Silver Spur

Delicious Eye-Opener

Stepping into a gentler, cozier era, we found today’s Silver Spur refreshingly identical to yesterday’s Silver Spur. A slice of enduring Santa Cruz, this much loved, family-run classic American diner recently reopened, was packed at 8am mid-week and nobody minded that we had just arrived fresh from the gym and hungry for something involving eggs.

And coffee.

The current owner, Juan Valencia, who cooked for the previous owner, Linda Hopper, now operates the vintage breakfast and lunch spot along with his family. Warm, friendly service and reliably generous portions are part of the appeal at this mid-county landmark, popular with retirees and families, and front-loaded with cowboy decor.

Coffee ($3.50) arrived almost immediately in thick heavy mugs, as we scanned the big menu. Full disclosure: above the booth we occupied was a framed review of Silver Spur, written in 2008 … by me! I admit it brought a smile to my lips. It’s not every day the past glances over your shoulder.

Breakfast menus almost always defeat me. They’re so loaded with temptation of all kinds, from pancakes, to omelets, to waffles, to french toast, to huevos done every which way.

But the Vegetarian Eggs Benedict called to me ($16), and the Flying Sombrero ($14.99), a mouth-watering version of huevos rancheros, appealed to my companion. The coffee, let me quickly point out, was quite good. Strong and hot, just the way Agent Dale Cooper likes it. And so do we.

We also had a chance to check out the Wild West renaissance decor just before our orders arrived. The wood-burned “Silver Spur”on the sign above the doorway suggested an episode of Gunsmoke. I expected some hombres wearing spurs to walk through the door any minute, but had to settle for CalTrans workers in Timberlands and hoodies.

Watercolor landscapes and lots of souvenir signs and photos add just the right touch of hominess. No hard edges in this home of classic diner funkiness.

Our wait person proudly presented us with exactly the kind of breakfasts we’d come for. Large plates both, one was loaded with a lavish spread of scrambled eggs sandwiched between a corn tortilla and lots of tomato-laced salsa. A lake of black beans snuggled up to the eggs, while on another side slices of avocado, shredded cabbage—love the crisp texture contrast to the soft, satiny eggs—and a fist-sized portion of sour cream.

Two versions of the special housemade salsas were brought out for us to try—a hot version that was fiery, but not overwhelming, and a medium. They were both terrific, bold with chiles and spices but not mind-melting. I added some to my colorful plate of poached eggs on English muffins doused with tabasco-intensive Hollandaise. They sat on layers of tomato and avocado, rather than Canadian bacon. As I enjoyed the perfection of the avocados slathered with egg yolk, I meditated on the mystery of why I can’t find perfect avocados the way the Silver Spur does.

We spoke little as we dug into our hearty breakfasts. The black beans might have been a bit more flavor-forward, and my poached eggs might have been slightly firmer. But just slightly. The side of crunchy hash browns absorbed plenty of egg and Hollandaise, just as they were intended to.

Going out for breakfast is a treat and that’s a fact. An even bigger treat was to find the Silver Spur—home of many trysts in our early courtship (probably other people’s courtships too!)— almost exactly as we’d remembered.

Silver Spur – 2650 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, Open daily 7am-2pm

Integrity Wines

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Rosé 2021

I am a big fan of Rosé, especially in the summer months, so it was a delightful treat to taste this one made by Integrity Wines. Newly released, this splendid Rosé ($24) is a mouthful of apricot-hued elegance.

It has a “delicate nose of pollen, desiccated apricots and white raspberries,” says winemaker Mark Hoover. “On the palate there is a slight texture in the form of grippy Himalayan sea salt that carries along notes of quince and caramel to the finish,” he adds. “For food pairings I might consider something adjacent to grilled scallops and peaches, but I also think this would pair extremely well with lightly spicy street food such as elotes or tacos.”

I cooked roasted veggies and potatoes for dinner—and made a simple salad of lettuce, tomatoes, red pepper, shaved fennel, olives, feta, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Paired with the Rosé, everything tasted perfect!

