LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

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October 30, 2024

SUPPORT FOR KRISTEN BROWN

Kristen Brown has the experience and heart to represent We The People of the Second District of Santa Cruz County. Kristen has a wealth of on-the-job experience as well as a long list of credible endorsements from working people, unions, fire, police, sheriff’s departments and many, many others. There are Santa Cruz county commissioners who ignore the will of the voters and cater to the whims of wealthy benefactors who back their campaigns. They care little for the working citizens of this county and for the critical needs of the working people of this area. As Second District Supervisor, Kristen will bring her wealth of experience, honesty and ability to get things done to the job. She will honestly represent the working people of Santa Cruz County.

Don Redmon | Watsonville

ONLINE COMMENTS

RE: MONSTERS AMONG US

Thank you, Mat Weir, for your brilliant Good Times cover story “Monsters Among Us,” Oct. 15, 2024. Your preview of Dr. Michael Chemers’ Festival of Monsters presents tools for self-discovery in the freshest way. What a fascinating idea that matting a monster onto others will lead to atrocities, but “if you look at the monster and see yourself, then you are on the threshold of some really powerful self-discovery.” You got me wondering, how much of the monster I fear is actually a reflection of me? Great article.

Richard Stockton

RE: BAN ON CIGARETTE FILTERS

First I read this sentence early on in the article, “ban the sale of filtered cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county.” Later on, there is a comment in opposition by Sherry Dang, who owns stores in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, not in unincorporated areas. Supervisor Koenig says all county residents should celebrate, but a limited ban means very little, except maybe a bit of discrimination to the unincorporated residents who favor smoking. Was that first line correct, the ban is only in unincorporated areas of the county? What am I missing?

Connie FIsh

EDITOR: Yes, the ban is just for the unincorporated areas, governed by the Board of Supervisors. The individual cities make their own laws.

RE: REVIEW OF “A TWISTED TALE”

Such excellence in acting from both Andrew Davids and Martin Sampad Kulchek! Tour de force performances! As a writer, guessing the outcome was actually a fun experience for me even when the play was on a very serious note. I won’t say more. A riveting evening. I recommend.

Linda S. Gunther

Street Talk

Street Talk

John Koenig

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October 29, 2024

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What is your favorite ghost movie?

I love Ghostbusters. It’s classic and I love the acting in it and it’s nostalgic of the movies that were made in that time period. And I like Poltergeist. I watched it when I was nine, and it scared me.

Ace Meyer, 20, Disability Resources, UCSC

I really like the Annabelle series with the creepy, possessed doll—or The Conjuring movies—or The Babadook, that’s the most disturbed I’ve been after a movie.

Jun Qin, 19, Ecology and Evolution Major, UCSC

My favorite is the Casper the Friendly Ghost movie. I like how there were different kinds of ghosts—like, there was a bully ghost—and they are all animated differently.

Jasmine Rocha, 20, Radiology Major, Cabrillo College

What comes to mind is Coraline, like more of a kids’ Halloween movie. Maybe not exactly the scariest movie, but it’s quirky. It’s a little unsettling and they did that well. I liked that.

Tim Johnstone, 37, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, UCSC

I like Ghost—it’s the ’90s one. The guy dies, he gets stabbed, and he turns into a ghost. I like that it was so intense, how his friend was two-faced and tried to steal his girl, and how the ghosts come and get him.

Chloe Perez, 20, Surgical Tech Student, Carrington College

I’ll go with The Others. I liked the fact that it was a twist. It’s always a good time when a movie’s got a good twist.

Casey A. 35, IT Professional

Where to Vote in Santa Cruz County

Breaking News

Mathew Chipman

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October 25, 2024

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With mail-in ballots already sent out by the Santa Cruz County Clerk, early voting for the Nov. 5 election has begun. Included in the mail-in voting kits are a sample ballot, an official ballot and a voter guide. There are 22 ballot drop box locations across the county where you can leave your ballot if you don’t want to mail it.

Aptos

Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Dr.

Polo Grounds near the dog park, 2255 Huntington Dr.

Cabrillo College Parking lot R by the stadium, 2372 Cabrillo College Dr.

Capitola

420 Capitola Ave., City Hall parking lot

Mall near the old Sears, 1855 41st Ave.

Public Library, 2005 Wharf Rd.

Corralitos

Corralitos Women’s Club, 33 Browns Valley Rd.

