LETTERS

NO MORE CHAOS

PVUSD needs leadership, not chaos. Pajaro Valley Unified School District cannot succeed under Trustee Gabriel Medina’s divisive leadership. Since his 2024 election, Medina has made antisemitic remarks, mocked a colleague with “Come at me, Barbie,” and threatened fellow board members with a $35,000 defamation lawsuit.

He has violated the Brown Act by leaking closed-session details and pushed personal convenience over district priorities—most recently demanding board meetings change to fit his work schedule. Medina ignored 80% community support for School Resource Officers and rejected a student teacher simply for her Christian college affiliation. His actions put ideology before students and staff. PVUSD deserves trustees who prioritize education, safety and unity—not personal agendas and disruption.

Michael Lelieur | Santa Cruz


BREASTFEEDING WALK

Community Bridges’ Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will host its 18th Annual Breastfeeding Walk & Health Fair on Thursday, August 7, from 1 to 4pm at Laurel Park, Santa Cruz.

The event celebrates World Breastfeeding Week by raising awareness about breastfeeding and the services available to families through Community Bridges WIC Program and other key health partners. Open to all, this event offers a welcoming environment for new parents, expecting families and anyone interested in supporting breastfeeding. It’s a chance to learn, connect and celebrate together as a community.

With ongoing rhetoric causing hesitation in accessing services, it’s crucial to provide outreach and ensure that families know WIC is here for them. In times of uncertainty, WIC stands firm in its commitment to supporting local families with not just nutrition assistance, but also educational resources, health services and a welcoming community.

Said Community Bridges Senior Program Director Dana Wagner: “It’s crucial that every family who qualifies for WIC feels empowered and supported in accessing our services. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, being together with the community to celebrate this event reminds us all the strength we have when we support one another. It’s truly rewarding to see families come together, share resources, and connect with the support they need during these difficult times.”

Participants can look forward to a variety of activities, including these:

Rally-style Walk at 3pm: A community walk around Laurel Park to show support for breastfeeding families.

Live Music: Enjoy tunes from a live DJ, creating a festive atmosphere.

Community Resource Booths: Local organizations will provide information and services related to family health and wellness.

Healthy Snacks: Complimentary refreshments to keep attendees energized.

Free T-shirts and Raffle Prizes: Exclusive event merchandise and chances to win prizes.

Breast Milk Donation Site: An opportunity to support the community by donating breast milk.

Additionally, the City and County of Santa Cruz will honor Breastfeeding Awareness Month with official proclamations, and a local employer will be recognized for providing lactation accommodations to their breastfeeding employees.

Since its inception, the WIC program has been instrumental in supporting the health and well-being of families in Santa Cruz County, the Pajaro Valley and neighboring communities. WIC serves approximately 550 pregnant women, 800 breastfeeding women, 1,100 infants and 3,800 children under five each month.

The Breastfeeding Walk & Health Fair has grown from a small gathering at Community Bridges headquarters into a major community event. Initially showcasing the WIC program’s lactation center and Peer Counseling, it started with just a few partner tables and around 35–40 attendees. As interest grew, the event moved to Watsonville City Plaza, attracting larger crowds.

With WIC Senior Program Director Dana Wagner as chair of the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition, the event expanded through strategic partnerships, increasing awareness of breastfeeding support and available resources.

For more, visit communitybridges.org/WIC.

Tony Nuñez | Marketing and Communications Manager, Community Bridges


Free Will Astrology

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ARIES March 21-April 19

The Tagalog word gigil refers to the urge to squeeze or pinch something adorable. It’s an ecstatic tension that verges on overflowing the container of decorum. In the coming weeks, you Aries could feel gigil for the whole world. Everything may seem almost too vivid, too raw, too marvelous and altogether too much. I advise you to welcome these surges and allow them to enhance your perceptions. Laugh hard. Cry freely. Invite goosebumps. Please note: But don’t actually squeeze anyone without their permission.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

In Japan’s Snow Country, artisans practice yuki-sarashi. It involves laying woven cloth on snow under sunlight to bleach, brighten, purify and soften the fibers through the effects of snow, sunlight, cold and ozone. Because this process doesn’t require harsh chemicals, it helps maintain the fabric’s strength and prevents it from yellowing over time. I propose you make yuki-sarashi a useful metaphor, Taurus. Something fragile and fine is ready to emerge, but it needs your gentle touch and natural methods. You are often grounded in the adept manipulation of raw material—what works, what holds, what can be relied on. But this burgeoning treasure needs maximum nuance and the blessings of sensitive care.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

When African American dancer Josephine Baker arrived in Paris in 1925 at age 19, she was seeking refuge from her home country’s racism. Her electrifying performances soon made her a celebrity. Author Ernest Hemingway said she was “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.” As she grew wealthy, she donated generously to French charities, hospitals and schools. Her compassionate works evolved further, too. During World War II, she worked as a spy for the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation. Later, she became a civil rights activist in the US. Can you guess the astrological sign of this multi-faceted star? Gemini! I hope you will be inspired by her in the coming weeks. May you, too, use your natural gifts and stylish flair to serve the greater good. Look for opportunities to mentor, encourage and advocate for those lacking your advantages.

