Rachel Hall has worked at Café Cruz for 22 of its 30-year history, starting as a hostess and then moving up position by position until she became general manager five years ago. “The only thing I don’t do is cook the food,” she says. What started as just a job turned into a passion, as Hall found her fairly introverted self pleasantly challenged by such an extroverted environment.
A “great space with great people,” as Hall says, Cafe Cruz is centered around an open kitchen amid rustic autumnal colors in a dynamic setting with plenty of nooks, crannies and differently vibed spaces both indoor and outdoor. A full bar featuring craft cocktails and a local-centric wine list holds down the beverage side, and Hall defines the food menu as elevated California cuisine with a focus on fresh proteins and local sourcing.
Appetizers include light, crispy calamari with strips and tentacles, as well as shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon and parmesan. Daily seafood specials highlight the entrées, and other favorites are the molasses-cured applewood-smoked pork chop and skirt steak fettuccine with a gorgonzola basil alfredo sauce. It’s also known for rotisserie meats: garlic herb chicken, prime rib, tri-tip steak and lamb roast. Beyond rotating dessert specials like tiramisu and seasonal cheesecakes/cobblers, the classic offering is the Polar Bear mud pie.
Tell me about your hostess-to-GM journey.
RACHEL HALL: I think the environment that existed here when I started was very supportive and community-focused. I felt like staying here was easy and felt right, and I loved learning the industry. Restaurants are like puzzles, and I love puzzles. I tend to put all I can into things that I’m passionate about and that is what I did here. And any time I’ve been through adversity in my life, the restaurant, my guests and coworkers have been there for me.
How is it being an introvert working in such a busy restaurant?
I think it’s really interesting and pushes me outside of my personality box. It allows me to have so many experiences with people and different situations that I wouldn’t normally have. It has helped me in my personal life outside the restaurant too, in my ability to navigate social situations as well as giving me the tools to help raise my 18-year-old son.
“They say cut back. We say fight back!” was the rallying cry on Thursday as registered nurses lined Soquel Avenue in front of Dominican Hospital for a National Day of Solidarity, organized by the Nurse Advocacy Network. It marked the first time the Dominican staff has participated in what has become a yearly, national event.
Many passing motorists honked their horns in support of the appreciative nurses, who waved signs, clattered noisemakers and chanted loudly, though at a distance from the hospital.
“We want to make sure that our community knows that we’re here for them and we’re fighting for them. That’s what this Day of Solidarity is for,” said Annalisa Andersen, a union spokesperson.
“What we’re mainly here for is safe staffing,” she said, describing what she says is an ongoing issue that healthcare workers are facing nationwide. “We’re constantly told that we’re fully staffed even though we’re finding that we’re short on every shift.”
Andersen explained that staffing guidelines are passed down from the top administrators of Dominican’s health care system, but nurses who work night and day with their patients say they don’t reflect the reality of what is needed.
“Sometimes we’re having to work a skeleton crew with only one patient care technician,” Andersen said. PCTs help with taking vitals, assisting with the commode, changing bedding, turning patients, and cleaning and restocking the floor.
“When we don’t have that staff we need to fill in for them, taking away time for us to give the kind of care that patients really want, and cuts back on our ability to take much-needed scheduled breaks.”
The problem is not a nursing shortage; in fact, there is a surplus of people who are qualified to nurse, according to Andersen.
“The problem,” she says, “is getting people to hire them, getting them educated and then keeping them on staff. That’s why we want more incentives to keep people where they are.”
High on the list of issues in upcoming union negotiations will be shift-specific incentives, called differentials, which Andersen says are essential to retain staff for difficult positions.
For example, Andersen cites the NOC shift—“noc” for nocturnal, from 11pm to 7am—to which newcomers are often assigned.
“It’s hard to keep people on that shift,” she said. “The NOC is proven to be bad for your health. It can cause heart problems, and sleep deprivation can cause cancer. An incentive would keep people—experienced people—on that shift,” she said.
Artificial intelligence related to hospital care is also a pressing concern voiced at the demonstration.
“We want to use AI in nursing, and slowly introducing AI is something that we’re expecting,” Andersen said. “But, we’re fighting to ensure that we’re introducing it in a safe way and not overshadowing the human experience. To be safe, we want to make sure we’re not cutting corners.”
