2013 Redwood Mountain Faire A Success On All Levels

Organizers To Begin Planning For 2014 Event

It was all smiles as the organizers of the Redwood Mountain Faire met for the first time following the weekend music, arts and crafts festival held on the first weekend in June each year at Roaring Camp in Felton. The eleven-member, all volunteer, steering committee got together last week and heard a preliminary report from their Director, Violet Smith, that the weekend event was an unqualified musical, artistic and financial success; exceeding last year’s numbers for volunteer participation, overall attendance, and gross revenues.

Final figures, including the announcements of grant awards to the more than a dozen local school and non-profit groups who will share all the profits are expected in early August after all receipts and bills have been collected and tabulated.

“We expect a significant increase in the amount of money each grant group will receive,” said Ms.Smith.  Last year, over $30,000 was shared. “The success of the event is a direct result of the generosity of over 400 volunteers, without whom we could not produce such a wonderful event.  It is a testament to the entire San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz community who support each other with their talent, time or simply by attending with their families and friends.”

Smith also had high praise for the local business community for their contributions and support and said that that the entertainment and vendors deserve credit for the beautiful atmosphere that marked both days.

Planning for the 2014 Redwood Mountain Faire begins in earnest next month.

The Redwood Mountain Faire is presented by the Valley Women’s Club and is organized by a volunteer steering committee that includes Violet Smith, Director; Linda Moore, Julie Hendriks, Nancy Macy, Pam Spehar, Steven Shabry, Alicia Kennedy, Eric Hammer, Tai Stills, Jim Coffis and Hallie Greene.

Assemblyman Mark Stone on the Passage of the Budget

June 15, 2013 (SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay), Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, has released the following statement on the passage of the state budget:

“This balanced, on-time, fiscally responsible budget fulfills many priorities of Californians by investing in public schools, making college more affordable, and effectively implementing the federal healthcare law.  It reflects a remarkable level of fiscal discipline in that it eliminates the structural deficit and provides for a rainy day fund that voters will have an opportunity to approve. 

Although I would have preferred to see greater restoration of important programs for our neediest and most vulnerable families, this budget takes steps to restore some of the worst program cuts enacted in previous budgets. It modestly increases benefits provided by the CalWORKS program, and it also increases funds to critical subsidized child care for working families.

Through the new Local Control Funding Formula, we are improving educational outcomes for students by investing additional funds in all of our schools.  Over time, the budget will restore funding to levels before the worst cuts during the recession.  And the state will provide funding for academic accountability considerations, ensuring that all of our schools serve all of our students, rather than letting some kids fall through the cracks.

Nevertheless, there remains room for improvement, especially with regard to protecting our environment.  I am frustrated with the diversion of $500 million in cap-and-trade funds to the General Fund, which shores up the budget with borrowed funds that were reserved for projects to reduce greenhouse emissions.  Local economies would have benefitted, and emissions would have been reduced more quickly, had the money been allocated there.

Overall, my voice, and by extension, the voices of my constituents in the 29^th Assembly District, was heard throughout the budget process.”

Leaders Sought for San Lorenzo Valley Educational Foundation

School trustees George Wylie and Kathy Ritchie are making the rounds hoping to find community members who can revitalize the dormant SLV Educational Foundation (SLVEF).  The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was  first formed in 2003 to raise money to support class size reduction but has since been inactive.  The pair hope to find potential leaders who are willing to take over at a special planning meeting scheduled for Tues, June 18th, 6pm at the Quail Hollow campus (325 Marion Ave , Ben Lomond.)

The organization will be independent and not directly affiliated with the SLVUSD or any of the individual schools but the hope is that such a group could become a stable source of support that could assist educators in meeting needs not met by current public funding.

Similar foundations exist in Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz as well as throughout the state and have been shown to have a positive impact.

Wylie and Ritchie were quick to point out that the foundation would not compete with the various school based organizations, largely supported by parents and local businesses but would seek to find support in the broader community.

For more information or to express interest contact George Wylie at 338-0578 or email georgewylie@yahoo.com

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FROM THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY

The Public Health Department is reporting a confirmed case of Hepatitis A (HAV) in a resident of Santa Cruz County that has been linked to the consumption of “Townsend Farms Organic AntiOxidant Blend” of frozen berries sold at a local Costco store. The case was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.

