Aptos Times: February 15, 2026

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Mountain Lions Around Aptos

Sightings Up as Endangered Status Considered

By Jon Chown

A family of mountain lions has taken up residence in the mountains above Aptos. Near the end of Newell Drive, two adults and two cubs have been spotted several times roaming past Ring cameras.

Resident Jerry Ball said it started a few weeks ago

when he noticed a female lion strolling right down his driveway. Three nights later, she was back. Then, on Feb. 3, she was back again, but with two cubs behind her. Ball said the mountain lions are a bit scary, but beautiful at the same time. ... continues on page 4

State, Feds to Answer BESS Fire Questions

A two-hour update with information from federal and state agencies involved in the Moss Landing Vistra fire cleanup is scheduled for March 17 during the Monterey Board of Supervisors meeting.

Merced Group Behind Illegal Taco Vendors

Unlicensed taco vendors selling food made in a dirty kitchen in Merced have proliferated across Monterey County in the past year ... Full Story page 8

Mountain Lions Around Aptos: Sightings Up as Endangered Status Considered, By Jon Chown Community News

5 State, Feds to Answer BESS Fire Questions: Public Frustrated as Vistra Considers Restarting Facility, By Jon Chown

6 Art Inspires Youth at La Selva Beach Library, By Claudia Iseman

7 Search Called Off for Missing Surfers • Multiple Bodies Discovered in Monterey County

8 Merced Group Behind Illegal Taco Vendors: Unlicensed Bazaar in Pajaro Faces Crackdown, By Jon Chown

10 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair Theme Announced • Arts Commission Accepting Nominations for Artist of Year

12 County Grapples with New State Behavioral Health Law: Funding for Programs Shrinks, Must be Reconfigured, By Jon Chown

13 Early Crackdown On Illegal Vendors Credited for Curbing Problem Here, By Jon Chown

15 Community Tree Planting at Amesti School: Expanded Learning Partners with Watsonville Wetlands Watch for Program

16 Supervisors Approve 57-Unit Housing Project: 841 Capitola Road Project to be Squeezed into Neighborhood, By Jon Chown • Supervisors Tighten Rules on Cannabis Lounges; Serving Intoxicated Patrons Could Threaten License, By Jon Chown

19 Mount Madonna School Senior Class to Embark on Educational Journey to India: Includes Meeting With the Dalai Lama

20 Biochar Made From Invasive Eucalyptus Tested for Farm and Climate Benefits on California Coast • Cabrillo College Football Coach Justin Hansen Takes Leave of Absence

21 Sheriff’s Office Confirms Theory on Gun Found at Aptos High School: Weapon Was Dropped by Juvenile During December Fracas, By Jon Chown

22 Watsonville Ordered to Stop Building Around Airport: Decades-Long Court Dispute with Pilots Association May Be Over

23 Ribbon Cutting to be Held for New Overcrossing

24 Nominations For Annual Spotlight Award Due in March

27 Apply Now to the SC County Civil Grand Jury • Reasons to Shop for AmericanMade Products In Memoriam

7 Memorial Held for Patricia Rebele Letter to the Editor

8 Reporting Answered Many Questions, But Not All

Profile

14 Park Avenue Fitness: Putting the ‘Personal’ in Personal Training National News

25 Outwit Scammers With These Smart Tips • How Programming Found Worldwide Supports the U.S. Military Community

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – How to Understand the World & Our Country Today, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Columnists

11 A Tribute to Andres Burgueno, Safeway’s ‘Wine Guy’, By Becky Steinbruner 18 Mail Order Fakes & Realities, By Tony Tomeo

Silver and Gold Get Hammered, By Marc Cuniberti

‘I Just Want to Be Happy’, By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

COVER STORY

“Mountain Lion Visits” from page 1

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“I moved into their neighborhood, so I don’t have much to say about it,” he said. “It makes me a little nervous when I have to take the dogs out at night. I’m a little reluctant, but we live in the forest because we love the animals and the peace and quiet and we recognize we are intruding on their home. … You have to respect mother nature.”

Ball said a lot of wildlife can be found in the neighborhood: skunks, squirrels, coyotes, and more. He said he’s seen hundreds of turkeys at one time, and there are deer everywhere. It’s not entirely new. Ball said a mountain lion attacked a neighbor’s goats a couple of years ago, but the sightings seem to be on the rise. He recently saw a lion perched on a tree branch above Redwood Drive while he was driving by, and saw another while looking for a neighbor’s dog that had gotten loose.

Ball said he believes the local deer population draws them. “We have a lot of deer and mountain lions control that population,” he said.

Norman Trengrove, 83, was the first person to live on Jingle Lane, off Day Valley Road in the mountains southeast of Nisene Marks State Park. In the 63 years he has lived there, he has not seen a lion, but he said neighbors have spotted them. One lion recently killed a deer near his neighbor’s fence.

“My wife (Carol Trengrove) and I were looking up at the power poles because they were covered with buzzards. I asked a neighbor about it and he said there was a deer carcass on the other side of his fence. He saw a mountain lion run down the deer and kill it.”

Trengrove said he is concerned about the mountain lions and feels a little unsafe when he and his wife go out walking. “I worry we could be targets,” he said. “It looks like we’re getting a hell of a lot of lions around here. It’s potentially dangerous.”

Krypton Kellum, information officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said there is no definitive number of mountain lions in the region. One CDFW study estimated about 200 cats live between San Mateo and Big Sur, but they roam. Female mountain lions have territories up to 300 square miles and males up to 500 square miles.

“Mountain lions are active dusk through dawn. If you are aware of mountain lion sightings reported near your neighborhood, you should avoid taking walks or hiking or biking between dusk and dawn,” she said. If they are in the neighborhood, hopefully, they will leave on their own. They often do.

“Mountain lions are very wary of people and will avoid populated areas. On rare occasions they will make their way into populated areas, but usually return to the open space natural habitat they came from,” said Kellum.

Even though Mountain Lion sightings

are becoming more common, the big cats are being considered for protection under the California Endangered Species Act — and it likely already happened as you are reading this.

The issue was on the agenda of a Fish and Game Commission meeting held Feb. 11-12 in Sacramento, just as this publication was being sent to print. Commissioners were to “consider and potentially act” on the petition to list the lion as endangered.

The state’s evaluation of whether to list the Southern California and Central Coast population of mountain lions under the California Endangered Species Act has slowly evolved into a recommendation for protection.

When conservation groups originally petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission in 2019 to list the population, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife decided in early 2020 that the petition contained sufficient scientific information to merit further review. Based on that finding, mountain lions were designated as a candidate species, granting them temporary protections while a full scientific assessment was conducted.

That assessment was completed in late 2025 when the department found that the mountain lions roaming Southern California and the Central Coast are genetically distinct. The report found the population to be increasingly isolated and vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rodenticide exposure, and low genetic diversity. Unlike

the earlier petition evaluation, which only determined that listing “may be warranted,” the 2025 review made a full recommendation that the population be listed as threatened under state law.

The department concluded that, without additional protections and management measures, long-term viability of the these lions is at risk.

Ball said he supports that, despite being wary of the predators.

“I think it’s important that they live naturally and are not hunted down, unless they become a pest,” he said. “They figure there’s 200 mountain lions from San Mateo to Big Sur, I don’t think that’s a whole bunch.You just have to keep your eyes open and know what to do when you come upon a mountain lion.”

Kellum said that if you see a mountain lion, stay calm. Don’t run and don’t turn your back. Running may trigger its instinct to chase, so stand your ground, face the animal, maintain eye contact and back away slowly. Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms or spreading your jacket open. Wave slowly and make loud noises. If you have children with you, pick them up. But do not crouch or bend over. Crouching can make you appear more like prey. n

CDFW asks that people submit mountain lion sightings to the Wildlife Incident Reporting System at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir. This helps track and monitor the species and respond to conflicts as necessary.

State, Feds to Answer BESS Fire Questions

Public Frustrated as Vistra Considers Restarting Facility

By JON CHOWN

Atwo-hour update with information from federal and state agencies involved in the Moss Landing Vistra fire cleanup is scheduled for March 17 during the Monterey Board of Supervisors meeting. The announcement was made Feb. 3 during a supervisors’ meeting that drew some ire from the public over its lack of information on the subject.

Kelsey Scanlon, director of the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management, gave a brief review of the progress being made on the fire’s cleanup. More than 19,000 of the 35,772 intact battery modules have been de-energized, and 16,000 have been removed to a facility in Nevada. There have been no flare-ups. Demolition activities are on pause until the team works through the remaining accessible intact battery modules. The second phase of demolition is still expected in mid-2026.

The county has been somewhat left on the sidelines as state agencies and the EPA direct the next steps in the process. That has caused frustration among residents and supervisors. Both are hoping some hard questions get answered.

“It’s a year later and not much is different other than Vistra is just going to do what Vistra is going to do,” said resident Michelle Cleary during public comment. “A quick six-minute update … isn’t really doing it. So I hope the March 17 one is a lot better.”

Supervisor Glenn Church said the cause of the fire had still not been determined, and that is essential to know.

“I just can’t stress how important it is to know the cause of the fire because Vistra will start up, I’m assuming, sometime this year. It’s their decision under the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission). We don’t have any say-so on that,” he said. “Maybe we’re not even going to get this truly answered because it just seems like the CPUC is not taking it seriously.”

The Vistra BESS facility in Moss Landing is really three separate facilities sitting next to each other. Facility 1, Moss 300, burned. It used LG lithium-ion batteries stacked on racks densely indoors. It will not be restarted. Facility 2 is Moss 100; it is smaller and was already offline when the fire occurred. It is effectively in limbo. Moss 350 did not burn and has a different design. It has containerized battery units outdoors, with each container having its own fire suppression.

According to Vistra, restarting Moss 350 is a possibility and is under evaluation. It has no plans to restart the Moss 100 BESS facility at this time, and any restart of either facility would be done in consultation and coordination with appropriate regulatory bodies.

Church said that restarting the facility without knowing what caused the fire would be irresponsible. “If you repeatedly have accidents, the public is going to lose faith in this technology and we’re not going to move in the direction that we need to. In order to learn from a mistake, you have to know what the mistake was. Since we don’t know the cause, we haven’t learned from the mistake.”

Ed Mitchell, the lead investigator for the local group Never Again Moss Landing, said his group had photographic evidence of the cause: The batteries were stacked too close together. He displayed a photo during the meeting of the inside of the plant before it burned. Boxes of batteries could be seen strapped against each other in long rows stacked two high.

“Look at those,” Mitchell said. “That is zero separation for every box in the building. … No wonder it burned down.”

Board Chair Wendy Root-Askew said the county would do its best to make sure pertinent questions were answered at the March 17 meeting, which she said would take place as close to 1:30 p.m. as possible. n

JoAnn Riniti, Ph.D.

• Women’s Issues

• Adolescence and pre-teen challenges

• Depression

• Unblocking Creative Potential

COMMUNITY NEWS

Art Inspires Youth at La Selva Beach Library

By CLAUDIA ISEMAN

Whimsical” is how sixth grade teacher Francesca Kingdom describes the new art installation outside the La Selva Beach library.

The clay sculpture located in the Florido Lawn area just outside the library pays homage to books. La Selva Beach artist Kristen Kolbeck calls her creation a totem.

The tower of books with a child reading atop it is titled **The Storyteller**. A retired fourth and fifth grade teacher, Kolbeck says her former students were the inspiration for **The Storyteller** and her love of reading.

“My love of books, reading aloud and I loved seeing kids discover books,” said Kolbeck. She wishes young readers would discover **The Rootabaga Stories** by Carl Sandburg. “I especially like **White Horse Girl and Blue Wind Boy**, “says Kolbeck.

“One of my favorite books was **Miss Rumphius** by Barbara Cooney.

**The Storyteller** was made possible by the La Selva Beach Friends of the Library organization. “We saw the totem

at the Sierra Azul nursery at an outdoor art display and we bought it from Pajaro Valley Arts in December 2025,” says Cindy Jackson from the La Selva Beach Friends of the Library.” The group raises money for the library through book sales and donations. “We think it’s charming,” says Jackson. “We are so lucky to have donations and volunteers,” she says .

Madelyn Serrano, La Selva Beach Recreation District Manager, thinks **The Storyteller** adds to the feeling of community. “I’ve seen lots of people smile when they walk by and see it,” says Serrano. “We want more local artists to reach out to us. Art installations add to the beauty of La Selva Beach,” adds Serrano.

The Friends of the Library organization at the Capitola branch library runs the used bookstore at the Capitola Mall. In January the group donated $500,000 for solar and battery storage for the library, which is expected to save $30,000 in annual energy costs. n

IN MEMORIAM

Memorial Held for Patricia Rebele

Amemorial was held for Patricia “Pat” Rebele on Feb. 7 at St. John the Baptist Church in Aptos. Known for her philanthropy, advocacy for the arts, the homeless and other causes, Rebele died Dec. 15 at age 97. Her passing was not widely reported like her husband, Rowland “Reb” Rebele, who died in 2023, but together they were integral to many community philanthropic efforts.

A lifelong advocate for the arts, education, social services, and those most in need, Pat Rebele helped the residents of Santa Cruz County for decades. She and her husband Reb shared nearly 70 years of marriage. Together, they were among Santa Cruz’s most influential philanthropists, quietly supporting hundreds of organizations and causes.

