Pajaro Valley Magazine | Feb. 28, 2020 by Weeklys

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

A supplement to The Pajaronian

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

SENIOR YEAR

Community center undergoing complete overhaul P4

THE MIXING BOWL P5 | LOCAL AUTHOR P6 | TRY THIS P7

EDITOR’S NOTE

Get Fit FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

-Brian Orozco

Functional Aging Specialist Experience & Expertise

Senior Health & Fitness Programs

726-6493 Call Today! 831-

Now Open • New Location

434 Main St. Watsonville, CA 95076 831-726-6493 • www.fftcfitness.com

hen the City of Watsonville decided to take over the Senior Center late last year, several concerns started to arise. Could the City afford the cost of running another facility? Would the change from the nonprofit previously running the center affect the seniors in a negative way? What vision did the City have for the center? Many of those concerns have been answered and the Senior Center is moving forward with an impressive plan that accounts for the present and future. TONY NUNEZ This week’s cover story addresses the upgrades, changes and plans that are scheduled for the community hub. Over the next decade the entire baby boomer generation (1944-1964) will join the senior citizen community, and Generation X (1965-1980) won’t be far behind them. That means there will be a new crop of seniors walking into the Senior Center with different interests, concerns and questions. Most of those interests will involve technology—specifically, the Internet. Having the Senior Center plugged into the City’s web of fiber optic cable will make a massive difference for today’s seniors and those that will walk through the doors in the future. It’s easy for young folks to overlook the senior community, since most aren’t visible in our everyday lives. There aren’t many seniors in the workforce, most aren’t at brew pubs, bars or restaurants past 8 p.m. and they typically do their shopping during the afternoon. For many millennials, the only seniors we are exposed to are our grandparents. And most of us look at them as never-ending wells of experience and advice that make incredible food and only live to spoil their grandchildren. But they like to have fun, too. I’m glad they’ll have a space to do just that.

MAGAZINE

21 Brennan St, Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831.761.7301

Cover Story

Food

Books

Try This

Live Music

10 Photo Gallery CEO & Executive Editor

Dan Pulcrano Publisher

Jeanie Johnson Managing Editor

Tony Nuñez Contributing Writers

Tony Nuñez Johanna Miller Sarah Ringler Todd Guild Advertising Account Executives

Tina Chavez Jazmine Ancira Lupita Ortiz Design Director

Kara Brown Design Layout

Hon Truong Cover photograph by:

Tony Nuñez

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

tchavez@pajaronian.com Phone:

831.761.7301

go where the locals go

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Visit SantaCruzNaturals.org for delivery, menu and more!

B Y

T O N Y

Tony Nuñez

S T O R Y

N U Ñ E Z

A B O U N D

big plans for Senior

at the Watsonville Senior Center Wednesday.

LENDING A HAND These women serve a lunch for Meals on

Wheels at the Watsonville Senior Center Wednesday.

ALOHA Esther

Herrera (right) enjoys dancing on Hawaii day at the Watsonville Senior Center on East Fifth Street.

Tarmo Hannula

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Center

SOCIAL MEAL A lunch is provided to seniors Tony Nuñez

City has

he Watsonville Senior Center is in the midst of an extensive, long-needed exterior facelift. New tables, chairs and other furniture now grace the community staple. A ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act is in the works. And a new paint job and flooring could also be in its future. Everything below the surface at the Senior Center is also getting a major upgrade. Since taking control of the center last year, the City of Watsonville has slowly started moving it into the 21st century. The Senior Center will now be linked into the City’s vast fiber optic cable route. That upgrade will be a boon for both City employees and those who frequent the center, as it will allow the facility to offer fast, reliable and secure Internet access. In the past, all at the Senior Center would share WIFI connectivity from a singular router operated by one of the five public service providers at the center, according to Parks and Community Services Director Nick Calubaquib. “It’s going to change the way we position the building and ready us for the new wave of seniors that are going to be coming through sooner rather than later,” Calubaquib said. That “new wave” being baby boomers and Generation X, two generations that are growing more and more attached ➝8

THE MIXING BOWL silk, freshly made glasses of pomegranate juice, teas, giant apples, nuts, steaming vats of soup and big bins of cumin, chili powder and other spices are out in the open alongside the busy road where you could get run over if you got too engaged in staring at the shops. Using the traditional cumin and chili spices with minced garlic added, these eggplants need to be baked until they are mushy. The spiced lamb bits on skewers cook fast under the broiler. This dish would go well with a cucumber and yogurt raita and pita bread although it was served with rice in China.

