Page 744 – Good Times

Opinion November 29, 2017

Steve Palopoli

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November 29, 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE

Andy Weir seems to have the kind of fairy-tale story of which every aspiring author dreams. In fact, when you read in Steve Kettmann’s cover story about how Weir’s success unfolded—spoiler alert, he starts off with a blog and ends up with a hit movie based on his book—the first word that might come to mind is lucky.

Certainly, Weir, who’ll you’ll discover in Kettmann’s story to be as self-deprecating as they come, would agree with you.

But how much of his story really was luck? Kettmann takes a closer look at Weir’s writing in The Martian and his new novel Artemis—which he’ll be in Santa Cruz this week to talk about—to explain the real secrets of Weir’s success. That’s my favorite thing about this story—as much as we all marvel at the idea of a lottery-winner-type triumph, the story behind that story about how a self-made artist blazes his or her own path is even more interesting—and important.

I also want to remind everyone that Santa Cruz Gives is on its way to being our most successful effort yet to raise money for the most innovative nonprofit projects in Santa Cruz County—but we need your help. Read the story in our news section this week about one of the SCG nonprofits, Senderos, and then go to santacruzgives.org to contribute to their efforts, and discover all of the other worthy groups we’re asking you to support this holiday season. With more than $100,000 dollars raised in just two weeks, we’ve had a great start toward our goal of $250,000 by Dec. 31. Keep that momentum going, and be a part of the positive change in our community!

STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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GOOD IDEA

LOCK STEP
Warming Center director Brent Adams has announced that his local program will assist in cleaning up the San Lorenzo Park encampment from Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Friday, Dec. 1. Adams says that he and fellow volunteers will also help Santa Cruz park rangers with the storing of homeless campers’ personal belongings. Adams says that immediately afterward, the Warming Center will help to open new storage lockers for the homeless at 1220 River St.—part of the recommendations the Homelessness Coordinating Committee unveiled this past spring.

GOOD WORK

GIFTED PROGRAM
Twin Lakes Church in Aptos has announced results from a two-month “experiment in radical generosity,” as senior pastor Rene Schlaepfer termed it. The church raised more than $286,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank—the equivalent of 1,145,000 meals. Parishioners gave 2,300 children’s pajamas to underserved youth and more than $50,000 toward immediate fire and flood relief. Others gave time, volunteering to clean windows, paint curbs and maintain local school buildings. For information on the Food Bank’s holiday giving campaign, visit thefoodbank.org.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I don’t believe in astrology—I’m a Sagittarius, and we’re skeptical.”
-Arthur C. Clarke

What makes you want to play hooky from work?

Columns

Matthew Cole Scott

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November 29, 2017

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What makes you want to play hooky from work?

“Good waves, or work that I care more about.”

James Galvin

Director of Operations

Santa Cruz

“Sea shanty party. It’s when you call in sick for work, hang out with your friends, drink rum and toast the Kraken, and sing sea shanties.”

Ryan P

Musician

Santa Cruz

“Calling in sick.”

Jessica Oatmeal

Silly Girl

Seacliff

“Beach volleyball and mimosas.”

Cindy Mekis

Nurse

Santa Cruz

“Surfing major swell and snowboarding fresh powder.”

Mario Huerta

Construction

Ventura

Dyane Harwood on Recovering from Postpartum Bipolar

Local News

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November 29, 2017

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Dyane Harwood on Recovering from Postpartum Bipolar

When Santa Cruz’s Dyane Harwood gave birth to her second daughter Marilla, she looked into her baby’s eyes and felt elated. After a pain-free birth to a healthy child, her happiness was understandable, but within hours her mood took a disturbing turn. Wildly energized, she talked nonstop while her thoughts raced. Even though she was exhausted, she felt little need to eat or sleep.

After she got home from the hospital, she began to display signs of hypergraphia, writing incessantly on her computer, in notebooks, on her arm, and on the wall, even while her baby needed her undivided attention. Harwood knew something was wrong, but as she tried to focus on her daughters, she downplayed what she didn’t realize were symptoms of mental illness. Harwood had become hypomanic, and soon these symptoms would threaten everything she cared about.

