Seniors Helping Seniors

-

December 4, 2024

Strangers helping strangers may seem like a curious business model. But it’s worked for Grey Bears for 50 years. The company’s credo is “seniors helping seniors.”

Sprouting from a harvest festival in 1973 put on by UCSC graduates Kristina Mailliard and Gary Denny, who sought to share people’s backyard bounty with the elderly poor, this local nonprofit has become many things to that community: a food distribution hub, recycling center, thrift store, internet café and a locus for connection, especially around the holidays. The exciting purchase of adjoining property to their current midtown location means they are about to expand their capabilities.

The administrators I met with—Development Manager Kayla Traber, and Executive Director Jennifer Merchant—see Grey Bears as a source of nourishment for the senior community in all the myriad ways they need it.

Their Healthy Food Program provides bagged produce and pantry staples via door-to-door delivery for homebound clients or on-site distro at their 2710 Chanticleer campus, where they also serve daily hot meals.

“This past fiscal year, we served a record 58,622 meals,” Traber beams proudly.

These grocery bags and meals are paid for by grants, generous monetary donations or asset donation through a popular drop-off station, which restores and resells at their 7,000-square-foot thrift store, feeding all proceeds back into the program. Through relationships with local farms, grocery stores and food pantries such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Grey Bears volunteers do food rescue, saving “culled” produce from the landfill.

“We love distributing those imperfect crops because we find them to be really great quality,” Traber says.

There is a shameful amount of waste in the food industry, with perfectly usable fruits and vegetables never making it into the supply chain or being tossed by overscrupulous supermarkets for the slightest crease or dimple. Grey Bears is a corrective to that.

Seniors, who often face impossible choices like paying a mounting medical bill vs putting food on the table, “don’t care if something isn’t aesthetically pleasing,” says Merchant.

She sees the organization as a self-sustaining zero waste habitat. It all begins at their drop-off center and thrift store.

“Household goods get discarded by one family, then purchased by another,” she says. “Reused and living another life.”

The produce they save from the farms and stores populates their grocery bags. Any “unclaimed or undelivered” surplus from that is cooked into the on-site meals, and any waste from those has another destination.

“We have six earth tubs, huge composting bins that volunteers maintain and churn on a weekly basis. Then we sell that compost in our thrift store.”

Senior volunteers may one day require the services they provide for others. Today they bag groceries in an assembly line; tomorrow they may need those groceries.

Loops within loops.

Of Grey Bears’ more than 500 volunteers, 67% are seniors. They get the opportunity for cross-generational connections with the other 33% as they work side-by-side. For some of the less ambulatory Healthy Food Program recipients, their grocery delivery driver may be their only social contact that day.

In this way, Grey Bears battles another deadly form of starvation: isolation.

It’s a word repeated often during our interview. Traber and Merchant mention it in context of Covid, when Grey Bears was declared an essential service by the County of Santa Cruz, and they reorganized the property to allow masked volunteers to perform their duties outside, including packaging nearly 1,000 meals for CZU Complex Fire evacuees, and bagging for 4,400 seniors suddenly unable to pick up groceries or do on-site meals.

“Twenty percent of the meals we serve are to people who are unhoused or on the edge of being unhoused,” Merchant says. After opening up their kitchen and meal service during the 2020 fires, they were heartened to see it blossom from volunteers lunching together to “a substantial growth in the number of people taking advantage of that. People find new friends and new ways to connect that they didn’t have before.”

“That community is building its own community.”

But isolation remains an ongoing concern, with seniors feeling this most acutely during the holidays.

Grey Bears is taking measures to ensure no senior’s table or mailbox is empty this holiday season. They have launched a card drive from now until Dec. 17, asking for donations of non-religious cards with sweet inscriptions that show our elders, especially those without family, someone is thinking of them. Someday the new space at 2606 Chanticleer may host the annual holiday dinner, but on Dec. 7, all are invited to gather where it’s been hosted since the first one in 1974: the Civic Auditorium. And if anyone wants to be part of the sustainability cycle detailed here, Nov. 29 is “Grey Friday,” when all potential gifting materials at their thrift store will be 50% storewide.

“People donating to Grey Bears for Santa Cruz Gives can be confident that our dollars stretch a long way,” Merchant says. “They can feel good knowing they are helping a vulnerable population put healthy food on their plate, extend their ability to care for themselves, and develop social connections they might not otherwise find in their golden years.”

Giving Time

From now through Dec. 31, readers of Good Times can donate to local nonprofits at SantaCruzGives.org. These are some of the participating groups that have specific missions to provide food and/or housing to Santa Cruz County residents, as well as care and shelter for local animals in need.

