Page 492 – Good Times

Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub Closes Downtown Santa Cruz Location

GT Staff

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November 2, 2020

Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub Closes Downtown Santa Cruz Location

Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, a mainstay in downtown Santa Cruz for 23 years, is now closed “until further notice.”

The restaurant at 1220 Pacific Ave. had its final weekend Oct. 31-Nov. 1, noting on its website, “This isn’t goodbye, just see you later.”

The bustling spot was known for its live music and pub food.

“We are sad to announce that we have made a very difficult decision to close Rosie McCann’s in Santa Cruz until further notice,” the restaurant said in a statement on its website. “Our team has become deeply connected to the community and we will miss seeing you, our loyal guests, every day.”

Rosie McCann’s also has a location in San Jose’s Santana Row, which remains open.

The Rosie McCann’s manager did not immediately respond to a Good Times request for further comment on what prompted the closure, and whether they might reopen.

A string of local restaurants have closed in recent months as the Covid-19 pandemic drags on without any sign of additional federal aid coming to help business owners.

Closures downtown include the Poet and Patriot, Pono Hawaiian Grill, and 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Felton’s The Cremer House and Gilda’s Restaurant on the Santa Cruz Wharf also closed.

As GT reported in September, there is a sense among all kinds of small businesses in Santa Cruz that this fall could be a bumpy ride, and not everyone will still be standing at year’s end.

Santa Cruz in Photos: Flagpoles Along Highway 1 in Aptos Come Down

Tarmo Hannula

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November 2, 2020

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Santa Cruz in Photos: Flagpoles Along Highway 1 in Aptos Come Down

The 160-foot flagpoles that once served as radio towers and loomed over the heavily-traveled intersection of State Park Drive at Highway 1 were brought back to Earth Tuesday.

A crew from the Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. used a huge crane to grab onto each of the three remaining white poles of four that stood for years in the center of the former Aptos Par 3 Golf Course, and carefully lowered them onto the surrounding grassy field.

“Those poles were the only thing that stood between the view from my home and the ocean,” said Ken Gehrkens, who has lived in Aptos for the past 42 years. “I’m a golfer and I used to walk down to Par 3 and golf. It was a nice place. I used to come out with my 9 iron and wedge and work this place. I have to say there’s a little bit of nostalgia about the poles going away. But I’m not going to miss them. Now there’s nothing between me and the sea.”

In late May, a blaze that Aptos/La Selva Fire said was likely started by a homeless person felled one of the towers that dropped harmlessly into the surrounding field.

The first tower was erected in May 1977, according to John Hibble of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and the Aptos History Museum. KKAP-AM, at 1540, on the dial, then went live in November 1977.

According to Hibble, Grant Wrathall Jr. announced in 1976 that, “after eight years of trying to get government approvals and $50,000 in expenses, he hoped to have a Mid-County radio station going within a year.”

The plan called for three, 160-foot-tall antennas on the Cabrillo Golf Course, (the old Aptos Par 3). They would look like flagpoles in hopes of presenting “a more pleasing appearance.”

“The station would concentrate on news, sports and music, and would operate only during daylight hours,” Hibble said. “They were the only ones of their kind in the country at the time, and were the tallest flagpoles west of the Appalachian Mountains.”

Once a fourth antenna was installed, the station switched its call letters to KMFO and began broadcasting at 10,000 watts in 1980 and shifted to news and information.

The station and radio show content went through several more shifts and names before going silent altogether in 1998.

Hibble said the lowering of the towers was coordinated by the owners of the towers, Grant and Larry Wrathall.

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused the poles to whip back and forth, launching three of the four copper balls at the top of the poles.

“One of them crashed through a greenhouse of a nearby heather farm,” Hibble said. “The other two were never located.”

The copper balls were made in 1890 by San Francisco-based L.Ph. Bolander and Sons, according to Hibble.

*A ball from one of four 160-foot flagpoles sits on the ground. PHOTO: TARMO HANNULA*

See more from the Santa Cruz in Photos series.