“Pat’s presence warmed any room with her sparking eyes, curious mind and gracious spirit. She always offered her kindness, and she will be missed in the community that she helped make better for all,” said Susan True,

CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, Pat earned her bachelor’s degree in art history as a re-entry student, an achievement that reflected her lifelong love of learning and the arts.

“Pat Rebele” page 12

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Search Called Off for Missing Surfers

SANTA CRUZ — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for two possible missing surfers who were reported in distress near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse on Friday evening.

Coast Guard officials said Sector San Francisco watchstanders received a report around 6:30 p.m. from two good Samaritans who observed two surfers yelling for help about 200 yards from the lighthouse.

A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Monterey and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco were dispatched to the area and conducted search operations through the night.

After searching for more than 10 hours and covering approximately 90 miles without locating the surfers, the Coast Guard suspended active search efforts early Saturday morning. Officials said the search could resume if new, credible information becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding the surfers’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center at 415-399-7399.

Weather conditions during the search included air temperatures near 54 degrees and seas with 7- to 9-foot swells. Updates will be shared by the Coast Guard Southwest District on X at @USCGSouthwest.

Multiple Bodies Discovered in Monterey County

CARMEL VALLEY — Authorities in Monterey County are investigating the discovery of

human remains found in a rural area of Carmel Valley, the sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at about 6:45 p.m. Jan. 29 to an area along Cachagua Road after people walking nearby reported finding what appeared to be a human skull. Deputies confirmed the discovery and secured the scene, which was later turned over to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division.

Over the course of several days, investigators processed the area and located additional human remains, which were collected for examination, authorities said.

A forensic analysis will be conducted to help identify the remains. The examination will include DNA testing and comparison with missing and unidentified persons records maintained by the California Department of Justice.

The sheriff’s office said the discovery follows a separate incident reported Dec. 29, 2025, when a land surveyor found a human skull along Viejo Road, also in the Carmel Valley area. Additional remains were recovered during that investigation, and identification is still pending DNA analysis.

In a separate case, deputies are also investigating the discovery of a body found Wednesday in an agricultural field near Highway 183 and McFadden Road in an unincorporated area of Salinas. The body of an adult male was located several hundred yards from the roadway, and the sheriff’s coroner unit is working to determine the man’s identity and cause of death.

Both investigations remain active, and no further details were released. n

Merced Group Behind Illegal Taco Vendors Unlicensed Bazaar in Pajaro Faces Crackdown

By JON CHOWN

Unlicensed taco vendors selling food made in a dirty kitchen in Merced have proliferated across Monterey County in the past year, but more recently have conglomerated at an empty lot on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Salinas Road in Pajaro. County supervisors promised a crackdown.

Supervisors discussed the issue Tuesday, Feb. 3 and vowed to act before a catastrophe happens, but District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez said that date is past.

“I’ve already lost a resident — somebody crossing the road in Soledad trying to get to one of these vendors was hit by a car and died,” he lamented. “And I’m done with this. … We know the vans come out of Merced. You see the license plate. It’s crystal clear.”

The corner lot on Railroad Avenue and Salinas Road is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and has become an unauthorized flea market filled with unlicensed vendors of all sorts, selling a wide variety of goods. Monterey County officials say it has resulted in food safety violations, traffic concerns, and is a public nuisance. As far as food, there is no place for servers to wash their hands or even a bathroom.

On Jan. 10, police broke up the party, issuing 15 trespassing notices and left two no-trespassing signs at the property. Fencing or even concrete barriers are being considered to keep vendors out. Wednesday, a crew wearing orange vests were picking up trash at the site under the watch of two sheriff’s deputies.

“People expect their food to be safe,” said District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church. “It’s a real concern and a real health risk

out there that’s in many ways just a time bomb.”

Officials said the taco stands generate a lot money, up to $100,000 per month, but the workers at these sites are paid very little. Some appear to be minors. They often have no identification.

Armando Gonzalez of Monterey County’s Environmental Health Department

LETTER TO THE

Reporting Answered Many Questions, But Not All

Dear Editor,

Thanks to your great report in the Aptos Times about the Village on the Green project, I now know much more about the status of this large project than what was shared during discussion at the January 29 constituent meeting with Supervisor DeSerpa’s analysts in the Aptos Library.

Without the good information in your report, I would have only relied on vague assurances that “nothing is happening” in terms of the project actions, considered one of the largest developments in the County, with a seven-story apartment building and nearly 200 townhomes proposed.

Now I know that the project could be

EDITOR

ministerially approved, meaning NO public hearings at all. Now I know that Swenson developers submitted a pre-application on November 20, 2025 and is consulting with a Development Review Group (DRG) in County Planning.

Now I know that the County has added this large Village on the Green project, proposed for 2600 Mar Vista Drive in Aptos, to the CDI (Planning) Major Projects webpage: https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/UPC/ GetInvolved/MajorProjectApplications.aspx

I am also aware that Supervisor DeSerpa appointed former Swenson Builder VicePresident Mr. Jesse Nickell to serve as District 2 Planning Commissioner, even though he does not live in the Second District.

While Supervisor DeSerpa is quoted

said operating without a food permit is only the top of the iceberg. The vendors’ actions often involve unfair business practices, tax evasion, right-of-way violations, and are a public nuisance.

The county responded to 223 complaints in the last fiscal year, with most complaints originating out of Salinas to begin with.

Salinas, in turn, hired a special investigative

unit to find the vendors. That spurred the vendors to move out into unincorporated areas.

Now, Gonzalez said, most of the vendors are in Pajaro or Castroville. The most frustrating part about it is that little seems to dissuade them.

“Taco Vendors” page 13

in your good report as saying that the State’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements mandate housing to be built, it does not mandate removal of public input and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. Transparency and Public trust must always to be protected and edified.

Although Supervisor DeSerpa assured me that public meetings would happen for this large project, her analyst informed me that she did not think public meetings were required. Will the County follow its own requirements for developers such as Swenson Builders to hold public meetings for large projects such as the “Village on the Green” with a seven-story apartment building and nearly 200 town homes?

Here are the County’s own rules: Neighborhood Meeting After the Development Review Group (DRG) but before you file your application, you must hold a meeting with your neighbors to discuss your proposal with them. This is a very important step and can reduce or eliminate neighborhood concerns at the Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors public hearings. You must provide a report about the meeting along with your application (see Guidelines for Neighborhood Notification of Proposed Development).

I hope that Supervisor DeSerpa will support requiring public meetings for this very large project at 2600 Mar Vista Drive as early as possible and throughout the permitting process.

— Becky Steinbruner, Aptos

Aptos

Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates

831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com

CalBRE#01799929

INTEREST

RATES –are holding steady at 6.2% as of 2/05/26, (6.99% a year ago).

We are starting to see REFINANCES of 5/1 ARMS loans that were taken out during Covid.

HOMES SOLD SO FAR 2026 – 13 homes have sold this year so far. The AVG Days on Market (DOM) was a whopping 96 days (over 3 months to get an offer). The AVG Sales Price was $2,711,638 and the MEDIAN Sales Price was $1,523,000. High sale: 422 Seaview 5B/6.5BA/7640SF sold for $7,424,099 after a whopping 565 days on market. Next is 616 Bayview, 4B/4.5BA/3908SF sold for $5,588,000, 183 DOM. Near Median: 246 Via Novella – 3B/2BA/1935SF - $1,750,000, 261 Dry Creek – 3B/3.5BA/2057SF - $1,445,000, 105 Sea Terrace – 4B/3BA/2374SF$1,360,000, 208 Spreckels – 3B/2BA/1598SF - $1,250,000. Low sale is 516 Gertrude –3B/2BA/1542SF – $1,031,200, 132 DOM. Three condo/townhomes have sold: 335 Village Creek – 3B/2.5BA/1606SF$979,000, 283 Perch – 2B/2.5BA/1574SF - $946,000, 3003 Corte Cabrillo2B/2BA/918SF - $679,000.

ACTIVE LISTINGS – There are 31 Active Listings, but only 6 are new listings in 2026. 25 are holdovers or relists from 2025. The AVG DOM is 72, and the AVG List Price is $2,347,609. Last year this time, I had more knowledge of new listings coming soon. This year so far appears much quieter. I expect/hope to see more listings soon.

COMPASS (my Brokerage), completed the $1.6 Billion acquisition of rival firm ANYWHERE (Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Corcoran, Sotheby’s, ERA, Better Homes and Gardens) in January 2026 to become the world’s largest Broker with 340,000 agents globally.

PAINT COLORS FOR 2026 – Whether or not you plan to sell this year, a new fresh paint color is always fun. Here are the picks: Sherwin Williams: Universal Khaki –“neutral tone that pairs well with warm and dark colors”, Benjamin Moore: Silhouette – “luxurious burnt umber with delicate notes of charcoal”, Behr: Hidden Gem – “smoky blend of blue and green”, Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus – “calming green hue with warm undertones”, Glidden: Melodious Ivory – “creamy beige neutral”, Farrow & Ball: Scallop – “soft pink shade”, Hay – “sunny yellow shade”, Sardine – “mineral-inspired blue”. Have fun!

Call, email, text anytime and Get Results With Ruth!

2026 Santa Cruz County Fair Theme Announced

WATSONVILLE — The Santa Cruz County Fair has unveiled its theme for 2026: “Apple Pies and Starry Skies.”

The winning theme, selected from nearly 100 submissions, will set the tone for the fair when it returns to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds from Sept. 16-20, 2026. Organizers said the theme blends nostalgia with optimism, pairing a classic American dessert with the wonder of the night sky above the fairgrounds.

The theme was chosen through a vote by the fair’s volunteer department heads and staff, who selected their favorite entry from this year’s Theme Contest. Fair officials said the decision was a difficult one due to the number of strong submissions.

The winning entry was submitted by Randy Fong.

“Fairs can be so fun,” Fong said. “I thought that coming up with the official tagline for the Fair would be pretty cool.”

As the contest winner, Fong will receive four passes to the fair along with a free parking pass.

Fair organizers also announced that planning is already underway for another creative competition.

Santa Cruz County artists will soon be invited to participate in the 2026

Poster Art Contest, which will determine the official fair poster.

The selected artwork will be featured on the cover of the fair’s Entry and Fair Guides and used in advertising, social media and signage throughout the fairgrounds.

Details, deadlines and entry criteria for the Poster Art Contest will be released at a later date, fair officials said. n

Arts Commission Accepting Nominations for Artist of Year

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Arts Commission is accepting nominations for its Artist of the Year Award, a longstanding program that honors local artists for exceptional achievement and lasting contributions to the county’s cultural life.

Now in its 42nd year, the Artist of the Year Award recognizes artists working in the performing, visual and literary arts who have achieved national or international distinction, enriched the cultural vitality of Santa Cruz County and created or presented work locally. Artists are nominated by members of the public, and only Santa Cruz County residents are eligible to submit nominations.

The Arts Commission recently named dancer and choreographer Micha Scott as the 2026 Artist of the Year. Scott is a former senior member of the

internationally renowned Garth Fagan Dance and has performed leading roles on stages around the world.

Since relocating to Santa Cruz County in 2008, she has played a significant role in the local arts community, particularly through her leadership at Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, where she serves

as executive director and artistic director.

Scott’s work emphasizes youth access, advocacy and the artistic traditions of the African Diaspora. In recent years, she has launched the annual Deep Roots Dance Fest, secured more than $120,000 in grant funding to support youth dance scholarships, and collaborated with

artists nationally and internationally. A free public profile performance honoring Scott will be held June 5 at the Museum of Art & History.

For future awards, eligible nominees must be Santa Cruz County residents with a record of artistic excellence and community impact. Nomination letters must be dated and include the nominator’s name and address, the artist’s contact information and a brief statement describing how the nominee meets the award criteria.

Nominations for the 2027 Artist of the Year Award are due by March 16, 2026. Nomination letters should be emailed to kathy. dewild@santacruzcountyca.gov with the subject line “Artist of the Year Nomination.” Additional information, including past recipients and nomination materials, is available through the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

A Tribute to Andres Burgueno, Safeway’s ‘Wine Guy’

By BECKY STEINBRUNER

Once in a while, you meet a person who changes your life for the better, and their unique qualities ripple far and wide, touching many. Andres Burgueno was like that. The news of his sudden passing devastated many.

Andres worked at Safeway in the Rancho del Mar Center in Aptos for nearly 19 years. Many thought he was a manager because of the high level of attention he showed customers and coworkers; however, he actually was in charge only of the wine department. Customers would seek him when they needed help finding something, because no matter how busy he was, he would lead them to the item and make sure he answered their questions.

“He was so dedicated and always willing to help anyone and would work any area of the store when it was needed,” said store Manager Monica. “His smile was contagious, and it was such a pleasure to have him at the store.”

Assistant Manager Gabriel agreed.

Not only was he passionate about providing excellent customer service, he worked hard to support all workers at the store. Everyone, like Anna, who worked together with Andres for 19 years, regarded him as a best friend and brother, and looked forward to the job because of his ever-present positive attitude, hilarious sense of humor, and big smile. “He really listened to you,” she said, “and we could kid around like siblings and make each other laugh.”

Produce staff member Vicente also worked with Andres for many years, and

just get through tough days. He would spend time talking with them casually in the office and help them get through tough times. He was everyone’s best friend, the basis of this store, and the essence of customer service.”

Other long-time coworkers like Joe really appreciated Andres’ patience and happy, positive attitude every day.

“He took care of me. I always knew he would have my back when the store was really busy. He was so smart. I don’t want to believe he is gone. Things will never be the same.”

for a shorter time, agreed. “He was a good friend.”

