Aptos Times: May 15, 2022

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May 15, 2022 • Vol 31 No. 10

Horses: Good Therapy Is Not Far

Ordinarily, the barns at the Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center would be humming with activity this year of year, and 50 young people with autism would be eager for the opportunity to ride one of the horses.

Full Story page 5

Measure D Campaign: A Lot of Money Full Story page 8

Sacrificing My Father’s Hands

to immerse oneself in the sacrifice story that is being told.

Her entry topped others submitted by high school students from Salinas, Monterey, San Benito, Carmel, Gilroy and Santa Cruz, as well as two Aptos High classmates, Anna Spurlock and Autumn Zaretsky. ... continues on page 4

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By Mark Dorfman The Aptos High Boys and Girls Track and Field teams swept their opposition and won all four SCCAL team championships.

Full Story page 14

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“Sacrificing My Father’s Hands” is the title of the first place photograph in the 20th Congressional Art Competition “An Artistic Discovery” by Michelle Lopez-Rubio, junior at Aptos High School in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

As one looks deeper into this photograph, it is easy

Aptos Track Teams Are League Champions

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No. 10

Volume 31

12

19

31

Table of Contents

6

Cover Sacrificing My Father’s Hands

4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 18 20 24 27 31

Community News Where to Drop Off Your Ballot Horses: Good Therapy Is Not Far, By Jondi Gumz A Mother’s Love, By Dawn Iuliano • Historic Moment at Supreme Court Living with Covid: Graduation in Person, By Jondi Gumz Measure D Campaign: A Lot of Money, By Jondi Gumz • No Way Greenway Top Donors Inspector General: Some Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Services Geiser Scholarship Winner Jaylen Dang • 31 Remarkable Students in a Remarkable Year Cabrillo Dedicates Howard Ikemoto Studio • Santa Cruz County Bank Names Maxwell Sinclair EVP Chief Risk Officer 1000 Books Before Kindergarten!

Pajaro Valley Chamber Award Honorees Measure D: Santa Cruz Works Subscribers Weigh In ‘Ramayana!’ Musical Returns Live: Mount Madonna School Tradition Makes First Public Performance Since 2019 Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over

SMILES NEVER GET OLD. 831-684-2700

Local Sports 14 Aptos Track Teams Are League Champs, By Mark Dorfman 19 Capitola-Aptos Rotary Hosts Pickleball Tourney at Willowbrook Park,

By Kieran Kelly • Congratulations Shane Garvey!

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Mercury Retrogrades in Gemini, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 16 Artichoke Deep-Fried Manicotti, Courtesy of chef Ivan Guadarrama 23 Questions on LGBTQ Flag Raising, Parking Permits & Quarantine Days, Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 24 Measure D: Cabrillo Business Students Have a Say, By Ron Kustek 30 Criminal Justice Council: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Snow White Angel!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

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contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Dawn Iuliano, Mark Dorfman, Kieran Kelly, Risa D’Angeles, Michelle Rodriguez, Ron Kustek, 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

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Where to Drop Off Your Ballot B • Aptos — Polo Grounds near the dog park, 2255 Huntington Drive • Ben Lomond — Highlands Park, 8500 Highway 9 • Boulder Creek — Community Church, 12465 Highway 9 • Capitola — 420 Capitola Ave. in the City Hall parking lot • Capitola — Mall parking lot, 1855 41st Ave., near Capitola Rd entrance

• Capitola — Library, 2005 Wharf Road • Corralitos — Community Center - 35 Browns Valley Road • Felton — Covered Bridge Park parking lot, Mt. Hermon and Graham Hill Road • Los Gatos — Summit Store, 24197 Summit Road

“We recognize the profound influence of arts in education and we are proud to have opportunities for our students to explore their artistic talent,” Rodriguez said.

“Congratulations to Michelle LopezRubio for having created such a touching piece that will be enjoyed by the millions of visitors the U.S. Capitol sees annually.

It is not only a heartfelt photograph, but also a strong representation of our community and we are proud to celebrate this recognition.”

Veronique Marks, Lopez-Rubio’s visual and performing arts teacher, commended her students for bravely sharing their artwork with the public.

“I strive to teach my students that what they capture in a photograph can have extraordinary power that goes beyond language, straight to your heart,” Mark said.

“The arts are essential, now more than ever.

It gives students a voice and an avenue for healing and self-expression that they don’t often have in other subjects. This national competition highlights the value of art as a

core subject and celebrates the creativity of our nation’s youth.” n ••• Cover Photo: “Sacrificing My Father’s Hands” by Michelle Lopez-Rubio, Aptos High School — 1st place in 20th Congressional Art Competition, May 2022

allots have already been mailed to Santa Cruz County voters for the June 7 election, and the Elections Department has set up 24-hour drop boxes at the following locations: • Aptos — Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Drive.

• Aptos — Cabrillo College parking lot R by stadium, 3732 Cabrillo College Dr.

“Ballot Boxes” page 7

COVER STORY “Father’s Hands” from page 1 As the winner, Michelle Lopez-Rubio will travel to Washington, D.C. in June, along with her sister, to be recognized and see her piece exhibited in the U.S. Capitol.

“Sacrificing My Father’s Hands” will be displayed for an entire year along with other Congressional district winners.

Ms. Lopez-Rubio did not expect her work to receive this honor but is keenly aware of the impact it can have: “I was shocked that my photo was even selected for the competition, and after learning I won, I felt honored and grateful,” she said. “This photo was about bringing light to what field workers have to go through every day. Experiencing it firsthand, it felt very personal to photograph, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. I hope that this photo getting so much attention can help improve the conditions of field workers.”

Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, superintendent of schools at Pajaro Valley Unified School District, offered her personal commendation.

BELOW: “From Within” by Anna Spurlock, Aptos High

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Above: “A Dog’s Love” by Autumn Zaretsky, Aptos High

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Horses: Good Therapy Is Not Far

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By Jondi Gumz

rdinarily, the barns at the Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center would be humming with activity this year of year, and 50 young people with autism would be eager for the opportunity to ride one of the horses.

Because of Covid restrictions set by the San Andreas Regional Founder Anne Pearson Center, allowing only 16 students to visit each month, it’s pretty quiet.

Usha brought her daughter Malika for her 20-minute ride on Jack, who is a big shire. He’s 18 hands — a hand is four inches.

“We’ve been doing this for 14 years,” Usha said, lifting her daughter back into her wheelchair.

Now that the San Andreas Regional Center has eased restrictions, founder Anne Pearson wants to ramp up activity.

She has 300 beginners coming to participate in a Jewish camp from beginning of June to the end of August.

She needs volunteers. She needs staff.

And she’ll probably need more horses — if the number of students returns to normal.

Rebekah with Sophiya

She did get money through the federal Payroll Protection Program, but with the restrictions, there was no way to avoid layoffs — “a heartbreaker.”

No way would she give up – this is her life’s work.

She comes from a riding background.

Looking for a place for her adopted son, who is severely autistic and used a wheelchair, she found a place with horses on Old San Jose Road in Soquel, which he loved.

At age 9, he left his wheelchair, and never needed it again, she says.

She saw potential in the defunct dairy at the Monterey Bay Academy. A lot of clean-up and the generosity of Monterey Bay Academy turned it into the Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center.

It’s been 27 years.

A big federal grant “got us going,” she says.

Now, with a milestone birthday approaching, Pearson is counting on the community to help her keep the operation going.

Some of the people on staff are like family — they are autistic and they’ve chosen to live with Pearson in Watsonville.

“MBHTC” page 8

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 15th 2022 / 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Mother’s Love

T

By Dawn Iuliano

here is no other love like there is will have heartache, sleepless nights, between a mother and her child. numb days, and a void in your heart.

When they are gone …

Somehow you will convince yourself You will miss their laugh; you will that they are now your guardian angel. miss their smell. You’ll miss their Our little angel who will watch smile and quirky comments. over us, speak to us, and who Shopping will trigger memories we will talk to. They will guide of their likes and dislikes. The us to be more humble, kind sunrise and sunsets will remind and loving. Teach us lessons you of life and death. and give us a different appreSmells will trigger emociation to life. To be present tions and conversations, the in the moment, to slow down road you travel will remind you and appreciate the little things Brian Brandt of childhood ventures. Clothes in life. To appreciate the rela(1983-2011) remind you of their fashion. Food tionships we have with one will remind you of their favorites. Movies another, family or friend. will trigger an emotion. Outings will This is now my life. I have a guardian remind you of family times. Their life spent angel and his name is Brian. n with you, now becomes that cherished ••• memory that you once shared together and Editor’s note: Thank you to Dawn, who you strive to never forget. lives in Aptos, for sharing this message Life will never be the same. You with all of us.

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n May 3, while on their Values in American Thought learning journey to Washington D.C., eleventh and twelfth graders at Mount Madonna School passed by the Supreme Court and witnessed a historic moment, protestors reacting to a leaked draft of an opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a pregnant woman the right to choose an abortion.

The protest was photographed by the New York Times, CNN, and Devin Kumar of Mount Madonna School.

Several of the students were overcome with emotions in witnessing the protestors’ strong reactions, including Mount Madonna School senior Grace Timan, who was photographed by Sarabeth Maney for The New York Times. n Photos Credit: Devin Kumar

COMMUNITY NEWS

Living with Covid: Graduation in Person

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By Jondi Gumz

enmark is the first country to suspend its Covid vaccination program, with the health authority citing the arrival of spring, and more people have had either Covid or a vaccine — 89% over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated, and 76% of adults have a booster shot.

The India Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling supporting vaccine choice, saying that “bodily integrity is protected under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the constitution and no individual can be forced to be vaccinated.”

In the U.S., Dr. Vinay Prasad, who has a master’s in public health, suggests vaccine choice be available to parents of children under 5 for which the Food and Drug Administration has not authorized a Covid vaccine. Moderna submitted trial results and applied for emergency use authorization, and Pfizer is awaiting trial results, but Prasad tweets, “Why have FDA? Let the marketplace decide.”

The highly contagious but less deadly BA.2 Omicron subvariant now dominates, a change from the initially deadly coronavirus.

Cases are up, and there is an uptick in hospitalizations in California, and locally, but public health officers say it’s hard to predict a peak and how dangerous this variant is, given that some people have natural immunity.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates almost 60 percent of the populace — including 76% percent of children — have had Omicron or another coronavirus variant.

California Parents United and Moms on the Ground announced a parent’s rights initiative and candidate forum 6-8 p.m. May 19, at a Salinas ranch, 484 Corral de Tierra Road. Tickets are $100 at www. californiaparentsunited.org. Mama Bears Radio Show on KSCO is a co-sponsor.

New signs of normal: Cabrillo College “Ballot Boxes” from page 4 • Santa Cruz — 701 Ocean St. in front of the County Government Center • Santa Cruz — 212 Church St. in the public parking lot #16 • Santa Cruz — UCSC Quarry Plaza • Scotts Valley — 1 Civic Center Drive in the City Hall parking lot • Watsonville — 316 Rodriguez St in municipal public parking lot 14 • Watsonville — County Health Center parking lot, 1432 Freedom Blvd.

Other options include:

in Aptos brings back in-person graduation Friday, May 20, seating at 2 p.m., ceremony at 4 p.m. at the football stadium on campus.

In-person graduation ceremonies June 2 for Aptos Junior High, 11 a.m., and Aptos High, 4 p.m. both at Cabrillo’s football stadium.

The Aptos Chamber bringing back the World’s Shortest Parade at 10 a.m. July 4.

The theme is “team spirit.” The chamber also is seeking vendors for the party in the Aptos Village Park, which will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with music, craft booths, and food.

The Felton Remembers parade returns at 10 a.m. May 28 followed by the Covered Bridge Festival. Starting June 16, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk brings back live music Thursdays on the Colonnade with Friday night movies starting June 17.

The city of Scotts Valley is seeking help to host its Independence Day parade a day early, Sunday, July 3, with a fireworks celebration that night.

Proposed Laws alifornia lawmakers face a May 27 deadline to pass legislation; 10 bills deal with Covid-19.

Four were pulled — Assembly Bill 1993, to require all employees and independent contractors, public and private, to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to keep their job and Senate Bill 871, to require children 0-17 to get a Covid vaccine to attend school or day care.

Also pulled: 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, SB 1390 to prohibit a social media platform from amplifying misinformation or disinformation and SB 920, to authorize a medical board to inspect a doctor’s office and records without patient consent.

Protection of the Educational Rights

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of Kids, headed by Amy Bohn in Newbury Park, which has filed six lawsuits against vaccine mandates, is watching to see if these measures come back in a budget trailer bill in May — which avoids public hearings. The group is tracking other Covid-19 bills. They include: SB 866: To allow children 12 and older to get Covid vaccines without parental consent. Passed by Senate, awaiting action in Assembly.

AB 1419: To prohibit the representative of a minor from inspecting the minor’s patient record when the records relate to medical care related to the prevention or treatment of pregnancy. This bill goes with SB 866. Senate Appropriations suspense hearing will be May 19.

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

Senate may discuss next week. Senate vote may be next week.

SB 1479: To mandate Covid testing plans at schools. Senate Appropriations suspense hearing May 19.

AB 1797: To create a state immunization tracking system and give schools and other entities access to all vaccine records. Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing on suspense file May 19.

AB 2098: To classify a physician or surgeon disseminating or promoting misinformation or disinformation related to COVID-19 as unprofessional conduct and grounds for discipline. This is supported

by Sen. Richard Pan, a physician, and opposed by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

To track these bills, see https:// leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

With SB 871 pulled by the author, Gov. Newsom is delaying plans to mandate Covid vaccine for school children until July 2023.

Hospitalizations from Omicron had peaked in January, then plummeted and have been rising.

The state Department of Public Health reports test positivity, 23% in January, has ticked up from 1.7% to 4.4% and hospitalizations — 20,000 in January —dropped to 950 before rising to 1,300.

