Having each lived twice in both China and Santa Cruz, husband and wife team Stacy Liu and Yunteng Li recently came back into town and opened Noodle Time. Born and raised in China, they initially moved here and lived for 20 years while owning a local restaurant.
Liu says when they decided to close, they soon found themselves wanting a return to the industry. But first, they moved back to China for two years to perfect their passions, Liu’s for boba tea and Li’s for making handmade noodles.
Now they are back in Santa Cruz and showcasing their cuisine at Noodle Time in what Liu describes as an ideal high-traffic location on Ocean Street. She says the design is simple, clean and casual with a half-open kitchen and a menu full of Asian favorites with strong Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese influences.
A+ apps are the juicy popcorn chicken with salt, pepper and basil and Liu’s personal favorite, the chargrilled chicken and beef skewers with red pepper cumin seasoning.
A noodle favorite is pho with long-cooked beef broth base complemented by rare steak, braised brisket, beef tendon, meatball and usual accoutrements. Another is the braised beef noodle soup with handmade wheat noodle, baby bok choy and chopped scallion, as well as the housemade chow mien.
Drink offerings include hand-punched lemon lime tea, slushies and signature boba teas like the tiger’s milk, with fresh taro and hand-mashed purple potato.
Spill the tea on your boba.
STACY LIU: When I went back to China to learn how to make boba tea, I was inspired because me and my family love it and I wanted to learn how to make it healthier. Other places often use a powder instead of real milk, but here I use organic milk and real fruit. I just really love boba and it’s very popular right now too, so it’s fun to offer an authentic preparation.
What makes your noodles special?
All we use is water, egg, salt and high-gluten flour. This is how my husband was taught to make the noodles in China. There are no preservatives, and all the noodles are made fresh from scratch every day. The texture of them is very chewy and rich; they have a nice nutty flavor and also take on the flavors of each dish’s other ingredients.
With co-president Elon Musk, or whatever his title is, championing the power of the hallucinogenic drug ketamine, we were very curious about its possible positive and negative effects. Writer Lucille Tepperman volunteered to try the drug in a controlled setting and gave us her impressions.
The good news is that there are professionals trained in guiding people on their trips of discovery here in Santa Cruz, unlike the old days when people simply dropped LSD and other drugs for fun and frenzy. In fact, one of the first group trip festivals—called the Acid Tests—was conducted at the Soquel grange hall, according to Tom Wolfe’s book, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Music was provided by the band of rogues now known as the Grateful Dead.
Tepperman’s guides at Innate Integrative Medicine told her the experience is part of becoming “unstuck from circular repetitive thinking and releasing old patterns so that other voices can be heard,” which sounds like an important therapy for people feeling stuck in bad habits.
Have you tried it? Will you try it? We’d love to hear about your experiences and share them with our readers.
Ever wonder about that haunted-looking house off Highway 1’s Riverside exit? Todd Guild updates us on the Redman-Hirahara house and what’s going to happen to it next.
Looking into the possible futures of Shakespeare’s minor characters has been a hobby for modern writers. (Remember Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead?) Cabrillo Theater brings to life another player from Hamlet, Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, who found the Danish royal family dead at his feet and Hamlet’s close friend Horatio offering him the crown. Playwright Lee Blessing answered that question in his 1992 comedy, Fortinbras, which opens at Cabrillo’s theater April 11 and is covered in a feature by Mathew Chipman.
It says so much about William Shakespeare that centuries later playwrights are still speculating on his characters and bringing them back to life with humor. We need a new one about Lady Macbeth turning up in the White House.
We are saddened by the death of the great soul, jazz and gospel singer Tammi Brown Saturday of ovarian cancer, which she had fought off for some time. She was chosen as the County’s Artist of the Year in 2024. More details to come.
Don’t forget to pick up our Best of Santa Cruz magazine out this week! It’s a must.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
SIGN O’ THE TIMES This hand-painted sign was spotted Saturday outside the courthouse during the “Hands Off” protest. Art by Maureen McConnell. Photograph by John Koenig
GOOD IDEA
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement after two Senate Republicans broke with President Trump to support his amendment reiterating the importance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its role in providing nonpartisan disaster relief to disaster survivors in all states, territories, and Tribal nations.