Marlene, longtime bagging clerk, said, “He was a great person in all aspects, and was genuine.”

Carena at the deli also worked many years with Andres and said his positive attitude always made coming to work a pleasure. “He had such a wonderful smile that made you glad to see him,” she said. “We are all so sad now.”

In the pharmacy, Letticia worked with Andres for 19 years, and Jacqui for seven years. Both agreed that Andres was always willing to help, no matter what department it was. “One time, the deli was closed, but Andres went in and built a sandwich for a customer. He also would help build things for displays. He always had funny jokes to share and cheer us up.”

Elvin in produce agreed, having worked with Andres for two years. “Andres always would help if I needed it. He would cashier, too. He always encouraged us to push forward. He was just so full of life, and happy

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Grapples with New State Behavioral Health Law Funding for Programs Shrinks, Must be Reconfigured

By JON CHOWN

SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 10 got a detailed presentation on the changes that will be required under the new Behavioral Health Services Act, a state law approved by voters in 2024.

The BHSA replaces the Mental Health Services Act, which since 2004 has funded county mental health programs through a 1% tax on California residents whose personal income exceeds $1 million. The new law, created through Proposition 1, restructures how those funds are distributed and used. It also reduces the overall amount of funding counties receive and imposes new reporting, planning, and accountability requirements. County officials said the changes will significantly affect Santa Cruz County’s behavioral health programs beginning July 1, 2026.

“This is not a minor adjustment,” Connie Moreno-Pereza, Health Services director for Santa Cruz County. “It is a fundamental restructuring of how behavioral health services are funded, planned, and delivered.”

Under the BHSA, counties will receive about 5% less funding overall while facing tighter state restrictions on spending. For Santa Cruz County, projected BHSA revenue for fiscal year 2026–27 is approximately $26.4 million, down from about $27.9 million under the prior system. At the same time, the state will retain 10% of revenues for statewide initiatives, double the amount previously withheld under the MHSA.

One of the most consequential changes is a new requirement that 30% of behavioral health funding be dedicated to housing for people with mental health problems who are chronically homeless. County staff estimated this mandate will shift roughly $7 million to $8

“Pat Rebele” from page 7

She served on numerous boards, including the UCSC Foundation Board, the Santa Cruz County Museum of Art & History, and organizations supporting victims of domestic violence and homelessness.

The Rebeles were fixtures at concerts, recitals, and fundraising events, according to the Santa Cruz Symphony. They were benevolent season, concert, and musician sponsors, as well as supporters of the Symphony Endowment.

“We will deeply miss their presence in our lives and in the Symphony community,” said Deborah Bronstein, board president of the Santa Cruz Symphony.

million away from existing clinical services and provider contracts, resulting in the reduction or elimination of some long-standing community programs.

“In some ways this is exciting. There’s money for housing, and yet I don’t think anyone wants to see the reduction in services that we are faced with,” said Supervisor Manu Koenig.

Dr. Marni Sandoval, director of Behavioral Health for the County of Santa Cruz, told the supervisors that although it looks like a lot of new funding is being made available for housing, it will take funds away from needed services. She pointed out that the county is already partnering with a number of agencies to provide housing. In fact, the new money won’t even cover what the county is already spending. So, the county will have to recon-

figure how it spends that money, and with which partners, to keep as many programs in place as possible.

“So this makes it seem like there’s a wonderful source of new money to fund all these things, but the flip side is that if we choose to do that, we absolutely will cut a significant number of existing programs,” she said.

In addition to funding changes, the law significantly expands administrative and reporting requirements. Counties must submit a threeyear Behavioral Health Integrated Plan, or a BHIP. Santa Cruz County is required to submit its finalized plan to the state by June 30.

“It’s definitely a lot coming at us … all of these new requirements by the state,” said Koenig. “That 100-page report sounds daunting.”

The county must also comply with a new statewide reporting system known as the Behavioral Health Outcomes and Accountability, and Transparency Report, which will track spending, service utilization, and performance outcomes. The Board of Supervisors will be required to formally attest to the accuracy and compliance of those reports, which will be reviewed and published by the California Department of Health Care Services.

As part of the planning process, the county’s Behavioral Health Division met with the affected community between November and December 2025, gathering input from more than 200 people, providers, and partner organizations. Feedback was collected through public forums, surveys, and focus groups.

A draft plan is scheduled to be submitted to the state by March 31, followed by state feedback, review by the county’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board, and a 30-day public comment period before final approval by the Board of Supervisors.

County leaders emphasized that while the BHSA aims to improve access to care, it also forces difficult tradeoffs.

“Programs that have been built over decades and shown strong community outcomes may no longer fit neatly into the state’s new funding framework,” Dr. Sandoval said. “This transition will touch nearly every aspect of the behavioral health system.”

Supervisors directed the Health Services Agency to continue work on the county’s approach and return in 2026 with an updated analysis and recommendations ahead of the law’s full implementation. n

“No matter what volatility was around us, she was always a constant,” he said.

Pat and Rowland’s philanthropy touched nearly every corner of the community. Their support strengthened higher education, journalism, music, theater, marine science, and the visual arts. At UC Santa Cruz, their generosity helped establish endowed chairs, launch the Institute of the Arts and Sciences, and sustain programs ranging from Shakespeare Santa Cruz to the Arboretum and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

Beyond the university, they were steadfast supporters of homeless services, youth programs, and social justice initiatives. Among their most enduring contributions was the Rebele Family Shelter, built in their name to provide

Pat Rebele leaves behind her beloved children Marianne, Andy, and Chris, daughter-in-law Jeanne, and grandchildren Lily, Jessica, Chantou, Pidor, and Elodie. Her son Andy Rebele described her parenthood as calm, consistent and reassuring during the memorial.

safety, dignity, and hope to families experiencing homelessness.

“I have fond memories of Pat Rebele, who, along with her husband, Rowland, was deeply touched by families and by everyone who was homeless, and was committed to doing something about it,” said Housing Matters CEO Phil Kramer. “She hosted fundraising events to support their namesake family shelter, Rebele Family Shelter, which we operate. One of the many things I appreciated about Pat was how she would engage community members in a discussion about homelessness. I got the impression that she thought homelessness could only be solved by working together as a community.”

In 2009, Pat and Rowland were honored with the UC Santa Cruz Fiat Lux Award in recognition of their extraordinary service and commitment to education, the arts, and social responsibility.

Early Crackdown On Illegal Vendors Credited for Curbing Problem Here

By JON CHOWN

Aquick crackdown might be the difference between the problem Monterey County is having with unlicensed food vendors, and Santa Cruz County.

In Monterey County, officials are discussing how to stop an avalanche of unlicensed taco vendors, mostly originating from an organization in Merced County, from setting up shop in unsafe areas and selling food that could be unsafe as well.

“Taco Vendors” from page 8

Fines have increased to $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third. Unfortunately, said Gonzalez, these vendors change names and change employees so that determining which offense it is can be very difficult. When equipment is confiscated, vendors are seen with new equipment somewhere else within days. He said the only measure the county takes that seems to deter them is to confiscate their vehicles.

“It is an organized operation,” Gonzalez said. “Through coordination with the District Attorney’s office, it has been determined that these vendors are not small or independent operators, but a large organized operation headquartered in Merced County. This organization operates in multiple counties in California.”

The county responded to 223 complaints in the last fiscal year. Most of the recent complaints are originating out of Pajaro, where an authorized flea market has set up shop with unlicensed vendors of all sorts.

Olga Zuniga, deputy director of Santa Cruz County Environmental Health, said Santa Cruz County is watching closely.

“We’re definitely keeping an eye out because its only a bridge away,” she said.

“We have a very good partnership with the City of Watsonville.”

Merced County officials did not return calls by press time.

Church made a motion for the county to prioritize enforcement, for barriers to be placed to stop the market from occurring and for staff to come back in 30 days for a proposal to add a position to help address the problem, or for county workers’ hours to be rescheduled to address it.

“There’s a train station going there in five years and that place needs to be cleaned up and needs to be safe,” he said. The motion passed, but with some “friendly” amendments. Supervisor Luis Alejo asked that vehicles stop being impounded and expressed some concerns with barriers being put up to block access to the lot. In the end, it’s unclear what was actually passed as the entire motion, with amendments, was not read to the supervisors before they voted on it. Church’s staff didn’t know either, when asked. n

Zuniga said the Merced County operation is affecting the entire state and has been a problem for more than a year. Last year, operators from Merced attempted to move into Santa Cruz, she said, but they were shut down quickly.

“Our response was immediate and we haven’t seen them operating in our county since,” she said. “For now, it seems like it’s not impacting our community the same way it is in Monterey County.” n

Park avenue Fitness

Putting the ‘Personal’ in Personal Training

Park Avenue Fitness was founded on a simple belief: no two bodies are the same, and no single workout plan works for everyone.

Owned by longtime fitness professional Mary Doyle, the personal training studio takes an individualized approach to exercise, serving clients of all ages and abilities, from preteens to seniors, specializing in those recovering from injury or surgery or managing chronic health conditions.

“We believe people come in all shapes and sizes, and life impacts everyone differently,” Doyle said.

“That means no one workout plan is right for everyone.”

Doyle, an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer, has worked in the fitness industry since 1998. She has served as a fitness director for nearly 30 years, owned a health club for 11 years, and holds multiple certifications, including orthopedic exercise, senior fitness, functional training, nutrition, and a specialty in brains and balance past age 60.

Over the course of her career, Doyle has worked with a wide range of populations, including cancer patients, seniors, individuals with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as people recovering from injury or surgery.

“Fitness and nutrition affect every aspect of your life — emotional as well as physical,” Doyle said. “My job is to help people find plans that fit into their lives, not take over their lives.”

Park Avenue Fitness does not describe itself as a rehabilitation or wellness center, but the studio works closely with physicians and physical therapists to support clients’ overall health goals.

“Physical therapists are often focused on the one thing they’re referred for,” Doyle said. “Whereas we’re going to look at the whole person. Everybody is different. One knee replacement is not exactly like the other.”

Clients begin their experience with a free initial consultation, which includes a tour of the facility and a discussion of health status, exercise history and short- and longterm goals. Doyle personally meets with new clients and pairs them with a trainer based on individual needs, personality and areas of expertise.

“We’re pretty different than other places,” Doyle said. “We have four personal

training studios with 14 trainers, and all have slightly different areas of expertise.”

She said personality plays a key role in determining whether Park Avenue Fitness is the right fit.

“Everyone starts with a tour and a chat with me,” she said. “If we’re not what someone is looking for, I can direct them to where they need to go.”

The spaces are designed to accommodate different styles of training, allowing trainers to tailor sessions to each client’s needs. Studio A is primarily used for strength training and small group sessions. Studio B focuses on balance, gait training, tai chi and other rehabilitative work. Studio C is used for hydraulic circuits, movement patterns and range-ofmotion exercises, and also hosts small group sessions. Studio D is dedicated to small group classes and is intentionally limited to about seven or eight participants to allow for more individualized instruction.

In addition to one-on-one personal training, Park Avenue Fitness offers small group classes such as Gyrokinesis, Yoga for 50+, balance training, circuit and stretch sessions, pop-up boot camps, pre-season ski conditioning and classes focused on getting safely off the floor.

The studio also hosts monthly workshops and events addressing topics relevant to its clientele, including senior fitness, perfect gait, injury prevention and mindset for success.

All workshops and events serve as fundraisers for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“I grew up here, and we always had a barrel for Second Harvest,” Doyle said. “But I learned that the money goes much farther for them than donating canned goods, so I shifted to raising money instead.”

Doyle said her connection to the organization is also personal.

“My uncle was the executive director of Second Harvest in Alaska,” she said. “They feed all the other nonprofits - food pantries/kitchens and so forth. It’s a great organization.”

The studio’s 14 trainers all specialize in working with special populations, Doyle said. One trainer regularly visits memory care centers to work with clients onsite.

“Our trainers are dedicated to making people feel better when they leave than when they walked in,” Doyle said. “The goal is to send them out the door feeling taller, stronger and more confident to face the world.”

Doyle, who recently authored a book on fitness and health, said her passion for the work continues to grow.

“Working with clients is always a collaboration,” she said. “It’s about finding what benefits them — physically, emotionally and long-term.” n

Community Tree Planting at Amesti School

Expanded Learning Partners with Watsonville Wetlands Watch for Program

WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Program, in partnership with Watsonville Wetlands Watch, hosted a community garden care and tree-planting event at Amesti School last weekend, drawing students, families, staff and community members for a day focused on environmental stewardship and hands-on learning.

Nearly 180 people participated in the event, working together to plant trees and maintain the school garden. Organizers said the activities gave students and families opportunities to spend time outdoors, learn about environmental sustainability and build stronger connections to the school community.

“This event truly shows the heart of what expanded learning can be when schools and community partners come together,” said Jennifer Bruno, executive director of expanded learning for Pajaro Valley Unified School District. “Students and families weren’t just planting trees, they were putting down roots of connection, learning how to care for the environment, and finding pride in their school and the community they call home.”

District officials said the partnership with Watsonville Wetlands Watch reflects the broader role of expanded learning programs in offering real-world experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Tree planting and garden care efforts are expected to provide long-term environmental benefits while also helping create a

more welcoming and engaging campus for students at Amesti School.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials said they plan to continue collaborating with Watsonville Wetlands Watch and to expand opportunities for students and families to participate in hands-on learning activities that support sustainability, community connection and student well-being. n

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Supervisors Approve 57-Unit Housing Project

841 Capitola Road Project to be Squeezed into Neighborhood

By JON CHOWN

After hours of discussion and debate, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 57-unit multifamily housing project at 841 Capitola Road, bowing to California’s housing laws and drawing the anger from many neighbors over the project.