Santa Cruz County reports 1,379 active cases, with five hospitalizations, one in intensive care. One Covid death was reported in the past two weeks, bringing the total to 262. That person was 85 or older, with other medical conditions.

In April, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted new workplace rules.

Unvaccinated and vaccinated workers must be treated the same; no mask mandate for those unvaccinated. Requirements to disinfect surfaces were removed. Requirements for partitions and physical distancing were replaced by requirements for better ventilation. Employees testing positive can return to work masked five days later.

Omicron has a shorter incubation period then the early coronavirus variants.

Airline Mask Mandate Lifted tarting May 16, the European Union will no longer require masks at airports and on airplanes. Passengers coughing or sneezing should consider wearing a mask to safeguard others, officials said.

Airline masks became optional in the U.S. after a federal judge in Florida on April 18 voided the mask mandate ordered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for airlines, trains and buses on Feb. 3, 2021.

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“COVID Update” page 10

• Return your ballot in person before and including Election Day at the County Elections Office or any of the City Clerks’ offices.

• Return it to a voter service center, open Saturday, May 28, to Tuesday, June 7.

• Mail it so it is received on time — ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 14 will be considered received on time. n ••• Information: https://www.votescount.us/ Home/Elections/June2022CaliforniaPrimaryElection/BallotDropBoxes.aspx

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 15th 2022 / 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Measure D Campaign: A Lot of Money

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By Jondi Gumz

easure D, the Greenway initiative on the June 7 ballot, is sparking a very expensive campaign with more than $700,000 raised as of April 23 to influence your vote—your vote on the future of the rail corridor from Davenport to Watsonville.

Yes Greenway, the grassroots coalition that wants to railbank the largely unused rail line and build a trail on it for people on bikes and on foot, has raised $318,286 this year, adding to $140,375 raised last year.

No Way Greenway, which wants to keep building a trail next to the rail line and hopes passenger rail will be feasible some day, has raised $165,699 this year, adding to $91,110 raised last year.

Yes Greenway has spent $160,134 this year, and reports $272,361 cash on hand.

No Way Greenway has spent $127,890 this year, and reports $111,504 cash hand on hand.

••• The largest donors to Yes Greenway are: Rowland Rebele, Santa Cruz, philanthropist & retired publisher, $28,000.

Julie Packard, Soquel, director, Monterey Bay Aquarium, $25,385.

John “Bud” Colligan, Capitola, formerly with Apple & Macromedia CEO, now angel investor, $25,072 J. Miles Reiter, Watsonville, Driscoll’s CEO, $25,000.

Karen Hargrove, La Selva Beach, retired, $25,000.

Lloyd Tabb, Santa Cruz, founder of Looker, $25,000.

Bill Simpkins, retired, philanthropist, $25,000.

Guy Kawasaki, Santa Cruz, author/podcaster, worked for Apple, $25,000.

Robert Stephens, Aptos, retired from Elkhorn Ranch in Moss Landing, $25,000.

John W. Ballard, Santa Cruz, retired, $25,000.

Alex Webster, Santa Cruz, retired, $25,000.

Bud Colligan pointed out no donor has given more than 6% of Yes on D’s total $458,000 raised.

“MBHTC” from page 5 Brooke, who was on the vaulting team, says, “I like being here with Anne.”

Her specialty is buckets. Rebekah, who began riding dressage at age 13, provides a tour, sharing details on all the horses. New in the household is a young mom with a

T

No Way Greenway Top Donors

he top donors are couples, and some worked at Apple.

••• Dan Dion, Santa Cruz, retired from Apple, $35,000, and his wife Jill Dion, Santa Cruz, retired, worked at Apple, $20,000 Mark Mesiti-Miller, Santa Cruz, retired engineer, $25,000, and his wife Donna Murphy, Santa Cruz, retired from UCSC, $24,999 Sally Arnold, Santa Cruz, consultant, former chair of Friends of the Rail & Trail, $13,000, her partner Christine Weir, Santa Cruz, retired, worked at Apple, $10,000 Val Cole, Santa Cruz, retired, worked at Apple, $20,000 Roaring Camp, Felton, $13,310 Linda Wilshusen, Santa Cruz, retired from RTC, $3,500; her husband Rock Pfotenhauer, Santa Cruz, co-chair, Bay Area Community College Consortium, $2,500 Greg Larson, Santa Cruz, consultant, former city staffer, $5,000 Ralph Alpert, Santa Cruz, retired, $4,000

Friends of the Rail & Trail, $3,221 Pamela Davis, CEO, Alliance Member Services, $3,000 ••• Most donors are from Santa Cruz County, but this year, some 60 supporters contributed from Los Gatos, Saratoga, Menlo Park, San Jose, Bremerton, Washington, Orono, Maine, Potomac, Maryland, and Geneseo, N.Y., to name a few.

No Way Greenway retained San Francisco-based Terris Barnes Walters Boigon Lester/Clean Sweep Campaigns as campaign consultant and Miller Maxfield of Santa Cruz for campaign strategy and a website.

The campaign paid Oakland-based FM3 $35,000 for a voter survey and got a data subscription from Political Data of Long Beach, plus a text messaging service from Toskr, doing business as GetThru.

Complete Digital of Washington DC created digital ads. Campaign materials were printed at Community Printers in Santa Cruz, Cornerstone Displays of Novato and Pacific Printing of San Jose.

Carolyn Livingston of Santa Cruz was hired for campaign services.

In October, the California Fair Political Practices Commission began an investigation into Friends of the Rail & Trail after a sworn complaint alleged the organization was not following Fair Political Practice Commission requirements on campaign disclosure and advertising disclosure.

No Way Greenway campaign spokesman Matt Farrell said the issue with Friends of the Rail & Trail “was a clerical error that was quickly resolved.”

As of May 12, the investigation remains open, according to the FPPC. Farrell alleged Greenway Capitola is the subject of an ongoing investigation into financial reporting from the 2018 Measure L campaign in Capitola.

“I’m not sure that has anything to do with this campaign,” Bud Colligan of Yes Greenway responded. “The complaint was filed by the opponents of Measure L, the campaign was notified by the FPPC, and we never heard from them again.”

He expected the matter to be long settled but the FPPC communication director said it remains an open case. n

“So when I hear about “big money,” it’s quite illustrative to actually look at the numbers and see that the largest donation to Yes on D is $28K by Rowland Rebele,” he added.

The reporting rules do not require donations less than $100 to be reported individually.

“Our number at the end of the last reporting period 4/23/22 was 651, with a median donation of $52,” he said.

For 2021, Marilyn Calciano, Yes Greenway Steering Committee member, call the contributions “broad and reflective of the whole community.”

Yes Greenway leaders chose Sutton Law Firm of San Francisco for their

expertise in legal and treasurer aspects of elections.

Bud Colligan explained, “They handle elections in many different cities and counties. YES Greenway wanted to hire someone for a ballot measure with experience to ensure the campaign was fully compliant with all elections laws and disclosures.”

Colligan voiced frustration that 300 Yes Greenway yard signs have been stolen. He sees new signs saying “Finish the Trail, Keep the Rail” lacking the required Fair Political Practices Commission number and who paid for them.

The Yes campaign hired Santa Cruz

graphic designer Lisa Orsini and had Santa Cruz resident Isabella Kraus on staff. Ads appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Literature was printed at Community Printers and Sentinel Printers, both in Santa Cruz, with mailings via Maverick Mailing of Santa Cruz.

EffectTV, a division of Comcast, was tapped to reach local TV audiences.

Office expenses were paid via Stripe, and the campaign took advantage of Lookout Local Santa Cruz, Facebook and Twilio. n ••• To view the campaign reports, go to https://public.netfile.com/pub2/Default. aspx?aid=SCCO, enter Greenway, and you’ll

toddler whose antics put a smile on everyone’s face.

Rebekah says she had a horse that died at age 17, and she is looking forward to getting another one.

Students who volunteer can get community service hours, which often are required for graduation.

Some students have gotten the experience they needed to enter veterinary school.

The pay rate for staff, set by the San Andreas Regional Center, is comparable to care workers, and Pearson says she tries to pay more.

The work can be rewarding.

Horses calm riders with autism. The bilateral stride of the horses works on the

parasympathetic nervous system, and other systems in the body as well.

“It works — it’s amazing,” says Pearson. “Please come and visit us.”

This program can be supported through the Amazon Smile program. n For more info, see http://www.gombhtc. org/ or call (831) 761-1142.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Inspector General: Some Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Services A new study by the U.S. Health & Human Services Department Office of Inspector General found some Medicare Advantage plans denied or delayed patients’ access to care even though the requests for services were medically necessary and met Medicare coverage rules.

The patients likely would have received approval if they had been enrolled in traditional Medicare rather than Medicare Advantage, according to Rosemary Bartholomew, an analyst in the HHS-OIG San Francisco office.

Bartholomew says these denials can delay and prevent patient access to needed care, cause patient to pay out of pocket for services that are supposed to be covered by their plan, and cause burdens for patients (and providers) who choose to go through the appeal process.

Medicare Advantage plans are based on “capitation payments,” which means the physician, clinic or hospital receives a fixed pre-arranged payments per month per patient enrolled — in other words, per capita. The amount does not change, regardless of the cost of services. This has the advantage of lowering the cost for the plan.

A central concern about the capitated payment model used in Medicare Advantage is the potential incentive for Medicare Advantage organizations to deny beneficiary access to services and deny payments to providers in an attempt to increase profits.

Although Medicare Advantage organizations approve the vast majority of requests for services and payment, they issue millions of denials each year, and Medicare annual audits of Medicare Advantage organizations have highlighted widespread and persistent problems related to inappropriate denials of services and payment.

As Medicare Advantage enrollment continues to grow, Medicare Advantage organizations play an increasingly critical role in ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries have access to medically necessary covered services and that providers are reimbursed appropriately.

Here is the staff report on the study: Method taff selected a stratified random sample of 250 prior authorization denials and 250 payment denials issued by 15 of the largest Medicare Advantage

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Medicare Advantage plans are based on “capitation payments,” which means the physician, clinic or hospital receives a fixed pre-arranged payments per month per patient enrolled — in other words, per capita.

organizations during June 1-7, 2019.

Health care coding experts conducted case file reviews of all cases, and physician reviewers examined medical records for a subset of cases. From these results, staff estimated the rates at which Medicare Advantage organizations denied prior authorization and payment requests and the types of services associated with these denials in our sample.

Findings ase file reviews determined that Medicare Advantage organizations sometimes delayed or denied Medicare Advantage beneficiaries’ access to services, even though the requests met Medicare coverage rules. Medicare Advantage organizations also denied payments to providers for some services that met both Medicare coverage rules and Medicare Advantage organizations billing rules.

Denied requests that meet Medicare coverage rules may prevent or delay beneficiaries from receiving medically necessary care and can burden providers. Although some denials we reviewed were ultimately reversed by the Medicare Advantage organizations, avoidable delays and extra steps create friction in the program and may create an administrative burden for beneficiaries, providers, and Medicare Advantage organizations.

Examples of health care services involved in denials that met Medicare coverage rules included advanced imaging (such as MRIs) and inpatient rehabilitation after discharge from an acute-care facility.

Prior authorization requests. We found that, among the prior authorization requests that Medicare Advantage organizations denied, 13 percent met Medicare coverage rules; in other words, these services likely would have been approved for these beneficiaries under original Medicare (also known as Medicare fee-for-service).

We identified two common causes of these denials. First, Medicare Advantage organizations used clinical

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criteria that are not contained in Medicare coverage rules (such as requiring an x-ray before approving more advanced imaging), which led them to deny requests for services that our physician reviewers determined were medically necessary.

Although our review determined that the requests in these cases did meet Medicare coverage rules, Medicare guidance is not sufficiently detailed to determine whether Medicare Advantage organizations may deny authorization based on internal Medicare Advantage organizations’ clinical criteria that go beyond Medicare coverage rules.

Second, Medicare Advantage organizations indicated that some prior authorization requests did not have enough documentation to support approval, yet our reviewers found that the existing beneficiary medical records were sufficient to support medical necessity of the services.

Payment requests. We found that, among the payment requests that Medicare Advantage organizations denied, 18 percent of the requests met Medicare coverage rules and Medicare Advantage organizations’ billing rules.

Most of these payment denials in our sample were caused by human error during manual claims processing reviews (such as overlooking a document) and system processing errors (such as the Medicare Advantage organization’s system was not programmed or updated correctly).

“Service Denial” page 10

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“COVID Update” from page 7 The Justice Department appealed at the CDC’s request but the agency did not ask for a stay, which would have reinstated the mandate.

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

Mizzell provided a 59-page explanation, based on the Public Health Services Act of 1944, which specifies sanitation as a measure that could be necessary to prevent disease from spreading, but has no definition of sanitation.

“Wearing a mask cleans nothing,” the judge wrote. “At most it traps virus droplets.

But it neither ‘sanitizes’ the person wearing the mask nor ‘sanitizes’ the conveyance.”

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

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

The CDC did not allow public comment although the Administrative Procedures Act requires agencies provide a 30-day comment period on new rules.

The CDC did not explain mask exemptions for people eating, drinking or taking medication or for children under age 2. By not explaining, the CDC action was arbitrary and capricious, the judge ruled.

After ordering masks, the CDC did not conduct a study to generate scientific evidence that wearing cloth masks slows spread on an airplane.

The CDC’s Covid-19 map shows most counties green for low transmission. New York State, Vermont and Connecticut all have high transmission. Santa Cruz County and neighboring Santa Clara County are medium.

Santa Cruz County, which updates its dashboard on Monday and Thursday, reports 1,379 active cases, on the rise but down from the peak of 10,000.

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

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“Service Denial” from page 9 We also found that Medicare Advantage organizations reversed some of the denied prior authorization and payment requests that met Medicare coverage and Medicare Advantage organization billing rules.

