Aptos Times: April 15, 2022

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To Ukraine, with Love

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Milan Dubec was a tech CEO in neighboring Slovakia. After the invasion, he turned his office buildings into shelters, helping 1,900+ Ukrainian refugees eat, shower and rest, providing cloting and shoes, funding relief efforts himself, with his sister-inlaw in Wales on the phone trying to raise money.

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Newsom’s Order: Cut Water Use 15%

Aptos High Theater Sings Dr. Seuss

By Ben Ford and Madeleine Demers

You’ll watch as a young Boy (Brielle Hopp, a freshman) brings to life a whimsical new world through the power of his Thinks. ... continues on page 4

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Changing Lives in Guatemala

Bonny Doon native Katie Morrow graduated from UC Santa Cruz at age 18 and has spent her adult life making the world a more equitable place.

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No. 8

Volume 31

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Table of Contents

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Cover Aptos High Theater Sings Dr. Seuss, By Ben Ford and Madeleine Demers

4 5 7 8 10 11 12 13 16

17 21 23 25

Community News Fifth Grade’s Sea Lion Environmental Project Changing Lives in Guatemala: Katie Morrow: Scholarships for 2,500, Building Funds Needed, By Edita McQuary Agency Reports Payments from Drug Companies to Doctors, By Jondi Gumz Care in the Crisis Symposium: April 29 Newsom’s Order: Cut Water Use 15%: Due in May: Irrigation Ban for Ornamental Turf To Ukraine, With Love, By Jondi Gumz New Look at Willowbrook Park for Gutzwiller Memorial • Aptos Times is a Winner Watsonville Activist Recognized Out of Sight & Out of Mind: Sanitary Sewers: Infrastructure Assessment & Plans for Improvements, Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Sanitation District and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Bay Federal Scholarship Winners Santa Cruz County Bank Promotes Carson We All Need A Hero, Story and Photos, By Jondi Gumz • RTC to Study Climate Projects, Transportation Equity Fundraiser for Canham Farm Horse Rescue

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National News 15 Startup Business Owners Wary of Big Tech Crackdown California News 21 DISH To Pay for Illegal Disposal of Hazardous Waste 25 AG Urges Banks to End Overdraft Fees 27 Unemployment Insurance Fraud Crackdown: 130 Convictions Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Festivals, Ages & Humanity’s Stages of Development, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

19 20 24 30

Featured Columnists Deadhead Spring Bulbs After Bloom, By Tony Tomeo Cashew Cream Cake, By Wendy Ballen Hotels Get Creative to Attract Summer Guests, By Christopher Elliott County Blockchain and Digital Wallet Pilot, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Meet Millie!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Ben Ford, Madeleine Demers, Edita McQuary, Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Tony Tomeo, Wendy Ballen, Christopher Elliott, Zach Friend layout Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin photography Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine Cathe Race

office coordinator

Fifth Grade’s Sea Lion Environmental Project

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ach year, the Mount Madonna School fifth grade class engages in a yearlong study of an environmental topic selected by the students.

For 2021-22, students voted to focus on sea lions to raise public awareness and reduce threats

faced by these marine mammals, including overfishing of their prey, plastic pollution, climate change and entanglement in abandoned fishing gear.

Steller sea lions are endangered and are protected under the Endangered Species Act and

“Seussical” from page 1 The Cat in the Hat (Oliver Zwissler, a senior) quickly takes control and weaves a story of his own. He creates the Jungle of Nool, and within this jungle, Horton the Elephant (Bridger Alaga, a senior), whose life is about to take a serious turn.

As Horton relaxes in a pool, he hears a noise, and soon discovers the sound seems to be coming from a speck of dust, which he scoops up and places safely on a

Photo Credit: Kelly McCord

Cast (from left): Bridger Alaga (Horton the Elephant), Savannah Fraley (Gertrude McFuzz), Oliver Zwissler (Cat in the Hat), Mia Archuleta (Sour Kangaroo), Ben Ford (Mr. Mayor), Brielle Hopp (Jojo), and Katie Murray (Mrs. Mayor).

clover. The residents of the Jungle of Nool, however, do not hear this noise and claim Horton is just a fool. The noise truly does exist, though, and the Cat takes the Boy to the speck to see for himself.

On the speck is the town of Whoville, populated by Whos. Once Horton gets the attention of the Whos, he learns of their troubled state, and the Cat, hoping to stir up more trouble, throws the Boy into the story as Jojo, son of the mayor (Ben Ford, a sophomore) and his wife (Katie Murray, a junior).

Now Horton and Jojo are tasked with saving Who and finding themselves along the way, all while the Cat narrates and orchestrates their adventure.

This is a fun-filled, colorful show perfect for all ages, featuring a cast and crew of 50 students, and a live orchestra.

We hope to see you there!

There will be five performances: Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m. — Preview performance Saturday, April 23, at 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m.

Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m.

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

“Sea Lions” page 6

COVER STORY

distribution Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

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Marine Mammals Protection Act. Steller sea lions are found infrequently in Monterey Bay, so students expanded their project to include California sea lions.

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Jojo, played by Brielle Hopp, with Horton the Elephant, played by Bridger Alaga Performances will be outdoors at the Aptos High main quad stage, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos.

Reserve tickets online starting April 11 at https://bit.ly/3iYgXK1. (Webstore not compatible with Apple products; sorry for any inconvenience.)

Limited tickets at the door, subject to availability. n ••• Ben Ford is a sophomore and Madeleine Demers is a senior at Aptos High School.

Cover Photo: Oliver Zwissler as Cat in the Hat with Jojo, played by Brielle Hopp. • Photo Credit: Kelly McCord

COMMUNITY NEWS

Changing Lives in Guatemala

Katie Morrow: Scholarships for 2,500, Building Funds Needed

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By Edita McQuary

onny Doon native Katie Morrow graduated from UC Santa Cruz at age 18 and has spent her adult life making the world a more equitable place.

After 18 years of hard work, she and her non-profit organization, Limitless Horizons Ixil, were awarded the 2021 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) King Sejong Literacy Prize for its program, “Broadcasting Bilingual Stories: Promoting Interactive Literacy Programming in Rural Guatemala.”

Katie Morrow in the Community Library pre-COVID.

For its work in Chajul, Guatemala, Limitless Horizons Ixil is one of only six global laureates to be honored for its innovative approach to literacy programming during Covid-19, which involved using local radio and TV to broadcast story hours and lessons. Our local Member of Congress Jimmy Panetta met with Katie to present her with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

Earlier this year, she opened a first-of-its-kind school, Colegio Horizontes, for indigenous girls.

How did all this come about? As a teenager, Katie saved up money from after-school jobs to travel to the United Kingdom, China and Costa Rica. Once she began traveling in Latin America, Katie realized she wanted to work in international development and social work.

Graduating from San Jose State with a master’s degree in social work, she set out on a trip to learn Spanish with the intention of traveling all through Latin America and ending up in Argentina. However, she fell in love with Guatemala and postponed the rest of her trip for future years — little did she know that this stop on the journey would begin her life’s work in Guatemala!

In 2004, while studying Spanish in Guatemala, her Spanish teacher and friend, Pedro Caba Asicona, invited

Colegio Horizontes students on first day of classes.

her to visit his hometown of Chajul (pronounced “Chahool”) located at the 7,000-foot elevation in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes Mountains.

Katie was impressed with the indigenous Maya Ixil people and their “curiosity and indomitable spirit” to improve the lives of their families and community.

This community of 48,000 people of Maya descent in the western highlands speak a language called Ixil.

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“Sea Lions” from page 4

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The California sea lion population is stable due in large part to the efforts of many marine mammal rescue centers.

To learn more about the animals that coexist with sea lions in their ocean habitat, students visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They also had a virtual field trip with staff at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, where they learned about the process of sea lion rescue, rehabilitation and release. As a result, they came to understand more about the threats that sea lions face and actions they can take to help reduce those threats.

“Sea lions are pinnipeds and they’re a huge part of our food web,” said student Pierce Culbertson.

“They’re an indicator species,” said classmate River Brinton.

“This means that if sea lions are washing up on the beach, something is going with the health of the ocean,” added classmate Amelie Thams.

Fifth grader Willow Woodrow noted all of the significant threats to sea lions are related to human impacts.

“Entanglements in fishing gear, and overfishing of the main fish species that sea lions eat are big problems,” Willow said. “Most of the sea lions washing up on beaches are malnourished.”

“Climate change is a big part of the problem too,” said River. “Fish are migrating to warmer or colder waters and so sea lions end up eating different types of fish that don’t have the same nutrition.”

Students opted to partner with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and find ways to fundraise to “adopt” one of their rescued sea lions to support its rehabilitation and release.

Steller sea lions are endangered.

Mt. Madonna students in class

Recently, fifth graders began writing letters to state and federal representatives to ask for actions to help protect the sea lions – such as banning the use of wildlife, such as sea lions and other animals for entertainment at places like SeaWorld, allocating more funding to clean up plastic pollution, banning dangerous singleuse plastic bags and plastic straws, and amending the Clean Air Act to reduce climate change.

Other student-suggested actions include banning nylon in fishing nets and rope, because entangled animals are unable to chew their way free, tracking fishing nets in the ocean and holding fishermen and companies responsible for their gear, and increased patrolling, including the use of drones on federal waters.

Students are analyzing the waste produced at their own homes, and each student will ask their family to pledge to find one way to reduce their overall amount of waste.

Later this spring, fifth graders will work with the Save Our Shores organization and their ninth grade and kindergarten buddies to clean up a local beach. Save Our Shores will explain to fifth graders and kindergartners about watersheds and how pollution travels in watersheds.

Lastly, fifth graders are busy creating an original, educational movie that will be a parody of the film “The Goonies” to teach people about threats to sea lions and how they can help. Proceeds from selling DVDs of their movie go toward supporting their adopted sea lion. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Agency Reports Payments from Drug Companies to Doctors

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By Jondi Gumz

he year Covid-19 pandemic struck the U.S., the federal Medicare agency reported $9.03 billion in payments from drug companies and device-makers to 486,975 physicians and 1,212 teaching hospitals.

These financial relationships can involve payments to providers for research, meals, travel, gifts, or speaking fees.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides data via a search tool called Open Payments, which allows the public to search for recipients receiving payments, as well as entities that made payments.

Medicare says the purpose is to provide the public with a more transparent health care system.

All information available on the Open Payments database is open to personal interpretation, the agency said on its website, and if there are questions about what the data means, patients and their advocates should speak directly to the health care provider for a better understanding.

The 2021 data is under review.

Two years after the pandemic arrived, Covid cases have waned nationwide. See the federal Center for Disease Control map showing most counties green: Low transmission.

On Wednesday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the mask mandate on airlines — due to expire April 18 — through May 3 because of an uptick in cases. The Transportation Security Administration noted the Omicron “BA.2 subvariant that now makes up more than 85% of U.S. cases.”

The latest Omicron variant called XE is the most easily spread, according to researchers, but its predecessors, BA1 and BA2, are less deadly.

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

The state Department of Public Health reports hospitalizations down from 20,000 at the peak of the Omicron surge in January to 1,100, and test positivity, 23% in January, now 1.7%.

In Santa Cruz County, only seven people are hospitalized with Covid, — none in intensive care. In the past two weeks, no county resident has died of Covid.

The Omicron variant called BA.2 “appears to be about 50% more transmissible than the original omicron strain BA.1,

according to UC Davis Health. “Preliminary data suggests omicron BA.1 causes the same severity of disease and symptoms, but it’s affecting younger people more.”

Proposed Laws n April 11, thousands of people rallied in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles to protest vaccination mandates for city workers and a slew of COVID bills in the state Legislature.

On March 29, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) said she would hold Assembly Bill 1993, which would have required all employees and independent contractors, public and private, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to keep their job. She cited opposition from public safety unions (highway patrol, firefighters and correctional offices) and improved pandemic conditions.

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

The group is tracking 10 Covid-19 bills proposed by California lawmakers. Besides AB 1993, they include: SB 871: To remove the personal belief exemption in the state’s student vaccine mandate for age zero and above. That bill has not been scheduled for committee hearing, which could indicate a lack of support.

SB 1464: To require law enforcement officers to enforce public health orders, and cut funding if they do not and shift those funds to public health. The California State Sheriffs’ Association is opposed along with the Peace Officers Research Association of California and 20 more law enforcement organizations.

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

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

SB 1479: To mandate Covid testing plans at schools.

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

SB 1184: To authorize a health care

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provider or plan to disclose your child’s medical information to a school-linked services coordinator without

parent consent.

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

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

To track these bills, see https:// leginfo.legislature.ca.gov On March 30, Dr. Pamela Popper posted updates on lawsuits challenging the state of Ohio’s emergency declaration, which was

lifted last June, and a similar case in Hawaii which is pending and against the state of Washington for three children injured by the mask mandate, and a case against the federal Health and Human Services agency, challenging use of the PCR test.

The group is defending doctors in Washington State, Ohio, and Maine attacked by state medical boards for prescribing early treatment drugs for Covid and speaking out about Covid vaccines. Updates are at https://makeamericansfreeagain.com/ Two Years anta Cruz County, which updates its dashboard on Monday and Thursday, has 495 active cases, down from 10,000 at the peak, and 259 deaths.

The county reports 103 active cases among younger people age 25 to 34, and 110 deaths of those 85 and older.

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“COVID Update” page 9

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Care in the Crisis Symposium: April 29 O ne in five adolescents is suffering from a diagnosable mental illness.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for American teens.

Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders surged among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, April 29, the AIM Scientific Symposium: Care in the Crisis presents experts, parents and youth to tackle tough questions and forge

“Changing Lives” from page 5 The women dress in colorful, traditional clothes and are known for their vibrant, intricate back strap weavings wares.

The indigenous Ixil people of Chajul were targeted for genocide during Guatemala’s devastating 36-year civil war. They are one of the poorest communities in the country and only 5% graduate from high school. Many of them saw no future except to emigrate to earn a living and provide for their families. Katie noticed how interested the girls were in books and learning. She also knew poor families could only afford to send one or two children to school and they always prioritized boys.

But Katie and Pedro had a better idea.

In 2004 they founded a nonprofit called “Limitless Horizons Ixil,” starting with a scholarship program for 10 students, prioritizing girls who were least likely to attend

solutions. The event may be attended remotely or in person at the Sunset Center in Carmel, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a reception, youth art display, and award ceremony to follow.

California’s “Mental Health Czar,” Dr. Thomas R. Insel, will speak at 9 a.m.

Speakers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. include: Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, author of

middle school without their support. Fast forward to today and they have supported more than 2,500 indigenous middle and high school youths in Chajul.

