Pajaro Valley Magazine November 26 2021

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

A supplement to The Pajaronian

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

Locals reflect on what they are thankful for in 2021 P4

TRAVEL P6 | HOME OF THE WEEK P7 | MIXING BOWL P8

There is a Better Way Tom Brezsny’s

Real Estate of Mind Provoking thought since 1990

Returning tonobitium last week’s qui question…the one Ore resciis utam estrum beinginimint asked with a lotati more frequencyienihil these que invent ut fugiasp days: “The market is really slowing down, isn’t igentotatem auda quamus molupta TomThere’s Brezsny’s it?” a presumptive tone that often quiat. accompanies it, almost like it’s a given that Luptas di berisqui andi simi, quo the market must be slowing down, along Provoking thought sinceque 1990 essinulpa the lines of nimillaciam that other questionmolorem. we’ve heard Vel est, quibercima si dus. repeatedly in recent years: “The market can’t Ore resciis nobitium estrum Am rerore, si up volorio.

Nemod just keep going foreverqui canutam it?” quistrum que inimint invent quid ati utquas fugiasp ienihil resequu ntiberum volorenet My response to the first question is a igentotatem auda quamus molupta fuga.

Et res sitatus andentem.

Cabo. resounding YES and NO at the same time.

Nobitatia volorero rem quiat.

It is and it isn’t slowingillor down in volest differentque vendus senistota sam Luptas direstis berisqui simi,hitatur quo ways. My response toandi the second question: aditiur? dolorro occupti essinulpa nimillaciam molorem.

“True, theQui market can’t ipsundit goque up forever but busdae necaectium etabout plamhow dunt amit we also have a clue long Vel est,don’t quibercima si dus. sim verit minum, consenis re can rerore, go up quis before it goes down again. ” That’s Am si volorio.

Nemod quistrum something we’re learning asquas weas head towards sinienim qui aut iurquid modis etur? resequu ntiberum volorenet a record ninesitatus straight years of ut continuous Torisquosae repuditas unt facia fuga.

Et res andentem.

Cabo. appreciation.utatetur?

This is the longest running doloribus, Nobitatia volorero illor rem volest que “up” market we’ve ever experienced.verum Cerrume nienimi ligenducient vendus restis senistota sam hitatur Last week we talked about ways the market fugitatem im inimus, voluptur?

Quiberu aditiur? Qui dolorro ipsundit occupti kinda, sorta “feels” a little slowerdunt right now: ptatur? busdae necaectium et plam am fewer multiple offers, days Cepudandam quamslightly si consenis bealonger endusant. sim verit quis minum, re on market, fewer transactions, more buyers Pudis simqui quis sinienim autmaiorrovitem iur modis ascorrum etur? getting more ium selective what they’re willing alit, cusam quoincomniatiur aut Torisquosae repuditas unt ut facia to compete for, and anlaciae overallsuntem lessening of im facepra verspel doloribus, utatetur? all the craziness. ipsamus, nienimi quam sed es es maximus asse Cerrume ligenducient verum Who knows, we’requo getting so used volorerfero maybe tem quod voluptaquos fugitatem im inimus, Quiberu to it, seemvoluptur? crazy anymore!

Or ex etitisjust eicdoesn’t te lit volupti dolum ptatur? maybe this is a resumption of the normal iumquiatio exces erion nihit aut lat Cepudandam si bea endusant. seasonal lull rem thatquam we usually have right quam quis fugita consedi niet,after eos Pudis sim quis corrum Halloween, whenmaiorrovitem inventory shrinks and eost alit late verum que coressin bothcusam buyers and begin to set their alit, iumsellers quo comniatiur aut Voloreca turionsedit quo etur? Qui odit sights on early spring.laciae The market’s seasonal im facepra verspel suntem quisciis mo optatur?

Quaspit aut volore pattern was a casualty of the last ipsamus, quam es pandemic maximus asse doluptiis inus si sed qui es voluptas nos modi year. volorerfero tem quod quo voluptaquos ilibus.

