Scotts Valley Times: March 2024

Danica Kelley: State Champion

By Jondi Gumz

Danica Kelley, a senior at Scotts Valley High School who has been wrestling for seven years, capped her best season with a first-place finish in the California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships.

Kelley, who competes at 135 pounds, won all five matches in the tournament at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.

Winning the title “feels good,” she told Scotts Valley

Times. “It’s a closing to a season and a completion of a circle. In some ways it doesn’t feel real.”

She is the second girl in Santa Cruz County to win a CIF State championship.

The first was Domino Parrish of Scotts Valley, who won state titles in 2014 and 2015 and won gold medals at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships and the 2022 Pan American Wrestling Championships. ... continues on page 4

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Three League Champs!

Three girls wrestling for Scotts Valley High School earned Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championships this season.

• Danica Kelley, a senior at 135.

• Kayse Martinovsky, a senior at 140.

• Citiali Lopez, a sophomore at 119.

As a team, the Scotts Valley girls placed third with a score of 52, behind league champion Santa Cruz with 66 and Aptos with 58.

Danica, Kayce and Citiali all earned the right to compete in the Central Coast Section Southern Regionals, a 45-team competition in Watsonville, along with nine other wrestlers from around the county.

Danica took first, with four pins. In the

final, she pinned senior Joselin Hernandez of Alisal in 2:59.

Martinovsky was pinned by Monterey junior Ella Myers in 56 seconds in the final. Martinovsky finished in second, going 3-1 with two pins. This is a season where she had to rehab after a knee injury last season.

Citiali finished in 10th.

Alisal finished in first with 280 points. Gilroy took second with 255.5, and Monterey was third with 223 was third.

Scotts Valley, with 75 points, was the top team from Santa Cruz County for ninth place.

Watsonville, 51 points, was 16th, Aptos, 46 points was 19th, Santa Cruz, 42 points, was 20th, Harbor, 29 points, was 24th, and Soquel, 25 points, was 25th.

Kelley is coached by Nick Reyes, a Scotts Valley alum who was on the wrestling team one year behind Parrish when she was state champion.

Asked who has helped you get where you are, Kelley said,“Too many people to count! My whole area has pitched in to this. And it feels more like a victory for the community. All my coaches, family, friends, and even some of the school staff have sacrificed for this.”

Kelley, who had won Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Central Coast Section titles, was seeded No. 2 in the state tournament.

On the first day, she defeated Kayla Ganac, the first female wrestler from Los Osos High to go to state, and Renice Gonzalez of Colony High, a returning state medalist -both pins.

On the second day, she got a 5-4 decision over Braya Cruz of Clovis North High, a junior who took first in the Masters Championship in Kern County.

Then on the third day, she faced Maci Stemmons of Monte Vista High, the North Coast Section champion, who is committed to attend Menlo College.

Kelley thought she had a pin, but her opponent got back on her feet and when her coaches challenged the referee ruling, it was

State Championship

Danica and Kayce earned the right to wrestle in the CIF State Championship in Bakersfield.

Danica Kelley, the No. 2 seed, got two pins in her first matches, defeating Kayla Ganac of Los Osos in 3:24 and Renice Gonzalez of Colony in 6:00.

In the quarterfinals, Danica won a 5-4 decision over Braya Cruz of Clovis North. Her next match came against Maci Stemmons, the No. 3 seed. See story, page 1. Kayse got a bye, then lost two decisions, 6-5 to Lucia Ledezma of Granite Hills and 12-4 to Dora Assis of Newport Harbor.

•••

Photos courtesy of Nick Reyes

overturned. Instead of a pin, Kelley got four points for a nearfall, boosting her score to 6-0 in the first period. In the second period, she kept her composure to get a pin.

In her final match, Kelley faced No. 4 seed Alex Maday of Whitney High, whose aggressive moves gave her a 5-0 lead. Again, Kelley kept her composure and got a pin in 1:43.

For Reyes, it was a moment he’ll never

forget, watching Kelley, who was on her back, to flip Maday and earn the pin.

Maday was unconscious after the match ended but she got medical attention and stood up to congratulate Kelley.

What’s the secret to Kelley’s success?

She wrestles year-round.

She doesn’t take time off.

She spent time scouting and watching Maday’s videos from this season and got coaching from Reyes on what to do.

For a girl who’s devoted seven years of her life to her sport, this is the pinnacle.

What got Kelley interested in wrestling?

She explained, “Some of my family had wrestled in school and I had done jiujitsu. I heard an announcement on the loudspeakers one morning in middle school and decided on the spot that I wanted to try it. Seven years later and I do not regret that impulsive decision.”

What’s next? Kelley will compete in the California USA Wrestling Championships in Fresno May 31-June 2.

She hasn’t yet decided which college to attend, but she definitely wants to wrestle. She has been communicating with college coaches and is open to talking with more.

Watch out NCAA: Danica Kelley is excited to open up a new chapter of her life. n

•••

“State Champ” from page 1

Cover Photo: Danica Kelley in the SCCAL tournament

Danica Kelley with her State Championship medal.

Citiali Lopez

Kayse Martinovsky

Supervisor Hopefuls Answer Questions

By Jondi Gumz

On Feb. 7, a night of pouring rain and power outages ahead of the March 5 election, local voters packed into the Highlands Park community room — capacity 286 — for a forum hosted by the Valley Women’s Club with all four candidates for Fifth District supervisor answer questions.

Topics included Santa Cruz County’s prohibitively expensive new rules on septic systems, which everyone in San Lorenzo Valley has, an example of problem-solving skills, and resources for infrastructure. No one left even though the power went off for an hour.

The questions were selected by the Valley Women’s Club, which selected who would answer first, second third and fourth.

•••

AT&T wants to end landline service, what would you do?

Monica Martinez: The CPUC is accepting feedback. Email them.

Theresa Bond: AT&T stopped maintaining these lines already. I would look at the policies to see what is legally written. We need legal representation now. We need to say we will bring a class action lawsuit. On our FireWise committee, we’ve been evac uated twice. We were very lucky we were not burned out. We have a phone tree using landlines, so we cannot go without.

Christopher Bradford: With my team, I’ve already been working on this issue. I’ve met with (Supervisor) Justin Cummings. I presented an idea using lower mission without using the Internet. I was over the hill working and I couldn’t reach my wife or kids; I didn’t know if they were safe. We have to execute with well thought out plans.

More than 900 homes destroyed in CZU fire in 2020 and only 40 rebuilt because of punitive county regulations. What can do you?

Monica Martinez: It is completely unac ceptable the number of homes rebuilt. We

have to do more. We have a government that is full of red tape, full of bureaucracy, we need to open the gates in the planning department and public works department, so the CZU fire victims can get back in their

Theresa Bond

Tom Decker Monica Martinez

Christopher Bradford

CPUC Warned Landlines Essential in Disasters

U.S. representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), along with 13 other members of the California delegation, sent a letter to California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Bushing Reynolds urging regulators to reject AT&T’s petition to end access to landline services to most California counties.

“The application to cease landline service in certain rural communities of the 19th Congressional District threatens public safety, especially in those areas vulnerable to natural disasters,” Panetta said. “We wanted to make sure that the CPUC fully understands the lack of connectivity in certain rural areas in good times and in bad, and the need for land lines for the people who live in those types of communities.”

AT&T has requested to be relieved of its “Carrier of Last Resort” obligations in much of California.

If approved, AT&T California (landline service, separate from cellular) would no longer be required to offer landline telephone service where it is currently required to offer “Basic Service” in those areas. Basic Service includes: Lifeline rates for eligible customers, free access to 9-1-1, Telephone Relay Service, and directory and operator services.

BEST

“As the CPUC considers AT&T’s proposal to discontinue lifesaving services, we think a clear-eyed analysis of the limitations of the cellular service in good conditions, and in the hilly and mountainous areas where disasters can cause prolonged power outages is necessary. We encourage you to fully and fairly consider the concerns from constituents in our districts about the impact the loss of land lines would have on the safety of our community,” the members wrote.

The Members of Congress signing the letter include Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), Lou Correa (CA-46), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Mike Levin (CA-49), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Katie Porter (CA-47), Adam Schiff (CA-30), and Mark Takano (CA-39).

The full letter follows: •••

Dear Ms. Reynolds:

Onbehalf of the constituents of the California Delegation, we raise serious concerns with AT&T’s applications to be relieved of its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligations and to remove its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation in areas of California.

AT&T’s application to cease landline service in our communities threatens public safety in an area plagued by earthquakes, severe storms, floods, and fires and that has a geography that often disrupts cellular service for days, if not weeks, at a time.

During these times, residents are only able to contact emergency services and obtain emergency updates via their landlines. In fact, many of these areas do not have reliable cellular service on a good weather day, at best. If AT&T’s petition is granted, we think an exception for residents who live in areas with unreliable cellular service, where they are prone to fires, earthquakes, flooding, and landslides is warranted.

Congress has repeatedly passed legislation seeking to address the worsening severity of natural disasters and their impact on our constituents. For example, in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Congress provided $500 million for hazardous fuels mitigation; $500 million for prescribed fires; $500 million for communities to implement a community wildfire defense plan; $5 billion for utilities to underground power lines, install fire-resistant technologies, and expand the use of microgrids; and $3.5 billion for weatherization assistance to help homeowners make energy-efficient improvements that help fireproof their homes.

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“More Q&A” from page 5

Tom Decker: The entire town of Boulder Creek burned down in 1891 and the town was rebuilt in two years. I’ve been able to rebuild 3 homes. First one took 20 months. The problem is county government is not going to say yes until everything is perfect. Something is seriously wrong. I’m going to fix that.

Top 3 priorities

Theresa Bond: Define our common goods for our county. Example: Child care. Family child care centers got wiped out in the pandemic. Businesses were wiped out. Transportation, roads, safety on roads.

Christopher Bradford: Housing and roads, can we afford to live in our neighborhoods? Living in yurts and giant tents, it’s hard. Disaster preparedness and recovery.

There are ways to survive and prepare our homes. Lastly cost of living. I’ve experienced, child care is so expensive, my partner can’t afford to work.

Tom Decker: Only 40 homes rebuilt, that’s wrong. We have to change the culture from the top. Roads. Hwy 9, Mount Hermon, Bear Creek. And senior care, people on fixed incomes can’t get by. I’ve worked with Valley Churches United. More needs to be done.

