Big Turnout in SLV for Safe Bike Routes

It was a classic collection of Valley folks: elementary age kids, young professionals, school officials, community leaders and a smattering of the old guard, who showed up for a community meeting at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School to discuss plans for safe routes for walking and biking to school.  

About 70 were in attendance and organizers claimed over 300 had already signed petitions of support.

The meeting was put together by Bryan Largay a Felton parent and Tawn Kennedy of PeoplePower, the local bike rider advocacy group.  The two spearheaded the formation of Safe Routes to School SLV, a coalition of of community members and local organizations.

Largay referenced past efforts including,  the SLV Trails Committee, local groups that had offered support like the SLVUSD Board of Trustees, The Valley Women’s Club, People Power, the Sierra Club of Santa Cruz County and the SLV Chamber of Commerce and said this gathering was  “another step on the journey”.

He suggested it would not be easy or quick, but he hoped that in five years his child could safely ride their bike to school.

Kennedy, spoke briefly about state and national initiatives that currently exist to promote healthier lifestyle choices for students - 16% walk or ride bikes to school today vs 42% in 1969; as well as efforts to reduce traffic congestion - 25% of morning commute traffic is attributed to parents taking children to school.  He spoke of existing and potential coalitions and pledged to continue dedicate resources to see the project through.

Superior Court Judge Jeff Almquist, a Felton resident and former County Supervisor, spoke about his experience as an avid bike rider in the Valley.  His concern for the safety of cyclists, particularly along Hwy 9 led him to spearhead a plan to develop a safe bike route from Santa Cruz to Boulder Creek. As a County Supervisor and a member of the Transportation Commission he spearheaded a process which eventually resulted in the publication of the SLV Trail Feasibility Study.  (Almquist was appointed to the bench before the study was published in July 2006.)

Almquist pointed out that the existence of the finished study could at least provide the “predicate for future funding” and he noted that the transportation budget was separate from the State’s general fund and might not be as severely affected by the current state budget mess.

The three candidates for County Supervisor were in attendance and all pledged their support.  Eric Hammer, (who has already earned the endorsement of PeoplePower) urged the group to use the “momentum you have clearly developed” to press for a meeting with John Presleigh, County Director of Public Works and “start a conversation”  about what kinds of incremental improvements might be feasible in the short term.  “Working as a community we can do this.”  he said, adding that this is exactly the kind of project that describes the work he hopes to do as Supervisor.

Bruce McPherson was optimistic but listed three obstacles to overcome: “1. The topography of Hwy 9, 2. Money and 3. Property owners.”  He decried the traffic congestion problems, saying “Highway 9 is a mess” and that something needs to be done “so we don’t have a parking lot twice a day.”  

He mentioned the current tax property owners pay for road maintenance, suggesting that it was something that would have to be “looked at”.  

“I don’t like tax and spend”  he said  “but we have to think about it.”
 
He thought the project would find favor with everyone from “highway people to health care.”  As far as property owners he said only that “we have to deal with it.”


Bill Smallman said he was “100% in support” and then went on to explain and defend his opposition to the coastal rail purchase.


When the audience was invited to provide comments, many wanted to know what were the next steps.  Mr Largay suggested no real action could occur before January because of the elections.  It was at this point that Hammer suggested the level of support in the room deserved swifter action.  Largay wasted no time in tapping the momentum by scheduling an organizational meeting for the following Monday, 7-8pm at SLE.



To get involved contact Tawn Kennedy at   greenways@peoplepowersc.org


In the interest of proividing a complete account; one gentleman was curious about who would protect his property rights.  He claims he has to watch misbehaving youth cutting across his land doing “all sorts of things;  fighting, using drugs, screwing.”

