Watsonville High Grad Makes National FFA Competition

Local News

-

August 19, 2022

Watsonville High Grad Makes National FFA Competition

Juan Herrera has been busy since he graduated from Watsonville High School in 2021.

After landing a job with K&D Landscaping while still in school, Herrera rose through the ranks, starting in the maintenance crew and working on larger residential and commercial projects. During his time at K&D, he discovered his love of construction management, which he is now pursuing through an internship with Granite Construction.

He says all this was possible due to his time with the Watsonville Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

“When I was a freshman, I thought Future Farmers of America—I thought that all they do is farm, raise pigs and goats to enter in the fair,” Herrera says. “But then I got into it and saw there’s a lot more. There’s a big leadership side to it, competitions you can get involved in, and a lot of amazing opportunities.”

Herrera prepares to compete at the National FFA Organization’s convention in October after becoming a finalist in Landscape Management proficiency. Being a finalist means he made the top four in the country. He is only the second in Watsonville’s history to compete for a national title.

“We’re very excited to see him compete,” says teacher and FFA advisor Jessica Sweet. “He was the first state winner of proficiency at Watsonville High since our FFA chapter was formed in 1929. To watch him come full circle is amazing.”

Herrera’s job at K&D began as part of his FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience Project (SAE). These work-based projects aim to give students work experience outside of the classroom. They require that students complete 50 hours each year, which is part of their grade.

Students do SAE projects about growing plants (usually strawberries), creating their own businesses, or, in Herrera’s case, working for a local company.

“It’s a cool case where he worked at K&D as part of his school project, and that turned out to be what he wanted to do as a career,” Sweet says. “It doesn’t always happen like that, but it’s always pretty cool when it does.”

FFA students can maintain a membership and participate in competitions a year out of high school. Herrera first competed in Turf Grass Management proficiency at the state level in 2020 before taking on Landscape Management this year. He will undergo an interview process in September before attending the convention, where the organization will announce the winner.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Herrera says. “It’s been a journey. Now my goal is to go far at Nationals and set a high standard for the kids still in high school FFA. I’ve always said, ‘I don’t do this for me.’ I want to put Watsonville and FFA out there, too.”

Herrera thanks Sweet and his teaching partner Savanah Rhine for their guidance and encouragement during his time at WHS.

“They both pushed me to do this project and to compete,” he says. “They’ve given me so many opportunities and chances to grow. It’s been a cool ride.”

Herrera also thanks his mother, who he calls his “biggest supporter,” and Shane White, who gave him the job at K&D. He also highlights the crew at Granite Construction.

“I’m the youngest person [at Granite Construction],” he says. “I’m working with a great group of people teaching me a lot, giving me the opportunity to learn. Not a lot of companies would be willing to take somebody under their wing who is so young and inexperienced. I’m trying to make the best out of it and learn the most I can, have fun while doing what I love.”

Sweet praised Herrera for his hard work and positive attitude and wished him luck at Nationals.

“We’ve been building up a really good FFA program here lately, and Juan has been integral in that,” she says. “He definitely deserves this.”

Visit Watsonville FFA for updates and more information.

Watsonville Airport Plane Crash, Three Dead

Tarmo Hannula

-

August 18, 2022

0

Watsonville Airport Plane Crash, Three Dead

Two men, a woman and a dog died in a mid-air collision between two small private planes above Watsonville Municipal Airport Thursday just before 3pm.

One witness, Steve, who did not want to use his last name, said he saw the planes attempting to land when they clipped wings, and one plane appeared to flip on its side before crash landing near the beginning of the main runway.

Meanwhile, the second plane, a larger Cessna 421 twin-engine plane, continued down the runway and smashed into a grassy field, igniting it ablaze before careening into an airplane hangar. Officials at the scene said that plane had a man, a woman and a dog aboard. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

The airport hangar sustained significant damage.

The smaller plane, a Cessna 152, with a male pilot landed on its roof near the beginning of the runway off the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Calabasas Road and was demolished by the impact.

Franky Herrera said he saw the midair collision.

“I had just dropped off a friend and I saw the planes hit each other,” he said. “The large twin-engine plane had banked hard right before their wings hit. The small plane just spiraled down and hit the ground right here. I saw the other plane go off that way before it crashed.”

A large patch of dry grass was set ablaze when the twin-engine plane crashed before plowing into Hangar Y behind the Animal Clinic on Airport Boulevard.

This story will be updated

3 Watsonville City Council Candidates Run Unopposed

Local News

Todd Guild and Tony Nuñez

-

August 18, 2022

0

3 Watsonville City Council Candidates Run Unopposed

Kristal Salcido says that she had for months planned to spend the final weeks leading up to the Nov. 8 election walking door-to-door throughout Watsonville’s Fourth District to drum up support for her city council run.

On Wednesday, Salcido received the news that whether or not she decided to follow through on those plans, the Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney will walk into office later this year without a challenge.

