Author Releases Next Installment in Local Mystery Series

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Author Releases Next Installment in Local Mystery Series

For the past decade, local author Joyce Oroz has steadily released volumes of her Josephine Stuart Mystery Series. And now the 12th book has joined the lineup.

“Lost and Bound” follows the series’ titular character, Josephine Stuart, as she investigates the death of a woman after she was discovered on the tracks at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton on Halloween. The case hits close to home as the woman is identified as her best friend Alicia’s sister.

Along with her loyal basset hound Solow, Josephine leaps into action to unravel the mystery and bring the killer to justice. Unfortunately, then things start looking bad for Alicia as well.

Oroz said that she finished “Lost and Bound” a lot quicker than she thought she would, most likely due to the current pandemic giving her more time to work.

“At the start of this whole thing. … I had lots of time for writing, and I felt really inspired,” she said. “I think I finished it about three months ahead of time.”

The Josephine Stuart Mystery series has gained a decent following, especially with local readers who enjoy seeing their own towns and communities highlighted in the books. Oroz said she’s had numerous people reach out with requests for the next book’s setting.

She had several requests for Felton and in particular Roaring Camp, which delighted Oroz as she grew up in the San Lorenzo Valley. (Her first book took place in her hometown of Boulder Creek.) In preparation for “Lost and Bound,” she did research about Henry Cowell State Park and the old trains that often weave through it.

“I like to give a little bit of history to each place,” she said.

After having written 12 different stories about Josephine so far, Oroz says they are “very familiar with each other by now,” and that she still finds Josephine very enjoyable to write. She hopes that will reflect on readers.

“I want readers to get into their happy space, have a few laughs when they read my books,” she said. “But I also want to make them feel a bit nervous, get their hearts pumping a bit … I like to throw a lot of adventure into these stories. There are no dull conversations—these characters are always on the move.”

Physical copies of “Lost and Bound” are now available at Kelly’s Books, 1838 Main St., Watsonville. Oroz encourages people to purchase through the store if they can. Otherwise, an e-book version is available through Amazon.

Bookshop Santa Cruz Employees Consider Forming Union

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Bookshop Santa Cruz Employees Consider Forming Union

M.J. Jenkins, a bookseller at Bookshop Santa Cruz, didn’t take the decision to start organizing a union lightly.

“I was nervous, because unionizing can be seen as just a bunch of agitators. But that’s not what we’re going for at all,” says Jenkins, who’s worked at the bookstore for a little more than a year and makes $15.75 an hour.

Jenkins and some of her colleagues have submitted a mission statement about their intent to unionize to Bookshop owner Casey Coonerty Protti. According to a post on IndyBay.org, there will be a protest outside Bookshop on Pacific Avenue Friday, Dec. 11, at 5pm. Jenkins says she and her fellow organizers are focused on advocating for themselves in hopes of getting health care and a securing a livable wage—which, for Santa Cruz, they calculated to be $17.90.

Entry-level Bookshop employees currently start at a $15.50 hourly wage. For the first time, the store also has temporary workers, who are making $14 an hour for the holiday season, but they are not fully trained booksellers, Protti says. She adds that the majority of workers make more than $17.75 an hour.

Protti, who says Bookshop has been rocked by hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic, hasn’t taken a salary herself since mid-March. 

That is when health officials at both the state and local levels instituted stay-at-home orders, causing business to plummet, although book orders were available to customers for curbside pickup. In May, the store’s profits were down 50% compared to one year prior, Protti says.

Bookstores already operate on tight margins. In a good year, a bookstore is lucky to turn a 2% profit, she explains. Keeping the business afloat this year has put a strain on not just her finances but also those of her father Neal Coonerty, who first bought the business in 1973, she says.

Protti says that, if the shop’s employees do vote to form a union, the store’s managers will absolutely recognize the union and work with organizers. She promises to do their best to address all the union’s concerns and demands. 

Jenkins says the organizers’ request for health care is central to their concerns, given the stress involved in working during a pandemic.

Protti says the store, which is open 9am-9pm daily for the holidays, eliminated health benefits several years ago because the store’s management team was watching premiums increase 30% per year, and the care itself was lousy. Her team crunched the numbers and determined that it would be more cost-effective to just let employees buy health care for themselves on health care exchanges. 

Bookshop passed the savings onto its employees, Protti says, by giving everyone a $2 hourly wage increase that year. She says that the whole saga transpired before many of the current union organizers started working for the company, so she feels some of that context may be lost on them. Going forward, the store could probably give workers health care again, but the money would have to come from somewhere else, she says.

“There’s no additional money hidden anywhere for any express purpose, so it would have to come out of some other part of the company,” she says. “It’s all open for discussion. But if health care is going to be $250,000, that would have to come out of payroll somehow, if we don’t have any profits.”

Jenkins says she wishes Bookshop had been more accommodating to workers who didn’t feel comfortable working with the public during the pandemic and about moving them to other tasks, like letting them work from home.

