Aptos Times: January 15, 2026

Bayview Hotel in Escrow Again

By Jon Chown

Historic Building in Need of Restoration

The Bayview Hotel, the oldest commercial building in Aptos and possibly the entire county, is under contract again and if all goes smoothly, could be open in the spring of 2027, according to the Realtor who represents owner Cristina Locke.

However, the deal is in the early stages, he said, and a long ways from being finalized.

Datta Khalsa of Main Street Realtors said the historic building is under contract with a sale price of $3.25 million. ... continues on page 4

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

County Considers Revised BESS Ordinance

A revision of Santa Cruz County’s ordinance regulating the construction and operation of battery energy storage systems was before the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors the same morning this publication was printed. Full Story page 10

Mountain Lion Sightings Across Santa Cruz County

Weeks after a mountain lion was reported behind 1075 Main Street in Watsonville, officials say residents should remain alert for the large cats, which have been spotted throughout the county in January. Full Story page 6

Bayview Hotel in Escrow Again: Historic Building in Need of Restoration, By Jon Chown

Community News

6 Mountain Lion Sightings Across County: Big Cats in Watsonville and Bonny Doon, By Jon Chown

7 Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic Scheduled in Santa Cruz County

8 Prescribed Burns Planned for Nisene Marks • State Parks to Conduct Pile Burns at Big Basin and Henry Cowell with Volunteer Support

10 County Considers Revised BESS Ordinance: Supervisors’ Revision Addresses Some Concerns Raised by Residents, By Jon Chown • Vistra Plant Cleanup Continues A Year Later, By Jon Chown • Vistra Study Finds No Harm From Battery Fire: Water Quality Control Board is Lone Agency to Question Results, By Jon Chown

12 Mt. Madonna Presents ‘The Sound of Music’: Students Learning More Than Just Theater While Studying Classic

13 Community Reads 2026 to Launch With Joshua Davis’ ‘Spare Parts’ • New PVA Exhibit Focuses on Theme of ‘Home’

16 Trees Near Mar Monte Avenue Removed, By Claudia Iseman • County Expected to Move Forward With Wildfire Mitigation Plan • Santa Cruz County Sheriff Confirms Fatal Shark Attack, Recalls Earlier Monterey Bay Shark Encounters

18 PVUSD Director Among Titan Award Honorees: Recognition for Innovation and Leadership Across Monterey Bay Region • Aptos Chamber Luncheon with Cabrillo College Superintendent Dr. Jenn Capps

20 Supervisor Martinez Chosen as 2026 Board Chair • Winter Water Table Testing Period Opens for County Wastewater Systems • Meals on Wheels of Santa Cruz County Marks 50 Years With Food From the Heart Gala

21 A Hard Lesson On Electric Motorcycle Laws

23 ‘Yermo Aranda Retrospective’ Now on Exhibition • Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission Seeks Nominees for 2026 Trailblazer Awards

24 Rydell Visual Arts Exhibition Returns to MAH

25 How to Comment on Coastal Drilling Plans

27 Grateful Sundays Remembers Bobby Weir, Photos submitted by Glenn Sadowsky

Local Sports

5 Aptos Girls Set Sight On 4th Straight Title: Mariners Soccer Team Begins League Play, By Jon Chown

24 Watsonville City Council Honors Watsonville High School Girls’ Golf Team

California News

22 New Law Allows Residents to Delete Data Brokering, By Colin Lecher and Miles Hilton • New Law Requires Rentals to Have a Refrigerator, By Nadia Lathan Letter to the Editor

26 California’s Tax Grab on Trump’s No-Tax Tips

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – Communities, Cooperatives & the Essential Fire of Change — the New Era Unfolding, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists

11 Bruce Springsteen & Tom Waits — ‘The Voice as Persona’, By Joe Ortiz

19 Why Purpose Still Matters in Public Education, By Dr. Heather Contreras, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

30 What Kids Need Most When Parents Divorce, By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

31 Understanding Average Last Frost Dates, By Tony Tomeo

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COVER STORY

“Bayview Hotel” from page 1

He would not say who the buyer is, but did mention it was a development team and not local developer Joe Appenrodt, who has previously been reported to be working on a deal to purchase the property.

“The idea is to bring it back as a hotel with a restaurant and bar,” said Khalsa, but added that permits and other issues could still nix the sale. The deal may hinge on whether the back half of the property can be developed. More rooms, possibly even a second hotel, could be added.

“They’re looking into all those things. If

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it pencils out after due diligence, they’ll go forward, but we probably won’t know for at least a month,” Khalsa said.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, on which it is listed, the Bayview Hotel, was built around 1878 by owner Joseph Arano, a local merchant, at the corner of Soquel Drive and Trout Gulch Road to serve passengers from the railroad that had just been connected to town. It is a recognized California Historic Landmark. It was settled at its current site at 8041 Soquel Drive in 1953.

Constructed in an Italianate architectural style, the hotel has 14 rooms, as well as a bar and restaurant. It fell into some disuse between World War I and World War

II, but stayed open in one form or another for decades, It was mostly vacant when the current owner purchased it in 2002 for a little more than $1 million. It has been listed for as much $3.9 million in recent years.

Appenrodt confirmed that he is not the buyer. He said he knew a couple of possible buyers were behind him in line in escrow when he dropped his bid. He didn’t want to say anything that might possibly injure the deal and said he’d just like to see the hotel restored, whether it’s his project or not.

“I really hope they will get the project across the finish line,” he said. “But it’s really early in the process.”

Khalsa said many of the reports were positive. Since the hotel was moved to it’s current location in 1953, the electrical wiring, the plumbing, and the foundation are all in good shape, much better than one would think a building constructed in 1878 would be. It also has sprinklers and a new roof installed.

However, fire escapes will need to be upgraded. The balconies, staircases and windows will have to be upgraded. The kitchen needs a new walk-in freezer, and a lot will have to refurbished and restored. Khalsa estimated it would take about $2 million to restore.

“To be done correctly, a lot of it would have to be stripped down,” Khalsa said. “It’s going to take somebody who has some love for it.” n

NOTE: This story has been corrected after missing the word “commercial” in the first sentence.

LOCAL SPORTS

Aptos Girls Set Sight On 4th Straight Title Mariners Soccer Team Begins League Play

By Jon Chown

The Aptos High School girls soccer team finished non-league play with a record of 5-3-1 and some impressive victories. Now their goal of winning their fourth straight league title begins.

The Mariners finished 9-0-1 in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League last year to win their third straight title. Coach Gina Castaneda, in her fifth season, said it will not be easy, but the girls are determined to win another title.

“We have seniors on this squad that have won the league three years in a row. Their goal is to win four league championships straight. That’s their goal, and I’m just helping them do that.”

The Mariners faced their first opponent in league play, Santa Cruz, on Jan. 13, the day this publication went to press. Castaneda said Santa Cruz and Soquel will be contending for the title “neck and neck” with Aptos.

“All three of us are contenders for the league title,” she said. “And I have to say Harbor High has really built its program, and Scotts Valley is really coming up, too. So it really depends on who shows up that day and who really wants it. Last year we thought we would sweep the league, and we didn’t.”

Tough Matchups Start Season

Non-league play presented some huge challenges for the Mariners, as they faced some much larger schools. For the first time in Castaneda’s tenure, the team defeated Hollister 3-1 to start the season. Castaneda said the girls broke through a mental barrier in that victory.

“They came in very determined. They came in mentally prepared to walk through any barriers they might have,” she said.

After that match, Aptos defeated Mountain View 3-2 and then Watsonville 5-0. Unfortunately, one of the Mariners’ best

attackers, Scarlett Stateler, was injured. The junior dislocated and sprained a knee and will miss the rest of the season. Castaneda said she’ll be hugely missed. She scored 13 goals last season and had already scored three this season in less than three matches. But beyond her play, her presence during practices and her example were also helpful.

“Her work ethic is unheard of. Ever since she’s been on the team, she’s worked so hard. She’s super determined,” the coach said. “And she has skills you can’t coach — going to the goal.”

Despite the loss, Castaneda said the six seniors on the team will lead them to victory.

“They are basically leading it,” she said.

After the 3-0 start, Aptos faced stiff competition and suffered a 4-3 loss to St. Ignatius High School, a 4-0 loss to Los Gatos High School, and a 5-1 loss to Patrick Henry High School. They also defeated Pajaro Valley 2-1 and rolled Montwood 8-0.

Castaneda said the team learned a lot by playing against powerhouses like Patrick Henry, which is ranked No. 22 in the state and in the top 100 nationally. The San Diego high school has more than 2,500 students, according to its website. Los Gatos, with more than 2,100 students, is ranked No. 41 in the state and 114th nationally. Castaneda said those difficult games showed the team what skills they needed to improve on, not just for SCCAL play, but for the Central Coast Section tournament after.

“We’re really happy to have had the opportunity to play against them. The girls are bummed when they walk away from those losses, but we got to challenge ourselves,” the coach said.

Watch Out, League!

“Mariners’ Soccer” page 14

JoAnn Riniti, Ph.D.

Mountain Lion Sightings Across County

Big Cats in Watsonville and Bonny Doon

WATSONVILLE — Weeks after a mountain lion was reported behind 1075 Main St. in Watsonville, officials say residents should remain alert for the large cats, which have been spotted throughout the county in January.

The Watsonville mountain lion was last seen heading toward Harkins Slough Road on Jan 7. While no photos or videos were captured, Animal Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were notified at the time.

Residents in the area were advised to bring pets indoors, especially at night; keep a close eye on young children when outside; and never approach a mountain lion. Authorities stress calling 9-1-1 immediately if a sighting occurs.

Mountain lion activity was documented in Davenport and Bonny Doon that same day. Large prints, measuring four to five inches, were photographed Jan. 7 along paths leading from the railroad to the bluff terrace, with a second set extending toward Bonny Doon Beach, according to CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz.

Mountain lions are not uncommon in Santa Cruz County. In May 2025, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple sightings across neighborhoods, including one on Sierra Vista Drive near Aptos Junior High School and the Aptos Polo Grounds. Other sightings that month occurred in Watsonville and Capitola, including animals seen near 14,000 West Beach Street in Watsonville and in an Aptos neighborhood on May 27.

Authorities remind residents of safety precautions when encountering mountain lions: do not run, avoid staring into the animal’s eyes, raise your arms or open your jacket to appear larger, stand tall, back away slowly while facing the lion, make loud noises, and throw objects if necessary. Small children should be picked up and kept close, and pets should remain indoors, particularly at night.

If you encounter a mountain lion, officials advice to not run and do not stare into its eyes. Spread your arms wide to appear big and make loud noises.

Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic Scheduled in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County pet owners will have an opportunity next month to have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered at reduced cost during a three-day clinic hosted by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in partnership with Animal Balance, an international nongovernmental veterinary organization.

The clinic is scheduled for Feb. 20-22 and is expected to serve up to 200 pets. In addition to spay and neuter surgeries, pets will receive core vaccinations and a microchip. Registration is now open through the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter website.

Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians from Animal Balance will perform the surgeries, with support provided by local volunteers. The clinic will be held near the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 2260 Seventh Ave. in Santa Cruz.

The cost is $150 for cats and $300 for dogs. Reduced fees are available to Santa Cruz County residents who receive public assistance, including CalFresh or Medi-Cal. Those who provide proof of

assistance can qualify for fees of $75 for cats and $150 for dogs.

Dr. Maris Brenn-White, the shelter’s veterinarian, said spaying and neutering remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of animals that end up homeless or in shelters.

“There’s no better way for a community to reduce the number of pets who end up stray, alone, or stuck in a shelter than by spaying and neutering as many as possible,” Brenn-White said.

“But there’s a nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals right now, and these surgeries are out of financial reach for many people through full-service clinics.”

To be eligible, pets must be healthy, between 8 weeks and 8 years old, and weigh between 2 and 80 pounds. Dogs and cats with very short noses, such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats, as well as senior animals and pets with known health problems, are not eligible for the clinic.

“Spay and Neuter” page 9

SEACLIFF

Saturday Smogs 8-1

Prescribed Burns Planned for Nisene Marks

California State Parks is planning a prescribed burn at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Santa Cruz County from mid-January through early February as part of ongoing fuel reduction and forest health efforts.

The multi-day burn is planned for the northeast corner of the park, where about 13 acres of forest along Santa Rosalia Ridge, bordered by Aptos Creek Fire Road, have been prepared for treatment. State Parks officials said the location, which sits along the park boundary and near a shaded fuel break constructed through forest health projects in 2019 and 2024, offers an opportunity to serve as an anchor point for larger broadcast burns in the future.

Burning operations will be monitored, with patrols continuing into the evening when required. All burning is dependent on

weather and air quality conditions that allow for adequate smoke dispersal and meet ecological goals. If conditions are not favorable, the burns will be rescheduled.