In 2010, they established the first and only public library in Chajul. It is equipped with “friendly librarians, computers, STEM and art activities and supplies and 10,000 books in Spanish, Ixil and English.”

Their Emerging Leaders Program has a paid fellowship for a few high school graduates each year with eligibility for a five-year university scholarship. They also support graduates to obtain employment, attend university, and start small businesses.

A major part of Limitless Horizon Ixil’s work has been to empower girls and women: Lifting up Chajul’s girls and women, providing opportunities and female role models they otherwise would not have.

US Rep Jimmy Panetta presents Limitless Horizons Ixil a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. With him are Liz Haffa (left) and Katie Morrow.

8 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

13 books and an authority on attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Dr. John Piacentini, director of the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, Tic Disorders Clinic and Center for Child Anxiety Resilience, Education, and Support, on tools for parents to distinguish normal vs. abnormal anxiety.

Dr. Walter Kaye, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego and founder and

Students working on a science project.

One of their major goals is to build up men’s and boys’ understanding of the importance of gender equality, which is why boys comprise about one-third of the participants in all their programs.

And the secret to their success: All of their programs are driven and led by their primarily female local teams, who ensure that Chajul’s unique context and culture are represented.

But the most exciting project is the construction and opening of their new middle and high school in Chajul, “Colegio Horizontes!” This highly unique school for the region, focuses on critical thinking, interactive learning, and building gender equity and student leadership, and is changing the educational landscape in the community.

While the entire building process will not be entirely completed until summer 2022, the school has already opened with 24 indigenous 7th graders in person, eight hours a day, five days a week, compared to other local schools with classes lasting only 4 hours or fewer a day and often with classes of more than 60 students.

The student body is over 70% girls – all scholars are from Maya Ixil families living in extreme poverty. They take 11 courses: Math, Spanish, science, social studies, technology, entrepreneurship, Ixil language and culture, English, physical education, artistic expression, and life skills. There is a Mentoring, Student and Family Support Team to help students and parents with

executive director of that university’s Eating Disorders Program on what scientists have learned about new approaches to treat eating disorders.

Shashank Joshi, psychiatry professor and director of Stanford University’s School Mental Health team, on trends in adolescent suicide prevention.

“Crisis Symposium” page 14

educational workshops and any challenges they might be facing in school or in their homes.

“To date, 96% of the total school starting costs have been raised. Before the grand opening in July 2022, we are striving to raise a final $75,000 to primarily cover solar energy installation and final construction costs.

Our organization has nearly $310,000 in matching pledges towards that final budget, so gifts will be matched dollarfor-dollar in the next couple months,” said Katie.

Colegio Horizontes will change the futures of hundreds by preparing youth for college and careers, bringing economic security to their families without migrating to the U.S., thus breaking cycles of poverty in Chajul. The effects of scholars’ highquality education will strengthen families, creating a ripple effect for generations.

An incredible village of supporters has empowered Katie to achieve so much, and she and her team are eager to finish fundraising and open the school this summer and welcome the support of anyone interested. n ••• Contact: Katie Morrow, co-founder & executive director, 831-824-4827, katie@limitlesshorizonsixil.org.

How to support: limilesshorisonzixil. org, or P.O. Box 3120, Santa Cruz, CA 95063, U.S.A. EIN/Tax ID #26-4296182.

Photos provided by Katie Morrow

“COVID Update” from page 7 Underlying conditions were a factor in 19 of the 20 most recent local deaths during the peak of the highly contagious and thought-to-be-mild Omicron variant.

The most COVID fatalities in the county occurred in January 2021, when vaccines were not available and 22 people died in one week.

The nonprofit Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project must raise $15 million by Aug. 31, according to Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios, to buy Watsonville Community Hospital out of bankruptcy and fund the first year of operations under local ownership.

Watsonville based Driscoll’s is matching all donations up to $1.75 million until May 1. If $1.75 million is raised from the community, it results in $3.5 million. To donate, see https://www.pvhdp.org/ The hospital has 620 employees and shares the treatment of Covid-19 patients with Dominican Hospital.

Two of the five governing board members live in Aptos, John Friel and Dr. Katie Gabriel-Cox. The other three are Marcus Pimental, Jasmine Najera, and Tony Nunez.

Pajaro Valley Schools ajaro Valley schools, which ended spring break April 11, report only 7 active student cases and 3 staff cases in April.

Two of the student cases are at Valencia Elementary. The other Aptos schools report zero cases.

The state’s guidance to schools and childcare facilities: After March 11, masks are not required but are strongly recommended.

“All community members have a right to make different choices with regard to recommended masking, and it is imperative that we respect personal choice and treat each other with respect and kindness,” posted Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, with Inspire Diagnostic, has provided 398,900 tests.

Cases in schools peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, dropping to 44 on April 10. The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% on January, is down to .79%.

Pfizer & Moderna t’s April and parents anxious to have shots for their younger children under 5 are still waiting for Pfizer and BioNTech to gather data on whether a third dose is effective.

Pfizer initially applied for emergency use authorization for young children for two doses.

Pfizer stock peaked at $61 in December, fell in March to $46 and has been trading at $53.

On March 23, vaccine-maker Moderna reported positive results — no severe cases, hospitalizations, or deaths — in two clinical trials for children under 6 — and said it would ask the Food and Drug Administration to authorize its Covid-19

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vaccine for emergency use authorization for those children.

In the trial, Covid cases decreased 43.7% for kids 6 to 23 months, and 37.5% for kids 2 to 6. At the outset, the FDA called for vaccines to cut infection by at least 50%.

Moderna stock peaked in November at $368, then fell to $128 in March and stabilized in April at $159.50.

Mary Holland, president and general counsel of Children’s Health Defense, contends there is no COVID emergency for children under 5 years old.

Children have a 99.995% recovery rate, and a body of medical literature indicates that “almost zero” healthy children under 5 have died from COVID, according to Holland, citing studies in Germany, England and Wales.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fourth Shot? study of 274 health care workers in Israel published in April in the New England Journal of Medicine found evidence that a fourth dose of mRNA vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, is “safe, and somewhat efficacious (primarily against symptomatic disease).”

They added, “Our results suggest that maximal immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines is achieved after three doses and that antibody levels can be restored by a fourth

I

dose. Furthermore, we observed low vaccine efficacy against infections in health care workers, as well as relatively high viral loads suggesting that those who were infected were infectious. Thus, a fourth vaccination of healthy young health care workers may have only marginal benefits. Older and vulnerable populations were not assessed.”

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

For Omicron, the dominant variant, a booster shot is needed. Booster shots are 90 percent effective against preventing Omicron hospitalizations, according to the federal Centers of Disease Control.

California reports 83.8% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot.

On the CDC Covid tracker, Santa Cruz County reports 90.6% of residents age 5 and up have at least one shot and 82.4% fully vaccinated.

As of April 1, people 50 and older in California are eligible for a second mRNA booster shot from Moderna or Pfizer. Also, kids 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer booster and those 18 years and older with moderate and severe immune-suppression are eligible for a Moderna booster.

Omicron Less Deadly micron is deadly than Delta, which raged in 2021.

Santa Cruz County reports 259 Covid deaths, up from 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron was confirmed on Dec. 16 and 17.

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

Why do people fear Omnicron?

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

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

So are people 85 and older.

Some people who got Covid experience “long Covid,” with fatigue and brain fog months afterward. A 2022 study in the journal Cell by researchers following more than 200 patients found many acute Covid patients had low cortisol, which could be addressed.

Testing he Santa Cruz County Office of Education reports 406,400 tests completed.

O

T

Drive-though testing for students, staff and families at these locations: Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Directions for rapid response antigen tests are at https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1U8AdsSyH14sDvrjD6T25krhvOF RFsuXs/view For test options see: https://tinyurl. com/get-tested-santa-cruz.

Based on federal recommendations, the state shortened the isolation time for those testing positive from 10 days to five days.

Schedule booster shots at https:// myturn.ca.gov/ or by asking your local doctor and pharmacies. For local vaccine providers, visit www.santacruzhealth.org/ coronavirusvaccine.

For help scheduling an appointment, call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui).

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n •••

Total COVID cases: 495

••• COVID Deaths: 259 As of April 11 Age 85 and older: 110 • 75-84: 61 • 65-74: 46 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 • 35-44: 8 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 209 • No: 50 Race White 147 • Latinx 89 • Asian 16 Black 3 • Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 Another 2 Gender Men: 133 • Women: 126 Location At facility for aged: 115 Not at a facility: 144

A

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Newsom’s Order: Cut Water Use 15%

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Due in May: Irrigation Ban for Ornamental Turf

overnor Gavin Newsom recently extended California’s state of emergency due to drought, calling for residents to cut back at least 15 percent of Gavin Newsom their water usage.

Here is the updated executive order in full: •••

Executive Order N-7-22

WHEREAS on April 12, 202l, May l0, 2021, July 8, 202l, and Oct. 19, 2021, I proclaimed states of emergency that continue today and exist across all the counties of California, due to extreme and expanding drought conditions; and WHEREAS climate change continues to intensify the impacts of droughts on our communities, environment, and economy, and California is in a third consecutive year of dry conditions, resulting in continuing drought in all parts of the State; and WHEREAS the 21st century to date has been characterized by record warmth and predominantly dry conditions, and the 2021 meteorological summer in California and the rest of the western United States was the hottest on record; and WHEREAS since my Oct. 19, 2021 Proclamation, early rains in October and December 2021 gave way to the driest January and February in recorded history for the watersheds that provide much of California’s water supply; and WHEREAS the ongoing drought will have significant, immediate impacts on communities with vulnerable water supplies, farms that rely on irrigation to grow food and fiber, and fish and wildlife that rely on stream flows and cool water; and WHEREAS the two largest reservoirs of the Central Valley Project, whichsupplies water to farms and communities in the Central Valley and the Santa Clara Valley and provides critical cold-water habitat for salmon and other anadromous fish, have water storage levels that are approximately l .1 million acre-feet below last year’s low levels on this date; and WHEREAS the record-breaking dry period in January and February and the absence of significant rains in March have required the Department of Water Resources to reduce anticipated deliveries from the State Water Project to 5 percent of requested supplies; and WHEREAS delivery of water by bottle or truck is necessary to protect human safety and public health in those places where water supplies are disrupted; and

WHEREAS groundwater use accounts for 41 percent of the State’s total water supply on an average annual basis but as much as 58 percent in a critically dry year, and approximately 85 percent of public water systems rely on groundwater as their primary supply; and WHEREAS coordination between local entities that approve permits for new groundwater wells and local groundwater sustainability agencies is important to achieving sustainable levels of groundwater in critically overdrafted basins; and WHEREAS the duration of the drought, especially following a multiyear drought that abated only five years ago, underscores the need for California to redouble near-, medium-, and long-term efforts to adapt its water management and delivery systems to a changing climate, shifting precipitation patterns, and water scarcity; and WHEREAS the most consequential, immediate action Californians can take to extend available supplies is to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15 percent from their 2020 levels by implementing the commonsense measures identified in operative paragraph 1 of Executive Order N-10-21 (July 8, 2021 ); and WHEREAS to protect public health and safety, it is critical the State take certain immediate actions without undue delay to prepare for and mitigate the effects of the drought conditions, and under Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this proclamation would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the drought conditions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California,in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code sections 8567, 8571, and 8627, do hereby issue the following Order to become effective immediately: ••• IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT 1. The orders and provisions contained in my April 21, 2021, May 10, 2021, July 8, 2021, and Oct. 19, 2021 Proclamations remain in full force and effect, except as modified by those Proclamations and herein. State agencies shall continue to implement all directions from those proclamations and accelerate implementation where feasible.

2. To help the State achieve its conservation

10 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

goals and ensure sufficient water for essential indoor and outdoor use, I call on all Californians to strive to limit summertime water use and to use water more efficiently indoors and out. The statewide Save Our Water conservation campaign at SaveOurWater.com provides simple ways for Californians to reduce water use in their everyday lives. Furthermore, I encourage Californians to understand and track the amount of water they use and measure their progress toward their conservation goals.

3. By May 25, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board shall consider adopting emergency regulations that include all of the following: a. A requirement that each urban water supplier, as defined in section 10617 of the Water Code, shall submit to the Department of Water Resources a preliminary annual water supply and demand assessment consistent with section 10632.1 of the Water Code no later than June 1, 2022, and submit a final annual water supply and demand assessment to the Department of Water Resources no later than the deadline set by section 10632.1 of the Water Code; b. A requirement that each urban water supplier that has submitted a water shortage contingency plan to the Department of Water Resources implement, at a minimum, the shortage response actions adopted under section 10632 of the Water Code for a shortage level of up to twenty percent (Level 2), by a date to be set by the Water Board; and c. A requirement that each urban water supplier that has not submitted a water shortage contingency plan to the Department of Water Resources implement, at a minimum, shortage response actions established by the Water Board, which shall take into consideration model actions that the Department of Water Resources shall develop for urban water supplier water shortage contingency planning for Level 2, by a date to be set by the Water Board.

To further conserve water and improve drought resiliency if the drought lasts beyond this year, I encourage urban water suppliers to conserve more than required by the emergency regulations described in this paragraph and to voluntarily activate more stringent local requirements based on a shortage level of up to thirty percent (Level 3).

4. To promote water conservation, the Department of Water Resources shall consult with leaders in the commercial, industrial, and institutionalsectors to develop strategies for improving water conservation, including direct technical

assistance, financial assistance, and other approaches. By May 25, 2022, the Water Board shall consider adopting emergency regulations defining “nonfunctional turf” (that is, a definition of turf that is ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreation purposes such as school fields, sports fields, and parks) and banning irrigation of non-functional turf in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors except as it may be required to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings.

5. In order to maximize the efficient use of water and to preserve water supplies critical to human health and safety and the environment, Public Resources Code, Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division are hereby suspended, with respect to the directives in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Order and any other projects and activities for the purpose of water conservation to the extent necessary to address the impacts of the drought, and any permits necessary to carry out such projects or activities. Entities that desire to conduct activities under this suspension, other than the directives in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Order, shall first request that the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency make a determination that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under this suspension. The Secretary shall use sound discretion in applying this Executive Order to ensure that the suspension serves the purpose of accelerating conservation projects that are necessary to address impacts of the drought, while at the same time protecting public health and the environment. The entities implementing these directives or conducting activities under this suspension shall maintain on their websites a list of all activities or approvals for which these provisions are suspended.

