A Life’s Work on Display
Aptos Artist’s 50-year Career Exhibited in Ben Lomond
By Jon Chown
BEN LOMOND — Bela Ravikumar is practically putting her entire life up for display in Ben Lomond with her first local solo exhibition of her art at the Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center, which holds an opening reception on Aug. 29 from 5-7 p.m. and will be featured through Sept. 21.
Ravikumar, who lives in Aptos, immigrated from
India in the 1990s after graduating from the University of Bardo Faculty of Fine Arts. In India, she often painted or drew imaginary landscapes. After moving here, she said the natural beauty of her environment sparked new creativity.
“After I moved to California, the whole world opened up for me,” she said. ... continues on page 4
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More than l50 artists will be showing their wares at the 42nd annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival on Sept. 13–14, and potter Honora Bacon is thrilled to be one of them.
Full Story page 5
Cotoni-Coast Diaries National Monument Opens to Public Full Story page 8
New Drone Show to Light Up Capitola Beach Festival
The Capitola Beach Festival will return for its seventh year on the weekend of Sept. 27–28, bringing a full slate of free, family-friendly events to mark the end of summer.
Full Story page 6
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Monterey
4 Santa Cruz to Hold Daylong Vigil Honoring Children Killed in
7 PVUSD Changes Date of December Board Meeting After Contentious Debate, By Jon Chown 8 Cotoni-Coast Dairies Now Open to the Public • Supervisors OK New Sheriff Substation in Davenport 10 Monterey Car Week Festival Wraps
BESS Meetings End; Community Concerned: New Regulations Said to be in Place to Prevent Moss-Landing Type Fire, By Jon Chown 12 County Receives Nearly $14 million in Road Funding
14 Santa Cruz County Approves New Rules for Abandoned and Oversized Vehicles, By Jon Chown 15 Joby Aviation Air Taxi Completes Landmark Flight
16 County Makes Changes for Short-Term Rentals: Ordinance Aims to Reduce Purchases by Corporations and LLCs, By Jon Chown
18 Surf History Exhibit Coming to Live Oak
24 New Leaf Community Markets to Open New River Street Store Sept. 27 • RMSD Medical Reopens in Capitola Village • Elkhorn Forever Campaign Declares Success • Author Meg Waite Clayton to Speak at Capitola Library • Community Invited to Presentation on Beach Resilience
25 Improvements at Miller Property County Park Celebrated
26 Comedians Clara Bijl, Scott Capurro to Perform in Santa Cruz • Cabrillo College Shines in New Rankings • Chipotle Opens First Scotts Valley Location
27 HelloFresh to Pay $7.5 Million Over Auto-Renewal Violations • UC Master Gardeners Open Applications for 2026 Training Program Local Sports
9 Santa Cruz County High School Football Season Kicks Off Letter to the Editor
20 California’s Budget Decisions Are Failing Its Most Vulnerable Children
22 Fun to Read About Capitola Junior Guards in Competition
Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Virgo — Sheaf of Wheat & Shimmering Stars, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists
19 Autumn Foliage In Mild Climates, By Tony Tomeo
21 Alla Prima and Le Premier Coupe, By Joe Ortiz
22 Raising Resilient Kids, By Dr. Lori Butterworth
30 September is National Preparedness Month, By Rebecca Gold Rubin
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Santa Cruz to Hold Daylong Vigil Honoring Children Killed in Gaza
On Thursday, Sept. 5, Santa Cruz community members will gather for a daylong public vigil to honor and mourn more than 18,000 children reportedly killed in Gaza over the past three years of Israeli military operations.
The event, organized by Know Our Names, will take place on the steps of the Santa Cruz County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Throughout the day, volunteers will read aloud the names of Palestinian children killed in the conflict. Organizers say the event is both a memorial and a call for accountability and awareness.
A press conference will be held at noon, featuring a Native Land Ceremony and speakers addressing the humanitarian crisis in
“A Life’s Work” from page 1
Through all of her travels and transitions in life, she has experimented with different mediums: pen and ink, watercolor, pastels, serigraph prints, mono prints and more. Her exhibition, titled “Drawn to Nature, A Retrospective: My 50-Year Journey in Art” reflects this and you can follow the different periods of her life and work as you walk through it.
“I’m drawn to the atmosphere – rainy days, moonlit nights, that kind of thing,” Ravikumar said while putting the finishing touches on the exhibit three days before it opened. “Nature has always been my inspiration.”
Which is why she feels so inspired while in Santa Cruz County. The region’s beauty
Gaza and U.S. involvement through military funding. Speakers include Rolla Alyadi, a Monterey County teacher who lost over 200 family members in Gaza; Christine Hong, a UC Santa Cruz professor and member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine; Rabbi Chel Mandell, speaking from an anti-Zionist Jewish perspective; and local mental health and education professionals.
Following the press conference, a quilt titled Babies in Gaza Who Never Made It to Their First Birthday will be unveiled. Created by 32 local participants, the 15x15-foot quilt honors the youngest victims, with each block featuring 20 names.
At 4 p.m., a silent sidewalk march will begin at Ocean and Water Streets, with participants encouraged to wear black and carry
flowers. The march will proceed to the Town Clock and continue to Pacific and Cooper Streets. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the vigil will feature a performance titled Movement Ceremony: Embody Our Grief. As night falls, projections of images from Gaza and global protest movements will be shown, while name readings continue into the night.
Organizers invite the public to join at any time during the day to stand in remembrance. Donations are being accepted to support humanitarian efforts through the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen, and a campaign supporting Alyadi’s remaining family members in Gaza. n
More information is available by emailing pjcsantacruz@gmail.com.
is what drew her here and keeps her here. There’s an endless amount of scenery to draw and paint — no need to imagine the beauty.
“Just look around,” she said. “It’s everywhere.”
She credited the instructors and art program at Cabrillo College for driving her career forward and giving her the opportunity to learn new techniques and gain more inspiration. A lot of the artwork in her exhibition is easily recognizable. The wetlands around Watsonville, the Elkhorn Slough, the Pacific Ocean waving in the distance behind redwoods, and scenes from local parks.
“I really like to draw trees,” she said, pointing out how trees were a central theme in her imaginary landscapes she painted in India, and they continued to be a focus
in every medium she experimented with. They are often bare of leaves, the branches stretching for the sun in any direction they can find.
Ravikumar has shown her art across the world, but this will be her first local solo exhibition and she is excited to be able to share her life’s work with the community. Every year a different member of the Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center is allowed to have a solo exhibition and this is her year.
“I feel fortunate for a life that is filled with both artistic expression and natural wonder,” she said. n
The gallery, located at 9341 Mill Street in Ben Lomond, is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
Capitola Art & Wine Festival Returns
By Jon Chown
More than l50 artists will be showing their wares at the 42nd annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival on Sept. 13–14, and potter Honora Bacon is thrilled to be one of them.
“I’m very excited about doing it,” Bacon said while showing a reporter around her studio in Ben Lomond. “I do open studios and I’m so excited now to expand and do the Capitola Festival.”
Bacon creates ceramic tableware. Bowls, platters, cups and plates are scattered across the studio. When finished, they are decorated with beautiful outdoor designs: waves, the sun, clouds with striking lines. A lot of it is thrown on her wheel. She said she probably enjoys making platters the most.
literally, it was a broken record,” Bacon laughed. “So all four kids eventually made it out here. You guys have the best weather, the best everything.”
Bacon said her mom and grandmother were both artistic and she was often dabbling in it, but never found her niche until college. When she put clay in her hands and started molding it, she knew she had found her place. That was in 2007. Five years later she moved to Ben Lomond to further her career as an artist. She said it was very difficult at first.
“It takes so much time to hand build, but you get things that are out of the round,” she said, noting that the process of adding and reducing clay to a piece is quite meditative.
Bacon started her craft during her senior year at the University of New Mexico, and then stayed an extra year in school to keep studying it. She grew up in Ohio and always knew that California was where she should live. Her mother told her every day.
“She was complaining my entire childhood about how horrible Ohio is, like
“When you’re young and everybody has all these years under their belt, you think, when is it ever going to happen for me,” she said. “But you just keep working and all of a sudden you have a lot of experience.”
That experience and her hard work will be on full display at the festival, which, in addition to all the artists, also features local wines and live music.
This year’s featured artist is Cristina Sayers, who created the 2025 poster for the event. She was raised in Aptos, Capitola and Soquel. As a child, she won a local coloring contest and an oil paint set from Palace Art as her prize. It set her career path.
“Art & Wine” page 9
Potter Honora Bacon talks to a reporter in her Ben Lomond studio.
New Drone Show to Light Up Capitola Beach Festival
Event Promises a Weekend Packed with Fun
The Capitola Beach Festival will return for its seventh year on the weekend of Sept. 27–28, bringing a full slate of free, family-friendly events to mark the end of summer. This will feature paddleboard races Sunday morning and a lighted drone show Saturday night.
This year’s festival, presented with generous support from Joby Aviation, will kick off Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 a.m. with the popular Little Wharf 3-Mile Run. From there, the day continues with a sand sculpture contest at 10 a.m., a cornhole competition at 11 a.m., and both a children’s art project and scavenger hunt at noon.
Afternoon highlights include a live concert at 4 p.m., followed by the beloved Lighted Nautical Parade along Soquel Creek around 7 p.m. The evening will conclude with a Lighted Drone Show, sponsored by Lanai Financial Solutions.
The Sunday of the event begins early at 7 a.m. with a fishing derby on the Capitola Wharf, followed by paddleboard races launching from the beach at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m., guests can enjoy live ukulele music and a horseshoe tournament, with chalk art on the seawall beginning at 11 a.m. Rowboat race signups open at noon, and the race itself begins at 1 p.m.
The festival’s chief organizer, Laurie Hill, said that each year the festival tries to bring something new and that there is a lot of excitement for the paddleboard competition and the drone show. Helping put on this festival is an effort of love for her.
“I love the deep engagement with the Capitola community,” Hill said. “Once you get engaged doing something for your community, the rewards are just immense.”
Hill said about 10 volunteers show up regularly to meetings, and more volunteers show up on the day of the event to help.
The festival carries forward the community spirit of its predecessor, the Begonia Festival, which charmed residents and visitors for 65 years with flower-decorated floats drifting down Soquel Creek. Hill was in charge of the Begonia Festival when it had to end.
“We sort of reframed the event,” she said. “We kept a lot of the same stuff. The Begonia Festival parade was a wonderful thing. When it was over, we thought, wouldn’t it be nice if we had a lighted parade that would take advantage of new things, new technology? What if it was recyclable? And a lot of that has played out.”
The result was the Lighted Nautical Parade, now in its seventh year, which continues the tradition of celebrating Capitola’s maritime heritage with barges decorated by volunteers. However, this year the barges were in disrepair. Hill said some even looked like they might sink. Thankfully, volunteers stepped up. Materials to repair the barges were donated by DeMattei Construction, and Joe Palandrani, Dave Arron, Keith Cahalen, Trevor Whitcomb, Shamne Carvalho, TJ Welch, Rick Vento, Gerry Jensen, John Telsco, Dave Peyton, Nick Palandrani, and Matt Arthur jumped in to do the work.
