The EPA has reached an agreement with Vistra Corp., which owns the Vista Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, to safely remove and dispose of batteries impacted by
By Jon Chown and Heidi Johnston
RTC to Survey Mobile Home Sites: Compromise Doesn’t Settle Much in Rail Trail Dispute, By Jon Chown and Heidi Johnston
Community News
5 EPA, Vista Settle on Moss Landing Cleanup: BESS Discussion Continues in Santa Cruz County, By Jon Chown
6 Treasure Cove, Jade Street Park Funding Secured
7 County’s Child Care Forgivable Loan Program Open: Now Accepting Applications from Eligible Providers for Funding Considerations
9 Cabrillo Stage’s Sweeney Todd, a Powerful Hit!, By Mindy Pedlar • Arrest Made in Suspicious Blaze at Target
10 Bay Federal Credit Union on Forbes list of Best • Capitola Soroptimist Club Awarded Grant From Women in California Leadership • Unemployment Rate Rises
11 New Chapter Starts at the Brookdale Lodge: Grand Reopening Held on July 27, By Jon Chown
12 Summer of Love: 58 Years Later, By Jon Chown
14 New Course, Same Fun at Wharf-to-Wharf: Latvian Runner Wins Men’s Side; Ethiopian is Top Woman, By Jon Chown
15 High School Robotics Team Repeats at World Championship: Santa Cruz COE X Academy Robotics Clubs Earn Back-to-Back Global Honors
17 Mountain Artists Showcased During DoonArt Open Studios: Artist Opens Home and Studio After Rebuilding From Fire, By Jon Chown
20 White Sharks Sightings on the Rise: Population Growing in Monterey Bay Due to Climate Change, By Jon Chown
21 Santa Cruz County Fair Hires New CEO • Blaze at Capitola Sushi Garden
22 Aptos Little League All Stars’ Season Ends at the Northern California Tournament • Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation to Hold Rooftop Fundraiser
23 Christian Music Festival Fills Aptos Village Park with Community Spirit • Cabrillo Seeks Next Superintendent/President
24 PVUSD Approves Officers In Schools: Superintendant Calls Medina Crazy, By Jon Chown
25 Pacific Gas & Electric Warns Customers to Watch for Scams • Soquel Man Killed in E-bike Accident
26 Two Arrests Made in Murder Case
27 Watsonville Buddhist Temple Hosts Annual Obon Festival • La Selva Beach Summer Fair at Clubhouse on Aug. 2 Clarification
10 SPHA Involved in ‘Sniffing for Clues’ Business Profile
18 Central Home Supply: 50 Years of Supplying the Right Stuff, Article and Photos by Tad Stearn
Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Mercury Retrograde in Leo & Summer Gazing Meteors, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists
8 Polish the Tile, By Joe Ortiz
16 Gray Lives Matter, By Pamela Arnsberger
30 The Origins of Soquel Creek Water District, By Rebecca Gold Rubin
31 Sun Exposure Relative To Orientation, By Tony Tomeo
Johnny
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Jon Chown
COVER STORY
“Moble Homes” from page 1
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“After extensive conversations among Capitola City Councilman Gerry Jensen, and housing advocate Cami Corvin, resident of Castle Mobile Estates, many of the residents have made the collective decision to allow the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) limited access to the property for surveying purposes,” the statement reads. “Many of our residents, including those who would face serious financial hardship, deserve to have their potential burdens fully understood and documented should the RTC move forward.”
Corvin, who is mentioned in the statement, has been leading the fight against the county. The struggle stems from the fact that quite a few of the mobile home owners’ property lines encroach onto the Regional Transportation Commission’s property where the RTC is building Segments 10 and 11 (from 17th Avenue to State Park Drive) of the Monterey Bay Scenic Trail alongside the railroad tracks.
Residents, mostly seniors and others with limited income, were told they would have to pay the bill for relocating their mobile homes, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“We stand united in this approach, knowing that without accurate data, the needs of our most vulnerable residents might be overlooked,” said Corvin in a prepared statement. “Our solidarity remains
unwavering, and our priority continues to be protecting the community we’ve built here.”
Blue & Gold Star Mobile Home Park was built in 1965 and Castle Estates Mobile Home Park was built in 1971. There are 20 units that encroach at the 128-unit Blue and Gold Mobile Home Park in Live Oak, at the 108-unit Castle Mobile Estates in Capitola there are 24. Three removal estimates at Castle Mobile topped $76,000, with the highest at $224,000. At Blue & Gold, two of the estimates for removal cost more than $175,000.
The RTC recently announced it would form an ad hoc committee with County Supervisors Kim De Serpa and Manu Koenig, along with Capitola City Councilmember Gerry Jensen, tasked with reviewing relocation assistance to park residents.
Residents of the mobile home parks had met with county staff during the July 17 Santa Cruz County Mobile Home Commission meeting. At that meeting, Supervisor Manu Koenig reported that the RTC has an agreement in place to delay taking any legal action over Castle Mobile Estate’s encroachments for the next few months. The projected construction date for the rail trail has been slated for January 2027, according to RTC Real Property Specialist Bella Kressman.
Millennium Housing, which owns the mobile home parks, said it is willing to go to court, as is the RTC. But property disputes can be tricky in court when an entity has been living on and encroaching upon a location for decades. Encroachments were
first identified during a property boundary survey in 2023. Initial notices were sent to residents in January.
Roxanne Stanley, who owns unit #71 at Castle Mobile in Capitola, said she was shocked when she received the notice, stating she needed to either move her home “or we will bulldoze it down and charge you for it.”
Stanley said she is one of four in the park where her actual home is encroaching. To keep it, she would need to move the home to create a 17-foot setback and then chop off half of her bedroom to make the home fit into the now smaller space. RTC would then build a fence right up to her window. The result, she said would be a place that is difficult to live in and even harder to sell.
“They are foolishly ruining people’s lives and property,” Stanley said. “They don’t even have funds for the train, but they going through with the project.”
Stanley said alternative routes are available for the bike path that would circumvent the segment. For instance, Brommer Street and Capitola Road lie parallel to 38th Avenue and are zoned for pedestrians.
Despite all the headaches and potentially losing a significant portion of her lot, she said there’s not even been a mention of any reduction in her rent, which is over $1,000 per month for the space, about double what residents at Blue & Gold are charged. Adding to her ire is the fact that Capitola Beach Villas, which also encroaches on RTC property at segments 10 and 11, are not being forced to make any changes.
“They think these homes … because we’re low income, they can just move us, that we don’t matter. Yet this big, huge Capitola Villa, they have the ability to stay. So they are narrowing that entrance there, but not on 38th. To me, that sounds like discrimination.” n
COVER PHOTO: Roxanne Stanley behind her home at Castle Mobile Estates.
Michael
Castle Mobile Estates
Residents defend mobile and manufactured home space threatened by the Rail Trail project.
EPA, Vista Settle on Moss Landing Cleanup
BESS Discussion Continues in Santa Cruz County
By Jon Chown
The EPA has reached an agreement with Vistra Corp., which owns the Vista Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, to safely remove and dispose of batteries impacted by the January fire at Moss Landing.
Under the agreement, Vistra will perform the removal of the damaged lithium-ion batteries from the site under EPA’s oversight. On Jan. 16, a fire broke out the 300-megawatt battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing. It contained about 100,000 lithium-ion battery modules, which were damaged in the incident. The fire burned for parts of three days and experienced a flareup a month later.
“We’ve arrived at a key milestone in the Moss Landing response: an agreement that allows our EPA experts to ensure the safe removal and proper disposal of these dangerous damaged batteries,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Josh F.W. Cook. “Today’s announcement marks a major step toward protecting the community.”
Damaged lithium-ion batteries pose an ongoing risk of fire, according to the EPA. Lithium-ion battery fires can produce hydrogen fluoride, and other flammable or toxic gases. To reduce the risk of another fire, the batteries will be removed from the fire-damaged Moss Landing facility and treated for safe transport and disposal or recycling.
Under the agreement, EPA is requiring Vistra to submit detailed work plans to EPA, implement comprehensive safety measures to
protect nearby residents and workers during the cleanup, and participate in community involvement activities to enable meaningful public engagement throughout the removal process. Businesses in the area remain closed due to the fire’s aftermath.
Reaction in Santa Cruz
The Moss Landing fire has been on the minds of Santa Cruz residents as the push to build a similar power Battery Energy Storage System plant in this county continues. Meetings on the proposed battery plants were held July 17 in Live Oak and on July 30 at the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center.
There are three proposed sites: 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, behind Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, and near Aptos High School. The Minto Road site is on land deemed not viable for agriculture near PG&E Green Valley substation It is proposed by Seahawk Energy Storage — a 14-acre site with about 300 lithium batteries inside a shipping container-style structure.
The Minto site is currently the favored the spot.The second site, on Houts Drive, has been ruled unsuitable by county staff due to the terrain. The third site, near Aptos High, is also unsuitable due to terrain and limited acreage. No developer has made a proposal for either of these sites.
The Vistra power plant in Moss Landing looms behind the remains of the popular eatery The Haute Enchilada, which closed due to the fire.
Treasure Cove, Jade Street Park Funding Secured
Treasure Cove, the Capitola’s universally accessible playground at Jade Street Park, is fully funded and ready to move forward, the city announced recently.
A successful fundraising effort in the community, combined with the $3.2 million in new Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city has the resources to fully fund the playground project, and even expand improvements throughout Jade Street Park.
This grant funding closes the final gap between the City’s initial funding allocation and private donations for the playground. Additionally, the $3.2 million grant award will allow the city to implement key upgrades to Jade Street Park’s infrastructure, including improved restrooms, enhanced connectivity to the Jade Street Community Center, and better pedestrian access throughout the site, all in addition to building the new playground.
“Treasure Cove represents the best of Capitola: a community that comes together to create a joyful outdoor space, for everyone, that will last for future generations,” said Capitola Mayor Joe Clarke.
Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park will feature a marine and shoreline theme. Specialized equipment, including a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, cozy dome, and sensory play features, will create play opportunities for children of all abilities.
County Park Friends partnered with Capitola and conducted an 18-month capital campaign to raise the needed private funding. Community foundations, service organizations, businesses, and private donors stepped up to support the playground by participating in a myriad of ways, including fundraising dinners, a crab feed, chili cookoff, bike ride, pickleball tournament, and more.
With funding secured and construction documents finalized, the city will bid the project later this summer. Groundbreaking is anticipated in the fall, with the goal of celebrating the new playground and park improvements with the community in 2026.
“Treasure Cove is more than just a playground. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when a community dreams big and comes together. We are so proud to stand with Capitola on this incredible journey,” said Mariah Roberts, executive director of County Park Friends. n
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Polish the Tile
Artists work with established prompts and exercises to flex and develop their artistic muscles. These methods start out as disciplines to achieve new habits and inspirations but eventually become “just what we do.”
In the movie The Karate Kid, Mr. Miagi taught the Kid to polish an old truck. “Wax on, wax off.” But the Kid saw no connection between rubbing polish and learning karate. Was the practice an arbitrary discipline? A blind devotion to the master?
The Kid quickly became disillusioned. But when he performed the move later — unconsciously in combat — it resulted in a highly skilled defense.
Shunryū Suzuki shares a similar story in his book, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: When a Zen master approached a student sitting in meditation (Zazen), he asked him what he was doing.
The student replied, “I’m meditating in order to attain Buddhahood.” So, the teacher told the student that in Japan after a tile gets taken from the kiln, it gets polished with the hope of turning it into a jewel.
The teacher went on to explain that it’s no more possible to become a Buddha by
The Karin Phoenix Band
practicing Zazen than it is to turn a tile into a jewel by polishing it. Instead, “just sitting” is the practice. Any ounce of striving for attainment in Zen disrupts the idea of “beginner’s mind.”
Likewise, Mr. Miagi didn’t tell the Kid he would become a karate master by practicing “the move.” Nor did he tell him why a circular motion would act as a defense to deflect an assailant’s attacking blow. He just told him to practice.
And for the Kid, attainment arrived without his striving for it, in having practiced rubbing polish on a truck’s fender in the same way a potter might polish a tile, without a lofty goal in mind.
What Can We Learn? Golf pros rely on drills to simulate proper swing movements. Good instructors rarely tell students how a drill is designed to achieve its goal, because they don’t want to place focus on some mental process or complex position.
The teacher often describes a simple image or movement so the student can lock into a bodily sensation and not get bogged down in “paralysis by analysis.” In order to teach his students the concept of “late release” of the club or “lagging the clubhead”—a difficult technique to explain—my golf pro tells students to “think about hitting the inside of the ball.”
What We Can Do? A few lessons can help us to practice without striving for a goal:
• `Leonardo DaVinci walked the streets of Milan memorizing faces, then returned to his studio to copy them from memory. These sketches were not intended as studies for future paintings, they were just exercises in looking, remembering and recording.
By Joe Ortiz
• Anton Chekhov wrote copious entries in a notebook which he never used in any of his short stories; they were just his “practice” of observation and description.
• Years ago my friend Steve McGuirk wanted to write a mystery, but couldn’t find the time. One day he said to me, “I just want to be able to write for an entire day so I can get this novel down on paper.” “Steve,” I said. “If you can start out
writing 15 minutes a day, that 15 minutes will become 20, then grow into half-an-hour. Eventually, it will become a habit of what you’ve done every day.”
My point? It’s like sitting Zazen: “Just sitting” is the practice. But writing a book will only result from the process of sitting . . . AND putting words on paper. And later, in revision, applying a little polish and elbow grease: Wax on, wax off.
It becomes “Just something we do.” n
To create “lag” in the golf swing, golfers can focus on hitting the inside of the golf ball to avoid mechanical thinking.
Cabrillo Stage’s Sweeney Todd,
By Mindy Pedlar
The opening night of Cabrillo Stage’s “Sweeney Todd” finished with a thunderous standing ovation from a packed house after a masterful performance by Adam J. Saucedo in the lead role.
From the moment he bursts onto the stage, you know you are in for a treat. His partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett, is played to perfection by Angela Jeffries. The vocal prowess, comedic timing and emotional depth of these two make for stunningly entertaining theatre.
The opening night’s packed house agreed, delivering a thunderous standing ovation.
There is really nothing like the score of Sweeney Todd and under the baton of Maestro Daniel Goldsmith the 20 piece live orchestra soars! Stephen Sondheim’s
masterpiece is thrilling — dissonance is everywhere not only with the musical notes but also the way in which the macabre and tragic material interplays with songs that run the gamut from classically beautiful to hilariously funny.
The ensemble is perhaps the finest ever assembled in a Cabrillo Stage production. The music is vocally challenging, and these singer/actors bring it to life with all the appropriate beauty, comedy and horror.
Michael Navarro was outstanding as Tobias Ragg, bringing a sweetness and vulnerability to his character. David Murphy’s Judge Turpin was appropriately creepy and smug as he wielded his unjust power. Jorge Torrez as Turpin’s henchman The Beadle, managed to be both chilling and comedic.
As the young lovers, Haley Clarke
Arrest Made in Suspicious Blaze at Target
Asuspect is in custody after a fire, deemed suspicious, erupted at the 41st Avenue Target store on Monday, July 29.
At 8:25 p.m., firefighters from the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County responded to a confirmed structure fire at the Target store, according to a press release from the department. The fire was located on the second floor, on a shelving unit in the sporting goods aisle.
The first units to arrive on the scene reported light smoke on the second floor and “found the seat of the blaze. They reported
played Johanna with fear and loathing for her situation while maintaining hope for a chance at better future. The golden voiced Conor Warshawsky was earnest and innocent as Anthony Hope. Together these two present a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak world.
Louis Santia delivers a strong comedic performance as the flamboyant Adolfo Pirelli and Brittney Mignano gives a memorable performance as the Beggar Woman. In a prior interview Brittney shared that she thinks when audiences look past the obvious theme of gore that is often associated with Sweeney Todd, they will see how relatable these characters are. She states “At the heart of it, they are seeking love, revenge, justice and freedom. I hope the audience feels a sense of catharsis for whatever they may be seeking by watching characters that take those pursuits to the extreme.” n
Sweeney Todd performing now through Aug. 10, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. with an additional matinee on Saturday, Aug. 9. Performances are
at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus. Tickets ranging from $25 -$60 can be purchased on line at www.cabrillostage.com/ tickets Box Office is open for phone 831-4796154 and walk up sales Thursday -Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to each show. Please note: This musical includes adult themes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
that the sprinkler system was keeping the fire in check and were able to douse the flames with a light water fire extinguisher. Crews searched the store to confirm it was evacuated and began salvage operations, consisting of water and smoke removal. Six units and 17 firefighters responded to the blaze, as well as members of the Capitola Police Department.
The fire was suspicious and an arrest was made, according to the press release, but no other details were provided.
The Capitola Police Department was unable to provide any details or answer any questions by press time. n
Angela Jeffries as Mrs. Lovett and Adam J. Saucedo as Sweeney Todd.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Bay Federal Credit Union on Forbes list of Best
Federal Credit Union is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized in the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions 2025. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.
America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions 2025 highlights financial institutions that are most highly regarded by members in each state. The ranking is based on an independent nationwide survey of over 26,000 U.S. consumers, who rated their credit unions on key factors including trust, financial advice, customer service, digital tools, branch experience, and transparency of terms. A sentiment analysis was conducted using the publicly available reviews, and a score was calculated.
Bay Federal Credit Union placed in the top four credit unions in California to receive this recognition in 2025, underscoring its commitment to meeting the unique needs of local communities throughout the region.
“We are greatly honored to receive this grant and recognition of the work our Soroptimist clubs provide to our communities. By empowering women through education, we can move towards gender equality and ending the poverty cycle.”
— Capitola Soroptimist President Denise Gurer
through education, we can move towards gender equality and ending the poverty cycle.”
The grant will be used to support women and girls who apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream (LYD) program. Women and girls who are enrolled in or have been accepted into a BA or technical or vocational training program, are heads of their households and have a demonstrated need are eligible to apply for an LYD cash award. Applications for the 2026 awards will be available August 1.
Women in California Leadership is a non-profit organization that promotes public awareness of the critical significance of women in California and supports the diverse interests of women, children and families throughout California.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it is based on independent surveys and the voices of the people we proudly serve — our members,” said Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union. “For over 65 years, we have remained committed to helping our neighbors thrive by providing exceptional service, products, and support. To have our work reflected in this award is a true honor and a testament to our entire team’s unwavering dedication to putting people first. It’s especially meaningful to be recognized on a statewide level, standing out among much larger institutions, while serving a smaller geographical area.” •••
Capitola Soroptimist Club Awarded Grant From Women in California Leadership Soroptimist International of Capitola-bythe-Sea was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from Women in California Leadership based on a nomination from California Assembly Member Dawn Addis.
Assembly Member Addis also presented the club with a Certificate of Recognition from the California Assembly for the Club’s “continued commitment, inclusivity and empowerment” in Santa Cruz County.
“We are greatly honored to receive this grant and recognition of the work our Soroptimist clubs provide to our communities,” Capitola Soroptimist President Denise Gurer said. “By empowering women
Soroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea is part of a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. For more information, visit the website at www.best4women.org, our Facebook page or email us at sicapitola. by.the.sea@gmail.com
•••
Unemployment Rate Rises
Labor statistics released in mid-July show a slight rise in unemployment in Santa Cruz County to 6 percent, with less people working in farms, manufacturing, trades and transportation, and even financial activities.
California’s overall unemployment rate is 5.7 percent. The county’s unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in May and 5.5 percent last June. Santa Cruz County’s unemployment rate peaks every year around January, when it exceeds 7 percent due to less jobs in agricultural sectors. Historically, during the months of April through August, it will be at its lowest.
During the summer of 2023, unemployment dipped well below 5 percent. Last summer, unemployment never rose much above 5.5 percent. The rate fellow below 5 percent in May, but has already started to climb in June. n
NEWS
New Chapter Starts at the Brookdale Lodge Grand Reopening Held on July 27
By Jon Chown
BROOKDALE — Sean Woodward
felt right at home playing with his band Woodmill during the Brookdale Lodge’s grand reopening celebration on July 27. He’s been playing gigs in the area for about 35 years, many of them at the lodge back when it was a popular hotspot.
“So far, so good,” he said, reviewing the improvements made at the lodge. “Mario is a very positive influence everywhere he goes, so I’m really happy about this.”
Mario Ibarra is the new owner and quite popular with many. He also owns the Casa Nostra Italian restaurant in Ben Lomond and purchased Henflings Tavern in November. Henflings, despite being popular for decades, had closed after the owners divorced. Now, with it thriving again, Ibarra and his business partner Juan Alvarez have taken on the Brookdale Lodge, another iconic business that has struggled lately.
said. “The community needs a nice place to hang out.”
Hundreds were hanging out throughout the day, with live music going from noon until 8 p.m., a barbecue set up in the parking lot, face painting, and more.
“It’s great news for the community that the cafe is reopening and the lounge is getting a rebrand,” said Bryan Chambers, executive director of the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“More dining and entertainment venues mean more options for residents and visitors.”
The lodge’s history is long. The site was a lumber mill in the 19th century and then turned into a camping resort around 1900. In 1922, Dr. F. K. Camp, a strict prohibitionist, bought the lodge and had a dining room built that straddled the creek running through the property. It was called the Brook Room.
If
“It’s a historical place. It has a beautiful space, the building is nice. I think we can have a very successful business here,” Ibarra
Many celebrities were rumored to have stayed at the lodge, including Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, James Dean and even Al Capone.
“Brookdale Lodge” page 14
Sean Woodward and Dave Miller of Woodmill perform during the grand reopening of the Brookdale Lodge on July 27.
Mario Ibarra greets people during the grand reopening of Brookdale Lodge on July 27.
Summer of Love: 58 Years Later
By Jon Chown
It took more than 50 years, but a song that local musician Mark Bradlyn wrote and recorded with his band in 1968 has finally been released.
Bradlyn, who was 19 at the time, wrote and recorded “Watch You Walk Away” with his folk-rock band Stourbridge Lion. The song was recently included in a compilation released in Great Britain titled Jingle Jangle Morning: The 1960s Folk-Rock Explosion. The three-CD set includes songs from the Byrds, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Phil Ochs, Poco, Nico, Gordon Lightfoot, Judy Collins, the Grateful Dead and many more — even one from Stourbridge Lion.
Bradlyn wrote the song during the Summer of Love in 1967. He had just arrived from Florida and landed at Occidental College, where he was going to school. There, he met up with Stourbridge Lion, which was looking for a singer and had heard him playing his Martin guitar and singing in the quad.
He said the love song wasn’t based on any relationship he’d had. “It was a song about songs,” he said.
After they recorded a demo of it during a show in Glendale, the song was good enough to launch the band on a mini-tour of the Midwest. It would start with a three-week gig at Arnie’s Pizza King in Lafayette, Indiana,
where the owner had given them $1,000 in advance and promised another $1,000 at the end.
The plan was for the band to play some gigs to hone their sound, then record a full album and announce a big tour. But they would need a new drummer — something that would become a recurring dream, or nightmare, during Bradlyn’s career.
Ron Wilson, the drummer at the time, was a star. He played the drum solo on the Safaris’ smash hit “Wipe Out,” which he insisted Stourbridge Lion perform at every show so he would be recognized. Unfortunately, according to Bradlyn, Wilson was also a thief. He was caught “blue-handed” when a club owner suspected someone in the band of stealing money from women’s purses inside the club. The owner had sprinkled blacklight powder inside a purse and set it out as a trap. At the end of the night, he brought the band into his office — which was decorated with blacklight posters.
“Ron’s hands glowed bright blue. It was appalling. Really, it was a kick in the head,” Bradlyn said. “But our management team was really behind the band. They wanted us to succeed, so they set up this Midwest tour. The idea was to play those weeks at Arni’s, pick up some gigs on the way back and be a really tight band ready to record in the studio.”
