Page 249 – Good Times

Rob Brezsny’s Astrology: Jan. 25-31

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January 24, 2023

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Noah Webster (1758–1843) worked for years to create the first definitive American dictionary. It became a cornucopia of revelation for poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). She said that for many years it was her “only companion.” One biographer wrote, “The dictionary was no mere reference book to her; she read it as a priest his breviary—over and over, page by page, with utter absorption.” Now would be a favorable time for you to get intimate with a comparable mother lode, Aries. I would love to see you find or identify a resource that will continually inspire you for the rest of 2023.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.” So declared Taurus philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein in his book Philosophical Investigations. Luckily for you Tauruses, you have a natural knack for making sure that important things don’t get buried or neglected, no matter how simple and familiar they are. And you’ll be exceptionally skilled at this superpower during the next four weeks. I hope you will be gracious as you wield it to enhance the lives of everyone you care about. All of us non-Bulls will benefit from the nudges you offer as we make our course corrections.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Poet Carolyn Kizer said the main subject of her work was this: “You cannot meet someone for a moment, or even cast eyes on someone in the street, without changing.” I agree with her. The people we encounter and the influences they exert make it hard to stay fixed in our attitudes and behavior. And the people we know well have even more profound transformative effects. I encourage you to celebrate this truth in the coming weeks. Thrive on it. Be extra hungry for and appreciative of all the prods you get to transcend who you used to be and become who you need to be.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): If you have any interest in temporarily impersonating a Scorpio, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to play around. Encounters with good, spooky magic will be available. More easily than usual, you could enjoy altered states that tickle your soul with provocative insights. Are you curious about the mysteries of intense, almost obsessive passion? Have you wondered if there might be ways to deal creatively and constructively with your personal darkness? All these perks could be yours—and more. Here’s another exotic pleasure you may want to explore: that half-forbidden zone where dazzling heights overlap with the churning depths. You are hereby invited to tap into the erotic pleasures of spiritual experiments and the spiritual pleasures of erotic experiments.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The circle can and will be complete—if you’re willing to let it find its own way of completing itself. But I’m a bit worried that an outdated part of you may cling to the hope of a perfection that’s neither desirable nor possible. To that outdated part of you, I say this: Trust that the Future You will thrive on the seeming imperfections that arise. Trust that the imperfections will be like the lead that the Future You will alchemically transmute into gold. The completed circle can’t be and shouldn’t be immaculate and flawless.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Shakespeare’s work has been translated from his native English into many languages. But the books of Virgo detective novelist Agatha Christie have been translated far more than the Bard’s. (More info: tinyurl.com/ChristieTranslations.) Let’s make Christie your inspirational role model for the next four weeks. In my astrological estimation, you will have an extraordinary capacity to communicate with a wide variety of people. Your ability to serve as a mediator and go-between and translator will be at a peak. Use your superpower wisely and with glee!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran musician Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was a prolific and influential genius who created and played music with deep feeling. He was also physically attractive and charismatic. When he performed, some people in the audience swooned and sighed loudly as they threw their clothes and jewelry on stage. But there was another side of Liszt. He was a generous and attentive teacher for hundreds of piano students, and always offered his lessons free of charge. He also served as a mentor and benefactor for many renowned composers, including Wagner, Chopin and Berlioz. I propose we make Liszt your inspirational role model for the next 11 months. May he rouse you to express yourself with flair and excellence, even as you shower your blessings on worthy recipients.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This may risk being controversial, but in the coming weeks, I’m giving you cosmic authorization to engage in what might appear to be cultural appropriation. Blame it on the planets! They are telling me that to expand your mind and heart in just the right ways, you should seek inspiration and teaching from an array of cultures and traditions. So I encourage you to listen to West African music and read Chinese poetry in translation and gaze at the art of Indigenous Australians. Sing Kabbalistic songs and say Lakota prayers and intone Buddhist chants. These are just suggestions. I will leave it to your imagination as you absorb a host of fascinating influences that amaze and delight and educate you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “All the world’s a stage,” Shakespeare wrote, “and all the men and women merely players.” That’s always true, but it will be even more intensely accurate for you in the coming weeks. High-level pretending and performing will be happening. The plot twists may revolve around clandestine machinations and secret agendas. It will be vital for you to listen for what people are NOT saying as well as the hidden and symbolic meanings behind what they are saying. But beyond all those cautionary reminders, I predict the stories you witness and are part of will often be interesting and fun.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In this horoscope, I offer you wisdom from Capricorn storyteller Michael Meade. It’s a rousing meditation for you in the coming months. Here’s Meade: “The genius inside a person wants activity. It’s connected to the stars; it wants to burn and it wants to create and it has gifts to give. That is the nature of inner genius.” For your homework, Capricorn, write a page of ideas about what your genius consists of. Throughout 2023, I believe you will express your unique talents and blessings and gifts more than you ever have before.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) was nominated nine times for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature, but never won. He almost broke through in the last year of his life, but French author Albert Camus beat him by one vote. Camus said Kazantzakis was “a hundred times more” deserving of the award than himself. I will make a wild prediction about you in the coming months, Aquarius. If there has been anything about your destiny that resembles Kazantzakis’s, chances are good that it will finally shift. Are you ready to embrace the gratification and responsibility of prime appreciation?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean educator Parker Palmer has a crucial message for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. Read it tenderly, please. Make it your homing signal. He said, “Solitude does not necessarily mean living apart from others; rather, it means never living apart from one’s self. It is not about the absence of other people—it is about being fully present to ourselves, whether or not we are with others. Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others; rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other.”