But, with of slowing, here’s the ex eteven is eic te signs litfaccus, volupti Ique nulparum isdolum a conestr most important indicator ofnihit howaut thelat iumquiatio exces erion uptat. market isn’trem slowing down: the median quam quis fugita consedi niet, eos Alique ma enisi quatet am, audipsa pricealit for alate single familyque home in October eost verum coressin piciaec usandite aut dicia quia of was $1,120,000.

Bylatur any historic measure Voloreca turionsedit quo etur?

Qui odit pa re ad que the ipsant market,magnihicid that numberquiate is astounding. quisciis mout optatur?

Quaspit aut volore delibusam et ut odicidebit, siment To put theinus medianqui price in layman’s terms doluptiis voluptas dem quae porisidolorro vitatianos quiamodi that are easier to relate to: ilibus. illatur? Voluptat aspernatum, serupta If younulparum are about buying a modest Ique isnonsedipsum a conestr ecesci resthinking eum faccus, restium 3br, 2ba, 1800+ sq ft home in Live Oak right uptat. eum que dolorem nos dolum lam, now, plan spending at least Alique maon quatet am,$1.4m-$1.5m. audipsa etur, cust aenisi duntusdae lam dolorpo If you want a little bungalow in Seabright piciaec usandite latur aut dicia quia rempeliquid modis aut ataerror re on at that’s not even close to the beach, plan pa ipsant magnihicid re ad que volorest optatio dempor autare autthinking least $1.5m-$1.6m.

Andquiate if you delibusam ut etque utratchet odicidebit, siment explabo.

Nem recuste posapel about the Westside, up your budget dem pori dolorro quia closerquae to $1.7-$1.8m, even vitatia in the University illatur? aspernatum, serupta Terrace Voluptat neighborhood off Nobel Drive. ecesci res eum restium nonsedipsum So much for the market slowing down, at eum que dolorem dolum lam, least when it comes tonos prices, especially DRE #01063297 etur, a duntusdae lam dolorpo whencust it’sRealtor® hard to imagine buying anything 831-818-1431 rempeliquid modis aut1ataerror on the ocean side of Hwy for underre$1.2m. getreal@sereno.com All of which begs the next question volorest optatio dempor aut autthat we’ll deal with next there an end even explabo.

Nemweek: que“Is recuste posapel PA I D A DV E RTO R I A L in sight?”

2

Tom Brezsny

Tom Brezsny Realtor® DRE #01063297 831-818-1431 getreal@sereno.com PA I D A D V E R T O R I A L

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Home of the Week

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Mixing Bowl

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Community members express what they are thankful for in 2021

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T

he last two years have been exhausting. Between the challenges that come with the Covid-19 pandemic, to a worsening drought and perpetual fire dangers, it’s difficult for many to catch a break.

But that doesn’t mean we cannot find things to be grateful for.

Whether it’s being thankful for family and friends, or for the generosity of the community, or just being healthy and safe, there are plenty of bright spots in our lives.

We asked people from our community, from business owners to government and spiritual leaders, to answer the simple question of: “What are you thankful for in 2021?”

Here are just a handful of responses.

Francisco “Paco” Estrada, Watsonville City Councilmember

“I am thankful for the village helping Amanda and I raise our beautiful Catalina. We are blessed to call Watsonville our home.”

Phoenix Artemisia,

Kelly Pleskunas,

owner of Watsonville Yoga Dance & Healing Arts

owner of Kelly’s Books

“I am grateful for my family and for our great local community. For all of the educators and frontliners who have served everyone ceaselessly during the pandemic.

For people who continue to contribute to social and environmental justice with their work. I’m grateful that humanity is in an increasing state of dialogue and hopefully, listening about things that matter for everyone's quality of life.”

“I am grateful for the Covid vaccine.”