“Because of their efforts, we will have the lighted parade,” Hill said.
Many events at the festival are free, though some require pre-registration like the paddleboard races. In addition to the thrill of competition, contest and race participants will be recognized with awards. n •••
Full event details and sign-up information are available at capitolabeachfestival.com.
COVER PHOTO: Foam is gathered in preparation of building a float for the lighted parade.
PVUSD Changes Date of December Board Meeting After Contentious Debate
By Jon Chown
WATSONVILLE — Despite his best attempt to stop it, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District changed the date of its December meeting so that Trustee Gabriel Medina would not have a scheduling conflict during the year’s most pivotal meeting when board leadership is chosen.
The vote to change the meeting date passed 5-1, with Medina the only member in dissent.
Medina came to the meeting hoping to have all future meetings changed until December. Discussion for it was placed on the agenda. Medina explained he is an instructor at Cabrillo College and cannot pick and choose which nights he is going to work. He will be teaching on Wednesday nights and won’t be able to attend board meetings. However, the semester ends in December and for reasons he did not explain, he will be able to choose which nights he can work next semester and the meetings could move back to Wednesdays.
When the agenda item came up, Board Chair Olivia Flores invited Medina to make a motion.
“Weren’t you going to present on times? I thought that was the directive we gave the superintendent at the last meeting, to come up with proposals?” He said.
“Look, I know what you are trying to do. You do not want me on here,” he continued. “I had proposed to move this because I am a teacher at Cabrillo College. I have just got assigned. And those of you who work in higher education understand that your assignment can’t really be …”
“Trustee Medina, we need a motion,” Flores interrupted.
“Well I, uh, don’t have the time,” Medina stammered. “OK, we need to have a discussion on what is better for people. We didn’t get anybody’s schedules. We don’t know what is up, so we need to have a discussion about it. I can’t propose something if I don’t know what people’s schedules are. Does that not make sense to you?”
“I need a motion to start the discussion,” Flores replied.
Medina made a motion to move the board meetings to Thursdays through December.
“I only need this for a semester. It’s amazing that we can accommodate
[Gabriel] Medina came to the meeting hoping to have all future meetings changed until December. Discussion for it was placed on the agenda. Medina explained he is an instructor at Cabrillo College and cannot pick and choose which nights he is going to work.
unelected officials, but we can’t accommodate officials elected by the people,” he said while pounding his index finger into his desk. “I think we need to see right through what they’re trying to do because if I’m not here, we’re not going to have people defending our labor, our students and they’re just going to roll things through, they showed us that already.”
Trustee Misty Navarro said she gave her schedule requests to her employer a year in advance and would only be able to make one board meeting, the one in December, if the meetings were moved. Flores said she could attend on Mondays or possibly Fridays, but Tuesday or Thursdays did not work for her. Trustee Carol Turley tried to find some common ground and even mentioned Fridays, but Trustee Joy Flynn shook her head vehemently when asked about Fridays.
“It’s my goal to make sure we have a quorum,” she said.
Flynn said those Thursdays would work for her, but said that if it didn’t work for the president of the board, then it wouldn’t work. “We need our president here. She is running the meetings,” she said.
While Flynn and Turley tried to find common ground, Medina would not help them, instead criticizing Flores and others and accusing them of a plot.
Medina’s motion failed 4-2, with Trustee Jessica Carrasco voting with him. Flynn then wanted to make a motion to move the one meeting in December, so that Medina would have the chance to vote on new board leadership, but he spoke against the idea, still demanding that all the meetings be moved to Thursdays.
In the end, Flynn made the motion to move the December meeting and the motion passed 5-1. n
Cotoni-Coast Dairies Now Open to the Public
DAVENPORT — Cotoni-Coast Dairies, a treasured part of the California Coastal National Monument, is now officially open to the public daily from dawn until dusk, the Bureau of Land Management recently announced.
Public access is available via the North Trailhead at Cement Plant Road and Warranella Road near Davenport. Parking is limited to 62 spaces, and visitors are strongly encouraged to carpool or use public transportation to minimize environmental impact and reduce congestion.
protected lands across the country. These lands are managed to conserve and restore unique natural, cultural, and recreational values for future generations.
Located along the scenic Central Coast, Cotoni-Coast Dairies spans from the forested ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the breathtaking coastal terraces overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The area protects a diverse range of ecosystems, including vibrant riparian corridors and sensitive marine terrace habitats, critical for local fish species and vital to the regional water supply.
The long-anticipated opening also coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands, a system of 906 units covering over 38 million acres of
“Cotoni-Coast Dairies is a prime example of what the National Conservation Lands were created to protect,” said Central Coast Field Manager Tommy Medlin. “This opening reflects decades of work by the local community, Tribal partners, conservation groups, and public agencies. We’re proud to make these lands accessible in a way that respects their ecological and cultural importance.”
Cotoni-Coast Dairies is part of the California Coastal National Monument, which includes more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, and reefs along California’s 1,100mile coastline. This newly opened portion adds an inland component, expanding recreational and educational opportunities.
Visitors are reminded to stay on designated trails, pack out all trash, and respect ongoing habitat restoration efforts. The BLM also asks all visitors to check trail conditions and rules before their visit. n
Supervisors OK New Sheriff Substation in Davenport
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 approved the establishment of a new Sheriff’s Service Center in Davenport following the opening of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument and other upcoming community investments.
To be located at 450 Highway 1 in the heart of Davenport, the new substation will
provide a visible and accessible hub for residents, visitors, and law enforcement.
The facility will be staffed by a Community Policing Deputy and qualified community volunteers, serving as a location for public safety inquiries, crime reporting, and community engagement.
“Substation” page 15
LOCAL SPORTS
Santa Cruz County High School Football Season Kicks Off
The countdown is on as high school football returns to Santa Cruz County. Local teams are ready to take the field with hopes of building on last season’s efforts — and for one school, defending a state title.
All eyes are on Soquel High School, which made history last December by winning the CIF Division 4-AA state championship, the first state football title in Santa Cruz County history. The Knights defeated Jurupa Hills 28–7 to cap off a record-breaking 13–2 season.
With Soquel aiming to repeat history and other programs eager to rise, Santa Cruz County’s football scene promises plenty of action and drama this fall. Grab
“Art & Wine” from page 5
Twenty-two local wineries will be pouring at the event. Wine tasting requires the purchase of a 2025 festival glass for $20, along with tasting tokens. Guests must be 21 or older with a valid ID. Entertainment at the Bandstand Stage in Esplanade Park includes James Durbin and The Lost Boys on Saturday evening, and Viva Santana closing the festival on Sunday. Dance groups, local studios, and performers will appear throughout the weekend.
your coat and head out to support your local team.
Thursday, Aug. 29
Aptos vs. King’s Academy, 7:30 pm
Friday, Aug. 30
Harbor vs. Del Mar, 7:00 pm
Watsonville at Greenfield, 7:00 pm
Monte Vista Christian at Piedmont Hills, 7:15 pm
Scotts Valley at Santa Cruz, 7:30 pm
Soquel vs. Los Gatos, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Aug. 31
Pajaro Valley vs. Lynbrook, 12:30 pm
San Lorenzo Valley vs. South San Francisco, 12:30 pm
St. Francis vs. King City, 12:30 pm n
Festival hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, and from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 14. Admission to the festival is free. Free parking and shuttle service will be available from the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue, with shuttles running every 20 minutes. A free bike valet will also be offered at the David Lyng Real Estate parking lot, hosted by Harbor High Leadership. n
September 17 or September 24 from 11 am to
OCTOBER | PAIRING PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE
October 10 or October 24 from 12 pm to 2 pm Soquel Vineyards, 8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel
The event is hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, with proceeds benefiting local schools and community organizations.
Honora Bacon’s beautiful ceramic tableware.
Monterey Car Week Festival Wraps Up
MONTEREY — Exotic cars, classic cars and even race cars were on display at the Monterey Motorsports Festival on Aug. 16, billed as the penultimate event of Monterey’s Car Week, where the new Peralta S won Best in Show.
The silver car, almost disc like, looked more like a spaceship than something you see on the road. Owned by Carlos Peralta of Mexico City, it was created by Fabrizio Giugiaro in Torino, Italy and based on the Maserati MC20 chassis. It has a 621hp twinturbo 3.0-liter V6 engine.
There were more than 300 cars at the event, mostly exotic cars, but there were European classics, lowriders, muscle cars and everything in between.
The show’s Legacy Award went to a 1967 Chevrolet Impala owned by Jerry and Lorena Hernandez of Modesto.
In addition to the cars, there were a few motorsports celebrities on hand, such as Red
athlete Mad Mike from New Zealand. There was also live music at the event, as well as DJ sets. Seventeen nonprofit partners participated in Monterey Motorsports Festival, collectively raising more than $50,000 in donations. n
Alex Alvarez’s 2006 Chevy Corvette won the the Exotic Award.
Bull drift
The new Peralta S won Best in Show.
BESS Meetings End; Community Concerned
New Regulations Said to be in Place to Prevent Moss-Landing Type Fire
By Jon Chown
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment held its final Battery Energy Storage System technical workshop on Aug. 20, and will next form an ad hoc committee that will summarize the information gathered, along with community comment.
There are three separate proposals for BESS sites in Santa Cruz County: 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, another behind Dominican Hospital in Live Oak, and another near Aptos High School on Freedom Boulevard. Of the three, only the Minto Road site appears likely. That site, 14 acres large, is on land deemed not viable for agriculture near a PG&E Green Valley substation. It is being proposed by Seahawk Energy Storage and would consist of 300 lithium batteries inside a shipping container-style structure.
The second site, on Houts Drive, has been ruled unsuitable by county staff due to the terrain. The third site, near Aptos High, is also unsuitable due to terrain and limited acreage. No developer has made a proposal for either of these sites.
The county lacks an ordinance on BESS. Under California Assembly Bill 205, developers could bypass local review by applying directly to the California Energy Commission or certification—unless the county has its own ordinance in place. The hearings are to inform county leaders on what that ordinance should look like. Other legislation is in the works.
Looming over all is the Vistra BESS plant at Moss Landing where a fire on Jan. 16 prompted widespread evacuations amid a toxic plume of hazardous gases. Most businesses in Moss Landing are still shut down six months later. Investigations are ongoing, and cleanup of the damaged batteries, nearly 100,000 modules, is underway with EPA oversight.
Despite this, the county commission appeared to mostly favor BESS technology, as did the guest speakers brought to each of the meetings. Matt Paiss, a Soquel resident who has studied solar technology, trains firefighters on fighting battery fires and serves on multiple technical committees related to
battery safety, had been scheduled to speak at the Aug. 20 meeting, but instead, Commission Chair Kris Damhorst read a letter from Paiss. The letter acknowledged some drawbacks, but Paiss wrote the public should not fear BESS. “While a BESS fire does produce toxic smoke, so does every fire I’ve been to in 23 years as a firefighter,” his letter said.