6. To support voluntary approaches to improve fish habitat that would require change petitions under Water Code section 1707 and either Water Code sections 1425 through 1432 or Water Code sections 1725 through 1732, and where the primary purpose is to improve conditions for fish, the Water Board shall expeditiously consider petitions that add a fish and wildlife beneficial use or point of diversion and place of storage to improve conditions for anadromous fish. California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 1064, subdivisions ( a) ( 1) (A) (i)-(ii) are suspended with respect to any petition that is subject to this paragraph.

“Water Use” page 24

To Ukraine, With Love

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COMMUNITY NEWS

By Jondi Gumz

efore Russia invaded Ukraine, Milan Dubec was a tech CEO in neighboring Slovakia. After the invasion, he turned his office buildings into shelters, helping 1,900+ Ukrainian refugees eat, shower and rest, providing cloting and shoes, funding relief efforts himself, with his sister-in-law in Wales on the phone trying to raise money.

Red Cross veteran Stephanie Jenkins, who lives in Capitola, wanted to help.

A nutritionist with expertise in “mobile

Stephanie Jenkins with two of the children she’s assisting.

feeding,” she searched online, discovered what Milan and his wife Renata were doing in Zilina, Slovakia, near the Czech and Polish borders, and made plans to fly to Vienna, Austria, where a driver would make the four-hour trip to bring her to Zilina, where she is staying for three weeks.

She does not know the Slovak language, but she is not worried.

“I’ve got Google translate,” she said before she left on a seven-hour flight. “I’m trying to learn a couple words. It’s amazing how you can talk with your heart.”

Already she is a friend of Milan Dubec on Facebook and has sent photos of some of the child refugees she is assisting.

On Wednesday, Camp Zilina welcomed a special guest, Zuzana Caputova, president of the Slovak Republic.

Milan Dubec is posting updates on his work on Facebook, one on March 31 titled “True stories from Camp Žilina” with photos: • The story of O ľga Vinogradova, 37, with a 2-year-old son and mother-inlaw Natalia, 64.

O ľga Vinogradova, her 2-year-old son and mother-in-law Natalia.

They come from the city of Dnipro. to go to Žilina. Husband stayed in Ukraine.

They left for the bombing. They went by They consider that they will only stay here train to Čop, from Čop by bus to Košice for the necessary time, until victory. and an older son, who came with another “Ukraine, With Love” page 14 family to Liptovský Mikuláš, advised them

What every birthday needs, party planners.

Choosing the right foods. Deciding on a safe exercise routine. Creating a birth plan.

As a mom-to-be, you have a lot of decisions to make. Fortunately, Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital’s Family Birth Center has a whole team of specialists ready to safely guide you throughout your journey—from the support of our midwives to the added security of the only Level III NICU in the Monterey Bay area standing by.

We even have live virtual classes to help you prepare for the big day.

Learn more about how we’re safely delivering humankindness at DignityHealth.org/DominicanBirthCenter.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Look at Willowbrook Park for Gutzwiller Memorial T he County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services invites the public to explore the conceptual drawings for the planned renovations to the play area at Willowbrook County Park — one component of reimagining the entire park in memory of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.

“Unveiling this next element is an exciting milestone in the Reimagining Willowbrook Park Project,” said Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said. “Amenities like this play feature and the memorial seating area will be both a tribute to Sgt. Gutzwiller and a great community benefit to the families like his that enjoy this park so much.”

County Parks along with the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, County Park Friends and Supervisor Zach Friend are releasing the initial drawings for updating the playground with new surfacing to

make the play area accessible to more children.

Other updates will include the construction and installation of a memorial seating area on the south side of the pedestrian walkway bridge, park entry enhancements, a new flagpole and updates to the sport courts.

“Damon was a devoted father and public servant and this project will provide a safe and inclusive place for his kids and other children to play and remember him,” Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend said.

Current funding goals have yet to be met and opportunities to be a part of the legacy renovations of Willowbrook County Park are still available. n ••• For more information or to learn more about opportunities to participate in this project visit www.countyparkfriends.org/ willowbrook.

12 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Aptos Times is a Winner

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ditor Jondi Gumz won third place in headline category in the 2021 Best of the West journalism contest with “Nisene Marks: A park loved to death / Cars, cyclists and hikers on narrow road delay ambulance response.”

Judge Samantha Ruland, digital producer at Philadelphia Inquirer, wrote: “It was a thought-provoking headline that brought attention to an enormous problem in the community.

The Aptos Times did a great job in a limited space of playing on a popular catch phrase.”

The story was the first in a series exploring safety Jondi Gumz issues at Nisene Marks State Park, which had become a refuge for residents in the pandemic.

Alicia Inez Guzmán of Searchlight New Mexico, won first place with “You’ve reached 17,494 students. Please leave a message. / New Mexico paid millions to a Utah company to text, email and phone “disengaged” students. Was it the right call?”

“It was a thought-provoking headline that brought attention to an enormous problem in the community. The Aptos Times did a great job in a limited space of playing on a popular catch phrase.”

— Judge Samantha Ruland, Philadelphia Inquirer

Second place went to Dave Bowman of the Los Angels Times for the print headline: “Thin Mints on your phone? Enable those cookies / Covid rules prohibit in-person sales, so Girl Scouts go digital to reach customers.”

Ruland wrote, “All the entries were well thought out and impressive. They showed just how clever and experienced these writers and editors are, with minds wired for the artful craft that is headline writing. No longer are we writing for one audience. We have print to consider, web, social media. It takes great skill to make a headline that stands out on just one of those mediums and many of these contestants came up with headlines that did that on more than one if not all.” n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Watsonville Activist Recognized A nissa Banuelos, program coordinator for the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County’s Youth Homeless Response Team, was honored with the Cesar Chavez Community Award March 28 for her work with homeless youth in Santa Cruz County.

Banuelos was one of the honorees at an awards ceremony via Zoom presented by the Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services and the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department.

The Cesar Chavez Community Awards recognize individuals, organizations and businesses that engage Watsonville youth and empower them to help contribute to their community.

The event’s theme was “Determination,” one of 10 values recognized by the Cesar Chavez Foundation: “Determination that is characterized by an attitude that with faith, steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, human beings can prevail against all odds.”

Latina labor leader, activist and community organizer Dolores Huerta, president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, was the keynote speaker.

“Like a lot of us, we don’t do this for the recognition, we do it for the youth that we serve,” said Banuelos a few days after the event. “I had a whole speech planned, but I didn’t read it, I just spoke from the heart. I felt really honored, happy and excited, especially since we’re such a small program.

We only have four people in the department, so we’re the underdogs.”

Banuelos said she got word that she was to be a recipient of the award on Friday, March 25, which just happened to be her first anniversary as program coordinator of the Youth Homeless Response Team. She started as an intern with CAB in 2018 working in a variety of departments from administration to youth education and finance, before joining the Youth Homeless Response Team as a case manager in 2019.

Born and raised in Watsonville, Banuelos said she’s “always had a passion for helping people,” and started on that path when she began attending Cabrillo College, then later CSU Monterey Bay, where she majored in collaborative health and human services with an emphasis on social work.

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Anissa Banuelos While attending college she held multiple jobs, including as a property manager, community organizer for the United Way’s Project Thrive, with Cabrillo College itself, with the state CalWORKs program. Along the way, she garnered three associate of arts degrees from Cabrillo, had a daughter (now 9, with a 1-year-old sister) as a single mom at age 22.

Her deep roots in the community helps her in her work.

“I have a good connection with the community, with a lot of real-life experience,” she said. “That’s why I’m so passionate about it, I went through some of the programs they’re going through, so I can be real and raw with them.”

Having Latin icon Huerta on the Zoom call was an added thrill.

“She’s definitely had a big impact on my work,” Banuelos said. “As a Chicana, a Latina whose father is from Mexico, it was such an honor. It made it more real. She’s 91 years old and still doing the work. I said to myself, ‘That’s going to be me!’” n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 13

“Ukraine, With Love” from page 11

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• The story of Marija Ivajev, 37, with a cat.

She’s running away from war for the second time, coming from the Donec region from the town of Volnovacha.

When the fights in Kramatorsko started in 2014, she left for Kiev. When they started bombing Kiev, she went to Lvov, then to Užhorod, where she crossed the Slovak border from where the bus took them to Michalovce. They sent them from Michalovce to Žilina. I really want to go home as soon as possible.

• The story of Vita Bakaj, 42, mother with 2 daughters, Darja, 15, and Anna, 19.

They come from the Kharkiv region, Izjumenskij district. They were leaving quickly when the bombing started, with only 2 backpacks. A pressure wave broke all windows in their house. From the town of Barvinkove 180 km from Charkov, they traveled by train to Užhorod. The border was crossed by foot through Ve Veľké Slemence. From there, the bus brought them to Košice and from Košice, they traveled to Žilina. Their parents stayed in Ukraine because their health conditions did not allow them to go. They want to return home as soon as possible.

Jenkins, who was with the Red Cross for seven years, is used to volunteering in domestic disasters. She’s worked with World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, but she had not taken the training necessary for a Red Cross international mission.

When she saw a maternity hospital in Ukraine bombed, she was motivated to act.

“I was so upset,” she said.

Searching online, she connected with Milan’s sister, Viera Surovcakova Matysakova, on Facebook Messenger, and learned that Milan and his wife

Marija Ivajev and her cat.

were exhausted and desperately needed someone to manage the refugee shelters.

Jenkins learned that host families were stepping up to take in refugees and 1,000 free flights had been arranged to take refugees to countries where they have relatives. Most go to Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and France.

Jenkins was aghast that children are without parents — “all the dads have to stay” to defend Ukraine.

The latest from Milan Dubec: He is launching a Slovak course for 600 people from Ukraine “so they can stay and work here” with a day camp for children to learn the language.

He explains, “Nobody knows how long the war in Ukraine will last, nor how long the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure of Ukraine will last. Many people will not have a place to return …

For our guests from Ukraine to take care of themselves and find a new job equivalent to their education and experience, there are two things that matter, first of all, they must master the Slovak language and at the same time they must have the opportunity to place their own children during working hours … to the day camp.”

The first classes have already begun. n ••• How to Help To contribute to Camp Zilina, use this account: SK79 0900 0000 0051 8803 6306 To sponsor a course for 12 people, call Lenka Matúsová Krivošová at 421-0911-962-999.

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Vita Bakaj, with daughters Darja and Anna.

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At 2 p.m., the doctors will take questions.

At 3 p.m., youth Ideas Lab representatives will talk about what young people need most: Citlalli Nava, a senior from North Salinas High School, Emilie Fernandez, a sophomore from Everett Alvarez

High School, Gia Panetta, a sophomore from Carmel High School, Marley Miller, a freshman from Salinas High School, Michael Julian, a senior from York High School, and Roxy Bennett, a senior from Monterey High School. n Tickets are $25 per person, free for students. To register, visit: http://AIMymh.org/ scientific-symposium

NATIONAL NEWS

Startup Business Owners Wary of Big Tech Crackdown A ccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, a historic 5.4 million new business applications were filed last year, smashing the 2020 record.

But while entrepreneurship appears alive and well, a report released in March by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council warns of growing angst among new small business owners of possible government regulation of large technology companies.

According to the survey of 316 small business owners who started their business during the pandemic, 61% say government regulations against technology companies will adversely impact their business, with 36% saying they are extremely concerned about such measures. Top concerns included the ending of free services; disruption in communications with customers and back-end support; diminished business visibility and ability to grow their customer base.

The survey also found that 68% say they rely on established technology and platforms, like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, to run their business.

“It’s clear that these new entrepreneurs appreciate the services large technology companies offer that enable them to affordably reach their customers,” said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan in a press release.

“These owners worry losing access to these free or affordable services will interfere with how they run their businesses. Instead, our research found that

these business owners largely want President Biden and Congress to focus on the urgent issues of taxes, inflation and supply chain challenges.”

Last July, President Biden issued an executive order calling for a crackdown of what the administration calls “the excessive concentration of industry,” and “the abuses of market power” across a range of industries, including technology.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently signaled their support for congressional antitrust legislation targeting “Big Tech.”

When it comes to economic conditions and the prospects for aspiring entrepreneurs, SBEC found that 42% say the U.S. economy is conducive to helping new businesses prosper, while 32% say it is not entrepreneur friendly.

Kerrigan pointed out that not all business applications that are filed actually result in an enterprise being formed. And, for this reason, “aspiring entrepreneurs or almost entrepreneurs need as much encouragement as possible to take that next step toward launching a business,” Kerrigan said.

SBEC advocates on behalf of entrepreneurs and small businesses and has more than 100,000 members, according to its website, www.sbecouncil.org . n ••• To read the survey results, see: https:// sbecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ SBE-Council-Small-Business-Research-NewBusiness-During-Pandemic-FINAL.pdf — Pinkston News Service

According to the survey of 316 small business owners who started their business during the pandemic, 61% say government regulations against technology companies will adversely impact their business, with 36% saying they are extremely concerned about such measures.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 15

APRIL 2022

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

SOLD PAST 30 DAYS — New alltime highs abound.

In Rio Del Mar, 123 Cypress Point, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2087SF sold for $2,150,000 on a list price of $1,495,000 (43% above list price). 101 Via Medici, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 2287SF. sold for $2,150,000 on a list price of $1,700,000 (24% above list price). In Seacliff 607 Cedar, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1236 SF listed for $1,270,000 and sold for $1,365,000 (7% over list, but a whopping $1104/SF). In Rolling Green Estates on the non-beach side of the freeway in Aptos, 213 Siesta, 4 bed, 2 bath, 1430 SF listed for $1,299,000 and sold for $1,640,000 (26% over list price, $1146/SF). High sale was 1103 Via Malibu, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 3560 SF ocean view, sold for $4.0 Million. Low sale was 1008 Redwood, a 1 bed, 1 bath, 526 SF sold for $750,000. Townhomes hit new highs as well with 307 Village Creek (adjacent to Nisene Marks), 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1606 SF, selling for $1,305,000. The last sale in this complex less than a year ago for a similar home was $912,111 (43% increase).

ACTIVE LISTINGS — only 23 Homes are for sale as of 4/05 in Aptos. In the Seascape Uplands, 289 Ventana is listed for $2,625,000. This home last sold for $1,720,000 in 2019 and my friends paid $1,695,000 for it in 2006, so no appreciation over 13 years and now – Boom! The Aptos Country properties are attempting to cash in on this boom.

Three country listings are: 2240 Pleasant Valley, 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 5250SF on 3.5 acres, asking $4,750,000, 20 Pleasant Heights, 5 bed, 3.5 bath, 3773 SF on 1.3 acres, asking $2,995,0000, and 3070 Pleasant Valley, 3 bed, 2.5 bath 3367 SF on 2 acres asking $2,244,000. 120 VIA DEL SOL (in Corralitos) is offered at $1,799,000 - 1+ flat acre, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2543 SF+ sunroom w/ spa, plus approx. 700 SF Barn/Art Studio, Pool/Tennis club.

