•••

The Felton Farmers Market is open 1:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at St. John’s Church parking lot, 120 Russell Ave. Closes Oct. 24.

Future FoodShed dates: June 27, grilled stone fruit and a scoop of Penny Ice Creamery ice cream; Sept. 12, Santa Cruz Cider apple pressing, take your turn; Oct. 17, pumpkin decorating.

Watch for Romano beans, heirloom tomatoes, Blenheim apricots, produce for the week, Roli Roti rotisserie, crispy potatoes, live music and seating. The Market Match program helps CalFresh users stretch their dollars, matching the first $10 of EBT with $10 more in tokens for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Look for the SC Public Libraries bicycle book mobile & a series of scavenger hunts.

REDWOOD MOUNTAIN FAIRE AT ROARING CAMP

Saturday June 3 and 4, Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton

This is a weekend-long, family-friendly music festival with 20+ bands on three stages, local beer/ wine/cider, local artists, locally made food and a kids zone.

It all takes place in an open field surrounded by redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Gates open at 10:30 am. Music, 11 am-8 pm.

This is a benefit for local nonprofits. Buy tickets at the gate, $30 per day for adults. Kids 12 and under free. $20 parking: cash only or pre-purchase online. Green event: Bring a RMF glass or purchase onsite More details at www.redwoodmountainfaire.com

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

1:30 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville

Here are the dates of the remaining County Fair Board meeting dates in 2023. Each meeting takes place on a Tuesday:

May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Oct. 24, and Dec. 5, all at the fairgrounds. Meetings also take place on Zoom. For agendas, see santacruzcountyfair.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays BRIDGE CLUB

10 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

First and Third Fridays thru May 19

CABRILLO NAME CHANGE TASK FORCE

Noon-1:30 p.m., Online Meetings

The Cabrillo College Name Selection Task Force will meet four times during the spring semester via zoom: April 21, May 5, and 19.

These virtual Task Force meetings are not open to the public.

Task Force members are trustees Adam Spickler and Christina Cuevas, student representative Krystal Buenrostro, and president Matt Wetstein. To communicate with them, see https://www.cabrillo.edu/ governing-board/name-exploration-subcommittee/ The college aims to resolve the name issue this year.

First Saturdays

BEAR CREEK OPEN HOUSE

2-6 p.m., Bear Creek Community Center, 15685 Forest Hill Drive, Boulder Creek

A much needed day of relaxation and comfort after the January storms is here!

Heal your body in the sauna and hot tub with access to weight room and cardio gym May 6 at the Bear Creek Community Center, part of the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District.

This monthly open house is free for everyone to attend.

Memberships will be available for purchase if you would like to keep the healing going.

Monthly memberships are optional at $50 per month February-May and give you access to the facility from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Drop-in option is $10 per day.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday May 6

SPRING THING SIDEWALK SALE

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Valley Churches United Missions, 9400 Highway 9, Ben Lomond.

Valley Churches United will host the Spring Thing sidewalk sale.

There will be donated items that are brand-new, everything from everyday household things that people need, plus antiques to crafts.

All the proceeds go to Valley Churches food pantry. Call 831-336-8258 ext 229 for more information.

Sunday May 7

MAKERS MARKET

10 a.m.-5p.m., Hallcrest Vineyards, 379 Felton Empire Road, Felton

The community is invited to Hallcrest Vineyards to the 10th annual SCM Makers Market for a day of art and music in the mountains with local artists and makers, food trucks, Hallcrest Wine, Scrumpy Cider, Woodhouse Brews and live music. Admission & parking is free. There will be music by the AJ Lee Trio and country duo Poi Rogers, with food truck Ate 3 One and local pulled pork master Kurt Zellerhoff, 50 local artists including jewelry designer Rae Rodriguez (Boulder Creek), Bee Happy Today Clothing (Felton), Localife Flowers (Bonny Doon) and Love Cultivated Soaps (Ben Lomond).

“We are excited to celebrate 10 years of Makers Markets in the Santa Cruz Mountains! This market really showcases the creative talent in our local community and Hallcrest offers the perfect setting,” says Bree Karpavage, director of the SCM Makers Market. For information, see www.scmmakersmarket.com

CENTRAL COAST BASKETBALL ALL-STARS

Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Scotts Valley High, 555 Glenwood Drive.

Scotts Valley High will host the Reggie Stephens Foundation’s 10th annual Central Coast All-Star Basketball Games, showcasing top basketball talent in middle school and high school.

