Founded by Good Times in 2015, Santa Cruz Gives has raised more than $5 million to help more than 60 local charities of all stripes (63 this year).
The campaign kicks off this week and lasts until Dec. 31 giving you a chance to help nonprofits meet their needs for helping the community.
It’s a varied assortment, as you will read in Jeanne Howard’s cover story.
Do you want to help kids in need get free guitars? There’s one for that. How about sending at-risk kids to camp or advocating for the rights of foster children?
The list is eye-opening, and while some of these charities are represented in communities across the country (like Boys and Girls Club), there are others unique to our area (like the Coastal Watershed Council, Dientes Community Dental Care and the Diversity Center).
Scan the list and you will undoubtedly find efforts you want to support.
The starting cost is low. Donations can be as little as $5 (less than a latte). But the results add up to something stunning, a chance to make a big difference in the lives of people in our community.
You won’t find this kind of dedication in other non-locally-funded news outlets, so we are proud, as a community newspaper about to celebrate its 50th year, to be giving back to those in need and hope you will be too.
Read the story and check the links to see how you can contribute.
In other news, the county’s transit district released new information on its rail/trail plans, some of which were quite surprising. They include an elevated track by the Boardwalk, a bridge or tunnel to Cabrillo, and thoughts of 20 stations and a commuter train running every hour. There will also be freight trains.
And Cabrillo College is cutting 5% of classes and budget as a result of state cuts and enrollment declines.
In the good news department, mole freaks (that’s pronounced mo-lay, the sauce, not the rodent) will be happy to learn that My Mom’s Mole, the flavorful food truck startup from Cesario Ruiz, now sets up shop at nonprofit craft beer destination Watsonville Public House (625 Main St., Watsonville). Yum.
Happy reading and eating.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
FOAM ALONE The iconic lighthouse gets a leading line of foam. Photograph by Barbara Stewart
GOOD IDEA
The Santa Cruz Police Department has received a $73,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.
Among other things, the grant will focus on DUI checkpoints; hands-free cell phone violations; dangerous driver behaviors that endangner bikers and pedestrians; speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running; and improper turning or lane changes.
GOOD WORK
Comcast is contributing $45,000 to Cabrillo College to establish the Comcast Journalism Scholarship to support journalism students participating in local internships.
Scholarship awards range from $600 to $2,400; the deadline for the winter semester is Dec. 9.
“These scholarships are an invaluable part of our students’ development, allowing them to apply what they learn in the classroom to practical situations, develop their professional skills, and gain critical insights into the world of journalism,” said Matt Wetstein, Cabrillo College president. Search Comcast Cabrillo scholarship for applications.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“You can beat 40 scholars with one fact, but you can’t beat one idiot with 40 facts.” —Rumi
When I moved to Santa Cruz in 1986, almost the entire Highway 1 corridor from Santa Cruz eastward was lined by the big tall redwoods you still see along that dip over Aptos Creek. Now, they are “targeted for termination.”
The decision makers DO understand it won’t stop congestion—I disagree with the assumption at the top of this email. If they DO understand it, why do they want to still continue the widening? Because it means MORE people in SC, meaning Mo’ Profits for realtors, for “developers” of all stripes, and their hoped-for degradation of our once-beautiful Santa Cruz—a haven for artists and scientists—into the sterile capitalist dystopia of Orange County.
Rick Nolthenius
VINTAGE THANKS
Thank you for the excellent article showcasing the many options for vintage hunting in Santa Cruz County. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and what a delightful surprise it was to see a photo of my vintage jewelry from Miss Jessie May’s featured in your piece!
Located on Pacific Avenue, our eclectic shop has been a cherished part of downtown for 25 years. Originally founded by Tyra Vaughn and her mother, Margaret, Miss Jessie May’s has since grown into a collective of five women, each bringing their unique expertise and styles and offering a wide variety of jewelry choices.
To mark this milestone, we’re excited to invite your readers to our 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, December 7. It will be a wonderful opportunity to honor Santa Cruz’s vibrant vintage scene and connect with the community that supports us.
Thank you again for highlighting the treasures that make Santa Cruz shopping so unique!
El Solway
ONLINE COMMENTS
Re: Vintage Santa Cruz
The antique world in Santa Cruz County in this article, barely scratched the surface. The stores mentioned are important, Attilia’s Antiques is amazing!! Though in the village of Soquel lies not only Center Street Antiques—a great store!! Though also Attilia’s Antiques sister store Trader’s Emporium—darker, mysterious and full of treasures! AfterEffects a tiny treasure trove, Hall’s Surrey House, The vintage Pick, The Multi Shop, and Salvage Hut. The newest store in the city of Santa Cruz also unmentioned is Tumbleweed Found. And then there are also several monthly or bimonthly pop-up shops around town— Weathered Fragments and Auntie Tillie’s. If the reporters had interviewed the managers at Attilia’s or Center Street they would have had a richer article that really informed the local population of the great antique world that thrives in Santa Cruz County. Still a good start for an article, mixing the vintage clothing stores and antique stores probably was too much for one segment.
