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October 2026 • Vol 31 No. 10

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Monte Foundation Fireworks Continue a Tradition of Giving Back

The Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza returns to Capitola Oct. 11, continuing a tradition that has grown from a fundraiser at Seacliff State Park into one of the area’s largest annual community celebrations. Full Story page 17

Fishing for a Future Full Story page 8

Capitola City Council Q&A Candidates Answer our Questions

There are five candidates running for three seats on the Capitola City Council: Joe Clarke, the lone incumbent, with challengers Cami Corvin, Tory Del Favero, Peter Wilk and Troy Welch Jr.

Unfortunately, our efforts to reach Mr. Welch, who had no contact information listed with the elections department, failed. We asked three questions. ... continues on page 4

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Moss Landing BESS Monitoring Questioned

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Volume 31 No. 10

Table of Contents

EXPERT CARE. OCEAN AIR. SMILES TO SHARE.

Cover Capitola City Council Q&A: Candidates Answer our Questions

8 10 11 12 14 16 17 19 21 22 24 25

Community News Fishing for a Future: KoaStrong Brings a Mission of Childhood Cancer Prevention to the Capitola Wharf Poultry Return to County Fair: Teens Excited to Show Off Their Hard Work, By Jon Chown Laird Announces $3.05 Million for Santa Cruz County Projects Thinking About Getting A New Wood Stove? County Celebrates Grand Opening of 50 Affordable Apartments: Jessie Street Ter-race Provides Deeply Affordable Homes with Supportive Services Moss Landing BESS Monitoring Questioned: Whistleblower Sounds the Alarm Re-garding Cleanup Efforts, By Jon Chown Monte Foundation Fireworks Continue a Tradition of Giving Back Fire Erupts Again at Moss Landing Battery Storage Facility: Plant Evacuated, Resi-dents Told to Shelter In Place, By Jon Chown Capitola Soroptimists Seek Award Applicants ‘Watchfire’ a Beacon for Help and Hope: Annual Veterans Event Celebrates Honor, Remembrance and Camaraderie, By Tad Stearn Twin Lakes Church Opens the Hope Center: A New $11.3 Million Facility Dedicated to Community Outreach and Support Capitola Village Halloween Parade: Sunday, October 25 | 2 — 3 p.m. • Village Santa Cruz County Becomes Independent Nonprofit

Election 2026 1 Capitola City Council Q&A: Candidates Answer our Questions 6 Cabrillo College Trustee Area 6 Candidates Q&A 20 Don’t Be Fooled!: Santa Cruz County’s Measure E is Littered with Empty Campaign Promises, By Becky Steinbruner Local Sports 13 Santa Cruz Crushers Capture NorCal State Title Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Venus, Star of the Evening, Retrogrades, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar | Arts & Entertainment • Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 23 65 Years, One Remarkable Water Story, By Rebecca Gold Rubin, Public Outreach Coordinator, Soquel Creek Water District 30 Yet Another Reason to Ban Phones in Schools: Kids Today Don’t Have a Boneyard, By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist 31 Dried Floral Material Worth Recycling, By Tony Tomeo

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ELECTION 2026 Patrice Edwards

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What would a Capitola Mall redevelopment proposal need to earn your support, and what compromises involving building height, housing density, retail space or traffic would you reject? helped develop our Housing Element that specifies the limits of development in Capitola. The state is therefore allowing us to maintain control of our growth. Additional requirements such as a hotel or architectural style will drive away developers and we will lose control. Affordable housing and family-oriented housing, as well as retail, bus and housing mix, are in line with both state and local needs. Capitola needs to become more resilient against growing storms; Stockton Ave. Bridge will need to be replaced soon, and it faces the erosion of the bluffs beneath Cliff Drive as well as Depot Hill Bluff. Which project should be the city’s highest priority, and how should these be funded? liff Drive is the highest priority since it is in the most immediate danger. Rerouting the drive instead of armoring the cliff would be the preferred solution. Work with the RTC and get Caltrans funding. What specific steps would you take to keep Capitola financially stable while maintaining police, public works, recreation and other essential services? e need to develop and communicate a process to get to a balanced budget rather than propose solutions at this point. That process needs to include community outreach in order to establish priorities for funding, challenges to staff to propose department efficiencies, best- and worst-case scenarios, and a range of funding options.

Tory Del Favero, human resources manager What would a Capitola Mall redevelopment proposal need to earn your support, and what

compromises involving building height, housing density, retail space or traffic would you reject? he 43-acre Capitola Mall site is one of the most important properties in the City of Capitola, not only because of its size and location, but because of its potential to provide both housing and future revenue. The City adopted a very detailed set of standards for the mall site on March 26, 2026, which included a three-tiered system. This was part of the requirement we needed to meet from the State for our housing element. Each tier established setbacks, design standards including building articulation, height, housing density, affordability requirements, and parking standards. Tier 2 and Tier 3 include requirements for hotel and commercial development. Any project that conforms to the adopted Tory Del Favero development standards for any tier should result in City approval. Much of the work on the future of the mall and the standards that were set was done before a new council will be sworn in from this upcoming election in November. If a developer wants to change from those standards, there would be an opportunity to negotiate further additions or concessions with a future council. Partnering with and listening to community members to see where we can add value and mitigate challenges in the areas at and around the mall, and for the City as a whole, will be critical. Capitola needs to become more resilient against growing storms; Stockton Ave. Bridge will need to be replaced soon, and it faces the erosion of the bluffs beneath Cliff Drive as well as Depot Hill Bluff. Which project should be the city’s highest priority, and how should these be funded? he highest priority project for Capitola is the Stockton Avenue Bridge. This bridge

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is the only way for vehicle traffic to cross Soquel Creek within Capitola city limits. The freeway bridge is controlled by Caltrans and is part of the state highway system. The City must work with Caltrans, which will be a major funding partner for Stockton Bridge repairs, refurbishments, and replacements, to ensure we have this vital option to get across the city. The City must also be prepared to look for grant funding and have some of its budget go toward the bridge. Bluff erosion will be a challenge for Capitola and all of California. Changes on Cliff Drive could affect traffic patterns in Capitola. We will need to work with agencies such as the RTC and the Coastal Commission to try to mitigate what Mother Nature brings our way and plan for what’s next. Depot Hill is a lovely and historic part of Capitola. The City should guide and support homeowners where it can. Creating a comprehensive umbrella project that ties together all of our shoreline would be beneficial to know our options with sea level rise and bluff erosion. What specific steps would you take to keep Capitola financially stable while maintaining police, public works, recreation and other essential services? ity staff are the engine that makes Capitola move, providing essential community services and public safety. Budget realities require that the City of Capitola constantly evaluate how it is providing services and look for efficiencies. We must not kick the can on future obligations and need to be honest about our fiscal health. The cost of providing city services also increases with inflation, just like our citizens’ bills do too. It’s more expensive to feed our families, and it is more expensive to run a city. The hard truth is we are out of runway on constantly raising city sales taxes on residents to cover gaps. We are going to have to look at improving efficiencies and increasing revenue through

ELECTION 2026 economic development that increases sales tax and Transient Occupancy Tax.

Cami Corvin, paralegal business owner

What would a Capitola Mall redevelopment proposal need to earn your support, and what compromises involving building height, housing density, retail space or traffic would you reject? support housing, but not at any cost. California requires Capitola to plan for additional housing, and the Mall will be a major part of that planning. However, meeting our housing obligations does not mean accepting a project without adequate infrastructure, sound fiscal planning, and consideration of Capitola’s character. To earn my support, a proposal must be a genuinely balanced mixed-use development. It must address traffic, Cami Corvin parking, pedestrian safety, emergency access, water and sewer capacity, public safety, and the cumulative effect on 41st Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods. These issues must be evaluated before approval, not postponed until after the housing is built. Adding approximately 1,200 housing units will significantly increase Capitola’s population and the ongoing cost of police, public works, recreation, and other City services. The City needs a complete fiscal analysis showing how those costs will be covered without shifting the burden to existing residents. That means retaining enough productive commercial space to protect Capitola’s salestax base. I also support seriously evaluating a hotel as part of the project because hotel stays generate transient occupancy tax that can help support City services. The development must contribute appropriately toward the infrastructure and service demands it creates. I am open to density, but building height must be handled through a varied, layered design — not a uniform wall of tall buildings. Taller portions should be placed carefully, with buildings stepping down toward surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Varied rooflines, architectural breaks, landscaping, public spaces, and pedestrian connections can help a large project feel less imposing. The architecture should also reflect Capitola’s coastal history and character. A redevelopment of this size should not look like it could be anywhere. Keeping Capitola Capitola means accommodating needed housing without erasing the qualities that make our community recognizable. I would reject height or density added simply to maximize the number of units without providing meaningful public benefits. I would also reject a major reduction in revenue-producing commercial space or a plan that assumes already-congested intersections and streets will somehow absorb the additional traffic. We need to plan for the entire project and its long-term effects now, not later.

Capitola needs to become more resilient against growing storms; Stockton Ave. Bridge will need to be replaced soon, and it faces the erosion of the bluffs beneath Cliff Drive as well as Depot Hill Bluff. Which project should be the city’s highest priority, and how should these be funded? liff Drive should be the City’s highest immediate resilience priority because continued erosion threatens a public roadway, utilities, neighborhood access, and an important evacuation route. The first objective must be stabilizing the bluff and protecting essential infrastructure. Any additional features should be evaluated against safety, cost, neighborhood impacts, and voter requirements, but they should not delay the work necessary to protect the roadway. I would not assume that the Stockton Avenue Bridge must automatically be replaced. On September 10, the Council voted to move forward with a Caltransrecommended polyester concrete overlay. This is a short-term preservation measure intended to protect the bridge deck and potentially extend the bridge’s useful life by approximately 10 to 15 years while the City evaluates its long-term options. Engineering and design work still must be completed before the overlay can be constructed. At the same time, rehabilitation, seismic retrofit, deck replacement, and full bridge replacement remain under consideration. No final long-term alternative has been selected. Before committing to full replacement, I want an apples-to-apples comparison of rehabilitation or retrofit versus replacement. That comparison should include cost, additional years of service, seismic and scour protection, construction time, traffic disruption, future maintenance, and the consequences for emergency access and Village businesses. If engineering eventually shows that replacement is the only safe and financially responsible option, we can make that decision based on evidence. It should not be treated as the answer before the alternatives have been completely analyzed. Depot Hill Bluff also requires continued monitoring, engineering, and long-term planning. Priorities should be based on immediate risk to life, public access, infrastructure, and whether delay will substantially increase the eventual cost. Capitola cannot pay for these projects through its General Fund alone. We should aggressively pursue federal highway emergency-relief funds, FEMA and state resilience grants, Caltrans bridge programs, coastalprotection funding, and regional partnerships. Local funds may be needed as matching money, but grants are not free if they create maintenance obligations Capitola cannot afford. Every funding decision must include construction and long-term maintenance costs. What specific steps would you take to keep Capitola financially stable while maintaining police, public works, recreation and other essential services?

“City Council” page 6

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ELECTION 2026

Cabrillo College Trustee Area 6 Candidates Q&A

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nationwide face declining enrollment as birth rates fall and immigration policies shift. Cabrillo can respond by expanding dual enrollment for high school students, welcoming lifelong learners to any class and advocating for the option to repeat classes. Demand is strongest in health care, from front-line administrative roles to RN positions, yet long waits push many students to Karen Cogswell, retired business owner enroll elsewhere. New anatomy and other tudent success must be Cabrillo’s top labs at the Watsonville campus are close to priority. Whether students plan to where many of these students live. We must keep finding ways to meet this transfer or enter the workforce, demand. they should leave with a clear Finally, students feel the career path and the coursework to promise and peril of AI as they navreach it. igate their futures. Cabrillo should As a trustee, I will push lead a coalition of community colfor an inclusive review of what leges in confronting these issues, four-year universities and local drawing on the statewide system’s employers require, then support strength. The pace of change faculty and staff in aligning our Karen Cogswell demands immediate action, from curricula to those expectations. Sound finances are essential. Colleges state and federal advocacy to substantive e asked the candidates vying for the Trustee Area 6 seat on the Cabrillo Community College Board this question: What do you believe is the most important change Cabrillo College should make over the next four years, and what would you do as a trustee to make it happen?

