Family Owned For 35 Years • Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom & Watsonville
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September 15 2026 • Vol 35 No. 18
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Fairgrounds Buzz With Activity Ahead of County Fair
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was a beehive of activity Saturday, Sept. 12, as employees, volunteers and members of the public prepared for the Santa Cruz County Fair, which started Sept. 16 and runs through Sept. 20. Full Story page 22
PVUSD, Teachers Union Reach Tentative Labor Agreement Full Story page 11
A look at the Parking Lot in question at the corner of Soquel Drive and Trout Gulch Road.
Trial Delayed in RTC Dispute Over Aptos Parking Lots By JON CHOWN The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission filed the lawsuit Oct. 2, 2023. It asks the court to settle competing ownership claims to about 3,452 square feet of a parking lot at 403 Trout Gulch Road. ... continues on page 4
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An affordable housing project in the Freedom area is turning out to be a family affair. The 13-home development, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, aims to attract families with kids on land donated partially from the Fiorovich Family, who named the project’s main street Evan Circle, after their son Evan. Full Story page 7
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A trial over who owns part of an Aptos parking lot is on hold as both sides wrangle over evidence, asking the judge to intervene. Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda Kosofsky Cogliati is scheduled to consider several motions Sept. 24.
Habitat for Humanity Hails Evan Circle Project
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Cover Trial Delayed in RTC Dispute Over Aptos Parking Lot, By Jon Chown 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24
Community News Moss Landing BESS Cleanup Enters Final Phase: Community Group Skeptical of Both Business and Government, By Jon Chown Habitat for Humanity Hails Evan Circle Project: 13 Homes Offered to FirstTime Buyers, By Claudia Iseman Santa Cruz Celebrates Grand Opening of 50 Affordable Apartments: Jessie Street Terrace Provides Deeply Affordable Homes with Supportive Services New MRI and CT Imaging Now Available at Watsonville Community Hospital: The Measure N-funded Diagnostic Imaging Systems Enhance Patient Care RTC Pushes Back on Grand Jury’s Rail Findings: Absolves Itself of Blame in Changing Cost Estimates PVUSD, Teachers Union Reach Tentative Labor Agreement Santa Cruz County Preps for Winter Storms, Roads, Levees, Drainage Systems and More are Inspected Supervisors Table Discussion on Changing Board Compensation, By Jon Chown Village Santa Cruz County Becomes Independent Nonprofit AI Disruption Expected to Unfold Gradually, Economist Says: Artificial Intelligence Conference Held at CSUMB, By Jon Chown • Agricultural AI Adoption ‘Inevitable, But Slow,’ Says Industry Leader, By Jon Chown Felton Bridge Closed Through Oct. 9: Tree Removal and Replacement Preparations Happening on San Lorenzo Way Bridge Meeting to Address Invasive Beetle Threat • Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Marks 50 Years • METRO Offers Free Rides to County Fair Fairgrounds Buzz With Activity Ahead of County Fair, By Jon Chown She Makes A Village: Artist Uses Gingerbread as Her Medium, By Jon Chown Study Finds 4,672 Vacation Homes in Santa Cruz County Area • County Announces State of the Country Address
In Memoriam 13 Charles Robert Keller: 1939 ~ 2026 Crime Watch 14 Bicyclist Dies After Collision on Soquel Drive Letter to the Editor 24 Aptos High Students Will Suffer With No 7th Period Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Autumn Begins, Days of Awe, the Light That Moves to Rest, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar | Arts & Entertainment • Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 25 Reincarnate as a Bond Trader, By Marc Cuniberti 30 Why Do So Many Teens Want a Mental Health Label?, By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
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“Parking Lot Trial Delayed” from page 1 The RTC sued Laurie Negro and Juan Valledor, the former owners of the property, along with Trout Gulch Crossing, Cristina Locke and Bayview Hotel in Aptos LLC. Betty 41st LLC, which now owns the property and is associated with Betty’s Burgers, was later added to the case. The RTC says the disputed land is part of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, which stretches from Watsonville to Davenport. The agency bought the 32-mile rail corridor from Union Pacific Railroad in 2012. The RTC claims it owns the disputed land outright. Betty 41st and other defendants argue that the railroad received only the right to use the land for railroad purposes. The trial had been expected to begin this summer. At a June 18 hearing, the court struggled to find an open courtroom and said a trial could not begin before July 13. But now, months later, a trial date has still not been set. The dispute centers on a deed signed by Jose Arano on Dec. 30, 1876, and recorded in January 1877. The deed gave the Santa Cruz Railroad Company land for a railroad right of way, its main track, a side track and a depot. Both sides trace their claimed property rights to that deed. However, they disagree over what Arano gave to the railroad. The RTC argues that the deed gave the railroad full ownership of the property. That type of ownership is known as “fee simple.” Betty 41st argues that the deed created only an easement, which would give the railroad
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the right to use the property without owning the land beneath it.
Two Sides Make Their Claim
The RTC filed an amended trial brief Sept. 10 laying out its case. The agency points to language in the deed granting the railroad “all that certain tract of land.” It argues that the words describe a transfer of the land itself, not simply permission to use it. The RTC also points to language stating that the deed’s terms would apply to the “heirs, assigns and successors” of Arano and the railroad company. The agency argues that those words support its claim that Arano transferred full ownership. Another part of the deed allowed Arano to keep the right to cross the property to reach his remaining land. The RTC argues that Arano would not have needed to reserve a crossing right if he still owned the property. The agency also argues that the term “right of way” does not always mean an easement. In some deeds, the term describes land owned by a railroad and used as a transportation route. Betty 41st offers a different reading of the same document. The company argues that the words “for a right of way” show that Arano allowed the railroad to use the property for a limited purpose. It also points to several limits placed on the railroad. The deed required the railroad to keep access open to Arano’s property. It restricted where tracks and switches could be built and barred most structures other than tracks and a platform. It also
limited the storage of lumber, stone, dirt and other freight on the land. Betty 41st argues that those limits, along with the lack of a cash payment to Arano, show that the railroad received an easement instead of full ownership. Betty 41st said the disputed area has been used for customer and tenant parking since at least the 1940s. The RTC says the property remained with the railroad through several company mergers. According to the agency’s trial brief, the Santa Cruz Railroad Company later became part of the Pajaro and Santa Cruz Railroad Company and then Southern Pacific Railroad. Southern Pacific later merged with Union Pacific, which transferred the branch line to the RTC through a quitclaim deed in 2012. In addition to the dispute over the 1876 deed, the two sides are fighting over what documents and testimony the judge should allow at trial. Betty 41st filed a motion asking the judge to block the RTC from using an owner’s title insurance policy and preliminary title reports as proof that it owns the land. A First American Title Insurance Co. policy issued when the RTC bought the rail line described the agency’s interest as fee simple. The RTC cited that policy in its trial brief. Betty 41st argues that a title insurance policy is a contract that protects a buyer against certain financial losses. It does not decide or prove who owns the property, the company said. Betty 41st also said the RTC’s policy contained broad exceptions
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said the county Department of Public Works did not sign the agreement, even though it was listed as one of the parties. It also claimed that the agreement contains no words transferring property from the agency to Negro or Valledor, and argues that the agreement states that none of its terms should be treated as an admission that earlier claims were true or false. According to the RTC, the agreement required Negro, Valledor and the trust to release claims connected to the crossing project. The RTC said it did not release any claim to ownership of the disputed land. The case has also included a long fight over the RTC’s release of records to Betty 41st. On Aug. 27, Cogliati granted part of a Betty 41st request to enforce an earlier discovery order but denied other parts. Discovery is the court process that requires each side to share records and other evidence before trial. Betty 41st argued that the RTC had not clearly said whether it had produced all the requested documents. The company asked the judge to impose financial penalties and decide certain issues in its favor. The judge ordered the RTC to file a statement explaining whether it had produced the records, could not find them or was refusing to release them because of a legal objection. The judge declined to impose any penalties. The RTC filed its statement Sept. 1 and said it had already released records related to the branch line and the 2020 settlement. It said other documents were protected by attorney-client privilege or rules covering an attorney’s work. The RTC said it gave Betty 41st a list identifying the records it withheld. The agency also said it could not find communications between the RTC and earlier railroad owners about the disputed property. It identified Union Pacific, based in Omaha, Nebraska, as a company that might have some of those records. n ••• The court had not yet ruled on the Sept. 10 evidence motions as of Sept. 14, when this publication was sent to print. The case is Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission v. Trout Gulch Crossing, case No. 23CV02345.
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involving deeds that used the term “right of way” or transferred property for railroad purposes. The company said other title insurance records reached a different conclusion. According to its court filing, an Old Republic policy described the disputed area as an easement. Betty 41st said First American also described the land as an easement in a 2006 lender’s policy. Betty 41st is not asking the judge to ban the title records for every purpose. Its attorneys said the documents could still be used to show what the parties knew or to challenge a witness’s testimony. The company wants to prevent the RTC from presenting the policies as direct proof of ownership. The RTC also filed three motions of its own. In the first, the agency asks the judge to block many documents and statements created after the 1876 deed. The RTC argues that the deed must be read based on its own words and that later records cannot be used to change its meaning. The agency’s second motion asks the judge to exclude county parcel maps, property numbers and related statements by county surveyors and assessor-recorder employees. The RTC argues that recording a parcel map does not transfer ownership. It also says assessor parcel numbers are used to collect taxes and are not proof of a property’s legal boundaries or ownership. In its third motion, the RTC asks the court to exclude a 2020 settlement involving the closure of the Bayview railroad crossing and the opening of another crossing at Parade Street. The agreement involved the RTC, Negro, Valledor, the VN Living Trust, a developer, Swenson Builders and the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works. Betty 41st argues that the agreement supports its claim because the RTC signed a document describing the land as property belonging to Negro and Valledor. The document allowed workers to enter the property and close the Bayview crossing. The RTC argues that the agreement dealt only with closing the crossing and did not decide who owned the land. The agency also
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COVER STORY
The agency points to language in the deed granting the railroad “all that certain tract of land.” It argues that the words describe a transfer of the land itself, not simply permission to use it. The RTC also points to language stating that the deed’s terms would apply to the “heirs, assigns and successors” of Arano and the railroad company. The agency argues that those words support its claim that Arano transferred full ownership. Another part of the deed allowed Arano to keep the right to cross the property to reach his remaining land. The RTC argues that Arano would not have needed to reserve a crossing right if he still owned the property. The agency also argues that the term “right of way” does not always mean an easement. In some deeds, the term describes land owned by a railroad and used as a transportation route.
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Moss Landing BESS Cleanup Enters Final Phase Community Group Skeptical of Both Business and Government By JON CHOWN
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MOSS LANDING — Federal officials say cleanup of the fire-damaged Vistra battery storage facility has entered its final phase, but a community group remains skeptical that the work will fully address the scope of the contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Sept. 8 that crews have begun demolishing the burned building and processing the remaining severely damaged batteries for disposal. The cleanup is due to the January 2025 fire at Vistra’s 300-megawatt battery energy storage facility, which spread a toxic plume of smoke for miles. Brian Roeder of Never Again Moss Landing said the cleanup is narrowly focused on material within Vistra’s property and does not resolve questions about contaminants released into neighboring communities and the environment. “The EPA is only responsible for what’s within the fence. They made that very clear,” Roeder said. “The problem is that this went beyond the fence.” Roeder said residents are relying on local, state and federal authorities to determine what was released, where it traveled and what should be done about contamination outside the facility. He feels the community is being let down at all levels of government. “None of that’s being addressed,” he said. “What we’re talking about is what’s inside the fence line, and yet this smoke carried this material throughout the entire region.” The EPA said the final phase will include removing battery material that was
previously inaccessible. Severely damaged batteries will be treated at the site so they can be transported safely to specialized disposal facilities. Remaining battery material and fire debris will be tested to determine how it should be handled before being taken to facilities approved under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The EPA said it intends to publish the test results on its Moss Landing response webpage. Material that can be separated for recycling will continue to be recycled. “The beginning of the final phase of battery removal at Moss Landing is a huge milestone in this unprecedented lithium-ion battery cleanup,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Martucci said in the announcement. “Thanks to our experts’ coordination and close oversight, we’re one step closer to safely eliminating the threat of these potentially dangerous batteries once and for all.” The EPA expects the removal work and demolition to be completed by mid-2027. Roeder said the EPA’s announcement could leave the public with the impression that the larger environmental and public health consequences of the fire are also being resolved. “There’s a lot of this kind of rote work that’s going on here, but I think the public has the impression that this is being addressed, and it’s not,” he said. “It’s not in a way that actually would help the community.” “BESS Cleanup” page 14
COMMUNITY NEWS
Habitat for Humanity Hails Evan Circle Project 13 Homes Offered to First-Time Buyers
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By CLAUDIA ISEMAN
n affordable housing project in the Freedom area is turning out to be a family affair. The 13-home development, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, aims to attract families with kids on land donated partially from the Fiorovich Family, who named the project’s main street Evan Circle, after their son Evan. “Our mission is to help families,” says Gabby Rubio, director of program services for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. Rubio led the “Dusty Boots Tour” of latest affordable housing project in Santa Cruz County, located off Airport Boulevard. Habitat for Humanity is eager to get the word out about the opportunities to apply, volunteer and donate to the affordable housing project. Organizers will hold regular on-site tours, along with social media blitzes and public affairs announcements to heighten awareness for those families who wish to become first-time homebuyers and volunteers who want to fulfill a need to give back to the community. “This project looks pretty amazing,” says Dusten Dennis, who teaches building and
construction at Aptos High. “I’m interested in recruiting some students to work on the project.” Joel Hooper from Santa Cruz attended
the tour Saturday and looks forward to volunteering. “It’s huge. I think it’s great! I’m happy to see more Section Eight Housing,” says Hooper.