Santa Cruz County players are on the North teams. Monterey County players make up the South teams. Eighth grade boys play at noon, senior girls at 2 p.m., senior boys at 4 p.m.

North senior boys, coached by Robert Shipstead and Lawan Milhouse:

Two-time SCCAL MVP Aden Cury and Jackson Douvia (Santa Cruz), Tristan Roure (Scotts Valley), Karlos Corpus (Watsonville), Tosh Woods (Aptos), Matthew Silos (Pajaro Valley), Skyler Thayer (SLV) and Marton Safranka, Lazar Cankovic and Luka Kokochasvili (all of Oakwood), North senior girls, coached by Todd Trowbridge, Kenedi Walters and Zach Cook: SCCAL MVP Claire Thompson (Santa Cruz) and her teammates Mackenzie Gomes and Madison Yazalina, Lucy Lilenthal-Wynn, Mia Sizemore and Bella Reynolds (SLV), Meaghan Diaz, Gianna Winterhalder, and Lily Thayer (Soquel), and Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville).

North eighth-graders, coached by Nate Swearengin and Stan White II: Matteo Vidal and Cole Christensen (Monte Vista Christian), Cade Bogle (Aptos), Malik Wooden and Devon Williams (Branciforte), Chase Petersen (San Lorenzo Valley), Caelen Harris and Kaden Miritz (Mission Hill), Braydon Scoma (Baymonte Christian), and Levi Race (Salesian).

May 2023 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

A three-point shooting competition will take place during halftime and awards will be presented after each game.

Monday May 8

AFFORDABLE HOUSING VIRTUAL FORUM

7 p.m., Online Meeting

Affordable Housing Now is sponsoring a virtual Affordable Housing Community Forum.

Representatives from the City of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz County’s Community Development and Infrastructure (formerly Planning) Department will discuss planning efforts underway to address the affordable housing needs for Scotts Val-ley and San Lorenzo Valley communities.

Under the California Housing Element Law, every eight years cities and counties are required to develop plans to meet new state housing goals and create pro-grams to incentivize production of affordable housing.

Scotts Valley is mandated to plan for 1,220 housing units

by December 2031. Santa Cruz County is mandated to plan for 4,634 more homes by December 2031.

Housing plans must address housing needs for residents in very low, low, moder-ate, and above-moderate income levels.

Community members are encouraged to attend and learn how they can become involved in planning efforts to help address our affordable housing crisis. Visit https://www.housingsantacruzcounty.com/affordablehousing-month for zoom meeting link. For more information, call (831) 566-2360.

Thursday May 11

AUTHORS TALK: MELISSA COME BACK

6:30-7:30 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road or online.

Join authors Patrice Keet and Melissa LaHommedieu as they discuss their gritty dual narrative, Melissa Come Back, in person at the Capitola Public Library. Enjoy light refreshments and the option to buy the book ($17.99) or attend virtually via Zoom. Registration is required at https://santacruzpl. libcal.com/calendar/SCPL/ melissacomeback

Melissa is the foster daughter who ran away from the Keets’ home in 1992 at age 11.

“Is that our Melissa?” Patrice cried when she recognized the woman at the speaker’s podium. It is their Melissa—the foster child Patrice, a family therapist, and her husband, Bob, haven’t seen for 19 years.

Now, she’s a 30-year-old woman at a fundraising dinner, describing her journey through foster care, teenage pregnancy, abuse, and the loss of her own children to the social services system.

Buried shame and guilt came roaring back to Patrice: If only she hadn’t failed Melissa as a foster mother.

When they are reunited, Melissa and her pre-teen daughters are facing eviction, presenting Patrice and Bob with the opportunity to make Melissa part of their family once again.

This a true story of resilience shedding light on the cycles of poverty, abuse, and addiction plaguing our nation.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Capitola Library. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Santa Cruz County, where Melissa is a board member.

LUNAFEST BENEFIT FOR WOMENCARE

Wednesday May 17

7 p.m. (5:30 - 7 p.m. preshow reception), Del Mar Theater, 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz Friends of WomenCARE announce the live showing of the 22nd Annual LunaFest Film Festival. A preshow reception features wines from Hallcrest and Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards. The virtual showing will be available May 17-20.

This year, LunaFest features seven short films with a total running time of 95 minutes suitable for ages 13 and up. The event again supports the nonprofit WomenCARE, a safe haven where women with any type of cancer find mutual support, shared experiences, and open hearts.

