Table of Contents
6 In The Heights: July 11 – August 4 at Cabrillo Stage, By Mindy Pedlar 10 Your Giant Dipper Memories 17 Branch Out! • Fourth of July Parade is On!, Photos by Jondi Gumz
Saison Cellar & Wine Bar Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, July 25th 5:30-7pm •
Hot Yoga Expands to Larger Space in King’s Village Shopping Center: Ribbon Cutting July 18th, 5:30-7pm 13 Cops ‘N Rodders Classic Car Show: August 17th — Register your 1995 or Older Classic Car Today! • Take the
15 Calling the Question, By Randy Johnson, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley
County Budget, Road Repairs, Highway 9 Upgrade in 2025, By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District
COVER STORY
publisher
Patrice Edwards editor
Jondi Gumz
contributing writers
Mindy Pedlar, Jondi Gumz, Natalia Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Bruce McPherson layout
Michael Oppenheimer graphic artists
Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin
photography
production coordinator
Camisa Composti media consultants
Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul office coordinator
Cathe Race distribution
Bill Pooley, Erik Long
Times Publishing Group, Inc.
9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission
PHONE: (831) 688-7549
FAX: (831) 688-7551
GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com
Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com
Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com
Editor: info@cyber-times.com
Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com
Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com
Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com
Production: production@cyber-times.com
CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement
We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment
“Grand Jury: CZU Wildfire” from page 1
But for many who lived through that conflagration and lost homes, it is not a distant memory but rather a continuing and ever-present reality. It may surprise you to know that a substantial number of those who lost their homes simply walked away without rebuilding.
Many found themselves under-insured to the degree they simply could not bear the cost to rebuild. Others were unable to rekindle their dreams because they found themselves unable to navigate a lengthy and often bewildering permitting process. And others chose not to rebuild their homes because they were unaware or uninformed that restorative resources and support were available.
Almost four years later, only about one third of the homes destroyed are being rebuilt.
This report highlights the need for more readily accessible disaster recovery information, improved support from county government agencies and the need for ongoing outreach to our community to prepare us for the next disaster.
We can do better and we can meet that challenge together.
In the early morning of Aug.16, 2020, a thunderstorm produced thousands of lightning strikes, resulting in hundreds of fires throughout California. There were over 300 lightning strikes in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties. These combined with dangerous drought conditions unleashed the largest fire in Santa Cruz County history. This massive wildfire, dubbed the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, had devastating consequences for many residents of Santa Cruz Supervisorial Districts 3 and 5. The fire consumed 86,000 acres and nearly 1,000 structures, of which 697* were single-family homes, and caused the tragic death of one Santa Cruz County resident.
More than 77,000 people were evacuated and nearly all of Big Basin Redwoods State Park was burned. Thirty-seven days after the fires began, on Sept. 22, CalFire reported it had gotten control of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The cost to fight this fire reached more than $68 million. The damage, loss of life, disruption from evacuation, and efforts to support the victims of the fire were well publicized.
On Oct. 6, 2020, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors (BoS) voted to create the Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience (OR3) to respond to not only the CZU Lightning Complex fire, but also to future disasters.
Past Grand Jury reports noted nothing was yet published about the performance of our government leadership and agencies during the CZU fire. Yet they remain accountable for assisting and supporting those fire victims who lost their homes and ensuring readiness for the next disaster. OR3 is developing an emergency plan. It is currently being reviewed by the state office of Emergency Services. The Grand Jury does not yet have access to the plan.
Less than a third of all homes lost to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire have been rebuilt.
Kevin & Rosie Alexander. They had renter’s insurance, enabling them to put up a down payment on a house in Washington State after the CZU fire.
Not only has the CZU Lightning Fire left residents without homes, but it also left many residents angry and frustrated about the response and performance of their local government agencies. Most residents are grateful for the work done by our county fire districts, local volunteer firefighters and selected government agencies and nonprofits.
However, many residents are also exasperated and need to have their voices heard about the performance gaps of local government and agencies during the recovery and rebuilding process which continues to this day.
Scope
The scope of this report encompasses the effectiveness of county elected leaders and county agencies in response to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. We sought to answer these key questions:
• What were the major obstacles faced by those fire victims who chose to rebuild their homes?
• How efficiently and effectively did county government and agencies respond to the needs of the CZU fire victims with respect to the recovery and rebuilding process?
• Has the county government and its agencies stepped up and demonstrated oversight and accountability with respect to the CZU Fire recovery and rebuilding process?
Methodology
The Grand Jury examined a wide range of documents from county agencies and researched media articles, online publications, community meetings, prior grand jury reports, and examined the practices of other counties that experienced devastating wildfires.
The Jury toured areas affected by the fire in Boulder Creek. Perhaps most importantly, extensive interviews were conducted with fire victims, including those who lost homes, those who were able to rebuild and those who were unable to do so.
The Grand Jury sought out the experiences of first responders, building trades professionals, and community advocates who demonstrated thoughtfulness, courage, and tenacity under adverse conditions.
However, the foundation of our investigation rests upon interviews conducted
with government and county agency officials. The Grand Jury evaluated this group for their past and current levels of efficiency and disaster preparedness and for their response to this devastating community event.
It is our overriding belief and understanding that public officials and agency staff have an obligation to serve its citizens. This obligation entails ensuring that risks are understood and managed and resources are maximized within financial constraints. This approach proactively mitigates foreseeable risks and ensures that needs and concerns of the public are recognized and satisfied.
Investigation
As the Grand Jury began its investigation, it quickly became apparent that emergency preparedness and public education related to natural disasters were lacking.
However, the most alarming area of inquiry became the obstacles to recovery and rebuilding that continue to plague and frustrate fire victims.
Fire Victims’ Experiences
Those whose lives were upended by the fire are the special focus of this report. The Grand Jury interviewed five CZU fire victims. Jurors also read stories of other victims online.
The Grand Jury found that on one end of the recovery spectrum were victims who had completed the rebuild process, while the other end of the spectrum held those who decided to sell their parcel and move out of the mountains.
Many of the victims in the latter group were senior members of our community who had lived in their homes for many years and simply had neither the energy nor the heart to rebuild. Most victims fell somewhere in between.
Those who chose to rebuild their homes encountered a mountain of obstacles that many still struggle with today.
The majority of fire victims were either uninsured or underinsured.
The claims of those who were insured were processed slowly. Delays in insurance payouts meant that while victims waited, the cost of rebuilding rose dramatically. When insurance payouts were finally made, funds were no longer enough to cover the cost to rebuild their home.
Fire victims did begin to get some relief when the BoS created the Recovery Permit Center in December 2020. Many reported the RPC staff treated them with empathy and were responsive to their needs.
The Grand Jury interviewed county supervisors about their responses to the CZU Fire and their continued efforts on behalf of fire victims.
Disaster Prep Oversight
Victims expressed doubt about the County’s preparedness for future fires. The BoS is in the position to advocate for the community by holding agencies accountable and to prepare for an uncertain and dangerous future.
Santa Cruz County will undoubtedly experience future natural disasters and it is critical that County agencies, under the purview of the Board of Supervisors, be better prepared for the next major wildfire.
Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti
Michael Oppenheimer website
CalFire Communication
The lack of coordination and/or communication between CalFire and local volunteer fire departments likely resulted in unnecessary loss.
This Grand Jury heard anecdotal testimony from multiple victims about local fire volunteers being discouraged from responding to the fire or being outright ordered by CalFire to stand down.
The tragic death of Last Chance resident Tad Jones is partly attributed to the CalFire evacuation order coming late to the Last Chance community. He left the designated evacuation gathering point when no help came and paid the ultimate price.
A 2020-2021 Grand Jury report expressed concerns over the response by CalFire. That report found the BoS had not held CalFire accountable for their lack of analysis of their performance in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The report found no provision existed in the current contract between the County and CalFire to develop after-action reports during the non-fire season.
In December 2021, OR3 published the After-Action and Improvement Plan in response to the CZU Fire. However, CalFire doesn’t appear to have actively participated in developing the report as the report was focused on internal County operations. This is unfortunate as CalFire participation could have provided a unique perspective and valuable input.
Supervisors’ Fire Victim Support
In September 2021, the BoS passed a Resolution granting variances for CZU fire victims that is set to expire Sept. 21, 2024.
These variances allowed those who wished to rebuild their home to take advantage of waivers in the permit process if they rebuilt “in-kind.”A new home was considered “in-kind” if it were built in the same spot as the original home and if it added no more than 400 square feet.
This resolution was a major exception to the building code and many victims took advantage of this exception and so were able to avoid some of the preclearance requirements.
The BoS established both the OR3 and the Recovery Permit Center.
OR3 was created to improve our community’s emergency response, elevate our disaster awareness, and prepare for increases in extreme weather due to climate change. The RPC was created to provide essential permitting services to fire victims. The establishment of these organizations was instrumental in streamlining the rebuilding process for CZU Fire victims.