Salcido is one of three candidates for Watsonville City Council that will assume office after the November election because they are running unopposed. Maria Orozco, a current Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee, will not face a challenger in District 3, and Casey Clark, a longtime community volunteer, is also running without an opponent in District 5.

The District 7 seat is the lone office that will feature more than one candidate in November. Incumbent and current mayor Ari Parker is facing off with former mayor Nancy Bilicich.

Salcido says that she still plans to do plenty of door-knocking over the next two months, even if she is not facing a challenger.

“It’s a huge honor and responsibility to be a steward of your community and it’s one that I take incredibly seriously,” Salcido said Wednesday. “Nothing has changed for me in terms of my campaign outreach. I think it’s really important that everyone, who I can reasonably reach, has an opportunity to meet me and to get to know me.”

Candidates running unopposed for local office is nothing new. This is especially true in Watsonville, which has for years struggled to get its residents involved in the local political process and largely cycled through seasoned politicians over the past two decades or so. Still, the upcoming November election will mark the first time that three or more city council seats will go unopposed since the 2012 election saw four candidates run without opposition.

Salcido, a relative newcomer to Watsonville’s political scene who will be mayor during her final year on the council, said she was surprised that more candidates did not step forward.

“You always hope that there are people who want to participate in government and community local politics,” Salcido said. “Nothing is changing for me in terms of what I’m going to do with the community, but I do hope that members of the community want to participate in our local elections and I would encourage it.”

Few people stepped forward to run for the PVUSD Board of Trustees, too. Area IV Trustee Daniel Dodge, Jr. and Area VII Trustee Jennifer Holm were appointed in lieu of an election and will serve another four-year term on the board.

But Area I Trustee Kim De Serpa, who has served on the board since 2010—thrice as President—will face off against newcomer Natalain Schwartz, who qualified for the ballot just as the Aug. 12 deadline closed. In addition, Area V Trustee Jennifer Schacher, who was first elected to the board in 2018, will face off against Olivia Flores, who works as Chief Financial Officer for Watsonville-based Flores Construction, Inc.

Open seats on the boards of the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency will also not show up on the Nov. 8 ballot because of a lack of candidates.

The Watsonville City Council recently had a discussion about apathy in local politics as the elected officials were giving themselves a modest pay increase during a meeting in June. The city council is paid $638.14 per month—included in their salary is a $10 per month contribution by the city for a life insurance benefit. The mayor receives an additional $100 per month, per the city charter.

The council opined on the roughly $7,600 annual salary they receive, and how they believed it restricted who serves on the council.

Councilman Jimmy Dutra, currently a candidate for Fourth District County Supervisor, said that it prevents young people from getting involved in politics and turns the seats into “a position for people who are retired”—only two of the seven current council members are younger than 40.

“It really prevents a certain demographic of people from participating,” Dutra said during the meeting. “I don’t even think we’re close to paying the council members enough so that we can attract more people to participate. I want more people participating in this process and, hopefully, we can get there one day where people can say, ‘OK, I can afford to do this, and I can take care of my family.’”

Watsonville, like many cities across the state, is limited in the amount it can pay its city council by its city charter. That all-encompassing document states that the council’s salary is determined by Section 36516(a) of the California Government Code, which restricts an elected leader’s salary by their respective city’s population. In Watsonville’s case, the city of roughly 55,000 residents can pay its city council up to $500 per month, along with an annual 5% increase.

Councilman Eduardo Montesino said during that meeting that the city council should revisit the charter to alter the salary limits as a way to entice more people to run for office.

“We need to be able to attract community members because—I’m going to repeat myself again—it’s a travesty that nobody ran in my district,” said Montesino, referring to the 2020 election in which he ran unopposed for the District 1 seat. “There should always be people willing to participate in putting themselves out there for the community.”

In an interview on Thursday, Montesino said the city got lucky that the three candidates who are running unopposed are all good people. He, however, had worries that the lack of competition might negatively impact the number of voters who head to the polls in November, a crucial election that will feature two city-backed measures.

“That’s my worry,” he said. “The apathy, it’s concerning.”

Here’s a quick look of the candidates who qualified for the Nov. 8 election in three other city councils across the county:

Santa Cruz

Mayor

Fred Keeley
Joy Schendledecker

District 4

Bodie Shargel
Gregory A Hyver
Scott Newsome
Hector Marin

District 6

Renee Golder
Sean Maxwell

Capitola

Three sets open

Alexander Pedersen
Gerry Jensen
Yvette Lopez Brooks (incumbent)
Joe Clarke
Enrique Dolmo, Jr.

Scotts Valley

Two seats open

Allan Timms
Derek Timm (incumbent)
Jim Reed (incumbent)

For a full list of candidates, visit votescount.com.

