Category: Aptos, CA

Aptos, CA part of Santa Cruz County, CA about 100 miles south of San Francisco

Can Wheel Chair Patients Get Affordable Non-Emergency Transport in Santa Cruz County, CA? ONLY if Medi-CAL eligible

Scheduled for out-patient cancer surgery — but the transport person became suddenly sick — where can  you get affordable,   medical  transport  in Santa Cruz County, CA?  The middle class who work are out of luck. 

What can you get? 

Answer:  CSE Bay Area charges $300. out of pocket for 20 miles of   non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) services. You have to bill your insurance.   

CSE Bay Area is easy to contact by phone to schedule a trip  and  they have a local Santa Cruz area office  831 419 4002.  CSE Bay Area  provided us with excellent, reliable service both ways. They are terribly  expensive.     

We just found out via a phone call that Anthem Blue Cross Supplemental  (which we have  from work)  offers zero benefits for NEMT. Yikes!  

The lucky ones? In Santa Cruz County,   those  who qualify for  MED-I-CAL have access to free  non-emergency transport through Central Coast Alliance 831 430 5500 located in Scotts Valley.   Various  CCA vendors – which provide vans for wheel chairs –  include  Hearts & Hands,  based in Salinas, CA.  

There is help:  American Cancer Society 1-800 227 2345 offers free transport to  appointments and  generally requires  3 day notice. Volunteers provide assistance,  i.e. driving  to and from appointments.  A real person answers the phone. It’s a pleasure talking with them.     

What’s going on? Per usual and has gone on for too many years, the    Democrats in CA continue to offer rich  benefits to  the lower class and  to  newly arrived  illegal aliens who cross  our USA borders. 

For many reasons the middle class in CA has left in droves and continues to do so.   Thanks for one-party rule by Democrats in CA.  

Are there other insurance  sources (since our  Anthem Blue Cross does not) which  offer  non-emergency medical transport  (NEMT)?     We are looking into it.  

  Medi-Care Part B may offer non-emergency transport “if medically necessary”  That’s a possibility.  

  In Santa Cruz, DCD insurance (831 423 8542) offers  health insurance products.  You may contact Pam for a telephone interview.  We are attempting to do so. 

There are a lot of folks who have worked 30 plus years and retired who may need Non-Emergency Medical Transport to their doctors.  And their private insurance plans may not pay for NEMT – non-emergency medical transport.  

Reality in Santa Cruz County & elsewhere:      More and more people are asked to get  medical services  provided in non-hospital settings  by  appointment. Agree?   That is reality.    As people age,  more and more  people require walkers or wheel chairs to get to surgical and other   medical appointments.  At times, family and friends may not be available to transport. 

 Why so few options  for  those who have worked all their adult life – 40 plus years –  and who have  private insurance and Medi-Care and now  must pay hundreds of dollars for transport to medical appointments  which is free for those who may never have worked in the USA?   

Are you someone — or know someone  — who may need Non-Emergency Medical Transport — to go to medical appointments?     What’s your experience?  Share!   

written by DrCameronJackson@gmail.com   6/25/2024

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Release YOUR home address? New York Times publicizes conservative’s address

 

 

 

The New York Times plans this week  to   releases information the  home  address  of conservative TV talk host Tucker Carlson, a talk show host that criticizes what the Times publishes.

Why?  So  Carlson  will be harassed at his home  and stop saying what he says about the New York Times.

What does Carlson say about the New York Times?For example, Tucker has criticized the New York Times for publicizing  their Project that America’s birthday was not 1776 but rather when the first slaves were brought to America.  America was founded for slavery and to perpetuate white supremacy — those are the kinds of opinions which the New York Times publicizes.   Tucker Carlson calls these opinions into question and the Times does not like disagreement.

We probably all know people who, because of their work, do not make their home address readily available.   Privacy for family and your home is a place of safety and security are important values to safeguard.

It’s time to tell the New York Times to CHANGE their WAYS.  Right?   Do so!

It’s time to tell the New York Times to “kill” their story on Tucker Carlson — which lists his home address.

The NYT could care less about privacy for Carlson and his family.   We do.  So do you?

Time to tell the New York Times to change their ways.   Right?    DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

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ZOOM & Tune In at Resurrection Church 11 am Friday for Holy Hour

Stations of the Cross 

How to use ZOOM easy!   Try it out!   This is an invite from Resurrection Church in Aptos for their Holy Hour  4/3/2000:

“We invite you to join us tomorrow morning (Friday) at 11 am for our live-stream Holy Hour (Exposition and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament) and Stations of the Cross with Women on The Way of the Cross.