Protti says she and the managers tried to accommodate everyone, including Jenkins, as quickly as possible. The store went above and beyond government-mandated public health protocols for retail businesses, she says. Nonetheless, Protti says she empathizes with the stress of working in the store during the pandemic, as she has been experiencing it firsthand, and her husband is medically vulnerable.

While the announcement about a possible union did not totally blindside Protti, she wishes organizers had waited until after the holidays. The news came in the morning of Thursday, Dec. 10, right before the first night of Hanukkah. Protti, whose family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, says the holiday season can already be a nerve-racking time, and this year, businesses are under pressure to try and recover as many losses as possible from a tough year.

“I’ve tried my best to lead with integrity and compassion but also to ensure that Bookshop Santa Cruz can make it out of the pandemic, which is still not guaranteed,” she says.

Jenkins says she and her fellow organizers also want to see the store survive.

Jenkins grew up in Santa Cruz and spent five years working for libraries. She loves helping people find good stories. She remembers going to Bookshop when she was a child, and, when she has kids one day, she looks forward to sharing the store with them, she says. She adds that, if someone wants to show support, they can mention that they support store workers while buying a book at the store, or they can write that they support Bookshop workers in the comment box for online orders.

“Our main thing is just getting these needs met, and I don’t see them as being wild,” Jenkins says. “We all love working at the store. We’re doing this because we want to keep working at this store. For a lot of us, it’s a passion.”

Boys and Girls Club Reflects on Tough 2020 and Anticipates 2021

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Boys and Girls Club Reflects on Tough 2020 and Anticipates 2021

As the largest out-of-school youth provider in Santa Cruz County, the Boys and Girls Club usually serves 2,400 kids at three different clubhouses. However, the Club has greatly evolved since the onset of Covid-19. Slowly opening up after the first shelter-in-place, the nonprofit now serves about 160 children of essential workers or high-risk members. 

“Overall, we’re doing as best we can, and we’re doing pretty good,” said Maia Yates, the director of program services. “I’m grateful for our community partnerships, working with school districts.” 

Members have been split into pods of 12, with the same staff members daily. The Club has also pivoted to serve children throughout the school day and after school, instead of their normal after-school hours.

“We’ve completely redone the [Joe & Linda Aliberti] Clubhouse, and it looks just like a classroom now. Our staff members have a teacher’s desk and students are spaced out in worked areas across the room,” Yates said. “I cannot say enough about how the staff have stepped up and taken new roles. Our staff help members with their virtual learning,  through Zoom and other technology. Many say to me, ‘I feel like a teacher,’ and I can only reply, ‘Well, you are.’”

Aside from creating a classroom, staff have focused on the social and emotional health of their members more than ever. Board Directors are constantly surveying parents, staff and youth to gauge comfort levels with Covid-19 protocols. 

“These kids are so strong and resilient,” Yates said. “They deserve so much credit for all they have accomplished during these hard times.” 

Staff hope to “turn up the fun” over winter break with lots of big projects, outside activities and a virtual countdown at noon on Dec. 31. Yates jokes: “It’s a New Year somewhere!”

The Clubhouse has also added some unexpected extracurricular activities with help from the community, such as fencing and an entrepreneurial course that mimics the ABC show, “Shark Tank.”

“People are being creative with us and that’s what I love,”  Yates said. “Amazing community members are bringing new things to our youth in a time of hardship. It’s so fun to see kids running around fencing with pool noodles.” 

The Club’s impressive evolution comes with a price. 

“It’s as expensive to provide services for 160 kids than 400 kids daily, because of the pod-staff ratio, additional cleaning staff, and PPE …. We’ll make it through this year, but how we come out on the other side is dependent on the community’s support,” said Development Director Andrea Tolaio. 

Keeping Spirits Bright, the Club’s annual year-end fundraiser, is crucial this year, Tolaio says. She hopes to raise $200,000 through the campaign and, as of Dec. 7, the Club is only $75,000 short of the goal.

“Without events, it’s been difficult to fundraise, but we’re confident we will reach our goal …. We’re so grateful for a number of new donors and returning donors,” she said.

This fundraiser will create new opportunities for the Club in 2021. Yates said she would love to expand after school programs this spring, and possibly add a potential soccer camp at the Aliberti Clubhouse. But for now, she said, “We’re keeping our numbers the same until we get the green light from the State and County to expand services.”

Staff mostly focus their visions for expansion on the summer of 2021.

“We’re always talking about having the best summer ever to reward these kids,” she said.

To donate, visit boysandgirlsclub.info or call Tolaio at 831-423-3138, extension 23. Checks can also be sent to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County at 543 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. 


Activists Hang Banner Calling for Climate Action on River Street Sign

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Activists Hang Banner Calling for Climate Action on River Street Sign

Tamarah Minami, a young climate activist, and her fellow organizers had been brainstorming ways to take action on climate change, amid a global pandemic that changed the calculus on mass gatherings.