Interim CEO for Habitat for Humanity Monterey, Tracy New, said the two-bedroom, two-bath; and three-bedroom, two-bath units are not considered Section Eight. New said the Evan Circle homes are meant for local families who can almost afford to buy a home, but with Skyrocketing housing costs in Santa Cruz County, they have been out bid of home ownership and need a little assistance. The majority of land for Evan Circle was donated by the city of Watsonville. Habitat for Humanity began planning the affordable housing community eight years ago. Creative financing involved a combination of CalHome grants, bank loans, donations and gifts in kind. “People in Santa Cruz have been amazing. There’s so many generous people,” said New. New said, in general, a family of four can’t earn more than $137,000 per year to qualify for the Evans Circle Project. Since housing prices are constantly on the rise, that number fluctuates. “Evan Circle” page 11
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SEPTEMBER 2026
Aptos Real Estate Update
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Santa Cruz Celebrates Grand Opening of 50 Affordable Apartments
Jessie Street Terrace Provides Deeply Affordable Homes with Supportive Services SANTA CRUZ — Community partners and public- and private-sector stakeholders recently celebrated the Grand Opening of MidPen Housing’s Jessie Street Terrace in Santa Cruz. Once a 14-room hotel, Jessie Street Terrace has been transformed into 50 studio apartments and a one-bedroom apartment that will be reserved for residents earning up to 20-50% of Area Median Income (AMI) ($27,692-$79,100 for households of one to two people). Nearly half of the homes are designated for veterans, and another third are set aside for people who have experienced homelessness. Project-based vouchers from the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County make every apartment even more affordable. “Jessie Street Terrace demonstrates the transformative impact of state investment in affordable housing,” said Matthew O. Franklin, MidPen President and CEO. “With financial support from the California Department of Housing and Community
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Development, this community has more than tripled in size, creating more homes and expanding the resources that help residents build stability and thrive.” Located within a mile of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with access to several bus lines, Jessie Street Terrace includes amenities such as a community room with kitchen, shared laundry and computer rooms, an outdoor terrace, and bike parking. MidPen Property Management professionally manages the property. Residents have access to a comprehensive array of on-site services, programs, and case management, thanks to a deep collaboration between MidPen Resident Services with the Palo Alto VA and County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency. Jessie Street Terrace is made possible through significant financial support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), including funding through the No Place Like Home Program, Veterans Housing and Homeless
Prevention Program (a first for MidPen), Loan Portfolio Restructuring Program and California Housing Accelerator Program. Additional funding comes from the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, JP Morgan Chase, Central California Alliance for Health, and Central Coast Community Energy. “We’re proud to provide construction and permanent financing for Jessie Street Terrace, delivering new affordable homes with on-site services in Santa Cruz,” said James Vossoughi, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking. “At J.P. Morgan, we believe strong communities create opportunity — and developments like this help make that possible by pairing stable housing with the support residents need to move forward.” The architect is The Paul Davis Partnership and the builder is Devcon Construction, Inc. n ••• To learn more about MidPen Housing, visit www.midpen-housing.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
New MRI and CT Imaging Now Available at Watsonville Community Hospital
The Measure N-funded Diagnostic Imaging Systems Enhance Patient Care WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Community Hospital recently announced that its new MRI and CT imaging systems, funded through voter-approved Measure N, are now available for patient care. The hospital received state licensing approval for the technology on Sept. 2, clearing the way for physicians to begin using it by the end of the month. The new equipment — a Philips Spectral CT 7500 and a Philips Ingenia Ambition 1.5T MRI — replaces aging systems that had become unreliable. These will provide key patient services on site at the hospital. Transportation, income and insurance status can make traveling for care difficult for many Pajaro Valley residents. Patients now can receive advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home, allowing physicians to make timely treatment decisions and helping reduce the need to transfer patients elsewhere solely for imaging. The new imaging systems will support emergency, cancer, stroke, orthopedic, surgical, cardiovascular and in-patient care.
“This is exactly what Measure N was intended to fund,” said Board Chair Tony Nunez. “Because of the support of local voters, our community now has access to state-of-the-art medical technology right here at Watsonville Community Hospital. This is an investment in the health and future of the Pajaro Valley.” When Watsonville Community Hospital returned to community ownership, it inherited aging facilities and equipment. Modern imaging quickly became a top priority — a need written directly into Measure N, the $116 million bond Pajaro Valley voters approved on March 5, 2024, with 68.26% support. Staff from the hospital’s imaging department evaluated available systems, visited other facilities, and assessed reliability and workflow before recommending the equipment. The Board approved the purchase in June 2025, authorizing up to $12 million for equipment, installation and construction. n
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COMMUNITY NEWS
RTC Pushes Back on Grand Jury’s Rail Findings
T
Absolves Itself of Blame in Changing Cost Estimates
he Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission mostly rejected a Civil Grand Jury report that accused the agency of decades of unrealistic planning, incomplete cost estimates and poor communication surrounding the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. Of the Grand Jury’s 17 findings, the RTC agreed with just five, partially disagreed with eight and fully disagreed with four. The RTC also maintained that seven of the Grand Jury’s eight recommendations had already been implemented. The RTC even disagreed that a 12-member governing board could result in deadlocked votes and rejected a recommendation to change it do an odd number. The responses were prepared by RTC staff and an ad hoc committee consisting of commissioners Kimberly DeSerpa, Gerry Jensen, Manu Koenig, Fred Keeley and Chair Eduardo Montesino. They were presented to the full commission Sept. 3. The agency has until Sept. 28 to submit its response to the presiding judge of Santa Cruz County Superior Court and the Grand Jury.
The Grand Jury’s report, “The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line: Competing Visions, Emerging Realities,” concluded that the RTC spent years considering options that were not sufficiently grounded in the corridor’s engineering, physical, legal and financial constraints. The report pointed to a nearly tenfold increase in passenger rail cost estimates. The RTC’s 2021 Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis placed capital costs at roughly $480 million, while the much more detailed 2025 Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail report estimated the 22-mile project at approximately $4.28 billion. The earlier report acknowledged that no engineering had been performed to support its estimate. The 2025 estimate also included about $34 million to $41 million in annual operating expenses, depending on whether a 20% contingency was applied. The RTC partially disagreed with the Grand Jury’s finding that its early studies failed to accurately estimate passenger rail costs and led to major decisions being made without a complete financial picture.
The agency did not dispute that the early estimates were inaccurate, but rejected any fault for it. Instead, it said it lacked money for extensive engineering studies before voters approved Measure D, the county’s half-cent transportation sales tax, in 2016. “Development of projects occurs over time that starts with high, planning-level work, followed by sequentially more detailed work based on availability of resources,” the RTC’s response said. “As time goes on, cost estimates become more accurate.” The RTC agreed that the $4.3 billion estimate requires the agency and community to reconsider the project’s feasibility, funding and implementation. However, it said passenger rail remains part of its long-term vision and that it would continue seeking opportunities to advance the project when funding and other conditions allow. The commission strongly rejected the Grand Jury’s broader conclusion that it lacked a unified strategy and had been “gripped by political paralysis.” The RTC said its 25-year Regional Transportation Plan serves as its “true north”
for allocating transportation money. It also cited its December 2025 decision to pursue an interim trail over the tracks in some areas while preserving passenger rail as a long-term goal. “The adopted vision for the branch line corridor is passenger and freight rail with a multi-use trail,” the response said. “Last December the Commission directed staff to implement this vision of both rail and trail — near-term trail and long-term rail, in a phased manner.” The RTC also rejected the Grand Jury’s finding that it historically failed to give the public complete and accurate information about the financial, engineering and legal challenges associated with developing the corridor, especially during the 2022 Measure D campaign. The report charged that, as a result, other advocacy groups came up with their own numbers and the public now struggles to understand what the actual costs will be. “Rail Findings Rejection” page 20
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PVUSD Teachers protest job cuts in front of the Watsonville Public Library in December.
PVUSD, Teachers Union Reach Tentative Labor Agreement WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District and Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement after 11 months of negotiations. The agreement reflects efforts to recognize educators’ work while maintaining the district’s financial and instructional stability, according to a joint announcement from the district and union. “Reaching this agreement required hard work, open dialogue and meaningful compromise from both sides of the table,”
Superintendent Heather Contreras said. “We are deeply grateful to PVFT leadership, our educators and our district bargaining team for their perseverance.” Contreras said the agreement will allow the school community to refocus its attention on supporting students and improving classroom outcomes. The agreement must be ratified by the union’s membership and approved by the PVUSD Board of Trustees before taking effect. “Tentative Labor Agreement” page 13
“Evan Circle” from page 7 Qualification also depends on a family’s individual circumstances. Home buyers are also obligated to perform 500 hours of time devoted to construction and volunteering at the future Habitat for Humanity community. Rubio says Evans circle received 91 applications for the first phase of homes to be completed and they’ve narrowed it down to eight potential buyers for the phase one units. Habitat for Humanity will begin taking applications for phase two in the summer of 2027. n For more info visit Habitatmontereybay.com
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 11
COMMUNITY NEWS
Santa Cruz County Preps for Winter Storms Roads, Levees, Drainage Systems and More are Inspected
SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County crews are preparing roads, drainage systems and flood-control infrastructure for winter weather, with seasonal monitoring and expanded after-hours response generally beginning in October. The annual preparations include inspecting culverts and levees, clearing drainage channels, testing pump stations, training road crews and preparing more than 40,000 sandbags for community distribution and emergency flood fighting. Major capital projects and extraordinary repairs are not included in the county’s annual winter preparation work. County road, drainage and emergency response operations generally go on winter watch in mid-October. Staff monitor weather forecasts, watershed conditions and locations with histories of flooding, erosion, debris flows and road damage. Before the rainy season, the county inspects, services and positions road, drainage and flood-response equipment so crews can respond quickly. The county also maintains supplies for flood fighting, traffic
confined-space procedures, fall protection and the safe operation of emergency equipment. Roadside preparation includes inspecting culverts, ditches, overside drains and other stormwater facilities. Crews remove sediment, vegetation, trash and other material that could block drainage and hydroflush culverts where debris or sediment has restricted water flow. Additional attention is given to known flooding locations and low-lying roads. Crews and equipment are prepared to respond to localized flooding, fallen trees, slides, washouts and damaged road surfaces. Heavy rains in 2020 flooded county roads. control, debris removal and emergency repairs. Flood-fighting containers and portable barriers are positioned in vulnerable areas. Sand and empty bags are delivered to local fire departments, and more than 40,000 sandbags are prepared or replenished.
