Rob Brezsny’s Astrology: May 24-30

ARIES (March 21-April 19): My reading of the astrological omens inspires me to make a series of paradoxical predictions for you. Here are five scenarios I foresee as being quite possible in the coming weeks. 1. An epic journey to a sanctuary close to home. 2. A boundary that doesn’t keep people apart but brings them closer. 3. A rambunctious intervention that calms you down and helps you feel more at peace. 4. A complex process that leads to simple clarity. 5. A visit to the past that empowers you to redesign the future.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do you want a seed to fulfill its destiny? You must bury it in the ground. There, if it’s able to draw on water and the proper nutrients, it will break open and sprout. Its life as a seed will be over. The plant it eventually grows into will look nothing like its source. We take this process for granted, but it’s always a miracle. Now let’s invoke this story as a metaphor for what you are hopefully on the verge of, Taurus. I invite you to do all that’s helpful and necessary to ensure your seed germinates!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your meandering trek through the Unpromised Land wasn’t as demoralizing as you feared. The skirmish with the metaphorical dragon was a bit disruptive, but hey, you are still breathing and walking around—and even seem to have been energized by the weird thrill of the adventure. The only other possible downside was the new dent in your sweet dream. But I suspect that in the long run, that imperfection will inspire you to work even harder on behalf of your sweet dream—and this will be a blessing. Here’s another perk: The ordeal you endured effectively cleaned out stale old karma, freeing up space for a slew of fresh help and resources.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Testing time is ahead, but don’t get your nerves in an uproar with fantasy-spawned stress. For the most part, your challenges and trials will be interesting, not unsettling. There will be few if any trick questions. There will be straightforward prods to stretch your capacities and expand your understanding. Bonus! I bet you’ll get the brilliant impulse to shed the ball and chain you’ve been absent-mindedly carrying around with you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Biologist Edward O. Wilson said that the most social animals are ants, termites and honeybees. He used the following criteria to define that description: “altruism, instincts devoted to social life and the tightness of the bonds that turn colonies into virtual superorganisms.” I’m going to advocate that you regard ants, termites and honeybees as teachers and role models for you. The coming weeks will be a great time to boost your skill at socializing and networking. You will be wise to ruminate about how you could improve your life by enhancing your ability to cooperate with others. And remember to boost your altruism!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Jack Sarfatti is an authentic but maverick physicist born under the sign of Virgo. He suggests that if we make ourselves receptive and alert, we may get help from our future selves. They are trying to communicate good ideas to us back through time. Alas, most of us don’t believe such a thing is feasible, so we aren’t attuned to the potential help. I will encourage you to transcend any natural skepticism you might have about Sarfatti’s theory. As a fun experiment, imagine that the Future You has an important transmission for you—maybe several transmissions. For best results, formulate three specific questions to pose to the Future You.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I have five points for your consideration. 1. You are alive in your mysterious, endlessly interesting life, and you are imbued with the fantastically potent power of awareness. How could you not feel thrilled? 2. You’re on a planet that’s always surprising, and you’re in an era when so many things are changing that you can’t help being fascinated. How could you not feel thrilled? 3. You have some intriguing project to look forward to, or some challenging but engaging work you’re doing, or some mind-bending riddle you’re trying to solve. How could you not feel thrilled? 4. You’re playing the most enigmatic game in the universe, also known as your destiny on Earth, and you love ruminating on questions about what it all means. How could you not feel thrilled? 5. You never know what’s going to happen next. You’re like a hero in an epic movie that is endlessly entertaining. How could you not feel thrilled?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn,” advises Scorpio author Neil Gaiman. Let’s make that one of your mantras for the coming weeks. In my astrological understanding, you are due to cash in on favors you have bestowed on others. The generosity you have expressed should be streaming back your way in abundance. Be bold about welcoming the bounty. In fact, I hope you will nudge and prompt people, if necessary, to reward you for your past support and blessings.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): So many of us are starved to be listened to with full attention. So many of us yearn to be seen and heard and felt by people who are skilled at receptive empathy. How many of us? I’d say the figure is about 99.9 percent. That’s the bad news, Sagittarius. The good news is that in the coming weeks, you will have an exceptional ability to win the attention of good listeners. To boost the potential healing effects of this opportunity, here’s what I recommend: Refine and deepen your own listening skills. Express them with panache.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Because you’re a Capricorn, earthiness is probably one of your strengths. It’s your birthright to be practical and sensible and well-grounded. Now and then, however, your earthiness devolves into muddiness. You get too sober and earnest. You’re bogged down in excess pragmatism. I suspect you may be susceptible to such a state these days. What to do? It may help if you add elements of air and fire to your constitution, just to balance things out. Give yourself a secret nickname with a fiery feel, like Blaze, or a crispy briskness, like Breezy. What else could you do to rouse fresh, glowing vigor, Breezy Blaze—even a touch of wildness?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I love to use metaphors in my writing, but I hate to mix unrelated metaphors. I thrive on referring to poetry, sometimes even surrealistic poetry, but I try to avoid sounding like a lunatic. However, at this juncture in your hero’s journey, Aquarius, I frankly feel that the most effective way to communicate with you is to offer you mixed metaphors and surrealist poetry that border on sounding lunatic. Why? Because you seem primed to wander around on the edges of reality. I’m guessing you’ll respond best to a message that’s aligned with your unruly mood. So here goes: Get ready to surf the spiritual undertow all the way to the teeming wilderness on the other side of the cracked mirror. Ignore the provocative wasteland on your left and the intriguing chaos on your right. Stay focused on the stars in your eyes and devote yourself to wild joy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “The gift of patience opens when our body, heart and mind slow enough to move in unison.” So says Piscean poet Mark Nepo. I feel confident you are about to glide into such a grand harmony, dear Pisces. Through a blend of grace and your relaxed efforts to be true to your deepest desires, your body, heart and mind will synchronize and synergize. Patience will be just one of the gifts you will receive. Others include: a clear vision of your most beautiful future; a lucid understanding of what will be most meaningful to you in the next three years; and a profound sense of feeling at home in the world wherever you go. 

