Dark Chocolate Mousse, Inspired by Bobby Flay

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Dark Chocolate Mousse

Inspired by Bobby Flay

As a part of their capstone culinary arts class, Mount Madonna School high school seniors prepared and served a gourmet four-course meal for staff and visitors last month — a hands-on experience that built confidence.

The meal, which consisted of a butternut squash risotto, an apple walnut salad, bread and chocolate mousse, was executed entirely by the students from concept to presentation. They picked Bobby Flay’s recipe for Dark Chocolate Mouse. While some students separated eggs, others were toasting walnuts, chopping herbs, preparing the broth, and keeping up with dishes. “The trick to risotto is to toast everything together for two minutes, and then add the broth,” teacher Sara Sobkoviak instructed the class. She leads Adulting 101, a class that equips students in real-world skills such as culinary arts, gardening, financial planning, construction, child development, college readiness and more.

“The love and the care that these students put into making our food – you could taste it,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “The best part was listening to them talk about the process of making the food and seeing their pride. They put thought, intention, and effort in everything they did.”

“It was amazing across the board. And that mousse? Divine,” Goewert said.

“Once you become a senior at Mount Madonna School, you get put in all these leadership roles and given all these responsibilities and are actually in charge of projects. Like cooking a whole meal, for example. It’s pretty awesome to know that I’m capable of doing that,” said student Kayla Goldstein.

Added Grace Timan, “Even though I’m not the best cook, I’m learning so much alongside my peers. We are a really close class, and we lean on each other. I’m not afraid to make mistakes or try new things. I think that’s what I really love about the Adulting 101 class…I might be no good at separating egg whites, I’m going to try anyhow. And my friends make it fun.”

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Dark Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients 51/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 14 ounces cold heavy cream 3 large egg whites 1-ounce sugar Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish, optional Shaved bittersweet chocolate, for garnish, optional

•••

Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a bain marie or in a double boiler at a low simmer. Stir chocolate until melted. Turn off the heat and let stand.

Beat the cream over ice until it forms soft peaks. Set aside and hold at room temperature. With a mixer, whip egg to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and continue whipping until firm.

Remove the chocolate from the bain marie and using a whisk, fold in the egg whites all at once. When the whites are almost completely incorporated, fold in the whipped cream. Cover the mousse and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or until set. Serve in goblets topped with more whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired. n

Share A Recipe!

Do you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Capitola Soquel Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.

Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.

Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!

KAITO / KA

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Winter Olympics

ACROSS

1. Sleeps in a tent 6. Horror movie franchise 9. Varieties 13. Mozart’s “Die

Zauberflote” 14. Road crew supply 15. Moron 16. Workman’s cotton, once 17. Exclamation of surprise 18. Monte Cristo’s title, in

French 19. *Olympic Athletes from ____, 2018 hockey winners 21. *Figure skating jump (2 words) 23. Capone’s ilk, e.g. 24. Attention-getting sound 25. Eminem’s genre 28. Cashier’s call 30. Hit-or-miss 35. It will 37. *Triple one in figure skating 39. Hustle and bustle 40. German Mrs. 41. A mile racer 43. a.k.a. horse mackerel 44. Jargon 46. Workbench holding device 47. Health club offering 48. Diner, e.g. 50. Latin for “and others” 52. ____ Aviv 53. Ill-mannered one 55. Curiosity’s victim? 57. *2022 Winter

Olympics location 61. *Torch Relay starting point 64. “____ ____ the

Family” TV series 65. Refrigerator sound 67. Poppy seed derivative 69. Bitterly regretting 70. Egyptian cobra 71. Part of a stair 72. Seedy source of

Omega-3s 73. More, in Madrid 74. Changes to a manuscript

DOWN

1. Cape ____, MA 2. Copycat 3. Carte du jour 4. Spectrum maker 5. Delilah’s lover 6. Roofed colonnade 7. Expression of satisfaction 8. Angry 9. Revered one 10. Fancy ride 11. Japanese zither 12. Pas in ballet 15. “Freezing” Marvel character 20. Letter-shaped girder 22. “____ the land of the free...” 24. Designer’s studio 25. *Biathlon gear 26. Skylit lobbies 27. Manufacturing site 29. *2022 Winter

Olympics number 31. Like Curious George 32. Monocot’s alternative 33. “Killers of the Flower

Moon” Oklahoma location 34. *Olympic award 36. *Olympic sled 38. For fear that 42. Respond 45. Circling 49. Far, old-fashioned 51. Capital of Punjab 54. Early Irish alphabet 56. Sort of warm 57. Vomit 58. Twelfth month of

Jewish year 59. Pelvic bones 60. Put a hex on 61. Concert units 62. Not yet final 63. Edible fat 66. *Miracle on Ice winner 68. Not Miss or Ms.

SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING

Suicide Prevention Services is recruiting volunteers for training, which starts Feb. 17 and ends April 21.

After working for 20 years with suicidal people and the painful aftermath of a suicide death, Celeste Cisneros says suicide is individual, complex, and personal. She says what helps is a compassionate volunteer trained to connect with the caller by validating, believing, and caring.

Most suicidal callers agree to be safe and follow a safety plan by the end of the call. Lives are saved. Families, friends, and communities are spared unbearable pain.

More than 80 volunteers answer 400 calls per month from residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. These courageous people are neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

They may be the person in front you in line at the movies or the grocery. Volunteers work behind closed doors and perform heroic acts of kindness. They pick up the phone, weave an invisible lifeline of caring, and commit to the safety and well-being of the caller.

More volunteers are needed. Previous experience is not necessary. What is needed is a willingness to learn new skills and to listen. If you have questions, call 831-459-9373.

SENIOR OUTREACH

Family Service Agency Senior Outreach offers free one-on-one counseling for people 55 and over via the phone, Skype or Zoom. Counselors are experienced.

In-person counseling has been suspended to prevent Covid-19 spread.

Groups for men and women will be restarted as soon as possible, with a women’s group starting in February. Dates are not available due to the changing Covid situation.

Hopes are to restart peer training, for which there is a waiting list. To express interest in participating, call Barbara Salata, 831459-9351 ext. 206, who will return your call in 24 hours.

UC MASTER GARDENER CLASSES

UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties offers free and low-cost gardening classes for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Coming up:

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning: Feb. 24, 5-6:30 p.m. (online) and March 12, 10 – noon, in-person, San Juan Bautista Historical State Park

Cost is Free. Donations appreciated. Register at mbmg.ucanr.edu

Winter is the best time to prune most fruit trees while they are dormant and their structure is easily seen. Winter pruning invigorates fruit trees to produce and support strong fruit production. Join Diane Mahan, UC Master Gardener and professional landscaper, to learn the why and how of winter fruit tree pruning of both old growth and newly planted fruit trees. The class is free to all with the option to provide a suggested donation of $5 or more to support the all-volunteer Master Gardener program.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Feb. 11

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealing center.org

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS

This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost.

To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges.org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

CAREER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to jumpstart your future by earning an accredited high school diploma and career training through Career Online High School.

Is your 2022 resolution to go back to school and get your high school diploma? Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers a program called Career Online High School, designed for adults who were unable to complete high school and could benefit from additional job training.

This nationally accredited program allows adult students to earn an accredited high school diploma — not a GED — while gaining career skills in one of ten employment fields, from home care professional and office management to homeland security.

SCPL awards scholarships to qualified adult learners on a first-come, first-served basis. Career Online High School is a solution for those who need extra academic support and flexibility. Once in the program, students are assigned an academic coach who helps keep them on track and connects them with tutors if needed.

The online curriculum is accessible 24/7, which is helpful to those balancing work and family obligations. Students have up to 18 months to complete the program, but many finish sooner because previously earned high school or GED test credits are accepted. For more info, see https://santacruzpl.mycareerhs.com/.

CAPITOLA SOROPTIMISTS OFFER ‘GOURMET DINNER FOR SIX’

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is now selling a limited number of tickets for a “Gourmet Dinner for Six” drawing. The dinner will be designed and prepared by a professional chef in a private Santa Cruz residence on a date in February selected by the drawing’s winner.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling (831) 239-8532. Club members will serve as sous chefs, sommelier and wait staff and winner can choose food preferences in consultation with the chef.

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. For information, email info@best4women.org or visit www. best4women.org.

CENTRAL FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONS HEARING

Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County invites all interested persons to attend public hearings on districtbased elections at 9 a.m. on February 10 at 930 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz.

Board members will discuss, consider, and take action on one or more district map(s). Actions may include modification of division boundaries, sequencing of elections. For more information , contact (831) 479-6842, or email: PublicComments@centralfiresc.org Information: https://www.centralfiresc.org/2279/ReDistricting-Process-2021-2022.