Smoke may be visible in Soquel, Corralitos and parts of the Monterey Bay area on days when burning occurs, officials said.

Prescribed burning at Nisene Marks is part of a broader fuel reduction project intended to reduce the potential for extreme fire behavior in the event of a wildfire. State Parks said the work is designed to improve emergency access, foster forest health and enhance biodiversity. The burns are planned, permitted and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

“Nisene Marks” page 9

State Parks to Conduct Pile Burns at Big Basin and Henry Cowell with Volunteer Support

California State Parks plans to conduct pile burning operations later this month at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park as part of ongoing fuel reduction efforts around old-growth redwood habitats.

The burns will take place with piles created by park volunteers and are dependent on dry weather and conditions that allow for adequate smoke dispersal.

At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, approximately 52 piles will be burned along

the Redwood Loop Trail on Saturday, Jan. 17. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, about 80 piles are scheduled to be burned along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail on Saturday, Jan. 31. Ignitions on both days are expected to begin at about 9 a.m.

No trail closures are planned during the operations, and additional park docents will be available to provide interpretation for visitors on burn days.

“Pile Burns” page 9

“Spay and Neuter” from page 7

Pets will be dropped off in the morning and picked up later the same day. Payment is due at the time of registration. For those who wish to pay in cash or who do not have internet access or a smartphone, shelter staff can assist with registration during regular business hours.

Dog owners are also required by local ordinance to license their pets. An annual dog license costs $29 for spayed or neutered dogs and can be obtained in person at the Live Oak or Watsonville shelter

Burns” from page 8

State Parks officials said the pile burning is part of a continuing effort to reduce fuel loads in old-growth redwood areas, a strategy aimed at fostering forest health and reducing the potential for extreme fire behavior during wildfires. The projects also improve emergency access and enhance biodiversity.

Burning will be closely monitored until all piles are fully extinguished, with patrols continuing into the evening and weekend as needed. Ignitions may occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. as conditions allow throughout the pile-burning season.

Smoke may be visible near the parks and in parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains during the burns. All operations are planned, permitted and coordinated with the Monterey

Licensed pets receive a “smart” license tag with a QR code designed to help reunite lost animals with their owners more quickly, often without the pet needing to be brought to the shelter.

locations or online. Shelter staff will assist clinic participants with licensing as part of the process. Cat licensing is voluntary.

Licensed pets receive a “smart” license tag with a QR code designed to help reunite lost animals with their owners more quickly, often without the pet needing to be brought to the shelter.

Shelter officials said the clinic is made possible through community support.

Donations to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation’s Planned Pethood fund help subsidize the cost of the clinics and allow the Animal Balance team to visit Santa Cruz County multiple times in 2026. Volunteers also play a key role in clinic operations.

Those interested in providing financial or in-kind support, or in volunteering during the clinic, are encouraged to contact the shelter or visit the shelter foundation’s website. The main animal shelter is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz. The Watsonville shelter, located at 580 Airport Blvd., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a closure during the lunch hour. n

Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities. If weather or air quality conditions are not favorable, the burns will be rescheduled.

State Parks encouraged the public to learn more about prescribed burns and other fire operations in the Santa Cruz District, which includes state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, through its prescribed fires webpage.

Officials praised the work of volunteers in creating the burn piles, noting the work would not be possible without their support. n

Visitors interested in learning more about fire in redwood forests or becoming volunteer pile builders are encouraged to visit the parks on scheduled burn dates or contact park staff by email.

“Nisene Marks” from page 8

While prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires, officials advised residents near active burn areas to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. The precautions are especially important for children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart conditions.

Additional information about prescribed burns and other operations in the State Parks Santa Cruz District, which includes all state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, is available through district social media channels. n

Information is also available by calling the Santa Cruz District prescribed burns hotline at (831) 216-6459 or by email.

If

paint your interior and/or exterior by February 28, 2026 we will buy the paint.

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Considers Revised BESS Ordinance

Supervisors’ Revision Addresses Some Concerns Raised by Residents

By Jon Chown

Arevision of Santa Cruz County’s draft ordinance regulating the construction and operation of battery energy storage systems was approved by the Board of Supervisors, one step in a long process that might see a final ordinance ready for a vote in November.

Revisions to the draft ordinance were made after supervisors declined to approve an initial draft of the BESS ordinance on Nov. 18, asking that changes be made and the ordinance brought back for a vote on Jan. 13. The original draft was viewed as not adequately addressing ingress and egress during emergencies, requirements for skilled labor, water runoff during a fire, soil and water analysis, along with other shortcomings.

The new draft, according to the staff report, “seeks to balance the need for renewable energy storage infrastructure to meet the county’s green energy goals, improve grid resiliency, reduce blackouts and address climate change with the county’s commitment to public safety, land use compatibility and environmental stewardship.” The draft is the culmination of more than a year of careful planning and consideration, a press release announcing the revisions states.

Supervisors approved the revisions to the draft ordinance while New Leaf Energy is proposing to develop a 200-megawatt BESS project on 14 acres that would connect

to the PG&E substation on Minto Road near Watsonville. New Leaf could seek approval from the state, bypassing local control. Representatives from New Leaf Energy have consistently said they will do so if a local ordinance is delayed.

At the Jan. 13 meeting, during public comment, Aptos resident Becky Steinbrunner said the revisions were not nearly enough to make any BESS project safe and asked the supervisors to continue the discussion to a later date. She said she was not worried about New Leaf going bypassing local control of the project.

“I say let them go to the state because the state will make them do a full EIR. The state will hold them accountable for impacts to disadvantaged communities,” she told the board.

Study Prompts Revisions

In December, a few weeks after supervisors

Vistra Plant Cleanup Continues A Year Later

By Jon Chown

There still remains a lot to clean up at the Vistra battery energy storage system plant in Moss Landing more than a year after the fire that destroyed it.

Monterey County Supervisors were given an update on the progress Jan. 6 and were told that nearly two-thirds of the 35,722 lithium ion batteries still need to be removed.

Monterey County Department Emergency Management Director Kelsey Scanlon said the cleanup efforts continue round the clock, six days a week with Sundays off. Vistra, under supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency is removing about six truckloads of batteries each week.

So far, Scanlon said, no battery flareups have been reported. As rainy season continues, any water used on site is being contained. The site has its own closed loop storm water system to contain any runoff and the EPA is also requiring Vistra to check the water onsite to be sure it is clear of any pollution before being disposed of.

Any batteries exposed are being kept under tents as rain and moisture might cause a flare up.

At this point, Phase 1 of building demolition is completed, Scanlon said. This allows workers to access more batteries that need to be removed. Once they are cleared, more of the building will be demolished to allow further access to the batteries. Phase 2 will take the structure down to its concrete foundation. Burned debris from the structure will then be “characterized for proper disposal.”

The supervisors had no comments regarding the update. n

voted to send the ordinance back for revision, researchers at San José State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories released a study on the effects of the January 2025 Moss Landing Vistra fire. The study showed that 55,000 pounds of heavy metals were deposited in areas surrounding the Moss Landing BESS facility, with much of it landing in the environmentally sensitive Elkhorn Slough.

“It seems that if it wasn’t for our work this could have gone largely undetected,” said Dr. Ivan Aiello, who led the study. “Our data show evidence of battery fire metals up to four kilometers away from the storage facility.”

What Aiello and his team of scientists discovered was troubling. Surface concentrations of nickel, manganese and cobalt increased dramatically — in some areas as much as 10 to 1,000 times above pre-fire levels — with the pollution clustered in

distinct hot spots. Aiello’s study highlighted the importance of having baseline air and soil data before a BESS facility is present.

Santa Cruz County’s new draft ordinance appears to recognize the study’s findings and also addresses many of the public’s concerns raised during earlier hearings. It specifically requires reports analyzing baseline air quality, surface water, groundwater and soils within at least one mile of any installation, and potentially farther depending on site conditions. It also requires thorough consultation with the local fire district, including annual on-site training paid for by the BESS operator.

However, different methods of soil and water sampling can result in dramatically different findings. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories researchers used field portable X-ray fluorescence, or FPXRF, technology — similar to a mobile X-ray device — to study samples. They also concentrated collecting soil samples where most of the pollution was found, in the upper soil layers.

Water and soil samples collected by Vistra’s scientists using different methods have shown little to no pollution resulting from the fire. Santa Cruz County’s new draft ordinance does not specify how sampling must be conducted.

“Revised Ordinance” page 15

Vistra Study Finds No Harm From Battery Fire Water Quality Control Board is Lone Agency to Question Results

By Jon Chown

The key environmental study that government agencies will use to determine any long-term response to the January 2025 fire at the Vistra energy plant in Moss Landing has found no significant impact from the chemical blaze that burned tens of thousands of lithium ion batteries and spread ashes for miles.

On Jan. 16, 2025 a fire destroyed about 75% of the Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage System plant. The fire burned for two days and then reignited weeks later. Cleanup at the plant began not long after the fire was extinguished and will continue through this year.

Two phases of testing were scheduled to study the environmental effects of the fire. Phase I found little significant pollution. The Phase II results, which were presented Jan. 6 to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, echoed Phase I.

The study was conducted by Vistra’s

consultant Terraphase Engineering Inc.

The study concluded that any concentrations of metals or pollutants detected were not caused by the fire and were not high enough to affect humans or wildlife, with higher levels attributed to “marsh geochemistry.”

“The observed concentrations of metals, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and dioxins/furans do not indicate impacts related to potential aerial deposition from the fire,” the study concluded.

The completed study, along with comments from federal, state and local agencies, will be a key factor in decisions about further testing or potential cleanup. It will also play a role in any litigation involving Vistra.

Monterey County supervisors only offered one comment when the results were presented on Jan. 6.

“No Harm” page 14

Bruce Springsteen & Tom Waits — ‘The Voice as Persona’

Bruce Springsteen once said that the lyrics of one of his songs (perhaps it was “Born in the USA”) was delivered through the point of view of a persona. The Boss was openly admitting that he, the singer, was acting as another character and not himself.

This is an artistic trope used by artists — admittedly most workable for writers, actors, screenwriters, and dramatists — in which a unique or invented “character” speaks directly from their own personality. This offers an artist a disguise, so to speak. It helps remove the author from the work.

Tom Waits uses his unique vocal style, phraseology, and intonation to portray characters that lend an air of theatrical presentation to the character delivering the song—as if reciting a monologue in a play. Waits creates a dramatic tension that helps the song take on a visceral, yet authentic interpretation.

To some listeners this affectation might

seem labored and distracting. But many others accept Wait’s distinctive delivery and are transfixed by having been brought into this other character’s world.

A Lesson from Fiction and Memoir: A young woman writer at a 2021 Catamaran Writers Retreat session responded to a comment I made that abused children sometimes deal with trauma by becoming writers. Her response was “Maybe some of us just like to write.”

The very next day, the workshop facilitator, poet Patrice Vecchione suggested to writers who are uneasy with describing a disturbing, traumatic experience to try writing them in the third person. Still a day later, that very same young woman got up and read a third-person account of a woman’s experience of sexual abuse.

The imagery and details of her scene were so descriptively realistic, showing that she was writing about herself. Her intense emotional delivery seemed to many audience

members born of personal experience. She had disguised the experience and was then able to access it through the use of another persona: the distance created a permission structure.

What Can We Do? — “Tricking the Barn into Revealing it’s Secrets.”: Novelist John Gardner posed an exercise in which writers can escape from their own confining mental apparatus, their own limited authorial point of view, through projecting it into an inanimate object.

Gardner asked his students to write a physical description of a barn that has just been witness to a murder. By taking the writer’s own consciousness out of the writing and projecting it onto the barn, this exercise helps remove any hint of a writer’s self-consciousness.

Such a description coming from a different point of view offers the potential of a less sentimental and more dramatic treatment. Try it.

By Joe Ortiz

Gardner’s comment about the exercise is enlightening: “You’re trying to trick the barn into revealing its secrets.” n

Reader response: I’d love to hear your comments and questions. Email me at joe@gocapitola. com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Mt. Madonna Presents ‘The Sound of Music’ Students Learning More Than Just Theater While Studying Classic

Mount Madonna School will be presenting its high school’s winter production “The Sound of Music” on Jan. 24 and 25 and 2 p.m. at the Hawks Nest Theater, located at the school at 491 Summit Road.

This final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and the title number, “The Sound of Music” won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars.

The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

“The Sound of Music” comes as a warm, nostalgic embrace for many, but for students at Mount Madonna School, this is likely their first encounter with the beloved musical. Re-introducing the vintage classic is part of what made it a compelling choice. “In an age of TikTok and endless media, classics from before 2000 aren’t always seen,” said Director, Chelsea Otterness. “But timeless works are that for a reason—they highlight the peace and bliss found in nature, in music and the arts, and in loyalty to family and one’s values.”

