Congressman Panetta Visits Santa Cruz Mountains Communities

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Congressman Panetta Visits Santa Cruz Mountains Communities

By Drew Penner

Now that the congressional boundary debate’s been settled—with the old 18th and 20th districts seemingly evaporating from the local map, leaving in their place the new 19th District—politicians have begun adjusting to the new reality.

And for current Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, who’s represented the area since 1993, it’s bittersweet—even if the changes won’t take effect until after the next election cycle.

“We’ve been through a lot together,” she said. “It’s personal.”

Now Rep. Jimmy Panetta, who has represented the 20th District stretching from Santa Cruz in the north down halfway to Santa Barbara, will represent the 19th, which includes Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley.

If he’s reelected, that is.

“A lot of people don’t realize that, and they think it’s automatically happening,” he said. “The confusing thing is we’re going to be running for reelection in the new districts.”

And so, on Jan. 8, Panetta rode along with Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart, following a route through parts of the region he hasn’t represented.

“I’ve already been out and about, just within the last week, in those areas,” he said, adding that he had the chance to check out the new Felton Branch Library.

Panetta said seeing the community first-hand allowed him to get a good picture of issues faced by people in the valleys, such as homelessness, affordable housing, crime and wildfire recovery.

On top of speaking with Rep. Eshoo, Panetta says he’s already had the chance to chat with 5th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind (and four out of five of the city’s council members), local Democratic party members and business officials, among others.

“My intention is to be the federal representative,” he said, adding he plans to take cues from Eshoo to “show up, shut up and listen up.”

One thing Panetta says he keeps encountering is positive comments from people in the community about Eshoo’s leadership over the years.

“I cannot stress enough the impression that Rep. Eshoo has made as the federal representative of that area,” he said. “It’s definitely quite impressive and very inspiring.”

Eshoo says even after the line shift goes live she’ll still be in the corner of Santa Cruz County residents.

“What I want my constituents to know is, even though the number of their congressional district changes, I will always work to help them,” she said, suggesting a Panetta-Eshoo combo in Washington would be nothing but good news for local voters. “So, they won’t have one, they’ll have two (representatives).

“And I really mean that.”

After all, unmet community needs don’t care about what’s on human-drawn maps, she muses.

“I’ll do what I can to bring several things over the finish line,” she pledged, referring to several projects that have been held up in Congress, such as funding for the Vine Hill Elementary School child care facility in Scotts Valley. “We can build another reconciliation package if that’s what it’s going to take to get the votes through, because Republicans will not—which I really don’t understand.”

These days, Eshoo says she’s put her staff on trying to recoup money from debris-removal contractor Anvil Builders, Inc. that scored a quarter-billion-dollar post-CZU Lighting Complex job and left public roads a mess.

“I want to get that resolved,” Eshoo said. “I’ve been writing and calling … It’s very well documented the damage this private contractor did.”

Les Gardner is a businessman from Felton with decades of experience in Democratic politics. He actually let Eshoo use his home as a base of operations during one of her campaigns for Congress in the 1980s.

While he’ll be sad to see the day Eshoo no longer represents the community, he has high hopes for Panetta.

“We were lucky they brought in Jimmy, who’s knowledgeable about Santa Cruz County rather than someone who’s not,” he said, noting he already has an office in Santa Cruz. “He grew up in the area.”

Panetta reminisced about competing against San Lorenzo Valley High School as a wrestler and football player from Carmel—before Scotts Valley High School even existed.

“I’m very excited to, hopefully, be the representative of the 19th Congressional District,” Panetta said. “I’ll be able to say I represent a lot of beauty and a lot of bounty along the Central Coast.”

Gardner helped organize Panetta’s tour through Scotts Valley and Felton, including the stop at the new library. Eshoo attended the grand opening, he noted.

“I think it’s good for him to realize places of importance and interest in the entire community,” Gardner said. “It’s a wonderful facility.”

