Aptos Times: July 15, 2023

Nikki Hiltz: 1500 U.S. Champion

When the NBC Sports commentators previewed the women’s 1500 race at the U.S. National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., they focused on three runners: Sinclaire Johnson, the defending champion, Athing Mu, gold medalist in the 800 at the 2020 Tokyo

Olympics, and Cory McGee, third fastest in the U.S. in the mile.

All three are taller than Nikki Hiltz, the Aptos High alum who got a brief mention — “at the far right on your screen.” ... continues on page 4

Cabrillo Robotics: World’s Best ROV

For a second straight year, the Cabrillo College Robotics Club won first place in the World MATE ROV Competition, an international underwater robotics competition, this year hosted in Longmont, Colorado.

Full Story page 5

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Sworn In Full Story page 7

Aptos Jr. High Gym Upgrade

When Aptos Junior High students return to school in August, they will find their gym, the home of the Sea Dragons, looks bright and new.

Full Story page 12

Cover Nikki Hiltz: 1500 U.S. Champion

Community News

4 Student Loan Debt: Weigh In

5 Cabrillo Robotics: World’s Best ROV • XAcademy Fifth in the World

6 VetArt Pop 2 Peace Arts Café: Aug. 4

7 Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Sworn In

8 First Xylazine Death in Santa Cruz County, Petsmart to Pay $1.46 Million Settlement • New CEO at Monarch Services

9 Can Peer Support Fill Gaps in County Mental Health?,

10 Affordable Housing: How? Or Too Much? • Behavioral Health Division Goal: Expand Mental Health Services,

12 Aptos Jr. High Gym Upgrade: Aptos Sports Foundation Deserves Credit For The Project, By Jondi Gumz

14 Standing Ovations for Hunchback: Stunning Sets, Fabulous Costumes, and a Quasimodo to Melt your Heart!,

16 Aptos’ Fourth of July World’s Shortest Parade, Aptos Parade Winners

17 Great Expectations: New Aptos Library Near Finish

22 Surveillance State in Santa Cruz County

27 Red Cross Honors Volunteers

31 Felton Eyed for Pump Track

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – New Self-Identity, Life Direction & Soul Purpose, By Risa D’Angeles

Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment –

Featured Columnists

18 Terrible Tourists: Are You One of Them?,

20 Listening to Your Partner’s Premonitions (Another VW Van Misad venture), By Barry and Joyce Vissell

21 School Assemblies Keep Water Education Fun,

30 Understanding the Housing Element, District

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – The Santa Cruz City Cats

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Jondi Gumz

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Michael Oppenheimer

Student Loan Debt: Weigh In

Were you counting on President Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loans?

That could have forgiven $379 billion in student loan debt.

Unfortunately, the president does not have the authority to forgive student loan debt.

The U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in a 6-3 ruling on June 30, the authority rests with Congress.

Loan repayments were paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and then extended, but Congressional legislation in June on the debt ceiling prohibited additional extensions.

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The federal pandemic emergency officially ended on May 11.

A bill was introduced in March 2021 in the House of Representatives to forgive

COVER STORY

“Hilts” from page 1

Then Hiltz, wearing light green running shorts, surprised them all with an epic finish, pulling ahead of the leaders, Mu and McGee, at 3:59 with a powerful kick.

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Hiltz’ time: 4:03.10.

Hiltz will represent the U.S. at the World Championship in Budapest Aug. 19-27.

Hiltz won the 2012 CIF California State Championship in the 1600 meters with a time of 4:51.89.

As a collegian, Hiltz ran at Oregon, then Arkansas, becoming a 6-time NCAA

The U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in a 6-3 ruling on June 30, the authority [to forgive student loans] rests with Congress.

student loan debt for those with adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less but it didn’t get support.

In January 2023, a bill was introduced in the Senate to prevent “class-based” student loan forgiveness “without the explicit appropriation of funds by Congress for such purpose.”

In June, House Republicans are proposing HR 4144: Two choices, automatic repayment, set at 10% of borrowers’ discretionary income and capping interest at 10 years, or a 10-year repayment plan.

These would replace the current array of confusing options. The bill has been referred to the education and the workforce committee.

The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting the federal deficit will reach $1.539 trillion this year due to falling revenues and higher spending and healthcare costs.

The Aptos Times would like to inform our readers on the topic of student loan debt.

Tell us where you went to college, your major, whether you got your degree, where you work now and details on how you borrowed the money. n

Would you like to share your story? Call editor Jondi Gumz, 831-688-7549 x17 or email info@cyber-times.com.

Division I All-American and earning a degree in sociology and criminal justice in 2019.

Hiltz is openly gay and came out as transgender and nonbinary on International Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, 2021—prompting banners of support in Oregon. n •••

To watch the race, see https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=3oJDy9BNGQ0

Photos by Tom Hiltz

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer website

Sinclaire Johnson’s disappointment is visible as the final results are displayed after the race.

Cabrillo Robotics: World’s Best ROV

For a second straight year, the Cabrillo College Robotics Club won first place in the World MATE ROV Competition, an international underwater robotics competition, this year hosted in Longmont, Colorado.

The Cabrillo Robotics Club, represented by Cabrillo College students Isaac Eda, Isaac Wax, Orion Ellefson, Ciaran Farley, Stephanie L’Heureux and Kai Peters and advised by computer and information systems instructor Mike Matera, earned first place overall in the Pioneer division.

Wax and Farley, who helped Cabrillo win in 2022, teamed with students new to the contest to earn a repeat title.

The Pioneer division is for community colleges, technical colleges and first-time teams from four-year universities.

The Cabrillo Robotics Club with its underwater ROV aptly named SeaHawk again topped five other teams in the division with an overall score of 377.5.

Second-place Lancer Lumineers from Pasadena City College earned 373.

Third-place Southwest Virginia Community College Robotics earned 325.

Teams compete in product demo, engineering presentation, technical documentation, marketing display, secret

mission, company spec, corporate responsibility, and safety — with Cabrillo’s team outscored the others in the last two metrics for the win.

“Cabrillo Robotics” page 7

XAcademy: Fifth in the World

With teams competing from around the globe, Santa Cruzbased XAcademy’s team came in 5th in the MATE ROV World Championship June 22-24 in Longmont, Colorado.

The X Academy’s Hephaestus Robotics team, one of 32 teams in the high school Ranger class, scored 435 out of a possible 695 points.

The team was named for the Greek god of metalworking.

The competition tasks students from high schools, community colleges and universities to design, build and test underwater robots to complete simulated real-world missions based on the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development goals.

Teams compete in product demonstration, engineering presentation, technical documentation, corporate responsibility, safety, marketing display, and company spec sheet.

The X Academy placed 3rd in

engineering presentation, 5th in product demonstration and 5th in technical documentation.

“This has been an amazing experience,” said Kai Herbst, a Kirby School senior. Our team learned skills that are important in a lot of STEM jobs, and we used them to build a great robot.”

“ROV World Championship” page 7

Student members of the Cabrillo Robotics Team (from left): Isaac Eda, Isaac Wax, Orion Ellefson, Ciaran Farley, Stephanie L’Heureux and Kai Peters.

VetArt Pop 2 Peace Arts Café: Aug. 4

In conjunction with First Friday Santa Cruz Aug. 4, come in the afternoon to Cooper Street in Santa Cruz (near Abbott Square and the Museum of Art & History) for the VetArt Pop 2 Peace Arts Café. This event showcases local Santa Cruz veteran visual and spoken word artists, as well as those of other veteran communities in California.

Co-hosts are local nonprofits Vets

for Vets, founded by Dean Kaufman, and Up 2 Peace, founded by Perry Spencer, alongside San Diego-based nonprofit VetArt, which for the last four years has been facilitating veteran organized pop-up arts cafes throughout California with the goal to “increase veterans’ mental health through deep art engagement.”

“VetArt” page 11

Photo Credit: Angelito Bautista, HMCS (FMF) USN (Ret)

The VetArt team showcases veteran-made artwork aboard the battleship U.S.S. Iowa in San Pedro.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Sworn In

On June 30, Assemblyman Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), was sworn as the 71st speaker of the California State Assembly.

As the representative for the 29th Assembly District, which encompasses the Pajaro and Salinas valleys of the Central Coast, Rivas is the first speaker in a generation from a rural region.

A former San Benito County Supervisor from Hollister, Rivas is the grandson

of a Mexican immigrant and spent his early years living in farmworker housing on the Central Coast.

He described the path to his inauguration as state Assembly Speaker as “the American Dream.”

“MBEP congratulates Assemblymember Rivas on his inauguration,” said Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President & CEO Tahra Goraya. “We look forward to continued collaboration with him on issues that

impact the economic vitality and well-being of the Monterey Bay region.”

AB 588 by Speaker Rivas was the first bill signed into law on July 6 by Acting Gov. Toni Atkins, Senate president pro tempore. The bill expands eligibility for the City of Watsonville’s appointed board member on the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency.

“Rivas” page 9

“ROV

World Championship” from page 5

The X Academy’s Hephaestus Robotics team includes students from 5 schools, including Andrew Sylvester, Jordan Weiss-Penzias, Kai Herbst, and Max Chen of Kirby School; Bennet Menzer, Ben Hillard, Salvador Turkie, Samuel Lambert of Santa Cruz High; Max Herrera of Ceiba College Prep; Xander Coomes from Pacific Collegiate School, Ojas and Om Shastri from Los Gatos High.

Another lesson: “Coming from five different schools, we learned how to build a team and problem-solve when things didn’t always work like we planned,” Herbst said.

Students must organize themselves into mock companies, encouraging them to develop entrepreneurial thinking, business and project management skills.

The 2023 competition challenged students to engineer an ROV and the necessary sensors and tooling to, for example, produce clean energy by installing floating solar panels amongst offshore wind farms and stewarding coral reefs and endangered fish.

Teams performed the simulation within the confines of a swimming pool.

Founded in 1997 at Monterey Peninsula College, the

“Cabrillo Robotics” from page 5

The Cabrillo Robotics Club team won the following prizes:

• Pioneer First Place, All-Around Champion Trophy

• One-year membership in the Marine Technology Society

• A $500 Visa gift card sponsored by Schmidt Ocean Institute

• Four T200 thrusters + 4 controllers (one device retails for $236)

Timed near the 25th anniversary of the first rover mission to land on Mars, this was the 21st World Championship of the MATE ROV Competition, attracting teams from 12 countries and 18 American states for the three divisions.

The Explorer division for returning four-year universities attracted 23 teams, and 31 teams qualified for the Ranger division for high schools. There also are divisions for students in elementary and middle school and homeschoolers.

“To win takes teamwork,” said Mike

MATE ROV Competition is managed by the Marine Technology Society.

The Hephaestus Robotics team qualified for the World Championship after placing 2nd at the Monterey Bay Regional MATE ROV Competition on April 22 at Watsonville High.

The team competed alongside 2023 World Championship qualifying teams from 12 countries (Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt, China, Columbia, Norway,

Matera, faculty advisor and CIS instructor.

“To perform complex tasks underwater, six students work together on the pool deck, each with an important job to do. Teams are also scored on an oral presentation, on technical documentation and a marketing display. Next year we will compete in the Explorer division against four-year schools. I’m excited to see them rise to the challenge.”

International and regional ROV competitions challenge students to design and build underwater robots to tackle mission tasks based upon real-world applications, highlighting the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and inspiring our global community to create a sustainable future.

The 2023 competition challenged participants to engineer an ROV and the necessary sensors and tooling to, for example, produce clean energy by installing floating solar panels amongst offshore wind farms and ensure healthy

Mexico, India, Italy, Macau, and the United States) and 18 American states.

The team designed its ROV, Talos III, and autonomous vertical profiling float, Vulcan II, using Fusion 360. Team members wrote software, designed a custom circuit board, and 3D printed and laser cut numerous custom parts.

Hephaestus Robotics assembled the ROV and float at the X Academy Maker Space in Harvey West.

The team’s sponsor, the X Academy is a Santa Cruz nonprofit offering science tech engineering and math enrichment programs to middle and high school students since 2014 by parent volunteers.

This is the third robotics team sponsored by the XAcademy.

Its teams won 3rd place in the 2022 regional competition and 7th place in the World Championship telepresence division in 2021.

The XAcademy’s flagship program, the Santa Cruz Math Circle, has engaged nearly 400 students from 26 schools in college-level mathematics, serving 30% Latinx students, 40% girls, while providing financial assistance for 25% of its students. n

Information: http://wwwxacademy.org

environments by monitoring the recovery of seagrass beds – all simulated within the confines of a swimming pool.

Young people who have participated in the MATE ROV competition have gone onto careers as an ROV pilot/electrical engineer, mechanical/ocean engineer and lunar rover driver, to name a few.