The band found a new drummer, Terry Hand — another excellent guy on the sticks, Bradlyn said. The band sounded great and headed out to the Midwest. But after arriving in Indiana, Hand took a look around and said, “I’m not playing for these farmers!” and abruptly left. The rest of the band begged their parents or friends for money to pay back Arni the Pizza King the $1,000 advance — and left, too.
“It really was a bad decision, but we were idealistic, and we had a sound, and didn’t want to compromise,” Bradlyn said.
After returning to Los Angeles, the band soon broke up. Bradlyn got a copy of the demo tape and kept it, listening from time to time to reminisce. He eventually shared the band’s story with Bay Area rock historian Richie Unterberger, who then wrote a story about the band. That sparked enough interest in Stourbridge Lion for the song to be included in the compilation.
Bradlyn was delighted. “Who would have ever thought? It was more than 50 years ago,” he said.
Bradlyn continued his music career but said he never quite got the break he needed, despite having some connections.
“I could never find my way. I didn’t have a clear focus,” he said.
At one point, Bradlyn even got an audition with Leonard Cohen’s manager.
“I had my guitar with me. I opened up
the case and said, ‘OK, I’d like to play you some songs.’ He said, ‘I don’t have time for that. Send me your tapes.’”
Bradlyn returned to Florida, recorded some demos and sent them off. After hearing nothing, he waited for months before mustering the courage to call the manager.
“I reminded him of my name and the tape I sent, and he said, ‘Oh yeah, didn’t knock me out. Thanks for sending it,’” Bradlyn recalled. “There are all these moments of disappointment.”
Bradlyn moved back to California in 1973 and joined a Palo Alto band named the Nightwings. They just needed a drummer.
“So I was in a music store talking about how we needed a drummer, and this guy walks up and says, ‘I just overheard you guys. You looking for a drummer? I’m a drummer,’ and he looks over at me — and it’s Terry Hand!”
Despite the history, Hand joined the band.
“He’s a good drummer!” Bradlyn said.
After a few successful gigs, the band played a nightclub in Redwood City.
“There were two people in the audience. We were tuning up, and Terry Hand gets up from his drum kit and says, ‘I’m not playing for two people,’ and he walked out,” Bradlyn said.
The band continued to grow despite that gig and eventually went into a studio to record. The night before the session, their manager, Tom Adams, essentially forced them to sign new contracts.
Bradlyn said the next morning they had a great session and were offered a contract by Lou Adler, who produced the Grass Roots, the Mamas & the Papas, and Carole King.
“He said, ‘If you can get out of that contract, I can work with you.’”
“Bradlyn” page 15
A photo of “Stourbridge Lion” in 1968. Mark Bradlyn is pictured in the middle, wearing glasses.
Mark Bradlyn holds the cover of his recently-released 58-year-old album.
New Course, Same Fun at Wharf-to-Wharf
Latvian Runner Wins Men’s Side; Ethiopian is Top Woman
By Jon Chown
Anew course and new starting point didn’t diminish the fun at this year’s Wharf-to-Wharf, and instead, displayed its resiliency, according to many participants interviewed after Sunday’s race. The event drew 16,000 runners and as they spilled out from the finishing area and
into Capitola Sunday morning, most had wide smiles across their face.
“It was nice. I enjoyed having it switched up a bit,” said Micheal Castro, who came up from Hollister to participate in his eighth Wharf-to-Wharf. “They did a really good job of communicating the differences. The parking was good and there even seemed to be more bands.”
Castro’s basic sentiment was shared by everyone interviewed.
“It was fun — just fantastic!” said Kerri Montgomery, who came up with her husband Brian Montgomery from Dorrington to participate. Brian was a veteran of the race, but it was Kerri’s first time.
“There were a lot of bands — a lot of fun. They made it pretty easy to understand where to go, where to park, things like that,” Brian said.
Arturs Medveds, 25, of Latvia won the 2025 Wharfto-Wharf race, completing the nearly 6 miles in 27:03, just 13 seconds in front of Fresno’s Evert Silva, and 20 seconds ahead of third-pace finisher Robert Miranda of Los Angeles. Medveds placed fifth at last year’s event.
Atsede Tesema, 38, of Ethiopia was the top woman with a time of 31:02. Gillian Meeks of Davis and Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa tied for second with a time of 32:09. Joe Wilton, 93, of Alameda was the oldest person to finish the race, completing it in 1:52:15 by the gun.
The race began on Portola Drive, between 26th Avenue and 38th Avenue, this year. It then wrapped around the harbor onto Lake Avenue and back onto the traditional course along the ocean and into Capitola.
Gabriel Gonzalez lives locally and ran
“Brookdale Lodge” from page 11
“Lots of famous people went to dinner here and stayed at the lodge,” Ibarra said.
A fire damaged the lodge in 1956, but it rebuilt and kept going. Decades later, fires in 2005 and 2009 led to it being closed and then mostly abandoned. In 2015, Pravin and Naina Patel purchased the property, did a lot of restoration and reopened it in phases. Now, Ibarra said, it will be fully open and running. He said what he will be bringing is “consistency.”
“We’ll have good service, good food, keep it open and make it happen,” Ibarra
for the eighth time. He said the start was a little hectic and there was a little bit of a bottleneck, but overall, everything was great. “It was just as fun as always,” he said. It was the 53rd running of the event. It was first run in 1973 and grew each year until the race had to be limited to 16,000 runners. Participants come from all over the world, as showcased by the winners. n
said. “I believe in this community. They’ve been helping me big time in my previous businesses and I just wanted to give something back.”
Dave Goodwin of Boulder Creek said he’s been coming to the lodge for the past two years and looks forward to the consistency because the hours had seemed sort of haphazard before. One night it might be open, the next night it could be closed.
“Being open more often is going to help,” he said. n
Photos Credit: Jon Chown
Arturs Medveds • Latvia Atsede Tesema • Etheopia
High School Robotics Team Repeats at World Championship
Santa Cruz COE X Academy Robotics Clubs Earn Back-to-Back Globa l Honors
Arobotics team comprised of Santa Cruz County high school students earned third place at the prestigious MATE ROV Competition World Championship, held June 19-21 at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan.
The Hephaestus Robotics Team, part of the Santa Cruz COE X Academy Robotics Clubs, competed against 39 high school teams from 12 countries in the Ranger Class, placing in the top 3 for the second year in a row.
“Collaboration and perseverance are qualities that this team consistently exemplifies, and they were the qualities that allowed us to win,” said Sophia Casalletto, CEO of Hephaestus Robotics and a rising junior at Pacific Collegiate School. “This experience has been pivotal for me as a person, an engineer, and as a leader. It taught me how powerful a motivated, collaborative team can be, and I’ll carry that with me long after the competition. I am so proud of this team and of everyone’s contributions and growth.”
The Robotics Clubs program, now in its second year, is a partnership between the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and nonprofit X Academy. It offers high school students from across the county handson experience in designing, building, and piloting underwater robots—at no cost to participants. This year, 52 students from 17 schools participated in weekly build sessions in Watsonville and Santa Cruz, guided by 14 volunteer mentors.
The MATE ROV World Championship challenges students to solve real-world marine conservation and technology problems.
“Bradlyn” from page 12
The band went to court and eventually got out of the contract — but it took two years.
“By that time, interest had vaporized,” Bradlyn said.
So Bradlyn missed another shot. He moved to Santa Cruz in 1976 and got a job at Bookshop Santa Cruz. He’s lived in the area ever since and now lives in Aptos. He continued to perform in various bands and solo, recording some solo albums. He has also been active in local theater, performing in productions such as Cabrillo Stage’s The Music Man in 2004, and writing plays that have been performed locally. He also won a James B. Hall Award for short fiction. He and his wife opened Mockingbird Books in Aptos in 1995.
Bradlyn said seeing his 1967 song published gave him a special thrill.
The Hephaestus Robotics Team earned their place at the championship after qualifying at the MATE Monterey Bay Regional Competition in April.
“As the first in my family to be part of this robotics program, this experience was an opportunity of a lifetime and eye-opener for technology in my future,” said team member Carlos Ortiz-Lopez, a rising senior at Sequoia High School in Watsonville. “The team proved great ability working together to get us to third place. We gave it our all through hard work and dedication to get on the podium.”
Fifteen students from seven schools represented the Santa Cruz COE X
• Anthony Arguello, Sequoia High School
• Blaise Benoit-Corey, Santa Cruz High School
• Daphne Bingham, Pacific Collegiate School
• Sophia Casaletto, Pacific Collegiate School
• Rowan Delander, Sapphire School
• Arthur Guihaire, Santa Cruz High School
• Matthew Hofmann, Soquel High School
• Nathan Hofmann, Soquel High School
• Sam Imahara, Kirby School
• Nathanael Marcus, Soquel High School
• Bennet Menzer, Santa Cruz High School
• Carlos Ortiz-Lopez, Sequoia High School
• Arlo Tatum, Aptos High School
• Julia Tick, Pacific Collegiate School
• Amber Williams, Pacific Collegiate School n
To learn more about the Santa Cruz COE X Academy Robotics Clubs, visit cs.santacruzcoe. org/robotics.
August 25 Fall 2025 Semester Begins August 25
“That my song, recorded not in a studio but solely as a demo on the stage of a Glendale music club, should be included among such stellar company is one of the most delightful happenings in my life,” he said. n Fall 2025 Semester
Academy Robotics Clubs at the World Championship:
SENIOR BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Gray Lives Matter
By Pamela Arnsberger
We hear a great deal these days about diversity, equity and inclusion, but we may forget that this phrase includes older people — the one minority group we will someday all be a part of. By now, most people know that the senior population in Santa Cruz County is growing rapidly, especially as compared to the rest of the population.
What you may not know is that since 2010 the 65-84 population here has grown at a faster rate (80.9 percent) than anywhere else in California. Currently it is estimated that there are 75,000 folks over 60 in Santa Cruz County with about a quarter of that amount living in the mid-county area. In many ways, aging here is a positive experience. Compared to the rest of the state, Santa Cruz County seniors are quite well-educated with over 80 percent having some college or being college graduates and most are healthy, with over 60 percent identifying as being well and active. We are also pretty tech savvy with almost 80 percent of us owning cell phones and 82 percent having either a computer or tablet or both.
issue comes as a surprise to nobody, and it affects seniors as well as the rest of the population., In the probability sample of seniors conducted by the California Department of Aging last year, Santa Cruz County was highlighted as a county where seniors could not afford to live. In addition, the actual cost of housing seems to leave little extra room for minor home repairs and maintenance. These two items were ranked first and second in the list of unmet needs in our own local needs assessment. But even this problem looks good when compared to the 2.2 percent of the over 50 population who identify as homeless.
On the other hand, there are some surprising issues. We forget, perhaps, that we are essentially a rural area and a much higher percentage of seniors in Santa Cruz County live alone as compared to the rest of the state. This probably contributes to the high levels of isolation, loneliness and depression that have been identified in multiple surveys here. In fact we have higher levels of depression (23 percent) than other Medicare recipients (18 percent) throughout the country. This particular issue was poignantly explored in a recent exhibition by The Santa Cruz County Museum of Art and History (SC MAH) which attracted thousands of people.
Other areas of concern are the growing numbers of Medi-Cal eligible (low-income) seniors. These numbers increase at an alarming rate, and if you are in this category, it is still extraordinarily difficult to locate a provider who will accept Medi-Cal. Recently it has even become difficult to find a provider who will take new Medicare patients. There are now reports that providers who have had patients for many years have been discharging them when they go on Medicare. This creates a great deal of confusion among seniors. Indeed, in the Area Agency on Aging quadrennial senior needs assessment in 2020, understanding Medicare and/or Medi-Cal was rated as the third highest unmet need, That the cost of housing here is an
A final concern for many of us is paying for long-term care when we are ill. Current nursing home costs in California now approach $120,000 a year and Medicare does not generally pay for care past the first 20 days and ends whenever a patient only requires “custodial care.” Past that, many patients “spend down” to Medi-Cal and often a skilled nursing home will not accept MediCal patients. And if you have recently tried to find and pay for home care, you know how difficult (and expensive!) that can be.