“City Council” from page 5 My first step would be to use a realistic multiyear financial plan that identifies expected revenues, operating costs, infrastructure obligations, staffing needs, and reserve requirements. A balanced budget for one year is not enough if today’s decisions create expenses the City cannot support five or ten years from now. Police, public works, recreation, roads, storm drains, and other essential services must come before discretionary projects. I would examine contracts, consultant expenses, sole-source agreements, and major capital projects to determine what the City is receiving for its money. I would also require clear reporting on project costs, changes in scope, deadlines, and long-term maintenance obligations. Selecting Capitola’s next City Manager will be one of the next Council’s most important decisions. I would support a broad professional recruitment for someone with strong municipal-finance, staff-leadership, infrastructure, and project-management experience. The Council sets policy, priorities, and the budget; the City Manager carries them out. Council should establish measurable goals, conduct meaningful performance evaluations, and hold the manager accountable without micromanaging City employees. Capitola must also protect and strengthen its revenue base. My approach is “retain first, attract second.” We should listen to existing businesses, make City processes easier to navigate, protect productive commercial space, and attract businesses that fit

Capitola. A carefully planned hotel could provide significant transient occupancy tax revenue, but any proposal must be evaluated as part of the City’s overall economic and land-use strategy. New development must be evaluated for both the revenue it generates and the services and infrastructure it requires. Existing residents should not be expected to subsidize growth. I would also protect prudent reserves and avoid committing recurring revenue to expenses the City cannot sustain during an economic downturn. Fiscal responsibility does not mean automatically saying no. Sometimes investing in maintenance, staffing, or infrastructure today prevents a much larger expense later. It means setting priorities, planning ahead, and making sure taxpayer dollars are producing real value for Capitola residents.

Joe Clarke, incumbent

What would a Capitola Mall redevelopment proposal need to earn your support, and what compromises involving building height, housing density, retail space or traffic would you reject? he City has been working on the future of the Capitola Mall for many years, dating back well before COVID-19. As a city leader, it has been frustrating at times to have our ability to shape development constrained by state housing mandates. That said, I believe the mall owners recognize that the City has gone out of its way to make Capitola an attractive place for a strong, responsible development. The City has listened and responded to the owners’ requests regarding building heights, housing density, and reducing the amount of retail space.

ELECTION 2026 discussions with local business and political leaders. Our college and community have the knowledge and experience to lead. Let’s roll up our sleeves.

Ben Finke, bus operator

believe that Cabrillo should take steps to support and compensate faculty and staff at a rate comparable to that paid to employees at colleges in other similar California counties. Primarily, hardworking people are entitled to a comfortable living wage — and, as the people directly responsible for student mentorship and success, it is integral to the good of the school and student outcomes that they be treated fairly and given the accommodations and resources they need to perform at their absolute best. As a trustee, I would analyze and contrast the budgets of Cabrillo and similar schools and plan steps to move toward closing the pay gap between them. I understand that the school is currently operating with a nearly $3 million budget deficit, but I believe that front-line faculty and staff should be the last to be cut when funds are tight and the first to benefit when the capital is available. I would also look to work closely with the Community College League to advocate

for the alteration of the Student Centered Funding Formula, moving to allow schools like Cabrillo with moderate numbers of lifelong learners and adult students to receive more funding from their enrollment, rather than focusing heavily on first-time students. Similarly, I would work to petition the state to allow community members and students to retake classes. This would increase enrollment, as well as allow our neighbors to recreationally engage in programs they enjoy, building real community and lending to strong local culture. Holistic and needsbased enrollment and waitlist weighting could be altered to ensure first-time students are able to take the classes they need but not completely exclude elective participants. It would also be integral to advocate for the state to defund Calbright, an online-only community college. While, in principle, it is beneficial to offer online courses, this option is redundant, draws funding away from local community-serving institutions and does not offer the same quality of education or levels of student success as even online classes offered by traditional brick-andmortar schools. “Cabrillo Trustee” page 9

for financial assistance and other I will continue to advocate for resources to help Capitola prepare a responsible project that addresses and respond. traffic, infrastructure, and environ3. What specific steps would mental concerns. you take to keep Capitola finanWe absolutely need more cially stable while maintaining affordable housing, but I believe we police, public works, recreation and can achieve that while also being other essential services? responsible stewards of our comThe 41st Avenue area generates munity. As a City Council member, Joe Clarke roughly three-quarters of the City’s it is important that we listen to residents and take their concerns and priorities annual budget, which brings me back to the importance of finding a path forward for the seriously. Capitola Mall. Capitola needs to become more resilient against The City needs to continue working colgrowing storms; Stockton Ave. Bridge will need laboratively to develop a project that makes to be replaced soon, and it faces the erosion of the sense for the mall owners while also serving bluffs beneath Cliff Drive as well as Depot Hill the residents and long-term interests of Bluff. Which project should be the city’s highest Capitola. priority, and how should these be funded? Public safety also needs to remain a priur Governor has already issued a state of emergency related to El Niño. I was ority. Capitola police officers are among the here when Capitola experienced significant lowest-paid in the area, and I want to work El Niño storms in 1982 and 1997, and the toward bringing their salaries more in line storms expected this year have the potential with those of neighboring agencies so that we can recruit and retain quality officers. to be even more severe. Capitola has a deep history and a As city leaders, we need to look at best practices and take additional steps to protect unique way of life that residents value. We our community. That means keeping the need to protect what makes our community Soquel Creek waterways clear of debris and special while ensuring that essential services, ensuring Public Works personnel are on including Public Works, remain fully staffed standby during major storms. We also need and prepared to respond to storms and other to closely monitor the Stockton Bridge and emergencies. Ultimately, the City’s top priority should areas where water runoff has historically created problems, including Cliff Drive and be making sure our revenue streams keep pace with the ever-increasing costs of operDepot Hill. I believe we need to take a compre- ating a city. We need to be thoughtful about hensive approach to storm preparedness development, responsible with taxpayer rather than focusing on just one issue. With dollars, and proactive in protecting the the Governor having declared a state of services and quality of life that Capitola resiemergency, we should also look to the State dents depend on. n

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Fishing for a Future

KoaStrong Brings a Mission of Childhood Cancer Prevention to the Capitola Wharf

n a late August morning, families lined the Capitola Wharf with fishing poles in hand, waiting to see who might catch the biggest fish, the smallest fish or the most fish of the day. For KoaStrong Childhood Cancer Prevention Organization, however, the first KoaStrong Fishing Derby was about much more than fishing. It was about a little boy named Koa. Koa Pagán loved to fish. He fished close to home, on family trips and anywhere he could drop a line in the water. And he fished from the Capitola Wharf with his family. Those ordinary days became treasured memories after Koa died from acute myeloid leukemia in April 2020, just before his ninth birthday. KoaStrong was founded by his family to answer the question: Why are children getting cancer, and what can be done to prevent it?

Much of the childhood cancer conversation begins after a child has already been diagnosed. KoaStrong is working to move that conversation upstream. The nonprofit focuses on childhood cancer prevention and early detection by supporting research and initiatives that seek to understand why cancer develops in children and young adults, identifying preventable risk factors and exposures. That includes research into environmental and parental exposures. The organization supports scientific research, education and advocacy for preventing childhood cancer and emerging approaches such as genomic newborn screening. Koa’s mother and KoaStrong founder, Lisa Pagán, emphasizes the distinction: “We will always need better treatments for children who have cancer,” Pagán said. “But we are also asking why children are developing cancer in the first place. We need research focused on prevention, and better ways to identify risk and disease earlier.” Bringing KoaStrong›s first fishing derby to the Capitola Wharf was intentional. Koa enjoyed fishing on that wharf. It represents fond, happy family memories. It is a place connected to his precious childhood. The location also offered something important to KoaStrong: an opportunity to create new memories for other families. The Aug. 30 derby was free and open to the community. Children, parents and experienced anglers could all participate. Fish were weighed and recorded as part of the competition, with awards for the biggest, smallest and most fish caught. Capitola Candy Co. and other merchants embraced our fishing derby with donated prizes and giveaways. Capitola Boat and Bait provided encouragement, expertise and prizes.

COMMUNITY NEWS A “one that got away” moment occurred when two of Koa’s childhood friends partnered to land what was clearly going to be the largest catch of the day. After nearly two hours of being pulled halfway around the wharf by this mystery fish, the boys caught a glimpse of the giant ray that ultimately snapped their line. But competition was secondary. The point was to get families outside together in celebration of Koa. There is something particularly fitting about doing so on the Capitola Wharf. For generations, fishing has been part of the wharf’s history and the community surrounding it. Families still arrive early with poles and tackle, continuing a tradition that has long been part of Capitola. For KoaStrong, that history provided the perfect setting for something new. KoaStrong was created out of profound loss, but its work is deliberately focused on the future. The goal is to make sure researchers are asking the right questions concerning early detection and prevention. That philosophy has become the foundation of KoaStrong: Screen Early. Detect Fast. Prevent More. Protect Always. And sometimes advancing that mission looks like laboratories, research studies and policy discussions. Sometimes it looks like a fishing pole. The Capitola event also marked the beginning of the KoaStrong Fishing Series, inspired by places where Koa himself loved to fish. The organization plans to use fishing events to bring communities together while introducing more families to the idea of

“Cabrillo Trustee” from page 7 I would also explore the reintroduction of bond measures, the implementation of which would allow the school to keep general fund capital available for operations costs, rather than having to be spent on facilities maintenance. Were we able to achieve one or two of these goals, let alone all of them, Cabrillo would have the funds to ensure that faculty and staff can comfortably focus on student success while benefiting our entire community.

Milissa Ales-Barnicoat, chief executive officer

he most important change I would like to see over the next four years is Cabrillo Community College positioning itself for the future. For me, that starts with students. Access can’t just mean getting through the door. Students need to be able to afford to stay, feel like they belong, finish what they came for and see opportunity on the other side — whether that’s transferring, starting a career, earning a credential or continuing to learn. I also think we need to stay connected to what is happening outside the college. That means listening to our community, understanding where jobs and careers are changing and building strong relationships with employers and other partners.

childhood cancer prevention and early detection. For a mother who knows how precious those ordinary moments can become, that may have been the most meaningful part of the August day. KoaStrong hopes the Fishing Derby will become another reason for families to return to the Capitola Wharf — to cast a line, spend a morning together and perhaps learn something they had never considered before: The fight against childhood cancer shouldn’t wait to begin with a diagnosis. n ••• Learn more about KoaStrong Childhood Cancer Prevention Organization at www.koastrong.org.

There is also a very real financial piece. Funding is changing, and costs aren’t getting any lower. I don’t think Cabrillo can simply cut its way to a stronger future. We need to be looking for new resources, too. That’s an area where I have experience. Much of my work involves bringing together education, government, labor, employers and community organizations. I know how important relationships are when you’re looking for funding, building partnerships or trying to get something new off the ground. As a trustee, I would bring that experience to the board. I would want us Milissa Ales-Barnicoat actively advocating for Cabrillo in Sacramento and beyond, looking for state and federal funding, grants, private funding and partnerships while making thoughtful decisions about the resources we already have. A trustee isn’t there to run the college. We’re there to ask questions, set direction, make responsible decisions and hold leadership accountable. Four years from now, I want Cabrillo to be financially stronger and a place where students feel they belong, where great faculty and staff want to stay and where students can see a future for themselves. n

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Torunn Winstrom of Watsonville (left) and Savanna Losness of Soquel at the Poultry Barn during the Santa Cruz County Fair.

