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A Strange Low-Speed Chase Leads to Felony Arrest

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December 20, 2022

A Strange Low-Speed Chase Leads to Felony Arrest

A 23-year-old man was arrested late Saturday night after he led police from multiple agencies on a bizarre low-speed chase around Watsonville and Pajaro.

The string of events started around 7:35pm when Watsonville Police got a call regarding a possible carjacking at gunpoint in the McDonald’s parking lot in the Overlook Center on Main Street. A short while later, police spotted the Honda Accord being driven by a man up and down Main Street, back to the Target store parking lot where he led police on a slow-speed chase around the lot before fleeing along Main Street, according to Sgt. Donny Thul.

For a short while, police lost track of the suspect, later identified as Enrique Enriquez, 23, of Royal Oaks, but he resurfaced and another slow speed chase ensued. Eventually, police found the Honda abandoned with the engine running next to Little Cesar’s Pizza on Freedom Boulevard around 8:50pm.

That’s when someone alerted police that their Toyota Highlander had just been carjacked, Thul said. Dispatchers at the 911 center issued a countywide alert for the beige SUV.

Moments later, Watsonville Police got behind the suspect vehicle in pursuit. The chase criss-crossed the city map, including Clifford Avenue, Pennsylvania Drive, Green Valley Road and on Main Street, over the county line and into Pajaro, mostly maintaining speeds between 20 and 40 mph.

Enriquez made a U-turn on Salinas Road in Pajaro, drove back into Watsonville and made his way up to Pennsylvania and Main, with numerous patrol cars in pursuit, where he caused a major traffic crash involving at least three vehicles. Watsonville Fire officials reported they were dealing with three injuries.

But that didn’t stop him. Enriquez drove west on Green Valley Road, south on Main Street, right on Ohlone Parkway, onto Walker and then Rodriguez Street.

Just before 10pm, the Highlander—with the California Highway Patrol joining Watsonville Police in the chase—crossed over the Pajaro River into Pajaro again, where Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies were waiting. They conducted a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver, tapping the rear section of the Highlander with their patrol car and causing the SUV to spin around and stop. That’s when police moved in at gunpoint in a high-risk car stop and took Enriquez into custody as dozens of onlookers crowded the roadway for a view of the drama.

Enriquez was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail without bail on multiple charges, including carjacking, felony hit and run, felony evading police, concealing a handgun and other charges.