These are only a few of the issues that we confront in our older years, but there are some benefits and services that can help to meet these challenges. Luckily for us, Santa Cruz County has always been a leader in the development and implementation of services for older adults. There are many programs and services available to seniors that can be accessed by a call to Senior Network Services at 831-462-1433 where dedicated professionals can help to guide you through the system. Or if you just want information, you can stop in at 3333 Soquel Dr Suite A and pick up a Senior Resource Directory. It could be the first step in getting the help you (or someone you care for) might need. n •••
Pamela Arnsberger, Ph.D, MSW, LCSW, received her PhD with distinction from UC Berkeley in 1991. She served as a researcher and professor at the Institute of Health and Aging at the UCSF, the University of New England and the University of Hawaii. She is also a Fulbright scholar and has authored almost 50 peer reviewed publications on aging issues. She is the recipient of the Na Lima Kokua award for research and service and a community champion award for her advocacy work in the community. She is currently retired and serves as president of the Santa Cruz and San Benito County Senior’s Council.
Pamela Arnsberger
Mountain Artists Showcased During DoonArt Open Studios
Artist Opens Home and Studio After Rebuilding From Fire
By Jon Chown
BONNY DOON — Five years ago, Alison Parham retired from her job as a teacher at Boulder Creek Elementary and thought she’d spend a lot more time in her barn creating art. Four days after retirement, the CZU Lightning Complex fires raged through the mountains and destroyed her home.
On Sunday, July 27, she opened her home on Empire Grade Road to the public as part of the DoonArt Open Studios Tour. Not only her own art, but that of three other artists were featured at the site.
“It’s nice to be home, and it’s nice to open our doors to everybody,” said Parham, with a big sigh.
Parham creates watercolor paintings, as well as garden sculptures out of cement. She had been painting for about 20 years when she wanted something for her garden and couldn’t find quite what she was looking for. Some Youtube videos led her to creating with cement.
“And actually the cement was the thing that made it through the fire,” she said.
Some of her work did somehow survive. She had set up a studio in her
barn, which burned down. All of her molds were destroyed and most of her art. “I had to recreate everything from scratch,” she said.
But even that would have to wait for two years while she and her husband Chuck Parham rebuilt their home.
Luckily, she said, the kids had moved out and both she and Chuck were retired.
He had worked at Big Creek Lumber for 40 years and knew in the ins and outs of who to contact and how to get supplies for the rebuild. On July 30 they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary, and three years of living in their house again.
One of the artists at the Parham home was April Zilber, who works with glass. She makes earrings, beautiful pictures of redwood trees by fusing glass and metal panels, and most recently started creating musical glass art.
“Squares make a note, and rectangles make two,” she said, lightly tapping the center of the glass squares with a dulcimer.
“DoonArt” page 25
Alison Parham stands in front of her art at her home on Empire Grade Road.
Article and Photos by Tad Stearn
A Family Affair
In 1974 John and Ann Santee purchased a few acres of property at the corner of Highway 1 and Highway 9/River Street in Santa Cruz with a vision of starting a building material and landscape supply business.
The property — along the San Lorenzo River at the former site of the Henry Cowell Lime & Cement operation located between Highway 1 and the Salz Tannery — was in a prime location at the crossroads of two major roadways. A WWII veteran, John made the purchase using whatever resources he had, including his son Rusty’s college savings (don’t worry, that turned out okay). After some initial planning and site improvements, that investment began a 50-year run for Central Home Supply that’s still going strong today.
Fifty years ago, things were a little different in Santa Cruz County. The population was just over 158,000 (compared to 262,000 today), the median home price was about $45,000 (it’s somewhere between astronomical and ludicrous today) and “Jaws” was about to hit the big screen as the first “blockbuster” summer movie in 1975. Nearby Scotts Valley had been an incorporated city for less than a decade. Landscaping trends were also starting to move away from the manicured lawns of the 50’s and 60’s to more natural and organic choices such as edibles, native species, and integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Central Home Supply
50 Years of Supplying the Right Stuff
lease on a second location Scotts Valley in 2018 (more on that later). Rick Santee unfortunately passed away in late 2019, and Rusty remains the company CEO. Now Rusty’s son Reed Santee — a third-generation owner and the company’s President — is handling the day to day business operations with his team.
Customer Service is the Key
According to Reed, the secret to Central Home Supply’s longevity is a consistent business model, the dedication of long-term employees and a friendly approach to customer service.
Some employees — such as COO J.R. Perez and CFO Jamie Pennington — have been with the company 30+ years. Central Home Supply now has 22 employees, servicing customers with 11 trucks of all sizes, forklifts and other specialized equipment for moving big stuff. Regarding those trucks, Reed notes that it’s important to know the local roads and to send the right sized vehicle to a delivery, particularly for job sites accessed by the narrow winding roads and driveways deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains. “Some of our drivers have been with us so long they know every road. They’re the local mountain goats.”
Central Home Supply didn’t have a fleet of company trucks and forklifts back then. Rock and gravel, stone, masonry and other building and landscape materials were all loaded by hand into customer vehicles bound for construction sites all over the county.
Over time John Santee transferred the business to his sons Rusty and Rick. The brothers successfully ran and grew the business for several years, adapting to new design trends, materials, technology and securing the
The business values individual customers just as much as commercial contractors. “Whether you’re a commercial contractor with a large order, or a homeowner who just needs a scoop of mulch or a few pavers for the backyard, people get personalized help. Bring the kids, bring the dog. Take a look around and imagine a new patio or barbecue.” Reed’s team is also happy to help with free estimates or contractor referrals. That attitude and local orientation is in the DNA of the business, handed down through these three generations.
A Bumpy Road to Scotts Valley
As with any business venture, the road to success can hit some speed bumps. There had been talk for years about City of Santa Cruz and Caltrans’ plans to widen and improve the intersection at Highway 1 and River Street.
The project would require part of the Santee’s property, although the exact amount of property and the direct impact to Central Home Supply seemed to be a moving target as the design and timeline advanced. In the end — after years of sometimes contentious negotiation and a five-year legal battle — the city exercised its powers of eminent domain on portions of the property and the Santees reluctantly sold their remaining parcels to the city in 2022.
According to Reed, “a lot of people don’t realize that we were basically forced out of that location. We never wanted to move.”
Fortunately, maybe intuitively, Reed’s uncle
Rick leased the property at 180 El Pueblo Road in Scotts Valley in 2018 for a second location, showroom and new display courtyards. The original plan was to maintain headquarters on River Street, and have the Scotts Valley location serve customers in north Santa Cruz County and beyond. But in the wake of the property sale to the City of Santa Cruz in 2022, the company completely relocated the operation and Scotts Valley became the new home and headquarters of Central Home Supply.
Supplying the Stuff that Makes Great Projects
Central Home Supply’s yard and showroom is a beehive of activity on any given day, especially during the spring and summer as contractors and property owners get busy with their projects.
From hardscape and landscape materials to construction supplies and outdoor living accessories, individual homeowners and commercial contractors are busy selecting and ordering a wide range of stone, pavers, rock, gravel, masonry, concrete products, erosion control equipment, soil, mulch and the tools and hardware needed for projects large and small. In all, they offer more than 2,500 products including 100 types of natural stone. And if you don’t see exactly what you want, they can custom order.
One of the most popular products in Central Home Supply’s inventory is Techo Bloc landscaping products. These sleek pavers and slabs mimic natural materials and textures and are used for patios, walkways, retaining walls, driveways, garden beds, and other landscape features to provide a unique, artistic finish to match any décor and hardscape design.
The trend of minimizing water use while optimizing outdoor living spaces continues today. The materials and accessories available at
Central Home Supply are taking those designs to a whole new level with the inclusion of built in barbecues, fire pits, outdoor kitchens and dining areas.
Fire protection and prevention is also on the minds of homeowners and designers, more so since the CZU Lightning Complex fires in 2020 and particularly in the County’s wooded areas such as Scotts Valley. Central Home Supply is now working to promote “fire wise” elements in landscape design with a wider range of fire resistant materials, and even hosting educational and training events to show property owners how to better safeguard their property and comply with insurance requirements.
A Fourth Generation?
Reed Santee plans to be at the helm of Central Home Supply for some time to come. But if he ever wants to trade in his boots for golf shoes, his daughters Liliana, 8 and Savannah, 5 might just be ready to step into those boots. n
Central Home Supply is located at 180 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley, 95006 (behind Scarborough Lumber). Contact: (831) 440-0763 services@centralhomesupply.com
Open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hablamos Espanol
Savannah and Liliana
Oscar Canada and owner Reed Santee
Carlos Padilla sits next to owner Reed Santee
Featuring Graber and Hunter Douglas Custom Draperies and Roman Shades!
White Sharks Sightings on the Rise Population Growing in Monterey Bay Due to Climate Change
By Jon Chown
Close encounters with sharks, like the one that closed Rio Del Mar Beach for the first two day of July, will likely be more common as a result of climate change, says Chris Lowe, professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach.
On July 1, a little before 11 a.m.., a junior lifeguard youth aide at Rio Del Mar State Beach was brushed by what was reported to be a white shark estimated to be 6 to 8 feet long. It happened about 100 yards offshore near Lifeguard Tower 7 as the aide was setting up a buoy.
The shark first bumped the buoy and then brushed against the aide, who was not injured. Lifeguards quickly came to the aide’s rescue. It was first reported as a “shark attack,” but was later reclassified as a “shark encounter.” Following the incident, a twomile zone of Rio Del Mar State Beach was closed for 48 hours as a precaution, in accordance with the California State Parks Shark Incident Response Plan.
Lowe said he hadn’t received the full report from the lifeguards yet, so he wasn’t 100 percent certain it was a great white or what occurred, but from what has been reported, it’s not that surprising. It’s the sort of behavior that occasionally occurs in southern California — and now it’s happening in central California.
Gabe McKenna, public safety superintendent for California State Parks, said that beach closures might not be increasing, but “documented juvenile white shark activity in the New Brighton to Seacliff area has increased in the past decade.”
According to Lowe, it’s because there are more great white sharks in the water. The population has been in recovery since the ’90s when, in 1994, California became the first state to ban their take and Federal protections followed in 1997. Now, due to a warming ocean, there is a shark nursery in the Monterey Bay, where it had once never been observed before.
“It’s a climate change phenomenon that these nurseries are moving north,” Lowe said. “They hadn’t been north of Santa Barbara before.”
Now that they’re here, they’ll not be going away, according to the science. Our white sharks are part of a population that is isolated to the west coast of North America and Hawaii. White sharks will venture out into the ocean, but they never cross it. Sal Jorgensen, a marine biologist at CSU Monterey Bay, has been studying the shark population in the Monterey Bay for more than a decade. He has helped pen studies such as “Predicted habitat shifts of Pacific top predators in a changing climate,” and many similar.
“Monterey Bay Sharks” page 20
White Shark in Monterey Bay Aquarium
Santa Cruz County Fair Hires New CEO
WATSONVILLE — The 14th District Agricultural Association/Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors is proud to announce the hiring of Dori Rose Inda as its new Chief Executive Officer/Fair Manager.
Inda brings over two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit and community-based organizations. Most recently, she served as the CEO of Salud Para La Gente, a health center serving Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Prior to that, she was the founder and executive director of the Watsonville Law Center, which expanded access to legal services for underserved residents in the Pajaro Valley. She has also worked as a social worker supporting homeless individuals and foster families.
chapter,” said Rachel Wells, president of the fairground’s Board of Directors.
The new fair manager has lived in Watsonville since 1993. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
“Dori’s commitment to our community and her track record of strong, effective leadership made her the clear choice to lead the fair into its next
Blaze
F“I’m honored to serve an institution that means so much to our region,” she said. “The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is more than just the site of our beloved annual fair, it’s a vital community gathering place, a space for celebration, and a trusted resource in times of emergency.”
Inda will assume her duties as CEO later this summer. Her appointment comes as the fair prepares for its upcoming 2025 season under the theme “Hay Bales, Piggy Tails, and Ewe!” n
For more info, visit www.santacruzcounty fair.com
at Capitola Sushi Garden
irefighters from the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville, as well as the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District and the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District all responded to a fire that engulfed the Sushi Garden at 820 Bay Ave. in Capitola.