Poultry Return to County Fair

Teens Excited to Show Off Their Hard Work By JON CHOWN WATSONVILLE — After a year without live chickens, the poultry barn returned to the Santa Cruz County Fair and Torunn Winstrom of Watsonville and Savanna Losness of Soquel, both 14, were thrilled. Both raised chickens to exhibit and for the auction at the end of the fair. “Raising chickens is the best,” Winstrom said. Winstrom gets chicks from local suppliers or buys them online from breeders. “It’s amazing watching them grow up because you get to see all that progress from a little fluffy chick to a beautiful, flourishing bird,” Winstrom said. She has been raising chickens since she was 1. Losness was equally happy to have her birds at the fair, which ran from Sept. 16-20. “Raising chickens has been very, very

Adrían Garcia of Salinas holds a chicken he raised.

fun,” Losness said. “I currently have three, and I’m showing all of them. It’s just been a wonderful time raising all of them.” Losness once had more than 30 chickens, but most were killed by dogs and coyotes near her rural home. One of the birds she brought to the fair was a 3-year-old hen that survived after the other chickens in its flock were all killed. “It’s very fun seeing them as chicks and watching them grow up,” Losness said. “I’ve had this girl for about three years. The rest of her flock did end up dying off, sadly, but she is the survivor.” Live chickens were missing from the 2025 fair because California prohibited poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows over concerns about the spread of H5N1 avian influenza. The California Department of Food and Agriculture imposed the statewide prohibition in January 2025. It was lifted near the end of the year. With no live birds, poultry exhibitors in 2025 submitted videos showing themselves examining, posing and walking their birds. They completed the remainder of showmanship in person without live birds. “There was the avian flu, or the bird flu, and people were scared that if one bird has it, it’s going to carry to other birds, and there’s going to be a whole outbreak in California,” said Adrian Garcia, a 14-year-old freshman at Palma School in Salinas. “And so they decided to shut that down so there wasn’t any risk of that.” “Eggs at County Fair” page 18

COMMUNITY NEWS

Laird Announces $3.05 Million for Santa Cruz County Projects SACRAMENTO — State Sen. John Laird announced that he secured $3.05 million through the 2026-27 state budget for six Santa Cruz County projects supporting affordable housing, senior nutrition, arts and culture, health care, public transit and climate education. “Santa Cruz County faces some very real challenges, from the high cost of housing and maintaining access to quality health care to supporting our seniors and preparing our coastal communities for the impacts of climate change,” Laird said. “These investments put state dollars toward local priorities and help give our communities the resources they need to meet those challenges.” The largest allocation is $1.2 million to the city of Santa Cruz to help acquire nearly 2 acres of Caltrans-owned land near the intersection of highways 1 and 9 for affordable housing. The two parcels are next to a 1.31-acre property the city acquired in 2022. The city plans to develop the combined site as deedrestricted, 100% affordable housing. The mixed-use development would be integrated with the neighboring Tannery Arts Center and include amenities supporting walking, bicycling and other forms of active transportation. Community Bridges will receive $550,000 for its Meals on Wheels program. The money will help close a funding gap and allow the organization to acquire the production kitchen used to prepare meals for older adults throughout Santa Cruz County. The Watsonville Cultural District will receive $525,000 through the California Arts Council. The funding will support the district’s arts and cultural community and help promote traditions, creativity and cultural identity in the Pajaro Valley. Watsonville was recently selected as one of California’s state-designated cultural districts, recognizing its cultural identity and the role of local artists, organizations and traditions. Watsonville Community Hospital will receive $325,000 to upgrade medical and surgical technology. The funding is intended to help the community-owned hospital modernize its equipment and strengthen patient care. The allocation is in addition to a $10.6 million emergency grant for Watsonville Community Hospital. That grant came from $25 million approved by the California Legislature in May through Assembly Bill 108 to assist financially distressed hospitals facing federal funding cuts connected to the passage of H.R. 1.

John Laird Santa Cruz METRO will receive $250,000 to replace its aging radio system and connect the transit agency to Santa Cruz County’s Regional Interoperable Next Generation radio system. METRO’s current radio system was purchased in 2010 and experiences random failures, transmission-device problems and coverage gaps in Bonny Doon, Davenport and along Highway 17. The new system is expected to improve daily transit communications and coordination with other agencies during emergencies, disasters and major incidents. The Seymour Marine Discovery Center at UC Santa Cruz will receive $200,000 for climate-focused exhibits and programs connecting marine and coastal science with public education. The project will include immersive, bilingual and interactive exhibits, a hands-on learning area and a civic engagement space focused on coastal climate resilience. The Seymour Center works with UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience to make scientific research more accessible and connect researchers with community organizations and the public. Laird also announced other state investments for Santa Cruz County, including $3.3 million to expand PRIME Central Coast, a partnership between UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis that creates a local pathway for future physicians to train and practice on the Central Coast. An additional $4.5 million was secured for the Santa Cruz Public Library through the state’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program. The latest allocation brings the program’s total investment in the Downtown Library Mixed-Use Project to $9 million. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS PAI D ADVERTI SEMENT

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Thinking About Getting A New Wood Stove? A modern woods stove, insert, or fireplace is an excellent choice as a primary source of heat for your home. Heating your home with a modern wood stove is both economical and eco-friendly, not to mention the bonus of the coziness and beauty. While open, wood burning fireplaces do not generate a meaningful amount of heat, modern wood burning stoves, inserts and fireplaces are intended to be used as the primary source of heat for your home. With overnight burn times and air controls, heating your home with wood is now simple and green.

inside the stove, so that what’s coming out the chimney is mostly steam. All modern, EPA certified wood stoves emit less than 2 grams of emissions per hour.

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Stop by your local fireplace store and have an industry professional help you pick the right wood stove for you. It’s good to be prepared with the approximate square footage of the space you’re heating. Photos are also helpful, especially if you’re interested in getting an insert. While in the showroom you can look at displays and make choices about which options will be best for you and your home. If you need an installer, a professional installer will then come to your home for a site check. They will put together your pipe list, make sure everything will fit and look nice, then give you an exact bid for installation.

Yes! Modern wood stoves are cleanburning, highly efficient, and use wood, a renewable fuel source. Today’s EPA-certified stoves produce significantly fewer emissions than older wood-burning appliances, and are incentivized by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District.

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Heating your home with a modern wood stove is eco-friendly. Wood is a renewable fuel source, locally sourced and carbon neutral. Efficiency and clean burning go hand in hand. The pollution controls are what make a modern wood stove a better and more efficient heater. A very old wood stove or open, wood burning fireplace can produce 100 grams of emissions per hour. Particulate emissions are fuel going up the chimney and polluting the air, instead of being turned into heat for your home. Modern wood fireplaces have pollution controls that burn those particulate emissions

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Different options for brand and material, along with variables with installation make it so there is a wide range of cost for getting a wood stove. Your local fireplace store will be able to give you specific pricing so that you know exactly how much the project will be before you commit to moving forward.

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LOCAL SPORTS

Santa Cruz Crushers Capture NorCal State Title

he Santa Cruz Crushers 12UC Summer team had a spectacular summer, winning the 12C state title at the USA Softball of Northern California Championships. The Crushers finished 4-0 in the 10-team division, outscoring their opponents 54-27 during the June 26-28 tournament at Legacy Fields in Tracy. Santa Cruz opened with a 17-1 victory over the Screaming Eagles and followed that with an 11-7 win over the West Valley Slammers. Santa Cruz then overcame an early deficit to defeat Millbrae Mischief 10-9. The Crushers saved their biggest rally for the championship game against Windsor Wicked. Trailing 10-6 in the fourth inning, Santa Cruz scored 10 runs on seven hits to take a 16-10 lead. The team was coached by Django Whittington, Zak Warren and Darryl Williams. The Crushers are the competitive program of Cabrillo GALS Fastpitch Softball, a volunteer-run league for girls ages 5-18 throughout Santa Cruz County. Registration for the 2027 spring recreational season opens in March at cabrillogals.com. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

County Celebrates Grand Opening of 50 Affordable Apartments

Jessie Street Terrace Provides Deeply Affordable Homes with Supportive Services

SANTA CRUZ — Community partners and public- and private-sector stakeholders recently celebrated the Grand Opening of MidPen Housing’s Jessie Street Terrace in Santa Cruz. Once a 14-room hotel, Jessie Street Terrace has been transformed into 50 studio apartments and a one-bedroom apartment that will be reserved for residents earning up to 20-50% of Area Median Income (AMI) ($27,692-$79,100 for households of one to two people). Nearly half of the homes are designated for veterans, and another third are set aside for people who have experienced homelessness. Project-based vouchers from the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County make every apartment even more affordable. “Jessie Street Terrace demonstrates the transformative impact of state investment in affordable housing,” said Matthew O. Franklin, MidPen President and CEO. “With financial support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, this community has more than tripled in size, creating more homes and expanding the resources that help residents build stability and thrive.” Located within a mile of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with access to several bus lines, Jessie Street Terrace includes amenities such as a community room with kitchen, shared laundry and computer rooms, an outdoor terrace, and bike parking. MidPen Property Management professionally manages the property.

Residents have access to a comprehensive array of on-site services, programs, and case management, thanks to a deep collaboration between MidPen Resident Services with the Palo Alto VA and County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency. Jessie Street Terrace is made possible through significant financial support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), including funding through the No Place Like Home Program, Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program (a first for MidPen), Loan Portfolio Restructuring Program and California Housing Accelerator Program. Additional funding comes from the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, JP Morgan Chase, Central California Alliance for Health, and Central Coast Community Energy. “We’re proud to provide construction and permanent financing for Jessie Street Terrace, delivering new affordable homes with on-site services in Santa Cruz,” said James Vossoughi, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking. “At J.P. Morgan, we believe strong communities create opportunity — and developments like this help make that possible by pairing stable housing with the support residents need to move forward.” The architect is The Paul Davis Partnership and the builder is Devcon Construction, Inc. n ••• To learn more about MidPen Housing, visit www.midpen-housing.org.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Moss Landing BESS Monitoring Questioned

Whistleblower Sounds the Alarm Regarding Cleanup Efforts By JON CHOWN

MOSS LANDING — A former Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health scientist alleges the company hired by Vistra to monitor air after the 2025 battery fire didn’t test for all the toxic substances it should have and that when monitors did show toxins in the air, it was not always made public. The allegations by Peggy Dixon, formerly of CTEH, were brought to the public’s attention Friday at a news conference near the Vistra power plant. Dixon was not at the event, but activists from Never Again Moss Landing discussed her sworn affidavit and a new complaint filed on her behalf with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General. The Government Accountability Project filed the complaint Wednesday. It asks the watchdog office to investigate CTEH’s work at Moss Landing, the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and at other disaster sites. CTEH now operates under the name Onterris. Dixon’s story was originally reported by the Wall Street Journal and Onterris denied Dixon’s allegations in a statement to WSJ. Dixon, in a sworn statement, said that she worked for CTEH for five years as an environmental rapid responder. She has bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. She said she was sent to Moss Landing and took part in air monitoring under CTEH’s Feb. 17, 2025, draft plan for Vistra. Her main complaint centers on East Palestine, where she said managers pressed field workers to produce zero or “nondetect” readings. She also alleged that some higher readings were played down or left out, ash samples were not sent to a lab and evidence was kept from residents and reporters. Dixon said she later saw the same basic approach at other sites. “I signed up to help impacted communities,” she wrote in her affidavit. “I did not sign up to deceive people.”

Limited Testing at Moss Landing

At Moss Landing, CTEH’s 16-page draft plan, which Dixon made public, called for testing outside the plant fence. It listed cobalt, nickel and manganese, along with hydrogen fluoride and other acid gases, fine particles, volatile organic compounds and possible asbestos. Dixon said that list was too limited because it left out dioxins, PFAS, PAHs and other chemicals that can be left by an industrial fire. She also said the plan focused on short-term exposure limits and did not fully address long-term exposure. The plan also said readings above an “action level,” a point that can trigger more safety steps, would be sent to CTEH managers, site management and the response command. Any hydrogen fluoride detection would also trigger an internal notice. Left out of the draft was any effort to alert or inform the public. Scott Smith of the Blue Shirt Justice Group held up copies of the plan and Dixon’s affidavit at Friday’s news conference. “You can’t find what you don’t look for,” he said. Smith also said records he reviewed showed hydrogen fluoride detections at the plant as late as September 2025. The press conference was held a week after the latest fire at the Vistra battery building. The EPA said about 1,300 battery modules burned Sept. 18. The blaze was first detected around 6 a.m. and had largely died down by about 10 a.m. Monterey County kept a shelter order in place within onethird of a mile until about 4:15 p.m. Tanya Rivera, the founder of Never Again Moss Landing, said she wasn’t notified of the shelter warning until 8:23 a.m., more than two hours after the fire started. She questioned 16 / October 2026 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Brian Roeder holds a sign up while Scott Smith speaks during a press conference held Sept. 25 in Moss Landing. why the warning took so long and why Highway 1 remained open. According to Rivera, air monitors had not been running around the clock. The EPA’s public cleanup page says air monitoring and sampling are required around the property during work hours. It separately says Vistra must keep a private firefighting company at the site 24 hours a day. Rivera asked where that crew was when the new fire began. “Profits should never supersede health and safety,” she said. Ed Mitchell, chief investigator for Never Again Moss Landing, also questioned the type of monitoring used during the January fire. He said local officials relied too heavily on PM2.5 sensors. Those devices measure the amount of very small particles in the air, but they do not identify which metals or chemicals are in the particles. The Monterey Bay Air Resources District said on Jan. 22, 2025 that its particle monitors and wildfire sensors showed the smoke did not affect ground-level residential areas. Readings at nearby stations stayed in the good or moderate range, the district said. But the agency also said its equipment could not test for hydrogen fluoride. Mitchell said responders should have sampled the smoke plume from the air and tested dark residue found after the fire.

