Scotts Valley Times: February 2022

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

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February 2022 • Vol 25 No. 2

Scotts Valley Senior Center Open

The Scotts Valley Senior Center is open once more. The focus is on rebuilding programming because, like everywhere else in life, COVID-19 has affected the center’s operations as well.

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Record Night for Kaitlin Imai

By Jondi Gumz

If you enjoy watching Steph Curry, you should see Kaitlin Imai.

A senior on the Scotts Valley High School girls’ basketball team, she’s 5-foot-7, plays guard, and when she’s zoned in on the basket, she’s unstoppable.

Her coach, Gabe Gonzales, said, “On her historic night, her shot was pretty to watch. I personally do not know if there is anything prettier than watching a great shooter get hot.”

He calls Kaitlin “our rock.” ... continues on page 4

The Habit I Wish I Learned in My Twenties

By John P. Weiss Henry sits quietly in his wheelchair, a marooned shell of a man. He is old, inert, depressed, hardly responsive, and barely alive.

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262 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley

No. 2

Volume 25

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Table of Contents

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Cover Record Night for Kaitlin Imai, By Jondi Gumz Community News 4 Scotts Valley Senior Center Open, By Darshana Croskrey 5 Sgt. Gutzwiller Tribute Planned at Willowbrook Park, By Kieran Kelly 6 Help Ethiopian Reunite with Local Family, By Edita McQuary 7 Covid Solution?: Bill Would End Personal Belief Vaccine Exemption, By Jondi Gumz 10 Deal: No County Worker Strike • Santa Cruz County Jobs 19 Record Year at Santa Cruz County Bank • Cat Eyes 22 Manu Koenig Chairs County Board of Supervisors Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 The Sinatra Show Comes to Chaminade Resort & Spa: Saturday, February 12, By Danny Reber • Save the Date: Scotts Valley Communtiy Awards Gala • Friday, May 6, 2022 12 Fallen Officer’s Ball • Rotary Hosts Drive Thru BBQ Fundraising Event 13 Found Art Collective’s Valentine Pop Up 14 Home by Zinnia’s Official Ribbon Cutting Business Profile 15 Safe At Home Senior Care: Superior Service, By Edita McQuary Letter to the Editor 16 Local Fire District Leaders Ask SCCRTC Not To Abandon Freight Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Aquarius Sun, Nodes Shift: the Narrative Changes, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21 Featured Columnists 8 The One Habit I Wish I Had Discovered in My Twenties, by John P. Weiss 16 Planning Ahead for the 3G Shutdown, By David Witkowski 17 Dark Chocolate Mousse, Inspired by Bobby Flay 22 RTC Due Diligence: What Projects Along Rail Line Are Feasible?, By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Meet Archie!

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / February 2022 / 3

COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Jondi Gumz, Darshana Croskrey, Kieran Kelly, Edita McQuary, Danny Reber, Risa D’Angeles, John P. Weiss, David Witkowski, Bruce McPherson layout Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin photography Michael Oppenheimer, Ward J. Austin, 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

Scotts Valley Senior Center Open

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By Darshana Croskrey

he Scotts Valley Senior Center is open once more. The focus is on rebuilding programming because, like everywhere else in life, COVID-19 has affected the center’s operations as well.

In January and February, seniors are welcome to stop by — enjoy a cup of coffee, meet friends and catch up. Check out La Boutique and The Library too; both are ready.

The center is open for gathering and socializing safely, for playing cards, boards games, reading and doing puzzles and, as always, for seeking help, information and resources. The hope is to start some classes up in March.

Moving forward, the schedule will be expanded as more offerings become available.

Regarding Project Scout’s tax preparation assistance program for low-income seniors — good news — it is happening!

However, although there will be no face-to-face appointments with Project Scout volunteers again this year, a drop

Boutique volunteers, Linda Carney and Elaine Myers, ready to ring up some sales! off/pickup service will be provided, required applications, which have similar to the one last year. been provided.

Please follow these directions: Step 4: Gather all the required documents Step 1: Stop by the Scotts Valley Senior listed and add them into the Tax Prep Center and pickup a Tax Prep Envelope.

Envelope.

Step 2: Read the directions in it carefully.

“Senior Center” page 10 Step 3: Complete and sign all the

COVER STORY 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

“Kaitlin Imai” from page 1 She made 13 three-point attempts, and five of six free throws.

Her three-pointers set a Central Coast Section record. The previous record was 11.

That 44 point game: A record for Scotts Valley High School.

That such an accomplishment came during a pandemic make Kaitlin even more amazing.

But this didn’t happen by accident.

“Kaitlin deserves everything she gets as she works hard all year around on her game,” her coach said.

Sounds like another hot shooter on the Golden State Warriors.

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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Congratulations, Kaitlin!

It’s not too late to watch and the Falcons in action.

Scotts Valley is 11-7 overall and 4-2 in league. Their last league games are against Aptos Friday Feb. 4 and against Harbor Feb. 9. Both are away games starting at 6 p.m.

Kudos to Santa Cruz High girls led by Bella Stevens, who left the floor with a win, 72-56. They are 9-9 overall and with Bella’s return undefeated 6-1 in league. Tough competitors! n ••• Cover Photo Credit: Larry Kauk/ Maxpreps

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Sgt. Gutzwiller Tribute Planned at Willowbrook Park

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By Kieran Kelly

small crowd of Santa Cruz County officials gathered at Willowbrook County Park in Aptos on Jan. 20, to announce plans to reimagine the park in memory of fallen Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.

The effort is a collaboration of the Santa Cruz County Parks Department, the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Damon Gutzwiller County Park Friends, and Supervisor Zach Friend.

On June 6, 2020, Sgt. Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind his wife and two young children. He also left behind many friends and colleagues who wanted to find a way to honor the legacy of his service.

“He was a great police officer; he was a great sergeant,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart. “He’s sorely missed at the Sheriff’s Office. We still have a lot of grief and a lot of sadness.”

Willowbrook County Park was selected for the memorial site due to its special connection to Sgt. Gutzwiller.

Damon Gutzwiller grew up in Santa Cruz County and owned his first home in the Willowbrook neighborhood. He could often be found there playing with his beloved dog, Shasta. A dedicated public servant, Damon served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years advancing to the rank of sergeant.

Speaking through tears with her two young children in hand, Sgt. Gutzwiller’s widow Faviola Del Real spoke about Damon’s connection to the park.

“He used to talk about bringing our children here to play,” she said. “Making this dedication in Damon’s honor will give our children, Carter and Lucia, along with future generations, a place to honor his sacrifice and remember his legacy.”

According to County Parks staff, the project is designed to complement the surrounding environment and will include the installation of a memorial seating area with a curved bench near the park’s pedestrian bridge.

The bench will face towards a new flagpole that will be installed near the park’s southern entrance. The memorial area will feature a plaque honoring Sgt. Gutzwiller and engraved bricks for donors to the project.

“Damon was a local who grew up to serve his community and often visited Willowbrook Park with his family,” said Lt. Nick Baldrige, president of the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.

‘The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is proud to support this project in honor of our fallen brother and his beautiful family. May we never forget his service.”

In a nod to Sgt. Gutzwiller’s young children, the park’s playground will be updated with new features to ensure kids of all ages and abilities can enjoy the park. The park’s existing sport courts will also be resurfaced and re-striped for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.

According to Supervisor Friend, “This memorial will ensure Damon’s sacrifice is never forgotten and provide a beautiful new reflection space at the park along with improvements that will benefit the community for years to come. Damon and his family have paid the ultimate price on behalf of the community, and this will be a fitting memorial for his service.” n

How To Help

Campaign goal is $805,000 Donors gave at a variety of levels: Partner donation $25,000 Playground $25,000 Friend donation $10,000 Memorial champion $5,000 Memorial bench $2,500 area pavers Memorial area $275 engraved brick Memorial bridge $150 area plaque: If you would like to be a part of these memorial efforts through legacy dedications, visit countyparkfriends.org/willowbrook

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Help Ethiopian Reunite with Local Family

By Edita McQuary

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CARE THAT REVOLVES AROUND YOU More ways to access care. Convenient locations with many services under one roof. Digital tools that help you manage your health. We make it easy to get the care and support you need — when and where you need it. To learn more, visit kp.org/santacruz.

any of us in the community either know, or know of, the Lapp Family.

Jim Lapp is the pastor of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Santa Cruz.

In 2018 he led his congregation to donate church land and to partner with local government and Wells Fargo Bank in building a senior living community on their church property.

His wife, Leslie Lapp, is the church administrator at St. Stephen’s. Leslie was in the local news last year when she was hit by a truck while walking their dog. With lots of prayers and by a miracle, she survived.

Their daughter, Rachel, flew back from her Peace Corps work in Ethiopia to help her mother in the recovery. Leslie is now back to work but is still undergoing physical therapy.

A graduate of California Lutheran University, Rachel has volunteered on mission trips to Central America and Africa. Since 2019, she has been with the U.S. Peace Corps in Ethiopia.

She met and married Ethiopian national Dawit Yerdea in early 2021 but in February 2021 had to leave her husband behind to come back to care for her mother.

She found out she was pregnant when she got back to the U.S. and their daughter, Zellie, was born on Nov. 11, 2021.

Dawit had applied for the CR1 spousal visa to come to the U.S. and he was good to go, except for the final, perfunctory interview. Due to the civil war in Ethiopia, the U.S. Embassy there recalled non-essential employees to the U.S. and cancelled all visa interviews, leaving Dawit and others in limbo.

Family friend Ron Dwyer-Voss says, “The U.S. Embassy in Zambia had

Scan code to watch a video about our services in Santa Cruz.

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6 / February 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Rachel Lapp and her husband Dawit Yerdea.

Baby Zellie

agreed to take this case from the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and will schedule an interview once the case has been officially transferred. Mr. Yerdea can safely travel there to complete the process, however, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia is not responding to our requests to transfer his CR1 spousal visa application file to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia. But so far this has not been done.”

Pease take a few minutes and call California Representative Jimmy Panetta, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and our Secretary of State Antony Blinken and ask them to help in this family reunification matter. n ••• Rep. Jimmy Panetta: 831-429-1976 or 202-225-2861.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco: 415-393-0707.

The Honorable Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State: 202-647-6575 or 917-7101946 or email rquinn@nyc.edu.

If you would like further information or a sample letter that can be sent, email ron@ pacificcommunitysolutions.com.

To help Rachel and her family, go to www. gofundme.com/f/help-zellie-meet-her-dad.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Covid Solution?

Bill Would End Personal Belief Vaccine Exemption

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By Jondi Gumz

r. Richard Pan is a doctor specializing in children and a state senator representing Sacramento since 2014. His bill, SB 277, became law in September 2019 after a measles outbreak at Disneyland — the goal to end the “vaccine exemption loophole” for kids attending public and private schools.