The Marine Advanced Technology Education Center was established with a grant from the National Science Foundation to Monterey Peninsula College in 1997. Founded in 2016, MATE Inspiration for Innovation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit created by the MATE Center to support the global MATE ROV Competition. n

Robert Rivas

First Xylazine Death in Santa Cruz County

By Jondi Gumz

The County of Santa Cruz County reports its first death from xylazine, a tranquilizer used to sedate large animals and increasingly used by drug dealers to enhance the euphoric effects of fentanyl or increase street value.

A 35-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in Santa Cruz died in early June. Postmortem toxicology found xylazine (also known as tranq) and deadly fentanyl.

“This tragic event is an important alert to the community that xylazine is confirmed to be present in drugs in Santa Cruz County,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, County of Santa Cruz EMS medical director. “Fentanyl, alone, is extraordinarily dangerous and is devastating communities across the country. The addition of xylazine compounds the risk of street drugs.”

Chronic use of xylazine causes dramatic, disfiguring wounds, usually on a person’s legs or arms.

The rate of overdose deaths involving xylazine increased from .03 per 100,000 people in 2018 to 1.06 per 100,000 people in 2021, according to a federal study.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported in October that xylazine is relatively inexpensive and many drug buyers are completely unaware that

DA: Petsmart to Pay $1.46 Million Settlement

On July 6, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey S. Rosell announced PETSMART LLC will pay $1.46 million to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging that PetSmart engaged in false advertising and unfair competition.

The stipulated judgment, a written agreement, was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court by the Santa Cruz District Attorney, Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, along with the district attorneys of Alameda,

The judgment requires PetSmart to pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in as near as possible restitution to support future enforcement of consumer protection laws, and $110,000 in costs to the various county Agricultural Commissioners/Sealers around the state who conducted the investigation.

Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, San Diego, Sonoma, and Ventura.

The civil complaint filed by prosecutors alleged that PetSmart unlawfully charged customers prices higher than PetSmart’s lowest advertised price for items.

The judgment includes an injunction that prohibits PetSmart from engaging in false or misleading advertising and charging an amount greater than the lowest price posted for an item. It also requires PetSmart to implement additional audit and price accuracy procedures in its California stores for three years to ensure compliance with pricing accuracy requirements, including notifying customers of their right to be charged the lowest currently advertised price for any item offered for sale.

The judgment requires PetSmart to pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in as near as possible restitution to support future enforcement

of consumer protection laws, and $110,000 in costs to the various county Agricultural Commissioners/Sealers around the state who conducted the investigation.

PetSmart has not admitted any liability or wrongdoing but has cooperated with inspectors and prosecutors during the investigation and has since instituted new policies and procedures to improve pricing accuracy, according to Rosell.

The Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner, Weights and Measures Division, is the agency that inspected the PetSmart store in Santa Cruz and is instrumental in monitoring retailers to make sure that consumers are being charged the lowest advertised price for items.

“We are committed to prosecuting pricing accuracy violations and ensuring that businesses charge customers accurately and are in compliance with California law,” Rosell said. “Consumers should always watch as items are scanned at the register and check receipts to verify that they are charged the lowest advertised or posted price for items.” n

xylazine has been mixed in with fentanyl or heroin.

Some users report the withdrawal symptoms from xylazine are as, or more, severe than from heroin or methadone, according to the DEA. Symptoms include sharp chest pains and seizures.

A xylazine overdose is not reversed by naloxone, the life-saving medication that can save people from a fentanyl overdose, but Ghilarducci said it should be given to people experiencing overdose to reverse the opioid component. Naloxone, or Narcan, can restore breathing, and it is not expected to harm someone under the influence of xylazine.

The federal study found the highest numbers of fentanyl death where xylazine was found in Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

In March, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) introduced a bill to add xylazine to the Controlled Substances Act and in a year request a report on its illicit use from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill was referred to the subcommittee on health. n

New CEO at Monarch Services

Leeann Luna has been promoted to chief executive officer of Monarch Services, effective July 1, succeeding Kalyne Foster Renda.

Luna has been with Monarch Services since 2009, beginning as a crisis intervention advocate. She has worked in human resources, grants and contracts management, and fund development.

For the last five years, Luna has overseen the Crisis Intervention and Child & Youth Programs.

She was a member of the California Next Generation Leaders of Color 2012 Cohort, served as the VALORUS (formerly California Coalition Against Sexual Assault or CALCASA) Regional Chair, is a Solis Policy Institute of the Women’s Foundation California Fellow and has served on the Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission.

“Leeann Luna” page 11

Leeann Luna

Can Peer Support Fill Gaps in County Mental Health?

By Jondi Gumz

With a 31% staff shortage in Santa Cruz County’s mental health division, county supervisors have green-lighted a new approach: Hiring more peer support specialists to work on mobile crisis teams.

The shortage of licensed staff is not just in Santa Cruz County, but throughout California and across the nation.

This is why the county’s mobile emergency response team has only been available during the week, not evenings and not weekends.

Yet 36% of calls between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. are mental health-related.

With the current licensed staff shortage, the county’s Crisis Stabilization facility often cannot accept people in crisis, so they are directed to hospital emergency departments -- Dominican Hospital, 29 per month on average, or Watsonville Community Hospital, 9 per month on average.

The new approach, called “Crisis Now,” aims to have mobile teams available 24 hours by 2026.

Crisis Now is led by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and developed with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and consultant RI International.

With Santa Cruz County’s population of 274,255, it is estimated that 6,852 people would need crisis services beyond a phone call or outpatient service and a need for 43 acute inpatient beds. This is based on national guidelines projecting that 200 people per 100,000 will experience this acute a crisis.

In 2021, the Crisis Stabilization facility tallied 1,397 uses of crisis chairs with the average stay 1.7 days and 67 adult readmissions

Supporters of Crisis Now say not matching people to their care needs is detrimental to the healthcare system at a cost of $2,264 per psychiatric patient.

Mónica Morales, who heads the county Health Services Agency, presented Crisis Now to county supervisors, who gave their approval in June.

Survey

Planningstarted in February with a community survey that reached 95 participants, a town hall and listening session with 25 people on Feb. 16, five focus groups involving 98 people, 30 days of public comment through April 20, capped by a public hearing.

The top priority was the need to expand mobile emergency response hours to 24/7, then expanding the number of acute care beds.

RI International, formerly Recovery Inc., was hired as a consultant locally.

The cost of Crisis Now is expected to be $5.16 million over the next three years. Funds are coming from federal and state grants.

The budget includes $1.3 million for personnel.

The overall expense includes $450,000 for RI International and $300,000 for a third-party evaluator.

Arizona Model

InArizona, where crisis centers are open 24 hours, people experiencing a psychiatric crisis get a fast — 3 minute — handoff to a counselor by police officers who can focus their attention on crime. The centers are open to all, regardless of health insurance.

That’s not available in Santa Cruz County now.

And it wasn’t in 2016 when two young men in crisis — Sean Arlt and Luke Smith — were killed by law enforcement, Sean

in Santa Cruz and Luke in unincorporated Watsonville.

But RI International is to help develop a better system of mental health crisis lines, mobile crisis response, and short-term crisis care facilities.

Currently people in a mental health crisis can call 911, answered by dispatchers for police and emergency medical services, 988, the 24/7 line which connects to the Suicide Prevention Service or 1-800-9522335, the tollfree number of the county’s mobile response team, which works weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To hire peer specialists, the county leaders plan to partner with a nonprofit for the hiring and training. This could be 12 to 24 certified peer specialists and emergency medical technicians.

With sufficient staff, dispatchers could send a mobile team at any time, evenings or weekends.

Crisis Now is being funded as an innovation project via the state tax on millionaires for mental health services; long-term funding has yet to be secured.

The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury investigated the county’s Behavioral Health Division and reported the 31% staff vacancies, along with vacancies in staff of Telecare, the nonprofit contracted by the county to run the Crisis Stabilization facility. See the July 1 Aptos Times.

The county is planning to open a crisis facility for youth at 5200 Soquel Drive, next to the Sheriff’s Office, once renovations are complete. The facility could be ready in 2024.

One issue for hiring is that neighboring counties such as Santa Clara and San Mateo in the heart of Silicon Valley offer higher pay. This leads to people driving “over the hill” to boost their income. n

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CQENS

“Rivas” from page 7

Existing law requires a 7-member agency board of directors, 4 elected and 3 appointed, with the 3 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County, the Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County, and the City of Watsonville, each living within the jurisdiction of the appointing power, and deriving at least 51% of their net income from the production of agricultural products.

AB 588 requires the City of Watsonville appointee to “have a primary income that involves or, if the appointee is retired, did involve, a close and continuing relationship with the Pajaro Valley agricultural industry.”

“…signing this bill into law ensures residents of Watsonville will be represented in future decisions regarding their region’s water systems. It also safeguards the Pajaro Valley agriculture community’s representation,” said Rivas. n

International Inhalation Market

www.cqens.com

Affordable Housing: How? Or Too Much?

On June 27, the nonprofit Monterey Bay Economic Partnership unveiled a new white paper, “Practical Housing Policy: Increasing Supply and Affordability,” to a sold-out audience of nearly 100 people at a Housing Summit hosted by CSU Monterey Bay.

Increasing supply and affordability of housing in the tri-county area has been a priority of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership since 2016.

The nonprofit launched the Monterey Bay Housing Trust to fund 500 new affordable homes, implemented a farmworker housing action plan resulting in 2,200 new beds; launched the action center resulting in 2,029 new homes and produced a “blue paper” on water policies that are increasing housing production.

The nonprofit has endorsed the Water St. Apartments, 41 rentals, 831 Water St., 140 rentals, Cedar St. Apartments, 65 rentals, 111 Errett Circle, 36 homes with accessory dwellings, Pacific Front, 205 homes on Pacific Avenue, all in Santa Cruz, and Sunshine Vista, 150 homes in Watsonville.

State Housing and Community Development Department officials calculate how many new housing units are needed based on household projections, and here the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments then allocates those numbers among the city and county jurisdictions.

The demands for new housing through this process have jumped statewide to the point that some local residents are resisting.

In 2022, Mill Valley resident Susan Kirsch created Catalysts for Local Control, activists who contend the state housing quotas as unrealistic.

Another group, OurNeighborhoodVoices.com, is organizing a campaign for a 2024 statewide ballot measure to restore the authority of local representatives to decide what gets built in your community, on your street and right next door to where you live.

The group says this initiative is supported by a statewide grassroots coalition of Californians that includes Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

The group objects to recent state laws that allow developers to build multi-unit, multi-story buildings without environmental review, or onsite parking.

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership takes another tack, coming up with ways policies could be amended to be housing-friendly.

The five policy recommendations in the latest white paper are:

Streamline permitting and reduce discretionary reviews: Decrease risk and pre-development costs for nonprofit and for-profit developers with objective design guidelines and ministerial approval for specific, needed housing development.

Increase allowable densities: Enable more efficient use of vacant or non-vacant

land — especially in urbanized areas — through updates to zoning regulations and by optimizing height limits and density calculations.

Reform & defer impact fees: Scale fees by square footage rather than per housing unit to incentivize more units per development. Collect impact fees as a requirement for issuing the certificate of occupancy, rather than earlier in a project’s timeline, to reduce risk and financing costs to the developer.

Increase funding sources for affordable housing: Thoroughly explore funding resources – from the local to state and federal levels – and partnerships to increase financing options and affordable housing production. Partner with local agencies to identify potential sites.

Optimize Inclusionary Housing Ordinances: Maximize incentives by offering additional density bonuses, impact fee deferral or reductions, or other concessions to increase developments with inclusionary components. If the required percentage of affordable housing is too high, it can be a disincentive to developers. n •••

To read the white paper, see: https:// tinyurl.com/MBEP-practical-housing.

Behavioral Health Division Goal: Expand Mental Health Services

By Jondi Gumz

Hamstrung by short staffing, the County of Santa Cruz Behavioral Health Division is shifting from an innovation plan to the “Crisis Now” model to expand community-based services to homeless individuals with a severe mental illness, and/or substance use disorder.

On June 27, Monica Morales, director of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, briefed the supervisors on the new model, and they gave their approval.

Mental health services were the subject of a Santa Cruz County Grand Jury investigation, with recommendations to find ways to address the staffing crisis, as 26% of positions are vacant.

Challenges in classifying county positions, and contracting with the provider, Front St. Inc., led to the Healing the Streets program launching six months into the grant period.

So Behavioral Health applied to the federal government for permission to carry over unspent year one funds, which combined with anticipated unspent year two funds will allow operations to extend into a third year.

With payment reform under California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, services by the Healing the Streets team will be billable and support ongoing services.

A 2020 survey completed by 103 stakeholders identified permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals as the top priority.

