Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Health & Recreation

March 27, 2019

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Health & Recreation

Best Acupuncture Clinic

Five Branches University

Five Branches University gets its name from the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which seeks to maintain and restore an individual’s harmony with nature: acupuncture, herbology, Tui Na massage, energetics, and Chinese dietary medicine.
Many of Five Branches’ practitioners were educated and trained in China at prestigious TCM colleges and hospitals.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top TCM schools, Five Branches University provides high levels of professional education and health care in Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative medicine at their two locations, one in Santa Cruz and one in San Jose.
They have study-abroad programs for students wishing to travel to Asia and learn about TCM from the source. Programs include earning a PhD at the Five Branches sister schools in Hangzhou, Tianjin and Shenyang, China.
They offer a variety of specialty educational programs, including nationally accredited Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs.

Best Cannabis Dispensary

KindPeoples

Santa Cruz’s first state-legal dispensary, and the first to get eight of 20 state licenses issued by the Bureau of Cannabis Control. Also the largest dispensary in Santa Cruz.
First dispensary to offer a legal and stylish delivery system (via Volkswagen van!) in an effort to increase cannabis access to those with disabilities and transportation issues.
KindPeoples is currently relocating their retail license from DuBois Street to Ocean Street, citing the desire for a more community-centered location closer to downtown Santa Cruz.
Their locations now include express checkout self-service kiosks to expedite and simplify the check out process.
Home to the biggest genetics department in the Monterey Bay, the collective also boasts one of the largest and most diverse seed stocks in California.

Best Dentist

Alana Thompson, DDS

Originally from New England, Dr. Thompson came to UC San Francisco for dental school and never left the Bay Area.
Dr. Thompson says that since there are many people who don’t get the dental health care they need, she makes a point to donate a portion of her time and skills. Last year, her son and hygienist travelled to Baja to provide care at orphanages.
She took up outrigger paddling about five years ago. It’s her favorite way to exercise and enjoy the ocean, and she loves working in sync with a small crew to gain speed and explore the coast and the wildlife.
Dr. Thompson’s practice, Seabright Dental Studio, recently added a laser that allows them to provide many dental procedures without getting numb (no needles), and without the sound and feel of the dental drill.
She and her family are big fans of Dr. Who and music—and she sometimes hums or sings in the office.

Best Gym

Toadal Fitness

Opened its doors in March 1996 in Downtown Santa Cruz, and has since expanded across the county to the Westside, Aptos, Live Oak, and Scotts Valley.
Originally named Frog Fitness, the husband-and-wife owners had to change the original name after receiving legal threats from Frog Athletics Club in San Diego.
The name was chosen mostly because the owners are French (the English used to poke at the French by calling them “frogs” during World War II), and because “Frog” and “Fitness” sounded good together.
Prides itself on being a friendly, comfortable and completely normal place to work out for people from all walks of life. Their motto is: a little bit of exercise (not too much) goes a long way.
Toadal Fitness offers a number of classes throughout the week, from group cycling to precision cross training, body sculpt, power core, and many more.

Acupuncturist

Craig Sakimoto

317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz,
425-9500, santacruzcore.com

RUNNERS-UP Adrianna Gonzalez, Maureen Rozenn

Acupuncture Clinic

Five Branches University

200 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 476-9424, fivebranches.edu

RUNNER-UP Flux Acupuncture Lounge

Bike Shop

Bicycle Trip

1001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-2580, bicycletrip.com

RUNNERS-UP Family Cycling Center, Spokesman

Cannabis Dispensary

KindPeoples

140 Dubois St. Ste. C, Santa Cruz, 824-6200;
3600 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-8562, kindpeoples.org

RUNNERS-UP Treehouse, Santa Cruz Naturals

Cannabis Edibles

KindPeoples

140 Dubois St. Ste. C, Santa Cruz;
3600 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-8562, kindpeoples.org

RUNNERS-UP Treehouse, Santa Cruz Naturals

Chiropractor

Dr. Rhodes Walton

317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com

RUNNERS-UP Dr. Masi Bayless, Dr. Duncan McCollum

Crossfit Studio

Seabright Crossfit

1619 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 566-4263, seabrightcrossfit.com

RUNNERS-UP Crossfit Santa Cruz, Crossfit West

Dentist

Alana Thompson, DDS

1016 Soquel Ave. #2, Santa Cruz, 431-6477, seabrightdental.com

RUNNERS-UP Kevin Ippisch, DDS; Roopa Pai, DDS

Doctor (MD)

Rachel Abrams, MD

740 Front St., Santa Cruz, 465-9088, santacruzintegrativemedicine.com

RUNNERS-UP Karen Harrington, MD; Steven Leib, MD

Doctor (ND)

Juli Mazi, ND

2840 Park Ave. Ste. A, Soquel, 515-8699, thrivenatmed.com/naturopathic-doctor–juli–mazi

RUNNERS-UP Tonya Fleck, ND; Aimée Gould Shunney, ND

Esthetician

Hazel Chadwick @ The Nook

1543 Pacific Ave. #215, Santa Cruz, 295-6233, thenook.us

RUNNERS-UP Sue Bell @ Simply Skin Esthetics, Veronica Franco @ La Raux

Golf Course

DeLaveaga

401 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz, 423-7214, delaveagagolf.com

RUNNERS-UP Pasatiempo, Seascape

Gym

Toadal Fitness

113 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 423-3764;
1200 17th Ave. #108, Santa Cruz, 464-3764;
6200 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 475-5979;
2929 Mission St. Extension, Santa Cruz, 466-3764;
269 Mount Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley, 430-9200, toadalfitness.com

RUNNERS-UP In-Shape, Santa Cruz Core

Martial Arts

Sanford’s Martial Arts

4626 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-9676, sanfordskarate.com

RUNNERS-UP Billy Bad Ass Cardio Kickboxing, Kaijin Mixed Martial Arts

Massage Therapist

Cala Remick

317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com

RUNNERS-UP Jenny Call, Gemma Depolo

Nutritionist

Jaimi Jansen @ Santa Cruz CORE Fitness

317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com

RUNNERS-UP Jocelyn Dubin @ Nourish, The Healthy Way

Orthodontist

Mark Joiner

1773 Dominican Way, Santa Cruz, 475-5500, joinerortho.com

RUNNERS-UP John A. Hedrick, North Coast Orthodontics

Outdoor Store

Outdoor World

1440 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-1501;
136 River St., Santa Cruz, 423-9555, theoutdoorworld.com

RUNNERS-UP Down Works, Patagonia

Personal Trainer

Carina Reid

ca*****@***il.com, fuelphitness.com

RUNNERS-UP Beau Jansen @ Santa Cruz CORE Fitness, Jason Lenington @ Toadal Fitness

Vitamin/Supplements

Staff of Life

1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8632, staffoflifemarket.com

RUNNERS-UP Max Muscle Nutrition, New Leaf Community Markets

Pilates

Agile Monkey Pilates Studio

121 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, 458-4125, agilemonkey.net