The 4–1 decision, with Supervisor Justin Cummings the lone vote against, followed a rare “de novo” public hearing, meaning the Board reconsidered the project after taking jurisdiction over an appeal of the Planning Commission’s earlier approval. The appeal was filed by Michael Reis on behalf of Supporters of Reasonable Development for Live Oak, a residents’ group that argued the county failed to adequately evaluate safety, access and parking impacts.

The approved project calls for a five-story apartment building with 57 units, common spaces, storage areas and surface parking on a site along Capitola Road near Jose Avenue. Four of the units will be designated affordable — one for very low-income households and three for extremely low-income households — allowing the developer to claim a 42.5% density bonus under state law.

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The developer, Workbench, had gotten approval from the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission on Oct. 22. The project had been pushed forward using “Builder’s Remedy,” which allows housing projects to move ahead, bypassing local restrictions, if a local Housing Element is not in place. On Dec. 9, the Board of Supervisors voted to take jurisdiction of the approval process.

Back in 2024, Santa Cruz County was late submitting its required plan to add more housing, called a Housing Element, to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. As a result, the county’s Housing Element was not certified until April 12, 2024. Workbench submitted its application on April 9, 2024. Other projects were also submitted during that period. However, according to county staff, the problems were not entirely due to the county, as the state admitted that some clerical errors of its own delayed the process.

Neighbors who are against the plan contend that the state had given the county verbal

approval of the Housing Element before April 9 and had threatened to sue if the county approved the project without a second hearing. Besides the inappropriateness of such a large development being squeezed into such a tight spot in the neighborhood, they also raised concerns about traffic flowing through Grey Seal Road, a residential street that will serve as the project’s primary access point.

At the Feb. 10 hearing, residents asked the county to take the state to court, but county counsel advised the supervisors that the county would likely lose a lawsuit. Supervisor Felipe Hernandez read from a news article, noting that no county or city in California had yet prevailed in court against a “Builder’s Remedy” suit. “Not Los Gatos, Beverly Hills, Cupertino and on and on,” he said.

The residents in attendance shouted out, demanding a court battle.

“If it didn’t require gambling $3 million of General Fund money, I would agree,” said

Supervisor Manu Koenig, who wished them luck in fighting the state themselves. “You have a much better chance of winning than the county.”

According to a traffic analysis prepared for the development, nearby intersections are expected to operate well enough even with the added trips from the new units. Traffic engineers also reaffirmed that access via Grey Seal Road, not Capitola Road, is the better route. Capitola Road is a major artery with bike lanes, a staff report said, and the closely spaced driveways make a new curb cut both unsafe and inconsistent with the General Plan.

“The law does not allow us to redesign this project based on subjective concerns,” the report said, citing court decisions that bar local agencies from reconfiguring density-bonus projects over community opposition.

Supervisors also upheld a reduced parking plan for the project, approving between 27 and 31 on-site spaces, far fewer than typically required under county code. Staff explained that state density bonus law allows such reductions and prevents the county from requiring new parking studies unless it has completed a qualifying jurisdiction-wide analysis — which it has not.

Supervisors also modified a condition of approval related to affordable housing. Under the final decision, the developer must either pay the county’s Affordable Housing Impact Fee for all market-rate units or, if the fee is not paid, provide 15% of the units as deed-restricted affordable housing.

Unless litigation is filed by the neighbors, Tuesday’s vote apparently clears the way for construction of the 57-unit building. Supervisor Monica Martinez said she understood the frustration of the neighbors, as it was frustrating for the supervisors as well.

“It’s incredibly difficult to represent a community and have decisions taken out of our hands by the state,” she said. n

By JON CHOWN

SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County supervisors tightened oversight of cannabis lounges at their meeting on Feb. 10 just months after approving tax cuts designed to encourage on-site cannabis consumption lounges.

The Board of Supervisors approved amendments to county cannabis licensing laws that expand grounds for suspending or revoking licenses at dispensaries and cannabis farm retailers, particularly for serving intoxicated patrons or creating public nuisances. The matter will come before the board on Feb. 24 for a second vote and final adoption.

The action follows the board’s November

decision to lower the county cannabis business tax for cannabis lounges to 1% and exempt non-cannabis “ancillary goods,” such as pipes and rolling papers, from the higher cannabis tax rate.

That 3-2 vote was aimed at helping struggling legal cannabis businesses and clearing the way for consumption lounges to operate economically in Santa Cruz County. Supervisors Monica Martinez and Kimberly DeSerpa questioned the low rate and how it might incentivize cannabis use onsite, which could create safety problems.

The new enforcement rules seem designed to be a counterbalance to the November decision. County officials said the changes are intended to ensure that operator of cannabis lounges are accountable for preventing intoxicated driving and other impacts on surrounding communities. “Cannabis Rules” page 18

Chontell at the Starbucks counter said, “Andres was always so positive and made it fun to be at work. We would kid each other. Even if I were having a bad day, I knew I was going to laugh when I came to work. He was like a father figure for many of us, and the face of the store.”

Margarite in produce worked 10 years together with Andres, and he trained her initially in the liquor department. “He was my best friend and the finest person I have ever met. He would invite us to join him at the beach after work for a BBQ or taco parties. He made everyone feel you were part of his family, a special friend.”

Long-time Safeway customers also loved and appreciated Andres. Customer Amahl said, “He was so nice, and truly listened. He would always take time to show me where to find what I needed instead of just telling me the aisle number, and he also stayed and chatted and shared stories and giggles!”

“I had known Andres for nearly 20 years. Like so many in Aptos, we shared that familiar, easy connection that always seemed to happen when we ran into each other at Safeway,” said County Supervisor Kim DeSerpa. “Even small moments with Andres carried meaning. At the checkout register, he would sometimes speak Italian with us, having learned that my children’s greatgrandmother was born in Italy. We loved that connection. … Andres’ smile and laugh were infectious. He brought people together effortlessly, and he filled ordinary moments with joy. He was truly one of a kind.”

Anna said Andres met his wife, Vanessa, while both were working at Safeway. “He loved his family so much, and was so proud of each of them. He was very devoted to his kids and talked about them a lot. He helped fundraise for their sports teams.” John agreed, “He loved his family so much. His kids would run into his arms here at work when they came into the store.” “His family is amazing and were the light of his eyes,” said Margarite.

Andres had many passions, and was known as “The Wine Guy” because he loved learning about wines and sharing that knowledge with others. He organized informal classes on wine and wine pairing at nearby small cafes. “He taught me how to hold the wine glass so that the warmth of my hand would not affect the richness of the flavors,” said coworker Margarite. Other coworkers also enjoyed his classes about wine pairing, and remarked, “Things were really starting to take off for Andres and his passion for sharing his knowledge. He was really good at it.”

He had a goal of attaining full certification as a sommelier, and worked hard studying. He had achieved Level Three, with only two levels remaining. “His dream was to have his own vineyard,” said Anna, which he did achieve a little over one year ago. “Andres had worked so hard here, and finally had a project for himself with his vineyard,” remarked Vicente. “He

was at peace walking among the vines, enjoying the quietness and connection with the land,” said Margarite, who had accepted the invitation for her and her husband to visit.

Andres and his family also worked very hard on their street taco business. Known for the delicious authentic Mexican food, Andres and his family worked together like a well-oiled machine to cook and proudly serve at many local private parties and special occasions.

Another great passion Andres had was for vintage Volkswagen buses. This led to his involvement with the Santa Cruz Dub’n VW Club. He was the inspiration behind the Club’s Show, which raised thousands of dollars for local education.

Andres cared deeply about the local community and was active in helping families in need. He was always thinking of ways to make a positive impact. “People would come into the store to drop things off for Andres to take to help somebody,” said Anna.

Andres had just joined the Cabrillo Host Lions Club, a well-established local public service group. Joanna Dang, Vice President of the Club, shared these thoughts:

“Beyond his family, Andrés had many passions, including his love for helping others, using proceeds from fundraisers he organized to help local education and natural disasters. Community mattered deeply to Andrés, and he was always thinking of ways to make a positive impact.

Cabrillo Host Lions was fortunate to have worked with Andres on many events over the years. We had exciting ideas ahead to incorporate his passion for wine, and his untimely passing makes that loss even more profound. He will be remembered for his generosity, his passion, and his unforgettable laugh.”

Personally, my last conversation with

fully activate all senses of smell and taste. We marvelled that the blind may have no sight, but have great abilities and profound “vision” of the world around them.

Indeed, Andres Burgueno was himself profound in the ways that he touched so many with his kindness, positive outlook, and sincere interest in their well-being. All who knew him agree that they are a better person, thanks to his model of public service and love for his friends and family.

The large church where his funeral was held was full and overflowing. It was poignant that his funeral procession included a line of classic VW vans driven by members of the Santa Cruz Dub’n VW Club following the hearse carrying Andres for burial.

Safeway Manager Monica let me know that the corporate office has approved her request to change the signage on the aisle of the wine department. “It will be a sign honoring Andres B.,” she said, and is expected to be installed in the near future.

in the aisles of Safeway was a discussion about him helping guide me back to my seat when I was blindfolded during a Lions Club fundraiser for the blind. He told me one of his wine instructors was blind, and insisted the students blindfold themselves for the duration of the class to

The coworkers interviewed were very comforted to know that this will happen, and hope the sign can include a photo of Andres with his wonderful big smile. Margarite shared, “Andres embodied the Aptos Safeway. If you knew him, your world is a bit lighter. Many things will live on, but we will miss Andres very much.”

Rest in peace and thank you, Andres Burgueno. The Aptos Safeway will not be the same without you. We all miss you very much. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Mail Order Fakes & Blooming Realities

By TONY TOMEO

Sea-Monkeys are one of the most famous of mail order scams.

Their original $0.49 price was not cheap for children who made the first purchases in 1957. They were nothing like their playful portrayals in comic book advertisements. They were minuscule brine shrimp who were incapable of

building castles, playing tennis, or even just smiling for a camera.

Nonetheless, Sea-Monkeys were lucrative for their enterprising inventor.

For many such capitalists, profit is the priority. It is no different for the many mail order scams that involve seed and plants. They range from the rare monkey face orchid to multicolored tomatoes. Consumers get either nothing or random seed or plants that are nothing like they expect.

Then, delivery happens early during the regionally best season for planting. Products are not marketable out of their seasons.

Most mail-order scams that involve seed or plants are on e-commerce sites. They mostly include popular buzz words such as ‘rare,’ ‘organic’ and ‘bonsai’, even in regard to plants that are not conducive to bonsai culture. Associated illustrations are obviously faked, but somehow convince enough consumers to sustain their deceptive mail order exploitation.

Fortunately, the vast majority of online seed and plant suppliers are very trustworthy and reputable. They provide precisely what they claim to provide. Their commodities become available prior to the season that is best for delivery.

Many seed catalogs and plant catalogs enact more than seasonal or climactic limitations to their sales. For various reasons, particular species are not admissible within particular states or counties. Some may be potential vectors of disease. Some may be too likely to naturalize and interfere with natural ecosystems. Species limitations are fortunately rare.

Much of the seeds and plants that are available from e-commerce sites such as eBay are from the home gardens of those selling them. The sellers are generally quite trustworthy and reputable, but can make mistakes. It is easy to misidentify some species, especially by common names. Also, such sellers are very often unaware of marketability limitations.

Catmint

Cats prefer catnip. It makes better tea too. Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii, is prettier, though. It sprawls over the ground to get about three feet wide, without getting more than two feet deep. Where well exposed, it may not get much deeper than one foot. The aromatic gray foliage is denser than that of related catnip. Its individual leaves are small and furrowed.

Bloom begins with warming spring weather, and continues until cooling autumn weather. Individual flowers are tiny, and suspended on small floral stems. They just happen to be very abundant.

“Cannabis Rules” from page 16

The proposed amendments require cannabis businesses with on-site consumption to refuse service to intoxicated patrons and, if violated, could result in suspension or revocation of a lounge operation without necessarily shutting down the entire business if a dispensary is connected. Violations of county or state cannabis laws would be classified as public nuisances, giving regulators broader discretion to intervene.

In March 2025 supervisors authorized on-site cannabis consumption at certain retail locations and launched a pilot program for cannabis farm retail lounges. At that time, the board directed the Cannabis Licensing Office to return with an update on how the program was working.

County staff said the new ordinances are modeled on regulations in cities such as San Francisco and Palm Springs, which prohibit service to intoxicated patrons and base disciplinary actions on observed operational failures rather than specific DUI incidents.

Supervisors also sought assurances that employees could monitor consumption areas. In

Warmth stimulates phases of exceptionally profuse bloom. Floral color is light or pale blue, like faded denim. Shearing to deadhead enhances profusion of bloom.

Catmint works well as a rustic border or a ground cover for small areas. Alternatively, the blue bloom can be a delightful component of mixed perennials, in beds, planters or pots. Deer generally ignore catmint. Bees most definitely do not. They swarm it! ‘Walker’s Low’ is the most popular cultivar. It may be all that is available in some regions. Catmint is sterile, so generates no seedlings.

