Lessons en Pointe

Performance

Mathew Chipman

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December 17, 2025

Each year around Christmas, hundreds of dance companies across the world put on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, giving young dancers and community members a chance to gather and share in its whimsical holiday magic.

Whether it’s Tchaikovsky’s music, the ever-changing choreography or simply going out to the theater with your family, this holiday tradition has something for everyone.

At the International Academy of Dance, the Nutcracker is more than a holiday production. It’s a masterclass in education, discipline and professionalism; teaching dancers young and old how to work, have fun and build community through long rehearsals, sacrifice and the joy of performance.

For IAD’s youngest teachers, Ally Dunn and Shayla Hill, the Santa Cruz City Ballet production has been a constant in their lives.

“I started at around 7 years old as a lamb and a little angel. As I got older, I realized how important the show is for the community, and the bigger roles feel amazing. Snow always gets a huge reaction. Every year the show changes, new costumes, new choreography. It’s fun seeing it evolve,” Dunn says.

Some of the lessons that have stuck with Hill are those surrounding discipline and inner strength; learning to balance dance, life and work, and going through the world with kindness and grace.

One of the biggest days during Nutcracker season for these two lifelong friends included working the downtown Santa Cruz Christmas parade in the morning, running rehearsals through the afternoon, and then sitting down for this interview.

“When I’m at the studio, I focus on the studio. When I’m at school, I focus on school. In my downtime, I schedule everything out; an hour for rehearsal work, an hour for schoolwork. It’s definitely a skill I’ve had to learn. This year has been one of my most challenging; transferring schools, commuting for Nutcracker, doing upper-division classes, and working another job. But I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t miss the Nutcracker.”

As a mentor now, Dunn urges young dancers to stay present in the experience and continue to take the lessons with them as they go into a performance in front of hundreds of people at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater.

“Enjoy it while it’s happening because it goes by so fast. Be mindful. Give yourself credit. Going onstage in front of hundreds of people is not easy, no matter your age.”

For Dunn, the moments of recognizing how far she’s come—seeing herself reflected in the eyes of the kids—bring her the most joy as a mentor and teacher. She knows exactly what it was like in their little shoes only a few years ago.

“My favorite part now is being backstage and seeing how excited the little kids are. It’s a full-circle moment of thinking, ‘That was me,’ and now I’m the person they look up to.”

Co-directors Vicki Bergland and Shannon Chipman feel that watching Dunn and Hill grow has been an extremely rewarding arc of their careers. “It’s amazing that something they started out with as young children is something they still cherish today, and it’s been incredible to see how they have grown as young women over almost two decades and have become role models for the next generation.”

This year, Dunn will be dancing in the roles of Spanish Chocolate, Snow and Waltz, as well as working behind the scenes supporting dancers onstage and off. She has rehearsed the Queen’s Rats, Petite Rats and the Fight Scene, in addition to Mini Mice, Dolls and Spanish Chocolate.

Hill will be reprising her role as Archangel and will be in charge of the “Big Room” backstage, where all of the youngest dancers share the excitement of Nutcracker, including “Ballet Buddies,” where older dancers are paired with younger dancers to support and encourage one another. She also has been rehearsing Reindeer, Marzipan (Lambs) and Petite Tea.

Additional rehearsal assistants include Bergland, Chipman and Hope Jamieson. “It is wonderful to have such an amazing team that is so capable and talented,” Chipman adds. “We are delighted that dancers from ages 4 to 72 grace the stage in our Nutcracker each year. It is truly an honor to be a part of each dancer’s unique journey and witness their tremendous growth through the years. It truly feels like magic.”

Santa Cruz City Ballet performs its ‘Nutcracker’ at 1 and 4:30pm on Dec. 20–21 at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater. Tickets: NutcrackerSantaCruz.com.

Brotherhood of Snail

Music

DNA

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December 17, 2025

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There is an unspoken, sometimes very (very) heated debate about which Santa Cruz band has had the most reach, had the most influence outward and still continues to produce music. And for your consideration, with 58 years in the game, is Snail, performing at the Felton Music Hall on Dec. 20.

Snail began in Santa Cruz in 1967, and their name has nothing to do with their cousin, the banana slug, that was running things up the hill at UCSC.

“The late, great co-founder Ron Fillmore came up with the name,” recalls the other co-founder, Bob O’Neill. “He was our original drummer. We had a high school gig, and the bookers wanted to know what the name of our band was. And we all had a bunch of names—Snail was the best, but we didn’t like that either. We used it and said we’ll change it later and we never did,” O’Neill laughs, in between a rehearsal session.

What began as a musical experiment between two local high school kids resulted in two full-length albums on the historic Cream Records label. Soon to become a favorite of Bay Area promoter Bill Graham, Snail toured nationally with Styx and the Doobie Brothers. Snail also charted on the Billboard Top 100 Charts (#93 and Cream Records first time charting) with their song “The Joker.” They also appeared on American Bandstand—“We lip-synched; every band did,” says guitarist Ken Kraft—and played shows with Santana, Taj Mahal and Iron Butterfly, to name a few high points from their long list of accolades.