On Jan. 24, with the Covid-19 Omicron variant hospitalizing 15,000 Californians, Pan said he would introduce SB 871 to add COVID-19 to the list of 10 childhood illnesses for which students are required to be vaccinated — and remove the personal belief exemption.

Action may be taken on or after Feb. 24. Track SB 871 at: https:// leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB871 On Jan. 31, the state reported 13,000 Covid cases in the hospital. In Santa Cruz County, hospitalizations have fluctuated, as low as 33, currently 44, including 6 in intensive care.

Public health officials consider vaccinations to be the number one tool to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

A Scotts Valley dad told “The Elephant in the Room” KSCO radio show that his 7-year-old, who is unvaccinated, and he declined to test, was taken out of his classroom on Friday to be taught by a staffer in an unused classroom — same on Monday and Tuesday. He approached the principal, the Scotts Valley schools superintendant, Scotts Valley police chief, county Office of Education, Sheriff’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office, saying he felt his son’s constitutional rights were violated.

Covid cases jumped dramatically last month on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s daily dashboard, peaking at 4,400 on Jan. 28, then dropping to 3,166.

Test positivity, which peaked in January, is 11.66%.

After Omicron was confirmed in two cases in the county on Dec. 16 and 17, active Covid-19 cases began rising rapidly.

Countywide, 325 cases were confirmed on Dec. 29, reaching 6,6,77 before

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dropping to 5,638, according to the county health dashboard, which is updated on Mondays and Wednesdays — not daily.

Santa Cruz County has had a “mask indoors” mandate as of Nov. 22.

The assumption is Omicron, the most easily transmissible variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus, is the driving the increase.

Less Deadly? micron may not be as deadly as the Delta variant, which raged in 2021.

Omicron left less serious illness in South Africa, but experts are not sure that is true in Israel.

Scotland reported 92 deaths on Jan. 20, 2021, and 4 deaths on Jan. 23, 2022, according to the Johns Hopkins University database.

On Jan. 27, the San Francisco Chronicle reported people are dying at a lower rate than previous surges.

Santa Cruz County reports 239 Covid deaths. As of Dec. 15, before Omicron, there were 225 deaths.

One statistic has not changed: 79 percent of those who died had pre-existing conditions.

Vaccines alifornia reports 81.9% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot.

Santa Cruz County reports 79.15 % of residents have a least one shot and 72.65 % fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated means having two shots (Pfizer or Moderna) or one Johnson & Johnson shot. All were developed for the initial Covid-19 coronavirus.

For Omicron, a booster shot is needed.

Booster shots are 90 percent effective against preventing Omicron hospitalizations, according to the federal Centers of Disease Control.

Scotts Valley Schools cotts Valley Unified School District, with 2,183 enrolled, reported 66 active student cases and six staff cases in January.

Vine Hill Elementary had 22, student cases and three staff cases. Brook Knoll Elementary had 15 student cases and three staff cases.

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“COVID Update” page 9

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

The One Habit I Wish I Had Discovered in My Twenties

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enry sits quietly in his wheelchair, a marooned shell of a man.

He is old, inert, depressed, hardly responsive, and barely alive. Can anything pull him out of the lonely, dark world he inhabits?

Fortunately for Henry, he has Yvonne Russell.

Yvonne is a recreation therapist, and she uses an iPod and earphones to play some of Henry’s favorite music from the past.

What happens next is nothing short of a miracle. Henry comes alive. Oliver Sacks, the late physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology, says in the video: “The philosopher Kant once called music the ‘quickening art’ and Henry is being quickened, he is being brought to life.”

We watch as Henry starts to dance with

by John P. Weiss

his arms and sing to the music. Afterward, the earphones are removed and Henry is asked questions.

Normally mute and unresponsive, Henry becomes quite voluble and expressive.

Dr. Sacks goes on to note: “So in some sense, Henry is restored to himself. He has remembered who he is and has reacquired his identity for a while through the power of music.”

When asked what music does to him, Henry answers: “It gives me the feeling of love.”

As much as this video demonstrates the power of music, it also shows Henry doing something that is deeply important for happiness.

It’s something we can all do but often neglect in this age of rapid distractions, side hustles, and 24/7 busyness.

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

We read to know we’re not alone used to read to my mother.

In her final years, the tremors of Parkinson’s disease destroyed her fine motor skills. Holding a book was impossible.

A lifelong reader, Mom missed the joy of immersing herself in a good book. We tried audiobooks, but she was unable to control electronic devices.

I hired a woman named Suzanne to read to my mother twice weekly when I could not be there, but Mom preferred to socialize with Suzanne. So, I became Mom’s reader, enabling her to experience worlds outside her contorted body.

“We read to know we’re not alone.”— William Nicholson, Shadowlands Over time I noticed something profound. Because my mother was unable to walk or even hold a book, the world she lived in slowed down.

Conversations became immensely important and pleasurable for Mom. When I read to her, she became quiet and completely transfixed. Meals and desserts were almost holy occasions for Mom. She was doing something that the rest of us, in our busy lives of commitments and ambitions, often fail to do.

She was savoring the moments.

Opportunities to linger in a positive moment here are so many things we can savor if we just learn to slow down. We can savor a meal, a relationship, a conversation, a book, a movie, a piece of music, past memories, and more.

According to a psychologytoday. com article: “Savoring just means that we attempt to fully feel, enjoy, and extend our positive experiences. Savoring is a great way to develop a long-lasting stream of positive thoughts and emotions, because positive events cannot always be relied on to make you happier.”

Taking the time to savor the things you enjoy can lead to greater happiness in life.

It can also lead to greater creativity.

Consider the following excerpt from an article on the benefits of savoring in positivepsychlopedia.com: “In Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience, authors Fred B. Bryant and Joseph Veroff posit that savoring may be part of creativity. Although savoring isn’t the same as flow — the state of intense absorption that heightens performance — it does share the features of clear

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John P. Weiss with his mom. She had Parkinson’s, and he frequently read to her. focus and attention to the present. When we savor, we pay more attention to details and complexity, which may come in handy later when our brains seek out the raw materials of creative ideas. Experiences that were once savored can become the fodder for written masterpieces, scientific experiments, and great business ideas.”

The great outdoors, kind people, amazing meals, books, and deep conversations are more than just nice things to experience.

They are opportunities to linger in a positive moment.

Opportunities to savor.

Another way to exercise being present y father used to enjoy summer days sitting outside on his patio. He would sip iced tea, relax, listen to the birds, and daydream. In essence, he was savoring the moment.

What’s the difference between savoring and mindfulness?

According to an article in OutsideOnline.com: “Like mindfulness, savoring is another way to exercise being present, but it takes things a step further. ‘Mindfulness asks you to observe the present moment without judging it and then let go of it,’ explains Fred Bryant, a psychology professor at Loyola University who pioneered the field of research.

‘Whereas with savoring, you observe a specific type of moment, a positive one, and then you try to cling onto it and not let it go.’”

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“Weiss” page 10

“COVID Update” from page 7 Scotts Valley Middle School had 19 cases and Scotts Valley High 11 cases. Both reported zero staff cases.

Pajaro Valley schools, with 19,000 students, reported 138 staff cases in January.

District administrators filled in for sick teachers.

Aptos High Athletic director Travis Fox suspended indoor sports because testing results did not arrive before game time. Teams have since resumed play.

The CDC says schools in Santa Cruz County are in “substantial exposure,” which prompts a protocol focusing on testing instead of tracing who is spreading virus.

This means unvaccinated students must test twice per week. Those who do not test must quarantine at home and participate in Independent Studies. They are not allowed to participate in athletics and band.

Employer Mandate n Jan. 13, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration mandate to large employers to vaccinate or test. That means 100 or more employees.

The ruling affects an estimated 84 million workers — and a minority of employers in Santa Cruz County where 82% of businesses have nine or fewer employers. Many of the large employers are medical facilities, schools or colleges.

The ruling said the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which regulates occupational hazards, did not have the right to regulate public health broadly.

The court allowed a federal vaccine mandate applying to medical facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid payments. That affects an estimated 100,000 workers.

OSHA said it is withdrawing the vaccine and testing requirements for large employers. Employers can mandate vaccines or tests for their employees if they feel it’s needed.

Protesting Mandates n Jan. 23, Children’s Health Defense, headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. https://vaers.hhs, rallied 20,000 to 30,000 people to a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C., at the Lincoln Memorial, calling for an end to vaccine mandates, a strategy used by President Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Kennedy, an attorney and a passionate advocate for vaccine choice, mentioned Anne Frank, who was Jewish, hiding to escape Nazis, a reference for which he apologized a day later.

In Brussels, 50,000 people filled the streets, protesting vaccine passports and Covid restrictions. Masked demonstrators broke a glass entrance to the office of the EU’s foreign policy agency, an action recorded on Twitter, and police fired water cannons and tear gas to break up the protest.

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Rotary Club of San Lorenzo Valley’s Vax the Valley free clinic at Felton Community Hall on Wednesdays from 1 p.m.-7 p.m.

Public health officials say the scientific consensus is that Covid vaccines are safe, but protest leaders were skeptical about relying on science from drug-makers, which saw profits rise in 2021. They point to the U.S. government database, https:// vaers.hhs.gov where health care providers are to report adverse events after a vaccine.

The reporting site was created after Congress passed a law in 1986 protecting vaccine manufacturers from civil personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits resulting from vaccine injuries.

After Covid arrived, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar invoked the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, a 2005 law that allows the HHS secretary to provide legal protection to companies making or distributing critical medical supplies such as vaccines unless there’s “willful misconduct” by the company, according to a report by CNBC. This lowers the cost of immunizations, and the protection lasts until 2024.

HHS declined requests by CNBC for an interview.

Dr. Pamela Popper of Ohio has sued HHS, FDA and CDC concerning use of vaccines for kids under 16, hopes to get discovery, the point at which both sides can get evidence. Updates are at https:// makeamericansfreeagain.com/ On Jan. 6, federal judge Allen Winsor ruled in Florida to deny a motion by the U.S. Department of Defense seeking to block discovery of evidence. The lawsuit was filed by 18 service members challenging the vaccine mandate.

Hospitalization he question is: Will hospitalizations in Santa Cruz County rise — or decline, as in San Francisco.

Possibly people entered the hospital with another condition or for scheduled surgery, then got tested for Covid. The state dashboard does not explain.

Local cases are split between Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and Watsonville Community Hospital, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

while trying to orchestrate a sale to a Pajaro Valley consortium. Bids are due Feb. 14.