How Santa Cruz Artist Annika Layne Highlights the Outdoors

A&E
Art

Tarmo Hannula

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October 30, 2020

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How Santa Cruz Artist Annika Layne Highlights the Outdoors

A surfer pausing on a deserted beach to catch the final moments of peach sunset; rocks, pine trees and a splash of sand cradled in a tranquil turquoise sea; a lone woman contemplating the tranquil shoreline awash in pastel tones: Welcome to the original art of Annika Layne, a 24-year-old Santa Cruz artist and designer.

Arriving in Santa Cruz close to a year ago from Reno, Layne has been making an earnest go at getting her art out into the open. Recently, she featured a table at the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market covered with her art, including stickers, greeting cards, paper goods, postcards and landscape paintings.

“I’m also working on a line of enamel pins,” she said. “I primarily sell on Etsy, the Santa Cruz Makers Market, and by word of mouth. At the Makers Market I have a bunch of fun making connections and being able to find other local artists. It’s especially important during these Covid times to have an outdoor activity that we can all do safely.”

Layne grew up in the Reno/Tahoe area, where she graduated from Western Nevada College in 2016 with an art degree. Prior to graduating, she started her first artistic endeavor: Sierra Nevada Outdoors, her own clothing brand featuring artwork highlighting the Sierra Nevada landscape.

From there, her art drifted from apparel design toward traditional painting and illustration. Most of her work nowadays starts with a pencil sketch and then is brought to life, mostly in pastel colors, in gouache.

Annika Layne works on a sketch at the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. PHOTO: TARMO HANNULA

“I found that painting and illustrating my experiences of camping and hiking in the Sierra helped me to portray the nostalgia I had surrounding those memories in a way that was too hard to describe in words,” Layne said. “So that’s what I do. I paint and illustrate my outdoor surroundings, the memories I have of traveling, and the little life moments that make me feel tiny and whole in the vast world around me.”

Displayed at her table at the Makers Market, Layne features an array of her original cards, paintings and several small stickers, including one small sticker in the shape of the state of California. Her art covers a wide range of scenes, from the desert at night to the Rockies, towering buttes, serene meadows, rugged coastlines, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

“I want people to feel cozy, happy memories when they see my art work,” she said. “I am really drawn to the golden hour time of the day, when the sun is setting or just rising, when the sky turns peach. A lot of my color palette is inspired by this time of day.”

For information about Layne’s artwork, visit annikalayne.com.

The Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market meets the third Sunday of the month on Pacific Avenue between Water and Locust streets. Some 40 artists are typically featured there. Upcoming markets include Nov. 15 from 10am to 5pm and Dec. 20 from 10am to 5pm.

Pajaro Valley Arts Opens ‘Mi Casa es Tu Casa’ Exhibit

A&E
Art

Johanna Miller

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October 30, 2020

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Pajaro Valley Arts Opens ‘Mi Casa es Tu Casa’ Exhibit

In late September, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) was finally able to open its gallery’s doors after a six-month closure due to Covid-19.

For the first two weeks, the organization displayed “Campesinos: Workers of the Land,” a show that had been installed the week shelter-in-place went into effect, and eventually offered virtually.

After taking down “Campesinos,” PVA immediately looked to its next project, which is usually its biggest and most popular exhibit of the year.

“Mi Casa es Tu Casa” is a show inspired by Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional holiday in Mexico that celebrates family members and friends who have died. Usually, the exhibit will include a multitude of “ofrendas,” altars to honor the dead, created by local artists and the community.

This year’s exhibit, “Nuestras Familias” (“Our Families”), will be smaller, but organizers still hope it will inspire visitors.

“Things are very different this year, more complicated,” said Gallery Committee member and co-curator of the exhibit Tracy LeCroy. “It’s definitely slim pickings comparatively … but what we do have is lovely.”

Tracy LeCroy (right) is one of the curators for this year’s “Mi Casa es Tu Casa” exhibit at the Pajaro Valley Gallery on Sudden Street. PHOTO: TARMO HANNULA

LeCroy curated the front room of the gallery, where a large painted canvas by local artist Pricilla Martinez is the centerpiece. “Siempre Con Nosotros” (“Always with Us”) depicts a family, living and dead, joining together in their home for a meal.

In addition, the room features the papel picado collection of Cheryl Marquez and Paul Brennan. Papel Picado is considered Mexican folk art in which elaborate designs are cut into sheets of tissue paper. The collection is of work created by acclaimed artist Catalina Delgado-Trunk, whose pieces have been featured in a number of galleries, including the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.

