The Mountain Gardener: A visit to a Ben Lomond paradise
by Jan Nelson
May 23, 2013 | 25 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Mountain Gardener: Ben Lomond garden
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Visiting gardens is one of my passions. Wherever I travel I take time to enjoy an arboretum or a historical garden when I find them. Local gardens can be just as exciting, and recently I was invited to stroll and marvel under majestic oaks in a beautiful garden near Quail Hollow.

This 25-acre property was first developed by an Englishman in the very early 1900's. After building an Italian Mediterranean style house featuring plenty of earthy materials such as terra-cotta paver floors and patios, red clay tile roof, stucco walls, rustic wood beams and enclosed outdoor spaces, he set out to landscape the property.

A spring-fed creek provides water to a woodland garden with 40-foot rhododendrons still thriving and in full-bloom during my visit. Western azaleas scented the air and the horsetail, columbine and white calla lily grew lush in the moist soil. The original owner built Japanese inspired stone bridges over the creek, the remnants still poking through the ferns.

Huge stands of black and golden bamboo border the creek in another area making me wonder if perhaps he became interested in these exotic plants after the 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific Exposition that showcased plants from all over the world. The current owners have installed a 3-foot barrier to keep the bamboo in check. Now towering 25 feet tall, the black bamboo shades the house on the south side with stems 2-inches thick.

The property passed from the original owner to a concert pianist who lived there until she died. The current owner bought the property in an estate sale in the early 1970's. When he married Nancy 23 years ago, the garden again came to life. The front yard which had been a flood-irrigated horse pasture, was transformed into the magical place it is now.

Nancy is the perfect steward of the land. Interested in all growing things, she has surrounded the lawns with shrubs, perennials, grasses and flowers of every type. Sunny borders bloom with trellised Cecile Brunner roses, pink clematis montana and purple Jackmanii clematis along with lots of bright red climbing roses. By providing support, Nancy has even coaxed Apple Blossom and other carpet roses to bloom off the garden floor.

In addition to her gardening successes, Nancy shared her ongoing nemesis. Every year she said she hand picks at least a hundred white gaura that have self-sown. It seems Siskiyou pink is not as prolific. The crocosmia Lucifer have overtaken one bed and she begged me to take some. I politely declined. Her white Japanese anemone threaten to march into the lawn, but the pink variety is better behaved. Nancy takes it all in stride. You can feel her love of gardening and plants at every turn.

Nancy loves perennials. The chocolate cosmos were just emerging, but the double coreopsis, Spanish and English lavender, Moonshine yarrow, Japanese iris, douglas iris and columbine were in full bloom. In a shady spot by the old icehouse daphne, azalea and pieris had just finished their show. The hydrangeas were all budded and ready to take over the spotlight.

We walked through a lovely enclosed courtyard complete with formal fountain and Nancy pointed out containers of gardenias, Evergold carex grass, a deep red Bob Hope camellia and huge woodwardia ferns. She planted the rhododendrons bordering the courtyard more than 20 years ago. A gopher did get three of the camellias last year but she's now replanted in gopher baskets. Her Japanese maples, started from seedlings, are now 6 feet tall with trunks over an inch thick.

I'll never forget the afternoon Nancy shared her garden with me and Sherman, the Springer Spaniel I was dog-sitting. It's an enchanting place and I'm looking forward to visiting again.

- Jan Nelson, a landscape designer and California certified nursery professional, will answer questions about gardening in the Santa Cruz Mountains. E-mail her at janis001@aol.com, or visit www.jannelsonlandscapedesign.com to view past columns and pictures.

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Talk about money: Forced insurance hurts homeowners, taxpayers
by Mark Rosenberg
May 23, 2013 | 22 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print

It’s a little like handing a cement lifejacket to a drowning man.

The practice is called “force-placed” insurance, and it’s an example of big financial institutions profiting from the misfortune of struggling homeowners. Recently, two major insurance companies agreed to pay millions in penalties for doing it. Here’s how it works:

A mortgage borrower stops making payments on his or her homeowners insurance, so the policy lapses. The bank that collects payments on the mortgage wants to protect the mortgage investors, so it forces the borrower to buy new insurance.