Earlier, county health officials urged people with no symptoms or mild symptoms to stay home rather than going to the hospital emergency department.

Under the 1986 federal law EMTALA, emergency departments must treat everyone who comes in, regardless of ability to pay — an unfunded mandate.

Responding to a Times query via email, the California Department of Public Health estimates Omicron comprises 91% of cases statewide and Delta 6.5% but the state does not have a breakdown of Omicron hospitalizations or deaths.

Not all COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization are sequenced, the state emailed in response to the query, and the proportion of cases due to the Omicron variant that die is still being determined.

Santa Cruz County reports 239 Covid deaths, up from 225 as of Dec. 15.

One statistic is similar then and now: 79 percent of those who died had preexisting conditions.

Who do people fear Omicron?

It could be they have a pre-existing

condition (diabetes, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure).

Half of Americans do, so they are at higher risk for severe Covid illness. So are people 85 and older.

Some people who got Covid experience “long Covid,” with symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog months afterward.

A 2022 study in the journal Cell by researchers who followed more than 200 patients found biological factors that might help predict “long Covid.” At diagnosis, many acute patients had low cortisol, which could be addressed.

Testing hen active cases skyrocketed in Santa Cruz County, there was greater exposure, great demand for testing, and delayed results.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, which partnered with Inspire Diagnostics to provide 245,600 tests, posted that results may now take 48 to 96 hours. An optimal turnaround is 24 hours.

The County Office of Education offers drive-though testing for students, staff and families at these locations: Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

On Feb. 2, the California Department of Public Health reported a 13.4% test positivity rate statewide, down from 23% and 18.8% earlier in the month.

For information about testing, isolation guidance and masking, see the Jan. 7 letter from school superintendents on the county Office of Education website.

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“COVID Update” page 23

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

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Deal: No County Worker Strike deal the night of Jan. 24 halted a Jan. 25 strike planned by the union that represents 1,600 Santa Cruz County workers.

The three-year agreement would provide 9% raises (3% wage each year) and $1,250 in pandemic/hazard pay bonuses for Service Employees International Union Local 521 working for the County of Santa Cruz, the second largest employers in the county.

Negotiations took eight months.

SEIU contended the vacancy rate

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“Senior Center” from page 4 Step 5: Bring your Tax Prep Envelope to the senior center during the operating hours for drop off — please bring with you, your California driver ’s license or California identification card.

Step 6: You will be advised by a Project Scout tax preparer

hovered around 20%. A public health nurse noted that in 2020, County Administrator Carlos Palacios was paid $313,569.

Veronica Velazquez, a social worker and SEIU Local 521 president, said in a statement, “This agreement invests in the services that our community needs and relies on, and sets a framework to attract and retain dedicated essential county workers.”

The tentative agreement must be ratified by the County Board of Supervisors.

when your taxes have been completed and are ready for pickup.

Spring Bocce Registration ere is the schedule to register to play in the Spring Bocce League.

Play begins the week of April 4.

To play Bocce Ball, all players must register and must be a current member of the Scotts Valley Senior Center — no exceptions will be made.

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“Weiss” from page 8 Think about the last time you truly

Bocce registrations will take place/accepted at the Senior Center only on the dates and times listed: Feb 22nd: 12pm - 2pm Feb 24th: 12pm - 2pm Feb 28th: 12pm - 2pm Mar 2nd: 12pm - 2pm Mar 4th: 11am - 1pm Mar 8th: 12pm - 2pm Mar 10th: 12pm - 2pm

savored something? Maybe it was an amazing dinner with a loved one. Or a relaxing walk with your dog.

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

••• Santa Cruz County Jobs Report posted Jan. 21 December unemployment 5.4% Dec 2021 Change from

a year ago Leisure & hospitality 9,600 Up 1,500 Private education & health 17,900 Up 1,200 Government 20,600 Up 1,200 Other services 4,600 Up 300 Professional/business 10,600 Up 300 services Construction 4,500 0 Information 500 Down 100

New Hours he Scotts Valley Senior Center, Kings Village Road, has new operating hours: Mon. – Thurs.: 10am - 2pm Friday: 10am - 1pm The center is closed every 4th Friday of the month. Masks are required to be worn inside the facility.

Thank you! n

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Remember how good you felt?

Taking the time to savor pleasant moments is good for your health.

As noted in the OutsideOnline.com article:“The benefits of savoring are similar to those of mindfulness: studies have found that it can improve mood, lead to greater life satisfaction, and increase feelings of gratitude and appreciation. But it can also help you remember things more vividly, something mindfulness doesn’t do.”

If we know savoring is good for us, how come we don’t do it more?

Sometimes we have to train ourselves to savor the positive things in our lives.

We must schedule time to enjoy positive experiences and special moments.

“I’ve always believed in savoring the moments. In the end, they are the only things we’ll have.” — Anna Godbersen, The Luxe Here are three tips to help you savor the good things in your life more.

Identify stressful, negative feelings t’s hard to settle into special moments and savor the experience if you are feeling sad, anxious, afraid, angry, etc.

Negative feelings must be dealt with.

Ask yourself why you are feeling negative feelings. Identifying the cause of your stress is the first step in dealing with it.

From there, you might seek the advice of someone you trust and respect. Or you can write down the stressor and various solutions. Putting it down on paper makes it less scary and easier to manage. Also, it helps you set it aside, so you can move on to savoring pleasant things.

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Trade/transportation/ 16,300 Down 300 utilities Financial 3,100 Down 100 Manufacturing 6,900 0 Farm 5,800 Down 100 Nonfarm 94,600 Up 2,800 Total 100,400 Up 3,900 Labor force 131,100 Up 2% Employed* 124,000 Up 5% Unemployed 7,100 Down 32% Count is on the 12 of the month * Includes commuting to jobs outside county Source: California Employment Development Department n

Receptionist Marlene Flannery is waiting to greet you!

Beware of cognitive distortions ognitive distortions are basically unhelpful thoughts. They can emerge from our insecurities, or be caused by a bad experience.

For example, maybe someone on the freeway cut you off on your way to a special event. Don’t let red lights, rude servers, traffic headaches, and all the other little frustrations of life overshadow the good stuff. The stuff you want to savor.

Slow down his is often the hardest one for me. My mind is always thinking about things I’ve done, and things I want to do. It’s hard to slow down and savor the present moment.

If this happens to you, try slowing down your breathing. Inhale slowly, exhale slowly.

Focus on the pleasant things you’re enjoying at that moment. Silently say encouragements to yourself, like: “I enjoy this soothing music,” or “I love the warmth of this amazing campfire.”

Savoring is the one habit I wish I discovered in my twenties. Back then I was young and full of ambition. Who has time to savor when there are dreams to conquer?

But then we age and after the battles are won what is left?

Memories.

And if we have learned how to savor, then our memories will be sweeter. They will comfort us through our remaining years and beyond the landscape of eternity. n ••• John P. Weiss is an artist and writer and the former police chief in Scotts Valley. See his blog at johnpweiss.com.

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The Sinatra Show Comes to Chaminade Resort & Spa Saturday, February 12

By Danny Reber Music can be an amazing thing. It can take you places. It can lift you up when you are feeling down and provide inspiration when you least expect it. On occasion the right music can nourish your very soul. On this note, the music of Frank Sinatra comes to mind.

I will admit I was not always a fan but that was only because I did not always “get it”. I remember a particular day years ago at a San Francisco Giants game. The previous year had been a rough one full of tragedy and stress and I was there to enjoy a ball game and forget about my woes. It was a beautiful day.

The fog had cleared, and the sun shined warmly across the bay. I was enjoying a beer and just taking a walk around the stadium between innings, soaking in the ambiance. Suddenly, I felt a gentle breeze upon my face and as if on cue, they began to play “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra.

It was at that exact moment that I “got it”.

For the first time in my life, I finally understood the music of Frank Sinatra. For me it was about taking a moment to enjoy

the “now”, about slowing down to “stop and smell the roses”.

Some might say Frank Sinatra’s music is from a bygone era yet even today his music lives on with fans from all ages and walks of life. Have you ever wished you could step back in time and be a part of that era? Well, now you can, thanks to local Scotts Valley residents, Chamber members, and producers fo The Sinatra Show, Kallen and Josephine Hamrah of Golden Sight Productions.

The Sinatra Show comes to Chaminade Resort and Spa on Saturday, February 12th.

Here is your chance to dress up and step out. Experience a delicious Italian buffet and warm hospitality in the elegant Santa Cruz Ballroom while you are transported to another time and place. Get ready for high octane when Matt Hall, sensational vocalist and entertainer per• DOORS OPEN 7PM FOR DINNER forming with the dynamic band Essence, overnight at www.ChaminadePackages.

• SHOW BEGINS AT 8PM com. takes the stage.

• $125 PER PERSON INCLUSIVE • RSVP (831)465-3421 CHAMINADE With a three-octave range and an If you would like more information RESORT & SPA-ONE CHAMINADE attitude of an era gone by, no imitation about this topic, please contact Kallen LANE SANTA CRUZ, CA. here, let us dance to the Sinatra’s signature • NO HOST COCKTAIL RECEPTION Hamrah at 831-461-1682 or email at kallensongs. Seating is limited. Make it a valhamrah@sbcglobal.net.

6:30PM entine weekend and book Chaminade’s

Save the Date: Scotts Valley Communtiy Awards Gala • Friday, May 6, 2022

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he Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce annual Community Awards Gala that normally takes place every January has been moved to a later date in the Spring due to the COVID Omicron variant.

Save the date for Friday, May 6th for this in-person event at Roaring Camp Railroads Bret Harte Hall. The space is a 6,000

square foot rustic barn with wrought-iron chandeliers, twinkle lights, and decorations to compliment this year’s theme: an “Evening with the Stars”. Through massive doors, the indoor space opens to a covered outdoor reception area and a beautiful meadow.

The evening of celebration will begin at 5:00 pm with a full course dinner catered

by Bruno’s Bar & Grill, desserts by the Hot Pink Box Dessert Company, and dancing until 10:00 pm. There will also be live music, many raffle items, and a brief live auction.

The deadline to submit nominations has also been extended thru Friday, Feb 10th.

“Awards Gala” page 14

Get Your Business Listing in the Annual Directory – Join the Chamber Today!

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Fallen Officer’s Ball

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Coconut Grove • February 12th

he Fallen Officer Foundation is hosting the 17th Annual Fallen Officer Foundation Ball at the Cocoanut Grove. This will be an in-person event with all safety protocols in place on February 12th at 5:30 p.m.

The event will honor the local first responders and will pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our community the past two years.