12 / September 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Photo Credit: Steve Allen
Community distribution locations are listed on the County Public Works website. Sanding equipment also is prepared for possible snow and ice in mountain areas. More than 70 road and drainage crew members receive annual training in flood fighting, swift-water awareness and rescue,
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“Winter Storm Prep” page 20
County Updates El Niño Preparedness Page
Santa Cruz County has launched an updated El Niño resource page to help residents prepare for winter weather as federal forecasters predict a potentially strong El Niño this fall and winter. The update comes during National Preparedness Month and includes information about preparing households and property, signing up for CruzAware emergency alerts, identifying evacuation zones and locating sand and sandbags. Strong El Niño conditions can increase the potential for heavy rain, flooding, landslides, large waves and coastal erosion in California. However, the effects vary considerably from one event to another, and the connection between El Niño and increased rainfall is less consistent in Central and Northern California than in Southern California. The county page also provides information about drainage, erosion and private-road preparation. Residents can find links to county road closures, Caltrans highway conditions and power outage information. Other resources cover pet and large-animal evacuations, flood cleanup, mold, private wells, documenting storm damage and obtaining disaster assistance. Information is available in English and Spanish where possible. The county is encouraging residents to prepare before severe weather is forecast. Recommended steps include clearing gutters and drainage systems, assembling a family emergency kit, signing up for CruzAware and becoming familiar with evacuation routes. The resource page is available at santacruzcountyca.gov/living/elnino.aspx.
IN MEMORIAM
Charles Robert “Bob” Keller
Charles Robert Keller 1939 ~ 2026 C harles Robert “Bob” Keller passed away peacefully August 30, 2026 after struggling with Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years. Bob was born on Jan. 2, 1939, to John Thomas and Vera Keller in San Jose. He had two brothers. He was brought up in Willow Glen, where he worked P/T at PGE. Bob attended Willow Glen High School in San Jose and enjoyed being a part of the swim team. After graduation, he attended an Electrical school, where he trained to be an Electrician. He got a job at Cupertino Electric and worked his way up to becoming a Foreman. He was so proud to have dedicated 43 years to the company. Bob was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. Bob first met his sweetheart Judy in high school. They graduated and went their separate ways, beginning their own lives, getting married and having children, before meeting once again later on in life after their previous relationships had ended. They started dating in 1977 and were soon married, combining a family of 7 children and
“Tentative Labor Agreement” from page 11 “This agreement reflects the desires of our membership to maintain our current benefits structure with no changes, puts money on the salary schedule and creates improved working conditions that put students first,” PVFT President Brandon Diniz said. Diniz thanked the district’s bargaining team and union members who supported the negotiations over the past 11 months. “We now take this agreement to our members to ratify, and the work of the union continues,” he said.
moved to Aptos. They loved to play tennis, dance, go to plays, outings with friends, music and travel (cruises). Their life was full of love, surprise and adventure. They owned a second home in Lake Tahoe, so family time and water sports were enjoyed. They lived in their current home for over 40 years. The first thing they did when they arrived was join Rio Del Mar Tennis Club, where they were members for 25 years. They joined Seascape Golf Course and took up golf. It became one of their passions and where they had the opportunity to meet great friends. Whenever you met Bob, he would give you a solid handshake and always asked how your day was and if you were traveling or playing sports. In regards to the ladies it was always how are you honey and gave you a big hug. He was kind, giving and selfless. Bob is leaving behind his wife of 43 years, Judy, 3 daughters, 4 step-children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. May he rest in peace and know that he is loved and will truly be missed. n
“We now take this agreement to our members to ratify, and the work of the union continues.” — Brandon Diniz, PVFT President
The district and union did not release details about salary increases or other provisions of the proposed agreement. PVUSD serves more than 14,000 students. n
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Patrol. Officers responded to the crash east of Porter Street at about 3:46 p.m. A 41-year-old Santa Cruz man was driving a white 2017 Chevrolet Silverado southbound when it collided with a bicyclist traveling in the same direction, the CHP said. The bicyclist suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he died despite lifesaving efforts. The pickup driver was not injured, but was arrested, and investigators are examining whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. The cause remains under investigation. “The CHP extends our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families who
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“BESS Cleanup” from page 6 Roeder pointed to research by San José State University scientists at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories that found nickel, manganese and cobalt in areas of Elkhorn Slough following the fire. The researchers reported concentrations at some locations ranging from 10 to 1,000 times higher than levels measured before the fire. The study found evidence of batteryrelated metals as far as 4 kilometers from the facility and estimated that about 55,000 pounds of particles containing heavy metals fell across the slough. Researchers said the contamination appeared in a thin, uneven layer of particles that could have been missed by conventional sampling methods. Roeder said data collected from sediment, water, marine life and other sources have shown similar patterns in the proportions of metals associated with lithium-ion battery materials. He said those findings strengthen the case that contaminants spread beyond Vistra’s property. “We’re finding it,” he said. “You can say it’s not there, but it’s there.” The Jan. 16, 2025, fire burned for two days and flared up again Feb. 18. The facility contained about 100,000 lithium-ion battery modules, approximately 55% of which were damaged, according to the EPA. The agency said lithium-ion battery fires can release hydrogen fluoride and other flammable or toxic gases. During the final cleanup phase, crews will continue air monitoring and sampling, fire and smoke watches, water collection and testing,
“The CHP extends our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families who lost their loved ones in this preventable tragedy. DUI crashes are preventable.” — Capt. Grant Boles, CHP Santa Cruz Area commander
lost their loved ones in this preventable tragedy,” CHP Santa Cruz Area commander Capt. Grant Boles said. “DUI crashes are preventable.” Anyone with information is asked to call CHP dispatch at 831-796-2160. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will release the bicyclist’s identity. n
battery-temperature monitoring and dustcontrol measures. Vistra will activate an EPA-approved response plan if another fire occurs during the work, the agency said. The first phase of the cleanup concentrated on batteries that crews could reach and safely prepare for off-site recycling. Nearly 40,000 intact batteries were removed and sent to EPA-approved recycling facilities in Nevada and Ohio, according to the agency. Vistra agreed in July 2025 to the battery removal and disposal under EPA oversight. The company is considered a potentially responsible party under the federal Superfund law. Roeder said he expected Vistra to protect itself from potential liability, but had expected government agencies to take a more critical role in investigating possible off-site health and environmental effects. “I expected the company would do everything to protect itself,” he said. “I didn’t expect the EPA would help them.” He also questioned assurances based on studies commissioned by Vistra, arguing that research paid for by the company should not be treated as the final word on possible long-term health effects. Roeder said Never Again Moss Landing wants independent monitoring that examines the entire affected area, not only the material remaining at the Vistra facility. “Where are the people who are going to help the community understand what happened, where it went and what’s going to be done about it?” he said. n
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Supervisors Table Discussion on Changing Board Compensation By JON CHOWN SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday tabled a discussion on changing how supervisors’ salaries are determined, delaying consideration of possible pay raises until January. Even then, it sounded like the issue would be dead on arrival. The supervisors’ salaries are currently linked to the compensation of California Superior Court judges. They are currently paid 62% of what the judges earn. County staff had recommended ending the link. The item followed an Aug. 11 discussion in which supervisors directed Human Resources Director Ajita Patel to return with an updated salary recommendation. The supervisors currently earn $151,730.80 annually, plus benefits, with a $1,200 bonus to the board chair. Staff said tying supervisors’ salaries to judicial pay provides an objective benchmark, but does not account for local factors commonly used to determine compensation for county employees. Those factors include salaries in comparable counties, inflation, employee compensation trends and internal pay alignment. A county analysis found that Santa Cruz County supervisors’ current compensation is about 12% below the market level. The study compared monthly salaries and county contributions toward benefits in Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Staff presented supervisors with several options if they chose to end the connection to judicial salaries. The board could leave salaries unchanged; approve the same three-year cost-of-living increases granted to county labor groups; or combine those raises with a 4% equity adjustment spread over the first two years. Supervisors also could have selected different adjustment percentages. The board did not select any of the proposed approaches before tabling the matter. Public sentiment had been overwhelmingly negative. “I urge you to continue this linkage because it … shows you are not voting on your own salary and I think that means a lot to people,” said local resident Becky Steinbruner.
A county analysis found that Santa Cruz County supervisors’ current compensation is about 12% below the market level. The study compared monthly salaries and county contributions toward benefits in Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Justin Cummings said he brought the item forward because he believed the supervisors’ salaries didn’t “reflect our reality of what we’re facing today. The fact that we live in the most expensive rental market in the United States,” he said. “My intent was to see if we could have a different process that would allow for our salaries to be reflective of the reality we face living here in the community.” Cummings said he understood the timing wasn’t great and he needed to reflect on what members of the community were telling him about it. “My motion is going to be that we continue this item to the second meeting in January so that the new board can have an opportunity to weigh in on this in the new year.” Cummings clearly is seeking a raise, but his fellow supervisors showed no interest. Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, who lost his bid for reelection, said Cummings “hit the nail right on the head,” by noting the bad timing and didn’t support removing the link. Supervisor Manu Koenig said he didn’t think raising the supervisors salaries was a good idea, nor did he want to see it back on the agenda in January. Supervisor Kim De Serpa agreed and said she felt the pay was adequate. “This is not a money-making situation,” she said. n
COMMUNITY NEWS
Village Santa Cruz County Becomes Independent Nonprofit SANTA CRUZ — Village Santa Cruz County is becoming an independent nonprofit organization after nine years under the fiscal sponsorship of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. The transition gives the organization direct governance and greater flexibility to seek funding, develop partnerships and expand programs for older adults. Village Santa Cruz County and the Volunteer Center plan to continue working together. “Becoming an independent nonprofit is a natural next step in the evolution of Village Santa Cruz County,” said Mary Howe, founder and chair of the Village Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to the Volunteer Center for nurturing and supporting the Village through its formative years.” Howe said the transition will allow the organization to build on that foundation and expand its ability to serve older adults throughout Santa Cruz County. The Volunteer Center began serving as the Village’s fiscal sponsor in 2017, providing nonprofit standing, administrative support and guidance as the organization developed. The partnership was based on a shared belief that aging well requires social connections, practical support between neighbors and strong community ties. “This achievement reflects the remarkable vision and steadfast commitment of the Village community,” Volunteer Center Executive Director Shawn Peterson said. “While our sponsorship role is ending, our shared commitment to keeping local seniors connected, active and engaged remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Village.”
Village Santa Cruz County now serves approximately 80 older adults through social activities, educational programs and volunteer assistance intended to help members remain active and live independently in their homes. Its Community Circles and interest groups connect members through games, cultural events and other shared activities. Volunteers also provide neighbor-to-neighbor assistance, while educational programs help members prepare for challenges associated with aging and major life transitions. The programs include the STEP workshop series, funded through Santa Cruz Gives donations. The series covers 12 areas that may be affected by life changes. Village member Gail Greely said retirement, relocation and other transitions can make it difficult for older adults to form new friendships. “But the Village has been a welcoming and supportive community for me, offering help to me and giving me the chance to help others in return,” Greely said. Village Santa Cruz County is a member of Village Movement California and the national Village to Village Network. The village model is included in California’s Master Plan for Aging as a strategy for helping older adults remain connected and supported in their communities. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Village plans to expand its membership and programs. Its goals for the coming year include growing its Community Circle in Watsonville and offering technology-focused educational programs in partnership with AARP’s Senior Planet program. n For info, visit www.villagesantacruz.org.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 17
COMMUNITY NEWS
AI Disruption Expected to Unfold Gradually, Economist Says Artificial Intelligence Conference Held at CSUMB
By JON CHOWN SEASIDE — Artificial intelligence is likely to reshape the workplace gradually rather than cause the immediate collapse of white-collar employment that some have predicted, economist Erika McEntarfer told regional leaders recently during a conference on AI. “My personal forecast is that we’re looking at normal economic disruption,” McEntarfer said during the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s “AI & the Future of Our Region” summit at California State University, Monterey Bay. McEntarfer, a research scholar and distinguished policy fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, served as commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2024 to 2025. She has been studying recent research on AI’s effect on employment, wages and productivity. She stressed that transitioning to AI will take time. New technology has changed how business is done many times, and it has always been a fairly slow transition, even when the discovery was monumental, such as electricity. Artificial intelligence, she said, may make transition easier, but it still will take time. “It is very hard — and I say this as an ex-CEO — to do structural change of your organization around a radical move, especially around a radical new technology,” she said. Organizations will have to retrain workers and change established procedures before they can use AI broadly, she said. That process may be easier for a small startup than for a large organization operating with old computer systems and deeply rooted practices. The evidence so far points more toward stability than widespread job destruction, she said. “No matter how you have the data, if you look at unemployment, if you look at employment, if you look at specific occupations, what the data largely paint a picture of is stability rather than disruption,” McEntarfer said. Researchers have looked closely at occupations considered particularly vulnerable to AI, including software development and customer service. McEntarfer said employment and unemployment trends in those fields do not differ greatly from the broader cooling of the labor market. Software development is an important test case because AI adoption is relatively advanced in the technology industry and many programming tasks can be performed with AI assistance, she said. Still, employment has remained fairly stable, and job openings for software developers increased faster than openings in many other occupations during the past year.
