Scotts Valley Times: January 2022

Family Owned For Over 30 Years • Scotts Valley, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek & Felton

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January 2022 • Vol 25 No. 1

Santa Cruz Community Health Leases Clinic Space Full Story page 5

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A Wheelchair to Dance In

Students Thankful for One-of-a-Kind Teacher

By Betwixt Jones-Cruz Editor’s note: Students at Scotts Valley High School produced a miracle this holiday season: They got 160 donations raising $11,265 on GoFundMe.com to buy an up-to-date wheelchair for their drama teacher, Kendra Kannegaard.

••• As the New Year creeps around the corner, we have surpassed our goal of $10,000 by nearly $2,000.

Kendra has been updated on every part of this journey since she found out about the fundraiser, and every time I bring it up to her she becomes speechless, as do I. It’s incredible to me that a community can come together so quickly to do something for a beloved, and necessary part of the Scotts Valley High School family. ... continues on page 4

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Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health

Dave Draper, the championship bodybuilder who outlived heart failure for almost 40 years by training and eating well, died Nov. 30 at his home in Aptos with his wife of 33 years, Laree, at his side. He was 79.

Full Story page 8

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No. 1

Volume 25

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15

23

Table of Contents

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Cover

A Wheelchair to Dance In: Students Thankful for One-of-a-Kind Teacher, By Betwixt Jones-Cruz

5 6 9 10 15 17 19

Community News Santa Cruz Community Health Leases Clinic Space: Medical Office Opens Jan. 24 Return the Favor: $158,000 Raised For Local Nonprofits • Cabrillo VP Charged with Embezzlement at Former Job Rep. Panetta Seeks Another Term COVID: 228 Deaths, Omicron Forecasts & A New Lawsuit, By Jondi Gumz A Generous Gift for Hopes Closet Women In Leadership for Diverse Representation Bad Time for a Drive to San Simeon • Dance Classes • Santa Cruz County Jobs

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 Join the SV Chamber to Jump Start a Prosperous 2022 • The Official Annual Printed Business Directory & Tourism Guide is Currently Underway 12 Letter of Reflection From Mayor Timm • City to Award $250,000 in Grants to Local Small Businesses: Attend Virtual Town Hall FAQ Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

13 New Member Spotlight: Bella Vita Mobile Detailing • Deadline Extended to Tuesday, January 18: Submit Your Nominations for the 2021 Scotts Valley Community Awards 14 Draper’s Legacy Lives on at Scotts Valley Gym, By Jewel Palanca, Marketing Coordinator Scotts Valley Gym

8

In Memoriam Championship Bodybuilder Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health

Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – New Year — New Beginning — Creating a Temple for the Good, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21

Featured Columnists 7 Recipe Box: Oven-Roasted Cauliflower, from Chef Brandon Miller 16 Can Park Advocates Become Nonprofit?, By Donna Lind, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley 22 Thankful for New Mountain Health Center, By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District 23 Citrus Fruits Ripen Through Winter, By Tony Tomeo

SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Senator Warren Is Ready To Move On

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Betwixt Jones-Cruz, Jondi Gumz, Jewel Palanca, Risa D’Angeles, Donna Lind, Bruce McPherson, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2022. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

“Christmas Miracle” from page 1 Some may question why the GoFundMe was left open after reaching our second goal of $10,000, and that’s because after discussing costs with Kendra, I presumed that in order to fully cover her wheelchair, with top-of-the-line equipment and no money out of her own pocket, we would need to raise around $12,000 — which would cover the frame, carbon fiber backrest, wheels, and anything else needed to make this new wheelchair one she can enjoy and be comfortable in.

Something that Kendra once told me that sparked my initial inspiration for this fundraiser was her telling me, “I want a wheelchair I can dance in.”

And in less than two weeks we have successfully done what needed to be done to remind Kendra that despite her struggles, despite her hardships, she is

loved by entire cities, willing to help her in a time of need.

By the time this article is published, the GoFundMe will be closed for donations, because we simply do not need any more.

I, a student of Kendra’s, and the creator of this fundraiser, am beyond grateful to everyone involved with helping me do this for her. I could have done this anonymously and been just as happy with the outcome--seeing Miss K thrive is what keeps us going as her students.

I cannot find words to express my gratitude to those who donated, shared, and spread the word about what we, together, have done.

Kendra herself has said, “It’s not all about the money, it’s about the fact that these kids took the time and energy to do something like this, and I’m so lucky to have them as my students.”

Kendra Kannegaard and her class view the progress of the fundraising for her new wheelchair.

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

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For me personally, this was not about the money.

Although I am eternally grateful for it, and the fact that our very cherished Miss K will be able to care for herself, it’s more about her realizing how much she means to us.

Us being, her students, her friends, her family, her fiancé ...

Without meeting Kendra, I never would have dreamed of being where I am now. She truly has saved me, and no amount of money will be enough to show her that.

As a theater department, we consider Kendra our family. We thank you for being apart of this journey with us, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without your support. n ••• To read more about Miss K, see https:// www.gofundme.com/f/miss-ks-new-wheelchair

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz Community Health Leases Clinic Space

Medical Office Opens Jan. 24

S

anta Cruz Community Health, a nonprofit provider of affordable health services regardless of ability to pay, is expanding its reach, opening a clinic in the San Lorenzo Valley in January.

Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center, in the historic Wee Kirk church building in downtown Ben Lomond, will open Monday, Jan. 24, offering primary care services.

Starting Jan. 10, people can call 831427-3500 to schedule appointments.

In 2014, Dr. Steven Leib, a longtime family physician, and his wife Vivian bought the building, which was built in 1891, and restored it with historical accuracy for their practice. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Dr. Leib practiced at this location until he and his wife retired in November.

Santa Cruz Community Health is leasing the property.

“We strive every day to improve the health of our patients and the community,” said Leslie Conner, chief executive officer of Santa Cruz Community Health. “We are proud and excited to bring health care services to more families and individuals in the San Lorenzo Valley.”

Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center will initially operate 30 hours a week, serving approximately 2,000 people living in San Lorenzo Valley.

The clinic will be staffed by three experienced physicians and a team of support staff with future services based on patient needs.

Doctors on Staff r. Casey KirkHart: A Long Beach native, Casey attended UC Berkeley, where he studied biology and sociology.

He spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica where he perfected his Spanish and salsa skills.

He moved to Dr. Casey KirkHart New York for medical school, choosing a Doctor of Osteopathic

D

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LOCAL BEERS DRINK SPECIALS DISCOUNTED APPETIZERS BEST PATIO DINING AND SO MUCH MORE! Vivian (from left) and Dr. Steven Leib, with Leslie Conner, CEO of Santa Cruz Community Health, and Gloria Nieto, Santa Cruz Community Health board secretary.

Medicine) degree for its openness to complementary medicine, its approach to the patient as a whole person, and its philosophy that physicians are teachers and guides to support the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Casey engaged in health care advocacy and activism in New York and Washington, DC, where he mobilized thousands of future physicians and community organizations to bring their voice on justice in health to the public and political forum.

Casey honed his clinical, leadership and advocacy skills during residency training at Harbor-UCLA, a large county hospital in Los Angeles. Casey has served as associate medical director at Saban Community Clinic, a busy, urban family practice in Southern California. r. Rose Lovell: Dr. Lovell (she/her) is a board-certified family medicine physician. She came to love the Santa Cruz Mountains when she moved there as child.

The quiet of the redwoods was quite the relief after the busy suburbs of west Los Angeles.

She attended Dr. Rose Lovell Cabrillo College and then earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Jose State University.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Return the Favor

$158,000 Raised For Local Nonprofits

T

he Return the Favor campaign sponsored by Santa Cruz Community Credit Union ended Nov. 30, bringing in a little over $158,000 for 12 local nonprofits.

“We’re thrilled to be able to give back to our local nonprofit organizations who need help right now,” said Katie Fairbairn, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s vice president of communication and organizational development. “We are also very grateful our Board of Directors approved a match for all community donations up to $75,000. It’s gratifying to be able to give money back to these organizations who do so much for those most vulnerable in our community.”

Here are the 12 organizations that got Return the Favor funds in 2021: • Community Action Board • Community Bridges • Diversity Center • El Pájaro Community Development Corp.

• Grey Bears

The celebration with check presentations included: Community Action Board, Community Bridges, Diversity Center, Grey Bears, Homeless Garden Project, Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Valley Churches United; media sponsor Lookout Santa Cruz and credit union staff (Not present: El Pájaro CDC, Housing Matters).

• • • • • •

Housing Matters Homeless Garden Project Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center Second Harvest Food Bank “Return the Favor” page 9

Cabrillo VP Charged with Embezzlement at Former Job

O

n Dec. 9, Paul De La Cerda, vice Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristin Fabos president of instruction at Cabrillo said via email, “We cannot discuss details College, was charged with over- due to the fact that it is a confidential perbilling his former employer for trips he took. sonnel matter.”

De La Cerda, 47, was charged with She provided a statement on behalf of one felony count each of misappropriation the college: of government funds and embezzlement “The Cabrillo Community College of government funds, according to a press District is actively engaged in working release issued by Los Angeles on this matter. We take this County District Attorney George development very seriously Gascón. and recognize this is creating De La Cerda is expected to be concern among employees, arraigned on Jan. 7 in Department students, and the community.

30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice We acknowledge that concern, Center in Los Angeles. He is on but are restricted in what we administrative leave from Cabrillo can publicly share as this is a until Jan. 31 confidential personnel matter.

He is accused of overbilling Paul De La Cerda Please know that this has our East Los Angeles College, where he full attention and that we will share was dean, about $1,575 for several hotel additional details as we are able. The best stays between March 2017 and 2019. He interests of the College, its students and allegedly forged documents he submitted employees, and our community continue for reimbursement, according to Gascón. to be paramount.” n The case remains under investigation ••• by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s The Cabrillo College Governing Board Department, Fraud and Cyber Crimes. meets virtually Monday, Jan. 10, at 6:15 p.m.

De La Cerda joined Cabrillo in June of To attend, visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/ this year. governing-board/board-meetings-and-dates/

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Recipe Box: OvenRoasted Cauliflower D id you know that more than 90 percent of all cauliflower grown in the United States comes from Salinas Valley?

The growing season can last up to 10 months due to our moderate climate and rich soil, but winter is prime time for so-called cruciferous veggies.

They represent a diverse group that includes cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes.

The name “cruciferous” is an informal classification for members of the mustard family and comes from the Latin cruciferae meaning “cross bearing,” because the four petals resemble a cross.

While color is generally an excellent indicator of phytochemical content, cauliflower is one exception. It provides a host of protective nutrients and phytochemicals. Sulforaphane, one of the active components in cauliflower, has a favorable effect on hormone metabolism.

Additionally, sulforaphane and indoles, another potent phytochemical, are thought to protect against breast, colon, lung, oral, esophageal, thyroid, and prostate cancer by helping detoxify cancer-causing substances and slowing tumor development.

Cauliflower is also a good source of vitamin C and folate, two disease preventing nutrients that are also important for optimal functioning of immune function.

