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Aptos Girls Flag Football Champs!

The Aptos High School Girls Varsity Flag Football team bravely did a hard thing on Oct. 28 by becoming the undefeated SCCAL league and tournament champions in the inaugural high school season for the sport. Full Story page 5

A Gathering for Survivors of Suicide Full Story page 6

Willowbrook Park Playground Opens Memorial to Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller By Jondi Gumz If Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller were with us, he’d probably smile to see families enjoying the improvements at the park, a place he himself enjoyed. ... continues on page 4

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No. 22

Volume 32

Table of Contents

Cover Willowbrook Park Playground Opens: Memorial to Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, By Jondi Gumz

6 8 10 12 16 20 22 24 25

5 7 9 11 15 17 19

Community News A Gathering for Survivors of Suicide, By Jondi Gumz Cabrillo Hosts Holiday Food Drive Kickoff: Second Harvest Food Bank Goal: 4.5 Million Meals, Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz World War II Hero: Finally The Story is Told Honoring Local Veterans • Soquel Creek Water District Eyes Rate Increases, By Jondi Gumz New Benches at Aptos Village Park Observing Veterans Day in Watsonville, By Edita McQuary • A Couple of Artists: Anil and Charlene Sawe USPS: Mail Christmas Packages by Dec. 16 Santa Cruz Gives Holiday Campaign Climate Refugees: An Emerging Priority in our Region, by Ellen Farmer Local Sports Aptos Girls Flag Football Champs!: Bonding Experience in Inaugural Season, By Denise Russo Aptos Girls Tennis League Champs!, By Tamara Brown Aptos Girls Water Polo in CCS Final Q&A with Equestrian Paloma Primavera Mount Madonna Girls Cross Country Grades 7-8 Wins League Championship: Seventh Grader Pierce Culbertson Races to Undefeated Season Aptos High Alum Finds Cross Country Coaching Success Eli Fitchen-Young Wins CCS Championship • Ashlyn Boothby Wins Third CCS Crown: She’s Going to State; So are Evie Marheineke & Rachel Hoops

Business Profile 18 Aptos Computer Services: Best Possible Support for all your Computer & Technology Needs, By Edita McQuary Letter to the Editor 22 Soquel Creek Water Rates Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Understanding Motive & What To Do In Times of War, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 14 Threats & Safety at Aptos High, By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal 30 Low-Impact Camping Proposal, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Charles in Charge

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COVER STORY publisher

Patrice Edwards

editor

Jondi Gumz

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Edita McQuary, Ellen Farmer, Denise Russo, Tamara Brown, Risa D’Angeles, Alison Hanks-Sloan, Zach Friend

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Michael Oppenheimer

graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer

photography Michael Oppenheimer website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine Cathe Race

office coordinator

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

A 14-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and known as a family man, he lost his life in the line of duty on June 6, 2020. On Nov. 13, a bright sunny day, the Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services hosted a ribboncutting for the new playground, which has a climbing apparatus, a rope ladder and a slide, complete with rubberized surfacing making it accessible to all children. The new playground, which opened last week, results from collaboration by the County of Santa Cruz, County Park Friends and the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. County Park Friends raised $400,000, according to Mariah Roberts, who heads that organization and emphasized the importance of new surfacing for access. Big donations came from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which contributed $100,000, and Capitola-Soquel Rotary Club, which gave $50,000. “Rarely does a day go by that we don’t think of him,” said Chief Deputy Dan Freitas. Ethan Rumrill, president of the Deputy Sheriffs Association, recalled the “dark day”

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Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Jameson, 1, at left, plays with friend Lucy, 2.

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mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment 4 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Megan Carpenter at the top of the new playground slide. when the deputy was shot to death, appreciating how “people have come together to make something beautiful.” The project is being completed in phases, the first aspect the resurfaced courts which on Monday and Tuesday is devoted to the extremely popular sport of pickleball, the second the flagpole, third the playground, and finally, the memorial across the bridge to Sgt. Gutzwiller, which is under construction. Boulders in the park came from the Sierra in recognition of an area he loved. “We hope this playground will provide years of memories to Damon’s family and all families,” Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said. “The renovations at Willowbrook are an example of what happens when a community comes together, and this project will serve as a fitting memorial to Damon’s service and sacrifice.” Supervisor Zach Friend, a frequent visitor to the park with his son, said,

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

“Step-by-step, we are getting closer to fulfilling the promise to reimagine Willowbrook Park in Damon’s honor.” He added, “These improvements provide for a safer, more accessible play area for our community and ensure that future generations of kids visiting the park can create the joyful memories that playgrounds uniquely bring.” Indeed, after the ribbon-cutting, Jameson, 1, began exploring the playground’s steering wheel with his 2-year-old pal, Lucy. The memorial area will include donor bricks and engraved pavers, a reflection bench seating area and new landscape plantings. n ••• For more information on the project, see https://www.countyparkfriends.org/willowbrook. html. Cover Photo: From left: Jeff Gaffney, Ethan Rumrill, Mariah Roberts, Megan Carpenter, Dan Freitas, Zach Friend. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos Girls Flag Football Champs!

By Denise Russo

Bonding Experience in Inaugural Season

he Aptos High School Girls Varsity Flag Football team bravely did a hard thing on Oct. 28 by becoming the undefeated SCCAL league and tournament champions in the inaugural high school season for the sport. This first-ever Mariners team believed in themselves and posted a “Team 1” season record of 11-2. The players and all-female coaching staff became a part of Mariner history, or as the team would say, “making herstory.” When the California Interscholastic Federation unanimously voted in the spring to make Girls Flag Football a varsity high school sport, Aptos High School’s athletic director, Travis Fox, didn’t have far to look for a coach. I had coached Aptos Junior High School flag football since its inception over a decade ago. I was also very connected to AHS: In addition to being a mother of three Mariner alumni athletes, my husband is a part of the AHS tackle football coaching staff, and I am a photographer for the school, capturing countless athletic and performing art events.

The transition to AHS varsity flag football coach seemed an exciting challenge to accept. And excitement there was. More than 70 athletes responded to a spring survey about interest in flag football. Between summer training and tryouts, 46 athletes stepped onto

the gridiron. Several were past AJHS players whose time playing football was interrupted by COVID. They were grateful to have a chance to play the sport again. According to Siena Black, a junior whose season was cut short in her 7th grade year at AJHS, “Football gave me an outlet to just

be. Not care about school or drama but just have fun and live in the moment. Junior year and high school in general is really stressful, so having that fun and supporting space was life-saving.” Since many had conflicts with club teams and other simultaneous sports, attrition occurred, and by the end of October, 28 players had completed the inaugural flag football season. Team bonding began in the summer with running drills, pool time, Hunger Games, Barbie night, beach play, and “breaking bread and beading” movie nights. New players were added to group chats and integrated in a way where it became hard to distinguish at which point anyone joined the team. I realized we were bringing together a group of athletes from different sports and in different class levels who would need to have chemistry together if they were going to succeed as a team. “Flag Football” page 9

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COMMUNITY NEWS

A Gathering for Survivors of Suicide

By Jondi Gumz

or Lucas Willey, this is a way to remember a close friend who took his life 17 years ago. He organizes a local event for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which will take place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Aptos Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Lane, Aptos. “It’s a chance for people to gather who have lost someone to remember them,” he said. For some, their loss may be recent. For others, it may be years in the past and they are ready to support others. And for others, it may be something has stirred up memories and triggered delayed grieving. Willey said his friend was in late 60s.

“I didn’t stay close. She ended up taking her life. The learning lesson is to stay close to family and friends when people lose someone.” — Lucas Willey

“It was just a complete shock,” he said. “No one saw it coming.” He thought his friend’s wife’s circle of friends would be her support group. “I didn’t stay close,” he said. “She ended up taking her life. The learning lesson is to stay close to family and friends when people lose someone.” Since then, he’s become hyper-aware of obituaries in the newspaper, noticing the euphemism of “unexpected death.” His experience is that families often will not talk about suicide of a loved one. “It’s buried and not discussed,” he said. Higher Risk uicides among members of the military is of concern to the U.S. Department of Defense, which reported 492 deaths by suicide in 2022, with the rate per 100,000 going up by 3%. People working in the medical field have a higher risk of suicide than people in other professions, according to a Columbia University study published in September in the Journal of American Medical Association. Corey Feist is co-founder and chief executive officer of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’

Foundation named for his sister-in-law, an emergency room physician who treated Covid-19 patients before she died by suicide in 2020. He said more than 20% of physicians experience depression yet if they ask for help, they may risk their license and credentialing. Suicide is an issue for veterinarians in Australia, where the number is four times the national average. A 2022 study by pet food company Royal Canin found nearly 70% of Australian veterinarians have lost a colleague or peer to suicide. The study reported 59% of Australian veterinarians have sought professional help for work-related stress, anxiety and/or depression. The same percentage reported dealing with pet owner expectations was the most stressful part of job. The National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide is a group of multidisciplinary experts with a goal of preventing officer suicide. The consortium has created a toolkit at https://www.theiacp. org/sites/default/files/2023%20Report. pdf to help law enforcement in addressing suicide.

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Willey said he knows people working in law enforcement who are aware of the problem “but there’s still a lot of hesitancy about someone on duty coming forward.” Willey said he was “desperately trying to make sense” of his loss when he stumbled over an announcement about the International Survivors of Suicide Day on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. When he realized no event was planned locally, he decided to step up – and he’s done so for 17 years. “It’s one little thing I can do,” he said. ••• International Survivors of Suicide Day, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Aptos Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Lane, Aptos. For information, email lucaswilley@comcast.net or call 831-684-1774 or visit www.afsp.org/SurvivorDay

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LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos Girls Tennis League Champs! By Tamara Brown The Aptos Mariners Girls Varsity Tennis Team had a tremendous 2023 season, going undefeated in league play, securing the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Title and sweeping both the singles and doubles individual titles at the season-ending SCCAL Tournament. It took a combination of strong singles and consistent doubles play for the Mariners to end the season with an 8-0 record, squeaking through two close (4-3) matches over a strong Scotts Valley team. Then came the SCCAL Tournament at Imperial Courts in Aptos on Oct. 24 and 25. Tiana Smith, seeded No. 4 in the tournament, took home the singles title for the Mariners, but it was no easy task. She beat the No. 1 seed Isla Garcia-McDougall from Soquel High (who was undefeated in league play) in a tough semi-final match 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6). The next day she faced the No. 2 seed, Francesca Garces from Santa Cruz High in the finals. Tiana had only lost once in regular season play and it was to Francesca, so this match had more history for Tiana to overcome. She played hard and there were tremendous points from both players but in the end, Tiana’s ability to get “one more ball back over the net” led her to a 6-4, 6-3 win and the singles title. Tiana had a 7-1 record in League singles play this year. Including pre-season and all post-season play, she ended with an impressive 13-1 record overall. Longtime friends and regular singles players Holly Hegna and Coral Collins, seeded No. 1 in the doubles tournament, came through in a tough (6-4, 7-5) final match versus No. 2 seeds Sofia Niklaus and Erin Szymanski from Scotts Valley. Holly and Coral had to fight back from a 0-3 deficit in the second set clinch the match and be awarded the 2023 SCCAL doubles title.