Padilla forced this amendment vote in response to Trump Administration proposals to eliminate FEMA and condition wildfire aid on their political demands. Following a 48-51 vote, the amendment was not adopted.
GOOD WORK
The Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project has reached the milestone of the Building Permit being substantially complete and is preparing to break ground in June 2025.
The project received a $55.1 million tax credit award through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and a $55.6 million bond award through the California Debt Allocation Committee. The Farmers’ Market will relocate to Lot 16, on Cedar Street between Church and Center streets, by early May as part of this project.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The ‘evidence’ against Abrego Garcia consisted of nothing more than his Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie.”
District Judge Paula Xinis on a mistakenly deported and jailed immigrant
The Trump administration’s proposal to reconsider the EPA’s endangerment finding is reckless, anti-science, and a huge step backward for climate action. This decision isn’t just about politics—it puts our health, environment and future on the line.
The endangerment finding, established in 2009, is based on clear scientific evidence that greenhouse gases harm public health and the planet. It’s been the legal backbone for policies that reduce emissions from cars, power plants and industry. Without it, we lose a key tool for fighting climate change—and that’s exactly what polluters want.
The reality is that climate change isn’t some distant threat. It’s here. We’re seeing record-breaking heat, wildfires, floods and hurricanes that devastate communities. Our state is not immune from these catastrophes and the Trump Administration’s actions would reverse progress. Gutting this policy ignores science and common sense at a time when we need stronger action, not more rollbacks.
This also sends a terrible message to the rest of the world. While other countries are working toward clean energy solutions, the U.S. risks becoming a climate laggard instead of a leader.
We can’t let this happen. We need to push back against this dangerous move and demand real climate solutions. The health of our planet—and future generations—depends on it. The EPA should scrap its plan to undo this regulation and maintain the rules that are protecting all of us and the air and water we rely on.
Richard Gallo | Santa Cruz
GUTTING EQUALITY, DIVERSITY
As you know, our current president is eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs that are intended to have the federal workforce represent ALL of us. He believes that nonwhite men and/or females hired under these programs to be incompetent.
You may remember that during Mr. Trump’s first term, despite his claim to hire “only the best people,” his main criterion for Cabinet appointments was not their competence, but their loyalty to him. This is called nepotism, a form of corruption, and resulted in numerous Department of Justice investigations and subsequent resignations. Seven of those disgraced hires come to mind: Secretaries of the Interior (Zinke), Transportation (Chao), Labor (Acosta) Energy (Perry), EPA (Pruitt), HHS (Price), and VA (Wilkie). Government scandal and corruption on this scale is unique in US history.
Mr. Trump is doing it again. The incompetence of his Cabinet secretaries is becoming obvious. As usual, when they screw up, Mr. Trump first claims to know nothing about it and then vilifies and fires them. The buck stops nowhere.
Lester Estate produces superb wines, and their vast property is absolutely stunning—with lush grapevines yielding some of the best fruit in the area.
Their top-notch winemakers produce outstanding elixirs, and winemaker John Benedetti’s 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($32) is simply gorgeous. “This vintage glows with an alluring copper-tinged blush,” Benedetti says. “And the wine’s juicy wild strawberry, watermelon and guava intertwine with bright citrus notes on the palate.”
Sante Arcangeli is Benedetti’s own label, with a tasting room in Aptos Village—where his splendid wines await you.
In August 2026, winery proprietors Steve and Lori Johnson will lead a seven-night river cruise in France, pouring Lester’s superb wines on board while stopping at beautiful towns such as Arles and Avignon. Contact Margaret Miner at Dream Vacations for info: mm****@************ns.com.