Homework: What is the best, most healing lie you could tell? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Bantam is Still the Culinary Rockstar of the Westside

Christina Waters

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January 24, 2023

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Bantam is Still the Culinary Rockstar of the Westside

The Westside’s culinary rockstar Bantam has settled beautifully into its turf. The understated cool ambiance mirrors the menu: Confident without fuss. Repurposed materials and glass walls provide all the industrial chic this restaurant needs. The kitchen and smart service do the rest. After 10 years’ worth of exciting craft cocktails, toothsome pizzas and seasonal appetizers in this boisterous Westside space, I can still be surprised by the flavor pairings executed by chef and founder Ben Sims and company.

While still making references to pasta-and-pizza classics of Italian cuisine, Bantam continues to forge its identity as a cozy showcase for New American fare, from tangy salads to vibrant vegetarian entrees. And, of course, the strategic variety of nightly pizzas—from basic to high-wattage—keeps regulars coming back for more.

But I never figured this place to be a dessert destination until recently.

For $10, we went straight to paradise with the first bite of a lavender panna cotta; yes, I said lavender, festooned with fat nuggets of orange and almond polenta crumble. The entire dish—large enough for two to share but worthy of a more exciting presentation—was sparked into overdrive by a sprinkling of sea salt flakes. The spoon went through the layers of salted lavender-scented cream custard and into the incredible (inspired!) polenta crumble inflected with orange and almonds. The individual flavor notes conspired into a voluptuous new creation, like the instruments in a flawless string quartet. Easily the best panna cotta I’ve tasted since a winter’s night in Bologna a few decades back.

We sat at one of the high tables by the front window and enjoyed the view of Bantam’s eclectic clientele. Red wine seemed right—a Rhône blend for Jack and a Tempranillo for me. The wines proved to be ideal choices with everything that came next, starting with a Tricolore salad ($15). Composed into a miniature Frank Gehry of deep magenta and green, the dish was lavish with layers of radicchio chicory, green arugula and pale endive. With tart flavors, lots of texture and gorgeous visuals, the salad was generously bathed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette and dusted with wide shaves of pecorino. Our glasses of wine unfolded throughout the meal—the Rhône blend from La Cabotte ($10) evolving into a plummy flavor and the Tempranillo, Sierra Cantabria, Rioja ($13) into shades of dark berries and pepper. A soft green twilight settled into dusk outside Bantam’s huge windows as the decibels began to increase, fueled by the energetic staff and influx of multi-gen patrons. Easy camaraderie is another house specialty.