Separate Studies, Different Results

The first fire began Jan. 16, 2025, inside Vistra’s 300-megawatt battery building. The EPA says the building held about 100,000 battery modules and roughly 55% were damaged. Federal workers set up nine monitoring stations around the property for particles and acid gases, including

hydrogen fluoride, before turning the equipment over to Vistra on Jan. 20. According to the EPA, there was little pollution from the fire. However, a peer-reviewed study led by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories found sharp increases in nickel, manganese and cobalt in surface soil at Elkhorn Slough. Some hot spots were 10 to 1,000 times higher than levels measured before the fire. The research team found evidence of pollution as far as 4 kilometers from the plant and estimated about 55,000 pounds of metal-rich particles fell across the slough. A separate Phase II study prepared by Terraphase, hired by Vistra, reached a far different conclusion. It said the detected metals and other pollutants did not come from the fire and did not pose a threat to people or wildlife. That study often used samples about 3 inches deep, while the Marine Lab study focused on a much thinner surface layer. Cleanup at the plant is in its final phase. The EPA oversees work inside the fence, while state and local agencies oversee areas outside it. Vistra is paying for and carrying out the cleanup under EPA oversight. Smith said his group planned to run independent air tests over the weekend with a remote-sensing instrument and discuss the results at a town hall. Brian Roeder of Never Again Moss Landing compared the response by local, state and federal authorities to the Three Stooges, assigning Curly to Monterey County, Larry to the state and Moe to the federal government. “I characterize our authorities at the local, state and federal level as the Three Stooges,” Roeder said. “I call the county Curly, because Curly is kind of a friendly guy. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.” The county was just overwhelmed, Roeder explained, and was trying. “Let’s talk about Larry. Larry’s the state,” he said. Larry could do better, but wasn’t trying hard enough, Roeder went on. He then cast the EPA as Moe. “And finally, we have Moe, who’s slapping everybody around,” he said. “And that is the feds in the form of the EPA.” Roeder accused the EPA of putting industry interests ahead of the public, a practice he called corporate capture. “The EPA has been throwing elbows for industry for years, decades,” Roeder said. “It’s called corporate capture. We’ve seen it here.” Roeder said the group worked with EPA public relations staff for information. He said the employees were pleasant, but complained that the agency’s website did not tell the community “what’s really happening.” “You know who’s giving them their marching orders, folks? Vistra. CTEH. Terraphase,” Roeder said. “They’re setting the rules, and the EPA knows they’re not setting fair rules, and yet they’re following those rules.” Roeder also returned to the public assurances given after the January fire. He said four days after the fire, an EPA representative told the community, in effect, “We have detected nothing to cause concern.” Roeder disputed that conclusion and accused the agency of failing to correct it. “Every time Vistra speaks, they say the EPA said there was nothing to see here,” Roeder said. “In effect, go back to sleep. Today’s about telling you why we can’t go back to sleep.” “Whistleblower” page 18

COMMUNITY NEWS

Monte Foundation Fireworks Continue a Tradition of Giving Back

he Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza returns to Capitola Oct. 11, continuing a tradition that has grown from a fundraiser at Seacliff State Park into one of the area’s largest annual community celebrations. Marc Monte, president and CEO of Deluxe Foods in Aptos, started the event in 1996 as a way to raise money and give back to the community where his family has operated its grocery business for nearly five decades.

Marc Monte and family

The foundation’s work extends well beyond the annual fireworks show. It has supported projects including the McGregor Pump Track and Skateboard Park in Capitola, the Monte Fields at the Aptos Polo Grounds and the Polo Grounds Bike Park. “I like to do projects that help kids in the community,” Monte said in an interview last year. Monte has also made plans for the foundation to continue that work after his lifetime. He said last year that he intends to leave his estate to the Monte Foundation, providing money for future community projects. “It’s going to survive,” Monte said at the time. “My whole estate is going to the Monte Foundation.” The fireworks tradition has personal roots for Monte. He recalled last year that when he was growing up, Capitola held Fourth of July fireworks shows that he loved attending. Monte’s parents, Rudolph and Doris Monte, opened Deluxe Foods in Aptos in 1977. The store distinguished itself with

high-end groceries, a floral department, bakery and an emphasis on customer service. The first Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza was held at Seacliff State Park in 1996. Tickets were sold to the event, which became an annual tradition and fundraiser. Permitting issues led to the show moving to Capitola in 2013, where it became a free event. Monte said last year that the fireworks show costs him about $60,000, with the

fireworks company also contributing to the display. For Monte, the event is another part of a larger effort to reinvest in the community that has supported his family’s business for generations. He described the fireworks show last year as an annual reminder that his family “did well and gives back to the community.” n ••• The show is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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“Eggs at County Fair” from page 10 Garcia raised chickens last year but did not participate in the modified competition because of his sports commitments. “But this year, I entered my chickens, which is better than what the outcome would have been last year,” he said. Garcia balances caring for his birds with school, sports and family. His brothers help with the daily work. “We’ll go collect the eggs,” Garcia said. “We’ll make sure their coop’s clean. We’ll give them food, we’ll give them water, and we’ll wash them when it comes time.” Poultry division co-lead Kathleen Evans said the return of live birds was welcomed by exhibitors and visitors.

The store you choose to do business with will help you with post-installation service and answer any questions that come up. A high-quality fireplace is built to last 20-25 years, so the folks you choose to work with are people you’ll be connected to for years to come. ••• Please consider choosing Woodstove & Sun to help you with your fireplace or outdoor living needs. We offer wood, gas, pellet and electric stoves, fireplaces and inserts, as well as POLYWOOD outdoor furniture, fire pits, pizza ovens, custom outdoor kitchens, Infratech heating and True refrigeration. Our showroom is located at 510 Soquel Ave in Santa Cruz. Please call, email or stop by! Our friendly staff will be happy to help you and answer any further questions you may have to begin this process. We can be reached at (831) 425-5123 and woodstoveandsun@gmail.com. n “People are so excited,” Evans said. “Last year, it was very disappointing with all the people that would walk in the door and see the change in what was in here.” The barn was not entirely without birds in 2025. Visitors could still watch chicks hatch in incubators, an attraction that returned this year. “We did have baby chicks hatching, which was really popular last year, and we’re doing it again this year,” Evans said. Evans said one of her partners in the division supplied the eggs and incubators for this year’s exhibit. After hatching, the chicks remained in the incubators for at least a day before being moved into brooders. “It’s been really fun,” she said. n

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“Whistleblower” from page 16 Roeder also complained that the fire had not resulted in fines or citations. He pointed out that a homeowner could get a fine for the slightest violation along the coastline, and yet a negligent fire that resulted in massive pollution along the coastline hasn’t resulted in any penalty. “There have been no fines, no citations,” he said. “How is that possible?”

The inspector general has not said whether it will open a formal investigation on Dixon’s revelations. Her whistleblower complaint asks it to obtain the raw, unedited monitoring records and the history of any changes made to them. This newspaper will seek answers from the public agencies and responses from the companies involved and report more as we discover more. n

COMMUNITY NEWS 23 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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Fire Erupts Again at Moss Landing Battery Storage Facility

Plant Evacuated, Residents Told to Shelter In Place By JON CHOWN MOSS LANDING — A fire broke out Sept. 18 at the Vistra battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing, more than a year and a half after a major fire heavily damaged the same site. Firefighters from the North Monterey County Fire District were dispatched shortly after 6:15 a.m. to the Moss Landing power plant near Highway 1 and Dolan Road, according to CAL FIRE. Crews arrived to find smoke and fire coming from the north side of the facility. Firefighters evacuated workers from the plant, while also stabilizing the incident. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place warning for nearby residents and traffic was brought to a crawl on Highway 1. Dolan Road was blocked between Highway 1 and Via Tanques Road. The fire was burning in the same facility damaged by the Jan. 16, 2025, fire, where cleanup and removal of lithium-ion batteries has been taking place under the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency. The shelter-in-place order was lifted later the same day, according to the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, as was the closure on Dolan Road. It wasn’t until the next afternoon that CAL listed the incident

as finalized and the cause of the fire was still under investigation as of Sept. 23. The latest fire occurred as crews were beginning the final and most difficult stage of removing batteries left from the 2025 fire. The EPA announced Sept. 8 that Vistra had begun removing and processing the remaining severely damaged batteries and other material from the burned building. Portions of the building are being demolished so crews can reach batteries and debris that previously could not be safely accessed. The EPA has said damaged lithium-ion batteries can remain unstable and present a risk of another fire. Lithium-ion battery fires also can release hydrogen fluoride and other flammable or toxic gases. The original fire spread heavy metals for miles across the region and a thin dust of pollution was later discovered throughout Elkhorn Slough. Brian Roeder, co-founder of Never Again Moss Landing, said he was disappointed in both the EPA and the county. Even if the most recent fire was inevitable, the public could have been alerted earlier and better informed during the emergency. “New BESS Fire” page 21

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ELECTION 2026

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Littered with Empty Campaign Promises

By BECKY STEINBRUNER

on’t be fooled by promises making you think this new Countywide halfcent sales tax would focus on saving local emergency medical care. In truth, the County would have no restrictions whatsoever on how the anticipated annual $27 Million would be spent. The County’s history of empty promises merits no trust. Although the problems associated with HR-1 loss of federal funding are real for many residents in the County, half of whom live in the Pajaro Valley, this regressive tax is no solution. Measure E would hurt those most who are already struggling to make ends meet, especially those in the Pajaro Valley, where the sales tax would leap to 10.25%. Purchases in unincorporated areas would be taxed at 10%. Measure E would cause a 10.25% spike in sales tax in the City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. It would harm the homeless, who depend on prepared food, which is taxable. Because pet food is taxable, homeless people owning dogs for companionship and protection will struggle more to feed them. Residents throughout the County will likely increase online shopping for larger purchase items, such as electronics, appliances, clothing, vitamins, books and school supplies, further harming our local businesses. Those purchasing autos, including EV’s, will likely look outside the County first. The CEO will need Measure E’s windfall to address pressing problems other than HR-1. Santa Cruz County government has great debt liability advancing in the near future due to the unprecedented $80 Million borrowed last year, just to make ends meet. This year, Supervisors approved withdrawing $43 Million from reserves to balance the budget, bringing reserves dangerously low. The County’s unfunded employee pension liability payments loom large with that liability valued at $628.7 million, and is expected to climb higher. However, despite gloomy economic forecasts, County Supervisors approved 4% salary increases for all County employees, including middle management staff, many having annual salaries approaching half a million. Current SEIU contract guarantees a 3.5% salary increase next year. Supervisors evaded possible contract renegotiation by taking “urgency” action, rather than “emergency”, evidence that Measure E would likely be used to fund future larger salaries. After placing Measure E on the ballot, Supervisors showed poor leadership in approving new procedures to give themselves a salary increase.

