Pajaro Valley Magazine December 18 2020

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

A supplement to The Pajaronian

DECEMBER 18, 2020

Great

Couple transforms Royal Oaks property into retreat center P4

Escape

MIXING BOWL P6 | HOME OF THE WEEK P7 | HOME AND GARDEN P8

THE RIGHT CHOICE.

Over 40 years of combined real estate experience. Specializing in Home Listings, Home Sales and Property Management.

Call us for all your Real Estate needs.

Ed Gagne

Kathy Oliver

REALTOR® 831.254.1432 egagne@baileyproperties.com Cal DRE #01450406

Broker Associate/REALTOR® 831.206.2249 Kathy@OliverPM.com Cal DRE #01116175

4 MAGAZINE

Owner of Oliver Property Management

21 Brennan St, Suite 18, Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831.761.7301

CEO & Executive Editor

Dan Pulcrano Publisher

Jeanie Johnson

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Ad Director

Debra Whizin Editor

Erik Chalhoub

DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Contributing Writers

2

Erik Chalhoub, Johanna Miller, Tarmo Hannula Kate Russell, Sarah Ringler

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10 Wear a mask for everybody’s protection

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4

Cover story

6

Mixing Bowl

7

Home of the Week

8

Home & Gardening

Hon Truong Cover Photography:

Courtesy Judy Gittelsohn

Published by WatsNews, LLC, Watsonville, CA. Entire contents © 2020. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

sales@pajaronian.com Call:

10 Photo Gallery

831.761.7325

Beginning December 16, we ask the people who elected to live in the best place on earth to pick the best things here.

ANNOUNCING THE BEST OF SANTA CRUZ 2021 READER BALLOT PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020

Cast your vote on GOODTIMES.SC Polls are open December 16, 2019 through January 31, 2021

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AWAY FROM IT ALL

By Johanna Miller

Contributed Johanna Miller

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a sizeable yard, patio and an outdoor, covered artist’s studio.

Johanna Miller

DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

THE LAYOUT The Git Gat Gîte has

Watsonville couple transforms property into rural retreat

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Contributed

currently in the final stages of construction. Gittelsohn says the main goal is for it to be a place for artists, chefs, scientists or anyone wanting to get away and develop themselves.

Adds Gittelsohn: “We also really want to have a place where people can come to appreciate the Pajaro Valley, and go, ‘Wow! Look at what is here!’”

But she said that it was never their idea to make the Git Gat Gît into a basic hotel or Airbnb. Instead, she wants it to be more personal.

“If someone wants to stay here… they can give me their pitch, or get referred,” she said. “I want this to be a place where people come and learn

more about the area, and find themselves. Not just a vacation.”

She also wants it to be available to local individuals or groups for day use— everything from community projects to small wedding ceremonies. Recently, a group from the Springfield Grange was able to come use the retreat’s kitchen to bake pies for a fundraiser.

The project of remodeling the small building and surrounding yard began in 2019. This included woodworking, new heating and plumbing and major landscaping work. Because of the limited space, they had to get creative; a Murphy bed here, a fold-out table there.

“One of our biggest challenges was how to make a kitchen work in such a small space,” Gittelsohn said. “It’s taken a lot of creativity.”

As part of their soft opening, Gittelsohn and Gatwood have been inviting friends and family to stay in the house as beta testers. They hope to gradually garner interest and start inviting people out soon.

“We’re still figuring out everything, plus it’s the pandemic,” Gittelsohn said. “But honestly, it’s totally accessible and secluded here… you don’t have to interact with anyone. It’s kind of the ideal place to be.”

To learn more about the Git Gat Gîte, visit judyg.com/artists-retreat.

a fully equipped kitchen and a small upstairs bedroom with new woodwork.

Contributed

Johanna Miller

Johanna Miller

INNER WORKINGS The center features

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020

rtist Judy Gittelsohn fondly remembers her first experience at an artist’s retreat. Working for the company Golden Paints, she was able to go to a place where she could work without distractions or responsibilities.

“It really nourished my development,” Gittelsohn said. “I did my best work when I was there. It really helps you unplug from your routine, be completely focused on your work.”

Since then Gittelsohn had thought about opening her own retreat and finally, after purchasing a new property near Royal Oaks in 2016, she saw a chance to make it a reality.

Gittelsohn, who studied architecture, and husband Greg Gatwood, a landscape developer, first got to work fixing up the main house and renting it out. Then they looked to the back of the property, where a small structure stood, with a garden area and views of the Pajaro Valley hills and the Elkhorn Slough watershed.

“We thought, ‘This is it—we can make this into a rustic little place to stay,’” Gittelsohn said.