The official statement received from Dignity Health reads, “We recognize and respect the right of our employees to participate in yesterday’s Day of Action. The safety of our caregivers and patients is our highest priority. Hospital operations were not impacted by this event.”
What inspired you to join the Martin Luther King March today?
LADY JAZZ
It’s tradition and legacy. I’ve been doing this with my children for 40 years. Sometimes you have to gird yourself because it can seem so futile, and yet when you sing this music and you do this march, it speaks to our resilience. That’s what I’m here for, to gird myself.
Lady Jazz, 72, KSQD Music Programmer/Activist
UNHAE
I’m here for peace and love and to do what I can to resist the Trump 2.0 and the genocide and occupation of Gaza. Gaza is like the test for humanity. It’s all interwoven, and there is still some colonization and racism interlinked with the disparity between the rich and the poor. All the people of color who have been oppressed, descendants of colonialism, we’ve been played. We need to get together and focus on love.
Unhae Langis, 62, Writer/Activist
ALAN
I’ve been a peace activist for social justice since I was in the womb. I’m here because of Martin Luther King’s legacy of placing people’s needs over oligarchy and endless war. What’s happening in Gaza and here at home is all connected because the wars and occupations are taking away from desperately needed funds for social concerns.
Alan Fischer, 63, Acupuncturist
JOAN
It’s Martin Luther King Day, and I have Black relatives, Palestinian relatives, Jewish, Jordanian, Vietnamese, Mexican and Egyptian relatives. Literally, they’re blood relatives of my husband. His parents were driven out of Palestine at the time of the Nakba in 1948. But even if we didn’t have Palestinian and Black relatives, we would be here.
Joan Rentz, 83, Retired Language Teacher
CHRISTINE
We are all diverse people, all created equal, and it’s essential to show up for truth, whether you belong to a group or not, you have to start showing up. I thought this would be a good antidote for the sideshow going on in Washington.
Christine Fahrenbach, 69, Clinical Psychologist
SHEILA
The situation in Palestine is very similar to what we had with our racism in the United States. I’m Jewish, and I was there two years ago, and that’s why I do things like this. It’s important to make the genocide in Palestine visible in our community.
A huge fire broke out inside a building at the Moss Landing Power Plant Thursday, forcing emergency crews to evacuate areas around Moss Landing and close the heavily traveled Highway 1 in both directions for hours.
The fire was reported around 3pm as a loud alarm boomed its warning over the Moss Landing Harbor. Shortly afterwards, a column of black smoke wafted into the sky alongside the pair of 500-foot concrete towers that were built in 1950.
Maia Carroll, Communications Management Analyst and Public Information Officer, sent out this warning: “The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for areas of Moss Landing South of the Elkhorn Slough, North of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and West of Castroville Blvd. and ElkHorn Road to the ocean for the following zones (MRY-B037, MRY-B047, MRY-B050, MRY-B051,MRY-B053, MRY-B058, MRY-B060). The Castroville Recreation Center is being opened as a Temporary Evacuation place, 11261 Crane St., Castroville.
Supervisor Glen Church responded to a command post in Castroville set up by North Monterey County Fire, the lead agency combating the blaze.
“There is no way to sugar coat this: It is a disaster,” he said. “This is a multi-agency response event. From what I understand, the fire is inside a concrete building and numerous batteries are on fire.”
As the fire developed and night fell, the orange glow could be seen for miles. Traffic clogged surface roads around the incident including downtown Castroville where northbound Hwy 1 traffic slogged through the city and aimed north on Hwy 156 toward Hwy 101.
Carroll said that as of 10:30pm Thursday about 40% of the 50,000 square-foot building containing batteries had burned and that all Vistra employees, law and fire personnel were safe and accounted for.
The incident marks the fourth fire at the Vistra Energy plant. When Vistra first installed a system of Tesla batteries at the plant in September, 2022, a week later a fire broke out and forced officials to close Hwy 1 in both directions for around 12 hours and evacuate the area.
Officials have also announced that all schools in the immediate area will be closed Friday.