Homework: What is the most spiritually nourishing pleasure you should seek out but don’t? newsletter.freewillastrology.com

Humble Sea Unleashes a New Beer Garden on Santa Cruz’s Municipal Wharf

I hope you’re sitting down, preferably on a beach chair, because I have a stunning announcement: Summer has begun.

Yes, we are a week-plus from June and a ways from summer solstice, but there is cause for my command decision.

It involves arguably the most creative, popular and collaborative craft beer brand by the bay, Humble Sea, and their most recent—and summerish—situation yet. 

They’ve hatched a beer garden on the end of Municipal Wharf in Santa Cruz, happening Monday-Wednesday 4-9pm, Thursday-Saturday noon-9pm and Sunday, 10am-9pm. 

Ten craft draft options, four-pack cans to go and some to sip on site (pending availability) all figure in. 

So do food trucks, with standout sustainable seafood saints Scrumptious Fish & Chips serving Thursdays and Cococ Oaxacan doing delish duty Friday through Sunday. (Ordering food from wharf eateries like Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery and Stagnaro Brothers Seafood is also kosher.)

I await most Humble e-blasts with baited beer breath as they reliably deliver saliva-inducing release updates. [I see you Cloudbreak Deca Dry Hopped and Hop-Fused Quadruple IPA (!!!!) with Mosaic Incognito, Nelson Hop Kief, Riwaka and Motueka hops.]

A pair of my favorite installments came in recent weeks with 1) news of a Humble Sea team rider, Jon Reed, winning the downhill race in the men’s 40s expert division and taking home second in the Enduro Race at Sea Otter Classic; and 2) word on the peerless pier scene, including some typically zingy thoughts. 

“Why did the seagull steal a sandwich? It was feeling a little peckish!” it read. “Ya, the seagulls have been stealing some things, mostly fries, and the occasional patron gets pooped on. But we will soon have more shade structures that will help prevent that kinda silliness.”

