Aptos Times: May 1, 2022

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Twin Lakes First Graders Ready to Garden

Take a class of first graders outdoors. Let them help carry garden tools and potting soil to a spot next to their school. Tell them they’ll be doing the planting. That adds up to a lot of excitement.

Full Story page 6

Fentanyl Poisoning: Parent Heartbreak

Liz Lyons Friedman

Full Story page 9

Region 10 Superintendent of the Year

Her Art Lives On

By John Gavrilis

his past Sunday, the art world lost a great one... This talented gentle lady had so much impact on the people who knew her.

There are so many words to describe Liz. Beautiful (inside and out). Strong yet gentle. Humble. Giving.

Courageous. Generous to a fault. Just ask anyone who knew her well. She also had an incredible sense of humor.

I have been so blessed to have shared my life with her for the past 23 years, although it seems like an eternity. I was so proud just to be in her company. ... continues on page 4

Is it your time to buy or sell?

Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, PVUSD superintendent of schools, will be honored May 6 as Superintendent of the Year by the Region 10 Association of California School Administrators.

Full Story page 5

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2 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

No. 9

Volume 31

10

17

23

Table of Contents

7

Cover Liz Lyons Friedman: Her Art Lives On, By John Gavrilis

5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 17 19 24 25

Community News Superintendent of the Year: Region 10 Twin Lakes First Graders Ready to Garden, By Jondi Gumz To Ukraine, with Love: Follow Up Healthy Microbiome Builds Immune System (Which Fights Covid), By Jondi Gumz Fentanyl Poisoning: Parent Heartbreak, By Jondi Gumz Cabrillo Stage Returns, By Mindy Pedlar Vote Yes on D to Get The County Moving, By Ellen Martinez, Dr. Steven Plumb, Lisa Sheridan, Robert Stephens & Gayle Ortiz Vote No on Measure D Greenway Initiative, By Mark Mesiti-Miller Aptos Golfers, League Champs!: Strength in Numbers A Winning Formula for Mariners, By Paul Zech Meet Erica Padilla-Chavez: New Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Santa Cruz County Bank: Record Assets, Deposits Gerbera–N-Go Daisy Fundraiser

Business Profile 10 Big O Tires of Santa Cruz: Family Owned: Full Service Repair and Maintenance Shop … and Tires!, By Edita McQuary Letter to the Editor 25 Stewards of Seascape Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Taurus, the Most Patient of Signs, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists Faith Words: By My Words I Can Build Faith Up Or Tear It Down, By Rene Schlaepfer 14 Vegan Beet Borscht : With Beluga Lentil ‘Caviar’, Presented by chef Jessica Yarr 23 Mid-County Groundwater Basin Update, By Rebecca Gold Rubin 30 Pajaro River Levee Rebuild Near (With Property Owner Support), By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 7

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 25 – Chihuahua Pair Nacho and Winston

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 3

COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers

John Gavrilis, Jondi Gumz, Mindy Pedlar, Ellen Martinez, Dr. Steven Plumb, Lisa Sheridan, Robert Stephens, Gayle Ortiz, Mark Mesiti-Miller, Paul Zech, Edita McQuary, Risa D’Angeles, Rene Schlaepfer, Rebecca Gold Rubin, Zach Friend

layout Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin photography Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine Cathe Race

office coordinator

distribution Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

“Liz” from page 1 Her contagious smile says it all.

Liz was so open -- sharing information with new artists, trying to get in the art business. She was the go to person if anyone ever needed guidance. She was an accomplished business person who taught art for over 20 years, from Buffalo, N.Y., to Turlock and Union City in California. She used to say, “I taught art to gang bangers, just to keep them off the street.” She would often hear from her students years later, who would thank her for changing their lives. She retired from teaching to pursue her own artwork full time.

Her artwork has been used for commemorative art exhibit posters, such as the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Begonia Festival, Sausalito Art Festival.

See her Facebook page at: https://www. facebook.com/lizlyons.friedman She was the only Santa Cruz County artist to participate in every Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour since it began in 1986. With all her achievements, she was the most humble person I have ever known.

Liz, fare thee well... I love you more than words can tell... My life will never be the same. I miss you so much. n ••• Editor’s note: A native of Buffalo, N.Y.,

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2022. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

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and a resident of Aptos since 1986, Liz Lyons Friedman died April 10 at home at age 73. She had lived with cancer for six years. A celebration of life is being planned for July 31. Watch these pages for details.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Superintendent of the Year: Region 10 D r. Michelle Rodriguez, Pajaro Valley Unified School District superintendent of schools, will be honored May 6 as Superintendent of the Year by the Region 10 Association of California School Administrators.

Region 10 covers Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

For everyone across the educational community who has witnessed Dr. Rodriguez’s work on behalf of the 20,000 students in the Pajaro Valley, this recognition is well deserved.

Dr. Rodriguez is an inspirational leader, modeling and mentoring leaders within the school district.

“Her dedication to meeting the needs of children, their families and the community at large is beyond expectations of a superintendent,” said Erica PadillaChavez, CEO of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, who will become CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank in July.

Since her arrival in 2016, Rodriguez has led a myriad of initiatives based on the Whole Child approach, focusing on the wholistic success of students over time. These include programs such as Latino Youth Film Project, Career Tech Education Signature Pathways, College & Career Centers, two computer immersion elementary schools, and Save the Music and El Sistema at elementary schools.

In 2021, she expanded the approach to Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community, honoring contributions that

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In every initiative, she actively promotes mindsets that serve the educational, social-emotional, and physical well-being of the students.

Trustee Jennifer Holm cited the superintendent’s role in restoring music education. “When my children started attending schools in the district in 2003, there were very few opportunities for music instruction. Many schools had no music instruction. Since Dr. Rodriguez came to our district five years ago, she has supported the expansion of our music programs in a steady and sustainable manner.

The majority of our schools now have music programs, and, within two years, they will have expanded to every school in the district.”

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“Rodriguez” page 24

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Twin Lakes First Graders Ready to Garden

T

By Jondi Gumz

ake a class of first graders outdoors. Let them help carry garden tools and potting soil to a spot next to their school. Tell them they’ll be doing the planting. That adds up to a lot of excitement.

Listen to Olivia Lopez: “We’re going to grow a lot of things — like flowers.”

On April 20, that was the scene at Twin Lakes Christian School in Aptos. A dozen schools in Santa Cruz

Anthony Marin, Big Creek Lumber branch manager, and Michelle Webb, Big Creek’s marketing manager, join the first graders for a commemorative photo.

County were selected to receive redwood garden bed kits in a program restarted by local supplier Big Creek Lumber.

A couple dozen applied, according to Michelle Webb, Big Creek Lumber marketing manager, grinning as she watched the children race to the truck to help branch manager Anthony Marin.

Principal Meg Imel applied for Twin Lakes.

“She knows that I am crazy about gardening and she asked me to share my love of the garden with my students,” said teacher Molly Craig, whose 22 first graders will be planting blueberries, strawberries, lettuce, sweet peas, and tomatoes.

It’s her 15th year at Twin Lakes.

“I love children and I enjoy watching them learn,” she said.

She plans to use the Next Generation Science Standards for teaching in the garden. She also is interested in tapping resources from Life Lab, the school garden nonprofit.

“We will be studying how plants use their external parts to help them survive and grow,” Craig said. “We will observe and measure the plants as they grow. Hopefully, the students will harvest in August and enjoy the bounty!” n

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Faith Forward

FEATURED COLUMNIST

By My Words I Can Build Faith Up Or Tear It Down

By Rene Schlaepfer

W

hen he first appears in the Bible, the character Gideon is hiding in a hole. The Midianites are ravaging the land of Israel, and Gideon has no intention of fighting them off. So he is threshing grain down in a wine press, choking on the dust, peering out occasionally to see if any bad guys are coming, then ducking back underground again.

Watch what happens next: “Then the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12) I love the way some other translations try to capture this Hebrew phrase: “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor!” (NKJV) “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of fearless courage!” (Amplified) Wait. Gideon is hiding in a hole in the ground. Poking his head up like a scared rabbit. Yet the angel of God looks at this ancient version of Barney Fife and says, “Hello, you mighty man of fearless courage!” And indeed Gideon becomes the general who leads the people out of their oppression.

Are you speaking as did God’s angel to Gideon?

Or are you the voice of another, fallen angel?

Ask yourself this simple question: “What sort of things am I consistently saying to others –– and to myself?”

You mighty person of valor.

Or You weak person of probable failure.

The tongue, the Bible says, is like the rudder of a ship. It’s small, but it sets the course of your life (James 3:4,5). By your words you can set yourself up for failure. You can set your children up for failure. Your church. Your country. Your relationships.

“I feel sorry for you kids, this terrible world you are growing up in.”

“Nothing good will ever come out of Washington.”

“Churches in America are going downhill fast.”

Rudders that steer the ship.

We forget what James 3:5 says: “By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.” (The Message) Here’s another way to put it: What is your meta-narrative — the way you narrate your life? What is the big picture you have about where history is going? What are you saying to yourself about yourself?

That’s your rudder.

God has a plan for you.

God will empower you.

God is working in you and through you.

That’s language reflecting the metanarrative of Hebrews 11. By saying those things, you are setting the course, steering in that direction, building up faith.

Or This will probably never work.

You’re not capable.

You’re such a failure.

You are setting a course the other direction. Tearing down faith. Training yourself and others to see life that way.

I will never forget how when I was very young, feeling very worried about the future after the death of my father, my Swiss-Italian Aunt Pia cupped my chin in her hands and looked me in the eyes and pronounced, “I can just see the Lord in you!

You are something special, Rene! I cannot wait to see how God uses you!” She said that to me when I was four. Yeah. Words change people.

I am not saying just be positive, don’t grieve, don’t lament, don’t critique.

Grieving and lamenting and critiquing are actually very productive. I’m talking about eliminating speech where you indulge the worst side of your nature. Complaining speech. Grumbling speech. Critical speech.

One of my biggest concerns about Christians right now: How much we’re

influenced by our society’s way of communicating. Seems every talk show host, every podcaster, every social media influencer, whether conservative or liberal or Christian or anything else, is all about controversy.

Picking fights. Finding fault. Being critical.

All the time. About every little thing.

But Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV) There are Gideons all around you today, hiding in holes, afraid of the bad guys. They poke their heads up once in a while. There. Did you see them? That weak hello. That tentative email. The nervous text.

Look for ways to be their angel. Help them see themselves as the mighty men and women God created them to be.

Help them live faith forward. n

••• Rene Schlaepfer is lead pastor at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos. This is a chapter from his new book, “Faith Forward,” focusing on Hebrews 11 and published by Twin Lakes Church in 2021 –during the pandemic.