•••

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com. n

response, the amendments allow staff to work inside lounge spaces for education and oversight, though businesses may not require employees to work in areas where smoke is present.

Law enforcement data reviewed by the county showed four cannabis-related DUI cases in Santa Cruz County in 2025. County officials reported no known increases in cannabis-specific DUI incidents in other California cities with established lounges, though some agencies do not distinguish cannabis from other drug-related DUIs.

The board also directed continued coordination between the Cannabis Licensing Office, the Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol to track cannabis-related impaired driving and include the data in future reports.

County staff said the financial impact of the new enforcement rules is difficult to predict, but license suspensions or revocations could reduce cannabis tax revenue — even as the county works to stabilize the legal cannabis market through lower tax rates.

“I still don’t believe in onsite consumption lounges, but hopefully this will make them better,” said Supervisor Martinez. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mount Madonna School Senior Class to Embark on Educational Journey to India Includes Meeting With the Dalai Lama

WATSONVILLE — The senior class of Mount Madonna School will depart for India on Feb. 13, 2026, for an educational journey known as Yatra, a Sanskrit term meaning “a journey of rediscovery of self,” school officials said.

During the trip, students will travel to northern India and are scheduled to participate in a blessing ceremony with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, 90, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in McLeod Ganj. The meeting will mark the fifth time Mount Madonna School seniors have met with the Dalai Lama, continuing a tradition that began in 2008.

While in Dharamsala, students will also engage with the Oracle of Tibet and meet with officials from the Tibetan Government in Exile. School officials said these experiences are designed to give students firsthand exposure to Tibetan culture, spiritual traditions and contemporary global issues.

The journey also includes several days of service and study at an orphanage located along a holy site on the Ganga River. The orphanage was founded by Baba Hari Dass, a revered monk who played a significant role in the founding of Mount Madonna School, deepening students’ connection to the school’s origins and guiding values.

Students prepare for Yatra through a

Mount Madonna School course titled Values in World Thought, which examines philosophical, ethical and spiritual traditions from cultures around the world. Program director Shannon Kelly said traveling to India allows students to “step far outside their daily experience of life so they can learn about themselves and their peers in a new context.”

School officials said the Yatra experience reflects Mount Madonna School’s commitment to experiential learning, global citizenship and personal growth, offering students opportunities to engage deeply with cultures, ideas and practices beyond the classroom.

Students will post updates throughout the trip on a blog, which can be followed at https:// values.mountmadonnaschool.org/category/blogs/ india-2026/.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Biochar Made From Invasive Eucalyptus Tested for Farm and Climate Benefits on California Coast

MOSS

LANDING

— A partnership on California’s Central Coast is turning invasive eucalyptus trees into biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendment researchers say could improve farm productivity while reducing wildfire risk and helping fight climate change.

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is producing biochar from eucalyptus trees removed during habitat restoration work around Elkhorn Slough, one of the state’s largest wetlands. Soil scientist Arun Jani of California State University Monterey Bay is studying how the material affects soil health, water retention and crop yields at a nearby organic farm.

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made by heating organic material at high temperatures with little oxygen, a process known as pyrolysis. When added to soil, it can improve water and nutrient retention, increase fertility and store carbon long term. Because the carbon is highly stable, it can remain in the soil for thousands of years rather than entering the atmosphere.

“In a region with declining groundwater and wetland pollution from farming, the use of biochar could address resource constraints that threaten the base of our economy and ecology,” Jani said.

The biochar is being produced at the foundation’s Brothers Ranch by Ventana Forestry using a large mobile kiln known as a Carbonator. The system converts wood waste into biochar while minimizing smoke and emissions, according to the company.

“For centuries, Indigenous people used cultural fire to maintain healthy forests,” said Tom Little Bear Nason of Ventana Forestry. “Much of today’s

landscape has gone generations without beneficial burning, leaving an overload of woody material and non-native trees. This technology allows us to transform that excess biomass into a valuable resource.”

The work is supported by a $1.77 million grant from CAL FIRE, which funded the removal of fire-prone eucalyptus trees near the community of Las Lomas. The project is intended to reduce wildfire risk while restoring native habitat and protecting watersheds.

“Ecological restoration and wildfire prevention efforts go hand in hand,” said Tim Montgomery of CAL FIRE. “This project is creating a more wildfireresilient landscape, improving habitat and increasing public safety.”

Jani said he was inspired by successful use of eucalyptus-based biochar in South Africa. His current study, now in its second year, is the first field research in the United States focused specifically on biochar made from eucalyptus. Initial funding came from

the California State University Agriculture Research Institute.

The foundation and Ventana Forestry previously produced biochar together in 2023 at the Elkhorn Highlands Reserve, converting about 8,000 tons of eucalyptus logs into roughly 200 tons of biochar. That material is now being used in Jani’s research.

Biochar production at Brothers Ranch is expected to continue through midMarch. n

Cabrillo College Football Coach Justin Hansen Takes Leave of Absence

Cabrillo College announced Feb. 3 that head football coach Justin Hansen has begun a formal Family Medical Leave of Absence, effective immediately. According to the college, Hansen is expected to remain away from the football program through the conclusion of the spring 2026 semester. Officials said the duration of the leave will be reviewed as the academic year moves forward and may extend into the fall 2026 football season.

While Hansen is on leave, Cabrillo’s assistant coaching staff will jointly handle the program’s day-to-day operations. A press release from the college stated that the veteran coaching group will continue to emphasize the academic success and

athletic development of current studentathletes, sustain recruiting efforts for upcoming seasons, and supervise spring practices and offseason training. The program is required to maintain a roster in which at least 20 percent of players are from the Santa Cruz County area.

Athletic Director Mark Ramsey said the college is confident the assistant coaches

will ensure stability and leadership during the transition period.

“We have the utmost confidence in our assistant coaches to carry on the strong tradition of Seahawk football,” Ramsey said. “They are prepared, professional and deeply committed to our student-athletes.

While Coach Hansen’s presence will certainly be missed, Cabrillo College fully supports his decision.”

According to the press release, all team activities, including offseason workouts and recruiting efforts, will continue as planned, the college said. Additional information regarding the football program’s leadership and coaching structure will be shared as it becomes available.

Hansen was hired in November 2021. The Seahawks struggled last season, finishing with an overall record of 2–8 and a conference record of 1–4. The season ended on Nov. 8, 2025, with a 99–3 loss to De Anza, marking the most lopsided defeat in school history. The one conference victory was notable. The Seahawks beat Gavilan College 35–9 during Cabrillo’s homecoming game. n

Sheriff’s Office Confirms Theory on Gun Found at Aptos High School

Weapon Was Dropped by Juvenile During December Fracas

By JON CHOWN

Sheriff’s officials say fingerprint evidence has confirmed the theory that a firearm and ammunition found last month on the Aptos High School campus were connected to an earlier assault involving juveniles.

On Sunday, Jan. 18 local resident Mike Perez was walking his dog when he discovered a backpack containing an assault-style weapon and hundreds of rounds of ammunition on the Aptos High School campus near the baseball field. Days later, the Sheriff’s Office released a statement linking the weapon to an altercation at the school on Dec. 27 where two juveniles with guns assaulted another juvenile.

The theory, now with strong evidence to back it up, is that the weapon and backpack were dropped there as the assailants ran away. One juvenile was arrested shortly after the assault and remains in custody. His fingerprints apparently matched those found on the weapon.

“Based on the information gathered, the Sheriff’s Office has determined there is no ongoing threat to the community or school,” The sheriff’s announced Jan. 29.

“The firearm, ammunition, and mask were not placed on campus as part of any preplanned event targeting the school; rather, they were evidence discarded following the assault that occurred during winter break.”

The discovery of the firearm in January prompted a law enforcement response and heightened concern from parents and community members. Deputies responded immediately after the items were reported, officials said.

Authorities said they are unable to release additional details because the case involves multiple juveniles, an arrest and ongoing court proceedings. The Sheriff’s Office thanked the community for its patience and cooperation during the investigation. n

Watsonville Ordered to Stop Building Around Airport Decades-Long

SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz County judge has ordered the city of Watsonville to stop any current plans for housing and other development near the Watsonville Municipal Airport, ruling that the city repeatedly violated state aviation safety and environmental laws by allowing projects without adopting required airport land-use standards.

In a ruling issued Feb. 3, Superior Court Judge Timothy Schmal granted petitions filed by the Watsonville Pilots Association, finding that the city unlawfully approved projects within airport safety zones despite more than a decade of court orders directing it to incorporate state aeronautical standards into its general plan.

At the center of the case was a 2021 city approval for a 21-unit townhouse development at 547 Airport Blvd., directly across from the airport. The city had approved the project along with zoning changes, a general plan amendment and a mitigated negative declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Judge Schmal ordered all of those approvals set aside.

“The City does not have discretion in this area,” Schmal wrote, concluding that Watsonville has failed to comply with the State Aeronautics Act by not formally adopting the California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook as binding, nondiscretionary policy in its general plan.

The ruling also applies to a related case involving a proposed self-storage facility near the airport, although the developer in that matter settled earlier. The court ruled on it anyway because the city’s underlying planning practices remain unchanged.

Court Dispute with Pilots Association May Be Over

Long-Running Dispute

The decision marks the latest chapter in a legal battle stretching decades. Watsonville Pilots Association first sued the city in the mid-2000s after it approved development near the airport without incorporating state airport safety criteria into its planning documents.

In 2010, the Sixth District Court of Appeal ruled that Watsonville, which has no airport land use commission, must fully incorporate the state’s airport compatibility standards into its general plan. Unlike counties with an airport land use commission, or ALUC, Watsonville cannot selectively apply the standards on a case-by-case basis, the court said.

A second lawsuit in 2014 again resulted in a ruling against the city, with a judge ordering Watsonville to rescind its then-new 2030 General Plan because it still allowed discretion in applying the airport handbook. The city did not appeal and rescinded that plan, reverting to its older 2005 General Plan.

Judge Schmal found that Watsonville never fixed the underlying problem.

“To date, the City has not updated its General Plan to comply with the SAA or this Court’s judgment,” he wrote.

For several years after the earlier rulings, Watsonville declined to approve projects near the airport, acknowledging that it lacked a compliant general plan. But beginning in 2021, the city reversed course.

City officials argued that because the courts had ordered the 2030 General Plan rescinded, not the 2005 plan, they were free to rely on the older document and conduct their own analysis of whether individual projects were compatible with airport safety standards.

At the August 2021 City Council meeting approving the Airport Boulevard housing project, staff told council members that the project was consistent with the state airport handbook, even though the handbook had never been adopted into the general plan.

Schmal rejected that argument outright.

“Making findings in development applications that incorporate Handbook standards is not enough,” he wrote, noting that the same argument was rejected in earlier litigation.

Allowing the city to “pick and choose among the Handbook’s criteria,” he added, undermines the Legislature’s intent to prevent incompatible land uses near airports.

Beyond the planning violations, the court also found that Watsonville improperly relied on a mitigated negative declaration instead of preparing a full environmental impact report.

State law requires heightened scrutiny for projects within two miles of a public airport when no airport land use compatibility plan has been adopted. The judge concluded that the city’s analysis of noise and safety impacts was cursory and inadequate.

The city relied largely on a 2018 airport noise study that did not include monitoring at or near the project site. The mitigated negative declaration concluded there would be no significant noise or safety impacts, but failed to meaningfully analyze how airport operations might affect future residents.

“The MND’s cursory discussion … hardly incorporates the Handbook’s standards,” Schmal wrote, adding that a single paragraph dismissing safety risks in the airport’s traffic pattern zone did not satisfy CEQA.

Broader Implications

Although the specific permits for the 21-unit project have since expired, the court found the case was not moot. The zoning and general plan amendments remain in effect, meaning similar projects could be proposed in the future.

Schmal issued a declaratory judgment stating that Watsonville is in ongoing violation of the State Aeronautics Act and ordered the city to halt activity on the project until it complies with CEQA and aviation safety laws. He also left open the possibility of further restrictions on future approvals if the city continues to act without a compliant general plan or an airport land use commission.

The city was also ordered to pay the pilots association’s attorneys’ fees and costs.

City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The decision increases pressure on Watsonville and Santa Cruz County to either establish an airport land use commission or finally amend the city’s general plan to formally adopt state airport compatibility standards.

“Watsonville Pilots Association remains committed to working constructively with the city to advance housing solutions that comply with the State Aeronautics Act and CEQA,” the WPA stated on its website regarding the ruling. “By incorporating the required airport safety standards into the City’s General Plan, Watsonville can move forward with greater certainty—supporting thoughtful development while ensuring the safety of residents, airport users, and the broader community.” n

Ribbon Cutting to be Held for New Overcrossing

CAPITOLA — A public ribbon cutting scheduled for later this month will celebrate the opening of the new Capitola Avenue Overcrossing, which opened to traffic on Jan. 30 to provide a new connection across Highway 1.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will host the ceremony Feb. 26 from 4 to 5 p.m. at 911 Capitola Road, to celebrate the completion of the overcrossing and the first finished component of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Buson-Shoulder Project between Bay Avenue/ Porter Street and State Park Drive.

The new bridge includes significantly enhanced bicycle and pedestrian lanes while maintaining vehicle access across the highway. Transportation officials say the design improves safety and accessibility for people walking and biking and strengthens connections between Soquel Drive north of Highway 1 and the future Coastal Rail Trail to the south.

“The opening of the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing is an exciting milestone for

our community and a tangible example of how we are investing in a safer, more connected, and more multimodal transportation network,” RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino said in a statement.