According to him, it’s important to establish a strong connection with elected officials so that when emergencies happen, they can act swiftly on the community’s behalf.

“We have landslides; we have fires; we have roads go out; we lose bridges,” Gardner said. “We’re very different than many other areas he’s going to represent, like south-San Jose, and such.”

Eshoo says she’ll miss working on behalf of local constituents, even if it’s not happening right away.

“I feel like someone is squeezing my heart,” she said. “The upside is that the change is not going to come for at least another year.”

Pajaro Levee Project Takes Another Step Forward

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Pajaro Levee Project Takes Another Step Forward

WATSONVILLE—Voters who live in proximity to the Pajaro River levee system will soon decide on adding a special assessment to their property tax bill that would help fund the long-awaited Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project.

The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) on Wednesday took several significant steps forward in making the project reality. Among them: unanimously approving an agreement to pursue cost-sharing agreements for the estimated $3.8 million annual cost for operations, maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation of the levee system with the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, the Santa Cruz Flood Control and Water Conservation District and the city of Watsonville.

But the project will require residents who live in the area to kick in their share, which is estimated at $1.2 million annually.

That would mean adding an average of $255 annually to their property taxes, a number that could increase or decrease based on several factors, including proximity to the levee, property value and relative risk to the property in the event of a flood.

Once completed, local leaders say the project will give up to 100-year protection to residents who live in the flood plain around Pajaro River, Salsipuedes Creek and Corralitos Creek.

The neighborhoods include 55-and-older communities such as Bay Village and Pajaro Village.

The PRFMA also adopted a resolution that will allow the agency to bring the matter to voters. Under Proposition 218, a simple majority of all voters must approve special taxes. The matter is expected to go before voters in April.

Residents will be able to see precisely how much their assessment will be before they vote.

The project also took a step forward thanks to Senate Bill 496, authored by Sen. John Laird. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has offered to design and construct the project, but the more than $400 million price tag—and the local share of $42 million—is more than communities here can afford. But thanks to the new law, which became effective on Jan. 1, the California Department of Natural Resources can pay the cost of design and construction to local jurisdictions.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January 2021 approved more than $2.8 million in funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, thanks in part to Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

Attempts to upgrade the system date back decades. Built in 1949, the levee breached and caused flooding in 1955, 1958, 1995 and 1998, when Pajaro was severely damaged and acres of cropland were destroyed.

The March 1995 flood caused more than $95 million in damage to the city and to 3,300 acres of agricultural land and forced evacuation of hundreds of families.

The Bench Excavation Project in 2012-13 removed accumulated debris from the levee and river and helped to increase water flow. But that was meant as a temporary measure.

“For decades many in the Pajaro Valley have felt that they have been abandoned by federal investment and involvement in this project,” said PRFMA Board Chair Zach Friend, who is also the 2nd District Santa Cruz County Supervisor. “That reality is over—both the state and federal government are now making historic investments and commitments toward the completion of this project and this local commitment for ongoing maintenance is the last key step toward making the project a reality.”

Friend added that, without the needed local funding, the state and federal dollars could be lost.

But with it, the project for which residents have waited for decades could become a reality, he said.

Overnight Closures Set For Highway 1 in Aptos

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Overnight Closures Set For Highway 1 in Aptos

Highway 1 from Rio Del Mar Boulevard to State Park Drive will be closed overnight on Jan. 18-20 to repair the railroad bridge at the South Aptos Undercrossing.

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission spokesperson Shannon Munz said the work includes repair of the bridge railing and fencing that was damaged by a fallen tree during the 2017 storms.

Closure dates and times are:

  • Tuesday from 10pm to 4am: Northbound Highway 1 will be closed from Rio Del Mar Boulevard to State Park Drive.
  • Wednesday from 10pm to 4am: Northbound Highway 1 will be closed from Rio Del Mar Boulevard to State Park Drive.
  • Thursday from 11pm to 5am: Southbound Highway 1 will be closed from State Park Drive to Rio Del Mar Boulevard.