They decided to wake up early Friday morning and hang a banner over the River Street Sign, just off Highway 1. The River Street sign serves as a marquee gateway to the city of Santa Cruz. The sign reads, “OUR PLANET IS ON FIRE CLIMATE ACTION NOW.”

Minami, who was involved with the banner hanging, says the basic concept came from the group Fridays for Future, which has been pushing for activists to take action in a safe and responsible way.

“They wanted people to show that they were still fighting,” she says.

Minami says this year’s fires—which did severe damage to California, including destroying more than 900 Santa Cruz County homes—serve as a reminder of the need for citizens of the world to cut down on their carbon emissions. 

“That was a really big wakeup call to see how it’s already really bad, and how it’s going to continue, because the fires will keep getting worse and worse as climate change gets worse,” says Minami, who adds that Santa Cruzans should keep their eyes peeled Friday for other banners around town, including ones going up on downtown parking garages and balconies. She says anyone who wants to learn more can do so by following youth4climatejusticeca on Instagram.

Scientists say people everywhere need to take dramatic action on greenhouse gases in order to prevent average global temperatures from rising 2 degrees Celsius. 

Saturday, Dec. 12, will mark the five-year anniversary of the adoption of the international Paris Agreement, a pact to reduce emissions with the aim of holding temperature rise below that threshold. 

President Donald Trump announced in August 2017 that the United States would be withdrawing from the accord—a change that took more than three years to complete. President-elect Joe Biden says the country will rejoin the international agreement during his term.

It’s a change that Minami says will be absolutely imperative in part because of the message it sends to other nations.

Covid-19 Testing Expands in Pajaro Valley, Central Coast

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Covid-19 Testing Expands in Pajaro Valley, Central Coast

The Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas (CSVS) is now hosting a pop-up Covid-19 testing site every Saturday at Las Lomas Market, bringing a much-needed resource to the small rural community in the northern reaches of Monterey County.

The pop-up site is one of five CSVS established last month in hopes of erasing so-called testing deserts throughout the Central Coast. It also is hosting weekly pop-up sites in King City (Monday), Soledad (Tuesday) and Salinas (Thursday-Friday). 

No appointment or insurance is needed to receive a test at those sites. Tests are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, and run from 2-6pm at every location. They will run through the end of the year, CSVS officials say.

All of them are located at community markets, bringing testing directly to the people at a time in which cases of the novel coronavirus have risen statewide and locally, says CSVS CEO Dr. Maximilian Cuevas.

“I think people are now more and more concerned and wanting to get a test,” he said. “That’s why we decided to look at the areas that don’t have sufficient testing around the county, and the north parts of the county are one of those.”

For months, the closest testing site for North Monterey County residents was at Watsonville’s Ramsay Park, and the data reflects that reality. Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that site, which opened in early May, is the seventh-most used Covid-19 testing site in OptumServe’s net of state-funded locations throughout California.

The daily testing capacity there recently doubled to 330 tests, and it is now open seven days a week. Hoppin said that in its first week of expanded testing it was reaching its capacity and then some.

Hoppin also said that last month there were 500-600 tests being conducted a day throughout the county. During the first week of December, the daily average jumped to 719, Hoppin said.

The increase in demand for testing is unsurprising, given the uptick in cases locally, Cuevas says. 

There were more than 1,100 active Covid-19 cases in Santa Cruz County as of Wednesday.

Over the course of the pandemic, Watsonville has been the most impacted community in the county. There have been more than 2,800 cases identified in the county’s southernmost city, according to data reported by Santa Cruz County officials, meaning it has 53% of the county’s cases despite holding just 18.7% of its population.

According to data reported by Monterey County officials, there have been 459 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the communities in the 95076 zip code that fall in their jurisdiction, which includes Las Lomas and Pajaro. But the total number of cases in that zip code is north of 3,100 when including Santa Cruz County territory.

Monterey County, which has a population of roughly 435,000, has conducted more than 140,000 Covid-19 tests, but Cuevas says that is not enough to understand the true scope of the outbreak and to determine where additional testing and funding is needed.

“In reality, we should be closer to half a million tests for a county our size,” he said.

More than 85,000 tests have been conducted in Santa Cruz County, which has a population of about 273,000.

Cuevas says CSVS has offered testing at all 11 of its clinics throughout Monterey County, including its location in Pajaro, since June when federal funding and the necessary supplies were available.

Monterey County has also recently expanded its testing by adding a site in Castroville at the public library. That site, which opened on Dec. 1, is run by state officials and OptumServe, and offers no-charge testing from Tuesday through Saturday from 8am-8pm. Walk-ins are accepted from 4-7pm.

That site is expected to alleviate some of the burden placed upon the Ramsay Park site.

To schedule a test at the Watsonville or Castroville site, visit lhi.care/covidtesting.