Monica Martinez: Disaster preparedness. We need to change the way we prepare Affordable housing. We are not able to maintain our workforce. Our children can’t afford to live here. Third, our Fifth District hasn’t had a voice. I’m willing to change that.

How to ensure county funding for SLV?

Christopher Bradford: That’s the reason I’m running. they don’t understand that gas incinerators are needed. We don’t have a fixed safety net. You have to have leadership that understands what the community needs. We have to make sure Mountain Community Resources and Valley Churches get what they need

Tom Decker: Christopher said it all, we’ve got to let folks know we’re here. I’m amazed when I go down to the county, the power was out, they ask how do you heat your house? With wood. They said, aren’t you afraid that will pollute the air. How do you light your home? Generator. They said, what about your carbon footprint? the only reason I’’ve been able to build these homes is I’ve been a squeaky wheel. I intend to do that.

Monica Martinez: All of us live in the San Lorenzo Valley.

You have to choose who has the experience to represent your needs The county has real budget constraints so we have to be thoughtful and strategic about our decisions.

If we care about getting people back homes, we need a fully staffed planning department to do that. If we care about seniors, we need to make sure Highlands Park Senior Park and the orgs up here have the funding they need to meet the real needs of residents. I’m ready to be that advocate.

Theresa Bond: Budget priorities need to be set based on common goods. We need to work with other members to make us a priority. I’m a big fan of dashboards. If something doesn’t get disbursed, we need to go back and see what the obstacles are.

Top 3 environmental issues

Tom Decker: What can supervisors do to change the climate? Our biggest thing is fire and floods. That’s our environment.

Keep our relationships with neighbors close and carry chainsaws in our car.

Power comes on, lights are restored.

Monica Martinez: There is a lot we can do to affect climate change. Vegetation management by PG&E, it’s not working. State Parks,UCSC, need to maintain vegetation in a sustainable way. I would love to see more EV chargers in the valley.

Theresa Bond: Educating everyone. all this rain is coming down, where are we storing it? We need community focus & involvement. My family owns a rental property in Rio Del Mar, the ocean is coming in by the yards. Some homes were demolished and they were rebuilt exactly the same.

Christopher Bradford. Fire mitigation makes a huge difference. We’ll make sure our water table is safe and our air is breathable. Second, our water table. Last, advocacy, my kids got to explore county parks, that’s important.

County resources to refocus on infrastructure?

Monica Martinez: Our county has limited funding, there is very little unrestricted funding. We need to look or the state or federal government to bring in more funds. I’m an experienced grant writer. We get very low property tax back from the state but Speaker Robert Rivas is talking about changing the formula. We need new money.

Theresa Bond: I’d go after the federal funds that haven’t reached us. I would put someone on a plane to Washington.

We’re not going to be able to these plans for the future. Some of these things have got to wait. I haven’t seen saying no to lesser priorities.

Christopher Bradford: Our budget is tight. Best thing is to increase our income. Grant-writing. It makes a huge difference for nonprofits. Property taxes, we get 13 cents on the dollar, the rest goes to schools, goes elsewhere. There’s not enough to rob Peter to pay Paul.

Tom Decker: I’m impressed with people who think we can get money from the federal government. Federal government owes $44 trillion and has $164 trillion unfunded liabilities, the state owes $60 billion and has $260 billion in unfunded liabilities, the county has $43 million of unfunded liabilities.

Chances of getting more money less successful. I was on the road, I saw a couple of county trucks several guys trying to figure something out, there was guy in a hole with a shovel, and a supervisor. On the way back I saw the same folks. If they worked for me, they’d all be fired. I say let’s be more efficient with the money we have.

Septic tank nightmare: Your thoughts?

Tom Decker: San Lorenzo Valley has 14,000 private septic systems. When feces showed up where the San Lorenzo River empties by the Boardwalk, they assume it’s from these 14,000 septic systems.

They don’t consider the possibility that the source could be people who are homeless. These enhanced septic systems cost $150,000.

“5th District Q&A” page 8

PR Firm to Pay $350 Million Over Opioid Claims

On Feb. 1, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health, LLC, to resolve claims that its false and misleading marketing of opioids contributed to the lethal opioid crisis.

California will receive about $31 million, one of the larger amounts in the settlement, to help address this crisis. The settlement money is anticipated to be paid in the second quarter of 2024.

The settlement will give communities more financial support for treatment and recovery, building lasting infrastructure, and saving lives, Bonta said.

Publicis is to disclose on a public website thousands of internal documents detailing its work for opioid companies like Purdue Pharma and is to stop accepting client work related to opioid-based Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substances.

Publicis Health was been accused of helping Purdue Pharma, maker of the OxyContin, a multibillion-dollar painkiller, “recklessly” increase OxyContin sales.

This work created a public nuisance from 2010 to 2019, according to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who sued along with Bonta.

Purdue paid Publicis more than $50 million, according to Healey.

“5th District Q&A” from page 7

Monica Martinez: It costs $100,000 to do a review and there’s only one or two providers. The county missed an opportunity to listen to stakeholders and providers.

I want to propose solutions: Compostable toilers and combustible toilets.

Theresa Bond: I would do what Monica says. I’m not aware of this. I have a septic system and well water. It’s a nightmare to upgrade to use greywater. I would try to find experts to do it better.

Christopher Bradford: We have a septic tank. I had to build a $150,000 system. People are making decisions for rural areas who know nothing about rural areas.

We asked for compostable and combustible toilets and those ideas were rejected.

Give an example of a problem you solved.

Monica Martinez: You want somebody asking the questions, not somebody who knows all the answers. I’m very collaborative. Example, with wages, people can’t afford to live here. I asked the staff (at Encompass where she is executive director) what would help, and they said help to pay for student loans.

Theresa Bond: I’ve been an engineer in Silicon Valley. I’m a middle child, the peacemaker. I like to see detail. Example: Opioid overdoses. Board policy (in the Los GatosSaratoga Union High School District, where she’s a board member) did not allow us to administer Narcan (the lifesaving remedy).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said nearly 500,000 people died from opioid overdoses from 1999 to 2019.

In 2021, more than 80,000 people in the U.S. died of overdose deaths involving opioids, and more than 11,200 deaths took place in California.

New York Attorney General Leticia James said Publicis was responsible for creating advertisements, pamphlets and brochures, that promoted OxyContin as safe and unable to be abused, even though this claim was not true.

She said Publicis conspired with consultant McKinsey & Co. and Practice Fusion, an electronic health record company in San Francisco, to push market OxyContin on patient records to increase Purdue’s opioid sales.

the opioid crisis. At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to holding accountable those who fueled this crisis through their greed and willful misconduct,” said Bonta.

Court documents detail how Publicis acted as Purdue’s agency of record for all its branded opioid drugs, including OxyContin, developing sales tactics that relied on farming data from recordings of personal health-related inoffice conversations between patients and providers.

Publicis, which reported 100,000 employees this year, is a partner of the World Economic Forum, which calls for a “Great Reset,” an emphasis on globalism rather than individual nations.

• In November of 2022, Bonta announced a $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart to resolve allegations that the company helped fuel the opioid crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its pharmacies.

She said Publicis implemented Purdue Pharma’s “Evolve to Excellence” scheme, developed by McKinsey, targeting the doctors who prescribed the most OxyContin and flooding them with sales calls and marketing touting the message that OxyContin was not addictive even though it was and advising increasing patient dosages, often unnecessarily.

“No settlement can bring back the lives lost or reverse the devastating pain caused by

A student overdosed in the bathroom. We got our lawyers on it to come up with a solution.

Christopher Bradford: I’m a software engineer. I take a very systematic process, observe, get information, then act.

Example: I was using lights for construction to light my home. When I needed a part, I ordered it on Amazon.

Tom Decker: I’ll ask: Is it necessary? Is it cheaper or more efficient? Can we do it from existing revenue? I think I can deal with anything.

Why run?

Theresa Bond: The next level after schools is county government. I bring a fresh face with a lot of contacts, John Laird, Gail Pellerin, Dave Cortese. I’m not taking donations, I’m not putting up flyers. I can do Zoom office hours.

Christopher Bradford: We need transparency, someone who listens and responds. We have some of that, but not enough. You can’t put an insider in this position.

Tom Decker: I’ve lived here 60 years. I remember Cheryl Wong who was head of county Environmental Health saying “You shouldn’t be living here.” She rejected 39 of 40 fire rebuild applications.

Monica Martinez: The state is funding community resiliency centers. We’ve had 7 disasters in six years — I think that’s us. We can select a site and apply. The grant money will be competitive. This center should be placed in San Lorenzo Valley. I want it placed in my first term. n

Since the first wave of the opioid epidemic hit the United States in 2000, it has taken hundreds of thousands of lives, torn families apart, and eroded the social fabric of communities.

To date, the California Department of Justice has secured nearly $50 billion in nationwide settlements and bankruptcies, including with opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, and Teva; distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen; pharmacies CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart; and consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

• In June of 2023, Bonta announced four multi-billion opioid settlements worth up to $17.3 billion with pharmacies CVS and Walgreens and manufacturers Allergan and Teva.

“Landlines” from page 6

Ensuring residents are able to communicate and reach emergency services during these natural disasters addresses the Congressional concern with mitigating the loss of life and property during these natural disasters that often require federal funds for remediation for the loss of property. There is no remediation possible for the loss of life.

CPUC’s stated mission is to ensure Californians have safe, reliable utility services. We do not believe that removing access to landlines is compatible with this mission. When catastrophic earthquakes, destructive fires, cataclysmic landslides, or ravaging floods happen residents are left without the electricity or working cellular towers necessary for cellular phone usage for days and weeks at a time. These disasters are not figurative or future possibilities. They happen regularly in this area of the country.

For example, this year already hundreds of thousands of Californians who were without power due to the Pineapple Express weather system storms, floods, and landslides. The earthquake of 2022 left Californians without power for such an extended period of time, people were unable to charge

• In July 2021, Bonta announced a $26 billion settlement, which was finalized in Spring 2022, with Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids, and Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors. It was the second largest multistate agreement in U.S. history, and its terms bar Johnson & Johnson from being involved in selling or promoting opioids for a decade and require the distributors to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid sales.

• In February of 2021, Bonta announced a $573 million settlement with one of the world’s largest consulting firms, McKinsey & Co. The settlement resolves California’s investigation into the company’s role in advising opioid companies (including OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma) in the promotion and sale of their drugs. The states’ investigation was led by an executive committee made up of the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont. They are joined by the attorneys general from all other states, territories, and the District of California. n

their cellular phones. The only way to call for emergency services and stay in touch with the outside world was via neighbors that had landlines. What will happen if these landlines are removed? How will people call for emergency service in a disaster or in areas with poor cellular reception?