Integrity will be pouring at the Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival, so pay them a visit.

Integrity Wines, 135 Aviation Way, #16 (at Watsonville Municipal Airport), Watsonville, 831-322-4200 integrity.wine

Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival

Mark your calendars for the Scotts Valley Art Wine and Beer Festival for Aug. 19 and 20. This upbeat event will feature more than 100 artists (including Sally Bookman Fine Art), live music, food trucks, margaritas and mimosas—and “Cops n’ Rodders” on Saturday. Many local wineries will be pouring their finest elixirs, including Armitage, which has just moved its tasting facility from Aptos to Scotts Valley, and Integrity Wines—an opportunity to try their Rosé and more.

Enjoy “Dog Day Sunday” on Sunday, when even Fido might enjoy a lick of chilled Rosé! The event is Aug. 19 and 20 at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. Admission is free. svartfestival.com

Free Will Astrology for the Week of August 9

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): In Stephen King’s novel It, a character named Beverly is in love with a man who projects a sense of authority but also listens well. He is strong-minded but receptive; confident but willing to be changed; self-possessed but open to influence. That’s an apt description of the allies I wish for you to attract into your life in the coming months. Whether they are lovers or partners, companions or collaborators, friends or colleagues, you need and deserve the high-quality, emotionally intelligent exchanges they offer.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Seventy-year-old Taurus-born Eric Bogosian is a prolific playwright and author renowned for his hard-edged satire. The title of one of his books is Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead. But one critic speculates he may be softening as he ages, noting that he “seems more amused than disgusted by the decaying world around him, as if his anger has been tempered by a touch of hope.” The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to cultivate a comparable reshaping, dear Taurus. Can you tenderize what has been tough? Is it possible to find redemption or entertainment in situations that have been challenging? Are you willing to add more levity and geniality to your perspective?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Decca is a UK-based record label that has produced the work of many major musicians, including Billie Holliday, the Rolling Stones and Tori Amos. They made a huge mistake in 1962, though. A fledgling group named the Beatles tried to get signed to Decca. An executive at the company declined, saying, “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out.” Oops. The Beatles eventually became the best-selling and most influential band of all time. I don’t think you’re at risk of making as monumental a misstep, Gemini. But please be alert to the possibility of a key opportunity coming into view. Don’t underestimate it, even if it’s different from what you imagine you want.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’m a Cancerian who used to be overly reactive to people’s carelessness. If someone was in a bad mood and flung a rash insult at me, I might take offense too easily. If a friend misunderstood me, even with no malice intended, I may have sulked. Thankfully, over time, I have learned to be more like a honey badger, whose thick skin protects it well against stings and pricks. I bring this up because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to practice my approach. First step: Understand how people sometimes direct their frustration about life toward undeserving recipients. Second step: Vow to take things less personally. Third step: Give yourself regular compliments. Actually say them aloud.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Now and then, there comes a time when I acquire an uncanny knack for seeing the totality of who you really are. I tune in to everything you do that few others know about or appreciate. I behold the big picture of your best possible future. One of those magic moments has now arrived. And it’s no accident that your energy matches mine. In other words, my power to consecrate you reflects your ability to bless yourself. So give yourself the ultimate gift, please.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the 17th century, Virgo musician Johann Pachelbel composed a piece of music he called the Canon in D. It soon went out of style and disappeared into obscurity. But over 250 years later, a French chamber orchestra rediscovered it, and by the 1980s, it was everywhere. Ever since, Pachelbel’s Canon has been used in many pop songs and is a common anthem at weddings and funerals. I’m predicting a comparable revival for you, Virgo. An influence, creation or person that has been gone for a while will re-emerge as a presence in your life. Be decisive in adopting it for your benefit.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Iain S. Thomas tells us, “There is magic even in gridlock, in loneliness, in too much work, in late nights gone on too long, in shopping carts with broken wheels, in boredom, in tax returns.” He says it’s the same magic that prompted Joan of Arc to believe that God spoke to her and empowered her to lead an army. I wouldn’t agree that it’s the same magic. But I do advise us all to be alert for enchantment and interesting mysteries even in the most mundane affairs. I am a champion of the quest for holiness, delight and marvels in seemingly unlikely locations. In the coming weeks, Libra, you will have a special talent for finding these revelatory joys.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “Self-transformation is precisely what life is.” If that’s true, you are in luck. Of all the zodiac signs, you are the most skillful self-transformer. Moreover, you are entering a prolonged phase when your instinct and talent for self-transformation will be even more potent than usual. I plan to observe you closely in the hope of learning your tricks for changing into an ever-better version of yourself. Show us all how it’s done, dear Scorpio!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Born under the sign of Sagittarius, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was one of history’s most influential composers of classical music. His elegant, lyrical works are still widely played today. He was also a revolutionary innovator who expanded the scope of many musical genres. One composition, Piano Sonata No. 32, prefigures elements of ragtime, jazz and boogie-woogie—70 years before those styles emerged. In this spirit, I invite you to plant a seed for the future. You will soon get glimpses of creative shifts that will someday be possible. And you will have an enhanced ability to instigate the inventive momentum that generates those shifts.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let’s be honest. Most of us—maybe all of us!—fail to grasp the world objectively. Our perceptions get filtered through our opinions and beliefs and habit minds. The events we think we see are shaped by our expectations about them. Our projections often overrule the possibility of unbiased impartiality. We are serial misinterpreters. But there’s no need to be ashamed! It’s a universal human tendency. Having said all that, however, I believe you will have a special knack, in the coming weeks, for observing reality with more clarity and open-mindedness than usual. You will have an unprecedented opportunity to see accurately and gather fresh, raw truths.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Is this a phase of your cycle when you’ll be prone to saying things like “Why do you take me for granted?” and “I’m feeling cranky” and “It’s not what you said, it’s the way you said it”? Or are you in a time when the following expressions are more likely to emerge from your mouth: “I have come to understand you in a totally new and interesting way” and “Life has blessed me by removing one of my unnecessary obstacles” and “I would love to learn more about the arts of cooperation and collaboration?” Here’s what I think, Aquarius: Which way you go will depend on how clearly you set your intentions. Life will respond in kind to the moods you cultivate and the specific requests you make.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Our bodies are imperfect. They are often less than 100 percent completely healthy. They don’t always do what we wish they would. Yet even when we feel less than our best, our body continually carries out millions of biochemical marvels, mostly below the level of our conscious awareness. As the creation of an evolutionary process that has unfolded for eons, our precious organism is an amazing work of art that we have every right to regard as miraculous. According to my astrological reckoning, the coming weeks are the best time this year to honor and celebrate your body. What does it need to flourish? Ask your intuition to show you.