Association of Faith Communities—Adding shelter beds in South County.

Families in Transition—Providing support to the organization’s Housing Services Fund.

Farm Discovery at Live Earth—Growing healthy communities through organic food distribution and education.

Habitat for Humanity—Building 13 affordable homes in Watsonville.

Homeless Garden Project—Providing free, organic produce to more individuals battling food insecurity.

Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes—Filling grocery bags for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in South County.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation—Rebooting the Planned Pethood program, which subsidizes even more high-quality spay/neuter surgeries for companion pets.

Santa Cruz SPCA and Humane Society—More Than Shelter program covers care for animals in foster homes, from medical treatments to behavioral training.

Santa Cruz Welcoming Network—Providing affordable housing for asylum seekers and refugees who are trying to secure legal status through the court system.

Second Harvest Food Band—Helping to provide food to more than 73,000 community members via partner agencies.

Santa Cruz Gives is funded by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Applewood Foundation, Joe Collins, Driscoll’s, Inc., Monterey Peninsula Foundation, 1440 Foundation, Santa Cruz County Bank, and Wynn Capital Management, as well as the generosity of the readers of Good Times, Pajaronian and Press Banner.

A Shore Thing

DNA

-

December 4, 2024

1

When one is driving up or down Highway One, every sense is informed by the majestic, staggering, rugged beauty of our coastline. But where some see beauty that should be left untouched, others see potential profits—or, worse, a dumping ground for garbage.

Local nonprofit Save Our Shores has been involved in the conservation of the Monterey Bay Area since 1978.

From its grassroots beginnings, Save Our Shores has been an integral part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary—a geological wonder, with its deepest canyon being two and half miles deep. Home to gray whales, orcas, elephant seals, dolphins, brown pelicans, sharks, rays and leatherback turtles, the Monterey Bay is a stunning ecosystem.

Back in the 1970s, there was a nationwide movement to combat pollution. A lone owl, named Woodsy, had a battle cry: “Give a hoot. Don’t pollute.” But things never slowed down. In 2024, the U.S. is set to produce 300 million pounds of garbage. And much of that garbage ends up in the ocean.

Who are the stewards of the planet? Who is looking out for the Central Coast? Where is our Woodsy? The answer: Save Our Shores, along with all the like-minded organizations they partner with, forming a Justice League who battle enemies as innocuous (yet toxic) as plastic.

Plastics are poisoning our bodies and the planet. Millions of tons of plastic wash up on beaches around the world, yearly. Save Our Shores leads the way on Coastal Clean Up Day, and throughout the year, all along the Central Coast. Hundreds of volunteers wander our beaches and coastline, picking up garbage and plastic debris.

One third of all plastic picked up is cigarette butts. Over a 10-year period, Save Our Shores gathered half a million butts. This year, Save Our Shores helped pass a ban on selling filtered cigarettes in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. While this sounds harsh to those, like myself, addicted to filtered cigarettes, it’s time to make a change.

And the kind of concentrated, educated choices that Save Our Shores makes ensures that our coastline can stay pristine into the 21st century. From preventing offshore drilling, to educational programs, to literally walking the coastline and picking up garbage, this is a worthy Santa Cruz nonprofit.

Now through the end of the year, Good Times readers can support Save Our Shores through Santa Cruz Gives. This fundraising initiative—its website is SantaCruzGives.org—makes philanthropy fun, with 63 different groups participating as a leaderboard tallies up the money they’ve raised.

Think about how often you’ve gone to the beach, driven up the coast or pulled over to marvel at the surfers, skating across the rippling emerald-green waves. Or maybe you found a wise old tree on the Coast, a secret spot that you go to to heal your mind. For all those reasons, It’s time to give.

Workers in the UC System Remain Without a New Contract

Mark Kreidler

-

December 4, 2024

0

Workers in the UC System Remain Without a New Contract

This article was produced by CapitalandMain.com. It is co-published here with permission.

On one hand, last month’s massive two-day strike by nearly 40,000 University of California workers at campuses around the state was exactly what it appeared to be. Employees are falling further behind the skyrocketing cost of living in many areas where UC campuses are located, and they are pressuring UC officials to resolve months-long contract negotiations.

But behind that basic negotiating tactic lies a harder truth: Across multiple unions over the past several years, bargaining sessions with the massive University of California system have consistently reached toxic levels of conflict before they’ve really moved. And there’s no sense that that system is about to change.

The walkout was called by workers affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME. AFSCME Local 3299 says it represents more than 37,000 University of California workers in the service and patient care sectors.

