Aptos Times: December 1, 2020

Family Owned For Over 29 Years • Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom & Watsonville

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

December 1, 2020 • Vol 29 No. 23

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Amah Mutsun: When Fire Was a Tool

The evidence is in the diaries of missionary explorer Juan Crespi, who joined the Portola expedition in California in 1769, drew maps of the area and wrote in detail about what he saw.

Full Story page 11

COVID-19: County Back in Purple Tier Full Story page 7

Exceptional Generosity

Mark Phillip Holcomb ‘Man of Seascape’ • 1952 ~ 2020

Mark Phillip Holcomb, 68, passed away on Nov. 16, at his home in La Selva Beach. He was a devoted family man, a successful business entrepreneur, a sports fanatic, dealmaker, and an avid supporter of

the Aptos community.

Mark, known affectionately as “Big Cat” by those who knew him well, was born on May 4, 1952, in Merced, to Lois and Charles Holcomb. ... continues on page 4

In six weeks, Twin Lakes Church in Aptos has raised a record amount in the Second Harvest Food Bank holiday food drive, surpassing all expectations in a year with a pandemic and devastating wildfires.

Full Story page 6

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No. 23

Volume 29

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Table of Contents

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Cover Mark Phillip Holcomb: ‘Man of Seascape’ • 1952 ~ 2020

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Community News Memories of Mark Holcomb, By Jondi Gumz Exceptional Generosity: Holiday Food Drive at Twin Lakes Church Raises Record 1.8 Million Meals County: Nearly 1,000 COVID-19 cases, Two More Deaths, By Jondi Gumz Attention All Employers: New COVID Rules Hwy 1 Ramps Close During December • Supporting Survivors Workshop Dec. 5 • New Principal at Bradley Elementary • PVPSA Awarded Youth Leadership Grant • Panetta Seeks Aid for Wine Grape Growers • Jobs in Santa Cruz County • Hearing on Hwy 1 Lanes, Mar Vista Crossing on Dec. 8 Amah Mutsun: When Fire Was a Tool, By Jondi Gumz Giving to Those Who Give: Rotary Club of Freedom Endows 4 Nonprofits with $64,500 Each, By Jondi Gumz Aptos Adopt-A-Family: Providing for Families in Times of Hardship A Match Made in Heaven: Jacob’s Heart Aims to Match $100,000 from Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation Writers, Artists Offer Words and Art of Hope • Banff Film Festival’s 45th Virtual World Tour Starts Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, and more Headline Online Fire Relief Benefit Prescribed Burns at Wilder Ranch, Año Nuevo New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use

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11 12 19 20 21 24 25 27

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Advent, Liturgy, Light in the Darkness, Festivals of Light, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 17 Seacliff Shack: Fatal Gunfight, Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift 23 How Ben Bikes to Santa Cruz from Seascape and Avoids Auto Traffic, By J. Ben Vernazza • Learn How You Can Help Prevent Youth Suicide 30 Let’s Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

celebrate new traditions Shop safe this season and reserve your holiday entrees online. Choose tender, juicy cuts of California-raised, grass-fed beef from SunFed Ranch, and find the perfect bottle to serve with it in our wine pairing guide!

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Visit newleaf.com/holiday to plan your menu and learn about our safe shopping options.

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Carolyn Swift, J. Ben Vernazza, Zach Friend

layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

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 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 Begonia Festival Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2020. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

“Mark Holcomb” from page 1 He was active from the start and walked by 10 months; this desire to “get moving” would stay with him for the rest of his life. He spent his youth involved in school and sports activities of all kinds. At an early age, his family moved to Napa, where his younger brother Grant was born, and later to Orinda, where Mark played football, baseball, and basketball at Miramonte High School. He graduated in the Class of 1970. After graduation, the Holcomb family moved to Aptos.

Mark obtained his real estate license at the age of 18, and his real estate broker’s license at 21, becoming the youngest real estate broker in Santa Cruz County.

He attended college at Cal Poly and then San Diego State University, where in 1975 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business economics and a minor in real estate. It was there that he met the love of his life, Kay Gill. Mark and Kay were married in Incline Village, Nevada, on Aug. 7, 1976.

After their marriage, Mark and Kay moved to Aptos and started a family.

Mark soon joined his father in the family real estate, construction, and development business. Their office later moved to Seascape where The Holcomb Corporation went on to make a deep impact on the area, developing such projects as The Seascape Village Shopping Center, Palapas Restaurant, Seascape Resort, Seascape Ridge, Racquet Landing, and The Seascape Uplands, as well as many other single and multi-family projects within Santa Cruz County.

Mark dreamed of creating spaces where generations of families could come together and share memories, and he was able to bring this dream to life through his

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 4 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

mastery of creative financing, development management, and as Mark himself would say, “perseverance.” Mark and his father, Charles, an architect, built and developed much of the Seascape area in Santa Cruz County, and Mark’s wife Kay staged interiors. They were a phenomenal team, working together for more than 40 years.

Mark was recognized with numerous awards for his achievements and contributions. In 1994, he received the “Best of the West, Gold Nugget Award” from the Pacific Builders Conference for Best Specialty Hotel/Resort Property for the Seascape Resort and Conference Center.

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce awarded The Holcomb Corporation “Business of the Year” in 1995, and Mark was awarded “Man of the Year” in 2006. In 2019, Mark received an honorary membership into the Aptos Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, and an honorary Aptos High School diploma, for his contributions to the local Aptos community and local school athletic programs.

Mark loved his family and friends; Willie Mays and the San Francisco Giants; family trips to Mexico, Palm Springs, and Lake Tahoe; and sports of all kinds. For more than 30 years, he proudly hosted the annual Anchovy Open golf tournament at the Seascape Golf Club, raising money for the Santa Cruz Special Olympics and other charities.

His long-time college friends came annually to play in the tournament, and the event always made his year. Recently, Mark further followed his love of golf and acquired partial ownership in the Seascape Golf Club, where he was a former Men’s Club president.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Charles Holcomb, and brother, Grant Holcomb.

Mark is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kay Gill Holcomb, his mother Lois Holcomb of Aptos, his daughters Kyla Holcomb Piramoon of Soquel, and Keri Holcomb Hope of Santa Barbara, his grandchildren Tessa Hope, Nicolas Piramoon, Camila Piramoon, and Carolina Piramoon, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the entire Santa Cruz community for its outpouring of love, support, condolences and well wishes. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Mark’s honor to the Aptos Sports Foundation at https://www. aptossportsfoundation.com/donate or The Dominican Hospital Foundation at www. supportdominican.org/donate. n ••• A memorial “tribute room to Mark” will be set up at Seascape Resort from Nov. 28-Dec. 31, 2020. Please stop by to pay tribute to and celebrate Mark’s life. Reservations may be made online at https://markholcomb.getomnify.com.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Memories of Mark Holcomb

By Jondi Gumz

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ark Holcomb did not grow up in Aptos but he put Aptos on the map.

Three close friends shared memories with the Aptos Times about his impact on the community.

Jeff Hogan, who lives in Oakland, was Mark’s roommate at San Diego State University, living off-campus when Mark had an idea.

“He said we should purchase the house we were living in,” Hogan recalled.

When Mark began working with his father doing development, Hogan was an investor from the start, pitching in on eight or so projects.

“He had a vision how to handle finances,” Hogan said.

With the two of them sitting on the beach in Aptos, Mark shared another idea: “I want to try to develop a resort and conference center on these bluffs.”

Hogan’s first response was “Are you kidding?” but he bought into Mark’s vision.

“That beach is so beautiful,” he said. “I had confidence he understood the marketplace. He understood the business.”

And Mark accomplished what he set out to do, building Seascape Resort.

“He took this sleepy town of Aptos and created a destination,” Hogan said.

Hogan was one of the two dozen college friends participating in the initial Anchovy Open, a golf tournament that grew over 30 years to include 160 golfers, with proceeds going to Special Olympics, meeting a need in the community.

“Every Memorial Day, friends would look forward to that gathering,” Hogan said. “Mark was the catalyst.”

The field was competitive and Mark was a competitor, Hogan said, recalling how Mark sank a long put on the 17th green for his team win.

Inspiring The Next Generation ark Schortman, whose wife Tracy is the younger sister of Mark’s wife Kay, last saw Mark in September. They got takeout at Palapas, the Seascape restaurant.

Mark and Tracy wish they could be in Aptos.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, they are staying in Dallas, where he’s president and CEO of Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. He’s a limited partner in Seascape Resort.

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“Remembering Mark” page 13

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n Saturday, Nov. 21, FEMA announced that the new deadline to apply for wildfire aid for those effected by the August wildfires has been extended to Friday, December 11.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Exceptional Generosity

Holiday Food Drive at Twin Lakes Church Raises Record 1.8 Million Meals

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n six weeks, Twin Lakes Church in Aptos has raised a record amount in the Second Harvest Food Bank holiday food drive, surpassing all expectations in a year with a pandemic and devastating wildfires.

On Sunday, Nov. 22, Pastor Rene Schlaepfer announced to the congregation they raised $428,949.09 for the food drive.

Since the food bank can buy four meals with every dollar, that means 1,715,796 meals.

“We always hope to kick off Second Harvest’s holiday food and fund drive with a splash, but I never expected to bring in this much,” Schlaepfer said.

This is the largest holiday food donation Second Harvest has ever received.

The previous record was in 2017, when Plantronics (now Poly) raised $319,000.

After Schlaepfer made the announcement, Willy Elliot McCrea, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank, who was watching remotely, said he was “speechless … absolutely floored.”

Then he said, “That is going to make such a huge impact for so many families.

Since the COVID crisis began, and then the fires created more need, food distributions in Santa Cruz County have doubled.”

This year’s holiday food drive goal is 4.5 million meals; all funds raised during the drive provide food to distribute at 165 partner locations, mostly nonprofits and churches.

The congregation’s participation was enthusiastic and heartfelt, said Schlaepfer, who shared a handwritten note from one member: “Dear Twin Lakes Church, Over the months of our church being closed, we’ve been so grateful to join TLC online.

My children wanted to contribute their allowance to the food drive. I hope and pray you can reach our goal of one million meals! In Christ, Michelle Leavitt.” The envelope contained $100 in cash.

Donors were apparently undaunted by the pandemic, which has resulted in many church activities to be held virtually, or by other disruptions including the devastating recent wildfires.

“I hope the congre-

gation never forgets this moment, that in the midst of these exceptionally troubled times, exceptional generosity and love are still possible,” said Schlaepfer. “Hope is still possible. We are all in this together. All is not lost.”

Twin Lakes Church began participating in the Holiday Food Drive in 2006.

Total donations were $947.70.

Schlaepfer recounted how the holiday food drive took off at Twin Lakes after that: “The next year, we were studying the love of God, and I became convinced that our church needed to show that we truly do love our neighbors. So I challenged the church to increase our food drive participation, and I think we went to about $12,500, or 50,000 meals. We were so excited. Then someone in a church hallway challenged me after the service and said, ‘I don’t think God wants us to settle for that.