For tickets, visit https://www.lunafest.org/screenings/hybrid-friends-of-womencare-santa-cruzca-051723 •••

Reclaim Your Water: Natasha Smith by Faith E Briggs — As a member of the Ebony Beach Club, Natasha Smith surfs, skates, and makes her own waves.

Miss Chelove: From Java to the Streets of D.C. by Sara T. Gama — As she paints a mural, artist Cita Sadeli aka Miss Chelove opens up about her life, her cultural heritage, and how she fell in love with graffiti in the 1980s.

Pete by Bret Parker & Pete Barma — The true story of Pete Barma explores gender identity, Little League Baseball, the people who inspire change by being themselves, and the superheroes who champion that change.

This is Beth by Jen Randall — As celebrated rock climber Beth Rodden grapples with her body image, she rediscovers the love of her sport...and herself.

More Than I Want to Remember by Amy Bench — After her southeastern Congo village is bombed, 14-year-old Mugeni sets out on a solo journey across the globe, determined to reunite with her lost loved ones and lift up the Banyamulenge people.

Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night by Fawzia Mirza & Kausar Mohammed — All cards are on the table when Noor, a queer Pakistani Muslim woman, brings her Puerto Rican girlfriend, Luz, home for the first time on the family’s annual game night.

Swimming Through by Samantha Sanders — Amid a brutal Chicago winter and the global pandemic, the friendship of Deirdre, Helen, and Jennefer grows as they commit to a daily sunrise plunge together in Lake Michigan.

Saturday May 13

QUEER YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

5:30 - 8:30 p.m., New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center, 250 Wash-burn Avenue, Capitola

The Queer Youth Task Force is proud to announce the 26th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards will take place on at New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center in Capitola .

A Community Resource Fair will take place at 5:30 p.m. followed by a catered buffer dinner at 6 p.m. and the award ceremony at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$125 (sliding scale). Information: QYLA.org or 831.427.4004

CAPITOLA SIP & STROLL

Noon-5 p.m., check in at 11 a.m., Capitola Community Room, City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave. Enjoy sipping local wines and beers while strolling through the charming shops and boutiques in Capitola Village.

This fun event is hosted by the Capitola Village and Wharf Business Improvement Association.

To buy tickets and learn more, visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/capitola-village-sip-strolltickets-619542898487.

Pre-registration is $45 and includes:

• Capitola Village Sip & Stroll commemorative glass

• 12 two-ounce pour tickets to be used as you shop

• A map to locate which Village shops are hosting Visit https://capitolavillage.com/event/capitola-sip-and-stroll/ for full details and regulations.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HISTORY FAIR

1-5 p.m., Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9

The San Lorenzo Valley Museum presents the admission-free Santa Cruz County History Fair at Felton Community Hall.

The Capitola Historical Museum will have a display booth and there will also be several history and genealogy talks given at the Community Room of the Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St.

Other participating organizations include:

Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County

• History

• Scotts Valley Historical Society • UCSC Special Collections

Revolution • Watsonville Public Library

• Native Daughters of the Golden West

• Otter B Books

• Santa Cruz County Human Rights Commission

• Santa Cruz Family History Center

• Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District

• Quail Hollow County Park • Santa Cruz Archaeological Society • Santa Cruz County Family History Center • Soquel Pioneer Historical Asso-ciation

Saturday May 20

VETS’ BOWLATHON

1 p.m., Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz Vets4Vets announces the Pat Pratt and Dennis Taku Memorial Tournament bowlathon at Boardwalk Bowl. Cost is a $15 donation to Vets4Vets.

Vets4Vets is a Santa Cruz nonprofit that is made up of local veterans and friends committed to assisting our brothers and sisters in need.

To RSVP, email Vets4Vets@Vets4VetsSantaCruz.org www.vets4vetssantacruz.org

FISHING GEAR SWAP MEET

9 a.m.-1 p.m., Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive

The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club will have its annual swap meet, rain or shine, at the Aptos Grange parking lot. Buy, sell, trade all things fishing and outdoor activities. Open to the public, free admission. Vendor spaces free to club members, $10 fee to nonmembers. For info, call or text Jeff at 831-234-0033.

Thursday May 25

LAUNCHPAD JOB FAIR

6-8 p.m., Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Works’ annual job fair and student business plan pitch competition event, Santa Cruz Launchpad, is back for its 6th year in a row!

The student business plan pitch competition with $50,000 in prizes is by invitation only, and the job fair open to the public.

