Scotts Valley Times: August 2022

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

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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August 2022 • Vol 25 No. 8

Music at Skypark Returns

The free community-wide outdoor “Music at Skypark” concert series returns for its 13th season on the last Sundays of August and September at Skypark!

Full Story page 9

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How Soulmates & Love at First Sight Let Us Down

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Volume 25

No. 8

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17

23

Table of Contents

5

SMILES NEVER GET OLD.

Cover Something To Celebrate, By Donna Lind, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

5 6 7 9 18 22

Community News Judge: Recirculate Hwy 1 HOV Lane EIR New Board Members at Visit Santa Cruz County Cowell Beach is Clean Again!

Music at Skypark Returns Scotts Valley High School Starts Later, By Jondi Gumz Lithuanians in Aromas!, By Edita McQuary

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Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • Pages 11-14 11 Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival Returns to Skypark • Calendar of Upcoming Community Events 12 Welcome New Chamber Member — The Bounce Bash!

13 July Ribbon Cutting for Fringe Salon 14 Think Local First: Promoting Local Businesses & Increasing Awareness for Over 15 Years • Member Spotlight: Flex Kids Culture Business Profile 8 Musical Me: Celebrating 26 Years!, By Edita McQuary 17 A Tool Shed, Inc.: Expanding Post-Pandemic, By Edita McQuary Monthly Horoscope • Page 18 – Leo — from the Heart of Matter, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 20, 21 Featured Columnists 1 Something To Celebrate, By Donna Lind, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley 10 How Soulmates & Love at First Sight Let Us Down, by John P. Weiss 23 Toxic Plants In Home Gardens, By Tony Tomeo SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 23 – Meet Shaggy!

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COVER STORY Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Donna Lind, Jondi Gumz, Edita McQuary, Risa D’Angeles, John P. Weiss, Tony Tomeo

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 Cathe Race

office coordinator

distribution Bill Pooley, Taylor Brougham

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

“Celebrate” from page 1 Scotts Valley lost much staff, the Parks & Recreation Division and Park Advocates the past 3 years. City Manager Malia LaGoe arrived mid-January and heard the importance of this favorite community family event.

With the late start, many professional vendors were booked, but holding the event on July 3 resolved this issue. Still, without the resources we’ve had in the past, bringing back an event this large was daunting. True to form, our community stepped forward to make it happen!

The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation offered to partner with the City, taking over the Kids Zone. Eugene Bustichi offered to take the lead providing the BBQ with the Santa Cruz Moose Lodge even though they’d never handled something this large. Ron Clements of Scotts Valley Market/Crown Catering provided a freezer trailer. Having done the BBQ through the years, Ron also provided guidance & information for the Moose Lodge.

Both the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation and the Moose Lodge donated the funds raised to local youth programs!

The Santa Cruz Moose Lodge presented a check for $3,000 to the Scotts Valley Boys & Girls Club, another check for $3,000 to Camp Ross and $300 to Scout Troop 614 who provided volunteers! The Educational Foundation raised approximately $10,000 which will support the Scotts Valley High School Parent Club and Scotts Valley Educational Foundation. Scout Troop 623 earned $5,000 from their work assisting Kidzone games.

After the CZU Lightning Fires and current drought conditions, there were safety concerns to consider. Meetings were held with Scotts Valley Fire Department and local fire officials to ensure the event could be provided safely. Scotts Valley Fire provided staff at the site of the Fireworks. To support the community, they waived the typical fees for their assistance.

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

Christian Carney, of Digital Flight, captures the Scotts Valley fireworks show via drone. Carney volunteered his services to film the parade and fireworks celebration.

The City was blessed to have several in the Watsonville Parade on July 4! Special sponsors step forward to offer support. 1440 thanks to the Scotts Valley Sportsmen’s Club Multiversity became our first Platinum who provided 11 members to assist with Sponsor providing their staff an opportunity traffic safety along the parade route. to be part of this special Scotts Valley event A favorite part of Scotts Valley’s Indewith a VIP viewing area and tickets for the pendence Day Celebration has been the BBQ. Mari & Ed Rossi have long supported spectacular “Flyover” for the parade. The the Fireworks Celebration and were the first owner of Little Tampico, Said Karssli, has to step forward as Premium Sponsors. The coordinated the flyover for many years.

City thanks the following sponsors: Platinum: Several pilots travel from all Northern Cali1440 • Premium: Mari & Ed Rossi • Gold: fornia and Washington to participate. The Donna Lind, Target, Zinnia’s • Silver: Lon- pilots fly planes built from kits and donate gevity Medical Institute, Kaiser, The Pratt their time and gas as a gift to Scotts Valley!

Family • Bronze: Robert Aldana, Central A sponsor covers the cost of the oil that Home Supply, The Hangar, Ow Family creates the smoke that adds to the spectacular Properties, Scarborough Lumber, Whiting display these pilots create with many hours Foods and Derek Timm. of practice!

The City also received incredible A young man, Christian Carney, recently support from local businesses who offered started Digital Flight, a drone business. He support of services or merchandise which volunteered his services to film the parade was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Silver and fireworks celebration. His video and In-Kind Sponsors: A Sign ASAP, Business photos are included on the City’s 4th of July with Pleasure, Music Now DJ, Scotts Valley Celebration social media page and the City’s Market, and Swag Lab Promo. Thanks to page! One of his photos of the fireworks is Bronze In-Kind Sponsors: Erik’s Deli Café, included here.

Teller Express, and Togo’s! Even though busiIt was only with this wonderful comnesses have been struggling, they stepped munity support that the City of Scotts Valley forward to support in many ways! was able to bring back this favorite comThis year the parade was the most well- munity event. I am so proud to be part of a attended yet and many community members community that always steps forward to volunteered to assist. Because the parade fell support one another in times of need. With on July 3, we were delighted to have the Wat- the strong attendance, it was obvious how sonville Community Band join us. They have much the community wanted the return been unavailable in the past as they perform of the Parade, Flyover and Fireworks Celebration. It was also heartwarming to see the significant funds raised for our schools and youth! Thank you all! n ••• Donna Lind is the mayor of Scotts Valley.

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

••• Cover Photo: Santa Cruz Moose Lodge with Mayor Donna Lind present $3,000 checks to Bryon Windsor director of the Scotts Valley Boys & Girls Club and to Camp Ross

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Judge: Recirculate Hwy 1 HOV Lane EIR O n July 12, the Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steven Gevercer ruled against Caltrans, finding its environmental impact report for “High Occupancy Vehicle” lanes along an 8.9-mile stretch of Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County is inadequate.

The ruling orders Caltrans to recirculate a focused draft EIR for public review and comment addressing three topics: 1) The Tier I HOV lane project baseline year of 2035, which was changed between the draft and final EIR 2) The Tier I project description, which the judge called a “moving target” because it had three possible alternatives and no preferred alternative, with one to be chosen later 3) Health effects for Mobile Source Air Toxics (pollutants emitted by cars and trucks) relating to HOV lanes, as the HOV lanes are expected to be operational after 2035.

The draft EIR, issued in November 2015, used traffic counts from 2001 and 2003, prompting complaints from the public. In response Caltrans conducted new traffic counts in 2016, and chose that as the baseline for the “Tier II” auxiliary lanes, selecting the No Build 2035 as the baseline Shannon Munz, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission said, “Caltrans and RTC will be taking steps toward addressing the court’s order and plan to recirculate the analysis for the three focused topics in the coming months. Caltrans and RTC look forward to improving the analysis and gaining valuable input from the public through the focused recirculation process.”

The ruling will likely delay the HOV lanes project as time is spent on updating information and getting feedback from the public.

The Santa Cruz-based Campaign for Sustainable Transportation and the Sierra Club challenged the environmental impact report.

They focused their arguments on the “Tier I” project to add HOV lanes, which includes reconstructed interchanges, not the “Tier II” project to add auxiliary lanes on a 1.4-mile stretch of Highway 1 from 41st Avenue to Soquel Avenue.

Rick Longinotti, who chairs the Campaign for Sustainable Transportation, said,

“This decision means our Regional Transportation Commission has an opportunity to reconsider transportation strategies other than the pie-in-the sky notion that it will build HOV lanes from Santa Cruz to Watsonville, which an RTC report admits is unfunded until ‘after 2035.’”

He added, “What people do not realize is that the RTC has no effective plan to offer commuters who are stuck in traffic.”

Longinotti contends the only component of the Highway 1 expansion project that can be funded is auxiliary lanes (exitonly lanes) from Santa Cruz to State Park Drive in Aptos.

“Why would we build auxiliary lanes that offer no safety or congestion benefit, when we could spend the money offering real alternatives to being stuck in traffic?” he asked.