As of the morning of Feb. 7, 2024, you had over 3,000 comments asking you to deny the petition. We think these comments are worth consideration when determining whether to deny AT&T’s petition or to create an exception for residents who live in areas with unreliable cellular service, where they are prone to fires, earthquakes, flooding, and landslides.

As the CPUC considers AT&Ts proposal to discontinue lifesaving services, we think a clear-eyed analysis of the limitations of the cellular service in good conditions, and in the hilly and mountainous areas where disasters can cause prolonged power outages is necessary. We encourage you to fully and fairly consider the concerns from constituents in our districts about the impact the loss of land lines would have on the safety of our community.

Customers can register their opinion at http://tinyurl.com/ATT-no-landline-opinion.

Esparza-Johnson to Direct ‘In the Heights’ for Cabrillo Stage

Cabrillo Stage auditions for its summer production, “In the Heights,” will be by appointment Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3.

This hip musical (music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda; book by Quiara Alegría Hudes) was an instant sensation when it premiered on Broadway 15 years ago.

Directing this summer’s production is Estrella EsparzaJohnson, who most recently directed Thanksgiving Play for The Western Stage and who has a long history as an actor and creator with Teatro Campesino as well as many other companies.

Joining Esparza-Johnson as choreographer for the production is Chris Marcos. His choreography will include some high energy Hip Hop as well as a variety of Latin movements including Salsa, Bachata and a fusion of all styles.

He said, “The choreography is not just visual eye candy, it’s a tool to express feeling and emotion. The movement serves as a bridge between music and story with the cast as vessels to push the narrative forward in all directions.”

The accomplished Michael J. McGushin returns this summer as musical director. Joining the team is Ron Johnson, Cabrillo Stage alum, who comes back as Hip Hop dramaturg and assistant vocal director.

Veteran stage manager Alina Goodman, whose last production for Cabrillo Stage was The Producers, rounds out the team.

Director Esparza-Johnson adds that her vision is one of “truth and authenticity. You will experience full Latino characters, not caricatures. Our ethnic identity is rooted in our ideals of family, home, community and industry. The audience will have an entertaining, joyous and uplifting experience at the theatre.”

The musical is set in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood — a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind.

Auditions will be by appointment. Vocal auditions are from 10 am–2 pm on Saturday,March 2, and 1-3 pm on Sunday, March 3, at the Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, Building 4000, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. If you are called back to dance, the time will be 3-6 pm on both days.

To audition sign up at: https://www. cabrillostage.com/auditions. n

•••

Actors may submit a video audition any time before March 3. Callbacks will be March 9-10. Information on what to prepare and how to submit can be found at www.cabrillostage.com.

Wilder Ranch Visitor Center Closed From Flooding

Aflash flood at Wilder Ranch State Park in January significantly damaged the park’s historic dairy ranch, closing the Visitor Center and ParkStore.

Four inches of rain fell overnight on Jan. 21, causing Wilder Creek to catastrophically overflow its banks, inundating the Visitor Center and ParkStore, historic Cow Barn and washing away ranch fencing. The Visitor Center and ParkStore need cleanup and rebuilding.

Friends of State Parks report recovery from this disaster will take time and require significant resources. While challenging, the experience provides an opportunity to be strategic about restoration efforts to ensure resiliency against climate change and its impacts on State Parks.

As an operating partnes with California State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

has established the Wilder Ranch Recovery Fund. The fund will provide short-term support, followed by investments in longterm recovery work to ensure public access, historical preservation and environmental protection at Wilder Ranch State Park.

Wilder Ranch, Big Basin Redwoods, Butano and Burleigh Murray Ranch state parks remain closed temporarily. Watch Instagram and Facebook for updates. n

Estrella Esparza-Johnson

SC Hospice Awards First Emmi Schambeck Nursing Scholarship

Hospice of Santa Cruz County announces Zach Pobre, licensed vocational nurse, as the inaugural recipient of the Emmi Schambeck Nursing Scholarship.

This scholarship is named in honor of Emmi Schambeck, the retired longtime registered nurse at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. The goal is to deepen the pool of skilled nursing professionals and reinforce the organization’s commitment to learning.

During her more than 30-year career, Schambeck provided care for thousands of patients and families and training for hundreds of nurses.

Cathy Conway, CEO of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, said, “We value growth at all levels. We invest in our team and support those who seek to enhance their skills. The Emmi Schambeck Scholarship fund is our initiative to encourage hospice aides, LVNs, and RNs to advance their qualifications. This is our way of enriching the skills available to our patients and the wider community.”

Zach Pobre hails from Salinas and has recently been accepted into the Hartnell College LVN to RN bridge program.

Prior to joining the hospice team, he gained experience in skilled nursing facilities and endof-life care. As the community liaison for the Salinas area, Zach has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and correcting misconceptions about hospice care.

Reflecting on his motivation, Zach said, “My personal experience with my father’s illness revealed a gap in awareness about hospice care. I witnessed the isolation and pain my family endured and vowed to ensure no other family goes through that. Changing my career path and aiming to become an RN is part of my commitment to provide comfort and support to those in need. I am thankful for the support of Hospice of Santa Cruz Care, an organization that continually inspires me with its dedication to quality care and patient needs.”

Pobre was honored in a special presentation ceremony, attended by Emmi Schambeck, at the Hospice of Santa Cruz County office in Scotts Valley. n

State to Evaluate Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program

As part of its evaluation of the “WolfLivestock Compensation Pilot Program,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is posting outstanding wolf depredation reports dating back to August 2023.

The depredation reports confirm 16 wolf depredations totaling a loss of 18 livestock.

With this posting, CDFW will now finalize review of existing program applications and eligibility of livestock producers to receive payments for direct losses.

The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program is the first of its kind in California and has thus far:

fladry), camera surveillance, motion lights and guardian dogs, and

• Compensated livestock producers for the impact of wolf presence on livestock.

CDFW received $3 million in funding from the Budget Act of 2021 and began receiving applications in February 2022.

• Provided support to livestock producers in compensating for direct loss of livestock due to confirmed wolf depredation

• Supported non-lethal deterrence techniques such as the use of range riders, electrified fencing and flags (turbo

As of Jan. 12, CDFW had received 102 applications.

At that time, CDFW notified the public that the applications received were projected to exhaust the current fund.

The efforts to implement the pilot program have been important to wolf conservation and supporting livestock producers in the state. Once the program is complete and evaluated, CDFW will make a summary public at https:// wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/GrayWolf n

Zach Pobre

Emmi Schambeck

Photo Courtesy of CDFW

CALL FOR ARTISTS!

Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival

The 2024 Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival dates are Saturday August 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Kids Fun Zone will be back and the area’s most prestigious wineries and awardwinning micro-breweries pouring their best. The ever-popular Cops ‘N Rodders Car Show will be on Saturday and on Sunday,

the fun-filled “Dog Day” will feature many canine contests and prizes!

All artworks will be juried. Artist must have original, quality art and excellent craftsmanship in all areas of the various mediums. No kits, mass-produced items, commercial reproductions or imports will be allowed.

The Artist Application is Now Open. You can Apply at SVArtFestival.com. Artist Questions?

Email svartwinebeer@gmail.com.

Local SC County Residents

• Single Booth (12x12) $275 + $35 (nonrefundable) jury fee = $310

• Double Booth (12x24) $475 + $35 (nonrefundable) jury fee = $510

Non-Local SC County Residents

• Single Booth $420 (12x12) + $35 (nonrefundable) jury fee = $455

• Double Booth $720 (12x24) $35 (nonrefundable) jury fee = $755

First Round of Accepted Applicants

will be notified on June 7. Accepted Applicants must confirm participation by June 14.

Second Round of Accepted Applicants will be notified on June 21.

Accepted Applicants must confirm participation by June 26. Any remaining openings will be accepted on an individual basis.

Irish Eyes Beauty: 40th Anniversary and St. Patrick’s Celebration March 21

Join Irish Eyes Beauty in celebrating their 40th Anniversary on March 21, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a Saint Patrick’s Day themed party and Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer

There will be appetizers, wines from Wargin Wines, beer from Steele Bonnet Brewery and music from the Kerry Sheepdogs.

Danny Reber, Executive Director of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce will be awarding prizes throughout the evening. The grand prize will be a basket of beauty products donated by Irish

Eyes Beauty valued at $200. The basket is being donated to raise money for the Scotts Valley Community Theater. Tickets for the grand prize basket are $2 each and 100% of the funds raised will be donated.

Irish Eyes Beauty is one of the longest operating businesses in Scotts Valley. Deborah Parcel opened Irish Eyes in the Camp Ever Center in 1984 and moved to the current location at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive in 1955.

“Irish Eyes” page 13

Deborah Parcel

Kerry Sheepdogs

Scotts Valley Chamber News

The Encore at 4104 Ribbon Cutting & Open House • Noon, March 9

The Encore at 4104 is hosting a ribbon cutting by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce on March 9, at noon. Chamber officials will be on hand for this first look at 16 brand new, single level condominiums. Members of the general public are welcome to attend this sneak preview.

TThe Encore at 4104 is the latest housing community from Apple Homes Development, a local company that focuses on providing quality homes in Scotts Valley. Some of Apple Homes previous communities include, The Terrace at Scotts Valley, The Meadow at Falcon Ridge, Torrey Oaks, Timber Ridge, and Sherman Court.

This new community features 16 single level condominiums with an urban flair and sleek design. All the homes have solar power, boast clean modern lines and are Eco-friendly, reducing environmental impact while providing energy savings to homebuyers. These 2BR/2BA, 1,080-1,134 sf units feature primary suites with huge walk-in closets and double door walk-in showers.

Every unit will have quartz islands and countertops, high-end stainless-steel appliances, luxury vinyl plank flooring and heated tile bathroom floors.

Four of the units will have fenced outdoor patios while all others will all feature balconies with views of the surrounding hills.

Each unit is provided with an electric vehicle charging station, large walk-in storage unit, two dedicated parking spaces, plus additional parking for guests.

All the units are handicap convertible and are easily accessed with an elevator in addition to interior stairs.

The Encore at 4104 is a green, sustainable project that is perfect for first time buyers or those looking to simplify their lifestyle with these luxury single-level condominiums.