The CSVS pop-up testing sites are as follows:

  • Mondays: La Princesa Market, 620 Broadway St., King City
  • Tuesdays: El Pueblo Market, 128 Kidder St., Soledad
  • Thursdays: La Princesa Market, 614 Williams Road, Salinas
  • Fridays: La Princesa Market, 950 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas
  • Saturdays: Las Lomas Market, 182 Hall Road, Watsonville

Lawsuit Targets Santa Cruz Harm Reduction Coalition

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Lawsuit Targets Santa Cruz Harm Reduction Coalition

A group of Santa Cruz residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court to stop the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County (HRC) from continuing its syringe exchange services.

Launched in 2018, the nonprofit HRC—and “harm reduction” programs in general—operate on the philosophy that providing clean supplies such as syringes to drug users will prevent the sharing of dirty needles, and thereby stop diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. 

The group, which operates with about 45 volunteers, also collects used syringes from public places throughout the county and installs sharps containers in several places, then empties them when full.

HRC is one of 59 organizations authorized by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to operate a syringe service program (SSP). Organizers say theirs works in conjunction with Santa Cruz County’s SSP.

The lawsuit, which also names the CDPH, alleges that the agency erroneously approved HRC’s syringe services program on Aug. 7.

HRC’s needle exchange program, the lawsuit states, “poses a serious threat to the health and safety of the citizens of Santa Cruz County.”

The lawsuit additionally alleges that HRC’s program violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because they did not perform the “environmental review needed for the distribution, collection and disposal of used needles.”

Orange County and residents of  Chico have successfully sued CDPH on similar CEQA grounds.

The lawsuit further alleges that HRC’s operations have led to a “significant” rise in the number of discarded needles found in Santa Cruz County, a charge that founder Denise Elerick has long refuted.

Instead, Elerick says, HRC helps numerous drug users and has removed tens of thousands of needles from public spaces. The group also refers drug users to county programs.

Elerick points out that the clients HRC serves have an abiding distrust of authority figures and of the medical community. Her organization, she says, has bridged that gap by garnering the trust of the people who live on the “outskirts of society” and who would not otherwise seek out harm reduction services.

“We are trying very hard to mitigate the harms of substance abuse in the county,” Elerick said. “Until people are housed, and as long as people use syringes there will still be syringe litter.”

CDPH was served with notice of the lawsuit Tuesday at 5pm, Elerick said, but as of Tuesday afternoon, HRC had not been served.

The legal action came as no surprise, Elerick said. 

“We’ve been planning for this for months,” she said.

In an email from HRC, several doctors, other medical professionals and community leaders signed a statement of support for the organization. This includes former county Health Officer Dr. Arnold Leff,  Santa Cruz County Board of Education Trustee Bruce Van Allen, and Health Improvement Partnership Executive Director Elisa Orona. 

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Grant Park Neighborhood Association, a group named for the park located about a 15-minute walk from the collection of medical buildings on Emeline Avenue that houses the county’s Syringe Services Program and Mental Health Services, among other things. The lawsuit, however, did not name Santa Cruz County as a defendant.

The Grant Street neighbors and prosecuting attorney David Terrazas, a former Santa Cruz City councilmember, did not return a call seeking comment by deadline. The plaintiffs include Councilmember Renée Golder and former Police Chief Kevin Vogel.

Neighbors say they frequently find syringe litter scattered throughout their neighborhood and in the park.

In addition, neighbors have seen an increase in used needles in the Pogonip open space near the Harvey West neighborhood, one of the places where HRC operates.

The lawsuit states that HRC’s program operates “in direct conflict” with the county’s SSP because it allows untrained volunteers to perform its services.

“Such actors have no responsibility to abide by state regulations, let alone the norms of community safety and concerns,” the lawsuit alleges. 

In a press release, HRC calls the lawsuit “disheartening,” and says it could worsen the Covid-19 pandemic that is tying up many public health resources.

“This is frankly an outrage,” said Dani Drysdale, who runs HRC’s syringe services program. “We are neck-deep in fighting a pandemic alongside all the other work we do; we are an established service provider with the backing of the highest public health body in the state, and every single one of our volunteers and staff are already working themselves to the bone to save lives in a time of unprecedented crisis.”

Elerick says that her group receives support from Santa Cruz County, and in fact has performed many of its functions at the request of county health officials. This includes installing sharps containers in porta-potties throughout the county, and emptying them when needed.

The group recently received two “Well-Being Awards” from Santa Cruz’s Community Prevention Partners for its work.

“We know the data shows that programs like ours reduce these problems,” Elerick said. “We’re part of the solution. Without programs like ours there would be more syringe litter.”

Owners of La Perla in Watsonville Living Their ‘American Dream’

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Owners of La Perla in Watsonville Living Their ‘American Dream’

It has been three decades since Gabino Torres and Anna Martinez opened a small Mexican seafood restaurant on Main Street, a business they launched as a way to pair their love of their native cuisine with a drive to support their family.

La Perla del Pacifico has held onto its loyal customers throughout the years, an accomplishment they say comes thanks to a combination of personalized service and a menu of recipes created in-house and bolstered by yearly trips to Mexico.

