Aptos Times: June 15, 2021

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June 15, 2021 • Vol 30 No. 12

Cabrillo Stage & Pirates: “Music Fills Our Souls”

I’m sitting in the open air parking garage of Cabrillo College with the cast and crew of Pirates of Penzance, one of the 5 shows being presented by Cabrillo Stage in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater during July.

Full Story page 5

Goodbye Covid, Hello 4th of July Full Story page 7

New Bobby Salazar Scholarship

By Mark Dorfman Bobby Salazar. The Mayor of Aptos. The Head Custodian at Aptos High School for 42 years. The lodestar for the Mariner ship.

Bobby passed away two years ago this spring, but the hole he left has not been filled. A group of students,

coaches, and teachers, past and present, have established a GoFundMe in an effort to raise enough money to provide a perpetual $1,000 scholarship in Bobby’s name, to be given each year to a deserving Aptos High graduate. ... continues on page 4

Kaiser Permanente Adds Services

While the pandemic was making headlines, Kaiser Permanente has been and still is upgrading its local medical offices, in Watsonville and Scotts Valley.

Full Story page 6

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No. 12

Volume 30

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Table of Contents

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Cover

New Bobby Salazar Scholarship, By Mark Dorfman

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Community News Cabrillo Stage & Pirates: ‘Music Fills Our Souls’, By Mindy Pedlar Kaiser Permanente Adds Services Goodbye Covid, Hello 4th of July, By Jondi Gumz State Mask Guidance as of June 15 Aptos Jr. High Principal Goes to Mintie White • Cannacraft To Pay $300,000 Settlement in Ad Case • Ham Named Ex.Director of SCC Business Council • Red Cross Seeks Volunteers • SC County Bank Ranks 29th in U.S. • Santa Cruz Seeks Water Changes • New Soquel High Scholarship Looking For Support Dominican Addition OK’d, $630M for Parking Garage, Surgery Center,

By Jondi Gumz El Pajaro Debuts Microloans for Women-Owned Businesses Growing the Table: Organic Food for People in Need • Community Foundation: $308,450 in Scholarships to 32 Students, By Kevin Heuer Mount Madonna School’s Top Students Cabrillo Shifts to Classes in Person, Mandates Vaccine Freedom to Play: Soccer Fields Bring Lots of Benefits, By Susan True PVUSD Supports LGBTQ+ Students • Nisene Rio Gateway Launches With Flair, By Todd Marco Felton Community Hall Fundraising, By Steve Goodman • American Red Cross Blood Drives Remembering Sgt. Gutzwiller Ocean Film Festival World Tour

Your Opinions 22 Support Zero Emisssions Rail & 32-Mile Coastal Trail, By Faina Segal, Board Chair, Friends of the Rail & Trail 22 Coastal Rail Not Feasible, Surfers & Greenway Say, Submitted by Buzz Anderson

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Father’s Day, a Summer Poem & Jupiter Retrograde, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 23 School Starts Aug. 12; Mask Complaints Are Being Investigated, Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 27 Turning 75: ‘I Only Want to Love’, By Barry and Joyce Vissell 30 July Vote on Rio Del Mar Flooding Fee, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 Invisible Roots Deserve Consideration, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Turbo Is A Very Good Boy

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Mark Dorfman, Mindy Pedlar, Jondi Gumz, Kevin Heuer, Susan True, Todd Marco, Steve Goodman, Faina Segal, Buzz Anderson, Risa D’Angeles, Michelle Rodriguez, Barry and Joyce Vissell, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

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

Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved.

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

“Bobby’s Scholarship” from page 1 Bobby was the head custodian for 42 years.

Talk about bringing your work home with you, Bobby and his family lived on campus that entire time. He was a fixture in our school and our community, greeting students and ex-students by name, and greeting strangers visiting our campus with a smile Bobby Salazar and a “Welcome to Aptos High School, the best high school in the county!”

He opened the school gate every morning at 5:30 a.m., and he locked it up each night when everyone finally left.

In addition to his duties as head custodian, Bobby was an assistant football coach, an AYBA basketball coach, an announcer for boys and girls basketball games, a many-time Mariner-of-theMonth, and the CSEA Chapter president for five years.

Bobby served on the SITE Council and the Home-and-School Club, and was an advisor for the Key Club and for the Skate Club. He was a regular contributor to the Albatross, emceed Grad Night, and chaperoned senior trips to Disneyland and the Bay Cruise.

Bobby hangs out at the entrance to Aptos High School, where he served as head custodian for 42 years.

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

He fiddled for the school play, sang at school assemblies, and gave staff inservices on gangs. He was selected many, many times by the seniors to hand out roses at graduation.

In 2010, he was inducted into the Aptos High Sports Hall of Fame as an honorary member. His standing ovation at his induction lasted more than ten minutes.

Bobby also changed every light bulb on campus, oiled every hinge, vacuumed or mopped every floor, lined every field, dug ditches, planted sod, cleaned sewers and gutters, painted walls, answered phones, fixed toilets, and cut, burned, sprained, strained, and shocked himself too many times to count in the cause of Aptos High School. If you knocked on his door at five in the morning or at 11:00 o’clock at night, he’d greet you with the same smile and ask how he can help.

Just as importantly, Bobby counseled every student that came to him for help and guidance, and for 42 years he treated every student with friendship, kindness, and the utmost respect.

Bobby was happily married to Rebecca for 41 years, and he is survived by Rebecca and his three wonderful children, Cynthia, Melissa, and Robert, and his adorable granddaughter Diandra. n ••• If you’d like to donate to Bobby’s Scholarship Fund, please go to: https://www. gofundme.com/f/bobbys-scholarship-fund Or you can mail your check directly to: Aptos Sports Foundation, PO Box 2405, Aptos, CA 95003. Please make your check payable to “The Aptos Sports Foundation”and write “Bobby’s Scholarship Fund” on the memo line.

••• Cover Photo: Bobby Salazar stands with the Mariner mascot.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Stage & Pirates: ‘Music Fills Our Souls’

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By Mindy Pedlar

’m sitting in the open air parking garage of Cabrillo College with the cast and crew of Pirates of Penzance, one of the 5 shows being presented by Cabrillo Stage in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater during July.

It’s the first read-through of the show.

The director, Joseph Ribeiro, complete with knit cap, long coat and wool scarf, sits quietly waiting to see what his new cast has to offer. Assistant Musical Director and expert pianist Daniel Goldsmith is at

the keyboard ready for Musical Director Cheryl Anderson to lift her baton and begin the rehearsal.

Despite our parking lot location, there is excitement in the air. We are all happy to see old friends, meet new people and learn new music. It feels like every first rehearsal I’ve ever attended except… we are all wearing masks.

Covid-19 curtailed last year’s season, leaving this year’s budget a bit skimpy.

Director Ribeiro jokes that our budget is minus $3 yet we will still create a “magnificent show.” Cheryl thanks us for being part of this delightful musical journey verbalizing what we know to be true, “We are here because the music fills our souls.”

With that we begin, and the sound is surprisingly glorious for a first rehearsal.

The leads are strong and the ensemble is filled with excellent singers. Seated next to me is Elyse Cody of Watsonville. She has studied her music and her voice is full and rich. To my right is Isabella Steigmen who frequently chuckles, enjoying the humor of the Gilbert and Sullivan score.

It is challenging to sing with a mask, and as the evening goes on the garage becomes chilly. Nonetheless, we conclude our first rehearsal realizing there is much work ahead as we memorize our music, but content knowing it will be a really good show! It’s a labor of love and best of all, we get to share it with a live audience!

Pirates of Penzance playing July 30, 31 and Aug. 1, is Act 5 in Artistic Director Jon Nordgren’s vision to bring live music and theater back to our community.

His concept is to present an exciting new show every weekend in July. The lineup is: Act 1- Cabrillo Stage Big Band, Act 2- Circus, Act 3- Cabrillo Stage Pit Orchestra, Act 4-Tomfoolery and Act 5- Pirates.

All shows perform in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater. Live streaming is also available for ACTs 1, 2 and 3.

In keeping with all COVID-19 safety protocols, seating will be limited and socially distanced to insure the safety of our patrons and performers.

Tickets in the Bleachers are sold as Box Seats in sets of 2, 3, 4 or 5 seats. Lawn seating is available in circular pods of 2, 3, 4 or 6 seats.

Prices range from $50 for 2 seats to $215 for 6 seats, depending on placement within the amphitheater. Evening performances begin at 6 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at cabrillostage.com.

Box office is open Thurs. – Sat., 12-6 p.m, 831-479-6154.

••• Photos from 2019 season production of “Beehive”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Kaiser Permanente Adds Services W hile the pandemic was making headlines, Kaiser Permanente has been and still is upgrading its local medical offices, in Watsonville and Scotts Valley.

“Everything from our facilities to services is under one roof, from primary care to specialty care to pharmacy, lab or optical services,” said Priya Smith, medical group administrator for Kaiser Permanente San Jose and Santa Cruz County. “It’s all part of our coordinated service delivery approach.”

Virtual care, chatting with a doctor via computer screen, is available, and patients can use a mobile phone app to get information on test results or an upcoming appointment.

For new members unfamiliar with Kaiser physicians and nurses, a 3-minute welcome video — in Spanish and English — has been created as an introduction to meet Kaiser staff virtually.

The new facilities are: Watsonville Mental Health Center: This new 6,400-square-foot clinic at 180 Westgate Drive with seven provider offices and two group rooms, opened last summer and is offering adult, adolescent and child mental health services, addiction medicine and recovery services, counseling and therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, education classes, and online resources members can access at any time.

In a 20-minute virtual tour, Dr. Sam Bajaj, Kaiser chief operating officer, pointed out the locally sourced artwork and in Watsonville views of the coastal landscape for members who are in any of the treatment rooms.

Scotts Valley Medical Offices, 5617 Scotts Valley Drive, second floor: The 14,000 square-foot expansion has14 provider offices and 3 group rooms for psychiatry; four treatment rooms and a gym for physical and occupational therapy (with views of the trees outside).

Dr. William MacLean, physician in charge for Santa Cruz County, pointed out the new audiology department with the latest testing, and an optical practice, with “Vision Essentials” for retail sales.

There is ample parking around the building.

Scotts Valley Medical Offices, 5615 Scotts Valley Drive, first floor: Construction began in 2020 on 13,000 square feet of new clinical space offering urgent care seven days a week, a bigger pharmacy, and a brand new primary care area with more room for family medicine, Ob Gyn, and pediatrics.

Dr. Joyce Orndorff pointed out a lab has already opened with more stations for blood draws. Construction on the rest of the project continues this year. n ••• A virtual tour of the facilities can be viewed at https://kp.qumucloud.com/view/ yjdkY3OZhtx?captions=es#/

COMMUNITY NEWS

Goodbye Covid, Hello 4th of July C

By Jondi Gumz

ovid is in the rear view mirror for Santa Cruz County residents, especially those who have been vaccinated.

So as we think about getting back to normal, we have shockingly high home prices, way too much traffic, thousands of people who are jobless and need food for their family and the World’s Shortest Parade restarting like clockwork at 10 a.m. on the 4th of July in Aptos; which was announced on June 8 — definitely a sign of normalcy.

This year’s grand marshal will be first responders, and of course the parade will follow current state regulations, whatever they are, and participants are asked to sign up with the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, 831-688-1467. Starting July 1, people can go to the chamber website to vote for their favorite red white and blue decorations on local businesses. Sign up your business if you haven’t already.

On June 15, the state reopened for business after crimping life for more than a year to knock out the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected 3,897,927 statewide --16,216 in Santa Cruz County , took 62,5515 lives statewide and 207 locally.

As of Wednesday, there were only 40 local active cases, 15,975 people recovered and 144,000 fully vaccinated.

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel described the current situation as “a new phase of the pandemic but it is not the finish line.”

Dr. David Ghilarducci, the county’s deputy health officer, credited the vaccination effort, which resulted in 60 percent of the county eligible fully protected and 73.5 percent having at least one shot.

About 20,000 vaccinations took place at the fairgrounds, county spokesman Jason Hoppin said.

Business owners wanting to protect their employees should look at the Cal OSHA website https://www.dir.ca.gov/ dosh/ for the latest guidance as new regulations were on the agenda June 17.

Newel indicated her worries are about transmission indoors and noted business owners can ask customers to wear a mask inside.

The county closed its Wednesday mass vaccination clinic at the fairgrounds, and is offering help to employers to set up noappointment pop-up vaccination clinics.

For information, email HSAC19vaccineclinics@santacruzcounty.us There is a vaccination gap among younger people locally, with 27 percent to 44 percent having one shot in South County, and the numbers 10 points higher in North

County. To get a free vaccine, see myturn. ca.gov or go to www.santacruzhealth.org and click on vaccines.

The most recent death was an unvaccinated person, Ghilarducci said, pointing out the risk of not getting the vaccine.

The University of California campuses are requiring anyone on campus this fall to be vaccinated, and Cabrillo College has announced a similar policy. Newel hopes California State University campuses will follow suit.

Hot Home Sales he hot housing market seen in March heated further in April; figures for May are not yet available.

With seven out of 10 homes in Santa Cruz County sold in April for more than $1 million, it feels every seller is a millionaire.

In April, the median price — the midpoint of what sold — was $1,281,000 — a new record, according to Gary Gangnes of Real Options Realty of Aptos, who tracks the numbers.

Of the 205 sales, 143 sold for $1 million or more — 70 percent, the most ever.

A pattern of bidding more than the list price, seen in March, escalated: • 60% sold for more than $50,000 over asking price.

• 43% sold for more than $100,000 over asking price.

• 17% sold for more than $200,000 over asking price.

A home in Live Oak priced at $999,000 attracted 31 offers, 13 being all-cash, according to broker Datta Khalsa, leaving 30 would-be buyers searching.

