People’s Self-Help Housing receives support from MediCal system

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

People’s Self-Help Housing has been approved as a Community Support provider for the MediCal (CalAIM) system. This will be offered through its Supportive Housing Program, which is onsite.

Using the help of the Supportive Housing Program through CalAIM, PSHH residents who use MediCal can now access more equitable and person-centered care. According to a news release, this means increased flexibility in navigating Medi-Cal services, and improved quality outcomes, among a myriad of other benefits.

PSHH was awarded more than $70,000 by CenCal Health to support the implementation and expansion of these services.

CalAIM is a long-term effort to transform and strengthen MediCal in hopes of offering California residents a more equitable approach to maximizing their life expectancy and overall health.

“We’re so grateful to be

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Company will perform “Once” a musical about Guy and Girl, who meet on the streets of Dublin at Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. Curtain rises at 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m.

Sundays through April 23. There is limited on-stage seating, for ages 12 and older, and that costs $40.

Other tickets cost $35 for general admission and $20 for college students and seniors. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org. Those 17 and younger get free admission but must show their ID at will call. (A pre-show concert starts at 7:30 p.m. April 15, and the bar will be open during the preshow.) For more details, see the story that will appear in Friday’s News-Press or visit www.outoftheboxtheatre.org.

APRIL 16 able to serve our residents in this new, expanded capacity,” said Rick Gulino, director of PSSH Resident Services and Neighborhood Development.

2 p.m. Out of the Box Theatre Company will perform “Once” a musical about Guy and Girl, who meet on the streets of Dublin at Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. Curtain rises at 8 p.m.

“The services administered through our Supportive Housing Program are critical to our efforts of bringing sustained stability and compassionate care to our neighborhoods.” email: klogan@newspress.com

The PSHH program offers free and confidential case management, including onsite care, to more than 5,000 people in three counties.

The PSHH collaborates with other 70 local area agencies, helping to connect patients to resources and programs for healing and wellness. Mental health support, food distribution, rental assistance and health screenings are a few of the many collaborations PSHH incorporates.

To learn more, visit pshhc.org or dhcs.ca.gov.

Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 23. There is limited on-stage seating, for ages 12 and older, and that costs $40. Other tickets cost $35 for general admission and $20 for college students and seniors. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org. Those 17 and younger get free admission but must show their ID at will call. (A pre-show concert starts at 1:30 p.m. April 16, and the bar will be open during the preshow.) For more details, see the story that will appear in Friday’s News-Press or visit www.outoftheboxtheatre.org.

3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform “Beethoven Dreams” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The all-Beethoven program will include a collaboration with the Ensemble Theatre Company’s artistic director, Jonathan Fox. Mr. Fox will direct the West Coast premiere of Ella Milch-Sheriff’s staged monodrama, “The Eternal Stranger,” based on one of Beethoven’s dreams. The concert will also feature the symphony playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 4. The concert’s piano soloist is Inna Faliks. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

— Dave Mason

Fresh blueberries

The first spring harvest of fresh blueberries started a couple of weeks ago, and the quantity and quality continues to be enhanced on a daily basis.

While fresh blueberries are available most of the year when grown under hoop houses in our area, the most full flavored are those produced out of the hoops during their standard season, which runs from approximately April through October. These blue to purple berries are plump and delicious, loaded with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and a list of essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.

Fresh locally grown blueberries are excellent any time of the day, whether incorporated into your regular meals or as a mid-morning or afternoon snack. You can find fresh blueberries from several local growers and available at all weekly Santa Barbara Certified farmers’ markets.

This week I prepared a blueberry and apple crisp, the Fix of the Week, below. Price averages $5 per basket.

Hass avocados

The local Hass avocado season is officially under way, with fruit finally reaching appropriate oil content levels, delivering that smooth buttery texture and subtly sweet and nutty flavor.

The best tasting of the varieties to emerge all year, local Hass are excellent for your morning avocado toast, used to make guacamole, to dice over a salad, or enjoy on a sandwich or burger. I prefer to select Hass avocados that are still in their firm-ripe stage, making them easier to peel and work with in the kitchen.

Grown from several local farmers throughout the greater Santa Barbara area, the price averages $3.50 per pound. Certified organic is available.

Maple pecan butter

Maple pecan butter has been flying off the shelves at the Avila and Sons Farm stand at the weekly Saturday Santa Barbara, Sunday Camino Real, Tuesday Santa Barbara, Wednesday Solvang, and Thursday Carpinteria farmers’ markets.

It’s often difficult to choose from the stand’s array of pistachio, peanut and almond offerings, but this week I grabbed a jar of pecanbased butter, produced from Avila and Sons’ rich and flavorful annual harvest of pecans grown in Hanford. This spread has a very distinct pecan flavor throughout, with sweet notes of maple worked in.

Spread maple pecan butter over a tart apple, use it on a sandwich, or incorporate it into baked goods. It is also delicious served with ice cream. Price averages $13 per 8-ounce jar.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290. Sam Edelman photos