CANCER June 21-July 22

When a glacier moves, it doesn’t rush. It presses forward incrementally, reshaping mountains, carving valleys and transporting boulders. In a metaphorical sense, Cancerian, you are now in glacier time. A slow, relentless and ultimately magnificent process is afoot in your life. Others may not yet see the forward momentum. Even you may doubt it. But the shift is real and permanent. Trust the deep, inexorable push. Your soul is hauling whole landscapes into new configurations.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

In the Arctic, the sun shines for 24 hours a day during midsummer. There is no night, only the surreal glow of prolonged gold. The human body, confused by the unending day, may be confused about when to sleep. For some, this creates disorientation, and for others, a strange euphoria. In my astrological opinion, Leo, you have entered a metaphorical version of this solar dreamscape. Your creative powers are beaming like a relentless sun. There may be little darkness in sight. So how will you rest? How will you replenish under the glow of fervent possibility? Be wisely discerning with your energy. Don’t mistake illumination for invincibility. Bask in the light, yes, but protect your rhythms.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Now is an excellent time for you to swear sacred oaths. I suggest you get less comfortable with transitory arrangements and short-term promises. The near future will also be a ripe phase to make brave commitments that require you to go farther and deeper than you’ve dared to before. I recommend you forgo the cheap thrills of skipping along from one random moment to the next. Embrace a game plan. Finally, I urge you to cast magic spells on yourself that will release your unconscious mind from old fixations that subtly drain your power to fulfill your dreams. Please please please surrender trivial obsessions that distract you from your life’s key goals.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

In West African traditions, griots are key figures in their communities. They serve as storytellers, oral historians, poets, genealogists and advisors. Their presence is often central to events like weddings, funerals and ceremonies. In the coming weeks, Libra, I hope that you will embrace a role that resembles the griot. Your ability to enhance and nurture your network is at a peak. You have extra power to weave together threads that have become frayed or unraveled. Given your potential potency as a social glue, I advise you to avoid gossip and instead favor wise, kind words that foster connection.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

The phrase “elegant sufficiency” is an old English expression meaning “just enough” or “a sufficient amount in a refined or tasteful way.” I am expanding it to also mean “the simplest solution that solves a problem completely without unnecessary complexity.” It’s your power phrase, Scorpio. What you need is not intricate perfection, but elegant sufficiency: enoughness. I suggest you welcome this gift with enthusiasm—not in a resigned way, but with a quiet triumph. Maybe your plan doesn’t need more bullet points. Maybe the relationship doesn’t require further analysis. Maybe your offering is already thorough. Allow yourself the sweet satisfaction of having just the right amount. What you have created may be more organically whole than you realize.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

How do you become a maestro of desire? What must you do to honor your beautiful yearnings and cull your mediocre ones? What’s the magic that will help you fulfill your life’s purpose by trusting your deepest cravings? Here are some tips. First, jettison your inessential desires and cherish the precious yearnings that are crucial. Second, dispose of outmoded goals so you can make expansive space for robust goals that steer you away from the past and guide you toward the future. These are challenging tasks! The very good news is that the coming weeks can be a turning point in your quest to claim this birthright.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

I’m writing a fairy tale about an ancient land whose queen regards poetry as essential to the public good. She often invites poets to perform for her and her court. When they finish a stirring passage, they bow—not to the queen or other observers, but to the silence they mined to access their inspiration; to the pregnant chaos from which the poem was born. The pause is a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment. I invite you to partake in similar acts of appreciation, Capricorn. Bow toward the mysteries from which your blessings flow. Honor the quiet sources that keep you fertile. Praise the treasures in the dark that fuel your intense activities.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

When I advise you to get naked, I’m not necessarily suggesting that you doff your clothes. What I primarily mean is the following: Shed the armor around your heart; strip off your defense mechanisms; discard knee pads you wear while kissing butt or paying excessive homage; recycle shoes, jackets, pants and opinions that don’t fit you; and discard pride-spawned obstacles that impede your communions with those you love.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

The Finnish word sisu describes a radical, unglamorous persistence. Those who possess sisu can summon extraordinary determination, tenacity and resilience in the face of confusion or difficulty. It’s not about bravado or flair, but about soulful gutsiness. I suspect it’s time for you to draw on your sisu, Pisces. It will empower you to tap into reserves of strength that have previously been unavailable. You will activate potentials that have been half-dormant.

Homework: What brave breakthrough could you make simply by being your authentic self? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

© Copyright 2025 Rob Brezsny

Things to do in Santa Cruz

THURSDAY 8/7

AMERICANA

RAGS ROSENBERG

From Carmel-by-the-Sea comes Rags Rosenberg. The comparisons to Leonard Cohen hold up, and in a good way. He doesn’t sound derivative, but his vibe matches, and one can imagine their roads crossing, both with notebooks in hand and a guitar on their backs. On Rosenberg’s prior albums, he sings of hitchhiking, migrant farmwork, philosophy—compelling storytelling supported by sparse, beautiful strings, both strummed and bowed, a good variety of percussion, a horn here and there, and occasionally joined by another voice. He’ll be celebrating the release of his newest album. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 7pm, Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel. $20/adv, $25/door. 477-1341. 

