Page 455 | Good Times

Zayante Fire Chief Retires After Nearly Three Decades with District

GT Staff

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August 6, 2021

Zayante Fire Chief Retires After Nearly Three Decades with District

After more than 27 years of service to the Zayante Fire Protection District, John Stipes hung up his white helmet for the final time on July 23.

Stipes, 59, joined Zayante Fire in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter. He retires with the longest current tenure of any Santa Cruz County fire chief.

“It’s been an honor to serve the community I live in. Not a lot of firefighters get to do that their whole careers,” Stipes said in a press release. “I’ve been able to see Zayante (Fire) evolve into an all-risk department capable of handling a lot more than just fire.”

Stipes was promoted to lieutenant in 1996. The following year he earned Firefighter of the Year honors and was promoted to the rank of captain. In December 1999, Stipes was promoted to battalion chief—a position he held for 10 years—before assuming the role of fire chief in 2010. Stipes also served as a strike team leader, fighting dozens of major fires around California beginning in 2004.

Stipes was a member of the Zayante Firefighters Association, the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association, the San Lorenzo Valley Fire District, the Fire Chiefs Operations Section, the Santa Cruz County Fire Agency Insurance Group and the Santa Cruz County Treasury Oversight Commission. In 2017, Stipes oversaw the passage of Measure O, which allowed Zayante Fire to staff the district Monday-Friday.

Zayante Fire has more than doubled the number of incidents to which it responds since 1994, Stipes said. Today, its firefighters are trained to handle a wide range of calls, including medical, auto extrication, propane leak, wires down, rope rescue, vehicle fire and hazardous materials incidents.

“Covid-19 and the CZU fires were difficult, but the biggest challenge as a chief has been keeping and motivating a volunteer fire service. You’re asking a lot of these people,” said Stipes.

Despite the difficulties, Stipes said he’s grateful for the people he worked with over the years.

“Quite an adventure,” he said.

ZFPD board chair Mary Clark lauded Stipes.

“By selflessly and earnestly showing up whenever duty calls, he has earned a reputation as a great leader, teacher, and friend,” she said.

Brothers Collecting Used Games to Send to Kenya

Drew Penner

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August 5, 2021

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Brothers Collecting Used Games to Send to Kenya

There was a time when “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Forza Horizon” and “Halo 3” all got regular rotations in the Schneider brothers’ Xbox 360.

But by the time Andrew had turned 13 and Ethan hit 15 they’d moved on to newer games and other activities.

“Back then everybody played CD games,” Ethan said. “Nowadays it’s more of a shift to online downloads of games like ‘Fortnite.’”

Their parents weren’t too keen on the growing pile of rarely-opened cartridges occupying the floor in front of the TV. They served the boys with an ultimatum: clean up or get rid of them.

The residents of Old Summit Road considered taking a load to GameStop, but knew they wouldn’t be offered much money for their haul. They asked if friends wanted preloved games, but they already had enough. Then, a lightbulb went off in Ethan’s head.

“I thought the best option to use them is to donate it,” he said.

“We had the idea, maybe we could make our own nonprofit and give it to the people in Africa,” Andrew said.

The concept was partly inspired by a trip they’d taken to rural areas of the Philippines. They couldn’t help but notice how a lot of the people there hadn’t known the joy of playing “Rayman Legends” or “Skylanders: Giants.” Many didn’t seem to have any electronics whatsoever.

“A lot of people there don’t actually have access to the internet or computers,” Ethan said. “They lived in straw huts. They had houses made of sheet metal.”

But, since their dad co-founded a company that distributes solar panels in Kenya, they knew more and more communities in Africa are gaining access to electricity.

Ethan felt like there could be a way to let disadvantaged youth on the other side of the world have the same moments of gaming bliss they’d enjoyed.

“I thought it could be a pretty big thing if I’m able to get the right people involved,” he said. “I was encouraged a lot by everyone I told the idea to.”

They called their project Games for the Globe and even managed to get 501(c)(3) status for their charity, which allows them to give tax-deductible receipts to people who donate money.

Andrew was psyched about the plan, especially after their dad put them in contact with Belgian tech-focused NGO Close the Gap.

“If you give it to Goodwill you don’t really know where it goes,” Andrew said, explaining what it’s like to be hands-on with the project. “We know where it goes, who we give it to and who it impacts.”

Michael, their dad, says he may have played a part, but he wasn’t driving the effort.

“They did all of the designing of the website, and the logo, and the name,” he said. “There’s just so much unused stuff around, so I think it’s a great idea.”

To figure out how to make it all work, Ethan thought back to a shopping trip to Sports Basement in Campbell. That store had a box out front for accepting shoes to send to Africa.

“I was inspired by that, at first, for the method of collecting donations,” he said. “The first thing I did was buy a donation bin.”

Next, he reached out to the Summit Store to see if they’d let him put the receptacle on their property. They OK’d it.

“We only received, like, five games the first month,” Ethan said. “We almost gave up because of it, because we didn’t want to inconvenience the store owner.”

*Andrew and Ethan Schneider say they have received more games than consoles so far. PHOTO: Drew Penner/Press Banner*

It was Andrew’s idea to reach out to a community newspaper—the Mountain News Network—which he knew sometimes lets residents write articles.

When they published a story about Games for the Globe, their intercontinental video game adventure gained steam.

“I actually got some friends who recognized me from it at school,” Ethan said, adding when they checked the donation bin the following week it was completely full. “We were really excited at that point.”