MUSLIM LAMB AND EGGPLANT

Tarmo Hannula

FLAVORFUL This Muslim eggplant dish uses cumin

and chili spices with minced garlic.

SARAH RINGLER

his is a typical Muslim dish that I had this winter in a small, family-run restaurant in the Muslim district of Xi’an, the Chinese city famous for the Terracotta Warriors. Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Lantian Man, a Homo Erectus fossil - an early human relative - dating back 1.63 million years ago, was found near Xi’an in 1963 by J.K. Woo. It is the second-oldest Homo Erectus fossil found outside of Africa. Us human types have been hanging around there for a long time. Xi’an was also the eastern end of the Silk Road, better called Silk Roads because there were many routes on land and

sea that traded and traveled between China and Europe between the 2nd century BCE and the 18th century. Its status as a trading center contributed to a huge diversity of inhabitants that included early Nestorian Christians who built churches and practiced religion, as recorded on the writings of an 8th century stone. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 ACE to store Buddhist sutras that had been brought from India. Xi’an was also the first city in China to permit the practice of Islam in 651 ACE which contributes to its large Muslim population today. The Muslim section of Xi’an is colorful and lively. Steamed buns, dried fruits, wooden crafts,

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Muslim lamb and eggplant

2 big eggplants 1 pound lamb cut into 3/4 inch cubes ¼ cup ground cumin 3 tablespoons chili powder 4 tablespoons minced garlic 3 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons ground black pepper Olive oil Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make a spice mixture of cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Wash and cut eggplants in half the long way. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with cumin and chili powder mixture. Make some slashes in the flesh of the eggplant, leaving the skin intact. Put the eggplant flesh side down on a baking sheet and bake until flesh is very soft and mushy for about an hour or more if necessary. Cut the lamb into ¾ inch pieces trying to leave a bit of fat on each piece. Before broiling or barbecuing, roll bits in spice mixture and put 4-5 on a bamboo skewer. Just before serving, put eggplant flesh side up on the same baking sheet. Taste for flavor and add more spice mixture if needed. Then, spread minced garlic on the top. Broil until a crust forms on the eggplant in about 5 minutes. Set aside. Broil lamb skewers for about 5 minutes turning as necessary. Serve with eggplant.

BOOKS

Local author releases children’s book about coping with stress By JOHANNA MILLER

wenty years ago, Linda S. Gunther was working as a Human Resources Executive in Silicon Valley when she had an idea for a story. A character formed in her imagination: Polly, a young girl who regularly panics over small things that go wrong in her day. Gunther wrote a small draft of a story, complete with her own illustrations and bound with a piece of string. But Gunther ended up shelving the story—filing into the

back of a cupboard for another day. “I wasn’t writing books back then,” she said. “It was a very busy time. I just had a concept of this little girl, so I put the idea together.” A couple of years ago Gunther mentioned Polly to now-retired Calabasas Elementary School teacher Leslie Evans, who was sold on the idea. (Gunther herself had been an elementary school teacher for many years.) “[Leslie] told me that it is a big topic now in schools… Everyone’s talking about stress, everything that comes at these kids on a daily basis

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Valley Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center

Providing Quality Skilled Nursing Care Since 1962

• Medicare certified • High staff to patient ratio • Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies • Conveniently located within walking distance of Valley Heights Senior Community

and how they handle it,” Gunther said. “Little things will make them anxious. [She said] they were starting to do things like yoga.” With Evans and other teachers behind her, Gunther set off to finish “Panicky Polly,” which she released this year with illustrations by South African illustrator Zsa-Zsa Venter. The story follows Polly as she deals with daily stresses: doing a class presentation, her pestering little brother, fearing she broke the family TV, etc. Polly meets a kind grocer who gives her some advice: When you start feeling stressed, just put things on pause ➝ 9

OVERWHELMED “Panicky Polly” is Linda S.

Gunther’s third children’s book.