JAZZ

ZOHAR & ADAM

Brothers Zohar (piano) and Adam (drums) Cabo were raised in Beacon, NY, by musician parents. Their performing careers began as children, and by their teens, the two were cutting sessions at Memphis’ legendary Sun Studio. Their music is built on Zohar’s classically trained style and Adam’s jazz-informed drumming, drawing from Latin, hip hop, and world music in their duo format. Their recorded debut is the 2024 EP, Zohar & Adam & Friends (Live at the Howland). The Cabo brothers released their first full-length, Osmosis, in early 2025. That record emphasizes their pan-genre sensibility and features a guest spot by friend and mentor Christian McBride. BILL KOPP

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $35-$37. 427-2227.

FRIDAY 8/8

CUMBIA

SPAGHETTI CUMBIA

Boyle Heights and East LA serve as the stewing pot for quintet Spaghetti Cumbia’s enticing mix of traditional Latin American cumbia music with punk, psychedelic rock, and a healthy dose of Ennio Morricone western movie soundtracks, hence the “spaghetti” in their name. With two guitars, additional percussion along with a classic rock kit, and electric bass, plus two lead vocalists (and everyone, including the audience, adding their voices in), it’s a busy, hectic but very danceable sound they’re conjuring. Pijama Piyama, and The Hellas are also on the bill. KLJ

INFO: 9pm, Jury Room 712 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. $10. 426-7120.

ROCK

TIGER’S TALE

Deadheads already know Jerry Garcia’s infamous guitar, Tiger, which has a tiger inlay on the neck. Not only was it one of his favorites, but it was also the last guitar he played before his death. “What sort of tales would Tiger tell if it could?” is the question local soul/rock/jam band Tiger’s Tale wishes to answer. This eclectic assortment of local musicians plays an array of Motown, soul, rock and R&B jams from the Garcia-Saunders playbook. Not your average Grateful Dead cover band, Tiger’s Tale also does tracks by Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, Peter Rowan, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff and, of course, Garcia and Hunter. MAT WEIR

INFO: 7pm, Woodhouse Brewing, 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz. Free. 313-9461.

SATURDAY 8/9

DANCE

SAVEJ AND HABITAAT

Savej’s swampy soundscapes merge with Habitaat’s beats to create a high-energy dance party. Delivering his signature “ancient future” sound, Savej weaves tribal grooves and ancient medicine music with modern bass to create an intense, mystical pulse. Habitaat stirs up a distinctive, underground club sound which he seasons with cinematic scores to craft unique sonic worlds. Brazilian-born, San Francisco-raised Habitaat and Honey Swamp Island native Savej find joy in connecting listeners to natural beauty while stirring the human soul to dance. Their collaborative work serves as a bridge between the natural world and modern dancefloor culture, offering listeners a transformative and very much human experience. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $22. 704-7113.

SUNDAY 8/10

PUNK

SPY

Hardcore is back and better than ever. New bands like Soul Glo and Scowl have the ferocity of ’80s hardcore, but with a more musically eclectic sensibility. (Controversial take!) Fortunately, the bay is one of the hot spots for new hardcore. Even more fortunate, we have the band Spy, a brutal riff-heavy five-piece, that’s clearly educated in music theory as much as they are basement punk shows. They put on a live show that is the talk of legends. So intense, audiences swear they’ve seen God. But the music itself is so damn interesting and well-written. It’s the best of all worlds. AARON CARNES

INFO: 7pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $15/adv, $20/door. 713-5492.

BLUES

MIGHTY MIKE SCHERMER

Mighty Mike Schermer is no stranger to Santa Cruz. For a quarter of a century, he called Surf City his home before relocating in 2009 to Austin, Texas. And while Austin might be cheaper, there’s something about Santa Cruz that he can’t stay away from. Which is a good thing, because Schermer is one of the unsung greats of modern blues. He’s performed and recorded with legends Charlie Musselwhite, Maria Muldaur and Bonnie Raitt, the last of whom called him “funky and authentic.” So authentic that even the great Tommy Castro has covered Schermer tunes. MW

INFO:4pm, El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. $10. 607-8118.

MONDAY 8/11

JAZZ

JOHN PIZZARELLI

Jazz guitarist, singer and bandleader John Pizzarelli is renowned for his tasteful style and deep devotion to the Great American Songbook. The son of swing guitar ace Bucky Pizzarelli, his musical journey began at age six and included onstage work with Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Slam Stewart and Clark Terry. Launching his solo career with 1983’s I’m Hip…Please Don’t Tell My Father, Pizzarelli earned an even higher profile when his trio opened for Frank Sinatra in 1993. He’s also an in-demand sideman, having played on albums by everyone from Rosemary Clooney to Paul McCartney to Rickie Lee Jones. BK

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $58. 427-2227.

TUESDAY 8/12

THEATER

MARY’S WEDDING

Up next in Shakespeare Santa Cruz’s 2025 Fringe Series is a staged reading of Mary’s Wedding, by Stephen Massicotte. This reading is directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck and will feature Will Block. Mary’s Wedding is a story of first love, the Great War, hope, and regret. The Great War calls a young man to leave his life and fight. As the war goes on, so does the life of his love, Mary. This emotional tale takes the viewer on a trip down memory lane with Mary as she grapples with the memories of this pure love that couldn’t be. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 7pm, Audrey Stanley Grove, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. $5-$50. 460-6399.