Watsonville Artists Create Covid Memorial

Local News

Johanna Miller

-

August 18, 2022

0

Watsonville Artists Create Covid Memorial

The City of Watsonville selected local artists Kathleen Crocetti and Monica Galvan to create a sculpture honoring residents who have died of Covid. After a year, the sculpture is nearing completion and is scheduled to be installed in the upper portion of Struve Slough in late August. The artists are asking the community to get involved.

The sculpture stands more than eight feet tall and depicts a monarch butterfly. One side is a glass mosaic by Crocetti. The other side, created by Galvan, will be covered in ceramic candles and marigolds, which the artists hope will be put in place by residents who have lost loved ones to the virus.

Crocetti says the idea for the piece came thanks to input from people she knew at the Muzzio Mosaic Arts Center who lost friends and family to Covid. A handful of conversations stood out to her—including one with a high school student named Erik, who had lost two uncles and an aunt.

“I talked to them, asked them what the Covid memorial should look like,” she explains. “They wanted it to be genuine, to shed light on the situation. They wanted it to be interactive in some way. They wanted it not just to remember the lives lost but also to not dwell on the past. It should be something uplifting. In their traditions, death is not necessarily the end. It’s a journey to something else.”

The symbol of the butterfly was chosen to represent transition. When completed, people can stand in front of the mosaic side, giving the illusion they have sprouted wings.

“I’m super excited about the placement,” Crocetti says. “It’s at the convergence of two paths at the slough, so you’ll stand in front of the butterfly, and the backdrop behind you will be the slough. It’s a beautiful location.”

Galvan’s ceramic side of the sculpture will also be interactive. She plans to have the marigolds, created separately, placed by locals at a special event on Aug. 27 (2-6pm) and Aug. 28 (noon-6pm).

“We’re looking for anyone who has lost someone to Covid or been extremely affected by it to choose a flower and place it on the butterfly where they want it to be,” Crocetti says. “We don’t have access to a list of people who have died or been affected. So, we’re relying on the community to spread the word about this.”

Soon, a website will also be launched where people can submit photographs, artwork, videos and stories of their loved ones, archived along with images of the sculpture and a map pinpointing its location. People can start preparing to send them items now.

Crocetti says she was glad to work on the project with Galvan, who is the founder of Arte Del Corazón, a group aiming to support local artists by, among other things, organizing open-air art markets and other events.

“I was really happy Monica took me up on my offer to partner with me,” she says. “I feel like my role as an artist in town, who has experience and privilege, is to elevate other artists. Partnering with an artist who hasn’t done a large-scale public art project is one way I can do that.”

According to the County of Santa Cruz, roughly 268 county residents have died of Covid, making the memorial incredibly poignant for the county’s southernmost city. South County was disproportionately impacted by the virus, as approximately 37% of the county’s known cases were reported in Watsonville, despite the city only making up 29% of the population.

“I’m really grateful to the city for making this project happen,” Crocetti says. “It shows so much compassion on the part of our elected officials that they would think this is an important thing to do. Our city is a city with heart.”

Crocetti, Galvan and everyone else involved hope that those who have lost someone or suffered greatly due to Covid can find some solace from the memorial.

“When Erik was telling me what he wanted, he said he wanted this memorial to be a place of healing,” Crocetti says. “A place where you can let some of your sadness go.”

For information and updates on the memorial, visit communityartsempowerment.org and artedelcorazon.com.

Exhibit Highlights CZU Stories, Survivors’ Art

Local News

Christina Wise

-

August 17, 2022

0

Exhibit Highlights CZU Stories, Survivors’ Art

In August 2020, local artist Mary May Tartaro almost lost everything. She and her family lived on 25 acres in the San Lorenzo Valley with multiple buildings on their property, including their family home, Tartaro’s artist studio, her son’s cabin, a guest house and their barn. When the CZU Lightning Complex tore through the area, Tartaro was sure that she and her family would return to rubble following their mandatory evacuation. Incredibly, the fire consumed four buildings on the property, but their home was untouched.

“We were incredibly lucky,” Tartaro says.

Tartaro has parlayed that luck into a voice for local artists. She developed the idea for “Together We Rise: Artists and the Responders of the CZU Fire,” an exhibit showcasing the work of various artists at the Felix Kulpa Gallery in Santa Cruz. The city’s Arts Recovery Design Program funded the idea, and Tartaro joined forces as the curator with artists Devi Pride, Jennifer Cordery, Jane Wrankle, Sam Clarkson and Liz Payne.

The pandemic had forced the artistic hive on Elm Street to shutter for two years. However, the gate swung open again on Aug. 5, 2022, marking not only the resumption of the gallery’s business but also the opportunity for artists to express themselves through their photography, drawings, sculptures, clay and more.

Tartaro aimed to shine a light on local artists impacted by the fire. “Together We Rise” features exhibits from artists in Ben Lomond, Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek and Swanton Road in Davenport.

The six participating artists had all been given small grants by the Santa Cruz City Arts Commission, lending to the excitement of the gallery’s return. With over 200 people attending the First Friday event, Tartaro says she and her fellow artists were blown away by the initial reception.

