Aptos Times: May 15, 2024

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

By Jondi Gumz

of Scotts Valley (1.6

The Aptos Times is pleased to recognize the two Aptos High School valedictorians, Samantha Wickham and Owen McGinty, and the two salutatorians, Ronja Eilfort and Jillian Wiesner, for their hard work that put them at the top of their class in 2024. Here they share their post-graduation plans and memories of Aptos High.

Valedictorians Owen McGinty Parents: Matt and Cassie McGinty

What will you do after you graduate?

I’m hoping to relax as much as possible before heading off to college in the fall. ... continues on page 4

Reading Kickoff at Aptos Library

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries will kick off the 2024 Summer Reading Program with a special event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Aptos Library, celebrating the newly opened branch.

Full Story page 11

4 PVUSD Gets $32 Million to Transform Schools, By Jondi Gumz

5 Home Insurance Crisis: My Story, By Jondi Gumz

6 PVUSD: One of the Best for Music Education

7 Land of Medicine Buddha Stupathon

8 Emeril’s Garden is Growing at Starlight Elementary, Story and Photos by Jondi Gumz • How to Search for Home Insurance

9 Guy Kawasaki: 10 Tips for Small Business Owners, By Jondi Gumz

10 A Flock of Pelicans in Seacliff 11 Summer Reading Kickoff at Aptos Library • Summer at the Library: Read, Renew, Repeat + Prizes

14 Watsonville Community Hospital Progress Report: Finances Improving, AI Pilot in Emergency Department, By Jondi Gumz • Phyllis Stark, Chief Nursing Officer at Watsonville Community Hospital

15 Three-Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness

16 Welcome Back, Captain Grimm • Thrive Market Settles Automatic Renewal Lawsuit for $1.55 Million

17 Boat Captain Sentenced to 4 Years in Fire that Killed 34 • Farmworker Housing Progress Report

18 Whale City Bakery Open 20 Highway 1 Widening & Rail Trail Construction 21 Free Well Water Testing Program

22 Marcela Tavantzis Appointed to Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Board • Government in Action: Students Learn in Washington, D.C.

24 South County Government Center Opens May 20

26 Fentanyl Kills 133 in Santa Cruz County • State Grants $1 Million To Fight Fentanyl Poisoning

27 Metro Ad Campaign Wins 4 Hermes Awards: Marketing Maven Danielle Giagola Named Rising Star • 2024 Rather Awards: Mónica Morales, PVPSA, Positive Discpline Community Resources Local Sports

12 Aptos High School’s Top Swimmers at CCS • Boys Volleyball All League 2023-24

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Gemini Festival of Humanity & Great Invocation Day, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists

23 A Spiritual Eraser, By Barry and Joyce Vissell

24 Meet Outstanding Aptos Mariners in the Class of 2024, By Dr. Alison HanksSloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal

30 Nearly 100 Citations for Unpermitted Vacation Rentals, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

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Jondi Gumz

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contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Barry and Joyce Vissell, Alison Hanks-Sloan, Zach Friend layout

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Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin production coordinator

PVUSD Gets $32 Million to Transform Schools

By Jondi Gumz

On May 8, Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials shared news of a $32 million grant over five years from Gov. Gavin Newsom to put into practice a “community schools” approach that they expect will be transformational at 24 of its 34 school sites.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Contreras,

COVER STORY

“AHS Vals & Sals” from page 1

I plan to hike a lot in Nisene Marks with my friends and travel with my family.

College you plan to attend?

UC Berkeley

Do you have a major in mind?

Mathematics

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I was a defense attorney in Mock Trial and a doubles player on the tennis team. I also spent time doing math tutoring in the library after school and online for the SAT.

What will you remember most about Aptos High?

who started her job May 1, expressed gratitude, saying, “This funding will allow us to expand our commitment to the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community framework and approach, which has already shown great success in supporting our students, families and educational community.” This initiative was began under former

superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, who brought the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community philosophy to Pajaro Valley, which is the largest school district in Santa Cruz County with a $345 million budget and declining enrollment of 16,000 students.

“Schools To Hire” page 6

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I’ll remember my teachers and coaches the most; I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their constant support. I’ll also remember the friends I’ve been lucky enough to meet over the years.

Samantha Wickham

Parents: Quinn Wickham, Mary Beth Ficklin

What will you do after you graduate?

This summer I hope to get a job and spend time going on adventures with my friends and family before I leave in the fall.

College you plan to attend?

University of Pennsylvania

Do you have a major in mind?

I‘m undecided but considering majoring in economics.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I had leadership roles in the Speech and Debate, Ethics Bowl, and Mock Trial Teams, was on the varsity basketball team, a member of the Red Cross Club, and volunteered as a math tutor through the extended learning program in the library after school. What will you remember most about Aptos High?

What will stick with me the longest from my time at Aptos High is all the people I have met and the wonderful friends I‘ve made.

•••

Salutatorians

Ronja Eilfort

Parents: Bill Eilfort & Sari Luoma

What will you do after you graduate?

I intend to pursue at least a

bachelor‘s degree, and possibly go on to get a master’s.

College you plan to attend?

I will be attending Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Do you have a major in mind?

I plan to major in mathematics and music.

What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I was a member of chamber choir and drama production for all four years. I participated in Mock Trial for four years, becoming president my senior year. I was also involved in Rainbow Alliance for four years, being president for three of them.

What will you remember most about Aptos High?

My most memorable experiences were all of my involvement in performances with choir and drama. I enjoyed making art with these groups of people, who will remain some of my closest friendships.

Jillian Wiesner

Parents: Debra and Scott Wiesner

What will you do after you graduate?

Academically, attend UCLA. Before that, I’ll spend my very long summer at the beach with my friends and traveling! College you plan to attend?

UCLA

Do you have a major in mind?

I am majoring in biology on the pre-med track. What activities did you participate in at Aptos High?

I participated in the indoor volleyball team all four years, was the president of the Pre-Med club, president of the LEO Club, and head of the ASB Clubs Council.

What will you remember most about Aptos High?

I will always remember the dedication of my teachers. While taking AP classes requires a lot of hard work, teaching them requires the same amount of hard work, along with patience and dedication. I am extremely grateful to all of my teachers (AP or not) for always supporting me and putting in the extra effort to help me learn.

In addition to this, the sense of community I have felt at Aptos is unlike any other. I can easily say that wherever I am, I can always find a friendly face at Aptos High. Students and staff are incredibly welcoming and eager to make real bonds with each other, which I think is truly special. n

Cover Photo: Samantha Wickham and Owen McGinty

Camisa Composti

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul office coordinator

Cathe Race distribution

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer website photography

Ronja Eilfort and Jillian Wiesner

Home Insurance Crisis: My Story

By Jondi Gumz

My husband & I have owned our home in the city limits of Scotts Valley (1.6 miles from the fire station) since 1992.

We have home insurance, Farmers then State Farm, and never filed a claim.

We have paid faithfully for earthquake insurance.

Our home insurance has gone up from $1,000 a year to $3,290.

Our quake policy has gone up from $900 to $1,300.

We live on Whispering Pines Drive, where homes were built in 1974 tucked in between six 100-foot tall Ponderosa pines.

Where we live was approved by the city. There was no requirement for defensible space.

After the windstorm last year, we noticed a 6-foot diagonal crack in one giant pine, the one tucked between our house and garage.

The way it was leaning, it could smash our garage, the PG&E power lines on the street, knocking out power for the neighborhood, and our neighbor’s house.

I asked PG&E’s Davey tree crew guy to look and got an opinion that it was a hazard, but he could not give a time frame as to when. My husband, who is retired, didn’t want to wait so we got bids. I called State Farm to see if this could be covered by insurance. No, I was told, only if it falls. My husband didn’t want to take that chance.

So we paid $10,000 to take down ONE tree — yes, $10,000 for ONE tree.

Our Social Security checks are not enough to pay this kind of expense over and over.

As I said, we have five of these 100-yearold Ponderosa pines.

Who’s Eligible for $50,000? The State of California reports up to $50,000 per household is available to make homes more fire resistant, but only if household income is at or below 80%

Source: www.santacruzcountyca.gov/ OR3.aspx

Personally, I am still healing from breast cancer, diagnosed 2018.

I am thankful I am still here, and that my holistic integrative approach has so far been successful, but maintaining my health without side effects is unbelievably costly — about as much as cutting down four giant pine trees.

“Insurance” page 8

SUCCESS FOR OUR KIDS!

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

A 100-foot Ponderosa pine leaning with a 6-foot crack is cut down in Scotts Valley.

JoAnn Riniti, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist #PSY 12418

“Schools To Hire” from page 4

The money for Pajaro Valley is one grant among 288 awarded by the governor and the state Board of Education totaling nearly $1.3 billion.

The grants began in 2021 when the state had a $76 million surplus and the Legislature agreed to support the California Community Schools Partnership Program for seven years.

When implemented with fidelity, research shows a community schools approach can boost student outcomes in attendance and graduation rate, according to the Opportunity Institute.

Districts that applied for grants tend to have more students who are low-income, English learners, homeless, or foster youth.

Schools become neighborhood hubs using this approach such as: Oakland International High School, Redwood City schools, and Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

During a two-year planning period, members of the PVUSD educational community co-created this guiding vision: “A PVUSD community school places the student at the center of everything. Community members, organizations, educators and families coordinate resources in and out of school to prioritize each student’s growth, wellness, and sense of belonging.

Conditions are strengthened, barriers broken and successes are celebrated as we work, learn, love, and thrive together with families and community to prepare students for their promising futures.”

Community schools are a holistic approach to education that focuses on meeting academic, social, emotional, and health needs of students and their families.

Each community school will determine priorities that remove barriers to learning and create a positive and inclusive school culture.

The goal is to engage the entire school community in creating conditions for students to thrive and succeed.

Schools may choose to provide services such as mental health counseling, medical care, expanded learning opportunities, and/ or family engagement activities.

Under Rodriguez leadership, many of these services were offered, and in the “community schools” model, services are typically provided at the school site rather than school staff expecting students and parents to search in the community for services.

The grant will be used to hire “Community Schools specialists” and fund school-level professional development and supports to respond to each community school’s priorities.

That’s different from the norm, where professional development for teachers and staff is districtwide.

Contreras said, “By providing essential services within the school environment, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially.”

The district office also is committing to invest in ways to strengthen whole-child and whole-family systems.

PVUSD staff said community school sites will work closely with students, families, staff, and community partners to ensure resources are aligned to the expressed priorities of each school. n

For information about PVUSD’s community schools initiative, email Dr. Heather Contreras at heather_contreras@pvusd.net.

For a report on this state initiative, see https://theopportunityinstitute.org/publicationslist/2023/6/19/follow-the-money-california-community-schools-partnership-program-secondround-of-planning-grants

PVUSD: One of the Best for Music Education

Pajaro Valley Unified School District is one of 975 school districts honored as Best Communities in the nation for music education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

This prestigious award program acknowledges the exemplary efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders for their commitment to and support of music education.

“PVUSD is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education that includes a robust music program,” said Stephanie Monroe, coordinator of visual and performing arts. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to music education, and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our music educators, students, families, and community members who have made this achievement possible.”

In 25 years, the foundation has recognized more than 1,000 school districts and schools in 43 states. n

For information about the Best Communities in the Nation for Music, visit https://www. nammfoundation.org/

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz

Dr. Heather Contreras, the new superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified District Schools, meets locals on her first day.

Land of Medicine Buddha Stupathon

Land of Medicine Buddha, located at 5800 Prescott Road, Soquel, invites the public to visit on Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, for the first Stupathon at the Mahabodhi Stupa.

The event will take place 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday.

Ten years ago, the Medicine Buddha community hosted a Wheel-athon, turning the Great Prayer Wheel for 24 hours as the first fundraiser for building a replica of the Mahabodhi Stupa — where Buddha was enlightened — to inspire all who see it to find refuge in the gentle path of wisdom, compassion, and peace.

Now that the shrine is complete, the public is welcome to come and walk around it, thinking beneficial thoughts, and contribute toward caring for this 108-acre property. Supporters aim to raise $20,000 to improve protective infrastructure and another $15,000 for building a water feature on the hillside that could “purify and bless all of the bees, bugs and other beings who would drink from the blessed water.”

In 2018, when Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the 100,000 Stupa Project, he discussed how to make the grounds and the gardens bring benefits.

Watch on Facebook Live as supporters circumambulate, meditate, and create a vision for a peaceful and harmonious world. n

Contact: Denice Macy, Email denice@medicinebuddha.org, telephone 831-419-4894

Michael Falco is the director of the non-profit Tibetan Buddhist retreat center.

Short-Term Goals,

COMMUNITY NEWS

Emeril’s Garden is Growing at Starlight Elementary

Story and Photos by Jondi Gumz

On May 1, Children’s Day, Starlight Elementary School showcased how Emeril’s Culinary Garden — complete with a Teaching Kitchen — has grown over the past 18 months.

The plants in the garden were lush, with peas hanging from vines, and a colorful mural next to an equally colorful patch of native flowers.

The gardens are part of LifeLab, a nonprofit that partners with 13 Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools to cultivate learning through nutritious food and nature via garden-based lessons.

“Kids come knocking on the gate wanting to help,” said teacher John Fisher, noting one student collects snails, which have to be relocated to protect the plants. “Kids love helping.”

Seven baby chicks, four weeks old, were kept for safety in the office of Principal Jackie Medina until they made their debut in a gated area.

Students waited patiently in a long line for a chance to actually hold one of the chicklings.

Lupita Flores, a K-2 teacher with a specialty in science, gently put a chick in the child’s hands for that experience. She had help from high school student volunteers earning community service hours.

“Insurance” from page 5

Still, my health is my priority.

In 2022, after the CZU, Dixie, Santa Barbara, & Caldor fires destroyed thousands of homes, and Gov. Newsom boasted the state of California had a $97 billion surplus, he should have proposed payments to homeowners in counties where wildfires had occurred to help them pay for safety improvements such as defensible space.

But I never heard that idea mentioned.

In 2023, the USDA put $97 million into California’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, which was to help communities in the wildland urban interface maintain resilient landscapes, create fire-adapted communities, and ensure safe, effective wildfire response.

One mom asked him about soil for a new plant she was taking home.

“There’s soil over there,” he said, sharing that her son helps in the garden.

She walked away, beaming.

At some points, the chicks will become hens that lay eggs that can be made into tasty snacks in the kitchen.

Jim Edens, Medina’s husband, built the chicken cage. Son Ben Edens, 25, built the arbor.

Eliséo Martinez, with LifeLab, installed the 3,000-gallon water tank, a system to catch rainwater from the roof to water plants, the compost bin, and the rack of neatly organized garden gloves.

In the professionally equipped kitchen, LifeLab teacher Noemi Romo supervised kids preparing beverages to be served to visitors.

When the Pajaro River levee failed and flooded the town of Pajaro, the kitchen was the place where meal kits were prepared for evacuees in hotels.

Romo said students have made “all sorts of yummy food,” salad, zucchini, squash, and broccoli.

Vivian, in second grade, wants to be a chef.

Out in the garden, Romo pointed out a ladybug on a leaf of the fava beans taking the place of pesticides — earing aphids. n

Grants, 29 of them, largely went to fire departments, fuel breaks, fuel reduction, all well and good, but none for homeowners and none for Scotts Valley. If we’re going to be charged wildland rates in the city of Scotts Valley, shouldn’t Scotts Valley get help?

This year, the state announced federal grant funding up to $50,000 per household for wildfire mitigation and home hardening.

No help for us, because it won’t cover work you already did — like that $10,000 pine — and since I tapped my retirement accounts to pay for my holistic integrative health care and the tree, we are no longer a “low income” household at 80% of the $132,800 median.

Expecting us to pay for a 50-yearold government policy that is obsolete is just plain wrong.

If we have 100-foot pine trees within five feet of our house, and our garage made of wood is within 30 feet of our house, and our wood deck is attached to the side of the house because we can’t afford all this removal and demolition, does that mean under Regulation 2644.9, we will only be offered an insurance policy we can’t afford??

Should we drop our home & quake insurance policies and spend that money on tree and garage removal?

Is there any hope of the federal grant for median-income households?

Because if the neighbors on our city street get funding for hardening and we don’t, won’t our home pose a risk for the neighborhood?

What options do you see? n

How to Search for Home Insurance

Arepresentative of the California Department of Insurance told me he took a half day to find a better deal for his homeowner’s policy in Los Angeles County, using tools at www.insurance.ca.gov.

I haven’t tried it yet but here’s where to look: Click on Consumers at the top, look at the third column and click on the box that says Homeowner/ Residential., and you’ll see the Shop Around page. Now you can choose Compare Premiums, where you can enter your county, type of coverage, age of home and how much coverage, and get estimates. I got 12 pages of companies to call. I recognize only a couple; most of them are not big on advertising. Alternatively, go back to the Shop Around page, click on Home Insurance Finder. I got names of 12 companies plus the FAIR last-resort plan funded by insurance companies. n

For your search to work, make sure to use Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.

Guy Kawasaki: 10 Tips for Small Business Owners

By Jondi Gumz

Guy Kawasaki, the marketing guy for Steve Jobs’ Macintosh computer in the early Silicon Valley days, is now a prolific author and podcaster, interviewing “remarkable” people such as Jane Goodall, Steve Wozniak and Kristi Yamaguchi.

But did you know he is deaf in his right ear and relies on a cochlear implant to hear?

He shared his situation with the audience of about 200 at the Santa Cruz Small Business Summit hosted by Cabrillo College in Aptos.

It’s a great example of not giving up in the face of adversity and finding a workaround to achieve what you set out to do.

The Small Business Development Center at Cabrillo is one of many scattered across America, a part of the U.S. Small Business Administration, created to help aspiring entrepreneurs.

In Santa Cruz County, some 87% of businesses are small businesses, defined as fewer than 500 employees. Last year, the local SBDC provided 1,851 hours of advising, assisting 697 businesses, creating 499 jobs, retaining 1,233 jobs and helping launch 27 new businesses.

Alex Pedersen, director of the local SBDC for the past year and a Cabrillo mechanical

engineering alum, invited Kawasaki to give the keynote and bought his new book, “Think Remarkable,” to give to every attendee.

Kawasaki, 70, who moved to Santa Cruz so he could spend more time surfing, is known for giving “top 10” talks. These are his top 10 tips for small business owners.

1) Alleviate the pain in your customers’ lives. One example: Marc Benioff, founder of Salesforce customer relations software affordable for small and medium-size businesses.

2) Embrace envy. Kawasaki, who grew up poor in Hawaii, wanted a better home,

Healing the heart. With heart.

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better neighbor and better car. That was his motivation. “Use your envy to drive you to success,” he said.

3) Face it until you make it. Notice he does not say “fake it,” like Elizabeth Holmes, the face pushing the Theranos blood test even though it did not work. Don’t worry that you don’t belong. Everybody’s thinking that. Confront your fears and keep trying.

4) Make yourself unique and valuable If you’re the 5th Mexican restaurant on 41st Avenue, what makes you different?

5) Go and see, go and be. Watch your customers to find out what they need. Better yet, experience what your customers experience and you’ll get insights. Example: Try using your own website. Is it customer-friendly or not?

6) Work backwards. In other words, stop trying to persuade customers to buy in to what you offer, find out what customers want. Example: A guy at Kodak created the first digital camera but the company never pursued it because that would bury the film business.

“Tips” page 10

Guy Kawasaki

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

APTOS SOLDS (4/11-5/11)

13 HOMES sold; the Average Sales Price was $1,582,933, Median Sales Price was $1,425,000. High sale was 431 Seaview4B/3BA/2325SF, $3,200,000. Low sale was 2454 Redwood, 1B/1BA/701SF, $625,000. Homes near Median include: 130 Paseo Bonito–4B/3BA/3260, $1,650,000, 186 Creek-4B/2BA/1688SF, $1,499,000, 221 Appleton-3B/2BA/1248SF, $1,425,000, 214 Martin-2B/1BA/1096SF, $1,300,000, 204 Lake3B/2BA/1330, $1,299,000.

3 TOWNHOMES sold: 511 Cathedral3B/2.5BA/1420SF, $1,075,000, 416 Racquet Landing-2B/2.5BA/1156SF, $1,065,000, 6300 Imperial Court-2B/2BA/1156SF, $735,000.

3 CONDOS sold: 2603 Willowbrook#303B/2BA/1398SF - $783,000, 2977 Mar Vista #100-3B/2BA/1110, $775,000, 7555 Sunset #8-2B/1.5BA/1020SF, $612,000.

APTOS ACTIVE: A lot of new listings have come on the market this past month. There are 49 Active SINGLE-FAMILY Listings and the Avg List Price is a whopping $3.1M (because a lot of the higher priced homes have been sitting on the market for awhile now), the Median List Price is $1,999,000. New listings in the past 21 days include: 553 Beach-4B/3BA/2150-$7,498,000, 337 Kingsbury-4B/4.5BA/3426-$6,900,000, 739 Las Olas-4B/3BA/976SF-$5,895,000, 369 Beach-5B/4BA/2750SF-$4,200,000, 142 Via Trinita-4B/3BA/2635SF-$3,650,000, 114 Zanzibar-5B/3.5BA/3390SF-$3,595,000, 661 Cliff-3B/3.5BA/2659SF-$2,195,000, 450 St. Andrews-4B/2.5BA/2454SF-$1,999,000, 208 Farley-3B/2BA/1811SF-$1,950,000, 121 Pinehurst-4B/2.5BA/2029-$1,899,000, 230 Bowen-4B/3.5BA/2176SF-$1,699,000, 421 Park – 2B/1BA/836SF-$1,399,000, 139 Bennett-3B/2BA/1230SF-$1,395,000, 509 Alta-3B/2BA/1226SF-$1,385,000, 215 Spreckles-4B/2BA/2050SF-$1,200,000, 9303 Monroe-2B/2BA/1212SF-$1,200,000, 849 Burns3B/1.5BA/1332SF-$998,000, 243 Hayward2B/1BA/852SF-$855,000. TOWNHOMES : 1103 Via Toransol – 3B/2.5BA/1842SF- $1,497,000 86 DOM; 194 Hyannis Ct – 3B/2.5BA/1844SF$1,299,000, 11 DOM; 929 Via Tornsaol2B/2B/1318SF-$1,199,000, 9 DOM; 128 Atherton Loop-3B/2.5BA/1866SF- $1,099,000, 9 DOM; 240 Carrera Circle-3B/2.5BA/1450SF- $979,000, 2 DOM; 287 Marlin Ct-2B/2BA/1328SF- $949,000, 8DOM; 2600 Phoebe-3B/2BA/1326SF- $900,000, 12 DOM; 294 Bonefish-2B/1BA/844SF- $799,000, 40 DOM; 405 Sailfish-2B/1BA/844SF- $789,000, 63 DOM; 407 Sailfish-2B/1BA/844SF- $775,000, 43 DOM. CONDOS: 2979 Mar Vista #200 –3B/2BA/1100SF- $788,000 – 20 DOM. INTEREST RATES: As of 5/11/24, 7.16% is the average 30-year rate.

MY NEW LISTINGS

4787 OPAL CLIFF: 4BED/3.5BATH/2600SF/ CUSTOM BUILD IN 2007-OCEAN VIEWS, PLEASURE POINT BEAUTY -call for details

535 CLUBHOUSE – Coming Soon: 3 BED/2BATH/1415SF – Rio Del Mar, nice floor plan with one bed and full bath on ground floor, walk to beach. ASKING $1,199,000

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Flock of Pelicans in Seacliff

Did you notice that large flock of a pelicans passing by last weekend?

Ron S. Nolan did.

He’s the author and photographer behind the Seacliff Chronicles book, a photographic history.

And he’s captured many images of clouds and waves and of course the storm damage in 2023.

He’s lived in Seacliff since 1990.

For those wanting to RV camp at Seacliff State Beach, State Parks says “not this year.” n

“Tips” from page 9

7) Put skills first. Can the people you hire do the job? Kawasaki got a college degree, majoring in psychology, and a master’s degree in business, and he learned to sell by selling jewelry. Education exposes you to new subjects and connections – Kawasaki got his job at Apple through a classmate.

8) Plant many seeds. It’s hard to predict which will grow, so planting many improves your odds of success. Networking with people at random can pay off. Thanks to local surfer Neil Pearlberg,

Kawasaki was able to interview Chris Bertish, the 2010 Mavericks surf contest winner,

9) Become mission driven. Kawasaki used a vulgarism to describe Steve Jobs, who would steamroll anyone who got in the way of his mission to introduce the first successful personal computer with a mouse and onscreen icons and images rather than typing commands. Let your mission be: Let’s create the best (fill in the blank, whatever your business is) possible.

10) Make your decisions right. There is no perfect decision so take your best shot and don’t look back. n

This Year’s Winners

Alex Pedersen, director of the Small Business Development Center at Cabrillo College, presented awards to outstanding small businesses at the Small Business Summit.

•••

Small Business of the Year Living Swell Kombucha, Santa Cruz

Founded in 2021

Founders: Sophie Slosberg and Summer Torrez www.livingswellkombucha.com

Outstanding Achievement in Job Creation Santa Cruz Afoot, Santa Cruz Reopened in 2020 after CZU wildfire

Founder: Karen Ehlers www.santacruzafoot.com

Outstanding Achievement in Sales Growth

Seal Rock Dental Care, Soquel Founded in 2022

Founders: Dr. Joshua Sanchez and Joann Whippy www.sealrockdentalcare.com

Outstanding Achievement in Capital Funding

Life at Sea, Tim Ward Art Studio, Live Oak

Founded: 2008 by Tim Ward Creator of Santa Cruz mermaid stickers Sales enabled $85,000 donated to ocean cleanup www.timward.com

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Rebeca Villafana at the Small Business Summit

Photos Credit: Jondi Gumz

Diana Martinez Nikki Frediani

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries will kick off the 2024 Summer Reading Program with a special event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Aptos Library, celebrating the newly opened branch.

Tour the remarkably designed, state-ofthe-art Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos, and to sign up to participate in the Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Program designed for all ages.

There will be performances for everyone to enjoy, from magician James Chan to a bilingual Musical Me storytime and a musical performance by Cement Ship, a local artist and Sound Swell artist from the SCPL SoundSwell local music database. Children can get their face painted by Chelsea Wright of Wisteria’s Faerie Creations.

Remember when the grand opening with all of this entertainment was cancelled due to wintry weather? This is your opportunity to experience all those special activities.

Celebrate the building, pick up a brochure and a keepsake sticker. n

Magician James Chan

Summer Reading Kickoff at Aptos Library Summer at the Library:

Read, Renew, Repeat + Prizes

Summer is almost here and Santa Cruz Public Libraries is ready with the 2024 Summer Reading Program designed for adults, children and family members.