“It is unknown how long this incident may last,” Carroll said Thursday night. “No active fire suppression is taking place, the batteries must burn themselves out. No water can be used. This is standard action for battery fires.”
On Thursday night Castroville Recreation Center was being transitioned to an overnight shelter managed by the American Red Cross. Around 1,214 people are in the evacuation zones and 7,676 acres were under evacuation.
Because of the type of fire, “air quality in the evacuation zones can be considered serious for people which is why they were asked to leave,” Carroll said.
If people who are not in the evacuation zones but have medical conditions or are concerned about smoke, they can stay indoors, close windows and use air purifiers.
The County is coordinating with the National Weather Service and Vistra Energy regarding weather which might impact movement of smoke from the fire. For information, visit More/Mas Info: alertmry.org
December 30, 2024—Bruce McPherson’s last day as supervisor for the Fifth District of Santa Cruz County—dawned bright and blue. After bidding farewell to his team of analysts and taking down the last mementos from his office walls, McPherson traveled to Scotts Valley for his final interview to recount the highs and lows of his career.
“I feel very fortunate to have been in some form of service. I’ve had two primary careers over the past 50 years—I practiced journalism with the Santa Cruz Sentinel for 28 years, and then was in public service for the last 25. It’s been a blessing; I’ve enjoyed each of those careers because they bring something different every day, but I think being in the press really helped me in my political roles. Maybe it’s in my blood,” said McPherson, a fourth-generation Santa Cruz native, referring to his familial connection to both the Sentinel and the political scene.
The McPherson family owned the Sentinel from 1862 to 1982, carving a path for politically ambitious family members to not only have their voices heard, but also exercise influence in the political sphere of the county.
“I didn’t know I was going to get into politics—it was a surprise when I ran for the Assembly in 1993,” said McPherson, who clarified that the surprise was sprung upon his wife, Mary, to whom he has been married for 57 years. “I thought early on that being in the sports room and a reporter was enough, but when I started writing editorials for the paper, about two-thirds of them were focused on local issues, so I got a feel for what was going on. It was ever-changing and kept me on my toes. The excitement and the nature of constant change held my interest.”
McPherson’s father, Fred Jr., had run for State Assembly in 1932 and lost the contest by about 500 votes. In June of 1993, following a series of local shifts in the political landscape (Leon Panetta ascended from 17th Congressional District Supervisor to become President Bill Clinton’s Director of Office of Management and Budget, allowing Assemblyman Sam Farr to take the congressional representative’s seat in 1993), McPherson ran for Farr’s seat in a special election—and won.
When the election returns were broadcast on that June evening in 1993, Fred Jr. stood up, waved a towel in the air and bellowed, “It took us 60 years to get this seat, but it’s ours now.” Fred Jr. lived just a year after that election, and McPherson was thrilled that his dad was alive to see the results.
Grinning, McPherson recalled, “That was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
McPherson’s own transition to political practice came naturally following his time at the Sentinel. After leaving the paper, he served two terms in the California State Assembly (1993-96) and two terms in the California State Senate (1996-2004).
Following the resignation of California’s Secretary of State in early 2005, McPherson was confirmed unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate to be Secretary of State after being nominated by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. As a Republican (Santa Cruz County was a red area until the 1960s) who later changed his political stripes to “no party preference” in 2012, McPherson found his stride in public service.
As Fifth District supervisor, McPherson was firm in his belief that local issues are not based on a political ideology, and that the Board of Supervisors is meant to serve the populace, not a party.
McPherson’s belief system was formed and nourished by the mentors in his life. Gordon “Scotchy” Sinclair, who joined the Sentinel in 1939 and became sports editor in 1941, was a huge influence for McPherson, as was the Cronkite-Brinkley-Rather era of news delivery.
“Back then, news was based on facts, not opinion. It’s just so different now,” remarked McPherson.
His journalism instructor at Cal Poly, John Healey, was another source of leadership.
“He was a fact-driven person who said not to release the story until you got the story right. He was a very important part of my life at that time,” recalled McPherson, who said Fresno’s Sen. Ken Maddy was another pivotal figure. “He was a moderate Republican, and I wanted to be just like him.”
McPherson recalled that some colleagues felt he was going backwards in his political career when he moved from state to local leadership with the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, but McPherson disagreed.