In their endeavors, there is both a

physical and emotional toll. Every day our first responders pay that price and return to duty. The Fallen Officer Foundation continues to stand ready to render aid to local first responders and their families in times of need.

It is a privilege to assist the people who serve as guardians of our communities. It is with the community’s support that we have been able to meet our mission.

The past two years has been unprecedented in the challenges faced for everyone.

Even in these challenging times, the Fallen Officer Foundation has received support and shares its deep appreciation to each one of you for continuing to donate to our organization.

The Fallen Officer Foundation is a 501© 3 nonprofit with an all-volunteer board so 99% of proceeds go directly back to assisting Santa Cruz County first responders.

Rotary Hosts Drive Thru BBQ Fundraising Event

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Proceeds to Benefit Scotts Valley Schools and Senior High School Scholarships • March 19, 2022

he Rotary Club of Scotts Valley will host its annual fundraiser Drive thru BBQ event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit all four schools in the Scotts Valley School District, and provide scholarships to graduating Scotts Valley Seniors, as well as several other programs

traditionally supported by the the Club, such as NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program to promote ocean and watershed conservation at the school.

“Due to the Covid19 pandemic, we decided to continue our fundraising efforts by organizing

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

a Drive Thru BBQ that the community can enjoy, and at the same time, give back to the community,” said Patrizia Materassi, club president of Scotts Valley Rotary.

“Rotary BBQ” page 13

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Found Art Collective’s Valentine Pop Up

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n February 12th and 13th from noon to 5pm, just in time for Valentine’s Day shopping, Found Art Collective (foundartcollective.com) is once again hosting local artists as featured Pop Ups at the gallery and gift shop at 5167 Scotts Valley Drive (cross street is El Pueblo Drive).

At the pop-up event you’ll find jewelry, photography, and quilts along with the shop’s everyday offering of pottery and other handmade items. Stop in and shop local while supporting the artists in your community.

Work featured in the Valentine Pop Up on Saturday includes jewelry by Katelyn Byrne, photography by Barbara Brundage (bbrundagephotography.com), crochet wearables by Tara McKinney, and photography by Kara Capaldo.

On Sunday, pop ups include quilted textiles by Ann Baldwin May (annbaldwin mayartquilts.com) paintings by Heidi Michelle, and jewelry by Maria Kate.

You can’t predict the future, so plan for it.

You can't predict the future, so plan for it.

MKT-5894-A-A2

Found Art Collective is a motherdaughter-owned gallery in Scotts Valley, CA. The creative space features pottery and other handmade goods including textiles, sculpture, jewelry, stationery, wearable art, as well as natural personal care items, many from local artists.

NEW FOR 2022 Cheryl D Rebottaro, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor

221 Mount Hermon Rd Suite F Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4038 831-461-9311

MKT-5894-A-A2

“Rotary BBQ” from page 12 The Drive Thru will take place at the Scotts Valley Community Center at 360 Kings Village Road between 5-6 p.m.

Fro $60, you will get a complete meal, which includes a 40 ounce Premium Tri Tip Roast, a Sourdough Garlic Bread Loaf, Garden Salad, and Ranch Style Beans. A bottle of wine can be added for an additional $20.

100 Complete Meal Tickets are available so ORDER NOW at https:// drivethrubbq.brownpapertickets.com.

••• he Rotary Club of Scotts Valley www. facebook.com/ScottsValleyRotary. Our club meets weekly at Noon virtually and in person on the last Monday of the month, outdoors in the Kings Village Shopping Center Courtyard in front of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce office or at a member’s backyard.

We support the community, youth, seniors and military veterans. We sponsor the local Cub Scout Pack 608, host Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program and our annual Area Speech Contest.Recent international projects have included outfitting a hospitality vocational training center in Cambodia, supporting Sister Rosemary in her quest to save abused girls in Uganda, and helping Assist International with a hospital project in Ethiopia.

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For more information about our club and if you wish to attend a club meeting, visit our website at www.facebook.com/ ScottsValleyRotary.

!

WE ARE NOW BILLING MONTHLY Please pay by the 5th of each month: www.svwd.org/paybill

IMPORTANT NOTICE The Covid-19 State Water Service Shutoff Moratorium has ended. Behind on payments? Contact the District to avoid potential service shutoffs: 831-438-2363 or contact@svwd.org

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Home by Zinnia’s Official Ribbon Cutting February 17 • 5:30-7pm • Light Refreshments

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e Believe There is Nothing Like Coming Home!

At Home by Zinnia’s enjoy a sensory experience. Walk through our soulfully crafted space featuring decor and

“Awards Gala” from page 11 The 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;

designs for kitchen, dining, living room and more.

Each collection was carefully curated and created using best in class, mindfully made brands.

Our team is committed to providing an imaginative oasis, where our customers can trust our design experts to inspire, educate and guide through our connected story.

At Home by Zinnia’s we invite you to work with one of our design professionals where we will help “home” become anything you want or need it to be.

Business of the Year nominee must be a current Scotts Valley Chamber member.

An individual may live or work outside the city limits, but their contribution must be within Scotts Valley. The youth of the Year nominee must be of High School age. The online nomination form is located on the home page of the Scotts Valley Chamber website: scottsvalley chamber.com

WOMAN of the year – Annette Marcum Memorial; BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT of the year – Claire Hodgin Memorial; ORGANIZATION of the year; EDUCATOR of the year; and YOUTH of the year.

Each nominee must have made a valuable contribution to Scotts Valley, it may be over a period in the past or the current in the previous year 2021.

Opportunities to showcase your business by becoming a sponsor are available now!

Contact Executive Director, Danny Reber at dreber@scottsvalleychamber.com or 831-588-9392.

Tickets to attend the gala will go on sale on March 1st and can be purchased via the Chamber’s website scottsvalley chamber.com.

Turn Your Home Ownership Dreams Into Reality Now Only 3% down and no closing costs!* • Low, competitive rates • Friendly, fast, and local service

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831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans *No closing costs include lender fees, appraisal fees, title fees, and escrow fees. First Time Homebuyer Program available to those that have not owned a property in the last three years. Offer valid on owner-occupied single-family residences for those with a credit score of 680+. Maximum loan amounts up to $970,800 in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and $854,450 in Monterey County. Mortgage insurance required for loan amounts greater than 80% loan to value. Offer applicable on purchase transactions in the State of California. Offer not available on refinances.

Other restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, and property valuation. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required at the time of closing. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call a Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant at 831.479.6000, or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, extension 304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635.

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

Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

BUSINESS PROFILE

Safe At Home Senior Care Superior Service

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By Edita McQuary

o man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” wrote John Donne, English poet and pastor.

However, family life in these current times can be especially challenging when family members live far away from each other. It can be difficult to be certain that seniors and/or disabled loved ones get the proper care they deserve. Safe at Home Senior Care has been helping families do this for 21 years.

Started by Cindy and Steve Glenn, the company has now passed the torch on to their son, Ryan Colligan, and his wife, Debora.

Ryan grew up in Capitola and attended local schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal State-Chico and a master’s in business administration degree from UC Berkeley. Debora, originally from Brazil, is a documentary film maker and will soon preview her latest film here in Santa Cruz.

Safe at Home Senior Care is a local, non-franchise business which is fully invested in our local community. They are registered with the State of California.

They also own Oceanside Supported Living in Santa Cruz, which provides in-home care for developmentally disabled adults.

Award-winning staff at Safe at Home Senior Care.

Care Plan “We have a customized in-home assessment process with an in-home assessment by a care coordinator who meets with the family to get a thorough understanding of the client’s needs,” said Ryan. Taken into account is what kind of help is needed and for what time period.

The client’s medical history, activities,

Caregiver of the Quarter Vanessa Estrada with Safe at Home director Ryan Colligan.

interests, and services necessary are also contracted with “Home Care Plus,” an considered. This very careful and delib- outside agency, to do anonymous monthly erate assessment process enables the care surveys on client satisfaction- regarding coordinator to come up with the right whether the client feel supported, the match of caregiver, whose personality caregiver is prepared, has good communimatches that of the client. cation skills, and what, if anything, can be Covid done better.

“Covid has made it challenging to hire Caregiver Socials good people. Because of California state At one time, Ryan himself was a carevaccine mandates, we have had to let some giver so he knows how important it is to of our employees go. Also, there is a fear recognize good service. As a result, he surrounding working in this field. Some of has started “Caregiver Socials” every 2-3 our employees have months which take opted to leave and place at a different “Covid has made it challenging wait until things get local restaurant each to hire good people. Because of better,” according to time. Caregivers and California state vaccine mandates, Ryan. clients are invited to we have had to let some of our “ H o w e v e r, ” relax and socialize. employees go. Also, there is a fear says Ryan, “There is There is recognition surrounding working in this field.” no shortage of new of the “Caregiver of — Ryan Colligan customers needing the Quarter” award” care providers. We with a cash bonus. A need experienced people with compassion newsletter comes out quarterly to keep all and a good attitude. Training is provided informed and “in the loop.” n on-line as well as in-house. Also, there is ••• an orientation process one-on-one with an Safe at Home Senior Care is located experienced Caregiver as well as on-going at 820 Bay Ave., Suite 101, Capitola. For a refresher training.” free home in-home assessment, please call Due to having fewer workers and 831.462.3500 or go to the website at www. having to pay lots of overtime, Safe at safeathomeseniorcare.com. All caregivers Home Senior Care did take advantage of are bonded, insured and covered by Workers the government’s Paycheck Protection Compensation, have clean criminal backProgram with the outstanding help of ground checks, are T.B. tested, trained, and Santa Cruz County Bank. registered by the State of California.

“Home Care Plus” Photos courtesy of Safe at Home Safe at Home Senior Care has Senior Care

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Planning Ahead for the 3G Shutdown

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By David Witkowski

pproximately every 10 years, wireless cellular networks around the world evolve by implementing newer generations of technology. Each generation typically remains active for about 20 years.

The third generation of cellular technology, known as 3G, was first deployed in October 2000. This year, U.S. wireless carriers will begin shutting down the 3G network, and Santa Cruz county residents—especially those who live or travel in rural areas—should begin preparing for this transition.

First, let’s talk about why 3G is shutting down. As the number of cellular users grows, and as subscriber equipment becomes more sophisticated, older network technologies cannot keep up with user demand.

Newer technologies make more efficient use of the limited frequencies assigned to cellular use, so older systems must be upgraded. In 2000, the cellular network carried mostly voice calls and SMS text messages.

In 2022, the cellular network carries mostly high-bandwidth digital data for apps, multimedia messages, and highdefinition voice calls.

Our usage of cellular networks continues to grow exponentially as users

abandon wired landline telephones in favor of wireless cellular service, and 80% of calls to 911 emergency services come from cellular phones.