SCCAL Tournament winners (from left): Doubles winner Coral Collins, Head Coach Tammi Brown, doubles winner Holly Hegna, singles winner Tiana Smith Junior Aviana Andrews who played No. 4 singles for the team all season, also ended with a noteworthy 8-0 record in SCCAL League play. Including pre- and post-season play, Aviana finished with a combined record of 12-1. But one of the best parts for all concerned was knitting together a close group, from all four levels in school. Practice started back in early August with 14 players, five of them new to the team, and over the next few months they became a tennis family that worked, played and laughed together. One of the nicest things about this team is the tremendous good sportsmanship and kindness in evidence on and off the courts, to teammates and opponents alike. They genuinely enjoy the game and the team environment. The Mariners will be graduating three seniors, team captains and singles players Holly Hegna and Tiana Smith and doubles player Natalie Victory. They are a big part of the spirit and camaraderie of our team and they will be greatly missed. The team is very fortunate in the encouragement and support from our team parents, who act as chauffeurs for away matches and provide much appreciated match snacks for the players when we have matches at home. We couldn’t do it without them! n

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Front row (from left): Aptos Team Captain Tiana Smith, Natalie Victory, Team Captain Holly Hegna Back row (from left): Assistant Coach Sam Brown, Julia Blevins, Isabella Calderon, Natalia Calderon, Charlotte Long, Gia Arista, Finn Gansaeuer Pilcher, Neci Hoeptner, Coral Collins, Quinn Baird, Gamble Kellermyer, Aviana Andrews, Head Coach Tammi Brown

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cabrillo Hosts Holiday Food Drive Kickoff

Second Harvest Food Bank Goal: 4.5 Million Meals

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n Nov. 3, Cabrillo College in Aptos hosted the kickoff of the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive, which aims to raise enough money to provide 4.5 million meals. The location was quite appropriate as Cabrillo College president Matt Wetstein said 20% of students surveyed in October said they had been homeless in the past year and two-thirds reported skipping meals and struggling to find food for themselves and their family. Erica Padilla-Chavez, who took over as Second Harvest CEO 18 months ago from Willy Elliott-McCrea, thanked her team and pointed out the new logo on the semi tractor-trailer that served as a backdrop for the kickoff. The logo features green to represent the agricultural community and the forest, blue to represent precious water resources, and an apple in hand, showing the “commitment to nourishing our community,” Padilla-Chavez said. Last year’s goal was 5 million meals, and she had expected a decline in food insecurity with the end of the Covid-19 pandemic emergency. But many are in need of food: 65,000 people seeking help, including 20,000 children. “We are seeing longer lines at all of our distribution sites,” she said. But she remained upbeat. “We are going to do this together,” she said, introducing Susan True, CEO of

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, and Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools. True pointed out moms face the rising cost of food due to inflation, but Second Harvest Food Bank can provide three healthy meals for every dollar. Sabbah said he was excited about youth participating in the campaign. Dr. Nan Mickiewicz, president of Dominican Hospital, a major sponsor, said, “We see the effects of food insecurity … poor nutrition and poor health.” The hospital raised 124,000 meals last year and this year’s co-chairs, Kyle Middleton and Eric Conrad, have a goal to raise 150,000 — “Challenge accepted,” she said. “Food Drive” page 10

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Ana Rosa (second from right) leads the Cradle to Career moms — (from left) Eva Flores, Maria Cabrera and Lidia Santillan — in a spirited Zumba workout.

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos Girls Water Polo in CCS Final T he Mariners girls’ water polo team came on strong for the Central Coast Section playoffs. Their play put them into the finals Saturday against the No. 1 ranked Stevenson Pirates, who won 6-3. In the playoffs, the Mariners defeated Santa Catalina, 16-7, and topped Harker School 9-6. In the Santa Cruz County Athletic League, with the always tough Soquel — undefeated in league and ranked 8th in the state — and the challenge of Santa Cruz, 6-2 in league, Aptos finished third with a 4-4 record and 16-12 overall. The Mariners are relatively young.

On the MaxPreps leaderboard, Fiona Carey, a senior, has 92 goals leading the league and 17 assists. Adelaide Friedley, a sophomore, has 45 goals and 31 assists. Bellame Breen, a sophomore, has 31 goals and 32 assists. Madi Knudsen, a sophomore, has 28 goals and 21 assists. Scarlet Gleitsman-Miller, a junior, has 16 goals and 21 assists. Adriana Santillano, a junior, has 17 goals and 25 assists. The goalie is a freshman, Mary Suarez-Abraham, who has 233 saves and 35 assists. The team is coached by Cory Murphy. n

Cory Murphy, Bellame Breen, Madi Knudsen, Mary Suarez-Abraham (back row), Avery Hadland, Charlie Christie (back row), Scarlet Gleitsman-Miller (back row), Adriana Santillano, Rylie Knudsen (on knees), Grace Martin (back row), Fiona Carey, Natalia Vowles, Rose Lockwood, Adelaide Friedley and Kenadi Chitwood.

“Flag Football” from page 5 Success for this team was measured not just by wins but by creating a united team to participate in a sport now available to high school girls. In addition to coaching athletes, I am a professor at Cabrillo College. My research and teaching methods prioritize equitable teaching practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly for students in STEM. For me, coaching girls flag football was an extension of this. #makingherstory became the catchphrase as these athletes caught footballs and made “tackles” (pulling flags) on a gridiron, an activity in competitive sports primarily available to men. While differences exist between tackle and flag football, similarities include running routes to advance the ball, playing to the down marker, and “tackling” to stop the opponent. Through this high school experience, these players became included in a language and strategy of playing a sport previously unfamiliar to most women. The Mariner teammates embraced the challenge of learning the nuances of a new sport. Practices were five days/week, with games most Saturdays. Athletes juggled multiple sports, homework, and demanding AP classes with the rigor of learning plays and new positions. Team Captain Izzy Graff even made a Kahoot for her teammates to learn routes. Players also helped each other through challenging times. Before the first day of school, the juniors and seniors calmed the freshmen’s nerves by telling them how to navigate a big campus and took them on tours to find their classes. As Nina Duke, a senior, said, “This was my first year playing any type of football, and it taught me so much about dedication and teamwork. Our team dynamic was silly and fun, but we still held each other accountable

and dedicated a lot of time to improving as much as we could. I’m so proud of how far we made it!” The team’s commitment to attending practices, the leadership of the upperclassmen, the chemistry created, and their camaraderie was a cornerstone of their success. Another vital component of the team’s success was the all-women coaching staff. I reached out to past AJHS players to ask them to volunteer as assistant coaches. Gabby Fely, a sophomore at Cabrillo College, has coached with me at AJHS for the past two years. Angela Chmelicek (AHS, 2016) and Gabriella Russo (AHS, 2016 and my daughter) also played in the Central Coast Flag Football League, which was started by a group of community members, including the Russos. According to coach Angela, “It’s been amazing being a part of “herstory,” and being able to grow as a human being while also watching these young women learn and succeed has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am so proud of every player and coach on this team.” This strong group of female role models supported the team dynamic while helping players to learn football. Success for the AHS Girls Flag Football team went beyond what was posted on any

scoreboard or their winning record. The players became a football family. As one parent said at the end of the season, “There just was no drama with this team.” This was apparent at the finale, with players hugging, crying, and slowly leaving the

Mariner “A” in the middle of the field where they had spent many hours learning together. At the season’s close, I ended it the same way I started each game, with an empowerment quote. I told my players, “Be brave. Do hard things. Believe.” n ••• Team Roster: Alexa Flores (Sr), Angelique Nunez (Sr), Annika Routh (So), Ashlyn CassarMcConnell (Fr), Ava “Gavin” Churchill (Sr), Dakota Bamford (Fr), Elenah Esquivel (So), Ellie Marta Fr), Emi Gansaeuer-Pilcher (Fr), Emma Welch (So), Gaby Dow (Jr), Izzy Graff (Jr), Janelle Navarro (Jr), Julia Silveira (So), June Zelmon (Fr), Lauren Galster (Fr), Maddie Barrington (Sr). Madi Pollack (Fr), Mia Parello (Jr), Mia Sanchez (Jr), Mikayla Newcombe (Fr), Nancy Cervantes (Sr), Natasha Newcombe (Jr), Nina Duke (Sr), Siena Black (Jr), Sofia Aguilera (Sr), Val Hernandez (Fr), Vianca Tavera (So). Coaches: Denise Russo, Gabby Fely, Angela Chmelicek, Gabriella Russo

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COMMUNITY NEWS

World War II Hero: Finally The Story is Told S econd Lt. Philip Larimore’s service in World War II was punctuated by remarkable acts of bravery on the Southern Front of the European Theater of Operations but for years he kept his exploits to himself. Larimore’s son Walt Larimore spent 16 years researching his father’s accomplishments before, during and after World War II, and he shares his discoveries in the book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse. “After my father passed away, we found over 450 of his letters. We found his exploits documented in a number of history books and archives,” Walt Larimore explained. “And after over 16 years of research, all that material coalesced into an amazing, almost unbelievable story about a forgotten teenage hero who fought on the Forgotten Front in Europe.”

Capt. Larimore with the horse he loved

“Food Drive” from page 8 Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker, a Second Harvest board member, said the need skyrocketed in the past three years of the pandemic. He offered a friendly wager to his successor in Watsonville, City Manager Rene Mendez, saying if Watsonville, population 51,500, raised more than Santa Cruz, population 61,800, then he, Huffaker, would do a polar plunge off the Santa Cruz Wharf into the ocean. “How could I say no?” responded Mendez, adding, “I’m going to need a lot of heavy lifting to beat Santa Cruz.” Chris Weiler, race director for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, said as long as

The youngest graduate of the Army’s reads like the chilling trial scene between Officer Candidate School and one of the the characters played by Tom Cruise and most decorated front-line junior officers Jack Nicholson in the movie, A Few Good in the war, Philip Larimore commanded Men. The book concludes with Philip Laria front-line platoon, shot snipers out of trees from 100 yards away, flew behind more’s connection with a war horse that enemy lines into Czechoslovakia late in he saved — and that saved him. He eventually created a career at the war, completed a clandestine mission Louisiana State University, to save the Lipizzaner horses specializing in cartography – from Hitler ’s clutches and mapmaking – and he married became one of the youngest and had four sons. Company Commanders in the Since publication, At First war. Light has been awarded a After VE-Day, he Silver Medal by the Military developed a friendship with Writers Society of America, President Harry Truman and was named a finalist by the played bridge with General International Page Turner Ike Eisenhower, who sucAwards, was featured in the ceeded Truman as president. Louisiana Book Festival and A rambunctious adoled to the 2023 induction of lescent, Philip Larimore was Phil Larimore into the 3rd enrolled in the Gulf Coast Infantry Division’s Hall of Military Academy, where he graduated and then went to Officer Can- Fame. As a result of the book, Larimore has didate School in 1941. During his military service in World been inducted into the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division Hall of Fame War II, his bravery did not go (alongside Generals Marshall, unnoticed. Eisenhower, and Ridgeway) and He saw 413 days of front-line has been nominated for the U.S. combat and was awarded three Army’s Officer Candidate School Purple Hearts, including one for Hall of Fame. losing his right leg in a desperate Gen. David H. Petraeus, U.S. battle in the last month of the war. Army (Ret.) four-star general, “He never talked about those former Director of the U.S. medals; he never talked about Walt Larimore Central Intelligence Agency, those battles,” his son Walt said. “And a lot of the men were like that. and former Commander of U.S. Forces They fought for freedom; they fought for in Afghanistan wrote: “This story is liberty. But when they came home, they extraordinary: an almost forgotten hero, tough combat, tragic sacrifice, gripping wanted to live life.” Larimore lost his right leg below the aftermath, a marvelous horse, and an knee and used a prosthetic. He battled the astonishing ending. Don’t miss reading U.S. War Department over its policy of this remarkable book.” Walt Larimore is an internationally not allowing amputee officers to continue recognized family physician, an awardin the Army. The final courtroom testimony, winning medical journalist, and a uncovered in the U.S. National Archives, bestselling author of more than 40 books.

Santa Cruz supports the Turkey Trot, “we are going to keep supporting you.” The foundation has given the food bank between $60,000 and $90,000 a year from this 5K and 10K event. Kristen Brown, Capitola City Council member and vice president government relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said she will run the Turkey Trot “to support our food bank.” Also running: Erica Padilla-Chavez and her family. To sign up, go to https://www.svturkeytrot.com/ Pastor Rene Schlaepfer of Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, which raised more than 1 million meals last year, explained how to run a successful holiday drive.

10 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Set a goal, show the need, explain who is helped, seniors, working single moms, families with one parent in prison and immigrant families. And have a countdown to build excitement. One success story from the past: A young boy by the name of Travis brought paper kites to sell and collected names with a promise to make paper kites for those folks. He raised $2,000 — he’s now in college, Pastor Rene said. New technology — such as a QR code for your team — to deliver donations swiftly can help. In Live Oak, the moms in the Cradle to Career initiative not only support food distribution but also started a Zumba exercise group and wanted to show their moves.

Capt. Philip Larimore, 1947 He traveled to a dozen archives and military installations in eight U.S. states, England, France and Italy, and interviewed many soldiers (and their families) to research, document and write this epic narrative about his father and the countless men and women who fought on “the forgotten front” in southern Europe in World War II. n ••• For information, visit https://www.drwalt. com (click on the “At First Light” tab). Philip Larimore commanded a front-line platoon, shot snipers out of trees from 100 yards away, flew behind enemy lines into Czechoslovakia late in the war, completed a clandestine mission to save the Lipizzaner horses from Hitler’s clutches and became one of the youngest Company Commanders in the war.

Ana Rosa, Eva Flores, Maria Cabrera and Lidia Santillan got some folks in the audience — and Erica Padilla-Chavez--to start dancing to the lively Latin music. Finally David Kao, chief operating officer of the Santa Cruz Warriors, said the team raised 162,000 meals in the last three years by scoring baskets. This is called Swishes for Dishes. For every point made, the Santa Cruz Warriors will give 10 meals — and with this year’s roster, Cao hopes to donate 50,000 meals. n ••• To donate to Second Harvest Food Bank’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive, visit thefoodbank. org.