Anticipated completion of all units is expected in May 2024 with Early Bird pricing from $879,000.

Cheryl Rebottaro Joins the Chamber Board of Directors

he Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is very proud to announce that at the January Board of Directors meeting, Cheryl Robottaro, was unanimously vote in as its newest Board Member.

Cheryl has been a proud resident of Santa Cruz County for 36 years. She moved here from Huntington Beach in 1988 and not even an earthquake could send her back!

In 2006, she married her best friend, Steve, and they moved their blended family of six to Scotts Valley.

She has enjoyed being very active in the community as a Past President for Scotts Valley Rotary, the Interact Club at SVMS, donations to music in the schools

Cheryl Rebottaro

Celebrating 43 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 – 2024

$4200/mo 3BR/2BA 2-story Forest Lakes Home on Redwood Rd in Felton. Loft. Deck. W/D. Wood flooring; no carpet. Pet friendly. Winter move-in incentive expires 4/15. Owner pays water/septic/rec fees. Tenant has use of seasonal community lake during summer. AVAIL NOW

$4200/mo 3BR/2BA Home on 11000 block of Hwy 9 in Brookdale. Loft. Office. Hardwood floors. Woodstove. HVAC. W/D. Fenced yard. Hot tub. AVAIL NOW

$3200/mo 2BR/2BA Home on 9000 block of Glen Arbor in Ben Lomond. Breakfast nook. Lg bedrms. Laundry rm. Fenced yard. Garage. Pet friendly. AVAIL NOW

$3150/mo 3BR/2BA Modern Condo at the Boulder Creek Country Club. Located at 238 E. Hilton Dr. in Boulder Creek tenancy includes 1-car garage. W/D. FP. No pets. AVAIL NOW

$2150/mo 1BR/1BA Updated Condo at the Boulder Creek Country Club. Located at 220 E. Hilton Dr. in Boulder Creek tenancy includes 1-car garage. Coin-op laundry onsite. 1 pet okay. AVAIL NOW

$2000/mo Large Updated Studio Cottage on at 787 Felton-Empire Rd in Felton. New flooring. New windows. Walk to town. No pets. No laundry. Do Not Disturb Occupants of other home. AVAIL NOW

and membership in the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, where she has also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Community Awards Gala. She has also been a PLAG Board Member and an ally to the Queer Youth Task Force.

In her spare time, she also performs as

the lead singer in the local band, The Shady Rest.

Cheryl joined Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor in 2010, opening the second branch office in Scotts Valley. She is passionate about helping local families and believes that it’s important to invest time to fully understand what they are working toward before investing their money.

FOLLOW THE PATH OF WATER

Kiwanis Trash Talk A Report on the Most Recent Hwy 17 Clean-Up

By Dr. John Stevens

This cool overcast morning was a great time for our Scotts Valley Kiwanis to perform our quarterly Highway 17 clean-up. The gang consisted of Linda, Frank, Jack, Mike 3, Jake, and me (John). We were a jovial, talkative bunch and had great conversation as we walked along.

The wooded one mile stretch of road has recently been thinned by Caltrans. So we had exceptional access to clean up the

shoulder. It was pleasing to see that the stretch had less trash than typical, and the result was that we filled seven bags of refuse, less than average.

In addition to the unfortunate findings of a dead raccoon and a young stag with a beautiful rack of horns, I noted the current content of our loot.

The trend of decreased tobacco use of all kinds continues, I only found ONE cigarette butt on the entire stretch. Alcohol use is also down with only a couple small liquor bottles (Hennessey and 1800 Tequila) along with a few bottles and cans of domestic and Mexican beers: Modello is king.

Very few Coffee cups of quick stop variety were retrieved. No fancy Starbuck stuff. Very little construction debris. Less fastfood litter than average. We were done in a little more than an hour.

What to make of it? Today’s litterbug is a more sober, health-

conscious type, steady headed with a practical bent, and thrifty to boot. Back to work, driving too fast for the health of our wildlife. Pretty heavy traffic this

“Irish Eyes” from page 11

With the help of her talented staff, including Toni Kranich and Kelly Jackson, Irish Eyes Beauty has won the Press Banner’s “Fave Salon” award 9 years in a row.

Deborah credit their long-term success to their loyal customers and her continuing education. The technical training in the beauty industry along with business management classes helped her reach this milestone anniversary.

Deborah gives back to her community by volunteering for programs such as “Your Future is Our Business” where she participated in job shadowing programs for those interested in a career in the beauty business.

Deborah is currently interviewing experienced, licensed Cosmetologists for a position in her newly remodeled salon. If you are interested in joining her in a clean and professional environment, please call Deborah at 831-438-8438 or email her at deborah@irisheyesbeauty.com.

Better yet, come to the party at Irish Eyes Beauty on March 21.

Saturday morning, as our economy continues its “Soft Landing” with the help of the US consumer.

— Yours in Kiwanis service, John

Deborah Parcel, 1984

IGateWay Bible Church’s ‘Open Door’ Lobby

A Beacon of Hope to Our Community

n the heart of Scotts Valley, a transformative moment unfolded at GateWay Bible Church (GBC) on January 28 as the community gathered to celebrate the opening and dedication of the new lobby. Aptly named the Open Door project, this endeavor symbolizes the church’s steadfast commitment to creating a welcoming space for all.

Nestled on a sprawling six-acre campus that has been the church’s home since 1954, GBC has long been an integral part of the Scotts Valley community. With a mission statement that declares the church is “Devoted to Changing Lives,” this dedication goes beyond mere words, seeking to lead individuals into a growing relationship with Jesus (Mt 28:19-20, John 21:15-17).

The new A-frame lobby, standing tall above the 200-seat chapel it graciously welcomes, serves as a beacon of light at the bustling intersection of Granite Creek Road and Hwy 17. Facing the thoroughfare, its open glass design beckons all who pass by, inviting them to discover the warmth and love that God extends to the community. With Sunday services at 10 am and various weekly gatherings, GBC is a place of fellowship and spiritual growth for all. For more information, interested parties can explore the church’s website at gatewaybible.org.

GBC expresses heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to making this dream a reality along with a special thank you to Hazen Construction for their

craftsmanship, hard work, and attention to detail. Praise the Lord for His guidance and grace. Amidst the joy of the newly

constructed lobby, the church humbly recognizes that God’s ultimate interest lies not merely in brick and mortar (or

wood and sheetrock) but in the renovation of hearts, firmly built on the unshakable foundation that Jesus is Lord.

Have Your Vote Count March 5

Any registered voter in California can decide whether to vote at a polling place or vote by mail.

Hours to vote on Election Day Tuesday, March 5, are 7 am to 8 pm.

Santa Cruz County is implementing the Voters Choice Act, passed by the state Legislature in 2016. That’s why you received a Vote-by-Mail ballot in the mail. This ballot can be returned by mail, in-person at a voting location or at an official ballot drop box.

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day, so March 12. If you are not sure your

vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can still vote in person the traditional way.

Polls have been renamed “Vote Centers.”

Hours will be:

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning Feb. 24)

• Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning Feb. 25)

Open since Feb. 5 for voting:

Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz County Clerk/ Elections, 701 Ocean St., Room 310.

Watsonville — Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St., 4th Floor.

Open since Feb. 24 for voting:

Aptos — Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd.

Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, 5200 Soquel Ave.

Scotts Valley — Scotts Valley Public Library, 251 Kings Village Rd.

Opens March 2 for voting:

Aptos — St. John’s Episcopal Church, 125 Canterbury Dr. (Sunday, March 3, hours are 1 to 9 pm)

Boulder Creek — Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13230 Highway 9

Capitola — New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave.

Felton — Zayante Fire Department, 7700 E Zayante Rd.

Santa Cruz — Bonny Doon Elementary School, 1492 Pine Flat Rd.

Santa Cruz — Depot Park, 119 Center St.

Santa Cruz — Masonic Center, 828 N. Branciforte Ave.

Santa Cruz — UCSC Stevenson Event Center, 520 Cowell-Stevenson Rd.

Scotts Valley — Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Dr.

Soquel — Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Rd.

Watsonville — La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Estrella Ave.

Watsonville — Pajaro Valley Community Trust, 85 Nielson St.

Watsonville — Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave.

Open Election Day March 5 only for voting:

Corralitos — Corralitos Community Church, 24 Browns Valley Rd.

Davenport — Pacific Elementary, 50 Ocean St.

Los Gatos — C.T. English Middle School, 23845 Summit Rd.

Santa Cruz — Christian Life Center, 1009 Mission St.

Aptos/Watsonville:

Curves Aptos

Earthwise Land Services

Kaiser

La Vie Wellness

Park Avenue Fitness

Santa Cruz County Public Works

Seahorse Swim School

Second Harvest Food Bank

Staff of Life

Senior Benefits Insurance Services

Nutir Natural

Mid-County:

Capitola Home Care

Dr. Joseph Kim DDS

Interior Vision

Junebug’s Gym

Lauden’s Integrative Pharmacy

Lola’s Gym

Rejuvenate Medi-Spa

Sotheby’s International Real Estate Amber Melenudo

Staff of Life

The Healthy Way

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day, so March 12. If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Or you can drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at any of the 17 drop boxes at locations such as city halls.

The county Elections Department says Vote Centers offer a “full-service” voting experience:

• Vote using an accessible ballot marking device.

• Receive voting assistance.

• Register to vote or update your registration and vote on the same day.

• Request a replacement ballot. n

Cal Fire: Timber Harvest in Soquel State Forest Trails Closed in Sulphur Springs Area Due to Widow Makers

As of Feb. 8, part of the Soquel Demonstration State Forest, which is bordered by Soquel Creek and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, will be closed to the public for timber harvesting and recreational use such as mountain biking will be prohibited through Oct. 15.

Cal Fire is undertaking timber operations and forest

health treatments across 320 acres in the Sulphur Timber Harvesting Plan area in the 2,681-acre state forest.

Professional timber fallers are working across the area to fall the trees that will be removed after the winter. They are using a single-tree selection method; each tree was evaluated for removal by a Registered Professional Forester.

The timber sale is designed to improve forest health and sustainably manage timber, with the harvest planning in the works for several years.

Through this operating season, no recreational use will be allowed in the Sulphur timber harvest area delineated on the map and posted with signage.

There are allowances for weekend use of the roads through the area for hiking and biking, but no roaming off the road is allowed since there are dangerous conditions including limbs hung up in

These limbs are often referred to as “widow makers,” which emphasizes how dangerous they can be.