This level of demand far exceeds the capacity of the 3G network, and is already straining the 4G network as cellular network usage notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and users shifted to work-from-home and school-from-home. The need for more network capacity has risen to a critical point, so wireless carriers must shut down the 3G network to make way for more efficient technologies that can keep up with usage. This isn’t the first time older networks have shut down—the original analog and 2G networks from the late 1990s were turned off several years ago to make way for 3G, and later 4G. Newer technologies are poised to replace the 3G network, but there may be a period of time with reduced coverage as county and city governments work to process the applications from carriers needed to make those upgrades.

Knowing that 3G networks will shut down in 2022, you should consider now whether this will impact you. Depending on where you live or travel, and what types of subscriber equipment you own,

the effects of the 3G shutdown may range from non-existent to significant.

Rural areas of Santa Cruz County are most likely to be impacted by the shutdown, but it’s possible we will see impacts in suburban and even urban areas.

If you’re one of the 170 million people in the U.S. who rely on wireless cellular for your home phone use, you should turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi while in your home, and look at your phone’s display to determine what type of service you have. If your phone’s display shows 4G or 5G, you’re good to go for home service.

If the display shows 3G, or if you still have a flip-phone or an older Blackberry, you’re definitely in the impacted group, and should contact your carrier to explore options for getting a new phone.

Some carriers are offering promotions on replacement phones. If you’re not interested in a smartphone, some carriers offer 4G-capable flip-phones.

Be aware that, as you travel throughout the county, you may lose coverage in areas where you previously had no issues. Again, these gaps will be resolved as the carriers bring up 3G replacement networks, but for a time you may experience dropped phone calls, and

Photo Credit: Oku Solutions LLC

Older 3G mobile phones may have to be replaced. text messages may be delayed until you move back into coverage.

If you rely on cellular service for work, or for personal safety while bicycling or other forms of recreation, you will want to check coverage and have a backup plan.

The 3G shutdown will impact more than just cellular phones—some medical monitoring devices, tablets, smart watches, vehicle tracking and emergency notification services, home or commercial security systems, and other systems may use the 3G network for connection to the internet.

“3G” page 18

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Local Fire District Leaders Ask SCCRTC Not To Abandon Freight

Dear Supervisor McPherson and Members of the SCCRTC e write you today to urge you not to proceed with any efforts to abandon freight service on the Felton Branch Rail Line or the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

These rail lines ensure there is a rail connection for Santa Cruz County and the rest of California, which may be critical in providing an essential route to the San Lorenzo Valley and other areas during future fire emergencies related to climate change, severe drought and catastrophic wildfires.

New technologies and innovative solutions to climatedriven emergencies are in development in California and beyond. For example, fire trains are beginning to see use to help fight major wildfires. This was the case in Northern California during the 2021 Dixie Fire.

Fire trains use water and retardant, hauled in by rail in tanker cars. The trains also include firefighting professionals who battle wildfires from the train, helping to protect watersheds and critical infrastructure.

Freight use abandonment of either rail line will lead to railbanking, which would result in tearing out the tracks, thus eliminating a potentially critical tool in the years ahead as we learn to adapt to the new realities of climate change.

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

As you may be aware, there are areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains that are only accessed via the rail line, such as within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and the Pogonip open space area.

Coupled with new technologies, such as fire trains that are under study in California, is major new funding for wildfire prevention and protection that is being developed by both the state and federal governments. It is important for Santa Cruz County to maximize options for future resources and to not get left behind in funding and policy decisions that could potentially benefit our region.

We urge you to maintain the Felton Branch Rail Line and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line as critical infrastructure for our community.

Sincerely, Dan Walters, Fire Chief, Zayante Fire District Bob Locatelli, Fire Director, Boulder Creek Fire District Robert Gray, Fire Chief, Felton Fire District Stacie Brownlee, Fire Chief, Ben Lomond Fire District Jim Anderson, Vice Chair, Felton Fire District Sam Robustelli, Fire Director, Boulder Creek Fire District Mark Bingham, Fire Chief, Boulder Creek Fire District

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Dark Chocolate Mousse A

DISCOVER THE JOY OF LE ARNING AT KIRBY SC HOOL .

Our challenging program is available both in person, for on-campus learners, and online, for at-home learners.

Inspired by Bobby Flay

s a part of their capstone culinary arts class, Mount Madonna School high school seniors prepared and served a gourmet four-course meal for staff and visitors last month — a hands-on experience that built confidence.

The meal, which consisted of a butternut squash risotto, an apple walnut salad, bread and chocolate mousse, was executed entirely by the students from concept to presentation. They picked Bobby Flay’s recipe for Dark Chocolate Mouse. While some students separated eggs, others were toasting walnuts, chopping herbs, preparing the broth, and keeping up with dishes.

“The trick to risotto is to toast everything together for two minutes, and then add the broth,” teacher Sara Sobkoviak instructed the class. She leads Adulting 101, a class that equips students in real-world skills such as culinary arts, gardening, financial planning, construction, child development, college readiness and more.

“The love and the care that these students put into making our food – you could taste it,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “The best part was listening to them talk about the process of making the food and seeing their pride. They put thought, intention, and effort in everything they did.”

“It was amazing across the board.

And that mousse? Divine,” Goewert said.

“Once you become a senior at Mount Madonna School, you get put in all these leadership roles and given all these responsibilities and are actually in charge of projects. Like cooking a whole meal, for example. It’s pretty awesome to know that I’m capable of doing that,” said student Kayla Goldstein.

Added Grace Timan, “Even though I’m not the best cook, I’m learning so much alongside my peers. We are a really close class, and we lean on each other. I’m not afraid to make mistakes or try new things. I think that’s what I really love

about the Adulting 101 class…I might be no good at separating egg whites, I’m going to try anyhow. And my friends make it fun.”

••• Dark Chocolate Mousse Ingredients 51/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 14 ounces cold heavy cream 3 large egg whites 1-ounce sugar Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish, optional Shaved bittersweet chocolate, for garnish, optional ••• Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a bain marie or in a double boiler at a low simmer. Stir chocolate until melted.

Turn off the heat and let stand.

Beat the cream over ice until it forms soft peaks. Set aside and hold at room temperature. With a mixer, whip egg to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and continue whipping until firm.

Remove the chocolate from the bain marie and using a whisk, fold in the egg whites all at once. When the whites are almost completely incorporated, fold in the whipped cream. Cover the mousse and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or until set. Serve in goblets topped with more whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired. n

Kirby School is an independent college preparatory school in Santa Cruz for grades 6-12.

Individual attention and social and emotional well-being are vital to student success. Our caring team is committed to ensuring your child thrives.

We are now enrolling for 2022-2023.

Join us at one of our upcoming virtual admissions events and sign up for an in-person tour and shadow day.

We offer a test-free application process and Tuition Assistance.

425 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 KIRBY.ORG | 831-423-0658

Visit KIRBY.ORG to learn more.

Share A Recipe!

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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 / February 2022 / 17

Aquarius Sun, Nodes Shift: the Narrative Changes Esoteric Astrology • February 2021 • By Risa D’Angeles

M

ercury’ retrograde ends February 3rd. Venus’s retrograde ended January 29th.

But during the retrogrades last week, two new aspects (North/South Nodal shifts) of great importance appeared in the heavens, their influence remaining with us for the next eighteen months.

This is Part 1 of a beginning study of the North and South Nodes (present/ future and our past). In Vedic (Hindu) astrology they are referred to as the Dragon points or Dragon head (North Node) and Dragon tail (South Node).

The nodes are not planets or signs. They are points in space created by the Moon’s path crossing the Sun’s path. They are like a loop or a tie or a binding together of the Sun and Moon, two cosmic principles, solar and lunar, and a binding together of the past and present/future. The North node faces the North Pole, the South Node, the South Pole.

These points drift opposite each other through the months.

Oppositions in astrology create integration. With the nodes, the past integrates into our present, creating our future.

As the Sun entered Aquarius last week, the nodes also changed signs and both Aquarius and the nodal shifts humanity’s narrative changed. From Gemini (thinking) we shift to north node in Taurus (stabilization) north node, from Sagittarius (journey) to south node in Scorpio (dark to light).

ARIES

You may be dreaming more often, feeling more intuitive, perhaps sometimes confused, more sensitive, inspired and insightful. Study, prayer, meditation, contemplation and a bit more repose are good for you. They cultivate compassion and a deeply caring way of being. When you find yourself in a group calling you to lead and help create the future era, all needed skills, tools and virtues appear. The new world is what you are to initiate.

TAURUS

You have one task now — a focus upon health. Tend to joints and bones, hands, thumbs, arms, knees, feet and most of all your heart, not allowing anxiety or stress, eating calming Ayurvedic foods. Swimming in warm salt pools is recommended. Use practicality to care for yourself. You must choose daily — to be out and about in the sun, even if it’s snowing.

Remaining at home is best. Figure out your spring garden. This helps you build towards perfect health. Begin each day facing the early morning Sun. No glasses, eyes wide open, feet on the ground.

GEMINI

Every eighteen months, both nodes, always opposite each other, change signs. North Node representing the Sun, our present/future, our dharma (tasks, purpose). South Node representing the moon, past lifetimes, things not yet completed.

The nodes hold gifts. North Node holes the gifts we are to develop in the present lifetime. South Node — the gifts, talents and abilities we have developed over lifetimes. We are most comfortable and familiar with the area of our life where our south node is.

Each node has a task. South Node gathers together our past lives’ experiences, talents and abilities and these create stepping stones that, over a lifetime, lead us to our North Node. Here we then proceed forward into new life tasks. We meet our dharma, our purpose and the present/future life tasks to be developed this lifetime.

The South Node provides us with all that we need to remember to develop our purpose and present life abilities. The North Node abilities are yet to be developed. The Nodes are the Path we traverse each lifetime and they are deeply connected to our Rising Sign (life purpose). (… Part 2 on the nodes next month) Note from Risa — for daily & weekly updates see Risa’s FB page Risa D’Angeles & website www.nightlightnews.org/

LEO

You’re becoming more perceptive, intuitive and enlightened and this affects those you work with.

Someone, something (words, ideas, memories of someone in particular) creates a shift and deeper awareness of how you presented yourself in past relationships. Your mind sorts through previous ideas of intimacy. You wonder if you shared yourself and loved enough. There’s sadness sometimes, as old dreams reappear. You hear a voice saying … Love is patient, love is kind, even when it’s difficult, which means you’re learning.

VIRGO

You will relate better with others, especially those close to you, if you offer love — pure, ceaselessly, unqualified and unconditional, with kindness and patience. Love is something many of us need yet to learn. We don’t quite know how to love. Or even what love is. But when we do love, we flourish and thrive and discover greater support and needed guidance. Challenging others doesn’t work. Curiosity, listening, care and compassion do. They nourish all thirsty hearts. Your heart too.