We should try for one million meals!’ And we did. We did not achieve that goal right away, but we have for a few years now.”

He added, “This year, knowing how many families in the church are hurting, I really hesitated to make a million meals our goal. I did somewhat reluctantly, with the disclaimer that I knew many people could not contribute. I never, ever expected to raise this amount. I always hope our entire Santa Cruz County community sees the love of God showing through the church in practical ways. I think this helps.” n ••• To participate in the holiday food drive, go to https://www.thefoodbank.org/ holiday-food-fund-drive/ Editor’s Note: Valerie Webb at Twin Lakes Church reports more donations have come in since Pastor Rene made his announcement Sunday, and the new total raised is $469,275.72, which will provide 1,877,102 meals.

COMMUNITY NEWS

County: Nearly 1,000 COVID-19 cases, Two More Deaths

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By Jondi Gumz

ight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, with winter drawing nigh, Santa Cruz County is approaching 1,000 active cases with more than 20 hospitalized and two more fatalities, both elderly people with underlying conditions living in care facilities, bringing the total to 28.

Active cases are increasing dramatically statewide as well, prompting health officials to put Santa Cruz County and much of California into the “Purple Tier,” which has the most restrictions on business operations, forcing restaurants, theaters, gyms, worship places to offer services outdoors only, and to adopt new rules for employers for the next six months, requiring them to fix workplace situations that allow the virus to spread, pay for testing when workers are exposed, provide masks and make sure workers wear them.

On Nov. 10, the family of Donald Wickham sued Watsonville Post Acute, where he died Oct. 20 after contracting COVID-19, alleging elder abuse and neglect and wrongful death and seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Wickham, 94, was one of 16 residents with COVID who died at Watsonville Post Acute in a two-month stretch; 50 of 74 residents and 21 staff became infected.

The lawsuit filed by Santa Cruz attorney David Spini of Scruggs, Spini & Fulton on behalf of Wickham’s son John, alleges the owners understaffed the nursing home to improve profits, brought in licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants from other locations, increasing the potential for introducing the virus, and provided inadequate training to prevent infectious diseases, allowing 70 percent of the residents to contract the virus.

Spini noted infection control procedures at Watsonville Post Acute were found lacking six times by the state Department of Public Health, with an Oct. 6 report pointing out a housekeeper was not screened for signs and symptoms of COVID before starting work.

In 2016, the state fined Watsonville Post Acute, which is owned by CF Watsonville West, a limited liability company in Los Angeles, $10,000 after a resident diagnosed with dementia left the premises and was found outside lying on a sidewalk with a fractured jaw.

The state report noted the resident

wore a WanderGuard but the director of nursing acknowledged there was no routine monitoring of this resident’s whereabouts.

Santa Cruz Deaths he latest two COVID deaths were in Santa Cruz.

A woman in her mid80s with underlying conditions died Nov. 10 at Santa Cruz Post Acute, a 149-bed nursing home is owned by Kindred. The outbreak began Nov. 7. At least 29 residents there and 15 staff tested positive.

A Caucasian woman in her mid90s with another significant condition died Nov. 14 at Maple House II, county Public Health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland said Wednesday, noting it takes time to investigate each death. That outbreak began Oct. 31 and spread to 10 staff and 14 residents.

The state fined Santa Cruz Post Acute, which is owned by Kindred, $1,000 for a violation on Oct. 9; details were not available.

Maple House II, categorized as a 40-bed residential care facility for the elderly, is under local ownership. Inspection records were not available Wednesday.

As of Nov. 25, Santa Cruz County had 4,198 COVID cases and 72,096 negative test results.

In two weeks, active cases jumped from 594 to 957, a faster pace of increase that began on Halloween, when the county was in the less restrictive Orange Tier.

The county moved into the Red Tier for a week then into the Purple Tier. The county update shows new cases peaked Nov. 16, when 104 people reported their symptoms began.

The case rate has jumped to 18 new cases per day per 100,000 population; before Halloween, the case rate was below 4 per day per 100,000.

To get back in the Orange Tier, with fewer restrictions on business, the case rate would have to fall below 7 new cases per day per 100,000.

Recently, cases have been increasing

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faster in Santa Cruz and among whites.

Initially, cases were predominantly in Watsonville and among the Latinx community.

New Employer Rules n Nov. 19, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adoppted an emergency regulation aimed at protecting workers across California from exposure to COVID-19.

The regulation, which will be put into effect by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, requires all employers to:

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• Assess workplace hazards and create a written COVID-19 prevention program, allowing for employee participation; • Correct COVID-19-related hazards in the workplace; • Identify and notify all workers exposed to COVID-19-positive individuals; • Provide testing free to employees in the event of COVID-19-positive cases in the workplace; • Train employees on COVID-19 prevention; • Mandate and enforce the wearing of face coverings in the workplace; • Provide personal protective equipment free where needed; and • Adopt safety measures in housing and transportation provided by the employer.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Attention All Employers: New COVID Rules W hat is AB 685?

AB 685 is a California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 17, 2020. This law: • Requires employers to notify employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to report workplace outbreaks to the local health department.

• Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to publicly report information on workplace outbreaks.

• Authorizes Cal/OSHA to enforce COVID-19 hazards as an imminent hazard to provide immediate protection for workers.

What information am I required to give workers?

Upon identifying a COVID-19 case in the workplace, you need to provide the following information: 1) Notice to your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

You can inform other workers of the dates that an individual with COVID-19 was at the worksite but should

“Purple” from page 7 The regulation comes in response to a May 20 letter from the Worksafe of Oakland and the National Lawyers Guild Labor & Employment Committee. They sought protection for “essential” workers, those working but not deemed essential, those working to support their families, those working because they feared they would lose their job and those who would return to work fearfully as the economy opened up.

“Without specific occupational health and safety measures … Californians will die unnecessarily,” the letter read, calling for specific requirements to give employers clarity on how to protect workers.

Board staff noted the disproportionate impact on Latino communities but suggested a focus on businesses in Los Angeles County, where 40% of the cases and half of the deaths have occurred, or an emphasis on industries with a disproportionately high number of cases.

However, Cal/OSHA agreed with the petitioners that an emergency regulation is warranted. Existing regulations protect workers in health services, homeless shelters and correctional facilities but not workers in meat and poultry processing, food processing, agriculture, garment manufacturing, warehousing, public transportation, and retail stores, where outbreaks have taken place.

The regulation is similar to what the petitioners proposed, with the late addition of requirements for physical distancing and providing masks for workers in employerprovided housing and distancing, masks and ventilation in employer-provided

not share information that could identify the affected individual. You must also provide this information to the exclusive labor representative, if any.

2) Information about benefits & options You must provide your employees with information about COVID-19 benefits under federal, state, or local

transportation to work, including shuttles, ride-share vans and carpools.

Holiday Guidance he sharp rise in COVID-19 cases is very concerning,” said Jen Herrera, Santa Cruz County’s chief of public health.

“It is critical that everyone follow social distancing guidelines and not gather in groups as we head into the holidays.”

On Friday, Nov. 13, the California Department of Public Health released a travel advisory stating travelers should quarantine upon arrival or return to the state.

The agency also released Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings — ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and Christmas Dec. 2 The safest way to gather is to spend time with people in the same household, gather virtually, or gather outdoors, according to Santa Cruz County health officials.

Anyone experiencing COVID symptoms, even mild, should be tested, health officials said, adding that if you receive a negative test, you should finish quarantining and not end early — typically 14 days after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

Testing locations can be found at www. santacruzhealth.org/testing. Contact your medical provider if you have questions about your quarantine or isolation period.

In Aptos, testing is available at Doctors on Duty, Twin Lakes Church through SennecaDx.com/community and the Cabrillo College Health Center.. In Watsonville, testing is at Ramsay Park, Salud Para La Gente, Sutter Health PAMF Urgent Care, Kaiser Permanente, Doctors on Duty,

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laws. This includes workers’ compensation, company sick leave, state-mandated leave, supplemental sick leave, negotiated leave, and anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination protections.

3) A disinfection & safety plan You need to inform your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers of your disinfection and safety plan for the worksite, in accordance with CDC guidelines.

You must also provide this information to the exclusive labor representative, if any.

How and when should workers be notified?

You must provide a written notice to your employees and the employer of subcontracted workers within 1 business day of receiving notification of potential exposure.

The written notice can be hand-delivered or given by email or text message and should be in both English and any other language understood by the majority of employees.

“New Rules” page 14

Planned Parenthood, and the County Health Center. Online appointments are often required.

For more information on the State framework, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/ safer-economy/.

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “COVID19” to 211211. Residents may also call (831) 4544242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n ••• COVID Cases as of Nov. 25 Aptos......................................... 178 Ben Lomond............................... 32 Boulder Creek............................ 33 Capitola.....................................115

Felton.......................................... 38 Freedom.................................... 238 Santa Cruz................................ 933 Scotts Valley............................. 107 Soquel......................................... 90 Watsonville............................ 2,300 Unincorporated......................... 39 Under investigation.................. 95 Total........................................ 4,198 Source: santacruzhealth.org ••• Most Common Exposure Sources Retired or not employed...........................................41% Const./maintenance/nat. resources............................25% Sales and office...........................................................12% Management/business/science/arts......................14% Service occupation.......................................................8% Source:santacruzhealth.org

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Hwy 1 Ramps Close During December ultiple on- and off-ramps on Highway 1 in Aptos, Capitola, and Santa Cruz will be subject to intermittent closure beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2, and continue through the end of the year. Cooperative weather may shorten this time frame.

Daytime closures will take place Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Both the north and southbound on- and off-ramps at these interchanges will be subject to closure: State Park Drive, Park Avenue, Bay/Porter, 41st Avenue, Soquel Avenue and Morrissey Blvd.

Other ramps impacted include: Southbound Ocean Street off-ramp, northbound Ocean Street on-ramp, southbound Plymouth Street on-ramp, and northbound Emeline Avenue off-ramp.

No more than two ramps will be closed in any direction at the same time.

The ramps are being closed for installation of thermoplastic pavement markings.

It’s too cold at night to work with these materials, necessitating daytime closures.

Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

••• Supporting Survivors Workshop Dec. 5 upporting Survivors Coming Forward” is a virtual workshop in the Imagine Healing Series hosted by Survivors Healing Center, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

How can we better listen to, empower and support survivors of sexual abuse when they come forward? How can our community promote healing?

One way we can empower those who have victimized by sexual abuse is by educating individuals what they should do

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when someone discloses to them that they are a victim of sexual abuse.

In this online workshop, participants will have a safe place to hear survivor’s stories, ask questions and receive resources.

This workshop is on a donation basis.

Sign up by going to: SurvivorsHealingCenter.org or call 831-423-7601.

••• New Principal at Bradley Elementary he Pajaro Valley Unified School District welcomes Andrew Crocker-Donnelly as principal for Bradley Elementary School and Heather Waltz as lead behaviorist supporting the Special Services Department.