According to a press release from the Central Fire District, the fire was first reported at 3 a.m. When fire crews arrived, they found the restaurant already engulfed in flame, both inside and out. Immediately, a call went out for a second alarm, requesting more units based on the size and complexity of the fire. Both the first and second floors burned. After the fire was out,
firefighters reported no injuries and the building unoccupied.
Members of the Capitola Police, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and Pacific Gas & Electric also responded to the fire. n
Dori Rose Inda
Aptos Little League All Stars’ Season Ends at the Northern California Tournament
PETALUMA — After two-straight win-or-go-home victories, The Aptos Little League 12 All Stars’ attempt to reach the Little League World Series ended with a 6-3 loss to Maidu Majors in the Elimination-bracket final of the NorCal Tournament.
Maidu handed Aptos both its losses, defeating them 4-3 in game two before sending them home after the second loss.
Aptos opened the NorCal Tournament with a 9-0 win over Los Banos. Pitchers Kiran Yager, Miles Lee, and Beau Pieracci combined for the shutout. Kiran dominated the first three innings before
giving way to Miles and then Beau closed it out.
Miles, Kiran and Ryan Santillan each had two of Aptos’ 13 hits. Ryan and Ethan Crump both drove in two runs.
Game two was a tough loss, entering the bottom of the eighth in a 3-3 tie with Maidu before falling to a walk-off double.
Tysen Espinoza struggled at the start, giving up three runs on four hits over 2-1/3 innings. Miles pitched the bulk of the game, giving Aptos four shut-out innings of relief.
Kiran led the team at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Cody Pieracci added two hits.
Game three saw Aptos hold off a late charge by West Redding, surviving for a 6-5 victory in their first elimination game. Aptos built up a 5-1 lead in the first three innings, but gave it all back and entered the sixth tied at 5-5, where a wild pitch allowed the winning run to score.
Aptos had its own struggles, with a wild pitch and an error contributing to West Redding’s comeback. Cody and Patrick Collins pitched the bulk of the innings for Aptos, while in the batters box, single runs were driven in by Patrick, Miles, Nolan, and Kiran.
Game four saw Aptos pitted against the “home” team, Petaluma National.
Kiran and Ryan combined for the team’s second shutout of the tournament in an 8-0 victory.
Kiran started and went 5-1/3, getting five strikeouts amidst three walks. He also was 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double. Nolan McGee added a double and 2 RBI early in the game.
Game five saw Maidu pull away from a 3-3 tie after Aptos rallied in the fourth inning.
Miles pitched all five innings for Aptos, giving up only two earned runs on five hits and striking out four. He also lead the team with two hits, while Hunter LaTorre drove in two. n
Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation to Hold Rooftop Fundraiser
WATSONVILLE — Dr. Maria S. Granthom, OB/GYN, will be honored for her 46 years of service to Watsonville Community Hospital at the Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation’s Second Annual Twilight Tapestry Gala held Sept. 13 on the roof of the Watsonville Civic Building.
Granthom will receive the foundation’s first ever “Compassion in Action” Award, which recognizes exceptional individuals whose leadership, compassion and service have strengthened the hospital’s role as a trusted provider of care.
The inaugural award will go to Dr. Granthom, the hospital’s longest-serving active physician. She is widely celebrated for her unwavering commitment to women’s health, culturally responsive care,
and community well-being, according to Watsonville Community Hospital.
“Dr. Granthom has delivered thousands of babies in our community and brought comfort and healing to just as many families,” said June Ponce, executive director of the Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation. “She embodies the values of Watsonville Community Hospital and of the foundation, care that is rooted in compassion and deep respect for the people we serve.”
Originally from the Philippines, Dr. Granthom began her U.S. medical career in Chicago before making Watsonville her home. In addition to decades in private practice, she has also served patients through Salud Para La Gente.
The event begins with a cocktail hour at
“Dr. Granthom has delivered thousands of babies in our community and brought comfort and healing to just as many families.”
— June Ponce, Executive Director, Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation
5:30 p.m. before dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. A program, including an auction, and live music will last until 9:30 p.m. on the rooftop of the Watsonville Civic Plaza Building.
The fundraising event supports the foundation’s mission to advance sustainable, high-quality healthcare in the Pajaro Valley. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available at: Eventbrite.com/ TwilightTapestryGala n
Aptos Little Leauge 12 All Stars line up during the opening ceremonies of the Section 5 tournament.
Maria S. Granthom
Christian Music Festival Fills
Aptos Village Park with Community Spirit
Aptos Village Park came alive Saturday, July 19, as hundreds of people gathered for the fifth annual True Love Christian Music & Art Festival, a free, familyfriendly celebration featuring worship, music, games and food.
Organized by a coalition of more than two dozen local churches and ministries, attendees enjoyed performances from 14 Christian bands across two stages, along with a variety of interactive exhibits, children’s activities and prayer tents.
The festival’s theme centered on agape — the unconditional love emphasized in Christian teaching. The event also included a communal rendition of “Amazing Grace,” tug-of-war competitions between churches, and contests like diaper tosses and stroller races for parents and grandparents. n
Cabrillo Seeks Next Superintendent/President
APTOS — Cabrillo College recently announced it has launched the recruitment for its next Superintendent/President.
According to a press release from the college, the Cabrillo College Governing Board has partnered with a national search firm to conduct an inclusive and comprehensive recruitment process that will engage students, faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and community members throughout each phase.
Photos Credit: Edita McQuary Reserve ad space by 8/6/2025
“We are seeking a courageous, collaborative, and equity-minded leader who is committed to student achievement, participatory governance, and the values of social justice,” said Governing Board Chair Christina Cuevas. “Cabrillo College has been called ‘the gem of the Central Coast’ — not just because of our beautiful location, but because of the faculty, staff, and administrators who bring our mission to life every day. Our next Superintendent/President will join a community that is dedicated to equity, access, and student success, and we are committed to an inclusive process that reflects those values.”
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s community colleges, including enrollment recovery,
“We are seeking a courageous, collaborative, and equity-minded leader who is committed to student achievement, participatory governance, and the values of social justice. Cabrillo College has been called ‘the gem of the Central Coast’ — not just because of our beautiful location, but because of the faculty, staff, and administrators who bring our mission to life every day.”
—
Christina Cuevas, chair, Cabrillo College Governing Board
workforce development, and closing equity gaps in student outcomes.
The successful candidate will also be a collaborative communicator with a track record of transparent leadership, fiscal stew ardship, and fostering inclusive campus environments. n
The position will remain open until filled, with first consideration given to applications received by the priority deadline of Sept. 15.
ABOVE: Pastor Guy Routley and the Pickin’ for Jesus Band perform. LEFT: Games activities were plentiful at he festival, which had a children’s area set up.
After a tense meeting on July 16, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District approved contracts with the Watsonville Police Department to provide resource officers at Watsonville High and Pajaro Valley High, and for a Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputy to be at Aptos High.
The contracts pay for a full or part-time officer at Watsonville, Pajaro Valley and Aptos High Schools. The district will pay the Watsonville Police Department $291,630 for the officers’ time and $146,000 to the Sheriff’s department for the deputy’s time.
The meeting was fraught with tension and anger. Trustee Gabriel Medina’s opening comments were fiery, and he chastised his fellow board members and called for them to resign. After that, Board President Olivia Flores read a message from Trustee Joy Flynn, which said she was not attending, not even by remote, because she feared for her safety and didn’t want to risk revealing her location.
It was not made clear why Flynn was in fear, though police were present outside the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, during discussion of the night’s agenda, Medina sought to stop all discussion of the resource officer contracts, Items 9.1 and 9.2, and have them removed from the agenda. His motion failed in 3-3 tie, with Trustees Turley and Jessica Corrasco in support. Flores then made a motion for the meeting to move forward with the agenda as it was and that passed 4-2, with Turley switching sides.
Athe Watsonville Police contract with Watsonville High, Medina tried to reintroduce his already failed motion to table the item. When Flores denied the attempt, Medina interrupted “don’t break the Brown Act again!”
Contreras Calls Medina ‘Crazy’
s the meeting progressed, Medina visibly seethed with anger, leaning back in his chair, a scowl on his face and his arms folded. He often interjected or tried to interject, interrupting his fellow trustees and insulting them. As item 9.1 was being introduced, regarding
It’s unclear how Flores was breaking the Brown Act, which deals with public notice and open meetings law, and has nothing to do with parliamentary procedure. The PVUSD’s bylaws do require the board to use a version of Robert’s Rules of Order, which prevents a board member from reintroducing a failed motion they originally introduced. This rule is to prevent stalling a meeting by forcing a vote on the same failed motion.
Medina then tried twisting some logic to get a vote on the failed motion. “If you’re going to deny my motion, I’d like to put that before the board to vote on,” he said.
PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras, in attendance and sitting with the board, looked confused. “Didn’t we already vote on that?”
“Yes we did, at the start of the meeting,” Flores replied, and she then tried to grab control of the meeting back while Medina angrily talked over here, loudly proclaiming that “if she was going to break Robert’s Rules of Order … I’m sorry you don’t know Robert’s Rules!”
he had just created, he tried to shut down discussion again.
“OK, this meeting is going sideways, so I make a motion to adjourn now,” he shouted.
Flores looked stunned by the audacity.
“He’s crazy,” Contreras whispered over the mic to Flores, which Medina heard and he howled out, “Put that over the mic!” After a quick, quiet discussion Flores allowed the motion, which failed due to a second.
Medina Called Out
During public comment, an audience member spoke to Medina directly and Medina quickly turned his head to look the other way. “Young man, the way you speak to people is disrespectful,” he said. Another member of the public was even more forceful. “When a man must use aggression and not reason to get his point across, that man is a bully — and Gabriel Medina, you are that bully,” he said.
As discussion ensued, Daniel Dodge Jr. made a compelling speech in favor of the resource offers at Watsonville and Pajaro. He said the majority of his constituents want a resource officer at the school.
“We are choosing to prepare and protect,” he said, and made a motion to approve, which passed with trustees Flores, Turley and Misty Navarro in favor.
Flores broke down in tears. “Trustee Medina, this is exactly why we have council here, because you bully me every meeting,” she cried.
“This isn’t about feelings, it’s about violating the bylaws,” said Medina, while attempting to violate them. “My motion is on the table!”
Contreras looked at Flores and told her, “We already voted on that.” Flores denied the motion again.
“You can’t deny it, because I’m challenging you on that and you have to follow our rules,” Medina said.
“No, our board policy follows Robert’s Rules … so we are going to proceed with Item 9.1,” Flores responded.
As discussion on the item began, Medina tried to talk over it, but eventually gave up for the time being. Then, minutes later, he bitterly objected to the idea of combining public comment on items 9.1 and 9.2, threatening lawsuits. Within a few minutes after that, however, he demanded public comment be combined or he would sue for that. During the ensuing confusion
During discussion of the Aptos resource officer, Medina and Contreras got into an open, heated argument, with Medina complaining about being lied to and not given information. For instance, he said he asked for a report on the Moss Landing battery fire. The superintendent explained that some of what he was asking for would require her to hire people for, such as an investigation into the Moss Landing fire, and would take months. Navarro took the mic to apologize for the board for Medina’s bullying behavior to PVUSD staff.
“Our job up here is not push our political agenda,” she said, and as she continued, Medina began to talk over her.
“You’re out of order,” she said, but Medina continued to speak over her.
“Stop acting like a child,” she demanded.
Eventually, the board would vote on the Aptos officers and it passed 4-2 as the vote before did.
The meeting would last more than four hours, much of the first 2 1/2 hours spent on Medina’s antics.
Gabriel Medina
Olivia Flores
Pacific Gas & Electric Warns Customers to Watch for Scams
Pacific Gas & Electric is warning customers to watch out for utility scams.
A typical sign of a scam targeting a utility customer includes a caller claiming to be from PG&E and threatening disconnection if immediate payment is not made via a pre-paid debit card, digital payment mobile application, or other methods of money transfer.