The theme is: Read, Renew, Repeat, a conservation message inviting participants to reduce consumption and reuse materials, and to read as a strategy for self-care.

The program will kick off Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at the brand-new Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos. The newest SCPL branch was chosen as the venue for this celebration, as the grand opening event for the branch on Feb. 4 had to be postponed due to inclement weather.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries staff hope to recreate some of the magic planned for that day with performances by magician James Chan, MusicalMe, face painting with Wisteria Faerie Creations and local musicians Cement Ship who are part of the library’s Soundswell collection.

As librarians know, reading transports us to magical worlds and sparks our imagination and creativity.

“The Summer Reading Program is all about celebrating reading for pleasure and encouraging children and everyone to keep reading all summer long,” said Youth Programs and Services Manager Heather Norquist. “I love that we have this opportunity to host special performances

by magicians, puppeteers, musicians and more, and that we give children books as incentive prizes to build their home libraries.”

Adult Programs and Services Manager Jessica Goodman added, “Summer is really a special time of year for the library. Our librarians spend months planning a tightly packed schedule of programs, thinking through every single detail, then get to see their work come to fruition as people of all ages come together for reading, learning, and fun.”

To sign up, visit your local library, Bookmobile, or www.santacruzpl.org

Participants win prizes for reaching their goals through each of the reading milestones. The last day to log reading minutes for the Summer Reading Program is Wednesday, July 31, and the last day to redeem prizes is Saturday, Aug. 10.

During the next two months, every branch in the ten-library system from Aptos to Boulder Creek and the Bookmobile will host free activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage and support a love of reading. n

•••

To learn more about the summer reading adventure at the library, call 831-427-7713 or visit the SCPL Summer Reading Program website at: www.santacruzpl.org/srp

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos High School’s Top Swimmers at CCS

Aptos High swimmers showed their stuff at the Central Coast Section Championships, hosted by Independence High in San Jose.

Four boys and four girls earned top 16 finishes.

Sam Allen, a senior, placed 5th in the 100-yard backstroke A final and fourth in the 100 butterfly B final, where he dueled Soquel junior Oliver Santana who took third.

Sam will compete for Colorado College.

Juniors Thomas Westfall and Gavin Abundis and sophomore Elijah Souza teamed

with Sam Allen for 8th in the 200 freestyle B final.

Alicia Fajardo, a senior, placed third in the 100 butterfly B final and 6th in the 100 butterfly B final.

She will compete for CSU East Bay.

Adelaide Friedley, a sophomore, took first in the 100 breaststroke B final and 8th in the 100 freestyle A final.

Sophomore Rose Lockwood and freshman Natalie Allen teamed with Alicia Fajardo and Adelaide Friedley to place 7th in the 200 free relay B final.

The Mariner swimmers are coached by Jim Triplett. n

Boys Volleyball All League 2023-24

Justin Bates, who coached the Santa Cruz Cardinals, undefeated in league, was voted Coach of the Year.

Solomon Coleman of Mount Madonna School was voted Frosh of the Year, a special award, and Jackson Bloom of Aptos High was chosen for the first team.

Here are all the honorees: First Team

• Maverick Manor - Senior - Setter

• Tim Pohlmann - Santa Cruz - Senior

- Opposite

• Abe Schmidt - Harbor - Junior - Libero

• Jackson Bloom - Aptos - Junior - Middle Blocker

Second Team

• Noah Luksich - Harbor - Junior - Outside Hitter

• Isaac Koontz - Soquel - Junior - Setter

• Gryphon Butler - Harbor - Senior - Opposite

• Jon McClaren - SLV - Senior - Middle Blocker

• Nathan MacCarthy - Soquel - JuniorOutside Hitter

• Grady McKee - Harbor - SophomoreMiddle Blocker

• Lucas Kamalani - Santa Cruz - Sophomore - Libero Honorable Mention

• Aptos - Iman Moshari, Anthony Smith

• Gammon Nilssen - Santa Cruz - JuniorOutside Hitter

• Leo Sapunor - Santa Cruz - JuniorMiddle Blocker

• Julien Pally - Santa Cruz - JuniorOutside Hitter

• MVP - Gammon Nilssen - Santa Cruz

- Junior

• Mount Madonna - Peter Shoemaker, Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp

• SVHS - Chase Welle

• Soquel - Francisco Rothman-Solado, Tucker Graessle

• Santa Cruz - James Bush, Charlie Hess

• SLV - Hunter Lallemand, Zach Frederich

• Harbor - Josh Rejfir, JJ Laughlin n

Boys (from left): Gavin Abundis, Sam Allen, Elijah Souza, and Thomas Westfall Girls (from left): Rose Lockwood, Natalie Allen, Alexis Fajardo, and Adelaide Friedley

COMMUNITY NEWS

Watsonville Community Hospital Progress Report

Finances Improving, AI Pilot in Emergency Department

By Jondi Gumz

Can a for-profit hospital find financial success and earn patient satisfaction by switching to not-for-profit status?

That is the mission of Stephen Gray, CEO of Watsonville Community Hospital, now locally owned after 25 years of out-of-town ownership and bankruptcy, thanks to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District.

On May 8, after six months on the job, he gave a progress report to members of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at Seascape Golf Club.

and next year’s budget is expected to break even.

Strategy: Focusing on keeping costs down, getting supplies and drugs at lower costs. There were no layoffs and no service cuts, but an emphasis on rightsizing — more patients, staffing up, fewer patients, staffing down.

Finances: The 106-bed hospital lost $30 million in 2022 under the for-profit ownership, which he credited to “some interesting management decisions.” In the first quarter, there was a loss of $54,000, a move in the right direction,

Nonprofit status: This is still in the works, but some reimbursements are expected after it happens.

Buying the hospital property back: The property was sold to raise cash by the for-profit owner to an Alabama investment firm but the bankruptcy case resulted in the right for locals to buy it back, and Measure N, the $116 million bond measure will provide the money to do so. That will save $200,000 a month in rent.

Bond measure projects: A top priority is to double the size of the 12-bed emergency department that sees 100 people a day. Another is to replace the CT scanner, which is used to find cancer and internal injuries, and have two scanners for redundancy. Also, upgrade the magnetic resonance imaging equipment which can help diagnose cancer and evaluate problems with the brain.

Artificial intelligence: An AI pilot is starting in the emergency department, which sees 33,000 people a year. A UC San Francisco study of 251,000 emergency room patients found AI was able to detect which of two patients had a more serious condition and should be seen first 89% of the time.

Youth mental health: The hospital has staff in the emergency department specially trained to see youth under 18 having a mental health crisis. A partnership with Santa Cruz County starting May 13 means youth in crisis will be taken to Watsonville Community Hospital.

Food pantry: In April, the hospital opened Nourish, a food pantry partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, repurposing a space that was a gift shop for new moms to obtain healthy food for their family.

A service you might not know is available: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help heal wounds not responding to typical treatment, and a new podiatrist.

Gray, who spent 17 years with Sutter Health including four years running Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s 200 physicians and 20 clinics in Santa Cruz County, noted that staff stay at Watsonville Community Hospital for 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 years.

“They stay because this place feels like home,” he said.

When he hosted insurance brokers, he got favorable comments.

“This is like a real hospital,” one said.

Another said, “This hospital does not get the credit it deserves.” n

Phyllis Stark, Chief Nursing Officer at Watsonville Community Hospital

Starting May 20, Dr. Phyllis Stark will be chief nursing officer at Watsonville Community Hospital, succeeding Sherri Stout-Torres, who has held that role on an interim basis since December 2021.

Stark brings 20+ years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently as chief nurse executive and chief operating officer at the 169-bed Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center since 2022.

She is a registered nurse specializing in emergency and critical care, and holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice with an emphasis on executive leadership from the University of San Francisco. She also is Certified in Executive Nursing Practice.

From 2012 to 2022, she held leadership positions at Kaiser Permanente regional offices in Oakland, including chief nurse executive, interim vice president for the continuum of care and regional operations director of outside medical services.

“Phyllis is the type of nursing leader who persistently advocates for clinical practice excellence,” said Stephen Gray, Watsonville Community Hospital’s chief executive officer. “She is enthusiastic about delivering quality care through employee and physician engagement in a collaborative working environment where patients are at the center.”

He also cited her collaborative relationships with external stakeholders.

“I am honored to be selected as the new CNO for Watsonville Community Hospital,” said Stark. “I am especially excited to join this dedicated team to grow and expand on existing strengths and to further develop and implement collaborative patientfocused practices and processes serving the community with care, compassion and a commitment to nursing excellence.”

From 2007 to 2011, she was the administrative nursing director of medical surgical services and palliative care at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

From 1998 to 2007, she held management positions at Memorial Hospital Los Banos, a Sutter Health affiliate.

Stark has a master of science in nursing degree with an emphasis on nursing administration and leadership from Walden University, and an associate degree of nursing from Riverside Community College.

“Stark” page 18

Stephen Gray

Phyllis Stark

COMMUNITY NEWS

Three-Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness

The Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Partnership announce the Three-Year Strategic Framework to Reduce Homelessness has been approved by the Board of Supervisors.

At the beginning of 2024, the Housing for Health Partnership hosted community meetings to gather ideas and new recommendations to ensure all county residents have stable, safe, and healthy places to live. This information led to a 54-page plan for 2024 to 2027.

Goals are to:

• Lower the average length of time people experience homelessness by 10% each year.

• Reduce the number of people returning to homelessness each year by 20%.

• Ensure partners capture data on outcomes and needs to improve local programs.

• Coordinate increased outreach and access to services countywide.

Funding includes $457,468 for prevention and shelter, $203,320 for street outreach, $651,787 for landlord incentives, and $3.77 million for support to help those in shelters move to permanent housing.

County staff plan to pursue creation of new low-barrier navigation centers, including the Watsonville center with Monterey County, as partner, the navigation center at 2202 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, with County Behavioral Health as partner, and the Santa Cruz navigation center with Housing Matters and the City of Santa Cruz as partner; and update existing shelters to provide space for partners, pets, privacy, and possessions.

County staff plan to work with the Central California Alliance for Health, the state-funded health plan providing MediCal insurance to low-income individuals in Santa Cruz County, to fund improved street outreach, including a team of 5 workers to connect with 300 to 400 people per year using a system known as “Coordinated Entry.”

Another strategy is to add peer workers with lived experience to make “Coordinated Entry” more effective.

More strategies:

Create new Lived Expertise Action Groups

Working with Watsonville to develop a communications strategy to improve outreach to underserved and historically marginalized populations.

Requring programs to actively link clients to benefits such as Medi-Cal, General Assistance, CalFresh, CalWorks, and In-Home Support Services.

Developing a countywide approach to siting permanent supportive housing.

New supportive housing units are planned at Bienestar Plaza in Live Oak, 15 for persons with health-related disabilities;

Tabasa Gardens, Watsonville, 6; Cedar Street

Apartments on a city parking lot next to Calvary Episcopal Church, Santa Cruz, 17.

The plan calls for supporting all jurisdictions in the county to meeting their Regional Housing Needs Allocation goals for very low-income housing production to help reduce homelessness.

The plan also calls for exploring “innovative housing strategies,” such as use of under-used public land and building, vacant homes, and sweat equity, tiny homes, ADUs, and mobile home parks.

The Framework goes to the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, a state entity whose members are assigned by Gov. Gavin Newsom to oversee spending and results. Previously the council failed to collect sufficient data for program evaluation, prompting a critical report by the state auditor.

At the end of 2020, the County of Santa Cruz launched the initial three-year plan (2021 to 2024) to address homelessness in Santa Cruz County with actionable steps, measurable goals and support by the Human Services Department’s Housing for Health Division.

This has led to:

• 2023 Point-in-Time Count results showed 1,804 people experiencing homelessness — a 21.5% decline from 2022 — and the lowest level since the first count in 2007.

• The California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Project Homekey approved three awards to develop permanent supportive housing: Veterans Village, 20 units in Ben Lomond, Casa Azul, 7 units, 801 River St., Santa Cruz, and Park Haven Plaza, 35 units in Soquel.

• In April 2023, the Housing for Health Partnership launched a redesigned network to assess and refer individuals to housing. Improvements in the network, known as “Coordinated Entry,” along with more rental subsidies from the Housing Authority and supportive services helped contribute to 911 people leaving homelessness for permanent housing between July 2022 and June 2023, according to the count. n

• Flexible, need-based tuition

• An exceptional, college-preparatory academic program

• Music and STEAM-infused curriculum for all grades

• Montessori-influenced preschool and kindergarten lessons

• Field trips at all grade levels

MountMadonnaSchool.org

- 846 - 4042

• School bus transportation

• A friendly and supportive community for students and their families

• Middle and high school athletics

COMMUNITY NEWS

Welcome Back, Captain Grimm

After an assignment in Susanville, Capt. Jason Grimm is now commander at the CHP Santa Cruz area, posted in Aptos.

One of his first duties: Introducing himself at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Seascape Golf Course May 9.

He previously was assigned to the Santa Cruz area from 2015-2019 in the role of motor sergeant. At that time, the CHP had a safety campaign to reduce crashes by focusing on drivers holding their cell phones while at a wheel, a ticket-able offense.

Grimm started as an officer with CHP Marin.

