Page 219 – Good Times

Copal Fuses Tradition with Innovation

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December 13, 2022

Wintry days need spicy flavors, and for that, there’s Oaxacan cuisine. Which is why Ellen and I met for lunch on a grey day last week at Copal on Mission Street for well-crafted specialties from the culinary hotspot that is Oaxaca—land of black beans, pozole and most especially mole. Ellen went for a tall refreshing horchata aqua fresca ($4) and a bottle of the Topo Chico sparkling water ($4). I consumed more than my fair share of salted tortilla chips and salsa before our dishes arrived, and I’m not sorry.

Quesadillas are one of my favorite comfort foods, and Copal’s large, housemade tortillas arrived filled with melting Oaxacan cheese, mushrooms and epazote. A tangle of smoky-sour nopales on the side. Tossed with a fruity, tangy salsa de guajillo, the tender ribbons of cactus make romance with the ubiquitous clay pot of earthy black beans topped with queso fresco.

Ellen went for a deep platter of Enchiladas de Mole Rojo ($17), filled with shredded pork tossed with raisins, almonds and tomato. A rich, sweet mole coloradito covered the top of the tender enchiladas, and bands of queso fresco, thin onion slices and diced cilantro lined the tops of the filled tortillas.

Another entree showed off the kitchen’s genius with mole, the molten, multi-spiced sauce of the region. Copal offers four distinctive moles each day—and you can choose your foundation of braised chicken, slow braised pork leg or vegan options. I ordered the mole verde on succulent fork-tender puerco, with the exceptional tortillas and white rice ($19). Revelatory flavors! Some deep spice that reminded me of root beer and cinnamon provided the long finish, but oregano, cilantro, epazote, tomatillo and a welcome jolt of jalapeño did the rest. This was easily one of the most lively dishes I’ve had in forever. I’ll go back soon for that dish alone. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30am-8pm.

Copal Oaxacan Cuisine (plus mezcal bar!), 1203 Mission St., Santa Cruz. copalrestaurant.com.

Holiday Pro Tip

Everybody on your gift list wants to go out for a special dinner, so give your friends and loved ones a gift certificate to your (or their) favorite dining spot. You know the ones. It’s a true no-brainer, an always welcome holiday gift treat.

Dream On at the Dream Inn

Front-load your holiday action by joining Santa for Breakfast at the Jack O’Neill Restaurant. Dec. 17 from 9-11am, the Dream Inn dining room offers a full breakfast buffet, face painting, cookie decorating, story time with local author Lois Ackerman Lawson—and yes, a visit from Santa. $20-$24. Go to Eventbrite for tickets. Armed with the spectacular oceanfront view of the Santa Cruz Wharf and Steamers, Jack O’ Neill Restaurant will also be serving a majorly seasonal four-course prix fixe Christmas Dinner on Sunday December 25, including roast chestnut bisque, beef tartare, dungeness crab, rib eye of beef and a Buche de Noel ($90/person). If you need a special New Year’s Eve dinner, plus live music, Dream Inn has that too: seared lamb, filet of beef, abalone and very special desserts ($105/person). dreaminnsantacruz.com.

Soif Abides

There’s a calendar full of tastings and pop-ups at Soif, including a Dec.15 tasting of wines from Big Basin Vineyards. Which reminds me: you should stop wondering how the new Iveta 545 is and make a reservation to have a cozy dinner at the newest downtown Iveta landmark (my recent review will get you primed). It’s just across the patio from Big Basin Vineyards’ new tasting room. bigbasinvineyards.com. Visit both. Life is short.

El Vaquero Winery’s 2019 Merlot is a Homerun

Josie Cowden

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December 13, 2022

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El Vaquero Winery’s 2019 Merlot is a Homerun

We tore up the floor recently at El Vaquero Winery—dancing to the sexy music of Flor de Caña playing Cuban songs and Colombian cumbia. Everyone had a great time. Winery owner Bob Prikazsky sure knows how to put on a party. Wine is sold by the glass and by the bottle at events, and our group shared several bottles, including an exceptional 2019 Merlot ($33)—a sure-fire winner with its signature low acidity.

