David Kinch: ‘Time for the Young Bloods’

Local News

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August 26, 2022

David Kinch: ‘Time for the Young Bloods’

Figuring that 20 years at the very top comprises an authentic legacy, award-winning chef David Kinch is saying goodbye to his three-star Michelin restaurant Manresa at the end of this year.

It’s not settled just what this will mean for Manresa, but Kinch wants to step away from the intensity of the celebrated kitchen in Los Gatos to focus on more casual culinary projects—the Bywater in Los Gatos, Mentone in Aptos and Manresa Bread in partnership with founder and baker Avery Ruzicka.

“Right now, I’m focused on celebrating the next four months with my team and going into the end of the year on a high,” Kinch told me today. “I have plenty to keep me busy with the Bywater, Mentone and Manresa Bread.”

Kinch added that he had “a couple of projects in the works,” but wasn’t ready to get more specific.

In the past two decades, Kinch has won all the awards that count, including membership in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and being named Best Chef in the Pacific Region by the James Beard Foundation.

I first sampled Kinch’s delicious potential back when he cooked at a small dining spot in Saratoga called Sent Sovi. His fame kept pace with his ambition, and the astonishing menu at Manresa, fueled by his own kitchen for many years, evolved and set styles for cuisine around the world.

If you’ve never had the memorable experience of dining at Kinch’s celebrated flagship, now’s the time. The menu, gorgeous food well worth the price tag, reflects the seasons and will be finessed by Kinch along with chef de cuisine Nicholas Romero and pastry chef Courtney Moisant.

Better make your reservation fast. Kinch’s remaining signature at Manresa extends for a mere four more months.

“Yes, 20 years—a lifetime in this business,” he added. “Time for the young bloods.”

Watsonville Artist’s Sculpture Heads to Burning Man

Art

Johanna Miller

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August 26, 2022

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Watsonville Artist’s Sculpture Heads to Burning Man

Every year, tens of thousands of people from across the globe gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for Burning Man, an experimental festival focused on art, self-expression and community.

The week-long event has participants arrive with their own shelter, food and water, and supplies to make art. It climaxes with the burning of a massive human-shaped effigy.

This year is the first time Burning Man will be held since 2019, and amongst the many sculptures scattered across the desolate landscape is one created by Watsonville metal sculpture artist Pierre Rich.

Dubbed “Golden Possibilities,” the 10-foot-tall piece, made of cut metal sheets, depicts a rearing palomino horse. When installed at Burning Man, it will be one of 10 horses that will make up “Wild Horses of the American West,” an exhibit aiming to raise awareness of wild horse populations.

According to the coalition, wild horse overpopulation in the West has resulted in environmental impacts, traffic fatalities and deaths of horses due to dried-up water resources.

“I love sculpting horses because they are beautiful, powerful creatures but also have an amazing historical connection to humans,” Rich says. “There are not enough resources to help wild horses right now. They are undervalued and overpopulated. We hope this project will make a statement about what’s happening.”

Rich says he created the piece through a grant from the Coalition for Healthy Nevada Lands. A friend told him about the grant only two days before the deadline, giving him enough time to develop a proposal.

“It’s not a huge grant, but enough to allow me to get some materials and give me the incentive to devote the time to it,” he says. “I’d also just sold another big sculpture, so I had enough resources and funds to keep me going.”

“Golden Possibilities” took Rich three months to complete. He worked on it nearly every day, preparing a template, creating a rough drawing, and manipulating sheets of laser/plasma cut steel sheets around the frame.

“At the end, it was a grind,” he says. “It was pretty stressful. But it worked out.”

Rich, who attended and participated in Burning Man off and on between 2006 and 2010, says the event provides opportunities for artists who might otherwise not have a space to display their work.

“[Burning Man] is special in terms of its ability to show off large-scale pieces,” he says. “There are some amazing works there that you won’t see anywhere else. The high caliber for showcasing metal sculptures is incredible.”

Rich also highlighted the unique community of cooperation at the festival.

“People from all walks of life, from different financial statuses, come to Burning Man,” he says. “It’s a real melting pot. It’s all about exploration.”

Wild Horses of the American West will include horse sculptures from 10 other artists and eight additional artists who volunteered to build artworks to accompany the group. After Burning Man, which runs Aug. 28-Sept. 5, some of the sculptures will be transported and exhibited at the Reno/Tahoe International Art Fair in mid-September.

After that, Rich says, there are plans to place some pieces, including Golden Possibilities, around the Reno area for six months. During that time, the pieces will be up for sale.

Rich says he hopes the exhibit will draw attention to the ongoing challenges for wild horses in the West while inspiring artists and art lovers.

“[The sculptures] should inspire awe,” he says, “not just for their artistry, but also for humans’ connection to horses, our coexistence.”

Learn more about Rich’s art at pierrericheart.com.

Pajaro Valley Arts Starts New Chapter

Art

Johanna Miller

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August 26, 2022

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Pajaro Valley Arts has had a busy week. The Watsonville arts nonprofit not only opened a new exhibit at its gallery on Sudden Street but also held its first event at the Porter Building, which the organization took ownership of on Aug. 1.