MMS performing arts students are stepping into 1940’s Austria and the von Trapp saga with focus and enthusiasm. From enrichment projects and visualization

techniques to personal reflection exercises, student performers are finding authentic ways to settle into character, bringing a range of depth and dimension to each performance.

Cora Kayne, who plays Mother Abbess, along with Noa Zands, who plays Sister Berthe, visited the Villa Maria del Mar nunnery as part of their pre-production research. They were welcomed by Sister Michelle of the Sisters of the Holy Names religious community in Santa Cruz who talked about her personal experience as a nun, providing the students with levity and insight.

“When I think about nuns,” reflected Cora, “my mind immediately goes to the black outfits, so it was kind of surprising to see Sister Michelle in a Santa Cruz sweatshirt.”

stern and proper,” he said, “taking slower and more composed breaths, and having better posture because of [Georg’s] military background.” Even with that formality, he stays centered in the heart: “All the stuff that influences what [Captain von Trapp] does comes from the heart,” said Nikowa.

Nikowa feels the captain’s truth most clearly in the chest, anchoring him in “what the captain is feeling and what his background is.”

Cora explained that the visit with Sister Michelle helped shed light on some of the ways nuns have been portrayed in media and film over the years, leading to the stereotype that they are often strict or rude. Cora says she learned to see her character from another angle after meeting with Sister Michelle. “It can be easy to jump to portraying Mother Abbess as firm, but now I think of her as grounded and sweet and kind. She chose this life of religious devotion, and she loves Maria.”

Noa Zands commented that her character, Sister Berthe, is meant to be critical of Maria. “Sister Michelle talked about how the nun stereotype came from a time when the whole world was more strict and rigid,” she said, “but it’s important for me to show that it’s not the only aspect of Sister Berthe’s character and that she does care deeply.”

Noa said that what stuck with her after the visit were the nunnery’s sweeping views of the ocean framed by coastal flora. She learned that “a staple of religious life is being in touch with beauty.”

Helping students develop deep, personal connections to their characters will give the performance “an aliveness” that “is only possible because of who these students are,” said Chelsea. “They are committed to embodiment, letting their hearts lead them rather than following prescriptive directions from me.”

Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp, who plays Captain Georg von Trapp, strongly resonates with his character’s capacity for love.

“His lovingness…when my character falls in love with Maria is what I’m connecting to right now,” said Nikowa, expressing an emotional openness that helps ground his interpretation of the role. Stepping into the captain’s world requires becoming “more

During rehearsals, scenes involving the Germans trigger instinctive reactions: “He gets defensive and fearful,” said Nikowa. These responses help him understand Georg’s fear for his family and how it shapes his decision to leave his home country. “His duties are driven by his desires,” he said. “Once Georg decides that he wants to be with Maria and be a better father to his children, then his motivations stem from that.” The defining moment of the character’s journey, he says, is “falling in love again and finding music and embracing his duty as a father.”

Lucy Yen plays Maria, the free-spirited novice nun and governess to the von Trapp family.

Lucy describes Maria’s inner life as “from the gut.” “Her gut impulses overpower her head,” said Lucy, “and sometimes even her heart,” noting that if Maria followed her heart alone, she might make different choices.

Lucy observes changes in Maria’s breath depending on context. With the nuns, her breath is comfortable and familiar; with the children, she is excited and eager to share joy; and with the captain, she experiences a new kind of tension and breathlessness, reflecting her emotional vulnerability. On Maria’s deeper calling, Lucy notes, “When she feels something bigger is happening…there is a stillness and an acknowledgement that there is something bigger.”

“Sound of Music” page 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Community Reads 2026 to Launch With Joshua Davis’ ‘Spare Parts’

Spare Parts, a nonfiction book by journalist and filmmaker Joshua Davis, has been selected as the winning title for Our Community Reads 2026, launching a community wide reading and event series beginning Jan. 22 at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

The book tells the true story of four undocumented Latino high school students from Watsonville who built an underwater robot on a shoestring budget and went on to compete against college engineering teams in a NASA-sponsored robotics competition. The project and its success form the centerpiece of the annual Our Community Reads program, which encourages shared reading and discussion around a single title and its themes.

The 2026 season opens with a public book discussion Thursday, Jan. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Loft Coffee Shop at Cabrillo College in Aptos. The discussion will be facilitated by Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz.

A related documentary, Underwater Dreams, which chronicles the students and their underwater robot, will be screened Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Capitola Branch Library.

An author talk featuring Davis is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Colligan Theater in Santa Cruz. Davis will discuss how he discovered the students from Carl Hayden School and how their story shaped his understanding of leadership, opportunity and perseverance, as well as his view of the American Dream.

Donations will be accepted at the door. Additional Our Community Reads programs tied to the themes of Spare Parts will include discussions, workshops and presentations throughout January and February.

Davis is an award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker whose work spans reporting, documentaries and books. His films and shows have won multiple honors,

including a Festival Favorite award at the Sundance Film Festival, a Special Jury Prize at Sundance, and the Silver Goddess Award from the Association of Mexican Film Journalists.

As a reporter, Davis has worked inside prisons on three continents and covered the 2003 war in Iraq, the Libyan revolution and the emergence of super-cocaine behind FARC lines in Colombia. His writing has been nominated for a National Magazine Award in feature writing, and he was a finalist for the honor in 2014.

His work has been anthologized in the 2012 edition of The Best American Science and Nature Writing and in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 editions of The Best Technology Writing . Farrar, Straus and Giroux published Spare Parts in 2014, naming it Davis’ third book. The book was later selected as one of the best new books by Amazon and the BBC.

A film adaptation of Spare Parts was released by Lionsgate in 2015 and starred George Lopez, Carlos Pena, Marisa Tomei and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Davis’ earlier projects include the 2002 documentary The Beast Within, which followed his attempt to become the lightweight armwrestling champion of the world and won Best Documentary at the 2003 Telluride Mountain Film Festival. Random House published his first book, The Underdog, in 2005, followed by Entrenched, an anthology of his work. n

New PVA Exhibit Focuses on Theme of ‘Home’

WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Arts will present “Welcome Home!,” its Annual Members’ Exhibit for 2026, marking the organization’s move into the Porter Building, its new home for the arts in downtown Watsonville.

Curated by Jim Turner, the exhibit runs Jan. 13 through Feb. 21, with an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibition centers on the theme of “home,” inviting participating artists to explore the idea through their own perspectives. The concept is intentionally broad, encompassing home as a physical place, relationships with family or friends, and feelings such as security, comfort, nostalgia or belonging.

The annual members’ show serves as a platform for artistic expression by Pajaro Valley Arts members, while also honoring the organization’s history by welcoming back artists who have exhibited with the group in the past.

Pajaro Valley Arts said the opening of the Porter Building represents a milestone for the organization, providing space to grow, diversify and expand opportunities for artists throughout the community. n

HAPPY NEW YEAR! LOANS/INTEREST

RATES: The New FHA Loan Limit for “highcost areas”(Santa Cruz), in 2026 is: $1,249,125! You can now put 20% down on a home worth up to $1,561,406 and get conventional financing. Interest Rates are expected to reduce further in 2026. At 6.2% (1/02 rate), the loan payment would be $7650.50. At 5.0% the monthly payment goes to $6705.57, $944.93 less per month, or savings of $11,339/year. The percentage of mortgages under 5.0% peaked at 86% and is now around 72%. 18% of borrowers have a rate of 6.0% or more (FHFA)

BUYERS/SELLERS: First-Time HomeBuyers are at a 40-year low, around 25% of all buyers. And in the US currently, sellers outnumber buyers by 37%, this imbalance has been growing for months (Redfin)

ADU RULES: New Coastal ADU rules (AB 462) are in place, including a 60-day clock to get a permit approved, and a path for families hit by disasters to live in an ADU while the main house is being built.

APTOS SALES 2025: 224 homes sold in 2025. The Average Sales Price (ASP) was $1,757,121 and the Median Sales Price (MSP) was $1,499,500. 20 homes >$3M, 40>$2M, 51 $1.5$2M, and 113 < $1.5M (so there is still hope). This compares to 2024 sales of 196 (14% more homes sold), and ASP=$1,802,006 and MSP= $1,597,500, so the Median Sales Price was down $98,000

APTOS ACTIVE: (I’m happy to represent you as Buyer for any of these homes)

MFG HOME (3): 34 Primrose (Seacliff Park) -3B/2Ba/1580SF, built 2023, 55+ w/HOA=$260, asking $687,000 + $59,000 HOA buy-in (refunds upon sale), 119 Days on Market (DOM); 2711 Mar Vista (Palm Terrace) #15-3B/2Ba/1152SF, built 2015, HOA=$600, asking $570,000+$79,000 HOA buy-in, 16 DOM; 220 Mar Vista #41-2B/1Ba/900SF, built 1967, HOA-$587, asking $339,000, 80 DOM CONDO (3): 1514 Dolphin-3B/2Ba/1170SF, HOA-$5985, carport, asking $965,000, 114 DOM; 2146 Penasquitas-3B/1.5Ba/1587SF, HOA-informal $100, 1GAR, asking $995,000, 102 DOM: 230 Rio Del Mar #K-2B/2Ba/972SF, HOA-$985, asking $1,329,000, 281 DOM TOWNHOME (2): 300 Carrera Circle –3B/2.5BA/1930SF, HOA-$425, 2GAR, asking $995,000, 41 DOM; 3372 Aptos Rancho Road3B/2.5BA/1785SF, HOA-$600, 2GAR, asking $1,099,000, 56 DOM

SFR (31): 11 > $2M, only 20 homes <$2M, AVG DOM – 71 days. ALP: $2,406,774, MEDIAN LP: $1,595,000 – so current listings on AVG are $650K higher than AVG Sold and Median List is $100K higher than sold. Prices will come down.

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

“No Harm” from page 10

“The county is not really engaged in the cleanup. This is the EPA. They’re federal. They’re the ones that have primary authority,” said District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents Moss Landing.

Just four residents commented and all were upset. “All of us are being poisoned,” said Lorna Moffet. “The careless disregard of this government towards its people is just astronomical and tragic.”

Two Studies, Two Results

Vistra’s results and conclusions differ greatly from the study completed by researchers at San José State University’s Moss Landing Marine Labs. That study was published in peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports, published by Springer Nature. Dr. Ivan Aiello, who led the research, said, “our data show evidence of battery fire metals up to four kilometers away from the storage facility.”

He and his team discovered that surface concentrations of nickel, manganese, and cobalt increased dramatically — in some areas 10 to 1,000 times above pre-fire levels — with pollution clustered in distinct hotspots. The researchers estimated that roughly 55,000 pounds of heavymetal-laden particles fell across the slough. According to Aiello, the full extent of the pollution would have gone unrecognized without baseline environmental data, rapid testing, and new data collection methods, including the use of a portable fluorescent X-ray machine.

“There are lots of details and lessons to be learned from our study, including the nature of the metal deposit — a very thin dust layer that is hard to detect with conventional sampling — and the fact that much of the signal decreased in the Elkhorn Slough wetlands after the rain and we would have missed it if not for the rapid sampling we did after the fire,” he said.

He may have been proven correct. Conventional sampling methods used by Vistra’s researchers did not detect the “very thin dust layer” of heavy metals identified by Dr. Aiello’s group, which was located 2 to 5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.2 inches) below the surface. Vistra’s Phase 2 sampling dug 76 millimeters (about 3 inches) into the soil, likely diluting any metal concentrations that might have been present.

Government Agencies Mostly Mute

State regulators failed to note the discrepancy between the two studies, and gave the Phase II results a positive review.

The Human and Ecological Risk Office, after reviewing the study, also concluded that concentrations of metals found within and outside the fire’s plume zone “may not

be related to the facility fires that occurred in January 2025,” and that “based on the sediment and surface water sampling results … the levels of chemicals of potential concern are not expected to cause human health risks from chronic exposure.”

The County of Monterey Health Department did not request any revisions to the study either, but did ask for a “written technical rationale explaining why specific recommendations or analyses were not undertaken.”

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board was the only agency to firmly question the results and request revisions. In comments, Senior Engineering Geologist Greg Bishop wrote that the board disagreed with the conclusion that no further sampling was needed and noted differences in the methods used by Dr. Aiello and his researchers.

Bishop also wrote that pore water

“Mariners’ Soccer” from page 5

Castaneda said she expects league play to be very competitive this season, and several of her players might surprise their opponents. Isabella Hartnett, a junior, has led the league in scoring two years in a row, but voters have failed to name her Attacker of the Year. The coach said teams better look out for her. “When they see her now, soccerwise, she’s gotten so much better,” she said.