The BoS also passed a Resolution on March 14, 2023 requiring County staff to notify permit applicants when the status of their permit applications changed. It also stipulated that application decisions should take no more than two weeks for “uncomplicated” cases.
Long Term Recovery Group
The Long Term Recovery Group (chaired by Valerie Brown of the nonprofit United Policyholders) is a collaboration of nonprofit, faith-based, local, state, and national organizations working together to share information and resources to help address
COVER STORY
the needs of individuals and families affected by the CZU Lightning Complex Fires.
LTRG works in concert with communitybased organizations including Catholic Charities, Community Bridges, Boulder Creek Parks and Recreation, Valley Churches United, and the Community Action Board.
The LTRG is currently supporting 30 to 40 families who are victims of the CZU Fire with case management. Funding and services provided by Catholic Charities and Community Bridges included clothing, kitchen kits, laundry services, and household items. The LTRG also hosts community events for fire victims.
Longer-term services include preclearance process assistance, septic upgrades, and reestablishment of electricity. The LTRG has also provided water tanks, contractor services, tiny houses and yurts, transportation of modular homes, and bridge funding.
The LTRG is collaborating with Mennonite Disaster Services to build four to five homes per year over a three-year period for families in Santa Cruz County who lost their homes in the CZU Fire and who are uninsured or severely under-insured. This represents roughly 10% of the homes being rebuilt.
In spite of the important services the Long Term Recovery Group has provided, the results of a CZU fire victim survey indicated more than half of the respondents were not aware of the group and so did not access their services.
The LTRG did not have a website until March 2024 but was rather reliant on brochures made available at the RPC office, the LTRG link on the RPC website, and their Facebook page to publicize the services it offers.
The LTRG website is now live to publicize their services.
The Grand Jury was impressed by the breadth and volume of services provided by the LTRG, and was especially impressed by how effectively LTRG services complemented those provided by the County’s RPC. One public official is quoted as saying: “The Long Term Recovery Group has been a godsend.”
Unfortunately, Community Foundation funding for the LTRG runs out mid-November 2024. Without additional funding, the LTRG will go into “sleep mode” if there is no new disaster and as the need of CZU fire victims lessens.
The Grand Jury believes present and future disaster preparedness would be well served by the creation of a publicprivate partnership between the LTRG and OR3. The purpose would be to provide continuing case management and support to current and future disaster victims. The LTRG is very willing to continue collaborating with government entities and other community groups to help disaster victims.
Other counties have an ombudsman on staff to provide guidance to community members for difficult to navigate topics, such as water quality and building permits.
“Grand Jury: CZU Wildfire” page 7
2024 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Delicious TREATS
IIn The Heights July 11 – August 4 at Cabrillo Stage
By Mindy Pedlar
n The Heights, the Broadway smash musical, opens July 11, and it’s time to meet some of the cast.
New to Cabrillo Stage is Trevor Miller, who plays Benny. Trevor credits the internet and long nights of research for being cast in this show that he feels passionate about. His character, Benny, is a generous, hardworking man with dreams and goals. He works in the dispatch with his boss who happens to be the father of the girl of his dreams, Nina. Trevor notes that “there are a ton of similarities between Benny and me. I relate to what he says and his actions throughout the show. Through all his challenges, Benny remains resilient and trusts his instincts. That is something I can admire and learn from.”
Trevor knew he wanted to be an actor when he and his sister were watching the Disney Channel’s High School Musical. He shares that “in 2006, you didn’t see many male black actors on TV, especially not singing and dancing. Watching Corbin Bleu play Chad Danforth was truly a lifechanging experience. He made theatre and acting look and sound so cool. As a kid, I played sports. The movie made me realize I could like both theatre and sports. Soon after, I was in a production of Alice in Wonderland. My sister played the White Rabbit. I played a doorknob and I haven’t stopped doing theatre since.”
To Trevor, “the most enjoyable aspect of this role is working with my fellow actors. The cast is so talented and as a collective we genuinely make magic on the stage. The creative team has taught and guided us with expertise, passion and love. My wonderful stage partner, Sofia Rosas, makes everything easy. She is such a great and trusting actor.
Hearing her sing Breathe is something I look forward to every night.”
Sofia Rosas plays Nina Rosario, a character she describes as sweet, hard-working and selfless. She’s an achiever who is a shining light of hope in the neighborhood. Sofia says, “My favorite thing to do as a performer is to connect and to make the audience feel, whether it’s something emotional, or joyful.”
For Sofia, working with the cast, crew and directing team has been a pleasure. She describes everyone involved in this production as “wonderful individuals who are supportive, vibrant, lively, driven and loving.”
Sofia and Trevor know the audience will find the show joyous and entertaining, and hope they will leave with a new appreciation for Latino culture to carry on the beautiful legacy that In The Heights holds.
Trevor’s dream would be for someone sitting in the audience to have an experience like he had in his youth.
He says, “If they see themselves in me or anyone else on stage, then perhaps they will fall in love with theatre just as I did.” n
Tickets range from $25 - $60. Online ticket sales at cabrillostage.com. Box Office open for phone and walk-up sales Thursdays - Saturdays 12pm - 6pm and 1 hour prior to each performance 831-479-6154. Performances: July 11 – Aug. 4, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, with a special matinee performance Saturday, Aug. 3.
Post-show discussion with the creative team on Sunday July 14 following the performance. Cabrillo Stage performs in the Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
Trevor Miller as Benny and Sofia Rosas as Nina rehearsing a duet for In the Heights.
COVER STORY
was not equipped to handle the additional workload.
An ombudsman within this partnership could provide ongoing natural disaster preparedness support and information, including:
• Soliciting volunteers to assist victims with limited resources in getting started in the preclearance process.
• Conducting volunteer orientations and providing training.
• Providing the community with an informational overview of current building costs to assist community members in their assessment of acquiring insurance policies adequate to rebuild “in kind” in the event of a future disaster.
• Providing case management to guide disaster victims through the rebuilding process including debris clearance, insurance and obtaining required county permits.
OR3
The Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience was modeled after the County of Sonoma’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. The purpose is threefold:
• A Response function to serve as the emergency management office including disaster preparedness for residents, development of written guidelines for emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation for disasters and operation of the Emergency Operations Center.
• Recovery support efforts for disasters, which includes the Long Term Recovery Group services, Recovery Permit Center services, and debris flow and removal.
• Resilience which includes the County’s planning for future disasters, sustainability, and climate change. Much of OR3’s initial focus has been on recovery due to the CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Their role is getting residents who lost their homes resettled and rebuilt as soon as possible after any disaster.
Recovery Permit Center
Prior to the establishment of OR3 and the RPC, the County Planning Department, now part of Community Development and Infrastructure, was the only department to deal with the influx of building permit queries from CZU Fire victims.
But Planning staff was down 30% from 22 years ago and their workload was up 30%.
Therefore, the Planning Department
Victim interviewees unanimously agreed that contact with the Planning Department during this time was extremely frustrating and the department was not able to provide any meaningful assistance.
Victims, already traumatized by the loss of everything they owned, had negative interactions with the Planning Department. They reported feeling hopeless and/or ready to abandon their plans to rebuild.
With the establishment of the RPC, victims found a helping hand. Both victims and building professionals alike found working with the newly-established RPC to be more user friendly.
The RPC was created by the BoS on Nov. 17, 2020, three months after the CZU fire, to offer a “one-stop” center with the goal of expediting and guiding the building permit and rebuilding process.
After the CZU fire, our County reached out to other Counties that had experienced large wildfires. Based on a recommendation from Sonoma County, Santa Cruz County contracted with 4Leaf, Inc. to manage the county Recovery Permit Center. The RPC was needed due to staffing constraints within the Santa Cruz County Planning Department.
And 4Leaf has extensive disaster recovery experience throughout the country which was desperately needed. The contract term was initially set to run through June 30, 2023, and was extended to June 30, 2024. Another extension to provide service through Dec. 31, 2024 is being considered by the BoS.
Testimony offered by fire victims and building professionals reflected the near unanimous approval of their services. The RPC dramatically reduced the time to obtain a building permit.
The streamlined CZU Fire Victim rebuild process starts with three pre-clearances that must be obtained prior to submission of a building permit application.
The RPC team identifies and works through technical issues with septic systems, water, fire access and potential geologic hazards in the Pre-Clearance phase. A site plan is required as part of the Pre-Clearance application. The three required Pre-Clearances are:
• Environmental Health: This verifies the permitted septic system and water source for the property. The Pre-Clearance will determine the specific water and septic requirements for a proposed project.
“Grand Jury: CZU Wildfire” page 8
“Grand Jury: CZU Wildfire” from page 5
What remained of Steve Homan’s home in Bonny Doon after the CZU fire.
COVER STORY
“Grand Jury: CZU Wildfire” from page 7
• Fire Access: The RPC sets up a site visit to determine if the property has site access that meets standards for emergency services access, and if driveways and bridges meet applicable codes.