You may have noticed that cauliflower has been a trendy vegetable the past few years — moving beyond a steamed side dish.

It can easily be transformed into other uses: cauliflower rice, cauliflower wraps, cauliflower pizza crusts, cauliflower gnocchi, cauliflower mashed ‘potatoes’, cauliflower crackers, cauliflower hummus, and more.

These options can be great for anyone, but particularly for those being cautious of carbohydrate intake, avoiding gluten, and/or following a grain-free diet.

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Try roasting florets or “steaks” of cauliflower to release its pleasant flavor.

When pureed, it’s a great substitute to cream sauce. Or pickle it for a lowcalorie salty, crunchy snack.

Oven-roasted cauliflower is flavorful because the high heat caramelizes the flesh and turns it into a delicacy.

Here’s an easy recipe from Chef Brandon Miller for you to try. Simply toss the florets with olive oil, garlic and Parmesan, then bake until golden.

••• Oven-Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan (Serves 4) Ingredients 1 large head cauliflower, cleaned and separated into florets 4 T. extra-virgin olive oil ½ tsp. sea salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. garlic powder ¼ cup grated Parmesan Directions Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Place the cauliflower florets in a single layer inside a rimmed baking dish.

Toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Roast for 15 minutes.

Gently stir the florets, sprinkle them with the Parmesan, and continue baking until tender and golden, about 10-15 more minutes. Serve immediately. n

Share A Recipe!

D

o you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Scotts Valley Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.

Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.

Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 7

IN MEMORIAM

Championship Bodybuilder Dave Draper: Treasure Your Health D

ave Draper, the championship bodybuilder who outlived heart failure for almost 40 years by training and eating well, died Nov. 30 at his home in Aptos with his wife of 33 years, Laree, at his side. He was 79.

A handsome blond who mentored Arnold Schwarzenegger, Draper became Mr. America in 1965, Mr. Universe in 1966 and Mr. World in 1970. He appeared in movies and on television. He wrote books.

He was a pioneer in opening gyms in Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley when training facilities were not available. He had a website, davedraper.com, and an email newsletter that at its peak reached 50,000 people.

Asked what he would want to be known for, Laree said she wasn’t sure but she noted one standout quality: Paying attention.

“Everyone who talked with him will tell you they felt like the only person in the room—his attention was singular on whomever he was talking to, even in an expo hall filled with thousands of bodybuilding fans,” she explained. “He’d be focused on one person and stayed focused until the person got all the needed answers. (Hence, we were late a lot.) It was remarkable, at a level I’ve never seen in anyone else.”

Asked what message he would leave for his followers, she responded: “Treasure and protect your health and don’t let your friends drift away.”

He had already earned the title of Mr. America when steroids came on the scene, helping athletes become more muscular and powerful, long before a recent study found steroid use may damage the heart permanently.

Laree said he was open about his steroid use and didn’t hide it.

“But he didn’t talk about it much either because he felt that glamorized it,” she explained. “He was active in the local DARE program in the hope of helping keep kids off drugs; for him, it was young people using steroids that was the problem.

He knew pro athletes in many sports use performance enhancers. He just didn’t want young athletes getting caught up in them and then discovering their training tanks when trying to come off them. Many people quit training after taking and then stopping steroids; Dave was a strong and vocal advocate of life-long strength training.”

In 1982, before he met Laree, Dave was eating well, training and drinking heavily.

Chiropractor Dave Love, who met him at the gym and took care of his spine, found him passed out at home and took him to the Emergency Room.

For three weeks, Dave detoxed while unconscious in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

The diagnosis: Congestive heart failure.

8 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Love invited Dave to join him at Santa Cruz Bible Church after he got out of the hospital, and he did, returning to the faith he had grown up with.

“When you hit bottom, you find Jesus,” said Love, who baptized Dave at Santa Cruz Bible Church.

“He lived his faith in a practical way,” Love said. “He was always so very grateful Jesus gave him a new chance.”

A skilled woodworker, Dave made his friend a cross, “the most amazing cross,” to show his thanks.

Once out of the hospital, he restarted his training and good eating, habits he kept for decades.

“I think his doctor would tell you that’s what got him through 40 years of a fouryear prognosis,” Laree said.

“At the time, the doctors, who knew about the steroid use, called it ‘alcoholic cardiomyopathy.’ They didn’t know much about the effects of steroids on the heart at the time, so it could be they just didn’t know.”

She said his doctors were very clear he wouldn’t survive another bout if he started drinking again. So he didn’t.

Laree met Dave at the gym in 1984.

They bumped into each other from time to time at a gym called Power Unlimited, long gone now, and then got together in 1986 to take pictures for a magazine article and work on a couple of projects. They were married in 1988.

Dave and Laree attended Santa Cruz Bible Church and Twin Lakes Church in Aptos.

In 1989, with three other partners, they opened World Gym in Santa Cruz, and then in 1991, World Gym in Scotts Valley.

“At the time, we felt the area needed that type of gym,” Laree said. “There are plenty of small and large gyms and personal training facilities now, but that wasn’t true in the late ‘80s.”

With the gym business and his writing, his days were full.

“Dave was a writer and a thinker,” Laree said. “He could spend a day working on a single paragraph.”

She said he was unusually observant, able to express what he saw in ways that captured the reader’s attention.

She and others noticed this trait: “We were in the same room, saw the same thing, but he saw it on a deeper level and explained it better.”

His most recent book and one Laree considers his best is a collection of memoir bits called A Glimpse in the Rear View.

Dave’s approach to food and nutrition: Higher protein, higher fat, lower carb, very structured.

“In the earlier days when he was trying to gain or hold weight, he ate every three or four hours,” Laree said. “As he got older, he ate when hungry instead of on a schedule.

For decades, every day began with a protein shake. I doubt if he missed a morning protein shake in probably 60 years.”

“Draper” page 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rep. Panetta Seeks Another Term O n Dec. 27, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D- Carmel Valley, announced he will run for re-election in the newly drawn 19th Congressional district.

In December, the independent California Citizens’ Redistricting Commission drew and finalized all of the congressional districts for the State of California, based on the 2020 census figures.

The new 19th Congressional District contains much of Panetta’s old district including the coastal areas of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and adds the northern part of Santa Cruz County, including Scotts Valley, the southern part of San Jose city, and the northern part of San Luis Obispo County.

“Although the shape of our district has changed, it will not change my dedication and desire to enhance the lives and ensure the livelihoods of my constituents “Return the Favor” from page 6 • Valley Churches United Additionally, the credit union sponsored three organizations (Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Homeless Garden Project, and Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes) to receive additional funds through the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco grant matching program, a total of $25,000.

“We’re grateful to the FHLB and are thrilled they approved the additional funds for these organizations,” explained Fairbairn. “We’re confident the money will “SCCH” from page 5 Medical training required a visit to snowy New England, where she earned her medical degree from the Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

She was grateful to come home to California to complete her residency at Natividad in Salinas.

She joins the team at Santa Cruz Community Health, offering care for all ages, sexes, and genders including prenatal and reproductive care. She has a special focus on gender and sexual minority health including care for LGBTQ+ patients. A safe, trauma-sensitive environment is her goal for all her patients.

“We want to serve our patients where they are,” Conner said, noting that many current Santa Cruz Community Health patients live in the San Lorenzo Valley.

“SLV is a remote region compared to much of Santa Cruz and it has long been underserved. Our goal is to increase access to

by making the federal government work on hand as of Sept. 30. His top five donors them,” Panetta said. “I look forward to in the past year were Honeywell International, $10,000, Foothill Packing, introducing myself to the few $7,900, Mainspring Energy, communities that were added $7,400, American Hospital Assoto the new 19th Congressional ciation, $7,300, and Blue Diamond District and letting them know, Growers, $6,000. as my existing constituents He has served on the House already know, that it has been an Committees on Ways & Means, absolute honor and privilege to Armed Services, and Agriculture. represent the Central Coast, and Those key committees have that I will continue my fight for Jimmy Panetta jurisdiction over some of the opportunities for working famnation’s most important federal programs ilies and the future of our democracy.”

Panetta, 52, was first elected in 2016 benefiting families and businesses on the with 70 percent of the vote in a district Central Coast.

He cites as a legislative victory the Ballotpedia rated safely Democratic. His victory margins in 2018 and 2020 were reversal of the previous administration’s environmental regulations in order to larger.

According to Open Secrets.org, his sustain coastal and ocean resources.

He also pushed for more federal campaign committee had $1.5 million cash funding for affordable housing, to reduce homelessness, and to increase the amount help so many in need, especially over the holidays.”

For 2021, the credit union contributed $240,000 through donations, sponsorships, community giving programs, and FHLB grant sponsorships.

“As a certified community development credit union, we pledge to continue to support our community in a way that creates change, including more access to financial services and financial learning,” said Beth Carr, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s president/CEO. The credit union plans to sponsor the Return the Favor campaign again in 2022. n

of safe and secure housing for farmworkers and military families. The House passed his legislation to make funds available to homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness.

Last year, Panetta secured compensation for restaurants, small businesses, farmers, farmworkers, and hospice care providers to offset losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He co-authored the House-passed bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act to provide an earned pathway to citizenship for essential workers.

Most recently, Panetta secured funds in the bipartisan infrastructure law that could be invested in key Central Coast projects including water resources, wildfire resiliency, energy grids, and supply chain solutions.

“Panetta” page 17

high-quality, affordable health care for the mountain community.”

Santa Cruz Community Health a Federally qualified health center with nearly 21,000 patients.

It operates the Women’s Health Center in downtown Santa Cruz and the East Cliff Family Health Center in Live Oak. The clinics offer primary care, pediatrics, prenatal care and education, mental health and substance abuse counseling, chronic disease management, health insurance enrollment, food distribution and more. During the pandemic, clinics have been providing Covid testing and Covid vaccines.

Santa Cruz Community Health is building a new 20,000-square-foot-clinic on Capitola Road in Live Oak. The project, in partnership with Dientes and MidPen Housing, is to open in late 2022. The 57 units of affordable housing are to be completed in 2023. n ••• For info, see schealthcenters.org, facebook.com/ schealthcenters or on Instagram @schealthcenters.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID: 228 Deaths, Omicron Forecasts & A New Lawsuit

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By Jondi Gumz

he death toll from Covid-19 in Santa Cruz County is up to 228 but the local impact of the South African Omicron variant is not clear.

Omicron, which spreads much more easily than the Delta variant, prompted Gov. Newsom to order health care workers to get a booster shot by Feb. 1 and University of California campuses, including UC Santa Cruz, to order classes to shift online for the first two weeks of January.

However, reports from South Africa, Denmark and the United Kingdom indicate case rose with fewer hospitalizations and Omicron cases resolving more quickly.

In Denmark, a study by Statnes Serum Institute of 43,000 cases found only 0.5% of Omicron patients were treated at a hospital, compared to 1.4% of patients with other variants.

The rise in U.S. cases and the quicker resolution led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to reduce the isolation time for those with a positive test from 10 days to five days if they have no fever and no other symptoms. This change is expected to relieve short-staffing pressures at hospitals and airlines due to exposures.