In her new memoir, Birth of a New Brain: Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder, Harwood lays out the frightening reality of an often-unrecognized illness. One or two cases of postpartum bipolar disorder occurs for every 1,000 live births, according to the National Institute of Health. But in 2007, when her disease was triggered, even postpartum depression—which we now know occurs in at least 15 percent of new moms—was considered an outlier. According to the American Psychological Association, it’s still underdiagnosed by clinicians, along with other postpartum mood disorders, such as anxiety, panic, OCD, post-traumatic stress, and psychosis. Symptoms may appear at anytime during pregnancy or in the first year of motherhood.

Harwood believes her bipolar disorder was latent, triggered by a combination of pregnancy, labor, hormones and genetics. Salle Webber, who was Harwood’s postpartum doula, agrees.

“When these things occur, much of it has to do with hormonal changes in the body, chemical changes in the brain, and the demands on mothers to suddenly be in complete service to a tiny human being,” says Webber, author of The Gentle Art of Newborn Family Care: A Guide for Doulas, which includes a chapter on mental health and postpartum mothers. “Their whole physiological being is disrupted.”

As for genetics, Harwood points to her father, a professional violinist and Fulbright scholar, who suffered from bipolar disorder, which infused her childhood with a sense of fear and sadness. She remembers calling him when she was first hospitalized. “He started to cry when I told him about my diagnosis,” she says, “because he didn’t want me to go through the misery that he’d been through.”

Harwood, who will discuss her book at a Dec. 7 event in Ben Lomond, says her experience was a worst-case scenario causing prolonged hardship.

“It took me seven years to stabilize. That’s a long time. I had to be hospitalized seven times,” she says. Then when her father died in 2009, the major event triggered suicidal thoughts, and Harwood opted for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a controversial procedure that she credits with saving her life. She tried tapering off lithium medication in 2013, as many people with bipolar disorder do, she says, but it launched her into a deep depression. She turned to ECT again for help, and it worked.

The biggest impact for her, she emphasizes, has been finding the right medication. She now takes what she calls an “old school” combination of drugs—lithium and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor called Parnate. “They’re often written off,” she says, “but for me, they ended up changing years of symptoms in three days.”

Webber says that one of Harwood’s biggest gifts to her readers is showing the simple power of asking for help. “So many women aren’t able to do that, and they’ll benefit from Dyane’s courage,” Webber explains. “If there’s ever a time when a woman should ask for help, it’s when she’s given birth.”

As she recovered, Harwood searched for lifestyle changes to help her heal. Her Scottish collie, Lucy, has been “a huge comfort,” she says. “I encourage everyone to get a pet. Even a fish,” she says.

Harwood has also embraced forest bathing, a practice developed in Japan that promotes spending time outside surrounded by trees as a way of healing. “Being in the redwoods and getting all these wonderful natural chemicals—the smell, the beauty, it’s helped me a lot.” And Harwood swears by regular exercise, something she used to do “for vanity,” she concedes. “But what motivated me in the calm after the storm of my bipolar experience is how much it affects brain health and stabilizes mood,” she says.

Harwood believes simple changes in pre- and postnatal care, like better observation and screening practices, could further improve the lives of many young families and make everyone safer.

“Simply screen women who are or want to become pregnant to find out if there’s a family history of mental illness,” she says. “If there is, pay closer attention during and after pregnancy. It’s getting better, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Harwood says she’s grateful that her marriage and the family she loves have remained intact in the face of extreme challenges. She’s also proud of her accomplishments in the wake of serious personal struggles. She’s founded a local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which facilitates free support groups.

Harwood has also written articles about postpartum bipolar disorder, in addition to her book. “As a reader, I couldn’t find anything out there about what I was going through,” she says. “Writing it gave me a sense of purpose, because I felt like this could really help people.”

Harwood will talk about postpartum bipolar disorder during a book signing on Thursday, Dec. 7, at Park Hall Community Center, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond. The event is sponsored by Valley Women’s Club and the Santa Cruz County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For more information, visit dyaneharwood.com.