“I could sense that politics were changing around that time, and I decided that I would be most comfortable in the supervisor’s seat. In fact, when I left the Senate, a fellow senator remarked that I was the most independent legislator in California, so I was coming into this new role with familiarity around governmental processes,” he said. “I quickly learned that as a county supervisor, you really need to know more about everything. In the county, you’re focused on issues like public safety, health and human services, parks—you have a buffet of issues that need your attention. You can’t let your mind wander, because something else is right around the corner.”
Those “something elses” materialized in rare form during McPherson’s tenure: floods, the CZU fire, earthquakes, tsunami-induced waves, atmospheric rivers—and yes, a tornado to top it off. Those issues restructured the way the Board of Supervisors operated over the past several years.
“We weren’t able to plan ahead; instead, we were working to get funding and resources to help communities impacted by natural disasters. Federal and state leaders determine the funding for disaster response, and the current structure is not the right one. FEMA has run out of money, and we need to adjust to a new reality. It seemed like we could hardly catch up, much less get ahead,” said McPherson, who noted that Santa Cruz County was owed over $100 million for road repairs going back seven years; the county has received about $50 million in repayment.
A former planning director once told McPherson that two-thirds of the mountainous roads in the Fifth District would not be permitted today, creating further funding challenges for the area.
For CZU victims, McPherson was frustrated by the addition of new county-based septic requirements for homes and other obstacles that impacted rebuild plans for residents.
“Santa Cruz County has the highest number of septic tanks west of the Mississippi, so to tell people that not only do they have to install a new system, but that it could run $75,000 to $100,000, and that material costs have doubled, and geological standards have been altered, which impact the permitting process, and the fire districts require a 14-foot wide road—it just became overwhelming for those residents, and understandably so. That’s been the most frustrating part of my time in the Fifth District,” said McPherson, adding that the permit process has been improving, but needs to be better. “I know that people will continue to work on that. I don’t want to make excuses, but those are the facts, and they really delayed what we wanted to accomplish.”
BIDDING FAREWELL With gratitude for the past 25 years, Bruce McPherson looks ahead to new opportunities. Photo: Christina Wise
The Fifth District is in a more sensitive rebuild environment than other locales, and according to McPherson, much of that has to do with new laws that have been passed at the state level.
“I’m really troubled with the amount of housing Sacramento is demanding we build in the district. We’re not going to be able to put any of the new units in the San Lorenzo Valley, and we won’t be able to meet the numeric requirements due to infrastructure concerns and environmental concerns,” he said. “If we meet those housing goals in the next eight years, Santa Cruz County is going to look a lot different.”
McPherson referenced some of the new developments going up in downtown Santa Cruz: “A lot of people don’t like it, but it’s what we’ve been ordered to do, and we don’t have a choice in the matter.”
As part of state legislation aimed at easing the housing crisis, the county is tasked with permitting 4,634 new homes by 2032, drastically altering the landscape of the area. “The state taking over the land use operations of counties is really concerning,” McPherson said.
During his time as supervisor, McPherson was recognized as Legislator of the Year by numerous organizations and foundations and served on a slew of committees that supported his main areas of interest, namely education, the environment, public safety and small business growth. The cornerstone of his political approach, McPherson said, was based on sports.
“I grew up playing sports, and I learned that you win or lose as a team. People said I was known for my attitude of being a team player, and that’s something I’m proud of,” he added.
That tactic came in handy during his time in government.
“The thing I believe the most is that you can have your own opinions, but you need to hear and respect the opinions of those that are different from your own,” McPherson said. “Maybe that’s a throwback to my journalism days, but I really think open communication is critical when working with others. Compromise is the most important thing one can achieve, and we need more of that today. Everyone could use a little more grace.”
In closing, McPherson became emotional when talking about wrapping up his time in public service.
“I was lucky enough to be born in the greatest place on the planet. I remember my dad saying to me, ‘We’re in a good position to make it better. Let’s just leave it better than we found it.’ My staff and I worked hard to achieve that goal, and I am grateful to all of them—and all of the agencies I worked with—for their tireless efforts under challenging circumstances,” he said. “These last five years have been unlike my first 20, and I really appreciate the cooperative ventures I’ve experienced with them all. The successes I’ve had are due to the people I’ve worked with.”
