Every woman needs her own personalized “It Bag.” Sure, magazines hawk the newest this or that in purses and totes, but regular women usually can’t afford the latest multi-thousand-dollar Louis Vuitton carryall. What we can afford, on a special occasion, is something more like a $160 investment in a bag that will last a lifetime and stay ultra fashionable throughout the years. Just such a bag was created by the founders of Baggu, a Brooklyn-based company that spearheads the recyclable shopping bag movement. With a slew of ripstop nylon shopping bags to choose from, shoppers can feel like they’re making a difference at the landfill. But taking a different turn, Baggu has created a line of leather purses that will get people stopping you on the street and asking you about your purse.

Obsessive Beauty found this darling shoe while strolling through the Internet looking for a perfect winter boot. So many boots these days all look the same—tall, skinny, plain. We were looking for something a little different, something with a spark and personality. Then we found these—The Audrey by Greenbees (visit shop.shopgreenbees.com).

Plus Letters to the Editor  

Brace yourselves: It’s nearly over—2011 that is. So, what have we learned? Certainly, 2011 has been a fascinating year for Santa Cruz on a number of fronts. Most notable may be the fact that two of our own generated national attention that also shined the spotlight on Santa Cruz and the unique creative shire that it is—James Durbin and Chris Rene. Durbin turned heads this year for getting to one of the final top spots on American Idol last spring. A lavish homecoming captured national attention, too. The singer’s first solo album hit the charts last month.

Historical tome lends new perspective on present-day local water issues

The track record of grand solutions to dwindling water supplies in Santa Cruz is marked by a few brilliant successes. But also visible upon close examination is wreckage of plans that capsized after hitting political rapids or became beached when funding dried up, according to local historian Randall Brown. In his 2011 book, “The San Lorenzo Valley Water District: A History,” Brown looks 150 years down the stream of the area’s history, exploring what worked and what caused more harm than good.

Alloy 2006—Central Coast Red Wine

Jerold O’Brien has been in the wine business for a long time. As owner and winemaker at Silver Mountain Vineyards, the expertise he has garnered over the years shows in every bottle of wine he produces. His was probably the first certified organic vineyard in the county—back when hardly anybody knew the meaning of the term. O’Brien’s estate-grown Chardonnay grapes are all organic, and the wine produced from this quality fruit is simply superb.

Vivas’ taqueria menu employs local, organic produce

Offering a different twist on Mexican food, Vivas uses organic produce and beans in their south-of-the-border specialties. Adjacent to the Rio Theatre, it’s a convenient place for takeout before securing a spot in the theatre’s queue.

Tiles are used extensively in the décor, from the Spanish-style stone floor, to the rustic tabletops and wall— mounted boxes in which grow leafy plants. The bench seating is attractively upholstered, and the corner location allows plenty of sunlight throughout the day, while a small fountain delivers soothing sound.

The 2011 year in Santa Cruz food landscape had a number of notable excitement/changes.

I appreciated experiencing the increased diversity brought to life by some new entrepreneurial families. Tran Noodle House introduced Vietnamese pho to Watsonville. This relatively simple soup of noodles and meat cooked in a well-made broth and embellished with crisp mung bean sprouts and fresh basil leaves is savory, centering, and meant to be slurped.

Pupusas with strongly fermented cheese, the national dish of El Salvador, along with pastelitos empanadas and Salvadorian tamales were introduced by Chelito’s on Ocean Street bringing an array of new flavors to town.

Think about others more and try to do what’s good for mankind. In these times it just seems that people are kind of greedy and out for themselves. We’re all in this together.
Alan Osterbauer
Watsonville | Plant Engineer

Local athletic couple want to keep Santa Cruz strong

Santa Cruz Strength is located in an unassuming industrial building off of Harvey West Boulevard. It’s not like a 24 Hour Fitness or a Gold’s Gym; there aren’t miles of exercise machines and there are no televisions lining the wall. It’s a stripped down sort of place where you’re as liable to see someone lifting weights as you are to see them lift concrete spheres or a length of rope that looks like it should be attached to a ship’s anchor.