When the City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture hosted the Wine, Beer & Art Walk on Aug. 20, PVA officially opened the Porter Building’s doors to the public for the first time since purchasing the historic building from the city.

Guests could walk through two rooms and the main hallway of the first floor, where artwork from Pajaro Valley Unified School District students, teachers, and PVA-affiliated artists was displayed. Martinelli’s and Grocery Outlet were set up inside, offering food and drink.

“This building—it’s stunning,” said PVA’s Judy Stabile before the event. “The artists were looking around going, ‘look at the brick walls, look at all the hanging space, all the light.’ Even without any major modifications to the building, it’s a beautiful space.”

Stabile says that after the Aug. 1 sale, the organization immediately got to work, spackling and painting the walls. The city gave them a special use permit to participate in the Wine, Beer & Art Walk.

“This has all been the work of dedicated volunteers,” Stabile said. “It’s amazing to see it come together so fast.”

PVA plans to use the first floor as a gallery and a small performing arts venue and push out one wall to create an outdoor patio setting. Upstairs will include artist studios, offices and workshop spaces.

“The light in every room is extraordinary,” she said. “Every room has an incredible view of our town, the Fox Theater or the mountains. Imagine an artist working in one of these rooms, painting. It’s going to be incredible.”

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, the organization opened a new exhibit at their current gallery. Many Threads—One Cloth opened Wednesday. The show highlights artwork made from various fibers—from wool and silk to cotton. Local, regional and a handful of out-of-state artists are featured in the show.

Curator Roberta Valdez, a textile artist, says she appreciates the diversity of the medium.

“You see different materials, animal or plant-based,” she says. “I love the idea of diversity of threads, techniques, thought processes and creativity. And how different cultures use different materials. Storytelling, too, is very important. All these pieces have stories behind them.”

The show includes textile sculptures, clothing, large wall hangings, material displays and more. The broad range of pieces did present a challenge for Valdez and the other installers.

“We weren’t sure how it was going to go together,” she says. “But when things come together, and it all works, it’s magic—a miracle. Often textile artists don’t have the venues that other artists do. So, I’m proud we’ve gotten this up.”

Valdez, a relative newcomer to PVA, says she pitched the idea of curating a textile show earlier this year after another artist backed out of a scheduled show.

“I was introduced to PVA by a friend,” she says, “who suggested I volunteer for last year’s Día de los Muertos show. I was then invited to be mentored as a gallery committee member. Working with PVA has been amazing. Most are volunteers who are so talented and passionate about what they do.”

Many Threads—One Cloth runs through Oct. 2 at PV Arts, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. The opening reception at the gallery will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2-4pm. On Oct. 1, from 1-3pm, PVA will host “Wearable Stories,” a fashion show featuring the work of local artist Rachel D.K. Clark. pvarts.org.

How California Plans to Phase Out Gas Cars

California News

Nadia Lopez

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August 26, 2022

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How California Plans to Phase Out Gas Cars

New gasoline-powered cars will be banned in California beginning with 2035 models under a new groundbreaking regulation unanimously approved today to force car owners to switch to zero-emission vehicles.

In its biggest move yet to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and fight climate change, the new rule approved by the state Air Resources Board culminates a decades-long effort to transform the auto and power industries and change the cars people drive — the state’s leading source of air pollution.

The regulation is the first in the world to end the sale of traditional gas-powered vehicles and ramp up sales of cars powered by electricity. A small number of other states and nations have set only voluntary targets.

The proposal was first unveiled in April. In response to several board members’ concerns, the staff made minor revisions today to address issues related to electric car battery durability and added provisions to enhance assistance for low-income residents.

“This regulation is one of the most important efforts we have ever carried out to clean the air,” said Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph. “Our previous regulations to make cars cleaner made improvements, but those improvements were incremental. This regulation will essentially end vehicle emissions altogether.”

Automakers will have to gradually electrify their fleet of new vehicles, beginning with 35% of 2026 models sold, increasing to 68% in 2030 and 100% for 2035 models. As of this year, about 16% of all new car sales in California are zero-emission vehicles, twice the share in 2020.

The millions of existing gas-powered cars already on the roads and used car sales are unaffected by the mandate, which only sets a zero-emission standard for new models.

The switch to zero-emission vehicles marks a historic precedent that would ripple across the country, paving the way for other states, and perhaps countries, to follow.

John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing automakers, said automakers support the transition to electric cars, but called the timeline “very aggressive,” adding that it will be “extremely challenging” for the industry to adjust in time.

“Whether or not these requirements are realistic or achievable is directly linked to external factors like inflation, charging and fuel infrastructure, supply chains, labor, critical mineral availability and pricing and the ongoing semiconductor shortage,” he said. “These are complex, intertwined and global issues well beyond the control of either the California Air Resources Board or the auto industry.”

Environmental justice advocates, who had been calling for a sales goal of at least 75% zero-emission cars by 2030, expressed disappointment at today’s hearing. While the rule is a “step in the right direction,” the board missed an opportunity to include more robust provisions in the policy to make sure low-income people can afford them, according to Roman Partida-Lopez, legal counsel at the Greenlining Institute.