Senderos Offers Youth a Promising Path Forward

Local News

Andrea Patton

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November 29, 2017

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Senderos Offers Youth a Promising Path Forward

Senderos is probably best known for its lively dance performances celebrating Latino culture at festivals around Santa Cruz County. But the group’s primary mission is revealed in its name, which means “pathways.”

“The main goal is education,” says Fe Silva-Robles, a native Oaxacan who founded the organization with her sister, Nereida Robles, in 2001. While working as a middle school teacher, parents asked her for advice on steering their kids in a positive direction. She knew that an after-school program was the solution, but swim lessons and other activities were too expensive for families struggling to pay rent and buy groceries. As a lifelong Oaxacan dancer, she decided to offer free dance classes, and soon after, parents began raising funds to purchase what would become the colorful Oaxacan garments Senderos is known for.

Silva-Robles believes dance and music classes go hand in hand with academic success. “When you are not connected with your culture, you are more vulnerable to different things,” she says. “We were seeing how the students were distracted by sickness in the community.”

Last year, Senderos awarded five college scholarships, and they are creating a college-going culture that benefits not only the students in the program, but also those around them as well. “If these kids are healthy, that health is going to spread in the community,” Silva-Robles says.

This is the second year that Senderos has been selected to participate in Santa Cruz Gives. Senderos offers dance, music and tutoring programs that are held in a family-centered environment in partnership with Santa Cruz City Schools, and they welcome all. Rosy Tapia, a grandmother who has two granddaughters enrolled in the program, is learning dance and music as well. “One thing I love is they show respect to everybody. I feel really comfortable with everybody,” Tapia says.

Kristen Silva, Silva-Robles’ daughter, has participated in the program since she was seven years old. Now she helps lead it. After attending Santa Cruz Schools from K-12, Silva returned to her alma mater, Harbor High School, where she now teaches math to newcomers. “I think that’s really the core of our organization, that we’re not afraid to showcase the aspects of our culture that aren’t really highlighted in the news. And we’re also trying to shape these people and these students into the citizens who can contribute to our community,” Silva says.

“One thing I think is so beautiful about this program is the intergenerational unity,” says Carolyn Coleman, Senderos Board Treasurer. Parents take pride in seeing their children connecting with their heritage, and kids feel stronger about their cultural identity in the face of racism.

“My granddaughter was getting bullied two years ago,” Tapia says. “She started to feel depressed and didn’t want to go to school, but when she started here she started to be more comfortable. She didn’t put attention to them. Now she feels more powerful,” she says.

Santa Cruz Gives donations from last year went toward building the musical instrument lending library, Coleman says. This year, they plan to use funds to continue building the library as well as purchase dance outfits. The all-volunteer organization includes musicians who are able to repair brass and reed instruments that may be sitting around in someone’s garage.

Senderos started the Latino Role Models conference, held in collaboration with Cabrillo College and UCSC, and partners with the MAH to bring an authentic Dia de los Muertos festival to Santa Cruz. The organization relies on grants from the Arts Council and the Community Foundation, as well as their annual festival and fundraiser in May, Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza, which will be held for the first time this year in the benchlands area of San Lorenzo Park.

The group’s annual winter performance, Winter in Mexico, is this weekend, showcasing dances from 14 states of Mexico.

“Guanajuato is the highlight performance this year,” Silva-Robles says. “We are very lucky to have a professor from Guanajuato who has been teaching us dances from there for two months. We have the story, the knowledge of the culture, and the kids are very excited about it.”

‘Winter in Mexico’ is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at Harbor High School Theater, 300 La Fonda Ave., Santa Cruz. $10, $5 students & seniors. 854-7740. To donate to any of the 33 nonprofits participating in Santa Cruz Gives, visit santacruzgives.org through Monday, Dec. 31.

Music Picks Nov. 29 – Dec. 5

GT Staff

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November 29, 2017

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Music highlights for the week of November 29, 2017.

