Aptos Times: September 15, 2022

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September 15, 2022 • Vol 31 No. 18

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Help Judi Oyama Compete at World Skate Games

When you think of women in skateboarding, you think of Judi Oyama. And now she’s qualified on the U.S. Skateboard Slalom team to compete at the World Skate Games Oct. 24-Nov. 13 in Argentina.

Full Story page 6

Pure Water Soquel Earns $21 Million Grant Full Story page 7

Contractors Give $20K to Gutzwiller Park

Eager For New Aptos Library my new library.’ But today she wanted to say it in person, with treats/drinks for them all.”

As a result, she got her photo taken with seven of the construction crew. Her mom says, “I have one special girl.” n Photo Courtesy of Diane Cowen

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Madelyn is 5, and she is a huge fan of the new Aptos Library, which is being built by Bogard Construction.

Her mom, Lindsay Worrell, says, “Every day, she has me drive by the library to see the progress. Since day one, when we drive by, she yells out, ‘Thank you for making

The Associated General Contractors of California and members Granite Construction, GraniteRock, and XL Construction have pledged $20,000 toward the Reimagining Willowbrook Park Project in memory of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.

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No. 18

Volume 31

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15

31

Table of Contents

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Cover Eager For New Aptos Library 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 19 25

Community News Love & Loss: Memorial Concert Honors Those Lost to Covid Colegio Horizontes: New Classrooms!: From Impossible to Possible in Guatemala Help Oyama Compete at World Skate Games • Santa Cruz County Residents: Chipping Funds for Wildfire Safety Pure Water Soquel Earns $21 Million Grant Contractors Give $20,000 to Gutzwiller Park Independent Sheriff’s Auditor Coming Moms Demand Action Founder Applauds Gun Safety Laws Recovered at Pearl Harbor After 71 Years Santa Cruz Shakespeare in 2023: Shrew, Lear & Will • California Statewide Fire Summary Awards to Bill Monning, Dana Kent, Hugo Morales, Damian Trujillo Mount Madonna Seniors Earn College Board Honors Wiyot Tribe Acquires 46 Acres 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year How to Deal with Debt Collectors

California News 8 State Bill Aims to Prevent Homeless Shuffling 15 AG: Holocaust Descendants Should Get Stolen Art Back 9

Thank you for the last 25 years.

Here’s to 25 more.

National News At Some Point in Life, Everybody Needs Help: How a Shelter in Washington, D.C. Tackles Homelessness Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Entering a Retrograde Season — Mercury retrogrades, then Mars, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists 20 Crunchy Cabbage Salad, courtesy of The Nourishing Generations Educational Project 22 What Fuel Does Your Rental Vehicle Use? Mistakes To Avoid,

By Christopher Elliott 23 Amazon: Competition or Partner?, By Ron Kustek 24 PVUSD Threat Protocols and Unvaccinated Teachers and Parents, Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District 30 County Sustainability Update, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District 31 For Moisture, Consider Mulch, By Tony Tomeo SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Meet Bamboo!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Love & Loss: Memorial Concert Honors Those Lost to Covid “Love and Loss,” a memorial concert honoring the victims of Covid-19 in Santa Cruz, will take place Sunday, Sept. 24, at Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., Santa Cruz, featuring pianist John Orlando at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. by UC Santa Cruz music professor Anatole Leikin.

The program includes Mazurkas, Etudes, Ballade No. 3, the “Funeral March” Sonata by Frederic Chopin and Alexander Scriabin’s Nocturne for the Left Hand.

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Orlando is instructor emeritus at Cabrillo College where he was head of the piano department for a generation. He is the director of the Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series, which he founded in 1985, and he was one of the first recipients of the Gail Rich Award for community service in the arts in Santa Cruz County.

He has performed with the San Jose, Santa Cruz County and Fresno symphonies, and the Cabrillo Festival in Santa Cruz.

A founding member of the Johannes Trio, Orlando toured California with the Akademos Quartet from Warsaw, Poland, in a performance of the Shostakovich Piano Quintet.

He has performed concertos by Mozart with the San Francisco Sinfonietta at Herbst Hall in San Francisco.

And he has performed in Australia, Brazil, Ecuador and Italy.

Orlando describes the upcoming concert as “one of the major performances of my career” as it has been nearly half a century since he has given a full solo recital.

“Due to the forced isolation during the pandemic, I used the time to hone my skills and to research every possible approach to piano technique and interpretation,” he said. “It has been a labor of love of many hours of experimentation, trial and error, growth and discovery. I now feel that I am at the peak of my expressive powers and I want to share my love for music with my community in a meaningful way.”

John Orlando

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reviewer was impressed by his performance of Beethoven Concerto No. 3: “From the thundering rolls of the minor keys to the single notes in the higher registers on which he seemed to hold his listeners breathlessly suspended on his fingertips, he played with rich theatricality, even going so far as to purposefully hesitate at times to eek the last bit of drama out of single notes.”

Leikin, professor emeritus of music at UCSC, is the author of critically acclaimed books The Performing Style of Alexander Scriabin and The Mystery of Chopin’s Préludes. He has performed extensively as a solo and chamber pianist, fortepianist, and harpsichordist; he has also recorded the piano music of Scriabin, Chopin, and Cope.

A donation of $30 or more is requested.

Any amount is appreciated, and no guest will be turned away. n ••• Tickets and donations: www.distinguished artists.org • Info: 831-539-0000 or joorland@ gmail.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Colegio Horizontes: New Classrooms!

From Impossible to Possible in Guatemala

Editor’s Note: We have big news from Limitless Horizons IXIL, a nonprofit in Guatemala founded by Bonny Doon native Katie Morrow.

••• olegio Horizontes has been years in the making, and now it has come to fruition, forever changing the educational landscape in Chajul.

We celebrated the Chajul grand opening on July 20 with nearly 300 people joining from near and far for this joyful occasion!

Our students and team gratefully welcomed parents, board members, donors, our construction partners Building Goodness Foundation and Design Develop, program partners including MAIA, UNESCO, Miracles in Action, and Ministry of Education representatives, to all be part of this incredible celebration.

The event included student participation and performances, speeches, a celebratory lunch for all, and of course the ribbon cutting.

Executive Director and Co-Founder Katie Morrow said, “The most important part is… the great work that the teachers, mentors, and Limitless Horizons Ixil local team are doing. The important work is what parents are doing to support their children with their love and care, traditions, and good nutrition. And above all, it is the work that each student is doing to learn, build their confidence, leadership, and resilience during difficult times, and chase their dreams.

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“I want to thank everyone who has supported us to get to this point. I could only plant a seed, but our team, teachers, parents, the community, our two boards of directors, partners, foundations, and donors have supported giving water, sun, and a lot of love so that this seed has grown to be this school.”

Courtney Polk, executive director of Building Goodness Foundation, says, “I wish I had a way to accurately share with you what it was like to be at that school on the day of the dedication ceremony. For the last 18 months, I have seen photos and videos of this project taking shape, and I felt like I knew the building inside and out.

But truly—nothing could have prepared me for being there in person.

“My breath caught in my throat as I caught my first glimpse of the campus.

Nestled right into the mountainside, the buildings fit perfectly, like they were meant to be there all along. Without air conditioning, the bright, open school rooms were cool, perfectly positioned so that the breeze blew effortlessly through the windows.

“Children literally danced on the patios and ran down the corridors, laughing with glee. Teachers and administrators busily moved into their offices, positioned furniture, and hung decorations with joyful hugs and tears.

Art &Play

in the Pre & K!

Thursday, September 22, 10:00am

Please join us to learn about Mount Madonna School’s unique approach to early childhood education, Montessori lessons, gardening, art, baking, music and lots of outdoor exploration.

A few spots still open for the 2022-23 school year RSVPs encouraged Contact: admissions@mountmadonnaschool.org or (408) 846-4042 PRESENTING SPONSOR

“Guatemala School” page 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 • 11 AM - 3PM HEART OF SOQUEL PARK (BEHIND THE POST OFFICE IN SOQUEL VILLAGE) HANDS ON DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES ABOUT WATER, FREE FACE PAINTING AND PERFORMANCE BY THE BANANA SLUG STRING BAND HOSTED BY: Katie Morrow (center) is all smiles during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Gutierrez Consultants

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Help Oyama Compete at World Skate Games W hen you think of women in skateboarding, you think of Judi Oyama.

And now she’s qualified on the U.S. Skateboard Slalom team to compete at the World Skate Games Oct. 24-Nov. 13 in Argentina.

Her event will be Oct. 27-30.

She goes to CrossFit Aptos 5 days a week —starting at 6 a.m. — to keep in shape.

“I never thought I would still be skateboarding let alone competing and representing the USA at almost 63 years old,” she says.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she attended school in Aptos — Mar Vista Elementary, Aptos Jr. High, Aptos High.

She started skating in her driveway at 13 on a board her brother made in woodshop. A few years later, she entered her first slalom competition and promptly crashed, but kept Judi Oyama racing–bloody elbow pad, bandages and all. Within a few months, Judi was skating with world champion John Hutson.

As the only female competitor at the inaugural Capitola Classic in 1977, she finished eighth. The next year, Judi finished mid-pack, beating Duane Peters and Tony Alva. The night before that 1978 race, Alva was hanging out at NHS and asked where he could practice.

“We went to a remote winding patch of clean Nor Cal roadway and shot the entire three-mile ride from the

top,” she recalls. “Near the bottom, T.A. looked over his shoulder and was surprised that I was right on his tail. He flashed me a grinning nod of approval. That moment has kept me racing to this day.”

At Aptos High, she had a zero period physical education skateboard class (this was in the late 70’s). She also took an Independent Studies skateboard class at Cabrillo College.

“I had great teachers and people that have supported my passion for skateboarding,” she says.

Her skateboarding put her in the Aptos High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2018, she made the national Skateboard Hall of Fame.

For Oyama, the opportunity to represent her country has been a lifelong dream.

However, USA Skateboarding does not have the funding to support its athletes. The high cost of travel and registration is each skater’s responsibility.

To support local skater Judi Oyama to compete at the World Skate Games in Argentina in October, make a tax-deductible donation through La Costa Racing, a 501c nonprofit.

See: www.lacostaracing.com/donate-to-worlds, or mail a check made out to “La Costa Racing” to 2148 Inyo St., Los Osos CA 93402. Be sure to put Argentina @ Judi Oyama on the memo line. You’ll receive your tax receipt for your records upon completion of your donation. n ••• For more on the competition, see: www.boardriding.com/ events/world-skate-games-argentina-2022

Judi Oyama heads down the ramp.

Photo Credit: Patrick Lehrmann

Santa Cruz County Residents: Chipping Funds for Wildfire Safety

T

he Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County offers neighborhoods with eight or more participating households a reimbursement of chipping costs for creating defensible space for wildfire preparedness.

The program is open to Santa Cruz County residents in the Wildland Urban Interface, which has potential for wildfire to impact their properties. Early-bird registration opens July 25 for FireWise USA communities; other neighborhoods can apply through Sept 30.

All chipping must be completed by Oct. 30. A neighborhood representative can sign up to reserve funds, first-come, first served, at www.rcdsantacruz.org/ chipping-programs.

Each property must clear vegetation within 100 feet of occupied structures or 10 feet on either side of a private road that could contribute to the start or spread of wildfire.

The general concept is trees should be kept farthest from the house, shrubs can be closer, and lawns and bedding plants can be the closest.

If your landscaping is different, improve defensibility by keeping larger trees limbed up and shrubs free of dead, dry material.

Fire crews are more likely to prioritize defending your property if you have taken steps to limit fuel loads around your buildings.

Funding is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program. n ••• For info email chipping@rcdsantacruz.org or call Matt Abernathy at (831) 464-2950 x28

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Pure Water Soquel Earns $21 Million Grant O n Aug. 24, the Soquel Creek Water District announced a $20,925,000 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the Pure Water Soquel groundwater replenishment and seawater intrusion prevention project.

This funding is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the planning, design, and construction of water reuse projects.

“The District continues to successfully gain remarkable levels of support for Pure Water Soquel from funding agencies, aimed at providing a drought-resilient, clean, and sustainable water supply and bringing ever-greater benefit to our ratepayers,” said Dr. Tom LaHue, president of the District’s Board of Directors. “We are so grateful for this $21 million grant which, when added to the prior $9 million grant awarded under this grant program, represents a benefit of $2,000 per each of our 15,000 customer accounts. Many thanks to the Bureau of Reclamation for its strong support for preventing further seawater contamination and increasing water reuse in our region.”