According to Paiss, batteries act like a shock absorber for the power grid, responding in milliseconds to demands on it. For renewable energy to be truly viable, it has to be stored for when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing.
“Without the grid support energy storage provides, we might have a very fragile grid,” he wrote. “I often tell people storing energy is never risk-free—but neither is a grid without it. Our challenge is to make informed, measured choices that protect public safety, our climate and our energy future.”
Damhorst followed up with his summation of what he had learned during the previous workshops held on June 25 and July 20. “Battery storage is essential,” he
said. “Without sufficient storage, renewable energy doesn’t work.”
He noted the long track record of lithium ion-technology and the many changes that had occurred in the aftermath of the Vistra fire. New facilities are built outdoors with battery modules spaced apart to prevent the fire spreading; the California Public Utilities Commission has now placed BESS facilities under the same regulatory structure as generating facilities; and BESS failure rates have fallen 97% in recent years. Furthermore, they replace “peaker plants.” These plants are used to quickly respond to energy demands, but are dirty and expensive to run, which raises the price of energy.
“So we should see economic benefits from getting rid of peaker plants,” he said.
However, with the Vistra fire fresh in the community’s mind, most of the members of the public at the meeting appeared to be against any plant construction.
“BESS” page 12
Art & Wine FESTIVAL
County Receives Nearly $14 million in Road Funding
Santa Cruz County will receive $13.97 million from a combination of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and California’s Senate Bill 1 as part of a statewide $3 billion investment to improve safety, travel times and multimodal options. The local funds will support pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along State Route 9 in Felton and roadway and sidewalk repairs along Green Valley Road, directly enhancing safety and mobility for county residents.
The California Transportation Commission approved the $3 billion package open Aug. 18 to improve safety, expand travel efficiency and increase multimodal options across the state highway system, including bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. The investments support Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, aimed at making California communities safer, cleaner and more accessible.
Of the $3 billion approved, $663 million comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and roughly $2 billion comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The funds will rehabilitate aging roadways, increase the capacity of the state’s transportation system, improve travel times and expand access to active transportation options, while promoting environmental benefits and minimizing impacts on surrounding communities.
“Today’s investments reflect California’s long-term commitment to safer roads, smarter traffic management and expanded transportation choices that get people where they need to go,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.
“BESS” from page 11
“I think we are being scammed,” said Drew Lewis.
Several people expressed fear that there wasn’t enough regulation on BESS and what little there was wouldn’t be enforced.
“We cannot sit back and depend that our fire officials will watch over us. They are not going to,” said Becky Steinbrunner. “What is our county staff willing to accept? I’m very worried.”
Bob Lyons said he lives near the Minto Road site and the community is very worried. There are thousands of people who live nearby and it’s right next to College Lake, which provides water for agriculture.
CTC Chair Darnell Grisby said the allocations “strategically invest taxpayer dollars to improve the safety and reliability of the state’s transportation network, support the movement of freight, reduce out-of-pocket travel costs and contribute to a thriving economy.”
State Route 9 Improvements
Eight million dollars has been allocated to construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along State Route 9 from Kirby Street to just north of Fall Creek Drive in Felton. Funded with $7.2 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $800,000 from SB 1, the project is designed to improve safety, reduce the number and severity of collisions and expand travel options for pedestrians and cyclists.
Green Valley Road Repairs
Nearly $6 million will go toward repairing roadways and sidewalks along Green Valley Road, just east of State Route 152. This includes $5 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $685,000 from SB 1, ensuring safer, smoother travel for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
About 90 minutes south, Monterey County will receive $2.4 million for preservation work on the Rocky Creek Bridge on Highway 1. The work includes electrochemical chloride extraction, structural steel cleaning and painting and substructure repairs.
Statewide, other major projects include a $102 million upgrade to Interstate 5, the Grapevine, in Kern County. Work includes pavement repairs, upgraded drainage and lighting, installation of CCTV cameras, vehicle detection systems and changeable message signs to improve traffic monitoring and incident response. n
“It’s a gigantic danger. There’s going to be protests all over the place in Watsonville because people are not happy about this,” he warned.
The meeting started with an update from Sen. John Laird’s office on Senate Bill 283 from analyst Khalifa Sarwari. Called the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, the bill requires BESS facilities to comply with fire-safety standards, mandates developers consult with local fire authorities at least 30 days before applying, and orders pre-operation inspections by fire departments or the State Fire Marshal. It would also ban BESS in combustible buildings. The bill has passed the Senate and has moved through Assembly committees. It seems likely to become law. n
Santa Cruz County Approves New Rules for Abandoned and Oversized Vehicles
By Jon Chown
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County
Board of
Supervisors
gave an initial approval to changes to the county’s rules for abandoned, wrecked, and oversized vehicles, aiming to tackle a long-standing public safety and nuisance issue.
The new ordinance, which updates Chapter 9.57 of the county code, would give the sheriff’s office greater authority to remove vehicles abandoned or left on public streets and other county property. The board voted 4-1 to return the ordinance for another reading and initial-approval vote with minor changes.
If the ordinance meets final approval, most vehicles will receive a 10-day warning before being towed. In cases where a vehicle poses an immediate risk to public safety, that warning can be waived, allowing law enforcement to act quickly. Once towed, vehicles could be dismantled immediately, a change designed to remove disincentives for towing companies.
Currently, state and local regulations require vehicles to be stored for a set period, a practice that often makes towing expensive and risky, resulting in many abandoned cars remaining in place for weeks or even months. Sheriff’s deputies have said the ordinance will allow for faster and more effective enforcement.
The new ordinance was sponsored by Supervisors Manu Koenig (District 1) and Felipe Hernandez (District 4). Koenig made the presentation of the changes to the board and public.
“The problem that this ordinance update seeks to address is that county code today doesn’t have any teeth,” he said.
Koenig said he got involved in the issue when residents complained about an abandoned RV on Harden Way that had been there for more than a year. It was sprayed with graffiti and missing tires. When Koenig asked the sheriff’s office why nothing was being done, he was told the RV had been ticketed more than 30 times, but no tow company would move it because storing the RV is expensive and the company would never recoup the costs. People also break into tow yards to retrieve items from vehicles, making tow companies reluctant to handle them.
“This is for abandoned, wrecked, inoperable vehicles,” said Hernandez, who noted
that vehicles were being left on agricultural land in south county.
Abandoned and oversized vehicles have been a persistent problem across Santa Cruz County, creating blocked rights-of-way, obstructing emergency access, generating public health concerns, and frustrating local businesses, according to the county’s staff report.
Members of the public were outraged by the proposal and voiced their dissent.
“This is an outrageous proposal. I’m reminded of Nazi Germany,” said Marilyn Garrett.
“You’re stealing people’s last home,” said Keith McHenry, who said he knew of many people, even elderly women, who had their homes taken away with their prescription medicines inside.
“It ruins a person’s ability to get back off the streets because you’ve destroyed their only way of living. … This is brutality. It should stop.”
County officials stressed that enforcement would be carried out with care for residents who may be living in vehicles. The county’s Encampment Response Guidelines will guide interactions, emphasizing outreach and engagement before any law enforcement action. Residents would be offered information on services, and enforcement efforts would seek to avoid criminalizing individuals based solely on their housing status.
Supervisors Justin Cummings and Kimberly De Serpa appeared to have the most concerns with the proposed changes. De Serpa described her personal experience as a clinical social worker in health care. She had a patient who’d had a stroke and his car had been towed while he was hospitalized. She found the car in a Moss Landing junkyard and it would cost $1,200 to get the car back. She wound up buying another car at the junkyard for her patient to live in.
“It was the one place he had he could be safe,” she said. “It was pretty upsetting.”
Some modifications were made to the proposal, such as requiring notices to be bilingual and attached to vehicles. These changes required the ordinance to return to the board for another first reading. It requires two readings to pass.
Cummings was the lone vote against bringing the proposal back, though he made a similar motion that failed to get a second. n
COMMUNITY NEWS
Joby Aviation Air Taxi Completes Landmark Flight
Joby Aviation has reached a significant milestone in its pursuit of electric air taxi services, conducting its first piloted eVTOL flight between two U.S. public airports — Marina Municipal and Monterey Regional.
The flight, which covered roughly 10 nautical miles, lasted about 12 minutes and included a five-minute holding pattern at Monterey to accommodate air traffic. The aircraft executed a vertical takeoff, transitioned to wing-borne flight, and safely integrated into controlled airspace before making a vertical landing.
related to safety, operations, air traffic control compliance, and certification efforts.
“Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated in the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we’re prepared for service on day one,” said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft OEM at Joby Aviation.
This marks the first-ever piloted eVTOL flight between two public U.S. airports in FAA-controlled airspace. Joby said the mission demonstrated critical capabilities
“Substation” from page 8
Santa Cruz County Parks will also occupy space at the site, strengthening interagency collaboration and resource management along the North Coast, which has seen an increase in visitorship in recent years. In addition to the opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) and the soon-to-be- completed North Coast stretch of Rail Trail, County investments including infrastructure improvements are intended to help manage demand on North Coast amenities.
“This new service center represents an
The company has logged more than 40,000 miles in flight testing and has begun final assembly of the aircraft slated for FAA Type Inspection Authorization trials. Flight testing with FAA pilots is expected to begin early next year, with commercial service set to launch in Los Angeles and New York City following certification. n
investment in both public safety and quality of life for the North Coast,” said Supervisor Justin Cummings, who led efforts to establish the service center. “By colocating with County Parks, we are creating long- term efficiencies while ensuring residents and visitors alike have access to the services they need.”
“This new substation formalizes our commitment to serving the North Coast community,” Sheriff Chris Clark said. “By making sure residents and visitors alike have a direct connection to the Sheriff’s Office, we can respond quickly, engage directly, and ensure all have a great experience along the North Coast.” n
County Makes Changes to Short-Term Rentals Ordinance Aims to Reduce Purchases by
By Jon Chown
Santa Cruz County supervisors have approved changes to rules governing short-term rentals in the county’s unincorporated areas, aiming to balance neighborhood stability with the region’s tourism economy.
At the center of the reform is a new countywide cap of 270 permits for nonhosted short-term rentals outside three existing coastal “designated areas.” Those zones — Live Oak, Seacliff/Aptos/La Selva Beach, and Davenport/Swanton — keep their own limits. Live Oak allows 262 non-hosted rentals; Seacliff, Aptos and La Selva collectively allow 242; Davenport and Swanton allow three non-hosted and four hosted. The county also maintains its 250-permit cap on hosted rentals, where owners live on-site, but now allows up to three bedrooms to be rented instead of two.
The changes, Supervisor Justin Cummings said, were made mainly to stop corporations and LLCs from buying up housing stock and adding to the county’s housing problem.
In addition, non-hosted rentals tend to create problems in neighborhoods.
“If somebody wants to turn their home into a short-term rental at times, or buy a summer home and turn it into a short-term rental when they’re not using it, these are things we want to encourage,” Cummings said. “The changes are really limiting how many permits somebody can get.”