Clawing Back

Progress is popping.

International ocean advocacy organization Oceana reports trials of so-called pop-up fishing gear—aka “ropeless” or “on-demand”—on the West Coast this spring were the most successful to date.

Twelve commercial California Dungeness crab fishermen from Morro Bay to Crescent City hauled in $1.4 million worth of catch as central California waters were closed to conventional crab gear to prevent whale entanglements.

The report spotlights small boat crabber Khevin Mellegers of Santa Cruz, who has participated in the experiment since its inception, testifying the gear he used only failed to surface twice out of 568 deployments.

Mellegers deserves credit for risking the ire of other fishermen who believe the shortening of the traditional season and the push for costly new pop-up gear will only accelerate their demise.

“My intentions were to do this for myself, my family, and also to help provide something for a lot of the other smaller boats,” Mellegers says.

That evokes something San Francisco–based fisherman Brand Little told me as I’ve continued to track the story, which one commercial fishermen-journalist colleague calls the most controversial he’s encountered across years reporting on oceans.

Little notes the new technology slows him down “four- to five-fold” and is expensive, but is better than nothing.

“I don’t think pop-up gear can work as a career…” he told me last year, “but our opportunity for conventional [crabbing] now is a short winter fishery…that’s not enough, and this lets me at least have a part-time spring job without working at McDonald’s. I can’t live on it, but I can’t live without it.”

More at Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust’s website, montereybayfisheriestrust.org, where I’m a contributor.

EXTRA POINT

Local institution The Point Market (23040 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz)—dependable for coffee, smoothies and all-day breakfast burritos like the best-selling Barrel with eggs, potato, bacon, avocado and a blend of Mexican cheeses—has added another location to its growing family of spots. The new outpost occupies the former Flashbird in the Safeway-anchored shopping complex in Scotts Valley (245-Z Mt. Hermon Road) and is doing a similar lineup, minus the market items, but with new site-specific specials. The most popular among them has been the smashburger, available single or double-stacked. Hours are 6am–9pm, @thepointmarket on Instagram.

TIME TO RISE

The family behind the Sushi Garden trio of restaurants is pledging to bounce back after a fire ravaged their Capitola location July 28. The good news: 1) No one was hurt, and 2) The home of special rolls like Dr. Woo’s and the fire-roasted Chef Gone Wild will return to life once necessary repairs and restoration are complete. The owners do offer a heartfelt note on their website, thanking followers for their understanding and adding, “In the meantime, we appreciate your support at our Aptos [38 Rancho Del Mar] and Watsonville [1441 Main St.] locations. Your continued love means everything to us, and we’ll keep you updated as we rebuild and get ready to welcome you back to Capitola soon.” Order at sushigardencapitola.com.

NOSH NOTES

Executive Chef Gus Trejo has changed posts within the Ensemble hotel group, leaving his seasoned team in place at Dream Inn’s Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lodge and heading for Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley…Izakaya West End has closed to free up owner-operators Quinn Cormier and Geoff Hargrave to focus on January 2025 debut Tortilla Shack (1505 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz) and East End Gastropub (1501 41st Ave., Suite I, Capitola), which has added Tuesday service and a 4–5pm happy hour to complement the late night HH 8–9pm Monday, Thursday-Saturday and 7–8pm Sunday, @tortillashack1 on IG, eastendpub.com…Big ups to the Santa Cruz Warriors for their work with last month’s Helping Hands initiative, sending staff over to the Homeless Garden Project at Natural Bridges Farm to pull weeds, spread mulch and aid landscaping; inspired locals can volunteer in either kitchen or garden via homelessgardenproject.org…It’s still barbecue season, so here go three quick related facts: Pork is the most popular meat to grill in the U.S.; Fourth of July is the country’s favorite day to cook out; and mustard is the most desired hot dog condiment…Take us out, Anthony Bourdain: “Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”

Spurred On

Daniel Govea’s parents grew up in the restaurant industry as employees and then owners, so he was able to gain knowledge from them and add plenty of his own first-hand experience in front-of-house, back-of-house and management. After graduating high school, he decided to get into pest control but says he always envisioned a return to the industry.

That opportunity came two years ago, when Govea’s family was offered ownership of the locally renowned Silver Spur. Govea encouraged his parents to buy in, telling them he would run it successfully. They agreed and he has delivered on his promise, so much so that they were able to open a second Watsonville location in March.

He describes it as spacious and clean with abundant natural light, set off with a Western theme, plenty of live houseplants and locally commissioned art on the walls. Govea says the food is hearty homestyle classic American breakfast and lunch, exemplified by thick yet light buttermilk pancakes, available in regular and blueberry as well as rotating options like orange poppyseed and banana walnut. Other breakfast bests are fluffy omelets, a popular veggie scramble, and classic favorites like French toast, chicken-fried steak and housemade biscuits with sausage gravy. Afternoon delights include a French dip sandwich, soups such as French onion, broccoli cheddar and chicken tortilla, and myriad salads. Dessert options abound too with homemade fruit pies and housemade bread pudding.