Often the reversals occurred when a beneficiary or provider appealed or

Santa Cruz County reported 37 Covid deaths after Omicron, compared to 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron.

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

Why do people fear Omnicron?

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

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

So are people 85 and older.

California reports 83.3% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot.

On the CDC Covid tracker, Santa Cruz County reports 90.8% of residents age 5 and up have at least one shot and 82.9% fully vaccinated.

Pajaro Valley Schools he Pajaro Valley Unified School District reports 92 active student cases and 19 staff cases in May. Aptos High has 18 student cases and 2 staff cases.

Aptos Junior High has 10 student cases and one staff case. Valencia Elementary has 8 student cases and 1 staff cases.

Rio del Mar Elementary has 6 student cases and zero staff cases. Mar Vista Elementary has 1 student case and 1 staff case.

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

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, with Inspire Diagnostics, has provided 472,100 tests.

Cases in local schools peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, dropped to 44 on April 1, then rose to 455 on May 11. The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% on January, dropped to .79%, then rose to 3.16%.

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

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

Vaccine Database n a 2022 report in the Journal of American Medical Association online, Dr. Matthew Oster of the CDC reported the government’s

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VAERS database received 1,991 reports of myocarditis after one dose of mRNAbased Covid-19 vaccine and 1,626 met the CDC’s definition for probable or confirmed myocarditis.

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.”

The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine changed its COVID-19 policies after agents representing more than 150 draft prospects began organizing a boycott of testing, workouts and interviews at the event in response to the league’s bubble restrictions, according to a memo obtained by The Athletic.

The changes allowed players to leave the bubble during free time or have approved medical personnel, athletic trainers and massage therapists join them in secure areas.

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.

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

Renz Law, representing military whistleblowers, sued the federal government to lift the vaccine mandate for military personnel and appeals for passage of legislation repealing immunity for vaccine manufacturers.

“If vaccines are truly safe and effective no one should oppose this,” the lawsuit reads.

After mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were

disputed the denial, and in some cases Medicare Advantage organizations identified their own errors.

Recommendations ur findings about the causes and circumstances under which Medicare Advantage organizations denied prior authorization or payment for requests that met Medicare coverage and Medicare Advantage organization billing rules

provide an opportunity for improvement to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have timely access to all necessary health care services, and that providers are paid appropriately. Therefore, we recommend that Medicare: • issue new guidance on the appropriate use of Medicare Advantage organization clinical criteria in medical necessity reviews;

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

mandated for the military in 2021, cases of heart attack, pulmonary embolism, cancers, and myocarditis spiked dramatically, according to the Defense Military Epidemiological Database queries by the whistleblowers.

The Department of Defense’s response was that a glitch in the database affected the data from 2016-2020.

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

Dr. Pamela Popper, whose group supported the lawsuit, posts updates at https://makeamericansfreeagain.com/ Testing he Santa Cruz County Office of Education offers drive-though testing for students, staff and families at: Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

See: https://tinyurl.com/ get-tested-santa-cruz.

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

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

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Total COVID cases: 1,379

••• COVID Deaths: 262 As of May 12 Age 85 and older: 113 • 75-84: 61 65-74: 46 • 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 45-54: 10 • 35-44: 8 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 212 • No: 50 Race White 150 • Latinx 89 • Asian 16 Black 3 • Amer Indian 1 Hawaiian 1 • Another 2 Gender Men: 135 • Women: 127 Location At facility for aged: 116 Not at a facility: 146 • update its audit protocols to address the issues identified in this report, such as Medicare Advantage organization use of clinical criteria and/or examining particular service types; and • direct Medicare Advantage organizations to take additional steps to identify and address vulnerabilities that can lead to manual review errors and system errors. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

J

Geiser Scholarship Winner Jaylen Dang

aylen Dang is a future doctor. She’s going to the University of San Francisco, where the core values — care of the whole person, being people for others, and diversity in all its forms — are a good fit for her.

This year was difficult at Aptos High.

On Aug. 31, her classmate since 4th grade, Gerardo, was stabbed on her campus and died of his injuries. Jaylen was in the school pool at the time, unaware of what was happening. Later she learned that he collapsed not far from where she was.

She was not close to Gerardo, but he had said hi to her at Valencia Elementary when she was new student coming from Oakland.

“I will always remember his smile,” she said.

She was plagued by “what ifs.” What if she had medical training and could have helped as a first responder?

The collective trauma experienced by students at Aptos High propelled her into action.

She had started the Community of Science Club to embrace diversity in science, but the tragedy turned students toward medicine.

“As a school, we took a whole day to remember him and we did mindfulness coloring to grieve,” she recalled. “We made

cards and wrote kind words in honor of him.

After a week, I consulted my teacher who was my advisor for my club. I discussed with her that this event was how it secured my interest in medicine to help people heal from injuries. After brainstorming, I created a reflection survey to get an idea of how the members of the club were feeling.

We brought in guest lecturers who became doctors and they showed us the weight of their field of work.”

She learned that despite the losses you will experience that are out of your control, those who survive give you hope and keep you going.

“I think that developing a support system and being able to hear other people’s stories of their experiences with losses helped me and my peers heal a bit more,” she said.

Jaylen had leadership experience to build on. As part of her involvement with the LEO club (leadership, experience, and opportunity), she helped raise $2,500 for a Gravity Water project to build a sustainable filtration system for a school in Nepal to have access to clean drinking water. The fundraiser was held during the pandemic, so Jaylen had to find creative ways to lead her team virtually, with no standard bake sales to raise money.

Jaylen is a four-time recipient of the SCCAL Scholar-Athlete Award, took six Advanced Placement classes and maintained a weighted grade-point average of 4.26.

A first-generation college student, she’ll major in biology. A bonus is that USF is only a 30-minute drive from her grandmother, and she hopes to spend more time with her.

The Emmett & Elise Geiser Scholarship awards up to $1,000 to graduating seniors from Watsonville High, Pajaro Valley High, and Aptos High who have earned at least one athletic letter. The award is renewable annually based on academic performance. n

31 Remarkable Students in a Remarkable Year Community Foundation Awards Nearly $250,000 in Scholarships

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hen the Covid pandemic hit in spring of 2020, this year ’s class of graduating seniors were in the middle of their sophomore year. Of their four-year high school career, almost half of it was via distance or hybrid learning.

And yet this year’s awardees still excelled in class, volunteered in the community, played sports when they could, participated in clubs and extracurricular activities, and worked paying jobs to help their families make ends meet.

“Scholarships” page 18

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So, when it comes to cancer care, you deserve a treatment approach that’s as unique as you. Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital’s cancer program features a comprehensive range of services—from advanced diagnosis and treatment through supportive care and recovery—so you get the plan that best fits your needs. Because when you have personalized, expert care close by, you can focus on healing. And living. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/DominicanCancerCare.

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

MAY 2022

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

BRAVE NEW WORLD — It’s a ‘brave new world’ in so many ways. The Feds just announced the highest interest rate increase since 2000, a full .5% in efforts ‘to fight inflation’. As of 5/05, Bankrate.com shows the national Avg. 30-year fixed rate at 5.48% (up from 4.89% last month). Inflation is a global issue; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is causing oil and fuel prices to rise, and Covidrelated lockdowns in China are worsening the supply chain issues. California, if it were its own country, is the 5th largest economy in the world. And, California is now looking to “embrace and regulate cryptocurrency” as it offers “potential for new companies, jobs, and opportunities.” In the US, it is believed that 16% of all adults have invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrency.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Our Real Estate market continues to flourish.Realtor.com just published their Spring 2022 Top Emerging Housing Markets based on economic vitality, attractive amenities and lifestyle options, access to the outdoors and desirable housing and Santa Cruz County is #2 in the US, behind #1-Rapid City, South Dakota, and in front of #3-Sarasota, Florida.

APTOS SOLD — That said, the Aptos Real Estate market continues to flourish even in these uncertain times.29 homes sold in the past 30 days. The Avg. List Price was $1,992,270; the Avg. Sales Price was $2,243,267, 12.6% above list! Avg. Multiple offers continue to be the norm. High sale was 1107 Via Malibu, listed for $3,995,000, sold for $4,325,000. We hit new highs for non-ocean-front homes, five homes sold in the $3M range. 101 Elva list-$2,895,000, sold$3,600,000; 120 New Brighton list-$2,695,000, sold-$3,505,000, 304 Ventana list-$2,895,000, sold-$3,250,000, 213 Sand list-$2,695,000, sold-$3,100,000, and way out in Aptos Hills, 901 Meadow listed for $2,500,000 and sold for $3,000,000. Only 1/29 homes sold for under $1M, 915 Vista Del Mar sold for $848,888.

APTOS ACTIVE — There are 28 Active listings in Aptos as of 5/05. Only 16 are “fresh”, on market <18 days. The Avg. List Price for these 16 is $1,464,806 and the Avg. Days on Market is 7. My guess is that when I report next month, the Avg. Sales Price will be at least $200K higher than list for these properties.

——— Call, email, text, and.

Get Results With Ruth!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Dedicates Howard Ikemoto Studio O n May 7, Cabrillo College hosted a dedication ceremony of the Howard Ikemoto Art Studio on its Aptos campus on the Visual, Applied, and Performing Arts lawn.

In memory of Howard Ikemoto who taught drawing, printmaking, and painting at Cabrillo College for 34 years, from 1966 to 2000, George Newell and Bruce Nicholson spearheaded a fundraising campaign to name an art studio after him.

Newell and Nicholson raised $25,000 for an endowed scholarship in Howard Ikemoto’s name, and the Art Studio classroom will be named in his honor, in recognition of his incalculable contributions to art and artists in Santa Cruz County and beyond.

He was a beloved teacher, who, with a gentle sense of wisdom and humor, encouraged students to take risks and enjoy the process of artistic self-discovery.

He was also a respected artist whose work was exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, and was widely collected.

One former student recalled how Ikemoto opened the print lab on Saturdays for extra instruction and a sense of comraderie.

Born in 1939, Ikemoto spent his early years in the Tule Lake war relocation

Howard Ikemoto

center. The internment camp is where he first became captivated with drawing. He earned a master’s degree in art and began teaching at Cabrillo, where he taught every form of art except photography.

He was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. His first wife Jeanne Ikemoto, who was married to Howard for 24 years,

helped arrange a last show of his artwork in 2017 at the Cabrillo Gallery to raise money for his care.

He died on Dec. 31, 2020, at age 81.

His second wife, soulmate and fellow artist Julie Connell died in 2009. Survivors include his daughters, Ami and Reiko and grandson Mateo. n

Santa Cruz County Bank Names Maxwell Sinclair EVP Chief Risk Officer

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axwell Sinclair has joined Santa Cruz County Bank as executive vice president and chief risk

officer.

He has 28 years in banking with executive-level experience in risk management, compliance, anti-money laundering and human resource management.

He spent 10 years as EVP chief risk, compliance & human resources officer at Pacific Mercantile Bancorp/Pacific Mercantile Bank, where he managed risk, compliance, and regulatory matters, human resources, regulatory relationships and corporate governance. He is a founder of an Arizona-based startup bank, chief risk officer with responsibilities for governance, audit, compliance and human resource management.

He was VP compliance & Bank Secrecy Act manager at Zions Bancorp (California Bank & Trust). Before that, he was VP

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

Maxwell Sinclair compliance & Bank Secrecy Act officer and CRA & security manager at several banks in Southern California.

Santa Cruz County Bank President and CEO Krista Snelling said, “Maxwell

served as an advisor in the areas of compliance and risk management. He stepped in at a crucial moment, before an FDIC examination, which he handled smoothly and professionally, and delivered best outcomes. The vast experience and professionalism he brings to the bank are already playing a key role in our success and growth. We’re thrilled to have him on the executive team.”

Sinclair said he has long admired Santa Cruz County Bank for its strong ties and commitment to the local community.

“Working strategically with the team and understanding its mission and vision lead to my acceptance of this incredible opportunity to permanently lead the Bank’s risk management enterprise,” he added.

“SCCB” page 16

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Aptos Track Teams Are League Champs

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By Mark Dorfman

ring out the broom. Under clear skies and breezy conditions, surrounded by towering redwoods at the San Lorenzo Valley High School track complex, the Aptos High Boys and Girls Track and Field teams swept their opposition and won all four SCCAL team championships.

The Aptos High varsity boys, varsity girls, frosh-soph boys, and JV girls all left Felton with team titles.

The varsity girls were led by Elizabeth Churchill, who won four events. She was first in the 100-meter hurdles (15.65 seconds), high jump (5 feet, 6 inches), long jump (17-4), and triple jump (34-2).

Her four firsts earned her the Bob Enzweiler Outstanding Athlete Award, which is given to the athlete who scores the most points at the SCCAL championship meet.

Her four firsts were worth 40 points, and helped the Mariners win the championship with 159 points. Santa Cruz was second (91), followed by Soquel (71), SLV (62), Scotts Valley (52), Mt. Madonna (22), and Harbor (14).

Other winners for Aptos were Ella Shoemaker in the 300-meter hurdles (49.55), Rachel Hoops in the 800 meters (2:19.65), Annie Eikemeyer in the 3,200 meters (11:56.51), and the 4x400 meter relay team comprising Shoemaker, Hoops, Ava Churchill, and Lucy Bowman (4:40.02).

The SCCAL Girls Track and Field Championships have been contested for 46 years. Aptos won the very first championship in 1977, and have now won 23 in total, including a streak in the ‘90s and ‘00s where they won 13 in a row, and 19 out of 22. They have also won 3 out of the past 4.

The varsity boys team finished first with 177 points, followed by Scotts Valley (117), Santa Cruz (93), Soquel (42), SLV (36), Mt. Madonna (7), and Harbor (6).