The Board of Trustees approved these appointments at the most recent meeting.

Andrew Crocker-Donnelly came to Pajaro Valley in 2005 as a teacher at Ann Soldo Elementary and in 2016 became academic coordinator at Mintie White Elementary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree Andrew Crocker-Donnelly in education from UC Santa Cruz and an administrative credential from Concordia University.

Heather Waltz has been a behaviorist in the Special Education Department since 2016, providing support services to special education students. She is a certified crisis response trainer providing training to teachers, instructional assistants and administrators. She received Heather Waltz her master’s degree in counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy from Santa Clara University, and is a board-certified behavior analyst.

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PVPSA Awarded Youth Leadership Grant ajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance is one of 32 nonprofits to receive awards of up to $1 million from Elevate Youth California to develop and increase youth voice and leadership to prevent substance use disorder.

The fund will fund PVPSA’s initiative, “Youth Reclaiming Voice and Power,” which develops leadership and civic engagement skills for youth in Santa Cruz County and Monterey County.

“Elevate Youth California is building a strong foundation for a statewide movement to increase youth voice and address these critical issues. We are honored to be a partner in that movement,” said PVPSA CEO Erica Padilla Chavez. “We are excited to expand the engagement of youth voice to help shape their neighborhoods and communities.”

Elevate Youth California is a statewide program supporting community leaders who are addressing substance use disorders by investing in youth activism for youth of color and LGBTQ+ young people ages 12 to 26. Funds support mentorship, peer-led support and youth leadership with a focus on impacting policy, systems, and environmental change.

••• Panetta Seeks Aid for Wine Grape Growers n Nov. 19, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Representatives Mike Thompson (CA), Peter DeFazio (OR), Barbara Lee (CA), and Dan Newhouse (WA) announced the introduction of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan bill, introduced by members from districts hit hard by wildfires, reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires.

The WHIP program offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including winegrape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint. Currently,

P

O

COMMUNITY NEWS

WHIP only covers losses in 2018 and 2019, and this bill would extend that support to losses in 2020.

“This year, record-breaking wildfires wreaked havoc on many of our communities on the Central Coast of California.

In addition to the structural damage, large swaths of our agriculture, including tons and tons of winegrapes, were tainted due to smoke exposure,” Panetta said. “WHIP+ historically has been a lifeline to producers who suffered this type of disaster. As it stands, unfortunately, the program does not cover 2020 losses. Our legislation, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, will ensure that wine grape growers, who suffered severe losses during this unprecedented wildfire year, are eligible for these crucial payments.”

Learn more about the WHIP+ program at https://www.farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus.

••• Jobs in Santa Cruz County Change from Industry Oct. 2020 a year ago Government 19,300 Down 5,100 Leisure & Hospitality 11,500 Down 2,900 Private Ed & Health 15,400 Down 2,300 Trade & Transportation 16,100 Down 1,000 Other services 4,300 Down 900 Biz & Prof. Services 10,300 Down 800 Manufacturing 6,400 Down 800 Information 500 Down 100 Financial 3,600 Up 100 Logging & Construction 4,800 Up 100 Nonfarm 92,200 Down 13,700 Farm 3,500 Down 6,700 Total 95,700 Down 20,400 ••• Change from Unemployment 7.1% a year ago Labor force 131,700 Down 8.4% Employed* 122,300 Down 11.8% Unemployed 9,400 Up 88% *Includes out-of-county commuters Source: California Employment Development Department

Hearing on Hwy 1 Lanes, Mar Vista Crossing on Dec. 8

A

45-day public review and comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment for the proposed Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane Project from State Park to Bay/Porter is open through Jan. 11, 2021.

The proposed project includes construction of auxiliary lanes, implementing bus-on-shoulder operations, replacing the Capitola Avenue overcrossing to include new bicycle/pedestrian facilities, building a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive, and installing sound walls.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment, released by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Caltrans, identifies the project’s potential impacts and potential avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures.

A virtual public hearing will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 5-6:30 p.m., to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the project and submit comments before a final design is selected.

10 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The meeting link at https:// sccrtc.org/projects/streets-highways/ hwy1corridor/bayporter-statepark/ Written comments may be submitted by mail to Lara Bertaina, Department of Transportation, 50 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA, or by email to lara.bertaina@ dot.ca.gov. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 11.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment is at https://sccrtc.org/projects/ s t re e t s - h i g h w a y s / h w y 1 c o r r i d o r / bayporter-statepark/.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Amah Mutsun: When Fire Was a Tool

T

By Jondi Gumz

he evidence is in the diaries of missionary explorer Juan Crespi, who joined the Portola expedition in California in 1769, drew maps of the area and wrote in detail about what he saw.

He saw indigenous peoples had burned the land frequently, noting this in his diary on Oct. 24, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, from Palo Alto to Half Moon Bay. About Half Moon Bay, he wrote: “Rolling hills burnt off with very good soil, good spot for a town, however, there is not a stick of wood anywhere about here.”

That’s one piece of evidence cited by researcher Rob Cuthrell, director of archaeological resource management for the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, to document how native people used fire as a tool to steward the land until the Mission leaders outlawed indigenous burning in 1778.

More evidence comes from macrobotanical analysis of charred plant remains from archaeological deposits showing most seeds found were edible seeds.

Cuttrell was one of the speakers when the Amah Mutsun Land Trust hosted its first fire symposium on Nov. 19, an event on Zoom that attracted more than 600 viewers in the wake of the CZU August Lightning Complex fires that charred 86,000 acres and destroyed 925 homes in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.

Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, called fire a gift from Creator and “a tool to manage the landscape.”

“Our people would burn that landscape (of coastal prairie),” he said.

They would burn segments of land in a particular rotation, using lowintensity fires that were easy to watch over and that would not sterilize the ground.

“The prairie had a lot of seed plants — fire was important to help seeds germinate,” Lopez said. “It would take care of birds and animals and people. Our diet was 40 percent seeds at times.”

The second year after the fire, there would be tall shoots for deer and elk to

eat. The third year, bushy plants useful for basketry and traps. The fourth year, thicker plants used to make boats and housing.

With the cycle complete, they would start over, once again burning the land to “balance and take care of the resources,” Lopez said.

When burning was outlawed, shrubs started to encroach on the prairie, then other trees, then redwoods, he said.

“There are very little grasslands now

on the Central Coast — the biodiversity is gone now,” he said. “Burning regularly rebuilds topsoil. The way we are talking about today will actually achieve that.”

Kent Lightfoot, anthropology professor at UC Berkeley, said a 2007 study of Ano Nuevo presents “strong evidence of sustained cultural burning for many centuries, once every few years.”

“Safe Fires” page 15

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Giving to Those Who Give

Rotary Club of Freedom Endows 4 Nonprofits with $64,500 Each

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By Jondi Gumz

en Post, president of the Rotary Club of Freedom, announces endowments totaling $258,000 have been funded for four local nonprofits working to improve lives in the Pajaro Valley.

Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services, Loaves & Fishes, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services and Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation each received an endowment of $64,500, providing annual income in perpetuity.

All of the endowments are managed

by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, with the investment income accruing to each nonprofit, providing a steady stream of earnings and potentially attracting more financial support.

As the National Council of Nonprofits put it, “A nonprofit with an endowment may send a signal to the community and donors that the organization is thinking long-term and building assets for its own future sustainability.”

Loaves and Fishes provides a free lunch

Ashley Bridges at Loaves and Fishes (center) with Maria Gonzalez, kitchen manager, and Cecilia Cervantes, operations manager, accept the $64,500 endowment from Ben Post and Aloke Mukherjee of the Rotary Club of Freedom. program Monday through Friday, along with a Pantry Program and training. Ashley Bridges, the executive director, plans to leverage this endowment to seed additional donations.

Jacob’s Heart improves the quality of

12 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

life for children with cancer and supports their families. Lori Butterworth, the executive director, plans to use the endowment to attract matching donations.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services provides

families with a path to self-sufficient futures through short- and longer term housing.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation supports the improvement and maintenance of the Fairgrounds.

The Rotary Club of Freedom has long supported these four local nonprofits, with the support coming from traditional fundraisers such as dinners and auctions, which this year have been impossible to host due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Creating an endowment is an approach commonly used by large institutions such as universities and hospitals — and Rotary Club of Freedom, with 20 members, is not a large organization.

The idea to create endowments came from Watsonville lawyer and ag consultant Kirk Schmidt, who is a member of Freedom Rotary and on the board at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

“Rotary Donations” page 25

“Remembering Mark” from page 5 The two couples have been friends for 40 years. After Mark and Kay bought a home in LaQuinta, Schortman and his wife bought one a few doors away. They would golf, take hikes in the desert and go on drives with Mark, looking at new developments.

When Mark was building Seascape, the Schortmans would drive down to Aptos from their home in Walnut Creek.

“We’d would walk around and hear what he had in mind, his drive for success, he was happy to share that,” Schortman said. “He had a big heart, a big passion for friends, his family and his business, and what he was doing next.”

When their daughter Lindsey got engaged, the party was at Seascape, and their son Matt proposed to his now-wife Katie that weekend.

Their son Matt has left his Coca-Cola career after 15 years to pursue his passion, development, like his uncle Mark.

Quiet Generosity aul Bailey, co-owner of Bailey Properties in Aptos, another longtime friend, admires Mark’s gumption.

“He was a young man — mid30s — when he took the risk of locking up and buying all that ground,” Bailey said. “He saw the value of the potential outcome.”

The county’s vision was housing and Mark’s vision was a resort.

They clashed, and Mark was sued.

Mark persevered, and the result was a negotiated settlement that paved the way for the Seascape Resort, the shopping center, the Uplands, and neighborhoods nearby.

“He was one of the founding fathers

P

“[Mark] was one of the founding fathers of the current edition of Aptos. He was brave.

He was a visionary.”

— Paul Bailey

of the current edition of Aptos,” Bailey said. “He was brave. He was a visionary.”

Not only that, he found many ways to give back to the community.

Bailey, who created the Aptos Sports Foundation to support Aptos High School athletics, recalled how Mark would donate a room and food at the resort for yearend parties for sports teams, with parents invited as well.

He was one of the biggest sponsors for the Aptos Sports Foundation, providing gift certificates and restaurant reservations.

“Nobody know how generous he was,” said Bailey.

Once, when the two men were at a high school swimming meet in Carmel, watching their daughters, Mark inquired about the latest sports foundation project.

Bailey said he needed to find concrete blocks for the baseball dugout and a wall for the backstop.

Mark’s answer: “Let me send somebody out.”

The next week, everything needed showed up on a truck, delivered, piled and stacked.

Bailey was thrilled – and grateful – but Mark didn’t have a big ego.

“Don’t make a big deal out of it, Paul,” he said. n

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Mark Holcomb enjoys playing golf with his team at the Anchovy Open, a tournament he started in Aptos to benefit Special Olympics.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 13

14 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“New Rules” from page 9 You must also provide this written notice to the exclusive labor representative, if any, within 1 business day.