Bob and his winemaker daughter Alex are proud of their well-made and packed-with-flavor Merlot. Grapes are from Muro Vineyard in San Benito County, resulting in a hearty red wine with aromas of plums and chocolate. Flavors of vanilla, coffee and herbs add even more pizzazz. My Mom’s Mole provided tasty Mexican food that night, which paired perfectly.

El Vaquero hosts regular music events in a laid-back style—and they definitely have a following. This family-owned winery is making a name for itself, not only as an event location, but also for its excellent wines. And with Bob and his wife Dean at the helm, their daughter Alex as winemaker, Christian Fedczuk as assistant winemaker and Danny Prikazsky overseeing business management, they’ve got a good thing going. And the family’s two cats, Noir and Bijou, play an essential role as “Pest Management Specialists” of the estate vineyard!

El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 831-607-8118; elvaquerowinery.com.

Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc

Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc 2019 ($24) is a superb wine for fall. Dancing with autumnal spices such as sage and rosemary, this crisp white wine pairs well with triple-cream cheese, chicken and grilled veggies. Good acidity and minerality combined with a touch of tannin make it perfect for drinking as temperatures dwindle. Priest Ranch Tasting Room, 6490 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-8200; priestranchwines.com.

Robbie’s Sandwiches Delivers Delicious Diversity

Andrew Steingrube

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December 13, 2022

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Robbie’s Sandwiches Delivers Delicious Diversity

A few years after Beirut native Robbie Hammana moved to the U.S. to escape the war-torn region, his family opened the midtown favorite Joe’s Pizza & Subs—named after Robbie’s dad—in 1986. Following Joe’s 2013 passing, Robbie planned to open a sandwich shop one day and grow the family business. Now in its fourth year, Robbie’s Sandwiches has become a Capitola staple, serving various Middle Eastern, Greek and Italian food in a comfortable setting that’s fast and friendly.
Popular hot sandwiches include the pastrami and Philly cheesesteak; falafel and gyros highlight the Middle Eastern offerings. The burgers—half-pound patties—are also a hit. Other hits include the Greek salad (with cucumber, tomato, olive and feta) and homemade soups, with lentil and New England clam chowder at the top of the list. Robbie’s is open daily 10am-6pm for dine-in and take-out.
Hammana recently spoke to GT about his family’s success and why his place is Capitola’s best sandwich shop.

How would you describe your family’s history in local food service?

ROBBIE HAMMANA: A lot of people know us as Joe’s Pizza & Subs, but it’s also Robbie’s Sandwiches now too. The local support has always carried us, and our family has always been grateful for such a great community backing. It’s never easy holding a small business, especially these days, but we are carrying our family legacy on, and it’s a pleasure to honor my dad’s memory with my own sandwich shop and using our family’s recipes.

What’s been key to your success?

We are family-owned, and we have been doing this since 1986, so we’re good at what we do, and we have a really good local following. I also like to keep our prices competitive and offer good $10 sandwiches, which aren’t very common anymore. And a lot of the recipes are classic and very traditional, from our Middle Eastern offerings to our Italian food, and people even say our cheesesteak is as good as the ones in Philly.

3555 Clares St., Ste. TT, Capitola, 831-515-7411; robbies-sandwiches.business.site.

Heavy Rain and Wind Hit Santa Cruz County

Local News

Tarmo Hannula

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December 12, 2022

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Heavy Rain and Wind Hit Santa Cruz County

More than 6,000 people around Watsonville were without power due to an outage likely caused by the wind and rainstorm that ravaged Santa Cruz County over the weekend.

According to PG&E spokeswoman Angela Lombardi, heavy winds ranging from 40-70 miles per hour downed a power pole on private property off Pioneer Road in Watsonville Sunday. Several eucalyptus trees were thrown to the pavement around 6:30am, taking a utility pole and power lines with them.

By midday Sunday, PG&E crews restored power to 3,422 customers in the Green Valley Road area, while 6,410 customers are still without power throughout the City. Workers later began repair work on the downed pole Sunday afternoon, Lombardi said

Heavy rains caused minor flooding on scores of area streets, causing many storm drains clogged with leaves and debris to back up.

Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Monterey, said that over a 72-hour rainfall period ending Monday afternoon, Watsonville reported 3.07 inches. Eureka Canyon in Corralitos took in 4.08 inches, while Soquel measured 2.88.

“The biggest number in our region was Uvas Canyon at 8 inches,” Mehle said. “It will dry out over the next several days, with the skies mostly clearing up. But the big story now will be colder temperatures: We’re looking at highs in the mid-50s and overnight lows in the mid-30s. Of course, as you go higher elevation, it will be colder. Over in Hollister, it will be near freezing overnight. We’ll be stuck with dry conditions at least until Friday.”

Judge Paul Marigonda Dead at 62

Todd Guild

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December 12, 2022

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Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Paul Marigonda, whose 16 years on the bench followed a stint as a county prosecutor and Scotts Valley Mayor, died Dec. 10 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 62.

Marigonda served as presiding judge in 2014-15, during which he led efforts to modernize the court’s technology systems, including an advanced court case management system, says Court Executive Officer Alex Calvo.

That inspired the court to rethink its entire system, adopting all its electronic case files and shifting to electronic filing of all documents, thus improving public access to court services and information, Calvo says.

“Judge Marigonda was particularly proud that although his background was in criminal law, he successfully took civil, probate and family law assignments and earned the respect of the attorneys who specialize in those areas,” he said.

Marigonda launched the court’s “Family Preservation Court” for parents with addiction problems and helped implement the court’s “Behavioral Health Court” for people suffering from mental health issues.

Marigonda also served as a Trustee of the Santa Cruz County Law Library and represented Scotts Valley as a member of the LAFCO, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

He was active in the California Judges Association, serving as vice president in 2019 and 2020.

Marigonda graduated from UC Berkeley in 1982 and Golden Gate University School of Law in 1986.

Presiding Judge Timothy Volkmann said that Marigonda respected the people who appeared before him and was always prepared for his cases.

“But, more than that, he was a source of knowledge and advice to his fellow judicial officers and an absolute pleasure to be with,” Volkmann said. “Our court will miss him terribly, and we extend our condolences to his family.”

Marigonda is survived by his wife of 31 years, Margaret, their sons Patrick of Santa Cruz and Peter of San Francisco and his beloved dog, Duke.

Sheriff’s Office Oversight Group Approved

Local News

Todd Guild

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December 7, 2022

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Sheriff’s Office Oversight Group Approved

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the establishment of an agency that will have independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Office.

The Supervisors will hear a second reading of the new ordinance creating the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Dec. 13 for final adoption.

Assembly Bill 1185, a state law passed in 2020, allows counties to create an inspector general to act as an independent, neutral third party to review operations of sheriff’s offices, including evidence, policies, procedures and public documents. It also allows for reviews of county jail systems.

Once established, the OIG—run by Playa Del Rey-based OIG Group—will be able to independently initiate investigations involving the use of force, critical incidents and community complaints.

“The purpose of the office is to foster transparency and accountability, identify unmet needs and service gaps, encourage timely and serious consideration of complaints and provide independent review of serious incidents involving county personnel,” said Deputy County Administrative Officer Melodie Serino.

The OIG also has subpoena power, subject to approval from the County Counsel.

That provision garnered protest from a handful of public speakers, who asked the Supervisors to table the item pending further discussion.

“This ordinance fails in its most basic fundamental purpose, to create an independent, investigative oversight structure,” said local criminal defense attorney Jonathan Gettleman. “Also, this ordinance builds in a structural conflict of interest with the County Counsel.”

But Sheriff Jim Hart said that rule was created to allow County Counsel to help refine the subpoena and let the people requesting get the information they need.

Asking for a decade’s worth of use-of-force incidents, for example, could take a staff member six months to compile, whereas Counsel could help narrow the focus of the request, Hart said.

But the question is largely moot since the Sheriff’s Office will cooperate with any investigation, Hart said.