RUNNERS-UP Hot Yoga Aptos, Pleasure Point Pilates

Running Store

Fleet Feet

7960 Soquel Drive Suite I, Aptos, 662-0886, fleetfeetaptos.com

RUNNER-UP Santa Cruz Running Company

Sailing Charter

Chardonnay

790 Mariner Park Way, Dock FF, Santa Cruz, 423-1213, chardonnay.com

RUNNERS-UP O’Neill Yacht Charters, Lighthall Yacht Charters

Skate Park

Derby Skate Park

508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz

RUNNERS-UP Mike Fox, Skypark

Skate Shop

Bill’s Wheels

1240 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 469-0904, billswheels.com

RUNNERS-UP Boardroom, Skateworks

Snowboard/Skiing

Helm of Sun Valley

1408 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-6800, helmofsunvalley.com

RUNNER-UP Play It Again Sports

Spa (pampering)

Well Within Spa

417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 458-9355, wellwithinspa.com

RUNNERS-UP Caress Day Spa, Chaminade Resort & Spa

Spa (soaking)

Well Within Spa

417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 458-9355, wellwithinspa.com

RUNNERS-UP Tea House Spa, Sage Float Spa

Sporting Goods

Play It Again Sports

4770 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-1988, playitagainsports-soquel.com

RUNNERS-UP O’Neill, Outdoor World

Stand-up Paddleboard

SUP Shack

2214 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 464-7467, supshacksantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Surf & Paddle, Covewater

Surf School

Club Ed

2350 Paul Minnie Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-0177, club-ed.com

Richard Schmidt

849 Almar Ave., Box 192, Santa Cruz, 423-0928, richardschmidt.com

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Surf & Paddle, Surf School Santa Cruz

Surf Shop

O’Neill

110 Cooper St. #100D, Santa Cruz, 469-4377;
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 459-9230;
1115 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4151, oneill.com

RUNNERS-UP Freeline, Pacific Wave

Surf Spot

Pleasure Point

RUNNERS-UP Cowell’s, Steamer Lane

Swim School

Adventure Sports

303 Potrero St. #15, Santa Cruz, 458-3648, asudoit.com

RUNNERS-UP Jim Booth, Simpkins Family Swim Center

Therapist

Emmanuel Denike

RUNNERS-UP Lucie Hemmen, Nina Kelly

Yoga Instructor

Hannah Muse

hannahmuseyoga.com

RUNNERS-UP Laurie Broderick-Burr, Nicole Duke

Yoga Studio

Hot Yoga Aptos

7960 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 661-5030, hotyogaptos.com

RUNNERS-UP Breath & Oneness, Luma Yoga

PHOTOS BY KEANA PARKER

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Food & Drink

Andrea Patton

March 27, 2019

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Food & Drink

Best Breakfast /SLV-Scotts Valley

Auntie Mame’s

Auntie Mame is an exuberant character in a 1958 technicolor comedy based on a novel of the same name. She hosts frequent parties with bohemian guests, and her repeated motto is “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”
At this classic American breakfast spot, you have a choice between hash browns and home fries.
Health-food trends may come and go, but Auntie Mame’s chicken fried steak and homemade biscuits and gravy is forever.
Kids can order a pancake shaped like a mouse face and play with toys while they wait.
Known for fast and friendly service and generous portions.

Best Brunch

Harbor Café

Harbor Café has one of the biggest patio areas in town, with large picnic tables to accommodate hungry groups.
Start your weekend early with the mimosa specials on Friday, then extend it with $4 Bloody Marys on Monday. Recover on Tuesday with banana pancakes for $2? Yes.
Dogs are so welcome they get their own menu.
Vegetarians and vegans can get their fill here, too, with favorites like the veggie bene and Mexican tofu scramble.
If you have to wait for a table, you can do so with self-serve coffee or a drink from the tiki bar. Try the pomegranate or fresh-squeezed grapefruit greyhound and you’ll hardly notice your wait.

Best Cheap Eats

Charlie Hong Kong

Long before Bon Appetit began featuring the bowl as the superior plating method on their magazine covers, CHK was serving up their signature bowls of rice or noodles, proteins and fresh veggies with savory sauces for only $7.
Charlie Hong Kong, named after the original chef, Charlie Deal, has been serving Southeast Asian street-food-inspired dishes in the heart of the Seabright neighborhood for 21 years.
The building was originally a 1950s ice cream stand.
They are a certified Green Business and passionately support local organic farmers.
CHK owner Carolyn Rudolph maintains a blog on its website, charliehongkong.com.

Best Clam Chowder

Stagnaro Brothers

The Stagnaro family emigrated from Italy in 1913, started their wharf business in 1937, survived the Great Depression, and have been a Santa Cruz staple ever since.
Stagnaro Bros. is the largest fish market in Northern California.
Chowder is served in a cup or an edible bread bowl (the environmentally friendly choice).
Clams have been a source of food on the West Coast of California for thousands of years, and were the primary source of nourishment for the Chumash people native to Santa Cruz.
Located at the end of the Wharf, Stagnaro Bros. has a superb view of the Monterey Bay from their upper-deck lounge.

Best Desserts – Restaurant

Chocolate

Almost everything on the menu (including entrées) contains chocolate.
The restaurant grew from David Jackman’s experience as a pastry chef on a farm in Bologna, Italy during the height of the slow food movement in the 1980s.
They serve 10 kinds of hot chocolate, with non-dairy options available.
The natural chemicals in cocoa, called flavanols, have been shown to relax the blood vessels, improve blood flow and thereby lower blood pressure, according to a Harvard study.
The heated, plant-filled patio has become a beloved oasis on Pacific Avenue.

Best Frozen Yogurt

Top A Lot

Ready with 49 toppings, Top A Lot offers a local alternative to plain frozen yogurt.
They have a buy-one, get-one-free special on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.
Flavors vary weekly, but the original fro-yo flavor, Euro Tart, is always available.
Avoid the mall, and get your kid’s picture with Santa at this family-owned establishment instead.
They are open until 10 p.m.—perfect for late-night munchies.

Best New Restaurant

Alderwood

James Beard finalist Miles Macquarrie curated the cocktail program to complement Chef Jeffrey Wall’s cuisine.
Dry-aging beef—like the 60-day-aged steak offered at Alderwood—transforms the enzymes into smaller, more flavorful fragments, and the collagen dissolves into gelatin during cooking, making it more succulent.
Now you don’t have to head over the hill for a steakhouse that delivers on flavor with a unique coastal vibe.
For $10 during one of their two happy hour options (4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; plus 9:30 p.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays), you can get a delicious burger and a Miller High Life beer–Wall’s nod to service-industry workers—or take advantage of their fresh oysters for $1.25 each.
They do not charge a corkage fee on the first two bottles of wine. For each additional bottle, the fee is $25.

Best Restaurant / Santa Cruz

Oswald

On special occasions like New Year’s and UCSC graduation, Oswald offers special set prix-fixe menus.
Bring your date to Oswald for an unforgettable romantic dinner.
You can always find good spirits and good conversation at the bar.
Always go for the seasonal cocktail, which delivers a burst of (sometimes exotic) fresh-squeezed juice without fail.
It has been argued (including by some in the pages of GT) that Oswald has the best gourmet burger in Santa Cruz.

Best Sushi / Watsonville

Imura

Imura attracts patrons from all parts of Santa Cruz County.
In addition to sushi, Imura offers a full menu of Japanese and Korean dishes.
Imura grew from humble beginnings in 1992 and now employs over 30 people, many of them family members.
Great alternative to a sports bar for having a beer and watching a game.
The crunchy magana is one of the most popular sushi rolls on the menu.

Best Vegetarian

Dharma’s

Originally named McDharma’s for being virtuous (dharma) fast food, but in 1984 McDonald’s began challenging the name in court. The David-and-Goliath battle went on for four years and ended with Dharma’s losing on a technicality in court.
The incident received international media attention, and owner Ben Shapiro says they are still McDharma’s, but the “Mc” is silent.
Rae Dawn Chong and Kenny Loggins are among its fans.
Known for huge portions that have impressed even fervent meat lovers.
All vegetarian, vegan optional. Dharma’s serves nothing with meat, fish or eggs.

Acai Bowl

Samba Rock Acai Café

291 Water St., Santa Cruz, 458-2224

RUNNERS-UP Café Brasil, The Palm Deli

Appetizers

Hula’s Island Grill

221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz, 426-4852, hulastiki.com

RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Shadowbrook Restaurant

Bagel

Bagelry

320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049;
1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550;
4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888, bagelrysantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Bagel Cafe, Main Street Bagels

Bakery

Gayle’s Bakery

504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com

RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Companion Bakeshop

Barbecue

Aptos St. BBQ

8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com

RUNNERS-UP Cole’s BBQ & Catering, Mission St. BBQ

Bar Food

Parish Publick House

841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 421-0507;
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 708-2036, theparishpublick.com

RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, The Crow’s Nest

Bread

Companion Bakeshop

2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253;
7486 Soquel Drive, Aptos, companionbakeshop.com

RUNNERS-UP Beckmann’s Old World Bakery, Gayle’s Bakery

Breakfast

Zachary’s Restaurant (Santa Cruz)

819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-0646, zacharyssantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Harbor Café, Walnut Avenue Café

Red Apple Café (Aptos/Soquel)

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com

RUNNERS-UP Silver Spur, Sunrise Café

Avenue Café (Capitola)

427 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 515-7559, avenuecafecapitola.com

RUNNERS-UP Cliff Café, Gayle’s Bakery

Auntie Mame’s (Scotts Valley/SLV)

3103 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-1840, auntiemamescafe.co

RUNNERS-UP Heavenly Roadside Café, Rocky’s Café

Cowboy’s Corner Café (Watsonville)

946 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8996, cowboycornercafe.com

RUNNERS-UP Beach Street Café, Red Apple Café

Brunch

Harbor Café

535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, The Crow’s Nest

Burger

Betty Burgers (Santa Cruz)

505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190;
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056, bettyburgers.com

burger. (Santa Cruz)

1520 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 425-5300, burgerlovesbeer.com

RUNNERS-UP Jack’s Hamburgers, West End Tap & Kitchen

burger. (Aptos/Soquel)

7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgerlovesbeer.com

RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Parish Publick House Aptos

Betty Burgers (Capitola)

1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com

RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille

Malone’s Grille (Scotts Valley/SLV)

4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com

RUNNERS-UP Bruno’s Bar & Grill, Cremer House

Wooden Nickel (Watsonville)

1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600

RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Main Street Burger & Brew

Burrito

Tacos Moreno (Santa Cruz)

1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095

RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Taqueria Los Pericos

Taqueria Los Gordos (Aptos/Soquel)

7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911

RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

Tacos Moreno (Capitola)

1601 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-8810

RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Taqueria Vallarta

Los Gallos Taqueria (Scotts Valley/SLV)

18 Victor Square Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803

RUNNERS-UP Habaneros Bar & Grill, Taqueria Vallarta

El Frijolito (Watsonville)

11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823

RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Super Taqueria

Calamari

The Crow’s Nest

2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, West End Tap & Kitchen

Caterer

Barbara & Company

2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com

RUNNERS-UP Gordo Gustavo’s, Five Star

Cheap Eats

Charlie Hong Kong

1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com

RUNNERS-UP Betty’s Noodle House, Taqueria Vallarta

Cheese Selection

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com

RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Market, Staff of Life

Chinese Cuisine

Canton

900 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-8751, cantonsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Panda Inn, The Red Pearl

Chocolatier

Donnelly’s Chocolates

1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com

RUNNERS-UP Mackenzies Chocolates, Chocolate

Clam Chowder

Stagnaro Brothers

59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180

RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House

Coffeehouse (Independent)

Cat & Cloud

3600 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz;
Abbott Square, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz, catandcloud.com

RUNNERS-UP Lulu Carpenter’s, Verve

Cookies

Pacific Cookie Company

1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com

RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery

Cupcakes

Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting

1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 466-0373, farmhousefrosting.com

RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery

Date Night Restaurant

Laili (Santa Cruz)

101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Gabriella’s, Oswald

Cafe Cruz (Aptos/Soquel)

2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Home, Café Sparrow

Shadowbrook Restaurant (Capitola)

1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com

RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Sotola Bar & Grill

Cremer House (Scotts Valley/SLV)

6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com

RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Casa Nostra, Malone’s Grille

California Grill (Watsonville)

40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com

Ella’s at the Airport (Watsonville)

100 Aviation Way., Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com

RUNNER-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Jalisco Restaurant

Deli

Zoccoli’s Deli

1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com

RUNNERS-UP Erik’s DeliCafe, Garden Deli

Desserts (Bakery)

Gayle’s Bakery

504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com

RUNNERS-UP Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting, The Buttery

Desserts (Restaurant)

Chocolate

1522 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-9900, chocolatesantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Shadowbrook Restaurant

Donut Shop

Ferrell’s Donuts

2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760

RUNNER-UP Allbright’s Donut Shoppe

Falafel

Zameen

851 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 713-5520, zameencuisine.com

RUNNERS-UP Falafel of Santa Cruz, Falafel House Downtown

Food Event

Greek Food Festival

Downtown Santa Cruz

RUNNERS-UP Clam Chowder Cook Off, Grazing on the Green

French Fries

Betty Burgers

1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901;
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190;
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056, bettyburgers.com

RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, West End Tap & Kitchen

Frozen Yogurt

Top A Lot Yogurt

738 Water St., Santa Cruz, 426-1375, topalot.com

RUNNERS-UP Cruz Creamery, Juicy Sweet

Greek

Vasili’s Greek Restaurant

1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-9808, vasilisgreekrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine

Hawaiian Cuisine

Pono Hawaiian Grill

120 Union St., Santa Cruz, 426-7666, ponohawaiiangrill.com

RUNNERS-UP Aloha Island Grille, Hula’s Island Grill

Hot Dog

Gary’s Old Fashioned Snappy Dogs

930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-3610

RUNNERS-UP Happy Dog Hot Dog, Taylor Bros Hot Dogs

Ice Cream

Marianne’s

1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447;
218 State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746;
104 Stockton Ave., Capitola, 479-8888, mariannesicecream.com

RUNNERS-UP Mission Hill Creamery, Penny Ice Creamery

Indian Cuisine

Ambrosia India Bistro

207 Sea Ridge Rd., Aptos, 685-0610;

6006 La Madrona Dr., #D, Scotts Valley, 713-5594, ambrosiaib.com

RUNNERS-UP Mumbai Delights, Malabar

Italian Cuisine

Lillian’s Italian Kitchen

1148 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com

RUNNERS-UP La Posta, Ristorante Italiano

Juice Bar / Smoothies

New Leaf Community Markets

1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306;
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793;
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987, newleaf.com

RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Staff of Life

Kid-Friendly Eatery

Carpo’s

2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar, Woodstock’s Pizza

Late-Night Eatery

Saturn Café

145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com

RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Crepe Place

Mexican Cuisine

El Palomar (Santa Cruz)

1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Los Pericos

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant (Aptos/Soquel)

261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Palapas Restaurant y Cantina, Tortilla Flats

El Toro Bravo (Capitola)

123 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 476-1553, eltorobravorestaurant.com

RUNNER-UP Margaritaville, Taqueria Vallarta

Maya Mexican Restaurant (Scotts Valley/SLV)

3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004, mayasv.com

RUNNERS-UP Los Gallos, Taqueria Vallarta

Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina (Watsonville)

1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com

RUNNERS-UP El Frijolito, Jalisco Restaurant

Middle Eastern

Laili

101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen

New Restaurant

Alderwood

155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, 588-3238, alderwoodsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP HōM Korean Kitchen, Primal

Patio Dining

Laili (Santa Cruz)

101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, The Crow’s Nest

The Hideout (Aptos/Soquel)

9051 Soquel Dr, Aptos, 688-5566, thehideoutaptos.com

RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Cafe Cruz

Shadowbrook Restaurant (Capitola)

1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com

RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s on the Beach

Malone’s Grille (Scotts Valley/SLV)

4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com

RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Bar & Grill, Cremer House

Ella’s at the Airport (Watsonville)

100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com

RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Red Apple Café

Pizza

Pizza My Heart (Santa Cruz)

1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com

RUNNERS-UP Bantam, Woodstock’s Pizza

Pizza 1 (Aptos/Soquel)

253 Center Ave., Aptos, 684-1110, pizza-1.com

RUNNERS-UP Showtime Pizza, Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta

Pizza My Heart (Capitola)

2180 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-6000;
209 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-5714, pizzamyheart.com

RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Village Host Pizza & Grill

Redwood Pizzeria (Scotts Valley/SLV)

6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-1500, redwoodpizza.com

RUNNERS-UP Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub, Tony & Alba’s

Cassidy’s Pizza (Watsonville)

1400 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 724-2271

RUNNERS-UP Big J’s Pizza, Corralitos Pizza

Probiotic Drink

Vida Juice

fermentvida.com

RUNNER-UP Drink La Vie

Restaurant

Oswald (Santa Cruz)

121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7427, oswaldrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Laili

Café Sparrow (Aptos/Soquel)

8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com

RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, The Hideout

Shadowbrook Restaurant (Capitola)

1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com

RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille

Cremer House (Scotts Valley/SLV)

6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com

RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Casa Nostra, Cowboy Bar & Grill

Malone’s Grille (Scotts Valley/SLV)

4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com

RUNNERS-UP Jia Tella, Ambrosia Indian Bistro

Cafe Cruz (Soquel)

2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Home, Tortilla Flats

California Grill (Watsonville)

40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Ella’s at the Airport

Salad

The Crow’s Nest

2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, Carpo’s

Sandwich

Zoccoli’s

1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com

RUNNERS-UP Garden Deli, Surf City Sandwich

Seafood

Johnny’s Harborside (Santa Cruz)

493 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-3430, johnnysharborside.com

RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Stagnaro Bros.

Cafe Cruz (Aptos/Soquel)

2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Akira, Café Rio

Shadowbrook Restaurant (Capitola)

1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com

RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s On The Beach

Ristorante Casa Nostra (San Lorenzo/SLV)

9217 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond, 609-6132, ristorantecasanostra.com

RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Blossom Scotts Valley

Fish House Bar & Grill (Watsonville)

972 Main St., Watsonville, 728-3333

RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, La Perla del Pacifico

Small Plates

515 Kitchen & Cocktails

515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-5051, 515santacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Lúpulo Craft Beer House, Soif

Soup

Erik’s DeliCafé

1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4646;
1664 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-1919;
102 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 688-5656;
222 Mt Hermon Rd. J, Scotts Valley, 438-4646;
1074 S. Green Valley Rd., Watsonville, 724-7575, eriksdelicafe.com

RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Staff of Life

Steak

Hindquarter Bar & Grille

303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com

RUNNERS-UP Alderwood, Shadowbrook Restaurant

Sushi/Japanese

Akira Sushi (Santa Cruz)

1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7093, akirasantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Mobo, Shogun

Akira Sushi (Aptos/Soquel)

105 D Post Office Drive, Aptos, 708-2154, akiraaptos.com

Sushi Garden (Capitola)

820 Bay Ave. #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com

RUNNERS-UP Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House, Takara

Otoro (Scotts Valley/SLV)

235 Mt. Hermon Rd. #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040

RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Garden

Imura (Watsonville)

1994 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8799, imurasushi.com

RUNNERS-UP Miyuki, Sushi Garden

Taqueria

Taqueria Vallarta (Santa Cruz)

608 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-8226;
1221 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 426-7240, taqueriavallartaonline.com

RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Los Pericos

Taqueria Los Gordos (Aptos/Soquel)

7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911

RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

Taqueria Vallarta (Capitola)

893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022

RUNNERS-UP Mijos Taqueria, Tacos Moreno

Los Gallos (Scotts Valley/SLV)

243 Mt. Hermon Rd. #A, Scotts Valley, 439-9507

RUNNERS-UP Habaneros Bar & Grill, Taqueria Vallarta

El Frijolito (Watsonville)

11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823

RUNNERS-UP Super Taqueria, Taqueria Mi Tierra

Tea House

Hidden Peak

1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com

RUNNERS-UP Tea House Spa, Well Within Spa

Thai Cuisine

Sawasdee

101 Main St., Santa Cruz, 466-9009, sawasdeebythesea.com;
5050 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-5051, sawasdeesoquel.com

