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Health&FITNESSWomen find strength, calm in martial artBy Michelle CamerlingoPress-Banner

Laurel Jacobson of Scotts Valley wears her tae kwon do second-degree black belt cinched around her waist with gusto: She can spar, break through boards and pose in the art’s many forms with ease.

A mother of three grown children, Jacobson has trained in the Korean martial art for nine years.

“I never imagined I would be doing this, especially later in life,” said Jackson, who is in training to test for third-level black belt rank.

Jacobson, who has dark hair and bright eyes, said that testing for the different degrees of black belt brings about a focus that is very intense, yet calming. Despite the fact that she could prob-ably beat up most people if she cared to, she exudes a Zen-like calm.

“You walk differently, feel differently,” Jacobson said. “It’s amazing, because you can really feel the full-throated power of yourself.”

At a recent meeting of Scotts Valley Tae Kwon Do academy’s all-female class, the empowerment Jacobson gets from the martial art was obvious. The women moved together in a fluid-like dance, flowing through poses and

forms at the instruction of owner Matt Salisbury.

“There has been a huge boom of females at the acad-emy,” Salisbury said. “Now there’s actually more women than men. Our all-female class can accommodate a

variety of levels and is great for new beginners.”

Salisbury also owns Valley Tae Kwon Do in Ben Lomond and has taught the martial art since 1996.

Jacobson admitted that she initially trained in the

sport because of her daughter Alexis, who started classes at the academy in 1999.

“She’s a second-degree black belt also and started training a year before me,” Jacobson said with evident pride.

Both mother and daughter

will test for their third-degree belts in December.

A picture on the academy’s wall shows both of Jacobson’s daughters donning white sparring outfits in a full-color

“You walk differently, feel differently. It’s amazing ... .”

— Laurel Jacobson, second-degree black belt

TAE KWON DO, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

SHOW OF STRENGTH: Laurel Jacobson, a second-degree black belt instruc-tor at the academy, will test for her third-degree black belt in December, along with her daughter Alexis. She began study-ing the martial art nine years ago.

Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner

Press-Banner

May 10 through 16 is Santa Cruz Bike Week, and the California Highway Patrol urges motorists and bicyclists to share the road.

CHP officers will concen-trate patrols during Bike Week to enforce the rules of the road. Officers will also educate both four-wheeled and two-wheeled travelers about the necessity of sharing the road.

Below are a few tips from the CHP.

For those on four wheelsn Be careful when entering

the designated bicycle lane for right turns. Bicyclists in this lane have the right-of-way, and cars entering the bike lane are a common cause of accidents between motorists and bicyclists.

n Take care while pass-ing or following bicyclists on two-lane roads. Many of the scenic bicycle routes in Santa Cruz County are fairly nar-row, with two lanes and lim-ited visibility around corners. The bicyclist has established right-of-way on the roadway and is allowed to ride in the lane if no bicycle lane exists. Drivers should be patient and wait for clear visibility before passing. Do not follow a bicy-clist too closely, as the rider could fall on the roadway, leaving a motorist too little space to stop in time.

For those on two wheelsn Bicyclists are held to

the same rules of the road as drivers. This includes respect-ing stop signs, traveling in the same direction as traf-fic, not riding on sidewalks and following intoxication laws. Bicyclists who fail to follow these laws endanger themselves, pedestrians and motorists alike.

Ride safely during Santa Cruz Bike Week

n Be cautious when merg-ing out of the bicycle lane and into the roadway. Riders must look behind them to make sure the road it is clear and use proper hand sig-nals. Those traveling on four wheels will not expect cyclists suddenly to be in their lane and might not be able to take evasive action.

n Don’t forget a helmet. Bicycle helmets are a proven way to save lives in the event of a crash, and bicyclists who are younger than 18 must, by law, wear a helmet at all times.

Bike Week in Santa CruzTuesday, May 11: Commuter Race in Watsonville

This commute-hour com-petition will test which form of transportation gets folks to work first.

Thursday, May 13: Bike to Work Day and Bike to School Day

Join thousands of cyclists who will ride their bikes to school and work. There’s free breakfast at many sites throughout the county.

Saturday, May 15: Rail and Trail Day

Starting at 9 a.m., families can take their bikes to the Santa Cruz Train Depot Park, 119 Center St., and take the train to Felton for a communi-ty ride back down Highway 9 to Santa Cruz. A CHP escort will provide safety. A helmet and tickets are required, with a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Saturday, May 15: Scotts Valley Grand Prix

This cycling race will begin at 4900 Scotts Valley Drive. See professional cyclists compete starting at 3 p.m., and participate in a children’s ride on the track beginning at 7:20 p.m.

Tuesday, May 18: Amgen Tour of California

Locals can watch profes-sional cyclists, including Lance Armstrong, ride in Bonny Doon and down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk by way of Empire Grade.

All week: Bike to Worship Bike or walk to your place

of worship any day this week.

Local folks of all ages will go on two wheels next week to celebrate cycling

Press-Banner file photo’round and ’round: Above, Scotts Valley High School teacher Jamie Tuckey cycles up Summit Road during the 2008 Mountain Charlie Challenge. Residents are invited to bike to work or school during Santa Cruz Bike Week, May 10 to 16, and a number of bike-related activities are planned throughout the county.

Press-Banner file photo