Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013 by Weeklys

High School Sports Inside Page 2

JANUARY 2013

Restaurant Feature Michael’s on Main Page 5

EVERYTHING CAPITOLA & SOQUEL

Large squid washing up By TARMO HANNULA Of Life Capitola/Soquel

This oil on canvas painting, titled "Blueberry Pie," by Aptos artist David Fleming is one of 13 of his paintings now showing in the main dining room at Michaels on Main restaurant in Soquel through February. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Life Capitola/Soquel

A shoppers exits the target store at the Capitola Mall where plastic bags are still the norm. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Life Capitola/Soquel

Plastic bag ban

Capitola moves forward on baning the bag By ROSEANN HERNANDEZ Of Life Capitola/Soquel

CAPITOLA—Capitola has moved forward on a citywide ban of single-use plastic bags, putting the city in line with existing policies in place in unincorporated areas of the county and the city of Watsonville.

Both the city of Capitola and the city of Santa Cruz — which passed its ordinance in July — will have their bans come into effect in April. The City Council unanimously approved the ordinance, which would ban plastic carrier bags at grocery stores and retail establishments. Restaurants will be exempt, after receiving a slew of public support. Save Our Shores Executive Director Laura Kasa, who, along with a group from the environmental action group, gave out more than

Michael’s on Main features local artist

By ERIK CHALHOUB Of Life Capitola/Soquel

SOQUEL — Aptos artist David Fleming currently has his oil on canvas artwork on display at Michael’s on Main in Soquel. Fleming, who has a B.S. in industrial design at San Jose State University, is a former car stylist, working for Ford in Detroit. His most notable success, he said, was designing the rear-end of a 1969 Mustang. After two years, he returned to CaliArtist on Page3

Capitola City Soquel High School Sports Round-Up Council Recap Bag Ban on Page 3

Top-ranked Capitola looks forward to solving its few problems in 2013

By GLENN CRAVENS Of Life Capitola/Soquel

By ROSEANN HERNANDEZ Of Life Capitola/Soquel

CAPITOLA—With a healthy tax base, great weather, a popular police chief and a roster of community events to keep residents engaged all year long — Capitola is sitting pretty. In the results of a recent Benchmark Study comparing Capitola with similar California cities, the beachside community achieved top marks for its financial policies, service delivery and overall Council on Page 2

from a year earlier. Kiff also had a shining moment in the Lions Bowl, as he caught a touchdown pass in the AllStar contest. Six Soquel players were named to the all-SCCAL first team. On offense, quarterback Lucas Sports on Page 2

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Soquel High’s Zoe LeRoy-Antaki tries to pass the ball to a teammate during the Knights’ game against Watsonville last month at Soquel High. LeRoy-Antaki is one of 10 seniors on the team. Photo by Glenn Cravens/Life Capitola/Soquel

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While Soquel High’s winter sports teams are in full gear, some fall sports student-athletes had an opportunity to shine in the spotlight one final time. Fabiano Hale, the do-it-all running back for the Knights’ football team, was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Most Valuable Player for the 2012 season. The award capped off a season in which he finished with 40 rushing touchdowns, most of any in Soquel High history. He also finished with 2,452 rushing yards, which was not only a new school record, but also a new Santa Cruz County single-season record. He won the MVP one year after being named the SCCAL Junior of the Year. His junior season – more than 1,300 yards and 22 touchdowns – paled in comparison to what he eventually did as a senior. In the annual Lions Bowl at Cabrillo College, he had 127 yards and one touchdown as the North Santa Cruz County All-Stars defeated their southern counterparts 24-20. Hale’s touchdown, which came in the second half, put the North Team ahead 21-0. Kevin Kiff, who went both ways on the football field, was named the SCCAL Defensive Player of the Year. Kiff, who played in the secondary at times, helped the Knights improve on defense from a year earlier. The Knights allowed 22.5 points a game in 2012, 7.5 points less per game

Monthly publication dedicated to covering everything in Capitola/Soquel, CA.