The reasons, same as in March, are low interest rates, about 3 percent, and rising prices motivating work-at-home Silicon Valley tech employees to buy their new home — and office — here in Santa Cruz County, where they are closer to the beach and redwoods.

Fewer people are willing to sell — once you sell, can you find another home? — so listings as of the first week of May were at an all-time low — 311 — compared to the 25-year average of 792.

With 125 listings in escrow, only 186 are active, hardly enough to meet the demand from people who tried to buy and lost out to a lot of people putting in higher bids.

Gangnes sees these conditions as temporary, but I’m not so sure.

Some business owners are optimistic about the future. Zach Davis and Kendra Baker announced they will open The Penny Ice Creamery this summer in The Hangar, the new building built by Corbett Wright and Rob Stuart behind the drive-through Starbucks on Mount Hermon Road.

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Bob Slawinski, owner of the Green Hills Event Center in Scotts Valley, invested in improved ventilation for COVID safety at gatherings; he can also host events in a redwood grove.

Scotts Valley is bringing back the 4th of July parade in Scotts Valley, organized

by City Council member Donna Lind. She needs volunteers.

Cabrillo Stage in Aptos will present musicals outdoors in July.

Felton Music Hall, the Brookdale Lodge and Michael’s on Main in Soquel are open and presenting live music.

Hiring usinesses in Santa Cruz County added 2,700 jobs mostly in ag, food service and hotels, between mid-March and midApril, boosting the total to 98,600.

Ag and hospitality were hard hit by COVID, and May jobs and unemployment numbers will be posted on June 18, showing the state of the recovery.

Tech employers such as Joby Aviation, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Paystand, Zero Motorcycles, Astrea Forensics, Claret Biosciences,

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Parallel Flight plus healthy beverage maker LIFEAID pitched their workplace at Santa Cruz Works 5th Annual Get Hired on June 2. More than 300 jobs were open, indicating some sectors of the economy are growing.

Student Support he Santa Cruz County Office of Education is partnering with the NAACP of Santa Cruz County on a Black Grad Celebration at 6 p.m. June 21 outside Santa Cruz City Hall on the Black Lives mural.

A $50 assist in paying for Internet also was included in the American Rescue Plan for people using food stamps or Medicaid and households with a child getting free school lunch and households who lost a job or was furloughed and make less than $99,000, single, and $198,00 for joint filers. The program ends when the money runs out. Check your status at getemergencybroadband.org.

On May 10, federal regulators granted emergency use authorization for the twoshot Pfizer vaccine, for kids ages 12 to 15, following clinical trials for that age group.

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“COVID Update” page 8

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For All Your Beverage Needs

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COMMUNITY NEWS

State Mask Guidance as of June 15 Editor’s note: This was posted June 9 by the California Department of Public Health in advance of the state reopening June 15 as the Coivd-19 pandemic wanes.

••• he COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing infection, disease, and spread. Unvaccinated persons are more likely to get infected and spread the virus, which is transmitted through the air and concentrates indoors. About 15% of our population remains without the option for vaccination (children under 12 are not yet eligible) and risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection will remain until we reach full community immunity.

The purpose of this guidance is to align with CDC recommendations and provide information about higher risk settings where masks are required or recommended to prevent transmission to persons with higher risk of infection (e.g., unvaccinated or immunocompromised persons), to persons with prolonged, cumulative exposures (e.g., workers), or to persons whose vaccination status is unknown.

When people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask correctly, they protect others as well as themselves. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors.

In workplaces, employers are subject to Cal/OSHA’s revised COVID-19 emergency temporary standards at https:// www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/ETS. html or in some workplaces the CalOSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_ publications/ATD-Guide.pdf and should consult those regulations for additional requirements.

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“COVID Update” from page 7 There is no approved vaccine for younger children, but there is little evidence of spread by young school-age children.

The Toll eaths from COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County have leveled off at 207, with 50 percent of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a percentage that was higher early in the pandemic.

Locally, 79 percent of those who died were age 70 or older and 78 percent had other health conditions – those percentages have remained stable.

A year after the pandemic began, case rates have plummeted statewide with 39.9 million vaccine doses administered.

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Individuals asks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status: • On public transit (such as airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (such as an airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation) • Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings. º Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.

• Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities) • State and local correctional facilities and detention centers • Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers Additionally, masks are required** for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (such retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).

For more information, refer to CDC Recommendations for Safer Activities at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/ATD-Guide.pdf **Guidance for Businesses, Venue Operators or Hosts In settings where masks are required

On Wednesday, Santa Cruz County reported three people hospitalized with COVID, none in intensive care. n •••

Gender Male: 103 • Female: 104

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County COVID Deaths: 207 As of June 16

Age 90 and up: 56 • 80 to 89: 63 • 70 to 79: 44 60 to 69: 27 • 50 to 59: 5 • 40 to 49: 7 30 to 39: 5 Race/Ethnicity White: 115 • Latinx: 75 • Asian: 15 Black: 1 • Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native: 1

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Underlying Conditions Yes: 161 • No: 46

Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Santa Cruz Post Acute: 20 Watsonville Post Acute: 18 Pacific Coast Manor: 14 Hearts & Hands Post Acute: 8 Sunshine Villa: 7 • Aegis: 4 Maple House 1: 4 • Valley Convalescent: 4 Watsonville Nursing Center: 4 Montecito Manor: 3 • De Un Amor: 2 Dominican Oaks: 2 • Driftwood: 2 Hanover House: 2 • Maple House II: 2 Rachelle’s Home 1: 2 • La Posada: 1 Paradise Villa: 1 • Rachelle’s Home II: 1 Valley Haven: 1 • Westwind: 1 Total: 103 Not at a facility: 104

only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to: • Provide information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.

• Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.

• Require all patrons to wear masks.

No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

Exemptions The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times: • Persons younger than 2 years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.

• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.

• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

• Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines. n COVID Cases by Town Aptos: 819 • Ben Lomond: 126 Boulder Creek: 154 • Capitola: 460 Felton: 159 • Freedom: 997 Santa Cruz: 3,993 • Scotts Valley: 448 Soquel: 361 • Watsonville: 8,163 Unincorporated: 257 Under investigation: 285 Total: 16,222* Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health *Fewer than before because of data cleanup ••• Editor’s Note: Would you like to share your family’s COVID-19 story? Email Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com or call 831688-7549 x17.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Aptos Jr. High Principal Goes to Mintie White ich Moran is the new principal of Mintie White Elementary School and of Joaquin Perez Cazorla is the new academic coordinator at Calabasas Elementary School. The Board of Trustees of Pajaro Valley Unified School District approved their appointments May 26.

Moran has been serving students in PVUSD since 2005 as a science teacher, after school coordinator, Rich Moran assistant principal and most recently at Aptos Junior High as the principal for the last seven years.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree and a single subject science credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. At San Jose State University, he earned his master’s in educational leadership and an administrative credential.

Perez Cazorla has been serving students at PVUSD since 1995 as an elementary teacher, math coach and technology and innovation coach. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in politics and environmental studies from the UC Santa Cruz and a master’s degree and teaching and administrative credentials from Cal State Northridge.

••• Cannacraft To Pay $300,000 Settlement in Ad Case n May 7, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell announced a settlement in a civil action against Cannacraft, Inc. for false advertising violations.

Cannacraft is a licensed cultivator and manufacturer of cannabis products based in Sonoma C o u n t y conducting business in California’s legal cannabis market.

Cannacraft agreed to pay $250,000 in civil penalties and $50,000 in restitution and investigative costs. Cannacraft also agreed to be bound by an injunction for 10 years.

The complaint alleged Cannacraft made representations regarding the efficacy of its Care By Design products that were not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence including: “Cannabidiol can change gene expression and remove beta amyloid plaque, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s, from brain cells” and “Scientific and clinical studies have shown that CBD could be therapeutic for many conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, anxiety, diabetes, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD, sleep disorders, alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, antibiotic-resistant infections, and neurological ailments.”

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Local prosecutors in the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit. worked with the California Food, Drug, and Medical Device Task Force on this case. The Task Force includes the District Attorney Offices of Alameda, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

Cannacraft and its counsel cooperated with the Task Force’s investigation, working together to change the advertising, and stipulated to the judgment without admitting liability, according to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office, which said this False Advertising Law settlement between law enforcement and a licensed California cannabis business may be the first of its kind.

••• Ham Named Exec. Director of SCC Business Council ousing Specialist Emily Ham has been named The new executive director of the Santa Cruz County Business Council, as of June 7, is Emily Ham, formerly housing specialist at the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.

Emily Ham She succeeds Robert Singleton, who led the nonprofit organization for four years.

••• Red Cross Seeks Volunteers he American Red Cross has open volunteer positions: Disaster Action Team Member: Respond to local emergencies, such as home fires, to provide services to support the immediate basic needs of families after a disaster.

Recovery Care Team Member: Provide general recovery casework support for individuals and families displaced by a disaster. This includes providing referrals for community resources and guidance while people navigate their next steps.

Computer work is required, training is provided.

Disaster Mental Health Team Member: Join in assisting local individuals and families impacted by a disaster. The Red Cross is also recruiting a coordinator to support this team.

Disaster Health Services Team Members: Support local residents with medical-related needs that occur as a result of a disaster by providing resources and referrals.

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Mass Care Team Member: Support emergency preparedness through shelter site inspections and shelter planning, complete training in feeding and sheltering procedures, and support exercises with Red Cross volunteers and community partners.

To apply, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

If you have questions about these positions or your application, contact Felicia Woolfolk, recruitment manager, at felicia. woolfolk@redcross.org or 209-812-5203.

••• SC County Bank Ranks 29th in U.S. anta Cruz County Bank, founded in 2004, with assets over $1.5 billion, ranks 29th in the Top Performing 200 Community Banks and Thrifts in the United States.

The rankings in American Banker Magazine’s May 2021 publication included 511 publicly traded institutions with under $2 billion in assets.

Ranking was based upon 3-year average return on equity for the years ending Dec. 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Santa Cruz County Bank’s average return on equity was 14.61% from 20182020 putting it fourth of the 26 California banks ranked in American Banker Magazine’s Top 200 Community Banks.

The median 3-year return on average equity for the top 200 was 11.39% compared to 9.22% for all 511 institutions.

Krista Snelling, president and CEO said, “We are honored to be ranked among the Top 200 banks in the nation for an eighth year based upon our financial performance. Our position in the top performance ratings year after year, in both California and the nation, is the result of strategic focus and discipline by our entire team.”

••• Santa Cruz Seeks Water Changes he City of Santa Cruz Water Department, which serves 98,000 customers and processes 6-8 million gallons

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of water per day, has petitioned the State Water Resources Control Board for changes to the city’s decades-old water rights.

Changes requested will allow the city more flexibility in how it can use the water it already has rights to, and codify the Water Department’s commitment to share water resources with special status fish species, like coho salmon and steelhead trout.

A draft Environmental Impact Report for the Santa Cruz Water Rights Project is posted at cityofsantacruz. com/waterenvdocs; printed versions can be viewed at the Water Department Engineering counter by appointment at (831) 420-5210, and at Santa Cruz Public Library branches.

Public information meetings on the proposed project and the environmental impact report will be 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, and 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 20.

Details are at www.cityofsantacruz.com/ SCWRP. ••• New Soquel High Scholarship Looking For Support id you know: Studies show that being involved with a gratitude can improve your health and generosity brings more joy to your life.

This year you have an opportunity to help a Soquel High School graduate by contributing to a new Soquel High Scholarship.

Every donation is tax-deductible. Tax ID# is 77-0038657.

Make checks payable to Soquel High Fund and put Soquel High School Scholarship (in memo). Mail to: Soquel High Fund, P.O. Box 1700, Soquel, CA 95073 For more information, contact John Bargetto, 831-475-2258 x17 or jbargetto@ bargetto.com or Sherri Hyde, 408-332-8376 or sherrihyde@att.net n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dominican Addition OK’d, $360M for Parking Garage, Surgery Center

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By Jondi Gumz

n June 8, Dominican Hospital got footage a poor way to analyze impact. The the unanimous go-ahead from hospital’s consultant projected an increase Santa Cruz County supervisors for of 148 vehicle trips with an increase of a $360 million project to build a new sur- 39 employees, and that a travel demand gical department and a three-story parking program and car pools could reduce the impact significantly. garage with 409 spaces.

“We serve everyone, especially those The 222-bed hospital at 1555 Soquel Drive is the only one with an emer- who are unable to pay,” said Dr. Nanette gency room in north Santa Cruz County Mickiewicz, the hospital’s president and and staff played a key role in helping CEO. “This is an important investment,” the county get through the COVID-19 said Supervisor Zach Friend. pandemic.

Supervisor Manu Koenig called The hospital has been using valet parking for some time to deal with the the proposed building beautiful and shortage of parking spaces as its facilities praised the way the planned landscaping would shield the got busier. Before the building from the pandemic, visitors neighborhood. often would circle the The project parking lots, hunting was designed by for a space that didn’t Devenney Group of seem to exist.

Oakland, which speThe only cializes in health care issue that sparked developments. debate was whether Supervisor Ryan Dominican should Coonerty proposed pay $540,000 in a compromise in traffic impact fees, which Dominican the amount recomA rendering of a new patient room. would pay $88,000, mended by county planner Nathan McBeth based on based on the hospital’s analysis and then standard formulas for square footage, pay an additional $250,000 as a community as the new operating rooms will total benefit.

However, that would leave the county 85,000 square feet, generating an estiPublic Works Department short by some mated new 901 vehicle trips.

The end result will be 10 operating $200,000 toward planned improvements rooms; today there are eight. No patient on Soquel Drive, the main access route to rooms are being added, as current rooms the hospital, to boost its rating from Level with two beds will become single occu- D, with wait times barely acceptable by transportation standards, to Level C, with pancy with privacy.

Deidre Hamilton of Hamilton Land has shorter wait times.