The ordinance tightens oversight in several ways. Only one permit is allowed per person or entity to discourage large-scale investors. Rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must remove unpermitted listings within 10 days of county notice, and new rentals may be denied if located directly adjacent to another non-hosted unit. A county complaint hotline will be established,
and operators must post signage with the number. Costs for the program, about $13,000 annually, will be funded through increased rental fees.
There are also new measures to protect renters. Property owners converting longterm homes to STRs must compensate displaced tenants with six months of rent. The ordinance also prohibits rentals in multifamily buildings of four or more units and on urban lot-split parcels, measures designed to preserve local housing stock. New rentals are also subject to inspection to ensure compliance with occupancy, parking and noise requirements.
Supervisors emphasized that the cap largely matches the current number of active and pending permits, meaning existing legal
operators will not be displaced. The changes come amid concerns that STRs are reducing available housing, driving up prices and creating nuisance issues in neighborhoods. Last year, the county collected about $9.3 million in transient occupancy tax from STRs, but officials said housing stability outweighed potential revenue impacts.
County staff said that any appearance that the numbers were reduced was incorrect. In previous calculations, areas designated to be excluded from the count were actually included. The new numbers reflect that some of the STRs counted before should not have been included at all. For example, if an area was allowed 250, but 100 homes in an exclusionary area should not have been counted, the new number allowed would be 150, with no cap at all in the exclusionary area.
“It’s confusing, and many members of the public were rightfully perplexed,” Supervisor Kimberley De Serpa said. She had voted for the changes when originally proposed but was more hesitant on the second vote, noting her constituents’ concerns.
“What I heard is in my area the shortterm rentals were going to be reduced by almost 100. Is that correct?” she asked county staff.
She was assured that it was just a matter of how the STRs are calculated, not a reduction in units.
“There is a cap, and for some reason homes within that exception zone were included in that cap,” staff explained.
“Short-Term Rentals” page 18
An AirBnB map showing some homes available as short-term rentals.
LOCALS ONLY
| Aptos, CA 95003 sevysbarandkitchen.com | (831) 688-8987 | @sevysbarandkitchen
Surf History Exhibit Coming to Live Oak
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) has announced a new pop-up exhibition celebrating local surf culture, set to debut next month at the Simpkins Family Swim Center in Live Oak.
Titled Surf Live Oak, the exhibit is part of the MAH’s ongoing Princes of Surf 2025: Heʻe Nalu Santa Cruz program, which commemorates the 140th anniversary of surfing’s arrival on the mainland via Santa Cruz.
Running from Sept. 5, 2025, through Jan. 25, 2026, the exhibition will showcase vintage surfboards and explore the history of local surfboard makers and shops from the 1960s to the 1980s. The Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society partnered with the MAH to research and map the early surf shops that once dotted the Live Oak area, bringing their stories to life.
“These shops were more than just retail spaces,” the MAH said in a statement. “They were gathering spots for young surfers to
“Short-Term Rentals” from page 16
Cummings said he and Supervisor Manu Koenig had been working on the changes for about a year and had received extensive community feedback in crafting them.
“I think this is a really good balance of grandfathering the people that are here and capping the number on unhosted rentals,” he said. “I think today will be a milestone in advancing and making meaningful changes.”
The changes were approved unanimously. n
connect with seasoned wave-riders, share knowledge, and hear stories passed down through generations.”
Though many of those surf shops have since closed, their locations are commemorated as part of the MAH’s Historic Landmark Blue Plaque Program.
“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to share local history outside the MAH gallery walls,” said Marla Novo, the museum’s deputy director. “We’re particularly excited to present this pop-up exhibit that continues the story of surfing in Santa Cruz County, with a focus on Live Oak’s essential contribution to the legacy.”
Surf Live Oak will be open to the public from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The Simpkins Family Swim Center is located at 979 17th Avenue in Santa Cruz. n
The exhibit is sponsored in part by George Newell, the Pfotenhauer Wilshusen Family, Elizabeth Schilling and Ken Thomas.
Rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must remove unpermitted listings within 10 days of county notice, and new rentals may be denied if located directly adjacent to another non-hosted unit. A county complaint hotline will be established, and operators must post signage with the number. Costs for the program, about $13,000 annually, will be funded through increased rental fees.
Photo of Tom Hickenbottom at Pleasure Point Surf Shop on display in the Surf Live Oak exhibit.
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Autumn Foliage In Mild Climates
By Tony Tomeo
Colorful foliage is always present. After all, green is a color, even without any other color or variegation. Defoliation of deciduous foliage during autumn reveals evergreen foliage beyond, even if fading through winter. Immediately prior to defoliation though, deciduous foliage of quite a few species temporarily becomes spectacularly colorful autumn foliage.
chill, and seem to be as happy here as in New England.
Chinese pistache, sweetgum, flowering pear and ginkgo are four trees that most reliably provide autumn foliage here.
Whether deciduous or evergreen, foliage that is most colorful during spring and summer contains chlorophyll. Regardless of how variegated, reddish, purplish, yellowish or other color it might be, it is also green to some degree. It could not be photosynthetically active otherwise. Colorful autumn foliage exhibits brighter color as its chlorophyll decomposes.
Autumn foliage is most spectacular where it is native, such as New England. Much more of it inhabits forests than home gardens. It is not spectacular within forests here because only a few sparsely dispersed native species produce impressive foliar color for autumn. Its naturally local scarcity likely contributes to its limited popularity within home gardens.
Locally mild weather also limits the popularity as well as the potential of autumn foliage. Many of the most colorful maples of New England merely turn blandly pallid yellow prior to hastily premature defoliation here. However, several other species develop exemplary foliar color in response to minor
Crape myrtle is a smaller tree that is almost as reliable, and blooms splendidly for summer. Persimmon gets as colorful as Chinese pistache, with an abundance of fruit. Boston ivy is a vine with color that is comparable to that of sweetgum.
Of course, even the most appealing of plants are not perfect. Their innate characteristics are relevant to selection. For examples, trees occupy significant space. Ginkgo becomes bright yellow, but without any other color. Sweetgum produces obnoxiously prickly fruits. Flowering pear is susceptible to fireblight. Boston ivy clings to surfaces and ruins siding, paint and fences.
•••
Sweetgum
This might be the most spectacular and most reliable of autumn foliage available locally.
Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua, begins to develop a brilliant blend of yellow, orange and red in response to the earliest mild chill of autumn. It defoliates slowly to retain much of its colorful foliage through the earliest rain and wind of winter, and perhaps even later.
Sweetgum leaves are palmate, and about four inches wide, with five pointed lobes. One very rare cultivar has hierarchically lobed leaves, with lobes on lobes. Another has blunt lobes. Some cultivars as well as individual trees favor particular foliar colors for autumn. ‘Burgundy’ exhibits more dark red color than typical, and retains foliage later than typical.
Mature trees can grow fifty feet tall, but are not very broad. They can get taller and lankier to compete with other tall trees. Their upright form conforms to grove arrangement within large landscapes and parks. Unfortunately, their aggressive roots can displace concrete. Their branches can be structurally deficient. Their spiky and hard fruit can be obnoxious.
Sweetgum is impressively colorful for autumn.
California’s Budget Decisions Are Failing Its Most Vulnerable Children
Difficult decisions were made to pass the California state budget this year. We understand lawmakers worked hard to protect essential programs. However, much more could have been done for foster and justice-involved youth.
Among the most alarming cuts was the elimination of statewide CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) funding, including for programs serving children in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties.
Many vulnerable communities will feel the impact of these budget cuts, but for foster and justice-involved youth, being overlooked is nothing new. They are often left out of critical decisions and treated as an afterthought. Yet the state has both a legal and moral obligation to protect them. With the fourth-largest economy in the world, California has the resources. Lawmakers can choose to prioritize these children.
CASA programs are not only essential to foster children, they are required by law. California’s Rule of Court 5.655 outlines the legal and fiscal standards CASA programs must meet. Yet the lack of steady, adequate state funding undermines the state’s own mandate. This means fewer volunteers, fewer children served, and more young people navigating hostile systems alone, putting them at greater risk.
State funding could have ensured that children across all counties would be served by a trained Advocate. Without it, support now varies wildly by region. Smaller and rural counties, with fewer resources, have been hit hardest, resulting in children being denied support because of where they live.
This cut to the state budget isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a crisis. Children we fail today grow into struggling adults tomorrow. Without intervention, over half of youth who age out of foster care face homelessness, incarceration, or unemployment within two years. Nearly 80 percent of youth
in the juvenile justice system end up involved in the adult criminal system.
When children receive early and consistent support, they are more likely to thrive into adulthood. CASA services lead to reduced time in the system, stronger educational outcomes, and lower rates of recidivism. Trained volunteer advocates help ensure each child’s safety and well-being while guiding them through complex systems. These outcomes save the state and counties money in the short term and lessen future spending on costly adult systems of care.
We are deeply grateful for our local community members, partners, and donors stepping up to protect these life-changing services. And we thank those lawmakers, including Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and State Senator John Laird, who fought to protect programs like CASA this year. We look forward to working with lawmakers to restore this vital funding in the future.
None of us condone the abuse and neglect these children have suffered. None of us want to leave a child in danger. California has made repeated commitments to child well-being but continues to leave foster and justice involved youth behind. So, let’s align our values with meaningful investment. These children deserve better. n
CASA of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties advocate for and mentor children in foster care and juvenile court systems and will keep demanding the resources necessary for them to heal and thrive.
Alla Prima and Le Premier Coupe
In their experimental watercolor renderings, oil painting masters, J.M.W. Turner, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent utilized the technique of wetting their paper before starting to lay in their colors. In this process, repeated rapid washes diffuse into abstract shapes to help create depth, contour, and shadow; the key to the technique is its lack of control. Moreover, the amorphous blending of colors creates a fluidity, vibrance, and spontaneity.
My watercolor sketch below of Sargent’s “wet-in-wet” technique—combined with his habit of using architectural details to replicate form — shows how a quick, 20-minute rendering can create a serviceable, yet impressive likeness.
Many watercolorists use this technique to achieve what some would call alla prima or au premier coup, translated respectively, as “Get it right on the first try,” or “In the first strike of the brush.” These “quick-draw” painting techniques help artists to record a fast impression in a spontaneous sketch, which can serve as a practice of what one would hope to achieve in a studio work— where overworking might push a painting
toward rigidity. Trusting in a spontaneous gesture is the goal.
As always, we can learn similar lessons from other disciplines: golfers use a very mechanical training mode to evaluate shots and body moves analytically. But when playing, the golfer is taught to simply accept what happens spontaneously. According to Bob Rotella in Golf is Not About Perfect, while the training mentality is overly thoughtful, the trusting mentality feels almost reckless.
In jazz, players practice in the analytical mode but strive to “play in the moment.” As Jerry Coker tells us in Improvising Jazz, improvisation demands that there’s no regret, no crossing out, fixing, or retouching. Alla prima, and le premier coupe are each done in the “trusting” mode. While
corrections are discouraged—if they are made—they must be made in the moment.
Many artist live by the rule that Monet once confessed, “I never retouch a sketch.”
Perhaps this is a holdover from the Impressionist movement, which encouraged painting in plein air, where an impulsive, uncritical mentality can help produce a painting in one spontaneous session.