In November, Dr. Paul Marik, director of the Intensive Care Unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, sued to regain access to FDA-approved drugs and other therapies that had been highly effective for critically ill patients with COVID-19, reducing ICU

deaths by as much as 50 percent. The lawsuit contends Sentara Healthcare is “preventing terminally ill COVID patients from exercising their right to choose and to receive safe, potentially life-saving treatment determined to be appropriate for them by their attending physician.”

As Marik put it, “This case is about doctors, having the ability to honor their Hippocratic oath, to follow evidencebased medicine, and to treat our patients the best we know how … I refuse to watch another patient die from COVID-19 knowing that I was not allowed to give them proven treatments that could have saved their life.”

Omicron arrived in California after 11 Kaiser hospital employees in Oakland attended a wedding in Milwaukee, Wis. They were vaccinated, with boosters, and took off their masks while eating and drinking. They reported mild symptoms, and recovered at home.

Omichron’s fast-spreading nature and modeling predicting a January surge led to UCSC’s announcement on Dec. 21 of online classes in January.

California health officials say people with two shots aren’t protected from the Omicron variant, so they recommend a second booster.

10 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Two of the people in Santa Cruz County who recently died with Covid had underlying conditions.

The most recent was a man in his early 80s who had been vaccinated but did not have a booster shot. It’s not clear which variant he had.

It’s impossible to say how many cases are due to a variant, because the county dashboard reports all cases together, not by variant.

The newest data challenge is the new at-home PCR tests, which President Biden promises to make available to the public for free.

They give people fast results but there’s no requirement to report results to county health officials.

So the Santa Cruz County health dashboard may be undercounting in the future as more people take advantage of home testing.

Clearly holiday gatherings have led to higher case counts — such as 80 on Dec. 20 — but that daily count is much smaller than in Jan. 4, 2020, when Delta predominated and the daily count peaked at 300.

Local Omicron anta Cruz County Public Health reported two COVID-19 samples collected on Dec. 16 and 17 were identified as the Omicron variant. Both are North County residents in their mid-20s.

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Dr. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer, said individuals should get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings, get tested if symptomatic or exposed; and stay home if sick. Everyone 5 years and older is eligible for a vaccine and everyone 16 years and older is eligible for a booster.

A Danish study published Dec. 22 and not yet peer reviewed reports a third dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech’s or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine offers a “significant” increase in protection against the Omicron variant for people age 60 and up.

Contract Tracing Texts anta Cruz County health officials advise people to get tested before visiting or traveling, upon return, and again 3-5 days later. They recommend keeping group gatherings small, preferably outside or in a well-ventilated space.

A new contact tracing system is being used — the state’s Contact Tracing Virtual Assistant may send you a text message from 23393, the California COVID-19 Response Team. Health officials ask for cooperation to help stop COVID from spreading.

Some testing sites are on holiday schedules, resuming regular hours on Jan. 3.

For local information on COVID-19 including on where to get vaccinated or tested go to www.santacruzhealth.org/ coronavirusor call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

On Dec. 13, with California Covid cases up 47 percent and hospitalizations up 14 percent, the state Department of Public Health ordered masks be worn indoors to prevent this highly transmissible variant from spreading. Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel had already ordered masks to be worn indoors as of Nov. 22, including at home with guests.

On Dec. 15, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported Omicron infections are likely in people who are fully vaccinated.

A U.S. study, not yet peer-reviewed, found all three U.S. Covid vaccines appear to be significantly less protective against the Omicron variant in lab testing, but a booster dose appears to restore protection.

Pfizer reported three shots neutralized Omicron in the lab. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have not released data.

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“COVID Update” page 15

Join the SV Chamber to Jump Start a Prosperous 2022 The Official Annual Printed Business Directory & Tourism Guide is Currently Underway

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The Chamber Member-Only Publication is a Great Way to Showcase Your Business!

hy does Google love your Chamber of Commerce Membership?

Google uses a Chamber of Commerce as a trusted resource to verify businesses and values a Chamber ’s business directory whose links to your website assists Google when calculating search rankings. The more trusted links, the higher your ranking. And that means people will see you before your competition.

Your business description and contact information, your logo and keywords, search tags, links to your website and all your social media channels, hours of operation, map and directions to your business, and links to videos on your YouTube channel are all key components to make your business successful on the internet.

The strength of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce website meets the criteria of a robust online business directory that is indexable by Google.

What that means is Google can crawl it. You might ask yourself how you would know this, but it’s pretty simple.

Because they can index these pages, they will give each link they find credit, and credit each of those businesses that has a link from the chamber.

In addition to listing members on a chamber ’s website, most all chambers like the Scotts Valley Chamber distributes a paper business directory of its members locally.

The official Scotts Valley/SLV Business Directory & Tourism Guide is distributed in the mail to city residents and throughout both valleys on newsstands, hotels, Airbnb’s, coffee shops, tourist attractions and more.

This is done in partnership with the San Lorenzo Valley Boulder Creek Business Association (BCBA) and the media company Times Publishing Group (TPG). TPG promotes the annual business directory on their own website to increase local search engine optimization (SEO) for your business even more!

The cost for a small business to join the Scotts Valley Chamber is between $225 to $500 a year (depending on the number of employees) with a nonprofit rate of only $150/year. This is a small price to pay if you consider it pays for itself ten times over because of the marketing and advertising opportunities you’ll get for your business, the local name recognition, as well as connections to local prospects and customers.

There are many benefits of being a chamber member, including: • Business resources to grow your business and serve your community • Advocacy and representation on your behalf at the City and County Level • Leadership opportunities in the Chamber Ambassador Program & Board of Directors • Advertising & marketing in print, radio, television, and digital • Red Ribbon Ceremonies for new businesses, anniversaries, remodels & new locations

Happy New Year!

• Networking Mixers & Community Connections • Visibility & exposure with sponsorships • Complimentary private conference room rental for meetings or workspace needs • Promotion of your events, press releases and community events ••• The Scotts Valley Chamber delivers unity. Business owners and the Chamber have a powerful synergetic relationship. Kick off the New Year and join the Scotts Valley Chamber. Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com to sign up or call 831-402-3170 for more information.

Call the Chamber Today or Visit www.scottsvalleychamber.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 11

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Letter of Reflection From Mayor Timm M y gratitude extends to the community for supporting our City through such challenging

times.

As many are aware, our City has been in search of a new City Manager, and we are pleased to announce that Mali LaGoe will begin her tenure as our City Manager in January.

She comes to us with extensive experience, having led Nevada County as the Assistant County Executive Officer. She will step-in leading us forward with so many projects already underway, and new projects on the horizon.

City Improvements ur City government also has a long list of items for which we are thankful. Not only has our City made dramatic progress on economic recovery, but it has been pushing forward so many long needed projects over the past 18 months.

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We have made strides towards achieving sustainable wastewater operations to meet safety and environmental standards and reliable recycle water operations.

We partnered with the Boys and Girls to make sure we could provide safe after-school care.

We completed the Skypark Field restoration project, needed after the weight of fire vehicles severely impacted the fields, and we are finalizing the Recreation Assessment of best practices and sustainable strategies to restore the City’s recreation services.

Safety is a top priority in Scotts Valley, and the City is proud that after many setbacks in 2020, our Police Department is approaching full staffing.

We have also been fortunate enough to add a school resource officer back at the high school (funded by Proposition 56 Youth Tobacco Prevention grant).

Additional improvements we can all look forward to are upgrades to the

Skypark playground (funded by the Proposition 68 grant).

We anticipate receiving federal funding on our application, supported by Representative Eshoo, to replace the City’s Childcare Facility located at Vine Hill Elementary.

The City also finalized the Active Transportation Plan, which will allow us to be eligible for funding for safer cycling and pedestrian routes.

Home (by Zinnia’s) nearing completion.

Library renovations from the County Wide Measure S Bond are also underway. In addition to safety improvement, both the interior and exterior of the Scotts Valley Library are receiving major upgrades.

Furthermore, the theater guild is coming close to completing their dream of opening Derek Timm the community theater. They Exciting Changes Under Construction are looking for additional donations to ne project the everyone is excited make the dream a reality. (Visit svctheaterabout is that construction is guild.org to donate). underway transforming the old Kmart As we begin a new year 2022, into a modern Target store. Additionally, remember to share your gratitude with the shopping center owner has permits in others around town. We have all been process to do a major beautification to the through challenging times but can see entire center. great hope in the future ahead.

Next door, in the new Hangar building, Share that feeling with others with a my kids and I are grateful for the Penny smile, wave or a thank you. That builds Ice Creamery opening their doors and that close community bond that is so much are excited to see Faultline Brewery and a part of the Scotts Valley we all love.

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City to Award $250,000 in Grants to Local Small Businesses

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he City of Scotts Valley received $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Cares Act funding to provide economic relief to Scotts Valley businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant funds will reimburse eligible businesses for qualified rent, mortgage,

Attend Virtual Town Hall FAQ Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

and/or utility costs incurred between April 2020 and December 2021.

The city partnered with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) to develop and launch the grant program.

It is our goal for grants to be awarded to eligible businesses in February 2022.

“These grants provide important support to Scotts Valley businesses that have shown resilience through adversity during the pandemic,” said Scotts Valley Councilmember Derek Timm.

“The funding helps support business owners who sustained their operations, and retained employees despite a loss in revenues, throughout the pandemic.”

Scotts Valley Councilmember Randy Johnson said: “The City Council made it clear that we understand the needs of our business community.

These grants are one of the many ways the City of Scotts Valley

12 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

and Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce work together in responding to local business owners and employees who continue to provide important services to the Scotts Valley community and greater Santa Cruz region.”

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danny Reber also said: “The Chamber of Commerce will continue to support Scotts Valley businesses who want to apply for these grants. Unlike other relief programs that included loans, this grant program is incredible support to eligible small business who will not have to pay-back these monies.”

A Town Hall Zoom Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 13th at 6:00pm for local businesses to learn more about the

grant program and discuss the application process.

The Zoom link and information about eligibility requirements and the grant application process can all be found online at www.ScottsValley.org.

For more information, contact the City of Scotts Valley at (831) 440-5610.

Scotts Valley Chamber News New Member Spotlight

Bella Vita Mobile Detailing B ella Vita Mobile Detailing started in November of 2020 and is owned and operated

by Samantha Sweeden. Samantha started Bella Vita after retiring from the Fire Department.

Samantha gave 23 years in public service and wanted to continue some type of customer service work.

One of Samantha’s favorite statements is “I used to go to someone’s home on some of the worst days of their lives. Now people are happy when I leave, people smile when I am done.”

Samantha started detailing at an early age. Samantha remembers washing her father’s truck on the front lawn of their home at eight years old.

She said, “my father worked for PG&E as a mechanic and on the weekends, he would fix cars, I got to make a dollar to wash them after he was done fixing them”.

Samantha worked for an auto body shop as a prep/detailer while going to college. While in the fire service she kept her skills up with Fire Engines, Ladder Trucks, Ambulances, and administrative vehicles.

