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Changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Approved

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October 7, 2021

Changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Approved

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday amended the county’s rules governing accessory dwelling units (ADU), which county officials say were created to streamline the process for building them.

Under the new rules, old ADUs can be demolished and rebuilt as long as the new construction sits on the same footprint as the previous ADU, also known as, among other things, granny flats and in-law units.

In addition, only property owners or their relatives may apply to build ADUs.

The rules also place a series of six objective standards for the appearance of new ADUs that are visible from public roads or public areas, the intent of which is to make the ADUs consistent with the look of the primary structure on the property.

Applicants are required to choose any three of the standards, which include roof pitch, roof material, siding or color, window and door trim, fencing or landscaping and facade items such as porches and bay windows.

“This menu approach allows applicants to address various situations where it may not be appropriate for an ADU to exactly match the design of a primary dwelling,” said Daisy Allen, a planner with the Santa Cruz County Planning Department.

Allen added that the changes are consistent with state rules and as such will make it more likely the California Coastal Commission will approve them later this month.

The rules also include discretionary approval requirements for ADUs built in parks and recreation districts, and timber production areas.

The changes passed 4-1, with Supervisor Manu Koenig dissenting.

Koenig, who said he would address housing issues when he was running for the District 1 seat in 2020, called the changes “half-measures” and said that the standards governing the appearance of ADUs will rule out factory-made and “prefab” units, which may look different than the primary dwelling.

He also objected to the requirement that only property owners can build ADUs.

“We should be allowing everyone to do that, not just owners who live on the site,” Koenig said. “What about people who are currently renting a home?”

Koenig added that allowing investors to build ADUs could be a way to quickly add to the county’s housing stock.

“Just about all housing is made possible by investors, and we should not cut them out of the equation,” he said.

“We are in a deep, deep hole when it comes to housing, and with these changes, we’re just going to hand our community a teaspoon,” he added. “We need to hand them a shovel to get everyone involved digging ourselves out of the hole we are in and provide more housing for Santa Cruz County.”

Koenig made a motion to eliminate design review for ADUs and eliminate the owner-occupancy requirement, but the motion died for lack of a second.

The changes to the County’s ADU rules came after several public meetings by the Housing Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission.

Supervisor Zach Friend praised the planning department for the new rules and called them “an absolutely essential tool for affordable housing.”

“It seems a very reasonable approach you came up with to ensure that this continues to extend the ability to construct ADUs without also creating additional challenges moving forward,” he said.

Open Farm Tours to Return this Weekend

Johanna Miller

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October 7, 2021

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PAJARO VALLEY—Open Farm Tours returns this Saturday and Sunday to the greater Pajaro Valley, with eight local farms participating in two days of events.

Originally started in 2014 as the Corralitos Open Farm Tour, the event has continued to grow and add more farms from the surrounding regions. Its aim is to connect residents with farms and teach them about where and how their food is grown.

Karell and Phil Reader own Luz Del Valle Farm, a multi-generational farm in Pleasant Valley that has been growing apples since 1880. Karell Reader said they have been constant supporters of Open Farm Tours for years.

“OFT is when we get to showcase not only our wonderful apples, but our message and philosophy,” she said. “Our regular U-Pick days focus on customers … OFT has a real educational aspect.”

All 2021 farms are family-owned, implement sustainable agriculture practices and grow organically. This year’s event will focus on how these farms are adapting to the realities of climate change and other ongoing environmental and health challenges, in the wake of Covid-19.

“Our industrial food system has really separated us from our food,” said Penny Ellis, a founder and organizer of OFT. “Generations are growing up now without a lot of knowledge, unless they have immediate access to farms and gardens. We want to promote the importance of that… of learning to look at the earth as a living organism.”

Added Reader: “It’s part of our mission to share how important it is to farm responsibly and sustainably. To show people that even they could do it, in their backyard gardens.”

With the exception of Paicines Ranch in San Benito County, all farms on the tour are in Santa Cruz County within a 10-mile radius of each other. Guests are invited to come to meet the farmers, learn about local food production and take tours of the properties.

Each farm will have its own scheduled activities, including guided and self-guided tours, various demonstrations, wine tasting, U-picks, product sales, appetizers and more.

At Luz Del Valle, guests can enjoy a self-guided tour of the orchard and historic barn, fresh apple juice picking, a U-Pick and a visit with the farm’s resident Arabian horses.

“Our horses … they’ve become a highlight of our entire operation,” Reader said.