On May 1, operations with the use of heavy equipment and log trucks will begin in the vicinity of Sulphur Springs Road and Hihn’s Mill Road.

Any changes to closure areas or dates will be noticed in a new public notice.

The closures aim to give contractors the ability to concentrate the work into one year to minimize the closure and eliminate multiple years of impact along Sulphur Springs Road, which is a popular access route to the ridge and several mountain biking trails.

Cal Fire said no single-track mountain biking trails will have operations that will disturb the trail surface, and Corral Road will be restored to pre-operations conditions as the project is completed.

For details on the progress, follow Cal Fire CZU on X (Twitter) and Soquel Demonstration State Forest on Facebook.

An opportunity to participate in field trips of active operations will be provided in the summer and announcements about signing up will be posted on social media. n

The Soquel state forest has a web page at https://www. fire.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Natural-ResourceManagement/

IFood as Medicine: Maria José Hummel Proves It Works

By Jondi Gumz

n Santa Cruz County, obesity is a reality for 21% of white adults and 34% of Latino adults.

Is it possible to close that gap?

The conventional wisdom is Hispanics won’t change what they eat, and what you eat is a huge driver for overweight and obesity.

The conventional wisdom is wrong — and Dr. Maria José Hummel, nutritionist, cookbook author, PhD and researcher with Eat for the Earth Santa Cruz has proved it.

She is in the middle of a 3-year project to encourage Spanish-speaking people in our county to change what they eat for 10 days — and the biometrics taken before and after show it works.

It’s called Salud En Tu Plato — Health on Your Plate.

Here’s what is checked: Fasting glucose, lipids such as cholesterol, blood pressure, height, weight and body mass index.

Now this initiative does not provide healthy food to the participants.

The budget did not allow that.

Instead, participants get advice on what to eat — whole food, plant-based — a daily text of encouragement with links to a 5-minute video and recipes.

Mostly, they are asked to eat fruits and vegetables, replacing meat with plant proteins such as beans, and avoid oil.

What did they eat? They were creative.

Amaranth. Scrambled tofu. Black beans with nopales (cactus). Zucchini noodles with avocados.

In the first year, 103 people participated and 95% showed improvement in at least one metric.

In the second year, 89 people are participating, 92% improved at least one metric and 59% improved 3 or more metrics.

Will Feds Change Marijuana Restrictions?

By Jondi Gumz

When Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 at the urging of Federal Bureau of Narcotics Commissioner Harry Anslinger, a tax was imposed on the import and export of cannabis—and this quashed its use as a medicinal.

There were no scientific studies to back this decision but Anslinger, appointed by his wife’s uncle Andrew Mellon, was an ambitious man running a new division of the

One person lost close to 12 lbs. in that 10 days.

Participants were so pleased with the results they wanted to stick with the program.

A few examples (not their real names):

Carmen: Fasting glucose dropped from 158 to 71.

Lola, started with diabetes: Fasting glucose dropped from 184 to 71; triglycerides dropped from 409 to 253.

Ana: Lost 8.6 lbs.

Treasury Department, and this was a way to build up his agency.

Anslinger had support from the Dupont chemical company, which had a patent on nylon, and wanted to eliminate hemp as a competitor, and pharmaceutical companies, which wanted people to buy their drugs rather than grow cannabis and make their own medicine.

Dr. Hummel’s conclusion: A plant-based diet can work in different cultural settings.

And plant-based eating is simple and affordable. n

•••

To learn more see

https://eatfortheearth.org and https://www.healthfortoday.net/

The Oscars

safety agency, acr.

28. It ran away with the spoon

30. ROTC happenings

35. Figure skating jump

37. Grad

39. Arrogant one

40. Archaic preposition

41. PassÈ

43. Scrubbed

44. Sugarcoating

46. Money in Mexico City

47. What DJs do

48. Trickery

50. Swerves

52. Sigma Alpha Epsilon

53. *Typical number of nominations in one Oscar category

55. Emergency responder, acr.

57. *”Nyad” nominee

60. *What kind of moon?

63. “Finnegan’s Wake” author

64. Mother load offering 66. Java cotton tree

68. Artemis’ companion

69. Fat of olives

70. *What actors do

71. Spinner’s product

72. Wisecrack

73. Like Phoenix

DOWN

1. Cornelius of the movies

2. Snap up

3. ‘I’ in Greek alphabet

4. Howard of radio fame

5. Death-related

6. One of the Earnhardts

7. Spermatozoa counterparts

8. Muhammad’s birthplace

9. Review service, with .com

10. Use a ladle

11. At any time

12. *”No Country for Old ____” multi Oscar winner

15. Suitors

20. Trojan War story

22. “Just an ____-fashioned love song”

24. Slumber

25. Fl., as in fl. oz.

26. “A Confederacy of ____,” sing.

27. Place above a ceiling

29. Dueler’s strike

31. Overnight lodgings

32. Shoelace bunny ears

33. Divine saying

34. *Producer and star of “Poor Things”

36. *”The ____ of Interest”

38. Table hill

42. Wooden pin

45. *Like nominated ones

49. Love-love, e.g.

51. Meat-cooking contraption

54. Roaring of an engine

56. Hindu religious teacher

57. Forum, pl.

58. Deed hearing

59. Medical diagnostic test

60. Abe Lincoln’s hat material

61. #20 Down, e.g.

62. Traditional learning method

63. *Da’Vine ____ Randolph

65. Orinoco or Grande

67. *Ryan Gosling’s character

Maria José Hummel

Pisces — Dreams, Radiance, Veils & the Body Electric

D’Angeles

We are now under the influence and light of Pisces — the “Light that saves the world,” the sign of World Saviors. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, ending the zodiacal year. (Zodiac is Latin/Greek for “circle of celestial creatures,” Pisces being the last of the creatures — the two fishes, connected by a silver cord. The circle of the zodiac is a puzzle with twelve pieces, each lending a level of magic to the individual, to the event, to the world at large.

Pisces gathers all gifts, talents, abilities, transgressions, vicissitudes — all the wonders of the eleven previous signs — and places them in Neptune’s waters where distinctions dissolve, hard edges soften, separative behaviors unite, fuse and blend. All the determined individualities merge into a golden chalice of Oneness. This is the chalice that dropped from Heaven to the feet of Hercules when he undertook the last of the Herculean tasks, the Labour in Pisces.

In Pisces the world begins to dream, humanity becomes more sensitive, hopeful, imaginative, visionary, artistic and musical. Pisces is the sign of the arts, of artists, dancers (Pisces rules the feet), musicians, healers and sinners who eventually, through their sins, become saints. Pisces, like Scorpio, senses what is real and what is unreal.

ARIES

In the next weeks, during Pisces, issues with groups, friends, hopes, wishes, dreams all blend the future with your professional and spiritual life. Everything concerning these realms, if incomplete and not quite in formation yet, will re-appear seeking explanations, forgiveness, re-assessments, reviews and a larger picture of reality. You will feel like you’re on a precipice. Maintain poise within this watery ocean of Pisces. Hold onto the staff of Neptune!

TAURUS

There is a quiet and stillness that you possess which often translates into reticence (not speaking much). This is your signature. However, sometimes the time comes when you must share the information your illumined mind has received. Now is one of those times. If you are Mercury retro (at birth), it’s still the right time to speak. You above all understand life’s mysteries and timings and rhythms (music too). Taurus is Venus, married to Vulcan, who forges the iron of the personality into a chalice of gold. Your information is the gold.

GEMINI

Your eagerness to understand the present time and to have the knowledge that can impart information to others is dependent upon you studying the correct materials. There is a lot of new age information that is not only incorrect but judgmental and filled with glamour. A new level of discrimination begins to appear in your mind. This is most important for you must put all the pieces together now and then share all that you know. It’s almost butterfly season. You are the butterfly in the meadow of information.

CANCER

You will be moving into a deeper level of thought and contemplation. You will even perhaps think about your own and loved one’s death. It is good to do this at times, realizing death is actually a Great Liberation and the “Great Adventure.” If someone you know has died it is good to recite the mantra Ohm Mani Padme Hum. This places them and yourself within a double triangle – a six-pointed star. This is Solomon’s Temple of Light of Love and Intelligence. In between times go over money and resources.

Like Gemini, Pisces is not “of this world.” Instead Pisces resides in the etheric regions, the “body electric,” the subtle non-physical world surrounding form and matter. The plane of the etheric is radiant, permeated with light, color and symphonic sound. Everything is united. This etheric field, surrounding all matter, is where energies enter our body. This etheric field is also how we are all united. It is an ocean of energy (a light substance) and space.

There are steps in Pisces evolution — glamour and confusion, purification and self-control and eventually the intuition develops along with compassion and a sense of surrender (personality to the Soul) in time and space — a surrender of one’s entire life in service to others.

Some Pisces natives experience life on Earth as living in too much radiance. They must veil the radiance with substances that hide, diminish and tone down the intensity. This is usually accomplished through the use of drugs, mind altering substances, alcohol, or in our present day, the use of gaming or becoming lost in technology.

Pisces often suffers. Their suffering leads to their artistic and musical creations and to their healing skills. All of this, all of Pisces is what informs, uplifts, and eventually, “saves the world.” n

LEO

You review past and present relationships, their meaning and purpose. You also might need to consult someone about a professional situation, a need, repair, or for some type of assistance. Another’s response to your ideas, problems, and simple statements made day to day offers you perspective, clarity and clarification. Should there be difficulties in any area of your life, inner review allows for a bit of detachment which leads to dispassion. Do you know what that word means? Remember to stand in the Sun every early morning.

VIRGO

The themes of health and work and service (to self first) continue for you for months to come. Your gift of attention to detail is needed in these three areas of life. Their outcomes have your creative signature on them and this work gives you a sense of purpose. You know that it’s only you who can accomplish what’s properly needed. This isn’t a compliment. It’s a Virgo reality. Another Virgo reality is the rule, from now on, of no more criticism of self or of others. That is a Lenten task.

LIBRA

A mental and emotional withdrawal may occur in the next weeks so you can turn inward and ponder upon past choices you’ve made concerning your family. It is a time of reflection, of evaluating your emotional needs and listening to pressures that have been building within. This focus on the past is important to your present/future. It is time for a change in terms of how you perceive the family. Communication with family and parents can be illuminating. Color your interactions with love.