The boys were led by Bob Enzweiler Award winner Trent Nosky, who earned a first in the 1,600 meters (4:20.45), a second in the 800 meters (1:59.14), a third in the 3,200 meters (10:46.05), and a fourth as

Aptos is the only school in SCCAL history to win all four divisions (varsity boys and girls, frosh-soph boys, and JV girls) at the championship meet. This is the fifth time the Mariners’ have done so.

a member of the 4x400 meter relay team (3:43.60). His 25 individual points just edged-out teammate Raymond Barrios (21 points) for the Enzweiler Award.

In the race of the day, Nosky edged out Jeremy Kain from Scotts Valley High School to win the 1,600 meters. Kain is the defending league champ, and he owns the fastest time in the CCS this year. Running neck and neck for four laps, neither able to shake off the other, Nosky fell across the finish line and out-leaned Kain to win by one-thousandth of a second.

Other winners for the Aptos boys were Barrios in the long jump (20-3), Aidan Buckler in the 110-meter hurdles (16.62), Ronin Tidd in the pole vault (10-6), Rylan Sampson in the triple jump (41-0.5), Sawyer Jordan in the shot-put (39-8), and the 4x100 meter relay team comprising Sean Harvey, Aidan Aruiza, Aidan Buckler, and Caden Prichard (45.56). Lastly, the Mariners received an impressive and unanticipated win from team captain Wade Watson in the discus (133-7). Watson, wearing a bulky brace on his left knee, is recovering from meniscus surgery only four weeks ago. He also got second in the shot put (38-8.5).

First contested in 1970, this is the Aptos boys’ 20th team championship.

They’ve also won 4 out of the past 5 championships, and 6 out of the past 8.

This is also only the fifth time in SCCAL history that one school has won all four divisions at the championship meet (varsity boys, varsity girls, frosh-soph boys, and JV girls), and Aptos has been the winner all 5 times.

The JV girls this year were led by Enzweiler Award winner Maggie Long (23 points), and the frosh-soph boys by Enzweiler Award winner Adrian Fernandez (28 points). n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Artichoke Deep-Fried Manicotti

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Courtesy of chef Ivan Guadarrama

alifornia’s artichoke history began in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. More than nine decades later, nearly 100 percent of America’s fresh artichoke supply is grown in California — nearly two-thirds in the small town of Castroville.

The first Artichoke Festival was in 1959 under the sponsorship of the Marinovich Marching Units, with the assistance Chef Ivan Guadarrama of the Castroville Rod and Gun Club. In 1961, it was a joint venture of the Marinovich Marching Units and the Castroville Chamber of Commerce to produce a larger festival, and Sally DeSante was chosen as the first Artichoke Queen.

In 1963, 1964 and 1965, it was solely sponsored by the Castroville Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Artichoke Festival Board with Bill Price, one of the festival originators.

In tribute to the 2022 festival, which returns June 11-12 to Castroville after a two-year pandemic hiatus, chef Ivan Guadarrama of Tarpy’s in Monterey shares this artichoke recipe: •••

Artichoke Deep-Fried Manicotti

Ingredients Vegetable oil, for frying 1 cup spinach, thawed and chopped 2 cups artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped 8 oz. cream cheese ½ cup sour cream ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded ½ tsp. chile flakes ¼ tsp. salt

“SCCB” from page 12 Sinclair obtained his master of business administration degree from the University of Southern California and his bachelor’s degree in business management from University of the Redlands. He is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, American Bankers Association National Compliance School, and has a certificate in human resource management from Loyola Marymount University.

He is a board member of the nonprofit Alliance of Jamaican and American

4 cloves garlic, minced 14 manicotti, cooked 6 eggs, beaten 5 cups Italian breadcrumbs Marinara sauce, to serve Directions In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat oil to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, chile flakes, salt and garlic. Stir until fully combined. Stuff manicotti with spinach mixture.

Roll manicotti in egg then in breadcrumbs.

Dip in egg and breadcrumbs again, then add to hot oil and fry until light brown and crispy. n

Share A Recipe!

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

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

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

Humanitarians and the Wiley Center/ LA Speech and Language. He’s a former board member of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Los Angeles Chapter, USC Summer Leadership Program, and served as an Advisory Board member of Central City Lutheran Mission, San Bernardino, and Bethlehem Temple Economic Development.

Sinclair currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Rosario, and will maintain an office at Santa Cruz County Bank’s 75 River St. office in downtown Santa Cruz. n

Leave a legacy in Aptos that will not wash away with the first wave!

Why Give?

Aptos Sports Foundation is a community funded foundation that is building a better Aptos through philanthropy “For Our Kids!”

Ways to give: HAVE FUN WITH ASF –

GIVE TODAY –

Sponsor or attend an event: • Golf Tournament (April 28, 2023) • Poker Tournament (Sept. 30, 2022) • Cornhole Tournament (July 16, 2022)

Improve our schools by donating funds, labor or materials for current projects.

LEAVE A LEGACY – Make a donation to the ASF Endowment Fund, a community asset, to fund Aptos sports activities and facilities out into the future!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: To develop community leaders of tomorrow by providing a quality student athlete experience for the youth of Aptos. Providing quality athletic facilities and programs at Aptos High School, its feeder schools and sports related organizations. Building a better Aptos through philanthropy. “For Our Kids.”

ASF P.O. Box 2405, Aptos, California 95001 Contact: Paul Bailey – 831-818-0406, Brent Chapman 831-566-7677 or Dan Braga – 831-239-3402 501 (C) (3) Nonprofit #77-0345205

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 15th 2022 / 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

1000 Books Before Kindergarten!

D id you know that reading to children is one of the most powerful ways to boost their brain power?

The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps children learn prereading skills such as understanding the sounds letters make, developing a bigger vocabulary, and building background knowledge — all important skills that help “Scholarships” from page 11 “This year’s scholarship awardees stood out for how they stayed focused on their dream for college while also

prepare children for learning to read and entering kindergarten.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun and free way to start children on the path to success.

Children who have not yet started kindergarten can participate. Follow these steps: 1. Register: Sign up at any Santa Cruz Public Libraries branch or online

at santacruzpl.beanstack.org. Pick up program materials at the library or print them from our website.

2. Track Your Reading: For each book read, fill in a circle on the reading log, write down each book you read in a journal or log books online with Beanstack.

3. Every Book Counts: Even if a child wants to hear the same book again

and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books children hear in storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as the child listens to the entire book.

navigating extraordinary challenges of life during the pandemic,” says Susan True, CEO of the Community Foundation. “They volunteered hundreds of hours at food pantries and as climate stewards. They

advocated for their own and their peers’ mental health. They founded clubs to help each other through grief and to build community among other first-generation college students. And they had fun–as music aficionados, costume designers, dancers, knitters, artists, actors, and standout athletes.”

Three-quarters of the awardees are first-generation college students, turning their parents’ and grandparents’ dreams of higher education into a reality. Among them are future teachers, engineers, computer scientists, biomedical researchers, physicians, and nurses. And every single one of them is focused on giving back to the next generation in gratitude for their own mentors and parents who aided their success.

“This community has a rich history of families caring for the future by establishing scholarship funds. It dates back to Henry Cowell’s family, to donors inspired by the movement for racial equity, to siblings honoring their parents’ dedication to teaching. It’s an honor to work with the people and families helping Santa Cruz County be a place where all generations can thrive,” says Julie Haff, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and retired superintendent of San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District.

Meet the 31 local students who received scholarships through Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in 2022: Alpert Sharing Fund Scholarship: Angel Soto, Watsonville High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) Judy Anton Woman of Valor/Lupita Loves to Read Project Scholarship: Mariah Segura, Watsonville High (UC Davis) R.H. Beel Memorial Scholarship: Yazmin Diaz, Santa Cruz High (Pace University) Burton Scholarship: Peyton Croghan, St. Francis High (UC Davis); Arlette Del Toro, Watsonville High (UC Davis); Daniel Espinoza, Harbor High (UCLA); Haley Jiang, Harbor High (UCLA); Marissa Mengheang, Harbor High (Stanford University) Ernest V. Cowell Scholarship: Arden Emhoff, Santa Cruz High (UCLA) Bob & Betsy Darrow Scholarship: Sophia Clemente, St. Francis High (Santa

Monica Community College); Rossy Hernandez, Harbor High (CSU Monterey Bay); Alicia Krusee, San Lorenzo Valley High (University of Arizona) Jack DeBord Memorial Scholarship: Abby Lahey, San Lorenzo Valley High (CSU Monterey Bay) Hank Garcia Jr. & Family Scholarship: Mandy LaMere, St. Francis High (University of Southern California); Danna Perez, Watsonville High (Cabrillo College); Diana Rocha, Pajaro Valley High (UCLA); Melissa Roman, Pajaro Valley High School (UC Berkeley); Wade Watson, Aptos High (UC Santa Cruz) Emmett & Elsie Geiser Scholarship: Betzaida Chavez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Barbara); Jaylen Dang, Aptos High (University of San Francisco); Isaak Vargas, Watsonville High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) Isabel Fowler Sewell Scholarship: Sofia Fernandez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Cruz) Cynthia Lopez-Fernandez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Cruz) Bert & Carolyn Post Scholarship: Valeria Felix, Watsonville High (Cabrillo College) Louis J. & Mary Ellen Schultz Scholarship: Jackeline Barrientos, Harbor High (UCLA) Simunovich Family Agriculture Scholarship: Miguel Sanchez-Ramirez, Watsonville High (CSU Monterey Bay) Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship: Mackenzie Hearon, Harbor High (Cabrillo College); Morgyn Michelson, Harbor High (UCLA); Zulma Ramirez-Ortega, Harbor High (UCLA); Joel Sosa-Udave, Harbor High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) John L. Turner Scholarship: Ashley Mazon, Watsonville High (UC San Diego) n ••• Community Foundation Santa Cruz County helps donors and their advisors invest wisely in causes they care about, to provide grants and resources to community organizations, and to offer leadership around key local issues. The Foundation manages $200 million in charitable assets and provides customized and tax-smart giving solutions that resulted in more than $24 million in grants in 2021.

Thanks to generous donors, over $183 million in local grants and scholarships have been awarded locally since 1982.

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

“1000 Books” page 25

LOCAL SPORTS

Capitola-Aptos Rotary Hosts Pickleball Tourney at Willowbrook Park

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“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

SUMMER SPECIAL

By Kieran Kelly

f you have visited Willowbrook Park lately, you might have noticed the park’s basketball and tennis courts have undergone a total makeover.

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department recently resurfaced the courts and painted them with new stripes to allow residents to use them for basketball, tennis, and increasingly, pickleball.

Pickleball is a low-impact sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The sport has grown in popularity in recent years as it is easy to learn and play for players of all ages and skill levels.

With the new courts ready for use, the Capitola-Aptos Rotary plans to hold their first annual “Pickleball in the Park” Tournament on May 22. Starting at 8:30 a.m., the event will feature social “Round Robin” rounds so players will have an opportunity to play with a variety of opponents. After the

social rounds, players can play in competitive rounds at their self-selected skill levels.

To register for the tournament, visit https://forms.gle/d66mwyP1fWzzGwFD9 or contact Event Director Laura Grinder at 831-818-6037 or email her at Lgrinder.rotary@gmail.com The goal of the tournament is to bring new and experienced pickleball players together and raise money for community programs including the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial Project.

Sgt. Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty on June 6, 2020, and the newlyrefurbished courts are part of the ongoing effort to reimagine Willowbrook Park in honor of his memory. Sgt. Gutzwiller and his family lived in the Willowbrook neighborhood and he often visited the park with his dog, Shasta.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 15th 2022 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Pajaro Valley Chamber Award Honorees T K he Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will present its 60th Annual Awards at a dinner at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the county fairgrounds, celebrating the people, businesses and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make the Pajaro Valley the best place to live, work and play.

Honorees are:

Lifetime Achievement Lowell and Wendy Hurst ruly they have truly given a lifetime to the Pajaro Valley. Individually and as a couple, they have given their lives to the betterment of the community.

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Lowell and Wendy Hurst

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in agronomy and science and master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, Lowell had a long career as an agricultural science and horticulture teacher from 1978 until 2010, instilling Pajaro Valley knowledge to local students. He volunteered in the Peace Corps from 1976 until 1978 in the Kingdom of Nepal.

Lowell was first elected to Watsonville City Council in 1989 and has served on the body for three stints during the past three decades. He has served as mayor three times. He has an unwavering dedication to the Pajaro Valley and its residents.

Wendy was in education beginning in 1978 with a career at E.A. Hall as one of the first bilingual teachers in PVUSD. Wendy has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for many years, changing the lives of youth in foster care by being their voice and advocate. Wendy is active in Soroptimist International of Watsonville on their board of directors and volunteers at their many fundraising activities. Wendy is also active in Girls Inc., an organization that encourages girls ages 5-18 to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

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

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

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

Measure D is opposed by:

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

For a full list visit nowaygreenway.com/opposed Paid for by No Way Greenway - Vote No on Deceptive Measure D P.O. Box 5624, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 www.NoWayGreenway.com 20 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Man of the Year Ken Schwan en has catered for hundreds (if not thousands) of businesses and celebrations. He has been a major donor to local events, sports teams, Watsonville Senior Center, local charities and fundraisers.

He was one of the first to help organize the first Evening of Wine and Roses and other events for Ken Schwan the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust and helped start the galas at Notre Dame and St Francis schools. He has done fundraisers for the Diabetes Foundation, Agricultural History Project, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, the Rogers House, the YWCA, the Watsonville Fly-In, and so many more.

Through the years, Ken hired many teens and adults from Teen Challenge and other adult-in-need services/programs in the community.

In his private time, Ken has helped raise money for prostate cancer through the Distinguished Gentleman Sidecar Ride.

He dressed in dapper attire with the dog by his side. They then rode up and down the coast of California in a sidecar rally and spread awareness while collecting donations for this great cause.