Homework: What story do you tell yourself about your life that’s less than 20 percent true? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Firefly Tavern

Pub Grub Hub

Bartender Inga Thomas has spent her career in restaurants, calling it the “people industry.” Her love for taking care of guests makes her a perfect fit for the Firefly Tavern, opened in May and housed downtown in the space formerly occupied by 99 Bottles. Firefly’s menu is lit; Thomas defines it as elevated modern American pub food with Asian and Mexican influences.

Palette-awakening popular appetizers include furikake popcorn with housemade chili oil and classic truffle fries. A can’t-miss entrée is the “California-ized” poutine, waffle fries covered in mornay sauce, pork sausage and a fried egg.

A favorite dish is the soba noodles with chicken confit, chili paste and roasted brussels sprouts topped with sesame seeds. Closed Tuesdays, hours are 11:30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm Sat, 11am-5pm Sun.

GT asked Thomas about Firefly taking flight and her affinity for the industry.

Why do you love restaurants?

INGA THOMAS I’ve been working in service since age 15, starting in coffee shops. There I learned that I love the public interface and making people feel welcome. There is also an internal comradery between the front-of-house and back-of-house, I love that feeling of teamwork and having others’ backs and knowing they have mine. And I really love knowing a guest had a great experience and then seeing them return time and time again.