CAPITOLA — Hundreds of large Humboldt squid have been washing up on area beaches over the past few weeks, and beachgoers have reported finding the dead reddish squid at Seascape, Rio del Mar, Pleasure Point, Twin Lakes State Beach and on the west side of Santa Cruz. “The million dollar question is, no one knows why they do it,” said Baldo Marinovic, a research biologist with the Institute of Marine Science at UC Santa Cruz. “The second part of that is that they do do it. These animals are outsiders here and are not part of the ecosystem. But they have come here with warm water pulses and during El Niño in the past.” Marinovic said the squid are more common in southern California, Mexico and Central America. The last time the squids were recorded in this area was in 2010 but they abruptly vanished until now, Marinovic said. With the current new pulse of warmer water, they’re starting to show up even as far north as Oregon. “The ones that have been washing up are sub-adults and their behavior is not breeding activity,” Marinovic said. Researchers are suggesting two theories about the sudden appearance: That the squids represent a new group of juveniles who were on the move until they reached conditions they couldn’t handle so they ended up weakened and eventually beached; the second theory is that the squid were somewhat sick, maybe from toxic food such as algae blooms. “However, the few squid that have been looked at did not reveal toxin levels,” Marinovic said. “The bigger issue is that they are back now. These squid are top voracious predators and they’re going after rockfish and anchovies, which could really affect the eco-system “These animals are designed for deeper conditions,” Marinovic said. “Who knows, maybe they just made a wrong turn and messed up.” Humboldt squid are about 3-feet long, with an 18-inch body. In warmer waters to the south mature adults can reach more than six feet and weigh 30 to 40 pounds. “They are fished commercially,” Marinovic said, “but they are tougher than market squid.” The squids travel in large, extensive schools of up to several hundred. They usually congregate in vast depths during the day and come up to feed at the surface at night. They are eaten by dolphins, whales, tunas and billfish. “If you spot them at the beach you can touch them, but be cautious,” Marinovic said. “If they are dead they are harmless, but if they are alive they do have a substantial beak and cause damage. Their suckers also have tiny teeth that can rasp and tear when they grab on. Don’t let them clamp on and suck on you and don’t bring these home and cook them. They are amazing animals.”

2 - Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013

Sports

Continued from page 1

Cordoza, Matthew Sisco, David Salinas and Evan Zigman were awarded the honor. On defense, Caleb Fidiam and Elvis Plecq were given the nod. The Knights’ girls soccer team is off to another fast start as they try to make a run at the SCCAL championship. They ended their nonleague campaign 4-1, outscoring their opponents 15-6. Kendra Bonsall has been one of the firecrackers of the team, leading the squad in goals. She had two goals in their nonleague contest in December against Watsonville, the defending Monterey Bay League champions. She broke through in the first two minutes against the Wildcatz and then put the pressure on the Wildcatz all game. The girls will get to show their skills in front of their home crowd on Jan. 8 against St. Francis Central Coast Catholic. They’ll get a crack at the defending SCCAL champions, Scotts Valley, on Jan. 15. The boys soccer team had a much-improved nonleague campaign from a year ago, going 3-2-3. The Knights started the season going 3-0-3, getting victories against Scotts Valley, Cupertino and Carmel. Omar Marquez has been the catalyst,

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Life Capitola/Soquel is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without wri en consent from the publisher. Life Capitola/Soquel made every eﬀort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Life Capitola/ Soquel is a division of the Register-Pajaronian and Aptos Life. Publishing in Santa Cruz County since 1894.

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scoring seven goals so far this season for the Knights. Eduardo Covarrubias, the team’s main goalkeeper, has averaged 3.1 saves a game in nonleague play. The girls basketball team has shown early in the season it has what it takes to repeat as Central Coast Section champions. The Knights have started the season 7-1, getting wins against Los Gatos, Pacific Collegiate and North Salinas. The showdown with previously undefeated North Salinas finished in a 37-31 decision in favor of the Knights. Maddison Rocha, one of the stars of last year’s championship squad, had 12 points against the mighty Vikings. Tyler Stewart had nine points in the win. Soquel competed in the annual Sweet 16 Holiday Tournament before starting SCCAL play against Aptos and Scotts Valley. The Knights faced Santa Cruz, the team that beat them in the SCCAL tournament final last season, on Jan.8. The boys basketball team also has a winning record in nonleague play, going 5-2. Its most notable mark so far has been winning the 57th annual Emmett Thompson Memorial Dad’s Club Tournament at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. In the tournament finals, the Knights defeated Santa Cruz 48-44. Sam Walters led the squad with 15 points, and Cody Valcarcel had 14 points in the win. Valcarcel and Walters are both averaging double digits this season, with Tucker Wiget not far behind. Soquel will start league play against defending tournament champion Aptos before traveling to Scotts Valley. Santa Cruz, the team it lost to in the regular season finale, will head to the Knights’ gym on Jan. 8.