The union and UC have been in talks for nearly a year on new contracts. The hospital group’s most current deal expired July 31, while the service sector—including custodial, transportation, food and other workers—saw its contract end Oct. 31.

But an unfair labor practice charge filed by the union in October with the state Public Employment Relations Board claims the university has taken a baffling approach to negotiating that has stymied talks for months. University officials dismiss the charge as meritless.

The labor practice charge is illuminating. It lays out a pattern of delay and obfuscation by the university, everything from slow-walking the sharing of critical negotiating information—such as job vacancy numbers—to the University of California abruptly changing its lead negotiator after months of talks and functionally trying to re-start them from the beginning.

Further, the union’s filing said, the university announced unilateral increases in health care costs for all union employees in the UC system beginning next year. (By the university’s own count, that would take in roughly 138,000 workers.) The AFSCME said the hikes, including 9%-11% raises in monthly premiums, along with increased co-pays and pharmacy costs, are being implemented “without advance notice or opportunity to bargain.”

Such a filing isn’t proof in itself, and the Public Employment Relations Board is ultimately tasked with deciding whether the union’s claims amount to unfair labor practice by the University of California. But the union holds up the examples as proof that the university is trying to squeeze workers in the middle of a negotiation—one definition of bad-faith bargaining.

“Instead of being a constructive and transparent partner seeking to bring us closer to agreement, UC has sought to drive us farther apart by withholding critical information,” AFSCME Local 3299 president Michael Avant said in a statement. Avant accused the university’s negotiators of “showing up unprepared and without authority to compromise, and seeking to unilaterally impose healthcare cost increases that will function as a wage cut on workers already struggling to survive.”

In a statement, the university said it has had “a robust economic proposal on the table for months,” noting that the union hasn’t made a counterproposal to UC since May. Coincidentally, that was the month that the University of California replaced its original lead negotiator, David Tuttle, with current chief negotiator Guillermo Santucci, according to the union’s unfair labor practice filing. Santucci, the union said, began by attempting to establish new ground rules for the negotiations—even though they’d been ongoing since January.

University of California officials say they’ve offered a deal that would give union workers an average 26% pay raise spread over five years. The union counters with research showing a decline in real wages and a rapid increase in the percentage of UC workers who would qualify as “low” or “very low” income earners as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with inadequate construction of affordable housing for campus workers.

In the meantime, jobs continue to go unfilled. In an appearance before the University of California Board of Regents last year, the system’s chief financial officer noted that staff vacancy rates had tripled since the pandemic, meaning that “even though we are running paper deficits, oftentimes we have a cash surplus” because jobs haven’t been filled. (AFSCME says the university repeatedly ducked the union’s request to know more about the number of vacant jobs throughout the UC system.)

If this grinding negotiation feels familiar, it should. Just two years ago, 48,000 academic workers, most of them student graduate assistants, slogged through a 40-day strike before reaching agreement with University of California negotiators. Their new contract raised wages for the workers, some of whom made as little as $24,000 while trying to live near UC campuses in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and Berkeley. The agreement expires next year, setting the stage for another battle.

AFSCME’s own members staged a three-day strike in 2018 over many of these same issues. The UC system’s librarians, meanwhile, needed 22 bargaining sessions spread over 12 months to come to recent agreement on a new contract after years of budget cuts and crippling staff reductions.

Whether November’s action by AFSCME alters the course of negotiations remains to be seen. The university’s missives so far have been strident in tone. “Negotiations require both sides to work together,” the UC said in one statement. “We are disappointed it seems that AFSCME remains unwilling to do so.”

That is on brand for a university system that, increasingly, appears to prefer war to peace when it comes to its employees. What it doesn’t do is get UC any closer to agreement with tens of thousands of workers—and it’s not the first time.

This article was produced by CapitalandMain.com. It is co-published here with permission.

Extra Sauce

Dining Reviews

John Koenig

-

December 3, 2024

0

Change is good, but not in every instance.

At least that’s what many Seabright locals are thinking with new ownership in place at neighborhood anchor Seabreeze Café (542 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz).

Here, tweaking the legendary cinnamon rolls would be treasonous. Messing with the house Hollandaise would approximate madness. Tinkering with the service team that extends the feeling of comfort from the food would transcend ignorance.

Blessedly none of that is happening, because new owner Marcie Bei Magdaleno…

1) Has been going to Seabreeze with her family since she was tiny, and knew the Linda the cafe was named for (and most still know it as);

2) Has been part of a restaurant family herself (at The Grille at DeLaveaga) for four decades, from busing tables as a pre-teen to running the kitchen post culinary school;

3) Has the understanding that nothing here needs fixing, so she can focus on supporting the team with errand-running and value-enhancing.