County Public Works chief Matt Planning made a case to reduce the traffic impact fee to $88,000, calling square Machado has secured a $16 million state grant that requires $9 million in local matching funds, and the current budget picture is lean, with no similar-sized developments on the horizon to contribute traffic impact fees.

“Without that funding, our improvements are at risk,” Coonerty conceded.

Dominican also agreed to contribute A rendering of a new waiting area.

10 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

A rendering of the proposed parking garage.

about $622,000, a 43 percent share of a project to upgrade stormwater drainage.

The project will start with the parking garage on Mission Drive.

That will displace 140 employee parking spaces. Dominican’s solution is an agreement with Oakwood Memorial Park, the funeral home and cemetery that flanks the hospital on Paul Sweet Road, for employees to park.

Once the parking garage is complete, the new operating rooms will be built the existing emergency department remodeled. Seismic upgrades mandated

by the state are part of the project, and creation of 60 private patient rooms from the former surgical department space.

The project is expected to be completed within 10 years—so 2031.

••• Support this Project pportunities are available for community contributions to the improvement of Dignity Health Dominican Hospital. For information, call the Dominican Hospital Foundation, (831) 462-7712. n

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A rendering of the proposed pavilion.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

El Pajaro Debuts Microloans for Women-Owned Businesses E l Pájaro Community Development Corp. invites the public to a virtual grand opening of El Pájaro Regional Women’s Business Center noon to 1 p.m.

Friday, June 18, via Zoom.

The keynote speakers include State Sen. Anna Caballero of the 12th State Senate District, which encompasses the Salinas Valley and part of the Central Valley,

Chef Maria Gonzalez

and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), who was instrumental in getting the center launched.

El Pájaro Regional Women’s Business Center will join a national network of 136 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on business development.

El Pajaro CDC will introduce the Women’s Business Center team, share success stories of women-owned businesses that have participated in its programs, and unveil its new microloan program funded with more than $1.5 million from government and private funders.

This represents El Pajaro CDC’s debut as a licensed State of California lender.

Last year, Panetta sent a letter to the Small Business Administration urging the establishment of a Regional Women’s Business Center on the Central Coast to provide greater resources to local femaleidentifying business owners.

“The El Pájaro Regional Women’s Business Center will provide greater opportunities to female entrepreneurs in our communities,” said Panetta, especially in the wake of this bruising pandemic.

“I look forward to the future success of all who will benefit from the guidance of the El Pájaro Regional Women’s Business Center team.”

Panetta has been an advocate for small businesses and Women’s Business Centers, securing $23 million in Congress’ FY2021 omnibus package. In the 116th Congress, Panetta introduced the Community Economic Development Center Support Act to provide funding to nonprofits such as El Pájaro offering technical assistance to minority and immigrant-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Reservations to attend the virtual event can be made through Eventbrite.

The registration cost is a donation of your choice. Event participants can order vegan lunch from Chef Maria Gonzalez, owner

“The El Pájaro Regional Women’s Business Center will provide greater opportunities to female entrepreneurs in our communities.”

— U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta

of Cali Dawg, a woman-owned food businesses based at El Pajaro CDC. The lunch, priced at $25, includes: Roasted Corn & Garbanzo Salad, fresh spring mix, roasted corn, seasoned garbanzo, tomatoes, bacon bits, red onion, shredded carrots, creamy cashew ranch dressing, or strawberry agave dressing, plus a Banana Chocolate Muffin. n ••• Orders will be available for pick-up only on the day of the event at the Plaza Vigil, 25 E. Beach St., Watsonville, and at Park Row Cafe, 962 Park Row, Salinas.

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12 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Growing the Table

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Organic Food for People in Need

JULY 9 - 11

“Growing the Table” page 15

JULY 16 - 18

dependent upon meal programs. The clients have been so grateful to receive the food and it leads to wonderful discussion regarding recipes, nutrition and well-being.”

Growing the Table focuses on the entire food system, not just consumers.

Working with partners like the Homeless Garden Project will help “shift the supply chain to a more equitable, regenerative and resilient economy,” said Kat Taylor.

JULY 23 - 25

Community Foundation: $308,450 in Scholarships to 32 Students

By Kevin Heuer

s graduates and their families celebrated with outdoor, socially distant ceremonies, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County honored 32 remarkable students with $308,450 in scholarships established by generous and forwardthinking donors.

“This year’s awardees stood out for their focus on community service and mentorship,” said CEO Susan True. “These are students smart enough to breeze through a subject, but kind enough to look back and pull others up along with them, as a tutor. Some were displaced due to the CZU fires, others had to figure out distance learning without internet at home. Students not only overcame extraordinary challenges, they volunteered hundreds of hours at COVID testing sites, food pantries, blood drives, and after-school programs.”

Two-thirds of the awardees are firstgeneration college students, turning their

parents’ and grandparents’ dreams of higher education into a reality.

“From the legacy of Henry Cowell’s family to a donor inspired last summer by the movement for racial equity, this community has a rich history of families giving back by establishing a scholarship fund. It’s an honor to work with the community leaders helping Santa Cruz County be a place where all generations have the opportunity to thrive,” said David Doolin, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Here are the 32 local scholarship recipients: Alpert Sharing Fund Scholarship: Angel Garcia Lopez, Watsonville High School (Yale)

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rowing the Table, a project of the Office of Kat Taylor, TomKat Educational Ranch, and private philanthropists, is partnering with the Homeless Garden Project and Coke Farm on the Growing the Table initiative, including a pilot program in Santa Cruz County.

Over 26 weeks, this partnership will distribute more than 4,200 boxes of organic food to more than 20 local community organizations.

One organization receiving weekly boxes is Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health, where clients are getting produce at home and at the clinic, plus group cooking lessons.

“We are using the Growing the Table produce to teach our clients meal planning and cooking skills in a group format,” said Susan Fisher, an occupational therapist at the County Behavioral Health.

“Our clients are on very limited budgets, so they often choose more calorie-dense foods (bread, cereal, fast food) versus organic produce,” Fisher said. “On the older adult team, some are completely

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Mount Madonna School’s Top Students M ount Madonna School announces Kira Kaplan as the 2021 valedictorian, Sara Bautista as salutatorian and this year’s high school graduation ceremony to be held in person at the upper campus, for the graduates and their families at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 17.

“I am proud of both Kira and Sara for earning this distinction,” said Mount Madonna Director of Upper School Shannon Kelly. “They have worked hard throughout their time in high school, but more importantly, they are curious and engaged learners.”

Kaplan will attend Smith College.

“I am very excited to attend Smith, an all-women’s school in Northampton, Massachusetts,” said Kaplan. “There are many things drawing me to this school, and one of the most important is its supportive environment. Our society has a tendency to diminish the qualities and intelligence of women, and is more focused on the cultivation of the white male; Smith presents an environment specifically dedicated to crafting rounded, welleducated women.

The lack of male Kira Kaplan presence at Smith creates a more collaborative and comfortable environment of women supporting women.

She added, “Unlike at other schools where males might be given first priority for research, classes, opportunities, etc, at Smith you are the first priority. I was accepted into the STRIDE program, which guarantees paid research with a faculty member for my first two years — pretty incredible!

Currently I’m looking at a pre-med track with a major in biology or math. Nothing is set in stone, and I’d like to dive deeper into my interests before I make any concrete decisions.”

As for her teachers at Mount Madonna School, Kaplan said, “I’ve been impacted by every single teacher I’ve had the privilege to be taught by…SN Mailliard has an incredible and thoughtful mind and is

truly an amazing Values teacher. I learned so much from him and was amazed at the depth of conversation we partook in his class. His wisdom inspires me. Nicole Silva is incredibly passionate about science, and astounds me with her depth of knowledge and hard work towards her career.

I get excited about biology just by being around her. Her energy inspires me.

Sara Bautista Haley Campbell is incredibly kind and caring towards her students.

“She takes the time to reach out and ensure that each and every one of us knows we are loved and valued. Her heart inspires me. Sampad Kachuck is a teacher among teachers. His style and flair for teaching is one of a kind and I find myself enraptured with whatever subject he’s teaching. His performance inspires me. Shannon Kelly is like a worker bee, constantly busy and constantly buzzing. She seems to know the answer to everything and is always helping us find solutions to our problems. Her dedication inspires me. Lastly, PK McDonald always brightens my day and makes me laugh. He is fascinated by the subjects he teaches and truly brings enjoyment and cheer to whichever classroom he enters. His attitude inspires me.”

Bautista, who plans to attend Occidental College, a smaller liberal arts school because of its location in Los Angeles and program offerings.

“I like that Occidental has a larger art department than a lot of the other liberal arts schools I looked at,” said Bautista. “I also like the way the school culture is described and how I experienced it.”

She said all of her Mount Madonna teachers are “really intelligent and caring. They have all put so much effort into adapting to this year’s COVID challenges. I admire them all.”

Mount Madonna School’s Class of 2021 includes nine other students: “Top Students” page 19

“Growing the Table” from page 13 Instead of sourcing produce from larger farms, this initiative sources food from and seeks to support small to mid-size farms, owned or operated by people of color and women, and farms that use organic, regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices.

Homeless Garden Project will serve as the primary food distribution site for Santa Cruz and provide outreach to assess community need and identify service organizations that could benefit from receiving produce boxes during the pilot program.

Growing the Table adds to the Homeless Garden Project’s decade-long Feed Two Birds program, which provides shares of

“Scholarships” from page 13 Judy Anton Woman of Valor/Lupita Loves to Read Project Scholarship: Itzel Gomez, Ceiba High School (Fresno State), and Marlize Velasco, Cypress High School (Cabrillo Honors Program) R.H. Beel Memorial Scholarship: Lillian Henderson, Santa Cruz High School (Cabrillo) Burton Scholarship: Gabriel Johnston, Aptos High School (UC Santa Cruz), Karina Bejar, Watsonville High School (UC Davis), Adrian Elizalde, Watsonville High School (Yale), Jennifer Hernandez, Pajaro Valley High School (Cabrillo), Cesar Rivera, Watsonville High School (UC Merced), Angela Rockey, Watsonville High School (USC), Consuelo Vidal-Perez, Watsonville High School (USC), and Ava Adamsen, Soquel High School (UC San Diego).

Ernest V. Cowell Scholarship: Luis Rameno, Harbor High School (UC Santa Cruz) Bob and Betsy Darrow Scholarship: Anjelica Medina Jenaro, Harbor High School (UC Merced) Jack DeBord Memorial Scholarship: Angelo Reis, San Lorenzo Valley High School (Cal Poly) Hank Garcia Jr. and Family Scholarship: Juliet Sweet, Aptos High School (UC Santa Barbara), Merrsy Aguilar-Garcia, Pajaro Valley High School (Chico State), Gemma de la Cruz, Watsonville High School (UC Davis) and Ashley Rubio, Pajaro Valley High School (UC San Diego)

their farm’s harvest each week to 10 local organizations.

“Growing the Table will provide significantly more food to our community members in need,” said Darrie Ganzhorn, the Project’s executive director.

“Food reaches every aspect of our lives; innovation in our food system can have powerful ripple effects.” n ••• More information is at https://homelessgardenproject.org/ and at https://www. growingthetable.org/ Photos: Organic produce is loaded and delivered, thanks to a new initiative, growing the Table, and a partnership with the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz.

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Emmett and Elsie Geiser Scholarship: Holden Barker, Aptos High School (Chapman), Ladislao Silva, Pajaro Valley High School (San Jose State) and Dulce Ortiz-Herrera, Watsonville High School (Sacramento State).

Matt’s Climb Scholarship: Alana Smallman, Cypress High School Bert and Carolyn Post Scholarship: Name withheld for privacy, Watsonville High School (UC Santa Cruz) Louis J. and Mary Ellen Schultz Scholarship: Madelyn Mosely, Cabrillo College, and Christopher Ruiz, Watsonville High School (Hartnell) Simunovich Family Agriculture Scholarship: Rigoberto Cruz-Lopez, Watsonville High School (Cal State Monterey Bay) Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship: Madelynn Piona, Soquel High School (Johns Hopkins), Bobby Blaschke, Santa Cruz High School (Monmouth), Lena Noya, Santa Cruz High School (Brown) and Jacob Rivera, Harbor High School (UC Berkeley) John L. Turner Scholarship: Jasmine Espinoza Verdugo, Watsonville High School (San Jose State) For information on the Community Foundation’s scholarship program visit: https://www.cfscc.org/scholarships n ••• Kevin Heuer is director of engagement and impact at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 15

16 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Shifts to Classes in Person, Mandates Vaccine O n June 7, Cabrillo College announced that more than half the courses this fall will feature face-toface or hybrid instruction.

A listing of those classes will be posted on the www.Cabrillo.edu website starting June 15.

In another major change, Cabrillo is mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty and staff who come to campus. Those with religious objections or health reasons for not obtaining a vaccination will have an opportunity to pursue an exemption but will be required to routinely provide negative COVID test results to be on campus.

Registration for the fall is underway and students are encouraged to check their email and the college website after June 15 for class changes and new sections providing face-to-face instruction. Online classes and services will continue but inperson classes and services will greatly expand.

“We are making this shift to serve our community,” said Cabrillo President and Superintendent Matt Wetstein. “One of the things we learned during the pandemic is that some of our students like the flexibility of online learning. But we also heard loud and clear that some of our students miss the structured learning and social interaction that takes place on campus.

They miss interacting with each other and the payoff that they get from the broader college experience of direct engagement with faculty, on-campus student support services, and being a part of peer study groups.”

Cabrillo officials anticipate making a full return to in-person instruction and services by spring semester 2022.

Staff and faculty will return to oncampus offices on Aug. 16.

The Aptos campus Welcome Center will reopen for student access, registration, and financial aid questions in early August.

Several in-person services opened at Cabrillo’s Watsonville Center during spring and will continue throughout the summer and into fall including El Patio, the Watsonville outdoor study space that features in-person tutoring for math, writing and chemistry, express academic counseling, library services, graphing calculator checkouts for the summer, a food pantry, and free printing.