Zach Friend moderates a panel including Sarah Shirazyan and Luke Arrigoni. Companies spending the most on AI also are not generally shrinking their workforces, she said. “They are growing,” McEntarfer said. One reason the technology has not produced wider economic effects is that business adoption remains limited and uneven. McEntarfer said about one in five businesses uses AI in some capacity, with adoption concentrated among technology and professional-service companies. Use remains much lower in industries such as restaurants and construction, which collectively employ large numbers of workers. Even many businesses using AI have introduced it in only a few parts of their operations, she said. And the pace of adoption is moving more slowly than the capabilities of AI models. Businesses are still trying to determine how the technology can produce a return on their investment. She also cautioned that the absence of widespread job losses today does not mean disruption will not occur. “Just because we’re not seeing a ton of disruption yet doesn’t mean disruption isn’t coming,” McEntarfer said. “It just means that right now we don’t appear to be on the path of an immediate collapse in white-collar jobs that was forecast as little as two years ago.” The form that disruption will take remains uncertain, she said. A gradual transition would give workers and institutions more time to respond. Students could adjust their choice of degrees, universities could change their programs, employers
could reconsider their staffing needs and workers could learn new skills. “This is something that’s not new,” McEntarfer said. “We have had technological change for hundreds of years. This is how it works.” A faster transition could be far more damaging, she said, particularly because programs intended to support unemployed workers may not replace enough income for people displaced from higher-paying occupations. For instance, she said a programmer making $170,000 annually would make just $17,000 on unemployment. “If it happens very, very fast, it might be hugely disruptive in a way that would be harder to adjust,” McEntarfer said. The summit brought together business executives, public officials, researchers and technology leaders from throughout the Monterey Bay for discussions about jobs, public policy, elections, misinformation, privacy and education. Kory Asfour, who works for Santa Cruz County’s Information Services Department, was one of many taking notes and asking questions. “It’s a complicated discussion,” he said. There were three panels at the conference with former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend moderating. The first panel discussed what’s coming with AI, another discussed AI and politics, and a third looked at how it will affect jobs and the workforce. Sarah Shirazyan, a Hoover Institution research fellow and Stanford Law lecturer, said schools face difficult choices over students’ use of AI. A ban in public schools could deepen inequality if private-school students learn to use tools that employers increasingly expect workers to understand, she said. Donnie Fowler, OpenAI’s head of U.S. state policy and partnerships, discussed privacy and government access to personal information. The threat of mass surveillance and abuse is very real. Companies supplying AI-powered surveillance systems need controls that can detect and audit abuse as it happens, not merely rules intended to prevent it, or methods to discover abuse if it is suspected. “At the end of the day, the opportunities for abuse in companies like this are tied to the humans that have access to them and the controls that are in place. And there›s a responsibility that platforms have to provide these technologies to have controls in place to not just prevent incidents, but also to tackle them on a healthy level,” he said. “Something that’s really doing this actively, not passively.” n
Agricultural AI Adoption ‘Inevitable, But Slow,’ Says Industry Leader By JON CHOWN
SEASIDE — Artificial intelligence and robotics are coming to Monterey County farms, but high costs and the need for dependable equipment will prevent the technology from spreading overnight, agricultural technology leader Timothy Koide said Thursday. “Adoption in ag is inevitable, but slow,” said Koide, Reservoir Farm’s head of industry partnerships. Reservoir is a venture capital
fund and operating company with operations in Salinas, the Central Valley, Arizona and elsewhere. Koide spoke during the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s “AI & the Future of Our Region” summit at California State University, Monterey Bay. He joined Stanford economist Erika McEntarfer for a panel on AI’s effect on jobs, wages and the workforce. Agricultural automation is not being driven solely by a desire to eliminate jobs, Koide said. Growers face recurring labor
18 / September 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
shortages during narrow planting and harvesting periods, creating a genuine need for equipment to do jobs that a workforce isn’t there to do. “The rosy picture for the adoption of AI is not so much driven by the idea of disruption and job destruction,” Koide said. “It’s driven by a very sincere and real need for automation.” Reservoir Farms in Salinas provides working farmland and technical facilities where agricultural technology companies
can test robots and other equipment under real-world conditions. Agriculture works on tights margins and Koide said growers cannot afford to invest in expensive, experimental machines that frequently break down. The shift toward AI-assisted agriculture has begun, Koide said, but the technology must first prove it can survive the dust, heat, long hours and strict production schedules of a working farm. “Agricultural AI” page 31
COMMUNITY NEWS
Felton Bridge Closed Through Oct. 9
Tree Removal and Replacement Preparations Happening on San Lorenzo Way Bridge FELTON — The San Lorenzo Way Bridge in Felton will be fully closed to all traffic from Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Friday, Oct. 9, as work begins to prepare for the replacement of the bridge. Located at the intersection of Highway 9 and San Lorenzo Way, the bridge connects Highway 9 to San Lorenzo Way and Rose Acres Lane. The closure will be in effect 24 hours a day throughout the project period. The closure is necessary to complete tree removal needed to relocate utilities and prepare the site for the San Lorenzo Way Bridge Replacement Project. Bridge replacement is scheduled to begin in 2027. Drivers traveling to San Lorenzo Way are advised to use the detour route at the southern end of Mount Hermon Road. Please allow extra travel time and use caution when traveling through the area.
For more information about the San Lorenzo Way Bridge Replacement Project, including project updates
and detour maps, visit: https://cdi. santacruzcountyca.gov/SanLorenzo WayBridgeReplacementProject.aspx
••• For general Public Works inquiries, contact the County Public
Works Division office at 831-454-2160 or via email at dpwweb@santacruz countyca.gov.
Open new horizons. CalPERS members, this Open Enrollment choose a plan that gives you access to Dignity Health. Getting where you need to be in life is easier when the path is open to you. When it comes to healthcare, the Open Enrollment process puts you in control. As you’re comparing health plans this season, consider the advantages of one that connects you to Dignity Health, the largest physician network in Santa Cruz County. Like our more than 200 primary and specialty care providers located in more than 100 locations throughout the region. All backed up by Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized programs for heart, cancer, obstetrics and other specialties. Find out more at DignityHealth.org/OpenEnrollment.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 19
COMMUNITY BRIEFS Meeting to Address Invasive Beetle Threat
SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County and UC Cooperative Extension will host a community meeting about the invasive shothole borer from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in Room 4 of the London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St. The meeting will provide information about monitoring the beetle, limiting its spread and protecting local trees. The infestation was first detected along Zayante Creek near Felton in 2024. The beetle was later identified as Euwallacea interjectus, a species native to Southeast Asia that had not previously been documented on the West Coast. The beetle can cause trees to die back in urban, agricultural and wildland areas. It has primarily affected box elders locally but also has attacked California sycamores, coast live oaks, willows and black cottonwoods.
Signs include small, round entry holes, wet staining, gumming, boring dust or sugary buildup. Suspected infestations may be reported to the county Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 831-763-8080. More information is available at ishb.org.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Marks 50 Years
SANTA CRUZ — Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a free public event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Wilder Ranch State Park. The Birthday Bash will feature live music by Mark Van Haren and other local musicians, barbecue, pizza, snacks and drinks, including beer sponsored by Discretion Brewing. A silent auction also is planned. Founded in 1976, Friends supports more than 30 state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz
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County and coastal San Mateo County. The organization works with California State Parks to fund educational programs, visitor services, accessibility improvements, disaster recovery and capital projects. “Our legacy is written in the redwoods and along the coastline,” Executive Director Bonny Hawley said. “For 50 years, we have been so much more than park supporters; we’ve been a conduit for community-driven action to sustain the beloved natural and cultural resources that belong to us all.” Friends’ programs include Kids2Parks, which has helped more than 24,000 students from low-income schools visit local state parks and beaches. The organization also has supported restoration of the Castro Adobe and recovery efforts following the CZU Lightning Complex fires and storms that damaged Seacliff State Beach and Wilder Ranch.
Former Friends employees, board members and State Parks staff are encouraged to attend the anniversary reunion. For info, email info@thatsmypark.org, call 831-429-1840 or visit thatsmypark.org
“Rail Findings Rejection” from page 10
estimate was substantially higher than earlier projections. But the agency partially rejected findings about its lack of rail-building and propertymanagement experience, staffing limitations, corridor constraints and susceptibility to tied votes. It fully rejected the conclusion that commissioners’ competing agendas have made it difficult to build institutional knowledge and make timely progress. The RTC said its board composition is established by state law, tied votes have rarely occurred and its purpose is not always to reach consensus. “The goal is not to always achieve consensus,” the response said, “rather it is to reflect diverse opinions and needs of the region the RTC serves.” n
The agency rejected this notion and said the groups just hold differing viewpoints and interpretations of projects and not because of inadequate information from the RTC. It said it has strengthened its communication and public engagement practices in recent years. The RTC did agree with findings that the rail infrastructure has deteriorated, that the agency historically operated primarily as a planning organization, that it lacks enough money to accomplish all its transportation priorities and that inflation and unexpected engineering requirements forced it to pursue less costly interim trail designs. It also agreed that the $4.3 billion
“Winter Storm Prep” from page 12 The county also visually inspects drainage channels and stream beds before the rainy season. Logjams, fallen trees, excess vegetation and other blockages are removed where the work is authorized and necessary to maintain water flow. More than 160 bridges and large culvert crossings are inspected, with drainage and wood debris removed when it could contribute to flooding. Targeted dredging or sediment removal may be conducted where material has significantly reduced channel capacity and the required permits are in place. In the Pajaro Valley, the county coordinates with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, the city of Watsonville and other agencies on the Pajaro River levee system and nearby channels. The agencies identify priority work, review emergency plans and coordinate responsibilities for maintenance and flood response. The work continues throughout the rainy season, with crews inspecting facilities
METRO Offers Free Rides to County Fair
Santa Cruz METRO will offer free daily bus service to the Santa Cruz County Fair aboard a special Route 79F from Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Sunday, Sept. 20. Route 79F will leave Westridge Drive at the Government Center 35 minutes after each hour, operating from 10:35 a.m. to 9:35 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 8:35 a.m. to 9:35 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Buses will stop at the Watsonville Transit Center before continuing to the fairgrounds. “Briefs” page 24
before, during and after major storms. They clear new blockages, monitor trouble spots, deploy barriers, pumps and sandbags, and assess damage. Levees countywide are inspected for erosion, settlement, animal burrows and other problems. When possible, erosion is repaired and affected areas are compacted before winter. Levee surfaces and access routes are maintained for inspections and emergency response. The county also inspects flood-control pipes and culverts, repairs damaged facilities and removes material that could restrict water flow. Pump stations serving flood-prone areas are tested, while pumps, generators and electrical equipment are serviced. Backup power systems are checked before winter. Residents are encouraged to keep drainage areas around their properties clear, prepare emergency supplies, monitor official alerts and avoid flooded roads and waterways. The county advises motorists never to drive through moving water or around road closures and barricades. n
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 21
COMMUNITY NEWS
Fairgrounds Buzz With Activity Ahead of County Fair
T
By JON CHOWN
he Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was a beehive of activity Saturday, Sept. 12, as employees, volunteers and members of the public prepared for the Santa Cruz County Fair, which started Sept. 16 and runs through Sept. 20. Vendors were setting up, workers were cleaning up, and a host of volunteers were busy taking entries, judging them, displaying them and making sure everything was just perfect for opening day. Over at the Agricultural History Project, Nic Keiderling, Kevin Erbe and Bob Erbe were repairing a wooden water wheel outside the Codiga Center and Museum. “It’s all good wood. It gets wet, and then it dries out, cracks and starts to self-destruct,” Bob Erbe said. “So we’re going to try something different.” The men were placing plastic inside the wheel’s small buckets and sealing gaps to help them hold more water. Keiderling estimated that the wheel underwent a major rebuilding 12 to 15 years ago. Since then, maintaining it has become an annual part of the group’s fair preparations. Elsewhere on the grounds, exhibitors carried baked goods, quilts, crafts and other
creations into the Home Arts building, where volunteers checked in entries and prepared them for judging. The assortment of baked goods included
22 / September 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, candies, cupcakes and breads. Volunteers expected the tables, still partly empty early in the day, to be filled by the 5 p.m. entry deadline. The entries were scheduled to be judged the following day while they were still fresh. One of those bringing in baked goods was Santa Cruz resident Julian Dahan, a first-time fair exhibitor. His entries included sourdough bread, brown-butter macadamia nut blondies, milk bread rolls and honeyvanilla French sea salt caramels. Dahan described baking as a “very big, encompassing hobby.” “I’ve been baking and cooking my whole life,” he said. “My grandmother is a baker and a chef, and I grew up in the kitchen. It’s not what I do for work, but it’s what I do for fun.” Dahan said he won an award for his sourdough at another event the previous week, so he decided to enter the county fair for the first time.
