Scoville & Beale
The founder of Tandy Beal & Company was just 14 when she found her best collaborator in composer Jon Scoville. When Tandy looks at Jon, it’s not just a look. It’s a deep, intimate gaze that makes reporters blush, and makes one feel that they’re intruding into moments in which they don’t rightly belong. When Jon recalls something from his past, Tandy is there to add a thought about the importance of that event, whether it’s a trip or a concert or a conversation with Bobby McFerrin. When Jon talks about why and how music moves him, Tandy is there to promote his art, and share her appreciation for his craft. When Jon recalls the moment he met Tandy, she is there to nod approvingly, and the Tandy who met Jon when she was a teenager is right below the surface of her smile, tracing their relationship with the comfort and ease of someone who’s known her life partner, well…nearly all of her life.The expanse of Jon and Tandy’s home is made cozier by cups of tea and a couple of cats who want to be greeted, and then suddenly don’t. Tandy sits on a couch cross-legged, eyes fixed upon Jon, hands outstretched towards his as though in search of a kinetic connection, as he tells the story of his love affair with music, the sounds of language and the girl of his dreams.“I was raised in a family where my mother, sister and grandmother all played piano. I would go to my room in the attic and listen to jazz, but when I’d fall asleep, my sister would be on the piano practicing a Bach Fugue.” (In music, a fugue (/fjuːɡ/ fewg) is a contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject (a musical theme) that is introduced at the beginning in imitation (repetition at different pitches) and which recurs frequently in the course of the composition. But you probably already knew that.)“In junior high school I took up trombone (didn’t work), violin (worked even less), piano (but we already had too many good piano players in the house), but then my brother took up the guitar. I noticed it was an attractant to young women, and I thought, ‘Hmmm, maybe I should pick up the guitar.’ I did, and a few years later, I met Tandy on a blind date playing at a little coffee shop-type arrangement. 56 years later, I’m not playing guitar anymore, but I’m still making music.”Has his type of music-making changed? “It has,” says Scoville. “I started out playing in old time jazzy bluegrass bands and some jazz and some funk, and then Tandy needed an accompanist when she moved out from New York to teach at Cabrillo in the dance department. I started accompanying her dance classes, and I gradually shifted over into more contemporary kinds of music for choreography by using a computer. I’ve just written a couple of pieces for the piano and clarinet that will be in the show in January,” Scoville says, “but I’ve worked largely with percussionists, because for dance, rhythm is so essential. The advantage of using a computer to write music is I can put in horn lines and string lines and bass lines and guitar lines. I think that growing up with classical music was a gorgeous underpinning for everything I’ve done.”“He works with a computer,” interjects Beal, “but it’s really a ridiculous thing to say, because his music is so melodic, so rhythmic and warm. So there’s nothing cerebral or “metal” about it. I don’t know of any other composer that can make you laugh, get you very focused, make you think, tell you a story, bring you to tears and open your heart. Jon has this range that…”“My fees just went up,” said Scoville, as Beal burst into peals of laughter. “Tandy’s been so great to work with because she’s so musical, and when I’m writing scores for her choreography, she’s down the hall. I’ll play something, and she’ll call out, ‘Oh, I like that!’ It’s been great to have my muse just a room away.”His muse recounts the ways in which Jon has impacted and enlarged her circle of life. “We’ve been long-time collaborators. We started as co-artistic directors together, and he introduced me to people like Art Lande, Bobby McFerrin, and other wonderful musicians. Jon has created scores for our dance company for a million years, and he’s done about 100 scores for really well-known choreographers, and so many other ventures. He worked with Lucas Films, and did a corporate event for them. I’m so excited to share his talents in our upcoming performance.”When asked to elaborate on the concept of his shows, Beal all but breaks into an interpretive dance while remaining firmly fixed on Jon. “We’re presenting a show called Scoville Units! (a nod to the scale of the pungency index of chili peppers and other spicy foods, but you probably already knew that) and it’s going to be the first of a series of three shows, because you can’t fit Jon’s music into one show.”This first presentation is a multi-arts celebration of Scoville’s beguiling compositions from cool to hot, with unique films and performances by 30 musicians and dancers. It will be presented on January 18th at 7:30pm and January 19th at 2:00pm at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater in Aptos, with the second and third installations being presented later in 2021. Tandy is beyond excited to showcase Jon’s talents. “His music is just…breathtaking,” Beal purrs.Come heat up with Scoville Units! at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. Tickets are available at www.cabrillovapa.com or through www.vendini.com.