Award-winning Aries filmmaker Quentin Tarantino was born and raised in the US. But he has said, “I don’t make movies for America. I make movies for planet Earth.” I applaud his expansive perspective and recommend you cultivate your own version of it in the coming weeks. You will generate good fortune for yourself as you enlarge your audience, your range of influences and your sphere of activity. It will be an excellent time to transcend previous notions of who you are and what your life’s assignments are. The frontiers are calling you to open your mind wider than ever as you leap to the next higher octave of your destiny.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
“Earth knows no desolation. She smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay.” Author George Meredith said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Because you’re entering a phase when you will have maximum power to ensure that decay leads to regeneration. My advice: Instead of trying to repress your awareness of what’s decomposing, tune into it energetically. The sooner you embrace the challenging but interesting work to be done, the faster and more effective the redemption will be. Here’s your battle cry: Turn rot into splendor!
GEMINI May 21-June 20
Mercury will be your slippery but sticky companion in the coming weeks, Gemini. Whether or not you believe he is a literal god who abides in the spiritual realm, I trust you will acknowledge that he is a vivid archetype. He symbolizes forces that facilitate communication and promote connection. Since he is constantly traveling and conversing, he also represents boundary-crossing and thresholds. I encourage you to summon his assistance whenever you want to lubricate links and foster combinations. He can help you unify disparate influences and strengthen your network of allies.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Utility poles and telephones poles may seem to be indestructible towers, but they have a limited life span. A prime factor in their gradual demise is woodpeckers. The birds drill holes that over time weaken the wood. Their handiwork allows moisture to seep in, causing rot, and creates access points for small animals to burrow in and cause further disintegration. I bring this to your attention because I want to encourage you to launch a woodpecker-like campaign against any seemingly impregnable structures that oppress and restrict you. It might take a while to undermine their power to interfere with your life, but now is an excellent time to begin.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
As an American, I’m jealous of how many festivals the Japanese people celebrate. By some estimates, there are over 100,000 events every year—an average of 274 per day! They may feature music, theater, dancing, entertainment, karaoke, sumo matches, games, delicious food, colorful costumes, spiritual observances, and parades of floats and shrines. If you are a Japanese Leo, you’re in luck. The astrological indicators suggest that in the coming months, you should take extra advantage of your culture’s revels, parties and social merriment. If you’re not in Japan, do your best to fulfill your cosmic mandate to frolic and carouse. Start as soon as possible!
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
The Flintstones was an animated TV comedy show broadcast in the US from 1960 to 1966. It was colossally silly and wildly popular. It portrayed cavemen and cavewomen living suburban lives in the Stone Age with dinosaurs as pets and cars made of wood and rocks. The chirpy theme song for the show was stolen from a piano sonata written by the classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In the coming weeks, Virgo, I invite you to steadily carry out the opposite of that conversion. Transform what’s daft or preposterous into what’s elegant and meaningful. Change superficial approaches into righteous devotions. Move away from trifling diversions and toward passionate magnificence.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Even if you’re not a professional writer, I invite you to compose three lyrical messages in the coming days. One will be a psalm of appreciation for a person who enchants your imagination and inspires you to be your best self. Another will be a hymn of praise that you address to yourself—a gorgeous, expansive boast or an outpouring of gratitude for the marvel and mystery of you. The third salutation will be an address to a higher power, whether that’s God, Goddess, Nature, your Guardian Angel, Higher Self or Life itself. If you can find it in your brave, wild heart to sing or chant these exaltations, you will place yourself in close alignment with cosmic rhythms. (PS: In general, now is a fantastic time to identify what you love and express your feelings for what you love.)