He says he understands why people might’ve been skeptical at first.

“I think at first people didn’t want to donate because (they thought) we weren’t a worthy source,” he said. “You don’t want to help out the wrong people.”

But he explains they worked hard to cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s.

Ethan took some of the lessons he’d learned from developing an app with a couple of data scientists he met in San Jose one time while selling his bike via Craigslist, and put that into the website he created: gamesfortheglobe.org.

Andrew came up with a list of survey questions their nonprofit partners passed along to community leaders in Kenya, to better understand the needs of the people they wanted to help.

“I wrote pretty basic questions: Does your community have access to the internet? … If they’ve been given videogames, before us? If they want it, too,” Andrew said. “The person we were working with in Kenya said it was a pretty good list.”

Andrew says one of the main suggestions they received had to do with making a distinction between educational games, adventure games and games that have gruesome or warfare-related content. Ethan says he appreciated this feedback.

“We definitely thought education was what they needed,” he said. “Everything else is just entertainment, but it can still teach kids about technology in a place where they don’t have a lot of things.”

Within a few weeks, the stream of donations arriving at the Summit Store had slowed. The Schneiders figured they might’ve already received most of the old games the folks in their neighborhood were willing to pass along.

So, they started to cast a wider net, hoping to move their bin to the front of a place like Safeway, CVS or Lunardi’s.

But when Ethan cold-called the corporate stores, he says they were hesitant to take a chance on a charity started by the teenagers—even though they have official charity status.

So, Ethan shifted approaches, reaching out to Scotts Valley Market, since it’s more of a mom-and-pop operation. After a bit of persistence, he was able to get a manager to agree to give them a chance.

Down at the Scotts Valley Market, manager Victor Yanez shakes the donation bid to see what’s inside. There’s not much—yet.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said of the Schneiders’ project. “I personally never play games. But my kids do.”

He says he hopes the Schneider brothers have a lot of success.

And he points to one big reason local residents may decide to contribute their old video games and consoles—“That’s a good feeling in your heart,” he said.

It’s been about a year since the Schneider brothers started their IRL video game quest. Ethan’s 16, about to start his junior year at Los Gatos High School. Andrew, now 14, finished his last year at CT English Middle School and is looking forward to joining his brother down the hill.

They’ve had some early triumphs with the charity—receiving around 500 games, plenty of controllers and at least 10 consoles, including a Wii, an Xbox, as well as multiple Play Station 1s and 2s.

They’ve realized it’s easier to get games than consoles and say they hope other people will search for older models gathering dust in their basements they’re willing to part with.

“I check to see if the controllers work, the consoles work,” Andrew said. “I check to see if the CDs are in their case. I clean it.”

They just sent off their first shipment via USPS—with Close the Gap picking up the shipping tab. They’re now waiting nervously as the games make their way across the ocean.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the reactions,” Andrew said.

“We were going to go to Africa next summer and I was really hoping to see everything we gave to them and see what it’s being used for,” Ethan said. “Because that will show what we’re working for.”

Follow @gamesfortheglobe on Instagram.

Scotts Valley Library Shuts Down for Renovations

Drew Penner

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August 5, 2021

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Scotts Valley Library Shuts Down for Renovations

Just weeks after reopening, following the coronavirus lockdowns, the Scotts Valley Branch Library—one of the most frequented branches in the county—has closed.

This time it’s not because more people are contracting Covid-19—although case numbers are rising, again.

The location is undergoing a series of upgrades, from sound dampening to structural improvements. It’s the branch’s turn in line for a Measure S-tax dollar infusion.

“It’s great it’s going to be newer,” said Paul Williams, a library assistant, who popped out of the closed facility Monday to collect the pile of returns. “They’re doing some earthquake retrofits.”

Just then, a minivan pulls up. Inside is Bella Cantey, 18, and her mom, Joell. Their timing is excellent.

They hand a stack of books off to Williams without even having to leave the vehicle.

“It’s sad,” Cantey said of the library closure before flipping quickly to a positive outlook on the future of the space. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like. It’s pretty exciting.”

In 2016, area voters approved Measure S to generate $67 million in bonds to fix up or replace all 10 branches in the Santa Cruz Public Library system. Felton just got a brand new library. The Boulder Creek branch is currently getting work done, too.

According to the funding formula, Scotts Valley is in line for $3.75 million for library branch improvements.

*Bella Cantey and her mom Joell manage to pass their book returns to library assistant Paul Williams. Now that the branch is closed, such interactions are rare. PHOTO: Drew Penner/Press Banner*

The Library Renovations Subcommittee worked with city and library officials, a project architect, and a design firm to come up with a list of potential improvements.

That list includes seismic upgrades, automatic doors, a new location for the service desk, moving the computer desk away from the children’s area, new furniture, bike racks, benches and new drinking fountains with bottle filling stations.

“The Scotts Valley library is a much-loved absolutely-cherished facility,” City Manager Tina Friend said July 30, the day before the closure. “It’s one of the busiest places after school.”

After handing off the returns, Cantey reflected on how great a place the Scotts Valley branch is for connecting with people.

“I don’t talk very much,” she said. “But it’s nice to just go and sit in the library and just read.”

The library is a great place to soak up community energy, she adds.

“When the kids get let out of school, I love going in there and just listening to them talk,” she said. “They’ll talk about random things.

“It brings people together.”