LIBRA

Something revelatory happens between you and the world, you and work, you and Venus and Mercury (retrograde now), and you and your inner life. You’re inspired, encouraged and guided from within.

With careful study, years of preparation, and viewing the past in terms of cultivating your gifts, a spiritual pathway appears. Previous choices and commitments are understood, and gratitude settles in your heart. The next festival is Candlemas, February 2. Plan on observing it. Bring all your candles out.

Think, visualize and pray daily for all that you want and need your life to be. Include beauty, happiness, forgiveness, creativity, art and loving relationships partnerships. If you’re not sure of your needs, ask yourself each day, “What are my hopes, wishes and dreams? What are my abilities and gifts?” In the coming months, you become stronger, more resilient. Take cautionary care with money and resources. You need fishes in a fish bowl and an apricot canary.

CANCER

Use your imagination, resources and investments in terms of preparing for the future. Find a forwardthinking money manager. Catherine Austin Fitts is one who helps humanity understand present and past money issues. Think seriously about a new economy needing to unfold. It’s not digital. Keep cash on hand. Don’t speculate in the old economy. Consider precious metals. Study books on greenhouses and bio- shelters and the resources needed to create these environments. You then become the forward-thinking disciple.

•••

What have you been feeling and thinking of during these days of change? Do you sense you’re being introduced to new qualities within yourself, a new identity emerging? Do these days make you feel generous and at home? Is there a new reality or interest presenting itself? You want to participate fully. But you know it’s not quite the right time yet. Are you cleaning, singing, reading, redecorating, expanding your foundation? Love is close by.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

The planets are affecting your sense of self, your identity, your money, your family, home situation, creativity and possibilities in terms of relationships, partnerships, and for some, marriage. So many different realities pulsing and shifting here and there and all about.

Something kind and benevolent, something sacrificial and something remembered in your family occurs. Are relatives and loved ones on your mind? Your remembering creates the needed loving contact.

CAPRICORN

You’re thinking optimistically about doing something new in the field of art to be presented to the world. It combines your talents and gifts.

You want to bring more grace, goodness, ease and beauty to your life and the life of humanity. You recognize everyone’s doing their very best, especially you, and you’re asking for more opportunities.

Begin writing (journaling) in earnest and even drawing what you want to do, who you want to be and how you want to serve the world. Then your next creative endeavor appears.

AQUARIUS

Money and resources are going through a definite change. You want adequate money in order to stabilize yourself in the future.

This means more attention to the wellbeing of your finances. Don’t forget to always help others. When we serve others, our needs are always taken care of. What we give to others is returned to us in greater measure. The charts show a focus on home, past, present and future. Follow what calls to you.

It loves you.

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

PISCES

Neptune in Pisces brings forth revelations and visions.

Neptune blends many realities into one reality.

Order, organization and specifics dissolve away. Be aware and observe this occurring.

Neptune is not the planet of detail. It’s the planet of refinement, of parting the veils, of creative imagination and realms where dreams are. Neptune transits can make us experience exhaustion. Magnesium, Vitamins A, B, C & D3 (sunlight) help stabilize the body. Tend very carefully to health in these times. Everyone is vulnerable. Especially the tender fishes.

“3G” from page 16 Some systems, such as security alarm panels, use cellular networks as a backup for wired internet connections.

You should contact your equipment vendor, doctor, security monitoring company, and so forth o determine if 4G or 5G upgrades are needed and available.

The timeframe for the 3G shutdown varies, depending on which carrier you use.

AT&T is already shutting down their networks, and has said they will complete the process by February 2022.

T-Mobile is already shutting down the 3G network they acquired from Sprint, and will complete this by the end of March. T-Mobile will then shut down their own 3G network by the end of June.

Verizon will complete their 3G shutdown by the end of December. You may have service from a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, companies that buy and resell capacity from one of the three carriers. MNVO service will be affected by the shutdown dates of the carriers they resell. For example; Boost Mobile and Mint are on the T-Mobile network, Visible and Jitterbug/GreatCall are on Verizon.

In the long run, the transition away from 3G will provide better coverage and performance for our county’s wireless networks. With a little bit of planning, you can minimize or eliminate the impact of this transition. n ••• David Witkowski is a nationally-recognized expert on wireless communications who lives in Aptos. He is a Fellow in the Radio Club of America, an IEEE senior member, and the founder & CEO of Oku Solutions LLC. He serves as executive director of the Wireless Communications Initiative at Joint Venture Silicon Valley, co-chair of the Deployment Working Group at IEEE Future Networks, co-chair of the GCTC Wireless SuperCluster at NIST, a member of the Connected Communities Forum in the Wireless Broadband Alliance, and an expert advisor to the California Emerging Technology Fund.

••• Editor’s note: On Jan. 28, the FAA said Verizon and AT&T were cleared to deploy their 5G towers near airports.

The transition into 5G has been rocky for airline passengers. On Jan. 17, the CEOs of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers wrote to federal regulators warning of “potentially devastating disruptions” when AT&T and Verizon were set to deploy 5G service. The two telecoms postponed 5G near some airports. The FAA said San Francisco, New York’s JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway, and Seattle were affected. American Airlines delayed or canceled flights. United delayed flights.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Record Year at Santa Cruz County Bank S anta Cruz County Bank, on the cusp of 18 years in business, reported earnings for 2021 was a record $21.3 million, 21 percent more than in 2020.

Fourth quarter net income was $4.7 million, up from $4 million in that quarter a year ago.

Pretax, pre-provision net earnings for 2021 exceeded 2020 by $9.4 million.

Santa Cruz County Bank President and Krista Snelling CEO Krista Snelling said, “We recorded an incredible year of growth as evidenced by double-digit percentage increases, comparing 2021 to 2020, in assets, loans, deposits and net income,

all of which set new historical milestones for Santa Cruz County Bank.”

Our amazing employees logged more 500 hours in community volunteer hours in 2021.

Bank staff supported business owners, providing guidance on the PPP forgiveness process to help position them for success.

The bank opened in February 2003.

The bank has five branches in Santa Cruz County, including Aptos and Capitola and Scotts Valley, one in Cupertino and one in Monterey, plus online banking. The bank plans to open a Salinas branch by the third quarter of this year.

Highlights for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2021 included: • Assets of $1.7 billion, up 20% • Total gross loans (excluding PPP) of $1.11 billion, up 21%,

Deposits of $1.5 billion, up 25%. The bank ranked 4th in overall deposit market share in Santa Cruz County, 2nd in Santa Cruz and 3rd in Watsonville based on FDIC once a year data as of June 30.

• Basic earnings per share of $1.11 and $5.01 for the three and twelve-month periods ended Dec. 31, 2021, respectively.

• Net interest margin was 3.78% for the fourth quarter of 2021, as compared to 4.04% in the trailing quarter and 4.08% in the same quarter of 2020.

• For the quarters ended Dec. 31 and Sept.

30, return on average assets was 1.09% and 1.30%, respectively, and the return on average tangible equity was 11.85% and 14.10%, respectively.

Winter Olympics

Cat Eyes

Susan Tannehill, who lives in San Lorenzo Valley, shared this stunning artwork (her first time with pastel pencils) on NextDoor. She got dozens of compliments.

• Efficiency ratio was 45.40% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 42.63% in the trailing quarter and 49.45% in the same quarter of 2020.

• All capital ratios were above regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized institution with a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.89 percent.

• Continued strong credit quality, with nonaccrual loans totaling $376,000.

••• Fourth Quarter In the fourth quarter, the loan loss reserve was boosted $200,000 due to growth in the non-PPP sector loans and factors associated with the Omicron variant. n

ACROSS

1. Sleeps in a tent 6. Horror movie franchise 9. Varieties 13. Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote” 14. Road crew supply 15. Moron 16. Workman’s cotton, once 17. Exclamation of surprise 18. Monte Cristo’s title, in French 19. *Olympic Athletes from ____, 2018 hockey winners 21. *Figure skating jump (2 words)

23. Capone’s ilk, e.g.

24. Attention-getting sound 25. Eminem’s genre 28. Cashier’s call 30. Hit-or-miss 35. It will 37. *Triple one in figure skating 39. Hustle and bustle 40. German Mrs. 41. A mile racer 43. a.k.a. horse mackerel 44. Jargon 46. Workbench holding device 47. Health club offering 48. Diner, e.g.

50. Latin for “and others” 52. ____ Aviv 53. Ill-mannered one 55. Curiosity’s victim?

57. *2022 Winter Olympics location

61. *Torch Relay starting point 64. “____ ____ the Family” TV series 65. Refrigerator sound 67. Poppy seed derivative 69. Bitterly regretting 70. Egyptian cobra 71. Part of a stair 72. Seedy source of Omega-3s 73. More, in Madrid 74. Changes to a manuscript 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

DOWN

Cape ____, MA Copycat Carte du jour Spectrum maker Delilah’s lover Roofed colonnade

7. Expression of satisfaction 8. Angry 9. Revered one 10. Fancy ride 11. Japanese zither 12. Pas in ballet 15. “Freezing” Marvel character 20. Letter-shaped girder 22. “____ the land of the free...”

24. Designer’s studio 25. *Biathlon gear 26. Skylit lobbies 27. Manufacturing site 29. *2022 Winter Olympics number 31. Like Curious George 32. Monocot’s alternative 33. “Killers of the Flower Moon” Oklahoma location

34. *Olympic award 36. *Olympic sled 38. For fear that 42. Respond 45. Circling 49. Far, old-fashioned 51. Capital of Punjab 54. Early Irish alphabet 56. Sort of warm 57. Vomit 58. Twelfth month of Jewish year 59. Pelvic bones 60. Put a hex on 61. Concert units 62. Not yet final 63. Edible fat 66. *Miracle on Ice winner 68. Not Miss or Ms. © Statepoint Media

Answers on 23 »

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS HEARTS FOR THE ARTS Online Through Feb. 14 In response to the Omicron variant, Arts Council Santa Cruz County’s annual February fundraiser for arts education, Hearts for the Arts, will be a simple online fundraiser.

The council’s teaching artists are in the classroom Monday through Friday, and this fundraiser helps bring creative outlets to kids throughout the county.

The goal is for 300 donors to give at least $10 and raise $3000 by Valentine’s Day. No auction but still lots of heart.

All gifts are tax-deductible.

See https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/n0L3QwEjQ5oGGEWgqlJM1Q SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING Suicide Prevention Services is recruiting volunteers for training, which starts Feb. 17 and ends April 21.