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To Ukraine, with Love: Follow Up I

n the March 15 issue of the Aptos Times, we ran an article about how Red Cross veteran Stephanie Jenkins, who lives in Capitola, is helping Ukraine refugees at Camp Zilina.

Those interested in offering their own support can visit https://www. campzilina.sk/en/how-to-support-us/

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Healthy Microbiome Builds Immune System (Which Fights Covid)

A

By Jondi Gumz

study by the University of Massachusetts Medical School shows the gut microbiome accurately predicts which patients are at risk of becoming critically ill from the sometimes deadly Covid-19.

Researchers proposed stool samples be used to identify which patients would likely need more interventions to survive, but Dr. Robynn Chutkan, a gastroenterologist and author of the “The Anti-Viral Gut Book,” coming in November, sees something more.

While it’s impossible to alter your age and difficult to alter medical conditions, it is possible to change your microbiome by what you eat, and quickly — within 30 hours of food hitting the gut, she said, citing the study while talking with John Robbins on the Food Revolution Summit.

The January 2021 preprint study of 63 hospitalized patients found an abundance of Entercooccus faecelis in the severely ill, and fewer in the moderately ill.

Ana MaldonadoContreras, on the research team, wrote, “As a Latina scientist investigating interactions between diet, microbiome and immunity, I must stress the importance of better policies to improve access to healthy foods, which lead to a healthier microbiome.”

The highly contagious but less deadly BA.2 Omicron subvariant now dominates, a change from the initially deadly coronavirus, and new signs of normal are appearing, such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk bringing back live music — Thursdays on the Colonnade — and Friday night movies.

New data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show almost 60 percent of the populace — and 76 percent of children — have had Omicron or another coronavirus variant.

Asked about the data, Dr. Anthony Fauci,

8 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

chief medical advisor to the president, told PBS, “If you add up the people who’ve been infected, plus the people who’ve been vaccinated and hopefully boosted, you have a rather substantial proportion of the United States population that has some degree of immunity.”

He said 66 percent of the U.S. populace is vaccinated.

Asked if the end of the 2-year-old pandemic is near, Fauci called the question unanswerable.

He said, “We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase.

Namely, we don’t have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now.”

He added, “We’re not going to eradicate this virus. If we can keep that level very low, and intermittently vaccinate people — and I don’t know how often that would have to be … That might be every year, that might be longer, in order to keep that level low.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom had announced plans to mandate Covid vaccine for school children in July, but the state will delay until July 2023.

Hospitalizations, which peaked in January from Omicron, have plummeted in California and locally.

The state Department of Public Health reports test positivity, 23% in January, has ticked up from 1.7% to 2.7% but hospitalizations — 20,000 at the peak of the Omicron surge in January — are down to 950.

In Santa Cruz County, six people are hospitalized with Covid, none in intensive care. On Wednesday, the county reported one more death, a man in his 80s with underlying medical conditions, brining the total to 261.

On April 25, Cal/OSHA Standards Board convened in person for the first time in two years and adopted new workplace rules.

Unvaccinated and vaccinated workers must be treated the same; no mask mandate for those unvaccinated. Requirements to disinfect surfaces were removed.

Requirements for partitions and physical distancing were replaced by requirements for better ventilation. Employees testing positive can return to work masked five days later.

Airline Mask Mandate Voided n April 18, a federal judge in Florida voided the mask mandate for airlines, trains and buses ordered by the CDC on Feb. 3, 2021.

Airlines made masks optional. The Justice Department is appealing at the request of the CDC but the agency did not ask for a stay of the ruling, which would have reinstated the mandate.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled in favor of Health Freedom Defense Fund and airline travelers Ana Carolina Daza and Sarah Pope, who claimed the CDC failed to provide a 30-day comment public period required for new regulations.

Mizzell provided a 59-page explanation, based on the Public Health Services Act of 1944, which specifies measures that could be necessary to prevent the spread of disease, inspection, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, and pest extermination, but there is no definition of sanitation. Dictionaries from this time define sanitation as cleaning.

“Wearing a mask cleans nothing,” the judge wrote. “At most it traps virus droplets. But it neither ‘sanitizes’ the person wearing the mask nor ‘sanitizes’ the conveyance.”

The mask mandate applied to anyone at an airport without a finding of infection.

The government interprets “sanitation” to mean “applying of measures for preserving and promoting public health.”

The judge disagreed, writing that historically, public health has been regulated at the state level, and the 1944 law has no clear language indicating Congress intended for the CDC to take over this responsibility.

Secondly, the CDC did not allow public comment although the Administrative Procedures Act requires agencies provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on a new rule before it takes effect.

The comment period must be at least 30 days; the agency must consider and respond.

The CDC asserted Covid-19 caused a public health emergency without providing supporting data, unlike Medicare, which mandated without public comment vaccination of healthcare staff, providing 44 footnotes of sources.

The judge concluded: Process matters.

The purpose of notice and comment is to reintroduce public participation and fairness to affected parties after government authority has been delegated to unrepresentative agencies.

O

“COVID Update” page 24

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fentanyl Poisoning: Parent Heartbreak

F

By Jondi Gumz

or parents, it’s a tragedy they never expected.

A young man employed at a grocery had a terrible case of hives and couldn’t sleep. He took a Benadryl and part of a Xanax pill and never woke up. He was dead at age 29. His Xanax, a sedative prescribed for anxiety, was counterfeit -actually deadly fentanyl.

A mom came home to find her son, who loved playing guitar, unresponsive.

He was dead at age 20. He had ordered Percocet, an opioid pain reliever; delivered to his door, it was laced with deadly fentanyl.

A young man, a passionate skateboarder, took half a Xanax to help with anxiety. He was dead at age 26. His Xanax, purchased from a dealer, looked like a pill sold at a pharmacy but it contained enough fentanyl to kill him.

All of these young people lived in Santa Cruz County, mourned by loved ones.

The numbers are heart-breaking.

Suki Wessling of Growing Up in Santa Cruz reported that since January 2020, fentanyl has taken the lives of 10 young people in their 20s and four teens.

A map of fentanyl overdoses since January 2020 created by Santa Cruz County Coroner Stephany Fiore shows a countywide problem, with clusters in Aptos, Watsonville, Pleasure Point and Santa Cruz plus single incidents in Ben Lomond and Lompico.

“It’s Russian roulette right now,” Fiore said.

Rita Hewitt, parent and program coordinator at the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County, hosted a “town hall” on the crisis April 25 via Zoom. For a recording, see www.hipscc. org/saferx.

Ten officials in health care, law enforcement and education attempted to answer some 74 questions – the biggest puzzle being why would drug dealers kill their customers?

Santa Cruz Police Lt. Carter Jones explained, “A pound of fentanyl can be cut…and make a lot of profit. Nobody’s thinking about client health.”

Insufficient Evidence espite the record-setting fentanyl deaths, Johanna Schonfield, Santa Cruz County assistant district attorney, said she hasn’t seen a case with sufficient evidence to file homicide charges. Her office is working to educate law enforcement on what is needed.

Fentanyl poisonings are so frequent

D

that officers carry Narcan, naloxone nasal spray antidote.

“We had an overdose death two nights ago,” he said. “We’re seeing things every day that test positive for fentanyl.”

Fentanyl is made in a lab — no need to grow crops — and is 50 times more powerful than heroin, so a tiny amount can kill.

“For every pill, there is a counterfeit,” Hewitt said. “Please assume most pills from the street are tainted with fentanyl…

Drugs can be dropped off, it’s almost as easy as ordering a pizza.”

Fentanyl slows breathing. The brain stops signaling the body to breathe, and the person can’t be woken up.

The antidote has to be given right away, one nostril, then the other, and as many as four doses may be needed.

Do CPR f someone is having trouble breathing, call 911 and do CPR until paramedics arrive.

Too often, the individual taking the tainted pill is alone.

“Paramedics aren’t called and you have a grieving family,” said Dr. Alex Threlfall, Santa Cruz County chief of psychiatry.

“Always consider the buddy system,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, Santa Cruz County deputy public health officer.

“Unfortunately Narcan does not work when you’re by yourself.”

Santa Cruz Community Health, with clinics in Santa Cruz and Ben Lomond, is providing Narcan to teens, according to Kristen O’Connor, a certified addiction registered nurse.

She said Dominican Hospital offers treatment in its emergency room.

It’s OK for minors to have Narcan, said Jennifer Buesing, director of school safety for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

She is training school staff on how dangerous fentanyl is, the school nurse, administrators and teachers.

Those in the know are asking questions.

“My son asked me if he should have Narcan in his car when he’s going to a party,” Threlfall said.

Foods For Anxiety s for getting to the root of why young people turn to drugs to ease pain and anxiety, O’Connor said her clinic is trying to ask about it “and learn how to offer counseling to get to these underlying causes.”

Asked if new research, such as “This is Your Brain on Food,” by Dr. Uma Naidoo,

I

Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, could be shared, Dr. Jen Hastings of SafeRx Santa Cruz County said, “Yes… anything we can do to promote healthy living will go a long way.”

The Health Improvement Partnership is working with Empower Watsonville, a youth group, devoted to positive change and is expecting state funds for outreach to schools.

The multi-state settlement with opioid-makers means $2.05 billion for California to address the opioid epidemic,

but Anthony Jordan, Santa Cruz County chief of substance abuse disorder services, is not sure how much Santa Cruz County will get because of Senate Bill 1282. That bill, proposed by Sen. Pat Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), would allocate 60% of the money for addiction services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

That bill is opposed by the California Association of Counties and the League of California Cities. n ••• Parents seeking support are welcome to email saferx@hipscc.org

A

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 9

BUSINESS PROFILE

Big O Tires of Santa Cruz: Family Owned Full Service Repair and Maintenance Shop … and Tires!

O

By Edita McQuary

ur full-service repair and maintenance shop has seen an uptick in local families who appreciate our locally-owned and operated business,” according to owner Marc Spoorenberg’s son, Kyle.

Thirty-one-year old Kyle is a graduate of Arizona State University with two degrees and has been working with his dad at Big O Tires for six years.

Although Big O is a franchise, they are a local mom-and-pop, or rather, sonand-pop store with long-time customers who refer their college-age kids to them for servicing their automobiles.

Big O Tires has the buying power of the national brand but the personal service of a local family-owned business.

Even during the Covid pandemic with many people working from home, people still needed cars to travel. The shop was disinfected, all doors were left open for cross-ventilation, car seat-covers were wiped down before and after use, and Clorox wipes were readily available.

“We did not lose any employees and

were full-staffed. Our employees benefit from a family-owned and -operated business environment and do not work on commission. We do not push customers for repairs unless not doing the repair would make the vehicle unsafe to drive,” says Kyle.

“Our business feels almost like a family and reflects how all of our employees treat our customers and welcome them to our shop. We feel everyone is our friendly neighbor and we are an open garage to help anyone we can.”

