Have your apple pie announced as the “Best in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley” on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the 47th annual Apple Pie Baking Contest held on the opening day of the Santa Cruz County Fair.
The Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and has been held every year since 1977. It is sponsored by the Pajaro Valley apple growers, shippers and related industries as well as pie lovers throughout Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley.
Entry forms can be found in the fair’s premium book located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Office, 2601 East Lake Ave., in Watsonville, online at Welcome to ShoWorks! (fairwire.com) and at the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, 141 Monte Vista Ave., in Watsonville.
The deadline for submitting an entry form is Tuesday, Sept. 3. There is no entry fee for this popular opening day event.
The Apple Pie Contest judging will commence at 12pm on Sept. 11 at Paddy Smith Park.
The judges are: Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; Jake Mann, Five Mile Orchards; Judie Block, Reporter, Times Publishing Group; and David Sanford, Ag Commissioner, Santa Cruz County.
There are three divisions: Youth – 17 years-of-age and under; Adult – 18 years-of-age and over; and Masters – anyone who has won first or second place in the Adult Division.
Along with cash prizes, ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third places in each division, as well as Best of Show.
North County Dems to hold November election endorsement forums
The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will hold a November election Local Ballot Measure Endorsement Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Speakers will provide information on Measure O, the Scotts Valley School District Bond, Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Water and Wildfire Protection Initiative, Measure S, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Bond, Measure T, the Zayante Fire District Parcel Tax, Measure U the SLV Water District Rate Initiative, and Measure X, the Scotts Valley Business Tax Measure.
The meeting will be held upstairs at Bruno’s Bar and Grill. On Sept. 17, the club will hold a virtual endorsement forum for local candidate races, including Scotts Valley City Council, Scotts Valley School Board, SLV Water District, and Felton, Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek Fire Districts.
Visit svslvdemocrats.org for the Zoom meeting link. Both meetings will begin at 6:30pm and are open to the public.
Public health officials warn of increase of xylazine found in Santa Cruz County
County of Santa Cruz Public Health Officials are warning local clinicians and residents of an increase of xylazine in the illegal drug supply in Santa Cruz County.
Xylazine when combined with fentanyl is known as “tranq dope.” Xylazine is a powerful sedative intended for animals as a pain reliever. It is not safe for humans and can cause drowsiness, amnesia, serious skin wounds, as well as slow breathing, lower heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels that can lead to death.
“Xylazine is increasingly being mixed into street drugs, leading to a higher risk of overdose and serious health complications,” said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, County of Santa Cruz Health Officer. “The safest approach is to avoid using street drugs. Stay as safe as possible: never use alone, recognize the signs of overdose, seek help, and stay informed.”
Xylazine is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl and heroin without the knowledge of those who use these drugs. Although xylazine overdose is not reversed by naloxone, the life-saving medication should still be administered to people experiencing overdose to reverse the opioid component of the overdose. Call 911 and provide rescue breathing if needed. If xylazine is present, the individual may still be very drowsy even after receiving naloxone.
Drugs that have xylazine present are also more likely to cause infections, abscesses, or ulcers. These wounds commonly occur at injection sites, but any method of xylazine use increases the risk for serious skin wounds. See a medical provider immediately if you have a wound from using xylazine; keep it clean and covered to avoid infection.
Naloxone is approved by the federal government for over-the-counter distribution at pharmacies and is available for free from many community sites. See hipscc.org/naloxone for a list of naloxone distribution sites.
People who are ready to seek treatment for substance use can contact their primary care provider or call the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Division at 800-952-2335.
To find out more about xylazine, visit CDPH’s xylazine website or SafeRx Santa Cruz County for local resources.