Companies will offer hundreds of jobs ranging from internships to entry-level and seasoned professionals. Bring your resume, learn about a variety of companies, and their job opportunities.

Free parking with ticket validation.

To register your company to participate, see https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-cruz-launchpad-2023tickets-616154222867

Saturday May 27

2023 FELTON REMEMBERS PARADE & COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL

10 a.m., Highway 9, Felton (Check In 8-9:30, Henry Cowell Park)

The 33rd Annual Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival is back for 2023!! The Felton Business and Community Association puts on this event. The parade and festival will be held this year, as always, on Memorial Day week-end, which falls this year on May 27, beginning at 10 am on Hwy 9. To register to be in the parade, fill out the online form at https://www.feltonbusinessassociation.org/parade-andfestival-2023.html

The staging area for the parade this year (again) will be in the Picnic Area at Henry Cowell State Park. Check-in is at the Kiosk at the Park, and you will be directed to your staging area. Parking is available (no charge) in the Park. Festival live music: Locomotive Breath, Sharon Allen & the Dusty Boots, and Paper-back Ryders. For a vendor’s booth in Covered Bridge Park, see https:// www.feltonbusinessassociation.org/parade-andfestival-2023.html

Fo-rum

• Santa Cruz Public Library

• Researchers Anonymous

• Santa Cruz MAH

• Daughters of the American

Questions? Contact parade coordinator Harry Berggren at hfberggren@gmail.com or 831-566-7299. n

Photo: Women in Swimming Through Melissa and Patrice

Storm Damage: $30 Million (Plus $70 Million for Covid & Fire)

By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

We are heading into budget season at the County, which is always a time to reflect on our priorities and focus attention on emerging needs.

As we roll toward a new fiscal year, we must acknowledge the deep financial impact of the County’s response to natural disasters, both the atmospheric river storms of 2023 and the unreimbursed expenses from Covid and CZU Fire responses starting in 2020.

The cost to address road repairs and other hazards as a result of this year’s storms will exceed $30 million, which when added to $70 million in costs for Covid and the CZU Fire have created a $100 million gap we are hoping the federal government will eventually cover. That amount equates to nearly 14% of our proposed $731.5 million General Fund for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.

Fortunately, the County has been cautious in our spending for many years, allowing us to restore a 10% reserve, though some of that funding is dedicated for health services. We are not proposing drastic cuts and can cover our anticipated increases for employee compen sation and benefits. But, as always, we will closely monitor state and national economic trends to inform future budget decisions.

Meanwhile, our overall $1.1 billion budget includes investments in key initiatives, including the South County Government Center, Project Homekey sites to address homelessness, a new Children’s Crisis center and restored Sheriff’s Recovery Center, and improvements at Juvenile Hall. Additionally, we continue to be grateful for voter support of past tax measures that help fund our

roads, libraries, parks and other core services.

The Board will review our budget during hearings May 30 and 31 before a final review June 13. We look forward to public input on our financial plan, which is available at santacruzcounty.us.

I also wanted to share developments with two issues concerning water. First, the state informed the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency in late April that it has approved the organization’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan, which has been in development for several years by Scotts Valley Water, San Lorenzo Valley Water, the County and private well owners in collaboration with the cities of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz. The plan will help us guide decision-making about our groundwater basin for years to come.

Secondly, my office has been working closely with state agencies on charting a better future for customers of Big Basin Water Co. in Boulder Creek. Both the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board are separately pursuing enforcement measures against the company due to a history of unreliable and potentially unsafe service related to drinking water and a small wastewater plant, respectively.

As the state pursues receivership for the drinking water side of the business — and potentially for the wastewater treatment plant — my office continues to urge local public ownership. Big Basin Water has announced a signed purchase agreement with an out-of-state company, though any such sale must be approved by the state once the buyer is

determined to be capable of bringing the system into compliance.

I want to thank San Lorenzo Valley Water District for its excellent partnership and generosity shown to Big Basin Water and its customers for many years. At this time, the District is not pursuing consolidation with Big Basin Water, but we will collectively monitor the proposed sale to see if consolidation could be a possibility for the future.

Lastly, there have been some exciting developments on the Highway 9 Complete Streets Plan, which is a comprehensive plan managed by the Regional Transportation Commission to improve our main thoroughfare in the Valley.

The RTC and Caltrans have developed a great partnership with the County, the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District and METRO with an eye toward safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, as well as better circulation around the combined school campuses in Felton. A draft report of the SLV Schools Access Study is now available at SCCRTC. org. Also exciting is the Boulder Creek Complete Streets Improvement project, for which we are seeking state and federal funding to address sidewalk and bike lane improvements. n

As always, if my office can be of assistance, please contact us at fifth.district@santacruzcounty. us or 831-454-2200.

