THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY
AUGUST 14, 2020
Gardening P7 Mixing Bowl P8 Home of the Week P10
A supplement to The Pajaronian
Local stables offer outdoor reprieve from shelter-in-place P4
AUGUST 14 - 20 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
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Raeid Farhat Real Estate Inc
raeidfarhat.com
The rules of the game have changed, just like major
league sports, but the real estate market is still strong and active. Marketing strategies and showings are a bit different with restrictions to the number of people allowed to enter a listing as well as sanitizing regulations. I have successfully embraced the changes. Here are (4) properties that I have listed and sold during the covid-19 shelter in place mandate that began in mid-March 2020.
115 Hastings
42 Robak
149 Marin
335 Zurich
9 MAGAZINE
21 Brennan St, Suite 18, Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831.761.7301
CEO & Executive Editor
Dan Pulcrano Publisher
Jeanie Johnson
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Editor
Erik Chalhoub Contributing Writers
Johanna Miller Tarmo Hannula Kate Russell
Advertising Account Executives
Tiffani Petrov
Local Real Estate Specialist CA BRE #01450406
Honesty • Loyalty • Integrity Extensive local market knowledge! Community Involvement for over 20 years
Jazmine Ancira Lupita Ortiz Design Director
Kara Brown
7 4
Design Layout
Hon Truong
Cover story
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Art
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Gardening
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Mixing Bowl
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Photo Gallery
10 Home of the Week
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:
jjohnson@pajaronian.com Phone:
831.761.7301
Circle of Champions - Watsonville Office
PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020
Sarah Ringler
Ed Gagné
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PICTURED, FROM LEFT This national
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
champion thoroughbred is one of many horses residing at Mt. Madonna Stables. A young horse named Lily is unbridled after a trail ride through Mt. Madonna County Park. Stables manager Tesi Pickett steadies a new foal. Pickett leads a ride through Mt. Madonna County Park.
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TRAILS A
By JOHANNA MILLER
THROUGH THE TREES Mt. Madonna Stables offering trail rides in county park
s people continue to follow federal, state and local shelter-in-place regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic, many have started looking for safe recreation in the great outdoors. In early June, Gov. Gavin Newsom released updated guidelines that allowed certain outdoor recreational facilities to reopen. This included most horseback riding services —including Mt. Madonna Stables in Watsonville. The 18-acre estate, nestled in the heart of Mt. Madonna County Park, is home to about 40 horses. In addition to trail riding,
Photos by Johanna Miller
For safety during the pandemic, trail rides are reserved for one group (from the same household) at a time. They are by appointment only, and staff asks for backgrounds and specifications of each participant before they arrive. “We do things a bit different here,” Pickett said. “We don’t have a string of horses just sitting in a line, ready and saddled. Many of them do lessons and shows, too … there’s a lot going on here.” Also unique to Mt. Madonna Stables is how it approaches teaching. Prior to a ride, an individual will learn proper techniques such as mounting, steering and stopping, weight distribution and more. “We try and give people a good foundation,” Pickett said. “And as we ride, we continue to teach and help. That
way, it’s a bit more than just putting someone on a horse and letting them figure it out.” Riding can turn into a challenging workout for the inexperienced. This is why most beginner rides last for about an hour. Pickett said that she recommends this, as riders’ legs can tire quickly and be unstable when they dismount. Horses are given a thorough brushing, their hooves cleaned, a spritz of fly spray and saddled before taking off onto Mt. Madonna’s trail system, which winds back and forth through sandy meadows and dense redwood forests. Wildlife is often spotted, from squirrels and deer to hawks and plenty of banana slugs. Pickett said she enjoys meeting new people when leading rides, and seeing
them learn to communicate with their horses. Kids especially can benefit, she said. “It’s empowering for them… to be in control and have a connection with such a large animal,” she said. Pickett’s advice for newcomers? Relax, and know that you are in good hands. “Don’t stress or overthink—we have enough of that right now,” she said. “Come here with an open mind, trust the staff and that they’re going to take care of you.” Mt. Madonna Stables is located at 60 Summit Road and provides trail riding to customers in Watsonville, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Morgan Hill, San Jose, Gilroy and beyond. For information and to book a visit, call 408.663.1665 or visit mtmadonnastables.com.
PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020
the facility offers lessons and training, therapy, day camps and more. “Horseback riding is a great way for people to get into nature,” said stable manager Tesi Pickett. “It also gives you a completely new perspective—I see things while I’m riding that I wouldn’t have noticed on foot.” Mt. Madonna Stables, currently owned by David and Michelle Mahoney, was forced to shut down most operations when the shelter-in-place ordinance went into effect in March. It opened again on June 8, and has since seen an influx of people interested in riding. “People are vacationing at home… finding things to do near them,” Pickett said.
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722-3382
ART
E. Romie Lane
South Salinas location under construction duplex consisting of 3Br-2.5 Bth dbl car garage each unit $829,000 2095 Penasquitas Dr., Aptos 37 Webb Road, Watsonville Condominium 3Br-2.5 Bths 2 car attached garage ,move in condition walk to the beach and Seascape Village shopping. $749,000
1039 Freedom Blvd.
COMING SOON
Bank owned property call for details. 171 Zinfadel Court, Los Banos
EVERARDO QUINTERO 831-332-5545
JOHN ESPINOZA 840-2506
BRE #00477281
BRE #00478150
RAY QUINTERO 707-4659
SALVADOR “SAL” ROCHA 724-6030
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AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
1051 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville
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TOPS In Their Field Are You TOPS in Your Field? Contact Tiffani 831.761.7314
Jesse Reyes CalDRE #01719898
Direct Line: 831-707-8067 www.jessesellingcalifornia.com Helping Buyers and Sellers ITIN Purchases Mobile Home Sales + Purchases
Still Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey & San Benito Counties
Tarmo Hannula
Two Story Home, consisting of 4 bdrs,and 2.5 bts. Living room, family room,fireplace. Large lot. 2 Car Garage. Offered at $359,500
Commercial Office For Sale. Seller Is Motivated. $450,000
PUBLIC WORK Aptos artist Sarah Jane works on a large chalk painting on Aug.
7 on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz as part of a First Friday “Color the Street” project.
Expressive art in the public County artists participate in First Friday event By TARMO HANNULA
T
en artists helped dress up a section of Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz last week during the first-ever “Color Our Street! Chalk Art Event.” As part of the monthly First Friday Art Tour, the project gave artists an open slate to create original art on the pavement inside a section of Pacific Avenue, the main business street in Santa Cruz, that has been closed to motor traffic during the coronavirus outbreak. “It just feels great to be able to share something positive and to leave something here for everyone in the community,” said Linda Cover, an artist who was a major player in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for more than two decades. “The range of the art out
here is wonderful; it’s a wide open gallery. It’s fun to be youthful.” First Friday Santa Cruz collaborated with MeloMelo Kava Bar and Downtown Santa Cruz to bring the project to fruition, said First Friday director Bree Karpavage. “We simply wanted these artists to express where they’re at today,” she said. “The topic is a free range. It can be Black Lives Matter, masks or a flower—the artists chose their own direction.” From Wednesday through Friday the artists took to the pavement with chalk and, in some cases, pastels, as the public was welcome to get a glimpse of art in progress. Karpavage said Downtown Santa Cruz provided the chalk while MeloMelo Kava Bar pitched in gifts for the winners.
