Page 358 – Good Times

All California Public High School Students Will Soon Have to Take Ethnic Studies

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October 14, 2021

All California Public High School Students Will Soon Have to Take Ethnic Studies

By Soumya Karlamangla, The New York Times

The hundreds of new laws that Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed over the past several weeks include plenty of “firsts.”

California has become the first state to force the garment industry to pay workers by the hour, instead of per item. The first to ban the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers. The first to target Amazon production quotas. The first to outlaw removing a condom without permission during sex.

Of these landmark bills, perhaps the most controversial is one requiring all public high school students to take an ethnic studies course to graduate.

Under the new law, high schoolers will be taught about the struggles and contributions of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other ethnic groups, “which have often been untold in U.S. history courses,” according to the state’s model ethnic studies curriculum.

California’s student population is highly diverse — less than a quarter of public K-12 students are white. Through ethnic studies courses, students can learn their own stories as well as those of their classmates, Newsom said.

“America is shaped by our shared history, much of it painful and etched with woeful injustice,” Newsom wrote in his signing message. “Students deserve to see themselves in their studies, and they must understand our nation’s full history if we expect them to one day build a more just society.”

What’s the new law exactly?

Assembly Bill 101 adds one semester of ethnic studies to the state’s high school graduation requirements.

This will introduce high schoolers to concepts that have typically been reserved for the collegiate level.

Not only was ethnic studies born on a Bay Area college campus, but it is also already a graduation requisite at California community colleges, the California State University system and some University of California campuses.

The specifics of what will be taught in high schools are up to local districts.

The nearly 900-page model curriculum approved by the California Department of Education this year includes dozens of sample lessons, such as “#BlackLivesMatter and Social Change,” “Chinese Railroad Workers” and “U.S. Housing Inequality: Redlining and Racial Housing Covenants.”

Whom does this affect?

The first high schoolers subject to the new mandate are those graduating in the 2029-30 academic year. Schools do not have to begin offering ethnic studies courses until 2025.

The requirement applies to students at all California public schools, including charters. There are currently about 1.7 million public high school students in the state.

Is anyone else doing this?

Several districts in California have already added ethnic studies to their high school graduation requirements, including San Diego, San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles Unified school districts.

In 2017, Oregon passed a law ordering that ethnic studies concepts be integrated into existing social studies courses for K-12 students. The rule differs from California’s in that it does not create a distinct course focused on ethnic studies.

Who opposes the law?

California has been working for years on developing a model ethnic studies curriculum, but early drafts faced heavy pushback from many quarters. Amid these concerns, Newsom last year vetoed a nearly identical version of the bill.

Previous drafts of the state’s teaching guide were criticized as too left-leaning, filled with jargon and promoting “critical race theory,” an academic concept that argues racism is ingrained in American laws and government institutions.

There was also condemnation from Jewish groups, who felt the curriculum emphasized Palestinian oppression while barely mentioning the Holocaust, as well as other ethnic groups that felt excluded.

The final version of the state’s curriculum, approved this March, deleted references that offended Jewish groups while adding lessons about the experiences of Jews, Arabs and Sikhs in America, The Los Angeles Times reports. It also struck terms such as “cisheteropatriarchy” and “hxrstory,” as well as language connecting capitalism with oppression.

Yet critics remain. Some supporters of the original guidelines feel the scope should not have been expanded beyond the four ethnic groups that lived in America before Europeans arrived.

Others find the current version too radical still. Williamson M. Evers, a former assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education, told The Los Angeles Times that the model curriculum was “permeated” with content that made it “racially divisive and burdened by faddish ideology.”

As districts across the state figure out how to put into place this new mandate, the debate will undoubtedly continue.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Hearing Begins in Pleasure Point Kidnapping, Murder Case

Todd Guild

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October 14, 2021

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Hearing Begins in Pleasure Point Kidnapping, Murder Case

SANTA CRUZ—The four men who investigators say kidnapped and murdered a Pleasure Point man two years ago appeared in court Tuesday for the first day of their preliminary hearing.

Stephen Lindsay, 28, Joshua Camps, 25, and brothers Kaleb and Kurtis Charters, 20 and 23, respectively, are being held in Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.

They are accused of breaking into the home of Tushar Atre on Oct. 1, 2019, binding his hands with plastic handcuffs, forcing him into his girlfriend’s BMW and then driving him to his property on Soquel San Jose Road, where they killed him with a high-powered rifle.

Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Steven Siegel ordered that all but Camps have one arm cuffed during the hearings, citing the conduct of the others while in jail.

Siegel also denied requests by several media organizations to take video and photos of the hearing, agreeing with defense attorneys that images of them in orange jail attire could prejudice potential jurors.

During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must convince a judge that there is enough evidence to bring suspects to trial. The four suspects’ hearing is expected to last one week.

Atre in 1996 founded AtreNet, a web design company, and owned Interstitial Systems, which manufactured cannabis products. Kaleb Charters and Lindsay are former employees of Interstitial Systems.

According to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies who took the stand, law enforcement officials responded to a call of a potential kidnapping and burglary at 3:34am at Atre’s residence at 3034 Pleasure Point Drive.

There, they met one of Atre’s employees who reported hearing two unknown men shouting “get on your stomach,” “put your hands behind your back,” “where is it,” “where are they” and “open the safe.”

The suspects, deputies testified the employee said, then forced Atre outside where, with his hands bound behind him, he tried to run before being tackled and stabbed by Lindsay. Deputies said he was then made to get into the passenger seat of the BMW, and the suspects drove him to 245 Soquel San Jose Road.

Deputies searching for the BMW later that morning found Atre at the property, sprawled on the ground with a gunshot wound to his face.

Investigators searching Camps’ residence found numerous handguns, rifles and ammunition, along with the same type of plastic handcuffs used to bind Atre’s hands. Camps also told investigators where to find a piece of a rifle that had been buried.

During cross-examination by the suspects’ four defense attorneys, the deputies who took the stand described witness testimony about Atre’s often combative relationship with his employees, and said that he “went out of his way” to start fights. One witness said he was known for delaying paychecks to assure future work. Others said that Atre had several disgruntled employees, and that at least one person had made death threats against him.