His journey with the CHP has taken him to locations such the CHP Capitol Protection Section, where he was an officer, and CHP Bakersfield and CHP San Luis Obispo, where he was a lieutenant. In 2023, he was promoted to captain in the CHP Susanville office.

Grimm also had a fellowship with the FBI in Washington, D.C., as a sergeant/ lieutenant as part of the Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team.

CHP Officer Israel Murillo Jr, who handles communications for the CHP office in Aptos, posted on Instagram: “Welcome back, Captain Grimm!” n

Thrive Market Settles Automatic Renewal Lawsuit for $1.55 Million

Thrive Market Technologies, Inc., an e-commerce membership-based retailer offering natural and organic food products, will pay $1.55 million to settle a civil lawsuit alleging it violated the California Automatic Renewal Law and False Advertising Law, according to Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell.

On May 3, Thrive Market agreed to a court-ordered judgment arising from enforcement of the California Automatic Renewal Law and False Advertising Law.

The Automatic Renewal Law is designed to prevent companies from automatically renewing subscriptions without the consumer’s knowledge.

The False Advertising Law is designed to prevent companies from making unsupported claims about their products or services.

The District Attorneys’ Offices of Santa Cruz County, as part of the California Automatic Renewal Task Force, which includes District Attorneys from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara and the City Attorney of Santa Monica conducted an investigation that found that the company did not clearly and conspicuously disclose the required subscription terms prior to purchase and failed to provide the required after-purchase acknowledgment.

The after-purchase acknowledgment also requires clear and conspicuous disclosures of the automatic renewing terms.

Under California law, online businesses must clearly and conspicuously disclose all automatic renewal charges, terms of sale and get affirmative consent to those recurring charges from the consumer.

Thrive Market agreed to change misleading advertising and comply with the disclosures required by the law, Rosell said.

The lawsuit filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court by the taskforce of prosecutors was resolved by a stipulated resolution against the 10-year-old company that imposed an injunction and assessed $1,004,000 in civil penalties, $450,000 in restitution to Thrive Market customers, and $96,000 in investigative costs to the prosecution taskforce.

Thrive Market cooperated in this resolution.

The California Auto Renewal Task Force primarily investigates businesses for violations of the California Automatic Renewal Law and federal statutes regulating automatic renewal contracts.

“Undisclosed automatically renewing charges is an industry practice that deceives consumers out of millions of dollars,” Santa Cruz County District Attorney, Jeffrey Rosell said. n

Capt. Jason Grimm

COMMUNITY NEWS

On May 2, Jerry Boylan, 70, captain of a scuba dive boat that caught fire in 2019 near Santa Barbara and killed 34 people aboard, including local resident Vaidehi “Vai” Campbell Williams, was sentenced to four years in custody and three years’ supervised release.

Boylan is appealing.

The night-time Labor Day fire on the 75-foot boat Conception was the deadliest maritime disaster in recent history, according to the Associated Press, and led to changes in maritime regulations, congressional reform and ongoing lawsuits.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu.

Last year, Boylan was found guilty of one count of neglect of ship office.

He was the first to abandon ship and leap overboard.

Prosecutors said he failed to post the

On April 17, leaders from a wide variety of sectors met at the GrowerShippers Association of Central California’s headquarters in Salinas as part of the Salinas and Pajaro Valley Farmworker Housing Study Oversight Committee to review progress since a landmark 2018 study quantified overcrowded housing conditions for agricultural workers — notably, the creation of hundreds of new permanent homes for families, and more than 4,500 beds for seasonal and resident workers in the agricultural industry.

Despite this progress, thousands more homes are needed to relieve severe overcrowding, unaffordable rents and ensure the stability of this workforce in the Salinas and Pajaro valleys.

The 2018 study estimated that 91,433 workers were employed in agriculture and estimated a need for 45,560 new homes to alleviate overcrowding.

Many individuals and families double up or triple up to make their rental housing affordable.

The 502-page study detailed how many low-wage farmworkers keep a roof over their heads, sleeping in trailers, garages, and sheds, or renting floor space in living rooms.

The study was prepared by the California Institute for Rural Studies and the California Coalition for Rural Housing and funded by

roving night watch and never trained the crew in firefighting.

One crew member and 33 passengers died, including Williams, a communications specialist who worked 18 years at Soquel Creek Water District, Tia Salika-Adamic, 17, and Berenice Felipe Alvarez, 16, classmates at Pacific Collegiate School in Santa Cruz.

All were trapped in bunk beds below deck.

Boylan’s attorneys successfully contended the deaths were the result of one incident, not individual crimes, and Judge Wu dismissed a grand jury indictment charging him with 34 counts of manslaughter.

A grand jury then indicted Boylan on one count of seaman’s manslaughter.

Williams is remembered with a memorial water-wise demonstration garden at Soquel Creek Water District offices, 5180 Soquel Drive, Soquel. n

Boat Captain Sentenced to 4 Years in Fire that Killed 34 Farmworker Housing Progress Report

county and city governments, affordable housing developers, and nonprofits.

“The shortfall of safe, affordable housing in our region extends beyond municipal boundaries and beyond the scope of any one organization, which is why Monterey Bay Economic Partnership is leading efforts to convene stakeholders to reduce barriers to build housing of all types and at all levels,” said MBEP President & CEO Tahra Goraya.

She sees momentum to address the affordable housing needs for local agricultural workers.

The regional action plan coming out of the study set a goal to build 5,300 permanent, affordable housing units over the next 5 years.

Last month, the goal was amended to develop 250 permanent farmworker homes for families every year.

Nonprofit developers, with local governments and state and federal agencies, have proposed housing that is in the process of being built or recently completed in Greenfield, East Garrison and Castroville (unincorporated Monterey County), Watsonville, and Freedom (unincorporated Santa Cruz County).

These affordable communities take years to develop, and multiple layers of financing, which are extremely challenging to assemble.

“Farmworker Housing” page 21

SENIOR BENEFITS INSURANCE

Vai Williams

COMMUNITY NEWS

Whale City Bakery Open

Jimmy Armas, owner of Whale City

Bakery roadside cafe, is ready for customers at his second location at 7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, with new furnishings in a 79-seat dining room and a patio overlooking Aptos Creek.

The opening took longer than expected because the former Burger restaurant needed a lot of work, including

new floor for the kitchen and dining room.

The menu will be the same as his first location in Davenport, featuring buttery croissants, artichoke bread, corn beef hash, omelets, burgers and fish and chips. n Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

“Stark” from page 14

In Fresno, she sat on boards of the Fresno County Economic Development Council, the OMIWA Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to bridging the healthcare gap in remote Nigerian villages, and Progressive Transitions, which works to eradicate gender-based violence.

Stout-Torres grew up with deep roots in the community, and returned to provide leadership when the prior for-profit owners of the hospital where she was born declared bankruptcy.

Today the Watsonville Community Hospital has returned to non-profit status overseen by the elected board of the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District, which extends from Aptos to Pajaro.

“We are extremely grateful to Sherri, who stepped up when this hospital and community needed her,” said Stephen Gray. “She led the hospital and our nursing staff with skill and grace, building a new leadership team as we transitioned from for-profit ownership to being a nonprofit, district hospital and all the change that came with it. Despite the reorganization, we were able to improve patient access to care and show improvements in the quality of that care under her watch.”

“I’m excited for the future of Watsonville Community Hospital under Phyllis Stark’s leadership,” said Stout-Torres, who was chief nursing officer from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2017, “and am happy to leave this hospital that I love, in such experienced, skilled hands.” n

Jimmy Armas is ready to greet customers.

Ivy

Deborah Cypert Owner Bobbie Frandeen

Highway 1 Widening & Rail Trail Construction

There is so much construction happening everywhere on roads in the County, it makes one wonder who is doing what and if they are coordinating their efforts?

Add to that the confusion caused when two of the five County Board of Supervisors recently voted to reject the plan to build a trail alongside the railroad tracks between 17th Avenue in Live Oak and State Park Drive in Aptos. It was shocking to many that Supervisors Bruce McPherson and Manu Koenig stood seemingly ready to risk rejection of a $68 million State Transportation Commission grant to build the trail, due to the uncertainty of being able to provide an additional $27 million to complete the project.

What is going on? Let’s untangle the mess.

The Highway 1 widening is divided into three phases:

Phase 1, between Soquel Drive/Avenue and 41st Avenue, began last year and includes a pretty massive structure that will be exclusively for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is being managed by the RTC, Regional Transportation Commission, partnering with CalTrans and the County of Santa Cruz. This project is supposed to finish up this year.

Phase 2, between Bay/Porter and State Park Drive, began construction recently, and will include a second overcrossing for pedestrians and bicyclists at Mar Vista Drive. This should finish up next year.

Phase 3, between State Park Drive and Freedom Blvd. exits will begin next year and finish in 2027. That project will happen concurrently with the rail trail Segment 12, which will greatly affect the Aptos Village area, and require the railroad bridges over Highway 1 be demolished and replaced, to allow the highway widening.

The Monterey Bay Scenic Rail Trail Project is the 32-mile-long railroad corridor from Davenport to Watsonville, and is described by “segments.” This map will help make sense of this, except the segments13-18 are not well-defined between Rio del Mar Blvd. and Watsonville: https://sccrtc.org/projects/ trail/monterey-bay-sanctuary-scenic-trail/ What was the county supervisor kerfuffle all about?

It related to the rail trail, known as “Segments 10 and 11” between 17th Avenue and State Park Drive area getting built next to the railroad tracks...or not. Here is where the confusion arises.

The trail construction itself for these two segments is being managed by County Parks Planner Robert Tidmore, even though the railroad corridor is owned by the RTC. The RTC is in the middle of a study to weigh the pro’s and con’s of building the trail next to the railroad tracks (known as the “Ultimate Trail” design) or pulling out the railroad tracks and building the trail in its place (known as the “Interim Trail” that would “rail bank” the tracks for future rail service).

That study is due this December.

Tidmore wanted the assurance of the Board of Supervisors that the County would stand behind the remaining $27 million cost above the $68 million state grant-funded construction of the Ultimate Trail. They felt it was not wise to make such promises without more information from the RTC about how that agency might be able to help fund the shortfall, whether Roaring Camp Railroad might help out, and whether costs might be trimmed. They felt borrowing from the Measure D pot of funding approved by voters in 2017 could jeopardize the rail trail to Watsonville getting built.

Tidmore worried publicly that the County’s wavering support could threaten the County receiving that whopping $68 million....the largest grant the state has ever awarded for such a project.

The RTC held a special meeting to discuss this. That commission, which is composed of 11 elected and appointed representatives including Supervisors McPherson and Koenig, voted to accept the Ultimate Trail plan and the state’s $68 million grant to fund it, commit to finding funding to fill the construction cost gap, work out a deal

with Roaring Camp Railroad and the current rail line lessee St. Paul and Pacific Railroad to help fund shifting the tracks to one side to make room for the trail, and to “direct staff to provide an analysis at the June commission meeting of the potential allocation of the remaining Measure D funds capacity ($97 million) as follows: $45 million for future development of , $45 million for maintenance, and $7 million to assist with budget for segments currently under development.” The RTC staff has applied for a federal grant that could add $16 million-$20 million; awards will be announced in June.

Neither Koenig nor McPherson attended that special meeting, but sent their analysts, who rejected the motion approved.

At the County Board of Supervisors meeting that followed, Tidmore reported on this special meeting, stating that Roaring Camp Railroad had agreed to shoulder the cost of relocating the railroad tracks in areas when necessary to accommodate the trail, and that the state would agree to the RTC committing to finding the funding to complete the project.

This time, the Board agreed on the motion to accept the Segment 10 and 11 rail trail project

and the state’s $68 million grant, although Supervisor Koenig expressed concerns that this is not a good time to take on more funding commitments. “It’s a hell of a time to take on a project this big, but I will not stand in the way.” he said, which brought forth cheers from the crowded chambers and hallway.

So, the work on Phase 2 of Highway 1 widening is happening, which has included the demolition of the Capitola Avenue bridge that will be rebuilt. And, the work will begin on the Segment 10 and 11 rail trail sometime this year.

Next Topic: How are these projects are affecting those who live next to construction zones? Some mobile home owners living on either side of the railroad tracks in Live Oak have gotten letters from the RTC saying their homes sit on property where the rail trail is to be built and they must move by June 2025. In Aptos Village, Segment 12, where the rails are next to parking lots for multiple businesses, the RTC is taking legal action to claim large areas of that property. n

Want to keep up with construction updates? See: https://sccrtc.org/about/highwayconstruction-updates/

Chanticleer pedestrian bridge under construction over Highway 1.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Free Well Water Testing Program

Santa Cruz County announces a free water quality testing program that includes opportunities for point of use treatment and drinking water replacement for residents relying on groundwater wells for their drinking water.

In Santa Cruz County, an estimated 21,000 residents drink water from unregulated household wells and smaller water systems that have never been fully tested for safety.

Without knowing if their water is safe, these residents could face serious health risks.

This is especially concerning for those in South County, where high levels of nitrate, hexavalent chromium, and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) have been found.

Consuming too much nitrate can cause “blue baby syndrome,” which can be fatal.

A 20-year study of 2,200 women in Iowa found at levels of 2.5 mg/liter, there was a two-to-three-fold increase in bladder, ovarian, and thyroid cancers.

This testing initiative, funded through the Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program – Groundwater Assessment and Protection and a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, aims to collect data essential for developing sustainable solutions for water supply in affected areas.

All personal information gathered for testing purposes will be treated confidentially and will not be disclosed to immigration or law enforcement agencies.