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THE BUZZ Watsonville Film Festival The Watsonville Film Festival is fast-approaching. Enjoy four days of film screenings, discussions, dancing and more March 12-15. This year the festival will be held at the Watsonville Women’s Club, 12 Brennan St., and is collaborating with various local organizations such as Digital NEST. Nearby Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St., will host a special joint exhibition, “Campesinos: Workers of the Land.” For information and a full list of events visit watsonvillefilmfest.org.

‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ with Diversity Center The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County invites the LGBTQ+ community, families and allies to a special outing to see Cabrillo College’s production of “Considering Matthew Shepard'' on March 12 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. A pre-party will be held at Vino Cruz, 4901 Soquel Drive. from 5:30-7 p.m. Tickets will be offered at a special group rate. For information visit diversitycenter.org and cabrilovapa.com.

Spring on the Farm

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

FOOD

The Kimo’s Broke da Mouth Burger

Freedom Bakery

Last week my family and I participated in Santa Cruz Burger Week. We JOHANNA went to Hula’s Island Grill in downMILLER town Santa Cruz, where the restaurant was offering discounts on three of their premium burgers. Hula’s is a bit pricey for me—I usually only stop by for a special occasion—so this was a great opportunity. I had The Kimo’s Broke da Mouth Burger for $12 (usually $17), which came with Jack cheese, grilled pineapple, bacon, avocado and house made sauce, on a large ciabatta bun. Tomato and lettuce was offered on the side, and each Burger Week item came with a complimentary side dish. I chose their sweet potato fries (the best in downtown Santa Cruz, in my opinion). Because I was saving some money on the entree, I decided to order one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails. I have never had a bad drink at Hula’s, and their Lilikoi Margarita ($9) was no exception. The delicious Tequila-based drink is mixed with passion fruit, orange juice and a house-made sour mix. It was perfectly tart with a hint of sweetness, and the sea salt on the rim of the large glass added another flavor layer—a must for a good margarita. Santa Cruz Burger Week ended on Tuesday but both items are still available for sale at Hula’s, 221 Cathcart St. The restaurant has another location in Monterey at 622 Lighthouse Ave. For information and to view menus visit hulastiki.com.

I had a sweet tooth one morning, so I thought I’d check out Freedom Bakery. TODD Tucked incongruously into a strip GUILD of industrially-zoned businesses, the place is not easy to find. But it’s worth checking out, if only to see what this unique bakery offers. I found the place a little light on to-go items, but then I live near Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola, which has enough takeaway confections to feed a small nation. But truth be told, that is not where Freedom Bakery excels. What draws legions of customers are the custom wedding cakes and cookies, which can be imprinted with any photo or logo customers bring in. The place is worth a look for that alone. However, what I got at Freedom Bakery made for a perfect morning-time sweet. I had a brownie with chocolate ganache frosting and a stack of two wedding cookies, which are also called Russian tea cakes. They were buttery, light and heavily dusted with a heavenly coat of powdered sugar. For my coffee – an essential part of the balanced breakfast I had built for myself – I went about five doors down to Hidden Fortress Coffee, which made my second breakfast complete. Freedom Bakery is at 125 Hangar Way #130 and is open Mon.-Sat. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Contact: 722.5223 or sales@freedombakery.com.

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

The Agricultural History Project at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, will host its monthly 2nd Saturday on the Farm event on March 14. Bring friends, families and neighbors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for some old-fashioned fun, including crafts, a puppet show, a tractor simulator and hayrides. This month’s “Spring on the Farm” will include kite flying, and a petting zoo with baby animals such as baby chicks and lambs. Admission is free. For information visit aghistoryproject. com or call 724-5898.