To address this, Behavioral Health staff have applied to the state for four “ No Place Like Home” projects: Bienestar Plaza, 1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz; Tabasa Gardens, 1482 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville; Harvey West Studios on the Housing Matters campus in Santa Cruz, and Jessie Street, 314 Jessie Street, Santa Cruz.

These four projects will provide almost 100 supported housing units for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness.

Expanding mobile crisis services, now available only Monday through Friday and not evenings or weekends, was the second priority.

The 12-chair design of the Crisis

Stabilization Program on Soquel Avenue accommodates youth and adults, but the staffing ratio requires one licensed staff for every four patients. With one youth admission, three chairs are effectively taken offline as one staff supports the youth. Conversely, if more than eight adults are admitted, staff cannot be diverted to attend to a youth.

This impacts the Dominican Hospital emergency department. In 2022, of 89 youth admitted to the emergency department on a mental health hold, only 54% were able to be transferred to the Crisis Stabilization Program. Another 40% were placed out of county.

A typical stay for crisis stabilization is 24 hours but in Santa Cruz, in 2022, from July through December, 53% of adults were staying longer than 24 hours.

Admissions at the county’s Crisis Stabilization Program declined overall since 2016, but in 2023, there is an uptick as Telecare, the county’s contractor, was able to hire a full-time local administrator and as well as a director.

Adult admissions, 126 in July, fell to 76

in September, rose to 113 in October, then dropped to 78 in December.

With staff absences, some individuals are diverted to Dominican’s emergency department.

The county plans to create a youth crisis stabilization program at 5300 Soquel Ave., next to the Sheriff’s Office but the building requires extensive remodeling and may be ready in 2024.

•••

Data show the need for evening services: 74% of all mental health calls for service via NetCom dispatch come between 7 am and 8 pm, while 36% of calls between 8 pm to 7 am are mental health-related.

Projected expenses for the 3-year plan (2023-2026) are $5,168,834 and will be funded with $4,544,656 from the Mental Health Services Act and $624,178 and Federal Financial Participation.

There is an option to extend through 2028.

Projected costs for fiscal year 2023-24 are $1,216,153 and are included in county Health Services Agency’s proposed budget. n

Summit attendees saw the state demands for housing in Santa Cruz County: 3,044 for 2015-23 vs. 12,979 for 2023-2031.

“VetArt” from page 6

Events are sponsored by California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

The afternoon begins at 2:30 p.m. with a drum circle led by internationally renowned percussionist Arthur Hull, who is returning early from a trip to China to participate, and the Village Circles Community. This will be a family-friendly experience.

Next: Spoken word (poetry spoken aloud) and KZSC DJ Selecta 7 playing Irie reggae tunes.

Through the Vet Art love post-traumatic stress healing is the way we flow.

The day is offered to collectively — that includes you! — increase healing for our veterans and their communities.

Remember, “we are all veterans of war. Some just closer to the action.”

If you are a veteran artist and wish to share your art, contact: up2peace@gmail. com. A “stipend” will be offered. n •••

For more info: vets4vetssantacruz.org, up2peace.org and VetArt.org.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D- Carmel Valley) announced $1.11 million for Marina and Monterey to help homeless veterans reenter the workforce.

The money comes through the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, which funds occupational skills, apprenticeships, on-the-job training opportunities, job search and placement assistance.

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists Inc. in Marina received $770,000 and Veteran Employment Services in Monterey $347,000.

BELOW: Dog Tags is the centerpiece for a quilt in progress

These programs are part of a broader $58 million investment in veterans training programs across the country.

California is home to more than 1.6 million veterans, more than any other state. About 20,000 veterans currently live in Monterey County.

“It’s unfortunate, but it also must be unacceptable, that anyone who served and sacrificed for our country goes homeless,” said Panetta, who is himself a veteran. “By assisting our local veterans with this type of federal funding, our community can continue to live up to its responsibility of serving those who served our country.” n

“Leeann Luna” from page 8

Currently, she is on the Justice and Gender Commission, a member of Focus Agriculture and a board member for Dientes Community Dental. Luna earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Fresno in 2007.

Born and raised in Watsonville, she lives in Salinas with her husband and two young daughters.

Monarch Services has a 46-year history in Santa Cruz County of

providing advocacy and resources to community members affected by violence. Services include court accompaniments, restraining order assistance, counseling, emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, outreach, education and support groups.

Monarch Services is the only rape crisis and human trafficking center in Santa Cruz County and includes an emergency response team.

All services are available in Spanish and English and are free or low cost. n

ABOVE: Drum Circle leader Arthur Hull

This ocean scene is by Craig, a local veteran artist.

Aptos Jr. High Gym Upgrade Aptos Sports Foundation Deserves Credit For The Project

By Jondi Gumz

When Aptos Junior High students return to school in August, they will find their gym, the home of the Sea Dragons, looks bright and new.

That’s because the Aptos Sports Foundation put together a project to paint the gym — bright white with a Mariner blue wave — and recoat the floor this summer.

This is the handiwork of Paul Bailey, who heads the Aptos Sports Foundation, founded more than 30 years ago, John Marinovich, a foundation director, and Larry Ingram, a parent who owns Vulcan Coatings and Aptos St. BBQ.

Plus Sonny Chavez, paint sales rep at Kelly Moore at the Rancho Del Mar shopping center.

Such a job could cost $40,000 to $50,000, according to Marinovich, who sells scoreboards and videoboards to school districts and in his spare time, volunteers as “project manager” for the Aptos Sports Foundation’s efforts to upgrade school facilities in Aptos.

It wasn’t on the “to do” list of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which has 19,000 students attending schools in Aptos, Corralitos, Watsonville and Monterey County.

But Ingram, whose son graduated from the junior high in 2021 and his daughter in 2022, noticed the grey cinder block walls in the gym and offered to do the painting at cost.

Painting is underway.

Once the walls are done, the gym floor will get two coats of Vulcan Surfacing to give it polish.

People in Aptos take pride in their school facilities, which function as community centers, Bailey observed.

Aptos Little League plays at the junior high field, and Aptos Youth Basketball

Association, a recreational league, uses the gym.

Ingram, by the way, is the one who came up with “Aptos loves Aptos,” the heart motto for the Aptos Sports Foundation.

“The relationship between the school district and the foundation is extremely important,” said Marinovich, noting all projects must comply with regulations.

When Ingram walked into Kelly Moore with his credit card ready to buy 40 gallons of paint. Chavez, whose kids also went to Aptos Junior High, told him, “We’ll take care of that.”

Ingram’s reaction: “Super-generous.”

Not all communities respond that way.

“Gym Upgrade” page 15

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Larry Ingram with the new Mariner wave that will give the Aptos Junior High gym a bright new look.

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Painters make progress at Aptos Junior High painting the gym white with a blue accent.

Standing Ovations for Hunchback Stunning Sets, Fabulous Costumes, and a Quasimodo to Melt your Heart!

By Mindy Pedlar

Audiences delight in the magnificent sets, divine music, amazingly talented cast, and the attention to detail seen in all aspects of Cabrillo Stage’s production.

What does a costume for a gargoyle or a statue look like — especially when these characters have to magically turn into 15th century Parisians in 30 seconds or less? How do you change congregants into soldiers within four bars of music? These were some of the challenges facing Maria

Crush, costume designer for Cabrillo Stage’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, now playing at the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo Colleg

As always, Crush — a theater veteran — was up to the challenge.

Throughout the show, the 11 ensemble members appear alternately as congregants, Parisians, soldiers, gypsies, gargoyles, statues and more. I couldn’t imagine how the actors were ever going to change in and out of costumes and be back onstage in time for the next scene.

I needn’t have worried. After my first costume fitting with Maria, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Her creativity and eye for color and style was evident in every costume piece I tried on, including a stunning head piece made by Lidia Hasenauer, wardrobe

supervisor, who patiently took notes on Maria’s final choices for my varied characters and which costume pieces needed hemming (I’m short) tailoring or repairs. And speaking of headpieces, the gargoyles are creatively capped in pieces made by talented costume shop intern Nikki Unger.

Maria robed Cheryl Anderson’s magnificent 24-member choir.

Maria beautifully and appropriately bedecked each lead actor, villains, heroines and heroes including our own Hunchback, Juan Castro.

For Juan, getting to play one of his bucket list roles “is an honor. Quasimodo

endures a lot of heartache yet remains a hero through and through. Despite the title, he is not defined by his disabilities and physical appearance, but by his character and heart, which is the beautiful message of this story.”

As an actor, Juan likes to delve deeply into a character’s psyche. He is intrigued by Quasimodo’s complexity and the intensity of some of the scenes and songs.

Like the character he plays, Juan tries to face life with a sense of optimism. He finds Quasimodo to be “one of the great tragic heroes of literature. We can all relate to him in his search for love and acceptance.”

Juan Castro as Quasimodo

David Murphy as Dom Claude Frollo and company

The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened July 7 to rave reviews and spontaneous standing ovations!

This epic production will entertain, inspire and tug at your heartstrings. Now playing through July 30. All performances are in the Cabrillo Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus in Aptos. n

•••

Tickets available online at cabrillostage.com. Box Office open for phone & walk-in sales, Thursday – Saturdays 12 pm-6 pm, 831479-6154. $20 student rush tickets available at the box office 15 minutes before curtain (excludes Sunday matinees) Group discounts for 10 or more available on the website.

“Gym Upgrade” from page 12

“That’s the community donating to the school,” Bailey said. “That’s what gives me goose bumps.” n

Aptos Sports Foundation plans a fundraising poker tournament at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Seascape Golf Club. To sign up or to support the foundation, see https://www.aptossports foundation.com/

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

John Marinovich (from left), Larry Ingram and Paul Bailey at Aptos Junior High, where the gym is getting a major facelift courtesy of the Aptos Sports Foundation.

Juan Castro as Quasimodo and company

Kristi Garcia as Esmeralda

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

ACTIVE VS. SOLD

We continue to have very little inventory, and what we do have may be “overpriced”. There are 40 Active Single-Family Homes in Aptos as of 7/9/23. Average Days on Market is up to a whopping 40 days (when your home is “hot”, you sell in the first 14 days). AVG List Price is $1,832,435 and the MEDIAN List Price is $1,649,000. When we compare this to the SOLDS in the past 30 days, the stats are quite different. 19 homes sold (so we only have 2+ months of inventory); the AVG Sales Price was $1,442,791 and MEDIAN Sales Price was $1,250,000 on MEDIAN List Price of $1,299,000. So… The 40 Actives that remain are listed on Average 27% higher than what the Average Sales Price was and 32% higher than the Median. There is room for price adjustments on any Active listing older than 14 days on market.

SOLD IN PAST 30 DAYS

I represented the Seller on 528 Cuesta which was the second highest sale at $2,100,000. High sale was 325 Coates, on the bluff with a direct view of the cement ship, 5 days on market, Sold for $2,950,521. Low sale was 120 Sand Hill Rd, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1442sf, $815,000. Around the Median Sales Price were:

• 213 Claus Ct – 3bed/ba2/1471sf –

26 DOM – $1,255,000

• 416 Loma Prieta – 4bed/2.5ba/2571sf –

64 DOM – $1,250,000

• 530 Harriet – 2bed/1.5ba/1236sf –

16 DOM – $1,175,000

• 117 Apple Lane – 3bed/2ba/1247sf –

8 DOM – $1,150,000

COMING SOON

342 Village Creek Road

WALKABILITY = 10! Crown jewel townhome in the secret complex of Village Glen, at the entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks, up the hill to all that the eating, drinking, shopping that Aptos Village offers, and one mile down the hill to Rio Del Mar beach. Spacious 1785 Sq. Ft., Upgraded, End-Unit with Two Master Suites, living room with vaulted ceilings and gas fireplace, dining area and breakfast nook, den area, primary one has gas fireplace and large walk-in closet, upstairs laundry, brick patio w/BBQ, front door opens to redwood grove, backyard is forest serene. Price TBD. Call for more info.

Call, email, text anytime and Get Results With Ruth!

Aptos’ Fourth of July World’s Shortest Parade

Photos by Cathe Race

Aptos Parade Winners

Thank you to the hundreds of participants in this year’s World’s Shortest Parade in Aptos on the 4th of July.

Best Best

Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires

Terrible Tourists: Are You One of Them?

By Christopher Elliott

My son sat next to the world’s worst tourist on a flight from Sydney to Denpasar, Indonesia. His seatmate nursed a bottle of sizzurp — a potent mix of codeine and Sprite — and the man twitched uncontrollably for the sevenhour flight to Bali.

When the intoxicated tourist disembarked on the conservative Hindu island, he collapsed on the terminal floor. The last time I saw him, customs officials were trying in vain to revive him from an opiateinduced stupor.