Samantha would occasionally take the side job off duty to detail someone’s vehicle.

Samantha has trained with Detailing Success led by Master Detailer Renny Doyle, she is a member of the International Detailing Association (IDA) and Skills Validated with the IDA.

Companies certify Samantha to utilize their coatings and products for your vehicle. Samantha believes that training is paramount in developing her knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Her passion and professionalism create an experience when utilizing Bella Vita to reignite the love for your vehicle, bringing it to its maximum potential. Many of us make a few large investments in life that include our vehicles, let Bella Vita take care of that investment.

You can find Bella Vita Mobile Detailing on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. You can view the menu of services at bellavitadetailing.com or by calling Samantha directly at 831.346.2221 to learn more.

Deadline Extended to Tuesday, January 18

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Submit Your Nominations for the 2021 Scotts Valley Community Awards

he Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce seeks your assistance in recognizing the people and businesses that make our community such a special place!

Please submit your 2021 nominations in the following categories: • BUSINESS of the Year • MAN of the year ~ Alvin Scarborough Memorial • WOMAN of the year ~ Annette Marcum Memorial

3) It may be in the previous year or over a period of time which you will specify.

4) Business of the year nominee must be a current Scotts Valley Chamber member.

5) An individual may live or work outside the city limits, but their contribution must be within Scotts Valley.

6) The youth of the Year nominee must be of High School age.

• BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT of the year ~ Claire Hodgin Memorial • ORGANIZATION of the year • EDUCATOR of the year • YOUTH of the year Criteria for Nomination 1) Each nomination must include your nominees name, email address & phone 2) Each nominee must have made a valuable contribution to Scotts Valley.

Visit https://scottsvalleychamber.com for nomination forms.

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 13

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Draper’s Legacy Lives on at Scotts Valley Gym

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By Jewel Palanca, Marketing Coordinator Scotts Valley Gym

cotts Valley Gym is the last of Dave Draper’s gyms remaining. Gyms like ours are rare nowadays and we want to keep the old-school gym tradition alive.

However, our gym is now more community-oriented and suits people from all walks of life and from all levels of fitness.

Fitness is something that is meant to be shared and it is important to have something for everybody.

We have even evolved into offering a sports nutrition pro shop, an in-gym skin studio, and an excellent personal training program to help new/returning gym-goers with accountability.

Dave Draper, one of the biggest names in weightlifting to have lived in Santa Cruz,

Dave Draper

passed away in his Aptos home at the age of 79 due to congestive heart failure.

Originally from New Jersey, Draper moved to Santa Monica, CA in his early 20s and trained at famous muscle beach.

Some of his peers included other golden era lifters such as Frank Zane and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He competed in bodybuilding competitions and won several titles from Mr. New Jersey to Mr. Universe and came in 1st place in 3 IFBB pro competitions from 1965-1970, earning him the nickname, the “Blonde Bomber.”

While in Santa Monica he worked at the original Gold’s Gym. He also caught the acting bug and was a TV show host and guest starred in “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

His love for bodybuilding eventually led him to the Santa Cruz mountains where he founded 4 gyms, entitled World Gym. He had a vision of recreating the old school, no-frills gyms in Venice beach, where he dominated the weight-lifting world.

As time went on, the Scotts Valley location has seen several new owners and has rebranded to Scotts Valley Gym. It is our mission to honor Draper’s legacy at our gym by creating a space for members who are passionate about health and fitness to achieve great things.

We welcome you to kick off your news years resolution with a free fitness assessment with one of our fitness trainers.

The sports nutrition pro shop that is open to the public Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Monday-Thursday

Celebrating 40 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 - 2021

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TWO 2BR/1BA NEWLY RENOVATED COTTAGES on Keller Drive in Boulder Creek.

Each has parking & extra storage. No laundry onsite. No pets or cosigners.

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2-STORY 3BR/2BA ALL ELECTRIC CABIN near Loch Lomond on West 2BR/1BA HOME on King’s Creek in Boulder Creek. Flat & sunny Dr. in Felton. No pets or cosigners. Large yard. lot. Lg storage bldg. & extra parking. Pet friendly. No cosigners.

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CHANGES AHEAD!

4 p.m.-8 p.m. or shop online for pre-workout protein, creatine, collagen/skin care, work out gear such as lifting belts, gloves, resistance bands and a complete line of SV Gym tanks, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.

Visit scottsvalleygym.com to book your appointment or call 831-332-5555.

THE DISTRICT IS SHIFTING TO MONTHLY BILLING IN 2022.

Starting in January, customers will receive their bills the third week of the month. Please take this into account when making payment.

Learn more at www.svwd.org

Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter

14 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

CALL FOR SPECIAL RATES 831.688.7549

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce 360 King’s Village Road Scotts Valley, CA 95066

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Generous Gift for Hopes Closet H opes Closet, the nonprofit resale children’s shop at 2557 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, is celebrating its 10th anniversary — and providing 20,000 “bundles of hope” to children in need.

Board member Arne Croce announced the nonprofit recently acquired a new washer/dryer with a price tag of $2,400, thanks to a $2,000 donation from Omega Nu. Debbie Baker, owner of Baker Brothers Appliance in Watsonville, paid the sales tax and provided free delivery, installation, and pick-up/disposal of the old unit.

All of the clothing donated to Hopes Closet is washed before given to families in need or being put out for sale to the public.

“COVID Update” from page 10 Santa Cruz County reports 753 active cases as of Dec. 26, up from 596 active cases a week ago, 22,399 cases since the pandemic began, 638 hospitalizations, and 234,700 negative test results. Statistics are updated on Mondays and Thursdays.

A total of 12 people are hospitalized with COVID in the county, split between Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital, which filed Dec. 5 for bankruptcy protection to pave the way for a sale. Two of them are in intensive care.

The CDC tracker reports positivity is 3.59 percent in Santa Cruz County, up from 2.37 percent a week ago; California’s positivity rate is up to 9.7 percent, and the state reports a seven-day average of 11.2 percent.

Student Cases he Santa Cruz County Office of Education reports all positive cases of student and staff regardless of the source of transmission.

See santacruzcoe.org/coviddashboards.

Scotts Valley Unified School District reports one active student case at Scotts Valley High and zero staff cases as of Dec. 13. The district is on winter break. Classes resume Jan. 3.

With Inspire Diagnostics, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education has conducted 136,600 PCR tests for COVID at no charge to those tested, and reports a 14-day positivity rate of 1.74 percent, up from 1.11 percent a week ago.

Testing for the school community is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the regular schedule resumes Jan. 3.

Regular testing hours are: Cabrillo’s parking lot K, 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; the PVUSD District Office parking lot, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, and the county Office of Education, 400 Encinal St., Santa Cruz.

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Winter wear, snow jackets and snow boots, are now in stock.

Store hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. TuesdayFriday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

In October, the nonprofit hosted an open house for volunteers, looking for people who like to organize, work with people or put together cute outfits for children. For information email Volunteer@HopesClosetsc.com.

On Oct. 28, the nonprofit posted a request on its Facebook page, requesting clean and lightly worn clothing for boys and girls sizes 4, 5, and 6.

The donation center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. n

A new washer/dryer makes them smile, left to right, Sue Bird, Hopes Closet volunteer, Sisi Belcher, Hopes Closet volunteer and Omega Nu alum, Shelley May, Hopes Closet store manager, Charlie Flores, Baker Brothers Appliance, Linda Walls, Hopes Closet volunteer, and Adam Croce, Hopes Closet donation associate.

Students and their families, and staff and their families can get tested free; fill out the registration once at http://sccoe. link/inspiresc and go to any site --no appointment is needed.

Boosters & Mandates ollowing authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available at the three local clinics for 16-17 year-olds who got their second dose at least six months ago.

Booster doses of all three vaccine types are available locally for all school staff. For appointments see https://santacruzcoe. org/boosters/ Booster shots are available for school staff who got their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago.

Shortly before Christmas, as the CDC estimated Omicron made up a majority ot cases, Gov. Newsom ordered health care workers to get a booster shot by Feb. 1.

A CDC analysis published Nov. 18 in the American Journal of Infection Control found 30 percent of healthcare workers in more than 2,000 U.S. were unvaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 15.

Deaths are still rising — 820,000 in the United States, 75,500 in California, 228 in Santa Cruz County — and part of President Biden’s strategy is to mandate vaccines or weekly tests for employers with 100 more employees (part time as well as fulltime — independent contractors are not counted).

The deadline to comply is Jan. 4, but due to legal challenges, the future of the mandate is not known.

Four judicial rulings put mandates on hold, finding the administration’s orders mandating vaccines exceeded the power Congress had given the executive branch.

In Florida v. Department of Health and

Human Services, a Florida district court upheld the CMS mandate. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed it on Dec. 6.

The Biden administration backed off on penalties this year for federal workers and military personnel not fully vaccinated (or requested a religious or medical exemption) by Nov. 22.

Enforcement will begin in 2022, when the unvaccinated may get a letter of reprimand. About 92 percent of federal employees are vaccinated.

92% One Dose ealth experts had surmised that once 70 percent of the population (or 80 percent or 85 percent) was vaccinated against COVID-19, the new coronavirus would fade away — the world could return to normal.

That hasn’t happened.

The CDC Covid Tracker says Santa Cruz County has 92.5 percent of those 12 and older with one dose and 82.2 percent of that age group fully vaccinated.

Studies show protection from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccine begins to wane after a few months, which is why booster shots are available to those 18 and older whose shots were six months ago.

Dominican Hospital’s vaccine clinic has provided COVID-19 booster shots every Thursday since they were approved by the FDA and CDC. To make an appointment, see myturn.ca.gov.

Although protection wanes, studies show the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly protective against hospitalization.

The CDC said people can “mix and match” vaccines.

The Dignity Health Medical GroupDominican pediatric practices in Aptos and Capitola began offering the Pfizer vaccine to their patients 5 years and older after the FDA granted authorization.

Some parents worry about myocar-

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ditis, heart inflammation, which has been reported in adolescent and young adult males. It is a rare condition and Dr. Steven Black, co-director of the Global Vaccine Data Network, a consortium researching vaccine safety, told The New York Times that physicians will know to look for it.

Some parents worried about longterm side effects do not want to vaccinate their children. In other cases, if the children have had COVID, the parents contend they have natural immunity.

Jobs anta Cruz County had a healthy 103,400 jobs as of mid-November, and unemployment was 4.9%, down from 6.6% a year ago. Many businesses still have “help wanted” signs.

Cabrillo College has several jobs posted on Indeed.com, including a part-time adjunct instructor for communications, and accounting technician, starting at $4,100 per month and pat-time athletic trainer, $3,140 per month. Peet’s in Scotts Valley is offering $16-$19 an hour for a part-time barista, and the city of Scotts Valley is starting an entrylevel police officer at $6,347 a month. n ••• Total COVID cases: 22,399 ••• COVID Deaths: 228 As of Dec.29 Age 85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 51 • 65-74: 41 60-64: 14 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 9 • 35-44: 7 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 181 • No: 47 Race White 126 • Latinx 83 • Asian 16 Black 1 • Amer Indian/Alaskan native 1 Gender Male: 117 • Female 111 Aging Facility Yes: 107 • No 121

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 15

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Can Park Advocates Become Nonprofit?

