Real Easy French Bread, From Marianne Evans of Capitola

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Real Easy French Bread

From Marianne Evans of Capitola

Mama cut this out of the Sunday newspaper magazine section sometime in the 1950s. I’m sure I have made it, literally, well over a thousand times, and always in the same 2-quart Pyrex casserole. I made soup every Sunday for many, many years… maybe 30-plus.

French Bread

1 pkg yeast (not instant) 2 cups lukewarm water 4 cups flour 2 T sugar 3 tsp salt

Dissolve yeast in one cup of the water. Sift flour, sugar and salt together into a large bowl, then stir in the dissolved yeast.

Add just enough the second cup of water to hold the dough together. Mix until you have a soft, sticky dough. Cover and let rise until double in size –- 2 to 4 hours depending on the warmth of your kitchen. (I have sometimes forced it in a very low oven.)

When dough is high and spongy punch down with your fist and give it a good sound beating with your hand. (It will be pretty messy.)

Grease a casserole or baking sheet very well…I use Crisco. Don’t skimp on the grease or you’ll be sorry!

The recipe says to put dough, divided into 2 parts in 6” casseroles, but Mama made one large loaf on a cookie sheet. I use a 2-quart Pyrex casserole.

Cover with a clean cloth and let

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rise until double in bulk. Brush with melted butter (I no longer do this) and bake at 400 for about an hour. Test it by thumping it with your knuckle. It should sound firm and hollow.

This makes a thick-crusted rustic loaf. Serve hot or warm…not very good cold. Great for toast. Great bread for soup or steamed clams. n •••

Editor’s note: A wonderful idea for a chilly day. Thanks, Marianne, I bet you will start a run on 2-quart Pyrex casseroles.

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CAPITOLA LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

The Capitola branch library is open seven days a week. Hours are: Mon-Thurs: 10-6 • Fri-Sat 12-5 Sun 1-5 Call: 831.427.7053; text: 831.264.0647; online chat: https://www. santacruzpl.org/contact/?display=chat; or send a question at https://www.santacruzpl.org/contact/

Homework Help: Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m.

Afterschool STEAM: Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Kids age 8 to 28 learn how to survive in the world of Minecraft.edu. Limited to 18 on a first-come basis. No advance registration.

STEAM Projects: Fridays. 2 to 4 p.m., kids 6 to 11.

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BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOPS

March 5,12, 19, 26, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Polarization is a problem in America. Many of us avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family members whose politics differ from our own. Or we use language that makes it worse.

Are you interested in finding ways to help reduce hostility between Democrats and Republicans?

Braver Angels, a grassroots organization active in all 50 states aims to bridge the partisan divide via online workshops. These no-cost gatherings teach skills for respectful conversations that clarify differences without demeaning, and skills to disagree while searching for common ground.

Workshops are slated for four Saturdays. Pick a date that works for you and register at https://tinyurl.com/ braver-angels-signup. (Full URL: https://hobbyschool.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/ form/SV_4T2JSnBmqRmz0sS?Q_DL=iEJKIevM0oJ8Yr b_4T2JSnBmqRmz0sS_CGC_KTMook4EGU3BRj0&Q_ CHL=email) Participants can take a survey as part of a research study and earn a $10 gift card upon completion.

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.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by March 21

sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

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

STARTUP CHALLENGE MONTEREY BAY ENTRY DEADLINE

The deadline to enter your idea in the 2022 Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is March 7.

Workshops for contestants will be led by CSU Monterey Bay’s Institute for Innovation and Economic Development Executive Director, Dr. Brad Barbeau, via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, and Thursday, March 3.

Register at https://startupchallengemb.com/prepareto-compete/

The qualifying round takes place April 8 and the finals are in May.

Startup Challenge is an annual competitive business accelerator for new businesses that teaches, coaches, mentors, networks, and connects entrepreneurs to the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in the marketplace.