Alexa Castaneda, the coach’s daughter and a senior this year, is having another great year. She scored two goals against Monterey when the team was trailing 2-0. “She’s the heart of the team,” the coach said.

Castaneda also praised two defenders, seniors Isabella Schenone and Anahi Najera. “They are dominating from the back line. Schenone is an underrated player. She’s able

analyses, where water is collected from the soil, were not conducted as scheduled.

Because the results from the two testing methods differed so greatly, Bishop wrote that the Phase II results were suspect.

“It’s unclear how effective the use of the Phase II samples are for a human health risk assessment. The Central Coast Water Board believes the data presented in the Nature Report provide compelling evidence that additional sampling is necessary to characterize the impact of the fire within the study area, and possibly further, to fully assess human health, ecologic, and water quality risks.”

The Phase II results, along with Phase I soil sampling data and agency input, will be evaluated together in a forthcoming Preliminary Environmental Assessment report. The PEA report will determine if any further action regarding testing or cleanup is needed. n

to transition into attacking and finishing. Coaches have not really noticed how talented she is. Neither has really gotten the attention they deserved in the past, but opponents will be very surprised.”

Also playing defender is Maddison Redding, also a senior, who is back from injury and now fit. “People aren’t expecting to see how great of a player she is now that she’s fully recovered,” Castaneda said.

It’s a lot of talent, Castaneda said, and it allows her to use different formations to match up with whatever the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses are.

“The girls play four different formations. They’re very versatile,” she explained. “We do a lot of film. We do a PowerPoint presentation before every game and go over our opponent. … Their soccer IQ is growing.” n

“Sound of Music” from page 12

For Maria, a key turning point is realizing she can lead and love beyond the Abbey. Lucy explains, “the moment she understands the impact she can have with the children, she knows she can no longer retreat from the world.”

Maria balances duty and desire by acting on joy and love for the children, even if it conflicts with Abbey rules: “She defies the discipline of the Abbey…she is living on the loving impulse of joy.”

Regarding Maria’s return to the von Trapp villa, Lucy emphasizes personal growth through responsibility: “Her return is her real consequence; she left the children without saying goodbye. It was selfish and a mistake. It’s the first hard choice she has to make with no reward. What she gained was making the choice to come back.”

Lucy also highlights Maria’s influence on Captain von Trapp and the ensemble: her empathetic leadership brings harmony through playfulness and intuition rather than authority.

She notes Maria’s courage in a historical context: navigating political strife requires resilience, moral conviction, and the willingness to act in the face of danger. Though it may be new to many young students, the relevance of the production resonates in today’s climate.

“In this story,” Chelsea goes on to say, “characters face political upheaval, yet they choose to stay connected to each other and to their values rather than conform.”

Maria’s example encourages audiences to embrace uncertainty, act with empathy, and find strength through love and moral clarity. “It takes bravery to initiate change,”

“Revised Ordinance” from page 10

What the Revisions Address

The ordinance does address the rapid advancement in BESS technology. New types of batteries are being developed that are less volatile than the lithium-ion batteries with nickel, manganese and cobalt chemistry used at the Moss Landing facility. The ordinance does not specify battery chemistry, but requires that systems “utilize best available technology to avoid thermal runaway.”

Among the additional requirements included in the ordinance:

• A sensor network around the perimeter of the facility to continuously monitor air quality, along with an on-site meteorological station.

• A catchment system to collect and retain all runoff liquids used to suppress a fire or otherwise released.

• A 20-foot landscaped buffer to screen the facility from public view, including large trees. At least 50 percent of the landscaping must consist of native or drought-tolerant species.

• Thorough site plans showing battery locations.

• For projects proposed on agricultural

Lucy says. “Every time [Maria] chooses to embrace something new and scary, that’s where you see the story move forward.”

“As we count down to the show, rehearsals are now anchored in the body. Students are focusing on moment-to-moment discovery,” said Chelsea, “so that audiences will experience a performance that is alive, authentic, and full of heart.” n

Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Suggested by “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Saturday tickets are available at: https://mountmadonnaschool.ticketspice.com/ the-sound-of-music-jan24

Sunday tickets are available at: https://mountmadonnaschool.ticketspice.com/ the-sound-of-music-jan25

land, a study confirming that the project minimizes the loss of high-quality farmland.

• A fire risk assessment evaluating where smoke and pollution could drift and the potential impacts on nearby communities in a worst-case scenario.

• A dedicated water supply for fire suppression.

• An emergency response plan addressing all phases of the project, from construction to operation and eventual decommissioning.

• Financial assurances, including liability insurance, to cover costs associated with hazardous incidents, pollution or environmental damage caused by the facility, as well as an agreement indemnifying the county.

• Noise limitations.

• A requirement that utility lines be placed underground.

Even though the draft ordinance is approved, supervisors cautioned that there will still be a lot of time for public input and more changes to be made before the final vote in November. “Part of this timeline is also opportunity for public input. Environmental review is also part of that,” said Supervisor Felipe Hernandez. n

JUENEMANN HANDYMAN SERVICES

SERVICE

CARPENTRY

INTERIOR-EXTERIOR TRIM REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

FENCE & RETAINING WALL REPAIR

REPLACE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOORS

DRYWALL REPAIR

PATCH & TEXTURE

CONCRETE WALK AND DRIVEWAR PRESSURE

WASHING

BLACK MOLD AND ALGAE REMOVAL

BASIC PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC

2026 Spring Semester

Classes begin January 26, 2026

Trees Near Mar Monte Avenue Removed

By Claudia Iseman

Thanks to a successful partnership, residents along a stretch of Mar Monte Avenue in La Selva Beach are breathing easier. A partnership between a group of homeowners, Pacific Gas and Electric and Santa Cruz County have worked to remove about 100 Potentially deadly eucalyptus trees that have been a major fire concern and falling hazard in the neighborhood for many years.

“I needed 22 -homeowners to sign on in order to get a permit for a significant tree removal,” said Katy King, who formed the non-profit Eucalyptus Grove Project in 2023. King, a homeowner on Mar Monte, was motivated to take action to get rid of the trees after a 200-hundred-foot eucalyptus came crashing down on her neighbor’s house in the middle of the

night during the 2023 storms. The woman sustained injuries but recovered.

“PG&E offered to do the initial environmental studies and County Supervisor Kim De Serpa has been very responsive,” said King.

In addition, King says an anonymous donor gave over $50,000 to the Eucalyptus Grove Project.

“We know the history of that eucalyptus grove,” said Alexandra Baldwin Vegetation Program Manager for PG&E.

“It’s a threat to public safety. Falling trees in the winter, fire safety in the summer, plus frequent power outages,” said Baldwin.

With much of the non-native eucalyptus absent, Baldwin has seen a difference. “During the storms over Christmas, we had no outages,” she added.

According to Baldwin, about 25-people from PG&E were involved in the tree removal and each tree cost thousands of dollars to chop down and that’s not including hauling away all the wood. She said they were able to complete the project in about three weeks.

With the 100 and 200 -foot towering giants mostly gone, the steep hillside looks completely different. “I’m seeing a lot more squirrels and rabbits on the hill now and more native plants are growing. It’s wonderful,” said King.

Crews left the stumps intact to prevent erosion.

“There’s plenty of vegetation and the root system from the stumps adds to soil stability,” said Baldwin.

Baldwin says the electric company has doubled its vegetation management resources in Santa Cruz County over the last five years. “When we collaborate with the community, we’re able to bolster the risk reduction,” said Baldwin. n

County Expected to Move Forward With Wildfire Mitigation Plan

CRUZ — Santa Cruz County officials approved the hiring of consulting services aimed at reducing wildfire risk when the Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, Jan. 13.

However, action on any plan that consultants will produce will likely be stalled indefinitely.

The item appeared on the board’s consent agenda, a grouping of generally routine matters that are typically quickly approved unless a supervisor or member of the public requests an individual matter be pulled for discussion.

With the approval, the board will authorize a request for proposals seeking environmental and historic preservation consultants to support wildfire mitigation planning along more than 50 miles of county-maintained roads.

The work would be funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, grant that Santa Cruz County received in 2024 for wildfire risk reduction planning and permitting.

The county was awarded just over $1.1 million under Phase One of the program.

However, county officials say FEMA canceled all further phases of the program earlier this year. The plan now is to contract consulting services needed to get these roadside vegetation management projects to a “shovel-ready” stage.

According to a staff report from the county’s Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience, the remaining Phase One funds would be redirected toward preparing environmental and historic preservation compliance documents that would allow projects to move forward when future funding becomes available. The projects would focus on vegetation management along evacuation corridors in six high-risk areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Lompico, Summit, Cathedral and Aptos, and Eureka Canyon and Corralitos.

“Wildfire Mitigation” page 23

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Confirms Fatal Shark Attack, Recalls Earlier Monterey Bay Shark Encounters

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Authorities have confirmed that a shark attack was responsible for the death of 55-year-old Erica Fox, a Monterey County resident, officials said Friday.

CAL FIRE and Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies recovered Fox’s body from the ocean south of Davenport Beach on Dec. 27, 2025. She had been reported missing on Dec. 21 after disappearing during a swim near Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death was sharp and blunt force injuries and submersion in water due to a shark attack, and ruled the manner of death an accident, the office said in a statement. The Sheriff’s Office extended its deepest condolences to Fox’s family and friends.

According to multiple media reports, Fox had been participating in a group swim at Lovers Point with members of the Kelp Krawlers, a local swim club she co-founded. Witnesses reported seeing a shark breach the water near the group around midday

on Dec. 21, prompting concern and a multi-agency search. Her body was found six days later.

Fatal shark attacks along the California coast are very rare, but a shark attack nearly killed a man in June 2022, near the same spot. Steve Bruemmer was severely injured while swimming near Lovers Point and a shark attacked him. He was swimming about 150 yards from shore when the shark bit him on his abdomen and leg. The wounds came within millimeters of severing a major artery. He survived after being pulled from the water by fellow swimmers and first responders.

“That shark pulled me under and then spat me out,” Bruemmer recounted in interviews following his recovery. “I’m not a seal. It wasn’t trying to eat me.”

Despite such encounters, marine experts emphasize that shark attacks remain extraordinarily uncommon along California’s coast, and that millions of people safely swim, paddle and dive in these waters annually. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

PVUSD Director Among Titan Award Honorees

Recognition for Innovation and Leadership Across Monterey Bay Region

WATSONVILLE — Julie Edwards, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Director of Strategic Educational Options, is one of the honorees selected for Santa Cruz Works’ 2025 Titans Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership across the Monterey Bay region.

Edwards was recognized for her work in public education and for developing pathways that connect K-12 schools with higher education, workforce training and employment opportunities. Santa Cruz Works said her selection reflects the role of education systems in preparing students for postsecondary success and participation in the regional economy.

In her role at PVUSD, Edwards leads and develops programs that provide students with a range of options after high school, including fouryear colleges and universities, community college, technical training and direct entry

into the workforce. Her work focuses on aligning academic programs with student interests and postsecondary opportunities.

“I am humbled and grateful to be among leaders who are driving opportunity and change in our community for the benefit of others in so many different domains,” Edwards said. “Our students benefit from the abundance of innovation happening in our community; our schools and programs are intentionally designed to maximize these connections.”

Edwards has worked in education for more than 25 years and has served students and families in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for nearly 11 years. During that time, she has been involved in expanding and strengthening programs that connect students with colleges, training programs and local employers.

Before moving into education, Edwards worked in the technology industry in

marketing and public relations roles at several companies. She said that experience continues to inform her work in education.

“That knowledge and experience has been and continues to be a tremendous asset to my skill set as part of this work,” Edwards said.

Edwards said she chose to move from the private sector into education after several years in the tech industry.

“After many years of learning, gaining entrepreneurial experience, and contributing to the success of corporations in the tech industry, I chose to shift and dedicate myself to serve within education as it provided me with significant meaning and purpose,” she said. “I have not looked back, starting every day focused on making a positive difference in the lives of students.”

Santa Cruz Works received more than 50 nominations for the 2025 Titans Awards. The organization’s board selected a group of honorees whose work spans education, technology, science, entrepreneurship and community service.

Santa Cruz Works said the Titans Awards are intended to recognize individuals whose

work contributes to the region’s economic and community development.

The 2025 Titans Awards will be presented Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz.

2025 Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards Honorees

• Julie Edwards, Director of Strategic Educational Options, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

• Ash Robbins, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Immergo Labs; AI Research Scientist, University of California, Santa Cruz

• Holger Schmidt, Founder, Fluxus

• Dan Haifley, Board Member, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

• Maggie Nixon, Co-Founder, Versa Vascular and Capstan Medical

• Rod Caborn, Founder, Firstclass Fundraising

• Sol Lipman, Founder, Pie Fi

Aptos Chamber Luncheon with Cabrillo College Superintendent Dr. Jenn Capps

The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will host a February luncheon featuring Cabrillo College Superintendent/ President Dr. Jenn Capps, offering the community a chance to hear directly from the college’s new leader about her vision for the institution.

The luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seascape Golf Club. Reservations are required.

Capps, whose projected start date at Cabrillo College is Jan. 20, was approved by the Cabrillo College Governing Board at its Jan. 12 meeting. Capps comes to Cabrillo from Cal Poly Humboldt, where she has served as provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2020.

During her tenure, she co-led the selfstudy that helped Humboldt become the California State University system’s third polytechnic university and played a key role in securing a $458 million state investment to expand workforce-aligned academic programs, improve student success and boost enrollment.

Under her leadership, the university also earned the Seal of Excelencia, which

recognizes institutions committed to advancing Latino student achievement.

In a press release, search committee chair Cuevas said the committee was “very excited” to recommend Capps, citing her leadership on innovative academic initiatives, experience building partnerships with tribal nations, and work advancing sustainability and workforce development programs.

Before joining Cal Poly Humboldt, Capps served as dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she expanded public and private partnerships in fields including health care, technology and hospitality. Colleagues have described her leadership style as student-centered and strengthsbased, with an emphasis on communication and transparency.

Capps holds advanced degrees in counseling psychology, is a licensed professional counselor and has professional experience in juvenile rehabilitation and crisis response. n •••

Seascape Golf Club

610 Clubhouse Dr., Aptos

$35 Members | $40 Non-Members

For more information or to register for the luncheon, contact the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at 831-688-1467 or visit www. aptoschamber.com.

Why Purpose Still Matters in Public Education

By Dr. Heather Contreras, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Public education in California is facing a defining moment. Across the state, school districts are confronting a difficult mix of rising costs, declining or shifting enrollment, and long-standing structural challenges.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District is no exception.

These realities require difficult conversations and responsible decisions, often under intense public scrutiny. Yet in moments like this, it is essential to step back and reflect on our purpose: What is the purpose of public education, and how do we protect it when resources are limited? At Pajaro Valley Unified School District, public education is about student learning and growth supported by belonging, opportunity, and hope.

Our schools exist to nurture the whole child, academically, socially, and emotionally, while preparing students for college, careers, and meaningful lives. We believe every

student deserves to be seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

By keeping students at the center of every decision and working hand in hand with families and community, PVUSD fulfills its mission to educate, inspire, and empower every learner to thrive. That is our purpose.

For generations, public schools have been far more than places where students gain academic knowledge. They are places where students develop civic engagement skills, learn how to communicate, collaborate, resolve differences, and engage thoughtfully with others.

As one of the few institutions that bring young people together from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, schools prepare students to think critically, participate responsibly, and understand their role in

a shared community. This civic purpose, preparing students not only for careers, but for informed participation in a democracy, has always been central to the mission and outcomes of public education.

In recent decades, education has often focused on competition and narrow measures of success. While outcomes matter, this approach can obscure the broader purpose of schools: to serve as a public good. Strong schools strengthen communities, provide stability, opportunity, and trust for all.

Budget constraints do not change that purpose. In fact, they sharpen it.

Responsible stewardship means valuing education with clarity and care, especially in moments of limited resources. Acting thoughtfully today helps prevent deeper,

more disruptive challenges tomorrow and honors the confidence our students, families, and community place in us.

When resources are abundant, it can be easy to expand programs or structures without fully examining alignment or longterm sustainability; when resources are limited, every decision carries weight, and every dollar must serve students as directly and effectively as possible.

Equally important is how we act, through open communication, sincerity, and genuine engagement, even difficult conversations can strengthen and grow that confidence, while avoiding them only weakens it. This moment demands clarity about what we value most, and the discipline to protect it.

In the coming years, I am committed to guiding our district with clarity, care, and purpose.

“Purpose” page 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supervisor Martinez Chosen as 2026 Board Chair

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has selected District 5 Supervisor Monica Martinez as chair for 2026, making her the first openly LGBTQ+ and Latina person to hold the position.

Martinez was chosen by her colleagues after a first year focused on protecting essential services, supporting vulnerable populations, strengthening wildfire preparedness, and deepening community engagement.

“Serving as chair is an honor, and I’m grateful for the trust of my colleagues,” Martinez said. “My focus will be on preparedness, equity, and making sure the county delivers real, measurable results for residents as we face growing budget pressures and climate impacts.”

Since taking office in January 2025, Martinez has led efforts to protect health care and food assistance programs, convening nonprofit and service-provider partners to address anticipated

federal budget cuts and maintain services during federal funding disruptions. She also pushed a board resolution to protect women and LGBTQ+ individuals, and secured funding for LGBTQ+ services and legal aid for undocumented immigrants.

To strengthen wildfire preparedness and recovery, Martinez hosted district town halls on evacuations and emergency communications, expanded fuel-reduction efforts, and improved planning and permitting support for CZU Fire rebuilds. She also invested in parks and community spaces, including improvements at Ben Lomond County Park and other District 5 projects.

As chair, Martinez will preside over board meetings, help set the agenda, and represent Santa Cruz County in regional and state discussions while continuing to serve District 5 residents. The board also named Supervisor Manu Koenig as vice chair. n

Winter Water Table Testing Period Opens for County Wastewater Systems

The Winter Water Table Testing

Period for Santa Cruz County onsite wastewater treatment systems is now open and will run from Tuesday, Jan. 6, through Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, county officials said.

The testing period applies to properties served by onsite wastewater treatment systems, particularly those where development of previously undeveloped land, major remodeling or repairs are being considered and where high groundwater

levels may be a concern. Officials said the testing window could be extended if rainfall continues.

“Determining groundwater levels is a critical constraining factor when designing an OWTS that meets current code standards,” said Heather Reynolds, the county’s Environmental Health program manager. She encouraged property owners to participate during the winter testing period to help ensure safety and compliance.

Property owners are strongly

encouraged to arrange for multiple groundwater observations during the testing period. For the current winter testing window, site evaluation applications must be received by Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Required piezometer readings must be taken at the beginning, middle and end of the testing period by a qualified professional.

The professional is responsible for submitting a site evaluation application with a monitoring plan that must be

approved by Environmental Health Land Use staff.

An updated list of qualified professionals is available on the Environmental Health website. Parcels with active winter water table testing applications are encouraged to contact their Environmental Health Land Use district inspector to schedule required readings.

•••

Additional information is available by contacting the Environmental Health Land Use office by email. n

Meals on Wheels of Santa Cruz County Marks 50 Years With Food From the Heart Gala

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the 13th annual Food From the Heart Luncheon, a Valentine-themed fundraiser aimed at sustaining the program’s decadeslong mission of providing meals, safety checks, and human connection to local seniors.

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz. Tickets are on sale now, and guests will enjoy a catered lunch, silent and live auctions, a raffle, and the annual Sweetheart Award ceremony. A Fund-A-Need pledge drive will allow attendees to support local seniors directly.

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, a program of Community Bridges, has delivered nearly 10 million meals since its founding in 1976 as the Golden Age Nutrition Program. The organization

serves thousands of older adults each year, providing daily nutrition and social connection through a team of 14 staff members and more than 75 volunteers.

“Meals on Wheels is not just about food — it is about consistency, safety, and knowing someone will be there,” said Ray Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges.

“Every delivery represents a commitment to care and connection. After 50 years, that promise matters more than ever.”

The program reaches seniors across the county, from congregate dining sites to home deliveries on rural and coastal routes. Surveys indicate more than half of participants rely on Meals on Wheels as their main source of nutrition, while nearly nine in ten say it helps reduce social isolation. Recipients describe the program as essential to their health and well-being.

Santa Cruz County is the fastestaging county in California, and demand for senior nutrition programs is rising. By 2030, nearly 30% of residents will be 60 or older. At the same time, federal and local funding for programs like Meals on Wheels has remained largely flat or decreased, forcing the organization to implement a waitlist for the first time in its 50-year history.

“Food From the Heart” page 27

A Hard Lesson On Electric Motorcycle Laws

SOQUEL — The California Highway Patrol is reminding riders and parents of the legal requirements for operating electric motorcycles on public roads after two minors were stopped earlier this month for multiple vehicle code violations near Cabrillo College.

A motor officer patrolling Soquel Drive observed two electric motorcycles and initiated a traffic stop. Police said both riders were minors, unlicensed, and operating motorcycles that were not registered and had no proof of insurance. The children were released to their parents, and both motorcycles were towed.

Officials said many electric motorcycles are designed for off-highway use and must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles as off-highway vehicles. To be operated legally on public roadways, riders must have a valid driver license with a Class M1 endorsement, a DOT-approved helmet, proper DMV registration and license plate, required safety equipment, and liability insurance.

Police also cautioned parents and guardians that allowing an unlicensed minor to operate a motor vehicle on a highway may result in a citation under California Vehicle Code 14607.

Authorities urged riders to follow the law to help keep roadways safe. n

“Purpose” from page 19

My focus will be on stabilizing our long-term finances, strengthening teaching and learning, especially literacy, expanding meaningful career pathways and real-world learning opportunities for students, and rebuilding systems so our schools are well-supported, responsive, and student-centered.

Just as important, I am committed to leading with sincerity, listening closely, and working in partnership with staff, families, and our community as we navigate change together.

For Pajaro Valley Unified, this means realignment and reorganization guided by student needs, fiscal responsibility, community vision and current realities. Declining enrollment requires us to take a thoughtful look at how our schools are structured and how resources are distributed.

That includes reviewing staffing, programs, and, where necessary, school facilities, including the possibility of school closures. These conversations are never easy, and they must be approached with care, clarity, and meaningful community input. Decisions of this magnitude cannot be made in isolation; they must reflect both budget realities and the voices of families, staff, and the broader community.

These are not abstract exercises. They translate into real, human decisions that affect employees, students, and neighborhoods. That reality deserves sincerity,

empathy, and respect. Realignment is not about retreating from our mission; it is about ensuring that our systems are organized in ways that best support students today and in the future.

This moment comes at a time when our democracy faces significant challenges. Polarization, misinformation, rise of incivility, and rapid technological change are reshaping how young people engage with the world. Schools remain one of the most vital spaces for teaching students to think critically, participate thoughtfully, listen to diverse perspectives, model respect, and act with empathy. Fostering these skills is essential to preparing the next generation of active, informed citizens.

Public schools have evolved alongside our democracy, adapting to new social and economic realities while holding fast to core values. Today is another such moment. While financial pressures are real, they do not define who we are. Across Pajaro Valley Unified School District, students continue to learn, educators continue to innovate, and schools remain places of growth, possibility, and imagination.

Doing more with less is not a slogan. It is a responsibility that requires courage, discipline, and partnership. By staying anchored in purpose, by keeping students at the center of every decision, we can navigate this moment with integrity and position our schools for a stronger, more sustainable future.

Our students deserve nothing less. n

CALIFORNIA NEWS

New Law Allows Residents to Delete Data Brokering

By Colin Lecher and Miles Hilton

The California Privacy Protection Agency kicked off 2026 by launching a tool that state residents can use to make data brokers delete and stop selling their personal information.

The system, known as the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform, or DROP, has been in the works for years, mandated by a 2023 law known as the Delete Act. Under it and previous laws, data brokers must register with the state and enable consumers to tell brokers to stop tracking them and selling their information.

Until now, those instructions had to be delivered to each data broker individually — not an easy feat, given that more than 500 brokers were registered in the state as of the end of last year. Making things even more difficult, some brokers obscured their opt-out forms from search results.

The new system delivers privacy instructions to every registered broker at once. Launched on Jan. 1, it is open to all California residents. By law, the hundreds of data brokers registered with the state must begin processing those requests in August.

Here’s how to take advantage of it:

Finding Your Advertising IDs

DROP asks you to provide some basic information — your name, email address,

phone number, and zip code — so data brokers can find you in their systems.

You can submit the form with just this information, but if you’d like a more thorough deletion, you can also provide your mobile advertising IDs from your phones, smart TVs, and vehicles.

Including these IDs can help brokers match more of your data, but you have to take the time to collect them.

Verify Your Identity

Go to the DROP website. You’ll be asked to accept the terms of use and be directed to a page that asks you to prove you’re a California resident. There are two ways to do so, and you can’t change methods once you’ve selected one of them.

ONE: The system allows you to verify your identity using personal information through a system called the California Identity Gateway . If you select this option, you’ll be asked to provide some basic personal information, like a phone number, email address, California address, or your social

security number. The gateway will use this information to attempt to verify your residency directly with the state.

This option should be quick if you have an email address and phone number.

TWO: Alternatively, you can verify your identity to DROP using login.gov , a system that some federal and state agencies in the United States have adopted to allow residents to interact with government services.

To sign up for a login.gov account, you’ll be asked to provide an email address, create a password, and provide photos of government-issued identification.