“California had an opportunity to set a stronger standard,” he said. “The board came up short by not making this a more stringent rule or one that has environmental justice provisions that are mandatory rather than voluntary.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom today called it “a groundbreaking, world-leading plan” that “will lead the revolution towards our zero-emission transportation future.” He touted $10 billion in state investments that will make it “easier and cheaper for all Californians to purchase electric cars.”

Concerns About Affordability, Durability

For many families, electric cars are an attractive option, but barriers keep them out of reach. New electric cars range in price from $25,000 to $180,000. Price markups at dealerships due to car shortages and high demand have also inflated the cost of some electric cars by more than $10,000, sometimes as high as $15,000.

Air board officials project that the cost of an electric car will be equal to a gas car’s price as early as 2030 as supplies surge to meet the mandate.

Despite the higher upfront cost, the air board’s analysis projects that drivers will end up saving much more in maintenance and operation expenses. Charging at home costs about half as much as gas for the same number of miles driven. Drivers in California already pay some of the highest gas prices in the country.

At today’s hearing, air board members, environmental justice advocates and members of the public echoed concerns they raised during a June hearing about the proposal—challenges with high vehicle costs, lack of charging infrastructure and consumer reluctance.

The state’s subsidy programs, designed to help low and middle-income residents who purchase electric cars, have repeatedly suffered from inconsistent and inadequate funding. Meanwhile, auto groups said the industry is already dealing with global supply chain disruptions, battery shortages, and other constraints.

Air board staff member Anna Wong, who is part of the agency’s sustainable transportation and communities division, acknowledged that the plan has a “stringent but achievable path.” Many of the changes they proposed in the revised policy include provisions to help manufacturers cut costs for consumers, she said.

Under the mandate, electric cars must have a range of at least 150 miles on a single charge. Batteries will need to be more durable and carry a manufacturer’s warranty. At least 80% of the original range must be maintained over 10 years, starting in 2030, a year earlier than initially proposed.

To ease the strain on automakers, the staff reduced the range requirement to 75% for the first eight years that a new car is on the road, extending it by an additional three years.

Automakers will be allowed to use a credit system that allows them to meet a lower percentage of sales if they offer cheaper cars at dealerships and participate in state subsidy programs.

To ensure enforcement, state officials could penalize manufacturers that don’t meet their yearly percentages with hefty fines of $20,000 for every car they fail to produce in a given year, according to air board staff. Automakers that fail to meet those requirements would need to get credits from another manufacturer that already met their targets. Air board staff also assured the public that they could amend the regulation at any point to address lingering equity and compliance issues.

Can the Power Grid Cope?

Critics say the state needs more charging stations as electric car sales surge. California has about 80,000 stations in public places, falling short of the nearly 1.2 million public chargers needed by 2030 to meet the demand of the 7.5 million passenger electric cars anticipated to be on California roads.

Another question remains: Will there be enough electricity? Experts say California needs a more reliable power grid, sourced from climate-friendly renewables like solar and wind.

California’s electricity consumption is expected to surge by as much as 68% by 2045. But the power grid—marred by outages and increasingly extreme weather — needs massive investments to attain the clean-energy future outlined in California’s five-year climate roadmap, called a scoping plan.

Newsom in recent months has been pushing the idea of keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open, introducing draft legislation earlier this month that would continue operations past its scheduled 2025 closure date. It’s part of a wider effort to maintain the reliability of the state’s increasingly strained power grid and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels as California makes progress on transitioning to renewables.

But the contentious proposal, which would give owner Pacific Gas & Electric $1.4 billion, has widespread opposition. A new draft bill is being circulated within the Legislature and instead proposes using that money for renewable infrastructure.

California already has the largest zero-emission car market in the country, with more than 1.13 million plug-in vehicles registered across the state. Nationally there are about 2.64 million. That means California accounts for 43% of the nation’s plug-in cars.

The board’s move today “is the most important action it has taken in 30 years,” said board member Daniel Sperling, who also is director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis.

California often sets tougher climate change policies that the federal government then follows. There are also at least 16 states that currently follow the state’s strict auto emission standards that are expected to adopt these regulations. These states, along with California, represent about 40% of the country’s new car sales, according to the board.

Healthier Air

Air board staff project that the new rule will reduce passenger vehicle emissions by more than 50% by 2040. That results in 395 million fewer metric tons of greenhouse gases—the equivalent of emissions from burning 915 million barrels of gasoline.

The rule is considered essential to reducing smog and soot pollution, which violates health standards in much of the state, and to meeting California’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.

Battling California’s severe air pollution for longer than half a century, the air board has long believed in the promise of an electric vehicle future, initially implementing a zero-emission mandate in 1990, requiring that 2% of new car sales between 1998 and 2000 be emissions-free, increasing to 5% in 2001 and 2002. The board reversed its decision six years later after automakers expressed concerns that the technology and battery lifespan were not advanced enough to comply.

“The mandate has led a very tortured life and it was basically weakened for almost 20 years and then in 2012, we started strengthening it again,” board member Sperling said. “So this represents an embrace of the original vision. It’s important for California, it’s important for the U.S. and it’s important for the world.”