Rob Brezsny’s Astrology: Dec. 21-27

Rob Brezsny

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December 20, 2022

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries author Eric G. Wilson has written a book that I might typically recommend to 40 percent of the Aries tribe. But in 2023, I will raise that to 80 percent of you. The title is How to Be Weird: An Off-Kilter Guide to Living a One-of-a-Kind Life. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it will make sense for you to stop making sense on a semi-regular basis. Cheerfully rebelling against the status quo should be one of your most rewarding hobbies. The best way to educate and entertain yourself will be to ask yourself, “What is the most original and imaginative thing I can do right now?”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): One of your potential superpowers is cultivating links between the spiritual and physical worlds. If you develop this talent, you illuminate the ways that eternity permeates the everyday routine. You weave together the sacred and the mundane so they synergize each other. You understand how practical matters may be infused with archetypal energies and epic themes. I hope you will be doing a lot of this playful work in 2023, Taurus. Many of us non-Bulls would love you to teach us more about these mysteries.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here are fun and useful projects for you to cultivate in 2023: 1. Initiate interesting trends. Don’t follow mediocre trends. 2. Exert buoyant leadership in the groups you are part of. 3. Practice the art of enhancing your concentration by relaxing. 4. Every Sunday at noon, renew your vow to not deceive or lie to yourself during the coming week. 5. Make it your goal to be a fabulous communicator, not just an average one. 6. Cultivate your ability to discern what people are hiding or pretending about.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In 2023, I hope you will refine and deepen your relationship with your gut instinct. I will be ecstatic if you learn more about the differences between your lucid intuition and the worry mongering that your pesky demons rustle up. If you attend to these matters—and life will conspire to help you if you do—your rhythm will become dramatically more secure and stable. Your guidance system will serve you better than it ever has. A caveat: Seeking perfection in honing these skills is not necessary. Just do the best you can.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Psychiatrist and author Irvin Yalom wrote, “The question of meaning in life is, as the Buddha thought, not edifying. One must immerse oneself into the river of life and let the question drift away.” But Holocaust survivor and philosopher Viktor Frankl had a radically different view. He said that a sense of meaning is the single most important thing. That’s what sustains and nourishes us through the years: the feeling that our life has a meaning and that any particular experience has a meaning. I share Frankl’s perspective, and I advise you to adopt his approach throughout 2023. You will have unprecedented opportunities to see and know the overarching plan of your destiny, which has been only partially visible to you in the past. You will be regularly blessed with insights about your purpose here on earth.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): As a young woman, Virgo-born Ingeborg Rapoport (1912–2017) studied medicine at the University of Hamburg in Germany. But in 1938, the Nazis refused to let her defend her PhD thesis and get her medical degree because of her Jewish ancestry. Seventy-seven years later, she was finally given a chance to finish what she had started. Success! The dean of the school said, “She was absolutely brilliant. Her specific knowledge about the latest developments in medicine was unbelievable.” I expect comparable developments for you in 2023, Virgo. You will receive defining opportunities or invitations that have not been possible before. Postponed breakthroughs and resolutions will become achievable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Of the 2,200+ humans quoted in a 21st-century edition of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 164 are women—a mere seven percent! At least that’s more than the four females represented in 1855’s first edition. Let’s take this atrocious injustice as our provocation for your horoscope. In accordance with astrological omens, one of your assignments in 2023 will be to make personal efforts to equalize power among the genders. Your well-being will thrive as you work to create a misogyny-free future. Here are possible actions: If you’re a woman or nonbinary person, be extra bold and brave as you say what you genuinely think and feel and mean. If you’re a man, foster your skills at listening to women and nonbinary people. Give them abundant space and welcome to speak their truths. It will be in your ultimate interest to do so!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To prepare you for 2023, I’m offering you wisdom from mythologist Michael Meade. Of all the signs in the zodiac, you Scorpios will be most likely to extract riches from it. Meade writes: “Becoming a genuine individual requires learning the oppositions within oneself. Those who fail or refuse to face the oppositions within have no choice but to find enemies to project upon. ‘Enemy’ simply means ‘not-friend’; unless a person deals with the not-friend within, they require enemies around them.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best,” declared Sagittarian opera singer Maria Callas (1923–1977). Many critics say she was indeed one of the 20th century’s best. The consensus is that she was also a temperamental prima donna. Impresario Rudolf Bing said she was a trial to work with “because she was so much more intelligent. Other artists, you could get around. But Callas you could not get around. She knew exactly what she wanted and why she wanted it.” In accordance with astrological omens, Sagittarius, I authorize you, in your quest for success in 2023, to be as “difficult” as Callas was, in the sense of knowing exactly what you want. But please—so as to not undermine your success—don’t lapse into diva-like behavior.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): To inspire your self-inquiry in 2023, I have chosen a passage from Herman Hesse’s fairy tale, “A Dream Sequence.” It will provide guidance as you dive further than ever before into the precious mysteries in your inner depths. Hesse addressed his “good ardent darkness, the warm cradle of the soul and lost homeland.” He asked them to open up for him. He wanted them to be fully available to his conscious mind. Hesse said this to his soul: “Just feel your way, soul, just wander about, burrow into the full bath of innocent twilight drives!”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Cardiovascular surgeon Michael DeBakey lived till age 99. He almost died at 97, but was able to capitalize on an invention that he himself had created years before: a polymer resin that could repair or replace aging blood vessels. Surgeons used his technology to return him to health. I am predicting that in 2023, you, too, will derive a number of benefits from your actions in the past. Things you made, projects you nurtured and ideas you initiated will prove valuable to you as you encounter the challenges and opportunities of the future.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I decided to divine the state of your financial karma. To begin, I swirled a $10 bill through the flame rising from a green candle. Then I sought cosmic auguries in the burn patterns on the bill. The oracle provided bad news and good news. The bad news is that you live on a planet where one-fifth of the population owns much more than four-fifths of the wealth. The good news is that in 2023, you will be in decent shape to move closer to the elite one-fifth. Amazingly, the oracle also suggests that your ability to get richer quicker will increase in direct proportion to your integrity and generosity.

Homework: What circumstance in your life is most worthy of you unleashing a big “Hooray!”? Testify! newsletter.freewillastrology.com.

The Future of a Longtime Food Columnist

Christina Waters

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December 20, 2022

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For the past 35 years, I’ve eaten every meal with a pen in my hand—and more recently, a cell phone—all for a weekly food column. Some weeks I’ve got lots of material; a new restaurant, an exciting dish, a wine tasting, the latest farmers market harvest. Other weeks I’ve got nothing! But I still have a column to write. The stress! The panic! The last-minute anxiety! You get the idea. Some weeks I’m inspired, and the words roll off my fingertips, into my keyboard and onto the page or screen. Other weeks, not so much. You have no idea how often I’ve had to wrack my brain about a new favorite food, or some must-have pantry item. Or what I bought the week before and loved from Shoppers. I have had to spin straw into gold more times than Elon Musk has changed his mind. But no more!