After signing up and verifying your identity, you should be able to move on to the next step.

This option might take a little more effort than the first option, since ID is required, but might be faster if you’ve already signed up for an account for other purposes.

Fill Out and Submit the DROP Form

After verifying your identity, you’ll

get to a form where you can submit multiple versions of your name, up to three zip codes, up to three email addresses, up to three phone numbers, advertising IDs from your mobile devices and smart TVs, and VINs for your vehicles.

You’ll be asked to verify your email addresses and phone numbers with single-use codes before submitting. (The agency notes there may be delays with some verification codes due to high volume.)

Once you submit the form, you’ll get a unique DROP ID to check the status of your request.

What Happens Now?

Sit back and wait. While the window for making DROP requests has opened, data brokers registered with the state aren’t required to handle them just yet.

On August 1, brokers will begin processing the requests.

Starting then, companies have 45 days to process requests and 90 days to report back on how they handled requests. If they fail to do so, the companies can face financial penalties.

In the meantime, you can monitor the status of your request with your DROP ID.

At some point later in the year, when you log in the system should tell you whether your data was successfully deleted, whether records on you weren’t found, or whether companies believed the data was exempt from deletion under the law, which provides some limited ways for brokers to hold on to data.

If you find more information while you’re waiting for your request to be processed, like a new mobile advertising ID, you can update your request with that information, increasing the odds you’ll successfully get your data deleted.

•••

DROP Website: https://consumer.drop. privacy.ca.gov

© Calmatters.org

New Law Requires Rentals to Have a Refrigerator

By Nadia Lathan

It might be hard to fathom for residents of Santa Cruz County residents, but a law was apparently needed to require apartment rentals in California to have refrigerators. Since Jan. 1, landlords have been required to provide all apartments with a working stove and refrigerator thanks to the new state law. It marks the end of an unusual, decades-

long phenomenon where some tenants have had to buy their own appliances after signing a lease.

The law, Assembly Bill 628, is one of the numerous housing reform measures passed by the Legislature in 2025, and is one of the more unusual ones.

“A working stove and a refrigerator are not luxuries,” Assemblymember Tina

McKinnor, a Democrat from Inglewood, said in a statement earlier this year after she introduced the bill. “They are a necessary part of modern life.”

California has the fewest available apartments with refrigerators in the country, according to a 2022 report from the Los Angeles Times that was cited in the bill proposal.

There is not a clear reason why, and the mysterious trend is largely region-locked to Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Most tenants don’t have to buy their own bulky appliances. But California law previously required only plumbing, heat and certain other utilities be available.

“Rental Refrigerators” page 25

‘Yermo Aranda Retrospective’ Now on Exhibition

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Art League will present a retrospective celebrating more than five decades of work by artist Yermo Aranda, on view from Jan. 14 through Feb. 20.

Titled “Yermo Aranda Retrospective,” the exhibition surveys 55 years of artistic production by one of the central figures in California’s mural movement. While Aranda is widely known for large-scale public murals, the show also highlights drawings, color studies and studio works that trace the development of his artistic vision and philosophy.

The retrospective brings together mural studies and sketches, paintings and drawings

created between mural projects, and a monumental mural on canvas measuring approximately 6 feet high and 20 feet wide.

“Yermo Aranda” page 25

Santa Cruz County Women ’s Commission Seeks Nominees for 2026 Trailblazer Awards

The Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission is accepting nominations for its 2026 Trailblazer Awards, which honor women who have made extraordinary differences in the lives of women or girls in Santa Cruz County.

The awards recognize women whose professional or personal efforts have had a significant impact on improving the lives of women or girls, while also inspiring and encouraging others. Trailblazer honorees may work in a range of areas, including criminal and economic justice, education, prevention of violence against women and girls, women’s health care, political participation, and organizations that support the interests of women or girls.

Recipients of the 2026 Trailblazer Awards will be recognized on International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8, during a special recognition gathering held via Zoom.

“Wildfire Mitigation” from page 16

The selected consultant would help refine treatment areas, generally extending up to 150 feet from roadways where feasible, and prepare documentation required under state and federal environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Vegetation Treatment Program.

County officials say the work is intended to streamline future wildfire mitigation efforts by creating a scalable template that could be applied in other high-risk areas.

“The goal is to keep momentum going

Nominations can be submitted by completing an online form, downloading a nomination form from the Women’s Commission website, or submitting the form by email or mail. Individuals may nominate more than one person.

The deadline to submit nominations has been extended to Monday, Jan. 19.

and make sure these projects are ready to move as soon as funding becomes available,” the staff report states.

The county estimates the consulting contract would be capped at $300,000 and fully funded by the FEMA grant, with the required local match covered through staff time. Officials say releasing the request for proposals would have no immediate financial impact.

The county plans to advertise the request for proposals immediately, with submissions due in early February. A consultant could be selected by late March or early April, allowing work to begin well ahead of the grant’s March 2027 deadline. n

COUPLES ACROSS

LOCAL SPORTS

Watsonville City Council Honors Watsonville High School Girls’ Golf Team

The Watsonville City Council honored the Watsonville High School varsity girls’ golf team for its undefeated season Tuesday night, recognizing the players with a proclamation during the evening council meeting.

Mayor Kristal Salcido, joined by Council Member Jimmy Dutra, presented the proclamation celebrating not only the team’s on-course success but also the leadership, dedication and community involvement demonstrated by the studentathletes throughout the season.

The 2025 girls’ golf team included Jessie Arellano, Ava Jaurigi, Daniela Rodriguez, Abigail Sanchez, Olivia Sanchez, Cristina Nolasco, Sophia Roa, Chelsey Bravo and Karime Navarro-Rebolledo.

Head coach Nicole Kerr-Poole was also recognized for leading a program that emphasizes personal growth alongside athletic competition. Golf is one of the few high school sports that regularly takes students off campus, allowing players to interact with community members and local businesses. Kerr-Poole said those experiences helped student-athletes develop confidence, communication skills and professionalism.

The team also focused on community service and expanding students’ exposure to new experiences. Team members volunteered with Friends of Laguna Seca throughout much of the race season, gaining hands-on experience with largescale community events. Players and their families participated in fundraising efforts to support future seasons of the program.

To deepen their understanding of the sport, the team visited local golf venues and businesses. Several players later returned independently to continue practicing and improving their skills.

his ongoing support of the players during the season.

for golf-related grants and scholarships to help pursue higher education.

The team and coaching staff extended special thanks to golf professional Eddie Duino for providing group lessons and for

COMMUNITY NEWS

In addition to athletic development, the program supports long-term educational goals. As team members reach their senior year, they become eligible to apply

City officials said the proclamation highlighted excellence, teamwork and the strong partnership between Watsonville schools and the broader community. n

Rydell Visual Arts Exhibition Returns to MAH

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, in partnership with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, announced the return of the Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship exhibition, running from Jan. 23 through April 5, 2026.

The biennial exhibition honors the legacy of Roy and Frances Rydell and features the 2024–2025 fellowship recipients María Isabel LeBlanc, Louise Leong, Shirin Towfiq and Christian Rex van Minnen.

“The Rydell biennial exhibition is one that the museum and the community most look forward to and showcases some of the

best contemporary art today, and it’s created right here in Santa Cruz,” said Ginger Shulick Porcella, the MAH’s executive director. She said many of the artists are known within the larger art world but rarely have the opportunity to show work in their own community.

Roy and Frances Rydell established the Roy and Frances Rydell Visual Arts Fund at the Community Foundation in 1985 to promote Santa Cruz County artists and arts organizations. After their deaths, their estate was bequeathed to the foundation. The gift has generated more than $1.7 million in fellowships for artists and support for Santa Cruz County visual arts organizations.

The Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship program was developed with input from the local arts community and is now in its 18th year. The program has issued $20,000 awards to 38 artists. A complete list of current and past award recipients is available at cfscc. org/rydell. According to the foundation, the gifts allow artists uninterrupted creative time to focus on their work and its impact on the local community and the larger world.

“The combination of the funding and the exhibition helps advance the professionalism of local artists, giving them a platform to

show their work in their hometown’s art hub,” said Community Foundation CEO Susan True. “The Community Foundation is honored to be trusted by the Rydells to carry out their vision.”

Christian Rex van Minnen, born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1980, lives and works in Santa Cruz. He received a bachelor’s degree from Regis University in Denver in 2002. His oil paintings have been exhibited worldwide and are held in public and private collections.

“Rydell Visual Arts” page 27

How to Comment on Coastal Drilling Plans

The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comment on proposed updates to how oil and gas leasing and development are managed on public lands across a large portion of California’s Central Coast and inland regions.

The proposed changes would apply to public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, as well as portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties. The BLM said the updates are intended to guide future decisions related to oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands and federal mineral estates in those areas.

The effort is being carried out in alignment with Secretary’s Order 3418,

“Yermo Aranda” from page 23

The works reflect Aranda’s enduring commitment to honoring community, ancestry and the living spirit of culture, drawing from his Mexican and Indigenous roots and a deep reverence for the natural world.

Themes explored throughout the exhibition include Created from Plants, Sacredness of Animals, Relationship with Fire and Respect Our Elders.

“Rental Refrigerators” from page 22

Apartments without the staple appliances will now be illegal unless they are part of housing with communal kitchens, singleroom occupancy units or hotels.

Tenant rights groups say the law will help reduce housing costs for low-income residents who have to pay for a refrigerator — which can easily run in the hundreds of dollars — in addition to the first month’s rent and a deposit before moving in.

“To have an added cost of trying to buy a refrigerator and a stove is really economically unfeasible for many tenants,” said Larry Gross, executive director of the Los Angeles housing advocacy group Coalition for Economic Survival.

Realtor groups have said it will spur burdensome litigation for mom-and-pop landlords.

The requirement “will lead to heavier burdens on the courts and a dramatic reduction in the state’s availability of rental housing supply,” Bernice Creager, a lobbyist for the California Association of Realtors, said at a Senate judiciary committee hearing last year.

which supports President Trump’s call to “Unleash American Energy.”

As part of the public review process, the BLM will host a virtual public

Through these concepts, Aranda reflects on the interconnectedness of humanity, nature and spirit, emphasizing cultural memory and the transmission of values across generations.

A First Friday reception is scheduled for Feb. 6 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and an artist talk will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The Santa Cruz Art League occupies the traditional and unceded lands of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. n

Enforcement will be up to local governments. In Los Angeles, residents will be able to file a complaint with the city’s housing department if a landlord refuses to provide cooking and refrigerated storage appliances. Tenants can still bring their own refrigerator and stove if they please, but they will be on the hook for maintenance if they do. n © calmatters.org

meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Pacific time on Jan. 29.

The meeting will be held via Zoom and will focus on the draft management plan. Members of the public are required to register in advance to participate. Details about the proposal, along with meeting registration information, are available through the BLM National NEPA Register at www.eplanning.blm. gov. The project’s NEPA number is DOI-BLM-CA-C090-2025-0017-EIS.

Public comments may also be submitted online through the register’s “Participate Now” option. The public comment period will remain open until March 6.

“Coastal Drilling” page 26

Winter Olympics

57. *____ Shiffrin, most decorated U.S. alpine skier 61. *Overall Olympic curling medal leader

Bikini ____ in the Marshall Islands

Zodiac sign

Pasture

Boundary lines 70. Government Printing Office

Rocky ridge

Communities, Cooperatives & the Essential Fire of Change — the New Era Unfolding

Esoteric Astrology

Sun enters Aquarius Monday, January 19th, the day after the Capricorn new moon, Sunday, January 18th. Aquarius (and the Aquarian Age, unfolding now) is the sign of humanity working together, building a new society, new communities, new cooperatives.

Cooperatives are democratically governed, operate on an at-cost-notfor-profit basis, focus on economic and social well-being of people and nations worldwide, encourage and foster cooperative development, which generates local wealth, employment and marketplace interactions. It’s a plan of action whose time has arrived.

The thought of continuing under the “empire’s” big corporation (BC) agendas is no longer acceptable, feasible, understandable or sustainable. BCs are part of the past, lifeless world of greed. Cooperatives fulfill the need of the 99%, seek what is local and sustainable, are consumer-owned, member-controlled — benefits that create communality and community. Cooperatives differ completely from profit-driven enterprises. There are Seven Principles (values) that guide cooperatives worldwide — www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html

By Risa D’Angeles

a person, a culture, a nation. The changes occurring, especially in the present transition from one age to the next (Pisces to Aquarius), are to be recognized as essential fire in action. Then we will understand what we are seeing — the fast changes carried out by fire.

Fire brings purity, cleansing, a change of elements. This is the spiritual world’s understanding. Our usual everyday understanding of events is mundane. But there is a super-mundane understanding to be gained. This helps us comprehend events from the spiritual inner cosmic stand point. Otherwise our comprehension remains localized and narrow.