• Geologic Hazards: This is a pre-application evaluation of potential geologic hazards that may affect a rebuild proposal. Any reports required by the Pre-Clearance must be reviewed and accepted by County staff prior to issuance of the geologic hazard Pre-Clearance to apply for a building permit.
Once the three Pre-Clearance hurdles are completed, the building permit application may be submitted. Initial plan review is one week, with resubmitted plans being reviewed within five days. The building permit is issued once the plans are approved.
County Planning Handoff
Transitioning to the present, the process of winding down the RPC and passing off CZU Fire victims’ cases from the RPC to the Planning Department is underway.
The Grand Jury has received testimony that collaboration between the RPC and County Planning could be improved. Staffing changes in both Planning and in the Recovery Permit Center (4Leaf staff) led to some delays in handling requests due to inconsistent processes between RPC and the Planning Department.
There are now weekly coordination meetings between the two.
Testimony showed the initial phase of handing off RPC cases to the Planning Department is not going as smoothly as it should.
4Leaf appears to lack confidence in how CZU Fire victim cases will be handled by the Planning Department.
4Leaf and Planning Department communication is poor. The physical distance between the RPC, located in the County building basement, and the Planning Department, located on the 4th floor, hinders communication. Planning Department staff state hey would have preferred to have the RPC located in a space adjoining their offices.
So, what does the future of the relationship between the Planning Department and RPC hold for the 158 fire victim permits still in construction as of April 10, 2024?
Testimony from Planning staff indicated they believe the RPC to be a “cool” model.
They plan to adopt RPC’s expedited Pre-Clearance model.
Obstacles to Rebuilding
CZUFire victims faced a myriad of problems while going through the permit and rebuilding process.
Insurance Issues: The majority of victims of the CZU Fire were either underinsured or had no fire insurance. For those who had insurance, the time to process their claims and to receive payouts took months. Some victims interviewed for this report in early 2024 were still waiting to receive their final payout. Meanwhile, as victims waited for their claims to be processed, the cost of building a home skyrocketed during the Covid pandemic. As reflected in a 2022 RPC survey of fire victims, costs rose from $200-$300 per square foot to $700-$800 per square foot. Preexisting policies did not account for this increased cost.
Some victims had enough fiscal resources to begin the process before receiving insurance payouts. In some cases, the unanticipated cost of obtaining Pre-Clearance studies quickly depleted their funds and they decided to cut their losses and abandon plans to rebuild. A few were more fortunate and were able to rebuild but still experienced out of pocket expenses waiting for their insurance payouts. One victim reported, “Right now I’m out of pocket a little over $1.2M on this build.” At the time of the interview this homeowner was still waiting for a final insurance settlement.
Building Professional Shortage: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in building professionals being hired for renovations driven by California’s shelter in place orders during the pandemic. As a result, CZU Fire victims struggled to engage the contractors, architects, and engineers necessary to begin their rebuilding process.
the geography of any given parcel.The typical costs include: • PreClearance permit, $350 • Soil reports, $6,500 • Survey, $3,000 • Septic study, $7,500 • Structural engineer, $3,000-$5,000.
These were the known costs going into the Pre-Clearance process. Unfortunately, the pre-clearance reports often showed a property did not meet the standards required to pass inspections.
Alternatively, if they wanted something other than rebuilding “in kind,” the cost to come up to code could cost many tens or even hundreds of thousands of additional dollars.
Environmental Health septic system expenses: Septic system upgrades before the fire were approximately $30,000-$40,000. After the fire the cost was $100,000 and more. Interviewees reported that over 50% of fire victims had to put in new septic systems and 25% had to upgrade to an advanced treatment system.
Septic system requirements were revised and became more stringent in October 2023 when the BoS adopted the Santa Cruz County Local Area Management Program. In one case, a retired environmental health specialist helped 50 CZU Fire survivors obtain their environmental Pre-Clearance permit. These 50 residents’ rebuilds were held up by Planning staff with poor understanding of septic regulations and environmental health ordinances.
This good Samaritan worked with the County to resolve the issue so his neighbors could carry on with their rebuilds.
Fire Access: The Grand Jury heard from interviewees that the fire district stringently applied the state requirements that a fire truck be able to turn around on the property.
The Grand Jury also heard testimony about cases where fire trucks had adequate room to turn around but the road didn’t meet the County Fire District requirement.
The minimum requirement to pass the Fire Pre-Clearance is a 12-foot wide access road with 12-foot wide by 35-foot-long turnouts located every 500 feet. Many roads and culverts were badly damaged by contractors doing debris flow clearance. The cost of bringing roads up to fire code would be very costly.
This has impacted dozens of homes in communities such as Last Chance Road. In addition, fire codes require 10,000 gallons of water storage on site and all homes must have a sprinkler system.
Geologic Hazards: Santa Cruz County is the 15th highest landslide risk out of 3,000 counties in the U.S., according to FEMA. Geologic studies and guidelines are critical in protecting the safety of County residents.
California now requires building foundations to be designed by a geotechnical engineer. Because geotechnical engineers will not work in a geologically hazardous area without a partnering geologist, additional costs of $20,000-$40,000 are incurred and availability of these professionals is extremely limited. Most fire victims wait six months to a year for a report.
On Oct. 13, 2021, the BoS adopted the CZU Rebuild Directive, Resolution 226-2021 to facilitate rebuilding structures destroyed in the fire. It allows rebuilding replacement structures “in kind,” up to 10% or 400 square feet larger than the original destroyed structure, on the same footprint, with minimal or no geologic hazard reports required. n
The lucky people who were able to engage professional assistance were then able to avoid some of the pitfalls of the permit process and make good progress. In the early aftermath of the fire, those who chose to go at it alone ran into unfamiliar permit requirements and often incurred many thousands of dollars in costs unnecessarily. They sometimes had to scrap their early work, and go back to square one.
Required Pre-Clearances: The process of obtaining the three Pre-Clearance permits could be arduous and expensive depending on
For the full report, see https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/ Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2024_final/2024-6_CZU_Report.pdf
Cover Photo: Kevin and Rosie Alexander and friends sift through ashes after the CZU fire destroyed their Boulder Creek home, owned by the Big Basin State Park concessionaire. “I lost my job, my home, and all my possessions in one fell swoop,” she said.
Steve Homan at his home rebuilt after the CZU fire and his wife Christine’s garden. A retired county environmental health specialist, he reactivated his license and helped 50 of his neighbors obtain their environmental pre-clearance for septic systems — at no charge.
Your Giant Dipper Memories
This is the centennial year for Giant Dipper, the gravity-driven thrill ride that opened May 17, 1924, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
According to the Boardwalk, the wooden coaster has tallied more than 68 million rides — and it’s still going strong.
Do you have a favorite Giant Dipper memory to share with our readers?
Email us 100-200 words with the year of your ride, and include your name, what town you live in and your phone number (in case we have questions) to info@cyber-times. com. Include a jpg photo, at least 1 MB for best print reproduction, with names for us to feature in an upcoming issue. n
Summer Sessions Summer Sessions
Continuing Students
Dual-Enrolled High School Students
Student Athletes
Student Veterans
4-week Sessions: June 10–July 6
6-week Sessions: June 10–July 20
8-week Sessions: June 10–August 3
Photos Courtesy of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival
August 17–18 at Skypark
The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of our signature summer event, The Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival. It will take place in the beautiful park setting of Skypark in Scotts Valley. The premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains has something fun for everyone!
The festival is a two-day event and is always held on the third weekend in August. The 2024 dates are: Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Festival goers can purchase their tasting kits early to receive significant savings offered online only. The online tasting kit sales will end the day before the festival on Friday, August 16th at 5pm. Pre-sale tasting kits can be picked up at the festival at the will-call window. Online sales for tasting kits will be available soon, visit the festival website at SVArtFestival.com for updates.
There will be over 130 fabulous artists, and the area’s most prestigious wineries and breweries will be there pouring their best. Additionally, there will be culinary creations from 18 different food vendors.
The festival also includes the Cops ‘N Rodders Car Show on Saturday benefitting the Scotts Valley Police Department, as well as the popular Dog Day Sunday with contests in the following categories: Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Look-A-Like, Best Pooch Smooch, Smallest Dog, Largest Dog, Best Voice – SingTalk-Bark, and Fastest Fetcher. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome on both festival days.