Problem is the new insurance costs up to 10 times what a voluntary policy would cost and provides little coverage. Even worse, the banks collect fees and commissions of about 15 percent for forcing the overpriced insurance on homeowners.

The penalties against the insurance companies resulted from cases in New York, where the state’s Department of Financial Services cited "reverse competition." Rather than competing by offering lower prices, the insurers competed by sharing profits with banks, raising the price of force-placed insurance by creating incentives for  banks to buy policies with high premiums, the state said. 

“It’s a rip-off,” said Bill Cree, a real estate agent in Felton who worked for 15 years as an insurance agent, handling homeowners insurance. “People forced to buy these policies paid exorbitant fees for minimal coverage.”

The issue is important to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government sponsored enterprises that back most of the nation’s mortgages. They end up paying for much of the unpaid insurance costs, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A Scotts Valley Realtor who specializes in distressed properties, Kurt Useldinger, says forced insurance isn’t so much a rip-off of homeowners as it is of Fannie and Freddie.

He says many homeowners who owe more than their houses are worth, stop making their mortgage payments. When their homeowner’s insurance bill comes, they don’t pay it. That’s when the mortgage servicer forces the new insurance on the homeowner.

“If your old insurance cost $2,000 a year, your new insurance might be $8,000,” Useldinger said. “And it’s inferior insurance, just to cover the structure. If you have water damage that wrecks your furniture, that won’t be covered.”

“Usually, the homeowner doesn’t pay for the insurance anyway,” he said, “because he’s going to let the house be sold in a short sale,” where the bank agrees to let the borrower walk away as the house is sold for less than is owed on it.

That’s when Fannie and Freddie, financed by taxpayers, get stuck with the bill.

In a small number of cases, the struggling homeowner comes up with the missed mortgage payments in a last-ditch effort to save his home, Useldinger said, and that’s when the homeowner would have to pay for the forced insurance.

If a homeowner's insurance policy lapses, he or she can avoid paying high rates for forced insurance by having their original policy reinstated or shopping around with other insurers for a new policy,  said Cree, the former insurance agent.

Better yet, maybe the penalties paid by insurance companies in New York will finally put an end to overpriced forced insurance.

- Mark Rosenberg is an investment consultant for Financial West Group in Scotts Valley, a member of FINRA and SIPC. He can be reached at 831-439-9910 or mrosenberg@fwg.com

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Your Health: Constipation -- clearing out life's little roadblocks
by Terry Hollenbeck, M.D.
May 23, 2013 | 27 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Constipation is not exactly a dinner topic, but it is a condition that affects almost every living person at one time or another. It’s a common complaint at the doctor’s office.

Constipation is defined as infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools. The normal number of bowel movements for adults ranges from one or more per day to two to three per week. For most people, going without a bowel movement for several days is a temporary condition and does not lead to any obvious discomfort or health problems. One may begin feeling uncomfortable when constipation lasts more than a few days. It should be noted that constipation does not build up toxins in the gut, nor does it lead to cancer.

There are many causes of constipation, some of the more common being:

- Inadequate amounts of fiber in your diet.

- Insufficient liquid intake.

- Lack of physical activity.

- Side effect of some medications, especially narcotic pain medications such as Vicoden and Percocet.

- Changes in daily routine or lifestyle.

- Colon cancer (rare).

There are two methods of dealing with constipation including:

Life style changes

- A high fiber diet including beans, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and less dairy, red meat and processed foods.

- Adequate fluid intake.

- Regular exercise.

- Trying not to delay a bowel movement when one has the urge.

Laxatives

- Fiber supplements are natural and very safe. Examples include Metamucil and FiberCon which are safe and effective to use daily.

- Stool softeners, such as Colace and Surfak, add moisture to the stool.

- Stimulants help increase intestinal motility. Examples include Dulcolax, Senekot, and Correctol. (It’s best not to use these too often.)

- Osmotics bring more fluid into the intestines causing easier passage of stool. One of the most common which I recommend is Miralax available without a prescription.