Big O Tires, locally-owned but affiliated with the national chain, has a good employee-retention record. Of their 15 employees, two have been with the business for 15 years and three for more than 10 years. The work environment can be hectic but is usually not too stressful.

According to Kyle, “Sometimes it is hectic because everyone wants to come see us at Big O Tires and it is just sheer volume -- organized and efficient chaos!”

While the name would lead one to think they only sell tires, their business is

10 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

a fully-licensed auto repair facility with 15 employees and five service bays. They do complete owners’ manual scheduled maintenance services and oil change options with free top-off service. Big O is a full-service shop authorized to perform factory-scheduled maintenance for all major automobile brands.

Kyle’s dad, Marc says, “There is no need to drive to the dealership for service.

We do a better job for less money with far less hassle. Instead of sitting in traffic and waiting in lines, our customers get to walk across the street, have a cup of coffee at Staff of Life or go to The Buttery and get in trouble with a few pastries while we take care of their car and send them on their way with a big smile on their face.”

Some of their free services are: Free brake inspection (no appointment needed); free 22-point vehicle inspection (no appointment needed), free battery and charging system check, free 5-minute wiper blade/bulb inspection; and free local shuttle service.

Insofar as tire services, they provide a

free alignment check with printout and free air pressure checks every day (no appointments needed). With new tire purchase, there is free rotation and free balance with every rotation. With any tire purchase, there is free flat repair and a low price tire guarantee. A Big O credit card is available with 6-month, no-interest financing.

With their emphasis on exceptional customer service, it is no surprise that the Big O motto is “The team you trust.”

Marc understands that to truly build a trustworthy team, it requires being thoughtful about who is hired and going the extra mile to show their appreciation.

“We know that to build a great team, we need to take great care of people. That’s why we have fun mixed in with hard work,” he adds.

“Of course, we also support local charities like the Christmas coat drive, breast cancer support, buy sports equipment for local schools, and provide scholarships for students.” Their most recent local participation has been donating to the Omega Nu organization for their Ducky Derby event.

When asked how it was to work with his dad, Kyle responded, “We both think logically and blend Dad’s “Old School” and my “New School” thinking very well.

In fact, we make a great team!” n ••• Big O Tires is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1219 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, telephone 831.429.9989. Email store005240@ bigostores.com; www.BIGOTIRES.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Stage Returns

C

By Mindy Pedlar

abrillo Stage joyously returns to the Crocker Theater to present Grease and Candide for the 2022 Summer Musical Festival season.

Artistic Director Jon Nordgren feels

Jon Nordgren

Grease is an ideal way to open their comeback.

“It’s a light, simple and fun show, a comic, coming-of-age story viewed through the nostalgic lens of the 1950s,” he said.

At the heart of the story is the romance between hot-rodding Danny Zuko and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski. They had a secret romance in summer but now, back in the context of high school, peer pressure makes their love a bit more complicated.

Can Danny maintain his cool dude status and still get demure Sandy to be his girl? The whole gang sings and dances around the romance of Danny and Sandy.

As Musical Director, Nordgren’s goal is to recreate the original Broadway score with authentic ‘50s accompaniment played by an onstage orchestra.

Joining him in the orchestra will be his brothers, Scott on saxophone and Dave on bass. Jon hints that he might even bring out his tenor saxophone and

join in the music-a rare opportunity for all three brothers to play in the same show.

Cassie Nordgren returns bringing two decades of experience, including Broadway and an international tour of Grease, to direct and choreograph this new, electrifying version of Grease that runs Thursday through Sunday, June 23 through July 10.

The second offering of the season is Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. Many consider this score to be Bernstein’s best. The lyrics are the work of several lyricists including Dorothy Parker and the incomparable Stephen Sondheim.

The book is based on French philosopher Voltaire’s 1759 novella, which was a satire of the Leibnizian philosophy of optimism that was popular in his day.

The story takes our hero, Candide, and his true love, on separate journeys around the world, where they meet misfortune at every turn. They survive 18th century disasters like the Seven Years War and the Lisbon Earthquake,

continually challenging their belief in “the best of all possible worlds.”

Reunited in the end, the disillusioned couple focuses with humility and appreciation on the simple, beautiful things in life -- family, friends, home and, of course, a garden. Thus the stage is set for Bernstein’s vocal masterpiece, “Make Our Garden Grow.”

Cheryl Anderson, acclaimed Cabrillo College director of choral and vocal studies is musical director and New York director Gary John LaRosa will direct and choreograph this beautiful show.

Candide runs Thursday through Sunday, July 21 through Aug. 14.

Both shows play at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Tickets can be purchased individually or at a discounted rate for the season.

Tickets are online at cabrillostage.com.

The Box Office opens for phone and walk-in sales Thursday through Saturday noon to 6 p.m. beginning June 3. n

Every heart has a story.

We can help you live yours.

Sharing family traditions with your grandkids. That big career move.

These moments define your story, and a healthy heart makes it possible.

At Dignity Health, our nationally recognized heart and vascular program provides the area’s most comprehensive cardiac care. So, whether you have concerns or are due for a checkup, we’ll help you write your next chapter. Learn more about our innovative services and take our heart health assessment at DignityHealth.org/DominicanHearts.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vote Yes on D to Get The County Moving

D

soquelcreekwater.org/transform

Transforming Your Water for Tomorrow

DISCOVER THE JOY OF LEARNING AT

By Ellen Martinez, Dr. Steven Plumb, Lisa Sheridan, Robert Stephens & Gayle Ortiz

is the right solution, right now to build a bike and pedestrian trail on the unused rail corridor.

The Greenway plan to build a 32-mile trail, accessible to all, is fully funded and can be built now. The trail will preserve the natural landscape and showcase the beauty of our coastline. It will be an amazing community transportation resource, as is the 18-mile Monterey Coastal Trail, built in the 1980s on unused railroad tracks, and now used by over 2 million people per year.

Greenway does not detour onto busy streets, making it the safest route to schools and work. It also promotes the health of our community. That’s why more than 200 doctors support Greenway. The head of the Department of Surgery at Dominican Hospital commented, “A car-free pathway from Watsonville to Davenport will do more to improve the duration and quality of residents’ lives than any health care program in the history of Santa Cruz County.”

A YES vote will move more people out of cars and reduce traffic, which supports the County’s goal to increase the percentage of commuters on bikes to 20%, cutting air pollution.

A YES vote will move more people out of cars and reduce traffic, which supports the County’s goal to increase the percentage of commuters on bikes to 20%, cutting air pollution.

Kirby School is a 6th-12th grade independent school serving families in Santa Cruz and beyond for over 25 years. We offer Tuition Assistance and a Test-free Application process.

Visit KIRBY.ORG to learn more.

12 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Kirby School 425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 admissions@kirby.org | kirby.org

Leading environmentalists support Measure D because it is the ecological trail proposal.

The train and trail plan, if ever built, will result in heavy industrialization of the corridor with concrete retaining walls, fences separating neighborhoods, and cutting down hundreds of heritage trees.

The highly negative and misleading campaign against the Greenway Initiative is a smokescreen to hide 10 years of failure in implementing a trail on the rail corridor.

Only 1.5 of 32 miles of trail has been built, a dismal track record.

Santa Cruz County does not have the ridership — or $1.3 billion — needed to replace nearly all tracks and bridges, build stations and parking lots, and operate a passenger rail line.

This is an unrealistic “plan” that will never be sufficiently funded. And it will divert scarce funds from our current public transit systems, Metro and ParaCruz, as well as county roads and Hwy 1.

Greenway will preserve future rail options through railbanking, a federal program used by hundreds of communities across the nation.

Let’s Move Forward Now and vote YES on Measure D. A YES vote is the fastest way to get people moving in a safe, healthy and inclusive way. n ••• Learn more at yes-greenway.org.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vote No on Measure D Greenway Initiative

R

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

By Mark Mesiti-Miller

arely have we seen such unity against a local ballot measure as we’re seeing with Measure D, the Greenway initiative.

Up and down Santa Cruz County and across the political spectrum, organizations and elected officials are taking a stand against Measure D — from the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce to the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party and the Sierra Club, as well as organizations based in Mid-County, South County and North County.

Elected officials and candidates throughout the county are also opposed to deceptive Measure D, including State Assembly, city councils, school boards and more.

Measure D pretends to be pro-trail and pro-transit, but this sneaky effort would bring a screeching halt to existing plans for zero-emission public transportation and a safe walking and biking trail on the 32-mile rail corridor as an alternative to Highway 1, from Santa Cruz to Watsonville.

Traffic jams on Highway 1 cause working people to lose hours away from their families, while idling cars emit harmful greenhouse gasses. Measure D would stop our best opportunity for clean energy alternatives.

The Greenway campaign claims Measure D preserves clean energy light rail options through a process called “railbanking.” But the fine print calls for ripping out existing tracks, and even rewrites County law to eliminate references to, and all planning for, clean-energy, zero-emission light rail.

SUMMER SPECIAL

If we paint your interior and/or exterior by June 30, 2022

we will buy the paint.

SPECIALIZING IN Nationwide, it is unprecedented for rail service to return once tracks are removed and paved over — it simply has never happened. Measure D uses slick “green” packaging to conceal its true aim of ending transit options.

Even the impartial analysis of Measure D, completed by the non-partisan Santa Cruz County Counsel and available to voters at www.votescount.com, calls out the fact that, “as proposed, the Greenway would involve the removal of the existing rail tracks” and “adoption of the Greenway Initiative does not guarantee that the Greenway will be constructed.”

We all want a trail. Some trail segments along the corridor are already complete – including rail AND trail – and more are underway. While Greenway’s deceptive Measure D pretends to be pro-trail, in fact, it halts existing trail construction immediately, forcing a decade of delays and wasting millions in public funds.

Don’t be fooled by this deceptive and irresponsible initiative. Join environmental groups, political parties, business organizations and community leaders. Vote NO on Measure D, the Greenway initiative. n ••• Learn more at www.nowaygreenway.com

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DON’T BE FOOLED BY MEASURE D. Measure D is NOT Pro-trail

We’re already getting a trail, with some sections already open.

Measure D will stop progress and delay the trail for years.

Measure D is opposed by:

Sierra Club, Roaring Camp, Democratic Party, Friends of the Rail & Trail, Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Cabrillo Federation of Teachers, Youth for Climate Justice

For a full list visit nowaygreenway.com/opposed Paid for by No Way Greenway, FPPC# 1442272 P.O. Box 5624, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Open Daily 10-5:00 • 2660 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, CA 95076 Family owned & operated. • 831-728-2532 • sierraazul.com

www.NoWayGreenway.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 13

California Coffee Calendar of Events “ON THE PATIO”

MAY 7th MAY 14th 2:00 PM to 4:30ish PM 2:00 PM to 4:30ish PM “Dub Souljah” “Javi y Su Salsa Machin” MAY 21st MAY 28th 2:00 PM to 4:30ish PM 2:00 PM to 4:30ish PM “Alex Lucero & “The Groove The Live Again Band” Band” SUNDAYS IN MAY 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM “Downtown Bones” — Daryn Smith

Grand opening celebration with the community.

9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos, California 95003 • (Located at the Redwood Village) 831-684-2750 • Facebook: calicocoffee21 • Instagram: california_coffee_

Campbell

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408-378-4921 408-779-7368 831-638-1999 831-424-7368 408-727-0822 2550 LAFAYETTE ST.

831-477-7133 831-722-0334

w w w.AToolS hed. com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED 14 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

WE DELIVER

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Vegan Beet Borscht With Beluga Lentil ‘Caviar’

Presented by chef Jessica Yarr

W

hen Russia attacked Ukraine, chef Jessica Yarr posted a photo on Instagram of her Ukrainian ancestors and asked, “When can we make war obsolete?”

Her grandmother Olga lived to be 103 and was brought to the USA in utero.

Her great-grandmother Tekla immigrated during the Bulshevik revolution.

Her Ukrainian soul-food pop-up restaurant, Chicken Foot, a celebration of her heritage, can be seen at farmers’ markets.

Yarr, who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains, says, “Sourcing the best local farm-fresh Jessica Yarr ingredients will always give the best results. Shopping at the local farmer’s market gives me the inspiration for my dishes. This soup can be made with a variety of vegetables, as long as it does include some beets!”

Vegan Beet Borscht with Beluga Lentil “Caviar” Yield 6 Cups For the borscht: 2-3 red beets (shredded) 2 yukon potatoes (small diced) 2 carrots (shredded) 2 stalks celery (half moon) 2 large cloves garlic 1 yellow onion (julienne) 11/2 cups shredded savoy cabbage 4-5 cups homemade vegetable stock 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp Hungarian paprika 1 TBL apple cider vinegar 1 TBL sunflower oil I bunch dill or flat leaf parsley For the lentil: 1 ⁄2 cup black beluga lentils 1 cups filtered water 1 tsp sea salt 1 ⁄2 shallot (fine chop) ••• Prepare Homemade Vegetable Stock egetable stock in its basic form can consist of regular everyday vegetable scraps such as leek tops, mushroom stems, carrot peels, onion skins etc. Vegetable stock is a great way to prevent food waste in the kitchen.

Just reserve your scraps until you have enough to make some broth. I

V

suggest avoiding too many starchy vegetables, as it will create a cloudy stock.

I also like to add a little seaweed, and some peppercorns and fresh thyme. You then add filtered water, and simmer in a pot for about 1 hour. Strain the liquid and toss the simmered vegetable into the compost!

Make the Soup lice onion into thin slices, rough chop garlic, and place into pot on low heat with the sunflower oil, and the salt and sweat on low heat until translucent.

Add in coriander and paprika and cook for 1 minute to release the aroma.

Add in celery, shredded beets and carrots. Add dice potato, and vegetable stock and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes.

Add shred cabbage and dill and let wilt.

Finish with apple cider vinegar & salt to taste, to balance brighten the soup.

Top with fresh dill, lentil “caviar” and a dollop of sour cream or vegan yogurt.

To make the Lentil Caviar Saute shallots in a small amount of oil for 1 minute, add salt and lentils and water.

Cook for 10 minutes and turn off heat and let lentil stew until cooled. n

S

Share A Recipe!

D

o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Aptos Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.

Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.

Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 15

Mother’s Day

Brunch Buffet

er to Fly on ov Blvd. rt 416 Airpo nville in Watso

LIVE MUSIC

Every Mother will receive a longstem rose!

Sunday, May 8th, 2022 • From 10:30am – 4:00pm $84.95 Adults/$29.95 Children 10 & Under Enjoy ocean views and an array of classic and distinctive choices including entrées, a carving station, seafood bar, dessert display, salads, soups, and special selections for the little ones.

Reservations: (831) 662-7120 or via OpenTable For a party of 8 or more call for reservations.

INFLATION BUSTER SALE 99¢ LVT Flooring • 99¢ Carpet & Vinyl Remnants $1.99 Rental Sale*

FREE Estimates • *Rental Material Install Pack complete with Paid Labor Tax

416 Airport Boulevard, Watsonville

www.SanderlingsRestaurant.com

831-728-3131

One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos • Across from Seascape Village

“I am still here buying and selling Bay Area Real Estate since 1996.

If you are thinking of buying a home or selling your own, call me to talk Real Estate!

Your trusted Real Estate Broker & Golf Enthusiast.”

Life is full of important decisions ... putter, iron, wood or driver, but your best decision is to call Carol Camilli for your Real Estate needs!

Carol Camilli – Real Estate Broker 408-209-7809 (

website: www.camillihomes.com ■ email: carolcamillimontgomery@gmail.com 16 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aptos Golfers: League Champs!

Strength in Numbers A Winning Formula for Mariners

A

By Paul Zech

nother amazing Mariners golf season: With 8 wins and two matches left out of 10 league matches as of this paper’s deadline, Aptos has already secured the 2022 SCCAL Championship.

The entire team earned places at the Central Coast Section playoffs at Laguna Seca Golf Course starting May 10.

Aptos and every other team have No. 1 & No. 2 low-scoring players, but once again the “heart & depth” of this group of talented class act gentlemen really shines with the scores of the players at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. Those stars include seniors Shane Garvey, Ben Meltzer, Seamus Carey, Patrick Mackle, Joey Mackle, Matt Ramos and Nick Leggett and sophomore Andrew Cox — they collectively average 41.5 strokes, just 4-5 strokes above par. That number is tough to beat, as the Mariners record shows.

This Mariner team never discussed other team wins and losses, they put their head looking forward, focused, refined their skills during practices and matches.

So far Mariners have outscored their opponents by 218 strokes, that’s 27.25 per match —impressive number.

Our boys own 7 low-score medalist honors out of 8 matches.

Senior Dominic DeLuca proudly has 3, senior Vito Riccabona 2, senior Ben Meltzer 1 and sophomore Andrew Cox 1. n •••

“Who are we, really?

You and I, and all humanity?

Kneeling, Justin Rifkind, left to right, assistant coach Kip Jackson, JV coach Brad King, Tyler Grosdidier, Andrew Cox, Matt Ramos, Patrick Mackle, Joseph Mackle, Ben Meltzer, Nick Leggett, Dominic DeLuca, Shane Garvey, Shawn Roschelle, Luke Garvey & varsity coach Paul Zech. Missing: Vito Riccabona & Seamus Carey Paul Zech is Aptos High’s varsity golf coach.

••• Editor’s note: How does Varsity Coach Paul Zech describe his 2022 champions? His words: “11 extremely polite, intelligent, talented and, incredibly supportive of one another and their opponents as well. I enjoyed seeing this TEAM every practice and match, they would always make my day and my week.”

The health, harmony, and joy we experience in life depends on our answers to this question.” -Lyle Young

Lyle Young, CSB,

Ontario, Canada

in person & online

member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship

Thursday, May 12th 7:30pm 3200 Center St, Soquel

Local & Organic Food, Beer, wine & more!

Whether you’re spending the day at the beach or need groceries for the whole week, New Leaf Community Markets has everything you need for the perfect day. Stop by your neighborhood New Leaf to stock up on local favorites.

10% of profits go back to the community

Half Moon Bay • Downtown Santa Cruz Westside Santa Cruz • Capitola • Aptos

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 17

We have everything for your dream patio Including: ■ Sofas ■ Chaises ■ Fire Pits ■ Umbrellas ■ Love Seats ■ Dining Sets ■ Custom Cushions ■ Heaters & Awnings We also do complete patio furniture restoraton and repair.

18 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

(family-owned and operated for 41 years)

Two Locations:

1118 Ocean Street Santa Cruz, California 831.423.2425 944-A Blossom Hill Road San Jose, California 408.446.9350

www.americanleisurepatio.com

See our instagram page:

COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Erica Padilla-Chavez

New Second Harvest Food Bank CEO

I

n a bittersweet moment, Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance will say farewell to CEO Erica PadillaChavez, while congratulating her on her new position as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. She will start in mid-July, succeeding Willy Elliott-McCrea, who is retiring.

“It has been my honor to watch Erica grow PVPSA into the thriving nonprofit that Erica Padilla-Chavez it has become … she has taken this organization from a staff of 20 serving about 2,500 children at two small locations, into a staff of over 65, serving 7,000+ students and families with 3 locations including the state-of-the-art Mayou Family Counseling Center,” said Jimmy Dutra, former mayor of Watsonville, and chair of the PVPSA board of directors.

He added, “To say she is leaving PVPSA better than she found it is an understatement.”

PVPSA has provided health education, mental health services, substance abuse and intervention and prevention services, and counseling to the students and families of the Pajaro Valley since 1991.

The nonprofit is committed to addressing the social determinants of health, acknowledging that the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age affect health outcomes. Among

those are food insecurity and lack of access to healthy food, which leads to malnutrition.

Erica Padilla-Chavez, a native of Watsonville, was named Woman of the Year for Assembly District 30 in March 2022.

She had led PVPSA since January 2015. Before that, she spent almost nine years with Monterey County as a behavioral health/policy analyst. She’s a board member at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital and Hartnell College. She earned a bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley and a master’s in public health administration from Golden Gate University.

Under her leadership, PVPSA opened a $3 million counseling center at 411 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, in 2020, providing more space for behavioral health services and drug and alcohol treatment.

“I’m leaving a piece of my heart at PVPSA,” Padilla-Chavez said. “For years, this organization has been quietly doing some of the most important work in our community. When the pandemic hit, we pivoted, and expanded services in a way that we didn’t even know possible. I am so deeply proud of this organization, our incredible staff and our dedicated board of directors.”

At the direction of the board, PVPSA will appoint an interim CEO while conducting a national search for a permanent CEO. n ••• Founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County was the first food bank in California and is the second oldest in the nation.

JOIN US at MOVE FOR CASA Saturday, May 14th 2022 Walk, run, hike, dance, roll or climb anywhere at anytime or join the CASA at Elkhorn Slough, 10am-1pm.

Register with a team or start one of your own and show your support for CASA.

All proceeds from this event support CASA of Santa Cruz County’s mission to match every foster youth referred to us with a trained volunteer Advocate within 20 days. The past two years have been especially hard on our foster youth, with increased isolation, challenges with education, and homelessness.

Join together to support our community’s foster youth!