“It will also be recorded and be put on our website so you can watch and pray at your convenience if you can’t join us at 11 am.

“To join the Holy Hour, click this link a little before 11 am on Friday morning: Resurrection Holy Hour   If asked, enter Meeting ID # 263-332-736 (no dashes).

If you’ve downloaded the app to your phone or tablet, simply select “Join a Meeting” and enter the Meeting ID# 263-332-736 (no dashes).

If you wish to join by any telephone to listen to the Holy Hour, call 1-669-900-6833 (a San Jose number) and when prompted, Meeting ID # 263-332-736 (no dashes).

Click this link to view and/or download the worship aid for the Holy Hour. Holy Hour Worship Aid

If you don’t want to print it out, you can open it in one window and still have the video stream open in another window, then you can look at the worship aid when needed.

For those of you who are new to Zoom, please read the instructions below to help you with the proper “Zoom Etiquette” for being a good “Zoom Neighbor”!

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Better safe than sorry? Why Resurrection Church Aptos CA must remodel Markey Community Center ASAP

Better safe than sorry?  Why Resurrection Church Aptos CA  must remodel their Community Center ASAP.

Tom Hogan, a member of the parish,  spoke  at Resurrection Church 3/23/2000 on Why Now and How the Remodel of Markey Community Center will proceed.  Tom Hogan is on the Steering Committee guiding the remodel effort.  He  detailed the necessary safety issues which must be addressed.

The hub for Resurrection Church — their community center — requires extensive  changes to make it safe for volunteers, staff and the persons served. Resurrection Church provides many ministries to youth, seniors and vulnerable persons.

One vulnerable person served:  Many non-profit organizations including Boy Scouts use the Community Center to provides services used by the Aptosian community.  Click  Here for a brief  video of a Boy Scout project located on Resurrection’s grounds which, when the video was taken, provides temporary  shelter for a homeless person.

Why is the proposed remodel of  Resurrection Church’s community center so expensive?   Safety is the prime reason for the expensive remodel:  the expected  cost    $5.5 MILLION.

Safety issues:   Resurrection Church’s community center is a  55 year old building, separate from the church proper, which has asbestos in the walls and ceiling and  paint with lead in it  on the walls.  The building floods on occasion due to stormy weather.  Recently, a large tree fell one corner of Markey Community Center, disabling the Center for a few days and  ‘yellow tagging’  Resurrection Church’s  children’s playground which is currently not safe to use.   Volunteers and staff need to be able to exit safely should there be an emergency such a as  a dangerous person confronting them.  them.  Federal  OSHA law requires exit routes be mantaotry.  The ceiling requires a sprinkler system.  The bathrooms need to meet health codes and must  be safe for persons in wheel chairs.

Resurrection Church has THE PLAN which it has been following to gather the necessary money needed prior to start of construction.  For information on Resurrection Church’s website click HERE for the Resurrection Catholic Church 2020 Campaign.

THE PLAN:  

  1. Identify  prospects  who can make  large  Leader Gifts.   So far, parishioners have given large and smaller gifts totaling  $1 MILLION of the $5.5 needed. About 1/2 the Goal towards Leader Gifts has been met.   
  2.  Identify  prospects for Foundation Grants.  This is ongoing.  As of 3/15/2000 no Foundations have said Yes.
  3. Identify prospects for Community (business) Gifts.
  4. Contact the parish members who have not yet given

This post will be updated when more information becomes available.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic  Resurrection Church was required by the Diocese to cancel   the  meeting for Volunteers scheduled for today 3/14/2000.   Also,  the Church was required to cancel various fundraisers including Sunday Icecream Social and Eat, Drink and Give.

Resurrection Church’s grounds include places for repose,  places  to sit and enjoy the beauty  of the setting. One such spot I call Art from the Heart located in front of the Handicapped Parking.  Click Here for a brief video of Art from the Heart.

Like more information?   Go to  www.renewmarkeycommunitycenter.org

written by Cameron Jackson

 

 

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Want to help renew & expand Resurrection Church’s MARKEY Community Center? Located in heart of Aptos, CA

Major face lift and expansion  for  Resurrection Church’s  MARKEY  Community Center coming soon?  5 1/2 million needed before construction begins. One million raised so far. MARKEY  needs money.

Where is it?   Resurrection Church’s MARKEY  Community Center is located in the heart of Aptos, CA.  Across from the library with shopping centers on two sides,  Due to it’s locaation in Aptos, MARKEY  Community Cenrer  plays a central role in the life of Aptosia aka Aptos, CA and surrounding areas.