Measure E would cause a 10.25% spike in sales tax in the City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. It would harm the homeless, who depend on prepared food, which is taxable. Because pet food is taxable, homeless people owning dogs for companionship and protection will struggle more to feed them. If Measure E were approved, no accountability exists, including for the many non-profits in line for funding to demonstrate actual public benefit, and not simply supporting high salaries of those CEO’s. One example is the Santa Cruz Community Health Care CEO’s salary of about $300,000 annually. Santa Cruz Community Health Centers | Santa Cruz, CA | Cause IQ (https://www. causeiq.com/organizations/santa-cruz-community-health-centers,237428303/) County CEO Coburn cautioned Supervisors against restricting allocation of Measure E’s anticipated annual $27 Million, even though Santa Cruz Mayor Keeley begged for some guarantee the City’s homeless services would be assured funding. What a sly tactic to keep Measure E a broad tax to bolster the County General Fund, allowing a green light upon 51% of the voters. If the County were sincere in addressing future impacts of HR-1, the sales tax would be dedicated to only that use, and would require 2/3 voter approval. In 2024, Measure N accomplished just that, to fund the Pajaro Valley Health Care District and Watsonville Hospital. The County has established a pattern of ballot deceit. In 2018, voters approved Measure G, a “temporary” half-cent sales tax for 12 years promising “To continue funding 9-1-1 emergency response, paramedic, sheriff, fire, emergency preparedness, local street repairs, mental health services, homelessness programs, parks, economic development and other general county services” and provide approximately $5,750,000 annually. The 2021-2022 County Civil Grand Jury investigation deemed Measure G ballot language “misleading” [https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/ GJ2022_final/2022-4_MeasureG_Report.pdf] “Measure E” page 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Soroptimists Seek Award Applicants S oroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea is accepting applications for its 2027 Live Your Dream awards, which provide financial assistance to women working to complete their education or job training. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted into a vocational or skills-training program or an undergraduate degree program. They must also be the heads of their households and demonstrate financial need. Award recipients receive cash that can be used for expenses that help them complete

“Measure E” from page 20 That revenue stream will end in 2030. In 2024, voters approved Measure K, a permanent half-cent sales tax in the unincorporated area “To fund essential Santa Cruz County services, including wildfire response/prevention/recovery; affordable housing to support working families and frontline workers including nurses, emergency responders, and educators; mental health crisis programs for children/vulnerable populations; substance abuse programs; improved public safety, road maintenance/pothole repair, parks/recreation; and programs to reduce homelessness” providing approximately $10,000,000 annually. Because the County allowed voters in the four cities to vote on this even though not affected by the tax, the County was

“New BESS Fire” from page 19 He said the site was only monitored when the cleanup crews were working, leaving the community at risk when they are not. The original fire began Jan. 16, 2025, in Vistra’s 300-megawatt Moss Landing 300 battery energy storage system. The building contained about 100,000 lithiumion battery modules, and the EPA estimates about 55% were damaged. That fire continued until Jan. 18 and flared up again Feb. 18, 2025. Since then, the EPA has overseen the removal of batteries from the damaged building. During the first phase of the cleanup, nearly 40,000 intact batteries were removed for recycling, according to the agency. Batteries were de-energized before being transported to EPA-approved recycling facilities in Nevada and Ohio.

their education, including rent, car repairs, child care, food and medical bills. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 15 at soroptimist.org/lyda-apply. Soroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea is part of a global volunteer organization that works to give women and girls access to education and training needed to achieve economic independence. n For more information, visit best4women.org or email sicapitola.by.the.sea@ gmail.com.

sued, resulting in settlement mandating the money be spent within the unincorporated area and held accountable for allocations. County leaders have mismanaged the money we have, spending wildly on a new South County Government Center real estate purchase and expensive remodel. The facility sees little use, not even a Board of Supervisor meeting. Other wasteful pet projects include complete remodel design for the 701 Ocean Street government building, and Court House demolition study to build market rate housing. Clearly, we cannot trust the County to fulfill any Measure E campaign promises. Don’t be fooled. Vote NO on Measure E. n ••• Supporters of Measure E declined to comment prior to deadline.

The more heavily damaged batteries present a different challenge. The EPA said some severely damaged batteries must be treated at the Moss Landing site before they can be transported. Battery debris and other fire-related waste will be tested to determine how it must be handled before being sent to approved disposal facilities. The EPA said safety measures during the cleanup include air monitoring and sampling, battery temperature monitoring, water collection and testing, dust suppression and a fire and smoke watch. The agency also requires an emergency response plan to be in place in case another fire occurs. Vistra is performing and paying for the battery removal under EPA oversight. The EPA said earlier this month that it expects removal of the remaining batteries and demolition of the damaged building to continue until mid-2027. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

‘Watchfire’ a Beacon for Help and Hope

Annual Veterans Event Celebrates Honor, Remembrance and Camaraderie

By TAD STEARN

n the evening of Sept. 11, a bonfire was lit on the beach at Rio del Mar. Bonfires are a common way to end a sunny September day in Aptos, but this was not an ordinary fire for roasting marshmallows. The flames marked the annual Journey for Change Watchfire, a community gathering sponsored by Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz. Watchfires are an ancient military tradition. They were once lit on high ground or along shorelines after battles to help guide lost or separated soldiers back to their units and safety. Watchfires served as beacons, burning through the night for those still searching for a path home. In that tradition, the Sept. 11 event honored local veterans, remembered prisoners of war and service members missing in action, reconnected friends and fellow veterans and supported veterans who may still carry the invisible weight of war, service or separation. The fire provided warmth and was also used to respectfully retire several worn American flags brought by attendees.

Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz

Vets 4 Vets was founded by board member Dean Kaufman, a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Vets

4 Vets is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit made up of veterans and friends dedicated to helping fellow veterans in need. Kaufman worked as a veterans service

officer in the Santa Cruz area and saw firsthand that local veterans could benefit from more direct and immediate help navigating the challenges of daily life. The organization was created to provide timely assistance that could make a meaningful difference in a veteran’s life. “Our focus is on direct service to veterans, helping fill the gaps when other resources aren’t available or accessible. Sometimes that means helping a veteran navigate the benefits they’re entitled to, providing emergency assistance, or simply offering a helping hand when life gets difficult,” Vets 4 Vets executive director Wendy Core said. That is where the Vets 4 Vets Emergency Assistance Fund can help. The fund provides assistance with food, clothing, transportation to interviews or appointments, temporary shelter, minor car or home repairs, employment-related needs and other essentials. “9-11” page 24

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

65 Years, One Remarkable Water Story By REBECCA GOLD RUBIN, Public Outreach Coordinator, Soquel Creek Water District

hat do a devastating flood, a “Tadpole Water Company,” a building constructed six feet below the road, and an advanced water purification project have in common? They’re all part of Soquel Creek Water District’s story. On October 16, the District turns 65. To mark the occasion, we’ve been looking back through our newly updated History of the Soquel Creek Water District — and it turns out our story has a few twists and turns that even longtime customers may not know.

improving the community’s drinking water system.

Too Much Water?

From “Tadpole” to Water District

For starters, our story begins with too much water. Just before Christmas in 1955, more than a foot of rain fell in the Soquel Creek watershed in just three days. Logs and debris jammed behind the Soquel Drive bridge, sending the creek into downtown Soquel, breaking windows, destroying homes and businesses, and severely damaging the bridge. Property damage in Soquel and Capitola was estimated at more than $1 million. The devastating flood renewed efforts to address flood protection along Soquel Creek and ultimately helped set the stage for creation of the District. In fact, when the Soquel Creek County Water District was formed in 1961, it was established for two purposes: water conservation and flood control. At the time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was studying a dam on Soquel Creek that could do double duty — help alleviate winter flooding while also providing a reliable source of drinking water. The dam was never built, and floodcontrol responsibilities eventually shifted to other local agencies. The District’s focus increasingly turned to developing and

whose story began with plans to control water flowing through Soquel Creek is now putting highly purified water back into the ground to help protect our community’s groundwater supply. And there are many more stories where these came from.

Celebrating 65 Years — and Looking Ahead

And those early years were pretty humble. So humble, in fact, that some residents affectionately referred to the fledgling agency as the “Tadpole Water Company.” As Mid-County grew, the little water district grew with it. The District acquired and improved water systems, added wells, pipelines, storage and treatment facilities, and began building the interconnected water system that serves our community today. Even our headquarters has a quirky piece of history. When it was constructed in 1971, the building was purposely built about six feet below the existing level of Soquel Drive because District leaders knew the road would eventually be lowered. What may have looked like an odd decision at the time turned out to be some very good planning. That idea — looking beyond today’s needs — appears again and again in our history.

As part of our 65th anniversary, we’ve updated the District’s history book to tell the story from 1961 through 2025. The new edition combines historian Sandy Lydon’s original account of 1961–1988 with a new second part by Malcolm Smith covering 1989–2025 — including groundwater sustainability, seawater intrusion, changing water-quality regulations and the development of Pure Water Soquel. The complete history book will soon be available on our website for anyone interested in taking a deeper dive into our past. Of course, a 65th anniversary isn’t only about looking backward. Today we’re monitoring the groundwater basin’s response to Pure Water Soquel, replacing

Ken Izant • 1971 aging infrastructure, meeting evolving water-quality requirements, working with regional partners and planning for an uncertain climate future. “Water Story” page 26

A New Challenge Underground

Over time, the challenge facing our community shifted from building enough infrastructure to understanding whether the groundwater beneath us could support our needs over the long term. New science and monitoring eventually confirmed that groundwater levels had fallen too low and seawater intrusion threatened our community’s water supply. Once again, the District had to adapt.

From Flood Control to Groundwater Replenishment

Courtesy of SqCWD

Flood in February, 1940, on Soquel’s Main St.

After years of studying alternatives, planning and community engagement, the District developed Pure Water Soquel, an advanced water purification and groundwater replenishment project. The Board approved the project in 2018, setting in motion years of design, funding and construction. In late 2025, Pure Water Soquel began replenishing the groundwater basin. Think about that evolution: a District

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

Twin Lakes Church Opens the Hope Center

A New $11.3 Million Facility Dedicated to Community Outreach and Support

win Lakes Church recently held the grand opening for its new Hope Center, a new state-of-the-art facility designed to centralize and expand the church’s local community outreach, support programs, and emergency assistance operations. Replacing several aging portable structures on the Aptos campus, the $11.3 million, two-story, 13,000-square-foot structural steel building will serve as a permanent, dedicated home for a wide array of vital local ministries while creating welcoming spaces for community partners. At the heart of the Hope Center is the expanded home for The People’s Pantry, one of Santa Cruz County’s crucial food distribution networks. The new facility includes a large, walk-in commercial cooler and freezer to store fresh produce, dairy, and perishables; a covered outdoor portico designed to streamline drive-through food distribution and shelter volunteers during inclement weather; and dedicated staging areas for receiving, sorting, and storing food items efficiently. Beyond food assistance, the Hope

Center will provide tailored infrastructure for personal support and education. It has living-room style meeting spaces designed to offer a comfortable environment for 12-step

recovery programs, grief support, divorce care, cancer encouragement, and mental health groups. It has multipurpose classrooms for Bible

Journey for Change

Buzz Gray is a Vietnam War veteran and also a veteran of the classroom, having taught fourth-graders at Gault School for the past 25 years. More than a decade ago, Gray became aware of the staggering number of veterans

Buzz Gray prepares to retire a flag

“Hope Center” page 26

Her energy and wit are inspiring, and she still has goals she wants to achieve. “I want to go back to Korea in two years, so I want to stay healthy,” she said. “We went last September and it was wonderful. They treat you like rock stars over there!”

“9-11” from page 22 Core said the organization’s support goes beyond financial assistance. “Just as important is the sense of community we create through our regular gatherings and events. Veterans have an opportunity to connect with one another, share experiences, and build friendships. That camaraderie and knowing you’re not alone can make a tremendous difference, especially for those experiencing isolation,” she said.

studies, adult education, and Sunday school programs.

The Watchfire’s Call

dying by suicide and knew he had to do something. In 2015, Gray and four other veterans met weekly for a year to write a policy proposal aimed at ending veteran suicide. “I started Journey for Change to end veteran suicide when I learned that the suicide rate was 22 per day,” Gray said. “So I got together with other veterans and hammered out a proposal that we wanted to deliver to the VA, with ideas coming from veterans on how to address the issue and help prevent veteran suicides. We decided the best way to get attention was to walk it all the way from downtown Santa Cruz to Sacramento.” The group made the walk in 2016 and hand-delivered the proposal to government officials at the California Capitol. Although officials held a ceremony and the group gained welcome attention for its cause, little action was taken on the proposal. “Not much came from that, no legislation or political help,” Gray recalled, “so we started focusing our efforts locally in Santa Cruz with events like this (Watchfire). If you can just have something like this, with the fire and the pizza, there’s no pressure on anybody, and nobody

24 / October 2026 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

judges you for anything no matter your circumstances. It kind of works, and I have hope that it will help somebody.”