Working in the discipline of creating a painting quickly and on the first take, the artist places herself in a situation which demands less thinking—and less overworking of the finished piece. Ultimately, impulse must win out.
What Can We Do
Now? Find a nice, sturdy piece of watercolor paper, pick an object to paint, set yourself a time limit and begin. Instead of thinking of
By Joe Ortiz
this as an exercise, consider it a work in itself. But keep the experimental mentality alive. There are no mistakes. Do your best to get the image down in the first pass, the first several strokes—in the true spirit of au premiere coup: the first strike of the brush! Start with a light pencil sketch of your subject. Wet the paper with clear water. Allow it to dry a few moments until the surface becomes glistening. Then start by laying in one wash of a basic color, starting with the rough outline and major shapes of your subject. Once that color is laid down, and while still wet, use another color, darker in intensity, which will represent the contours.
Then add another even darker layer, much smaller this time to describe the deepest shadows. Let the colors blend as they may without trying to fix them. Let the sketch dry a bit. Then add a few dark and dense shadows, details, and contour lines to finish the piece. n
Reader response: I’d love to hear your comments and questions. Email me at joe@gocapitola. com.
Raising Resilient Kids
My grandmother used to say that parenting is not for the faint of heart. She was right! But she had no idea back then what parenting would be like now.
For most of us, it’s hard to imagine being a kid growing up in this complex world of social media, mental health challenges, and global uncertainty. So, how can today’s parents help kids build the inner strength, self-confidence and resilience they need when facing tough choices?
1) Resist the Urge to Fix. Our parental instincts are to protect our kids and keep them from harm. But often, trying to fix a
child’s problems for them sends the message that they’re not capable of fixing things themselves. Instead, validate a child’s feelings but resist the urge to solve every problem for them. Try saying things like, “I can see you’re upset, and that’s okay,” to show you understand their distress. Then, express your confidence that they’re capable of handling things, “I’m here if you need help, but I know you can handle this on your own.”
2) Turn Challenges into Opportunities
When your child is facing a manageable challenge, welcome it. Without taking over, allow them to face age-appropriate challenges that might involve failure. Gradual exposure to difficult situations and bouncing back from failures builds self-confidence and resilience. Share your own experiences with failure and how you overcame it. This helps kids see setbacks as temporary, part of life, and opportunities for growth.
3) Model Values-Driven Choices. In therapy, I use a fun game to help kids express what is important to them. Using the “Live Your Values” card deck, we sort cards with words like independence, honesty, self-respect, and loyalty into stacks of Most Important, Somewhat Important, and Not Important. This sparks conversations about how knowing what matters most helps us make good choices in tough situations. Try the values card game at home and make it a dinner-time tradition to talk about how you dealt with challenges that day. When kids see adults make values-driven choices, especially when it’s hard, it sends a strong message that doing what’s meaningful matters more than avoiding temporary discomfort.
4) Know When to be a HelicopterParent. Back in the 1970s, I was a young kid running around the neighborhood with my friends until dark without a parent or phone in sight. The crime rate was higher than it is today, but parents let their kids play freely. So why are parents anxiously hovering over their kids in the real world and throwing up their hands when it comes to the digital world? It’s complicated, but the bottom line is, we need to switch on the parental hover button when it comes to social media and switch it off in the real world.
Recently, I asked a mother why she wouldn’t let her 11-year-old daughter walk two blocks from her school to my office for therapy. Like so many other parents, this mom shared her fear of a stranger taking her daughter. I asked the mom if she knew how long her daughter would have to stand alone on a street corner before, statistically speaking, she’d be kidnapped by a stranger. You could almost hear her jaw drop when I told her it was 750,000. Here’s the irony: her daughter has a smartphone.
By Dr. Lori Butterworth
It’s not only our responsibility, but it is also in our collective best interests to help kids build the resilience they need to grow into emotionally strong, healthy adults. Here are some reference and resources that can help:
• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haight
• Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD by Eli Leibowitz
• LetGrow.org provides free resources for parents and educators. Be sure to download the Let Grow Project and Independence Kit.
• Angela Duckworth’s Grit (both book and TED ED talk) is a great resource for parents who want to help their children build resilience. Duckworth shows that
success isn’t about talent but about passion and persistence, aka “grit.”
• Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is an evidence-based parenting program offered at no charge by First-5 Santa Cruz.
• The Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health hosts free Parent Drop-In sessions on the last Wednesday of every month on Zoom and in-person parent discussion sessions about how parents can work together to improve youth mental health. Learn more and register at ccamh.org. n •••
Lori Butterworth, PsyD, MEd, is a psychologist and founder of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. She can be reached at lori@ccamh.org or 831-222-0052.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fun to Read About Capitola Junior Guards in Competition
Just wanted to offer up additional kudos to all the competitors mentioned in the “Capitola Junior Guards in Regionals Competition,” report from the August 15, 2025 edition, which was so fun to read.
Congratulations to Aiden, Jedidiah, Cole, Aiden, Drake, Nico, Mia, Haven, Marria, Stella, Maja, Bodhi, Abel, Syrus, Leo, Coral,
Eva, Siena, Zoey, Livija, Hazel, Addie, Lucia, Marley, Vivian, Josie, Tillie, Lily, Rebecca, Zander, Hudson, Ryder, Wilder, Izayah, Kaiea, Brady, Luke, Nash, Tony, Rio, Clair, Daphne, Leila, Cecilia, Eva, Jewel, Meadow and Skylar! And to the parents who named them for the “Best of Beach Culture Baby Names” list. (My grandson, Jagger, was in Rio Del Mar’s Little Guards program too.) n — Russell Bryan Love, Aptos
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Del Mar Pet Hospital
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COMMUNITY BRIEFS
New Leaf Community Markets to Open New River Street Store Sept. 27
SANTA CRUZ — New Leaf Community Markets will open its newest store in Santa Cruz on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 650 River St., bringing the grocer back to the downtown area with a larger footprint and expanded offerings.
The natural and organic grocer, founded in 1985, said the new location will feature more organic produce, a full-service meat and seafood counter, an expanded wellness section and new made-to-order food venues. Customers can also expect ready-to-enjoy foods such as California barbecue, sushi, and a self-serve poke bar.
The store continues New Leaf’s sustainability practices, including its reusable glass bottle program for housemade juices and smoothies, which offers customers a 50-cent credit for each returned bottle.
Store director Waleed Alsheshani said many of the River Street staff are longtime employees who previously worked at other Santa Cruz locations. “All in all, it’s a great place to be, and we are all excited,” he said.
To mark the opening, New Leaf is partnering with Bargetto Winery on a limited-release red blend called Lighthouse, which will be available in stores following the launch.
The River Street store also coincides with New Leaf’s 40th anniversary this October. The company said customers can expect instore promotions to celebrate four decades of community-focused business, which includes donating to more than 300 local nonprofits each year.
•••
RMSD Medical Reopens in Capitola Village
RSMD
Medical Aesthetics, once located above the Sushi Garden Restaurant that was damaged in a suspected arson on July 28, has reopened across the street at 828 Bay Ave.
The office recently announced the reopening. “RSMD has used this moment to rebuild and reimagine their patient experience. The new location offers their full range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, including injectables, Hydrafacials, and EmSculpt Neo body contouring. While laser services were temporarily paused due to the fire, RSMD will soon relaunch those treatments with brand-new technology, including IPL, laser hair removal, skin tightening, and resurfacing, ensuring seamless continuity of care for their patients.”
The fire started inside the restaurant around 3 a.m. in the morning and damaged both the restaurant and other units in the building. RSMD had been directly able the restaurant. Nobody was injured in the fire, which fire and police deemed suspicious. No arrest has officially been made in the case, nor suspect named.
•••
700 species of plants and animals, including migratory shorebirds, 16 threatened and endangered species and the iconic southern sea otter. As the largest tidal wetland complex in California south of San Francisco Bay, it plays a critical role in maintain-ing water quality, providing habitat, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Elkhorn Forever represents a renewed commitment to ensuring the long-term health and sustaina-bility of this extraordinary ecosystem. The campaign launched two new funds, a $9 million “rapid response” fund to purchase land and create new protected areas and a $3 million stewardship fund to support habitat restoration in the Elkhorn watershed.
“Our goal with Elkhorn Forever was to secure the long-term health of Elkhorn Slough and ensure that future generations can experience its beauty, just as we do today,” says Mark Silberstein, ex-ecutive director of Elkhorn Slough Foundation.
Campaign funds are already being put to work, from powering large-scale habitat restoration to acquiring properties with high conservation value.
•••
Author Meg Waite Clayton to Speak at Capitola Library
Internationally bestselling novelist Meg Waite Clayton will discuss her new book, Typewriter Beach, at the Capitola Branch Library on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m.
The free event will take place in the Ow Family Community Room and is hosted by Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Registration is recommended, though walk-ins will be welcomed.
Clayton is the author of nine novels, including The Postmistress of Paris and The Last Train to London. Her latest work, Typewriter Beach, is set in 1957 and 2018 in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hollywood, and follows the friendship between an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and a young actress with aspirations to star in an Alfred Hitchcock film.
•••
Community Invited to Presentation on Beach Resilience
California
State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will host a community presentation Sept. 11 to share the results of a multi-year study examining climate change vulnerabilities at Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches.
The hybrid event, scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cabrillo College’s Samper Recital Hall and online, will outline findings from the Recovery and Resilience at Seacliff and New Brighton State Beaches study. The report assesses risks from sea level rise, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards and identifies adaptation strategies to protect the two popular beaches.
Elkhorn Forever Campaign Declares Success Elkhorn Slough Foundation successfully completed Elkhorn Forever, its $12 million fund-raising campaign.
Elkhorn Slough is home to more than
The study was launched after historic storms in early 2023 and included extensive public input, with nearly 4,000 survey responses and a public meeting in fall 2024.
“Briefs” page 26
COMMUNITY NEWS
Improvements at Miller Property County Park Celebrated
BOULDER CREEK — County officials and dignitaries welcomed the public to Miller Property County Park on August 20 to celebrate the opening of a new welcome area, parking facilities, and updated amenities at the 400-acre forested park.
Located at 16798 Kings Creek Road in Boulder Creek, Miller Property County Park is a hidden gem nestled in the redwoods, offering visitors a tranquil escape amid towering first- and second-growth redwoods, diverse local flora, and abundant wildlife. The park also plays a key role in protecting part of the Kings Creek watershed.
The ceremony, hosted by the County’s Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, featured remarks from current District 5 Supervisor Monica Martinez and former District 5 Supervisor Bruce McPherson. Parks Director Jeff Gaffney highlighted the importance of stewardship and accessibility.
“This beautiful space is now more accessible for our community to enjoy. Miller Property County Park has always been a special place, and I’m excited to see it become part of more people’s lives,” Supervisor Martinez said.
“The redwoods are one of our region’s greatest natural treasures, and we’re honored to do our part to protect them while making sure they can be enjoyed by all. County Parks aims to be good land stewards and protect our open spaces for future generations to come,” Gaffney added.