As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption and will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of
cryptocurrency, or instant mobile payment applications like Venmo.
So far this year, PG&E has received over 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers — nearly 200 of those reports came from the Central Coast.
Santa Cruz County had 60 reported scams. The average scam victim lost over $900.
How Customers Can Protect Themselves
• Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff.
PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
• If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without
Soquel Man Killed in E-bike Accident
WATSONVILLE — Robert Rieber, a 78-year-old man from Soquel, has been identified as the deceased victim of an e-bike crash on July 9.
At approximately 1:32 p.m., CHP officers responded to a crash on Manfre Road east of Larkin Valley Road. The victim was operating a silver Specialized Level 3 Ebike eastbound on Manfre Road at an undetermined speed.
For reasons still under investigation, the cyclist went off the road and crashed into a dirt embankment south of Manfre Road. The cyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The cause of the collision is still under investigation. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in this crash. A Specialized Level 3 Ebike has an advertised top speed of 20 mph. n
prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door.
Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
• Signing up for an online account at pge. com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can also sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts. They can
also call Customer Service at 800-743-5000 to confirm their bill details and current amount due.
• Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement.
The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information. n
•••
For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams.
American Fiction
“DoonArt” from page 17
The glass would ring with a beautiful, true tone. Zilber tunes each piece of glass, adding material and then cutting it down, grinding and polishing until the tone is perfect.
“I call this empirical science, because I learn as I go, I’m taking notes, measuring the frequency … I was a trained scientist, so it’s kind of natural for me to do it like that,” she said.
The result both looks and sounds beautiful.
DoonArt Open Studios, Parham said, came about because artists in the mountains wanted to participate in the county’s larger Open Studios event, but it happens in October and the weather in the mountains is hard to predict. Twenty-five artists participated this year. n April Zilber plays musical notes using her art.
Home to China
Biceps exercise
W.E.B Du Bois’s org.
Clays or mucks
Quetzalcoatl worshiper
Viracocha worshipper
Muse of love poetry
The Hippocratic one
High in decibels
Orthopedic device
Egyptian goddess of fertility
Before, before
Kitten’s plaything
Between Cancer and Virgo
*Beatrice Belden’s nickname
*American Library Association’s medal for children’s literature
C in CSI
To boot
#61 Down plus E 68. Altar’s location, pl.
Fled 70. Indian cuisine dip 71. Give an impression 72. Mining product 73. See-through DOWN
1. Common tropical marine fish 2. Part of BYO
3. Orpheus’ instrument
4. *Patricia MacLachlan’s “Sarah, ____ and Tall”
Medicinal herb
____ anise, chai tea spice
*____ Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Foreword
Mercury Retrograde in Leo & Summer Gazing Meteors
Mercury retrograde in Leo is in full force. Reaching outward, we’re pulled inward. Unable to maintain “business as usual” for multiple reasons (the retrograde, solar activity altering our electromagnetic field, proton streams of positive ions, planetary shifts, Uranus/Pluto, long moon void of courses, the old reality attempting to override the new, etc.), some of us feel paralyzed with fear and tiredness, exhausted from pain, weary and longing to slow down.
It’s a time to rest, contemplate personal ideas and perceptions. However, we experience disruptive change, realities upside down, plans stalled, miscommunications, etc. and wonder how to find strength and flexibility to maintain balance. It’s difficult in our present world. We find we must be adaptable ... our task during this transition time.
when choice is paramount for humanity, yet indifference and confusion seem the norm. We prepare and we lead by practicing choice each day, beginning with small choices. Humanity needs leaders to guide them to truth, real science, the Soul, which is Light and towards the Forces of Light (for protection and guidance).
Retrogrades can be revelatory. During this Mercury in Leo (sign of humanity’s freedom) retrograde, it’s important to be the voice that articulates what humanity may be feeling — tired to exhausted and seeking real change. And to collectively ask who are the movers, shakers and changers? It seems that we are.
Many of us have the same vision. We confront a paradox these days,
ARIES
In the days to come, with Sun in Leo, many levels of your creativity gradually reveal themselves. But you must be still and quiet, no emotional waters tossing or drowning it, for your creativity to emerge. The Sun will reveal your personality temperament and the characteristics of why you are in this particular life and incarnation. It will highlight gifts from previous lives you are gathering, reconnecting with and living out in this lifetime. It will point out your path toward and made of stars!
TAURUS
You will either be told or it will be impressed upon your mind that you need rest in order to enter a deeper level of healing. There is also a wound in need of healing. A new level of confidence and creativity will emerge as you begin to express yourself with kindness and care. Although you say you don’t want to be noticed, deep inside when people recognize your gifts, you are happy, and in a circuitous way, you realize you are loved. Does it occur to you to play and have fun at home?
GEMINI
Do you consciously speak from a place of authenticity? Or do you speak quickly, any jokes or words will do, as long as you make people laugh and they don’t cling to you? A personal power and new level of courage emerge when your true creative mind and voice are expressed. It’s important to identify exactly how you feel and express those feelings. They are the truth that holds you (and others). You become a light in the world when you speak. Especially when from the heart.
CANCER
Do you believe you are valuable and have personal power? Do you give generously of yourself? Do you expect anything in return? It’s important not to hide feelings. You are not to indicate or create enigmas, riddles or puzzles for people to try and figure out how you feel. This bewilders people and they lose trust in you. It’s important to value your feelings, to articulate and to cherish them. They are your pathways to connecting with others. Real authentic contact with others releases love. You need to receive this love.
It takes willingness (1st level of the Will of God) to do these tasks. The Will-to-Good is the Will to Love and this is the magnet of the future. Coupled with the Goodwill deep within humanity. We call these forth. We mentor them.
This Mercury retrograde in Leo calls all of us to be leaders. And, as leaders, to gather together, visualize and build a strong capacity for community, creating a plan of action that calls forth, envisions and actually helps build the future.
Assisting us with the light and energy for our future tasks are the Delta Aquarids — a meteor shower (active July 18 – Aug. 21), slow moving, bright with tails, emerging directly from (radiant) the constellation Aquarius. The late-evening, pre-dawn showers, 18–20 an hour, fanning out east, north and west, stream across the sky distributing the light of the new era, the unfolding new Aquarian Age. n
LEO
You have the ability to bring the heart of the Sun, Love/Wisdom, down into your mind (a thousand-petalled lotus), into your throat (speaking kindness, care and the truth) and then into your heart, radiating it outward to everything, everyone and to all you encounter. You have the ability to create and activate warmth in others as they stand next to you. You must understand spiritually that you carry the light of the Sun. Often, unaware, you hide yourself in that light. You must instead, radiate that light. You are both the Soul and the Sun (light)!
VIRGO
As the Sun begins to illumine your twelfth house (religion, spirituality, compassion, etc.) it will ask you to dissolve all separative thoughts, feelings and actions (past, present and future); dissolving them into a universal loving matrix (atmosphere around you) so your desires and aspirations can be recognized by the Soul. The Soul cannot direct anyone’s personality if one is unkind, cruel, judgmental, critical – all separative behaviors. The Soul’s light is Love and Wisdom. Our Soul loves us. And so, as a server of humanity, when you see others creating separations, send your Soul light to them.
LIBRA
Are you the bright star with friends and in your social and work groups? I think you are. Libra has a certain charm and light that emanates from them. They are magnets. Your friends appreciate your courage, flair, smile, generosity, beauty and invitation to parties. You share everything you have with everyone. Sometimes, though, you want to blend into the shadows. Sometimes you’re drained and fatigued and need shelter. There are places to explore that are still unknown to you. Your own shadows. In there, someone isn’t a star for you. Why?
SCORPIO
The world needs the depth and discipline of Scorpio. The world needs Scorpios who are researchers, serious thinkers, warriors and disciples. Deeply individual at first, you build the strongest personality to house the light of the Soul. Later you become aware of collective purpose and serving humanity. Often people think you’re hiding. But really you’re pondering life’s mysteries, which you must undertake, one by one. You shoulder great responsibility so that others can move toward the light. You have a special style of bravura which has its own charm.
SAGITTARIUS
You sometimes, in your joy and enthusiasm (filled with God), throw caution to the winds. You are so often a clear and shining light. You also sometimes hide your star and let others shine in their own light. You aren’t happy with anything less than the very best of everything. You bring warmth, personality, a journey, truth and justice wherever you are. You look away sometimes from what others see. You look toward your destiny. You shine a light on it and walk toward it. Often alone.
CAPRICORN
There is sometimes an unspoken energy around you that brings the attention of others to your state of happiness and creativity. Many think there’s a bit of mystery about you that no one understands. You maintain your style and dignity in all situations. You know the difference between people who love you and people who…(you fill in the blank). You have a childlike way of loving and are hurt when others are cruel. Keep your trust intact. Remain poised. Capricorns have a great sense of humor. Your gift is helping others laugh more.
AQUARIUS
It seems to be time for an interlude, linking you to the world of perhaps, maybe, nothing and nowhere. Just for a while (in the retrograde), so that you can come to a central state of balance as to who you are, where you are, why, and what further choices you must make in and for the future. As you stand in balance within this strange land, attempt to hold all opposing forces in check. This tension creates a greater awareness concerning the distribution of your gifts in service to humanity. You have many gifts to share. All you need is direction.
PISCES
It’s good for a Pisces to have someone who understands and listens to you, someone who can share your hopes, wishes and dreams, someone who, although you have a distinct sense of self, can hear your heartbeat and knows all that you say is important and contains a message. You need environments that bring forth your playfulness, environments of beauty, intelligence and balance. Chemical reactions between two substances transform both. If only one is transformed, then only one is singing. You need to live in a garden.
Two Arrests Made in Murder Case
WATSONVILLE — Two suspects have been arrested for the murder of Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa, whose body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee on April 10th.
On July 14th, Watsonville Police Department officers arrested 51-year-old Jorge Javier SanchezTorres of Watsonville. He was found in the area of W. Beach Street and Walker Street in Watsonville. His arrest came just three days after the arrest of 61-year-old Bernardino Rickie Sanchez of Pajaro. Both have charged for the murder of Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa. Bernardino Sanchez was already being held in the Monterey County Jail on unrelated charges. Jorge SanchezTorres has been booked into the Monterey County Jail for Murder and Conspiracy to commit murder.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives were investigating this case after victim Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa’s body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee. A forensic examination of his body led detectives to investigate his death as a homicide.
“Detectives have been working hard to find the person that was responsible for this murder. Their investigation revealed that more than one suspect was involved,” Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said. “Our thoughts are with the family of Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa’s family.”
Detectives are still actively investigating this case. We continue to ask anyone with information that may be related to this incident to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Geng at 831-253-6029 or Detective Sergeant James Day at 831-597-0065. Information can be provided anonymously. n
“PVUSD” from page 24
However, after making such a scene early on, Medina was absent for much of the meeting. He missed votes on whether to allow the district to move forward with the issuance and sale of bonds related to Measure M’s passage in 2024; giving certain members of staff time to complete administrative credential work; a quarterly report on Williams Settlement complaints, which included an HVAC issue at Aptos High; and a vote on whether to convert a Special Board Meeting planned for July 30 to a regular meeting.
Perhaps most importantly, Medina missed a report on Special Education services in the district, and the Consent Agenda, which had items regarding changes to course programs, student internships, budgetary items, and more. n
Watsonville Buddhist Temple Hosts Annual Obon Festival
The Watsonville Buddhist Temple welcomed the community to its annual Obon Festival on Sunday, July 20. This cherished event celebrated Japanese culture and honored ancestors through music, dance, food, and fellowship.
The afternoon featured vibrant performances by Watsonville Taiko, followed by the Bon Odori dance, inviting everyone to join in the colorful circle dance, a hallmark of Obon festivals that symbolizes the welcoming of ancestral spirits.
The Obon Festival serves as a time of joyous celebration and gratitude, honoring the generations who came before and gave the gift of life. It is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with a sense of community and connection. n
Photos Credit: Edita McQuary
La Selva Beach Summer Fair at Clubhouse on Aug. 2
Don’t miss the La Selva Beach Books & Brews Summer Fair and Library 75th Birthday Bash on Aug. 2. Enjoy the fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse and Lawn, 314 Estrella Ave. in La Selva Beach. The event will feature arts and crafts booths, live music, food trucks, craft beers, a prize raffle and more.