The Pure Water Soquel project is the district’s primary means of creating a sustainable alternative water supply to

“Guatemala School” from page 5 “Across the campus, images of important Maya symbols are found etched on every door and gate, with paintings of the community’s rich history on walls around each corner. There is a respect for history in this place… an honoring and appreciation of the past that is alive and well.

“As we prepared for the ceremony, I watched the founder of the organization hug her mother with raw emotion, humble pride, and joy-filled amazement. I watched the school’s architect slowly walk the halls of his creation, gingerly touching the railings, coming face-to-face with the lives that are forever changed because of the thousands of hours he and his staff willingly gave.

“And while speeches were given and awards handed out, I watched a simple school building—sand, gravel, metal, glass, and wood—come alive. Alive with the dancing and singing of children, a simple dream of education is now a place that renews families, shifts legacies, and, in a generous offering, gives back hope and opportunity, year after year, for generations to come.”

María, a single mother to a Colegio

address the critically over-drafted Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin.

When more water is being pumped out than can be naturally replenished and the water level gets too low, seawater enters the basin and contaminates the drinking water supply. This is called seawater intrusion.

In August, more than $310 million was awarded to 25 projects in the west as part of the WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Act Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects program.

The federal program identifies opportunities to reclaim and reuse wastewaters and impaired ground and surface water in the 17 western states and Hawaii.

Along California’s central coast, some $54 million was provided for projects in Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, and Monterey, in addition to the grant for Pure Water Soquel.

The Soquel Creek Water District has received funding support for Pure Water Soquel from both the U.S. government and the State of California, including a $50 million State Proposition 1

Groundwater Implementation Grant; a $9 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation; a $2 million State planning grant; and low-interest loans through the State Seawater Intrusion Control Loan Program and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.

“As the Central Coast continues to feel the effects of the mega-drought in the American West, the federal government can play its part by ensuring the proper funding for agreed-upon projects at the local level to save and secure more sources of precious water. An important part of the solution are our local water district projects that already recycle, reclaim, reuse, and replenish our water supply,” said U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley. “The more than $20 million in federal funding that we just got from the bipartisan IIJA for the Soquel Creek Water District will not only help bolster the productivity of the project but also demonstrates the will of the federal government to help us buoy our drought

resiliency and water sustainability on the Central Coast.”

Construction of the project is well under way, with parts due for completion in 2023-2024.

It includes advanced water purification center, wastewater recycling equipment at the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility, eight miles of pipelines, and three seawater intrusion prevention wells.

Pure Water Soquel will take treated, recycled municipal wastewater and use advanced water treatment methods to produce up to 1,500 acre-feet of purified water annually. This purified water will then be sent to seawater intrusion prevention/recharge wells to replenish the over-drafted Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin.

This basin, the sole source of water for District customers and other MidCounty residents, is designated by the State of California as one of 21 basins in the state to be critically over-drafted.

Recharging the basin with purified, clean, safe water is expected to create and maintain a barrier against seawater contamination and provide a high-quality, reliable, and sustainable water supply for generations. n

Horizontes 7th grader, Joselina, has truly seen how different our school is from others. She sees the impact Colegio Horizontes has had on Joselina already, who is thinking more critically, building her confidence, full of ideas, and has newly developed Spanish language skills. She notes these advancements differ greatly from her cousin, who is older and attends another local school.

She also loves that Joselina has a full day of classes, compared to the typical Guatemalan school day of just 4-5 hours.

From the day she heard of it, María knew she wanted Joselina to attend Colegio Horizontes. She helped guide her through the application process, and since classes began, Maria always checks in with Joselina’s teachers to make sure she is doing well. María says, “I’m so grateful to participate in workshops so I can support my daughter’s education and help her secure a better future for herself.” María is thrilled that her daughter is working hard in school and excited that Colegio Horizontes is changing the community for the better.

We were thrilled to welcome our first visiting group to Chajul since pre-pandemic! Donors, governing and advisory board members, and volunteer teacher coaches joined us to celebrate the school

opening and work with students and teachers.

Interested in seeing Colegio Horizontes and meeting our students for yourself?

Email info@limitlesshorizonsixil.org to plan a visit while you are in Guatemala, or we can add you to the list for future group opportunities!

To all who helped make this school a reality, thank you, gracias, and t’an tiuxh!

See a student-led tour, reflections from board members, and highlights

from the grand opening speeches, student performances, and the ribbon cutting at https://limitlesshorizonsixil. org/notes-from-the-horizon/colegiohorizontes-grand-opening/ n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Contractors Give $20,000 to Gutzwiller Park T he County of Santa Cruz announces the Associated General Contractors of California and its member contractors Granite Construction, GraniteRock, and XL Construction have pledged $20,000 toward the Reimagining Willowbrook Park Project in memory of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.

The park refresh project will serve as a dedication to Gutzwiller, a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s sergeant killed in the line of duty on June 6, 2020.

“When AGC learned of the effort to honor Sgt. Gutzwiller’s memory at Willowbrook Park, our local members were eager to help. We hope this contribution assists in moving the memorial forward and encourage the community to support this important project,” said Chris O’Connor, vice president for AGC of California.

AGC presented the check to County Park Friends, the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, and the County Parks Department on Aug. 30, 2022 at Willowbrook Park.

“From the beginning of the reimagining of this park, the Associated General Contractors has been an active partner,”

County Supervisor Zach Friend said.

“Local landscapers, builders, and members of the trades have asked how they can help and they have delivered in a big way.”

AGC’s generous contribution will go toward a newly constructed flagpole that will be eternally flown on the south side of the park. As a part of this project,

the County of Santa Cruz has renamed the park in honor of Sgt. Gutzwiller, installed two new monument signs, and improved landscaping at the park’s entrance.

In addition to the flagpole, planned improvements include a new and more accessible playground structure and a memorial seating area to serve as a place of reflection for Damon’s loved ones and the greater community.

“Sgt. Gutzwiller’s legacy and dedication to his community will be forever felt in this park, said Kim Namba, deputy director for Santa Cruz County Parks.

“Community contributions like that of AGC’s are moving this project from vision to reality.”

Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, businesses, and organizations in Santa Cruz County, County Park Friends and the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association have partnered to raise over $250,000 for this park.

Opportunities to be a part of this special project are still available. For information, visit countyparkfriends.org/ willowbrook. n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

O

State Bill Aims to Prevent Homeless Shuffling

n Aug. 25, the Legislature approved a measure authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Woodland Hills) to address the state’s homelessness crisis by making crucial changes to shelter and motel occupancy policy. If signed by Gov. Newsom, Assembly Bill 1991, would prevent homeless individuals from being needlessly moved into new shelters every 30 days.

“Addressing California’s homelessness crisis requires not only more resources, but also better strategy and coordination,” said Gabriel. “This common-sense bill will help to cut through red tape and streamline bureaucracy so that our service providers can better serve homeless students and families.”

Currently, thousands of people experiencing homelessness in California are participating in shelter programs, which allow them to reside temporarily in motels, hotels, and other sites.

Many hotels and motels resort to shuffling people between rooms or removing people from their properties every four weeks to avoid creating a landlord-tenant

“This common-sense bill will help to cut through red tape and streamline bureaucracy so that our service providers can better serve homeless students and families.”

— Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Woodland Hills)

relationship. This shuffling practice is disruptive to participants—particularly families with young children enrolled in neighborhood schools—and needlessly consumes the resources of service providers who must constantly work to find new accommodations.

Some motels and hotels do not participate in shelter programs out of concern they will establish unwanted landlord-tenant relationships, thus limiting the availability of viable properties.

Participants in these programs often lack clear guidance, leading to potentially arbitrary removals that needlessly put individuals back on the street.

AB 1991 makes it clear that motels and hotels can provide lodging to individuals enrolled in shelter programs for longer than 30 days without establishing a tenant-landlord relationship.

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In cases of removals from motels and hotels, shelter programs would make reasonable efforts to provide an exit plan for participants that includes referrals to other available lodging and transportation assistance.

Finally, the bill creates processes and protections for individuals participating in these programs to ensure they are not removed from shelter programs without due process.

“As a proud co-sponsor of AB 1991, LA Family Housing is deeply thankful for the leadership of Assemblymember Gabriel on this critical issue,” said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, president and chief executive officer, LA Family Housing. “As one of L.A. County’s largest homeless services providers that helps nearly 12,000 individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness each

year, LAFH knows firsthand the negative impacts shuffling has on families, who are forced to relocate through no fault of their own.

AB 1991 creates much needed protection for shelter program participants while ensuring clarity for both service providers and motel and hotel operators.

We urge Gov. Newsom to sign this muchneeded legislation.”

“AB 1991 will provide much needed clarification for shelter and Interim Housing programs operating in motels and hotels,” said Kristina Dixon, acting co-executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. “Program participants will no longer be subject to ‘shuffling,’ or be asked to move between rooms every 29-days. This bill is smart legislation and will protect participants from being prematurely exited from the program and more importantly, help homeless service providers focus on securing permanent housing for unhoused families.”

The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk, where it must be acted on by Sept. 30. n

NATIONAL NEWS

At Some Point in Life, Everybody Needs Help How a Shelter in Washington, D.C. Tackles Homelessness

D

espite being one of the country’s wealthiest metropolitan areas, our nation’s capital has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. And for ordained pastor Joseph Mettimano, that is not okay. As the head of Central Union Mission, the oldest private social services agency in Washington, D.C., Mettimano says what makes his organization unique is its holistic approach.

“We are not just trying to put a BandAid on homelessness and urban poverty, we’re actually trying to solve it,” he said.

He discussed the issue on an episode of the Coffee with Closers podcast.

To tackle the homelessness crisis, Central Union Mission takes a “wraparound” approach that extends beyond providing basic food and shelter.

“We actually are trying to come side by side with some of these guys who really want to get off of the street and figure out, okay, what does this man need to be able to leave here in a year and a half and be able to live independently? So, we are addressing things like addictions, psychological health, job training and education. There’s a variety of things that we do,” said Mettimano.

Central Union Mission — www.missiondc.org — started out as a homeless shelter for Civil War veterans. Today, the faith-based nonprofit has evolved considerably.

In addition to operating a homeless shelter that provides beds for up to 170 men each night, the organization also serves underserved women, children, families and veterans living in Greater Washington with medical, dental, psychiatric, job training and other support services. They also have a food

pantry which serves about 5,000 people a month and a summer camp for underserved children. And while Central Union Mission’s greatest area of service impact is the District, their services are open to anyone.

Mettimano discussed some of the ways Central Union Mission was able to carry out its mission during the COVID-19 pandemic while not having a single Covid case in its facility for two years until the Omicron variant came along.

They were among the first shelters in Washington, D.C. to use touchless thermometers and even installed a walkthrough sanitization portal that uses Far-UVC light that inactivates bacteria and viruses on clothing and goods in seconds.

It was donated to the Mission in May of 2020 by Washington Capitals star center Lars Eller.

And, in a continued show of support from the community, Passport Auto Group

COMMUNITY NEWS

Independent Sheriff’s Auditor Coming

T

he County of Santa Cruz is exploring establishment of an independent auditor to provide oversight of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office investigations of complaints by members of the public, internal affairs investigations and use of force investigations.

The move, recommended by Sheriff Jim Hart, was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors in January.

This follows a report by the Santa Cruz County Criminal Justice Council examining local policing practices across numerous jurisdictions and the passage of AB 1185

The move, recommended

by Sheriff Jim Hart, was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors in January.

donated a new truck to help the organization with its job-training program.

As for the challenges that persist for the homeless and underserved, Mettimano cites “predatory” drugs, like synthetic marijuana, mental and emotional health struggles and COVID-19 job loss.

“A lot of people lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and most of the people who lost their jobs are on that lower end of the economic spectrum,” he said. “And if just 10% of those people who lost their jobs end up getting evicted, there’s going to be an explosion in homelessness here in the nation’s capital.”

In response to the ongoing impact of COVID, the Mission introduced the Comprehensive Family Resource Center, which is exponentially expanding the availability of job training and placement and other wraparound services.

Mettimano was called to serve others at a young age when he saw his late mother, who was homeless at one point, give money to a homeless man. When he asked her why she did that, her response was simple: “You know, Joey, at some point in life, everybody needs help.” n ••• Pinkston News Service Photo Courtesy of Central Union Mission

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allowing for the establishment of independent oversight over county sheriffs.