“[Delgado-Trunk] is a major figure … we’re thrilled to have her work here,” LeCroy said.

The remaining rooms of the gallery, curated by PVA’s Judy Stabile and others, feature 2D pieces by artists including Kathleen Crocetti, David Flemming and more. Towards the back of the building are life-sized black-and-white coloring pages, enlarged from the recently released “Fiesta de Día de Muertos” coloring book PVA collaborated on with Watsonville Film Festival (WFF).

Recently, PVA hosted WFF to film for the other organization’s virtual Day of the Dead celebration, which also kicked off Wednesday. LeCroy said it felt “amazing” to finally be back in the gallery, surrounded by so much creativity.

“Just being there, with all of that art and music, with these backdrops of butterflies, flowers, candles … it was beautiful,” she said.

“Mi Casa es Tu Casa” is now open to the public through Dec. 13 by appointment only. Visit pvarts.org/appointment to pick a day and time. The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm.

New Regulations Could Pinch Commercial Crab Fishermen

Todd Guild

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October 30, 2020

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New Regulations Could Pinch Commercial Crab Fishermen

As commercial crab fishermen prepare for the season to begin on Nov. 1, they are also grappling with a strict set of new regulations that start the same day, which some say could severely curtail their livelihood.

The new rules, created by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), are collectively known as the Risk Assessment Management Program (RAMP).

Wildlife officials say the rules are meant to stop blue whales, humpback whales and leatherback turtles from becoming entangled in the lines connected to crab pots and anchored to buoys floating on the surface of the water.

According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, 46 whales were confirmed entangled in 2018 off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California.

Under RAMP, California’s coast is divided into seven zones. CDFW officials perform a flyover of each zone, and if they see 20 or more whales—or a single leatherback turtle—the director of the agency can delay the season or stop fishing, which could require the crabbers to pull up their traps.

The director can also end the season early, says CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Ryan Bartling.

In addition, crabbers must now report all their activity to the CDFW, to give wildlife officials a broader picture of where their activity is in relation to that of the whales.

But the good news, Bartling says, is that a sighting does not automatically trigger a closure. Instead, the director has discretion to look at the whole picture and decide whether there is enough of a risk to warrant closure.

Bartling says the regulations are the result of a five-year collaborative process by the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group that included crab fishermen, conservationists and the U.S. Coast Guard, among others.

“The goal is to the extent possible minimize entanglements,” Bartling says. “But it does have the potential to impact the fisheries.”

Tim Obert, 35, says he has been fishing salmon and crab for about two decades. He places 400 crab pots every year.

The guidelines, he says, are “overkill,” and target an industry that largely goes out of its way to protect the ocean environment they depend upon for their livelihood.

He says that crab fishermen last year agreed to “sit in” during the Thanksgiving holiday—during which consumer demand for crab is at its peak—in an effort to protect whales. They also changed the way they rope their gear to reduce the risk of entanglements.

“We’re trying to be cautious in what we do, crabbing safely and sustainably,” he says. “We’re doing this job because we love the sea. We love the ocean. We love the wildlife. And they are painting this picture of us as bad people for doing what we’re doing.”

Obert says that ship strikes—which are typically fatal—are a far worse problem for marine mammals such as whales.

According to Obert, there are about 150 ship strikes per year.

Obert worries that the rules will put many crab fishermen out of business, which in turn will have a chain effect on seafood salespeople and restaurants.

“I want the public to know that these kinds of things really do impact families, and coastal communities,” he says. “These people base their jobs and lives and everything in the fishing industry to bring a quality product to market. We’re definitely not out here trying to hurt any sea life.”

Virtual Discussion Will Explore the Process of Death and Grieving

Johanna Miller

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October 29, 2020

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Virtual Discussion Will Explore the Process of Death and Grieving

The Watsonville Public Library, along with Hospice Santa Cruz County (HSCC), will host a virtual book discussion on Zoom on Nov. 5 at 5:30pm.

The event will be centered around author Katy Butler’s “The Art of Dying Well,” a nonfiction book published in 2019 that aims to guide readers through the process of death and grieving, while still leading fulfilling lives.