SCORPIO

You may sense the need to communicate more with others. Your intelligence is activated, you wonder about many things especially what you want in terms of friendships. There seems to be an internal frantic pace of thoughts that cannot come forth into the outer world. It’s not time to externalize new thoughts and ideas. Let them work themselves out naturally. Allow yourself to think on possibilities and reach no conclusions. Listen to others. They have the other half of the information you hold.

SAGITTARIUS

You are still working on internal levels with values – what is of value to you and how you value yourself. The energetic movement within your body is that of external to internal. It may be that some financial and/or business affairs needs tending or you see that you define your resources and values based upon another’s. Great planning is going on within, whether you know this or not. You may have to define yourself to another so they understand you better. Clarity of purpose will be most important.

CAPRICORN

You are experiencing serious thought processes. I am sure you are aware of this influence. It’s Saturn pushing you along, offering tasks that seem to multiply each day. Because of this you may also sound and look serious. This is somewhat temporary. I wish for you an assistant to take over some of your tasks. I also wish for you more rest and relaxation. As you rest, think on the future. Our thoughts create a template for the future, which later on, comes into form and matter. What in your future is most important to you?

AQUARIUS

You are examining your ideas, intentions and present state of being. You are seeing what you accomplished this past year. It was good. You now realize what more you want to accomplish as this new year unfolds. In the coming weeks wherein you reflect on your life, write down all that you hope to fulfill in the next ten months - the first step in externalizing thoughts and ideas. There is much to do this year for Aquarians. They are to bring forth the love embedded in the new culture and civilization.

PISCES

We might find you quietly in solitude for the next several weeks, withdrawing to study or to think on the future and how to work more effectively and efficiently with humanity. And what of all the non-rational elements you’re encountering? We are in a time of great change. Peace and quiet are beneficial for you. Hidden areas of your character are revealed while goals, hopes, wishes and dreams are revealed. You may be thinking about death and mortality. It is a good time to write down how you want your death handled. This is not gloomy. It’s practical and spiritual.

“Marijuana” from page 17

In 1970 when Richard Nixon was president, he launched the war on drugs. The Controlled Substances Act, was adopted, listing cannabis as “Schedule I” with the most dangerous drugs -- maximum abuse potential but no medicinal value. Again, no studies were done to justify this action.

Now, 67 years after the tax act, researchers with the US Food and Drug Administration say marijuana actually has a less potential for abuse, and scientific reports support its use as a medical treatment. They propose reclassification on Schedule III.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has the final authority to reclassify marijuana. The rulemaking process is expected to have a period for the public to provide comments.

In 2022, President Joe Biden asked US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the attorney general to review the marijuana classification.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine sent a 252-page letter in late August to the Drug Enforcement Administration supporting the reclassification to Schedule III,

The letter noted marijuana was of use in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain,Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDs, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, persistent/severe nausea, and PTSD.

Researchers also found a risk of physical dependence to be low or moderate. The National Institute on Drug Abuse concurs with the recommendation.

Reclassifying marijuana could open up research and allow cannabis businesses to bank openly.

California is one of 24 states, two territories and DC that legalized cannabis for adult recreational use.

It is one of 38 states allowing medical use of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

By some reports, cannabis has become a multibillion-dollar industry. n

•••

Read the letter at http://tinyurl.com/ marijuana-sched-3-request.

International Recognition

Marsha Strong-Smith of Capitola won an Honorable Mention Award from the 11th Abstract International Art Competition hosted by Teravarna Gallery.

Her artwork is being displayed, along with other artists, in the winner’s gallery at www. teravarna.com/winners-2024-abstract-11

Marsha Strong-Smith

The piece she entered, “Bamboo Dream,” is an assemblage of watercolor paintings

she cut and glued together using archival adhesive.

“It is a very different style than most artwork but one I enjoy,” she said.

She’s participated in Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s Open Studios, but this is her first time entering an international juried art competition.

For her, recognition for her artwork is satisfying. n

Milgard

Bamboo Dream • Watercolor • Marsha Strong-Smith

Living Water • Watercolor • Marsha Strong-Smith

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELTON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Mondays

Knitting — 12:30-2 pm. All ages

Tuesdays

In-person tech help —, 10 am to noon. Advance appointments are prioritized (831-427-7713)

Wednesdays

Third Wednesdays: Movie Matinee — 3-6 pm. Free Fourth Wednesdays: Friends of the Library meeting — 3:30-5 pm

Thursdays

Storytime for kids 3-5 — 11 am to noon.

March 28: Celebrate Women’s History Month

Make & Explore with kids 6-18 — 3-5 pm

READ, help for kids grade 1-12 — 3-5 pm by appointment; register at 831-427-7713

Fridays

Legos — 3-4:30 pm kids 6-18; register with sandrar@ cbridges.org

Positive Parenting with First 5 — 3-4:30 pm. Topic: ADHD. Free

Saturdays

First Saturdays: Soul Collage with Peggy Black — noon to 3 pm

Second & Fourth Saturdays: Board Games — noon to 5pm; 18+

Advisory Council of Teens, 2-4 pm

March 16: Poetry Circle with Magdalena Montagne, 1-3 pm

The Felton Library is located at 6121 Gushee St.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Closed Sunday.

SCOTTS VALLEY HIGH EVENTS

March 8: Cabaret Night, 7 p.m.

March 12: IB Grade 8 Information Night, 6:30 p.m.

March 22: Spring Dance, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

March 28: Career Day assembly

March 29: Spring sports rally

STATE PARKS GUIDED BACKPACKING

Registration opens on March 1 for the California State Parks Backpacking Adventures program, which will offer five guided backpacking tours in the Santa Cruz Mountains this summer!

Locations include Caste Rock State Park, Portola Redwoods and Big Basin Redwoods.

Led by experienced backcountry naturalists, the trips are enjoyable for novice and advanced backpackers alike. Trips are tailored to each group’s skill level, including night hikes for the active and native plant teas for the relaxed. Learn more at https://thatsmypark.org/visit/backpackingprogram/

OMEGA NU SCHOLARSHIPS

Omega Nu scholarships of $500 to $5,000 are open to students who plan to enroll in a California community college, CSU, UC, or a California vocational school and show financial need.

The Cabrillo Thresher/Ted Bockman Memorial Aquatics Scholarship is open to students who have participated in at least 2 years of varsity swimming or varsity water polo and complete the Thresher/Bockman Addendum. Applications are at https://www.duckyderbysantacruz. org/scholarship-main-page and are due by March 27. Renewal applications are also due by March 27. Email the completed application to ormeganuscscholarships@ gmail.com

NOMINATE ORAL HEALTH HEROES

Due Fri., March 15, Noon.

Nominations are open for the 2024 Oral Health Hero Awards that recognize outstanding commitment to improving oral health for the underserved in Santa Cruz County.

Two awards will be given – one to a dental professional

one to a non-dental professional. Recognition of the Oral Health Heroes will be at the Oral Health Summit on April 24. Submit nominations at: https://bit.ly/OralHealthHero2024

SLV WATER TO FLUSH MAINS

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District will flush its water mains, an annual program that maintains water pipelines and complies with requirements set by the California Department of Water Resources Control Board.

Water main flushing removes iron and manganese deposits that accumulate in the distribution system. System flushing will occur on weekdays from March 11 to May 23 at locations throughout the District from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See the schedule at www.slvwd.com/home/news/2024-watermain-flushing-program

COUNTY SURVEY ON AGING

To initiate Age Well Santa Cruz County, a new county initiative, a local survey launched on Jan. 8 to collect community feedback focused on aging. The deadline to respond is March 31.

The survey is supported by a steering committee of engaged community members and outreach efforts to maximize community participation will take place widely. Results from the survey will inform the local master plan goals.

Age Well Santa Cruz County will partner with organizations, businesses, clubs, agencies and individuals throughout Santa Cruz County to ensure as many people as possible participate in the survey.

The survey is online at www.wagewellsantacruzcounty. org and www.buenavejezcondadodesantacruz.org. For questions, email AgeWell@santacruzcountyca.gov

To request a paper survey in English or Spanish call (831) 454-4397.

DEADLINE FOR PG&E SCHOLARSHIPS: MARCH 15

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will award more than $200,000 to college-bound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students living in Northern and Central California.

The scholarships were created by PG&E’s 11 employee resource groups and two engineering network groups, which support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Scholarship winners will receive $1,000 to $6,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership.

The PG&E Foundation will award $350,000 in Better Together STEM Scholarships for students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math disciplines. There will be 60 scholarships in amounts of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 awards.

Last year, the foundation upped the number of scholarships from 40 to 60 students. In 2022, eligibility expanded to students admitted to Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as California colleges and universities.

Awards are based on demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement.

CHOP SUEY BOOK SIGNING

Saturday March 16

3-5 p.m., Mid-County Senior Center at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola

The goal is to give the next generation an opportunity to learn and succeed in higher education and support students who have made an impact in their community or who have overcome personal challenges.

Applications can be found on PG&E’s website at http://tinyurl. com/pge-grants-2024.

DISNEY’S BEAUTY & THE BEAST IN FELTON

Fri, Sat 7 p.m. / Sun 2 p.m. thru March 10, San Lorenzo Valley High School, 7105 Highway 9, Felton San Lorenzo Valley High School Theatre Department presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

This enchanted musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, is directed by Daria E Troxell, with vocal direction by Wyatt E. Troxell and choreography by Whitney James-Heskett.

There is a special “Community Night” performance on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m.; some tickets will be available to buy at the door one hour before showtime; advanced tickets are recommended.

The production is rated G and runs 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Tickets: https://hs.slvusd.org/apps/pages/theatreboosters

Cost: $20 – general; $15 – senior/student/SLV staff; and $15 on “Community Night” March 7.

STARTUP CHALLENGE MONTEREY BAY

Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is a business competition that supports the founding, funding, and growth of new and innovative businesses in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

It offers workshops, feedback, and mentoring.

Last year’s winners were: Friendly Robots (automated commercial vacuum cleaners), venture division, $10,000; Art Abilities, art classes for students with disabilities, social venture, $5,000; Cheeza Jewelry, Main Street division, $5,000; and Bubbly Hill Wines, using AI technology, student division, $1,000.

Deadline to apply is midnight March 4. The qualifying round is April 5, and the Finale and Venture Showcase will be on April 26.

Learn more at startupchallengemb.com. Questions? Email info@ startupchallengemontereybay.com

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November.

Remaining dates are March 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3.

There is no meeting in September or November. Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.