Lester Estate Wines, 2000 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, 831-728-3793. Lesterestatewines.com
Carmel Culinary Week
Treat yourselves to mouthwatering events during the delicious Carmel Culinary Week. Locals and visitors are invited to the one-square-mile village of renowned cafes, restaurants and wine-tasting rooms to enjoy an abundance of culinary experiences. The events include: Party in the Plaza; Culinary Showdown at Carmel Farmers Market; La Dolce Vita on Dolores Street; Soirée-by-the-Sea; Boho Bites & Beats. Carmel Culinary week is from May 30 to June 7. For more info and tickets, visit carmelculinaryweek.com
Activated You
A good morning boost of prebiotics, probiotics and green superfoods comes from a Santa Monica company called ActivatedYou. Their Morning Complete Mixed Berry dietary supplement has a bright freshness, and comes with energy nutrients such as leafy greens. It’s a healthy way to start your day. To check out their other products and to order online, visit activatedyou.com
A friend recently mentioned that her partner always seems to be getting sick. I asked if it might be diet-related. “He gets plenty of protein,” she said with a shrug, “so maybe he just has a weak immune system?”
But knowing that most Americans are severely fiber deficient, I asked whether whole fruits and vegetables ever appeared on his plate. Turns out, not so much.
Later I sent her an article from Harvard Medical School explaining that the microbiome is immunity central, and fiber is its favorite food. A diet rich in fiber is key to a strong immune system. New research suggests that eating more fiber in our diet will support the growth of good bacteria and significantly reduce the risk of illness.
But I also knew that no matter how solid the science, cultural trends are more powerful. The protein obsession has been deeply ingrained. The U.S. protein supplements market size is calculated at $11.36 billion in 2025.
Now, let me be clear: I’m not anti-protein. I just know the “not getting enough protein” panic is mostly manufactured. Here’s a recent quote from the Mayo Clinic: “Contrary to all the hype that everyone needs more protein, most people in the U.S. meet or exceed their needs. This is especially true for males ages 19-59. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 indicates that men in that age range exceed their protein recommendations, especially from meat, poultry and eggs.”
And the side effects of this obsession are actually more problematic than the so-called risk of deficiency.
If you look past the screaming headlines, you’ll see that most Americans not only meet but exceed their daily protein needs—without even trying. According to UN data, Americans rank close to the top in terms of meat consumption.
Meanwhile, fiber—the unsung hero of gut health and immunity—is in dangerously short supply. Only 5% of the population meets the recommended intake. And the consequences? Weakened immune systems, chronic inflammation, and higher risks of everything from heart disease to digestive disorders.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, especially not here in Santa Cruz County, where Cabrillo College Extension offers a variety of classes to help you boost your fiber intake, prepare simple Mediterranean style meals and create your own plant-based protein favorites.
With summer right around the corner, several local wellness guides are finding new ways to correct the protein-fiber equation through user-friendly information. Talya Lutzker is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner, health and lifestyle expert, and the author of four cookbooks, including The Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen. Lutzker has delighted students with her fun approach to food, health and cooking for more than 20 years.
Lutzker’s upcoming workshops at Cabrillo College Extension cover topics from burgers to chocolate, including Super Nourishing Veggie Burgers, which comes with this invitation: “Stretch your burger imagination as you learn to prepare mouth-watering options like Black Bean & Oat Burgers, Portobello Mushroom Burgers, and Chickpea Burgers with Pickled Cucumber and Onion.”
Looking for more ways to get inspired in the kitchen? Join Zoë Chertov for Vegetarian Meal Prep in Cabrillo’s professional kitchen and learn to plan and prepare vegetarian entrées, hearty salads, and tasty grab-and-go snacks, and leave with prepped meals for the week. You’ll create connections with fellow foodies while learning ways to save time on shopping and cooking during your busy week.
Finally I have to mention the Mediterranean Makeover Workshop led by yours truly, designed to help you discover how to transform your plate with plant-based Italian food. And since tasting is believing, there will be plenty of time for savoring a range of Mediterranean-style foods.
If, like my friend’s partner, you’re all in on the protein craze but constantly getting sick, I invite you to take a closer look at your fiber intake.
Cabrillo College Extension is located at 6500 Soquel Drive, Bldg 2100A, Aptos. Find a class catalog at extension.cabrillo.edu.
