A trip out to sea on the O’Neill Catamaran is thrilling fun, especially as this particular Wednesday night wine sail featured Steve Storrs of Storrs Winery, now celebrating 35 years in business.
I’m with a bunch of friends on the catamaran, and we’re all loving the three varietals brought by winery owner Steve: chardonnay, rosé, and a petite sirah.
My favorite was the crimson 2018 Rusty Ridge petite sirah ($33) with its bright notes of cherry and raspberry, and which Storrs says will continue to develop and age beautifully over the next several years. And with Thanksgiving ’round the corner, why not have some on hand?
With experienced sea legs, the O’Neill Catamaran’s staff skillfully poured wine—and kept their balance while serving up ample amounts of tasty pizza. Birds by the thousands were out feeding on anchovies that evening, and sailing close by them was breathtaking.
The 90-minute O’Neill excursions are $60 and include wine and light appetizers. And check out O’Neill’s other tours such as whale watching and beer tasting.
Sailing out on the briny, glass of Storrs wine in hand, is a splendid way to spend an evening.
Visit Storrs at two locations: Storrs Winery at the Quarry, 1560 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, 831-724-5030; and the downtown tasting room at the Old Sash Mill, 303 Potrero St., No.35, Santa Cruz, 831-458-5030. Storrswine.com
Aussie Wines
On my second trip to Australia, I visited the famous Barossa Valley for wine tasting. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to the wonderful Margaret River wine country on the southwest coast. But here are three good wines from Margaret River’s Xanadu Circa 77 you are sure to love: a 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon; a 2023 Sauvignon Blanc; and a 2022 Chardonnay. Visit xanaduwines.com for info.
There comes a time in every parent’s life when any excuse to escape for a weekend is a good one. I’d like to say I was first drawn to Mount Madonna for the redwoods, the vegetarian food or those incredible panoramic views, but during those first years of heavy responsibility, I was just thrilled for the chance to recharge.
But once experienced, the magic of this remote, natural setting was what drew me back time and again.
The story of this 380-acre mountaintop retreat center began in 1978 as a vision of Baba Hari Dass—a yogi, teacher and silent monk who arrived from India to share his knowledge of yoga and meditation with a small group of spiritual seekers.
With his guidance and the support of a devoted community, the center grew and evolved. Today it remains focused on practices and teachings to enhance personal growth and self-awareness based on ancient Eastern traditions.
Unlike typical retreat centers, Mount Madonna is more than a destination for relaxation and wellness—it’s also a vibrant, partially residential community that’s open to the public, whether for a day, a weekend or longer, based on the program.
At any given time, around 90 people live on the campus, each on their own spiritual or personal development journey. Some are drawn to meditation, others to yoga, and some seek to deepen their understanding of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and wellness. The campus features an outdoor temple, with arati (ritual of light) taking place every morning and evening, and a Wellness Center offering a variety of bodywork and Ayurvedic treatments.
This collective commitment to growth fosters an atmosphere that’s tangible to anyone visiting. Guests feel welcomed, supported and invited to share in the journey.
During a recent chat with members of Mount Madonna’s leadership team, I was surprised to learn that most of their visitors aren’t based in Santa Cruz County.
As Communication Director Lara Kilpatrick explains, “most people first hear about Mount Madonna through word of mouth. Alumni and practitioners from yoga studios—like those founded by graduates of Mount Madonna’s own programs—share their experiences with students and friends.”
Morgan Kennedy, a dynamic voice in Mount Madonna’s outreach, has also been working to expand the center’s online presence, aiming to capture the attention of a younger, social-media-savvy crowd who might not otherwise cross paths with this peaceful retreat on the hill.
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING Mount Madonna’s remote natural setting attracts a small residential community as well as visitors from around the region. PHOTO: Wendy Yalom
The reach is impressive, stretching from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz, and even beyond. But surprisingly, many Santa Cruz locals have yet to experience it firsthand. While some visitors come from around the world to attend retreats, Kennedy says there’s still room to grow awareness in the greater Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay Area of the many ways to enjoy the center, from a day of forest bathing to a six-month yoga teacher training, with dozens of options in between.
The word “magic” was used multiple times during our conversation, and when asked to define the term Kilpatrick says, “it often boils down to the community itself—a network of people dedicated to making the world, and themselves, just a little bit better. This commitment infuses every interaction, from shared meals to group meditation, and it leaves a lasting impression on visitors who feel they’ve stepped into a world aligned with their best intentions.”
She continues, “If you ask return visitors, they’ll tell you there’s something about the mountain that allows them to ‘just let go.’ Part of that is the landscape itself—imagine walking under ancient redwoods one moment and looking out over expansive views of the bay the next. The vastness has a way of lightening the mind, of putting life’s stresses into perspective.”