Council

Soquel High’s Fabiano Hale runs with the football during the first half of the 2012 Lions Bowl at Cabrillo College. Hale was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. Photo by Glenn Cravens/Life Capitola/Soquel

Soquel High’s Chrissie Heath battles for the ball against a Watsonville defender during the first half of their game last month at Soquel High. Heath is one of 10 seniors on the team. Photo by Glenn Cravens/Life Capitola/Soquel

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constituency satisfaction. Where Capitola did not do so well when compared with Carmel, Laguna Beach, Sausalito, Carpinteria, Pismo Beach and Scotts Valley was in the state of its roads and pavement. But it appears there is a silver lining even in that regard. Money generated from the passage of Measure O, which increases Capitola sales tax by one quarter of 1 percent, will go toward maintaining general services such as street improvements. At December’s City Council meeting, it was announced that money from the sales tax increase would go toward funding road improvements — so-called “chip and seal” — along with one public works officer (in a department that is down by four), one community service officer, as well as replenish budget reserves that took a hit from the Capitola Village flood of 2011. The city continues to deal with litigation issues resulting from the fallout from the flood as insurance companies argue over claims. Capitola Councilman Dennis Norton said overall, people like Capitola’s government; it enjoys the best tax base of all county jurisdictions, and public safety, which remains a top issue for residents, is handled by a well-thought-of and highly competent police force. Calling Capitola Police Chief Rudy Escalante the most popular person in town, Norton said Escalante was tough, commu-

nity-minded and a great communicator. Sworn in as the new police chief in April, Escalante served as Watsonville’s Deputy Police Chief for more than two-and-a-half years. Former Capitola Police Chief Mike Card retired after serving in the department since 1973. Parking continues to be an issue for the beachside community — with the City Council voting in August to convert the former Pacific Cove Mobile Home Park into a temporary municipal parking lot at a cost of $1,000,000. The lot would add approximately 240 spaces, pay stations and a public bathroom. Norton, who has been on the council for 12 years, serving as mayor for three of them, offered the only dissenting vote back in August, and believes the temporary lot would detract from moving forward on a permanent solution. A multitier parking structure in the upper Pacific Cove area, Norton believes, is the only realistic solution that will help ease congestion in the village while keeping anymore open space from being turned over to parking. “We cannot afford to pave any more land,” Norton said. Open space comes at a premium in Capitola, and during a City council candidates forum in October, Capitola residents weighed in on the issue — asking prospective candidates about dog parks and recreational spaces.

Norton said that with more than 2,000 dogs in Capitola there is a cry for a dog park in the city. Dogs are not allowed on Capitola beaches and the nearest dog park is in Aptos. Norton said the McGregor property near New Brighton State Beach, which the city currently owns, could be a possible location for a dog park. Earlier this year in March, the City Council approved a fact finding mission to determine whether the city should allow the plot to go up for bid, opening it up to a hotel development. Capitola’s famed Rispin Mansion could be a source of open space, according to Norton. Thoroughly entombed now — with fences blocking pedestrian access — the city spent $648,850 on clearing out and securing the property earlier this year. The property has been boarded up since a mysterious fire gutted the building and effectively tabled plans to turn the mansion into a hotel. Norton said the fences should be taken off, and it should be made safe and accessible for the public to enjoy — and could see in the future — a time when it could be a place to watch an outdoor movie or listen to a concert. The fate of the Capitola landmark has been in flux for years and though it remains a public concern, Norton said “we don’t have to make a decision on every property now.”

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Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013 - 3

Bag Ban

Continued from page 1

150 reusable bags at the Capitola Mall during the holiday shopping rush, said the ban made sense locally. “We have to do this locally, because on the statewide level — they are just not ready,” said Kasa. Since the plastic bag ban in the unincorporated area of the county went into effect nine months ago, Kasa said, the organization’s regular beach cleanups have turned up significantly fewer plastic bags along the region’s coast line and river beds — from 19 bags per clean up down to eight. Kasa is hopeful that once the Capitola and Santa Cruz bans take hold, there will be even less plastic circulating in the environment. One item in the proposed ordinance Kasa does not agree with is the allowance for reusable plastic bags that are at least 2.25 mm thick, which she believes was a concession made to plastic bag manufacturers. A group called Save the Plastic Bag Co-

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alition representing the interests of plastic bag manufacturers has been reportedly threatening legal action against jurisdictions enacting single-use plastic bag bans across the state. “It is still allowing plastic bags to get into the environment,” Kasa said, adding that Save Our Shores intends to lobby those stores who supply the heavy-weight bags to stop the practice. One grocery store chain, which has never carried plastic bags during their its 27-year history, is New Leaf Community Markets, which has two locations in Capitola. Founder and co-owner Scott Roseman, who joked that he had more reusable bags in his car than golf clubs, said that he was happy all the jurisdictions in the county were moving towards a universal ban but that ultimately, the state needed to adopt a similar measure as well and then the country. “And I think its heading in that direction,” Roseman said.