By Donna Lind, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

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s 2021 closes, I want to express appreciation to the community for the support provided this past year, particularly the Holiday Tree Lighting Festival.

Recently the City lost the Scotts Valley Park Advocates, which provided several community events through the years.

The Park Advocates were disbanded as originally created in hopes that they can be brought back as an independent 501 (c) 3 nonprofit.

Through the years, the Park Advocates have contributed to the community more than most realize.

They brought the Scotts Valley 4th of July Fireworks celebration and others in addition to the Tree Lighting Festival.

This year, it was the community that stepped forward with donations and volunteers first for the 4th of July parade and recently to bring back the Holiday Tree Lighting festival.

The Exchange Club volunteered to take the lead for the Tree Lighting Festival and the Kiwanis, Rotary and Valley Churches United provided hot cider, hot cocoa and cookies. Cruise Coffee provided coffee. The Scotts Valley Fire District transported Santa & Mrs. Claus to the Community Center and Scotts Valley police officers staffed the toy drive.

Bobbie Ward, Performance Vocals, organized and assisted local music students and artists to provide entertainment. Santa & Mrs. Claus brought toys and games they donated so no child would be left without a gift. SV Scout Troup 614 assisted with setup and cleanup while selling holiday wreaths.

Greg Wimp of Togo’s made it snow at the

Community Center to the delight of guests of all ages!

In addition to the many volunteers, businesses and community members stepped forward as sponsors covering

16 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

various costs and providing support to Valley Churches United.

Diamond Sponsors: Areias Systems & Mari & Edward Rossi. Gold Sponsors: Robert Aldana, Victor Alejandro, BMS Management Services, Garrison Plumbing & Septic Construction, Donna Lind, Reynolds Group, Exchange Club of SV. Silver Sponsors: Brother’s Food Truck, Bruno’s, Bustichi & Son, Togo’s, Valley Churches United.

Valley Churches reported the support received from this year’s festival was even more than past years!

These very special family events were only possible because our community came together to make it happen.

Without the Park Advocates, we will need continued community support for some of these special events including the Fireworks Celebration. The Park Advocates need legal support to form an independent nonprofit.

Volunteers are needed to continue the important work the Park Advocates have done through the years. If you’re interested in helping reform the Park Advocates, contact me.

Looking forward to 2022, there is much encouragement. Target is coming to Scotts Valley in the former Kmart location on Mt. Hermon Road. They are working toward opening mid-2022.

Kmart had been one of the largest sales tax producers for Scotts Valley. Target will fill a retail gap that has been missed in the area.

Also encouraging is that the City received $250,000 in Community Block Grant CARES Act funding to provide economic relief to Scotts Valley businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

“Mayor Lind” page 18

Women In Leadership for Diverse Representation W omen make up more than half of the American electorate.

However, California remains one of 19 states that have never had a female governor. One reason is there are fewer women in the political pipeline to advance to the top office.

California has 120 members of the Legislature, and 32 percent are women.

The Institute for Elected Women: California is the nation’s first non-partisan training and mentoring program for women newly elected to a state legislature, facilitated and taught exclusively by women members, both former and current, of that legislature.

In 2009, under a contract with former California Assembly Speaker, now Congresswoman Karen Bass, former State Assemblywoman Patty Berg designed the training and mentoring program for women elected to the California State Legislature in 2010. For details, see https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/ legislators/womens-legislative-network/ institute-for-elected-women-california. aspx.

A 2021 report by the Center for American Women and Politics found

“Panetta” from page 9 In the pending House-passed Build Back Better Act, he secured funds for agricultural research and conservation and tax credits for electronic bus and bicycle purchases to help reduce carbon emissions.

Panetta is one of only eight chief deputy whips in the House Democratic leadership. He is member of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, the Bipartisan Working Group, and is a founder of the For Country Caucus that consists of military veterans who are members of Congress that work together on policies for a more productive government.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Panetta worked as a prosecutor and served in the military.

After graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law, he was a deputy district attorney for Alameda and Monterey counties where he focused on pursuing justice for victims, protecting families, and making communities safer.

He was appointed to the California Councils on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, which advises the Governor’s Office.

COMMUNITY NEWS

women hold 30.5 percent of municipal cation funding, voter access, housing justice and an equitable and shared economy for all. offices, which is less than one–third.

WILDR aims to create change by It was the first time that data had been supporting diverse candidates who have collected.

No comprehensive data exists on the the life experience, passion and resolve to visualize and fight racial demographics for a more just and of the people who equitable Santa Cruz serve in local govCounty. ernment, according The group to The 19th News, will offer 5 online an independent nonmeetings in 2022, profit newsroom, each from 6:30-8 p.m. though women of In-person options color made history may be offered for in the 2020 general networking after election with wins at each forum if there is the local level. capacity to organize Locally, underShirley Weber those. Each meeting representation of California Secretary of State will focus on a spewomen in elected offices has been observed, and a new group cific topic and include a panel of speakers, small group discussions for networking, is doing something about it.

Women in Leadership for Diverse and provide an opportunity for conRepresentation –WILDR -- is committed to nection for mentorship.

Dates are: realizing more diverse representation by Wednesday, Jan. 26: Developing the women in elected and appointed positions pipeline of diverse women candiin Santa Cruz County. dates — important considerations for Participants support racial and gender making a decision to run, positions equity, reproductive justice, lifespan edu-

that will be open, how women have made decisions in the past. How can women support others with endorsements, funding, campaigning. To register for the Jan. 26 forum, go to https://tinyurl.com/jan-26-pipeline Thursday, March 3: How to build a campaign — Steps to take to start a campaign, developing a team, developing a winning message, fundraising, issues specific to diverse women running. Resources and connections for running.

Thursday, May 12: City Councils — what city councils do, why it is important, which elections are for which cities, hear from women who have served and are serving.

Thursday, July 7: School boards — what school boards do, why it is important, hear from women who have served and are serving, how to start a campaign to be elected.

Thursday, Sept. 8: Commissions & groups — deep dive, their power & influence, who is serving, how to get on, barriers and how to address them, building capacity for power once on a commission or in a group. n

As a member of the United States Navy Reserve, he was mobilized to active duty after the attacks of 9/11 and deployed to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom.

He served in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer assigned to a Special Operations task force. Based on his meritorious service in a combat zone, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After returning home, he became a board member of the Veterans Transition Center where he worked to address veterans’ homelessness and championed the opening of Monterey County’s first Veterans Treatment Court.

With local leaders and veterans, he helped establish the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. He was named a Monterey County Veteran of the Year in 2015.

The son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Sylvia Panetta, CEO of the 24-year-old Panetta Institute for Public Policy, Jimmy Panetta was raised and educated on the Central Coast, where he lives with his wife and their two daughters. n ••• For info, visit www.jimmypanetta.com

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 17

New Year — New Beginning — Creating a Temple for the Good Esoteric Astrology • January 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

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eginnings are fragile things. A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune. And so here we are at the beginning of the new year, 2022. We take the most delicate care that everything is harmonious and balanced. That we have Right Relations with all the Kingdoms at this time, that we are poised and calm, that we bring beauty forth in all that we do.

Our new year begins with a new moon (January 2) at 12 degrees Capricorn. New Moon seed the new for the new year. The seed is that of Initiation, humanity’s Initiation.

At the beginning of a new year, we create a template of Good for the rest of the year. Our first task in the new year is following the 12 zodiacal signs, with the Three Kings, on our way to Epiphany (January 6). Each of the twelve signs provide a keynote for the following twelve months.

Mary’s Day The first day of each new year is dedicated to Mary, the feminine ARIES

Deep and long-lasting changes will affect your work in the world. If you are not focused upon serving others, you will be soon. Your ambitions are so large and deep only someone with a powerful will can handle them. This includes yourself and all those encountering your energies. Inner strength will have to be drawn upon and this will increase month after month. New realities within your profession will continue to unfold. Be sure to center your intentions upon serving others.

Then your success will be assured.

TAURUS

You will push yourself into the sphere of work that life has planned for you. It is rigorous. It will call you to a depth and height of knowledge, preparation, planning and manifestation. You will need others to assist you. Who are they? Do tend to caution a bit. Apply everything practically and with a focus on serving the whole. This will be a challenge. Your work, as always, is to prepare form and matter so that it survives and is sustainable into the seventh generation. Stand up straight. Tend to yourself with care. Rest when you can.

GEMINI

During the year you will meet with power — within yourself and with others. Learn to step aside if power is directed incorrectly at you. You can overwhelm others with your power, too. Great strength and endurance will grow exponentially. All that you’ve done and/or hoped for will gather itself and be the foundation for future world work. Think now on what it is you truly want to accomplish, your aspirations, what goals will you set before yourself. Maintain an attitude of love and goodwill.

These protect you and everyone you work with.

CANCER

You will want to leave home and send yourself out in search of an adventure. Perhaps it will be travel or a new level of education. Studying martial arts, attending an inter-faith religious seminary, deep sea diving … these are some archetypal projects calling you. Do be careful with knees and thighs, tending to them with natural anti-inflammatory herbs cayenne and turmeric. Relationships will teach you many things — one is how to speak and act with more Goodwill, which creates Right Speech and Right Relations and the Peace you are seeking.

aspect, the Mother of the World. In pre-Christian Rome under the Julian calendar, the day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named. We honor Mary as the feminine template offering us virtues to imitate — kindness, care, comfort, nourishment and love. Mary, the Mother of the holy child, the Mother of the world, a Master within the Hierarchy, is a Gateway. We pray to Mary in times of need.

We are told to go slow into the new year.

Slowness is connected to abundance. The month of January has multiple planetary changes including the first Mercury retrograde of the year joining the Venus Retrograde. The United States will return to its roots with a Pluto return, the first one in the history of our country. Follow along with the daily celestial movements and weekly updates on my FB page (Risa D’Angeles) and website (www.nightlightnews.org).

Happy New Year everyone — a year of deep and transformational change ahead. Love, Risa n

LEO

This year, the next and for many years now on, work will increase, become more in depth and at times profound.

Keep your shoulders and back up as you carry the heavy load of serving others. You are like Atlas these days - experiencing the complexities of a world that is suffering, tending to all different levels and responsibilities. That last word, responsibility have become your keynote.

Use the fire within your heart to guide you and your high intelligence to discern what’s real and what’s not. Ask others you trust for help.

You will be changed by this experience.

SAGITTARIUS

This year, the next and the years thereafter the way you use your finances and resources will be restructured.

You will build new ways of using your money.

It is important to be schooled and to study what these new ways are. I suggest you read Catherine Austin Fitts (Solari.com) and read about the present financial picture. Find or create a local group whose main goal is keeping money and resources local. The new currencies for the new era are bartering, sharing resources and food. Gain knowledge about these and grow a garden even if it’s a garden in pots. Whatever challenges you will eventually be of benefit.

