Pajaro Valley Magazine | September 18, 2020 by Weeklys

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Photo Gallery P6 Mixing Bowl P8 Home of the Week P9

A supplement to The Pajaronian

South County observes Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month P4

Community Traditions

SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Raeid Farhat Real Estate Inc

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Erik Chalhoub Contributing Writers

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Give me a call today regarding buying or selling your property

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Design Layout

Hon Truong

Cover story

Mixing Bowl

Photo Gallery

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Circle of Champions - Watsonville Office

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020

Johanna Miller

We hope you are all doing well during the most confusing and scary times of our lives. Please be safe and sane and when you feel it’s overwhelming, practice patience and kindness and find some peace in it all. Change is difficult. - The house rental playing field has changed with new laws regarding tenants’ rights that are not landlord-friendly and, to date, state and federal officials have offered little relief for rental property owners. - The current fire is impacting our challenging housing market. Supply will be at a critical level with great demand. - The current COVID-19 crisis is changing our industry constantly, as we learn more about it. So, if you’re overwhelmed it’s natural in this environment. Some of you might be wondering about the current housing sales market. We can tell you this: For those of our clients who have decided to sell for one reason or another, the market remains strong. After listing the homes for our clients we have had healthy responses from buyers that have resulted in multiple offers and quick sales, much to the delight of the property owners. If you have any questions regarding current rent regulations or to consider selling your property, we would be happy to assist you.

TRADITIONAL DANCE Graciela

Vega has been teaching virtual classes on Ballet Folklorico through the Watsonville Public Library.

Courtesy of Watsonville Public Library

CELEBRATING CULTURE SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Latinx + Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off in South County

BY JOHANNA MILLER

his week, communities across the U.S. are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, a month dedicated to the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Johanna Miller

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month is

on full display at the Watsonville Public Library.

“I see the value in having everyone involved,” she said. “Especially the youth. It is a challenging time right now… it’s good for them to channel their energy into something creative. And it’s just great to see their perspective on things.” While the contest is centered around Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month, submissions are not limited to it. One early submission, Barraza said, was inspired by the recent fires and how they affected the community. Twelve winners will be selected. Their work will be shared on the library’s website and social media, and staff hopes to also hand out gift cards to local businesses and restaurants. A submission form can be found at cityofwatsonville.org/202/Library. In addition to the art contest, the library, located at 275 Main St., is handing out sugar skull craft kits, which residents can pick up during its Curbside Pickup Hours (MWF noon5pm and Tues-Thursday noon-7pm). The library is also hosting its Ballet

Folklorico Summer Workshop virtually, with instructor Graciela Vega. The workshops were funded by a grant from the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County.

CULTURE THROUGH FILM Watsonville Film Festival will be hosting a screening of the documentary “To Stir the Heart” with Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History at Abbott Square on Saturday at 8pm. The film, also available to view online this week at watsonvillefilmfest. org, follows a group of children recovering from the Sept. 19, 2017 earthquake in Mexico, channeling their trauma through poetry and painting. Executive Director Consuelo Alba said that director of the film Melissa Elizonodo was scheduled to appear at the festival’s event in March before the Covid-19 pandemic hit California. To make up

for it, WFF hosted a special virtual chat with the director Thursday. Alba said that “To Stir the Heart” is a “beautiful example of the power of art and community… how children can turn trauma into something beautiful.” Space for the in-person film screening is limited; Abbott Square (725 Front St., Santa Cruz) is limited to 100 guests. Organizers advise that people arrive early to secure their space. Social distancing and other Covid-19 safety protocols will be implemented. Alba said that while Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month is a good way to promote people’s stories and experiences, it is important to recognize it year-round. “Hispanic heritage is American heritage,” she said. “There is so much polarization right now in this country. It is super important to remember that [Hispanic and] Latino stories are always relevant.” Added Barraza: “For me… it is my heritage, and it is definitely important to be able to celebrate and be proud of my culture. But I think especially now, with people so disconnected… This kind of celebration brings us all together.”