“We’re going to fully cooperate with this auditor,” he said. “If they want to look at an internal affairs investigation or a use of force incident, we’re going to provide that information without a subpoena.”

Hart says he welcomes the new OIG, which he says is “natural and normal” for the department, which uses $100 million annually from the County’s general fund.

“I don’t look at it at all as anything negative,” he said. “I think it’s another set of eyes on a very important institution in our community. I’m looking forward to hearing their input to see if there are areas we can improve on.”

The plan calls for 1% of the Sheriff’s budget—roughly $100,000—to fund the OIG.

County Moves Forward with Rail Study

Local News

Todd Guild

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December 7, 2022

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The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Dec. 1 approved a contract with an engineering company that will conduct a preliminary study of a rail line that could transport passengers along the breadth of the county.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based HDR Inc. is expected to take about two years to complete its work.

The initial early engineering phase will look at infrastructures such as tracks, bridges and trestles, ridership and revenue forecasts projection and a study of potential operations plans on the rail between Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

It will also include extensive community input and provide cost estimates for the rail system’s capital, operation and maintenance.

“Task 1’s” $3 million price tag will come from 2016’s Measure D funds–the county does not have the funds to pay for the remaining three tasks, which are estimated to cost over $7.7 million and include more comprehensive studies.

The RTC will look to competitive grants for funding. The commissioners will then amend the contract with HDR to include additional preliminary work once funding is secured.

In 2021, the RTC identified electric passenger rail as the locally preferred transportation alternative.

The issue has long been a hotbed of controversy for the county. Many call passenger rail a boondoggle that will cost the county hundreds of millions, saying that a trail-only model should replace the tracks.

RTC officials have said it could cost as much as $60 million to make the needed improvements to the track before a rail system can even be considered.

The item passed 11-1, with only Commissioner Randy Johnson voting against it.

Johnson said he was skeptical about the future viability of rail in Santa Cruz County, as evidenced by Bay Area Rapid Transport and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, both facing ridership. He also pointed to Santa Cruz’s METRO system, which has trouble filling seats.

“What is the future of rail,” Johnson said. “Can anybody honestly say this is a vibrant, expanding, exciting sort of future? I’m looking for results.”

But RTC Director Guy Preston warned against such thinking, saying that California’s recent budget surplus created a $150 million fund from the Intercity Rail Capital Program for which transit agencies can apply.

“I do not think the state and federal governments have given up on rail,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Andy Shiffrin acknowledged that the initial phase of the rail project and future costs would be expensive. But he pointed to Measure D, the Nov. 2022 measure in which 70% of voters signaled strong support for keeping the rail line intact.

“I don’t know whether it will be possible to have a feasible passenger rail system between Santa Cruz and Watsonville, but I think we need to look at it,” he said. “I think this contract moves us along the way.”

Commissioner Greg Caput, whose district includes parts of Watsonville, said that voting “no” isn’t an option.

“We’d basically be saying the voters didn’t know what they were voting on,” he said. “Even if you don’t want to have rail or pursue it, it seems like it would be a slap in the face to the voters.”

Still years in the future—if it ever comes to fruition—the passenger rail would be subject to numerous risks that must be addressed, including encroaching waves, sea level rise and conflicts where the rail crosses traffic.

Preston said it also faces uncertainty regarding its environmental impacts, as work along the bluffs above Manresa and Harkins Slough faces scrutiny from state officials.

“We need to start meeting with the Coastal Commission early and talk to them about what they are going to require in terms of an alternatives analysis to ensure that we don’t move forward with a project that is not buildable,” he said.

Commissioner Mike Rotkin pointed out that some of the Measure D funds were approved by voters specifically to fund rail. He added that the vote before the board was merely to fund the study, not to approve the future rail project.

“The public has given us money to at least study the feasibility of rail,” he said. “We’re not stealing it from other places in the Measure D expenditure model or other kinds of modes of transportation.”

The item garnered some public response. Sally Arnold said communities could reap several benefits from investing in their public transportation systems.

“You’re talking about an investment in our community,” she said. “It is a public service, but there are also going to be economic returns, and we just need to think about the big picture.”