ADVICE TO CONSUMERS

• Do not eat recalled “Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend” of frozen berries and discard remaining product from your freezers. This product was sold at Costco in 3 lb. Bags with the UPC 07841440448.
• Even if some of the product has been eaten without anyone in your home becoming ill, the rest of the product should be discarded.
• If you consumed this product in the last two weeks, contact your health care provider to find out if you should be vaccinated.
• If you don’t have a health care provider or health insurance or are under-insured, you can go to the walk-in Immunization Clinic (for vaccine only, not for medical care) at 1080 Emeline, Santa Cruz or 9 Crestview Dr. in Watsonville to receive a low cost or free HAV vaccination. Walk-in hours are 1:30pm to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday in Santa Cruz and 1:00pm to 4:00pm in Watsonville.
• If you have had HAV in the past or if you have been vaccinated against HAV, you are unlikely to become ill with the disease.
• Call the CDC INFO line at 1-800-232-4636 for specific questions about HAV.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HAV

If you consumed this product longer than two weeks ago, watch for these symptoms:
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Abdominal pain
• Pale stools
• Dark urine
• Fatigue

Illness can occur within 15-50 days after eating contaminated food, with an average range of 28-30 days.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/CommunicableDiseaseOutbreaks.aspx
• Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

Redwood Mountain Faire -Family Friendliest Music Festival in America June 1 and 2 at Roaring Camp

ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES, SUPPORTS COMMUNITY

Set in a beautiful meadow among the redwood trees in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains the Redwood Mountain Faire is perhaps the biggest little music festival in California. It’s also the family friendliest.  This all volunteer run event -  the proceeds go to local school, service organizations and non-profit groups - is held each year at  Roaring Camp in Felton on the first weekend in June from 10am till dusk.

First presented in the early 80’s by the Valley Women’s Club; organizers have consistently produced a first class event with ridiculously low ticket prices - $20 at the gate (discounts for students, seniors, multi day and advance purchase.)  The modest admission price belies a musical lineup that includes 22 bands performing continuously on two large stages.  A melange of musical genres combine to create a Santa Cruz Mountain Americana flavor that has been the hallmark of the Redwood Mountain Faire from it’s inception.

The idyllic setting adjacent to the 1880’s style logging camp town of Roaring Camp with 100 year old steam locomotives making their scheduled runs around the meadow and up to Bear Mountain and the view of  the Big Trees of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park adds to the magic.

Dozens of local arts,craft, food, beer and wine vendors will be on hand peddling all manner of goods.  A special supervised kids area with games, activities and bounce house is always popular and special surprises throughout the day promise to delight.

Best of all though is probably the throng of mellow, multi-generational, music loving fans that have made the event a performers favorite. Savvy locals arrive early with lawn chairs and blankets to stake out a favorite spot to soak up the sun in full sight and sound of the main stage.  When the music starts at 11am many take the rhythm to the front and center stage areas to join friends, old and new to dance. There alway seems to be room for a few more.

National touring acts like legendary blues guitarist Coco Montoya, former local and country favorite Lacy J Dalton, the supremely talented Birds of Chicago, Roger MacNamee’s Moonalice, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Good Luck Thrift Store,and John Craigie are among the more recognizable names on the bill but local legends Harpin’ Jonny and Larry Hosford, Mary McCaslin and Steve Palazzo, and The Joe Craven Trio are all great musicians and big draws in their own right as is one of the hottest bands to come out of Santa Cruz in recent years: Wooster with Caroline Kuspa, Brian Gallagher, Zack Donoghue, Bobby Hanson and Nate Fredrick.

The rest of the bill is a diverse collection of accomplished and popular performing musicians from around the state including:

• the sultry vocals of Carolyn Sills (with Charlie Wallace on steel guitar, Gerard Egan on guitar and Jimmy Norris on drums);
• the unique and inspiring Steven Graves;
• the latin global funk sounds of the 9 piece B-Side Players;
• the hybrid reggae/rock band Thrive;
• the traditional acoustic North Pacific String Band;
• the hard driving honky tonk/rock & roll of The Miss Lonely Hearts Band with special guest Patti Maxine on lap steel guitar;
• SLV local rockers Vito and Friends (Vito Dettore, Keith Graves, Eric Gunn, and Frank Hatfield)
• the roots reggae stylings of the 9 piece Ancestree;
• the lyrical, lucid, rootsy, danceable stylings of the McCoy Tyler Band;
• the pop/punk power trio My Stupid Brother;
• and the sweet harmonies and straight ahead rock and roll from The Coffis Brothers and the Mountain Men (Jamie and Kellen Coffis, Henry Chadwick, Mason Hutchison and Kyle Poppen.    
  