Ken has generously donated hundreds of gift certificates and dinners to anyone who asked. He would bend over backwards to make accommodations for last-minute funerals to make things easier for a family in pain. The numbers of hours he has worked for nothing in return is immeasurable. From his own families’ weddings, friends asking for a favor, and the community asking for his wisdom and

knowledge, he has never given a second thought to helping.

Ken is an amazing leader. He has always been willing to help…even when not getting paid. He has worked tirelessly to create a company that he and Watsonville can be proud of. In his retirement, Ken has left a legacy. He uses his experience to give advice to organizations planning events. He knows what works and what doesn’t…and shares his wisdom and great cooking!

With the support of his wife, Kathy, his companion dog Rider, and countless friends, Ken is now ready to relax and enjoy retirement.

Woman of the Year Renee Mello third-generation Watsonville native, Renee Mello was raised on a farm in the outskirts of Watsonville and attributes her work ethic to the summers she spent picking berries, tomatoes and apples.

Having built a strong network of lifelong relationships here in the Pajaro Valley since her return in 1994.

Her time away from Watsonville, from 1975 – 1994, were in Silicon Valley in the comRenee Mello puter industry as a salesperson. She got her bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and her master’s of business administration while working in Silicon Valley.

Upon her return to Watsonville, she met and in 1994 married her husband Bob Mello, whom she feels has been the reason for her success. After a short time at Bank of America she went back to real estate in the year 2000.

Renee is not only a very accomplished real estate agent and personal/professional

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COMMUNITY NEWS coach, she is also dedicated to her community through her service as a member and past president of Rotary. She has also served on the executive board of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, and as president of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture to name a few.

Renee is currently president of the Watsonville Woman’s Club. She has truly contributed to much of the success and strength of each of these organizations.

When Renee isn’t volunteering or helping people find their perfect home, she enjoys spending time with family and traveling in her RV with her husband, Bob.

Business of the Year Driscoll’s riscoll’s has a long history of giving back to the community where they began, the Pajaro Valley.

Shareholders, growers and seasonal employees work every day to ensure that Driscoll’s is a good neighbor and growing in harmony with the Pajaro Valley community. Not only did they get their start here, but the valley’s rich soil, ideal climate, and local talent served as a strong foundation, helping them become a strong global brand.

Their giving is not as much generosity but recognition and appreciation for all the Pajaro Valley has given their business, their growers, and their employees. The team at Driscoll’s acknowledges that their Giving program serves to enhance the communities where they live and grow including the Pajaro Valley.

Miles Reiter, Driscoll’s chairman and CEO, said “We’re honored to be recognized by the Pajaro Valley community and awarded Business of the Year.

Driscoll’s is proud of the developments wehave been a part of over the years and are grateful to the many partners who help make investments in the health and future of our community happen including our growers, employees, and nonprofit partners.”

A few examples of how Driscoll’s has contributed to programs in the Pajaro Valley in recent years include: Sunday Clinic Hours — Since 2020, Driscoll’s has supported Salud Para La Gente to open its clinic on Sundays so community members could get health care anyday of the week.

Freedom School Athletic Fields — In 2021, they provided a dollar-for-dollar match for donations from community

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members to the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation for their work renovating the athletic fields at Freedom Elementary.

The complex will serve the school’s students and provide local youth sports teams a place to practice and play.

YMCA Summer Camp — Since 2019, they have provided the YMCA Watsonville Family Center with the funds they needed to expand their summer camp in Pajaro Park to provide more children with a safe, stimulating, and fun placeduring the academic break.

San Miguel Soccer Fields — Over the past few months, a team of Driscoll’s employees, growers, family members, and local businesses volunteered their time and materials to completely overhaul the soccer fields along San Miguel Canyon Road.

Adopt-an-Angel — Every year, Driscoll’s employees team up with Casa de la Cultura to provide 300 to 400 local children with the present that tops their “Lista de Papa Noel.”

Watsonville Community Hospital — Currently, Driscoll’s has committed $1.75 million in matching funds for all donations to the effort to prevent Watsonville Community Hospital from shutting down. Interested community members wishing to participate can donate through the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

Equal Access Santa Cruz — Driscoll’s partnered with a local internet provider, Cruzio, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Rotary, Reiter Affiliated Companies, Karen & Clint Miller and other growers along with many individual donors to fund the building of a high-speed internet network in the Pajaro Valley.

This development assured low-cost internet access for hundreds of students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, allowing them to attend school online during the pandemic.

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Organization of the Year Community Foundation Santa Cruz County ince 1982, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has brought together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things.

The Community Foundation helps donors and their advisors invest wisely in causes they care about, to provide grants and resources to community organizations, and to offer leadership around key local issues.

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“PV Chamber Awards” page 25

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / May 15th 2022 / 21

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Questions on LGBTQ Flag Raising, Parking Permits & Quarantine Days Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Where can we get more rapid tests?

I was given one box before spring break but used both of them and want more since my students keep getting sick and want peace of mind right away then having to wait 24 hours for a PCR test. apid (antigen) testing is currently available at the following Inspire Diagnostics drive locations: Pajaro Valley Unified District Office, Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz County Office of Education in Santa Cruz and Salud Para la Gente in Watsonville. Anyone registered with Inspire Diagnostics can request a rapid test and/or a PCR test when they visit the drive through testing sites.

Testing with Inspire Diagnostics is free to all PVUSD students, staff and household family members.

Will the Wellness Center be open all summer or are you going to shut it down as well? s part of the mission to serve students and families beyond the school day and school calendar, the PVUSD Family Engagement and Wellness Center will be open during the summer so that all PVUSD families and students can have access to services.

Along with our partners, we will continue to provide food at the Second Harvest Food Bank co-op every day that we are open and frozen meals from Martha’s Kitchen on Fridays. PVPSA, Salud Para la Gente, and Luna y Sol will host youth groups; focusing on connection, health, and building interpersonal skills.

Our mental health counselor will also be on-site meeting with clients and available for crisis support. Many community organizations are reaching out to add programming to the Wellness Center this summer so we will keep our PVUSD community updated.

Follow us on Instagram: @Pvusdwellness and Twitter: @Pvusdwellness to be the first to know! Summer hours are Tuesday - Friday 11 am- 7 pm and Saturday 9 am – 4 pm. You can also visit the Center’s webpage at wellness.pvusd.net.

We heard there may be another flag raising this year to support LGBTQ+ students. Do you have any information?

VUSD will be having the 2nd Annual Progress Flag Raising May 23 at 10:30 am at the District Office.

The morning will kick off with a warm welcome, the superintendent’s address, highlights of our board resolution, a rainbow reflection, and will close with our students raising the flag. Sites throughout the district will also be raising their flags in support of our LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff.

As a District, we remain committed to

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providing a safe environment for all. We are also pleased to announce that the event will be live-streamed for everyone that is unable to make it.

I read there were yet again new quarantine requirements that were going into effect on Friday, May 6. When are these changes going to stop? I cannot keep up.

VUSD continues to follow all state requirements and guidelines which includes the California Department of Public Health for students and CalOSHA ETS for employees.

The requirements for students remain unchanged as the CDPH guidelines have not shifted since April. There are new quarantine guidelines for employees, which went into effect on Friday, May 6, 2022.

The new guidelines require all employees regardless of vaccination status to test after an exposure or quarantine for ten days.

On this page is a chart which highlights the process.

My child got her driver’s license 7 weeks before the end of the school year. In order to drive to Aptos High and park, she must purchase a parking permit. Now there are only 5 1/2 weeks of school, and Aptos High won’t pro-rate the parking permit or let a permit bought now be good for next year. What is the logic behind this policy? What does the money from the parking permit program go?

Is there some Covid fund leftover to cover parking permits? Why are the students charged for permits at all? Thank you for considering this question, many families of new drivers are wondering about this. arking and driving on our high school campuses is not required for students,

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which includes Aptos High. PVUSD campuses may have very limited parking, as is the case at Aptos High School.

To ensure roadway safety and adequate parking on the AHS campus, students are required to purchase a permit and park in designated areas. Aptos High School charges a small fee to assist with costs for parking enforcement, safety, and maintenance.

AHS parking permits are sold on a priority basis in the fall term to juniors and seniors. At the second semester, any remaining parking permits are sold on a first-come first served basis to sophomores and/or freshmen. Permits are to be properly displayed, so that campus supervisors can assist in the event of an emergency.

This spring, AHS has less than 20 parking permits available for students; this is atypical, as permits are often sold out at the beginning of third quarter. AHS staff revisit parking policies at the beginning of each year and make adjustments, as necessary, to be fair to all students.

AHS administration is aware that there are more parking permits this year than in prior years and will review the fee for 4th quarter parking permit purchases in the 2022-23 school year.

Will there be in-person kinder round-up this year? indergarten Round-up and the registration process has been modified for the last several years. Currently, families may register their kindergarten students through our online process and or inperson at their neighborhood home school.

Parents/guardians should return

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required registration documents to their school office. School sites will contact families for additional appointments as needed, which replaced the formal Kindergarten Round-up process at most schools. Individual schools will invite families for Kindergarten Orientation events either this spring or at the end of summer before school begins.

In addition, each school site should have a kindergarten virtual tour of their site located on their school website. Please contact your school site office for specific information regarding any Kindergarten Orientation dates.

The kínder Schedule for Landmark is very short. Can you change it to be a schedule similar to Freedom that is five hours? hile we cannot change the kindergarten schedule for Landmark for next year, we have been working diligently with site administration and staff at all remaining elementary schools to provide robust programming that will include before and after school enrichment opportunities for all students including kindergarten students.

These opportunities will be available to all kindergartners next year through our Extended Learning Opportunity Plan funding. In addition, the district is currently piloting the full day kindergarten program.

With a successful pilot, we will continue to add additional sites over the next two years.

The first set of schools to begin the full day model will be: Alianza, Ann Soldo, Freedom, Mintie White, Ohlone and Valencia.

My child is in the Migrant Program.

Will there be special programs for him during the summer? igrant Education will be providing summer services for every Migrant student. Depending on the grade level of your child, there will be different programs to promote their success. Our PreK staff will be scheduling home-based services to work with families and the child by providing support on how to best prepare for transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.

If your child is in grades K-8, Migrant Education will be collaborating with the PVUSD Extended Learning summer program.

If students attend the summer program, they will have an opportunity to receive a culturally relevant curriculum in both English and math.

Additionally, if your child is in middle school, he/she can also participate in either the Girls or Boys in Engineering summer session in partnership with Cabrillo College. The Boys in Engineering will run June 20-24, and the Girls in Engineering will run June 27-July 1.

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“PVUSD Q&A” page 26

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Measure D: Cabrillo Business Students Have a Say

By Ron Kustek

n a rail-trail survey of nearly 60 business students at Cabrillo College in March, over 67% of respondents supported all 3 options: Trails, bike paths and electric passenger trains.

Overwhelmingly, 76% believed that if the rails of our existing train tracks were removed and stored - then the rails would never be re-installed. When asked why they felt that way, many responded that the rails would likely just be left to rust, while taxpayers would have to pay even more money for storage, security, and maintenance.

As one respondent said, “In the first place, it seems unnecessarily expensive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the city chose not to pay to put them back.”

And, “It’ll take too much (money) to reinstall them again.”

Plus, an impressive 81% of respondents agreed that a significant part of our Santa Cruz County history would be lost. They said they would feel bothered if the tracks were removed.

Not only would this be sad for Santa Cruz losing an important icon of our local community, but it could prove sad for businesses as well.

Though their average age is 22 years, we should be listening to these citizens as many will soon become

elected officials and local business leaders.

For increasing sales in every business and for generating additional sales tax revenues, it’s important to realize this age group also has disposable incomes and the desire to spend money – at our local businesses. In 2019, the mean disposable income nationally for those under 25 was almost the same as for those aged 75 and over: When asked in our survey how these local Santa Cruzans would use the rail line, 53% said they’d use the passenger trains “to visit and shop at neighboring businesses all along the route,” followed by 38% who would be using the trains for commuting to/from work or commuting to/from school, as bikes don’t allow for doing homework or reading along the commute.

According to the final draft of the Regional Transportation Plan released in April, the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey showed consistently that only about 2.5% of all Santa Cruz County work travel modes was by bikes, actually decreasing in 2015-2019 compared to 2011-2015: So, from Davenport to Moss Landing where students currently commute mostly by car to Cabrillo

Mean Disposable Income By Age In the U.S. (2019) 24 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Measure D: Santa Cruz Works Subscribers Weigh In

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anta Cruz Works, the high-tech innovation group with 11,000 members in Santa Cruz, launched a survey to its newsletter subscribers to learn about their position on Measure D on the June 7 ballot.

The first two weeks’ results: Yes, 71%; no, 27%, undecided, 2%.

The survey does not indicate how many people responded.

Doug Erickson, executive director of Santa Cruz Works and a $500 donor to Yes Greenway, said that information will be posted at the final week of the survey, which is live through May. Each week, articles are posted

College in Aptos, the majority of these students (65%) do not ride bikes of any kind, and feel that for our local history, for spending money at local businesses, and for making their commutes easier all around the county including to their workplaces, that the best option is for rail, trail and passenger rail trains. n ••• Ron Kustek is the Business Development Chair and instructor at Cabrillo College. He was formerly a senior marketing executive with

by both sides, as well as from the undecided.

The survey asks those answering to indicate which sector they are in: Teach, retail, biotech, nonprofit or other.

To participate, you must be a Santa Cruz County resident and a Santa Cruz Works subscriber. You may submit a response only once.

Erickson said duplicate, triplicate, and quadruplicate votes, have been rejected along with anyone who subscribed only to vote. n ••• To vote, see https://share.hsforms. com/1u1jMjc5sQ7-khl86YF_1Ng3dpm3 Coca-Cola USA as well as launching multiple small businesses. Contact him at RoKustek@ cabrillo.edu.