Mark Mesiti Miller of Santa Cruz Friends of the Rail Trail called the vote “another very important step toward realizing the community’s vision of fully realizing the existing rail corridor with benefits for everyone.”

Brian Peoples of Trail Now added that the Commission should start the process by asking the California Coastal Commission whether they would approve the passenger rail in their jurisdiction since he reckons that agency is not likely to do so.

“You keep saying that we need to spend the money to understand the risks, but we already know it,” he said. “These aren’t risks; they’re facts. I think we all need to step back and ask, ‘Is it worth the $7 million commitment?’”

Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Dec. 7-13

GT Staff

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December 7, 2022

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ARTS AND MUSIC

STRAWBERRY GIRLS WITH THE COLOR 8 AND INTHEBACKGROUND “[Strawberry Girls] go to the far extreme in every direction,” frontman Ben Rosett says. The primarily instrumental group organically achieves a “darkness” through irregular chord progressions, among other tricks. While the outfit constantly expands their influential soundscape, their definitive style remains intact. Inspiration is sourced from unexpected places, including Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. “Betelgeuse” sustains an understated hip-hop backbeat alongside psychedelic dissonance—think Janelle Monáe meets Pink Floyd’s “Echoes.” “We want to take [the sound] far from the ordinary,” bassist Ian Jennings says. The Salinas trio continues on that “far-from-ordinary” path with Prussian Gloom, which marks their first independent release in a decade. Modern R&B melds sleekly with ’70s-era prog rock more than any of their previous records. The title track’s hefty dose of math rock guitar shredding is worth experiencing live. $21/$24 plus fees. Thursday, Dec. 8, 7:30pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com.

LITTLE FEAT WITH NICKI BLUHM Nicki Bluhm has collaborated with everyone from the Infamous Stringdusters to several of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh’s projects—she’s equally dynamic doing her own thing, solo. “It’s eye-opening to work with so many different musicians and see how other people do their thing,” Bluhm said before performing with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival. As Little Feat glides into their fifth decade, they called on Bluhm to join them on their current tour, celebrating the 45th anniversary of Waiting for Columbus, now considered a jam band playbook. The group’s first live album was recorded during a span of seven performances in 1977 and released as a double-live record in 1978. Backed by Tower of Power’s horn section, the shows included legendary special guests, with former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor’s sweet slide guitar at the top of the list. Little Feat has always been regarded as kindred spirits to the Grateful Dead, and their impact on like-minded groups is still regularly felt. One example: Phish performed Waiting for Columbus in its entirety in 2010. $69.50-99.50 plus fees. Saturday, Dec. 10, 8pm. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. riotheatre.com.

CHARLIE HUNTER AND SCOTT AMENDOLA DUO Charlie Hunter’s custom-made seven—and eight-string—guitars allow him to rock a bassline and rhythm and lead guitar simultaneously. Each of his 20-plus releases is touted by jazz critics worldwide, and he’s widely considered the most technically fluent of all modern-day jazz guitarists. “Persevering is important for the small guys like us,” Hunter said before a set at the Monterey Jazz Festival. “Some years are going to be better than others, and you just always work at your craft, no matter what.” Meanwhile, Grammy Award-winning drummer Scott Amendola is one of the Bay Area’s most acclaimed jazz musicians. Together, the pair elevates one another without bringing ego into the equation. “Ultimately, I’m working with [Hunter] because I want his voice and interpretation of my music,” Amendola explained. “That’s how the music is going to be the best it could be.” The duo’s 2021 tour featured nine sold-out shows throughout California and delivered mostly improvised interactive jams that allowed each musician to shine while simultaneously complementing one another. $31.50/$36.75; 15.75/Students. Monday, Dec. 12, 9pm (6pm show sold out). Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org.