Original members O’Neill and Kraft still keep the epic stories of touring alive, and their sudden explosion into success, but it was Kraft whose medical emergency derailed the trajectory. “It was a week before my 30th birthday and I had a brain hemorrhage and I was in Dominican for two and half months. There was a year of recovery and everyone in the band still needed to make a living,” Kraft says. Original bassist Brett Bloomfield and drummer Donny Baldwin left to become the rhythm section of the Jefferson Starship.

An interesting, and brutal, side note is that Baldwin physically attacked and hospitalized Starship singer Mickey Thomas and was summarily thrown out of the band. He bounced around with the Jerry Garcia Band, but was notoriously added to the history books under “worst band fights.”

In 1980, the television show that thrust Robin Williams’ particular brand of lunacy into America’s households was Mork & Mindy. In its first year, it was the third-most-watched show in America, with 60 million people viewing each episode. And there, next to the front door inside Mindy’s apartment, just above Jackson Brown’s album cover Running on Empty, is the album Snail, by Snail.

“One of the guys from our record label, who I don’t remember his name, was going out with one of the girls who was involved in the production of the TV show. And they just liked the way it looked. And Robin Williams liked the way it looked. And so they just ended up using it,” Kraft remembers.

Within this thread of minutiae, one might also point out that Mindy’s father, in the show, owned Fred’s Records, and in every third bin one can glance Snail’s album.

Maybe it’s the logarithmic spiral of the shell, the golden ratio of being a band for so long, that keeps Snail together and playing. Their last gig was three years ago, and before that another decade before a reunion took place. If you just listen to the banter between Kraft and O’Neill you get the sense that the years of brotherhood have mind-melded them into one brain.

“We were just starting to grow our hair long,” Kraft begins.

“Yeah. I was a hippie and I’m proud of it,” O’Neill caps.

“I didn’t wear shoes on stage for two years,” Kraft says.

For some bands, the years drive members apart. For Snail, they’ve only grown closer.

Snail will play at 8pm on Dec. 20 at Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $50. feltonmusichall.com

Toasting Moderation

Wellness

Elizabeth Borelli

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December 17, 2025

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There’s a reason Dry January has become a trend, and it’s not because happy hour gets canceled. December’s merrymaking can easily turn a corner, when a night of good cheer becomes next-day remorse.

For those of us who enjoy a good glass of pinot or a flute of chilled bubbly, the holidays are a whirl of food, friends and rituals that practically require a raised glass. Parties are plentiful, dinners stretch late, and before we know it, “just one more” becomes the seasonal soundtrack. Overindulgence doesn’t usually announce itself. It sneaks in wearing tinsel.

I get it. Awkward social situations are easier to navigate with an extra splash of courage—whether that’s a stiff cocktail or a generous pour of wine. Alcohol can feel like social armor, helping us tolerate long conversations, complicated family dynamics, or the annual reunion with a brother-in-law whose toupee seems to get worse every year. Add in the pressure to make everything perfect—gifts, meals, moods—and it’s no surprise many of us reach for another drink to take the edge off.

Which is all well and good…until it isn’t.

What many people don’t realize is that the spike in holiday drinking is significant enough to have earned its own medical diagnosis: Holiday Heart Syndrome.

The term describes a temporary abnormal heart rhythm—often atrial fibrillation—triggered by binge or heavy drinking, even in people with no history of heart disease. It was first observed in otherwise healthy individuals showing up in emergency rooms after weekends or holidays marked by celebratory excess. Stress-related drinking counts too. The heart, it turns out, doesn’t care whether you’re toasting or coping.

So why does alcohol consumption climb so reliably this time of year?

First, it’s the norm. Alcohol is woven into holiday traditions, from office parties to family dinners to New Year’s Eve countdowns. When gatherings multiply, so do opportunities to drink.

Then there’s stress and self-medication. Travel delays, packed calendars, financial pressure and emotionally charged family encounters can push even the most grounded among us toward a liquid buffer.

And finally, the rampant availability. Alcohol sales surge during the holidays for a reason. We’re culturally conditioned to equate drinking with celebration, relaxation and reward.

The risks, however, are more than a rough morning-after.

The holidays see a notable rise in binge drinking, especially around New Year’s Eve. Clinically speaking, binge drinking means four or more drinks for women and five or more for men in a short period of time. That threshold is easier to cross than most people realize, particularly when drinks are strong and pours are generous.

There are also health consequences, from hangovers and sleep disruption to injuries, anxiety and alcohol poisoning. Alcohol interferes with restorative sleep, dysregulates blood sugar and amplifies stress hormones, creating a vicious cycle of fatigue and irritability.

And then there are accidents. Increased drinking is linked to higher rates of traffic accidents, falls and mishaps, especially in unfamiliar homes, icy sidewalks, or late-night settings where judgment is already compromised.

None of this means you need to avoid drinking entirely, unless you want to, or feel bad when you say yes to a second craft beer. It does mean a little intention can go a long way.

Start with moderation, imperfect as it may be. U.S. dietary guidelines suggest no more than two drinks for women and three for men in a single day. New guidelines are suggesting no more than four drinks a week for women and six for men. Easier said than done, yes, but planning ahead helps.

Take a moment to decide before the event how many drinks you’ll enjoy. Personally, I love a good glass of red wine as much as the next gal, but I like to stop there, so I sip very slowly. Saying no to those well-meaning offers for a refill makes it easier to hold myself accountable.