State officials said Newsom’s $10 billion investment in vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and public outreach over the next six years will be a critical tool to ramping up sales and improving access and affordability.

The proposal comes just a couple of weeks after Congress passed a sweeping climate bill, which pours billions into clean energy projects and renewables. The new law includes electric vehicle tax incentives that offer up to $7,500 in rebates for Americans who want to purchase a new zero-emission car or $4,000 for a used one. That rebate, in addition to the state’s multiple subsidy programs, are expected to help provide some financial relief for car buyers.

Santa Cruz Begins Phased Closure of Benchlands

Local News

Aiyana Moya

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August 25, 2022

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Santa Cruz Begins Phased Closure of Benchlands

The Santa Cruz City Council moved forward with plans to close the Benchlands encampment near San Lorenzo Park, approving a $1 million budget to support the four-month, phased closure.

The Benchlands’ closure is estimated to cost the city $952,700, which includes transportation to shelters, trash pickup and the opening of additional shelters, among other expenses. The closure was originally scheduled for July, but because of various factors, was postponed until the end of summer.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Deputy City Manager Lisa Murphy detailed the ways the current situation is a threat to the environment, public safety, health and welfare. Murphy said the trash debris and drug use have wreaked havoc on the local habitat, and neighboring community members report feeling unsafe.

Not to mention, maintaining the camp is expensive: the city spends around $66,000 a month to upkeep the sanctioned encampment, an estimate that does not include staff time. The city pays for portable toilets, wash stations, trash pickup, running water and other expenses.

Starting this month, the city will begin the first of four phases in an effort to close the encampment and move people into shelters.

The first phase, which is already underway, will include fencing and closing the upper portion of the park, which will remain closed throughout the closure. In the second phase, the city will section off portions of the Benchlands and begin moving people out. The city will provide transportation to shelters and storage facilities for those interested in shelter options. The city is still in the midst of making these transitions accessible for those with disabilities.

This second phase will begin sometime in September, the city hopes, but that phase is contingent on the National Guard Armory, which will be managed by the Salvation Army and cost the city $1.7 million, getting up and running.

That’s because at the heart of this plan is a promise that the city says it intends to keep: to have enough shelter space to offer to everyone who wants it, before moving people out of the encampment.

Currently, the city’s transitional camps are full. The shelter at 1220 River St. is at capacity, serving 30 participants. The City’s National Guard Armory Overlook, which was propped up in May and offers 75 spaces for tents, has been at full enrollment since June. The inside of the Armory will provide another 60 spaces for those interested.

City leaders were frank about shelter limitations.

“We have to acknowledge that there’s not enough shelter in this community,” said Murphy.

Although the city plans on augmenting shelter space by handing out shelter vouchers for other communities and hotel and motel vouchers that the county will fund, there are limitations, she said. And when the city hits those limitations, the Benchlands closure will pause until more shelter is available.

Just earlier this month on Aug. 5, the County released its biannual Point-in-Time Count report, which gives a “conservative estimate” of the number of people and households experiencing homelessness. Between 2019 and 2022, there was a 6% increase in people experiencing homelessness (2,167 to 2,299 people). The city estimates 225 people are living in the encampment.

The council approved the $1 million, which came from a one-time $14 million allocation from the state, to support the closure in a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Sandy Brown dissenting.

Brown cited concerns that closing this encampment will simply move the issue to another location—a concern that some callers reiterated.

That discussion occurred in the afternoon session of Tuesday’s meeting. At the start of the evening session, more people addressed the council during public comment about the situation at the Benchlands. As the councilmembers were beginning to ask city staff questions about the resources available to people experiencing homelessness, several people began shouting at the elected officials saying that there none being made available.

“This is a bunch of nonsense,” one person said.

“You are killing people,” another person said.

Those people were escorted out by Santa Cruz Police Department officers as the council vacated the chambers for a recess.

In other actions, the council received a report on the SCPD from an independent police auditor, which suggested:

Strengthening the Department’s accountability systems
Shortening investigation timeframes to ensure investigations are completed on time
Develop training for officers, supervisors and dispatchers to prevent bias by proxy, which occurs when a person calls the police to report false or ill-informed claims about a person they dislike or have a bias against

Some callers said that because the SCPD can choose whether or not to implement these recommendations, the audit was rendered useless.

Target Announces Opening Date for Scotts Valley Store

Local News

Drew Penner

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August 24, 2022

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Target Announces Opening Date for Scotts Valley Store

After months of anticipation, Scotts Valley residents now have an answer to one of their burning questions.

Target Corp. announced Monday it would be launching its Scotts Valley store on Sept. 25.

“At approximately 55,000 square feet, the store will bring an easy, safe, and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the community,” a Target spokesperson said in an email to the Press Banner.

The revelation is a spot of good news following a devastating second quarter for the company. It saw profits drop 90%after it couldn’t unload products as inflation pinched American pockets.

Before, Target had been one of the few bright lights of the U.S. economy, as it was one of the businesses that could remain open in many states during much of the pandemic.

Target had initially wanted to build a 143,000-square-foot store on La Madrona Drive but pulled out in 2009, citing the subprime mortgage crisis.