Fifty fine artisan and craft vendors will offer unique goods from booths inside the Clubhouse and on the Florido Lawn. Browse and buy handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, glass art, cards, art, specialty foods, soaps, clothing, bags, plants, and much more.
Mexican folklorico dance troupe. The celebration will also include kids’ Story Hour, and birthday cupcakes! The Friends of the Library will also host their large book sale in the Courtyard, with a wide variety of books for readers of every age and interest.
The La Selva Library’s Advisory Council of Teens will take over the kitchen to sell delicious baked goods and drinks. And they will host the Prize Raffle for vendor-donated items. Bake Sale and Raffle proceeds benefit the Library’s teen programs.
Help La Selva Beach Library celebrate its 75th birthday with a special family-oriented musical performance at 10:30 by the colorful Estrellas de Esperanza, a children’s
Throughout the afternoon, you can kick back and enjoy live music on the lawn from That Country Feeling Band. Local craft beers will be sold by the glass on the lawn. Local food trucks Tacos el Jesse and S&B Burgers will sell street food favorites.
ABOVE: Drummers from Watsonville Taiko perform at the Obon Festival.
The traditional Bon Odori dance is performed during the Watsonville Obon Festival.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE SUMMER SCHEDULE
Santa Cruz Shakespeare, a nationally recognized professional theatre company in Santa Cruz County with local roots that go back more than 40 years, has announced their performance calendar for their 2025 Summer and Fall festival.
Performances will take place through Sept. 20 in the Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) in Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park.
The 2025 season theme is “No One is Alone”. Tickets are at santacruzshakespeare.org.
COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS
The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet most months at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.
Upcoming Meetings: Aug. 26, and Oct. 28; none in September. Dates in November and December have not yet been decided.
For agendas, posted 10 days early, see santacruzcountyfair.com
ONGOING EVENTS
Mondays
BRIDGE CLUB
10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).
Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.
Tuesdays
MORNING WARM UPS AT MARKET STREET
10-10:45 a.m., Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market St., Santa Cruz
Breathe, feel, stretch, heal and laugh at Market Street Senior Center in a fiveweek morning workout class, starting Aug. 5 and ending Sept. 2.
Taught by Lisa Carter, the class starts with warm-ups and continues with light exercise and Tai Chi practice. Cost for the five-week course is $50 ($62.50 nonmembers).
For more information call 831-566-7520
Second and Fourth Tuesdays thru August
TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE CONCERTS
6-8 p.m., Santa Cruz Wharf Stage, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, and the Santa Cruz Wharf Tenants welcome back Tuesday Night Live at the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Come to the Wharf Stage every second Tuesday of the month — plus shows on the fourth Tuesdays in June, July and August — for live music and games.
Check out Wharf Business pop ups, including a game and photo booth by The Booth Biz.
Every Tuesday is Local’s Tuesday: get a stamp validation from any business on the Wharf and receive 2 hours of free parking! Bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes! We can’t wait to see you at this series and thank you for supporting local!
Experience concerts aboard Chardonnay Sailing – not the entire concert but a limited time as a part of the sailing experience. Attend a concert on the wharf for a chance to win a gift certificate to one of these sails!
Dates
August 12 — The Joint Chiefs
Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st
Enjoy free evenings of live swing, jazz, or blues in Capitola Village’s charming waterfront setting. Free to attend, family- and pet-friendly. No seating provided, bring a blanket or low chair.
No tickets or registration needed. Public street parking and metered lots are available nearby.
Visit cityofcapitola.org for full concert series schedule.
Last Wednesdays of the Month
PV HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS
6 p.m., Watsonville Community Hospital, 85 Nielson St. Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, which oversees Watsonville Community Hospital, is holding monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each
WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS
TUESDAYS
month through 2024, except Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 due to the holidays.
PARENT/CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Meeting
Dr. Ramona Friedman of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Soquel will be hosting a free Parent Drop-in Zoom session. Parents and caregivers are invited to log on and ask questions to Dr. Friedman about youth mental health issues, challenges, and ideas.
Parent Drop-Ins are free, 1-hour sessions where parents can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific mental health disorders. Parents can also connect with others facing similar challenges.
Clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and medication, experienced youth mental health experts, host each session.
For more info, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/ parent-drop-in-soquel-ca/247794
Since 1987, this beloved weekly timberland market features produce, meats, eggs, seafood, artisan bread and pastries, live music, EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Family-friendly with workshops, face painting, seasonal festivals like Strawberry Shortcake and Apple–a–Day.
EL MERCADO in Watsonville (thru Oct.) — 3 – 7 PM, 61 Crestview Dr.
The El Mercado farmers’ market promots access to fresh produce and wellness resources for Pajaro Valley families. It features fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, local artisans and monthly family events. El Mercado also offers health screenings, vaccine clinics, and community resources in partnership with local nonprofits. Funding for El Mercado was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Due to construction at Ramsay Park, El Mercado has moved to it’s current location (in the lot behind Watsonville Health Center).
WEDNESDAYS
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ — 1 – 5 PM, Cedar St. & Church St.
A bustling market featuring certified organic produce, artisanal foods, seafood, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted, and Market Match doubles purchases (up to $10). Free entry; metered and garage parking available — free after 6 PM. Live local music and street closures add vibrant atmosphere. Full vendor list and updates at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Seasonal market featuring fresh produce, artisan goods, flowers, and prepared foods. Free entry; mall parking available. Community atmosphere and easy shopping.
FRIDAYS
WATSONVILLE (Certified) — 3 – 7 PM, Peck St & Main St.
Allyear market offering Watsonville-grown produce, seafood, dairy, flowers, hot foods, artisan goods. Free entry; metered parking available. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Vendor news via local AARP events.
SATURDAYS
WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ — 9 AM – 1 PM, Mission St Ext & Western Dr.
Yearround market offering 100% certified-organic produce, seafood, meats, flowers, prepared meals, espresso bar, and artisan goods. Free parking on site. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Often hosts pop-up breakfast events. Perfect for starting your weekend with fresh food and community energy. Full details at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Celebrated coastal market with over 90 vendors selling produce, sustainable seafood, artisan breads, honey, meats, flowers, and hot food. EBT/WIC accepted. Free/year-round weekend oasis for local flavors and crafts. Hosted by MontereyBayFarmers.
SCOTTS VALLEY (thru Nov.) — 9 AM – 1 PM, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr. Seasonal (May–Nov) market at Boys & Girls Club parking lot. Offers local produce, herbs, eggs, seafood, pastries, ready-to-eat food, flowers, live music & family activities. Free parking. EBT/SNAP and Market Match supported.
SUNDAYS
LIVE OAK/EASTSIDE — 9 AM – 1 PM, 15th & East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Vibrant seaside Sunday market featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, hot food stands (Mexican, crepes, brunch), pastries, coffee, flowers. Free parking, EBT/SNAP, Market Match, and monthly family-oriented events. WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS — 9 AM – 4 PM, 2601 E Lake Ave, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Year-round market with wide selection of local produce, meats, seafood, crafts, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted. Parking onsite. Great for combining a market visit with other Fairgrounds activities.
www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Thursdays HAPPY HOUR
5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.
Third Thursdays
SIP AND STROLL
6-9 p.m. (check-in starts at 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos
Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works.
Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine30-sip-strolltickets-668910307737
Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)
LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP
10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library. Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.
Fourth* Fridays
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS
5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley *September date is 3rd Friday
The Food Truck Friday season is rolling along in Scotts Valley. Join us at Skypark for an evening filled with flavor, live music, and all the fun that makes this community tradition so special.
Free admission, and free parking at Skypark & Cavallero bus station
Special Dates and Times: Sept. 19 (third Friday-Start 4:30 p.m.) • Oct. 24 (Start 4:30 p.m.).
New Setup, More Space: To help protect the park and make more room for everyone, trucks will be parked in the lot in front of the rec building. That means more room for lines, more room for dancing, and space to lay out your picnic blankets and chairs. Make the most of this wide-open setup!
Dogs on leashes are always welcome — bring the whole crew!
We’re so excited to see familiar faces and new friends as we keep the season rolling. Follow @foodtrucksagogo on Instagram & Facebook More details at: foodtrucksagogo.com
Saturdays
SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE
April 27-May 25 online: See https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12190276 for details
First Saturdays
CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP
9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park
Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Park. Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola.
This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com.
Second Saturdays
HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville
Second Sundays
SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST
8:30-11 a.m., Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz
The Market Street Senior Center warmly invites the community for a delightful Sunday morning breakfast every second Sunday, this month on June 8. Indulge in a delicious array of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, coffee, tea or cocoa.
Donation: Adults, $12; children, $6 Inside seating is available, and To-Go orders are welcomed.
For information, visit www.marketstreetseniorcenter.org or call (831) 423-6640.
DATED EVENTS
Saturday August 2
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS BREWGRASS FESTIVAL
1:30 p.m., Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton (Trains leave Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at Noon)
A laid-back afternoon of local craft beer tasting, familyfriendly activities, and upbeat bluegrass bands set against the redwood forest backdrop.
Cost: $75 ($65 in advance), under 18 $25, under 11 FREE; optional “Tasting Train” ride and drink tickets are available at an additional cost. Parking available onsite for a fee. For more info and reservations, visit https://scmbrewgrassfest.com.
WESTERN STANDARD TIME SKA ORCHESTRA
Doors 8 p.m. | Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
High-energy ska with a full horn section from this popular West Coast band, supported by The Bracers. Tickets ~$25 in advance; online purchase recommended.
Limited parking nearby—arrive early for best spots. Full bar available.
For ticketing and accessibility details, visit moesalley.com.
Thursday August 7
RAGS ROSENBERG CD RELEASE SHOW
7–9 p.m., Ugly Mug Coffee House, 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel Singer-songwriter Rags Rosenberg will take the stage at The Ugly Mug Coffee House to celebrate the release of his highly anticipated new album, “Song of the Bricoleur.” Rosenberg’s songs channel the ghosts of Leonard Cohen, the grit of Tom Waits, and the soul-searching of Bob Dylan — yet his sound remains wholly original. Rags will be joined on stage by Taylor Safina, whose accompaniment brings a vibrant, resonant dimension to the performance. The night promises emotional depth, poetic storytelling, and musical moments that linger long after the last note.
Seating is limited. Arrive early. This is a must-see summer event for anyone craving music that matters — raw, tender, and true.Tickets are $20 advance at https://ragsrosenberg.com/shows and $25 at the door.
Friday August 8
FREE MOVIES ON THE BEACH: THE GOONIES
9 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, on the beach in front of the Colonnade, 400 Beach St.
Bring your family, a blanket, or a low-back chair and join us! Each movie will include a 15-minute intermission.
• Seating is first-come, first-served.
• Low-back chairs and blankets are encouraged for seating; please allow others space and a good view.
• Smoking is not permitted on the beach or Boardwalk. Alcohol and glass are prohibited on the beach.
• A limited number of assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available for check-out at the Mini Golf Kiosk inside Neptune’s Kingdom.
Saturday August 9
3D MUSHROOM SCULPTURE CLASS
10 a.m. – Noon, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton Presented by Mountain Parks Foundation and led by Suzy Radonsky, this hands-on workshop will bring the unique beauty of Santa Cruz mushrooms to life.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Surf City All-Stars, Beach Boys tribute band, will perform Sept. 22.
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE: ‘MONDAY NIGHT REVELS’ SERIES
Santa Cruz Shakespeare announced tickets are now on sale for its new Monday Night Revels series of highly acclaimed performances, including music, comedy and Shakespeare-inspired drag, each for one night only at The Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz.
Pink Ladies of the Sonnets • Monday, August 4, 7 p.m. Theatre is the original home of drag — the Greeks started it, but Shakespeare mastered it. Presented in collaboration with Maggie’s Gurls (a non-profit dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth), experience an evening of sparkling performances by some of the Bay Area’s most talented drag queens and kings, inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets. Attendees are encouraged to put on their best drag outfit or just come as they are. But be prepared to have a fabulous time!