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
The Greek term pharmakon has a complicated set of meanings: scapegoat, poison, remedy and recipe. According to my astrological analysis, all of these could soon be operative in your life. One surprise is that a metaphoric “poison” you are exposed to may ultimately serve as a remedy. Another curiosity is that a scapegoat may reveal a potent recipe for redemptive transformation. A further possibility: You will discover a new recipe for a very fine remedy. I’m not certain exactly how the whole story will unfold, but I’m betting the net effect will be a lot of healing.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The Museum of Broken Relationships is in Zagreb, Croatia. It collects castaway objects left behind after intimate relationships have collapsed. Among its treasures are love letters, wedding rings, jars of bitter tears, stuffed animals, feather-filled quilts and matching sweaters. Inspired by this sad spectacle, I invite you to create a very different shrine in your home: one that’s dedicated to wonderful memories from times of successful togetherness. Making this ritual gesture of hope and positivity will prepare you well for the potential relationship growth available for you in the coming months.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
It’s the Soul Retrieval phase of your long-term cycle, Capricorn. Have there been people, either alive or dead, who wounded or pirated parts of your treasured essence? Have you experienced painful events that weakened your connection to your inner riches? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to undertake meditations in which you carry out repair and restoration. You will summon curative agents whenever you reclaim lost and missing fragments of your soul. Be aggressive in seeking helpers who can synergize your own efforts.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The Wistaria Vine in Sierra Madre, California, is the world’s biggest blooming plant. Spread over an acre, it weighs 250 tons and teems with over 1.5 million blossoms. I propose we regard it as your inspirational symbol for the coming months. Why? I expect you will be more abundantly creative and generative than maybe ever before. Your vitality will overflow. Your vigor will be delightfully lavish and profound. Homework: Start planning how you will wield and manage all that lushness.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Piscean playwright and songwriter Robert Lopez is the only person to have won all four of the following awards more than once: Oscars, Tonys, Emmys and Grammys. He was also the youngest person to have won all four. I propose we make him your inspirational role model in the coming weeks and months. According to my astrological analysis, you are primed to ascend to new levels of accomplishment in your chosen field—and to be acknowledged for your success. Think big! Then think even bigger.
A trip out to sea on the O’Neill Catamaran is thrilling fun, especially as this particular Wednesday night wine sail featured Steve Storrs of Storrs Winery, now celebrating 35 years in business.
I’m with a bunch of friends on the catamaran, and we’re all loving the three varietals brought by winery owner Steve: chardonnay, rosé, and a petite sirah.
My favorite was the crimson 2018 Rusty Ridge petite sirah ($33) with its bright notes of cherry and raspberry, and which Storrs says will continue to develop and age beautifully over the next several years. And with Thanksgiving ’round the corner, why not have some on hand?
With experienced sea legs, the O’Neill Catamaran’s staff skillfully poured wine—and kept their balance while serving up ample amounts of tasty pizza. Birds by the thousands were out feeding on anchovies that evening, and sailing close by them was breathtaking.
The 90-minute O’Neill excursions are $60 and include wine and light appetizers. And check out O’Neill’s other tours such as whale watching and beer tasting.
Sailing out on the briny, glass of Storrs wine in hand, is a splendid way to spend an evening.
Visit Storrs at two locations: Storrs Winery at the Quarry, 1560 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, 831-724-5030; and the downtown tasting room at the Old Sash Mill, 303 Potrero St., No.35, Santa Cruz, 831-458-5030. Storrswine.com
Aussie Wines
On my second trip to Australia, I visited the famous Barossa Valley for wine tasting. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to the wonderful Margaret River wine country on the southwest coast. But here are three good wines from Margaret River’s Xanadu Circa 77 you are sure to love: a 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon; a 2023 Sauvignon Blanc; and a 2022 Chardonnay. Visit xanaduwines.com for info.
There comes a time in every parent’s life when any excuse to escape for a weekend is a good one. I’d like to say I was first drawn to Mount Madonna for the redwoods, the vegetarian food or those incredible panoramic views, but during those first years of heavy responsibility, I was just thrilled for the chance to recharge.
But once experienced, the magic of this remote, natural setting was what drew me back time and again.
The story of this 380-acre mountaintop retreat center began in 1978 as a vision of Baba Hari Dass—a yogi, teacher and silent monk who arrived from India to share his knowledge of yoga and meditation with a small group of spiritual seekers.
With his guidance and the support of a devoted community, the center grew and evolved. Today it remains focused on practices and teachings to enhance personal growth and self-awareness based on ancient Eastern traditions.
Unlike typical retreat centers, Mount Madonna is more than a destination for relaxation and wellness—it’s also a vibrant, partially residential community that’s open to the public, whether for a day, a weekend or longer, based on the program.
At any given time, around 90 people live on the campus, each on their own spiritual or personal development journey. Some are drawn to meditation, others to yoga, and some seek to deepen their understanding of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and wellness. The campus features an outdoor temple, with arati (ritual of light) taking place every morning and evening, and a Wellness Center offering a variety of bodywork and Ayurvedic treatments.
This collective commitment to growth fosters an atmosphere that’s tangible to anyone visiting. Guests feel welcomed, supported and invited to share in the journey.
During a recent chat with members of Mount Madonna’s leadership team, I was surprised to learn that most of their visitors aren’t based in Santa Cruz County.
As Communication Director Lara Kilpatrick explains, “most people first hear about Mount Madonna through word of mouth. Alumni and practitioners from yoga studios—like those founded by graduates of Mount Madonna’s own programs—share their experiences with students and friends.”
Morgan Kennedy, a dynamic voice in Mount Madonna’s outreach, has also been working to expand the center’s online presence, aiming to capture the attention of a younger, social-media-savvy crowd who might not otherwise cross paths with this peaceful retreat on the hill.