Interestingly, Bali has been attracting a lot of bad tourists lately. Earlier this summer, a German visitor defiled a temple by roaming through it without a stitch of clothes. A Russian tourist took pictures of himself seminude on a sacred mountaintop. Indonesians were so incensed that they banned hiking in that area.

It’s not just happening in Indonesia. Bad tourists are everywhere. They’re carving their initials into the Colosseum in Rome.

And it gets worse — much worse. Last month, German officials arrested an American tourist after he allegedly pushed two women down a slope near Neuschwanstein Castle, killing one of them.

No Manners

What’s going on? People are making up for lost time after the pandemic, experts say. They’re flooding popular destinations but leaving their manners at home.

“And that’s resulting in disruptive or disrespectful tourist behaviors,” says Carla Bevins, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.

Wait, hasn’t this always been a problem? Yes, but not to this extent.

“It’s gotten worse since the pandemic,” says Joel Wesseldyke, a travel advisor with JJ Travel Associates. “I think people became more entitled because the expectations changed so drastically, people felt comfortable making demands, and getting exactly what they wanted, without regard for other people.”

What’s Bad?

You’d think most parents would have taught their children about good behavior, but some tourists evidently missed that class.

Here’s a refresher.

Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires

They’re Disruptive

Many tourists do not respect the customs of the place they are visiting, and they are not mindful of the environment.

“They’re loud in public areas and leave trash behind,” says Pradeep Guragain, who co-founded a travel planning site about Nepal. I see it every evening in Canggu, Indonesia, as tourists trample on the incense and offerings left at the many temples. They’re Entitled

Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette consultant, says people feel “more entitled” to the vacation they want, no matter the consequences or the cost. They make outrageous demands and they ignore local customs and norms. They also don’t seem to care how their actions affect those around them.

They Disrespect Their Hosts

The worst tourist behavior Laura Lynch ever witnessed was a tourist carving his initials into Cambodia’s historic Angkor Wat temples. (There’s a theme here — bad tourists like to carve their names on national treasures.)

“It was an appalling sight, underlining a careless approach toward the travel destination,” says Lynch, who edits a site about traveling in California.

“Terrible Tourists” page 25

Listening to Your Partner’s Premonitions

By Barry and Joyce Vissell

(Another VW Van Misadventure)

In 1977, Joyce and I spent part of the summer renting a house in Mt. Shasta. Because our first daughter, Rami, was only 1 year old, we sometimes took turns exploring the area while the other one stayed home watching our baby. On one of my turns, I drove into the mountains above Lake Siskiyou, on a road following the upper stretches of the Sacramento River. I had heard about a magical lake that was accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles.

Since our VW van was only two-wheel drive, I drove to the end of the paved road, parked, then walked several miles on the rough road to a truly gorgeous small lake set in a glacial bowl. There was granite everywhere, with a gem of a lake set in the middle like a sparkling diamond in a granite setting.

I spent the day meditating and frolicking in the lake. I had it all too myself. And I knew I had to bring Joyce and Rami here to experience this wonderland. Because I had walked the road to the lake, I had the chance to really evaluate the possibility of getting there in our van. I decided it was doable.

That night, I told Joyce about the lake, amply describing its glories. I was not prepared for her reaction. She said, “Barry, I have a bad feeling about going there.”

Deflated, I still rallied, “But why? It’s gorgeous! And I checked the road out carefully. We can make it in our van.” Joyce has often had a hard time opposing my desires. Still, she said, “I can’t explain my feeling. The more you go on about this place, the worse I feel.” I wouldn’t give up. I promised her a great time, and finally she relented. We went the next morning, despite her misgivings.

We left the paved road and ventured onto the four-wheel-drive road. I have to acknowledge, it was not easy going, but slowly, carefully, we bumped along for several miles. We were just about to the lake, when I started to press down on the clutch and the pedal fell to the floor.

I immediately knew that the clutch cable had just snapped.

“Misadventures” page 25

School Assemblies Keep Water Education Fun

Parents and teachers know that children learn best when they are engaged with the subject being taught.

A proven method to get them engaged is through entertainment and direct interaction — the two main ingredients in the water education assemblies that are sponsored each year by the Soquel Creek Water District.

The District partners with professional performers to bring lively and entertaining water education assemblies to our service area elementary schools in Soquel, Capitola, Aptos, and La Selva Beach, as well as Live Oak where our Pure Water Soquel Purification Center is being built.

Why Water Assemblies?

Elementary school children are in the early stages of their educational journey, and it is a great time to instill in them an understanding and appreciation of the importance of responsible water usage.

One of the best ways to achieve this is through water education assemblies that provide an interactive and engaging experience where students can learn about the value of water.

SCN-Aptos-Times-July-Happy-Hour-10x5.375.pdf 1 7/7/23 10:49 AM

They also learn how they can have a positive impact on their community, and hopefully be part of the next generation of informed and environmentally conscious individuals.

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

Awareness

Water education assemblies are an entertaining way to raise awareness among elementary school children about the role water plays in their daily lives.

The interactive assemblies engage students with visual aids, singing, and dancing, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the importance of our shared watersheds and the role they can play in their preservation.

Environmental Responsibility

The assemblies also provide an opportunity to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in young minds.

By explaining the environmental impacts of water waste and pollution, the assemblies encourage students to become active participants in using water wisely and protecting our environment. Our assemblies include information on the

water cycle, where their water comes from, water pollution sources, the importance of using water wisely, and recycling water.

Behavior Change

Water education assemblies have the potential to bring about changes in behavior among our elementary school children.

“Water Assemblies” page 26

Banana Slugs String Band

State in Santa Cruz County

Editor’s note: This is an edited version of the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury report. For the complete report, see https://www.co.santa-cruz. ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2023_ final/2023-7_Surveillance_Report.pdf

•••

In a world where people are subjected to ongoing and widespread use of surveillance by public and private actors, there is a need for increased transparency in law enforcement surveillance.

The Grand Jury recommends increasing the Sheriff’s Office public accountability for any acquisition and use of surveillance technologies.

In reporting on this investigation, the Grand Jury attempts to recognize the appropriate balance between the required secrecy of law enforcement investigations and public transparency. Increasing safeguards for all residents, especially the most vulnerable, is a form of democracy in action.

Just becoming aware of the potential dangers of over-surveillance empowers the public.

The simple act of publishing information on drone deployments or disclosing use of Amazon Ring cameras helps to allay public fears of over-surveillance.

Just as it is critical to know how and when surveillance tools will be used, it is equally important to understand the limits of surveillance, and hold authorities accountable to those limitations.

The Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff’s Office:

• Publish information on retention, and specify disposal or deletion dates for the increasing volume of non-evidentiary data, such as public event drone recordings.

• Consider using the state-mandated Military Equipment Inventory as a template for providing the public with information on surveillance equipment proposed or acquired through Federal Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative grants, as well as future surveillance tools budgeted through County funding.

Background

In 2021, the Santa Cruz County Criminal Justice Council issued a first of a kind Santa Cruz County regional public safety agency policy review. This review provided a transparent look at policies and offered a starting point for evaluation by local law enforcement, elected leaders and the communities they serve. All local

agencies participated voluntarily, openly, and transparently.

The report indicated the jurisdictions included in the review had dissimilar or incomplete policies specific to the acquisition and use of technology for the purposes of law enforcement surveillance.

In compiling their report, the Criminal Justice Council sent surveys to police chiefs of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Watsonville, and to the Santa Cruz County sheriff.

Prompted by the report and the development of privacy and surveillance ordinances in several counties and cities in California, the Grand Jury wanted to understand how law enforcement uses surveillance technologies and how the public might instill more transparency on the use of these technologies, while keeping in mind the investigative needs of law enforcement.

This Grand Jury suggests the need for public oversight of surveillance technologies is clearly demonstrated in findings from a 2019 State of California audit of local law enforcement agencies’ use of automated license plate readers.

The audit found the Los Angeles Police Department and three other California law enforcement agencies were not providing sufficient privacy protections for the hundreds of millions of images collected by automated license plate readers and shared with other jurisdictions.

The audit found that 99.9% of the 320 million images the LAPD stored came from vehicles that were not on a criminal investigation list when the automated license plate reader image was made.

At the time of the audit, none of the agencies had an automated license plate reader usage and privacy policy that implemented all the legally mandated— since 2016—requirements.

This example of just one surveillance technology illustrates shortcomings in data security, vendor oversight, data sharing, and data retention.

In a democratic society, there is a necessary and healthy tension between transparency (the public’s right to know about activities of their government) and the need for secrecy in national security and law enforcement contexts. Every democratic society has provisions for such secrecy, and this secrecy does not at all imply unethical collection or use of data.

There simply needs to be a recognition of the appropriate balance between secrecy and transparency policies that ensure ethical conduct, and rigorous, independent oversight.

Scope & Methodology

The Grand Jury chose to focus on the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office as the subject of this investigation because of the agency’s broad reach throughout the county, and a somewhat complex supervisory structure.

The Grand Jury limits the scope because, while surveillance technologies are used by law enforcement throughout the county, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is limited in its supervisory capacity over the Sheriff’s Office.

California Government Code Section 25303 prevents the Board of Supervisors from impeding the “investigative function of the sheriff.” Instead, the California Attorney General has direct supervision over sheriffs when they enforce state law.

The Grand Jury’s focus on the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office does not imply less need for transparency or public oversight in our cities. Rather, the Grand Jury encourages the city councils and the public to evaluate surveillance technology in use by city police, in light of the findings.

In undertaking this investigation, the Grand Jury attempts to recognize the appropriate balance between secrecy and transparency as it endeavors to ensure ethical conduct through independent oversight. The investigation included: Interviewing privacy board members in other California jurisdictions • Attending privacy board meetings in other jurisdictions • Interviewing Santa Cruz County staff and elected officials • Santa Cruz County site visits • Reviewing reports, audits, contracts, and plans related

to surveillance technologies • Researching proposed and enacted California city, county, and state ordinances/legislation • Seeking out best practices in privacy and surveillance technology management • Evaluating options for improving transparency • Examining the risks associated with too much available information

Investigation

Setting certain expectations in writing with regard to surveillance technology usage and privacy controls helps to ensure the Sheriff’s Office operates in a manner that protects individuals’ privacy.

The Grand Jury requested written documentation on the following:

1) Amazon Ring: Neighbors Public Safety Service

2) Automated License Plate Readers

3) Body Worn Cameras & Portable Audio Video Recorders

4) Mobile Device Forensic Tools

5) Drones, Robots & In-car Dash Recordings

6) Security Alarm/Neighborhood Video Partnership

7) Inmate Tablet Devices & Telephone Access

Amazon Ring

Amazon Ring law enforcement partnerships are growing and include the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

In a July 1, 2022 written response to a request for information from Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Amazon Ring reported a more than five-fold increase in law enforcement partnerships on its platform since November 2019.

Ring reported 2,161 law enforcement agencies on its NPSS, a platform on which participating agencies can request footage from Ring users. According to Amazon Ring:

• The consumer facing application is called Neighbors App. This application does not share the addresses at which devices are located unless a subscriber posts it to the Neighbors App or they share a video recording in response to a Request for Assistance post from the Sheriff’s Office. Once shared, the street address (the address associated with the Ring device), and the email address associated with the account are shared with the public safety user who created the Request for Assistance post.

• Of note in the response to Senator Markey’s request for information, Amazon Ring:

o Failed to clarify the distance from which Ring products can capture audio recordings.

o Refused to commit to eliminate Ring doorbells’ default setting of automatically recording audio.

o Provided videos to law enforcement in response to an emergency request, through a process that does not require the consent of the device owner.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office became one of the partnering agencies in 2020. In January 2023 correspondence to the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reports the Ring Neighbors Portal has been used less than 10 times since 2020 to assist with the investigation of significant crimes.

The Sheriff’s Office indicates evidentiary videos recovered through the Neighbors Ring Portal are booked to the Digital Evidence server and retained pursuant to Digital Evidence Policy 801. No information was provided on the disposal of non-evidentiary recordings.

Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office identifies the Neighbors Portal as a social platform and its use directed by Policy 343 Department Use of Social Media.

Automated License Plate Readers

Any entity in California, including public agencies, deploying readers or accessing ALPR data must post a privacy and usage policy online under a state law that went into effect Jan. 1, 2016.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff reports no use of this surveillance technology.

Body Worn Cameras & Portable Audio Video Recorders

The Sheriff’s Office completed the rollout of body worn cameras in January 2017.

A 2021 research paper released by a University Crime Lab and Council on Criminal Justice’s Task Force on Policing describes body worn cameras as both beneficial and cost effective.

The Grand Jury recognizes the value of this surveillance technology for both Sheriff’s Officers and the public.