Each artist was asked to provide a personal story about their experience to display with their work; they also included a list of residents and organizations that helped support the artists in their time of need. There was a common theme among the artists’ stories: loss.

“We all shared our lists, and there was a lot of overlap between us,” Tartaro says. “It was a great way for us to thank all these people, show the resiliency of the artists and the tightness of the community.”

In addition to the stories, the exhibits and connecting with the artists, the First Friday event also featured Mountain Community Theater’s new film by Peter Gelblum, The CZU Fire in Their Own Words, which details the impact of the fire as told by San Lorenzo Valley residents.

“The screening was outdoors in the garden, which made a lot of people happy,” says Tartaro.

The show will run for two months, with another First Friday event planned for Sept. 2.

“In 2020, when the gallery closed, artists were displaced, so the grand reopening of the gallery was about how people bounced back from disaster and began their healing process,” Tartaro says. “It’s a display of courage and resilience and a way for everyone to tell their stories. It’s a celebration of that determination and how we rise together.”

“Together We Rise: Artists and the Responders of the CZU Fire” is on display at the Felix Culpa Gallery and Sculpture Garden, 107 Elm St., Santa Cruz. Visit felixkulpa.com for more information.

Homeless Census Shows Mixed Results in Santa Cruz County

Local News

Todd Guild

-

August 17, 2022

0

Homeless Census Shows Mixed Results in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has reduced homelessness among families by 59% compared to 2019, even as overall homelessness in the county increased by 6%.

That’s according to preliminary results of the county’s biannual Point-In-Time (PIT) count released Aug. 5 by the Housing for Health Partnership.

Santa Cruz County’s biannual PIT count, conducted on Feb. 28, provides an overview of homelessness over time in Santa Cruz County. The full 2022 report release is expected within two months.

The report also showed a 94% decrease in unsheltered homelessness and a 61% drop in the number of unsheltered youth.

The data shows that an estimated 2,299 people were experiencing homelessness at the time of the count, including 1,774 who were unsheltered, which is defined as living in a structure not made for habitation such as a vehicle.

While the numbers show a measure of success in the county’s efforts to house its homeless residents, the report also came with some dark clouds.

According to the report, the number of homeless veterans more than doubled from 2019, when that number was 151. And the number of “chronically homeless” people rose sharply from 403 in 2019 to 921 this year.

Additionally, the data shows significant increases in the numbers of homeless people who suffer from substance use disorders and mental illness, with those numbers at 1,073 and 818, respectively.

Homelessness among adults 25 and older was up 41%.

In a report on Aug. 9 to the Santa Cruz County Supervisors, Housing for Health Division Director Robert Ratner said homelessness has worsened since June 30, when the county disbanded its temporary Covid-19 shelter system.

Ratner was giving a six-month update on the one-year-old Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz program.

County officials say that the increases can be attributed in part to limited housing supply, limited community outreach and the stigma often associated with mental health conditions.

Funding is also a stumbling block, as the county faces an $8-12 million gap to get to the targeted 600-bed capacity, Ratner said.

The news was not all bad. According to Ratner, the county has met or nearly met its 26 milestones in addressing homelessness, including scoring $1.6 million worth of contracts related to eviction and homelessness prevention and moving 145 households into permanent homes.

The PIT count found just five families that were unsheltered on the night of the tally. Better still, no unsheltered children under age 18 were identified, which is a decrease of 51 from 2019.

The City of Santa Cruz plans to use some one-time state funds to create safe sleeping and shelter options for people living in the San Lorenzo Park “Benchlands” encampment.

Meanwhile, the county is working with the Central California Alliance for Health to increase shelter capacity by 80-100 beds, and to operate a 14-20 bed transitional housing program for young homeless people in unincorporated Watsonville.

The county’s Rehousing Wave, an $8 million partnership with various agencies and nonprofits, has since its May 2021 inception served more than 323 people, with 145 placed in permanent housing as of June 2022, Ratner said.

Moreover, the county has received some $53.5 million under Project Homekey, a state-run program that will fund the creation of new permanent supportive housing units through the Veterans Village in Ben Lomond and Park Haven Plaza in Soquel.

The county is also exploring a Homekey project application in unincorporated Watsonville.

The data came on the coattails of a report released in July by the National Low Income Housing Coalition that shows Santa Cruz County has the nation’s second-highest housing gap, defined as the hourly wage needed to pay rent on a fair market-rate residence.

Watsonville Hospital Purchase is ‘Going to Happen’

Local News

Todd Guild

-

August 17, 2022

1

Watsonville Hospital Purchase is ‘Going to Happen’

Through a series of contributions and donations, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) has gathered enough money to purchase Watsonville Community Hospital, ending months of nail-biting in which the fate of the 127-year-old institution hung in the balance.