What would you tell the powers that be to keep their ‘hands off!’ of?
JEANNE
All the agencies. I feel appalled about the firings—those doing medical research at NIH, & at USAID, the VA, NPS, Education, Medicare & Social Security! Also, the disregard for the rule of law. Turning our back on Ukraine and our Western Allies and empowering Russia is criminal. I’m very worried about the accumulation of power in the executive branch, with very little to check him. He’s following a playbook towards autocracy.
Jeanne Sofen, Artist
HELENA
The things that I’d say “Hands Off” about big time are our bodies and our national parks—I’m working at REI, so that explains that one. It’s just all overwhelming, and unprecedentedly frightening.
Helena Powell, 73, Graphic Artist
BO
Immigrant rights and fair elections. Racism and White supremacy too, but that’s not a “hands off” topic.
Bo Morgan, 44, Engineer
DYLAN
National Parks. Immigrant rights. Social Security.
Dylan Renfrow, 19, Student
JUSTIN
Due process and “Hands Off” my Democracy.
Justin Wilcox, 43, Author
STEFFAN
I think Trump is not for the Constitution in a big way—and I’m on Social Security, so that’s a big concern for me.
Loved ones of the two men whose bodies were found in a pickup truck in the Santa Cruz Mountains on March 27 are calling for justice after the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office released their names and cause of death.
Colter White, 54, and Sean Pfeffer, 45, were both from Boulder Creek. The two friends’ bodies were found at a mountain ridge turnout along Skyline Boulevard.
Nicki Dorris, Pfeffer’s sister, called her younger brother a loving father who was loyal to his friends and family.
“I just want to know what happened,” she said. “I want justice for whoever did this to him.”
April 1 would have been Pfeffer’s 46th birthday.
March 31 would have been White’s 54th birthday.
California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the double homicide, declined to discuss any details of the case, such as suspects, a murder weapon, or where or when the actual killings occurred.
In a March 26 report, the coroner classified the incident as a double homicide.
Pfeffer was killed by a “gunshot wound of the left chest,” while White was killed by “gunshot wounds of torso and left upper and lower extremities,” according to medical examiner records.
A small roadside memorial—with photos, candles and flowers—appeared at the Highway 35 turnout where the truck and bodies were discovered.
Because the crime scene was next to a state route, CHP detectives are investigating the case.
Investigators have released few details about the killings. Information about the victims has been compiled from families, friends, court records, newspaper archives and social media.
The CHP would not comment on the Facebook post or any other aspect of the case.
“The investigation is active and ongoing,” Sgt. Andrew Barclay, a spokesperson for CHP’s Golden Gate Division. “Based on what we know at this time, there doesn’t appear to be any danger to the public.”
Dorris said she is devastated by the sudden loss of the “baby brother” she grew up with in Gilroy. “I just want to find his killer—or killers,” she said.
Pfeffer’s friend, Colter White, was a local celebrity 16 years ago, gaining fans and publicity for apparently turning his life around following years of run-ins with the law.
Hundreds marched to support his release from the Santa Cruz County Jail in October 2009 where he was serving a month for parole violation. He was freed, and the violation dismissed, thanks in part to letters of recommendation from then-Cabrillo College President Brian King and politician Fred Keeley—now mayor of Santa Cruz—and hundreds of students and faculty.
At the time, he’d spent most of his adult life in trouble with the law, and had been in prison for battery with great bodily injury during a bar fight. In 2004, while serving his 15-year sentence, White earned a GED and started college courses.
After his parole, White lived with relatives in Boulder Creek, worked construction and earned A’s at Cabrillo College. He transferred to Santa Clara University in 2009 and graduated with a communications degree in 2012. Two student filmmakers, SCU classmates, made a 2012 documentary film about White’s turnaround.
But in recent months he was back in trouble with the law. On Jan. 14 he pleaded not guilty to felony grand theft and five enhancements.
Dorris says she’s frustrated with the pace of the investigation.