Beyond the natural beauty, visitors often speak to the peace they find in simply slowing down. The rhythm of the mountain encourages it. There’s no need to drive anywhere; everything is just a walk away. Meals are shared in community, and there’s time built into every day for quiet reflection.
In our current state of social unrest, this time out seems more crucial than ever.
In the coming months, Mount Madonna also plans to roll out more opportunities for local day visits, aiming to make the experience more accessible to a wider audience. For those who haven’t been, consider this an invitation to see what the “magic of the mountain” is all about.
Mount Madonna, 445 Summit Rd., Watsonville; mountmadonna.org.
How do you handle conflict about social issues during the holidays?
CLARA
We’re progressive, but for some in my family, ideas are just ideas they want to discuss and intellectualize, and I don’t. Relaxing on vacation is not when I want to hash it out.
Clara Horst, 28, Digital Animation Artist
DANIEL
Just be civil. Thankfully, I can be civil with people. If you are civil—sometimes—people respond in the same way.
Daniel Majarucon, 30, Information Technology
MICHELLE
I would say I focus on the food. I do a lot of the cooking for Thanksgiving, so… “Oh, I think I hear a timer!” It may be a little evasive, but “focus on the food.”
Michelle Welsh-Horst, 58, Book Editor
ERIC
Stick to what we have in common. Everyone wants a better world even if they have screwed-up ideas about what that better world is, or how to get there.
Eric Pesic, 58, Philosopher
PHOENIX
Instead of focusing on political differences, talk about the things we all love.
Phoenix Pesic, 12, Student
TONY
We’re not inviting anybody for Thanksgiving that we’re going to clash with. We planned it that way. My stepfather is just angry; you can’t even agree with him without pissing him off!
When Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s newly elected governing members are sworn in Dec. 18, the board will have a drastically different look with at least two new members—and possibly four—if recently released election results hold.
Incumbent Georgia Acosta is far behind challenger Carol Turley for the Trustee Area 2 seat, who took an early—and likely insurmountable—lead when the first results rolled in. As of Monday morning, Turley had garnered 55.7% of the 4,632 votes for that trustee area.
Adam Scow, the incumbent for Trustee Area 6, is losing to challenger Jessica Carrasco, with 55.8% of the 4,115 votes.
While Trustee Area 3 incumbent Oscar Soto pulled ahead of challenger Gabriel Medina in early results released after the polls closed on Election Day, that flipped over the weekend when the Monterey County Elections Department updated its numbers.
Soto is ahead in Santa Cruz County with 53%, ahead by just 26 votes. But that Trustee area straddles Monterey County, where Medina is ahead by 45 votes.
With such a razor’s edge margin, Medina’s advantage could reverse again.
Still, with PVUSD Trustee Kim De Serpa the likely successor to Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend’s Second District seat—having so far gotten 50.8% of the voters over Kristen Brown—the county’s largest school district is set for a massive facelift next year.
It will also see at least three political newcomers to the board at a time when predictions of a possible economic recession and declining enrollment has the district facing possible budget cuts in the next few years.
The gutting of the Board likely comes in part as a rebuke of the recent decision to end the contract with Community Responsive Education, a company that was providing ethnic studies training to teachers and administrators.
That decision, which stemmed from allegations of anti-semitism by CRE creator Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, drew a strong backlash from teachers and students demanding the contract be restored.
Acosta’s loss could also stem from the termination in 2020 of then PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. Acosta, who was board president at the time, never explained the decision, which was unanimously overturned days later after more than 10 hours of public comment.
It is unclear whether the PVUSD Board of Trustees will appoint a new member to replace De Serpa. It is also unclear whether that discussion will take place this year, or after the new members are sworn in at the last meeting in 2024.
Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight their furniture selections, there is much to be found that can be transported home with ease.
Located on the corner of Center and Soquel, Center Street Antiques shimmers with glistening glass, mirrors and beautifully decorated rooms. The layout of the store seems simple, but as one moves through each room it seems as if another is unlocked. Vintage items line the walls, floors and all open surfaces, including vintage purses, pictures, frames, mirrors, tea sets, bracelets, books and Mad magazines. This place is a trinket paradise, and another plus is that there are a couple other antique stores on the same corner that can be visited on foot.
Up the street about a mile is a hidden gem, Attilia’s Antiques. What makes this place special is its size and impressive amount of items. Shelves are stocked with nostalgia from all eras that can be found in curated sections. With each visit, something new is bound to catch the eye. Through the entrance and out back, there is a garden with knickknacks for outdoor areas. (You may even find a cat wandering around if you’re lucky.) A piece of advice: Make time in your schedule if you’re coming to Attilia’s, because every room is a must-see.