Tempted by the evening’s entrees, we bypassed the signature pizzas. My companion chose a deep bowl of tiny clams and fat chickpeas gathered in a saffron aioli and wine broth with ribbons of escarole, sprigs of dill and chervil. Crisp potato squares deliciously accessorized this unexpected creation ($24). Unable to resist the evening’s pasta special, I feasted on plump bucatini tossed in an ultra-tender short rib ragu laced with spinach and dusted with parmesan Reggiano ($24). A centerpiece coil of pasta was garnished with horseradish-infused mascarpone, which soon found its way into every bite. Rich, intense and compelling, this dish was a love letter to luxurious Italian-style thinking.

Bantam’s nightly menu is small, so it’s the perfect place to try dishes outside your comfort zone. Oh, and save room for dessert! You won’t be disappointed.

Bantam, 1010 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz. 831-400-0101; bantam1010.com

Lester Estate’s 2018 Syrah is a Rich Blend of Spice and Fruit

Josie Cowden

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January 24, 2023

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Lester Estate’s 2018 Syrah is a Rich Blend of Spice and Fruit

Lester Estate wines are outstanding. The proof of the pudding is always in the tasting, and their wines score on every level. Lester sits on an expansive piece of gorgeous property—Deer Park Ranch in Aptos—and if you have not visited, you should go as soon as possible.

Established by Pat Lester and her late husband Dan, the business is now overseen by their daughter Lori and their son-in-law Steve Johnson. Steve was pouring at a recent Aptos Wine Wander, and my last tasting at the event was a beautiful glass of Lester’s 2018 estate Syrah ($45). Made by John Benedetti, whose praises I sing at every opportunity, the wine is rich with flavors of huckleberry, toasted spice, herbes de Provence and white pepper. Benedetti’s own tasting lounge, Sante Arcangeli Family Wines, is in Aptos Village.

Lester’s Tasting Barn is piled to the rafters with artifacts from trips to Africa and elsewhere. There’s a lot to take in as you’re sipping your wine!

Lester Estate Wines, 1950 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, 831-728-3793; deerparkranch.com

Seascape Foods Opening Second Location

Seascape Foods, located in Seascape Village, Aptos, will open a second location in the recently closed Aptos Natural Foods. This is great news, folks. Owned by Julie Kellman Hunt and her husband, Dan, Seascape is a grocery store, deli, sandwich bar, bakery and more. We can look forward to them bringing all of this to their new location in the Aptos Center on Soquel Drive. Specializing in high-quality local food with an emphasis on organic will surely be a deli delight.

Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine

A bowl of hot Moroccan Madness Soup ($8) at Zameen in Aptos was just what I needed on a cold and rainy day. Made with chickpeas, curry, coconut milk, tomato and garlic, it’s a thick, rich soup that’s rib-sticking good. zameencuisine.com

Cruz Creamery Delivers Delicious and Dreamy Ice Cream

Andrew Steingrube

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January 24, 2023

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Cruz Creamery Delivers Delicious and Dreamy Ice Cream

Mary Livingston was born in Germany but considers herself a New Orleans native. She worked as a pastry chef in the Big Easy’s lively culinary scene, where she also learned French-style custard-based ice cream making, which ignited in her a passion for the frozen treat. Shortly after moving to Santa Cruz, she started working at Cruz Creamery, an ideal place to utilize her ice cream-making skills. Livingston defines the spot as a gourmet ice cream and frozen yogurt shop with an old-timey feel. Their other 30 or so flavors of craft ice cream rotate, with favorites like Thai tea, horchata and lavender honey. There’s also self-serve frozen yogurt and a toppings bar with all the classic options. They even offer several flavors of oat-based vegan ice cream, known for its rich and creamy texture.

Hours are noon-9pm every day (10pm Fridays and Saturdays). Livingston spoke more about her background and the product she serves proudly.

How does your upbringing influence your work?

MARY LIVINGSTON: In New Orleans, if we’re not making or eating food, then we are talking about it. Working at Cruz Creamery aligns with my values and the importance of the process and preparation that goes into what we offer. And I love introducing the community to this great style of ice cream and how we make it. I’d love everyone in town to come try us out.

What sets your ice cream apart?

The great thing about custard-based ice cream is its richness. It starts on the stove almost like a crème anglaise, and from there, it is put into the ice cream machine and churned. And we also only use the finest local and/or organic ingredients, and our dyes are all food-based. Our ice cream options burst with flavor, and the ingredients come through and pop.