Similar to last year, all activities scheduled for 2021 will be for small groups that require online pre-registration and ticketing through Eventbrite. All proceeds will go directly to the farms.

A number of tours are already sold out, said Ellis, but some are still available—including Whisky Hill Farms, where people can tour a regenerative farm growing unique crops such as wasabi.

Tour activities are outdoors and socially distanced, however, all guests are requested to bring a mask.

Participating farms include Thomas Farm, Luz Del Valle Farm, Terra Sole Nursery, Paicines Ranch, Storrs Winery, Fruitlicious Farm, Live Earth Farm, and Whiskey Hill Farm.

In addition, OFT is scheduling a special 21+ tour on Monday. The Cannabis Farm Tour will take place at Bird Valley Organics and Lifted Organics Farms.

“Cannabis has become a pretty big agricultural presence in our community,” Ellis said. “We think it’s important to connect people with those farms as well.”

To register for this year’s OFT, and for directions and tour details visit openfarmtours.com. For information about the Cannabis Farm Tour visit the website’s Events page.

Santa Cruz Warriors to Host Home Game at Chase Center

GT Staff

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October 7, 2021

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Santa Cruz Warriors to Host Home Game at Chase Center

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz Warriors will get a chance to play this season at the Chase Center in San Francisco for the first time since the arena opened two years ago.

The team announced Tuesday that they will play the NBA G League Ignite on March 13 at 3pm. The first 10,000 fans will receive a Stephen Curry Birthday Bobblehead on the eve of the two-time MVP’s birthday.

Santa Cruz was supposed to host the Austin Spurs at the Chase Center last year on March 14, but that game was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Warriors hold a 1-2 record in games played on Golden State’s home court. They have also drawn crowds of more than 14,000 fans to the Oracle Arena, including a then new single-game NBA G League attendance record in February 2017 with a crowd of 17,497 in attendance.

In the Ignite’s second year, the team will feature two players in the ESPN top 10 recruiting class of 2021 that includes No. 2-ranked Jaden Hardy and No. 9 Michael Foster Jr.

Last year’s Ignite squad featured three players in the 2021 NBA Draft, with two being drafted in the top 10—Jalen Green at No. 2 to the Houston Rockets and Jonathan Kuminga drafted by Golden State at No. 7 overall.

The Chase Center will continue to comply with all health and safety protocols regarding the venue’s entry requirements, as mandated by the City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health. Updated event entry guidelines will be provided closer to the event.

The Warriors and Ignite have two games scheduled in the first half of the season on Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz. Tickets for those games are on sale now on the team’s website at www.santacruzbasketball.com.

Cabrillo Receives $5 Million Grant for STEM Education

Johanna Miller

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October 7, 2021

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Cabrillo Receives $5 Million Grant for STEM Education

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Cabrillo College has been awarded a five-year, $5 Million U.S. Department of Education Title III grant, meant for STEM programs at federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI).

To receive the HSI designation, at least a quarter of a college’s student body must be Hispanic. Today Hispanic students represent 46% of Cabrillo enrollment. This past spring, the school reached a historic milestone of 50% of its graduating class being Latinx.

The grant, titled Advancing in College & Career pathways to Expand STEM Opportunities (ACCESO), is designed to increase access to education and careers in STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, fields for Latinx and/or low-income students.

The project has identified three goals to address institutional education gaps, and create opportunities that Cabrillo hopes to sustain beyond the life of the grant:

Increasing access to STEM education through outreach
Developing a biotechnology career pathway at Cabrillo
Providing integrated academic and transfer support

The Title III grant program, also known as the Strengthening Institutions Program, is designed to help higher education institutions expand their capacity to serve at-risk students. Cabrillo has received two other Title III awards, which are available every five years.

Dr. Marina Ramon, STEM Project Director at Cabrillo, said that faculty and staff worked together for the past year in advance of the new grant cycle, looking at data and pinpointing specific gaps that needed to be addressed.

“This grant builds on what we’ve been trying to do for the last 10 years,” Ramon said. “The last two grants increased our low-income and Latino students into STEM, and we want to continue that.”

Ramon, who received her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from UC Santa Cruz, said breaking down barriers to higher education and careers is “continuous work.”

“The entire educational institution was not meant for our current batch of students,” she said. “For so long there was a specific type of student going to college. That is not our student body now. We must be making sure we make it more accessible and be more supportive. It is so important to diversify our STEM fields.”