College staff and faculty are working to shift some sections that were planned for online learning to in-person sections or hybrid sections. The goal is to move the class schedule from about 25% face-toface offerings to 50% to 60% face-to-face sections for the fall. Popular transferable, general education offerings are being targeted for the change.

Several factors are driving the movement back toward in-person service.

One key factor is the high vaccination rate in Santa Cruz County, with more than 50% of residents 18 and up vaccinated as of June 1.

“On Campus” page 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Freedom to Play: Soccer Fields Bring Lots of Benefits

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By Susan True

or so many children, joy is the freedom to play, and run, and jump safely outside. It’s the triumph of success and a deep determination to keep getting better. It’s community and mentorship and friendship.

The Pájaro Valley Sports Foundation had a vision of hundreds of Watsonville families gaining the opportunity to experience joy on new soccer fields at Freedom Elementary School. We were delighted to host the campaign fund and contribute a $50,000 grant. The goal is very close to being met but you still have time to help.

An enormous thanks to many of you: Driscoll’s Inc., the J Miles and Rosann Reiter Family Foundation, Watsonville Rotary, and many more. Construction should be finished just in time for the fall sports season and the start of school.

Safe Spaces The field, which will be used by the school’s students during school hours, will serve as the “home field” for the 800 members of PV United Soccer through a joint use and lease agreement with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

“The location here is key,” says Gina

Castañeda, a Santa Cruz County probation officer, PV United Soccer coach and trustee, and executive committee member of the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation, and the founder of the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy. “Between Freedom Elementary School and Rolling Hills Middle School, there is no space to go outside to play and there is a lot of gang recruitment and activity.”

This lack of access to physical activity exacerbates health problems like obesity and diabetes that local kids are facing. In Watsonville, roughly half of children are overweight or obese compared to 31% in Santa Cruz and 38% statewide.

Right now, she explains, due to lack of current field availability, local soccer organizations have to cap their registration resulting in hundreds of children losing the opportunity to play and a necessary rationing of practices and games.

“Soccer is everything,” says Gina.

“As part of a team, the kids have access to coaches who become mentors and another safe adult in their life. They learn about nutrition and behaviors that are healthy on and off the field.

“Freedom to Play” page 19

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 17

JUNE 2021

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

SELLER’S MARKET STILL — 28 homes sold in Aptos in May. The high was 278 Beach drive ($2,900,000). The low was 838 Cathedral, 1 bed, 1 bath, 576 Sq. Ft ($549,000). AVG Sales Price was $1,387,012. MEDIAN List Price - $1,244,500, MEDIAN Sales Price $1,387,500, increase of $143,000 over list price or 11.5% above list price.

PROP 19 — Prop 19 tax savings could save your thousands annually. If you are over 55, severely disabled or victims of a wildfire, you can transfer the taxable value of your property to a replacement property anywhere in California, up to 3 times. The new property can even be of greater value than your original property (you only pay the current tax rate on the delta). The purchase of the replacement property must be done within two years of the sale of the original.

Example: You have owned your home in Aptos for 30 years. You paid $200,000 for it in 1981 and you are now paying annual property taxes of $4000. You have paid off your mortgage. You sell your house today for $1,200,000 net (after commissions and closing costs), you buy a home for $1,200,000 anywhere in CA, normal tax rate of 1.1+% would be at least $13,200 in property taxes, but you keep your current tax basis and only pay $4000, saving $9,200 per year in taxes.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

PVUSD Supports LGBTQ+ Students O n May 21, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District raised the “Progress Flag,” at the district office and at E.A. Hall Middle School in honor of Harvey Milk.

Every school site and district facility raised this flag.

“We as a Board resolved to fly the flag on three special occasions, May 22 in honor of Harvey Milk Day, during the month of June and on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day,” said Board President Jennifer Holm.” The flag is an international symbol of rights and pride and promotes a safe and inclusive environment and we are very proud to be in an educational community that wants to send that message of ‘you belong’ and ‘we appreciate you’ to all our youth.”

Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, district superintendent, added, “We at PVUSD want to leverage this important opportunity to increase awareness, equity and safety for LGBTQ+ students. We are inspired by the

work that students and staff do during this time and throughout the year to highlight the way in which communities can come together to support our youth.”

The Progress Flag uses the 6 Stripe Rainbow, incorporating black and brown stripes to include black and indigenous people of color with the queer community and the blue, pink and white colors offering support to transgender youth.

In 1977, Milk was the first openly gay elected official in California when he won his race for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was assassinated in 1978.

In his words, “All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” n

Nisene Rio Gateway Launches With Flair

T

By Todd Marco

he public kickoff event May 30 for Nisene Rio Gateway (NRG) was fun for all ages! There was a great turnout of volunteers to cut invasive ivy from the trees around Aptos Village Park. Yum Yum Eatery, owned by a local 6-year-old entrepreneur, sponsored the event along with other great local sponsors - New Leaf Community Markets & Original Ferrell’s Donuts.

At the off-site after-party, supporters enjoyed some long overdue in-person socialization! It was great to put faces to names and chat in more detail about NRG’s ambitious plans to improve safety & access for active transportation in Aptos. We also enjoyed some local beer and a variety of wines from another one of our sponsors, Bridge To Nowhere Cellars.

During the event, our latest adventure campaign was announced: “Get your NRG out!” Explorers are encouraged to post their GPS track as they pilot the proposed NRG Park & Trail Network.

More details are on the NRG Public Forum on Facebook.

N R G is planning Nisene Rio Gateway volunteers ready to get to work.

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Kids are part of the new Nisene Rio Gateway network. future events like a group hike along the Gateway Trail, reading of The Lorax for storytime in the forest, and of course there’s still plenty of invasive ivy to cut. n

“Freedom to Play” from page 17 “Through being a part of the team, they have continual conversations about leadership,” Gina continued. “And for many, regular exercise and participation helps them manage anxiety and establish a healthier routine where they look forward to practice, eat better, shower regularly, and sleep well.”

Community Dreams Coming True “The school and administration have been great partners,” says Liliana Diaz, a local attorney and PV United executive committee member and volunteer. Right now, most school fields are unsafe to play on, with large holes that can cause injury to students and players. “Unfortunately, the district doesn’t have the funding to fix them which is why this collaboration between PVUSD and local nonprofits is an exciting launch toward the Pájaro Valley Sports Foundation’s purpose of creating more safe sports fields in and around south county.”

Liliana says that the whole community has rallied behind this cause with

“On Campus” from page 16 Health officers in the 10 counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Santa Cruz County, have all endorsed a reopening of K-12 schools for the fall, citing the public health benefit of community learning.

According to a statement released by the health officers, “The lack of inperson learning has disrupted education, weakened the social supports provided by school communities, negatively impacted mental health, and prevented participation in the rituals and shared milestones that tie our communities together.”

The Cabrillo vaccine mandate decision mirrors other public school districts in the county and the California State University and University of California systems in addition to private education providers.

College officials will be communicating with registered students to

“Top Students” from page 14 Ami Bharghavan, St. Andrews University, United Kingdom; Corey Mensinger, UC Santa Cruz; Kahlan Tervalon, Seattle University; Octavio Moreno, UC Berkeley; Oliver Mensinger, Cabrillo College; Ronan Lee, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Samuel Caudill, Lewis & Clark College; Sarah Vince, Otterbein University; and Savannah Cambell, Johnson & Wales University.

“Resiliency and flexibility are words ascribed globally to the graduates of 2021

donations coming in from a wide array of individuals, organizations and businesses including D’la Colmena, Sereno Group, Lakeside Organics, and Roper Engineering.

“We all face challenges,” Liliana says, “but in spite of the obstacles, it’s important to pay attention to the positive things in our lives.”

Liliana believes that for many student athletes of Watsonville, soccer is that positive thing. It’s something they can look forward to, a place of belonging and acceptance, and where they can have fun, be creative, gain self-confidence and learn valuable life lessons such as how to win and lose gracefully.

“Everybody deserves to dream,” she says, “and for some youth, their dreams are fulfilled on the field playing soccer where they work hard, form sustaining bonds, and believe in themselves.” n ••• Note: Gina Castañeda and Liliana Diaz both serve on the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Donations to the Freedom School Soccer Field Fund are still needed. You can donate here: https://www.cfscc.org/FreedomSoccer provide directions on how to comply with the new vaccine mandate and processes for requesting medical or religious accommodations.

Students will need to be fully vaccinated by Aug. 2 to comply with the requirement for in-person attendance. To provide for public safety, the college plans to maintain the mask requirement for those on campus in the fall. The college will monitor public health directives and advisories and update campus safety policies accordingly.

To fulfill vaccination requirements, students, faculty, and staff can upload vaccination documentation at the Cabrillo Student Health Services portal at: https://www.cabrillo.edu/ student-health-services/.

The process is relatively easy. Students need to have a pihoto of their vaccination card and simply click on the “upload document” feature of the secure website. n

who overcame obstacles, setbacks and persevered despite the pandemic and other challenges,” said Mount Madonna Head of School Ann Goewert. “The MMS seniors are heartfelt. They proved to be leaders and role models for the school community by showing up each day with maturity, grace, and an eye for the future. Even though the traditional senior milestones had to look different, they embraced the opportunity and honored the traditions albeit in a new way.” n ••• Photos Courtesy of Mt. Madonna School

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Visit kirby.org and contact our Admissions team to learn more about our Test-Free Application process and to schedule a tour.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Felton Community Hall Fundraising

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Best of Senior Home Care

a fund-raising drive to rebuild the Community Hall. The new Felton Community Hall, completed in 1996, stands on the original historic site, a testament to the extraordinary achievement of ordinary people with a shared vision and a willingness to work together.

Now it is time once again for community members to come together to keep this important location operating for future generations. Due to the Covid Pandemic restrictions, FCH has lost its event and class rental income. It also depleted its reserve fund a couple of years ago to pay for a complete roof replacement.

Competitive Pay Flexible Schedules Training Programs Experience Preferred

By Steve Goodman

he Felton Community Hall has been an integral part of the San Lorenzo Valley since the original building was completed in 1927, funded by the community and spearheaded

by Dr. Jesse Farmer, who happened to single-handedly save the San Lorenzo Valley from the ravages of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.

The hall has provided a community meeting place for performances, events and classes as well as a place to celebrate so many of life’s milestones such as weddings, memorials, scout ceremonies and so much more. FCH is also a central gathering place during community emergencies.

After the original building burnt to the ground in 1990, local citizens began

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“Felton Community Hall” page 25

American Red Cross Blood Drives

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he American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to encourage people to Give Blood to Give Time and help loved ones have support during cancer treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society, many procedures were forced to delay or cancel early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

With procedures resuming, blood donations are critical for cancer treatments.

Unfortunately, the Red Cross is seeing fewer blood and platelet donors give as the nation begins to climb out of this pandemic.

This downturn comes as the Red Cross sees strong demand for blood products — including platelets — by hospitals, causing

concern for the sufficiency of the blood supply throughout the summer.

Platelets, the clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment, must be transfused within five days of donation and, therefore, are always in great demand.

Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the need for blood products. About six blood products are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the U.S. give blood.

“Blood Drives” page 25

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YOUR OPINIONS

Support Zero Emisssions Rail & 32-Mile Coastal Trail

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By Faina Segal, Board Chair, Friends of the Rail & Trail

recent tie vote left the Regional Transportation Commission not pursuing further action to implement electric passenger rail service on our corridor. Here’s why we think that’s a big mistake.

1) Adding Rail is about Investing in Public Transportation.

Clean light rail will cut commute times nearly in half by providing commuters with an alternative to Highway 1, allowing commuters more time with their families.

Those who live in South County communities in and around Watsonville spend up to 90 minutes or more each way getting to and from work. These mostly essential workers need a better way to their North County jobs. In fact, we all need an alternative(1) to being stuck in traffic, regardless of the reason.

2) Adding Rail is a Climate Action.

Historically, 60% of our county’s greenhouse gas emissions are transportation-related.(2) Adding zero emission light rail is the most effective thing we can do to reduce them.

The most recent RTC study indicated that adding rail will reduce GHG emissions by 1482 metric tons annually, the equivalent of(3) planting 24,500 trees and growing them for 10 years every year, year after year.(4) That’s a huge reduction in emissions we can achieve with just this one project!

There are no other transportation projects in Santa Cruz County that come close to this number.

3) Rail & Trail are Better Together.

The award-winning and approved Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network plan(5) maps out a trail along the 32-mile rail corridor, next to the tracks.

This plan shows we can have an improved transportation system with electric rail and a fantastic new trail that goes around the bay.

The rail trail project has already gone through extensive legal and environmental review with rail alongside, and portions of the trail with rail have already been completed. Rail and trail together will provide both active transportation and public transportation. A win-win for all.(6) 4) Rail Enhances our METRO Service and Provides Car-free Options for All. About one third of our county residents, including seniors, youth, and

people with disabilities, cannot easily get around our community because they do not drive.

These people rely on public transportation. Whether you are unable to drive or prefer not to drive, adding passenger rail will make car-free travel faster, easier and less expensive.

In fact, adding clean light rail is projected to increase county-wide public transportation use to 250% of pre-pandemic levels which helps the long term health of METRO (more riders on every bus!).(7) With easy roll on & off convenience, light-rail provides better options than a walking and biking trail alone, enabling independent travel for errands, shopping, medical appointments and more.(8) As an added bonus, rail transit will be free of traffic congestion even during rush hour.

5) Rail Transit will create Safer Walkable Neighborhoods.

The traffic reduction achieved by adding electric rail transit is projected to reduce vehicle, bike and pedestrian accidents by 346 collisions every year.(9) That’s almost one less collision every day! Plus, local businesses will enjoy more foot traffic, increased visibility and traffic-free transportation options during festivals and events.