Cruz Creamery, 815 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 831-600-8459; cruzcreamery.com

President Biden Visits Santa Cruz County

Todd Guild

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January 19, 2023

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President Biden Visits Santa Cruz County

President Joe Biden touched down in Watsonville on Thursday, Jan. 19—the last time a president visited Santa Cruz County was in 1989, when President George H.W. Bush visited following the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Nearly 35 years after Loma Prieta, President Biden visited following another natural disaster that caused widespread destruction, and led to his his Jan. 9 emergency declaration, allowing businesses and residents that suffered damage and loss in the recent spate of storms to receive federal aid.

After touring Capitola Village and Seacliff State Beach—and a helicopter flight over parts of Watsonville to survey the damage—Biden predicted it will take years to rebuild, but said he is committed to helping California do so.

“I want to say what I said then, and I’ll say again,” Biden said. “The federal government is not leaving its responsibility until it’s all fixed. Done.”

People and reporters gathered in throngs to watch the president’s arrival from a roped-off stretch of Aviation Way across the street from Watsonville Municipal Airport. An airborne armada that included three gargantuan MV-22 Osprey helicopters and two Marine Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King helicopters circled in the sky.

Local, state and federal officers, including 30 from the California Highway Patrol and military snipers on the Airport administration rooftop, escorted the president’s arrival at the Watsonville airport.

After being whisked away in a dark SUV to a nearby hangar, Biden spent about a half-hour meeting several local and state elected officials. His motorcade then made its way to Capitola, where he toured the damage to the Esplanade restaurants from the recent storms and the tidal surge.

Biden apologized to the contractors repairing the floor inside the Paradise Beach Grille.

“Sorry man, we’re slowing up your work,” he said.

The tour ended at Seacliff State Beach.

Biden says he is utilizing “every element of the federal government” in his drive to help the state.

The Army Corps of Engineers, he says, is monitoring seven reservoirs in the Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping farmers with disaster aid and grants.

“To the people of California, I say again: the country is here for you and with you,” Biden said. “We are not leaving until things are built back, and built back better than they were before. We’ll be with you every step of the way, and I mean that sincerely.”

Watsonville resident Paul Lego, a pilot who uses the airport, said he came out “to see the spectacle” of the President’s visit. A set of temporary flight restrictions, and an additional provision that no pilot was allowed inside the airport for the duration of the visit kept him outside the airport gates.

“It really gives you a feeling for the fact that it’s the Commander in Chief,” Lego said. “It’s a big deal.”

Julie Garcia took a break from work at Central Coast Energy Services to see the spectacle.

“Having the President visit our small town is something very big for us,” she said. “We are a town that is made up of minority groups for the most part, and having him actually come shows us that he sees us and we matter and he is aware of the tragedies that occurred with the flood.”

Santa Cruz’s Harp Festival Returns

Music

Johanna Miller

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January 19, 2023

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The harp is one of several instruments that’s been incorrectly typecast as something strictly used in classical or folk music. Or the visions of European churches or small villages in the British Isles it inspires.

The harp is the oldest string instrument in the world—depictions were recorded in Egypt and the Middle East as far back as 3000 BCE.

“There are versions of the harp in almost every culture on the planet,” said Community Music School executive director Susan Willats. “China, the Middle East, Africa—it’s an ancient instrument.”

On Sunday, Jan. 22, the Harp Festival returns to Santa Cruz in person for the first time in three years. The fundraising event will showcase professional players and CMS’ all-ages Harp Ensemble.

“The ensemble is made up of students taking harp lessons at any level,” Willats says. “Our main focus at CMS is connecting young people to music. Anything we do is to fund those programs.”

CMS was formed 30 years ago by Shelley Phillips. It has hosted workshops, concerts and summer camps for musicians aged seven and up and maintains a free database of local music teachers. It also helps match donated instruments with people who need them.

CMS focuses on teaching Celtic and other types of folk music. In the beginning, harp lessons were the organization’s World Music offering.

“Of course, the harp is big in Celtic music, but there is a World aspect to it,” Willats says. “It was a way to bring instruments from different parts of the globe.”

Santa Cruz has become a hub for harpists, thanks in part to the efforts of Phillips and other local instructors. Willats began playing seven years ago after Phillips encouraged her.