“It is a gem in Santa Cruz, this little ma-and-pa place,” says Magdaleno, who lives in the neighborhood, next door to her parents. “Why change a good thing?”

An instance of her supplementary powers arrives as this hits newsstands (Wednesday, Dec. 4): From 3-6pm, Seabreeze hosts a holiday market starring a variety of area artisans—some on staff—tabling inside with everything from jewelry to textiles to photography to children’s books.

Outside will materialize appetizers (think tasty with a chance of cinnamon rolls) and holiday punch.

Meanwhile the entire team remains in place, stove-side to table-side. So do popular plates like house-made corned beef hash, three-egg Florentine omelets, “Seabreeze spuds” with loaded home fries and melted cheese, and “Turkey in the Garden” sandwiches with homemade soup.

Old-school, unchanged—mostly.

“I want to keep [Seabreeze] like it is and add to it,” Magdaleno says. “We’ll just see where it goes. The sky’s the limit!”

More at Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe on Facebook.

WATER WORLD

Three doses of oceanfront news, in descending order of enjoyment: One, Save Our Shores hosts an open house (345 Lake Ave., Suite A, Santa Cruz) during the Lighted Boat Parade 4:30–6:30pm this Saturday, Dec. 7, with great views of the festive flotilla, light snacks and hot beverages, fundraising games, ocean-style face painting, a “sweet swag” silent auction, and mingling with the staff and exec director Katie Thompson, saveourshores.org. Two, Barack Obama swung by Monterey Bay Aquarium recently, meeting up with a squad of Girl Scouts and filming scenes for Our Oceans, now available on Netflix. Three, California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently stalled the start of the commercial Dungeness crab season in the state until (at least) Dec. 15, and all the experts I’ve talked to—CDFW officials and fisherfolk alike—would be surprised if it opened before Jan. 1, so plan holiday appetites (and emotions) accordingly…

VITAL VITTLES

Aptos Wine Wander flows this Sunday, Dec. 8, with dozens of Santa Cruz Mountains vintners pouring and a bunch more businesses providing snacks ($45/advance, $50/door), winesofthesantacruzmountains.com…Love to two flavor-focused sponsors of the Dec. 7 Downtown Holiday Parade, Pacific Avenue institutions Penny Ice Creamery and Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar, now let’s float (!), downtownsantacruz.com…Santa Cruz Holiday Lights has begun at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, rolling three-quarters of a mile long, with literally millions of lights decorating tractors, trees, lawns and celebratory buildings. Santas, reindeer, snowmen and lighted tunnels too, fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-lights…Gloria Steinem: “The first problem for all of us is not to learn, but to unlearn.”

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

-

December 3, 2024

2

ONLINE COMMENTS

RE: NEW RAIL TRAIL DETAILS

Correction to this reporter’s article: It is not residents who petition the RTC for Quiet Zones (QZ). Residents can petition their City or County jurisdiction and it is those jurisdictions (aka taxpayers) that must petition the RTC. It is also those jurisdictions (aka taxpayers) that will be financially responsible for the extra infrastructure of the QZs and for liability at the QZ crossings. Question: how much will all of this cost? In 2022, when voters thought they were voting for a train, no one had a clue what the total cost of such a project would be. The only figure that has been proffered so far is about $1.3 billion. Wanna bet it will be more?!

Jean Brocklebank

Jack Brown and his failed friends at “Greenway” (LOL!) are going to forever crush any other type of motorized transportation in our county. Pity. Thankfully, many of us support the rail line.

As a Cabrillo trustee, speaking ONLY for myself ( not the campus president, the other trustees or the college), I am delighted to welcome either a bridge or a tunnel onto the Cabrillo Aptos campus to facilitate student and employee traffic to and from the campus. it will complement the new dorm we hope to have finished by mid 2027. Time marches on, folks. The Census Bureau reports CA population is now growing again, up to and past 40 million. It is NOT 1959 anymore, and we will have to live with growth in population. That means dorms on the campuses and electric trains to transport people. We can make it quite livable and see the beauty in it.

Steve L Trujillo

So, this pipe dream group gave a commercial rail license to Progressive Rail. We are now 6 years into that 10-year contract, and not a single freight shipment has been made. How’s this all going to work out for you?

There is not enough population to support this. The entire Bay Area train system runs at a deficit, but at least there’s millions of people that can use it! The population density here is far, far too low. And your estimates to build it? Triple or quadruple them, because nobody building these things seems to be able to predict a budget. And the trail system that could have been on the east side is slowed down by this idiocracy.