- Saline laxatives also help to draw fluid into the intestines. Examples include milk of magnesia and Haley’s M-O.

- Lubricants, such as a dose of mineral oil, help the intestines to pass the stool more easily.

I want to take this opportunity to talk about colon cleansing which is enema therapy that is claimed to help flush the toxins out of the colon. There is absolutely no scientific proof that there are toxins in the colon which can cause any harm. Most substances good or bad have been absorbed into the body in the small intestine which is not affected by enemas. In fact, colon cleansing can flush out needed electrolytes before they can be absorbed by the colon and also wash out beneficial intestinal bacteria. Don’t flush your money down the toilet on this misguided treatment.

From my experience, if you suffer from constipation and follow my advice in this article, you can save a trip to your doctor. But if symptoms persist or worsen, by all means get professional advice.

- Terry Hollenbeck, M.D., is an urgent-care physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley. Readers can view his previous columns on his website, valleydoctor.wordpress.com, or e-mail him at valleydoctor@sbcglobal.net. Information in this column is not intended to replace advice from your own health care professional. For any medical concern, consult your own doctor.

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Datebook
by Press-Banner
May 23, 2013 | 20 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print

- Submit Datebook items to pbeditor@pressbanner.com or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

 

Friday, May 24

Blood drive

When: 1 to 6 p.m.

Where: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Love Creek Road, in Ben Lomond

Details: A blood drive to support the efforts of the American Red Cross. Visit http://redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "FELTON" to schedule an appointment.

Info: 800-733-2767

 

Saturday, May 25

Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival

When: Parade at 10 a.m. and festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Parade on Highway 9 in downtown Felton, festival at Covered Bridge Park, corner of Mount Hermon Road and Graham Hill Road

 

Native American history hike

When: 9 a.m.

Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way in Boulder Creek

Details: Docent Eva Fewel will lead a 4-mile hike to teach about the local Ohlone tribe.

Cost: Free

Info: 338-8860

 

Memorial Day celebration

When: 10 a.m. to sunset, continues Sunday and Monday

Where: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, in Felton

Details: The 32nd Civil War re-enactment at Roaring Camp, featuring cavalry charges, musket fire and artillery barrages, will be accompanied by a barbecue and rides on the camp’s famous steam engine.

Cost: Re-enactment admission, $5 per person with an $8 per-car parking fee; steam train excursions, $26 for adults, $19 for children ages 2 to 12

Info: 335-4484 or www.roaringcamp.com

 

Youth chess tournament

When: Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, in Aptos

Details: Children and teens are invited to compete for medals in a chess tournament organized by Chess Master Dana MacKenzie.

Cost: Free

Info: 427-7702

 

Sunday, May 26

Habitat for Humanity fundraiser barbecue

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Mount Cross, 7955 Highway 9 in Ben Lomond

Details: A family friendly event will offer swimming, hiking, a climbing wall, archery, birdhouse building, a barbecue, and more to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s  Harbor Drive project in Santa Cruz.

Cost: $15 for adults; $6 for children under 12

Info: 336-5179

 

Thursday, May 30

Valley Women’s Club Community Day

When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: New Leaf Community Market, 6240 Highway 9 in Felton

Details: Felton New Leaf Community Market will contribute 5 percent of the day's proceeds to the Valley Women's Club.

Info: 338-1728

 

Friday, May 31

Bocce tournament and barbecue

When: Noon to 8 p.m.

Where: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

Details: Members of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce will participate in the organization's sixth annual bocce ball tournament, followed by a barbecue and family-friendly mixer.

Cost: $15 for adults; $5 for children under 12

Info: info@scottsvalleychamber.com

 

Saturday, June 1

Pop-up breakfast

When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

Details: Local farmers and chefs will cook to highlight the local agriculture and food artisan community to raise money for Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market’s public educational programs.

Cost: $30

Info: 325-4294 or www.santacruzfarmersmarket.org

 

Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2

Redwood Mountain Faire

When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, in Felton

Details: A music and art festival featuring non-profit vendors and 22 bands.