How has business been going?

Phenomenal. Our soft opening was almost a little overwhelming because we had such a good turnout. Our evenings and weekends are usually at full capacity, and in the daytime, we often have a lunch rush, but it’s also mellow and relaxing enough for someone strolling by to have a seat. I remember coming here with my family when I was younger, and then when I came of age, playing trivia upstairs. It is truly an honor to work in such an iconic space in Santa Cruz that means so much to so many people.

110 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, 831-291-5880

Trustees Delay Cabrillo College Renaming

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Cabrillo College will keep its name for now, following the Board of Trustees’ 6-1 vote on Monday that defers selecting a new name for the college.

In a prior report to the trustees, the board’s Name Exploration Subcommittee had cited a lack of scientific polling, limited representation of student voices in discussions, unfunded renaming costs and potential loss of college funding from failed bond issues and decreased Cabrillo Foundation support as reasons to regroup and re-engage the community to solicit greater support before announcing a final choice.

Subcommittee members had also expressed dismay over the divisiveness prompted by the decision to purge the name and legacy of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo from the school.

In her opening introduction, Trustee Christina Cuevas recounted how the turmoil created by floods, forest fires, Covid-19 quarantines and social unrest preoccupied the county to the exclusion of engaging in the Cabrillo debate.

Of the five proposed replacement names offered for consideration, Aptos College was the most popular vote-getter among community polling participants. 

Trustee Steve Trujillo insisted that the winning name should be announced as planned. He was the lone vote against the delay, saying that the name change was already long overdue. Student Trustee Yefry Mata Diaz sided with Trujillo in casting his advisory vote.

Trustee Adam Spickler said that the Name Exploration Subcommittee was surprised by the strong support for the name Aptos College after public forums had suggested a growing support for the name Cajastaca.

Costa Vista College, Seacliff College and Santa Cruz Coast College were the other names under consideration.

The subcommittee will work toward a Nov. 6 presentation that will address the issues of inclusion, education and funding—all issues that figured prominently in opinions shared by those in attendance.

Opinions were divided over the fairness of allowing a countywide vote to decide the issues of removing the name Cabrillo, and the choice of names to replace it.

Proponents of placing the decision on a ballot pointed to the need to respect the wishes of the majority. Opponents believed that minority racial groups who are most impacted by the Juan Cabrillo legacy are likely to have their concerns overruled.

In previous public discussion forums and in social media, the desirability of any of the proposed replacement names has been questioned, prompting doubts among critics about the method of their selection.

In an interview, Spickler cited the democratic nature of the Name Selection Committee’s process as the process by which the final five name choices were presented to the board.

In addressing the opinion of many that the final five names were poor choices, he said that though some may believe there were better names, “they just didn’t get the votes” when the committee tallied the numbers.

Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein said a lack of funds is the reason that no scientific polling has been possible.

Many people cite their concerns over Cabrillo’s financial wellbeing in their arguments against changing the name. 

Much needed funding for repairs and improvements to the college have not been completed as recent bond measures have failed, and there are fears that a backlash to a name-change could make future measures more likely to fail. 

The Cabrillo Foundation has also expressed concerns over the possibility of decreasing donations that support students.

Deborah Windisch of Soquel reminded the trustees of the programs and organizations whose reputation and recognition would be affected by a name change, including Cabrillo Stage and the Cabrillo nursing program. To her, the name Cabrillo attracts world-class talent and students with lofty aspirations.

From faculty, students and alumni to local indigenous tribes, a common concern has been the lack of a plan to directly benefit those who were impacted by the colonialism that Juan Cabrillo was a part of.

Andrew Morrissey, a 19-year-old engineering major at Cabrillo, spoke about the importance of prioritizing the immediate support of students, and sees the entire name change debate as a distraction from the issues of housing, food and mental health. He wondered why so much time and money is being expended on a project with no practical benefit when so many need assistance.