MAH EXHIBITIONS

Thurs. thru Sun., Noon-6 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents two exhibitions starting in January.

Jan. 14–May 15: Atmosphere, an exhibition by artist and filmmaker Enid Baxter Ryce featuring paintings and soundscapes that explore the phenomena of Monterey Bay’s fog and atmospheric rivers. Ryce’s work will be exhibited with collections of archival photos, an interactive musical sculpture, and fog collectors created in collaboration with historian Dr. William Cowan, musician Lanier Sammons, sculptor Natalie Jenkins, and scientist Dan Fernandez.

Jan. 21–March 20: Rydell Visual Art Fellowship exhibition, honoring the legacy of local philanthropists Roy and Frances Rydell and featuring the 2020-2021 Rydell Visual Arts Fund recipients: Printmaker and illustrator Ann Altstatt; sculptor and designer Marc D’Estout; choreographer Cid Pearlman; and photographer Edward Ramirez. Presented in partnership with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. Suggested admission: General, $10; students / teachers / veterans, $8, free for members and children under 5.

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION

Mountain Elementary in Soquel, a small school offering prekindergarten through sixth grade, is opening enrollment for fall for Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten.

Priority is given to Mountain Elementary School District residents, staff members’ children and siblings of current students.

All others will be placed on a waiting list and offered placement on a first come, first served basis, and must provide an inter-district transfer from their district of residence. • Transitional Kindergarten: Child must turn 5 between Sept. 2, 2022 and Feb. 1, 2023. • Kindergarten: Child must turn 5 on or before Sept. 1, 2022. To register go to https://www.mountainesd.org/ or call 831-475-6812.

PUBLIC LIBRARY CAREER WORKSHOPS

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries presents career development workshops for teens and adults through April, thanks to grant funding.

Second Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops at 10 a.m.

Third Wednesdays: Resume and interview skill workshops in Spanish, 10 a.m.

Hours for English/Spanish bilingual career assistance at the downtown Santa Cruz library will begin in January. Second and Fourth Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 2-3:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitators: Jill Ginghofer and Laurie McVay. First and Third Wednesdays Santa Cruz, 5:30-7 p.m. via video or phone — Facilitators: Francie Newfield and Kathleen McBurney. Second Saturdays Scotts Valley, 10-11:30 a.m. via video or phone — Facilitator: Diana Hull. Register by calling 800-272-3900 or email ymflores@alz.org. ••• Second Wednesdays Spanish, 7-8:30 p.m. via phone — Facilitator: Yuliana Mendoza. Register by calling 831-647-9890 or email ymflores@alz.org.

RENT RELIEF APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN

Housing is Key, a state program, is still accepting and reviewing applications for the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, which can help protect tenants from eviction through the end of March.

Funds for rental reimbursement are prioritized for those who are the lowest income and the highest risk of eviction. Even if you aren’t sure if you are at the lowest income level or highest risk, you are still encouraged to apply to help protect you from eviction.

When this announcement was posted Jan. 10 on Facebook, it got 99 comments.

Some complained that review process takes months and the program’s $4 billion will not be enough to meet the need.

Melanie Wall started a petition at change.org (https:// tinyurl.com/review-my-housing) to get the attention of lawmakers; as of press time there were 498 signatures. To apply see HousingIsKey.com

ONGOING EVENTS

Ongoing thru March 15

NAMI PEER-TO-PEER

5-7 p.m., Online Classes NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program via Zoom for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.

Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions and informative videos.

Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/peer-to-peer.html

Signing up does not guarantee enrollment, but puts you on the list to be notified about enrollment. Check your email within 5 business days of completing the form, and save anastasia@namiscc.org as a contact to prevent emails from going to spam. Contact (831)-824-0406 or anastasia@namiscc.org with questions or if you do not hear back within 5 business days.

First and Third Mondays Each Month

SENIOR LIFE ONLINE

4 p.m., Online Meeting Join a local group of senior citizens for “Senior Life Online,” a free online (Zoom) program featuring a presentation by a local expert. View the full schedule at scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/currentactivities/.

To participate, you need an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or smart phone. A 1-time preregistration is required at https://tinyurl.com/SVSLA-6. Questions? Call George at (831) 334-7763. Senior Life Online is sponsored by Scotts Valley Senior Life Association (SVSLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy living for senior citizens. Information is at http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org.