Editor’s note: The rail corridor is owned by the 12-member Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, which makes the decisions, not the city of Santa Cruz. See https://sccrtc.org/ Professor Kustek says he did not try to sway opinions and he believes the survey is valid and comes from a group that has not been heard from in this discussion.

Mode Share For Work Trips In Santa Cruz County Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

“Pickleball” from page 19 “We are excited to host our first Pickleball Tournament at Willowbrook Park. Proceeds from the event will go to the renovation of the park in honor of Sgt. Gutzwiller as well as other local nonprofits,” said club officer Michele Bassi. “It should be a day filled with fun and friendly

“PV Chamber Awards” from page 21 The Foundation manages over $200 million in charitable assets and provides customized giving solutions that resulted in more than $24 million in grants in 2021.

Thanks to generous donors, over $183 million in local grants and scholarships have been awarded locally since 1982. The Community Foundation seeks to make Santa Cruz County thrive for all who call it home, now and in the future. Learn more at www.cfscc.org.

Event of the Year City of Watsonville Santa Tour n 2020, during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department organized a seven-day Santa Tour around each of Watsonville’s seven City Council districts to spread holiday cheer during these unprecedented times.

Santa kicked off the tour by flying in from the North Pole to Ramsay Park in a helicopter. Mr. and Mrs. Claus who then boarded an antique fire truck (a 1967 Crown Fire Coach) owned by the Watsonville Firefighters’ Association and were driven by association members.

Members of the community young and old were elated when they heard the holiday music and saw Santa and the elves roaming and dancing through their neighborhood.

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competition. All are welcome and please register to join us.”

The pickleball tournament is the latest effort by the Capitola-Aptos Rotary to support the project. Earlier this year, the Rotary chapter donated $50,000 to support renovating the park’s playground.

“These sport courts hold a special place and meaning for Sgt. Gutzwiller and his

family so it was important to have them completed as the first phase of this project,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend. “Families are already enjoying the improvements and we are grateful to the Rotary for continuing to prioritize this park and raise funds to ensure the park is a special community spot for future generations.”

The Santa Cruz County Deputy

Sheriffs’ Association is working with County Park Friends, a local nonprofit, on the fundraising campaign.

Donors to the project can sponsor individual bricks and pavers that will serve as the foundation for the memorial. n Visit https://www.countyparkfriends.org/ willowbrook.html for renderings of planned park renovations and more ways to get involved.

Department teammates used the opportunity to deliver safety messages about mask-wearing and holiday gatherings safety tips to more than 10,000 households. Community members were filled with smiles, tears, and laughter as the tour delivered holiday cheer to their doorsteps during these times when so many were isolated. This event allowed the Parks and Community Services staff to impact many more people than by organizing the Holiday Lights event.

In 2021, the City of Watsonville’s second annual Santa Tour again provided safe and heartwarming holiday festivities throughout the community, while abiding

by COVID restrictions. City of Watsonville elves pre-planned and publicized three consecutive nights of tour routes with stops at local parks and schools within each district of the City.

Santa and Mrs. Claus journeyed through the streets of town atop a colorfully lit antique fire truck, complete with a Santa tracker on board so he could easily be located via a dedicated webpage at any given time during the tour. Santa’s elves distributed candy canes to community members of all ages at each stop and they were treated to a special dance performance by the Grinch. Between stops, children and adults alike peered out of their windows and dashed to their porches to wave to jolly old St. Nick and his crew.

Talent from multiple City of Watsonville

departments (including Parks and Community Services, Fire, Police, the City Manager’s Office, and Innovation and Technology Departments) collaborated to accomplish this event, which touched the hearts of thousands of community members and safely spread much-needed holiday cheer in the midst of a second pandemic-impacted holiday season.

The Santa Tour Event is an example of creativity, partnership, and community

engagement during one of the most difficult times in recent history. n ••• Tickets are $100 per person at https:// tinyurl.com/pv-chamber-awards-2022 (Full URL https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ pajaro-valley-chamber-of-commerce-agriculture-60th-annual-awards-dinner-tickets324132608357?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)

Graduation

ACROSS

“1000 Books” from page 18 4. 100-Book Milestones: Each time you read 100 books, bring your reading record to the library to receive a special reward.

Stickers are rewarded for each 100 books read.

At 500 books, earn a free book! Each time you receive your prize, take home a new reading record for your next 100 books.

5. 1000 Books: You did it! Come celebrate at the library, see the participating child’s name placed on the 1000 Book Wall of Fame, and receive a prize.

6. Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1000! Keep on reading together; there’s more learning ahead!

Singing songs, saying rhymes, telling

stories, and playing with children are all great ways to build their literacy skills. Visit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries often for free programs that are fun and educational for little ones and to find great books to share with children.

One thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book a night, you’ll meet your goal in less than 3 years.

If you read three books a night, you could reach your goal in one year!

Ask the friendly staff for suggestions— they’re here to help you on your journey to 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. n ••• This program is ongoing. If you have questions call Santa Cruz Public Libraries at 831.427.7713.

1. Like a bug on windshield noise 6. G-man 9. Type of race 13. Late actor Ledger 14. Waikiki necklace 15. Group of lions 16. Knight’s shiny garb 17. Ensign, for short 18. One to beat 19. *Graduation proof 21. *”School’s Out” singer 23. An indigenous person in Laos 24. 6-shooter 25. Founder of People’s Republic of China 28. Porous rock 30. *MFA or BA

35. Comrade in arms 37. Be inclined 39. Had in mind 40. Was a passenger 41. Ventricular beater 43. Same as ayah 44. ____ Trick, rock band 46. Nicholas II, e.g.

47. Initiation ceremony, e.g.

48. “Pollock” actor Ed 50. Foolish one 52. Ever, to a poet 53. “House of Gucci” star 55. Masters Tournament peg 57. *Mortarboard attachment 60. *”No more ____, no more books” 64. Fancy boat 65. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo”

11. Month of Purim 12. Styling product 15. For the time being, Latin (2 words) 20. Cave opening 22. Like Hemingway’s certain man on sea 24. Type of rummy 25. *One in “Pomp and Circumstance” DOWN series 1. Herring’s cousin 26. Hello to Israel 2. “Frasier” actress Gilpin Kamakawiwo’ole 3. Bulb holder 27. Ahead in years 4. Coral reef island 29. *”You have brains in 5. Neck cavity your head, you have 6. Pestilence pest ____ in your shoes” 7. Even, to a poet 31. Cleats to soccer 8. “Saturday Night Fever” player music genre 32. China grass 9. Type of coffee maker 33. Related on mother’s 10. Gauche or Droite in side Paris 34. Olden days anesthetic 67. Arm bones 68. Orderly arrangement 69. Granola grain 70. Gustatory sensation 71. Lord Byron’s composition 72. Dashboard unit 73. Weasel’s aquatic cousin

36. *School ____, which is about 180 days 38. No-win situation 42. Old-hat 45. Wilbur’s home 49. *Famous frat house 51. Adjective in sheet music 54. Low light 56. Enthusiastic approval 57. Tropical edible root 58. Land measure 59. A fake 60. Beaten by walkers 61. Research facil.

62. It’s better than never?

63. Tiresias in “Oedipus Rex” 64. Small dog’s bark 66. *Gown’s companion © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Mercury Retrogrades in Gemini

“PVUSD Q&A” from page 23

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-May 2022 • By Risa D’Angeles

F

rom May 10th to June 3rd, Mercury, planet of communication, is retrograde at 5 degrees Gemini, sign of gathering and sharing of information. Mercury is also the planet that influences thinking, ideas, driving, traveling, and interacting with ease and curiosity. When Mercury is retrograde, information facts, plans, ideas, messages, etc.) seems to go into hiding. The reality is that all that we have encountered in the last three months has overloaded our mental processes.

We enter into a review, assessing all information and experiences from the past. Our minds (thinking) become internalized. We sift through experiences and information to eliminate what is not useful, and to absorb on deeper levels what is valuable. Mercury retrograde times (always three weeks long) can be very useful. We look at previously held information with new eyes. We review and assess.

It is important to understand retrogrades (all planets retrograde) so that we can make use of a cycle of time that assists us in evaluating our life, ideas, plans, thoughts, experiences and beliefs. Decisionmaking is different during Mercury retrogrades. We are in fact to put off making decisions (major ones) when Mercury is retrograde. When ARIES

we understand retrogrades we no longer make ill-informed or illtimed decisions, we can actually save time, money, and avoid difficult outcomes.

Mercury retro forces us to review all aspects of our lives. Previous relationships and situations that are incomplete come back into our lives. Our minds turning inward, we don’t see the fine print. We can miss important dates, and we can become forgetful. Since our thinking processes are internal and information can be hidden it is best to refrain from important decisions, dates, commitments, plans and transactions. We DON’T buy a house, car or large appliance. We DON’T make commitments, take out loans, promise anything, or begin to or decide to move or purchase anything of importance.

The reasons are that when the planet of mind and communication (Mercury), is retrograde, many things are concealed, unseen, unknown, out of sight, secluded, and rather mysterious. When Mercury moves forward again, the previously hidden information is revealed, disclosed, laid bare, becomes public, is unveiled, and brought to light.

The Mercury retrograde affects your thinking, communication and values. Also, your mode of transportation and all things technological. Do things need tune ups, repair, upgrades, expansions? Are all systems of contact working? Are there people you must contact, tasks to tend to, bills and correspondences waiting for your attention? Whatever must be done, do it slowly, with care and attention and give yourself more time than usual. Have intentions to complete all previous work. You have three weeks. Magical times indeed!

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Reassessing friendships and social interactions, future goals, hopes, wishes and aspirations are your currents of thought in the coming weeks.

Re-evaluating these dreams and wishes keeps us in touch and aware with our internal lives.

Whenever we feel tension and longing, know that news need and aspiration are calling to be recognized. Respect this. When desires are spiritualized, they become aspirations. They inform us of the pathways to our future.

Remembering all previous relationships may occur the next three weeks. It’s good to assess what was gained, what worked, what didn’t and how your belief systems (patterns learned in childhood) affected the outcomes. Something special is or will be occurring concerning the heart of the matter. Perhaps it’s that you understand how love works and that it’s not about how the other loves. It’s about your intentions and ability to see the life principle of livingness in action. You are to love more.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

TAURUS

Your life direction comes more and more into focus along with who you want to be in the coming years.

These are most important considerations and ones you have been seeking. Sometimes we don’t really know what life has in store for us. And sometimes we can’t visualize anything. What in your life are you striving toward? What things/events are most important for you? Do the environments you find yourself in, reflect you? Where would you like to be?

Daily work and agendas, interactions with family, friends and co-workers will be the focus. Something from the past shows up and through the intentions for right relations to occur you create a state of cooperation that surpasses all expectations. Home life on a daily basis may be changing. A previous restrictive attitude of someone near you pauses for a while.

Eventually a difficulty in relationships must be faced lest something is lost forever. Schedules shift and change constantly. You have the strength to persist.

Previous financial situations not able to be tended to till now may need your attention. With all bills and monetary interactions, check and recheck the amounts for there could be mistakes. It will be important to re-evaluate your budget and spending. I think you have many valuable items, which could be sold so you have more capital to work with. Also, tend to ordering preparedness supplies. And create that environment you’re impelled to build for the times to come. A large greenhouse perhaps?

LIBRA GEMINI

You ponder upon how others perceive you. Realize you have leadership abilities. In the next several weeks your thoughts will be on your self-identity and religious realities. Do not allow self-criticism to undermine your goodness. There may be a challenge between your love of self and your judgmental critical self. Let love win out. Someone else may activate this.

Know that your childhood experiences were chosen by you for learning. Love underlies all happenings in our lives.

CANCER

Fears may be ready to set up housekeeping in your emotional mind. Inform them they are neither useful or welcome. Others can assist you if you share what’s bothering you. Allow them to listen.

Fear can become addictive, looping over and over in your lower mind and bringing you to your knees metaphorically. If there is lamentation and grief, that is allowed. But fear isn’t. It isn’t real and is based on non-information. Love is what heals. Call in the Soul of the matters.

Several times in our lives we have spiritual experiences that lead us to reassess life’s purpose and our purpose within life itself. We define, refine and redefine; we ask if there is actual justice in life. There is but it’s often hidden unless we quest beneath the surface of the accepted reality. Ethics become important, morals, discernment, too. What are your ethics, morals and values? To remain on the path of Light, remember at all times to radiate Goodwill.

AQUARIUS

It’s good to know there’s a difference between what makes you happy and what makes others happy. They are not the same. It is a major shift within ourselves when we are able to ask what makes another soothed, comforted, happy and cared for. When we realize these we may at first have to sacrifice our own sense of comfort. But should we tend to the other with intention, joy replaces discomfort and the happiness is ours. This is Soul work.

SCORPIO

PISCES

Other people’s money and resources will be on your mind and/or money and resources you hold in common with another. Arrange a meeting specifically concerning these resources stating what both of your needs are at present and for the future. Think gold and silver. You will reassess and rearrange but it must be done with equanimity.

We will begin to enter into a sharing economy. Knowing this you can better manage your need for power. Power with others works best.

•••

The following issues will be on your mind in the next three weeks. Your mother and you as mother (if you are); your relationship with children, especially daughters; concern about your home – where and how you live and what the future will bring in terms of home, family, and the quality of nurturing you give and receive. There will be conflicts felt amidst all the realities.

What you truly want may not be available. But something greater is. Values are reassessed. You find a gold and silver lining that is unexpected and magical.

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

Both sessions will take place at E A Hall Middle School. Any Migrant middle school student who chooses to participate in the weeklong Engineering program will not be dropped from the regular summer program.

For high school students, we will be offering our six-week program at Cabrillo College Watsonville Center campus.

High School Migrant students are working with our secondary staff to complete the necessary paperwork to register for this college level course. If your child is a high school student and needs to make up credits, we will also offer summer programming at Pajaro Valley High School using Cyber High in collaboration with the PVUSD Summer program.