The grant will provide STEM outreach to K-12 students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, specifically high school juniors and seniors. It will fund the development of dual-enrollment math courses, something Ramon said is vital for student success.

“One of the gaps we noticed was math,” Ramon said. “We’ve had students coming in who need a lot more support, who haven’t taken a math course in years.”

The grant will also help Cabrillo develop courses for a new Associate of Science Degree in Biotechnology, connecting students with opportunities in biotech and STEM to inspire them to pursue careers. This includes updating lab spaces and making them more accessible to South County students.

In addition, the grant will help secure course alignment and agreements with universities, including UC Santa Cruz, San José State University and UC Davis.

Prospected outcomes of the grant, to be achieved by September 2026, include increasing Cabrillo’s STEM enrollment by at least 8% among Latinx and low-income students, increasing the persistence rate of students in STEM disciplines by 10% and increasing their transfer rate by 12%.

Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Vaccine for Children 5 to 11

The New York Times and GT Staff

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October 7, 2021

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Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Vaccine for Children 5 to 11

By Sharon LaFraniere and Noah Weiland, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Pfizer and BioNTech said Thursday morning that they had asked federal regulators to authorize emergency use of their coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, a move that could help protect more than 28 million people in the United States.

The companies have said they were submitting data supporting the change to the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has promised to move quickly on the request and has tentatively scheduled a meeting Oct. 26 to consider it. A ruling is expected between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Parents across the United States are anxiously awaiting the regulators’ decision, which could affect family life and the operation of schools. Clearance depends not only on the strength of the clinical trial data, but on whether they can prove to regulators that they are able to properly manufacture a new pediatric formulation.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting FDA commissioner, said last week that children might require “a different dosage or formulation from that used in an older pediatric population or adults.”

Pfizer has proposed giving children one-third of the adult dosage. That might require adding more diluent to each injection or using a different vial or syringe. The company was expected to describe the method it intended to use in its FDA submission.

Regulators will have to examine the purity and stability of mass-manufactured doses of the vaccine and determine that it matches the quality and potency of doses given to children in clinical trials. A pediatric dose will also most likely require new labeling, with special codes that would allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track specific lots in case of reports of serious side effects.

Children rarely become severely ill from COVID-19, but the delta variant drove nearly 30,000 of them to hospitals in August. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 5.9 million Americans younger than 18 have been infected with the coronavirus. Of the roughly 500 Americans under 18 who have died, about 125 were children ages 5 to 11.

“It really bothers me when people say kids don’t die of COVID,” said Dr. Grace Lee, an associate chief medical officer at Stanford Children’s Health who also leads a key advisory committee to the CDC. “They die of COVID. It’s heartbreaking.”

About 1 in 6 Americans infected since the beginning of the pandemic was younger than 18. But with the surge of the delta variant, children accounted for as many as 1 in 4 infections last month, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The FDA authorized emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds in May.

The infection rate in the United States is currently falling, prompting hope that the delta variant is ebbing. But public health experts worry that the onset of colder weather could result in increased transmission.

Although federal regulators are under enormous pressure to quickly review Pfizer’s application, they also face other pressing decisions. Next week, they might rule on whether people who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines should receive booster shots, both potentially contentious decisions.

Public health experts have said that the agency’s review of a Pfizer pediatric dose would be closely scrutinized. According to a recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, roughly a third of parents of children between ages 5 and 11 said they would wait and see before allowing their children to receive such a shot.

Dr. Walt A. Orenstein, an epidemiologist at Emory University and a former director of the U.S. immunization program, said that given the competing pressures on the FDA to make vaccine decisions quickly but carefully, public discussion was essential.

He said many parents were wavering between fear of COVID-19 and fear of side effects of a pediatric vaccine. If they were less worried about the consequences of coronavirus infection, he said, safety would be their top priority. If they were more worried, the vaccine’s effectiveness would matter more. As with other vaccines, Orenstein said, pediatricians would play a critical role in easing parental anxiety.

Pfizer’s clinical trial for children was not intended to draw meaningful conclusions about the vaccine’s ability to prevent disease or hospitalizations. Instead, researchers looked at antibody levels, comparing them with levels in adults that had conferred high protection. Regulators are expected to compare those immune responses to vaccine efficacy data in the adult population.

The trial included 2,268 children, two-thirds of whom had received two doses of the vaccine three weeks apart. The remaining volunteers were injected with two doses of saltwater placebo. Regulators over the summer asked for the trial size to be expanded to 3,000 children.