“’Tis the Season to Support Kids!” Santa Cruz County Boys and Girls Club Challenge Grant
Mari Rossi, a Scotts Valley philanthropist, just offered the Santa Cruz Boys and Girls Club a challenge grant, to match up to 50,000 dollars for a new portable classroom outside of their clubhouse off Scotts Valley Drive. On top of providing school lunches for needy children throughout Scotts Valley, Rossi has been working with the Boys and Girls Club for a couple of years. Rossi exclaimed, “If kids are hungry, they can’t learn! You’d be surprised how many food insecure kids we have, even though we live in an affluent community.” When asked about the motivation for her philanthropy, Rossi answers with her simple slogan, “Our kids, our future.”
Midnight Deadline for Boys and Girls Club
You can end 2019 by helping more kids in Santa Cruz who have nowhere safe to go after school. But you must make your year-end gift to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County before midnight tonight. Donate now!
Saving Money and Water: The Scotts Valley i-Meter
The Scotts Valley Water District has some exciting changes to share with the whole valley. For the past two years they have been installing meters throughout the valley that will help conserve water and money. I sat down with David McNair, the Operations Manager, Nicholas E. Kurns, the Finance and Customer Service Manager, and Bill Ekwall, an i-Meter user and Water District Board Member, to learn more details on the new metering system.
Keeping Our Personal Information Safe in 2020
Starting on January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) (AB-375) and its amendments (AB1564, AB-25, AB-1355, AB-874) become law. In an effort to help keep our information safe, AB-375 protects a consumer’s Personal Identifiable Information (PII). PII is information that identifies, relates to, describes, is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household. The verbiage is a little convoluted, but think of things like your home address, e-mail, social security number, phone number, spending habits, past purchases, location, computer IP addresses, employment information. If it’s your personal information, AB-375 protects it. What types of companies are affected? Well, if the business handles PII of 50,000 or more California consumers, households or devices; or collects consumers’ personal information, or 50% or more of its annual revenue comes from selling personal information (definition of selling is VERY broad - if you share the information with another company that counts), they fall under the category of business that AB-375 is looking to protect. It applies to all businesses that are for profit, and have an annual gross revenue >$25Million, and do business in California. The law requires businesses to respond promptly to a consumer’s request to delete personal information. Consumers may also access the data, in order to see what has been collected, or move (port) their data from the offending company. In addition, AB-1355 (amendment to AB-375) allows a consumer to institute a civil action if their information is stolen or disclosed as a result of failure to follow reasonable security practices. So all of these data breaches that have affected millions of consumers? They may result in lawsuits beginning next year. Businesses may not discriminate against consumers exercising their CCPA rights (like by providing a lesser level of service), and businesses must actively seek to minimize and protect the information they collect on California consumers. While the law goes into effect on January 1, 2020, enforcement will begin in July of 2020. As the standard-bearer for much of the country, California’s CCPA is serving as the template for privacy laws in Nevada, New York, Illinois, Maine, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Dakota and Texas. The Golden State keeps leading the way!
New Laws in 2020
Each year, the great State of California institutes a buffet of new laws to (theoretically) improve our quality of life, our safety, and enhance our rights. While some recently passed laws are routinely ignored (hello, headlights-on-when-windshield-wipers-are-on), the general idea is, “As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation.” Keep reading, and you’ll note two different markers on the bill titles. AB means Assembly Bill; SB stands for Senate Bill. The designation helps consumers better understand where the new laws are generated, and can better illustrate which set of lawmakers is responsible for their creation and passage. Following is a list of the new state laws that will take effect on January 1, 2020. (Data provided by ABC7.com.) PRIVACY AB 375: Online privacyWant to know what information companies like Facebook or Google are collecting about you? The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives internet users more control over their data. Among other things, the law gives users the right to know what data is collected, the right to reject the sale of your information and the right to delete your data. (See addendum article for particulars on this very important law.) WORKPLACE SB 3: Minimum wageAnother pay hike is on the way for minimum wage workers. The minimum wage in California goes up by one dollar to $12 an hour for workers at companies with 25 or fewer employees and to $13 an hour for workers at larger companies. AB 5: Independent workersWhile aimed directly at gig workers (think Uber, Lyft and DoorDash), this new law may also apply to many more contract or independent worker in California. Under AB-5, workers would be considered employees, and are entitled to minimum wage, workers‘ compensation, and other benefits. (29th District Assemblymember Mark Stone was a co-sponsor of this bill.) SB 188: HairstylesCalifornia becomes the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination based on a person's natural hairstyle or hair texture. Protected hairstyles include braids, twists and locks. Remember the high school