Instead of spending the rest of the evening feeling left out, I pour sparking water and a splash of cranberry juice into a wine or champagne glass, add a squeeze of lime, and forget I’m not technically imbibing. The placebo effect works, even when you know it’s a ruse.

If you’re entertaining at home, our local Staff or Life or Shopper’s Corner carry a nice variety of booze-free alternatives, including locally produced Living Swell kombucha.

Eat and hydrate. Protein-rich nibbles, like seasoned nuts or crudité with hummus, slow alcohol absorption, while alternating drinks with water keeps dehydration at bay. This one habit alone can dramatically change how you feel the next day.

Plan your drive home. This one is non-negotiable. Designated drivers, public transportation or ride-share services are all part of responsible celebration.

Know your limits. When you or someone else recognizes some tipsiness, recognize it’s time for a reprieve.

And most importantly, listen to your body. The holidays are already demanding. For some people, limiting alcohol, or taking a complete break, isn’t deprivation; it’s a relief.

That’s where Dry January comes in. Not as punishment, but as a reset. A chance to notice how you sleep, how your mood stabilizes, how your energy returns when your nervous system gets a break.

In a season that encourages more—more parties, more food, more spending—choosing a little less can be quietly radical. And your heart, literal and otherwise, may thank you for it.

Chard Times

Vine & Dine

Josie Cowden

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December 17, 2025

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‘Chardonnay is not my favorite,’ says my friend, as she’s about to hand me her pour of Ferrari Ranch’s Estate Chardonnay. But she takes a sip and changes her mind. “This is really good!” she declares. The Ferrari 2022 Chardonnay ($45) is, indeed, “really good.”

We’re at the Uncork Corralitos event organized by Freedom Rotary and held at El Vaquero Winery and Alladin Nursery, who are also key sponsors. Proceeds go to Salvation Army Watsonville, BirchBark Foundation and Scout Troop 505. Local wineries, breweries and cideries are all pouring, food trucks abound, the Alex Lucero Band is playing—and everyone is having a good time on this sunny day.

When saying hello to Ferrari Ranch owners Liz and Dave Ferrari, I congratulate them on their 2022 Chardonnay. It comes with wonderful structure, minerality and fruit notes. Flavors of green apple, brioche and ripe lemon add terrific backbone to the wine as well.

The Ferraris are firm believers in sustainable farming—taking great care of their vines, most of which are 45 years old. They are also proud to be Roundup-free for two decades.

Ferrari Ranch Wines, 65 Magnifico Vita Lane, Corralitos, 408-667-4509; ferrariranchwines.com. Open winter and spring for tastings ($20 per person) on the first Saturday of the month.

South County Brew

I sampled some Buena Vista beer recently—and it’s tasty stuff! Owned and operated by two brothers—Phil and Chuck Ornelas, who started the business with brother Sal Ornelas—the company has now become a go-to spot for some good brews. Phil told me that Buena Vista is doing really well at their facility and event space. They’re located at 65 Hangar Way, Suite D, Watsonville, 831-588-9961; buenavistabrewingco.com.

Pastry Prowess

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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December 17, 2025

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Owned by Stephanie Lenorovitz and her husband, pastry chef Justin, Spontaneous Confections was founded in April 2024 and recently opened a brick-and-mortar space inside the Capitola Mall.

They feature unique French-leaning pastries that combine worldly inspiration with Justin’s own creative instincts and talents.

Born in France, Stephanie was living in San Francisco, working in the tech industry, when she met Justin, who had been learning to cook pastries as a hobby but with growing passion. He followed that and kept improving, taking a cake decorating class and then an intense pastry course in France.

His boosted baking game combined with Stephanie’s complementary behind-the-scenes skillset in marketing, graphic design and event planning gave them the confidence to start Spontaneous Confections.

Highlighted menu items are an edible gold-dusted fudge brownie with honey-lavender ganache and entremets, a layered mousse dessert with seasonal options like chocolate with blood orange gelee and spiced cake.

The Dubai bars also headline with butter-roasted phyllo dough, tahini and pistachio cream, available in milk and dark chocolate with hazelnut and salted caramel crunch versions. Another favorite is the Santa Cruz-themed smooth and creamy cheesecake, riding a surfboard-shaped crust with seasonal flavors like chocolate cherry and pumpkin.

Tell me more about Justin’s story.

STEPHANIE LENOROVITZ: He is both naturally talented and incredibly dedicated to his craft of being a pastry chef. He consistently comes up with not only visually appealing products, but also ones that are unique, creative and delicious. He wants to share the joy he has while making his pastries with others and let them experience the love he puts into his desserts. He really is an artist working through the medium of pastry, and he pours his heart into everything he does.

How has business been going?

We love our Capitola Mall location because both management and other business have been very welcoming, and the community has really come out to support us as well. Transitioning to brick-and-mortar has been a fun journey. It’s been inspiring to transform our own space and have a permanent spot where our customers can always find us. It’s been nice having business be less nomadic, and we look forward to welcoming both current and new customers to let them try our food. And stay tuned, because we have many fun future events planned.