Sheryl Kern-Jones, a Cabrillo instructor, signed the original petition and voiced her support for the name change while offering the view that renaming the college is merely a symbolic gesture without meaningful action. She suggested that the college, in addition to its current status as a Hispanic serving institution, might set a goal of becoming a Native American serving institution. There are currently three “tribal colleges” in California.

Wetstein has previously said that local tribal leaders want a renaming of the college to come with curriculum changes to teach Native American history along with concrete plans to recognize and benefit the local indigenous peoples.

Royal Folly, Brilliant Theater

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SCS’s King Lear—Ultimate Drama

Admit it. We were there to watch a distinguished actor power his way through ultimate Shakespeare. Yet one of the most exciting things about the SCS production of King Lear, featuring Paul Whitworth as Lear, is that the veteran Royal Shakespeare Company actor has as goldmine of good company on the stage, and and under Paul Mullins‘ direction an exceptional cast brings this masterpiece to full life.

So many pungent lines, so many of which are now part of our everyday lexicon, so here’s an emblematic line to start off an exploration of Lear and his plunge into madness. “He hath ever but slenderly known himself,” observes one of his daughters.

Indeed Britain’s mythic King Lear is a vain, entitled, foolish old man. When the play opens he begins an ill-advised quest for filial flattery that will doom everyone it touches—Shakespeare at his most potent. Destroyed by their ambitions, their quest for power and their blindness to the feelings and true motives of those around them, Lear’s characters specialize in a broad bandwidth of duplicity.

Before there was Succession, there was Shakespeare’s Lear, a double helix of family dysfunction, potent as a shot of gin. Planning to retire, the king asks each of his three daughters to profess their love for him. Whoever flatters him most will receive the greater portion of his kingdom.

The two eldest, Goneril (Paige Lindsey White) and Regan (Kelly Rogers) are happy to spout elaborate praise, while the youngest, Cordelia (Yael Jeshion-Nelson), apple of her father’s eye, declines to offer anything other than what duty requires of her. “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”

Well this doesn’t sit well with Lear, who disowns his youngest on the spot, complaining that he is “a man more sinned against than sinning.” Without lands or dowry, Cordelia is nonetheless claimed by her loving suitor, the King of France (Jono Eiland), and leaves the country. Lear’s tragic flaw is his lack of self-knowledge.

Shaking off his shock, Lear proclaims his intent to spend his retirement between the home of Goneril and her husband Albany (Rex Young), and Regan and her lord Cornwall (Charles Pasternak). Lack of self-knowledge is his fatal flaw. As the loyal Earl of Gloucester, Derrick Lee Weeden is riveting. A loving father to Edgar (Junior Nyong’o), and the illegitimate Edmund (M.L. Roberts), Gloucester is blind to the rivalry broiling between his two sons. The uneasy dynamic between the sons and their father is deftly played by all three actors.

“As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods/They kill us for their sport,” Gloucester observes, as he begins his own decline. There are no winners in Shakespeare’s tale of gullible royals and greedy offspring, but there are astonishingly pungent lines, pliant verse, and in the center of it all is Paul Whitworth as Lear, curling his voice around the poetry and unleashing miracles.

“Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise,” the truth-telling Fool (Sophia K. Metcalf) warns the King, who grows older (but not wiser) by the minute. Embraced by a remarkable cast, Whitworth proceeds to unleash his character’s physical decline and emotional chaos to a thundering conclusion.

If there is a metaphor threading through this remarkable play, is it vision. Lear is blind to the indifference of his eldest daughters, just as he is blind to the unsullied love of his youngest. Gloucester is blind to the lethal jealousy of his bastard son Edmund, and by mid-play he is literally blind.

Lear is arguably Shakespeare’s masterwork and this production is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear and see its unforgettable power.

We know the story. We can read the words. So why go see the play? Because with each live performance the tale is reborn. The complexity of relationships, of psychological underpinnings, of political implications comes to life. The live setting allows actors to reveal new shades and colors of meaning, and each actor on the stage influences the unfolding characters of the others. The words speak to our imaginations as the playwright intended. In Whitworth, the King lives, and dies again, for a few brief hours. All before your very eyes.