Which workers must be notified?

All employees and employers of any subcontracted employees who were at the same worksite as the worker diagnosed with COVID-19 during their infectious period must be notified.

For an individual who develops symptoms, the infectious period begins 2 days before they first develop symptoms.

The infectious period ends when the following criteria are met: 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without use of fever-reducing medications), AND other symptoms have improved.

For an individual who tests positive but never develops symptoms, the infectious period for COVID-19 begins 2 days before and ends 10 days after the specimen for their first positive test for COVID-19 was collected.)

When am I required to report COVID-19 cases to the local health department?

You must report COVID-19 outbreaks to the local health department. For nonhealthcare workplaces, this is defined as 3 or more COVID-19 cases among workers at the same worksite within a 14-day period.

Once this threshold is met, you have 48 hours to report to the local health department in the jurisdiction where the worksite is located.

You also must continue to notify the local health department of additional COVID-19 cases identified among workers at the worksite.

What information should I report to the local health department?

1) Information about the worksite – name of company/institution, business address, and North American Industry Classification System industry code.

2) Names and occupations of workers with COVID-19.

3) Additional information requested by the local health department as part of their investigation.

How do local health departments and CDPH use this information?

Local health departments will review information you share and work with you to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. Local health departments will also share information about workplace COVID-19 outbreaks with CDPH. CDPH is required under AB 685 to share information about COVID-19 workplace outbreaks by industry on their website.

Who qualifies as a COVID-19 case?

Under AB 685, a COVID-19 case is someone who: • Has a positive viral test for COVID-19,

includes nucleic acid (PCR) and antigen tests.

• Is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a licensed health care provider, • Is ordered to isolate for COVID-19 by a public health official, OR • Dies due to COVID-19, as determined by a public health department.

If you are notified of individual(s) in your workplace who meets any of those criteria, you must notify workers and the local health department as described above.

What does AB 685 authorize Cal/OSHA to do?

AB 685 allows Cal/OSHA to: Issue an Order Prohibiting Use to shut down an entire worksite or a specific worksite area that exposes employees to an imminent hazard related to COVID-19.

This allows Cal/OSHA to protect workers from an imminent hazard by prohibiting entry into a place of employment or prohibiting the use of something in a place of employment which constitutes an imminent hazard.

• Cite or fine employers for serious violations related to COVID-19 without having to provide 15-days’ notice.

• Cite or fine employers for violations of AB 685 worker notification provisions.

How is AB 685 different from CDPH’s COVID-19 employer guidance?

CDPH’s guidance, “Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace for Employers,” also requires employers to notify local health departments if there are 3 or more cases of COVID-19 in their workplace within a 2-week period.

This requirement is already in effect, so employers must follow it now. The additional requirements under AB 685 go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Which employers have to follow AB 685?

All public and private employers in California must follow AB 685 except: • Health facilities are not subject to AB 685 requirements for reporting outbreaks to local health departments, but must continue to follow existing reporting requirements. All other AB 685 requirements apply to health facilities, including notifying employees about potential exposure to COVID-19.

• Employers of workers who provide direct care or testing to individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not subject to AB 685 requirements.

Where can I find more information about AB 685 and COVID-19 in the workplace?

• AB 685 bill text — California Legislature Information webpage at https://leginfo.legislature. c a . g o v / f a c e s / b i l l Te x t C l i e n t . xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB685 “New Rules” page 15

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“Safe Fires” from page 11 The burning, done “in small patches” in a mosaic pattern, would clear land, control insects, and boost the productivity of plants and animals, he said.

Scott Stephens, a scholar in fire ecology at UC Berkeley, said fire scars on redwoods show indigenous burning took place on average every 9 to 12 years.

As for the CZU fire damage in the San Vicente Redwoods Preserve in Santa Cruz County, he said, “Indigenous management would have prevented this.”

Cal Fire has funded a research project on 25 acres in the San Vicente Redwoods with the Amah Mutsun, working together as a team, and Stephens hopes to secure a second site soon.

“It’s time for innovation and restoration,” he said.

Don Hankins, a geography professor Cal State Chico and a Plains Miwok, cited research expert Henry Lewis who found indigenous people had 73 reasons for burning, including game management and water stewardship.

“Knowing how and when to set fire is important,” Hankins said. “In our stories, we have a knowledge about fires that goes back to the beginning of time.”

“New Rules” from page 14 • COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements (AB 685) — Cal/OSHA outlines how the bill enhances their enforcement of COVID-19 in the workplace at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ coronavirus/AB6852020FAQs.html • Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace for Employers — CDPH guidance on how to respond to cases of COVID-19 in the workplace, at https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/ responding-to-covid19-workplace-en.pdfincluding strategies for transmission prevention, worker

He quoted a Miwok elder saying, “If people stop burning, wildfire will become rampant. If you light fires, you must know you will bring the rain.”

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust, formed in 2013, has four full-time staff, and is recruiting an executive director.

Sara French, interim executive director, said the organization has funding for the first time from the Coastal Conservancy for the Native Stewardship Corps.

The young people in the Stewardships Corps, certified as type 2 wildland firefighters, participate in training exchanges and prescribed burns with partners at Klamath TREX, Yurok TREX, San Vicente Redwoods, Ano Nuevo State Park and Big Basin State Park.

French said she wants to build up an engine crew so the land trust can contract with landowners to do prescribed burning.

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust also is working to protect Juristac, one of the tribe’s last sacred sites in Santa Clara County, from sand and gravel mining.

“We need your help,” French said, urging listeners to subscribe to the tribe’s newsletter at https://www.amahmutsun landtrust.org/ n Photos courtesy of Amah Mutsun Land Trust

testing, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation.

• CDPH Employer Guidance on AB 685: Definitions – CDPH definitions of terms used in AB 685.

• Industry Guidance to Reduce Risk — Information and resources for reopening businesses and facilities safely in California at https://covid19. ca.gov/industry-guidance/ • Blueprint for a Safer Economy - California’s plan for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities at https://covid19. ca.gov/safer-economy/ n

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Pictures From the Past

Seacliff Shack: Fatal Gunfight I

Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift

n September 1925, Sheriff Howard Trafton and Undersheriff Richard Roundtree were shot when they confronted “hermit” Paul Woodside, who had built a simple cabin on property he owned halfway up the hillside at Seacliff Beach.

Woodside wanted to be left alone, but he chose the wrong moment to settle on a hillside with an odd little shack.

As the Seacliff Company began to develop cottages on the beach below and houses on top, Woodside became increasingly hostile to what he considered trespassers on his property. He threatened construction workers and tourists.

Trafton and Roundtree were ordered to evict Woodside with a warrant. Seated in a corner, Woodside greeted the authorities with a shotgun across his knees. After a brief discussion, gunshots were fired and all three men ultimately succumbed to their wounds.

The incident alarmed residents throughout Santa Cruz County because Trafton and Roundtree were both popular and from longtime families. Woodside had not lived in the county long enough for anyone to know him, and he was quickly branded as a madman.

Sightseers flocked to Woodside’s cabin after the fight but within days it had been burned and scraped away. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 17

18 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aptos Adopt-A-Family

Providing for Families in Times of Hardship

O

ver the last 28 years Aptos-AdoptA-Family has helping community members with medical catastrophes along with community members who need a little help for the holidays.

There are hundreds of stories and thousands of gifts.

It all started with a local businessman in Aptos who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. As the cancer progressed, he was unable to work or support his family as the holidays approached.

Our community put on a spaghetti feed event and the money collected went to help his family. Patrice Edwards, of Times Publishing Group, Inc., and a friend, worked tirelessly to collect toys, food, clothes, rent money, and more to carry his family through the coming months.

Over the years there have been gifts of wheelchairs, a handicap accessible van, lifts, food, clothes, toys, bikes, rent — gifts that have helped many a family enjoy their holiday with less stress.

This year has been more challenging than others. There are community members who have lost a job, or possibly their home in the fires. Please reach out to your neighbors and friends and find out who might need some help this season.

Sometimes people are afraid to ask but will talk to a friend or family member who can refer them to us.

All referrals are confidential.

We connect people who want to adopt, and they provide the family with gifts. They receive a list of the family’s wants and needs, they do the shopping, and then deliver them to our office and we pass them along to the adopted family. We focus primarily on families that are having financial challenges due to a medical catastrophe within

their family as well as families who have had a financial crisis.

Our supporters have been tireless in their quest to make sure their adoptive family gets what they need, plus more!

Call us at 831-688-7549 before 3 p.m. or email cathe@cyber-times.com if you would like to adopt a family or refer a family in need (all is confidential).

If you cannot adopt but would like to support us please send your donation (of any amount) to Aptos Adopt-A-Family c/o Times Publishing Group, Inc., 9601 Soquel Drive, Ste A Aptos, CA 95003. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 19

20 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Match Made in Heaven Jacob’s Heart Aims to Match $100,000 from

F

Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation

or 26 years, the Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundation hosted an annual golf tournament in the memory of two adored children who died of brain cancer, raising money for Jacob’s Heart, the nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for children with cancer.

This year, because of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, the tournament could not take place.

However, the two local dads who started the charity event were undaunted and determined to provide support to Jacob’s Heart.

“As two fathers who have lost our precious children to cancer, we understand the importance of Jacob’s Heart firsthand,” said Rob Stuart and Peter Pillsbury, founders of the Jordan and Kyra Foundation. “We hope this matching challenge will inspire the community to give, and in doing so, double the impact on the lives of those hit hardest by this crisis.”

This year, they are offering to match

Kyra Pillsbury

Jordan Stuart

every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 for Jacob’s Heart.

“To children with cancer and their families, this is a match made in heaven.

The parents of Jordan and Kyra understand what the Jacob’s Heart families are going through,” said Lori Butterworth, founder of Jacob’s Heart. “They also understand what it means when someone cares. Our hope is that our community will match the generosity of Jordan and Kyra so we can continue to address the increasing needs and match each service with love.”

Donations will go toward providing direct financial support to families with medically fragile children ensuring they can stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly grocery deliveries to avoid the risk of going to the store while caring for a child with cancer, door-to-door transportation to medical treatment, and crisis counseling to help families cope with the challenges of COVID-19. n ••• To learn more about Jacob’s Heart or this matching challenge, go to www.jacobsheart.org.

To learn more about the Jordan and Kyra Foudnation, go to www.jordanandkyra.org/

“To children with cancer and their families, this is a match made in heaven. The parents of Jordan and Kyra understand what the Jacob’s Heart families are going through. They also understand what it means when someone cares. Our hope is that our community will match the generosity of Jordan and Kyra so we can continue to address the increasing needs and match each service with love.”

— Lori Butterworth, founder of Jacob’s Heart

COMMUNITY NEWS

Writers, Artists Offer Words and Art of Hope A Generated in response to these challenging pandemic times, Second Wind gathers the varied voices of community in prose, poetry and many forms of art to speak of how we get through 2020, make the most of our changed lives, and move toward a meaningful future.

