On July 30, a wild brush fire on Green Hills Rd. near Highway 17 in Scotts Valley was extinguished by 5:00 p.m. Present to help were fire fighters from Scotts Valley Fire District, Cal Fire, Santa Cruz and Felton Fire. In all, about dozen trucks were seen at the scene of the fire. There was a helicopter dropping fire retardant material and a water tanker flying to assist the helicopter.

On July 27, the Santa Cruz Police Department concluded their search for Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. At approximately 7:55 p.m., detectives located the body of a child matching Maddy’s description. It was found in a dumpster at the Tannery Arts Center complex at 1030 River Street. The official cause and manner of death will be determined at a pending autopsy by the Santa Cruz County Coroner. As of July 29, that information had not been made public.

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.

Vern Billington was born on March 31, 1966, to Joan and Ron Billington. Raised in Boulder Creek, Vern graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School class of 1984. He joined the United States Army in 1985. He served at Fort Hood, Texas and Wurzburg, Germany. He was a Tracked Vehicle Mechanic and Recovery Specialist. After his service, he attended the College of Oceaneering where he specialized in underwater welding and inspection.Vern worked for Pan Marine Constructors, Inc. performing underwater construction and welding; Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute as a Dock Foreman and Crane Operator, where he was responsible for placement of research submarines; and most recently as a Ride Mechanic for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.To all those that knew him, he was a great man. But to some, he was even more — a: son, father, husband, brother, family member, friend, coworker, or a stranger who would lend a hand to anyone in need. He was kind and generous, loving and caring, strong and protective, and an inspiration to all of us.He was passionate about his beliefs, lived life the way he wanted, worked hard at everything, and never apologized for who he was. He loved our country and our military; he was a true patriot, a real American, and a hero to all that knew him.Every day, no matter where we go, we will be reminded of the man he was.Vern is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Gina; daughter, Cherina; step-daughter, Shannin (and Jacob) Hunter; step-son Joe (and Summer) Carmack; mother, Joan Billington; sister Melissa (and Matt) Brown; grandchildren: Onyx! , Carly, James, and Anna; niece, Cambria; and nephews, Carrick and Cameron. He was preceded in death by his father and best friend, Ron Billington, and his granddaughter, Julie.We are all better people for having Vern in our lives – his impact on us will never be forgotten. We will miss Vern every day for the rest of our lives, but he will live on in our hearts.A Celebration of Life for Vern will be held at the Boulder Creek Fire Department, 13230 Highway 9, Boulder Creek on Saturday, August 1st at 2 p.m. Everyone who knew Vern is invited to join us.In lieu of flowers, a family friend has set-up an account to honor Vern’s wish for his daughter to finish college at www.gofund.me/zy2677qTo send your condolences to Vern’s family, share a memory or photo, or view his full obituary please visit www.scmemorial.com