Now, with retirement possibly a few short years away, Martinez says she is proud of the fact that her business has provided her and her husband with a secure retirement.

But what brings the most pride, she says, is knowing that they realized their life goal of sending their children to college and propelling them into successful careers of their own.

Their son Carlos Torres studied Political Science at University of the Pacific, and works in a cybersecurity firm in San Francisco. Daughter Adriana Torres-Martinez earned a bachelor’s degree in human communication from CSU Monterey Bay and a master’s degree in Chicana-Chicano studies from Northwestern University. She works as a program coordinator for Cabrillo College’s Greater Opportunities Through Adult Learning program.

“We made our American dream,” Anna Martinez said.

Carlos says he and Adriana have been helping their parents since Covid-19 restrictions took hold by leveraging their knowledge of technology and social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Moreover, Perla is now offering delivery and recently signed a contract with the company DoorDash.

“We have to expand our boundaries,” Carlos said. “It’s been nice because it’s allowed us to find a different gateway.”

And while the pandemic has had its downside—the business has laid off some employees—Carlos said the slowdown has been a time for his parents to rest.

“I guess Covid has been kind of a reset for them,” he said. “It’s been a little easier on their bodies. Being a waitress and a cook is hard, and imagine doing it five to six days a week for 30 years.”

Adriana agreed, and added that coming together to keep the business afloat has had an additional benefit.

“We’ve never spent so much time as a family,” she said.

To help keep the menu fresh, Carlos says the family vacations about once a year in Mexico, including Yucatan, Puerto Vallarta and Quintana Roo, looking for culinary inspiration.

“If there is a dish that blows us away, my dad will look at it and say, ‘I can duplicate it and make it better.’ He’s done it a bunch of times. We take what we like and add a twist to it,” Carlos said.

Carlos says that, watching his parents working—and working alongside them—he learned that treating people well and giving them a smile will bring people back to your door.

“That’s a lesson you can take anywhere,” he said. 

Anna Martinez says that, with her children grown and successful, she and her husband want to see the world while they are still relatively young.

“We’re still here,” she said. “We’re happy to stay alive in this situation. We have the same tenacity and willingness to keep going after 30 years. But we’re tired. We’re getting old. And we have too many plans. We don’t want to be too old.”

La Perla del Pacifico is located at 458 Main St. in Watsonville. It is open for takeout only, Tuesday–Sunday from 10am-8pm. For more information, call 831-724-0993.

County Filing Complaint Against PG&E for Unpermitted Timber Harvesting

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County Filing Complaint Against PG&E for Unpermitted Timber Harvesting

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to file a complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission against Pacific Gas and Electric Company for what officials say is unpermitted timber harvesting and other activity in the wake of the CZU Lightning Complex fire.

As part of the resolution, county officials will contact the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), California Coastal Commission and other agencies to encourage them to investigate and possibly pursue criminal charges and seek other penalties.

The resolution comes as good news for residents of the burned areas who say they returned home after being evacuated to find that PG&E had cut down their trees without permission.

A Boulder Creek man whose home was engulfed by the fire says he returned to his property to not only find his home destroyed, but to dozens of downed trees.

“I went back up shortly after the evacuation was over, and PG&E had cut down dozens of redwoods along the private road leading to my home,” said the man, who asked to remain anonymous. “They’ve left logs strewn all over my property.”

Worse, the man said that huge logs now block his neighbor’s right-of-way, and that trees have been slashed well over 150-feet from the power lines.

Residents say the county’s lawsuit will save them from the costly and time-consuming process of filing their own.

“As an individual, if I were to file a lawsuit against PG&E I’d have to absorb all of the legal fees,” the resident said. ”That would be all of the money I’m getting to rebuild my home.”

Supervisor Bruce McPherson, who authored the resolution, says that PG&E’s activities—which harmed local waterways and damaged private property—represent a “violation of public trust.”

“We do not take this request lightly,” he said. “The violations of the local and state laws by PG&E and its contractors are serious enough to merit action by our county on behalf of all our residents. Not only for their safety but also for their property rights and the health of their watershed.”

According to county officials, Cal Fire has issued four notices of violation to PG&E, which list more than 300 individual violations of the California Public Resources Code. Those violations include illegally removing trees and other actions conducted by the utility and its contractors, disrupting sensitive habitat and watershed, and violating the rights of private property owners.

Each violation is a criminal misdemeanor that could result in civil penalties up to $10,000.

Moreover, the California Coastal Commission on Nov. 20 sent a letter to PG&E requiring the utility to stop its unpermitted activity, to develop habitat restoration strategies and to seek appropriate permits when conducting its activities.

The CZU fire destroyed more than 900 homes, denuded acres of hilly forestland and damaged and removed numerous trees through its 86,000-acre path of destruction.

Once the fire was extinguished, PG&E began removing trees and clearing the areas around power lines.