For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com

Sho-li Cheng will sign copies of her book “Chop Suey” at the Mid-County Senior Center. Cheng is a retired registered nurse in her 80s who lives in Capitola. Chop Suey is a collection of stories about her life.

Born into poverty in a farming family in Taiwan; carrying her baby sister on her back to earn a warm chicken drumstick; wanting to be a city girl with an education; training in London to become a midwife; coming to the U.S. to work; finding romance in frosty Chicago — and much, much more.

The Mid-County Senior Center is where she took a writing class with Teresa Dance, which led to Cheng writing her memoir.

Come and hear her present her book and give a live reading.

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing thru May 12

RICHARD MAYHEW: INNER TERRAIN

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St.

A rare and timely exhibition of the artwork of Soquel artist Richard Mayhew (b. 1924) at the Museum of Art & History, feature works that speak to American arts, culture, and history.

Mayhew blends multiple genres including Baroque landscape, Impressionism, plein-air, Abstract Expressionism, and Color Field painting using mechanisms from each.

He calls his landscapes “moodscapes” as an introspective excavation of the terrain of his mind. This exhibition — guest curated by Shelby Graham and Kajahl — is presented with support from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz County Bank.

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

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

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.

Tuesdays and Thursdays

WALKING ADVENTURE GROUP

9:30-11:30 a.m., Various locations

Walking Adventure Group, offered by city of Santa Cruz Recreation, offers weekly coordinated walks at locations around the county.

Join this group of active seniors for a weekly walking adventure

Walks can be canceled by inclement weather: Tuesdays: Smell the Roses

Thursday: Walking Adventure Group

To register visit https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/ city-departments/parks-recreation/senior-programs

For more information call 831-420-5180 or e-mail WalkingAdventureGroup@gmail.com.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday March 2

SALAMANDER SATURDAY

12-4 p.m., Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center, 3600 CA-1, Davenport

Salamander Saturday is an annual celebration at the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center honoring the often overlooked but heroically well adapted amphibian native to the Santa Cruz Mountains and other moist habitats.  Come learn about salamanders and their ecosystems during a presentation by expert Zach Lim at 1 p.m.  A naturalist-led salamander hike will start at 3 p.m. to search for these creatures on the Marsh Trail. This hike will be fun and muddy.

There will also be crafts and activities for all ages.

Saturday March 2

Sunday March 3

CABRILLO STAGE AUDITIONS: ‘IN THE HEIGHTS’

Sat: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sun: 1-3 p.m., Crocker Theater, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos

Come be a part of the music and the magic!

Cabrillo Stage is auditioning for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, “In the Heights” at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, by appointment only. All roles are open for actors/singers/dancers age 17 and up.

Bring sheet music in your key; accompanist will be provided. Dress ready to move with appropriate shoes as you may be asked to join the dance callback.

More details and frequently asked questions are available online. Schedule an appointment now at www.cabrillostage.com/auditions

Tuesday March 5

ELECTION NIGHT PARTY

7 p.m., Trout Farm Inn, 7701 East Zayante Road, Felton

The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will join the Monica Martinez campaign for an election night watch party at the Trout Farm Inn.

The evening will celebrate the efforts of volunteers who worked hard to get out the vote in support of the club’s endorsements of Monica Martinez for Fifth District county supervisor and Measure K, the county’s sales tax ballot measure.

No-host food and drink will be available.

The public is welcome to attend.

Tuesday March 5

Wednesday March 6

INPUT ON STATE BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION

Tues 5 p.m. / Wed 11:30 a.m., Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road

The City of Scotts Valley will conduct two public meetings at the Scotts Valley Community Center to discuss possible applications for state Community Development Block Grant funds and to solicit public input.

The City of Scotts Valley is eligible for $183,333 in 2022-23 and $183,334 in 2023-24.

Eligible activities: Homeownership assistance and housing rehabilitation programs; public facility and public improvement projects (including public improvements in support of new housing construction); public service programs, planning studies, economic development business assistance and microenterprise activities. Funded activities must meet one or more of the national objectives: Benefit to low-income households or persons; elimination of slums and blight; or meeting urgent community development need.

Email written comments to cityhall@scottsvalley.gov.

Thursday March 7

SECOND HARVEST FOOD DRIVE AWARDS DINNER

5 p.m., Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., Santa Cruz

Holiday Food & Fund Drive co-chairs Susan True and Dr. Faris Sabbah invite you to their Harvest’s annual Awards Dinner at Hotel Paradox to celebrate the community for raising millions of meals for Second Harvest Food Bank to feed our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

The Hunger Fighter Award will also be announced. Tickets are $75 per person at app.giveffect.com/campaigns/ 30254-holiday-food-fund-drive-awards-dinner-2024.

Entrée choices are grilled harissa chicken with leek risotto, or butternut squad ravioli with charred baby carrots & broccoli; plus Caesar salad and strawberry champagne cake. Ticket price includes valet parking.

WATER SUMMIT

8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz K&D Landscaping of Watsonville announces the 3rd Annual Central Coast Water Summit, a gathering of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on sustainable water management strategies at the Cocoanut Grove.

This event is open to landscape & irrigation professionals, contractors, property managers, students, homeowners, HOA boards and curious minds.

Speakers include: Justin White, Kam Brian, DJ Seeger, Max Moreno, and Michael Johnson.

Tickets are free to city and county employees, $35 for CLCA members, and $50 for general public, avialable at https://central coastwatersummit.ticketleap.com/kd-central-coast-water-summit/

Friday March 8 thru Sunday March 10

ALFRED HITCHCOCK FESTIVAL

Times below, Scotts Valley Community Performing Arts Center, 251 Kings Village Road

The city of Scotts Valley presents the 2nd Annual Hitchcock Festival at the Scotts Valley Community Performing Arts Center.

GOOD FRIDAY PADDLE OUT

Friday March 29

5:30-7:30 p.m., Capitola Beach Esplanade

In a beach community — when a loved one passes away, surfers paddle out to honor their impact & express gratitude for the life they lived.

In Santa Cruz tradition, local churches in our community including Tradewinds in Aptos are gathering to paddle out — honoring the life of Jesus & His sacrifice on the cross on Good Friday at Capitola Beach Esplanade. There will be baptisms and a worship concert by Kokua.

Come to the beach or in the water — all are welcome.

This event pays homage to the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, who once was a local resident.

Opening night. features Tere Carrubba, Alfred Hitchcock’s granddaughter, and local historian Jay Topping.

Saturday guests include Aaron Leventhal, Logan Walker, John Billheimer and Christina Cree. Sunday will featured mimosas, Hitchcock’s favorite beverage.

Films to be shown are **Rear Window, North by Northwest, Birds, and Blackmail**. Exact times and movie presentations are subject to change.

Fri: 5-10:30 p.m. | Sat: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Sun: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tickets and details at hitchcockfestival.com. Cost: $50 Fri or Sun / $75 Sat / $150 3-day pass.

Friday March 8

Sunday March 22

FREE LEGAL HELP FOR DEBT COLLECTION

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Branciforte Branch Library, 230 Gault St., Santa Cruz

Senior Legal Services will offer free legal assistance to people harassed by debt collectors at the Branciforte Branch Library

You must be 60 or older, low income and a resident of Santa Cruz or San Benito county to qualify.

Topics include medical debt, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and legal options.

For an appointment, call 831-426- 8824.

Saturday March 9

STEAM EXPO/FASHION TEENS

STEAM: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Blvd., Watsonville, in the Harvest Building Runway Show: 2 p.m., Arts Building

The Santa Cruz County STEAM Science Technology Engineering Arts Math Expo will take place at the Fairgrounds’ Harvest Building., followed by the Fashion Teens runway show in the Arts Building. Awards will be announced beginning at 3 p.m. in the Harvest Building.

The expo will include students with projects competing to advance to state and international competition as well

For more information about Schoolcraft and Murray, visit https:// www.schoolcraftandmurray.com/info.

Saturday March 23

EGG HUNT EGGSTRAVAGANZA

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley

The Scotts Valley Recreation Department hosts its first “Easter Egg Hunt” at Skypark.

Games, egg hunts, photobooth, crafts and more. Fun for all ages!

TOP DOG FILM FESTIVAL

7 pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz

The Top Dog Film Festival stops at the Rio Theatre, allowing dog lovers from all walks of life to experience the enchantment and deep emotional connections shared between humans and their furry friends.

From heart-warming stories to jaw-dropping adventures, this year’s film selection celebrates the bond shared between dog and human.

As an inclusive and family-friendly event, the Top Dog Film Tour provides a welcoming space for dog lovers of all ages. A Yappy Hour will take place at Sante Adairius Midtown Portal before the show.

Movie tickets are $20 at EventBrite; a portion of sales will benefit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

Info: https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2024/03/23/topdog

KIDS FUN RUN

6:30 – 10:30 a.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hosts a Kids Fun Run. There are two races: a 1K for kids 12 and under, and a 5K for kids age 4 and up. (and families).

The fee is $25 for the 1K and $40 for the 5K. Fees go up after Feb. 23.

Sign up: runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaCruz/Boardwalk FunRun

Wednesday March 27

as students showcasing a project, an invention, a Rube Goldberg machine, and club or classroom projects such as robotics or science fiction writing.

This event is presented by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. This year’s coordinator is Heather Wygant, who previously taught a high school science in San Jose, Mountain View and Morgan Hill.

Wednesday March 13

REMARKABLE AI

6-8:30 p.m., Coconut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Works presents “Remarkable AI” featuring a book signing with Guy Kawasaki (his 16th) and a fireside chat with AI experts at the Coconut Grove. Expect 15 interactive demos by AI companies like Midjourney and Horizon3.AI, and insights from tech leaders Lila Tretikov and Claire Delaunay. Sponsored by Santa Cruz Ventures and Insperity. Tickets are $25. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ remarkable-ai-tickets-815848413567

Thursday March 14

CYPRESS HIGH INFO NIGHT

6-7:30 p.m., Cypress High School, 2039 Merrill St, Santa Cruz Cypress High School presents Family Information Night Home of the Sea Otters, Cypress High School is a public school focusing on small classroom size, inclusivity, and college preparation, serving students in grades 10-12 from all over Santa Cruz County.

Sunday March 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY

3–6 p.m., Cork & Fork Capitola, 312 Capitola Ave. Cork & Fork Capitola will host a St. Patrick’s Day party featuring performers Schoolcraft and Murray. Their acoustic music has a groove to make you move. They blend the best of their many heroes: Lyle Lovett, Carole King, Santana, Robbie Fulks, The Allman Brothers, Steely Dan. No entry fee.

