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Santa Cruz County expects to give the administrative green light next week to the reopening of the motel/retail portion of the historic Brookdale Lodge. Owner Pravin Patel of Scotts Valley said he plans to open 46 completely renovated motel rooms and retail space of the Brookdale Inn and Spa by “mid-summer.”

I imagine that most readers are aware that California will be holding its Primary Election on March 3, 2020.  Besides the many important offices that will be on the ballot, there is a lesser-known proposition that can provide vital funding for school facilities modernization and new construction.  With a certain ironic twist, this will be Proposition 13.  No, this proposition has no impact on how property taxes are assessed, or collected – it has nothing to do with the Proposition 13 that was passed in 1978.

A relatively new member of the Scotts Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, wants to continue the work that’s started. Roger Snyder is up for re-election, and according to him, the important issues go beyond just local, they also include statewide public education policies.

It would have been nice if a table had been available for the food, but Jonney Hughes explained that the maintenance people from the Santa Cruz County Department of Parks had removed the one that used to be in that spot.“They said they were going to fix the table and bring it back, but we could not see that anything was wrong with it,” explained Hughes.The picnic was spread on a cement area under the trees and the hosts sat in canvas folding chairs around a spread of sandwiches, salads, fruit and desserts. “Those of us who can, pool our money and food so we can share with others,” said Hughes.Asked what it was like to be homeless, Teresa Fitzpatrick said “I am not homeless and not all of us are. Some of us have jobs, but don’t earn much –– not enough for rent and food,” said Fitzpatrick. “We all have different stories. Some of us are retired and get social security but it’s not enough for everything so we get stuck in this wilderness,” she said.“We are people who have raised families. We are good people who have fallen on hard times. It happens,” said Fitzpatrick. “The picnic table that used to be here was like a social center where we met to eat, sew, and visit,” said Hughes. She said “we have even held memorial services here for friends who have passed away.”The New Life Church in Santa Cruz provides some help to these folks. Richard Franconi distributes food to people that has been donated by the New Life Church. He walks around the park and hands out burritos. He said “I have been doing this for 15 years. I used to give about 30 and now it is only about 10.” He gives the food to hungry people even if they are not homeless.The people at the picnic were all wearing neat, clean clothes. Lise Lafontaine said that she was one of the homeless. She is a licensed hair stylist who cannot find work. “I cut hair for these people for free,” she said as she gestured at the circled of people. “I never thought that I would become homeless because I am a professional haircutter,” said Lafontaine. “Sometimes we get to shower at the Presbyterian Church,” she said. Otherwise, they have no access to water in order to stay clean.They told their stories and when it was time for lunch, the circle of people bowed their heads while Hughes led the group in a thank you prayer. Lunch was good. It would have been nicer if the picnic table had been there.The good news is that Alan Galran from Santa Cruz County Department of Parks said that the table will be replaced within two weeks.