In Santa Cruz, Miss Jessie May’s is located on Pacific Avenue, downtown’s main promenade for foot traffic. The store stands out amid an abundance of retailers for its accessory selection and the aroma of jasmine that waft through it. Crosses, Calave, Victorian cameo pendants, Frida Kahlo, the Virgin Mary and the sacred heart are some examples of the visual iconography seen in the wide selection of jewelry. The shop itself is very well organized, with each glass case holding pieces with similar aesthetics. Besides the accessory options, this store also sells soaps, candles and beachy decorations like sea glass windchimes and abalone shells.
Further afield, antique stores in Watsonville and Felton may contain a soon-to-be-prized possession.
In Felton, visitors on their way to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will drive past Abbot’s Thrift, a big red barn that has new deals posted daily on a board by the entrance. The technology section can be interesting to look through, with antique rotaries, stereo systems and tape recorders found there. The whole back right of the store is dedicated to porcelain, ceramic and glass items; this is where to find mugs, china plates and a random variety of kitchen appliances. The majority of the barn is filled with clothing, books, CDs and DVDs. In other words, this place has it all.
On the opposite side of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville’s Carriage House Collectibles is a quaint shop off of East Lake Avenue that even locals may not know about. As shoppers draw near to the house, they are likely to be greeted by two loud but sweet dogs and/or the very friendly owners, Kelli and Dawn, who showcase their personalities through stories of procured items and their Two Chicks and a Truck video series on YouTube.
They encourage everyone to “dig deep” through the shop, which is much bigger than it looks. Each room has a loose theme—such as the laundry room, which is filled with patterned sheets, baby clothes, pillows and cloth-wrapped hangers. Across the hall, the teacup-ceilinged kitchen has a plethora of things to use for cooking, eating and drinking.
In addition to the wide selection and lovely atmosphere, Carriage House has another plus: to-die-for taco trucks in the Watsonville area, such as Tacos Los Jacona, for something a little greasy and more filling, or Tacos El Jerry, which is a little on the lighter side. Both are personal favorites.
Cabrillo College is being forced to cut some 70 of its 1,394 classes and $4.5 million from its $89.3 million budget–5% of both–as a result of low attendance and state funding cuts.
The cuts came as a surprise this week when for the first time the college said it will not fill the vacancies left by nine retiring faculty members. This stems from the state’s funding formula that gives preference to schools with high numbers of degree-seeking students. Up to now, departments could keep the left-behind units, fill the vacancies and continue to teach the same number of classes.
The school joins many others facing declining enrollment and a budget for the 2025-26 school year that does not include a cost-of-living adjustment.
Those effects will be felt soon, says Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein said, adding the cuts will largely affect math and English courses—although other areas such as art will feel the sting, too. Next week, Cabrillo officials will begin considering how to cut $4.5 million from the college’s budget, Wetstein said.
“It’s hard to envision a budget without a cost of living adjustment for the most expensive place in the world to rent or buy a home,” Wetstein said. “That’s devastating for our students and our employees. That’s the kind of future we’re facing and trying to plan for.”
Part of the problem, Wetstein said, is that emergency funding sources that came to Cabrillo during the Covid-19 pandemic, and after the CZU fires, are ending. And while the college is applying for an extension on that, there is no guarantee it will come.
Also, the state’s Student-Centered Funding Formula gives more to colleges that serve low-income students and those working toward a degree or transfer to a four-year university.
That puts Cabrillo College—which has high numbers of older students taking single classes—at a financial disadvantage, Wetstein said.
“We’re in a situation with a budget deficit, and an uncertain funding level for the coming year,” he said. “In order to help balance the budget, there are faculty positions that are not getting replaced pretty much throughout the college in various departments.”
The college has 185 full-time faculty. But with declining enrollment, the college currently has more than is needed, and above the state-required minimum, said Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristin Fabos.
Last year, around 12,000 students were enrolled, compared to 2018 when that number was closer to 15,000.
Much of that loss came during the pandemic, and the college has been clawing its way back, increasing 4% every year since then.
But Wetstein does not envision a return to previous levels of enrollment any time soon.
The decline is caused in part by an exodus of residents to better economic climes.
Only about 200 of the 900 homes lost during the CZU fires have been rebuilt, Wetstein said.
A similar trend is also happening in Pajaro in the wake of the 2023 floods.
Wetstein fears “there is a lost amount of enrollment from the Pajaro flood that we’re never going to get back.”
It is not yet clear what specific classes will be cut. The department deans will soon have to make that determination, Wetstein said.
“I think it’s going to be a position-by-position determination on whether we do a rehire for a particular job,” he said.