Davenport

Fire Station, 75 Marine View Ave.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Highlands Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Boulder Creek Community Church, 12465 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

Covered Bridge Park, at Mt. Hermon and Graham Hill roads, Felton

Summit Store, 24197 Summit Rd., Los Gatos

Santa Cruz

701 Ocean St. in front of the County Government Center

Sheriff’s Crisis Center, 5300 Soquel Ave.

212 Church St. in the public parking lot

UCSC Quarry Plaza

Trescony Park, end of Trescony Street

Scotts Valley

1 Civic Center Dr. in the City Hall parking lot

Watsonville

316 Rodriguez St., municipal public parking lot 14

County Health Center, 1430 Freedom Blvd.

County Building at Westridge, 500 Westridge Dr.

Additionally, early voting centers are open 8am–5pm Mon.–Fri. at the following locations:

● Santa Cruz—Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections, 701 Ocean St., Room 310

● Watsonville—Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St., 4th Floor

● Watsonville—Westridge County Building, 500 Westridge Dr.

Due to Santa Cruz’s status as a vote center county, you can cast your vote at any of the 24 locations open from Nov. 1–5 listed on the map at votescount.gov, meaning you don’t have to go to a specific site to cast your ballot.

Though online registration closed Oct. 21, you can register on or before election day at any of the previously listed polling sites by filling out a yellow same-day registration form.

If you are a student at UCSC and received a ballot from your home county anywhere across the state, you can drop it off at any Santa Cruz drop box and it will be safely transported to its county of origin.

As concerns over voter fraud have increased in recent years, the voter hotline remains open at 800-345-8683.

Watsonville Brillante Ribbon-Cutting Party Set for Oct. 26

Breaking News

Tarmo Hannula

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October 24, 2024

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Watsonville Brillante Ribbon-Cutting Party Set for Oct. 26

After five years, work is almost finished on the Watsonville Brillante mosaic, splashed across the otherwise dull concrete walls of the six-floor parking garage on Rodriguez Street. A ribbon-cutting street party is set for Oct. 26 to celebrate, says lead artist Kathleen Crocetti.

“We’re planning on closing down Rodriguez Street to make way for the celebration,” Crocetti says. “The community is invited to come meet all the amazing volunteers and artists that helped make this project happen.”

Entertainment will be provided by the Watsonville Community Band, Taiko drummers, White Hawk dancers and Esperanze del Valle folkorico dancers. Plus, there will be food trucks, work by local artists and booths for local nonprofits.

Many of the tiles used in the Watsonville Brillante project were donated by the Aromas-based company Fireclay.

Each phase of the project took six months and featured hundreds of mosaic panels that showcase cultural designs from countries around the globe. Tours of the project will run on the hour in English and on the half-hour in Spanish.

Crocetti said she won the Rydell Fellowship, which provided $20,000 through the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.

“I used the money to travel to Europe where I got to see the architectural work of Antoni Gaudí,” she said. “When I came back I decided I wanted to create some kind of monumental artwork in Watsonville. I drew up a plan over the next year and half and presented it to the city. Then I created a nonprofit and secured donations to develop Watsonville Brillante.”

About 80% of the overall project includes ceramic tiles donated by the Aromas-based company Fireclay.

The free event runs 11am–5pm on Oct. 26 at the corner of Rodriguez and Second streets.

Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail

Take a Hike with Richard Stockton

Richard Stockton

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October 23, 2024

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A hike is not about completion. It’s about discovery.

The Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail is 5.3 miles that includes a hill, sand, rocks and an observation deck with a 360-degree view of Monterey Bay and surrounding mountains. On a day as beautiful as today, the loop might take you to another world.

Ask these guys.

Sleepy John Sandidge, Ben Rice, Laurence Bedford, Sven Davis and I are hardly touchy-feely. We could wear T-shirts that say, “Wrinkled on the outside, cranky on the inside.” All five of us squeeze into Ben’s Tesla; the three of us in the backseat are so jammed together we can’t put our seatbelts on, but we’re packed in so tight we feel we don’t need to.

At the beginning of the car ride to the trailhead the talk is pragmatic; we share information about a water bucket rat trap Sleepy John has discovered called Drop in the Bucket, of how to keep our kitchens from turning into ant farms, our problems with meniscus knee issues, girlfriend issue and memory issues. I learn that a nicotine patch could improve my memory. I never had much luck with nicotine patches. It’s so hard to keep them lit.