1855 41st Ave. (Capitola Mall Food Court), Capitola, 831-480-5166; spontaneousconfections.com

Free Will Astrology

Astrology

Rob Brezsny

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December 17, 2025

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ARIES March 21-April 19

Nine hundred years ago, Sufi philosopher Al-Ghazali provided rigorous advice that’s not very popular these days. “To understand the stars,” he said, “one must polish the mirror of the soul.” Here’s my interpretation: To fathom the truth about reality, you must be a strong character who treasures clarity and integrity. It’s highly unlikely you can gather a profound grasp of how life works if your inner depths are a mess. Conversely, your capacity to comprehend the Great Mystery increases as you work on purifying and strengthening your character. Everything I just said is good advice for all of us all the time, but it will be especially potent and poignant for you in the coming months.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

The sound of a whip cracking is a small sonic boom. The tip breaks the sound barrier, creating that distinctive snap. In my astrological reckoning, Taurus, life has provided you with the equivalent of a whip. During the coming months, you will have access to a simple asset that can create breakthrough force when wielded with precision and good timing. I’m not referring to aggression or violence. Your secret superpower will be understanding how to use small treasures that can generate disproportionate impacts. What’s your whip?

GEMINI May 21-June 20

Some Japanese potters practice yohen tenmoku. It’s a technique used to create a rare type of tea bowl with shifting, star-like iridescence on deep, dark glaze. The sublime effect results from a process that’s unusually demanding, highly unpredictable and hard to control. Legend says that only one in a thousand bowls achieves the intended iridescence. The rest, according to the masters, are “lessons in humility.” I believe you can flourish by adopting this experimental mindset in the coming months. Treat your creative experiments as offerings to the unknown, as sources of wonder whether or not your efforts yield stellar results. Be bold in trying new techniques and gentle in self-judgment. Delight in your apprenticeship to mystery. Some apparent “failures” may bring useful novelty.

CANCER June 21-July 22

A fair-weather cumulus cloud typically weighs over a million pounds and yet floats effortlessly. Let’s make that one of your prime power symbols for 2026, Cancerian. It signifies that you will harbor an immense emotional cargo that’s suspended with grace. You will carry complex truths, layered desires and lyrical ambitions, but you will manage it all with aplomb and even delight. For best results, don’t overdramatize the heaviness; appreciate and marvel at the buoyancy.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

Every 11 years, the Sun reverses its magnetic polarity. North becomes south, and south becomes north. The last switch was completed earlier this year. Let’s use this natural phenomenon as your metaphorical omen for the coming months, Leo. Imagine that a kind of magnetic reversal will transpire in your psyche. Your inner poles will flip position. As the intriguing process unfolds, you may be surprised at how many new ideas and feelings come rumbling into your imagination. Rather than resist the cosmic acrobatics, I advise you to welcome and collaborate with them.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

The sculptor Louise Bourgeois was asked why she worked so often with the image of the spider. She said it was a tribute to her mother, who was deliberate, clever, patient, soothing, helpful and useful—just like a spider. In the coming months, I invite you to embody her vision of the spider. You will have the wherewithal to weave hardy networks that could support you for years to come. Be creative and thoughtful as you craft your network of care. Your precision will be a form of devotion. Every strand, even fragile ones, will enhance your long-term resilience.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Researchers studying music theory know that dissonance—sounds that feel “wrong” or create tension—is in part culturally determined. Indonesia’s gamelan music and Arabic maqam scales are beautiful to audiences that have learned to appreciate them. But they might seem off-kilter to Westerners accustomed to music filled with major thirds and triads. Let’s use this as our starting point as we contemplate your future in 2026, Libra. Life may disrupt your assumptions about what constitutes balance and harmony. You will be invited to consider the possibility that what seems like discord from one perspective is attractive and valuable from another. My advice: Open your mind to other ways of evaluating what’s meaningful and attractive.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

In the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States, Arizona bark scorpions are hard to see at night. Scientists who want to study them can find them only by searching with flashlights that emit ultraviolet light. This causes the scorpions’ exoskeletons to fluoresce and glow a distinct blue-green or turquoise color, making them highly visible. Let’s use this scenario as a metaphor for you. In the coming months, you may reveal your best brilliance under uncommon conditions. Circumstances that seem unusual or challenging will highlight your true beauty and power. What feels extreme may be a good teacher and helper. I urge you to trust that the right people will recognize your unique beauty.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

According to legend, the genius composer Mozart heard entire symphonies in his imagination before he wrote down any notes. That’s a slight exaggeration. The full truth is that he often worked hard and made revisions. His inspiration was enhanced by effort and craft. However, it’s also true that Mozart wrote at least five masterful works in rapid succession, sometimes with remarkably few corrections on the manuscript. They included his last three symphonies (Nos. 39, 40 and 41). I predict you will have a Mozart-like aptitude in the coming months: the ability to perceive whole patterns before the pieces align. Trust your big visions!

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

In Greek mythology, Proteus was a sea god famed for his ability to change his shape endlessly to evade capture. But now and then, a persistent hero was able to hold on to Proteus through all his transformations, whether he became a lion, serpent, tree or flame. Then the god would bestow the gift of prophecy on the successful daredevil. I suspect that in the coming months, you will have an exceptional power to snag and grasp Proteus-like things, Capricorn. As a result, you could claim help and revelations that seem almost magical.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

In Florence, Italy, the Accademia Gallery houses several of Michelangelo’s sculptures that depict human figures partially emerging from rough blocks of marble. They seem to be caught in the process of birth or liberation. These works showcase the technique Michelangelo called non-finito (unfinished), in which the forms appear to struggle to escape from the stone. In the coming months, Aquarius, I foresee you undergoing a passage that initially resembles these figures. The good news is that unlike Michelangelo’s eternally trapped characters, you will eventually break free.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

To prepare you for 2026, I’ve gathered three quotes that address your most pressing need and urgent mandate. I recommend you tape this horoscope to your bathroom mirror. 1. “We cannot live in a world interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a hope. Part of the terror is to take back our listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.” —author Elaine Bellezza. 2. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson. 3. “The ability to tell your own story, in words or images, is already a victory, already a revolt.” —Rebecca Solnit.

Homework: What’s the most subtly heroic thing you could do in 2026? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

City Centered

Dining Reviews

Mark C. Anderson

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December 17, 2025

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Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets orchestrates five epic markets in the area—Westside, Live Oak, Scotts Valley and Felton among them.

But the Downtown Santa Cruz edition remains its wisest and robust elder, having launched in 1990, before the World Wide Web entered in the wild.

But the downtown street fest isn’t resting on its lettuce. Now 35, it’s thriving at its new location at Cedar and Church, where Communications and Programs Manager Nicole Zahm has a ringside seat.

“The change in location has been wonderful, and we’ve received an overwhelming—and unexpected—amount of enthusiasm and support,” she says. “The sense of taking over the street and a civic space has generated a lot of comments. It’s been an incredible positive change, almost like a surge of fresh energy.”

The market has also expanded hours to 12:30–5pm Wednesdays, and stands ready to stock a gift basket with, say, some seasonal pomegranate and persimmon, local honey, stylish ceramics, Italian cookies and more. (But it does take off Christmas Eve and NYE, both Wednesdays, which—newsflash—are coming up quicklike.) santacruzfarmersmarket.org

DOUBLE DOWN

The ever-proliferating universe of Humble Sea spots now includes a Santa Cruz Taproom for what it describes as “a limited run of very fun, very temporary pop-up shenanigans.” The first flows hit Dec. 20 and 21 in cahoots with Collective Santa Cruz, as the roving community gathering creatives host two downtown holiday markets, 11am–5pm Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, in the former Logos Books & Records (1117 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz), featuring more than two dozen area artists, plus curated food vendors, collectivesantacruz.com. Another shoppin’ worth stoppin’ by: The Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market pops up every weekend of the season with 25+ local creators at the former Palace Arts space (1407 Pacific Ave.), scmmakersmarket.com.

RIPENING SITCH

The Wine Institute’s just-published 2025 California Harvest Report notes a long, steady growing season with no major heat events and limited surprises—plus a cool spring and mild summer—allowed for slow maturation. That has state vintners like Melissa Paris, winemaker at Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena, anticipating concentration and balance in the year’s wines—think reds possessing depth and structure, and whites displaying energy and precision. “The 2025 wines will lean toward elegance rather than opulence,” she says. “This is a vintage that celebrates restraint and vineyard expression.” (At the same time, the USDA forecasts 2025 California winegrape production at 3 million tons, a 4% increase from 2024 but still 16% below the previous three-year average.) More intel from the nonprofit Wine Institute, including their full harvest report, via wineinstitute.org.

BONUS POINTS

The Santa Cruz Warriors and Kaiser Permanente have committed to donating 15 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County for every point scored by the Santa Cruz Warriors throughout the 2025-26 NBA G League season, a 50% increase from the initial pledge of 10 meals per point. This increase is projected to generate an additional 25,000 meals for the community, santacruzbasketball.com…In-N-Out was so over kids going HAMburger whenever ticket number “67” was called that the burger chain removed it from its order system, following in the footsteps of “69.” Wendy’s and Pizza Hut, meanwhile, are doing 67-cent deals…PepsiCo struck a deal with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has a roughly $4 billion stake in the company, to sharpen its strategy amid slowing growth, leading PepsiCo to agree to cut prices and eliminate about 20% of its U.S. product offerings while redirecting savings into marketing and new product innovation. Protein Doritos, anyone?…Ellen DeGeneres, roll us out: “Nothing says holidays like a cheese log.”

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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December 17, 2025

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THURSDAY 12/18

CELTIC

TOMASEEN FOLEY’S A CELTIC CHRISTMAS It’s not exactly controversial to say that music is an artform best enjoyed live, but it’s doubly true with Irish music. These stirring, whirling, lively tunes played on strings, both strummed and bowed, tin whistle flutes, and made even more rambunctious by the fast footwork of Irish dancers, offset by heartfelt poetic ballads and captivating storytelling makes for a great night of Christmas tradition. Irish storyteller Tomáseen Foley has put together a top-shelf troupe of musicians and dancers and one needn’t be Irish to enjoy; the spirit of this great music knows no borders. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 7:30pm, UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz. $50-$55. 459-2159

EXHIBITION

TOY TRAINS 2025 All aboard for the annual Toy Train exhibition at The MAH! Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be sharing their wonderful and whimsical collection of toy trains. This is the 20^th year of hosting the pop up. It is a completely free event. It will be accessible during The MAH’s regular hours within the Atrium. From model 1920s trains to trains from the 21st-century, be immersed in a fun way to celebrate technological history while also enjoying some seasonal festivity. This display is a great activity for seasoned model train collectors and casual enjoyers alike. Goes until Dec. 29. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: Noon, The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.

FRIDAY 12/19

INDIE

HOD AND THE HELPERS Hod and the Helpers pour out clean, jangly guitar and offer crooning ballads. Songs about life’s simple moments are peppered with humor and social commentary and often blur the lines between fact and fiction. With Hod Hulphers leading the charge, the band storms forward with A.J. Marquez on keys, Greg Braithwaite on drums, Dan Potthast on bass, and Jeff Stultz on guitar. With a touch of psychedelic, the band takes everyday narratives and spins them into alt-folk songs, often with driving basslines and crashing drums, occasionally mixing in dreamy lounge lullabies. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 8:30pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $20. 429-6994.

HOLIDAY

THE TROLLEY DROPS There’s one thing most of us can agree on, holiday music needs revamping. Sure, it’s easy to love the classics at first. But by the second week, the songs we’ve all heard a million times before start to wear down the nerves. This year, reignite that love for the musical holiday cheer with The Trolley Drops as they perform their unique “Twistmas Carols.” The jug band takes standards like “Rudolph,” then gives them a popular twist with jazz, rock, country and pop classics like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” for a new holiday tradition, “Reindeer on the Rise.” MAT WEIR

INFO: 5:30pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.

A JOHN PRINE CHRISTMAS Beloved singer-songwriter John Prine released 18 studio albums, beginning with his self-titled 1971 debut and continuing through his final studio set, 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness. He also released six live albums and a pair of compilations. Midway through his recording career, he wrote, recorded and released 1994’s A John Prine Christmas, his 11^th studio LP. Featuring two traditional tunes, the record was primarily Prine originals. For this holiday show, the Jenner Fox Band focuses on songs from that overlooked release, showcasing Prine’s wry wit on cuts like “Silent Night All Day Long” and “Christmas in Prison.” BILL KOPP

INFO: 7:30pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $27. 705-7113.

SATURDAY 12/20

BALLET

THE NUTCRACKER This enchanting holiday classic dazzles young and old with captivating choreography and Tchaikovsky’s effervescent score. This charming story follows a young Clara, played by Pacific Northwest Ballet’s principal dancer, Lucien Postlewaite, as she undertakes a magical journey. From a battle between tin soldiers and mischievous mice to Sugar Plum Fairy kingdoms, this tale will delight the whole family. This incredible ballet will be directed by Conrad Usseldinger and will feature talented students from Agape Dance Academy. Whether a first or twentieth viewing, this beloved ballet is the perfect show for ringing in the holiday season. Multiple shows on Saturday and Sunday. SN

INFO: 1:30pm, Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, $20-$65, 420-5240.

AMERICANA

A VERY SHUT-INS CHRISTMAS The string band known as the Shut-Ins continue their holiday tradition of playing their signature bluegrass/country/folk/Americana-ish versions of all everyone’s favorite Christmas sing-along tunes and of course we’re all invited to sing a long, and dance along, and drink along, and otherwise make yuletide cheer. Drums, stand-up bass, guitar, uke and violin along with a whole lot of loose harmonies belting out the “jingle” and “merry” and “ho ho ho” will be on hand. KLJ

INFO: 7pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

DANCEHALL

SISTER NANCY A pioneering figure in Jamaican dancehall, Sister Nancy came to prominence as the first major female artist in that field. She released a long succession of singles in the early 1980s and became even more prolific in the ’90s and beyond. Primarily a singles artist, Sister Nancy has released comparatively few long players. But her influence is substantial: Her 1982 track “Bam Bam” has been sampled in more than 150 songs by other artists including Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill. And “Bam Bam” has long since taken on a life of its own, being reissued on 45s at least three times in 2025 alone. BK

INFO: 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $38/adv, $45/door. 479-1854.

SUNDAY 12/21

BLUEGRASS

BEAN CREEK When Bean Creek founding member Peter Hicks passed away in 2022, the future of the local bluegrass outfit seemed uncertain. However, local musicians Henry and Ella Warde—or as locals know them, Hank and Ella—stepped up and helped usher the band into a new era of old-timey tunes. They have won the Best Band Award at the Northern California Bluegrass Awards four times and are consistently voted one of the Bay Area’s bluegrass favorites. This Sunday for the mere price of $10 see the magic Billy Pitrone, Ella and Henry Warde, Rob Horgan and Sarah Eblen bring to the table. MW

INFO: 4pm, El Vaquero, 2901 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. $10. 607-8118.

Scam Alert!

Elizabeth Borelli

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December 17, 2025

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From bogus charities to Russian shopping sites, what to watch out for this holiday season

Recently, I went down an online rabbit hole searching for a favorite organic skincare product—only to discover it’s reserved for licensed aestheticians, which, sadly, I am not. Undeterred I kept going, page after page, determined to find it. I saw several “used” options on eBay, not especially appealing, but a few pages in a new choice popped up. Better yet, it was 50% off on a site called Christmas Discount Shop. In fact, everything on this well-stocked retail spot was deeply discounted.

Pausing, I looked further into the store specifics. The details were sparse. Finally, I did a Google search into the legitimacy of the site. I was instantly relieved I hadn’t pulled out my credit card. Turns out Christmas Discount Shop is one of the many online scams to watch out for this holiday season. From retail to tickets to charity donations, a tangled web of deception is a just click away for those unaware of the signs.

Holiday scams are nothing new, but they’ve become more sophisticated, more convincing and more widespread. They show up in our social feeds, text messages, inboxes and search results. From too-good-to-be-true deals to fake charities tugging at our heartstrings, the season of giving can also become the season of taking, for those who don’t know what to watch for.

Here’s how to make it through the holidays with your finances, your personal information and your peace of mind intact.

Scam retail websites have become eerily well-designed. From polished product photos to sleek navigation, they mimic the look and feel of legitimate stores. What gives them away are the deals that defy logic.

Right now, scammers are pushing massive “holiday discounts” on high-ticket tech items, graphics cards, gaming PCs, tablets and headphones, often claiming to sell them at 40–70% off. The details usually unravel quickly:

• Odd domain extensions registered overseas

• Missing contact information

• No customer reviews

• Glowing “testimonials” that are actually AI-generated

• A checkout page that forces debit card or wire transfer payments

Shoppers report receiving counterfeit products, broken electronics, or nothing at all. Worse yet, many discover unauthorized charges on their credit cards after making a purchase.

Stay safe:

• Stick to known retailers or verified smaller shops.

• Use credit cards, never debit cards.

• Search “[site name] scam” before checking out.

• If the price seems impossible, trust that instinct—it probably is.

The Fake Ticket Factory

Holiday concerts, comedy shows, festivals and New Year’s events sell out quickly, which makes them prime targets for scammers.

Fraud sites take a single legitimate ticket, copy the QR code, and resell it dozens of times across platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and resale apps. Only the first person with that code gets through the gate; everyone else gets turned away at the door, out a few hundred dollars.

Red flags include:

• Sellers insisting on PDF-only tickets

• Refusal to use official transfer systems

• “Too good to be true” pricing

• Multiple identical tickets posted by the same account

Whenever possible, buy tickets through verified sellers or official resale systems. If you must purchase person-to-person, use platforms that guarantee authenticity.

Charity Scams That Prey on Good Intentions

The holidays are a peak time for giving, and scammers know it.

Scam sites impersonate well-known charities or invent new ones altogether, using emotional stories, urgency and sometimes even fake volunteers in public places, like outside of fancy grocery stores. They may pressure donors to give on the spot, hoping you won’t take time to verify their legitimacy. In some cases, they enter a small donation amount, then quietly add a few zeros before submitting the charge.

Protect yourself:

• Verify charities through watchdog sites like Charity Navigator or Guidestar.

• Be wary of high-pressure appeals.

• Always check the amount before finalizing a donation.

• Decline requests for gift card or wire-transfer “donations.”

Real charities won’t rush, guilt-trip, or demand unusual payment methods.

The Season’s Sneakiest Scams

Scammers love quick, easy digital opportunities. These are the ones most of us get tagged with at least once during the season:

Fake Delivery Notifications—Texts reading “Your package is delayed, click here to reschedule.” These links often install malware or attempt to steal login credentials. With millions of people expecting deliveries, scammers cast a wide net.

Gift Card Scams—Callers impersonate retail stores, banks or even relatives, asking victims to pay fees or debts via gift cards. No real business or government office will ever request gift card payment.

Impersonation Scams—Fraudsters pretend to be Amazon, Apple, your bank or, in the classic “grandparent scam,” a distressed family member needing urgent money.

Seasonal Job Scams—Listings for high-pay, low-work holiday gigs that require upfront payment or personal information. These often lead to identity theft rather than employment.

Social Media Giveaways—Phony gift exchanges or contests that ask for small “entry fees,” personal details, or for you to recruit friends. In reality, no gifts ever arrive.

What saved me from Christmas Discount Store wasn’t luck, it was a simple pause, a quick search, and a willingness to follow a hunch.

This holiday season, that’s the real takeaway: slow down, check before clicking, and trust your intuition. The scams may be getting smarter, but so are we.

Let the holidays be about connection, not correction. About generosity, not vulnerability. With a few smart habits, we can keep the season merry, bright and blissfully scam-free.

Breaking the Cycle

Kristen McLaughlin

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December 17, 2025

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Two weeks still remain to participate in the annual Santa Cruz Gives fundraising event, which runs until Dec. 31. Below, Good Times writer Kristen McLaughlin talks to some of the people behind Planned Pethood, one of the 72 nonprofit initiatives seeking support from Good Times readers. Also below, other nonprofits share their “elevator pitch,” explaining what they plan to do with the money they raise. To donate to any of these groups, visit santacruzgives.org.

Puppies and kittens are cute and cuddly, but unplanned litters can result in animals living in miserable conditions, as either strays or denizens of municipal shelters, straining resources and increasing euthanasia rates.

But there is hope here in Santa Cruz, where Planned Pethood works to proactively prevent the suffering of hundreds of thousands of stray and unhoused animals with spay and neuter clinics through the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

As the county’s sole open-admissions animal facility, SCCAS provides services vital to the community, including assessments, vaccinations, and outreach to pet owners whose incomes are below economic thresholds. With locations in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, SCCAS takes in about 7,000 pets per year, including cats, dogs, barn animals, snakes, pigs, reptiles, birds and small mammals.