The audits are designed to ensure that the Sheriff’s Office investigations are conducted thoroughly and objectively On Aug. 30, the County hosted a community meeting via Zoom to collect feedback prior to issuing a request for proposals. n

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Moms Demand Action Founder Applauds Gun Safety Laws O n Aug. 24, the California Legislative Gun Violence Prevention Working Group, chaired by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), met with Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts to discuss efforts to pass new gun safety laws in California.

This meeting follows a tragic series of gun violence incidents and spike in mass shootings across the country— including Uvalde, Texas; Buffalo, New York; Highland Park, Illinois; Sacramento, California; Brooklyn, New York; Laguna Woods, California; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. So far, there have been 300 mass shootings in 2022. The surge in gun violence comes as firearm purchases rose to record levels in 2020 and 2021, with more than 43 million guns estimated to have been purchased. The rate of gun deaths is at the highest level since 1995, with more than 45,000 fatalities each year.

“Our grassroots army of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers are proud to work with these gun sense champions to pass lifesaving and innovative new laws to tackle our gun violence epidemic,” said Watts, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. “It was an honor to meet with such passionate leaders today to celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made and prepare for future efforts to come.”

“While Congressional Republicans have blocked progress on many commonsense reforms, the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group has worked tirelessly to advance new gun safety measures at the

state level,” said Gabriel. “We are proud of these new laws and are committed to continuing to do everything in our power next year to ensure that California leads the nation in preventing mass shootings and gun violence.”

“Our No. 1 job as legislators is to keep our communities safe—and on the issue of gun violence, our country is failing horrifically,” said Wicks. “While we have strong gun violence prevention laws here in California, there’s still so much more that can be done. We must do everything in our power under state law to strengthen protections for our communities, and be an example for other state legislatures to take action where federal policy is falling short.”

The Legislative Gun Violence Prevention Working Group was founded in 2019 by a group of impassioned lawmakers frustrated by a lack of action from the Trump administration. Since then, the Working Group has successfully passed numerous new gun safety laws, secured millions in funding for violence prevention programs, and reached out to other states to strengthen cooperation on gun safety measures.

The bills advanced by the Working Group this session include: • Assembly Bill (AB) 2156 by Assemblymember Wicks: closes loopholes that currently allow individuals and corporations to manufacture large numbers of firearms without complying with standard manufacturer requirements • AB 1929 by Assemblymember Gabriel: expands funding for lifesaving gun violence prevention efforts by providing Medi-Cal reimbursement for violence prevention programs

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

• AB 2571 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda): prohibits the marketing of firearms to children and minors • AB 452 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale): requires the California Department of Education to provide notifications to schools and parents regarding safe firearm storage • AB 1621 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson): increases public safety by further restricting “ghost guns” and the parts and kits used to build them, while protecting the rights of legal gun owners in California • AB 2551 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento): requires the Department of Justice to notify local law enforcement of attempted firearms and ammunition purchases by prohibited persons • AB 2552 by Assemblymember McCarty: ensures proper background checks and increases the safety and oversight of gun shows in California • Senate Bill (SB) 915 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine): enacts a total ban on gun shows held on all state property, including California’s 74 fairgrounds • SB 1384 by Senator Min: strengthens gun dealer safety standards by requiring federally licensed firearm dealers to carry general liability insurance and on-site digital surveillance systems to prevent illegal sales • AB 1594 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco): empowers California citizens, the California

Attorney General, and local governments to sue manufacturers and sellers of firearms for the harm caused by their products when state law isn’t followed “I applaud Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing my bill AB 1621 (ban on ghost guns) into law and for his leadership and unwavering commitment to justice and improving the safety and overall quality of life for all Californians,” said Gipson.

“In countless communities in the state of California and across the nation, gun violence is at its worst, and the biggest fear for our families is that it reaches someone they know and love. Public safety must not be taken for granted, and we must stand together and continue to implement solutions, like AB 1621, to eradicate the rampant wildfire of gun violence currently ravaging our streets and safe-havens.”

“As other states roll back gun-safety measures following the SCOTUS ruling earlier this summer, California is working harder to ensure firearms are safely stored away from children and teens,” said Friedman. “The fact that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in this country is inexcusable. We know that safe storage can save lives. That’s why I am so pleased that after three long years, AB 452, my bill to annually notify parents of safe gun-storage laws, is finally crossing the finish line.” n ••• For more on Moms Demand Action, see https://www.everytown.org/ Founder Shannon Watts is on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shannonrwatts/?hl=en

COMMUNITY NEWS

Recovered at Pearl Harbor After 71 Years Editor’s note: Petty Officer Garcia was accounted for in May, but his family only recently received a full briefing, which is why this information was released.

••• n Aug. 17, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Navy Shipfitter 2nd Class Claude R. Garcia, 25, of Ventura, killed during World War II, was accounted for on May 12, 2022.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Garcia was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft.

The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, but timely counter-flooding measures taken by the crew prevented it from capsizing, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Garcia.

During efforts to salvage the USS West Virginia, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crewmen, representing at least 66 individuals. Those who

O

Claude R. Garcia

could not be identified, including Garcia, were interred as unknowns at the National

Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

From June through October 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in cooperation with cemetery officials, disinterred 35 caskets reported to be associated with the USS West Virginia from the Punchbowl and transferred the remains to its laboratory.

To identify Garcia’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Garcia’s name is recorded in the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Garcia will be buried in his hometown. n ••• For more information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit www.dpaa.mil.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

SC Shakespeare in 2023: Shrew, Lear & Will S anta Cruz Shakespeare, a nationally recognized professional theater company in Santa Cruz County with local roots that go back more than 40 years, announces the selection of three plays for its summer 2023 repertory season: Taming of the Shrew, King Lear and Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will. Performances will take place in the Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) in DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz.

“Over the past nine years, during my tenure as artistic director, we have been confronted with the reality of just how tenuous our democracy is, how eager some factions of our country are to strip away the rights of their fellow citizens, and how authority can be wielded as a weapon,” said Mike Ryan, artistic director, Santa Cruz Shakespeare. “The two Shakespeare plays of our 2023 season plunge us deeply into the middle of the unsettling fragility of our present moment.”

In Shakespeare’s The Taming of the

Shrew, characters struggle against the roles they have been prescribed, be they by gender, class, or age. While the results of these struggles provide hilarious moments, they leave us with unsettling questions about the human cost of maintaining the status quo. Santa Cruz Shakespeare will take a hard look at what this text has to say today when women’s rights are under attack.

Shakespeare’s King Lear charts a monarch’s disturbing descent into madness, explores how the craving for power can shatter kingdoms and families, and paints a chilling picture of the plight of humanity.

King Lear will mark Paul Whitworth’s debut at The Grove in the title role.

“As always, Santa Cruz Shakespeare will infuse classic Shakespeare plays with our own creative and modern variations and surprises, which both delight and enthrall audiences who might expect traditional renditions of the classics,” said Larry Mabrey, managing director, Santa Cruz Shakespeare. “Our 2023 productions will appeal to people of all backgrounds and interests, whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast or not.”

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

Rounding out the season is The Book of Will, an awardwinning 2018 play that tells the funny and moving story of the two actors who worked to preserve Shakespeare’s legacy with the first published compilation of the playwright’s works in 1623, seven years after his death.

Mike Ryan, SCS’s current artistic director, and Charles Pasternak, incoming artistic director, will play the roles of John Heminges and Henry Condell, who collected Shakespeare’s texts.

Next year will mark the 400th anniversary of the first printing of Shakespeare’s works, and this production will be part of a broader celebration of that achievement in conjunction with UC Santa Cruz’s Shakespeare Workshop.

Become a member of Shakespeare Santa Cruz to support the 2023 season and its education programs: Student Matinee Program, which brings high school students from Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties to The Grove to experience live theatre; the new Shakespeare and Social

Justice Program; study guides for a selection of Shakespeare’s plays to enhance school curricula; and the Undiscovered Shakespeare Zoom reading each year.

The education programs also support the Fringe Show, an all-intern production giving young artists an opportunity to showcase their talents. SCS Members enjoy pre-sales, ticket discounts, early admission, free parking, free drinks and cushioned seats. n ••• Tickets will be on sale in early 2023 at https://santacruzshakespeare.org/ or by calling the Box Office at (831) 460-6399.

California Statewide Fire Summary

A

As of September 13, 2022

s of this morning, there are 8,367 firefighters making progress on 11 major wildfires and three extended attack wildfires in California. Yesterday, firefighters also responded to 30 new initial attack wildfires across the state and achieved full containment on one major fire.

Since the beginning of the year, 335,682 acres have burned in California. While firefighters continue battling the current major wildfires, CAL FIRE and fire departments across the state remain prepared for potential more significant wildfires.

Northern California will see high risk for abundant lightning in eastern areas this afternoon and evening combined with critically dry fuels and breezy west to southwest winds which will strengthen on Tuesday.

Upper level troughing will gradually deepen through the week bringing near to slightly below normal temperatures as

well as moderating relative humidity and breezier west to southwest winds.

Southern California will see numerous scattered showers and wet thunderstorms again today, some of which will produce heavy rain. However, moisture from “Kay” will begin to retreat today. Temperatures will trend downward the next few days with locally breezy weather returning to the deserts. Temperatures today will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s in the valleys and up to 105 in the low deserts.

California historically experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in the months of September and October. Do not let your guard down! n ••• To learn more ways on how to prevent sparking a wildfire, visit www.ReadyFor Wildfire.org.

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

SEPTEMBER 2022

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

THE MARKET IS STALLED! As of 9/06, there are 35 Active Single Family listings in Aptos and the Average Days on Market is now up to 53 days! (versus the beginning of year when almost 100% of homes on the market were selling in <14 days). Average List Price is $2,182,454 and Median List Price is $1,800,000.

This compares to the Median Sales Price of homes sold in Aptos in the past 30 days at $1,400,000. So there is a significant gap in asking price versus sales price now, and days on market continue to grow.

The High Sale last month was 2240 Pleasant Valley at $4,450,000 (4 bed, 3.5 bath, 5250 SF on 3.5 acres) after 188 days on market. High sale in Rio Del Mar was 611 Bayview, (4 bed, 4 bath, 2170SF) sold for $2,925,000 after 25 days on market and an original list price of $3,250,00.

Low sale was 208 Cloister (1 bed, 1 bath, 573SF) for $645,000 after 45 days on market. There were 248 Active listings in the county as of 9/06, and the Average Days on Market is up to 63 days!

The Average List price for the County is $1,965,438 and the Median List Price is $1,499,000. With the long days on market, it is a good time to be a Buyer as there should be a lot more room for negotiation. There is some hope amongst relators that perhaps the summer slowdown is ‘over’, and that the fall will pick up again; time will tell.

INTEREST RATES As of 9/06, Bankrate.com quotes the National Avg. 30yr-Fixed Mortgage Rate is 5.95% and both the 15-year and 10-year ARMS are also over 5.25%.

FALL CLEANING IDEAS It’s that time of year to prepare for winter, even though we are having a heat spell.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Awards to Bill Monning, Dana Kent, Hugo Morales, Damian Trujillo T he Center for Community Advocacy’s 29th annual “Dia de Los Muertos” tardeada (afternoon party) and awards ceremony will take place Nov. 4 in CSU-Monterey Bay’s Otter Student Union Ballroom.

The event will honor the 2022 recipients of CCA’s Ben Heller Award, retired State Sen. Bill Monning and Dr. Dana Kent, M.D., and Volunteer Hero Award, journalist Hugo Morales of Radio Bilingue, known among the farmworker community for broadcasting important public affairs.

CCA bestows the awards Hugo Morales annually to those who have shown courage, leadership and a strong commitment to the farmworker community.

CCA will honor Monning’s efforts to create safe and equitable work environments for agricultural workers. Senate Bill No. 1087 protects farmworkers and creates a safe work environment and Senate Bill No. 168 gave farmworkers the ability to get back the wages they were entitled to.

CCA will honor Dr. Kent for improving the health conditions of all patients, including the farmworker community.

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The Sam Karas Farmworker Leadership Award will go to Emmy-winning NBC Bay Area News reporter, host and producer Damian Trujillo, who will serve as event emcee.

A Greenfield native, Trujillo worked with his family in the agricultural fields of the Salinas Valley, picking garlic, broccoli, cucumbers and strawberries.

Each year on March 31, Trujillo celebrates Cesar Chavez Day by honoring the birth and legacy of the late civil

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rights and labor movement activist by feeding farmworkers.