After generating $4 billion during the pandemic to put into growth, it decided to pull the trigger on a multi-store purchase from Transformco Properties, the parent of Kmart and Sears.

As it purchased five Kmart stores—including the defunct husk at 270 Mt. Hermon Road in the Scotts Valley Square Shopping Center—it bucked the trend across most of the retail sector as consumers shifted dollars to online options like Amazon.

Last week, as cement was drying just outside his storefront, Brett Aeck, the co-owner of Earthwise Pet Supply, says Target’s arrival is bringing massive changes to the shopping plaza.

The property manager doubled their rent, forcing the business to close shop by the end of the month.

“They’ve kicked six of us out,” Aeck says.

Earthwise isn’t the only small business affected: Chubby’s Diner closed its doors on May 1 after the restaurant owners and property management could not agree on the direction of the location. The plaza owner says it was the restaurant’s decision not to participate in their new direction. Chubby’s management, meanwhile, says they wanted to maintain affordability levels for their clientele.

Target is not connected to the Pratt family, who say business owners will benefit from the influx of shoppers that the popular chain attracts. Aeck made an offer on the Payless Shoe Store location—20% more than he pays now per square foot—but it was rejected.

“I’m hoping we get the place across the street,” he says, referring to the Coffee Cat location, which he says is moving after a third Starbucks opened within a mile radius.

Kaiser Pledges $4.5 Million to Watsonville Hospital

Local News

Todd Guild

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August 24, 2022

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Kaiser Pledges $4.5 Million to Watsonville Hospital

With the purchase of Watsonville Community Hospital now a certainty, the nonprofit formed to make the acquisition got another bit of good news Tuesday when Kaiser Permanente announced it was donating an additional $4.5 million to the cause.

With a goal of $67 million to cover the purchase and operating expenses for the coming year, Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project has just $1.6 million left to raise.

Kaiser’s donation brings the total from the Oakland-based health care organization to $7.5 million.

County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios told the Board of Supervisors during its Tuesday meeting that the sale is expected to close by next week, and that the hospital will begin operating as a locally controlled health care district on Sept. 1.

Getting to this point has taken a Herculean effort, Palacios said, with some members of the PVHDP working the equivalent of a second full-time job to make the purchase a reality.

“It has been quite an effort, let me tell you,” he said.

And through that time, the community recognized the importance of Watsonville’s hospital, Palacios added.

“I think during the past year, the entire Santa Cruz County has come to realize the vital role the hospital plays in our healthcare system, not only in our County but also in our region,” he said.

In all, organizers raised more than $61.3 million in six months, a number County Assistant Director of Public Health Tiffany Cantrell-Warren said is unprecedented in county history.

“It really speaks to how important Watsonville Community is to our county’s health,” she said.

Supervisor Zach Friend said that while the fundraising goal has primarily been met, it doesn’t mean the county should relax but continue working into the future.

“It feels like the end, but it’s actually the end of the very beginning,” he said. “People’s lives will be saved, people’s health outcomes will be improved, and the next generation will be better off because of the work that was done, and what better compliment can public officials receive than knowing those things have been accomplished.”

Last year, when the hospital was facing bankruptcy—and during the uncertain period when PVHDP was raising the money—County and healthcare officials painted a grim picture of how WCH’s closure would affect the county. This included overloading emergency rooms in neighboring hospitals and forcing patients to seek treatment elsewhere for such needs as women’s health services, pediatrics medical-surgical care, and orthopedic and cardiac care.

“We want to ensure all residents have convenient access to the care they need so they can lead healthy lives,” said Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager for the Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County service area.

PVHDP has until Aug. 31 to close escrow before the sale is approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Jose.

WHC’s assets will then be under the control of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, the public agency formed to oversee the hospital’s operations.

Audio Provided from Fatal Watsonville Plane Collision

Todd Guild, Tarmo Hannula and Tony Nuñez

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August 24, 2022

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Audio Provided from Fatal Watsonville Plane Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board has begun investigating an Aug. 18 mid-air collision between two airplanes above Watsonville Municipal Airport that killed three people and one dog.

NTSB Airsafety Investigator Fabian Salazar said during an Aug. 19 press conference that the probe into the rare fatal crash at the small Santa Cruz County airport will take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete, “depending on the complexities of the investigation.”

However, Salazar said the agency would release a preliminary report on the crash in 14 days.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Textron Aviation Corporation are working with the NTSB on the investigation.

Salazar gave few details about the crash, which claimed the lives of 32-year-old Santa Cruz resident Stuart Camenson, Carl Kruppa, 75 and Nannette Plett-Kruppa, 67, both of Winton, Calif., just before 3pm on Aug. 18.

Camenson was a UCSC graduate who went on to work in the university’s IT department. He was also a cast member of Cabrillo Stage’s recent production of Candide.

Lauren Chouinard, a cast member of Cabrillo Stage’s production of Grease and a longtime friend of Camenson, described him as a “one-of-a-kind human being.”

“He is the embodiment of love, joy and authenticity,” Chouinard wrote to the Candide cast members in a statement shared with GT by Cabrillo Stage.

Chouinard said Candide was Camenson’s first theater experience.