TOMMY EMMANUEL WITH MIKE DAWES “The world’s greatest acoustic guitarist.” This title has been ascribed to 67-year-old Tommy Emmanuel more than a few times, but he’d never take ownership of the sentiment. He’s too damn humble. Emmanuel’s busy guitar-picking style, which sounds like a full band—rhythm and lead guitar alongside vocal melodies—wows audiences worldwide with that same kind of awe of those experiencing the magic of David Copperfield. The guitarist’s record Accomplice Two features collabs with Raul Malo of the Mavericks, Michael McDonald, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Jerry Douglas. Mike Dawes is an ideal touring buddy for Emmanuel: Also considered one of the world’s elite acoustic guitarists, Dawes was voted “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” twice by Total Guitar Magazine and MusicRadar. The guitarist also has a lofty fanbase, including Metallica’s James Hetfield and the 1975’s Matty Healy. $39.50-59.50 plus fees. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8pm. Rio Theatre, 1 205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. riotheatre.com.

ERIC LINDELL AND ANSON FUNDERBURGH Multi-instrumental guitarist Eric Lindell’s Revolution in Your Heart might be the New Orleans singer-songwriter’s opus. Revolution in Your Heart is one of those records that could be from any era; stories of love lost, love gained, family and friends are down-to-earth and accessible to a fault—in a good way. Recorded at the renowned Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, Lindell’s neo-soul is a low-key eruption with his indelible mark on every second of the 12 tracks on the record—he performs all the instruments except drums (Willie McMains). “Don’t let a mindless fool get a hold of you,” Lindell croons in “Revolution.” “You got to keep pushing and let love rule. Start a revolution in your heart.” “I’m just a simple country boy,” Anson Funderburgh says. The longtime performer is unassuming until he plugs in his Strat and lets his trademark fusion of Chicago and Texas blues ring. Funderburgh and Lindell have collaborated regularly for years and performed together six times at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. $35/$40 plus fees. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.

COMMUNITY

TITANS OF TECH 2022 With past nominees including bigwigs like Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolf, Santa Cruz Works honors those who have contributed to the growth of the local tech and entrepreneurial community. This year is a tad different; the annual event will also incorporate MVPs and those who deserve recognition for their efforts—not necessarily limited to the tech field. The mission of this year’s event is to give credit to the essential piece needed for any business that aims to succeed: the employees. Any company that wants to thrive needs intelligent people to help make it happen. Cruz Control will provide the musical soundtrack to the event. $20-50. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6-8pm. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org.

THE TANNERY’S WINTER ART MARKET If you’re looking for holiday gifts that aren’t run-of-the-mill, this year’s Winter Art Market is your answer. There will be a dozen open artist studios for you to shop. Once you’re done shopping, stick around for live music from Anna May and Isla Byrne & Jamie Schnetzler. Also, grab a bite from Honey B Market or Epoch Eats Areperia 831 and an adult beverage from Woodhouse Blending & Brewing. There will be things to see, too, including the Small Works exhibit in Radius Gallery and new public art installations. Artists Gazelle Walker, Suzy Radonsky and Linda Cover will offer free all-ages activities for those with kids in tow. Free. Saturday, Dec. 10, 10am-5pm. Tannery Arts Center, 1050-1070 River St., Santa Cruz. tanneryartscenter.org/winter-art-market.

SANTA CRUZ BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER In its 20th year at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, this holiday favorite is the only Nutcracker production in Santa Cruz County featuring a live orchestra. With 52 professional musicians led by conductor Maestro Pamela Martin, the show will feature 50 local dancers and SCBT alums and Houston Ballet Principal dancer Melody Mennite as the Sugar Plum Fairy. The holidays simply wouldn’t be the same without the Nutcracker. $20.50-71.50 plus fees. Saturday, Dec. 10, 4:30pm, Sunday, Dec. 11, 1pm and 4:30pm. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. scbt.org.

SIP ‘N SHOP FOR FARM DISCOVERY Home/Work “caters to the mindful shopper with its thoughtful selection of stylish and functional design pieces that consider fair labor, affordability and sustainability.” It’s the ideal location for Sip ‘N Shop for Farm Discovery. Enjoy farm-fresh apps, drinks and live music from the Banana Slug String Band. Sales and raffle proceeds will support Farm Discovery’s Santa Cruz Gives campaign. Join the giving revolution. Free. Sunday, Dec. 11, 4-6pm. HOME/WORK, 1100 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. farmdiscovery.org; santacruzgives.org.