I want to thank San Lorenzo Valley Water District for its excellent partnership and generosity shown to Big Basin Water and its customers for many years.

The draft report for the SLV Schools Access Study is at sccrtc.org. Email feedback to info@sccrtc.org

SCCAS Featured Pet

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

Editor’s note: Senior Rabbi Paula Marcus of Temple Beth El in Aptos was chosen to deliver convocation to California State Legislature on April 17, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Here is what she said:

Fall in Love With Lovebug

This week we have the sweetest cat- Lovebug- as Pet of the Week! She is a 7-year-old tortie and brown tabby spayed female who came to the Shelter as an owner surrender. Lovebug really lives up to her name- she is friendly and affectionate, but also enjoys her independence.

Sometimes she can be shy when first meeting new people but once she trusts you she loves to cuddle, and would even burrow under the covers with her foster mom at night. She will gently tap you on the arm if she wants attention as well. This precious kitty is looking for a mellow home where she can be someone’s cat companion, but she would prefer a home without dogs- they tend to scare her.

A home with another cat might work with slow introduction. Her favorite activities include playing with wand toys and napping. Lovebug is patiently waiting for her forever home at the Shelter- will you be her new cuddle buddy? Come meet Lovebug today!

Lovebug’s adoption fee is decreased by $20 because she is a sweet senior- but she still has many years of love and fun ahead of her!

Right now the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun!

If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian. ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Adoption hours are 10 am-5 pm. All adoption shows must begin before 4:45pm. n

•••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062

Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours

Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Fill-In-The-Blank

© Statepoint Media

the Nazis in Budapest on 7 November 1944, at the age of 23.

Hannah Senesh was born in Hungary in 1921. In 1943, at the height of World War II, she volunteered to go into Nazi-controlled areas in Europe to save Jewish lives.

She was one of 37 Jewish Special Operation recruits from Mandate Palestine who parachuted into Yugoslavia. Their mission was to organize resistance to the Germans, and aid in the rescue of those who had been captured by the Nazis.

After staying with the resistance fighters, known as the partisans, she was seized in German-occupied Hungary and executed by

“SC Shakespeare” from page 19

•••

King Lear by William Shakespeare

Director: Paul Mullins

Opening Night: July 28, at 8p.m. This powerful interpretation stars Paul Whitworth, former Shakespeare Santa Cruz Artistic Director and Royal Shakespeare Company actor.

Charting a king’s disturbing descent into madness, this play explores how the craving for power can shatter kingdoms and families.

Additional 2023 productions include The Fringe Show, an SCS intern production, with performances Aug. 16 and 22. This production features Lauren Gunder-

“Hearts

& Hands” from page 17

The facility’s management litigated at first, then changed course and worked cooperatively over the last three years to dramatically improve the facility and its operations, which was the goal of the joint prosecution, according to Rossell.

The monitor reported a new administrator has brought the facility up to required standards, according to Bonta.

Initially the judgment imposed a $250,000 penalty for violations; however, all but $50,000 was stayed due to the

She is known both for her courage and her poetry. The words of this song are from one of her poems, and they speak to the universal understanding that we are all connected through our hearts, our appreciation for the beauty of creation, resilience, and the powerful ways we elevate the memories of all who have worked to spread goodness and peace in the face of evil.

May they inspire us to continue this sacred work together. n

www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/ through-the-lens/hannah-szenes.asp

son’s play, Exit Pursued by a Bear, a revenge comedy about one woman doing whatever it takes to get out of an abusive relationship.

Each season SCS presents a Staged Reading Series showcasing two new plays read by professional actors. Scheduled for Aug.1 and 8, the plays will be announced soon. Featuring professional actors from around the country and inspired by local roots going back more than 40 years, Santa Cruz Shakespeare stages bold productions of the plays of Shakespeare and other great playwrights that stimulate audiences and spark their imagination.

For information, visit santacruzshakespeare. org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

facility’s cooperation, he said, noting monitoring will continue for two more years to ensure compliance.

“It’s gratifying to see our joint prosecution efforts reap positive change and benefits for our dependents and seniors, among the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Rosell.

To read the Medicare deficiency reports, see https://projects.propublica. org/nursing-homes/homes/h-055017

Hannah Senesh

Paul Whitworth