No doubt our need to share survival information comes from the heaviness of the times. The upcoming Nov. 5 election that puts us on the brink of patriarchal fascism can make it hard to breathe. Walt Whitman contended that the gravest weakness of democracy is the artificial, culturally manufactured inequality of the genders, “a corruption of nature.”

But there is also a smell in the air of a robotic American empire in the making, a future defined by AI neuro-chips in brains where we simply feel what we want, and a computer will give us exactly that. Maybe in a year or two I’ll write about these hikes when we’re joined by one of the new Tesla robots, carrying our lunch, our water, and lighting our joints for us on the trail. But with a hiking robot we’d never get lost enough to wander, trailblaze and discover. We would lose so much.

We step out of the car—yes, a Tesla—on the east side of Graham Hill Road, just past Rollingwood Drive. The day and the forest are so beautiful our humanness feels restored. We’re alive. I begin to sense that, like me, the boys are hoping for a moment of transcendence on the trail.

Sleepy John’s name is an intentional misnomer; at 85 he has more energy than the law allows, or at least more than they can apprehend. After our 30-minute ascent from the Graham Hill entrance up to the trail toward the Henry Cowell Observation Deck, Sleepy John stops inside a circle of redwoods. “Guys, gotta take a blow.” We look up to find a natural cathedral, the trees point to the heavens like the red roofline of an In-N-Out Burger, maybe the closest any of us get to a church experience.

We tend to walk in the footsteps of Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote, “I cannot believe in a God who needs to be praised all the time.” Furthermore: “I can only believe in a God who wants to dance.”

Sleepy John flops down on his back, stares straight up and says, “Oh, my god, the redwoods look like they are holding up the sky.” In a way, they are. Redwoods are stellar at capturing CO2 and producing oxygen. I turn to see my four supine friends, all staring straight up.

OUT OF BODY—BACK IN 10 MINUTES: Without saying a word, my companions look to the sky and go into a trance.

Though not a word is uttered about searching the sky for meaning, my four companions coalesce into a group meditation on the heavens. They breathe together. They don’t blink. My crankier-than-thou friends are sky gazing and redwood forest bathing.

It turns out that sky gazing is an established form of meditation that moves you out of your thoughts into space and emptiness. There is a social psychology study from the University of Toronto that finds that sky gazing can even make you a nicer person (“Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology). The study says that sky gazing helps us feel “diminished in the presence of something greater than oneself … we realize how insignificant our problems are.”

Here’s the cool thing: “it may encourage people to forgo strict self-interest to improve the welfare of others.” Looking into the sky is where our empathetic imagination can roam free. There is hope for me and my hiking buddies yet; wrinkled on the outside, empathically cranky on the inside.

**We climb the trail to the Henry Cowell Observation Deck where I try observational comedy: “Hiking is just walking where it’s OK to pee.” Damn those crickets.**

The trail up to the Observation Deck is steep enough and long enough to test us a bit. On an ascent we bend toward the mountain, it’s how we compare ourselves to the earth. We hike silently, the uphill trail makes our usual banter turn into sucking in all the oxygen we can.

The Observation Deck is awesome. The view across Monterey Bay goes all the way to Fremont Peak. We marvel at the majesty of the old, dead Woodpecker Tree and the ancient geology surrounding us, and then the future of humanity rides up the trail.

From the Observation Deck we see a stunning mare, her black coat shining in the sunlight, carry a young woman up the trail; two spirits in feminine form who are separated only by a thin English saddle, moving as one with strength and beauty.

My disturbing ruminations about robots and patriarchal fascism evaporate with this arrival of new, fresh air. I see them as the future of humanity with promises of peacefulness and self-restraint. I ask the confident young woman on the black mare if I can take her picture. She smiles gently and says, “Of course.”

**A vision for a powerful feminine future, embodying peacefulness, strength and self-restraint. Nice future.**

**The way down on Pine Trail descends sharply and we feel lucky to not be walking uphill in sand.**

When you make love, even though you and your partner know it’s going to be good, you never can really remember just how wonderful it feels until you do it. That is how we feel about today’s hike on the Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail.

To go back to Nietzsche, “Sit as little as possible; do not believe any idea that was not born in the open air and of free movement in which the muscles do not also revel. All prejudices emanate from the bowels. Sitting still is the real sin against the Holy Ghost.”