Family, friends and students gather to make sack lunches to distribute to 250 farmworkers as a thank you for their tireless work. Each year the Trujillo family awards a college scholarship to the son or daughter of a farmworker in Greenfield.

Trujillo’s life is depicted in the 2012 half-hour documentary “From the Fields: An American Journey.”

CCA has much to celebrate, including completing yet another year of training farmworkers in leadership roles that enable them to negotiate with their landlords for improvements in their housing units.

Those same skills have empowered these farmworker leaders to become purveyors of preventive health information at their housing sites and teach farmworker parents to read in Spanish. n

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CALIFORNIA NEWS

AG: Holocaust Descendants Should Get Stolen Art Back O n July 7, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced filing an amicus brief in support of the Cassirer family’s efforts to recover a painting stolen from them by Nazis during the Holocaust.

The oil painting — an 1897 work

by French impressionist Jacob Abraham Camille Pissarro entitled Rue SaintHonoré in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain — is on display at the ThyssenBornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain.

In the friend-of-the-court brief, the Attorney General highlights the state’s strong interest in helping Holocaust victims and their descendants seek justice and urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to reverse a lower court ruling that blocked the family’s lawsuit seeking the return of the painting.

“While nothing can undo the horrors the Cassirer family and millions of Jews suffered during the Holocaust, the simple act of returning a family heirloom is the right — and legally sound — thing to do,” said Bonta.

“Finders keepers might work on a playground, but it shouldn’t work in a court of law. My office respectfully urges the Ninth Circuit to apply our state’s laws and support a California family’s fight to recover a painting unjustly stolen by Nazis.”

In 1939, Lilly Cassirer Neubauer and her husband sought to flee Nazi Germany in the face of increasing persecution. To obtain exit visas, they were forced to “sell” the painting in question to a Nazi art appraiser. Although they later received monetary compensation from the German government, the Cassirer family never waived their right to seek restitution or the return of the lost painting.

Unbeknownst to the family, the painting was sold to a dealer in Beverly Hills in 1951, subsequently sold to a Missouri art dealer in 1952, re-sold to a Dutch-born Swiss Baron in 1976, and finally purchased by the Kingdom of Spain in 1992.

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Mount Madonna Seniors Earn College Board Honors T

hree seniors at Mount Madonna as adapting to more structured learning School, Mariah Cohen, Cecily environments.”

Kelly and Zoey Ocampo-SobThree more students received koviak, are among 62,000 students College Board awards based on sophnationwide awarded academic omore and junior year AP honors from the College Board testing: National Recognition Programs Grade 11: Sandy Astone, for achievements in school and AP Scholar; Samuel Kaplan, AP outstanding performance on Scholar with Distinction; and the PSAT 10, and/or Advanced grade 12, Benjamin Pearson, AP Placement exams.

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“Stolen Art” from page 15 In 2000, a descendant of the Cassirer family who had moved to San Diego in 1980 discovered that the painting was on display at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and promptly filed a petition with the Kingdom of Spain seeking its return.

When the petition was rejected, the family filed a lawsuit in California in 2005 asserting property claims under California law. Over the years, the case worked its way through the courts and was ultimately remanded back to the Ninth Circuit by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21 for further consideration.

Under California law, victims of art theft are entitled to make their claims against museums in possession of stolen art for up to six years after discovery.

In the amicus brief, Bonta asserts: • The district court misidentified the relevant laws in reaching its decision; • California’s interests will be more substantially impaired by an adverse ruling; • Because many wrongs occurred in multiple jurisdictions, the painting’s current location is not as important; • California’s modern law on recovering stolen art from museums outweighs Spain’s older adverse possession law; and • Applying California’s law will achieve the maximum attainment of the underlying purpose of all the relevant laws based on the parties’ expectations. n ••• Read the amicus brief at https://tinyurl. com/CAAG-return-holocaust-painting.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Wiyot Tribe Acquires 46 Acres

n a ceremony Aug. 12 in Humboldt, the Wiyot Tribe and its partners, including the Ocean Protection Council and Cal Poly Humboldt, celebrated the purchase of one of the last pieces of undeveloped coastal wetland and upland near the bay.

The 46 acres, known as Mouralherwaqh or wolf’s house, will be preserved for the cultural significance to the Wiyot Tribe and the environmental importance to the area.

During the ceremony, Wiyot Tribal Chair Ted Hernandez, emphasized the momentousness of the land return, “This is how we make change in today’s world.”

The Tribe acquired the land with support from the Ocean Protection Council, a cabinet-level state policy body within the California Natural Resources Agency.

The Ocean Protection Council awarded Proposition 1 funds to the project through a targeted coastal environmental justice solicitation.

The solicitation provided a firsttime dedicated pathway for state investment in multi-benefit projects that improve water quality, ecosystem health, and climate resilience for communities burdened by environmental injustice.

“We are grateful and humbled to have played a role in returning this land to the Wiyot Tribe,” said OPC deputy director, Jenn Eckerle. “This acquisition advances OPC’s strategic priorities to improve equity and environmental justice, but most importantly, it’s a significant milestone in reconnecting the Tribe to its ancestral lands and waters and using cultural knowledge and practices to restore and conserve nature along the coast.”

Benefits from the project are likely to accrue for generations as the Tribal Council actively engages in project development and provides input for future visioning of Mouralherwaqh as a culturally important gathering place for tribal members and as a vital ecosystem.

By protecting and restoring the coastal uplands and wetlands in the area, improving water quality, and removing invasive species, this project also supports the state’s commitment to protect biodiversity and conserve 30 percent of our lands and coastal waters by 2030.

“The return of ancestral lands and conserving culturally and ecologically important places are core commitments of the California Natural Resources Agency in our Nature-Based Solutions work,” said Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs Geneva E. B. Thompson.

“We are thankful for the Wiyot Tribe’s leadership in the protection of Mouralherwaqh and its important resources

and excited to see these lands returned to the Tribe and their stewardship.”

The Tribe will work with Cal Poly Humboldt, Humboldt Baykeeper, and other partners towards the ecocultural and environmental goals for the land. Together, they will develop and implement a restoration plan for the site prioritizing cultural connection and water quality protection.

To view the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean, visit www.opc.ca.gov. n For info about the land return, visit now.humboldt.edu/news/reclaiming-mouralh erwaqh-wiyot-tribe-acquires-coastal-propertycultural-and-water-quality

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COMMUNITY NEWS

2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year W

arden Austin Smith has been miles into the wildlife area and located named 2021 Wildlife Officer the injured, dehydrated and disoriented of the Year by the California woman. Smith transported the woman back to the parking lot where she was Department of Fish and Wildlife.

He started his wildlife officer career met and treated by paramedics.

And despite his short tenure in the in 2016 and has been an exceptional Law Enforcement Division, investigator, according to Warden Smith makes it a priCDFW. He works in the San ority to mentor probationary Diego area. wildlife officers as a POSTSmith’s investigations certified Field Training Officer. have involved many deer, wild He is also a designated arrest turkey and illegal firearms and control instructor, TASER violations. He also took the iniinstructor and evidence tiative to learn various aspects custodian. of unlawful commercial “Warden Smith is very fishing, becoming highly profideserving of this award for cient at Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel investigations. Warden Austin Smith his contributions to protecting In his first six years with CDFW, he our precious resources and keeping the citizens of California safe,” said David issued a total of 1,345 citations.

In addition to Warden Smith’s crime- Bess, CDFW deputy director and chief of solving skills, he has dedicated himself the Law Enforcement Division.

The best “thank you” Warden Smith to supporting public safety. In late 2019, Smith participated in a multi-agency could ever receive was back in 2021 in search and rescue mission at the CDFW- the parking lot of the Hollenbeck Canyon managed Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Wildlife Area.

A man approached him in the lot Area in rural San Diego County.

A woman who was hiking the and not immediately recognizing him, area had been reported missing by her described to Smith how he loved wildlife husband. Smith used traditional tracking officers.

The man said he was extremely skills by following her footsteps away from her parked vehicle. Tracking is a grateful to them as one had saved his skill lost to most of society and mastered lost wife’s life at the same wildlife area a few years earlier. That officer was indeed by even fewer.

Smith followed the tracks for several Warden Austin Smith. n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Crunchy Cabbage Salad T he Nourishing Generations Educational Project, an 11-year-old nonprofit based in Felton, is offering classes on healthy eating in August, September and October through WomenCARE. Karen Haralson, executive director of Nourishing Generations, calls this recipe “very tasty, versatile, easy to make salad that is very healthful.”

This colorful and satisfying salad goes well as a side dish for lunch or dinner or a base for an anytime meal or snack. Cabbage is a super food that promotes health and fights cancer.

••• Ingredients Salad 2 cups chopped green cabbage 2 cups chopped red cabbage 1 cup chopped or shredded carrots 1 apple, medium size, chopped 1 cup pepitas or other nuts – raw or lightly toasted Other ingredients as desired and as are available: Shredded broccoli, chopped jicama Sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers Dressing 1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin 3 Tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar or other vinegar, or lemon juice Optional: 1 tsp honey Spices as desired: Garlic, oregano, thyme, turmeric, salt, pepper ••• Add salad ingredients to a bowl and mix.

Whisk together dressing ingredients.

Adjust flavors & seasonings to taste.

Add enough of the dressing to lightly coat veggies. Mix. Save remaining dressing.*

Serve and enjoy. *Refrigerate the rest for up to 4 days.

••• Notes Modify as you like and according to ingredients on hand.

Enjoy as a side dish to a meal. Or add some protein, such as a hardboiled egg, cooked salmon or chicken for a complete meal.

For a time-saving option, buy preshredded veggies. n ••• For more recipes, see https://www. nourishinggenerations.org/healthy-eatingblog To learn more about WomenCARE, see https://fsa-cc.org/womencare/

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!

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

What Fuel Does Your Rental Vehicle Use? Mistakes To Avoid

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lease don’t do what Richard Rubin did to his rental car.

When he picked up his midsize sedan from Enterprise in Granada, Spain, an agent showed him the fuel tank cover was spring-operated and said the car took gasoline. But when Rubin found that the vehicle wasn’t big enough to fit three passengers in the back seat as described on Enterprise’s website, he asked for a minivan.

“The agent tapped on the fuel tank cover again to show me how to open it and told me it used gasoline,” says Rubin, an editor from New York City.

Something must have gotten lost in translation. When he filled the tank with gasoline a few days later, the engine sputtered to a stop. It turned out the minivan

By Christopher Elliott

only took diesel. Enterprise towed the van to a nearby mechanic for repairs. Rubin and his group paid 90 euros for a taxi ride to Granada.

The next day, while touring Granada’s historic Alhambra palace complex, Enterprise called Rubin with bad news: He needed to pay 1,500 euros for repairs, because misfueling a car constitutes negligence and is not covered by the company’s damage insurance.

The company later reduced his bill to 844 euros, including 100 euros for an “administrative fee” and 115 euros for a “loss of use” fee.

Rubin says he has no recollection of any warnings to only use diesel in the vehicle.

Misfueling one of the most common mistakes travelers make, particularly when traveling abroad. Yet a gas mix-up is entirely

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

avoidable. Vehicles often have warnings next to the tank that say “diesel fuel only,” although they may not be in English, and the fuel nozzles at some service stations will prevent you from using the wrong gas.

But never take someone’s word for it.

I asked Enterprise about Rubin’s case.

A representative promised to review his bill, but added that his experience offered a valuable lesson for other customers.

“Take the time to know the vehicle you are renting,” spokeswoman Lisa Martini told me. “Learn how to operate essential functions, like where the seat levers are located and how to operate the infotainment system.”

And, of course, what type of fuel the car requires.

If you’ve misfueled your car, there’s a way to reduce your costs. Ernesto Suarez, managing director of U.K. travel insurance company Halo Insurance

Services, says you can call a local garage to tow your rental car to the nearest service center. In Europe, draining and cleaning the engine cost about $300 and can take an entire day.

“It’s always good practice to contact the rental car company to let them know what you are up to,” Suarez adds.

Of course, misfueling isn’t the only common car rental mistake. They also include failing to take pictures of your car before and after your rental term, failing to plan for an extra driver and failing to understand the economics of rental cars.

“Always take pictures of all sides of the cars and inside the car to document any damage before pickup and after drop-off,” says Michael Stalf, managing director of Myonecar, a German car rental company.

“Rental Fuel” page 23

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Amazon: Competition or Partner?

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our small business may be considering selling your products through Amazon.