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING Mount Madonna’s remote natural setting attracts a small residential community as well as visitors from around the region. PHOTO: Wendy Yalom
The reach is impressive, stretching from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz, and even beyond. But surprisingly, many Santa Cruz locals have yet to experience it firsthand. While some visitors come from around the world to attend retreats, Kennedy says there’s still room to grow awareness in the greater Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay Area of the many ways to enjoy the center, from a day of forest bathing to a six-month yoga teacher training, with dozens of options in between.
The word “magic” was used multiple times during our conversation, and when asked to define the term Kilpatrick says, “it often boils down to the community itself—a network of people dedicated to making the world, and themselves, just a little bit better. This commitment infuses every interaction, from shared meals to group meditation, and it leaves a lasting impression on visitors who feel they’ve stepped into a world aligned with their best intentions.”
She continues, “If you ask return visitors, they’ll tell you there’s something about the mountain that allows them to ‘just let go.’ Part of that is the landscape itself—imagine walking under ancient redwoods one moment and looking out over expansive views of the bay the next. The vastness has a way of lightening the mind, of putting life’s stresses into perspective.”
Beyond the natural beauty, visitors often speak to the peace they find in simply slowing down. The rhythm of the mountain encourages it. There’s no need to drive anywhere; everything is just a walk away. Meals are shared in community, and there’s time built into every day for quiet reflection.
In our current state of social unrest, this time out seems more crucial than ever.
In the coming months, Mount Madonna also plans to roll out more opportunities for local day visits, aiming to make the experience more accessible to a wider audience. For those who haven’t been, consider this an invitation to see what the “magic of the mountain” is all about.
Mount Madonna, 445 Summit Rd., Watsonville; mountmadonna.org.
How do you handle conflict about social issues during the holidays?
CLARA
We’re progressive, but for some in my family, ideas are just ideas they want to discuss and intellectualize, and I don’t. Relaxing on vacation is not when I want to hash it out.
Clara Horst, 28, Digital Animation Artist
DANIEL
Just be civil. Thankfully, I can be civil with people. If you are civil—sometimes—people respond in the same way.
Daniel Majarucon, 30, Information Technology
MICHELLE
I would say I focus on the food. I do a lot of the cooking for Thanksgiving, so… “Oh, I think I hear a timer!” It may be a little evasive, but “focus on the food.”
Michelle Welsh-Horst, 58, Book Editor
ERIC
Stick to what we have in common. Everyone wants a better world even if they have screwed-up ideas about what that better world is, or how to get there.
Eric Pesic, 58, Philosopher
PHOENIX
Instead of focusing on political differences, talk about the things we all love.
Phoenix Pesic, 12, Student
TONY
We’re not inviting anybody for Thanksgiving that we’re going to clash with. We planned it that way. My stepfather is just angry; you can’t even agree with him without pissing him off!
When Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s newly elected governing members are sworn in Dec. 18, the board will have a drastically different look with at least two new members—and possibly four—if recently released election results hold.
Incumbent Georgia Acosta is far behind challenger Carol Turley for the Trustee Area 2 seat, who took an early—and likely insurmountable—lead when the first results rolled in. As of Monday morning, Turley had garnered 55.7% of the 4,632 votes for that trustee area.
Adam Scow, the incumbent for Trustee Area 6, is losing to challenger Jessica Carrasco, with 55.8% of the 4,115 votes.
While Trustee Area 3 incumbent Oscar Soto pulled ahead of challenger Gabriel Medina in early results released after the polls closed on Election Day, that flipped over the weekend when the Monterey County Elections Department updated its numbers.
Soto is ahead in Santa Cruz County with 53%, ahead by just 26 votes. But that Trustee area straddles Monterey County, where Medina is ahead by 45 votes.
With such a razor’s edge margin, Medina’s advantage could reverse again.
Still, with PVUSD Trustee Kim De Serpa the likely successor to Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend’s Second District seat—having so far gotten 50.8% of the voters over Kristen Brown—the county’s largest school district is set for a massive facelift next year.
It will also see at least three political newcomers to the board at a time when predictions of a possible economic recession and declining enrollment has the district facing possible budget cuts in the next few years.
The gutting of the Board likely comes in part as a rebuke of the recent decision to end the contract with Community Responsive Education, a company that was providing ethnic studies training to teachers and administrators.
That decision, which stemmed from allegations of anti-semitism by CRE creator Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, drew a strong backlash from teachers and students demanding the contract be restored.
Acosta’s loss could also stem from the termination in 2020 of then PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. Acosta, who was board president at the time, never explained the decision, which was unanimously overturned days later after more than 10 hours of public comment.
It is unclear whether the PVUSD Board of Trustees will appoint a new member to replace De Serpa. It is also unclear whether that discussion will take place this year, or after the new members are sworn in at the last meeting in 2024.
Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight their furniture selections, there is much to be found that can be transported home with ease.
Located on the corner of Center and Soquel, Center Street Antiques shimmers with glistening glass, mirrors and beautifully decorated rooms. The layout of the store seems simple, but as one moves through each room it seems as if another is unlocked. Vintage items line the walls, floors and all open surfaces, including vintage purses, pictures, frames, mirrors, tea sets, bracelets, books and Mad magazines. This place is a trinket paradise, and another plus is that there are a couple other antique stores on the same corner that can be visited on foot.
Up the street about a mile is a hidden gem, Attilia’s Antiques. What makes this place special is its size and impressive amount of items. Shelves are stocked with nostalgia from all eras that can be found in curated sections. With each visit, something new is bound to catch the eye. Through the entrance and out back, there is a garden with knickknacks for outdoor areas. (You may even find a cat wandering around if you’re lucky.) A piece of advice: Make time in your schedule if you’re coming to Attilia’s, because every room is a must-see.
In Santa Cruz, Miss Jessie May’s is located on Pacific Avenue, downtown’s main promenade for foot traffic. The store stands out amid an abundance of retailers for its accessory selection and the aroma of jasmine that waft through it. Crosses, Calave, Victorian cameo pendants, Frida Kahlo, the Virgin Mary and the sacred heart are some examples of the visual iconography seen in the wide selection of jewelry. The shop itself is very well organized, with each glass case holding pieces with similar aesthetics. Besides the accessory options, this store also sells soaps, candles and beachy decorations like sea glass windchimes and abalone shells.
Further afield, antique stores in Watsonville and Felton may contain a soon-to-be-prized possession.
In Felton, visitors on their way to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will drive past Abbot’s Thrift, a big red barn that has new deals posted daily on a board by the entrance. The technology section can be interesting to look through, with antique rotaries, stereo systems and tape recorders found there. The whole back right of the store is dedicated to porcelain, ceramic and glass items; this is where to find mugs, china plates and a random variety of kitchen appliances. The majority of the barn is filled with clothing, books, CDs and DVDs. In other words, this place has it all.
On the opposite side of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville’s Carriage House Collectibles is a quaint shop off of East Lake Avenue that even locals may not know about. As shoppers draw near to the house, they are likely to be greeted by two loud but sweet dogs and/or the very friendly owners, Kelli and Dawn, who showcase their personalities through stories of procured items and their Two Chicks and a Truck video series on YouTube.
They encourage everyone to “dig deep” through the shop, which is much bigger than it looks. Each room has a loose theme—such as the laundry room, which is filled with patterned sheets, baby clothes, pillows and cloth-wrapped hangers. Across the hall, the teacup-ceilinged kitchen has a plethora of things to use for cooking, eating and drinking.
In addition to the wide selection and lovely atmosphere, Carriage House has another plus: to-die-for taco trucks in the Watsonville area, such as Tacos Los Jacona, for something a little greasy and more filling, or Tacos El Jerry, which is a little on the lighter side. Both are personal favorites.
Cabrillo College is being forced to cut some 70 of its 1,394 classes and $4.5 million from its $89.3 million budget–5% of both–as a result of low attendance and state funding cuts.
The cuts came as a surprise this week when for the first time the college said it will not fill the vacancies left by nine retiring faculty members. This stems from the state’s funding formula that gives preference to schools with high numbers of degree-seeking students. Up to now, departments could keep the left-behind units, fill the vacancies and continue to teach the same number of classes.
The school joins many others facing declining enrollment and a budget for the 2025-26 school year that does not include a cost-of-living adjustment.
Those effects will be felt soon, says Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein said, adding the cuts will largely affect math and English courses—although other areas such as art will feel the sting, too. Next week, Cabrillo officials will begin considering how to cut $4.5 million from the college’s budget, Wetstein said.
“It’s hard to envision a budget without a cost of living adjustment for the most expensive place in the world to rent or buy a home,” Wetstein said. “That’s devastating for our students and our employees. That’s the kind of future we’re facing and trying to plan for.”
Part of the problem, Wetstein said, is that emergency funding sources that came to Cabrillo during the Covid-19 pandemic, and after the CZU fires, are ending. And while the college is applying for an extension on that, there is no guarantee it will come.
Also, the state’s Student-Centered Funding Formula gives more to colleges that serve low-income students and those working toward a degree or transfer to a four-year university.
That puts Cabrillo College—which has high numbers of older students taking single classes—at a financial disadvantage, Wetstein said.
“We’re in a situation with a budget deficit, and an uncertain funding level for the coming year,” he said. “In order to help balance the budget, there are faculty positions that are not getting replaced pretty much throughout the college in various departments.”
The college has 185 full-time faculty. But with declining enrollment, the college currently has more than is needed, and above the state-required minimum, said Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristin Fabos.