How has the new location been received?

DANIEL GOVEA: It’s been great. We’ve gotten more support and positive feedback than we expected from the welcoming Watsonville community. We’ve been busy and filling up the restaurant every day and this has allowed us to hire more staff and provide support and work for the community. The Watsonville location hasn’t been open long, but it’s almost as busy as the original Soquel location and getting busier. We are blessed to take over such a long-standing business and it’s been a pleasure for our family to continue Silver Spur’s legacy.

Tell me about your daily specials.

It’s something we do that our customers really enjoy. For example, we have grits on Mondays, calamari steak and eggs on Tuesdays, and an Asian chicken stir fry on Wednesdays. These specials give our guests something different, and brings out the best from our cooks, who get to express their creativity.

1040 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, 831-713-3953; silverspurrestaurants.com

Getting Colder

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Last week, during a sunny lunch at Abbott Square, a few of us from the Good Times team found ourselves diving into one of our favorite topics: the wild world of wellness trends—and how many of them ride the fine line between placebo and pure fiction. That’s when I brought up the now-ubiquitous ads flooding my NextDoor feed: the Ice Water Diet.

In case you haven’t seen it, the premise goes like this: you pour a packet of powder into ice water, drink it, then enjoy an all-you-can-eat Cheesecake Factory binge while somehow losing weight. Sound too good to be true? Of course it does. But the algorithm is relentless, and I was curious enough to click.

In the 20-minute video, one woman tells the story of her desperate attempt to lose 20 pounds of baby weight before a couples trip to the Hamptons. After weeks of strict dieting and brutal workouts, she couldn’t live up to the standards of her model-thin friends—until one of them whispered the secret: the Ice Water Diet, doctor-prescribed and miracle-approved.

I couldn’t watch much more. It was so over-the-top, I found myself wondering: Why are these ads suddenly everywhere? Are they working?

Peeved enough to take action, I wrote a post on NextDoor, pointing out the obvious holes in the story. If this so-called “miracle diet” was legit, wouldn’t it have made national news? The post was promptly removed—likely flagged by someone with an affiliate link.

But under a minute of actual research turned up what I was looking for: reliable information from countless credible sources.

According to VeryWell Health, a respected wellness site: “A variety of ice hacks for weight loss circulate on social media. Some influencers who promote them may have experienced weight loss by using these methods, and some may be promoting a product that they are trying to help sell.

“Scientific studies in the laboratory setting suggest that cold may cause more energy consumption, potentially burning more calories. However, there’s no evidence that ice supplement products, exposure to cold temperatures, or consuming cold food, ice, or cold drinks would lead to weight loss in a real-world setting.”

In other words, drinking more water—cold or not—and taking brisk walks can support your health. But the idea that a powdered packet mixed with ice water will melt away pounds while you eat fettuccine Alfredo? That’s marketing magic, not metabolic science.

Yet the Ice Water Diet is far from the only culprit on the market. Here are other “healthy” drinks that won’t help burn fat (despite the hype):

1. Detox or Skinny Teas
Flat Tummy Tea, SkinnyFit, Bootea
Mostly herbal laxatives, these cause temporary water loss, not fat loss.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Bragg shots, Goli gummies in water
Minimal impact on body fat despite bold metabolism claims.

3. Lemon Water Cleanses
Popular online but won’t detox or melt fat. Any weight loss is likely due to skipped meals.

4. “Fat-Burning” Coffee Blends
Bulletproof, FitTea Coffee
Caffeine may slightly boost metabolism, but there’s no real fat-burning magic.

5. Herbal Meal Replacement Shakes
Herbalife, Isagenix, Plexus
Weight loss is from lower calories—not special ingredients.

6. Aloe Vera Juice
Promoted for digestion and fat loss but lacks credible science. May cause GI upset.

7. Cucumber Mint Detox Water
Hydrating and pretty—but doesn’t burn fat.

8. Activated Charcoal Drinks
Claims to “absorb toxins” but don’t affect fat—and can block nutrient absorption.

Here’s the thing. It’s not that cucumber-mint water or apple cider vinegar are unhealthy—it’s the illusion being sold: that a single drink can fix a problem often rooted in self-criticism. When the promised results don’t materialize, we don’t blame the bottle—we blame ourselves.

As someone who spent years tangled in the exhausting loop of disordered eating, I can say firsthand: this cycle is no small thing.

So yes, message received. But for those of us still secretly hoping for a drinkable shortcut to fitness, here’s the good news: There are simple, affordable sips that support your well-being—no false promises or overpriced powders required.

What Does Work?

💧Water

It’s basic for a reason. Water is calorie-free and helps curb overeating—especially if you drink a glass before meals. A 2019 review from the National Institutes of Health even links increased water intake to weight loss.

🍵 Green or Black Tea
Loaded with antioxidants and a gentle caffeine boost, unsweetened green or black tea is a solid swap for sugary drinks. It supports metabolism and offers a light appetite suppressant effect—without the crash.

🥤Protein Smoothies

A balanced smoothie with real produce and quality protein can be a smart meal replacement. It keeps energy stable and helps you stay full until your next bite.