After all, Amazon is the world’s #1 online retailer and 3rd largest retailer - closing in on Walmart. Amazon is regularly in the news -- from their purchase of Whole Foods in August of 2017 followed by Ring systems, MGM studios and most recently, the Roomba robotics company.

Questions about how big they can get are swirling in Congress, so before you consider a partnership with Amazon, there may be a few things worthy of your consideration.

If you have a local store where you support the local community, your supportive customers may end up finding your products for sale on Amazon, and then potentially shop less frequently at your physical location. It’s likely that your current storefront also employs a number of people who depend on the sales from your business for their livelihood. As so many people use Amazon for their online

“Rental Fuel” from page 22 Why take vacation photos of your car?

Because your rental car company probably won’t. If it finds damage to your vehicle, it will hold you liable. By the way, if you find a ding, dent or scratch on your car when you pick it up, make sure it’s documented in your paperwork. Or better yet, ask for a different vehicle.

Some car rental companies have started to take pre- and post-rental images of their vehicles. Andy Abramson, a frequent business traveler, rented several cars in Europe this spring. Some companies have new scanning equipment that captures an image of your vehicle before you leave and when you return.

“Using artificial intelligence, they compare the photos to detect scratches, dings, dents and other damage to the car’s body and windscreen,” says Abramson, who runs a communications firm in Los Angeles.

Renters tend to forget that car rental companies charge hefty fees for additional drivers. For example, Hertz ​​charges $13.50 per day, a maximum of $189 per rental, for each additional driver. Julie Demaret, a

By Ron Kustek

purchases, you may end up trading out a portion of sales from your local physical store when selling online through Amazon. If there are shipping or product quality issues, your local customers may choose to bring the product back to your store to address the problem, and it will be up to you to determine if Amazon may have caused the damage to your item if they used faulty handling or packaging in their shipping.

But it goes a bit further than that. You see, Amazon is a data-driven company, and the wealth of information they have about the person who buys your product online is likely better information about your customer than you have.

Amazon can cross-reference every purchase that person makes and be able to generate a profile of that customer, all for the benefit of Amazon. If another seller on Amazon sells a similar product for less than you do, then Amazon will likely promote that seller’s item to the customer, so that the customer feels they are getting a better deal on a similar

product, all thanks to their friends at Amazon who are looking out for them by providing the lowest cost options available.

Amazon is also entering ‘brick & mortar’ retail, with their 4,000 square foot mini-variety store in New York featuring products chosen by Amazon, and only those that have obtained a minimum 4-star rating on Amazon. Products range from kitchen appliances to books, gifts, toys, and of course, Alexa-enabled devices. Oh yes, there are also products from Amazon Basics.

Remember we said Amazon is a datadriven company? Well, Amazon Basics are all Amazon-branded products ‘made’

by Amazon and only sold by Amazon.

So, if your company created and sold a coffee press on Amazon that people loved, it’s likely that Amazon analyzed all your reviews, including the improvements that customers may have wanted — and then created a coffee press of their own, with the improvements — in order to have their brand and product sell better than yours — both in the store and on the Amazon website!

It’s also likely they are able to sell

their ‘Amazon Basics’ coffee press for less than you can make and ship it to an Amazon warehouse — and also likely their ‘Amazon Basics’ item includes Alexa as an added feature!

Amazon is an amazing online sales platform that expands your online distribution opportunities — as well as being everyone’s competitor.

Amazon is a great business that benefits Amazon — even if in the short-run they are able to help you expand the sales of your business.

It can be a worthwhile ‘partner ’ — but be sure you are working with experts who know how Amazon operates, so you don’t find yourself fully dependent upon their company for the existence of yours. n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior executive at The Coca-Cola Company and small business entrepreneur currently teaching at Cabrillo College. Email him at rokustek@cabrillo.edu.

director at the car rental firm Rhinocarhire, says you need to think about the extra driver before you rent.

“If you want to share the driving, try to find an offer with a free additional driver,” she says. “It’s always cheaper to book beforehand than on arrival.”

And look out for upsells. For example, insurance can add $20 or more per day to the cost of your rental. But you can get car rental coverage for about half that from a traditional travel insurance company.

Allianz Travel Insurance has a product called Rental Car Damage Protector for $11 a day.

The insurance site iCarhireinsurance. com, which is operated by Halo Insurance, even sells a policy that covers you up to $1,200 for misfueling your car.

Make sure you understand the tricks of the trade, too. Car rental companies get busy during the summer. Nicole Gustas, a frequent traveler from Boston, couldn’t find a rental car in Los Angeles recently, so she used a strategy that became popular last summer: She rented a U-Haul truck for two days. Then she found an SUV through Enterprise at a remote, off-airport location.

“We wanted an economy car,” says Gustas, a marketing director for an insurance company. “But beggars can’t be choosers.”

She used another strategy to keep her car: The ability to extend her rental until the end of her trip, an option that many rental car customers don’t realize they have. Enterprise allowed her to do that, which solved her ground transportation problems.

Following the basic rules of car rental etiquette is particularly important now, not only because car rental companies have gotten stricter about adding cleaning fees for vehicles left dirty, but also because the continuing car rental shortage has resulted in fleets that are older than they’ve been in years.

“Etiquette is all about being mindful of other people, which certainly includes being mindful of the person who is going to be renting the car after you,” says Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the weekly podcast “Were You Raised By Wolves?”

Leighton says it comes down to common courtesy. Don’t smoke in your car. Clean up after yourself. “And if something breaks or

isn’t working right, let the rental company know when you return the vehicle. Don’t let the next renter discover the USB outlet has been flooded by root beer and needs to be fixed,” he says.

Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when it comes to your rental car is underestimating your budget.

“Be prepared to spend money,” warns Robert Walden, editor in chief of VehicleFreak.com, a car maintenance site. “Due to shrinking fleets, deferred maintenance on vehicles and many other factors, rental cars are at a premium today.”

Walden says higher prices aren’t the only thing to worry about. Vehicles will be in short supply, a sequel to last summer’s car rental shortage. That means some of us won’t even have the chance to make these common car rental mistakes. n ••• Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy and publisher of the consumer newsletter Elliott Confidential.

Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www.elliott.org/help. This story originally appeared in the Washington Post. © 2022 Christopher Elliott.

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

PVUSD Threat Protocols and Unvaccinated Teachers and Parents

During the Threat Assessment training for staff a SAVRY tool was mentioned.

Do we use this model? e do not use this exact model because we use the evidence-based model and threat response protocols developed for all Santa Cruz County Schools through the collaborative effort of law enforcement and school district communities.

This model is also included in our Comprehensive School Safety plan.

What is the difference between shelter in place, a lockdown and when we use the ALICE training? It doesn’t make sense to me.

Shelter in Place is called when there is a perceived threat that needs to be investigated. When there is a known threat, lockdown and/or ALICE procedures are initiated.

Purpose of Shelter in Place: The alert will be given to shelter-in-place when there is an emergency due to hazardous materials that may have been released into the atmosphere, when there is police activity in the surrounding area and/or when a perceived threat is reported on campus.

Specific Steps to Shelter-in-Place at School: 1) Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty and staff indoors. Once indoors, close and lock classrooms, bathroom, gym and office doors.

2) If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay — not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps immediately, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.

3) Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls.

4) Make announcements over the schoolwide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.

5) If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.

6) Provide directions to close and lock all

W

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Q&A With Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

windows, exterior doors and any other openings to the outside.

7) Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting and plastic garbage bags.

8) Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door and continue teaching.

9) Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in the community.

Purpose of ALICE: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (Critical Incident): To be initiated in the event of a hostile intruder, suspicious intruder, weapons, or hostage situation Immediate Action by School Staff: 1) ALERT: Notify school office staff and/ or administration if anything seems out of ordinary or any potential emergency condition could arise (i.e. Hostage, Hostile Intruder, Suspicious Intruder, Weapons).

2) State your name & location. Do not disconnect. Remain on telephone contact with the school office if it is safe to do so.

3) INFORM: Use plain language in description. Provide pertinent information on what you are observing or experiencing. Location, description of person(s) involved, conditions of visibility, what you are hearing, or any other information that could assist responders.

4) Decision: Based on the information above, and working within the ALICE Protocols, initiate a response appropriate to the situation. Lockdown/Counter or Evacuate to Safety. As the conditions or information changes, re-evaluate your response.

Your response may include; Lockdown, Counter, or Evacuate.

Immediate action by Site Administration & Officer Personnel: 1) ALERT: Take all notifications reported seriously. Anything that seems out of the ordinary or any potential emergency condition should be immediately investigated (i.e. Hostage, Hostile Intruder, Suspicious Intruder, Weapons). Report to Law Enforcement once identified as a threat.

2) INFORM: Call 911 and indicate you have an Active Shooter or Critical Incident happening and you need assistance immediately. Use clear and plain language.

Provide pertinent information concerning

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

what you are observing or experiencing.

Location of the event, description of person(s) involved, conditions of visibility, what you are hearing, or any other information that could assist responders.

3) INFORM: Using clear and plain language on the PA System to inform all there is an active situation on campus and to use ALICE Protocols. Share pertinent information regarding location, type of weapon, and description of individuals so they can make an informed response. If possible, remind staff that options could include: Lockdown, Counter, or Evacuate.

4) INFORM: District Office of the Active Situation and that you are currently in ALICE Protocols.

Following up on a question, why do unvaccinated teachers still need to test for COVID given the CDC’s new stance that the vaccinated and unvaccinated should be treated the same? We all now know the vaccine does not prevent infection nor transmission. ll employers, including school districts, are required to follow California Division of Occupational Safety and Health in California which currently requires all unvaccinated workers to test weekly.

If CalOHSA aligns their requirements to CDC and removes the testing requirement, PVUSD will also shift requirements to align with the new law. Until that time, PVUSD will follow CalOSHA requirements and test unvaccinated workers.

I would like to ask when unvaccinated parents will be allowed to return to sites & volunteer in classrooms and field trips? Are there any options for those opting out of vaccinations to be allowed to be involved in their children’s school/education? Perhaps testing prior to volunteering or going on a field trip?

Is the protocol for parents who are PVUSD employees and parents who are not different?

VUSD sees the benefit and impact that parent volunteers have on the classroom setting and their children. As noted above, CalOHSA requires all employers to test their unvaccinated workers weekly.

We have a system in place, through Inspire Diagnostic, to be able to easily test hundreds of students, staff and families each day. For our unvaccinated staff, we work within CalOSHA requirements to monitor, engage, and at times discipline staff if they are not complying with the law.

This is a time-consuming process for our site administrators & Human Resources Department. That is why, while we have the capacity to test everyone, we

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do not have the capacity to track hundreds of additional unvaccinated volunteers. As a county and as a District we are following the August 2021 State Public Health Order which is still in effect. The State Public Health Order states that volunteers are considered workers.

Here is the excerpt: “Worker” refers to all paid and unpaid adults serving in the school settings described in Section I. Workers include, but are not limited to, certificated and classified staff, analogous staff working in private school settings, and volunteers who are on-site at a school campus supporting school functions.

As we have shifted guidelines in other areas (such as masking and physical distancing) as the guidelines change, we will change this policy as soon as CalOSHA no longer requires us to test staff.

Is there a possibility that every school site can have a delivery of brand new quality headphones for each student at the start of every school year?

VUSD is committed to providing students with up-to-date high spec dependable devices. The resources available are currently dedicated to ensuring a regular repair and replacement cycle for Chromebooks for all students.

The process to continually repair and replace outdated student devices takes an enormous amount of work and coordination.

Unfortunately, providing an annual refresh for student headphones is not something that PVUSD is able to currently manage without reducing other necessary student technology needs. However, headphones have been and are available to school sites for the purchase at a very reasonable price to provide to students for testing and/or daily use. We have found many students have their own wireless or wired headphones they use with their Chromebooks.

Why did SELPA not provide home testing kits prior to school starting to the postsecondary students? Many of the young adults are of high-risk situations, and the Covid risks are greater than the general population. There was no communication to the students/families on where or how to obtain the testing kits. he District provided COVID home test kits for all students, including our 0-3 population and Post-Secondary students prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

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“Protocols” page 25

COMMUNITY NEWS

How to Deal with Debt Collectors The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act W ith Americans struggling with decades-high inflation and other economic uncertainties, millions have turned to debt to make ends meet.

Adding to the stress of many are seemingly endless calls from aggressive debt collectors.

