SBM1939

1

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Honoring THE dead El Teatro Campesino gears up for Dia de los Muertos, and the public is invited P4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS P10 | GARDENING P16 | REAL ESTATE P19

Robert Eliason

4

DAY OF THE DEAD Cristal Gonzales is among the many who are participating

in El Teatro Campesino’s Dia de los Muertos art workshops.

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400

12

Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close

Located in Historic Downtown Gilroy

Editor

Erik Chalhoub Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

by out irst ar): eck. ore s of hts ped

2

2

• Steaks, Seafood & Pasta • Beautiful Ambiance • Patio Dining • Early Bird Dining • Sunday Champagne Brunch 8am • Full Service Bar / Happy Hour 3-6pm • Early Bird Dinner Specials 4-6pm • Ask About Our Banquet & Catering Services Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Line Dancing Baby Showers, Receptions Wed • 7pm FREE Lessons Open daily 8:00am for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sunday Brunch 8am-1pm 7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy • 408.842.3454 www.oldcityhall.biz

14 4

Cover Story

Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Ron Erskine, Kimberly Ewertz, Cheryl Huguenor, Laura Ness, Susan Rife, Kate Russell Advertising Account Executives

Carrie Bonato, Scott Harvey, Eileen Katis, Cynthia Runyon Design Director

Kara Brown Production Operations Manager

7

Crush

10 Calendar 12 Theater 14 Wildfire 16 Gardening 17 Home of the Week

Sean George Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz Cover photograph by:

Robert Eliason Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:

19 Real Estate

408.842.9404

3

A Play Faire Production

WEEKENDS, SEPT 14th - OCT 20th

Heroes & Villains

SEPT 28th & 29th FREE Rock Concert Series The Nickel Slots, SEPT 28th Children 12 & under FREE every weekend

NorCalRenFaire.com

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

at Casa De Fruta, Pacheco Pass, HWY 152, Hollister

3

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Robert Eliason

4

4

DEVIL MASK This mask is one

of many masks and puppets being created for El Teatro Campesino’s upcoming Dia de los Muertos celebration.

5

Bringing life to los Muertos Public helps El Teatro Campesino prepare for its annual celebration BY JENNY ARBIZU

D

ía de los Muertos has a long history of celebration in the community of San Juan Bautista.

“The community really missed it and we missed it as a production team, so we decided to commit to it this year,” she said. “So that’s where the puppet idea really came about.”

Avila said the Art Making workshop will consist of four phases, where participants will be shown how to use simple materials to create the puppet molds, how to apply paper mâché to lock it in to a shape, how to apply painting techniques, and how to bring movement—or life—to the masks and puppets.

All the while, participants will be creating three large scale Alebrije Puppets, two large Calavera Masks, paper flowers, and a large banner for the procession.

ETC General Manager Christy Sandoval said this series of workshops was designed to build upon each other, but also simultaneously allow participants to ➝ 6

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

In 1971, El Teatro Campesino brought the celebration of the Mexican holiday to the community, and has since made it a recurrent festivity for the town.

This year, from Nov. 1-3, El Teatro Campesino will celebrate the multiday holiday (which honors the lives of departed loved ones) with a weekend-long cultural festival of dance, music, teatro and community.

But as with any festivity, much preparation is needed—and many hands make light work.

“We wanted to bring people together to create art,” said ETC company member, Cristal G. Avila.

Avila has organized and is

directing ETC’s Free Art Making Workshop, made public at the playhouse throughout the months of September and October. Participants will be creating the large masks and puppets that will be used during the Día de los Muertos events on Nov. 2.

“These puppets are the ones that are going to make their way through the procession,” Avila said.

“Since Día le los Muertos is always such a beautiful event and it’s celebrated by so many people, this is a way to include more people in this process…even if some of them can’t partake in it the day of.”

Avila said the Dia de los Muertos procession has existed off and on throughout ETC’s history, only absent when staff has been called to other projects. Last year, for instance, many of the staff were located at a Los Angeles event.

