Pajaro Valley Magazine | April 24, 2020

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

APRIL 24, 2020

A supplement to The Pajaronian

FROM THE

STUDIO TO THE SIDEWALK

County artist turns city street into colorful gallery

COVER STORY P4 | THE MIXING BOWL P5 | PAJARO VALLEY ARTS P8

2 APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

MAGAZINE

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

EDITOR’S NOTE

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Cover Story

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Mixing Bowl

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Art

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Photo Gallery

CEO & Executive Editor

Dan Pulcrano Publisher

Jeanie Johnson Managing Editor

Tony Nuñez Contributing Writers

Tarmo Hannula Sarah Ringler Advertising Account Executives

Tina Chavez Jazmine Ancira Lupita Ortiz

We are here for all your Real Estate needs The housing inventory is at an all time low. This is having a great impact on property values. The supply and demand theory is in full swing, thus driving home values up. If you are considering selling or just want an idea of what your property value is in this current market, reach out to us.

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Kathy Oliver

egagne@baileyproperties.com CalDRE# 01450406

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Ed Gagné Local Real Estate Specialist CA BRE #01450406

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Design Director

Kara Brown Design Layout

Hon Truong Cover photograph by:

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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Circle of Champions - Watsonville Office

APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

he coronavirus pandemic has produced excruciating situations for many around the globe. On the Central Coast, it has nearly brought our economy to a standstill and has put a pause on Santa Cruz County’s much-celebrated art scene.

Galleries, theaters and performing venues are closed until we beat COVID-19— TONY NUNEZ and we will.

This week’s cover story on county artist Janas Durkee is a ray of light in what has otherwise been a bleak time for artists and those who consume and enjoy their work.

It also carries an important reminder: the venues might be shuttered, but the creativity that fills them with performers and audiences will never leave.

Times might be rough now, and it can seem like there is no end in sight to this episode that has wreaked havoc on our everyday lives. But artists have a very special responsibility during this time: inspiring their neighbors, near and far, to keep believing.

So I applaud artists such as Durkee and the incredible folks at Pajaro Valley Arts, who despite this mess were able to move their exhibit “Campesinos: Workers of the Land” online for everyone to enjoy—learn more about that exhibit on page 6.

Please, keep doing what you’re doing. You don’t realize the levity you’re bringing to everyone.

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DAY PHOTO & STORY

BY TARMO HANNULA

APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Local teacher’s chalk art lifts neighbors’ spirits

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anta Cruz County’s shelter-in-place order hasn’t put a lid on Santa Cruz artist Janas Durkee’s creative energy.

Recently the Pacific Coast Charter School art teacher took her skills out of her studio and onto the street, turning the sidewalk in front of her home into an impromptu gallery.

The splashy, colorful chalk art has garnered mountains of attention from passersby and online.

“I heard about it online so we had to come over and check it out,” said Emily Christie, who teaches art in Los Gatos. “It’s amazing; this is such an inspiration to everyone walking by. I think it’s a great idea, to share your art like this.”

Christie spent at least 30 minutes pondering the 20 sidewalk squares that Durkee has dressed up in front of her Berkeley Way home. During that halfhour at least 10 other people, some with kids and dogs in tow, stopped to soak in the bounty of design and color. ➝7

FOR THE COMMUNITY Janas Durkee’s chalk art in front of her Santa Cruz home has livened up the street during a gloomy time.

THE MIXING BOWL skins as I’m preparing other food.

When the container is full, I put the contents in a saucepan, cover with cold water and slowing bring it nearly to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for an hour or more. Strain, date and freeze until needed. Celery and parsley are also important components and I also always add sweet potato skins and a few porcini or shitake dried mushrooms.

GRAIN AND ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Tarmo Hannula

FRESH FLAVOR This medley of cauliflower, mint, and lemon makes for a satisfying spring salad.

Spring Cauliflower, lemon and mint salad

SARAH RINGLER

or oats. The authentic grain for this dish is called freekeh or farik, an ancient variety of wheat that is harvested while green, sundried, roasted, the straw and chaff are rubbed off, and, finally, it is cracked into bits. Its name is derived from the Arabic word, “to rub.” It is an example of famine or poverty food, food that evolved out of a time of scarcity and then later becomes part of the culinary culture. In this case, people were forced to harvest the wheat early and then developed a way to make it edible. The process gives it a distinct earthy, nutty and somewhat smoky flavor. Cracked bulgar wheat is a closed substitute.

Vegetable stock is easy to make and adds to the flavor of whatever it is used in. I keep a plastic container in the freezer where I add clean onion, carrot and potato

APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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he most beautiful, creamy, white cauliflowers have been coming out of the fields and it’s worth taking advantage of their arrival. Joining cauliflowers this spring are lemons and mint. This salad is one way to celebrate the season and its wealth.

Cauliflower is roasted and then combined with lemon, mint, raisins and a hearty grain giving this salad substance and a very Mediterranean or Central Californian flavor.