He also believes the new EIR will need to conform to a new law, SB 743, requiring mitigation of projects that increase vehicle miles traveled, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases in the state.

Campaign for Sustainable Transportation is asking that the RTC convert their plan to build auxiliary lanes to a bus-only lane on the shoulder of the highway.

A dedicated bus lane project would offer a substantial number of commuters a viable alternative to sitting stuck in traffic, and not worsen the evening commute, according to Longinotti.

“Rather than keep pushing an unsustainable project that doesn’t solve congestion, we’re asking the RTC to engage in community dialogue about funding solutions that work,” he said.

The judge rejected arguments from the challengers, saying they did not show that changes in greenhouse gas emissions data represented a significant impact and that Caltrans was not required to consider their preferred alternative, rail transportation on the Santa Cruz Branch Line. n

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COMMUNITY NEWS

New Board Members at Visit Santa Cruz County V isit Santa Cruz County has four new board members. Each began their duties on July 1, and will sit on the 25-member Board for two-year terms.

They are: Zachary Davis: The Glass Jar e co-founded The Glass Jar, Inc., a Santa Cruz-based restaurant group, in 2009, and is CEO. Current brands include four locations of The Penny Ice Creamery, an ice cream manufacturing and retail business dedicated to organic, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients and The Picnic Basket Café, in Santa Cruz’s beach area.

In 2018 The Glass Jar was selected by Sen. Zachary Davis Bill Monning to receive the Small Business of the Year Award for the 17th Senate District. In 2014 The Glass Jar was the recipient of Business of the Year from the Santa Cruz Chamber.

Davis is a board member of the Santa Cruz Downtown Association and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Small Business Council of the Small Business Majority. He has an MBA from Dominican University of California in San Rafael and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. He lives in Santa Cruz County with his wife and three children.

Grant D’Entremont: The Hotel Paradox riginally from Austin, Texas, he began working in hospitality as a valet and grew his career with Marriott.

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He accepted his first general manager job at the Fairfield Inn Austin South in 2007. He served in leadership positions with Marriott, and in 2014 departed White Lodging, a hotel management company, after 10 years to join Austin-based Pathfinder Hospitality.

While overseeing Grant D’Entremont three properties, he assisted in the development and build of the Residence Inn Austin Southwest, and initial development of Aloft Austin Southwest. He is the winner of several industry awards, including Extended Stay General Manager of the Year.

In 2020 he was offered the opportunity to be the general manager for the new Residence Inn by Marriott Steamboat Springs in Colorado, which began the next phase of his career with Remington Hotels. After a successful opening in December 2020, the hotel was a top performer for Marriott and selected as one of Forbes “Best New Ski Hotels in North America.”

When Remington Hotels with Barings LLC took over management of the Hotel Paradox, an Autograph Collection by Marriott in Santa Cruz in June 2021, he was selected to lead the transition and became general manager.

The Hotel Paradox will begin an extensive renovation of all meeting spaces, public areas, pool space, dining facilities, and guest rooms at the end of 2022. An avid outdoorsman, D’Entremont enjoys

mountain biking, golfing, skiing, hiking and camping and has been involved in charitable endeavors.

Bijal Patel: Redwood Hospitality e is CEO of Coast Redwood Hospitality, a 44-year-old company based in Santa Cruz County that owns and operates a portfolio of hotels and other real estate.

A third-generation hotelier, he signed his first hotel franchise agreement at 18. He is Bijal Patel the youngest chairman in the California Hotel & Lodging Association’s 128-year history and is the first to fully serve two consecutive terms in that role.

Over the past five years, he has held leadership roles in the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, notably as a member of the Young Professional Hoteliers Committee and as an ambassador in the North Pacific Region.

He is committed to exposing more

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young people, especially second- and third-generation South Asian Americans, to the sophistication — and legacy rewards — of managing a generational family hotel business.

Lynette Valdez: Bailey Property Management he joined Bailey Property Management in 2000. As vacation rental manager, she is responsible for ensuring the 70 homes within the company’s portfolio are properly managed.

Valdez also manages the coordination of schedules Lynette Valdez with owners and clients, providing a smooth reservation process, from check-in to check-out.

She supervises maintenance projects, housekeeping duties, property inspections, and is involved in advertising efforts, strategic planning, and business development for Bailey Property Management. n

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State Approves Funds for Highway 17 Repair

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Caltrans project to stabilize an eroded slope on Highway 17 near Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, half a mile south of Sugarloaf Road, has been awarded $4.4 million by the California Transportation Commission.

This project includes grading, dewatering, and the installation of mesh drapery to reduce falling debris.

In June, the California Transportation

Commission allocated more than $3 billion to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state, including $1.3 billion in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support local projects and to protect local roads and bridges from extreme weather and natural disasters.

“Highway 17” page 7

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Cowell Beach is Clean Again!

L ooking for a place to cool off this summer? Consider Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz.

For the third consecutive year, bacteria counts are down — so Cowell Beach west of the Municipal Wharf is not listed on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list.

“This is fantastic news,” said Mayor Sonja Brunner. “This is where we want to be to support public health and our local economy.”

Investigation by City of Santa Cruz staff and Cowell’s Working Group revealed birds roosting on or near the Wharf was a major source of water quality woes.

This was addressed by installing bird screening to reduce pigeons and gulls roosting and defecating under the Wharf.

Sliding gates were placed at Neary Lagoon to keep bacteria-infested water from flowing through a storm outlet vault onto Cowell Beach during summer. A steel plate installed at the Neary outfall pipe below sea level diverted bacteria-laden water to the Wastewater Treatment Facility for treatment and disinfection.

Cowell was rated the most polluted beach in California in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Water quality is measured by the City of Santa Cruz Environmental Laboratory and Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Department.

Cowell’s Working Group, launched in

SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for more than $930 million of the total funding.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in annual transportation funding annually that is split between the state and local agencies.

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Residential Repaints & Custom Homes Homeowners Associations Property Managers 2014 at the direction of the Santa Cruz City Council, includes representatives from the city, the county, Save The Waves Coalition, Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation.

“Great outcomes …can come from getting the right people together,” said Save The Waves Coordinator Shaun Burns.

“This is a group of people that truly care for Cowell’s; and the results from this year’s report card show that.” n ••• See https://healthebay.org/beachreportcard 2022/ and www.savethewaves.org/cowells/.

Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz • Photo Credit: Nikki Brooks

“Highway 17” from page 6

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. n ••• For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA. ca.gov.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Musical Me

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Celebrating 26 Years!

By Edita McQuary

ello, everybody! Hello to Ivy, Asher, Nathan, Norah, Betty, Lila, Zara, Aria, Mia, Mommies, Daddies, Nannies, we’re so glad to see you!” sings teacher Lizz Hodgin Weihrauch, on a beautiful Aptos morning at Willowbrook Park as she starts another Music Together class. The group Lizz of infants, toddlers and their adults were happy to be there again.

Lizz was teaching nine infants and their parents and caretakers on the grass while people walking their doggies kept to the paved pathways. Everyone sat on his or her own blanket at least six feet apart in a big circle.

A graduate of Soquel High School and UC Santa Cruz with a theater arts degree, Lizz has been active in the local theater community. This summer she’s playing the plumb role of The Old Lady in “Candide” with Cabrillo Stage.

As well as the degree, Lizz is a mom and stepmom to three boys (talk about real life experience!), studied Early Childhood Education at Cabrillo College and is a Certified 1 Music Together Teacher. She took an intensive course in teaching music to children aged from birth to five years at the Music Together headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.

Music, the universal language from infancy and beyond, soothes, comforts, refreshes us and makes us happy.

According to Carlotta Nelson, director of the documentary “Brain Matters,” “We’ve always known that music has a powerful, transformative and unifying effect on people.

“But only now do we know that music contributes to better memory and cognitive skills. This is because listening to and playing music produces changes in the brain. Also, both activities can release a healthy dose of endorphins, the so-called ‘happiness hormone.’ “ Lizz Weihrauch, owner of MusicalMe and local licensee of the worldwide Music Together program, whole-heartedly agrees.

For 26 years she has been teaching children

Lizz with Carissa, Lazlo & Evelyn 8 / August 2022 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Musical Me Outdoors March 2021

from birth to five years old, their parents, and caretakers the basics of music-making which produces lifetime benefits.

“Music learning affects all learning.

What we learn in class has the potential to make a huge difference not only in a child’s musical ability, but in every measurable way. Please check out the testimonials on our website to see what an impact our research-based Music Together program has made for local families.”

Lizz and her teddy bear (appropriately named “Teddy”) went through audiation (making musical sounds), as in “Shh, Shh, Shh (whisper, whisper, whisper), pump, pump, pump, (rocking back and forth) and dancing with babies and their adults to a folk tune. Besides Teddy the bear, she uses a variety of developmentally appropriate instruments, lots of small and large movement, and dance in her classes.