There are no Townhomes for sale and only two condos: 351 Racquet Landing – asking $999,000 for a 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 1202 SF home and 1758 Dolphin, 2 bed, 1 bath, 945 SF asking $775,000.

INTEREST RATES — Per Bankrate.com as of 4/05/22, the average rate for a 30year fixed mortgage is up to 4.89%.

——— Call, email, text, and.

Get Results With Ruth!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Out of Sight & Out of Mind

Sanitary Sewers: Infrastructure Assessment & Plans for Improvements

S

Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Sanitation District and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

anitary sewers are often out of sight and out of mind, and we rarely consider the vital infrastructure operating below the surface of our streets. But they are essential to the health and safety of the community.

The Santa Cruz County Sanitation District is responsible for constructing, maintaining, and repairing pipelines and pump stations that transport waste from the District — which includes the communities of Live Oak, the City of Capitola and portions of Aptos and Soquel — to the city-owned Wastewater Treatment Facility at Neary Lagoon.

The life cycle of an average sewer main is approximately 50 years. More than 60% of sewer mains within the District are operating beyond their life cycle. Deteriorating sanitary sewer infrastructure can create sinkholes, backups into homes and businesses, manhole overflows and surface water and groundwater contamination.

The District uses closed-circuit television cameras to video and assess the condition of the public sewer mains throughout the system.

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Inspections completed prior to October 2021 found 238,700 linear feet of sewer mains (20% of the District’s mains) have significant deficiencies and need repair or replacement. An additional 20% of mains will likely need replacement in the near future.

With the City of Santa Cruz’s treatment plant also in need of rehabilitation, plant improvements (i.e. major equipment replacement, infrastructure upgrades, and laboratory modernization) planned for next year will also lead to increased treatment costs, which will be passed on in the form of higher rates to the County’s Sanitation District. These higher rates are a significant reason why the District will be considering a sewer rate increase at an upcoming public meeting.

Overall, the District currently requires an estimated $143 million to rehabilitate deteriorating sewer infrastructure and another $80 million to address capacity issues that put the sewer system at risk of overflowing in a large storm event, which is increasingly likely due to climate change.

To generate funds for these projects

Capitola Wharf on Monterey Bay: Keep it clean!

and cover the higher pass-through treatment costs from the City, the Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz County Sanitation District will hold a public hearing May 5 at 4:45 PM in the D. A. Porath Sanitation Facility Meeting Room, at 2750 Lode Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Residents may join virtually at https://tinyurl.com/ SanitaryDistrict.

The Board will consider a 6.5% rate increase, which is less than $5 per month more for a single-family residence.

Approximately 95% of the District’s proposed rate increase this year will cover the pass-through costs from the City’s increased treatment costs.

Subsequent increases will be needed in coming years to address the aging infrastructure and increased pass-through costs.

However, with this increased revenue, nearly all of the known significant deficiencies in the system will be remedied in the next ten years. n ••• For more information on the sewer system, rates and the Public Hearing visit the District website at https://www.sccsd.us.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Bay Federal Scholarship Winners B ay Federal Credit Union announced the winners of its financial education scholarships at its annual meeting March 29.

Local students Coleman Garner, Juan Padilla, and Carmen Sauceda were named Education Scholarship recipients. Micaela DiPiero and Albert Vizcarra were awarded Mac McCormac Employee Scholarships.

Each will receive $1,500 for school-related expenses.

“I am incredibly pleased to honor these hard-working students,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal president and CEO. “My hope is that each of them will succeed in their educational pursuits and go on to make a real difference in our world.”

Scholarship applicants were required to submit essays describing what their approach would be to improve money management skills of teens and adults in their communities. The essays were judged blind.

Education Scholarships Coleman Garner, a returning student, is pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing at Cabrillo College.

Garner plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and become a registered nurse to Coleman Garner “give back” to the Santa Cruz community.

Juan Padilla, a North Salinas High School alumnus and a sophomore at UCLA, is majoring in psychology while minoring in biomedical research, Chicano studies, and public health.

The Salinas resident and youngest of three siblings was the first in his family Juan Padilla to graduate from high school, and he says that inspired him to continue his education. After earning a bachelor’s degree, Padilla plans to pursue a master’s of public health in epidemiology, and then a Ph.D. in epidemiology.

Carmen Sauceda of Aptos, a freshman environmental studies major at UC Santa Cruz.

The Pacific Collegiate School graduate says her current goals are to continually

“I think it’s great that Bay Federal offers these opportunities for its community. I also have two younger siblings that are going to go to college at some point, and I don’t want to put it all on my dad.”

— Carmen Sauceda

challenge herself, maintain high grades, and graduate on time.

Mac McCormac Scholarships Micaela DiPiero, service manager at Bay Federal’s River Street Branch, is near to earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus. DiPiero Micaela DiPiero also won the scholarship in 2020 and 2021.

Albert Vizcarra, service manager at Bay Federal’s Salinas Branch, is studying business management at Cabrillo College.

He plans to transfer to CSU Monterey Bay, to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Albert Vizcarra Vizcarra also won the scholarship in 2021.

Since 2008, Bay Federal has awarded 75 scholarships totaling $76,500 to students who are pursuing higher education.

“I think it’s great that Bay Federal offers these opportunities for its community,” said Sauceda, who has student loans, lives at home, and works part-time to pay for college. “I also have two younger siblings that are going to go to college at Carmen Sauceda some point, and I don’t want to put it all on my dad.”

The application window for the scholarships opens in November each year.

The Mac McCormack Employee Scholarship was named after Bay Federal’s first employee. n

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18 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Deadhead Spring Bulbs After Bloom

F

By Tony Tomeo

ruiting warm season vegetables that are now in season, such as squash, tomatoes and beans, are more abundant with regular harvest. Plants that produce such fruit respond to their natural obligation to generate seed. Deprivation of the fruit that contains their seed stimulates production of more. Similarly, it is helpful to deadhead some flowering plants.

Deadhead grooming is a type of pruning, even if it does not involve pruning shears. It is, in simple terms, the removal of deteriorating flowers after bloom. For some plants, it only improves aesthetic appeal. For many others, it redirects resources from seed production into subsequent bloom, or vegetative growth that eventually sustains subsequent bloom.

Now that early spring bulbs are finishing bloom, it is time to deadhead them.

Most bloom just once annually, so without the distraction of seed production, will prioritize vegetative growth into new bulbs to bloom for next year. Many of the summer bulbs that bloom later bloom more than once annually, so divert conserved resources into subsequent blooms.

However, many cultivars of spring bulbs are too extensively hybridized to produce viable seed. For them, deadhead grooming merely eliminates unappealingly deteriorated floral carcasses, while their foliage continues to sustain the development of new bulbs for next year. The foliage of most deteriorates slowly through warming spring or summer weather.

Some extensively hybridized modern cultivars are not sterile though. Some can produce feral progeny that are less

Most spring bulbs are done blooming.

appealing than the hybrid parents, but are vigorous enough to displace them.

Deadhead grooming eliminates most or all of the unwanted feral seed.

Of course, for wild grape hyacinth and snowdrop, seed can be left to develop and disperse.

Established colonies of feral freesias can be allowed to make seed for more of the same. However, hybrid freesia benefits from deadhead grooming to eliminate feral seed. Dutch iris, narcissus, daffodil, tulip, hyacinth and lily can also benefit from deadhead grooming, for a variety of reasons. Some are sterile. Some are not. Some get shabby. Some do not.

••• Hyacinth he most fragrant of flowers generally lack color. The most colorful of flowers generally lack fragrance. Most flowers employ either fragrance or color to attract pollinators, but not both. Hyacinth is an exception that is as colorful as it is fragrant. Bloom can be rich hues and tints of most colors except for green.

The captivating fragrance is sweet and intense.

Hyacinth are spring bulbs that are now finishing Hyacinth is both colorful bloom, but are and fragrant. ready for planting during autumn. They require a bit of chill through winter, so must be dug and refrigerated for two months or so while dormant in milder climates. Dormant bulbs are plump and round, like small but toxic onions. They appreciate rich soil, regular irrigation, and a sunny situation.

Bulbs generate only a few strap shaped and somewhat rubbery leaves during late winter prior to early spring bloom. These leaves resemble lily of the Nile leaves, but stay rather short, and may not flop. Hyacinth blooms with one or two short, stout and neatly cylindric trusses of several small flowers. Foliage lingers for only two or three months after bloom. Bulbs may not be reliably perennial. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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By Wendy Ballen

originally discovered this recipe on a website called My New Roots by Sarah Britton. It looked wonderful so I tried it out, and it was!!

I was raised by two wonderful bakers, my mother Jeanne and my Aunt Maxine. There was never a shortage of cookies and cakes in our house. Birthday cakes were wonderfully embellished with M & M’s and chocolate chips!

As a young adult, I became more interested in eating healthy, so instead of baking with white flour, white sugar, and Crisco like my mentors, I learned how to bake with healthier, natural ingredients.

From 1980-1984, I worked as a baker at Staff of Life in Santa Cruz. I specialized in wedding cakes and developed a few cookies and treats still sold there today. Just graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Art, I also had two Cake Art Shows at the Louden Nelson Center in 1982 and 1983.

I have made this raw, dairyless cheesecake dozens and dozens of times and have embellished it many different ways. It’s always been a big hit with friends and family!

It takes some patience and effort, but I guarantee it’s worth it!

Dairyless Cashew Cream Cake

Ingredients Crust 1 /2 cup raw almonds (pecan or walnuts will also work) 1 /2 cup soft Medjool dates (or dried apricots) ¼ tsp. sea salt Filling 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 5 hours or overnight Juice of 1 lemon I tsp. vanilla 1 /3 cup coconut oil 1 /3 cup honey 1 /2 cup raspberries (frozen and thawed raspberries work best) 1 oz. melted dark chocolate Garnishes Raspberry Sauce: 1-10 oz. bag of frozen raspberries, thawed.

Honey (sweeten to taste) Chocolate sauce: 1 bar of your favorite chocolate Fresh raspberries Directions First, put nuts and dates or apricots in a food processor with sea salt and pulse to chop until they are well processed but still a little bit coarse. The crust mixture should hold together if you squeeze a little with your fingers. Pour the crust into a 7” spring-form pan and press down firmly until the crust is evenly distributed.

Next, combine the honey and coconut oil

in a small saucepan. Use medium low heat until they are liquified.

Then drain the soaked cashews. In the most powerful food processor/blender you own, (a Vitamix works best) place the cashew, honey-coconut oil mix, lemon juice, and vanilla, and blend on high until very smooth. If you have a Vitamix, use the tamper tool to help mix the ingredients. This takes a few minutes to get smooth.

After that, pour about 1/3 of the mixture into a small bowl. Add 2 oz. of melted chocolate and blend it thoroughly. With a spatula, transfer the chocolate cashew cream onto the crust and smooth with the spatula.

Take another third of the remaining vanilla cashew cream out and carefully add it on top of the chocolate layer.

Add 1/2 cup of thawed raspberries to the remaining filling and blend on high until smooth. Pour on top the vanilla layer of filling and smooth it out.

Cover the spring-form pan with a piece of Saran Wrap. Place a piece of foil over the top and seal it well. Place in the freezer until solid.

Raspberry Sauce Put the bag of thawed raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth.

I like to pour the blended berries into a fine mesh wire strainer and press with a wooden spoon to remove the seeds. It’s not necessary but makes a very smooth sauce. This mixture will be a little tart, so add honey or your preferred sweetener to taste.

Chocolate Sauce Break up a 3 oz. chocolate bar and place it in a heatproof bowl. Bring about an inch of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Set the heatproof bowl over the saucepan, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir the chocolate until melted. Make sure not to get any water into the chocolate mixture.

To serve, remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to eating. Run a smooth, sharp knife around the edges before opening up the springform pan. With the spring-form bottom intact, transfer the cake to a serving dish.

Garnishing Drizzle some of the chocolate sauce over the top of the cake in an interesting pattern. Take the fresh raspberries and dip the bottom of each one in chocolate, and place them around the edge of the pie.

Use a sharp knife to cut into wedges.

Serves about 12-14 people, as it is very rich.

Pour some of the raspberry sauce on the plate. Gently transfer a wedge of the cake onto the sauce. Feel free to add more of the chocolate sauce. Enjoy! n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz County Bank Promotes Carson S anta Cruz County Bank has promoted Mary Anne Carson from senior vice president to executive vice president, expanding her leadership as the chief marketing officer at the top-rated community bank.

In November 2003, Carson was the fourth employee recruited

by Santa Cruz County Bank in its pre-startup phase. She is responMary Anne Carson sible for marketing, advertising, corporate messaging, community development, donations, media relations, shareholder relations, and serves on the executive management team.

She was instrumental in creating and

launching Santa Cruz County Bank’s iconic brand, logo, website and early product offerings. She has spearheaded public and private stock sales, and has overseen the openings of seven bank’s locations.

Santa Cruz County Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Krista Snelling, said, “She is a creative and innovative problem solver, and her leadership continues to be a cornerstone of our success. We look forward to her future triumphs and the continuation of her steady management as the bank grows in new markets.”

In her 30+ year banking career, Carson acquired firsthand knowledge of nearly every aspect of banking, beginning as a teller and advancing into operations, lending, financial service management,

marketing and advertising, public relations, and corporate affairs.

She currently serves in board, committee and advisory roles with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz Gives. Previously she served with Cabrillo College Women’s Educational Scholarship, Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce and Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group.

She was recognized by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce as “Volunteer of the Year” in 1998 and by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce as “Woman of the Year” in 2009. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, she is also a graduate of Leadership

Santa Cruz County and Focus Agriculture.

She lives in Aptos.

Carson said, “It’s a great source of pride to have helped build a community bank from the de novo stage to a successful, top performing financial institution and trusted community partner. I’m constantly inspired and energized by our continued ability to be nimble, innovative, forward looking, and responsive to the communities we serve.” n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

DISH To Pay for Illegal Disposal of Hazardous Waste

O

n April 6, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced a settlement with DISH Network California Service Corporation for illegal disposal and mismanagement of hazardous waste.

DISH will be required to pay $5.5 million for penalties, costs, and supplemental environmental projects to benefit the community and change its practices to come into compliance with state law.

