Page 752 – Good Times

Opinion April 25, 2018

Steve Palopoli

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April 26, 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

Mary Sesnon Porter is a name that I saw pretty much every day as I was walking to and from classes at UCSC, and then all over later when I was covering the South County for the Register-Pajaronian. In all that time, I never once stopped to think about the woman behind this ubiquitous presence in Santa Cruz County. But that’s how it usually goes, isn’t it? We never usually find out what was so important about the people whose names are on our art galleries, civic buildings and schools (other than, we assume, they donated a lot of money to the right people).

This week, though, we get to find out, in Geoffrey Dunn’s cover story about Porter. And now having read it, I can’t believe I had never even heard of Pino Alto, the fascinating Porter estate that is the stuff of local legend.

Also this week, Jacob Pierce gives us part two of our series on issues surrounding the rail trail, with a look at Progressive Rail’s bid to operate the local lines. We got a lot of insightful feedback after the first story in our series last week; please keep it coming!

STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Read the latest letters to the editor here.

Railbank Our Resource

Lately there has been some controversy about allowing E-bikes on the Westcliff pathway. This same controversy will be magnified if the rail trail is built (GT, 4/18), because it is not wide enough to allow for separate bike and E-bike lanes for those that want to commute to work at faster speeds; plus, the rail trail deviates onto high-traffic surface streets at critical junctures. Only the Trail Only/Greenway Vision provides enough room for bike commuters (and other high-tech alternatives), which has the benefit of reducing the number of cars on our roads. The best scenario is to railbank the corridor and tear out the tracks now so we can all start using this transportation resource within our lifetimes.

Buzz Anderson | Santa Cruz

What About the Wildlife Commute?

The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Right-of-Way, whether inflicted as trail only, as advocated by Greenway, or rail and trail, as advocated by Friends of the Rail & Trail, is a false engineering “solution” to a sociopolitical and existential problem: mainstream environmentalism’s absurd assertion that we must further “our way of life” with its delusional premise that we can infinitely expand our civilization—through population growth, economic growth, boundless urbanization and habitat destruction, boundless energy and materials consumption—within a finite system, Earth. Consequently, we have exceeded our carrying capacity, the sixth mass global extinction is well underway, and civilization’s implosion is accelerating.

Both groups promote a myopic “solution:” if only we had a trail or rail-trail corridor, we could continue to populate our county and accommodate our ever-growing commuting “needs.” Rather than building more transportation infrastructure to further their environmentalist pipe dream of a forever-expanding “green” civilization, Greenway and Friends of the Rail & Trail should promote decivilization, including depopulation and steady state economics. They might begin by ripping out the tracks and converting the corridor to grassland, so that coyote people and deer people can use it to commute, and pledging to not have more children.

Nigel Self | Santa Cruz

ONLINE COMMENTS

Re: Rail Trail

There’s something really, really crucial here that I hope to see in future installments: what do the people of Watsonville think? This is perhaps the most valuable insight that could be provided to Good Times’ audience, which is Santa Cruz-based. I’m not sure many of us actually get over there that often. The current political power center in Santa Cruz is choosing policies that push young people who want to put down roots to put down those roots in Watsonville, not Santa Cruz.

What does Watsonville think of Santa Cruz’s plans to gentrify it? Do current commuters from Watsonville see a train as a possibility that’s better than 45-70 minutes of Highway 1 traffic each way, each day?

— Nigel V

Re: Train to San Jose

The loss of right of way, missing trestles and damage to the RR road bed between Felton and Glenwood makes the restoration of the train line very unlikely. OTOH, restoring the two long tunnels between Glenwood to Laurel and from Laurel to Wright’s Station (Lexington Reservoir) would result in a near-level route that would allow buses to use existing roadways to avoid climbing 17 over the summit. This would have clear advantages in bad weather and when traffic is backed up. It would require building some new roadway at the Lexington end, but otherwise the bypass could connect to Hwy 17 at Glenwood at Los Gatos. The tunnels are only wide enough for one direction at a time, but the daylight section in the middle could allow for passing. With speeds of 30 mph it would only require a two-minute wait in the middle. Otherwise the entire tunnel section could alternate directions every five minutes or so as needed. This could be a low-cost solution for a Bus Rapid Transit system.