Here’s the deal: as of Jan. 1, I’m stepping away from writing a weekly column about food, wine and restaurants. Oh, I’ll still do restaurant reviews. Once a month—at least. But not the relentless weekly pace of foraging for food-column material.

This is a good thing. The change will let me increase my arts criticism and theater reviewing. Plays, performances, music festivals, playwright interviews, book reviews, poetry reviews and probably more. I can now expand my arts writing free from the insistent pace of the weekly column.

Right about now, I bet you’re wondering: just how did Christina get into the food-writing racket anyway? It’s not like there’s a degree or an app for that.

Here I was in Santa Cruz, fresh from grad school and San Francisco, and I found myself hanging out with some loose cannons in alternative journalism; i.e., folks who enjoyed being smartasses in print and barely getting paid for it. Over a glass of wine, the discussion turned to restaurants. “Who wants to try to review this new place?” an editor asked. My hand went up. Why not? I’d grown up in France and Germany, spent time in Manhattan and Washington DC as an undergraduate. I knew a caper from a wild weekend. Why not give it a try?

My initial results were decent enough that I got the gig at a series of alternative weeklies leading to the Metro-owned newspapers I’ve been involved with for three decades. And was nominated for three James Beard Journalism Awards in the process.

Before the past two recessions, before the pandemic, even before the Big Earthquake, Santa Cruz was a hotbed of culinary adventure. More specifically (and for readers too young to remember the Time Before the Internet), the ’80s were a time of dining as entertainment. Everyone went out to eat all the time. Food wasn’t viciously expensive, it was inventive. The wineries that have now become global players were just starting out. Premium Santa Cruz Mountain wines and our innovative bistros grew up together. Food entrepreneurs grew on trees.

A chef named Ray Pinochi gave nouvelle cuisine a good name. El Palomar brought authentic regional Mexican cuisine into the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. L’Oustalou crafted countryside French dishes. The Salmon Poacher and Theo’s offered upmarket California-French menus that rivaled anything in San Francisco. Suzanne’s by the Sea made alfalfa sprouts a go-to topping on sophisticated salads, just as the Whole Earth Cafe made sunflower seeds de rigueur on every damn dish. Seychelles was a revelation of Middle Eastern-inspired flavors, and the then-new O’mei fused Asian authenticity with California ingredients, with a local wine list to boot. Gabriella Cafe had a young turk named Jim Denevan sourcing directly from local markets and suddenly Alice Waters’ farm to table concept was everywhere.

It was the Golden Age of the original India Joze, a restaurant so ungodly great that patrons and reviewers alike came from all over the country to bask in whatever Joe Schultz wanted to whip up, especially during the outrageous Calamari Festival.

You’re probably getting the picture as to just how spoiled we were in this small seaside town. UCSC’s well-traveled academics wanted challenging menus, and they got ’em. Pearl Alley Bistro, Chez Renee, Oswald, Malabar, Cafe Sparrow, Chef Tong’s, China Szechuan. Before there was Soif and La Posta, there was Deer Park Tavern, the Santa Cruz Hotel and Castagnolas—where delicious, if not exactly authentic Italianate cuisine ruled. Sushi in every pot, thanks to Suki and MoBo. On the Westside, there was Avanti and Sukeroku, two restaurants that fed many of us on a weekly basis before Bantam, Vim and Sushi Totoro sprung up.

The glories of Gayle’s and Kelly’s made sure Santa Cruzans had breads and pastries to rival those of Paris. Then the coffeehouse boom erupted—grateful thanks to the discerning nerds of Verve and Lulu’s and Iveta.

Each of these new ventures called out to be explored, and written about. There was, incredibly enough, more than enough here to fill my weekly columns. Every week. Every year. And every time I had saved the money, I’d get on a plane and dine in NYC, or Paris or Florence and refresh my tastebuds. Expand my dining consciousness. What always kept it fresh was that no matter what Michelin-starred place I visited, when I got back home I found that Santa Cruz entrepreneurs maintained high standards. It was enough to always keep me interested in what I would find next. Thanks to the gastro-explorers who rode point—Lou Caviglia, Patrice Boyle, Sean Venus, Randall Grahm, Santos Majano, Manthri Sinath, Gayle Ortiz, Fran Grayson, John Locke, Todd Parker, Charlie Deal, Erin Lampel, David Kinch, Jozseph Schultz, Germaine Akin and so many others—it’s been incredible and delicious fun (as well as all that stuff I said about being stressful).