For a county with one of the worst pedestrian and cycling safety records in the state, making our(10) neighborhoods safer will have a positive impact now and for generations to come.

6) This is a Regional Project.

Zero-emissions rail will seamlessly connect us to regional, state and national rail networks at the Watsonville Junction.

Imagine “Around-the-Bay” car-free rail transit between Santa Cruz and Monterey and points in between.

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“Pro: Rail & Trail” page 24

Coastal Rail Not Feasible, Surfers & Greenway Say Editor’s note: This piece was submitted by Buzz Anderson, Santa Cruz County Greenway enthusiast, and signed by 100 surfers including Nat Young, Shawn Dollar and Tyler Fox. For information see sccgreenway.org.

••• anta Cruz County Greenway, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising broad-based support for transforming the unused Santa Cruz County rail corridor into a positive community asset, has announced the support of members of the local surf community.

A number of Santa Cruz County surfers and ocean enthusiasts have come together to endorse the Greenway vision of a multi-use trail on the corridor, creating a wide enough path to accommodate bike and pedestrian use, as well as new e-mobility forms of active transportation.

“It’s time for the community to come together around Greenway. The Regional Transportation Commission’s studies have made it clear that a train is not financially feasible,” said Kyle Thierman, big wave surfer, writer and local podcaster.

“The community would benefit so much from taking up the tracks and building a wide multi-use trail for safe routes to schools, biking to work, and recreational use of all kinds.”

The Greenway plan involves railbanking (preserving the corridor for a possible future rail option), removing the existing and unused tracks, and building a world-class trail down the center of the rail corridor using existing bridges and trestles, to optimize safety and ease of travel.

Imagine being in a park-like setting and having the ability to bike to the beach, safely use your wheelchair, take a stroll with your family, walk your pet, or cruise to work on an e-powered mode of personal transit, all on a grade of less than 3%.

Greenway envisions the coastal corridor being the backbone of a network of pathways connected to trails like the

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Pajaro River levee, Slough trails, and enhanced protected bike lanes on city streets.

South County residents will have access to the magnificent sloughs and beaches as well as a safe transportation alternative.

The Santa Cruz surf community realizes the importance of creating recreational opportunities for all residents of the county, as well as providing alternative forms of non-polluting green transit.

The Greenway vision promotes a healthy lifestyle, something our local surfers have embraced since the first waves were ridden at the San Lorenzo River mouth by three Hawaiian princes in 1885.

“By building Greenway, our community will be setting a positive course for future generations, one that is in keeping with the character, ideals and environmental ethos of the people that live and work here,” said Tyler Fox, publisher of Santa Cruz Waves magazine and big wave surfer. “The best form of public transit going forward is an improved METRO bus system and Greenway.”

Justine Willeford, water woman and sustainable swimwear brand owner, said, “The rail proposal is insanely expensive, forever in the future, and won’t benefit the populations that need affordable public transit the most. A new bike and walking path would cost very little by comparison, be completed quickly, and be heavily utilized by the community.”

Blake Anderson, surfer, waterman and Santa Cruz Harbormaster would like to see the corridor near the Harbor be used for bike commuters and recreational travel.

“The benefits of having bicyclists cross the Harbor via the trestle and not the Eaton Street bridge will result in fewer accidents and alleviate bike versus pedestrian pinch points at the upper harbor,” he said.

Big wave surfer Shawn Dollar agrees with a multi-use trail will provide safety to users.

“Con: Rail & Trail” page 27

FEATURED COLUMNIST

School Starts Aug. 12; Mask Complaints Are Being Investigated Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Editors Note: This is the last column of the school year. Ask Dr. Rodriguez will return in August.

••• I recently sent in a summer school interest form for my child. When will we be informed about the final plans for summer school and where he will attend? or the first session beginning next week, most of the programs are through the Extended Learning Department, therefore, families can contact Extended Learning to confirm by calling 786-2360 or emailing extendedlearning@pvusd.net.

For Extended Learning’s online programs and credit recovery programs for high school students, held June 14-July 9, families and students should have already received the enrollment confirmation information directly through email.

If you did not receive that email, please contact Extended Learning at the contact information provided above. For the in-person Migrant Summer Program held June 14-July 9, families should contact the Migrant Department to confirm enrollment.

For the second summer school session, July 14-August 4, families should contact their child’s school to confirm participation.

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I heard about the program Camp Connect. Can I get more information on that program? e are excited to offer this unique full day, in-person program, Camp Connect, to identified students from June 14-July 9. The program is for current 4th-7th grade students and will be held at all middle school sites (Aptos Junior, Cesar Chavez, EA Hall, Lakeview, Pajaro Middle, Rolling Hills).

The goal of the program is to offer in-person activities such as art, sports, and other pro-social activities in a small group setting. As the program enrollment is limited to recommendation only, please reach out to your site administrator if you feel this program would be a good fit for your child and you have not received an invitation.

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Can I still register my child for the second session of full day, in-person summer school at my site? es, please contact your site administrator for more information on how to

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Will schools be receiving new guidance from the state on what is required and not required? he California Department of Public Health (CDPH) intends to release their new guidance on or before June 15. These guidelines will inform our efforts for the upcoming school year.

sign up for the second session of summer school. To ensure we have proper staffing, we were initially closing registration this week.

However, we have extended the window for another week so you may still register your child if you contact site administration by Friday, June 11, 2021.

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What are these new boxes that we have on the walls by the ceilings throughout the District Office? he boxes that you see are the new Informacast clock, bell, paging system that is being installed at the District Office.

It is the same mass notification system that is installed in nearly all PVUSD schools. This system offers all call paging (including outdoor areas), advanced alerting, pre-recorded & scheduled announcements, and runs over the same network infrastructure that supports the phone and computer systems.

This system is highly configurable and will be set up in separate zones for DO, Adult Education, and PCCS which will allow for local departmental paging and bells or can be used to do an all-call page across the entire facility in the event of an emergency. Informacast integrates with the phone system so can be accessed by dialing predefined codes from any phone.

The Atlas speakers have integrated digital clocks that will scroll text-based emergency notifications and include LED flashers to support hearing impared people that may not be able to hear the auditory notifications. Technology Services staff have done all of the configuration, system tuning, and staff training across the district so they have become experts in adjusting and supporting this system.

We will be installing Informacast in the last few schools next year which will allow us to use the system for district-wide or multi-site announcements or emergency notifications as needed. The network and speaker installation will be complete at the district office during the third week of June. Technology Services will then complete the configuration and system tuning by the end of June.

I am a certificated teacher with a vulnerable elderly family member for whom I am the primary support person.

Even though we are both vaccinated, I am aware that vaccinated people CAN become infected with and/or spread the Covid virus (as you explain quite clearly in your last Q&A). However, I’m already hearing from friends who opted in or visit school sites that staff members aren’t consistently wearing masks in staff rooms, classrooms and other shared spaces.

How will you ensure that staff follow the mask guidelines so that other staff members who are concerned are not in the position of policing their colleagues?

Will there be a protocol for staff members to make anonymous comments to their site administrator? Thank you for your support around this issue. n the upcoming weeks, all schools in California will receive both guidance from CDPH and Cal OSHA. PVUSD will ensure that we follow those guidelines. With current requirements, staff is not required to wear a face covering if they are alone in their classroom or private office.

For now, all staff should be wearing their face coverings when in a shared space. If you see people not wearing their face coverings, you should let site administrators or department leads know so they can speak with appropriate staff. Site administrators will not use the names of the reporting staff to fellow staff members.

Unfortunately, we have had to enforce the State requirement through progressive discipline when a staff member refuses to comply.

If you do not feel comfortable with speaking to site administration directly, you can leave a note for your administrator so you may remain anonymous. If you do not receive resolution for the issue, you

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I

should contact the appropriate Assistant Superintendent.

With the recent release of Dr. Fauci emails, Dr. Fauci said, “Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection.” He added that the “typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through material.” So we are torturing our children inhibiting their breathing by requiring masks in the fall? he understanding about the effectiveness of masks and guidance about wearing them evolved during the pandemic, as did Dr. Fauci’s position on their use.

Dr. Fauci did respond to questions about the Feb. 5 email you are referencing during a June 3 appearance on CNN, Fauci said his understanding changed as more information became available about asymptomatic transmission of the virus and the effectiveness of masks outside of hospitals.

“If we realized all of those things back then, of course, you’re asking the question, would you have done something different if you knew what you know now, of course people would have done that. It’s so obvious,” noted Dr. Fauci.

Nevertheless, all schools in California, both public and private, follow California Department of Public Health guidelines which currently require all people on a school campus to wear face coverings. Generally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CDPH guidelines are fairly consistent with CDC providing federal guidance and CDPH providing state level guidance.

As the majority of children are not vaccinated, it is likely that the new CDPH school guidelines will still require students to continue to wear face coverings at school and on school buses. As we have throughout the pandemic, PVUSD will continue to follow CDPH guidelines and requirements.

The health and safety of our educational community is still a priority.

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“PVUSD Q&A” page 26

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Remembering Sgt. Gutzwiller O n June 4, the Beyond the Call of Duty End of Watch Ride to Remember stopped at the Santa Cru County Sheriff’s Office headquarters at 5200 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, to honor fallen Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller.

For 84 days between May 28 and Aug. 19, six motorcycle riders are traveling 22,300 miles across the country visiting cities and police departments to honor 338 men and women of law enforcement who paid the ultimate price in their service in 2020.

End of Watch Ride to Remember, motorcycle riders from the state of Washington, escort a 41-foot trailer bearing photos of fallen officers from the previous year.

The spokesperson and founder, Damon Gutzwiller Jagrut Shah, a former deputy, said, “I wanted to bridge this gap that we have and bring back to the department and let the officers and their families know that their loss has not been forgotten.”

For info, visit www.endofwatchride.com

The memorial, End of Watch Ride to Remember, is organized by a group founded by a retired deputy, Jagrut Shah.

“Pro: Rail & Trail” from page 22 Imagine traveling stress free and car free between where you live and San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles or anywhere else in CA or the USA.(11) So what should happen to the rail corridor? We should use it for transit service and a great trail!

Pausing this project threatens our ability to address worsening traffic and congestion, address climate change and improve the quality of life in our community.

It is clear expanded transit, especially rail transit, is a priority for funding at the state and federal level. We threaten our ability to bring this money home by not moving forwards.

The trailer bears photos of officers who lost their lives while on duty in 2020.

Join Friends of the Rail & Trail, the Sierra Club, Bike Santa Cruz County, Youth for Climate Justice, the City Council of Santa Cruz, the City Council of Watsonville, the Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party Central Committee, the Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County Environmental Committee, the San Lorenzo Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee, the Campus Democrats at UCSC, and Roaring Camp Railroads and many other local organizations and businesses in promoting a rail and trail today! n ••• 1-Predicted travel times between destinations from the RTFS are: Watsonville — Santa Cruz 40

24 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

minutes; Aptos Village — Santa Cruz 18 minutes; Capitola Village — Santa Cruz 11 minutes.

2-County of Santa Cruz — Greenhouse gas emissions Inventories and emissions reduction targets. Tables 2.1 and 2.2. http://www.sccoplanning. com/Portals/2/County/Planning/policy/Climate%20 Action%20Strategy/2.0.pdf?ver=Ez5JfoXNLQ2WS8wjOCC_Q%3d%3d 3-TCAA/RNIS Table 5.21 Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 4-EPA Equivalency Calculator https://www.epa. gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator 5-Fact sheet for the Current Rail Trail Plan https://sccrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FactSheet_MBSST_Coastal-Rail-Trail.pdf 6-$41M estimated cost to reverse policy. UCIS Appendix B, Table B-13: Trail Only 7-Pre-covid METRO annual reports indicate there are about 5,000,000 annual boardings on the

bus 2 system or about 13,700 boardings per day. The TCAA/RNIS (Table 5.19) predicts adding LRT will increase use of public transit countywide to 34,300 boardings per day. Doing the math: 34,300 / 13,700 = 250% 8-See highest priority item 30 in the 2021 Final Draft Unmet Paratransit and Transit Needs prepared by 6 the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee of the RTC. Linked here: https:// sccrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Final-DraftUnmet-Needs-List-w-RTC-edits.pdf 9-TCAA/RNIS Table 5.9: Safety Performance Measures 10-https://www.flipsnack.com/sctrafficsafety/ the-impact-of-traffic-violence-on-santa-cruz-county.html 11-2018 SRP and TAMC’s RNIS both illustrate the future regional and state rail networks to which the 12Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line connects at the Watsonville Junction

COMMUNITY NEWS

Ocean Film Festival World Tour

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uench your thirst for international travel at the 2021 Ocean Film Festival World Tour, a benefit for Save Our Shores presented by the Rio Theatre.

The price to rent 48 hours of virtual screening is $18. https://www.riotheatre. com/events-2/2021/6/8/ocean-filmfestival-world-tour For every ticket sold, $3 goes to Save Our Shores.

Rebirth (6 minutes, UK) — Meet Benoit, a surfer from the Basque country, fighting for his love of riding waves after a freak accident resulted in him losing an arm.

Voice Above Water (11 minutes, USA) — Wayan Nyo, a 90-year-old fisherman can no longer fish due to plastic piling up in the ocean so he uses his fishing boat and net to pull rubbish from the water.

Kate Hamsikova: The Sea to Me (3 minutes, UK) — Kate Hamiskova is a

“Blood Drives” from page 21 The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies through July 24. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 are asked to postpone donation.

The Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from selfidentified African American donors for the sickle cell trait, to help identify compatible blood types more quickly for people with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help.

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks and socially distance.

Donors are asked to schedule an

Virtual Screening • Available Through June 21

freediver and swimming instructor inspired by a dolphin named Dusty.

Race to Alaska: Tour Edit (55 minutes, USA) — The film shows not only the competition but the camaraderie, the ingenuity of the vessels and the hardships all must endure if they want to be the one to land the $10,000 first place prize.

