This Week on the Central Coast…
A rare white whale in Monterey and funding or a teacher training program. An affordable housing project begins in Santa Cruz as the wharf announces a grand reopening.
Monterey
Frosty the Orca Spotted in the Monterey Bay
Frosty the Killer Whale was spotted in the Monterey Bay again this year. He has been spotted multiple times along the Central Coast swimming and hunting with his pod.
Frosty is believed to have leucism or Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, which causes a partial loss of pigments, giving him his frosty look. White killer whales are extremely rare, and those with Chediak-Higashi Syndrome don’t normally live to adulthood. The fact that Frosty appears to be in good health and part of a transient pod makes him particularly special for researchers.
Orcas are very beneficial to the local ecosystem. Their status as apex predators helps control populations of sea lions and fish that would otherwise dominate the area. In turn, their waste helps to cycle nutrients back into the water which supports the growth of phytoplankton and other marine life.
Frosty was spotted by Monterey Bay Whale Watch while out on one of their tours.
CSUMB Receives Grant for Teacher Training Program
This week, CSU Monterey Bay was awarded a $5.8 million grant to be used for their Residents Offering Outstanding Teaching for Students (ROOTS) program. $3.7 million will be allocated for residency scholarships over the next five years. Additionally, each first year student will receive a $40,000 stipend that they can use while earning their credentials and working as student teachers.
The program aims to train more underrepresented ethnicities in teaching so as to help improve and inspire student achievement. It focuses on practical, hands-on learning and, during their master’s program, residents design and conduct a research study in their own classroom. ROOTS hopes to produce over 90 qualified teachers for K-12 schools and is part of a broader initiative to improve education in the area.
Graduates of the ROOTS program agree to teach for at least three years in select local schools within the Salinas Valley area.
Santa Cruz
Affordable Housing Project for Veterans and Foster Youth Begins Construction
Park Haven Plaza is one of the first modular construction projects is Santa Cruz County. It aims to provide affordable housing to veterans and foster youth in Soquel by supplying thirty-six units and special services like career counseling and educational advancement. Seventeen units are meant for veterans, sixteen for youth transitioning out of foster care, and four for families with children.
The project was made possible thanks to a grant from California’s Project Homekey. Specific rental costs for the units have not been shared, but they are meant to be affordable for “extremely low income” residents.
Park Haven Plaza is expected to be completely by April of 2025.
Grand Reopening Set for Capitola Wharf
The Capitola Wharf is set to reopen on Wednesday, September 25. A Grand Reopening celebration will start at 2pm and will feature city speakers, live music, food trucks, and a beer garden.
The newly-renovated wharf includes significant upgrades, including new decking and railings, 150 replaced piles, utility upgrades, and new public restrooms near the entrance. Colorful mosaic art pieces by Watsonville artist Kathleen Crocetti are featured throughout the wharf.
The wharf has been down for almost 20 months after suffering storm damage in January 2023.
Really liked the story about Frosty. Also really awesome the wharf is going to finally re open