Wetstein stressed that Cabrillo is still on a positive trend, an assertion evidenced by the Oct. 21 announcement by Smart Asset naming the school the best community college in the state, and 37th in the U.S.
“We do great work and I don’t want to lose that fact,” he said. “It’s often hard for faculty and staff to go through periods like this, and I don’t want people to lose sight of how great this institution is.”
Since the dawn of the recycling era, Santa Cruz has embraced the mantra to reduce, reuse and recycle. And in a big way that has included apparel. Now a new generation is embracing the vintage aesthetic. Whether inspiration comes from old photos of Dad’s ’80s Magnum, P.I. phase or a favorite 2000s scandal-prone pop star, clothes from the past are the key to a fashionable future.
“There is almost an unlimited amount of secondhand clothing and it’s just going to circulate as time goes on,” says Isabel Alt, a co-founder of Artifact Goods, a relatively new vintage store in the downtown secondhand scene.
More than a dozen vintage stores selling curated, pre-loved items are thriving in Santa Cruz. But how? Selling secondhand clothes with a markup might not seem profitable at first glance, especially when thrift stores and yard sales offer lower prices.
ZOOOMING A vibrant and wide-ranging shoe collection fills the shelves of Moon Zooom. Owner Nicolas Canavarro takes pride in restoring them like new. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula
Moon Zooom has been around since 1992, one of the longest-standing vintage reselling shops in Santa Cruz. Nicolas Canavarro, owner of the Pacific Avenue store since 2020, sticks to what he knows after growing up with his mother and sister in vintage selling.
“Good stuff is always going to be good stuff; trends go up and down,” Canavarro, 45, says. “But for us, good quality old vintage is always going to be good.”
Moon Zooom has seen the recycling of trends through time, and throughout it all the shop thrives on its global sourcing process. Sticking to genuine vintage fur coats and old bowling shirts with the embroidered names of bowlers past, Canavarro can safely say that there will always be a market for the items he chooses to carry.
“I have about five different people across the country who search. We try to source stuff from other places than just Goodwill. It’s what makes it so we have different stuff.”
Canavarro says, “If you look at our store, you’ll see we have a vast array of items throughout the last 100 years. We buy things from the 1890s to the 1990s.”
The fact that so many vintage stores have moved in has not helped Canavarro, a Native American whose mother and sister are also in the vintage clothes business.
“We’ve just had the worst two years we’ve ever had,” he says.”Ten other vintage stores have opened on Pacific Avenue in the past year and a half. It’s driven the prices up for me to buy merchandise.”
FINDERS KEEPERS David Constanza (left) and John Alcantar of Artifact Goods in downtown Santa Cruz show a sample of their inventory of vintage clothes. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula
New stores often start with significant cash from loans and can pay more for items. The heavy construction downtown and the move of the Metro station has hurt foot traffic and parking, what he says amounts to a loss of $100,000 a year for him.
Even Halloween was bad this year, he says. He sold 10 percent of what he normally would for the holiday, partly because people buy things on Amazon. However, he adds, the day before Halloween and on the holiday, business picked up enough to make them his two best days.
“People saw the stuff they got on Amazon was garbage and it didn’t look like the picture so they came in here at the last minute.”
Sadly, though, sales around Halloween usually fueled the store during the slow winter months. Not so this year.
“My only option is to keep finding better and cheaper stuff,” he says, as he is about to go to Los Angeles to the gigantic Rose Bowl Flea Market looking for the kind of variety Santa Cruzans love.
Canavarro bought the store during Covid, a real challenge, he says as he is polishing and restoring a pair of 30-year-old Dr. Martens, which though they are as good and well-made as new, he’ll sell for half the price.
“I will sleep in the back room and live here,” he says, reflecting on the downturn. “I’m not closing it down. I’ll just get better stuff and sell it cheaper.”
VIRGO
Looking around Santa Cruz, there isn’t one style that stands out more than another. This beach town is home to a diverse collection of vastly different fashions. Vintage stores that don’t cater to one niche are a surefire place for fashionable residents to find whatever they’re on the prowl for.
Globally or not, sourcing is no easy feat. Resellers spend hours sifting through yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets and estate sales to stock their racks of clothes for customers eager to find that perfect piece—from bell bottoms and peasant blouses for the Woodstock wannabes to beaded mesh tanks and jeans that barely clear the pubic bone for those still mourning Wet Seal.
Stepping into stores like Angel Aura, Oasis on Pacific, Virgo Santa Cruz and Motherlode, a distinct theme in the type of “vintage” they offer becomes immediately apparent. Baby tees, low-rise jeans and lots of staples from the ’90s and early 2000s dominate the racks. That’s what the “cool kids” want these days: to dress like their parents did decades ago.