Superintendent Julie Haff Credits "Our Wonderful Community" at Library Dedication

As the SLV Cafeteria filled up with community members, students, teachers and staff, the buzz in the room was about the previous weeks windstorm that blew trees and branches down and knocked out power for days from Big Basin to Paradise Park. Neighbors compared damage estimates, or the height of debris piles or when the electricity came back on and shared unique SLV experiences like the packed dinner celebration to honor the angels of the Valley Churches United at Scopazzi’s on Thursday night, lit by lanterns and candlelight or the opening night production of Our Town at Park Hall on Friday where the actors carried flashlights for illumination.

Then SLVUSD Superintendent Julie Haff stepped to the podium and the overflow gatherings attention quickly turned to the present.

Haff expressed surprise and pleasure at the size of the turnout as she began the proceedings to dedicate the stunning 13,500 sq ft, two story, library and tech center building which is neatly positioned between the High School and elementary school and connected to the Middle School campus by a bridge entrance to the upper floor.

Haff recalled the shock the community felt when it was discovered that vandals set fire to a garbage can that ignited the high school library on a winter’s night five years ago destroying the contents and leaving a gaping scar in the middle of the campus. She paid tribute to the Felton and Zayante fire departments who contained the blaze and she spoke about the efforts of her staff in fashioning a temporary library while a permanent solution was sought.

After introducing the school board members, Haff was quick to credit “our wonderful community” and spoke of the tremendous amount of input and encouragement she received as individuals and groups came together on behalf of our students.

Haff introduced and paid tribute to the contributions of architect Beverly Prior, consultant Nancy Litvak and the construction crew from Barry Swenson Builders. (On behalf of the students she accepted a stack of books on design, construction and sustainable energy as a gift from the builders.)

The Superintendent expressed her appreciation for the assistance the district received from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian and his staff as well as County Supervisor Mark Stone.

The district eventually proposed an 18.7 million bond measure to fund construction of a new library, additional elementary classrooms on two campuses, an upgrade and renovation of the performing arts center at the High School and a variety of other infrastructure improvements. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure in 2008.

After acknowledging the effort that so many made to ensure passage of Measure O, Haff asked members of the bond oversight committee to stand and be recognized. Haff then introduced board member and the director of the Measure O campaign drive, George Wylie, who declared that we were at the scene of the “brightest spot in education in the entire state of California”

Wylie predicted that both current and future generations of students would walk into the building and say “It’s really cool.”

Wylie thanked all the people who helped to pass the bond measure and especially members of the oversight committee who he said worked tirelessly on the communities’ behalf to make sure that “every dime that was spent went towards what the voters intended.”

“The building was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. How many times have you heard that?” Wylie asked. Adding that “Without Julie Haff this would not have happened.”

Haff then introduced board president Lea Dakota who presented a commendation to district project manager Erik Slaughter in recognition of his contribution to “the crown jewel of the projects.”

Next up was SLV High School principal Mike Arredondo who read from the plaque affixed to the entrance to the building dedicating it to “The Students of San Lorenzo Valley”. Arredondo echoed the overwhelming sentiment of all the speakers in their appreciation of the San Lorenzo Valley community by saying that “Whenever there is an identified need, the adults of this community step forward to meet it.”

SLV Middle School principal Michael Calden noted that the building was the first “real” library for his school and that the upgraded collection of books and materials brought us into the 21st century. After laying down the rules: “no food or drinks, no gum and no greasy fingerprints on the windows or computer monitors” Calden invited everyone to choose between the ground floor or upper level entrances for a simultaneous ribbon cutting.

Then the assembled streamed into the building.

As attractive as the exterior is, with multiple pathways heading in all directions, wide windows and the distinctive beacon tower in the center, the subtle landscaping and the near perfect footprint; it is the interior that takes your breathe away.

The High School library is on the ground floor and is entered from the center across a lawn from the cafeteria building. Above, is the middle school library which is entered from the opposite side via a bridge from near the middle school gym. Both floors feature a vestibule which houses lavatories and elevator and from which you can access the computer labs or the main library rooms. The beacon tower protrudes from this area and allows sunlight to splash though during the day and provides a guiding light at night.