The overcrossing improves access between neighborhoods, schools, parks, beaches, transit services and nearby com-

mercial centers in Capitola and surrounding communities. Santa Cruz County Supervisor and RTC Commissioner Kim De Serpa said the project supports residents of all ages and abilities, whether they are walking, biking, driving or using public transit.

The Capitola Avenue Overcrossing is part of a larger Highway 1 corridor improvement

project that includes construction of northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes, bus-on-shoulder improvements and a future bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Avenue. The corridor serves some of the heaviest traffic volumes in Santa Cruz County, connecting Capitola, Soquel, Aptos and Cabrillo College.

Transportation officials say the auxiliary lanes are intended to improve traffic flow, extend merging and weaving distances and reduce cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets.

Construction on the overall Highway 1 project is ongoing and is expected to be completed in late 2026.

The RTC is delivering the project in partnership with Caltrans, Santa Cruz County, the city of Capitola and the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, with funding from Measure D and state transportation funds provided through Senate Bill 1.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is open to the public, and additional details are expected to be posted on the RTC website. n

Silver and Gold Get Hammered

By Marc Cuniberti

The ridiculous rally in gold and silver took a breather. More like a big gulp of water it was. Silver rocketed down a record 31% with gold not far behind in the rout at the end of January.

No surprise here as I wrote about the stunning run up in prices of both metals during the last year or so that accelerated in the last few months.

What brought on the onslaught can be traced back to a variety of reasons. First, might be the fact that both metals had incredible price increases in a relatively short amount of time which formed almost a straight line up on the price charts. Straight lines that resemble that of a rocket ship blasting off historically end badly at some point. There are thousands of examples of such price reversals throughout history in many different asset classes.

These stunning rallies in price eventually exhaust themselves as prices get so out of whack, they leave the universe of reasonability and just keep going up due to the fear of missing out (FOMO).

It is said high prices cure high prices. The rallies can simply run out of buyers, or profit takers start doing what the name implies.

They take profits by selling. Whatever it is, the saying “markets can run higher than you think or go lower than you think” rings true. Certainly, the price of gold and silver did just that. I penned weeks ago the rally was starting to get ridiculous and taking at least some money off the table might be prudent. A 30% drop is nothing to sneeze at, and such collapses in a widespread investment

can cause severe disruptions in that market for some time.

No doubt, many investors padded their accounts with the stunning profits while other late-to-the-party buyers got slaughtered.

Mainstream news suggested Trumps new appointment to lead the Federal Reserve Board may have triggered the selloff or at least contributed to it.

Other analysts sided with me, saying that prices just got too ridiculous and needed to correct.

Whatever the reason(s), the question now becomes who got caught swimming naked when the tide when out and how bad the damage was.

Hopefully, no major financial institution got hit too badly. It wouldn’t be the first time someone or some company took it in the shorts so badly as to cause a major default which starts a financial

domino or two to start falling backwards causing residual damage to other financial institutions. Such an event can bleed into a larger part of the financial system causing even more havoc down the line.

Lord knows, we have seen that movie before.

The price action for both metals could be volatile in the next few days or weeks and making a major move on the buy or sell side should be exercised with extreme caution.

No doubt, some buyers will move in, thinking the rout is a buying opportunity, while others will think the sky is falling and leave the party altogether.

I would tend to make smaller moves no matter which way I think it might go, making sure I don’t get too hurt if this is the beginning of an even larger move downwards.

It remains to be seen if this is just a healthy correction to be followed by even higher highs, or that the witching hour has arrived and its time to leave the party, at least for now, and revisit the metals at some later date. n •••

This article expresses the opinion of Marc Cuniberti and is not meant as investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or join any entity or group mentioned here, nor represents the opinion of any bank, investment firm or RIA, nor this media outlet, its staff, members or underwriters. No guarantees are implied herein on the company mentioned in today’s article. Mr. Cuniberti holds a B.A. in Economics with honors, 1979, and California Insurance License #0L34249 His insurance agency is BAP INC. insurance services. Email: news@moneymanagementradio.com

Nominations For Annual Spotlight Award Due in March COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Arts Commission is accepting nominations for its annual Spotlight Award, which recognizes emerging and underrecognized artists working in visual, performing and literary arts.

The Spotlight Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a high level of excellence and creativity but have not yet received widespread public recognition. According to the Arts Commission, the award is intended to highlight both younger artists and those who are discovering their artistic voice later in life.

One award will be presented in each of three categories — visual arts, performing arts and literary arts. Eligible nominees must reside in Santa Cruz County and show artistic promise through completed works that demonstrate originality, innovation and a high degree of craftsmanship. Nominees must also have achieved at least one significant artistic milestone, such as a performance, exhibit or published work that has been recognized by critics, educators or arts professionals.

“Spotlight Award” page 26

Outwit Scammers With These Smart Tips

Scammers don’t take days off. From phishing emails to package theft, fraudsters and scammers can cost you money. Fortunately, you can stay one step ahead of them with these simple tips to help protect yourself.

Strengthen Your Online Security

Safeguard your accounts by using unique, 12-character passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Avoid using public Wi-Fi, such as free internet connectivity in coffee shops or libraries, where cyber criminals might be lurking to access your information.

Instead, it’s safer to use your phone’s mobile hotspot. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages promising prizes or freebies — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Block and report anything suspicious before deleting it.

And ask your provider what services

they offer for safe browsing, such as Safe Browsing from T-Mobile 5G Home Internet to block malicious links.

Donate Only to Trusted Charities

Before making charitable donations, check online reviews by looking up the organization and “complaint” or “scam,” or use trusted resources like Charity Navigator. Be cautious with AI-generated content where fraudsters may use AI tools to create convincing emails, websites and fundraising messages.

Use a credit card instead of a debit card as they offer stronger fraud protections and don’t give scammers direct access to your bank account.

Use Your Wireless Provider’s Scam Protection

Scammers often rely on robocalls and spoofed numbers to make calls look inviting to answer.

How Programming Found Worldwide Supports the U.S. Military Community

When you think about the USO, you likely think about entertainment tours or airport lounges, but the organization’s scope is much wider than that.

USO programs support service members and their families stationed in the United States and overseas, as well as service members training in isolated locations or deployed to areas around the world. Each program meets a specific need to ease the isolation and loneliness of military life — during times away from loved ones, during moves and deployments, and when returning to civilian communities.

With more than 250 locations worldwide, including on military installations, at airports, and on board Navy ships, USO Centers offer ways for service members to connect with each other and with their families far away. These centers provide free Wi-Fi, computers, televisions and gaming equipment, and organize events and activities designed to strengthen morale. For example, through the USO Reading program, service members can record themselves reading a book for the children in their lives.

“Supporting the Military” page 26

Most providers have protection from robocalling and spoofing, including T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile, which give customers Scam Shield, a free feature that labels scam calls as “Scam Likely.”

These calls can be blocked by dialing #662# or turning on Scam Block in the T-Life app, giving users peace of mind.

Lastly, forward suspicious texts to 7726.

Monitor Deliveries and Protect Packages

Mail and package theft happen all year round, especially as online shopping continues to grow.

Track your shipments in real-time using delivery notifications and apps. Consider installing a smart door camera to monitor activity on your front porch.

Many models offer live video feeds and motion detection, sending real-time alerts so you can quickly contact authorities if needed.

Stay Informed and Report Suspicious Activity

Stay updated on more tips and protections you can take with resources like T-Mobile’s Privacy Center and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

If you encounter suspicious or fraudulent activity, report it to the FTC at ftc. gov/complaint and the National Center for Disaster Fraud.

By reporting scams, you can help protect others and reduce the spread of fraudulent schemes. n

Love’s in the Air

(2 words)

Singing femme fatale

Deed hearing

Reverberated sound

Blue-Green scum, pl.

Misery cause

Actress Perlman

Scheme

Right coast time

Made by tailor

Seed cover

How to Understand the World & Our Country Today

Esoteric Astrology • Mid-February 2026

“Spotlight Award” from page 24

Crisis, polarization then a sweep into unity. This is how change occurs on earth — the equation of change. First there is crisis (shocking). Then dark and light appear, humanity taking sides (polarization), creating great tension — as if the rubber band of reality is ready to snap. Then with tension at its height, there is a “sweep” forward an upward, into a new state of unity. This is what is occurring in our country and world.

The United States (as do all countries) has a spiritual task. It was created for this task — to “stand in and hold the light (of freedom), and to lead humanity towards that light.”

The Forces of Darkness have created a war with the Forces of Light. They have captured the many minds, filling the minds with untruths. Thus the polarizations occurring of untruth and truth. Everything is being rapidly brought to the surface — the good and the bad, the desirable and the past and the future (for the two are one).

This is needed, good and desirable; it marks the choice each human must make, it is a prelude to building a better world, the construction of more adequate forms of life, the needed correcting of human attitudes, plus a sounder orientation to reality. The best is yet to be.

One of the tasks of the Aquarian age is for the two principles (the masculine and the feminine) to stand side by side as equal partners. Each principle has a different cosmic task. They are individuals, yet blending their forces and energies. The masculine principle (the pineal) is the Will of God. The feminine principle (pituitary) is matter, the globe of the Earth. One is gold, the Sun, the other silver, the moon. One radiates the light, the other receives that light and conceives the holy child (the Soul of love/wisdom).

What we are seeing (the symbols) is a Restoration of the Mysteries and the rehabilitation of the peoples of the Earth. The two go together. The disruption, disintegration and the completely chaotic conditions existing have at last worked their way out into the physical world.

ARIES

What social networks are you presently on? What’s social in your life? There’s a push for you to be part of or create a group, to lead, instruct and interact with various communities around town. Should you need a calming homeopathic think Chamomilla, to anchor and soothe your energy. Groups and community endeavors could be electrifying, overwhelming, exciting, technological and so deeply into the future that grounding can feel almost impossible. However, keep at them.

TAURUS

Venus, the planet that helps you build your personality (body, emotions, lower mind) is in the sign of Aquarius so you need to be out and about with groups, working in the world, directing and teaching others and tending to outer realities with humanity all around. You are uncovering the symbols leading us to the new era of Aquaria. It’s deeply revelatory and electrical. Like Aries, do what you can to stabilize your energies. Irritation will block you. This is a natural rhythm in time and space preparing humanity for the Reappearance.

GEMINI

The times are changing and you, Gemini, are and will be in the midst of that change. It is important to share with others what you’re experiencing, learning and dreaming? Your thinking is gradually changing, encompassing a greater range of ideas, becoming more expansive. These are preparations for becoming a true thinker. As Venus, your Soul ruler, is in Aquarius, an inner spiritual intelligence is summoning you. To eliminate false beliefs, to study the wisdom teachings and your astrology.

CANCER

You have many gifts and resources but they are hidden away as if you were a Scorpio. You must begin sharing and then blending your abilities with others. This creates new resources in common, new ideas and techniques which later help transform yourself, your family and humanity. The fact that others like and respond to you, share with you their secrets is received as a surprise. Then it gradually becomes a comfort. And then nourishment and a sense of nurturance.

Only Santa Cruz County residents may submit nominations. Nomination letters must be no longer than two pages and include the artist’s name and contact information, a brief description of the nominator’s relationship to the artist and an explanation of how the nominee meets the award criteria.

This is playing itself out in our world today in plain sight, yet shielded to those whose minds are captured in darkness. All the world’s a stage, everyone playing their part. Who would the two be in our world? Think silver. It’s showtime, everyone! And everything’s in code. n

NOTE: For daily updates, see Risa’s FB page (Risa D’Angeles) or https://nightlightnews.org/daily-postings/

LEO

The stellium (gathering) of Aquarius planets are in your relationship house. It’s time for new thoughts, ideas, revelations as to how you are in relationship, how you offer and receive love. It’s time also to bring new vitality and excitement to relationships, shedding old and tired interactions, habits and expectations, some of which could be wounding. Have the intention to share deeper feelings, to have more devotion and dedicated loving. It’s always about intention to love more. That’s the golden key.

VIRGO

As you continue to organize and order your external world (a good thing), internally, a new consciousness is unfolding. It is affecting daily life, how you tend, care and serve others. It’s creating new communication and ideas, new obligations and responsibilities. Small things may disturb you, along with a temporary sensitivity to sounds. This means you need the full spectrum of B vitamins. Oats, barley, wheat bran, avocado, salmon, Brazil nuts (and other nuts) are more good sources of B vitamins. B12 too. Each morning.

LIBRA

It’s important to do what we love. You are an artist. Tell us what you love. Here’s — a Mantram of the Heart, a gift for you. “At the center of all love I stand. From that center I the Soul will outward move. From that center I the one who serves will work. May the love of my Divine Self be shed abroad, in my heart, through my group, and throughout the world.” Recite this morning and night and throughout the day. Keep the words close by. It will create a new vitality, heal your mind and heart wounds. It’s like the balm of forgiveness.

SCORPIO

Wherever you are, whatever you call home, whatever environments you find yourself in, it is important that there be beauty, calmness, love and healing. It must be a reflective contemplative space with the musical sound of bells. Make your home and environments into a temple, see them as such — — welcoming travelers such as yourself into a restful peace that soothes and nurtures. Make foods that purify, cleanse and penetrate deep into your body’s cells. Call yourself home. Call it a sanctuary. Build a reflective pool.

