Pajaro Valley Magazine July 16 2021

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

JULY 16, 2021

Water Talk A supplement to The Pajaronian

Experts advise how to live sustainably during a drought P4

HOME OF THE WEEK P7 | GARDENING P8 | MIXING BOWL P10

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831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 304 • www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans *No closing costs include lender fees, appraisal fees, title fees, and escrow fees. First-Time Homebuyer Program available to those that have not owned a property in the last three years. Offer valid on owner-occupied single-family residences for those with a credit score of 680+. Maximum loan amounts up to $822,375 in Santa Cruz County and San Benito County, and $739,450 in Monterey County. Mortgage insurance required for loan amounts greater than 80% loan to value. Offer applicable on purchase transactions in the State of California. Offer not available on refinances. Other restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, and property valuation. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required at the time of closing. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call a Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant at 831.479.6000, or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, extension 304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635.

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JULY 16 - 22, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Ad Director

Debra Whizin Editor

Erik Chalhoub Contributing Writers

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

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Cover story

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Home of the Week

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Gardening

10 Mixing Bowl

Design Layout

Hon Truong Cover Photography:

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Published by WatsNews, LLC, Watsonville, CA. Entire contents © 2021. All rights reserved.

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

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

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11 Photo Gallery

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Healthy Professional Profiles Ann G DVM, ratzek DACV OPH O THAL M

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | JULY 16 - 22, 2021

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BAKED Dry grass and

CONSERVING WATER A sprinkler

cracked soil are signs of a worsening drought.

head remains dry on an agricultural field.

Juan Reyes

Tarmo Hannula

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An agricultural field in the Pajaro Valley undergoes regular irrigation.

Tarmo Hannula

JULY 16 - 22, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

CROP WATERING

BY JOHANNA MILLER

As California’s drought continues, experts give water-saving tips

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n July 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an expansion of June’s drought emergency proclamation, adding an additional nine counties— including Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara.

The water emergency continues to worsen, and right when wildfires are raging through tens of thousands of acres around the state.

Newsom’s expansion was coupled with a call for all Californians to try and reduce their water usage by 15%. Assemblymember Robert Rivas, whose district includes Santa Cruz County, praised the decision to extend the proclamation in such a fragile time. ➝ 6

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | JULY 16 - 22, 2021

A RESOURCE

Johanna Miller

Saving

LOW MAINTENANCE

A drought resistant landscape with native plants in Watsonville.

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Tarmo Hannula

NATIVE LANDSCAPING Zach Mares of the California Conservation

Corps plants yellow yarrow in the Bridge Street median.

green-gardener.org Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping encourages behavior changes that lessen the impact of conventional landscape practices on the local environment. Includes workshops, rebates and incentives, and information on how to hire a Certified Green Gardener. centralcoastgreywater.org Learn about greywater and how greywater irrigation conserves our precious water resources, conserves energy needed to pump and treat water, and saves money on your water bill. santacruz.watersavingplants.com Explore sustainable, climateappropriate, and drought tolerant plants, trees and grass that thrive in Santa Cruz County.

JULY 16 - 22, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

SAVING A RESOURCE

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“As an agricultural region, our businesses and residents are especially reliant on this essential resource to survive,” Rivas said in a press release. “I applaud the Governor for taking decisive action. But… we all must do our part. Every individual’s actions to save water now will help us build water resiliency for future generations.”

In the Pajaro Valley, local jurisdictions and agencies have been working for decades on improving the region’s water infrastructure.

But during a drought like this year’s, individuals’ choices matter, too.

“Someone might say that one person doesn’t make a difference, but collectively, we do,” said Watsonville Public Works outreach manager Cristy Cassel-Shimabukuro.

“We are really proud of our residents for stepping up—their usage is consistently low. We are just asking them to do a little bit extra during these droughts. Be a little bit more conscious of your behaviors.”

Cassel-Shimabukuro mentioned some tips for inside homes, many of them behaviors that experts have been recommending for years. This includes turning off your faucet when brushing your teeth, fully loading dishwashers and washing machines, and even collecting cold water before it turns hot in the shower and using it to water plants.