—William Menchine

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

WASTE TO GO

Leftover medicine and used sharps can pose serious public health and safety hazards, endangering public health and the environment when they’re improperly disposed of. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 28 will help to raise awareness about the issue. Drugs and sharps should never be flushed or thrown in the trash. Leftover medicines and used sharps can be taken back to almost every pharmacy, as well as many medical centers. To find a drop-off site, visit MedProject.org.

GOOD WORK

TAUGHT TOPIC

The Santa Cruz Education Foundation is holding its 10th annual Eddy Award ceremony on Tuesday, May 1, at the Museum of Art and History. The foundation, which celebrates excellence in Santa Cruz schools, will recognize five teachers for its “Outstanding Teacher” Eddy, as well as eight “Unsung Heroes,” while additionally giving out two Special Foundation Awards—one to the Santa Cruz Warriors and another to Trevor Miller, the facility services director for Santa Cruz City Schools.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story. I will.”
-Amy Schumer

What does intimacy mean to you?

Columns

Matthew Cole Scott

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April 26, 2018

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“Moving beyond a fear of failure.”

Sydney Zentall

Santa Cruz

Retired Professor/Artist

“Trust is a foundation for relationships, period. You can have love, but if you don’t have trust you don’t have anything.”

John Smith

Santa Cruz

Retired

“I appreciate someone who can share and love and be honest, and I also love humor.”

Rena Dubin

Santa Cruz

Homeschool Teacher/Mom

“Communication and self-love.”

Annie Boheler

Santa Cruz

Horse Trainer

“Vulnerability, honesty, laughter, humor, lightness of heart. Unafraid to expose yourself.”

Michelle Abodeely

Santa Cruz

Mental Health Therapist

Aunt Nettie’s Kitchen and Bakery Celebrates 30 Years of Baking

Aaron Carnes

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April 26, 2018

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Aunt Nettie’s Kitchen and Bakery Celebrates 30 Years of Baking

Aunt Nettie’s Kitchen and Bakery has been producing baked goods and other food items for stores and coffee shops for 30 years. You may have seen their products in Ugly Mug, Lulu Carpenter’s, Mr. Toots Coffeehouse, Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co., Staff of Life, New Leaf and several other places.

Why did owner Mark Zeller name it Aunt Nettie’s? That, he says, is a long story—one he would tell me someday if I “wanted to write a screenplay.” He did tell us some other things about this Santa Cruz mainstay, including that the business almost ended recently when they lost their lease at the kitchen they’d been at for years. Fortunately, they have a new spot and are still up and running.

How did you decide what products to make?

MARK ZELLER: We just thought, ‘What would a coffee shop need?’ And started to make those products. We make pies and quiches and hummus. We also make a lasagna and a tamale pie, kind of entree things. Those are for coffee shops, we don’t sell those at stores.

Has your business changed much over 30 years?

Product-wise, not too much. Way back in the day we started out just making tea cakes. They’re a little muffin loaf-y thing. We do a big one. In the coffee shops if you see them sliced up, that’s probably ours. You’re getting back into the gnarly old days. It was just something that we came up with. I was working at Seafood Mama’s. I rented the kitchen overnight, I was working line cook for my shift and then I’d work overnight making tea cakes, package them up and deliver them and get back to work the next day.

Have you added any products recently?

Mostly we’re trying to keep the thing together. It’s been kind of a rocky ride. We’ve seen a lot of things come and go. I feel like part of the place. One of the plans was we wanted to expand into a coffee shop. Since we’re making stuff for coffee shops, why don’t we have one too? That was where the growth thing was supposed to happen. When we lost the lease, that was pretty traumatic. They gave us like three months, and I had to disassemble what took me almost 16 years to put in. I didn’t have time to go look for a place. I was looking for a job. I thought it was all over. We just kind of lucked into this little place. It’s looking like we’re going to be viable and keep going at this size. I’m getting old now. I haven’t had a job in 30 years. I’ve been feeling kind of obscure, like nobody’s noticed us. We’re not out in the media, in the public kind of thing. We’re kind of low-key.

auntnettieskitchen.com, 423-9421.