‘WOMEN IN WINE’ DINNER

6-9 p.m., Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz Dream Inn Santa Cruz is celebrating Women’s History Month with a ‘Women in Wine’ dinner, featuring a multicourse menu curated by Executive Chef Gus Trejo. Katie Werthmuller will host as the evening honors female trailblazers in the winemaking industry. Featured local wineries: Cambria Estate Vineyard, Tepisquet Vineyard, Julia’s Vineyard, Clone 667 and Katherine’s Vineyard. Tickets are $119/per person at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/dream-inn-presents-women-in-wine-a-celebration-ofwine-making-excellence-tickets-820378593457

Thursday March 28

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS WEBINAR

5:30-7 p.m., Online seminar

Interim, Inc. is hosting a free virtual webinar, titled **Leaving a Legacy You Can Depend On: Special Needs Trusts and Your Loved One**.

A question and answer segment follows the presentation.

Speakers:

Yvonne Ascher, Attorney at Law, Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss, specialist in estate planning and a member of the America College of Trust and Estates Counsel. Stephen Dale, Esq., LL.M, The Dale Law Firm, a recognized disability rights advocate and attorney. He focuses on developing estate plans involving persons with disabilities to promote independence, while preserving eligibility for public benefits such as Special Needs Trusts and Limited Conservatorships.

Fiona McDonough, Licensed Professional Fiduciary, president of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, and a member of the Monterey County Women Lawyers Association and the Monterey County Bar Association. She is an advocate for children and adults with disabilities.

The webinar is free but registration is required at:

https://specialneedstrust2024.eventbrite.com

For questions call the development officer at Interim, (831) 6494522, ext. 205 or email development@interiminc.org. n

AG: Quest Diagnostics to Pay Nearly $5 Million To Settle Dumping Case

On Feb. 14, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Quest Diagnostics, Inc., resolving allegations that the diagnostic laboratory company unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at its facilities statewide.

As part of the settlement, Quest Diagnostics will be required to pay $3,999,500 in civil penalties, $700,000 in costs, and $300,000 for enforcement and training and changes its practices at California facilities.

Joining Bonta were the district attorneys of Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Ventura, and Yolo Counties.

The settlement is the result of more than 30 inspections conducted by the district attorneys’ offices at Quest Diagnostics laboratories and patient service centers statewide.

During those inspections, the district attorneys’ offices reviewed the contents of Quest Diagnostics’ compactors and dumpsters and found hundreds of containers of chemicals, as well as bleach, reagents, batteries, and electronic waste; unredacted medical information; medical waste such as used specimen containers for blood and urine; and hazardous waste such as used batteries, solvents, and flammable liquids. The unlawful disposals are alleged to violate the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, Unfair Competition Law, and civil laws prohibiting the

unauthorized disclosure of personal health information

“Quest Diagnostics’ illegal disposal of hazardous and medical waste and patient information put families and communities at risk and endangered our environment,” said Bonta, adding that he wants to “send a clear message that my office will hold corporations, including medical services providers, accountable for violations of state environ mental and privacy laws.”

He also thanked the partnership of the district attorneys’ offices that worked on the case.

“Through our metic ulous waste audits, it came to light that Quest Diagnostics may have encountered challenges in properly managing confidential patient data, medical waste, and hazardous materials. Our initial inquiry in San Joaquin County prompted us to engage with the Attorney General’s office,” said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.

facilities across the state skirting California’s hazardous waste laws while ignoring the very real environmental and health impacts of these illegal actions,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “We will not allow the public’s health to be jeopardized by laboratories who prioritized cutting corners over protecting the health of the very people they were supposed to be caring for.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said, “The Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center and Ventura County residents were negatively impacted by Quest’s illegal disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected patient information.”

against identity theft,” said Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.

Monterey County will get $328,000.

“This settlement will help ensure that patients’ personally identifiable and private health information is protected and will protect worker safety and human health by ensuring that hazardous and medical wastes are properly managed and disposed of,” said Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said, “We are thankful for the cooperation of Quest.”

After being notified of the investigations, Quest Diagnostics made changes to bring its facilities into compliance with California law, according to Bonta.

“Subsequent audits conducted at Quest’s laboratories shed further light on potential mismanagement issues,” he added.

His office will get $665,000, the largest amount for counties in the settlement.

“This was not an isolated incident by a single Quest Diagnostics testing facility; this was Quest Diagnostics laboratories and testing

Sacramento County will receive $254,000 from the settlement, which will reimburse the cost of prosecuting thes case and increase enforcement of consumer and environmental protection laws, according to Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, who expects the financial penalty and permanent injunction will deter Quest Diagnostics from violating laws in the future.

Quest agreed to an injunction requiring the company maintain an environmental compliance program, and report progress annually.

“This settlement demonstrates the commitment of my Consumer Justice Bureau to protect the residents of Alameda County

Californians living in a state averaging 975,000 acres of annual wildfires since 2000 are paying some of the highest electricity rates in the nation.

Regulations called NEM 3.0 adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission in April 2023 have slashed compensation for exported home rooftop solar.

According to Environmental Working Group, many solar installers are bankrupt.

Installation applications are down by 80%, according to pv magazine, which covers the industry.

Some 17,000 jobs — about 17% of the workforce — have been lost, according to pv magazine.

Meanwhile PG&E, the investor-owned utility in northern California, is charging 13% more for power, which is to pay for undergrounding power lines in the wake of devastating wildfires, some of which fire officials said were caused by power lines, and to resume quarterly dividends of a penny a share to shareholders which were halted in 2017.

What’s the impact for homeowners? Share your story with our readers. Email editor Jondi Gumz at info@ cyber-times.com and put Home Solar in the subject line. n

These included hiring an independent auditor to review the disposal of waste at its facilities and modifying its operating and training procedures to improve its handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, and personal health information at all four laboratories including one in Sacramento and more than 600 patient centers in California.

Quest has patient centers in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz and Freedom. n

•••

A copy of the complaint and proposed stipulated judgment, which details the settlement terms and is subject to court approval, is http://tinyurl. com/quest-fine-complain, and http://tinyurl.com/ quest-fine-stipulate.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Meet Nola!

“Staff named me Nola* and I am a spayed female, tan and white Greyhound mix. The shelter staff think I am about 1 year and 1 month old. I have been at the shelter since Feb 24, 2024.”

Nola (#A308745) has been hanging out in a foster home for a week with a couple and their two resident pups.

Her foster parent say the following:

“Nola is a high energy dog, but when she is fulfilled she is calm at home and happy to cuddle.

She will thrive in an active home where she would get walks, runs, and play dates. Nola is friendly and enthusiastic about meeting new people. She will jump up and gently mouth hands, but she’s already learning to make the better choice to sit before getting pets with some positive reinforcement!

St. Pittie’s Party

March 11-17

Visit

https://www. scanimalshelter.org/ saint-pitties-2024/ for details.

She is a social dog and has been comfortable in a small dog daycare setting and really enjoys one on one play. She prefers a game of bouncy chase over rough housing. She’s definitely potty trained, sleeps in a crate throughout the night and has adjusted to the routines of a new home really easily.

This girl is loyal, sweet and goofy. She is the perfect size to potentially be an awesome little adventure partner!”

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. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. •••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter

1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

The Bucket List: Revised

By Randy Johnson, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

When you have kids who live in L.A., you find a way to visit that city on a regular basis. And when you add a sweet granddaughter to the mix, the visitation intervals really intensify. I am not, however, a fan of the drive. I prefer Highway 101, as the scenery is very pleasing and what’s the rush?

The rest of my family, however, disagrees and they prefer the dreary Highway 5 alternative and 14 vital minutes it saves you speeding down to SoCal.

The worst part of that trip is the crossover you have to use on Highway 46. It used to be more than treacherous, but gradually they have made great progress on making it 4 lanes.

During the last trip down, I caught a red light at the junction of Highways 46 and 41 and glanced over and saw the enormous 20-foot cutout of James Dean. Sure enough, it was at this very junction that he was tragically killed in his Porsche Super Speedster.

That got me wondering, do people still make the pilgrimage to visit their fallen movie star? Yes. Apparently people still visit the crash site, leaving behind beer bottles, cigarettes, sunglasses and even women’s garments.

When I arrive in LA, my driving privileges are quickly taken away by the kids. Apparently you have to be a local to traverse the mean streets like Highways 405 and 101. Routinely, the topic often turns to where we might want to visit. Well, visit anywhere in a county that has 4,000-square miles and things get a little dreary, because the trek is mind-numbing, tedious and close to intolerable.

But on reflection, I have been fortunate to see quite a few spots over the years: The Getty, Disneyland, Venice Beach, Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Grove. Not a true Bucket List, like the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu, but kinda impressive. Visit’s over.

I take the scenic route home (101) and reflect on my destination: Santa Cruz County.

If there was a word to describe my emotion, it would be grateful. How fortunate to live in a small county, where virtually any

destination is achievable within about 20 minutes. And what are some of those destinations? I pondered that and thought about all the beaches, parks, open spaces, lagoons and endless natural wonders to behold. And then I got a little sad. Why am I not taking advantage of all that my home has to offer?

A click to Visit Santa Cruz County allowed me to fully realize and remember how big the universe of opportunities existed for me to enjoy and experience. Time for a new bucket list with a small “b.” Not the 7 wonders of the world, but 7 meaningful encounters with my surroundings. Here we go:

1) Glenwood Preserve — Scotts Valley. Beautiful hike with birds, bunnies and breadcrumbs, for those easily lost.

2) Sunset State Beach — One of a dozen that are part of our beautiful coastline.

3) Wilder Ranch — Could someone lend me a horse?

4) Roaring Camp — Steam train through the redwoods.

5) Capitola Village — Pastel homes and amazing shops.

6) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park — Where they grow giants.

7) The Boardwalk — Still fun, even for big kids like me.

So here’s a little challenge: Put aside the phone, the computer and the television and make your own bucket list. And they don’t all have to be serene and outdoors. Downtown Santa Cruz qualifies, as you slip into Bookshop Santa Cruz for a brew and a read.

P.S. Just finished a 60-minute walk at the Glenwood Preserve. One down, six to go … n •••

Randy Johnson is mayor of Scotts Valley. Contact him at rlj12@comcast.net.

Photos: Glenwood Preserve