“For years,” Bonta said, “DISH carelessly disposed of and sent hazardous waste to local landfills, ignoring the consequences for our communities and our environment. From there, hazardous chemical elements from electronic devices, batteries, aerosols, and more could seep into soil and contaminate our environment ... Large corporations like DISH have a responsibility to respect our environmental laws and do their part to protect our state’s precious resources.”

Added O’Malley, “Hazardous electronic waste is ubiquitous, and everyone must do their part to keep these items out of the landfill, especially large corporations who handle high volumes of electronic waste.”

DISH provides satellite video services to residential and business customers in California.

In providing these services, DISH employees manage large volumes of

electronic equipment, such as remote controls, transformers, and power adapters, batteries, aerosol cans, and other items classified as hazardous waste.

Since 2005, DISH is alleged to have violated California’s environmental laws and regulations by illegally disposing of hazardous waste and sending the hazardous waste to local landfills that are not equipped or authorized to receive this type of waste.

Audits of DISH facilities in California over multiple years found that DISH repeatedly disposed of these objects in trash bins destined for municipal landfills in violation of the Hazardous Waste Control Law and Unfair Competition Law. The settlement requires DISH to: • Pay $5.5 million, including $3.32 million in civil penalties, $835,500 in litigation costs, and $845,000 for supplemental environmental projects.

DISH must also spend $500,000 on environmental compliance measures to ensure proper management of hazardous waste at its California facilities.

“DISH” page 25

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22 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

We All Need A Hero A

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz

s Ray Apolskis sat on a bench at Capitola Beach with his faithful canine companion, a woman was about to walk by when she paused.

“I remember you,” she said, noticing Ray’s dog, Benny, who used to greet visitors at Surf N Shack, Ray’s T-shirt and sweatshirt shop in Capitola Village.

I remember Ray, too.

In March 2009, when someone stole the tiki out of Capitola’s Esplanade Park, Ray offered to donate the $500 tiki carved by Wilhelm Zilliacus that gave his shop a surf vibe.

Sadly, the Surf N Shack is no more. Now it’s painted pink, home to Xandra Swimwear.

Ray lost his shop, his source of income, and his home in the Covid-19 pandemic.

He’s been wrapping himself in Indian blankets — the kind he used to sell — sleeping on the bench, or in the yard of an accommodating property owner in the village, getting up at 5 a.m. so as not to be a bother.

He’s not old enough to cash in his 401-k retirement account — built up from working 14 years at Pasatiempo Golf Course, where he was director of sales — without a penalty.

Joseph Jacques, co-founder of HarmonicHumanity.org, with the HERO CD.

Before the golf job, he owned a deejay business, Cut A Rug, and played music at the Edgewater bar on the Esplanade.

Now, thanks to Aptos resident Joseph Jacques, Ray has a new gig that may turn his life around.

Jacques and his pal, AJ Lovewins (a name he adopted) of Bellingham, WA, are co-founders of Harmonic Humanity, a 10-year-old organization dedicated to helping people get off the streets and into a place to live via music and art.

Sounds crazy, right?

Listen and learn: Music is healing.

Jacques said AJ successfully battled addiction and began working at a soup kitchen in Seattle, where people ate meals and got a good dose of uplifting music.

Jacques calls it “conscious music,” music of various styles aligned with social healing and love. I call it uplifting.

That gave them the idea: What if they could create an album of uplifting music and give copies to people who are homeless to sell and earn a living.

What if well-known musicians — like Jason Mraz, Michael Franti and Maroon 5 — were willing to provide music tracks? The first ask was at a party at Café Gratitude, and they got 15 tracks in all.

What if the CD could be sold for a $20 donation? One hundred CD sales would equal $2,000, a big step toward a month’s rent and security.

This is the third album, titled HERO: One Cape Fits All. The CD jacket features a takeoff on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Finger of God” painting of creation, with a silhouetted figure making a leap of faith.

The Santa Cruz Veterans Hall is a backer, having bought 1,000 CDs. A photo of the Vets Hall appears on the back cover.

Jacques said the name is based on the work of writer Joseph Campbell, who described the hero’s journey, entering the unknown, meeting a mentor, facing trials and failure, gaining new skills, entering the abyss, surviving

Ray Apolskis and Benny, a small Pomeranian who is 6 years old.

the ordeal, then returning transformed to the known world.

Ray Apolskis’ first reaction was: “It’s exciting — also a little daunting to take this on.”

He mulled it over: “I’m used to being self-employed … it’s like being self-employed.”

He added, “I’m tired of sneaking around … I want to get off the streets.”

To get a roof over his head, his game plan is to tap into his 401 (k), once the penalty period is past, and to sell the HERO CDs three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while enjoying the beautiful views on Capitola Beach.

Why not be a hero and buy a CD yourself?

The music is good, and you’ll be doing good at the same time.

To learn more about the Love Tour 2022 and watch a video of Jason Mraz and Ace of Cups explain why they support this economic opportunity initiative, visit Harmonic Humanity.org. n

RTC to Study Climate Projects, Transportation Equity

C

altrans has awarded the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission two Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants totaling $786,000 for climate adaptation and transportation equity.

The RTC and the County of Santa Cruz received $448,800 to develop a Climate Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment and Transportation Priorities Report for unincorporated Santa Cruz County maintained roads and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

The assessment will identify vulnerable transportation infrastructure and associated hazards such as wildfire, mud debris flows, extreme weather/flooding and sea-level rise.

The priorities report will identify transportation projects that may be impacted by climate change and those will then be prioritized for action.

“The hazards brought on by climate change pose a serious threat to the county’s transportation infrastructure, and in turn,

threatens the safety and quality of life of our residents. Santa Cruz County is already experiencing the impacts of sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events and flooding, wildfires, and extreme temperatures on the county’s transportation infrastructure,” said Guy Preston, RTC executive director. “This report will be very impactful in guiding the RTC as it works to maintain the existing transportation network and plans for the transportation needs of the future.”

David Reid, director of the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience, said, “Assessing our transportation network and its vulnerability to climate change is the first step to helping our county prioritize investments … This grant helps establish a foundation to better prepare our community for these inevitabilities and to guide us as we work together to mitigate these threats.”

The RTC also received $338,000 to develop a Transportation Equity Action Plan to address transportation disparities in the community.

This plan will include an equity analysis of the existing transportation network, transportation projects and services, plans, policies, and procedures; a public outreach toolkit to engage disadvantaged communities; the establishment of an Equity Workgroup; stakeholder and public engagement; and the development of equity performance metrics.

“Approximately 50% of Santa Cruz County’s residents are transportation disadvantaged,” said Preston. “Once developed, this action plan will provide us with the tools and information needed to prioritize transportation investments that will improve access, safety, health, mobility, housing and job access, for marginalized,

segmented, and otherwise disadvantaged communities.”

RTC staff will provide more information regarding schedule and public participation opportunities over the next few months.

Caltrans’ Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program funds studies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the state highway system, enhance access to safe walkways and bike paths, and increase natural disaster preparedness. Grants are awarded each year through a competitive process to encourage local and regional efforts.

Funds for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program come from state and federal sources. n ••• For the complete list of Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant awards, see https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/transportation-planning/documents/ sustainable-planning-grants-2021/04012022update/1-fy-2022-23-stpg-award-list.pdf

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Hotels Get Creative to Attract Summer Guests

T

he Lafayette Hotel in San Diego’s trendy North Park district wants you, and it isn’t afraid to appeal to your sense of nostalgia. It is one of many new hotel projects vying for your booking this summer.

Pay no heed to the swimming pool designed by Olympic medalist and Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller. And ignore the pictures of the hotel’s founder hobnobbing with Hollywood stars such as Ava Gardner and Bob Hope.

On a recent afternoon, the hotel’s general manager, Dieter Hissin, led me

“Water Use” from page 10 7. To facilitate the hauling of water for domestic use by localcommunities and domestic water users threatened with the loss of water supply or degraded water quality resulting from drought, any ordinance, regulation, prohibition, policy, or requirement of any kind adopted by a public agency that prohibits the hauling of water out of the water’s basin of origin or a public agency’s jurisdiction is hereby suspended. The suspension authorized pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to the hauling of water by truck or bottle to be used for human consumption, cooking, or sanitation in communities or residences threatened with the loss of affordable safe drinking water.

Nothing in this paragraph limits any public health or safety requirement to ensure the safety of hauled water.

8. The Water Board shall expand inspections to determine whether illegal diversions or wasteful or unreasonable use of water are occurring and bring enforcement actions against illegal diverters and those engaging in the wasteful and unreasonable use of water. When access is not granted by a property owner, the Water Board may obtain an inspection warrant pursuant to the procedures set forth in Title 13 (commencing with section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure for the purposes of conducting an inspection pursuant to this directive.

9. To protect health, safety, and the environment during this drought emergency, a county, city, or other public agency shall not: a. Approve a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management

By Christopher Elliott

downstairs, past the hotel’s signature attractions, and into an aging ballroom.

“This is where they filmed the scene in the movie ‘Top Gun,’” he explains. “You know, where Tom Cruise sings ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ to Kelly McGillis.”

The Lafayette, which is in the middle of a top-to-bottom renovation, is restoring the bar just in time for the release of a “Top Gun” sequel in May. Hissin says the timing is right to bring ’80s-loving tourists back to the Lafayette.

He’s not the only hotel general manager wondering how to get travelers back.

“Hotels are getting creative,” says Jennifer Dohm, a spokesperson for Hotels. com. As resorts look to the summer travel season, they are adding new room experiences, introducing promotional rates and waiving fees.

There’s a reason for the creativity: The past two years have been difficult for hotels, with many travelers opting for staycations and vacation rentals over more traditional accommodations. Hotels that cater to corporate travelers have suffered the most and are looking to 2022 as a way to fast-track their recovery.

“For hotels, marketing promotions are a tried-and-true way of attracting guests,”

says Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. “Many hotels used the closures as an opportunity to renovate their properties, and many of these properties are seeing benefits from these changes.”

The folks in marketing know they can’t turn you into a guest without first getting your attention. If a new look, attraction or amenity will do it, then they’re willing to try.

The Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles last year unveiled recent renovations, which cost $2.5 billion.

Act and classified as medium- or highpriority without first obtaining written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located that groundwater extraction by the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable Groundwater Sustainability Plan adopted by that Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by such a plan; or b. Issue a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well without first determining that extraction of groundwater from the proposed well is (1) not likely to interfere with the production and functioning of existing nearby wells, and (2) not likely to cause subsidence that would adversely impact or damage nearby infrastructure.

This paragraph shall not apply to permits for wells that will provide less than two acre-feet per year of groundwater for individual domestic users, or that will exclusively provide groundwater to public water supply systems as defined in section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code.

10. To address household or small community drinking water shortages dependent upon groundwater wells that have failed due to drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources shall work with other state agencies to investigate expedited regulatory pathways to modify, repair, or reconstruct failed household or small community or public supply wells, while recognizing the need to ensure the sustainability of such wells as provided for in paragraph 9.

11. State agencies shall collaborate with tribes and federal, regional, and local agencies on actions related to promoting groundwater recharge and increasing storage.

12. To help advance groundwater recharge projects, and to demonstrate the feasibility of projects that can use available high water flows to recharge local groundwater while minimizing flood risks, the Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards shall prioritize water right permits, water quality certifications, waste discharge requirements, and conditional waivers of waste discharge requirements to accelerate approvals for projects that enhance the ability of a local or state agency to capture high precipitation events for local storage or recharge, consistent with water right priorities and protections for fish and wildlife. For the purposes of carrying out this paragraph, Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) of the Public Resources Code and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division, and Chapter 3 ( commencing with section 85225) of Part 3 of Division 35 of the Water Code and regulations adopted pursuant thereto are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to address the impacts of the drought. This suspension applies to (a) any actions taken by state agencies, (b) any actions taken by local agencies where the state agency with primary responsibility for the implementation of the directives concurs that local action is required, and (c) permits necessary to carry out actions under (a) or (b). The entities implementing these directives shall maintain on their websites a list of all activities or approvals for which these provisions are suspended.

13. With respect to recharge projects under either Flood-ManagedAquifer Recharge or the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management

Grant Program occurring on open and working lands to replenish and store water in groundwater basins that will help mitigate groundwater conditions impacted by drought, for any (a) actions taken by state agencies, (b) actions taken by a local agency where the Department of Water Resources concurs that local action is required, and (c) permits necessary to carry out actions under (a) or (b), Public Resources Code, Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to address the impacts of the drought. The entities implementing these directives shall maintain on their websites a list of all activities or approvals for which these provisions are suspended.

14. To increase resilience of state water supplies during prolonged drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources shall prepare for the potential creation and implementation of a multi-year transfer program pilot project for the purpose of acquiring water from willing partners and storing and conveying water to areas of need.

15. By April 15, 2022, state agencies shall submit to the Department of Finance for my consideration proposals to mitigate the worsening effects of severe drought, including emergency assistance to communities and households and others facing water shortages as a result of the drought, facilitation of groundwater recharge and wastewater recycling, improvements in water use efficiency, protection of fish and wildlife, mitigation of drought-related economic or water-supply disruption, and other potential investments to support short- and long-term drought response.

24 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Problem Solved” page 26

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of March 2022. n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

AG Urges Banks to End Overdraft Fees O n April 6, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, called on the nation’s largest banks to eliminate overdraft fees.

Overdraft fees are incurred when a consumer spends more money than they have available in their bank account.

U.S. consumers paid an estimated $11 billion in overdraft fees in 2019, with the financial burden disproportionately falling on low-income consumers and consumers of color.

Late last year, Capital One committed to ending all overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees for its customers, and in February 2022, Citi Bank announced it would eliminate overdraft fees by this summer.

In The April 6 letters, 17 attorneys

general urge JPMorgan, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo to follow their peers’ lead and eliminate these harmful fees.

“Eliminating overdraft fees is an important step toward a more equitable financial system. These junk fees often pile up, forcing consumers already short on cash to pay an additional $20, $30, or $40 for even a minor transaction,” said Bonta. “For banks, overdraft fees are easy way to pad their profits, but for struggling consumers, these fees can seriously derail their financial plans… I urge JPMorgan, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo to act in the best interest of their customers and eliminate overdraft fees by this summer.”

No one should ever be charged a $35 fee for a $2 dollar carton of eggs. But under

many banks’ current policies, that’s exactly what might happen if a consumer overdraws on their bank account.

Overdraft fees often far exceed the cost to a bank to cover an unfunded transaction.

Advocates say many banks use deceptive tactics to induce consumers to incur overdraft fees rather than adopting practices that make it easier for consumers to avoid these fees or lessen the costs.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently concluded that the collection of overdraft fees has persisted throughout the pandemic, and is launching an initiative to reduce these

exploitative “junk fees” and save consumers billions.

Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina (all except Bank of America), Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington in sending the letters. n ••• A copy of the letters can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/ag-overdraft-fees (Full URL: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/ attachments/press-docs/2022.04.04%20-%20 Overdraft%20Letters%20%28combined%29.pdf)

Beatlemania

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fundraiser for Canham Farm Horse Rescue

C

anham Farm Horse Rescue in 25% of the proceeds will go to Canham Scotts Valley is not your typical Farm Horse Rescue.

Guests who come in will be able to horse rescue or horse rehabilitation meet one of the rescued horses. n facility.

Julia Hyde, founder of Canham Farm ••• Horse Rescue, has a mission to rescue and For more about Canham Farm Horse help end the suffering of abused, neglected Rescue see: https://canhamfarm.com/ and unwanted horses.

She says, “We rehabilitate, train and endeavor to re-home as well as educate humans to interact with horses in a way that will benefit both horse and human.”

A fundraiser to support this work will take place April 21, noon – 9 p.m., at Woodstock Pizza, 710 Front St., Santa Cruz.

Mention this fundraiser while ordering and up to Two captured wild horse foals grooming each other.

“DISH” from page 21 • Hire an independent third-party auditor to perform environmental compliance audits at DISH’s 25 facilities across the state; • Inspect trash dumpsters and roll-off containers regularly to ensure they do not contain hazardous waste; and

• Train employees to ensure compliance with California’s hazardous waste laws. n A copy of the settlement can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ag-DISH-settle (Full URL: https://oag.ca.gov/system/ files/attachments/press-docs/22CV008224_032 52022JudgmentAmendedOrderFinalJudgment andPermanentI....pdf)

ACROSS

1. In the Queen of Hearts’ oven?

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

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

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

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

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

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

57. *”Whisper words of ____”

7. Retired, abbr.

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

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

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

4. Ownership document 33. Swelling 5. NASA’s first space 34. Ruhr’s industrial station center 6. All over again 36. Not all 60. *”Please ____ Me,” 1st album 63. Amusement 64. Rage 66. Scary movie consequence 68. ____ del Carmen, Mexico 69. Corn spot 70. Reach a goal (2 words) 71. Unit of heredity 72. Cry of alarm 73. Wipe out

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

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

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 25

Festivals, Ages & Humanity’s Stages of Development Esoteric Astrology • Mid-April 2022 • By Risa D’Angeles

T

Note: The energies available this coming weekend of festivals extend into the weeks ahead. his weekend (April 15 – 17) is filled with festivals, spanning three levels of humanity’s development. We have the Jewish festival of Passover (beginning Friday at sunset); the Aries Festival, Festival of Love (esoteric teachings for the new Aquarian era) Saturday; and Easter (Catholic/Christian festival) on Sunday.

Passover represents the Age of Aries; Easter, the Pisces Age; and the Aries Festival at the full moon signifies the Aquarian era. Each Age spans 2,500 years. We thus have three ages and eras of development with their three specific laws and three stages of Initiation for humanity. These events are humanity’s real history, and the only stories needing to be told.

Passover (Pesach) begins Friday night. It is the Jewish Festival commemorating the Hebrew people’s freedom (flight) from slavery in Egypt (Taurus Age of materiality) and their pilgrimage into Canaan, into the Age of Aries, a 40-year sojourn.

ARIES

Your true calling begins to be recognized. It comes forth as the sun rises on Easter. You are less and less on the burning ground. And more and more longer in the streams of aspiration. The world begins to reorient towards your initiating abilities. As they clearly emerge, your philosophical beliefs and goals are at the highest level. You begin to see yourself in terms of how you help create the culture and civilization, and how you serve humanity so their gifts can come forth, too.

You’re at the doorstep.

TAURUS

So often you step into the shadows, choosing not to speak up, thinking often that others would do a better job. This has given you time, strength and stamina and developed your awareness and abilities. Now remaining behind the scenes is no longer the right choice. You are to step into the limelight, begin to communicate, offer to teach, lead, facilitate others and thus make the transition from dark room to lighted stage. Your words give hope to humanity. They become the “waters of life” for those in need.

GEMINI

So much of your life has been about observing the needs of others and stepping into different fields of service. This has been good training. However, the time has come when your focus must shift from others to self. This is for your further development. You are ready to answer the silent call from the Soul. Some Geminis are hesitating. That’s OK. We have infinity to respond. This is a transition time for you. Have the intention for your personality to be offered to the light of the Soul. Your life then changes.

CANCER

Who you have been, who you thought you were, how you acted and reacted – all these ways and means will no longer be available. What you’ve been asked to be is no longer who you can be. All the responsibilities you’ve assumed for so long will begin to annoy and irritate you.

You will gradually want a new identity, a new way of being seen in the world. You want less of a sense of duty, and more time for your gifts and talents to come forth. You seek the next step on your journey, a new creative bright and beautiful light-filled step.

Spring’s first full moon (Saturday) is the Aries solar Festival (27 degrees Aries), when the Love of the Hierarchy and of the Father, the Forces of Restoration and the Spirit of Resurrection flow into the Earth. They offer humanity a new vitality, a new “livingness,’ thus restoring courage, faith and moral and psychological health. They bring about the new Aquarian culture & civilization and the new Spiritual Materialism (Sharing Society). And a new hope and vision for the new world to unfold.

Sunday is Easter, which always follows the Aries festival. The color of the vestments at Mass are gold.

Easter is the festival of Resurrection (new life springing forth after the dark of winter). It is the Festival of new life coming forth in all kingdoms. All of life lifting up to the light of the Sun. Sun in Aries and Scorpio moon this Easter.

The mysteries of life, death and immortality are illumined. As the Forces of Restoration flow into our Earth, life and livingness is restored once more. n (Note to readers — on FB, NLN & Gab each day, you can follow my writings for relating the ancient stories to our present times now. Risa)

LEO

Over and over you will review plans, agendas, thoughts, ideas, rhythms and rituals created in your daily life.

And over and over these will change in terms of work, health, unmet dreams, hopes, wishes, people and all environments you participate in. Old realities are shifting to new concepts, discoveries are breaking the mold of previous ways of working and what you thought was healthy. You will seek new environments, fresh and free that allow for accelerated activities in areas, people, places and things your heart desires.

VIRGO

Three words — creativity, opportunity, options. Three more words — ideas, thoughts, action. What could these mean to you, in what areas of life? Gates will open for you, the Sun will shine in your garden, and a new creative impulse will cease your sense of isolation. You always made adjustments, living on hope. New days dawn with a new sense of creative self-expression. Love renews itself. And a new philosophy takes you on a new journey. Be sure to have sturdy shoes.

LIBRA

SAGITTARIUS

Usually one thinks of Sag as philosophically minded.

However, recently you’ve become security minded, wondering, as you age, how to prepare and build a strong system of resources for later unknown times. It feels like providence has arrived. You sense this and bring forth purpose, energy and passion to whatever you believe in.

And so, the question is what do you believe in? What is most important to you now? The answers when contemplated are surprising.

CAPRICORN

You have stepped into power, a most interesting situation.

Authority figures, not understanding the energy of relationship in astrology, may feel you are challenging them, which you are not. However, your very presence challenges others’ beliefs and also those in authority. You bring revolutionary change wherever you are. What is this? A call to leadership requiring you to display your ability to lead with both willingness and love, while poised within the center of power. You’ll be learning this over time. Being solitary is a gift.

AQUARIUS

All that’s important to you, all that formed your foundational beliefs, will begin to shatter and then be revised. This is a part of growing up, growing older. You took a path into the new world long ago. You learned new understandings, relieved yourself of whatever limited your identity. You will shift your values, assume a greater sense of self-assurance. It’s a brave new world now and it is to contain more love than you can imagine. That love is to be from you. Learn all dimensions of truth. As you change, the world changes too.

As outer world events continue to emerge, you move easily within those changes. You understand the requirements of the new Aquarian era. Your inner spiritual self provides context to understanding the changes occurring. Only your inner self can understand the truth, how to choose Right Direction and Right Attitude and how to shine a bright new light of hope for others in need. Aquarians love humanity.

Your life situation calls forth humanitarian endeavors. You will understand more later.

SCORPIO

This is a time of initiation, a new self-identity and ultimately a healing for all of humanity with Venus, Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces and Chiron in Aries.

Tend to all health matters and to all parts of the body, inner and outer. Seek alternative methods of healing as well as alternative doctors. Become your own doctor. Grow a medicinal garden, learn to forage and identify plants in the wild. Then new opportunities will present themselves. New decisions will be made. A new change of focus will appear with new endeavors. Much of this year is a time of healing and preparing.

PISCES

You will find the need to speak the Truth in many situations. Usually you stand aside, allow others to be the voice of society. However, this is changing. You become the voice of reason, allowing no false information to pass you by. You’re very aware of the impact of untruthfulness and speaking in ways that hurt others. Your work become a response to world events. Destiny has arrived. It’s within your heart, written in the stars. You are the Truth and it sets you free.

•••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Problem Solved” from page 24 Everything at the Fairmont, except maybe the modernist facade, is new. It cut the number of rooms roughly in half, to 400, added a new spa, and opened Lumière Brasserie, a French restaurant. The hotel’s owners hope to turn it into the hottest property in L.A. as the pandemic wanes, and they’re looking at this summer as an opportunity to recapture its glory days.

That’s a tall order, but a few billion dollars definitely puts the Fairmont in contention.

The Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club in Bermuda has traditionally seen itself as an oasis for culture-seeking travelers; it features about 300 original works of art from artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Pablo Picasso. Last year, the hotel kicked it up a notch, offering an art-inspired package that includes a private tour of the hotel’s collection, plus art-inspired amenities and passes to the Bermuda National Gallery. Executives hope those packages will inspire more visitors as travel picks up.

CitizenM, the Netherlands-based boutique hotel chain that opened its first Los Angeles property Aug. 23, hired a curator to add original art to its rooms and marked its opening with an exhibit by local photographer Corinne Schiavone, whose images appeared on the hotel’s facade. Not to be outdone, the hypermodern Dream Hollywood hotel, in conjunction with the Crypt Gallery, unveiled an NFT (nonfungible token) art gallery in August — the hotel has a massive wall of screens in its lobby — featuring works from some of Los Angeles’s top digital artists.

Other properties looking to increase their appeal are looking backward rather than forward. Late last year, the Alexandrian, a luxury hotel in Alexandria, Va., introduced a package that allows guests to book an evening in its Carlyle Suite and get treated like 1920s royalty. There’s a car with a private driver, monogrammed bathrobes, and sparkling wine on ice.

There’s also a VIP dining experience in the Cocktail Garden with a custom tasting menu from its on-site restaurant, King & Rye. Rates start at $5,000 a night.

Will these gambits work? Maybe, maybe not.

In the end, good customer service is the bottom line for hotels, whatever novelties they offer returning travelers.

Guests such as Kristen Bello have noticed some changes in their hotel experiences, such as improved cleaning protocols and countless promises to keep rooms “Covid clean.” But that’s about it, says the retired teacher from Raleigh, N.C. “I haven’t seen anything that would make me think that hotels are trying to gain my business — yet,” she says.

Hotels know they can’t just offer a glitzy weekend package and expect travelers such as Bello to overlook bad service.

We’re about to find out if all the effort was worth it. n ••• Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@ elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www.elliott.org/help.

This story originally appeared in the Washington Post. © 2022 Christopher Elliott.

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Unemployment Insurance Fraud Crackdown: 130 Convictions O n April 12, the California Employment Development Department and Office of Emergency Services reported 1,400 active investigations and 130 criminal convictions to investigate and prosecute criminals who defrauded federal emergency unemployment benefit programs in 2020.

EDD and Fraud Special Counsel McGregor W. Scott recently identified and referred to federal authorities 30 more major fraud cases involving $54 million in benefits – mainly associated with the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. These 30 investigations involved fraud schemes crossing state or international boundaries, as well as some within California.

“Fraudsters attacked California and every state in the country with unprecedented criminal activity in 2020,” said Scott. “These criminals defrauded taxpayers and stole benefits from workers in need. California responded aggressively with new anti-fraud measures that blocked billions of dollars in fraud attempts. We are now engaged in a monumental effort to uncover these complex fraud schemes and deliver investigations to law enforcement and prosecutors across California.”

From January 2021 to January 2022, the California Task Force on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud has led to at least 370 arrests, 130 convictions, and 1,400 active investigations.

These cases include a variety of fraud schemes ranging from international crime rings to domestic organized and individual criminal activity. Efforts continue to recover any remaining funds seized during these investigations, including funds held on frozen debit cards pending the investigation or prosecution.

EDD and Scott have also helped boost data sharing agreements with law enforcement partners to expedite investigations. Similarly, EDD established an information-sharing program that helps California agencies to access EDD data more quickly.

Fraud investigations are laborintensive criminal investigations because of the complexity of the schemes and the extensive efforts criminals undertake to conceal their activity.

In response, EDD created law enforcement investigative guides and offers technical assistance to law enforcement partners who are working these cases. EDD set up designated regional contacts for each division of the state and works with any agency that needs assistance with an unemployment insurance fraud case.

Law enforcement has arrested, convicted and imprisoned scores of individuals who defrauded the State—and continues to do so. Examples include: • A 37 month prison sentence in April 2021 in the Central District of California for a fraudster who obtained more than $500,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits.

• Sentencing in April 2021 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force conducted

by US DOL, IRS, USPS, Murrieta PD, and EDD into a suspect who stole identities and obtained $500,000 in unemployment benefits.

• Guilty pleas in a federal prosecution of two inmates in Chowchilla in April 2021 following a joint investigation by the FBI, CDCR, the US Attorney, and EDD into $103,000 in fraud.

• A guilty plea in federal court in April 2021 following an investigation by U.S. Department of Labor, FBI, and EDD into attempts to file 100 phony claims using stolen identities and 10 payments worth nearly $200,000.

• Arrests in April 2021 by federal authorities following an investigation by Department of Labor, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and EDD into 3 people who filed $345,000 in fraudulent benefit applications on behalf of inmates.

• Arrests in Placer County in April 2021 in connection with a criminal organization that filed $4.5 million in fraudulent unemployment claims.

• Indictments by a grand jury in California in June 2021 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and EDD into three people who stole $1.4 million in unemployment benefits.

• Two defendants convicted in July 2021 and imprisoned for 5 years for obtaining more than $74,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits following an investigation by the FBI, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Investigative Services Unit, and EDD. • Guilty pleas in August 2021 in Los Angeles following an investigation into 200 fraudulent benefit claims totaling $1.6 million.