Next week, I’ll give you my top meals of 2022, and then begin a New Year of monthly restaurant reviews, arts criticism, and theater reviews that don’t give away the plot.

Thanks to all for joining me on these weekly food escapades. Salut!

2021 Central Coast Le Cigare Volant Scores Big

Josie Cowden

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December 20, 2022

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2021 Central Coast Le Cigare Volant Scores Big

Le Cigare Volant needs no introduction, especially if you live around these parts. Wine wizard Randall Grahm started the “Flying Cigar” label after reading that the village council of Chateauneuf-du-Pape was “perturbed” that flying saucers—or “flying cigars”—might do damage to their vineyards “were they to land therein.”

The label art on the bottle of 2021 Central Coast Le Cigare Volant “Red Wine of the Earth” is original art from an 1855 edition of “Bordeaux et Ses Châteaux” spaceship courtesy of Jules Vern, circa 1870. Everything has deep meaning and relevance for Grahm.

A rich blend of 65% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 15% Cinsaut and 2% Petite Sirah, this very drinkable red vino is a mere $17.99 and comes with an easy-off screw cap. “The spicy, licorice component from the Syrah is a perfect foil to the Griotte cherry derived from the Cinsaut,” Grahm says. “It’s juicy elderberry, exuberance and joy.” ’Tis no wonder Wine Enthusiast awarded it 92 points.

A new tasting space in Aptos called Doon to Earth is opening in Ser Winery’s tasting room. Ser Winery founder and winemaker Nicole Walsh has worked with Grahm for over 20 years, so it makes sense that Ser and Bonny Doon would band together.

“We’ve always had such a great time at our tasting rooms in all their sundry incarnations,” says Grahm. “I’m certain Doon to Earth will be every bit as intellectually stimulating and warmly welcoming as the former ones have been.”

Ser Wines and Bonny Doon Vineyard, 10 Parade St., Ste. B, Aptos. 805-909-2888; serwinery.com or bonnydoonvineyard.com.

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Laili Unleashes Vibrant International Flavors

Andrew Steingrube

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December 20, 2022

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Laili Unleashes Vibrant International Flavors

Ali Amin grew up learning the food industry from his father, an Afghanistan immigrant, and working in his businesses—he helped his dad open Laili in downtown Santa Cruz 12 years ago. They jumped at the opportunity to create an exciting concept and move into fine dining. Now co-owner and general manager, Amin says the cuisine is Mediterranean-Middle Eastern fusion with a foundation of Afghan influences and flavors. The Kadoo Borane—braised butternut squash with housemade lemon garlic yogurt and naan—is a signature Afghan appetizer. Entrée highlights include apricot chicken flatbread with dates, parmesan, mint and pomegranate and the filet mignon kabob with garlic-lime sauce and traditional Kabuli rice. The can’t-miss dessert is the flourless chocolate torte, accompanied by sabayon cream and raspberry puree. The ambiance is warm and inviting, accentuated by high ceilings and earth-tone colors—the crown jewel is the outdoor patio.
Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 4-8pm (8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays). GT asked Amin about their stellar outdoor space and his approach to hospitality.

What makes your garden patio unique?

ALI AMIN: It is one thing that makes our restaurant so special. There have been a lot of special moments and occasions out there, like weddings and other events. It’s a magical and unique space; when people go out there, it’s like they are transported to a different place. We have heaters and lights strung all around, and the walls are covered in vines and other assorted greenery. It’s really an experience to dine out there.

Why is service important to you?

Afghanistan is known for their hospitality. It is one of the culture’s core values. I experienced it first-hand when I went there, the incredible warmth and generosity, even in the midst of such chaotic and harsh times. We are doing our best to bring that hospitality here to Laili, and let people experience that sense of connection and have that feeling of being taken care of. We are here to make an impact on the community through this hospitality. It’s what drives us every day to do what we do.

Laili, 101 B. Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 831-423-4545; lailirestaurant.com.

Pizza Preview: Uncie Ro’s Opens in Watsonville

Local News

Tarmo Hannula

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December 19, 2022

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Pizza Preview: Uncie Ro’s Opens in Watsonville

It’s been a long and grueling journey for Roland Konickie. For over a decade ago, he’s been pedaling his take-and-bake pizza at local farmers markets. Then, Konickie got his pizza into some of the local Whole Foods and other natural food stores. He even had a mobile business that involved hauling his wood-fired stove all over for catering gigs.

Finally, Konickie has found a permanent home for his pizza joint, Uncie Ro’s, at the East Lake Village Shopping Center, sandwiched between the Villager and Carmona’s BBQ and Catering.

“We’re just happy to be able to open our doors to Watsonville,” Konicke says. “We’re a family-oriented business. It’s been a long journey.”