“Nineties streetwear is really popular because it plays into the skate culture here in Santa Cruz,” Artifact’s Alt says.
Accompanying Virgo Santa Cruz’s manager, Bella Aguilar, on a sourcing trip through hours of thrifting offers a firsthand glimpse into the mindset that proves successful in selling vintage to those chasing today’s trends.
“A lot of the time, I find myself finding things I personally like selling well in the store,” Aguilar says.
It’s no coincidence the cart was full of leather jackets, satin slip dresses and vintage denim, mirroring what’s seen on the local college campus.
“I was confident we were going to do well in this location because we had so much exposure to UCSC students just by selling at the markets. That was mostly our clientele,” Alt says.
Connecting with an audience is the recipe for success when deciding what to resell while sifting through thrift stores like the Goodwill bins and Salvation Army. Aguilar, a college student herself, has a keen eye for what her peers would drop their part-time paychecks for.
This is how some reseller shops find their success, by directly focusing on an ideal shopper—the UCSC and Cabrillo student population. Walking around a college campus, the students are spotted in the designs of yesterday. A long way from chevron peplum tops and high-waisted white jeans, an outfit straight out of grandparents’ photo albums is what sourcing trips are for nowadays.
RED DOOR
“We do have a lot of college students from UCSC and I think people have a really cool sense of fashion here, but they also want to get it at an affordable rate,” says Jake Jensen, owner of Oasis on Pacific. “So it’s finding cool stuff, but keeping it in that middle ground of not too expensive. It’s just cool things at a cool price to look good.”
Retail shop owners observe the resurgence of old trends, but instead of opting for remade versions, they go into the “wild” to find the original inspirations.
Another downtown vintage spot, Angel Aura, is a hidden gem next to Walnut Avenue Cafe. This lesser-known vintage store not only offers pieces aligned with the latest trends but also maintains a consistent and reasonable price range anywhere from $10 to $50 depending on the piece.
Owner Sandra Renteria understands as a local, she needs to keep her inventory within the price range of the famously frugal student population interested in vintage fashion.
“We’re a working culture; we don’t have time to sift through clothes to participate in this environmental movement,” Renteria says. “I try to find a reasonable price so vintage isn’t unattainable.”
ARTIFACT
At times, however, the pricing of items in these stores can lead to confusion for shoppers. While a price tag can be absurd to a regular shopper who is not well-versed in the vintage market, the cost of certain “rare” goods is not entirely unreasonable.
The pursuit of a Holy Grail item, known as a “Grail” in the reseller community, comes with a cost—both in terms of time and effort, aspects that are reflected in the resale price.
“Let’s use band tees as an example. If you want an ’80s Metallica T-shirt you can go down to Urban Outfitters and get a reprint, but for the original, you had to go to that concert in the ’80s to get one. There aren’t that many out there, and they are harder to find. The price reflects the rarity of an item,” Jensen explains.
While the appeal of convenience and the revival of trends fuel the success of these places, too much of a good thing in fashion can have consequences. Early 2000s staple boutiques closed shop as the trends they relied on faded. The question looms: is this the potential fate of small vintage businesses?
The movement to battle over-consumption may be the key to the permanence of vintage stores. These “old” clothes can fill the desire for trendy fashion and offer a solution to the problem of churning out excessive garments whenever a style gains popularity.
“I feel like trends always recycle, and everyone is always different,” Renteria says. “I think that’s what’s so cool about vintage clothing is that you have this unique piece and that person will style it their own unique way.”
Oasis on Pacific places a strong emphasis on the sustainability aspect of vintage. The Oasis on Pacific website prominently showcases five factors highlighting the drawbacks of fast fashion, underscoring the imperative for secondhand clothing in the world. The prevalent social activism and environmental consciousness in Santa Cruz may well be the driving force ensuring the longevity of secondhand vintage businesses for years to come.
“There’s so many cool clothes out there in the world right now that we’re able to recycle and rehome these pieces. Otherwise, someone would just go out and buy a mass-produced item with a high environmental cost. I mean it takes 1,800 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans. It’s a lot of resources being used for all these new items, so if we can be more sustainable we should,” Jensen says.
The pieces made before fast fashion was the new biggest supplier were not only more sustainable but better for the wearer. There’s a reason the clothes have lasted this long, and a brand-new Shein shirt rips on the second wear.
“Back in the day, there was a lot more thoughtfulness in the creation of clothing, whether it be design, the materials used or the functionality,” says Isabella Cisneros , aka Bell, co-owner of Little Red Door.
Filled with quality pieces in a little store off Portola Drive, Little Red Door’s owners—two sisters—are thoughtful about what they stock and to whom they’re selling.