Yarrow (5 minutes, Australia) — Fine art photographer David Yarrow steps ashore to see the mind-blowing wildlife scenes of South Georgia.

Me and the Sea (10 minutes, Australia) — A novice freediver, Fransizka discovers a freedom deep below sea level she’d never before experienced.

Matador (3 minutes, USA) — A professional skim-boarder, a bunch of swellchasers, underwater and aerial shots with a soundtrack to raise your energy.

From Kurils with Love

(25 minutes, USA) — Dr. Vladimir Burkanov, the world’s expert on the Kuril Islands, has seen changes over decades.

Changing Tides (18 minutes, Australia) —Lucy Graham and Mathilde Gordon kayak for three weeks down the Inside Passage entirely single-use plastic-free! n

Kate Hamsikova: The Sea to Me

The 4th of July

appointment. You can do so via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, which can be downloaded from RedCrossBlood.org; or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) .

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. n

“Felton Community Hall” from page 21 Help us reach a goal of $12,000 operating expenses to help the hall survive another year of lost revenue.

There are several ways for you to contribute to this worthy cause: 1) Go to the Felton Community Hall website www.feltonhall.org to donate directly there and get more information about the hall.

2) Mail a donation check to: Felton Community Hall, P.O. Box 763, Felton, CA 95018 We currently have a challenge grant from an anonymous Felton Community Hall supporter to match donations up to a total of $5000 until June 30.

The Felton Community Hall is also accepting bookings for future events.

If your event cannot be held due to continuing COVID restrictions, you can use your deposit for a future date or receive a refund.

Thank you for your commitment to your community. n

ACROSS

1. Steps to the river, in India 5. Hot springs resort 8. Meal in a shell 12. Driver’s misbehavior?

13. *Grilling technique 14. Medal of Honor descriptor 15. Cracked open 16. What Knave of Hearts stole from Queen of Hearts, sing.

17. Raise one’s rank 18. *July 4th pyrotechnic display 20. Hubble Space Telescope operator, acr.

21. Chip dip

22. i topper 23. *Main Street tradition on the 4th 26. Superlative of fumy 30. Ribonucleic acid 31. Store as fodder 34. Moonfish 35. Rose oil 37. Number cruncher 38. Fairytale garden dweller 39. Indian Lilac tree 40. Extinct type of zebra 42. Steampunk decoration 43. Did 2 + 2 (2 words) 45. Crocheted blanket 47. Swedish shag rug 48. Ancient port city in Israel 50. Smiley face 52. *First President to hold July 4th celebration at the White House

56. Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and ____” 57. Medicinal succulent 58. Hit the bottle 59. Earthenware pots 60. View from a highspeed train?

61. Observer 62. “Glengarry ____ Ross” 63. G, in solfa 64. “The Fountainhead” author

DOWN

1. Former tennis pro Steffi 2. One who’s made the pilgrimage to Mecca 3. Petri dish filler 4. Mother of Calcutta 5. Roebuck’s partner 6. a.k.a. anorak 7. A in B.A.

8. *”No ____ without representation” 9. Unfortunately, exclamation 10. *Drink to wash down burgers and hot dogs?

11. Table scrap 13. Steal, past participle 14. What haters spew?

19. Crane or heron 22. Expecting woman’s date 23. Life force in Sanskrit 24. Chipped in 25. What Motion Picture Association of America did 26. *Most popular July 4th decoration 27. Notable period 28. Polynesian island country

29. Feudal lord 32. Fish a.k.a. porgy 33. Beer acronym 36. *Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an ____” 38. Blooper 40. Sine ____ non 41. Old-timer 44. Force units 46. Wedding tossable 48. Jiggly dessert 49. Run _____ of the law 50. Type of sea bird 51. Agitate 52. Kickboxing moves 53. Miso bean 54. U.S. ____ in golf or tennis 55. Egghead 56. Leisurely run © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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Father’s Day, a Summer Poem & Jupiter Retrograde

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Esoteric Astrology • Mid-June 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

his Sunday, June 20, is a complex, multi-celebratory day.

Sunday is Father’s Day, Summer Solstice (Litha), the Sun enters Cancer and Jupiter, the beneficent, retrogrades.

On Father’s Day let us recognize and celebrate all Fathers in our lives (all shapes and sizes, kingdoms, genders & relationships) this Sunday.

We celebrate fathers who are mothers. And the mothers who are fathers. We recognize the Father in heaven, too, our Creator, with gratitude.

Next is the summer solstice. When our Sun enters the sign of Cancer, summer begins. The Sun is poised at the Tropic of Cancer, resting for three days before beginning its journey southward. Beginning at summer solstice, the light in our world decreases. A paradox.

Solstices and the equinoxes are the four most important festivals of the annual cycle of Light & Dark. At these cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, initiating a new cycle) points specific spiritual energies of Light are present, through which many layers of wisdom are able to

unfold. By attuning to these energies of Light (containing information) we are able to develop subtle perceptions and understandings. Sunday’s summer solstice is the longest day of light for the year as our Sun reaches its moment of greatest strength.

Jupiter will retrograde for four months (June 20 – October 17) beginning at 2 degrees Pisces and ending at 22 Aquarius. All growth, expansion, travels and adventures turn inward. Retrogrades offer us a time to review, reflect, reassess and reaffirm. It is also a time of rapprochement (return, forgiveness, understanding).

Here is a poem by Mary Oliver celebrating summer: I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.

From “The Summer Day”; 1992 n

ARIES

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

You will begin to feel there is more than enough inner strength and energy to meet all the expectations and demands of work and the world, both self-imposed and from others.

You will bring beauty and balance, prosperity and connectivity to your work. Also, detail, order and organization. These you will teach and then ask of others as well. Careful. Be kind and patient.

Your creative gifts and abilities are to be applied to daily life situations. Each day then becomes magical and transformed. Is there something new and different you would like to be doing in your life? Do you seek to be out and about in the wilds, serving the animal (bird or fish) kingdom, offering them food, shelter, medicine and comfort? Do you want to be elsewhere? Know you are here, needed right here and now.

Remember to do your daily outer and inner work with composure, poise and objectivity, exhibiting no pressure toward self or others. You are being watched (observed) as to your ability to create Right Relations, balancing leadership skills, friendships, keeping the two separate with finesse, elegance, grace and skill. This is quite a job.

You most likely already display all of this. Now more is called for. You are the ambassador of cultures.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

TAURUS

It’s time to tend to yourself now. To spend time where you live in order to order and organize both inner and outer realities. It’s been a long long time (years?) since you’ve been able to assess needs in your personal life.

Since you’ve been focused outwardly, saving the world, things as home are quite in need. Seeking assistance is practical. For there is much work to do. Afterward there may be a move.

You seem to have new vital energy. You’re active, self-con- Many days, weeks and months of work reach a summit. If you look fident, happy, purposeful and enthusiastic back on the autumn of last year, something began. (filled with God). You’re so busy, there’s Now it has reached a point of manifestation, of no time for relaxation. When not busy and being seen in the world. Perhaps this is you, who working, count your blessings, notice how is presently always in a state of transformation you’ve expanded into a new sense of self-identity and self- and transfiguration. There are perhaps lots of thoughts concerning confidence. It’s been growing all along. Notice too past life travel, going far away, experiencing new cultures, foods, people. gifts are coming forth.

Yes, soon you can go. There’s a place for you everywhere.

GEMINI

Consider your needs for a while. Allow yourself to think of all the things needed in all aspects of your life. Consider the state of your home and family, your relationships and money, your communication and sense of well-being. Are all these as they should be? Do you offer comfort, calmness and ease to others? Observe your life within these questions. Do it quietly over time.

Allow emotions to be acknowledged should they appear.

Feelings are messages.

CANCER

It’s good for you to seek, ask for and assess the truth, available to you from your feelings and senses. Then it is good to share with others what you sense and feel as the truth of the matter, and why. When we speak the truth, sincerity and integrity enter every relationship and interaction. When speaking the truth, be neutral, ask questions, be confident, kind and courteous. Truth sets everyone free. You, too.

LIBRA

AQUARIUS

A spiritual essence (message) begins to stream into your Tend to your well-being, your happiness and also to money, inner life. It expands you and provides all with great care. Put money away for future the gift of understanding. It is alleviating needs. Always do this second, when money all judgments you may be carrying since comes in. Tithe with your money, first. This childhood. Those judgments affect your assures a constant supply of resources present life and although you think you’re happy, the in terms of life needs. When we give, more is returned. shadow of judgment is eventually projected upon those Humanity is yet to learn this. That is the new materialism of around you. Even in the best relationships. Forgiveness sharing. You could be leading humanity in this endeavor. We releases us in the same way truth does. say to you in times of stress, “Don’t worry, be happy!”

SCORPIO

PISCES

What expansion is occurring in your life? Does it feel like a revelation? What new direction is being taken and what sense of new self-identity? Is there a new focus and are there new activities pending? Everything’s changing for you. It’s not just your perception.

Things you’ve sought eventually appear. Now all you have to do is begin to prepare without feeling overtaken, overwhelmed or dissolved. Remain poised no matter what occurs.

You shift between pain and feeling wounded, grieving and being comforted. It’s such an interesting polarity. Both can be felt as extremes, all at the same time. Seek the way in between, a point of poise while also realizing life now is a “razor’s edge” of realities. Yes, it is. A crossroads has appeared. A decision, too. You need sensitive handling.

Tend to yourself, your money and resources with great care.

You reach out to family and bring everyone who is separated together. Some understand, some don’t. All’s well.

•••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“PVUSD Q&A” from page 23 When will be the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year?

Will there be a different start time? he first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year will be as planned on Thursday, Aug. 12.

School sites will implement the same start times as they did for the 2019-2020 school year.

T

I checked undecided on the survey on whether I wanted my child attend Virtual Academy for distance learning instead of my home school. When is the last day I can make my decision? o enroll at Virtual Academy, please go to the school’s website: virtualacademy.pvusd.net and complete the enrollment/waitlist form. Please indicate if a student has a 504 Plan or IEP. After that, Virtual Academy’s Administrative Assistant, Jazmine Ancira, will contact the family regarding the enrollment process and Principal Ponzio will meet with the family to determine if Virtual Academy is a best fit.

The enrollment deadline for the 20212022 school year was June 15, 2021, to allow for planning of Supervising Teacher assignments and programs.

T

Is there a plan to transition to full day kindergarten in the district? Seems like a lot of other schools in the area are already providing full days, wondering why PVUSD schools are not. Thanks! n 2019, proposed Assembly Bill 197 would have required full day kindergarten for all California school districts but did not move forward. However, despite the bill not passing, many California school districts, including PVUSD, see the value of providing additional instructional time and plan to implement full day kindergarten.

With declining enrollment the last three years, PVUSD’s once highly impacted facilities now have limited additional classroom space that is required for full day kindergarten. Therefore, PVUSD will begin dialogue and planning of possible full-day kindergarten for future years. n

I

With declining enrollment the last three years, PVUSD’s once highly impacted facilities now have limited additional classroom space that is required for full day kindergarten. Therefore, PVUSD will begin dialogue and planning of possible full-day kindergarten for future years.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Turning 75: ‘I Only Want to Love’

I

By Barry and Joyce Vissell

n May, both Joyce and I turned 75.

May 18 for Joyce, and May 27 for me.

Three quarters of a century! It’s a milestone for sure.

When I was younger, 75 years old seemed ancient. The house-mother in Joyce’s dormitory at Hartwick College, when we were 18, seemed ancient.

And she might have been a bit younger than us right now. One of her jobs was to vigilantly watch the young couples returning from their dates by the 10 p.m. curfew, to make sure all was appropriate in the little lobby, and nothing more than kissing was happening. It was under her watchful eyes that Joyce and I had our first kiss, a kiss that truly blew our minds.

They say you are only as old as you think. In some ways, Joyce and I are still those 18-year-olds, discovering new ways to love, learning the lessons this world will teach us. If we remain open to learning and discovering, we remain youthful. And yes, the reverse is also true.

We become old when we stop wondering at the world, or learning new things.

Last week, as part of our birthday gift to ourselves, we were in Yosemite National Park, truly one of the most beautiful places on this earth. We biked throughout the valley, stopping to take in the sheer rock walls, the waterfalls in their spring fullness, the dogwoods in full bloom, all the majestic trees, my favorite the majestic Yellow Pines (Ponderosa Pines), over two hundred feet high.

We explored the banks and beaches of the Merced River and Tenaya Creek, finding our own little power spots to rest, or dip for a moment in the frigid water.

As long as we touched upon that magic state of wonder, we remained young. It’s a moment-by-moment decision. You can choose at any time to enter the state of wonder, and that is a youthful moment.

I will not deny my vulnerability about aging. Sometimes I feel truly scared at what these next few decades may bring, and what I will physically

“Con: Rail & Trail” from page 22 “Building Greenway would be a huge benefit for alternative, safe transportation in our county,” he said.

“You could quickly and safely get across town--choosing a bike would far

or mentally lose. Year by year, I have watched my body slowly lose abilities. I can no longer run. Softball, a real passion of mine, is a thing of the past. I can’t carry heavy loads anymore. At the local hardware store, I need to ask someone to help lift the bags of cement into my truck.

But hey, asking for help is a much-needed skill at any age.

Many of you know about my passion for the out-of-doors, especially river trips and backpacking. I realize my fear of the window closing on these kinds of activities sometimes has me scrambling to do as much of these things as I can, before I am forced to let go of them. Joyce loves nature just as much as I do. It’s just that she is more at peace staying home on our beautiful property.

But she gives me her blessing to go off a couple of extra times a year on my solo adventures.

Then there’s our two grandsons, 10-year-old Skye and 4-year-old Owen.

I have had to accept my physical limitations more and more. I’ve gone from actor to director; from rolling around with them on the living room floor, to sitting on the couch challenging them with new games or routines. I not only come away with less bruises, but it is still a lot of fun. Everyone has a great time, even with Grandpa on the couch.

