THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY
JUNE 5, 2020
VISUAL IMPACT A supplement to The Pajaronian
First phase of ‘Watsonville Brillante’ mosaic project installed
COVER STORY P4 | THE MIXING BOWL P6 | PHOTO GALLERY P8
2 JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE
21 Brennan St, Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831.761.7301
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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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Cover Story
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The Mixing Bowl
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Circle of Champions - Watsonville Office
JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
rillante, translated from Spanish to English, means brilliant, sparkly, bright. After seeing the unveiling of the first phase of “Watsonville Brillante,” the giant mosaic planned to cover the exterior of the Watsonville Civic Plaza parking garage, I understand why artist Kathleen Crocetti chose that title for TONY NUNEZ her piece. Today’s cover story is about the completion of the 12,500-square-foot mosaic’s first phase. It will take roughly five years to complete the entire project, but every few months we’ll get to witness a new addition to the expanding puzzle. Watsonville is not often thought to be a hotbed for arts. No, the city is mostly known for its can-do attitude stemming from its large immigrant population, many of which power through hours of strenuous labor in agricultural jobs so that their children can achieve something greater. But I strongly believe the city’s current artists are beginning to sow the seeds of what will be an explosion of creativity in the coming years. Crocetti’s project is everything its title says. It’s a bright light that will make the city sparkle and, hopefully, inspire the next generation to believe it can create something similar—or even better. There’s more to Watsonville than its steely, hard-working frame of mind. There’s an untapped creative potential that has been buried beneath the surface through many years of underfunding and indifference. But, as many have said in the past, “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” Let’s continue to water the crop of young people that will improve our future. They’re just starting to sprout.
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Tony Nunez
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HERMANITA Another piece by Juan Fuentes
approved to be part of “Watsonville Brillante.”
EL CIELO This piece by Juan Fuentes was approved
for “Watsonville Brillante” in early May. color sit amet.
A new
icon unveiled ‘Watsonville Brillante’ mosaic project sees first installment
BY JOHANNA MILLER
L
ocal artist Kathleen Crocetti says she feels a tremendous weight has been lifted from her shoulders. The first phase of her five-year mosaic project, “Watsonville Brillante,” was
installed last week: a 1,200-square-foot section of a large mural on the six-story Civic Plaza parking garage on Ro-
STRAWBERRY PICKER A worker
with Nor-Cal Scaffolding finishes up work for the first phase of “Watsonville Brillante,” a 1,200-squarefoot section of a larger mosaic on the sixstory garage abutting Watsonville’s Civic Plaza. When complete, the mosaic will cover 12,500 square feet.
JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
driguez Street. The piece, entitled “Strawberry Picker,” depicts a field worker harvesting berries. It was designed by renowned artist Juan Fuentes, who grew up in Watsonville and now owns his own printmaking studio, Pajaro Editions in San Francisco. Crocetti admits that getting to this first step, especially during the time of Covid-19, was challenging. “I think it was always needling in the back of my mind,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘Can we really do this?’ But we did. It was an idea that came to fruition and came out well.” “Watsonville Brillante” was approved by the City of Watsonville in February of 2019. The completed project will span 12,500 square feet of the garage. Community members voted in a public poll for what images would be included, giving their feedback and thoughts on the project. “Strawberry Picker” is one of three approved images by Fuentes. The others will gradually be fabricated and eventually installed over the next few years. Fuentes, whose family still lives in Watsonville, was one of 11 children and much of his family were field workers. He was the first in his family to attend college after graduating from Watsonville High School in 1969. He discovered his love for art once he had transferred to San Francisco State, working his way through school and into the art world. Crocetti praised Fuentes’ strong lines and the visual impact of his work. “It’s stunning,” she said. “I saw his work long before I knew his background… I knew it would translate well into a mosaic.” “Strawberry Picker” took roughly six months to complete, with dozens ➝7
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THE MIXING BOWL
Tarmo Hannula
DELICIOUS Little almond cakes drenched with more than enough orange glaze.
French almond cakes JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
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SARAH RINGLER
was searching for a way to use up some leftover egg whites and came across these delicate little almond cakes by Martha Stewart. According to Cecile Delarue in her “The Everything Easy French Cookbook,” they were first made by Visitandine nuns in the Middle Ages from which they got their names. Later, in the nineteenth century, there was a popular revival that resulted in them being called financiers, maybe due to the fact that the bakery where they were sold was in the financial district of Paris. Delarue also surmises that the name came from their resemblance to little gold bars. Although traditionally baked in a bar-shaped mold, you can also use muffins tins, which is what I used. Cast iron corn bread molds work and also give the gold bar look. Butter, sugar and almonds provide most of the flavor with a light spongy texture coming from beaten egg whites. I had doubts about a
cake recipe with so many egg whites and so little flour. However, it turned out that the little bit of wheat flour mixed with the small amount of almond flour was more than enough to provide substance. You don’t have to add the orange glaze. The recipe makes 3 cups of batter, enough for about 12 bars or a dozen or more “muffins,” depending on the size. In case you don’t have cake flour or confectioners’ sugar, regular flour and sugar can be refined in a blender or food processor. I have also added a recipe for making almond flour that uses whole almonds. I conveniently keep a bag in my freezer.