Never Too Old to Stay Involved

Operating a local nonprofit takes considerable work and commitment, and Vets 4 Vets is no exception. The success of its mission relies on the passion of individual members, volunteers and friends, along with generous support from donors and sponsors. Lois Guin is one of those friends and volunteers and is herself a war veteran. In the Korean War, Guin served as a nurse on the USS Haven, the “mother ship of all the hospital ships at the time,” she recalled proudly. “We brought the POWs back (on the Haven) after the armistice was signed.” Guin will turn 99 in October and continues to volunteer her time. After her husband died, she became involved with veterans groups and Vets 4 Vets to help cope with her loss and remain connected to the veteran community. She volunteered at a National Poppy Day donation booth and has been active with veterans groups ever since.

Although the watchfire was largely a symbolic beacon intended to guide soldiers to safety, it appeared to serve a similar purpose that night. As the sun set, a lone veteran made his way to the information tent. He was seeking help with an upcoming move and wondered whether assistance was available. He had come to the right place. n ••• For more information about Vets 4 Vets or Journey for Change, upcoming gatherings and events, or opportunities to volunteer or donate, visit vets4vetssantacruz.org. If you or a veteran you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Dial 988, then press 1; text 838255; or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net/ Chat to reach the free, confidential Veterans Crisis Line.

A flag is retired in the flames of the watchfire

COMMUNITY NEWS

Capitola Village Halloween Parade Sunday, October 25 • 2 — 3 p.m. C alling all ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls...join us for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade! Line up at 1:30 p.m. in the lower Beach & Village Parking Lot 2 behind the Capitola Police Department. Parade begins promptly at 2 p.m. Parade will be led by a Central Fire Engine with music from the Soquel High Senior Band. Parade will head down Capitola Avenue, wind through Capitola Village to the Esplanade, ending at Esplanade Park where trick-or-treat bags will be waiting. Trick-or-treating at participating Capitola Village shops after the parade. Hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce & Capitola Village

Village Santa Cruz County Becomes Independent Nonprofit

SANTA CRUZ — Village Santa Cruz County is becoming an independent nonprofit organization after nine years under the fiscal sponsorship of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. The transition gives the organization direct governance and greater flexibility to seek funding, develop partnerships and expand programs for older adults. Village Santa Cruz County and the Volunteer Center plan to continue working together. “Becoming an independent nonprofit is a natural next step in the evolution of Village Santa Cruz County,” said Mary Howe, founder and chair of the Village Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to the Volunteer Center for nurturing and supporting the Village through its formative years.” Howe said the transition will allow the organization to build on that foundation and expand its ability to serve older adults throughout Santa Cruz County. The Volunteer Center began serving as the Village’s fiscal sponsor in 2017, providing nonprofit standing, administrative support and guidance as the organization developed. The partnership was based on a shared belief that aging well requires social connections, practical support between neighbors and strong community ties. “This achievement reflects the remarkable vision and steadfast commitment of the Village community,” Volunteer Center Executive Director Shawn Peterson said. “While our sponsorship role is ending, our shared commitment to keeping local seniors connected, active and engaged remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Village.” Village Santa Cruz County now serves approximately 80 older adults through social activities, educational programs and volunteer assistance intended to help members remain active and live independently in their homes.

Its Community Circles and interest groups connect members through games, cultural events and other shared activities. Volunteers also provide neighbor-to-neighbor assistance, while educational programs help members prepare for challenges associated with aging and major life transitions. The programs include the STEP workshop series, funded through Santa Cruz Gives donations. The series covers 12 areas that may be affected by life changes. Village member Gail Greely said retirement, relocation and other transitions can make it difficult for older adults to form new friendships. “But the Village has been a welcoming and supportive community for me, offering help to me and giving me the chance to help others in return,” Greely said. Village Santa Cruz County is a member of Village Movement California and the national Village to Village Network. The village model is included in California’s Master Plan for Aging as a strategy for helping older adults remain connected and supported in their communities. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Village plans to expand its membership and programs. Its goals for the coming year include growing its Community Circle in Watsonville and offering technology-focused educational programs in partnership with AARP’s Senior Planet program. n For info, visit www.villagesantacruz.org.

Movie Quotes

ACROSS

1. Give benediction 6. World’s oldest broadcasting company, acr. 9. Hoodwink 13. H, spelled out 14. Have a cold, e.g. 15. Dogma 16. Raja’s wife 17. Shel Silverstein’s constrictor 18. Extreme, prefix 19. *”____, my dear, I don’t give a damn” 21. *”Why so ____?” 23. “High” beverage 24. Fairytale’s second word 25. “Swan Lake” step, e.g.

28. Potassium hydroxide 61. *”What we’ve got 6. *”Hasta la vista, ____” here is ____ to comsolution, pl. 7. Life story, for short municate” 30. Nincompoop 8. Fastener 65. Like United States 35. Month of Purim 9. Hero shop Capitol 37. At any time 10. “Do ____ others...” 39. Coastal town in southern 66. Food safety org. 11. Paddington Bear’s 68. Ritual basin England homeland 40. Flick part 69. Tooth trouble 12. Airport postings, acr. 70. Husk of corn 41. 4 x 4 race 15. Rutabaga cousin 71. Sharks’ domain 43. Like most Brothers 20. Extra sweatshirt, e.g. Grimm stories 72. Fence board 22. Long period of time 44. “Peer Gynt” playwright 73. Pastrami partner 24. No-good 74. Paper quantities 46. Actress Campbell 25. *”We’ll always have 47. Please do not delay, acr. ____” 48. Experienced sailor (2 DOWN 26. Hacienda brick words) 1. Vomit 27. Mexican cuisine staple 50. Dispatched 2. The one with pants on 29. *”She doesn’t ____ go 52. a.k.a. Tokyo fire here” 53. Window guards 3. Volcano in Sicily 31. Party garb? 55. Beer faucet 4. *”I can smell the ____ 32. Not better 57. *”I’m mad as hell, and of a woman ... Honey oil, 33. Homer’s famous poem, I’m not going to take it with The lavender, soap” ____” 5. Israeli monetary unit 34. *”Not quite my ____”

36. Donna or Lou 38. Techno dance party 42. Busybody, in Yiddish 45. *”____ puts Baby in a corner” 49. Toothy fish 51. Alterations specialist 54. Mention something 56. *”There’s no ____ like home” 57. Contributes 58. Season to be jolly 59. Village People hit 60. Source of protein 61. Cab payment 62. Eye layer 63. #74 Across, sing. 64. Sea eagles 67. *”Go ahead, make my ____”

Answers on 31 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 25

Venus, Star of the Evening, Retrogrades

Esoteric Astrology • October 2026 • By Risa D’Angeles

he month of October 2026 begins with Venus, the brilliant yellow-white Evening Star (Hesperus), retrograding at 8 degrees Scorpio. Venus continues its retrograde until Friday, November 13, the same day retrograde Mercury (begins Saturday, Oct. 24) also turns direct (an unusual occurrence). Venus has multiple names — Ray of Light, Shepherd’s Star, Hesperus, Star of the Evening. Venus is retrograde for 40 days and 40 nights, the time it takes to break a habit! When a planet is retrograde, the past appears and reappears, decisions must be delayed and plans set aside in order that we may review, reflect upon and assess all areas associated with the retrograde planet (in this case Venus - love, values, resources, intelligence, money, relationships, possessions). We review in order to either renew, revitalize or place aspects of those areas of life aside forever. Venus retrogrades every 584 days (every 19 months) making five retrograde points around the Sun and after eight years, forms a five-pointed star (rose shaped) in the sky. Venus works with a star

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 9)

ray in the Big Dipper, Ray 5 (symbol for Ray 5 is the five-pointed star). This is the ray of the scientist and truth, the ray of concrete knowledge. Ray 5 along with Venus offers humanity the mental stimulus needed to create and build the new Aquarius culture and civilization. Understanding the math of Venus’ retrogrades takes a scientific (Ray 5, Venusian) mind. Venus is the intelligent heart. It unifies all that is separated and allows for the emergence of Love which then becomes Wisdom. Venus resolves duality (through knowledge), promotes diplomacy (Libra) and establishes Right Human Relations, created through intentions for Goodwill (the mother principle). Venus coordinates our intelligence so that we can choose to act with Goodwill, which creates Right Relations which, in turn creates active peace in our world. This is an ancient esoteric equation. It is the only way peace comes forth and this is the task for of all of humanity. To bring forth peace. n Note: Mercury begins its retrograde Saturday, October 24th, joining Venus in Scorpio!

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

A new sense of self identity and values appears. Although you’re considered rather untamed, there are stable, responsible and detailed aspects of yourself and these help you do and be successful in the outer world. Few if any, except astrologers, may know this about you. Those qualities will now be internalized so you can assess your personal value and worth. You know it’s not how much money you have. It’s more about perseverance, reliability and being steadfast in adversity and challenges. Venus changes you.

Adventure and the Bow and Arrow of truth. Most Leos are captivating, charming, held by the heart of the Sun. However, some Leos are hidden and reclusive. But all are magnetic — an important quality to understand because it attracts others to you. Leos are powerful. They are either kind and compassionate or they create fear in others if power and love aren’t in balance. What are people seeking when encountering you? Light, intelligence, vitality, discipline, direction and guidance and the willingness to lead with loving kindness. Do you have these qualities? Life for you is the state of your heart.

Creativity. You usually view life with optimism and a broad hopeful vision of happiness and joy. And even though you’re an imaginative thinker who sees signs and reads oracles in every situation, you also have a sense of being duty bound, responsible, traditional and conservative. Most aren’t aware of this as it hides behind fiery enthusiasm. You are quite capable of working with rules and regulations and this brings forth your serious side. This you must begin to value. It is your mastery and your wisdom.

TAURUS (Apr 10 – May 20)

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You exhibit great reserve, discipline, control and structure, often playing the role of (even if not) the eldest child, parent and wise one. Traditions, following and creating them, are therefore most important. But there is another valuable part to you –being progressive and inventive. Through these you enter the future, making you quite different than most. Often people can’t quite figure out who you are with your abilities to change quickly and to offer everyone freedom to be (you and me). A family life change may be occurring.

Spirituality and the inner world. Your patience and deliberateness are how you assess anything new, moving stepby-step thinking everything through with care. With Venus, you become a visionary, your mind filled with spiritual illuminations and revelations. You are influenced by the stars, Aldebaran and Alcyone in the Pleiades. You bring forth the wisdom of the Buddha. When faced with a monetary situation you’re quick and instinctive. These are your gifts. Ponder them with a partner as Venus retrogrades.

GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 20)

Groups and people in your life. It’s most important that your work in the world aligns with your sense of self and values. Gemini is a complex, dual sign. You have a fluid mind however, so all information must be filtered through your emotional nature. Therefore that field (astral) must be clear, pure, containing no judgments or opinions. This purity must be developed. You’re the sign of hidden treasures few can recognize. You are the jewel in the lotus. Security for you isn’t money or wealth. It’s emotional ethics and who/what you love. Venus loves you.

CANCER (Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Group and/or world recognition. Being recognized in the world, thoughts of your profession. There’s a challenge now for you to emerge from under your Cancer shell, have a sense of adventure, step beyond comfort and tend to things more worldly, professional and cultural. It is important to cultivate charisma, a compassion with and for others. It furthers self-expression and creativity, things you deeply seek. You are a leader, though you often choose not to be. But something or someone is calling you out now. It’s the times that need nurturing.