No one seems more at ease than Whitworth, whose wailing high notes send shivers down the spine. Mid-way through, as Lear begins to totter on the edge of his madness, Whitworth invents yet more facets of his character. Practically dancing the torrents of verse, he unleashes an arsenal of vocal colors. Whitworth is a prankster Lear, all silly charm and mercurial mood swings, as storms approach and darkness descends.

The storm craft of sound designer Barry Funderburg is genuinely thrilling. The scenes with his Fool are delicious. Kudos to the spunky and resourceful Metcalf, every bit up to the task as the one character allowed to tell the truth to the fallen monarch.

Weeden’s Gloucester is another revelation. Exuding presence and gravitas, this robust actor unveils the confusion and sorrow of a father who has failed both of his sons. Matched in physical stature and crisp portrayal, Rogers/Regan and White/Goneril are also matched in cunning as Lear’s elder daughters. What fun to watch the sisters each try to seduce the neferious Edmund, who’ll stop at nothing to become heir to Gloucester’s title.

M.L. Roberts makes a swaggering, upwardly-mobile Edmund. Junior Nyong’o delivers a nuanced Edgar, especially—in the disguise of a wandering beggar Poor Tom (by way of Bob Marley)—leading his broken father to safety. During the crucial storm, the ensemble of Lear, the Fool, Edgar/Poor Tom, and banished courtier Kent (the always resourceful Patty Gallagher) gives us the heart of the play in every dimension.

I could be wrong, but I’d swear that B. Modern has outdone herself in costuming this amazing stageful of actors. Everyone looks appropriately elegant, wicked and/or innocent, in a crisp array of fashions located somewhere near the end of the 19th century.

The evil sisters in gowns of a jarring palette. Poor Tom in ashes and rags. Whitworth in his greatcoat and Russian hat; in his hunting outfit; in his tatters and crown of herbs. A feast for all the senses, especially the imagination. Great lighting by Marcella Barbeau and scenic design from Michael Schweikardt keep us glued to heart of the moonlit Grove.

Congratulations to Paul Mullins and a remarkable company, who’ve created an electrifying showcase for Whitworth’s brilliance. Living up to all the advance hype, this is a show for the ages.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s King Lear, by William Shakespeare, directed by Paul Mullins. Shows in repertory with Taming of the Shrew and The Book of Will through August 27. santacruzshakespeare.org

Boardwalk Plans New Ferris Wheel

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk plans on bringing back an iconic attraction, but it first must seek approval from the city’s planning commission.

Five years after the park removed its Ferris wheel due to age, plans are in the works to construct a new, 68-foot version of the ride.

Manufactured by Kansas-based Chance Rides, the new Ferris wheel will feature 15 gondolas, with each able to seat up to four adults or six children at a time, according to a city planning staff report. It will be located across from the Giant Dipper and replace Rock & Roll, a spinning ride consisting of swinging cars that travel forward and backward which has operated in the spot since 2002.

The Boardwalk’s previous Ferris wheel, which opened in 1959, last operated in 2017 near the back of the park. In early 2018, as the ride was undergoing its annual winter maintenance, Boardwalk officials determined that the attraction had reached the end of its useful life, and began dismantling it soon after.

The 67-foot-tall ride, manufactured by Jacksonville, Ill.-based Eli Bridge Company, had spun around four million riders since 1986, the first year the Boardwalk began tracking ridership. It was originally located near the Cocoanut Grove, where the Pirate Ship thrills riders today, before it was moved to its final location at the opposite end of the Boardwalk in the 1980s.

The Boardwalk’s permit for the new ride was scheduled for consideration by the planning commission on Aug. 3. However, only four of the seven commissioners were present, and Commissioner Timerie Gordon excused herself as her design firm works for the park’s owner, Santa Cruz Seaside Company. Four votes are needed to pass items.

The ride is expected to be considered at the commission’s Aug. 17 meeting.