Body worn cameras are listed in both Sheriff’s Office Policies 422 and 423. Within the Body Worn Camera policy, two different dates are listed for minimum retention of non-evidentiary data.

• Policy 423 Body Worn Cameras indicates all non-evidentiary data will be maintained for no less than 90 days, and references Government Code Section 26202(a). However, code 26202.6 (a) states, “the head of a county department, public safety communications center or the head of a special district may, after 100 days, destroy recordings of telephone and radio communications maintained by the department or special district.”

• Policy 422 Portable Audio/Video Recorders, which also includes body worn devices, indicates a retention of no less than 180 days.

Neither policy 422 nor 423 offers a definitive date for the disposal of non-evidentiary

data. The conflicting information on record retention within a policy, as well as between two policies referencing body worn devices may create confusion.

Mobile Device Forensic Tools

OnDec. 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Device, as recommended by the Sheriff’s Office.

This technology allows law enforcement to extract data from a smartphone. Funds for this purchase were obtained from the Urban Area Security Initiative.

Use of these tools is widespread in the United States, with every one of the 50 largest local police departments using them, according to a Washington nonprofit that investigates how police use the technology.

Concurrently, the share of Americans owning a smartphone is at least 85%, up from just 35% in 2011, according to a 2021 Pew Research report.

In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Riley v. California that warrantless search and seizure of the digital contents of a mobile phone during an arrest is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment. Under Riley v. California, there are exceptions for the requirement of a warrant to search a mobile phone, and these are in exigent circumstances, or when the owner gives consent.

According to the Cellebrite website, the tools can access locked devices bypassing pattern, password, or PIN locks. They can overcome encryption, as well as retrieve cloud tokens and select app data. In other words, there are few limitations to access.

The Sheriff’s Office provided no specific documentation or equipment delivery date in response to the Jury’s request. Instead, Policy 800 Property and Evidence and Policy 801 Computers and Digital Evidence were provided.

As digital forensic tools become more sophisticated, reaching into deleted messages, time-stamped geographic location information, and beyond the physical device into cloud-based data, more questions arise in how these tools are used.

This Grand Jury acknowledges additional documentation may be forthcoming when the Sheriff’s Office updates its annual Military Equipment Inventory, provided tools acquired through the UASI Federal Homeland Security Grant are inventoried.

Drones, Robots & In-car Dash Recordings

The Sheriff’s Office reports no In-car Dash Cams.

“Grand Jury” page 24

“Grand Jury” from page 23

However, the Sheriff’s Military Equipment Inventory required under California AB481 lists multiple surveillance devices capable of being deployed from many of the inventoried vehicles. State law AB481 requires every law enforcement agency to disclose which military-style gear it has, and to adopt specific policies on how it is used. This law also requires ongoing annual reports including information about any complaints received from the public.

In a first inventory, the Sheriff’s Office listed items related to surveillance, including: • Robots with camera attachment and/or two-way communications; • Unmanned aerial vehicles with camera and/or communications attachments; • Mobile command vehicles either capable of transporting, or with embedded communications technologies.

The Sheriff’s Office first ever Military Equipment Inventory reflects the idea that the required accountability of law to local government—and to the community it serves—is meant to continue into the future.

That said, the Jury notes inconsistencies and omissions within the document that will likely be corrected in subsequent inventories.

For example, there were no ongoing costs or fiscal impacts documented for several inventoried items reviewed for this report, and there were some missing references to Sheriff’s Office Policy. For example, Item 1 (Category 1) Robots has no Sheriff’s Office policy cited, and lists no fiscal impact. Importantly, AB481 allows for additional inventory items under line, “Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight.”

It should be noted that the Sheriff’s Office second annual AB481 Military Equipment Inventory was published during the review process for this Grand Jury report but was not used as a source for this investigation.

The Grand Jury acknowledges improvements in reporting and looks forward to continued progress in subsequent AB481 reporting.

In addition to publishing the Military Equipment Inventory, the Sheriff’s Office issues an annual Unmanned Aerial System (i.e., drone) report entitled, “Usage of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Team.” Drone usage metrics are included.

The UAS Team consists of 15 members of the Sheriff’s Office who are certified under Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 part 107 to fly drones in a commercial capacity.

In 2022, UAS were deployed 32 times, up from 21 times in 2019. The deployments included missing person search, search and rescue operations, suspect searches, crime

scene documentation, high risk incidents, and search warrants.

Security Alarm/Neighborhood Video Partnership

The Board of Supervisors enacted ordinances related to alarm systems and false alarms titled as County Code Chapter 7.84, Security Alarm Systems, and subsequently approved a vendor contract for services on Sept. 15, 2021.

The approved vendor is CryWolf Services, part of a Florida based for-profit company called CentralSquare. CryWolf provides an integrated suite of software applications, designed to assist false alarm reduction managers and planners in accessing information relevant to false alarms.

The Grand Jury examined the CryWolf Santa Cruz County portal and noticed a video surveillance registry.

While the Video Surveillance category is available to those who wish to register on the CryWolf False Alarm and Administration online registration, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reports no use of this video registry for surveillance.

The ability to register video surveillance on a web page created solely for Santa Cruz security alarm registry may be confusing to subscribers.

Inmate Tablet Devices & Phone Access

The Sheriff’s Office first partnered with Smart Communications, a for-profit Florida-based company, in late 2021.

The Sheriff’s office reports approximately one tablet available for every six or seven inmates. These tablets provide several features and use two-way electronic messaging software specifically designed for use in correctional institutions for communications by inmates, and monitoring capabilities for Sheriff deputies.

Any physical mail addressed to inmates at a Santa Cruz County jail, except letters from their legal counsel, are sent to Florida for scanning and digitization. Inmates can read their mail on tablets, and hard copies are destroyed.

Importantly, a March 2023 lawsuit filed in San Mateo County calls into question the wide scope of tablet surveillance, including; “those presumed innocent, and of the many individuals who send mail to those incarcerated people.” Additionally, this court filing suggests the Florida-based company stores a digital copy of scanned mail for seven years.

This Grand Jury wanted to review any documentation specific to Inmate Tablet Monitoring, including dates related to retention and disposal of data, any processes specific to evidentiary and nonevidentiary data, as well as data collected

for an individual released with a case status of, “no file.”

In response to this request and a request for documentation related to inmate telephone monitoring, the Sheriff’s Office provided Sheriff’s Office Corrections Policy 1005 related to Inmate Telephone access.

Of note in a review of the Sheriff’s Office Correction’s Policy 1005 related to Inmate Telephone Access is the lack of any documented process for the inadvertent recording of privileged information (e.g., communications by an inmate to legal counsel). A breach of confidentiality could expose the County to costly legal liability, as observed in a complaint filed in San Mateo County.

Every year, the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury examines detention facilities within the County, including the Main Jail, the Blaine Street Women’s Jail, and the Rountree Men’s Medium Security Facility. During this year’s tours, the jury learned about chronic staff shortages.

Inconsistent staff scheduling and an overworked staff at detention facilities may impede the resolution of unforeseen issues such as the inadvertent recording of privileged communications.

Inspector General

OnDec. 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted Government Code Section 25303.7 authorizing the Board to establish an Office of the Inspector General, appointed by the Board, to assist the Board with its duties that relate to the Sheriff.

The ordinance establishes the OIG as an independent contractor and outlines the purpose and duties. The creation of an Office of the Inspector General offers additional possibilities for oversight and recommendations regarding the policies, usage and operations of surveillance technology in the Sheriff’s Office.

Conclusion

While law enforcement surveillance technology can be effective for maintaining public safety and crime prevention, its use also poses several challenges and concerns.

Policymakers, the public, and law enforcement agencies like the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, must carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of surveillance, and ensure that its use is proportionate, transparent, and subject to appropriate safeguards and oversight.

This report asks whether the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Office provides the public with the appropriate balance between the required secrecy of law enforcement investigations and public transparency.

The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury finds a need for increased transparency

in surveillance use and public accountability as new surveillance technologies are introduced.

Recommendations

1. As Ring installations become more widespread, the Sheriff’s Office should include statistics on Amazon Ring Neighbors Portal usage in its annual report to the public by March 30, 2024.

2. The Sheriff’s Office should consider using its 2024 annual Military Equipment Inventory public meeting as its forum to inform the public of intent to acquire or use any Automated License Plate Reader equipment.

3. The Sheriff’s Office Policy Manual should review and propose potential revisions specific to confusing language in Policies 422 (Portable Audio/Video Recorders) and 423 (Body Worn Cameras) by Dec. 31, 2023.

4. The Sheriff’s Office should inform the public on whether Mobile Device Forensic Tools are used for consent searches specifically, and define and announce disposal dates for non-evidentiary data by Dec. 31, 2023.

5. The Sheriff’s Office may wish to recommend to the County Administration Office that clarifying language be added to the False Alarm and Administration online registration.

6. Where possible, the Sheriff’s Office should publicly provide information on retention and specify disposal dates for all surveillance technologies non-evidentiary data by Dec. 31, 2023.

7. The Sheriff’s Office should consider regular public reporting on the intended acquisition and ongoing use of surveillance technologies not already publicly reported as required under state or county law. The Sheriff’s Office should consider using portions of the Military Equipment Inventory as a template for providing the public with pertinent information on any surveillance equipment proposed, or acquired through federal grants, or other funding rather than creating yet another reporting format by Dec. 31, 2023. (F2, F4)

8. The Sheriff’s Office should review its Military Equipment Inventory to ensure compliance with AB481. Where documentation is missing, the Sheriff’s Office should draft clarifying text either to share with the public for review, or for inclusion in the annual update by May 31, 2024.

9. The Sheriff’s Office of Corrections should consider a documented process for handling the inadvertent recording of privileged communications, including inmate tablet use by Sept. 30, 2023.

Commendation

The Sheriff’s Office Annual Report is easy to read, well organized, and provides useful information to the public.

This publication offers thoughtful views of equipment, events, and Sheriff’s Office personnel. n

“Terrible Tourists” from page 18

Thumbing your nose at your hosts isn’t just bad manners. It can get you arrested, imprisoned and expelled.

News Flash: You May be a Bad Tourist

If you think you might be a bad tourist, you probably are.

And yes, I’m including myself. I’ve been traveling full-time since 2017, and the more I consider these behaviors, the more I realize I’m part of the problem.

I’m not carving my initials into the side of monuments or pushing fellow tourists off cliffs, but I’m also not being respectful of local customs.

For example, I didn’t research Indonesia sufficiently before I got there. I didn’t know the first thing about Balinese customs, and I may have even tripped over one of the temple offerings on my way to the beach.

By the way, I asked a Balinese hotelier what happened to tourists who step on the temple offerings. She said it depends on your intention. If you meant to crush the incense underfoot, bad karma. If you don’t, you are forgiven.

“Misadventures” from page 20

I looked over at Joyce, who had been tense the whole trip. She saw a strange expression on my face, and asked with concern, “Barry, what’s wrong?”

I said, “The clutch cable just broke.”

Now she was worried, and asked, “What does that mean?”

I’m not exactly a car mechanic, but I did know a thing or two. I did my own tune-ups and minor repairs, closely following a helpful book called, How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot.

“It means changing gears won’t be easy, but it can be done without a clutch. The lake should be just up ahead. Do you want me to keep going? We could still have a good time there.”

“Absolutely not,” was her vehement reply. “Please get us turned around and let’s get home.”

And thus began a very difficult journey, first getting our van turned around, and then creeping along in first gear for several hours, dodging boulders and holes. All in all, it was a long and miserable trip back to our house in Mt. Shasta.

Rami cried pretty much the whole time. Joyce appeared to be praying at times, deeply worried at other times. Even when we reached the main road, it required the utmost finesse to time gear changes to exactly match our speed, otherwise there would be a loud grinding of gears.

That night, after we put Rami to bed, Joyce sat with me to “talk.”

She began, “Barry, I’m really angry at you for pressuring me to go on this trip. You know I have a hard time saying no to you, especially when you’re so enthusiastic. But I’m angrier at myself. I didn’t have a good feeling from the very first time you brought it up, but I didn’t fight for my feelings. I didn’t listen to my intuition. I gave up on myself. From now on, I’m giving you notice, if I don’t have a good feeling about some-

Still, I didn’t even learn the two most important words in Balinese — please and thank you.

What To Do

Can you improve your tourism etiquette? You bet.

Do your homework.*** Learn about your destination and its norms and customs before before you visit. Also, learn some basic phrases in the local language. At a bare minimum, learn how to say “thank you.” Even if locals know your native language, saying “thank you “in their language is a sign of respect. “Take the time to learn about local customs and environmental practices before you embark on your journey,” says Michael Donovan, who edits a site about travel to New England.