Readers will find inspiration, humor and solace in the vibrant and organic sections of this collection. “Heartache in the Land” explores pandemic experiences. There are sections that look at loved ones and family; the political scene; musings of spirit, dreams and visions; creativite expression; humor and play; and finally, reflections on the support and healing we receive from the abundant beauty of the natural world.

Second Wind is a combined endeavor, created with diverse artists and writers of all ages and backgrounds throughout the country, vulnerably and humbly sharing what gives them hope, what renews their spirits, and where they have found strength.

Second Wind

ptos author Kate Aver Avraham Area, but also from other places around the announces a new anthology in country.

They share what gives response to these chalanthology them hope, what renews their lenging times: “Second Wind: spirits, and where they have Words and Art of Hope and found strength.

Resilience.”

These varied voices in She is editor along with prose, poetry and many forms Melody Culver of Santa Cruz. of art speak of how we get “It was born as we envi- Words & Art of Hope & Resilience through 2020, make the most sioned a way we might help of our changed lives, and move those so impacted by the toward a meaningful future. pandemic,” said Avraham, Readers will find inspiwho called writers she knew ration, humor and solace. to participate and got a “phe“Heartache in the Land” nomenal” response. explores pandemic experiences The anthology has 80 contributors — writers and artists of all ages and reactions. Sections look at loved ones and backgrounds — mostly from Santa and family; the political scene; musings Cruz and Monterey Counties or the Bay of spirit, dreams and visions; creative In the words of one contributor: This anthology answers your questions about what to do in any difficult time…you gather friends, skills and possibilities, and create something that can tilt the balance of concerns for good.

EDS. AVER AVRAHAM & CULVER

Kate Aver Avraham & Melody Culver live and gratefully breathe in Santa Cruz, CA, where they write, sing and play together.

Second Wind EDITORS, K ATE AVER AVR AHAM & MELODY CULVER

expression; humor and play; and finally, reflections on the support and healing we receive from the abundant beauty of the natural world.

In the words of one contributor: “This anthology answers your questions about what to do in any difficult time ... you gather friends, skills and possibilities, and create something that can tilt the balance of concerns for good.”

The book costs $15 and is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Amazon.com.

Avraham also has hosted open-air events where the book is available and more may be held in the future. n Editors Kate Aver Avraham and Melody Culver ••• All of the sales profits will be donated to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz NO M County Covid-19 Relief Fund.

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Banff Film Festival’s 45th Virtual World Tour Starts

L

ooking for a stocking stuffer or holiday gift? Give the gift of film and share the excitement of Banff with family and friends.

Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is virtual for the first time because live screenings have been cancelled by COVID-19.

The silver lining is you can travel to breathtaking destinations, embark on daring expeditions, and celebrate remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comforts of your living room.

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FINISH THE YEAR STRONGER THAN EVER To Try!

FINISH THE YEAR STRONGER THAN EVER FINISH THE YEAR STRONGER Virtual screenings have been FINISH THE YEAR STRONGER THAN EVE the only source of revenue for the Rio Theatre since the pandemic arrived in mid-March.

Viewers can choose the Amber or Onyx programs at $15 each, or get a bundle and watch both for $28.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times /FoDecember 1st 2020 / 21 r ! Ne

22 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

FEATURED COLUMNIST

How Ben Bikes to Santa Cruz from Seascape and Avoids Auto Traffic

By J. Ben Vernazza

M

y Temporary Sanctuary Trail To Hike or Bike until the Santa Cruz Sanctuary Trail Is Completed In My Lifetime (?) I Am 86 Right Now.

Starting at Sumner and Seascape Blvd.: Go north on Sumner through Clubhouse Drive and when the road starts

Ben Vernazza with his bike

turning right there is a turnout on the right. Stop there look carefully looking for traffic.

Cross over to the path that goes down to Hidden Beach and walk your bike until you’re under and past the trestle.

In the parking lot, go turn right and go onto Cliff Drive and continue until Rio Del Mar Blvd Map showing layout for a bike trail in the 1996 county plan.

Turn left and go down the hill (make sure your brakes are Center Street has now turned into working well) Seacliff Drive and at Mar Vista turn right Go through parking lot, enter the State and turn left on McGregor, go all the way Park, go over the bridge and continue to to Park Avenue and cross over Park to the Park Office .

Kennedy Drive.

Turn right and go up the hill to the first “Ben Bikes” page 26 arterial stop and then turn left at Center Street .

Learn How You Can Help Prevent Youth Suicide

Editor’s Note: The Santa Cruz County Coroner reports two 16-year-old boys ended their lives in November, one in Watsonville and one in Scotts Valley. The information that follows is being provided as a public service.

••• ould you know how to help a friend who is contemplating suicide?

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying physical distancing and stay-at-home orders have been associated with mental health challenges and mortality, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

W

Anxiety and depression are more prevalent as these factors continue to weigh on the public.

Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide attempts. Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death in California for ages 10 – 24?

There are ways to protect against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. For example, support from family and community, or feeling connected. Reach out to others online, through social media, video chat, or by phone.

One resource is The Jason Foundation,

Inc., which advocates awareness and education to prevent suicide. The foundation was started by Clark Flatt after his son Jason — by all appearances an average 16-year-old who got B’s in school, loved sports, and had lots of friends — killed himself.

The Jason Foundation, Inc., based in Hendersonville, Tennesee, is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.

One of the tools is a free smartphone app called “A Friend Asks.” The app contains: • Warning signs of suicidal ideation • How to help a friend • How to get help now • What to do and what not to do • The B1 Program For more information visit www. jasonfoundation.com.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or thinking about suicide, get help now.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is a free resource available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

The Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 text line where trained crisis counselors support individuals in crisis. Text “Jason” to 741741 to speak with a compassionate, trained crisis counselor. Confidential support 24/7 is free. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, and more Headline Online Fire Relief Benefit L ove You Madly announces a streaming event at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 for Santa Cruz Fire Recovery with Sammy Hagar, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt, Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Joe Satriani, Colin Hay (Men at Work) and Los Lobos.

Other acts include Rogue Wave, Laurie Lewis, The String Cheese Incident, T Sisters, Victor Krummenacher, Twiddle, and Prairie Prince.

Emcees will include rock journalist Ben Fong-Torres, radio personality Bonnie Simmons, and Santa Cruz journalist Wallace Baine.

T h i s evening of music, art, and impact on Nugs.

TV at 2nu.gs/ loveyoumadly and SantaCruzFireRelief. org will support the Fire Response Fund managed by Community Foundations

Bonnie Raitt

Boz Scaggs

Santa Cruz County. Viewers will see original artwork, photography, and examples of how funds have already been put into action to help families impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fire.

An online auction will let fans bid on guitars autographed by Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani , plus a custom Santa Cruz Guitar acoustic with inlays designed by a local firefighter.

Love You Madly original art T-shirts are available for purchase at https://www.bonfire.com/ love-you-madly-santa-cruz-fire-relief/

24 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Colin Hay

Joe Satriani

Original Love You Madly artwork is also available on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hoodie at https://www.bonfire.com/loveyou-madly-santa-cruz-fire-relief/, 100% of proceeds to the Fire Response Fund.

Santa Cruz County has been deeply impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, a historic wildfire resulting in the evacuation of 77,000 people, covering more than 80,000 acres, and destroying more than 900 homes. Thanks to heroic work by firefighters local and from afar, these wildfires – the most destructive in Santa Cruz County history – are now contained. The

Kevin Cronin

Sammy Hagar

community now shifts focus to the overwhelming task of recovery and rebuilding, which is estimated to take more than a decade.

All donations raised will go directly to the Fire Response Fund managed by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, which has already granted over $600,000 from the fund, strategically distributed where needs are greatest, and will continue throughout the entire recovery process. To give, visit http://cfscc.org/loveyoumadly “Love You Madly” page 25

COMMUNITY NEWS

Prescribed Burns at Wilder Ranch, Año Nuevo C alifornia State Parks is undertaking prescribed burns at Año Nuevo State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park from Nov. 19 through Nov. 25, to restore the health of the grassland.

These activities are part of the program of using fire to manage vegetation, reduce hazardous fuel load and improve wildlife habitat.

Fire removes thatch, restores essential nutrients to the soil, and reduces the chance of a catastrophic wildfire, according to State Parks officials.

At Año Nuevo State Park, a 145-acre burn is taking place on the ocean side of Highway 1. Whitehouse Creek Trail from Highway 1 to the beach access will be closed during burning operations.

At Wilder Ranch State Park, several

“Love You Madly” from page 24 Since Love You Madly launched in September, performances from more than 50 artists have been shared to raise awareness and funds.

“This streaming event continues that work, kicking it up a notch with incredible music from a new collection of artists with hearts as big as their talent” said Jon Luini, producer of Love You Madly with co-producer Matthew Swinnerton. “We recognize the arts as a critical tool to supporting those impacted by the fires and all of this music is just one representation of the outpouring

different grassland habitats are planned for burning. Some trails will be closed temporarily to ensure public safety.

These burns are permitted, planned and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities.

All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions favorable for smoke dispersal, according to State Parks officials, noting that if the conditions are not conducive for burning, the burns will be rescheduled.

People around the Monterey Bay area as well as those driving on Highway 1 may see smoke on the day of the burns. If you smell smoke, Santa Cruz County officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any

harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities.

Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfire, according to State Park officials who advise extreme caution while driving near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.

If you see or smell smoke in your surroundings, officials recommend avoiding strenuous outdoor activity and remaining indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important for children, the elderly and people with respiratory and heart conditions.

Personnel participating in the project will adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines to minimize exposure to and the spread of COVID-19. California State Parks is adhering to the safety protocols set by public health officials and have made accommodations to limit exposure among first responders and field crews to protect staff from COVID-19 during prescribed burns. n ••• For information and updates, visit California State Parks Santa Cruz Fire Management Facebook page.

Famous Landmarks

of love and support for our community.

It’s really incredible to see these artists take time to share personal messages along with their music. It helps to lift spirits, raise funds that go directly into helping the long road to recovery, but especially makes for a great virtual concert to enjoy!”

“Santa Cruz County has been a haven and inspiration for musicians, artists, poets, and storytellers for generations,” said Susan True, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County CEO. We are grateful to all of the artists that are contributing their hearts and art to this fundraiser, and to the community of listeners who are giving so generously.” n

“Rotary Donations” from page 12 The Rotary Club of Freedom is also establishing a $50,000 donor-advised fund with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to facilitate additional annual gifts to local nonprofits.

The Rotary Club of Freedom has been supporting community service since 1978. The club meets on Zoom twice a month at 1 p.m. every other Tuesday. Contact the president, 831886-1641, if you are interesting in attending. n To Help • Jacob’s Heart: Call Lori Butterworth (831) 724-9100.

• Loaves and Fishes: Call Ashley Bridges (831) 319-4570.