The Uncie Ro’s menu features eight pizzas, calzones, small plates (including homemade meatballs), salads and beer and wine.

Property manager Clark Codiga expresses excitement about his new tenant.

“Roland has the experience and knows what he’s doing,” he says. “He could do a lot of volume. We gave this place a new modern look but kept its charm.”

Indeed, the facility has served as a Round Table Pizza and, lastly, Chili’s Pizza that stretches back 40 years, Codiga says.

Konicke, a single dad with two kids who lives in Davenport, says that his love of cooking largely stems from his mother’s Italian side of the family.

“I come from New York, where pizza is a big part of life,” he says. “We emphasize local sources of organic produce—our sausage, meatballs and sauce are homemade. We’ll also feature daily special menus with things like kid’s cheese pizzas.”

Konicke added that he features local artists on the walls. Currently, eight paintings by Noah Gould are being showcased.

“Clark worked really hard to make this happen,” Konickie says. “I’m excited to get this going.”

Codiga says he aims to make the center a community hub alongside popular spots like Carmona’s, Sushi Q, Coffeeville and Fruition Brewery.
Uncie Ro’s has indoor and outdoor dining options; it’s open Thursday-Sunday, 11:30am-8pm.

1036 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. 831- 334-8752; uncie-ros-pizza.square.site.

Youth Mental Health Program Approved

Local News

Todd Guild

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December 14, 2022

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On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to purchase a mid-county building that will house the County’s first residential mental crisis program for youth if it passes inspection.

The new Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program will be located at 5300 Soquel Ave, a 20-year-old building on the campus of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s headquarters and the only remaining property the county does not yet own at that location.

Health Services Agency Director Monica Morales said that the lack of such a facility locally means that children suffering from mental health crises must be placed in out-of-county facilities, away from their friends and families.

“That’s devastating not only for the youth,” Morales said. It’s devastating for the families, and even for the system we have here.”

Morales said the program’s bilingual staff and mid-county location would allow the county to serve better Latinx youth, which she said are often underrepresented.

“This is such an amazing opportunity for us to really build the system of behavioral health for our youth in our community,” Morales said.

The program will include an 8-bed crisis stabilization unit—potentially offering 2920 slots per year—and a 16-bed residential program inside the 30,000-square-foot building.

In addition to inspecting, designing and preparing the 20-year-old building, the purchase price is estimated to cost just over $15.2 million. That cost will be covered in its entirety by two grants that total more than $24.7 million. The remaining funds will go toward running the program.

County staff expects to close escrow by May, with the program estimated to begin about one year later.

“This is a critical need,” Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said. “We hear about this all the time from families in crisis.”

Supervisor Zach Friend said the program would help stop young people suffering from mental health issues from becoming embroiled in the criminal justice system.

“Having this facility will completely change the trajectory for a number of families in our community, unfortunately for a need that continues to grow,” Friend said.

County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said that building a new facility–rather than purchasing an existing building–would double the cost for the County.

“If we were trying to build a building from the ground up, we would still be trying to raise funds,” he said.

Farewell to Greg Caput and Ryan Coonerty

Local News

Todd Guild

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December 14, 2022

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Farewell to Greg Caput and Ryan Coonerty

The Santa Cruz County Supervisors bade farewell to two longtime members, who served as city council members in their respective districts before taking their seats on the Board.

Ryan Coonerty joined the Board in 2014 after serving on the Santa Cruz City Council for 10 years. Greg Caput served from 2006-10 on the Watsonville City Council before he was elected to the Board in 2011.

The outgoing supervisors were presented with resolutions signed by their colleagues after all of them gave laudatory speeches.

Greg Caput

Supervisor Bruce McPherson recalled how Caput unseated longtime Supervisor Tony Campos in a surprise upset in 2010, and then beat former Watsonville Police Chief Terry Medina in 2014 and Jimmy Dutra in 2018.

And he did so, McPherson told Caput, because “you knew your community so well.”

McPherson described Caput as a “tireless advocate for South County” who made sure the County’s resources were spread more equitably.

“I am delighted to serve with such a grounded, community-oriented, professional supervisor,” he said.

Coonerty said that before Caput voted, he considered the needs of the “average person in your district who just wants the government to work for them.”

“You brought that value and that community orientation to your decision-making, and I’ve seen it when you made decisions that were unpopular and hard,” Coonerty said. “I think you landed exactly where your community wanted you to be, and at the end of the day, that’s the best thing an elected official can often do.”

Caput recalled a conversation with his then 10-year-old son, who asked whether he was a politician or a public servant.

“I said, ‘I hope I’m a public servant because that’s what we’re supposed to do,’” Caput said. “And it’s a term that really means a lot.”

Ryan Coonerty

Supervisor Zach Friend said that Coonerty had been a strong voice for the county on a local, statewide and national level.

“It would be hard to find another person within our community that believes so much in public service,” Friend said. “Even in the face of a lot of the challenges and adversity, we have right now. He is one of the strongest voices for the good that local government and government, in general, can do.”

Holding back tears, Coonerty said he has watched his children grow up during his time as a Supervisor.

“Eight years is a lifetime to them, but it’s only a minute for me,” he said. As I say goodbye, I am struck by how the crises and the celebrations, the wins and the losses, are just a blur. Public life moves very quickly, except during oral communications.”

Coonerty compared his time as a leader, a community member and Santa Cruz County in general to something that could be a story from one of the books his family sells at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

“The Santa Cruz story is a unique and amazing one,” he said. “I am grateful to the voters for letting me be a character in their story for a little bit, and I can’t wait to hear the next chapter from our new leaders and our chief storytellers, my fellow Supervisors.”

Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Dec. 14-20

GT Staff

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December 14, 2022

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ARTS AND MUSIC

2022 ‘PORTER GULCH REVIEW’ READING AND ART SHOW Every spring, David Sullivan’s 1B class at Cabrillo College celebrates the diversity and creativity of our community. The Porter Gulch Review has become an annual tradition: The imaginative collage of literature and arts journal that features prose, poetry and artwork from poets, novelists, photographers, artists and other eccentrics from the Santa Cruz area and beyond (submitters are not limited to Santa Cruz). In addition to the 2,000 print copies given away free of charge, a more extensive version is available online, including student book reviews and critiques. Formal attire is suggested. Free. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7pm. Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Horticulture Center, Rm. 5005, Aptos. Covid vaccine card or proof of negative test required. cabrillo.edu/porter-gulch-review.

FISHBONE WITH SON ROMPE PERA AND JER “The story is as real as it could get; it’s our life under a magnifying glass,” Fishbone bassist and co-founder John Norwood Fisher says of the band’s definitive documentary Sunshine. “The stuff with [former member and co-founder] Kendall [Jones] is painful, but I began to understand the nature of perception and reality. I found a space and don’t need to blame him or anybody.” Beyond the real-life drama, Fishbone remains a dominant source of inspiration for bands and musicians of every ilk. Punk, funk, ska, metal, soul and reggae erupt into multi-sensory journeys of neon, dreadlocks, mohawks, keytars, saxophones and a cyclone where nods to Sly & the Family Stone, the Toasters and Black Flag meet in the center. Songs like “Party at Ground Zero,” “When Problems Arise” and “Everyday Sunshine” sweep listeners into a world that’s part literal, part social commentary, part imagination and all fun. Openers Son Rompe Pera unleashes Cumbia punk, and Jer does the ska-punk thing. $30/$35 plus fees. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 8pm. Catalyst Atrium, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. catalystclub.com.

GANGSTAGRASS Bluegrass and rap? Who would have thought? Gangstagrass multitalented founder Rench apparently knew the genres would work together like bacon and maple syrup. The mashup works so well the band’s name has become a genre. “There are a lot more people out there with Jay-Z and Johnny Cash on their playlists than you think,” the Brooklyn hip-hop/country producer and singer-songwriter said. It all began with “Long Hard Times to Come,” a song Rench penned for the popular FX Nuvo-western Justified, which opened every episode with the tune during its six-season run. From there, it was off to the races. MCs R-SON and Dolio the Sleuth trade verses, Dan Whitener on banjo, Brian Farrow on fiddle and Rench on guitar and beats—frequent three-part harmonies come barreling into the mix, adding another notch to the band’s list of endless abilities. Gangstagrass shows are known for spontaneity—the stage is where the band develops new material and furthers their destruction of the boundaries between two genres that had once been considered incompatible. Gangstagrass’ 2020 No Time for Enemies, featuring “Ride With You,” racked up over a million streams shortly after it went live and eventually reached No. 1 on Billboard’s bluegrass charts. The group’s current tour marks the first chance fans will experience the songs from No Time for Enemies live. $20/$25 plus fees. Friday, Dec. 16, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com.