Daily & Weekly Updates

Shared Realities. Within your excellent qualities of order, discipline and lists of organized ideas, you also seek to display the skill of subtlety, discretion, diplomacy and peace keeping. All Virgos are also learning tact, refinement, how to relate with quiet sophistication and to act with Right Relations. All these qualities are of high value but perhaps they are not conscious yet. It is therefore good to know these are the seeds planted within all Virgos. They lead to the art of cooperation, and conciliation through negotiation. You are learning how to be a Libra.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Relationships. Your smile, which lights up your eyes, invites others to trust you and begin to share and talk about themselves - their hopes, wishes and dreams, their joys and sorrows. Everyone wants to be friends with you. Libra on the Soul level demonstrates Goodwill which creates Right Relations, fairness, justice, openness and kindness. If you are not yet within this expanded Soul reality, visualize yourself stepping into it. The results will strengthen any fears and vulnerabilities around money and resources. And the boundaries you have created to protect yourself will be less critical and more loving. Who needs forgiving?

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Daily life of living one’s self identity. Are you aware that most of what you do and say often challenges others? This is your task. As your life is ceaselessly challenged to transform and regenerate, you also ask (unconsciously demand) this of others. Because your life has such intensity, you must schedule consistent times for rest and retreat – times to gather strength, and rediscover inner meaning and purpose. Vision is found here, too. Only a few know, through constant little deaths and, phoenix-like flying out of the fire, that you experience such depth. You are also a visionary.

•••

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

“Water Story” from page 23 The technology may have changed dramatically since 1961, but one responsibility hasn’t: looking ahead and preparing for what comes next. And now it’s time to celebrate! Join us Friday, October 16, from 5–8 p.m. at Sante Adairius, 103 Kennedy Drive in Capitola, for live music, cake and treats, food available for purchase, and the debut of a special Pure Water Soquel beer created for the occasion. Come raise a glass with us to 65 years of history — and the next chapter still to come. n

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Communication. It is important to acknowledge that you, like the planet Uranus, are distinctly different than most. Aquarius energy flows through Uranus (future realities). Do you know Uranus is tipped on its side, its atmosphere is arranged in layers of clouds, its magnetic-tail is twisted into a long corkscrew, its magnetic field’s source is unknown, it’s blue/green, has a moon, many rings and satellites, seventh planet from the Sun and 3rd largest planet in the solar system? This unusual planet rules your entire life. Value your differentness. It’s unique and beloved and wise.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Values. Self-Value. The two signs most misunderstood are Scorpio and Pisces. Often the fish is seen as wandering about, confused, idealistic, and too sensitive for the world. To most you can seem lost and dreamy, impractical and confused. But there is more to you. You are also very brave and courageous, especially when someone is in danger. You are independent and free and always recognize others’ innate gifts. These you see while others cannot. When you are spontaneous a golden light fills the air. When you are sad you fall into despair. Always take action. It brings you freedom.

@risagoodwill • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

26 / October 2026 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Wrapped wooden pipe from the Seacliff area.

“Hope Center” from page 24 And it has a community meeting space with an outdoor trellis-covered patio designed for gatherings and fellowship. The facility’s meeting rooms are also available to local civic and community groups. In keeping with Twin Lakes Church’s tradition of pairing local capital improvements with international mission support, $100,000 from the Hope Center capital campaign was allocated to assist the expansion of the Nazareth Evangelical College and Seminary in Israel. n

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

SENIORS SOUGHT FOR THEATER GROUP Seniors are being sought to join the Market Street Theater SUBMIT AN EVENT FOR OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.TPGONLINEDAILY.COM/SUBMIT-TO-CALENDAR/ Group. Whether you love being on stage or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for you in their comWines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and Saturdays and Sundays munity. tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. dancing shoes. ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE Discover the power of music, dance, and performing More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com Details of this and more Sevy’s events at 10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Rd., by calling 831-423-6640 or email marketstreettheater@ www.sevysbarandkitchen.com/events Tuesdays and Fridays Watsonville gmail for more information. Fridays thru Sundays thru October 11 Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to NORTH BOOKMOBILE AT PAJARO PARK Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and ‘RUMORS’ Tues.: 3 –5 p.m. | Fri.: 2-3:30 p.m., Pajaro Community Park, 24 ONGOING EVENTS tidal wetlands. San Juan Rd. Fri & Sat: 8 p.m. | Sun: 2 p.m., Park Hall Mondays Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests and The Monterey County Community Center, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond abilities, creating an engaging, educational experience. LEARN TO MEDITATE THE HEARTFULNESS WAY Free Libraries North Mountain Community Theater presents Neil Simon’s Space is limited, and tours are first-come, first10:00 a.m., Grey Bears’ Board Room, 2710 Chanticlear Avenue, Bookmobile serves Pajaro comedy about four couples whose anniversary dinner Santa Cruz with scheduled visits, falls into chaos as they conceal their host’s mishap and served. Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call Whether you are a beginner or seasoned meditator, offering books, audiobooks, his wife’s disappearance. ahead the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability. guided relaxation and meditation can carry you to your DVDs, magazines, and bilingual materials in English and An opening reception follows the Sept. 18 show. Sept. heart’s wisdom. Spanish. 19 is Community Night, with two tickets for $30. First Sundays Sessions are always free and open to everyone. Upcoming Dates: Tickets are $30, or $20 for seniors and students. SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB For more information contact marsha.thompson@volunteer. Tues: Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 Details: mctshows.org. 5 p.m., various member homes throughout county heartfulness.org or visit www.heartfulness.org. Fri: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Looking to make new friends while enjoying amazing food Schedule: https://tinyurl.com/Pajaro-Park-bookmobile-visits. Fridays (except First Friday of the Month) and great wine with your cooking friend or partner? BRIDGE CLUB LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP The SC Dinner Club is First Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. welcoming new member The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on PAJARO VALLEY STAMP CLUB Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva teams! Each month, Mondays (except holidays). 1 – 3 p.m., Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E 5th St. Beach library. we gather in homes Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Stamp collecting is more than a hobby — it’s a journey. Call La Selva Beach Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710. throughout Santa Cruz Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Explore the world, history, County for delicious Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event. and art through every stamp. First and Third Fridays dinners, fine wine, lively Whatever you love, there’s a JIM GREINER’S HANDS-ON! DRUMMING conversation, and lots of OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS stamp for it. 7-8:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Dr. laughter. No rules. No limits. Just 7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 Percussionist/educator Jim Greiner continues his Whether you love to discover. Join our stamp club Soquel Ave., Soquel Community Rhythms Class on the first and third cook, enjoy entertaining, today! Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating Fridays of every month at or simply want to meet friendly people who share your Beginners to experienced collectors welcome. disorder or problems with food. the Congregational Church interests, our dinner club is a fun way to join with a friend For more info, contact William Horne at weh655@icloud.com No dues, fees or weigh-ins. of Soquel. and/or cooking partner to build even more new friendships or Christopher Ring at drring8435@gmail.com. Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the All levels of experience and create memorable evenings. preschool meeting room. are very welcome to this Come join us at the table! Thursdays All are welcome. family-friendly community For more info, email Rhonda Mills: atrhondaloves2paint@gmail. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING gathering. Jim provides com. in-person and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa. 7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa percussion instruments and org. Cruz. you are welcome to bring your own. DATED EVENTS Beginners welcome, partners not required. Come play, socialize and reinforce Jim’s fundamental Fourth Mondays $10 each. Come dance! themes of communicating, collaborating and celebrating Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3 THE SPOKEN EXPERIENCE through rhythm! DIGGIN DIRT HAPPY HOUR Noon – 1 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd. $10 donation is requested. Doors open at 6:30. Doors 8 p.m.; shows 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, This community of readers meets monthly to enjoy a 5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos Santa Cruz Last Friday of the Month thru October featured poet’s work. California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic Humboldt County’s seven-piece funk-soul band Diggin Dirt Discussions are facilitated by local poets Paola Bruni, happy hour every week. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY AT SKYPARK performs two nights, mixing psychedelic rock, Motown soul, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. 5–8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Afrobeat and reggae over a foundation of late-1960s funk. Third Thursdays Starting in September, the group will begin meeting at 1 p.m. Food Trucks A Go Go presents an evening of local eats, live The shows are limited to ages 21 and older. rather than noon. SIP AND STROLL music and activities for all ages. Tickets are $23 per night in advance, $28 on show day Upcoming poet focus: 6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion The monthly event supports Scotts Valley schools or $40 for both nights. October 26: Juan Felipe Herrera Court, Aptos through beverage sales and offers a welcoming comDetails: moesalley.com. November 23: Ada Limon Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for munity gathering. December 28: Jericho Brown Admission is free. a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell Saturday October 3 their works. For details, visit foodtrucksagogo.com. GOURMET GRAZING ON THE GREEN Tuesdays Noon–4 p.m., Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road BINGO AT MCSC CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP Gourmet Grazing on the Green brings together dozens of 1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola local wineries, restaurants and breweries for unlimited First Saturdays (behind the Party Store) food, wine and beer tasting, with live music on two stages. Hot Dogs, Chili and 9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park Tickets are $99 in advance or $120 at the door and snacks available for Help preserve and maintain the coastal include a souvenir wine glass. purchase courtesy of beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup Proceeds support local cancer services. our Snack Shack. every month at Esplanade Park. Tickets: sccbg.org/gourmetgrazingonthegreen. A lot of fun for all Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots and a possible big movement dedicated to responsible Tuesday October 6 win! efforts helping to maintain and preserve Door opens at 12:15 p.m. LIVING ON RURAL PROPERTIES: WINTER PREPAREDNESS the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola. 6–9 p.m., Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL This movement is always looking for Road Santa Cruz County residents can learn practical ways to 7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail. com. prepare rural properties for winter. Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market The free workshop covers private-road maintenance, with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata. 28 / October 2026 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR A preparedness fair follows. Registration costs $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. Net proceeds benefit Friends of Parks & Rec Santa Cruz. Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaCruz/ RaceTheFlame.

drainage, erosion prevention, wells, septic systems, wood in streams, local waterways and technical assistance. Space is limited, and registration is required. For information or registration, visit rcdsantacruz.org/rcd-publicevents/124-rural-living-2026 or call 831-205-3487. MONICA MARTINEZ TO SPEAK TO NORTH COUNTY DEMOCRATS 6:30 p.m., Scotts Valley Water District Santa Margarita Community Room, 2 Civic Center Drive Fifth District Supervisor Monica Martinez will discuss the state of Santa Cruz County, challenges ahead, expected federal funding cuts and Measure E on the Nov. 3 ballot at a Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County meeting. The public is welcome. For more information, visit svslvdemocrats.org or email slvsvdems@gmail.com.

Thursday October 22 CREATIVE ECONOMY SUMMIT 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza, Watsonville Monterey Bay Economic Partnership brings together artists, designers, filmmakers, educators, entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, business leaders and innovators to explore the region’s creative economy. Panels and interactive discussions will examine economic development, workforce training, education, entrepreneurship, tourism and placemaking. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. For tickets and details, visit mbep.biz/creative-economysummit.

Saturday October 10 NEST FEST AT RANCHO DEL OSO 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Nature and History Center at Rancho del Oso, 3600 Highway 1, Davenport Get a closer look at some of the forest’s busiest builders and the impressive nests of dusky-footed woodrats. Learn about these fascinating rodents and build a scalemodel woodrat nest during the free program. Wear clothes and shoes that can get messy. For more information, call 831-425-3758.

Saturday October 24 BALTHVS Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m., Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9 BALTHVS brings its blend of psychedelic funk, global grooves, Middle Eastern melodies, spiritual jazz improvisation and Latin-influenced rhythms to Felton. The Colombian trio includes guitarist Balthazar Aguirre, bassist Johanna Mercuriana and drummer Santiago Lizcano. This standing-room general admission show is for ages 21 and older. For tickets, visit feltonmusichall.com/events.

Sunday October 11 WELCOME BACK MONARCHS FESTIVAL 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz Celebrate the return of monarch butterflies with interactive activities, live music, vendors, pumpkin ice cream, face painting, arts and crafts, a parade and free cake. A 12:30 p.m. screening of “Creating the West Marin Monarch Sanctuary” will be followed by Julia Butterfly Hill. Admission is free; parking is $10. For information, call 831-423-4609.

Tuesday October 13 CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB MEETING 4 p.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106, Capitola Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will discuss fundraising plans and its search for eligible candidates for the 2027 Live Your Dream awards. The program supports qualifying women pursuing undergraduate degrees or technical training. The meeting is free and open to the public. Applications close Nov. 15. For more information, visit best4women.org or email sicapitola. by.the.sea@gmail.com.

