Last week, the Press Banner introduced you to Payson McNett, a Cabrillo instructor who’s using technology and innovation to create masks for local healthcare workers as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, we get down and dirty with another team that’s helping to make life a little brighter (literally and figuratively) for local residents: the Felton Fire Protection District. Ian Jones, Engineer and Communications/IT Dude, took a few minutes out of his day to enlighten us on the district’s efforts to spread a little cheer during this time of shelter-in-place, and remind us that helpers are just a phone call away.

For many years, Aunt LaLi’s Mobile Café has been an integral part of Arcangeli’s birthday parties.  While a cog was recently thrown into the party wheel, the family knew they simply they could not break from tradition for Bobby’s thirteenth birthday this year.  Drive by birthday’s are becoming the new norm, so it was quickly decided for Aunt LaLi to head the parade and provide socially distanced ice cream to all of the participants.  The party was a “so heartwarming and a big success,” and the Press Banner wishes Bobby a very happy birthday!

Mr. Rogers always said, “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

We’re all dying to know what will replace the Kmart in Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center off Mount Hermon Road.  While the popular theory, “Target is going in,” would make for a much shorter article, the issue of replacing that business is much more complicated.  So complex, in fact, that the City Council of Scotts Valley has offered a hand.  Derek Timm, the Vice-Mayor of Scotts Valley, a licensed attorney, and owner of a brokered real estate company, was selected by his fellow Council members to help facilitate the process and was eager to dispel some runaway rumors. 

While San Lorenzo Valley Water District has been doing a great job keeping our water safe and available (check out Christina Wise’s article from last week for more information!), the water board has some big decisions to make soon.  In order to bridge the gap between the board and the community, a new group, the SLVWD Friends, was formally created this past November to help facilitate collaboration between the two groups.  I spoke with Jim Mosher, a retired attorney and member of Friends, about their upcoming goals for the district. 

The Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) today announced the district is staying on top of all COVID-19 related updates and ensuring the safety of tap water is its top priority.