• Pajaro Valley Shelter Services: Call: Mike Johnson (831) 728-5649.

ACROSS

Jeannie Kegebein of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation, center, accepts the $64,500 endowment from Ben Post and Aloke Mukherjee of the Rotary Club of Freedom.

• Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation: Call Jeannie Kegebein (831) 786-9698.

1. Octagonal sign 5. “Don’t have a ____!”

8. Can of worms 12. Pathetic 13. Spanish sparkling wine 14. Pico de gallo 15. WWII side 16. Like word of mouth 17. Church song 18. *Victoria in Zimbabwe or Horseshoe in Canada 20. *Home to Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle 21. Massachusetts university

22. “____ Be Home For Christmas” 23. Olympic torch, e.g.

25. On the move 28. Menu words 29. *Golden Gate or Mackinac 32. Goodbye, to bambino 34. Ruling in Islamic law 36. Variable, abbr.

37. Can, with thou 38. South American monkey 39. *Versailles or Buckingham 41. Thus far 42. Yoko’s John 44. Collectively 46. Party bowlful 47. Memory failure 49. Goals 51. *St. Basil’s or Canterbury

55. Independent, slang 56. Initial stake 57. Field of Dreams state 58. More than one stylus 59. Barnes and Noble or Barnum and Bailey 60. Jaunty rhythm in music 61. Don Quixote’s enemy 62. Urge Spot to attack 63. Besides

8. *La Sagrada Familia or St. Peter’s 9. Having wings 10. ____ of Man 11. Scottish cap 13. Ceiling panel in the Pantheon 14. Type of wheat 19. Cuban dance 22. Glacier matter 23. Medieval knight’s spiky weapon 24. Coffee shop order DOWN 25. *Home to Taj Mahal 1. BBQ side 26. Phonograph record 2. Taxon, pl.

27. Artist’s support 3. Fail to mention 4. Bygone Spanish money 28. Back, at sea 30. Director Reitman 5. Jeweler’s unit 31. Indian restaurant staple 6. Egg-like curves 7. *The Western one in 33. Giant Hall-of-Famer Israel or the Great one 35. *Moulin Rouge or Netherland’s landmark in China

37. Incense without prefix 39. Weasel-related onomatopoeia 40. Enigma machine’s output 43. One born to Japanese immigrants 45. Roman magistrate 47. Hawaiian veranda 48. V.C. Andrews’ “Flowers in the ____” 49. Naysayer’s favorite prefix 50. Bucolic poem 51. Type in all ____ 52. Agitate 53. Hole punchers 54. Like the White Rabbit 55. Any doctrine © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 25

Advent, Liturgy, Light in the Darkness, Festivals of Light

D

Esoteric Astrology • December 2020 • By Risa D’Angeles

ecember, month of hopes, anticipations and expectations (and suspense for the little ones), is filled with festivals that bring light to the ever-increasing darkness.

There is a feeling that something new is about to occur.

Everywhere we see preparations being made. Advent is a preparatory celebration in the Christian churches. Advent is a Latin word “adventus”, meaning “something’s coming” —winter, solstice, new light, birth, holidays, parties, festivities and revelations.

Advent lasts four weeks. Evergreen Advent wreaths with four colored candles (3 violet, 1 rose) are made. Each Sunday night a new candle is lit. The candles represent a light glowing in the solemn darkness. We light our candles in the dark half of the year awaiting the light half of the year.

Like each year divided into four seasons, the Liturgy of the Christian church divides the year into “liturgical seasons.” “Liturgical” is Greek for “the work of the people” — a communal participation in the “sacred” through worship, praise, tithing, prayer, acts of kindness and mercy.

Each season has a different mood, theological emphasis, ARIES You’re out and about, in and of the world. You can’t help it. The world, people, events, food, travel, adventures, mountain peaks, plains, cultures, culture, civilization — all summoning you to participate.

Perhaps you will consider writing a book, perhaps publishing becomes interesting, Think deeply on your goals. Create more. Ponder upon this statement, “I see the goal, I reach that goal and then I see another.”

TAURUS I ask that you also read and ponder upon the statement at the end of Aries. Then observe the many and varied goals, dreams, hopes & wishes filtering through your mind each day. There’s not enough time each day to accomplish everything, Time seems to have changed, accelerated. You have many plans to fulfill. Visualize yourself in the midst of abundant resources and money.

See yourself as the Law of Attraction, accomplishing all dreams.

GEMINI What are you planning for the holidays? Will you prepare with family and friends? With someone in particular? Tend carefully to the one closest to you. A silver light is shining on your relationship. Communicative intimacy is being called for. Past, present and future seem to be bundled together. You and another need to travel ... down a river or lake somewhere. Blue mountains ahead.

CANCER Your health at this time is what matters most.

Focusing on health is good because you have the capacity to purify, harmonize and heal more quickly now.

Foods are also on your mind. Are you considering preparing food to give as gifts? Are endless tasks and responsibilities appearing moment by moment? Till you have no time? Say no to some.

You need rest.

mode of prayer, decorations, colors, readings, themes and scriptures.

In the Ageless Wisdom teachings, the year is divided into six seasons for the Three Laws & Three Principles of the Aquarian Age. The season we have just begun (Nov. 21 – Dec. 20) focuses on the Principle of Essential Divinity (divine fire at the heart of all matter).

As we light our candles in the dark during December, we are reminded that the Essential Divinity within us is a fire, Agni. We are to be the light in the darkness.

Upcoming Festivals of Light: Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas’ feast day. Nicholas was generous and kind, protector to those in need. He loved children. St. Nicholas is the Advent saint. He is Santa Claus. Dec. 11-18 – Hanukkah: Jewish Festival of Lights.

Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary is the Mother of the Americas. Dec. 13 – St. Lucia (light). Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice, the new light begins. Dec.25 – the Light of the world is born. Always the festivals are from dark to Light. The Light appearing in the wilderness.

LEO Your heart seeks more adventure, fun, play and being tended to in a very creative way. You need to accept invitations to parties and festivities, be with friends, attend plays, art shows, dances, and visit other people’s homes. You need both a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah bush with lights and candles everywhere.

You need to be loved, cared for, recognized and then loved some more. Who can do this?

SAGITTARIUS All parts of you are active, energetic, hopeful (we hope). You also become a bit more impulsive, quick to anger, impatient, wanting your own way (for a time). We see you as being more assertive, daring like a warrior. You become very attractive. However, be careful with everything — communicating, driving, walking running, using tools, implements.

Things red, hot and sharp (all of which, to some, you are) might attack. You’re laughing. That’s good. Caution with language.

VIRGO You are the light of the world to your family. You are the one who must connect them, one to the other, create festivities that make them feel at home. You must begin to plan a large gathering so that those who have no family are welcomed (where you are). You must merge separate realities, unify oppositions, and synthesize all the parts and pieces. You love these tasks.

CAPRICORN You may feel fatigued, weary and often in need of rest.

Soon you will need to be out and about in the public more, so take this time to draw back, do less work. Pluto, the lord of deep and permanent transformation has been working on your self identity for years now. You are changing day by day. Continue to plan and create goals.

However, take time acting upon them. Make health, rest, and well-being your central focus. Allow these to be your directives for at least a month. Are you writing a book?

LIBRA Being out and about in the neighborhood, dropping in on neighbors, driving around town seeking the most dramatic holiday decorations, having dinner with friends, gathering holiday decorations, seeing relatives, talking on the phone, sending holiday cards – all these you love to do You look forward to the beauty of this season all year long. Who is your family these days?

SCORPIO For the next several weeks you sense a light shining on you. You’ll feel lucky, able, capable, resourceful, wealthy, emotionally supported. Don’t run out, however, and buy everything you fancy and shining brightly. Unless it’s for a loved one. Then be lavish.

However, most appreciated would be your heart, given to another. Even if it’s to a friend. We think of you as internal, hidden, watchful. Give a little more of yourself for a while.

•••

AQUARIUS As you go out and about be careful not to be too reckless.

You have energy and enthusiasm, you have hopes and wishes, you have opportunities and invitations. Amidst the many possibilities, attend only one or two at a time.

Say thank you, exit gracefully, then focus on several more.

Pay all bills promptly, don’t worry about money. You always have the needed resources and resourceful people. You always will. Write down your needs by hand in a journal.

PISCES You become more public, more of your leadership qualities are summoned. A forum or group invites you to teach, to offer your gifts of communication, counseling, intelligence and knowledge. You prepare.

However, you are aware that at any time, things may dissolve away. So, you are hopeful, patient, accepting, acquiescing, yet you are also wary, cautious, circumspect, careful and coiled like a kundalini snake, its body filled with seven rays of Light.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Ben Bikes” from page 23 Shortly thereafter and past the condo complex, Kennedy goes abruptly right so go right. If you passed the ShoreLife Church, you have gone to far because that has turned into Monterey Ave. Kennedy then parallels the freeway with little traffic and then dead ends at Rosedale and turn left.

On Rosedale, bike through Cabrillo Estates until Hill Street and then turn right and go down until Bay. Go across Bay into the shopping center and just past CVS is the trail going over the river to Wharf Road.

Go left on Wharf Road, and continue and go slightly right on 49th and go all the way to Topaz and turn right.

Continue on Topaz turns into Jade, then crosses 41st and becomes Brommer and ends at 7th Av (2.4 mi).

Cross 7th and continue on the Arana Gulch Trail across the bridge. When the trail splits, go left to Broadway/Frederick and turn left on Frederick and right on Windham.

At Seabright, turn left and go to Murray Street and turn right and when Murray turns to East Cliff Drive. You will see the trail leading down to the bridge over the San Lorenzo River and from the Boardwalk.

FROM HERE YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN! Have fun and good luck on the way back!

To get back, start from the bottom of the page, change all directions from right to left and left to right and then READ BACKWARDS! If you get lost coming back, just find Soquel Drive and that will get back to Freedom Blvd.

Then cross the Freeway turn left on Bonita, right on San Andreas, right on Seascape Blvd to start of trek or Bonita, turn right on Zanzibar, go through fire trail to Ventana Way, and join Seascape to start of trek. n ••• Editor’s Note: When Ben posted about his biking on NextDoor for his Aptos neighbors, he heard from La Selva Beach resident Peter Stanger, who rode his bike to work to Santa Cruz almost daily, being a mailman at the Santa Cruz Post Office. Peter picked a different route, taking back streets to avoid Seabright. He’s been retied for six years, but recently he had some work to do in Santa Cruz so he has been biking over there except when it began getting dark early. Peter mapped out both routes, which we share with our readers.

For Peter’s route go to https://ridewithgps. com/routes/34478909 For Ben’s route go to https://ridewithgps. com/routes/34478825 J. Ben Vernazza has been a resident of Santa Cruz County since 1967.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use

T

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

he “WaterSmart” Customer Portal is now available!

As water metering technology continues to advance, the District is staying on the cutting edge by implementing the latest tools for our customers, giving you more control over your water use, billing, leak detection, and other tools.