LOCAL SPORTS

Q&A with Equestrian Paloma Primavera P aloma Primavera of Aptos is a top high school athlete who will compete in her sport —equestrian riding — in college. Aptos Times interviewed her in connection with her signing a letter of intent to compete at Fresno State University. ••• At what age did you start to ride equestrian? What motivated you? I started riding when I was 4 years old. My passion for the sport started when my dad took my sister and I on a trail ride up at Mount Madonna. Tell me about the horse you are riding now. I just have one horse named Beckham, and he is truly one in a million. We bought him two years ago. He is a grey 13-year-old Holsteiner, and is 18 hands tall. Where do you practice and how often? I ride with Crystal Nelson at Crystal Nelson Equestrian in Watsonville, 4-5 days a week.

What has helped you get to the point where you are now — National 18 & under championships — A coach? Time invested? Something else? My trainer Crystal has really pushed me and inspired me to achieve all my equestrian dreams. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without her. None of this would’ve been possible without the horses and ponies that have also taught me and brought me along. Just last year I achieved my greatest accomplishment and that was winning the NorCal Junior Medal 3’6”. All of my time is spent at the barn or traveling to competitions. I just got home from competing in Pennsylvania and Kentucky for two national finals; those were two of my biggest goals, and I was happy that they both went really well.

What made you select Fresno State? What will you study there? What are your aspirations for competition? After searching for the school that suited me best, I choose Fresno State. I choose this

school because the girls and the coaches are super welcoming and kind. The team aspect was a really big part of my decision because I will be spending the majority of my time with them and I wanted to be on a team that was uplifting and actually supported each other.

I am not 100% decided on what I will study, but I am leaning towards studying business. My biggest goal for when I am on the team would be becoming an “All American” rider and helping my team make it to nationals during my four years there. n

Exercise your well power. This Open Enrollment, choose a plan that gives you access to Dignity Health. If you’re comparing health plans this season, consider the advantages of a plan that connects you to Dignity Health, the largest physician network in Santa Cruz County. Like our more than 200 primary and specialty care providers located in more than 100 locations throughout the region. All backed up by Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized programs for heart, cancer, obstetrics and other specialties. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/SantaCruz.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 11

NOVEMBER 2023

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

INTEREST RATES … Oh My! — Well, on 10/10, the 30-year mortgage rate was 7.62%, and on 11/10 it is 7.55%, but it did hit above 8.0% last month! ACTIVE LISTINGS — There are 44 Active Listings in Aptos as of 11/10/23; 35 homes, 5 condos, 4 townhomes. The Average Days on Market (DOM) for the houses is a whopping 64 days, condos — 35 days, townhomes fairing better at 18 days. The AVG List Price on homes is $2,190,714, townhomes - $1,117,000, condos - $867,560. The High Home List is 733 Via Gaviota at $10,000,000 and 42 DOM, followed by 425 Bear Valley, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 3185 SF home asking $5,500,000 and 104 DOM. APTOS SOLD PAST 30 DAYS — 20 homes sold in the past 30 days. High is 531 Beach Drive which listed at $10 Million and sold for $9.8M after only 11 DOM. This is a new high for Beach Drive. Next was 414 Coates, which sold for $2,762,500 after 96 DOM and an original list price of $3.5M, or 79% of list. 564 Cathedral sold for ‘land value’ for $435,000. The lowest livable home sale was 785 Seacliff, a one bed, one bath, 700SF home that sold for $1,005,000. Whereas 2175 Hames, also in 95003 zip code, sold for $1,040,000 but offered 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2495SF on 1.24 acres, definitely more bang for your buck as move away from the beach. The AVG Sales Price was $1,971,500 the Median Sales Price was $1,562,500 and AVG DOM was 31 days. NEW BROKERAGE: MONTEREY BAY PROPERTIES/COMPASS I’ve returned ‘home’ to Monterey Bay Properties, which has now joined with the national #1 Sales Volume Company, Compass. I’m looking forward to working with people I know and love and using new amazing Compass tools. “Concierge” provides Sellers up to $40,000 to improve their home prior to sale, with zero due until closing. These funds can be used for kitchen/ bath improvements, flooring, painting, electrical/plumbing repairs, staging, inspection costs, moving costs, etc. Compass also offers Bridge Loans to Sellers so that you can go ahead and make an offer on your next home without having to sell first. ——— Call, email, text anytime and Get Results With Ruth!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Paid Advertising

COMMUNITY NEWS

Honoring Local Veterans O n Nov. 10, Hospice of Santa Cruz County hosted a ceremony to honor service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans living at Aegis of Aptos. The outdoor event featured a parade of cars decorated with U.S. flags, music therapist Anya Ismaiel performing “God Bless America” on her guitar, and emcee Brad Beaulieu, whose grandfather was a linesman in the Marine Corps at Iwo Jima thanking all of the veterans present and recognizing each one by name with a personal pinning ceremony. Cathy Conway, Hospice of Santa Cruz County CEO, voiced her gratitude for their service. Marine veteran Michael Leahy noted the day was the birth date of the U.S. Marine Corps, which was established in 1775 to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Some veterans were unable to participate in the ceremony but each was to get a certificate and pin. Afterward, the Hospice team went to Brookdale Senior Living in Scotts Valley to recognize veterans living there. n

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Veteran Edward Leite receives a flag before the Veterans Day ceremony at Aegis of Aptos. ••• in collaboration with the National Hospice Hospice of Santa Cruz County is a level- and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. four partner of the We Honor Veterans program Department of Veterans Affairs.

Photos by Jondi Gumz The Veterans Day ceremony at Aegis of Aptos Anya Ismaiel entertains with patriotic songs at a Vet- Sandra Bacon and Cindy Pensinger wave their flags for the Veterans Day included a parade of cars to thank veterans for erans Day ceremony at Aegis of Aptos. ceremony presented by Hospice of Santa Cruz County. their service.

Soquel Creek Water District Eyes Rate Increases

By Jondi Gumz

s the Soquel Creek Water District prepares to put its PureWater Soquel project online, staff are proposing multi-year rate increases based on an analysis by Raftelis Financial Consultants. At the Oct. 17 meeting, Raftelis laid out four revenue options, three of which assume water demand remains the same: Example 1: 10% increase each year fiscal 2024 through fiscal 2033. Reserves are drawn to operating cash in 2026 and 2027. Example 2: 25% increase in fiscal 2024,

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then 7.5% increase in fiscal 2025 through fiscal 2033. Least financial risk for district. Example 3: 12.5% increase each year in fiscal 2024 through fiscal 2028, then 5.5% increase each year in fiscal 2029 through fiscal 2033. Avoids the financial risk of Example 1 and the heft one-time increase of Example 2. Example 4: 8.5% increase each year from fiscal 2024 through fiscal 2033. Assumes water demand rises from 2,600 to 2,900 acre feet, the projected baseline in the previous rate study. The water district will host a Zoom

webinar 6-7 p.m. Nov. 16 to explain the rate increase options. To join the webinar see: https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/86872042428 Because of Thanksgiving, the district’s November meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at Capitola City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave., Capitola. Protests against the rate increases can be brought to the meeting. A multi-year plan of rate hikes could be adopted at the meeting on Dec. 21. n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Threats & Safety at Aptos High By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal

n emergency training, we learned about different levels of being tuned into your surroundings. It was just hours before our last football game, and our sheriff and assistant principal team received reports about an online threat to the school. We immediately went into high alert. The emergency team started our threat assessment protocol, which included contacting the assistant superintendent of secondary schools and informing our sheriffs. We gave ourselves 30 minutes to identify the source or postpone the game. At the 29th minute, the source was identified by name and location, which was in the northern part of the county. We are grateful the sheriff team was able to locate and inform the parent, search the house, and apprehend the young man responsible; and we messaged our community to reassure them that the culprit was no longer an immediate threat. I share all of this information because threats on the Internet continue to increase and impact our lives all too often. Our work with safety is interwoven with the sheriff’s department and information technology in any given week. This effort takes partnerships

between multiple agencies and relationships with our students and families to support each other through constant communication coming from so many directions. In another threat-related incident, parents recently shared how their children were being cyberbullied through various chat applications, including Discord, Snapchat, and Instagram. What had started as a group chat had become a platform for hatred, insults, intimidation, and detailed ways to harm some of the members. Multiple times, parents have come to us with concerns about what their children shared online during the weekend or after hours. Students have taken photos of themselves that were not intended to be shared with anyone else, except a friend or someone of interest. Then, when the relationship changes or ends, their private photos become a form of public abuse, humiliation, or extortion. More students need to stop and pause

before they hit send. Relationships might not be forever, but the Internet can be. Once something is out there, it can be challenging to take back. Talking rudely in a text or online doesn’t go away, especially if someone takes a screenshot and shares it with another or posts it to another site. I wonder what leads some of our youth to spew out hatred and evil when they get onto their devices. I want to know if they think they are anonymous and don’t think they will be held accountable for their actions, expletives, and vulgarities. I also think they are crying out for help and revealing their own anger and pain. With the Internet, our job as school leaders no longer pauses while we step away from campus. We have two types of software to help keep students safe, STOPit and Gaggle. In the last two years, we have received over 265 STOPit reports. STOPit are anonymous reports that automatically alert our principal team and

More students need to stop and pause before they hit send.

leaders in the PVUSD student services office. It will also notify the superintendent and sheriff’s department of a violent threat or suicidal message. The majority of messages are about unsafe interactions among students, including using illegal substances, fighting, or bullying. When reported with details and in a timely manner, many reports have helped us identify trouble areas or create resolutions to conflicts. Gaggle is triggered by key words or images when our students open or write something about nudity, violence, self-harm, or words of hate speech. It can be through Internet searches or other applications when a student is connected to the PVUSD network or using a school device. This software also notifies the leadership team at any given hour. Last year, we received 119 total Gaggle reports; since the start of the school year, we have received 79 Gaggle reports. Sometimes it might be part of a student essay. Occasionally, we call a parent to confirm that a student shared a trauma with them or has received mental health support.

Add Light In Your Home With A New Skylight

14 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“School Safety” page 16

LOCAL SPORTS

Mount Madonna Girls Cross Country Grades 7-8 Wins League Championship

Seventh Grader Pierce Culbertson Races to Undefeated Season

n Oct. 26, the undefeated Mount Schools League featured four races: Grades Madonna School seventh-eighth 2-6 and grades 7-8, with boys and girls competing separately. Each race grade girls cross country had about 30 runners. team was awarded the league “We had a fantastic season championship at their final meet with students showing up before at Anna Jean Cummings County school to run and giving it their all Park in Soquel. at our races,” said Mount Madonna Seventh grader Pierce CulCoach Nicole Silva Culbertson. “I bertson, an avid cross country really appreciate the dedication it runner, took first place in 11:28 takes from the students to show on the 1.75-mile course. Eighth Pierce Culbertson up early in the morning to go for grader Rory Kayne finished third in 13:36 and classmate Minami Wu finished a run before school starts, and also to work through their nerves — and pain — during fifth at 14:53. Athena Pantos, Wavecrest Montessori, the races! Kudos to all of these student athwas second in 12:20, and Kensingtyn Horn, letes, and a special congratulations to all of those who improved so tremendously Baymonte Christian, was fourth in 13:54. Runners also competed from Chrysostum throughout the season.” Pierce Culbertson was undefeated as an Classical Academy, Gateway, Georgiana Bruce Kirby, Green Valley Christian, Holy individual in the league, winning every race. Cross, Salesian, Tierra Pacifica and Twin Rory Kayne routinely Minami Wu routinely finished in the top five of the races they comLakes Christian. The meet for the Santa Cruz Small peted in.

Eighth grader Aiden Powers, a top finisher for the MMS boys, finished sixth in 13:16, followed by seventh graders Felix Alvarado 11th in 13:33 and River Russell 15th in 14:14. Sixth grader Ryan Henderson was 15th in 14:58. The MMS students who competed on the 2023-24 middle school cross country team are (by grade): Bay Vivanco-Risner, third; Jules Moutafian, fifth; Rio Vivanco-Risner, Ryan Henderson, sixth; Felix Alvarado, Nolan McKibbin, Nyah Melton, Pierce Culbertson, River Russell, seventh; and Aiden Powers, Marlowe Yen, Minami Wu, Nina Garcia, Rory Kayne, Sera Krawetz, Sophia Krawetz, eighth grade. Full results can be found at https://www. athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/228674/ info The Mount Madonna Hawks middle school athletics program includes basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer and track and field.