Jeff

Inner Health

Wellness

Elizabeth Borelli

-

December 3, 2024

0

Santa Cruz has long been a hub for innovation in wellness and consciousness, and on Dec. 6, the Psychedelic First Friday & End-of-Year Celebration at Green Magic Yoga promises to expand this tradition. This free event—hosted by the Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society—combines art, music and thought-provoking talks, offering attendees an opportunity to explore the transformative potential of psychedelics in health and personal growth.

Before you assume this is just another of the many microdosing events held in Santa Cruz, rest assured. In a wild west world of rampant experimentation, two local credentialed experts are bridging traditional and emerging approaches to wellness.

Dr. Michelle Bean, DC, and Dr. LeTa Jussila, DAOM, offer science-backed insight into the innovative applications of psychedelics in healing. Joining them is Dr. Cathy Coleman, who will reflect on the legacy of her late husband, Ralph Metzner, a Harvard-trained psychologist and psychedelic pioneer.

Dr. Metzner, alongside Timothy Leary and Ram Dass, played a foundational role in psychedelic research during the 1960s. His work at Harvard and later at the California Institute of Integral Studies established him as a revered figure in consciousness studies. Coleman’s new book, Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness: The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer, offers an intimate look at his groundbreaking contributions. Her talk will celebrate Metzner’s enduring impact, providing historical context for today’s renewed interest in psychedelics.

Bean’s presentation will explore the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin in addressing addiction, mental health challenges and chronic stress. As a chiropractor with a passion for holistic health, Bean emphasizes that psychedelics can provide profound breakthroughs for individuals seeking alternatives to traditional recovery methods.

Complementing this, Jussila will share her journey from acupuncture and herbal medicine to becoming a certified psychedelic facilitator through Naropa University. Her personal and professional experiences with cannabis and psilocybin have inspired her to develop microdosing protocols that empower individuals to harness these substances’ healing properties.

Jussila’s work extends beyond her Santa Cruz practice, as she prepares to launch a microdosing supplement line and lead retreats in Colorado. “Small shifts can lead to big transformations,” she explains, underscoring the accessibility of practices like microdosing to enhance creativity, focus and emotional well-being.

The renewed interest in psychedelics, supported by groundbreaking research, has positioned these substances at the forefront of mental health innovation. Studies show that psychedelics like psilocybin can alleviate symptoms of depression, PTSD and anxiety, while also fostering spiritual insights and emotional resilience.

For Bean and Jussila, this resurgence aligns seamlessly with their commitment to holistic health. Both practitioners began their journey into psychedelics through personal experiences, which deepened their understanding of the endocannabinoid system and the mind-body connection. Their shared dedication has fueled their exploration of alternative therapies, culminating in their certification as psychedelic facilitators.

The Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society’s First Friday gatherings are more than just educational events—they’re spaces for connection, inspiration, and community. Held at Green Magic Yoga on Squid Alley, these gatherings attract a diverse audience, from curious newcomers to seasoned psychonauts.

The Dec. 6 event is no exception. Doors open at 5pm, with talks beginning at 6pm. Attendees can look forward to lively discussions, artistic expression, and meaningful conversations about the role of psychedelics in personal and societal transformation.

For more details, visit psychedelicsantacruz.org.

Elizabeth Borelli is a certified plant-based nutrition expert, professional life coach, yoga teacher and author of the upcoming book Tastes Like La Dolce Vita. Learn more at ElizabethBorelli.com.

The Editor’s Desk

Letters to the Editor

Brad Kava

-

December 3, 2024

0

Santa Cruz California editor of good times news media print and web — Brad Kava | Good Times Editor

Do you feel like you are in a sci-fi movie about the end of the world?

You should.

This week’s cover story spreads the word about the effects of climate change on the wine industry. It’s a clarion call we should all pay attention to, like the people in the sci-fi movies who ignore that meteor heading to Earth.

“Beyond warming average temperatures and more frequent heat waves, climatologists predict that California will experience more frequent and severe wildfires, storms, droughts and other climatic events, all of which will impact viticulture and enology,” says Jordy Hyman’s report.

But we don’t seem to hear.

We’ve replaced an administration that believed in climate change with one that believes in drill, baby, drill and use more carbon fuels. Why do we call this climate change instead of climate crisis?

Sure, in our little Santa Cruz nest, we’ve banned plastic straws, shopping bags and plastic hotel shampoo bottles. But where is the leader willing to take the big step—banning plastic altogether and selling products in recyclable packaging, like glass bottles, as we did before the plastic industry got its stranglehold on the world?