Capitola’s proposed ordinance includes a 25 cent fee for the purchase of a paper bag. At 25 cents, the proposed fee would be one of the highest in the county. In Watsonville and in the unincorporated areas it is 10 cents per paper bag, but that will rise to 25 cents in April. Since 1993, New Leaf has operated the Envirotoken program. For every customer who brings in a reusable bag they receive a token worth 10 cents to donate to a nonprofit environmental organization. Participating organizations are selected by customers each May and since the program started, New Leaf shoppers have reused more than 3 million bags resulting in a donation of more than $216,000. Roseman said that five years ago New Leaf began to significantly discount cloth and reusable bags, selling them pretty much at-cost and over the years they have seen a consistent decrease in the use of new

bags as more and more customers bring reusables. Yet, even with all that education and the incentive of the Envirotoken program — which Roseman said is especially exciting to kids who like to drop the tokens in the donation stations — a majority of customers still requested new bags at the checkout. But all that started to change earlier this year in January when San Jose enacted its plastic carrier bag ban — the largest city in the state to do so, requiring the grocery store to charge 10 cents for a new, paper bag. To New Leaf’s amazement, they found that despite never offering plastic bags and the adoption of the Envirotoken program, the fee motivated more people to bring in reusable bags. “The bag ban and requiring retailers to charge for paper bags really motivated people; the ban really has worked,” said Roseman.

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ENHANCE YOUR LIFE IN 2013! Above: “Cabrillo Music Festival Rehearsal” is oil on canvas. Right: This cityscape oil on canvas painting is titled “On Ramp.” Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Life Capitola/Soquel

fornia to work for Lockheed as an off-road vehicle designer. Later on, he worked for Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1974, Fleming returned to school to study painting, becoming a teacher shortly thereafter. He retired in 2002. “I’ve liked art all of my life,” Fleming said. “I decided at some point that when I retired, I wanted to become a full-time artist.” With his background in car design, Fleming said it is similar “in a lot of ways” to painting.

“It has a lot to do with aesthetics,” he said. Fleming has been a participant in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios since 1996, and has shown his work in galleries such as the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara and the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. Michael’s on Main is located at 2591 Main St. in Soquel. Fleming will have his work up through February. To see more of Fleming’s work, visit members.cruzio. com/~fleming.

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4 - Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013

By ERIK CHALHOUB of Life Capitola/Soquel

New Laws 2013

APTOS — As the world welcomes 2013, many new state laws went into effect on Jan. 1, including changes to texting while driving, a boost for driverless cars, how DUI suspects will be tested and college-funding changes called the California Dream Act (part 2). A new law will also require condo and apartment owners to have a carbon monoxide detector in their dwelling. “The changes to California’s traffic safety laws are designed to protect the motoring public,” stated California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Citizens are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these new laws in advance of the new year.” The following is a summary of some of the new laws, starting with traffic laws. For a complete look at all new California laws, visit www.LegInfo.ca.gov. AB 1536: Electronic Wireless Communications This law allows California drivers to use hands-free technology to talk and text while driving. This will require the use of a device that is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send or listen to a text-based communication. The device is required to also be used in a

voice-operated, hands-free manner to be in compliance with the law. AB 2020: Driving Under the Influence The law no longer allows a person who has been arrested and is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs the option of a urine test. Prior to this change, a person had the option of submitting either urine or blood to determine the drug content of their blood. AB 45: Charter-Party Carriers of Passengers: Alcoholic Beverages: Open Containers This new law prohibits underage drinking in charter-party carriers (limos, buses, etc.) and makes the carrier and driver responsible for communicating this to their passengers. The law also requires a designee, who is at least 25 years of age, to be present whenever there are passengers who are under 21 years of age on board the vehicle and alcohol is being transported. The designee shall be responsible for ensuring the rules are followed, and the safety of the underage passengers throughout the duration of the trip. AB 1708: Financial Responsibility and Insurance Drivers will now have the option of providing proof of insurance and registration on an electronic device (smartphone, tablet, etc.), when it is requested by law enforcement.

AB 2405: High Occupancy Toll Lanes This law creates the Choose Clean Cars Act, which allows cars with a Clean Air Vehicle Sticker free access to carpool lanes that are converted to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. SB 1298: Autonomous Vehicles This new law allows driverless cars to be operated on public roads for testing purposes, provided that each vehicle has a fully licensed and bonded operator in the driver’s seat to take control if necessary. The bill also instructs the Department of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations that govern the licensing, bonding, testing and operation of autonomous vehicle technology. SB 1047: Emergency Services: Seniors Similar to an AMBER Alert, the CHP would activate a “Silver Alert” upon request if a person, age 65 or older, is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and that agency determines that certain criteria is met. The criteria includes: the person is missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances or the law enforcement agency believes the person is in danger due to age, health, mental or physical disability, environment or weather conditions; the person is in the company of a potentially

dangerous person; or there are other factors indicating that the person may be in peril. Finally, there is information available, if given to the public, may assist in the safe recovery of the missing person. AB 2189: Driver License This law allows a driver’s license applicant who provides satisfactory proof that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, but who is not eligible for a social security account number, is eligible to receive an original driver’s license if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure. SB 1303: Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems This new law establishes consistency in the operations of red-light enforcement cameras throughout the state by requiring governmental agencies to follow specified guidelines regarding intersections, signage and the notice to appear. AB 2489: License Plates: Obstruction or Alteration This new law prevents the altering and positioning of license plates from its original markings and clarifies the penalty imposed for obscuring the readability of license plates.