PVHCD will close escrow on the $67 million sale by the end of the week. The purchase will be finalized on Aug. 31, Santa Cruz County Chief Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said Tuesday during a special Board of Supervisors meeting.

The only missing piece is roughly $6 million needed to allow the hospital to operate for the next two years, Palacios said, which is expected to come in by the end of September as negotiations with other potential donors continue.

“It’s very exciting news after a lot of effort over the past year,” he said.

The Supervisors were meeting to approve a series of $5 million loans from the City of Capitola, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Salud Para La Gente.

The Supervisors also approved loans from the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville, both of which unanimously approved them during Tuesday evening meetings.

The temporary zero-interest loans–which must be repaid in 60 days–were devised to cover an expected $25 million contribution from the State of California, which was delayed until September due to a state-level clerical error, Palacios explained.

The Watsonville City Council also decided how the proceeds from the sale of the Porter Building will be allocated, with $270,000 going to the PVHCD purchase, and $77,630 going toward the cost of the sale, including legal support, subdividing the parcel and surveying work.

The remaining $800,000 will be used to develop the city’s long-awaited 2050 General Plan, a proposal that disappointed Councilmen Jimmy Dutra and Eduardo Montesino, who said they wanted the money to go toward something tangible.

Councilman Lowell Hurst agreed but noted the importance of General Plans and how expensive they are to create and implement.

“We need to make sure the 2050 General Plan is actually bulletproof, that it can sustain court challenges, that it reflects the will of the city, but it also needs to take into account the needs that exist outside the city limits,” Hurst said.

Watsonville Finance Director Cindy Czerwin pointed out that part of the reason the General Plan has not been updated is the difficulty of finding ways to pay for it.

“This is another very difficult one-time item that needs to be funded,” Czerwin said.

Noting that Capitola and Santa Cruz have not donated any money to purchase the hospital, Dutra suggested that Watsonville reach out to those and other jurisdictions.

He explained that, for too long, South County has not felt supported by its neighbors to the north.

“The overload that Dominican would have if Watsonville weren’t around would really impact them,” he said. “So, it’s really in their best interests to help make sure that this hospital is successful.”

The Watsonville hospital’s storied past dates to 1895, but the chapter that brought it to the brink of closure last year began in 1998, when Community Health Systems (CHS) bought it.

Thus began two decades of shambolic corporate leadership, which included CHS creating a spinoff company called Quorum Health Corporation in 2016. That company sold the hospital to Los Angeles-based Halsen Healthcare in 2019.

Halsen immediately sold the physical building and grounds to Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust (MPT) and leased it from them in a sale/leaseback arrangement. That move was the only bump in an otherwise short-lived and unremarkable leadership. It ended when the hospital’s Board of Directors ousted Halsen after the company could not pay its bills.

When the hospital announced in November 2021 that it was facing imminent closure unless a buyer stepped forward, PVHCD did just that, having been formed a month earlier for that very purpose.

If the hospital closed, it would have shifted the brunt of the county’s emergency medical needs onto Dominican Hospital and forced residents to travel out of the county.

“That was just not an option,” added Salud Para La Gente CEO Dori Rose Inda, who serves as PVHCD’s treasurer.

Board of Supervisors Chair Manu Koenig said he’s glad the purchase process is nearing its end.

“I think we’ve got a really great opportunity to turn the hospital around, and I’m excited to get to the moment when we truly transform this organization,” he said.

Palacios told the Supervisors that keeping the hospital running over the coming years as it struggles to climb out of debt will be a challenge.

“It is a very difficult healthcare environment statewide, nationwide,” he said. “But we have a plan we think is going to be successful, and it’s the best plan that we could have developed.”

Things to Do: Aug. 17-23

GT Staff

-

August 17, 2022

0

ARTS AND MUSIC

AUTHOR MASON DEAVER AND ‘THE FEELING OF FALLING IN LOVE’ Bookshop Santa Cruz hosts a free in-store event featuring award-winning YA author Mason Deaver reading from and signing their new novel The Feeling of Falling in Love, which Bookpage calls “a satisfying, nuanced queer romance right out of the rom-com playbook.” Wednesday, Aug. 17, 7pm at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. bookshopsantacruz.com.

JOHN MORELAND WITH S.G. GOODMAN The tunes on John Moreland’s sixth full-length record, Birds in The Ceiling, released last July, are informed in some way by every piece of music that has moved the singer-songwriter over the years. Moreland’s songs radiate with lyrical nuances akin to early Paul Simon and James Taylor. When this up-and-comer performs, everyone within earshot is compelled to listen. $20/$25 plus fees. Wednesday, Aug. 17, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com.

CHRIS CAIN Longtime blues guitar great Chris Cain has been a Bay Area fixture for nearly four decades. Raisin’ Cain—the San Jose native’s 15th record—marks the bluesman’s Alligator Records debut, further cementing his street cred. “Hands down my favorite blues player on the scene today,” renowned blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa said of Cain. “He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King.” $31.50-36.75; $18.50/students. Friday, Aug. 19, 7pm. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org.

