Pajaro Valley Magazine January 27 2023

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Feeling the f low

Fitness has a fun new form.

By MARK C. ANDERSON

At Ramsay Park Pump Track in Watsonville, that form is not just fluid but curvy, speedy, lumpy, life-affirming and self-perpetuating all at the same time.

And that’s by design.

“Pump track” represents a new term for many. It describes a carefully sculpted circuit of hills, straights, loops and turns built for riders of all shapes, sizes and

wheeled vehicles, whether BMX bicycles, mountain bikes, skateboards, scooters, roller skates or even wheelchairs.

The way the track lays out encourages riders to maintain enough momentum to fly around its interwoven loops with up-anddown body movements—aka “pumping”—and not much pedaling or pushing.

The concept debuted in Boulder, Colo., in 2004 as a counterpoint to more challenging and

Photos by Tarmo Hannula

PUMP UP THE JAM Steve Arias leaps over a rise at the Ramsay Park Pump Track. He said the exercise has helped him recover from a stroke he had four years ago.

Watsonville’s ‘pump track’ provides an exhilarating ride for riders of all sizes and ages

FORWARD MOMENTUM

subsequently dangerous skateparks. Watsonville’s own opened in 2021 and can claim the largest, and only paved, example of such a track in Santa Cruz County, with almost 20,000 square feet of flowing rollers, berms and jumps.

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship rallied funding for the project and helped structure and construct the park, with bigtime support from 51 volunteers logging 194 hours and sponsors Bell Helmets, Shelton Inc., Sierra Azul Nursery and Delta Bluegrass Co. A video on SCMTS’s website reveals a satisfying timelapse tracking how blank dirt transformed into a rollicking symphony of shapely rises, dips and banked hairpin turns.

SCMTS spokesperson Katy

Poniatowski and her colleagues love how it’s been received.

“When I visit, it is always swarming with kids and adults who want to improve their cycling skills,” she says. “It clearly filled a gap.”

Hydrologists, general contractors and outside advisors all collaborated on the layout, surrounded by 8,000 square feet of drip-irrigated native plant landscaping.

“Riding out there is like being dropped in the ocean—the possibilities are endless as far as what directions you can ride, opportunities to explore and skills to build,” Poniatowski says.

The City of Watsonville partnered on the endeavor, and its staff couldn’t be happier with the resident response, per Parks and Community Services assistant

administrative analyst Jeremy Sanders.

“From kids taking the training wheels off to the adults with their mountain bikes to guys with their longboards, it’s widely loved by a range of ages,” Sanders says. “It [achieves] one of the things we look for when we’re putting our parks together: physical activity that’s fun and challenging at the same time.”

On two visits, this reporter observed a broad spectrum of users, with ecstatic young peddlers sharing space with enthusiastic 40-somethings unable to contain their joy, squealing “Yeeeee” along the way.

Six-year-old Mays Lawrence Fowler of Seaside was among those who traveled outside the county to try out the pump park.

After a tentative acclamation period—figuring out the best ways to seize enough speed for the taller mounds and requisite courage to zip through cupped embankments—he was hooked.

“I really liked it as I got really good at the turns,” he says. “I was like, ‘Woah, now I get it.’ It was more and more fun. I really do like all those turns.”

Young Fowler’s rising enjoyment is an apt metaphor for the park's increasing popularity.

As city staffer Sanders says, “Its momentum is really picking up.”

The Ramsay Park Pump Track is free and open from sunrise to 8pm daily at 32 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville. For information, visit santacruztrails.org/projects/ ramsay-park-pumptrack.

Jack Walker tests his bicycling skills at the Ramsay Park Pump Track.

COASTING Ximena Gonzales, 9, wheels over a slope on her scooter at the Ramsay Park Pump Track.

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MIXING BOWL

Little Brazilian cheese buns

root to its many edible forms. It is gluten-free; it is available at Staff of Life.

I have tried a few pão de queijo recipes and this one has just the right amount of cheese flavor. What is the use of adding cheese if you can’t taste it? It is not a difficult recipe but you need a stout wooden spoon and a strong wrist to stir the stiff and gooey dough. Luckily, you don’t need to mix it too much.

I served the buns plain with butter, but Faith Ang recommends adding Italian seasonings and serving them like meatballs with a marinara sauce. They can be frozen and taste nearly as good when defrosted and heated.