You can begin the trail at the Henry Cowell State Park Headquarters (where the circle is) or you can park along Graham Hill Road past Rollingwood Drive to walk the Observation Deck Loop. To get to the Observation Deck, go up Powder Mill Road, it becomes Ridge Road and then Pine Trail.

Street Talk

Street Talk

John Koenig

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October 23, 2024

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What do you remember scaring you as a little kid?

I remember being terrified that Santa Claus would find me awake when he came, so I hid under the covers. And I was scared of ghosts. Our mother would iron a white shirt at night and hang it on the door. From my bed I’d see the shirt moving and I was so scared that it was a ghost.

Lynn Gilham, 68, Retired

It was the episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark where they got into a pool and there was an invisible monster in the pool. They eventually revealed that it was a red, seaweed-covered skeleton that looked like it had been under the ocean for a while. It gave me nightmares.

Alex Rowan, 35, Software Engineer

It was an animated rendition of The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. And something about the milky eye and the beating heart—it had music to it and it was really scary. I was maybe 5 or 6 and it absolutely terrified me.

Venus Rasmussen, 26, Good Vibes and Camouflage on Pacific Avenue

I was afraid of ghosts. Where I came from in Africa, they have some ghosts. Like real ghosts. You can feel different feelings in your body, you just feel it, like this person is not real. He’s dead. And I was afraid of the dark, a dark place, I was like, oh God, get me out of here!

Elie Mabanza, 42, Singer/Musician

My sister was into scary movies, and the first scary movie I watched with her was The Ring. That girl came out of the TV, and that image—I was having nightmares about that for months. In the movie you’re cursed if you see the VHS tape, and technically I’ve seen the tape, so…

Claire Rowan, 28, Nanny

I was scared of Chucky the doll. And La Cucaracha because my dad would make it seem scary, like it was going to get me.

Amy Arzua, 20, sociology major at UCSC

I was afraid of clowns after I saw a scary clown movie from the ’80s. I was scared for a long time after.

Artin Saffarnia, 19, electrical engineering major at UCSC

Santa Cruz County Election Guide

Todd Guild

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October 23, 2024

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As local voters prepare to fill in their ballots for the Nov. 5 election, they are faced with a large array of candidates and local ballot initiatives that can seem daunting. We attempt to demystify the local ballot. For more information, visit Santa Cruz County’s election website at votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov.

Scotts Valley City Council

Seven candidates are vying for three seats:

Corky Roberson, 53, Food Sales

Mercedes Molloy, 24, CEO of Safe Squad Mobile App

Dustin Lopez,24, UC Santa Cruz student

Steve Clark, 60, Retired Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief

Krista Jett, 37, Nurse at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

John Lewis, 45, Information technology contractor and stay-at-home dad

Donna Lind (incumbent), 74, Retired Scotts Valley Police sergeant

Capitola City Council

Enrique Dolmo Jr., 49, Athletic director, campus security and transportation officer at New Brighton Middle School

Gerry Jensen, 56, Capitola Planning Commissioner, general contractor.

Margaux Morgan (incumbent), 37, Personal trainer and restaurant manager

Melinda Orbach, 40, Family nurse practitioner with Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Watsonville City Council

With three seats up for election, only one is in play, as Eduardo Montesino and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter ran unopposed and will be appointed in lieu of election.

But the race for District 6 will be one to watch, as Trina Coffman-Gomez looks to unseat Jimmy Dutra.

Dutra, who was recently found liable for damages caused by sexual abuse of a minor in 2005, has stopped attending city council meetings in person. He has vowed to appeal the court case, but the situation is likely to affect his reelection efforts.

Coffman-Gomez, a local realtor, previously served on the council from 2012-2020.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Board of Supervisors District 2

Kim De Serpa, who has served on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees since 2010, is facing off against Capitola City Councilwoman Kristen Brown. Brown is currently the city’s Mayor and has sat on the board since 2016.

Brown got 32.7% of the vote in the March Primary, while De Serpa got 25.2%.

Both women are active in the community, and both would bring a wealth of experience to the table if elected. See bit.ly/4eMleeI for interviews with both.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Board of Supervisors District 5

In the race to replace outgoing Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Monica Martinez and Christopher Bradford have made it to the November elimination round.