RUNNERS-UP Real Thai Kitchen, Sabieng

Vegetarian

Dharma’s

4250 Capitola Rd., Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP Café Gratitude, Saturn Café

Winery

Bargetto Winery

3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258, bargetto.com

RUNNERS-UP MJA Vineyards, Stockwell Cellars

Wine List

Soif

105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com

RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook Restaurant, Vino Cruz

Wine Selection (Retail)

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com

RUNNERS-UP Soif, Staff Of Life

PHOTOS BY KEANA PARKER

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Arts & Culture

Georgia Johnson

March 27, 2019

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Arts & Culture

Best Festival (Music)

Mountain Sol

This is a family-friendly festival; just don’t forget a blanket and lawn chairs for everyone to relax on. Get there early for the best spots.
Held every summer at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, which is home to century-old steam engines still in operation.
To mitigate parking impacts, the festival now includes a “Sol train” to take attendees to and from Roaring Camp, starting at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Past headliners include Michael Franti (above), the Wailers, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They also feature tons of local bands across the three-day lineup.
A variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food options are available from local vendors.

Best Theater Company

Jewel Theatre Company

Founded in 2005, Jewel Theatre Company (JTC) operates under a contract with Actors’ Equity Association (the union for professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.) and is dedicated to creating extraordinary productions that explore and advance the art of theatre by entertaining, enlightening and engaging the community.
Led by Founder and Artistic Director Julie James, the company is now celebrating its 14th season entertaining the Santa Cruz community with well-known and new eclectic work that includes dramas, musicals and comedies.
JTC is the only year-round professional theatre company in Santa Cruz County.
JTC opened at their current location in the Colligan Theater on the Tannery Arts Campus in 2015. Jones’ choice for the first production in the space was Guys and Dolls because of its fun, upbeat energy.
Their first production of 2019 was Red Velvet (above). Breaking the Code opened on March 20.

Best Photographer

Devi Pride

Pride has been taking photographs for as long as she can remember. Having won her first camera in a raffle as a child, she began her career extra early on taking photos of her family.
She has been voted Best Photographer in the Best of Santa Cruz balloting every year since 2013.
A former dancer, Pride is passionate about photographing local dancers, including the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center.
She studied history at the University of Toronto and has always had an appreciation for genealogy and passing memories down through her family portraits.
She does all kinds of photography, from headshots to houses, boudoir to babies, maternity to matrimony. She says she keeps a fresh perspective by doing a wide variety of work.

Art Event

Capitola Art & Wine Festival

capitolaartandwine.com

RUNNERS-UP First Friday, Open Studios Art Tour

Art Gallery (Retail)

Artisans Gallery

1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8183, artisanssantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP R. Blitzer Gallery, Many Hands Gallery

Artist (Local)

Brayton Furlong

heavywatertattoo.com

RUNNERS-UP Marie Gabrielle, Ed Penniman

Author (Local)

K.M. Rice

kmrice.com

RUNNERS-UP Laurie R. King, Jonathan Franzen

Dance Studio

Motion Pacific

131 Front St. E, Santa Cruz, 457-1616, motionpacific.com

RUNNERS-UP Palomar Ballroom, Tannery World Dance

Festival (Art/Film)

Capitola Art & Wine Festival

capitolaartandwine.com

RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Film Festival, Watsonville Film Festival

Festival (Music)

Mountain Sol

santacruzmountainsol.com

RUNNERS-UP Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Redwood Mountain Faire

Festival (Street)

Greek Festival

facebook.com/santacruzgreekfestival

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Pleasure Point Street Fair

Kids’ Art Program

Studio Sprout

studiosproutsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Blue Apple Art, Kaiwa Art and Play Space

Movie Theater

Nickelodeon

210 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 359-4523, landmarktheatres.com/santa-cruz

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Cinelux, Del Mar Theatre

Mural/Public Art

Day’s Market

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Trestle, Shopper’s Corner

Museum

Museum of Art & History

705 Front St., Santa Cruz, 429-1964, santacruzmah.org

RUNNERS-UP Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Photographer

Devi Pride

devipridephotography.com

RUNNERS-UP Frans Lanting, Shmuel Thaler

Poet (Local)

Jared Harvey

RUNNERS-UP Max Goodwin, Gary Young

Radio Personality (Local)

Rosemary Chalmers

KSCO

RUNNERS-UP “Ralph Anybody” Jeff Juliano, “Sleepy” John Sandidge

Radio Station

KPIG-FM

107.5

RUNNERS-UP 1080 AM KSCO, 88.1 KZSC

Theater Company

Jewel Theatre

jeweltheatre.net

RUNNERS-UP Cabrillo Stage, Santa Cruz Shakespeare

PHOTOS BY KEANA PARKER

Local Lindsey Wall Gets A Shot at ‘American Idol’

A&E

Music

This Week's Issue

-

March 27, 2019
0

Local singer-songwriter Lindsey Wall doesn’t remember much about her recent American Idol audition.

“I blacked out a little bit. I was just so overwhelmed,” Wall says. “There was so much excitement leading up to it, and I realized that I’m just a small-town girl a little bit. It was unreal to be in that position. I’ve watched the show so many times. It all hit me when I stood in front of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.”

The whole process has been surprising. Three months before she got her audition, Wall got an email out of nowhere from someone claiming to be from American Idol. She never imagined herself on the show, even though she was a fan. It was hard to take seriously.

“At first I thought it was spam, because I was like, American Idol? That’s crazy,” Wall says. “I started reading further, and she was talking about how she heard a song of mine called ‘Honey.’ I just wrote that song in my bedroom by myself, and somebody in the music industry is taken by it. That was so cool.”

Some of Wall’s initial shock at being contacted by a show that focuses on singing had to do with the fact that Wall never considered herself a professional singer. She always sang around the house and had written songs since she was a child, but she’d never taken voice or guitar lessons. Being on a singing competition show seemed out of her reach.

“I was so excited, and so humbled. Of course I would take that opportunity if it’s there,” Wall says. “I never really practiced the art of singing that much. But getting that email made me start to practice more.”

“Honey”—which, it turns out, the woman from American Idol heard on Spotify—is a moody, psych-pop original that’s sprinkled with Americana elements. It’s driven with a heavy dose of emotion and builds from a gentle ballad to a ’70s AM-radio pop-rocker.

“One of my first really strong influences was Stevie Nicks. As far as songwriting goes, I was always inspired by her lyrics,” Wall says. “One of the reasons I resonate so strong with her is because she never took any lessons either. It was just her creating her own sound. I love how authentic her writing is.”

Wall had only recorded “Honey” a few months earlier. She dropped out of college in 2016 to pursue music, because she found herself thinking about music when she was supposed to be focusing on her school work. At the beginning of 2018, she created a Kickstarter for what was to be her debut EP, which managed to raise over $2,000. She recorded the songs at a San Jose studio in late 2017, and with the Kickstarter funds, she was able to release the music in February 2018. Kickstarter backers got the whole 5-song EP (and you can get them at shows), but she only uploaded a couple of songs online—“Honey” being one of them.