Home Arts volunteers were also arranging quilts and other handmade entries throughout the building. Lisa Dahlgren of Corralitos said volunteers are essential to making the fair possible. “You’ve got to love the volunteers,” she said. “Otherwise, it doesn’t work. It just wouldn’t happen.” The quilt display featured a wide variety of work, including a piece called “Puppy Play” and several quilts depicting animals. Home Arts Department Head Nancy Chames said preparations had gone well because volunteers were willing to take responsibility for different parts of the exhibit. “I have a great group that works with me, so I do less and less, which is fine,” Chames said. “Everybody just pitches in and is good at certain things, and they just take it over.” Chames said she has served as the department head for nearly seven years. Volunteers specializing in quilts, baking, jams and decorating helped organize and colorcoordinate the displays. Judging was also underway for entries submitted by children and teenagers. Judges Emily Casterson of Watsonville and Marjorie Turnquist of Aptos tasted the baked goods and prepared comments while caring for their own young children. Casterson said she and Turnquist began judging in other departments before being asked to evaluate baked goods. “We started in different areas doing different judging, and then other judges were needed because some retired or left,” Casterson said. “We got pulled into this judging particularly.” Turnquist said they had judged other types of fair entries during the week. “We were doing crafts yesterday,” Turnquist said. “I think I started in preserves because I did a lot of canning.” The women said they to consider the age and expected skill level when judging youth entries.
Bob and Kevin Erbe
“County Fair” page 27
COMMUNITY NEWS
She Makes A Village
Artist Uses Gingerbread as Her Medium By JON CHOWN WATSONVILLE — Karen Hawkinson has built a miniature village unlike anything found on a map. She started several months ago, planning the layout and then building it to show at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Her creation includes seven buildings rising a little over a foot tall, all decorated and trimmed neatly, with stairways and cobblestone streets connecting them. And it’s all made of gingerbread. Every wall, roof and walkway required careful planning, baking, assembly and is decorated in great detail. “This one took longer than any other one I’ve ever made because it had seven buildings in it,” Hawkinson said. The project stretched across six months. Hawkinson began designing the buildings in January. She baked the gingerbread pieces in March, started putting the village together in April and finished it at the end of June. Before baking anything, Hawkinson built models of the structures with foam
core board and pinned them together to make sure the buildings fit correctly. Once she was satisfied with the design, she took the models apart and used each piece as a pattern for cutting the gingerbread. “I have to make the model first out of foam core board,” Hawkinson said. “Then you pin it together and make sure everything fits. Then you take it apart and cut the gingerbread out.” After baking the walls and other sections, Hawkinson covered them with gum paste, a thick sugar dough similar to fondant. She used textured rollers to press brick and stone patterns into the gum paste. Then came the slowest part of the project — painting the details. “It takes forever to paint every little brick,” she said. Because the gum paste is white, Hawkinson left the narrow lines between the painted bricks untouched to look like grout. “Gingerbread Village” page 30
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 23
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Aptos High Students Will Suffer With No 7th Period
I
n light of the recently negotiated terms between PVFT and PVUSD I feel it is important that our union members, parents, and students understand what this agreement will mean for Aptos High School. I feel a responsibility to explain why the loss of the 7-period day next year will be detrimental to AHS students. In 2013, I began raising concerns about an inequity in our district. PVUSD was the only district in the county that allowed students to fulfill their graduation requirements by taking either a world language or a VAPA course. Other districts required at least one year of VAPA and often encouraged students to take two or more years. The problem was simple: under a traditional 6-period schedule, most 9-10th grade students had no room in their schedules for electives. Students generally do not gain more flexibility until their junior and senior years, when PE is no longer required and students may have completed their world language requirements. But why should students have to wait until the end of high school to discover their interests, talents, and possible career paths? That is why AHS moved to a 7-period
day in the 2016-17 school year. The goal was to give students more equitable access to the full range of educational opportunities our school offers. We also moved away from relying on “zero-period” classes because those classes were inherently inequitable. When a class is offered before the school day, and before buses are able to transport students to campus, only students with access to transportation and the flexibility to arrive early can participate. A student’s access to an elective should not depend on whether their family can drive them to school before the buses arrive. The 7-period day created opportunities for all students, not just the students who had the privilege of filling their schedules before or after school. Students deserve a well-rounded education. VAPA and CTE courses provide opportunities that cannot always be found in traditional academic classes. And for many of our students, these are the classes that give them a reason to come to school every day. Through the arts, students learn to think creatively, solve problems, take risks, and understand that there can be more than one solution. Through music and theater, they learn to communicate and project their voices
with confidence. Through visual art, they learn that failure is not the end of the process, it’s where the learning begins. CTE courses allow students to explore potential careers and develop practical, technical, and professional skills. These opportunities should not be reserved for students who have already made it through two years of high school. Moreover, our SPED and ELA students are required to take additional support classes which often prevent these students from taking electives under the 6 period model. Moving AHS back to a 6-period day threatens to undo years of progress. We should want these opportunities for students at every high school in our district. The solution to inequity should not be to take opportunities away from students who currently have them. The solution should be to ask how we can expand those opportunities to everyone. I also want to address a misconception I have heard from people outside of education: this is not simply about teachers “losing two prep periods.” Under our current 7-period schedule, teachers have one preparation period and one collaboration period. I am deeply concerned that this shift will
“Briefs” from page 20 Return trips will leave the fairgrounds on the hour from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. METRO also will provide free weekend service to the fairgrounds on Route 79. Registered ParaCruz customers may reserve free rides throughout the five-day fair. Passengers taking Route 79F, Route 79 or ParaCruz can request a voucher from the operator for discounted fair admission. The discount is $7 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12.
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Study Finds 4,672 Vacation Homes in Santa Cruz County Area
More than 4,600 homes in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area are used primarily for seasonal, recreational or occasional purposes, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. The 4,672 vacation properties represent 4.4% of the area’s 106,977 housing units, compared with 3.3% nationwide. Meanwhile, 51.7% of local renters spend at least 30% of their income on housing and are considered cost-burdened. The area’s median home price-to-income ratio is 9.2, more than twice the national ratio of 4.1, according to the study. Researchers for SellMyTimeshareNow, an online marketplace for timeshare sales and rentals, analyzed data from the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey.
once again disproportionately impact VAPA and CTE. If 9th-10th grade students no longer have room in their schedules for electives, enrollment in these courses will inevitably decline. That means fewer course offerings. It means fewer opportunities for students to take advanced and AP-level classes. It means fewer pathways for students who want to continue developing their interests and skills. And it could mean the loss of an estimated 7–8 teaching positions at AHS, with VAPA and CTE potentially among the hardest-hit departments. This is about more than a bell schedule. It is about whether we believe students deserve access to a well-rounded education. It is about whether a student can explore art, music, theater, career pathways, and other electives before their junior or senior year. And ultimately, it is about what kind of educational experience we want for our students. We should not be asking how we can make every school offer less in the name of “equity.” We should be asking how we can ensure that every student in our district has access to more. — Veronique Marks
The company ranked more than 900 metropolitan and micropolitan areas by the percentage of homes designated for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. Nationwide, the number of vacation homes declined from a peak of 5.47 million in 2018 to 4.74 million in 2024, the report said.
County Announces State of the Country Address
On Sept. 29, members of the public are invited to attend a State of the County address, bringing together county leaders and the community for a discussion of the issues, priorities and challenges shaping Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chair Monica Martinez and County Executive Officer Nicole D. Coburn will deliver the address from 6-7:30 p.m. in the 5th-floor Board Chambers, 701 Ocean Str., Santa Cruz. The event offers residents an opportunity to hear directly from County leadership about the state of the organization and community, progress on key priorities, challenges facing Santa Cruz County and the work ahead. “This is an opportunity to reflect on where we are as a community, recognize the progress we have made together and have a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Martinez said. “We invite residents from throughout Santa Cruz County to join us.” The State of the County address is open to the public. No registration is required. n
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Reincarnate as a Bond Trader
J
ames Carville, a political advisor to Bill Clinton once said, “I used to think that if there was reincarnation, I wanted to come back as the president or the pope or as a .400 baseball hitter. But now I would like to come back as the bond market. You can intimidate everybody”. Somewhat of an odd statement considering the alternative choices, which in this case are unlimited. But to 86 the position of president, pope or a super star baseball player and instead choose the profession of a bond trader or as he characterizes, the bond market? I am pretty sure Carville was just trying to make a point and if given the choice, he, like many of us, might choose the lifestyle of the rich and famous. But his point is well
By MARC CUNIBERTI
have to go somewhere to taken among those of us in buy the thing you want. The the know. bond MARKET is just the Bonds are just IOU’s. hub where it all takes place. Financial IOU’s can have This “hub” is where buyers different names like bond, (actually lenders like you notes, debentures, bills and and I) and sellers (entities a few others. There are difWatching The Markets So You Don’t Have To that borrow the money) ferences of each name but for simplicity sake, lets just say all of these come together to make the deal. Because there is so much debt in the are debt receipts. An investor “buys” on of these debt instruments and in essence loans world, and there is so much money sloshing out his money to be paid back later. How around the global financial system, money is the investor gets paid back can vary but the moving all over the place at different speeds, bottom line is you loaned out your money for different amounts and into and from different locations. a promise to pay. The bond MARKET that Carville refers to is a supermarket of debt. All kinds of debt. After all, if you want to buy something you
“Money Matters” page 27
Solar System
Santa Cruz County Adopts Revised Property Assessment Appeal Rules SANTA CRUZ — Property owners challenging their assessments will be following a clearer process with possibly a bit more red tape under new rules approved by the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board. The changes establish detailed filing requirements, give applicants 30 days to correct incomplete applications or submit missing fees and allow 60 days to appeal applications rejected as late. They also expand procedures for postponements, missed hearings, remote participation and evidence submission. Under the revised rules, applicants must file a separate application with an
This debt market, aka the BOND MARKET, dwarfs any stock market big or small. The bond market has an estimated value of 160 trillion worldwide, slightly bigger than the global stock market value. Although stocks in the stock market can move independent of each other, debt instruments has a more connected relationship. Whereas stocks might depend on the company represented by that stock, the bond markets in essence hold one product product and one product only. The one product is DEBT.