5

JUMP HEADER

00

EL TEATRO CAMPESINO

5

Modern Medicine, Compassionate Care

Call now to schedule your appointment for a mammogram for only

then press Robert Eliason

PREP WORK Myra and Allison Sandoval-West craft a skull and hat out of paper mâché.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

You need a physicians order to schedule your screening mammogram. If you don’t have a physician, you can make an appointment at one of our community health centers for your clinical breast exam and mammogram referral for if you pay at the time of your visit. only

6

911 Sunset Drive, Hollister ▪ (831) 637-5711 ▪ hazelhawkins.com

experience complete sessions if only able to attend once.

“So depending on how often participants join us, they will engage in at least one of these phases in the process,” Sandoval said.

The puppets and masks will be displayed at the Día de los Muertos procession on Nov. 2, where live music and “a couple of other extra surprises” will take place, Avila said.

Sandoval mentioned this year’s procession will pay tribute to ETC by replicating the style of its early performances.

“On the flat beds of trucks, a mobile stage [was] created that the audience then [followed] behind,” she said.

It will follow a route of various stops in downtown San Juan Bautista, eventually bringing everyone back to the playhouse.

There, guests will find many of the lobby spaces at ETC will be transformed into galleries of traditional

altars commemorating the dearly departed.

They will also find entertainment taking place over the weekend, specifically with daily performances by the Watsonville Folklorico Dance Troupe, Esperanza del Valle ( “the anchor” of the weekend, according to Sandoval).

Sandoval encourages people to partake in their workshops, and hopefully catch a glimpse of El Teatro Campesino’s approach to theater. Many people who do, often return for future workshops—such as participant Rocio Rojos.

Rojos, who has attended past workshops, also attended the first two workshops of this series, and plans to return for the last ones.

“I got my daughter interested in Teatro about four years ago with Día de los Muertos,” said Rojos, who herself was a member of the playhouse in the 1990s. “This workshop is really cool, learning how to do puppets and the process. ➝ 8

7

O& A

OUT & ABOUT

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

VERTIGO DAY A day dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Vertigo, returns to San Juan Bautista for the seventh year. Attendees will see filming locations on a guided tour of San Juan Bautista State Historic Park and the town’s famous church. Vertigo, newly re-digitized, will be screened on the Plaza Lawn. The tour is set for 3-4:30pm for $15, followed by the lecture for $10, and finishing with the free screening around 8:10pm. Saturday, Sep. 28 at 19 Franklin St. For tickets and information, call 831.623.4881.

MONTEREY

MONTEREY JAZZ More than 500 jazz artists will perform nonstop on eight stages for three nights and two days at the 62nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Enjoy films, conversations with festival stars, exhibitions, food and beverages, live jazz entertainment and more. Friday-Sunday, Sep. 27-29 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2000 Fairground Road. For information, artist lineups, tickets and more, visit montereyjazzfestival.org.

HOLLISTER

SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL Swank Farms presents its all-new Sunflower Festival. The festival celebrates autumn with family-friendly activities including U-Pick Sunflowers in the giant sunflower field, a pumpkin patch and corn mazes. The event also includes pig races, a cow train, jumping pillows, mountain slide, photo opportunities and more. Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 28-29, 10am-6pm each day at Swank Farms, 4751 Pacheco Pass Highway. For information and tickets, visit swankfarms.com.

AROMAS

The Bills, a Canadian acoustic music supergroup of folk, roots, jazz, classical and world music, return to Aromas. Light snacks and finger foods will be available for sale as well as premium beers and wines, coffee, tea and juice drinks.

This concert will be a benefit for the 106-year-old Aromas Community Grange Hall. Saturday, Sep. 28, 6-9pm at Aromas Community Grange, 400 Rose Ave. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/y392eck9.