Dubbed the Git Gat Gîte, a play on Gittelsohn and Gatwood’s names (“gîte” is a French term describing a small rural house), the retreat is

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THE MIXING BOWL

Tarmo Hannula

HOLIDAY TRADITION A slightly sweet, traditional French Christmas bread

from Provence is meant to be torn, never sliced or cut.

DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Sweet olive oil bread

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By SARAH RINGLER

P

rovence, in the south of France, is full of Christmas holiday traditions.

Biblical myths persist about Jesus being born there and Mary Magdalene spent the last years of her life on the mountain of La Sainte Baume; the area holds strong religious traditions.

One is the Tradition of the 13 Desserts, of which this bread, La pompe à huile, is one. It is a soft, sweet, orange scented bread that is supposed to be torn and shared, never cut. According to Thirza Vallois of France Today, the recipe could be as old as the city of Marseille, more than 2,600 years ago.

This particular recipe is from Caroline Craig’s cookbook, “Provence.”

Measurements may seem a little unusual because I had to convert them from metric to the American

measurements and to do that, I had to round off and approximate. Luckily, although bread making has some firm requirements, the ingredients can be a little inexact. Flour can vary drastically. This recipe calls for flour that is made for bread which is usually called hard or strong flour. It has more gluten than pastry flour and reacts better with yeast. I used a little Durum flour which gave the bread a warm, yellow hue.

Another factor in breadmaking is the bowl. A nice ceramic bowl that is only used for yeast breads over the years, according to writer and journalist Alexander Cockburn, allows for the colonization of wild yeasts present in the air: “The dough-encrusted towel, the unsterile bowl, all play their part.”

The special flavors of San Francisco sourdough come from its wild yeast that are unique to that part of the world.

La pompe à huile translates from French as, oil pump, in case you’re curious; I could find no explanation why a bread from the Tradition of the 13 Desserts would have that name.

LA POMPE À HUILE Starter: 3 1/2 teaspoons dried yeast 1/4 cup warm water 3/8 cup or 6 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon sugar

Dough: 1/4 cup water 2 cups white bread flour plus more for kneading 1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons orange blossom water 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil Parchment paper First make the starter. In a small bowl, combine warm water, 3/8 cup of the flour and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Add the yeast and beat until smooth with a fork. The mixture should be a thick liquid. Cover the bowl with clingfilm or a clean cloth and set aside for 1 hour until the dough has increased in size and you can see bubbles on its surface.

Sift the remaining flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well, then add the prepared starter, 1/4 cup water and remaining sugar followed by the salt, orange blossom water and olive oil. Combine, then cover and set aside for 5 minutes for the flour to absorb some of the liquid.

Coat your bread bowl with a light coat of olive oil.

Transfer the dough to a stand mixer or a clean, dry, lightly floured surface. The dough may be sticky.

Start to knead the dough. If it is too dry, add a little more warm water.

Continuously knead, adding a bit more flour if necessary, for 15 minutes until a stretchy, springy dough has formed. Shape into a ball and put into the oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and place in a warm, draft-free spot to rise. Once the dough has doubled in size, usually after 2-3 hours, punch it down and knead once more for a few moments.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the dough on the paper. Roll into an oval shape, about 1/2 inch or 1 centimeter thick. Using a sharp knife, cut three diagonal slits in the center across the dough but don’t go to the edge. Use your fingers to enlarge the openings. Cover with clingfilm or a towel and set in a warm place for 1-2 hours. Towards the end, preheat the oven to 390 degrees.

Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack.

Once cool, keep wrapped cloth or in tin until ready to serve.

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Continuing the discussion…about the nature of home and the intimate relationship it has with the challenges of aging. If you are somewhere near 65 years old, it is now officially day 23,725. That’s roughly how long you’ve been on the planet. And it’s also the first day of the rest of the 30 or more years (10,950 + days) you have left to figure things out. There’s no time like the present.

Why initiate this discussion in the middle of a real estate section where people are used to seeing big ads forbig homes and big dreams? Because the concept of “big” is a fluid one that should naturally adjust in scope as we grow older. Big can get scaled back in ways that fit the slow arcs that people’s lives inevitably move through.

Quality of life has a habit of getting redefined whenever the realities of being human step in and make it necessary. Like: when aging Baby Boomers (the “sandwich generation”) find themselves with dueling responsibilities for their older octogenarian parents and their younger millennial kids, at the same time they’re also trying to navigate through their own confusing choices around retirement planning, social security, pension, health issues, trusts and long-term care.

Homes belong at the center of the discussion because they are the centering places of our lives. They care for us by providing safety, security, shelter, comfort, privacy, refuge and an all-important sense of control over our surroundings.