“My husband likes to say, even when you mess up playing the harp, it still sounds beautiful,” she says. “And when you don’t make any mistakes, well, it’s even better.”

This year’s Harp Festival will feature Jesse Autumn (double-strung harp), Phillips (folk harp) with Robin Petrie (hammered dulcimer) and Jennifer Cass (pedal harp) with Rob Watson (guitar). The inclusion of accompanists is new for the festival this year.

“Even if people are familiar with harps, there’s going to be new, exciting, beautiful things to hear,” Willats says.

The event will also include a “Harp Petting Zoo” during intermission, where audience members can try out the instruments.

“After so many days of storms, all the awful stories we’ve been hearing, this will be a respite,” Willats notes. “We invite people to come in for an afternoon, to lose themselves in the music.”

Community Music School’s Harp Festival happens Sunday, Jan. 22, at 3pm at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. $15/$20; $10/$15 under 18. communitymusicschool.org

Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Jan. 18-24

GT Staff

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January 18, 2023

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ARTS AND MUSIC

BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ PRESENTS JANE SMILEY ‘A DANGEROUS BUSINESS’ Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley (A Thousand Acres) will read and sign copies of her new novel A Dangerous Business. The rollicking murder mystery is set in Monterey in the 1850s, in which two young prostitutes follow a trail of missing girls. Roxane Gay says, “The forthcoming Jane Smiley novel A Dangerous Business is outstanding. Her sentences are sublime. The vivid historical details and vibrant characters bring Smiley’s setting to glorious life. This seductive entertainment is not to be missed.” Free. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. bookshopsantacruz.com

KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE WITH MONEY CHICHA 2023 marks KDTU’s 25th anniversary! From performing as Sexual Chocolate—Karl Denson was in the original band in the movie Coming To America and the sequel—at Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco to playing the inaugural Bonnaroo Festival, KDTU has been a dominant force in music for the past 25 years. Touring the country with the Allman Brothers, My Morning Jacket, D’Angelo, The Roots, Public Enemy, Bob Weir, Parliament Funkadelic and Widespread Panic, most concertgoers have encountered the Tiny Universe live. In addition to KDTU, Denson, aka Diesel, is a founding member of the influential jam band the Greyboy Allstars. $30/$34 plus fees. Friday, Jan. 20, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com

MARGARITAS PODRIDAS WITH TBD Shoegaze, alt-rock and punk from Hermosillo, Sonora, México, Margaritas Podridas came together in 2015. Carolina Enriquez (bass guitar, vocals), Rafael Armenta (guitar, drums) and Esli Meuly (guitar) released their debut Porcelain Mannequin in 2018, then went on tour. Their most recent self-titled release led to international festivals, including Ruido Fest (Chicago), Freakout Festival (Seattle), This Ain’t No Picnic (Pasadena) and a live session for Seattle’s KEXP. In 2022, the band released their latest single, “No Quiero Ser Madre,” on the Seattle-based label Suicide Squeeze, and have been touring throughout Mexico and the United States ever since. $15 plus fees. Friday, Jan. 20, 8pm. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. thecrepeplace.com

DON CARLOS WITH REGGAE ANGELS PLUS DJ SPLEECE Don Carlos (born Euvin Spencer) was born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district notoriously known as Waterhouse, which is also known for spawning many reggae greats, such as King Tubby, Black Uhuru, the Jays, Junior Reid and King Jammy. The Reggae Angels are a staple in the reggae scene. They are known to deliver high-energy performances with a happy sound and a universal God-conscious message. Known for their live shows and many albums, the Reggae Angels have been gracing stages around the globe for over three decades. $40/$45 plus fees. Saturday, Jan. 21, 9pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com

STEPHANE WREMBEL: DJANGO REINHARDT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Stephane Wrembel learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside. He’s toured the U.S., France, U.K., India and Nigeria and released 16 albums under his name and the Django Experiment, which includes The Django Experiment VI. Wrembel’s original compositions have been featured in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris and most recently, he contributed the original score for Rifkin’s Festival. Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival to celebrate gypsy jazz in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall. He recently finished recording Django New Orleans, which is due out on May 5. In Santa Cruz, Wrembel will perform with his quartet—Josh Kaye on guitar, Nick Anderson on drums and Ari Folman-Cohen on bass. $36.75/$42; $21/students. Monday, Jan. 23, 7pm. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org