Tom Brooks Winery’s Take on Petite Sirah

Josie Cowden

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April 26, 2018

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Tom Brooks Winery’s Take on Petite Sirah

My stepson, who lives in Omaha, periodically sends us meat from Omaha Steaks. With a freezer full to overflowing with pork chops, T-bones and burgers, I invited friends over for dinner to at least use up a whole box of many Americans’ favorite food—burgers! Very few “beef burgers and chips” (hamburgers and fries) appeared on my plate when I was growing up in England, and, after three decades in the good ol’ U.S.A, I eat one only now and then.

I had met up with Tom Brooks recently, of Tom Brooks Winery, where he handed off his 2013 Petite Sirah for me to try. So, why wait? Burgers and Petite Sirah it is—and an opportunity to share this delicious wine with friends.

Big aromas of dark fruits emanated from the bottle—a good sign of what was to come. Tom Brooks’ full-bodied Petite Sirah was a hit over dinner with its distinctive campfire-smoke aroma and intense fruit flavors, especially of blueberries, blackberries and black cherries. Touches of walnut and persimmon round out this beautiful wine—a tasty treat for the tongue and olfactory senses. Brooks says, “it just gets smoother as it ages.” And if you’re throwing a couple of steaks on the “barbie,” then a Petite Sirah pairing would be perfect.

Winemaker Tom Brooks has a small operation in Bonny Doon where he makes Petite Sirah and Rosé. I’m thankful that we can buy this Saveria Vineyards Petite Sirah 2013 for about $29 at Whale City Bakery in Davenport and at Shopper’s Corner in Santa Cruz—where wine buyer Andre Beauregard says it’s well worth carrying.

You can get in touch with Tom Brooks on Facebook or at 426-1509.

Malabar Trading Company

Malabar Trading Company now has caffeine-free chai—Cape Town Chai (re-christened from Vanilla Rooibos Chai), and a rooibos-based Spicy Chocolate Chai. Founded in 1994 by Annaliese Keller and her husband Michael Keller, they are expert in producing the most divine chai teas. You can find them every Saturday at the Aptos Farmers Market selling their teas; and don’t miss their Earl Grey truffles—dark chocolate with Earl Grey tea. Visit malabartradingco.com for more info.

Film Review: ‘Final Portrait’

A&E
Film

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April 26, 2018

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It’s hard to resist a movie about an artist. Writers mostly toil away in solitude in non-dramatic ways. But a visual artist is a more dynamic subject, raging away in the grip of the muse—at least, in the movies—while the results of that stormy dialogue appear right there on the canvas, or sculpture, for all to see. Actors can’t wait to make a meal of those roles, and filmmakers are eager to enable them, recreating those exotic, Bohemian environments in which artists are spawned.

All of which brings us to Final Portrait, a fleet, cinematic sketch about the trials of sitting for a portrait by the notoriously eccentric Alberto Giacometti. Geoffrey Rush cheerfully chows down on the role of Giacometti, and he’s great fun to watch, under the benevolent guidance of director Stanley Tucci. An actor himself, Tucci knows how to set off a performance, recreating in meticulous detail not only the (dis)organized chaos of the artist’s home work studio, but the streets and cafes of Paris, circa 1964, in which this factual story takes place.

Based on the memoir by James Lord (who also co-wrote the script with Tucci), the story revolves around James (Armie Hammer), a button-down young American writer spending time in Paris reporting on the cultural scene for the New Yorker magazine. James has become friends with the artist, and even though Giacometti is best known for his elongated, expressionistic sculptures in clay, he surprises his young friend by asking him to sit for a painted portrait.

Flattered, James agrees, even though he’s booked on a return flight home to the States in just a few days. “Two or three days, at the most,” Alberto assures him. Then the actual process begins. Besides Alberto’s daily expletive-peppered battles with his muse over the canvas, the work is frequently interrupted by lengthy rambles around the nearby cafes or to a local cemetery, or impromptu visits from Alberto’s mistress, Caroline (Clemence Poésy), a vivacious young prostitute from the neighborhood.

The sitting stretches out over days, then weeks. James has to keep rescheduling his flight home, but he sticks with it—despite Alberto’s frequent declarations that the work is shit, the portrait will never be finished, and that he himself is a fraud. The only payoff for James, as he continues to play the patient observer, is a ringside seat into the messy creative process.