!!! (CHK CHK CHK) WITH TOLLIVER The Sacramento-born, NYC-based electronic-punk flavored !!!—dubbed later as CHK CHK CHK for promotional purposes—formed when members of Black Liquorice and Pope Smashers merged during a 1996 tour. The mission has been and always will be, “Never try to repeat yourself, and always keep an innocence,” de facto frontman Nic Offer told Pitchfork. !!!—LCD Soundsystem’s carefree punk rock nephew with ADHD—is one of the bands who helped ignite the passion of the “millennial dance-punk craze,” but they’ve managed to stick around long after that fire went out. The longevity of !!!’s modish zaniness is invulnerable because they do what they do on their terms without worrying about what’s in or fashionable. The group’s latest Let it be Blue is nothing like previous records. Their world-funk meets pop is a far cry from their roots. The outfit’s cover of R.E.M.’s teary-eyed homage to Andy Kaufman, “Man on the Moon,” sounds like Daft Punk and the Pet Shop Boys on a roller rink in San Fernando Valley circa 1979. So far, !!! has stuck to Offer’s vision. $22/$25 plus fees. Saturday, Dec. 17, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 1 205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. riotheatre.com.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHORALE With director Christian Grube—emeritus professor of choral conducting at the Berlin University of Arts—at the helm, the Santa Cruz Chorale is in good hands. The talented group of singers will perform a treasure trove of traditional and contemporary pieces, including works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Eric Whitaker, Dietrich Buxtehude and others. The Chorale will be joined by musicians of the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta and will also perform carols from around the world, including the Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells.” The concert will be shorter than usual, without an intermission, and since the audience size will be smaller, make sure you get tickets early. $30; $25/seniors; $5/students. Saturday, Dec. 17, 8pm and Sunday, Dec. 18, 4pm. Holy Cross Church, 123 High St., Santa Cruz. Masks and proof of vaccination required. santacruzchorale.org.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BLUES SERIES: MARK HUMMEL AND JUNIOR WATSON Harp master Mark Hummel and guitar guru Junior Watson have performed together for over 40 years. They’ve collaborated on multiple blues records, including 1990’s Hard Lovin’, 1997’s Lowdown To Uptown and 2000’s Blues Harmonica Meltdown One. Both bluesmen are prolific specimens with resumes longer than Crime and Punishment. Watson has toured with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Canned Heat, Kim Wilson and many others. More impressively, he’s recorded over 150 sessions with everyone from Jimmy Rogers and Charlie Musselwhite to Big Mama Thornton and Shakey Jake. Hummel, meanwhile, published a book about his musical adventures, Big Road Blues: 12 Bars On I-80; in 2019, he was nominated for his seventh Blues Music Award in the “Best Instrumentalist: Harmonica” category; his 2020 tribute to Bluebird/RCA Victor blues musicians of the 1930s and 1940s, Wayback Machine, marked the musician’s 29th record. Hummel appeared on the 2022 album East Bay Blues Vaults 1976-1988, featuring Brownie McGhee, BBQ Barnes, Sonny Rhodes, Bob Kelton, Paris Slim, Cool Papa and several others. $20/$25 plus fees. Sunday, Dec. 18, 4pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.

HARI KONDABOLU WITH KATIE-ELLEN HUMPHRIES A few years back, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, an audience member shouted, “Hail Trump” during Hari Kondabolu’s set. This person then asked the comedian what his “portfolio” looked like. Without skipping a beat, Kondabolu responded by thanking the man for writing his future material and telling him, “Oh son, I’ve just done a special on Netflix; I’m doing okay.” The Bobcat Goldthwait-directed Netflix special, Hari Kondabolu: Warn Your Relatives, hit the streaming giant in 2018 and skyrocketed Kondabolu to one of the most popular socio-political comedians in the game. The trio of subjects fuel his comedy: race, inequity and Indian stereotypes. The former writer for the Chris Rock-produced Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell used to be an immigrants’ rights organizer, but he doesn’t force-feed his ideologies to audiences. Kondabolu’s beloved mango bit: “Brown people love mangoes. So much so that we tell stories about the best mangoes we’ve ever eaten—not the exciting or unusual circumstances surrounding the consumption of said mango, but just the taste of mangoes past. The mango is the event.” New York City-based comic Kate-Ellen Humphries on trying to get some alone time: “I just make plans with friends in Vancouver.” $25/$30. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 9pm. Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. catalystclub.com.

COMMUNITY

FLYNN CREEK CIRCUS ‘WINTER FAIRYTALE’ The “Winter Fairytale” is an original holiday circus with a narrative powered by wild acrobatics, uproarious comedy and extreme skill. The Woodsmen, the Fairy and the Spring Sprite, are just a sampling of the imaginative characters you will meet during the Flynn Creek Circus’ magical holiday adventure. The heartwarming tale is an eclectic blend of multicultural folklore that speaks to the “quiet darkness” of winter and the value of self-reflection. “Winter Fairytale” ensures a memorable, family-friendly holiday experience. $23-180. Friday, Dec. 16, 7pm (runs through Jan. 1; days and times on website). Capitola Mall under the Big Top, 1855 41st Ave, Capitola. flynncreekcircus.ticketspice.com/winter-fairytale.