What’s the latest technology? It’s the WaterSmart Customer Portal, and it makes water use data from our ongoing intelligent meter (i-Meter) upgrade available to customers. This online portal is a great new way for you to keep a closer eye on your water use, even down to an hourly basis. It’s available now at soquelcreekwd. watersmart.com and you can register using your account number.

With this user-friendly, self-service web portal you can get email, text, or phone alerts about potential water leaks in your system — you’ll be better able to find and fix that leak before it becomes a bigger problem. You’ll also have the capability to set customized water use and bill amount thresholds.

With those in place, you’ll receive alerts when your water use or your bill amount reaches your desired thresholds, giving you the data you need to maintain the most efficient water use possible. That means less wasted water, less potential water damage, and fewer surprises in your water bills. You will also be able to see your

DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW

current bill and bill history and pay online or set up pay by text.

The portal will also help you see how much water your irrigation system uses, identify water-saving opportunities, access conservation resources such as rebate program applications and waterwise landscaping ideas. Its easy-to-use online bill payment function allows you to both monitor your usage and pay your bill with a single log-in.

We’ve nearly completed the upgrade of 16,000 meters to i-Meters within the District. This will allow your water meter to send your water use information to the District twice a day, via a fixed network infrastructure (some of the same technology used in cell phones, WiFi, walkie talkies, and baby monitors).

The District’s previous generation of automated metering technology sent the water use information to a receiver in a District truck, which had to drive through your neighborhood once a month.

“WaterSmart” page 29

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The home page for Soquel Creek Water District’s WaterSmart app.

416 Airport Boulevard, Watsonville • 831-728-3131

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS CELEBRATE CELEBRATE BEETHOVEN’S BEETHOVEN’S 250TH 250TH ONLINE ONLINE CONCERT CONCERT SERIES SERIES Distinguished DistinguishedArtists ArtistsConcert ConcertSeries Seriespresents presentsBeethoven’ Beethoven’ss 250th, 250th,featuring featuringsignificant significantworks worksfor for his hisfavorite favoriteinstrument instrument— —the thepiano piano — —will willtake takeplace placeatat77p.m. p.m.Sunday Sunday through throughWednesday, Wednesday,Dec. Dec.6-9 6-9online. online.

This Thisfour-day four-dayfestival festivalfeatures features performers performerswho whoare areamong amongthe themost most esteemed esteemedinterpreters interpretersofofhis hismusic, music, JonathanBiss Biss including includingpianists pianistsJonathan JonathanBiss, Biss,Garrick Garrick Jonathan Ohlsson, Ohlsson,Alon AlonGoldstein Goldsteinand andAudrey Audrey Vardanega Vardanegawith withcellist cellistTanya TanyaTomkins.

Tomkins.

The Thefestival festivalwill willinclude includefavorites favoriteslike like the thePathetique PathetiqueSonata Sonataand andLes LesAdieux, Adieux, as aswell wellas asthe thetowering toweringHammerklavier.

Hammerklavier.

The Theopening openingconcert concertwill willbegin beginwith with TanyaTomkins Tomkins Tanya remarks remarksfrom fromthe thedirector directorofofthe theCenter Center for forBeethoven BeethovenStudies StudiesatatSan SanJose JoseState State University, University,Dr. Dr.Erica EricaBuurman, Buurman,and andwill will conclude concludewith withaalive liveQQ&&AAsession session featuring featuringthe theperformers. performers.The Theschedule schedule is: is: • • Sunday, Sunday, Dec. Dec. 6—Alon 6—Alon Garrick GarrickOhlsson Ohlsson Goldstein, Goldstein, piano piano • • Monday, Monday,Dec. Dec.7—Tanya 7—TanyaTomkins, Tomkins,cello, cello,and andAudrey Audrey Vardanega, Vardanega,piano piano • • Tuesday, Tuesday, Dec. Dec. 8—Jonathan 8—Jonathan Biss, Biss, piano piano • • Wednesday, Wednesday, Dec. Dec. 9—Garrick 9—Garrick Ohlsson, Ohlsson, piano piano The Theprice priceisis$3 $3ininadvance advanceoror$15 $15the theday dayofofthe theconcert. concert.

To ToRSVP, RSVP,see seehttps://www.groupmuse.com/events/11193https://www.groupmuse.com/events/11193distinguished-artists-presents-beethoven-s-250th-celebration distinguished-artists-presents-beethoven-s-250th-celebration

Have Have aa virtual virtual or or live live event event you you want want to to promote? promote?

Send Send your your information information to to info@cyber-times.com info@cyber-times.com by

by Dec. Dec. 14 14 PAJARO PAJARO VALLEY VALLEY CHAMBER CHAMBER UNVEILS UNVEILS HOLIDAY SHOPPING SHOPPING CONTEST CONTEST HOLIDAY The The PV PV Chamber Chamber invites invites the the community community toto support support local local businesses businesses this this holiday holiday season season with with aa contest contest full full ofof fabulous fabulous prizes prizes provided provided by by local local businesses. businesses.

One Oneentry entryper perpurchase purchase— —so sothe themore moreyou youshop shopand and dine dineatatlocal localparticipating participatingbusinesses, businesses,the themore morechances chances you youhave havetotowin. win.Enter Enteratatparticipating participatingbusinesses businessesor ordrop drop off offyour yourproof proofofofpurchase/receipt purchase/receiptwith withyour yourname nameand and phone phonenumber numbertotothe theChamber Chamberoffice officebefore beforeJan. Jan.44..

AAlist listofofparticipating participatingbusinesses businessesisison onthe theChamber’ Chamber’ssFacebook Facebook and andInstagram Instagrampages pagesand andwww.pajarovalleychamber.com. www.pajarovalleychamber.com.

Region Regionwill willbe beaavirtual virtualevent eventfrom from9:30 9:30a.m. a.m.toto11p.m. p.m.Dec. Dec.22 Bruce BruceKatz, Katz,founding foundingdirector, director,Nowak NowakMetro MetroFinance FinanceLab Lab atatDrexel DrexelUniversity, University,will willshare shareinsights insightson onhow howCOVID-19 COVID-19 has hashighlighted highlightedthe thepower powerofoflocal localcommunities. communities.He Heisis an anexpert expertininshifting shiftingdemographic demographicand andmarket markettrends trendsand and policies policiesthat thatare arecritical criticaltotometropolitan metropolitanprosperity. prosperity.

Dr. Dr.Micah MicahWeinberg, Weinberg,CA CAForward ForwardCEO, CEO,will willdiscuss discusshow how California Californiaisisbuilding buildingan anequitable equitableand andresilient resilientrecovery. recovery.

Jessica JessicaMorse, Morse,deputy deputysecretary secretaryfor forforest forestresources resources management managementatatthe theCalifornia CaliforniaNatural NaturalResources ResourcesAgency, Agency, will willspeak speakon onlessons lessonslearned learnedfrom fromthis thisyear’ year’ssfire firesiege, siege, including includingstrategies strategiesimplemented implementedtotomake makethe thestate statemore more fire fireresilient resilientand andsolutions solutionsaround aroundbiomass. biomass.

Short Shorttalks talkswill willaddress addressbroadband broadbandaccess, access,progress progresson onaa DATED DATED EVENTS EVENTS vaccine vaccinefor forCOVID-19, COVID-19,and andthe theimportance importanceofoflocal localinvesting. investing.

State State Sen. Sen. Anna Anna Caballero Caballero will will address address next next steps steps for for Tuesday Tuesday December December 11 housing housing in in California.

California.

EL EL PAJARO PAJARO CELEBRATES CELEBRATES #GIVINGTUESDAY #GIVINGTUESDAY This Thisyear’ year’ssCommunity CommunityImpact ImpactAward Awardgoes goestotoleaders leaderswho who All AllDay Dayatathttps://epcdc.square.site/ https://epcdc.square.site/ battled battled2020’ 2020’ssincredible incrediblefire firesiege. siege.Accepting Acceptingon onbehalf behalfofoftheir their #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesdayisisaaglobal globalgenerosity generositymovement. movement.Locally, Locally,ElEl colleagues colleaguesare: are:David DavidFulcher, Fulcher,CalFire CalFireSan SanBenito/Monterey Benito/Monterey Pajaro PajaroCommunity CommunityDevelopment DevelopmentCorp.

Corp.ininWatsonville Watsonvilleaims aimstoto Unit UnitChief, Chief,Michael MichaelUrquides, Urquides,Monterey MontereyRegional RegionalFire FireChief, Chief, get get1,000 1,000people peopletotogive giveElElPajaro PajaroCDC CDC$25 $25totosupport supportthe thesmall small Jonathan JonathanCox, Cox,CalFire CalFireSan SanMateo MateoDivision Divisiondeputy deputychief chiefand and business businessprograms programsthat thatprovides providesaccess accesstototrainings, trainings,expert expert Chief ChiefChris ChrisClark Clarkofofthe theSanta SantaCruz CruzCounty CountySheriff’ Sheriff’ssOffice.

Office. consulting consultingand andsupports supportsthe thekitchen kitchenincubator incubatorfor forfood foodstart-ups. start-ups.

Tickets Ticketsare are$59. $59.Register Registeratathttps://attendify.co/WX2UbtG https://attendify.co/WX2UbtG To Tobuy buyaaholiday holidaygift giftbox boxfrom fromElElPajaro’ Pajaro’sskitchen kitchenentrepreentrepreneurs, neurs,visit: visit:https://epcdc.square.site/ https://epcdc.square.site/ Thursday Thursday December December 33

and andprocesses, processes,including includingpainting, painting,glass, glass,and andpapermaking. papermaking.

Join JoinZoom ZoomMeeting: Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82003209226 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82003209226 Meeting MeetingID: ID:820 8200320 03209226 9226••Passcode: Passcode:artsalon artsalon

Sunday Sunday December December 66 And And Sunday Sunday December December 13 13 GREY GREYBEARS’ BEARS’DRIVE-THRU DRIVE-THRUHOLIDAY HOLIDAYDINNER DINNERPICKUPS PICKUPS Reserve Reserve10-minute 10-minuteTime TimeSlot Slotininadvance, advance,2710 2710Chanticleer Chanticleer Ave., Ave.,Santa SantaCruz Cruzand andWatsonville WatsonvilleSenior SeniorCenter, Center,114 114E.E.Fifth FifthStSt Nonprofit Nonprofit Grey Grey Bears Bears isis offering offering its its first first drive-through drive-through Holiday Holiday Dinner Dinner atat 2710 2710 Chanticleer Chanticleer Ave., Ave., Santa Santa Cruz, Cruz, and and the the Watsonville Watsonville Senior Senior Center, Center, 114 114 E.E. Fifth Fifth St., St., Watsonville, Watsonville, with with requirements requirements for for people people toto sign sign up up inin advance advance atat https://www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/ https://www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/ toto choose choose aa 10-minute 10-minute pickup pickup slot. slot.

