SV 2020 Community Award Winners Announced Stayin’ Alive Gala Virtual Event to Honor Our Winners and Gather as a Community
W
e are very proud and honored to The Scotts Valley Chamber of Comannounce the 2020 Scotts Valley merce is very excited to announce the Chamber Community Award date and new format of the 2020 Gala winners. Awards. Through this very difficult and unprecIt will be a virtual event held on Satedented year of the Covid pandemic and urday, March 13th so be sure to save the the devastating CZU fire our community date. While the program is still coming has faced many hard challenges and even together, we’ll kick it off with a fun crowdthrough it all these awards are presented sourced music video featuring members of to an incredible group that gave us hope, our community dancing to a parody of the support, advocacy, optimism, encour- Bee Gee’s song “Stayin’ Alive”. agement, shelter and beauty of the great You can also look forward to enteroutdoors to sustain our health and enjoy. taining video profiles of all of the award winners, opportunity drawings, a silent Business of the Year auction, and opportunities to interact with Tam Communications the hosts and each other. It will be a Gala Woman of the Year to remember. Joanne Guzman We’re currently on the look-out Man of the Year for sponsors who will benefit from not Michael Hanson only the usual shout outs by the host Educator of the Year and on-screen graphics, highlights in Erik Wyner social media and other publicity, but Youth of the Year also a video promoting your business Anika Minstry produced by Scotts Valley’s own Tam Organization of the Year Communications. Santa Cruz Moose Lodge #545 If you’re interested in being a sponsor, Beautification Project of the Year contact the chamber at dreber@scottsvalley Glenwood Preserve chamber.com or call (831) 588-9323.
E
Educator of the Year
Erik Wyner
rik started teaching in the Scotts Valley area in 1998 as a gymnastics teacher in Felton, where he taught for 10 years. He started at SVHS in 2001, teaching Psychology, Web Development, and a variety of math classes over the years. In 2003, he started as assistant crosscountry coach, bringing a total of 12 teams to the state championship in the years since then. Also, in 2003, he was part of the first
T
Business of the Year
Tam Communications
am Communications is a family-owned business founded in 1979 by Tam and Susan O’Connor Fraser. Tam is a Director/ Cameraman/Editor, Susan is the Executive Producer/Creative Director and Writer, and their daughter, Regan Eymann, is a Producer/Director who also helps with website development. As a full-service television, video, and digital media production company, #TeamTam takes projects from concept to completion. They’ve worked with some of Northern California’s leading organizations from Intel to Apple, from Satellite Healthcare to Sciton and from the United Way of Santa Clara County to Sacred Heart Community Services to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to Second Harvest Food Bank. They also produce television commercials including those for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and programming for cable networks like the Discovery Networks. They’ve won hundreds of regional, national, and international awards for their work including the highly acclaimed
annual Scotts Valley Haunted After many major revisions House. By 2019, the event had and restarts throughout summer reached a size of nearly 200 and fall based on changing volunteer students, alumni, and regulations, sentiments, and community members, selling permissions, they worked with over 2000 tickets for its one a core group of volunteers to weekend. put together the 18th annual In 2020, Erik and the student Scotts Valley Haunted House, lead, junior Greta Feague, made reimagined as a drive-through Erik Wyner it a priority to keep the traall-ages experience largely comdition alive for the students and for the prised of creations delivered by dozens of community. students working at home.
Happy New Year!
From left: Susan, Tam and Regan
animated video, “Summer is Coming” for the Boardwalk. The team has most recently been doing pro bono work for the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, creating videos for Scotts Valley-based businesses to help boost their brands and encourage the Community to shop local. Additionally, they have created a series of television public service announcements featuring a number of Scotts Valley business owners. The commercials, which aired throughout the tri-county area, brought a wider audience’s attention to Scotts Valley and to the people and places that make our town such a special place. The event quickly sold out, sending through nearly 1500 vehicles. Including this year ’s proceeds, Scotts Valley Haunted House has donated nearly $100,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2012. Erik has coded several websites, including svhaunt.org. This year he created svhsfalcons.org to make distance learning an easier process at SVHS by automatically bringing students to each of their Zoom classes without the need for links.
Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 11
Scotts Valley Chamber News Presenting the Chamber’s 2021 Executive Team
J
Executive Board Member: President
Jeanette Larkin
eanette stems from a long line of Scotts Valley business owners and loves to assist new and tenured companies with fresh ideas and creative strategies. She has chaired the annual Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival/Cops ’N Rodders Vintage Car Show for the past five years and received the SV Special Award for Volunteerism in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Her family’s company Larkin Precision Machining Inc. was recently acquired in 2020 after 21 years and she currently works for the Santa Cruz Warriors. She enjoys long walks with her husband Seth and dog Ray. Her daughter Taylor is a junior at Washington State University. ••• Executive Board Member: Vice President
P
Phil Neuman
hil Neuman is CEO of Cyber Ascend Technologies, a locally owned Information Technology firm operating from its headquarters in Scotts Valley. CyAs Tech reflects Phil’s commitment to service and to the local community, as it is fully geared to support Santa Cruz County’s business builders with technology on their upward path to success. After earning his Computer Science degree from Cal Poly SLO, Neuman grew his IT skills within The Santa Cruz Operation. He increased his IT and businessbuilding expertise directing IT departments at Fortune 500 companies and dot com startups until the entrepreneurial bug bit
him in 2001 and he incorporated as PDNC, Inc. A big believer in the importance of community involvement, Neuman has served as a volunteer firefighter and board member with Bonny Doon Fire & Rescue. He’s enjoyed board member and ambassador roles with Scotts Valley’s Chamber of Commerce since 2017 and is a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County Class 34. He’s a member of the Santa Cruz Business Builders BNI group, part of www.brandfusion media.com and www.staywellcopper.com, and active with Twin Lakes Church. Neuman resides in Scotts Valley. His wife and son are part of CyAs, supporting Phil’s vision for strengthening community through better tech. ••• Executive Board Member: Secretary
T
Jeanne Shada
he new secretary of the SV Chamber Board of Directors is Jeanne Shada. She has lived in Scotts Valley since 1971 and has raised three children (Gigi, Vicky, and Kristian) here. Jeanne became a realtor in 1977 and started her business, Scotts Valley Property Management, LLC in 1981. She is a founding member of the SV Arts Commission, a former President of the SV Chamber Board of Directors, and a long-time member of the Scandinavian Cultural Center of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Symphony League. Formerly, she taught in the SV Unified School District in grades 2, 5, 6-8. Jeanne has enjoyed the beauty of Scotts Valley and the positive attitude of its citizens. •••
New Executive Board Member: Treasurer
V
Victor Alejandro
ictor grew up in the Midwest, lived on the East Coast and received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of New Mexico. Victor has worked for 30 years in Silicon Valley with Apple, and Cisco, most recently as an Offer Lifecycle Program Manager. Having served in a dual role as a Chamber Ambassador and Board Member — he looks forward to serving as the Treasurer on the Executive Board he also is a member of the Chamber’s Economic Recovery Task Force in partnership with the City of Scotts Valley. He has volunteered for the Fallen Officers Foundation and is currently the President of the Exchange Club of Scotts Valley. He is a happily married father of 3. His children attend Scotts Valley Middle School and Scotts Valley High School. He loves anything outdoor-oriented, including hiking and downhill skiing. ••• Executive Board Member: Executive Director
D
Danny Reber
anny Reber currently serves as the Executive Director for the Scotts Valley Chamber and is a lifelong resident of Scotts Valley. He is a past president of Scotts Valley Rotary and was named Scotts Valley “Man of the Year” in 2006. He also holds public office on the Scotts Valley Water Board where he currently serves as board president. Danny has a passion for serving his community and serves on various other boards
New Executive Board (from left) — Back Row: Phil Neuman, Danny Reber, Victor Alejandro • Front Row: Jeanette Larkin, Jeanne Shada including: Valley Churches United, Leadership Santa Cruz County, the Scotts Valley Historical Society, and the Silicon Valley Chamber Coalition. He is also a Freemason and member of Paideia Lodge No. 852. Some of Danny’s hobbies include hiking, playing guitar, singing, and he also hosts the Think Local First Radio Show once a month on KSCO. Danny and his wife, Michelle, consider themselves blessed to be able to raise their two daughters, Maya and Arwen, in this community they love and call home.