Wednesday October 14 JAY BUCHANAN Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m., Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton Jay Buchanan, lead vocalist of the rock band Rival Sons, performs in Felton. The American singer-songwriter is known for a powerful, wide-ranging voice and bluesinfluenced phrasing. He has released solo material, collaborated with a wide range of artists and contributed to film soundtracks. The show is for ages 21 and older. For tickets, visit feltonmusichall.com/events.

Wednesday October 14 and Saturday October 17 CONCERTINO STRINGS SEASON-OPENING CONCERT Wed: 11:30 a.m. | Sat: 3 p.m., Boulder Creek United Methodist Church, 12855 Boulder St. Concertino Strings opens its sixth season with selections from Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite” and Corelli’s “Concerto Grosso No. 9.” Harpist Jennifer Cass and harpsichordist Martin Gaskell

SANTA CRUZ BAKE & GATHER Saturday October 10

1:30 p.m. baker arrival; 2 p.m. gathering, Midtown Community Center, 115 S. Morrissey Ave., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Bake & Gather welcomes bakers and dessert lovers to a free community potluck. Each group is encouraged to bring a baked item to display and share. There is no competition, and all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required. For details, visit santacruzbakegather.com.

Saturday November 7

join the 25-person string chamber orchestra, directed by by a short walk on paved paths to practice communiJoanne Tanner and Renata Bratt. cating with trees. The casual concert lasts about an hour. Admission is free. For details, contact the Felton Public Library. For information, visit concertinostrings.com. SEA DUBS FAN FEST 1–3 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa Cruz Saturday October 17 The Santa Cruz Warriors celebrate the upcoming NBA G FAMILY DEMOCRACY DAY League season with free Chalk Talk sessions, player and Noon–3:30 p.m., Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St., coach autographs, family activities, merchandise deals Watsonville; Simpkins Family Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa and ticket offers. Cruz; Felton Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton A raffle featuring signed memorabilia and ticket Families can learn about elections and civic participation packages will benefit Save Our Shores. through free, interactive activities offered simultaneously at Registration is required. three county locations. For details and registration, visit santacruzwarriors.com. The family-friendly program is designed to make the voting process accessible and help residents prepare for RACE THE FLAME: WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS RUN/WALK the Nov. 3 general election. 8 a.m., East Upper Field, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High St. For event details and volunteer opportunities, visit votescount. Race the Flame challenges runners and walkers to follow santacruzcountyca.gov or call 831-454-2060. a 2.2-mile wildfire evacuation route from UCSC’s East Field to the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore. WILDER RANCH STATE PARK HARVEST FESTIVAL

APTOS SPORTS FOUNDATION ANNUAL POKER TOURNAMENT AND GAMES Doors 6 p.m.; play begins 6:30 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos Aptos Sports Foundation hosts a night of Texas Hold ’em, dinner and games benefiting Aptos school sports programs and facilities. Poker entry is $150. Dinner and games cost $75 through Oct. 6 and $100 beginning Oct. 7. Participants must be 21 or older. For information or registration, visit aptossportsfoundation.com or call 831-600-4345. SPRING LAKES PARK HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Spring Lakes Park Clubhouse, 225 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley Spring Lakes Park hosts its fourth Holiday Boutique, featuring handmade watercolors, pottery, jewelry, crocheted rugs and clothing, children’s clothing, nature-inspired art, succulent designs, quill art, homemade caramel corn, crushed-glass art, floral designs and more. For information, call 831-438-2407. n

11 a.m.–4 p.m., Wilder Ranch State Park, 1842 Coast Road, Santa Cruz Celebrate fall at Wilder Ranch State Park with living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and a Heritage Apple Tasting hosted by the California Rare Fruit Growers Association. Admission is free, with a $10 vehicle day-use fee. Rain cancels. For more information, call 831-429-1840. NATURE COMMUNICATION WITH THE TREES 10:30 a.m.–noon, Felton Public Library, 6121 Gushee St. Biologist and nature communicator Coleen Douglas leads a free, 90-minute program on communicating with nature spirits. The event includes a reading and indoor discussion of her book, “Nature Spirits Want to Talk With Us,” followed

Race The Flame

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 29

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Yet Another Reason to Ban Phones in Schools: Kids Today Don’t Have a Boneyard By DR. LORI BUTTERWORTH, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

hen I was growing up, taking pictures involved film, a trip to the drugstore, and waiting several days to discover that you had apparently closed your eyes in every single photograph. When the pictures came back, we’d spread them out and inspect them. The good ones went into albums. The truly terrible ones, the double chins, ugly facial expressions, half-closed eyes and pictures that made you wonder if that was really what you looked like, went into a private box we called the boneyard. There was an agreement: What went into the boneyard stayed in the boneyard and nobody else got to see the embarrassing photos. Kids today don’t have a boneyard. Writer Katherine Martinko recently made a point about phones that I haven’t heard discussed nearly enough. When kids carry cameras everywhere, they grow up knowing they might be photographed, recorded, and posted at any moment. Think about being 13. You’re already fairly certain everyone is looking at you. Now there actually may be a camera pointed at you and the fear that a “boneyard” photo could go viral. Childhood is supposed to be a little ridiculous. You should be able to dance badly, wear something weird, say something dumb at lunch, try out a new personality for three weeks and then quietly abandon it. Back in the day, we had the luxury of having those embarrassing moments disappear. Today, kids can be photographed, posted and saved before they realize what happened. And that’s only one piece of childhood that phones have changed. We spend a lot of time asking what kids are doing on their phones. I’m becoming more interested in asking: What aren’t they doing because they’re on them? Kids need sleep. They need to move their bodies. They need face-to-face relationships. They need time to wander around, get bored and figure out what to

do next without an adult, or an algorithm, entertaining them. A 2026 U.S. Surgeon General advisory reports that adolescents average seven to nine hours a day on entertainment screens. Earlier federal data found that up to 95% of teens use social media, with more than a third saying they use it “almost constantly.” (HHS. gov) There is a limited number of hours in a day … and you can’t get them back. Governments are finally starting to acknowledge that we can’t just hand parents a parental-control app and wish them luck. Australia now requires major socialmedia platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from having accounts. In the U.S., 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have enacted legislation addressing cellphone use in schools. California recently prohibited social-media platforms from offering certain addictive features to users under 16. And this week, the European Commission proposed restrictions that would bar social-media accounts for children under 13 and sharply limit access for younger teens. The proposal still has to go through the EU legislative process.

30 / October 2026 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

There are legitimate debates about how these laws should work, including privacy and age verification. But one thing seems increasingly clear: parents cannot fix this alone. It’s awfully hard to tell your 12-year-old she can’t have Snapchat when she says, with dramatic suffering, “EVERYONE ELSE HAS IT.” This is why parents need other parents. Parents don’t have to figure this out alone. The Center for Youth Mental Health offers several ways for parents to get support: • Parent Drop-In — Free monthly Zoom sessions where parents can ask youth mental health experts questions and get practical advice about anxiety, behavior, emotional struggles—and yes, phones and social media. • SPACE Training — An evidence-based program that teaches parents how to help anxious kids become more confident and independent, while reducing accommodations that can unintentionally feed anxiety. • Parent Management Training (PMT) — Practical tools for handling defiance,

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tantrums and challenging behavior while strengthening cooperation and the parent-child relationship. • Parent Project — In-person workshops at local schools where parents learn together, talk about the issues their families are facing and — perhaps most importantly — connect with other parents so no one has to be the only family setting limits. Government can help change the environment. Schools can create phone-free spaces. Parents can create boundaries and support one another in keeping them. Because kids need places where boneyard-worthy moments aren’t being posted, documented or preserved forever. They need the freedom to be awkward. To be silly. To be unfinished. And every kid deserves, metaphorically at least, a boneyard. Learn more at cymh.org/parent-center. n ••• Lori Butterworth , PsyD, MEd, MA, is licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of the Center for Youth Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. She can be reached at lori@cymh.org or 831-222-0052.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Dried Floral Material Worth Recycling By TONY TOMEO

Pickles Will Keep You Fit!

ickles (A333582), a 7-year-old white and black Queensland Heeler, arrived at the shelter at the end of July after a member of his family passed away, and he proved a bit too strong for the remaining family member to handle. Since his arrival, he has stolen the hearts of everyone he meets. Our volunteers affectionately know him as a “big sweetheart” who just wants to love and be loved. If you are looking for an activity partner, Pickles is your guy. He absolutely loves going for walks and hikes and enjoys running around in the play yards. After a fun session of play, there is nothing he enjoys more than a good round of bootie scratches — it is the absolute fastest way to his heart! Pickles has been going on overnight visits with one of our volunteers, and she reports that he is the “best boy.” He is completely potty trained and handles the indoor life like an absolute pro. A cat-free home is a strict requirement for him, and Pickles has mixed feelings about other dogs. He has a designated doggy walking buddy at the shelter; however, he can also be reactive to other dogs, so he needs an adopter who is willing to continue working on his socialization and training. At the end of the day, Pickles is just a massive love bug looking for a second chance at a happy life. If you have room in your heart (and your couch) for this sweet boy, come visit him at the shelter today! ••• The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served. ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet” — Please ring bell for stray animal drop-off from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.) 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.–noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon — Please ring bell for stray animal dropoff 9:30 a.m.-noon; 1-5 p.m.) Website: www.scanimalshelter.org SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

crossword on 25 »

contain the fuzz, so that it does not disperse indoors. Cat tails, if still intact, are compatible with them. Floral stems of lily of the Nile, New Zealand flax, and some species of Yucca are striking even after bloom. After deadheading, they can become flowerless dried flowers. Fruiting structures are no problem to remove. If within reach, some palms may provide distinctive bloom trusses. Floral design can be as imaginative as gardening and landscape design.

Yucca bloom produces interesting floral stalks. ardens might be colorful throughout the year here. There is not much time between the latest of the autumn flowers and the earliest of the spring flowers. Winter flowers are glad to compensate for the lapse. Of course, there are plenty of flowers in spring and summer. Nonetheless, dried flowers are more popular now that there are fewer flowers for cutting. The quantity of flowers blooming within a particular season might not be proportionate to the quantity of flowers available for cutting. Flowers that bloom through winter, even if as abundant as spring or summer flowers, do not develop as fast. Harvesting too many bird of paradise flowers depletes the limited supply before something else can replace them. Deciduous foliage that provides spectacular color through autumn is no substitute for cut flowers. Nor is the majority of colorful bark that becomes more prominent through winter. Some colorful berries can function like cut flowers, but only if there are plenty to spare in the garden. Conventional dried flowers that grew last summer may be useful about now. For the venturesome and resourceful, unconventional dried flowers and other dried plant parts can also be fun. Such items, unlike statice, straw flower, lavender and other familiar dried flowers, might be byproducts of gardening. They might be derived from detritus that should otherwise go to compost or greenwaste. Some might even be products of weeds! Pampas grass, both garden varieties and the invasively naturalized type, produces bold blooms that dry quite well. Because the leaves can cause such nasty paper cuts, flowers might be easier to harvest from a distance, with a pole pruner. Hair spray can

Mound Lily

few of the fifty or so species of Yucca go by the names of Spanish bayonet or Spanish dagger. Both common names apply to Yucca gloriosa. However, only this single species is also the mound lily. Most other Spanish bayonet and Spanish dagger are from deserts or chaparrals. Mound lily is from southeastern North America, so likes periodic watering. If that is not confusing enough, the curved leaf yucca, which had been Yucca recurvifolia, is now Yucca gloriosa var.(iety) tristis. It has distinctly pliable leaves with a matte surface texture, and is rarely variegated. Mound lily has stiffer and smoother leaves that are more likely to be variegated. It had been rare, but is becoming one of the more popular yuccas. Although it does not grow fast, and takes many years to form stout trunks, mound lily can eventually get taller than six feet. Taller floral panicles rise above the densely evergreen foliage. The small and pendulous flowers are pale white, perhaps blushed with brownish purple and pink. The leaves are about a foot or two long and maybe three inches wide, with very sharp terminal spines. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

Mound lily cultivars are generally variegated.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / October 2026 / 31

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