I’ll raise a glass to that.

Meanwhile, Jordy’s story isn’t just about doom. He covers the history of wine as grape varietals traveled around the world and has plenty of information you can share while imbibing. It’s a great read.

On the upbeat front, if you like the music of Radiohead and Porcupine Tree, you will have a chance to meet an English band in their genre. What do we call it? Modern Prog? Spacy Music? Floydian Roots? The band is called The Pineapple Thief and it plays Sunday at the Catalyst. Let it be known, this is one of the reasons we love Santa Cruz.

We get to see internationally known bands in our hometown clubs. You don’t get this chance in much larger cities, like San Jose. I don’t think there’s a city of our size in the country with as much diverse and great music. Check this one out and drop us your review.

That said, the best show I saw this year locally was a lesser-known jam band called The Third Mind fronted by Dave Alvin and it returns to Moe’s Alley Dec. 19. I would drive hours to see them, but they are in our backyard.

Need a reason to visit the Capitola Mall? How about a vegan restaurant called Terra Superfoods. It’s probably the last thing you’d expect in a mall. They are planning to open an outlet in Downtown Santa Cruz, but for now, Terra Superfoods, holiday shopping and the Flynn Creek Circus, which is parked in a tent outside the mall, are great reasons to visit 41st Avenue.

Plus, there’s plenty of free parking.

Thanks for reading, writing, keeping the faith.

Brad Kava | Editor

PHOTO CONTEST

WINTER WONDERBEACH Recent storms light up the skies as winter approaches Hidden Beach in Aptos. Photograph by Andy Stack

GOOD WORK

Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation introduces the Inaugural Holiday Glow Guide—a community-driven showcase of our area’s most festive and dazzling holiday displays.

The Glow Guide features local homes with twinkling lights, creative decorations and festive charm.

How to Join: Register your home as a festive stop by submitting your address and a photo at 2024 Holiday Glow Guide and Contest. Once registered, your home will be added to the online Glow Guide map for the community to explore. Every entry receives a $5 promo code for Winter-Spring activity registration. The winner will receive a $50 Parks & Recreation gift card.

GOOD IDEA

If you think the following are good ideas, you have a chance to be heard.

There are proposed pickleball courts at Depot Park and a public hearing at the London Nelson Community Center at 5:30pm Dec. 4.

There’s also a meeting to talk about renovations at Grant Park 5-7pm Dec. 5 at the Market Street Senior Center (222 Market St.).

At these meetings, planners will listen to public input and work to accommodate suggestions. It’s a real chance to take part in local government and planning.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
–Niccolò Machiavelli

Super Food

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

-

December 3, 2024

2

Currently located in the Capitola Mall with imminent expansion plans to move to downtown Santa Cruz, Terra Superfoods serves an all-vegan, locally sourced menu intent on helping customers “feel good on the inside.” Manager Tina Cano has an apparent passion for their food and caring customer service, combined with deep respect for the owner, Jade, whom she says she is inspired to work hard for because of how well she treats her employees.

Born and raised in Watsonville, Cano has over 25 years of professional cooking experience, and says the menu’s headliner is the Terra Acai Bowl, burgeoning with papaya, blue chia pudding, hemp flax granola, banana, almonds, coconut flakes, pumpkin, chia and hemp seeds, cacao nibs and housemade almond butter.

The Jade is another popular acai bowl with “blue magik” spirulina, vanilla chia pudding and granola, and there is a build-your-own option as well. Other offerings include avocado and hummus toast on sourdough wheat bread, and grain bowl/wraps with mixed baby lettuce, quinoa, garbanzo beans, cherry tomato, cucumber, Kalamata olive, parsley, mint, hummus and vegan tzatziki with housemade dressings.

Cold-pressed juices and smoothies hold down the beverage side, highlighted by the Greenz with chard, kale, cucumber, green apple and lemon.

What is Terra all about?

TINA CANO: Our goal is to serve food that makes people happy and feel good. A lot of our guests tell me that our food helps them feel better, both mentally and physically. They say it helps their skin look healthier, helps them sleep better, and helps them feel better spiritually and have more confidence. It really makes you feel great and gives you the energy for your day. Our food is also very healthy for your gut, which is so important for overall health. We get a lot of great customer feedback about how our food improves their lives.

What is your philosophy on hospitality?

We really pride ourselves on making sure our customers feel heard and taken care of, and that we are very knowledgeable about our menu items and the food we serve. We take great pride in answering customers’ questions, listening to their nutritional needs and helping them pick food that will lead to better well-being. We really care about improving the health of our customers and overall community; we are truly passionate about it.