Participants will receive their sampling results along with a comprehensive “Guide for Private Domestic Well Owners,” interpretation of results, actions to take if contamination is detected, and strategies to safeguard the well from further contamination. Anyone whose well tests positive for contaminants will be provided with detailed information about their options and will be guided to free drinking water replacement programs if eligible.

“We encourage Santa Cruz County residents to get their household well tested through this free program to ensure that their water is safe to drink, “said Sierra Ryan, Water Resources Manager with Santa Cruz County Environmental Health. “If your well water does not meet drinking water standards, you may qualify for additional free alternate water sources, such as bottled water delivery, water storage tank filling, and Point of Use treatment systems.” n

To schedule an appointment for free well testing, call the Central Coast Drinking Water Testing Program at (844) 613-5152 or visit www. centralcoastwelltesting.org

“Farmworker Housing” from page 17

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership is working to secure more funding and to streamline these projects and add more to the pipeline.

Among those in attendance at the April 17 meeting were representatives from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the cities of Salinas, Gonzales, Watsonville, and Monterey, the County of Santa Cruz, the office of California State Speaker Robert Rivas, the Center for Community Advocacy,

Building Healthy Communities Monterey County, FarmLink, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council and United Farm Workers, CHISPA, Eden Housing, and MidPen Housing.

Later this year, the Oversight Committee will reconvene to focus on the farmworker housing project pipeline development. n

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s Housing Initiative takes a strategic approach to build consensus, drive policy and create funding mechanisms to support the construction of permanent farmworker housing.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Marcela Tavantzis Appointed to Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Board

Marcela Tavantzis, who worked for the city of Watsonville for 28 years becoming deputy city manager, is the newest board member of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District.

She was appointed April 24 to fill a vacant seat, following the March 19 resignation on March 19 of John Friel.

“Nobody can fill the giant shoes left by John Friel, but we are so grateful Marcela Tavantzis has stepped up to serve our community in this role,” said board chair Jose (Tony) Nuñez. “Marcela’s extensive experience serving on boards, her understanding of the regulations governing public meetings, and her deep commitment to our community made her the best fit for this seat. She has the ability to roll up her sleeves and get right to work at a time when our board is working on many initiatives to improve healthcare for our community.”

Tavantzis was one of four applicants.

A homeowner in the Pajaro Valley Health Care District for 34 years, Tavantzis joined

the city of Watsonville in 1996 with a degree in civil engineering from UC Irvine. She worked as principal engineer,

assistant city manager and community development director.

Then she became administrative services

director for County Public Works before she retired.

She has served on the board of El Pajaro Community Development Corp., Affordable Housing, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, and on the United Way Assessment Committee.

The other applicants were Peter N. Bretan, MD, FACS, Olga Diaz, and Michael Suval, DO.

“We are so fortunate to have had four solid candidates to consider for this open board seat,” said Nuñez. “We appreciate the time each one of them invested in applying, and their willingness to serve. I think it reflects how this community steps up to serve when needed and continues to support our healthcare district.”

Tavantzis will serve the remainder of the 2024 term, which will end upon the certification of the November 2024 board member election results for the 2025-2029 term. n

Government in Action: Students Learn in Washington, D.C.

On April 20, the Mount Madonna School junior class, along with their teachers, traveled to Washington, D.C., for a week-long learning journey.

The junior class is keeping a blog of reflections about their experiences at dc.mountmadonnaschool.org.

They gave a public presentation Wednesday, May 15, at the school’s upper campus.

This annual learning journey for high school students is part of the Government in Action program started in 1989 by Sadanand Ward Mailliard. It is an integral part of the two-year Values in World Thought class at Mount Madonna School for high school juniors and seniors.

This trip to the nation’s capital gives juniors with a personal experience of those who devote their lives to public service, while high school seniors take a learning journey to India.

“We are motivated by a sincere desire to inquire into the values and experiences of those who serve our nation in all branches of government and beyond,” said Values in World Thought teacher and Director of Upper School Shannon Kelly (’92). “We interview individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life in our nation and around the world, and who have the values and character that we wish to instill in our students.”

During their trip, the students participated in an African American History Tour and visited the Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, National Monuments, and the Library of Congress. They interviewed Linda Ryden, founder of Peace of Mind, which teaches children about mindfulness, how to manage emotions in a school setting.

“Today, my classmates and I went on the African American History Tour,” said

eleventh grader Emilia Lord. “Our tour guide, Dré, said it well: ‘Learning history is like looking through a prism; how you see it depends on which way you look through it.’ We visited memorials and monuments that represent both beautiful and admittedly ugly aspects of American history. Many of the memorials and monuments have a history and a meaning that lie beneath what the eye can see, and learning about them offers an enlightening view of American history.”

Classmate Manumailagi Hunnicutt was inspired by the visit to the Pentagon and hearing from their tour guide, Officer Jackson, about his personal experience in law enforcement and the Army.

“Walking around the Pentagon and seeing all of the personnel in their uniforms was really cool, but what I most loved about the trip is the fact that it reinstated my confidence in pursuing a career in law enforcement,” she said. “Recently, I have been swamped with prepping for college and narrowing down the possibilities of what I want to do in the future. I had started to doubt if my aspirations to be in law enforcement, whether as a crime scene investigator or as an FBI agent, is even possible, or if I am up for the challenge. However, what Officer Jackson had to say gave me the confidence to think that a career in law enforcement is something I can actually have.”

The educational growth and positive

character development aspects of learning and travel beyond the classroom’s walls cannot be understated.

“In a time of division, the Government in Action program provides our students the opportunity to actively listen with open minds and hearts,” said Kelly. “It is our belief that we can positively impact the world by engaging in conversations of meaning, being curious, and being open to learning from people with different perspectives and lived experiences.” n

Photos courtesy of Mount Madonna School

A Spiritual Eraser

April 15 is National Eraser Day. Eraser Day is referring to the eraser at the end of a pencil. But I am referring to the possibility of erasing grudges in our lives, so we can have a freer more open-hearted life.

When I was growing up, I only had one grandparent, who lived with our family for several weeks three or four times a year. My father played with me a lot, read stories at night, laughed and joked, and was a wonderful father. Barry is that kind of man as a grandfather, always playing and loving and believing in our two grandsons. My grandfather was none of those things. He was stern and bitter. Earlier in his life, he had owned a business with his brother, and he felt his brother had cheated him. He often obsessed about that supposed injustice, even to me as a little girl. He wanted me to know every single detail. I remember having to sit and listen to him tell me all the details. There was so much bitterness in his voice. My father told me the story got worse with each telling, and he was not sure his uncle had in fact cheated my grandfather. My parents believed in honoring elders and so my grandfather was allowed to keep telling this story, even though none of us wanted to hear it.

One day, his brother called, and my mother picked up the phone. The brother told her that he was dying and wished to come to our house and see my grandfather to say good-bye. His daughter would drive him. My mother was so happy and went to tell my grandfather, who refused to see him because of the things he had done to cheat him, probably 30 years earlier. My mother argued with him and told him this was a chance to be free of this terrible grudge. It was the only time I ever heard my gentle Swedish mother raise her voice to an elder. My grandfather still refused to see his brother and my mother went back to deliver the disappointing news.

My mother was so upset she came to me and in a very serious voice told me to never do what my grandfather was doing, “You must never carry a grudge. Always seek to let it go. That grudge has made your grandfather a very bitter man.”

That incident had a profound effect on my impressionable teenage self, and I remember every detail of the event. My grandfather died several years later bringing that grudge with him to his grave.

Fifteen years later, I realized I was in fact carrying a grudge against my grandfather. One incident in particular stands out. I was 17 and had a date to the prom.

By Barry and Joyce Vissell

I made my own dress because we had no money to buy one. Finally, on the evening of the prom, I came downstairs in my new dress. My grandfather, watching me from his chair in the living room, in front of my proud mother and father, loudly proclaimed to them, “She looks just like a street walker,” and he used the German term for a prostitute. My mother and father were horrified, and I was shocked and disgraced.

Why couldn’t he have been the warm and

loving grandfather that most children have? I really could not remember one incident of warmth or caring from him. I knew from all the growth I had done that a powerful way of letting go of a grudge is to remember even one positive thing about him. I thought and thought for many weeks and came up with nothing. He never touched me inappropriately and I felt very grateful about that.

“Spiritual Eraser” page 24

Opposites

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Meet Outstanding Aptos Mariners in the Class of 2024

By Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, aka Dr. AHS, Aptos High Principal

Our celebrations for the Aptos High School class of 2024 started last week when we congratulated our valedictorians and salutatorians: Samantha Wickham, Owen McGinty, Jillian Wiesner, and Ronja Eilfort.

It was the first time they got called into the principal’s office. Our principal team along with our school counselors greeted them with big smiles and flowers. We congratulated them and stood by as they reached out to their families via phone to share the news. Then, they were assigned homework, writing a speech, since they each get time at the podium on graduation day.

Our Mariners will walk across the stage on June 5 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Between now and then, there are senior awards and senior finals. They also have senior sunset, an event hosted by parents and the Booster Club. It includes a pool party, dinner, and activities to bring everyone together before graduation.

Leyla Martinez-Cordova is the ASB president. This young woman exudes confidence. It was an honor to work along with her this year as we greeted parents at Back to School Night and thanked our community sponsors at Empty Bowls, a collaborative fundraising event for Second Harvest.

Leyla has balanced her grades, responsibilities, and job while leading her team. She has also developed classroom lessons for the ASB class. She is UC Davis bound.

Angela Servanez was called an exceptional Mariner who tries her hardest at everything she does and never complains. One of her teachers described her as always kind to others and helpful to students and adults.

As a teacher’s aide in Culinary Art, Angela has been a role model to younger students after a successful year in the program.

the school both socially and academically, according to one of her teachers.

Juliana Alvarez Rocha is an exceptional student and amazing human being, said one of her teaches. She has been co-president of the dance team and National Art Honor Society co-president, a dedicated student, and most importantly an all-around amazing human.

She has triumphed over so many obstacles, including health challenges that have not stopped her spirit. She also worked with the PVUSD superintendent as a student panelist speaking in front of over 100 leaders from across the district.

Jillian Wiesner, one of the salutatorians, was among ten seniors in the Find Your Anchor assembly to inspire 9th graders at AHS.

outside the box and supports all students on campus.

Ronja Eilfort , the other salutatorian, is highly accomplished in choir (multi-year all-state choir member), theater, mock trial, and academics. One teacher described her ability to support other students with the highest levels of both skill and kindness as being on par with the help of a fellow teacher.

She will be missed, and one teacher said they hope to have as many students as possible that demonstrate a fraction of her perceptive and skilled leadership. Another teacher said Ronja is always aware of the instructional needs in the room and naturally provides highly skilled support to her fellow students who need it. She will be at Smith College this fall. n

We continue to celebrate and recognize our students. While we can’t fit all 322 graduating seniors into this column, we want to acknowledge a few more Mariners in the class of 2024. These are the students who started their 9th grade year at home and online in 2020.

Elizabeth Evans, known as E, has been involved in many different activities: ASB, Dance Team, and youth organizations in the Aptos community. E is always working hard and making a difference.

She is a role model in academics as well as activities and sports, being positive, kind and engaged in numerous aspects of

COMMUNITY NEWS

South County Government Center Opens May 20

Starting Monday, May 20, at 1 p.m., the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department will operate from the new South County center, formerly West Marine headquarters, at 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville.

Services include in-person employment services, public benefits assistance, and other social services supports.

Other departments are expected to move in during the summer, and a grand opening celebration is being planned for June 11.

The county closed on the purchase in October 2021, paying $15.6 million for the 121,000-square-foot office and $810,000 for parking at 355 Westridge Drive, with the goal to consolidate services scattered at different sites and save $1.7 million in rent.

“Our agency has been proudly assisting South County residents with

public benefits and social services from our 18 West Beach St. location for nearly 25 years,” said Kimberly Petersen, the Human Services Department’s deputy director.

“While this move to the new South County Government Services Center marks a change in location, we are excited to continue offering essential public services as part of a one-stop center for South County residents accessing County services.”

The Human Services Department will be the largest user of the space.

The Call Center is scheduled to close early Friday for the move, then reopen at 7:30 a.m. May 20.

South County residents seeking assistance with benefits such as MediCal, CalFresh and Cash Aid can call 1-888-421-8080.

North County residents get assistance at the Human Services Department offices at 1400 Emeline Ave. in Santa Cruz. n

She has been actively engaged in clubs since 9th grade, and now she is president of two of them while also being the Clubs Council Committee Chair in ASB. Jillian also plays volleyball, participates in Homecoming, and is one of the strongest leaders in ASB.

One teacher described Jillian’s daily interactions with the student body as always being positive and earning respect through leading by example and compassion. She is very mature and handles situations with grace and new ideas. She always thinks

“Spiritual Eraser” from page 23

But I needed a positive memory and so I continued to contemplate this and, after much thought and prayer, I remembered when I was in high school and studying German my grandfather would come out for breakfast each morning and teach me a new German word or phrase.

Now this may not sound like much, but for me it did the trick in allowing me to let go of my grudge toward him. He took time each day to teach me a new word and I could sense caring in that.

From then on, whenever I would think about my grandfather, I would think about those German words and the caring thought that went into them. As I remembered something positive, I felt lighter and freer. The grudge was gone.

Yes, I still wish I could have experienced a loving grandfather, but I can always go back to the caring in those German words.