Black Lives Matter Mural Vandal Seen On Video

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Police seek help identifying suspect

Santa Cruz Police released security camera footage on Wednesday of a man wanted for vandalizing the Downtown Black Lives Matter street-mural last Saturday.

The suspect was revealed to be a white male riding a distinctive red motor scooter with chrome trim and a plexiglass windscreen. He wore a light blue shirt, white shorts, and white casual footwear. The man’s face is obscured by a helmet and mask, but video clearly shows the man approaching the mural with a can of blue paint and leaving the scene

The SCPD has requested that persons with any knowledge of the incident call 831-420-5995 to share their information.

At a Wednesday press conference, Police Chief Bernie Escalante said the man responsible “committed a cowardly act of hatred and needs to be held responsible.”

Members of the Santa Cruz community of Black activists also spoke at the press conference.

“What happened on Saturday instills fear in some people,” said Elaine Johnson, Santa Cruz NAACP president. “It’s a time for change.”

“We are hurt, and we are angry,” Santa Cruz Councilwoman Sonja Brunner read from a response written by SC Equity Collab, the activist group who saw the mural project to completion in September 2020. The group says that resistance to their cause shows that they are “making waves,”

“We know we are on the right track toward obtaining equity, justice, and healing, and we will not be stopped,” the Collab said in their statement.

The block-long mural, on Center Street between City Hall and the Downtown Library, was damaged some time before 6 p.m. last Saturday. Blue paint was poured across the letters A and C. Passing cars driving through the pools subsequently left painted tracks from end to end.

The Department of Public Works was immediately sent to the scene with high pressure water hoses, removing much of the paint,  but considerable restoration work remains.

This is the second time the mural has been vandalized. In 2021, Hagan Warner and Brandon Bochat defaced the mural with tire marks. The two pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation, $19,623 in restitution and 144 hours each of community service.

Just one month ago, professional artists, community organizers and city officials gathered at an emotional community to repaint the mural. Bochat and Warner attended to assist with the repair and read statements of apology.

SC Equity Collab is considering options for repainting the mural. They say they will press for hate crime charges when the current suspect is identified and arrested.


Supervisor Zach Friend Will Not Seek Reelection

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Santa Cruz Supervisor and current Board Chair Zach Friend announced Friday that he will not seek a fourth term on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. 

Friend was first elected in 2012, and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2016 and 2020.  His current term ends in January of 2025. 

“Representing this County has been the nonpareil opportunity of a lifetime.” Supervisor Friend stated in a press release. “We are a region blessed with the most caring people, unrivaled natural gifts and unmatched innovation. The privilege of representing our area has been remarkable.” 

Friend serves on a number of state and national commissions, including chairing the California State Association of Counties Health and Human Services Committee, with responsibility for advocating on behalf of California’s 58 counties on issues related to behavioral health services, public health and homelessness. 

He also serves on the National Association of Counties Executive Committee, where he advocates in Washington, D.C. for transportation, rural broadband and flood-protection issues. 

Friend’s District 2 seat goes up for reelection in March. 

While filing for the election has not yet officially opened, Doug Dietch, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Kim De Serpa and Capitola City Council woman Kristen Brown have so far filed papers that they intend to run.

District 2 includes Aptos, La Selva Beach, Seacliff and Rio Del Mar, along with some of the most productive agricultural land in the country in the communities of Corralitos, Freedom and the Pajaro River basin. Portions of the cities of Capitola and Watsonville are also included.

Locally, Friend chairs the Monterey Bay Air Resources Board, the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 7. He co-chairs the Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County board. 

In addition, Friend serves on the Criminal Justice Council, Library Financing Authority, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO),  Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC),  Santa Cruz County Sanitation District, Santa Cruz Mid-County Water Agency and Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced Managed Medical Care Commission. 

He was also involved in the transformation of the Aptos, La Selva and Capitola Libraries to the creation of Seacliff Village Park and Willowbrook Park in honor of Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller. 

“We were proud to spearhead efforts resulting in the greatest investments in parks and youth activities in decades and to improve public spaces from libraries to coastal access in ways that make our community even more special” Friend said. 