Travelers will be detoured onto Soquel Drive through Aptos Village from Highway 1 northbound off-ramps at Rio Del Mar and the southbound off-ramps at State Park Drive. 

Message boards and detour signage will be used to control traffic.

At-Home Covid Tests Change Pandemic Response

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At-Home Covid Tests Change Pandemic Response

At least 4,000 Santa Cruz County residents have been infected with Covid-19 during the current winter surge sparked by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

That figure posted to the County Health Services Agency’s online dashboard, however, is likely vastly underestimating the true number of current infections as the arrival of at-home testing kits has thrown another obstacle in front of local health officials.

Anywhere between 3,000-4,000 Covid-19 tests are being administered per day in Santa Cruz County, Deputy Health Officer Dr. Cal Gordon said during a virtual press conference on Thursday. But that number does not include the hundreds, if not thousands, of at-home tests being self-administered as schools and employers across the county try to limit the spread in the workplace.

“At this point, we don’t have any solid information, and there’s been a lot of discussion among the health officers that the case rates aren’t going to be accurate going forward because of the home tests,” Gordon said. “And yet, we think this is the appropriate way for the future. Home tests are going to be our future, that people will have the ability to test when they are symptomatic or exposed, which is what we want.”

According to state data, the county’s current 7-day positivity rate is 12.8%, the highest the area has seen since last winter’s surge. But, Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci said, unlike last year’s surge, local ICU capacity and deaths have not seen similar rises.

There were only three people in intensive care in local hospitals as of Wednesday. And although the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 has slightly increased over the past two weeks, a good portion of those patients did not go to the emergency room because of Covid. Some of the 34 patients were tested for Covid-19 before being admitted for surgery and tested positive for the disease as an asymptomatic carrier.

Ghilarducci said the “decoupling” between the case surge and serious hospitalizations is likely because of the county’s high vaccination rate that continues to inch its way toward the 80% mark—some 71% of all county residents are fully vaccinated and 77% have received at least one shot. Still, the area’s booster shot uptake, County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said, is not where they want it to be.

Only about 90,000 county residents—or a third of all people who live here and less than half of those eligible—have received the additional dose of the vaccine.

“It’s better in the older population, but much lower in folks under 50,” Newel said. “We need to see some big improvement there if we’re going to have an impact. Studies have shown that with the Omicron variant, in particular, we need that third dose, we need that booster in order for the vaccines to be effective.”

Newel again asked residents to move gatherings outdoors where the risk of infection is much lower and changed her recommendations on masks. Cloth masks alone, she said, are no longer recommended. Instead, people should use an N95, KN95 or a KF94 mask if possible. A surgical mask with a cloth mask layered on top of it will also work. The fit, she said, is as important as the type of mask, which should fit snugly to a person’s face.

While Newel said there was no possibility of mass shutdowns akin to those from the early months of the pandemic in 2020, she and her colleagues did acknowledge that the current rise in cases has heavily impacted every industry across the nation. The teacher and staffing shortages strangling schools and health care providers have been devastating to everyday life.

“The National Guard has come in to help with some of the testing [sites], we’re seeing some more support from the state in terms of staffing support, we’re looking at possibly posting paramedics and EMTs in the emergency department, bringing in some other non-medical volunteers to kind of stretch this out,” Ghilarducci said. “But I think the important thing going forward is that we have to recognize that we’re going to need to rebuild our health care system. We’re going to need to rejuvenate the brave women and men that work in the health care system to keep it going forward in the future to come.”

County’s Climate Action Plan to Undergo Update

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County’s Climate Action Plan to Undergo Update

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took the first step in updating the county’s climate action strategy, a response to global warming and its effects on infrastructure and the people who live here.