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Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013 - 5

Photos by Tarmo Hannula/Life Capitola/Soquel Above: Michael Clark, owner of Michael’s on Main restaurant in Soquel, stands beside a collection of accolades and proclamations about his business. Right: Rose Hahne serves up lunch, a pork bahn mi sandwich (on table) and a “Classic Rueben” at Michael’s on Main. Below: The “Classic Rueben” is served with kosher dill pickle and sweet potato fires. Below: Bright colors and plenty of natural light set an inviting atmospher in the bar at Michael’s on Main.

Michael’s on Main a local gem By TODD GUILD

Of Life Capitola/Soquel

When entering Michael’s on Main, it is immediately evident you will be well cared for. Diners first walk through a spacious tree-lined patio and outdoor dining area, and immediately enter a comfortable, open lobby with a full bar. There, customers relax in overstuffed chairs and at small tables as they sip drinks and enjoy their meals. Both the bar and the restaurant are ringed by large picture windows that not only afford an outdoor view but also let in enough daylight to negate the need for lights during the day. Natural wood makes up much of the decor, and local art on the walls rotates every two months. Life Capitola/Soquel photographer Tarmo Hannula and I went there for lunch and were immediately greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us and left us with menus and a wine menu. Our server was quickly at our table, and Tarmo decided to try the Classic Rueben ($13), which promised pastrami, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing and mustard on rye with pickles. Tarmo’s sandwich came with a generous pile of sweet potato fries. Based on a suggestion by our server Rose, and being an Asian food aficionado, I ordered the pork bahn mi ($13), the restaurant’s take on a Vietnamese sandwich. Mine came with Gilroy garlic “criss-cut” fries. I also tried the soup of the day, a, excellent curried zucchini that was just spicy enough to bring a touch of heat to the creamy bisque-like dish. Tarmo proclaimed his sandwich delicious, with toppings and dressing that accompanied perfectly the moist and flavorful meat. “It’s served really hot, too,” he said. “The cheese is perfectly melted.” My sandwich was good, and was a valiant attempt to stay true to Vietnam’s quintessential street food. It had pickled carrots and radishes, along with jalapeño and cilantro, along with what the menu described as spicy aioli. A good Vietnamese sandwich has French bread that is crispy outside and tender inside, and that is precisely what this excellent homemade bread offered. But I was hoping for a bit more flavor and spice from the toppings, particularly from the jalapeños and the cilantro, both

of which I found lacking. I was also disappointed by the pork, which I found a tad dry. I doubt the latter concern was the restaurant’s fault, as health-conscious Californians’ demand for healthier offerings has sadly driven the fat — and thus much of the tenderness and flavor — out of many types of meat. I wished I had instead ordered the Kobe beef burger ($14) or the blackened chicken wrap ($13) with black beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado and chipotle aioli. My fries, however, were exquisite, perfectly cooked and seasoned with enough garlic to bring its flavor. Similarly, Tarmo’s sweet potato fries were both sweet and salty and somehow maintained their crispiness while staying moist in the middle. The lunch menu also offered a turkey club ($12), which features the restaurant’s house-smoked turkey. We also considered the “small plate” menu ($6 - $15) with appetizers ranging from macaroni and cheese to oysters to calamari. The menu also offered salads ($8 - $16), including a Caesar ($12), a shrimp Louie ($16) and roasted beet ($14). I hope to return later to sample the dinner menu, which offers such dishes as pistachio crusted salmon ($25), braised short ribs ($21) and a grilled portabella mushroom ($17). What stood out the most for both of us was the service. We were approached throughout our meal by three friendly employees who asked if we needed anything. Several walls are festooned with proclamations and commendations from lawmakers and celebrities, including Congressman Sam Farr, Abel Moldonado and Included in this array is a business of the year plaque from the California State Senate. Perhaps his favorite plaque comes from Julia Child, with whom proprietor Michael Clark studied. Born and raised in England, proprietor Michael Clark has spent his life in the restaurant business, where he started out on the bottom of the food chain. “I started washing pots and pans in England when I was young,” he said. Clark now comes with an impressive resume that includes two degrees in hotel and restaurant management and training at the Savoy Hotel and the Connaught Hotel, both in London.