Lizz says, “All this activity supports music and brain development. Children are like little tape recorders. They come to class, push RECORD, and then later their brains push PLAY. They soak it all in and process it while the adults model the joy of making music.”

The class ends with a lullaby. Then parents, caregivers, and all the littles leave refreshed and happy.

MusicalMe has outdoor classes in Aptos, in Felton at Roaring Camp, in Santa Cruz on the Westside and Mid-Town, Scotts Valley, Cupertino, Campbell, Marina, and indoors and outdoors in Los Gatos.

Lizz says, “Join us for free a free preview class! Babies birth to four months are free. Siblings aged eight months and under are free, if both are over eight months, there is a sibling discount. “ n ••• Visit www.musicalme.com, e-mail registrar@musicalme.com, call or text 831-332-9002.

Photos provided by Musical Me

Musical Me at the 2018 Capitola Art and Wine Festival

COMMUNITY NEWS

Music at Skypark Returns T he free community-wide outdoor “Music at Skypark” concert series returns for its 13th season on the last Sundays of August and September (Aug. 28 and Sept. 25) at Skypark in Scotts Valley!

Concerts run from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley will once again put on these concerts, and dedicate all profits to the music programs at local public schools. Kiwanis and local businesses will offer food, wine, beer and other concessions for sale.

Here are the headliners.

•••

August 28

2:30 p.m.: Arena recreates epic rock classics from the 70s and 80s and beyond, all presented with soaring vocals, precise harmonies, incredible instrumental skills and dynamic stage presence – recreating the songs you love by the artists you know!

4:30 p.m.: Wolf Jett performs original, danceable tunes in the style of classic Southern Americana with folk and blues influences, featuring the soulful voices of Chris Jones and Laura T. Lewis

combined with sophisticated jam-band improvisation.

•••

September 25

2:30 p.m.: Alex Lucero and Live Again brings their huge range of highenergy soul, funk, jazz, jazz fusion, Afro Cuban, reggae and Americana to the stage to open up our concert. What a repertoire! What creativity!

4:30 p.m.: SambaDá, rooted in AfroBrazilian song and dance, has sambareggae-funk with a universal appeal.

SambaDá musically unites the Americas, drawing from p e rc u s s i o n - b a s e d styles of South and Central America, and blends it with good old funk and reggae back-beat so familiar to North American crowds. n ••• For information: www.svkiwanis.org

Wolf Jett

Hit the Ground Running!

Registration Fairs Fall ’22 Semester • On-site Registration Support • Financial Aid Counseling • Assistance Uploading Vaccination Records • Student Support Services • Aptos Campus Tues, Aug 9th 2–6pm

• Watsonville Center Thurs, Aug 11th 4–7pm

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

FEATURED COLUMNIST

How Soulmates & Love at First Sight Let Us Down

by John P. Weiss

W

hat if Francesca left her family and ran off with Robert Kincaid?

I asked myself that question years ago after watching “The Bridges of Madison County,” a film set in the mid1960s about a middle-aged Italian war bride and farm wife, Francesca, who falls in love with a worldly National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid.

The movie was based on the bestselling novel by Robert James. In the story, Francesca and Robert share a passionate four-day affair while her husband and children are out of town at the state fair.

Robert wants Francesca to run off with him. She packs her bags but eventually decides to stay with her devoted husband and children.

Duty and responsibility over adventure and passion.

If Francesca had run off with Robert, I surmised, the fairy tale would eventually

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

Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood • The Bridges of Madison County

rupture. Her guilt would hover over them, like a persistent ghost. And sooner or later, they’d discover one another’s shortcomings and annoying habits.

The problem with Harlequin novels and Hollywood love stories is that they often perpetuate the false promise of soulmates and love at first sight.

We want to believe the fairy tale, but when we emulate it in real life, the endings are frequently a letdown.

Is Our Friendship Deepening? hat many people view as love at first sight is usually nothing more than intense physical attraction or an idealized infatuation.

During the bloom of youth, when hormones and dreams run high, physical attraction and the novelty of love tend to carry us away. Even later in life, we can fall prey to looks and charm over substance and character.

In my law enforcement career, I witnessed many marriages destroyed over impulsive flings and momentary infatuations.

Husbands and wives, several years past the luster of their honeymoons, sometimes feel a bit disappointed. He has a beer gut now. She is wrestling with menopause.

There’s a mortgage to pay off.

This isn’t what happily ever after is supposed to look like. Is it?

“Every fairy tale, it seems, concludes with the bland phrase ‘happily ever after.’

Yet every couple I have ever known would agree that nothing about marriage is forever happy. There are moments of bliss, to be sure, and lengthy spans of satisfied companionship. Yet these come at no small effort, and the girl who reads such fiction dreaming her troubles will end ere she departs the altar is well advised to seek at once a rational woman to set her straight.”Catherine Gilbert Murdock, Princess Ben Healthy relationships require attention, sacrifice, and effort. Especially after the flames of passion cool, and novelty gives way to the quotidian rhythms of domestic life.

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“Weiss” page 15

Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival Returns to Skypark

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he Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of our signature summer event the Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival. It will take place in the beautiful park setting of Skypark in Scotts Valley.

The premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains that has something fun for everyone!

The festival is a two-day event and is always held on the third weekend in August; Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival goers can purchase their tasting kits early to receive a significant savings offered online only. The pre-sale tickets will end the day before the festival on Friday, August, 19th at 5 p.m.

To take advantage of the discounts and to buy tickets and avoid the lines at the festival, visit the festival website at svartfestival.com. Pre-sale tasting kits can be picked up at the will-call window.

There will be over 100 fabulous artists. You can view the growing list on the festival website at svartfestival.com

The area’s most prestigious wineries that include: 37th Parallel Wines, Aptos Vineyard, Armitage Wines, Bargetto Winery, Hallcrest Vineyards, Integrity Wines, Inversion Wines, Kissed By An Angel Wines, Ser Winery, Sones Cellars, Valley Vista Vineyards, Wargin Wines and Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery.

The awardw i n n i n g micro-breweries include: Highway 1 Brewing Company, Humble Sea Brewing Co., New Bohemia Brewing Co., Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, Unreal Brewing Company and more who will be pouring their best.

There will be culinary Santa Cruz Waves’ Wine Booth • 2018 Art Wine & Beer Festival creations from Aroma Concessions, Aunt LaLi’s Treats, Big tricks, costume and look-a-like 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.: The Shady Rest Bite, California Corn, Chicken contests.

Band ••• and the Farm, Epoch Eats, Indo4:30 – 6:00 p.m.: Lyin’ I’s nesian Satay, PANA, Steve’s his year’s live music enterSunday, August 21 Shave Ice, Taquizas Gabriel and tainment schedule is as 10:00am – Noon: Scotts Valley more to be announced! follows: Schools Talent show The festival also includes a 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.: Bobbie Wards Saturday, August 20 car show, the Cops ‘N Rodders Performance Vocal 11:00 am – Noon: International on Saturday that benefits the 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.: The Joint Academy of Dance CompeScotts Valley Police Department Chiefs tition and Performance Teams and the popular Bring Your 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.: The Lost Boys 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Paperback Dog Day Sunday with pet featuring James Durbin Ryders

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Calendar of Upcoming Community Events Saturday August 20 Sunday August 21

22nd Annual Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival Sky Park 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley

Thursday September 22

5:30-7 pm – Networking Mixer & Movie

Cinelux Theatres Scotts Valley 226 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley

Thursday September 29 5:30-7 pm – Grand Opening Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Sol Hot Yoga 224 Mt. Hermon Rd. Suite C, Scotts Valley

Thursday October 20 5:30-7 pm – Joint Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

MADabolic & Faultline Brewing Company The Hangar 262 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley

S c o t t s V a lle y Chamber of Commerce

Advertise in the Scotts Valley Chamber Newsletter • Call or Visit Today: www.scottsvalleychamber.com

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Welcome New Chamber Member — The Bounce Bash!

T he Bounce Bash LLC is a modern, luxury white bounce house + event rental company servicing all of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties. They provide gorgeous, white inflatable bounce houses, custom balloon garlands, light-up marquee letters, and backdrops to make your special event memorable and different.

The Bounce Bash was founded in 2021

by Sydney Ferris, she saw these white bounce houses with balloons and instantly fell in love. She has worked in the hospitality industry for 10+ years and thought this would be a great idea to bring to Santa Cruz. Sydney & her team will design your beautiful event for children’s birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, and other special events.

The commercial-grade, customdesigned bounce houses are guaranteed to be a hit at any party! Gone are the days of primary-colored bouncers. With their all-

white custom-designed bounce houses, it makes for the perfect canvas to customize your event, making your day different, easy, and fun!