“I don’t want this to go in the back page of the newspaper,” she said. “There’s a murderer out there.”
A sea of protesters gathered at the Santa Cruz County courthouse on Saturday in solidarity with nationwide “Hands Off” demonstrations, voicing their opposition to recent actions by the Trump administration. The size of the gathering easily surpassed that of a similar protest in February estimated at 1,000.
Demonstrators lined the sidewalk from Ocean Street to the San Lorenzo River Bridge and filled the parking lot in front of the east entrance where speakers addressed the crowd.
Other protest rallies took place in cities across the United States and Europe, organized in response to the government’s cuts and threats to social programs and numerous violations of the Constitution and rights guaranteed by law.
Unlike most recent demonstrations that have focused on single issues, the Hands Off agenda is a response to threats to the Constitution, free speech, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the rights of women, immigrants and all minorities, science research, veterans, schools and libraries, national parks and the environment, and NATO alliances.
Similar events were held in other cities around the world, highlighting the widespread discontent with the Trump administration. Organizers and participants expressed their hope that these rallies would inspire further action and bring about positive change.
Elon Musk drew as much ire as the President, with several signs depicting his now notorious stiff-arm “sieg heil” salute.
The Santa Cruz demonstration attracted an unusually diverse crowd of activists, from witches on the courthouse steps burning sage to banish negative influences to parents bringing their children to their first protest. While many signs named specific issues, like “Hands Off Medicare” and “Hands Off Free Speech,” one of the youngest in attendance, a boy of 6, held a sign that named his greatest concern—”My Future.”
Another protest, organized by Indivisible Santa Cruz, is planned for May 1.
Double, double toil and trouble Witches add their chanting voices from the courthouse steps.
Should we add Canada as a state, subtract a state, or leave things as they are?
TAYLOR
I think we should subtract a couple states, but I don’t want to be specific. Canada should Balkanize the U.S. Gary Snyder style, break it up by watershed.
Taylor Holmes, 36, Therapist
CLAUDINE
I feel like Canada is doing better than us, so why would they do it? But we could maybe get rid of Florida!
Claudine Dekker, 27, Naturalist/Outdoor Educator
MIKE
Canada joining the U.S. would be great. I imagine it being many states, one for each province. Should states subtract? Probably yes. … We can’t leave things as they are; it’s terrible—too much divisiveness.
Mike Zelazny, 60, Particle Accelerator Software Developer @ Stanford University
NATALIE
Keep things as they are. Everything I’ve heard from the Canadians is they don’t want it, so let Canada be Canada.
Natalie Potter, 21, Aquatic Department Manager @ Pet Emporium
CHRIS
Leave things the way they are. Canada was happier by themselves, just let them be. But if one of our states wants to leave, that’s their choice.
Chris Potter, 56, Santa Cruz City Worker
CINDY
I think leave it the way it is, for sure. That’s really the only choice. How can we make Canada a state? But we can get rid of Texas.
Consider this past month’s musical highlights: choral fireworks, chamber players sharing a world premiere, and the special treat of four-hand Debussy blazing with chromaticism. And ahead for April: a caffeinated evening of Bach.
On March 7, the UCSC Concert Choir showcased a seismic performance of Lou Harrison’s La Koro Sutra. With maestro Nathaniel Berman at the helm, percussion wizard William Winant led an all-star team of drum, pipe, cymbal and chime players on Harrison’s original, hand-made gamelan instruments. By the shimmering seventh and final movement of this east-west tone poem, we were all inside the Jeweled Web of Indra. An incredible sound from instruments and voices alike.
The March 16 performance by the Santa Cruz Chamber Players was everything one could want from a select ensemble of outstanding musicians that included violist Polly Malan, tenor Andrew Carter and concert master Chris Pratorius Gomez.