The Knight family–Beatrix, 6, dad Beau, and brother Quint, 9–hang out in the shade not far from the library, which is undergoing improvements, including the installation of sound-dampening equipment. PHOTO: Drew Penner/Press Banner

Just around the corner toward Skypark, the Knight family is relaxing in the shade.

Quint Knight, 9, says he just got a library card a few weeks back.

“It was actually really easy,” he said.

He’s been listening to “One-Punch Man,” a Japanese superhero story, but he says he’d rather be reading it.

“It’s about this guy, Saitama, and he works out every day,” he said, explaining the character can shatter anything with a single punch. “I’d prefer it as a manga. I just feel turning pages is better.”

His younger sister, Beatrix, 6, is a little more digitally-inclined—“You can just click a button,” she points out, characterizing the audio selection or web-browsing process.

Her favorites are Dr. Seuss and Pete the Cat titles.

She says she enjoys “reading time” at school, where the class breaks off into groups and students read to each other.

But the Scotts Valley branch is much bigger than the one at Brook Knoll Elementary School, where they attend.

“That library is like a billion times bigger,” Quint said. “It’s probably, like, a quarter of the skatepark.”

In fact, it’s 100% of the size of a roller rink—because that is what it used to be in its former life.

It was turned into a library in 2011, and has had work done on its HVAC system, and parking lot since then.

But the interior acoustics of a place that’s supposed to be all but silent have been an issue.

“You don’t have a lot of compartmentalization into rooms,” Friend said. “Sound really echoes.”

That’s why the new designs will put a large focus on what’s called “attenuation”—the focused reduction of sound energy.

Three companies submitted bids that were being reviewed by officials this week. S&H Construction, Inc.’s total bid was $3.6 million, CRW Industries, Inc.’s was $3.3 million, and Patriot Contracting, Inc.’s was just over $3 million.

Staff recommended City Council award the contract to Patriot Contracting, Inc. for their “base bid” of $2.3 million and three additional components—for a total of $2.9 million (although it could choose to add some extra landscaping work, later).

The City Council was set to consider the item during its Wednesday meeting.

Borrowers can’t put items on hold at the Scotts Valley location anymore, and all remaining holds are being sent to the Felton branch.

There are other changes going on behind the scenes, too.

Jim Landreth, who was selected for the Library Advisory Commission by the Scotts Valley City Council in January 2019, resigned. The City Council received an application from Pamela “Peppy” Woll, saying she’d like to serve as the community’s representative and was looking at approving her appointment Wednesday.

In about six months, when the library is expected to reopen, it’ll be nice to have a place Quint and Beatrix can go again, says dad, Beau.

“It’s just cool cultural stuff, even if you don’t check out a book,” he said, adding there are definitely awesome parts to old-school literacy, too. “There’s a certain smell to old books.”

Watsonville Artist Commissioned for New Mural at Cabrillo College

Johanna Miller

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August 5, 2021

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Watsonville Artist Commissioned for New Mural at Cabrillo College

A new mural by Watsonville-based artist Francisco Alonso is slowly coming together at Cabrillo College’s main campus in Aptos.

Funded by a grant from the Cabrillo Foundation and the Cabrillo College Student Senate, the mural project is part of the institution’s ongoing efforts to promote diversity and celebrate its status as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

This past May, for the first time in its history, Cabrillo’s graduating class was 50% Latinx. Recent efforts of inclusion aim to celebrate that culture as well as other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students.

Alonso, who attended Cabrillo in the 1990s, said he wants to represent as many cultures and histories as possible in his work. Born in an indigenous community in Michoacán, Mexico, Alonso grew up in Watsonville, and was continually inspired by civilizations from all over the world.

“I’ve always been interested in different cultures,” he said. “Especially in the Americas. As I got older, after learning more … I started taking classes and doing research in libraries.”

Alonso dabbled in art from an early age—starting with graffiti, then moving on to different forms. A couple of years out of high school, Alonso was working as a dishwasher in Cabrillo’s cafeteria when a counselor began encouraging him to take art courses.

While at the school, Alonso helped establish a Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) program, aiming to bring educational and cultural events to the school that would help overcome racism. He eventually transferred to San Francisco State University, where he received a degree in art.

“I’ve always had close ties to Cabrillo,” he said. “This place is a home for me.”

Earlier this year, Alonso ran into a friend who told him about Cabrillo holding an open call for artists to do a mural. He applied and went through the process of rendering his proposal. Alonso’s mural, entitled “Unity,” was chosen by Cabrillo leadership after a committee of staff, faculty and students thoroughly reviewed each applicant.

“Our committee reviewed a total of 11 excellent proposals from local artists, ultimately narrowing it to a top five and sending those five out to Cabrillo’s student body for input,” Claudia Hernandez, academic counselor and member of the school’s Chicano Latino Affairs Council said in a press release. “The timing of this project and the message of ‘Unity’ conveys a positive vision and an important message.”

Alonso’s piece was inspired by totems, which he said, “represent a community’s history and memories, and their relationship to creation and the elements.” Represented in the work are symbols of indigenous ancestral wisdom and knowledge from various cultures.

You can learn about the meaning of each symbol in the mural here.

The mural will be located on the back of a campus elevator in front of the 500 building, just up the walkway from the statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. Two weeks ago, a “blessing of the space” ceremony was conducted at the site prior to work beginning.

Outlining kicked off Sunday, and by Wednesday Alonso was busy filling in sections. Spacing out to safely work has been a challenge, Alonso admitted. Originally they were going to bring in students to help, but with Covid cases once again rising, they chose to be cautious.