Personally? I keep a glass of cold green tea or a mug of hot black tea nearby all day. It keeps me hydrated, satisfied and grounded. No gimmicks, no detox hype—just abundant antioxidants, a hint of caffeine and plenty of good old-fashioned hydration.

For more Mediterranean diet tips and tricks, plus informative local wellness events, visit ElizabethBorelli.com.

Village People

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In 1979, I arrive in Santa Cruz. I meet a guy who knows about a studio for rent in Capitola Village. It’s a block from the ocean on San Jose Avenue and the landlord is charging $90 a month.Although it’s a one-room “granny unit,” it suits me fine with its brick patio outside the back of the duplex, shared by a techie who works at Seagate and a couple of hippies up front.

There was lots of hanging out. People sunning themselves on porches. Kickball in the street, chatting with the local shopkeepers: Aries Arts, with its eclectic mix of clothing and trinkets; the Chocolate Shop, with its mile-high cakes; the Craft Gallery (full size); Hot Feet; Oceania Imports; The Kite Store—and just up the street, Gayle’s Bakery (chocolate croissants).

Mornings my boyfriend and I would walk the block over to Mr. Toots Coffeehouse, where our friend (later our roommate) worked, and we’d tank up on café mochas or café mit schlags. We’d smoke a joint, sit by the beach. This was before Margaritaville, but there was always a bar scene. There was The Ark restaurant—that was a hangout—and a small bookstore upstairs. It seemed we had everything we needed.

Days I would go to the University, where I was studying creative writing, or work at the sandwich shop that paid me enough to make rent and buy whatever else I needed. Days off I’d take my beach chair and settle in reading a self-help book (Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain or I Deserve Love by Sondra Ray). My boyfriend and I bought wetsuits and we would swim out with the surfers and watch the waves and the goings-on onshore. Sometimes an otter would poke its head up, but mostly it was peaceful, floating in the safe harbor of the gentle waves off Capitola Beach.

I traded places with my neighbors and lived in the front duplex for a while. Their garden became mine and then I moved across the street above the piano store, where the proprietor, Joe Hanson, cast a fatherly figure and fed my cat. One neighbor opened a Cajun bakery on the first floor of the Victorian building she owned. People started doing cocaine (it was the ’80s). My boyfriend put a television in the ground, face up, and tourists and passers-by would watch what he was playing or watch themselves on TV.

I don’t remember traffic jams, cars backed up at stop signs, even on the weekends. I remember moonlit walks on the beach. When Pizza My Heart opened in 1981 slices were $1. We had a laundromat where I would bring my clothes (a two-block walk) and a movie theater that Audrey Jacobs and her sister owned, taking tickets out in the booth (double features were cheap), and our neighbor Laverne cleaned each night. I religiously combed St. John’s Helpful Shop for treasures. I’d take my dog for walks on the train trestle. Sometimes Creepers and I would get into it with a local policeman—sometimes there were altercations over parking—but generally everyone got along. On Oct. 17, 1989, came the big quake. There was a tsunami warning for Capitola Village. We stayed. Frightened but close to the ones and the place we loved.

Magdalena Montagne is a poet, editor and teacher who leads poetry writing workshops in conjunction with Santa Cruz libraries and hosts the long-running Poets’ Circle Poetry Reading Series at the Watsonville Public Library. Her book Earth My Witness is available from Finishing Line Press. Find out more at poetrycirclewithmagdalena.com.

Multiverse Magic

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Anyone who wants to meet an 11-foot yeti face-to-face and save the multiverse within the same hour can make those dreams of multiversal heroics and mythical encounters come true in a uniquely Santa Cruz art installation.

A “dimensional convergence” has taken over the abandoned Victoria’s Secret in the Capitola Mall, transforming it intoMiddleof: A Journey of Mythical Proportions—an immersive experience that sets “accidental adventurers” on a perilous quest through elaborate dimensions, packed with intricately detailed puppets and interactive digital displays. The mission? To save the universe from the evil clutches of the Interdimensional Cryogenic Capture and Containment Corporation (ICCCI).

The installation leads guests through a labyrinth of rooms, each representing a slice of a dimension pulled into the world of Middleof. The adventure begins at the lavish Mercurio Manor, home to man-eating plants and dragons, and moves through the land of Underest, ruled by an 11-foot-tall yeti queen and her daughter. Along the way there are ICCCI agents, a golden griffin with a booming voice, mischievous fairies and dragons—all brought to life by local artists and performers.

Middleof is the brainchild of Ricki Vincent, artistic director of the Puppetry Institute (also located in the Capitola Mall). Inspired by a visit to the underground arts collective Meow Wolf in Denver with his wife—and fueled by a desire to step away from the limitations of the grant system—the couple began designing and transforming an abandoned retail space into an immersive and interactive installation. Unlike the multimillion-dollar Meow Wolf, Middleof was built modestly.

“We went to Meow Wolf and left thinking, ‘This is cool, but it’s not interactive enough.’ So we came up with Middleof. We needed $20,000 to build it—$17,000 came from donations, and the rest came out of my paychecks,” says Vincent.

Vincent’s love for puppetry began at the age of four, after watching Jim Henson on The Jack Paar Show.