The Challenge is open to new businesses based in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties, operating for less than two years. There are divisions for Main Street businesses, Venture businesses, Social Ventures and students. Judging is based on identifying a problem and a solution, revenue and go-to-market strategy, and competition, to name a few.

Benefits include making connections with potential investors and perfecting your pitch. Finalists receive cash prizes, mentoring opportunities and additional workshops. Enter at https://startupchallengemb.com/

HELP FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS

A coalition of local governments and nonprofits in Santa Cruz County has launched the Behind Every Employer initiative.

This is a business resource network for local employers interested in workforce and other local business services.

Behind Every Employer Santa Cruz County connects businesses needing assistance recruit-ing talent, identifying needed workforce training, consulting about challenges facing a busi-ness, finding information about the local market and locating needed financing.

Behind Every Employer is a project of Workforce Santa Cruz County, the County of Santa Cruz; the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola and Scotts Valley; the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center and El Pajaro Community Development Corp. For information: https://behindeveryemployer.org/santa-cruz/

TEENS CAN SERVE

Teens who live in the Soquel Elementary Union School District and attend Soquel, Harbor or Aptos high school can apply to serve on City of Capitola advisory bodies.

Openings are available for: Art & Cultural Commission, Commission on the Environment, Finance Advisory Committee, and History Museum Board. Meetings take place via Zoom. See https://www.cityofcapitola.org/bc/page/serve-city-boardcommission-or-committee

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.

CULTIVATE GRANTS AVAILABLE

Dreaming up a new artistic creation or leveling up your artistic career? Apply for a Cultivate Grant to fund your creative project or professional development.

Grants of up to $3,000 for artists, nonprofit organizations, and other partnerships are available. Application closes at 5 p.m. March 23.

Grants awarded in July. Information at https://www.artscouncilsc.org/forgrantseekers/ Questions? Email grantsprogram@artscouncilsc.org .

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR VISIT SANTA CRUZ BOARD

Visit Santa Cruz County and its Nominating Task Force are seeking nomi-nations to the Board of Directors.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 24.

Responsibilities of the 25-member board include participation in general advocacy for the tourism industry and active participation at board meetings six times per year. Board members serve for two terms.

Members represent regions of the county, 13 lodging seats, and a cross-section of representatives of businesses, cultural, governmental and organi-zations with affiliation to the travel and tourism industry.

For a nominating form, see https://tinyurl.com/visitscc-board-nomination Call 831-425-1234 for more information.

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. Thursdays in March to help you become tech-savvy. Each class is free.

Registration is required. The Zoom link will be emailed upon registration. If you need help with registration call 831-427-7713. •••

March 3: Calendar Optimized — Organize your built-in calendar app on your iPhone or iPad. Register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935564.

March 10: Smartphone 101 for Android users — Register at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935693.

March 24: Two-Factor Authentication — Register at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935736.

March 31: Smartphone 101 for Apple users — Register at: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/8935764.

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. Ongoing Through April 17

ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Thurs.–Sun., 12-6 p.m., Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St. Art of the African Diaspora, in partnership with the Richmond Art Center, supports artists of African descent in the Bay Area through representation, professional development, and building a creative community.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of this exhibition program, and features over 100 artists of African descent. Artwork is on view at the Richmond Art Center, as well as in open studios and satellite exhibitions at venues across the Bay Area.

This satellite exhibition is curated for the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History by Santa Cruz artist and organizer Abi Mustapha and MAH Historian in Residence Luna HighJohn-Bey.

Featured artists include Abi Mustapha, Zoe Boston, Tiffany Conway, Carla Golder, Louise Schine, Janet Barnes, Eijah Pfotenhauer and Justice Renaissance. https://www.santacruzmah.org Photo: Art of the African Diaspora 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/current-activities/.

Upcoming Events:

March 7: “How to Declutter or Downside Your Home” with Christy Best of Clutterbug. This presentation includes tips for how to get encouraged, inspired, motivated; and selling, donating and gifting things. Best, an organizer for 30 years, is a former member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals since 1995, as well as a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of NAPO and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.