Updating the County’s Climate Action Plan—first adopted in 2013—is expected to last through 2022, said David Reed, director of the Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience, the agency that will oversee the implementation of the plan.

The county’s efforts to battle climate change have always included ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing vehicle miles driven by county employees, and installing solar panels on governmental buildings and methane capture systems at Buena Vista Landfill.

This year’s update—titled the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan—includes ways in which the county can deal with the ongoing effects of climate change, including changing precipitation patterns, wildfires, increasing temperatures and sea-level rise.

Storms in 2017, for example, damaged 200 sites and wrought $150 million in damages, causing the county to use $7 million in already limited SB1 funds. The CZU fires scorched 86,509 acres and destroyed 911 homes. 

“We recognize that climate change is here, and that our community is feeling the impacts of it, and our infrastructure is feeling the effects of it,” Reed said. “So we need to look at adaptation as a big piece of it.”

Reed says the plan will also include an equity component, which he says is an acknowledgment that the environmental effects of global warming disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

This includes people living in the rural, fire-stricken regions and agricultural workers in addition to low-income families and homeless people.

“What we know is that those that are on the margins have the least adaptive capacity and are the least resilient,” he said.

County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said that the county has for the past decade taken steps to adapt to global warming by founding Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE), a locally-run energy provider that focuses on sustainable energy sources.

CCCE is the largest geographic Community Choice Energy provider in the state. It has more than 23 jurisdictions over five counties, Palacios said, and is helping the Central Coast reach its goal of using 65% renewable energy by 2025.

“By starting this organization, this county has made a huge difference in reaching our goals in reducing greenhouse gasses,” he said.

The city of Santa Cruz is in the process of developing its Climate Action Plan 2030, with a draft expected this year. The city of Watsonville completed its 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan last year.

The comprehensive, four-phase plan plan is expected to go for final approval in December.

Supes Approve Independent Auditor for Sheriff’s Office

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Supes Approve Independent Auditor for Sheriff’s Office

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to hire an independent auditor for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office who would investigate such issues as citizen complaints and use of force.

The move followed a report by the Santa Cruz County Criminal Justice Council, which was released in December but heard publicly by the supervisors on Tuesday. At the time, the report was considered the first of its kind in the U.S.

It shows broad alignment among the county’s police agencies in use of force and release of information to the public.

But the only agency that has its own independent auditor, the report shows, is Santa Cruz Police Department.

In making the request, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said he was aligning with President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Platform, which the Sheriff’s Office adopted in 2016. The move would also bring the county into compliance with Assembly Bill 1185—also known as the Sheriff’s Oversight Bill—which allows county boards of supervisors to create independent auditors. That bill became law in 2020 and went into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

But Hart said he believes his department faces existing significant oversight, which includes the California Board of State and Community Corrections—which oversees jails—and the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury, which inspects the jail system every year. Hart also said he reports directly to the supervisors, and, as an elected official, to the voters.

“I disagree that there is no oversight,” he said. “I think there is significant oversight.”

The position is expected to begin in 2023.

It is unclear how much the program will cost, but County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios estimated between $50,000 and $100,000 annually.

That would be less expensive than a citizen’s oversight committee, he said, since it would require hiring someone to run meetings and investigators.

That didn’t sit well with several people who spoke during the meeting. They said that a panel of citizens would provide better representation.

“A sheriff oversight board would give voice and transparency for both assurance of quality services and additional perspectives for innovative improvements for equity and representation of our community,” said Serge Cagno, who sits on the Santa Cruz County Mental Health Advisory Board.

In other action, the supervisors approved a plan to allow the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department to apply for a grant through California’s Project Homekey. If successful, the grant would bring $4 million for a housing project at 801 River St., a seven-unit apartment complex with two studios and 5 one-bedroom units.

A project of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Project Homekey is providing $1.45 billion to expand the inventory of housing for homeless people statewide.