WEDNESDAY 11/29

JAM

HIGGS

What is “cosmic California rock,” you ask? Short answer: Southern California band the Higgs. Long answer: a whole assortment of styles—funk, psych-rock, jazz, prog rock—done with some elements that are structured, and also some free-form improvisation. I guess you could call them a jam band, but the jams aren’t long guitar solos, they’re group explorations of groove. AARON CARNES

INFO: 8:30 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $7/adv, $10/door. 479-1854.

THURSDAY 11/30

CELTIC

IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

Now in its 12th year in Santa Cruz, Irish Christmas in America is a celebration of Irish music, humor, dance and history—all imbued with holiday spirit. The tour and performance is produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Téada and is traveling to venues around the country, including the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Performers at this year’s family-friendly concert include special guest singer Niamh Farrell, Séamus Begley, and dancer Samantha Harvey. CAT JOHNSON

INFO: 7:30 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $26/adv, $30/door. 427-2227.

FRIDAY 12/1

JAZZ

QUEEN ESTHER MARROW with THE TAMMY HALL TRIO

Queen Esther Marrow received her crown directly from a duke—Duke Ellington, that is. As a complete unknown just starting to think about pursuing music professionally, the 22-year-old Marrow got the call from Ellington to sing in the 1965 Concert of Sacred Music that consecrated San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. Her soaring voice provided a highlight of the evening, and she went on to work with other royalty, performing at events with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the years she’s recorded in gospel, jazz, and R&B settings, but has spent much of the past two decades working in Europe. Looking to re-establish herself back stateside, she’s performing in California with an ace trio. ANDREW GILBERT

INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door. 427-2227.

FRIDAY 12/1

GARAGE-ROCK

THE PACK AD

The video for Pack AD’s song “Dollhouse” is unsettling. The entire video is a continuous shot of singer Becky Black, who stares directly at your soul while her head bleeds, and she sings the words “Do you realize we live in a dollhouse?” to you. Her image goes in and out of focus. But that’s not the weirdest part. The video opens with a solid 20 seconds of her just staring, with no music playing. It’s like she knows you’re there! The group, a minimalistic duo, plays beefy bare-bones garage rock riffs backed by darkly humorous lyrics about depression and grief. Fun! AC

INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.

SATURDAY 12/2

INDIE

TUNE-YARDS

In 2011, the indie world became obsessed with Tune-Yards, the project of Merrill Garbus. It’s not hard to see why. The song “Gangsta,” for instance, is a highly infectious African-beat-influence pop song and will immediately make you want to jump out of your chair and dance with total abandon. Discussions revolved around the fact that a white girl was playing music so clearly pulling from African sounds. But this critical perspective was short-lived, especially as she proved that her influences were much vaster, and that her execution was authentic to her own oddball artsy self. She’s got a new album scheduled for January, and the single mixes some electronic elements. AC

INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $16/adv, $21/door. 429-4135.

SUNDAY 12/3

ROOTS

KPIG HUMBUG HOEDOWN

The KPIG Humbug Hoedown is back and bringing the holiday season in piggie-worthy style. Kicking things off is the Carolyn Sills Combo, our hometown heroes of the national Western swing scene. Headlining the evening are the T Sisters (pictured above), a California-based family band comprising three sisters—Erika, Rachel and Chloe—who have been writing and performing together their entire lives. The group’s repertoire includes folk, pop, indie and Americana. On Sunday, they present a special acoustic show. Bring at least five cans of food—for people or for pets—to save $5 at the door. CJ

INFO: 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $15. 335-2800.

SUNDAY 12/3

HAWAIIAN

WILLIE K

Prince once called Hawaiian multi-instrumentalist Willie K a “funky mother#%@&er.” In the music world, I’m not sure there is any higher praise. And Willie is well-deserving of the title. A musical force who can play any style of music thrown at him, he is also a down-to-earth, kind-hearted person who derives great joy from playing music and loves to share that joy wherever he is and whatever he’s playing. From indigenous Hawaiian music to country, reggae, jazz and classical, Willie has something in his repertoire. He’s particularly fond of the blues and, on Sunday, he performs at Moe’s as part of the Afternoon Blues Series. “Playing the blues makes me happy,” he has said, “and everybody loves it when I do.” CJ

INFO: 4 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 479-1854.