FINANCIERS: 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons almond flour – or see almond flour recipe below 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour - not self-rising
3 cups confectioners' sugar 8 large egg whites, room temperature Vegetable oil or cooking spray, for pan Orange glaze, below To make your own almond flour, take a cup or so of raw almonds and boil in water for about 15 minutes, or until skins start to fall off. Drain and put almonds in a towel. Dry them and rub off any remaining skins. When they have cooled and are dry, grind into flour in a food processor or blender. Make sure you don’t overgrind then into a paste. Then, you have to make marzipan or halva. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almond flour evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and raise heat to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until browned, about 8 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl with browned bits. Let cool. Combine flours and sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Add whites, and beat on medium speed until combined and sugar is incorporated. With machine running, pour in cooled browned butter (with brown bits) in a slow, steady stream. Continue to beat for 3 minutes. Batter can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Butter muffin tins or a cast-iron pan with bar-shaped indentations. Fill halfway with batter. Bake until dark gold around the edges, about 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the pan. Remove from oven, and immediately transfer financiers from pan to a wire rack. Let cool. Coat each with glaze if desired, or serve immediately.
ORANGE GLAZE: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/3 cup fresh orange juice, strained 4 teaspoons finely grated orange zest Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Pour over cakes. Glaze can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature, and whisk before using.
ART
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of volunteers coming together at the Muzzio Park Community Center to help with fabrication. It was installed free of charge by Rinaldi
Tile and Marble, with Fireclay Tile and Daltile donating the tile. “All big projects start with an idea or a dream,” Crocetti said. “There were so many emotions attached to this project. For all
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of us—the whole board, city staff, partners and volunteers. We’re really excited.” A call for artists remains open until June 8 to design the 185 smaller, horizontal sections of the garage. Anyone interested can get in contact at communityartsempowerment.org. Crocetti’s organization, Community Arts Empowerment will soon be starting up its summer art program—albeit in a different form, as shelter-in-place orders remain in effect. The program will now only allow 12 teenagers to be part of the program, which will include starting work on the next panel of “Watsonville Brillante.” Participants will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Crocetti says she hopes that “Strawberry Picker” will help acknowledge the agriculture workers in the community and their contributions. “They are the economic base and the bedrock of this community,” she said. “The world knows us for our strawberries… This is honoring the workers themselves. It can become an icon for our town.”
In Their Field
Are You TOPS in Your Field? Contact Tina 831-761-7359
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Three Commercial Lots. Freedom Blvd. Location. Zoned Commercial Neighborhood. Zoning Allows Commercial And Multi Residential Development.
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$495,000
128 Roache Rd, Freedom
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$349,000
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615 Brewington St, Watsonville Bank owned prime Watsonville location 2Br-2Bth, office that can be used as a 3rd bedroom, work shop.
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RAY QUINTERO 707-4659
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ERIK CABALLERO 207-3348 ErikCaballero.com BRE #01455756
1051 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville
JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
Affordable home 2 Br-1 bth with recent upgrades which are kitchen cabinets, granite counter top and updated bath, plenty of room for RV parking
Priced to sell 3 Br-2 Bth 2 acr gar very well cared for home, move in ready condition $559,900
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PHOTO GALLERY
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Tarmo Hannula
JUNE 5 -11, 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.
SIDE RIDE Mia the puppy gets a free lift from a young girl in Watsonville.
field off Amesti Road in Watsonville.
Dave Miller
Paul Treanor
BIG GROWTH Raspberries thrive in a
LAST CHANCE Customers line up to order discounted inventory items from 99 Bottles Beer on the Wall,
a popular Santa Cruz restaurant and pub that first opened in 1992. The business’ current owners have made the deicision to close doors admist the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tarmo Hannula
the Duck Pond at San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz.
used to house harvested hops that wre eventually shipped north to the Barbary Coast for beer making.
Tarmo Hannula
Tarmo Hannula
THROWBACK An early day barn still stands on a farm along San Juan Road. At one time it was
3-WHEEL MOTION The owners of these specialized cars show off their
ware in Watsonville.
JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
GROUP GATHERING A family of Canada geese have settled in
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SPRING HOMEOWNER’S
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SERVICE GUIDE 1
HAULING
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FURNITURE
Baker Bros. 31 E 5th Street Watsonville
JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
(831) 722-1776
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HOUSE CLEANING
HOUSE CLEANING
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A-1 JANITORIAL SERVICES
Professional Carpet & Upholstery Steam Cleaning
(831) 724-4409
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HARDY
QUALITY AIR INC. Heating & Air Conditioning 2576 Freedom Blvd. Watsonville
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CARPET CLEANING
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
AIR CONDITIONING
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ROOFING
ARIANA ROOFING Lic#73748 Make Us One of Your Three Estimates Commercial & Residential Free Estimates Watsonville call 761-1328 Santa Cruz call 462-3036 We won’t make you wait. www.arianaroofing.com
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
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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
Becky Campos Cell: 818-7607
BRE #01900835
Serving You at 4 Locations: Carmel, Prunedale, Salinas & Watsonville
250 BELLA VISTA HECKER PASS AREA
beckycampos.com rcampos 969@aol.com
STAY WELL BE SAFE
719 OREGON ST.
535 OHLONE PARKWAY
115 HILL AVE
Location, location, location, California Ranch style home, over 1750 sq ft with living and family rooms, formal dining plus eat in kitchen area, fireplace, laundry inside, 1 story, oversized lot, 2 car garage, plenty of parking. Easily made into 3 bedrooms with a wall in the oversized bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, plenty of room to put a shower in half bath to have another full bath. Room for garden and or puppy run. Work shop on end of garage. Close to most conveniences. Look and purchase today. #4013 $699,500
4 Plus useable acres, inside the city limits of Watsonville. Build a subdivision, city utilities available. Close to highway 1 for easy quick access North or South. $4,000,000
Remodeled Beauty, just purchase and move in. 2 bedroom Spanish style bungalow, Gorgeous remodeled kitchen with custom white cabinets, granite, under counter lights, 5 burner gas stove, tiled floor and much more. Laminate floors thru out, designer paint colors, bath is remodeled too. New wiring and plumbing, long driveway to 2 car garage, nice easy care front and back yards, fenced. Oversized concrete patio for BBQs. Look and purchase today! #4015 $514,500
GROUND LEASE
COMING SOON
26 ROOSEVELT ST
Downtown Watsonville lot available for GROUND LEASE. Many zoning options, list available. Across the street from the Historic City Plaza, seasonal Farmers market, Cabrillo College, bank, retail stores, restaurants, courthouse and parking garage half a block away. $9,500 p/month
Two nice homes on 5.6 usable acres. Santa Cruz county. Main home has over 2000 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open floor plan in kitchen and dining areas, wood burning stove in large living room. 2 car garage, Deck and Yard areas. Plenty of parking. Second home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, newer paint and carpet in both homes. Work shop, flat fenced areas, private setting. $1,250,000
2 bedroom special, great bones, roomy backyard and great location, close to most Fireplace, conveniences. some hardwood floors, nice and sunny, formal dining room plus eat in kitchen, laundry inside. 1 car garage and long driveway. #4014 $500,000
REDUCED
Panoramic Monterey Bay View!!! Estate sized property situated on approx 6 Acres, overlooking the coastline of Santa Cruz, Salinas & the Monterey Bay. Perched on a hilltop this private estate has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and approx 6095 square feet, formal living and dining rooms, two family rooms, country size kitchen, 2 pellet stoves and one wood burning fireplace. You will love the large size of every room in this home. There is an Eagles nest/ Bar room perfect for getting away by yourself. So many amenities, two ovens, two dishwashers, trash compactor, two refrigerators, stainless steel railing around patio to relax and enjoy the view and privacy with family and friends. Abundant natural light throughout. Gated entry, location is central to Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey & San Benito Counties. 1248 sq feet Shop/Garage with grease pit and one tall door for a motorhome. INCREDIBLE PROPERTY! BRIGHT & OPEN FLOOR PLAN, BRINGS OUTDOORS IN! VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM! OCEAN, COAST, VALLEY & MOUNTAINS! SPECTACULAR SUNSETS AND CITY LIGHTS! L#4005 $1,575.000
TRAVERS LANE PARCELS
Parcel 15 has 3.02 acres for $200,000. Parcel 16 has 3.49 acres for $210,000. SOLD - Parcel 18 has 2.95 acres for $210,000.
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JUNE 5 -11, 2020 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
2 separate country parcels with a water share each. Maybe Build your dream home. Perhaps modular or Tiny Home. Nice private location, quiet rolling hills. Santa Cruz county, Off Green Valley Rd. Easy commute to work then back home to enjoy the country.
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