But in notices of violation sent to the utility on Oct. 7 and 30, and Nov. 11 and 30, Cal Fire Division Chief Richard Sampson accused PG&E of conducting extensive tree removal operations, and told the utility to apply for the appropriate permits. PG&E on Oct. 20 refused the request.

Sampson also alleges that PG&E and its contractors were cutting trees as far as 100 feet from power lines. He also outlined violations such as unsafe maintenance of roads, and says that runoff from rainfall, in addition to debris, soil and logs left behind by PG&E can harm coho and steelhead habitats.

Impacted areas include the Laguna Creek Watershed, owned by the city of Santa Cruz Water Department, which provides a portion of the city’s water supply.

In addition, the utility violated timber harvest rules by not informing property owners of its actions, and giving them a chance to be heard, Sampson says.

The California Coastal Commission says that the utility’s unpermitted tree removal activities stretch out over about a 17-mile swath, much of which lies in environmentally sensitive habitat areas.

The cut trees have created further problems, as people looking for firewood will drive up to properties and steal hundreds of firewood cords to sell, residents say.

County officials say that, because the removal took place in an area scorched by the fire, the newly denuded hillsides could be more subject to erosion from rainfall. This could result in so-called debris flows caused when heavy rainfall washes sediment, debris and trees downhill.

“PG&E’s unpermitted actions have exacerbated the threat of debris flow by further destabilizing the fire areas that have been scorched,” McPherson said.

Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said that, in making the resolution, the county is not arguing against removing vegetation when needed.

“However, it’s got to be done within the context and rules that have been established in order to balance the needs of private property owners, the environment and public infrastructure,” Coonerty said.

McPherson says that the violations will help the county hold PG&E accountable for the way they respond to future disasters.

Scotts Valley Press Banner reporter Katie Evans contributed to this story.

Beauregard Vineyards’ Satisfying and Punchy Pinot Noir 2018

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Beauregard Vineyards’ Satisfying and Punchy Pinot Noir 2018

The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to think about a special wine to serve with your festive dinner—be it Christmas or the New Year.

Here’s one that fits the bill: Beauregard Vineyards 2018 Pinot Noir ($35). This is an exceptional estate wine produced by winemaker/owner Ryan Beauregard that will delight every Pinot lover on this planet. 

“It has a ruby-red core moving to light garnet hues on the rim,” says Beauregard. “The nose is well-balanced, fruit forward and highly perfumed with the classic coastal California aromatics we all adore.” With its soft tannins and flavors of ripe strawberry and red cherry, this is a perfect wine for your holiday table. “The finish is long and satisfying with a punchy hit of minerality and acidity,” says Beauregard, who considers it an honor to have his wines on your table.

Right now, Beauregard is offering a six-pack of this Pinot at a special price of $150 as a “celebratory launch.” It’s a huge saving on this excellent wine.  And, let’s face it, one bottle is never enough!

Beauregard says that in spite of the “massive and destructive forest fire” in Bonny Doon, he feels grateful that his life’s work, winery, vineyards, and all the family homes were not destroyed. “The fire was a brutally close call—and being one of the renegade front-liners has left me with an unprecedented love for my mountain community and indescribable gratitude for my neighbors who all bravely stood together to save our mountain homes,” he says. “And I am extremely thankful to my amazing customer base that has kept our small family business afloat during this disastrous year.”

On that note, please support our local wineries. Many have suffered serious setbacks through the pandemic with lack of sales, smoke-tainted grapes from the recent fires—and some experiencing their homes burn to the ground.

A gift certificate for a wine tasting makes a great Christmas gift—and there’s nothing like a good bottle of Pinot in your Christmas stocking.

Beauregard Vineyards, 10 Pine Flat Road, Bonny Doon. 831-425-7777, beauregardvineyards.com.

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Dec. 9-15

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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Dec. 9-15

A weekly guide to what’s happening.

ARTS AND MUSIC 

BOOK SALES AT THE CAPITOLA MALL Thanks to the generosity of the management of the Capitola Mall, we have reopened our bookstore in a new, spacious location in the mall. We offer thousands of used items: books, CDs, and DVDs. Most items sell for $1 or $2 each. All funds will be used to enhance the new Capitola library. Cash or check only. Open Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4pm. We are located in the Capitola Mall next to Hallmark and across from Express. Masks and social distancing are required. Please do not take donations to the bookstore. We will pick up donated materials from you. Contact Karen Scott at ka***@*****ds.com to schedule a pick up.

VIRTUAL HOLIDAY ART AND CRAFT FAIRE Santa Cruz County Park’s annual Holiday Art and Craft Faire is going virtual for 2020! For the month of December, join us online at scparks.com to find and support amazing local artists and craft-makers! Our webpage will feature over 40 artists who offer a broad range of holiday gifts ranging from glasswork, prints, cards, jewelry, and more!. 