Humble Sea’s area GM Danielle Byers confirmed the scene is vibing nicely.

“The fun thing about the wharf is that it’s a completely outdoor beer garden with views of Steamer [Lane] on one side and the Boardwalk on the other,” she says. “Quintessential Santa Cruz.”

STAFF FUN

Staff of Life Natural Foods knows how to party. Through Saturday, May 27, SoL on Soquel in Santa Cruz celebrates its 54th anniversary with specials, free samples and wine and beer tastings daily. facebook.com/staffoflife

COLD COMPETITOR

Bear Nataraj Champlain of Davenport has a surreal and sudsy claim to fame. He’s one of 12 semi-finalists to be the mascot for one of my favorite sassy beer brands, Montucky Cold Snacks, a self-described “beer-flavored beer for everyone.” Until Friday, May 26, votes give Champlain a shot to appear on Montucky cans, a NASCAR truck, billboards and more. montuckycoldsnacks.com/montucky-mascot-competition

TOPICAL TROPICAL

The first ever Fruit-A-Palooza 2023, with the theme of “Growing tropical and subtropical fruit on the California Central Coast,” stokes attendees with the how-tos of growing fruit they might not have considered. The Monterey Bay chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers event benefits gardening education at Pajaro Valley Schools. The deets: 9am-5pm, June 10 at the Santa Cruz Grange Hall. mbcrfg.org

Hillick & Hobbs Estate’s 2021 Dry Riesling

In California, we tend to take our wines for granted. Grapevines spring up all over the Golden State, and some of the best wines on the planet are produced here. But wait! There are other places in the world making good wines. New York state’s Hillick & Hobbs sits on Seneca Lake and has turned out an excellent Riesling from their estate vineyard.

Aged in stainless steel, the 2021 Hillick & Hobbs Estate Dry Riesling ($35) has aromas of gardenia followed by layers of pear, citrus and crushed rock. The long finish is extended by crisp acidity and lingering minerality. The wine is not too sweet, as Riesling can be. It’s balanced and has high acidity—making it a good pairing with spicy foods.

Although it’s said that the best Rieslings come from Germany, I think New York has done a pretty good job here.

Hillick & Hobbs Estate, 3539 State Route 79, Burdett, New York. 607-703-5999. te**@***********bs.com

Adorable French Bakery

Are you looking for very French pastries and cuisine? Adorable French Bakery is now based in Santa Cruz, so scrumptious croissants and delicious coq au vin are just a phone call away. The bakery/bistro prepares sweet and savory food available for pick-up or delivery through DoorDash.

Breakfast and brunch menus are offered on weekends. Chef Muriel D’Agostino and her team’s gastronomical delights are also offered online and at farmers markets. Chef D’Agostino hails from Paris—you can’t get more French than that! adorablefrenchbakery.com

Faultline Brewing Company is Scotts Valley’s Favorite New Hangout

From serving to bartending to managing, Andrew Pederson is a Swiss army knife of the restaurant industry, which made him the ideal choice for assistant general manager at Faultline Brewing Company when it opened less than a year ago in Scotts Valley. Pederson takes pride in the bar program that he built from the ground up.
FBC’s menu has a couple of can’t-miss apps: the honey Sriracha roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and the housemade German-style soft pretzels with Hefeweizen beer cheese.

The upscale pub food (there are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options) also includes a burger with bourbon caramelized onion bacon jam and aged Gouda cheese and a Cajun chicken pasta dish. The fries with a signature house seasoning blend are also a favorite. The bourbon caramel apple cheesecake is the go-to for dessert.
Faultline is open daily from 11:30am-9pm (till 10pm Fridays and Saturdays). GT asked Pederson if the drinks and community outreach have helped Faultline connect with Scotts Valley.

How would you describe the bar program?

ANDREW PEDERSON: I designed it to bring in local cideries, distilleries and wineries and to showcase local ingredients in our delicious cocktails. The bar is a big part of our business, and the community has been very passionate and receptive toward our cocktails and beer. We also have one of the best happy hours in town.