Register or Donate today: www.casaofsantacruz.org/moveforcasa “Because every kid deserves a rock star in their corner”

Locally owned and operated since 1966 THE LARGEST SELECTION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS IN TOWN • Interlocking Pavers • Retaining Wall Systems • Flagstone & Slate • Real & Artificial Turf • Decorative Gravel & Utility Sands • High Quality Organic Soils & Compost • Custom Mixes

• Drainage & Erosion Control • Boulders • Garden Tools & Masonry Supplies • Pond Supplies & Pumps • Soil Amendments • Organic Fertilizers & Pest Control • Decorative Mulch & Wood Chips • and much more!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG It’s a great time to get out and garden! Whether it’s improving our landscape or creating a new garden, it’s good for the soul and great therapy!!

Fast delivery to your home or office!

831-688-6211 | www.aptoslandscapesupply.com 5035 Freedom Blvd. | Aptos, CA 95003 Monday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday

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Specialty soils and fertilizers by the bag or bulk.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 19

FEATURED BUSINESS

Since 1926 Instruments / Accessories / Sheet Music Sales / Rentals / Lessons 7960J Soquel Dr. 831-724-4798 Aptos, CA 95003

musicstoreguy@earthlink.net

SERVICES

FITNESS & TRAINING

RETAIL

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Dance with us!

(831)684-1800

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7970 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Since 1926 Instruments / Accessories / Sheet Music Sales / Rentals / Lessons 831-724-4798

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20 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

7960J Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003

Our focus is on you and giving the best experience possible to help you achieve your goals.

(831) 662-0886

7960 Soquel Drive, Ste. I, Aptos

www.fleetfeetaptos.com

Conveniently located off Highway 1 and just outside Aptos Village, the Aptos Village Square hosts a number of local Aptos businesses.

7960 Soquel Drive.

Aptos CA, 95003

Register Now for Spring & Summer Classes Join us outdoors for THE BEST in early Childhood Music Enrichment, Family Bonding & Fun – for ages birth to 5 years:

Music Together® Don’t Miss Out – Contact Us Today!

831.332.9002 MusicalMe.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 21

22 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Start here.

Go anywhere.

SUMMER & FALL REGISTRATION • Open for New Students May 17 • Open for Dual Enrolled High School Students May 24 • Summer Sessions begin June 13 • Fall Semester begins August 29

APPLY AND REGISTER

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Mid-County Groundwater Basin Update

T

he Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin is an essential source of drinking water for our local communities.

In addition to being the sole source of water for the Soquel Creek Water District, the water in this basin is shared by the City of Santa Cruz, the Central Water District, other small mutual water companies, and thousands of private-well owners.

The Challenge and State Mandate: It’s documented and confirmed by the State of California that the basin is critically overdrafted — more water is being pumped out than is naturally replenished by rainfall.

Climate change is resulting in more frequent drought conditions, which further reduces this source of fresh water.

The result is lowered groundwater levels, seawater contamination and reduction in water quality, and a diminishing amount of water to provide for the public health, the environment, the economy, and the overall well-being of the community. State law — the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act — requires the basin be made sustainable by 2040.

That means our groundwater supplies must be able to meet current and future needs without causing unacceptable environmental or socioeconomic consequences.

Groundwater Sustainability Plan: The good news is that this situation is being addressed as an absolute top priority, right now.

On a regional basis, the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (which includes the Soquel Creek Water District) produced a Groundwater Sustainability Plan, a required document by the State of California, that outlines the management actions either underway or to be taken, to achieve this critical goal of groundwater basin sustainability.

One key management action included in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan is the Pure Water Soquel groundwater replenishment project, which is now under construction and will use purified recycled water to recharge the groundwater basin.

Other actions include the City of Santa Cruz’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery program, with implementation in 2023; a water transfer pilot project that is extended through 2026; and key

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

improvements to the network of water monitoring tools, now under construction.

As these and other groundwater management actions and tools are put into place, we continue to analyze and gain a better understanding of the evolving condition of the groundwater basin, as we all work together to achieve water supply sustainability.

Water Year 2021 Annual Report: The MidCounty Groundwater Agency is required to provide a report on the Basin each year to the state and the latest report was presented to the board at its March 17 Meeting. Key takeaways from the Annual Report include: • Water Year 2021 was classified as a critically dry year since we only received 53% of average precipitation for this region.

• The Basin continues to have slightly decreasing coastal groundwater levels compared to last year.

• Groundwater extraction basin-wide (by Soquel Creek Water District, City of Santa Cruz, Central Water District and private pumpers) continues to exceed what is sustainable and replenished by rainfall.

• There is one project in construction, Pure Water Soquel, that will replenish the groundwater basin. Other potential projects are being pilot tested: Water transfers and aquifer storage and recovery.

Continuance of Stage 3 Water Supply Shortage Declaration: The District’s board extended the Stage 3 declaration through early 2023 at their April 19, 2022 board

meeting. Soquel Creek Water District has been in Stage 3 since 2014 due to our community’s long-term groundwater supply shortage and seawater intrusion. Our conservation goal is to collectively use 25% less water than our expected highest usage of 3,900 acre-feet per year.

We are facing this persistent, serious water supply situation together, and we’re confident the actions we’re taking now will reap great benefits in the near future and beyond.

The District is working hard with regional partners and we appreciate your ongoing support as we work to bring the groundwater basin into an improved state of sustainability. n

Beatlemania

ACROSS

1. In the Queen of Hearts’ oven?

6. Indiana Jones’ quest 9. Dance with leis 13. Sheikh, alt. sp.

14. Opposite of paleo 15. Hedgehog of movies and video games 16. Toilet, to a toddler 17. Pilot’s estimate acronym 18. One deserving of respect?

19. *Like submarine 21. *Abbey Road location 23. Lobe location 24. Per person 25. To the ____ degree

28. *”Twist and Shout” endearment 30. English confection 35. Wraths 37. Swarm like bees 39. Not taken and taken 40. Skiing helmet manufacturer 41. Homework assignment 43. Kamakawiwo’ole’s strings, pl.

44. Thermonuclear weapon 46. Type of list 47. Frost residue 48. “God, We Praise You” (2 words) 50. Redecorate, e.g.

52. What Carl Lewis did 53. Doctor’s order 55. December 31st, e.g.

57. *”Whisper words of ____”

60. *”Please ____ Me,” 1st album 63. Amusement 64. Rage 66. Scary movie consequence 68. ____ del Carmen, Mexico 69. Corn spot 70. Reach a goal (2 words) 71. Unit of heredity 72. Cry of alarm 73. Wipe out

7. Retired, abbr.

8. Aussie bear 9. *”I want to ____ your hand” 10. Editing arrow 11. Bank holding 12. Acronym, abbr.

15. Mister in Brazil 20. Speak from a podium 22. Month X 24. Hideous sight 25. *”It’s been a hard day’s ____” 26. Social group 27. Roman king of DOWN Judea 1. Cough syrup amt.

29. *Starr’s predecessor 2. Greeting at sea 31. *Fabulous number 3. Blood vessel network 32. Faquir, alt.sp.

4. Ownership document 33. Swelling 5. NASA’s first space 34. Ruhr’s industrial station center 6. All over again 36. Not all

38. Like a full-fledged Mafia man 42. Cry of the Alps 45. The enlightened one 49. Barn sound 51. Nervous (2 words) 54. Inflict a blow 56. Truth or Dare player?

57. ____ E. Coyote 58. Persian Gulf country 59. Eye infection 60. Peephole glance 61. ____ ____ good example 62. Chows down 63. Frugal driver’s acronym 65. Fish eggs 67. Unidentified Jane © Statepoint Media

Answers on 25 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz County Bank: Record Assets, Deposits S anta Cruz County Bank announced record assets, deposits and loans (excluding PPP) for the quarter ending March 31, and profit of $5.4 million.

That was 15 percent over the prior quarter, and 7 percent less than a year ago, when the bank benefited from significantly more fee income from the Paycheck Protection Program.

Highlights from the quarter include: • Record assets of $1.72 billion, up $173.2

“COVID Update” from page 8 Finally, the CDC did not explain mask exemptions for people eating, drinking or taking medication or for children under age 2. By not explaining, the CDC action was arbitrary and capricious, the judge ruled.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, a medical doctor with a master’s in public health, posted his views, saying he saw people with their cloth mask lowered for much of the flight, so the policy did not make sense. A randomized controlled trial of cloth masks in Bangladesh found no benefit vs. no mask, he said, and the CDC never did a study to generate scientific evidence that wearing cloth masks slows spread on an airplane.

The CDC map of Covid-19 shows most counties green, low transmission in California with western New York a hot spot.

Santa Cruz County, which updates its dashboard on Monday and Thursday, reports 894 active cases, down from 10,000 at the peak.

Omicron Less Deadly he Omicron variants are less deadly than the Delta variant, which raged in 2021.

Santa Cruz County reported 36 Covid deaths after Omicron, compared to 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron.

One statistic is similar: 79% to 81% of those who died had pre-existing conditions.

Why do people fear Omnicron?

They may have a pre-existing condition (diabetes, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure).

Half of Americans do, so they are at higher risk for severe Covid illness.

So are people 85 and older.

California reports 84.2% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot.

On the CDC Covid tracker, Santa Cruz County reports 90.8% of residents age 5 and up have at least one shot and 82.5% fully vaccinated.

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“Rodriguez” from page 5 Don Burgett and Judit Camacho, coexecutive directors of LifeLab, the garden education nonprofit, said, “Dr. Rodriguez recognized the opportunities that partnership with LifeLab could bring for her students and devoted much of her own time and her team’s resources to capitalizing on

million, an 11% increase compared to a year ago.

• Record gross loans (excluding PPP) of $1.14 billion, up $220.2 million, an increase of 24% compared to a year ago.

• Record deposits of $1.52 billion, up $167.6 million, a 12% increase compared to a year ago.

• Basic earnings per share of $0.63.

The bank announced a 2-for-1 stock

split on Feb. 16, and paid on March 16, to shareholders of record as of March 3.

Krista Snelling, Santa Cruz County Bank president and CEO said, “Year over year, the Bank recorded significant loan growth, excluding PPP, of over $220 million. Our steady performance has resulted in the Bank’s continuity as a financial industry leader and top performer.”

Santa Cruz County Bank was recognized by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce as a Business of the Year, and was voted for a 10th consecutive year, “Best Bank” in Santa Cruz County.

Snelling attributed to those accolades to “the tremendous expertise and service delivered to our clients and community by our dedicated employees.” n

Proposed Laws alifornia lawmakers face a May 27 deadline to pass legislation and 10 bills deal with Covid-19. Two bills have been set aside — Assembly Bill 1993, to require all employees and independent contractors, public and private, to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to keep their job and Senate Bill 871, to require children 0-17 to get the Covid vaccine to attend day care or school.

Protection of the Educational Rights of Kids, headed by Amy Bohn in Newbury Park, which has filed six lawsuits against vaccine mandates, is watching to see if these measures come back in a budget trailer bill in May — which avoids public hearings.

The group is tracking 8 more Covid-19 bills.