This year’s live music entertainment schedule is as follows: Saturday, August 17
10:00 – Bobbie Ward Performance Vocal 11:45 – Fishhook
2:00 – The Shady Rest Band
4:15 – James Durbin and the Lost Boys Sunday, August 18
10:00 – Scotts Valley Talent Show
11:00 – International Academy of Dance
1:00 – Lyin Eyes (Eagles Tribute Band)
3:15 – The Joint Chiefs
Saison Cellar & Wine Bar Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, July 25th 5:30-7pm
The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Saison Cellar & Wine Bar invite you to join us on Thursday, July 25th, from 5:30 – 7:00pm for a very special Ribbon Cutting and Networking Event. Light refreshments and raffle prizes will be available. This free event is open to the Community. Local winemaker and Saison Hospitality
Co-Founder & Beverage Director, Mark Bright, invites the community to his Scotts Valley Saison Wine Bar & Cellar. Saison Cellar serves Mark’s deeply personal wine collection alongside Santa Cruz Mountain AVA labels and a heavy focus on the wines of France.
“My first travels as a sommelier took me to Burgundy and the Rhône Valley, where I found my life-long inspiration in the wine world,” says Bright, “but it was the diverse soil types and ocean-influenced climate of Santa Cruz that drove me to make wine myself.”
Our Wine Bar offers a comfortable
experience with couches, dining tables, bar seats, and outdoor seating. The back wall, awash in ‘Saison Blue,’ displays a collection of bottles, each a favorite that Bright has enjoyed and collected over the years. Mark’s wine-themed art portfolio, each piece with personal meaning to him, adorns the bar.
The Cellar space is lined with 30 custom-made, temperature-controlled wine lockers and provides unique storage opportunities and amenities to Saison Cellar members.
Join us for a glass of vino, break bread with friends, pop in for a tasting, or host your social or corporate event (caviar and champagne anyone?). We are ready to serve you and celebrate our love of wine and hospitality.
Sol Hot Yoga Expands to Larger Space in King’s Village Shopping Center
Ribbon Cutting July 18th, 5:30-7pm
The Scotts Valley Chamber and Sol Hot Yoga, invites the community to join us for a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on July 18th at their new location!
Sol Hot Yoga, a beloved yoga and fitness studio in the heart of Scotts Valley, just finished construction on an exciting expansion.
Known for its diverse yoga modalities including 26&2, Vinyasa, and yin, alongside its abundant fitness offerings like Pilates and Barre, Sol Hot Yoga has become a staple for fitness enthusiasts from all over Santa Cruz County.
The studio’s decision to move into a larger space within the King’s Village shopping center marks a significant milestone. The new facility, one of the largest of its kind in the county, is equipped for both hot and unheated classes--offering community members more flexibility in their fitness routines. This expansion underscores Sol’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment for yoga and fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
Instructors at Sol Hot Yoga are enthusiastic about the move, expressing their love for the community and their dedi-
Celebrating 43 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 – 2024
$3850/mo 3BR/3BA 2-story Townhome on Jolley Way in Scotts Valley. Patio. Laundry hookups. No pets. AVAIL NOW
$2250/mo 1BR/1BA Apartment in a Duplex at 889 Hillcrest in Felton. Yard. No laundry onsite. 1 pet ok. ............................................................................... AVAIL NOW
$2200/mo 1BR/1BA in a House on Locatelli Lane in Scotts Valley. Shared common areas. No laundry. 1 pet ok. ........................................................................... AVAIL NOW
$1850/mo 1BR/1BA in a House on the 23000 block of Glenwood Drive in Los Gatos. Shared common areas. Onsite laundry. Deck. No pets. AVAIL NOW. ...................... AVAIL NOW
cation to sharing the transformative benefits of yoga and fitness. They look forward to welcoming more members into the extended Sol family, fostering a supportive and healthy lifestyle community.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer more classes and accommodate a broader range of interests and schedules,” said owner Gema Lopez-Smith. “This move was a labor of love, and we are so excited to welcome the community into our new studio.”
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a newcomer curious about starting your fitness journey, Sol Hot Yoga invites you to explore their new space. With a variety of classes and a warm community atmosphere, Sol promises a fulfilling experience for all who seek wellness and balance.
Come visit Sol Hot Yoga’s new location
and every class.
Register for WaterSmart and sign up to receive text alerts to stay up-to-date on your water usage! www.svwd.org/WaterSmart
in King’s Village shopping center and discover a place where fitness meets community, and where health is nurtured through every pose
Cops ‘N Rodders Classic Car Show
August 17th —
The premier classic car show of Santa Cruz County, Cops ‘N Rodders, brings its magic to Skypark, at the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival’s opening day, Saturday, August 17th. The event begins at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and the SVPD will escort the parade of classic cars cruising from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, through the Capitola Esplanade, and up to beautiful Skypark in Scotts Valley.
Over 100 classic cars driven by their proud owners will be on display.
The acclaimed Police Chief’s Choice Award, is presented annually by the Scotts Valley Chief of Police to the owner of the most spectacular classic car. Each year, the winning car is displayed on the following year’s Cops ‘N Rodders T-shirt! The 2023 Best in Show Winner is Neal Austin’s 1969 Model SS396 Camaro.
Go To SVArtFestival.com for more information about the show and how to register.
Take the 2024 Business Survey
The Scotts Valley Economic Development Committee (formerly the Economic Recovery Task Force) is a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Scotts Valley. During the Pandemic and the CZU Fires, this Committee rose to meet those challenges, providing vital assistance and information, including signage, reopening kits, grant & loan assistance, as well as informational
webinars. These efforts helped several businesses survive these difficult times, and the committee was even recognized as Organization of the Year for its efforts.
Now, the committee is looking at the road ahead and wants to continue making a tangible difference in helping our local businesses. To that end, the committee wants to “take the temperature” of the current business
climate, and for this they need your help!
If you are business owner, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey which can be found at scottsvalleychamber.com. It is the Committee’s hope that the information gathered in this survey will serve as “roadmap” in the year to come as the Committee sets its future goals and continues to meet the needs of our local businesses.
Behind the Scenes of the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival Jury Process
Curating an event as vibrant and eclectic as the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival is no small feat. This year, our jury faced the challenging task of selecting from over 200 talented applicants, all vying for one of the 130 coveted booth spaces. Our goal was to create a festival that reflects a diverse array of artistic mediums and provides an exciting and enriching experience for all attendees.
Our jury panel was composed of seven local artisans, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise to the table: a Soap Maker, Fine Artist, Multimedia Artist, Jeweler, Potter, Clothing Designer, and a Gallery Owner.
This year, we implemented an inclusive approach where all artists had an equal opportunity to apply, and every application was juried together.
This ensured that the selection process was fair and transparent, giving every artist a chance to be part of the festival regardless of their medium or background.
One of the significant challenges was managing the high volume of submissions in certain mediums. While we received numerous exceptional submissions, we had to make difficult decisions to avoid redundancy and maintain a balanced representation of various art forms. Unfortunately, some talented artists were not invited this year due to the high volume of entries in their medium.
The jury is incredibly proud of the final lineup for this year’s festival. The selected artists represent a rich tapestry of creative expression, promising an engaging and
diverse experience for all attendees. We believe this carefully curated selection will not only celebrate the talent within our community but also inspire and delight festival goers.
Thank you to all the artists who applied. Your passion and creativity are the lifeblood of the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival. We look forward to continuing to evolve this wonderful event.
Calling the Question
ometimes you just have to turn to the man for guidance and in this case, Shakespeare states it perfectly in Macbeth: Double, Double toil and trouble: Fire burn, and caldron bubble; By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Macbeth did in fact fall victim to his blind ambition and in the end, of course, paid dearly for it.
So it begs the question: What price are we paying for the maddening, disturbing, annoying and tiresome national politics we see today? It’s not healthy for a democracy. The churlish, immature behavior of both parties is more than disquieting. It is actually insulting and undermines the seriousness that is required for good governance.
Compare that to local government. Every week or two, your City Council and Board of Supervisors meet and tackle problems. Many are mundane and routine.
Sometimes there are disagreements and occasionally a petty jab gets thrown at another member, but the work gets done and we are all better for it. The dialogue is cordial and productive. We respect each other.
It might be a pothole, a budget issue, an aggrieved commuter or fifty other things, but the method is functional and efficient and there are countless 5-0 votes. Routinely doing the people’s business is a welcomed craft that benefits our communities.
Occasionally, however, the dialogue and arguments get repetitive and it encourages one or more representative to “call the question.” The subtext to that request is that we have heard enough, no new thoughts and things are getting tiresome, so let’s vote. A decision is made and we move on.
Oh, if we could only do that for the upcoming presidential election. Each campaign has many hundreds of millions of dollars and I fear the level of venom, malice and spite will capsize any dreams of harmony that most of us strive for.
Couldn’t we just move the date forward, say to next week, by calling the question and get the thing over with and spare the country weeks and weeks of rancor and division? I know. I’m dreaming, but the world does feel a little upside down.
“Local Government” page 18
By
Randy Johnson, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley
By Natalia Rodriguez
Warren Knox’s entrepreneurial spirit came early in life. By the time most teens are getting their driver’s license, Knox had a patented invention. It all began when he was 16. He was gardening with his grandfather and noticed him having trouble kneeling and tending to the low garden box.
His grandfather had a homemade garden box built from railroad ties -- “I knew I could make something better for him,” Knox explained.