REVEREND HORTON HEAT WITH THE SURFRAJETTES Jim is a revelator, revealing and reinterpreting American music’s country-blues-rock roots. He’s a time-traveling space cowboy on an endless interstellar musical tour, and we are all the richer and “psychobillier” for getting to tag along. Seeing Reverend Horton Heat live is a transformative experience. Flames come off the guitars. Jim becomes a slicked-back 1950s rock shaman channeling Screamin’ Jay Hawkins through Buddy Holly. The Heatettes, “foxy rockabilly chicks dressed in poodle skirts and cowboy boots slamming the night away, is like being magically transported into a ’50s teen exploitation flick that takes place in the future. RHH is tantamount to injecting pure musical nitrous oxide into your heart. The Reverend’s commandments are simple: “Rock hard, drive fast and live true.” Openers, the Surfrajettes, are an all-women surf-rockabilly quartet from Canada that charms audiences with a mix of psych rock and reverb-drenched surf music, sky-high beehives, go-go boots and eyeliner as thick as their guitar strings. $35/$40 plus fees. Monday, Jan. 23, 8pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com

‘PRECIOUS GURU’ After nine years in the making, and an endorsement from the Dalai Lama, Precious Guru: Journey into the Wild Heart of the Second Buddha is ready to go. The inspired feature-length documentary marks the culmination of an ambitious journey to trace the spiritual life and legacy of the eighth-century tantric master Padmasambhava. Part biographical chronicle, part travelogue and part sacred teaching, Precious Guru peers through the roiling mists of time and digs through the accreted strata of myth and legend, asking the eternal question: Who was Padmasambhava? A Q&A will follow the screening with the film director, Marc Wennberg. $12.50. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7pm. Landmark Del Mar, 1124 Pacific Ave.,Santa Cruz. landmarktheatres.com

COMMUNITY

CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT GROWERS 2023 SCION EXCHANGE The Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area’s major exchange of dormant propagable fruit material is run by the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers. Scion wood of hundreds of varieties, including apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot and other species, will be distributed. There will also be rootable cuttings of fig, pomegranate, grape and more, and various exotic cuttings, seeds and seedlings that are seasonally appropriate for propagation. Newbies to propagating fruit are invited to tutorials on how to graft trees. Apple and Prunus rootstocks are sold at the event when the seasonality of nursery suppliers allows for it. $5. Saturday. Jan. 21, 11am. Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Road, Soquel. mbcrfg.org/scion-exchange

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Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman Celebrates New Cookbook

Georgia Johnson

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January 18, 2023

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Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman Celebrates New Cookbook

Deb Perelman politely requests that you do not send her fresh food products. “I’m still recovering from the time I stuck my hand into a bag of liquefied avocados,” she states on her uber-successful blog, Smitten Kitchen (“Fearless cooking from a tiny NYC apartment”). Cooks and chefs across the country have likely come into contact with Smitten Kitchen, directly or indirectly, in some capacity. Its architect, Perelman, is a pioneer of “triumphant but unfussy” home cooking that is equally delicious and accessible.

I came across Smitten Kitchen via Perelman’s salted caramel brownies in 2013. A friend baked them for my birthday, and of all the birthday gifts I have ever gotten (edible or not), these brownies remain high on the list. I was hooked. Perelman had just released her first cookbook, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook: Recipes and Wisdom from an Obsessive Home Cook, and I never looked back.

The Smitten Kitchen blog’s compilation of hundreds—if not thousands—of recipes for meals, desserts, snacks and drinks is truly a fantastic resource. From a Sunday night roast, a holiday pie or just a quick, healthy snack, it’s my epicurean go-to. Each recipe is time-tested, reliable and free—yes, 100% free; no monthly membership fees, costly premium accounts necessary to access superior content or sneaky ploys that require a credit card number. You can even subscribe to the “Smitten Kitchen Weekly Digest” for “notes, updates and seasonal cooking from the Smitten Kitchen.” Also, free.

In addition to maintaining her blog, regularly posting content for her 1.6 million Instagram followers, and writing bestselling cookbooks, Perelman lives a seemingly ordinary life in New York City with her husband and two young children. Her self-crafted empire is a reminder that anything is possible.

Following her two award-winning cookbooks, Perelman’s recently released Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files showcases all the recipes that haven’t been disclosed to the public. These are the “VIP recipes,” the culinary jackpot of recipes many years in the making.

Smitten Kitchen Keepers walks readers through a mélange of unfussy, innovative recipes guaranteed to please even the harshest critics. After all, who could say no to slow-roasted chicken with schmaltzy croutons? Schmaltzy croutons! Or the deepest dish, broccoli cheddar quiche. This towering custardy spectacle of a breakfast centerpiece is not to be missed.

Smitten Kitchen Keepers is a beautifully compiled recipe selection that deserves a dog-eared card in the recipe box. The intent behind Perelman’s book is to catalog the best of the best: 100 tried and true new favorites. Her brief notes and stories behind the recipes make the book even more enjoyable.

Thanks to Bookshop Santa Cruz, Perelman will visit Santa Cruz to sign books and discuss all things Keepers. Local food writer and my former Good Times desk mate Lily Belli will join Perelman in conversation. I can’t imagine a better duo, so kudos to those who already secured tickets. Unfortunately, the event is sold out.

Still, that didn’t stop me from picking up a copy of the book. I’ve already delved in, and I’m currently enjoying a thick slice of pound cake—with more butter than I care to divulge. Zero complaints, though. Consider the enclosed freebie recipe for those looking to try it before you buy. A new twist on an old favorite: the chocolate chip cookie with salted walnut brittle is worth the extra effort of making the brittle (plus, it’s a bonus snack to reward your efforts before the cookies even hit the oven—score!). No electric mixer? No problem! Consider it a workout for your arm.

Given Perelman’s dedication to recipe testing and her fuss-free mentality, it’s no surprise that many consider her latest book her best. Perelman has also solidified herself as the ultimate “keeper” with Smitten Kitchen Keepers.

‘Smitten Kitchen Keepers’ is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. 831-423-0900; bookshopsantacruz.com

Opinion: Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit

Letters to the Editor

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January 18, 2023

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Opinion: Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit

EDITORIAL NOTE

adam joseph editor good times santa cruz local news

I remember it like it was yesterday. The now-defunct Rainbow Records was within walking distance from my house in Wilmington, Delaware. That was my spot. Unlike the chain record stores, Rainbow was the one place a 13-year-old could buy a CD that had one of those ubiquitous, black-and-white “parental advisory explicit content” labels on the bottom righthand of the front cover.
I braved the walk on a frigid December day as sleet pelted my melon—I shouldn’t have ignored my mom’s recommendation to wear a beanie—for Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). I had already listened to most of the record thanks to my buddy Bobby Pfeiffer, whose older brother always seemed to have the latest and greatest hip-hop albums before anyone else our age. That’s how I learned about outfits like N.W.A., Geto Boys and Ice T—a lot of great stuff that was probably a tad too rough for my innocent ears. On my trek, I replayed the album opener, “Bring Da Ruckus,” in my head, which kicks off with dialogue from an old kung-fu flick: “If what you say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous. Do you think your Wu-Tang sword can defeat me? On guard. I’ll let you try my Wu-Tang style.”
I had never known of any music group with so many members. And all of them—Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, U-God and Masta Killa (Cappadonna joined in 1995)—with voices that are so distinctive and delivered with unique cadence. There was something about them that was exciting, mythical and even a bit scary—the way the movie samples intertwined with explosive beats and violent, sometimes jarring prose that had sprinklings of humor.
As I came closer and saw the Rainbow Records awning, my pace sped up along with my excitement. I was also worried they’d be sold out or someone might snatch the last copy before me. That wasn’t the case. I had my own copy of Enter the Wu-Tang. Though it’s a tad scratched these days, I still have that same CD. And that’s how it went with most of the Wu-Tang members’ solo albums. Two years later, I walked the same route to get GZA’s, Liquid Swords. Like Enter the Wu-Tang, every track on Liquid Swords pops. It’s dynamic from start to finish.
It will be a treat for all those who will see him perform the record in its entirety on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Catalyst. It was an honor to talk to the icon—you can read our discussion in this week’s cover story.
Quick side note: Bobby Pfeiffer’s older brother Daniel became President Barack Obama’s senior advisor for strategy and communications.
Don’t forget: Best of Santa Cruz County voting is still open. Visit goodtimes.sc through Jan. 31 to show your local love.