“I hope the students will continue to try new sports,” said Culbertson. “I will be coaching track in the spring and hope to have all the cross country kids — and more — back out there!” n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month At Hospice of Santa Cruz County, we celebrate this special month by emphasizing the immeasurable value of high-quality, nonprofit care and our exceptional staff who make that possible. We understand that during life’s most challenging moments, compassionate, person-centered care is essential. Our dedicated team is here to provide care to all people of all ages through the journey of serious illness and grief, ensuring that no one walks this path alone. Experience the Difference of Nonprofit Care:

New Benches at Aptos Village Park V isitors to Aptos Village Park can now enjoy three new benches near the gazebo, thanks to local Lions Clubs. On Nov. 9, after nearly five years of planning, members of Cabrillo Host, Freedom Host and Santa Cruz Host Lions Clubs gathered to dedicate the new benches in honor of veterans. One of the benches is dedicated to the late David C. Chamberlain, a veteran and charter member of the Cabrillo Host Lions Club. The candlelight dedication included Lions District Governor Benjie Fernandez, Lions District First Vice-President Stan Weitzman, and Cabrillo Host Lions Club President Joanna Dang and members of Lions Clubs from throughout the Bay Area. Santa Cruz County Second District Parks Commissioner Tricia Wiltshire also paid a visit. Past-District Governor Cabrillo Lion Barbara Chamberlain spoke of the importance of remembering all veterans and their service to our country, then cut a yellow ribbon to officially hand over the project to Santa Cruz County Parks Department and the public. Parks Commissioners and staff collaborated with Cabrillo Host Lions leaders to select the location. The bench layout was designed by Cabrillo Lion Barry Scott. Lion Jay Johnson and Johnson & Co. installed the benches and boulder that includes a commemorative plaque. This project continues the Cabrillo Host Lions Club tradition of public service to the

Barbara Chamberlain sits on the new bench in Aptos Village Park installed by Cabrillo Host Lions and dedicated to her late husband David Chamberlain. Aptos community. The community center in Aptos Village Park was built by Lions volunteers and donated to Santa Cruz County Parks Dept. in 1977. The Cabrillo Host Lions Club is part of the worldwide Lions Club International, an organization of 40,000+ Lions clubs in 200+ countries with a mission to empower volunteers, meet humanitarian needs, and promote international understanding. n ••• Contact the Cabrillo Host Lions Club at: cabrillohostlions61@gmail.com or call 408-634-6110

Compassion at the Core Expertise That Comforts Your Choice, Your Journey

The three new benches at Aptos Village Park.

“School Safety” from page 14

hospicesantacruz.org 16 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Other times, we have called parents on family vacations about suicide ideation or on a Sunday night about chats between friends that contain racist words or inappropriate images. What can our families do? Tune into what your children do online. As families, we have a responsibility to ask questions and engage in dialogue with our children about their actions on their devices. If you pay for the phone and the Internet, you especially have every right to monitor and set boundaries. You can ask your students to leave their devices in another location at night. Additionally, you can follow

where your children are, and you can set restrictions on applications including time limits. We can’t keep devices out of our children’s hands, but we can teach them how to be responsible. From media literacy to being responsible for our choices and words on our phones and in our messaging, we have to remember that every action has an impact. Help our family members be online sages or contributors, as we don’t need any more Internet trolls hiding behind the keyboard. Take some time during the upcoming holidays to unplug and ask your children about how they and their friends talk to each other on their phones. n

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos High Alum Finds Cross Country Coaching Success N

Son Colby ran cross country and track icole Silva Culbertson, who joined Mount Madonna School in 2015 and while at Mount Madonna middle school. He teaches science to eighth to twelfth now attends Aptos High, where he competed grade students, is the coach for middle school in cross country, but now plays golf, year round. cross country, track and field and soccer. Silva Culbertson ran for Aptos High Her daughter Pierce, a seventh grader at Mount Madonna School, completed an School from 1991-1995, following in the footsteps of her father, Adelino undefeated cross country season Silva, an excellent runner for and helped score her team a 7th-8th Watsonville High School and then Small Schools League champiChico State, where he still holds onship. She competes in club (and some records. MMS soccer), and plays most team Silva Culbertson ran four sports that MMS offers. years of cross country and track, Daughter Kenzie, a freshman, and won league and Central Coast won a cross country meet versus Section titles throughout her years Scotts Valley and Harbor High School, and consistently is a top fin- Nicole Silva Culbertson at Aptos High, and them competed isher. She continues to play club soccer, plays at state, earning a best finish of 6th place. volleyball for Mount Madonna School. She She received a D1 scholarship to continue ran in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League running cross country and track at Tulane University. n final Nov. 2 at Pinto Lake.

SCCAL Girls Golf 2023-24 All League layer of the Year: Ashley Gettleman Scotts Valley - sophomore Coach of the Year: Anders Ohlsson Scotts Valley First Team • Maisey Chard - Scotts Valley - junior • Ivy Hatch-Rooks - SLV - senior • Sidney Magdaleno - Harbor - sophomore • Emily Fassio - Aptos - sophomore • Joey Burgos - Soquel - frosh Second Team • Lauren Ohlsson - Scotts Valley - sophomore • Hannah McKibben - Scotts Valley - senior • Colette Fort - Aptos - senior • Mikayla Casey - SLV - senior • Josie Manson - Harbor - sophomore • Ella Carter - Soquel - senior Honorable Mention Aptos: Lemi Anastasopoulos (fr); Lilly McGee (jr) • Harbor: Frances Solway (fr); Sam Hernandez-Ruiz (so) • San Lorenzo Valley: Reagan Atkinson (jr); Ella Cook (jr) • Scotts Valley: Lola Challenor (sr); Melina Sinclair (sr) • Soquel: Cassidy Perry (jr); Bridgette Panniccia (sr) ••• SCCAL Girls Volleyball 2023-24 All-League rosh of the Year: Ella Dueck - Aptos Outside Hitter Coach of the Year: Matt Schutz - Harbor First Team • Maren O’Farrell - Harbor - Junior - Setter • Kayla Rhee-Pizano - Soquel - Senior - Setter

• Sabine Kemos - Harbor - Junior - Middle Blocker • Daisey Manako - Santa Cruz - Senior Middle Blocker • Isla Johnson - Harbor - Junior - Outside Hitter • Jesse Dueck - Soquel - Junior - Outside Hitter • Summer Pederson - Santa Cruz - Senior - Libero • MVP - Gwen Grigsby - Harbor - Libero Second Team • Antonia Wilson - Santa Cruz - Senior - Setter • Kenzie Smith - Aptos - Sophomore - Opposite • Hayden Smith - Scotts Valley Sophomore - Middle Blocker • Natalie Monroe - Santa Cruz - Sophomore - Outside Hitter • Grace Emanuelson - Scotts Valley Senior - Outside Hitter • Eden Fisher - Mount Madonna Sophomore - Outside Hitter • Ali Reger – San Lorenzo Valley- Senior - Libero Honorable Mention Aptos - Claire Willoughby , Jr., Peyton Westjohn, Sr. • Harbor - Dakotah Johnson, Sr., Holly Pendergraft, Sr. • Mount Madonna - Cy Harris, Sr., Emma Monclus, Sr. • San Lorenzo Valley- Janie Reynolds, Sr., Ari Ballard, Jr. • Santa Cruz - Lily Pederson, Sr., Kelaiah Wynn, Jr. • Scotts Valley - Natalia Cash, Sr., Ava Morrison, Jr. • Soquel - Claire Peterson, Jr., Lily Juarez-Sapone, Jr.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Aptos Computer Services

Best Possible Support for all your Computer & Technology Needs By Edita McQuary

onorably-discharged sergeant at age 21 from the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller, Erich Headrick has led a colorful life. Following his dream, he became a guitarist/entertainer and then played in all sorts of bands and created his own band, “SoulSeeker,” as well as being asked to perform in the band “Dokken” in 1995. A true patriot, he was all set to re-enlist following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but the Air Force turned him down as he was a few months past their mandatory air traffic controller qualification age. In 2002 he joined Outdoor World as systems administrator. The job entailed traveling throughout California, taking care of their retail stores point-of-sale and inventory control needs, along with telephone, security and database management. While single-handedly raising his two sons, Jesse and James, Erich took them with him whenever possible while covering his large territory for Outdoor World. In California, his territory included Capitola, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Modesto, and San Rafael. In 2008 he changed his status with Outdoor World from employee to contract services and started Aptos Computer Service, which at that time mostly served Aptos walk-in traffic. Sons Jesse and James were the first employees and are working to make this shop the envy of the country, in regards to quality and professionalism. To grow the business, Erich signed up for one-on-one coaching sessions with well-known marketing coach/business consultant Clay Clark from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Son Jesse, among other things, is the crypto-currency enthusiast and James is passionate about Japanese culture and multimedia creation. The business was doing well until Covid struck and with current inflation, business is challenging. The company has now restructured its focus and has deployed several exciting products including personal, family and business unlimited support plans. For instance, many people are convinced that when their computer starts to get slow and sluggish, it’s time to buy a newer one. That is, from our extensive experience, not the right thing to do. For a fraction of the price, getting that computer tuned up is the best investment you can make. Just like your vehicle, there are parts that decline over time that when replaced bring the computer back to a performance you’d expect from a new machine. The analogy would be questioning whether to get a new car because the tires need replacing. Well, Aptos Computer Services specializes in making sure you do not needlessly spend money and simply the best resource on the West Coast for addressing your current technology needs. Aptos Computer Service provides expert

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PC and Mac repair, virus removal, data transfer, web hosting and design, custom builds, data management and recovery, 24/7 customer service and a 30-day guarantee. They can also provide same-day turnaround as well as servicing vintage and collectable computers. Plans for the future are weekly online “Q and A” (question and answer) weekly classes and another is to work to clear the confusion around crypto currencies. Erich says, “Our most important focus is the customer’s data, knowing that computers can be replaced but data is irreplaceable. Secondly, customer privacy is most important so the integrity of the repair-person is paramount.” He went on to explain credit card fraud is rampant. About once a month they see a victim of credit fraud. Oftentimes they need to refer the client to the Secret Service to investigate. “In one case, however, during my music career, within 24 hours we were able retrieve seven guitars which had been paid for by a stolen credit cards and had been sent to Brazil. We were pretty proud of our experiences,” Erich said.

For expert, reliable computer repair and services, contact Erich, James or Jesse at Aptos Computer Services. They will be glad to help you. n ••• Aptos Computer Services is located at 7969 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003, phone 831-477-1234. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., aptoscomputer.com.

“Our most important focus is the customer’s data, knowing that computers can be replaced but data is irreplaceable. Secondly, customer privacy is most important so the integrity of the repairperson is paramount.” — Erich Headrick

LOCAL SPORTS

Eli Fitchen-Young Wins CCS Championship O n Nov. 11, Eli Fitchen-Young, a junior at Santa Cruz High, cruised to win the Division II crown at the Central Coast Section course at Crystal Springs in Belmont. His time, 14:55.1, was a personal best and the fastest in the field of 514 runners. His senior teammate Kees Van der Meer finished 2nd in 16:04.7. Next: CIF state championships Nov. 25 in Woodward Park, Fresno. Ben George, Scotts Valley senior, was third in 16:11.9. His Falcons team had 64 points for a 2nd place finish, edged by Archbishop Riordan, 1st with 59. The 2nd place finish qualified the Falcons for state. Aaron Weiss, Scotts Valley sophomore, was 6th in 16:15.8. Mason Lantz, Scotts Valley senior, was 11th in 16:42.8. Eli Granados, Scotts Valley senior, was 13th in 16:45.1. Jackson Stull, Scotts Valley freshman, was 35th in 17:42.6. The Santa Cruz Cardinals finished 3rd with 91, and qualified for state, ahead of Half Moon Bay 4th with 92. Emiliano Villareal, a Santa Cruz senior, was 23rd in 17:14.9. Alan Lee, a Santa Cruz senior, was 28th in 17:25.4. Owen Fitchen-Young, a Santa Cruz freshman, was 57th in 18:02.4. Division V Monte Vista Christian, finishing 3rd with 69, qualified for state for the first time. Justin McCullick, a junior, medaled, finishing 6th in 16:34.4. Conor Gilliam, a sophomore, was 10th in 17.12.4. Bradley Orlando, a junior, was 16th in 17:40.2.