  
  

Boulder Creek Area Propane Coop Selects a Supplier

Ferrelgas To Supply Propane to BC Residents - Transparent Pricing Key Factor in Selection

The Boulder Creek Propane Buyers Co-op has completed their selection process for a preferred propane supplier. During the review process, several requirements had to be met by a supplier in order to be selected; transparency in pricing, reasonable pricing, ability to adequately service the Boulder Creek area and locality of propane supply.

The group has selected FerrelGas of Elk Grove, CA as the propane supplier for the Boulder Creek Propane Buyers Co-op. Ferrelgas has agreed to base their pricing on a set markup per gallon based upon the monthly wholesale price (as published by the State of California Department of General Services). Ferrelgas is working to provide a local area supply depot in Moss Landing and is in the process of hiring local employees for that depot in order to adequately support the needs of the Boulder Creek Community.

“One of the major concerns we heard from our members was the inconsistency and lack of transparency in pricing by some of the major suppliers in the area. We have been seeing up to a $1.50 per gallon in price variations just between suppliers, and that didn’t even take into account the variation we see from summer to winter pricing. It was very disconcerting how much people were having to pay just because they were with certain suppliers.” stated Gregg Schlaman, founder of the group. “We just want fairness in propane pricing for our community. We chose Ferrelgas because they are open with their pricing and are showing their commitment to support our community.”

Community members that are interested in joining the Google group for the Boulder Creek Propane Buyers Co-op can use this web link:

http://bit.ly/12ffsee

Or one can email:
bcpropanecoop@gmail.com

For residents who do not use computers, they may send a letter via USPS to:

Boulder Creek Propane Co-Op
P.O. Box 381
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

About the Boulder Creek Propane Co-op: We are a community group focused on supporting area residents who are concerned about propane pricing and service. Those who are interested should sign up for the Google group page listed above. By joining the group, residents can continue to communicate to the group and the community regarding propane issues. No names or email addresses of those expressing interest will be shared with any propane suppliers, or with any other group or business.

About Ferrelgas: Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. is a Fortune 1000 company and, through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan.

Civinomics: One Year Later: Citizens Say Program Working But Fee Not Popular

AT ONE YEAR, COUNTY PLASTIC BAG BAN VIEWED AS EFFECTIVE

Three-fourths of survey respondents cite positive effect on the environment; divisions remain on paper bag fee.
 

April 17, 2013—A year after Santa Cruz County outlawed single-use plastic bags, the ban is widely viewed as effective, with 77 percent of survey respondents saying it’s had a “good” impact on the environment. Twenty-one percent say the ban has had “some” impact, while 2 percent say the ban has had “little to no” impact.

Santa Cruz County shoppers expressed mixed feelings about the fee increase on paper bags, which rose from $.10 to $.25 on March 22. Of those surveyed, 43 percent answered that they “support” the fee increase, while 37 percent stated that they were “opposed.” The remaining 20 percent said they were “indifferent.”

Some respondents openly expressed support for the ban but said the fee posed an unnecessary burden for shoppers. “I support the ban, but not the fee,” said one shopper. Another cited concerns about hardship on low-income residents.

Some respondents said the ban doesn’t go far enough. “It's arbitrary, we still use plastic in so many ways from meats and produce to all the plastic wrapping in commercial foods,” commented one respondent. “If you are going to ban plastic go all the way.”

Save Our Shores and Civinomics conducted the survey on March 22 outside Deluxe Foods in Rio Del Mar, Safeway on 41st Avenue, Safeway in Felton, and Ben Lomond Market. The data was collected and compiled by Civinomics. Due to the sampling methodology employed, it is not intended to be statistically representative.

Civinomics is a Santa Cruz technology company. Its mission is to provide communities with tools to increase civic participation and awareness. It’s currently hosting online workshops about local issues affecting Santa Cruz County at www.civinomics.com

Save Our Shores is a 501(c)3 non-profit marine conservation organization in Santa Cruz, California. Their mission is to care for the marine environment through ocean awareness, advocacy and citizen action.