Welcome! New Chamber Board Members
B
Brand-di Palmer
rand-di graduated from San Jose Christian College and William Jessup University with Degrees in Psychology and Theology. For 17 years she worked with children with Special needs for both the Cupertino Union School District and Santa Clara Union School District. In her spare time, she baked and designed cakes with her mother, Sharon, who owned
her own home baking business in San Jose. Out of this hobby, in 2011, The Hot Pink Box dessert catering was born. Wanting to provide customers with more than cake, Brand-di began creating dessert buffets to serve as the centerpiece of our most special events. By taking our favorite desserts and making them bite-sized and stylized The Hot Pink Box is redefining the idea of celebration sweets. Brand-di has pivoted her business during the pandemic and is now the premier “Baker” in Scotts Valley – You can order all things sweet and delicious at thehotpinkbox.com for pick up or delivery! •••
S Brand-di Palmer
Susan O’Conner Fraser
usan O’Connor Fraser is co-founder of Tam Communications. Since 1979, Susan has written and produced literally thousands of programs for broadcast and cable, and for Northern California leading organizations. In commercial production, Susan has
12 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
been the Executive Producer/Creative Director/Writer for spots for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Marine, and Graniterock. In the non-broadcast world, she has earned a reputation for crafting customized media solutions to drive sales, build image, motivate employees, or communicate corporate or product messaging through video and other digital media. In the non-broadcast world, she has earned a reputation for crafting customized media solutions to drive sales, build image, motivate employees, or communicate corporate or product messaging through video and other digital media. She also has several direct-to-DVD programs to her credit. Susan has received top honors from numerous industry competitions and was the 1988 recipient of the McFarland Award, presented in recognition for her many contributions to the Northern California media production community. She served on the
Susan O’Conner Fraser
board of the Mexican Heritage Corporation and the Professional Media Network of Greater San Jose. She was also the organization’s president for two years. •••
Joanne Guzman
(see “Woman of the Year” next page)
Scotts Valley Chamber News
Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners ichael has been on team SVHS for the past 15 years. He was raised in Los Alamitos, Orange County, to a pair of devoted elementary school teachers. As a kid he wanted to be a paleontologist, and later landed on being a teacher. Following his interest in science, he studied biology at Cal Poly SLO and developed his passion for nature photography as he hiked the open spaces pondering the mysteries of life. A few adventures later it was time to apply for his first teaching job. SVHS said yes. Michael began his career teaching IB Biology and Theory of Knowledge. For him the fit could not have been better and he spent the next seven years exploring the wonders of life with his students. He and his dog, Sadie, settled into the Santa Cruz area and fell in love with the forests, the seas, and Stephanie. Then Michael and a couple of friends thought, “hmm… maybe we should be school administrators”? In his four years as the SVHS assistant principal he focused on
A
Youth of the Year
Anika Mistry
nika Mistry has been conducting research at the University for the past three years. Through her research, Anika created a virtual reality aid to teach neurodiverse individuals social-emotional skills. Anika shared her research in the Santa Cruz County Science Fair where she won first place overall and was named a Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair finalist. Her work has received the attention of leaders in both science and business as she has awards from Yale University, Scripps University, and her project was named one of the top 40 research projects in North America. Anika is also an entrepreneur. This past year she branded and launched her company DevMind VR and pitched her venture nationally to business and tech leaders. Advocating for neurodiverse
J
making the school a place where every student felt at home and could be their best selves. Now in his fourth year as the school’s principal, his proudest accomplishments include creating the K St. Academy, developing a school culture rooted in Respect, Integrity, and Compassion, and being a father for Grace and Noah. He is grateful to be a part of the Scotts Valley community and to work alongside such wonderful teachers, staff, and students. Ka-Kaw!