From this inspiration came Knox garden boxes. They’re redwood elevated garden boxes. Throughout high school, he pursued his idea and 56 years later the boxes have proved true with the same model as the early days.
These boxes solve many problems that those with green thumbs are well aware of.
The garden boxes keep gophers out of your crops, meaning your garden is protected from their constant digging. They’re built from rot-resistant redwood. Redwoods are an abundant resource in the Santa Cruz Mountains area. They have excellent drainage, which ensures the soil is properly aerated and prevents nutrient loss through runoff. These garden boxes have changed what gardening looks like for the better.
They also provide increased accessibility to the garden to those who may have trouble bending over for extended periods or have limited space as these boxes keep all the necessities contained. They can also be great learning resources for youth, with increased visibility to early sprouting plants.
Warren Knox is also known for his 45-year career in roofing, and his store in Scotts Valley.
Knox Roofing was founded in 1994 by Warren after he obtained his roofing license in 1985. The company employs almost 50 individuals, a considerable number to
K nox G arden B ox An Invention That Met a Need
oversee. The company is known for its great quality, and was recognized as Business of the Year in 2018 by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Why Scotts Valley?
Warren says he was fortunate to find a commercial property close to his home and said this was the ideal location for his business. This was a great region for his trade, given the landscape and the home repairs that come with dense forests.
Knox Roofing provides residential and commercial repairs to the Santa Cruz and Monterey area. The business recently made repairs at the Ano Nuevo research center and re-roofed 8 Santa Cruz fire stations. The company offers skylights, insulation, and an assortment of roofing materials from wood to tile. Listeners of local radio have most likely heard Warren in one of his humorous ads. The company has 162 radio ads and 71 for television — all self-written by the way.
Knox said his business was not affected by the pandemic and sales went up during the time. Roofing is an essential business, he explained. “People need roofs over their heads.”
Thus the federal government allowed them to keep operating. While home-based activities increased in popularity during the pandemic, so did the Knox Garden Box. People were spending more time at home and many sought to clean up their outdoor spaces, leading them to invest in a box.
The Scotts Valley location sells boxes as large as 4’ x 8’ feet and as small as 8” x 24.” Wheels and handles may be added and all boxes can be customized to fit everyone’s gardening needs.
Warren is passionate about his business and is not ready to retire. The passion he felt when helping his grandfather is very much still alive. He explained that there is still high demand
for his products and roofing expertise which keeps him going.
He even wakes up to start his day at 3 a.m.
“I like to work hard,” he said.
Santa Cruz and Monterey County are fortunate to have Warren Knox and Knox Roofing as a local resource. He is a self-made man who has provided incredible support to homes, businesses, and gardens. n •••
Visit Knox Roofing, 46 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley. 831-461-0634. www.knoxroofing.com
Warren Knox with a collection of Knox Garden Boxes in Scotts Valley.
It’s All About Wood: find even more at this gift shop owned by Warren Knox.
Awards adorn the office at Knox Roofing. Knox clocks.
Branch Out!
This June 8 event hosted by Felton Library Friends at Felton Library and Discovery Park was an all-ages affair, featuring live music by Carolyn Sills and Vickie Neville-Coffis, plus a host of resources for summer entertainment: Friends of Quail Hollow County Park, Santa Cruz Astronomy Club, Gold Fever! exhibit at San Lorenzo Valley Historical Museum in Boulder Creek, Valley Women’s Club members Courtney Faulkner, Kat Gifford, and Dawn Harker collecting recipes for a new cookbook, Kimiko Matsuoka of Cycle Sweets in Ben Lomond selling Marianne’s Ice Cream, Girl Scouts with a bubble machine, and of course the Santa Cruz Public Library with its summer reading program. Thanks to Donna Ziel, board member of Friends of Quail Hollow.
Photos Credit: Jondi Gumz
Fourth of July Parade is On!
Photos by Jondi Gumz
The City of Scotts Valley 4th of July parade brings everyone out to celebrate our nation’s independence. This year’s parade starts at noon on Scotts Valley Drive, with the Boys and Girls Club hosting activities for kids including a bounce house and five food trucks before and after the parade.
Here are some scenes from the 2023 parade:
Summer Blockbusters
Humble and docile
Building a Lighted House for Humanity
Esoteric Astrology • July 2024 •
By Risa D’Angeles
The United States celebrates its 248th birthday on Thursday, July 4, 2024. On July 4, 1776, the United States of America proclaimed its independence from England by creating and signing the Declaration of Independence.
There is a deep esoteric significance to the founding of the United States. Created by the Hierarchy (inner spiritual government), the United States is an experiment in freedom for humanity.
Externally, the U.S. was formed in order to liberate itself from England (freedom from the old ways). Spiritually, the United States of America was created in order to “do a Great Work. ” That of “Standing within the Light & leading humanity within and towards that Light.”
The United States was formed under the sign and Light of Cancer. The keynote on the Soul level of Cancer is “I, the Soul, build a lighted house & dwell therein.” The U.S. is the “lighted house for humanity, and its task is to be the Light of the World.”
In these polarized and tumultuous times (in between the ages, preparing for the Reappearance of the World Teacher), enlightened servers (disciples) are being called to be the Light that nurtures and nourishes. Disciples (the New Group of World Servers) each evening stand together and hold up a lamp for humanity ... so the “way” is not so dark for humanity.
“Local Government” from page 15
I think we owe something to future generations and that includes respecting and embracing our democracy. Scotts Valley shares its lamp posts with our high school, where it features posters of all the graduating seniors for this year. The fresh faces of Evan, Henry, Ashley, Mckay, Qynn, Raphael, Rex and Ayza (just to name a few) are a reminder that the future beckons us to enhance what we have and accept that we have a responsibility to leave a great country intact for these young people.
Every country, nation, state, person, kingdom is “called to do a specific spiritual Work in the world.” It is their spiritual task. The spiritual task of the United States is to be a ”Light Unto & for the World.” The people of the United States are to personify, bring forth the light & to shine brightly for the world.
ARIES
You begin to have a new sense of self identity, a new belief in yourself, new ways in relationship to others and new ways of cooperatively working in the world. Careful with communication, tend to health, create a time for regular exercise, review supplements and vitamins. Sometimes fiery signs cannot maintain a consistent health regimen. However, it’s vital to your daily tasks, upcoming demands and essential to longevity.
TAURUS
In many ways you’re becoming more and more sensitive. You’re developing Pisces’ compassionate characteristics. Sometimes it’s difficult to perceive earth realities, difficult to walk a straight line and keep balance. Sometimes you stumble and only the very present moment is real. Even with all these physical obstructions presented by Chiron, you will still “save the world”. Your protector is the elephant god Ganesh, remover of obstacles.
GEMINI
The message each week seems the same – the community and groups you participate in, the duality you present, all of these carry the love and wisdom from the blue star, Sirius. Soon you must begin to discriminate and discern which groups stand with the Forces of Light and who the people of Goodwill are. It is toward these groups you will be magnetized. They call to you daily, each morning and evening. Remember, always that disciples are known by their kindness.
CANCER
So many things are culminating. Long held hopes and wishes bring forth new opportunities, aid and assistance. As you study and learn new information, especially about health, healing, gardening and foods, you’re able to teach others ways to safeguard and sustain themselves. In return a deep love is exchanged, given and received. New realities appear, new goals, hopes, wishes and dreams and a sense that you need subtle healing modalities to thrive.
To be of service to humanity, disciples recite this invocative mantra each day with the words, ”We know O Lords of Life and Love about the needs of humanity. Touch our hearts with love so we can know and do our part in the world.”
And we remember, at all times, the true Disciples are always known for their goodwill and kindness. n
LEO
In the next year, as horizons expand, you will cultivate new friends, enter into new groups and encounter new endeavors. You may wonder about unfamiliar places, seeking different cultures, people and places that change your life. You’re prepared for a new reality, new archetypes. See the next year as a philosophical adventure. A companion? I don’t know. You still have relationship wounds hidden away. Warm waters help.
VIRGO
You’re working hard bringing forth all your hidden values out into the open. In the next months, notice if those values change. Be aware of this. You like to be practical and ambitious. What for? Is it money, resources or being seen, known, recognized, praised and understood? This is a complex question. Be aware of impatience and impulsiveness. Use resources with deep respect and wisdom. Remember gratitude.
LIBRA
Unusual events occur in the next months (till November). Money increases, then comes and goes, creating a deep awareness of resources. Sometimes we don’t know how to use money. Sometimes we give everything away. Talk with your partner, intimate, your I & Thou “other”. Share goals, dreams, wishes, hopes, fears and the handling of money. Come from the heart, always. You are fierce and independent. Slow down.
SCORPIO
In all things, but especially food, diet, health and exercise there must be a plan and then consistency. This may be a challenge. Uranus is creating unevenness everywhere. Anything in excess over time creates a health situation. Attempt to observe this. Ask if your daily work serves you while also helping and serving others. In the months to come, the work you do and your perceptions about work change. Service is to be your middle name.