McPherson acknowledged the role his wife, Mary, played in his success.
“If it wasn’t for the support of Mary and my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I love this county. My family has been here for over 170 years, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I don’t know what I’ll do in the future, but I plan to spend more time with my family and give myself some time to figure out what comes next,” McPherson mused. “I’ve met eight presidents, a dozen governors, and hopefully I’ve served the people well. Santa Cruz County has nearly 800 nonprofits, so there’s room for folks to volunteer and give back to this amazing place. We’re a giving community, and we’re better for it.”
In 1942, the U.S. and Mexico hammered out a deal that allowed millions of Mexican men to enter the country to work.
Through its 22-year history, the Bracero Program saw more than four million workers come to work as agricultural laborers. The Braceros—which means people who work with their arms—faced harsh conditions, discrimination and low wages.
But more than that, their work and struggles helped shape the rich history of the state’s agricultural industry, says Jose Sanchez Vargas, who has created a historical display of Bracero history.
“This is the work of my life,” he says. “By doing this I’m making sure the legacy and the sacrifices of my ancestors and all immigrants who have come before us are recognized and valued.”
Called “Braceros Hasta el Último Aliento” (Braceros Until the Last Breath), the display will be available through Feb. 28 at Watsonville Public Library’s main branch.
It is told through the stories of three Braceros who were alive at the time of the research: Arnulfo Palomino Alvarado, Jesús Solís Navarro and Javier Castro Arce.
From June of 1951 to April of 1952 there were close to 20,000 Braceros from the state of Guanajuato, 50% of whom went to California to work in Modesto, Fresno, Tulare, Yolo, Salinas, Monterey and Santa Cruz, Sanchez says.
They ranged in age from 19 to 50, and paid around 100 pesos for the ticket by train and about 60 pesos by bus.
Sanchez lived in Watsonville from 1986 to 2005, and says he formerly worked as a lettuce picker. He now lives in Guanajuato, Mexico.
In one interview conducted for the project, a man told me he had never seen one ‘gringo’ in 25 years working in the fields .
“To discover this information is very important to me, and we need to let the world know of the sacrifices they made. These people came here to rescue the American economy,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez explained how the U.S. lacked people who would work in the fields as the country recovered from the economic fallout of World War II.
“They came here not to take away American jobs,” he said. “The U.S required them here to rescue the economy after World War II and to help get the country back on its feet.”
In making the display, Sanchez says he wants to preserve the history and legacy of the Braceros of his home state, Guanajuato.
This includes his uncle Anastacio Sanchez Jasso, who was one of 22 who survived when a train hit the bus transporting them to work in Chualar, California. But 32 died in the crash on Sept. 17, 1963.
That incident was not the only one in which Braceros were injured, and the culture that allowed this to occur—and the stories of the people affected—should not be forgotten, Sanchez says.
Arnulfo Palomino Alvarado was 21 when he left his wife and daughters to come pick lettuce. He used the short-handled hoe, which the California Supreme Court banned in 1975.
“It is important to tell their histories because each one of them has a journey of struggles, sacrifices and most of the time people do not know about it or they are forgotten, they are blamed and used as scapegoats in many instances especially in politics,” he says. “In this time of darkness with the new government, we must step out to protect them, to legislate in their favor so that they can live with no fear.”
Sanchez graduated from Cabrillo College with an AS degree. He was an activist with the Watsonville Brown Berets. He is part of the White Hawk Indian Council for children, and is part of a Coalition of Immigrants from Guanajuato, which helps immigrants in both the US and Mexico with their needs.
We have to be prepared for the Apocalypse. We need to start training in hand-to-hand combat, and learn to identify berries and mushrooms, to know what can kill us in nature and what can save us. A go-bag would be nice with non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a book on how to survive, and a journal to keep yourself sane. Maybe a picture of family, I don’t know.
Lucy Jordan, 20, UCSC Anthropology Major
ISAI
I would take some clothes, and things to keep myself clean. Sentimental things too, like family photos I have on my wall that I’d be pretty distraught over losing. And a thick fantasy book or two to pass the time and forget the gravity of the situation for a while.