CLASSIC THRILLER A day devoted to Alfred Hitchcock’s famous film Vertigo is set for Sep. 28.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

ACOUSTIC CONCERT

7

8

EL TEATRO CAMPESINO

6

Food for the

Holidays

Alexis Winder Financial Advisor

Diana Brenneise Financial Advisor

Made Easy!

615 San Benito St. Suite C Hollister 831-634-0694

8060 Santa Teresa Blvd.

Suite 140 Gilroy 408-846-7748

Call 408.767.2868 cafe152@charter.net Food for the How many from 10 to 100 Tell Us We’ll work with your budget MADE

Holidays

CATERING EASY! Made Easy!

Drop Off Free in Gilroy On Site at Cafe 152 Bread Co.

Call cafe152@charter.net

408.767.2868 Here are some ideas!

Assorted Gourmet Sandwiches How many from 10 to 100

Robert Eliason

Enjoy

FOCUS Samuel Torres works on a paper mâché dragon for Dia de los Muertos.

Tell Us

Mini SandwichesWe’ll work with your budget Variety of Market Salads Drop Off Free in Gilroy

Enjoy

Site at Cafe 152 Bread Co. Audrey’s FinestOn Chocolate Chip Cookies and many other Desserts Here are some ideas!

Here are some ideas!

Exceptional Breakfast • Assorted gourmetAssorted sandwiches Gourmet Goodies • Mini sandwiches Sandwiches

Pastries and Coffee • Variety of market salads

Mini Sandwiches

Fall Bites • Harvest ChocolateSmall chip cookies Variety of Market Salads Menu • Exceptional breakfast goodies SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Audrey’s Finest Chocolate

8

• Pastries and coffee Sliders - Burger BarChip Cookies and many • Burger sliders other Desserts Buffet Dinner for drop off • Buffet dinner for drop off Exceptional Breakfast Appetizer Party at • Appetizer party atGoodies Cafe 152 - BYOW

Cafe 152 Bread Co. BYOW Pastries and Coffee

Office parties and events

408.767.2868

Catering

Fall Harvest Small Bites Menu Sliders - Burger Bar Buffet Dinner for drop off Appetizer Party at Cafe 152 Bread Co. BYOW

408.767.2868 • cafe152@charter.net

‘You’re making something out of nothing,’ Cristal tells the adults and kids. You step back and you’re like, ‘oh wow, it’s starting to shape into something.’ These puppets take life; take form. So it’s going to be neat seeing all these puppets that are being made out there.”

The Día de los Muertos Free Art Making Workshops will be held at El Teatro Campesino, 705 Fourth St. in San Juan Bautista.

Phase One, “Intro to Mask & Puppets, Design & Mold Creation,” was held on Sept. 16, 17 and 22. Phase Two, “Adding Paper Mache layers,” was held Sept. 23, 24, and will continue on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to

12:30 p.m. Phase Three, “Painting & Techniques,” will be held on Sept.

30, Oct. 1 and 3 from 5-8 p.m. and on Oct. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Phase Four, “Movement,” will take place Oct. 8 and 9 from 5-8 p.m.

An Altar Making Workshop will also take place on Oct. 24 (time is yet to be determined).

All ages are welcomed, and the public is encouraged to sign up for more than one workshop. Spaces are limited; email Cristal G. Avila to RSVP at gonzalezcris1987@gmail.com.

For updates/more information, visit www.facebook.com/elteatrocampesino or www.elteatrocampesino.com.

9

Your Family Deserves The

BEST

Technology...

Value...

TV!...

Add High Speed Internet

190 Channels America’s Top 120

/mo.

Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately.

FREE Standard Installation

• Watch and record 16 shows at once • Get built-in Netflix and YouTube • Watch TV on your mobile devices

in up to 6 rooms

Hopper upgrade fee $5/mo. Netflix subscription required.

CALL TODAY Save 20%!

Offer ends 11/13/19.

Smart HD-DVR Included!

Where available.