Remember you’re a guest. Whether you’re visiting a state park or flying halfway around the world, don’t forget that you are a visitor. Be respectful of local values and customs.

And please leave the caps and T-shirts with political slogans at home. “Religious or provocative imagery, curse words, profanity, sports teams, political brands and national

thing, I’m not going to let you change my mind!”

After that day’s experience, what could I say? And to this day, I have gradually learned to listen to Joyce’s feelings. Sometimes I don’t like them, because they go against my desires. Of course, I also listen to my own intuition, deeper than my desires.

And if my intuition differs from Joyce’s intuition, we each have to listen very carefully to the other side. We try to find a compromise, a very important art for couples.

Not long ago, I wanted to raft the Owyhee River in very remote Southeast Oregon. The window for doing this had just opened and was very short. In other words, the river levels were dropping fast. I proposed the trip to Joyce. I always prefer that she come with me. I love her company. But she had a strong reaction, a bad feeling, which actually was rare for her. Joyce tries her very best to honor my need for the wilderness, even though she worries about my safety. On some of my trips, I can go for days without seeing another soul.

I felt disappointed by her reaction, but something in me (perhaps my own intuition) listened and stayed home. What would have been in the middle of my trip, our beloved 9-year-old golden retriever, Rosie, went rapidly downhill. She had been treated for cancer and seemed to be thriving. She died, and I was there to comfort her and Joyce. And, it was important to me to say goodbye to my beloved pet. I would have regretted not being there.

How glad I was to honor Joyce’s premonition and put my desires aside. n

Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for information on counseling sessions by phone, on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org

flags are all potentially offensive,” says Harding Bush, a senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue.

Listen, don’t speak. Travel is a terrific opportunity to learn about a new place. Don’t blow it by talking about yourself.

And really, no one is interested in how a place you’re visiting compares to where you’re from. “If you constantly compare your host country to home, forgetting to savor the unique beauty and customs of where you are, that’s a big red flag,” says Mal Hellyer, a photographer and travel blogger.

Bad Tourists Don’t Care.

It’s a safe bet that only the good tourists — or the ones who want to be better tourists — have made it this far in this story. The others stopped scrolling after the story about the comatose passenger.

So I can confidently make this prediction: The future will be filled with more incidents of reckless tourists defacing national treasures, passing out on terminal floors and even pushing each other off cliffs.

And to you, bad tourists, I have only one thing to say: Thank you. You’ve given this travel columnist so much material for future stories. But you have also inspired me to become a better tourist. Actually, you’ve inspired all of us. n •••

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, email him at chris@elliott.org.

Movie Animals

58. Private theater box

59. Resembling wings

60. MacFarlane or Rogen

61. Go-____

62. *Bullseye, Hamm and Lotso Bear, e.g.

63. Lyric poem

64. Immediately, doctor’s jargon DOWN

1. Air quality concern

2. Fibber

3. Farm measure

4. Sushi condiment

5. Natural moth repellent

6. To change, as in the U.S. Constitution

7. Fork prong

8. *”Harry Potter” animal (2 words)

9. Earthenware pot

10. *”Born Free” animal

11. I in T.G.I.F.

13. Administer diazepam

14. When Cinderella wins

19. Civil wrongs

22. “Some Nights” band

23. *”Life of Pi” animal

24. Close call

25. Bank job

26. Gossamer

27. Cry like #5 Across

28. Liquorice flavored herb

29. Hues

32. Backgammon predecessor

33. *”Babe” animal

36. *”Anchorman” and “The Wizard of Oz” animals

38. Kundera’s “Unbearable Lightness of ____”

40. “That feels good!” exclamation 41. Set in motion 44. Like a go-getter bird 46. Lies in ambush 48. Wept 49. It makes waste? 50. Singular of #17 Across 51. Home versus ____ game

52. Guesstimate phrase (2 words)

53. To perfection (3 words)

54. Taj Mahal city

55. As opposed to gross

56. *”Willard” animal

Illustration by Christopher Elliott

I didn’t know the first thing about Balinese customs, and I may have even tripped over one of the temple offerings on my way to the beach.

New Self-Identity, Life Direction & Soul Purpose

North & South Nodes Change Signs. We have a Cancer new moon Monday, July 17, 2023. This new moon highlights a major shift in the heavens of two important points in every astrology chart — the North & South Nodes (Dragon points in Vedic astrology).

The nodes (neither planets nor signs) are points in space, where the Moon crosses the Sun’s path. On July 17, the North Node leaves Taurus and enters Aries (new creative identity formed). The South Node leaves Scorpio (watery depths) and enters social Libra (past relationships appear, seeking harmony and/or closure).

Nodal Change: Every eighteen months, the nodes change signs. The North Node represents gifts, talents and work developing in our present lifetime. The South Node represents gifts and talents from past lifetimes.

In each lifetime, we gather our past abilities and gifts from previous lifetimes. Each talent gathered (re-cultivated, remembered) creates a stepping stone. Eventually, many stepping stones are formed, leading us to our North Node. This occurs in our early

ARIES

Creates the beginnings of things, has a fiery, quick thinking mind, does not exhibit patience (especially for the slower signs Pisces, Taurus, Cap, etc./), is filled with enthusiasm which for some means “filled with God”. Using the “I” word constantly, Aries is always developing a sense of self, a new self-identity, amidst being decisive, competitive, aggressive, proving themselves to be an impulsive risk taker. The Hierarchy looks on to see if Aries is a good risk for them. For Aries is to initiate a change in the world.

TAURUS

People often call Taurus stubborn, but that’s not the reality. Taurus people must think deeply before responding to questions. Their mind is based upon sensibility and practicality. Give them lots of time to ponder on all aspects of a question before answering. Taurus loves gold and beautiful (Venus) things because gold is valuable, and like Taurus, is a serious and long-lasting investment. Taurus is to illuminate the minds of humanity. They work with Vulcan, the forger, husband to Venus.

GEMINI

Their eyes are different than the eyes of other signs except for Aquarius. Gemini’s eyes ‘see” things others cannot see. They gather information that’s new in order to disperse that information to others. Gemini, the messenger (Mercury), is quite imaginative, sometimes a gossip, can be charming when it’s important and absent when it’s not. Your purpose, after sharing information with the world at large, is to love beyond everyone else’s capacity. Sirius is your guiding star. Your color is indigo blue.

CANCER

They are the crab, circling whatever interests them, never moving in a straight line. They’re circuitous in order to assess safety and well-being before coming close to their target. When safety is assured, they nurture and nourish all beingspeople, kingdoms, babies, animals, gardens, the devas, etc. Shy and evasive publicly, they are lively and talkative with intimates and close friends. And also very opinionated! Flowing with the moon’s cycles and ocean’s tides, and Neptune’s veils, Cancers are extremely penetrating, complex and sensitive.

By Risa D’Angeles

forties. At the North Node there is a door that represents our present life’s work to be developed. The South Node has provided us with all that we need to face and actually open this door. The Nodes are part of the Path of Evolution, our moving forward into our life purpose.

We are always moving from the South Node (the past) to the North Node (present/future purpose). Eventually, as we near the North Node (destiny), the South Node’s doors close to us. We find that we cannot go back to the past, cannot return to or access the South Node. Often this reality proves to be quite difficult. The areas of life, people, events, etc. we have been comfortable with are no longer accessible. Eventually we realize a new life rhythm has begun.

As the North Node shifts into Aries, it is good to look once again at each sign and their gifts. It is good to review the gifts and talents and abilities of each sign so we can identify rightly each sign’s (thus each person’s) purpose. Then we no longer “see through a glass darkly” but we see with clarity and in right proportion. There is therefore no room for judgment or criticism. There is only room for compassion and for love of one another. Because we understand. n

LEO

You are the proud lion, the world is your jungle, you have strong will, great intelligence, a high forehead, often big hair, can be generous, intense, overconfident, and at times a pain to everyone. You’re a leader, need to be in charge, very creative to the point of inspiring others and sensitive like Cancer. Your purpose is to offer love, unfold consciousness, become aware of your gifts, and offer them to humanity. You are a “child of fire.” That fire is God (Agni).

VIRGO

Known as a perfectionist, the reality is you harbor, nurture and gestate a new state of reality. However, before knowing this you’re often critical, judgmental, opinionated and silently unappreciative. But this is just a stage and after awareness sets in, you become trustworthy, exploratory, appreciative. Your purpose is to birth new realities for others so they come to know that “love underlies the happenings of the times.” And that a new World teacher is about to appear.

LIBRA

Libra likes to play, have parties, have fun, be social, amicable and cooperative. They have a sense of justice. If justice and fairness are missing, they set out to change things in order to bring forth harmony and balance. Librans often have many relationships. Why? Libra is learning how to be in relationships, how to choose, to discriminate between partners, to share, love, give and extend themselves to the other with Goodwill and Right Relations. Libras are mediators, harmonizer, servers, artists and always beautiful.

SCORPIO

The sign of the snake, the phoenix and eagle, Scorpios have potent emotional desires and feelings. Their depth is like magic. Scorpios also have a strong and powerful will. Serious, deep and extraordinary researchers, they’re always somewhat in a Halloween situation. Understanding death and rebirth, Scorpios ask us to walk with them (difficult for non-Scorpios). They never show weakness, hide their emotions, can be harsh and undiplomatic, they suffer and we find them deeply and unequivocably worthy, noble and admirable warriors.

SAGITTARIUS

Known as the truth sign, Sags are like the arrow of light they symbolize – they’re straightforward, uncomplicated, undemanding because they’re focused on what’s ahead, on the mountain top, over the plains toward a goal almost unreachable and so they’re adventurous, cultural, writers, publishers, filled with music, love of food, the need for freedom, journeys and pilgrimages. Their companion is Jupiter which suggests Joy. But sometimes, for little moments, they can also be very sad.

CAPRICORN

The sign of tradition and self-reliance, like Taurus but different, Caps never ask for help for they must prove to themselves they’re responsible, accountable, dependable and trustworthy. Often, no matter how much Caps accomplish, they feel unworthy and undeserving judging themselves as not having done enough. Caps need help understanding they are always enough, always on the Path, having earned a starry place among their serving brothers and sisters. Caps need to know they are the “rising sun.”

AQUARIUS

Honest and sincere, understanding brotherhood and seeking freedom, bringing the future into the present, always different and slightly revolutionary, Aquarians are comforted by knowing everyone. We are comforted by being in their presence for Aquarians are loyal and sympathetic, serving everyone. These “waters of life” star children, thought of as eccentric, sometimes very determined, learn by being both alone and in friend groups. Aquarians are the “light that shines on Earth, across the sea.” They are from the future.

PISCES

Very sensitive (like Cancer), a delicate fish (actually two), most comfortable in water (ocean, pools, river, lakes, rain), Pisces can suffer tremendously, not understanding life in form and matter. Sometimes the fish finds themselves in places and positions not quite right, sometimes with broken feet and bones. This is frightful for them. The Talmud says that “Every blade of grass has its angel bending over it, whispering, ‘Grow, grow.” Pisces has their angel, bending over them, too. It’s just invisible. Pisces is that angel speaking to everyone.

“Water Assemblies” from page 21

By providing students with information about water conservation and its positive impacts on the environment, assemblies can inspire them to adopt efficient water practices in their daily lives.

Whether it is turning off faucets when not in use, using water-efficient appliances, or reducing shower times, children learn how small changes in their behavior can add up to big changes for water conservation efforts.

Assemblies also emphasize the importance of spreading awareness and inspiring others, creating a ripple effect within families and communities.

Building Lifelong Habits

Introducing water education at assemblies in elementary schools can build the foundation for lifelong habits of responsible water usage.

When children are exposed to these concepts early on, they are more likely to incorporate them into their daily lives and carry them into adulthood. By fostering an understanding of water as a precious and finite resource, assemblies encourage students to become responsible stewards of the environment, promoting sustainability and conservation in their future actions. Performers

Four different performing groups are rotated through schools every year to keep assemblies interesting for our schools.

These talented, professional groups perform all over the country using different forms of entertainment — from singing, to juggling, to playing instruments — as they educate and entertain the students.

Our performers are the Banana Slug String Band, EarthCapades, Rock Steady Juggling, and ZunZun. To learn more about the performers and who is performing for the 2023-24 school year visit soquelcreekwater. org/275/Water-Education-Assemblies

These assemblies empower students to make a positive impact on water conservation efforts by raising awareness, promoting environmental responsibility, fostering problem-solving skills, encouraging behavior change, and building lifelong habits.

Educating children about water’s importance, and the role they can play in using it wisely, sets the stage for a more sustainable future, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and motivation to protect this vital resource. n

•••

As always, if you have any questions about this month’s topic or anything else related to Soquel Creek Water District, feel free to contact us at outreach@soquelcreekwater.org or visit soquelcreekwater.org.