individuals, Anika wrote an essay for the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream Essay Contest. Her piece placed in the top 15, which allowed her to speak on a panel alongside Angie Thomas, author of “The Hate U Give.” Anika has also spoken at national conferences and on podcasts about her work as a young entrepreneur and researcher. Anika continues her leadership and community service through being the president of both the Interact Club and the Mock Trial Team at Scotts Valley High School. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley and represented Scotts Valley through the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference. Anika is also pursuing a full IB Diploma at SVHS. To apply the skills that IB has taught her and help new researchers, Anika mentors high school researchers and students from India, Korea, Canada and the United States.
Woman of the Year
Joanne Guzman
oanne “Jo” Guzman has been very involved in the Scotts Valley Community for 17 years — as community influencer, organizer and a small business owner. Since purchasing Bruno’s Bar and Grill she has been the creative marketing mastermind behind her talented husband and Chef, Rogelio “Ro”. Her creative community events at the restaurant has created a new fun place to “gather” - Her philosophy is treating staff and customers like family, and provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone who walks into Bruno’s. The restaurant tagline is #wherethefunis. Joanne created the Stayin’ Alive Small Business Santa Cruz Facebook group with 270+ business owners and members to share information with other small business owners to help with COVID challenges, loans and assistance. Her dedication to helping businesses thrive and pivot to stay open led her to join the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force a partnership between the City of Scotts Valley and the Chamber. She provided her marketing expertise for events held to showcase Scotts Valley small businesses in these unprecedented times. Although Jo and Ro were personally affected by the CZU Fire, having to evacuate their home and restaurant they never stopped helping others in the community. Providing free meals twice a month to CZU Fire victims and donating
$10,000 worth of food during to evacuees while being evacuated from their home and business. Consistently, Jo thought of others and kept giving and supporting families who lost their homes, jobs, and kept donating to various non-profits since the pandemic arrived. Other community members who heard of the Guzman’s generosity and offered to help them – Jo declined and asked people to donate directly to those in need. Joanne loves Scotts Valley for its small-town feel and the way its residents pull together to help one another, especially in times of crisis. She truly exemplifies this spirit of humanity and generosity; with her big heart and warm smile she is a friend to everyone she meets.
Cheryl D Rebottaro, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor
KT-9811B-A
M
Man of the Year
Michael Hanson
MKT-9811B-A
221 Mount Hermon Rd Suite F Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4038 831-461-9311
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2021 / 13
Beautification Project of the Year
S
City of SV Glenwood Preserve
pecial gratitude goes out to the following individuals and groups whose commitment to the Glenwood Preserve made it possible: • Scotts Valley City Council: Mayor Derek Timm, Vice Mayor Jim Reed, Council Members Randy Johnson, Donna Lind and Jack Dilles, and former Council Members Dene Bustichi and Stephany Aguilar • Land Trust of Santa Cruz County • City of Scotts Valley with special appreciation for Kristin Ard and Planning and Public Works staff • Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz • Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation Commission • Friends of Glenwood and the Glenwood Preserve’s neighboring residents • Countless volunteers and supporters! In April 2020, the City of Scotts Valley opened the East Glenwood Preserve, the final component of the Glenwood Preserve and the final chapter in a 20+ year
effort to establish this 170-acre open space area. Divided by Glenwood Drive into West and East sections, the Glenwood Preserve is dedicated to public access and conservation. The West Section is situated north of Scotts Valley High School and provides 3 miles of trails for pedestrians, mountain bikers and on-leash dogs. The East Preserve offers over 4.2 miles of gorgeous trails and vistas for pedestrians and equestrians. A major component of the Glenwood Preserve is biological conservation of the diverse plant and animal species across its grasslands, oak woodlands and redwood forest habitats. The Glenwood Preserve is managed by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, which has the lead in habitat enhancement, coordination of grazing, infrastructure, volunteer patrols, and fundraising for trail construction. The Land Trust partnered with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, which built the trails on the East and West sections from 2017 to 2020. The City welcomes the community to come out and enjoy this world-class treasure, nestled right here in Scotts Valley!