The Bounce Bash uses high-quality, 100% biodegradable, natural latex balloons to construct beautiful, custom garlands to fit any of your party needs!

The 40-inch Marquee Light Letters are something totally different and unique to bring to your event and light things up!

The Bounce Bash can customize any word or letters you would like.

The Bounce Bash makes parties beautiful and unique, and are looking forward to servicing your next special event!!

You can visit their business booth at The SVAWB Festival on Aug 20 + 21st! n ••• You can also check them out on Instagram @thebouncebash_ and at www.thebouncebash. com

Celebrating 41 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 - 2022 $5300/mo 3-story 4BR/3.5BA Solar Townhome w/garage on Bluebonnet Lane in Scotts Valley .......AVAIL NOW $2300/mo 1-story 1BR/1BA Unit in a Duplex w/2 patios on Hillcrest Drive in Felton ........................AVAIL NOW ••• 2-story 4BR/2.5 Home plus office w/garage in Scotts Valley Heights on Kentwood Court .................COMING SOON 3-story 4BR/3.5BA Solar Townhome end-unit w/garage on Bluebonnet Lane in Scotts Valley........COMING SOON 2-story 3BR/3BA Home on Cooper’s Hawk Court in Scotts Valley ......................................................COMING SOON 1-story 3BR/2BA Home on Bayhill Road in Royal Oaks ....................................................................COMING SOON

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

Win Raffle Prizes!

SAVE WATER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO $500 Join the challenge at svwd.org/Water-SavingChallenge

Scotts Valley Chamber News

July Ribbon Cutting for Fringe Salon

Photos Credit: Donna Lind

You’re retired.

Your money isn’t.

To learn about the different options for your retirement accounts, call my office today.

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

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Think Local First:

Promoting Local Businesses & Increasing Awareness for Over 15 Years

I

n the spring of 2007, a handful of Santa Cruz business owners rallied around a common concern: the threat to local businesses posed by proliferating chain stores and easy online shopping.

Together these business owners founded Think Local First — Santa Cruz County.

Think Local First formed around its mission to promote and sustain economic vitality while preserving the unique character of Santa Cruz County. Its founding

F

members believed that if the community rallied around locally owned businesses and made a conscious effort to shop at local stores then everyone would benefit.

Locally owned business would prosper and more of the residents hardearned money would continue to circulate within the community — a huge benefit to the local infrastructure and community health.

A lot has changed since Think Local First was first founded, but its objective of

promoting local businesses and increasing awareness of the importance of shopping locally is more important than ever.

With that in mind, Think Local First has made it simple for locally owned, independent businesses to be part of the local movement by introducing free & low-cost online listings for qualifying businesses.

Think Local First’s “Local Business Directory” exclusively lists independent and locally owned businesses in Santa Cruz and neighboring counties — making

Member Spotlight: Flex Kids Culture

lex Kids Culture is a non-profit 501c3 that seeks to explore and enhance connections between communities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and China through the development of cultural and academic programs and events. Flex Kids Culture celebrates and promotes academics and heritage by connecting communities in ways that are preserved throughout genera-

tions. Our non-profit organizes the cultural exchanges of students coming from Asia to the U.S. in an effort to improve their educational experience and give them a broader Rui Li world view.

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

Our nonprofit explores the ways in which we can help our local community as well as our national community. We have donated money to the Dallas Research Center for Pediatric Cancer, and during the midst of Covid we held reading classes for students to keep up with their education during the summer months.

Flex Kids Culture wants to strengthen

it easy for locals and visitors alike to find and frequent the businesses that are the backbone of our local economy.

Think Local First encourages locals and visitors alike to think FIRST about supporting local businesses when going shopping, looking for services, dining out, selecting your bank or investment provider and everywhere hard-earned dollars are spent.

Go to ThinkLocalSantaCruz.org to join the movement!

the connections of our local community by creating a Chinese Heritage Festival and building a more vibrant Chinatown.

Flex Kids Culture is interested in helping the local and international community in hopes of making a more dynamic and unified future.

For more information, go to www.flex educationinc.com or call 831-316-7627.

“Weiss” from page 10 According to an article in The Atlantic: “Maintaining passionate love forever after is not only an unrealistic goal, but one that wouldn’t make you happy even if it were possible. On the contrary, the most joyful, enduring romances are those that are able to evolve from passionate to companionate love--which still has plenty of passion, but is fundamentally based in deep friendship. To increase the odds of success, as your romance progresses, don’t ask yourself, ‘Is our passion as high as it was?’ but rather, ‘Is our friendship deepening?’”

Companionate love reflects strong feelings of affection and intimacy for another person rather than strong emotional arousal in the other’s presence.

The happiest couples I meet understand that it’s more about moments than ever-afters.

That quiet cup of coffee with her as the soft morning light illuminates her smile.

That knowing glance he gives you as your mother-in-law tells the same story again.

That feeling of steady contentedness as you draw one another close before sleep beckons.

Yes, life’s indignities will intrude. Age will tamper with your appearance. There will be financial stressors.

But people in mature relationships appreciate that they have one another. There is a shared history. There is a wonderful sense of companionability, contentment, and peace.

A Percentage of Compatibility he second chapter of Susan Cain’s fascinating book, “Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole,” asks the question, “Why do we long for ‘perfect’ and unconditional love?”

Cain writes about the Swiss-born writer-philosopher Alain de Botton, whose seminar she attends along with 300 other people. In the seminar, de Botton states: “We need to accept that there is no partner who would understand the whole of us, who will share all of our tastes in large and small areas. Ultimately, it is always a percentage of compatibility we will only ever achieve. Let’s go back to Plato and kill, once and for all, as a group, his charming, but insane, love-destroying piece of naivety: WE HAVE NO SOUL MATE.” Some people think that they have a missing half, their soulmate. And without that missing half, they can’t be whole.

The reality is that your life should not be defined by your relationship but rather complemented by it. A great spouse may

help you grow as a person, but you are already a complete person.

Susan Cain quotes Alain de Botton in her book: “In fact, says Alain, it’s the fantasy of the missing half that prevents us from appreciating the partners we do have; we’re forever comparing their flawed selves to ‘the amazing things we imagine about strangers, especially in libraries and trains.’”

A Deep and Fulfilling Life Together rue love is found long after the honeymoon.

It surfaces in the hospital room when he is recovering from heart surgery and you hold his hand. Or when the kids have grown, and she mourns the loss of her youthful figure, and you tell her how beautiful she is.

Hollywood and the popular media perpetuate the soulmate, happily ever after fantasy. So it’s understandable that so many people dream about it. But then when they chase it, it’s most often a letdown.

“And they lived happily (aside from a few normal disagreements, misunderstandings, pouts, silent treatments, and unexpected calamities) ever after.” — Jean Ferris, Twice Upon a Marigold Francesca eventually figured all this out in The Bridges of Madison County.

Charming and exciting as Robert Kincaid was, Francesca knew the perfection of their four days together could never last.

The novelty and passion would cool, and then it would just be life with a different man. But also the heartache and guilt of abandoning her family.

Some relationships are unhealthy and should end. But often, people flee for a fantasy when what they had was more than they realized. With patience and effort, many relationships will deepen and bring lifelong rewards.

“This isn’t happily ever after. It’s so much more than that.” — Kiera Cass, The One Try to find someone kind. Encourage the best in them, and give the best of yourself. Learn to listen, forgive, be patient, and laugh. Embrace the little moments of joy.

Do these things, and you’ll craft a deep and fulfilling life together. n ••• John P. Weiss is a fine artist, cartoonist, photographer, author and former Scotts Valley police chief. His new book, “What Life Should Be About: Elegant Essays on the Things That Matter,” a collection of his best essays over the last two years, is already ready for publication.

Follow him at johnpweiss.com

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The happiest couples I meet understand that it’s more about moments than ever-afters.

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

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

BUSINESS PROFILE

A Tool Shed, Inc. Expanding Post-Pandemic

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By Edita McQuary

omewhere in heaven, greatgrandparents Robert and Geneva McArdell are extremely proud of Robert and Barbara Pedersen and their kids, Rob W. and Meghann Lovlein, owners and operators of the 77-year-old family business which they founded in 1945.

In spite of tough times, the Pedersens are adding another store to their list of seven South Bay area stores, this time in Greenfield in Monterey County.

The Greenfield store will open soon with seven employees to serve the expanding housing and agricultural communities there and in the surrounding cities. It is located right off Highway 101.

The front of the store with its sign is visible to 101 traffic – a great advertisement.

“We felt this was a good time to expand our business into this underserved area. As we do at all of our locations, we are proud to serve the public and are looking forward to becoming part of the Greenfield community,” said Robert.