SAGITTARIUS

Scorpio’s words are also for you. However you have a bit more interaction occurring. You might begin sharing your hopes, wishes, wants and needs. You may talk ceaselessly (a possibility and a permission) and wonder why you can’t stop. Somehow through all the talk and constant thoughts and ideas, you’ll begin to understand more and more about yourself, your choices, your true identity, your wound, your ability to be brilliant as a teacher. And then you’ll fall asleep suddenly, exhausted at all the uncovering. Sleep now. Sleep.

CAPRICORN

You wonder how to be practical with all the resources offered to you. Consider your values. What do you value? You wonder if you should follow a dream or become more practical. Following dreams actually is practical. So the question is what do you dream about and who do you envision yourself being in these extremely unusual times? It’s important to place yourself within the context of the world changes occurring. You’re an extraordinary server. If you place your dreams within the context of serving humanity, your dreams come true. You offer yourself each day to those in need. The Hierarchy recognizes your service.

AQUARIUS

This is a defining time historically and a defining moment for all Aquarians. We’re beginning to enter a new era, a state of being, one influenced by the sign Aquarius which brings forth the new culture and civilization under new laws and principles. It would be good if you understood these laws and principles and began to work with them in all your communications and endeavors. This will ensure your success and it will call forth your gifts, which come from that new future and are needed by humanity now. You are to be a messenger.

PISCES

Something new is beginning for the fishes tied together with a golden cord, linking the personality and the Soul. You want to be free of anything old and from the past, you want to swim in new, warm waters with new schools of other golden fish. You’re often very intuitive, sensing things to come. You seek artists like yourself who understand the Blue Books, gardens, communities, White Magic and the Way to Shamballa. They’re seeking you, too. Interestingly, shyness prevails at times. It’s time for new shoes again. Seems like all that Aquarius is in the house of Pisces. See to the shoes first.

Nomination letters are due by March 9, 2026, and should be emailed to kathy. dewild@santacruzcountyca.gov with the subject line “Spotlight Award Nomination.” Santa Cruz County Parks staff will contact selected nominees and provide application details.

Additional information about the Spotlight Award is available through the Santa Cruz County Parks Department’s arts and cultural programs webpage. n

“Supporting the Military” from page 25

For service members and military families who are stationed or deployed in remote locations, Mobile USO vehicles travel thousands of miles to provide many of the services of a traditional, brick-and-mortar USO Center.

Examples of USO programs include:

The USO Canine Program

The USO Canine Program acknowledges the strong bond between humans and animals, and the critical role dogs play within the military community, addressing diverse mental, emotional and physical needs. Through interactions with certified therapy dogs at USO events and USO Centers, service members and their families experience the profound emotional support that only a four-legged friend can offer. The USO Canine Volunteer of the Year competition recognizes outstanding contributions from USO therapy dogs and their handlers.

USO Gaming

The USO Gaming Program allows service members to forge bonds with fellow service members, stay connected to loved ones back home and take time to recharge through the simple act of playing a video game. Many USO Centers are outfitted with top-of-the-line screens and consoles, designed specifically so that groups of service members can play games and bond together. The USO also hosts gaming tournaments like the annual USO-NFL Salute to Service Tournament, in which service members around the world compete in EA SPORTS Madden NFL video games, with the winners receiving tickets to attend the Super Bowl.

With military life comes many challenges. However, these programs strengthen and support service members and their families at every step of their military journey. To learn more about these and other USO programs, visit https://www.uso.org/ programs. n

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Apply Now to the SC County Civil Grand Jury

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Superior Court is accepting applications for the next term of the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, offering residents an opportunity to participate in local government oversight.

The Civil Grand Jury is made up of 19 volunteers who examine how county and local agencies serve the public and issue recommendations aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and accountability.

No specialized experience is required, according to the court.

Applications are open through April 28, 2026. Information sessions, both in person and online, will be announced in the coming weeks, with dates posted on the Civil Grand Jury webpage on the Santa Cruz County Superior Court website.

Jurors typically commit 10 to 20 hours per week during the term and receive a small per-day stipend and mileage reimbursement. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, have lived in Santa Cruz County for a minimum of one year and meet basic eligibility requirements.

More information, including access to past reports and instructions for submitting confidential complaints, is available on the Civil Grand Jury webpage. Questions about the application process may be directed to hrinfo@santacruzcourt.org. n

Reasons to Shop for American-Made Products

These days, shoppers may be paying more attention to where and how their products were made.

While a significant portion of factory jobs have moved offshore over the last few decades, some companies maintain manufacturing facilities stateside, touting benefits to workers, communities and end-consumers.

In the case of Renewal by Andersen, the full-service window and door replacement division of Andersen Corporation, its stateof-the-art Cottage Grove flagship campus in Minnesota, just 10 miles south of Saint Paul, employs approximately 1,424 manufacturing professionals. And approximately 900 additional jobs are planned as they prepare to open a new facility in Locust Grove, Georgia in 2026.

Renewal by Andersen windows are custom built in the United States with U.S. and imported parts, and the company’s designing, engineering, manufacturing and testing of energy-efficient composite windows, conducted locally, is the essential middle component of an end-to-end customer experience that begins with an in-home consultation and results in professional installation and continued customer support.

This is part of a larger cycle: local workers assemble exceptional products; satisfied customers share their stories; demand grows and local economies thrive.

The impact of domestic manufacturing can sometimes even go beyond job creation and a seamless customer experience. Companies that choose to keep manufacturing

2026 COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

coming soon online and throughout the county

stateside often have robust philanthropic programs that support the communities where their employees live and work.

Through its Renewal Cares program, Renewal by Andersen and its retail network support over 100 local charities across the United States. These efforts are as wideranging as helping a veteran with a new patio door, replacing all the windows of a youth camp, raising more than $5 million for the American Cancer Society (ACS), and replacing windows in multiple ACS Hope Lodges, which provide free lodging for patients undergoing treatment.

To learn more about how Renewal by Andersen supports its local communities, visit renewalbyandersen.com.

While consumers have endless choices today, selecting products manufactured domestically often means supporting the economy and the resilience of local communities. n

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 Soquel Ave., Soquel

Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating disorder or problems with food.

No dues, fees or weigh-ins.

Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the preschool meeting room.

All are welcome.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both in-person and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa.org

Fourth Mondays

THE SPOKEN EXPERIENCE

Noon – 1 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd

Each month a community of readers gather to share selections from a featured poet.

Join local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman and Jessica Cohn as they lead the discussion.

February’s artist: Billy Collins

Tuesdays

BINGO AT MCSC

1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola (behind the Party Store)

TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL

Hot Dogs, Chili and snacks available for purchase courtesy of our Snack Shack. A lot of fun for all and a possible big win!

Door opens at 12:15 p.m.

7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata. Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and dancing shoes.

More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com

Thursdays

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa Cruz. Beginners welcome, partners not required. $10 each. Come dance!

HAPPY HOUR

5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.

Third Thursdays SIP AND STROLL

6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos

Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works.

Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com

Details of this and more Sevy’s events at www.sevysbarand kitchen.com/events

Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP

10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

First Saturdays

CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP

9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park

Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Park. Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola.

This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com.

Second Saturdays

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is free.

Saturdays and Sundays

ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE

10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville

Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and tidal wetlands.

Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests and abilities, creating an engaging, educational experience.

Space is limited, and tours are first-come, firstserved.

WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS

WEDNESDAYS

Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call ahead the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability.

DATED EVENTS

Saturday February 14

THIRD BOWL VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Third Bowl plays psychedelic surf rock with originals and classic covers.

Expect high-energy, boundary-pushing performances. No cover.

Info: thirdbowl.bandcamp.com.

VALENTINE’S DAY WITH TUCK & PATTI

7:30 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Tuck & Patti, the acclaimed vocal/guitar duo known for over forty years of genrespanning music.

Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m. All ages welcome. Advance ordering of the Valentine’s Day dinner is required.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Sunday February 15

LONG BEACH DUB ALLSTARS WITH BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Legendary reggae rock fusion band Long Beach Dub Allstars headline with support from Bedouin Soundclash, blending dub, rock, and Caribbean beats into soulful, high-energy sets.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Monday February 16

BBNO$ – THE INTERNET EXPLORER TOUR

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Canadian rapper and internet personality bbno$ brings his

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ — 1 – 5 PM, Cedar St. & Church St.

A bustling market featuring certified organic produce, artisanal foods, seafood, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted, and Market Match doubles purchases (up to $10). Free entry; metered and garage parking available — free after 6 PM. Live local music and street closures add vibrant atmosphere. Full vendor list and updates at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

FRIDAYS

WATSONVILLE (Certified) — 3 – 7 PM, Peck St & Main St.

Allyear market offering Watsonville-grown produce, seafood, dairy, flowers, hot foods, artisan goods. Free entry; metered parking available. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Vendor news via local AARP events.

SATURDAYS

WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ — 9 AM – 1 PM, Mission St Ext & Western Dr.

Yearround market offering 100% certified-organic produce, seafood, meats, flowers, prepared meals, espresso bar, and artisan goods. Free parking on site. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Often hosts pop-up breakfast events. Perfect for starting your weekend with fresh food and community energy. Full details at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

APTOS (at Cabrillo College) — 8 AM – Noon, 6500 Soquel Drive

Celebrated coastal market with over 90 vendors selling produce, sustainable seafood, artisan breads, honey, meats, flowers, and hot food. EBT/WIC accepted. Free/year-round weekend oasis for local flavors and crafts. Hosted by MontereyBayFarmers.

SUNDAYS

LIVE OAK/EASTSIDE — 9 AM – 1 PM, 15th & East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Vibrant seaside Sunday market featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, hot food stands (Mexican, crepes, brunch), pastries, coffee, flowers. Free parking, EBT/SNAP, Market Match, and monthly family-oriented events.

WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS — 9 AM – 4 PM, 2601 E Lake Ave, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Year-round market with wide selection of local produce, meats, seafood, crafts, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted. Parking onsite. Great for combining a market visit with other Fairgrounds activities.

28 / February 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

genre-bending hip-hop and playful lyricism to Santa Cruz on his tour stop.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

APTOS LITTLE LEAGUE SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION DEADLINE

11:59 p.m., Online registration at aptoslittleleague.org

This is the final day to register players for Aptos Little League’s Spring 2026 season in the lower divisions, including T-Ball through AA.

The season includes ongoing field renovations and a full slate of spring play.

Visit https://www.aptosll.org for registration details, division information, and updates.

Monday February 17

NEWCOMERS LUNCHEON & ENTERTAINMENT

11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Back Nine Bar and Grill, 555 Highway 17

Join the Newcomers Club for a special luncheon featuring speaker Jay Topping, who will share insights on Alfred Hitchcock’s life, career, and local connections.

The event is in-person, with lunch costing $35. Reservations are required.

For more information or to RSVP, visit www.newcomersscc.com or email PresidentNewcomers50@gmail.com.

Wednesday February 18

PATTI MAXINE & GINNY MITCHELL NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

8:00 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Patti Maxine and Ginny Mitchell mix Americana, folk, and country with top-notch vocals and musicianship. No cover.

More info: pattimaxine.com, ginnymitchell.com.

REBIRTH BRASS BAND

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Grammy-winning New Orleans brass powerhouse Rebirth Brass Band brings its fiery blend of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B.

With decades of experience and international acclaim, this band defines Crescent City brass energy. Doors open at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Thursday February 19

(((FOLKYEAH!))) PRESENTS: BITCHIN BAJAS

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Experimental and ambient collective Bitchin Bajas deliver hypnotic soundscapes blending electronics and psych-folk textures.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

JIM LAUDERDALE

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Americana artist Jim Lauderdale brings his dynamic vocals and genre-spanning songs to Kuumbwa, performing country, bluegrass, roots, and soul.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets and more information, call Snazzy Productions at 831-479-9421.

Friday February 20

JACK WEST: GUITAR INNOVATOR PERFORMANCE Time TBD, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz Guitarist, composer, and inventor Jack West performs in support of his latest releases, Guitars On Life and Essential Curvature.

The program features repertoire from both albums, with guitarist Walter Strauss joining for Guitars On Lifeand Jack West’s Slide Guitar Ensemble performing Essential Curvature.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

THE SHADY REST BAND

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Rockin’ blues with violin, congas, and rippin’ guitar. Covers of Tedeschi Trucks, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, and more.

No cover.

Info: theshadyrest.band.

WATSONVILLE DUBZ BINGO NIGHT

6 – 9 p.m., Straw Hat Pizza, 2026 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville

The Watsonville Dubz 12U travel baseball team hosts Bingo Night, featuring prizes and pizza.

Five games are $10. Proceeds support the team’s travel and tournament costs as they prepare to compete in Cooperstown, NY in 2026.

Sponsored by Straw Hat Pizza and Universal Janitorial. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

DON CARLOS WITH ANCESTREE (NIGHT 1)

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Reggae legend Don Carlos kicks off a two-night engagement with Ancestree, serving roots vibes and conscious lyrics.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

HEALING ENERGIES AT CALIFORNIA COFFEE

11 a.m. – 1 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Dr., Aptos Join us for an enlightening free workshop “To Move You Into Your Future,” where healing experts will guide you through transformative sessions using ancient practices like astrology to alight with the cosmos, Reiki to balance your energy, crystal bowls to clear your mind, and massage to rejuvenate your body. Workshop guests will enjoy a delicious, healthy lunch at a special price.