If you need more information about our migrant service during the summer or have additional questions, please call the migrant office at 786-2150.

When is Natasha’s going to reopen? I would be happy with pre-made salads & sandwiches. he primary responsibility of the Food & Nutrition Services Department is to provide meals to PVUSD students. Natasha’s Cafe at the District Office has been closed since March 2020 as our staff were moved to school sites to prioritize takehome meals to students during distance learning and feed all children in our community during an emergency.

As students returned to eating on campus this school year, we had planned to re-open Natasha’s early in the school year. However, we struggled heavily with insufficient and inconsistent staffing, much like other school districts.

We look forward to next year and plan to re-open Natasha’s Cafe in the fall with an updated menu as well as catering options. We enjoy providing meals and a place for people to gather at the district office and look forward to reopening as soon as it is workable.

Hello Ms. Rodriguez, Do you know the types of literature that is in middle schools?

There’s a new book in my child middle school that I don’t think it’s appropriate for schools to be providing access to. The name of the book is “It” by Stephen King.

This is a book that should be in a bookstore not children libraries. I don’t see how this will be beneficial to your students. Can you please pull it out? Thank you. ur PVUSD school libraries provide a wide variety of titles of both fiction and non-fiction books and our library media technicians review our book lists regularly for appropriateness.

This wide variety of books provides our students options to meet their varied interests, experiences, and reading levels.

We encourage our families to have conversations with their children about the books they are reading or are interested in reading. These conversations are important so families can help guide their children in choosing books appropriate for them.

If you have questions about a book in your child’s school library, we encourage families to reach out to the school’s library media technician or the school principal. n

T

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COMMUNITY NEWS

‘Ramayana!’ Musical Returns Live

Mount Madonna School Tradition Makes First Public Performance Since 2019

J

oin Hanuman, the monkeys, Prince Rama and Prince Lakshmana, as they journey to Lanka in their quest to rescue Princess Sita in the 43rd Mount Madonna School performance of “Ramayana!”, a musical theater production adapted for modern audiences and replete with lively action, dazzling costumes, humor and life lessons.

“Ramayana!” returns June 9-12 as a live stage show for the first time in two years after being disrupted by Covid. The venue will be the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. All seats are reserved; tickets are at ramayana. brownpapertickets.com.

With a cast of 175 students ranging from preschool to high school, “Ramayana!” includes traditional and contemporary music and features an adult choir and musicians, with more than a dozen original standout songs.

“The production of ‘Ramayana!’ has been central to Mount Madonna School since its founding,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “With this show, we carry forward a tradition inspired by Baba Hari Dass (1923-2018) and supported by the Mount Madonna Center. It’s the culmination of months of work during the academic year and is a year-end celebration for our community embracing diversity and creative self-expression. The Ramayana is a timeless classic teaching the universal values of truth, duty, love and service to the greater good. As students work together to prepare for this ambitious show, they embody the values embedded in the Ramayana.”

Mount Madonna Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences is a residential community and conference center founded in 1978 atop a mountain in Watsonville. Baba Hari Dass (Babaji), a silent monk, teacher, and practitioner of yoga from India was the inspiration behind the founding of the center, which shares a history and mission with the school, and the annual performance of the “Ramayana!” is part of this mission.

The well-known tale with origins in India was adapted into a musical by members of the Mount Madonna community in the 1970s. The original songs are

Renata Massion, Mt. Madonna class of 2015

As of April 1, 2022, according to California state event guidelines, pre-entry COVID-related verification requirements have been lifted. The health and safety of our patrons, artists, staff and volunteers is our top priority.

All attendees must wear masks at all times when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Requirements may change depending on guidance.

Hanuman faces the Dragon

part of the American rock musical theater tradition, with echoes of “Hair” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“This story was brought to us by Babaji, who was also the inspiration for founding MMC and the school,” said director Gitanjali Rivera, “and it not only connects us to a tale from India that’s thousands of years old, but also to the very roots of our community. This whole-school production brings together all MMS students, big buddies and little buddies, connecting them in ways they may not otherwise share during the school year.”

The performing arts team endeavors to “create space” for young actors to instill their own creativity, imagination and ownership of their parts, and their play. The development of theatrical skills and strengthening of confidence to be bold in presentation are woven into the team’s time with the students.

“All myths have lessons for us, regardless of the cultural tradition or origin,” said Rivera. “These myths, including ‘Ramayana!’, tell universal stories of good versus evil, of devotion to something greater than our own individual selves and the importance of creating a community of service. Whether a student has been in “Ramayana!’ for one year or 15 years, these lessons have a way seeping into one’s mind and actions, and as students embody these life lessons onstage, they are also absorbed into other aspects of their lives.”

The current version of the show features choreographed fight scenes, monkeys and monsters, comedy, deep introspection by many characters, including King Ravana in his ten-headed costume.

The costumes, demon and monkey masks, elaborate sets, props, and monster rigs (such as Kumbhakarna, a 25-foot puppet with a radio-controlled mechanical mouth and eyes) were created by Baba Hari Dass, as well as artisans associated with both the

center and the school. Every item in the show is a work of handmade art.

The show was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021, performers created the show, which was turned into a film and streamed on Vimeo.

Now in its 43rd iteration, “Ramayana!” is a major contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the area, the expression of a living

tradition with ties to India and the global Indian diaspora, and a treasure for generations of students and theater-goers.

“Every character in the “Ramayana!” story represents an aspect of one’s personality,” said Rivera. “There is the devotional service that Hanuman represents, the greed and pride exuded by Ravana, and the sense of duty and righteousness embodied by Rama — these are all aspects of human nature that we each possess, and like all morality tales, the good and the virtuous are what ultimately triumphs.” n

You’re invited to participate in the:

Official Capitola Summer Festivals Guide (Deadline June 1, 2022) OFF

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Featuring:

Capitola Art and Wine Festival The Capitola Beach Festival (formerly the Begonia Festival)

Wharf to Wharf Race Plein Air on the Wharf call today to reserve your placement.

Phone: 831-688-7549

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Hours: Tues-Thurs: 11-6 | Fri-Sat 12-5 | Book drops open 24/7.

Preschool Storytime: Tuesdays, 11 am – noon outside on the patio. Dress for the weather.

R.E.A.D Reach Every Amazing Detail: Wednesdays 3- 5 pm. One-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade with California credentialed teachers. Sessions last 25 minutes. By appointment only.. Call 831-427-7717 or email pro@santacruzpl.org Stories for Bedtime: New programs every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook, presented by SCPL Librarian Jackie. The episode then is added to the library’s YouTube Channel after that. See Storytimes for Children playlist at the SCPL YouTube page: https:// www.youtube.com/user/santacruzpl Passionate Readers Book Discussion: 4th Thursday at 10:30 am.

In-Person Tech Help: Fridays 10 am to noon. Techsavvy staff will help you troubleshoot your issue with a 25-minute (or less) appointment. Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/laselva ••• Saturday May 21: 11 a.m.-noon. Meet buccaneers Captain Vito Catana and Pirate Fuzzy in full pirate regalia from the Lady Morgan, Morgan’s Cove, in Morgan Hill. Learn pirate facts and listen to Pirate Fuzzy read.

••• Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit information desk or call 831-427-7713 for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation.

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

Phone: 831.427.7713; text: 831.264.0647 or send a question at https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/ RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients with blood disorders, trauma victims and those experiencing difficult childbirths.

Those who come to give May 20-31 will receive a 20-oz. Red Cross aluminum water bottle and customizable sticker set, while supplies last. Donor opportunities: Ben Lomond May 20: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Lovecreek Road Santa Cruz May 18 and May 24: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Scotts Valley May 21: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive Watsonville May 17: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. May 27: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, platelets or plasma, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL RETURNS Artichoke Festival 2022 has announced a starstudded lineup of talented chefs for its popular Chef Demo series at the 62nd annual festival Saturday and Sunday, June 11 (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) and 12 (10

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by May 20 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

This year’s theme is “The Heart of the Harvest.”

Confirmed demo chefs: Sascha Lyon (executive chef, Montrio in Monterey), Kevin Fisher (executive sous chef, Sea Root at The Hyatt 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).

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.

Tuesday May 17

SOUTH COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM 6-8 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Center, 275 Main St. and Online The Santa Cruz County Business Council, with the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Cruz Sentinel, presents a South County Candidate Forum featuring candidates for the 30th California Assembly District and 4th District on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

ONGOING EVENTS Event sponsors will ask how the candidates plan to address economic recovery, workforce development, Mondays affordable housing, water supply, and more.

CAPITOLA LIBRARY BRIDGE CLUB The audience can submit questions for consideration 10:30 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road by moderator Steve Bennett from the Santa Cruz Ongoing thru Aug. 8 Sentinel, using this form: https://bit.ly/3LevbTC The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club Audience members may attend in person at the sessions on Mondays.

Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Center if they are Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social vaccinated or virtually. For the Zoom link, see https:// players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. on.zoom.us/e/view/iqsS94VHTKyxR823XlG9HQ No meetings on Monday holidays: May 30 (Memorial Parking garage entrance on Rodriguez Street, park on level 6.

Day), June 20 (Juneteenth), and July 4 (Fourth of July).

This is a free event, but all attendees must register in Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz advance.

County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing 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

Tuesdays PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support SALMON WEEK Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by thru Saturday May 21 a licensed grief counseling therapist.

The Fisheries Collaborative Program at UC Santa Cruz Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefand the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will celebrate support or call 831-471-7255.

Salmon Week, May 15-21 with displays, lectures and VOICE CLASS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S. a new film.

Salmon Week Remaining Schedule 11 a.m.-Noon, Online Class May 18: Pop-up kelp exhibit opens at Seymour This class will harness the benefits of targeted specific Center. Jennifer Parker and OpenLabs at UC Santa Cruz activities to improve vocal clarity. created an interactive marine algae exhibit highlighting Jocelyn Lagier, speech language pathologist, will different species of the Monterey Bay. Kelp forests and teach via. Class is limited to 20 students living in Santa marine algae ecosystems play an important role in the Cruz County. salmon lifecycle.

The second of two four-week sessions begins June May 19: Salmon Film Premiere and Q&A, 6-7:30 p.m. 7. Cost: $30 per session (balance of fees sponsored Experience “Southern Range: Salmon in the Santa Cruz by EASE PD).

Mountains,” a film exploring the connections the Santa For registration info and to join, contact Risa at risa@nextstagCruz community has with salmon as well as the impact esantacruz.com or Julie at jglorraine3848@sbcglobal.com of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires on the endangered FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK fish population. The hybrid premiere event will begin 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville with the 30-minute documentary, followed by a panel discussion and question-and-answer session featuring El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley. filmmaker Kyle Baker, UC Santa Cruz professor and science advisor Eric Palkovacs, and Lisa Lurie, Executive There will be healthy locally grown produce, a Director of the Resource Conservation District of Santa veggie Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations Cruz County. Marla Novo, of the Santa Cruz Museum of and wellness screenings.

Art & History, will moderate. Register at https://seymour- Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info. center.ucsc.edu/calendar_event/southern-range/ Third Thursday Each Month May 20: Seymour Center Member Meet-up, 9 a.m. to noon Eric Palkovacs, Ph.D., leads a field excursion at Saturdays & Sundays Scott Creek for Seymour Center members.

May 21: World Fish Migration Day Festival, 10 a.m. to ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH 2 p.m. Engage with UCSC researchers sharing science Tours start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday,1700 and community organizations highlighting how they Elkhorn Road, Watsonville protect and maintain the local fishery at this familyVolunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of friendly festival at the Seymour Center. Food trucks, the Elkhorn Slough. Capacity is limited due to physical including Ocean2Table, a salmon obstacle course, and distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up arts and crafts. Free with admission to the Seymour on a first-come, first-served basis.

Center.

Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ For information, including how to register for the Science group-reservation/ to reserve a tour.

Sunday lecture, visit https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visit/ events/salmon-week.

For more info, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours/

28 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

DATED EVENTS

Wednesday May 18

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

It has been 2 1/2 years since this event took place in person and organizers are eager to celebrate. With Covid lingering, the event will be in a larger space. Attendees can socially distance if needed.

With safety the top priority, lunch will not be served. KION will present inspiring videos of the winners, and there will be entertainment, snacks, treats and an arena full of people who care for Santa Cruz County.

Tickets are $25 at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/ weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E162036&id=58

Thursday May 19 TOP DOG FILM FESTIVAL 7-9:30 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz The Top Dog Film Festival is back for the third year at the Rio Theatre.

Meet dogs from all walks of life, from the talented dancing poodles to the award winning New Zealand sheep dogs.

Join the journey to find the perfect guide dog for an outdoorsman in Canada and meet the New York dog walker winning over her pack.

Experience heartfelt stories of overcoming adversity

COMMUNITY CALENDAR thanks to man’s best friend and look at a program transforming the lives of prison inmates.

Tickets are $18; a portion of ticket sales benefits Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Visit https://www.riotheatre.com/ events-2/2021/12/5/topdogfilm ••• Makings of a Guide Dog: 30 min. Canada Lawrence Gunther is a conservationist, active outdoors person and professional angler.

Dog’s Got Talent: 25 min. Australia Dancing poodles in Sydney, a sheep dog from New Zealand and trick dog from Canada all have exceptional talents!

Keema and Her Pack: 10 min. USA Abuse, poverty, racism, and homophobia made it difficult for Keema to open her heart—until a chance encounter with a dog she’d feared changed her life.

Patrick and Grace: 5 min. USA Patrick is a young athlete who rescues an abused pit bull named Grace.

Happy Hounds: 10 min. USA Linda Domer facilitates Happy Hounds prison dog program at Roxbury Correctional Institution in Maryland.

Ingerlatitseqqiineq / Passing it on: 7 min. Denmark In Sisimiut Greenland, Johanne decides to quit her 9-5 job to spend more time with her sled dogs.