GREG LOIACONO The Mother Hips guitarist/Chris Robinson collaborator has made solo albums before, but Greg Loiacono’s recently released Giving It All Away is his best. Inspired by Curtis Mayfield’s mid-’60s brand of soul amongst others of the same era, Loiacono’s falsetto vocals alongside a killer band that included organist Danny Eisenberg (Jonathan Richman) and bassist Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) results in an authentic throwback with a modern edge. Genesis’ “That’s All,” one of two covers on the album, sounds like a forgotten recording plucked from the Stax catalog and given new life. (Read story). $20/$25 plus fees. Friday, Aug. 19, 8pm. Michael’s on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. michaelsonmainmusic.com.

SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS: THE FRINGE SHOW This year marks the return of the intern-produced Fringe Show at Santa Cruz Shakespeare, always a popular part of the summer season. Rebecca Haley Clark directs this production of Just Deserts by Carol Lashof—and yes, that’s the correct spelling. It’s a retelling of the Greek myth of Orestes, who was haunted by the Furies for his crimes. This dark comedy imagines what happens when a young man ignores the Furies’ warnings against matricide in a quest to avenge his father’s death—and must be judged. Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug. 23, 7pm. Audrey Stanley Grove, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.com.

SF MIME TROUPE: ‘BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE’ The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe opens their 63rd season with Back to the Way Things Were, a new political musical that asks the question: “After four years of presidential criminality, riots, plague and the undermining of the Constitution, is it a relief to get back to the good old days that led to all that?” The story centers around middle-aged liberals Ralph and Alice and their daughter Zoe, who grew up in a world of climate change, housing crashes, student debt and the fall of democracy. Free (donations accepted). Saturday, Aug. 20, 2:30pm. London Nelson Community Center (outside), 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. sfmt.org.

AGENT ORANGE WITH DECENT CRIMINAL AND CRITICAL RESPONSE The SoCal punk trio has been part of the scene from the beginning. Hell, Agent Orange helped create the scene out of crunchy feedback from their Fender Champs, blood, sweat and lots of angst. A new musical entity was born when they added a reverberated surf rock guitar sound to the mix. It just made sense to singer-guitarist Mike Palm. “Surfing, skating, skiing are things I grew up with,” he said before a show in Monterey about a decade ago. “For me, to combine high energy music with high energy action sports seemed to make perfect sense.” $18/$22 plus fees. Saturday, Aug. 20, 9pm Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.

COMMUNITY

SUNSHINE OF LOVE FESTIVAL A three-day intimate event created for the “sheer pleasure of having a good time with great music and great people in an impressive natural setting?” Yes, please. In addition to an array of bands and DJs—including Old Wood Players, Mystical Joyride and Galactic Embarrassment (SuperBlume members and friends)—there will be yoga classes, a fashion show, a roller skater who does aerial arts and a whole lot more. The property boasts everything from a tree house and tea temple to an art den and outside bathtubs. A portion of proceeds will go to Los Gatos Music & Art. $15-200. (VIP tickets include dinner Saturday and brunch Sunday). Friday, Aug. 19, 4pm-Sunday, Aug. 21, 6pm. Paradise Gardens (location TBA for ticket holders), Aptos. sunshineoflove.me.

SCOTTS VALLEY ART, WINE AND BEER FESTIVAL The premier Santa Cruz Mountains summer festival has something for everyone: more than 100 artists, live music, a “kid zone,” food trucks, Cops ‘n Rodders Car Show (Saturday), Dog Day (Sunday), local beer and wine and much more! Free. Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21, 10am-6pm. Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. svartfestival.com.

LIONS MIDSUMMER MAGIC MARKET More than two dozen local artists and vendors will be on hand, showcasing one-of-a-kind jewelry, handmade wooden toys, knits, fine art, collectibles, vintage clothing and more. Not only will there be live ukulele music, but there will also be free lessons available to anyone who wants to take up the miniature instrument. Aptos High will be selling tri-tip sandwiches and snacks, and there will be raffle drawings every hour. Proceeds go to local Lions charities. Free. Saturday, Aug. 20, 7pm. Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road, Aptos. 831-688-3356.

WINE, BEER AND ART WALK 2022 A huge shout out to the City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for creating the Wine, Beer and Art Walk. In its third year, attendees will receive a wine glass, a tote and a passport book featuring all downtown Watsonville tasting location sites—sample up to 21 wineries and breweries. This event was created to allow locals and out-of-towners to experience the incredible wines, craft beers, tasty cuisine and vibrant artwork while enjoying the historic downtown area. $35/$40 plus fees. Saturday, Aug. 20, 12:30-5pm. Corner of Second and Main Street (Civic Plaza Lobby), Watsonville. su************@***************le.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. 22, 12:30pm. WomenCare, 2901 Park Ave., A1, Soquel. 831-457-2273. womencaresantacruz.org.