Librarian Jillian Wilson, the primary organizer of the event, said she listened to the book on a podcast and was immediately taken with its gentle yet realistic approach.

“I really like how it’s organized,” she said. “It really takes a holistic approach … going beyond just explaining how to write a will. It asks things like, ‘What rituals do you want to have when you die, and who do you want around you?’ The earlier you start thinking about these things, the better.”

Wilson added that she is currently going through such issues with family members and has been eager to find ways to help them and herself.

“[The book] was relevant to me, what I’ve been going through …. I have people in my life who just aren’t prepared … and I don’t want to leave anyone in that same position,” she said.

Wilson reached out to Vanesa Silverstein of HSCC to cohost the virtual event. The discussion will be structured loosely around the text, but participants are not required to have read it to join in. For anyone who would like a copy of the book, the first group of people registered for the discussion can stop by the library’s main branch at 275 Main St. for a copy while supplies last.

Wilson had Silverstein in mind to help out after attending one of HSCC’s Death Cafes, events where people can come together and talk about death. The events, facilitated by Silverstein, are not meant as support groups or counseling sessions—instead, they are where people can discuss death without agenda or objective, and ultimately affirm what is important in life.

Wilson said she hopes the library’s event has a similar feel.

“Our culture actively avoids the topic of death … there is so much stigma around these conversations,” she said. “What we need to do is normalize it. It doesn’t need to be ‘morbid.’ We all face it … so we should all learn how to talk about it.”

The virtual program will be presented in English and accessible through Zoom. Participants must register at bit.ly/wpljourney to receive the access link. For information and assistance call 831-768-3404.

Community Voices Support for Pajaro Valley Arts’ Porter Building Pitch

Tony Nuñez

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October 29, 2020

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Community Voices Support for Pajaro Valley Arts’ Porter Building Pitch

The community at Tuesday night’s Watsonville City Council meeting showed resounding support for the Pajaro Valley Arts Council’s planned rebuild of the historic Porter Building, a city of Watsonville-owned property at the gateway of downtown.

A competing proposal from WatsNews LLC, the owner of the Pajaronian, was met with the opposite—concerns of gentrification and disconnection from the community’s values.

The two local institutions are vying for control of the vacant two-story, 15,000-square-foot building, which has stood at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue since 1903.

Pajaro Valley Arts, a nonprofit established in 1984, hopes to create a haven for artists with gallery exhibits, art retail space and a multipurpose room for performances, meetings, events, workshops and additional special exhibits. The organization would also create several classrooms for seniors and young people and artists’ studios.

A company established by Santa Cruz Good Times owner and executive editor Dan Pulcrano in 2019 after he purchased the 152-year-old Pajaronian, WatsNews LLC is proposing a casual dining Italian restaurant from well-known restaurateur Joe Cirone, emphasizing locally-sourced ingredients, and a wine bar and food market highlighting Santa Cruz Mountains vineyards, Pajaro Valley farms and artisanal producers. The project also calls for a “boutique” micro-hotel and a “creative space” for community institutions as well as the Pajaronian.

Pulcrano said his plan will provide anywhere between 50-100 jobs, and he called it a “catalyst” for downtown.

“Watsonville has nowhere to go but up,” Pulcrano said. “If we do the downtown right … it’s going to be a powerhouse.”

But an overwhelming number of community members said the plan “raised some red flags” about it leading to gentrification. They also had concerns about the language Pulcrano used during his presentation. Specifically, his use of words such as “strategic,” “catalyst” and “economic generator.”

“We need to be very careful about the types of businesses we allow into our town,” Xitlali Cabadas said. “We need to prioritize community places like PV Arts.”

Added Frances Salgado-Chavez: “I will not go to a restaurant that those people will bring. Those two are gentrifiers.”

The council was not required to take action Tuesday night. It is expected to make a decision on a possible sale or lease during the closed session of its Nov. 10 meeting.

The public is not allowed to attend the closed session portion of public meetings—public bodies hold these sessions to discuss private matters such as lawsuits and the purchase or lease of real property—but they can comment on agenda items before the session begins.

Pajaro Valley Arts Treasurer Judy Stabile said the nonprofit would use the building to expand its longstanding art shows, classes and retail opportunities currently found at its Sudden Street location. Stabile added that the Porter Building would be a “stepping stone” for a much larger project currently in its infancy: a massive community arts and performing center.