A Tool Shed, Inc. has stores in Campbell, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Salinas, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Watsonville. They carry a full range of construction, agricultural, and landscaping equipment.

Whether you need an air compressor, backhoe, chain saw or log

An old newspaper image of Robert and Geneva McArdell.

Rob & Meghann hold an old photo of A Tool Shed, at the intersection on the left. splitter, they have these tools as well as trucks, trailers, auto tools, generators, forklifts, manlifts, light towers, reach lifts, and mixers. If you need it, they likely have it!

For those living in south Santa Cruz County, their Watsonville store is located at 285 West Beach St., telephone 831-722-0334.

This family-owned and operated business prides itself on honesty and excellent customer service. They have a total staff of just under 100 employees, most of whom are long-term employees.

They are also a community-minded company and support Veterans Foundations in Campbell and Los Gatos, The American Cancer Society, The Autism Society, as well as Roaring Camp Railroad, Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad,

the San Jose Giants, and the Santa Cruz Warriors.

In this area, A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals is located at 3700 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, at the corner of 17th Avenue

across from Staples, telephone 831-4777133. Hours: Mon-Sat 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check their website for other locations: www.AToolShed.com n

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

Leo — from the Heart of Matter

Esoteric Astrology • August 2022 • By Risa D’Angeles

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e’ve left the nourishing waters of Cancer and find ourselves in the creative light of Leo, the fiery sign of kings and queens, of lions and leopards, the Sphinx, the blue star Sirius (where love originates), and the giant star, Regulus, at the heart of Leo. Leo is the “heart of matter” from which our life force emanates. Knowing this about Leo, we begin to understand the depth, breadth and dramatic life force of those born under Leo (Sun, Rising, Moon, Mars). Leo is both lion and pussycat all in one.

Leo is a fixed steady pulsating fire that never dims. Leo is the light of the Soul, the comforter, the healer. It is the Soul light of love and the freedom to create. When aligned with the Will to Good, Leo shines as bright as the Sun and glows with divine inspiration. Leo is the sign of identifying oneself by what one creates.

Leo’s say, “Look at my creations!” And we praise them.

Leo, on the personality-building level, creates dictators not in touch with love or Divine Will, commanding others from their undeveloped little self. Let us see them as in training. These are their ARIES

All this week and weeks to come, the questions presented to you are: what engages your attention, what do you find creative about yourself, what resources would allow your creativity to expand, how do you relate to children (their care and well-being), where do you find rest and relaxation, and how do you party and have fun? Your answers define your present identity. Some Aries will attract a new love of something very interesting.

words, “I rule as a right of my presence in any situation. Let other forms exist. I rule because I am!” Leo on this level is the “benevolent dictator.”

When the personality is directed by the Soul (love, intelligent will, kindness, etc.) love from the heart of the Sun and from Sirius streams into the human heart creating the Will to Good, which is the Will to Love.

Leos inspire people. They have an inner confidence. They are natural born actors, with an inborn sense of the dramatic. Leos need to be praised and recognized. That is how they evolve. Leos are leaders. Great leaders rule with Intelligent Will and Loving Intelligence. And at times they carry a fiery sword.

Update on Matthew: He remains in the hospital, stable, fragile, progressing in small steps daily, his brain needing to learn new pathways . We as a family ask that prayers continue. Updates are on my website – www. nightlightnews.org, on FB at Love For Matt Scott. And the Go Fund Me page is https://www.gofundme.com/f/matthew-cole-scotts-journey-to-recovery

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

Happy Birthday, Leo, now and forever. Ponder upon what you want/need for your birthday. Do you need a cupcake, an ice cream bar, a trip somewhere unusual, a new identity, a new past, a talk about money and investments, a teacher, a group to interact with, a new profession, expansion of your chosen profession, a wound to be healed, a brilliant relationship? Angels are standing by taking notes, waiting for your answers so they can spring into action. They remain with you all year long.

Don’t let any mixed messages created by misinformation throw you overboard into the waters of confusion. Be aware that two areas of life, home/profession, presents dual realities. There is no end to the unexpectedness occurring in our world now. At times do you feel lost? Seek care and solace from friends, but only a very few whom you trust. Things cross-cultural, religious, higher education, long journeys can help. Visualize yourself on a long adventure, a pilgrimage divinely directed. Get good shoes.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

Something about the events or people in your life bring forth thoughts of family lineage, relatives and ancestors, birth and death. This information creates a foundation for your future life choices, with or without family, or creating a new one.

Novel ideas occur to you, which, formerly rejected, will take root and change your perceptions (about family). Nurturance is a need now either from you or toward you. Both are best. You go first.

This week tend to important activities - communication, bills, plans, agendas, purchases. Be sure your thoughts are not so internalized that you can’t reach out to others. Solitude may play a great part in the weeks ahead. When remaining behind the scenes, allow yourself to rest more so dreams have a chance to teach you new things through stories and numbers and symbols. Their messages are what the coming months will be like. Retreat to a garden. Sleep there under the stars.

You are being called to a great work. What is that. Does it have to do with life and death, with tending and nurturing others? Are you called to care for an unexpected situation? Do you need to lead now? Your life perspective has changed this past month due to certain events. A great creative surge is enveloping you. You are called to actions that affects another’s life. You are reconsidering everything.

And stepping into your role of leadership. You have been preparing for years. The time has come now. Someone needs you.

GEMINI

LIBRA

AQUARIUS

I’ve been wondering how Pluto in your 4th house of home and family environment has influenced you. I’ve wondered how this important transformative symbol has influenced your daily life and what choices you’ve had to make. Is there something about life and death you are tending to? Pluto brings forth transformation needed that we can’t push aside. And so I ask how are you, how is the family, how and where is your home?

We are standing with you.

This time is most important for Aquarians. Leo is the opposite sign to Aquarius. Leo is where your creativity resides. A profound situation is occurring in your life. There is an integration of life’s energies, past, present and future. Your experiences are the prototype of humanity’s later experiences. You are the forerunner. For you to move forward, it’s important to integrate all talents and gifts from the past. Gather them into a bundle and offer them to the world. With conscious intention.

Can you visualize this? Then a healing happens.

TAURUS

The early training (and experiences) we received as children form the foundation of who/what we are today. It’s important to see these early experiences as gifts that gradually allowed you to become awake, aware and conscious. They also allowed you to find your way and create your own brilliant life. Seeing life in this light liberates your heart and mind. Turn toward this now, speak from this position. See the glass half full with sunlight shining through it.

CANCER

The questions are what’s most important in your life these days and what is not? There’s need for determining the difference between the two. It’s important to observe your life and have practical knowledge so that difficulties don’t appear in terms of family communication. Messages may become conflicted and misunderstood. Stay within this mantra. “Let reality govern my every thought. And truth be the master of my life.”

SCORPIO

Some things new should be coming forth in your professional life, career, or in how others see you. Good things. In the meantime as you await this new reality, step forward into the public and act as an ambassador of goodwill. In a community monastery, called Figueira in Brazil, people are trained to be healers and “harmonizers.” Each of us will be called to be healing in the coming times. Consider becoming a healer and a harmonizer). It’s done silently with intention and dedication.

Humanity in crisis will need these important skills.

•••

PISCES

An event has occurred and your daily life is in question. What will you do? There are choices. Will you be here or there or yet in another direction altogether. Neptune in Pisces creates a state of confusion leading to a sense of non-direction at first. You need a witching wand, a divining rod, a branch of the hemlock or hazel or willow tree, to find the ley-lines, the currents of your future. You need a foundation now so your future can come forth. That foundation at this time is prayer. Have courage that all will be well in time.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Scotts Valley High School Starts Later

By Jondi Gumz

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hen Scotts Valley High School resumes on Aug. 11, students and parents will notice starting times are changing.

Why? Senate Bill 328, passed in 2019, took effect July 1.

It says: Middle schools cannot start before 8 a.m. and high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m.

So, Scotts Valley High starts at 8:30 a.m.; Scotts Valley Middle School: 8:10 a.m., same as last year.

SB 328 passed 44-20 in the Assembly with 15 members not voting, and 24-9 in the Senate with 5 members not voting, then signed by the governor.

Voting yes were Assembly members Robert Rivas and Mark Stone and Senator Bill Monning.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge, who followed the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatricians and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC, the average start time for middle and high schools in California in 2011-12 was 8:07 a.m.

A widely-cited 2014 policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics supported later start times for adolescents.

Studies over the last 15 years investigating the impact of delayed school start times on student outcomes reached a wide variety of conclusions.

According to Portantino, “There is overwhelming evidence that moving high school and middle school start time later in the day increases academic performance and the public health of teenage students.”