At a virtual panel on COVID-19 last week, Norman Baylor, the former director of the FDA’s vaccines office, said that the number of participants in Pfizer pediatric study was noticeably small. The adult trial involved about 44,000 people.

“It does beg the question of the size, given what we have for the adults: Would one expect more for the pediatric population?” he said. “They may be thinking, ‘Well, we know the vaccine is safe, because look at how many people we had in the adults.’ But as we know, things may shift in that pediatric population.”

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been tied to increased risks of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle; and pericarditis, inflammation of the lining around the heart, particularly in younger men. In August, the FDA published results from an analysis of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine that used a U.S. health care claims database and found that the risk of the conditions in 16- and 17-year-old vaccinated boys could be as high as 1 in 5,000.

The cases in the database were unconfirmed, but they were considered a reasonable estimate of possible risk, the agency wrote.

A lower dose of the vaccine for children could alleviate those concerns.

Officials in a number of countries have recommended a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12 and older, which would provide partial protection from the virus, but without the potential effects occasionally observed after two doses. Sweden and Denmark joined those countries, announcing Wednesday that adolescents should get only one dose of the Moderna vaccine.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 6-12

GT Staff

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October 6, 2021

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A weekly guide to what’s happening

ARTS AND MUSIC

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL From the comfort of your living room, travel to the most remote corners of the world, dive into daring expeditions and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements. Films are available for purchase individually or bundled. Banff will also screen a mixed program of award winners from the 2020, 2019 and 2018 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festivals. Just announced: The Encore Classic Films from the past 10 years—audience favorites. Screening until Oct. 24. For more information about the online programs and supporting local screenings, visit riotheatre.com.

SHEDM: THE FEMALE CREATORS OF DANCE MUSIC Sundays: DJs are mixing in the darkest bass beats by our favorite female and LGBT producers. Don’t miss out. Guest DJs every week. Motiv nightclub is open and fully remodeled—there are all-new bathrooms and state-of-the-art dance floor lights. Add to your calendar: facebook.com/events/3008160246139834. Sunday, Oct. 10, 9pm. Motiv, 1209 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

COMMUNITY

BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ PRESENTS: GARY PAULSEN’S HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DAD Bookshop Santa Cruz is delighted to welcome acclaimed and bestselling author Gary Paulsen (Hatchet) for a virtual event celebrating his new middle grade novel, “How to Train Your Dad.” Paulsen will be in conversation with writer Dan Gemeinhart (“The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise”). For more information visit bookshopsantacruz.com/gary-paulsen. Thursday, Oct. 7, 6pm.

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. The Spanish Storytime, activities and music is for kids 0-8 years old, and their families. Storytime takes place at 4:30pm on Wednesday on the outside porch; it also takes place in Capitola during Live Oak’s construction period. Storytime is canceled if it rains. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 4:30pm. Capitola Library A Santa Cruz City County Public Library Branch, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ ANTIQUE FAIRE The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the second Sunday of every month. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles, LPs, clothing, furniture, memorabilia, home decor and more. Sunday, Oct. 10, 9am-5pm. Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Faire, Lincoln St. between Pacific St. and Cedar St., Santa Cruz.

FELTON TODDLER TIME Join Librarian Julie on the 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 fun ways for children to learn. Play and learn together. Bring something to sit on. Adults are required to wear masks. Every week. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 11am. Felton Branch Library (NEW), 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. 7, 7am. California Grey Bears, 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz.

JAVASCRIPT CODING This program will follow the curriculum from Khan Academy called “Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation.” It covers fundamental ideas of computer science, and helps students learn JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages. The curriculum has 18 modules, each with a few videos, short readings and hands-on activities. Students are free to work at their own pace; an advanced Khan Academy course is available for students who move quickly. Prior programming experience is not required. Class is open to students 8-18 years old. For more information, please contact Julie Soto at so***@*********pl.org; registration required. Thursday, Oct. 7, 3pm.