He also opened the Hyatt Union Square in San Francisco and was one of the opening chefs at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco and the now closed Carnelian Room. He also has worked at the Beach and Tennis Club at Pebble Beach and in the Mansion House in Watsonville. Clark opened the restaurant in November 2001, with the mission of serving “cutting edge comfort cuisine.” As it turned out, comfort was exactly what was needed coming as it did in the wake of in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Diners were seeking out familiar dishes such as yankee pot roast ($18), which has become one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. “I just wanted to serve good home cooking,” he said. Clark prides himself on his efforts for his restaurant to be green, which includes purchasing his produce from local organic farms, recycling and composting everything he can and using locally produced cooking oil that in turn is converted into biodiesel fuel when he is finished with it. He also grows some of his produce in a small garden just off the back deck, which offers several tables that overlook Soquel Creek. Surrounded by towering sycamore trees, the tiled deck is just one of the areas of the restaurant that plays host to numerous special events throughout the year. That philosophy also extends to his wine menu.

“You see a strong emphasis on California wines,” he said. In addition to a family of loyal customers, Clark has also built a loyal team of employees, 65 percent of which he considers long-term and most of whom have customers who ask for them by name. He prides himself on fresh organic produce from the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets, which Clark, 62, or one of his employees purchases from the Aptos market every Saturday. “I feel I am very blessed to live here, from the ocean to the agriculture that comes out of here,” Clark said.

6 - Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013

Shopping in Soquel Village By Roseann Hernandez Of Life Capitola/Soquel

Winter is here and retail stores are stocking up with after-Christmas items faster than you can say Happy New Year. Head out to Target and you will see all manner of Christmas lights and wrapping paper discounted. This year, instead of investing in sweater sets and collectors editions of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” head on out to the center of antiques and collectibles and spend a worthwhile afternoon visiting the myriad of antiques shops in Capitola and Soquel. For more than 20 years, the Traders Emporium has been the Aladdin’s cave of antiques and collectibles in Soquel. With thirty-two dealers located underneath the historic Quonset hut on Soquel Drive, the shopper can find everything from World War II memorabilia, read-along records from the 1960s to vintage jewelry. Constance Lombardo has been working at Traders Emporium for 18 years and is the dealer behind Collectibles by Constance, selling dollhouse furniture and miniatures. She’s originally from New York — you can catch her Brooklyn accent as she welcomes you into the store. The self-ascribed “only game in town,” Lombardo started collecting dollhouse fixtures and fittings when she was given a dollhouse and started searching for furniture, which she said wasn’t easy. Her stall is filled with dainty furniture for every room — upholstered sofas, kitchen sets complete with miniature appliances and antique style chairs and settees ready to be taken home and set up for a Victorian tea party. Capitola City Councilman Dennis Norton has a stall in Traders Emporium, selling nautical-themed collectibles. An avid collector, he opened the stall about eight months ago to free up some space in his home. He shows a bamboo cane fishing road — a delicate, hand-crafted thing of beauty that can be put up for display or used to make the catch of the day. Further down Soquel Drive is Le Petite Cottage Chic, where they specialize in shabby chic interior decoration and feature unique

jewelry by local artists. Rachel Johnson, the jeweler behind “Chels Creations,” creates one-off pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Standing over an impressive jewelry display, Johnson said she is really enjoying using sea glass in her work and sees it as a “cool way to be creative and environmentally friendly.” If you are looking for a statement piece for your home or garden, Center Street Antiques & Interiors has you covered. With 27 dealers located in the 5,000-squarefoot building, it feels like you are walking through 27 different stores, each one with its own theme or specialty. Jennifer Boodt, one of the dealers at Center Street, has been passionate about vintage goods since she was a teenager shopping at thrift stores. Then she got hooked on refurbishing furniture and made a career of transforming the worn and dated into character pieces for the home and garden. “You get addicted to the hunt,” said Boodt. “Finding and fixing is in the blood.” Center Street gets new merchandise every day. Walking through the former grocery store, you see mirrors with grand Rococo-style frames, French imports, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, kitchen cupboards that would not be out of place in a French country cottage and unique one-offs where artisans have recycled throw-away items and created something functional and beautiful. Light fixtures that are made from drum hoops, old windows that have been turned into a mini atrium and snow shoes that will never see the bottom of someone’s feet again but will soon be hanging on the walls of a buyer’s conservatory. Industrial antiques are really hot at the moment, said Boodt, pointing to a display of organ gears, while shabby chic interior design pieces — furniture that is distressed or gives the appearance of age — continue to be popular. “Here you can get something with character,” said Boodt. “And you know your friend won’t have the exact same thing.”