As the new era is unfolding, as our Sun shifts into the new Age (Aquarius), Libra steps in between. Libra brings the fire of Aries to purify the past. We see the purification taking place, suddenly and unexpectedly, in the areas of sex, money and the Law. Let us grow to love the unexpected as a source of joy. Fire is kindled thru Joy. Agni Yoga, yoga of Fire. The Esoteric Teachings tell us, “The one who brings forth the Rule of Law is the Leader, the King. Everything is under the Rule of Law.” n

California’s Tax Grab on Trump’s No-Tax Tips President Trump’s federal “no tax on tips” policy delivers vital relief to hardworking service workers, shielding their tipped earnings from income taxes.

Shockingly, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Democrats have sabotaged this by blocking a bill to exempt tips from state taxes — slapping up to 13.3% on gratuities and gutting federal benefits for low-wage heroes like servers and bartenders in our skyrocketing economy.

Sweeping changes are occurring in our country and world, especially economically. It is the work of an inner fire. In conflicts, disputes and wars we encounter fire. It is good to recognize the essence of an event, a time,

ARIES

Working hard, perhaps to exhaustion, with your thinking power and energy focused in the world and work. Are you finding yourself easily upset, angry and impatient? Is there criticism around you, or intrusions? You have and continue to achieve success and enthusiasm. You ask that others exhibit the same. They cannot. They don’t have your astrology chart. Be generous, instead of having expectations. Be in the present, then exhaustion falls away.

TAURUS

You love pleasure and pursue it quietly. You seek satisfaction each day through creative endeavors. Deep down you’re competitive. At times you’re unexpectedly playful. Family, friends, animals and children in your life may exhibit playfulness, too. You like that. You’re affectionate yet secretive. You forgive. You’re admired. You’re a taskmaster toward yourself and others. Enter the field of art. Draw, paint, sing, dance, act each day. It’s your saving grace.

GEMINI

You’re protective of friends, home and family. You hide away behind humor. You have anger but no one can find it. You don’t even know why. It’s hidden in a Scorpio sort of family situation. Careful because resentments fly out of you, fiery sparks, sometimes. Someday you’ll seek a more direct approach to your inner hidden world. Pursuing sports is one way of deflecting away from what hurts. You lead the way at home. You seek the Temple of Venus.

CANCER

More and more you speak your mind, expressing ideas and opinions. Knowing a lot of this and that, you become upset when your morals and values differ from others’. Sometimes you’re afraid, sometimes you’re informative and sometimes disruptive. Consider the differences and outcomes of each. Everyone has important information. Even silence is a contribution. Everyone is polishing the facet of themselves, creating the great diamond of humanity. What is your diamond facet?

For daily updates, read my FB page, Risa D’Angeles, or https://nightlightnews.org/daily-postings

LEO

You’re working hard, which is actually usual for you, working in the heart of the matter. In the months to come notice you may slow down, becoming more and more precise and deliberate. producing only what you value. At times, you’re ambitious.

Then you become impatient, with a fiery impulsiveness. You can also be possessive. Independence is vital; a value you defend with secrecy. What resources of your creative self are ready and available for humanity? You are called to world service.

VIRGO

For a time you’ll be more forceful than usual. A dynamic energy will pour into and through your heart, mind, body. It provides you with a considering of new realities, new plans and endeavors. It offers a new identity that looks independent and direct. You will be called to spontaneity, action and follow-through. This will accelerate through the new year. Notice when the retrogrades occur in 2026. Everything turns inward. You return home again. Tending to daily life with detail, organization and care.

LIBRA

For a time, you have felt stifled by your choices and wonder what they were and why you feel caught. A feeling of defeat, perhaps despair was felt. No one was encouraging or loving you enough. You need(ed) to build up self-confidence and beauty. Then you made a decision to return somewhere. You will see how this is. Your balance is re-establishing itself. You’re strong and sensitive. One more something to do, though. Forgiving someone. They wait for this moment to occur to free them. You understand not being free.

SCORPIO

Make a spiritual decision, based on comradeship, to work directly with people in a state of cooperation. Be the one who creates the sense of sharing with others. It is good for Scorpio to step out of hiding. Doing this you will achieve your goals more readily. Enlarge the circle of people you can trust. Do this by supporting them first in their endeavors. Cooperation is your new work and keyword. It will establish for you more permanent relations with others and call forth all hidden abilities and gifts. Sharing is the new materialism.

SAGITTARIUS

You feel these days you were born to be successful and to succeed. That you’re to be respected for your gifts. Other people’s opinions are of concern so you always attempt to harmonize all interactions. You keep your eyes on the horizon while realizing no one is an island and that compassion is your keyword. You become more and more loving in the coming year, pointing out everyone’s value and usefulness. This makes for real and true leadership. Be practical with money. What is choice without limits?

CAPRICORN

You curb yourself when criticism floods your thinking. You never want to disregard others’ opinions. However, you know there is great truth beyond opinions and you seek that truth everywhere — in everything and everyone. It’s quite hidden, yes? You have trained yourself to be honest, smoothing harsh edges of communication. You’re direct when you speak and your humor finds the absurd in all events. Laughter is a companion. We laugh with you. Then new leadership responsibilities make a call. You respond with equanimity.

AQUARIUS

So clearly do you see through pretenses that sometimes you can be frank, honest and candid in an attempt to banish untruths and illusioned glamours. This is both a gift and a difficulty for others. Many admire you. Some don’t understand you. You want to share. However, something hurt you long ago that makes you wary. Your desire nature is strong. It makes things happen like magic. Whatever you focus on, materializes. You provide nourishment to the world so hungry and thirsty. You are the waters of life.

PISCES

Be conscious and aware of interactions, especially with intimates and close family and friends. You could feel, and be perceived as impatient and harsh at times. Should this occur you would feel devastated as your behavior is never like this. Sometimes the Neptune of Pisces comes forth — soft, gentle, in other worlds. At other times, Pluto comes forth, which is the hidden leadership Pisces holds. You consider everyone’s needs, hopes, wishes and dreams and ask what can you offer them? Your gifts have been cultivated over lifetimes — the subtle art of loving relationships.

In an era of crushing inflation and lingering pandemic pain, this greedy grab prioritizes bloated state coffers over struggling families, widening inequality. Why rob Californians of relief that other states are rushing to provide?

This betrayal isn’t just unfair — it’s a direct assault on the workers Democrats pretend to champion.

Demand better now!

—

Mike Lelieur, Santa Cruz

“Coastal Drilling” from page 25

The BLM Central Coast Field Office oversees approximately 284,000 acres of public land and administers an additional 509,000 acres of federal mineral estate in central California. According to the agency, federal oil and natural gas production in California accounts for an average of about 8% to 10% of the state’s total oil and gas output.

BLM officials said public input will help inform final decisions on how oil and gas resources are managed while balancing development with environmental stewardship and multiple land uses.

The Bureau of Land Management oversees more than 245 million acres of public land, primarily across 12 western states and Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The agency also manages approximately 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate nationwide. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM officials said public input will help inform final decisions on how oil and gas resources are managed while balancing development with environmental stewardship and multiple land uses.

Grateful Sundays Remembers Bobby Weir

Photos submitted by Glenn Sadowsky

“Rydell Visual Arts” from page 24

Louise Leong is a cultural worker, printmaker and illustrator from the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2018 she co-founded Little Giant Collective, a printmaking studio and community hub in downtown Santa Cruz. Her work has been exhibited locally, nationally and internationally, and she serves as head of exhibitions at the UC Santa Cruz Institute of Arts and Sciences.

María Isabel LeBlanc was born in New Orleans and is a first-generation American. Her work focuses on California’s Central Coast and examines the land as a marker of time and history. Her current project documents agricultural regions south of Santa Cruz. She holds degrees from the University of Georgia and has exhibited her work nationally.

Shirin Towfiq is an interdisciplinary artist whose work emphasizes installation, sculptural photography, textiles and printmaking. Drawing from her experience as a second-generation Iranian refugee, her work explores belonging, placemaking and cultural memory through a diasporic lens.

Community Foundation

“Food From the Heart” from page 20

“We have never had to tell seniors to wait,” said Dana Wagner, senior program manager. “Rising costs and reduced funding have brought us to a point where demand is outpacing our ability to respond. That is why this moment — and

Music fans packed The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz on Sunday, Jan 11 for “Grateful Sundays,” a live-music event featuring

and

death of

Weir died on Jan. 10 at age 78 after beating cancer, then ultimately succumbing to underlying lung issues.

Santa Cruz County was established in 1982 and manages more than $200 million in charitable assets. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded more than $235 million in local grants and scholarships. n

this community’s support — matters so deeply.”

Food From the Heart aims to close that gap. Funds raised at the luncheon will help Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County continue providing meals, safety checks, and social connection, ensuring that seniors can remain healthy, independent, and connected. 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

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. First class free. 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. 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.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com

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.

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

Second Sundays

SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST

8:30-11 a.m., Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz

The Market Street Senior Center warmly invites the community for a delightful Sunday morning breakfast every second Sunday, this month on June 8.

WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS

WEDNESDAYS

Indulge in a delicious array of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, coffee, tea or cocoa.

Donation: Adults, $12; children, $6 Inside seating is available, and To-Go orders are welcomed. For information, visit www.marketstreetseniorcenter.org or call (831) 423-6640.

DATED EVENTS

Friday January 16

MOE’S ALLEY PRESENTS: THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONAL WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DIGGIN’ TRAILS

Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

San Francisco’s The Sam Chase & The Untraditional blend rock ’n’ roll and folk with a punk rock edge, led by the storytelling voice of Sam Chase.

Enjoy boot-stomping music and unforgettable lyrics.

Special guests Diggin’ Trails open the show.

Ages 21+. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Visit https://moesalley.com for more information.

REDWOOD EXPRESS

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave, Ste A, Soquel

Redwood Express, an Americana roots rock band featuring members of The China Cats, Rosebud, and Grandpa’s Chili, performs live at Discretion Brewing. Enjoy an evening of soulful guitar, vocals, and lively rhythms. More information about the band and event is available at https:// www.discretionbrewing.com/events.

Saturday January 17

ESPRESSIVO CONCERT

4 p.m., Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz’s “small, intense orchestra,” Espressivo, performs under guest conductor Alan Truong. The program features music by George Enescu, Jean Françaix, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Tickets available at the door or at www.espressorch.org.

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 / January 15th 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Saturday January 17

Sunday January 18

ESPRESSIVO CHURCH CONCERTS

4 p.m., Sat: Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St, Santa Cruz | Sun: First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St, Monterey

Espressivo — Santa Cruz’s “small, intense orchestra” — will perform on both sides of the Monterey Bay, first a Saturday show at the Peace United Church of Christ in Santa Cruz and on Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Monterey.

Guest conductor and Salinas native Alan Truong will lead the ensemble in an exciting program of music by George Enescu, Jean Francaix, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Tickets are available at the doors or from www.espressorch.org.

Monday January 19

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE: BOOK PACKING VOLUNTEER EVENT

10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Starlight Elementary, 225 Hammer Dr, Watsonville

Help sort and pack more than 2,500 books for Live Like Coco’s book programs during this hands-on community service event.

Families are welcome, and volunteers can earn service hours. Stay for a volunteer appreciation lunch in the Culinary Garden.

More information is available through Live Like Coco’s event listings on Facebook.

Thursday January 22

JANUARY LUNCHEON WITH NICOLE COBURN

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr., Aptos

Join newly appointed Santa Cruz County C.E.O. Nicole Coburn for a community luncheon to hear county updates and network with local business leaders and community members. Tickets are $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers. RSVP at 831-600-1467.

More information: aptoschamber.com.

OUR COMMUNITY READS: BOOK DISCUSSION 11 a.m.–1 p.m., The Loft Coffee Shop, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos

Kick off the 2026 Our Community Reads season by joining fellow readers for an in-depth discussion of this year’s selected book and its major themes.

The conversation will be facilitated by Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz. Sandwiches are provided.

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

Friday January 23

THE JOINT CHIEFS

8 p.m., Crow’s Nest, 2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz

The Joint Chiefs bring a high-energy mix of funk, jazz, and classic R&B to the Crow’s Nest dance floor.

Known for taking familiar grooves and pushing them into exciting new territory, the band delivers a lively night of rhythm-driven music.

A $7 cover charge applies.

More information is available at thejointchiefsband.com.

Friday January 23

Saturday January 24

(((FOLKYEAH!))) PRESENTS: AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT

Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz-based AJ Lee & Blue Summit bring awardwinning energy, technical mastery, and charm to the national roots music scene.

The band combines youthful festival energy with seasoned musical confidence. This ticket covers both nights of performances.