PAO DE QUEIJO

1/2 cup olive oil or butter

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup milk or soy milk

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups tapioca flour

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2/3 cup freshly grated flavorful Parmesan cheese

2 beaten eggs

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mince the garlic and grate the cheese.

Combine the olive oil, water, milk and salt in a large saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat.

By SARAH RINGLER

Asimple soup or salad can be made into a special meal by adding these little round, chewy and cheesy Brazilian buns that in Portuguese are called pão de queijo. This recipe is fairly simple to make, and is from Faith Ang at allrecipes.com.

Tapioca flour makes the buns chewy. It comes from the processed root of the cassava plant—native to

the northern part of Brazil—that thrives in hot, tropical lowlands and poor soil. Like potatoes, it is a starch and a staple food providing people with the feeling of being full. When processed into flour, it can be used like wheat flour in baking. It also is pressed into flakes, sticks or as most of us are familiar with, round tapioca beads, or pearls, that come in various sizes. It has the unusual ability to thicken and turn translucent when added

to water. The currently popular boba tea is made with large tapioca pearls and was developed in Taiwan in the 1980s.

The word tapioca comes from the indigenous Tupi language as it was heard by the Portuguese colonizers who arrived in the northeast area of Brazil in the 1500s. Tipi'óka translates into “sediment” which is what it resembles as it goes through the lengthy process of being processed from a somewhat poisonous

Stir in tapioca flour and garlic, and mix until smooth. Set aside to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir cheese and beaten eggs into the tapioca mixture until combined; the dough will be chunky, like cottage cheese.

Using your finger, drop about 1/4 cup of dough from a large wooden spoon onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm. Buns can be frozen.

Tarmo Hannula

GOOEY BITE The chewy texture from the tapioca flour creates a different and pleasant version of a typical cheese bun.

and heavy surf left this log teetering on the edge of a carved out sand dune at Palm Beach.

AFTERMATH Two people and their dog traverse Capitola Beach on Jan. 15 after storms ravaged the small seaside village and covered the sand in driftwood.

Johanna Miller

Tarmo Hannula

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Hello British Columbia, Canada

By TARMO HANNULA

This article is a continuation of a road trip my wife Sarah and I took in October, that took us through Northern California and Oregon and as far as Ellensburg, Wash., on day seven.

We made a brief stop in the Ballard community of Seattle to see my sister, Mia, and her husband, Mel, with the idea of swinging back through on our return trip for a more substantial visit. Churning through Seattle traffic proved

to be challenging and a time hog. Though we thought crossing the border into Canada would be an ordeal, with Covid and vaccinations and all, it was just the opposite. The kind border official woman at the crossing glimpsed at our passport and waved us through in less than a minute.

Sarah tracked down the Best Western Sands hotel on English Bay in the Denman area, which proved to be a gem of a stop. After check-in we wandered up

Denman Street and on a single block we saw restaurants that offered Korean, Chinese, Argentinian, Spanish, French, English, Italian, Cuban and Brazilian food; and that rhythm continued onto the next block and next block. We heard scads of languages being spoken to the left and right of us. Young blended with the old, gays and straights, punkers and squares—Vancouver offered a rich mix of cultures and nationalities. Strolling the shoreline of

Photos by Tarmo Hannula

STROLLING THE BAY The shore of English Bay in Vancouver, Canada, is a popular draw for visitors and locals.

Tom

Brezsny’s

Real Estate of Mind

Provoking thought since 1990

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Tom Brezsny’s

Real Estate of Mind

I know I’ve been barraging you with mundane topics like septic tanks lately - heavy on the business end of homeownership and light on the warm and fuzzy of “home” itself. But hey, homes are our largest assets so it makes sense to pay attention even when it’s about things you’d rather not think about.

Provoking thought since 1990

I’m constantly struck by the amount of detail the average homeowner has to keep track of in order to be a “responsible homeowner.” The influx of new rules and regs that impact homeownership at the start of each new year is mind-boggling. With increasing population density, growing environmental concerns and a never-ending series of climate-related disasters that seem to be the norm these days (floods, fires, mudslides, coastal erosion) the pressure to keep up isn’t going to go away.

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There’s the County’s new septic and sewer lateral guidelines. Major questions about the cost and availability of fire/ flood insurance. Changing rules around ADUs, junior ADUs, residential zoning, lot splits and multi-res construction. Not to mention significant new rules coming about residential gas appliances (stoves, water heaters, furnaces.)