VIRGO

Should relationships become more complex, which often happens over time, know that the true warrior’s stance is communication that’s heartfelt, intelligent and compassionate. Read Thich Nat Hahn or Rajneesh or the Tibetan Djwhal Khul or study astrology when in confusion. New levels of creativity will emerge.

Especially if one studies astrology. It provides a true self-identity, mental strength, truth and courage all of which you seek. Maintain a seasonal garden, build a rose trellis, a garden gate, continue to study. Through these you create your own nature community.

LIBRA

You would do well to consider what your limitations are, and then have the intention to push beyond them.

I’m speaking about deep emotional barriers and beliefs held since childhood that need to fall away so your life can move forward. The level of your happiness is in relation to the truth you seek to uncover about what family means. Should you maintain a distance from this you’ll be forced into the truth. This may be uncomfortable. Your psychology of self is being restructured so you can see what truly kind and good things came from your childhood. Simultaneously, tend to your health with deep and thoughtful care.

CAPRICORN

It is important for me to tell you, so you can be prepared, that with Pluto in Capricorn, your whole life has changed. Much that you built went through a metamorphosis so that new things in your life were built upon the old. This has been a most powerful time. Perhaps you felt the need to head back down the mountain into the past. Don’t. Hold on and keep moving forward.

There will be others walking with you as your life continues to shift and rebalance. Keep your love intact, your intentions for helping others continually on your mind, and you, in turn, will be safe. A new world is being built. You’ll be called to build it.

AQUARIUS

Although I know you are powerful and building toward great success, it could be that some others cannot see this. Pay them no mind. We both know that something internally is shifting and a new sense of authority, power and strength are subtly yet profoundly coming into your awareness. Allow challenges with others be times where you are strengthened in your self-awareness. Remind yourself that you are good, successful and deserving of recognition, praise, acknowledgement, appreciation and gratitude. And you, when appropriate, offer the same.

SCORPIO

The way you think, what you were taught earlier in life will change over the course of the next years, beginning now.

Observe and note this. A journal tracking these changes would be good. New impressions and ideas will be offered. You will ponder them deeply and find they are needed for new thinking to come about. Your thoughts will be potent. Allow no self-criticism to exist, nor criticism toward others. Everyone is on their own developmental level and stage. Your development will grow in leaps and bounds. Mental regeneration is occurring as the past disappears. Love grows too.

•••

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 18 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

PISCES

Through your work in the world, a new network is being created.

You’ve had to begin anew over time and you’ve done it courageously. We applaud your stamina and bravery. In the times to come, what you envision and aspire to will build until it becomes, no longer simply an idea within your heart, but real in time and space, form and matter. Then you will assume a new leadership, becoming a magnetic core around which others will be attracted to. It’s been long in coming. You’ve done your work. Patience and quiet are needed now.

“Mayor Lind” from page 16 Grant funds will reimburse eligible businesses for qualified rent, mortgage, and/or utility costs incurred between April 2020 and December 2021.

The City partnered with the Scotts Valley Chamber and Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center to develop and launch the grant program. It’s our goal that the grants be awarded in February 2022.

These grants provide important support to members of the Scotts Valley business community who have shown resilience through adversity during the pandemic. Funding helps support business owners who sustained operations and retained employees during the challenges of the pandemic.

A Town Hall Zoom meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. for local businesses to learn more about the grant program and discuss the application process. The Zoom link and information about eligibility requirements and the grant application can be found at www.

ScottsValley.org For more information, call the City of Scotts Valley at (831) 440-5610.

••• Donna Lind is mayor of Scotts Valley.

Reach her at dlindslind@earthlink.net or call 831-438-4187.

Photos of 2021 Holiday Tree Lighting Festival, which took place thanks to community support.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Bad Time for a Drive to San Simeon ockfall and debris in the roadway associated with ongoing rain has resulted in the closure of Highway 1 from the Elephant Seal Parking Lot north of San Simeon to south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County. The slide is located two miles south of Ragged Point at a location known as Polar Star.

Caltrans reports there is currently no estimated time for reopening.

Maintenance/ engineer teams are assessing the closure area the Recent landslide on Hwy 1 morning of Dec. 27 and will continue to work during daylight hours when it’s safe for crews to do.

Decisions on modifying the closure parameters will be determined by field assessments, according to Caltrans, with additional rainfall impacting the cleanup effort.

Barricades, cones as well as message and directional signs are in place at both ends of the closure to alert motorists traveling in the area.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or see: dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

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••• Dance Classes Classes begin Wednesday, Jan. 4 ena Cochlin is teaching one modern dance class and one folk dance class a week at the International Academy of Dance, 320 Encinal St., Santa Cruz (near Costco).

Attendees must be vaccinated with a booster shot and wear a mask.

Modern Dance Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

This class will combine many styles of modern dance and include the yoga sun salutation as part of the warmup.

Emphasis will be on becoming comfortable with one’s body, moving through space, and enjoying learning a form of dance which is both disciplined and freeing.

All levels are welcome.

Fee: $22/single class ($105/series of 5 classes; $195/series of 10 classes) There is a $2 accompanist charge per class.

Jack O’Donnell, a local artist, will provide live accompaniment for this class on the piano and percussion instruments.

Folk Dance Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Emphasis will be on learning Balkan and Israeli dance. Balkan folk dance gives the participant a chance to learn and move to rhythms uncommon in Western dance.

Israeli dance gives the participant

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an opportunity to move freely in a style that resembles modern dance. Folk dance is a wonderful way to relax. Moving to the music as a group is mesmerizing and builds a sense of community.

All levels are welcome.

Fee: $30/series of 5 classes. For info, call 831-425-0226 or e-mail renatropic@gmail.com.

••• Santa Cruz County Jobs Report posted Dec. 17 November unemployment 4.9%

Change from

Nov. 2021 a year ago Leisure & hospitality 10,400 Up 1,300 Private education 17,600 Up 800 & health Government 20,500 Up 600 Other services 4,700 Up 300

Professional/business 10,500 Up 100 services Construction 4,600 0 Information 500 0 Trade/transportation/ 16,200 Down 100 utilities Financial 3,100 Down 100 Manufacturing 6,900 Down 100 ••• Farm 8,400 Up 1,100 Nonfarm 95,000 Up 2,800 Total 103,400 Up 3,900 Labor force 134,200 Up .8% Employed* 127,300 Up 3.3% Unemployed 6,900 Down 30% Count is on the 12 of the month * Includes commuting to jobs outside county

Source: California Employment Development Department

Winter Fun

“Draper” from page 8 Dave was born April 16, 1942, in Secaucus, N.J., the middle child with two older brothers, Don (Arizona) and Jerry (Florida), and two younger twin sisters, Dana and Carla (Oklahoma).

Growing up, he was introverted and insecure.

“Team sports were uncomfortable for him, but tinkering around with a little hand-gripper led to dips between chairs, which led to buying a used weight set from a neighbor,” Laree said.

At age 21, he won the Mr. New Jersey title, then came out West for a job with magazine publisher Joe Weider, who pioneered competitions of the top bodybuilders.

Journalist Dick Tyler, later author of West Coast Bodybuilding Scene, dubbed Dave the “Blond Bomber,” a nickname that fit.

Here is Tyler’s line about Dave at Mr. America 1965, competing after several Herculean and better-known contestants: “When Draper posed, you could see the looks of surprise on everyone’s face. “ Dave and his first wife Penny had a daughter named Jamie, who died in 2016. They have two grandkids, Taylor, who lives in Santa Cruz and teaches infant rescue swimming locally, and Cooper, who lives with his wife Jacki in

ACROSS

Clovis. Cooper and Jacki have a daughter named Vivianne—Dave and Penny’s great-granddaughter.

For Dave, Thanksgiving 2021 was “terrific,” Laree said. “His family was all here and spent the day together laughing and eating good food.” n ••• Photos courtesy of Laree Draper

1. Rope fiber 5. Mai ____ 8. Russia’s Terrible one, e.g.

12. “What ____ Happened to Baby Jane?”

13. Tattled 14. Actress Reed 15. Internet share-able 16. Inwardly 17. Black tropical hardwood 18. *Winged impression in winter 20. Home of the Hawkeyes 21. Investigative report 22. Chicken or this?

23. Not dense 26. Early-day supercontinent 30. Afternoon shut-eye 31. Even though 34. Picture on a coat 35. Anti-seniors sentiment 37. Jean of Dadaism 38. Crewneck alternative 39. Half-man, half-goat 40. Arm cover 42. Victoria Beckham ____ Adams 43. Lacking sense of moral standards 45. Flying high 47. Often part of disguise 48. Queen-like 50. Wood file 52. *____ ____ Plunge 56. Secret stash

57. Damien’s prediction 58. Not at work 59. Opposite of cation 60. Abbreviated seconds 61. Precedes stated rank 62. Moon pull 63. *Like toddy or cocoa 64. Trans-Siberian Railroad city

10. Tolstoy’s Karenina 11. R&B Charles 13. *Glittery decor 14. Condescend 19. Indian black tea 22. Nibble 23. Big mess 24. Like a Druid, e.g.

25. Celery, technically 26. *Snowman’s corn cob DOWN accessory 1. Shortens pants 27. Are not 2. Like fair share 28. Wedding singer, e.g.

3. Short for memorandum 29. Questioned 4. Antebellum 32. *Snow____, 5. Polynesian kingdom ammunition 6. Ten-pin establishment 33. *”But I heard him 7. Bucolic poem exclaim, ____ he 8. *Ride on runners drove out of sight...”

9. *Winter building 36. *Winter walking aid material 38. Type of consonant

40. Actors’ grp.

41. a.k.a. strict vegetarians 44. Mature, as in fruit 46. Like Silas of “The Da Vinci Code” 48. Young Montague 49. Decide at the polls 50. Jasmine of “Aladdin” 51. Turns blue litmus red 52. #42 Across, once 53. Cheese from Netherlands 54. Contributions to the poor 55. Stink to high heaven 56. *Arctic ____, snowmobile brand © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 19

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS FELTON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES While the Scotts Valley library branch is closed for renovations, the Felton branch at 6121 Gushee St., Felton, is open.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. For information: call 831-427-7708.

Tai Chi: 1st and 3rd Monday, 10-11 a.m., with teacher Mary Mulligan. Wear clothes you can move easily in. Free. Cancelled on Jan. 3.

Knitting: Mondays, 12:30-2 p.m. Bring yarn and knitting needles. All ages welcome.

In-Person Tech Help: Mondays, from 2-4 p.m. Tech savvy and bilingual (English/Spanish) staff can help you troubleshoot your tech issue with a 30 minute (or less) appointment.

Friends of the Scotts Valley Library: Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Felton Library Community Room.

Reading in the Redwoods Book Group: Meets on the fourth Wednesday at 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room. The book for January is: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.

Board Games for Adults: Saturdays, Jan. 8 and 22, noon to 5 p.m. Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games. Bring your favorite or play some of the library’s games. No experience needed.