The City of Watsonville provides water-conserving devices to its residents, such as shower heads and nozzles, low-flush toilet replacements and rebates for Energy Star Certified Washing Machines. In addition, they offer a plumbing retrofit program, and free water consultation services.

But the biggest changes California residents can make to save water are outside of the house.

Outdoor usage accounts for more than 50% of the water from people’s homes, Cassel-Shimabukuro said, with manicured lawns being the primary culprit.

Marcus Mendiola, Water

Johanna Miller

Online Resources ORANGE BURST Monkey flowers (Mimulus ringens) are native North American wildflowers that are common in drought-resistant gardens.

Conservation and Outreach Specialist for the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA), explained just how much water and effort a perfectly green stretch of grass takes to maintain in California, as opposed to places like the East Coast.

“I was in Ohio [recently] and… was blown away by all the grass.

And it isn’t even being irrigated,” he said. “Here, it takes a lot of water and resources. We just have a different climate.”

Converting a lawn into a natural habitat will not only save water, said Mendiola, but also save residents time and energy.

“Some people view lawns as a status symbol,” he said. “We need to get away from that mindset.”

This is why PVWMA and the City of Watsonville have been teaming up to incentivize residents to ditch their lawns and install drought-resistant, native plant landscapes and gardens. The city’s Landscape Water Conservation Program offers a rebate for customers to replace lawns and landscapes with drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems.

Cassel-Shimabukuro said that a handful of residents have applied, but that they are hoping interest will grow. They recently increased

the rebate amount to up to $1,000 for single family residences.

For information, visit bit. ly/3B35Qrb. Mendiola explained that it’s not just about water usage—you also want a good setup that can slow down and divert any rain that does fall, and keep it on the property.

“Every drop of rain that can be saved, should be saved,” he said.

PVWMA’s Home and Garden Water Conservation Toolkit aims to provide easy access to information and resources to help residents conserve water in their homes and landscapes. You can find the online toolkit at bit.ly/3B2tPqr. Washing your car is also a big water waster, Cassel-Shimabukuro said. Both she and Mendiola advocated for people to utilize car washes around town, especially those connected to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. There, the water is treated and then sent to be recycled, including in local agriculture fields.

If you need to wash your car at home, Mendiola said that it is critical to use a hose with a shut-off valve, instead of a continuous stream.

“The water you use to wash your car… that is portable drinking water,” Cassel-Shimabukuro said.

“It’s perfectly good water. We want people to be aware of that.”

HOME OF THE WEEK

There is a Better Way Tom Brezsny’s

Real Estate of Mind Provoking thought since 1990

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Nem posapel PA Iso. D A DV ERTO RI A L they get less

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MAHER ROAD This home sits on more than seven acres.

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his country home in Royal Oaks sits on more than seven acres with views of rolling hills and valleys.

Located at 554 Maher Road, the 2,005-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

It features a first floor master suite, a newer roof that was constructed under two years ago and newer siding. A separate garage includes an attached workspace that is partially finished.

An eucalyptus grove was recently removed around the home for fire protection, and opens up the property for other possibilities.

The listing by Keller Williams-Santa Cruz notes that the property has active county citations due to a lack of complete permits, so the buyer would need to work with the county to resolve the issues.

The home, built in 1981, is listed at $799,000. For information, visit bit.ly/3i9Veht.

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | JULY 16 - 22, 2021

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GARDENING of saponins, glucosides and antimicrobial proteins. Enzyme inhibitors can also stop some pathogens from feeding on the plant.

Plants also have chemicals that can neutralize toxins created by a pathogen. Finally, receptors can recognize a pathogen and alert the plant to take further action.

Once a pathogen is recognized, cell walls are reinforced and defensive chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, as well as those enzymes and proteins, are manufactured.

In some cases, plants have evolved a behavior called a “hypersensitive response,” in which the tissue surrounding an infection is killed off to block further infection to neighboring cells.

Rather than treating a disease after it occurs, it is far easier to grow plants that have built-in defenses. This reduces the need for pesticides and fungicides.

When shopping for plants, look at the plant label to see if that particular variety is resistant to diseases that tend to appear in your garden. Plant labels use the following codes to designate specific disease resistances:

JULY 16 - 22, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

RESISTANT STRAIN Plant labels with the letters V or F mean that the plant is protected against verticillium fusarium wilt.

