Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1271180
!"#$%&' 678#-9#:-.+ 678#-9#:-.+ A Learning Process: COVID-19 and Wharf to Wharf's Future by Tara Fatemi Walker GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO OWN INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN A PRIME SANTA CRUZ LOCATION 135 SCHOOL STREET | $1,549,000 | MLS #81799982 139 SCHOOL STREET | $1,639,000 | MLS #81799971 135 School Street has three 2-bedroom 1-bath units and a 1-bedroom 1-bath. The adjacent 4-plex at 139 School Street has four 2-bedroom 1-bath units. Off-Street parking, including 2 covered and 2 open parking spaces for each building. Coin operated laundry and individual storage. Easy access to commute routes, UCSC campus, local beaches, and walking distance to downtown. All units have great established rental history. Please visit www.andersonchristie.com for more information about these properties and our other active listings. Anderson Christie, inc. | DRE#01894395 | 115 Knight Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 info@andersonchristie.com | www.andersonchristie.com | 831-515-8421 TWO WONDERFULLY MAINTAINED 4-PLEX BUILDINGS LOCATED ON A PEACEFUL STREET OVERLOOKING DOWNTOWN JUST SOLD – DUPLEX 212 & 214 HUBBARD STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 $1,390,000 | MLS #81787036 Marvin Christie CalBRE# 01894395 831-406-1031 CELL 831-515-8421 OFFICE Dave Anderson CalBRE# 01819137 831-345-1600 CELL 831-515-8421 OFFICE ...continues on pg 4 T o say that COVID-19 has greatly affected our world and how we do things, is an understatement. What makes this more complex is how much keeps changing in terms of our understanding (and sometimes lack of understanding) of the virus. The pandemic is constantly evolving for most industries, including events, as is the local and national government's reaction to it. It's clear that events and organizations have not only had to pivot once, but also continue to repivot and prepare for uncertainty. Wharf to Wharf is one of the events experiencing this journey. When COVID-19 first hit the U.S., before Shelter-in-Place was announced, the Wharf to Wharf Committee felt there was still a 50/50 chance of doing the physical WTW race. "There were so many unknowns (and still are), but we were holding out hope the virus wouldn't fully take hold like it has today," says Race Director Scott McConville. "One thing that set Wharf to Wharf apart from other events is our ability to postpone registration. Due to it being a sellout event, we didn't have to stress about handling registrations at the time. We had the luxury of seeing how the virus would evolve before launching registration." Then Santa Cruz County went into Shelter-in-Place in mid-March, just before the race's traditional registration date. Some WTW board members began to express strong concern about holding the in-person event. Board member Mary Maleta- Wright was one of these. "When SIP started back in March, I knew that a race 'as we knew it' wouldn't be feasible this summer," says Mary, who also serves as WTW's Social Media Director. "By the time mid-April rolled around, we were unanimous in our decision that a July event was not going to happen," says Scott. This was around the time that Dr. Gail Newel announced that all events will remain closed. When specifically discussing WTW she said, "plan on Wharf to Wharf 2021." From there, Scott explains, it became a question of cancelling, postponing or going virtual. "As soon as the Board all came to terms with that reality, I knew we could put our thinking caps on and create something that was still very memorable for runners and valuable for our community," says Mary. "We felt virtual was the best step for our organization at the time," adds Scott. "Participants are certainly disappointed not to come together for race day, but overall, they see the big picture and understand why we had to opt for a virtual race this year," says Mary. "Runners are thrilled that, even though it's virtual, they have a goal, a training plan, a way to focus their energy, and some great swag. It seems like, more than ever, it's the little things and healthy routines that are helping people cope with life right now. We are happy WTW can be a small part of keeping people healthy and moving forward." Runners are also excited to participate because of the race's mission to support local youth through running and its longstanding history of giving back to the community. Mary and the rest of the WTW committee were blown away by the number of participants who signed up for the virtual race. "I think it's a testament to our community. At the end of the day, we all want to do something positive and give back to the next generation. Wharf to Wharf isn't going anywhere. It's just on a temporary virtual hiatus, and it's coming back stronger than ever in years to come." Our local area has extra obstacles due to the pandemic. "Many businesses here in Santa Cruz County, including WTW, have a deep reliance on summer tourism and drawing people into our town to sustain our businesses, employ our residents and keep our families going financially," says Scott. "How we as a County balance this critical juncture of tourism season with the health and safety of our community feels like a daunting task, without a definitive answer." The future is challenging for events like WTW. "As we sit here today, some industries can see what their future looks like, even if it's going to be different. For events, there is uncertainty how it will look," says Scott. "While we do have a few governing bodies and coalitions that are putting together what a reopening may look like in the future, for events there are more questions than answers." Scott believes this largely has to do with when a vaccine takes hold. "Moving forward, event organizers will have to figure out 'how' and 'when' it will be safe to hold an event. For some, this may be later this year or early next year. For others, they'll have to wait until a vaccine becomes available and "Wharf to Wharf isn't going anywhere. It's just on a temporary virtual hiatus, and it's coming back stronger than ever in years to come." MARY MALETA-WRIGHT, WTW Social Media Director & Board Member