“I just wanted to pick my favorites, since it was the first time I released an album to the public,” Wall says.

Once she realized that her American Idol audition was very much a real opportunity, she devoted as much time as she could to improving her skills. She even took some time away from work and left Santa Cruz to travel and do some open mics.

She got the call while she was in Nashville that she could audition—but instead of L.A., the logical choice, she needed to fly to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

She’s very happy with her audition, which didn’t air. She got three “yes” votes, meaning she’s going forward to the next stage in Hollywood. Regardless of how far she gets on Idol, it’s already been significant to her.

“I’m very inspired to keep growing and going,” Wall says. “I’m almost halfway through writing for an album. Hopefully it’ll be a full album this time. I’m playing with this new guitar player Paul Kannapolis. We’re trying to get ready to book a tour. I’m really excited about that. I feel like it’ll be a whole new game of playing outside of Santa Cruz.”

Lindsey Wall performs at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz. Free. 425-4900.

Opinion: March 27, 2019

Local News

Opinion

This Week's Issue

Steve Palopoli
-

March 27, 2019
0

EDITOR’S NOTE

What you are holding in your hands right now is, as far as I can tell, the largest issue of Good Times in our 44-year history. And I think I speak for everyone here when I say: let’s never do this again.

Just kidding! Of course, we’re incredibly proud of finally presenting what started with the ballot that thousands of you from all over the county began voting on way back in December. That kicked off a process of tabulating the winners and documenting them in these pages. I was trying to figure out the other day how many minute information points required checking and rechecking over the last two months, but when my calculations got too far into the thousands, I gave up, because UCSC creative writing degree. Let’s just say it’s a very large number, and my biggest kudos go to the entire GT staff, to the winners we’ve been obsessing over for all this time, and to every reader who voted for making it all possible. It truly took a village to make the Best of Santa Cruz County 2019 issue.

We’ve tried to make it as user-friendly as possible, and I hope all the guidelines are clear (like, for instance, more than one winner listed—or two runners-up—means there was a tie), but if there’s anything you think we can do to improve things next year, let us know. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy our biggest issue ever!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Read the latest letters to the editor here.

DRIVERS WON’T QUIT

Susan Cavalieri, on behalf of the Climate Action Network, makes a strong case for our county supervisors and Regional Transportation Commissioners to go farther than simply a climate action resolution (Letters, GT, 3/20). Now is the time to direct taxpayer money to undertake actions that will make a difference sooner rather than later. I agree with her that bus-on-shoulder is something the county needs to initiate on Highway 1, enabling METRO buses more expeditious use of the highway, although she neglects to give consideration to the bridges that cross the highway and limit the ability of the shoulders to serve as an unimpeded throughway. For this, some of the bridges need to be retrofitted and the highway needs to be widened in key locations.

The sustainable transportation supporters seem to think that folks will quit driving on Highway 1 if it becomes more congested and thus they will manipulate people into more climate-protective travel. Unfortunately, making highway travel more difficult will not stop people from driving on the highway (witness the situation we have now). But, as has been the case in many other cities, HOV lanes for buses, electric cars, and cars with more passengers will encourage better transit habits, and possibly pay for these improvements.

Finally, if we want our county supervisors and commissioners to act quickly to reduce greenhouse gases, then a lawsuit to prevent the construction of auxiliary lanes (not likely to begin construction for several years, as things stand now) will not speed things up. Instead, let’s work together to find viable solutions in the near term, like substantial improvements to METRO services (more electric buses, more routes, and more trips, in addition to improved online access) that can be done soon, and with a lot less money.

Nadene Thorne
Santa Cruz

WIDEN HIGHWAY 1 NOW

I would imagine that the folks from Santa Cruz Climate Action Network never have to use Highway 1 during the morning or afternoon commute, or on any summer weekend. If they did, they’d realize how woefully inadequate it’s become in servicing the needs of the county’s growing population. Most of us would agree that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to fight global warming. If they want to be taken seriously, the folks from SCCAN will need to think more realistically about possible alternatives to current modes of transportation.

The idea that buses could use the freeway shoulders to bypass slow-moving traffic is ridiculous. The shoulders aren’t nearly wide enough in many places to accommodate a bus. And if the shoulders are widened, how is this any different from adding additional traffic lanes that could be used by everyone?

I don’t see how this proposed bus service would help the thousands who commute along Highways 1 and 17 to jobs in the Bay Area anyway. And the same goes for PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). While it may be great for scooting around a college campus, it cannot adequately address the needs of long-distance travelers. Most daily commuters and weekend tourists who clog our freeway cannot utilize public transportation, ride bicycles, use PRT, or benefit from any other pie-in-the-sky ideas for getting where they need to go. Electric vehicles are the best hope for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the near future, but they need roads to travel on.

Highway 1 is long overdue for an upgrade. Gridlocked traffic is spewing huge amounts of pollutants into the air every day with no upside, so let’s stop preaching that everyone should just ride the bus or use a bike, and get real about our transportation future. Our infrastructure needs to keep pace with new high-density development policies aimed at attracting even more people to the county. The freeway needs to be widened, and it needs to happen soon.

Jim Sklenar
Santa Cruz

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Submit to ph****@*******es.sc. Include information (location, etc.) and your name. Photos may be cropped. Preferably, photos should be 4 inches by 4 inches and minimum 250dpi.

GOOD IDEA

There’s a lot happening at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Santa Cruz County’s support system for foster youth. As it prepares for Child Abuse Prevention Month, the group will hold a presser on Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m. at the CASA house, located at 813 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. The group has also welcomed four new boardmembers—Linda Bixby, Matt Gianelli, Chris Sheehy, and Andrea Willy—and announced that longtime advocate Lynda Leigh will be taking home one of Watsonville’s Cesar E. Chavez Awards.

GOOD WORK

Last weekend’s “Tribute to John Prine” concert was conceived as a benefit for local music icon William Strickland, who lost his home to the NorCal fires. But it went to the next level when Prine himself heard about it. His wife Fiona Whelan called up Snazzy Productions, who produced the show, and told them that the Prine family wanted to match the money raised at the show dollar-for-dollar. Including that match, an incredible $10,000 was raised for Strickland. That’s the way that the world goes ’round.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If you are paying attention, then the day is going to be pretty joyful.”
-Greg Boyle

5 Things To Do in Santa Cruz: March 27-April 2

Things To Do This Week

This Week's Issue

GT Staff
-

March 27, 2019
0

A weekly guide to what’s happening.

Green Fix

Fire Response and Prevention Forum

In the current wet weather conditions, it’s hard to do anything but long for sunshine. But with the first days of spring upon us, it’s time to start thinking ahead as the soil dries up. Join Assemblymember Mark Stone, County Supervisor Bruce McPherson and the City of Scotts Valley in a fire prevention forum where local fire safety personnel will be discussing fire prevention and response. Bring questions for a Q&A session.