1-855-993-2335

Savings with 2 year price guarantee with AT120 starting at $59.99 compared to everyday price. All offers require credit qualification, 2 year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/ Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey $10/mo.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Upgrade to the Hopper® 3 Smart HD DVR

9

10

O& A CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

COUNTY FAIR

10

The 96th San Benito County Fair, themed “Sew it, Grow it, Show it,” features exhibits entered by county residents in categories including agriculture, floriculture, home arts, photography and fine arts, as well as livestock auctions, judging and shows. Live entertainment, motorsports, County Fair Brew Reveal, Beer Stroll and wine tasting are also featured, as well as a carnival, antique car show and more. Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 3-6 at Bolado Park Event Center, San Benito County Fairgrounds, 9000 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos. For complete fair schedule, tickets and information, visit sanbenitocountyfair.com.

HOLLISTER INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING Costanoan Indian Research, Inc. presents the 23rd annual

Storytelling and Indigenous Gathering in Indian Canyon, featuring a day of traditional California and other Indigenous people’s storytelling, music and

native dance and artists at this family event. Entry by donation, $20 adults, $10 students and under 10 years free. Saturday, Sep. 28, 1-4pm at Indian Canyon, 1 Indian Canyon Road, Hollister.

Runners, allies and supporters may start the day at 7:30am at Mission Plaza Square of Mission San Juan Bautista for stretch, prayer circle and the Prayer Run to Indian Canyon. For information, visit indiancanyonlife.org/ storytelling or call 408.673.0626.

NIGHT OF MUSIC Hollister Dual Language Academy will present its seventh annual “HDLA Presents… Una Noche de Musica.”

Guests will experience an evening

of music by DJ Tomas and the Vinny Johnson Band along with dinner, drinks, dancing and a silent auction. This event is for ages 21 and over and benefits the students of the Hollister Dual Language Academy. Saturday, Sep. 28, 5-10pm at Leal Vineyards and Winery, 300 Maranatha Drive.

For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/yyrqzekr.

BULKY RECYCLING San Benito residents are invited to take part in the Free Bulky Item Recycling Event presented by San Benito County Integrated Waste Management. The John Smith Road Landfill will be accepting residents’ bulky items for free.

11

San Benito County Arts Council

ART SHOW

San Benito Arts Council’s First Responder Art Show will celebrate the work of local fire and law enforcement. The collection of work features individual pieces and collaborative projects created by first responders from Hollister Fire Department, Hollister Police Department and local Cal Fire. Proceeds will benefit health and peer support for first responders. Friday, Sep. 27, 5-7pm and view the exhibit through Oct. 4 at the ARTspace ANNEX, 217 Fifth St., Hollister. For information, call 831.636.2787..

Limited to residents only, and participants are limited to two bulky items per event. Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 28 and 29, 9am-3pm at John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road.

For information, visit cosb.us/ county-departments/iwm.

The Hollister Hills SVRA Geocache Bash returns with a family-friendly event created for those who love geocaching and have a 4x4 interest at heart. The event includes geocaching, a free lunch and a raffle. With the addition of Mudstone Ranch individuals without a 4x4 vehicle will have a designated area to hunt for caches via hiking or bicycle. The bash will be held on Saturday, Sep. 28, 8am-2:30pm at Hollister Hills SVRA Area 5, 7800 Cienega Road, Hollister. For information, visit tinyurl.com/cvmepc.

For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/y3copnom.

Gonzalez at gonzalezcris1987@ gmail.com.

Library, 350 W. Sixth St. For information, visit sccl.org.

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

GILROY

JAZZ CELEBRATION Jazz @ Gavilan, Celebrating 100 Years, features the Dahveed Behroozi Group, Michelle Pollace Group and Vardan Ovsepian’s VOCE Ensemble. Saturday, Sep. 28, 7-10pm at Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.

For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/y2gwquyq.

COMMUNITY ART El Teatro Campesino is presenting a series of free community art-making workshops in preparation for its Dia de los Muertos Celebrations.

