2026 July Chamber Newsletter

Scotts Valley Street Repairs & Construction

By Mayor Donna Lind

Having addressed the frequent questions about development, with the help of Public Works

Director Rodolfo Onchi, I will attempt to address the second most asked questions Council Members receive, Street Repairs! Questions include: When will Scotts Valley Drive be upgraded? What about the manhole covers that sit below pavement level? When are repairs going to

happen on Granite Creek Overpass and the big one, why isn’t my residential street repaired?

Private Street Maintenance

Let me respond first to residential street repairs. When the City of Scotts Valley incorporated in 1966, many streets were not built to code. Because of this, those streets were not accepted as city-maintained streets. As such, the responsibility to maintain the private streets rests with the property owners on the street. Through the years, some neighborhoods have created road maintenance agreements or associations so that residents contribute funds for regular maintenance. But

others did not. City officials have offered to provide information to residents willing to create associations, but it’s not easy to find residents willing to step up to take a lead on this project. Because these are “private” streets, the City can’t spend city funds to repair them.

Now for the good news! There are several projects scheduled for this summer.

Scotts Valley Drive

Scotts Valley Drive construction begin June 25th and will continue through August.

This work will also require lane closures with some delays, but Public Works doesn’t anticipate

significant delays due to less traffic on Scotts Valley Drive.

Businesses will be notified of any impact to their driveways.

“No Parking” signs will be placed in advance. All vehicles must be removed from the street by 9 a.m. If vehicles are left in the work zone, they will be towed at owner’s expense, so please use caution.

Minimal impact to business driveways is anticipated. Driveway access to major driveways or side streets will be maintained to the greatest extent feasible. However, temporary access restrictions may occur.

“Scotts Valley Projects” page 14

Kissed By an Angel Celebrates New Location

We sipped, we savored, we socialized, and we celebrated Phil, Amy, Garret & Caleb plus the whole Kissed by an Angel community at their brand-new beautiful tasting room in King Village Shopping Center.

If you haven’t been, we highly recommend stopping in to say hello, listening to some music, admiring the new spot and making some new friends. It’s very welcoming and filled with neighbors, possibly some old friends plus new friends you just haven’t met yet.

In addition to live music, they’ve rolled out Karaoke, and we think Scotts Valley just got more entertaining. They’re now serving beer from Steel Bonnet!

All of us at the Scotts Valley Chamber are delighted

to welcome them as our new neighbors in Kings Village, and we’re also so very grateful for their continued partnership, as we plan the 2026 Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival, happening August 15 & 16, we know we have Kissed by an Angel there to help make the wine section of the festival amazing!

Kissed by an Angels new address: 222 Mt. Herman Rd., Suite I, Scotts Valley (next to Erik’s Deli) Open Thursdays through Sundays.

Scotts Valley Chamber Welcomes

Earthrise Financial to the Business Community

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Earthrise Financial as one of its newest members. Located at 5007 Scotts Valley Drive, Earthrise Financial brings nearly four decades of wealth management experience, an independent approach to financial planning, and a passion for serving families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations throughout Santa Cruz County.

Founder Kevin Mize says the firm’s name reflects both optimism and a long-term investment philosophy. Inspired by the iconic Earthrise photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission, the name symbolizes humanity’s ability to innovate, overcome challenges, and continue moving forward.

“To me, investing is all about human progress,” Mize said. “As a species, we constantly invent, innovate, and improve over time. You don’t want to bet against human progress.”

After spending years in the traditional brokerage world, Mize decided it was time to create a firm that put clients first. He believes the independent advisory model allows him to make investment decisions based solely on what is best for clients rather than being limited by products that benefit a large financial institution.

Following extensive research into independent platforms, Mize chose Raymond James for its strong operational support while maintaining the independence he values.

Scotts Valley was a natural choice for the firm’s headquarters.

“I love Santa Cruz County,” Mize said. “It’s an eclectic place, and I’m an eclectic person.”

He’s been here since the early nineties and describes the county as uniquely diverse, with agriculture in South County, tourism along the coast, and Scotts Valley serving as the business

gateway to Silicon Valley. He also believes the region has been underserved when it comes to quality financial advice.

With nearly 40 years in the financial industry, Mize says helping clients reach their financial goals comes down to three principles: consistently saving, earning reasonable investment returns, and avoiding major financial mistakes.

“Everything in nature is cyclical, including the investment markets,” he said. “When the inevitable downturn occurs, you need to minimize its impact on your portfolio as much as possible.”