“Only about two people can safely work together on the mural, side-by-side,” he said. “It’s a bit of an awkward spot. So we’re scaling things down.”

Work should be completed by the time Cabrillo’s fall semester begins in the next couple of weeks, Alonso said. Then, they might bring art students by to hear Alonso speak about the mural and his process.

“The weather has been friendly, so I’m hopeful things will go smoothly,” Alonso said. “I’m just very honored to be selected to do this mural.”

Watsonville Strawberry Festival Returns this Weekend

Johanna Miller

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August 5, 2021

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Watsonville Strawberry Festival Returns this Weekend

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival will return Sunday to downtown, bringing with it a full day of strawberry delicacies, live entertainment, artisan vendors and more.

Like most events in 2020, South County’s premier festival was canceled in response to the pandemic. And for a while, the city wasn’t sure if it would be able to hold it this year.

“We start planning for these events months in advance,” said Imelda Negrete, recreation superintendent for the Parks and Community Services department. “We had no idea how things would be right now, and things have been changing every five seconds.”

Due to this uncertainty, organizers made the decision to scale down this year’s event to make sure they’d have enough employees and be able to keep visitors safe. It will now be held one day instead of two, and without the carnival component.

“But we still wanted to do it … to bring this back to the community,” Negrete said. “We wanted to give them some sense of normalcy, or as close as we could.”

After California reopened on June 15 the city began planning as quickly as it could, eventually designating outside contractors to lead each group of vendors.

Jesus Madrigal, manager of the Watsonville Farmers Market, will be in charge of the food vendors. Unlike past years, when local organizations ran the Strawberry Lane booths, Madrigal instead contacted food vendors to man them.

But proceeds of the strawberry treats will still be donated to the nonprofits, Negrete confirmed.

“The money will still benefit the community—just in a different way,” she said.

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival, which highlights the region’s most famous crop while raising money for local nonprofits, was first held in 1994. Dubbed the Watsonville Strawberry Dessert Festival, it was meant as a way to raise money to help the city recover from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

*Local band Victory Lane performs at the 2018 Watsonville Strawberry Festival. —Johanna Miller/The Pajaronian file*

This year’s event will be held Sunday from 11am to 5pm. In addition to the food booths, there will be artisan vendors (organized by local artist Monica Galvan), live music, a wine and beer garden, pie-eating contests and more.

Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra said he was excited for the festival to come back, no matter the changes.

“Even though it will look a bit different … I hope it gives people the opportunity to get out and enjoy our community once again,” he said. “I hope to see everyone there.”

Despite the Covid-19 vaccine being readily available to most adults and teens across the country, cases of the Delta variant of the virus have been increasing. Negrete said this is why they are encouraging attendees to don masks when at the festival, especially if they are not vaccinated, plus wash their hands often and stay a safe distance from others.

“We recommend … and ask that people be as careful as possible,” she said.

Dutra urged people to stay safe and remain considerate of other attendees of the event.

“We should understand that we’re still in the midst of a pandemic,” he said. “I hope people are able to enjoy themselves, while still being as safe as possible.”

The city’s Covid-19 vaccine clinic at 250 Main St., will be open for walk-ins during the festival.

Dutra said he is hoping the festival will mark the start of events in the near future.

“This should be a good look into our future,” he said. “Hopefully there will be more to come.”

Added Negrete: “It was really important for us to bring this event back … It’s a Watsonville tradition.”

Dientes Celebrates 6 Years in Watsonville, Hopes to Continue Growth

Johanna Miller

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August 5, 2021

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Dientes Celebrates 6 Years in Watsonville, Hopes to Continue Growth

Dr. Sepi Taghvaei clearly remembers one of her favorite patients at Dientes Community Dental Care.

The woman had all her upper teeth removed while serving time in prison. Since the facility hadn’t offered dental care, her teeth had slowly decayed.

Dientes set the patient up with an upper denture, and began helping her with increasing her oral health. Now a social worker, she refers and brings in her own patients to the clinic, said Taghvaei, the chief dental officer at Dientes.

“Every time we see each other, she gives me a hug,” she said. “There are so many examples like this—it’s just so rewarding, working in this clinic.”

This week marked the sixth anniversary of Dientes Community Dental Care’s facility in Watsonville. First established in 2015 as an oral health care clinic for homeless adults, it has continued to grow, now serving a variety of different patients of all ages.

The bilingual clinic provides low-cost preventative care for low-income families, as well as treatments such as root canals, crowns and dentures. Dientes aims to promote the importance of oral health, especially through its Outreach Days at local schools.

“The mouth is the gateway to your body,” Taghvaei said. “If you have issues in your mouth, it can affect your overall health.”

Taghvaei noted the two-way correlation between oral health and diabetes, as well as poor birth outcomes, cardiovascular disease and more.

“Not to mention … you need your teeth to eat, for nutrition, to speak. It’s huge,” she said.

The Watsonville center shares a space with a medical clinic from the County of Santa Cruz, which is unique but beneficial to both parties, said Dientes’ Chief Development Officer Sheree Storm.

“We’re really grateful for this partnership,” she said. “We see their patients, and vice versa. Having that integration of medical and dental health is so important.”