We just finished a workshop and, as one of the practices, we led an exercise on letting

We are proud of each and every one of our Mariners. It has not been an easy four years, and yet they continued to SAIL the course. They have truly experienced resilience not by just going through the motions but by growing through the experiences.

Please congratulate our seniors as they transition from high school students to young adults in our community. As Paul Bailey often says, Aptos loves Aptos. That love includes our Mariner graduates. Enjoy the journey, and thanks for SAILing with us, Mariners!

go of grudges. It was a hard assignment yet, with the help of the group, each person was able to remember at least one positive thing which allowed them to take a step toward letting go of their grudge. A woman in the workshop quoted the popular quote, “Holding a grudge or resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

There is a Sufi saying, “If you have room in your heart for one enemy, then that is an unsafe place for a friend.” May we all do the inner work of releasing the resentments and grudges that we hold, and make our hearts a truly safe place. n

•••

Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 10 books and a free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org. • A Couple of Miracles: One Couple, More Than a Few Miracles. SemiFinalist, Book of the Year, Online Book Club. $18.95 at Amazon.com

Gemini Festival of Humanity & Great Invocation Day

By Risa D’Angeles

Gemini, sign of the two brothers and their two lights (one waxing, one waning), begins Monday, May 20, 2024. During Gemini, the New Group of World Servers prepares for the Gemini Festival, the Festival of Humanity and World Invocation Day. The Gemini festival occurs at the full moon and this year, 2024, this festival occurs Thursday, May 23rd.

This is the third most important solar festival of the year. At the Gemini Festival, the Forces of Reconstruction enter he Earth and the great mantram of love, The Great Invocation, is intoned by the Christ. The day before the Gemini festival is Pentecost — when the Holy Spirit descends & fills the minds of humanity with the fire true knowledge.

Gemini is a playful, adaptive and happy sign. Gemini is the “light of interplay”, a line of light beams revealing all that opposes. Gemini is small sparks of everyday light that brings forth Goodwill and Right Relations.

in form and matter, that of the personality and the Soul. And the principle of balancing those dual forces (via love).

Gemini, Masonry & the Pillars — To enter a Lodge of Masonry, one walks by two columns or pillars called Boaz (power, might) and Joachim (upright, stable). They represent the Sun and moon, harmony and balance. Passing through the pillars one has the aspiration to begin life anew. These pillars are also in front of King Solomon’s Temple, signifying a portal to the wisdom teachings, the ageless mystery teachings. The pillars also represent the two separative forces, dissonance and harmony, only able to be brought together by love (Ray 2).

Gemini displays for us the fact of duality in our world, through the two brothers, Castor and Pollux. They each hold a light ... One is waning (Castor, the personality light) and the other is waxing in light (Pollux, the Soul). They two display for us the basic duality

ARIES

Consider the impact your ideas, hopes, wishes, dreams, thoughts, words and values make on your life. In the months to come, consider what is best to do professionally. In the meantime, you must assess your health. What state is it in? For the next year or so, you may (or already do) feel stiff, rickety, older than your age, and a bit grumpy (lots of time). More calcium/magnesium will be needed to ease bones and joints. A naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist would be good to consult. And your dentist.

TAURUS

What changes must be made? Who must be contacted to bring your ideas into matter and form? You have an illumined mind but sometimes cannot bring those heavenly impressions into the world. There are those around who can, would and want to help. Ask them and override your Taurus feeling that you can do everything on your own. You are to create community where many people work together in a sustained effort for the new culture and civilization. Study thought forms.

GEMINI

What spiritual and then social connections need re-establishing? What humanitarian activities are you being called to participate in? Did you begin to study your astrology and the wisdom teachings? Wherever you are it’s important to either return to a previous religion or church or participate in a spiritual group endeavor. The Ashram is wherever you live. The Ashram is humanity’s home. We are to become an “externalization of the Hierarchy.” All of our gifts offered to humanity. What are your gifts to be offered?

CANCER

How are others relating to you? Are you maintaining in all areas of your life Right Human Relations? You are to create these here, there and everywhere, for you are to initiate the new thinking and acts of Goodwill in your environments. This new stage is a realization that to create Right Relations one must have at all times the intentions for Goodwill. Then justice and human rights issues, if conflicted, dissolve. You can do this.

Fentanyl Kills 133 in Santa Cruz County

Gemini changes, mutates, rearranges and adjusts things so the Soul can come forth to direct the personality. Our world is made of dualities — day/night, light/dark, sun/moon, up/down, out/in, masculine/feminine, etc. Duality is a relationship of two things. There is a vital and equalizing relationship between them. Duality is neutral in its nature. Gemini, esoterically (inner), receives and distributes Ray 2 (Love/Wisdom). When duality is understood (and accepted), love and wisdom result.

Read more each day at Risa D’Angeles FB page & on Night Light News — www.nightlightnews.org/

LEO

What are your religious and spiritual orientations these days? Does what you believe spiritually fulfill you? Have you thought of making a pilgrimage to a holy place? To a monastery or seminary or perhaps to walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Pilgrimages are long journeys containing great spiritual, moral, and historical significances. There are pilgrimages in all faiths. A pilgrim is a seeker. You are seeking. What deeply within you do you seek? It is also seeking you.

VIRGO

You need to explore some serious fun that will expand your daily life, offer you something different to wake up to, providing a new creative structure, so you know you’re climbing the ladder of a new self-identity. You are part of the new world, civilization and culture. You may feel strict with yourself and wake up with sore muscles. Quick, beginning now and for the next year, create a spa and exercise schedule and make this your first priority of each day.

LIBRA

Is there a change in resources that you must soon contemplate? Is there someone you need to talk with but can’t, won’t, don’t, because it’s not safe? Is there someone you can speak with that offers safety, care and succor? What changes in your daily life have occurred that seem to have plummeted you to the bottom of life so that all you can see is up? Great expansions of practical wisdom are coming your way. Careful when exercising or playing that you don’t hurt yourself. Just be careful.

SCORPIO

So, are you being efficient and orderly each day, especially at work?

To become more accomplished in the future, having the immediate environment in a state of beauty and order will facilitate the changes soon to arrive. It’s possible bringing organization to your environment becomes a wound. You just want to already be in a life well prepared. So, you may need help and assistance. Like your Taurus opposite, ask and it will be given, reach out and you will be held.

SAGITTARIUS

You’re in a time of a great amount of work to be done and done well. You’ll be called upon to stabilize others in your workplace, to give them incentives, praise, and recognition. This is an art and if you don’t know how to accomplish this you’ll learn. You’re to illumine the minds of others, which actually you always do (while also seeking your own) but perhaps you’re unaware of this. Should you take this task of illuminating others seriously how would you work differently? Would your work change?

CAPRICORN

My goodness, you truly need some fun. What would fun mean for you? You need it more than usual and soon, too! Fun, games and play will actually free and strengthen you. Thoughts of the future would brighten. Yes, you are already strong, but there’s a weariness to constantly and ceaselessly tend to others alone (a spiritual task). Is there a question concerning your faith, your church, church in general, religion, or spirituality? The answer is yes, do it. The values and morals you seek are there.

AQUARIUS

Your life and health are getting better and better. There’s a quote by the French psychologist pharmacist, Émile Coué, who introduced a new method of psychotherapy that reads “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux.” (Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better). This is called a “coue-ism.” It applies to you! Oui? Repeat this daily over and over, routinely and with ritual, morning and evening of each and every day. Then do your evening renewal. With gratitude, seeing that the day was good.

PISCES

Careful with health now and in the following days, weeks and months. Difficult transits could create a difficult digestive situation. It’s temporary and could be avoided if you are extremely attentive to juices (celery, etc.), proper foods (mostly veggies, salads, lean proteins), proper attitudes (recite what is suggested for Aquarius), rest and lots of fresh air and prana (sun) to keep you vivified. What is it that you need in the coming months and year? Tell everyone. There really is a place for you and your hopes, wishes, dreams and visions of service.

State Grants $1 Million To Fight Fentanyl Poisoning

On May 7, the Tri-County Collaborative serving Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties announced a state grant totaling $1,280,985 over 3 years to combat the alarming increase in fentanyl overdoses and poisonings.

Last year, fentanyl claimed more than 200 lives on the Central Coast.

Santa Cruz County reported fentanyl 133 deaths last year, according to Dr. David Ghilarducci, the county’s EMS director and deputy health officer, who calls it a “crisis.”

Key initiatives funded by the California Department of Public Health grant include: 1) Providing education programs in schools

2) Supporting overdose prevention and increasing access to naloxone (NARCAN®)

3) Improving local overdose data surveillance

4) Increasing access to treatment for those addicted to fentanyl or other opioids

The coalition consists of healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and government entities unified around the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies to address the fentanyl epidemic.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and has contributed to a staggering rise in opioid deaths since 2021.

Unbeknownst to people using drugs or ordering drugs online, fentanyl is frequently and cheaply mixed into counterfeit prescription pills and other drugs.

This makes it a particularly lethal substance, with even small doses often leading to accidental poisonings, overdoses, and fatalities.

On May 7, Fentanyl Awareness Day, the coalition issued a statement to “honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses and poisonings while standing in solidarity with individuals and families battling addiction.” n

For information in Santa Cruz County, see www.hipscc.org/saferx or email: SafeRx@hipscc.org

Metro Ad Campaign Wins 4 Hermes Awards Marketing Maven Danielle Giagola Named Rising Star

One Ride at a Time, the Santa Cruz Metro Transit District’s campaign to showcase environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources, has earned four Hermes Creative Awards, including three Platinum and one Gold Award.

These awards are sponsored by the Association of Communications and Marketing Professionals.

Danielle Glagola, Metro’s communications and marketing director and UC Santa Cruz alum who created the campaign, is the winner of the Rising Star Award from the California Association for Coordinated Transportation. This award recognizes a new transportation professional for making outstanding contributions to their agency and the transportation field.

“Our ridership is up 22% since last year thanks in part to One Ride at a Time,” said Metro Board Chair Kristen Brown. “We are thrilled to see One Ride at a Time and Danielle Giagola, who has been instrumental in bringing the campaign to life, honored in this way.”

One Ride at a Time won these Hermes Awards:

Best Strategic Marketing/Promotion Campaign — Platinum Award This award recognizes the campaign as a strategic whole. Judges evaluated the collective impact of all creative elements, including bus wraps, print, digital, radio and social media advertising; exterior bus ads; car cards; transit shelter and trash can wraps; and outreach events.

Best Advertising Photography — Platinum Award: This award celebrates the work of renowned nature photographer Frans Lanting’s images of Monterey Bay wildlife and landscapes grace Metro buses.

Local videographer Andrew J. O’Keefe II captured the buses against the backdrop of Santa Cruz County’s most iconic locations.

Best Print Media Advertising | Other (Bus Wraps) — Platinum Award: Bus wraps featuring the breathtaking nature photography of Frans Lanting are the cornerstone of the campaign. This award celebrates excellence in non-traditional forms of print-media advertising.

View the bus wraps on Instagram.com/ santacruzmtd

Best Social Media Video (Fundraiser) — Gold Award: This award was given to a

1-minute video created by Metro and Andrew J. O’Keefe II. Every bus ride donates to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Bay of Life Fund. To date, the campaign has raised more than $40,000 for these organizations.

Watch the award-winning video. at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7pe78apQXfE

“To us, Monterey Bay is one of Earth’s crown jewels. We know of no other place in the world where land and sea connect in such an extraordinary way. This is why the opportunity to work with Metro on One Ride a Time really spoke to us,” said Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, who collaborated with Metro on the campaign. “We are so pleased it is receiving notoriety in Santa Cruz County and beyond so we can

continue to protect our local biodiversity and promote conservation.”

Glagola, who joined Metro in July 2020, developing Metro’s inaugural Marketing Department. She is a team of one.

In 2023, Glagola and former Metro CEO Michael Tree created and launched One Ride at a Time with Frans Lanting Studio providing images. In its first year, One Ride at a Time donated more than $42,000 and helped propel a 412% increase in Metro’s earned media, a 32% increase in Facebook followers, and a 22% increase in bus ridership.

“The images of local wildlife and landscapes, all sourced from the Monterey Bay and supplied by Frans Lanting are the perfect complement to the campaign,” Giagola said. n

2024 Rather Awards: Mónica Morales, PVPSA, Positive Discipline Community Resources

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley will recognize the 2024 winners of the Rather Awards at an event on Friday, June 14.

The awards go to those who are making a real difference in the community, uplifting others and improving lives. This year’s honorees:

equitable public health policies in Santa Cruz County that address the health needs of communities that experience discrimination and exclusion. Raised in Watsonville and a graduate of Watsonville High School and UC Santa Cruz, she is committed to community empowerment and transformation.

organizations and governments to leverage, uplift, and support each other for the greatest impact possible. PVPSA collaborates on issues such as alcohol and drug use, gang prevention, mental health, and especially reducing expulsions and improving educational outcomes.

In her role as director of Santa Cruz County’s Health Services Agency, Mónica Morales oversees services that help protect, improve, and meet the basic needs of health care for low-income and uninsured residents who have no other sources of care. With 13 years of experience as a public servant and 10 years in community health, she is committed to advancing

Since 1991, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Inc. has been providing health education, mental health services, substance abuse and intervention and prevention services, and counseling to the students and families of the Pajaro Valley. In addition to its longstanding involvement with the Pajaro Valley United School District, PVPSA has cultivated partnerships with local community-based

Positive Discipline Community Resources’ mission is to support families, schools, and service providers in learning how to have respectful relationships with children, youth, and other adults through the practice of Positive Discipline. They serve 1,000 families annually with evidence-based and multilingual classes, support groups, play groups, coaching — all at no cost to families.