TUESDAY 12/5

BLUES

JONNY LANG

Outside of the hip-hop world, it’s hard to find teenage artists with No. 1 hits, but that’s just how Jonny Lang broke into the scene. Twenty years ago, at the ripe age of 16, Lang burst onto the airwaves with his first hit, “Lie To Me,” off his second album of the same name. Since then, the Grammy-winning artist has continued to grow with his blend of blues, gospel and rock to perform with some of music’s biggest artists, like Aerosmith, Buddy Guy and the late B.B. King. This year, he returns with his first new album in four years, Turn Around, which hit the Billboard 200 charts. MAT WEIR

INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $28/adv, $30/door. 429-4135.

TUESDAY 12/5

ROCK

CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD

When describing the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, the namesake frontman recently told Rolling Stone, “Our business model is based on the soul more than anything,” and we’d have to agree. There aren’t many major bands today that capture the rawness of the blues while elevating their listeners to the height of psychedelia. Yet, somehow CRB has managed to continuously do it throughout their five-year and six-album career. Separate from Robinson’s Black Crowes, the Brotherhood mixes the Grateful Dead with Muddy Waters and douses it in Led Zeppelin for a raging jam of passion and fun. MW

INFO: 8 p.m. Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. $30. 423-2053.

IN THE QUEUE

BLITZEN TRAPPER

Indie-rock meets country-rock. Thursday at Moe’s Alley

TRACE BUNDY

Guitar and looping phenomenon. Friday at Don Quixote’s

ROSIE PLAZA

Surf rock and pop out of Oakland. Saturday at Crepe Place

COLLIE BUDDZ

American/Bermudian reggae. Sunday at Catalyst

NORA JANE STRUTHERS

Folk-rock singer-songwriter. Monday at Don Quixote’s

Giveaway: The Pixies

Music

Cat Johnson

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November 29, 2017

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The secret to the Pixies’ success is that listening to their music is like talking to the preachy-preach about kissy-kiss. It’s like looking up at the sky in a poetic kind of way, what you call it when you look up at the sky in a poetic kind of way. You know, when you grope for luna. But you already know this, and, sure, you want to see the most influential rock band of our generation. But this show is sold out, because despite being more than a decade into their reunion, this band is as hot a ticket as ever. So try this trick: follow the directions below to try to snag our giveaway tickets. (SP)

INFO: 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $40. 423-1338. WANT TO GO? Go to santacruz.com/giveaways before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6 to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show.

Love Your Local Band: Shoobies

A&E
Music

Aaron Carnes

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November 29, 2017

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There’s a video on the Shoobies Facebook page of singer/guitarist Jacob Ellzey ripping a mean solo while the other two band members rock out hard. It’s short, but it shows off Ellzey’s shredding skills.

“We’re not good at writing lyrics, so those are helpful devices to fill some space, I guess,” Ellzey says when I ask him about his penchant for ripping into his guitar. “Every once in a while, we come up with some good stuff, though.”

Solos aren’t the only thing at which the group excels—there is also their talent for vocal harmonies, and ’60s-inspired, danceable garage rock tunes. The group is so obsessed with capturing that raw retro sound that they even recorded their demo on a four-track.

“I don’t think we’re going to be going into a studio anytime soon. We like that lo-fi sound that we get from doing that DIY stuff,” Ellzey says.

The group formed earlier this year. Ellzey put up flyers around town and attracted bassist Alex Vareljian. Drummer Evan Hildebrand was also putting up flyers for a band he wanted to start, and listed the same influences. The trio formed and hit the ground running with their first show at Café Pergolesi in April.

Next up, the group hopes to record a seven-inch vinyl single—recorded lo-fi on Ellzey’s four-track, of course.

INFO: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $12/adv, $15/door. 429-4135.

Film Review: ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’

A&E
Film

Lisa Jensen

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November 29, 2017

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Film Review: ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’

Here’s the thing: I’m a Charles Dickens geek. A Christmas Carol is probably my favorite novel, for both the economy of its storytelling, and the scope of its story. I have an insatiable appetite for the Carol, and I’ve seen every version, good, bad, and ugly—from Alistair Sim and Bill Murray to Mr. Magoo and the Muppets. Still, glutton that I am for this Dickensian feast, you have to wonder how anyone could possibly find anything new to bring to the story.