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. 11, 12:30pm. Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

LA SELVA BEACH PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 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. Held outside on the back patio, so bring something to sit on and dress for the weather. Masks are required. Repeats weekly. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 11am. La Selva Beach Branch Library, 316 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME IN THE SECRET GARDEN 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 provided every week. Every other week features STEM-related stories and concepts. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 11am. Abbott Square, 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME ON THE FELTON PATIO Preschool Storytime is a weekly early literacy program for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers. Music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes and songs are fun ways for children to learn. Play and learn together! Bring something to sit on. Adults and children ages 3 and up are required to wear masks. Repeats weekly. Thursday, Oct. 7, 11am. Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

WORK THAT RECONNECTS WEEKEND Build motivation, connection, solidarity and vision. Renew the courage to act for the healing of our world. In these times of climate chaos, rampant inequality, systemic racism and other daily catastrophes, there is a tension between our desire to take urgent action and our need to process reality on a deeper level. Through reconnection with ourselves and others, and acknowledging the reality of these times, we can find hope and the courage to continue. The “Work that Reconnects” is both a process for transforming our despair into purposeful action, as well as nourishment to continue. Through a series of creative and experiential exercises, the program opens space for radical truth-speaking and personal and collective empowerment. Drawing on deep ecology, systems theory and spiritual traditions, this open-source body of work is rooted in the teachings and experiential methods of Joanna Macy. Saturday, Oct. 9, 9am. Santa Cruz Permaculture, 343 Soquel Ave. #185, Santa Cruz.

GROUPS

COMMUNITY PILATES MAT CLASS The 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. Thursday, Oct. 7, 10am. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 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. 8, 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. 7, 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 at WomenCARE’s office. Currently on Zoom. Registration is required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. All services are free. For more information visit womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Oct. 11, 12:30pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

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. 12, 12:30-2pm.

WOMENCARE WRITING CIRCLE Writing Circle for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets on the second Saturday every other month. Registration required, call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Saturday, Oct. 9, 10am-1pm. WomenCARE, 2901 Park Ave., Suite A1, Soquel.

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. 6, 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. 8, Noon-6pm. Tuesday, Oct. 12, Noon-6pm. Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz.

EVERGREEN AT DUSK: CEMETERY HISTORY TOURS Welcome back to the second year of Evergreen at Dusk historical tours. 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. 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. Wear a mask if you are not vaccinated and maintain a 6-foot distance when around other explorers or MAH staffers. Thursday, Oct. 7, 4-7pm. Evergreen Cemetery, 261 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz.

GUIDED COASTAL WALK On this 2.5-mile family-friendly walk, 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. 9, 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. 9, 1-2pm. Sunday, Oct. 10, 1-2pm. Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz.

OPEN FARM TOURS Meet your farmers and tour nine family-owned farms Saturday and Sunday. Learn what is involved in growing our food and get a behind-the-scenes look into our region’s vibrant working agricultural landscape. Learn about how important sustainable farming methods are to the health of the Earth and our community. Participate in farm activities, including apple juicing, tastings, you-picks and demos. Learn about the sustainable agriculture methods used to grow our food, and spend a day outside getting to know the local farming community. Visit openfarmtours.com to view the farm’s biographies and download a tour map and schedule. Most of the farms are charging minimal fees to cover tour costs. All proceeds go to the farms. Saturday, Oct. 9, 10am. Sunday, Oct. 10, 10am.

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. 12, 6:30-7:30pm. Moran Lake Park & Beach, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

WEST CLIFF FOOD TRUCK SERIES 2021 West Cliff Food Truck Series is back for a third season. Enjoy the beautiful view, local food trucks and live music. It’s a great chance to get outside and soak in the sunshine. A favorite for locals and tourists. The parking lot is close to many ideal picnic areas. Free admission. Friday, Oct. 8, 4-8pm. Lighthouse Point Park, West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

WEST CLIFF OUTDOOR MARKET 2021 The one-of-a-kind market is held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive, overlooking the famous Steamers Lane surf spot. Enjoy the fresh air as you stroll among many artisan’s booths and specialty food while taking in the view. Come enjoy the live music. Free admission. Free tokens to be given out every hour to random shoppers to use towards vendors of their choice. Saturday, Oct. 9, 10am-7pm. Lighthouse Point Park, West 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. 8, 11am. Sunday, Oct. 10, 11am.

Open Studios Returns with 55 Newbies, its Largest Freshman Class Ever

Christina Waters

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October 6, 2021

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Open Studios Returns with 55 Newbies, its Largest Freshman Class Ever

With doors wide open, Santa Cruz County artisans, ceramists, jewelers, painters and sculptors are welcoming the public back for some post-quarantine visual extravagance. After the virtual-only tour of 2020, this revival of the Open Studios concept is welcome indeed, both for creators and the inquiring public.

For decades, Open Studios Director Ann Ostermann has looked forward to October, and no more so than this year, with nearly 300 artist studios joining in the excitement.