“Nobody should be afraid to pick up their phone or be on the receiving end of bullying or threatening language. But relief is much closer than many people may think,” said Amy Maliga, a financial educator with Take Charge America, a nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “When you understand how debt collection works, you can leverage that knowledge to find peace of mind as you work to become debt-free.”

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects individuals from debt collector harassment and dictates how collection agencies can interact with people. To help individuals regain control of debt collector calls, Maliga shares five key actions to take: • Check their facts. Ask for written verification of the debt amount and additional details, including the name of the original creditor and instructions on how to dispute the debt if

“Protocols” from page 24 Special Services in collaboration with the Post-Secondary Teachers provided information to the adult students and parents of conserved students regarding test kit pick-up options.

Test kits were and continue to be available at the student’s classroom location and at the SELPA office, which is located in the district office. If you did not receive the notification of test kit availability, and still would like to receive a test kit, please contact the student’s case manager so they may send home the kit with the student.

Or you may come to the SELPA office Monday-Friday between 8-4:30 to pick up a test kit.

Does the District use something like Here Comes the Bus to track where the bus is and if your child got on it? If not, would they consider it?

VUSD does not currently use Here Comes the Bus but we are in the process of acquiring a useful tool called Stopfinder.

This is an addition to our current system, Transfinder, that will be an application-based tool for parents to track when the bus will be arriving at their students stop.

With the application, we will also be able to notify parents when their child’s

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you question its validity. By law, collection agencies must provide this information within five days of your request. Never provide sensitive financial details over the phone.

• Keep detailed records. Keep track of every letter, email and phone call you have with debt collectors. These will come in handy if you must file a complaint or prove you paid the debt if another agency tries to collect on it in the future.

• Take control of communication. You have the right to dictate how debt collectors can communicate with you.

You can make the request via email or letter. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at https://www. consumerfinance.gov/ offers letter templates to help communicate with debt collectors in writing.

• File a complaint. If a collection agency remains aggressive or blatantly violates the FDCPA, you can file a complaint online with the CFPB or by phone at 855-411-2372. You will receive email updates and can check the status of your complaint on the CFPB website.

bus is within a certain proximity to the bus stop.

Do you sell ASB cards for students and if so where does my son buy it? ptos High School, Pajaro Valley High School and Watsonville High School do not sell ASB Cards.

Students may use their Synergy or School ID to receive discounts as available for school events.

I have heard of the Affordable Connectivity Program. Do PVUSD families qualify? he Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The APC is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

protects individuals from debt collector harassment and dictates how collection agencies can interact with people.

• Explore credit counseling. If you’re overwhelmed by collection calls, you may find relief with nonprofit credit counseling. After going through a free

credit counseling session online or over the phone, you’ll receive a free action plan with customized solutions, possibly including a debt management plan. n

The 1920s

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“Protocols” page 26

ACROSS

1. The Sweet’s hit “Ballroom ____” 6. Farm cry 9. Schooner pole 13. Barrel racing meet 14. *”____ Quiet on the Western Front,” 1920s novel 15. Move sideways 16. Southeast Asia org.

17. Hula dancer’s garland 18. Like the Vitruvian Man 19. *New type of movie in the 1920s 21. *Jack Dempsey’s sport 23. Triple ____ liqueur 24. Prep flour

25. “Hamilton: An American Musical” singing style 28. Floppy data storage 30. Smack 35. Not much (2 words) 37. *Prolific playwright ____ Coward 39. Sacrum, pl.

40. “Nana” author…mile __ 41. Flash of light 43. Not kosher 44. Convex molding 46. *Football legend Graham, born in 1921 47. Furniture wood 48. Not wholesale 50. Aquatic snakes 52. Reggae precursor 53. Animal den 55. CafÈ alternative 57. *Assassinated Villa 60. *St. ____, 1928 Olympic site

63. East Asian peninsula 64. Nope 66. “Bite the bullet,” e.g.

68. Relating to Quechuan people 69. B&B, e.g.

70. Foul smell 71. Challenge 72. Langley, VA agency 73. Decorates, as in Christmas tree

8. Defendant’s excuse 9. Longer then mini 10. Port in Yemen 11. Smelting waste 12. ____ Aviv 15. 6 equal parts of 6 20. Cake layer 22. Short for oftentimes 24. Mosquito, slangily 25. Schick’s product 26. Beyond’s partner 27. *Amelia Earhart, e.g.

DOWN 29. *Like Charles 1. Type of undergarment Lindbergh’s 1927 2. *Like generation transatlantic flight described by Gertrude 31. W on a bulb Stein 32. TV classic “Green 3. Brain wave ____” 4. Shades of blue 33. Floorboard sound 5. Very tired 34. *”The Trial” and “The 6. “The Fighter” actor Castle” author Franz Christian ____ ____ 7. Bass or Redhook 36. Samoan money

38. Not on time 42. Much, in Italy 45. Tin Man’s prop 49. Follows soh 51. Confession, archaic 54. Not Doric nor Corinthian 56. Downy duck 57. Kind of cornbread 58. Rainbows and such 59. Like a drink in a snifter 60. Mimicking bird 61. ____caca, South American lake 62. Type of modern meeting 63. *American Girl character born in 1923 65. American cuckoo 67. Robinson to “The Graduate” © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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

Entering a Retrograde Season — Mercury retrogrades, then Mars

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

s of this writing, the Sun and Venus in the sky are in Virgo — sign of purification, of one’s daily tasks and duties, of order and organization, small animals and of serving others. We are in our last weeks of summer. On September 22nd when Sun enters Libra, autumn begins. Ahead of the Sun in Libra is Mercury, which retrogrades on Friday at 9 degrees Libra. Mercury will retrograde back to Virgo (24 degrees) on October 2nd.

We are entering a retrograde season when Mercury retrogrades. At the end of October, Mars will also retrograde through mid-January 2023. While Mercury retrogrades three times a year, Mars only retrogrades every two years (every 26 months). Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. When Mercury is on the far side of the Sun, it appears to be going backwards in the zodiac. This backward motion is called retrograde.

While Mercury is communication, Mars is action! Retrogrades place humanity into a state of reflections and review. Retrograde times are actually magical times where we experience unexpected revelations and new understandings. During retrogrades everyone becomes an internalized Virgo.

ARIES

Mercury retrograde is moving through your house of partnership and marriage. Notice any conflicts impatience or misunderstandings. Notice thoughts and feelings concerning others, especially those close to you. Rearrange your thinking so that harmony is the goal, not conflict. If anyone has wedding plans during the retro dates, it’s best to postpone the celebration. One does not want a Mercury retrograde marriage unless both partners were born with Mercury retrograde, which means they communicate telepathically.

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

As Mercury retrogrades through your third house of thinking and communication you may find yourself walking a bit more, traversing neighborhoods, camera in hand. You may also seek to understand how what you learned as a child affects your present life. Attempt to bring balance to friend and sibling relationships. Notice if you use your hands more. Consider learning calligraphy. Also consider what thoughts and aspiration have brought you to this moment in time. And gain clarity about your authentic friends, collaborations and ambitions. At the end of the retrograde, blinders are removed from your eyes.

Mercury retrograde traverses your house of groups, friends, hopes, wishes and dreams. It’s a perfect time to review these things. Who are your real friends?

What groups do you belong to? Do they further your hopes, wishes and dreams? What are your hopes, wishes and dreams? Is your technology up to date? Notice if anything technological just stops working! Alternate sources of information may pop up unexpectedly. Study them for their usefulness. Remain in the heart. Be heart-felt. There isn’t anything else to do!

VIRGO

Mercury retrogrades in your house of work in the world, how you’re seen and recognized. And it concerns the master plan for your life. You may need to ask others to assist you in completing previous tasks. You may be impatient, too, feeling the need to direct everything. However, that will be impossible. You are used to doing things by yourself, being your own boss, taking the reins. However, before the new can come forth everything concerning your world of work needs cooperation from others. Assess this so a re-balancing can come forth. And a harmony.

CAPRICORN

TAURUS

During the retrograde, Mercury will be moving through your sixth house of everyday living. The sixth house rules health, service to self and others, small animals, pure foods, gardens, routines and daily work. It’s important to focus on nutrition, how one tends and cares for the self. Be aware of the health of one’s animals, too. Be sure your daily routines are balanced and only do work that is gratifying, rewarding and fulfilling.

You need a bit of enchantment.

In retrogrades we’re nudged to review, reflect, and revise, as opposed to pushing forward with new endeavors.

The significance of this retrograde of Mercury is Libra, sign of deep intimate relationships, interaction with others, partnerships, diplomacy, balance and our social identity. Libra always seeks harmony. Mercury Retrograde in Libra is about seeking harmony internally. Libra is the sign of relationships. With Mercury retro in Libra, people from our past can appear. We may dream about them. It is a time to tie up loose ends related to relationships, money, or values, all things overseen by Libra.

Libra also points out the duality and polarization within relationships and under Ray 3 (Active intelligence), Libra represents our intelligence, our ability to be democratic and esoterically, Libra rules finances and the economy. All of these will be assessed, reassessed and perhaps challenged during the retrograde. The best advice for retrogrades is to observe everything internally and externally and slow down. We have all the time in the world during retrogrades! It’s a time of magic! n

In this Mercury retro in Libra, your values and resources are assessed. Also, your need to see the self as valuable. You may notice it’s necessary to rest more, seeking comfort and calmness, not push your will so strongly. You may seek more in-depth personal communications with those you care about. Feelings may appear that are unexpected and a sense of Venusian stillness and composure may arise. Your imagination may take hold and all things within and hidden away may surface. An important choice also will be made.

AQUARIUS

GEMINI

The Mercury retrograde takes your creativity inward, offering you the opportunity to explore different future pathways, imagine new directions and points of view. It calls you to be flexible and fluid so you can assess the last three months’ events and what may be in store for the next three months. Nothing limits your ability to dream, visualize, imagine or plan for the future.

It’s important to explore ways to bring more of your creativity to light. I always thought you and Aquarius might have a found-art gallery. Try to recapture childhood spontaneity.

LIBRA

Mercury retro in Libra will be in your first house (Aries house) of self-identification and purpose. During these difficult times, has your awareness of self and your abilities, or your sense of purpose changed?

Do you find yourself more courageous, more risk-taking? As the retrograde progresses you may need to slow down, rest more, evaluate who you thought you were and who you might be now. A change has occurred within and the retrograde will introduce you to your “new self.” Practice a bit of reverie now and then.

Mercury retrogrades through your house of culture, journeys, justice, and the law. We are all asked to take our blinders off and look around. Our world is in a state of conflict and chaos and since you are the messenger from the future, it’s important to recognize the inner work that is needed. You are to research the truths humanity needs to know in order to survive. Everything will slow down so you can do the thorough work of study and research. You are and will be called to put on the professor hat soon. Get ready.

You know you want to influence others. This is your task.

CANCER

SCORPIO

Mercury retrograde travels through your Scorpio house of deep waters, dark secrets, of mysterious and puzzling things. Mercury retro calls you to gather your perceptive abilities that lead to understanding.

Uncovering secrets helps create security, safety, transparency and truth in daily life. You have the wisdom needed to navigate our present difficult and challenging times.

You will need patience and more courage than usual. You will need to teach others. In between your warrior work of saving the world, bring to all relationships the most tender loving care.

Everyone is on a “precipice.” You are the stronghold.

This Mercury retrograde will offer you the opportunity to be out and about in the world offering your talents, gifts and abilities. You will, however, also long to be home, while being very aware of inner emotional shifts, feelings of missing someone or something, and focus upon all inner needs.

New patterns of creativity are taking shape. You may also consider a reorganization of your home. Is the daily work you are doing offering enough creative opportunities? New aspirations emerge. Write them down for future use.

PISCES

The Mercury retrograde will be in your house of mystery, religion, things hidden and veiled, which offers great refuge. During the Mercury retrograde review and assess what religion or spirituality means to you. Perhaps you long for vision, hope, for refuge and a place for the mystical to be revealed. Mercury retrograde is offering the sounds, colors, and tones of harmony and balance.

This brings beauty forth. Scorpio and Pisces are like siblings one the Disciple, the other the Savior. You need each other. Do daydream a bit more. Dream about the future.

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

“Protocols” from page 25 All families of PVUSD students are automatically eligible with the exception of Navigator, Ceiba, and Virtual Academy.

Students’ families who attend those schools (Navigator, Ceiba, and Virtual Academy) may be eligible if they qualify for free or reduced lunch, or other qualifying programs.