The park, originally part of the University of California Regents’ Miller Recreational Area, was purchased by the Save
the Redwoods League in 1994 and officially donated to Santa Cruz County in 2001. Since then, it has become an important refuge for wildlife, including a variety of birds, small mammals, and native plant species thriving beneath the towering redwoods.
Recent improvements at Miller Property County Park include a formalized parking area, a new entry gate with updated signage, additional picnic tables, and other visitor amenities. Future plans call for the development of a new loop trail and a forest management plan designed to balance increased public access with natural resource protection and forest health initiatives, particularly in response to climate change.
Visitors can explore several trails, including the popular Kings Creek Trail leading to the nearby Boy Scouts Camp, making the park an ideal destination for hikers, runners, and families seeking a peaceful outdoor retreat. n
Former 5th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson speaks at the event.
Virgo — Sheaf of Wheat & Shimmering Stars
Risa D’Angeles
On Friday, August 22nd, the sun shifted from the fires of Leo (Light of the Soul) to the earth sign of Virgo (sign of the Mary, the pregnant Madonna) Mary, in the Wisdom Teachings, is the symbol of the Earth as the source of intelligence, wisdom and love. The Sphinx embodies both Leo and Virgo — the body of man, the head of a woman.
The Sphinx is a symbol of the two principles, male/female, equal and standing side by side in Aquarius. Something yet to be and wrought out in the crisis and difficulties of our present times.
Virgo is the sign of the Mother in all world religions. She is Isis of Egypt, Ishtar of Babylonia, Minerva of Greece, Maya of India and Mary of Bethlehem. She is the feminine teacher and leader of the Virgo Hierarchy, the cosmic mother of the planet, supreme feminine principle. She bears a sheaf of wheat and holds a shimmering jewel (insignias of power), signifying the blue white first magnitude star, Spica (meaning “sheaf of wheat”).
humanity, a deeper understanding of the divine mother will be cultivated.
Virgo tells us to be aware and careful and to be kind (ahimsa) — to refrain from criticism and judgments of self or others, to not have unwarranted expectations that others will do as we say or be perfect. (all unskillful Virgo tendencies). When we have criticism and judgments of self and others, we are living within a false personality perception of expectation that no one can satisfy. It only leads to loneliness and self-betrayal. Instead, as Leo asked us to identify as creative beings, Virgo calls us to continue to cultivate our creativity. Virgo shields and protects and gives life to our creativity, which is a Soul quality. And Virgo tells us to know that always we are “good.” Always we are perfect.
“Briefs” from page 24
The Sept. 11 presentation will cover vulnerability ratings for key areas of each park, preferred adaptation strategies for five priority locations, and next steps in developing a Coastal Facilities Management Plan. A question-and-answer session will follow.
The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged through Eventbrite. More information and background materials are available at www.SeacliffResilience.org/resources.
•••
Comedians Clara Bijl,
Scott Capurro to Perform in
Santa Cruz
The ancients dedicated their Mystery temples to this luminous star. When Spica is known and contacted by a more spiritualized
ARIES
Have patience and be very careful with loved ones and with all encounters with those close to you, intimates, partners, close friends. You (or they) may feel irritated, estranged, separate, unloved and uncared for and yearn for contact (which releases Love). They may miss the magnetic charms you usually lavish on whom and what you love. You are to remember to “be of love a little more careful than of anything.” (e.e. cummings). Our response to all of life.
TAURUS
Each day may feel more and more challenging, taxing, testing and difficult. There could be extreme tiredness, pain and exhaustion. There is a need to tend to health and well-being. Perhaps choices you’ve made in the past five years need re-assessing. What are the consequences of these choices and should you make new ones? It is good to ponder upon what paths you want to choose in the future. Maybe you don’t know yet.
GEMINI
Do you feel your creative process is seeking a new form?
Do you recognize what your creative process is? The Soul is our source of creativity. And, what you actually have, when aligned with the Soul, is a “prophetic imagination,” both like and unlike that of Pisces. Our imagination is a tool that conjures hope for the future with a clear understanding of present-day dilemmas humanity faces. Mercury the messenger is your personal help mate offering you visions, future wishes and dreams. Share them.
CANCER
You are able to nourish new ideas that eventually begin to appear in form and matter. This occurs through your communications which often impress those around you. With this potency, perhaps you can begin to help humanity envision a new and vibrant way of life. Not the old materialism as we have known it, but the new materialism that responds to world/ humanity’s need. This is Soul work shining like a shimmering emerald in the night of time. You illumine that night light.
Virgo’s task is to guide humanity into the ways of purity and to quicken humanity’s higher mental and spiritual vehicles by means of etheric currents. Then humanity will have the ability to understand the reality, purpose and significance of the Immaculate Conception (which is not divine conception of the Holy Child, Jesus). So what is the Immaculate Conception? n
LEO
I’m wondering, is there’s a sadness or grief and/or lamentation for things that occurred in the family long ago? Perhaps there’s a lament for one or more deaths in the family. It would be good to express yourself more in depth about any secrets, hidden family mysteries, which includes all things on your mind. Sharing will help you trust yourself more. The more you talk the more that’s hidden within you emerges. This is healing for you. And liberating. Your masks removed.
VIRGO
It would be good to hang crystals in windows and mirrors too, everywhere. It would be good to look into the mirrors, pondering upon your image and asking yourself who you are, what your identity is (then, now and in the future). Assess and re-assess everything about yourself including what you value. Create an “I Value” book. Set it alongside your “Retrograde,“ “Astrology” and “Esoteric Quotes” journals. Back to values. Write down everything you value. Begin with yourself as valuable.
LIBRA
When you think of your life as a child, what do you remember? What areas in your life, successful now, can be traced back to what you were taught as a child? What values were instilled in you? What books were read? What beliefs do you carry in your life now based upon resistance? How do you see your parents, in what light, and are you able to understand the 4th Commandment? Do you know what it is? It’s a serious spiritual law. Love underlies all these questions.
SCORPIO
It looks like a new daily schedule is needed in your life. Something completely different in the ways you live each day. It’s important to explore, plan, create and encounter new ways of being that bring you to a greater sense of not only self-identity but also a greater sense of health. You understand the necessity to bring the depth of yourself forward, even while also protecting yourself. Through you, everything reorients toward the light. Scorpio is the sign of discipleship.
SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius is the professor, the teacher, the philosopher, the musician, the chef. Sagittarius is the archer, the bow and arrow, the rider on the white horse. Sagittarius is the rider leading humanity to the foothills of Capricorn, eyes on the mountain tops. Sagittarius is the traveler, a cultural critic, the sign of truth and fellowship and pilgrimages and the light of the mind that soars in the stars. You set a table and invite seekers to the Great Table.
CAPRICORN
You’re on the brink, the edge, the precipice, at the border, the boundary, the periphery and perimeter of moving into the center of your own and yet everyone’s world. This is both inviting and not, exciting and scary. You’ve tried to open many doors and felt so often they were closed. Now as they open, you peek inside, realizing the choice offered you to walk through the door or return home. For a while you rest, remember, retreat, reassess and review who you are. Revelations then happen. You sew a golden garment for later use.
AQUARIUS
You want to travel, but you don’t, not at this time. You want to build and make things new, but something holds you back. You decide to move forward but things fall apart. You seek relationships but experience conflict and chaos instead. I want to remind you to tend to your health and well-being first. And also that conflict and chaos are creative energies in their infancy. From and through conflict a new harmony arises. Know also that for what you want in life, you must consider all the ways of cooperation and goodwill.
PISCES
Something within relationship shifts, changes, transforms, reveals and then returns to an original place (or person). As this occurs it’s quite tumultuous and the unknown beckons. You’re called here and there, by necessity or by desire (of others) and you remember to stand still, quietly and in truth, within your own needs. Not just wants, but needs. It seems every once in a while you stop praying, bordering on having no hope. Sometimes we must do that. Something lovely your way comes. Quietly, in the still of the night.
SANTA CRUZ — Stand-up comics Clara Bijl and Scott Capurro will share the stage for Double Bill, a night of comedy at Gilman Brewing Santa Cruz Taproom on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The show runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the brewpub and gastropub restaurant, located at 817 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $25 and available through Eventbrite.
Bijl, known for her sharp storytelling and appearances at SF Punchline and on Sirius Radio, will perform alongside Capurro, whose provocative style has been featured on Alice Radio and in the film Mrs. Doubtfire.
Cabrillo College Shines in New Rankings
Cabrillo College has earned the No. 2 ranking among California community colleges in SmartAsset’s 2025 evaluation, which surveyed two-year institutions offering associate degrees with at least 500 full-time students. Statewide, only Columbia College in Sonora outranked Cabrillo, with Napa Valley College placing third.
Nationally, Cabrillo secured the 37th spot out of the 585 community colleges evaluated across the country — a testament to its affordability, strong retention rates and favorable student-to-faculty ratio.
SmartAsset, a New York-based financial technology company, produces personal finance tools and analysis for consumers, ranging from retirement calculators to housing affordability studies. Its annual community college rankings are designed to give prospective students and families data-driven insights into the value of local higher education options.
The 2025 study weighed tuition and fees, student-faculty ratio and student retention rate to determine the rankings.
With tuition among the most affordable in California and supportive metrics that rank among the best in the nation, Cabrillo College continues to stand out as an attractive pathway for higher education and opportunity in the region.
•••
Chipotle Opens First Scotts Valley Location
SCOTTS VALLEY — Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened its first Scotts Valley restaurant. Located at 266 Mt. Hermon Road. The new location will operate daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.
To celebrate the opening, Chipotle will offer a new limited-time Adobo Ranch dip exclusively to Scotts Valley guests. The restaurant chain is also promoting its “Summer of Extras” rewards program,
which is giving away $1 million in free food, including weekly drops of 10,000 free burritos to Chipotle Rewards members.
Chipotle is hiring for the new location, offering approximately 30 positions with benefits that include a crew bonus program, access to debt-free college degrees, English as a second language courses, and mental health support for employees and their families.
HelloFresh to Pay $7.5 Million Over Auto-Renewal Violations
HelloFresh will pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it violated California’s Automatic Renewal Law by enrolling customers in auto-renewing subscriptions without proper disclosure or consent.
The case, brought by the California Automatic Renewal Task Force — including the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office — claimed the company misled consumers from 2019 to the present. The lawsuit alleged HelloFresh failed to clearly disclose recurring charges and made cancellation difficult.
As part of the settlement, HelloFresh will pay $6.38 million in civil penalties, $120,000 in investigative costs, and $1 million in restitution. The company did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to change its advertising practices.
UC Master Gardeners Open Applications for 2026 Training Program
The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties are
accepting applications for their 2026 training class. Community members interested in horticulture, sustainability and community service are encouraged to apply.
The UC Master Gardener Program is a volunteer-based initiative through the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Volunteers receive extensive training in science-based gardening practices and commit to sharing their knowledge through public workshops, educational events, school garden support, demonstration gardens and other outreach efforts.
To help prospective applicants learn more, a series of free informational meetings will be held both online and in person through Sept. 27. These sessions will provide details about the application process, volunteer commitments, and the training curriculum.