“We’re so happy to be producing the tour again this year,” she told me. “So great to be back to an in-person event. Artists are so looking forward to welcoming the public and we’ve helped by supplying every artist with face masks, hand sanitizers and signage to keep themselves and their guests safe during the tour.”

The bright pantone green masks match Open Studios tour signs—a nice visual touch. “The majority of our participants are displaying their work outside, just to make sure the public feels comfortable and welcome,” says Ostermann. She also revealed that of the 295 participating artists and artisans, “there are 55 new first-timers joining us—our largest-ever freshman class. So there’s plenty to see!”

Printed guides to the tour are available at all GT pick-up spots, “and, of course, the public can just drive around and follow the bright green signs to various studio locations,” she says. There is also an Open Studios app available.

The director herself is one of the biggest fans of this annual art tour. “You get to meet the artists and see their new work. Open Studios takes you out and about in the beautiful fall weather. It’s my baby,” she admits. “I love doing it. They’ve got me for two more years.”

One of the artists who’s looking forward to meeting the public this month is perennial Open Studios player Hildy Bernstein, whose Westside studio on Mission Street Extension will showcase a provocative new suite of hybrid digital art and photography she calls “Identity Crisis.” “My new work, over 150 pieces, is completely influenced by the Covid quarantine,” she tells me.

Two years ago, I toured Bernstein’s studio full of satirical Trump multimedia pieces, regaled by her astute caricature skills. This year, her work is filled with the isolation and bewilderment of the recent quarantine. A phone selfie, which she altered through various digital coloring techniques, started it off.

“I am very excited to show my new work,” says the painter/visual journalist. “For years, I painted in a large warehouse studio, but after a year of sheltering in place, my art-making got started on my phone screen. This year’s Open Studios feels like an important moment of passage, coming out of isolation and honoring what we’ve all been through.” Like many artists, Bernstein sees this as “a big step after these very reclusive 18 months. And I’m ready!”

In addition to the popular art crawl’s many newcomers, some of the area’s outstanding veterans will open their doors to the public. Stephanie Martin will show her newest hand-colored flora and fauna etchings. Bridget Henry shows astonishing color woodcuts, and expect sensitive watercolors from John Flores and Marie Gabrielle, sumptuous clothing and accessory designs by Christina MacColl and jewelry by Fereshteh Fatemi and Ann Wasserman. I remember how exciting it was a few years back to visit Wasserman’s gleaming jewelry displays, and peek into her professionally equipped studio. So much behind-the-scenes precision instruments and techniques go into each handworked piece. Look for glass design from Heather Matthews and Peter Vizzusi, tile creations Kathleen Crocetti and travel paintings from polymath Joe Ortiz. And no Open Studio in Santa Cruz County is complete without fresh new paintings from Charles Prentiss. There are hundreds more studios to visit, offering a chance to meet the artists, learn about their process and purchase one-of-a-kind items.

Open Studios tours are Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-5pm. Many artists have additional safety measures in place—please respect their on site guidelines. North County tours are Oct. 9-10 (Felton, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon, Scotts Valley, Davenport and the city of Santa Cruz). All County tours are Oct. 16-17. santacruzopenstudios.com.

Whitney, Devendra Banhart and the Cass McCombs Band Pepper Santa Cruz with Live Music

Adam Joseph

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October 6, 2021

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Whitney, Devendra Banhart and the Cass McCombs Band Pepper Santa Cruz with Live Music

Devendra Banhart’s 2021 release Refuge should come with a warning similar to the advice on some medication labels: May cause drowsiness; don’t operate heavy machinery while listening. The bearded singer-songwriter says there’s no greater compliment than hearing that the record put someone to sleep.

“If you fall asleep, we did our job,” Banhart says earnestly.

Refuge is unlike the bounty of multicultural, freak-folk singalongs on his previous 10 LPs. Banhart has swapped out the childlike whimsy and trademark coloring-outside-the-lines for a taut, utilitarian and deliberate approach—more Sleepytime chamomile tea with a Brian Eno angel on the shoulder than ayahuasca-fused, Donovan-soaked parades down Rio de Janeiro streets.

The pandemic informed the collection of new age/ambient instrumentals. Banhart says he and longtime collaborator/producer/multi-instrumentalist Noah Georgeson were inspired to “create a very nostalgic and sentimental and familial space.” Refuge is the result.