Still another employee attempted to run Atre over with his own vehicle, before stealing the vehicle, deputies said, while another one was accused of smashing equipment in Atre’s business.

Electric Light Rail Demonstration Set for Watsonville this Weekend

Johanna Miller

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October 14, 2021

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Electric Light Rail Demonstration Set for Watsonville this Weekend

WATSONVILLE—This weekend residents will have the opportunity to ride on a clean-energy, accessible streetcar along a section of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line in Watsonville.

Members of Coast Futura, an alliance of people from various other county organizations, organized the demonstration with Roaring Camp Railroads to give the public a chance to see and experience a vehicle that could possibly travel between Watsonville and Davenport in the future.

The ViaTran streetcar was manufactured by California-based TIG/m, LLC. The vehicles are wireless, battery-dominant hydrogen fuel cell hybrids that could move quietly through neighborhoods alongside the Rail Trail, portions of which have been completed or are in progress.

“A lot of people have misconceptions that a train is going to be stinky, smelly and loud,” said Trink Praxen, a volunteer with Coast Futura. “It’s important for people to get a chance to see it go through town, how it could possibly fit into our community.”

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has for years been investigating alternatives that could be used on the rail corridor. Earlier this year, a plan was finalized focusing on two options: Passenger Electric or Electric Light Rail (ELR).

However, things changed after new RTC board members were elected. A once unanimous adoption was suddenly a 50/50 vote.

“This is why we’re coming in and saying, ‘Let’s look at what this light rail could actually look like,’” Praxen said, “and hopefully encourage the RTC to form a majority again and go back to adopt both a trail and rail.”

Volunteer Iwalani Faulkner alluded to an ongoing investment effort by the State of California to connect cities by ELR. In early 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order stating that electric light transportation is the number one priority to address transit pollution.

“And if you look at that documentation, our portion—from Davenport to Watsonville—is noted several times as an important part of that network,” Faulkner said. “The amount of money that could possibly be coming to our county is close to a billion dollars.”

But that money, she said, is only accessible when the county approves the RTC business plan.

“We can apply for these funds. And we’ve already put money in through taxes,” she said. “If we don’t use them, we’ll lose them.”

The ViaTran is considered “ultra light,” meaning it is much lighter than older systems, using a fraction of the energy of ones using rubber tires/tracks. The vehicles do not require overhead wires or any type of wayside power systems, resulting in savings of up to 50% in construction and maintenance costs.

TIG/m has installed the systems in cities around the world, from Las Vegas to Dubai, and won multiple Global Light Rail Awards. And if implemented in Santa Cruz County, local energy company Central Coast Energy would be on board to produce the energy required.

But the ViaTran is not the only option Coast Futura is looking into. Faulkner said they want to bring in other systems to demo in the near future.

“We’re looking at [ViaTran] because it doesn’t have the overhead wires, meaning there would be a huge savings to implement it,” Faulkner said. “And we have the tracks—there just needs to be some fixes along the line.”

This Saturday and Sunday, guests can ride the ViaTran between the hours of 9am and 5pm, starting at the intersection of Walker and West Beach streets.

Pre-order tickets are currently booked. However, there may be some tickets available in-person, and people can also get on a waitlist if signed-up riders do not show.

Residents can watch the streetcar go by near the Second Harvest Food Bank building along Ohlone Parkway, on Beach and Walker Streets, or the Rail Trail portion between Ohlone and Walker.

“That alone will give you a sense of how quiet it is, how beautiful, sleek and efficient,” Praxen said. “It’s important for people in Watsonville to see what this will look like. And to imagine … being able to commute into Santa Cruz, to Cabrillo College or UCSC … to transverse our county on something like this, instead of having to get in a car or taking that long bus [ride]. I think it’s an exciting prospect for Watsonville.”

Added Faulkner: “What we are doing on our cramped highway right now, in our little Santa Cruz County … is very impactful. It just has to change.”

Another demonstration will be held next week (Oct. 21-24) in Santa Cruz, between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Capitola Bluffs. Again, preorder tickets are sold out, but some may be available the day of.

A bike valet will be available for attendees of both events.

Faulkner said that increasing transportation alternatives is vital in the midst of the ongoing national public transit crisis.

“A lot of people can’t afford a car, but they still need to get to work, school, and other events,” she said. “The more we boost public transit, the more it will help these people.”

For information about Coast Futura, visit coastfutura.org or call 335-4484.

City Council Deems Kmart Property a Public Nuisance

Tony Nuñez

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October 14, 2021

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City Council Deems Kmart Property a Public Nuisance

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting declared the vacant Kmart property a public nuisance, citing “illegal camping, lack of sanitation, inoperable or abandoned vehicles, excessive noise” and a “violation of the City’s zoning laws.”

The declaration gives the City the right to remove the people living behind the vacant Kmart building—and all of the cars, trailers and tents there, too—if the owner or lessee do not do so before Oct. 25. The City would pay for the abatement by placing a lien on the property at 1702 Freedom Blvd.

The move was approved unanimously by the City Council as part of its consent agenda, a portion of public meetings that typically contain items expected to pass without much discussion by the agency in question.

John and Laura Adams have owned the property for decades, and City staff believes the current tenant is Transform SR Brands LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company doing business as Transformco, sometimes referred to as “New Sears.”

The Watsonville Kmart location closed its doors in late August.

Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra said that the City met with representatives from the Adams’ family and Transformco last week, and came to an agreement that the City hopes will solve some of the concerns he says he has received from nearby residents and businesses.

Residents living in the neighborhoods behind the property say the people camped behind the Kmart building threw used needles into their backyards and that they heard fights throughout the night, Dutra says. Business owners have also lodged complaints to the City about several broken-down cars and trailers setting up camp in the parking lot shared with Jack in the Box, Walgreens Pharmacy, Taqueria Mi Tierra and several other businesses.

“It’s becoming its own little city on that property,” Dutra said on Oct. 8. “This is something that we’re going to have to solve now, or it’s just going to get worse.”

The City says the lessee and property owners agreed to clear out the back of the business, put up fencing and barricades around the property, install cameras and hire a 24-hour security guard.

But the City Council followed through on the declaration because, according to City Attorney Alan Smith, some of the terms in the agreement had not been met before Tuesday’s meeting.

The item will return to the council at its Oct. 26 meeting if the lessee and property owners do not fulfill the agreement.

City leaders said they did not know if any prospective businesses had yet struck a deal with the property owner, but emphasized that they would have very little, if any, say in what ultimately happens with that building.

In order for the City Council to declare something a public nuisance, it must be “injurious to health, indecent, offensive to the senses, an obstruction to the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property,” according to the City’s municipal code.

Outright bans on outdoor camping have been largely prohibited across the U.S. since the Ninth District Court of Appeals ruled in 2018 that outdoor public camping cannot be criminalized unless the individuals are given an alternative shelter option. But the same protections determined in that case, Martin vs. Boise, do not apply for people camping on private property if the owner asks law enforcement or officials to break up a campsite.

Dutra said on Oct. 8 the decision to break up the campsite behind Kmart is not an easy one. He said he understands that there are individuals that are struggling to find housing on the pricey Central Coast, but there are also other issues deeply rooted in the homelessness crisis that have made their way to Santa Cruz County’s southernmost city.

“This has moved on beyond housing. Housing alone is not going to solve this problem,” he said. “We’re dealing with addiction, we’re dealing with mental health situations, and we’re dealing with, in some situations, a mix of both … but the [residents] living behind that fence shouldn’t have to deal with this. The needles. The fights.”

A woman who said she was unhoused spoke during the City Council meeting and asked the City to have compassion for people in her situation. She also said that there needs to be more resources for people who are experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet. Dutra offered to connect her with the services available in Watsonville, including the recently opened Grace Harbor Women’s Center, which offers roughly 90 beds to homeless and at-risk women, including those with children.

“OK,” the woman responded, “but it would also be really nice to see a wider solution to the problem other than just telling us to move somewhere else.”

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 13-19

GT Staff

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October 13, 2021

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A weekly guide to what’s happening.

ARTS AND MUSIC

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL Bring the adventure home! Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have a good internet connection because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is Virtual! Travel to the most remote corners of the world, dive into daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comfort of your living room. Films can be purchased individually or as a bundle. Banff will also be screening Award Winners: Monthly Film Series; join us online for a mixed program of award winners from the 2020, 2019 and 2018 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festivals. Catch up on missed films or relive some of the best that Banff has to offer. Just announced is the Encore Classic Films from the past 10 years. Audience favorites. Don’t miss out! Screening until Oct. 24, 2021. Visit riotheatre.com for more information about the online programs and how you can support your local screening. You may also go directly to the Banff affiliate link for the Rio filmfest.banffcentre.ca/?campaign=WT-163945. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.

BLACK HEALTH MATTERS INITIATIVE: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY On Oct. 16 from 1-5 pm, Santa Cruz County’s Black Health Matters Initiative (BHMI) will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a day-long festival on the Tannery Arts Campus featuring performances, live music, food, a health clinic, artists, family fun activities, and vendors. The BHMI anniversary celebration is open to all community members and is free of charge. SCC Black Health Matters Initiative promotes equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County. Throughout the last year, BHMI has curated dynamic programming and direct services to elevate Black voices and representation. In collaboration with various partnerships, BHMI hosted hikes, surfs, movement classes, and more in Santa Cruz County parks, developed a Youth Ambassadors program for Black youth to network and rise as emerging leaders in the community, and sponsored local activists, leaders, and artists to effectively build a bridge for all Santa Cruzians to find connection, community, resources, and care. More info at tanneryworlddance.com/black-health-matters. Saturday, Oct. 16, 1-5pm. Tannery Arts Center, 1050 River St., Santa Cruz.

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ MAKERS MARKET Come on out and support local makers and artists at the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market every third Sunday of the month on Pacific Ave at Lincoln St.! We are now on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets near New Leaf and alongside so many amazing downtown restaurants. Support local and shop small with over 30 Santa Cruz County artists and makers! Don’t forget to stop in and visit the downtown merchants and grab a bite to eat from the downtown restaurants. Remember to social distance as you shop and wear your mask. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. There will be hand sanitizing stations at the market and signs to remind you about all these things. Friendly leashed pups are welcome. Sunday, Oct. 17, 10am-5pm. Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market, Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

DÍAS DE LOS NUESTROS: A CELEBRATION OF ART, CULTURES, AND COMMUNITY Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. This year, we welcome Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month through dance and discussion. All Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí performances begin at 3pm on the event dates. A small exhibit of Folclórico costumes and light refreshments will be provided from 2-5pm on the performance dates. The exhibits will be available Oct. 1-9 at the Felton Branch, Oct. 10-16 at the downtown branch, and Oct. 17-23 at the Capitola branch. The event explores the art and cultures of our immigrant communities, and is followed by a Día de los Muertos Program in early November at three branch locations. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2pm. Capitola Library, a Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

I’M YOUR MAN: THE FILM I’m Your Man is a small art film with great reviews and awards but no support from the studio. It’s a film that deserves to be seen. In a love story that transcends “modern romance,” a woman must navigate her relationship with the robot designed to be her ideal partner. Alma (Maren Eggert) is a scientist coerced into participating in an extraordinary study in order to obtain research funds for her work. For three weeks, she must live with a humanoid robot tailored to her character and needs, whose artificial intelligence is designed to be the perfect life partner for her. Enter Tom (Dan Stevens), a machine in human form created solely to make her happy. A playfully romantic tale, I’m Your Man questions what love and longing really mean in the modern age. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7pm. Santa Cruz Cinema, 1405 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

SHE ADVENTURES FILM TOUR Born out of a desire to showcase the strong, inspirational, adventurous women of the outdoor world, the She Adventures Film Tour presents a carefully curated selection of short films that will entertain, inspire and enlighten. The tour showcases a two-and-a-half hours program of the most heartfelt, inspiring and entertaining films celebrating adventurous women from independent filmmakers around the globe. Featuring a unique selection of films of varying lengths and styles, covering topics relevant to women in the outdoors, the She Adventures Film Tour will connect with both the avid adventurer and the armchair adventurer alike. The 2021 tour will take you around the globe by bike in an attempt for the speed record, longboarding in the French Alps, getting big air and grinding rails. Dive into the world of Sri Lanka’s first competitive female surfer, push the limits with the uniquely French-Canadian sport of ice canoeing and join Lucy Barnard on her walk around the world. Ride the trails with some rad mountain bikers in Vermont and run the muddiest known time in remote Australia. These amazing stories of courage, grit, determination, and outdoor inspiration are focused on bringing the female adventure experience under the spotlight. With eight inspiring films in the lineup, this year’s tour is full of adventure and trailblazing female adventurers. Friday, Oct. 15, 7pm. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.

COMMUNITY

COAST FUTURA STREETCAR DEMO IN WATSONVILLE Take a ride on the Coast Futura!

This free demonstration of a clean-energy, affordable, accessible streetcar on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line is happening in Watsonville and Santa Cruz. For the first time, our community will get to experience a rail vehicle that you can see, touch and ride in. The demonstration event is happening in Watsonville on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17 at Beach and Walker streets. The route includes a portion of the city and sloughs. Tickets are required to ride the streetcar. For your free ticket, visit: coastfutura.org. The schedule includes hourly departures for rides that will last about 40 minutes. Each ride will include about 30 passengers. And all rides will be free! All health mandates will be followed, including masks. Saturday, Oct. 16, 9am-7pm. Sunday, Oct. 17, 9am-7pm.

COMMUNITY DRUMMING WITH JIM GREINER IN PERSON Percussionist/educator Jim Greiner will conduct the next in his monthly third Friday series of community drumming sessions at the Inner Light Center in Soquel in person from 7-8:30pm. The cost is $10. Masks and social distancing requirements will be honored. Jim makes it fun and easy for people from all walks of life to play drums and hand percussion to release stress, to uplift and energize yourself, and to reinforce positive life rhythms through percussion playing. Friday, Oct. 15, 7-8:30pm. Inner Light Center, 5630 Soquel Drive, Soquel.

CUÉNTAME UN CUENTO Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias. La hora será miércoles a las 4:30pm. Nos reuniremos en el porche exterior. Cuéntame un Cuento se llevará a cabo en Capitola durante el período de construcción de Live Oak. En caso de mal clima, se cancelará la hora de cuentos. Join us for Spanish Storytime, activities, and music! This program is best suited for kids ages 0-8 and their families. Storytime takes place on Wednesday at 4:30pm. We will meet on the outside porch. Storytime will take place at Capitola during Live Oak’s construction period. In the event of bad weather, storytime will be cancelled. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 4:30pm. Capitola Library A Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

EVERGREEN AT DUSK: CEMETERY HISTORY TOURS Welcome back to our second year of Evergreen at Dusk historical tours. We invite you to discover the stories and secrets found within Evergreen Cemetery, one of the oldest public cemeteries in California, on a self-guided or private tour of the grounds. Bring your curiosity as you explore the final resting place of Santa Cruz’s early settlers. The 45-minute tour uncovers the stories and tombstones of the people who made Santa Cruz what it is today. Designed for the daring, the curious, and the history-loving. This tour is great for all ages! Each tour should take 30-45 minutes to complete. The time you select is when your group/household tour begins, we recommend arriving five-to-ten minutes early to ensure you can begin right on time. Upon arrival, find the MAH table near the iconic Evergreen Arch. We will give you the printed map and guide with a brief introduction to Evergreen. Following the welcome, you are then free to follow the scavenger hunt like map and travel back in time uncovering the stories buried across the grounds. Go at your own pace and begin your adventure. We’ll be there on-site to help you get from tombstone to tombstone if assistance is needed. This tour will be led by a MAH staffer and is available to two households per night. Dig deeper into the stories and history of the cemetery. This tour has to be on your Santa Cruz Bucketlist. Please be sure to wear your mask if you are not vaccinated and maintain a 6-ft distance when around other explorers or MAH staffers. Thursday, Oct. 14, 4-7pm. Evergreen Cemetery, 261 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz.

FAMILY BIKING VIRTUAL WORKSHOP Of all the barriers people face to biking, kids usually land at the top of the list. How early can you get your kiddo on a bike with you? What are the different ways you can carry your kids or ride with them? Is a cargo bike better than a trailer? Can you really manage the school, work, store and extracurricular point-to-point by bike? In this new workshop, Ecology Action staff will guide you through the many options for family biking. Topics will include gear, family testimonials, riding through developmental stages and recommendations for riding with kids safely, conveniently and having fun along the way. Find out how parents are replacing the minivan with the bike and why kids can’t seem to get enough.

Register today at bit.ly/2XADpC9. Tuesday, Oct. 19, Noon-1pm.

FELTON TODDLER TIME Join Librarian Julie on our beautiful Felton patio for Toddler Time. Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. Music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and songs are a fun way for your child to learn. Let’s play and learn together! Make sure to bring something to sit on. We ask that adults please wear a mask. Repeats weekly. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 11am. Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

GREY BEARS BROWN BAG LINE Grey Bears are looking for help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. Volunteers will receive breakfast and a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with a mask and gloves at 7am. Call ahead for more information: 831-479-1055, greybears.org. Thursday, Oct. 14, 7am. California Grey Bears, 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

KNITTING AT THE FELTON LIBRARY Join us every Monday afternoon at the Felton Branch for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome. Monday, Oct. 18, 12:30pm. Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

LA SELVA BEACH PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Join us for a fun interactive storytime. We’ll read books, sing songs and use rhythm and movement. This event is suitable for children ages 3-6 years. There will be an arts and crafts project to take home. This event will be held outside on the back patio. Please bring something to sit on and dress for the weather. Masks will be required. Repeats weekly. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 11am. La Selva Beach Branch Library, 316 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME IN THE SECRET GARDEN Join us in the Secret Garden in Abbott Square at the MAH for storytime! We’ll share stories, songs and rhymes in a safe environment. This 30-40 minute program is intended for children aged 2-6. Do it yourself craft kits will be provided every week. Every other week we will feature STEM-related stories and concepts. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 11am. Abbott Square, 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz.

R.E.A.D.: REACH EVERY AMAZING DETAIL @ CAPITOLA R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only. Contact SCPL Telephone Information if you have any questions: 831-427-7713. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 3pm. Capitola Library A Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

VEGAN COOKING & WINE PAIRING CLASS: A TASTE OF SPAIN ON YOUR PLATE Greetings foodies and wine lovers! Join me for a delightful afternoon enjoying the beautiful art of vegan Spanish cooking and wine pairing at the gorgeous FlipJack Ranch, in Bonny Doon nestled in the magical Santa Cruz Mountains. We’ll be going on a delicious journey to Valencia, Spain through our culinary adventures together! You’ll enjoy your exquisite culinary creations with a delicious red wine, the Mas Donis Old Vines 2014, Montsant, Spain, which beautifully complements Spanish cuisine! Class runs for four hours and is limited to 10 students to ensure the most spectacular experience for all. Since space is limited, early registration is highly encouraged. Please note: as a safety precaution for everyone, all registered students in my culinary and wine pairing classes must be fully vaccinated. I look forward to seeing you in class! Saturday, Oct. 16, 1-5pm. FlipJack Ranch, 4600 Smith Grade, Santa Cruz.

GROUPS

CLIMATE, LAND & WATER OUTDOOR MEDITATION Share this public, multi-faith meditation/demonstration, to raise our spirits, raise awareness, and raise the vibration in these troubled times. We will begin with Land Acknowledgement and opening ceremony, and then 30 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a brief closing and ending around 4:30. All are welcome! Please arrive early to find parking (you may need to park some distance away) and get settled in. We will gather on the lawn near the Lighthouse; look for the Novasutras signs. This is being offered as part of the Faiths4ClimateJustice days of action. Learn more at novasutras.org/santacruz/santa-cruz-events/#om. Sunday, Oct. 17, 3:30pm.

COMMUNITY PILATES MAT CLASS Come build strength with us. This very popular in-person community Pilates Mat Class in the big auditorium at Temple Beth El in Aptos is in session once again. Please bring your own mat, small pilates ball and theraband if you have one. You must be vaccinated for this indoor class. Suggested donation of $10/class is welcome. Thursday, Oct. 14, 10am. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 10am. Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos.

ENTRE NOSOTRAS GRUPO DE APOYO Entre Nosotras support group for Spanish speaking women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets twice monthly. Registration required, please call Entre Nosotras 831-761-3973. Friday, Oct. 15, 6pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

S+LAA MENS’ MEETING Having trouble with compulsive sexual or emotional behavior? Recovery is possible. Our small 12-step group meets Saturday evenings. Enter through the front entrance, go straight down the hallway to the last door on the right. Thursday, Oct. 14, 6pm. Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, 2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM WomenCARE Arm-in-Arm Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday, currently on Zoom. Registration is required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. All services are free. For more information visit womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Oct. 18, 12:30pm.

WOMENCARE MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Mindfulness Meditation for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets the first and third Friday, currently on Zoom. Registration is required call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Friday, Oct. 15, 11am-noon.

WOMENCARE TUESDAY SUPPORT GROUP WomenCARE Tuesday Cancer support group for women newly diagnosed and through their treatment. Meets every Tuesday currently on Zoom. Registration required, call WomenCARE 831-457-2273. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 12:30-2pm.

WOMENCARE: LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter yoga for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Registration is required, please call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 3:30-4:30pm.

OUTDOOR

CASFS FARMSTAND Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through Nov. 23. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. Friday, Oct. 15, Noon-6pm. Tuesday, Oct. 19, Noon-6pm. Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz.

CONCRETE SHIP HISTORY WALK Learn about Seacliff State Beach’s fascinating history on this one-mile, one-hour stroll to the Aptos Creek Bridge and back. Get the lowdown on the Concrete Ship, the development of Aptos, “The Madman of Seacliff,” and much, much more. Bring water and layered clothing. Pre-registration required at santacruzstateparks.as.me. Meet at the shaded picnic tables next to the visitor center. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-685-6444. Friday, Oct. 15, 11am-noon. Seacliff State Beach, State Park Drive, Aptos.

GUIDED COASTAL WALK On this two-and-a-half mile family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Meet next to the park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-426-0505. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php. Saturday, Oct. 16, 11am. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

HISTORIC RANCH GROUND TOUR Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831-426-0505. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. Saturday, Oct. 16, 1-2pm. Sunday, Oct. 17, 1-2pm. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

OUT AND ABOUT: FALL FOODS AT LIVE EARTH FARM Out and About is a monthly series by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History of family-friendly, small group get-togethers exploring Santa Cruz’s diverse natural spaces through guided activities. For this month’s Out and About family day, we’re visiting Live Earth Farm! The team at Farm Discovery will lead families through seed saving and pumpkin carving as we visit with farm animals. Let’s strengthen connections with our local food system and community as we fully embrace the fall season! Registration includes one pumpkin and apple snack per person. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the farm after the program ends; recommended for ages 5-10, but all ages are welcome. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday, Oct. 16, 10am-noon. Live Earth Farm, 1275 Green Valley Road, Watsonville.

SUNSET BEACH BOWLS Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of crystal bowls raising vibration and energy levels. Every Tuesday one hour before sunset at Moran Lake Beach. Call 831-333-6736 for more details. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6:30-7:30pm. Moran Lake Park & Beach, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

YOU PICK ROSES We are growing over 300 roses, deeply fragrant, lush and in every color, and we want to share them with you! Get out of the house and enjoy cutting a bucket of roses for your pleasure or to share with family and friends. Visit birdsongorchards.com to make a reservation. Once you have made a purchase, you will be sent a calendar link to pick a time for your reservation and directions to our farm in Watsonville. Friday, Oct. 15, 11am. Sunday, Oct. 17, 11am.

Yearlong Everchanging Exhibit ‘Landscape and Life’ Debuts at Tannery Arts Center

Aaron Carnes

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October 13, 2021

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Yearlong Everchanging Exhibit ‘Landscape and Life’ Debuts at Tannery Arts Center

Canadian artist Paul Walde once composed a requiem for a melting glacier in British Columbia—and then invited a small chamber orchestra to perform to that glacier. Another time, he made art pieces using mushroom spores, and invited musicians to perform along to those paintings, each interpreting them in their own unique way.

“He’s thinking, ‘How can we collaborate and create music with life forms other than human beings?’” says experimental musician Gabriel Saloman Mindel, who is working with local organization Indexical to create the yearlong exhibit Landscape and Life at the Tannery Arts Center. Walde is one of the artists contributing to the exhibit, which seeks to explore our relationship to the physical landscape in a totally new way.

“One of the problems with landscape painting is that it often depicts the world as a thing in the distance. It’s beautiful to look at, but doesn’t always capture the way that life, in all its different forms, is there,” Mindel says. “Rather than looking at it from a distance, [these artists] were getting right into it and treating the landscape as a living place.”

This exhibit also begins a new era of Indexical, an organization that formed in Brooklyn in 2011, then relocated to Santa Cruz in 2015, and is dedicated to experimentation in music. They’ve hosted music and art events in several local spaces, such as Peace United Church of Christ, Veterans Memorial Building, Kuumbwa Jazz, and Radius Gallery at the Tannery Arts Center. Now they have a dedicated location, after recently signing a year lease at the Tannery. In addition to Landscape and Life, they hope to host 40-50 more events.

“The Tannery offers them an opportunity to be more proactive about hosting events, and a wider array of events, because it’s a lot of work to start setting up a venue for each individual show,” Mindel says.

Initially, Mindell, who is an independent curator with Indexical, wanted to assemble a project that would explore how the various experimental musicians he knew were mixing visual arts into their work. After selecting the four artists—Walde, Suzy Poling, Paige Emery and Raven Chacon—he saw a theme emerge. They were each interacting with the physical world in unique ways and commenting on a lot of the issues we currently face in society.

“What I saw was a really important way of rethinking how we relate to landscape, because it affects the ways that we relate to not just the living creatures, but also our relationship to First Nation and Native American folks and their existence in this landscape. And the way we think about climate change. All those things are interconnected,” Mindel says.

It’s not clear yet what Walde has planned specifically for Landscape and Life, because his submission won’t be up until next year. But Poling, who likes to visit strange landscapes for her work, is set to go. For this exhibit, she visited Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierras. The rock formations, known as tufa, seem strangely alien and alive. She took photos of the rock, often including herself in the photos in costumes that mimic the texture of the weird geological formations. She has videos, photos, and music she has composed to accompany the visuals.

“I think that the music is meant to almost be the voice of that landscape, as if the landscape itself is speaking,” Mindel says.

Members of Indexical are hoping that this will mark a whole new era of bringing art to the city, and sparking conversations. In addition to the exhibit, they plan to host a whole speaker series this coming year.

“The way we view a world without humans as “empty space” is a reflection of our political and theological frameworks, says Indexical Executive Director Andrew Smith. “This speaker series is about ensuring that the broader argument of the exhibition series connects, and drawing some specific and practical examples that extend beyond the artwork. Currently, we expect to have six talks throughout the season, and I hope they’ll truly be community conversations.”

The first exhibits of Landscape and Life, by Suzy Poling and Paige Emery, continue through Nov. 13. A closing reception for both will feature performances by the artists and a Q&A on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 8pm at Indexical, 1050 River St. #119, Santa Cruz, (831) 621-6226.Tickets for the closing reception are $18, available at indexical.org.

Singer-Songwriter Harpist Calvin Arsenia to Perform Lille Aeske Arthouse

Aaron Carnes

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October 13, 2021

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Singer-Songwriter Harpist Calvin Arsenia to Perform Lille Aeske Arthouse

As a young singer-songwriter playing coffee shops in Kansas City, Calvin Arsenia had big plans. He pictured himself backed by an eclectic band that included, among other instruments, a harp.

“I have always been a bit more ambitious than I ought to be,” Arsenia says. “I was trying to put a little orchestra together inside of Starbucks. And obviously, harpists are quite rare, and the instruments are expensive and hard to move. That didn’t quite work out as I planned.”

His harp dreams got a second wind when he realized he could rent one himself and be the harpist. This was the better option because Arsenia wanted to experiment with how the harp sounded and not just create angelic overtones.

“I’ve always had a vast appreciation for different styles of music. I remember being a 13-year-old boy and downloading yodeling tutorials,” Arsenia says. “I’ve always had a deep love for different ways that people express themselves.”

In an unexpected twist, Arsenia became an accomplished harpist. He was sent to Scotland, where the harp is the national instrument, for missionary work by the controversial evangelical Christian church International House of Prayer. The freedom he experienced there helped him find himself and move away from the church. He met the principal harpist for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who agreed to mentor him. When he moved back to the U.S., he prioritized writing and performing his own music.

“The harp has been a bit of a Trojan horse for me,” he says. “As a singer-songwriter, there’s a lot of people who play guitar or piano, and I wanted to do something a little bit different. I like to pull the harp into places that it isn’t normally invited. I want to have it be a very sexy instrument, to be able to express romance and Eros. And I want to be able to express anger and frustration and sadness. And not just like this very idealistic sweetness. I want it to feel dangerous.”

A critical moment for him came with the release of Cantaloupe in 2018 with producer Ashley Miller. He envisioned an album that would blend elements of Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange and the work of Sufjan Stevens, with his voice smooth as John Legend. But he also wanted to completely reimagine how he could blend acoustic and electronic elements, both sonically and thematically.

“We as individuals are living in this kind of hybrid, bionic time where we need our cell phones to exist and to be a part of society, and we need computers and technology to receive and send out information. It is how we communicate it, and yet we still have to eat and grow food in our gardens,” Arsenia says. “We are hybrid individuals, and I wanted to reflect on those ideas on the record.”

He has a new record planned for early 2022, and will perform some of these songs when he comes to Lille Aeske this week. He also will be bringing his recently published book Every Good Boy Does Fine to the venue, and will be reading excerpts at the gig.

“The album is very much inspired by revelations that I had in 2020, particularly around the origins of America and what my narrative is in the middle of that.”

He has a song called “Scars and Stripes,” which was inspired by reading an article about one of his ancestors who was born into slavery in 1859. He says he wanted to answer the question, “What does that mean for me in 2021? And looking around at the Black Lives Matter movement and singing about these things on the harp. It’s a little bit awkward, but at the same time, it feels good to get it out. This is the truth. And this is my story.”

Calvin Arsenia performs at 8pm on Saturday, Oct. 16 at Lille Aeske Arthouse, 13160 Hwy 9 Boulder Creek. $30. 831-703-4183.

Letter to the Editor: A Better Way to Vote

Letters to the Editor

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October 13, 2021

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Letter to the Editor: A Better Way to Vote

Re: “Re: Districting” (GT, 9/22): Currently both Watsonville and Santa Cruz use plurality voting to elect its city council. Plurality at-large is used in Santa Cruz, and was used in Watsonville before 1989. Each citizen can only vote for a number of candidates equal to the positions open. If four must be elected, citizens must vote for no more than four. The four candidates who receive the most votes are elected. The problem is that plurality frequently allows less than 50% of the citizens to elect all the winners. Therefore, it prevents the remaining votes from helping to elect candidates of their choice. This is illustrated by the election results for the existing Santa Cruz Council:

All Winners All Losers

2018 47.05% 52.95%

2020 44.04% 55.96%

About 53% and 56% of the votes were prevented from helping to elect a representative of their choice.

When this happens to members of a Black, Latino, or other minority, the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) refers to these wasted votes as being “diluted.” It requires cities to change their voting methods to reduce this dilution as much as possible. Watsonville’s change to by-district elections reduced the vote dilution somewhat because districts could be drawn containing enough Latino voters to elect their councilmember by a plurality. The same seems not to be possible in Santa Cruz. At the same time, see how many votes can also be diluted in a district in which candidate C is elected with 34% of the votes when candidates A and B received 33% each–66% of the votes diluted.

Unfortunately, a majority of the Santa Cruz Council are locked within a plurality mindset. They have not even considered the two better alternatives that use modified at-large elections, but not plurality: Single transferable voting (STV) dilutes about 12%. An improved STV method called evaluative proportional representation (EPR) dilutes 0%. Each of these ballots can be as easy to use as a plurality ballot.

Democratically, EPR is the most attractive because it guarantees that every citizen’s vote will proportionally increase the voting power in the council of the elected candidate judged suitable for office by that citizen. If 30% of the voting population in Santa Cruz vote for a Latino candidate, that candidate will have 30% of the votes in the council. There are more details at https://www.jpolrisk.com/legislatures-elected-by-evaluative-proportional-representation-epr-an-algorithm-v3/.

Stephen Bosworth

Santa Cruz

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

Opinion: The Runway Returns

GT Staff

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October 13, 2021

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Even though I wrote a feature story last year on the rebirth of drive-ins during the pandemic, I ironically didn’t actually get to any of Santa Cruz’s drive-in events until Pivot’s show in the wide expanse of the Boardwalk parking lot in November. I was already impressed that Tina Brown and Rose Sellery had added a new layer of meaning to their event’s name by suddenly taking this outrageous fashion show they produce every year and turning it into a film to be shown to a drive-in audience. I thought the leaps of faith it must have required to get from “We produce an annual live runway event” to “We are making a film about fashion” were remarkable, since they are entirely different mediums. I wondered what it would even be—just footage of models walking runways? Nah. I knew Brown and Sellery wouldn’t be satisfied with that.

Still, I wasn’t expecting what they were able to create. As thoughtful and relevant as it was stylish, the Pivot film was a beautiful piece of work. The closing segment in particular—a somber metaphorical meditation on the state of the world that featured Sellery’s designs—was incredibly moving. Remembering the power the Pivot crew were able to channel even in the sealed-off drive-in setting makes me excited for the return of their live event. Johanna Miller’s cover story on the Saturday, Oct. 23 show will get you in the mood, too. If you’ve never seen a Pivot show, I can tell you two things from experience: 1) it’s not what you expect a fashion show to be, and 2) you won’t forget it.

STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Read the latest letters to the editor here.

ONLINE COMMENTS

Re: Sutter Shift

I feel sad for all of us residents in the mountain area. It was great that we didn’t have to go into Santa Cruz for our urgent care. A lot of us residents up in these mountains don’t have a ride all the way into Santa Cruz, especially for urgent care. Sure wish this decision would have considered us elderly mountain folk.

— Candy Frantz-Crafton

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Submit to ph****@go*******.sc. Include information (location, etc.) and your name. Photos may be cropped. Preferably, photos should be 4 inches by 4 inches and minimum 250dpi.

GOOD IDEA

BEAR NECESSITIES

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is matching all donations to Grey Bears, the organization that provides food and meals to seniors across the county. Last year, Grey Bears delivered more than 2.7 million pounds of food to those in need during the pandemic and CZU Complex fire. As we enter the winter season, Grey Bears is gearing up to increase its food deliveries, and will hopefully provide more meals than ever with the help of donations. Donate at https://www.grapevine.org/nonprofit/GwSny7p/Grey-Bears

GOOD WORK

MINDFUL SPENDING

Santa Cruz County is set to receive $3 million in federal grants to help those experiencing homeless who also face mental-health-related issues.

About a third of the homeless population has a serious mental illness, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. In a county that has one of the highest per-capita rates of homelessness in the state, this money is much-needed. The funds will go to the County of Santa Cruz Behavioral Health, which connects homeless with resources that address substance abuse, mental illness or both.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.”
-Bill Cunningham

Santa Cruz’s Unique Fashion Show Pivot Returns to the Runway

Johanna Miller

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October 12, 2021

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Santa Cruz’s Unique Fashion Show Pivot Returns to the Runway

For the past six years, artist and designer Tina Brown and stylist Rose Sellery have joined forces to bring a different kind of fashion show to Santa Cruz County.

Pivot: The Art of Fashion was first held in 2015, after Brown and Sellery were looking for a way to expand on what they were already doing at other runway events in the area, and carry on the tradition of the annual Fashionart event they had worked on with Angelo Grova.

“We wanted to do shows in other places,” Sellery says. “We wanted to offer different opportunities for designers, have workshops, marketplaces. We wanted to support them throughout the year, not just at one show.”

Since its inception, Pivot has grown in size and influence, gaining a reputation as a welcoming space for diversity and inclusion. Models—and the consumers the clothes are designed for—range in size, age, race, ethnicity, gender and orientation.