OUTDOORS

BLACKSMITH HAMMER-IN Talented crafters will share their skills and dedication to the blacksmith craft with the community. The California Blacksmith Association’s 5th annual Hammer-In features demonstrations that “push the boundaries of hot metal.” Additional activities include gold panning, live music and Deputy with Dancing Horse, Silverado. Free. Friday, Aug. 19-Sunday, Aug. 21, 9am-5:30pm. Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Santa Cruz. roaringcamp.com.

PARKS AND REX POOL PARTY In its seventh year, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter fundraiser invites dogs and their people for a day of fun in the water—dogs are welcome to dive in, too (inner tubes and stand-up paddle boards will be available). Win raffle prizes (valued up to $850) and munch delicious eats from local food vendors (adult drinks donated by local breweries and wineries). Proceeds benefit SCCAS’ veterinary care for underserved pet owners and youth recreation programs and services scholarships. Free. Saturday, Aug. 20, Noon. Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. scanimalshelter.org.

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

Or, submit events HERE.

Mongolian Folk Metal Outfit the Hu to Play the Catalyst

Mat Weir

-

August 17, 2022

0

Mongolian Folk Metal Outfit the Hu to Play the Catalyst

The lights go dark as a pounding war beat fills the room. A slow, steady chant of “Hu! Hu! Hu!” erupts over the tribal rhythm as ungodly guttural sounds flow underneath. A melody of strings begins to dance in the air when the buzzing intensity of electric guitars comes crashing down in a rain of heavy metal destruction. This is the sound of Mongolian folk metal band the Hu.

Yes, you read that right. Mongolian folk metal.

Not to be confused with that other band, the Hu’s name stems from hunnu, the Mongolian word for “people”—which some believe to be the root of the “Hun” moniker (as in Attila). Similar to other folk metal found around the world, their sound combines the ancient instruments, and sometimes poetry, of their ancestors with the modern composition of hard rock and heavy metal.

“It is important for us to introduce the traditional Mongolian instruments to the world,” explains founding member Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar (known as Gala) through translator Solongo Batbold. Classically trained, Gala graduated from music school at the Mongolian State Conservatory and has played his instrument, the morin khuur—a traditional horsehead fiddle—for the past 22 years.

“These instruments already perfectly match for rock music. It was a fascinating idea to create new music that can be unique enough, but still save the components of hard rock and heavy metal,” he says.

Every band wants to label their sound “unique,” but when it comes to the Hu, it’s the only accurate description. Simply put, there’s no band like them in the West.

Along with the morin khuur, they also incorporate the tumur hhuur (mouth harp), tsuur (an end-blown flute), a tovshuur (a two- or three-stringed lute), khoomei (Mongolian guttural throat singing), war drums and chanting. It’s music as infectious as it is mysterious. Tapping deep into the listener’s primal instincts, it defies anyone within earshot not to bang their head while simultaneously chanting “Hu! Hu! Hu!” during choruses (and often between songs, which is way more fun than clapping). It’s a living example of the idea that music is a universal language that connects us all to each other—and something greater.

“When we were in Texas, there were a bunch of guys in the front row—and I kid you not—who knew every song, word for word, in Mongol,” Batbold tells me before the interview. “It’s a really incredible thing.”

The Hu formed in 2016 when music producer Dashka—who is based in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, as is the band—gathered the members for the project. However, it wasn’t until September 2019 they released their debut LP, The Gereg, named after a diplomatic passport carried by nobles during the 13th Century, under Genghis Khan’s rule.

Shortly after its release, the band embarked on a North American tour and quickly gained a following. In November of that year, two of their songs were featured in the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game. One of them, “Sugaan Essena,” has the band singing in a Mongolian-Star Wars hybrid language they invented.

The Hu also play an outstanding cover of Metallica’s “Sad But True” in Mongol, and were asked to record “Through the Never” for the Metallica Blacklist cover album.

“[Our popularity] has happened in a very short time compared to what we thought it would take us,” Gala admits. “We are all thankful for our fans and appreciative of their support.”

During the 2020 lockdowns, which found the band stranded in Australia for two months before they could return home, they took their time to write and record their sophomore album, Rumble of Thunder, which drops on Sept. 2. Continuing the Hu’s connection to their cultural identity, Rumble of Thunder drives at themes of respect for the environment, life and the Eternal Blue Sky of their ancestors.

“As a Mongolian, the Eternal Blue Sky is one of the things we have to respect,” Gala explains. “So we try to display that in our music. It’s not about religion, but the message it gives: peace on Earth, respect for nature, respect for elders and fundamentals of the Mongolian people.”

The band is currently touring with Megadeth and Five Finger Death Punch, but will be playing a one-off headlining show at the Catalyst on Monday, August 22.

“We have a great idea for our third album,” he says. “We’re still working on it, but we will really sit down and try some stuff after the tour.”