**COMMUNITY CARE** Helen Arvidson, a patient at Dientes’ clinic in Watsonville, receives a checkup Tuesday. PHOTO: Johanna Miller/The Pajaronian

Dientes’ main clinic is located on Commercial Way in Santa Cruz, with additional clinics in the Beach Flats area and at the Housing Matters campus on Coral Street. The need for a center in South County was apparent as demand grew over the years, said Clinic Manager Yari Alvarado.

“The need here is so high,” Alvarado said. “Currently we have such a high demand … We don’t have the capacity to see everyone at this location. We’re constantly receiving calls.”

The clinic opened with room for four chairs and limited equipment. In January they added a fifth chair and expanded services, adding additional tools such as a panoramic X-ray machine, which was donated by Dignity Health.

Under Covid-19 restrictions, they serve about 34 patients a day, at about 85% capacity.

“We have hopes and dreams … the county knows how big the need is, how many calls we have to say, ‘No, we don’t have space,’” Storm said. “We could double our patient count and still not address the whole need. We’ll see where things go, but hopefully, fingers crossed, we can grow.”

On Tuesday, Storm, Taghvaei and Alvarado, along with doctors Catherine Modieski and Vicki Lowell, gave a press tour of the small yet bustling clinic. They had originally planned for a five-year anniversary celebration in 2020, but that was canceled due to the pandemic.

“We wish we could have celebrated five years … but as we know, the world changed,” Storm said.

Patient Helen Arvidson was being treated Tuesday, with daughter Beth Bigger at her side. Bigger said that her mother, who now lives at Watsonville Post Acute Center, was first referred to Dientes by a doctor in Los Gatos.

“We’re so happy we found this place,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”

Taghvaei said she was “super grateful” to work at the clinic, and praised her fellow staff for their dedication.

“Staff at this clinic are superstars,” she said. “They’re so on top of it, so compassionate. When a patient walks in, they know them by name. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve this community, who really needs us.”

For information about Dientes, including upcoming Outreach Days, campaigns, and updates about the new health campus at 1500 Capitola Road that they are building with Santa Cruz Community Health and MidPen Housing, visit dientes.org.

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Aug. 4-Aug. 10

GT Staff

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August 4, 2021

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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Aug. 4-Aug. 10

A weekly guide to what’s happening.

ARTS AND MUSIC

AUGUST FIRST FRIDAY: SPEED WHEEL EXHIBITION OPENING Explore all three floors of exhibitions and see the new exhibition, The Art of the Santa Cruz Speed Wheel. Check out a heat press activity with NHS and Herschel. Grab a creativity kit for the children (or inner children) in your life. Then, stay into the night dancing to live music out in Abbott Square. Due to Covid-19, there will be limited capacity within the museum and masks are required. Admission $10; free for members. Friday, Aug. 6, Noon-8pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz.

FIRST FRIDAY SANTA CRUZ ART TOUR Plan your First Friday night and visit participating venues in Downtown, Midtown, Westside, Tannery, Felton and Ben Lomond! Get out and support the arts! Full details can be found on our website, firstfridaysantacruz.com. It’s the final First Friday Night Market of the summer presented by First Friday Santa Cruz. 10 local artists will be featured for the evening selling their original works and prints in Midtown in collaboration with Event Santa Cruz and the Midtown Block Party. A fun night of food, music and art! First Friday is a free event and is perfect for enthusiastic art goers or those just looking to have a fun and enjoyable evening checking out the art scene in Santa Cruz. We are pleased to provide this opportunity and promote this event for the many talented Santa Cruz artists exhibiting their work. Don’t forget to share your favorite artists with friends on social media, visit their shows and galleries and shop local at the great businesses that support artists through First Friday every month. Friday, Aug. 6, 4-9pm. Downtown Santa Cruz, Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

INTONATIONS CONCERT | CABRILLO FESTIVAL Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope” features mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, violinist Benjamin Beilman, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, and youth violinist Thais Chernyavski filmed on location in Richmond, CA by Frazer Bradshaw; and the Cabrillo Festival Virtual Orchestra. Followed by a post-concert Artist Talk and Q&A. In recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, and to the memory of those who found strength, solace and hope in music during the Holocaust. Please also join us for the 11am Violins of Hope/Intonations panel discussion to hear from composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer, Violins of Hope author James Grymes, and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke. For more information and registration information, visit cabrillomusic.org. Saturday, Aug. 7, 7pm.

MELT AND SPROUT CONCERT | CABRILLO FESTIVAL The final concert of Cabrillo Festival’s 2021 Virtual Season features two works by composer Sean Shepherd. First is Melt, set with images and video by National Geographic photographer Camille Seaman. Then, Sprout reflects on the resilience of the forest after wildfire, presented in two versions: one for virtual orchestra, and one animated by David Murakami. Followed by a post-concert Artist Talk and Q&A. For more information and registration information, visit cabrillomusic.org. Sunday, Aug. 8, 7pm.

SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE: RII The story that sets England’s Wars of the Roses in motion, Jessica Kubzansky’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard II tells the story of that king’s ill-fated reign using just three actors. What is our responsibility when a bad leader rightfully occupies the throne? This exploration of divine right, capricious leadership and bloody insurrection is packed with contemporary political relevance. A critic’s choice pick when it premiered at the Boston Court theatre in Los Angeles, Charles McNulty, critic for the LA Times, called the play a “feat of ingenious stagecraft.” Santa Cruz Shakespeare performances take place in The Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) at Upper DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. With a “safety first” mantra, Santa Cruz Shakespeare has implemented numerous Covid-19 safety protocols for its 2021 season—including a revised seating layout that ensures adequate space and comfort for patrons. For more information about SCS, visit santacruzshakespeare.org. Due to limited capacity at the venue, people are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7:30-9:30pm. Friday, Aug. 6, 8-10pm. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2-4pm. Sunday, Aug. 8, 7-9pm. The Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz.

SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE: THE AGITATORS This play tells the story of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Over the 45 volatile years they knew one another, they were friends, allies and adversaries. Their hopes and dreams for equality brought them to common ground and political battlefields. As agitators, they were not content to let either our nation or each other rest in complacency, and their respective fights for racial justice and gender equity continue to this day. Santa Cruz Shakespeare performances take place in The Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) at Upper DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. With a “safety first” mantra, Santa Cruz Shakespeare has implemented numerous Covid-19 safety protocols for its 2021 season, including a revised seating layout that ensures adequate space and comfort for patrons. For more information about SCS, visit santacruzshakespeare.org. Due to limited capacity at the venue, people are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Thursday, Aug. 5, 7:30pm. Saturday, Aug. 7, 8pm. Sunday, Aug. 8, 1pm. The Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz.

COMMUNITY

CAMILLE SEAMAN INTERVIEW Cabrillo Festival presents an interview with National Geographic photographer Camille Seaman, in which she speaks with Nikki Silva of NPR’s Kitchen Sisters about her experience as climate change documentarian and witness to melting glaciers. For more information and registration information, visit cabrillomusic.org. Sunday, Aug. 8, 11am.

GREY BEARS BROWN BAG LINE Grey Bears are looking for help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. Volunteers will receive breakfast and a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with a mask and gloves at 7am. Call ahead for more information: 831-479-1055, greybears.org. Thursday, Aug. 5, 7am. California Grey Bears, 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

GROUPS

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OF SANTA CRUZ Parents of a child who died at any age, from any cause, any length of time ago, are invited to join The Compassionate Friends of Santa Cruz for our monthly grief support meeting. Opening circle followed by smaller connection groups. Sharing is optional. Grief materials available. Bereaved grandparents and adult siblings also welcome. Non-religious. Monday, Aug. 9, 7-8:30pm. Quaker Meeting House, 225 Rooney St., Santa Cruz.

ENTRE NOSOTRAS GRUPO DE APOYO Entre Nosotras support group for Spanish speaking women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets twice monthly. Registration Required: Entre Nosotras 761-3973. Friday, Aug. 6, 6pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

S+LAA MENS’ MEETING Having trouble with compulsive sexual or emotional behavior? Recovery is possible. Our small 12-step group meets Saturday evenings. Enter through front entrance, go straight down the hallway to the last door on the right. Thursday, Aug. 5, 6pm. Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, 2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM WomenCARE Arm-in-Arm Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday at WomenCARE’s office. Currently on Zoom. Registration required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. All services are free. For more information visit womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Aug. 9, 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, Aug. 10, 12:30-2pm.

WOMENCARE: LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter yoga for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Registration is required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 3:30-4:30pm.

OUTDOOR

CASFS FARMSTAND Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through Nov. 23. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. Friday, Aug. 6, Noon-6pm. Tuesday, Aug. 10, Noon-6pm. Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz.

EXPLORING THE BURN ZONE: BONNY DOON ECOLOGICAL RESERVE The Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve is an example of the unique Santa Cruz sandhills habitat and home to many of our local rare plants. It has also experienced multiple fire events since 2008, including last year’s CZU Lightning Complex. During this Exploring the Burn Zone walk hosted by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Marisa Gomez, public programs manager at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, will help you hunt for rare plants, explore the impacts of fire on the landscape, and gather safely with your community in nature. We’ll also collect data as part of the CZU Lightning Complex and Community Science Project. This program is part of the series CZU AND YOU: Resources for Recovery, Preparedness, and Ecological Understanding from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Santa Cruz Public Libraries Saturday, Aug. 7, 10am-noon. Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, Martin Road, Santa Cruz.

GUIDED COASTAL WALK On this 2.5-mile family-friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-426-0505. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php. Saturday, Aug. 7, 11am. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

HISTORIC RANCH GROUND TOUR Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-426-0505. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php. Saturday, Aug. 7, 1pm. Sunday, Aug. 8, 1pm. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

NATURAL BRIDGES LITTLE RANGERS Participants are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Activities and games vary from week to week but always cover a topic relevant to Natural Bridges. Meet at the side porch of the Visitor Center. Parents or caregivers are required to stay and encouraged to help facilitate the fun and games. Day-use fee for vehicles is $10. For more information, call 831-423-0871. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. Although no pre-registration is required, this program has a class capacity and operates on a first come first serve basis, so make sure to arrive early. We can’t wait to see you again! Monday, Aug. 9, 10-10:30am. Natural Bridges State Beach, Swanton Blvd. & West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

NEW BRIGHTON JUNIOR RANGERS This fun one-hour program offers kids, ages 7-12, an opportunity to earn prizes while learning about birds, sea life, and local park animals, playing games, and doing arts and crafts. Meet at the campground Ramada. For more information, call 831-685-6444. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php. Friday, Aug. 6, 3pm. Saturday, Aug. 7, 3pm. New Brighton Beach, 1500 Park Ave., Capitola.