SAGITTARIUS
You will have days of change, a shifting about, and deep transformation amidst days of peace, harmony, ease and revelations. These will create a tension that creates attention to the creation of all things new. You will express yourself differently. When in charge (a steward), you will enhance and improve everything and everyone. Simultaneously, you need a new sense of fun, pleasure, and perhaps even a new someone to “relate” to. A group calls.
CAPRICORN
At times being the parent or head of household will feel so vast you’ll want to run away from home. Running is good (for exercise or running a race), but always you come home again. Everyone needs you. Oh, dear, if you hear the words “needs you” one more time, you’ll expire! You’re restless for new realities at home, needing more psychological, physical and emotional support. You need a new yet ancient foundation to belief in. Where’s your mommy?
AQUARIUS
Do you need to make an important decision? Are you learning new information, seeking it out, or is it finding you? Over time the lessons learned now will slowly be comprehended and useful. Be in contact with brothers and sisters, relatives and family. Everyone’s changing. You are, too. Share with them, ask about their lives. You need to encounter everything new. Each week I repeat — careful with money and resources. Careful. Write your biography.
PISCES
You’re in deep waters, on the edge of new archetypes, waiting for new realities, seeking new values, learning how to ask for, gather, receive and use resources. You pray for Right Stewardship and Right Timing. You want to begin something big, creating a safe haven. Observe all living systems; realize “the most diversity exists at the edges. It is here that change happens naturally.” Remain in the heart yet also always at its edge.
I’m not sure if there is a definitive tipping point where America slides into a political abyss, but respecting and resisting the possibility that “something wicked this way comes” is both sensible and foresighted. We can and must do better. n
Fourth of
July Parade
Scotts Valley will host its annual 4th of July parade at noon Thursday on Scotts Valley Drive, from Civic Center Drive to El Pueblo Drive. ADA parking/viewing will be at 5007 Scotts Valley Drive.
The Boys and Girls Club will have fun and games for kids (including a bounce house) and five food trucks at 5060 Scotts Valley Drive at 10 a.m. prior to the parade, and afterward until 3 p.m.
Unfortunately no fireworks this year as a site could not be secured for launching and private funding was not fully raised by the nonprofit that sponsors the event. n
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ANNOUNCEMENTS
JULY 4TH PARADE
Downtown Boulder Creek will be the place to be on the Fourth of July.
The day starts at 7 am with a pancake breakfast at the firehouse, then the parade at 10 am on Hwy 9. The parade will be broadcast on the very local KBCZ Community Radio.
The parade is followed by a Forest Street Block Party with live music from Redwood Express and a sidewalk sale along the highway.
From noon to 5 pm, the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District will have more live music from Jake Nielsen & What’s Good, food and drink vendors, and fun activities like gold panning at Junction Park!
SLV WATER DISTRICT VACANCY
On June 13, Bryan Largay was appointed to fill a vacancy on the San Lorenzo Valley Water District board of directors. Largay, of Felton resident, was serve the rest of the term for the seat vacated Gail Mahood.
Largay, who has a master of science in hydrology from UC Davis, is conservation director for the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. He also serves on the board of the San Lorenzo Valley Foundation for Education.
The seat will be up for election in November for a four-year term. The deadline to file is Aug. 9.
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District will accept applications to fill another board vacancy until 3 p.m. Monday, July 1.
Jayme Ackemann has submitted her resignation, effective June 21, following her decision to move out of the area.
The position to be filled is for a term ending when the November 2024 election results are certified. The seat will go to election in November 2024 for a new 4-year term. The deadline to file is Aug. 14.
Applications are available at the SLVWD Office, at 13060 Highway 9, Boulder Creek,or online at https://www.slvwd. com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/application_for_ board_vacancy_1.pdf’
Applications must be returned to the District Secretary, whose email is: jtorres@slvwd.com and phone number is (831) 430-4636.
NOV. 5 ELECTION: IMPORTANT DATES
Aug. 9: Deadline for candidates to file.
Aug. 9: Deadline for filing tax rate statement for bond measures.
Aug. 16: Deadline for filing arguments for or against local ballot measures
Aug. 23: Deadline for filing rebuttals.
Sept. 26: First day to mail County Voter Information Guides.
Oct. 7: First day to mail ballots to all Santa Cruz County registered voters. In-person voting open at two locations.
Oct. 21: Last day to register to vote for the November 2024 election and receive a ballot and voter guide in the mail.
Oct. 26: Three more in-person voting locations open.
Nov. 2: Thirteen more in-person voting locations open.
Nov. 5: Election Day – polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.
Nov. 12: Vote by mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 12 will be counted.
Dec. 3: Last day to certify election results.
OPIOID GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
The County of Santa Cruz Behavioral Health Division has contracted with Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to manage distribution of $810,000 for prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and treatment of opioid addiction. This effort aims to support nonprofits that can provide innovative community-involved solutions for drugs that have been fatal for hundreds of county residents. The request for proposal period will be open until July 10 at 11:59 p.m.
Nonprofits providing services in Santa Cruz County are
invited to apply. Applicants will be required to provide detailed responses on how they will address the “High Impact Abatement Activities,” including demographic information for current and projected program participants to ensure the needs of Santa Cruz County residents will be addressed. Allowed uses of these grants are detailed in Exhibit E of the settlement agreement. Individual grants will be up to $400,000 each, with a performance period of up to two years. All grant funds must be spent by June 30, 2026.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WALL OF HOPE
The Wall of Hope is designed to support Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission of alleviating hunger in our community.
Tiles range from $700 to $2,000. Proceeds support Second Harvest and will be viewed by visitors to the food bank for years to come.
The Wall of Hope is located on the patio, just outside Second Harvest’s main entrance. The tiles will be previewed at the Party in the Parking Lot event.
For more information, contact Michele Bassi at (831) 288-3002 or e-mail michele@thefoodbank.org
Tiles can be purchased at https://give.thefoodbank.org/ campaigns/32191-wall-of-hope.
SECOND HARVEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS ASAP
While many enjoy summer vacations, the need for food assistance in the community does not take a break. Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County urgently seeks volunteers to come every Saturday during the summer to help sort and pack food for the next week’s distributions for 65,000 local residents.
About 20 volunteers are needed for each shift every Saturday (so 40 every Saturday) at the food bank’s Watsonville warehouse. The two shifts are:
• Early Bird Shift: 7:45 – 11 am
• Late Riser Shift: 11:15 am - 2:30 pm
No experience is needed, and volunteers can sign up for one or multiple shifts. The minimum age to volunteer is 13.
Remaining Dates: July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10 and 17.
To sign up, visit thefoodbank.org or https://tinyurl.com/ SHFB-volunteer, or call (831) 232-8141.
SCLERODERMA SUPPORT GROUP
The Scleroderma Foundation of California announces a new support group for people living in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
The Monterey Bay Support Group will bring together individuals with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other areas of the body.
The support group will be led by volunteers Cheri O’Neil of Live Oak and Annette Rahn of Carmel. The mission of the Scleroderma Foundation of California is to empower patients to live better lives through programs dedicated to support, education, and research.
The support group will start by offering virtual meetings, with the goal of meeting monthly in person at a location convenient for members.
To learn more, email mbsclero@gmail.com. The foundation’s website is www.myscleroderma.org.
JACOB’S HEART NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Jacobs Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services needs volunteers to help at Camp Heart and Hands Aug. 2-4, when families come together for a weekend of fun.
It’s a special time for kiddos to enjoy being kids and for parents to unwind and spend quality time with their families.
Contact Volunteer Coordinator Alicia Diaz-Infante at alicia@ jacobsheart.org
COUNTY SEEKS NONPROFIT PROPOSALS
Deadline: August 2
The County of Santa Cruz has announced the deadline for nonprofits to apply for county and city funding from the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments Program.
The goal is to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.
The Request for Proposals was released on June 3.
This year, $3,790,025 will be awarded for the 2025-28 three-year funding cycle, with the top priorities being: Lifelong Learning and Education, Thriving Families, and Healthy Environments.
County Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Councilmembers approved setting aside $1.5 million of the funding to be awarded specifically for shelter and homeless prevention services through a separate process.
CORE Investments, formerly known as community programs, has operated for more than 40 years to allocate local funds. It now engages experts in the proposal review process, provides technical assistance to applicants and promotes equitycentered and outcomes-driven results. To view the RFP see https://santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/GeneralServices/Purchasing/Solicitations.asp
COUNTY PUBLIC ART: THE LETTERS
The County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Public Libraries announce installation of “The Letters,” a striking blue seven-foot steel sculpture created for the new Live Oak Library annex, next to Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz.