Scotts Valley 2020 Community Award Winners
Scotts Valley Chamber News
T
Organization of the Year
SC Moose Lodge #545
he Santa Cruz Moose Lodge #545 focuses on being in the heart of the community by organizing fundraising events, raising money, donating to our local first responders and other local organizations. The Lodge has supported local parks, the Senior Center, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Valley Churches, local Scout Troops and Packs, to name a few, and is a designated Red Cross Emergency Center. In August, the Lodge opened as an emergency evacuation center during the CZU Complex Fire. There were over 50 campers in RV’s & tents during the evacuations. The Lodge board members, general members and their families took in and distributed donations for evacuees, delivered food, water and hygiene supplies to emergency workers. Three meals a day were
Top (from left): Jeff Shaver, Governor - Jeff Duncan, Prelate • Front Row (from left): Larry Beaman, Jr. Governor - Chris Grundy, Administrator - Jim Norkoli, Jr. Past Governor Dominic Carine, Treasurer - Daniel Goodwin, Trustee • Not Pictured: Benjamin Barber, Trustee; Haden Goodwin, Trustee
prepared by volunteers and served to 60-70 evacuees and first responders each day. After evacuation orders were lifted, the lodge continued by partnering with the SC Mustang Club and hosted a “Stuff the Boot” fundraiser assisting the four county fire districts and delivered food to the Scotts Valley Police and Fire Departments. The Santa Cruz Moose Lodge is extremely honored to receive this award, and proud to be of service to our community.
#ScottsValleyLove: A Way to Show Your Love for Our Community
A
fter the highly successful and wellreceived “The Treasure Hunt” before Halloween and “Holiday Open House/Family Passport Day” on Shop Small Saturday in November, the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force has announced another holiday-themed event. The Valentine-themed event will take place on February 13th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is called #ScottsValleyLove.
Like their other family-oriented, COVID-Safe events, this event will include a map to participating Scotts Valley businesses where community members can pick up candy or trinkets for a goodie bag provided for experience. Many of the businesses will provide special offers and to hold individual opportunity drawings for prizes. Pictures will also be taken for posting
on social media and made available to all those who participate. It’s a great way for the community to get to know and support their local businesses and for the businesses to promote themselves to the community. Outreach to businesses is currently underway. Any business interested in participating should contact amarshall@ scottsvalleychamber.com.
WATER USE EFFICIENCY REBATES
CURRENT RENTALS
Centrally located Large 2-story 3BR/2 1/2 BA Condo w/Garage on Bean Creek in SV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3500 Ideally located 2BR/2BA Home w/2-car Garage on Bear Creek in BC . . . . . . . . . $2800 Newly remodeled 3BR/1BA Home on Redwood Avenue in BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2650 Ground level 1BR/1BA Boulder Creek Condo w/Garage on King’s Highway in BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2000
• High-Efficiency Toilets† Up to $125 per toilet
• Low-Volume Irrigation* $0.50 per sqft
• Rainwater Catchment* $0.25 per gallon of container capacity
• Pressure Regulators† $50
• Lawn Replacement* $1 per sqft
• Smart/Weather-Based Irrigation Controller*† Up to $100
Complete list of rebates and more information available at
svwd.org/rebates †
Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter
14 / January 2021 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
CALL FOR SPECIAL RATES 831.688.7549
*Pre- and post-inspection required. Receipt and additional documentation required.
Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce 360 King’s Village Road Scotts Valley, CA 95066