SCCAL Cross Country Championship Boys 1) Scotts Valley, 30 2) Santa Cruz, 43 3) Aptos, 49 4) Soquel, 123 5) San Lorenzo Valley, 126 6) Harbor, 170

Gavin Beckmen, a sophomore, was 19th in 17:43.5. Eli Kieft, a sophomore, was 20th in 17:43.8. Division III Aptos High finished 5th with 126 in Division III where 87 runners competed. Senior Evan Niles finished 11th in 16:32.6. Sophomore Brady Bliesner was 21st in 17:05.1 Vincent Sandford-Carroll, a junior, was 22nd in 17:03.6. Sam Hansen, a freshman, was 34th in 17:24.4. Sean Mullen, a sophomore, was 36th in 17:34.4. n

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SCCAL Top Ten Runners 1) Eli Fitchen-Young, junior, Santa Cruz, 14:34 2) Mason Lantz, senior, Scotts Valley, 15:41 3) Ben George, senior, Scotts Valley, 15:46 4) Kees Van der Meer, senior, Santa Cruz, 15:55 5) Aaron Weiss, sophomore, Scotts Valley, 15:57 6) Evan Niles, senior, Aptos, 16:13 7) Brady Bliesner, sophomore, Aptos, 16:16 8) Eli Granados, senior, Scotts Valley, 16:27 9) Emiliano Villarreal, junior, Santa Cruz, 16:34 10) Sam Hansen, freshman, Aptos, 17:01

Ashlyn Boothby Wins Third CCS Crown

n Nov. 11, Ashlyn Boothby, a senior at Scotts Valley High School, led the way at the Central Coast Section cross country meet at Crystal Springs in Belmont, winning her third consecutive Division IV crown and helping her team to their third consecutive title. Her time on the 2.93-mile course was 17:52.2, a personal best. She was the fastest of 450 runners in all five divisions. Ava Decleve, her sophomore teammate, finished second in 18:31.1. Scotts Valley sophomore Jenni Brownfield was 10th in 19.50.5.

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Scotts Valley freshman Hanna Shehorn was 11th in 19:57.1. Scotts Valley junior Violet McCutcheon was 35th in 21:49.2. The Falcons team score was 46. Next: The CIF state championships at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 25 at Woodward Park, Fresno. Also going to state: Heidi Green, Santa Cruz, 8th in 19:36.4. Chloe Hood, Santa Cruz, 15th in 20.31.4. “Girls Cross Country” page 21

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Observing Veterans Day in Watsonville

By Edita McQuary

everal hundred people gathered at Watsonville’s Mello Center to commemorate Veterans Day. As in the past, the Watsonville Band and soloist Diana McGuffey enhanced the program. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Harry Wiggins welcomed the audience and served as emcee. Members of American Legion Post 121, VFW Post 1726, and Watsonville Knights of Columbus Council 958 arranged the program. Pajaro Valley Unified School District Interim Superintendent Murry Schekman’s staff and students served as ushers and were especially solicitous of people with disabilities. Schekman announced that Applebee’s was treating all veterans and their families to a free lunch at their Watsonville restaurant. Watsonville dignitaries Mayor Eduardo Montesino, county Supervisor Felipe Hernandez and former county supervisor Greg Caput were in attendance. Special guest former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta related that when he was director of the ClA, as they were making

A Couple of Artists: Anil and Charlene Sawe

nil and Charlene Sawe are a husbandand-wife team pursuing artistic goals, with very different styles. They have lived in Aptos since 2004 - initially part time, and full time since 2020. “We are both ocean lovers,” Anil says. “We were in the valley pursuing our careers but always yearned to be by the water. So we bought the place in Aptos near Seascape Resort as our second home to spend our weekends here. It was always our plan to retire by the water.” He adds, “We both love to paint and it’s our full-time occupation during retirement.” Their art is featured at the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, through December, and they sell their works as paintings, and on pillows, puzzles, coasters and totes at www.sawearts. com ••• Anil Sawe nil was born in Mumbai, India, and was an engineer during his career, working mostly with visual technologies in graphics, video and imaging. During his later years, he started practicing painting, back to his childhood hobby. Anil has always loved to be by the water and enjoys sailing when he can. Growing up near the

plans to take down Osama bin Laden, seven American operatives were killed while meeting with an Arab they did not know was a double agent. He stressed the importance of American unity in these troubled times. Awards were presented to U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Squier, VFW Post 1716, and U.S. Army Specialist David Trevino, American Legion Post 121. Sgt.Trevino’s widow and granddaughter accepted his award. A moving part of the annual event is when the Watsonville Community Band plays the theme song of each military branch and the men and women who served in that branch stand to be recognized. Lt. Col. Wiggins introduced Ray Burgess, age 99, a World War II veteran, who fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Father Jason Simas of St. Patrick’s Church, who gave the invocation, also gave the closing prayer. As usual, it is good to be reminded why we are a free country and to acknowledge and thank the men and women who served in the military to insure this freedom. n

shore in Mumbai, he was fascinated by the colorful sunsets, the monsoon clouds, and turbulent seas. He enjoys capturing the beauty of the waves, clouds and sunsets in their dynamic yet transient nature. In his work, he commits these passing moments to the canvas – the colors, the forms, shadows and flickers of light – using richness of oil paints. His style ranges from realistic to semi-abstract, giving a bit of personal interpretation to these memories. ••• Charlene Sawe harlene’s love for fine arts evolved from early years practicing ballet and later on as a teacher of interior design. As a home economics teacher, she developed a natural affinity for color, form and placement. She taught Feng Shui for many years, focusing on elements in nature and bringing balance into the home for everyday life. She first pursued painting after teaching courses in creativity development based on Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way – leading her to explore her own creativity. She brings the elements of Feng Shui: Natural forms and colors, placed in visually

20 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Glimmering Sunset, by Anil Sawe

Splendid Spring by Charlene Sawe

pleasing and impactful ways to create pieces that communicate a fleeting mood – often observed in nature, in skies, water and trees. She loves to paint abstracts in acrylic as a way to capture her inner emotions and

translate them with bold brushstrokes on the canvas, often creating dynamic movements driven by her memories of ballet. ••• See more at www.sawearts.com

“Girls Cross Country” from page 19 Marissa Garcia, Soquel, was 18th in 20:47.1. San Lorenzo Valley finished seventh with 169. Beth Gabrielson was 16th in 20:39.3. Division II Evie Marheineke of Santa Cruz, a junior at Archbishop Mitty, finished 1st SCCAL Cross Country Girls Championship 1) Scotts Valley, 27 2) Aptos, 59 3) San Lorenzo Valley, 84 4) Santa Cruz, 84 5) Soquel, 121 6) Harbor, 153 Top 10 Runners in SCCAL 1) Ashlyn Boothby, senior, Scotts Valley, 17:14 2) Ava Decleve, sophomore, Scotts Valley, 17:47 3) Rachel Hoops, senior, Aptos, 18:36

among 115 runners in Division II with a time of 18:05.2. She’s going to state. She helped her team take 5th with 182. Division III Rachel Hoops of Aptos finished 2nd of 90 runners with a time of 18.52.4. Maya Schiro was 9th in 19:58.7. Both are going to state.

The time to beat is 18:29.2 by Katie Hoornaert, a junior at Prospect, who finished 1st. Division V Kylie Brunelli, a junior at Monte Vista Christian, finished 6th of 69 runners in 19:49.2.

Kenzie Culbertson, a freshman at Mount Madonna, finished 8th in 20.03.4. Both are going to state. The time to beat is 18:33.4 by Ariya Kaushek, a sophomore at Menlo School, who finished 1st. n

4) Kenzie Culbertson, freshman, Mt Madonna, 19:10 5) Maya Schiro, sophomore, Aptos, 19:17 6) Jenni Brownfield, sophomore, Scotts Valley, 19:33 7) Heidi Green, junior, Santa Cruz, 19:41 8) Marissa Garcia, freshman, Soquel, 19:55 9) Beth Gabrielson, freshman, San Lorenzo Valley, 20:00 10) Hanna Shehorn, freshman, Scotts Valley, 20:02 In the junior varsity race, Aptos runners placed first with a score of 15. They took four of the top five spots, some dressed in tutus. 1. Mia Parello, junior, 21:28. 2. Ceci Garcia, senior, 22:19. 4. Grace Graff, junior, 25:25. 5. Jordan Brown, sophomore, 25:50.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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o assist customers preparing for the upcoming busy holiday shopping and shipping season, the U.S. Postal Service is providing 2023 holiday shipping and mailing deadlines. This information covers domestic, international and military shipping destinations to allow for the timely delivery of cards, letters and packages by Dec. 25. No Holiday Surcharges The Postal Service has announced it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season, offering increased predictability in pricing for customers. The Postal Service offers upfront pricing year-round with no additional fees for residential area delivery, for Saturday delivery, no fuel surcharges and no volume minimums. 2023 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines Within the Lower 48 (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) • USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16 • First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 16 • Priority Mail — Dec. 18 • Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20 Alaska • USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16 • First-Class Mail — Dec. 16 • Priority Mail — Dec. 18 • Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20 Hawaii • USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16 • First-Class Mail — Dec. 16 • Priority Mail — Dec. 16 • Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20 Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) • USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 6 • First-Class Mail — Dec. 9 • Priority Mail — Dec. 9 • Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 15* * PMEMS not available for APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093

International Mail Shipping deadlines for international mail vary depending on the destination. Check out International Mail and Shipping Services for details. The Postal Service is a secure shipping option that meets international mail shipping needs to over 180 countries. USPS Is Ready A new shipping option this year is USPS Ground Advantage, a service that provides a simple, reliable and affordable way to ship packages with day certain delivery of 2-5 business days based on distance. Customers can buy their shipping labels, order Priority Mail packaging and schedule free carrier pick up via the Postal Service’s shipping platform at https://www.usps. com/ship/online-shipping.htm Customers using the platform will have access to Commercial Shipping Rates that will apply to all domestic package labels — making it easier for customers to ship their packages. Prices start at $4.75 for 4 oz., $7.60 for 1 lb. and $10.20 for 5 lbs. The Postal Service serves 165 million addresses across the country and covers every state, city and town. Review the details on how to ship packages to military and diplomatic addresses at domestic prices, even if you are sending mail overseas. Notably, the Postal Service is the only delivery service that ships to APO, FPO and DPO addresses. For tips on holiday mailing, see: https:// about.usps.com/holidaynews/] Postal Products Customers may purchase, stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. n

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Soquel Creek Water Rates f you are unhappy with the current water rates with Soquel Creek Water District, please come to the board meeting on Monday, Nov 20, at 6 pm at the Capitola City Council Chambers (420 Capitola Ave). You don’t need to speak but showing up will show them that we do not want our water rates going up any more. They’ve already gone up approximately 54% the past 5 years and they’re going to raise them again 10-12.5% each year for 5 years all the while they give themselves monthly bonuses and raises and remodel the district office.

This additional increase is a real burden on many of our ratepayers and neighbors. If you can’t attend and want to sign the petition please email kakirby831@gmail.com and we will send you the petition. This is very important and can not be ignored. They seem to be out of control. My current bill of $300 will go up to approximately $475 per month or more. We will also have a meeting of ratepayers the day before at the Capitola Library (2005 Wharf Road) Nov 19 at 1 p.m. to discuss. — Kris Kirby

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz Gives Holiday Campaign S anta Cruz Gives, the countywide crowdfunding holiday campaign in its eighth season, will raise funds for 65 local nonprofits until midnight Dec. 31. It is the largest fundraising campaign in Santa Cruz County supporting local nonprofits serving all types of needs. The online platform is live Nov. 15 at SantaCruzGives.org. Donors can learn about each nonprofit’s mission and “Big Idea” for 2024, a project that will be funded with donations, then use a shopping cart to give. The minimum donation is $5. Since its founding in 2015, the six-week campaign has raised more than $4 million — with $2.3 million in the past two campaigns. This year ’s participating nonprofits presents a diverse slate of projects— from a welcoming network for foreign refugees to support for pregnant women in the post-Roe era. They cover the county geographically and represent a

variety of needs: Youth, seniors, animals, the environment, education, health and wellness, food and nutrition, housing and homelessness, the arts, veterans, families, LGBTQIA+, and the disabled. The nonprofits will receive individually donated funds, matching funds provided by sponsors, and be eligible for three special awards, each with a $1,000

prize: Most Donors Overall, Most Creative Campaign, and Project of the Year. A committee with diverse nonprofit experience vetted the applications. The number of nonprofits is limited each year so each organization has the potential to raise sufficient funds for the staff time spent on the campaign. The public exposure and the platform that nonprofits

gain through the Santa Cruz Gives campaign is beyond what any could achieve on their own. New donors are the lifeblood of nonprofits. Participants in Santa Cruz Gives reported a majority of donors are new donors and younger donors. “Santa Cruz Gives” page 27