SMALL DELIGHTS Santa Cruz Chamber Players Polly Malan and Andrew Carter performed a number of surprises on March 16. PHOTO: Courtesy of Penny Hann
Plus it gave the packed audience one of those goosebump-producing surprises that can only happen during a live concert. A weapons-grade torrent of piano virtuosity from 24-year-old Kiko Torres Velasco had us all up on our feet after a soaring Beethoven sonata, and again when he unleashed an encore of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in B-Flat Major, Op. 23 No. 2
Velasco was joined by Pratorius Gomez on the keyboard for what remains my favorite piece of the afternoon: six songs by Debussy. Scored for four hands, these stunningly post-modern pieces worked their way through impressionism into that unique palette Debussy pioneered.
Kudos to Pratorius Gomez for brilliant programming, as well as keyboard chops with his new work, The Window Overlooking the Harbour. A dark setting for the dark poetry of Laurence Hope, the new piece harnessed Malan’s silken viola with the yearning pessimism of the vocal line. Key changes and cabaret textures held down the continuo piano line, with sudden flights up and through the other two instruments. Haunting music inflected with wit in the key of Kurt Weil emerged here and there in what feels like new territory for the Santa Cruz-based composer.
Caffeinated Cantata
This month Santa Cruz Opera Project offers a piquant charmer, J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata, The Immersive Experience, on two Sundays, April 20 and 27, plus a pay-what-you-can preview on Saturday, April 19. SCOP co-founder Lori Schulman will narrate this saucy little opera cabaret about a father’s irritation with his coffee-loving daughter.
Sheila Willey performs Bach’s caffeinated soprano role, partnered by baritone Edward Tavalin. The sprightly English adaptation provides plenty of audience engagement, including the irrepressible Diane Syrcle on…banjo! Cabrillo Stage’s Andrea Hart handles stage direction, Daniel Goldsmith directs music. Instrumentalists include Goldsmith on keyboard, Shannon D’Antonio on violin and Kristin Garbeff on cello. And stay tuned after the Cantata for some open-mic surprises.
Schulman’s potent vocals lit up the stage last week in an electrifying performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Christopher Cerrone’s The Pieces that Fall to Earth. Fresh from her bravura performance at the final Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra concert, Lori Schulman explained the concept behind the bold new Opera Project.
Lori Schulman performing with the Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra. PHOTO: Contributed
“Santa Cruz Opera Project was born out of a spontaneous, passionate conversation between co-founder Jordan Best and me after an audition,” Schulman recalls. “We spent three hours in a parking lot, bonding over our shared love of music and belief that opera should be accessible, exciting and deeply connected to the community.”
The two were committed to presenting opera “in an untraditional way.” Santa Cruz’s deep coffee culture made Bach’s Coffee Cantata a perfect fit. “It’s lighthearted, playful and centers around something most of us can relate to—our love for coffee. The piece was likely first performed in a coffeehouse in Leipzig, Germany, at the Café Zimmermann, so performing it in a real coffee shop feels like a natural choice.”
The whole point of the two-year-old Opera Project was to show that classical music could thrive in nontraditional settings. Schulman believes that “opera is simply great storytelling through music and singing. We know that many people have reasons for thinking opera isn’t for them, whether it’s because they haven’t been exposed to it or because it’s often portrayed as stuffy. Our mission is to break down the barriers that can make opera feel intimidating or exclusive, and invite new audiences into the genre.”
The April performances in a wraparound coffeehouse setting is destined to appeal to opera virgins and veterans alike. Schulman says that attendees of the Opera Project not only enjoy the experience, “but they’re now considering seeing more opera in big venues.”
Schulman’s dream is “to continue offering intimate opera experiences, which means smaller audience capacities. So we’d love to extend the run of each production so that more people can come.”
Coffee Cantata will be performed at Mariposa Coffee Bar, 1010 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets are $40; visit santacruzoperaproject.org
This is the second installment of Performance, my new column on Santa Cruz’s performing arts scene. Look for it the first Wednesday of each month. And talk to me: xt***@****io.com.
There are professionals trained in guiding people on their trips of discovery here in Santa Cruz, unlike the old days when people simply dropped LSD and other drugs for fun and frenzy.
The Trump administration’s proposal to reconsider the EPA’s endangerment finding is reckless, anti-science, and a huge step backward for climate action.