Last year, around 12,000 students were enrolled, compared to 2018 when that number was closer to 15,000.
Much of that loss came during the pandemic, and the college has been clawing its way back, increasing 4% every year since then.
But Wetstein does not envision a return to previous levels of enrollment any time soon.
The decline is caused in part by an exodus of residents to better economic climes.
Only about 200 of the 900 homes lost during the CZU fires have been rebuilt, Wetstein said.
A similar trend is also happening in Pajaro in the wake of the 2023 floods.
Wetstein fears “there is a lost amount of enrollment from the Pajaro flood that we’re never going to get back.”
It is not yet clear what specific classes will be cut. The department deans will soon have to make that determination, Wetstein said.
“I think it’s going to be a position-by-position determination on whether we do a rehire for a particular job,” he said.
Wetstein stressed that Cabrillo is still on a positive trend, an assertion evidenced by the Oct. 21 announcement by Smart Asset naming the school the best community college in the state, and 37th in the U.S.
“We do great work and I don’t want to lose that fact,” he said. “It’s often hard for faculty and staff to go through periods like this, and I don’t want people to lose sight of how great this institution is.”
Since the dawn of the recycling era, Santa Cruz has embraced the mantra to reduce, reuse and recycle. And in a big way that has included apparel. Now a new generation is embracing the vintage aesthetic. Whether inspiration comes from old photos of Dad’s ’80s Magnum, P.I. phase or a favorite 2000s scandal-prone pop star, clothes from the past are the key to a fashionable future.
“There is almost an unlimited amount of secondhand clothing and it’s just going to circulate as time goes on,” says Isabel Alt, a co-founder of Artifact Goods, a relatively new vintage store in the downtown secondhand scene.
More than a dozen vintage stores selling curated, pre-loved items are thriving in Santa Cruz. But how? Selling secondhand clothes with a markup might not seem profitable at first glance, especially when thrift stores and yard sales offer lower prices.
ZOOOMING A vibrant and wide-ranging shoe collection fills the shelves of Moon Zooom. Owner Nicolas Canavarro takes pride in restoring them like new. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula
Moon Zooom has been around since 1992, one of the longest-standing vintage reselling shops in Santa Cruz. Nicolas Canavarro, owner of the Pacific Avenue store since 2020, sticks to what he knows after growing up with his mother and sister in vintage selling.
“Good stuff is always going to be good stuff; trends go up and down,” Canavarro, 45, says. “But for us, good quality old vintage is always going to be good.”
Moon Zooom has seen the recycling of trends through time, and throughout it all the shop thrives on its global sourcing process. Sticking to genuine vintage fur coats and old bowling shirts with the embroidered names of bowlers past, Canavarro can safely say that there will always be a market for the items he chooses to carry.
“I have about five different people across the country who search. We try to source stuff from other places than just Goodwill. It’s what makes it so we have different stuff.”
Canavarro says, “If you look at our store, you’ll see we have a vast array of items throughout the last 100 years. We buy things from the 1890s to the 1990s.”
The fact that so many vintage stores have moved in has not helped Canavarro, a Native American whose mother and sister are also in the vintage clothes business.
“We’ve just had the worst two years we’ve ever had,” he says.”Ten other vintage stores have opened on Pacific Avenue in the past year and a half. It’s driven the prices up for me to buy merchandise.”
FINDERS KEEPERS David Constanza (left) and John Alcantar of Artifact Goods in downtown Santa Cruz show a sample of their inventory of vintage clothes. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula
New stores often start with significant cash from loans and can pay more for items. The heavy construction downtown and the move of the Metro station has hurt foot traffic and parking, what he says amounts to a loss of $100,000 a year for him.
Even Halloween was bad this year, he says. He sold 10 percent of what he normally would for the holiday, partly because people buy things on Amazon. However, he adds, the day before Halloween and on the holiday, business picked up enough to make them his two best days.
“People saw the stuff they got on Amazon was garbage and it didn’t look like the picture so they came in here at the last minute.”
Sadly, though, sales around Halloween usually fueled the store during the slow winter months. Not so this year.
“My only option is to keep finding better and cheaper stuff,” he says, as he is about to go to Los Angeles to the gigantic Rose Bowl Flea Market looking for the kind of variety Santa Cruzans love.
Canavarro bought the store during Covid, a real challenge, he says as he is polishing and restoring a pair of 30-year-old Dr. Martens, which though they are as good and well-made as new, he’ll sell for half the price.
“I will sleep in the back room and live here,” he says, reflecting on the downturn. “I’m not closing it down. I’ll just get better stuff and sell it cheaper.”
VIRGO
Looking around Santa Cruz, there isn’t one style that stands out more than another. This beach town is home to a diverse collection of vastly different fashions. Vintage stores that don’t cater to one niche are a surefire place for fashionable residents to find whatever they’re on the prowl for.