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020

The origins of the observance began with President Lyndon Johnson, who designated Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. In 1988, it expanded to a full month, starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. Mid-September is significant as many Latin American countries and Mexico celebrate the anniversary of their independence from Spain. In Watsonville, various groups have kicked off celebrations. Watsonville Public Library has organized its first-ever “Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest.” Organizer Stephanie Barraza, who works as Watsonville's Adult Services Librarian, said she was inspired by the success of the library’s recent online poetry contest. The contest is split into four categories: Elementary Students (grades 3-5), Middle School Students (grades 6-8), High School Students (grades 9-12) and Adults. Submissions can be paintings or drawings, sculpture and mixed media. People can submit virtually and voting will be held online. It was important, Barraza said, to keep the contest open to as many people as possible. The library has already seen a lot of interest from high school students in particular.

PHOTO GALLERY Tom Brezsny’s

REAL ESTATE OF MIND

FRIENDLY EYE This friendly dog keeps

Tarmo Hannula

After my recent series detailing the growth of Silicon Valley and how it has affected the Santa Cruz real estate market over the last 30 years, a number of people reached out to ask different versions of the same question: Who exactly is selling their homes these days, and where are they going? And who is buying those homes, and where are they coming from? Great question. Here’s a very simple way to think about the big picture: By far, the majority of people selling their homes are older folks who are moving elsewhere, out of Santa Cruz. Also, by far, the majority of people buying those homes are younger people coming from somewhere else, outside of Santa Cruz. (Most, but not all, are from counties clustered in and around the Bay area.) Whether some locals want to acknowledge it or not, this has been true for some time. But it has never been more true than in these last five or six years, during the long runup in appreciation our market has experienced. In other words, the pace of our outward/inward migration has accelerated since 2013 due to rising prices, the changing nature of the market and, I would add, the inevitable aging of the local population. I coined my own pet term for this all a while back. I call it the Santa Cruz version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, because sometimes it feels like every night after we go to sleep, a few more of our neighbors are mysteriously scooped up and replaced by alien “pod” people before we wake up the next morning. They kind of look the same but they’re not. And as the fear goes, almost overnight the character of Santa Cruz is being altered in profound ways beneath the surface. We can’t quite pinpoint it exactly but one day we’ll end up reaching a critical mass/inflection point that robs us of our inherent Santa Cruz-ness. Summoning up a vision of Kevin McCarthy in the original movie version of Body Snatchers frantically screaming “You’re Next! You’re Next!” at oblivious passersby as a metaphor for the anti-Communist, anti-McCarthyite paranoias of the 1950s may be a bit of overkill here, but judging by some of the occasional hate mail I get blaming me for encouraging/letting Silicon Valley people buy houses here, maybe not. All I can say to those distraught people who want to erect a wall at the top of the Summit retroactively, or to local culturechange deniers that insist everything should stay the same, is: That ship has sailed. We are already living after the pod people have arrived.

an eye on things from the rear seat of a vehicle in Watsonville.

ALL THAT REMAINS

Mailboxes in Boulder Creek, burned off their wood posts, rest in a bed of ash during the CZU August Complex Lightning Fire.

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

Tarmo Hannula

SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Provoking thought since 1990

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.

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Tiffani Petrov Account Executive 831.761.7314 | tpetrov@pajaronian.com

Debora Norz

BREAKING THROUGH A rainbow made an appearance over Freedom recently.

Tarmo Hannula

A DIFFERENT DRUMMER This man, who said his name is Trevor From Wherever, used

the tailgate of his truck to settle in and play his drums at Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz.

Are You TOPS in Your Field? Call Debra 831.761.7325

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020

TOPS In Their Field

THE MIXING BOWL

Tamarind chutney and pakora

Tarmo Hannula

SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

SPICY PATTIES Crispy Indian pakora are complemented by tamarind chutney.

By SARAH RINGLER

t was the chutney that attracted me to this recipe. Chutneys are sweet and spicy sauces that are an important part of Indian cuisine, and like ketchup and mustard, add a little punch to whatever they are served with. This chutney combines sweet dates and tangy tamarind. Tamarind pods are easy to find in Watsonville in Mexican markets. Because they have been used since ancient times, their origins are much debated in academic circles. They are thought to be either native to tropical Africa or the Indian subcontinent and are not only used as food but also as furniture wood, metal cleaner and medicine. The paste is found in the brown pod after you peel off the shell and remove the seeds and string. You have a full flavor and texture

palette when you add chutney to these crispy, fried, spicy patties. The recipe is from Niven Patel, originally from Surat, India, who operates a farm called Rancho Patel near Homestead, Fla. that he uses to supply his restaurant Ghee. His recipe calls for Lacinato kale, usually available around here from Lakeside Organic Gardens, but any kale variety will work. I don’t think you need to precisely follow the spices listed in the recipe. Garam masala itself, is a mixture of ground spices used across the Indian subcontinent. Rather than buying garam masala, you could add any spices like cloves, cinnamon, mace, cardamom, black pepper, chili powder or bay leaves that often are part of the masala. I served the pakora with dahl, yogurt, chutney and toasted sweetened coconut.

Kale and Corn Pakora Oil for frying 1 1/2 cup chickpea flour - in all 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons white rice flour 2 tablespoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground garam masala 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon garlic powder or minced fresh garlic 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 bunch Lacinato or other kale, washed, dried, stemmed and chopped 1 cup fresh corn kernels 1 cup chopped bell pepper 1 medium sweet onion, chopped 1 fresh serrano pepper, unseeded and thinly sliced 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons lemon juice Pour about 2 inches of oil into

a heavy saucepan like a Dutch oven. Whisk together 1 cup of chickpea flour, 1/2 cup of rice flour, salt, coriander, cumin, garam masala, ginger, turmeric and garlic into a large bowl. Add kale, corn, bell pepper, onion and chili. Massage vegetables and dry mixture together for 2 minutes to release moisture and until clumps are formed. If needed, add the remaining chickpea flour and the 2 tablespoons of white rice flour and continue mixing. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Set up a wire rack over a baking pan in the oven. Heat the oil in the heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Working in batches, scoop up 1/4 cup of kale mixture and form into little patties. When oil is hot (300 degrees), slide patties into the oil and deep fry for about 4 minutes until brown and crisp. When done, transfer to wire rack in the oven. Continue to fry until done. Serve with tamarind chutney.

Tamarind chutney 1 cup dried seeded dates 1 1/2 cups boiling water 2 tablespoons tamarind paste – pulp of 2-3 tamarind pods 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chile powder or substitute chili powder of your choice 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin Peel off the brown, crackly cover to the tamarind pod. Remove the seeds and the string. The remaining sticky pulp is the paste. Place dates in a small heatproof bowl and cover with the boiling water. Let stand at room temperature for about an hour until dates are soft. Put water and dates in a blender, add tamarind paste, lemon juice, salt, chili powder and cumin. Purée until smooth in about 35 seconds. Taste and adjust flavor as desired. Freeze or keep in the refrigerator for 5 days.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Submitted photo

PLAYA BOULEVARD This gated La Selva Beach property

includes various amenities.

feature inclusion of property on homes.sc, six-photo gallery, link to video walk-through and agent photo with contact information.

La Selva property includes main home and attached studio

his historic Spanish Mediterranean home in La Selva Beach was completely remodeled in 2019. Located at 201 Playa Blvd., the 2,808-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The kitchen is equipped with a breakfast area and island. The living and dining rooms overlook Triangle Park and Playa Boulevard.

In addition to the main house, the gated property includes an attached one bedroom/one bathroom studio with its own entrance and a detached three-car garage. The private backyard includes a barbecue area, fruit trees and raised garden beds. The home, built in 1922, is listed at $2,488,000 by David Lyng Real Estate. For information, visit tinyurl.com/y2cw6hay.

For more information contact Tiffani Petrov, 831.761.7314

homes.sc

PAJARO PAJARO VALLEY VALLEY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 18 18--24 24,2020 2020

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FURNITURE

SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2020

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