Bradford is small business owner and community organizer, while Martinez is the CEO of Encompass Community Services. Martinez garnered 46.43% of the vote in March Primary election, with Bradford taking 21.41%.

Local measures

Measure Q: Santa Cruz County Water and Wildlife Protection Initiative

This measure proposes levying an $87 yearly parcel tax in the county, raising approximately $7.3 million annually. This ordinance would fund projects that “protect drinking water sources, rivers, creeks, streams, groundwater resources, beaches, and parks,” according to the measure text. Additional projects would be funded to reduce wildfire risks, preserve native wildlife, habitats, working lands and agriculture. The measure has no sunset provision and a citizen committee would oversee the funds, 40% of which would go to the county to dole out for approved projects.

Measure R: Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County Bond

This measure asks county voters to authorize $221 million in bonds to maintain 911 response times, protect local medical emergency and fire protection services and prepare for wildfires, floods and earthquakes by upgrading and repairing equipment and stations.

County homeowners would pay $29 for every $100,000 of assessed value annually, raising $11.6 million per year.

Measure S: Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Bond

This measure asks district voters to authorize $24.5 million in bonds to improve 911 response times, maintain emergency medical services, strengthen wildfire protection and prevention, and construct a new Erba Lane station, according to the measure text. Area homeowners would pay $17 for every $100,000 of assessed value, generating $1.7 million annually.

Measure T: Zayante Fire Protection District Tax

This measure asks district voters to approve a special tax to replace the current $68 annual parcel tax. The new tax would be split by parcel size. Vacant parcels less than five acres would pay $50 annually, vacant parcels over 5 acres would pay $100 annually, while residential, commercial and other improved parcels would pay $290 annually. This would raise an estimated $440,000 per year.

Measure U – San Lorenzo Water District Rate Initiative

In February, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors approved several new water rates. These were a fixed monthly water Service Charge, a fixed monthly capital charge, a fixed monthly private fire line charge and a variable monthly rate based on water usage.

A month later, a successful citizen’s ballot initiative—Measure U—was created to repeal the capital charge and limit future increases of the service charge to 2% per year.

Measure V – City of Watsonville Charter Amendment – Commission Service Measure

Under Watsonville’s current rules, only registered voters can serve on the city’s Board of Library Trustees, as well as the the Parks and Recreation, Personnel and Planning commissions.

If passed by a majority of voters, Measure V would allow all Watsonville residents to serve in those positions, which are appointed by the city council.

Supporters say the change would allow all residents to have a say what goes on in their city, while opponents say that the important issues considered by the commissions should be left to registered voters.

Measure W – City of Watsonville Charter Amendment – Charter Update Measure

No argument was filed against Measure W, which would make several non-substantive changes to Watsonville’s City Charter.

This includes revising both qualifications for city manager applicants and responsibilities for the position, and allowing the city to hire attorneys to assist the city attorney.

It would also make the Library Board a commission, and would allow the City Council to receive employment benefits, and allow the mayor to receive 25% more than the other council members.

Measure X- Scotts Valley Business Tax Measure

Scotts Valley is asking voters to tax businesses to help with city services, such as repairing pothole and streets, wildfire prevention programs, maintaining parks/playfields; and other critical governmental services. The cost would raise business licenses from $90 to $150 per business with rates increasing incrementally for larger businesses based on gross receipts, generating approximately $1.1 million a year.

Measure Y: Capitola Sales Tax

Asks for a quarter percent raise to sales tax expected to net $2.2 million a year for essential city services including public safety and emergency services, including repairing potholes, maintaining streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, beaches, fixing the new wharf, and recreation programs for youth. It currently has a quarter percent tax.

Measure Z: Santa Cruz Beverage Tax

Based on the TV ads, this is a hot and expensive issue. The city is asking for a 2 cents per ounce tax on sweetened beverages claiming it will raise $1.3 million a year for improving parks, providing safe routes to schools, expanding recreational programs and helping fight diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Opponents claim it will make beverages unaffordable.

California Election Guide

Todd Guild

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October 23, 2024

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Proposition 2

Public School and Community College Facilities

Under Prop. 2, the state would sell a $10 billion bond for new school construction and renovation projects.

Of this, $8.5 billion would be used for public schools, while $1.5 billion would go to community colleges.

School districts would apply for the funds on a first-come, first-served basis, and career technical education and charter school funds through a competitive application process.

In addition, $115 million would be used for reducing lead levels in water at public school sites.

State officials say the bond would cost about $500 million annually over 35-years, in addition to10% interest, all of which would come out of the state’s general fund.

Proposition 3

Constitutional right to marriage

In 2008, Californians passed Proposition 8, which limited marriage to one man and one woman and effectively banned same-sex marriage.

Two years later, a federal judge ruled that law unconstitutional, and when the United States Supreme Court declined to overturn that decision in 2013, it made same-sex marriage the law of the land.

But Prop. 8 remains still on the books. Prop. 3 would change the language in the California Constitution to allow everyone the right to marry.

Proposition 4

New Bond for Natural Resources and Climate Activities.

Allows the state to sell a $10 billion bond for natural resources and climate activities.

Much of the bond money would be used for loans and grants to local governments, Native American tribes, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses. Some bond money would be available for state agencies to spend on state-run activities.

This includes $3.8 billion for drought, flood and water supply projects, $1.5 billion for forest health and wildfire prevention, $1.2 billion for sea-level rise projects and $1.2 billion for land conservation and habitat restoration. $700 million would go toward parks, and farms and agriculture would be eligible for $300 million.

Would cost roughly $400 million annually for 40 years, including 10% interest, which would come from the state’s general fund.

Proposition 5

Lowering the threshold for bonds

Currently, many local bonds require a two-thirds majority vote to pass. This law would lower that threshold for bonds funding affordable housing and public infrastructure projects to 55 percent.

The law would also require the governments to conduct annual audits, and to appoint citizens’ oversight committees.

Proposition 6

Bans involuntary servitude for state prison inmates

Would change the state constitution to ban involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime, and stop state prisons from disciplining people who refuse to work.

Proposition 32

Increasing minimum wage

Sets minimum wage in 2025 for employers with 26 or more employees at $18 per hour, and those with fewer at $17 per hour.

In 2026, the minimum wage would be $18 per hour for all employees.

The minimum wage would be adjusted for inflation every year beginning in 2027.

Proposition 33

Rent control

This law would allow local governments to expand rent control rules by eliminating the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. That law aimed to balance the interests of landlords and tenants by limiting the ability of jurisdiction to control rent increases.

Supporters say the new law would help renters in a challenging housing market.

Opponents warn that “rent control” includes housing requirements for low-income housing projects. If jurisdictions are able to set their own requirements, setting the number of required low-income units too high, for example, developers may be wary of creating new projects because they won’t pencil out financially.

In addition, the value of rental housing would decline because potential buyers would not want to pay as much.

The law could also decrease the number of available rental units because landlords would seek to sell their properties to permanent owners, opponents say.

Similar measures were defeated in 2018 and 2020. All three were forwarded by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, known among other things for seeking to block new housing projects there.

Proposition 34

Requirements for Medi-Cal Prescription funds

Under federal law, the 340B program requires pharmaceutical companies to sell their drugs to nonprofits at discounted rates. Those non-profits then charge insurance companies full price, and keep the remainder for patient services.

One of those groups is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which used some of those proceeds for housing projects and legislation that supports it. This includes Prop. 33.

Prop. 34 would require nonprofits that meet a very specific set of criteria to use 98% of those proceeds for direct patient care. But opponents say that those criteria are so narrow that it appears targeted specifically at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Some opponents, in fact, call Prop 34 “The Revenge initiative,” for that organization’s support of Prop. 33.

Proposition 35

Make the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax permanent

Since 2009, the state has charged a tax on certain health care plans, called the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax. This is estimated to bring in between $7 billion to $8 billion yearly, which is used to fund Medi-Cal, the state-federal health program for low-income people.

State officials say this helps allay that program’s costs, as Medi-Cal costs roughly $35 billion from the state’s general fund this year.

This tax is set to expire at the end of 2026. Prop. 35 would make the tax permanent beginning in 2027.

There was no opposition filed to this proposition.

Proposition 36

Increases charges and sentences for drug and theft crimes

In 2014, voters approved Proposition 47, which reduced the penalties for some drug and theft charges.

While supporters saw that law as a way to ease overly strict consequences for crimes, Prop. 36 supporters say it resulted in an “explosion in crime” and the proliferation of hard drugs such as fentanyl.

Prop. 36 would increase theft of $950 or more from a misdemeanor to a felony if the perpetrator has previous convictions.