original signature for each assessor’s parcel number. Faxed applications and copied signatures will not be accepted. Each application must identify the applicant and property, list the value assigned by the assessor and state the applicant’s opinion of the property’s value. Applications may be mailed or delivered to the Clerk of the Board’s office. Handdelivered applications must arrive by 5 p.m. Pacific time on the final day of the filing period. Mailed applications must be postmarked by the deadline. “Appeal Rules” page 26
57. Exclamation of disgust 10. Sandwich with acronym 36. *The smallest planet 23. Chase ACROSS 26. Puffy cloud 59. Famous diarist Samuel name 38. Per ____, or yearly 1. Ancient Peruvian 30. Nurses’ org. ____ 12. Snow mover 40. Vigor 5. Hit the slopes 60. Like decorated cake 31. Frozen drink 13. Flash of light 41. Approved 8. Bro or sis 61. Reply from a tunnel 34. Ricci of fashion 14. *Farthest planet from 44. 4 years for a U.S. 11. Thomas the Engine’s 62. Tarzan’s adoptive dad 35. Same as climate sun in our Solar System President, pl. warning 63. Neither here ____ 37. Buddy Holly’s “Peggy 19. Make awake 46. Daisies 12. *Sun, e.g. ____” there 22. Opposite of vend 48. Bench in Mexico 13. Twist and distort 38. Knight’s breastplate 64. Search for Extrater23. Gets ready for a trip 49. Larger key on the right 15. Carpenter’s groove restrial Intelligence, acr. 24. Dark 50. Pas in ballet 16. *Jupiter’s inner “ring” 39. Flying toy 25. Indian restaurant yogurt 51. Between trot and gallop 17. MC Hammer’s “2 ____ 2 40. a.k.a. pennant 42. Possesses DOWN staple 52. Effect of pain? Quit” 43. Appetizer 1. It would 26. ____ Zhen in “Fist of 53. Mussolini, with Il 18. *It makes up the 45. Like certain pine 2. Master of ark Fury” 54. Not counterfeit majority of Jupiter’s 47. Large edible mushroom 3. Buffalo Bill’s last name 27. *The Solar System 55. Relaxation location mass 48. ____-Arts, or fine arts 4. In conflict (2 words) spans roughly 1.6 58. Ornamental pond 20. Narrative poem 50. Disparaging remark 5. Coach-and-four ____-years dweller 21. “When ____ Cry” by 52. *The largest moon in the 6. Type of leaf cabbage, pl. 28. Uniate church member Prince Solar System 7. *Reason for Mars’ 29. Impudent 22. Louisville Slugger 55. *Jupiter’s Great Red redness 32. ____-friendly Spot 8. Kind of palm 33. *Center of the Solar © Statepoint Media 56. Up it in poker 9. Author Murdoch System
Answers on 31 »
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 25
Autumn Begins, Days of Awe, the Light That Moves to Rest
D
Esoteric Astrology • Mid-September 2026 • By Risa D’Angeles
isciples study, understand and participate in all of humanity’s religions. Religions, appearing at each new age, signify humanity’s developmental stages. Each religion assists humanity in navigating the ages (2,500 years long). The ages and religions follow each other in order and in sequence. Each religion & age is a fulfillment of the previous religion and age. We are now entering the Aquarian age and the new world religion. Aquarius synthesizes all previous major religions. The new Aquarian world religion, which includes astrology and the ancient wisdom teachings, is in the process of creation now. And so, the last half of September, 2026, is filled with Jewish festivals. Beginning with the Jewish High Holy Days (September 11 – 21, 10 Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, Days of Forgiveness) and ending with Yom Kippur, September 20. These are days of repentance and forgiveness (asked & offered). Days in which G-d assesses humanity as to its goodness. Those who have upheld the laws with love and compassion, those who have forgiven others, their name is written in the Book of Life. The shofar (trumpet) is sounded reminding humanity to enter and
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 9)
live within the “temple of the heart.” Sweet foods are prepared so the new year is sweet and filled with the goodwill of the people From September 25 to October 2, the Jewish harvest Festival of Sukkot begins. An outdoor living structure is constructed, filled with elements of nature (flora, botanicals, greenery, tree branches, etc.), reminding the Jewish people of their long 40-year walk from Egypt (Taurus Age) to Canaan (Aries Age). All of these festivals contain religious symbolism, reminding humanity of the love and care of the Creator, age after age. September 21 is the International day of Peace. It’s also World Pie Day. On September 22, autumn equinox begins as the Sun settled at the equator and enters Libra, sign of balance, harmony and beauty. Light and dark are balanced at the equinoxes. Now we really begin the fall festivals of light in the northern latitude. Each festival is a festival of light appearing in the darkness, preparing for the new light of Winter Solstice. September 26 is the first new moon of autumn, the solar festival of Libra. It is a day in which the “light that oscillates and moves up and down, achieves a balance and finally moves to rest.” n
LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Below that risky and sometimes precarious behavior, there’s a very generous, kind and guiding spirit within you that will emerge more and more in months to come. It’s the spirit of understanding and comforting others, loving and nurturing them. This is for you a different behavior and a spiritual step forward. You will sense the undercurrents of need in everyone and in the world as well. You will understand vulnerability more. You begin to heal others. You remember what you came here for.
Jupiter in Leo and the south node. You bring multiple gifts from past lives into this now. Do you know the definition of empathy? Do you feel compassion for others? Do you feel like your identity is that of having creative abilities? Do you use them as part of your daily work? In the months to come you will feel a greater depth of faith. What is faith? Esoterically defined, “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Many people have faith in you. What do you have faith in?
TAURUS (Apr 10 – May 20)
Sun in Virgo, Mercury just leaving Virgo. You have had an inner call that begins to direct your life. You know there are many paths to God. You study, know and respect them all. Each one leads to God. You never allow your beliefs to shine brighter than others’. Stepping out into unknown lands allows you to disengage from acceptable mores into the new, exciting and innovative Aquarian ideals. These are what will bring forth the new world. It moves and quickens and gestates within you. Are you preparing for the last weeks of December?
More and more ideas and information come your way. Sometimes the Rain Cloud of Knowable Things from the intuition can overwhelm your physical body. You find yourself for hours absorbing data needed for health and well-being of self and others. You store it away for future use, take notes, research and then consider attending school so you can learn more. Especially about herbs and biology and natural healing. You reshape the information, you write and teach it to those in need. You become the Messenger for both Venus and Vulcan.
GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 20)
You are always Mercury, the swift-footed messenger carrying the caduceus. You are also called Hermes, god of trade, travel and thievery. With Uranus in Gemini your mind expands to genius level. Your senses, too, feeling finally on solid ground, secure with your knowledge, needing always to be in natural settings (nature, the body of God), seeking more comfort than usual, things artistic, too that tell you always that spirit is in matter…everywhere. Get to know the devas.
CANCER (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
Many people admire your courage. Perhaps you don’t think you have any. But truly you do. Saturn is seeing to it. You also reach out to the edges of new experience, finally come to the edge after circling tentatively in order to see if it’s safe. You love all things new, yet seek all that is traditional, too. Sometimes you’re a trailblazer. You don’t think so? Your cardinal energy enables you to bring knowledge forth that changes life itself. Mars (action) and Ceres (in the garden with Persephone) in Cancer.
Daily & Weekly Updates
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Mercury enters Libra. You begin to talk, chat and reach out more. You also know exactly what you want and how to get it. You work hard, are wise, practical and resourceful. You want to be creating permanent structures, but some things always seem to float away. Things will stabilize eventually. Consider your values and principles. Do you know the definition of the word “principles”? This is an important word for the new Aquarian age. You seek tradition in many ways. In all your success, seek understanding above all. Take extra care with the ones you love.
SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
You will seek to place yourself where it’s practical, ordered and organized. And where you gain needed knowledge that has deep spiritual concepts and philosophies. You will go step by step and then leap into a new enlightened reality! It’s important if travelling to seek places with historical culture, color and the arts. Study mountain climbing, horses, religions, archeology, and endurance sports. Begin a spiritual journey across mountains and countries. You seek new states of possibility. Read Nicholas Roerich’s journey into the Himalayas.
•••
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
You will imagine, dream, intuit, create and see more and more deeply into all things hidden, the inner light and essence of life. Seeking how to use this for the good, the beautiful, Deeper compassion results. Realize you will have to handle in time deep energies, intense and forceful, all around and from within. You must call upon your wisdom to integrate, handle and not misuse them. You seek mysteries, things sacred, expressions mystical and occult (heart and mind). Your original faith returns. Then you help others.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Juno in Capricorn. What empowers and ennobles and gives you a sense of confidence? You seek all things that move toward a balancing of your life expressions. Each day you help family and friends, responding to the needs of others. You take these on as a service to humanity. You weigh all options, poised in the middle of all realities. You create harmony and beauty. At home, you turn your gifts into a profession. You seek to right wrongs. You are an artist. Do you know the original definition of yoga? And its many paths?
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
It’s important to maintain a daily, weekly, monthly routine so that you can feel efficient, effective and productive. These daily acts of livingness actually reflect your life standards. Rhythms, ritual and rest together allow you to help others without forgetting yourself (is this possible?). Your heart always asks “How can I help?” You offer deep insights into already accepted systems. However you add the more spiritual approach. You are a server. It’s important to include in your rhythms more rest each night. Play more Beethoven, too.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You seek to understand how to meet financial needs these days and well into the future. You recognize the responsibilities debt takes on. You hope to use your gifts to pay what’s due and over time this has become overwhelming. You realize the need for focus, cultivation of thought, compassion and confidence in order to be a leader. You also know the need for play, celebrations, interactions, artful living, theatre and politics to renew your spirit. You see many paths in the road ahead. You ask for help. You learn the laws of manifestation. Golden laws.
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“Appeal Rules” from page 25 The amended rules also create procedures to follow when an application is incomplete or submitted without the required $50 processing fee. The clerk must notify the applicant whose filing is missing information or payment and provide 30 days to correct the problem. People receiving public benefits, low-income applicants and those without enough income to meet basic household needs may request a fee waiver. If the applicant does not correct the application or submit the fee within 30 days, the Assessment Appeals Board will hold a hearing to decide whether the application is valid. The clerk may reject an application filed after the deadline. The revised rules give applicants 60 days from the mailing of the denial notice to file a written appeal and request a hearing on whether the application was timely. The changes also establish clearer procedures for postponing hearings. The clerk may grant each party one postponement if a written request is submitted at least 21 days before the hearing and sufficiently ahead of the state’s two-year deadline for resolving an appeal. Additional postponements require approval from the board and a showing of good cause. Applicants requesting delays close to the two-year deadline may be required to agree to extend that deadline. Applicants whose appeals are denied because they failed to appear may request reconsideration within 60 days. They must provide evidence showing good cause for missing the hearing and failing to request a postponement. The revised rules also provide detailed requirements for remote hearings. Proceedings generally will be conducted in person, but the board may use Zoom when circumstances require it. Participants may reject a remote hearing and request a postponement until an in-person hearing is available. The changes also require audio or video recordings of all board and hearing officer proceedings. Applicants who request written findings of fact must pay for the county counsel’s time preparing them. They must provide an advance deposit equal to at least two hours of work and will be billed or refunded after the final cost is calculated. The amendments also authorize the clerk to make future nonsubstantive administrative changes without returning to the Assessment Appeals Board or Board of Supervisors for approval. Such changes would be limited to keeping the local rules consistent with updated guidance from the California State Board of Equalization. The Assessment Appeals Board hears disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. It may lower, uphold or increase individual assessments based on evidence presented at a hearing. It cannot change tax rates, waive delinquent-tax penalties, extend statutory filing periods or alter the county’s entire assessment roll. n
“County Fair” from page 22 “You get to see the ages. Like, this kid’s 14,” Turnquist said. “Some of the kids are 7, so you’ve got to kind of think, ‘Are these cookies good for a 7-year-old?’ Versus if you see the kid’s 16 and it looks like they just threw something together. You have to account for their age and what their skill set would be around that age.” Casterson said judges also consider whether parents might have assisted
“Money Matters” from page 25 Debt moves somewhat lock in step with other debt. Avoiding the deep weeds here, all debt compensates the lender with a “return”. You loan your brother-in-law money and he pays you back (hopefully) and some extra for doing it. Usually, we call that interest. Why debt moves in concert with other debt is because although there are many different types of borrowers, the higher risk borrowers might have to have to pay more interest to get a loan (like a friend of a friend) while others might be more trusted and get away with paying you less (like a brother, sister or best friend).
younger children and whether that help was reasonable for safety reasons. “If they’re younger and it’s looking really well put together, what’s the possibility that parents helped?” Casterson said. “Is it reasonable that a parent would help for safety purposes?” The judges said their comments are intended to encourage young exhibitors and help them develop their skills. “You’re going to give a lot more feedback, trying to do improvement and encouragement,” Casterson said. “What
should they look for and do while they’re baking to help improve, so that next year when they enter, they’ve got a better product?” “It’s more of a teaching thing, I think, with the kids,” Turnquist said. “You want them to know what to improve on next year.” Among the young exhibitors was 14-year-old Raylin Moules, who entered a loaf of sourdough bread. “I do it occasionally,” Moules said of baking bread. “My mom does it a lot. She helped me a little bit.” n
The point here is that in times of economic stress, people are less likely to lend money (as money is tight) and therefore demand higher “return” (interest) in order to do so. This “reluctance to lend’ is market wide, hence no matter what the loan, who the lender is or what the terms are, when higher returns in general are demanded, this lifts the entire interest rate all borrowers in the bond market will have to pay. Think of it as supply and demand. If the bonds are vegetables in a super market, and a drought hammers the plant markets nationwide, the supply drops, and you would pay more for any vegetable in that market.
The same goes for debt in the bond market. In times of economic stress, the cost borrowers have to pay to borrow money rises along with the reluctance of lenders to lend. The interest rates on all bonds go up. What Carville’s point was that the bond market is the biggest market in the world. It controls the lifeblood of the economy (debt and the money it encompasses). With that kind of influence over the entire global economy, with a finger on the very spigot that supplies the feeding trough of entire world’s financial system, the pope, a president or a .400 hitting baseball player would pale in comparison to the power Carville would have should he reincarnate into the bond market.