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Climate Refugees: An Emerging Priority in our Region

by Ellen Farmer

magine your home is flooded, burned down or crushed by falling trees and powerlines. What would you do? How would you feel? What would you tell your family members who live with you? Where would you turn for short- and long-term aid? Would you consider yourselves “homeless”? Countless homeowners in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties have faced this dilemma in the last five years, and it’s maybe just dawning on some of us that — legally — they are on their own. Contacting their insurance companies, filling out paperwork, applying for assistance, and securing temporary housing is considered the problem of the individual homeowner. And what about renters who lost everything? They seem to be at the mercy of FEMA agents, who, while possibly sympathetic, routinely process denials, and have no stake in the long-term success of hardworking individuals in our community who maybe lost their car to get to work, all their possessions, and the home their children slept in and did homework in to prepare for school the next day. In Pajaro, they even lost their middle school, which was caked with mud for weeks causing extensive damage and upheaval for families. Santa Cruz County has been working on prevention and disaster preparedness. Millions of dollars have been directed toward homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing for those priced out of rentals. But what can we do to house “climate refugees” after a crisis hits? Our habit of looking away when an unhoused person panhandles at an intersection (okay — maybe it’s just me) might be causing us to inadvertently ignore climate refugees. But what does this term mean? Refugees are people who need housing through no fault of their own. They need to be given refuge until they can re-settle after a natural disaster. We often think of people escaping violent political regimes in far-off countries as refugees. But more and more large numbers of people are losing their homes to climate disasters like wildfires and

floods, sea-level rise, storms, and landslides. How can we adjust our thinking, planning, and budgeting to respond to this emerging need? What kind of response would you expect if it was you? Why didn’t we immediately create more safe parking lots for CZU lightning fire survivors wanting to live in RVs? There were a few, for example, along Highway 1 in Davenport. We have what feels like zillions of empty parking lots and office buildings and industrial spaces in Santa Cruz County. What’s stopping us from using them? It’s heartening to see the people of Lahaina respond to the fire there by creating Ohana Hope Village, temporary tiny homes for approximately 88 families burned out of their homes in early August. Pretty fast work! But more than 2200 homes were lost. Assuming the rebuilding will go more quickly in Lahaina because of the flat, semiurban terrain (when compared to the Santa Cruz Mountains), there are still probably more than 1,000 families living in hotels indefinitely. Talent, Oregon The town of Talent, Oregon faced this dilemma in the fall of 2020 when a droughtdriven wildfire swept through the low income neighborhood where most service workers lived. Their children made up a good percentage of the population of the school district, and the workers were essential. So creative citizens, including the mayor, a community bank, a nonprofit affordable housing developer (who already owned land) and private nonprofit social service agencies joined forces and created a temporary mobile home park for these families so they wouldn’t move away. They asked the state of Oregon to buy the mobile homes (for which they got a volume discount, of course) so undocumented families wouldn’t have to prove themselves to FEMA and the federal government. Recognizing that some people don’t have savings or a pension or flood insurance, these communities chose to act. Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties could follow their example. The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Talent quickly jumped into action following the Almeda Fire (September 2020) to design, engineer, and construct the first locally-driven transitional housing site within the nation. This unique project represents the Talent Community’s quick action and responsiveness to the mass displacement of thousands of community members. “Climate Refugees” page 26

Thanksgiving

22. Spy org. ACROSS 23. Like hikers’ camps 1. “If all ____ fails...” 5. End of philosophical 26. Tourney grid 30. Beehive State native system 31. Casual top 8. Center of our orbit 34. Money in Milan 11. Indian flatbread 35. Belches 12. Take down, as in a 37. Roth ___, acr. dragon 38. Low-ranking workers 13. Yemeni neighbor 15. Homer’s “Iliad”, e.g. 39. Old Norse texts 40. Major Black Sea port 16. *Copper coin with issuer of Thanksgiving 42. Dog command 43. Resize Proclamation 45. *Thanksgiving, a.k.a. 17. A sign or symbol, ____ Day archaic 47. Baby goat 18. *A certain famous 48. Subway entrance Mayflower rock 50. Parting words 20. *5K, a.k.a. Turkey 52. *Massachusetts’ ____ contender for 21. Blair or Hayek first Thanksgiving celebration 55. Oyster gem

56. One thing on a list 10. Zip 57. Of two minds 12. Chews out 59. Sonnets and such 13. Ostium, pl. 60. Mastercard rival 14. *”____ on 34th 61. Carve in stone Street” 62. Ted Turner’s “baby” 19. ‘90s TV sitcom “Boy 63. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy ____ World” 64. “James and the Giant 22. TV tube in days gone Peach” author by, acr. 23. *Sweet one or russet one DOWN 24. Short musical 1. Compass dir. composition 2. Arctic native 25. Smart candy? 3. Flying jib, e.g. 26. Women’s undergar4. Enclose in a cyst 5. Part of small intestine ments 6. *Traditional occupant 27. Newsstand, e.g. of the last parade float 28. “Sesame Street” 7. *Pumpkin pie at the Muppet first Thanksgiving, e.g. 29. *Dinner excla8. Asian food thickener mation? 9. *Tbs. or tsp., in 32. Sweep under the rug Thanksgiving recipe 33. Fury

36. *Lions’ opponent this year 38. ____ exclusion principle in physics 40. Like something for a wedding day 41. Bad rep 44. Supermarket walkway 46. Let for money 48. Form of civil disobedience 49. Lock of hair 50. Past participle of “be” 51. Knitter’s ball 52. Long live, in French 53. Itty-bitty bit 54. Like part of McDonald’s logo 55. Rubber substitute, acr. 58. Stanley Cup org. © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 25

Understanding Motive & What To Do In Times of War

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-November 2023 • By Risa D’Angeles

he War. About the war in the Mideast. It’s between two brothers in the Bible from ancient times. This war is the same war as the Mahabharata war, where two families began to fight. It is the war where Krishna said to Arjuna, you cannot be a pacifist. You must discern which side is the side of light & which is that of darkness. There is always killing when wars occur. The questions about killing. When killing occurs in times of war, the question must be asked as to motive. Is the motive that of defense? Or is the motive to destroy? Should the latter occur, that killing is on the side of darkness. This question about motive must be asked always in times of war. Then there is an understanding about the aspect of killing. What do we do in times of war? Often, we don’t know what to do. Prayer, thoughtfulness, acts of kindness in daily life are what is needed in times of war. It was the prayers of humanity, on their knees in supplication, that turned the tide during WW2. Hate speech is never the answer. In times of war. So many feel they cannot do anything during times of crisis and wars. But there is much that can be done with prayer, visualization (thoughtforms created that heal and solve problems) and acts of harmony and kindness in daily life. Prayer in times of war. Active prayer is not hopeful petitioning but an art and ARIES

Things unusual and otherworldly are occurring to Aries. Avoiding large groups in order to maintain a balanced comfort level allows you to continue with work unimpeded. If in too large a crowd confusion results. Safety of heart and mind become important. The most comfort now is through right use of technology, seeking like-minded others who speak your language. Aries is changing into a new self-identity. Finding your true peers and your true voice are most important. TAURUS

science of mindful and deliberate working with subtle and spiritual energies and presences. Prayer can be a powerful response in times of war. A quote from David Spangler: “Acts of kindness in everyday life counteract acts of violence in our world. We are able to replace hatred with love, fear with safety, intolerance with respect, all that will finally lead humanity into wholeness.” Peace: How do we create Peace in our world? We identify with and visualize radiating the Will to Good and the Will to Love into the hearts and minds of humanity. This awakens Goodwill and Right Human Relations within humanity, which creates Peace — the peace, beauty, harmony, love and unity all of humanity seeks. Peace begins with disciples who know, understand and create this precipitation. Saturn, after months of retrograde, has turned direct in Pisces. Saturn is in Pisces for 2 ½ years. Saturn is the planet of time, of structures and of disciples. Saturn will be restructuring our world, working with Pluto, the planet transforming our world. We stand at a new threshold. Looking back we see so much disintegrating. Looking forward we see a new door to walk through. Not yet ... but soon! Health Note: Saturn rules Capricorn. Capricorn rules the knees. With Saturn in Pisces everyone’s knees and feet may be hurting. Arnica (homeopathic) is helpful. Love, Risa n

LEO

Something you read, study, come across, some words, insights, philosophy, teachings, perhaps a teacher, not like a shadow but a sunbeam, falls across your path and suddenly your entire life is clarified, lit up and illuminated. Someone is in your life and their acts of kindness, care and service are recognized, appreciated and acknowledged by you. You realize this is a mentor for you and a certain love has been there all along. You have been distrustful in the past. Now you’re not. VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

Your task is to go out and about into the community, observing quietly and silently for ways to serve, honor, help care for and be kind to others. This will bring you great happiness, joy and bliss along with great enjoyment and benefits. And possibility of meeting someone of great magnetic charisma, charm and power. If you gather up your gifts and apply them to your community, you will be surprised to find there’s a great need that only you can fulfill. Have the intention to encourage others and don’t talk about yourself for one week (or more). CAPRICORN

Someone in particular is most important in your life and you cherish them and communicate from your heart that you care for them. You are often so serious, low key and seeking to know what the future holds. Know that your intentions are understood, received and reciprocated. Knowing this brings you to a state of calmness and balance, needed by you for some months. A new door opens into a new level of world work. It’s very subtle. Watch for it.

Perhaps you’re feeling a bit under the weather, a bit hurt or wounded. There’s something that must be understood at the heart of the matter, meaning within your heart. Are you working too hard or not at all? Are you thinking too much and holding ancient self- criticism? Take the time to ask yourself who in your world you respect, honor, care about and look up to. Make a list. Then realize we love and seek to know and imitate those we are most like. This is a paradox. This revelation allows you a true reflection of self. You are they.

GEMINI

LIBRA

You’ve had many experiences in life, so much travel, multiple relationships, hardships, changes, partnerships and transformations. In the moment, these can feel at times too much to bear. However, as you reflect back, you see how each has strengthened and prepared you for where you are now. There’s a state of goodness, an understanding of values, a recognition by others of your abilities. Like Venus (your ruler) rising at dawn to herald the day, you too have become the Morning Star.

New people, events, ideas and places invite you to mingle about and learn new skills, new ways of interacting and new ways of being. Perhaps a new (old) career emerges and all steps and parts of your next developmental stage appear. Is there a wound around people mis-using or disregarding the value of your possessions? A wound about things in form disappearing, dissolving into the great abyss of change? Having less prepares you for more opportunities, more options, more happiness. When you can, call home.

SCORPIO

PISCES

It would be good to reach out to friends both close by and far away, communicating with them your recent thoughts, hopes, wishes, needs, plans and goals. You are to be like a great north wind that in one day blows all the brown leaves off the trees and on that day, everyone knows autumn has begun. You are to communicate in such a way that people’s lives change in an instant. Do you have the courage to do such a task? Mercury helps you. CANCER

You might want to consider travel to places far away, to places near and dear to your heart. Consider taking time away from home, which, in the past months, has become restrictive and quite a responsibility. Is there a difficulty, a complexity or a problem occurring at home that needs clear thought and action? It would be good to read Dante’s “Inferno.” It explains life’s wounds and mysteries, visions and transformations with profound insight. It connects to your intuitive insight in words.

The holiday season is about to begin. After showing up for charity events and craft fairs displaying your extensive creativity, you and loved ones are invited to multiple events. You may not want to attend, feeling a bit overwhelmed with being out and about in the world. Perhaps you need to stay behind veils of privacy and protection. This is good, revitalizing, and the appropriate choice especially for the family. And then, any moment you change your mind. Ask, what is best for everyone? What is best for you? AQUARIUS