“We want to be selling a product to people that we can stand by, that we are passionate about, and that we know will last them a lifetime,” Bell says.
Treasure Hunt
The search for quirky keepers
By Bianca Sieraski
Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight their furniture selections, there is much to be found that can be transported home with ease.
Located on the corner of Center and Soquel, Center Street Antiques shimmers with glistening glass, mirrors and beautifully decorated rooms. The layout of the store seems simple, but as one moves through each room it seems as if another is unlocked. Vintage items line the walls, floors and all open surfaces, including vintage purses, pictures, frames, mirrors, tea sets, bracelets, books and Mad magazines. This place is a trinket paradise, and another plus is that there are a couple other antique stores on the same corner that can be visited on foot.
Up the street about a mile is a hidden gem, Attilia’s Antiques. What makes this place special is its size and impressive amount of items. Shelves are stocked with nostalgia from all eras that can be found in curated sections. With each visit, something new is bound to catch the eye. Through the entrance and out back, there is a garden with knickknacks for outdoor areas. (You may even find a cat wandering around if you’re lucky.) A piece of advice: Make time in your schedule if you’re coming to Attilia’s, because every room is a must-see.
In Santa Cruz, Miss Jessie May’s is located on Pacific Avenue, downtown’s main promenade for foot traffic. The store stands out amid an abundance of retailers for its accessory selection and the aroma of jasmine that waft through it. Crosses, Calave, Victorian cameo pendants, Frida Kahlo, the Virgin Mary and the sacred heart are some examples of the visual iconography seen in the wide selection of jewelry. The shop itself is very well organized, with each glass case holding pieces with similar aesthetics. Besides the accessory options, this store also sells soaps, candles and beachy decorations like sea glass windchimes and abalone shells.
Further afield, antique stores in Watsonville and Felton may contain a soon-to-be-prized possession.
In Felton, visitors on their way to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will drive past Abbot’s Thrift, a big red barn that has new deals posted daily on a board by the entrance. The technology section can be interesting to look through, with antique rotaries, stereo systems and tape recorders found there. The whole back right of the store is dedicated to porcelain, ceramic and glass items; this is where to find mugs, china plates and a random variety of kitchen appliances. The majority of the barn is filled with clothing, books, CDs and DVDs. In other words, this place has it all.
On the opposite side of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville’s Carriage House Collectibles is a quaint shop off of East Lake Avenue that even locals may not know about. As shoppers draw near to the house, they are likely to be greeted by two loud but sweet dogs and/or the very friendly owners, Kelli and Dawn, who showcase their personalities through stories of procured items and their Two Chicks and a Truck video series on YouTube.
They encourage everyone to “dig deep” through the shop, which is much bigger than it looks. Each room has a loose theme—such as the laundry room, which is filled with patterned sheets, baby clothes, pillows and cloth-wrapped hangers. Across the hall, the teacup-ceilinged kitchen has a plethora of things to use for cooking, eating and drinking.
In addition to the wide selection and lovely atmosphere, Carriage House has another plus: to-die-for taco trucks in the Watsonville area, such as Tacos Los Jacona, for something a little greasy and more filling, or Tacos El Jerry, which is a little on the lighter side. Both are personal favorites.
GET YOUR VINTAGE ON
Angel Aura Vintage 108 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 621-2605
Artifact Goods 805 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 588-1671
The Closet Shopper 1203 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 (831) 476-1565
Cognito Clothing 821 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 426-5414
Crossroads Trading 811 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 458-2555
Flipside Thrift Center 1305 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 429-6975
Forever Thrift 1622 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 316-7865
Ivy Company 930 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 477-9051
Love Me Two Times 121 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 246-6048
Moon Zooom 813 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-8500
Motherlode 1101 Pacific Ave # C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The Multi Shoppe 2940 S Main St, Soquel, CA 95073 (760) 481-8353
Oasis On Pacific 1339 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
I enjoy working at Verve when it’s raining, and I like to go to the library on campus; it’s nice and quiet on rainy days. I have a beautiful window at my house, and I love looking at the rain outside through the window.
Miranda Palladino, 23, Barista, UCSC Student
JEFF
Going to a favorite coffee shop, hanging out with friends and having stimulating conversation. In a micro-rain, more than a mist but lighter than drizzle, I love walking down by the beach—everything is more alive.
Jeff Rogge, 61, “Plant Person” at Alladin Nursery, Watsonville
LILA
I like to drink coffee and watch movies in bed on a rainy day. Horror movies are my favorite.
Lila Franco, 21, Barista, Education Major at UCSC
JOYFUL
When the rain is light, and with the right guitar, I love to busk in the rain. You have a totally different audience—they love walking in the rain, and seeing a street performer, they’re excited.