Isai Rincon, 20, UCSC Computer Science / Game Design Major
EMILY
The most important thing I’d bring is my tiny stuffed bunny that my childhood best friend gave me. I’ve known her since birth. I’d bring clothes and good shoes, but it’s the bunny. My friend goes to UCLA and when she evacuated because of the fire, she brought a stuffed dragon that I had given her, so that was quite sweet to hear.
Emily Scheuer, 20, Bryn Mawr Theology Major
ETHAN
I would pack pictures from my grandparents’ time and things that can’t be replaced.
Ethan Roberts, 22, UCSC Academic Advisor
DAX
I’d have MREs packed, because there’s going to be no food on the shelves, and straws that can filter water in case I come across unpotable water. And the chain I have on, for my ‘ family and my grandma. It’s just a simple silver chain, but it’s the first chain I’ve gotten.
Dax Bizzell, 21, UCSC Psychology Major
MARK
All I can imagine putting in a go-bag is the hard-drive backup of the last 25 years of my business. Pretty much everything else I can replace. I would just run away. Pictures of kids and grandkids are all on my I-phone, saved automatically. I’ve thought about having a survival box at home, but I haven’t done it.
Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2021. He has also been shortlisted for four other prestigious awards. I find it odd that his acclaimed novels have received mediocre scores on prominent book-rating website Goodreads, which has 150 million members. Why is there such a marked difference between expert critics and average readers? I speculate that those in the latter category are less likely to appreciate bold, innovative work. They don’t have the breadth and depth to properly evaluate genius. All this is my way of encouraging you to be extra discerning about whose opinions you listen to in the coming weeks, Aries—especially in regard to your true value. Trust intelligent people who specialize in thoughtful integrity. You are in a phase when your ripening uniqueness needs to be nurtured and protected.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
“Every joke is a tiny revolution,” said author George Orwell. I agree, which is why I hope you will unleash an unruly abundance of humor and playfulness in the coming days. I hope you will also engage in benevolent mischief that jostles the status quo and gently shakes people out of their trances. Why? Because your world and everyone in it needs a sweet, raucous revolution. And the best way to accomplish that with minimum chaos and maximum healing is to: 1. do so with kindness and compassion; 2. be amusing and joyful and full of joie de vivre.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
Research suggests that if you’re typical, you would have to howl with maximum fury for a month straight just to produce enough energy to toast a piece of bread. But you are not at all typical right now. Your wrath is high quality. It’s more likely than usual to generate constructive changes. And it’s more prone to energize you rather than deplete you. But don’t get overconfident in your ability to harness your rage for good causes. Be respectful of its holy potency, and don’t squander it on trivial matters. Use it only for crucial prods that would significantly change things for the better.
CANCER June 21-July 22
I invite you to write a message to the person you will be in one year. Inform this Future You that you are taking a vow to achieve three specific goals by Jan. 15, 2026. Name these goals. Say why they are so important to you. Describe what actions you will take to fulfill them. Compose collages or draw pictures that convey your excitement about them. When you’ve done all that, write the words, “I pledge to devote all my powers to accomplish these wonderful feats.” Sign your name. Place your document in an envelope, write “MY VOWS” on the front, and tape the envelope in a prominent place in your home or workplace.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Congratulations on all the subtle and private work you’ve been doing to make yourself a better candidate for optimal togetherness. Admitting to your need for improvement was brave! Learning more about unselfish cooperation was hard work, and so was boosting your listening skills. (I speak from personal experience, having labored diligently to enhance my own relationship skills!) Very soon now, I expect that you will begin harvesting the results of your artful efforts.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Construction on the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BCE and lasted until 1878. Let’s make this monumental accomplishment your symbol of power for the next 10 months, Virgo! May it inspire you to work tirelessly to forge your own monumental accomplishment. Take pride in the gradual progress you’re making. Be ingeniously persistent in engaging the support of those who share your grand vision. Your steady determination, skill at collaborating and ability to plan will be your superpowers as you create a labor of love that will have enduring power.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