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To download in word document format click here.

Contact: Robert Singleton
707.569.4546
robert@civinomics.com

"Food" is The Theme of the 9th Annual SLV Poetry Reading

The public is invited to the Ninth Annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m., at the Felton Community Hall. David Swanger, Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate, will read from his own poetry and then introduce local poets to read original poems he has selected, on the theme of "Food," from entries in four age categories.  

In addition, favorite poems will be read by Evan Borthwick (Owner, Redwood Pizzeria), Teresa Landers (Director, Santa Cruz Public Libraries), Karen van Putten (Principal, San Lorenzo Valley High School). David Wright (Director, SLV Redemption & Recycling Centers), and Donna Ziel (Cabrillo College Governing Board, Area 1).

The reading, described by a previous attendee  as "a wonderful, heartwarming event," is free to the public and will include refreshments. It is sponsored by Felton Library Friends, a group of San Lorenzo Valley residents dedicated to excellent public library services for Felton and surrounding areas.  For more information, contact  www.feltonlibraryfriends.org

Loch Lomond Use Study Offers Three Options

The City of Santa Cruz Water Commission is being asked to choose among three options so that staff can begin to develop a master plan for the Loch Lomond Recreation Area in Lompico.  A Use Study was requested and begun in March 2012 to explore ideas and develop plans to increase use of the City owned property. Visits and therefore admission and other fees collected have been down in recent years and the City wants ideas on increasing revenues.

(The Commission has a lot on their plate and will likely not spend much time deliberating the fate of what is arguably their crown jewel if not their supply solution.  Also on the agenda will be a review of a proposed "methodology for conservation measure screening for the purpose of generating a list of water conservation measures to be considered for detailed water savings and cost benefit evaluation. "
A list of 54 potential types of conservation measures has been identified for possible inclusion in a final  Water Conservation Master Plan with a planning horizon to 2030.

The Santa Cruz City Council hopes to have a completed plan by the end of 2013.)



Link to the Use Study
Excerpts from the cover memo:

"The study’s goal was to explore a suite of recreational opportunities that could restore visitor counts and improve the Recreational Area’s financial situation while balancing the protection of natural resources."

Option 1. Maximizing Opportunities and Access

 Policy Statement: Maximize opportunities to serve the community with a wide level of
activities and facilities.
 Impact: This approach would increase overall use of the Recreation Area and create the
highest potential impacts for cost recovery as well as the highest potential environmental
risks.

Option 2. Restoring Balanced Use

 Policy Statement: Strive to balance the number of users and use of the facilities with the
protection and maintenance of the environmental resources.
 Impact: This approach would come closest to restoring use/visitors to historic levels
before changes to boating and fishing came into place.

Option 3. Minimal Recreation and Use

 Policy Statement: Maintain services at a minimum level to provide the highest level of
protection of the reservoir, water and other natural resources.
 Impact: This approach will result in overall reduction of use of the recreation area, a
continual reduction of visitors and the lowest cost recovery possibility.

The Commission staff has expressed concerns about choosing option 3.  After the Commission weighs in a master plan for the area will developed.

http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=31600

VWC Holds Annual Member Meeting Sunday

35th Annual Valley Women's Club of SLV General Meeting on Sunday 3/24

The Women's Club of San Lorenzo Valley will convene their annual member meeting on Sunday March 24th at the Senior Center at Highlands Park in Ben Lomond.  Doors open at 11:30am for the the traditional gourmet pot luck lunch and will adjourn promptly at 2pm.  In between there will be reports from various officers and board members as well as brief remarks from our elected officials.

New members are always welcome and can sign up on the spot or you join online at VWCweb.org

The gathering is a wonderful SLV spring tradition that draws all sorts of community minded residents together to celebrate accomplishments and hear plans for the coming year.  New VWC President Lynn McKibbin will introduce the current Board of Directors and committee chairs will provide brief updates on the various activities and programs the Club is pursuing.

The meeting usually draws most of our local, county, state and federal elected officials and includes a State of the Valley address from  County Supervisor Bruce McPherson.  State Senator Bill Monning and Assemblyman Mark Stone are also expected.  Congresswoman Anna Eshoo has been a frequent attendee when her schedule permits.

Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share and their own utensils.  Childcare is available if you call 338-7074 in advance.