It would also lengthen prison sentences for theft or damage of property if three or more people committed the crime together.

In addition, crimes involving “hard” drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine would require prison time.

Knockout White

Vine & Dine

Josie Cowden

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October 23, 2024

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Not a huge number of wineries make pinot blanc, but Ram’s Gate owner Jeff O’Neill loves different varieties of grape and planted four acres. When these voluptuous grapes were eventually crushed, the end result was the superb estate-grown Ram’s Gate Winery Pinot Blanc.

Winemaker Joe Nielsen took three different pinot blanc clones (Etude, Beringer and Bien Nacido), grown on the south-facing slopes of the Ram’s Gate estate, and made a knockout white ($40). Its notes of pear and white peach along with wheatgrass, honey and apricot linger on the tongue. Ram’s Gate says that six months spent in 86% neutral oak and 14% stainless steel make a combination that lends to a slight viscosity that is full-bodied and energetic.

Located in Sonoma at 28700 Arnold Drive, Ram’s Gate is a wonderful place to visit. Reach the winery at 707-721-8700. Ramsgatewinery.com

Dutch Treat

Visiting England in the summer, I tried Dutch Barn Vodka at some friends’ party. It’s delicious. It is made by Ellers Farm Distillery—and comedian Ricky Gervais is co-owner. Made in Yorkshire (where I’m from), of locally grown apples, tours are available of the distillery. I looked online to see if this vodka is now in the States, but not yet. Meantime, I died laughing at online ads with Ricky Gervais. Check them out. Dutchbarn.com

Ghostly Fun

Talking of spirits, Venus Spirits in Santa Cruz is doing a tour of the distillery and a class on the “spooky side” of tiki cocktails. Led by Lindsay Eshleman, it promises to be a “spooktacular” experience. 5:30–7pm Oct. 23. Venusspirits.com

French Deals

These reasonably priced French wines: Mas Des Bressades, Costieres De Nimes (about $20); Mas Carlot, La Terre Natale (about $13); and Hongrie Saint-Péray, M. Chapoutier Lieu-dit Hongrie (about $38); are all worth a swirl and a sip.

Free Will Astrology

Astrology

Rob Brezsny

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October 23, 2024

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ARIES — March 21-April 19

Secrets and hidden agendas have been preventing you from getting an accurate picture of what’s actually happening. But you now have the power to uncover them. I hope you will also consider the following bold moves: 1. Seek insights that could be the key to your future sexiness. 2. Change an aspect of your life you’ve always wanted to change but have never been able to. 3. Find out how far you can safely go in exploring the undersides of things. 4. Help your allies in ways that will ultimately inspire them to help you.

TAURUS — April 20-May 20

From the early 1910s to the late 1920s, silent films were the only kind of films that were made. The proper technology wasn’t available to pair sounds with images. “Talking pictures,” or “talkies,” finally came into prominence in the 1930s. Sadly, the majority of silent films, some of which were fine works of art, were poorly preserved or only exist now in second- or third-generation copies. I’m meditating on this situation as a metaphor for your life, Taurus. Are there parts of your history that seem lost, erased or unavailable? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to try to recover them. Remembering and reviving your past can be a potent healing agent.

GEMINI — May 21-June 20

An old proverb tells us, “You must run toward the future and catch it. It is not coming to meet you, but is fleeing from you, escaping into the unknown.” This adage isn’t true for you at all right now, Gemini. In fact, the future is dashing toward you from all directions. It is not shy or evasive, but is eager to embrace you and is full of welcoming energy. How should you respond? I recommend you make yourself very grounded. Root yourself firmly in an understanding of who you are and what you want. Show the future clearly which parts of it you really want and which parts are uninteresting to you.

CANCER — June 21-July 22

Early in his musical career, Cancerian innovator Harry Partch played traditional instruments and composed a regular string quartet. But by age 29, he was inventing and building novel instruments that had never before been used. Among the materials he used in constructing his Zymo-Xyl, Eucal Blossom and Chromelodeon were tree branches, light bulbs and wine bottles. I’m inviting you to enter into a Harry Partch phase of your cycle, Cancerian. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to express your unique genius—whether that’s in your art, your business, your personal life, or any other sphere where you love to express your authentic self.