“Whenever we would see each other on our off days, he would smile so huge and tell me about how much he loved everything about performing, from the music to the rehearsal process to all the love he had for his fellow cast and crew,” she wrote. “He told me often, verbatim, that his time with you all changed his life.”

Witnesses say that two planes, a twin-engine Cessna 340 and a smaller, single-engine Cessna 152, clipped wings while the Cessna 340 attempted to land. Kruppa and Plett-Kruppa were in the larger plane, while Camenson flew solo in the Cessna 152. Officials at the scene said a dog was also aboard the Cessna 340.

The three people and the dog were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to witnesses, the smaller plane appeared to flip on its side before crash landing near the beginning of the main runway off Buena Vista Drive near Freedom Boulevard. The other plane continued down the runway and smashed into a grassy field, setting it ablaze before careening into an airplane hangar, which sustained significant damage.

As an “uncontrolled” airport, Watsonville Municipal Airport does not have a control tower that guides air traffic. This means pilots are responsible for communicating with one another over radio frequencies when making approaches to land and while taking off. Salazar said pilots are not required to communicate, and he did not confirm whether Kruppa and Camenson in the Aug. 18 crash did so.

“We are working to get the radio communications that were occurring on that day,” Salazar said.

But multiple audio files posted to LiveATC.net, a website where users share live air traffic recordings, outline the back-and-forth between the two pilots before the crash. According to the audio posted on the website, the larger vessel’s pilot announces that he’s on the final approach for a “straight in” landing. Camenson then announces his presence over the airport, according to the audio.

As Kruppa announces in the recording that he is one mile from the landing strip, Camenson replies that he sees him.

“You’re behind me,” Camenson says.

A few moments later, he adds: “I’m going to go around then because you’re coming at me pretty quick, man.”

The next person that is audible on the recording announces there has been a collision.

“Everybody, please be advised there has been an accident toward runway 20; please be advised, Watsonville,” the person says.

Airport Director Rayvon Williams, who operates under the direction of the City of Watsonville, said that the addition of a control tower at Watsonville Municipal Airport would not be financially feasible at this time.

“The airspace around Watsonville at this particular time, nor the volume of traffic, would support the cost of bringing a control tower to the field,” Williams said.

According to FAA records, the single-engine Cessna is registered to Monterey Bay Aviation Inc. It is listed on the United Flight Services’ website as available for rent. That business, which operates out of the airport and offers plane rentals and lessons, said in a phone call on Aug. 19 that it had no comment on the crash.

According to FAA records, the larger plane was registered to ALM Holding LLC out of Merced County.

Salazar was unwilling to comment on the planes’ origins.

The last fatal crash involving Watsonville Municipal Airport happened in 2011. Four people died after a plane crashed into nearby Watsonville Community Hospital shortly after taking off.

The airport’s website says the facility is home to 333 aircraft and is used extensively by various businesses.

In addition, the website says Watsonville’s airport is the Tri-County’s—a region encompassing Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties—busiest per number of operations and based aircraft. It supports many activities, including private flying, flight training, ground school, aircraft rental, maintenance, air ambulance, law enforcement aviation, air charter, skydiving and many other aviation-related business concerns.

Williams said that the airport community was still trying to process the crash.

“It’s a small community, and there are people here that are certainly grieving,” he said.

Things to Do: Aug. 24-30

GT Staff

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August 24, 2022

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ARTS AND MUSIC

PAULA FUGA “My wish is to play music all over the world and use my gift of music to heal people,” says Paula Fuga, who had a difficult childhood. The singer-songwriter fuses soul, jazz and traditional Hawaiian music to create something uniquely her own. Fuga has toured with Jack Johnson and recorded with Ziggy Marley—both musicians are also featured on her EP Misery’s End. Meanwhile, the Waimānalo, Hawaii native’s sophomore full-length album, Rain on Sunday, marked her debut on Johnson’s record label Brushfire Records. $20/$25 plus fees. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 8pm Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.

BOOKER T. JONES (CANCELED) “The original desire hasn’t changed at all [for me], from 1962 until now,” Booker T. Jones said a few weeks before Booker T. & the M.G.’s performance at the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival in 2017. “You get up in the morning and want to write a song.” In addition to penning the renowned 12-bar blues classic “Green Onions,” Jones has worked in just about every musical genre, from R&B to traditional Texas country—he produced Willie Nelson’s 1974 album of standards, Stardust. Jones’ momentum continues moving forward: He is working on a new album and touring with his solo band, featuring Dylan Jones on guitar, Melvin Brannon on bass and Ty Dennis on drums. $47.25/$52.50; $26.25/students. Thursday, Aug. 25, 7pm and 9pm ($36.25/$42; $21/students) Kuumbwa, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org.

PAINTED MANDOLIN WITH JOE CRAVEN “[Jerry Garcia] is famous for being an electric guitarist, but he’s a very good acoustic guitarist,” Painted Mandolin guitarist/mandolinist Larry Graff says. “People that aren’t Deadheads would like this music more because it covers a wide range of styles.” Painted Mandolin doesn’t exclude any inkling of Garcia’s “acoustic side.” From Jerry Garcia Band favorite “Reuben and Cerise” to one of the Dead’s most well-known songs, “Uncle John’s Band,” the group touches on everything Garcia touched on. Mandolinist Joe Craven (formerly of the Garcia/Grisman Band and the David Grisman Quintet), Larry Graff (guitar/mandolin), Matt Hartle (guitar/banjitar) and Dan Robbins (bass) also unleash original arrangements that can carry listeners to other dimensions. $25. Friday, Aug. 26, 7:30pm. Michael’s on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. michaelsonmainmusic.com.