For more information, call 831-684-2750 or visit cacoffeeaptos. com

Saturday February 21

DON CARLOS WITH PACIFIC VIBRATION (NIGHT 2)

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Don Carlos returns with Pacific Vibration for more reggae grooves and soulful performances.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

THE FOG

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Bay Area blues-rock with high-energy covers and originals. Great for dancing or listening. No cover. Info: thefogband.com.

NEW JAZZ UNDERGROUND

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz New Jazz Underground, an innovative American trio, blends jazz tradition with modern swing, hip-hop, AfroCuban, and house influences.

Doors and dinner begin at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Sunday February 22

THE ELOVATERS – SUNBURN TOUR 2026

7 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Reggae-rock fusion from The Elovaters with support from Shwayze.

Their sun-soaked, reggae-inspired sound has chart success and festival presence.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

Saturday February 21 and Sunday February 22

All Day, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St

Join the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off, the country’s largest and longest-running competition. Amateur chefs compete on Saturday, followed by professionals on Sunday, with amateurs welcome to join the pros.

Teams vie for prizes and bragging rights for the best clam chowder. Rain or shine. More information and registration details available at https://beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-off/.

MARK HUMMEL’S ALLSTAR HARMONICA BLOWOUT

4 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Blues harmonica maestro Mark Hummel leads a star-studded harmonica revue featuring some of the best players in blues today.

Doors at 3 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Monday February 23

COMMUNITY FILM SCREENING: THE MASK YOU LIVE IN

6 p.m., CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge, Scotts Valley The Scotts Valley community screening of The Mask You Live In offers a free opportunity to view the documentary and participate in a discussion on boys’ experiences with identity and societal expectations.

Subtitles in Spanish and interpretation are provided. More information: https://santacruzcoe.org.

Tuesday Feburary 24

AN EVENING WITH JOSHUA DAVIS

6:30 p.m., Colligan Theater, 1010 River St., Santa Cruz

Author Joshua Davis discusses Spare Parts and how discovering four students from Carl Hayden School reshaped his understanding of leadership, opportunity and perseverance. He explores how their journey goes beyond robotics to redefine the American Dream. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Donations are encouraged.

For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

RONNIE BAKER BROOKS

7 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Blues guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks brings dynamic modern blues and soulful riffs, backed by expressive vocals and groove-laden performances.

Doors at 6 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Wednesday February 25

NOT.GREENDAY WITH TESS & THE DETAILS

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz High-energy tribute to Green Day featuring Tess & The Details, delivering punk rock anthems with precision and passion. Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

DB.BOUTABAG

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Electronic beats and dynamic stage presence from DB.Boutabag make for an exciting Friday night show. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

THE POETS’ CIRCLE READING SERIES

1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076

The Poets’ Circle Reading Series returns for 2026, featuring Watsonville Poet Laureate Victoria (Vicky) Bañales.

The event includes her poetry reading, an open mic, and refreshments. Bañales is an educator, writer, and founder of Journal X.

Hosted by Magdalena Montagne with the Watsonville Public Library.

More information: magdamontagne@gmail.com.

FOX AND THE HOUNDS

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek High-energy rock power trio with covers spanning decades. No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

Wednesday March 4

RODNEY JAMES PROJECT NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

8 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Diverse styles from jazz, rock, and pop with a lively trio. No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

TWO FEET: THE NEXT STEPS TOUR

NICK DISALVO NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

8 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Santa Cruz native playing reggae, country, pop, and classic rock. No cover.

Info: Instagram.

Friday February 27

SERIOUS CONDITION

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek 4-piece party/dance band covering classics from Prince to Foo Fighters, Stones to ZZ Top. No cover.

Info: seriouscondition.com.

SUMMER SALT: RESIDE NORTH AMERICA TOUR

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Surf-pop and bossa nova vibes from Summer Salt, supported by Boyscott and Wabie.

Their hazy melodies evoke coastal drives and reflective moods.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz BeauSoleil, led by fiddler Michael Doucet, delivers fifty years of acclaimed Cajun music blending jazz, blues, and folk. Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m. All ages welcome. For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

B-SIDE PLAYERS WITH DJ WYZE 1

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Eclectic fusion band B-Side Players blend Latin, jazz, funk, and global rhythms; DJ Wyze 1 spins before and between sets.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Saturday February 28

THE ITALS

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Iconic roots reggae trio The Itals deliver smooth harmonies and timeless reggae classics. Doors at 8 p.m. For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Genre-blending electronic and alternative sounds from Two Feet, with VIP experiences available.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/.

Thursday March 5

CUPCAKKE

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Rap artist CupcakKe brings bold lyrics, fierce confidence, and high-energy performance to the stage.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/.

Friday March 6

LIVE IN THE ATRIUM: JORDANA

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Pop and indie songwriter Jordana performs with support from Kelcey Ayer. Her bright, introspective tunes offer emotional depth and catchy melodies.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

THE JAMISSARIES

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Psychedelic, funky, danceable jams and covers of Grateful Dead, Beatles, Bowie, and more. No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

CARSIE BLANTON WITH DEVON SPROULE

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton brings witty, heartfelt songwriting and powerful vocals, supported by multi-genre artist Devon Sproule.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/. “Calendar” page 31

‘I Just Want to Be Happy’

By Dr. LORI BUTTERWORTH, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

Ihear the same thing from patients again and again, sometimes through tears: “I just want to be happy.” When I ask what that means, there’s often a long pause. Happiness feels essential, but strangely hard to define.

The ancient Greeks described two kinds of happiness: hedonia , the pursuit of pleasure and feeling good, and eudaimonia , a deeper sense of well-being that comes from living with purpose, values, and integrity.

Modern life thrives on hedonia. On social media, happiness is portrayed as the outfit, the social life, the pose, and smiling family. What we don’t see are the failures, the loneliness, the boredom, the self-doubt. The message from social media is powerful: to be happy, life should look and feel good all of the time.

Parents buy into this message too. When their children feel anxious, frustrated, sad, or unmotivated, parents often rush to find a therapist to fix the feeling, smooth the path, and remove the discomfort. But the ability to tolerate discomfort is a path to eudaimonia, the deeper kind of happiness.

Stoic philosophers like the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, argued that happiness was never meant to be pursued directly, rather happiness emerges as a byproduct of how we live. To find happiness, you can’t chase it any more than you chase a shadow. Instead, as we build character, and act according to our values, happiness becomes the byproduct.

This philosophy shows up repeatedly in my clinical work, especially when I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT shifts the focus from How do I get rid of this feeling? to Who do I want to be? What is important to me? What actions can I take to move me in that direction, even when it’s uncomfortable?

Recently, a young man I’ve been working with for some time paused mid-session and said, with surprise, “Oh, I get it now. You’re not asking about what I should do, You’re asking about the person I want to become.”

Working hard and accomplishing something meaningful builds self-confidence and self-respect. Mastery matters. Effort matters. Pride in earned success matters.

When achievements are expressions of values—perseverance, responsibility, curiosity, courage—we learn something powerful: I can do hard things, even when it doesn’t feel good.

Happiness is not the goal; it is the byproduct of living a life in alignment with your values. I often share novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand’s definition with my patients: Happiness is the freedom to achieve your values.

So, for parents who want the best for our children, rather than asking, “Is my child happy?” we might ask:

• Are we helping them discover what matters to them?

• Are we teaching them to tolerate frustration in service of growth?

• Are we modeling values-based living in our own lives?

• Are achievements tied to purpose and meaning, not just approval or comparison?

JOSE GONZALEZ LANDSCAPING

“I just want to be happy” is one of the most human longings I hear in my office, spoken softly, urgently, sometimes through tears. But happiness is not something we can aim at directly or secure in advance for ourselves or our children. It resists being chased. What we can do is help build lives organized around purpose, values, effort, and integrity—and allow room for discomfort along the way.

When children learn who they want to be, not just what they want to feel, they develop something far sturdier than fleeting pleasure. They learn self-respect

and resilience. Happiness doesn’t need to be pursued. More often than not, it arrives quietly, as the byproduct of a life lived on purpose.

Dr. Lori Butterworth is a child and adolescent psychologist and the founder of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. For more information about mental health support for your child and family, contact Lori at 831222-0052 or visit CCAMH.org. The Center offers evidence-based youth mental health care and free resources for parents.

“I just want to be happy” is one of the most human longings I hear in my office, spoken softly, urgently, sometimes through tears. But happiness is not something we can aim at directly or secure in advance for ourselves or our children. It resists being chased. What we can do is help build lives organized around purpose, values, effort, and integrity—and allow room for discomfort along the way.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Worth Her Weight in Gold!

Pepper (A327909) is a big, shaggy, beautiful best friend-to-be!

Her previous family described her as an Old English Sheepdog mix, but we’re not sure how sure they were. We know she’s 4 years old, a big, sturdy 90 pounds, and she has a shaggy coat that WILL require regular grooming.

Pepper was clearly very well-socialized, loved, and trained in her previous home — she rides well in a car, is sociable and friendly with everyone she meets, plays well with toys, is quite manageable on leash in spite of her size, and responds to quite a few training cues, like “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” and “come.”

She did well in a home with teenagers, but she may be a little too exuberant for small children or elderly folks, especially those unused to larger dogs. She loves to play with toys, go to the beach, and go for walks and hikes.

Pepper has enjoyed publicly interacting with dogs but has never lived with one. Sometimes large breed dogs seem to intimidate her, and she can be “protective” of her guardian, so we recommend that any resident dog(s) in the home meet her prior to adoption. Pepper is probably not a great fit for a home with small animals, cats or livestock as she tends to want to chase.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is now offering “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption. This $200 training voucher is a fantastic way for adopters to connect with a certified local dog trainer and get their relationship with their new dog off to a great start!

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet” — Please ring bell for stray animal drop-off from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.) 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.–noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon — Please ring bell for stray animal dropoff 9:30 a.m.-noon; 1-5 p.m.) Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

“Calendar” from page 29

Saturday March 7

VINTAGE POINT

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek From Motown to classic rock, 60s to today, this group will get you dancing. No cover.

Info: vintagepointsantacruz.com.

Sunday March 8

SHANNON MCNALLY (SUNDAY MATINEE SHOW)

3 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Grammy-nominated singer Shannon McNally presents soulful Americana with rich storytelling and expressive guitar work.

Doors open at 2 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Wednesday March 11

JIM LEWIN & DIANA Z NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

8 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Rock, folk, reggae, pop, and Americana with strong vocals and harmonies.

No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

MEET THE AUTHOR: VINNIE HANSEN

10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Porter Memorial Library, 305 Porter St., Aptos Award-winning author Vinnie Hansen discusses her latest novel Crime Writer, following crime writer Zoey Kozinski as her life is upended after a police ride-along turns dangerous.

Free and open to the public. Coffee provided. More information: portermemoriallibrary.org.

Friday March 13

THE RADIO

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek 5-piece band playing 90s rock/alternative hits to get you dancing.

No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

Saturday March 14

STERNO — A TRIBUTE TO CANNED HEAT

8:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Celebrating Canned Heat classics and rediscovered Alan Wilson songs with bluesy grooves. No cover.

Info: www.facebook.com/joesbouldercreek

AI THROUGH YOUNG EYES: CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY, AND CONCERNS

10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m., Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos Students from Youth Empowerment through Technology & Innovation share how they use artificial intelligence, what excites and worries them, and how they see AI shaping the future.

The free panel is moderated by Stephanie Sumarna of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

For more information, contact AAUW Santa Cruz County. https:// santacruz-ca.aauw.net

Sunday March 15

DONNY BENÉT

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Italo-funk and synth-driven grooves from Donny Benét, celebrating the bass-centric il Basso project and classic dance-floor vibes.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

Tuesday March 17

FOSSIL FARM – JOE’S ST. PATRICK’S PARTY

7:30 p.m., Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek Modern spin on Beatles, Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, and more.

Corned beef & cabbage dinner at 6:30pm, $25. No cover for show.

Info: fossilfarmband.com.

Wednesday March 18

PARLOR GREENS WITH ANDRE CRUZ & CHRIS LUJAN

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Organ trio powerhouse Parlor Greens blend soul, funk, and blues with masterful organ, guitar, and drums.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Friday March 20

TOUBAB KREWE + LESPECIAL

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Instrumental collective Toubab Krewe blends rock, African traditions, and jam sensibilities into globally inspired music that defies genre.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Saturday March 21

COFFIS SPACE 4: FEATURING THE COFFIS BROTHERS AND MORE

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz A curated showcase featuring The Coffis Brothers, Dead Winter Carpenters, McCoy Tyler and others, mixing Americana and roots sounds.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Wednesday March 25

CAIFANES

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Rock legends Caifanes bring their iconic sound blending rock en español and rich musical history to Santa Cruz.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/.

Thursday March 26

THE MOTET

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Genre-blurring ensemble The Motet fuses funk, jazz, soul, and dance music with dynamic interplay and electrifying grooves.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Saturday March 28

SILVERADA

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Rising psychedelic rock band Silverada brings layered textures and expansive soundscapes to the stage.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

LIVE IN THE ATRIUM: JMSN

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Detroit - born singer- producer JMSN performs his soulful R&B and atmospheric music in an intimate atrium set.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/.

Wednesday April 8

MEET THE AUTHOR: VERLIN DARROW

10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Porter Memorial Library, 305 Porter St., Aptos Verlin Darrow shares a first glimpse of his upcoming legal thriller inspired by his work as a psychotherapist.

Programs are informal coffee hours, free, and open to all. Coffee provided by The Ugly Mug. More information: portermemoriallibrary.org. n

9 7 % list price received