Bedtime Stories: See Facebook or Youtube for Bedtime Stories presented by SCP in 2021. Librarian Jackie reads bedtime stories, sing songs, and chant rhymes.

CZU FIRE VICTIMS FINANCIAL PLANNING The nonprofit United Policyholders is hosting the first of a series of free financial planning clinics for disaster survivors in January.

These clinics via Zoom are designed with disaster survivors in mind, understanding that survivors have specific and individual financial needs.

United Policyholders volunteer expert financial planners will offer guidance to help you achieve your financial goals.

The dates are Tuesday, Jan. 25, Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Thursday, March 3. Time slots are available at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.

To request an appointment for a 45-minute confidential session, request a time and date by completing the application form at www.uphelp.org/cfpclinic_ca United Policyholders will contact you if you are selected to participate.

CALL TO ARTISTS The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services announces an opportunity for local artists to help contribute public art to library projects in Live Oak and Aptos.

Both calls to artists are due Jan. 21.

For details about the application processes, site plans and other materials, go to http://www.scparks. com/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/CalltoArtists.aspx.

Aptos Library An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for new Aptos Branch Library.

The new library’s design will be inspired by the concept of “forest, coastal, and terrace” and other local environmental elements. The proposed public artwork should help create an inviting space where people of all ages will gather, learn, connect, and share.

BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS GET $296 MILLION As part of Gov. Newsom’s Clean California initiative, Caltrans will fund local beautification projects in communities throughout the state with $296 million in competitive grants. Applications for grants up to $5 Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance million began Dec. 1, and Caltrans will announce grant at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January. recipients on March 1.

Applicants must be local or regional public agencies, transit agencies, or tribal governments.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASS REGISTRATION Registration is open for Winter 2022 Italian language Nonprofit organizations may be sub-applicants. Half of the overall funds must benefit or be located in classes beginning Jan. 17.

Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with our native underserved communities.

Eligible projects shall include, but not be limited to: Italian-speaking instructors over 10 weeks of classes.

Community litter abatement and beautification, litter Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally abatement events and educational programs. fluent, or everything in between, the Dante Alighieri A local match ranging from 0% to 50% of the project Society of Santa Cruz is offering classes for you, costs is required.

Register today to secure your spot and take advantage Projects will be selected based on need and of the early bird pricing, which ends Jan. 3. Pricing & potential to beautify public space and for greening location (on-line, in-person, or hybrid) varies by class; for to provide shade, reduce the urban heat island details, see https://www.dantesantacruz.com/classes effect, and use of native drought-tolerant plants, For questions, email: dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com along with public engagement in the project proposal.

CABRILLO SPRING REGISTRATION Information: https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grants Registration is under way for the spring semester at Cabrillo College, which begins Jan. ONGOING EVENTS 24.

Visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/catalogOngoing Through January 24 and-class-schedules/#browse-classes for more information. WATER TABLE TESTING Santa Cruz County Environmental Health has opened AGRI-CULTURE, INC. 2022 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE the Winter Water Table Testing Period for Onsite WasteAgri-Culture is accepting applications for its four college water Treatment Systems Dec. 29, through Jan. 24. scholarships, with Jan. 28 the deadline to apply.

If you are considering developing a property, doing They are: a major remodel or a repair on property served by • Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship: $4,000 for an onsite wastewater treatment system that may be a student entering or currently attending college subject to high ground water levels, you should arrange and majoring in agriculture. (includes $2,000 from to have groundwater on your property observed American AgCredit). multiple times throughout this testing period. The • Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship: testing period may be extended if rain persists $1,500 for a student active (past or present) Piezometer readings are required at the beginning, in California High School Rodeo Association middle, and end of the testing period. Piezometers must be in the ground and the site plan approved District 4 or California 4-H Horse Program, beforehand. Applicants should have a site evaluation entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture and/or animal sciences. application in place and a monitoring plan approved by Environmental Health staff.

• J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: If the testing period closes, it may be reopened $1,000 for a student entering or currently with sufficient rainfall. Groundwater levels must be attending college and majoring in agriculture.

• Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship: $2,000 measured throughout this period. A minimum of three recorded readings are required. for a student entering or currently attending For parcels with an active site evaluation application, email college and majoring in agriculture or a related your inspector to schedule readings at field, or majoring in culinary arts.

LandUse@santacruzcounty.us.

The online application is at: http://www.agri-culture. us/scholarships/ First and Third Mondays Each Month To request an application, contact the Financial Aid office SENIOR LIFE ONLINE at your school or the Agri-Culture office, 141 Monte Vista Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076 or call (831) 722-6622 or (831) 4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life 818-1193 or email: agri-culture@sbcglobal.net.

Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/current-activities/.

Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and phone Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the next Senior meetings for caregivers throughout the month: Life Online is on Monday, January 24 at 4:00 p.m.

Second and Fourth Wednesdays Poet Trish Melehan will talk about her new book of Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: poetry “Journey Fantastique,” about the late, great Santa Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. Cruz artist and muralist James Carl Aschbacher.”

First and Third Wednesdays Melehan’s discussion includes her journey to creating Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Faciliand publishing the book. tators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney.

Participants are encouraged to bring their questions to Second Saturdays ask Melehan during the Q&A session.

Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — To participate, you need an Internet connection and a Facilitator: Diana Hull. computer, tablet or smart phone. A 1-time preregistration Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-6. Questions? Call ••• George at (831) 334-7763.

Second Wednesdays Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose Mendoza. mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens.

Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org. Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by January 26 Proposals should reflect the community’s identity and values while celebrating the unique culture and natural beauty of Aptos, and may incorporate a literary element and/or community participation component.

All proposals for this project must address outdoor fencing and gate needs.

The budget for the public artwork, which includes all costs associated with, but not limited to design, materials, travel, insurance, fabrication, installation, and documentation of the artwork, is $106,000.

Live Oak Annex The budget for public artwork at the library annex at Simpkins Family Swim Center is $85,500.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost.

To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone.

To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, and the second installment due date is Feb. 1. The bill becomes delinquent after April 10.

The first installment was due on Nov. 1 and became delinquent after Dec. 10. Penalties will be incurred if not paid before becoming delinquent.

FREE BANKRUPTCY CONSULTATION 12:30-4:30 p.m., 601 S. Main St., Salinas Bankruptcy attorney Ralph Guenther, a principal of Guenther Miller Law Group, will initiate “Walk-In Wednesdays,” offering a free 10-minute bankruptcy consultation for local residents to discuss their financial situation and for legal information regarding bankruptcy options.

Individuals faced with foreclosures, repossessions, unpaid taxes, credit cards or medical debt are welcome to come in, no appointment necessary.

Walk-In Wednesdays will take place Jan. 12 & 26, Feb. 23, and March 23.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame.

More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing center.org PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS The Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career development workshops for teens and adults through April, thanks to grant funding.

Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops at 10 a.m.

Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

20 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR organization at 500 Chestnut St., Suite #250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

People who are not yet on the email list but would like to attend and get the Zoom link should email a request to: saturdayshakespeare@gmail.com

First Tuesdays of the Month UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade. arboretum.ucsc.edu Wednesdays in January TECH TALKS 11 a.m.-Noon, Zoom Classes Is your New Year’s resolution to learn more about technology? Then the Santa Cruz Public Libraries is the place for you. Learn more about using your phone or tablet with this month’s series of Tech Talks. Each class is free. Registration is required.

Topics: • Thursday, Jan. 6: All About Android Photos, make the most of your camera and google photos on your android device. Register at https://santacruzpl. libcal.com/event/8611946.

• Thursday, Jan. 13, All About Apple Photos. Storing and sharing photos on your Apple mobile device. Register at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8611956.

• Thursday, Jan. 20, Google Calendar Optimized, learn to organize your schedule and life with calendar apps for both Apple and Android users. Register at https:// santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8611983.

Call 831-427-7713 for help with registration. If you are new to using zoom, see santacruzpl.org/digitallearning.

Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255.

First Sunday Every Month WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz • RETURNS FEBRUARY 6 Come by on Sundays and shop at over 40 unique & wonderful artists, makers & vintage sellers — there’s something for everyone at the Westside Marketplace!

Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays.

The Market is free to attend and is 100% local!

All local and state health guidelines will be followed.

Please wear your mask, maintain social distance while you shop and stay home if you don’t feel well. Hand sanitizing stations will be available.

For more info, go to the event page: www.facebook.com/ events/ 170470481551895

DATED EVENTS Monday January 3 Wednesday January 12

TUTOR ORIENTATIONS 11 a.m.-Noon Jan. 3 / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Jan 12, Online Seminar The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Literacy Program will offer online orientations in January for people interested in becoming a tutor.

Tutor training takes 14 hours. Volunteer tutors are matched with an adult student who has a strong desire to learn English, whether to get a better job, to talk with their children’s teachers, to navigate the health care system.

Tutoring can take place at your student’s home, a library, or other community location. No teaching or

Monday January 17

ARTIST OPENING: JUST FUTURES Wednesday January 19

4-6 p.m., Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery plans to host an in-person opening reception of Just Futures: Black Quantum Futurism, Arthur Jafa, and Martine Syms, featuring the works of Arthur Jafa, Martine Syms, and Black Quantum Futurism.

The centerpiece of the exhibition, Arthur Jafa’s Love Is The Message, The Message Is Death, was screened simultaneously over 48 hours across art museums in 2020 as an international response to racial justice uprisings and civil unrest.

Note: Exhibition includes violent imagery and content.

The reception will feature remarks from Arts Dean Celine Parreñas-Shimizu, curator, T.J. Demos, professor, history of art and visual culture, and Camilla Hawthorne, assistant professor, sociology, critical race and ethnic studies.

Covid-19 protocols will be followed. Complete a symptom check before or upon arrival. Rules may change depending on the Covid situation. https://art.ucsc.edu/sesnon/just-futures ••• Still from Black Space Agency, Black Quantum Futurism (2018). Courtesy of the artist. foreign language experience needed. It is rewarding, and requires only a few hours a week.

Call 831-427-5077, and sign up at https://scvolunteercenter. org/programs/literacy-program/volunteer/ for the mandatory one-hour orientation.

Friday January 14 thru Sunday January 16 CRUZHACKS 2022 CruzHacks 2022 will take place virtually due to COVID safety protocols at UC Santa Cruz. CruzHacks is free for participants. Mentors and judges are needed.

See https://www.cruzhacks.com/ for more information and follow CruzHacks on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.

To be eligible for prizes, projects must fit into a CruzHacks or sponsor category.

Workshops will be available to help participants who have no to little prior technical experience. Last year, 25% of participants were first-time hackers, and 47% were from outside UC Santa Cruz.

CruzCoins is returning, giving members who choose to participate a chance to earn points for workshops, social media games and riddles. The more points you earn, the better chance you have of winning additional swag!

Sign up for CruzCoins at https://tinyurl.com/cruzcoins-members

Saturday January 15 SATURDAY SHAKESPEARE RETURNS WITH OTHELLO 10 a.m., Weekly Online Discussion Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello,” along with the film version featuring Laurence Fishburne, will be

examined when the Saturday Shakespeare Club begins its new sessions via Zoom.