That philosophy forms the foundation of Earthrise Financial’s approach. Rather than focusing solely on maximizing returns during booming markets, the firm emphasizes protecting wealth during difficult markets. Mize says successful advisors prove their value when markets decline by helping clients stay disciplined and focused on their long-term goals.

natural materials like stone and redwood with modern technology. The building reflects his belief that innovation and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

“It’s also an art project,” he said with a smile. “I made it unique because I could.”

As a new Chamber member, Mize is excited about Scotts Valley’s continued growth.

“There’s new housing going up on Scotts Valley Drive, the commercial real estate is filling up, and the economy is diverse and expanding,” he said. “We have the perfect location to serve the emerging economy of Santa Cruz County as well as the booming tech world in Silicon Valley.”

The firm’s client base includes multi-generational families, business owners, nonprofit organizations, charitable foundations, and individuals with concentrated stock positions. Mize also laughs that the firm has developed something of a following among rocket scientists because, as he puts it, “I’m a space geek.”

Visitors to Earthrise Financial’s new office will quickly notice it is unlike a traditional financial firm. Mize describes the design as “Redwood forest meets space station,” blending

Celebrating 45 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 – 2026

Executive 5BR/4.5BA 4000+ sq ft 2-story Home in North Scotts Valley at 100 Village Lane. All new wood flooring throughout; no carpet. Chef’s kitchen with walk-in pantry & kitchen island. 2 living rooms, an office, a separate laundry room with washer & dryer. Central heat & air conditioning. Gas fireplace. One 2-car garage and a separate 1-car garage. Landscaped. Pet friendly. AVAIL NOW

Quiet 2BR/1BA Upstairs Condo in Village Greens at 311 Bean Creek #402 near Downtown Scotts Valley. Large living room with fireplace & deck. Fully equipped kitchen with pass-thru to dining area. W/D in unit. Small storage area in shared storage building. No pets. AVAIL NOW

Westside Santa Cruz 2BR/2BA 2nd floor Condo at 41 Grandview Street Unit #1504. Open concept floor plan with living room, dining area and kitchen. Each bathroom has tub/shower combo. Laundr y closet with washer/dryer. 1 parking space in garage w/storage closet for bikes and parking lot/street parking. No pets. AVAIL MID JULY

2BR/1BA Single-level Home in Downtown Felton at 210 Farmer Street. Close to hiking trails! Updated kitchen. Fireplace in the living room. W/D incl. Large yard. 2 car garage. No pets. AVAIL NOW

Tranquil 1BR/1BA 2-story Apartment at 5344 Taylor Way in Felton. Full kitchen including D/W. New interior paint. New flooring. Lg walk-in closet. Gas fireplace. W/D. 1 pet ok. Private Patio. AVAIL NOW

Community involvement has always been important to the Earthrise Financial team.

They volunteer with Reaching Out and recently sponsored a Scotts Valley Little League team. The Earthrise Space Cowboys went on to win the AA Championship, creating one of Mize’s favorite memories.

“The final game was the most fun baseball game I’ve ever seen,” he joked. “Sorry Giants.”

Beyond volunteer work, the firm is deeply committed to supporting nonprofit organizations. Approximately one-third of the assets Earthrise Financial manages are for charitable foundations, trusts, and 501(c)(3) organizations, with a fee structure specifically designed to support their missions.

Looking ahead, Mize encourages investors to avoid getting swept up in market excitement simply because everyone else is.

“Stocks aren’t poker chips,” he said. “When you buy stock, you’re investing in a business.” He encourages investors to understand what they own, diversify appropriately, and match investments to their long-term financial goals.

As Earthrise Financial grows, Mize hopes the firm becomes known throughout Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz County for outstanding client service, exceptional advisors, and lasting relationships built on trust.

“We’re having a Grand Opening Party for our new building at 5007 Scotts Valley Drive on Saturday, July 25,” he said. “It’s going to be a big celebration with live music, fun, and a golf simulator. The party will be even bigger in five years, but we’ll still be at our world headquarters on Scotts Valley Drive.” The Chamber will be there to perform a ribbon cutting as well at 12:30pm to officially welcome Earthrise Financial, and the party will take off from there when the bands start performing.

When asked for one piece of financial wisdom he would share with every Scotts Valley resident, Mize offered a bit of humor along with timeless investment advice.

“Don’t bet on the end of the world,” he said. “It only happens once and you can’t collect.”