Friend led efforts to remodel Seascape Park and Hidden Beach Park, construct and provide bike and skate opportunities at Seacliff Village Park and Pinto Lake Park and add new fully-accessible park features to multiple parks throughout the district. 

He also led efforts to secure more than $400 million for the Pajaro River Levee Project. 

“We have a lot of great things left to accomplish in the next 17 months.” Supervisor Friend noted. “I am excited to stay actively engaged locally and keep contributing to our community in any way possible well beyond my term.  We are fortunate to live in a community where the seeds fell on good soil and I truly believe in an extraordinary future for our county.”

Sleepy John Bids Farewell to the Sty

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Host of Please Stand By will helm last KPIG show this Sunday

Longtime KPIG 107.5 DJ “Sleepy” John Sandidge will host the final installment of his Sunday morning show, “Please Stand By,” on Aug, 6. The 83-year-old local radio mainstay is signing off commercial radio after a storied broadcasting career that has made him a legend in the Americana scene.

“I had a nice 35 year run with KPIG and, uh, just the best life I could have possibly dreamed of,” Sandidge said.

Times are changing and as the old guard of live radio broadcasters like Sandidge go off air for good, a dying art form goes with them.

“There’s no school out there to say ‘Ok, I want to take a class on being a radio host and bringing in music and booking shows,’” Sandidge said.

Sandidge’s passion for the sound and culture of Americana and roots music helped create a thriving scene at KPIG that became a template for radio stations across the country.

“I’m leaving KPIG and it will all collapse and there will be no more Americana music!” said Sandidge with a laugh.”You can quote me.”

Please Stand By began at the now-defunct radio station KFAT, when the late Laura Ellen Hopper tapped Sandidge to bring his show onto the KPIG. Prior to that, the show had broadcast about 200 episodes on KHIP, had a stint on KUSP and even broadcast from General Feed and Seed on Commercial Way. But it was at KPIG, right before the first show, that Hopper came up with the name and Please Stand By was born.

Arden Eaton, a local radio legend in her own right, worked with Sandidge for over 20 years at KPIG and remembers meeting him in the early 1980s when he was trying to get into radio.

“He was a fun-loving guy who wanted to be part of the music scene,” Eaton remembers. “He loved to banter, tease and harass.”

Sandidge’s affable demeanor and ear for finding the next big thing in the Americana scene has gotten him fans not only among the listening audience, but from the artists themselves. Robert Earl Keen, who Sandidge was an early supporter of, even name-dropped him in his track “I’m Coming Home.”

“They threw a party there from dusk ’till dawn/Seems like everybody knows old Sleepy John/He said next time I better bring you along/I’m comin’ home to you/They had fresh caught salmon on the barbeques/There were people jammin’ all night to the blues/Life is good out in Santa Cruz/But I’m comin’ home to you”

Over the years, PSB had many famous guests, including Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, Norton Buffalo and Garth Hudson. Sandidge says he even tried to get Bob Dylan on a few times, but it never panned out. Of all the guests he’s had on, his favorite was Tazmanian singer-songwriter Audrey Auld-Mezera. The least favorite? Jessica Jones, who brought in her CDs in lieu of a live set and had little to say.

In 2018, Sandidge was invited to guest host the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The prestigious honor is bestowed on distinguished performers and entertainment personalities tied to the country music industry.

“I would like to be thought of as one of the people who made a contribution to this area by bringing in wonderful music and being able to present it to them both on the air and in person,” Sandidge said. “Our job in radio is to entertain you, and not just by playing records.”

Sandidge’s deep dives into the history and cultural significance of the records he spun connected with listeners. Being intentional with the record selection was something that he got drilled into him by Laura Ellen Hopper over the years of working together. When asked what Hopper would say to him when the On Air light goes off on Sunday, he knew exactly what it would be.

“She would say: ‘Why did you play that song after this one?’’

Please Stand By’s final show will have live performances by Keith Greeninger, Sherry Austin and Tammy Brown, among others at 9am Sunday on KPIG 107.5 FM.

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