What does community mean to you?

Since opening, we have put on multiple give-back nights to fundraise for local schools. We constantly strive to help the community in other ways, like disaster relief and just being a fun place to relax after a long day. We plan to host patio events with live music every week.

Faultline Brewing Company, 262 Mount Hermon Road, Unit 103, Scotts Valley, 831-226-2870; faultlinebrewing.com

LA Film Graduate Says Sugar Baby Life Earns Her $50K

Sponsored content by SUGARBOOK

Los Angeles seems like a dreamland for film industry hopefuls, but it’s not all roses. Film graduates are looking at high college fees, rents and bills to make ends meet. However, one particular film graduate says she has found a way around it. 

Holly is a 22-year-old film graduate living in Los Angeles. She says she has turned her life around from barely making a living to enjoying a life of luxury—all thanks to Sugarbook, a sugar daddy dating app

Sugar Baby earn 50k per month

Holly was introduced to and downloaded the app last year, and she says immediately her profile got a lot of hits. Through her arrangements, she says she has earned up to $10,000 within the first two months from sugar daddies when her sugar-dating journey began.

She says her sugar relationships have alleviated her financial woes, and she can now comfortably pay her rent and bills. To date, she says she has earned up to $50,000 in total, including her allowances, rent, a professional film course, various designer items, outings with her friends, luxury nightlife events and trips. 

The film industry professional has been sugar-dating for about a year. She first heard about the sugar baby lifestyle while filming at a beautiful apartment. Intrigued by how a girl could afford to live in the apartment, Holly says she was told that the girl had a sugar daddy. She shared with Holly her story and the site where she found her sugar daddy.

Sugarbook USA Sugar Baby

Holly’s search for the perfect sugar relationship led her to several dating sites before she discovered Sugarbook, which she found easy to use.

Livestreaming on Sugarbook

One of the features of the Sugarbook app is live streaming, which allows streamers to interact with their followers. On her initial attempt at live streaming, Holly says she received generous gifts from a particular sugar daddy from Switzerland. 

The relationship, she said, led them to engage in Sugarbook’s new feature, the Private Room video call, and they have since established a virtual sugaring arrangement. They plan to meet in the United States once his schedule permits, with him footing the bill for her transportation, of course.

Sugar Baby App Websites

Previously, Holly had a sugar daddy that she says earned her $5,000 a month. Her ongoing relationship with the Swiss sugar daddy marks her fifth arrangement, with pay-per-meet rates set at $300 to $500.

“I’ve used the money mostly for rent. Because LA is very expensive, that’s why I became a sugar baby,” Holly shared. 

“I get to see and meet new people and get gifts from them through the site. With my $5,000 monthly allowance, $2,000 is rent, with the rest on bills, utilities, insurance and fun,” she added.

Sugaring Lifestyle

Holly has had her fair share of challenges in her sugaring journey. Due to her young outlook, most men aren’t mature enough to be established. “I know my worth, and I deserve the best.  I only date men who know how valuable I am and can keep up with my lifestyle,” she asserted. 

Sugarbook Sugar Baby Earn 50k per month

“I work in the film industry. I basically work 24/7, but I’m not always on set. When I’m not working, I spend my time with people who know how valuable my time is. Why have to pay for things when someone else would be happy to, in exchange for my company?”

Holly states that on most dates with guys her age, she finds they aren’t old enough to have established themselves financially unless they come from money. 

When asked about the type of sugar daddy she prefers dating, she comments: 

“I don’t have a specific type. I’ve always been told I’m mature for my age, so dating more mature men has always been appealing to me. Even before I got into sugaring, I was dating men five to 10 years older than me”.

While some might say that profiting from one’s looks is unfair, to her, she says sugaring is less about looks and more about attitude. She believes anyone can be a sugar baby with confidence, independence and a proper makeover. 

However, she admits that most people don’t have the right mindset, which is only being unfair to themselves.