“My mom woke me up to watch Henson on TV, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. The next morning, I woke up my grandmother. She handed me a pair of sewing shears and a huge fur coat—she was a woman of tremendous girth—and taught me how to use her pedal-driven sewing machine,” he recalls.

By the age of 8, Vincent had launched his “entrepuppetneurial” journey, converting his mom’s garage in Denver into his first installation.

“No matter where my mom was renting, if it had a garage, I’d turn it into a puppet theater. Then I’d find out what kids in the neighborhood got for their allowance and charge them half to come see my show,” says Vincent.

After a decades-long break from puppetry, Vincent’s passion was reignited in his mid-30s.

“I was running a tattoo parlor in Denver when I saw an episode of Muppets Tonight, realized I wasn’t as cool as I thought I was, and said on the spot, ‘I’m going back to doing puppets.’ My employees thought I went insane and went to my mom telling her to commit me to an institution because the puppet thing had taken over… then my mom threatened them with a broom,” Vincent recalls.

Over the past 20 years, Vincent has gone from living in his van to receiving $50,000 in grants for touring shows. In 2018, he founded the Puppetry Institute in Santa Cruz, and in May 2025, Middleof was born. His dream is to make Middleof a staple of Santa Cruz’s cultural landscape standing tall alongside the redwoods, the boardwalk, and the Mystery Spot.

“Thank you, Santa Cruz. It’s been a wonderful eight years. Please come visit the Institute and Middleof. There’s so much I can teach and share,” Vincent muses. “Art and commerce can thrive together—not just locally, but with tourists, too. Let’s make this place one more jewel in our artsy crown.”

Middleof can be found in the former Victoria’s Secret at the Capitola Mall. Museum Mode (Gallery Experience) hours are Thursdays, 11am–4pm ($10 per person). Adventure Mode (Interactive Quest) hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 4–7pm ($20 per person). Tours begin at the top of the hour. Adventures are limited to 12 participants. To reserve a spot, visit thepuppetryinstitute.org.

Mortal Fools

A Midsummer Night’s Dream once again fills the Grove with a frisky quartet of absorbing plotlines and repertory actors transformed by the power of make believe, split-second timing and director Paul Mullins.

We all know the story. A midsummer caper of romance and mischief. There will be a magic love potion. It is intended to help true love blossom. It will in fact be used to create a lot of mismatched lovers. The irrational course of true love “never did run true.”

There are mortal royals, and there are immortal royals. Two sets of human lovers, a bunch of blue collars blundering outside their comfort zone, a quintet of fairy helpers, and one very powerful, mischievous sprite called Puck.

Yes, we all know the story. But the great pleasure of seeing this production lies in seeing how this group of actors, in this setting, will bring Shakespeare’s most popular play to life.

PLOTS AND SUBPLOTS Fairy helpers surround Bottom (Mike Ryan) and Titania (Paige Lindsey White) in ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream.’ PHOTO: rr jones

In the romance department we have former rivals the Duke of Athens (a commanding Corey Jones) and Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta (Charlotte Munson), on the verge of their wedding. Next we meet young Hermia (Allie Pratt)  and her lover Lysander (Nick Rossi) agreeing to flee into the woods to escape the commands of her father and the constrictive laws of Athens. But wait! Another young Athenian, Demetrius (Elliot Sagay) is also in love with Hermia and flees into the woods to escape the unwanted affections of Helena (an enthralling Lily Kops). So off they go, uh, into the woods. But there’s more up Shakespeare’s tireless sleeve.

A quintet of working men, the infamous “rude mechanicals,” agree to rehearse a play they will perform for the Duke’s wedding. What could go wrong? And in one more plot strand Oberon, King of the Fairies (a sexy and swaggering ML Roberts), decides to prank his Queen Titania (a haughty Paige Lindsey White), with help from his impish servant Puck (the scene-stealing Justin Joung). These strands interweave juicily through some of the most beautiful verse, not to mention funniest situations, ever dreamed up by the Bard.

This woodland romp through the warring jealousies of mortals and forest creatures all leads up to the ultimate comedic play-within-the-play, the tale of Pyramus/Francis Flute (an inspired Jono Eiland) and Thisby/Nick Bottom (Mike Ryan). B. Modern’s minimalist accessories, the thistle crowns worn by Titania’s sprightly fairy attendants and captivating headdress of red flames worn by Puck, are delightful.

A romance with longing and mischief, Midsummer is also a cautionary tale: Be careful what you wish for. The center of the production is taken up with horseplay involving the exasperated Helena pining for the man she loves, and an irate Hermia wondering why her boyfriend has switched his affections. In the big quarrel that ensues between Hermia and Lysander, the acting (perhaps by direction?) erupts into screeching, howling, wrestling and broad slapstick. Allie Pratt, so sensitive in last season’s Glass Menagerie, is here reduced to shrill caterwauling.

To wrap things up: In order to set things right, Puck cleverly puts the Athenian lovers to sleep. An ingenious physical actor, Justin Joung makes a show-stopping Puck, using the stage’s many trap doors for stunning entrances and exits. When he appears, the entire production picks up in pace and charm. Overseeing the histrionics, Oberon commands Puck to undo the war of the sexes he’s created with his herbal sorcery. With all the lovers back to the way they were, the weddings are about to take place.