Bay area artists David Sehyoon Choi and Sooja (Soo) Choi collaborated on this piece of public art, composed of 1,000+ individually cut letters which form a figure kneeling to pick up words. Viewers will see words of affirmation such as “liberty,” “happiness,” “love,” “unity,” “justice,” “peace,” and “hope.” David and Soo immigrated to the U.S. from Korea in 1982. David is an award-winning printmaker; Soo creates large public sculptures. They often do joint exhibitions. Later this summer, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artists at the annex grand opening; check www. parks.santacruzcountyca.gov or www.santacruzpl.org for details.
For information on the County public art program, visit www.parks.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/FindaProgram/ ArtsCulturalPrograms/PublicArtPrograms.aspx
The Live Oak annex community rooms can be reserved by emailing reservations@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov
For more information dates and training, visit: https://www. santacruzhumanservices.org/Home/FundingOpportunities/ COREInvestments
ART AT THE BEACH
Sundays: July 7 & 21 • August 4
11 a.m.-5 p.m., Esplanade Park in Capitola Village
The Capitola Art & Cultural Commission presents Art at the Beach on four Sundays at Esplanade Park in Capitola Village where you can enjoy stunning views of Monterey Bay. From beautiful paintings to captivating photography, unique sculptures to dazzling jewelry, and everything in between, you’ll find it all here. Best of all, this familyfriendly event is totally free and open to everyone.
SC PARKS: MOBILE REC & TOTS TRIATHLON
3:30-5 p.m., Various locations
Santa Cruz County Parks provide incredible recreational activities. This summer new activities include Mobile Rec, and Super Tots Triathlon.
From Mobile Rec will be providing free activities and a snack in county parks in Santa Cruz County. Activities include sports, nature scavenger hunts, even juggling. Dates are:
North County — Felton Covered Bridge Sept. 11: Sports Dec. 11: Nature Scavenger Hunt
Mid County — Brommer Aug. 14: Juggling (learn and make your own) Nov. 13: Nature Scavenger Hunt
South County — Mesa Village Oct. 9: Nature Scavenger Hunt
•••
Super Tots Triathlon is a first-time event for ages 3-5. There will be 3 practice dates Sept. 7 at 10 am, for bicycling, Sept.14 at 10 am for running, both at Felt Street Park, Sept. 21 at 9 am for swimming at Simpkins Swim Center and Sept. 28 at 8-10 a.m., the triathlon, also at Simpkins Swim Center.
Fee is $89 for county residents, $98, non-county residents. Kids 6-12 are invited to enter the triathlon for beginner athletes: 8-10 am Sept. 28 at Simpkins Swim Center. Fee is $25 for county resident, $28 for non-county residents.
•••
Register at www.scparks.com
WILDFIRE CHAINSAW TRAINING COURSE
Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association will host an S212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw training course 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5-7 with the Healthy Forest Alliance and State Parks at Año Nuevo State Park and Quiroste Valley. S212 is an NWCG course focused on the maintenance and use of chainsaws in a wildland setting, whether on a wildfire incident or to aid in prep and mop up on prescribed burn units. The first full day will be classroombased, while days two and three will be in the field bucking, brushing, limbing, and felling standing trees. The class is required for those interested in opening a Basic Faller (FAL3) NWCG taskbook, but is also a great training experience in using and maintaining chainsaws safely and effectively.
Cost: $250. Register at https://www. healthyforestalliance.org/prescribed-fire-calendar/trainingfor-practitioners/s-212-wildland-fire-chainsaws-level-5 If you are new to the website you have to create a free account, which takes a couple of minutes.
Use code CCPBA to drop the price to $250. What to bring: Gas-powered chainsaw, chaps, eye and ear protection (sunglasses are fine), water, snacks, and food for each day.
CCBPA will bring: Gas mix, bar oil, extra ear protection, water. We will have a few saws and some extra chaps, but not enough for everyone.
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE
This summer, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, a nationally recognized professional repertory theater, will offer Shakespeare’s As You Like It & Hamlet, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.
Artists Sooja Choia and David Sehyoon Choi visit their newly installed public art at the Live Oak Library annex.
Bryan Largay
Productions will take place July 13 – Sept. 28 under the trees and stars in the Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) at Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park.
As You Like It directed by Carey Perloff opens at 8 p.m. July 18. Charlotte Munson plays Rosalind and Elliot Sagay plays Orlando.
“As You Like It is a play about learning how to fall in love,” Perloff says.
The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Paul Mullins opens at 8 p.m. July 19. Will Block plays Algernon and Grayson DeJesus plays Jack. Allie Pratt plays Cecily and Brianna Miller plays Gwendolen. Local favorite Mike Ryan plays Dr. Chasuble.
Mullins says of Wilde, “Arguably, he is the wittiest and funniest author in the English language. But his work is also rife with powerful observations of human frailty, hypocrisy, and desire.”
Hamlet, directed by Susan Dalian opens at 8 p.m. Aug. 2, with Charles Pasternak as the title character and Allie Pratt as Ophelia, his would-be wife.
Dalian says, “I realized the only questions worth asking were, ‘What story do I see in this play?’ and ‘What would be both truthful to Shakespeare’s words and entertaining for the faithful SCS audience?’”
The Glass Menagerie directed by Charles Pasternak opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 13, with Pasternak also taking the role of the gentleman caller Jim.
Marion Adler plays Amanda, Allie Pratt is her daughter Laura, and Will Block as her son Tom.
Ticket: $20 to $70 at www.santacruzshakespeare.org.
COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS
The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November.
Remaining dates are 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
ONGOING EVENTS
First Wednesdays
SONS IN RETIREMENT
Time TBD, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz SIR (Sons In Retirement) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical public benefit organization of senior men. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of its members through social events while making friends.
The Twin Valleys, Santa Cruz Branch welcomes new members and meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Ray Disperati at 831-588-8876 for information.
Thursdays
MUSIC IN THE PARK
4-7 p.m., Junction Park, 13264 Middleton Ave #9463, Boulder Creek Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District hosts Music in the Park this summer in Junction Park. The music is free and there will be dinner and drinks for purchase.
Dates
July 11: Jim Lewin & Diane Z
July 18: Love Creek
July 25: Swag Tones
Aug. 1: Tyler Diamond
Second Saturdays thru Summer
MOVE TODAY
Author Russ Rogers is encouraging people to get outside and join hum on a 2-mile walk on the second Saturday of the month, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. For more information, see https://movetoday365.com/
DATED EVENTS
Thursday July 4
NATIVE PLANT SALE
Noon to 3 p.m., along Forest Street, Boulder Creek
The Valley Women’s Club Native Habitat Restoration
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
REDWOOD RX
Park Rx is an international effort to prescribe parks, nature and programming to improve health.
The Mountain Parks Foundation is offering Redwood Rx programs this year. In July three will be offered at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton:
Nature Journaling: Sunday, July 7, from 1-4 p.m. Cost $45.
Forest Nights Watercolor Painting: Sunday, July 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the picnic area. Cost $45 plus $10 materials fee. Learn different techniques to create stunning nature paintings.
Writing in Partnership with Nature: Thursday, July 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. Fall Creek Unit. Cost $45. How writing can lead us into a deep, nourishing connection with nature.
Future dates:
July 20th - Walk with a Doc
July 28th - Advice from a Redwood
July 31st - Forest Qi Gong
Aug. 10th - Native Animal Portraits Pastel Painting
Aug. 13th - Connecting with the Forest
Aug. 15th - Sunset Yoga
Aug. 16th - Yoga in Nature
Aug. 17th - Walk with a Doc
Aug. 22nd - Nature-Based Mindfulness Mini-Retreat
Aug. 23rd - Yoga in Nature
Aug. 28th - Forest Qi Gong
Aug. 30th - Yoga in Nature
Sept. 1st - Advice from a Redwood
Sept. 6th - Yoga in Nature
Sept. 7th - Nature Circle for Men Sign up at https://www.mountainparks.org/redwood-rx
Program announces its 4th of July Native Plant Sale Fundraiser on Forest Street, following the excitement of the Boulder Creek Business Association-sponsored parade. Look for an unmistakable red and white El Camino, beckoning you to explore an exquisite selection of 200+ California native plants.
By participating in our plant sale, you not only beautify your gardens with indigenous flora but also play a pivotal role in supporting local pollinators and wildlife. Each purchase contributes directly to the Fred and Roberta McPherson Environmental Education Grant for Teachers and the SLV Teacher’s Art Fund, dedicated to enriching classroom experiences for educators and students. For information see https://slvhabitatrestoration.org/celebratethe-4th-of-july-with-nature/
Monday July 10
FILM: YOU WILL NOT REPLACE US
7 – 8:30 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, “You Will Not Replace Us” is a documentary drama addressing the shared tribulations and historical unity between Black and Jewish Americans. Join directors and co-stars Josh Greene and Luke Harris, along with
cinematographer Jack Lattin and producer Sydney Kaster for a screening Wednesday, July 10 ,from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, and discussion moderated by UCSC Professor Bruce Thompson. By bringing together Black and Jewish interviewees, the film sends a clear message: Marginalized communities will not be replaced by bigotry and ignorance. Often times, due to replacement theory, these two communities have been pinned against each other and library staff hope this documentary short serves as a jumping off point for conversations about the histories of and unity between both communities.