TRY THIS

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

CHANGES ABOUND

to tech. A report by the Statista Research Department in 2018 claimed that by the start of this year there would be 100 million smartphone users aged 45 and older—equal to roughly a third of the country’s population. A Census Bureau report that same year said that by 2035 there will be 78 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18—a historical shift in demographics for the country. In Watsonville, children ages 0-19 currently make up 33 percent of the population, while adults 50 or older are 25 percent of the population. But as the baby boomer generation ages, the latter is expected to grow at a faster rate than all other demographics. In anticipation of that change, the City Council earlier this month enrolled as an AARP Age Friendly Community, and also became the first city in Santa Cruz County to support the county-wide Age Friendly Communities initiative. Both initiatives aim to improve the everyday life of the older adult community by addressing areas such as housing, transportation, accessibility and community and health services. The Area Agency on Aging for Santa Cruz and San Benito counties is leading the latter initiative, which will develop an action plan that every county jurisdiction will follow for the foreseeable future. Calubaquib called the initiative an “exciting” opportunity for Watsonville and for the City’s new Older Adults Services Supervisor Katie Nuñez, who starts in early March. Nuñez, Calubaquib said, will not only be tasked with handling Watsonville’s participation in that initiative but also adding several new programs to the Senior Center’s currently-slim offerings. “We’ve made a little bit of progress but once we get our full-time person in here, I think that’s when we’ll really start to see things move forward,” Calubaquib said. The City took control of the Senior Center in November, pledging a roughly $176,000 investment into the building, programs and staff. The City Council unanimously approved the move in October. “I’m really proud about the step that we’re taking,” City Councilman

SAT

2/29

SUN

3/1

MON

3/2

TUES

3/3

WED

3/4

THU

3/5

FRI

3/6

APTOS ST. BBQ 8059 Aptos St, Aptos

Blues Mechanics, 6 p.m.

BLUE LAGOON 923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

An Evening of Burlesque, 9 p.m.

The Groggs + Cosmic Reef Temple + The Ollies, 7 p.m.

THE CATALYST NIGHT CLUB 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Matoma & Two Friends, 9 p.m.

Getter, 9 p.m.

THE CATALYST ATRIUM 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Gimmie Gimmie Disco, 9 p.m.

Andy Santana, 6 p.m.

A.C. Myles, 6 p.m.

Mojo Mix, 6 p.m.

Jimmy Dewrance, 6 p.m.

Alastair Greene, 6 p.m.

Magpies Blues Band, 6 p.m.

BRITANNIA ARMS 110 Monterey Ave, Capitola

CAPITOLA WINE BAR 115 San Jose Ave, Capitola

Las Cafeteras, 9 p.m.

The Struts, 8 p.m.

CILANTROS 1934 Main St, Watsonville

KPIG Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

CORRALITOS CULTURAL CENTER 127 Hames Rd., Corralitos

Acoustic Open Jam, 3 p.m.

THE CREPE PLACE 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz

Dumb Thumbs, 9 p.m.

CROW’S NEST 2218 E. Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Isaac & The Haze, 9:30 p.m.

THE FISH HOUSE 972 Main St., Watsonville

Johnny Feyes and Blues Crew, 8 p.m.

KUUMBWA JAZZ 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz

Skyness: Dan Costa live, 7:00 p.m.

Church of Misery, 9 p.m.

Pimp Tobi, 9 p.m.

KPIG Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m.

Funk Night! w/ Space Heater, 9 p.m.

Live Comedy, 9 p.m. p.m.

Francisco “Paco” Estrada, then Mayor, said after the approval. “I hope that our senior community understands that we are putting skin in the game. We are committed to our senior citizens. We’re serious about making sure you have the services that you need. You are in good hands with [Calubaquib].” The Senior Center for the previous 39 years was run by local nonprofit Association of Watsonville Area Seniors, which rented the Cityowned building for $1 per year. Calubaquib said the transition was, as expected, difficult for some seniors. He said he feels the community is starting to come around. “It was a big change but I think we’ve been able to move past that,” he said. ➝9 Esther Herrera said

John Michael, 8 p.m.

Yuji Tojo, 8 p.m.

No Win (LA), 9 p.m.

Diggin’ in the Crepe Vol. 5, 9 p.m.

Papiba & Friends, 8 p.m.

Live Again, 9 p.m.

Blue Ocean Rockers, 8 p.m.

Regina Carter & Xavier Davis, 7:00 p.m.

Roberto Fonseca—Yes, 7 p.m.

UCSC Grand Slam, 5:30 p.m.

BOOKS

SAT

2/29

SUN

3/1

MICHAEL’S ON MAIN 2591 Main St, Soquel

The Village Green, 8:30 p.m.

MOTIV 1209 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Kid Vicious, 9:30 p.m.

MOE’S ALLEY 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Space Heater, 9 p.m.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, 4 p.m. Margo Cilker, 9 p.m.

PARADISE BEACH 215 Esplanade, Capitola

Live Music, 2 p.m.

RIO THEATRE 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

An Evening with Leo Kottke, 9 p.m.