The gatherings, each open to the public, begin with a lecture lasting about an hour and include a brief discussion, followed by a reading aloud of that portion of the play under consideration.

UCSC Emeritus Professor Michael Warren, a noted Shakespeare authority and dramaturg for Santa Cruz Shakespeare, will first give an overview of the play, its history, relevance to its time and ours, and aspects of special interest.

On Jan. 22, Sean Keilen, associate professor of literature at UCSC and director of the university’s Shakespeare Workshop, will address the group. The following Saturday, Jan. 29, a DVD lecture discussing “Othello” by Peter Saccio, professor of Shakespearean studies at Dartmouth College, will be shown.

On Feb. 5, Rebecca Clark, of the UCSC education committee, will examine aspects of race, gender and politics revealed in the play.

The film version of “Othello” will be shown Feb. 12.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also plays Iago, it features Irene Jacob as Desdemona to Fishburne’s Othello.

Although all sessions are free, those who tune in are encouraged to send a donation of at least $2 per session or $10 for the series to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, with a check made payable to the

DAY OF SERVICE 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Homeless Garden Project Farm, Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz The Homeless Garden Project will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service for community members at the Homeless Garden Project Farm.

Community members are invited to perform winter farm tasks to prepare for spring planting. Volunteers will be able to work on several different projects at the small farm, where assigned tasks will depend on the weather.

“Please come prepared with the flexibility to work on different tasks,” said Volunteer Coordinator Omar Guzman. “This is a great opportunity to come to the farm and connect with HGP, to make a difference, and to connect with the community.”

During lunch, the community will hear from a guest speaker and a trainee from the Homeless Garden Project.

If it rains, the event will be rescheduled to Jan. 23.

For more information, visit homelessgardenproject.org

Wednesday January 19 Saturday January 22 ECO-FARM CONFERENCE The 42nd EcoFarm Conference will be in person, Jan. 19-22 at the Asilomar State Beach & Conference Center in Pacific Grove. The theme is “Rooted in Resilience.”

This annual gathering of agriculturalists working to advance just and ecological farming and food systems will offer visionary keynote speakers, skill-building workshops, expo, seed swaps, networking, and farm tours.

Register at https://eco-farm.org/conference Questions: 831-763-2111 • info@eco-farm.org

Saturday January 22 TRAINING TO STOP SEX TRAFFICKING Noon-2:30 p.m., Zoom Class The Santa Cruz County Branch of the American Association of University Women is hosting an anti-sex trafficking training session on Zoom Saturday, Jan. 22, from noon to 2:30 p.m. for groups and individuals who work with teens.

Titled “Mind Games: Understanding the Predator Psychological Methodolgy,” the session will teach participants the techniques traffickers use to gain the trust of children and teens and then manipulate and control them.

Speakers are: Dr. Deena Graves, an award-winning communicator, strategist and founder of M3 Transformations, an organization that designs solutions that bring children back from predators and trauma, and Derek Williams, a former trafficker who now works to stop human trafficking, explaining how traffickers work and what can be done.

“We invite all those who work with teens to this valuable session,” said AAUW President Phyllis Taylor.

Join the Zoom meeting at: https://tinyurl.com/ prevent-trafficking For audio, find your local number: https://us02web. zoom.us/u/kbxNMcjKt For info, call AAUW at (831) 425-1306. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 21

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Thankful for New Mountain Health Center

By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

A

s we wind up 2021 and look forward to 2022, I want to begin this column with enormous gratitude to our health care providers and social service organizations for the important investments they are making in the San Lorenzo Valley.

On Jan. 24, the new Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center will begin providing primary care services in Ben Lomond’s historic Wee Kirk Church building, which is the site of Dr. Steven Leib’s longtime family practice. Dr. Leib and his wife, Vivian, restored the former church in 2014 and have now retired after decades serving the Valley.

The nonprofit Santa Cruz Community Health Centers is operating the new clinic, which will initially be open 30 hours per week and be capable of serving approximately 2,000 patients with three physicians and support staff. This is terrific news for the Valley, which has long needed more primary care options.

With variants causing an uptick in COVID infections, the “Vax the Valley” clinics in Felton, which opened every

Wednesday in December, resulted in 432 people receiving vaccinations as of Dec. 22. This has been a great complement to the COVID testing operation at Mountain Community Resources in Felton. I am grateful to Rotary Club of San Lorenzo Valley and Community Bridges, respectively, for sponsoring the vaccinations and testing.

While the response to COVID continued to command a great deal of time and funding within the County in 2021, we also dealt with a number of other pressing issues, namely supporting CZU fire recovery while building resilience against future disasters. Here’s a quick recap.

In January, after District 3 Supervisor Ryan Coonerty and I received unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors, the County filed a formal complaint against PG&E with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the unauthorized removal of trees from private property in the burn scar. Those operations, which resulted in dangerous amounts of debris left on the ground, generated numerous violations from CalFire and the Coastal Commission.

The County recently settled the complaint only after PG&E agreed to pick up the wood and invest in better services for our residents during future power outages. I also joined District 2 Supervisor Zach Friend in calling on the PUC to investigate PG&E’s “fast-trip” procedures that cut power to large swaths of customers when something

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22 / January 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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as simple as a squirrel comes in contact with a power line.

My office also worked closely in 2021 with San Lorenzo Valley Water District in taking initial steps toward potentially annexing Big Basin Water Company. I thank SLVWD for this effort in partnership with our County’s Water Resources Division and Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience to improve water supply reliability and safety for Big Basin customers, many of whom lost homes in the fire.

We also took a number of steps in 2021 to make post-fire rebuilding easier.

First, along with Supervisor Coonerty, I was pleased to win unanimous direction from the Board to provide a pathway for survivors to opt out of the expensive and time-consuming review of site-specific geological hazards. My office also spoke out in 2021 against new minimum fire-safe regulations being considered by the state Board of Forestry that would have made it difficult to rebuild in mountainous areas after a disaster.

We also pushed for an additional $2 million from the Regional Transportation Commission for road repairs, which will help improve key evacuation routes in the Valley, and I applaud the fact that nearly 60 percent of current Caltrans improvement projects in Santa Cruz County are located in my District. The County has also recently completed storm-damage repair projects on Lompico, East Zayante and Alba roads, among others.

Lastly, on the topic of housing, my

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office is working with District 1 Supervisor Manu Koenig to develop a tiny homes ordinance that would provide an affordable-by-design option with a lower environmental footprint than traditional building.

I am also supportive of the Veterans Village Project that will provide permanent supportive housing units for previously homeless veterans at Jaye’s Timberlane resort in Ben Lomond.

In 2022, among other initiatives, my office will continue working on the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency, which in November unanimously approved sending its Groundwater Sustainability Plan to the state.

And we will continue advancing a proposal to expand the Boulder Creek wastewater plant to tie in properties along Highway 236 and downtown. n ••• I look forward to serving you in the coming year, and I encourage you to contact my office at Fifth.District@santacruzcounty.us or 831-4542200 if we can be of any help.

SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Citrus Fruits Ripen Through Winter

By Tony Tomeo

W M

Senator Warren Is Ready To Move On

crossword on 19 »

eet Elizabunth Warren, a sweet shorthaired rabbit that has been at the Shelter for almost 6 months!

Elizabunth is one of many Shelter rabbits hoping to find her new home in time for the holidays — could it be with you? She was surrendered to the Shelter when her owner could no longer care for her and she is looking for a home where she can run and play and of course munch on some green treats.

Elizabunth is spayed and ready to go home with you today!

At animal shelters across the state, rabbits are coming in at an alarming rate.

Sadly, rabbits continue to be surrendered to the Shelter and there isn’t enough space for them all. There are hundreds of beautiful rabbits available for adoption and we are hoping you’ll stop by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and adopt a Shelter rabbit during our Winter Wonderland adoption special!

Due to this increase, all rabbits will be available for adoption for $22 when you adopt now through the end of February.

Visit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. or learn more at www.scanimalshelter.org.

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

inter seems like an odd time for fruit to ripen. Winter weather is cool enough to inhibit vascular activity in plants. That is why most plants are dormant to some extent through winter. Most familiar fruit trees are deciduous, so defoliate in winter chill.

Stone fruits ripened through early summer. Pome fruits ripened through late summer and autumn. Nonetheless, citrus fruits are now in season.

The various citrus fruits and their cultivars ripen at various times through their season. Like stone fruits and pome fruits, they are on distinct schedules. Furthermore, climate affects ripening. Citrus fruits that ripen earlier than other cultivars in a particular climate may ripen after the same other cultivars in another climate. A few cultivars produce sporadically, or notably later than citrus season.

Such cultivars are justifiably popular.

For example, ‘Eureka’ lemon is a mutant of ‘Lisbon’ lemon. ‘Lisbon’ lemon works well for orchards because all the fruit ripens within a limited season. ‘Eureka’ is more practical for home gardens because it instead produces sporadically throughout the year. A few fresh lemons are always available. The winter crop is abundant, but not too overwhelming.

Mandarin oranges are the first citrus fruits to harvest, even if they are not the first to completely ripen. Because their rinds fit so loosely, they are the most perishable of citrus fruits. They will oxidize and dehydrate before they rot. Tangerines are the same, since they are merely American descendants of Mandarin oranges. ‘Rangpur’ lime is not

Winter Fun © Statepoint Media

Mandarin oranges are at their best.

a lime at all, but a sour Mandarin orange hybrid.

Oranges, lemons and grapefruits, although ripening now, can remain on their trees for quite a while. The tartness of grapefruits mellows with age, and might be preferable after a few months. The same applies to the acidity of lemons. However, too many lingering citrus fruits can inhibit bloom. Some limes are supposedly best before totally ripe. All citrus fruits stop ripening when harvested. Juice of the various citrus fruits can be frozen for storage if necessary.

••• Grapefruit itrus have been in cultivation for centuries. Most breeding and selection was intentional. Even the strange breeding of orange and lemon for the familiar ‘Meyer’ lemon was deliberate.

Grapefruit, Citrus X paradisi, is a peculiar one though. Its parents were unknown when it mysteriously appeared in Barbados in about 1750. It is now known to be a hybrid of orange and pomelo, both exotic.

The original grapefruits were ‘white’ grapefruits, with tart and pale Grapefruit originated as an yellowish flesh. unlikely hybrid.

‘Pink’ grapefruits, with milder flavor, and blushed flesh, appeared a century and a half later, in about 1906. Those with rich pink flesh are known as ‘red’ grapefruits. Some mildly flavored modern white grapefruits are hybrids of grapefruit and pomelo. Such breeding makes them 75% pomelo and 25% orange.

Both modern and traditional white grapefruit trees are more vigorous than pink and red grapefruit trees. Dwarf white grapefruit trees grow slowly, but might eventually get more than fifteen feet tall.

Standard trees can get as big as shade trees.

They are too productive for home gardens.

Pink and red grapefruit trees rarely get taller than eight feet. Grapefruit foliage is evergreen and lustrous. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

C

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 23