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL This year, bring the adventure home! Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have a good internet connection because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is going virtual! For the first time ever, travel to breathtaking destinations, embark on daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comforts of your living room. The Covid-19 pandemic has created extraordinary circumstances around the world and many of our live World Tour screenings have been postponed or canceled. While we can’t replicate the experience of seeing the Banff films on the big screen of your local theatre, surrounded by friends and your community, these curated programs of amazing outdoor films will inspire you to live life to the fullest … however that looks these days! Please visit riotheatre.com for more information about the online programs and how you can support your local screening. 

SALSA SUELTA IN PLACE FREE ZOOM SESSION For all dance-deprived dancers! Free weekly online session in Cuban-style Salsa Suelta for experienced beginners and up. May include Mambo, ChaChaCha, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Orisha, Son Montuno, Cuban-Salsa. Ages 14 and up. Thursdays at 7pm. Contact to get Zoom link: salsagente.com. 

COMMUNITY 

DESSERTS IN THE RAW—PLANT-BASED PLAY-ALONG Can dessert be a transformational experience for your taste buds, your body, the Earth, and all of lifekind? You betcha! Join raw dessert master Chef Beth Love to learn just how healthy and life-changing dessert can be! Offered on a donation basis. All proceeds benefit Eat for the Earth. Online at desserts-in-the-raw-12-10-20.eventbrite.com. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30-7pm.  

BE THE SOLUTION: A WORKSHOP ON HOW YOU CAN HELP TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Homelessness is a huge issue that needs solving, but where do we begin? Join community activist and former Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane, and Housing Matters Community Engagement Manager Andrea Feltz, in an interactive workshop to discover how you can be a part of the solutions to homelessness. We will walk through a simple five-step process, with big and small group discussions, to uncover what you can do today to join us at Housing Matters in solving homelessness in our community.  Bring your questions, a notebook and a pen, and get ready to make your personal plan to help join the forces in your county and beyond! Learn more here: bethesolutionssc.eventbrite.com. Thursday, Dec. 10, 10-11am. 

JACKET AND BLANKET DRIVE For November and December, the Scott’s Valley High School Junior Class is hosting a jacket and blanket drive to help supply jackets and blankets to people who are homeless in Santa Cruz County. It is very important to make sure everyone has jackets and blankets because of how cold the weather has been. All items must be washed and can be dropped off at Four Points Sheraton Scotts Valley, located at 5030 Scotts Valley Drive. Items will be donated to Food Not Bombs Santa Cruz. 

VEGAN CHEESE, PLEASE! Looking for something really special to serve for the holidays? Want it to have gourmet-flavor but a star nutrition profile? In this class, you will learn to make a variety of artisanal plant-based cheeses that delight the senses without hurting your health. This is the first time master Chef Beth Love will be offering this popular class online, so get your tickets quickly! Offered on a donation basis. All proceeds benefit Eat for the Earth. Saturday, Dec. 12, 3-4:30pm. vegan-cheese-please-12-12-20.eventbrite.com. 

RESTORATIVE SELF CARE FOR CZU WILDFIRE SURVIVORS The CZU fire has wreaked havoc on our community. Even now, weeks later, you may notice that you’re still experiencing a disruption to your sleep patterns, being in emotional pain, suffering from incessant worry, feeling unsafe or easily startled, or just completely overwhelmed with all that you are dealing with. If so, you are not alone. Since the fires broke out in August, our community has suffered greatly, yet we’ve also shown the ability to come together to support one another, confide in one another, and encourage one another. This six-week series is a time to meet with other community members to help begin the healing process. Each evening we will explore different practices to help you manage the impact of the upheaval you’ve been through, using breathing, gentle stretching, guided meditation, journaling and time for connecting with each other. Luma Yoga and Family Center, 1010 Center St., Santa Cruz. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7-8:30pm. 

GROUPS

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS All our OA meetings have switched to being online. Please call 831-429-7906 for meeting information. Do you have a problem with food? Drop into a free, friendly Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step meeting. All are welcome! This meeting is bilingual, English and Spanish. La nueva hora de las 6:30pm comienza el 6 de mayo de 2020. Todas nuestras reuniones de OA han pasado a estar en línea. Llame al 831-429-7906 para obtener información sobre la reunión. ¿Tienes algún problema con la comida? Participe en una reunión gratuita y amistosa de 12 pasos para comedores anónimos. ¡Todos son bienvenidos! Esta reunión es bilingüe, inglés y español. 6:30-7:30pm. Watsonville Volunteer Center, 12 Carr St. Watsonville, Santa Cruz.

VIRTUAL YOUNG ADULT (18-30) TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-25 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting. Our meetings will be held on Discord during the shelter-in-place order. For more info, contact Ezra Bowen at tr***@*************er.org.

LGBTQNBI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CORONAVIRUS STRESS This weekly LGBTQNBI+ support group is being offered to help us all deal with stress during the shelter-in-place situation that we are experiencing from the coronavirus. Feel free to bring your lunch and chat together to get support. This group is offered at no cost and will be facilitated by licensed therapists Shane Hill, Ph.D., and Melissa Bernstein, LMFT #52524. Learn how to join the Zoom support group at diversitycenter.org/community-calendar. 