• Charges filed in August 2021 in Sacramento County against suspects linked to more than $500,000 in fraudulent claims.

• Criminal sentences against three Florida residents in November 2021

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for fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits in California.

Criminal sentencing in San Diego in December 2021 of a fraudster sentenced to two years in prison for unemployment benefit fraud.

Guilty pleas in San Diego County in February 2022 following an investigation by the San Diego District Attorney into a $1 million theft of unemployment insurance.

A five-year prison sentence in February 2022 following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Department of Labor, Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Service, FBI, Social Security Administration and EDD into $4.3 million in stolen unemployment insurance benefits.

Criminal charges filed in Sacramento in January 2022 following an investigation by EDD and the Sacramento County District Attorney into multiple suspects stealing $2.75 million in unemployment insurance benefits.

Federal indictments in Sacramento in January 2022 following an investigation by EDD and federal authorities into a New Jersey resident who filed 78 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in California.

A guilty plea in federal court in January 2022 following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney and EDD into $132,000 in stolen unemployment insurance benefits.

Guilty pleas in San Diego County in February 2022 following an investigation by the San Diego District Attorney into a $1 million theft of unemployment insurance.

A five-year prison sentence in February 2022 following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Department of Labor, Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Service, FBI, Social Security Administration and EDD into $4.3 million in stolen unemployment insurance benefits.

Eight defendants indicted in Fresno in February 2022 following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, CDCR, and EDD into identity theft and mail fraud and $5 million in unemployment insurance fraud.

A defendant sentenced to 30 months in prison in February 2022 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into approximately $170,000 in stolen unemployment benefits.

Seventeen people charged in Bakersfield in March 2022 following an investigation by EDD, the Kern

County District Attorney and others into a $394,000 unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

• Indictment in March 2022 in Las Vegas following an investigation by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney, Department of Homeland SecurityOffice of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and EDD into $1.1 million in fraudulent claims.

While arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment remains a major avenue for holding fraudsters accountable, EDD will seek restitution through the judicial system whenever possible. Court-ordered restitution to EDD as a crime victim occurs after a criminal conviction. This can also include funds seized during a criminal investigation and held as evidence.

Other actions California has taken to strengthen its fraud-fighting include: • Stopping $125 billion in attempted fraud by deploying a new identity verification system, ID.me, in 2020 and partnering with Thomson Reuters to help detect and prevent UI and PUA fraud.

• Setting up the 1099-G call center to help victims of identity theft deal with any tax related questions—work that answered 24,000 calls. Fraud can be reported by selecting Form 1099G in Ask EDD or calling 1-866-401-2849.

• No longer printing Social Security numbers on mailed documents to reduce the risk of identity theft.

• Working with Bank of America to issue chip-enabled debit cards that enhance security and to strengthen fraud-prevention strategies.

• Working with the California Office of Emergency Services Fraud Task Force on over a thousand active investigations, arrests, and prosecutions across California.

With identity theft remaining a pervasive threat nationwide and globally, EDD has continued to issue consumer scam alerts that warn about cell phone and email phishing schemes designed to steal personal information. Californians who receive suspicious cell phone or email phishing communications can report those scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Phishing emails can be forwarded to the FTC’s Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg. org and phishing text messages can be forwarded to the FTC at 7726. n ••• EDD posts information to help prevent fraud at https://edd.ca.gov/en/about_edd/fraud

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CREATIVE ENCOUNTERS April 15 through May 14 The Santa Cruz Art League presents Creative Encounters: Moze & Jaime Sánchez, featuring two emerging artists from Santa Cruz and Watsonville. This exhibition is core to the Art League’s commitment to support artists at all career levels and to highlight the work of local BIPOC creatives.

Originally from upstate New York, Moze has been in Santa Cruz for almost 2 years. Glass is central to his life, both in his day job in high tech and in his artistic practice.

His artwork invites viewers to look at glass beyond its functional qualities and explore its visual beauty and interaction with other media such as lighting. Moze is a co-founder of the Black Kings of Santa Cruz.

Artist and muralist Jaime Sánchez was born and raised in Watsonville. He served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and received an undergraduate degree in visual and public art from CSU-Monterey Bay. With an art practice of 22 years, his work can be seen in several murals in the Pajaro Valley region and online.

His approach is exploratory and freestyle in method and his style is characterized as abstract free form: patterns, shapes, symmetry, contrast, color, balance, and sometimes violent rhythm.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by April 22 groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame.

More info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org CAREER MONTH AT CABRILLO In April, Cabrillo College will host virtual and in-person career fairs featuring local employers. Students from Cabrillo and job seekers from the general public are invited to attend. Each career fair is 90 minutes.

Dates and times: April 20: STEM 3:30-5 p.m. (Virtual) April 28: Health & Public Service, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

(Virtual) For questions, contact Courtney Cogan cocogan@cabrillo.edu or Desha Staley-Raatior destaley@cabrillo.edu.

UC MASTER GARDENERS SPRING PLANT SALE April 18-May 1 The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties are holding their annual Spring Plant Sale from April 18 through May 1. Place your order online mbmg.ucanr.edu and schedule a pick-up appointment at the greenhouse in Salinas.

Garden-ready summer vegetables include greens, RED CROSS UPDATE lettuces, onions, peppers, squash and heirloom and The American Red Cross continues to experience a hard-to-find varieties of tomatoes. The spring collection severe blood shortage and donors of all blood types — especially type O and those giving platelets — are features several types of basils and culinary varieties of popular kitchen herbs for summer recipes and teas. urged. The Red Cross needs at least 1,000 blood Drought-tolerant and water-wise plants, such as donations daily for optimum patient care.

California natives and succulents, will be available in Capitola April 23: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mid-County Senior Center, our online store, along with annual and perennial pollinator plants to add biodiversity and attract beneficial 829 Bay Avenue insects to your garden.

Santa Cruz April 20: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ All funds benefit the all-volunteer UC Master Gardener program, which offers a gardening help line, events and of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street April 26: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ seasonal classes designed to educate our local home gardening community with research-based, sustainable of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street landscape practices.

Watsonville April 28: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of UC MASTER GARDENERS CLASSES Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson Street Container Gardening HOUSING FOR HEALTH PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS SOUGHT Wednesday, April 27 – 5-6 p.m., Online Class Home gardeners with small spaces, balconies or large The former Homeless Action Partnership, Santa Cruz County’s federally-designated continuum of care, has been yards can enjoy growing plants in a variety of vessels.

In this online class, UC Master Gardeners Sue Procter renamed the Housing for Health Partnership — H4HP for short — and three of the 15 seats on the policy board are and Anastatia Foster will cover con-tainer types and sizes, potting soils and amendments, light and water open to community members. One seat is reserved for requirements, pruning and integrated pest management someone with lived experience with homelessness. techniques to support a thriving container garden. Free; The new name aligns with the Housing for Health donations accepted.

Division, which works under Santa Cruz County’s To register, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu Human Services Agency and serves as the lead Container Garden Basics & Beyond partnership agency.

The Policy Board, responsible for high-level planning, Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m.-Noon, Watsonville Demonstration Garden decision-making and system oversight, delegates In this in-person class, UC Master Gardeners Sue operational responsibilities to operational committees Procter and Anastatia Foster explore container types and working groups. and sizes, potting soils and amendments, light and The 15 board members represent constituencies with significant experience or resources to address homelessness. water requirements, pruning and integrated pest management techniques to support a thriving container Partner members include UCSC Assistant Dean of garden.

Students Mariah Lyons, Central California Alliance for Whether you are growing food or ornamental plants, Health CEO Stephanie Sonnenshine, and Community singular specimens, mass plantings or trees, this Foundation of Santa Cruz CEO Susan True. class will cover the keys to keep your potted plants To apply to be a member or learn more, visit www.housingflourishing. forhealthpartnership.org.

This class also addresses plant size, color and texture combinations within a container planting.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support Have you ever found a pot you would love to plant but 28 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

could not because there was no drainage hole? A hole drilling demo will show thow easily a drainage hole can be added to almost any pot.

Cost: $30. Class limit 30. Register at mbmg.ucanr.edu CZU FIRE WORKSHOPS Nonprofit United Policyholders is offering free workshops in April for people affected by the 2020 and 2021 California wildfires.

Survivor to Survivor Forums: Tues, April 19, 7 p.m. Connect with trained volunteers with experience navigating recovery after wildfire.

Register: www.uphelp.org/events Post-Wildfire Rebuild Financing: Wed., April 27, 4 p.m.

This webinar will cover rebuild financing, loan and mortgage decisions, fund control/contractor payments and quality control best practices.

Register: www.uphelp.org/apr27 BEYOND THE GRAVE Friday and Saturday, April 22-23 6-7 p.m., Saturdays 1-2 p.m., Evergreen Cemetery, 261 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History announces its popular Beyond the Grave series, ticketed performances at the historic Evergreen Cemetery returns.

This year, the MAH teamed up with local concert producer Indexical to present Madi McGain, Mikhail Johnson, Departure Duo, Angel Dominguez, and Aja Bond, the same program on both weekends.

The artists were invited to create a new program that highlights the cemetery as a place of connection to the past, and a vibrant source of new life in the present.

McGain explores the idea of Evergreen Cemetery as a silent place, with minimal sonic accompaniment.

Departure Duo will perform Evil’s Peak by composer Johnson, exploring the equalizing force of death in the context of the colonization of Jamaica and integration of church and state.

Dominguez, a Santa Cruz poet of Mayan descent, reads from their new book Desgraciado, in which they communicate through letters with a Spanish conquistador who tried to eradicate the Yucatan language — while building a memorial/monument to their grandfather out of stone. Bond closes with a meditation on dirt, decomposition, and ways in which the bodies of the living return to the earth to nourish new life.

If weather is inclement, performances will be rescheduled to Sunday April 17 or 24; ticket holders will be contacted.

Tickets are: General, $20, MAH member, $12, at www. santacruzmah.org/btg

Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa); Luis Osorio (executive chef, Rio Grill in Carmel; Ivan Guadarrama (culinary team at Tarpy’s in Monterey); Tony Baker (proprietor Baker’s Bacon) and Hondo Hernandez (Showoff California Craft BBQ, Salinas).

Judy Burditt, manager of the California Artichoke Advisory Board, and Pat Hopper, who previously served in that role, will host the “Judy & Pat Show” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on the ABCs of artichokes. Here’s the demo schedule so far: Saturday, June 11: 10:30 a.m., chef Hondo Hernandez, Showoff California Craft BBQ, Salinas; noon , chef Kevin Fisher, Sea Root, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa; 1:30 p.m., chef Ivan Guadarrama, Tarpy’s, Monterey; 3 p.m., chef Luis Osorio, Rio Grill, Carmel.

Sunday, June 12: 10:30 a.m. — Judy & Pat Show, Artichoke ABCs; noon — chef Tony Baker, Baker’s Bacon, Marina; 1:30 p.m., chef Sascha Lyon, Montrio, Monterey.

Tickets are on sale through 4 p.m. June 12 at www. artichokefestival.org/tickets. Tickets cost $15 general admission; $10 for seniors and military (senior 62-plus or military personnel with ID); $5 for children 6-12; and $30 for an early bird family pack good for two adults and two children for one day. A processing fee will be added. Refunds are not available.

By purchasing a ticket, the guest acknowledges they are responsible for their own health and safety. All guests will be required to comply with current CDC, California Department of Public Health and Monterey County public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccination, preentry negative tests, and social distancing.

Clear bag policy will be in place, with clear bags available for sale on the website store or at admissions gates.

SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE The Saturday Shakespeare Club begins its five-week spring examination with one of the playwright’s so-called problem plays, “All’s Well That Ends Well,” on April 23. All sessions will start at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

The first hour regularly features a speaker, followed in the second hour by a reading of a portion of the play aloud by selected group members. Each of the four lecture sessions covers a little over one act each of the five-act play.

The first speaker, as is tradition, will be Michael Warren, UC Santa Cruz emeritus professor and dramaturg for Santa Cruz Shakespeare, sharing his extensive insights.

April 30: Mike Ryan, artistic director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare. His knowledge about staging and acting in the plays adds another valuable perspective to inform the group.

May 7: UCLA Professor of Literature Claire McEachen, who has written several books on Shakespeare, including “The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare.”

May 14: Christian Schofield, an English instructor in ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL RETURNS England, will offer in a You Tube lecture that explores Artichoke Festival 2022 has announced a star-studded the role of Helena in the play. He provides what he calls lineup of talented chefs for its popular Chef Demo “powerful and fun video resources on Shakespeare’s series at the 62nd annual greatest plays.” festival Saturday and May 21: DVD screening of the play, not yet selected.

Sunday, June 11 (10 The Saturday Shakespeare Club welcomes new a.m.–6 p.m.) and 12 members, and those wishing to view the Zoom sessions (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the must do so via the Club’s mailing list by going to the Monterey County Fair & website: saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com.

Event Center in Monterey.

All sessions are free but a voluntary donation of at This year’s theme is “The least $2 a session is suggested to be sent in support of Heart of the Harvest.”

Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Confirmed demo chefs: Cruz, or go to its website and donate by credit card at: Ivan Guadarrama, Sascha Lyon (executive executive chef from Tarpy’s https://www.santacruzshakespeare.org/donate/. chef, Montrio in Monterey), Those who send a check should indicate the gift is on behalf Kevin Fisher (executive sous chef, Sea Root at The Hyatt of the Saturday Shakespeare Club.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALL FOR ARTISTS The Mid County Senior Center is looking for artists to be a part of their May Day sale on May 1 at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola, behind Woodworm.

If you are interested in a booth, email Cindy at MCSC4treasurer@gmail.com for details.

(Apple, Google) in advance of the cleanup and use it to record the debris you collect, or use the paper data cards provided at the event.

Every participant must complete a volunteer waiver at chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://saveourshores.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/09/NEW_CitySC_Participant-WaiverRiver-Levee-Creek-Beach-Cleanups_rev8.31.20.pdf Anyone under 18 will require a parent or guardian’s signature on this document. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (guardian) for the duration of the event.

ONGOING EVENTS Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

DATED EVENTS Tuesday April 19

EL MERCADO FARMER’S MARKET RETURNS 2-6 p.m., Pinto Lake City Park, Watsonville El Mercado, hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, is a weekly farmers’ market now at Pinto Lake City Park.

The market provides families easy access to locally grown produce and other community resources that encourage a happy and healthy lifestyle.

The El Mercado Farmer’s Market will be open every Tuesday, and will feature artisans, activities for the family and free health screenings.

Wednesday April 20 TEEN JOB FAIR 2-5 p.m., Laurel Park, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz Looking for talent as summer approaches?