Red Cross Honors Volunteers

On April 20, the American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter honored 12 local residents and two community partners at their annual recognition event for chapter volunteers from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

Jamshid Kiani of Felton received the chapter’s top honor, the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership named after the Red Cross founder.

In his eight years as a Red Cross volunteer, Kiani has achieved a high level

of competence in many disaster areas. He cares deeply and collaborates with volunteers and partners to achieve the best outcomes for the community.

Jamshid works with the Regional Response Management Team and recently became training manager.

He is a patient, skilled disaster advance-level instructor for new Red Cross disaster teams and volunteers.

Local volunteers received these awards:

• Disaster Cycle Services — Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication Award: Janet Packer (Aptos)

• Biomedical Services — Donor Ambassador Program: Diana Andreatta (Monterey) and Sandy Williamson (Aptos)

• Community Engagement Award: Megan Erk (Santa Cruz)

• Disaster Cycle Services — Extraordinary Leadership: Tom Wiley (Monterey), Sal Duran (San Benito) and Megan Erk (Santa Cruz County)

• Biomedical Services — Transportation Specialist Program: Patty Montmorency (Monterey)

• New Volunteer Award: Melody Heilmann (Santa Cruz)

• Department Support Services Award: Jill Petker (Monterey)

• Teamwork and Collaboration Award: Penny Mount and Amber Houser (Monterey)

• Good Neighbor & Partnership Award: Driscoll’s

• Community Engagement Award: Environmental Innovations

• Volunteer of the Year Award: John Crepeau (San Benito)

The annual recognition event honors the work of all local volunteers who dedicate many hours of service to the Red Cross and their local communities.

“This past year, I’m incredibly grateful to the 430 Central Coast

Chapter volunteers who contributed more than 16,323 hours, making a difference in the lives of the people we serve,” said Michele Averill, Red Cross Central Coast CEO. “Some of our volunteers were also personally impacted by the 2023 winter storms and flooding, and these dedicated humanitarians continued to serve our communities. Thank you for all your work and dedication to the Red Cross mission.” n

Janet Packer: Disaster Cycle Services Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication Award.

Sandy Williamson: Biomedical Services Donor Ambassador Program Award.

Jamshid Kiani

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS FAIR ENTRY DEADLINES

From LEGOs to livestock … poultry to poetry, it’s time to enter your animal, vegetable, hobby, invention, or collection into the 2023 Santa Cruz County Fair! The complete Exhibitor’s Entry Guide is now available at santacruzcountyfair.com.

Or pick up a Guide at local libraries, feed stores, and the Fair office located on East Lake Avenue (Highway 152) in Watsonville.

Most online entry deadlines including livestock are Thursday, Aug. 24, but the poultry deadline is Aug. 5. Please check the Entry Guide to confirm the deadline.

There are so many exciting divisions … AgHort, Amateur Wine, Fine Arts, Photography, Floriculture, Home Arts, and Innovation … to name a few!

Call the Fair office with any questions 831-724-5671.

CABRILLO COLLEGE NAME CHANGE INPUT

The Cabrillo College Board Name Exploration Subcommittee has added two Zoom meetings for community feedback on Cabrillo’s name change, to complement the two remaining in-person meetings at Cabrillo’s Watsonville Center, 318 Union St. (6 p.m. Wednesday, June 28) and Felton Library (6 p.m. Wednesday, July 12). Here are the links: Thursday, July 13 & Wednesday, July 19, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86103659537

All community members are invited. At each forum, attendees can discuss the top 5 finalists, ask questions about the process, and vote on their favorites. The 5 names (in alphabetical order) are: Aptos College, Cajastaca College, Costa Vista College, Santa Cruz Coast College, and Seacliff College.

A survey on Cabrillo’s Name Exploration website (and published in local media) gave community members a place to suggest new names and to volunteer on a task force to narrow down the list.

More than 1,500 responses generated 350 viable names. The 23-member task force, which included indigenous scholars and native Spanish speakers, narrowed the list to 5 names presented at the first community forum in Aptos.

The community can vote for their favorite and donate to support the name change at: https://www.cabrillo. edu/governing-board/name-exploration-subcommittee/

WANT TO HELP HORSES?

Want to do a good deed?

The Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center in LaSelva Beach needs the support of our community and has put together a wish list. Every little bit helps a lot.

The center is located at at 475 Eucalyptus Way and open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call (831) 761-1142 for more information.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

July 21: 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ben Lomond, 9545 Love Creek Road, Ben Lomond

July 25: 10 a.m. –4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St., Santa Cruz.

July 18: 12 p.m. –5 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St., Watsonville.

SOROPTIMISTS AT SC SHAKESPEARE

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will be renting cushions, beach chairs and blankets on cold nights at all 50 of the Santa Cruz Shakespeare shows in the Audrey Stanley Grove in Delaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz.

Send

Potential members or others interested in learning more about the Club’s work and activities are invited to visit the rental booth and talk to a member.

Proceeds from the booth are the Club’s major fund-raiser and a portion is shared with Santa Cruz Shakespeare. For information, see www.best4women.org, This year’s season: The Book of Will, Taming of the Shrew, and King Lear.

The shows run through Aug. 27.

For the schedule, see www.santacruzshakepeare.org

LEADERSHIP SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Leadership Santa Cruz County is accepting applications for its 2023/2024 program. This will mark the organization’s 37th year with more than 1,600 alumni.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the many facets of our county’s cultures and institutions.

Participants are introduced to an array of community and civic experiences, with topics such as housing, education, criminal justice, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and the arts.

Class members have the opportunity to meet many decision-makers in business, government, and nonprofits. The program runs from September 2023 through June 2024 with an orientation in August 2023. To learn more and apply, see https://www.leadershipsantacruzcounty.org/

SOQUEL CREEK WATER VACANCY

Bruce Daniels has resigned from the Soquel Creek Water District, effective June 19. Daniels, first elected in 2000, had a term ending in 2024.

The board could schedule an election, which is costly, and opted to create an ad hoc committee of Carla Christensen and Tom LaHue to develop an application for people interested in the position. The board will interview all applicants on Aug. 8 and 9 in the evening. Interviews will be open to the public.

The last time this occurred was in 2016 when Rick Meyer died. The board interviewed a number of applicants and selected Rachel Lather, who remains on the board.

In 2003, Thomas LaHue was appointed, and he remains on the board.

Human resources director Traci Hart told the board that they had to decide within 60 days on how to fill

the vacancy, or the County Board of Supervisors could decide how to proceed. Manager Ron Duncan said past elections cost $60,000 to $70,000.

Any appointee will have the advantage of being the incumbent.

Information at https://www.soquelcreekwater.org/

NEW IN SANTA CRUZ: ELECTRIC BEACH SHUTTLE

The Santa Cruzer Beach & Downtown Shuttle will operate weekends and holidays between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day from noon to 8 p.m., taking riders from downtown Santa Cruz to the beach area for $1 per ride.

Free ride coupons are available from sponsors Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Humble Sea Brewery. Pickup spots are:

• Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave #4415

• Locust Street Garage, 124 Locust St

The shuttle is partly funded by an AB2766 grant to reduce vehicle emissions from the Monterey Bay Air Quality Control District.

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

Santa Cruz County Parks presents free family-friendly movie nights under the stars this summer and fall. Family Movie Nights is a series of free outdoor movie events. Movies begin at dusk. Low back chairs, blankets and jackets recommended. No alcohol, please. Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy! The dates:

Aug. 11: Lego Batman Movie @ Anna Jean Cummings Park, 461 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel

FREE SWIMS AT SIMPKINS

Various times, Simpkins Pool, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz Simpkins Pool will host a free swim on Labor Day, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, July 29, Simpkins Pool will host a free family fun day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, bounce houses, and food trucks. Info: scparks.com

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

1:30 p.m., SC County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville

Here are the remaining County Fair Board meeting dates in 2023. Each meeting takes place on a Tuesday: July 25, Aug. 22, Oct. 24, and Dec. 5. Meetings also take place on Zoom. For agendas, see santacruzcountyfair.com.

MUSIC, MOVIES AND MORE AT THE BOARDWALK

Ongoing thru Aug. 11

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, hosts free live music, free movie and free entertainment all summer.

Thursdays, 8:30-10 p.m. — Bands play on the Colonnade.

July 20 TSUNAMI BAND • July 27 THE DEADLIES • Aug. 3 4TO PRES-TIGIO • Aug. 10 PACIFIC ROOTS

Fridays, 9 p.m. — Movies will screen on the beach in front of the Colonnade.

July 14 SELENA • July 21 MINIONS: THE RISE of GRU+

July 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

STUFF THE BUS CAMPAIGN

Through July, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and United Way of Santa Cruz County are again teaming up to Stuff the Bus – an annual campaign aiming to provide thousands of students across the county with the backpacks and school supplies to start the school year ready to succeed.

The community is invited to donate funds or drop off new backpacks and school supplies at any Bay Federal Credit Union branch. The goal is to raise at least $25,000.

More than 2,800 students in Santa Cruz County face homelessness and other significant hardships, making it challenging to have the necessary supplies when school starts later this summer.

These children are at risk of falling behind academically, socially, and economically. Backpacks are distributed throughout the year on an as-needed basis.

In the 2022-23 school year, hundreds of backpacks were distributed to students in the Pajaro Valley who were impacted by the winter floods.

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays). Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

Fridays thru Sept. 29

MIDTOWN SUMMER BLOCK PARTY IS BACK!

5 to 8:30ish p.m., 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Celebrate the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists –Live Music – Vendors

The free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands, local eats, local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts June 2 and runs through to Sept. 29. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show. Bands: July 21: Dirty Cello

July 28: Alex Lucero Band w/opener Asher Stern

Aug. 4: The Dylan Rose Band w/opener Maddie & Jackie

Aug. 11: Santa Cruda w/opener Yaya’s Kitchen

Aug. 18: Mak Nova

Aug. 25: Cowboy’s After Dark w/opener Corrina & Rick

Sept. 1: The Joint Chiefs

Sept. 8: Locomotive Breath

Sept. 15: Funkranomicon

Sept. 22: AC Myles

Sept. 29: The Expendables

Details: https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtownfridays-summer-block-party-2023/

DATED EVENTS

Friday July 14 thru Sunday July 16

BYTHEAL RATLIFF’S BLAST BY THE BAY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

The Cabrillo Gals Softball League will host a tournament July 14-16 at Soquel High and Blue Ball Park (Anna Jean Cummings).

Some 30 travel teams will compete in 4 divisions with teams coming from 6 different counties in NorCal. Information: https://www.cabrillogals.com/Default. aspx?tabid=1383516

Saturday July 15

INTERMEDIATE PRUNING FOR ORNAMENTALS CLASSES

10 a.m.–Noon, Watsonville Demonstration Garden, 1432 Freedom Blvd.

Join Carol Nickbarg, UC Master Gardener, pruner and landscape consultant, will lead two workshops to learn how to look at plants in a methodical way to set pruning goals and develop a pruning plan that will guide growth, maintain health and highlight your plants’ inherent beauty.

Participants will be guided through hands-on exercises during the first hour, followed by the opportunity to work in small groups to practice class concepts and pruning in the Watsonville Demonstration Garden. All attendees will receive handouts to provide guidance at home.

The class is limited to 20 participants so register at bit.ly/IntermediatePruning

Donated suggested.

HOP N’ BARLEY BEER FESTIVAL

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival is celebrating fun in the sun with craft brews from far and wide! From San Diego’s Modern Times Beer to Eureka’s Humboldt Cider, makers from across California will be in attendance at Scotts Valley’s Skypark.

Santa Cruz’s booming craft beverage scene will also be heavily represented by breweries and cideries. The festival is family and dog friendly.

Monday July 17

WORK ON SOQUEL DRIVE BUFFERED BIKE LANE BEGINS

Between La Fonda Ave. and State Park Dr. Road Work begins on Santa Cruz County’s Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane and Congestion Mitigation Project.

Tim Nguyen, civil engineering assistant, said it will take approximately 300 working days.

Changes will be made along 5.6 miles of Soquel Drive from La Fonda Avenue to State Park Drive to improve enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians and improve travel time for bus riders and automobile. For more info, see https://www.soqueldrivebufferedproject.com/

Thursday July 20

WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FORUM

6-7:30 p.m., Watsonville High School, 250 E. Beach St. Watsonville Community Hospital has scheduled a town hall at Watsonville High School for residents to get an update from the new operator and share their hopes and wishes for the hospital.

The update will include several new initiatives, and attendees can ask questions. Attendees then can join small groups for discussion and feedback. The hospital hopes to hear what community members want from their hospital and their priorities for the next three to five years. Translation services will be available. Raffle prizes and light refreshments will be provided.