The community is invited to create large masks, puppets, banners and paper flowers for use in the Nov. 2 festivities. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Multiple sessions are offered through Wednesday, Oct. 9. Spaces are limited. For information and session times, visit tinyurl.com/ y2jk65c5. To RSVP, email Cristal

HISPANIC HERITAGE A Family Fiesta de Musica and Arts and Crafts for Kids at Gilroy Library will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. The event includes a free concert celebrating Mexican history and culture featuring Juan L. Sanchez, singer/songwriter, educator and artistic director of the Juan L. Sanchez Ensemble.

Following the performance join the kids’ arts and crafts program to make a Hispanic Heritage craft; all supplies will be provided. Saturday, Sep. 28, 11am-noon performance and crafts noon-2pm at Gilroy

MORGAN HILL FAMILY FESTIVAL The Taste of Morgan Hill festival features a variety of arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, food, children’s activities, local wines and craft ➝ 13 beers. Also featured is the

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

HARVEST DINNER Attendees will enjoy a five-course meal celebrating San Benito County’s Fall Harvest with chefs Mike Fisher of Fisher’s and Becky Herbert of Farmhouse Cafe. The meal features locally sourced produce and meat in each course.

Appetizers will be served, and guests will be able to purchase beer and wine at the bar. Sunday, Sep. 29, 4:30-8pm at Fisher’s Restaurant, 650 San Benito St.

GEOCACHE BASH

11

12

THEATER

Controlling destiny

Chris Foster

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

FIGHTING NATURE Jillian Puente (left) as the Fairy Godmother and Riley Brown as Cinderella star in South Valley Civic Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

12

Youth take charge in South Valley Civic Theatre’s Cinderella

By SUSAN L. RIFE

R

iley Brown has gotten a little tired of playing boys in community theater productions, from the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz to Jack in Into the Woods. So she’s thrilled to be able to get her princess on as the title character in South Valley Civic Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

She auditioned to play either Cinderella or the Fairy Godmother in the classic fairy tale about a young girl who is tormented by a wicked stepmother and haughty stepsisters until she meets a Fairy Godmother who shows her other possibilities.

“I will do this show; I just want to be a girl,” the 13-year-old said in an interview with other cast members, director Daniel McDonald and producer Ingrid Rottman last week before rehearsal.

The show opens Oct. 5 for a four-weekend run at the Morgan Hill Playhouse.

Brown, a big reader of princess stories, said she “loved the characters who were wanting to be princesses,” especially those who were growing into “more extended versions of themselves.”

McDonald, directing and choreographing the show, said it’s particularly near and dear to him because it was the first show he

saw on Broadway. The Rodgers and Hammerstein version is not the familiar Disney animated version; it includes such songs as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” “I think the show brings a lot of magic,” he said.

And, he added, its heroine is not a fragile little flower, but a resilient girl taking control of her own destiny. No waiting around for a handsome prince to rescue her from her cruel stepmother and stepsisters.

“The way we’re doing the show, Cinderella is not passive,” he said.

“I think I see that fighting nature in Riley. I think she knows what she wants and knows how to get there.”

“This is a Cinderella who’s going to be able to take care of herself,” said Rottman, who was last seen as Mama Rose in SVCT’s production of Gypsy.

Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother is played by Jillian Puente, also 13.

She sees the role as more like a big sister or aunt to Cinderella, a role model and inspiration to the scullery maid.

“Onstage, I try to see how far I can push her” to take control of her circumstances, said Puente.

Rottman said she “couldn’t ask for a better group of kids,” and praised vocal director Susan McDonald, who is coaxing sounds out of her young singers so they sound like “an angels’ choir.”

Likewise, the costumes, by Kim Lynch and Adrianne Wilkinson, are several notches above what audiences might expect from a teen theater show.

“Everything’s bright colors,” Rottman said.