What is MARKEY Community Center (MCC)?  It’s  where voters go to cast their ballot.  It’s the hub for Resurrection Catholic Community, where they live out their Christian faith with programs for Youth, Seniors and vulnerable persons needing showers, socks, food and clothing.  Families who cannot pay their electric bill go for help.  Families celebrate the lives of their loved ones and the marriages of their children.

Start date for construction?  Resurrection’s MARKEY  CC planned to start construction last August.  But the Catholic  Diocese changed the rules of the game and said that all money had to be raised before breaking ground.  Opps!

What’s happening now?   Construction will begin at Resurrection’s  MARKEY  Community Center once they’ve  raised $ 5.7  MILLION.     This past year they raised $1 MILLION dollars, all  dollars from  60% of the  parishioners who give regularly.

Want to know more?   Come to any Mass during  the weekend of Feb. 23 -24, 2020 and there will be presentations why now,  how the money will be raised and how you can help make the MaARKEY  project happen soon   Masses are on Saturday at 5  PM , Sunday  morning  at 8:15 AM, 10:15 AM and 6 PM.  Come and find out how you can help.  And for more info, go to:   renewmarkeycommunitycenter.org

https://www.ksbw.com/article/trees-power-lines-and-buildings-all-damaged-by-strong-wind-in-santa-cruz-county/30862921

written by Cameron Jackson 2/16/20

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Homeless in Santa Cruz CA – why?

Slipped on a banana peel  why homeless in Santa Cruz CA says  Jon Showalter, President of AFC & member of St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos, CA

Homeless in Santa Cruz CA — Why?  Largely just economic,   a slip on a banana peel?  Or are people homeless due to  lots of inter-related issues with use of  illegal drugs interwoven?  Your experience?

From government statistics:   Roughly 40% surveyed report at least one or more  serious health conditions:   drugs/alcohol;  psychotic/emotional;  post traumatic stress disorder,  physically disabled and  chronic health conditions. Such are the statistics.

It’s one thing to report and another thing as to what the real problems are.   Surveys are simply what people choose to report.

Per government  survey, roughly the same percentage  of homeless persons  look for work (43%)  compared with those who report they are  unable to work (43%).  These figures are from Santa Cruz County data.

A different   viewpoint  expressed recently  by   homeless advocate Jon  Showalter:  He  said in a talk  that 60% of local homeless  are “economic refugees” who “slipped on a banana peel” and  lost their social network. We need to know them human to human  Showalter emphasized.

It’s 60% economic  to 40%  other  (mental illness/ drug and alcohol)   states  homeless advocate Jon Showalter who spoke to 50+ women in Aptos,CA at Resurrection Catholic Community  3/18/19.

Showwalter is President of the Board for the Association of Faith Communities (AFC) and member of St. John’s Episcopal church   in Aptos, CA. The AFC meets monthly at Calvary Episcopal church  in Santa Cruz, CA   and  has 11 representatives of largely north Santa Cruz  faith organizations including Buddhist, Hindu and Christian.

Following Showalter’s presentation,  Pat Lorenzo of Resurrection Catholic Community  updated  attendees concerning other  programs currently in place through mid-county churches  which assist homeless persons  with meals, shelter, showers, socks  and other services.  The collect Socks program will continue says  Pat Lorenzo who applied for ,and received, three or four thousand  pairs of socks in December, 2018. Those socks have been dispersed throughout Santa Cruz County Lorenzo said.

New long term sheltering program:  Showalter states that a new sheltering program starts 3/18/19 at St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos, CA. Occupants of 3 cars will shelter long term in the parking lot of the church.  One car/person has been doing so for several months.  Persons  in the new sheltering  program will be  vetted through the Association of Faith Communities states Showalter.

Not in my backyard issues:

Whether or   how the nearby   housing project  — located adjacent on two sides  to St. John’s Episcopal   church in Aptos, CA  –  was contacted  concerning the long term sheltering program  was not discussed by Showalter  at the Guild meeting nor in  recent  email sent by the Rector, Mtr Tracy,   to St. John’s Episcopal  congregation.   At the Guild meeting an attendee discussed how  a successful   Catholic church sheltering program — located next to a school — managed the “not in my backyard issues”. Ongoing communication,  sharing  meals with  the parish  and a 6 am leave the premises each day  were central rules  she said.

Comment by Aptos Psychologist:

Are people homeless in Santa Cruz mainly   due to  “a slip on a banana peel”?  Mostly an economic issue and only somewhat a mental health/ drug issue?    Nope.  Why the multitude of  needles on the beaches? Why the feces and urine smells in downtown Santa Cruz?  Why the encampment of 100+  unauthorized tents at the entrance to Santa Cruz, CA.   Why do young mothers not take small children to Santa Cruz parks?