ADAM JOSEPH | INTERIM EDITOR

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

View of the lower farmlands and ocean through the Life Lab Kids Garden’s Spiral of Life sculpture at the UCSC Farm. Photograph by Ross Levoy.

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

On Monday, people around the country celebrated civil rights leader and activist Martin Luther King (MLK). Still, the rain continued to pour in Santa Cruz, preventing outside organizations and marches. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Resource Center for Nonviolence rescheduled MLK Youth day to Jan. 28 and will soon release a date for the rescheduled annual MLK march. Stay posted at rcnv.org

GOOD WORK

During all this downpour, the Pajaro River levee system, which has been due for an update, began showing seepage, according to the county. The county took quick action and set out to repair the leak on Jan. 11. The repair—known as a “seepage berm”—started at an agricultural area more than a mile upstream of where the Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek meet. The repair is still underway but should be completed in the next few days.

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“Confusion is a gift from God. Those times when you feel most desperate for a solution, sit. Wait. The information will become clear. The confusion is there to guide you.”
― The RZA

Letter to the Editor: Do the Developers Win—Again?

Letters to the Editor

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January 18, 2023

7

Letter to the Editor: Do the Developers Win—Again?

Next week the City of Santa Cruz will open the bids for the job of clearing all plant matter under 5’ in height from the levee of the San Lorenzo River from the river mouth to the Highway 1 bridge. This work is being conducted as local developers and FEMA push the City into compliance with outdated thinking about erosion control and levy strength. The City Department of Public Works (funded by the taxpayers) had known about and planned for this project for 2.5 years but only brought this topic to the attention of the public when it was entered into the City Council’s December calendar, thereby actively supporting the clearing of the plant material. There has been no comment from newly elected Mayor Fred Keely, an avowed environmentalist. The environmental degradation this clearing will result in cannot be overstated.

For many years Jane Mio, permitted by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Rec and funded by the Valley Women’s Club, has gathered groups of volunteers to plant and nurture the environmental health of the River Estuary. The existence of well over 1,000 native plants cared for by Mio et al. has resulted in the establishment of an incredibly diverse environment of animals, insects, birds (both resident and migratory, including the bald eagle) and aquatic animals in this location, which will be wiped out and displaced if this clearing takes place. It should be noted that the allowance of increased vegetation along this corridor was supported and encouraged by the Army Corps of Engineers after UCSC Prof. Gary Griggs’ findings on the 1982 storm. It showed that increased vegetation did not interfere with levee effectiveness during high water events.

The Army Corps of Engineers own the levee. They were provided a timeline to update rules and regulations regarding the care of aging levees by June of 2023, which they have failed to begin work on. The levee health studies they are relying on do not include the reality that root structures in the soil help to retain that very soil, that plants covering bare ground help slow rain, reducing the impact of water when it hits the ground, that shading the levies helps cool the river, protecting the array of animals living in its waters, that runoff from the bare levies will silt up the river, smothering eggs laid by salmon and other amphibious animals. The list goes on. The reliance on these outdated parameters is due to the Corps’ failure to update its regulations. Updated regulations would include findings of Prof. Griggs—currently allowed.

At this late date, it seems that the very public servants paid to inform us of actions planned to be taken in our neighborhoods have failed miserably. Please, though, reach out to the City Council, Mayor Fred Keeley and Supervisors Justin Cummings and Bruce McPherson and express your concern about this project. At some point, the environment must be the winner, not the developers. Time is of the essence.

Beth Ahlgren, Felton

These letters do not necessarily reflect the views of Good Times.To submit a letter to the editor of Good Times: Letters should be originals—not copies of letters sent to other publications. Please include your name and email address to help us verify your submission (email address will not be published). Please be brief. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and to correct factual inaccuracies known to us. Send letters to le*****@*******es.sc

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