After working for 20 years with suicidal people and the painful aftermath of a suicide death, Celeste Cisneros says suicide is individual, complex, and personal. She says what helps is a compassionate volunteer trained to connect with the caller by validating, believing, and caring.

Most suicidal callers agree to be safe and follow a safety plan by the end of the call. Lives are saved.

Families, friends, and communities are spared unbearable pain.

More than 80 volunteers answer 400 calls per month from residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. These courageous people are neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

They may be the person in front you in line at the movies or the grocery. Volunteers work behind closed doors and perform heroic acts of kindness. They pick up the phone, weave an invisible lifeline of caring, and commit to the safety and well-being of the caller.

More volunteers are needed. Previous experience is not necessary. What is needed is a willingness to learn new skills and to listen.

If you have questions, call 831-459-9373.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 25 Winter is the best time to prune most fruit trees while they are dormant and their structure is easily seen.

Winter pruning invigorates fruit trees to produce and support strong fruit production. Join Diane Mahan, UC Master Gardener and professional landscaper, to learn the why and how of winter fruit tree pruning of both old growth and newly planted fruit trees.

The class is free to all with the option to provide a suggested donation of $5 or more to support the all-volunteer Master Gardener program.

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 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. For information: call 831-427-7708.

Garden work party at Discovery Park, Feb. 5, from 9–11 a.m., weather permitting.

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.

Reading in the Redwoods Book Group: Meets on the fourth Wednesday at 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

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

SENIOR OUTREACH Family Service Agency Senior Outreach offers free one-on-one counseling for people 55 and over via the phone, Skype or Zoom. Counselors are experienced.

In-person counseling has been suspended to prevent Covid-19 spread.

Groups for men and women will be restarted as soon as possible, with a women’s group starting in February.

Dates are not available due to the changing Covid situation.

Hopes are to restart peer training, for which there is a waiting list.

To express interest in participating, call Barbara Salata, 831459-9351 ext. 206, who will return your call in 24 hours.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to jumpstart your future by earning an accredited high school diploma and career training through Career Online High School.

Is your 2022 resolution to go back to school and get your high school diploma? Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers a program called Career Online High School, designed for adults who were unable to complete high school and could benefit from additional job training.

This nationally accredited program allows adult students to earn an accredited high school diploma — not a GED — while gaining career skills in one of ten employment fields, from home care professional and office management to homeland security.

SCPL awards scholarships to qualified adult UC MASTER GARDENER CLASSES learners on a first-come, first-served basis. Career Online High School is a solution for those who need UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz extra academic support and flexibility. Once in the Counties offers free and low-cost gardening classes program, students are assigned an academic coach for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. who helps keep them on track and connects them Coming up: with tutors if needed.

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning: Feb. 24, 5-6:30 p.m.

The online curriculum is accessible 24/7, which is (online) and March 12, 10 – noon, in-person, San Juan helpful to those balancing work and family obligaBautista Historical State Park. tions. Students have up to 18 months to complete Cost is Free. Donations appreciated. Register at the program, but many finish sooner because mbmg.ucanr.edu.

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

previously earned high school or GED test credits are accepted.

For more info, see https://santacruzpl.mycareerhs.com/.

Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza.

Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org.

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing thru March 15 NAMI PEER-TO-PEER MAH EXHIBITIONS 5-7 p.m., Online Classes Thurs. thru Sun., Noon-6 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents two program via Zoom for adults with mental health condiexhibitions starting in January. tions who are looking to better understand themselves Jan. 14–May 15: Atmosphere, an exhibition and their recovery. by artist and filmmaker Enid Baxter Ryce featuring Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, paintings and soundscapes that this program includes activities, discussions and explore the phenomena of Monterey informative videos.

Bay’s fog and atmospheric rivers.

Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/peer-to-peer.html Ryce’s work will be exhibited with Signing up does not guarantee enrollment, collections of archival photos, an but puts you on the list to be notified about interactive musical sculpture, and enrollment. Check your email within 5 business fog collectors created in collaboration days of completing the form, and save anaswith historian Dr. William Cowan, musician Lanier Sammons, sculptor Natalie Jenkins, and scientist Dan tasia@namiscc.org as a contact to prevent emails from going to spam.

Fernandez.

Contact (831)-824-0406 or anastasia@namiscc.org with Jan. 21–March 20: Rydell Visual Art Fellowship exhibition, honoring the legacy of local philanthropists questions or if you do not hear back within 5 business days.

Roy and Frances Rydell and featuring the 2020-2021 Mondays Rydell Visual Arts Fund recipients: Printmaker and SCOTTS VALLEY ROTARY WEEKLY MEETING illustrator Ann Altstatt; sculptor and designer Marc 12:15 p.m., Online Zoom D’Estout; choreographer Cid Pearlman; and photographer Edward Ramirez. Presented in partnership with Obtain Zoom link from President Patrizia Materassi at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

(831) 334-2383.

Suggested admission: General, $10; students / teachers / veterans, $8, free for members and children under 5.

First and Third Mondays Each Month SENIOR LIFE ONLINE 4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/currentactivities/.

Upcoming Events: Feb 21: “History of Glenwood Open Space Preserve” with Stephany Aguilar, former Scotts Valley City Council Member March 7: “How to Declutter or Downside Your Home” with Christy Best of Clutterbug. This PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS presentation includes tips for how to get encouraged, The Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career inspired, motivated; and selling, donating and gifting development workshops for teens and adults through things. Best, an organizer for 30 years, is a former April, thanks to grant funding. member of the National Association of Productivity Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill & Organizing Professionals since 1995, as well as workshops at 10 a.m. a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill of NAPO and the National Study Group on Chronic workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

Disorganization.

Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance To participate, you need an Internet connection at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January. and a computer, tablet or smart phone. A 1-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl.com/ ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS SVSLA-6. Questions? Call George at (831) 334Alzheimer’s Association is offering video and 7763. phone meetings for caregivers throughout the Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior month: Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose Second and Fourth Wednesdays mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens.

Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.

Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First Tuesdays of the Month First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — UCSC ARBORETUM: FIRST TUESDAYS FREE Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High St, SC Second Saturdays Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum means free Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Facilitator: Diana Hull.

Guests are invited to explore the biodiversity of the gardens, Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. enjoy bird watching or relax on a bench in the shade.

••• arboretum.ucsc.edu 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.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Third Wednesdays Each Month SCOTTS VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 7 p.m., Zoom meetings The board of the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, headed by president Robert Aldana, meets on the third Wednesday of the month.

To get the Zoom link, go to https://www.svef.net/ about/ and use the “contact us” feature to request a link.

In the past 7 years, SVEF has donated more than $700,000 to support the needs of children from kindergarten through high school graduation.

two women who met while in recovery in Santa Cruz, will take place at the Santa Cruz Convergence Center (formerly Takara restaurant.

Meet Lena and some of the local advisory committee supporting African Shade: There will be appetizers, raffle tickets and a silent auction.

Entry fee is $10. All proceeds go to projects in Zambia.

African Shade provides counseling for substance abuse, parenting and basic hygiene issues. Kuymabe House (which means starting point or new beginning) is a halfway house for young men who want to change their life away from drug and alcohol abuse.

African Shade has found safe houses for women escaping domestic violence, and developed sports teams for children.The latest project is building a corn meal mill, which will provide food for the hungry and jobs for locals.

For information, call 831-239-0878 or visit africanshade.org

The foundation assists first responders and families in times of crisis or special need, and 98% of funds go toward that goal.

Make check to Fallen Officer Foundation, P.O. 67221, Scotts Valley CA 95067-7281. Info: Call 831-662-3105.

Sunday February 20

DANTE ALIGHIERI ART HISTORY LECTURE 7 p.m., Online Seminar Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz presents Dr. Allan Langdale on “Promotion and Princes: The Art & Architecture of Italian Renaissance Courts,” an online lecture.

Thursdays This lecture examines the ways renaissance SCOTTS VALLEY FOOD PANTRY princely families used art and architecture as a 5:30 p.m., 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley mode of political promotion and self-fashioning as a St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church hosts Pip’s way to represent power and the idealized fictions of Pantry Food Bank with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Sunday February 6 rulership.

Fresh produce and pantry staples are available.

VALENTINE’S POP-UP ARTISTS’ STANDS Waiting room will open at 6:45 p.m.

To register for this free event go to: https://bit.ly/Dante_Art_ 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Izant Court, Soquel Third Thursday Each Month Valentine’s Pop-Up Event on Izant Court in Soquel features Lecture PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM unique hand-made gifts from local artists, including: 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting Butterfly Dream Dyes: hand-tied and ice-dyed new Wednesday February 23 BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support and upcycled clothing, purses and home goods.

SCOTTS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL EXPO Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated Coastal Candle Co.: hand-poured natural soy con- This is the day scheduled for the annual Expo and by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third tainer candles with wood wicks and beeswax candles. student open house. Details will be available closer to Thursday of each month.

Lavender Ladies: Eye pillows, and lavender items. the date.

Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefTheas Touch: Tiny succulent table-top gardens and Visit www.svhs.santacruz.k12.ca.us for detail when available. support or call 831-471-7255. sea glass treasures.

SUPERVISOR FRIEND TO SPEAK First Sunday Every Month Saturday February 12 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Seascape Golf Course, 610 Clubhouse WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE Dr, Aptos FALLEN OFFICER FOUNDATION BALL 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Wrigley Building Parking Lot, 2801 Second District Supervisor Zach Friend is scheduled to 5:30-11 p.m., Coconut Grove Mission Street, Santa Cruz speak at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce networking The nonprofit Fallen Officer Foundation presents the Come by on Sundays and shop at over 40 unique & luncheon meeting Fallen Officer Foundation Ball at the Coconut Grove in wonderful artists, makers & vintage sellers — there’s The price is $30 for chamber members and $35 for something for everyone at the Westside Marketplace! Santa Cruz. There will be dinner, dancing to the Lost non-members.

Boys featuring James Durbin, live and silent auctions.

Rain dates are scheduled for the following Sundays.

RSVP at 831-688-1467.

Dinner tickets are $125.

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 Friday February 4

CLAM CHOWDER COOKOFF EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS The Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off, hosted by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, will take place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27. Registration for competitors is underway.

See how your recipe stacks up to the competition: • Amateur (Saturday) and Pros (Sunday) divisions • Boston & Manhattan categories • More than $3,000 in prizes • Fun atmosphere • Awards are given for Best Chowder in each category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best-Themed Booth Early bird registration includes free all-day rides wristbands and T-shirt for two people. Final deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 11.

The participants will be lined up across the Boardwalk offering their chowders to the public as part of the competition. Tasting Kits are $12 each and include six taste tickets, spoon, cup and a People’s Choice ballot.