SEVERINO’S 7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos

Leap Year Party! ft. Live Again, 8 p.m.

SANDERLINGS 1 Seascape Resort, Aptos

Trio De Janeiro, 7:30 p.m.

SHADOWBROOK 1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola

UGLY MUG 4640 Soquel Ave., Soquel

MON

3/2

Grateful Sundays, 5:30 p.m.

TUES

3/3

WED

3/4

Open Mic Acoustic Jam, Vishtèn, 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

The Takeover, 9:30 p.m.

THU

3/5

Pawn Shop Soul, 7:30 p.m.

Hi Ya! By Little John, 9:30 p.m.

3/6

Vintage Point, 8:30 p.m.

Eden Roc, 9:30 p.m.

Diggin Dirt, 8:30 p.m.

Live Music, 6 p.m.

FRI

Steely Dead, 9 p.m.

Live Music, 6 p.m.

Colin Hay, 7:30 p.m. Don Mcaslin & the Amazing Jazz Geezers, 6 p.m.

Sasha’s Money, 8 p.m.

Claudio Melega, 7 p.m.

Ken Constable, 6:30 p.m.

Joe Ferrara, 6:30 p.m.

Open Mic, 5:30 p.m.

Banjo Dan, 6:30 p.m.

VINOCRUZ 4901 Soquel Dr., Soquel

ZELDA’S 203 Esplanade, Capitola

Aiko & Christina, 9:30 p.m.

ZIZZO’S COFFEEHOUSE & WINE BAR 3555 Clares St., Capitola

Mojo, 7 p.m.

she has been coming to the center for the past 15 years. Some changes have been easier than others, she said. “I like some of the changes and some of them I don’t like,” she said. “The new round tables are nice in the lounge area and they brought in a large TV for us to see movies—that’s nice. They also brought in some games that people enjoy playing.” Herrera added that she thinks attendance remains about the same as the days before the City took over. “We regularly have theme days, which everyone seems to enjoy,” she said. Editor’s note: Katie Nuñez is the author's wife.

for a moment. Count 1, 2, 3 and then take a deep breath. At first Polly ignores the man, but as her day continues to test her, she finds that it might be good to try the technique. “Most people I know, when I told them I was writing this book, they said, ‘Yeah… you know, we need that for adults, too,’” Gunther said. “There is so much information coming in from everywhere. It’s overwhelming. It’s good to stop for a minute and breathe. That’s true for everyone.” “Panicky Polly” is Gunther’s third novel. She has also written four romantic thrillers for adult audiences, with a fifth on the way. Gunther says she enjoys writing both, for different reasons. “I like writing for kids,” she said. “There’s a beauty in its simplicity. Writing a novel… It is so complex. You become kind of obsessed, you can’t sleep or eat without brainstorming about your characters.” In conjunction with the release of “Panicky Polly,” Gunther is scheduled to read at four elementary schools in the upcoming weeks, including two in Watsonville. After reading the story to students, she will lead follow-up discussions about what gives them stress and how they might be able to help themselves. “They don’t necessarily have to do what [Polly] does,” Gunther said. “They can find something that works for them.” Gunther added that another aspect of the discussion will be how to openly communicate with teachers, parents and friends. “It’s also about teaching respect,” she said. Saturday Gunther will be signing copies of “Panicky Polly” at Kelly’s Books, 1838 Main St., Watsonville, from 1-4 p.m. There will also be a wheel that children can spin to win small prizes such as bookmarks and candy, and Gunther might read excerpts from her book, as well. For information, including updates on Gunther’s upcoming novel, “Dream Beach,” visit lindasgunther.com.

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

CHANGES ABOUND

PHOTO GALLERY

Tarmo Hannula

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Have a recent photo youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to tnunez@pajaronian.com or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name of the photographer.

HALO Megan Jenkins twirls a hoop overhead as part of her exercise routine

during a walk on a Watsonville Slough trail.

Tarmo Hannula

ADVENTURE Two young girls explore the sands of Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz.

the front lawn of the Watsonville Senior Center.

UNIQUE LOOK This friendly kitty has

heterochromia, a condition causing it to have two different colored eyes.

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 5, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

TENDING GREEN A city employee mows

Johanna Miller

with his dog in Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz.

Tarmo Hannula

BEST FRIEND A young boy plays