OUTDOOR

LABSIDE CHATS: A CONVERSATION WITH A SCIENTIST, FEATURING SHAWN NOREN, PH.D. Tune in for the next Labside Chat with Shawn Noren, research scientist with the Institute of Marine Sciences at UCSC. Join us to explore the intricacies of marine mammal physiology. Join the conversation! Submit your questions in advance for Shawn, then watch the conversation to hear the answers during the live chat. Visit the Seymour Center’s website to submit your questions in advance for each Shawn and to watch the live conversation: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/ongoing-education/labside-chats. Labside Chats are livestreamed the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays), and are offered at no charge. Please support the Seymour Center by becoming a member or making a donation today. Thursday, Dec. 10, 3:30pm. seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/ongoing-education/labside-chats.

WOVEN IN TIME: THE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF THE ELKHORN SLOUGH “Woven in Time: the Cultural Heritage and Historical Ecology of the Elkhorn Slough” explores the rich history of the region with a presentation by Reserve Stewardship Coordinator Andrea Woolfolk—who has spent a large part of her career documenting how humans have shaped this estuary—followed by a virtual ribbon cutting to celebrate “Woven in Time: the Cultural Heritage and Historical Ecology of the Elkhorn Slough,” a new multimedia exhibit made possible with the generous support of California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Thursday, Dec. 10, 5:30-7pm. Streamed via Facebook live at facebook.com/events/2519752044989001.

CULTIVATING GROWTH WITH ‘SEEDFOLKS’ The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) announces the third and final event of its 2020 Sustain in Place: A series of at-home tastings. The fundraising event features readings from “Seedfolks,” by Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman. The story, suitable for all ages, is about a diverse cast of characters transforming an empty lot in Cleveland, Ohio, into a community garden and the transformations that they each experience. This virtual gathering features Paul Fleischman, as well as six community leaders, each of whom will read a chapter: Donna Meyers, Incoming Mayor, City of Santa Cruz; Jonathan Franzen, award-winning author; Tony Elliot, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Santa Cruz; Justin Cummings, Mayor, City of Santa Cruz; Blanca Tavera, LCSW, Faculty, School of Social Work, San Jose State University; Mike Ryan, Artistic Director, Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Guests will also have the opportunity to pick up a reusable grocery tote bag (donated by New Leaf Community Markets) from Homeless Garden Project’s Downtown Store, filled with a copy of “Seedfolks,” HGP’s organic lavender shortbread cookie mix, a jar of HGP’s organic strawberry or pumpkin jam, HGP’s organic herbal tea and fresh-baked bread donated by La Posta Restaurant and other local bakeries. By attending the Sustain in Place event, guests will be helping to support trainees in transforming their lives and gaining the skills they need to build their home in the world. Ticket information is available at bit.ly/SeedfolksHGP or on the Homeless Garden Project website, at homelessgardenproject.org. Saturday, Dec. 12, 3pm. $25-$95. 

WEST CLIFF DECEMBER HOLIDAY OUTDOOR MARKET Enjoy a socially distanced holiday outdoor market with unique artisans and food trucks while taking in the spectacular view of the ocean. This one of a kind market will be held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive. This is always a popular spot for locals and tourists, as it overlooks the famous Steamers Lane surf spot. The market will feature one of a kind gifts and a chance to do some holiday shopping. The market will follow all social distancing guidelines and all vendors and attendees will be wearing face masks. Please come and join us and enjoy this outdoor holiday shopping experience! Saturday, Dec. 12, 10am-4pm. Lighthouse Field State Beach, W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

Author Releases Next Installment in Local Mystery Series

Josephine Stuart Mystery series has gained following among local readers
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Bookshop Santa Cruz Employees Consider Forming Union

Bookshop Santa Cruz
Owner Casey Coonerty Protti says notice comes at a tough time for local store
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Boys and Girls Club Reflects on Tough 2020 and Anticipates 2021

Nonprofit serves some 160 children of essential workers or high-risk members
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Activists Hang Banner Calling for Climate Action on River Street Sign

enviornmental news
Saturday marks five-year anniversary of climate treaty, which U.S. could return to
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Covid-19 Testing Expands in Pajaro Valley, Central Coast

New sites aimed at erasing Covid-19 'testing deserts' along Central Coast
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Lawsuit Targets Santa Cruz Harm Reduction Coalition

Plaintiffs include City Councilmember Reneé Golder and former Police Chief Kevin Vogel
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Owners of La Perla in Watsonville Living Their ‘American Dream’

Couple launched La Perla to highlight their love of their native cuisine
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County Filing Complaint Against PG&E for Unpermitted Timber Harvesting

Residents of burned areas say PG&E cut down their trees without permission
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Beauregard Vineyards’ Satisfying and Punchy Pinot Noir 2018

This special wine is fit to serve with your festive holiday dinner
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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Dec. 9-15

A homelessness solutions workshop, jacket and blanket drive, self-care, and more things to check out in the week ahead
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