Joyful Heart, 60, Musician, Street Talk Regular
GREG
When I’m walking my dog Rocky, I like that so few people are out, I love the quiet. And it’s nice knowing that the rain ameliorates the drought.
Greg Coben, 75, Retired Attorney, Voice of Rocky
ROCKY
Loves playing in water of any kind. Especially loves duck hunting in the rain.
Social justice warrior—it sounded like a good thing to aspire to. A Dungeons & Dragons–type warrior, perhaps? Instead, picture Crys Matthew holding a guitar, wielding it as Woody Guthrie once did as his own “machine that kills fascists.” Her mission statement would be hard to fit on a guitar, but it’s perfect: “To amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice.” Seems like a whole lot of what we need right now. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
Known as a pianist and singer whose instrumental arsenal includes ukulele and kazoo, reclusive artist Will Wood makes music described as “dark cabaret” and indie folk. His onstage presentation belies his allegedly retiring reputation; it’s a high-energy set incorporating monologues and stand-up comedy. Wood has released eight albums, including live collections, a soundtrack album and a remix. The latter of those, The New Normal! (The Normal Album 2024 Edit) further blurs genre identification with doo-wop, disco, ska and jazz. Shayfer James opens. BILL KOPP
Hearing an actor is touring on a singing career comes with the caveat that people are showing up for the celebrity, not the music. With Tyler Hilton, no asterisks are needed as the award-winning actor first started out as a musician. Hailing from a musical family, Hilton got his first big break at 15 when he called into a radio station for a ticket contest. His character, wit and talent impressed the hosts so much that they invited him back. Those appearances tugged at the ears of Warner Records, which signed him. Since then, he’s portrayed Elvis in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, got two of his songs on the film’s Grammy-winning soundtrack, and landed a role on One Tree Hill. MAT WEIR
Anyone who says nothing good ever came from Solvang has never heard of the Mad Caddies. The group was a pillar in the ’90s third-wave ska revival movement. Twenty-nine years later, the guys are still seven musicians deep, playing the upbeat dance punk they know and we love. Earlier this year, they released Arrows Room 117, their first full album in 10 years. Pickin’ it up with the Mad Caddies are Canadian punks Belvedere and fellow reggae punk fiends Authority Zero. Do some stretches, bust out the fancy dancing clogs and get ready for a night of ska. Reliving the glory days! MW
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $36. 713-5492.
FRIDAY 11/15
STORYTELLING
JOHN BEAR
Malaysian reggae and ska musician John Bear, founder of the charismatic indie 10-piece Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang, is bringing some of the group’s buoyant sounds to Santa Cruz, and what a rare treat it is. Bear, a storyteller at heart, sings and pens together stories for the acclaimed reggae and ska fusion band and writes for mainstream artists across the musical spectrum. Often writing introspective lyrics relaying his views on culture and reflecting on “oneness and society as a whole,” the artist continues to keep the craft of storytelling alive through his dynamic, joyful collaborative works and solo projects. MELISA YURIAR
Oakland composer and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Clevenger and his group of artists are gearing up for an evening of interesting experimental sounds and thoughtful vibrations. From sparse syncopations created with a single snare drum and cymbal to abrasive, textural friction created with found objects, these improvisational artists are experts within a unique genre of music. San Francisco-based percussionist Kevin Corcoran will join Clevenger alongside openers Rodrigo Barriga (a Santa Cruz-based Mexican sound artist) and Leshy. MY
INFO: 5pm, SubRosa, 703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 426-5242.
SUNDAY 11/17
FOLK
MALENA CADIZ
On her third and most recent release, Hellbent and Moonbound, Malena Cadiz creates songs that lyrically and musically possess a cinematic quality. Her musical stories introduce us to characters brimming with depth and vulnerability. She soundtracks these vignettes beautifully with an emotive, wide-ranged voice and sparkly guitar; think Mazzy Star but more down to earth, hands feeling the dirt. Unsurprisingly, The CW, Netflix and ABC have used her music in soundtracks for Nancy Drew,Lucifer and Rebel. She’s joined by Leann Skoda, whose harmonies and guitar have made her a favorite of Miley Cyrus and other A-listers. KLJ
INFO: 8pm, Lille Aeske Arthouse, 13160 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, $25/adv, $30/door. 703-4183.
MONDAY 11/18
GOSPEL
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
Last year, Sweet Honey in the Rock celebrated their 50th anniversary. The group isn’t bound by genres, pulling from folk, jazz and hip hop to create their energizing performance. The women in this unique group also use American Sign Language to expand the reach of their message. The members are activists who use music to sing about various issues faced today, mixed with an optimistic view of the future. The incredible vocal ranges of the members mesmerize audiences with a dynamic experience and envelop them in the meaning of the songs. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $58. 423-8209.