GARDENING
Asian gypsy moths Sunnyvale spotting has local gardeners worried By KATE RUSSELL
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caterpillars may have a mottled grey color that can range from yellow to black. Adult female moths are white and somewhat larger than most of our native moths, with a three-and-ahalf-inch wingspan. Males are grayish brown and smaller, with a wingspan of only one and a half inches. A single female Asian gypsy moth can lay 500 to 1,500 eggs. These fuzzy buff or yellowish egg INVASIVE PEST Asian gypsy moth caterpillars masses may be seen on can be easily mistaken for tent caterpillars tree trunks and branches, or webworms. as well as fences and patio and Agriculture is currently furniture. Each egg mass averages placing 2,300 traps over 81 square one and a half inches wide by miles of the Sunnyvale area. three-quarters of an inch, though If Asian gypsy moths arrive in they may be as small as a dime. your garden, it is critical that you Washington state pest agencies are spraying “Bacillus thuringiensis report sightings to state officials var. kurstaki” (Btk). Btk is a type right away by calling the Pest of soil bacteria that kills the Asian Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. gypsy moth but is not harmful Kate Russell is a UCCE to pets, people, fish or bees. The Master Gardener. California Department of Food
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REAL ESTATE OF MIND
Provoking thought since 1990 Death and Taxes. Everyone’s heard those words. It’s part of a quote that originated with Ben Franklin: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” More than 240 years later a lot has changed, but death is still at the top of the short list of inevitable facts we all have to face. (Until the Engineering team at Google achieves The Singularity and starts transforming brain waves into digital algorithms uploaded into the Cloud so we can all live forever.) Meantime, lesser mortals at Real Estate of Mind are working on that other most inevitable thing in our lives - taxes. More specifically, real estate taxes - something so many people around the age of 55 are thinking hard about along with questions about downsizing, cash flow and leaving a legacy for their kids. Here’s a quick cheat sheet (reference guide, not an actual suggestion for cheating on your taxes) for those trying to figure out how to avoid substantial increases in their property taxes when they sell their home: Prop 13 (1978): The original granddaddy proposition reducing existing property taxes and significantly limiting increases in the future. Prop 58 (1986): Allows parents to pass homes on to their children without a reassessment of property taxes. See the fine print, folks. Prop 60 (1986): Offers homeowners the opportunity to sell their home and buy a new one (of lesser value) in the same county, while transferring a lower property tax base. Prop 90 (1989): Allows homeowners to transfer their existing property tax base to other participating counties in California (only a few participate). Prop 110 (1990): Extended Prop 60 to disabled homeowners of any age. Prop 193 (1996): Extension of Prop 58 allowing grandparents to transfer property to grandchildren (provided their children are deceased) without reassessment. Stay tuned for progress reports on Prop 19 coming up on the ballot in November. If passed, it would, among other things, modify Prop 90 and allow qualified homeowners over the age of 55 to transfer their property tax base to any other county in the state. While continuing the quest to cheat both death (via Google) and taxes (via Proposition) I invite any and all of you who are wrestling with the numbers to give me a call to discuss how each of the different Propositions can assist in your planning.
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 | AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020
sian gypsy moths have just been spotted in Sunnyvale and officials are worried. You should be, too, because these invasive new pests can fly to the Pajaro Valley. A single Asian gypsy moth caterpillar can eat one square foot of foliage in a single day. Fruit and nut trees are vulnerable, along with oak, elm, sweetgum and more than 500 other plant species. If this defoliation doesn’t kill your tree or shrub, it will be more susceptible to other pests and disease. Adding insult to injury, these caterpillars have hairs that may irritate your skin and may cause allergic reactions that can last two weeks. Asian gypsy moths were first seen in the U.S. in May, in Snohomish County, Wash. They are now found in Oregon, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina and California. Also known as Hokkaido gypsy moths, these pests are not the same thing as European gypsy moths. European gypsy moths are bad news, too. In 2017, European gypsy moths defoliated one-third of the state of Massachusetts, resulting in the loss of one-fourth of its oak trees the following year. Invasive pests, like the Asian gypsy moth, have the potential to wipe out entire forest ecosystems, not to mention your garden and landscaping, because many of them have no natural pests and indigenous trees and other plants have not evolved their own protections. Easily mistaken for tent caterpillars or webworms, Asian gypsy moth caterpillars start out less than 1/8-inch long and tan. As they feed and grow, they may reach three and a half inches in length, with two rows of blue and red spots along their backs. Fully mature
Tom Brezsny’s
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THE MIXING BOWL
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Tarmo Hannula
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
Prosciutto, Parmesan and pasta
PERFECT COMBINATION Crispy fried prosciutto adorn pasta mixed with
butter and Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget the black pepper.
By SARAH RINGLER
B
utter, Parmesan cheese and crispy prosciutto—a rich and salty combo—would probably go well on cardboard, but definitely goes well with fresh pasta. Serve with a salad and this is an easy dinner for two. This recipe is from a cookbook, “American Sfoglino,” written by Evan Funke, the chef and partner of the Felix Trattoria in Venice, Calif. He is very enthusiastic about making pasta completely by hand, so much so that I tried it myself
after giving up many years ago. I should know by now to leave these things to the experts; it was too dry and rubbery—again. Giorgio Franchetti, a food historian, reveals in his book, “Dining With the Ancient Romans,” that the Greeks and Romans ate pasta way before Marco Polo came back from Asia in the 1200s. “It’s pure nonsense,” he says. “The noodles that Marco Polo maybe brought back with him at the end of the 1200s from China were essentially made with rice and based on a different,
oriental culinary tradition that has nothing to do with ours.” Even though noodles and pasta developed separately, Italy and China share similar cooking styles. Preparing all the ingredients first, and then jumping into a fury of boiling and frying can be stressful and sometimes it’s hard to relax when it’s time to eat. A nice glass of white wine helps.