Not that it could happen obviously, but Carville had reached the epiphany of just how all-powerful the bond market is. And he was right. And still is. n ••• This article expresses the opinion of Marc Cuniberti and is not meant as investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, nor represents the opinion of any bank, investment firm or RIA, nor this media outlet, its staff, members or underwriters. Mr. Cuniberti holds a B.A. in Economics with honors, 1979, and California Insurance License #0L34249 His insurance agency is BAP INC. insurance services. Email: news@moneymanagementradio.com.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 27
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The monthly event supports Scotts Valley schools through beverage sales and offers a welcoming community gathering. Admission is free. For details, visit foodtrucksagogo.com.
MARY ALTIER’S PHOTO EXHIBIT AT APTOS LIBRARY Mary Altier’s photo exhibition, Around the World with Color Photography is on display at the Aptos Library until Sept. 30. Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and HAPPY HOUR First Saturdays The show includes 60 images taken in Papua New dancing shoes. 5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP Guinea, China, Italy, India, several countries in Africa, and More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic 9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park more. happy hour every week. Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Refreshments, wine and waters, and ongoing slide show BINGO AT MCSC Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade of recent work. Free and the public is invited. 1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola Third Thursdays Park. Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Dr. Hours: M-Th 10-7, F-Sat, (behind the Party Store) SIP AND STROLL Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated 10-5. Closed Sunday. Hot Dogs, Chili and 6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve snacks available for Court, Aptos the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational SENIORS SOUGHT FOR THEATER GROUP purchase courtesy of Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for activities of Capitola. Seniors are being sought to join the Market Street Theater our Snack Shack. a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email A lot of fun for all and Group. their works. KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com. Whether you love being on stage or helping behind a possible big win! Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer Door opens at 12:15 p.m. the scenes, there’s a place for you in their comtastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Second Saturdays munity. Details of this and more Sevy’s events at HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY Tuesdays and Fridays Discover the power of music, dance, and performing www.sevysbarandkitchen.com/events 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way by calling 831-423-6640 or email marketstreettheater@ NORTH BOOKMOBILE AT PAJARO PARK Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Tues.: 3 –5 p.m. | Fri.: 2-3:30 p.m., Pajaro Community Park, 24 Fridays (except First Friday of the Month) gmail for more information. Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is San Juan Rd. LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP free. The Monterey County Free Libraries North Bookmobile 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. ONGOING EVENTS serves Pajaro with scheduled visits, offering books, Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Saturdays and Sundays Mondays audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and bilingual materials in Beach library. ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE English and Spanish. LEARN TO MEDITATE THE HEARTFULNESS WAY Call La Selva Beach Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710. 10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Rd., Upcoming Dates: 10:00 a.m., Grey Bears’ Board Room, 2710 Chanticlear Avenue, Watsonville Tues: Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Santa Cruz First and Third Fridays Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to Fri: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 Whether you are a beginner or seasoned meditator, JIM GREINER’S HANDS-ON! DRUMMING Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and Schedule: https://tinyurl.com/Pajaro-Park-bookmobile-visits. guided relaxation and meditation can carry you to your 7-8:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Dr. tidal wetlands. heart’s wisdom. Percussionist/educator Jim Greiner continues his Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests and First Wednesdays Sessions are always free and open to everyone. Community Rhythms abilities, creating an engaging, educational experience. PAJARO VALLEY STAMP CLUB For more information contact marsha.thompson@volunteer. Class on the first and third Space is limited, and tours are first-come, first1 – 3 p.m., Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E 5th St. heartfulness.org or visit www.heartfulness.org. Fridays of every month at served. Stamp collecting is more than a hobby — it’s a journey. the Congregational Church Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call Explore the world, history, BRIDGE CLUB of Soquel. ahead the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability. and art through every stamp. 10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 All levels of experience Whatever you love, there’s a The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on First Sundays are very welcome to this stamp for it. Mondays (except holidays). family-friendly community SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County No rules. No limits. Just gathering. Jim provides percussion instruments and you 5 p.m., various member homes throughout county discover. Join our stamp club Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. are welcome to bring your own. Looking to make new friends while enjoying amazing food today! Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event. Come play, socialize and reinforce Jim’s fundamental and great wine with your cooking friend or partner? Beginners to experienced collectors welcome. themes of communicating, collaborating and celebrating The SC Dinner Club is welcoming new member teams! For more info, contact William Horne at weh655@icloud.com OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS through rhythm! Each month, we gather 7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 or Christopher Ring at drring8435@gmail.com. $10 donation is requested. Doors open at 6:30. in homes throughout Soquel Ave., Soquel Santa Cruz County Thursdays Last Friday of the Month thru October Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating for delicious dinners, SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING disorder or problems with food. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY AT SKYPARK fine wine, lively 7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa Cruz. 5–8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley No dues, fees or weigh-ins. conversation, and lots Beginners welcome, partners not required. Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the Food Trucks A Go Go presents an evening of local eats, live of laughter. $10 each. Come dance! preschool meeting room. Whether you love to music and activities for all ages. All are welcome. cook, enjoy entertaining, Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both in-person or simply want to meet and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa.org. friendly people who CENTRAL FIRE DISTRICT’S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE share your interests, our dinner club is a fun way to join Saturday September 26 Fourth Mondays with a friend and/or cooking partner to build even more 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aptos Fire Station, 6934 Soquel Dr. new friendships and create memorable evenings. THE SPOKEN EXPERIENCE Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County is holding Come join us at the table! Noon – 1 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd. our annual Open House event at the Aptos Fire For more info, email Rhonda Mills: atrhondaloves2paint@gmail. This community of readers meets monthly to enjoy a Station. com. featured poet’s work. We have loads of fun activities Discussions are facilitated by local poets Paola Bruni, for young and old, including live Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. DATED EVENTS firefighting demos, engine & Starting in September, the group will begin meeting at 1 p.m. emergency vehicle tours, photos Thursday September 17 rather than noon. with Sparky the Fire Dog, face Upcoming poet focus: LUNCH WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAWN ADDIS painting by Fiesta Face Paint, and a Junior Firefighter Agility Course. September 28: Sharon Olds 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Meet your local first responders while learning about our operations, career opportunities, wildfire October 26: Juan Felipe Herrera Aptos preparedness and fire & life safety. Several public agencies will be attending as well, including: November 23: Ada Limon Assemblymember Dawn Addis discusses fire insurance, • CA State Parks Lifeguards Sheriff’s December 28: Jericho Brown health care, active California wildfires and the transition to • Santa Cruz County Fire Safe Council a new governor during the Aptos Chamber of Commerce • Santa Cruz County CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) Tuesdays luncheon. • Damian’s Ladder (nonprofit offering low or no-cost assistance to seniors) TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL Admission is $35 for members and $40 for non— and much more! 7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz members. Refreshments including Kona Ice will be available throughout the event. Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market with Reservations are required; walk-ins are not accepted. For more info, visit www.centralfiresc.org, or email info@centralfiresc.org. Hope to see you all there! salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata. For reservations, call 831-688-1467 or visit aptoschamber.com.
28 / September 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
COMMUNITY CALENDAR SANTA CRUZ GUITAR COMPANY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT 5:30 p.m. (doors: 4:30 p.m.), Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Guitar Company celebrates five decades of acoustic craftsmanship with an anniversary concert hosted by Hot Rize multi-instrumentalist and “eTown” radio host Nick Forster. The lineup features San Francisco bluegrass band The Brothers Comatose; company artist ambassador and multi-genre guitarist James Nash; Asheville, North Carolina, retro-soul and brass band Hustle Souls; Hawaii funk and blues singer-songwriter Ron Artis II; and acoustic blues and Delta slide guitarist Catfish Keith. Founded in 1976 by master luthier Richard A. Hoover, the company produces custom guitars, basses, mandocellos and ukuleles played by musicians around the world. Tickets cost $50 to $100. Visit www.snazzyproductions.com/ santacruzguitar50 or call 831-479-9421.
Fridays thru Sundays: September 18 — October 11 ‘RUMORS’ Fri & Sat: 8 p.m. | Sun: 2 p.m., Park Hall Community Center, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond Mountain Community Theater presents Neil Simon’s comedy about four couples whose anniversary dinner falls into chaos as they conceal their host’s mishap and his wife’s disappearance. An opening reception follows the Sept. 18 show. Sept. 19 is Community Night, with two tickets for $30. Tickets are $30, or $20 for seniors and students. Details: mctshows.org.
Saturday September 19 ALZHEIMER’S WALK 8 – 11 a.m., Seascape Resort, 1 Seascape Resort Dr., Aptos Come join us in remembering those we’ve lost to this insidious disease and supporting those who are fighting it now. Follow us along a path above the ocean and down to the beach. We’re hoping to raise funds to finally put an end to the disease. Attire: Anything purple, if possible. Event is free, but we encourage fundraising. Website: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2026/CANorthernCalifornia?pg=entry&fr_id=19476 FRIENDS OF SANTA CRUZ STATE PARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY BASH Noon –3 p.m., Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz Celebrate 50 years of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks at this free community event featuring live music, dancing, food, drinks and a silent auction. The nonprofit supports 34 state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. Former staff, board members and State Parks employees are invited to attend the reunion-style celebration. Information: (831) 429-1840 or info@thatsmypark.org SANTA CRUZ MAC & CHEESE COOK-OFF 11 a.m.–2 p.m., VFW Post 7263, 2259 Seventh Ave., Santa Cruz The second annual Santa Cruz Mac & Cheese Cook-Off features homemade dishes from veteran teams and individual competitors. Guests can sample entries, vote for their favorite and enjoy live music by Sound Squad. Proceeds support Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz and its services for local veterans. For tickets and details, visit https://givebutter.com/santa-cruzmac-cheese-cook-off-2026. BONNY DOON ART, WINE & BREW FESTIVAL 2–7 p.m., Bonny Doon School, 1492 Pine Flat Road, Santa Cruz The 25th annual Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival raises funds for the school’s arts and academics programs. The event features live music, a silent auction, local artists, vendors, food, wine and brews. All proceeds support Bonny Doon School. For details, visit bdcsf.org.
CRANK IT! PRESS CIDER WITH US! 1–4 p.m., Santa Cruz Cider, 65 Hangar Way, Watsonville Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets and Santa Cruz Cider host an all-ages afternoon of apple pressing, live music by the Stingbean Serenaders, local makers, food and cider. Funds raised will help pay for the markets’ new handcrank apple press and support educational programs. To volunteer or learn more, email education@santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR
Wednesday September 16 thru Sunday September 20 Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville WEDNESDAY — OPENING DAY — NOON–11 P.M Opening day features the apple pie contest, a ticketed barbecue, South Bay Swing Band, a seniors contest and ice cream social, the tractor parade and Monster X Tour Admission is $2.50 cash at the gate (Monster truck tickets cost extra). Veterans and active-duty military enter free with identification. THURSDAY — KIDS DAY — NOON–11 P.M., Kids Day offers free admission to children 12 and younger, while other visitors receive $4 off regular gate admission before 5 p.m. Highlights include livestock, horse shows, exhibits, stage and roving entertainment, carnival rides, a tractor parade and the ticketed Monster X Tour. FRIDAY — FRIDAY AT THE FAIR — NOON–11 P.M. Friday’s highlights include livestock exhibits, carnival rides and a tractor parade. Watsonville native Andy Vargas, Santana’s lead vocalist, performs with La Verdad at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Apple Pies and Starry Skies drone show at 8:50 p.m. Both are included with admission. Gate admission is discounted $4 before 5 p.m. SATURDAY — JUNIOR LIVESTOCK AUCTION DAY — 10 A.M.–11 P.M. Junior Livestock Auction Day begins with buyer registration at 9 a.m. and the auction at 10 a.m. Other highlights include the Diaper Derby and Toddler Contest, Watsonville Community Band, tractor parades and carnival rides. James Durbin and the Lost Boys perform at 7:30 p.m., followed by an 8:50 p.m. drone show. SUNDAY — CLOSING DAY — 10 A.M.–10 P.M. Closing day features livestock, horse shows, exhibits, carnival rides and a tractor parade. Lola Montez and Escaramuza El Centenario present a charra show at 4 p.m., and Los Mismos perform at 7 p.m. The final Apple Pies and Starry Skies drone show begins at 8:45 p.m. All are included with admission. ••• BASE TICKET PRICES General: $20 | Senior (62+) – $13 | Youth (12 and Under) – $10 | Youth (5 and Under) and Active Military with valid ID – FREE Parking: $10 | Carpool Parking (5 or more people in car) – FREE Details: santacruzcountyfair.com.