The Access2Employment Teen Job Fair, sponsored by Santa Cruz Employment Access, will take place outside at Laurel Park.

This event is free for employers and job seekers. Employers can call Amanda Ares at 831-420-5437 to register.

Wednesday April 20 and Tuesday May 3 MEDICARE 101 6:30 p.m., Online Class Whether you’re turning 65 or helping a family member navigate the system’s complexities, understanding Medicare can be overwhelming. At this virtual seminar, a registered HICAP counselor will help demystify Medicare. Topics include: The A, B, C’s (and D) of Medicare, original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage, when and how to enroll, choosing a drug plan, supplementing Medicare.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program counselors are highly trained and registered with the California Department of Aging. HICAP is not associated with insurance companies, products or agents. HICAP of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties is a program within Senior Network Services, a community-based nonprofit organization. Class may be repeated.

There is no fee. Registration is required; call 831-457-7099 or go online at www.dignityhealth.org/dominican/pep

Saturday April 23 Sunday April 24 Saturday May 7

GOOD FRIDAY PADDLE OUT Friday April 15

6-7 p.m., Capitola Beach (to the right of Capitola Wharf) Santa Cruz means “Holy Cross,” and this Good Friday, surfers from many churches are uniting at Capitola Beach to gather for a message, reflections, songs, baptism, and a paddle out for Jesus Christ.

During the paddle out, they will form a large surfer cross to remember Jesus Christ and His love for our community.

Joe McCrosky, from Christian Surfers, will coordinate the formation of the cross while Danny Bennett from The Coastlands will coordinate the paddle out ceremony.

Anyone who wants to know more about our hope in Jesus Christ and His awesome love is welcome to join in this unique building of the cross with surfboards this Good Friday.

For information, contact https://www.facebook.com/TheCoastlands/ and Joe McCrosky at 831-3481703.

Are you or is someone in your family interested in getting baptized, following Jesus’s direction in Matthew 28:18-20? Kids from 1st grade up and adults are welcome to sign up and take the next step in their faith journey. Please sign up by Thursday, April 14 by calling Coastlands church, 831-688-5775.

••• ABOVE: Christian Surfers come together to form a cross. This Friday they will form a cross at Capitola Beach. • Photo Credit: James Walton Santa Cruz Stories, to spotlight dynamic entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing tales of inspiration, perseverance and success.

The meeting will take place at the Dream Inn. This month’s panelists will share how innovation, flexibility and passion helped them defy the odds: • Anita Pedford, Wildseeds Utility Cream • Diego Felix, Colectivo Felix • Emmanuel Guzman, Santa Cruz Skateboards • Jen Zeszut, Goodles • Nick Pavlina and Taylor West, Humble Sea Brewing Co. • Sindy Hernandez, Queen’s Shoes & More There will be live music from Mak Nova and networking. Tickets are $20 at https://bit.ly/SCStories_ April. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

For more information, see santacruzchamber.org or EventSantaCruz.com or facebook.com/eventsantacruz.

public agencies will set up booths so you can learn what environmental work is happening in our community and how you can get involved.

Food, music, and games plus science. Biking is encouraged; overflow parking on Delaware Avenue.

Saturday April 23

EARTH DAY WEEKEND CLEANUP 10 a.m.-Noon, Along the San Lorenzo River Join Save Our Shores for a cleanup along the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz.

Registration is required at https://saveourshores. salsalabs.org/SanLorenzoRiverCleanupHWY1toWaterSt42322/index.html?page=register Meet in the public exercise area along the riverwalk next to World Market parking lot on River Street in Santa Cruz. Parking is ample.

Wear closed-toed shoes, dress in layers, wear sun protection, and bring a filled reusable water bottle.

Avoid single-use plastics.

All cleanup materials are provided, including buckets, grabbers, and gloves. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.

Download the Save Our Shores Marine Tally App

CLIMATE CHANGE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Online Seminar UC Santa Cruz scientists and community leaders in conservation, climate resilience, and sustainability will explore the local and global challenges brought on by a warming world, discuss ways we all can adapt and mitigate the impacts of a changing climate, and respond to questions from the audience.

CLIMATE ACTION MARKET 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz SANTA CRUZ STORIES A family-friendly festival will take place at Seymour 6-8 p.m., Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz Marine Discovery Center.

Event Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Dozens of researchers, nonprofits, businesses, and Commerce announce the launch of a new event series,

Wednesday April 20

KIDS’ DAY IN SANTA CRUZ 4 p.m., Downtown Santa Cruz Kids’ Day will take place in downtown Santa Cruz.

Exhibitors will be lined up on Cooper Street and Pacific Avenue between Church Street & Locust Street. Almost every exhibitor will have a free family activity.

Presented by Downtown Santa Cruz, the day will feature performances and demonstrations in Abbott Square — plus face painting, music, dancing, bubbles, foosball, and crafts. Many businesses will be offering discounts and specials just for kids.

SIX SHORT COMEDIES IN SEARCH OF 26 CHARACTERS 2-4 p.m., Various locations NextStage Production’s Readers Theater performs six short comedies directed by Sally Bookman of Soquel.

In this show, nine actors play 26 parts — without memorizing scripts. Free admission. Performances take place at: April 23: Capitola Public Library, Wharf Road, Capitola.

April 24: Mid-County Senior Center, Bay Ave., Capitola.

May 7: Santa Cruz Public Library, 224 Church St., Santa Cruz.

Sunday April 24 CARING 4 KIDS RHYTHM EVENT 1 p.m., Watsonville Plaza Park Survivors Healing Center invites you to attend the Annual Caring 4 Kids Rhythm Event at Watsonville Plaza Park.

Celebrate children & families and make music together — no music experience necessary.

Survivors Healing Center will have a booth with free treats and information about keeping kids safe in our community. Then join some fun drumming led by Don Davidson.

For information or to make a donation, visit survivorshealingcenter.org or caringforkid-sevent.com .

DINING FOR PARKINSON’S 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Erik’s DeliCafé, 102 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 1475 41st Ave, Capitola, and 1664 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz Erik’s DeliCafé in Aptos, Capitola and Santa Cruz will host the second “Dine for a Day” for the Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s Group.

Dine in-store, online for delivery, curbside, or pick-up and part of your purchase will benefit the Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s Group, a project of nonprofit EASEPD. During the pandemic, most of the group’s classes and meetings needed to pivot quickly to Zoom. Thanks to donations and efforts of the all-volunteer group, most classes and support programs continued and membership grew.

The Parkinson’s Foundation provides a free Hospital Safety Kit to protect, prepare, and empower people with Parkinson’s while hospitalized.

Order at https://www.parkinson.org or call: 800-473-4636.

Wednesday April 27 MEET YOLANDE WILBURN 4 p.m., Felton Branch Library Community Room, 6121 Gushee St. Meet Yolande Wilburn, the dynamic new director of Santa Cruz Public Libraries, at a gathering hosted by Felton Library Friends in the Felton Branch community room.

“Calendar” page 31

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Blockchain and Digital Wallet Pilot

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

T

he Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors recently approved a pilot program on an item I brought forward to explore and increase the usage of blockchain technology within County government. Specifically, the County approved a pilot program that included, at no-cost, the infrastructure for a digital wallet from HUMBL (founded in 2019 and based in San Diego), which provides custom blockchain solutions for companies and governments.

What is Blockchain? lockchain technology has existed since the 1990s, but the functionality and capabilities have widely expanded in recent years. While many associate blockchain exclusively with crypto or virtual currencies, its applications range far beyond that.

At its core, Blockchain technology is an unchangeable, decentralized digital ledger that allows for verification and tracking of data between separate parties. When used appropriately, blockchain can bring increased trust, transparency, and efficiency into systems. This could potentially have positive implications for many government services, such as permitting processes, digital identity, and

B

other government documentation such as licenses and certificates.

In 2020, a State legislative working group studied how blockchain technology could be implemented within State functions. While the working group found many potential uses, it recommended three relatively quick applications: Digital wallets to improve Department of Motor Vehicles identification and securely share driver records, a better data system for the California Department of Food and Agriculture to trace food-borne contamination and moving the California Secretary of State’s archives online to preserve important documents.

Currently, the State legislature is considering legislation that would provide clarity around ways to use blockchain technology and also provide guidance and guardrails around crypto/virtual currencies.

What is a Digital Wallet? digital wallet is a secure system that stores an individual’s payment and other information such as credentials and documentation in a digital interface that can be accessed from a mobile phone or other Internet-connected device. Digital wallets can use blockchain technology to ensure the information contained within a wallet is secure, verifiable, and self-sovereign (the information or documentation is owned by the individual).

Blockchain wallets can be used for documentation, financial payments and any other instance of verifying a transaction a citizen may need for government services.

Why Could This be Helpful? he goal of the Santa Cruz County wallet pilot program is to increase the equity, quality, accessibility,

A

T

SPECIALTY SCREEN & GLASS SHOP Contact us for a free on-site consultation.

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30 / April 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Local Local Local

and transparency of services provided to constituents by the County. Uses may include wallet credentials for marriage licenses, birth certificates, library cards, and other County (or other government) documents that are traditionally registered on centralized technology systems by the County.

Over time, this could reduce cost, improve access and security of these documents for County residents.

Digital wallets would also provide the necessary infrastructure for virtual currency use at the County level. While this would require State legislative clarity, should some of the current proposals at the State-level pass, local governments would have a path for considering virtual currencies as a form of payment. For example, some recent State legislation proposed eliminating the volatility risk associated with virtual currencies by providing for immediate conversion into fiat (government-issued currency not backed by gold or silver) at point of transaction for businesses and local governments.

Virtual currencies facilitate a direct peer-to-peer transaction for payments that removes all third parties other than the payer and the recipient.

In contrast, credit card companies routinely charge 1.3%-3.5% in transaction fees.

Without a middleman, the result is much lower transaction costs for both parties, which can be a financial barrier for businesses, governments, and individuals.

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Additionally, traditional credit cards require access to credit in a way that disadvantages many populations and, even once obtained, charge high rates of interest that can put the user in a cycle of debt.

Another unique aspect of virtual currencies is that they are held and controlled by their owner in a digital wallet, not a bank.

A significant number of Santa Cruz County residents are considered “unbanked” — as they do not use traditional financial systems like banks. Many of these residents are low-income and/ or immigrants who are forced to rely on slow and expensive money wire services or other high-interest or high-cost methods to cashing checks or exchanging funds. While these services often charge high fees, an instant virtual currency transaction may cost only a few pennies.

While there is more regulatory clarity needed at the State and Federal level regarding virtual currencies, the County wanted to engage in a pilot project of the digital wallet infrastructure to explore what’s possible, help provide informed input into State legislation and be ready for this evolving technology. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

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

SCCAS Featured Pet

“Calendar” from page 29 She will talk briefly about her early days as director and the things that the system is working toward, then answer your questions. She brings a wealth of experience in urban, rural, and academic library settings.

Wilburn believes that libraries are not just community hubs for education and information.

“They also connect people-providing a haven for youth, and helping people stay engaged in the digital world and connected through homebound, social, and business services,” she said. “Libraries help communities develop their identity by working closely with diverse groups to understand the needs and aspirations, providing enhanced quality of life.”

Friday April 29

Meet Millie!

M

illie is a 13 year old senior cat looking for her furever home! Known for being quiet and calm, she’s the purrfect cuddle buddy. She’s a total couch potato whose favorite activity is sleeping.

Millie is a chonky girl and will need short, daily play sessions to help her shed some of those pounds.

We do not have any history of her with dogs but a cat savvy mellow dog may be appropriate.

Older, respectful kids may be a fit provided they meet at the shelter.

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

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

SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz Open to 200 local small businesses, the daylong conference will take place at the Museum of Art & History.

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

Inspired by the success of the 82% Micro Business Summit at Cabrillo College in 2018 and 2019, this year’s new format organized by Matt Swinnerton of Event Santa Cruz has more interactive presentations.

More than 15 breakout sessions — “Sizzles” — will take place at small businesses and event spaces, with MAH serving as the hub. Other bonuses include a live band at the end of the day, and raffle prizes, said Brandon Napoli, director of the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center, which oversaw $45 million dollars in loans and $2 million in grants to assist business owners during the pandemic.

“Our community really came together in an incredible way. That’s why we created this event, to celebrate that solidarity,” said Napoli.

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

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

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

crossword on 25 »

Wednesday May 4 Thursday May 5

Beatlemania © Statepoint Media

NEST FLIGHT Virtual Conference NEST Flight will be a 2-day virtual experience, in time for graduation season. This annual conference is geared toward young professionals, recent grads and current students in high school or college. If you are 17 to 24 and exploring your options for the future, this conference is for you.

Hosted by Digital NEST and founder Jacob Martinez, this event features 20 inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, powerful panel discussions and one of a kind networking opportunities — crafted to help students propel their careers, no matter where you are in your job exploration.

Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings is keynote speaker. Emcee is Amber GonzalezVargas, senior program manager at Latino Community Foundation, which has invested $17 million in 150 grassroots Latino-led nonprofits.

Registration: $20. See https://www.nestflight.org/

Wednesday May 4 thru Saturday May 7 LUNAFEST: BENEFIT FOR WOMENCARE 7 p.m. Wed., Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz Friends of WomenCARE announce the LUNAFEST Film Festival in person at the Del Mar Theatre, with virtual screening available May 5-7.

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

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

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

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

How to Be at Home: By Andrea Dorfman. Coping with isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Close Ties to Home Country: By Akanksha Cruczynski. An immigrant dog walker connects with the wealthy pets she cares for.

Generation Impact: The Coder: By Samantha Knowles. A 13-year-old girl designs and builds an app to help kids stay connected to their incarcerated parents.

Proof of Loss: By Katherine Fisher. After fire takes their home, a father and daughter must find a way to salvage what remains: each other.

When You Clean a Stranger’s Home: By Sharon Arteaga. A first-generation high school student describes what she and her mom learn about people when cleaning their homes.

Between the Lines: Liz at Large: By Abi Cole.

Frustrated with lack of diversity in The New Yorker cartoons, an artist submits her illustrations, becoming the first Black woman cartoonist.

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

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

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

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

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / April 15th 2022 / 31

APTOS & LA SELVA BEACH

BY THE NUMBERS March 2022 MLS Data

39

2.025m

new listings

107.5% list price received

median sale price

10. 5

median days on market

20

homes sold

Are you thinking of selling a home?

Give yourself every advantage.

Contact Amber today for a no obligation consultation and free home value analysis.

AMBER MELENUDO REALTOR® 831.566.2263 AmberMelenudo.com ambermelenudo@gmail.com DRE 01921098