Although SCCAS receives municipal funding for core services such as animal control and licensing, surgeries for spay and neuter are largely dependent on private donations.

In addition to its core medical services, SCCAS also helps to cover costs associated with herd health, such as rabies vaccination, safe housing for strays and surrenders, and intervention in animal abuse cases in both Santa Cruz County and unincorporated county. “We get municipal funding from all of the jurisdictions,” said Amber Rowland, SCCAS general manager. “That covers about 71 percent of our operating budget.”

Governed by the SCCAS Foundation, Planned Pethood is a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports the county animal shelter through fundraising, education and advocacy, along with providing the community with a no-cost and low-cost spay/neuter service. (By county law, dogs and cats over the age of 6 months must be spayed or neutered.)

Planned Pethood plays a crucial role in reducing the pipeline of puppies and kittens coming into the shelter in the first place, proactively helping to end the animal overpopulation tragedy.

When it comes to animal proliferation, the statistics are staggering. Cats can start reproducing at four months of age, and they can have three litters a year. Additionally, intact male dogs are also part of creating multi-generational litters that start to reproduce at five months old. “People don’t realize how quickly they become active teenagers,” Rowland says.

On average, one female cat and her offspring can lead up to 420,000 kittens in just seven years, and one female dog can lead up to 67,000 puppies in just six years. “For the last two years, we have been bringing in a national organization, Animal Balance, for free spay and neuter clinics,” Rowland says.

Animal Balance works with shelters to operate MASH clinics (Mobile Animal Service Hospitals) to spay or neuter hundreds of pets. The clinics are known as HVHQ (High Volume High Quality) and travel to recreation centers, tents and even mobile campers.

On a recent visit, Animal Balance was on-site at the shelter on 7th Avenue. Having established a MASH clinic at the shelter’s annex, registered veterinary techs from Animal Balance conducted a three-day clinic to spay and neuter 207 local pets—about 67 pets per day. As an animal is coming out of anesthesia, they contact the owners to come and pick up the pet.

“The Santa Cruz Gives campaign will flow into 2026 for the services we have to offer,” said Ng Trinh-Halperin, executive director of the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter Foundation. She began volunteering for the foundation in 2011, and has engaged with nonprofits and public agencies over 30 years in various roles throughout the Central Coast, Bay Area and beyond.

To illustrate the commitment of the SCCAS Foundation, they also operate the Bogey Club to find homes for black cats, who are sadly less likely to be adopted, and the No One Left Behind Club “for animals who are here the longest … they can sponsor their fees,” Trinh-Halperin says.

Planned Pethood offers clinics three times a year with reduced pricing for people on public benefits or a mid-point price range for anyone. “People lean in to offer affordable spay clinics,” Rowland says. The next clinic will be in February. For those in need of services before that, Friends of Watsonville Animal Shelter provides a year-round spay/neuter service at reasonable rates.

For more information call SCCAS at 831-454-7200 or Friends of Watsonville at 831-724-4988.

Nonprofit Groups Providing Food and Other Assistance

Community Action Board’s Santa Cruz County Immigration Project—“Our immigrant neighbors are under attack. The CAB Immigration Project has responded—advocating for political change, educating immigrant families about their rights, and mobilizing robust defense if the worst happens and local people are detained.” —Kate Hinnenkamp

Damian’s Ladder—“The group provides small home repairs at low or no cost, depending on the client’s needs. Its mission is to enable seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Cruz County to stay in their homes and enjoy a good quality of life.”

Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries—“Your support of the new Downtown Library is a once-in-a-generation investment that gives everyone access to a community center in a vibrant civic space. As the hub of the 10-branch library system, the new library is designed to grow with the needs of our community—providing equitable gathering spaces and uncensored public access to information. This is democracy in action.” —Sarah Beck, executive director

Grey Bears—“In Santa Cruz County, one in four seniors struggle to afford basic needs like healthy food; with cuts to programs like SNAP, more are slipping through the cracks. At the same time, nearly 40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste. Grey Bears bridges that gap by rescuing and redistributing local food: last year alone, 800 volunteers diverted nearly 2 million pounds of food from landfills to the plates and pantries of older adults in our community.” —Kayla Traber

Santa Cruz SPCA—“Shelters are in crisis, but at the Santa Cruz SPCA, we refuse to give up. We transform scared, sick and overlooked pets into beloved companions, giving them the second chance they deserve. We say yes to animals other shelters can’t take, and your support directly fuels their journey home, turning fear into hope and ensuring their stories end in love, not loss.” —Jamie Lyons, development and communications director

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THURSDAY 12/18

CELTIC

INFO: 7:30pm, UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz. $50-$55. 459-2159

EXHIBITION

INFO: Noon, The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.

FRIDAY 12/19

INDIE

INFO: 8:30pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $20. 429-6994.

HOLIDAY

INFO: 5:30pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.

INFO: 7:30pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $27. 705-7113.

SATURDAY 12/20

BALLET

INFO: 1:30pm, Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, $20-$65, 420-5240.

AMERICANA

INFO: 7pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

DANCEHALL

INFO: 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $38/adv, $45/door. 479-1854.

SUNDAY 12/21

BLUEGRASS

INFO: 4pm, El Vaquero, 2901 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. $10. 607-8118.

Nonprofit Groups Providing Food and Other Assistance