All are invited to this conversation. Light refreshments will be provided.
Registration is recommended to help plan refreshments. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12648559.
Saturday July 13
HOP N BARLEY FESTIVAL
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Fifty breweries will be at Skypark, including San Diego’s Modern Times Beer, Eureka’s Humboldt Cider, plus
locals Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Discretion, Humble Sea, East Cliff Brewing, Shanty Shack, Santa Cruz Cider Company, Tanuki Cider, and Soquel Cider.
An array of foods, BBQ, tacos, brick oven pizza, and vegetarian options. Two music stages. Dog friendly. This is a benefit for the Homeless Garden Project. Tickets are $50 at www.tickettailor.com/events/kameleonlp/1237880
BOOMERIA LIVES ON!
1-5 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 101 Riverside Ave, Ben Lomond
For the last few decades, the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has made a visit to Preston Boomer’s property in Bonny Doon an annual summer event, with accomplished musicians performing at his enormous pipe organ. Sadly, time and fires have brought an end to this delightful retreat.
This season, the Boomeria celebration will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
The celebration features: Organ, brass, crumhorn, swordplay & dance.
The beautiful glass Phoenix window above the organ is a testament to Preston’s energy and generosity for so many years.
Saturday July 20
CHILDCARE ACCESS: HOW TO BUILD CAPACITY 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive
Are you concerned about access to childcare in our community?
Join the American Association of University Women Santa Cruz for an eye-opening discussion on this critical issue at the Aptos Library.
Guest speakers: Linda Asato from the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network in Sacramento and Diane Munoz, community organizer for the Childhood Advisory Council in Santa Cruz County. Attendees will learn about:
• The childcare landscape in California and Santa Cruz County
• Capacity challenges and how to build more access
• How the childcare system works and funding sources
• State and federal policy updates
• Opportunities for AAUW to support childcare initiatives Don’t miss this chance to learn about the state of childcare and why it impacts all of us. The first step to creating change is understanding the issues.
Saturday July 27
END HUMAN TRAFFICKING EVENT
1 to 3:30 p.m., Resource Center for Non-Violence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
Awareness is the first step in fighting human trafficking. AAUW Santa Cruz invites you to a powerful and informative event to raise awareness and educate our community on this critical issue at the Resource Center for Non-Violence.
Members of the Arukah Project will share their experiences as a hands-on organization providing shelter and support to victims of human trafficking here in Santa Cruz County.
See the award-winning film “I am Jane Doe,” which chronicles the epic battle mothers waged against the adult classifieds site Backpage.com.
This eye-opening documentary sheds light on the harrowing realities of human trafficking and the fight for justice.
Saturday July 27
Sunday July 28
BONNY DOON ART STUDIO TOUR
11am-5pm, Various locations
This summer is the 14th annual tour of Bonny Doon’s local studios surrounded by breathtaking scenery! There will be 24 artists in 18 studios, with art styles ranging from fantasy illustrations to violin composition.
See paintings by Maureen Sweeney, photographs by Ed Dickie, and jewelry by Dyann Paynovich.
A full map can be found at www.DoonArtTour.com. To end the tour there is a picnic area and live music to celebrate on Back Ranch Road.
Information: 831-458-2170. n
County Budget, Road Repairs, Highway 9 Upgrade in 2025
By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District
Following a robust discussion about the financial challenges facing the County, the Board of Supervisors on June 4 approved the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget of $1.15 billion, which is primarily comprised of a $780 million General Fund that pays for core services such as public safety, parks, and infrastructure programs.
Considering the roughly $125 million we believe the County is due in federal reimbursements related to disaster spending for the CZU Fire, COVID and severe storms, the Board earlier approved borrowing up to $85 million to help plug the gap. The loans are designed to prevent job losses and diluting reserves to dangerous levels.
Despite our challenges, which are the greatest I have seen in my nearly 12 years on the Board, the Board remained optimistic that we will eventually realize additional funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as tap into the Measure K sales tax increase approved by voters in March 2024. Any additional funding from federal, state and local sources will reduce the County’s need to borrow while increasing our ability to make new investments in roads, homelessness, housing and parks.
will be resolved quickly so that our County can address prioritized needs that go unmet each year due in part to our very low property tax return rate from the state.
One of the most debated aspects of our spending this year was on the 600 miles of roadway managed by the County. Since FY 2017-2018, the County has spent $349 million on road repairs and maintenance, largely driven by a series of storms dating back to late 2016 and including damage from the 2023 atmospheric rivers.
The revenue generated by Measure K is anticipated to provide $10 million annually but was put on hold this spring amid a lawsuit challenging its validity. We hope the legal action
We anticipate spending another nearly $83 million in the coming fiscal year, including additional storm repairs, as well as standard road resurfacing and other maintenance, bridge projects, and other improvements. We have dedicated $1 million for roads from Measure K when we are able to use it.
All of this comes as the County still has more than 80 road repair projects without dedicated funding.
It is no easy feat to find more money, especially for challenging sites like the break in Mountain Charlie Road that occurred in February. My office and the County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience have been working with state and federal offices,
to identify mechanisms to repair the road and restore access for residents.
Transportation, overall, is always a hot topic in District 5. And there is some good news to share. Caltrans will begin construction of a safe pedestrian and bicycle path from downtown Felton to the San Lorenzo Valley Unified combined school campus in the spring of 2025 for completion in the summer of 2027.
The Highway 9 project will install four- to six-foot-wide sidewalks, add curbs and gutters on the southbound side, and perform shoulder widening to a minimum of four feet. The bus stop in front of the school campus will also get a significant overhaul that will increase safety and traffic flow.
The Felton Pedestrian Safety Project is one of the first major projects to be implemented from the Highway 9 Complete Streets Plan developed a few years ago with Caltrans and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC).
On a related note, the RTC is seeking com-
COMMUNITY NEWS
munity input through an online survey of its Climate Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment and Priorities Report project. The RTC and County are partnering on the project that will identify transportation infrastructure assets — such as roads, bridges, and trails — that may be vulnerable to climate hazards and prioritize them for further analysis and adaptation measures.
As we know, Santa Cruz County is increasingly experiencing extreme weather events, and we need to plan for the impacts of climate change on transportation to minimize impacts. Public input on the CAVA will be used to develop the Draft Project Framework and the methodology for prioritizing future adaptation projects on County maintained transportation infrastructure and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
The survey can be accessed at www. sccrtc.org/funding-planning/environmentalplanning/cava/. n
Bruce McPherson is Santa Cruz County supervisor in the 5th District. Email him at Fifth. District@SantaCruzCountyca.gov
Scotts Valley High Student Remembered With Scholarship Fund
ilo Anima, 17, who loved drama and acted in “The Addams Family” this spring at Scotts Valley High School, will be remembered with the Milo Anima Legacy Fund arranged by the nonprofit Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.
Milo left this earth on May 12, and family and friends came together to celebrate Milo’s life on June 7 at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater.
About 550 attended in person, and another 150 watched a livestream of “Milo was Meant for the Stage.”
Indeed, he acted in every play presented by Scotts Valley High Drama.
Kendra Kannegaard, the Drama Department chair, teamed up with current and former students to put together the heartfelt tribute.
Attendees got a Playbill-style program as a keepsake.
“Moulin Rouge” was a favorite musical, and the Decembrists were Milo’s favorite band.
A transgender young man, he was an advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth. The fund in Milo’s name will support equipment for student theater and scholarships for LGBTQIA+ youth. n
Milo Anima (third from left), cast in “The Addams Family,” this past spring.
SCCAS Featured Pet
Boba the Guinea Pig
Boba (A312732) is a charming guinea pig with a unique personality and beautiful long hair. He is a 2.5 year old male guinea pig who was owner surrendered due to a lifestyle change in the home.
Despite his luxurious mane, Boba isn’t one to seek the limelight. In fact, he prefers quiet corners and gentle cuddles over bustling activities. Boba can often be found nestled in his cozy bedding, peeking out with curious eyes when it’s treat time.
His favorite treats include fresh greens and the occasional nibble of carrot tops — he’s quite the connoisseur! Although Boba may be reserved at first, once he gets to know you, he enjoys gentle pets and quiet conversations.
One important detail about Boba is that he thrives as the sole guinea pig in a home. His temperament suggests he prefers to be the center of attention, enjoying peaceful interactions without the presence of other piggies.
This makes him a perfect match for someone looking to provide undivided attention and love to a single furry friend.
If you’re seeking a guinea pig who’s as unique as he is adorable, consider welcoming Boba into your heart and home. n
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. All adoptions are first come, first served.
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
SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
Statepoint Media