1855 41st Ave., RO3, Capitola, 831-515-7100; terrasuperfoods.com

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

-

December 3, 2024

0

THURSDAY 12/5

COMEDY

TRAE CROWDER After honing his comedy career for over three years at open mic nights in Knoxville, Tennessee, Trae Crowder, the cohost of political comedy podcasts Evening Skews and Puttin’ On Airs,gained national attention as the Liberal Redneck by sharing short monologues online that blended his rural upbringing with progressive political opinions. Crowder famously went viral in 2010 for his comedic videos responding to proposed trans bathroom bills. His videos have amassed over 17 million YouTube views, leading to appearances on MSNBC, Real Time with Bill Maher and a brief stint as “Hillbilly-in-Chief” for the New York Daily News. MELISA YURIAR

INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $32-$56. 423-8209.

FRIDAY 12/6

POP

DONNA MISSAL Donna Missal’s musical roots run deep—subsoil deep. Her grandmother was a songwriter in the ’50s, and her father was a musician throughout the ’80s. So it’s no wonder her track “Keep Lying” went viral. Along with collaborating on a track with Macklemore and releasing singles, Missal put out her third album (and first independently released), Revel, last year. Her soulful voice carries the delicate touches of hope, compassion and personal truths as it flows on her river of melodies. MAT WEIR

INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $27. 713-5492.

THE HUGS You gotta love that the Hugs refer to themselves as a pop band. The foursome uses a ’60s garage sound as a jumping-off point without being gimmicky before mixing in a healthy dose of psychedelic and indie experimentation, resulting in sincere and unapologetically pop music that makes our ears happy. Unsurprisingly, they’re based out of Portland, Oregon, the incubation chamber for the Dandy Warhols, the Shins and Portugal, the Man. The Hugs fit right in on this list of highly accessible bands with strong personalities who are exports of the quirkiest town on the West Coast. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

SATURDAY 12/7

FOLK

GILL LANDRY Louisiana native Gill Landry’s been a busking folk troubadour, touring the states in various Volkswagens with an acoustic guitar and a pile of poetic songs in the passenger seat. He’s slept in shacks in Oregon while putting together an act. He’s also been a long-serving member of the Grammy Award–winning and Grand Ole Opry-inducted Old Crow Medicine Show. Today, Landry’s a well-seasoned traveling singer-songwriter with a deep well of experience and influences to draw from, and he’s still out on the road, though probably staying in more comfortable accommodations these days. KLJ

INFO: 8pm, Lille Aeske Arthouse, 13160 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. $35/adv, $40/door. 703-4183

ODIE LEIGH See this week’s Arts & Entertainment feature by Mathew Chipman.
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9. $22 at the door or online at feltonmusichall.com.

FESTIVAL

HOLIDAY MAKERS’ MARKET The Holiday Makers’ Market will feature ten vendors displaying their wares, offering an opportunity to ring in the holiday season with shopping that supports local entrepreneurs and crafters. Some featured items are original art, handcrafted jewelry, knitted goods and pottery. An array of Discretion’s flavorful beers will also be available on tap and in cans, and local psychedelic rock band Love Creek will offer a mix of classic and original songs from 3 to 5pm. The market’s slogan sums it up: “Shop small, drink beer and enjoy live music.” BILL KOPP

INFO: 1pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave. Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.

SUNDAY 12/8

SKA

SLACKERS The Slackers, a long-running band from New York City, delivers the sounds of the Caribbean with over a dozen albums released since ’91 showcasing the group’s blend of ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul with an unmistakable Noo Yawk flavor. Their 2022 album, Don’t Let the Sunlight Fool Ya, charted impressively and captured the essence of this hard-touring (thousands of performances to date) outfit. Acclaimed LA-based Chicano soulsters Los Yesterdays and ska-soul-reggae outfit the Bandulus (featuring the Aggrolites’ Jesse Wagner) are also on the bill. BK

INFO: 7:30pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/door. 479-1854.

MONDAY 12/9

JAZZ

HUNTERTONES The Huntertones are truly an American band; they play the most American form of music, jazz, and they formed in Ohio but moved to Brooklyn. Originally called the Dan White Sextet after founding member Dan White, they changed their name to the Huntertones in 2014 and have wowed audiences nationwide and internationally with high-energy shows of jazz, soul and fusion delivered on a platter of fun. Last year, they released their Christmas EP, A Joyful Noise (Part 1), and if more people in the audience are on the nice list than the naughty one, they might play a tune or two for the season. MW

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $42. 427-2227.