Is this enough for the viewer? Mostly, yes, despite moments when we share James’ ennui a bit too acutely. As random as the insights often are, they can be occasionally precise, as when James complains to Alberto’s loyal brother/assistant, Diego (the ingratiating Tony Shalhoub), that Alberto seems “determined to remain completely unfulfilled.” Not “completely,” Diego corrects him gently. “Perfectly.”

Meanwhile, director Tucci replicates Giacometti’s Paris live/work space with vigorous authenticity. Behind a gate off a cobbled street, two buildings face each other across a narrow alley, one containing a bedroom (and not much else) for Alberto and his wife, Annette (a lovely performance of grit and affection by Sylvie Testud), and an upstairs apartment for Diego. The other is Alberto’s studio, every surface crowded with his haunted, emaciated sculptures in all sizes and stages of progress, among the easels, stools, benches, buckets, blocks of clay, canvas boards, paints and brushes, and who knows what else, all covered with a film of clay dust.

Also interesting, perhaps as a kind of homage to its subject, Tucci and cinematographer Danny Cohen choose to shoot the whole movie in subtle clay colors of beige, grey and ocher—giving everything a vintage look and feel.

Rush has a high old time as the chain-smoking, irascible Alberto in his twilight years, rampaging around his studio in a last burst of creative energy. (He would live only two more years after painting the Lord portrait.) Final Portrait may not plunge you into the miracle of artistic expression—go see an Andy Goldsworthy movie for that—but it offers a lively glimpse at the process from the outside looking in.

FINAL PORTRAIT

*** (out of four)

With Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer. Written by James Lord (from his memoir, A Giacometti Portrait) and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Stanley Tucci. A Sony Classics release. Rated R. 90 minutes.

5 Things to Do in Santa Cruz Apr. 25-May 1

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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April 25, 2018

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5 Things to Do in Santa Cruz Apr. 25-May 1

Event highlights for the week of April 25, 2018.

Green Fix

67th Annual Mineral, Gem, Fossil and Jewelry Show

Forget beers—spend this weekend cracking geodes. They are much more eco-friendly and more rewarding than a hangover. Crystals and gems are some of the world’s oldest and prettiest natural souvenirs, and the Santa Cruz Gem and Mineral Society is giving them the attention they deserve. There will be gold panning, geode cracking and a wide selection of natural jewelry (Mother’s Day is coming up, hint, hint). We hear there will be wizards there, too, because where there are magic stones there are sure to be magic men. Check out the website for admissions coupons.

INFO: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. scrockngem.org. $6 general admission.

Art Seen

West Side Story

Cue snapping in formation, jeering gang members and some very manly plies—West Side Story is coming to Santa Cruz. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the Broadway original just turned 60 last year. Directed by Will Guilford, the iconic story of Manhattan star-crossed lovers caught between the battle of the Jets and Sharks is still as relevant today as it was years ago. This show includes a cast of more than 40 actors, with nearly 20 students involved in technical production positions.

INFO: 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Show runs Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, May 6. No show on April 27. San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center. 7105 Hwy. 9, Felton. hs.slvusd.org. $15 general admission. $13 seniors/staff. $10 students. $10 tickets for community night on Thursday, May 3.

Sunday 4/29

‘Trading Gifts’ By the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival

The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival presents a concert of Spanish and Moorish music from Martinetes to Sevillanas and Fandangos. One of their five annual concerts, Trading Gifts also features traditional North African Arab music, including Algerian Improvisation. The artists come from all over the world, many studied abroad in Spain and North Africa and bring a diverse and rich musical background to Santa Cruz.

INFO: 3 p.m. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall. 402 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz. 457-9693. scbaroque.org. $25 general admission, $22 senior, $10 youth/student.

Saturday 4/28

International Jazz Day

It’s not every day you can see Grammy-nominated jazz musicians perform, let alone for free and with an ocean view. International Jazz Day isn’t until Monday, April 30, but Santa Cruz couldn’t wait that long, so join the Sandra Manning Quartet, local vocalist Tammi Brown, Jazz Tap Dancer Tara Firenzi and more for a day of jazz by the sea.

INFO: Noon-5 p.m. Santa Cruz City Municipal Wharf Bandstand. princelawsha.com. Free.