WEDNESDAY 11/20
EXPERIMENTAL
MARY LATTIMORE
The harp (not the blues harp, aka harmonica) is a relatively uncommon instrument in performance. Outside of classical music, the harp is often relegated to studio work, where its crystalline and subtle tones enhance recording sessions. Mary Lattimore defies such restraints. While the Asheville-born musician is indeed the product of classical training, she has applied her artistry in the edgier regions of the indie rock world. Lattimore has five solo albums to her credit; 2023’s Goodbye, Hotel Arkada is her latest, and it features an eclectic roster of guests, including members of the Cure and Slowdive. Walt McClements opens. BK
INFO: 7:30pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $34/adv, $37/door. 427-2227.
On April Fools Day, 1984, not-yet-a-denizen Thom Zajac was driving over Highway 17 toward Santa Cruz, when he had an epiphany.
“I was a fan of editorial cartoons,” says Zajac from his home in Bonny Doon. Zajac had just looked at an entire book of editorial cartoons, and his mind began racing as he navigated the serpentine mountains. “I knew if I could put the editorial cartoons in a chronological order, that they would tell a story,” Zajac said. And thus, the inception of the idea for The Comic News was born.
Zajac found out that Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonists were available to print, cheaply.
“I could print a monthly newspaper of just political cartoons,” Zajac says. Not only would the budding entrepreneur be able to pull this off solo, with no writers (Zajac writes all the blurbs) and no photographers, he would also be able to sell the ads himself. With that idea locked and loaded, Zajac moved to Santa Cruz and started The Comic News, 40 years ago.
Good old, Benjamin Franklin, back in 1754, drew the first American newspaper editorial cartoon. Franklin’s “Join, or Die” cartoon was carried into battles. A century later, Thomas Nast, “Father of the American cartoon,” created the Republican elephant and even more culturally important, the image of the definitive Santa Claus. And 100 years later, Gary Trudeau’s comic strip, Doonesbury, which skewered college life and American politics with genius/stoner humor, won a Pulitzer Prize. Not to put too fine a point on it, but The Comic News is carrying the torch of an American tradition.
And while political cartooning is still as prolific as ever, Zajac wasn’t prepared for the 21st-century consumer culture attention span, when handheld devices would replace tactile, gritty newsprint. Luckily, co-editor John Govsky showed up at the right time and ushered The Comic News into the digital world. Without Govsky dragging Zajac into the future, The Comic News would have been a footnote in Santa Cruz’ publication history.
Editorial cartoons are important. The literacy rate of most Americans hovers between fourth- and seventh-grade levels, so cartoons can reach across a much wider aisle. If you make it through the 100 cartoons that Zajac and Govsky print each month, you will have a pretty good idea of what is happening in American politics, and that’s no small feat.
Selling subscriptions to newspapers has always been a hustlers game. And sometimes, something happens that the smart businessman seizes on. And in this case it happened to be an absurdist cartoonist named Gary Larson who changed everything for The Comic News.
“Distribution was down,” Zajac says. “Turns out there are a lot of people that are not that interested in editorial cartoons.” By printing a month’s worth of The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes and Bloom County, readers were able to binge-read their favorite characters, and it was a boom time for The Comic News.
The paper also helped launch the career of regional cartoonist Nina Paley.
“Print media was everything when I was a young cartoonist,” she says. “Getting published in The Comic News was genuinely a dream true for my 20-year-old-self. Back in 1987, there was no internet, or at least no internet that could support high-resolution graphics. Print was the shizz. My, how times have changed. Not only has the internet replaced most print media, but AI is now replacing most artists! I’m glad I’ve lived long enough to witness so many changes, even if they make my head spin.”
Since COVID, 2,200 American local print newspapers have closed. It is estimated that two newspapers in the United States go out of print every day. So take a moment to check out Comic News and subscribe. It’s an American tradition.
Find The Comic News in coffee shops around Santa Cruz County, or online at thecomicnews.com. Hard-copy subscriptions are $38 and yearly online subscriptions are $10.
There comes a time in every parent’s life when any excuse to escape for a weekend is a good one. I’d like to say I was first drawn to Mount Madonna for the redwoods, the vegetarian food or those incredible panoramic views, but during those first years of heavy responsibility, I was just thrilled for the chance to recharge.
But...
Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight...
Whether inspiration comes from old photos of Dad’s ’80s Magnum, P.I. phase or a favorite 2000s scandal-prone pop star, clothes from the past are the key to a fashionable future.
Last year, Sweet Honey in the Rock celebrated their 50th anniversary. The group isn’t bound by genres, pulling from folk, jazz and hip hop to create their energizing performance.