Each floor has a dedicated technology center complete with brand new wide screen Apple computers, a projection system and comfortable, roomy workstations. You get the feeling that you’ve walked into a NASA control room or a Silicon Valley startup.

The main library rooms on each floor are distinctive from one another. Nearly 10,000 brand new volumes fill stacks that are strategically positioned to provide a variety of private and shareable work spaces. It feels almost as if these are two completely different buildings, each with it’s own special ambiance. There is a definite academic, almost collegiate, aesthetic at work on the ground floor while the upper level, still very much a first class library, manages to evoke a certain whimsy.

The combination is a noble edifice that will not only serve and inspire generations of learners but will stand for decades to come as convincing evidence of the values this community has for education and for our youth.

Whenever SLV residents recall the recent windstorm or that library fire five years ago, we will likely remember most how we responded, how, as a community we came together and how, as a result, life got better. And then we will remember, with pride, why we live here.

LOCALS Lead Food Revolution in SLV Schools

LOCALS, a real grass roots organization, is helping our schools deliver fresher, healthier lunches and raise nutrition awareness.

While the second season of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution begins tonight on ABC, a local organization has been working since 2008 to help the SLV School District build a stronger more sustainable nutrition program.

The SLV Local Organic Children's Advocates for Lunches in Schools (SLV-LOCALS) was the brainchild of Felton mom and author Sue Kuivanen.  Along with Joni Martin, Deidre Rogers, Tim Welch and others the group has been working in cooperation with Kimberly Clark, Food Service Manager for the SLV School District to provide a healthier lunch program for our children.

The students have already benefited from their efforts:  More and more fresh and organic fruits and vegetables are being served, food cooked on-site from scratch has increased and less and less processed and pre-cooked food is being used.  Also the schools are incorporating nutrition education throughout the curriculum to reinforce healthy eating habits.

A second annual health expo is in the works.  Last year, science students from the high school organized a day long event in the Felton cafeteria featuring two dozen interactive exhibits for the elementary school students to learn about what goes into processed food, good hygiene and the benefits of a healthy diet.

SLV-LOCALS also helped the district’s Student Nutrition Services develop a “Farm to School” program that involves local farmers providing low-cost, and in some cases free, fresh organic produce for student lunches. Members also take turns “gleaning” at local farmer’s markets to help the cafeteria keep their food costs lower.  The district has also switched to whole grain breads, hormone-free milk and other healthier menu items.

Still, there is much work to be done.  In addition to educating students and parents about healthy nutrition there is the problem of the cost involved in good food.  Fast food is cheaper and too often, more popular.  We all need to get involved in order to sustain and improve the school nutrition program.

For more info about the food and nutrition program at the schools visit: http://www.slv.k12.ca.us/nutrition/index.html.  To get involved with SLV-LOCALS visit their Yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SLVLOCALS/.  Read Sue’s book Parent’s Diet Handbook.   For information on Jamie Oliver: http://www.jamieoliver.com/foundation/ or his Food Revolution, http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/activists
 

Laura Dolson Becomes Newest SLVUSD Trustee

Ben Lomond parent and writer Laura Dolson has been appointed to the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in a unanimous vote taken last night at a special meeting of the Board.  Dolson replaces Susan Weber, who resigned her seat representing Area 3 (Ben Lomond).  

Dolson has a B.S in physical therapy from the University of Vermont, an M.A. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego, and several years of doctoral work in clinical psychology, part of which involved research in online communication.  She writes about health and education for the web site About.com and she developed and taught a class about health and nutrition for middle school age children and was a cancer support provider at Mediconsult.com.

Ms. Dolson has been active in District affairs for several years.  She has attended numerous Board meetings and was active in the Boulder Creek Homeschool and Nature Academy.  She has served on various district and parent committees and in 2003 she developed a website to share her knowledge and opinions and provide a forum for discussion about District governance during a time when the community was embroiled in a variety of disputes over budget and school closure issues.