FORREST DAY WITH DRIFTR PLUS ALWA GORDON “The music is moving into some uncharted territories,” said the Paul Bunyan-sized band namesake before a Big Sur show eight years ago. “Some may be going more electronic, but I guess much of it will remain to be told.” The saxophone-wielding frontman’s open-ended description of the band’s music is still spot on: It will remain to be told. While Forrest Day bounces from hip-hop and rock to electronica and funk, one element has remained consistent for their nearly 15-year tenure: unforgettable, high-octane sweaty live shows that always jam hard. $19/$21 plus fees. Friday, Aug. 26, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com.

BRIAN FITZGERALD TRIO Bassist Mike Anderson and drummer Olaf Schiappacasse join seven-string guitarist Brian Fitzgerald—each member is a gifted jazz musician. This trio uses seemingly telepathic communication skills to create thoughtful, sophisticated arrangements that feature a modern, captivating and unique sound that provides solid melodic footing while leaving room for spontaneity. Free. Friday, Aug. 26, 6:30pm. Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. hotelparadox.com.

MONDO CHAGA WITH KING TIDE AND SWEETS DENDRO As described by the band, Mondo Chaga is meant to exfoliate the membrane, expose the conditioned dulling of the senses and prepare those who may have forgotten what is coming; those who have become lazily attached to the cliche taste which has no taste. Leading Santa Cruz’s rock revival, “King Tide is undeniably, unabashedly rock.” Frontman Daniel Nemire works alongside veteran drummer Zen Perry and a variety of other musicians, creating everything from metal to blues rock. $12. Saturday, Aug. 27, 8pm. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. thecrepeplace.com.

‘THE FORMULA’ Local playwright Kathryn Chetkovich’s new work, a satirical farce inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, centers around a young neuro-chemist experimenting with the science of attraction. But when the “love drug” gets brought to her own wedding, comic chaos ensues. This is the closing week. Thursday, Aug. 25, 7:30pm and Sunday, Aug. 28, 1pm. The Grove at DelaVeaga Golf Course, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.org.

‘THE TEMPEST’ Miriam Laube directs Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of the Bard’s famous tale. Featuring a gender-switched Prospero (Laura Gordon) and a laugh-out-loud-worthy clown contingent (Patty Gallagher as Trinculo and Cedric Lamar as Stephano, along with a delightful interpretation of Ariel by Jennie Greenberry), Laube has created a truly fascinating take on the timeless tale of aristocrats facing their past when they’re shipwrecked on an island by a mysterious sorcerer they had cast out. This is the closing week. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7:30pm and Saturday, Aug. 27, 8pm. The Grove at DelaVeaga Golf Course, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.org.

‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ SCS’ Twelfth Night is a hilarious take on Shakespeare’s classic. Featuring perhaps the ultimate version of some of the playwright’s favorite comic themes (Twins! Female leads disguising themselves as boys!), Twelfth Night is one of the Bard’s best, and director Paul Mullins turns the themes of gender-bending and subversive sexual identity all the way up, with a cast of the company’s all-stars at the height of their comic powers. Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27, 8pm, plus closing night on Sunday, Aug. 28, 7pm. The Grove at DelaVeaga Golf Course, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.org.

WOLF JETT WITH ARENA Self-described as “Cosmic Mountain Music from Santa Cruz,” Wolf Jett’s brand of Americana fusion exploded onto the scene in 2019. Despite losing their studio to the CZU Lightning fires, the band still released their self-titled debut in 2021, featuring James Deprato (Chuck Prophet), Stelth Ulvang (The Lumineers) and Lorenzo Loera (the California Honeydrops). The event sponsor, Kiwanis of Scotts Valley, will sell food and drinks. Free (donations go towards local school music programs). Sunday, Aug. 28, 2:30pm. Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. santacruzparent.com.

COMMUNITY

MONTEREY BAY DAHLIA SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW There are 42 species of Dahlia within 14 groups, and its flower head can grow up to a foot in diameter. The tuberous perennials are one of the most requested flowers by professional landscapers. The show will feature Central California’s award-winning blooms and growers. There will be a culture table to answer all dahlia-related questions and bouquets for sale—while they last. Free. Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28, 11am. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds (Floriculture Building), 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. mbdahlias.org.

GROUPS

WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM This cancer support group is for women with advanced, recurrent or metastatic cancer. The group meets every Monday and is led by Sally Jones and Shirley Marcus. Free (registration required). Monday, Aug. 29, 12:30pm. WomenCare, 2901 Park Ave., A1, Soquel. 831-457-2273. womencaresantacruz.org.