Ages 21+. Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 day of show. Visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/ for more information.

Sunday January 25

SANTA CRUZ ART LEAGUE 2026 COMMUNITY MEETING

1–3 p.m., Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Art League invites the community to its annual meeting to share feedback, sugges-tions and questions about the organization’s work.

Those unable to attend may email comments to admin@ scal.org by Jan. 23.

A meeting synopsis and action plan will be posted at scal.org and featured in the league’s digital newsletter.

Tuesday January 27

FILM: UNDERWATER DREAMS

6:30 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, Ow Community Room, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola

Watch this inspiring documentary about four teenage boys, all sons of undocumented immigrants, who build an underwater robot from spare parts and defeat engineering powerhouse MIT.

The film runs 1 hour, 25 minutes. Popcorn will be served. For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

Friday January 30

THE LITTLE BIG BAND

8 p.m., Crow’s Nest, 2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz

The Little Big Band brings swing-era music to the Crow’s Nest, delivering big band arrangements and classic tunes perfect for dancing or enjoying live jazz.

The evening captures the energy and elegance of the swing era.

A $7 cover charge applies.

More information is available on the band’s Facebook page.

Friday January 30

Saturday January 31

JACKIE GREENE

Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Moe’s Alley presents Jackie Greene for two nights straight.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. This is a 21+ event.

More information and tickets are available at moesalley.com or ticketweb.com.

Saturday January 31

BENEATH THE WAVES:

MEET THE ROBOTICS MAKERS EXPLORING OUR COAST

1–2:30 p.m., Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton Learn how remotely operated vehicles are designed and used to explore the ocean with Knute Brekke of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

The program includes a student-led underwater robotics demonstration and a Q&A session.

Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT – THE MUSIC & LEGACY OF THE EAGLES

Saturday January 31

7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Relive all the timeless Eagles hits, including Hotel California, Heartache Tonight, and Desperado, performed 100% live.

Take it to the Limit captures the harmony, energy, and spirit of an authentic Eagles performance.

Tickets range from $59 to $68.

More info and ticket options are available at https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2026/1/31/takeittothelimit.

SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL:

MUSICAL STORIES OF BRASS AND ORGAN

4 p.m., Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA

Kicking off the 53rd year of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, this fundraiser combines music and storytelling to explore the early Baroque era.

Organist Jörg Reddin joins the Santa Cruz Brass Quintet performing works by Gabrieli, Scheidt, Charpentier, and Bonelli.

Part of the Essentially Baroque season. For details, visit santacruzbaroque.org.

Tuesday February 3

SAY SHE SHE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KATZÙ OSO

Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz NYC punk-chic, discodelic band Say She She delivers powerful three-part harmonies and irresistible grooves that combine music, rebellion, and empowerment.

Fronted by Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham, and Piya Malik, the band inspires movement, thought, and strength. Ages 21+.

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 day of show.

Thursday February 5

FRESH START: EMPOWERING IMMIGRANTS WITH SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN THE U.S.

6:30 p.m., Aptos Branch Library’s Betty Leonard Community Room, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos

Hear a panel discussion on the immigration process, legal services for immigrants and current challenges facing immigrant communities.

Panelists from Community Action Board, Senderos and Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey will share insights and answer audience questions. This is a hybrid event. For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

Friday February 6

BEATS ANTIQUE

Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz Beats Antique, a U.S.-based experimental world fusion and electronic music group, blends diverse genres with live performances featuring heavy percussion, samples, Tribal Fusion dance, and performance art.

All ages are welcome. Fully standing, general admission. Tickets: $45.95.

Saturday February 7

SPARE PARTS ARTS: A VISIT TO A LIGHTING DESIGNER/ ROBOT SCULPTOR’S STUDIO

10 a.m.–noon, Mario’s Lighting, 3025 Porter St., Soquel Explore Mario Guizar’s whimsical lighting and art studio, where robot sculptures and other creations are built from spare lamp and clock parts.

Guizar will share his story and creative process. A robot sculpture coloring page will be available. Rain or shine. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

FALLEN OFFICER FOUNDATION 20TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

5 p.m. – 11 p.m., The Grove at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St.

Join the Fallen Officer Foundation for its 20th Anniversary Ball, honoring local first responders and supporting families of fallen and injured officers.

The elegant evening features a silent and live auction with items generously donated by the community.

Tickets are $150. Your participation—through attendance or donations—directly impacts those who serve Santa Cruz County. More information and tickets available online.

STEVE POLTZ - WINTER TOUR | FULLY SEATED

Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9

Steve Poltz delivers a fun, raucous, and improvisational show with songs that make you smile one moment and tug at your heart the next.

This fully seated general admission performance opens the bar and food at 5 p.m., with ticket holders receiving 10% off food.

Ages 21+. Tickets $37.

More information and tickets are available online.

Sunday February 8

SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL: THEMES AND VARIATIONS

4 p.m., Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz Continuing the Essentially Baroque season, German Baroque organist Jörg Reddin returns for a solo recital

featuring variations, chaconnes, and passacaglias by Sweelinck, Böhm, Couperin, and Bach, including newly authenticated works.

Donor reception follows at 6 p.m..

For more information, visit santacruzbaroque.org.

Tuesday February 10

WRITING WORKSHOP: UNDERDOG STORIES

6:30 p.m., Scotts Valley Branch Library, Fireside Room, 251 Kings Village Road

Explore the underdog story theme from Spare Parts in this interactive writing workshop led by local author Anne Janzer.

Participants will examine key storytelling elements and apply them through guided prompts. Open to all genres. This is a hybrid event.

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

Wednesday February 11

MEET THE AUTHOR: MARY FLODIN

10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Porter Memorial Library, 305 Porter St., Aptos Mary Flodin presents Incident at Cougar Creek, a magical eco-thriller set on Central California’s Cougar Creek Coast Ranch.

Explore a story of nature, murder, and supernatural secrets. Free and open to all. Coffee provided. More information: portermemoriallibrary.org.

Monday February 16

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.

Saturday February 21

Sunday February 22

CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

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/.

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.

Wednesday March 11

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. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

What Kids Need Most When Parents Divorce

By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

Iwas eight when my parents divorced. My brothers and I bounced around from house to house; we called it “kid ping-pong.” Each house had different rules, schedules, and levels of tension.

The only constant was my grandmother. I think of her tiny warm house every time I smell cinnamon toast or hear the hum of a sewing machine. I remember her silly jokes and the calm predictability of her voice.

She was my anchor in a storm I didn’t understand. While my parents were unavailable, she gave me what every child needs: a sense of safety, security, and unconditional love.

Now, decades later, as a child and adolescent therapist, I see that same longing for stability in so many of the children I work with as their parents divorce. But, as devastating and disruptive as divorce is, it’s not the divorce itself that harms children most. It’s the ongoing conflict, tension, and inconsistency that can follow.

Research shows that the #1 predictor of how well kids adjust to divorce is how well their parents get along afterward. When parents cooperate, communicate respectfully, and minimize conflict, kids fare dramatically better emotionally, socially, and even academically.

A large review from the University of Edinburgh found that “high-quality coparenting, marked by mutual support, good communication, and shared decision-making predicts better child adjustment and overall well-being.” Simply put, when parents stay calm, flexible, and respectful with one another, they model resilience and teach their children that love doesn’t end just because marriage does.

Of course, this is much easier said than done. Divorce is painful. It can stir resentment, guilt, fear, and grief. When those emotions spill over into parenting, kids get caught in the crossfire. They may take on the impossible job of peacekeeper, side with one parent to avoid tension, or withdraw altogether to protect themselves.

That’s why therapy after divorce often works best when it’s with the parents, not the child. Parent or co-parenting therapy helps adults manage their own emotions,

learn to communicate without blame, and build a new kind of partnership focused solely on the children’s wellbeing. Research based programs like No Kids in the Middle, are showing promising results in helping parents reduce conflict and keep kids out of loyalty binds.

Even when parents can’t be friends, they can still be allies in parenting. Small gestures, a shared calendar, neutral handoffs, a text about a good report card — send powerful messages to kids that both parents are still in their corner.

And when parents are struggling to communicate, children need other safe, trusted adults who can provide stability

JOSE GONZALEZ LANDSCAPING

and perspective. The CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research identifies having at least one trusted adult as one of the strongest protective factors for youth mental health. That adult might be a grandparent, coach, teacher, neighbor, or therapist — someone outside the immediate family who listens, shows up, and stays steady through the ups and downs.

For me, it was my grandmother. What matters most is that they feel seen, safe, and loved by at least one consistent adult in their life.

Divorce is emotionally, physically, and academically shattering for kids. But

divorce doesn’t have to define a child’s story. When parents commit to working together, despite hurt or history, they teach their children that relationships can change without losing love. Separated parents can model resilience, respect, and the ability to grow. And that, more than anything, can help kids not just survive divorce, but emerge from it strong and emotionally secure. n

Lori Butterworth, PsyD, MEd, MA is the founder of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. She can be reached at lori@ccamh.org or 831-222-0052.

SCCAS Featured Pet FEATURED COLUMNIST

A Sweet-Smelling Siberian Husky

Lavender (A327677), an approximately 1-year-old Siberian Husky mix, was found running along a busy mountain road in Felton along with her similarly fuzzy, but all-white partner, Lewis, who is also available for adoption. After their stray hold was complete and no one came forward to reclaim them, they’d settled down and started showing more friendly behavior, so now they’re available for adoption.

Although they came in together, Lavender and Lewis are not required to be adopted together — taking two large adult dogs who seem to have spent a lot of time together to a new home together would likely be too challenging for all but just the right home. They like to play together sometimes, but both seem to quite enjoy getting individual attention, play and exercise time.

Lavender is sociable and generally quiet and attentive. She appreciates a slow, thoughtful introduction when meeting dogs — no random, quick nose-to-nose encounters, please! After meeting another dog-savvy female husky, she was able to coexist in the exercise yards with her and hang out.

We’d recommend that if you have a resident dog, they should meet at the Shelter prior to adoption to see how well they communicate and whether they seem to like one another. Since she came in as a stray, we don’t have any history of how she does with children or cats.

The SCCAS Foundation will provide “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption a $200 training voucher for newly adopted canines and their guardians to connect with a local positive reinforcement trainer. n

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”)

580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

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

Understanding Average Last Frost Dates

By Tony Tomeo

Frost is not as much of a concern here as it is in other climates. It is very rare in some of the coastal climates of Southern California. The potential for frost damage increases farther inland, farther north, and at higher elevations.

Regardless, it is generally tolerable locally. Even if it is necessary to protect a few marginal plants prior to frost, the “average last frost date” gets little consideration.

The average last frost date designates the end of the frost season for a particular region. Although a specific date, it is an average of dates of the last frost of previous years. It includes minor frost that caused no major damage. Damaging frost, although possible, is unlikely afterward. It becomes more unlikely as the season advances. The process reverses after the average first frost date.

Obviously, average last frost dates are as variable as climates. They are irrelevant for climates without frost. Climates with cooler winters generally have average last frost dates later than those of milder climates.

insulate inner stems is no longer necessary. Pruning and removal of ruined vegetation stimulates new growth while it will be safe from frost. Aggressively pruning and grooming damaged plants that are already regenerating fragile new growth may be complicated.

Most local climates are beyond their respective average last frost dates. Soon, the others will be too.

Snowflake

Some of us here on the West Coast know it incorrectly as ‘snowdrop’. That is actually the common name of the many cultivars of Galanthus that are so very popular in other regions. ‘Snowflake’ is the correct common name for Leucojum aestivum. Of course, most of us accept either name. The real snowdrop is not so popular here anyway. It blooms better with more chill than it gets locally.

Snowflake does not seem to need much chill at all. It performs so reliably here that it can slowly spread. A few may even self sow in damp situations. Leucojum vernum is another snowflake, with single or paired flowers instead of three or more on each arching stem. Leucojum vernum blooms before Leucojum aestivum. Both are supposed to bloom later in spring, but are in bloom now.

The somewhat rubbery foliage of snowflake resembles that of daffodil, but is a bit darker green. Individual leaves are about a foot tall and an inch wide, and stand rather vertically. Floral stems do not get much higher, but lean slightly outward with the weight of bloom. Their individual flowers are quite small and pendulous, with single yellowish or green dots near the tips of each of six petals. n

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For most of us on the West Coast of California, the average last frost date happens before we are aware of it. Nonetheless, it is helpful to know the date for our particular regions.

Warm season vegetable and bedding plants should be safe in the garden after the average last frost date. Directly sown seed should get all the warmth it needs to germinate. Young plants will not likely experience damaging frost. The weather will continue to get warmer. The days will continue to get longer. Cool season vegetable and bedding plants will relinquish their space as necessary.

Plants that sustained damage from earlier frost can now be pruned and groomed. Damaged foliage that remained in place to

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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