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomes Earthrise Financial to the community and looks forward to supporting its continued growth while connecting local families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations with another outstanding member committed to serving the region.

•••

Please join us Sat. July 25th starting at Noon for a Ribbon Cutting with Grand Opening Party, 5007 Scotts Valley Drive

/ July 2026 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

e

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Meet the Chamber’s Newest Ambassador: Kyle Middleton

For Kyle Middleton, stepping into the role of Scotts Valley Chamber Ambassador feels less like something new and more like a perfect fit.

A longtime SLV local, Kyle’s roots in Scotts Valley run deep. She grew up in and around both communities, spending Saturdays at the old roller rink and catching double features at the movies while her mom, Dorothy Timewell, worked at the Scotts Valley Post Office. Those early memories shaped her connection to the area and continued to influence the way she shows up for it today.

Now, as an Ambassador, Kyle brings that same sense of familiarity and pride to the local business community. She describes Scotts Valley as a tight knit, supportive place that still holds onto its small town, family feel.

Kyle is a mom and also the Manager of Lab Support Services at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, where she has worked for 19 years. She is also the Dominican coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank, a role that reflects her commitment to giving back, helping to bring people and solutions together.

That skill set has made the Ambassador program a natural fit. Kyle says she especially enjoys the planning side of things, connecting the dots and helping solve challenges behind the scenes. It is work that plays

“Scotts Valley Projects” from page 11

After treatment, slurry takes up to 4 hours to cure. Driving, walking, or biking on the surface can cause damage and permanent stains to vehicles, shoes, carpets, and flooring. Scotts Valley Drive upgrades include widened buffered bike lanes and slightly reduced traffic lanes. The center lane will also be reduced to provide room for enhanced bike lanes. The upgrades will correct the lowered manhole covers which was created years ago by a prior contractor.

To help keep the community informed, the City has launched a project webpage where residents can find the latest information, including project updates, construction schedules, traffic impacts, and important notices.

to her strengths and gives her another way to contribute to a community she cares about.

For Kyle, showing up for local businesses is simple. Support them. Every dollar and every connection made locally helps strengthen the community as a whole. It is

a cycle she believes is essential to a town’s success. Local businesses and community connections matter; it is important to stay engaged and involved.

Outside of her work in healthcare, Kyle is also deeply involved in the Santa Cruz

Granite Creek

County Fair, where she serves as livestock Superintendent. It is another community she values, and now, she is excited to build those same kinds of relationships even further within Scotts Valley & through the Chamber. She believes the people who thrive as Ambassadors are those who genuinely want to be involved, who enjoy connecting with others, and who are open to new challenges and friendships. Inclusivity. Her advice for anyone considering the role is straightforward. Give it a try. You never know where it might lead. If you’re looking for a way to join and support your community, the Ambassadors might be perfect for you.

If she had to sum up the current Ambassador group, Kyle would call it a dedicated group of people who have found their place and genuinely enjoy bringing events and community efforts to life. It’s a group of positive, friendly, and uplifting volunteers who help the Chamber and its members’ shine.

After jumping in and helping at the Gala Award, she was excited to see what can be accomplished at the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer festival in August. She will be managing the amazing volunteers who help make the festival run smoothly. If you would like to be one of those volunteers, please reach out and we will connect you with Kyle. Reach us at info@scottsvalleychamber.com

Caltrans is resurfacing part of the bridge, but the City will handle the major repairs. Although the City has received some grant funding, it does not yet have enough to complete all the needed work.

There are many smaller street projects scheduled for this summer, including utility connections along Scotts Valley Drive and AT&T and Comcast utility projects, including pedestal, manhole, and overhead work also on Scotts Valley Drive.

Another project scheduled is the replacement of a culvert on Granite Creek Road near the City Limits. There isn’t a date set for this replacement, but the City will place signs notifying residents when the project is scheduled.

The City has worked for years to improve

Regular updates on both the project webpage and the City’s social media channels will continue throughout construction. Visit the project webpage for updates and project info: www.scottsvalley.gov/710/Scotts-ValleyDrive-Complete-Street-Impr.

the Granite Creek Overpass. While Caltrans typically maintains overpasses, the City of Scotts Valley entered into an agreement with Caltrans many years ago to maintain the Granite Creek Overpass.

Although this work, including the Bike Lane Improvements, has been long anticipated, there will be delays, and it will require our patience and support. Please drive safely and keep our awesome public works staff and contractors safe.