South Valley Civic Theatre’s production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” runs Oct. 5-26 at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Tickets range from $18$28. For information, visit www. svct.org.

13

O& A CALENDAR

11 Valley Wine Trail. Fall Passport 2019 runs through Sep. 30. For information and tickets, visit santaclarawines.com.

HEALTH FAIR Gavilan College’s annual health and resource fair is free, open to the public and offers services to anyone in the community.

This event is open to people of all ages with the opportunity to speak with representatives from local organizations. Visitors can also get confidential referrals for counseling, be tested for blood pressure, blood glucose and HIV/AIDS. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9am-1pm at the Gavilan College Student Center, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy. For information, visit gavilan.edu/events.

TINCTURE WORKSHOP

Learn to make natural tinctures with locally grown herbs at the Tincture Making Workshop at Terra Cultura. Participants will harvest, work with, and learn about the many beneficial properties of lavender, rosemary and yarrow. Also experience every step of the tincture making process and take home tinctures made and bottled in the workshop. Sunday, Sep. 29, 1-4pm at Terra Cultura, 1880 Cole Road, Aromas. For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/y4oypy86.

Classic & Custom Car Show, South Valley Quilt Association quilt show and live birds of prey, snakes and other creatures from the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center. Saturday, Sep. 28, 10am-7pm, continuing with a Street Dance from 7-9:30pm, and Sunday, Sep. 29, 10am-6pm in historic Downtown Morgan Hill.

For information, visit morganhill. org/taste-of-morgan-hill.

SPOOKY FUN Gilroy Gardens’ spooky-but-not-too-scary Halloween event is back with even more Boo. Little ones can trick or treat, sing and dance along to a live musical show or take a ride on

the Boo Train or other “spookified” rides. A Marketplace filled with Halloween treats, wine, craft beers and more fills out the event.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 27, 28 and 29, 5-10pm nightly at Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

LIVING HISTORY Attendees can meet mountain men, Civil War soldiers, Victorian ladies and more while stepping back to the early days of San Juan.

The event will include craft and cooking demonstrations as well as historic horse-drawn vehicles and Victorian furnishings. Saturday, Oct. 5, 11am-4pm at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. For information, call 831.623.4881.

FALL PASSPORT The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley will host a month of wine tasting along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail during Fall Passport 2019. Throughout the month of September, participants can meet winemakers and enjoy complimentary wine tasting, special perks and other surprises at the tasting rooms of more than 30 wineries along the Santa Clara

BREWGRASS FESTIVAL Roaring Camp Railroads presents Brewgrass Festival, featuring a lineup of bluegrass artists and many of the specialty beers from Humble Sea Brewery. The event includes outdoor performances

by Hackensaw Boys, Tim Bluhm with the Coffis Brothers and more.

Popular local food trucks will be on hand. A limited number of special VIP Brewgrass train

SALSA & CHILI The public is invited to try some homemade chili and salsa at the seventh annual Salsa and Chili Cook-Off. Attendees can vote for chili, salsa and booth decoration favorites and be a part of the People’s Choice Award. Also enjoy live musical entertainment, a horseshoe contest and more. Saturday, Oct. 5, noon-4pm at Prunedale Grange, 17890 Moro Road, Salinas. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ yxh5cvhj.

SONG & WINE The 2019 KRTY Song and Wine Series at Clos LaChance features country favorites performed by the songwriters. Seating is first come, first served; lower-back lawn chairs are encouraged and folding chairs are available. Attendees must be 21 or over; no outside alcohol allowed. Food will be available for purchase, and outside food and sealed water bottles are OK. Thursday, Oct. 9, 6-9pm at Clos LaChance Winery, 1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin.

For information, visit clos.com.

RENAISSANCE FAIRE Step back in time to Renaissance Europe and enjoy hearty ales, fine foods and handmade crafts.