We are all accustomed to dealing with complications and complexities—so much so that we may be tempted to imagine there’s never a simple solution to any dilemma. Copious nuance and mystifying paradox surround us on all sides, tempting us to think that every important decision must inevitably be taxing and time-consuming. As someone who specializes in trying to see all sides to every story, I am especially susceptible to these perspectives. (I have three planets in Libra.) But now here’s the unexpected news: In the coming weeks, you will enjoy the luxury of quickly settling on definitive, straightforward solutions. You will get a sweet respite from relentless fuzziness and ambiguity.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
When my daughter Zoe was 11 years old, she published her first collection of poems. The chapbook’s title was Secret Freedom. That’s a good theme for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. You are currently communing with a fertile mystery that could ultimately liberate you from some of your suffering and limitations. However, it’s important to be private and covert about your playful work with this fertile mystery—at least for now. Eventually, when it ripens, there will come a time to fully unleash your beautiful thing and reveal it to the world. But until then, safeguard it with silence and discretion.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
From a distance, Brazil’s Rio Negro looks black. The water of Rio Solimões, also in Brazil, is yellowish-brown. Near the city of Manaus, these two rivers converge, flowing eastward. But they don’t blend at first. For a few miles, they move side-by-side, as if still autonomous. Eventually, they fuse into a single flow and become the mighty Amazon River. I suspect the behavior of Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes could serve as a useful metaphor for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Consider the possibility of allowing, even encouraging, two separate streams to merge. Or would you prefer them to remain discrete for a while longer? Make a conscious decision about this matter.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
During the next three weeks, doing the same old things and thinking the same old thoughts are strongly discouraged. For the sake of your spiritual and physical health, please do not automatically rely on methods and actions that have worked before. I beg you not to imitate your past self or indulge in worn-out traditions. Sorry to be so extreme, but I really must insist that being bored or boring will be forbidden. Stated more poetically: Shed all weak-heart conceptions and weak-soul intentions. Be of strong heart and robust soul.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Wilderness campers have developed humorous terms to gently mock their fears and anxieties. The theory is that this alleviates some of the stress. So a “bear burrito” refers to a hammock. It addresses the worry that one might get an unwanted visit from a bear while sleeping. A “bear fortune cookie” is another name for a tent. “Danger noodle” is an apparent stick that turns out to be a snake. “Mountain money” is also known as toilet paper. I approve of this joking approach to dealing with agitation and unease. (And scientific research confirms it’s effective.) Now is an excellent time to be creative in finding ways to diminish your mostly needless angst.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
If you were producing the movie of your life, what actor or actress would you want to portray you? Who would play your friends and loved ones? How about the role of God or Goddess? Who would you choose to perform the role of the Supreme Being? These will be fun meditations for you in the coming weeks. Why? Because it’s an excellent time to think big about your life story—to visualize the vast, sweeping panorama of your beautiful destiny. I would also love it if during your exploration of your history, you would arrive at interesting new interpretations of the meanings of your epic themes.
Pop quiz, life-on-Earth edition: The future is…which of the following?
A) Scary; b) unpromised; c) exhilarating; d) onrushing; e) epic.
Correct answer: Yes.
So let’s leap in, cannonball-style, hearts emptied by the natural disaster in L.A., but uplifted by the ongoing—and indefinite—response.
Keeping with the theme, few of the following Santa Cruz County debuts have a guaranteed launch date. So we’ll start with what is most certain and scroll toward the less determined.
SURE THINGS
Jan. 1 brought along three major regulatory breakthroughs, so we’re already cooking with jet fuel, present tense, though each of these will require additional civic agency.
One, California Assembly Bill 1775 now allows cannabis cafes, a la Amsterdam, in the Golden State. That means dispensaries—if so moved, and permitted by their jurisdiction—can host smoking, provide live entertainment and do food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Two, AB 2174 empowers craft brewers to sell their beer at both public and private events through the use of what’s called a Beer Caterer’s Permit.
And three, after Microenterprise Home Kitchen (aka MEHKO) businesses were made legal last fall, financial aid is now available for the $470 inspection fees, and the nonprofit COOK Alliance (cookalliance.org) has $3,000 grants for those who complete an eight-week MEHKO training course, available online in English and Spanish. The first wave of MEHKOs may land locally as soon as February.