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I’m holding a series of informational talks on timely subjects designed to accelerate the learning curve for locals. All sessions are FREE and held at Sereno Real Estate, 720 Front Street, Downtown Santa Cruz starting at 7pm. Seating is limited so call or email to reserve a spot.

We covered the new Countywide Septic Guidelines on the 18th and our January 25th session may already be over by the time you read this (call if you have questions).

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Cepudandam quam si bea endusant. Pudis sim quis maiorrovitem corrum alit, cusam ium quo comniatiur aut im facepra verspel laciae suntem ipsamus, quam sed es es maximus asse volorerfero tem quod quo voluptaquos ex et is eic te lit volupti dolum iumquiatio exces erion nihit aut lat quam quis rem fugita consedi niet, eos eost alit late verum que coressin Voloreca turionsedit quo etur? Qui odit quisciis mo optatur? Quaspit aut volore doluptiis inus si qui voluptas nos modi ilibus.

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Our February 1st Session will address some of today’s burning questions about Fire Insurance: What is happening in the industry? How are individual homeowners affected? What did we learn from recent fires? Is coverage still available? How much does it cost? Are policies getting canceled in SC County? What should you do if your policy is canceled? What do I need to know if I’m selling my property? What is the FAIR Plan? What are the costs and limitations of it? Plus, the New Defensible Space Disclosure Requirements for Home Sellers. Speaker: Tanner Tedsen, Farmers Insurance

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TRAVEL 12

English Bay on a generously wide pedestrian and bike path gave us a refreshing break from all the driving and stop lights.

Tom Brezsny

Realtor® DRE #01063297

831-818-1431

getreal@sereno.com

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February 8th Learning to Go with the Flow. Understanding the new point of sale Sewer Lateral Ordinances: Sewer Lateral Inspections, Repairs and Requirements when you sell a house. Speaker: Mike Murrow, Bellows Plumbing Access the full schedule or reserve a spot using this QR Code:

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Tom Brezsny

PAID ADVERTORIAL

Our first meal there was at Dan Dan Noodles and Dumplings where we relished their food and friendly service.

That night, after a fine dinner of Pork Bulgogi and deep fried chicken wings at the Damso restaurant, we tested our luck with live theater at the BMO Theater Centre. We gave their production of “Redbone Coonhound,” which dealt with attitudes toward race and gender in a humorous volley of equal-opportunity skewering, five golden stars.

The next day started with a bagel breakfast on Granville Island, a colorful mix of art studios, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, a bustling food market, theater, and a marina cluttered with commercial and pleasure boats connected to Vancouver Island by a dramatic curving bridge.

After we ate we wandered the docks and narrow streets and came across Bridget MacGillivray from The Raptors group who had Osha, a Harris’ hawk, perched on her arm. Her demonstration was part of the group’s educational program about rescuing and protecting such birds.

In the next part of this series Sarah and I drive six hours north to Alert Bay with the aid of two ferries.

BIRD TALK This woman, with The Raptors group, shows Osha, a Harris’ hawk, on Granville Island in Vancouver as part of an educational visit.

LOCAL VISITOR Sarah Ringler (left) and her long-time friend Terri walk the shore of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island off of northern Vancouver Island.

Free Birthday Meal

Free Birthday Meal

One item up to $25 value with two or more entree orders

One item up to $25 value with two or more entree orders

Must present ad with order. Cannot be combined with other offers. 1 offer per table, per visit. Dine in only. See store for more details. Good through June 5, 2019.

Must present ad with order. Cannot be combined with other offers. 1 offer per table, per visit. Dine in only. See store for more details. Good through 3/1/23.

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LITTLE HEART the story of CORITA KENT

O’GARDEN

DIRECTED BY SUSAN MYER SILTON | FEATURING PATTY GALLAGHER at THE COLLIGAN THEATER 1010 River Street Santa Cruz

Little Heart. Big Story. This intriguing new play by Irene O’Garden is based on the life of world-famous Los Angeles artist Corita Kent. An Immaculate Heart Sister embroiled in an escalating battle with arch-conservative Cardinal MacIntyre, this gifted, conflicted woman wins international fame for her brilliant serigraphs and innovative teaching as she privately struggles with fellow sisters, students, her own spiritual doubt and her complex feelings for a famous priest.

Tickets: Regular $55 / Seniors & Students $50 / Preview $27 all tickets www.JewelTheatre.net (831) 425-7506