Hundreds of costumed performers will roam the streets and act on five different stages. The faire includes the Tournament of Horses, Saturday Night Concert Series and themed weekends. The Northern California Renaissance Faire at Casa de Fruta will be held through Oct. 20 on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10am-6pm at 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister. For information and tickets, visit norcalrenfaire.com.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

EVENTS

CACTUS SHOW The Cactus & Succulent Society of the Monterey Bay Area invites the public to its biannual Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale. Guests are invited to judge the highlighted collections that have been entered and browse all types of cactus and succulent plants, pottery and supplies offered by vendors. Saturday, Oct. 5, 9am-5pm at the San Juan Bautista Community Hall, 10 San Jose St, San Juan Bautista. For information, visit mbsucculent.org.

packages including train ride, deluxe beer tasting on board, Brewgrass Festival tickets and more are also available. Saturday, Oct. 5, 11:30am-8:30pm at Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. For information and tickets, call 831.335.4484 or visit roaringcamp.com.

13

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE

Don’t be ‘fuelish’

FUEL BREAK While a fuel break helps firefighters control an advancing wildfire, wind-driven embers can still travel to the other side.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

00

14

14

Fuel breaks offer false sense of security

By DWIGHT GOOD

Editor’s note: This is the next installment in a series of articles on wildfire preparation.

T

here has been a lot of effort put into the creation of fuel breaks around high fire hazard communities. Fuel breaks are usually a strip of land where flammable vegetation has been removed and less hazardous vegetation has been retained or planted. Fuel breaks vary in width, ranging from 30 feet or less to more than 100 feet.

Surprising to many people, the

primary purpose of a fuel break is not necessarily to stop an oncoming fire. Typically, fuel breaks are created to improve the ability of firefighters to control an advancing wildfire. A fuel break can reduce fire intensity, provide an area to light a backfire, improve access for firefighters, and improve the effectiveness of fire retardants dropped from aircraft.

Unfortunately, fuel breaks can also provide a false sense of security. Some homeowners assume that once the fuel break is created, they are fire safe and that no further action on their part is

required. This is not true. Winddriven embers can be transported over the fuel break and ignite new fires on the other side. Homes that have not prepared for the ember threat are vulnerable despite the presence of the fuel break.

While community-level fuel breaks are important in reducing the wildfire threat, they are not enough. Homeowners must continue to do their part by creating defensible space around their home and making their properties resistant to ignition from embers.

Will your home survive when the embers arrive? Wind-driven embers ignite many of the homes destroyed by wildfire. Your home could be at risk! Make changes now to reduce the ember threat to your home. Clean out debris from under your deck, and move woodpiles away from your house.

Most people believe that wildfires ignite homes through direct contact with flames, but it is rare to have a home ignite this way. Flaming brands and embers can travel a mile or more ahead of the active front of a wildfire and up to 60 percent of wildland/urban interface home ignitions result from embers.

The Ember Aware campaign is intended to educate people on the risks of ember cast and the actions they can take to reduce those risks, to encourage residents to harden their homes against embers and/or to maintain those ember-resistant features, and to practice embersafe housekeeping and landscaping. You can learn more at www. emberaware.com Fire Marshal Dwight Good, MS, EFO, serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department, South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. For questions or comments, email Dwight.good@fire.ca.gov or call (408) 310-4654.

15

2019 SANTA CRUZ FILM FESTIVAL

www.santacruzfilmfestival.org for tickets and info

SCFF2019-poster-4-.indd 2

8/14/19 1:49 PM

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

17th Santa Cruz Festival, Oct 8–13th, 2019

15

GARDENING

Strawberry virus decline

RED BEAUTY Strawberries are easy to grow at home due to mild weather.

Multiple viruses can affect production

By KATE RUSSELL SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

0

16

16

N

o, strawberries are not declining in our area. Quite the contrary. Many residents are learning just how easy it is to grow strawberries at home, thanks to our mild winters and sunny summers.

Strawberry virus decline refers to a collection of viral diseases that may reduce or eliminate that delicious crop.