The answer is The Man Who Invented Christmas, a delightful fantasia on the writing of A Christmas Carol at a pivotal moment in the life of its author. It’s based on Les Standiford’s nonfiction book on how Dickens, beset by financial and family worries, set out to write and publish a Christmas book in only six weeks. But dry facts are transformed into delicious fiction by scriptwriter Susan Coyne, who combines Dickens’ real life with the volatility of his active imagination—whose impudent characters keep overflowing into every other aspect of his life.

Directed by Bharat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day), the movie begins in 1842, where Dickens (Dan Stevens) is treated like a rock star on a speaking tour of America. A year later, after three poor-selling “flops,” he promises his anxious publishers he’ll produce a Christmas story in time for the approaching holiday—although he hasn’t an idea in his head.

With a new house to furnish and an ever-burgeoning family, Dickens roams the London streets in search of inspiration—an elderly waiter at the Garrick Club; beggars in the street. But it’s not until he overhears the young Irish nanny, Tara (winsome Anna Murphy), telling a spooky story to his children, that Dickens gets the idea for a ghost story set on Christmas Eve—as experienced by a greedy, covetous old sinner named Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), who calls the season “Humbug!”

As the story takes shape in his head, Dickens’ characters come alive onscreen, haunting him like Scrooge’s ghosts, occupying his study to egg him on, or criticize his story. (They’re like actors backstage, waiting for their script.) Meanwhile, in the real world, his publishers reject the first stave of his story; Dickens angrily returns their check, pays to publish the installments, and hires illustrator, Leech (Simon Callow), out of his own pocket—while desperately trying to finish the book. The arrival of his perpetually impecunious father (Jonathan Pryce), the role-model for Mr. Micawber, further complicates things.

Coyne is the ideal translator of this material, well-versed in acting, writing and theater. (She created the hilarious, cult Canadian TV series Slings and Arrows, about the tension between art and commerce in a modern Shakespearean theater company.) Her scenes of Dickens at work ring especially true. Every writer has experienced that moment: the idea has come, you’re just starting to commune with your characters, and boom! Somebody knocks on the door. The phone rings. Your story dissolves and you’re back in the real world.

And Stevens is a master of the eye-rolling slow burn as Dickens, reacting to every interruption with teeth-gritting cordiality. He’s great as the physical embodiment of the writing process (which is generally not a spectator sport), stalking around his study, having animated conversations with characters only he (and we) can see.

But what’s most interesting about Coyne’s interpretation—and it sneaks up on you amid the fun and frivolity—is the way Dickens himself is shown to have a dark side that also informs his work. Beneath his unfailingly polite and jovial exterior, he too has begun to forge a chain; it’s not yet as long as Scrooge’s, but redemption must be sought before he can move on.

You don’t have to be an expert on the Carol, or Dickens’ oeuvre, to appreciate the sly gusto with which Coyne and company weave references to Dickens’ world and his work into the fabric of their film. Yet this is a highly original work of holiday cheer: witty, bracingly unsentimental (yet honestly moving), and hugely entertaining.

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS

**** (out of four)

With Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, and Jonathan Pryce. Written by Susan Coyne. Directed by Bharat Nalluri. A Bleecker Street release. Rated PG. 104 minutes.

Finally, Dungeness Crab Season is Open

Food & Drink

Lily Stoicheff

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November 29, 2017

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Two days after the official opening of Dungeness crab season, I found myself happily squished around a table in my friend’s living room with a dozen other guests, reaching for my umpteenth crab leg from a large silver bowl. Using a metal cracker, I shattered the rust-colored shell to reveal the cream-colored meat, and gently pulled a soft chunk free, drawing it through spicy harissa aioli before bringing it to my lips.

