Pajaro Valley Magazine | November 13, 2020

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

A supplement to The Pajaronian

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Giving Back

Second Harvest kicks off virtual Holiday Food Drive as other efforts get underway P4

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THE RIGHT CHOICE.

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Editor

Erik Chalhoub Contributing Writers

Erik Chalhoub Johanna Miller Tarmo Hannula Kate Russell Sarah Ringler

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

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Call us for all your Real Estate needs.

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Design Layout

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Cover story

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Mixing Bowl

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Photo Gallery

Hon Truong Cover Photography:

Tarmo Hannula

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

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

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020

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DAILY TASK Jael Lopez of the California

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COMMITTED TO GIVE SECOND HARVEST’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE GOES VIRTUAL

By JOHANNA MILLER

S

econd Harvest Food Bank volunteer Paul Garcia knows the importance of giving back to his community.

“I was a heroin addict for many years… I tore this town up,” he said.

“So now I’m giving back.”

Garcia has been a volunteer for Second Harvest for 11 years. He started as a truck driver, then moved on to the warehouse, working even as he was battling lung cancer and other health problems.

Gradually, staff at the food bank recognized his enthusiasm and began giving him more responsibility. He is now the head supervisor of warehouse volunteers.

The Covid-19 pandemic initially put a wrench into operations at the food bank—after the initial outbreak in March, volunteers including Garcia were sent home, and National Guard members were called in to help instead.

Garcia says he was “going crazy” not being able to volunteer for those months.

“It feels so good to be back here,” he said. “It feels right.”

Suzanne Willis, Second Harvest’s Chief Development Officer, said staff at the food bank was “thrilled” to have him back, too.

“Paul has been an integral part of our warehouse operations for many years, so having him back is helping us tremendously,” she said.

Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

National Guard helps bundle up bags of vegetables at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville.

MORE GIVING Toys for Tots Santa Cruz County Toys for Tots will be accepting toy donations by mail (Amazon and Target registries available), as well as monetary donations via its crowdfunding campaign. For information, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

You can also make a financial donation to the Toys for Tots organization at bit.ly/2JVDM2V. Tarmo Hannula

HUNGER FIGHTERS Suzanne Willis, chief development officer at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and volunteer Paul Garcia are just a few major players that keep the food bank in motion.

PV Loaves and Fishes

Casa de la Cultura

Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes is accepting donations of frozen turkeys and other items for their special Thanksgiving meals, as well as monetary assistance through the holidays. Gift cards to grocery stores can also be donated. For information on the upcoming holiday meals and to make a donation, visit pvloavesandfishes.org.

Casa de la Cultura will be holding a Drive-Thru version of its annual Christmas giveaway on Dec. 21. Local families can pick up food, toys and coats at Casa de la Cultura, 225 Salinas Road in Pajaro. Volunteers are needed to help direct traffic and organize gifts. For information on how to donate items and support the organization financially, visit casadelaculturacenter.org.

The Christmas Project

Second Harvest’s annual Holiday Food Drive will be virtual this year in order to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Monetary donations will be accepted through its website.

One hundred percent of the funds will provide food to distribute via the organization’s partners agencies.

“You’re not going to be seeing donation barrels out in the community like you’re used to seeing,” Willis said. “[But] people still need that

support and we need those funds to provide it to all of those people.”

Willis explained that monetary donations have always been more impactful in the long run. For every $1 donated to the organization, they can purchase about $9 worth of groceries.

This extra support is vital, as the food bank is currently averaging about 1.2 million pounds per month in distribution—almost double the

amount before the pandemic. This means needing more staff and volunteers to meet the demand.

“Not only are we having twice as much need, now we have to pre-bag everything, make sure it's ready so it can be grab-and-go,” Willis explained.

“That is why our labor force is so important to us, especially now.”

Garcia said that his time at the food bank has been “amazing.”

“I want people to know… it’s fun.

Turkey Giveaway Local 7-Eleven owners Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco will once again hold their annual Turkey Giveaway—albeit in a smaller capacity—on Nov. 23. This year the giveaway will be held by appointment only, in order to protect customers and staff. Sign up forms will be available at 261 East Lake Ave. and 1461 Main St. Staff will call when people’s turkeys are ready for pickup.

You meet all kinds of people, and make friends,” he said. “It’s a great environment, and you are helping out your community. I know I don’t have plans to go anywhere.”

To donate to Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s Holiday Food Drive, visit thefoodbank.org.

The organization is also currently hiring and looking for more volunteers to work on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020

Tarmo Hannula

READY TO GIFT Watsonville firefighter Greg Montes studies the heaps of donated gifts at this year’s Toys for Tots roundup.

The Christmas Project, which provides gift certificates for migrant and needy families, will be accepting gift cards and monetary donations this year. Together with Second Harvest, they aim to provide grocery gift cards for families to purchase food. In addition, they will hand out Target cards for families to pick out a present for their children. Contact Gladys Anderson at 831.426.2264 for information.