OUTDOORS

MINDFULNESS TOUR Treat yourself to an outer and inner exploration on a walk through an area of Elkhorn Slough that reserve docent Renata Funke has been enjoying for 30 years. Experience the various habitats throughout this natural wonderland, which is home to many species of birds and more. The two-hour tour covers about two miles of moderate-grade trail. Free (registration required). Saturday, Aug. 27, 2-4pm. Elkhorn Slough, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. elkhornslough.org.

Email upcoming events to Adam Joseph at least two weeks beforehand.

Or, submit events HERE.

The Never HasBeens’ Unbridled Rock Energy is Contagious

Adam Joseph

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August 24, 2022

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The Never HasBeens’ Unbridled Rock Energy is Contagious

“It felt like an itch that we couldn’t scratch for two years,” says the Never HasBeens frontman David St. Paul. “We had so many songs ready to go.”

Like musicians worldwide, the Never HasBeens were forced to step away from performing live for nearly two years; their frustration was exacerbated by the fact that the trio had just formed and believed they had something extraordinary. The vibe was natural, like it was meant to be. The first time they got together and jammed, it was lightning in the bottle.

St. Paul (guitar, vocals), Loren Gustafson (bass, vocals) and Gary Montrezza (drums) are all seasoned musicians who have been playing in bands for decades. But it never got to the point where they could focus solely on careers in music—St. Paul works in healthcare and is an instructor at Cabrillo College, Gustafson is also in the education field and Montrezza is the CEO of a San Jose nonprofit. So, at this point, the threesome isn’t expecting that big break or waiting to be discovered; they’re all just doing something they love without any expectations.

“I write [songs] because I have to,” says St. Paul. “Things just come to me, so I don’t have a choice.”

St. Paul already had about 30 songs in his back pocket when the outfit first got together in 2018, and Gustafson also had a bunch of tunes. The trio immediately recorded a three-song EP featuring “Little Demons,” which sounds like it could be a lost Elvis Costello song.

Before they could officially introduce themselves to Santa Cruz, everything was locked down. But they were able to use the time to hone their sound and connect on a more profound musical level. They also had time to pepper their live set with some choice covers—deep cuts from bands like the Clash and Wilco. By the time restrictions were lifted, St. Paul, Gustafson and Montrezza were ready to record their full-length debut.

“We were fortunate because post-Covid, studios weren’t very busy,” St. Paul says. “[Suspect Studios in San Jose] was looking for talent to come in and record, so we went for it.”

From April through July, the band recorded and came out the other side with We Will Not Be Unheard, a country punk-alt-rock hybrid intertwined with the fingerprints of Santa Cruz. St. Paul was inspired to pen “Radio Songs,” a catchy indie throwback to early 90s MTV “Buzz Bands” like the Gin Blossoms, after hearing Wilco’s cover of the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” on KZSC. “Radio songs they came out of my window/‘Waterloo Sunset’ covered by Wilco,” St. Paul sings. There’s even a shout-out to the local radio station: “As the radio waves began to rise from the left of the dial/The ‘Great Eighty-Eight’ still survives.”

“KZSC is a huge influence,” St. Paul says. “They have great radio shows up there, and still play the old-school radio format that I grew up with in the ’80s and ’90s, so I appreciate them for that.”

Minus the rowdiness and heavy ingestion of illicit substances, St. Paul notes the Replacements as another influence, evident in the Never HasBeens’ post-punk “Question Mark.”

“Back in 1982, how was it for you?” St. Paul sings with a retro shakiness reminiscent of Paul Westerberg. Beyond the simplicity of the speedy pop-punk power chords, the trio nails the whole awkward youth themes that run throughout so much of what makes the Replacements relatable to millions of teens.

The We Will Not Be Unheard bookend “The Last” isn’t like any other tune on the record—not even close. The ballad employs a 6/8-time signature, a standard jazz tempo, and is a vault of emotions that sounds like it hasn’t been opened in decades: “This is the last tear I’ll cry, the last time I’ll ask to change your mind, the last thing I’ll ever do,” the trio sings in harmony. The trio isn’t made up of youngsters just getting started, so the concept of “The Last” drums up some heavy feelings in St. Paul.

“The song grabs me every time I hear it,” he says.

It’s been a long road for St. Paul as a songwriter who’s been at it since he was about 12, when he first started listening to Bob Dylan.

“I’ve gone through many evolutions, but Bob’s the guy who got me interested in writing,” he says.

St. Paul is dedicated to the art of crafting lyrics; he studies masters like Costello, John Lennon, Jeff Tweedy and others who have the uncanny ability to create weighty statements using a minimal number of words.

“I get lucky sometimes when I write something concise and to the point that gets my ideas across,” he says. “Also, when I started, I was always self-conscious about my singing, and I’d ask myself, ‘Is this appropriate? Do I want to make such personal statements?’ I have no problem making those statements now, because it’s who I am. When people appreciate the songs, that’s also a motivator, but it’s not why I write.”

On Sunday, Aug. 28, at 11:30am, Gustafson and St. Paul will share some of the new tunes on ‘Please Stand By’ on KPIG. The Never Hasbeens perform Saturday, Sept. 3 at 9pm at Coasters Bar & Grill at Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St, Santa Cruz. Free (complimentary CDs for attendees). boardwalkbowl.com.

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