They include: SB 1464: To require law enforcement officers to enforce public health orders, and cut funding if they do not and shift those funds to public health. The California State Sheriffs’ Association is opposed along with the Peace Officers Research Association of California. An April 26 committee hearing was postponed, which could mean lack of support.

SB 866: To allow children 12 and older to get Covid vaccines without parental consent.

SB 920: To authorize a medical board to inspect a doctor’s office and records without patient consent.

SB 1479: To mandate Covid testing plans at schools.

SB 1390: To prohibit a social media platform from amplifying misinformation or disinformation.

SB 1184: To authorize a health care provider or plan to disclose your child’s medical information to a school-linked services coordinator without parent consent.

AB 1793: To allow school officials to easily access a state immunization database.

AB 2098: To classify a physician or surgeon disseminating or promoting misinformation or disinformation related to COVID-19 as unprofessional conduct and grounds for discipline. This is supported by Sen. Richard Pan, a physician, and opposed by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

To track these bills, see https://leginfo. legislature.ca.gov NBA legend and Gonzaga alum John Stockton co-founded Athletes for Medical Freedom, with former Packers lineman Ken Ruettgers and Australian pro surfer Barton Lynch to provide support for choice.

Dr. Pamela Popper, whose group funded a lawsuit against Boston’s vaccine passport for indoor restaurants, entertainments and fitness, reported Mayor Michell Wu lifted the requirement. Updates are at https://makeamericansfreeagain.com/ Hospital Fund Drive he Pajaro Valley Health Care District Project must raise $15 million by Aug. 31 to buy Watsonville Community Hospital, bring it out of bankruptcy, and fund the first-year operations under the new ownership.

The hospital has 620 employees and shares the treatment of Covid-19 patients with Dominican Hospital.

Pajaro Valley Schools he Pajaro Valley Unified School District reports a cutback in Covid testing, with Inspire Diagnostics ending Saturday services at the District Office. Services continue Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details at https://covid19test.santacruzcoe.org/ The Pajaro Valley district reports 48 active student cases and 18 staff cases in April. Aptos High has 3 student cases and 2 staff cases. Aptos Junior High has 3 student cases and zero staff cases. In Aptos,

Valencia Elementary has 7 student cases and 1 staff case, Mar Vista Elementary and Rio Del Mar Elementary each have 5 student cases and no staff cases.

The state guidance to schools and childcare facilities as of March 11. Masks are not required but strongly recommended.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, with Inspire Diagnostics, has provided 431,700 tests.

Cases in schools peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, dropped to 44 on April 1, then rose to 160 on April 25. The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% on January, dropped to .79%, then rose to 1.47%.

Myocarditis Risk n a 2022 report in the Journal of American Medical Association online, Dr. Matthew Oster of the CDC reported the government’s VAERS database received 1,991 reports of myocarditis after one dose of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and 1,626 met the CDC’s definition for probable or confirmed myocarditis.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, which can lead to clots, a stroke or heart attack.

Oster’s conclusion: “The risk of myocarditis after receiving mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines was increased across multiple age and sex strata and was highest after the second vaccination dose in adolescent males and young men. This risk should be considered.”

Public health officials say the scientific consensus is that Covid vaccines are safe, but some are skeptical about relying on science from drug-makers, which saw profits rise in 2021. They point to the U.S. government database, https://vaers.hhs. gov/, where health care providers are to report adverse events after a vaccine.

“COVID Update” page 26

C

it for the benefit of the children and the community.”

Padilla-Chavez said, “There is increased opportunity for our children to achieve academic success when they are supported in all ways, not just academically.

Simply stated, Dr. Rodriguez understands the whole student and is aligning resources to support them to succeed.”

24 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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Rodriguez said, “It has always been clear to me that to positively impact the students under our educational care, it is critical to have active engagement of students, the support of staff and families and the collaboration of community partners… it has been my purpose to strengthen our engagement, support and partnerships

I

to ensure every student can explore their passions, interests and talents and be successful individuals.”

She will be honored at the Region 10 ACSA spring fling 5 p.m. May 6 at Embassy Suites in Seaside. To join the celebration, register at: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/acsa-region-10-springfling-registration-299413853897. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

SCCAS Featured Pet

Gerbera–N-Go Daisy Fundraiser K itayama Brothers Farms announces the Gerbera-N-Go daisy sale is happening again this spring to raise money for Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks to benefit local state parks and beaches. Crates containing five gerbera daisy plants cost $10 each. Order at www. thatsmypark.org/collections

May 6 through May 31; pick up at Kitayama Bros Farms, 481 San Andreas Road, Watsonville, next to Sunset State Beach, on Saturday, June 4.

This is the 12th year Kitayama Brothers Farms will celebrate the Gerbera Festival, using the pickup format started in 2021 due to the pandemic. n

N

Stewards of Seascape ou may have noticed them whenever you are driving through Seascape during the daytime. A lovely couple traversing the drives, courts, and the main boulevard in the Seascape area. They are one of the many reasons it is a joy and pleasure, for guests and residents alike, to enjoy this wonderful area.

They are Hiroshi and Hiroko Goto, local Seascape residents, who daily pick up all the discarded bottles, cans and miscellaneous trash tossed by the wayside as well as the general litter that accumulates along the streets, the medians and gutters. They do so, unselfishly for the love and respect they have for the community.

If you happen to notice them on the streets, please slow down and give them a wave of thanks and gratitude for their efforts.

Local businesses have gathered together to show their appreciation with gift certificates.

They include: Aptos ACE Hardware, Stig Nybo; Cinnamon Bay Clothing, Jennifer Nesbitt; Deer Park Liquors at Seascape, Cheyne Howell, Margaret

Y

Hiroshi and Hiroko Goto

and Conor Porter; Hong Kong Garden Restaurant, Benson Wong; New Leaf Community Market Aptos; Palapas Restaurant, Kay Holcomb; Safeway Aptos, Yoana Valles; Seascape Sports Club, Paul & Winnie Kepler; Seascape Flowers, Darcy Craig & Laurie Craig; Seascape Foods, Julie Kellman & Dan Hunt; and Village Host Pizza, Tom Fieweger.

— John Hibble

crossword on 23 »

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Chihuahua Pair Nacho and Winston

acho and Winston are a pair of tan chihuahua’s that are about 3 years old.

They’re a bonded pair who are looking for their furever homes!

Nacho and Winston are the perfect amount of energy to be walking or hiking buddies. They also love fetch and have been play buddies with other pups their size at the shelter.

They do not have any history of living with cats. Other dogs in the home may be a good fit, but they need to meet at the shelter before going home.

Previously, children had taunted them and pulled their tail so they may prefer to be in a home with older, respectful children. All family members will need to meet them at the shelter prior to adoption.

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

Beatlemania © Statepoint Media

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 25

Taurus, the Most Patient of Signs

“COVID Update” from page 24

Esoteric Astrology • May 2022 • By Risa D’Angeles

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aurus, the second sign of the zodiac, unfolds the second heart petal, following the fiery sign of Aries. As all signs signify elements, Taurus is fixed and earth, thus stabilizing Aries fire.

Taurus gathers the fires (ideas from the mind of God) of Aries and anchors them within the earth and into the minds and hearts of humanity. Taurus is patient and kind, constant and reliable, faithful and loving and generous, consistent and balanced, gentle and modest. All the virtues belong to Taurus.

Taurus takes the initiating new concept of Aries, and forms them into practical actions, adding desire and aspiration. Taurus is the Wesak Festival, the full moon of Buddha, who, aware of the sufferings in the world, offers to help humanity via the Eight Noble Truths.

Desire is the quality of Taurus. It is not desire that destroys, but the expectations one feels within that desire. Desire is very focused within our planet Earth. The Bull of Desire is a symbol of power, vitality, energy and potency. Desire to create was the energy behind ARIES

It’s a very potent time for Aries, a time for re-invention, for new ways of expression and how you present yourself. You’re busy, full of springtime life, full of enthusiasm (filled with God), confident of your upward mobility and success. You strive to reveal your authentic self, realize that impulses lead sometimes to disaster yet you strive forward into the unknown anyway. It’s a brave new world and you shine in it, Aries.

the Lords who created planet Earth and the humanity living upon it.

Desire is part of the powers of Creation.

The horns of the bull in Taurus signify desire for life itself, for experiences, for comfort and satisfaction. When these are achieved, then the desire is for knowledge; desire lifted up to Aspiration — aspiring for an intelligent, illuminated mind.

The New Group of World Servers is governed, directed and protected by the sign of Taurus, Ray 4 (a star in the Big Dipper). Ray 4 is Harmony emerging from conflict and chaos.

Venus is the planet Taurus flows thru. Venus brings all that is separated into a loving unity.

Vulcan (Soul ruler of Taurus), the mysterious planet (hidden behind the Sun), shines forth in Taurus. Vulcan is Hephaestus, husband of Venus. Vulcan fashions the lead of the personality into the golden chalice of the Soul. This “chalice” holds the Wesak blessings distributed at the second spring festival, the full moon festival of the Buddha on his next visit to the Earth (May 15, lunar eclipse). This festival is a lunar eclipse — something in form and matter falls away, it’s work completed. n

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

As the new era begins to unfold you want to grow and expand beyond everyday life’s experiences. You want freedom to explore, wander about and journey toward new projects and activities. You want your spirit to feel adventure, your imagination to be unlimited and unobstructed. You are renewed philosophically by the hope of the new age of Aquarius. You remove the blindfolds from your eyes and happily join with Aquarius to create the new culture and civilization.

You’re often both romantically inclined and deeply creative, often both at the same time. What you need is nothing serious for a while. Just fun-filled endeavors, playful encounters, short adventures, and a bit of celebration that mirrors pleasure and other people’s approval of all that you do, are, and will be. You impact the world in both small and great ways.

A sort of radiance surrounds you. A golden aura. It magnetizes people to you. Always be kind. Or the radiance will tarnish.

TAURUS

It’s important you rest more, retreat into a state of solitude and self-care. When others speak, take care to listen to their communication, seeking in their words the feelings being expressed.

Not until we feel deeply listened to can we can then sense understanding within ourselves. Within you there’s a Soul searching and a seeking of inner comfort and peace. When we deeply hear others, that inner peace extends to ourselves, as well. Again, rest more in the springtime before the summer begins.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

It’s good to heighten our power of observation. Perhaps you’re observing others more keenly, seeking to know how others make decisions, live their lives, what priorities they choose.

This observation is important. It’s the first step to understanding another’s emotional and psychological make-up. Observing in this way creates an intimacy that allows you to see with accuracy and later compassion.

It helps us cultivate ahimsa (harmlessness).

Tend to all feelings and emotions, observe and ponder upon them in order to understand them. There’s a need for safety and security, a need to live in nature, a forest, in the wild. These make you feel safe and secure. How would one create this?