Of course, those same homes are also the biggest assets most of us will ever own.

All of which makes it tricky when folks start trying to figure out what place home should occupy in their own “big picture” of the future. What most people need is a better map to help chart the recognizable landmarks that lie ahead and that also provides a few fixed points of context for their lives in relation to everything else.

Here are a few of the random thoughts that I use as the “starting coordinates” on my own map: Nothing is more certain than change. There’s nothing human beings resist more than change. Not choosing to change is always one of your options. Putting off change for long enough will eventually force life to step in and make choices for you. When life chooses, you get change by default and a lot fewer options. You are more prepared to handle change today than you will be 10 years from now. Despite being fear-inducing, change can also be new and exciting.

If the whole idea was to enjoy life after all those years of working, what are you waiting for?

More next week.

Tom Brezsny

Realtor® DRE#01063297

831-818-1431 getreal@serenogroup.com PA I D A D V E R T O R I A L

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020

Uniquely ‘hip’ home for sale

Tom Brezsny’s

REAL ESTATE OF MIND

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Call Debra 831.761.7325

HOME OF THE WEEK

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GIFT GUIDE

Shopping for the home and garden Baker Brothers Furniture & Appliances 31 East 5th St., Watsonville Baker Brothers Furniture & Appliances has been locally owned since 1969, doing business in Watsonville, Pajaro and the tri-county area with an emphasis on customer service and low prices. They feature name-brand furniture, appliances and mattresses and offer delivery, installation and haul-away services. Financing offers also available. Open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.

To learn more and shop online, visit bakerbrosfurnitureandappliance.com or call 722-6116.

Harrison’s Color Corner 143 East Lake Ave., Watsonville

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Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop Tarmo Hannula

DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Looking to work on a painting project with family in the new year? Stop by locally-owned Harrison’s Color Corner, which offers expert advice and custom mixes paint colors for homes—interior, exterior, commercial and more. In addition to paints, they offer stains, primer, coating, latex and more, plus painting equipment and supplies.

Open Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. For pricing information, call 724-8092.

Ace Hardware

Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop is a retail nursery and gift shop that offers plants and garden supplies for every need.

This includes a wide selection of plants, cactus and succulents, fruits, flowers and trees, as well as grading supplies, pottery and garden art. The nursery’s gift shop features an ever-changing assortment of seasonal home decor and specialty gifts. For information, call 724-7517 or visit alladinnursery.com.

Three locations: 1056 East Lake Ave. and 451 Main St., Watsonville, and 1820 Freedom Blvd., Freedom.

Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens

Ace Hardware has more than 5,000 locations around the world, though the majority are independently owned and operated. This includes the three locations in the Pajaro Valley. Ace Hardware specializes in everything from building supplies, paint and gardening tools to decor for inside and outside the home. In-store shopping, curbside pickup and delivery is available. To order online and for more information, visit acehardware.com.

Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens specializes in plants and gardens for California’s Mediterranean climate, but also features some from around the world, including edibles, fruit trees and plants for shade gardens. Wander the nursery’s two acres of demonstration gardens (masks required) before heading to the outdoor nursery and pop-up gift shop on property. For information, visit sierraazul.com or call 728-2532.

GARDENING TOOLS A selection of wheelbarrows are shown at Ace Hardware, 451 Main St. in Watsonville.

On top of a range of hardware goods for the home, Ace, with three locations in Watsonville, features a diverse selection of tools and supplies for the garden.

Local small businesses offer gift ideas

W

ith most people staying home this holiday season, gifts for home repair and gardening are more popular than ever. Whether it’s a seedling for the

“green thumb” in your family or new appliances for your kitchen, there are plenty of options available to brighten your home as you shelter through the holidays.

And you don’t have to rely on large retailers or online outlets.

There are a number of small businesses as well as locally-owned franchises across the Pajaro Valley where you can find quality items and expert advice for future home improvement projects—all while also supporting the local economy.

Here are a handful of such shops.

2905 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville

2660 East Lake Ave., Watsonville

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020

Comfort & Support for the REST of your life

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“

For information on how to include your business, email sales@pajaronian. com

9

PHOTO GALLERY Have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to echalhoub@weeklys.com or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 18, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name of the photographer.

COLD DAYS AHEAD

wanders through a neighborhood on Park Way in Santa Cruz.

NEW PATH A road crew applies new striping for a crosswalk on the westside of

Santa Cruz as part of the newly completed first section of the Coast Rail Trail.

Tarmo Hannula

DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

PASSING BY A coyote

Tarmo Hannula

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Tarmo Hannula

An apple orchard on Freedom Boulevard shows signs of the approaching winter.

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 18 - 23, 2020

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