Reality:   It’s probably the reverse — 80+ percent drug/ alcohol/ mental illness and  20 percent economic.

What do statistics say?

Take Away :  The numbers show an overall decrease in homeless persons comparing  numbers   first collected (2005)  to the  latest numbers (2017).   There were about 3,400 homeless  in 2005 — and 12 years later — about   2,200 in 2017.

For communities to receive federal grant money for homeless issues those communities must count homeless persons every two years.   Communities   use  the Point in Time method of counting.

Statistics  collected by Applied Survey Research show that in 2005 there were 3,371 homeless and 8 years later in 2013  — the high point –  there were 3,536.  In 2015 the number was 1,964 and in 2017  it was 2,249.The statistics listed above  can be found via  United Way and from Santa Cruz County.

One size shoe  does not fit all:

There’s a fairly  new federal law that cities cannot displace homeless unless they provide a bed/ place for them.  New York City shelters almost all of their homeless.   California provides services to 1/3 of all the homeless in the U.S.   — must be the weather and beaches? — and roughly 70% of the homeless  are not sheltered.  Thus we see encampments of homeless tents at the entrance to Santa Cruz, CA.

What say you?  The government — and religious faith organizations  — should provide long term  house / housing space for all?

written by Cameron Jackson

Monerey Bay Forum

127 Jewell Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States (US)
Phone: 831 688 6002
Fax: 831 688 7717
Email: jaj48@aol.com

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Give people “free fish” or a fishing pole? Free fish first! per COPA / Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors Inc speaking at St. John’s in Aptos CA

Give people in need a “free fish” or fishing pole?

Give people in need a  “free fish” or a fishing pole?  Free fish first! per  COPA / Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors Inc.

Community organizer Tim McManus of COPA / Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors Inc.,  a non-profit organization  located in Watsonville, CA,    spoke 9/16/2018  to 15- 20 parishioners  at  St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Aptos, Calif.

So, does your church/ synagogue / mosque “welcome the stranger”? Seek “social justice”?

How about lots of  cheap  housing,   free health care/ free  specialist MD referrals for  illegal alien  immigrants, & expanded  free mental health?  Those are COPA’s 2018  goals for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties in California.

So what  methods really  work to effect “social justice” according to COPA?

Just show up  when told to  –  says   McManus of COPA /  Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors Inc.  The power politics of sheer body count  with government officials effects COPA specified change  according to  Mr.  McManus.

Here’s what COPA Tim McManus says:

 

________

Aptos Psychologist:  COPA is not my cup of tea.  What was the original tea party that lead to the American revolution all about?  Not about “body count” muscling local government officials to achieve socialist progressive goals. About COPA — be wary. Give a fishing pole not free fish.

 

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Save water! Use a drip system — here’s how to program the Hunter PRO C for your drip watering system

A drip watering system saves water –  

Save water!   Use a drip system.  Here’s how!   Learn to  program  the Hunter PRO C  and use it for your drip watering system.  Make every drip of water count!

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A rainbow in Aptos Community Garden, taken in Aptos, CA in March 2018

Where does a  rainbow start and end?  This rainbow    hovers over  Aptos Communtiy Garden!

The rainbow  was  taken by one of our Gardeners JoAnn,    in March, 2018.   Wow!

Some Aptos Community Garden plots are available!  Call 831 688-5727 x 2.

Since 2010, the Garden,  located at the end of Soquel Avenue  in Aptos, CA,   offers small plots for people to grow organic  with the opportunity to meet other Gardeners.

You can see the white steeple of Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos, CA in the background.

Lots of things going on at Christ Lutheran.  Services are at 10 AM on Sunday.

written by Cameron Jackson

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which RAIL TRAIL best for people living in Santa Cruz County? Still time to tell the RTC what you think!

Which RAIL TRAIL best for people who live in  Santa Cruz County?

Do we want a wide TRAIL  that can handle electric bikes and wheel chairs and walkers or do we want  a narrow trail  along a high fence that preserves the rail tracks for a train that may never happen?

There’s still time for you to tell the Regional Transportation Center what you think.

Measure D — which passed in 2017  — preserves the current  rail tracks and permits only a narrow trail.

Maybe there’s a better solution?  Read and decide.

Click  here   for a comparison of the wide one versus narrow one.

Go to the link below to sign petition.

https://www.change.org/p/santa-cruz-county-rtc-help-build-a-world-class-greenway-in-santa-cruz-county-by-removing-the-train-tracks

Thank you Dana Abbott, a gardener with Aptos Community Garden, for providing information.

written by  Cameron Jackson   drcameronjackson@gmail.com

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