This is an important question to answer at this time. When you explore the answer more information about yourself emerges, like where do you come from, where are you going, what supports you, who do you support and what are your heart’s needs?

This is life-as-journal work. It leads to wonder.

GEMINI

It’s good for Libra to periodically review all relationship dynamics. It’s good to re-define one’s purpose in relationship, along with agreed upon partnership and sharing rules. Notice if among intimates there’s a need for extra care.

Meeting that need strengthens the bonds of goodwill and the will to love. It’s good for all Librans to ask themselves these questions. “Am I graceful, gracious, nurturing and supportive in my relationships?” “If so, how?” “If not, why?”

LIBRA

It’s a good and right time to make contact (contact releases Love, which is Gemini’s Soul purpose), to network (too-used a word these days), to exchange ideas and plans, to enter, create or extend yourself into a group and reach out to others. Only within the group will your inner awareness be heightened, goals revealed, and strengths be nourished and nurtured. Your presence then offers the same for others in the group. You are a leader.

AQUARIUS

Observe your day-to-day experiences. There’s something new to learn, new people to meet, interact and make contact (it releases Love) with. Tend to home tasks early each day. This allows for heart contact with your environment that loves you.

Many things to do are being presented. Perhaps it’s time to look for a new home, complete something, begin a new course of study, tend to the house and garden. And plant tomatoes.

Call home, Aquarius.

SCORPIO CANCER

It’s good to ponder upon what what aspects of our personality we project into the world. It’s good to ask ourselves if we act professionally in all areas of life and if we’re mastering any particular discipline at this time. Responsibilities in and for the world summon you to act. Hopefully you’re working in a group and can share the tasks. If not gather a group and offer direction and leadership. Many look to you for support and succor.

It is time in your daily life that “all things new” be initiated and anchored in everyday activities.

This includes one’s choice of foods, diet, exercise, any new agendas and schedules, as well as times of rest and tending to everyday matters in patient steady ways. It’s time for analysis, efficiency, organization and detailed order and critical thinking.

All these support your desire, aspiration and need for clarity of action and purpose. Steps toward triumphant achievable mastery.

•••

PISCES

Wherever you feel security and safety, appreciation and attunement, order and organization, value and worthiness is where you should direct your life energies. New realities will present themselves in time. Perhaps you will undertake a circuitous journey before you’re able to understand where this location is. Choose what is most comfortable, what will not betray, what offers you the most open door. It’s a golden door forming ahead. You have the key.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The reporting site was created after Congress passed a law in 1986 protecting vaccine manufacturers from civil personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits resulting from vaccine injuries.

After Covid, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar invoked the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, a 2005 law allowing the HHS secretary to provide legal protection to companies making or distributing critical medical supplies such as vaccines unless there’s “willful misconduct” by the company. This lowers the cost of immunizations, and the protection lasts until 2024.

Fully vaccinated means having two shots (Pfizer or Moderna) or one Johnson & Johnson shot. All were developed for the initial Wuhan Covid-19 strain.

For Omicron, a booster shot is needed after the Pfizer vaccine, because protection against hospitalization wanes after three months, a Kaiser Permanente study of 11,000 hospital admissions and emergency room visits found.

Testing he Santa Cruz County Office of Education offers drive-though testing for students, staff and families at: Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See: https://tinyurl.com/get-testedsanta-cruz.

The isolation time for those testing positive is five days.

Booster shots: https://myturn.ca.gov/ Vaccine providers: www.santacruz health.org/coronavirusvaccine.

Help scheduling appointment, Community Bridges Helpline: 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco & Triqui).

Local information: www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n •••

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Total COVID cases: 894

••• COVID Deaths: 261 As of April 27 Age 85 and older: 112 • 75-84: 61 • 65-74: 46 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 211 • No: 50 Race White 149 • Latinx 89 • Asian 16 Black 3 • Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 Another 2 Gender Men: 135 • Women: 126 Location At facility for aged: 115 Not at a facility: 146

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by May 9

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing April 30: Mike Ryan, artistic director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare. His knowledge about staging and acting in the plays process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth. adds another valuable perspective to inform the group.

You are not alone. You are not to blame.

More info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org May 7: UCLA Professor of Literature Claire McEachen, who has written several books on Shakespeare, including “The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare.”

ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL RETURNS May 14: Christian Schofield, an English instructor in Artichoke Festival 2022 has announced a star-studded England, will offer in a You Tube lecture that explores the role lineup of talented chefs for its popular Chef Demo series of Helena in the play. He provides what he calls “powerful and at the 62nd annual festival Saturday and Sunday, June fun video resources on Shakespeare’s greatest plays.”

11 (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) and 12 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the May 21: DVD screening of the play, not yet selected.

Monterey County Fair & The Saturday Shakespeare Club welcomes new Event Center in Monterey. members, and those wishing to view the Zoom sessions This year’s theme is “The must do so via the Club’s mailing list by going to the Heart of the Harvest.” website: saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com.

Confirmed demo All sessions are free but a voluntary donation of at chefs: Sascha Lyon least $2 a session is suggested to be sent in support of (executive chef, Montrio Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa in Monterey), Kevin Fisher Cruz, or go to its website and donate by credit card at: (executive sous chef, https://www.santacruzshakespeare.org/donate/.

Ivan Guadarrama, Sea Root at The Hyatt Those who send a check should indicate the gift is on behalf executive chef from Tarpy’s Regency Monterey Hotel & of the Saturday Shakespeare Club.

Spa); Luis Osorio (executive chef, Rio Grill in Carmel; Ivan Guadarrama RESCUED FROM A KILL LOT (culinary team at Tarpy’s in Monterey); Tony Baker Not all animals give birth in spring, but this mare did. (proprietor Baker’s Bacon) and Hondo Hernandez Lynn Hummer, founder of Pregnant Mare Rescue in (Showoff California Craft BBQ, Salinas).

Larkin Valley learned Judy Burditt, manager of the California Artichoke Advisory Board, and Pat Hopper, who previously served from a friend about a mare standing on a in that role, will host the “Judy & Pat Show” at 10:30 kill lot/auction lot in a.m. Sunday on the ABCs of artichokes. Here’s the Washington State. demo schedule so far: She gave birth just Saturday, June 11: 10:30 a.m., chef Hondo before the sun came up.

Hernandez, Showoff California Craft BBQ, Salinas; noon “There is just some, chef Kevin Fisher, Sea Root, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa; 1:30 p.m., chef Ivan Guadarrama, Tarpy’s, thing tragically unsettling about a new life standing Monterey; 3 p.m., chef Luis Osorio, Rio Grill, Carmel.

Sunday, June 12: 10:30 a.m. — Judy & Pat Show, at death’s door,” Hummer said.

So she rescued the mare for $825, which she said is Artichoke ABCs; noon — chef Tony Baker, Baker’s reasonable these days, compared to the prices across Bacon, Marina; 1:30 p.m., chef Sascha Lyon, Montrio, the nation. And the mare was pulled from the auction Monterey.

Tickets are on sale through 4 p.m. June 12 at www. and is safe.

Hummer added, “Not sure if we have a colt or filly, but artichokefestival.org/tickets. Tickets cost $15 general we know we have one relieved momma.” admission; $10 for seniors and military (senior 62-plus or military personnel with ID); $5 for children 6-12; and If you would like to help, visit https://gofund.me/1e2235e4 $30 for an early bird family pack good for two adults LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY ACTIVITIES and two children for one day. A processing fee will be The La Selva Beach public library is now open Tues. thru Sat. added. Refunds are not available.

Tues-Thurs: 11-6 • Fri-Sat 12-5. Book drops open 24/7.

By purchasing a ticket, the guest acknowledges they are responsible for their own health and safety. All guests Contact us by phone: 831.427.7713; text: 831.264.0647; online chat: https://www.santacruzpl.org/ will be required to comply with current CDC, California Department of Public Health and Monterey County public contact/?display=chat; or send a question at https://www. santacruzpl.org/contact/ health guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccination, prePreschool Storytime: Tuesdays, 11 am – noon entry negative tests, and social distancing.

Clear bag policy will be in place, with clear bags available for outside on the patio. Dress for the weather.

R.E.A.D Reach Every Amazing Detail: sale on the website store or at admissions gates.

Wednesdays 3- 5 pm. One-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE with California credentialed teachers. Sessions last 25 The Saturday Shakespeare Club began its five-week minutes. By appointment only.. Call 831-427-7717 or spring examination with one of the playwright’s email pro@santacruzpl.org so-called problem plays, “All’s Well Stories for Bedtime: New programs every other That Ends Well.” All sessions will Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook, presented by SCPL start at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Librarian Jackie. The episode then is added to the The first hour regularly features a library’s YouTube Channel after that. See Storytimes speaker, followed in the second hour for Children playlist at the SCPL YouTube page: https:// by a reading of a portion of the play www.youtube.com/user/santacruzpl aloud by selected group members.

Passionate Readers Book Discussion: 4th Each of the four lecture sessions covers a little over one Thursday at 10:30 am. act each of the five-act play.

In-Person Tech Help: Fridays 10 am to noon. TechSpeakers for the remaining sessions are: 28 / May 1st 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

savvy staff will help you troubleshoot your issue with a 25-minute (or less) appointment. Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/laselva Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit information desk or call 831-427-7713 for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/la-selva-library-events for more details and future events.

ONGOING EVENTS Tuesdays FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley.

There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and wellness screenings.

Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info.

Third Thursday Each Month

General admission is $12.50; $9 for students 6-18, children 5 and under free.

Facial coverings are required. For information about this event or joining the orchestral, chamber or private lesson programs, call 479-6101.

Sunday May 1 LAVENDER LADIES SALE AT MCSC 9 a.m.-2 p.m., parking lot, 829 Bay Ave., Capitola (behind Woodworm) The Mid County Senior Center garden will host a parking lot sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola, behind Woodworm.

The MCSC Lavender Ladies will sell homemade masks, bowl cozies, eye pillows and sachets. Gardeners will sell organic produce and fresh-cut flower arrangements. The MCSC Craft Ladies and Book Club will sell handmade hats, scarfs and blankets.

Hamburgers, hot dogs and bottles of water will be available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit Mid County Senior Center.

Tuesday May 3

MEDICARE 101 6:30 p.m., Online Class Whether you’re turning 65 or helping a family member navigate the system’s complexities, understanding Medicare can be overwhelming. At this virtual seminar, a registered HICAP counselor will help demystify PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM Medicare. Topics include: The A, B, C’s (and D) of 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting Medicare, original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage, BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support when and how to enroll, choosing a drug plan, Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by supplementing Medicare. a licensed grief counseling therapist.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefProgram counselors are highly trained and registered support or call 831-471-7255. with the California Department of Aging. HICAP is not associated with insurance companies, products or agents. HICAP of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties DATED EVENTS is a program within Senior Network Services, a community-based nonprofit organization. Class may Friday April 29 be repeated.

SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT There is no fee. Registration is required; call 831-457-7099 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., SC or go online at www.dignityhealth.org/dominican/pep Open to 200 local small businesses, the daylong conference will take place at the Museum of Art & History.

Wednesday May 4 Keynote speaker is Krista Snelling, president of Thursday May 5 Santa Cruz County Bank, plus speakers from Humble NEST FLIGHT Sea Brewery, Jane Technologies, Fybr Bamboo, Yoso Wellness Spa, and Botanic and Luxe will share their Virtual Conference expert tips, tools, and resources.

NEST Flight will be a 2-day virtual experience, in time for Inspired by the success of the 82% Micro graduation season. This annual conference is geared toward Business Summit at Cabrillo College in 2018 and young professionals, recent grads and current students in 2019, this year’s new format organized by Matt high school or college. If you are 17 to 24 and exploring your Swinnerton of Event Santa Cruz has more interactive options for the future, this conference is for you. presentations.

Hosted by Digital NEST and founder Jacob Martinez, More than 15 breakout sessions — “Sizzles” — will this event features 20 inspiring speakers, hands-on take place at small businesses and event spaces, workshops, powerful panel discussions and one of with MAH serving as the hub. Other bonuses include a kind networking opportunities — crafted to help a live band at the end of the day, and raffle prizes, students propel their careers, no matter where you are said Brandon Napoli, director of the Santa Cruz Small in your job exploration.

Business Development Center, which oversaw $45 Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings is million dollars in loans and $2 million in grants to assist keynote speaker. Emcee is Amber Gonzalez-Vargas, senior program manager at Latino Community business owners during the pandemic.

“Our community really came together in an incredible Foundation, which has invested $17 million in 150 way. That’s why we created this event, to celebrate that grassroots Latino-led nonprofits.

Registration: $20. See https://www.nestflight.org/ solidarity,” said Napoli.

Registration is $35 at: https://sccsmallbusinesssummit.com CABRILLO YOUTH STRINGS MUSIC CONCERT 7 p.m., Samper Recital Hall, VAPA5100, Cabrillo College, Aptos (corner of Cabrillo College Drive/Soquel Drive) Cabrillo Youth Strings Music Program presents a spring concert featuring international and contemporary music at Samper Recital Hall.

Wednesday May 4 thru Saturday May 7

LUNAFEST: BENEFIT FOR WOMENCARE 7 p.m. Wed., Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz Friends of WomenCARE announce the LUNAFEST Film Festival in person at the Del Mar Theatre, with virtual screening available May 5-7.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR This program of short films aims to inspire with stories that champion women and gender nonconforming individuals, highlighting their aspirations, accomplishments, resilience, strength and connection.

Proceeds go to WomenCARE, which provides a safe haven where women with any type of cancer find mutual support, shared experiences, and open hearts.

Last year’s event raised $14,000. Organizers expect this year’s event will sell out.

Tickets are $20 at https://www.lunafest.org/ screenings/hybrid-friends-womancare-santa-cruzca-050422 This year’s films include:

meeting with UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive at Seacliff Inn. Bring your promotional materials to network with attendees.

Price in advance: $25 member, $30 general admission; $30 at the door.

WILDR FORUM: WOMEN AS LEADERS 6:30-8 p.m., Online forum WILDR’s forum 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in English and Spanish, will focus on encouraging women with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences to serve as public leaders.

Topics: What do we mean when we name How to Be at Home: By Andrea Dorfman. Coping with diversity? Why do we care about diverse represenisolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. tation? What are the benefits? How can we track Close Ties to Home Country: By Akanksha progress? What challenges do women face in the Cruczynski. An immigrant dog walker connects with the process of election or appointment? How can we wealthy pets she cares for. reduce or overcome these challenges? How can Generation Impact: The Coder: By Samantha communities, groups and individuals supporting Knowles. A 13-year-old girl designs and builds an diverse women make sure their perspectives are app to help kids stay connected to their incarcerated represented? What support can we offer? parents.

Proof of Loss: By Katherine Fisher. After fire takes their Register at: https://bit.ly/WILDR51222 WILDR is creating a network to encourage women to home, a father and daughter must find a way to salvage run for election, serve on commissions and act in our what remains: each other. community to bring diverse voices and perspectives When You Clean a Stranger’s Home: By Sharon Arteaga. A first-generation high school student describes to important decisions. Future forum dates: July 7 and what she and her mom learn about people when cleaning Sept. 8. their homes.

Between the Lines: Liz at Large: By Abi Cole. Frustrated with lack of diversity in The New Yorker cartoons, an artist submits her illustrations, becoming the first Black woman cartoonist.

Wearable Tracy: By Emily McAllister. A Bronx woman’s social experiment connects her with fellow New Yorkers who might otherwise remain strangers.

To the Future With Love: By Shalleece Haas & Hunter “Pixel” Jimenez. An animated self-portrait of a nonbinary trans teen caught between the expectations of his Guatemalan immigrant family and his dreams of living happily ever after with his long-distance boyfriend.

Thursday May 5 31ST ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE 11 a.m. Check-in, 1 p.m. Start, Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos The worst day golfing is better than the best day in the office! Golfers, dust off those clubs, businesses enjoy a day of team building and promoting your goods and services out on the green at the Aptos Chamber’s 31st annual golf scramble.

The day includes entertainment on the course including bagpipes, networking with business professionals, lunch, snacks, drinks, prizes, raffle, silent auction, and ends with a light dinner and award ceremony. $170 per golfer, sponsorships available. Reservations required, aptoschamber.com or call 831-688-1467.

Friday May 13 PAJARO VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION GALA 6 p.m., City of Watsonville Community Room, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor Pajaro Valley Education Foundation will host a special evening to recognize this year’s PVUSD Community Champion Award Recipient, legendary coach Roland Hedgpeth, at the City of Watsonville Community Room.

The gala event will host a student mariachi performance, Cabrillo folklorico dancers, a silent auction, delicious food, wine, and a keynote address from Sen. John Laird.

Dress for a red carpet event.

Tickets begin at $75 per person at: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/pvef-a-taste-of-pajaro-valley-galatickets-321017260267

Wednesday May 18

BE THE DIFFERENCE AWARDS 3:30-5 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County will present its Be the Difference Awards at Kaiser Permanente Arena, recognizing people, groups, and businesses who do the most to transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.

It has been 2 1/2 years since this event took place in person and organizers are eager to celebrate. With Covid lingering, the event will be in Saturday May 7 a larger space. Attendees can socially distance if SIX SHORT COMEDIES IN SEARCH OF 26 CHARACTERS needed.

2-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Library, 224 Church St., With safety the top priority, lunch will not be Santa Cruz served. KION will present inspiring videos of the NextStage Production’s Readers Theater performs six winners, and there will be entertainment, snacks, short comedies directed by Sally Bookman of Soquel. treats and an arena full of people who care for In this show, nine actors play 26 parts — without Santa Cruz County. memorizing scripts. Free admission.

Tickets are $25 at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/ This is the final of three performances. weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E162036&id=58

Thursday May 12 APTOS CHAMBER BREAKFAST 7:30-9 a.m., Sevy’s at Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos Join the Aptos Chamber for their May breakfast

Thursday June 2 APTOS PROMOTIONS AND GRADUATIONS Cabrillo College Football Field, SAC West, Soquel Dr, Aptos Aptos Junior High — 11 a.m.

Aptos High — 4 p.m. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pajaro River Levee Rebuild Near (With Property Owner Support)

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

O

ver the past 70 years, the communities of Watsonville and Pajaro have lived under the shadow of inadequate flood protection from the levees that protect homes and property along the Pajaro River and tributaries. The existing levees that protect the communities were built in 1949 and have not since been significantly improved.

Today, these levees provide only an 8-year level of flood protection, believed to provide the lowest of any federal flood control system in California and one of the lowest in the United States.

The first levee breach and flood occurred in 1955. While a fix was federally authorized in 1966, for nearly 60 years -- primarily due to how federal flood projects are scored and in turn make low-income communities not competitive for funding -- the project didn’t move forward.

As many long-time residents know, the communities suffered from multiple floods including catastrophic floods in 1995, which caused a loss of two lives and nearly $100 million in damages. Significant flooding occurred again in 1998 and 1998 with major flooding again in 2017.

What is the proposed project? he flood management project is designed to provide up to 100-year flood protection to the socio-economically disadvantaged communities of Watsonville and Pajaro and surrounding agricultural areas (Santa Cruz and Monterey counties). Per capita income in these communities is less than half the state and national averages.

This project will provide significant life and economic safety improvements to both counties and even eliminate flood insurance costs for those within the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.

What is the cost? he $400 million project will include construction of levees and improvements, to include setback levees, along the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries.

It will be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and the CA Department of Water Resources.

How will the project be funded? unding such a costly project -- for two federally-disadvantaged communities without the resources that more affluent areas have to help cover costs -- has been one of the largest challenges.

We have worked extensively with our state and federal partners on ways to position the project for funding - with innumerable meetings with the White House, Congress, Army Corps and state legislative leaders.

Just in the last few months there have been two funding breakthroughs that have put the project on the cusp of reality. These federal projects have cost-share

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Local Local Local

requirements with local communities — in this case the federal government would pay 65 percent and the local community 35 percent. The State of California agreed to fund 100 percent of the local cost share — up to $181 million of project costs. According to conversations with the Army Corps and White House, our community is the only in the country to have the state commit to such funding.

Additionally, the White House announced that they have put $67 million of federal funding into the project as part of the Administration’s infrastructure funding focused on environmental and social justice projects.

Approximately $5 million in additional funding has already been provided by the Army Corps as part of the planning and design process. Additional federal funding is expected as the phases of the project are built — equating to the 65 percent total federal cost share.

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What is the proposed assessment? here is a historic level of investment at the state and federal level ($400 million) for this project to rebuild the levees. As part of the funding requirements, however, the local community must promise to maintain levees to strict federal regulations.

The cost of the ongoing operations and maintenance is about $1.2 million a year. Property owners within the benefit zone (those that will receive benefit from the project -- generally described as those that would be flooded otherwise) are receiving a ballot regarding this proposed assessment.

The average single-family residential assessment for levee operations and maintenance is about $16 per month.

Assessments will differ based on property characteristics, like land use type, and relative flood risk.

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“Friend” page 31

“Friend” from page 30 If the assessment is approved a Citizens’ Assessment Oversight Committee will be created to represent the interests of property owners in the expenditure of assessment revenues. The committee would review financial reports, annual audit documents, and annual budget proposals and report back to the community on its

findings. If the assessment passes and the project is built, properties that are within the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area will no longer be required to purchase flood insurance once the project is completed. n As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 1st 2022 / 31