Email upcoming events to aj*****@we*****.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Adam Joseph at least two weeks beforehand.

Or submit events HERE

Tomáseen Foley’s ‘A Celtic Christmas’ Returns

Johanna Miller

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December 7, 2022

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Tomáseen Foley’s ‘A Celtic Christmas’ Returns

My family’s Christmas tree was always home to an eclectic mix of homemade ornaments accumulated over time—none two alike, each with a story. Each year, we decorate the tree, sip warm drinks and share memories associated with each ornament. My favorite is a snowflake I made as a Girl Scout, using corks, sewing pins and shiny beads. I remember the first time I hung the snowflake alongside the other sparkly—and some not-so-sparkly—bobbles. I felt great pride; my creation had become a permanent part of the Miller family tradition.

More than two decades later, my snowflake has endured the wear and tear of any holiday decoration stored in a musty garage or attic for all but a few weeks of the year. And the memories associated with that little snowflake continue to emit an effervescence as poignant as that first Christmas it was on display. Now crooked and missing a few beads, my snowflake is the ornament equivalent of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree: It’s not much to look at, but it bursts with holiday spirit.

Like my family and me—and our perpetually growing collection of ornaments—Santa Cruz has had its own holiday tradition: Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas.” The show is a collaboration between Tomáseen Foley, director and main storyteller, and longtime music director William Coulter, featuring an assortment of additional musicians and dancers. The amalgamation of traditional music, dance and storytelling has toured the U.S. for 27 years, celebrating the holiday season.

Coulter, a Santa Cruz resident, started working with Foley 28 years ago. Foley had approached him and other local performers to join him for a new holiday-themed show, which would include himself telling stories, with singing and dancing.

“At the time, he was a fledgling storyteller,” Coulter says. “We gathered up in Medford, Oregon, and had our first shows in that area. Since then, we’ve toured all over the states every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The show has evolved, we’ve had many different performers come and go, but the core of the show has remained the same.”

“A Celtic Christmas” aims to recreate a Christmas Eve night in rural Ireland, similar to those of Foley’s youth in the 1950s. Foley was raised in a home with a thatch roof, stone walls and a flagstone floor—without plumbing or electricity, and the sole heat source was an open turf fire.

Foley reminisces on how neighboring families would gather on wintry nights with traditional carols and dances and tell stories.

“Tomáseen calls himself a storyteller, but it’s a bit different from what one might imagine,” Coulter says. “He does not do characters or funny voices or one-liners. He basically sits down at the front of the stage and tells you about his life as a kid, the people in his community and their adventures and relationships. It’s like sitting down with someone in a pub and hearing interesting stories about their life.”

The other players and dancers in “A Celtic Christmas” are world-class artists in their own right. Coulter, an internationally recognized master of the steel-string guitar, has been performing, recording and teaching traditional Celtic and American folk music for more than 30 years.

Coulter will play the guitar, and an Irish drum called the Bodhran this year.

“We haven’t had that in the show in a while,” he says. “We’re excited to bring that back; it adds a really exciting rhythmic element to some of the tunes.”

The show will also include a brand new song, “The Welcome,” which explains the old Irish tradition of placing a candle in each window to welcome neighbors.

For the past four or five seasons, minus the pandemic years, “A Celtic Christmas” has had the same cast, which Coulter calls “the best cast we’ve ever had.”

“In the past, we’ve changed out people occasionally,” he says. “But when you’re working with the same people for that long, the chemistry increases, and magic happens.”

Coulter says he hopes “A Celtic Christmas” inspires audiences to slow down a touch, unplug and be more attentive to others.

“It’s so common these days to have such short reactions to little things on our phones,” he says. “I think that often bleeds into our reactions to other people. To sit still and hear someone talk for a while is a very human experience that we are lacking right now. I hope people walk away from the concert being reminded that it’s okay just to sit and listen.”

Whether it’s gathering with loved ones, cooking potato latkes, traveling, baking German Pfeffernusse cookies—or hanging an ornament that looks like a snowflake if you squint just right—we all have traditions that remind us: it’s “that time of the year.”