Pasta Tagliatelle with prosciutto and butter 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2-3 ounces prosciutto, torn
into bite-sized pieces Kosher salt Black pepper 3/4-pound fresh tagliatelle pasta, or 1/2pound dried fettuccine 1/2-cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus more for serving Tear prosciutto into bite-sized bits. Grate the cheese and have the fresh or dry pasta ready to cook. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Heat a frying pan that is large enough to hold all the cooked pasta and the prosciutto, over medium high heat. Add the butter and melt until it becomes frothy and golden in about 1 minute. When it is frothy, add half of the prosciutto in one layer. Cook until crisp in about 2-4 minutes. Transfer cooked prosciutto on to a paper towel. Cook the remaining prosciutto but when done, remove the pan from the burner and leave the rest of the prosciutto in the pan. Season boiling water lightly with salt. When the salt dissolves, add the fresh tagliatelle and cook until “toothsome” and slightly undercooked for about 2-4 minutes or according to the package. Cook longer if you are using dried pasta. When done, do not drain the pasta. Just before the pasta is ready, return the frying pan to the stove and heat the remaining cooked prosciutto over medium heat. Using a slotted pasta fork or tongs, transfer the pasta into the frying pan. Working quickly, add 1/2-cup of the cheese and 1/4-cup of pasta water. Swirl the pan vigorously and stir the pasta with a wooden spoon to thicken and combine the liquid and pasta. Sauce should become silky in about a minute. Pour the pasta into a large serving bowl, add the remaining prosciutto, grate some black pepper and serve with more Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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. TRIP COMPLETE The Roaring
Camp & Big Trees narrow gauge train pulls into its home base in Felton with a load of passengers.
person leaps off a cliff at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.
All photos by Tarmo Hannula
DAILY MEAL This Anna’s Hummingbird is a frequent visitor to a succulent’s flower.
PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020
ONE AT A TIME A young
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HOME OF THE WEEK
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
Submitted photo
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A digital solution for real estate professionals to attract prospects, sell homes and build listings All packages feature inclusion of property on homes.sc, six-photo gallery, link to video walk-through and agent photo with contact information. For more information contact Tiffani Petrov, 831.761.7314
homes.sc
BIG TREE RANCH This Larkin Valley boarding
facility consists of five acres.
Boarding facility on the market Five-acre Big Tree Ranch features arenas, barn and more
B
ig Tree Ranch in Larkin Valley is up for sale. Located at 140 Big Tree Lane, the ranch includes a recently remodeled 2,156-square-foot home that includes four bedrooms and three baths. A remodeled one-bedroom guest house with vaulted ceilings is also on the property. The more than five-acre property comes with a boarding permit. According to a listing on Zillow,
the property nets about $6,500 a month between horse boarding and guest house rental. Big Tree Ranch features a fourcar garage/workshop, hay barn, tack rooms, two arenas, many paddocks and stalls, a round pen, wash racks, pasture, lap pool and more. It is listed at $1,995,000 by Keller Williams Realty. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ y6ddkea4.
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SUMMER HOMEOWNER’S
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FURNITURE
Baker Bros. 31 E 5th Street Watsonville
HOUSE CLEANING
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Professional Carpet & Upholstery Steam Cleaning
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HARDY
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ROOFING
ARIANA ROOFING
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WINDOWS
Delta Glass 1811 Freedom Blvd.
(831) 724-6385 delta_glass@sbcglobal.net
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EQUIPMENT RENTAL
A TOOL SHED 285 W. Beach Street Watsonville
(831) 722-0334
C-39 Roofing • C-33 Painting
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PLUMBING
PLUMBING
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YARD MAINTENANCE
YARD MAINTENANCE
(831) 722-3242
JOHN SKILLICORN Realtor®
CALBRE #01875872
831-818-1540 | www.JohnSkillicorn.com | johnskillicorn@att.net
PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 14 - 20 2020
(831) 722-1776
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HOUSE CLEANING
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