Through Thursday 5/3

Reel Work 2018

This labor film festival is back for a 17th season, just in time for May Day. The festival will include feature films about Dolores Huerta, Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), the lives of undocumented workers and labor activism. The festival began last week, but it’s not too late to jump in. There are screenings all over Santa Cruz County, and the majority of the events will have live speakers and hosts.

INFO: Full schedule and speaker list available online at reelwork.org. in**@******rk.org. All events are free, donations kindly accepted.

Music Picks April 25-May 1

Cat Johnson

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April 25, 2018

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Music highlights for the week of April 25, 2018.

WEDNESDAY 4/25

ROOTS

MISS TESS & THE TALKBACKS

With a sound that Paste Magazine described as “decidedly old school,” Miss Tess and her ace band the Talkbacks pull from traditional country, blues, R&B and swamp rock styles, then give them a modern day kick in the ass that makes them as relevant as ever. Based in Nashville, the band is an audience favorite, known for high-energy, rowdy shows; an old-meets-new musical ethos; and a deep respect for American roots music traditions. CAT JOHNSON

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

WEDNESDAY 4/25

ROCK

KEVIN BRENNAN & WAVELENGTH

Kevin Brennan has played with Van Morrison off and on throughout the ’60s and the ’80s. The two even played together in their home country of Ireland in a not-very-well-known band called the Great Eight in the ’60s. Needless to say, if someone is going to put together a Van Morrison tribute band, it should probably be Brennan. Not only does Brennan have a similar tattered voice, but he captures Morrison’s essence in his renditions of the songs. AARON CARNES

INFO: 7:30 p.m. Michael’s on Main, 2591 S. Main St., Soquel. $10. 479-9777.

SATURDAY 4/28

PUNK

FACE TO FACE

You can’t keep a good punk down. Don’t believe us? Then just look at Southern California punk quartet Face to Face. Forged in the fledgling beginnings of the 1990s, Face to Face was one of the pioneer skate punk bands to create the sound of an era alongside groups like Lagwagon and the Offspring. Much to fans’ dismay, they called it quits in 2004 after 13 solid years of music, touring and punk rock shenanigans. Four years later, though, they reunited for a few shows, and decided to carry on into the future. MAT WEIR

INFO: 8:30 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $25. 429-4135.

SATURDAY 4/28

HIP-HOP

LYRICS BORN

When you look up “underground hip-hop” in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Bay Area rapper Lyrics Born. Not really, but that’s what should be in the damn dictionary, despite the fact that the rapper poked his head into the mainstream briefly with his song “Callin’ Out.” To get a real sense of Lyrics Born’s diverse accomplishments, go ahead and give his greatest hits record Now Look What You’ve Done, Lyrics Born! Greatest Hits a spin. It really shows how the rapper helped to define straightforward Bay Area alt-hip-hop with his funky beats, sing-song-y flow and personal words, and then how he wasn’t afraid to change it up in the years to follow. AC

INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15/adv, $20/door. 479-1854.

SUNDAY 4/29

FOLK/ROCK

ERIC ANDERSEN

Over his 50-year artistic journey, singer-songwriter Eric Andersen has had his hands—and songs—all over folk and rock music. He has 25 of his own albums, which feature icons such as Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed and Richard Thompson. Andersen has also had his songs covered by a long list of legendary artists, from Bob Dylan and Françoise Hardy, to the Grateful Dead, Peter, Paul and Mary, Gillian Welch and Pete Seeger. CJ

INFO: 2 p.m. Michaels on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. $17/adv, $20/door. 479-9777.

SUNDAY 4/29

CELTIC

LINSEY AITKEN & KEN CAMPBELL

Celtic music is a term that gets thrown around to describe traditional acoustic music from the United Kingdom, and to a lot of people it means Irish music specifically. But what do you know about Scottish music? If you’d like a primer on contemporary Scottish acoustic music, you would be doing yourselves a favor by checking out Linsey Aitken and Ken Campbell. Aitken is a revered cellist and vocalist, and Campbell is a well-regarded singer-songwriter. The two have been working for three decades, and bridge the gap between classical Scottish traditional music, and new acoustic music beloved by its people. AC

INFO: 7 p.m. Flynn’s Cabaret, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $17. 335-2800.