She said the move downtown would bring new foot traffic to its art galleries and events, and to surrounding restaurants and shops.

“We won’t be competing with other existing downtown businesses,” she said. “Our patrons will visit local restaurants and surrounding retailers. We will maximize the economic activity on Main Street.”

The council had several questions about how the nonprofit would afford to purchase the roughly $1.35 million building and renovate it in a timely manner.

Stabile said Aptos resident Leonard Groner has agreed to fund the purchase price. The additional funds needed to renovate the building—anywhere from $1-2 million, Stabile said—would have to come from grants and donations.

“It takes time to raise money,” she said.

For the other proposal, the council raised concerns about the viability of a restaurant given the state of the industry before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. They also had questions about its accessibility and affordability for low-income and Spanish-speaking residents and felt that it did not represent or celebrate the community.

“What about it celebrates Watsonville, its people, its history, its culture?” asked Councilman Francisco “Paco” Estrada. “If I wanted to go to one of these places I could easily go over the hill …. How do you integrate it into the culture of Watsonville? I’m not seeing it at this point.”

Pulcrano and Cirone said that they would hire local—both people with and without cooking experience—and source the majority of their ingredients and products from Watsonville farmers and businesses.

“Everything about it is Watsonville,” Pulcrano said. “This will be, hopefully, part of the new Watsonville community …. If you always look to the past, you never evolve. We’re looking at trends and what the future of the community is, because people will demand amenities or they will leave because their tastes can be satisfied outside the area. This will help keep people in Watsonville. This will bring people to Watsonville.”

The city issued a request for proposals in November 2019. The council was set to review the proposals earlier this year, but the pandemic shelved those plans.

The original RFP said the city wanted proposals that would maximize the building’s potential by bringing an entertainment or retail-related business to the first floor.

The building was nearly sold in 2015 after Ceiba College Prep Academy moved out, but a deal with Walnut Creek’s Novin Development fell through.

It has sat empty since.

The building served as the post office until 1913 and has also served as a dentist office and an army surplus store.

It was one of the few historic buildings in Watsonville’s downtown that survived the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake with minimal damage.

MAH Reimagines Día de los Muertos Celebrations

A&E
Art

Johanna Miller

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October 29, 2020

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MAH Reimagines Día de los Muertos Celebrations

For the past five years, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) has held an ever-growing Día de los Muertos celebration, complete with educational activities, arts and crafts, dancing, and a traditional procession from the museum to Evergreen Cemetery.

This year, however, the event has had to adapt to meet Covid-19 safety precautions.

The MAH and partnering organization Senderos have been working to bring versions of these activities to the community in new, reimagined ways. Starting in early October, they began offering outdoor chalk painting exhibits and virtual face painting tutorials and musical performances.

They join other local organizations such as the Watsonville Film Festival in finding creative ways of keeping celebrations going amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is important to continue finding ways to celebrate and connect because many of us are immigrants who are without family or community,” said one of Sendero’s founders, Nereida Robles Vasquez. “Celebrating Dia de los Muertos here in Santa Cruz, far away from my homeland, I want to share it with the community. It is part of my culture and it is my identity. I want to share it with you.”

Now, in the week surrounding the Nov. 2 holiday, the activities continue.

On Nov. 2, organizers will post a prerecorded video of MAH’s Education Coordinator Oscar Paz at Evergreen Cemetery for a history of Día de los Muertos and traditions surrounding the holiday.

A pop-up community altar, or ofrenda, installation will be set up Nov. 2-7 at the MAH, at. 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz. Guests are invited to stop by the altar to pay their respects. Families are also invited to answer the question: “How do you honor loved ones, present and passed?” Tag the MAH on social media @santacruzmah or with the hashtag #DiaAtTheMAH to share your answers.

A video performance of Senderos’ Centeotl Danza y Baile dance group, filmed at Evergreen Cemetery, will be shared online on Nov. 5. Learn about the dance and its significance by organization leaders.

For more information about MAH’s Recordando Recuerdos project, visit santacruzmah.org.