TUESDAY 12/10

COMEDY

THE ROAST OF DNA It’s impossible to express how essential local comedian DNA is to the Santa Cruz comedy scene. For eighteen years, he’s been, well, the scene’s DNA, organizing shows, booking middle-to-big-league names and giving fledgling newbies stage time to work out material and build up nerves. He single-handedly organized the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival for the last 11 years—even during Covid, when it was a drive-in show—and owned the beloved but short-lived DNA’s Comedy Lab. After so many laughs, DNA’s ready to move on to different pastures, but not before some of the best names in Santa Cruz stand-up bid him goodbye with a proper circle roast at the Blue Lagoonies Comedy, a tradition he started in that very room. MW

INFO: 7:45pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-7117.

WEDNESDAY 12/11

ROCK

COLOR GREEN This California-based quartet’s sophomore album, Fool’s Parade, blends kaleidoscopic Americana with dreamy guitar leads, rich harmonies and classic songwriting to produce a gem of a record. While known for embracing a cosmic spontaneity with dynamic and often unpredictable live performances, the band’s music is dreamily grounded in earthy melodies. Drawing from ’60s Southern California folk rock, classic ’70s rock and psychedelic dance-rock, Color Green’s approach to music is very much about choosing your own adventure. Join them in stepping into the unknown—an ever-so-delightful reverie. MY

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $24. 429-6994.

CHRISTMAS SONGS

MIKE RENWICK’S HOLIDAY DELUXE Now’s the time for Christmas music, and Mike Renwick’s annual Holiday Deluxe kicks off the season! Mike Renwick and other talented musicians bring an old-school R&B and rock spirit to beloved Christmas classics, warming up the room on a cold, wintery night. The casually comfy concert is purposefully cozy, intending to bring people together to celebrate and relax. Renwick has hosted this Christmas party for over 20 years, and the musicians and songs change every year. So grab a friend, grab a drink, and be merry. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 7:30pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $30. 704-7113.

Well Matched

Vine & Dine

Josie Cowden

-

December 3, 2024

0

When we arrive at Harley Farms, a beautiful goat farm and dairy farm in Pescadero, owner Dee Harley is busy in her store. We both grew up in Yorkshire and it’s lovely to share a few memories of our British homeland. Harley Farms makes fresh and delicious goat cheese and many other products with goat milk.

Sante Arcangeli Family Wines holds a glorious wine-tasting experience in a rustic 140-year-old barn on the Harley Farms property in Pescadero—a unique place to try the magnificent elixirs made by winery owner John Benedetti.

A tasting paired with Harley Farms goat cheese is the best way to go. My family and I sampled a platter filled with different goat cheeses, crackers, all kinds of nuts, dried fruit and more. It’s a plentiful spread to pair with a flight of four to six Sante Arcangeli wines.

My husband, daughter and son-in-law loved all the wines we tasted, but we fell hard for the 2023 Santa Cruz Mountains Rosé of Pinot Noir ($35). “Crisp, pale and bone dry, with wild strawberry and grapefruit notes,” says Benedetti, “it’s refreshing and fruit-driven, with an underlying earthiness that is unmistakenly pinot noir.”

**FARM FRESH** Sante Arcangeli wines pair well with Harley Farms goat cheese. PHOTO: Contributed

This simply delectable rosé would be a delightful pairing with many a festive dish over the holidays, especially rich and highly seasoned food.

Wine tasting at Harley Farms is fun and fabulous, especially when getting to pet a few goats.

79 North St., Pescadero. 831-265-2713. Hours are noon–5pm Friday–Sunday. Reservations are encouraged. Sante Arcangeli also has a welcoming tasting room in Aptos Village next to the Sockshop and Shoe Company at 154 Aptos Village Way, Unit C-1. Visit santewinery.com for more info.

Good TimesGood Times

Good TimesGood Times

LATEST ARTICLES

Modern-Day Slavery

Out of the Closet...

LATEST ARTICLES

There’s Going to Be...

Well-Composed Pride

LATEST ARTICLES

The Editor’s Desk

LETTERS

LATEST ARTICLES

Brie-aking News

Sea Stewards

Seniors Helping Seniors

Giving Time

A Shore Thing

Workers in the UC System Remain Without a New Contract

Extra Sauce

LETTERS

Inner Health

The Editor’s Desk

PHOTO CONTEST

GOOD WORK

GOOD IDEA

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Super Food

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Well Matched

Seniors Helping Seniors

A Shore Thing

Workers in the UC System Remain Without a New Contract

Extra Sauce

LETTERS

Inner Health

The Editor’s Desk

Super Food

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Well Matched