SUNDAY 4/29

HIP-HOP

PROF

When discussing Minneapolis rappers, three names come to mind: Atmosphere, Brother Ali and, of course, Prof. Although he performed throughout the early 2000s, it wasn’t until the turn of the last decade that audiences finally caught up and paid attention. Through his relentless rhymes and constant gigging, Prof was able to build his name up in the underground, selling out clubs that other Minnesotan acts—*cough Prince*—had made famous 30 years before. MW

INFO: 7 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $14/adv, $16/door. 429-4135.

SUNDAY 4/29

ROOTS

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX

Hailing from Nashville by-way-of Ohio, singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox is a lifelong artist whose love of music and performing developed early. Honing her guitar and vocal chops on Chicago’s underground subway platforms as a teen, Bowersox eventually made her way onto season nine of American Idol. Since then, her star has continued to rise with several studio albums, EPs and singles. Her latest, 2017’s Alive, sees the multi-dimensional artist traversing folk, Americana, blues, pop, and soul. CJ

INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $35/door. 427-2227.

MONDAY 4/30

TERENCE BLANCHARD’S E-COLLECTIVE

Terence Blanchard’s politically charged E-Collective is playing a series of gigs around the region this week, and for International Jazz Day the talent-laden band brings its richly textured electro-acoustic sound to Santa Cruz. The band’s poignant new album Live is a searing reflection on America’s inability to stem the bloody tide of gun violence, filtered through Blanchard’s New Orleans music-as-balm sensibility. Featuring pianist extraordinaire Gerald Clayton (filling in for Fabian Almazan), Berkeley High grad Charles Altura on guitar, newcomer David “DJ” Ginyard on bass, and drummer Oscar Seaton, whose slinky grooves inspired Blanchard to launch the E-Collective, the quintet blows apart forms to get at deeper feelings. ANDREW GILBERT

INFO: 7 and 9 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $28-$44. 427-2227.

IN THE QUEUE

NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC

Traditional music from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands. Wednesday at Flynn’s Cabaret

ENGLISH BEAT

Legendary U.K. ska band. Friday at Moe’s Alley

VAN GOAT

Catchy blend of swing, surf and punk. Friday at Crepe Place

METALACHI

Metal meets mariachi. Saturday at Catalyst

SUGARAY RAYFORD

Blues singer, songwriter and entertainer extraordinaire. Sunday at Moe’s Alley

Giveaway: Wailing Souls

A&E
Music

Cat Johnson

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April 25, 2018

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Possessing a sound that incorporates elements of Motown, funk, R&B and reggae, the Wailing Souls are elder statesmen of Jamaica’s island music sound. Formed in the late 1960s under the mentorship of musical icon Joe Higgs, and eventually famed Jamaican producer Coxsone Dodd, the group has been a fixture on the international reggae scene for decades. It’s also received numerous awards and three Grammy nominations. The band continues to tour the world spreading its message of one love. Also on the bill: Dub Nation.

INFO: 9 p.m. Sunday, May 20. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door. 479-1854. WANT TO GO? Go to santacruz.com/giveaways before 11 a.m. on Monday, May 14 to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show.

Love Your Local Band: Zombie Ritual

A&E
Music

Mat Weir

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April 25, 2018

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Formed in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist Chuck Schuldiner, the Orlando, Florida band Death was loud, fast, and brutal—everything a good metalhead wants in music. Unfortunately, the death metal pioneers only lasted until 1998, when Schuldiner formed a new group, Control Denied, before his death in 2001 from brain cancer at age 34.

In Santa Cruz, they have inspired one of the unlikeliest of cover bands: Zombie Ritual, which plays songs by the legendary metal band.

“We never got to see Death, because we’re not old enough,” Hartshauser says. “And it’s hard to find bands that play exclusively your favorite music.”

“So now we get to emulate our favorite songs,” says bassist, Alex Smisko. “And that makes it extra fun.”

The idea came together in April 2016 after Hartshauser went on a two-week Death listening bender. His previous band Fountain of Bile was coming to an end and the hesher was looking to start something new. He asked a friend if he could learn Schuldiner’s riffs on guitar.

“He said there was no way he could play those songs,” he remembers. “But he said his roommate knew every song ever written.”