Life Capitola/Soquel - January 2013 - 7

Laws

Continued from page 4

AB 1452: Child Passenger Restraints Hospitals, clinics and birthing centers will now be required to provide and discuss contact information regarding child safety seat requirements, installation and inspection to parents and caregivers upon discharge of a child, if the child is less than eight years of age. AB 1854: Inflatable Restraint Systems This law makes it illegal for a person to knowingly distribute or sell a previously deployed air bag or component that will no longer meet the original equipment form, function or proper operation. The following is a list of bills authored or joint-authored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo. AB 276: Central Coast Public Hospital Authority AB 276 creates a Central Coast Public Hospital Authority within Monterey County. The bill provides management, administration and other controls for the continued operation of one or more other healthcare facilities that may be affiliated or consolidated with Natividad Medical Center, to serve as a designated public safety net hospital and ensure the viability of the health care safety net in Monterey County. AB 1337: Paternity Claims AB 1337 fixes an oversight problem in the procedure for establishing legal paternity of a child whose mother is deceased. The bill adds clarification by specifying that an alleged father is to serve legal notice to a second degree relative, the persons with physical custody of the child. AB 1865: Greater Access to Legal Services AB 1865 gives all bar associations the opportunity to provide legal services and represent people who have received an unlawful detainer notice in court by listing them as a resource on the unlawful detainer notice. AB 1908: Reasonable Notice for School Employees AB 1908 extends the notification of layoff from 45 days to 60 days for classified school employees. Classified school employees include secretaries, bus drivers, food service workers, groundskeepers, security personnel, teacher’s aides, instructional assistants, custodians, maintenance workers and health care assistants. AB 1915: Safe Routes to School Bus

Stops AB 1915 specifies that the California Safe Routes to School program may support infrastructure improvements to increase safety and promote walking to school bus stops. AB 1915 amends the Safe Routes to School program by specifying that these infrastructure improvements are an allowable use of up to 10 percent of the program funds. AB 2174: Best Farming Practices The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) was established in 1990 to provide funding for research and education regarding the use and handling of fertilizing material. FREP is funded through a mill fee on the sale of fertilizer. This bill clarifies that the fund can be used to provide technical assistance to farmers on the appropriate use of fertilizing material. AB 2180: Health Care Districts’ Employment Contracts AB 2180 requires local health care districts to include in their employment agreements with hospital administrators or CEOs specific information regarding compensation, retirement benefits, severance and any other benefit that differ from those available to other full-time employees. AB 2180 allows the public and board members to have a reference point for information regarding executive compensation. SB 965: Public Access to the State and Regional Water Boards SB 965 broadens the ability of the public to share information with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) members. The bill establishes a new standard for Californians to have access to and communicate with State Boards and Commissions. SB 1003: Brown Act: Injunctive and Declaratory Relief for Past Actions SB 1003 amends local government open meeting laws to authorize legal action against a legislative body to determine if certain ongoing or past actions of that body within the last nine months have violated those laws. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse Prevention AB 1525 requires specified money transmission licensees to provide, on or before April 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, each

Lively And Local • Sustainable Seafood, Natural Meats

Lunch: 11:30-2:30PM Mon-Sat

• Many fresh, local & organic ingredients Dinner: 5:30PM Nightly 5:00PM Sunday • Heated Outdoor Dining Bar Menu: 3:00PM Mon-Sat • Open Copper-backed Kitchen, Full Bar Conveniently located at • Covered Patio Garden Room 2621 41st Ave Soquel, CA 95073

Check out our delicious menu online at

Reservations Welcomed

www.cafecruz.com 831.476.3801

Want to serve on a committee? Here’s how By Zach Friend Have you ever wondered how to get more involved in your community? Do you have a professional or academic specialty or maybe just a passion for a subject? Consider seeking appointment to a county commission, committee or advisory body. County advisory bodies play a key role in providing advice to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in subjects as varied as public safety, the environment and the arts, seniors and youth issues, housing and more. In fact, the board appoints local residents to more than 40 advisory bodies. Some of these advisory bodies are state mandates, but the majority were established by previous boards to ensure our community has a voice and involvement in local governmental decisions. Each advisory body has its own time commitment, with some meeting occasionally and some meeting nearly as often the Board of Supervisors. All play an important role in taking an in-depth look at policy concerns facing our county and keeping the board connected with these issues.