Applications are open to residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties and are due by Sept. 30. No prior gardening expertise is required — just a willingness to learn and a desire to support local communities through environmental education and outreach.
Those selected for the program will join a team of dedicated volunteers committed to promoting sustainable gardening, protecting California’s natural resources, and enhancing local food systems.
For more information or to register for an informational session, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu. n
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUPERVISOR DE SERPA: COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS
Second District Supervisor Kim De Serpa will host community office hours in Aptos and La Selva Beach to hear directly from residents on local issues.
The sessions will offer constituents an opportunity to discuss topics such as public safety, housing, infrastructure, and county services. Community members are encouraged to bring questions, concerns and suggestions. Office hours are scheduled as follows:
• Aptos: Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Aptos Library’s Betty Leonard Community Room, 7695 Soquel Drive.
• La Selva Beach: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at the La Selva Beach Library, 316 Estrella Ave. For more information, residents can contact the District 2 office.
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE SUMMER SCHEDULE
Tickets are on sale now for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2025 season No One is Alone
Enjoy productions of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical, Into the Woods, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pericles, as well as Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold”... and the Boys. Performances will take place through September 20 in the Audrey Stanley Grove at Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park. Tickets prices range from $20 to $75 and are available at santacruzshakespeare.org
Surf City All-Stars, The Beach Boys Tribute Band Monday, September 22, 7 p.m.
The Surf City All-Stars are the only “tribute” group in which every member has played in The Beach Boys’ band. Experience an unforgettable night of music featuring all the favorite Beach Boys classics, complete with those rich harmonies that made the group famous.
This is a family-friendly event, with kids tickets available. Tickets range from $40-80 and are available for purchase at: santacruzshakespeare.org/book/?instance=73801
The seasonal box office is open for phone orders Tuesday through Friday from 12 – 4 p.m. at 831-4606399 and two hours prior to every performance. Tickets are at santacruzshakespeare.org.
PAJARO VALLEY ARTS GALLERY SHOWCASE
Pajaro Valley Arts Gallery, 37 Sudden Street, Watsonville. Open during exhibitions Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 6 – Sept. 21 | Off The Streets Exhibit
An invitational exhibition highlighting Santa Cruz County street art, featuring work made with spray paint, found objects, and more.
Sunday, Aug 31, 1-3 pm | Artists Talk Hear artists Nessa Ledesma, Tay Lion, and The Letter Mermaid discuss their creative paths and the stories behind their work. Saturday, Sept. 13, Noon-3:30 pm Skateboard Design Workshop
Design your own skateboard deck with artist Nessa Ledesma. Hands-on art meets skate culture. Registration required at pvarts.org.
COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS
The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet most months at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville. Upcoming Meeting: Oct. 28; none in September. Dates in November and December have not yet been decided. For agendas, posted 10 days early, see santacruzcountyfair.com
ONGOING EVENTS
Mondays
BRIDGE CLUB
10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).
Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?
E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st
Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.
Tuesdays
BINGO AT MCSC
1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola (behind the Party Store)
Hot Dogs, Chili and snacks available for purchase courtesy of our Snack Shack. A lot of fun for all and a possible big win! Door opens at 12:15 p.m.
Wednesdays thru August
CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERTS
6 – 8 p.m., Esplanade Park Bandstand, Capitola
Enjoy free evenings of live swing, jazz, or blues in Capitola Village’s charming waterfront setting. Free to attend, family- and pet-friendly. No seating provided, bring a blanket or low chair. No tickets or registration needed. Public street parking and metered lots are available nearby.
Visit cityofcapitola.org for full concert series schedule.
WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS
TUESDAYS
Last Wednesdays of the Month
PV HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS
6 p.m., Watsonville Community Hospital, 85 Nielson St. Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, which oversees Watsonville Community Hospital, is holding monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month through 2024, except Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 due to the holidays.
PARENT/CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Meeting
Dr. Ramona Friedman of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Soquel will be hosting a free Parent Drop-in Zoom session. Parents and caregivers are invited to log on and ask questions to Dr. Friedman about youth mental health issues, challenges, and ideas.
Parent Drop-Ins are free, 1-hour sessions where parents can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific mental health disorders. Parents can also connect with others facing similar challenges.
FELTON (thru Oct.) — 1:30 – 5:30 PM, 120 Russell Ave.
Since 1987, this beloved weekly timberland market features produce, meats, eggs, seafood, artisan bread and pastries, live music, EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Family-friendly with workshops, face painting, seasonal festivals like Strawberry Shortcake and Apple–a–Day.
EL MERCADO in Watsonville (thru Oct.) — 3 – 7 PM, 61 Crestview Dr.
The El Mercado farmers’ market promots access to fresh produce and wellness resources for Pajaro Valley families. It features fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, local artisans and monthly family events. El Mercado also offers health screenings, vaccine clinics, and community resources in partnership with local nonprofits. Funding for El Mercado was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Due to construction at Ramsay Park, El Mercado has moved to it’s current location (in the lot behind Watsonville Health Center).
WEDNESDAYS
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ — 1 – 5 PM, Cedar St. & Church St.
A bustling market featuring certified organic produce, artisanal foods, seafood, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted, and Market Match doubles purchases (up to $10). Free entry; metered and garage parking available — free after 6 PM. Live local music and street closures add vibrant atmosphere. Full vendor list and updates at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
THURSDAYS
CAPITOLA MALL (thru Nov.) — 3:30 – 7 PM, 41st Avenue parking lot, Capitola Mall
Seasonal market featuring fresh produce, artisan goods, flowers, and prepared foods. Free entry; mall parking available. Community atmosphere and easy shopping.
FRIDAYS
WATSONVILLE (Certified) — 3 – 7 PM, Peck St & Main St.
Allyear market offering Watsonville-grown produce, seafood, dairy, flowers, hot foods, artisan goods. Free entry; metered parking available. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Vendor news via local AARP events.
SATURDAYS
WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ — 9 AM – 1 PM, Mission St Ext & Western Dr. Yearround market offering 100% certified-organic produce, seafood, meats, flowers, prepared meals, espresso bar, and artisan goods. Free parking on site. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Often hosts pop-up breakfast events. Perfect for starting your weekend with fresh food and community energy. Full details at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
APTOS (at Cabrillo College) — 8 AM – Noon, 6500 Soquel Drive
Celebrated coastal market with over 90 vendors selling produce, sustainable seafood, artisan breads, honey, meats, flowers, and hot food. EBT/WIC accepted. Free/year-round weekend oasis for local flavors and crafts. Hosted by MontereyBayFarmers.
SCOTTS VALLEY (thru Nov.) — 9 AM – 1 PM, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr.
Seasonal (May–Nov) market at Boys & Girls Club parking lot. Offers local produce, herbs, eggs, seafood, pastries, ready-to-eat food, flowers, live music & family activities. Free parking. EBT/SNAP and Market Match supported. SUNDAYS
LIVE OAK/EASTSIDE — 9 AM – 1 PM, 15th & East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Vibrant seaside Sunday market featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, hot food stands (Mexican, crepes, brunch), pastries, coffee, flowers. Free parking, EBT/SNAP, Market Match, and monthly family-oriented events.
WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS — 9 AM – 4 PM, 2601 E Lake Ave, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Year-round market with wide selection of local produce, meats, seafood, crafts, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted. Parking onsite. Great for combining a market visit with other Fairgrounds activities.
Clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and medication, experienced youth mental health experts, host each session.
For more info, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/ parent-drop-in-soquel-ca/247794
Thursdays HAPPY HOUR
5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.
Third Thursdays SIP AND STROLL
6-9 p.m. (check-in starts at 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos
Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works.
Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Details of this and more Sevy’s events at www.sevysbarand kitchen.com/events
Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)
LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP
10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library. Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.
First Saturdays
CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP
9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park
Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Park.
Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola. This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com.
Second Saturdays
HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is free.
Second Sundays
SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST
8:30-11 a.m., Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz
The Market Street Senior Center warmly invites the community for a delightful Sunday morning breakfast every second Sunday, this month on June 8. Indulge in a delicious array of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, coffee, tea or cocoa. Donation: Adults, $12; children, $6 Inside seating is available, and To-Go orders are welcomed.
For information, visit www.marketstreetseniorcenter.org or call (831) 423-6640.
DATED EVENTS
Saturday August 30
BEER CAN BEACH CLEAN UP
9 a.m., Beer Can Beach, 1094 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Join Vets 4 Vets and Save Our Shores for a community beach cleanup at scenic Beer Can Beach. Gloves and bags will be provided, along with donuts and coffee to fuel volunteers.
Street parking is available near the staircase entrance.
CPR-AED FOR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS
9:00 a.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave, Capitola (behind Woodworm Party Store)
Learn lifesaving CPR skills for adults, children, and infants, plus AED use, choking response, and opioid/Narcan awareness in this hands-on class taught by EMT Bob Skubis.
Cost: $39 per person or $69 per couple. Register at 831-600-5128 or visit MedCardiaction.com. Seating is limited.
Friday September 5
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR
5 – 8 p.m., Various downtown galleries, Santa Cruz
Monthly self-guided downtown tour featuring local artists, gallery openings, live demos, and complimentary refreshments.
Free parking in city garages after 6 PM; street parking metered until then. Attending the event is free. Route map and participating venues listed at firstfridaysantacruz.com.
Sunday September 7
BEN LOMOND WEE KIRK FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET
9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wee Kirk Church, Central Avenue, Ben Lomond
A delightful monthly gathering celebrating local food, creativity, and community. Browse fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and delicious ready-to-eat treats, all while enjoying live local music.
With family-friendly activities scattered throughout, this market invites visitors to meet artisans, support regional farmers, and soak in the charming small-town ambiance. Perfect for families wanting a relaxed, sunny outing together.
Monday September 9
FELTON FARMERS MARKET: APPLE-A-DAY FESTIVAL
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Felton Farmers’ Market, 120 Russell Ave Celebrate the apple harvest with hands-on cider pressing and tasting from Santa Cruz Cider. From bobbing for apples to apple-themed games, it’s a playful festival for all ages.
Farmers, vendors, and local food artisans will share fun facts and tasty treats featuring apples. A lively, sensory experience that invites kids and grown-ups alike to explore seasonal bounty, community spirit, and regional flavors together.
Wednesday September 10
thru Sunday September 14
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR
Opens at 10 a.m. Daily, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville Traditional county fair with livestock, carnival rides, drone shows, monster trucks, food vendors, and live music.
Tickets: ~$15 adults, ~$10 kids/seniors. Onsite parking $5–10/day. Ride wristbands and fair maps available online. Visit santacruzcountyfair.com for daily schedule and tickets.
Friday September 12
VILLAGE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PRESENTS …
11 a.m., Simpkins Center’s Live Oak Community Room, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
Shari Farr, distinguished speaker on enlightened aging, will give a talk on how to plan for end-of-life issues and celebrate the completion of our lives.
Shari has worked closely with a hospice program in Monterey and recently retired from Partners for Transitions, a firm she founded to help clients navigate the challenges of aging.