Cost: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, kids and seniors: $13 and $15; under 11, free. Multiple ticket discounts available.

Info: www.redwoodmountainfaire.com

 

Sunday, June 2

SV Senior Center flea market

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

Details: A flea market benefit to raise funds for a new back deck for the Scotts Valley Senior Center.

Cost: $15 per space, $25 for two spaces

Info: 818-3107

 

Monday, June 3

Science Symposium

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: San Lorenzo Valley High School Multipurpose Room, 7105 Highway 9 in Felton

Details: SLV High School Environmental Monitoring students will present their award-winning research.

Cost: Free

Info: jorbuch@slvusd.org

 

Wednesday, June 5

Sons in Retirement luncheon

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:35 p.m.

Where: Portuguese Hall, 216 Evergreen Street in Santa Cruz

Details: Catered Ladies' Day luncheon followed by a talk by Gitta Ryle entitled "Surviving the Holocaust."

Cost: $16

Info: 336-8481

 

Saturday, June 8

SLV-Scotts Valley Relay For Life

When: 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, June 9

Where: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

Details: A 24-hour event will raise funds to support cancer research.

Cost: Donations

Info: 408-688-0087

 

Wednesday, June 19

Junior volunteer summer orientation

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District 13333 Middleton Avenue in Boulder Creek

Details: Community-minded youth between 13 and 16 are invited to serve as junior camp counselors as well as other volunteer service.

Info: 338-4144

 

Thursday, June 20

CEMEX property tour

When: 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Davenport

Details: The Coastal Watershed Council will lead a tour of the former CEMEX property now protected by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

Cost: Free

Info: RSVP at tours@coastal-watershed.org or call 464-9200

 

Saturday, June 22

Sustainable gardening fair

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

Details: A celebration of sustainable organic gardening, focusing on the impact of individual actions on the community.

Cost: Free

Info: http://thegardenfaire.org

 

Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festival

When: 1 to 6 p.m.

Where: Vigne Farms and Equestrian Center, 3675 Bonny Doon Road, in Bonny Doon

Details: Wine tasting, live and silent auctions, gourmet food, artist demonstrations and sales, beer tasting, live music and more are on tap at an event to raise money for Bonny Doon Elementary School.

Cost: $50

Info: www.bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com

 

ONGOING

MCT presentation of “Kimberly Akimbo"

When: May 31 to June 1; June 6-8, 14-15 at 8 p.m.; June 9 at 2 p.m.

Where: Park Hall, 9400 Mill Street in Ben Lomond

Details: Mountain Community Theater presents "Kimberly Akimbo," a dark comedy by David Lindsay-Abaire, the Pulitzer-Prize winning author of "Rabbit Hole."

Cost: $20

Info: www.mctshows.org

 

First aid-CPR class

When: Third Saturday of each month

Where: Felton Fire Protection District, 131 Kirby St., in Felton

Details: Ray Soler will lead a class for First Aid and CPR certification for community members. Times and registration details are available online or by phone.

Cost: Free for district residents and employees of businesses within the district; $36 for all others

Info: 335-4422 or www.feltonfire.com

 

Toastmasters club

When: Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays

Where: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, in Scotts Valley

Details: The Redwood Ramblers Toastmasters meets weekly to help members build confidence as public speakers and leaders.

Info: 435-9308 or http://8203.toastmastersclubs.org

 

Poetry circle, workshop

When: 2 to 4 p.m., third Saturday of each month

Where: Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Magdalena Montague, a local poet and teacher, leads classes for prospective poets of all skill levels.

Cost: Free

Info: pro@santacruzpl.org or 427-7717

 

Senior line dancing

When: Noon Tuesdays, 9 p.m. Fridays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Biweekly line dancing and lessons are offered by the Scotts Valley Senior Center.

Cost: $2 for members, $3 for nonmembers

Info: 438-8666

 

Zumba for seniors

When: 6 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m. Thursdays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: An instructor-led Zumba class encourages exercise in a fun, rhythmic environment.