How do you apply for appointment? The County of Santa Cruz website (www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us) maintains a link with information on all of the advisory bodies, including the specific openings for our district. Some appointments are atlarge appointments, meaning any member of the board can nominate an appointee, while some are specific to residents of our geographic district. Lastly, some appointees are required to represent particular groups (such as seniors or the disabled community). In all cases, the entire Board of Supervisors takes action to appoint the applicant at a regular board meeting. If you are interested in learning more about a particular advisory body, there is contact information and detailed information about the body via the county website. Specifically, from the main webpage click on the “government” tab and then “commissions, committees and advisory bodies.” If, after Jan. 7 (when I officially take office) you have any additional questions that you can’t find on the website, please feel free to contact our office and we will help you with the information. Thank you for taking an interest in serving on a local advisory body!

Fireplace safety reminder STAFF REPORT Central Fire District officials are reminding residents to be fire safe when disposing of ashes from fireplaces or wood stoves. Hot coals and embers can be concealed in fireplace ash and smolder for hours. When disposing of ashes, always use a metal can with a lid. Store the metal container outside, away from your home and combustible materials until the ashes are cool. Water can be added to the container to reduce cooling time. Coals and embers can stay hot for hours or even days. Never

store ashes inside of your home or garage. Do not dispose of ashes with household garbage. Cooled ashes can be used as fertilizer, but do not dispose of ashes in compost, fire officials said. Never use trash or charcoal as fuel. These may give off toxic gases when they burn. Flammable liquids should not be used to light fires. Vapors from the liquids can flash back when lit and cause burn injuries. These are just a few common sense ideas, fire officials said. For more fire safety information, check the Central Fire District website at www.centralfpd.com or contact your local fire department.

B8 - Aptos Life - January 2013

www.AptosLife.com

16 B Seascape Village, Aptos, CA

Fresh. Local. Organic. All-Natural. We carry an array of organic, local, regional, and sustainable products. Our meats include Meyers, Certified Humane Vegetarian fed Angus Beef and Mary’s Air Chilled Chicken. Our dairy includes Clover all natural and organic milk and yogurt. Our eggs come from our local Aptos Glaum Egg Ranch. You will find local Surf City Coffee and Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company on our shelves along with Marianne’s and Polar Bear ice cream in our freezers. Kelly’s French bakery delivers fresh bread and baked goods daily. Gianna’s cakes and cookies are the perfect hostess gift.

Here are our recipes of the month SPINACH, PEAS & PESTO

KALE & AVOCADO SALAD KALE and AVOCADO SALAD

SPINACH, PEAS and PESTO

1 bunch of Dinosaur Kale le

1 cup organic garden peas

1 bunch of Basil

3 cups washed organic anic baby spinach

1/2 medium red onion

1/3 cup toasted pine ne nuts

1 cup cherry tomatoes

3/4 cups pesto

1 avocado

PESTO:

1 tablespoon lemon juicee

1 bunch of basil

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon Braggs Amino Acids or tamari Directions: Remove Stems from kale, finely chifinade basil into thin ribbons, Thinly slice red onion, slice cherry tomatoes in 1/2, dice avocado, add lemon juice, olive oil, Braggs Amino Acids or tamari toss ingredients together cover and put in refrigerator. Let salad sit in refrigerater for 3-12 hours before serving Serves 2-4. If you have always wanted an easy and tasty way to get you greens in, we hope this will become a staple in your home just as it has in ours!! BROCCOLI & ALMOND BROCCOLI and ALMOND 1 head of broccoli 1 bunch green onion

3 sprigs parsley 1/2 clove garlic Juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1 Tablespoon pine nuts or walnuts Directions: Combine thawed(if frozen) garden peas and spinach in a bowl and set aside. For Pesto: Combine all ingredients well in a blender or food processor. Toss lightly with pesto and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts. You’ll have a delicious, heart healthy salad you’ll want to keep eating. You’ll definitely want to add this salad to your favorites list! Serve cold within 4 hours of making Serves 2-4. This salad is also great when sautéed lightly and added to your favorite pasta! Here at Seascape Foods we really enjoy the mild flavor of DeLallo whole wheat pasta.

1/2 cup toasted and

Wine Tasting Fridays Only $5 | 4-6 pm

chopped almonds 1/2 cup Raisins 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup mayonaise salt and pepper to taste Directions: In a mixing bowl add broccoli cut into bite size pieces, thinly sliced green onion, lemon juice, white balsamic, mayonnaise and salt and pepper, mix thoroughly and sprinkle almonds on top. Just a general note on nuts -If you enjoy them raw by all means leave them untoasted. We have always found that by lightly toasting them they really do shine and hold up a bit better if they are being used in salads with dressings.

Catering available, call us or visit us online.

Coming Next month: Green Garbanzo Bean Salad

Fresh. Local. Organic. All-Natural.

SeascapeFoods.com | 831.685.3134