Silver Mountain Vineyards’ Frightfully Good Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Josie Cowden

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October 28, 2020

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Silver Mountain Vineyards’ Frightfully Good Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Looking for a frightfully good, blood-red wine to pour on Halloween?

A 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Mountain Vineyards should do the trick. There’s nothing like a good Cab—and the ones made by owner/winemaker Jerold O’Brien are superb.

That certainly goes for his 2013 vintage. Full of dark fruit and bursting with flavor, you can’t go wrong with this powerful red wine with a ton of backbone. Grapes are harvested from Bates Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains—known for growing premium Cabernet grapes.

O’Brien says his 2013 Cab ($44) is a classic, cool-climate Santa Cruz Mountains wine, with sandalwood, lavender and vanilla on the nose. “The tannins are soft and well-integrated with flavors of wild blueberry, cedar, vanilla, forest floor,” he says. To sum it up, this mature Cab is a beautiful smoky, nutty, earthy wine with grippy tannic structure. Pair it with your Halloween dinner of pumpkin soup and meatballs in red sauce—or any other hearty fare.

O’Brien often runs specials and discounts. Right now, you can get a whole case of this terrific Cab at a 15% discount. It’s all treat—no trick!

Silver Mountain Vineyards has two locations—a tasting room on the Westside, and a winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains surrounded by O’Brien’s vineyards. Both are wonderful to visit.

Open noon to 5pm Saturday and Sunday at both locations. Silver Mountain tasting room: 328D Ingalls St., Santa Cruz. Silver Mountain Vineyards: 269 Silver Mountain Drive, Los Gatos. 408-353-2278, silvermtn.com.

Dinner with Armitage Wines and Chef Josh Hanoka

Brandon Armitage of Armitage Wines is teaming up with Chef Josh Hanoka of Braise in Willow Glen for a special five-course dinner. This delicious affair, called Ronin, is a pop-up event to be held in Chef Molly Bravo’s Wylder Space in Felton. There are two seatings of 25 people on Friday, Oct.30.

wylderspace.com.

Full Moon on Halloween

There’s a full moon on Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween). It’s also a blue moon. The clocks go back on Sunday, Nov. 1, for daylight saving time.

Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 28 – Nov. 3

GT Staff

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October 28, 2020

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Things To Do in Santa Cruz: Oct. 28 – Nov. 3

Because many in-person events across Santa Cruz County have been canceled or postponed during the pandemic, Good Times is compiling a weekly list of virtual events hosted by local nonprofits, artists, fitness instructors and businesses. To submit your virtual event, send an email to ca******@go*******.sc.

ARTS AND MUSIC

THE WESTSIDE MARKETPLACE Shop local at the new Westside Marketplace! Open Nov. 1 and all first Sundays at the Wrigley! Featuring local art, handmade and vintage shopping, and Food Trucks and pop-ups. All outdoors at the Old Wrigley Parking Lot on Mission Street. Free admission 11am-4pm. Presented by SCM Makers Market and Food Trucks A Go Go. Learn more at scmmakersmarket.com and foodtrucksagogo.com.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: COMMUNITY ALTARS AND RIBBON INSTALLATION Join a reimagined Día de los Muertos community celebration at Evergreen Cemetery. Stroll through the Cemetery between noon and 3:30pm on Sunday, Nov. 1, in a self-guided presentation of community altars and Día de los Muertos history. Follow the signs through the grounds to view ofrendas created by a handful of Santa Cruz County organizations. There will also be educational and informative signage to take you through the history and traditions of the 3,000-year-old holiday. See how the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) community-sourced art installation Recordando Recuerdos is coming together with a viewing of the in-progress ribbon installation. You can share your memorial or story for the art piece through the event website. This event will be closely monitored by MAH staff so guests can browse the art safely and comfortably. Please do your part to keep these events safe by abiding by these guidelines and listening to MAH staffers. If you have any questions about the programming or precautions being taken please email us at in**@sa**********.org. Learn more at santacruzmah.org/events/dia-ofrendas/2020/11/01.

WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL’S ANNUAL DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION Featuring five days of cultural celebration, the Watsonville Film Festival’s Day of the Dead program will include locally-produced short films, virtual music and dance performances by local artists, poetry, panels and discussions, and hands-on tutorials, all streaming free online from Oct. 28 – Nov. 1. Fiesta Virtual de Día de Muertos 2020 will be available at watsonvillefilmfest.org.