Strawberry viral diseases are odd. If only one disease appears, you won’t see any symptoms and your strawberry plants will be fine, though fruit production may be somewhat reduced. The real problem occurs when a second or third virus infects your strawberry plants. Suddenly, there’s a flurry of symptoms and little or no fruit

production. This set of conditions is called strawberry virus decline.

Most strawberry plants infected by a virus will be stunted; fruit and runner production will be reduced, and leaves may be deformed in some way. Learning to recognize the symptoms of these diseases, and following some simple preventive measures, can help keep your strawberry plants healthy and productive.

Below is a list of the viruses that make up strawberry virus decline and their symptoms: • Strawberry crinkle virus causes smaller fruit, deformed and/or streaked flower petals, and crinkled leaves. Vein spotting may also be seen, as well as lesions on petioles (leaf stems) and stolons. Infected plants may appear top heavy.

• Strawberry mild yellow edge virus causes older leaves to turn bright red, but leaves around the crown nearly always exhibit yellow margins or edges; hence the name.

These yellowed areas eventually die and turn brown. Leaf cupping may also occur.

• Strawberry mottle first appears on smaller-than-normal young leaves that may show yellow distorted areas. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe, with older leaves turning red.

• Strawberry pallidosis also causes older leaves to turn red or purple.

The roots of infected plants are brittle and show fewer rootlets.

• Strawberry vein banding appears as broken bands of yellow in leaf veins. Infected leaves are significantly smaller than those of healthy plants. The two halves of infected leaves may be held closer together than is normal, and the margins are wavier than normal. Some crinkling of the leaf surface may also occur. As the leaf opens, the bands of yellow become somewhat more obvious.

Symptoms appear more strongly in the second and third leaves, but are not likely in later growth.

These diseases are all carried by aphids, except for pallidosis, which is carried by whiteflies. These are difficult pests to control, especially because the very insecticides and insecticidal soaps used to control the pests also harm beneficial pollinators.

Prevent strawberry virus decline in your garden by installing certified disease-free plants, placing new plants in quarantine, and removing plants suspected of being infected.

Kate Russell is a UCCE Master Gardener in Santa Clara County. For information, visit mgsantaclara. ucanr.edu or call 408.282.3105 between 9:30am-12:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Be sure to stop by the Fall Garden Market on Oct. 5, 10am–3pm, at Martial Cottle Park for all of your fall planting needs.

17

HOME OF THE WEEK

GeT YouR Free Guide NOW!

Open Studios

PRESENTING SPONSOR

MAJOR SPONSOR

ARt touR 2019

SAN JUAN VIEWS This home sits on nearly five acres.

Custom home, historic locale San Juan Bautista home in gated community was recently remodeled recently remodeled and landscaped, featuring granite countertops, slate, hardwood and tile floors throughout. The master bedroom includes its own private sunroom, and the landscape is billed as low maintenance with automated irrigation.

The home is listed at $950,000 by San Benito Realty. For information, visit tinyurl.com/yyfao5pl.

5-6 North County 12-13 South County 19-20 All County houRs 11am-5pm Kelsey cerdas | Artist #32

FREE App iTunes & Google Play FREE GuidE with Good Times & at outlets countywide pREviEw Exhibits

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

T

his unique custom home overlooks the San Juan Valley and is just four miles from the historic city of San Juan Bautista.

Located at 2755 Quinn Canyon Road, the 2,550-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and two baths. The home sits in the Los Madrones Gated Community on 4.75 acres.

Built in 1989, the home was

octobER

Santa Cruz Art League | 9/28-10/20 | scal.org Public Reception | Sunday, 9/29, 3-6pm

R. Blitzer Gallery | 10/4-10/20 | rblitzergallery.com

santacruzopenstudios.com 831.475.9600 | f“ GT_set_4.34x10_4C_v1.indd 2

17 9/12/19 1:39 PM

18

Marilynn

C21

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Furtado

18

19

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

19

20