Cabrillo Gallery Explores Natural Habitats in First Exhibit of 2022

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Cabrillo Gallery Explores Natural Habitats in First Exhibit of 2022

Last fall, Cabrillo Gallery opened its doors to the public for the first time in 17 months. The annual “12×12: An Open Invitational” exhibit was a return to in-person viewing after a string of virtual shows.

But with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 surging and Cabrillo College classes switching to online for at least the first two weeks of the semester, gallery staff decided to return to a virtual format for its first exhibit of 2022. 

“We had to make the call,” said Gallery Director Beverly Rayner. “We had to let the artists know what was happening. It was hard, but we knew we needed to protect ourselves and our community.”

“Natural Habitats” will feature 38 artists from the U.S., with pieces that range from painting and sculpture to video and even taxidermy. It will officially launch via the gallery’s website on Jan. 24.

“There’s always a benefit to online shows,” said Gallery Program Coordinator Victoria May. “People can see it from anywhere. If we’d opened, with the school closed … who knows how many people would’ve come into the gallery?”

Rayner agreed.

“[Online exhibits] are great in the way that there’s not a big expectation of having the show in a gallery, with a reception,” Rayner said. “And it’s a great way for people who are holed up and can’t go anywhere to show their art. Having said that, we were fully expecting to have this show in the gallery. There is definitely a lot of work that would’ve really benefited from being seen in person.”

The exhibit explores the concept of what a “natural” habitat really is—going beyond the obvious idea that they are only places that occur in the wild, for animals. Pieces represent everything from human-built, physical locations to more abstract, metaphysical spaces.

“We wanted a theme that was broad, that a lot of people could respond to,” Rayner said. “We wanted to bring in the perspective of human habitats, and how we build our own. How they’re not necessarily ‘natural,’ but they feel natural to us. That opened it up to a lot of interpretation.”

Rayner and May brought on a team of jurors from the Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, Calif. to put together the show. Owners Suzanne Gray and Donna Seager were tasked with selecting work.

“From what I’ve seen of their gallery, it seemed like a good match as far as the theme,” Rayner said. “It’s always a surprising situation, seeing what jurors choose and what the show ends up being like. It’s always educational for me to see that process.”

The “Natural Habitats” exhibit is partially an effort to raise money for the gallery’s ongoing track lighting replacement project. They received a grant in 2019 to replace the current, 21-year-old lighting, but things slowed during the pandemic.

“We were hoping to finish it in 2021,” Rayner said. “But when we finally got the estimate, it was much higher than anyone had anticipated.”

A generous donor, wanting to support Cabrillo’s art department, has also offered them a matching grant.

“That’s what we’ll be working on this month,” Rayner said. “Hopefully it will help us raise the rest of the funds we need.”

“Natural Habitats” will be open Jan. 24-Feb. 25. Three participating artists will have the chance to receive Juror’s Pick awards during the show’s run.

Going virtual again after getting “a taste” of normalcy has been frustrating sometimes, May said.

“We have an artist who has this huge piece,” she said. “They sent multiple photographs to us, trying to offer different options, to see the work from a different angle. And I was thinking, ‘Wow, this one would’ve been really nice to see in person.”

May and Rayner hope to return to in-person shows starting in the spring. 

“We will go back into the gallery as soon as we can,” Rayner said. “As soon as it’s responsible to do so.”

For information visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. A virtual juror’s talk will be held Feb. 5 at 4pm on Zoom. Click here to register.

Homegrown Officer Takes Over as Watsonville Police Chief

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Homegrown Officer Takes Over as Watsonville Police Chief

Some 80 people gathered in the Watsonville Civic Plaza Monday evening to welcome in Jorge Zamora as Watsonville Police Department’s new chief.

A homegrown officer who started with the department as a cadet at the age of 15, Zamora said in a speech before being sworn into his new role that his promotion from acting assistant chief to the city’s top cop was a result of the support system he had around him.