She was recognized by the United Nations commission on the Status of Women as one of 10 outstanding women in Monterey County.
The event will take place in the Live Oak Community Room at Simpkins Center, 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz. Visit www.villgesantacruz.org or email info@villagesantacruz.org for registration.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
POETRY READING AT BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ
Tuesday September 9
7 p.m., Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave.
Three nationally recognized poets — (from left)
Dorianne Laux, Joseph Millar and Susan Browne — will headline a free public poetry reading at Bookshop Santa Cruz as part of The Hive Poetry Collective’s bimonthly series, The Hive Live!
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Attendees are asked to register in advance. The evening will feature readings from the three writers, who have spent decades examining the human condition through verse, exploring love, loss, resilience and everyday grace.
The Hive Poetry Collective, which organizes the reading series, also hosts a weekly poetry radio show on KSQD 90.7 FM. Broadcasts air Sunday nights at 8 p.m. and are available for streaming at hivepoetry.org. The collective brings together poets, listeners and readers through events and radio aimed at amplifying diverse poetic voices.
For more information, contact Julia Chiapella at julia@ebold.com.
CHRIS CAIN LIVE IN SANTA CRUZ
7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
Internationally acclaimed blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Chris Cain brings his soulful voice, dazzling fretwork, and razor-sharp originals to Kuumbwa Jazz Center for an unforgettable night of music.
Known for blending downhome blues grit with uptown sophistication, Cain’s style draws from legends like B.B. King, Albert King, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery. With more than three decades of touring and fifteen acclaimed albums, he has earned a reputation as one of the most talented and vital figures in the blues world.
His original songs are packed with surprising hooks, moving lyrics, and a touch of humor, all delivered with a power and passion that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Tickets $18.50–$36.75 at www.kuumbwajazz.org.
Friday September 12
Saturday September 13
BEACH BOARDWALK FALL CAMPOUT
Start 4 p.m. | End Saturday Morning, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz
Pitch a tent by the sea and enjoy exclusive ride access, breakfast, arcade games, and an outdoor movie.
Parking in main Boardwalk lot.
$100/family registration includes most activities. Registration required online in advance. Rules, checklist and registration at beachboardwalk.com/ boardwalk-overnights.
Friday September 13
WCH FOUNDATION TWILIGHT TAPESTRY GALA
5:30-9:30 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza Building Rooftop, 260 Rodriguez St.
The Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation will be hosting its Second Annual Twilight Tapestry Gala — an
Latinx culture and creativity. Families can watch live dance and music performances, browse arts vendors offering crafts and cultural items, and enjoy delicious Latin American flavors from local food pop-ups. Free and open to all ages, this event emphasizes cultural pride and inclusivity—kids will love the rhythms, interactive performances, and vibrant atmosphere rich with sabor (flavor) and corazón (heart).
Wednesday September 17
COMMUNITY SHOWCASE & ARTISAN MARKET
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos, CA
Connect with local businesses, shop unique artisan goods, enjoy food, drinks, and a raffle in a beautiful outdoor setting at this vibrant community event. Hosted by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday September 20
BOARDWALK PRIDE CELEBRATION
All day, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz
Celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion with entertainment, drag performances, and local community groups. Free to attend. Rides available at regular pricing. Boardwalk lots available for paid parking. More information at https://beachboardwalk.com/pride/.
GUIDED COASTAL NATURE WALK AT WILDER RANCH
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Wilder Ranch State Park, 1842 Coast Road, Santa Cruz
evening of celebration and community support — on the rooftop of the Watsonville Civic Plaza Building.
This signature fundraising event brings together community leaders, hospital supporters, and local residents in support of high-quality, sustainable healthcare for the Pajaro Valley and surrounding areas.
Gala Highlights include live and silent auctions and a dinner hosted by Fire4Hire Catering:
Tickets are available now through the Foundation’s Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/twilighttapestry-gala-tickets-1315213181029?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Early purchase is encouraged, as the event is expected to sell out.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available and provide vital support for the Foundation’s ongoing healthcare initiatives. All proceeds from the Twilight Tapestry Gala will benefit the Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation, helping ensure the long-term sustainability and excellence of local healthcare services.
Saturday September 13
Sunday September 14
41ST ANNUAL CAPITOLA ART & WINE FESTIVAL
10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Throughout Capitola Village
Explore 100+ local artist booths, sample Central Coast wines, and enjoy live music and food trucks.
Free entry for browsing. Parking in Capitola Village garages and on nearby streets ($1–2/hr). Dog and family-friendly.
Wristband for wine tasting ~$25. Artist directory and ticketing info at capitolachamber.com.
Sunday September 14
WOODHOUSE BREWS: HISPANIC/LATINE FESTIVAL
12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz A colorful, music-filled community celebration embracing
Join this educational, family-friendly guided walk along coastal bluffs to discover native plants, wildlife, and geology. Expect engaging natural history storytelling, opportunities to spot seabirds (binoculars welcome), and interpretive insights into coastal conservation. The two-hour, 2.5-mile walk encourages curiosity, outdoor learning, and stewardship for all ages. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing recommended. Rain cancels—free entry aside from the $10 vehicle day-use parking fee.
Saturday September 27
Sunday September 28
CAPITOLA BEACH FESTIVAL
Times TBD, Capitola Village & Esplanade Park Capitola’s annual end-of-summer family celebration including a 3K fun run (~$30), sand sculpture contest, chalk art, fishing derby, live music, and a Sunday boat parade.
Free to attend with some paid activities. Street and lot parking available; early arrival strongly advised. Full schedule posted at capitolachamber.com/events.
Sunday September 28
MUSIC AT SKYPARK FINALE CONCERT
1:30 – 5:15 p.m., Skypark, Scotts Valley
The free, community-wide Music at Skypark concert series wraps up its 16th season with an exciting lineup.
From 1:30 to 3 p.m., The Inciters, a dynamic 10-piece band featuring three female vocalists, will perform a blend of English rock, Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae, and New Wave.
Then from 3:45 to 5:15, The Houserockers, a 10-member horn-driven band known for their footstomping sound and multiple previous appearances at the festival, will take the stage. Food, wine, beer, and other concessions will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit music and arts programs in local public schools.
Visit www.svkiwanis.org for details. n
Chris Cain
FEATURED COLUMNIST
September is National Preparedness Month
By Rebecca Gold Rubin
September is National Preparedness Month — a time when individuals, families, and communities across the
country are encouraged to take steps to be ready for emergencies. For us here in the Monterey Bay area, that means preparing for wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, and power outages — all of which can affect our access to clean, reliable water.
At Soquel Creek Water District, we prepare year-round to ensure that safe drinking water is available to you even during times of disruption. But personal preparedness starts at home — and one of the most essential (and often overlooked) parts of your emergency supply kit is water.
Why Water Matters Most in an Emergency
Clean drinking water is critical during any emergency. It’s not just for drinking — you’ll need it for cooking, cleaning, and basic hygiene.
And unlike some supplies that can be found on short notice, water may be unavailable or unsafe during a disaster. Power outages can impact water treatment facilities and pump stations, while natural disasters can break or contaminate water lines.
That’s why having a personal water supply is not only smart — it could be lifesaving.
How Much Water Should You Store?
FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend at least one gallon of water per person per day, for a minimum of three days. That covers drinking and basic sanitation.
Here’s what that might look like:
• 1 person = 3 gallons
• 2 people = 6 gallons
• 4 people = 12 gallons
• Plus extra for pets, infants, and individuals with medical needs.
And if you have the space, it’s wise to store a full two-week supply, especially in earthquake-prone areas like ours.
Water Storage Tips
Storing emergency water doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few tips to help:
• Use clean, food-grade containers (labeled for water storage).
• Store water in a cool, dark place, away from chemicals or direct sunlight.
• Label containers with the date you filled them and replace every 6 months
• Consider commercially bottled water for convenience and longer shelf life.
• Avoid containers that have previously held milk or juice — residue can encourage bacteria growth.
What If You Run Out?
If an emergency catches you off guard and you run low on clean water, it may become necessary to treat suspicious water.
Here is how to do that according to the https://www.ready.gov/water website:
• Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Let it cool, then improve taste by pouring it between clean containers.
How Soquel Creek Water District Prepares Preparedness
is at the heart of our mission. Soquel Creek Water District maintains an Emergency Response Plan, trains our staff, and coordinates with local and regional emergency partners. We have:
• Backup generators to maintain water delivery during power outages
• Plans to protect water quality during natural disasters
• Remote monitoring systems to detect system issues early
• Participation in mutual aid networks to support neighboring agencies We also continuously evaluate risks to ensure your water remains safe and reliable.
5 Things You Can Do This September
1) Build or update your emergency water supply.
2) Learn how to shut off your home’s water valve in case of a leak or contamination.
3) Sign up for local emergency alerts, like CodeRED in Santa Cruz County.
4) Create a family communication plan — who to call, where to meet, how to reconnect.
5) Talk to your neighbors. A connected neighborhood is a safer one. Communitywide Planning for Resilience
Preparedness also happens on a communitywide scale.
The District is part of the Santa Cruz County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), led by the County’s Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience (OR3) in partnership with cities, special districts, and others. This plan identifies strategies to reduce risks from wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and coastal storms, and keeps the District eligible for federal hazard mitigation funding.
Since December 2024, the County’s consultant, Dynamic Planning and Science, has coordinated public outreach and workshops. District staff have helped shape the countywide plan and the District’s annex plan, which prioritizes wildfire and earthquakes, followed by floods, slope failure, drought, and coastal hazards. A public draft is expected in September 2025, with final review by state and federal agencies to follow.
A Resilient Community Starts with You
Emergencies don’t make appointments — but your preparation can make all the difference. By setting aside water, updating your emergency plans, and staying informed, you’re helping build a stronger, safer community for everyone.
So, let’s all take a moment this September to get ready, stay safe, and be water-wise — because resilience begins with each of us. n
For more tips and resources, visit https:// www.ready.gov
SCCAS Featured Pet
Each Fall and Winter, hundreds of Canadian Geese fly South for the winter. This summer, we’ve gotten inspiration from our friend’s up North and have a “flock” of Canada-inspired kittens available for adoption. Each kitten is named after a town in Canada, for a total of 9 kittens to choose from for Pet of the Week!
Banff, Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, Niagara Falls, Perth, Toronto, and Waterloo are a variety of longhaired and shorthaired cats, both spayed females and neutered males. They are all currently residing in our Catio, where they have shelves to jump from, a window to watch the world go by, and beds, towels, and benches to lounge on.
Kittens adopted with a littermate are two-for-one, and because of the Bogey Fund, which reduces the adoption fee for black cats by $20, you could get two Canadian Kittens for $130.
These kittens are playful, silly, and very snuggly. Wand toys, bells, and feathers are their favorite toys. When you’re in a room with all 9 of them, a wand toy with a bell and feather will really get the party started! They would likely do well in a variety of homes given a thoughtful introduction. So if you are a fan of Tim Hortons, maple syrup, ice hockey games or poutine – look no further than our Canada Catio for your next feline companion.
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”)
580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)
Website: www.scanimalshelter.org
SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