SEYMOUR CENTER OUTDOORS Activities include tide pool investigation: hone your observation skills and watch animals such as sea stars, sea urchins, and hermit crabs gracefully move in their environment; outdoor scavenger hunt: explore the pathway of giants and find nine outdoor objects hidden around the Seymour Center; larval fish geocache: why do baby fish look so different from their adult forms? What kinds of strategies do fish use for raising their young? And just what kind of fish live in Monterey Bay, anyway? Find the answers to these questions in five secret containers located throughout the Coastal Science Campus. Marine Animal Selfie Station: Grab a selfie with one of our life-sized wooden marine animals—be sure to use #SeymourCenter on your social media profiles. The Seymour Center Outdoors is free to visit with a suggested $10 donation per household. Become a sustaining supporter of the Seymour Center, and purchase a membership. To learn more see seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visit. Saturday, Aug. 7, 11am-2pm. Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz.

SUNSET BEACH BOWLS Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of crystal bowls raising vibration and energy levels. Every Tuesday one hour before sunset at Moran Lake Beach. Call 831-333-6736 for more details. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 7:15-8:15pm. Moran Lake Park & Beach, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

YOU PICK ROSES We are growing over 300 roses, deeply fragrant, lush and in every color, and we want to share them with you! Get out of the house and enjoy cutting a bucket of roses for your own pleasure or to share with family and friends. Once you have made a purchase, you will be sent a calendar link to pick a time for your reservation and directions to our farm in Watsonville. Friday, Aug. 6, 11am. Sunday, Aug. 8, 11am.

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘RII’

Christina Waters

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August 4, 2021

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Three bold actors bathed in brooding light and soundwork take charge of the outdoor stage in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ingenious production of RII, a compressed adaptation by Jessica Kubzansky of Shakespeare’s King Richard the Second. Given the circumstances this year, SCS wisely selected a showcase for a small cast, three actors playing eight characters. The effect is by turns brilliant and surprising. Hearing Shakespeare explore the power of the English language makes RII a mesmerizing experience. The drama unfolds through the recollections of Richard (the adroit lead actor M.L. Roberts) as the former king steps back and forth in time, from his adventures as monarch to his ignoble end in the Tower of London.

In a nutshell: Richard has played fast and loose with his citizens’ lands and fortunes. Various noblemen—notably cousin Henry Bolingbroke—plan his overthrow in this prequel to Shakespeare’s Henry trilogy. The issues of revolt and treason against a rightful leader resonate hugely in our present day. The lean adaptation lasers in on the duplicity of the monarch and those plotting to throw him in prison—which is where the play opens (at roughly Act Five of the original).

Playing the part of King Richard throughout, Roberts is exceptional, vocally eloquent and physically nimble, changing back and forth from king to meditating prisoner. Shakespeare’s Richard unleashes a torrent of spoken arias crafted almost entirely in dazzling rhyming couplets. His musings, reminiscent of Hamlet’s, as to how he ended up betrayed and without identity are illustrated in clever flashbacks. The clash between the young, pragmatic Bolingbroke (played by the award-winning Paige Lindsey White) and the dynastic monarch drives this drama. SCS Artistic Director Mike Ryan is the third actor powering the eclectic roles of cousins, henchmen, boytoy, bishops, and traitorous noblemen. As Richard’s dying uncle John of Gaunt, Ryan articulates epic soliloquies and metaphors of England as an unparalleled world power: “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”

The actors move fluidly in and out of their various parts, bodying forth all the intrigue, allegiance, and plotting that will launch the Hundred Years War. Thanks to intelligent direction by Melissa Rain Anderson, we are never in any doubt as to who’s who—although I advise theatergoers to read over the program notes before the action begins. The set is smart enough to serve as royal dungeon and royal throne room, depending upon the costuming of the moment. And I do mean moment, since there are times when Ryan must begin a speech wearing the red robe of a cardinal, and end the same speech as an attending duke, solely by doffing the robe and hiding it under his arm. Roberts meanders back in time to Richard’s heyday by donning his kingly cape and sparkling crown. The removal of those trappings places him back in prison. And back and forth. Stage magic.

Fine acting and inspired light and soundwork keep the various flashbacks moving swiftly, interweaving the doomed Richard and his chequered past into a shimmering organism. The compelling music design by Rody Ortega brings us huge crowds applauding Bolingbroke and vast armies fighting to overthrow Richard. Kent Dorsey’s light design has never been better. What keeps RII from being simply an elegant history lesson is Roberts’ interpretation of Richard as both corrupt ruler and sympathetic victim of the forces of revolution. Is power always ultimately corrupt? Can a coup be justified by the will of the people? These issues are spun through Shakespeare’s unparalleled language—as sobering now as it was when the first Queen Elizabeth was in the audience.

RII is worth its weight in dramatic gold. Skillful acting, pliant adaptation, and the exciting stagecraft we’ve come to expect of Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Remember, due to Covid restrictions there are far fewer seats available this season, so get your tickets now!

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of ‘RII,’ starring M.L. Roberts, Paige Lindsey White and Mike Ryan; directed by Melissa Rain Anderson; written by Jessica Kubzansky; and adapted from Shakepeare’s ‘King Richard II.’ Runs through August 29 at the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. Go to santacruzshakespeare.org for a complete calendar of performances, and for tickets.

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘The Agitators’

Christina Waters

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August 4, 2021

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Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘The Agitators’

As The Agitators opens, we meet a figure in a grey frock coat carrying a violin, an arresting image against a marigold yellow set. It is the magnificent Allen Gilmore, who for the next two-and-a-half hours will open up the towering figure of Frederick Douglass for us to consider. Gilmore’s companion in this dramatized history lesson is the resourceful Patty Gallagher, playing iconic suffragist Susan B. Anthony.