While sugaring is often misjudged as prostitution, Holly says she is aware of herself and what she does. Standing by her principles, she said, “People are just projecting their insecurities onto me and are trying to hurt me because they don’t have the confidence to be a sugar baby.”

USA Sugarbook Sugar Baby App

When asked about the difference between a sugar baby and a prostitute, Holly summarizes it in a single word—RESPECT. To her, a sugar baby can establish an arrangement involving being a companion and financially benefiting from it, whereas a prostitute’s objective is to sell one’s body for money. 

“Prostitution is illegal in California; everything I’m doing is completely legal. I am simply dating, no different from regular dating, but financially benefiting from it. It’s the same idea as being a housewife—your husband works, pays for everything, takes care of you financially, and you take care of his needs”. 

She added that a sugar baby could reject any request she’s uncomfortable with while earning money by spending time with sugar daddies. 

“The critical distinction between a sugar baby and a prostitute is respect and the freedom to choose. As a sugar baby, I can decide the type of relationship I want and what kind of men I want to be involved with.”

Pajaronian Wins State Journalism Award

The Pajaronian was named the state’s best small weekly newspaper in its division Friday, earning top marks in the 2022 California Journalism Awards.

The Watsonville newspaper placed first in the General Excellence category, beating out other publications of similar size throughout California.

The award, handed out by the California News Publishers Association, is based on every aspect of the paper, from news coverage, to photography, layout design and writing.

“A complete local report, from news to sports to features to opinion,” a judge wrote about the Pajaronian in the competition notes. “I commend the variety of content that shows a community connection. The strong A1 presence, aided especially by photos and headline writing, plus the teasers, are the difference between first and second place. Strong, sharp local advertising, as well. The local readers are getting their money’s worth here.”

In addition, the Pajaronian earned first place in Breaking News for its Aug. 19 coverage of a plane collision over Watsonville Municipal Airport.

“The winner of this contest, ‘Planes Collide’ hits all of the markers,” a judge wrote. “The story was well-written, attention-grabbing, had headlines that aligned with the contents of the story and pictures that grabbed our attention. Congratulations.”

The newspaper also earned first place for Front Page Layout & Design, and photographer Tarmo Hannula was recognized with a third place award for Photojournalism among all weekly publications.

Pajaronian sister publications also grabbed awards.

For the fourth year in a row, Good Times earned the state’s top award, General Excellence, in its division. The weekly won a total of five awards, including three first place awards: Front Page Layout & Design, Feature Story and Youth and Education Coverage. Good Times also captured a second place award for health coverage.

The Gilroy Dispatch earned first place for editorial comment and third for local government reporting.

County Health Officer Announces Retirement

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel on Thursday announced that she will be retiring in June.

Newel was appointed to the position in July 2019.

During that time, she led the county through the Covid pandemic, considered to be the largest public health crisis in Santa Cruz County history. 

“It has been a great privilege to serve my community during these challenging past few years,” she said in a prepared statement.

She thanked the “public health heroes” who supported her, and the community members who sacrificed and worked hard during the crisis. 

“Together we saved many lives and protected the health of our most vulnerable,” she said. “I look forward to retiring here among you. See you at the beach.”

According to Health Services Agency spokeswoman Corinne Hyland, Santa Cruz County’s Covid vaccination rates are 77.3%, the highest in California. The county also has one of the lowest death rates—100.7 per 100,000 cases—compared to 251.7 statewide. 

Newel was awarded the 2021 PEN/Berenson Courage Award, along with former Health Services Director Mimi Hall, for leadership during the pandemic.

“During her tenure with Santa Cruz County, Dr. Newel exemplified the spirit of public service through her courageous and principled leadership on behalf of County residents,” County Administrator Carlos Palacios said. “We will miss her guidance but wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Hyland said that Newell has focused on equity issues such as reducing public health disparities. 

“She spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at promoting community health, preventing the spread of diseases, and improving access to healthcare services,” Hyland wrote in a press release. 