Since 2018, the number of families served has in-creased 300% due to the pandemic, 2020 wildfires, and the 2023 floods. Their work is fueled by empathy, and they work to move away from paradigms of blame, shame, and punish-ment toward one of solutions, con-nection, and respect.

The event will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos. Program includes open bar (5:30-6:30 pm), hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and a celebration of the award winners. n Tickets are $75 per person online at pvhealthtrust.org/rather-awards-2024 or email Eli Garnica, development associate, egarnica@ pvhealthtrust.org

Metro’s electric buses show off images of Monterey Bay wildlife for the One Ride at a Time campaign.

Mónica Morales

Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Inc.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WANTED: PVUSD STUDENT TRUSTEE

PVUSD is searching for the 2024-25 Student Trustee, who provides a student perspective on issues to the school board, which meets twice a month on Wednesday nights.

If your student will be in 11th or 12th grade next year and is interested in civic engagement, invite them to apply at https://tinyurl.com/PVUSD-Student-Trustee-24-25.

Deadline is Sunday May 19.

Selected students will be invited to a 15-minute interview Thursday, May 23 between 4:30 and 6 p.m. The new student trustee will be introduced Aug. 19.

APTOS LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Mon-Thur: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Closed Sunday • 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos

First and Third Wednesdays

Welcome to Pilates at the Library! Fitness and relaxation

– and free from 12:30-1:30 p.m. This Pilates class is all about sculpting muscles, improving flexibility, and finding your inner zen, surrounded by books and knowledge.

This is a Bring Your Own Mat situation, and space is on a first come basis - so come a few minutes early if you can! Also, bring a water bottle.

All Levels Welcome: Our experienced instructor will guide you through each move, offering modifications and challenges for every skill level.

Energizing : Get ready to groove to some upbeat tunes while you tone muscles and work on your core strength. This class is designed to be enjoyable and engaging, so you’ll leave feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Sundays

First Sunday: ACT Advisory Council of Teens: 11 am to 1 pm

Mondays

Bridge Club, 10:30-noon, partnership with County Parks, except for Monday holidays

Writers Workshop, 1-3 p.m. 2nd & 4th Mondays

Tech Help in person, 1-3 p.m. weekly. Make an appointment (831-427-7713)

First Monday: SciFi Flicks, 6-8 p.m. Snacks provided. Scheduled movies for 2024:

June: The Sixth Sense

July: Independence Day

August.: Beetlejuice

September: The Truman Show

October: The Addams Family

November: Everything Everywhere All At Once December: Nightmare Before Christmas

Tuesdays

Storytime for ages 3-5, 11-11:30 am weekly Aptos Youth Chess Club, 3:30-4:30 pm weekly Wednesdays

First and Third Wednesdays: Tales to Tails: Kids age 6-17 read to dogs, 3:30-4:30 pm. Must make appointment: 831-427-7713 Through June 18

First and Third Wednesdays: Pilates Classes: 12:30-1:30 p.m. (Bring your own yoga mat please)

Programs are first come first serve, and beginner friendly. Minecraft for ages 8-18, 3:30-5:30 pm Thursdays

Tai Chi, 10-11 am weekly

Mah Jongg 2-4 p.m. weekly

READ Help for Kids 3-5 pm weekly by appointment. Ages 6 to 18 with credentialed teachers. Email elibrary@ santacruzpl.org

First Thursdays: Friends of Aptos Library Meeting, 5-6 pm.

Second Thursdays: Book Discussions, 1-2:30 pm online and in-person. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/11782362

Fridays

Third Fridays: Bring Your Own Book Discussion, 11 am12:30pm

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com by May 22

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WALL OF HOPE

The Wall of Hope is designed to support Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission of alleviating hunger in our community.

Tiles range from $700 to $2,000. Proceeds support Second Harvest and will be viewed by visitors to the food bank for years to come.

The Wall of Hope is located on the patio, just outside Second Harvest’s main entrance. The tiles will be previewed at the Party in the Parking Lot event.

For more information, contact Michele Bassi at (831) 288-3002 or e-mail michele@thefoodbank.org

Tiles can be purchased at https://give.thefoodbank.org/ campaigns/32191-wall-of-hope.

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY

When the next disaster strikes, hundreds of amateur radio (ham radio) operators will be ready to assist government agencies in Santa Cruz County and beyond. These volunteers will demonstrate their radio skills during their annual Field Day event on Saturday, June 22, in Aptos.

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The general public is welcome to attend and participate. Admission is free.

This year’s Field Day site is in the large open field behind Sevy’s (Severino’s) on State Park Drive in Aptos. It is the former site of Par 3 Golf Course and the three large aluminum antenna poles by Highway 1. Follow directional signs from the entrance on Old Dominion Court off State Park Drive.

PARK RX

Santa Cruz County Parks offers free fitness and tai chi classes for people 50+ at Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel.

Gentle fitness with anaerobic conditioning and stretching started Tuesday April 9 at 9:30 a.m. Consult with your physician before you begin.

Tai Chi for beginners is 1-2 p.m. Wednesday and Friday from May 22 to July 19.

Wear sturdy, supportive footwear and bring water. Information: scparks.com

SUMMER ITALIAN CLASSES

Registration is now open for summer Italian language classes with Dante Alighieri Society.

Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with native Italian-speaking Instructors. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between, you will have an opportunity to practice via reading and discussion. The 8-week session has in-person classes and online classes. Read the

GIANT DIPPER TURNS 100

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is celebrating Giant Dipper turning 100 years old on May 17 with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on the Main Beach in Santa Cruz.

Starting May 29, rides on the Big Dipper will be $1 — retro price — every Wednesday through Aug. 7.

The Big Dipper has been continuously operating in its original location since May 17, 1924. It is the 4th oldest operating roller coaster in the U.S., and one of the top 10 oldest in the world.

descriptions carefully to determine the best class for you. The cost varies. The last day to register is June 9.

Classes start mid-June.

To register go to: www.dantesantacruz.com/classes

WORLD’S SHORTEST PARADE: APTOS

10 a.m., Corner Soquel Drive & State Park Drive

Now is the time to sign up to participate in the Fourth of July World’s Shortest Parade!

Party-in-the-Park follows, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. in Aptos Village Park with music by James Durbin & the Lost Boys. To participate in the parade, call 831-688-1467. https://aptoschamber.com/event/worlds-shortest-parade-aptos/

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES

Santa Cruz

May 28 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Scotts Valley

May 18: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Philips Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive

May 31: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 5030 Scotts Valley Drive

Watsonville

May 21: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

May 24: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

May 25: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

To donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-7332767).

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION

Pajaro Valley Unified School District welcomes new families for the 2024-25 school year.

To register your children, make an appointment at one of these locations before Aug. 3.

PVUSD District Office, 294 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, open Mondays and Wednesdays, 7am-3:30pm. (831) 786-2365

PVUSD Wellness Center, 540 Palm Ave, Watsonville, open Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm. (831) 786-2365

Bring proof of address, birth certificate for each child, immunization records for each child. Bring your child if registering for kindergarten.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

The nonprofit California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation offers a scholarship for students from the California Central Coast.

Eligible students must come from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or Ventura counties.

Candidates apply by visiting CLCCCF.org, where details about criteria and process are available. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. May 31.

SCLERODERMA SUPPORT GROUP

The Scleroderma Foundation of California announces a new support group for people living in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

The Monterey Bay Support Group will bring together individuals with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other areas of the body.

The support group will be led by volunteers Cheri O’Neil of Live Oak and Annette Rahn of Carmel. The mission of the Scleroderma Foundation of California is to empower patients to live better lives through programs dedicated to support, education, and research.

The support group will start by offering virtual meetings, with the goal of meeting monthly in person at a location convenient for members.

To learn more, email mbsclero@gmail.com. The foundation’s website is www.myscleroderma.org.

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November.

Remaining dates are May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3.

There is no meeting in September or November.

Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.

For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

The Aptos Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

First Wednesdays

SONS IN RETIREMENT

Time TBD, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz

SIR (Sons In Retirement) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical public benefit organization of senior men. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of its members through social events while making friends.

The Twin Valleys, Santa Cruz Branch welcomes new members and meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Ray Disperati at 831-588-8876 for information.

Last Wednesday of the Month

PV HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS

6 p.m., Watsonville Community Hospital Community Room, 85 Nielson St.

Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, which oversees Watsonville Community Hospital, is holding monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month through 2024, except Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 due to the holidays.

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

Last Thursdays of the Month CARS ON THE COURSE

6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Love cars? Seascape Golf Club will host “Cars on the Course” through October. All cars are welcome (but not sideshows).

Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP

10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

Sundays THE FARM & GARDEN MARKET

11 a.m., 3 p.m., Corralitos Cultural Center, 127 Hames Road

The Farm & Garden Market is a small, friendly, open air market made up of local farmers and gardeners who grow within a five-mile radius of Corralitos at the Corralitos Cultural Center.

Seasonally there are strawberries, blueberries, cherries, lemons, tomatoes, herbs, squash, potatoes, carrots, peas, beets, and avocados, as well fruits, vegetables, lettuces and salad greens. Bakers offer treats, and there may be beautiful potted flowers, handmade natural soaps, and homemade jams and preserves.

The market is open to those who grow anything from a garden to a good back yard fruit tree.

For a booth, a $5 donation is requested to the CVREA, the nonprofit that maintains the Corralitos Cultural Center. For inquiries, contact Wayne Miller: wayne@catalyst2001.com / (831) 724-1332

Third Sundays of the Month

ANTIQUE FAIR & FLEA MARKET

9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive

Clark’s Auction presents a monthly Antique Fair & Flea Market on the third Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, starting March 17.

Admission tickets are $8 at https://www.eventeny.com/ events/ticket/?id=9559&action=ticket&action_ticket=14707

Earlybird tickets are $15 to get in at 7 a.m.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday May 18

MARCH TO END HOMELESSNESS

10 a.m., Santa Cruz City Hall, 809 Center St. Housing Matters announces the second annual March to End Homelessness in Santa Cruz County will be at Santa Cruz City Hall.

Attendees will hear from local leaders, advocates and people who have been homeless about the importance of “Housing as a Human Right.” The march will finish with a Resource Fair of services.

Partners include Abode Services, Association of Faith Communities, Homeless Garden Project, Housing Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Public Defenders Office, the Free Guide and Wings Homeless Advocacy.

“Last year, we had a great turnout of around 500 people and this year we’re hoping even more community members come out to show their support,” said Phil Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of Housing Matters. “The March is not just a symbolic show of solidarity for those experiencing homelessness. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the actions that the City and County and the whole continuum of care, including Housing Matters and all the other service providers, are taking to support our unhoused neighbors.”

For information, visit: housingmatterssc.org/event/march2024

SANTA CRUZ BIBLE CHALLENGE

7-9 p.m., VFW Hall, 2259 7th Ave., Santa Cruz Believers, non-believers and the curious are all invited to attend the 2024 Santa Cruz Bible Challenge, featuring Steve Gregg of “The Narrow Path” radio show at VFW Hall.

Attendees are welcome to ask their most challenging questions about the Bible. Gregg, whose listener-supported show airs live every weekday on 80+ radio stations across 30 states, will respond.

There is no charge for this event, but seating is limited. RSVP to SCBibleChallenge@gmail.com

For information: https://thenarrowpath.com/announcements

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

BEATLES FOREVER CONCERT

Saturday May 18 • Sunday May 19

7 p.m. Sat. | 2 p.m. Sun., Performing Arts Center, 1 Mariner Way, Aptos. Aptos High School choir presents the “Beatles Forever” concert at the Performing Arts Center in Aptos. The concert features Aptos High and Aptos Junior choirs and soloists. Aptos High School rock bands will perform when doors open 30 minutes before the concert. General admission is $8; and $5 for students.

HISTORY FAIR

12-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Mission State Park, 144 School St., Santa Cruz

The sixth annual Santa Cruz County History Fair is coming to Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

This year’s theme is “Passport to the Past.” The free event will feature tours, lectures and tables hosted by local historians. The Park is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the adobe’s completion!

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is a co-sponsor, with California State Parks and the Capitola Historical Museum. Parking is limited; park downtown and walk to the Mission. For more info: https://www.parks.ca.gov/EventDetails/15734

Sunday May 19

CHINESE GOLD BOOK DISCUSSION WITH SANDY LYDON AND GEORGE OW

12 - 2 p.m, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, local historians Sandy Lydon and George Ow will host an in-depth group discussion of Lydon’s book Chinese Gold: The Chinese in the Monterey Bay Region at the Capitola Branch Library.

Attendees will learn about the significant contributions our Chinese community has made to Santa Cruz County, the challenges they faced and overcame, and current efforts to preserve this rich history and make it available for generations to come.

Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/12414030

The Library has 20 copies of the book that can be provided in advance of the program to those who register.

A PDF version of the book is also available to registrants. To receive the PDF version of the book, email cowend@ santacruzpl.org after registering.

Monday May 20

COMING TO PVUSD: PARENTSQUARE

6:30-7:30 p.m., Online meeting PVUSD is streamlining communications and moving to ParentSquare, a company founded in 2014 by Anupama

This concert comes from Australia and is based on author, ornithologist and conservationist Kenn Kaufman’s book.

