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In This Issue...
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NEWSMAKERS
Night Out Against Crime
On Tuesday, Aug. 7, neighborhoods throughout Capitola are invited to join communities nationwide for the “24th Annual Night Out” crime and drug prevention event. Co-sponsored locally by the Capitola Police Department, the event is intended to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and let criminals know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
From 5 to 7 p.m. the Police Department, Capitola Mall, and the Capitola Public Safety and Community Service Foundation will host a community BBQ at Jade Street Park. They will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers, and there will be astro jumps, carnival games, a “Police” dunk tank, popcorn and special crime prevention goodies for the kids.
For further information, contact Sharon Presco at the Capitola Police Department, 831-475-4242.
La Selva Beach Peace Crane Comes Home
Members of La Selvans for Peace and Justice held a day of celebration on Aug. 5 to dedicate a replacement copper origami crane atop the peace monument in Triangle Park. The original crane, which is a replica of origami cranes sent by children worldwide to the Hiroshima Peace Park in Japan, was stolen in early 2006, as was a first replacement. The replacement was recovered, only to be lost by the Sheriff’s Department. An unnamed community member funded this second replacement.
The four-hour ceremony included an Interfaith Celebration for Peace at LSB Community Church, a finger-foods potluck, a performance by the Watsonville Taiko Drummers, music, crane folding, crafts and other activities. A dedication was read by Claudia and Chris Harden.
Community Television Names Executive Director
Community Television named John H. Patterson to the permanent post of executive director at its July 26 meeting. Patterson had been acting executive director since November. Patterson previously served eight years as managing director of Actors’ Theatre, where he helped popularize the “Eight Tens @ Eight” Ten-Minute Play Festival, and established an Artists in Residence Program. His goals as executive director include expanding in-house production, distributing programs on the Web, and expanding participation in South County.
Embezzler of Elderly Pleads No Contest
Michael Schneider, 44, entered a no contest plea on July 31 to 173 felony counts including residential burglary, elder financial abuse, embezzlement, grand theft and forgery.
Schneider ran a real estate investment scam through his Santa Clara real estate investment company, California Plan, Inc. He told the victims that their investments would be secured by deeds of trust recorded against the borrower's real property when in fact the deeds of trust that he gave to the victims were phony.
Schneider took more than $43 million dollars from his victims, and now faces up to 169 years in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8.
CORE’s Run-Swim-Run
The CORE, a local group which seeks to provide positive experiences by kids, for kids, held its fourth annual Run-Swim-Run event from Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf on Aug. 1. The event saw ideal conditions with a negative low tide, minimal swell and ideal weather. Winners were: Men (18 and over) Ryan Augenstein, age 24, 47:43; Women (18 and over) Jamie Hughins, age 25, 59:10; Boys (17 and under) Christopher Partin, age 17, 47:50; and Girls (17 and under) Marissa Ferrante, age 15, 53:17.
Tax Board Starts Head of Household Audits
The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced on Aug. 2 that it is sending more than 150,000 audit letters to individuals who filed their 2006 tax returns using the head of household filing status. Of the 15 million tax returns filed in California each year, nearly two million individuals take advantage of this filing status to reduce their taxes.
Filing Head of Household status benefits unmarried people who provide a home for a qualifying person, generally a child, but many people misunderstand the rules and do not meet the requirements. Last year, more than 30,000 taxpayers who did not meet the requirements paid $35 million in tax assessments.
The FTB noted that those who submit the questionnaires with their electronic return are less likely to be audited for this tax filing status.
Jacob's Heart Appoints New Family Services Director
Debra Houston has been named Family Services Director of Jacob's Heart, a local non-profit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer. Houston spent the past two years as the Director of Grief Support at Hospice Caring Project in Scotts Valley and the previous six years as the coordinator of that agency’s Children's Bereavement Program. She has worked with women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors, and has provided psychotherapy focused on children in her private practice.
Dominican Hospital “Exceeds Expectations”
Dominican Hospital has received a national award for “exceeding patient expectations” from Avatar International, a national research and consulting group. Dominican places heavy emphasis on patient satisfaction by such methods as checking on patients hourly, white boards to identify the patient’s care team, and follow-up phone calls after discharge to see how the patient is doing.
“Making sure our patients are well cared for in every way possible is a top priority, and we hope to continue to meet and exceed the community’s expectations,” said Nanette Mickiewicz, MD, president of Dominican Hospital.
Botulism Scare Prompts Food Recall
The FDA has announced that Castleberry’s Food Company has voluntarily instituted a recall of canned goods which may be tainted by botulinum toxin, a toxin which can lead to potentially life-threatening botulism. The recall is in response to a suspected processing problem on canning lines in the company’s Atlanta, Georgia plant.
The company confirmed that some of its recalled products may still be available for sale, particularly in smaller independent and convenience stores.
Consumers should be especially cautious of swollen, bulging or leaking cans. Gloves and eye protection should be donned before double-bagging the cans. Anyone who has handled or consumed the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention.
Collection of recalled items may be arranged by calling 800-821-5293. There is also a hotline to help identify recalled products, answer questions and arrange refunds at 800-203-4412.
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