Newell also led initiatives to combat major public health concerns such as the opioid crisis and infectious diseases. This included promoting harm reduction practices and expanding access to the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan.

On May 10, she received a Letter of Appreciation from the County’s Syringe Services Program Commission for her service.

She helped declare racism a public health crisis in Santa Cruz County on Aug. 8, 2020, which prompted the Board of Supervisors to incorporate educational efforts in all County departments to address racism.

Newel’s medical career spanned more than 30 years, and included serving as clinical faculty with the UC San Francisco training program and as Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She later served as Medical Director for Maternal Child and Adolescent Health in Fresno County’s Department of Public Health and as San Benito County’s Health Officer.

“Dr. Newel’s remarkable career and contributions to public health have made her a trusted advocate and leader in her field,” Health Services Director Mónica Morales said. “Her unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of others continues to inspire and will make a lasting impact on the community.”

•••

Newel’s last public event as Santa Cruz County Health Officer will be a virtual presentation of the “State of the County’s Health” on June 15 from 6 to 7pm., when she will provide an update of the County’s current health status followed by a moderated Q&A. 

To register for the event, visit bit.ly/42QkjEe.

A recording of the event will also be made available later at santacruzhealth.org.

How the Cello Fits in with World Fiddle Day

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May 20 is World Fiddle Day, and yet, to mark the occasion, we’ve spoken with a cellist. Thomas Dewey is a Santa Cruz-based musician who began playing cello as a nine-year-old. He jokes that he chose it “out of spite.” 

“My parents wanted me to start learning a stringed instrument,” he says. “And the options I knew of were violin, viola, or cello. I didn’t know about the bass, so I picked the biggest one of those three. I was like, ‘Well, if you’re gonna make me play, I’m going to play the biggest one.’”

Dewey—who is set to perform in the orchestra for Cabrillo Stage’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame—has been playing classical cello ever since. He always enjoyed Celtic music but didn’t think the cello had a place in it. His perspective changed after listening to an album by renowned traditional Scottish fiddle player Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas while in college.

“I had no idea that the cello could be so powerful. And then I heard Natalie play. The minute I heard that, I was like, ‘How do I do that? I want to do that.’ That made me realize that it was possible to have a place in Celtic music as a cellist.”

Dewey plays with the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, which, despite its name, is made of more than fiddlers. 

“The club was founded by people who play violin. It grew out of that, but eventually, other instruments that could and wanted to participate in traditional Celtic and other traditional music joined. It’s mostly fiddles, but we have cellos, guitars, sometimes basses, sometimes flutes, percussion.” 

It is worth noting here that the violin and the fiddle are the same instruments, played in different styles, with the violin more often referenced in conjunction with classical music and the fiddle referring to its use in traditional music. The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers play across traditions. 

“There’s a focus on Scottish music, but we play everything from now to the Celtic diaspora. And the Celtic-adjacent world, like, Scandinavian music and music of Brittany, France and some stuff from Spain. It’s quite far-reaching.”

Dewey mentions two places in Santa Cruz where people meet up and play Irish and Scottish tunes—the Steel Bonnet Brewery in Scotts Valley and Rosie McCann’s downtown (more Irish-focused.)

Dewey smiles when asked about the difference between Scottish and Irish traditional music. 

“Some people say the difference between Scottish and Irish music is sixteen kilometers. And I mean, there’s a lot of crossover. They have some distinct idiosyncrasies. I can’t speak so much for Irish music, but Alasdair [Fraser] likes to say [Scottish traditional music] has its distinct accent. All music does, but there are certain ornaments and specifically tune types. For instance, the Strathspey is a style of tune unique to Scotland, and it’s not found in Irish music to my knowledge.” 

Alasdair Fraser also likes to say things like: “Liberate your bow” and “Find the haggis.” 

“I think he’s speaking to people like me, who grew up playing classical music,” Dewey explains. “Classical music is very prescriptive. It’s sort of straight and narrow and formal. You play within the lines and play what’s on the page and nothing else. Whereas traditional music, it’s a lot more organic. It’s raw. You want to tap into that feeling through your bow.”