ST. PHILIP’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE 9 a.m., St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church hosts a community rummage sale beginning at 9 a.m. Shoppers can browse a variety of secondhand goods while supporting the Scotts Valley church. For more information about the event and available items, visit stphilip-sv.net or call the church office at 831-438-4360.
Saturday September 19 | Sunday September 20 SCRIPT, PLEASE! 2 p.m., Market Street Theater and Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz Enjoy staged readings of six short plays by two local playwrights. Performances of Script, Please! will be held at The Market Street Theater and Senior Center. If you have enjoyed the Reader’s Theater Short Play Festival, offered by NextStage Productions, or 8 10’s@8, Best of the Rest, you will love this afternoon of live theater. Requested donation: $15 Visit www.marketstreettheater.org for more information.
Thursday September 24
TALES OF BEN LOMOND PART 3 6:30–8:30 p.m. (Doors 6 p.m.), Park Hall Community Center, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond Local historian Ronnie Trubek explores Ben Lomond’s transformation from the 1950s through the counterculture era, including stories of bomb shelters, hippies and residents who shaped the community. No previous attendance is required. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and SCOTTISH DAY students. Proceeds benefit Park Hall and the Ben Lomond 1–5 p.m., Ben Lomond County Park, 9525 Mill St., Village Alliance. Ben Lomond’s second annual Scottish Day celebrates The event includes hula performances, awards and DISCOVER FALL AT PINTO LAKE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN Details: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/tales-of-ben-lomond-part-3-sept--24. Scottish culture with live music, dancing, food and drinks, family-friendly activities. Registration is limited. 10 a.m.–noon, Pinto Lake County Park Demonstration Garden, falconry and sword-fighting demonstrations, and activities For race details and registration info, visit santacruzwharf.com or 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville Sunday September 27 for all ages. call the club for additional information. Monterey Bay Master Gardeners lead a small-group AUDITIONS FOR ‘COOL YULE’ Attendees may sample shortbread contest entries and walk through the Pinto Lake COMMUNITY WRITERS FINAL SESSION 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Market Street Theatre, 222 Market Street, vote for their favorites. Demonstration Garden, sharing 2:30 p.m., Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter St., Soquel Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Bakers can compete for a $100 prize. research-based tips while Auditions are open for COOL YULE — our festive For details or registration: benlomondvillage.org/scottish-day-2026. Community Writers marks its final session after 15 years exploring vegetable beds, fruit with featured reader Nancy Lynn Jarvis. Christmas spectacular! trees, flowers, succulents, ALOHA OUTRIGGER RACES All are welcome, and open mic readers may share native plants and water-wise We’re looking for talented and enthusiastic singers, garden areas. dancers, and performers 50 years of age and older to join 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf original prose or poetry without signing up. Admission is free. Parking is behind the library, with The free event is recommended for adults. this year’s holiday cast! The Pu Pu ’O Hawaii Outrigger Club hosts short-course access off Soquel Drive near the Bagelry lot. Registration is required because space is limited. races for new and novice paddlers, with teams receiving “Calendar” page 31 For details, contact the Library at 831-475-3326 or visit porterml.org. For details and registration, visit ucanr.edu. equipment and instruction.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 29
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Why Do So Many Teens Want a Mental Health Label? By DR. LORI BUTTERWORTH, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
R
ecently, I was talking with the parents of a 12-year-old girl in my psychotherapy practice. They described something that has become increasingly familiar: their daughter and her friends compare mental health diagnoses almost the way kids used to compare favorite bands or clothing brands. One has ADHD. Another took a quiz on TikTok and thinks she has OCD. Someone else has anxiety, depression, autism or trauma. Sometimes it can even get competitive; who has the newest diagnosis, the most symptoms or the most complicated explanation for why life feels hard. This is a striking cultural shift. Not long ago, young people often hid mental health diagnoses because they feared being judged. Today, many teenagers readily identify themselves by them. There is something genuinely good about that change. We have reduced stigma. Young people know more about mental health, and kids who are truly struggling may be more willing to ask for help. But I also worry that we are increasingly teaching young people to interpret the normal discomforts of life as evidence that something is wrong with them. Adolescence is uncomfortable. You feel left out. Your best friend suddenly prefers someone else. You get rejected. You embarrass yourself. You fail a test you studied for. Your body changes. You become intensely aware of what everyone else might think of you. • You can feel anxious without having an anxiety disorder. • You can have trouble concentrating without necessarily having ADHD.
“Gingerbread Village” from page 23 The gingerbread also had to be strong enough to hold up the buildings, designed to look three stories tall. Hawkinson used what she called “construction-grade gingerbread,” made without eggs or leavening. The recipe produces
• You can be heartbroken without being clinically depressed. • You can experience something painful without automatically describing it as trauma. These distinctions matter, not because we should minimize suffering, but because young people also need to learn an enormously important lesson. Feeling bad does not mean something is wrong with you. Feeling bad sometimes is part of life. Much of psychological health involves learning to make room for uncomfortable emotions rather than immediately trying to eliminate them or explain them away. In my work with young people, I often talk about the difference between pain and pathology. Pain is part of being alive. We will all experience disappointment, uncertainty,
loneliness, fear, jealousy, grief and failure. Mental health does not mean avoiding these experiences. It means developing the ability to move through them. The problem with reaching too quickly for a diagnosis is that a label can sometimes become an explanation for why a young person should avoid discomfort. “I have social anxiety, so I can’t go to the party.” “I have ADHD, so I can’t do this assignment.” “This makes me anxious, so I shouldn’t have to do it.” Yet many of the most effective psychological treatments teach almost the opposite lesson: we can feel anxious and still go. We can feel uncomfortable and still try. We can be disappointed and recover.
That is resilience. For parents, this means resisting two extremes. Don’t dismiss your child by saying, “There’s nothing wrong with you.” But also, don’t assume every difficult feeling requires a diagnosis. Instead, get curious. When your teenager says, “I have anxiety,” you might ask, “What are you worried about?” If she says, “I’m depressed,” ask, “What has been feeling really hard lately?” Move the conversation from the label back to the experience. Of course, psychiatric disorders are real, and accurate diagnosis can be enormously helpful. A young person with significant OCD, depression, ADHD or another condition deserves appropriate assessment and evidence-based treatment. But even then, the goal of therapy should not be to build a life around a diagnosis. It should be to build a life. Our children need to know that sadness, anxiety, rejection and uncertainty are not signs that they are broken. They are part of the full range of human experience. One of the most important things we can teach young people is not how to label every uncomfortable feeling with a diagnosis, but how to experience it, make room for it, and discover that they can move through hard feelings and come out stronger on the other side. n ••• Dr. Lori Butterworth , PsyD, MEd, MA is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of the Center for Youth Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. She can be reached at lori@cymh.org or 831-222-0052.
hard, flat pieces that are better for building than eating. “It dries really hard,” she said. Hawkinson added plenty of spices to make the gingerbread smell good, even though much of it was later covered with gum paste. She said the entire village is edible, at least in theory. “You wouldn’t want to eat it,” she said.
“It’s not good when it’s fresh either because it’s made with construction-grade gingerbread.” The pieces dried so hard that even her dog struggled to chew some of the scraps, she said. Hawkinson even uses a table saw she got as a Christmas gift last year to straighten the edges of the baked pieces before joining them. “It’s really small,” she said, creating about a
6-inch by 6-inch square with her hands to show the size of it. Hawkinson has shown her gingerbread creations at the Santa Cruz County Fair before. She made her first one before the 1989 earthquake, but doesn’t enter one every year. She said this gingerbread village is probably her fifth creation. n
30 / September 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
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Saturday October 10
“Calendar” from page 29 Whether you’re a seasoned performer or ready to take the stage for the first time, come audition and be part of the magic! Contact Sandi Jo for the music tracks: 831-359-1601 WINE TASTING AND AUCTION 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holy Eucharist Catholic Community, 527 Corralitos Rd., Corralitos Come enjoy local wine, gourmet appetizers and a great auction! Tickets are $70 – reserve now! 722-5490
SANTA CRUZ BAKE & GATHER 1:30 p.m. baker arrival; 2 p.m. gathering, Midtown Community Center, 115 S. Morrissey Ave., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Bake & Gather welcomes bakers and dessert lovers to a free community potluck. Each group is encouraged to bring a baked item to display and share. There is no competition, and all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required. For details, visit santacruzbakegather.com.
Saturday October 17
SEA DUBS FAN FEST 1–3 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz Warriors celebrate the upcoming NBA DIGGIN DIRT G League season with free Doors 8 p.m.; shows 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Chalk Talk sessions, player Way, Santa Cruz and coach autographs, Humboldt County’s seven-piece funk-soul band Diggin family activities, Dirt performs two nights, mixing psychedelic rock, merchandise deals and Motown soul, Afrobeat and reggae over a foundation of ticket offers. late-1960s funk. A raffle featuring signed The shows are limited to ages 21 and older. memorabilia and ticket Tickets are $23 per night in advance, $28 on show day packages will benefit Save or $40 for both nights. Our Shores. Details: moesalley.com. Registration is required. For details and registration, visit santacruzwarriors.com.
Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3
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Duck, Duck …
aco (A333297), a 2-year-old brown male duck, was surrendered to the shelter in mid-July. In his prior home, he lived in harmony with a chicken, and our staff notes that he is a very human-oriented, social duck. If you’ve never had a duck before, they are quite similar to chickens—except they waddle, wiggle, and quack! In addition to a dry area, ducks need regular access to water for swimming and grooming. Besides a balanced diet of duck pellets, grains, fresh veggies, and clean water, ducks require a predator-proof spot to sleep at night. They also need a secure outdoor enclosure to keep them from flying or roaming away. Ducks are playful, full of personality, and incredibly entertaining. If you would like to visit Paco—or our other adoptable duck, Sweeny (A333387), who previously lived with a dog and would likely thrive with a flock of female ducks—please stop by the shelter. ••• 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. All adoptions are first come, first served. ••• 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. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet” — Please ring bell for stray animal drop-off from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.) 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.–noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon — Please ring bell for stray animal dropoff 9:30 a.m.-noon; 1-5 p.m.) Website: www.scanimalshelter.org SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
Saturday October 3
GOURMET GRAZING ON THE GREEN Noon–4 p.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road Gourmet Grazing on the Green brings together dozens of local wineries, restaurants and breweries for unlimited food, wine and beer tasting, with live music on two stages. Tickets are $99 in advance or $120 at the door and include a souvenir wine glass. Proceeds support local cancer services. Tickets: sccbg.org/gourmetgrazingonthegreen.
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“Agricultural AI” from page 18
Solar System © Statepoint Media
“Farmers, they need essentially a John Deere tractor,” he said. “They need something that works 95% of the time. They don’t need a prototype that breaks.” Agricultural equipment also needs service crews and readily available replacement parts, he said. Harvesting, planting, irrigation and crop-monitoring windows can be extremely tight, leaving growers little time to wait for repairs. Much of the technology has a long ways to go before being ready for regular use, but Koide said interest is growing. He said Reservoir’s Ruggedize recent conference in Salinas drew agricultural and technology leaders from across the country. One machine
RACE THE FLAME: WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS RUN/WALK 8 a.m., East Upper Field, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High St. Race the Flame challenges runners and walkers to follow a 2.2-mile wildfire evacuation route from UCSC’s East Field to the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore. A preparedness fair follows. Registration costs $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. Net proceeds benefit Friends of Parks & Rec Santa Cruz. Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaCruz/ RaceTheFlame. n
being tested is SAMI, a robotic platform that uses artificial intelligence, cameras and multiple arms to identify and harvest vegetables. Koide said the equipment can replace an entire lettuce or brassica harvesting crew, but the technology comes with a major obstacle: Koide said the machine costs about $2.5 million. “From a capital-outlay perspective, these are not trivial pieces of machinery,” he said. Even when automation lowers labor costs, farms must be able to afford the initial investment. Leasing, shared-use arrangements and other distribution models may wind up being as important as the machinery itself, Koide said. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2026 / 31
Aptos & La Selva BY THE NUMBERS AUG 2026 MLS Data
27
1.41m median sale price
new listings
38
median days on market
96% list price received
19
homes sold
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