There’s a new way to take a vacation right in Santa Cruz Mountains. California State Parks now offers guided tours through its Santa Cruz County picturesque trails.Along the way, the California State Parks Guided Backpacking Adventures provides a chance to see three waterfalls, as well as many of local ecosystems. This is the first year for the program locally, with the debut trips taking place in August.Guides with extensive knowledge of local flora, fauna, and history, lead the one-night or three-night tours. Since the guides work at the parks where they lead tours, they get to know the land like it’s their home. By going on the guided tour, participants get a more complete immersion than if they backpacked by themselves. “The guides are trained interpretive naturalists,” said Elizabeth Hammack, manager of the interpretation and education program within Santa Cruz District State Parks. “They will be telling a lot of stories about Native Americans, and the pioneers that discovered Big Basin. They are also avid backpackers,” she said.August 1 through 2 kicks off the first one-night trip. The route is Big Basin Redwoods State Park to Waddell Beach. The trip is estimated to be 13 miles long, with a net elevation change of 1,000 feet.The second trip is August 21 through 24, and the route is Castle Rock State Park to Waddell Beach. Since that the distance is 30 miles long, this tour is the most challenging of the two trips. Backpackers are expected to hike 10 miles per day, with an elevation change of 3,000 feet.The expected ratio is one guide to three backpackers. There are nine total spaces available for each trip. Families are welcome, but children must be at least age 13 and have strength to carry their own backpack.“The trips are reasonably priced,” said Hammack.The one-night trip is $90 and the three-night adventure is $190.Hammack got the idea for introducing guided trips to the area after going on one herself in the Yosemite region.“Having a naturalist telling the stories, and bringing it to life, made it so much richer,” she said. “I realized, why don’t we do that here? “Though backpacking is a workout, the payoff lasts a lifetime. Even Press-Banner got a taste of what the trip will be like when the guides were doing their practice journey.On the trial hike were park employees, who previously did not know each other. When Press-Banner caught up with them at Big Basin after the first night, everyone agreed that they bonded through the event.While interviewed, the group was brewing hot tea for breakfast. Hot water is one of the things that the guides plan to provide to backpackers during the trips.The recipe, however, did not include Earl Grey or green tea. The tea was made using Madrone berries and Manzanita paper, the fiber that’s found under the bark. And the consensus is that this tea had a pleasant taste.According to tea maker Alex Trudelle, the guide based in Big Basin, many plants with medicinal qualities grow in the area.“The Native Americans used this tea for prostate support,” he said.Trudelle, who learned the information directly from local Native American tribal leaders, collected the ingredients for his tea at a private home before the trip. Other guides who plan to use native plants will do the same, as taking items from the state park is prohibited.Along with Trudelle are guides Jeremy Lin, who is based at Rancho del Oso, and Erik Hylkema out of Castle Rock.“We are the trifecta,” said Lin about their knowledge of the area.Lin, who works as State Park Interpreter and Docent Coordinator, is also the leading guide during the trips. He said the goal is to bring a new level of awareness to trip participants.“It’s not just getting from point A to point B. It’s really understanding the historical natural significance of the region,” he said. “We talk about natural history of redwood forest. We also talk about some modern issues.”Since the trip meanders through the Waddell Creek watershed, the guides aim to impart information about keeping it pristine, and the importance of non-pollution.As far as logistics go, backpackers are expected to bring their own meals. With the hot water provided by guides, dehydrated meals are the easiest way to stay nourished.Those who want gourmet food are welcome to bring it. Since some of the stopping points had new animal proof lockers installed, night critters have gotten more manageable. The weight, however, is still an issue that has to be considered.“We recommend that each person’s backpack does not exceed a third of their weight,” said Lin.Water pumps, purification tablets, cookware and stoves will be shared among the group.Once participants sign up, there is an information packet that’s provided. It lists everything they need to bring. There are also mandatory preparation meetings that take place before each trip.Backpackers are responsible for their own transportation, and Lin emphasized that the public bus system is near the exit point.Another piece of useful advice from the trial backpacking group is to break in hiking shoes before the actual trip. New shoes are notorious for creating blisters over long distances.Alcohol and drugs must stay at home.For more information, or to sign up, http://www.thatsmypark.org/parks-beaches/guided-backpacking-tours/ or call Cathryn at 831-429-1840.

On April 16, SLVWD voted to raise the rates on bulk (surplus) water. The SLVWD agenda stated that there are “approximately 20 active surplus water users, of which, about 35-percent are higher usage and 8 have addresses on file that are out of our District.” The proposal was made to increase the rate from $31 to $103; in addition to ‘consumption’ charge of $10 for each unit of water (748 gallons) delivered. It was stated that “the intent of the change in Bulk Water rates is to discourage usage outside District Boundaries, encourage conservation and balance Bulk Water Rates more equitably with fixed meter rates and charges.”After much discussion by the Board of Directors, Director Baughman suggested going ahead with the increase and revisiting the issue later. Director Brown agreed. Director Hammer recommended that they “monitor who is buying and using SLVWD water.” President Bruce suggested that “staff bring this back to the Board with a quarterly report in three months comparing current information to information from one year ago.”In July, the next time that Boulder Creek resident, Daniel Burke, purchased bulk water; he discovered that his bill had increased “from $49 every two months to $172 for approximately the same amount of time from one time till to the next.” Burke is retired and has lived off of Harmon Gulch Road for over ten years. He said “I am not a commercial water user. I am not a water seller. I am not a water deliverer. I am not an agricultural grower by any means. We simply use water for drinking and for household use. And, we want to pay our fair share.”Burke is hoping that when SLVWD revisits the surplus water issue again that it will be “perhaps from a more human-impact angle and not strictly from a financial angle.” No one wants the kind of surprise that Burke received the last time he bought water, even when they “want to pay their fair share.”For more information see:http://www.slvwd.com/agendas/Full/2015/4-16-2015/4-16-2015.htmhttp://www.slvwd.com/agendas/minutes/2015/Minutes%20BoD4.16.15-%20approved.pdf