Cost: $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers

Info: 438-8666

 

Job-seeker workshop

When: 6 to 7 p.m., second Tuesday of each month

Where: Gateway Bible Church, 5000 Granite Creek Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Ken Winters hosts a free workshop to help job seekers find work.

Info: www.hirewire.org

 

Women’s Bible study

When: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays

Where: Felton Bible Church, 5999 Graham Hill Road, in Felton

Details: Beth Moore leads a Bible study of the book of Esther.

Cost: $15.50 for workbook

Info: 338-6214 or women@feltonbiblechurch.org

 

Creative Hands

When: 1 to 4 p.m., third Saturday of each month

Where: Felton Bible Church, 5999 Graham Hill Road, in Felton

Details: Participants will learn new skills, such as sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Cost: Free

Info: 338-6214 or women@feltonbiblechurch.org

 

Live music on Baldwin grand piano

When: 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays

Where: Scopazzi’s Restaurant, 13300 Big Basin Way, in Boulder Creek

Details: Jan Hagge tickles the ivories in the lounge.

Info: 338-6441

 

Beginning ballet for fitness

When: 4:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays

Where: Agape Dance Academy, 104 Whispering Pines Drive, Room 5, in Scotts Valley

Details: This introductory beginner class emphasizes fitness through dance.

Cost: Free

Info: 359-0850

 

Line dance, weights

When: 9:45 to 11 a.m.

Where: Highlands Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, in Ben Lomond

Details: $2 for members, $3 for nonmembers

Info: 336-8900

 

Duplicate bridge group players wanted

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Info: 438-8666

 

Fitness, sport classes

Where: Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District, 13333 Middleton Ave., in Boulder Creek

When: Various

Details: Fitness classes are being offered at the rec center, including belly dance, cardio kickboxing, dodgeball, pilates, yoga, volleyball and tai chi.

Info: 338-4144 or www.bcrpd.org

 

Bingo

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: All adults are welcome. The game is sponsored by Project Scout (Senior Citizen Outreach).

Cost: 50 cents per card; one card free with four or more

Info: 438-8666

 

Tai chi classes

When: 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays

Where: Highlands Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, in Ben Lomond

Cost: $3 members, $5 nonmembers

Info: 336-8900

 

Genealogical society meeting

When: 1 to 3 p.m., first Thursday of each month

Where: Central Branch Library meeting room, 224 Church St., in Santa Cruz

Details: Lectures for beginning to advanced genealogy enthusiasts.

Cost: Free

Info: 427-7707, ext. 5794; or Janine Charlton, ivclb@comcast.net

 

Senior exercise class

When: 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road

Info: The class incorporates strength, balance and coordination exercises for complete body conditioning for men and women age 50 and older, led by retired physical therapist Cherry Nittler.

Cost: $2 members, $3 nonmembers

 

Drop-in meditation group

When: 7 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays

Where: The Satellite, 6265 Highway 9, Felton 

Details: Beginning and experienced students of meditation will participate in 40 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a dharma talk and discussion by Carla Brennan

Info: http://bloomofthepresent.com

 

Free laughter yoga

When: 4:30 p.m. Saturdays

Where: Luminescence Day Spa and Tea Room, 13140 Highway 9, in Boulder Creek

Cost: Free

Info: Lizzie Lochner, 338-7546

 

Zumba for seniors

When: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Instructors describe this as a fun class for all levels of physical ability.

Info: 438-8666

 

Beginners’ line dancing

When: 6 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Boulder Creek Recreation, 13333 Middleton Ave., in Boulder Creek

Details: For dancers age 8 and older

Cost: Free

Info: danceramber@sbcglobal.net

 

Water media art classes

When: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Participants will work with watercolor and acrylic paints. Adults of any age and all experience levels are welcome.

Cost: $7 for members, $8 for nonmembers

Info: Beverly Martin, 335-0425 or bevbcool@sbcglobal.net; or www.portrait-fineart.com.

 

Body Freedom qigong

When: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays

Where: Felton Covered Bridge Park, 122 Covered Bridge Road; on rainy days, The Satellite, 6265 Highway 9, in Felton

Details: Qigong is similar to tai chi and is like a standing yoga with gentle, easy movements for flexibility, strength, health and relaxation.