It seems these days with Sun Mercury and Mars in Scorpio you New thoughts, ideas, and aspirations appear. You don’t know are assessing how you communicate, what how they will manifest. Keep them in your heart. you desire and hope for and what you aspire Quietly, opportunities to fulfill these will arise in to. These are different levels of the mind. These the New Year. New people, opportunities will are important states of self-identity. Before occur next year. Signs of all things new are entering all true Mystery Schools, the student reads these entering your life. For now, eliminate, clear out, give away what’s words about the entrance - “Know Thyself.” The stars and not needed. This can be difficult. Often, we’re forced to do this. planets (symbols) each day help us to know ourselves. That Travel is possible, here, there, everywhere. You need a loved one is why astrology is the foundation of all true wisdom schools. by your side. The work you will do continues to illumine minds. It’s seen and recognized. Have courage. Scorpio is the sign of the mysteries unveiled. •••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Climate Refugees” from page 25 “The Board of Directors and the City Council remain committed to ensuring that each and every member of the Talent Community can return to their home, whether FEMA-eligible or non-FEMA-eligible. This project is unique in that it specifically helps those who are non-FEMA-eligible return to their homes and schools,” according to the project website. The Timeline September 8, 2020 — Almeda Fire displaces more than 2,000 community members in the Talent Community September 16, 2020 — Agency’s Board of Directors approve temporary shelter concept for Gateway Site September - January 2021 — Design and engineering of the Gateway Transitional Project February 3, 2021 — Agency held a wellattended Town Hall on the Gateway Transitional Project February - March 2021 — Agency works with partners to finalize project funding April 5, 2021 — Agency receives Temporary Emergency Accommodations approval for the Project April 19, 2021 — Agency publishes invitation to bid for the construction of the Gateway Project May 13, 2021 — Agency receives bids for the construction of the Project June 14, 2021 — Agency holds groundbreaking for the Project The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Talent has remained committed to funding the project through outside resources. The Agency continues to attract financial backing from partners who understand the importance of bringing families back to their communities. The agency received the following funding commitments to realize the project: • $1,000,000 Oregon Housing and Community Services grant + • $700,000 Oregon Housing and Community Services ultra-low interest (1%), payment deferred loan (3 years) + • $38,500 People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation design and engineering grant + • $250,000 People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation phase I construction grant + • $75,000 Oregon Community Foundation grant + • $150,000 Rogue Action Center grant + • $47,500 Rogue Climate grant + • $12,000 Medford United Church of Christ donation = $2,273,000 In addition to these significant monetary contributions, the agency has received thousands of hours of in-kind contributions and work from partners and local volunteers. So what is stopping us in the Monterey Bay region? It comes down to two things, according to experts. First, a landowner needs to be willing to forego any profit they can get from the value of their land for the period of time the temporary mobile home park will be in existence. This is no small thing in the Monterey Bay Area where the

common wisdom is that landowners should hold out for the highest price for their private property. When does social good outweigh the potential for short-term monetary gain? And why isn’t a lease agreement for a reasonable period of time, like 3-5 years – the time it takes to build permanent affordable housing – less attractive than sitting on land put to no purpose? Governments could apply some homeless service money to leasing the land. But there is also plenty of public land and church-owned land currently not being used. The second issue is management. It seems nobody wants to be the landlord. There are “horror stories” of communities falling apart because one or two tenants cause trouble. A well-meaning student trailer park set up during Covid became a law enforcement problem due to one or two tenants. No appropriate government or nonprofit agency was prepared to deal with this. Students at UC Santa Cruz where close to 10 per cent of students are literally homeless – living in cars or couch surfing – simply want UCSC to set up safe parking now until more student housing is actually built. DignityMoves, an organization that’s contracting with communities to build temporary homeless housing villages across California, works with an organization called Abode Services that provides live-in onsite housing managers with social work skills. Through an $8 million grant in partnership with the County of Monterey, a cluster of small homes are proposed for people who have been living outdoors on the river levee

“Santa Cruz Gives” from page 24 Good Times and the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County are the presenting sponsors. Additional sponsors include Community Foundation Santa Cruz County; two funds at the Community Foundation SCC: The Applewood Fund, The Joe Collins Fund; Driscoll’s, Inc.,

in Pajaro. DignityMoves plans to build the units, and Abode Services will manage them so 35 people will have a safe place to sleep through the winter. Tenants will have the services of housing navigators to find appropriate permanent housing as it becomes available, and units will be freed up for more people experiencing homelessness. Can this model be applied to climate refugees? President Biden has also just freed money to be granted by the Federal Department of Transportation under Pete Buttigieg, to transform empty office buildings along transportation corridors into housing. Could some of this be used for climate refugee housing? The folks working in Talent, Oregon describe grassroots groups springing up all over the country in towns large and small to pick up the pieces where public services are lacking. Examples can be seen at the Mutual Aid Disaster Relief website mutualaiddisasterrelief.org. Many local nonprofits are picking up the slack for fire and flood survivors in our region, but is this a longterm solution? United Way, a venerable and familiar organization in our region, recently sent an email letter soliciting donations for their worldwide Disaster Resilience program. This was welcome news to me. Glad to see someone besides Jose Andres of World Central Kitchen getting ahead of things. So, as a community, if our hearts are in the right place but we just haven’t faced this before, how will we act? Who will be the leaders? When can we get started? n

Comcast, and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Other business sponsors are Santa Cruz County Bank, Wynn Capital Management, The Pajaronian, and Press Banner. n ••• For more information, see the FAQ at SantaCruzGives.org. Or contact Jeanne Howard at 831-601-1691 or Jeanne@santacruzgives.org.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by November 22

COVID pandemic, CZU fires, and back-to-back storms 4 pm; Sunday 8 am to 2 pm. at Doubletree by Hilton and floods,” said event co-producer Nada Miljkovic, Hotel, 2001 Point W Way, Sacramento. UC Santa Cruz program manager of the Center for Staff will be on-site to review resumes, conduct Innovation & Entrepreneurial Development. “Our interviews and background checks and, at the community has literally risen together, disaster after Sacramento event, potentially make job offers. disaster, to meet each challenge.” “California’s need to build our wildland firefighter Consuelo Alba, co-founder and executive director of workforce is increasing and the Bureau of Land FREE PARKING IN CAPITOLA VILLAGE the Watsonville Film Festival, is working with Miljkovic Management is looking to expedite the hiring process,” Thanksgiving thru Christmas Capitola Village offers free parking for shoppers from Nov. and Jenny Kurzweil of Community Foundation Santa said State Fire Management Officer Peter Kelly. Cruz County to produce the event. See www.firejobs.doi.gov/crews for available jobs. 23 through Dec. 25. The theme is meant to suggest “an immense Webinars with tips for applicants will be Nov. 9 and Remember Surfing Santa will visit from noon to 3 p.m. scale of collaboration,” Alba said. “How do we rise Jan. 25. Register at www.blm.gov/california-firehire Nov. 25 at Capitola Beach. together? How do we build effective and lasting Salaries, application instructions and deadEnjoy! collaborations?” lines, will be at www.usajobs.gov/Search/ The theme was inspired by the Rise Together Results?l=California&a=IN05&p=1 CURIOUS NARRATIVES: IMAGINED MEMORIES coalition, a Community Foundation initiative that Applicants can visit www.blm.gov/california-firehire Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 6, 2024, Santa Cruz Art League, 526 brings together local Black, Indigenous, and People of Broadway, Santa Cruz Color leaders to advance racial equity. Rise Together Opening reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1 members are volunteering to help organize the event, ONGOING EVENTS Artist talk: 1:30-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 particularly lunchtime networking. Ongoing thru December 23 The Santa Cruz Art League will present Curious Narratives To apply to be a speaker, volunteer, or sponsor, see THE GIFT OF ART — Imagined Memories, featuring creations by Santa Cruz tedxsantacruz.org. Speaker applications are due Dec. 3. Open Noon-5 p.m., Thurs. thru Sun., 9341 Mill St, Ben Lomond County artists Wendy Aikin of Aptos, Jean Sheckler Beebe The Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center will host “The Gift of Aptos and Judy Stabile of Watsonville. The exhibit is on BLM RECRUITING FIREFIGHTERS of Art,” a holiday exhibit through Dec. 23 at 9341 Mill St., display from Nov. 17 through Jan. 6. This exhibition is an expansion of Aikin’s installation The The Bureau of Land Management is hosting recruiting Ben Lomond. There will be framed paintings, crafty wall hangings, functional ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, cards, Curator’s Office which was part of The Museum of Curious events Dec. 1-3 in Riverside and Feb. 2-4 in Sacraglass, and woodwork. Perceptions exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts in 2018. Aikin mento to quickly fill 100+ vital wildland firefighter and dispatch positions in California for the 2024 fire Events for this exhibit: created a life-size cabinet of curiosities of an imaginary season. Holiday Sale: Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, noon – museum curator. 5 pm Aikin, Beebe and Stabile are expanding on their interpre- Details: Dec. 1-3: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pacific Southwest First Friday Open House: Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 – 7 pm tations of the characters in Aikin’s assemblages. Through Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside. Holiday Sale: Saturday, Dec. 9, noon – 5 pm sculpture, collage, assemblage, painting, found objects Feb. 2-4: Friday, 12 pm - 4 pm; Saturday. 8 am to Information: (831) 336-3513 and ﬁber arts, the artists are creating environments for their imagined lives. CERT BASIC IN-PERSON CLASS This class is a free in-person class. The class will consist of 4 evening classes and one weekend day which combine lecture, discussion, and hands-on skills practice. Topics covered: Disaster Preparedness, CERT Organization, Disaster Medical Operations, Disaster Psychology, Fire Safety and Utility Controls, Light Search and Rescue, and CERT and Terrorism. Four Tuesdays: Jan 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 from 6 to 9:30 pm at Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market St., Santa Cruz. One Saturday: Feb. 10 from 9 am to 4 pm, at Central Fire Station, 930 17th Ave, Santa Cruz/Live Oak. ALL class sessions are required. COVID precautions used during the class:https://santacruzcountycert.org/cert-covid-19-policy/ Click Submit and Sign Up after selection is made. Note* The sign-up page will only list the January 16th date, but you will be registered for the entire series of classes. You will receive a confirmation email if sign-up was done properly. COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS 1:30 p.m., SC County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville The remaining County Fair Board meeting date in 2023 is Tuesday Dec. 5. Meetings also take place on Zoom. For agendas, see santacruzcountyfair.com. TEDX SANTA CRUZ SEEKS SPEAKERS Organizers are calling for speakers, volunteers, and sponsors for the next TEDxSantaCruz: Rising Together, slated for Saturday, April 13, at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater. The call is open to everyone who lives or works in Santa Cruz County. “Santa Cruz County has been through so much since we held our last TEDxSC event in 2019 – the

Third Thursdays SIP AND STROLL 6-9 p.m. (check-in starts at 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works. Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine30-sip-strolltickets-668910307737 Second Friday Each Month NEW BRIDGE GROUP 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge on the second Friday of each month from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library. First meeting was Oct. 13. Bette Harken, Master Bridge player, will give an introduction for beginners. Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

DATED EVENTS Saturday November 18

GIFT BAG DECORATION FOR ADOPT A FAMILY 10 a.m.-Noon, 1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz Volunteers are needed to decorate gift bags on Family Volunteer Day. Get creative with your family and bring holiday cheer to local families with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. The Adopt A Family project provides food, clothing and toys to 400 of Santa Cruz County’s neediest families during the holiday season. Every year 25 families on the list go un-adopted, and donations from the Stars project help fill the need. Sign up at https://www.scvolunteernow.org/opportunity/ a0C4T00000EqhhgUAB/family-volunteer-day-gift-bagdecoration-for-adopt-a-family http://www.scvolunteercenter.org

Saturday November 18 CABRILLO CHORALE FALL CONCERT 7 p.m., Cabrillo College’s Samper Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos Cabrillo Chorale returns to the Samper Recital Hall for “A Celebration of Autumn”. Tickets are $16, general admission and $11, seniors and students at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets.com/w/ CAREGIVER UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Chaminade Resort, 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center presents the 2023 Caregiver University Conference at Chaminade Resort. This is an opportunity for caregivers to gather to learn, connect, and empower each other. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caregiver-universityconference-2023-tickets-699315580727?aff=website

ST. JOHN’S HELPFUL SHOP TURNS 70 Sunday December 3

1:30 p.m., 125 Canterbury Drive, Aptos A charity shop run by the community members of St John’s Episcopal Church in Aptos will celebrate 70 years of service on Dec. 3. Originally located in Capitola Village until the building owner changed, the shop moved to Seacliff five years ago. Each year St John’s awards different nonprofits and charities their earnings from the shop. For a grant, apply online or at the store at 246-A Center Ave. in Seacliff. At 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3, the shop will provide shoppers with snacks and refreshments to celebrate 70 years. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Phone: 831-708-4238.

28 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Saturday November 18 Sunday November 19 MEXICO EN EL CORAZÓN 8 p.m. Sat. / 3 p.m. Sun., Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos Esperanza del Valle, Mexican Folklórico Dance Company of Santa Cruz County, presents its 2023 Gala Performance “México en el Corazón” - honoring the work of master teachers and featuring a tapestry of regional music and dances of Mexico. Experience the colorful, vibrant dance regions of Colima, Michoacan, Nayarit, Veracruz and Jalisco, including our original choreodrama, “Los Dos Hermanos” with music by the Cuatro con Tres and Mariachi Tapatio of San Jose. Special guest artists include the Artistic Director and

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

HOLIDAY WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER 2-5 p.m., Corralitos Community Center, 35 Browns Valley Road The Corralitos Woman’s Club hosts a wine tasting fundraiser at 35 Browns Valley Road in Corralitos. Local wineries include El Vaquero, Windy Oaks, Las Nietas, Delirium, Aptos Vineyard, Deer Park & Sante Arcangeli. Holiday Boutique items handcrafted by the club members will be for sale, and there is a live auction plus a drawing. Tickets on Eventbrite.com are $45, which includes wine tasting, musical entertainment, and appetizers. For advance tickets, call (831) 722-6492. Proceeds benefit foster children and Corralitos Woman’s Club programs.