As for Fraser’s reference to the haggis—a traditional food from Scotland made from boiling the organ meats of sheep with a mixture of grains and spices—it’s all about digging deep. 

“You have to dig deep into that Scottish energy,” Fraser says. “But he doesn’t just mean Scottish music. When he says that, he uses it as a metaphor for finding that heart of live music.” 

Fraser will direct the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers in their upcoming performances in Carmel, Berkeley and Palo Alto. He will also head up the 40th Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle Camp at Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek. 

Gatherings like the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle Camp are essential to passing on knowledge surrounding these traditional music forms. 

“[These camps] keep playing this music alive and relevant. It’s where a lot of knowledge is shared. Everybody brings their favorite tunes or what they’re playing, and you can learn. You’re not just learning from the faculty but from your peers. You’re learning from the community. You’re learning what’s popular now, and you pick up all sorts of things, even outside of class. You learn about new artists and new ideas and ways of doing things.” 

With the uptick of contemporary collaboration, the cello’s popularity is growing. This tune, which Dewey and Caroline McCaskey picked up at the Valley of the Moon, features Dewey on cello and McCaskey on fiddle. 

“My understanding is that the fiddle and cello pairing goes way back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it was the classic pairing for dance bands. And then it fell out of favor. Only more recently has it come back into the instrumentation. It’s less common than a lot of things. But it’s coming back.”

Fairgrounds Shelter for Pajaro Flood Victims Closes

On Monday, Beatriz Lopez stood in the doorway of the Pajaro residence she shares with 10 family members, recalling the 45 days she spent in the emergency shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Lopez has been home for a week. She said the shelter was crowded and that it was difficult to be surrounded by hundreds of people.

“But you get used to it, I guess,” she said. “I’m happy to be back.”

Monday was also Lopez’s first day going back to work picking strawberries on a farm on San Andreas Road. That was a relief, she said, as was the check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that allowed her family to replace the possessions that were lost in the flood.

“It was really easy to deal with (FEMA),” she said. 

The County of Monterey opened the shelter on March 11, soon after the Pajaro River Levee breached during heavy rainstorms, sending torrents of water into the town of Pajaro and neighboring agriculture fields. 

Lopez’s family was among hundreds that were evacuated after the flood brought a sizable layer of thick, viscous mud into homes. Water service was interrupted, as was power to many residences. 

At its peak, the shelter at the fairgrounds held 435 people. The site offered showers, a laundry facility and daily meals for the residents. 

The buildings sat empty on Monday after the county de-mobilized the shelter, the only sign of recent habitation a pile of cots sitting in a corner. Workers were preparing to haul away the shower and laundry trailers.

Similarly, shower services and the community resource tent at Pajaro Middle School are also closing. Laundry services, restrooms, meals and pet food distribution will continue for now.

The flood victims still unable to return home are now being sheltered in local hotel rooms, says Monterey County spokeswoman Maia Carroll. 

Those who were homeless before the disaster have been referred to programs, services and sheltering options using the county’s homeless services network of providers.

Interim Fairgrounds Manager Ken Alstott says the annual County Fair will proceed as scheduled.

Opinion: Journalism Can Be Literature

EDITOR’S NOTE

Narrative and mindfulness are as crucial to Elizabeth Kolbert as her field reporting on the climate crisis. She wrote a piece for The New Yorker about six months ago, expressing that if climate change “exceeds narrative,” the story must still be told. Yes, Kolbert is a journalist, but she’s a storyteller first and foremost, and throughlines matter to her as much as the facts. Like the practitioners of New Journalism who came before, such as Joan Didion, Kolbert is hyper-aware of the storytelling embedded in her journalism. I think that’s one of the reasons why Under a White Skyworks so well as UCSC’s 2023 Deep Read selection: It reads like a novel with literary devices like plot and metaphors, but it’s journalism in disguise. The first line of Under a White Sky is, “Rivers make good metaphors,” before referencing Mark Twain’s personification of the Mississippi River: “the grimmest and most dead-earnest of reading matter.”