Bonneville T120 to the event’s top fundraiser. And there are more prizes during the event, three more 1959 Legends Les Paul guitars, plus a new Triumph motorcycle. So far, the top rider has raised more than $26,000, according to the leaderboard.

Movember.com, which has helping fund 1,250 projects around the world, is the official charity partner.

For more info, to register, or to host your own ride, go to http://www.gentlemansride.com/.

GREYWATER: LAUNDRY TO LANDSCAPE 5-6:30 p.m., Online Seminar UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz present a free webinar via Zoom.

“Laundry-to-Landscape” greywater systems take the waste water from your clothes washer out to your garden to irrigate fruit trees, shrubs, and more.

Many local water districts provide rebates for these systems as a way to conserve water in drought.

Learn how to install your own low-cost, permitfree greywater reuse system in this class taught by UC Master Gardener Stephanie Kister Campbell, a conservation analyst at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

This class will include the viewing of a previously recorded presentation followed by a live question and answer session with Campbell.

Reserve your seat at https://greywater22.bpt.me/

Wednesday June 1

Thursday May 19 and Thursday May 26 SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY TECH TALKS 11 a.m.-noon, Online seminar Santa Cruz Public Libraries will offer Tech Talks via Zoom: May 19: Apple users can learn ways to create stronger and more secure passwords May 26: Password management for Android users.

Tech Talks take place virtually from 11 am-noon. Registration is required at www.santacruzpl.org. Registrants will receive an email with the Zoom meeting link.

Friday May 20 PVUSD FAMILY ENGAGEMENT & WELLNESS CENTER RIBBON CUTTING 4-5 p.m., 530 Palm Ave., Watsonville Pajaro Valley Unified School District will host a ribboncutting event to officially introduce the new Wellness Center to the community.

Hear Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez and community partner leaders who are supporting the center with services for families and students.

Services include: Family nights, food co-op, meals to go, Healthy Start and crisis counselor.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Online Seminar MBEP’s 8th Annual Regional Economic Outlook will

Saturday May 29 COUNTRY STORE FUNDRAISER AND ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST 6 a.m.-noon, Corralitos Communty Center, 33 Browns Valley Road The Corralitos Woman’s Club will host its annual Country Store along with the 61st annual Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Corralitos Padres, at the Corralitos Community Center.

Plants, garden decor, baked goods and repurposed items will be available for sale.

Proceeds of the sales will benefit the club’s programs, such as the scholarship for a graduating high school senior in the Pajaro Valley.

The breakfast is $22 per person.

REEL ROCK 16 FILM FESTIVAL Saturday May 21

7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz REEL ROCK 16, featuring the world’s best climbing films, comes to Santa Cruz at the Rio Theatre.

Founded in 2005 by filmmakers Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer, REEL ROCK has grown into a global platform for award-winning climbing films that weave bold action, humor, heart, and soul into larger-thanlife human stories.

This year features four new films: Bridge Boys | Pete Whittaker, Tom Randall — A horizontal big-wall adventure on the longest, hardest and most ridiculous crack climb ever attempted.

Barefoot Charles | Charles Albert — An opera-singing, cave-dwelling, animal-skinning minimalist tackles futuristic boulder problems in the Fontainebleau forest.

Big Things to Come | Alex Johnson — Elite climber’s struggle with a boulder problem propels her on a decade-long journey of self-discovery.

Cuddle | Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Adam Stack — A massive, remote link-up of 17 alpine summits pushes the world’s best climbers to the brink.

••• Tickets are $22. Visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2021/12/5/reelrock16 feature Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner of Beacon Economics, LLC. Widely considered to be one of the nation’s leading economists, Dr. Thornberg is an expert in revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets.

Beacon Economics is a leading independent research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and objectively-based economic analysis to public and private sector clients in California and across the United States.

Tickets are $29. Register at https://tinyurl.com/MBEP-REO2022-register

Saturday May 21 EARTH JUSTICE POETRY READING 1-3 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville Pajaro Valley Arts hosts an afternoon of earth-themed poetry in its backyard.

This event is in collaboration with Santa Cruz County Writers of Color.

Topics: Cultural and historical relations with the natural world Indigenous sovereignty, land protection, and stewardship; healthy and sustainable water, soil,

SANTA CRUZ JOB FAIR 5-6 p.m. / 6:30-8 p.m., UC Santa Cruz’s Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn Santa Cruz Works hosts the largest community job fair on the central coast at UC Santa Cruz’s Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn.

More than 15 companies will participate, seeking to fill hundreds of jobs ranging from engineering, marketing, sales, customer success, product management, etc.

Even if you do not plan to hire for 3-6 months, this event provides exposure to the community and a rich pipeline of candidates.

Free to Santa Cruz Works partner employers / a $250 donation is requested from all other participants.

Application and more details at: https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/launchpad-2022-rmfm9 A business pitch competition with $40,000 in prizes will take place from 1-5 p.m. with finalists pitching between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Parking is available in lots surrounding the UCSC Cowell Hay Barn. Free parking after 5 p.m.

Registration and vaccinations required. Food & beverage will be provided.

energy, and food systems; healing within ourselves, communities, and sacred life systems.

All poets and poetry lovers are welcome. Participation is free; Saturday June 4 event will take place outdoors.

JAPANESE CULTURAL FAIR 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mission Plaza Park, 103 Emmett St., Santa Sunday May 22 Cruz DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE The 34th Annual Japanese Cultural Fair at Mission Plaza Register for details Park is an opportunity for the community to increase A contingent of Santa Cruz motorcycle riders will awareness and understanding of Japanese culture. participate in the 11th annual Distinguished GentleThe goal is to improve mutual understanding among man’s Ride on May 22. The event, founded in Sydney, neighbors of the Pacific Rim and enrich the community Australia in 2012 by Mark Hawwa, unites classic and of Santa Cruz County. vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise This is a celebration of Japanese music, traditional funds — $31 million — and awareness for prostate folk dance, food and arts and crafts. The fair opens cancer research and men’s mental health. with a performance by the Watsonville Taiko Group Triumph Motorcycles and Gibson Guitars will provide and closes with the e internationally renowned San the 1959 Legends custom edition Les Paul guitar and Francisco Taiko Dojo.

The Zen Center, half a block away, will have demonstrations on ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremony, bonsai and kimono workshops.

This event is family-oriented. Admission is free.

Parking is free at Santa Cruz County Building parking lot— with a shuttle every 20 minutes.

To volunteer see www.jcfsantacruz.org n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Criminal Justice Council

Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

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t the end of last year, the Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County released its first report — an in-depth analysis of local police agency policies and procedures — in particular around use-offorce. This regional transparent analysis is believed to be the first such comparative regional look into these policies in the nation.

The report led to some agencies adding or changing policies/procedures in light of the findings — including, for example, the Sheriff’s Office seeking authorization to hire an independent Inspector General role that would review use-of-force incidents and more.

After this report was completed it was clear that an issue that required further study involved front-line law enforcement response to behavioral health calls. How and whether law enforcement should be the primary response agency to a behavioral health call is a hotly debated issue — but having an in-depth look at what those calls look like in our community (and therefore an informed discussion about how to best approach the response to those calls) hasn’t been done.

As a result, the CJC decided to spend this year working on this issue.

What Will Be The Focus For This Year’s Report? his year’s CJC focus is on front-line law enforcement response to behavioral

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health calls. Specifically, the CJC will partner with Applied Survey Research and local law enforcement agencies and nonprofit partners to look in-depth at local front-line behavioral health calls that come into law enforcement. The report will examine the following (this isn’t a complete list but provides an overview): 1) Review policies/procedures of local law enforcement agencies regarding training, response, certifications coordination and more in regards to behavioral health issues 2) Review whether local agencies partner with (have embedded) nonsworn behavioral health workers and, if so, when/how often they respond to calls with law enforcement 3) Survey behavioral health workers that work with law enforcement for their first-hand thoughts on the process and structure of the front line response approach 4) Analyze every call over a multiple month period that is related to behavioral health that comes in to local law enforcement and determine whether it was a purely behavioral health call, whether there was a crime also committed and, if so, if it was a misdemeanor or felony, violent or non-violent 5) Analyze what happened if the individual required transport — were they taken to a behavioral health facility and, if so, was there space? Were they transported to a local hospital and, if so, why? Were they transported to jail and, if so, why?

This year’s report will only focus on the front-line (initial) response.

Future study may be needed to look at the courts, the local health system and

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Local Local Local

other elements that have significant roles in behavioral health incidents and outcomes.

But the CJC felt it was important to look at what happens when the initial call for service comes out — what the response is like and what the outcome is — first, then to consider further exploration after the response leaves the purview of law enforcement.

Having this data will help provide a clearer picture on how agencies train and respond to these calls, what the calls actually are that they respond to (are they purely health-related or also crime-related?) And then what immediately happens afterward (if a transport is required). This information can help inform the policy process and community discussion moving forward about this issue.

What Is The Criminal Justice Council (CJC?) he CJC was created over thirty years ago in an effort to provide increased coordination and cooperation between criminal justice partners — government, nonprofit, educational and others — to reduce youth involvement in gangs.

While gang-related issues are a key focus of the CJC, the macro review of policies/ procedures and response to issues are also important CJC elements.

The CJC focuses discussions on prevention and intervention, best practices as well as reentry programs — rather than simply a suppression model.

Additionally, the CJC has worked with closely with school districts, nonprofits and others on intervention and prevention programs to reduce youth involvement in gangs and improve local outcomes. From supporting educational efforts, nonprofit sporting leagues, conferences that provide viewpoints from those with lived experience and now creating an

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annual in-depth look at an issue the CJC’s all volunteer membership receives small contributions from the member agencies to fund the programs and report.

Who Is On The CJC? wide variety of community public safety partners serve on the CJC. Local police chiefs, the county sheriff, the chief probation officer, District Attorney, leadership of two local non-profits, two local judges, the public defender, the county superintendent of schools, the president of Cabrillo College, two county supervisors, elected representatives from the local cities and more participate.

It’s a diverse group that, having participation from local education and nonprofit social program providers, helps create discussions beyond just backend suppression activity toward front-end prevention opportunities. I serve as Chair of the CJC and other members of the Executive Board include the eounty superintendent of schools, the district attorney, leadership from the Courts, a member of the Scotts Valley City Council and the Watsonville police chief.

How Can You Learn More? he CJC meets quarterly and these meetings are open to the public. Over the last year (and into the foreseeable future) these meetings have been virtual.

Information (including the 2021 report and policies that informed the report) can be found on the CJC website at santacruzcjc.org.

For the last few years I’ve served as chair of the CJC and would be happy to provide additional information if you have questions. n ••• If you have any questions about the CJC, or any other matters in our district, please don’t hesitate to call me at 454-2200. I’m maintaining regular updates on social media as well at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SCCAS Featured Pet

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Snow White Angel!

crossword on 25 »

ngelica is a 1 year and 10 month old husky looking for her furever home!

Angelica loves to run and hike and will need an active home. In her foster home she typically goes for 5 to 9 mile runs every day.

When she’s out on the trails she’s a social butterfly and tries to make friends with every person and dog she comes across.

She’s lived with dogs before but all dogs in the home will need to meet at the shelter prior to going home.

She’s previously met children ages 8-12 and has done well. All family members will need to meet her at the shelter prior to adoption.

Angelica seems to have a prey drive so a home without small animals would be best for her.

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

Graduation © Statepoint Media

Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over

n her new book, Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over: Finding a Home for Memories and Emotions After Losing a Loved One, Dr. Mary Lamia (Lah-Meeah) combines psychological insights with case examples from her decades of work with grieving clients that illustrate how loved ones who have died are always alive within us — regardless of spiritual beliefs.

For Lamia, this book has become a deeply personal journey: She lost her mother at age11; her father 10 years later; and, sadly, her husband of 44 years died in 2021 as she was completing this book.

Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday of remembrance, reflecting on the meaning and importance of those who have sacrificed in the line of duty. The day provides us with a moment where the living can honor those who have left us.

Although Dr. Lamia agrees that it may be awkward to talk about the loss of a loved one — at least in the culture we live in — she illustrates that “Grief has a rich meaning.”

She offers five talking points to help readers better understand moments when their grief is activated on this holiday or in any given moment: Casualties of War Don’t End When the War Ends: The traumas of war may be re-activated by the holiday that Mary Lamia serves to honor those we have lost. Similarly, the grief we experience from losing a loved one is reactivated throughout our lives by thoughts, situations, places, circumstances or dates.

Remember Those with Unacknowledged Losses: Let’s also use Memorial Day as a vehicle to remember losses where people or their loved ones (not yours), have nonetheless suffered loss and experienced grief from lifelong injuries or illnesses.

Capture Collective Memories: Collective grief applies to veterans honored on Memorial Day as well as other situations that may not include physical death but loss in some way, such as members of a community whose homes have been destroyed by a wildfire, or the medical professionals who have coped with seeing those die around them because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Acceptance and Closure Do Not Apply to Loss: The misguided but common notion that grief is time-limited leads many people to believe that in order to achieve some kind of closure they must relinquish their attachments and “accept” their loss. Instead, we must learn to accept our feelings no matter how long the process takes — even if it is over years.

Sensory Memories Can Rekindle Your Feelings of Loss: A mere gist of a memory, activated by an image, a smell or a song, can make us aware of feelings and sensations associated with a lost loved one, even without our conscious awareness of why we are experiencing those feelings.

Offering practical coping strategies and questions for reflection throughout, Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over leaves the bereaved with precisely that: Hope.

“Hope does not extinguish grief,” Dr. Lamia said, “but it can take our memories of those we have lost with us to better or different future places.”

Mary Lamia, Ph.D., strives to convey an understanding of emotion through her practice as a clinical psychologist in Marin County, and her work as a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley. She is the author of five previous books, including Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings; The Upside of Shame; The White Knight Syndrome; and Understanding Myself: A Kid’s Guide to Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings. n

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