PAJARO FLOOD BENEFIT 7 p.m., Cowell Ranch Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz and Bookstore Santa Cruz will co-host Pajaro Rising, a benefit for the nonprofit Community Bridges, at Cowell Ranch Hay Barn, featuring writers who will read from their own works relating to when the levee broke in March, flooding the Pajaro community. Writers are Jaime Cortez, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Rebecca Solnit and Claudia Ramirez Flores. Tickets are $50-$100 at https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/ event

Saturday December 2 HOLIDAY BAZAAR 9 a.m.-1 p.m., MidCounty Senior Center Gift Shop, 829 Bay Ave., Capitola The MidCounty Senior Center Gift Shop hosts a Holiday Bazaar the first Saturday in December. Holiday crafts are offered for sale at great prices.

Saturday December 2

SANTA IS COMING TO APTOS 1-4 p.m., Aptos Village Green, 448 Granite Way Celebrate, shop and sing. Tuesday November 28 Bring your children and your shopping list to the Aptos SOUP FOR A CAUSE Village Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Craft Fair at the 5:30-7 p.m., Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St., Aptos Village Green between Penny Ice Creamery and Watsonville New Leaf Community Markets. Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance is hosting Santa will arrive by fire truck to listen to your children’s the fourth annual Soup for a Cause at the Civic Plaza wishes and pose for photos. A red mailbox will be Community Room to raise money to buy a van to transport available until Dec. 20 to send letters to Santa. people to and from programs and services. The celebration will include music by Aptos High School “Very Important Pourers” include State Senator John Chamber Choir, Soquel High Jazz Band, Performance Laird, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Vocal and the Santa Cruz Ballet will perform a scene from community leader Jaime Molina, Community Health Trust the Nutcracker. Hot chocolate from Manuel’s Mexican Executive Director DeAndre James. Sponsors include Restaurant, and cookies from New Leaf Community more than 14 local organizations and individuals, including Markets. Driscoll’s, Second Harvest Food Bank, and United Way of The event is free and hosted by the Aptos Chamber of Santa Cruz County. Commerce. “The support we garner at Soup for a Cause will help us For information call 831-688-1467. make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve,” said PVPSA’s CEO Jasmine Nájera, LCSW. Saturday December 2 Tickets are $50 per person at pvpsa-soup-2023.eventbrite.com.

Sunday December 3

Wednesday November 29

BOARDWALK MINI-NUTCRACKER 2 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will host a mini Nutcracker performance at Colonnade Stage.

IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA 7:30 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Celebrating its 18th year, the popular holiday show “Irish Christmas in America” brings a performance of music, Fridays thru Sundays Sunday December 3 song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions at November 24-26 and December 1-3 Kuumbwa Jazz Center. SOQUEL INDIGENOUS HISTORY NIGHT PARKSTORE HOLIDAY SALE Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the long- 6-7:30 p.m. Subud Center, 3800 Old San Jose Road, Soquel running show features top Irish music, song and dance in 3 Sister 3 Corners Community presents Martin 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Multiple Locations an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will host its annual Rizzo-Martinez speaking at Subud Center about his energy. The 2023 tour features guest singer Caitríona ParkStore Holiday Sale online and in-person to benefit extensive research of the local indigenous peoples Sherlock, a vocalist from Monaghan who is one of the local state parks and beaches. and the many tribal bands. finest new voices from Ireland. “The Holiday Sale is a wonderful way to show your He is a Soquel resident, support for our local state parks and beaches,” Friends of The family-friendly performance features lively instruformer State Park historian Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley mental tunes on fiddle by Mac Diarmada, flute and uilleann and author of “We are Not pipes by Sean Gavin and harp by Gráinne Hambly — plus Animals.” See https://rizsaid. The online Holiday Sale will only be Nov. 24-26, at www. old-style Irish dancing by Samantha Harvey and evocative zomartinez.com/ thatsmypark.org/collections. Shop the online sale to have photographic images providing a backdrop to Ireland’s rich It was just confirmed historical traditions. gifts mailed before the holidays. Check out the Friends within the last 10 years that of Santa Cruz State Parks 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Tickets in advance are $35 at https://www.celticsociety.org, and Año Nuevo was the original thoughtful ideas before the sale begins. at the door for $40. Celtic Society members get $3 off. contact point of the Spanish The in-person Holiday Sale will be at four ParkStore conquistadors and the native Martin Rizzo-Martinez locations: peoples here. This means the • Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 W. Cliff Drive, history of our region was systematically wiped out, Santa Cruz starting here. Another new discovery: Inland from Año • Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, 144 School Nuevo is the traditional tribal meeting place called St., Santa Cruz Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve. See https://www. • Seacliff State Beach, 201 State Park Drive, Aptos coastsidestateparks.org/articles/quiroste-valley • Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Suggested donation $10. Questions? Email 3sisters3corners@ Cruz gmail.com n Painting by Kati D’Amore

STAFF OF LIFE & SMART CHICKEN SUPPORT SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

hroughout November, for every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken purchased at Staff of Life Natural Foods in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, one pound of nutritious, air-chilled poultry will be donated by Staff of Life and Smart Chicken to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. With huge community support, Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken donated more than 6,500 meals last season. “Staff of Life has always been a huge supporter of our Santa Cruz County community and this event sponsored by Staff of Life and Smart Chicken gives our community direct participation to help Second Harvest Food Bank with their Smart Chicken purchases at Staff of Life,” said Gary Bascou, Staff of Life owner for 54+ years. Smart Chicken is made from 100% allnatural, free-roaming, grain-fed chickens that are raised without animal byproducts, antibiotics, or hormones. The poultry is processed using purified cold air. The company maintains high standards for how the chickens are raised, transported, and prepared for market, and holds Certified Humane status. Natural food pioneer Staff of Life, locally owned for 54 years, is proud of its “Green Building” and “Clean Ocean” awards from Santa Cruz County and supports the community with Sharatoken and Givback programs. n ———————————————

LA SELVA BEACH HOLIDAY FAIR NOV. 18

ore than 50 arts and crafts vendors will showcase their work at La Selva Beach Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18, offering handmade jewelry, art, pottery, books, bags, olive oil and vinegars, candles, soaps, plants, garden art, and home decor. The Friends of La Selva Beach Library will host their Used Book Sale with books in all genres. It all takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse Lawn and adjacent La Selva Community Church, 26 Florido Ave., La Selva Beach. Admission is free! Nibble on homemade baked goods and sip hot drinks from the Bake Sale while shopping — guilt-free — all proceeds benefit La Selva Community Emergency Response Team. Enjoy lunch or a snack, or take home a meal from local food trucks Tacos el Jesse and S&B Burgers. Friends of the Library will sell raffle tickets and drawing winners throughout the day for fine art and craft prizes donated by vendors. Buy tickets to win and help the Library’s teen programs. The event is sponsored by La Selva Beach Improvement Association and Friends of La Selva Beach Library. n For information contact: booksand brewsLSB@gmail.com

LED

Saturday November 25

Thursday November 30

CEL

AROMAS HILLS ARTISANS HOLIDAY ART FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aromas Grange, 400 Rose Ave Aromas Hills Artisans invite you to their Holiday Festival at the Aromas Grange, with 30 arts and crafts booths, music by Jesse Martinez and free workshops taught by members. Everything is handmade. The artists will be on hand. You can create something wonderful to take home as a reminder of a day well spent. Raffle tickets to win a beautiful piece of artwork may be purChristine West displays her jewelry chased up until the drawing at 2 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds support the nonprofit Aromas Hills Artisan’s Guild which promotes art education. The AHA organization also provides scholarships to members, enabling them to attend classes to further develop their artistic abilities. When you visit Aromas, take a look around the town at the eight murals, including the bridge full of fish, a community project, designed and sponsored by Aromas Hills Artisans. Admission is free.

Friends’ members will receive 30% off on select iconic Michael Schwab park illustrations on apparel and more, plus jewelry made by local artists, maps, nature guides, local history books, educational toys and other gifts that represent the parks’ natural and cultural history. Note: Michael Schwab fine art prints and park passes are not included in the sale. 2023 Holiday Gift Guide: https://thatsmypark.org/shopifycollections/our-favorite-gifts/

CAN

dancers of the Ballet Folklórico del Puerto de Veracruz de la Universidad Veracruzana. Tickets at:https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets.com/w/event. aspx?id=1698 are general, $16, seniors and students $13, students and children, $10.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Low-Impact Camping Proposal

he Board of Supervisors is considering a new ordinance that would allow for low-impact camping opportunities in our area. The ordinance is based on an item I brought to the Board to explore how we can work to improve land stewardship and access to natural resources in our area at a lower cost. What is Low-Impact Camping? Low-impact camping would be defined as a maximum of 9 total campsites per property with a density limit of 1 campsite per acre using non-permanent structures including tents, yurts, canvass/soft-sided structures and recreational vehicles intended for overnight use. It would be limited to parcels of over 5 acres in more rural areas of the unincorporated area and would have minimal infrastructure but would need to conform to all local noise, fire, solid waste and sanitation regulations and would require a designated operator or property manager who is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week when sites are occupied. It would require a permit and Transient Occupancy Tax certificate. Even though by definition this is a very

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

low-impact proposal, with just a handful of possible tents on larger parcels, setbacks from other properties would be required as would no on-street parking allowed. The lowimpact camping areas would be limited to areas outside of the Urban and Rural Services lines on parcels based on zoning and size. What is the Purpose of the Ordinance? The main purpose of the ordinance is to make it easier to establish small, lowimpact campgrounds in unincorporated areas of the County - increasing access to outdoor activities to residents of all income levels, expanding opportunities for land preservation and stewardship and providing additional Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to the County. Our region is an internationally-recognized destination for outdoor recreation with locals and visitors who enjoy hiking, climbing, surfing, and countless other outdoor activities. The relatively low-cost and lowavailability of local campgrounds causes reservations (generally at State campgrounds) to frequently fill up many months in advance at popular destinations. In addition, with the recent winter storms, one of the region’s largest campgrounds was forced to stay closed into the foreseeable future. As a

30 / November 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

result, many visitors, especially low-income households, are not able to access our region’s scenic areas. Additionally, in some communities across the country where low-impact camping has been allowed, the revenue generated by low-impact camping has kept family farms from being sold and expanded land trust preservation and stewardship of open spaces. Due to their small footprint, hosts should be able to provide these sites for fees that are affordable to most households. The funds generated by these low-impact sites can be reinvested directly back into land stewardship and preservation and provide an affordable access point to the outdoors and coastal area -- key elements of both improving equity and access to these natural areas. The Board of Supervisors has worked to improve local rural economies and agritourism by creating new revenue streams for rural landowners and farmers and this would aid in that process. Recently, state legislation was introduced (Senate Bill 620) that would make it easier to establish small, low-impact campgrounds in the state’s scenic areas. Our efforts mirror some of the state

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efforts, which is supported by the California State Association of Counties, Rural County Representatives of California, California Farm Bureau Federation, Latino Outdoors, Save the Redwoods League, the Nature Conservancy and many more organizations. What are the Next Steps? The Board of Supervisors are considering an item to direct the Community Development and Infrastructure Department to draft a Low-Impact Camping Ordinance, conduct environmental review of this proposed ordinance in conjunction with the drafting process and presentation to the Planning Commission in early 2024 for review. Once presented to the Planning Commission for its consideration and recommendations the item would return to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration and potential adoption by the Board of Supervisors. n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and you can always call me at 454-2200.

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Charles in Charge

his week our Pet of the Week is a 10-year-old orange and white cat named Charles (A#305986). This kitty is a senior sweetheart who is ready to live out his golden years in a home with a loving family. Charles came to SCCAS as an owner surrender in the beginning of October after his previous guardian was moving and unable to continue caring for him. He lived indoors only, used his litterbox reliably and had a kitty friend Coco. Coco has since been adopted and Charles is still very much an eligible bachelor! He is looking for someone that is familiar with the above average care that senior animals need. You see, Charles is in the early stages of hyperthyroidism. Our clinic staff have run bloodwork, examined him, and feel that he is in a treatable-manageable stage with a good prognosis for several years of good quality of life if treated. We have started Charles on daily medicine to address his disease. In addition, Charles needs a dental due to some dental calculus and gingivitis observed during vet exams. Charles is looking for an adopter that has: -the resources (time, energy and finances) to keep up with his vet appointments and medical treatment; -a love for kitty cuddles – a safe indoors only home for Charles to lounge in This older kitty is open to living with another cat with a slow introduction and management. He does not have a history with kids or dogs. n

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••• 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. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. ••• 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

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2023 / 31

Happy

THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of my family, friends and clients, past and present. I truly have been blessed meeting such amazing families, and working with so many exceptional home buyers and home sellers. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!

Thank you Aptos and La Selva!

AMBER MELENUDO TOP 1% PRODUCING AGENT 831.566.2263 AmberMelenudo.com ambermelenudo@gmail.com DRE 01921098