“That’s only a small exaggeration,” laughs guitarist Greg Gunterson, who was also itching for a new project.

With the inclusion of Smisko and drummer Brett Weiser, Zombie Ritual—the name taken from the second song off Death’s first album, Scream Bloody Gore—was born. I’ve been to several of their shows, and every time two things are guaranteed: there will be more people than the last show, and everyone goes nuts.

“One of the best things about Death is that it’s not your usual horror music,” explains Hartshauser. “It deals with things everyone can relate to. Like the album Human deals with the human condition and how we have to deal with the outside world on our own.”

And while anyone who knows metal will immediately recognize what Zombie Ritual is serving up, the band adds their own touches, too.

“I try to play note for note as it was recorded,” Gunterson says. “But there are some things even Death couldn’t pull off live.”

INFO: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $5. 423-7117.

Where Locals Are Shooting AR-15s

Local News

Mat Weir

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April 25, 2018

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With a 30-round magazine capacity, AR-15 rifles have been at the center of most debates on gun control in this country. The National Rifle Association estimates that the U.S. is home to more than 8 million of these weapons and their variations, even suggesting that the popular weapon’s initials might as well stand for “America’s Rifle.” In fact, AR stands for “ArmaLite Rifle,” named after the original manufacturer. Today, it’s a blanket term for a style of semi-automatic weapon, with many gun manufacturers building their own models.

AR-15-style rifles have been responsible for six of the country’s 10 deadliest mass shootings since 1966, including one at a Florida high school in February that prompted high schoolers around the country to march out of class to support stricter gun laws.

Given such controversy, it came as a surprise to Aptos resident and activist Denise Elerick that the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) offers a chance to fire the weapon via its Citizen Police Academy. “I don’t think it’s a healthy activity to promote in our community,” she says.

Since 1998, SCPD’s educational community program has been a way for residents to briefly experience the world of local law enforcement. For two hours a week over the course of 10 weeks, participants learn to investigate, speak with judges, maneuver in tactical gear, and, yes, go through firearm training at the police range. But Deputy Chief Rick Martinez says the gun firing doesn’t come from a place of machismo. Volunteers, Martinez explains, do receive “an orientation on the weapon, and then a chance to see its limitations so they know what the capabilities of their police are.”

“It’s really about transparency,” he adds.

The firearm portion of the course, he underlines, only covers four of the 20 total hours and is completely voluntary. Many decide to opt out. He also says the inclusion of the AR-15 is relatively new following the trend of police-issued AR-15 weapons.

Although the weapon gets checked out by officers daily, Martinez says it normally stays in a locked box inside a police vehicle, which is explained in the Citizen Academy course.

Still, Elerick worries that letting a local program grant access to AR-15 weapons could have unintended consequences: “If they don’t want the community owning rifles—or are afraid of someone in a mental health crisis taking their frustration out on law enforcement—then why do they want to put one in a person’s hands even for an hour?”

Martinez says the question gets answered in the course. Participants are discouraged against purchasing firearms and taught the extensive dangers surrounding gun ownership in the home. Each attendee is fingerprinted and passes a background check before they’re allowed to take the class.

“Unfortunately, for law enforcement this nation was built on the gun,” he responds. “And we’re still dealing with the byproduct of that to this day.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

GOOD IDEA

GOOD WORK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Sydney Zentall

Santa Cruz

Retired Professor/Artist

John Smith

Santa Cruz

Retired

Rena Dubin

Santa Cruz

Homeschool Teacher/Mom

Annie Boheler

Santa Cruz

Horse Trainer

Michelle Abodeely

Santa Cruz

Mental Health Therapist

Malabar Trading Company

FINAL PORTRAIT

Green Fix

67th Annual Mineral, Gem, Fossil and Jewelry Show

Art Seen

West Side Story

Sunday 4/29

‘Trading Gifts’ By the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival

Saturday 4/28

International Jazz Day

Through Thursday 5/3

Reel Work 2018

MISS TESS & THE TALKBACKS

KEVIN BRENNAN & WAVELENGTH

FACE TO FACE

LYRICS BORN

ERIC ANDERSEN

LINSEY AITKEN & KEN CAMPBELL

PROF

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX

TERENCE BLANCHARD’S E-COLLECTIVE

IN THE QUEUE