Info: Bonnie Eskie, qigong instructor, 515-4144

 

SLV Community Band rehearsals

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays

Where: San Lorenzo Valley High School band room, 7105 Highway 9, in Felton

Details: Dust off your instrument and try it out. The semester fee benefits school music programs in the San Lorenzo Valley.

Cost: $25 per semester

Info: Jon Christian, 335-3565

 

Bridge players wanted

Details: Intermediate and advanced bridge players are in demand for ongoing groups in the San Lorenzo Valley. Groups meet depending on availability.

Info: Shelby Charette, 335-5956

 

Advanced bridge players wanted

When: Noon Mondays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Participants can hone their skills against other highly skilled bridge players.

Cost: $2 for members, $3 for nonmembers

Info: 438-8666

 

Chair and gentle yoga

When: Noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Balance Health of Ben Lomond, 231 Main St. Ste. A, in Ben Lomond.

Details: This gentle yoga program is intended to increase circulation, mobility, balance, strength, awareness and confidence.

Info: Ruth Caudell, 336-3560

 

Healing tai chi for seniors

When: 9 a.m. Fridays

Where: SV Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Details: Gentle, easy movement for health promotion

Cost: $7 for members, $8 for nonmembers

Info: Mary Mulligan, 335-9390 or mary@marymulligan.com

 

Together in the Park

When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays

Where: Felton Covered Bridge Park, Graham Hill and Mount Hermon roads, in Felton

Details: Parenting support, information and age-appropriate activities for children up to 5 years old.

Info: Cori Burt, 252-1137

 

Mindfulness meditation group

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays

Where: Satellite Telework Center, 6265 Highway 9, in Felton

Details: Beginning and experienced students are welcome for silent meditation and talk.

Info: Carla, 336-0136

 

Basic yoga

When: 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Cost: $6

Info: 438-8666

 

Beginning line dancing class

When: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fridays

Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley

Cost: $2 members, $4 non members

Info: 438-8666

 

Belly dancing for women

When: 7 p.m. Mondays

Where: Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, in Felton

Details: Experience the power of women dancing with women in a friendly atmosphere.

Cost: $40 for four consecutive classes, $13 to drop in.

Info: 335-4567

 

Life drawing classes

When: 7 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays

Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, 9341 Mill St., in Ben Lomond

Details: Both beginners and pros are welcome to drop in. The class features a different model each week.

Cost: $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers, $8 for students with ID

Info: 335-5000 or www.mountainartcenter.org

 

Raku classes

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays

Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, 9341 Mill St., in Ben Lomond

Details: The class is weather-dependent, so attendees should call a day in advance. Participants may take bisqueware or purchase pots at the center.

Cost: $18 for members, $20 for nonmembers

Info: Dale Bates, 345-7565

 

Square dance classes

When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays

Where: German-American Hall, 230 Plymouth St., in Santa Cruz

Details: Go alone, take a partner or go with a group.

Cost: $5

Info: 763-9825 or 408-353-4766

 

Kidz Korner clothing exchange 

When: 10 to 11:30 a.m., third Saturday of each month

Where: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 101 Riverside Ave., in Ben Lomond

Details: The exchange is for children’s clothes for newborns through 5-year-olds. Those who don’t have clothes to donate may pick up what they need.

Info: Rebecca, 408-875-3450

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Bruce Holloway
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May 23, 2013
It wasn't "for free." SLVWD paid $1.5 million in cash and assumed $2.9 million in debt to pay for the Cal Am water system in Felton. Here's the memo from the SLVWD district manager dated May 30, 2008: http://www.slvwd.com/agendas/Full/2008/06-05-2008/Item 8a.pdf That was a $4.4 million gift from the old ratepayers to new ones in Felton, on top of the $11 million approved by Felton voters. Present ratepayers continue to pay $186,798/year on the Kirby Street loan until 2027. Under existing water rights, not a drop of Felton water will ever go to the original ratepayers in Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and Boulder Creek.


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