Tickets are Pay-What-You-Will and are available for purchase here: https://santacruzshakespeare.org/ book/?instance=73601
Surf City All-Stars, The Beach Boys Tribute Band • Monday, September 22, 7 p.m.
The Surf City All-Stars are the only “tribute” group in which every member has played in The Beach Boys’ band. Experience an unforgettable night of music featuring all the favorite Beach Boys classics, complete with those rich harmonies that made the group famous. This is a family-friendly event, with kids tickets available. Tickets range from $40-80 and are available for purchase here: https://santacruzshakespeare.org/book/?instance=73801
Santa Cruz Shakespeare 2025 Summer and Fall Season
Tickets are on sale now for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2025 season No One is Alone. Enjoy productions of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical, Into the Woods, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pericles, as well as Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold”... and the Boys. Performances will take place July 13 through September 20 in the Audrey Stanley Grove at Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park. Tickets prices range from $20 to $75 and are available at santacruzshakespeare.org. The seasonal box office is open for phone orders Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 831-460-6399 and two hours prior to every performance.
Participants will design and craft one-of-a-kind 3D mushroom sculptures inspired by the local ecosystem using natural materials including rocks and driftwood. These handmade creations are perfect for indoor and outdoor garden displays.
Beginners welcome, no prior experience needed.
Class meets outside at Picnic Area 1 in Henry Cowell. Class size is limited, and advanced registration is required.
Cost: $45.00. An additional $10 materials fee will be collected at the class. Visit www.mountainparks.org for more information.
Sunday August 10
HOW TO MEDITATE
2-4 p.m., Cabrillo Campus, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Horticulture 5001 — up on the hill)
Learn how calm mind chatter for more clarity, patience, peace & performance at Meditation: Science, Spirituality, and Practice. Explore why meditation helps and how to employ this practical mindfulness strategy. Class will include specific methods to help make a meditation practice easy.
Instructor Jeff Hotchkiss is the author of ‘Putting Wisdom to Work, Practical Mindfulness for Maximal Living’ 2nd Ed.
For more information send an email to: wisdom2work@gmail. com or text 831-854-7306.
amici (friends). Enjoy an afternoon of Italian BBQ with Italian sausage sandwiches, salad, dessert, music, friends, and a fun bocce tournament under the beautiful redwoods.
Cost: Members $25 per person | non-members $35 Tickets must be purchased by August 14; no tickets will be sold at the event.
For more information and tickets: https://bit.ly/Ferragosto2025 www.dantesantacruz.com
Wednesday August 20
SKILLICORN BBQ
Begins 5 p.m., Padres Hall, 35 Browns Valley Road, Corralitios Chuck and Ramona Allen of Watsonville will be honored at this year’s Skillicorn BBQ with the “Friend of Scouting” Award.
For over six decades, the Skillicorn BBQ has been a cornerstone of support for local Scouting in the Pajaro Valley. What began over 60 years ago as an annual gathering of men at Crosetti Ranch to raise funds for local Boy Scout troops quickly outgrew the space. The event, named after its second home at Skillicorn Ranch, eventually became the cherished family gathering we know today, held annually at the Padres Hall.
The Skillicorn BBQ is a vital fundraiser for the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, directly benefiting the Scouting America programs in our area. This includes Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring across Santa Cruz County.
Sunday August 23
RALLY IN THE PAJARO VALLEY
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rolling Hills Middle School, 130 Herman Ave, Watsonville
Pajaro Valley Health Trust presents a community softball tournament benefiting local health causes. Spectators attend free. Co ncessions and seating available. Free parking in school lot. Teams must register online by August 8; fee is $360 per team.
Learn more or register at pvhealthtrust.org.
Saturday August 23
Sunday August 24
‘ALL NIGHT CAFÉ’
Wednesday August 13
BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS AT MOE’S ALLEY
Doors 7 p.m. | Show 8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys deliver upbeat rockabilly and Americana grooves with vintage flair. General admission ~$25. Seating is limited; arrive early for best spots. Full bar on site. ADA accommodations available. Visit moesalley.com for full details and parking info.
Friday August 15
ED PENNIMAN EXHIBIT AT MAH
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Homes opens at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.
This solo exhibition celebrates Santa Cruz-based artist Ed Penniman. Through tranquil, meditative landscapes inspired by the California Central Coast, Penniman explores themes of identity, belonging, and the emotional essence of place.
1-4 p.m., Delaveaga Park George Washington Picnic Area, 855
Branciforte Dr, Santa Cruz
Come celebrate Ferragosto with your Dante Society
2 p.m., Market St Theater. 222 Market St. Santa Cruz Presented by Market Street Theater, director Barbara Wright offers two matinee performances of All Night Café
Suggested Donation: $20 Call 831-423-6640 for more information.
Friday September 5
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR
5 – 8 p.m., Various downtown galleries, Santa Cruz Monthly self-guided downtown tour featuring local artists, gallery openings, live demos, and complimentary refreshments.
Free parking in city garages after 6 PM; street parking metered until then. Attending the event is free. Route map and participating venues listed at firstfridaysantacruz. com.
Wednesday September 10 thru Sunday September 14
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR
Opens at 10 a.m. Daily, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville
Traditional county fair with livestock, carnival rides, drone shows, monster trucks, food vendors, and live music.
Tickets: ~$15 adults, ~$10 kids/seniors. Onsite parking $5–10/day. Ride wristbands and fair maps available online.
Visit santacruzcountyfair.com for daily schedule and tickets. n
FEATURED COLUMNIST
The Origins of Soquel Creek Water District
By Rebecca Gold Rubin
In the early 1960s, amid growing concerns over flood control and water management in California’s developing coastal communities of Santa Cruz County, residents of Soquel and its neighboring beachside towns took decisive action.
In 1961, a local ballot measure approved the formation of a new public agency — the Soquel Creek County Water District — under California’s County Water District Law (Division XII of the Water Code), tasking it with addressing both flooding threats and long-term water needs. •••
A District Born from Floodwaters and Necessity
The region’s challenges were twofold. Historically, Soquel Creek and other waterways regularly overflowed, inundating downtown Soquel, damaging properties, roads, and farmland.
Winter storms frequently swept debris downstream — everything from logs to car parts — sometimes transforming creeks into instant rivers . Though flood-control measures predated the District, structural planning was fragmented and short-term.
Simultaneously, population growth in
Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Seascape, Rio del Mar, and La Selva Beach drove rising demand for reliable drinking water. Before the District, water supply depended largely on private wells tapping groundwater from the coastal basin — a resource that was becoming increasingly strained.
Structure and Leadership
Onceestablished, the new District was governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected by residents to four-year terms. This governing body was charged with setting policy, overseeing services, and charting the District’s future.
District staff and engineers were hired to design and implement infrastructure projects — a bold step toward systemic water resource management.
Municipal Growth: Acquiring Assets & Expanding Services
In 1964, the District acquired the Monterey Bay Water Company, vastly expanding its role in water service provision for the area. This acquisition marked a strategic pivot: the District transitioned from merely floodcontrol to managing municipal water supply and infrastructure.
By the early 1980s, Soquel Creek County Water District had firmly cemented its identity — but not without a name change. In 1983, “County” was dropped from the official title, and the agency became simply Soquel Creek Water District, reflecting its maturity as a municipal provider.
Building a Foundation
During its first two decades, the District laid critical groundwork:
• Flood control and drainage improvements: Reducing chronic flood risks through structural interventions and coordinated planning.
• Well-field development and groundwater monitoring: Protecting local aquifers to safeguard future drinking water availability.
• Connections and capacity expansion: Following the Monterey Bay acquisition, the District began managing a growing number of water service customers.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, residents recognized the District’s value: it brought consistency and professional oversight to an essential resource.
Early Challenges and Proactive Oversight
Critical
drought years in 1976 and 1977 pinned concerns on groundwater levels.
A 1977 USGS report warned the coastal basin was already experiencing signs of seawater intrusion and recommended reducing pumping, which was about 7,700 acre-feet annually at that time.
This prompted the District to declare a water emergency in 1979.
Simultaneously, a coastal monitoring network began taking shape: measuring water levels, salinity, and quality across dozens of wells. This pioneering effort would anchor the District’s future water management strategy.
Reflections on a Foundational Era
By the end of its first quarter-century,
Soquel Creek Water District had morphed from a fledgling flood agency into a local, not-for-profit water utility.
It was now governing water resources with a forward-looking approach: building infrastructure, protecting groundwater, and engaging transparently with stakeholders via elected leadership.
The early decades of Soquel Creek Water District tell the story of a community coming together to confront challenges and lay the groundwork for the water management we rely on today.
Stay tune for our next installment of this continuing of articles in the year related to the history of Soquel Creek Water District. n
SCCAS Featured Pet
Johnny Dangerously
Meet our handsome 1-year-old black and white charmer Johnny (A322436)! He has been winning hearts at the Shelter — and he’s ready to win yours! Johnny loves attention: he’ll come right up for pets, lean in for more, and start purring away. With his affectionate nature and curious spirit, Johnny may thrive as an indoor/outdoor cat once he’s had time to settle into his new home. Could you be the one to give Johnny the loving forever home he deserves?
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”)
SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Sun Exposure Relative To Orientation
By Tony Tomeo
Understory plants, which tolerate various degrees of shade, are more popular than ever. Basically, smaller modern gardens amongst larger modern homes are shadier than ever. Densely evergreen trees that provide privacy for such gardens also provide more shade. Sunlight can be scarce. It may be helpful to know where to locate optimal sun exposure.
The sun moves from east to west as each day gets warmer. It does so more or less to the south of vertical. It is a bit farther to the south for winter than for summer. Such orientation and motion determine sun exposure within home gardens. Each side of a house, garage or fence faces one of such exposure or another. Eaves might provide shade from above.
are also larger in winter while the sun is lower to the south.
Eastern exposure is good for plants that crave some direct sun exposure but not warmth. Azalea, rhododendron, andromeda and hydrangea prefer such exposures. They receive enough sunlight to bloom, but not so much that their foliage scorches. They enjoy partial shade before sunshine gets uncomfortably warm. Eastern exposures are sunny but cool.
Northern exposure is good for plants that do not require much sun exposure. Hydrangea may be somewhat lanky within such situations. Clivia, elephant ears, philodendrons and ferns may be better options. Upper floors and eaves significantly enlarge the shadows of northern exposure. Shadows
Western exposure is good for plants that crave both direct sun exposure and warmth. It is the opposite of eastern exposures, but is certainly no less sunny. It is merely warmer. Lily of the Nile, lavender, oleander and bougainvillea enjoy such sunny warmth. Some types of ferns and elephant ears may scorch with such exposure. Eaves delay direct exposure. Southern exposure is good for plants that crave full sun exposure, but tolerate heat. Most plants that enjoy western exposure can also enjoy southern exposure. Many vegetables, with regular watering, are more productive with such exposure. Eaves provide shade for the warmest summer weather. They provide less shade while the sun is lower for winter.
Curve leaf yucca is one of a few species of the genus that is difficult to identify. It may be a distinct species, Yucca recurvifolia. It may be a naturally occurring variety of mound lily, Yucca gloriosa var. tristis or recurvifolia. Yet, it may be a natural hybrid of Yucca aloifolia and Yucca flaccida. To complicate all of this, its physical characteristics are inconsistent.
The evergreen leaves of curve leaf yucca are typically pliable, and curve downward. Yet, they can be quite rigid and upright. Foliar color is typically grayish green but can be olive drab. Stout but upright trunks can potentially develop, but may never do so. Only their tall floral stalks that bloom for summer are consistent. Individual flowers are small and white. Curve leaf yucca enjoys warm and sunny exposures. Occasional watering through warm weather may improve vigor, but is unnecessary. Old colonies form large mounds that can slowly grow as high and wide as ten feet. With the exception of gophers, which eat roots, not much bothers curve leaf yucca. In fact, it can be very difficult to eradicate if unwanted. Pups may continue to develop from rhizomes for many years.