That included some two dozen family members sitting front row at Monday’s ceremony, and another dozen officers from various agencies across California, including Daly City, Salinas, Scotts Valley and Capitola.

Zamora is the city’s 16th chief, and the first, first-generation Mexican-American to hold the role.

As a 26-year veteran of the force, Zamora brings invaluable experience from his time with gang and narcotics enforcement and SWAT. He has also served as a detective, a field training officer and a hostage negotiator, and spent time as a Regional Occupational Program instructor and youth mentor.

Another big asset, Assistant Chief Tom Sims said while introducing Zamora Monday, was his connection to the community and his lifelong commitment to the force.

“Honestly, I don’t know what you guys were doing when you were 15, but I know that I was not thinking about police work,” said Sims, who served as interim chief over the last six months. “[Zamora] was, and that’s why he’s here today.”

Zamora says that he grew up just down the street from Watsonville’s city hall. Before that, he and his family lived in a labor camp on the Central Coast as his mother, Margarita Fernandez, worked the agricultural fields.

“[My family] worked the fields, we were poor,” Zamora said. “If you would’ve seen me as a kid, you would’ve never thought ‘that guy is going to be a police chief one day.’ It didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me—even to be a police officer. That’s why I keep telling people that if they’ve been touched by [hardship], ‘I am you’ because I went through that. And it’s OK to say it and talk about it because that’s what makes you stronger.”

Fernandez in an interview after the ceremony said that she still remembers the day her son told her he wanted to sign up for the cadet program. She was worried for his safety but saw that he had a passion for protecting people.

“I would bless him whenever he left the house,” she said in Spanish. “I was happy he was happy, but I was worried about him.”

When Zamora told her he had been appointed chief, she said she was overcome with emotion as she reflected on his journey to success.

“I was overjoyed,” she said. “He grew up with gangs around him, he grew up with drugs being dealt around him. He lived and grew up in a very tough area. It must have been hard for him to say no to all of that. It makes me so happy to see him now. I always told him that if he wanted anything in life that he needed to go to school. All I wanted for him is for him to not have to work in the fields as I did … This is a sweet moment.”

Zamora attended local schools and graduated from Radcliff Adult School. He holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice management from Union Institute & University and a master’s in leadership studies from Saint Mary’s College of California.

His appointment follows the retirement of Chief of Police David Honda, who served Watsonville from 2016 through 2021, and fills one of the city’s high-level vacancies.

Watsonville just last month welcomed in a new city attorney after the retirement of longtime legal counsel Alan Smith. In the near future, it will have to replace City Clerk Beatriz Vasquez Flores and former City Manager Matt Huffaker, who is now the chief executive for the city of Santa Cruz.

Mayor Ari Parker said that she likes the direction the city is heading in and is excited to see Zamora use both his experience as a police officer and passion as a Watsonville native to try to solve some of the city’s big issues.

“The goal of the process was to find the best person, and it turned out the best person was born and raised here and came up through the ranks and really knows this town and is passionate about it,” Parker said. “There are challenges to communication but he recognizes what a great community this is. We’re diverse. We have diverse opinions about equity, engagement and accountability and how to do it. But he’s willing to listen.”

Zamora said the role of police chief has undoubtedly changed in the past few years because of compounding societal issues that have been hoisted upon officers’ growing list of responsibilities.

But Zamora also said that because of advancements in technology, access to higher learning and partnerships with vital area nonprofits that there has never been a better time to be a police officer. In addition, efforts such as the city’s recent policing and social equity committee and the consistent support the department receives from numerous residents give him hope that WPD can help solve some of the city’s toughest challenges.

“I’m a big believer that we can solve these issues but some of these issues take time,” Zamora said. “I’m not being naive here. I know that there’s challenges. I know that there’s people that don’t want to engage with us. That’s fine. My position: let’s engage, let’s continue to try to do that. And if they don’t want to, OK, I’m still here. I’m here with open arms.”