“Noah and I came from families of devoted spiritual practitioners with very strong contemplative practices,” Banhart says. “There’s a musical side to that that we were turned on to as kids. It meant a lot of Indian music and ambient and new age—the music of our childhood and the music that we turned to, particularly during the pandemic, to create somewhat of a calming feeling. We’ve all been dealing with so much anxiety, so falling asleep is the highest compliment you can give us. Music that you hear and you can immediately forget; what a huge compliment.”

Like Eno’s Music for Airports series, self-described compositions aimed to induce calm and intentionally written to be “as ignorable as it is interesting,” Refuge fits into the same new age subgenre: environmental ambient music. Like Music for Airports, which made its way into New York’s LaGuardia and other airports throughout the ’80s, Refuge was installed at Getty Center’s Central Garden in Los Angeles. The record—streamed through a custom sound system placed throughout circular pathways—looped continuously for a weekend last August. Museum guests were encouraged to “relax on the lawns with a picnic, grab a bench or wander among the blooming garden beds as the sonic vibrations clear the air for a new era.”

Though the journey has been arduous, Banhart has come to terms with arriving in a “new era”; he accepts that the world will never be the same.

“There’s tremendous mourning in that,” he says. “There’s also something very inspiring and beautiful about that.”

Throughout Banhart’s 20-year career, he always seems to manage to find a muse, even if it exists somewhere inside himself. As a result, he’s been one of the more consistently prolific freak folksters out there: He’s already using his newfound outlook on the world as the leaping-off point for another record that he’s co-producing with Welsh talent Cate Le Bon.

Banhart’s creative pulse extends beyond music. He always has something colorful baking in his back pocket, whether it’s a “small book of poems” or fine art. Last February, his first solo art exhibition, “The Grief I Have Caused You,” debuted at L.A.’s Nicodim Gallery.

The collection of non-linear paintings and drawings combine suffering and humor, like a sad clown who tickles your heart. Many of the surreal works feature floating body parts, playfully planted with quick brushstrokes, sometimes using as much blank canvas as filled space—you have to squint a bit to make out what you’re looking at; there are lots of penises.

“Those dicks all over the place—I get that it’s funny and juvenile, but I’m trying to balance the scales a little bit,” Banhart says. “If you go to any museum on this planet, 80% [of the art] features naked women. There are some dicks, but it’s crazy how misogyny is right there in our faces in these amazing spaces commemorating the highest achievements of humankind. So, I thought, ‘Let’s have some more penises in there.’”

Banhart approaches his fine art with a philosophy closely related to the inspiration behind Refuge.

“When I first started making art, it was all about being me as much as possible,” he explains. “Over time, I’ve realized that it’s really about being less and less me or my ambitions. I tried to get out of the way to create something honest—something that isn’t about me and something that resonates. But it’s also a paradox: being there and not being there at the same time, and not taking myself so seriously.”

Banhart seamlessly navigates back to music. He and his band have only performed one show, just a few weeks ago, since the pandemic, so he’s chomping at the bit to get out there and play live shows. As far as Banhart is concerned, his upcoming jaunt, which consists of a mere four shows, including stops in Big Sur, Sonoma, Grass Valley and Santa Cruz’s Rio Theatre, might as well be an international stadium tour.

“It feels like the biggest tour we’ve ever done because we’re so excited to play,” Banhart says. “I’ve had this core band for a long time, and we all love each other, and we all communicate really well on stage—I’m not sure if what we communicate is any good, but we’ve worked on our ability to communicate [on stage]. We’ve been doing it so long that [the music] is very fluid.”

During the extended, Covid-induced hiatus, Banhart and his bandmates—Jeremy Harris (synth), Nicole Lawrence (guitar, pedal steel), Greg Rogove (drums)—realized that they had missed connecting with audiences and experiencing the different ways songs unravel live.

“I’m looking forward to these four shows in a way that I have never looked forward to any show,” Banhart says. “It doesn’t hurt that [the shows] are in some of our favorite places. I know it sounds naïve, but hopefully, from here, there’s only going forward, trying to create a better world.”

Big Live Week

Also this week at the Rio is the Chicago-based duo Whitney, formed by Smith Westerns’ guitarist Max Kakacek and Unknown Mortal Orchestra drummer Julien Ehrlich. Since 2014, the pair has delivered frank folk-rock focused on the human experience—falling in love, falling out of love, depression. Whitney’s 2020 album Candid, an impressive all-covers record, takes on the work of everyone from widely unknown singer-songwriter Blaze Foley to ’90s R&B trio SWV.