For information, email Nancy_gere@watsonvillehospital.com.

Friday July 21 thru Sunday July 23

MUSIC MAN JR.

Fri: 7 p.m.; Sat: 2 & 7 p.m.; Sun: Noon & 4 p.m., Don Price Performing Arts Chapel, Monte Vista Christian School, 2 School Way, Watsonville CYT Santa Cruz presents The Music Man Jr. at Don Price Performing Arts Chapel in Monte Vista Christian School.

Set in the early 20th century, this classic American musical follows the charismatic and charming con artist Harold Hill as he sweeps into town, promising to form a

THE WIZARD OF OZ! IN SALINAS

Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays: July 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22

7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sat), Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., Salinas

The Sorceress (Sarah Ashby) tells Dorothy (Olivia Ferrill) to “follow the yellow brick road” in ARIEL Theatrical’s production of The Wizard of Oz at The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre.

Featuring a young community cast supported by adults, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz will bring Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, the Munchkins to life as they bargain with the Wizard and contend with the menacing Wicked Witch of the West.

Tickets available at https://www.arieltheatrical.org/programs/wizard-of-oz-2023/

boys’ marching band. But there’s a catch — he doesn’t know the first thing about music!

As Hill spins his web of deceit, he encounters the skeptical town librarian, Marian Paroo, who sees through his ruse but finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. Expect catchy tunes, delightful choreography, and heartwarming moments.

Cost: $17 for adults, $15 for students up to age 10 and seniors 65 and up.

Tickets at https://www.cytsantacruz.org/shows/The-MusicMan-Jr/21

Sunday July 23

WHARF TO WHARF RACE

8:30 a.m. Start, Corner Beach St. and Cliff St., Santa Cruz Each year, on the fourth Sunday in July, runners from across America and around the globe return to Santa Cruz for the 6-mile race to Capitola-by-the-Sea.

First run in 1973 by a handful of locals, the Wharf to Wharf Race today enjoys a sterling reputation in running circles worldwide. Its scenic, seaside setting, perfect weather, and festive beach party atmosphere make it a favorite of casual joggers and elite athletes alike. This year, 16,000 runners are expected.

The race draws an elite, international field. The roll of past champions includes former Olympians.

Widely acclaimed “The best little road race in California,” Wharf to Wharf is the biggest summer event of its kind on the West Coast and a boon to local business, infusing more than $8 million into the Santa Cruz County economy.

The Race is produced and administered by Wharf to Wharf Race Inc., a California nonprofit chartered to promote running as a means to health and fitness.

The race has contributed more than $6 million to Santa Cruz County youth sports programs in general and the running community in particular.

Saturday July 29

SOQUEL PIONEERS PICNIC

11:30 a.m., Pringle Grove, North Main Street north of Pringle Lane. The 85th Annual Soquel Pioneer picnic will be at Pringle Grove.

The fun starts with music by Open Heartstrings. There will be historical photos, a raffle, a live auction, and meeting other Soquelites, oldtimers and newcomers.

Suggested donation $5. Bring your own picnic lunch. If you wish to wear a mask, feel free to do so.

Thomas Sutfin is the featured speaker, sharing his knowledge of the history of Monterey Bay Redwood Co. and current events in the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. He is a Licensed Professional Forester with almost 20 years experience as forest manager in the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. Information: 818-8109 or www.soquelpioneers.com

END HUMAN TRAFFICKING FORUM

1-3:30 p.m., Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz County Branch of the American Association of University Women is hosting, along with co-sponsors the League of Women Voters of Santa Cruz County and Soroptimist International of Capitola, a free public forum to “End Human Trafficking” at the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

Featured speakers are Kenny Besk, who has spent 16 years in law enforcement and has worked on human

trafficking issues locally and in Thailand, and Michael Mahan, Santa Cruz County assistant district attorney, who handles sexual assault, human trafficking and homicide cases. They will outline the hidden and invisible ways young people are recruited by human traffickers. Parents, teachers, school counselors, and social workers will be given tools to help prevent youth from being recruited.

While working as a narcotics detective, Besk learned about human trafficking and left law enforcement to work with the Zoe International Foundation in Thailand to combat online human trafficking for several years. Mahan has trained multiple agencies and district attorney staff about domestic violence and human trafficking cases, and has successfully completed dozens of jury trials to verdict. The presentation is free and open to the public. For information, call AAUWSC at (831) 239-2184.

PAJARO VALLEY CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

4-8:30 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 Lake Ave., Watsonville

The 61st Pajaro Valley Chamber Annual Awards Dinner and Auction at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. The event honors those who have made the Pajaro Valley a true “Hometown USA” and the best place to live. This year’s honorees are:

Lifetime Achievement: Guy George

Man of the Year: Dana Sales

Woman of the Year: Trina Coffman-Gomez

Business of the Year: El Vaquero Winery

Organization of the Year: Casa de la Cultura Center

Event of the Year: Fairgrounds Foundation Crab Feed Tickets are $100 at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/61st-annual-awards-dinner-the-pajaro-valleyhometown-usa-tickets-624389936107

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS CHALLENGE

This year the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club brings a new focus to our Mountain Challenge — combining love of local cycling with the challenge of tackling climate change by donating a portion of the ride’s proceeds to Ecology Action and the Resilient Central Coast campaign. Registration for routes that range from 36 to 125 miles is $65-90. Registration is free for 24-mile morning or afternoon family low-stress ride. See https://www.bikereg.com/santa-cruz-mountainschallenge-2023

Saturday July 29

Sunday July 30

THE DOONART ANNUAL STUDIO TOUR

11 a.m.-5 p.m., Various Locations

Artists in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in the village of Davenport open their studios to the public. Hidden within the majestic redwood forests of Bonny Doon and on the Pacific Coast in the historic village of Davenport you will discover the wonderful art created in this quiet and inspiring environment.

For more details and a list of the participating artists, visit http://www.doonarttour.com/index.html

Saturday August 12

MIDSUMMER LIONS MARKET

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd. The Midsummer Lions Market will be at Aptos Village Park – do your Christmas shopping early. There will be art, toys, jewelry, plants, knits, new clothing, pottery, collectibles, glassware and auto and sports memorabilia — plus free eye and hearing tests. Music by ukulele duo. Free lessons. Drawing every hour on the hour.

Aptos High Leos will sell JD’s barbecued tri-tip sandwiches, drinks & snacks. Benefits local Lions charities. Vendors wanted; call 831-688-3356. n

Understanding the Housing Element

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Santa Cruz County is in the process of updating its Housing Element. Across the State, there have been a number of news stories about communities engaging in their local Housing Element and with their assigned Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) — but what exactly is the Housing Element and RHNA and what is being done locally?

What is the Housing Element?

1969, under California Government Code, all local jurisdictions are required plan to meet the housing needs of all people in their community.

California’s local governments meet this requirement by adopting a Housing Element as part of their general plan, which is also required by the State.

The Housing Element is just one of the required elements of the County’s General Plan, the document that guides land use planning and development activities in the unincorporated area.

However, it is the only General Plan element that requires regular updates (currently every eight years) and review and certification by a State agency.

What is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)?

TheRegional Housing Needs Assessment is mandated by State law and is part of the process for updating a Housing Element. There are State and regional elements at play as part of the RHNA.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (often referred to as HCD) provides population growth projections by geographic region.

Within each region, Councils of Government (COGs) are designated by HCD and are responsible for determining how the potential growth will be allocated within the jurisdictions within the region.

Within our region, the COG is the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments — or AMBAG.

AMBAG determined that for our upcoming Housing Element, effective 20232031, the unincorporated area will been allocated 4,634 housing units at varying affordability levels. AMBAG determines this as the number for our County to meet the projected housing needs.

This 4,634 number is the unincorporated area’s RHNA.

This number is significantly higher than previous allocations to our region and, in particular, the unincorporated area.

Local cities within Santa Cruz County also have their own RHNA numbers.

What steps are taken during this process?

Understandably, because of Measure J and the Urban Service Line and urban growth boundaries, the proposed housing is concentrated in the urban areas of the unincorporated County.

As part of this process, the County is required to provide the programs, policies, and appropriate zoning to accommodate these additional units. This means, in part, that the County is required to review underutilized residential and commercial sites and vacant residential and commercial sites to determine where (and how many) units can be accommodated.

Put simply, this means some parcels would be identified for rezoning or an intensification of housing including parcels that have been vacant for quite some time.

While it doesn’t necessarily mean that something would be constructed on these locations the process for building housing would become much easier if approved.

Community involvement in this process, and review of these locations, is key to having a successful Housing Element.

What is proposed for the 2nd District?

As part of this analysis, County staff have identified some potential locations in the 2nd District for housing. This means that some sites in the 2nd District are proposed for rezoning in order to meet the RHNA number for the unincorporated area. What are the specific locations proposed for rezoning in the 2nd District? Here are a list of locations and what County Housing staff have recommended for rezoning for housing:

610 and 664 Clubhouse Drive

2600 Mar Vista (Par 3 property)

9900 Soquel Drive

100 and 235 Primrose Lane

If you have questions or feedback about these proposed sites in the 2nd District (or any other potential locations in the unincorporated County) you are encouraged to provide feedback to County Planning staff. The contact information is below.

How do you provide feedback?

or feedback on any County-related issue.

For the Housing Element specifically, you are also able to email 2023HousingElement@santacruzcounty.us or call 454-2580 (County Planning) to share your thoughts.

County Planning also has additional information on their website with more detailed information about the Housing Element and maps of proposed locations for all of the districts — that website is: www.sccoplanning.com

Additionally, there will be public hearings (information about the hearings will be posted on the County’s website) at the Board of Supervisors where input can be shared.

After initial public review and feedback, the draft Housing Element is submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for review and comments and then there will be additional public opportunities for feedback at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Final approval/submission is

Featured Pet

Felton Eyed for Pump Track

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship and the Santa Cruz County Parks Department are seeking community input Aug. 9 on a proposed multi-use pump track at Felton’s Covered Bridge County Park.

The Santa Cruz City Cats

This week our Pets of the Week is a group of kittens we lovingly call the Santa Cruz City Cats!

Each purrrfect kitten is named after a different city in our County — Ben Lomond(m), Freedom(m), Davenport(f), Watsonville(m) and Felton(m)! All of these cats are two months old and were owner surrendered. They were primarily housed in the basement but have learned how to use a litterbox.

Before their time at the Shelter they did not have a lot of experience with people outside of the household or other animals. Since they have been at the Shelter they lived with an older cat named Frankie and did so well with him — playing and also respecting his space when necessary.

They are all the sweetest little kittens — they love to play and come up to you when you enter their room! Their favorite activities are playing with wand toys, snuggling into each other for naps and get pets. These kittens would be great with another older cat to learn from and play with. If you are looking for a new kitty friend- come meet the amazing SC City cats!

Currently our Shelter has 106 cats up for adoption. It is the height of kitten season and we are getting in more cats every day. If you have been thinking about getting a new cat- now is the time! Also — please spay and neuter your animals so that we can prevent animal overpopulation in Santa Cruz County!

SCCAS is also looking for foster families for all animals. Please email Jillian. ganley@santacruzcounty.us if you would like to open your home to a Shelter animal while they wait for their furever home!

•••

Right now the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian. ganley@santacruzcounty.us. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is located at 1001 Rodriguez St and is open every day from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

•••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours

Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Movie Animals

© Statepoint Media

More than 100,000 trips a year are made to pump tracks in the City of Santa Cruz, which has two of them. Capitola and Scotts Valley have one each. Watsonville got a pump track in 2021.

The meeting will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Felton Community Hall, 6191 Hwy 9, Felton.

The pump track would replace a volleyball court in a corner of the park, and offer locals a place to hone skills in biking, skateboarding or roller-skating/ rollerblading.

A presentation from SCMTS and County staff will be followed by questions and answers.

“This pump track would be the only resource of its kind in the San Lorenzo Valley,” said Rebecca Hurley, deputy director of the Santa Cruz County Parks Department. “It would bring new value to an underutilized portion of Felton’s Covered Bridge County Park.”

A pump track is a series of rollers, jumps, and banked turns that connect in a closed loop. A paved surface makes the track appropriate for nearly any wheeled recreational equipment and reduces maintenance.

The proposed track would be similar in size to the Harvey West Pump Track in Santa Cruz, and serve all skill levels.

“As a Felton resident, I’m very interested in a new pump track coming to the Santa Cruz Mountains,” said Matt De Young, executive director of Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship. “We’ve constructed three paved pump tracks in the county area over the past two years, and seen the immediate boost they provide to community relationships, public health, and even neighborhood economies. Felton is a natural fit for this next track.” n

To RSVP, see santacruztrails.org/feltonpt.

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