INFO: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley. Free.

Art Seen

Night of the Living Composers

There are so many shows and events focusing on dead composers—Bach, Mozart etc.— that Cabrillo’s devoted an evening to celebrating the living, tax-paying ones. This year’s lineup features the world premieres of Michael McGushin’s Yeats Songs and Jon Myers’ Plenitas I. Both premiers were commissioned by New Music Works, and are the newest of over 50 commissions that the group has made in more than 40 years. The evening also features a special line-up of guest artists including Steed Cowart and Phil Collins.

INFO: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 479-6154, cabrillovapa.com. $12-$37.

Saturday 3/30

SUP Film Festival

The world’s first Stand Up Paddle Film Festival is, fittingly, premiering in Santa Cruz. A festival for those inspired by natural beauty and conservation, it’s similar to Banff Mountain Film Festival, but is all about stand-up paddling. The Santa Cruz premiere will include 15 of the finalists, ranging from a short film about stand up paddling along ancient Inuit dog sled route on the West Coast of Greenland to a film about an 80-mile annual paddle from the Bahamas to Florida to support those with Cystic Fibrosis. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit Paddle4Good to empower more children with special needs build confidence and self-esteem through stand-up paddling.

INFO: 7 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. 423-8209, supfilmfest.com. $20 general/$12 child.

Wednesday 3/27-6/23

‘Guided By Ghosts’

In her journey to understand her own identity, exhibiting artist Tessa Hulls unpacks decades of family history connected to Santa Cruz County’s lost Chinatowns. Dive into years of research as Tessa weaves together Santa Cruz County’s Chinese history with her own. A mixture of paintings, graphic novel clips, illustrations, and items from archives take you on a journey from generations past into the present day with a full gallery timeline.

INFO: Show runs through June 23. Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. 429-1964, santacruzmah.org. General admission $10, free on First Fridays.

Tuesday 4/2

Laurie Halse Anderson ‘Shout’

New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson is coming to Santa Cruz for a discussion and signing of her new book, Shout, a poetic memoir for the #MeToo era. Anderson is known for the unflinching way she writes about and advocates for survivors of sexual assault. In 1999, her award-winning novel Speak sparked national dialogue about rape culture and consent. Now, 20 years later, she discusses her personal history as a rape survivor while denouncing society’s failures to address sexual violence.

INFO: 7 p.m. Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UCSC, Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz. 423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com. Free.

Music Picks: March 27-April 2

A&E

Music

Music Picks

This Week's Issue

-

March 26, 2019
0

Santa Cruz live music highlights for the week of March 27.

WEDNESDAY 3/27

INDIE

RUBBLEBUCKET

When Rubblebucket discuss heartbreak, they do it over dreamy, repetitive soundscapes injected with funky rhythms and jazzy playfulness. Just as your mind drifts off from the ambient tones, the smooth sax, surprising trumpet riffs and quirky sound loops demand your attention. The result is a sense of joyfulness—songs that make you wanna dance, then cry, then hug, then dance again. And seriously, it’s been forever since I’ve heard a sax, a flute and a trumpet sound so dope. AMY BEE

INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $15 adv/$17 door. 423-1338.

JAZZ

DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS

Bawdy, brassy and bluesy, Davina and the Vagabonds have earned an avid following with a rollicking sound that’s part-New Orleans barrelhouse, part-Memphis soul, and part-postmodern cabaret. Led by Davina Lozier, an extroverted singer and energetic pianist with a big voice and bigger stage persona, the Vagabonds include her husband, trumpeter/vocalist Zack Lozier, Steve Rogness on trombone and vocals, bassist Andrew Foreman, and drummer George Marich. ANDREW GILBERT

INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $31.50 adv/$36.75 door. 427-2227.

THURSDAY 3/28

ALT-COUNTRY

ROBBIE FULKS

Robbie Fulks has been nominated for two Grammys and been hailed as an “alt-country genius” by Tina Fey. (I know, you didn’t see that one coming!) But it was a long path for Fulks, who spent most of the ’80s and ’90s on the sidelines and in the shadows. His rough, raw and sparse acoustic Americana record Let’s Kill Saturday Night from 1998 turned some heads, but he continued to slowly forge a path of his own. His mix of old-timey country, bluegrass, gritty rock ’n’ roll, and gospel hasn’t made him a household name, but he’s become a highly respected artist. AARON CARNES

INFO: 8:30 p.m. Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $15. 335-2800.

FRIDAY 3/29

REGGAE

MAX ROMEO

Max Romeo, like Desmond Dekker, is one of the few Jamaican reggae artists who had a legitimate charting single in the UK in the ’60s. His biggest early career hit is about well, you know, wet dreams (*blushes*), and it became a top 10 hit despite getting banned by the BBC Radio. His chart success continued in Jamaica in the ’70s, but he never got that far in the U.S. Still, you may recognize the chorus of his single “Chase the Devil” as a sample in Jay-Z’s song “Lucifer.” His original is one of the mid-’70s best political roots reggae songs. AC

INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $25 adv/$30 door. 479-1854.

SATURDAY 3/30

SKA

THE ENGLISH BEAT

Yeah, I said ska, and I’ll say it again. Ska! Thanks to Pitchfork, those three little letters became a dirty word in the early 2000s, but in truth ska is one of the great cultural love affairs of the 20th century—the soil from which reggae, dancehall, punk, new wave, and even the Mario Bros. theme sprang. One of the originators of 2-Tone (ska’s second wave), the English Beat were among the most important ska bands of the ’80s. Last year, the group released Here We Go Love!, its first new album since 1982’s Special Beat Service. Be sure to pick it up, pick it up, pick it up. MIKE HUGUENOR

INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $35 adv/$40 door. 479-1854.

SUNDAY 3/31

ACOUSTIC

DAN POTTHAST

Few musicians can command a stage the way Dan Potthast does. With just an acoustic guitar and his distinct, full-throated voice, Potthast has held many an audience in the palm of his hand. Part of it is the strength of his songwriting, a unique melding of folk and ska that doesn’t overthink a great melody, but there’s an intangible element as well. When Potthast is playing, he bares it all with humor and passion, inviting his audience to conjure a better world together. And during his performance, you can see that world right there in the room around you. MH

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

RAP

LIL TRACY

Love him or hate him, Lil Tracy (or, these days, just Tracy) is here to stay. And the people love him. The 24 year old “sinner” rapper has been an underground “sin”sation since he was 18, dropping multiple releases under his old moniker, Yung Bruh, and with his old group, Gothboiclique. Born to music royalty parents Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets/Shabazz Palaces) and Coko Clemons (Sisters With Voices), it seems the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Don’t let face tattoos scare ya. MAT WEIR

INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $18 adv/$22 door. 423-1338.