I love tennis, but have had to quit playing with my more competitive (and younger) friends. Now I can still enjoy tennis, but it’s a special kind of tennis, with my friend, Charlie Bloom. We call it “Old Farts Tennis.” We have strict rules.

First, there is no keeping score, except we often call out our favorite score, “lovelove.” Then, the object of the game is to enjoy hitting the ball, no matter where it ends up going.

If we hit the ball back to each other, great! If the ball is not hit right to us, and we have to move fast to get to the ball, we get cheered by the other for letting the ball fly by, rather than make some heroic effort, which may end up getting us hurt.

outweigh sitting in traffic. Currently, cutting through town is a zigzag of roads and mixed bike lanes. It’s dangerous and not friendly for kids. I really hope one day I’m able to hop on a bike with my family and use this path.”

The list of surfers and ocean-

And if one of us makes an amazing play, like a really great serve or return, everything stops for a proper celebration! It’s another “wonder” moment.

Not long ago, I asked myself what I most wanted in this life. The answer came in the form of a song, which someday I hope to record for you all. Here are the words:

This is all I want, just to love. It’s what makes me happiest. Loving my beloved Joyce makes my heart sing.

Loving our children and grandchildren fills me up. Loving the divine helpers, the angels and great ones, fills me with gratitude.

Then there’s the retreats we lead, even on Zoom throughout the pandemic. I long for those magic moments, often introduced

by someone’s vulnerability, and the whole group feels that welling up of goodness, where breathing is a pleasure, and love becomes a tangible thing, a noun and a verb, a feeling and a doing, two things joined together in one.

And then I know, I can love for all the days of my life! n ••• Join Barry and Joyce Vissell in their first in-person event in 16 months: Summer Couples Retreat, June 24-27.

A Free Gift for You We would love to give you a free gift, our new audio album of sacred songs and chants, available for download at SharedHeart.org, or to listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=ZGml4FDMDyI&feature= youtu.be ••• Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for further information on counseling sessions by phone, on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org

minded watermen and waterwomen are the vanguard of rising support for Santa Cruz County Greenway.

Unite with them in their support for the creation of an environmentally friendly, affordable and safe Greenway, which will be used for transportation

and recreational purposes for generations to come. Interested community members can learn more at https:// sccgreenway.org/endorsers and add their name to the Greenway petition that already has more than 10,000 signatures. n

I only want to love, and feel my open heart.

Of all the things I do, this is the highest art.

There’s always more to do.

The world won’t stop for me.

But I can stop and feel what I most want.

I only want to love, and see beauty everywhere.

The joy it gives to me is far beyond compare.

I want to see the light That dances in your eyes.

I want to hear the song of your heart.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS Brought to you by Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space & Cultural Services. Register at scparks.com.

Movies begin at dusk. Bring blankets, jackets and low-back chairs.

Dates and Locations: June 25: The Perfect Game, Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville.

July 9: Finding Nemo, Anna Jean Cummings Park, 461 Soquel San Jose Road, Soquel. And bring your dog!

July 23: Onward, Highlands County Park, 8500 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond.

GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL PLANS FOR DRIVE-THRU EVENT Friday thru Sunday, July 23-25 and July 30-Aug. 1 Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave., Gilroy The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association announced the planned details for its 2021 activities.

The first plan is for a drive-thru Gourmet Alley, Fri. thru Sun., the weekends of July 23 and 30, at Gilroy Presbyterian Church.

The Festival is working closely with the Santa Clara County Health Department to get approval for the Gourmet Alley Drive-Thru.

Currently, the health department is still not reviewing and/ or approving permits for temporary events. It is hoped that

by July, the health department will allow this activity.

Menu and times will be announced.

Other planned events include: Farm-to-Table Dinner: Fortino’s Winery, 4525 Hecker Pass Highway on Saturday, July 24.

Garlic Festival Golf Classic: Friday, July 30, at Gilroy Golf Course, 9402, 2695 Hecker Pass Road.

“We have all been confronted with so many changes due to COVID-19, said Tom Cline, president of the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association. “There is a great community desire to see the Festival come back. Together, we can work to reimagine a Gilroy Garlic Festival that will promote and honor everything that makes Gilroy truly the Garlic Capital of the World.”

Stay tuned for more details.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by June 25 beginning June 16 through Aug. 1, with galley hours Friday-Sunday by appointment.

Pencas del Corazón is a tribute to the culturally significant cactus plant that symbolizes resilience and sustenance for many Latinx cultures.

An inaugural Rydell Visual Arts Partnership awardee, Pencas del Corazón celebrates the culmination of a year-long project between lead artists, Yesenia Molina and Irene Juárez O’Connell, the Watsonville community, and Arts Council Santa Cruz County.

Contributors include: Guillermo Aranda, Janet Johns, Salvador Lua, Gabriel Medina and Mayra Ruiz-Valtiera. https://pvarts.org/pencas-del-corazon-heart-of-the-cactus/

Matters Initiative is kicking off a summer of free programming, Fresh Air ’21, to address and elevate the mental health and wellness of the Black community of Santa Cruz County.

Black Health Matters, with Santa Cruz County Parks and County Parks Friends, will produce a diverse and accessible lineup of COVID-mindful events and experiences led by and for Black residents (and allies) in beautiful outdoor spaces.

From movement classes, guided nature hikes, and self-care workshops, to weekly virtual content, community gatherings, and celebrations, this summer-long campaign is geared toward having a seat at the table for all.

Register: https://tanneryworlddance.com/bhm-happenings/ TWDCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twdcc_ dance/?hl=en

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone meetings for caregivers throughout the month: Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney.

Second Saturdays Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull.

SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 2021 Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org.

On display thru Oct. 31 ••• 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden, 2660 East Second Wednesdays Lake Ave., Watsonville Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2021, is the 15th sculpture exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden. Mendoza.

The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org. more than 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and STUDENT STORY CONTEST DEADLINE collaborators.

Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, Stories Due Wednesday, June 30 relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon The Palo Alto Humane Society invites 7th and 8th enjoying the outdoor exhibit. graders in Santa Cruz County to participate in a writing Admission is free. Visitors can see works created by: competition on the theme of animals and people Jamie Abbott • Cristy Aloysi • Susana Arias • Jeff Arnett helping each other.

• Nessy Barzilay • Michael Bashista • Lucia Bruer • Trudi Stories can be fiction or Burney • Jay Capela • Lee Cavanaugh • Paul Cheney • Kathleen Crocetti • Sally Diggory • Franco Di Majo • Barbara nonfiction and should illustrate a sense of kindness in their characters.

Downs • Scott Graham • Leonard Groner • Roy Holmberg The top prize is $500, with $200 each for two • William Hufmann • Kristen Kolbek • Marilyn Kuksht • Ron Lion • Lyn MacDonald • Mike McClellan • Kirk McNeill runner-ups. Winning stories will be published by Palo Alto Humane Society and highlighted during the 2021 • Susan Megorden • Annie Morhauser • David Mudgett • Geoffrey Nicastro • Nancy Niles • Jeff Owen • Jane Reyes • Creating Compassionate Communities campaign.

Stories must be original and between 800 and 1,000 Pierre Riche • Jewel Rogers • Mandy Spitzer • Judy Stabile words. Competition guidelines — plus a submission form • Richard Starks • Aaron Vanderkerckhove • Susan von — are at https://tinyurl.com/paloalto-humane-write-2021.

Schmacht • Jenni Ward • Lea de Wit • April Zilber PVUSD SUMMER MEAL PICKUP The PVUSD Food and Nutrition Services Department offers 5-day meal pick-up for PVUSD families between June 15 and July 8 at six schools: Thursdays: 7 - 8:30 a.m.

Aptos Junior High • Calabasas • E.A. Hall • Hall District • Pajaro Middle • Rolling Hills Tuesdays: 4 - 5 p.m.

Calabasas Elementary For details, see https://tinyurl.com/yzl9gtp6

LITERACY PROGRAM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS Nearly every day someone reaches out to the Literacy Program, part of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, to ask about learning English. Some want to get a job, advance their career, or to be able to talk with their child’s teacher. The Literacy Program aims to connect these motivated adults with a volunteer tutor.

Tutors impart more than English. They provide a wealth of information about how life works in Santa Cruz County. They may assist students in gaining the basic skills to go shopping, engage socially, navigate the local landscape, or they may provide insight about work norms. And tutors provide basic training for students to further their education and to obtain citizenship.

Training is offered four times a year. There is a one-time $50 materials fee. To volunteer, call 427-5077. Then participate in SUMMER DANCE CLASSES a one-hour online orientation: https://scvolunteercenter.org/ programs/literacy-program/volunteer/ Agape Dance Academy in Scotts Valley and Aptos presents Swan Lake ballet classes July 6-31.

HEART OF THE CACTUS Sign up at https://agapedance.com/ Questions? Call 831-359-0850 or email agapedance7@gmail.

On Display Thru Aug. 1, viewing by appointment at Pajaro com Valley Arts Center, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville Opening Reception: Sunday June 27, 2-4 p.m.

Pencas del Corazón/Heart of the Cactus — community BLACK HEALTH MATTERS: FRESH AIR ’21 THIS SUMMER artwork created in a series of virtual pop-up events guided by local visual and performing artists and Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center curators — is on display at Pajaro Valley Arts Center Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center’s Black Health 28 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

SECOND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-through food distribution will continue operating at the county Fairgrounds 9 a.m.-Noon on the following Fridays: June 18 • July 9 • July 23 Aug. 6 • Aug. 20 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 Food hotline: 831-662-0991.

ONGOING EVENTS Ongoing thru July 31 SUMMER READING All ages are invited to register for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Program June 1 – July 31 and earn prizes and entries to a raffle of local merchant gift cards.

Go to santacruzpl.org/srp, call 831-427-7713, or text 831-264-0647 to sign up and for more information.

Kids up to age 18 get a $10 Atlantis Fantasyworld gift certificate toward a collection of comics and graphic novels.

After reading for 5 hours, kids up to age 11 get a new book selected by librarians, kids 12-18 get a tote bag with goodies, and adults get a tote bag and a raffle ticket.

Prizes include a free scoop from The Penny Ice Creamery.

Grand prize is family membership to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.

The Beanstack online platform with mobile app will track summer reading and allow readers to claim rewards. Paper reading logs are available.

Summer reading events include magic shows, circus acts, NorCalBats, musical performances, and STEAM projects. See santacruzpl.org/calendar.

Ongoing Through Labor Day LOCH LOMOND RESERVOIR OPEN Hours: August–Labor Day: 7 a.m-8 p.m. • June & July: 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. • Closed Wednesdays Loch Lomond Recreation Area is owned and operated by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, primarily storing water for Santa Cruz residents and offering boat rentals, picnicking, fishing and hiking.

After Labor Day, the Reservoir will remain open on weekends through the second weekend of October, open 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Vehicle entrance fee: $8 • Season pass: $80 Information: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/citydepartments/water/watershed/loch-lomond-recreation/park-map

First and Third Monday Each Month SENIOR LIFE ONLINE 4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. Senior Life Online meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

View the schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/currentactivities/.

June 7: Scotts Valley Fire Chief Ron Whittle on Fire SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS Prevention for Property Owners.

This new program from Community Bridges brings June 21: Piret Harmon, General Manager at the Scotts enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, Valley Water District, giving an update. cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 To participate, you need an Internet connection and and up in their homes at no cost. To participate, you a computer, tablet or smartphone. A one-time preregneed an internet connection and a computer, tablet or istration is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-5. smartphone.

Questions? Call George at (831) 334-7763.

To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481. http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONGOING EVENTS

SCOTTS VALLEY FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 3–4 p.m., Scotts Valley Drive, between Carbonero Way and El Pueblo Rd. For information, call Donna Lind at 831-438-4251

(cont.)

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.

ROTACARE RETURNS! 5:30-8 p.m., Behind Star of the Sea Church, 515 Frederick St. Santa Cruz The Free RotaCare Santa Cruz Clinic is reopening at its new location.

For more info, call 831-204-6040 or visit https://www. rotacarebayarea.org/santacruz First Tuesdays Of The Month FIRST TUESDAYS FREE 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. https://arboretum.ucsc.edu Tuesdays thru July 13 GRIEF SUPPORT: BEGINNING JUNE 22 1–2 p.m., Outside at St. Joseph’s Church, 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola Grief Ministry with Doreen Alfaro will offer four Tuesday sessions in coping with grief. Meetings will take place outside by the Grotto of the Virgin Mary at St. Joseph’s Church.

Come share your grief experiences. Come pray. Come gain some insight on how to copy with grief. Come for all for four sessions or drop in. Covid protocols to be followed.

If interested contact Doreen Alfaro at 408-893-8399 or dmalfaro@comcast.net

BOULDER CREEK VIRTUAL PARADE 11 a.m. Community Picnic, Sequoia Retreat Center, Ben Lomond Boulder Creek Business Association presents a virtual parade on their website at bcba.net. Help to celebrate the 4th of July by uploading your own video contribution. Deadline to submit videos is June 18.

Downtown merchants will be hosting sidewalk sales with live music and goodie bags for kids.

Auction fundraiser community picnic at Sequoia Retreat Center, with music by Joshua Lowe, to rebuild the historic Alba School House. Visit fb.me/e/KAq9DV9V for more information.

WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL: MURALS MATTER Tuesday June 15 thru Friday June 18 Online Film Festival Alice Street, a 67-minute documentary directed and produced by Spencer Wilkinson, follows the intersection of artistic expression and the battle to preserve Oakland’s downtown from gentrification.

Two Oakland artists, Pancho Peskador, a Chilean studio painter, and Desi Mundo, a Chicago-born aerosol artist, form an unlikely partnership to tackle their most ambitious project, a four-story mural in the heart of downtown Oakland where Chinese and Afro-Diasporic communities face the threat of displacement as a condo development obstructing the mural is proposed.