wrestler in New Jersey who was forced by the match referee to cut off his dreadlocks? California says, “Not in this state, you don’t.” SB 142: Lactation accommodationsWhile California has had a law requiring employers to provide breaks for nursing mothers, many were forced to express breast milk in a bathroom stall or office closet. This new law requires companies to provide appropriate lactation accommodations that is close to the employee's work area, has electrical plugs and is free of intrusion. All working mothers, say it with me: It’s about damned time. AB 51: Arbitration agreementsStarting January 1, workers can't be forced into mandatory arbitration by an employer. The law bans mandatory arbitration agreements with employees. The law does not apply to arbitration agreements entered into prior to January 1, 2020. SB 1343: Sexual harassmentRequires businesses with at least five employees to provide sexual harassment training to its employees within six months of being hired, and every two years after that. (Is anyone else surprised that this is JUST NOW a thing?) SB 83: Paid family leaveNew parents will have more time to care for their child. Benefits under Paid Family Leave will increase from six weeks to eight weeks starting on July 1, 2020. HOUSING AB 1482: Rent controlCommunities without their own rent control laws will now be covered by statewide rent control protections. The law limits rent increases to 5 percent each year plus inflation, but never above 10 percent total. The law does not apply to housing built in the 15 years prior. The limit is a rolling number so the date housing is excluded changes every year. AB 652: Religious displaysYou have more protections to display religious items like menorahs or crosses outside your home. The law prohibits landlords and homeowner associations from banning the display of religious items on entry doors or door frames. The items cannot be larger than 26 by 12 inches. SB 222: Housing discriminationThis law expands existing law to protect veterans and military personnel against housing discrimination. MARRIAGE SB 30: Domestic partnersWhat's good for same-sex couples is good for heterosexual couples. This law allows heterosexual couples to register as domestic partners instead of getting married. Currently, only heterosexual couples age 62 or older were allowed to register as domestic partners because of social security benefits. The new law could help couples with combined higher incomes avoid the federal marriage tax penalty. EDUCATION SB 419: School suspensionsStudents in elementary school can't be so easily suspended for causing trouble at school. The law bans schools from suspending students in grades 4-8 for disrupting school activities or defying teachers and administrators. Students in grades K-3 already have this protection. High school students must wait until 2025 for the same benefit. HEALTHCARE SB 104: Healthcare for undocumented immigrantsCalifornia becomes the first state in the nation to offer government-subsidized health benefits to young adults living in the country illegally. The law expands the Medicaid program to include low-income adults age 25 or younger regardless of their immigration status. AB 2119: Transgender youthTransgender youth in the foster care system will get appropriate health care. The law is the first in the country to include access to gender-affirming medical services, mental health counseling, hormone therapy and surgery. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SB 439: Juvenile hallThis law changes the age that a minor can be sent to juvenile hall. Minors under 12 who commit non-violent crimes would be released to his or her parent or legal guardian instead of being sent to juvenile hall. The law does not apply to minors who commit murder, rape, or great bodily harm. SB 970: Human traffickingOperators of motels and hotels in California must provide training to teach its staff how to identify victims of human trafficking. ANIMALS SB 1249: Animal testingProhibits the sale of cosmetic products with ingredients that were tested on animals after January 1, 2020. The law does not affect products sold globally where animal testing is required by law. AB 1762: Dog areasThe California Department of Parks and Recreation has until July 1, 2020 to establish a comprehensive list of state parks that allow dogs, including the specific areas that allow dogs and the total miles of trails that are open to dogs. WILDFIRES SB 167: Public safety power shutoffsRequires utilities like PG&E to devise plans on reducing the negative impact of planned power shutoffs to first responders and people with disabilities. AB 247: Tree trimmingGives the California Public Utilities Commission more oversight over tree trimming efforts by utilities. Power companies would have to submit timely reports on their brush and tree trimming work. San Lorenzo Valley residents may have helped to drive this legislation forward based on their responses to the 2019 spate of tree trimming. SB 209: Wildfire warning centerEstablishes a wildfire warning center to broaden the state's ability to predict and prepare for wildfire. The center would rely on a statewide network of automated weather stations and fire detection cameras. Want additional information on these new laws? Visit www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Kicking Down Barriers and Picking Up Debris: Downtown Streets Team
I witnessed a public outcry during the November 14th Santa Cruz County Syringe Services listening session at the Emeline Health Clinic. Many community members were upset about the secondary exchange service and the amount of syringe litter in the county. As I left the session, I couldn’t help but wonder, who picks up the syringe litter throughout Santa Cruz County? After a little digging, I sat down with Brooke Newman at the nonprofit Downtown Streets Team. We chatted about their efforts to pick up debris, especially syringes, throughout Santa Cruz County since 2017.