Globally or not, sourcing is no easy feat. Resellers spend hours sifting through yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets and estate sales to stock their racks of clothes for customers eager to find that perfect piece—from bell bottoms and peasant blouses for the Woodstock wannabes to beaded mesh tanks and jeans that barely clear the pubic bone for those still mourning Wet Seal.
Stepping into stores like Angel Aura, Oasis on Pacific, Virgo Santa Cruz and Motherlode, a distinct theme in the type of “vintage” they offer becomes immediately apparent. Baby tees, low-rise jeans and lots of staples from the ’90s and early 2000s dominate the racks. That’s what the “cool kids” want these days: to dress like their parents did decades ago.
“Nineties streetwear is really popular because it plays into the skate culture here in Santa Cruz,” Artifact’s Alt says.
Accompanying Virgo Santa Cruz’s manager, Bella Aguilar, on a sourcing trip through hours of thrifting offers a firsthand glimpse into the mindset that proves successful in selling vintage to those chasing today’s trends.
“A lot of the time, I find myself finding things I personally like selling well in the store,” Aguilar says.
It’s no coincidence the cart was full of leather jackets, satin slip dresses and vintage denim, mirroring what’s seen on the local college campus.
“I was confident we were going to do well in this location because we had so much exposure to UCSC students just by selling at the markets. That was mostly our clientele,” Alt says.
Connecting with an audience is the recipe for success when deciding what to resell while sifting through thrift stores like the Goodwill bins and Salvation Army. Aguilar, a college student herself, has a keen eye for what her peers would drop their part-time paychecks for.
This is how some reseller shops find their success, by directly focusing on an ideal shopper—the UCSC and Cabrillo student population. Walking around a college campus, the students are spotted in the designs of yesterday. A long way from chevron peplum tops and high-waisted white jeans, an outfit straight out of grandparents’ photo albums is what sourcing trips are for nowadays.
RED DOOR
“We do have a lot of college students from UCSC and I think people have a really cool sense of fashion here, but they also want to get it at an affordable rate,” says Jake Jensen, owner of Oasis on Pacific. “So it’s finding cool stuff, but keeping it in that middle ground of not too expensive. It’s just cool things at a cool price to look good.”
Retail shop owners observe the resurgence of old trends, but instead of opting for remade versions, they go into the “wild” to find the original inspirations.
Another downtown vintage spot, Angel Aura, is a hidden gem next to Walnut Avenue Cafe. This lesser-known vintage store not only offers pieces aligned with the latest trends but also maintains a consistent and reasonable price range anywhere from $10 to $50 depending on the piece.
Owner Sandra Renteria understands as a local, she needs to keep her inventory within the price range of the famously frugal student population interested in vintage fashion.
“We’re a working culture; we don’t have time to sift through clothes to participate in this environmental movement,” Renteria says. “I try to find a reasonable price so vintage isn’t unattainable.”
ARTIFACT
At times, however, the pricing of items in these stores can lead to confusion for shoppers. While a price tag can be absurd to a regular shopper who is not well-versed in the vintage market, the cost of certain “rare” goods is not entirely unreasonable.
The pursuit of a Holy Grail item, known as a “Grail” in the reseller community, comes with a cost—both in terms of time and effort, aspects that are reflected in the resale price.
“Let’s use band tees as an example. If you want an ’80s Metallica T-shirt you can go down to Urban Outfitters and get a reprint, but for the original, you had to go to that concert in the ’80s to get one. There aren’t that many out there, and they are harder to find. The price reflects the rarity of an item,” Jensen explains.
While the appeal of convenience and the revival of trends fuel the success of these places, too much of a good thing in fashion can have consequences. Early 2000s staple boutiques closed shop as the trends they relied on faded. The question looms: is this the potential fate of small vintage businesses?
The movement to battle over-consumption may be the key to the permanence of vintage stores. These “old” clothes can fill the desire for trendy fashion and offer a solution to the problem of churning out excessive garments whenever a style gains popularity.
“I feel like trends always recycle, and everyone is always different,” Renteria says. “I think that’s what’s so cool about vintage clothing is that you have this unique piece and that person will style it their own unique way.”
Oasis on Pacific places a strong emphasis on the sustainability aspect of vintage. The Oasis on Pacific website prominently showcases five factors highlighting the drawbacks of fast fashion, underscoring the imperative for secondhand clothing in the world. The prevalent social activism and environmental consciousness in Santa Cruz may well be the driving force ensuring the longevity of secondhand vintage businesses for years to come.
“There’s so many cool clothes out there in the world right now that we’re able to recycle and rehome these pieces. Otherwise, someone would just go out and buy a mass-produced item with a high environmental cost. I mean it takes 1,800 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans. It’s a lot of resources being used for all these new items, so if we can be more sustainable we should,” Jensen says.