Supporters argue that adolescents’ brains are “hard wired” to not sleep before 11 p.m., so simply going to bed earlier is not a solution. They contend schools benefit from later start times, because experience has shown they increases attendance (which increases school district revenue) and reduces tardiness and behavioral problems.

Until now, the state Education Code allowed school districts to set their own start times. n

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS CZU REMEMBRANCE The second annual CZU Remembrance Gathering will be Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Historic Brookdale Lodge, Highway 9, Brookdale.

Organizers Antonia Bradford and Julie Horner say there will be food, music, information on “hardening your home,” artifacts on display, donation opportunities, vendors, and art installations. To showcase your art, fire survivor or otherwise, email info@czuevent.com.

The CZU Fire took the homes of 911 families. The road to recovery has been filled with challenges and heartbreak.

There will be the chance to volunteer or make your needs known, whether you are a fire victim who needs help with your rebuild finishes or you need help clearing your property of fuel load to make your land more fire-resistant.

Bradford is working on an art installation to shine a light on what the fire community is contending with, to not only educate but also garner support. She’s asking families to fill out this survey and she will arrange a time to meet you: https://forms.gle/YoLiQAqcHW1EzpMN7 COUNTY FAIR ENTRY INFO Most Entries due Thursday, Aug. 25 • Poultry Deadline Aug. 6 The Santa Cruz County Fair, which will be Sept. 14-18, is using the ShoWorks online entry system this year for all departments.

For most entries, the deadline is Aug. 25. See https:// santacruz.fairwire.com/ Submitting your entries online will save you time on receiving day and help the fair display your items.

You can pay any entry fees by credit card online!

Paying by credit card will incur a 3% processing fee.

Checks can be dropped off at the fair office.

If you prefer paper entry forms, they are in the entry guide. The first time you use the system, click on the blue button in the upper right corner of the page to create an exhibitor account using your name, address & email address. Youth exhibitors are asked to enter birthdate & age.

This year, everyone needs to create an account. Write down your password. Once your account is created, you can use the username and password each time you visit the system. Use the blue buttons in the middle of the page to move to each step.

Find the department, division and class you wish to enter. Departments are listed alphabetically with some departments broken into categories (Home Arts and Agriculture Horticulture.) Fill in the required fields, marked by blue asterisk (*), and any optional fields needed to describe your entry.

NATURE BOWL 2022: FAMILY CHALLENGE Back by popular demand, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge is open, with the deadline to enter Wed., Aug. 31.

CDFW’s North Central Region initiated this familyfriendly competition during the pandemic as a delightful and educational way for families to explore nature close to home — in their backyards, neighborhoods and local wild areas — while having fun outside and working together to complete nature-related activities.

The 2022 challenge includes two scavenger hunts, one provided by CDFW and the other to be created by your family. There is also an extra credit element of cataloging your found items – just like a scientist.

To sign up and receive the Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge packet, email genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by August 25 The Family Challenge packet is available at https://wildlife. CANDIDATE FILING CLOSES AUG. 12 ca.gov/Regions/2/Nature-Bowl Tyler Crawford and Alan Timms have pulled papers to run for City Council. If an incumbent does not file, the CABRILLO YOUTH STRINGS FALL SEMESTER deadline is extended to Aug. 17.

The Cabrillo Youth Strings Music Program will begin Contact the Scotts Valley City Clerk for more information. its fall semester Friday, Sept. 9. Classes will be s on consecutive Fridays for nine weeks in the Music SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Building, VAPA, at the campus in Aptos. An entry-level Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s String Orchestra Class, Grades 4-6 Beginning Strings support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood for violin/viola/cello will be offered Fridays, 4-5:15 sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower p.m.

Auditions for Festival Strings (beginning note-readers) through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth. and Cabrillo Strings (intermediate-advanced) will You are not alone. You are not to blame. be 3:45-4:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, with a rehearsal following. Festival Strings will meet 4:15-5:45 p.m. and More info: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org Cabrillo Strings will meet 4:15-5:55 p.m.

String players ages 5 to18 are welcome to join ONGOING EVENTS the string orchestral and chamber music programs.

Students must provide their own instruments and bring Mondays pencils & music stands.

SCOTTS VALLEY ROTARY WEEKLY MEETING Covid-19 distancing will be followed. Students and 12:15 p.m., Online Zoom parents must wear N94/95 masks or a double mask Obtain Zoom link from President Patrizia Materassi at that includes a surgical mask outside and inside the (831) 334-2383. music building, except when alone.

A concert is planned for Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. To participate or make contributions, call (831) 479-6101 Tuesdays or visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/cabrillo-youth-strings. PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM Register through Cabrillo Extension, 479-6331, or 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting extension.cabrillo.edu before the first class.

BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group ‘RESEARCHING YOUR GENEALOGY’ CLASS offers a free support group, Are you interested in Researching Your Genealogy, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist. locating distant relatives, or creating a Family Tree Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefdiagram to give to your grandchildren and future support or call 831-471-7255. generations? This course on Mondays & Fridays covers: Gathering family documents, the most relevant Tuesdays thru October genealogy websites, useful historical records, DNA FELTON FARMERS’ MARKET testing and privacy concerns, and more.

11 a.m.–6 p.m., at St. John’s Church, 120 Russell Ave., Felton This course, sponsored by the Scotts Valley The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly Senior Center, is for novice and intermediate gathering May through October, now running for over researchers.

30 years. It features Delicous Meals, EBT/SNAP, Live Instructor Maxine McCarthy researched her own nineMusic, Market Match and more! generation family tree to identify ancestors dating to the Your support of regional agriculture and small, local mid-1700s, and located 102 extended family members businesses makes a difference. Follow us on Instagram or living in seven different countries. join our newsletter for up-to-date info and announcements.

Dates: Mondays & Fridays Aug. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/felton/ 22 and 29.

Mondays :12-1 pm | Fridays: 2:30-1:30 pm.

Thursdays Cost: $72-104, depends on # of students PRE-registration required! To register, call Darshana Croskrey SCOTTS VALLEY FOOD PANTRY (Scotts Valley Senior Center Coordinator) at 831-438-2444. 5:30 p.m., 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church hosts Pip’s SCCCUBY MASCOT SEARCH Pantry Food Bank with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union leaders are looking Fresh produce and pantry staples are available. for their next mascot, SCCCUBY. If you have or know a charismatic, canine friend, you might be looking at the Fridays through Sept 30 next SCCCUBY. MIDTOWN FRIDAYS To enter, from July 25 – Aug. 10, post a favorite 5-8:30 p.m., Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz picture of your dog on Instagram and tag #SearchFeaturing 25 local bands plus local eats and local forSCCCUBY, or email your photo to marketing@ artists and vendors. scccu.org and in-clude your name and the name of The live music lineup presented by Off The Lip Radio the dog.

Show includes (in order of appearance): If your dog becomes the next SCCCU mascot, you August win a $100 gift card to Western Feed Supply. The runner-up will win a $50 gift card to Mountain Feed Fuse (Opening – John Michael sings Sinatra) • Pacific Roots (Opening – The Dead Kampers) • John Michael Store in Ben Lomond. SCCCUBY will be featured Van Halen Tribute Band • Locomotive Breath in future marketing campaigns, including a special September Instagram feed.

The Joint Chiefs • Papiba & Friends • Anthony Arya The winner will be announced Aug. 16, at Santa Band • Sweet Voodoo • The Grand Finale Cruz Community Credit Union’s 45th anniversary See https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtown-fridaysparty 5-6:30 p.m. at the Soquel branch. summer-block-party-2022/ https://scccu.org

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

Fourth Fridays FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS 5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Live music, a beer & wine garden and food trucks abound for the monthly Food Truck Fridays at Skypark.

Scotts Valley Educational Foundation hosts Beer & Wine Garden to raise money for Scotts Valley’s public schools.

Aug 26: KPIG’s Michael Gaither & Friends will perform. Face & arm painting by Brenda. Food trucks Scrumptious Fish & Chips, Saucey’z, Taquizas Gabriel, Kuki’s Bowls, Cracked Cookies and Aunt LaLi’s.

Free admission, free parking, and friendly leashed pups are welcome. Bring lawn chairs & blankets — picnic tables available.

Visit foodtrucksagogo.com for more information Saturdays until Thanksgiving SCOTTS VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 5060 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market is open for the season at a new location, the Boys & Girls Club parking lot, as the Target shopping center is under construction.

Every week until Thanksgiving, farms and food businesses sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, and seafood. There will be cultural cuisine such as Chicken Foot or Dos Hermanos Pupuseria. New this year: Hidden Fortress Coffee sells pancakes, French toast, bacon and sausage.

Busy on Saturday? The Felton Farmers Market is open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at St. John’s Church, 120 Russell Ave., Felton, operating May-October.