A musical and visual journey from the shores of Lake Erie across the Americas, this 50-minute performance stars three internationally acclaimed musicians, and features spectacular visuals and a newly commissioned score by The Brothers Balliett.

Also on the program is ‘Rivers are our Brothers’, a 20-minute song cycle by Majel Connery on ecological responsibility told from the point of view of the land. Commissioned by Musica Sierra and created with Learning Landscapes, an educational program of the Feather River Land Trust.

Performers: Majel Connery, vocals, keyboard with The Bowerbird Collective, Simone Slattery, violin, vocals, and Anthony Albrecht, cello.

Tickets are: Adults $35, seniors $30, under 19 & students $5 at https://events.humanitix.com/a-season-on-the-wind-santa-cruz Photo Credit: Charley Harper Art Studio

Tuesday May 28

HOUSING SOLUTIONS PANEL

6-8 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road

Better Santa Cruz is partnering with Housing Matters to present a diverse panel to discuss all things Housing Solutions at Capitola Libraryitola.

Topics include Where we are now, current policies, and where to go from here.

Information: Email bettersantacruz.org

Wednesday May 29

SANTA CRUZ LAUNCHPAD JOB FAIR

Vaid, a computer engineer and mother of two, to better connect schools with families to improve student outcomes and school success.

Family Engagement Team will dedicate the mini-Monday session to learning all about ParentSquare; this is a virtual meeting.

See https://tinyurl.com/MMEng520

Tuesday May 21

HOUSING MEET-UP

6 p.m., Beer Thirty, 2504 S Main St, Soquel Better Santa Cruz, with Stronger Santa Cruz, is hosting a meet-up at Beer Thirty in honor of Affordable Housing Month.

A laid back, informal opportunity to connect and learn with the community.

Meet, discuss all things housing, and get to know your neighbors! First District Supervisor Manu Koenig will be there, so bring your questions.

RSVP at bettersantacruz.org

Thursday May 23

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: CHILDREN OF PEACE

7 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road

The Capitola Library will screen “Children of Peace,” the final film in the Jewish Film Festival.

The documentary is about dreamers who founded a community of Arabs and Jews, Neve Shalom, in 1970s Israel, and children who grew up there, now adults, that must deal with the reality of war.

Friday May 24

CABRILLO COLLEGE GRADUATION

4 p.m., Cabrillo College, 6500 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos Cabrillo College will host its graduation ceremony at Carl Conelly Stadium.

More details will be released soon.

MUSIC FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS

7:30-9 p.m., Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz, Ranch View Road, The Bowerbird Collective presents “A Season on the Wind | Music for Migratory Birds” at Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn.

1-7 p.m., Coconut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz

In today’s fiercely competitive job market, finding and attracting top talent is more challenging than ever. Traditional recruitment methods are time-consuming and often fail to connect employers with the best candidates. If you’re tired of staring at a screen and pages and pages of text, come meet your next employee in person at Santa Cruz Launchpad

Hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Launchpad is a two-part event with a student pitch competition from 1-4 p.m. and a community job fair from 5-7 p.m., all at the Coconut Grove. The fee for participating businesses is $250.

Friday May 31

CAPITOLA ART & WINE KICKOFF PARTY

6-9 p.m., Bargetto Winery Creekside Courtyard, 3535 N Main St, Soquel

It’s Art & Wine Kickoff time ... on the beautiful creekside courtyard at Bargetto Winery.

Enjoy Italian cuisine while sipping local wines from Festival wineries. Bid on fabulous silent auction items featuring art pieces donated by Festival artists, and gift baskets from local businesses. See the official 2024 poster.

All attendees (must be 21+) will receive the official 2024 Capitola Art & Wine Festival glass for wine tasting. Tickets: $50.

Hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, this is a fundraiser in support of the 41st annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival, to be held Sept 14 & 15 in Capitola Village.

Saturday June 1

WINE, BEER AND ART WALK

1–5 p.m., Downtown Watsonville

The City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture are pleased to partner together to present our 5th Annual Wine, Beer and Art walk. Event goers will receive a sampling and souvenir cup and passport featuring all downtown locations for one tasting at each site. Sample several wineries and breweries.

“Calendar” page 31

Nearly 100 Citations for Unpermitted Vacation Rentals

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Until the last decade there were no caps, and very limited regulations, on vacation rentals throughout the county. However, growing concerns over the loss of housing and the commercialization of neighborhoods led the Board of Supervisors to ultimately restrict the total number of rentals within designated zones (generally speaking the coastal area of the county) and also create a set of new regulations and enforcement expectations for problematic vacation rentals.

Many operate in our county without issue, but for years those that were unpermitted or created neighborhood issues have done so with little recourse.

What are the current regulations?

This is a brief overview of some of the key regulatory requirements:

3) Noticing/Input requirements so neighborhoods could have a public process to express concerns

4) A waiting list program for those looking to apply for permits as they become available

5) Taxation requirements (rentals are required to pay transient-occupancy-tax at a set rate)

6) Establish a revocation procedure for problematic rentals

1) Rates capped at specific levels for both vacation rentals and hosted rentals in the designated areas in the county. This means that new permits wouldn’t be issued unless a permit became available through non-renewal, revocation, transfer of ownership etc. This provides for current levels of supply but limits additional negative impacts on longterm housing.

2) Parking requirements (to minimize onstreet and neighborhood impacts)

How Can Permits be Revoked?

One of the key parts of the discussion was ensuring that problematic properties have a permit revocation process. For those without any issues, permits can be renewed every 5 years. For properties with violations, including running a vacation rental without a permit, criminal and/or County Code or Health Order violations are proposed as potential reasons for revocation.

How Does the Permit Wait List Work?

When permits open up, the Board of Supervisors wanted a program that was administered fairly and impartially.

Prospective applicants would submit a Waiting List Request Form and payment to staff and all parcels on the list would be tracked by staff and mapped on a GIS Vacation Rental Waiting List Map. The program is structured as a first come, first served system.

What Enforcement Has Been Done This Year?

Using some of the funds generated by the rentals, the County has hired code enforcement staff who, among other duties, will enforce on complaints and even take rentals to revocation hearings.

As part of this, the Board required annual reports on the enforcement program to include the number of complaints received by the

Sheriff’s Office, the length of time it takes to resolve such complaints, number of active permits that have been recommended for revocation, how many are advertising but not registered with the County, how many hearings have been held and how many permits have been revoked or denied. County staff has completed its first annual report to the Board and that report showed enforcement efforts have begun.

The initial effort to conduct proactive enforcement resulted in warning letters sent to 385 property owners for lack of compliance on a number of issues — with the primary issue being an unregistered rental and some not paying taxes on the rentals.

Many came into compliance by changing the unit to a long-term rental while a handful applied for a formal permit to operate and others submitted delinquent taxes.

Ultimately, Code Enforcement has issued

nearly 100 citations for unpermitted rentals with about half coming from our district. Additionally, two revocation hearings were conducted by the County and those hearings are ongoing.

Code Enforcement added a quick link to simplify the reporting of alleged violations on properties with vacation rentals or hosted rental permits. This new feature is called the “vacation rental complaint form” and the community an easy way to report issues. If you visit www.santacruzcountyca.gov and click on the Planning Department you will see “Report a Code Violation” option on the front page. n

I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

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

SCCAS Featured Pet

Ready to be Your BFF

Our Pet of the Week is Seamus (#A311461)! This Great Pyrenees mix came into the Shelter as a stray found on highway 129 in Santa Cruz County. He is estimated to be about 4 years old. We aren’t too sure of his life before the Shelter but have observed the following while he has been in our care:

• Easy going fella who has the occasional bouncy playful burst when hanging out in the fenced in exercise yards at the Shelter

• Met male and female dogs at the Shelter and have greeted, coexisted and, with some individuals, even played with them. He has been very gentle and easy on the leash with volunteers- a very sweet boy who is popular here at SCCAS.

Seamus was recently neutered at the Shelter and ready to be someone’s BFF. We do not have any history of him with small animals, cats and/or livestock however a thoughtful, slow introduction may result in a successful cohabitation in his next home. Seamus may also enjoy a calm canine companion, but all resident dogs must meet at the Shelter before adoption. Seamus may do well with sturdy dog savvy kids as well.

This gentle giant is so sweet and can’t wait to meet his new family! n

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. 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

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

“Calendar” from page 29

This event will be held in Beautiful, Historic Downtown Watsonville.

This event is a great way for locals and people from out of town to experience great local wines, craft beers, delicious food and artwork made by talented local artists while they stroll our historical downtown.

This event is extremely popular and sells out each year. Get your tickets early!

Ticket Price: $40 (Tickets will increase to $45 on May 18.)

Thursday May 30

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CAREER FAIR

4-7 p.m., Government Center, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz The County of Santa Cruz is hosting a career fair at the county Government Center.

If you are ready to make your next career move, or if you’re curious about what the County has to offer, stop by and meet staff from departments within the County.

Parking in the lot will be free.

WHY GO FIREWISE

5:30-8 p.m. Seventh Day Adventist Conference Center, 1931 Soquel San Jose Road, Soquel

FireSafe Santa Cruz County hosts a free community event, “Why Go Firewise,” at the Seventh Day Adventist Conference Center.

Staff from Central Fire and CalFire will talk about the critical role Firewise communities play in wildfire safety and evacuation.

Firewise leaders will be on hand, and homeowners can learn what they can do. Ice cream will be served.

Saturday June 1

POTLUCK PICNIC ITALIANO

Noon – 4 p.m., Thomas Family Farm, Aptos Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz invites you to the 2nd Annual Dante Scampagnata (Day Out in the Countryside) Potluck Picnic Italiano at the Thomas Family Farm.

Live music, tour the working farm, visit the owner’s small art gallery with fruit & flower stand, and play corn-hole toss. Bring a favorite Italian dish to share, labeled with its name and the Italian region of origin, and a beverage to share.

To reduce paper and plastic waste, bring your own plate, cup and utensils. Location, Italian cookies, sodas, and waters will be provided by Dante.

Limited tickets are at: https://bit.ly/Picnic-Italiano Cost: $10 for members & $20 for non-members. Registration & payment must be in by May 27, not at the door. Parking information will be emailed to participants once registration and payment are complete. Proceeds will be used to fund Dante’s Cabrillo scholarship program & the Film & Lecture Series.

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN GRAND OPENING

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville

This family-friendly free event will feature food, music, demonstrations, plant sale, children’s activities, and more. Visit mbmg.ucanr.edu for information.

Sunday June 2

DOUBLE RAINBOW: MARIGOLD FINE POETRY & MUSINGS

2 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

In her new memoir, **Double Rainbow: Collected Poems & Memoir Musings**, Marigold Fine tells of a Chicago childhood in the 1950s, a move West seeking spiritual life in the natural world, and creating a career as a video producer/documentary filmmaker.

The founder of Full Circle Video Productions, she lives in Santa Cruz with her husband Jim Stanford, writes, and performs locally with NextStage Theater.

She will present an afternoon of poetry and musings at the Capitola Branch Library.

She brings her writing friends for brief readings of their works. Carolyn Davis Rudolph is co-owner of the local restaurant, Charlie Hong Kong and a food activist who believes in feeding the community healthy, organic food and supporting local farmers. Judy Phillips is a long-time Santa Cruz resident, and a gifted writer and storyteller.

The book will be available for purchase and signing. Light refreshments will be provided.

Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12436255 to assist in planning refreshments.

Thursday June 6 thru Sunday June 9

45TH ANNUAL MUSICAL ‘RAMAYANA!’

7 p.m. Thurs/Fri | 2 p.m. Sat/Sun, Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose Mount Madonna School will present the 45th annual musical production of Ramayana! — a timeless classic — at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. Watch students take the roles of Hanuman the warrior, the monkeys, Prince Rama and Prince Lakshmana, journeying to Lanka to rescue Princess Sita. Listen to traditional and contemporary music, and more than a dozen original standout songs.

Admire the costumes, the masks, the sets and props. Every item in the show is a work of handmade art.

“The production of ‘Ramayana!’ has been central to Mount Madonna School since its founding,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “With this show, we carry forward a tradition inspired by Baba Hari Dass (1923-2018) and supported by the Mount Madonna Center. It’s the culmination of months of work during the academic year and is a year-end celebration for our community embracing diversity and creative self-expression. The Ramayana is a timeless classic teaching the universal values of truth, duty, love and service to the greater good. As students work together to prepare for this ambitious show, they embody the values embedded in the Ramayana.” All seats are reserved. Tickets range from $30 to $55 at Ramayana.BrownPaperTickets.com

Saturday June 8

Sunday June 9

© Statepoint Media

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz welcomes the community to the new Demonstration & Teaching Garden at Pinto Lake County Park.

This demonstration garden was established to provide hands-on community education for sustainable gardening practices.

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

9 a.m.-5 p.m., Capitola Village Capitola Village will host the 14th Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show.

Presented by the Capitola Foundation, this familyfriendly event features more than 200 classic cars plus vendor booths in the seaside village. Streets in the village will be closed for this event.

Register at https://www.capitolafoundation.com/classic-car-show

Saturday June 15

FREE WELLNESS TALK

12:30-1:30 p.m., Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road

Dr. Tom Yarema, a local practice MD, speaker/educator and volunteer for the nonprofit Foundation for Wellness Professionals, will give a free talk at the Capitola Library. His topic will be “What To Do When Viagra/Cialis Fails For Erectile Dysfunction.” n

Marigold Fine