The pieces made before fast fashion was the new biggest supplier were not only more sustainable but better for the wearer. There’s a reason the clothes have lasted this long, and a brand-new Shein shirt rips on the second wear.
“Back in the day, there was a lot more thoughtfulness in the creation of clothing, whether it be design, the materials used or the functionality,” says Isabella Cisneros , aka Bell, co-owner of Little Red Door.
Filled with quality pieces in a little store off Portola Drive, Little Red Door’s owners—two sisters—are thoughtful about what they stock and to whom they’re selling.
“We want to be selling a product to people that we can stand by, that we are passionate about, and that we know will last them a lifetime,” Bell says.
Treasure Hunt
The search for quirky keepers
By Bianca Sieraski
Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight their furniture selections, there is much to be found that can be transported home with ease.
Located on the corner of Center and Soquel, Center Street Antiques shimmers with glistening glass, mirrors and beautifully decorated rooms. The layout of the store seems simple, but as one moves through each room it seems as if another is unlocked. Vintage items line the walls, floors and all open surfaces, including vintage purses, pictures, frames, mirrors, tea sets, bracelets, books and Mad magazines. This place is a trinket paradise, and another plus is that there are a couple other antique stores on the same corner that can be visited on foot.
Up the street about a mile is a hidden gem, Attilia’s Antiques. What makes this place special is its size and impressive amount of items. Shelves are stocked with nostalgia from all eras that can be found in curated sections. With each visit, something new is bound to catch the eye. Through the entrance and out back, there is a garden with knickknacks for outdoor areas. (You may even find a cat wandering around if you’re lucky.) A piece of advice: Make time in your schedule if you’re coming to Attilia’s, because every room is a must-see.
In Santa Cruz, Miss Jessie May’s is located on Pacific Avenue, downtown’s main promenade for foot traffic. The store stands out amid an abundance of retailers for its accessory selection and the aroma of jasmine that waft through it. Crosses, Calave, Victorian cameo pendants, Frida Kahlo, the Virgin Mary and the sacred heart are some examples of the visual iconography seen in the wide selection of jewelry. The shop itself is very well organized, with each glass case holding pieces with similar aesthetics. Besides the accessory options, this store also sells soaps, candles and beachy decorations like sea glass windchimes and abalone shells.
Further afield, antique stores in Watsonville and Felton may contain a soon-to-be-prized possession.
In Felton, visitors on their way to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will drive past Abbot’s Thrift, a big red barn that has new deals posted daily on a board by the entrance. The technology section can be interesting to look through, with antique rotaries, stereo systems and tape recorders found there. The whole back right of the store is dedicated to porcelain, ceramic and glass items; this is where to find mugs, china plates and a random variety of kitchen appliances. The majority of the barn is filled with clothing, books, CDs and DVDs. In other words, this place has it all.
On the opposite side of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville’s Carriage House Collectibles is a quaint shop off of East Lake Avenue that even locals may not know about. As shoppers draw near to the house, they are likely to be greeted by two loud but sweet dogs and/or the very friendly owners, Kelli and Dawn, who showcase their personalities through stories of procured items and their Two Chicks and a Truck video series on YouTube.
They encourage everyone to “dig deep” through the shop, which is much bigger than it looks. Each room has a loose theme—such as the laundry room, which is filled with patterned sheets, baby clothes, pillows and cloth-wrapped hangers. Across the hall, the teacup-ceilinged kitchen has a plethora of things to use for cooking, eating and drinking.
In addition to the wide selection and lovely atmosphere, Carriage House has another plus: to-die-for taco trucks in the Watsonville area, such as Tacos Los Jacona, for something a little greasy and more filling, or Tacos El Jerry, which is a little on the lighter side. Both are personal favorites.
GET YOUR VINTAGE ON
Angel Aura Vintage 108 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 621-2605
Artifact Goods 805 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 588-1671
The Closet Shopper 1203 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 (831) 476-1565
Cognito Clothing 821 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 426-5414
Crossroads Trading 811 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 458-2555
Flipside Thrift Center 1305 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 429-6975
Forever Thrift 1622 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 316-7865
Ivy Company 930 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 477-9051
Love Me Two Times 121 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 246-6048
Moon Zooom 813 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-8500
Motherlode 1101 Pacific Ave # C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The Multi Shoppe 2940 S Main St, Soquel, CA 95073 (760) 481-8353
Oasis On Pacific 1339 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Anyone with a desire to dig through unique artifacts that range from retro to ancient need look no further than Santa Cruz County, where quirky treasures can be found in local antique stores.
The informal hub of antiquities has to be along Soquel Drive, which connects 12 different antique stores across a 2.5-mile drive. Although most of these shops highlight...
Whether inspiration comes from old photos of Dad’s ’80s Magnum, P.I. phase or a favorite 2000s scandal-prone pop star, clothes from the past are the key to a fashionable future.