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THE MIXING BOWL

Versatile Roast Pork Shoulder percent to 47 percent, to become a U.S. state. Although this is the sixth time they have voted on this issue since they first became a territory in 1898—and there is little likelihood it will lead to statehood any time soon—it seems slightly positive, like the vote, that some Puerto Ricans want to be part of our country. They have a rich, tropical Caribbean culture with a cuisine to match that would make a great addition to our already diverse country.

Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder.

1 cup fresh orange juice 1⁄2 cup red wine vinegar 1⁄3 cup dark brown sugar 1⁄4 cup kosher salt 1⁄4 cup ground black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons dried oregano 2 tablespoons ground cumin

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8 pounds bone-in pork shoulder Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

40 cloves garlic, minced

SLOW ROASTED Leftovers from a Puerto Rican Roast Pork dinner were used here

to make Green Tomatillo Salsa Enchiladas.

By SARAH RINGLER

I

don’t know about you but I have found that some recipes call for marinades that are barely worth the time and energy. This is not that kind of marinade. As you can see from the ingredients, 40 cloves of garlic and a quarter cup of black pepper, flavor is guaranteed. With this recipe, you will have roast pork that is fantastic right out of the oven, but can also be shredded and added to other dishes like

enchiladas, tacos, empanadas, pasta, rice or casseroles.

The recipe comes from Penny De Los Santos in December 2011’s Saveur magazine. She adapted a Puerto Rican recipe meant for roasting a small pig, “lechón,” into one that would accommodate a pork shoulder. It is a common festival or party dish in many parts of the Spanish-speaking Americas and the Philippines.

This roast, also called “pernil asado,” takes a while to make, but like I said above, the time the meat spends in the marinade is

well worth it. It should be marinated for at least six hours and is slow roasted, taking up to six hours to reach the stage where the meat falls off the bone and the fat is crispy. Although the roast packs a lot of flavor, sauces like teriyaki, salsa verde, Hawaiian and Italian marinara are compatible and can be served alongside or used later in other dishes. Conceivably, one roast could be used for two or three meals down the road.

Puerto Rico is America’s oldest colony, and they just voted in a non-binding referendum, 52

Mix orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, olive oil, oregano, cumin and garlic in a medium bowl. Using a sharp knife, cut 11⁄2-inch wide and 1-inch deep slits all over the pork shoulder. Put it in a deep roasting pan and pour marinade over pork.

Refrigerate turning pork every few hours, for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Roast pork, basting with marinade every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part reads 190 degrees for about 5-6 hours. You know it’s done when the meat shreds easily and falls off the bone. Let rest before serving.

The meat freezes well. Shred and place in an airtight container and, defrosted, can be ready to use with any number of dishes.

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PHOTO GALLERY

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Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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.

CROP LAYERS Agriculture fields stretch out toward the sea along

San Andreas Road in Watsonville.

Johanna Miller

IN NATURE Sunlight shoots through trees and

onto a section of Aptos Creek.

from other vehicles, seashells and a religious symbol.

this photo of their pumpkins for Halloween this year.

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 13 -19, 2020

Contributed

Tarmo Hannula

ONE OF A KIND A Santa Cruz “art car” includes everything from panels and tail lights

ONE MORE Wayne and Janet Fort set up

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REAL ESTATE OF MIND

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Today’s question: Why do sellers occasionally choose out of town agents to list their homes? It always surprises me when unusual signs pop up or new listings come on the MLS offered by agents who don’t live or work here. There are almost 1300 Realtors in Santa Cruz County. You’d think sellers would have plenty of options right here in their own backyard.

I guess I can think of a few reasons why sellers might hire non-local agents; I just can’t think of any good ones. Here are a few: Sometimes people hire an out of town agent because he/she is their friend and they don’t want to risk their friendship.

Sometimes they know too many local Realtors.

They are afraid of offending them all so they pick an out of town Realtor thinking it will go over better.

Sometimes they have a sister or aunt who is a Realtor elsewhere, who promises to take care of them.

Sometimes they look for a discount broker who’ll stick their home on the MLS for a nominal fee. They don’t want any other services, so they don’t care whether the broker lives here.

Sometimes they feel compelled to use the same agent that helped them buy the property ten years ago when they moved here, figuring they worked locally in the past at least once.

Sometimes they think Silicon Valley agents have special access to wealthy Silicon Valley buyers. (There are always rumors about secret CEO email lists floating around.)

Sometimes they think 408 or 650 or 415 agents know how to speak the secret language of tech or money. Sometimes they think they are more sophisticated or experienced because the median price in their zip codes is higher.

Now back to the reality of realty... all real estate is local. Every market has its own unique dynamic. No two are the same. Over the years, quite a few clients have asked me to represent them in the hottest spots around Silicon Valley, but I’ve never agreed to take on any of those lucrative listings.

Why? Because even under the best of circumstances, I know I can’t generate the same results a qualified and truly local Realtor can. Being a good fiduciary is more important than being a good friend or family member.

Success in the multiple-offer marketplace depends on knowing local agents, local lenders, local ordinances and the lay of the local landscape. You have to know all the nuances and intimate details. That’s something you only get from living in a place for a long time.

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