With With 400 400 requests requests for for Chanticleer, Chanticleer, that that site site isis fully fully booked, booked, and and aa second second day day has has been been added added toto allow allow everyone everyone toto receive receive their their dinners. dinners. Pick-up Pick-up slots slots are are still still available available inin Watsonville Watsonville on on Dec. Dec. 66 by by reserving reserving atat https:// https:// www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/. www.greybears.org/dinner-2020/. The The new new chef, chef, Matt Matt Hereford, Hereford, will will prepare prepare aa delicious, delicious, healthy healthy dinner dinner plus plus dessert, dessert, with with help help from from his his volunteers. volunteers.

See Seehttps://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/ https://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/

Wednesday Wednesday December December 99

GREY GREY BEARS BEARS THRIFT THRIFT SALE SALE 4-6 4-6p.m., p.m.,atat2710 2710Chanticleer ChanticleerAve., Ave.,Santa SantaCruz Cruz Grey Grey Bears Bears Thrift Thrift Store Store will will host host its its 6th 6th Annual Annual After After Hours Hours Holiday Holiday Boutique Boutique and and 50% 50% Off Off Sale.

Sale.

The Theshop shophas hasone-of-a-kind one-of-a-kinditems, items,holiday holidaydecorations, decorations, ONLINE ONLINE ART ART SALON SALON Wednesday Wednesday December December 22 housewares, housewares,furniture, furniture,TVs, TVs,computers, computers,laptops, laptops,audio-video audio-video 6:30 6:30p.m., p.m.,Pajaro PajaroValley ValleyArts ArtsZoom ZoomShowcase Showcase gear,art, art,knick-knacks, knick-knacks,clothing clothingand andaccessories accessories— —plus plus SIXTH SIXTH ANNUAL ANNUAL STATE STATE OF OF THE THE REGION REGION Pajaro PajaroValley ValleyArts ArtsininWatsonville Watsonvillewill willhost hostan anart artsalon salonatat6:30 6:30 gear, books,books bookson onCD, CD,DVD DVD&&VHS VHSmovies, movies,audio audioCDs. CDs. 9:30 9:30a.m.-1 a.m.-1p.m., p.m.,Monterey MontereyBay BayEconomic EconomicPartnership PartnershipVirtual VirtualEvent Event p.m. p.m.Thursday, Thursday,Dec. Dec.33on onZoom.

Zoom.Join JoinHeidi HeidiAlonzo, Alonzo,Randie Randie books, See Seehttps://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/ https://www.greybears.org/after-hours-sale/ Monterey MontereyBay BayEconomic EconomicPartnership’ Partnership’ss6th 6thAnnual AnnualState Stateofofthe the Silverstein, Silverstein,and andJohn JohnBabcock Babcockwho whowill willpresent presenttheir theirwork work

28 28 // December December 1st 1st 2020 2020 // Aptos Aptos Times Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday December 9 UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA 10:00-11:30 a.m., The Alzheimer’s Association and Salinas Public Library Webinar Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

Please call 800.272.3900 or visit tinyurl.com/ UADM120920 to register.

Once you complete registration for the meeting, you will receive an email confirmation with the call-in information and instructions for joining our webinar.

This event will be conducted via phone and web meeting.

Friday December 18 thru Sunday December 20 AGAPE DANCE ACADEMY’S NUTCRACKER BALLET 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive-In Theater Melanie Useldinger, founder of Agape Dance Academy, is staging Nutcracker Ballet, Covid-style, as a movie to be viewed at the Boardwalk drive-in theater shows the evenings of Dec. 18-20.

She hopes to create beautiful memories of triumphant times in the challenging year of 2020.

“WaterSmart” from page 27 Now, the latest electronic tools give us that information more easily, and much more frequently. The end result? Saving you water and money!

Our i-Meter upgrade is funded by new development as part of our Water Demand Offset (WDO) program, saving our ratepayers money. This program requires that new developments offset their projected water demand by funding new conservation or supply projects elsewhere in the District to make sure there is no increase in overall demand on the overdrafted groundwater basin. In addition to i-Meters, WDO fees have funded other water-saving programs, like rebates on the installation of thousands of ultra-high efficiency toilets.

Water conservation is a crucial component of ensuring we have a sustainable groundwater basin. At the same time, to provide our customers with a reliable water supply today and into the future, we are pursuing new sources of water that can be used to replenish the overdrafted groundwater basin and stop seawater contamination of our water supply. Pure Water Soquel is the key project aimed at providing the quantities of water needed to raise the groundwater to protective levels. Learn more at soquelcreekwater. org/purewatersoquel.

Tracking your water use and your

Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Agape Ballet’s 2020 Nutcracker movie.

Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy in this holiday production, which features dozens of dancers as sweets and gingersnaps and the famous Snow Waltz and Waltz of the Flowers.

Showtimes will be 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets, which are $45 per car at www.agapedance.com, will benefit Jacob’s Heart and Agape Dance Foundation Inc.

Monday January 4 SUPERVISORS SWEAR IN Time and Location TBA The swearing-in of the newest member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is slated for Monday, Jan. 4, with the time and location to be announced.

Manu Koenig, elected to represent the First District, begins serving at noon that day, succeeding John Leopold, who held the post for 12 years.

The election results were expected to be certified by County Clerk Gail Pellerin by Nov. 26. n billing trends will be much easier with i-Meters and the WaterSmart Customer Portal. We’re thrilled to be providing you with the latest technology, giving you the tools you need to save water, support sustainability of the groundwater basin, have better control over your water use billing, and save money.

WaterSmart Software has more than 4 million meters under management across over 120 water utility partners and is recognized as the self-service and customer engagement platform leader for the water industry.

Water providers using WaterSmart’s portal have been proven to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction by more than 25%. WaterSmart is a winner of the globally coveted World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers Award for their potential to “significantly impact business and society through the design, development and implementation of new technologies and innovation.” n ••• Register today for the WaterSmart Customer Portal at soquelcreekwd.watersmart.com.

Your registration code is your billing account number. Please take this opportunity to make sure we have your current email address on file, as that’s an important tool in the i-Meter functionality. Call us at 831-475-8500, or email us at custserv@soquelcreekwater.org to update your information.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2020 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Let’s Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season

T

he holiday season is traditionally one of the largest sales times for many retailers. This year, local businesses have been facing additional pressures as a result of the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.

As a community, we have a unique opportunity to show support for our small, locally-owned businesses as they compete with national online retailers — especially during the holiday season.

In Santa Cruz County, 82 percent of local businesses have less than 9 employees. Many in the mid and south county work for locally-owned businesses and our local economy is dependent upon a robust small business sector.

By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

Some of the local businesses offer online ordering (with same day pick-up) and there is even a new Aptos-based startup InStock. org — that helps you find local businesses with items you may be looking for.

Many in our area are holding extended holiday specials that extend beyond the traditional Black Friday or Small Business Saturday timeframes.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, “locally owned businesses play a central role in healthy communities and are among the best engines that cities and towns have for advancing economic opportunity and building resilient places.”

Specifically, they note work from an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta that showed that counties with larger shares of local small businesses outperform their peers on three critical

30 / December 1st 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

economic indicators: they have stronger per capita income growth, faster employment growth and lower poverty rates.

Additionally, an analysis from the Government Finance Review found that smaller-local businesses (versus box stores) provide more tax revenue on the aggregate while costing less in government services.

We have many locally-owned businesses that provide a variety of options for our holiday shopping including kids’ stores, restaurant gift certificates, great coffee shops, clothing stores, jewelers, locallyowned hotel getaway options and more.

Some of these small businesses have been recognized nationally for their unique options and all of these businesses employ local residents and many are owned by residents right here in the mid and south county.

A number of these businesses are now offering shipping options to you or to those you are purchasing gifts for to save you a trip out and provide an extra layer of safety this holiday season.

If you’d like additional information, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce has a businesses directory and holiday specials at www.aptoschamber.com or the Capitola/

Soquel Chamber at www.capitolachamber. com and the Pajaro Valley Chamber at www.pajarovalleychamber.com. n ••• As always, I love hearing from you. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and I’ve been hosting regular tele-town halls with County and community leaders on most Tuesday nights from 6-7 pm. The call-in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# - or you can always call me at 454-2200.

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425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 kirby.org

SCCAS Featured Pet

Empowering Students to Shape Their Futures with Confidence

Ava!

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iya, I’m Ava (A225666), a female kitty loaf that loves to relax and cuddle!

I’m 11 years old, but don’t let my age fool you, I still love to play when the mood hits me.

I’m an all around love-bug that just wants warm laps and good scratches.

Today would be the purrrfect day for me to get adopted! So if you can’t resist these lovable green eyes, come meet me at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter today; 1001 Rodriguez St, open 10am – 6pm daily.

The Shelter is at CATpacity so come meet your new best friend.

We are having a Winter Whiskerland adoption event. With this Pay it Forward cat adoption special, you can adopt a cat or kitten for only $25!

We are asking that when you adopt a cat or kitten with this special you also make a donation of at least $25 to one of the following funds: Planned Pethood (funds free spay/neuter surgeries), Extra Mile Fund (allows medical rehabilitation for animals beyond what our Shelter budget permits) or the General Program Donation Fund (supports animal adoption, animal enrichment, and public outreach and education programs).

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Continuity of education is a top priority for Kirby. Ask us about our increased commitment to Tuition Assistance. Contact our Admissions Office to help you through the application process (831) 423-0658 x 202 or email admissions@kirby.org.

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everything...so close to home.

Deluxe Foods of Aptos

Supporting the Aptos community for 40 years Mon. thru Sat. 8am to 9pm • Sun. 8am to 8pm Peet’s Coffee Available Mon. thru Fri 6am • Sat & Sun 7am

Senior Hours: Wed. 7:30a.m.- 8a.m.

783 Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Aptos, CA 95003 (Located inside Deer Park Marketplace)

(831) 688-7442 www.deluxefoodsofaptos.com

Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10–5 / Sat. by Appt.

TRY IT. WEAR IT. LOVE IT. (831) 688-1516 EyeShapes@sbcglobal.net

Deer Park Marketplace #37 | Rio Del Mar/Hwy 1 Aptos | Above Deluxe Foods | www.EyeShapesAptos.com

BANKS: Bank of America BUSINESS SERVICES: Anderson

& Company / HOA Management Employnet / Galapagos Travel PDM International

Peak Accounting Services / SAR Asset Mgmt. Inc. / Scurich Insurance Cecy Insurance Services FOOD & DRINK: Deer Park Wine & Spirits / Deluxe Foods

deer park c e n t e r

Highway 1 & Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Aptos Panda Inn / Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar / Red Apple Cafe PERSONAL SERVICES: Agape Dance Academy / Brian Del Core, DDS / CVS Pharmacy

Del Mar Cleaners / Eye Shapes Opticians / Highlights for Hair J-Bella Nails / Klub Nico / Laser Hair Solutions / Royal Paw Spa / Santa Cruz Dance Supply