Quiroz-Carter Sworn In as New Watsonville City Councilwoman

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Quiroz-Carter Sworn In as New Watsonville City Councilwoman

Vanessa Quiroz-Carter was sworn in as the new representative for the Watsonville City Council’s 2nd District at Tuesday night’s virtual meeting.

Quiroz-Carter, a Watsonville native who most recently served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, said she was excited to continue the work of former councilman Aurelio Gonzalez, celebrate Watsonville’s diversity and help guide the community through the ongoing pandemic.

Her mother, Sandra Quiroz-Carter, administered the oath of office from their Watsonville home.

“We are not a city divided,” Quiroz-Carter said during her first remarks in office. “Diversity of opinions and views is not a symptom of division. It is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is our responsibility and our pleasure to welcome those voices. To seek out that diversity and build a thriving community of engaged community members.”

Quiroz-Carter, 35, was elected to the city council in last month’s special election triggered by Gonzalez’s abrupt resignation in September—he stepped down from office because of a family health emergency. The relative political newcomer beat Frank Barba for the right to represent the neighborhoods east of Main Street through Beck Street, including the communities surrounding Watsonville High School. The district also contains portions of California Street and Palm and Hill avenues.

She will remain in office through 2024, and serve as mayor in her final year in office.

She serves as an adjunct professor at Hartnell College, and holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from UC Berkeley and a master’s in communication from Cal State East Bay.

Along with her time on the Parks Commission, Quiroz-Carter has also been a part of the Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission and is the vice-president of the board for nonprofit Families In Transition.

December’s special election was her second time running for public office. She first ran unsuccessfully against Gonzalez in 2020.

Quiroz-Carter was endorsed by the majority of the Watsonville City Council—Mayor Ari Parker was the lone elected leader to side with Barba—and numerous community leaders such as County Office of Education Superintendent Faris Sabbah, retired Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin and former Watsonville City Councilman and vice-mayor Ramon Gomez. 

She also received endorsements from several democratic clubs and organizations throughout the county, including the Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club and the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party.

Several people congratulated her during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting. That included a person who said she was her former pupil at Ceiba College Prep, Zurya Rodriguez.

“She was such an amazing teacher, and I can only imagine the things she’ll do as a councilwoman,” Rodriguez said. “Y’all are so lucky to have her.”

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Jan. 12-Jan. 18

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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Jan. 12-Jan. 18

A weekly guide to what’s happening.

ARTS AND MUSIC

CELTIC TEEN BAND PROGRAM Teenage musicians ages 12-19 play in an ensemble, developing musicianship, flexibility and musical creativity. Participants work on music from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Norway, Sweden and the United States, in addition to modern and more quirky pieces. Instruments welcomed: fiddle, viola, flute, tin whistle, pipes, cello, upright bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, ukulele, Celtic harp, accordion and percussion. Students must have at least two years of experience on their instrument and must be able to read sheet music and chord symbols. The group meets with fiddle teacher John Weed twice per month on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5pm at the London Nelson Center. $10 per session (or free, based on a sliding scale). Potential students are welcome to try it out and see if they like it—there’s no obligation. For more information, visit communitymusicschool.org/teenband. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 3:30pm. London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz.

THE RUNAWAY GROOMS LIVE AT MOE’S ALLEY Jam, funk, psych-rock hot shots from Colorado join San Francisco funk-rock favorites at Moe’s Alley for a truly unforgettable night! Born from the rich culture of the Colorado mountains, the Runaway Grooms are advancing the musical sounds of the high country into a diverse blend of Americana tones melded with a refreshing take on contemporary jam band music. With pocket grooves, expansive tones and syncopated rhythms, the Runaway Grooms capture elements of funk and psychedelic rock while still celebrating the traditional songwriting roots of Americana. Dueling guitar solos, the fullness and raw power of a screaming lap steel guitar and three-part harmonies combine to create a soundscape that offers audiences an unforgettable experience. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 9pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz.

THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA FEATURING NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK This 15-piece tribute to Zappa pulls no punches, delivering Frank’s music with power, authenticity and musical prowess. Founded by a 35-year veteran of the South Bay music scene, Nick Chargin, the Stinkfoot Orchestra has spent the last two and a half years honing their craft and are finally taking their long-awaited show to the stage to rave reviews. Friday, Jan. 14, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 CA-9, Felton.

COMMUNITY

VIRTUAL FUNGUS FAIR The Fungus Fair is going virtual this year. There will also be two-hour local forays; two per day at 9am and 1pm on Jan. 8, 9, 15 and 16 ($5; free for children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult). 30-person limit/foray. Mushroom identification and culinary events follow each foray. The exact location will be emailed to registered participants. There will also be free discussions on Zoom led by mushroom experts at 7pm, Jan. 10-14. Visit ffsc.us for Zoom meeting links and more information. 

VIRTUAL MUSIC MEDITATION AND RELAXATION FOR CAREGIVERS Does a 30-minute music meditation to lift your spirits and provide relaxation sound good? This experiential session features the musical stylings of board certified music therapist Anya Ismail, who weaves together poetry, singing, spoken word and unique instruments, like the shruti box, to create a beautiful and calming experience. Open to all individuals caring for a loved one. Hosted by Hospice of Santa Cruz County. For more information, visit hospicesantacruz.org or call 831-430-3000. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 10-10:30am. 

GROUPS

COMMUNITY PILATES MAT CLASS Come build strength with the popular in-person community Pilates Mat Class in the big auditorium at Temple Beth El in Aptos. Please bring your own mat, small Pilates ball and theraband if you have one. You must be vaccinated to attend the indoor class. Suggested donation: $10. Thursday, Jan. 13, 10am. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 10am. Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos.

ENTRE NOSOTRAS GRUPO DE APOYO Entre Nosotras support group for Spanish speaking women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets twice monthly. Registration is required, please call Entre Nosotras at 831-761-3973. Friday, Jan. 14, 6pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM WomenCARE Arm-in-Arm Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday, currently on Zoom. Registration is required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Monday, Jan. 17, 12:30pm. 

WOMENCARE TUESDAY SUPPORT GROUP WomenCARE Tuesday Cancer support group for women newly diagnosed and through their treatment. Meets every Tuesday currently on Zoom. Registration required, call WomenCARE 831-457-2273. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 12:30-2pm.

Congressman Panetta Visits Santa Cruz Mountains Communities

Panetta says he's encountered a lot of positive comments from people in the community about Rep. Eshoo’s leadership
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Pajaro Levee Project Takes Another Step Forward

The long-awaited Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project looks for funding through a special assessment to property tax bills
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Overnight Closures Set For Highway 1 in Aptos

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At-Home Covid Tests Change Pandemic Response

There’s been a lot of discussion among health officers that case rates aren’t going to be accurate going forward because of home testing
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County’s Climate Action Plan to Undergo Update

Updating the County’s Climate Action Plan—first adopted in 2013—is expected to last through 2022
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Supes Approve Independent Auditor for Sheriff’s Office

The move follows a report released last December that shows broad alignment among the county’s police agencies in use of force and other issues
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Cabrillo Gallery Explores Natural Habitats in First Exhibit of 2022

Exhibits go back to virtual format, but gallery hopes to reopen in the spring
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Homegrown Officer Takes Over as Watsonville Police Chief

Jorge Zamora began with department as a cadet at the age of 15
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Quiroz-Carter Sworn In as New Watsonville City Councilwoman

The Watsonville native most recently served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission
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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Jan. 12-Jan. 18

The Runaway Grooms, The Stinkfoot Orchestra, Virtual Music Meditation and Relaxation for Caregivers and more
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