“A Celtic Christmas” will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3pm at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $34-49. bit.ly/3LPlfB1.

Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett Plays Solo at Moe’s

Steve Palopoli

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December 7, 2022

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Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett Plays Solo at Moe’s

Once upon a time, no self-respecting punk would be caught dead playing country music. But starting in the early-to-mid-’80s, a handful of Southern California groups made outlaw country cool in the pit—L.A.’s X formed the rootsy side project the Knitters in 1985, and Orange County’s Social Distortion released the landmark cowpunk album Prison Bound in ’88. Add in the punk-blues of the Gun Club and straight-up country-punk fusion of Tex and the Horseheads in L.A., and the washboard-powered wildman antics of Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper in San Diego, and SoCal punk practically had its own Americana movement going by the time Social D found gold-record success with their 1990 self-titled third album, which featured a charting cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”

Guitarist Chris Shiflett grew up on the edge of that scene in Santa Barbara, but ironically had to get to Northern California to discover the alt-country sound that was about to blow up in a big way when he joined No Use for a Name in 1995. The band had started in Silicon Valley in the mid-’80s, and found a following after Tony Sly became the frontman, and they signed to Fat Wreck Chords. At that time, no one would have expected No Use For a Name to be the place to get an Americana education, with the band releasing fast and furious melodic hardcore records like 1994’s Daily Grind and 1995’s Leche Con Carne. But Tony Sly was full of surprises, as fans would discover on his acoustic solo releases in the 2000s.

“Tony loved Uncle Tupelo and those early Son Volt records,” says Shiflett. “We used to listen to that shit just constantly on the road; he was into that stuff early. He was really the one that turned me on to it. I mean, I already loved X and Social D and some of the music that was influenced by country and roots and blues. But really, Tony turned me on to a lot of that stuff, and that’s what kind of set me on that path.”

It’s been a wild path, too, one that led Shiflett to play in the punk-covers supergroup Me First and the Gimme Gimmes for many years on the side, while leaving No Use for a Name in 1999 to play in Foo Fighters (just after the Foos released their album There is Nothing Left to Lose, which won the band its first of many Grammys for Best Rock Album).

With a long gestation period between the Foo Fighters’ 2007 record Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace and its 2011 follow-up Wasting Light, Shiflett not only recorded a second album with his brother Scott Shiflett for their side project Jackson United, he also made his first foray into Americana with 2010’s Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants. But it’s really on his solo records, 2017’s West Coast Town and 2019’s Hard Lessons, that you can hear him finding his sound and soul as an Americana singer-songwriter.

He’s also become kind of a chronicler of the genre, having recorded over 200 episodes of his podcast Walking the Floor with Chris Shiflett, on which he talks to a range of musicians, many of them Americana artists like Dave Alvin, Robert Earl Keen and Steve Earle (he’s also interviewed those O.G. cowpunks John Doe of X and Mike Ness of Social Distortion).

“It’s been an interesting evolution of the genre over the years,” says Shiflett. In the early days, he says, “I don’t think a lot of those bands that were coming up at that time came up through country music or were even necessarily fans of country music. They were, like, rock ’n’ roll people that found it kind of like I did. Whereas nowadays, you have a lot of folks that really did grow up with [country and roots music]. I think we’re more sort of steeped in it. I was kind of shocked when I interviewed Todd Snider, and he was like, ‘Nah, I never listened to heavy metal or punk rock or any of that shit.’ Americana is kind of a big tent.”

His solo tours, like the one that brings him to Moe’s Alley this week, are a whole different world than the stadiums he plays with Foo Fighters, sort of bringing his career full circle.

“It’s so different for me now doing van tours and gigs like this, because I don’t think I appreciated it when I was in No Use for a Name,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. But I didn’t necessarily think about it in those days. I slept through just about every drive we ever did, so I felt like I missed that whole part of it. A van tour is a very different animal than being on a big tour. You see things differently—it’s more like a road trip.”

Chris Shiflett plays Wednesday, Dec. 14, 8pm at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz; $20/$25. moesalley.com.

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