“We’re trying to define beauty in a broader sense,” Sellery says. “It’s not just about the size zero, 6-foot tall models. Beauty is the norm, it’s everywhere, in everyone you look around and see. Clothes are something every person can relate to. They are a mirror of our inner selves.”

“We want to inspire people, so they see the beauty in all kinds of clothes, and know they can have that beauty in their lives, too,” says Brown.

*Artist: Rose Sellery, ‘Party’s Over.’ PHOTO: R.R. JONES*

Pivot returns Oct. 23 with a night of runway presentations, featuring designer fashions and wearable artwork, as well as live music, spoken word, dance, and more at the Tannery Arts Center.

“Everyone is excited to be back,” Brown says. “They were so isolated during the pandemic. They’ve needed something to do, to look forward to and show off their work.”

When last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic, Brown and Sellery adapted it into a film. A two-day shoot they describe as “intense” had artists and designers film segments at Curated-By-The-Sea and the Rispin Mansion in Capitola.

The film was shown at a drive-in movie event at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

“We had the best time,” Sellery says. “We were in lockdown for so long. This allowed us to get together with people who were like family to us, connect and create.”

Despite the success of the film, Brown admits there was something missing in the experience.

“At our live shows, the feelings, the excitement is palpable,” she says. “But last year we were in our cars. We couldn’t see people’s reactions. We definitely missed the audience.”

Pivot is back to an in-person event, this time outdoors. Originally the show was going to be at the Rio Theatre, as with previous years. But the Delta variant changed everything.

“We realized we couldn’t jam all those people backstage,” Sellery says. “We didn’t feel good about being indoors, even if we limited the amount of people. What were we going to do? By then we were already heading into August.”

*Artist: Rose Sellery, ‘In Knots.’ PHOTO: R.R. JONES*

Enter the Tannery, which Sellery says was “very eager” to take on the project. Working with Program Manager Mercedes Lewis, they began putting the pieces together for the new event.

“We’ve been scrambling a bit,” Sellery says. “But we’re super excited. The lineup we have, the surprise performances—we think it’s going to be fantastic.”

Pivot highlights both local artists and designers, and some from across the U.S., including Hawaii, Iowa and Massachusetts. Many focus on sustainability and “upcycling,” the process of transforming by-products and other unwanted items into new creations.

Haute Trash, a group that originated in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, creates pieces from recycled materials. Local designer and Tannery resident Asha Tobing will show off her line of kidswear, “Lil’ Jax,” made from salvaged textiles. Sonia Le of Santa Cruz will display her custom pieces made from upcycled sari pieces.

Local favorite I.B. Bayo is also set to present his unique womens and mens creations at the show.

“Everyone waits to see what kind of feather concoction gown [Bayo] is going to put together,” Brown says. “He’s incredible. You never know what he’s going to come up with.”

Rebecca Wendlandt of Davis will be showing off two wearable artworks. The sea-themed pieces, one a jellyfish and the other inspired by coral, utilize LED lighting elements.

Wendlandt says she enjoys how Sellery and Brown blend art pieces like hers with more wearable fashion.

“I really appreciate them providing this unique sort of opportunity for artists,” she says. “I’m sure it’s a lot of work to organize and put on this show. It’s a really great thing to participate in.”

*Designer: Asha Tobing for Liljax. PHOTO: R.R. JONES*

Runway to South County

This year includes some new faces, including designer Sindy Hernandez, owner of Queen’s Shoes & More in Watsonville. Her line, “Sindy,” caught the attention of Brown and Sellery for its simple, clean lines and high quality fabrics.

“She’s fabulous,” Brown says. “Her stuff is very wearable, compared to some of the gowns you’ll see at the show. We do want some pieces that people will look at and say, ‘I would wear that!’”

Hernandez says she learned about Pivot through a customer, who introduced her to Brown.

“They really wanted to bring Watsonville into the mix, which is wonderful,” Hernandez says. “It’s been a rough year, and I haven’t been able to design much, but I do have a small collection of pieces I’ve been working on.”

Hernandez praised Pivot’s focus on diversity and sustainability.

“I’m very excited to be a part of it,” she says. “I’ve had fashion shows but they’ve always been here, in my store. With Pivot, I’ll get to experience the other side of things, with other designers. To see their work.”

A major goal of Pivot, Sellery says, is to educate the public about “slow fashion.” That is, embracing local and quality-made garments instead of mass-produced clothes from overseas.

“It’s about buying less, but better quality,” Brown says. “It’s about valuing and buying clothes made right here. You don’t need to go to Forever 21 to find something cool.”

“The fashion industry is one of the biggest producers of waste in the world,” says Sellery. “This is a big thing we can do to help the planet.”

*Designer: Sindy Collection for Queen’s Shoes Boutique. PHOTO: R.R. JONES*

Pivot will be catered by Emozioni Patisserie, a new Italian pastry shop in Santa Cruz, that will serve up both sweet and savory treats. Local band Los Improviders will act as the soundtrack for the evening; it is the first time Pivot will utilize live music for its runway show.

A catered VIP reception will be held prior to the event, where guests can enjoy food, champagne and mingle with designers and artists, plus have front row seating.

Face masks will be required for all guests and all participants backstage will either be vaccinated or have taken a recent Covid test.

“We usually have quite a big crowd,” Brown says. “So we’re trying to be as safe as possible.”

Both Brown and Sellery have their own jobs apart from Pivot. Sellery is a working artist and designer, while Brown works as a fashion stylist in the region.

But this show is their passion project, and something they look forward to every year.

“This is our labor of love,” Sellery says. “It is a joyful, fun experience where you can meet new people, make new friends and engage with art.”

*Artist: Dag Weiser, ‘The Break Up.’ PHOTO: R.R. JONES*

For Brown, the most rewarding thing about Pivot is the community of artists and designers they have created over the past six years.

“It is very difficult to make a living as an artist,” she says. “Especially in the past year, people have struggled. It’s been rough. So it’s helpful to have a network of people. You can check in with each other, collaborate, or just talk. I think our work has really paid off this past year. We’ve achieved what we set out to do.”

Pivot: The Art of Fashion will be held Oct. 23 at 7:30pm (doors 7pm) at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St. in Santa Cruz. For information and to purchase tickets, visit pivot-artfashion.com.

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