“[Rivers] can be murky and charged with hidden meaning,” Kolbert writes. Praising her as one of the most respected contemporary science journalists doesn’t do justice to her ability. Hailing Kolbert as one of the most respected contemporary writers, who happens to write a lot about science, is more fitting. I spoke with her about that and much more in this week’s cover story.

Kudos to the Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz for selecting Under a White Sky for its fourth Deep Read. It might be its most complex book yet. Thankfully, this ultimate book club comes armed with a panel of experts, including Mike Beck (Marine Sciences, Director of the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience) and Sikina Jinnah (Environmental Studies), who have navigated weekly dives over the last month. Don’t miss Elizabeth Kolbert in Conversation with Ezra Klein at the Quarry Amphitheater on Sunday, May 21.


Adam Joseph | Interim Editor


PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

natural bridges photo contest winner
SEEING DOUBLE A matching sand sculpture of Natural Bridges models the real thing in the distance. Photograph by Brett Macauley.

Submit to ph****@*******es.sc. Include information (location, etc.) and your name. Photos may be cropped. Preferably, photos should be 4 inches by 4 inches and minimum 250dpi.


GOOD IDEA

The third annual County of Santa Cruz Career Fair is Wednesday, May 17, at the Civic Plaza Community Room in Watsonville. Residents can talk with representatives from more than twenty county departments at the fair about job opportunities. Animal Services, the District Attorney’s office, Health Services and Human Services, Parks and Recreation and many more will be on hand. Attendees can network and learn how to get a job with the County. co.santa-cruz.ca.us


GOOD WORK

Last week, Watsonville Ivy League Project (WILP) announced that Karla Leyva of Pajaro Valley High School and Morielle Mamaril of Watsonville High School had been accepted to Yale and Cornell. Both were participants of WILP, a program that helps students travel to the East Coast and visit many prestigious universities. The mission for WILP is to expand the vision of career and professional educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation, underrepresented and academically high-performing students in the Pajaro Valley. Congrats grads!


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“[Writing] is the hardest work in the world. The only thing that will get you through it is maybe someone will applaud when it’s over.” —Tom Wolfe

Rob Brezsny’s Astrology: May 24-30

Astrology, Horoscope, Stars, Zodiac Signs
Free Will Astrology for the week of May 24

Humble Sea Unleashes a New Beer Garden on Santa Cruz’s Municipal Wharf

Humble Sea
The outdoor “quintessential Santa Cruz” beer garden offers views of the Boardwalk and Steamer Lane

Hillick & Hobbs Estate’s 2021 Dry Riesling

Hillick & Hobbs
The upstate New York vineyard delivers a taste of Seneca Lake

Faultline Brewing Company is Scotts Valley’s Favorite New Hangout

Faultline Brewing Company
Good brew, tasty eats and friendly faces abound at Faultline Brewing Company

LA Film Graduate Says Sugar Baby Life Earns Her $50K

USA Sugar Baby Sugarbook
Sponsored content by SUGARBOOK Los Angeles seems like a dreamland for film industry hopefuls, but it’s not all roses. Film graduates are looking at high college fees, rents and bills to make ends meet. However, one particular film graduate says she has found a way around it.  Holly is a 22-year-old film graduate living in Los Angeles. She says she has...

Pajaronian Wins State Journalism Award

The Pajaronian was named best small weekly newspaper in California.

County Health Officer Announces Retirement

Santa Cruz County's Gail Newell leaves career after three decades.

How the Cello Fits in with World Fiddle Day

Santa Cruz-based cello talent, Thomas Dewey, gives us the lowdown

Fairgrounds Shelter for Pajaro Flood Victims Closes

Pajaro resident describes return back home after Santa Cruz County shelter closes.

Opinion: Journalism Can Be Literature

Elizabeth Kolbert
UCSC’s Deep Read’s 2023 selection, Elizabeth Kolbert’s ‘Under a White Sky,’ is next-level
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