The Hu play Monday, Aug. 22 at 8pm (doors 7pm). $28.50 adv/$32 door/$127.50 VIP. Catalyst Club, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. catalystclub.com.

Greg Loiacono Celebrates New Record at Michael’s on Main

Adam Joseph

-

August 17, 2022

0

Greg Loiacono Celebrates New Record at Michael’s on Main

In 2021, Greg Loiacono released a single, “What Can I Say?,” a heartbreak soul jam; a quintessential throwback about a guy down on his knees pleading for his lady to forgive him—it’s not known what he’s actually done; he begs for her to let him stay.

“Will I see you again?” Loiacono croons in falsetto vocals. The entire tune is delivered in an authentic retro soul/R&B falsetto register conquered by luminaries like Curtis Mayfield, Al Green and Marvin Gaye.

Loiacono—a founding member of the popular Chico rockers the Mother Hips—has released a few solo records here and there, but nothing like “What Can I Say?” Singing a song completely using falsetto was a risk, but the singer-songwriter thought it was a risk worth taking. Plus, it was only one song.

“I feel like I can emote well when I sing like that, and there’s a nice tone that feels genuine to my feelings,” Loiacono explains.

Longtime buddy Scott Hirsch, who produced Loiacono’s 2020 solo record, Songs From A Golden Dream, mixed “What Can I Say?” and he immediately realized the potential for a full-length record, wholly immersed in that ’60s soul sound; beautiful, plain-spoken heartbreak music with reverb—all sung using the same falsetto vocals.

“Scott was like, “we need to make a whole record like that,” Loiacono says. “That was the impetus for [Giving It All Away].”

Loiacono has sung falsetto harmonies with the Mother Hips throughout the years but never delivered lead vocals in that octave on a song until recently, let alone an entire record.

But Loiacono went for it. He crafted an original soul sound using an amalgamation of his favorite soul classics. However, the songs Loiacono wrote didn’t come from a place of heartache, political unrest or injustice; he didn’t have any real-life struggles to tap into—he had just sent his son off to college and celebrated his 50th birthday. Also, he’s been happily married for several years. The singer-songwriter had to dig for the misery he could lean into for the sake of his art. Then, it hit him.

“It was during the beginning of the lockdown,” Loiacono explains. “I didn’t know where my career was going or if I’d ever play live again, so those ideas began to resonate.”

Giving It All Away is a tidal wave of emotion in the vein of Bill Withers, Mayfield (with and without The Impressions) and all the other late ’60s and early ’70s soul that has been ingrained in Loiacono.

“Mr. G”—not to be confused with The Bobbettes 1955 hit “Mr. Lee”—is a doo wop-flavored post-relationship walk on a rainy day; “Del Mar Station” is an R&B reimagination of a Mother Hips straightforward rock tune. Meanwhile, one of Giving It All Away’s highlights wasn’t penned by Loiacono, nor would it ever be considered vintage soul. Blue Rose Music founder and managing partner Joe Poletto, a longtime pal, suggested a soul-saturated rendition of Genesis’ “That’s All.”

“[Poletto] always seems to come up with songs that would fit perfectly,” Loiacono says. “When he suggested [“That’s All”], I was like, ‘really? A Genesis song from the ’80s?’”

Loiacono started messing around with the song; he stripped it down to nothing but nuts and bolts. The reimagined cover grooves with a tightly wound drum-bass rhythmic foundation, an oldschool organ riff and, of course, Loiacono’s falsetto giving the Genesis hit a complete soul makeover that feels nothing like the original.

The album bookend, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing”—written by Barbara Lynn and made a hit by Freddy Fender—is the only other song on the album not written by Loiacono. It’s also a perfect fit, especially with backup vocals from the legendary Vicki Randle (Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples), who will also be part of the touring band.

Giving It All Away is a retro soul record to its core that doesn’t mimic, nor does it attempt to recreate something that has already been done. Loiacono acknowledges the top-notch band that helped make the record sound so goddamn good. In addition to Hirsch, who produced the album and added some acoustic guitar parts, the band includes drummer Michael Urbano (John Hiatt), organist Danny Eisenberg (Jonathan Richman) and bassist Dave Schools (Widespread Panic). The album was recorded live (vocals and horns were added later) at Spacecamp, Schools’ studio in Occidental, California.

“The energy and the feel of those raw recording sessions lay the groundwork for the album’s amiable atmosphere,” Loiacono says.

Greg Loiacono performs a record release show Friday, Aug. 19, at 8pm. Michael’s on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. $20/$25. michaelsonmainmusic.com.

LATEST ARTICLES

LATEST ARTICLES

LATEST ARTICLES

LATEST ARTICLES

Santa Cruz

Mayor

District 4

District 6

Capitola

Three sets open

Scotts Valley

Two seats open

ARTS AND MUSIC

COMMUNITY

GROUPS

OUTDOORS