Felton’s Library Dreams About to Become Reality
Planning has begun for a festive community celebration to mark the opening in just a few short months of the new Felton Branch Library and Felton Discovery Park.
SLVWD positive changes coming in 2020
Nearly every seat in the gallery was taken. On a small table, there were handouts, agendas and cookies. At the big, u-shaped table, members of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District staff and board sat side-by-side for the December 5th meeting to address a number of important issues, including the revision of the Strategic Plan for the District and updating the Mission Statement.For an agency that has seen its fair share of contentious meetings and divided loyalties, this latest gathering was refreshingly drama-free, and the board sent the clear signal that they were ready to truly hear from their constituents.In an effort to modulate the temperature of the room during monthly board meetings, district staff, ratepayers and board members alike had landed on the idea of approving a Conflict Resolution training. Coastal Watershed Management Consultant Greg Larson had been cited as the optimal candidate for this event, and given that he already submitted a proposal to assist the District, the feeling amongst all in the room was that an investment in Larson would be a worthy one. Director Rick Moran furthered the idea that transparency is of the utmost importance, and District Manager Rick Rogers determined that the topic would be on the January agenda for a vote.Meeting attendees were heartened to hear that Director Lew Farris had read all 12 emails that had been submitted to the board prior to the December meeting, and in response, he had created a criteria chart which graphed the priorities outlined in those submissions. Of all correspondence received, Farris said, the most common suggestion was to use Greg Larson as a consultant for de-escalation training. “Thank you,” Farris said. “I heard you, and I’m going to do something with the information.” President Lois Henry acknowledged that it was time to slow things down. “First, we’ll do the conflict management training, and then we’ll work on the revised Strategic Plan. It doesn’t mean we can’t have different opinions—it’s about how we express them,” she said.While Farris’ words were generally well-received, there was still a bit of pushback from customers in the gallery. “The public doesn’t want to be heard, we want to participate,” said Felton’s Larry Ford. “That will be one of the lessons learned in conflict resolution. But I completely support the District’s priorities, including fiscal responsibility and building new headquarters. We also need urgent progress on the fire management program,” Ford continued as the audience nodded.Marc Shargel from Felton chimed in as well. “Director Farris demonstrated a terrific example of paying attention and listening. It was an example of an inclusive and deliberative process to undertake long range planning,” Shargel said. “But I’m concerned about the rhetoric that has emerged in these meetings. Personal attacks are not acceptable. If you point at someone and accuse them of polarizing rhetoric,” said Shargel, “you are engaging in polarizing rhetoric yourself.”Boulder Creek’s Nancy Macy summed up the impression of the District from past meetings. “Everyone is feeling this horrible conflict. It was like changing boats in the middle of the stream—jumping into one that was slightly smaller.” In reference to the Mission Statement, Macy stated, “The current Mission Statement is beautifully written, and assures the community you want to protect things for the future, like working to maintain infrastructure and our watershed,” she said, “and allowing groundwater to be restored. I know we can work together, and make progress as a community—and I love the conflict resolution process idea.”The last point of business was the election of a new president and vice president of the SLVWD Board of Directors. Steve Swan was elected president, and Lois Henry was voted in as vice president.To further the idea of directors, staff and ratepayers working together, SLVWD is putting together a Public Advisory Committee, comprised of 5-7 members of the public. Staff solicited applications to serve, and five total applications were received. After some discussion, the board decided to hold the positions open in an effort to gather more interested community members. According to District Manager Rogers, the commitment would include two hours per month of physical meetings, plus homework. Applications may be found online at www.slvwd.com on the homepage under “What’s New,” or you may pick one up in person at the District Office, located at 13060 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek. The new deadline for interested parties to throw their proverbial hat in the ring is January 29, 2020 at 3pm. The District is planning to seat the committee at the February 6, 2020 Board meeting.
Homelessness and Syringe Use in Santa Cruz County
These past couple of months have ignited quite the discussion throughout Santa Cruz County. Between colder weather, the spontaneous reopening and closing of Ross Camp, the Harm Reduction Coalition’s proposals for new syringe exchanges, and the Santa Cruz County Syringe Services listening sessions, most dinner tables in our community are abuzz with this difficult topic. How can we best help, while limiting, the homeless population, syringe litter, and high rate of drug addiction in our county? How do we provide shelters and services for healthier injections, but not enable a surge without progress?
Sandwich shop owner appointed to Scotts Valley Council
As Greg Wimp, the owner of multiple area Togo’s sandwich shop locations, stepped up Oct. 1 to address Scotts Valley City Council about why...