Information: email info@santacruzfarmersmarket.org. https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/markets/scotts-valley/ https://boysandgirlsclub.info/ First Sundays WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Old Wrigley Building parking lot, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz The Westside Marketplace is where local art, handmade and vintage shopping meet delicious food at the Old Wrigley Building parking lot.

Collaboration between Food Trucks A Go Go & the Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market with live music.

August’s featured artist is Ancestree, while food vendors include Pana, Cuevas, Three Waves Coffee, Cracked Cookies and Aunt LaLi’s.

Visit foodtrucksagogo.com for more info.

DATED EVENTS Wednesday August 3

ALZHEIMER’S BUSINESS MIXER 5-7 p.m., Aptos St. BBQ, 8059 Aptos St., Aptos Join the Alzheimer’s Association’s Business Mixer at Aptos St. BBQ to discuss wellness, equity, and longevity in the workforce. Some 57% of employed caregivers had to go into work late, leave early, or take time off due to caregiving demands. Your colleagues could be dementia caregivers whose struggles are never discussed.

Support people facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Free admission; register at: https://tinyurl.com/alzbiz-mixer-2022 (Full URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ santa-cruz-walk-to-end-alzheimers-business-mixertickets-377003817567?utm-campaign=social&utmcontent=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Saturday August 27

To register for the Sept. 17 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, see https://act.alz.org/ Questions? Contact Walk manager Meggie Pina, santacruzwalk@alz.org or (831) 900-5903

‘NO RESPECT!’ PLAYS AT 14TH ANNUAL TESTICLE FESTIVAL 3-7 p.m., Estrada Deer Camp, Watsonville The 14th Annual Testicle Festival, put on by the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, will be at Estrada Deer Camp.

The “No Respect!” band, known for their wide range of songs from rock n’ roll to Latin, will entertain.

Local chef Loretta Estrada, will prepare the Rocky Mountain oysters and firefighter Derek Witmer will barbecue the chicken. The price is $60 for adults, $30 for children 6-12 and free for children under 5. There will be a raffle, live and silent auction plus Cow Pie Bingo.

Attendees will be able to vote on their favorites entered in “It’s All in the Sauce” Contest.

For information, visit www.Agri-Culture.us or buy tickets at www.eventbrite.com (search for “Testicle Festival” in Watsonville).

Wednesday August 3 Thursday August 4 SOAR DAYS 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Scotts Valley High School, 555 Scotts Valley Drive Meet in the Student Union at Scotts Valley High School.

Walk in at your convinience for Student Orientation and Registration Days.

Wednesday is open for 11th and 12th grades, while 9th and 10th grades are wel-come Thursday.

Freshmen/new student orientation starts at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Friday August 5 CLUBHOUSE FUNDRAISER 7:30 p.m., Armitage Wines, 705 Canham Road, Scotts Valley Armitage Wines will host an outdoor fundraiser concert for the Joe and Linda Al-berti Clubhouse/ Scotts Valley Boys and Girls Club, featuring internationally re-nowned Anders Osborn of New Orleans.

The benefit will raise funds for facility improvements, expand programs for chil-dren and teens, and make site improvements necessary to host the weekly Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market.

Armitage Wines is home to award-winning pinot noir and the Tiny Winery Concert series.

Tickets are $106 at tinywineryconcerts.com or call 831204-8815. Show is 21 and over. Local food and beverages available.

Friday August 5 thur Sunday August 7 WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The Strawberry Festival traces its roots to the Watsonville Strawberry Dessert Festival, founded in 1994 to help downtown recover from the Loma Prieta earthquake.

The Festival provides a safe, family-friendly experience and recognizes the largest and most valuable crop in the Pajaro Valley. It also provides nonprofits an opportunity to raise funds and showcase their work.

The festival is hosted by the city Parks & Community Services Department. There will be food, family activities, vendors, and live entertainment.

Hours: Friday: 5-9 p.m. (carnival only) • Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. • Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

SCOTTS VALLEY LIBRARY REOPENS

Sunday August 28

Saturday August 6

10 a.m.-2 p.m., 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley The Santa Cruz Public Libraries, with the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library, announce the grand reopening of the remodeled Scotts Valley Branch Library with a celebration.

Opening day festivities begin with guest speakers followed by refreshments at the Cafe, hosted by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library until 2 p.m.

Children can enjoy Storytime with Librarian Kari, participate in making crafts, and be dazzled by teenage magician James Chan. Enjoy live music with local favorites Tim Brady of Cement Ship from noon to 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room and relax under an umbrella on the patio.

“We are thrilled to invite the Scotts Valley community back to the Library,” Said Library Director Yolande Wilburn. “With the seismic upgrades, new roof, HVAC system, community room enclosure, and overall refresh, I am excited to see residents come together to read, learn and collaborate!”

The remodel was funded by Measure S. Division, Rayne Perez of the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County; and Jessica de Wit, City of Santa Cruz Housing Department Manager. Former mayor Don Lane, chairman of Housing Santa Cruz County, will moderate.

Learn more at www.homelessgardenproject.org

If you arrive early, you may be serenaded by the impromptu ukulele players.

Tuesday August 16

TACO TUESDAYS 5-8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Vendors include: Taquizas Gabriel and Saucey’z and more.

Wednesday August 10 As part of Taco Tuesdays in August and SepGARDENING BASICS TALK tember, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz 4-5:30 p.m., Felton Library Community Room, 6121 Gushee County will host Beer & Wine Garden, with local St beers & wines Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs Gardening is all discussed Free admission; easy parking. Friendly leashed pups in the Felton Library Com-munity Room, presented are welcome.

Saturday August 6

by Jet Van Ausdall, Scarborough Gardens nursery Bring lawn chairs & blankets .. picnic tables available.

DAY OF DIRT & DIGGING manag-er.

Visit foodtrucksagogo.com for more info.

9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Homeless Garden Project’s 3.5-acre Topics: Best time to plant fruit trees, cool season organic farm on Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz / warm season veggies, how to amend your soil and Saturday August 20 The Homeless Garden Project, with the Santa Cruz other ways to make your edible garden successful.

BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE Public Libraries, will host a Day of Dirt and Digging For ages 12 and up. Limited to 25 people. on their 3.5-acre organic farm. The event is free 3 p.m., London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ and open to the public.

Santa Cruz event/9331162 The event features cooking demos by Megan Future topics: Sept. 14 — Container Gardening • Oct.10 — The SF Mime Troupe will present Back To the Westersund, author of the cookbook, From the Ways Things Were, outdoors at the London Gardening Basics Garden, Simple Recipes Celebrating the Homeless Nelson Community Center, with the band playing Garden Project, lunch by Holey Roller Bagels, at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday August 14 a bilingual book reading by Cristina Exposito This new musical, with catchy tunes, features a Escalona, the author of A New Harvest, a book for ART AT THE BEACH five-person cast including veteran SF Mime Troupe 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., City of Capitola Beach children 7-14 inspired by the Homeless Gar-den collective member Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, who is On these Sundays, there will be booths with Project, and a panel discussion about affordable joined by Andre Amarotico, Lizzie Calogero, Norman quality artwork including painting, photography, housing.

Gee and Alicia M. P. Nelson. 90-minute family-friendly sculpture, jewelry and mixed media from local Panelists include Dr. Robert Ratner, Manager show, no intermission. artists. of the Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health Free admission ($20 suggested donation)

EIGHTH ANNUAL TOUCH-A-TRUCK Noon–4 p.m., Salinas Rodeo Grounds, 1034 N Main St Coastal Kids Home Care hosts the Eighth annual Touch-A-Truck, a day of fun for kids and kids-at-heart to climb and explore their favorite trucks at the Salinas Rodeo Grounds.

More than 50 emergency, construction, utility and other vehicles will be available along with food trucks, entertainment, arts and crafts, and face painting. Enter a raffle for a chance to win tickets to Disneyland & local attractions.

Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family.

Proceeds benefit Coastal Kids Home Care, local provider of in-home medical, social service, and therapy visits to children living with illness.

To purchase advance tickets see: https://coastalkidshomecare.org/touchatruck/ or email coastalkidshomecare@ gmail.com n

Thursday September 1 ACOUSTIC SISTERS 7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz Mimi Fox and Pamela Rose — Acoustic Sisters — will be at Kuumbwa Jazz Center for duets steeped in early blues, folk and some original material.

Fox, an internationally renowned jazz guitarist, has been a winner in six-consecutive Downbeat Magazine critic’s polls.

Rose is a San Francisco jazz and blues vocalist known for her swinging, soulful style.

Tickets are $31.50 advance at kuumbwajazz.org, or call (831) 427-2227; $36.75 at the door.