Jimmy Dutra,

Watsonville mayor

Sindy Hernandez, owner of Queen’s Shoes & More

“I am thankful first and foremost, for mi familia and our health, and [I’m] very grateful to my customers that have been with us, supporting us for over 14 years, and more than ever now. Thank you! Gracias.”

Rebecca Garcia,

“There is truly so much to be thankful for. I am really thankful for my family and friends and that we are blessed.”

Matt Taylor,

third generation owner of Taylor’s Hot Dogs

Rev. Jay Shinseki,

minister at Watsonville Buddhist Temple

“I am thankful to those who support me in my work...to those who are patient with me. I am thankful to those who teach me and inspire me with their lives…and to all the causes and conditions that support and sustain my life. I am thankful to this earth that provides sustenance...to those who accept me for who I am.

I am thankful to the Buddha whose wisdom and compassion embraces me at all times.”

“I am thankful for my health and happiness. I am also thankful for my faith. With everything going on nowadays, we need togetherness.”

Mark Groo,

owner of Pure Water, Watsonville “I am thankful for my health and well being. And I am thankful for my customers and for the fact that we promote a great, healthy product.”

PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

Watsonville City Councilmember

“I am thankful and humbled by the resilience of our community.

During this pandemic we have joined together to help lift each other up. I am forever grateful for the support we have had for each other and the love of community we all share.”

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TRAVEL

Tarmo Hannula

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Back in the wild west

By TARMO HANNULA

A

s my wife Sarah and I departed Carson City we climbed into the mountains along Highway 341 past rickety, old abandoned cabins, water tanks, crumpled aged farm equipment and a handful of wild horses.

Rolling into Virginia City felt like wandering into the set of an early day western movie, with warped wood sidewalks, squeaky saloon doors, faded lace curtains and rusting mining cars punctuating the streets. Perched on a rocky mountainside, Virginia City developed as a boomtown with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States. It appeared that there must have been 10 saloons for every mine and that alcohol might well have been a major fuel source for all that earth-moving toil.

Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

STEPPING INTO THE PAST. Virginia City, Nev., sprang up as a silver mining boomtown in the 1860s.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW Downtown Reno, Nev. as seen from the 14th floor of a hotel window.

It was here Mark Twain (then Samuel Clemmens) wrote for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper from 1862-64. The population peaked in the mid-1870s, with an estimated 25,000 residents. The

mines' output declined after 1878, and the population declined as well.

We bought tickets for a short tourist train ride that crept along the edge of the mountain past a series of mines, now long

abandoned. But still their rusting iron doors yawn out onto the landscape and make it easy to imagine some of the wild west goings-on– horse-drawn carts, creaking mine shafts and dusty lips refreshed with whiskey. The kind man on the train slathered us with history and jokes and yarns of earlier times.

We learned that the deepest mine in the world was dug here and that one mine wasn’t a mine at all, but rather a butcher shop with underground storage for cooler temps.

I asked the man if this was where ground beef was discovered but he didn’t seem to care for my pun.

Onward we drove a short distance to Reno where Sarah’s sister lives along with her family.

We got a room on the 14th floor of the Whitney Peak Hotel with sweeping views of Reno and surrounding mountains. Right away we found that downtown Reno, like a number of California cities, was filthy and had a huge homeless problem. We wandered into several of the casinos just to get a feel for the place and they were, at best, 5-10% full of activity. It felt lonely and empty and right outside their doors overturned trash cans and garbage, spent liquor bottles and old clothing littered the otherwise gleaming and sparkling stage of one of America's gambling hubs.

However, just a mile away from the city center was a place called Midtown, that was booming with new, trendy eateries, splashy boutiques, top-end bicycle shops and micro breweries and cafes that were peppered with business. Our breakfast one morning here, at Two Chicks Cafe, was superb and loaded with friendly, warm folks.

We strolled along the Riverwalk and enjoyed the calm of the babbling waters and clever design of the paths. We took time to visit the Nevada Museum of Art. Museums have always been a chief goal in our travels all over the world and almost always offer a refreshing window to something new, both past and present.