MONDAY 4/1

DOOM METAL

WIZZERD

Battle vests on, horns on high, and let the sacred smoke fill the air, for the Wizzerd is coming. What more can I say about a quartet of heshers who wrote an epically gripping bio for their concept album that’s too long to print here? Lots, but still make sure to read that bio when you get a chance. Hailing from Montana, Wizzerd combines the rhythm and crunch of modern doom with the clean vocals and mystical fantasy writing of ’70s prog-rock for a sound that creates its own world. MW

INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $7. 429-6994.

TUESDAY 4/2

INDIE

WEYES BLOOD

Weyes Blood can ruminate on the boring and everyday, or ponder the expanding vastness of the universe. She brings the same dramatic, operatic bent to her vocals, which will make you feel sentimental in ways that maybe you don’t even understand. Blood’s existential worries litter her lyrics, but so does a childlike nostalgia. She seems most interested in taking everything she feels—grand to not-so-grand—and amplifying it through the epic songs she can create. AB

INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $15 adv/$17 door. 423-1338.

Love Your Local Band: Grateful Bluegrass Boys

A&E

Music

This Week's Issue

-

March 26, 2019
0

The Grateful Bluegrass Boys are not strictly a Grateful Dead tribute band. In fact, these days, Grateful Dead tunes usually make up a small portion of their set. A debut full-length album, released in July 2017, only contains one Grateful Dead tune: “Touch of Grey.”

“The longer we’ve been together, the more the ‘Grateful’ becomes ‘gratitude’ and creating an atmosphere,” says violinist/mandolin player/lead singer Aaron Redner. “We definitely play tons of other music.”

Redner, who played in Hot Buttered Rum for 13 years, started the Grateful Bluegrass Boys in 2012 up in Sonoma and relocated to Santa Cruz a year ago. In that time, not only has he broadened the range of music the band covers—including the songs of Van Morrison, Paul Simon and Willie Nelson, among others—he’s also introduced some of his own originals to the mix.

“These are people we all consider Grateful Bluegrass Boys at heart,” Redner says. “We love people that play music that people love to sing along with. We’re all about the sing-alongs.”

One thing the band is a little more strict on is staying true to the bluegrass sound, no matter whose song is playing. That means tight, drum-free string arrangements with lots of vocal harmonies.

“We try to stay away from aimless jamming,” Redner says. “It’s very important for us to stay connected to bluegrass, but also not be afraid to improvise and to bring songs you wouldn’t expect to hear played by a bluegrass band. We’re doing a Cars tune right now that’s going over really well.”

INFO: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $12 adv/$15 door. 335-2800.

How Kirtan Chants Changed My Yoga and My Mind

Columns

This Week's Issue

Wellness

Georgia Johnson
-

March 26, 2019
0

When I first walked into Emily Perry’s yoga class, I wasn’t sure that I was in the right place. A few years back, she was teaching Thursday evening classes at Divinitree Yoga, and I had opted to try a free week—and showed up embarrassingly late.

I walked in, mat in hand, to a room filled to the brim with people chanting. Perry sat on one side with an odd-looking, accordion-type instrument, smiling and singing some kind of tantric verse. She beckoned with a smile, and I realized that I’d either taken a wrong turn and wandered into some sacred cult-like ceremony, or that this was my yoga class.

Fast forward five years, uncountable yoga classes and a teacher training later, and I now know that the instrument is called a harmonium, and all of Emily’s classes begin and end with a few minutes of kirtan, or call-and-response chanting. At first, the repetition of what I learned were the names or mantras of Hindu gods and goddesses seemed bizarre for me to try to mimic, but I kept coming back for more.

Kirtan is a simple, repetitive process once you get the hang of it. It’s known to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote a sense of euphoria similar to meditation. About 99 percent of the time, I still have no idea what I am saying—I could be cursing all of my loved ones for all I know—and that’s OK, because I still enjoy it for some reason.

“When I first started chanting, I felt a connection,” Perry says. “I used to go to a Gateways Books in downtown Santa Cruz and listen to chanting music. I had no idea why I was drawn to it at the time, but I was.”

Kirtan comes from Bhakti yoga, also known as yoga of devotion. Just like physical postures or meditation, kirtan is a component of yoga practice. Bhakti, to over-simplify, is about more than just the physical practice of yoga. It’s based on spirituality, cultivating love and appreciation, and kirtan is one way to express that. Despite the divine connotations with kirtan, Perry says it’s non-denominational.

“When I started incorporating kirtan, it was the first time that I felt like I was using my whole heart,” Perry says. “It felt like I had a more holistic practice, as opposed to just a physical practice. It brought everything together, including pain, revelation, the yearning, and the joy.”

Perry says using kirtan in her yoga classes was intimidating at first, since she wasn’t a professional singer or musician. She bought a harmonium and didn’t use it for three years.

“Kirtan and chanting is a street practice in India. It can be literally anywhere,” she says. “When you chant, you start to tap into these deeper aspects of yourself and connect with people in the room. I think eventually my love of the experience trumped the lack of skill.”

It’s nice to know in retrospect that I wasn’t the only one caught off guard by kirtan. Perry says it happens all the time. Some people don’t understand it or think it’s weird, but a lot of people keep coming back.

“It’s about a connection to the heart and intention more than saying things correctly or being musically gifted,” Perry says. “Once people get that it’s about how they feel, they are able to drop concerns about being self conscious.”

The more I practiced with Emily, the more comfortable I got with the kirtan practice. It became part of my routine. I even found myself listening to it and singing along in the car or in the shower. I still can’t explain why I’m drawn to it, or why once at the end of a yoga class I started crying for no apparent reason in the middle of a song.

Perry says that she notices when people chant, they have more compassion and empathy for others—a brief reprieve for those who lead stressful lives or seek focus. Some people just come to listen, which is fine with Perry. The hardest part, she says, is showing up.

Perry hosts kirtan at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Pleasure Point Yoga. emilyperry.co.

Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Health & Recreation

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The best personal trainers, yoga studios, surf spots and more

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Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Food & Drink

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The best restaurants, happy hours, brunch spots and more

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Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Community

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The best beaches, farmers markets, wedding venues and more

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Best of Santa Cruz County 2019: Arts & Culture

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The best local festivals, galleries, performers and more

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Local Lindsey Wall Gets A Shot at ‘American Idol’

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Opinion: March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

Plus letters to the editor

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5 Things To Do in Santa Cruz: March 27-April 2

March 27, 2019

The Central Coast's lost Chinatowns, a SUP film fest and more

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Music Picks: March 27-April 2

March 26, 2019

Santa Cruz live music highlights for the week of March 27.

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Love Your Local Band: Grateful Bluegrass Boys

March 26, 2019

The Grateful Bluegrass Boys plays Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse on March 30

Read more

How Kirtan Chants Changed My Yoga and My Mind

March 26, 2019

Call-and-response Hindu mantras relieve stress and anxiety

Read more

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