LEO — July 23-Aug. 22

Life’s unpredictable flow will bring you interesting new blessings if you revamp your fundamentals. Listen closely, Leo, because this is a subtle turn of events: A whole slew of good fortune will arrive if you joyfully initiate creative shifts in your approaches to talking, walking, exercising, eating, sleeping, meditating and having fun. These aren’t necessarily earth-shaking transformations. They may be as delicate and nuanced as the following: 1. adding amusing words to your vocabulary; 2. playfully hopping and skipping as you stroll along; 3. sampling new cuisines; 4. keeping a notebook or recorder by your bed to capture your dreams; 5. trying novel ways to open your mind and heart; 6. seeking fresh pleasures that surprise you.

VIRGO — Aug. 23-Sept. 22

In an old Irish folk tale, the fairies give a queen a crystal cauldron with special properties. If anyone speaks three falsehoods in its presence, it cracks into three fragments. If someone utters three hearty truths while standing near it, the three pieces unite again. According to my metaphorical reading of your current destiny, Virgo, you are now in the vicinity of the broken cauldron. You have expressed one restorative truth and need to proclaim two more. Be gently brave and bold as you provide the healing words.

LIBRA — Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Let’s review the highlights of the recent months. First, you expanded your perspective, blew your mind and raised your consciousness. That was fabulous! Next, you wandered around half-dazed and thoroughly enchanted, pleased with your new freedom and spaciousness. That, too, was fantastic! Then, you luxuriously indulged in the sheer enjoyment of your whimsical explorations and experimentations. Again, that was marvelous! Now you’re ready to spend time integrating all the teachings and epiphanies that have surged into your life in recent months. This might be less exciting, but it’s equally important.

SCORPIO — Oct. 23-Nov. 21

As a teenager, I loved the music of Jefferson Airplane. I recall sitting on the couch in my New Jersey home and listening to their albums over and over again. Years later, I was performing on stage at a San Francisco nightclub with my band, World Entertainment War. In the audience was Paul Kantner, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane. After the show, he came backstage and introduced himself. He said he wanted his current band, Jefferson Starship, to cover two of my band’s songs on his future album. Which he did. I suspect you will soon experience a comparable version of my story, Scorpio. Your past will show up bearing a gift for your future. A seed planted long ago will finally blossom.

SAGITTARIUS — Nov. 22-Dec. 21

My horoscopes are directed toward individuals, not groups. Yet it’s impossible to provide oracles about your personal destiny without considering the collective influences that affect you. Every day, you are impacted by the culture you live in. For instance, you encounter news media that present propaganda as information and regard cynicism as a sign of intellectual vigor. You live on a planet where the climate is rapidly changing, endangering your stability and security. You are not a narrow-minded bigot who doles out hatred toward those who are unlike you, but you may have to deal with such people. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is an excellent time to take an inventory of the world’s negative influences—and initiate aggressive measures to protect yourself from them. Even further, I hope you will cultivate and embody positive alternatives.

CAPRICORN — Dec. 22-Jan. 19

I suspect you will be extra attractive, appealing and engaging in the coming weeks. You may also be especially convincing, influential and inspirational. What do you plan to do with all this potency? How will you wield your flair? Here’s what I hope: You will dispense blessings everywhere you go. You will nurture the collective health and highest good of groups and communities you are part of. PS: In unexpected ways, being unselfish will generate wonderful selfish benefits.

AQUARIUS — Jan. 20-Feb. 18

Do you fantasize about being a masterful manager of your world? Have you imagined the joy of being the supreme sovereign of your holy destiny? Do you love the idea of rebelling against anyone who imagines they have the right to tell you what you should do and who you are? If you answered yes to those questions, I have excellent news, Aquarius: You are now primed to take exciting steps to further the goals I described. Here’s a helpful tip: Re-dedicate yourself to the fulfillment of your two deepest desires. Swear an oath to that intention.

PISCES — Feb. 19-March 20

The Liberation Season is here. How can you take maximum advantage of the emancipatory energies? Here are suggestions: 1. Plan adventures to frontier zones. 2. Sing and dance in the wilderness. 3. Experiment with fun and pleasure that are outside your usual repertoire. 4. Investigate what it would mean for you to be on the vanguard of your field. 5 Expand your understandings of sexuality. 6. Venture out on a pilgrimage. 7. Give yourself permission to fantasize extravagantly. 8. Consider engaging in a smart gamble. 8. Ramble, wander and explore.

Homework: Is there any joy or pleasure you deny yourself for no good reason? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

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