CAPITOLA HALLOWEEN CAR CRUISE Deck out your car for the Capitola Halloween Car Cruise! The community is invited to participate in a spooktacular, socially distanced, family-friendly Capitola Halloween Car Cruise on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2pm. Decorate your car, dress in costume. All participants will remain socially distanced within their own car. Cruise will begin at Capitola Mall, then cruise through Capitola Village, ending at the Capitola Community Center at Jade Street Park with a drive-thru treat bag pickup. Cruise lineup will begin at 2pm in the former Sears parking lot at the Capitola Mall. Cruise will begin promptly at 2:15pm. Volunteers will be on site to guide vehicles where to park while waiting for cruise to begin. Please register your car on the event site at master.capitolachamber.com/events/details/capitola-halloween-car-cruise-2688 to help event coordinators prepare for the number of cars participating in the cruise, as well as the number of children to expect. Questions? Call Capitola Recreation at 831-475-5935 or email ca****************@ci.us.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS RADIO DRAMA: ONLINE PERFORMANCE “The War of the Worlds” was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was performed as a Halloween episode of the series on Oct. 30, 1938, and aired over the Columbia Broadcasting System radio network. Directed and narrated by actor and future filmmaker Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds.” Available starting Oct. 30. Learn more at jeweltheatre.net/radio-plays/#warworlds.

MOVIES AT THE MAH: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? Kick back and enjoy a spooky edition of Movies at the MAH with a screening of “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane.” Starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, this 1962 psychological horror/thriller is considered a cult classic and started a whole new subgenre within queer cinema. So grab a drink or snack at the Market and join us in Abbot Square! Space is limited to the first 100 attendees to allow for adequate physical distancing on the patio. There is no pre-registration required, drop-by when you can, but, if possible, we recommend you arrive early to ensure you have a seat. This movie is best suited for adult audiences. Thursday, Oct. 29, 7pm. Learn more at santacruzmah.org/events/movies-oct.

CATAMARAN ART SHOW AT R. BLITZER GALLERY Starved for real live artwork? Then don’t miss the Seventh Annual Catamaran Show at the R. Blitzer Gallery, featuring a curated array of original artwork from Linda Christensen, David Ligare, UCSC alumna Julie Heffernan, Frank Galuszka, Noah Buchanan, Joao De Brito and Philip Rosenthal. While you’re there don’t miss artworks by Robert Blitzer, Alan Sonneman, Rand Launer and handmade stringed instruments by luthier Charles Sutton. Open now through Nov. 27. Tuesday and Thursday noon-5 pm or by appointment. Strict Covid-19 protocols followed (masks, five or six people at a time, social distancing). R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz. 831-458-1217.

CLASSES

NAMI FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS NAMI’s Family-to-Family Class is an eight-week educational program for family and friends of adults with mental health challenges. Learn about how to support your loved one, gain valuable communication and coping skills, and become educated on the latest mental health research. Class is led by two trained volunteers with lived experience caring for someone with mental health conditions. Sign up online and learn more at namiscc.org/family-to-family.html. Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION WEEKEND EXPRESS CLASS This Saturday and Sunday virtual class from Dominican Hospital is intended for expectant mothers and their labor support team. Focus will be on the birth process, including the stages of labor and when to go to the hospital. Non-pharmaceutical coping techniques for pain, including breath work, mindfulness practices, supportive touch and positions for labor and birth, along with standard hospital procedures, pain medication options, medical interventions, cesarean birth, postpartum recovery, newborn procedures and breastfeeding basics. In this class, we will actively practice positions and coping techniques for pain, so please be dressed for movement. Please register for the PEP class session. Only after you have completed this process, the Zoom meeting information will be provided to you via email prior to your class. Classes run 1-5:30pm on these days: Nov. 14-15 and Dec. 19-20.

COMMUNITY

EVENING OF WINE AND ROSES Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley announces its annual fundraising event, An Evening of Wine and Roses. This will be a virtual event, Friday, Nov. 6, at 6pm, including an online auction from Nov. 2-10. With each purchase of an auction item and/or Wine and Roses Experience, funds go to support Community Health Trust programs and services of fostering health and equity for all in Pajaro Valley. No fee required to register, and all purchases support Community Health Trust. Wine and Roses Coupon Book for purchase of $50 each. Enjoy discounts at the eateries you’ve come to love at Wine and Roses throughout the entire year.