Available online free-to-the-public at https://watsonvillefilmfest.org/home View the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxPK89AQHoI&t=9s

Thursday June 24

FOOD TRUCKS AT SKYPARK 5–8 p.m., 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley BOOK TO ACTION: JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS Local food trucks will be gathering at Skypark in Scotts 8 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Libraries Online Seminar Valley for two special events this month.

The Watsonville and Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite The first event is a mid-month Taco Tuesday on the teens and adults to participate in a Book to Action day California will be relaxing COVID-19 restrictions!

Zoom meeting featuring Dear America: Notes of an Taquizas Gabriel, Holopono and more will bring their Undocumented Citizen author Jose Antonio Vargas. regular menu and their signature tacos for all to enjoy.

Free copies of his book are available at all library Keep your fingers crossed! locations while supplies last. It’s also available in Next, the food trucks are joined by live music and a e-book and audio formats. beer & wine garden for a Friday evening in the park. The About 280 seats are available. Register at https://www.

Fridays Paperback Ryders will perform Beatles tunes and the santacruzpl.org/pages/book-to-action/ n Scotts Valley Educational Foundation will host a beer MIDTOWN FRIDAYS garden fundraiser. Food vendors at this event include Ongoing thru Oct. 29, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (next to HARDCORE NATURAL HISTORY: RACHEL GAUDOIN Pana, Taquizas Gabriel, Saucey’z and Aunt LaLi’s. the fire station) 6-7 p.m., Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Webinar Spread out and eat at the picnic tables, bring a blanket Event Santa Cruz is hosting a Friday festival through the The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History welcomes and picnic on the lawn or order your food to go. end of October. Called “Midtown Fridays,” the event will Rachel Gaudoin, public outreach coordinator at MonInfo: https://www.facebook.com/events/762864271075610 have a featured musical act plus food, artists, vendors, terey One Water, a public wastewater and water recycling and more. agency serving northern Monterey County, speaking in Saturday June 26 Admission is free. the yearlong Hardcore Natural History series.

Scheduled Musical Acts: The conversation will focus on wastewater and how it has HOME WILDFIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP June 18: Dub Souljah (Reggae) become an important resource for Monterey County, which June 26: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Woods Cove June 25: Ancestree (Reggae) relies on local water supplies — primarily groundwater and Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association will host a July 2: Dylan Rose Band surface water. The series supports the museum’s “Changes” wildfire home hardening and defensible space workshop July 9: John Michael Band at Woods Cove. exhibit on habitat change in the Monterey Bay area.

July 16: Eric Morrison & the Mysteries Topics include: Native cultural burning, logging The free webinar series (now with limited live July 23: Fuse (Ted Welty, Don Caruth, Rob Ouse & attendance) is on the last Thursday of each month. The and brush encroachment; current lack of stewardship; Ryan Price) tools such as broadcast burning, pile burning, targeted museum encourages audience members to contribute July 30: Andy Pancakes featuring Tammi Brown grazing, saws, chipping, mastication; 3’ to 30’ to 100’ $15 per person to help create future programming. https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtown-fridays/ To get a link to the webinar, register in advance at https://www. zones; tree killers such as sudden oak death, pine bark beetle, Monterey pine canker. pgmuseum.org/ The workshop costs $10; scholarships are available.

DATED EVENTS Register at: https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.

Friday June 25 Wednesday June 23 cfm?surveynumber=34949 PROTECTED BIKING & WALKING DEMO CHEF IVAN COOKING DEMO 5-7 p.m., Portola Drive (between 38th and 48th Ave.) 4 p.m., Online Class Bike Santa Cruz County, Ecology Action and county Public Sunday July 4 Executive Chef Ivan from Tarpy’s Roadhouse will give a Works will host a demonstration of a Protected Walking and WORLDS SHORTEST PARADE free demo of healthy Farmer’s Market salad creations.

Biking Installation. The demonstration will conclude July 31. 10 a.m., Soquel Drive between State Park and Aptos Village Square To view, visit: https://zoom.us/j/97161327724 Participants can share their input via survey at https://tinyurl. For information, call the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, Meeting ID: 971 6132 7724 com/walk-bike-demo 831-688-1467

SANTA CRUZ SUNRISE ROTARY FIRECRACKER 5K RUN RETURNS 8 a.m., Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary’s Firecracker 5K Run returns at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz, the first post-pandemic reopening event in the city.

The chip-timed 5K run will have socially-distanced starts from 8 to 10:50 a.m., with no 10K or kids’ 1K, but the race will be live again instead of virtual.

Registrations are capped at 500 to comply with safety regulations. Register at www.SantaCruzFirecracker.org.

The club aims to raise $10,000 in sponsorships to cover the costs of this year’s return to live racing so all race revenues can go to this year’s key beneficiaries: Teen Kitchen, American Red Cross of the Central Coast, and other nonprofits. Email RaceDirector@ SantaCruzFirecracker10k.org to inquire about sponsorships.

To learn more, visit www.SantaCruzSunriseRotary.org.

Friday July 9 BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS GOLF FUNDRAISER 12 Noon, DeLaveaga Come July 9 at noon for a day of fun and camaraderie on the greens of DeLaveaga raising awareness and funds in support of our programs that benefit the youth throughout Santa Cruz County.

Highlights include lunch at noon, 18 holes of golf with shotgun start at 1 p.m., auction, opportunities to spread awareness about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County. Guests must adhere to current safety guidelines.

Saturday July 24 Sunday July 25 ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL Opens 10 a.m. each day, Monterey County Fairgrounds The Artichoke Festival returns to the Monterey County Fairgrounds on July 24-25, with the theme, “Thistle be a Good Time!”

The 61st annual event expects 8,000 visitors; safety and social distancing protocols will be followed.

Advance festival admission tickets will soon be available at www.ArtichokeFestival.org and at the door, ranging from $15 for adults; $5 for youth 6-12, $10 for active military and seniors (62+). Children under 6 are free. Early-bird ticket packages will be on sale until July 10.

There will be a bountiful farmer’s market, an ag education exhibit, a new car show hosted by Gold Coast Rods, and a new carnival, a new art exhibit plus arts and crafts vendors, and the artichoke harvest contest.

Festival proceeds will benefit nonprofits. For information, see www.artichokefestival.org. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

July Vote on Rio Del Mar Flooding Fee

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

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nyone who lives in the Rio Del Mar flats area, or has driven there in the winter, knows that large sections can flood and even become impassible.

Recently, the County held an outreach meeting with residents in the Rio Del Mar flats area to discuss some of the major progress that has occurred in the last year on bringing this long-needed drainage project to fruition and provide an overview of the drainage district needed for ongoing maintenance.

Why Does It Flood? he area floods due to the development occurring on a historic floodplain and the current drainage system’s inability to drain to Aptos Creek when the river levels are high.

As those that live in the area are acutely aware, the most frequent flooding problem is significant ponding during rainfall-runoff events. This ponding can occur multiple times each year even during relatively normal rainfall events.

With frequent events, such as a 2-year rainfall event, more ponding depths become sufficient for building damage.

Road deterioration is also exacerbated by the standing water.

Public Works has noted that the ponding occurs because the existing gravity-flow stormwater drainage system has inadequate conveyance, due to the neighborhood’s topography (gentle sloping) which results in low flow velocities.

Additionally, the situation is also made worse from sediment and vegetative debris accumulation in the pipes. The flooding is generally concentrated along Aptos Beach Drive, the adjacent side streets, and the Esplanade, which are the lowest areas in the Flats neighborhood.

What Is Proposed? ounty Public Works used a grant from FEMA to explore solutions to

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Photo Credit: Steven Allen

A photo taken from inside a vehicle shows Aptos Beach Drive starting to flood winter 2019. these flooding and drainage issues. The proposed design will install drainage improvements consisting of new and replacement underground storm drains, installation of a new pump station and relocate stormwater outfall to a new location to alleviate flooding and also improve the water quality that runs off.

The project will reduce flooding and emergency response during flooding events while reducing pollution discharges to the creek where fish habitat and water quality are a concern. The project is designed for 10-year flood events.

The new stormwater pump station will significantly increase the conveyance capacity of the stormwater drainage system while the new gravity-flow pipe will intercept runoff flowing down the hill into the flats at an elevation above the

30 / June 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Local Local Local

flats — reducing runoff volume into the neighborhood.

The estimated construction cost for the project is $4,802,704, and late last summer Public Works received $4,204,588 in grant funding from three agencies to help pay for the project including FEMA, Cal OES and the California Department of Water Resources through the Integrated Regional Water Management program.

The remaining local matching funds will come from the limited drainage impact fees the County has on hand. This state and federal funding (and local match) covers the construction.

However, no grant funding is available for ongoing operations and maintenance.

Once the project is constructed, the

pumps and infiltration pits will require annual maintenance, which is currently estimated at approximately $121,000 per year. Currently, there is not a funding source for the ongoing maintenance and the project will need annual maintenance funding to move forward (or the construction grant funds will need to be returned).

As part of the community meeting, Public Works discussed the creation of a benefit assessment area in the flats to fund the ongoing maintenance. The formation would be compliant with Proposition 218, which requires the assessment to coincide with those receiving direct benefits. It requires a vote of the property owners that would be part of the assessment district.

Each property owner (residential, commercial and even the public property that the County and State owns) would be provided a ballot for consideration of formation of the district. If approved, this would provide the ongoing maintenance costs and the project could move forward.

The County has a page with information about the flood mitigation proposal where you can look at the proposed benefit assessment area, ask questions, look at answers to questions others have asked, see the proposed assessment for each parcel and more. That website is: www. civicmic.com/county-of-santa-cruz/ The goal is to have the ballots sent in July and, if approved, construction would follow (construction is expected to take approximately seven months). 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 you can always call me at 454-2200.

The project will reduce flooding and emergency response during flooding events while reducing pollution discharges to the creek where fish habitat and water quality are a concern.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Invisible Roots Deserve Consideration

R H

Turbo Is A Very Good Boy

crossword on 25 »

iya, howdy, and hello! I’m Turbo (A280532), the ULTIMATE good boy. That’s right, there are “good boys” and then there is Turbo! Now I may be a bit bigheaded (I can’t help it), but don’t call me conceited! This is just what the kind hoomans at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter tell me! They also say that a 2 year old, black and white pittie with the cutest ears you have ever seen will be a huge hit for Pet of the Week! I hope they are right, because I am ready to find my furever home!

I came to the shelter way back in April, and ever since then I have been living up to my name. I can run and play for hours, and yes that means with toys or other doggos! I have jump moves, chase movies, and maybe even a few (gentle) MMA moves! That means I am great for an active household, but maybe not so great for those tiny hoomans that end up at eye level!

That’s right, I also LOVE to snuggle. Piling into a warm cuddle with my hooman is one of my favorites, along with sun bathing and exploration. There is no sniff that my snoot wont sniffle, which makes long walks my favorite part of the day. And speaking of social outings, you never have to worry about me getting grumpy! Skateboarders, bicyclists, sirens, weed-trimmers; none of them bother me a bit. I’m just happy to be out doing my favorite thing with my favorite person.

So what do you say? Want to take Turbo for a spin?

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.

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

By Tony Tomeo

oots are innately mysterious. They consume much of the resources that plants require. They stabilize the stems above them. Few plants can survive without them. Yet, roots are very secretive about their work. Almost all are invisibly subterranean. Consequently, they get minimal consideration. A lack of consideration is a root cause of many root problems.

Every plant species has distinct environmental preferences. Some plants require full sun exposure. Others tolerate or prefer partial shade. Some are more discerning than others. Similarly, plants that naturally disperse their roots extensively dislike confinement of their root systems.

Small plants and some riparian plants are more adaptable to confinement.

Annual bedding plants and many small perennials perform well within pots, planters and small spaces because they do not need to disperse their roots extensively. Some woody plants with fibrous root systems, such as azalea, boxwood and andromeda, can adapt to confinement also.

Occasional pruning can keep them proportionate to their root volumes.

Most of the popular succulents perform remarkably well in confinement.

Some types that disperse their roots extensively if necessary will adapt to confinement by dispersing their roots only as far as they must. If they get all they need within a pot, they need not go any farther.

However, succulents that are endemic to dry desert regions are not as adaptable.

Desert plants can survive warm and dry summers because they disperse their roots very extensively. They can not do so within the confinement of pots and

The 4th of July © Statepoint Media

Some yuccas are unhappy in pots.

planters. This should not be a problem that systematic irrigation can not compensate for. Unfortunately though, these same plants are too susceptible to rot if their roots are damp during warm weather.

So, some plants that are the most resilient in the ground are the least resilient in pots. Of course, this is not an absolute rule. Yuccas from tropical and temperate climates perform well either in the ground or in pots. Those from desert climates are likely to rot in pots. In general, drought tolerance and container gardening are two fads that are not compatible.

••• California Buckeye haparral climates are not easy without irrigation. The long summers are warm and arid. California buckeye, Aesculus californica, knows what to do if it can not stay hydrated out in the wild. It simply defoliates. Yes, it goes bare right in the middle of summer. If it does it early enough, it refoliates after rain resumes in autumn, only to defoliate again for winter.

This ‘twice deciduous’ charCalifornia buckeye resembles acteristic is likely related horse chestnut. why California buckeye is not more popular for unirrigated landscapes of other natives. Shade is an asset through warm summers. In coastal, riparian or irrigated landscapes, the original spring foliage lasts through summer to defoliate in autumn, like that of most other deciduous plants. It may get shabby though.

Nonetheless, California buckeye is a delightful small tree, typically with a broad and low canopy suspended by a sculptural branch structure. Not many get more than twenty feet tall, although some get twice as tall. Bark is strikingly pallid gray. The elegant leaves are palmately compound.

Six inch long trusses of tiny white flowers are sweetly fragrant in spring. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / June 15th 2021 / 31

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