Genre-bending singer-songwriter Cass McCombs and his band close the week with a show at Moe’s. McCombs’ powerful post-punk gem “Sleeping Volcanoes,” off his 2019 Tip of the Sphere, is a composite of expert phrasing, subtle effects and quiet existentialism.

“[‘Sleeping Volcanoes’ is about] people passing each other on the sidewalk, unaware of the emotional volatility they are brushing past, like a sleeping volcano that could erupt at any moment,” McCombs says.

We can all relate.

Whitney with Renée Reed plays Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. 8pm; $28. Devendra Banhart with Cate Le Bon plays Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Rio. 8pm; $35-$40. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test (taken within 72 hours) required. riotheatre.com. Cass McCombs Band with Farmer Dave and The Wizards of the West plays Friday, Oct. 15, at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. 9pm; $25-$28. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test (taken within 48 hours) required. folkyeah.com.

Letter to the Editor: Local Benefits Are Obvious

Letters to the Editor

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October 6, 2021

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Letter to the Editor: Local Benefits Are Obvious

A letter to the Good Times last week hit on common themes in so-called progressive views–basically, why are we building all of these new housing units when they “don’t benefit the current residents of Santa Cruz?” I’d say that’s true if you already own your home here and don’t mind if your children can’t afford to live here, or your health providers—or kids’ teachers, or city and private sector employees who provide you with services—can’t find housing closer than a two-hour-a-day commute, or if you are one of those “current residents” who works 40 hours a week and still lives in a tent.

It’s not just greedy “developers and real estate interests” that benefit from new housing, both affordable and market rate, but all of us who live in this community. Let’s all agree that we should maximize the percentage of affordable housing in these projects, but I’m a little tired of the privileged few fighting every housing project here, affordable or not.

And with respect to water issues, it is a material and demonstrable fact that the contribution of new housing to our water shortage is relatively minimal. We would have water shortages that require new sources and periodic restricted use until they are developed even if we had no new housing being built. Some of us here like gardens and don’t enjoy watching our fruit trees die. Conservation alone will not produce the amount of water that we need for the current population. And sometimes small water-rate subsidies for business are necessary if you want to have a tax base that pays for your public safety, public works, and parks and recreation services.

Finally, with respect to campaign funding, when you get beat 2-1 as in the Council recall, it is not just a function of funding. It’s an indication that your side of an issue was just not very popular with local voters. This community has beaten back initiatives where we were outspent 10-1.

Mike Rotkin

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*****@*******es.sc.

Letter to the Editor: Not So Hellish

Letters to the Editor

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October 6, 2021

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Re: “Hell and Back” (GT, 9/29): The book group of which I am part read The Sun Does Shine for our pick last month, and we were all blown away. I had suggested it after hearing a remarkable talk by Lara Love Hardin about her experience as a collaborative writer, and in particular her amazing time with Anthony Ray Hinton to help write his story.

I also had some contact with Ms. Hardin around this, asking if she might be able to drop into our online discussion of the book for a bit. I expressed that I knew she was quite busy with far bigger fish to fry than a hometown book group, and had zero expectations. Although she did not know me at all (and we couldn’t work out the timing), she was beyond kind in trying to make it happen with her ultra-busy, star-powered schedule!

I wish her every success in her future endeavors.

Elizabeth Good

Aptos

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*****@*******es.sc.

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Changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Approved

Open Farm Tours to Return this Weekend

Santa Cruz Warriors to Host Home Game at Chase Center

Cabrillo Receives $5 Million Grant for STEM Education

Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Vaccine for Children 5 to 11

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 6-12

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Open Studios Returns with 55 Newbies, its Largest Freshman Class Ever

Whitney, Devendra Banhart and the Cass McCombs Band Pepper Santa Cruz with Live Music

Letter to the Editor: Local Benefits Are Obvious

Letter to the Editor: Not So Hellish

Changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Approved

Open Farm Tours to Return this Weekend

Santa Cruz Warriors to Host Home Game at Chase Center

Cabrillo Receives $5 Million Grant for STEM Education

Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Vaccine for Children 5 to 11

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 6-12

Open Studios Returns with 55 Newbies, its Largest Freshman Class Ever

Whitney, Devendra Banhart and the Cass McCombs Band Pepper Santa Cruz with Live Music

Letter to the Editor: Local Benefits Are Obvious

Letter to the Editor: Not So Hellish