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Disease fighters P Plants respond to pathogens by blocking invaders

By KATE RUSSELL

lants may not have an active immune system, but that doesn’t mean they just roll over and take whatever hits them. When pathogens strike, plants can respond in two different ways: they use structures and chemicals already in place, and they can make changes when a pathogen is sensed.

Just as our skin blocks many pathogens from entry, a plant’s

skin, or epidermis, does the same thing. That’s why insect feeding and mechanical damage can increase the chance of a disease taking hold: The plant’s first line of defense has been breached. Plant cell walls also block viruses, bacteria and fungi. Unlike our human immune system, which uses white blood cells to actively hunt down and destroy invaders, plant cells have antimicrobial defenses built right in. These defenses take the form

A - Alternaria stem canker F - Fusarium wilt N - Nematodes T - Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) S - Stemphylium gray leaf spot V - Verticillium wilt So, if you see a plant label with the letters V, F and N on it, that particular plant is resistant against verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt and nematodes. This does not mean the plant is guaranteed to not get these diseases, but it does mean the chances are significantly lower.

You can help your plants fight disease by selecting resistant varieties, spacing plants properly, employing crop rotation, and providing adequate water and nutrients. Also, be sure to sanitize your tools regularly to halt the spread of disease from one plant to another.

Kate Russell is a UCCE Master Gardener.

HOMEOWNER’S SERVICE GUIDE Keep your home in top shape with the help of these local professionals.

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | JULY 16 - 22, 2021

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THE MIXING BOWL

Party Spinach Quiche Cups 1/2 pound fresh spinach, about 1 cup, washed and roughly chopped, or 1/2 package frozen spinach 4 eggs 1 cup cheese cut into small cubes — cheddar, cream cheese, Monterey Jack, blue cheese, etc.

2 tablespoon cream, milk or half and half salt and pepper, to taste

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Tarmo Hannula

JULY 16 - 22, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Toppings:

QUICHE CUPS Little omelets are great as party treats and leave a lot of room for creativity.

By SARAH RINGLER

E

asy to make, these mini-omelets are a cute and simple little party treat. It is a stretch to call these quiches because there is no crust but they have the advantage of being gluten-free for those who have that as an issue. There is also plenty of room for creativity too. Although the recipe calls for mushrooms and

spinach, other vegetable combinations are possible and onions would be a natural plus. About two cups of raw vegetables should do it. This recipe is from Abby at manilaspoon.com.

It is your choice of cheese that will determine the richness, creaminess and flavor. Although it is difficult to determine the saltiness before these are baked, it is important that you add enough salt and pepper.

Get creative with the toppings.

There are a few suggestions below.

Some might need a little baking and others can be added before serving.

Vegetable Quiche Cups 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil 1/2 pound mushrooms, washed, dried and chopped into small pieces — about 1 cup

Grated cheese Toasted seeds like sesame, sunflower, pine nuts, etc.

Parsley, basil, onions or garlic, minced Bacon bits or sausage rounds that are already cooked Lightly oil or butter a 12-muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms until they are soft in about 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt. Remove mushrooms from pan and set aside.

Return pan to the stove. Using medium heat, add the spinach and cook just until the leaves have wilted, in about 3-4 minutes. Cook until water dissolves or drain the excess water. Cool.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and cream or milk until combined. Add the cooked mushrooms, spinach and cheese to the eggs. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until it’s well set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Sprinkle with toppings and bake for a few minutes longer. Leave in the pan for a few minutes or just until it’s cool enough to handle.

Use a small knife or metal spatula to remove and place on a serving plate. These also freeze well and can be reheated.

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.

CATCHING WIND

Sailors drift across the Monterey Bay during the Wednesday Night Sailboat Race that stems from the Santa Cruz Harbor. The informal event starts at 5:30pm and is best viewed from Twin Lakes State Beach and Seabright State Beach.

PEACEFUL At the top of Hazel

Dell Road, this Black Angus Bull has the whole pasture to himself.

Ed Show

Robert Higaki

Standish loses control at the top of the Corkscrew during the recent MotoAmerica SuperBike event at Laguna Seca in Monterey.

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | JULY 16 - 22, 2021

Tarmo Hannula

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