HEALTHLINES
conTinUed from pAGe 12
Martinez knows the feeling of hunger
well. For many years, she said, she was homeless, battling addiction and mental illness. “When I was homeless… there was no place to eat,” Martinez said. “I wasn’t really too sure where to go.” She recalled what happened next: She got pregnant, enrolled in CalFresh and was finally able to count on a steady source of food. Then she entered an intensive pro-
This is an abridged version of the original, published by calmatters and available at calmatters.org.
gram to help homeless people get back on their feet. Martinez and her son have now been housed for two years. She said she’s close to finishing her associate degree in human services at Cabrillo College and dreams of being a case manager for a nonprofit, helping others battle addiction and poverty. She worries about what the food stamp proposal would mean for her and her growing son. But she said she’s also concerned about the rest of the community she serves in Santa Cruz. Within the county, 21.7 percent of residents live in poverty, the third highest rate in the state after Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties, according to new data from the Public Policy Institute of California. “CalFresh is the first line of defense against hunger; the food bank is the second,” Martinez said. “We were barely surviving, but we’re not going to be able to survive if [President Trump] continues to push this.” □
WEEKLY DOSE Swim safely all year round It’s no surprise to any parent that swimming pools pose a threat to young children. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year from Memorial Day through Labor Day at least 148 children younger than age 15 drowned in swimming pools or spas, though that is a 7 percent decrease from the previous year. The Safety Commission’s “Pool Safely” campaign recently released a list of steps for parents and caregivers to follow to keep children safe in and around water. It is important to designate an adult “water watcher” to supervise, as well as install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, selflatching gate around all pools and spas. Also, learn how to swim and perform CPR, and teach your child how to swim and stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid getting trapped. To learn more, visit poolsafely.gov.
CN&R will NeveR CoNtaCt a meRChaNt to puRChase a Best of plaque
Those other proposed rules have cleared their comment periods, but the Trump administration has yet to impose them. Opposition from California’s Democratic leaders to the latest proposal was swift and predictable. A spokesman for Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has sued the Trump administration over 50 times thus far, said his office was reviewing the proposal. U.S. Rep Jimmy Panetta, who represents Martinez’ district, sent Perdue a letter, signed by 45 California Democrats in Congress, asking that he “take into consideration the harmful effects of this proposed rule and act quickly to rescind it.”
All first place winners of CN&R’s Best of receive a plaque for fRee
About this story:
“I had every tooth done with crowns and veneers. I wish I’d done it ten years earlier. It’s made me more self-confident.” —Patrick S. Q: What are my options to repair a cracked or broken tooth?
A: Many people experience a cracked or broken tooth in their lifetime. In most cases, a dental crown is the best solution because it is a restoration that covers a tooth and restores your tooth’s natural size and shape. Porcelain crowns also improve your tooth’s appearance, as well as your entire smile. Here at Kremer Dental, we are happy to offer porcelain same-day-crowns!
Call today to make your reservation. GlenbRook 530.892.1234 noRth State 530.892.1218
AUGUST 8, 2019
CN&R
15