The issue, of course, is the fight for voting rights, and Mat Smart’s play partly makes its case. There’s much to enjoy, not least of which are the conversations based upon letters of these two American activists. We learn details of their lives, about Anthony’s Quaker roots and choice of mission over marriage—“As soon as a woman marries, she dissolves into her husband,” she says—and about Douglass’ nostalgia for a mother he barely knew.

The irresistible Gilmore is given rich lines pouring out Douglass’ affection for his wife and family. The Agitators provided a crisp afternoon of theater to which opening week’s audience responded with a resounding ovation. Clever staging that moves us swiftly through time, the distinctive costumes by B. Modern and direction by Paul Mullins help give substance to the material’s potential. Yet we long for more character development from Smart’s material.

Thanks to the remarkable chemistry between these two actors, the play unfolds with ease. Gallagher meets the great man, and the parallels between her cause and his emerge. The two friends, our playwright insists, are bound together by their astonishing energy, a seemingly common cause for equal voting rights, and their personal simpatico.

Especially charming are scenes in which the political declamations they fire at each other are set amidst simple, everyday activities. The two watch a ballgame together, reacting to off-stage strikes and balls, while talking political strategy. There are a few other moments that capture the sense that these are not only historical legends, but flesh and blood people watching their lives rush by.

The past is only important as it is useful to the present and the future, believes Douglass, thundering that “slavery is what stole the first 20 years of my life.” Inevitable barriers appear to threaten their friendship, as when he uses his influence to get the vote for Black men first. Only afterward will he agree to add his weight to the women’s vote. Anthony is outraged, and Gallagher’s finest moments in The Agitators come when she lays on her considerable skill in striking back at her trusted ally. We not only believe her rage, but the women cheering her in the audience last week obviously shared it.

However, Gilmore’s part is so much better written that his Douglass, a towering figure who was internationally famous in his lifetime, emerges more fully as a charismatic, multi-dimensional, and highly sympathetic figure. With his delicate bodily nuances, and his booming torrents of reproach, Gilmore fills the stage with an authentic individual. Would that Gallagher’s role (or perhaps the real Susan B. Anthony) had offered a deeper glimpse of the woman herself. Perhaps the documents from which playwright Smart worked failed to yield more insight. Yet since this is a work of fiction, I can’t help but imagine the missed opportunities in developing our affection for this character. Gallagher uses her full arsenal of stagecraft, but is hampered by the writing. Many speeches are numbingly didactic, preaching to the converted to the point that it was hard to tell where a play ended and a press conference began.

Still, there is plenty of lively and highly enjoyable debate about the compromises needed to move a passionate cause up through the labyrinths of politics into the law of the land. I learned a lot from this vivacious production that illuminates 45 years in the lives of two political legends. I also learned that I would gladly listen to Allen Gilmore recite the alphabet.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of ‘The Agitators,’ starring Allen Gilmore and Patty Gallagher; directed by Melissa Rain Anderson; directed by Paul Mullins; written by Mat Smart. Runs through August 29 at the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. Go to santacruzshakespeare.org for a complete calendar of performances, and for tickets.

Letter to the Editor: Up Against the Clock

Letters to the Editor

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August 4, 2021

1

Letter to the Editor: Up Against the Clock

In 2006, 192 Republicans voted to renew the Voting Rights Act. Now, we can’t get a single Republican senator to come out and unequivocally support protecting the freedom to vote for the American people. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of bipartisanship in Washington.

It’s time for Senators Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, and other lawmakers who want to protect the filibuster on bipartisan grounds to wake up. We are up against the clock to pass voting rights and secure access to the ballot box ahead of the midterms. Without abolishing the filibuster, our chances of passing voting rights legislation like the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act are incredibly slim.

Please, Democratic lawmakers, put the hard-earned rights of the American people ahead of your commitment to working with the bad faith GOP.

Daniel Goldberg

Santa Cruz

This letter does not necessarily reflect the views of Good Times.To submit a letter to the editor of Good Times: Letters should be originals—not copies of letters sent to other publications. Please include your name and email address to help us verify your submission (email address will not be published). Please be brief. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and to correct factual inaccuracies known to us. Send letters to le*****@*******es.sc.

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Low-Key Lux

Zayante Fire Chief Retires After Nearly Three Decades with District

Brothers Collecting Used Games to Send to Kenya

Scotts Valley Library Shuts Down for Renovations

Watsonville Artist Commissioned for New Mural at Cabrillo College

Watsonville Strawberry Festival Returns this Weekend

Dientes Celebrates 6 Years in Watsonville, Hopes to Continue Growth

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Aug. 4-Aug. 10

ARTS AND MUSIC

COMMUNITY

GROUPS

OUTDOOR

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘RII’

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘The Agitators’

Letter to the Editor: Up Against the Clock

Zayante Fire Chief Retires After Nearly Three Decades with District

Brothers Collecting Used Games to Send to Kenya

Scotts Valley Library Shuts Down for Renovations

Watsonville Artist Commissioned for New Mural at Cabrillo College

Watsonville Strawberry Festival Returns this Weekend

Dientes Celebrates 6 Years in Watsonville, Hopes to Continue Growth

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Aug. 4-Aug. 10

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘RII’

Review: Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘The Agitators’

Letter to the Editor: Up Against the Clock