Visit beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-off/ for more details.

Saturday February 5 AFRICAN SHADE FUNDRAISER 2-5 p.m., Santa Cruz Convergence Center, 3375 Capitola Rd A fundraiser for African Shade, an organization in Zambia started by Lena Wikner and Kathleen Pruitt,

Dream Mountain

Friday February 25 thru Sunday February 27 2022 BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR 7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec presents the 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Santa Cruz at the Rio Theatre.

This event benefits the UCSC Wilderness Orientation Willie Williams Scholarship Fund and Adventure Rec student scholarships.

Each year, nearly $20,000 in scholarship funds are awarded to UCSC students based on financial need, affording them the chance to share in outdoor adventures.

Each night features a different lineup, Maple, Larch and Spruce. Tickets are $25 for Saturday and $23 for Friday and Sunday.

To buy tickets, visit https://recreation.ucsc.edu/adventure/banff

Tuesday March 1 MARDI GRAS! 5-7 p.m., Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos Swing into Spring presents Mardi Gras 5-7 p.m. March 1 hosted by Seacliff Inn and the Aptos History Museum, featuring Music by Ukes 4 You, tasty food, and a silent auction.

Admission, general, $40; museum members, $35.

RSVP at 688-1467. Proceeds benefit the Aptos History Museum

Wednesday March 2 TITANS OF TECH 2021 7-10 p.m., Online Seminar (In-person if possible, location TBA) Santa Cruz Works’ annual Titans of Tech features community members who have made an impact on the Santa Cruz tech community that year, plus Hometown Heroes, who helped us get through the year of COVID and wildfires.

Organizers hope this will be an in-person + streaming event.

For tickets, available mid February, see santacruzworks.org n

Friday March 4 thru Sunday March 6

PAJARO VALLEY QUILT SHOW Saturday February 26 • Sunday February 27

10 a.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Watsonville.

The Pajaro Valley Quilt Show will once again go live at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, with more than 300 quilts and wearable arts on display.

There will be a large merchant mall, live auction and bargain garden.

Featured speaker is Watsonville resident Rachel D. K. Clark, contemporary folk artist, teacher and lecturer who has been making wearable art since 1973, showing her vibrant quilted coats in shows throughout the country.

County Covid standards will be followed. Shows end 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, and parking is free. To learn more, see https://pvqa.org/ Photo: Rachel Clark with many of her vibrant quilted coats.

CAPITOLA COLLECTACON Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave, Capitola Capitola Collectacon will take place March 4-6 at the Capitola Mall inside the former Sears Building.

Friday will be a VIP event from 3-8 p.m. featuring former American Idol contestant James Durban Saturday and Sunday will be General Admission, starting at 10 a.m. and ending 5 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Prices are $20 per day for General Admission/$35 for both days. The VIP pass is $50.

See https://www.capitolacollectacon.com/ for more details and event options. n

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

RTC Due Diligence

What Projects Along Rail Line Are Feasible?

By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

Editor’s note: Voters may have a say in the Santa Cruz rail line’s future as the Greenway initiative was certified by the Santa Cruz County Clerk on Jan. 31. The County Clerk reports 13,315 signatures were certified; 11,919 were required. On Feb. 1l, the Board of Supervisors asked for more information by March 2. The initiative must then be adopted outright or go to voters in the election June 7.

••• nformation circulating in our community this past week regarding rail lines within Santa Cruz County has caused quite a stir.

Let me begin by saying Roaring Camp’s beloved Beach Train is not in danger.

Reports that the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has decided behind closed doors to proceed with an adverse abandonment along the Roaring Camp rail line are not correct.

It is true, however, that the RTC has been discussing options to gain a better understanding of the issues we face in making the RTC rail corridor available for beneficial public use.

As many members of the public are

I

aware, the RTC owns the rail corridor stretching from Watsonville to north of Davenport while Roaring Camp owns the rail line running east from the Santa Cruz city limits to Felton and beyond.

The RTC purchased its part of the rail line more than 10 years ago using Prop. 116 funds.

Since then, we have spent hundreds of thousands of tax dollars conducting numerous studies to analyze options, including the complexities and expense of implementing passenger rail service and building a multi-use trail.

The RTC has and will continue to fulfill our obligation for accepting Prop. 116 funds, and I was pleased to not only support this work but to ensure that passenger rail remains an option.

The RTC has been undertaking its due diligence as a public body regarding what type of projects along the rail line are feasible.

The Commission voted in closed session to daylight this information further in the form of a public report at its Feb. 3

meeting, which will take place shortly after publication of this column.

We did this in the interest of transparency and because of the need to educate the public regarding the difficult decisions we face to make the RTC-owned line available for the public good while ensuring that Roaring Camp’s business is not negatively impacted.

Roaring Camp has been a treasured business in the San Lorenzo Valley for decades and it has been my privilege to support their business on all levels.

I will continue to advocate for Roaring Camp and will not support any decision that will undermine their passenger rail business.

I can also personally attest to the fact that Roaring Camp has universal support in this regard from both the RTC and staff.

The real question is whether freight service is viable.

There are numerous indicators we must consider. First, each of the rail operators that contracted with the RTC since the CEMEX plant closed in Davenport years ago have not been able to make their freight business financially successful and, in fact, sought to get out of their contractual obligations to provide freight service.

Freight service to Watsonville from the south is active, and thanks to Roaring Camp, existing freight customers continue to be served.

Continued freight service in Watsonville is supported among the RTC and staff.

However, north of Watsonville, we also need to consider the condition of the RTCrail line, especially our bridges, to warrant freight service.

The cost to repair the bridges and make other necessary repairs for heavy freight service is estimated at upwards of $60 million alone.

This funding would come from the taxpayers, and there is no current source.

The Federal and State money that has been widely touted as available for rail lines is primarily available for other rail projects where freight service exists or ridership and population density are welldocumented to warrant commuter rail.

The criteria for the remaining funds do not favor success for our County in a competitive grant round although I am confident the RTC staff will continue to evaluate all viable funding opportunities for approved projects, including passenger rail.

“Rail Issues” page 23

Manu Koenig Chairs County Board of Supervisors

O

n Jan.11, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors selected Supervisor Manu Koenig as chairperson for a one-year term.

Koenig, elected in 2020, represents the First Supervisorial District, which spans the Summit area east of Highway 17 to coastal Live Oak, including Soquel and parts of the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola.

Koenig, previously vice chair, succeeds Supervisor Bruce McPherson as chair. Supervisor Zach Friend was chosen to serve as vice chair.

The board will continue hybrid meetings in

SPECIALTY SCREEN & GLASS SHOP Contact us for a free on-site consultation.

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

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2022. Residents may participate in board meetings, including offering public comments via phone or Zoom.

For instructions, go to https:// santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx.

Residents who want to monitor Board meetings can view Manu Koenig meetings online at www.santacruz county.us, www.facebook.com/countyofsantacruz or www.communitytv.org/watch.

SCCAS Featured Pet

“COVID Update” from page 9 The new CDPH Guidelines notes the importance of wearing a face covering which has multiple layers.

Hundreds of school staff have rapid response antigen tests, courtesy of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and schools are distributing more for at-home use. Directions are posted at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U8Ad sSyH14sDvrjD6T25krhvOFRFsuXs/view Journalism coach Roy Peter Clark, at Poynter.org, cautions the directions are not as clear as you might want.

For test options see: https://tinyurl. com/get-tested-santa-cruz.

(Full URL: https://www.santacruz health.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/Public Health/CommunicableDiseaseControl/Corona virusHome/SAVELivesSantaCruzCounty/ GetTested.aspx) Shorter Isolation ased on federal recommendations, the state has updated isolation guidance for those testing positive, shortening the requirement from 10 days to five days.

Dr. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer, recommends booster shots for children ages 12-15 for Omicron, as the state allowed on Jan. 6. A third dose is available for eligible immunocompromised children ages 5-11.

SLV Rotary is partnering with Felton Community Hall, Highway 9, to offer weekly vaccine clinics 1 to 7 p.m.

B Meet Archie!

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crossword on 19 »

rchie is a social butterfly who’s always bouncing around the place. He loves hanging out in his fenced area and is always ready to play.

Making friends and munching on tomatoes are some of Archie’s favorite pastimes. If you’re looking for a new furry friend Archie is the guy for you.

Come meet Archie from noon to 5 at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriquez Street.

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

Winter Olympics © Statepoint Media

“Rail Issues” from page 22

Wednesdays — no charge. Need a ride?

Call 831-291-8644.

Booster shot appointments can be scheduled at https://myturn.ca.gov/ and by checking with your local doctor and pharmacies. For local COVID-19 vaccine providers, visit www.santacruzhealth.org/ coronavirusvaccine.

For help scheduling an appointment, call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui).

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacrushealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n ••• Total COVID cases: 5,638 ••• COVID Deaths: 239 As of Jan. 31 Age 85 and older: 102 • 75-84: 53 65-74: 43 • 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 3 45-54: 10 • 35-44: 8 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 190 • No: 49 Race White 134 • Latinx 85 • Asian 16 Black 1 • Amer Indian 1 Other 1 • Unknown 1 Gender Men: 122 • Women: 117 Location At facility for aged: 112 Not at a facility: 127

We need to keep our lines of communication open and continue to explore all options to gain a full understanding of what our tax dollars will eventually pay for along the publicly owned rail right of way. n ••• Editor’s note: Bruce McPherson is one of 11 voting members of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission along with county supervisors Manu Koenig, Greg Caput, Ryan Coonerty, Zach Friend (alternate Robert Quinn), and Randy Johnson of Scotts Valley, Jacques Bertrand of Capitola, Sandy Brown of Santa Cruz, Eduardo Montesino of Watsonville; and Kristen Petersen, Mike Rotkin and Alta Northcutt, all representing Metro bus service. For Feb. 3 agenda, see https://sccrtc.org/

I continue to be grateful for the County Measure D and State Senate Bill 1 transportation funding. But I believe it would be fruitless to ask Santa Cruz County taxpayers for dedicated rail funding at this time.

We should first get our current transportation network repaired and continually maintained.

Rail banking, which is part of the abandonment process, is a strategy to preserve the freight rail property for future freight re-activation.

If a line is rail banked, passenger rail can be implemented at any time when it is affordable and feasible. The decision to railbank the RTCowned line has not been made.

As of this writing, no action item on adverse abandonment is planned for Feb. 3, and if there were, I would not vote to move it forward as there needs to be more information and a No freight runs on the Felton line now, but Melani Clark (center), CEO of Roaring better understanding Camp, who subcontracted to provide freight service in Watsonville, wants to of the issues. keep an option open for freight in Felton.

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