Guests must show proof of vaccination or PCR test within 48 hours. Masks are encouraged.

Sunday September 11 SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB 5 p.m., Various Member Homes Throughout County Love to cook, entertain and socialize?

Our monthly dinner club events are in homes throughout Santa Cruz County, where members enjoy gourmet meals, fine wine and conversation.

Joining the club provides a great opportunity to cook, entertain, and meet vaccinat-ed locals that share your interests.

Want to join us? Learn more by contacting Rhonda Mills at in-fo@SantaCruzDinnerClub.com n

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

Lithuanians in Aromas!

A

By Edita McQuary

mong ancient oak trees on private property in Aromas, the Lithuanian language and peals of laughter echoed on the afternoon of Saturday, June 24. Red, yellow, and green Lithuanian flags fluttered throughout the campsite. The San Francisco Bay Area Lithuanian Community was celebrating its annual midsummer festival known as “Jonines” or, in English, St. John’s Festival. This is an ancient preChristian celebration, which includes dancing around a bonfire, singing ancient folk songs and creating floral wreathes which traditionally, the women and girls wear on their heads but nowadays even the liberated menfolk willingly do so.

You may remember that the small Eastern European country of Lithuania was the first of the Baltic countries to declare itself free of the then-Soviet Union on March 11, 1990. Held captive since the end of World War II in 1945, the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia had what came to be called the “Singing Revolution” and are now independent once again.

The San Francisco Bay Area Lithuanian Community did themselves proud as about 50 adults and a dozen or so kids got together from all over the S.F. Bay Area to celebrate this ancient summer festival.

Current Lithuanian popular music played on the loudspeaker for the young people (jaunimas) and adults to enjoy. The

tables groaned with delicious food while people stood around getting acquainted and re-acquainted. Tents were set up for those who planned to camp (kemping) overnight. With a nod to American camping culture, s’mors (s’morzai) stations were set up and ready to go.

Two beautiful, charming pre-teens named Meile (Love) and Diamante (Diamond) were getting settled in their tent and explained how they came to be adopted a few years ago from their foster home in Lithuania. They now live in San Jose with their parents Renata and Dacijus. Asked what was different about life in the U.S. compared to Lithuania, Meile said there was more freedom but also more dangerous animals.

Her older sister Diamante said it was too hot and she did not like that but she liked that there were many horses here because she loves horses.

The San Francisco Bay Area Lithuanian Community has been in existence since 1952 and has about 600 or so members, according to its current president, Mindaugas Satis.

A desire to socialize with fellow Lithuanians, speak the language, and experience their homeland’s culture, was the impetus for World War II emigrants from Europe to create the organization in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as other cities in the U.S. and throughout the world where Lithuanians had emigrated.

Nowadays the members are young, highly-educated Lithuanians who have come to this area because of jobs in the technology industry and education. They all speak fluent English, Lithuanian and usually one or more languages.

Did you know that Lithuania was the last European nation to accept Christianity? First Christianized in 1250-51, this christening did not stick as they stubbornly persisted in worshipping their pagan gods of nature. It was not until 1387 that the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Jogaila, married Queen Jadwiga of Poland that Christianity was fully accepted. As a condition of the marriage treaty, Jogaila and all of Lithuania had to become Roman Catholic.

Along with the new religion, the Lithuanians accepted the Roman Catholic saints’ days, one of which was St. John (Jonas, in Lithuanian) and as usually happens in circumstances like this, pagan customs were incorporated into religious ceremonies.

Sometimes known as Midsummer Eve’s Festival, Jonines occurs on June 24, the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

Lithuanian-Americans, while happy to be working and living in the United States and enjoying its benefits, want their children to learn their Lithuanian language, history, and culture. Most Lithuanian communities in the United States have churches, schools, cultural and benevolent organizations

which they themselves support without any government assistance.

The S.F. Lithuanian Community opened their own Saturday school called “Genys” (woodpecker) in 2006.

The school has weekly Saturday classes in Castro Valley and has about 50 students.

They learn to speak, read, write and sing in the Lithuanian language as well as Lithuanian history, geography, folk dances, folk songs and customs and culture. There are classes for adults as well. n ••• For more information about the San Francisco Lithuanian Community and their school, Genys, please go to sflithuanians.org For Lithuanian worldwide news in English, please go to www.draugas.org. (Draugas means “friend.”)

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

June 2022 Change from

June 2021 Government 22,700 Up 1,700 Leisure/hospitality 13,500 Up 600 Manufacturing 7,900 Up 400 Professional/ 10,800 Up 300 business services Construction 4,900 Up 200 Private education 17,300 Up 200 & health Financial 3,300 Up 100 Other 4,800 Up 100 Trade/utilities/ 16,300 no change transportation Information 600 no change Nonfarm 102,100 Up 3,600 Farm 9,600 Up 100 Total 111,700 Up 3,700 ~~~ Labor force 136,600 Up .8% Employment* 131,300 Up 4% Unemployment 5,200 Down 46% Unemployment rate 3.8% 7.2%

Count is from the 12th of the month *Includes commuters out of the county Source: California Employment Development Department ••• Unemployment in Santa Cruz County ticketed up from 3.6% in May to 3.8% in June because the labor force grew from 134,900 to 136,600.

May’s unemployment was the lowest since the pandemic arrived in March 2020. The local government sector typically grows in the summer to offer youth recreation programs, and that happened as usual this year.

The hospitality sector also typically grows in the summer to accommodate tourists, and that happened this year.

Construction, a typically higherpaying sector, expanded for the better summer weather. n

SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Toxic Plants In Home Gardens

O

T

Meet Shaggy!

his charming fella is sure to win your heart – just look at his handsome tricolor face!

Shaggy is looking for a new place to call home because his family was moving and couldn’t bring him along.

Shaggy loves carrots, romaine lettuce, kale, and lots of hay!

We are sure he will love a home that will give him some space to stretch his little legs and lots of boxes and toys to play with.

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

crossword on 19 »

••• 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

By Tony Tomeo

leander that inhabits freeway medians is poisonous enough to be hazardous. Two tons of Buick cruising at 65 miles per hour past such oleander has more potential to be hazardous.

The risk associated with toxic plants within freeway medians is as limited as their accessibility. Remarkably durable and resilient oleander is therefore quite practical.

Realistically, established oleander is quite practical for many landscapes. (Oleander leaf scorch limits the practicality of new installation, though.) It is not the sort of vegetation that is appealing for consumption. Caustic sap should deter anyone who tries. It is poisonous primarily to curious young children or chewing dogs. It is generally safe in their absence.

Foxglove, angel’s trumpet, castor bean, nightshade and poison hemlock are significantly more hazardous because they are easier to consume. The seeds of castor bean and the fruits of nightshade actually seem to be edible. Poison hemlock sometimes mingles with foraged greens. Many diverse toxic plants exhibit hazardously appealing characteristics.

Some toxic plants are appealing enough to come indoors, where cats who never venture outdoors might take an interest in them. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) is a popular but very toxic houseplant. Mistletoe, although a parasitic and undesirable weed, is popular as cut foliage at Christmas -- its berries are very toxic. Poinsettia exudes caustic sap if disturbed.

Some toxic plants are toxic only because they are allergens. They affect only those who are allergic to them. Most people

Annual Traditions © Statepoint Media

Even toxic plants have their attributes.

are allergic to poison oak. Fewer are allergic to related plants, such as African sumac.

Some people are more or less allergic to a few species of Grevillea or Primula. Reaction to such species can be comparable to that of poison oak.

Too many toxic plants inhabit home gardens to list. Some are familiar fruit and vegetable plants, such as elderberry and potato.

Some should be removed for the safety of children or pets. Selection of new plants can simply and conveniently omit any concerningly toxic plants. Generally though, with responsible interaction, most toxic plants are not too risky.

••• Foxglove t is no coincidence that its generic name seems more pharmaceutical than horticultural. After all, the cardiac medication digitalis is an extract of foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. The plant is unfortunately very toxic. Because it naturalizes in several regions, it can be more hazardous than standardized medications. It can migrate undetected into home gardens.

Otherwise, foxglove is a delightful warm season annual with Foxglove is the source of a rustic or woodsy digitalis. style. It is actually a biennial that generates basal foliar rosettes during its first season, and blooms during its second season. Although technically monocarpic (so should die after bloom), it can produce a few short pups to bloom later. Seedlings can appear in random situations.

Plants from nurseries grew during a previous season, so are ready to bloom immediately for early summer. Their seedlings may grow through later summer and autumn, so might bloom for the following summer. Floral stalks generally stand between three and six feet tall. The tubular and somewhat pendant flowers are mostly pinkish purple, pink or white. A few modern varieties bloom yellow or apricot. n ••• Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo. com.

I

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

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