FELTON COVERED BRIDGE HOLIDAY MARKET At nearly 150 years old, the 80-foot-long Felton Covered Bridge is a California Historical Landmark and the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also a unique setting for a holiday market. Forget Amazon; the Santa Cruz Mountains’ locale boasts 35 artisans selling one-of-a-kind handmade arts and crafts unavailable online. The Holiday Market is the ideal opportunity to finish any last-minute shopping while supporting local artists. After shopping, stick around for food, drink and live music; the big guy in the red suit might even drop in. Free. Saturday, Dec. 17, 11am-3pm. Felton Covered Bridge, 6265 Hwy 9 Felton. slvchamber.org.

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Community Music School Keeps Melodies Alive

Music

Johanna Miller

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December 14, 2022

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Community Music School Keeps Melodies Alive

For the past 30 years, Community Music School (CMS) has been providing music education and enrichment opportunities for artists across Santa Cruz County.

CMS was created by Shelley Phillips as a direct response to the defunding of public-school music programs that started in the 1990s. At first a two-week summer music camp for children, the organization has expanded over the years to also include programs for teenagers and adults. It now hosts an annual Harp Festival and offers resources to connect music students and teachers.

“A lot of students have to play by themselves,” says Susan Willats, who has been at the helm of CMS for the past four years. “They practice at home by themselves, or with a teacher. Our niche is that they can come and play in groups, and get to understand how it is to play in an ensemble.”

This year, CMS is joining a number of other local nonprofits for Santa Cruz Gives (SCG), GT’s annual digital giving campaign. Each participating nonprofit is given a section of the SCG website where they explain what they do and the project they want to fund—their “Big Idea” for the future. People can donate directly from the website to the nonprofits of their choice.

“It’s our first year with Santa Cruz Gives,” Willats says. “We’ve very excited. We are a very small nonprofit. It’s just me, 10 hours a week, and a Board. One of the benefits of being involved with this campaign is that a lot more people will learn about us and what we do.”

Willats calls the recent passing of California Proposition 28, which funds school-based arts and music education throughout the state, “a game-changer.” However, the funding still has a limit, she says, which is why organizations like CMS are eager to keep up and running.

“Right now, even if schools have music it’s usually only 45 minutes once a week,” she says. “That’s not enough to learn an instrument. We recognize that our programs are mainly for those who already know instruments. But there are a lot of kids who don’t have that. Our ‘Big Idea’ is to fund beginning music classes in underserved neighborhoods.”

CMS has already launched a pilot program in partnership with Community Bridges, which offers music instruction after school. They hope to expand the program in 2023.

“It’s a small program, but with a deep impact,” she says. “With it, we are trying to help balance the distribution of music wealth and resources throughout the county.”

While it is CMS’s first year with SCG, another nonprofit has been part of the campaign since it launched in 2015: Senderos, an arts and culture group aiming to create successful pathways for the Latino community of Santa Cruz County.

At Senderos, Latino culture and history are taught and celebrated through dance and music classes, with public performances held throughout the year. The organization also offers tutoring, scholarships and more.

“We strongly believe in what we’re doing,” says Fe Silva-Robles, Senderos co-founder and program director. “This is important work, especially now after the pandemic. Our community was impacted by Covid in a serious way. So we are very happy now to come back, to once again be performing in our community.”

Silva-Robles says the organization’s “Big Idea” this year is to secure funding for its free dance, music and tutoring programs. The group is also preparing for 2023 events, including its annual Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza, an authentic cultural festival with food, music, dance, music and crafts. The event is scheduled to return April 16 at San Lorenzo Park.

“We are grateful for Good Times to continue to give us the opportunity to raise money through Santa Cruz Gives,” Silva-Robles says. “We’re a small nonprofit, run by volunteers. It’s really made an impact being part of this.”

Meanwhile, El Sistema aims to foster positive child development and promote social change by expanding access to high-quality music instruction, free of charge, to students from historically excluded communities in Santa Cruz County. They hope to grow their Watsonville Youth Symphony, launched in March 2022. With students graduating from its pre-orchestra program with the skills and qualifications required to perform in an orchestra, El Sistema started a youth symphony that reflects the full diversity of the community.

Another music-oriented Gives project is from Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, which is looking to increase funding for its Audio and Visual Engineering program. The group needs to upgrade its music studio, purchase updated computers, mixing boards and cameras. In the longer term, they would like to expand and offer this education to our local community.

To donate to these groups, or see a full list of participating nonprofits, visit santacruzgives.org.

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