But first, the entertainment! Director Mullins pumps up the rom-com into the side-splitting mini-play of Pyramus and Thisby, in which an over-the-top Mike Ryan thrusts a wooden sword into himself over and over. And as Thisby, Jono Eiland over-the-topped even Ryan’s perfectly timed antics. The scene is among the funniest ever written.

For full shimmering effect, nighttime is the right time to enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the glowing moon-globe Puck utilizes for his stop-motion enchantment. The play’s magical transformations, romantic confusion and fairy hijinks are the perfect fit for the Grove after dark.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs through Aug. 31 at the Audrey Stanley Grove, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.org

Midsummer Nights

Just when you thought you knew something about Bach, you hear Carmel Bach Festival’s performance of the B Minor Mass. And everything changes. Completed in 1749, the year before Bach’s death, this piece is revered by every professional musician on the planet. Nothing less than a sonic encyclopedia of Bach’s passion for choral style and invention.

So diverse and in-depth was Artistic Director Grete Pedersen’s programming for the festival’s 88th season that any day’s concerts would have rewarded a music lover. But the July 13 performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s ultimate legacy was this year’s highlight. Bach literally illustrates the heart of the Christian liturgy in this single, ultimate work.

The mass is a synthesis of Bach’s important earlier work, filled with fresh epiphanies for orchestra and full chorus interspersed with smaller ensemble sections and many period instruments, including archlute, continuo and transverse flute. Altogether, it created a massive sonic landscape emblazoned by intimate arias for selected instruments and voices. The syncopated call and response of the electrifying Kyrie announced that we were deep inside Bach’s spiritual consciousness from the start. The Gloria unloaded the unmistakable baroque sound of tympanum and horns. The oboe and alto duet in the Qui sedes was enchanting, allowing the full colors of soloist Guadalupe Paz’s voice to unfurl. Et in terra pax—unspeakably moving. Throughout the performance, notably in the Laudamus te and Domine Deus, the opulent soprano of Clara Rottsolk leaped and soared.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, the duet between the bass soloist, the consummate Dashon Burton, and the oboe, took the movement into yet a new time signature, practically a dance. With the Sanctus, Bach let us hear the angels descending (an anticipation of Mahler in some passages) through the stunning chromaticism of slashing downward chords. In duet arias Paul Dwyer’s cello achieved honeyed perfection. Conductor Pedersen kept the masterwork thrillingly engaged, her movements clear and confident, with only a rare moment where the simpatico between voices and instruments seemed to wobble, somewhere between the Benedictus and the Osana.

Setting the tone, two flutes—Lars Johannesson and Stephen Schultz—entered the darkened hall and performed their ethereal obbligatos standing in the central aisles, placing the audience into the very center of the haunting Kyrie. Bravo to all. A stunning performance. I can’t wait for next year and more of this brilliant festival. A beautiful hour’s drive down the coast from Santa Cruz. bachfestival.org

Coming Attractions

36 North: A Playwrights’ Collective presents some fresh Works in Progress, on Monday. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain into the working drafts of playwriting, where the ideas evolve in plays that are still being penned, the ink not yet dry. Eight playwrights, and/or their friends, will offer an informal script-in-hand reading from the work that keeps them up at night. Expect different flavors and textures from members of a playwriting group who aren’t afraid to bare their souls to each other. In the spotlight are pieces by Steve Capasso, Gail Thornton Borkowski, Kathy Chetkovich, Ruth Elliot, Susan Forrest, Steve Spike Wong, Deborah Bryant and Wilma Marcus Chandler. Admission is free—donations welcome!—for the 7pm show on Aug. 11 at Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St, Santa Cruz. 36north.org.

Performance photo Enchanted-Melodies
ENCHANTED MELODIES Santa Cruz Opera Project presents Caleb Yaezz-Glickman and Emily Gallagher in a playful 45-minute opera filled with interactive music and storytelling. PHOTO: Contributed

Enchanted Melodies is a playful 45-minute opera filled with interactive music and storytelling designed to enthrall youngsters and families. We can thank the innovative Santa Cruz Opera Project for bringing soprano Emily Gallagher and pianist Caleb Yaezz-Glickman to town. The Los Angeles-based duo perform a brisk, magical experience that encourages children to try out their own voice. It starts at 1pm on Aug. 30 at the Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market St., Santa Cruz. Tickets: $20/adults;$15/ children. santacruzoperaproject.org.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s restless artistic director, Charles Pasternak, has programmed Monday Night Revels this summer: multi-musical offerings guaranteed to entice us up to DeLaveaga on Monday evenings. Fans of Shakespeare-inspired drag performance won’t want to miss Pink Ladies of the Sonnets on Aug. 4. Looking ahead, on Sept. 22, the Surf City All-Stars take the stage with a Beach Boys tribute. 7pm at Audrey Stanley Grove, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. $5.50–$55. Tickets: santacruzshakespeare.org.

LETTERS

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream once again fills the Grove with a frisky quartet of absorbing plotlines and repertory actors...

Midsummer Nights

The July 13 performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s ultimate legacy, the B Minor Mass, was this year’s highlight of the Carmel Bach Festival.
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