CENTERING RACIAL EQUITY IN POLICY Mr. Alvaro Sanchez, director of Environmental Equity at the Greenlining Institute, will address the root causes of racial injustice and what it will take to achieve transformative change that leads to positive outcomes for all people, the planet and shared prosperity. Part of the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Speaker Series at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Free, open to public, no registration required. Thursday, Oct. 29, 12:30pm. Learn more at middlebury.edu/institute/events/centering-racial-equity-policy-mr-alvaro-sanchez-10-29-2020. For questions, contact Rachel C. at cb*@mi**.edu or call 831-647-4183 (leave message to receive call back).

TALES TO TAILS GOES VIRTUAL SCPL’s early childhood literacy program, Virtual Tales to Tails, has moved to a new time slot: Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm. At the end of your school day, hop online and have fun reading at your own pace to an audience of therapy dogs, cats and other guest animals. Have math homework? Good news! Your furry audience would also love to learn how to count, add and subtract. Register online. Registrants receive reminders, links to the live program, and fun (educational) activities to complete and have showcased on future sessions Learn more at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/6764938.

GROUPS

VIRTUAL YOUNG ADULT (18-30) TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-25 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting. Our meetings will be held on Discord during the shelter-in-place order. For more info, contact Ezra Bowen at tr***@di*************.org.

LGBTQNBI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CORONAVIRUS STRESS This weekly LGBTQNBI+ support group is being offered to help us all deal with stress during the shelter-in-place situation that we are experiencing from the coronavirus. Feel free to bring your lunch and chat together to get support. This group is offered at no cost and will be facilitated by licensed therapists Shane Hill, Ph.D., and Melissa Bernstein, LMFT #52524. Learn how to join the Zoom support group at diversitycenter.org/community-calendar.

OUTDOOR

SEYMOUR CENTER HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION Prepare for a spook-tacular virtual event! Learn how UCSC researchers are uncovering the chilling mysteries of the deep sea during the Seymour Marine Discovery Center’s Halloween Celebration—online! At-home Halloween activities will be available for download from the Seymour Center’s website on Saturday, Oct. 31. Learn more at seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/family-activities/family-events/#halloween.

MACABRE MUSHROOMS WITH CHRISTIAN SCHWARZ From bizarre appearances to odd sexual proclivities, and digestive modes that are downright appalling, mycologist Christian Schwarz has tales to share about freakish fungi that will delight Halloween revelers and offend Victorian sensibilities. Register for link to Zoom webinar at: santacruzmuseum.org/macabre-mushrooms. This program is part of the Halloween series, Museum of the Macabre, presented by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Thursday, Oct. 29, 6pm.

ROCKIN’ POP-UP: CAVES In honor of Halloween, we’re exploring the curious, the scary, and the strange all week during our series, Museum of the Macabre. And what’s scarier than a deep, dark cave? For the special Halloween Pop-Up, Gavin and Graham will explore the different ways that caves form. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 3pm. Watch live on Facebook: facebook.com/SantaCruzMuseumOfNaturalHistory/live_videos. Join the Geology Gents, Gavin and Graham, for monthly conversations about rocks live on Facebook. Each month we’ll explore a different geologic topic, from Santa Cruz formations to tips for being a more effective rockhound. Graham Edwards and Gavin Piccione are Ph.D. candidates in geochronology with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC.

THE STORY OF PLASTIC, FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

Catch the film screening via individual email link sent to registered attendees, watched any time prior to discussion. Join the community discussion Monday, Nov. 9, 7-8pm via Zoom. Registration required. Register at: eventbrite.com/e/the-story-of-plastic-individual-film-screening-and-group-discussion-tickets-120660600103. Find the Zoom link for discussion and all other details at: middlebury.edu/institute/events/story-plastic-individual-film-screening-and-community-discussion-11-09-2020. For questions contact: Rachel C. at cb*@mi**.edu, visit centerfortheblueeconomy.org, or call 831-647-4183 (leave message to receive call back).

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