After two nights in Reno, the next leg of this journey takes us back into California through Nevada City to Grass Valley for a night.

HOME OF THE WEEK

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Picturesque views of nature Royal Oaks home on acreage features room for horses, storage

T

his custom home in Royal Oaks sits on nearly four acres in a natural setting.

Located at 525 Hidden Valley Road, the 3,752-square-foot home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

The kitchen is outfitted with granite countertops and many cabinets. The living room has its own fireplace and sitting area. The

master bedroom features a balcony that overlooks the property.

Outside, the home has a large deck with a built-in barbecue. Five small buildings are also located around the lot, with a cement road leading to an RV pad. A barn, horse corrals and a round pen are also here.

The home, built in 1973, is listed at $1,959,000 by Bailey Properties. For information, visit bit. ly/3kVSPcr.

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PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

HIDDEN VALLEY Small buildings surround this home on nearly four acres.

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THE MIXING BOWL

Make today, bake tomorrow dinner rolls some sugar and cardamom. Double the batch to make two tins of rolls for a larger crowd.

Dinner rolls 1/4 cup warm water 1/2 teaspoon sugar 2 teaspoons baker’s yeast 1/2 cup room temperature milk 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 to 3/4 cups melted and cooled butter, depending on taste 1 teaspoon salt

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Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Optional topping:

HOMEMADE These buttery pull-apart dinner rolls are made the day before and baked just before serving.

By SARAH RINGLER

W

ant to serve warm homemade dinner rolls without much work?

This is about the easiest yeast dough recipe there is. There is no kneading and the dough rises in the refrigerator overnight. Form into little balls and bake; you have hot rolls for all.

The recipe is from my friend, Terri Christianson, who lives in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island near the north end of Vancouver Island. Her mom was a serious baker who at one time supported herself and her two young children by getting up early in the morning to bake for the loggers on Cortes Island, and then later in the day went off to teach school. Her daughters learned a lot from her.

When I lived in Alert Bay, back in

the 1970s, there were no bakeries and the two café/pubs served mostly typical grilled and fried fare.

If you wanted to eat something else, you usually had to make it yourself. Freshly baked goods had to be made at home.

Like most recipes, there is a lot of room for molding it to your personal preferences. You can vary the richness by adding more or less butter. You can also easily make this a sweet roll recipe by adding

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water or some melted butter Take milk and eggs out of the refrigerator and wait for them to come to room temperature. Melt the butter and let it cool.

In a small bowl, quickly dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of sugar into 1/4 cup of warm water. When sugar is dissolved, stir in the yeast. Set aside for a few minutes until foamy. If the mixture doesn’t get foamy, you need to buy fresher yeast.

In a medium bowl, beat egg with room temperature milk and cooled butter. Vigorously beat in 2 cups of flour. Although not necessary, cover with a damp towel and let sit for 30 minutes. It adds a little more flavor to the dough.

Beat in the salt. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour. The mixture will be kind of sticky.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-24 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Lightly butter a 9-inch round cake tin. Using a big spoon, scoop the dough into 12 balls. Arrange in the cake tin. At this point, you can cover and set aside for an hour or bake right away.

Brush with egg wash or melted butter and bake 18-20 minutes until top is golden. Wrap in a clean towel to keep warm. Makes a dozen rolls.

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PHOTO GALLERY Have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to echalhoub@weeklys.com or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 18, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name of the photographer.

GOOD DOGS

Tarmo Hannula

DAILY STROLL A man walks the shore of Rio Del Mar State Beach as a group of

western gulls gathers among the driftwood.

Tarmo Hannula

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Tarmo Hannula

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Walkers with Woofpack 831 head out on a walk at Struve Slough in Watsonville.

ART SPACE Judy Gittelsohn (right) joins others in celebrating the opening of her new art studio, Studio Judy G, at 430 Main St. in downtown Watsonville.

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