Another element that is already flowing: Coffee Conspiracy Co. (1855 41st Ave., F01, Capitola) has begun dripping its slow-brewed single-origin joe 10am–3pm Thursday–Sunday to start.
Creator Eddie Alaniz describes a desire to break the mold, and immense gratitude to the believers who helped underwrite his opening—in a former Starbucks—after unanticipated delays and expenses.
“Our new brick-and-mortar represents perseverance and an unwavering, supportive community,” he says. “This isn’t just coffee—it’s a movement.”
ANY DAY NOW
Local institution Gabriella Cafe (910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz) has a little sister on the way with the same DNA but her own personality. The Gabrielita Tamaleria kiosk (Pacific Avenue next to Del Mar Theater) will star chef Gema Cruz’s handmade, Oaxacan, banana-leaf-wrapped tamales in a variety of flavors unlike any around, according to Cruz herself.
While those range from savory to sweet, there will also be breakfast burritos, and eventually street tacos, but the emphasis here is clear, and right there in the name—and will unwrap for the public before the end of the month.
SOONER > LATER
The Alley Oop Lounge (320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz) will give a unique venue a smart and sexy new feel, right next to Kuumbwa Jazz Center. An extensive remodel is well underway, and owner-operator-veteran hospitality pro Max Turigliatto is eager to open by early summer, with what he calls “moody lighting and intimate ambiance” and a piano in the corner. [Update and correction made Feb. 19, 2025. —Editor]
“Reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter,” he says, “ideal for a romantic date night or enjoying pre- and post-show drinks and shared plates.”
Ashby Confections, meanwhile, has crafted a beautiful and tasty inventory of caramels, tortoises and chocolates, and the loyal audience to go with it, at AC’s Scotts Valley shop (6C Victor Square Ext. Scotts Valley).
Now that’s moving to downtown Santa Cruz, in the former Joe’s Pizza & Subs (1207 Pacific Ave.). Conservative open date: early June.
“We’re really excited to go down there,” says creator Jennifer Ashby, “and the space opens up a lot of opportunities.”
A bumper crop of additional debuts, including a triple-restaurant property and multiple craft beer operations, are also materializing on the horizon.
Look for more on those here in the future, while doing your best to stay present.
A literal one-woman show, Susan Ortmeyer is the owner/founder/baker of Fika Bakeshop, a licensed home bakery (officially known as a Cottage Food Bakery) based in Ben Lomond. A self-described “recovering lawyer,” she went UCLA Law School then practiced law for several years before doing private investigative work, as well as getting married and having a child.
Then burnout set in, and she began looking for a new path. She had a love of baking since childhood, instilled by her Swedish-American mom—herself an accomplished baker who owned a café where Susan worked while growing up. Ortmeyer says she was inspired by her mom’s cultural traditions and customs, and how her love came through in the food she made.
Continuing this legacy, in 2021 she opened Fika, a Scandinavian/American specialty pastry shop, with imminent plans to expand the menu to include savory ready-to-eat dinners like Swedish meatballs. Her fare is offered via occasional pop-ups at her house, but more generally at Mountain Feed and Farm Supply in Ben Lomond and direct through her website for scheduled pick-ups.
Her primary passion is coffee-paired pastry; the raved-about best-seller is the Cardamom Bun: fluffy, yeasted and delicately sweet with cardamom/brown sugar filling and topped with chai-spiced syrup and freshly ground cardamom. Other favorites are the Semlor, with almond filling and the Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake, a slightly undercooked and gooey chocolate brownie cake made with gluten-free almond flour. Further classic offerings include seasonally inspired scones, apple/cranberry streusel pie and chocolate Guinness cake with vanilla butter cream frosting.
Tell me all about Fika.
SUSAN ORTMEYER: It means coffee break in Swedish, but it is so much more. It is a long-held cultural tradition as a mindful and intentional pause in the middle of a busy day to either reconnect with other people or oneself. In Sweden, most workplaces have a dedicated space for this exact practice.
Where does your passion for Swedish pastry come from?
It’s a way to reconnect with my mother, my grandmother and all my Swedish ancestry. It makes me feel grounded and provides me with a better understanding of who I am and where I come from. And sharing this with other people fulfills something in me that I didn’t know was missing.