Most families that attend PVUSD preschool programs also qualify. For help applying or to confirm you qualify for the program, go to https://www.fcc.gov/acp or call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

For the past few years, and in commitment to support the whole child, whole family, and whole community, PVUSD has had an ongoing partnership with Cruzio and their Equal Access Santa Cruz program to provide free and low-cost high speed dependable internet access to our students and families.

With PVUSD’s support, Cruzio has been expanding their infrastructure across the Watsonville and Pajaro area to be able to support more families. To find out if your home is able to receive Cruzio Internet service for 12 months free and then for a very reduced price, go to https://www.pvusd. net/lowcostinternet. Click on the Equal Access link and use the code EASCPVUSD in the form. This website has information for other low-cost Internet options as well. Some of these may work for some households Cruzio is currently unable to serve.

With PVUSD’s collaboration, Cruzio continues to expand their coverage across the Watsonville area. So check back with them periodically even if they were not able to provide service to your home previously.

I would like to know why the children studying at the Virtual Academy this year were not eligible to receive free breakfasts. uring the 21-22 school year, COVID waivers allowed the district to provide weekly meal boxes to remote students from both Virtual Academy and PCCS. This school year, we no longer have any of the previous COVID waivers that allowed us to feed the community, provide take-home meals or provide meals for a full week at a time.

Per the current Education Code, reimbursable school meals must be served in a congregate brick and mortar setting. We are only allowed to provide on-campus, ready to eat meals for consumption on site to students enrolled in PVUSD. PVUSD students and families can always visit our Wellness Center to pick up food and meals provided through Second Harvest Food Bank Co-op.

The center at 530 Palm Ave. is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. n

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by September 21

CAN YOU BE A LITERACY TUTOR? Join the Literacy Program of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County for a free 40-minute online orientation to learn more about becoming a tutor to a motivated adult learner.

No teaching or foreign language skills are necessary, just a desire to be of service. We provide training and match you with the right student.

Tutoring training is Oct. 4 and 6, 11 and 13. Orientations will be via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dates Sept. 20 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 • 6-7 p.m.

RSVP at https://scvolunteercenter.org/programs/literacyprogram/volunteer/ and you will get further instructions.

Vehicle Strategy, which is currently in the process of determining the best locations to place public electric vehicle charging stations around the Central Coast.

An interactive mapping tool is available to the public through October 2022 at www.bit.ly/CCZEV. The goal is to identify ideal locations for new public charging stations in the six counties.

Visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com. for more information.

A video tutorial on how to use the interactive mapping tool is at www.bit.ly/InteractiveMapVideo

POLL WORKERS NEEDED Have you thought about being a poll worker for the Nov. 8 election?

As a poll worker, you help ensure a safe, fair, and efficient election for all voters. Poll workers support early voting locations, ensure technology functions, and help minimize delays at polling places on election day.

Fill out the form at: https://www.votescount.us/Home/ElectionOfficerRequestForm.aspx

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

JAZZERCISE FUNDRAISER FOR HABITAT 1606 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz / 2555 Mar Vista Dr., Aptos Habitat for Humanity of Monterey Bay announces a SCHOOL GARDEN GRANT PROGRAM month-long fundraiser with Jazzercise Santa Cruz/ Big Creek Lumber Company announces its School Garden Grant Program for 2023. This annual program Aptos.

All proceeds will benefit the Rodeo Creek Court supports student education and grows gardens!

Applications are at bigcreeklumber.com. Completed project in Santa Cruz, an 11-home community providing applications must be returned to a Big Creek Lumber stability through affordable housing for a diverse group yard (Santa Cruz and Watsonville) in person by Monday, of families including: Two families displaced by the CZU Lightning Complex fire, a disabled veteran, 3 teachers, Oct. 31.

Marketing Manager Michelle Webb said, “Since we’ve and other local families.

When people attend a class with Jazzercise Santa started our formal grant program, we have donated over 50 garden bed kits to schools. …These students Cruz/Aptos, 100% of the drop-in fee for class will be donated to Habitat Monterey. Jazzercise club members will get to learn carpentry, math, how to grow food and about healthy eating through this program. It is an will make additional donations and participate in a honor to carry on a tradition of donating garden beds to team-building event at the Habitat jobsite in October.

For information, visit https://fb.me/e/3V2NY7Rw7 our communities.”

••• All eligible schools will be entered in a drawing and For September class schedules, visit: http://www.jazzercise. two schools will be selected in the vicinity of each yard. Schools are encouraged to apply every year and com/, or email jazzercise.santacruz@gmail.com For information from Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, recipient schools may apply again in two years. contact Lyndsey Marks, (831) 469-4663 x16, Lyndsey@ Ten garden bed kits will be delivered in the early spring habitatmontereybay.org or www.habitatmontereybay.org.

HELP WITH STUDENT DEBT RELIEF Employers in California can deliver tens of thousands of dollars in federal student loan relief to employees, by informing them about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Providing this life-changing benefit to employees comes at zero cost to employers because it’s a free federal program.

An estimated 825,000 Californians could benefit from the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by having their federal student loans cancelled after 10 years of public service work, but fewer than 15,000 have benefited from this program to date.

From now until Oct. 31, it is easy to get credit for the PSLF program.

For information, see: https://www.californiaborrowers.org/ about-the-campaign

ONGOING EVENTS Daily thru October 2 MANY THREADS — ONE CLOTH Gallery Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville Threads, made from a variety of plant or animal fibers, are universal. Cloth, made from various fibers utilizing unique methods, is universal. Every culture in the world makes, wears and uses textiles from birth through death.

WHERE TO PUT EV CHARGING STATIONS? Where should public electric vehicle charging stations be located in six counties between Ventura and Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz County has joined with five other counties to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission 28 / September 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Photo credit Jill Sanders

and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info.

Fridays through Sept 30 MIDTOWN FRIDAYS Materials and natural resources used for the 5-8:30 p.m., Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz production of cloth and cultural artifacts vary by Featuring 25 local bands plus local eats and local geography and what is available. artists and vendors.

Diversity of threads making diverse cloth for The live music lineup presented by Off The Lip Radio diverse purposes is the theme of “Many Threads Show includes (in order of appearance): – One Cloth,” the new exhibit at Pajaro Valley Arts, September 37 Sudden St., Watsonville, featuring the work of The Joint Chiefs • Papiba & Friends • Anthony Arya more than 30 artists.

Band • Sweet Voodoo • The Grand Finale Participating artists: Jody Alexander, Thom See https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtown-fridaysAtkins, Leslie Bixel, Holly Brackmann, Bonnie summer-block-party-2022/ Britton, Rachel D.K. Clark, Susan Else, Jenny Freedman, Hetty Friedma, Mayumi Fujio, Tricia Saturdays & Sundays Goldberg, Janette Gross, Liz Keefe, Tobin Keller, ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TOURS AT ELKHORN SLOUGH Peg McCollough, Stephanie Metz, Yonat Michaelov, Tours start: 10 a.m. Sat. and Sun.,1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville Marilou Moschetti, Kris Nardello, Gayle Ortiz, Ann Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history Pettit, Pamela Rocco, Enrique Ruiz de los Angeles, of the Elkhorn Slough. Group size is limited to one Michelle Russell, Jill Nickolene Sanders, Santa household or up to five people, and individuals must Cruz Textile Arts Guild, Lorri Scott , Mibs Somersign up on a first-come, first-served basis. ville, Ana Paula Teeple, Roberta Valdez, Lynda Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) Watson, Amy Wike.

728-2822 or visit https://www.elkhornslough.org/ For workshops during September: check pvarts.org group-reservation/ to reserve a tour.

For more info, visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours/ Daily thru October 31 SCULPTURE IS: IN THE GARDEN 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden, 2660 E. Lake DATED EVENTS Ave., Watsonville Friday September 16 The wildly popular exhibit “Sculpture IS: In the Garden” DAMON GUTZWILLER BENEFIT is back at Sierra 8 p.m., Michael’s on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel Azul Nursery & Michael’s on Main will host the Damon Gutzwiller Garden.

Benefit featuring Mira Goto, Steve Seskin, and Bonny 2022 marks June (with Ken Kraft). the 16th Pajaro This is an evening of songcraft and outstanding Valley Arts performers celebrating the life of Santa Cruz County sculpture exhibit, Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller and raising money for in partnership with the Damon Gutzwiller Park in Aptos.

Sierra Azul.

For more on the memorial, see: www.countyparkfriends.

Curators Susana org/willowbrook.html Arias, Hedwig Admission is $40; seated under 12 with parent 21 Heerschop, and and over.

Jeff Rosendale Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/damon-gutzwillerselected 90+ park-benefit-featuring-mira-goto-bonny-june-steve-seskinsculptures created tickets-300176986447 by 48 artists and collaborators.

Saturday September 17 Green Nests in Winter Trees Visit the

by Susan Arias COASTAL CLEANUP stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and All Day, Santa Cruz County Beaches spend an afternoon enjoying the exhibit!

Each year Save Our Shores coordinates over 60 sierraazul.com cleanup sites around the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, from the coast to our inland parks and Tuesdays waterways. Trash and pollution impacts the health of our marine, coastal, and terrestrial eco-systems. Help PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM make the Monterey Bay a healthier place for all!

6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting Register to volunteer at https://tinyurl.com/sosBirchBark Foundation’s Pet coastclean-sept172022 and pick your outdoor space.

Loss and Grief Support Zoom Download the free Clean Swell App from the Ocean group offers a free support Conservancy to collect data on the types of trash you find. group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling Complete a waiver and bring it with you to the event. Bring therapist. work gloves, buckets, and trash grabbers if you have them.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefDownload the app at https://oceanconservancy.org/trashsupport or call 831-471-7255. free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/cleanswell/ FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK SEA STARS GALA 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville 5-11 p.m. Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, Santa Cruz Beach El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley.

To recognize this year’s 30th anniversary of Monterey There will be healthy locally grown produce, a Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the annual Sea Stars veggie Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations Brunch is shifting to a formal Sea Stars Gala in the and wellness screenings.

Cocoa-nut Grove Ballroom.

Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente

COMMUNITY CALENDAR A who’s who of marine conservation is expected to honor Sea Stars in research, resource protection, education and outreach, business/recreation/tourism, and the overall Panetta Sea Star, named for Leon Panetta, co-chair of the board of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Attendees will see the premiere of the teaser short film about the history of the sanctuary, and a presentation from National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting of his new book, Bay of Life. There will be dinner, drinks, and silent and live auctions, live music and dancing.

Guests are invited to dress in formal attire — “Blue” tie (tuxedos with blue bow ties) and blue/green ballgowns. But all apparel is welcome. Attendees will see a “blue carpet,” with paparazzi, works of art from Ethan Estess and playful art created by K-5th grade students at Westlake Elementary School.

Early bird tickets are $175. See https://montereybay foundation.org/events/

elected to state office … to elect diverse representatives to the County Board of Supervisors … to vote on statewide ballot initiatives to protect women’s right to choose … and to bring women’s voices to school boards and city councils.

WILDR will bring diverse voices together on Zoom, so you can learn what support is needed for these very important elections and measures in November, plus give you the opportunity to network, teach and learn from diverse women in our community.

Register at: https://bit.ly/WILDR092022.

FALL GARDENING 5 – 6:30 p.m., Online Class One of the benefits of our mild Central Coast climate is cultivating a healthy garden in fall into winter.

In this online class, learn from seasoned UC Master Gardeners, Bridget Matz and Delise Weir, about all the things you can do in the fall.

They will touch on fall-planted fruits and vegetables, flowers, bulbs and perennials, as well as garden maintenance for soil and pest prevention.

Sunday September 18 Learn what to do and when to do it for a productive SANCTUARY FEST 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the Santa Cruz Wharf, Cowell Beach, and winter and spring.

To register, go to mbmg.ucanr.edu at the Sanctuary Exploration Center Sanctuary Fest celebrates the 30th anniversary of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the 50th Saturday September 24 anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System!

HEALTH FAIR Sanctuary Fest will take place along the Santa Cruz Wharf, Noon-3 p.m., 2505 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos Cowell Beach, and at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Park Avenue Fitness is hosting a health fair, featuring For more information, See: https://montereybay.noaa.gov/ many local health professionals available to consult with new/2022/220918sanctuaryfest.html and demo sessions to sign up for. Local businesses in attendance include: Tuesday September 20 Resonation Acupuncture, Santa Cruz Myofascial WILDR FORUM: NOVEMBER ELECTIONS Release & Integrated Therapies, Functional Health 6:30 p.m., Online Forum Nutrition, Pacific Point Podiatry, Empowering TransSanta Cruz is poised to elect two women to statewide office formations, Heart Song Animal Healing, Quaintrelle — one of which would be the first woman from the County Farms, Iyengar Yoga Denise Wendler, senior testing with

THE BERENSTAIN BEARS ON STAGE September 16 | 17 | 23 | 24

Fridays 7 p.m. | Saturdays 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., Oldtown, Salinas Adapted from the classic children’s book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears On Stage is a musical version presented by Ariel Theatrical at the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre in Salinas.

Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister Bear sing their way through life’s challenges and find solutions together.

Tickets: Adults, $13, students/seniors/military, $11, children 3-12, $9, under age 3, free.

Tickets are online (www.arieltheatrical.org), or call (831-775-0976.

Photo: The Bear Family (Alan Liddle, Vincent McGirr, Melanie McGirr, Lauren Wilkins) take a reading break in The Berenstain Bears On Stage. • Credit: Sam Bailey

Park Avenue Fitness, Jewelry by Kathy, DoTerra with Alli, Ronning Physical Therapy, Tai Chi Master Linda, Essential Thermography, Carpe Diem Dog Training, Body Talk with Becks, Skincare by Katalina, Peach Athleisure Clothing and True Nature Chiropractic.

There will be a raffle with prizes every 15 minutes and a grand prize at the end. Receive a ticket when you arrive. It’s $25 for any extra tickets, all proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.

HARVEST FESTIVAL & AUCTION 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Grey Bears, 2710 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz Grey Bears will host its annual Harvest Festival & Auction Sept. 24.

Eat, learn, move and shop at this year’s Harvest Celebration outside at Grey Bears. Enjoy appetizers, barbecue lunch with veggie options, music, free books, chair yoga, raffle and 50% off Thrift Store sale.

9 am to 3:30 pm – 50% off sale 10 am – Free chair yoga class with Suzi 11:30 am – BBQ lunch 12:00 pm – Keynote speaker 12:30 pm – Raffle Details: greybears.org

leaders from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties will attend.

Presentations and conversations will focus on how to drive equitable regional economic recovery and development, housing for all, reducing the digital divide, policy and legislation.

Tickets are $139. To register, see https://tinyurl.com/8thADUS, GRANNY UNITS, & OTHER SMALL SPACES: state-of-region-2022 DESIGN, COSTS, & CONSTRUCTION SEMINAR (Full URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cabrillo College, Room 609, Soquel Dr, Aptos state-of-the-region-tickets-399183106417?aff=ode imcmailchimp&utm_source=Regional+Report&utm_ As of Jan. 1, 2020, new state laws took effect to make it easier to construct ADUs, and Santa Cruz County code has campaign=987512cce2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_05_18_10_44_COPY_01&utm_ been updated to comply. medium=email&utm_term=0_49b099d7f6-987512cce2Learn about these changes, as well as zoning, code 194946593&mc_cid=987512cce2&mc_eid=66244ddae7) analysis, design concepts, and ideas for making small spaces work.

Whether you are starting with a bare patch of land or an Thursday October 20 empty garage, this all-day in-person workshop on Sept. 24 STATE OF THE DISTRICT from 10 to 3 at Cabrillo College Room 609 will cover the 8:30 a.m., Watsonville City Hall community room, 250 Main basics for homeowners who want to create an Accessory St. Dwelling Unit—aka ADU. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District will present Instructor is Jamileh Cannon, licensed California “The State of the District” at Watsonville City Hall architect, experienced construction manager, and community room. co-owner of Workbench, a Santa Cruz design-and-build The theme is “Learning and Innovation For Transformation.” company.

Topics: How to determine ADU feasibility and a general timeframe for the entire process. • What to expect during Saturday October 22 CHILI COOKOFF each phase of the process, and how to avoid common 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. pitfalls. • Ways you can save money during design and Bring your appetite and join the fun at the Santa Cruz construction.

Beach Boardwalk as professional and amateur chefs By the end of class you will have a clear idea of how to compete for the title of Best Chili! 10 am to 4 pm. get started, ways to determine what you may be able to Cook-Off Schedule build or afford, and steps to create a workable plan.

9am-10am: Chef’s prep (no heat) There will be a short mid-day break, so bring lunch.

10am-1pm: Chili cook time The price is: $110. Register at https://extension.cabrillo.edu/ 10am: Tasting kits go on sale for $12. Part of each Saturday October 1 sale goes to the Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial.

1pm: Public tasting begins WEARABLE STORIES 4pm: Winners announced at Neptune’s Stage 1-3 p.m., Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom) n The Pajaro Valley Arts gallery will open October with a the presentation “Wearable Stories,” a fashion show featuring the work of Watsonville artist Rachel D.K. Clark.

She is a contemporary folk artist, teacher and lecturer who comes from a long line of sewers, beginning with her great-grandmother. She has been creating wearable art since 1973 and teaching on the national circuit since 1990. Eclectic fabric mixes, vibrant designs, and a keen sense of humor characterize her work.

Friday October 14 8TH ANNUAL STATE OF THE REGION 9 a.m.-4 p.m., University Center, 4314 6th Avenue, Seaside You are cordially invited to the 8th Annual State of the Region Conference on Friday, Oct. 14 in person at CSU Monterey Bay. Business, government, and educational

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2022 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

County Sustainability Update

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he County has been undertaking a process for a comprehensive update to the General Plan and Local Coastal Program.

Called the Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Update (Sustainability Update), it provides amendments to the County’s current General Plan and Local Coastal Program, updates sections of County Code, adds new County Design Guidelines and provides amendments to the General Plan land use designation and Zoning maps.

The goal of this update is to implement new policies and code regulations that support more sustainable communities in Santa Cruz County.

Over the last few months, County staff have held community outreach sessions and presented the draft to the Planning Commission over multiple study sessions for review. The draft will come to the Board of Supervisors soon.

What is the Purpose of the Plan? he Sustainability Update involves work on three County documents: 1) It provides amendments to the General Plan/Local Coastal Program 2) Provides amendments to the County Code 3) Creates Santa Cruz County Design Guidelines The Update aims to modernize codes (some which haven’t been updated since the 1950s), look at how development occurs (in particular within the urban area and higher-density areas within the urban area) and incorporate design guidelines.

The County’s existing General Plan was adopted in 1994 with a focus on preserving natural and agricultural resources and limiting urban expansion outside the urban services line. While maintaining these core values, it’s important that after 25 years the General Plan/Local Coastal

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By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Program be modernized to address current needs and even state law changes.

Specifically, revisions included in the Sustainability Update are intended to introduce housing options, mitigate climate change, support multimodal transportation and align land uses with transportation corridors, support local agriculture and preserve agricultural land, update commercial zones to support evolving business needs and local job creation, as well as modernize the land use permit framework and types of uses allowed within various zone districts. In addition to these changes that implement past policy efforts, the Sustainability Update incorporated updates to the County’s 1994 General Plan/Local Coastal Program to align with recent state laws and new regional and local plans, as well as aligning the General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning Maps.

What’s Included in the Plan? ith a focus on the General Plan/Local Coastal Program, County Code and creation of Design Guidelines, the Update includes changes to the County’s land use rules and regulations, in order to support sustainable development and meet the modern needs of the community.

Here is an overview of the proposals for the three main categories.

The key elements of the General Plan update include the incorporation of a new planning horizon of 2040 for population and employment growth, a reflection of the support for multimodal and transportation corridor focus of the Sustainable Santa Cruz County Plan, alignment with other adopted plans that focus on climate action, equity, parks strategic plan and economic vitality.

Alignment with State updates including general land use or regulatory updates as well as updates to the California Coastal Act and Local Coastal Program Guidelines support the greater County

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

Local Local Local

focus on metrics by clearly aligning objectives, policies and implementation strategies with goals, and set actionable and measurable implementation strategies that can be tracked over time to gauge plan success and more.

On the County Code amendment side, the Update amends several sections of County Code to implement the updated General Plan, remove obsolete code sections, and modernize development requirements and procedures.

The last focus is on the creation of Santa Cruz County Design Guidelines.

Currently, the County does not currently have development design guidelines, aside from what is included in existing specific plans and in 13.11 of the County Code Design Guidelines are being developed for residential, commercial and mixed-use development which will present illustrated design concepts with useful examples.

These Design Guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with the General

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Plan and County Code. The uses and development standards in the County Code are generally more quantitative (example: number of parking spots), while the Design Guidelines are generally more qualitative (example: parking lot design best practices). These guidelines are intended to simplify the process for the community and also modernize standards.

How Can You Learn More? he County has a website with a lot more information about the proposals in the Sustainability Update. The site, listed below, includes links to the entire plan, ways you can get involved and easy fact sheets to obtain overview information.

More info can be found at: www.scco planning.com/SustainabilityUpdate n ••• If you have any questions about the proposed code changes, 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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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

For Moisture, Consider Mulch

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Meet Bamboo!

crossword on 25 »

his week the Pet of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a black cat named Bamboo!

This 7-month-old neutered male cat came into the Shelter as a stray.

Bamboo was a bit fearful when he came into the Shelter but then made a kitty buddy named Xander who really brought him out of his shell!

Since then Xander has been adopted but Bamboo has made a whole group of cat friends and loves being a social boy with them. He loves to sit out on the catio and relax in the sunshine. Volunteers love spending time with Bamboo and say that he is a very chill guy who has good vibes! It might be good for him to go to a home with confident kitty friend to play with.

All member of the family should come to the Shelter to meet before adoption, and all children should be cat savvy.

Now through September 30th ALL Shelter animals will be available for a ‘Pay it Forward’ adop-tion donation of adopters’ choice. The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can select a fund for their donation to go to: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (specialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

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

By Tony Tomeo

ature is smart. It should be. It has been operating efficiently since the beginning of time. That is certainly longer than anyone has been gardening in defiance of nature. Imported plants that need unnatural watering and soil amendment continue to benefit from nature. Some assets, such as weather, are direct from nature. Some, such as mulch, are copied.

Summers are long, dry and somewhat warm here. Without rain, there is plenty of time for the soil that roots inhabit to become dry. Warmth and aridity increase the consumption of moisture by plant species that are not accustomed to such extensively dry weather. That is precisely why landscapes and home gardens are so reliant on supplemental irrigation.

Because water is expensive, plants that do not require much of it are popular. Automated irrigation systems should operate as efficiently as possible to minimize waste.

Since turf grass is very consumptive, lawns should not be overly expansive. Conservation of water is common here. There are several techniques for doing so. Mulch is one of the simplest.

Although adding mulch to a garden is unnatural, it works like the natural detritus within a forest. It retains moisture and insulates the surface of the soil. Without mulch, surface soil can become uncomfortably dry and warm for roots. Mulch also inhibits the proliferation of weeds. Because weeds consume moisture, their absence indirectly conserves moisture.

Mulch generally goes into the garden during early spring, before weed seed germinates, and after the removal of the detritus of winter. It can be practical at any

The 1920s © Statepoint Media

Mulch helps to insulate the soil.

time though, even as the soil becomes dry and dusty through summer. Various forms of mulch are available from garden centers.

Home compost works splendidly, but costs nothing more than labor.

Alternatively, several types of groundcover can function as mulch. Some types consume more moisture than they conserve, but exclude weeds. Some types, such as ceanothus, lantana and licorice plant, might not crave any more water than the plants they surround. Their maintenance should involve less effort than removal of weeds which they displace.

They are more visually appealing anyway.

••• Licorice Plant his is not the genuine licorice of confectionery. This more popular home garden licorice plant, Helichrysum petiolare, is more of an ornamental plant than a culinary herb. Its mild foliar aroma resembles that of genuine licorice, but is very faint.

Without disruption of the foliage, the aroma is imperceptible.

Since the foliage can be toxic, the flavor is irrelevant.

Licorice plant is popular for Licorice plant can become its appealingly vegetative mulch. silvery foliage.

Some cultivars are variegated. ‘Limelight’ is strikingly pale silvery chartreuse. The small, rounded and evergreen leaves are distinctly tomentous (slightly fuzzy). The sprawling stems tend to disperse over older growth, and might get deeper than a foot and a half. Mature plants get wider than six feet.

Licorice plant is susceptible to extremes of temperatures. Within more severe climates, it appreciates a bit of partial shade during excessively warm and arid weather. Foliage can roast from harsh exposure. Where winters are cool, foliage appreciates shelter from frost. Roots are susceptible to rot with excessively frequent watering, or inadequate drainage. n ••• Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo. com.

T

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

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