Like many Californians, I know this taste well. Dungeness crab is one of winter’s culinary delights, and after a dismal and brief 2016-2017 season in which toxic levels of domoic acid made the crabs unsafe to eat, the opening of the commercial crab season on Wednesday, Nov. 15 was eagerly anticipated by many. My friend and accomplished home cook Tallula Preston was among them and wasted no time in inviting me and a few other lucky friends over for a crab boil. Fresh crab truly is a cause for celebration, and the communal hands-on cracking and peeling creates a festive atmosphere. If you have the means, I highly recommend gathering your “framily” together to welcome back our West Coast crustacean.

Commercial crab season is open until June 30 next year, but the best crabs are available in winter. Dungeness crab is native and abundant in the area, and the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch rates pot-caught crab a “Good Alternative,” so now is an opportunity to eat plentifully and support local fishermen. H&H Fish Co. in the Santa Cruz Harbor, Reel Good Fish in Moss Landing, Stagnaro Bros. on the Wharf, and Fish Lady in Soquel all purchase crab from local fishermen, as do most of the local markets.

As guests tore into the seasonal treat, an attending East Coaster posed the question of which was better—Atlantic blue crab, lobster or Pacific Dungeness. Most quickly decided there was no contest.

For Preston, as for many other locals, it’s personal: “I love seafood, and to me, crab is our seafood here in the Bay Area and the Central Coast,” she says. “Dungeness crab is one of the best things in the world, and we live in a place where it’s so plentiful. In my family, it’s always been our tradition to eat it around Thanksgiving and Christmas. As much as I love lobster, it’s not my home crustacean.”

A Superb Riesling from Newly Opened Integrity Wines

Josie Cowden

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November 29, 2017

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A Superb Riesling from Newly Opened Integrity Wines

When you taste a superb Riesling, such as the one made by the newly opened Integrity Wines, it’s as if the clouds parted and delicious nectar rained down. Integrity’s Riesling impressed me greatly when I tried it at a food and wine event in October.

Riesling can be a bit of a black sheep—and its reputation got rather ruined some time ago with lots of tawdry stuff on the market, but this one made by winery owner Mark Hoover is one of the best Rieslings I have tasted in a long time. I contacted Hoover and he tells me that his wines have just gone into Deer Park Wine & Spirits—a top-flight liquor store in Aptos which holds wine-tasting events with guest winemakers—usually for around $3. From 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 the winemaker will be Mark Hoover of Integrity.

Grapes for this 2016 Riesling ($20) were harvested from Santa Lucia Highlands, and the beautiful flavors and aromas result from two different pickings. “During fermentation,” says Hoover, “both lots gave off an amazingly Jolly Rancher apple candy aroma, and I was worried I had screwed the wine up. Fortunately, that aroma gave way to a much more complex set of aromas which we get to enjoy.”

Rieslings can be rather sweet, but that sweetness means it pairs well with spicy food such as Indian or Asian. But for me, this honeysuckle beauty is perfect just by itself.

Integrity Wines, 135 Aviation Way, Suite 16, Watsonville. 322-4200. Tasting room is open Noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Holiday Open House on the Summit

Celebrate the holidays at Burrell School, Loma Prieta and Wrights Station wineries—complete with live music, food vendors, wine specials and artsy crafts. Fashions by Lula Roe, Shelley’s Biscotti and live music at Burrell School. At Loma Prieta Winery, there will be light complimentary appetizers, a chance to taste a vertical trio of Karma Vineyard Pinotage, and a free reindeer cork ornament with any three-bottle purchase. At Wrights Station, enjoy holiday jazz by Bob Burnett, along with food and vendors, including Wine Charms Designs by Steff. The festive event is from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

GOOD IDEA

GOOD WORK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

James Galvin

Director of Operations

Santa Cruz

Ryan P

Musician

Santa Cruz

Jessica Oatmeal

Silly Girl

Seacliff

Cindy Mekis

Nurse

Santa Cruz

Mario Huerta

Construction

Ventura

HIGGS

IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

QUEEN ESTHER MARROW with THE TAMMY HALL TRIO

THE PACK AD

TUNE-YARDS

KPIG HUMBUG HOEDOWN

WILLIE K

JONNY LANG

CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD

IN THE QUEUE

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS

Holiday Open House on the Summit