Although this recipe resembles a typical hippie dish from the 1970s, it is actually an example of Hyderabadi cuisine that evolved out of an ancient kingdom, the Bahmani Sultanate, in southern India in the 1400s. Any grain can be used in this recipe including quinoa, rice, farro, barley, millet, bulgar, corn

1 head medium sized cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces ¾ cup freekeh or bulgar 1 ½ cup water or vegetable stock 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ½ cup sultana raisins 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Wash, dry and break the cauliflower into bite-size florets. Put them in a bowl and toss with olive oil. Spread them evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the florets start to get brown and crispy. Cool to room temperature.

Cook the freekeh or bulgar by putting it in a medium saucepan with 1½ cups of water or broth.

Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, simmer covered for 20-25 minutes until the grain is tender and has absorbed all of the liquid. Fluff it with a fork and cool slightly.

Make the dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Finally, put the salad together.

In a large bowl combine the roasted cauliflower, grain, raisins and lemon zest. Drizzle with the dressing and carefully mix until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Just before serving, add the mint. It can be served cold or at room temperature.

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THE MIXING BOWL

PVArts virtually opens new exhibit STAFF REPORT

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APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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‘Campesinos: Workers of the Land’ celebrates farmworkers

Artwork by Linda Curtis

ajaro Valley Arts has officially opened its newest exhibit, “Campesinos: Workers of the Land,” to view virtually on its website during shelter-in-place.

The exhibit, curated by Gabriel J. Medina and Judy Stabile, celebrates the contributions of agricultural farmworkers, and has been in the works since late 2019. Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) Executive Director Consuelo Alba had been looking for a venue to show the work of two artists who were to be highlighted at the festival, which was planned for early March.

As farmworkers were the central theme for both the artists, the organizations decided to team up to expand the collaboration into a full-blown exhibit.

“This exhibit was conceived to honor the dignity of… agricultural workers and farmers,” a PV Arts spokesperson said. “We asked artists to create and bring us work that represents what they see, feel and believe as they pass by our fields everyday. We asked for artwork that represents the issues of dignity, labor, workers’ rights, immigration, and the duality of every day living for migrant workers. We received incredibly personal, visual and audio stories that celebrate the lives and contributions of our families and community of agricultural workers.”

After shelter-in-place orders went into effect and the film festival was canceled, PV Arts organizers began working on bringing “Campesinos” online for guests to experience.

“Campesinos: Workers of the Land” can be viewed at pvarts.org. As soon as the shelter-in-place order is lifted, the gallery hopes to open for the remainder of the exhibit, which closes Aug. 2.

ESSENTIAL WORK “Strawberry Fields Forever,” a watercolor by Linda Curtis is part of

Pajaro Valley Arts’ newest exhibit, now viewable virtually on their website.

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CHALK

TOPS

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Durkee said the art is a mix of ideas based on some of her previous paintings, spontaneous images that have caught her eye—like a flower design from the side of a Kleenex box—to suggestions from passing children.

“Kids started asking for things like a snowflake, a castle with a mote, T-Rex, a rainbow and a unicorn,” she said. “Now they’re all in there. This way everyone is becoming a part of the art; art should be of the community. I think it can help people feel like they belong; it’s something we all need right now.”

Durkee, who has exhibited her work in numerous venues in the area, has also woven in words of wisdom and hope in her art. “Protect our elders” is drawn above her uncle’s portrait. And a quote from Pablo Picasso reads, “The purpose of art is to wash the dust of our daily lives off of our souls.” The message is flanked by Durkee’s own version of a Picasso-like portrait of a woman.

“They’re wonderful,” exclaimed one woman who walked her dog

In Their Field

IN HONOR ARTIST

Artist Janas Durkee created this sidewalk chalk drawing, based on a previous canvas painting, of her uncle.

past the display. “I walk by here all the time and this is so refreshing.”

On Monday rain came along and all but washed the chalk art away, leaving behind ghost images of the work.

“It’s just part of the process,” Durkee said.

She was back on the sidewalk refurbishing the works the next day—in some cases—making them bolder and richer.

To her surprise, Durkee said she discovered a note pinned to her front door reading: “Please make more. We love your art.”

“I guess I have a following; it’s what an artist longs to hear,” Durkee wrote on Facebook.

To view more of her art, visit janasdurkeearts.com.

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APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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PHOTO GALLERY

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Tarmo Hannula

APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Have a recent photo you’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.

A WHEEL OF A TIME A wheel from an early day horse-drawn windrow trip rake

from around 1900 is perched in a web of flowers on Park Way in Santa Cruz.

Tarmo Hannula

FIELD VIEW Workers prepare for a harvest of strawberries on a farm along San Andreas Road.

eye on passersby on Berkeley Way in Santa Cruz.

FREE WHEELIN’ This bicyclist chugs an

energy drink while sailing along Soquel Avenue.

APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

WATCHDOG Fred the dog keeps a curious

Tarmo Hannula

a telephone pole where it has been tapping out a steady beat against the dry wood.

Tarmo Hannula

Tarmo Hannula

POLE POSITION An acorn woodpecker visits

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APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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12 APRIL 24 - 30, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE