Pajaro Valley Magazine | Dec. 20, 2019

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE PAJARO VALLEY

DECEMBER 20, 2019

SHARING THE LOVE

A supplement to The Pajaronian

PAJARO VALLEY NONPROFITS REAP DONATIONS THROUGH EXPANDING SANTA CRUZ GIVES PLATFORM P4

THE MIXING BOWL P6 | TRY THIS P8 | LOCAL ART P9

MAGAZINE

21 Brennan St, Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831.761.7301

EDITOR’S NOTE

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

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JOIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY’S HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM 38 LOCAL NONPROFITS CONTRIBUTE WITH CONFIDENCE IT’S EASY TO DONATE ONLINE (OR BY MAIL OR CASH DELIVERY)

SANTACRUZGIVES.ORG NOVEMBER 13-DECEMBER 31

hen used correctly technology, namely the Internet, can be a revolutionary tool that connects people from all corners of the world and brings instantaneous answers to our burning questions.

Want to have a face-to-face conversation with a relative who’s thousands of miles away?

Wondering about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire? Or maybe you just want to keep up with (sigh) the Kardashians? The Internet can help with that.

This holiday season the information superhighway is lending a helping hand to local nonprofits through Santa Cruz Gives, our county’s rapidlygrowing digital giving campaign.

The idea is simple enough: bring the donation process to the new, tech-savvy generation and make it easy and intuitive.

Founded by the Pajaronian’s sister paper Good Times five years ago, with the support of The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Gives crowdsources funds for 37 selected nonprofits via SantaCruzGives.org, where donors can browse individual pages to learn about each nonprofit’s mission and “Big Idea” project for 2020 that will be funded, in part, with the online donations.

Heading into its final week, we’ve seen more than $300,000 in donations and several nonprofits that ➝ 11

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Cover Story

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The Mixing Bowl

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Food

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Try This

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The Buzz

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Art

10 Live Music 12 Photo Gallery CEO & Executive Editor Dan Pulcrano Publisher Jeanie Johnson Managing Editor Tony Nuñez Contributing Writers Johanna Miller Tarmo Hannula Tony Nuñez Sarah Ringler Advertising Account Executives Tina Chavez Lupita Ortiz Design Director Kara Brown Production Johanna Miller

Published by WatsNews, LLC, Watsonville, CA. Entire contents © 2019. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

tchavez@pajaronian.com Phone:

831.761.7301

Thanks for Reading!

To all of our friends, neighbors and customers, we hope your holiday season is merry, bright and filled with community connection. Best wishes to you and yours!

21 Brennan St. #14, Watsonville, CA | 831-761-7300 | www.pajaronian.com

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

We appreciate the year-round support of our valued subscribers and advertisers, and we thank you for being an integral part of our continued success.

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SEASON OF

GIVING Santa Cruz Gives campaign close to fundraising goal

BY JOHANNA MILLER

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DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

anta Cruz Gives, the digital giving movement founded by the Pajaronian’s sister publication Good Times and Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, is close to hitting its goal this holiday season.

The campaign raises money for various nonprofits across the county which support the needs of youth, seniors, the arts, animals and the environment, health and wellness, food and nutrition, housing and homelessness, the disabled and the LGBTQ+ community.

Donors can search through SantaCruzGives.org to learn about each organization and its goals for the upcoming year. There, they can give a donation, big or small, to any of the selected âž? 10

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THE MIXING BOWL

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

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Old world membrillo, spelt and poppy seed bars

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SARAH RINGLER

ong ago when people ate whole grain foods and sweets came mostly from fruits, cakes like this one evolved and were considered a real treat at this time of year. Its sweetness comes from little jewels of membrillo, called quince paste by English speakers, baked in a poppy seed batter made with medieval spelt flour. Chunks of toasted almonds and demerara sugar cover the top. Membrillo is the Spanish name for this paste and can be found in markets in Watsonville. In Portuguese, it is called “marmelo,” from which the

word marmalade is derived.

Quince trees are easy to grow in most parts of the world, save the coldest parts. They are native to the Middle East but are common in European decorative gardens because of their beautiful leaves and flowers that have a distinctly fragrant scent.

The trees bear an odd fruit that is remotely related to apples and pears and resembles the two in shape and in their yellowish green color. They ripen in the early fall and you can find trees locally if you ask around.

However, it’s furriness and tartness make it almost impossible to eat raw. It must be cooked for

hours and hours with sugar or honey until the pale flesh gradually turns into a thick, dark red paste.

It also has many folds and bumps that make it difficult to peel and seeds surrounded by a plastic-like coating make finding usable flesh an ordeal. They might be considered famine food, something eaten at one time during a time of scarcity and later integrated into the cuisine as a cultural memory and tradition.

So, after a full day of preparation and cooking, the final product is highly valued. It is a special treat among Spanish and Portuguese➝ 07 speaking people but is

BARS

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FOOD

also a part of Serbian, Hungarian and Croatian culinary heritage under the name “kitnkes.” Other fruits, like apples and pears can also be made into a paste if cooked long enough. You could also substitute dried cranberries or raisins.

Spelt bread was commonly eaten by peasants from the Black Sea to Europe over 5,000 years ago. The grain is related to wheat and contains gluten, so you could substitute it with all-purpose flour. Spelt is whole grain and requires less fertilizer to grow it, so it has become part of the healthy food trend.

It has a lighter flavor than whole wheat flour and has similar nutritional value.

This recipe is adapted from a cake in Anna Jones’s cookbook, “The Modern Cook’s Year.” I call them bars because they are dense and the size of bar cookies.

Membrillo, spelt and poppy bars

FLAVOR CREATION Kim Tush, owner of Santa Cruz Balsamics, prepares a fresh batch of chocolate-

raspberry balsamic vinegar at El Pajaro Community Development Corporation in Watsonville.

Santa Cruz Balsamics continues to grow Owner works from Watsonville’s El Pajaro CDC

By JOHANNA MILLER

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or Kim Tush, the best part of her job is being able to work on her feet.

Just a few years ago, Tush was paralyzed after a surgery complication.

Following her recovery, she decided to take a big step—literally and figuratively.

“I was a paralegal for 30 years,” Tush said. “I knew it was time to do something new, something I was passionate about.”

Tush dove headfirst into the world of balsamic vinegar.

She began learning the process and started her business, Santa Cruz Balsamics, by setting up at farmers markets across the region. She approached El Pajaro Commercial Kitchen in Watsonville, where she has worked from ever since.

While Tush had been baking on the side for years, working primarily on gluten free recipes,

she said crafting balsamic was a brand new challenge.

“It wasn’t easy… but it’s been so much fun,” she said.

“The [kitchen] incubator here has been a great support. I’ve learned so much.”

Traditional balsamic vinegar originated in Italy and is made with white Trebbiano grape “must,” a crushed grape juice including the skins, seeds and stems. The must is then fermented and stored in wooden barrels to age.

Tush said it is important to her to use traditional ingredients—so she ➝ 11

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Toast the almonds for 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Watch to make sure they don’t burn. When done, set aside to cool and raise oven to 400 degrees. Butter an 8” x 8” pan and then sprinkle pan with ¼ cup flour. Shake the pan upside down to discard extra flour. Melt ¼ cup butter. Set aside. Chop the almonds.

Whisk and combine the flour, baking powder, brown sugar, salt, poppy seeds and lemon zest in a large bowl.

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the egg and the yogurt or buttermilk.

Then whisk in cooled melted butter.

Add liquid mixture to the flour mixture and stir briefly, until just combined. Gently fold in two-thirds of the membrillo cubes until they are evenly distributed. Transfer the cake mixture to the butter and floured pan.

Arrange the remaining membrillo squares across the top. Sprinkle with the demerara sugar, then the almonds.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. You can store these in a tin for a week however they are best just baked. After a few days, they can be toasted and spread with butter.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

¼ cup melted butter 1 1/3 cup spelt or all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup brown sugar ½ teaspoons salt 1/3 cup poppy seeds 2 tablespoon lemon zest 1 large egg 1 1/8 cups buttermilk or runny yogurt (add milk to Greek style yogurt 1 ¼ cups membrillo, quince or other fruit paste cut into ½ inch squares 2 tablespoons demerara sugar ¼ cup chopped toasted almonds

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THE BUZZ

TRY THIS

Choral recital Cabrillo College Chorale’s recital will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the Samper Recital Hall at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos.

Ticket prices are $8.50 for general admission, $7.50 for students and seniors, and $6.50 with a student activities (SAC) card. SAC card holders must present their up-todate card in person to purchase discounted tickets.

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

FOOD Bantam

Agape’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Agape Dance Academy will kick off a string of weekend performances of “The Nutcracker” tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos. Other performances will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Two performances of the Petite Nutcracker, with dancers aged 3 to 7 years, will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12 noon. For information and ticket prices visit cabrillovapa. com.

Navajo Tacos Fundraiser

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

This fundraiser will support the Watsonville Bike Shack Cooperative.

Come enjoy a plate of black and pinto beans and purple hominy, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, green Anaheim chili and blue corn fry bread. Each meal is $5.

The fundraiser is Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Watsonville Bike Shack Cooperative is at 555 Main St., Watsonville (behind Ramos furniture).

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Chanukah Train Roaring Camp Railroads and Chabad by the Sea will host a special train ride on the 5th night of Chanukah, Dec. 26. Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 5 p.m. for the lighting of the menorah.

Then take a ride on an old-fashioned train adorned with of lights and decorations while listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments.

Rockabily Mafia Dolls meet & greet The Rockabily Mafia Dolls will hold a special meet and greet event at Fruition Brewing, 918 East Lake Ave., on Dec. 29 from 5-7 p.m. Come learn more about the organization and meet current members at the Dolls’ annual Christmas gathering. For information email rockabillymafiadollsscc@gmail.com.

DRINK Unique cocktails at the 515 I’ve mentioned 515 Kitchen and Cocktails in Downtown Santa JOHANNA Cruz before, but last week I MILLER tried one particular creation there that warranted another mention. “Any Other Name” is a tonic water-based drink mixed with rose petal and pink peppercorn-infused gin. It was one of the most unique cocktails I’ve ever had, and is hard to describe. I also tasted a “Loose Cannon,” a more classic cocktail made with pineapple rum, ginger and lime. Both drinks were $9.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of visits to 515 Kitchen and Cocktails, 515 Cedar St., and not just for the drinks.

The vibe is always lively and energetic—though they could turn down the music, as it’s hard to hear people speak over it. Silent black-and-white movies are usually projected onto the back wall of the downstairs area, adding to the old-fashioned ambience.

The 515’s food is a bit pricey for my pocket, so if I haven’t already had dinner somewhere else I usually just grab a basket of their sweet potato fries, which are delicious. But I’ve heard their main menu is very good, so I might have to head there for the next special occasion to try something else out.

The 515 recommends that people reserve ahead of time if they are arriving with larger parties and on weekends by calling 425-5051. Visit 515santacruz. com for information.

My wife Sarah and I recently had a great dinner at Bantam on the west side of Santa Cruz. Opened TARMO in 2012 Bantam, 1010 Fair Ave., HANNULA serves wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean dishes.

Their Margherita pizza was served sizzling hot and exploded with flavor. Since we arrived in the early evening there was a welcoming flood of light pouring through their tall and abundant windows. We had plenty of room to spread out, relax and take in the atmosphere.

Over the years that part of Santa Cruz has taken off with development, from boutiques and food stores, to cafes, bakeries, breweries, tap rooms, a host of wine tasting rooms and trendy eateries.

Last week we ate at the West End Tap and Kitchen, 334 Ingalls St., which is right around the corner from Bantam. Kelly's Bakery is next door and Marini's Candies is there too, with late hours, so we often drift in there for dessert.

Sharing the same parking lot is the popular Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, 402 Ingalls St. Both West End and SC Brewing offer indoor and outdoor seating, the latter offering live outdoor music during the warmer months. New Leaf Community Market is nearby if you care to tie in some late evening grocery shopping.

ART

Nature, wildlife and humanity in oil

By TARMO HANNULA

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Artwork by Marie Massey

"Beach Bungalows"is an oil on canvas painting by Marie Massey now showing at the County Building in Santa Cruz.

"Sailing Cerulean Seas" by Marie Massey.

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

her Painted Meadows Studio in Bellvue, CO. Her inspirations include Monet, Renoir, Bonnard, Cezanne, Gaughuin, Jackson Pollock and Wolf Kahn.

“I admire the ability of these artists to take a fresh look at the world both inside and outside themselves, see the beauty of it and express it. It is my aspiration to do the same,” she wrote on her website.

Massey, who has claimed numerous awards, has shown her work extensively nationally and internationally and has been juried into more than 130 shows. In addition to her oil on canvas paintings, she also offers high-quality giclée prints produced on state-of-theart, professional-grade Epson printers.

“We use acid-free papers and canvases with archival inks to guarantee that your prints last a lifetime without fading or loss of color,” she said.

For information and to view her work, visit mariemassey. com.

Artwork by Marie Massey

arie Massey has been drawing and painting since she could hold a pencil—as young as 4 years old in her grandmother’s garden.

Since then she has been drawn to nature, wildlife and humanity in her artwork and has been painting professionally for 19 years.

Her style ranges from highly detailed realism in watercolor to loose, impressionistic paintings in oil.

Massey currently is showing 17 of her works through Jan. 3, at the Santa Cruz County Building, 701 Ocean St. Massey credits her advances in art to her mentor and teacher, Barbara Marquardt.

“This method has helped me to unleash my creativity and allow the magic to happen on the canvas,” Massey said.

She studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts, UC Santa Barbara and the Loveland Academy of Art as well as with many well-known contemporary artists.

She teaches both plein air and studio workshops.

In 2014 Massey was juried into the California Art League as an Exhibiting Member. Also in 2014, Massey founded the Central Coast Plein Air Painters.

In 2013, Massey and fellow artist, Diane Edwards, founded Paint the Poudre Plein Air, a plein air painting competition and exhibition that benefits the preservation and conservation of the Cache La Poudre River in Colorado Massey’s work is represented by the San Francisco Women’s Art Gallery in San Francisco, Independence Gallery in Loveland, CO and Gallery 620 in Pacific Grove. Massey typically works at her Dolphin Dunes Studio in La Selva Beach and

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DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

GIVES

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nonprofits in a matter of moments.

For donors who prefer to pay cash or deliver a check in Watsonville, they may bring payments to The Volunteer Center, 349 Main St., Suite 208. They may also contact a participating nonprofit directly.

Each nonprofit can accept cash donations for their organization on behalf of Santa Cruz Gives.

Fundraising for this year is up 35 percent from last year as the campaign heads into its final week. There is a record number of beneficiary groups (37) and Kaiser Permanente, Swenson Builders and Wynn Capital Management joined in as sponsors for the first time this year. Santa Cruz County Bank continues to be the fundraiser’s lead sponsor.

Watsonville organizations dominate those chosen for this year’s Santa Cruz Gives. Farm Discovery at Live Earth, an educational farming organization based in Watsonville, is in the lead with $44,085 raised as of Thursday, including $23,000 in matching funds and $21,085 individual donations.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch, an organization aiming to preserve and restore the natural wetlands of the Pajaro Valley, has raised $12,695, including $11,300 in matching funds and $1,395 in individual donations.

Mesa Verde Gardens, which has built a network of organic community gardens in the Pajaro Valley, has raised $10,645, with $10,000 in matching funds and $645 individual donations.

County-wide nonprofits Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, UnChained, Housing Matters, Food, What?! and Homeless Garden Project are also on the leaderboard.

Selected nonprofits will receive donated funds, matching funds and be eligible for three awards: Most Donors Overall, Most Donors Under 35 years old and Most Innovative Program. Each honor comes with a $1,000 award.

Here are five nonprofits that are looking for more donations: • The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County — Advocates for, supports and celebrates the county’s LGBTQ+ community. The Big Idea: Camp OUT is an annual camp offering LGBTQ+ kids a chance to learn camping skills, share their struggles and meet other campers like them—usually for the first time.

SAT APTOS ST. BBQ 8059 Aptos St, Aptos BLUE LAGOON 923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz BRITANNIA ARMS 110 Monterey Ave, Capitola CAPITOLA WINE BAR 115 San Jose Ave, Capitola THE CATALYST 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz THE CATALYST ATRIUM 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

12/21

Kid Anderson & John “Blues” Boyd Free 6-8p Know Morals, Will Written, Trianna Feruza & more 9p

SUN

12/22

Chicago Bill & the Next Blues Band Free 6-8p

MON

12/23

Blind Rick Free 6-8p

TUES

12/24

WED

12/25

Mojo Mix Free 6-8p

The Box: Gothic/ Industrial Free 9p

Karaoke 9-12:30a Christmas Party, Gerard Egan Duo Free 6p Bone Thugs-NHarmony w/ DJ Aspect $30-$40 9p Archer Nation w/ 3 Up Front & Stalin $12/$15 8:30p

John Michael Free 2-5p

THU

12/26

FRI

12/27

Scott Miller Free 6-8p

James Murray Free 6-8p

Comedy Night w/ Chree/Retro Dance Party Free 9p

Killer Whale & special guests 9p

Alex Lucero & Friends 8p

Karaoke 9-12:30a Blind Rick w/ Virgil Thrasher 7-10p

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Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven w/ Maids of Honor $30 8p 7th Annual Christmas w/ the Misfits Benefit $10 8:30p

CILANTROS 1934 Main St, Watsonville

Hippo Happy Hour 5:30-7:30p

CORRALITOS CULTURAL CENTER 127 Hames Rd., Corralitos

Acoustic Open Jam 3-5p

THE CREPE PLACE 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

DJ Jaze Earl $7 9p

CROW’S NEST 2218 E. Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

UTurn $7 9:30p

THE FISH HOUSE 972 Main St, Watsonville

Soul Doubt 8p

Live Comedy $7 9p

Open Mic 7-10p I’m Glad it’s You w/ Mildura & Grad Nite $6 9p

BigRig w/ ShamPain & Born Jealous $7 9p

Bump $5 8p

Blind Pilots $6 9p

KUUMBWA JAZZ 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz

Donations will fund next year’s and future camps.

• Youth N.O.W. -— Serves the youth of Pajaro Valley through free academic, social and emotional support programs. The Big Idea: Cultivating Success 2020 is an annual event that recognizes six inspiring middle and high school youth. Each student receives a small scholarship to pay for school supplies, college expenses or explore creative interests.

Donations allow the organization to increase scholarship amounts and establish future funds.

• Safe Families for Children Alliance — This volunteer-fueled movement aims to reduce the number of families entering foster care by offering prevention-based intervention. The Big Idea: the launch of Safe Families for Children in Santa Cruz. The nonprofit had a soft launch in 2019 and hopes to expand. Funding aids volunteer recruitment, screenings, training and supervision.

• Wings Homeless Advocacy — Aims to train volunteer

advocates to help those moving out of homelessness. The Big Idea: donations will fund the nonprofit’s Welcome Home baskets, full of essential personal care and household items, transportation and more.

• Santa Cruz Chamber Players — Promotes live chamber music and

provides performance opportunities for local musicians. The Big Idea: donations will fund concerts, historical talks and Q&A sessions.

There are 12 days until Santa Cruz Gives wraps up on Dec. 31 at midnight. For information, a full list of nonprofits and to donate visit santacruzgives.org.

NOTE

SAT

12/21

MICHAEL’S ON MAIN 2591 Main St, Soquel

Joint Chiefs $10 8p

MOE’S ALLEY 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Saqi, Neotik, Nadi $15/$20 8p

SUN

12/22

MON

12/23

TUES

12/24

THU

12/26

The DC Trio Free 7:30p

FRI

12/27

Paperback Ryders Free 5p Flor de Cana $10/$15 8p

The Takeover 9:30p Billy Martini Band 2-5p

12/25

Grateful Sunday Free 5:30p

MOTIV 1209 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz PARADISE BEACH 215 Esplanade, Capitola

WED

The Get Down 9:30p

Johnny Neri 2-5p

Libation Lab w/ King Wizard & Chief Transcend 9:30p

Brandon Beach 9:30p

Live Again w/ Alex Lucero 6-9p

RIO THEATRE 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Christmas at the Rio Freee 11a&5p

THE SAND BAR 211 Esplanade, Capitola

Dennis Dove 7:30p

The White Album Ensemble $25-$40 8p Alex Lucero & friends 7:30p

Original Music Showcase The Joint Chiefs 7:30p 9p

SANDERLINGS 1 Seascape Resort, Aptos

Soul Shine 8-11p

SEVERINO’S BAR & GRILL 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos

Tsunami 8-11:30p

Don McCaslin & the Amazing Jazz Geezers 6-9p

Mojo Cruz 8-11:30p

SHADOWBROOK 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola

Claudio Melega 7-10p

Ken Constable 6:30-9:30p

Joe Ferrara 6:30-9:30p

UGLY MUG 4640 Soquel Ave, Soquel

Open Mic Night 5:30p

Here & Now Trio 8-11p

VINOCRUZ 4901 Soquel Drive, Soquel ZELDA’S 203 Esplanade, Capitola

BALSAMIC

Hijinx 9:30p

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imports the base vinegar straight from Italy.

From there, it’s all about infusion.

Tush mixes the balsamic with various local fruit concentrates and other ingredients. Year-round flavors include pomegranate, chocolate

DJ Joey Aliotti 9:30p

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

Tush’s background in baking has aided in the continued growth of Santa Cruz Balsamics. Food pairing is the key, she said.

“I’ve learned that to make money with these products, you need to make food, too,” she said. “There’s a reason why chefs love to use balsamic.”

The products can be used on everything from vegetables to dessert, Tush said. One specialty she has been offering recently is a strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream and her chocolate raspberry balsamic. She is also working on a bread pudding, to be paired with a different flavor.

Santa Cruz Balsamics can be found at various farmers markets throughout the year in San Jose, Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Palo Alto. The business also sets up at different events, including the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, Mushroom Mardi Gras and A Taste of Morgan Hill.

Tush added that she is also working on writing a recipe book

operate in the Pajaro Valley, such as Regeneracíon-Pajaro Valley Climate Action, Farm Discovery at Live Earth and Watsonville Wetlands Watch, are leading the way—for more on this, see our cover story by Johanna Miller.

I’m a big fan of this campaign for two reasons: (1) how easy it has made it to support local organizations that are trying to improve our community and (2) how it has stripped any intimidation that comes with donating Sometimes all someone has to give is $10 while other folks have hundreds—if not thousands—to donate.

Those small donations add up, but it’s hard to convince the public of that when they see other donors giving so much.

Santa Cruz Gives puts both donations on a leveled playing field and makes us all winners.

Flavored balsamic vinegar by Santa Cruz Balsamics is bottled and ready to market. featuring food pairings for her products.

“From the bad comes the good,” she said. “I’m so grateful I can be active… work creatively and not sit at a desk all day. I just want to keep on growing.”

For information and to order products visit santacruzbalsamics. com.

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

raspberry, black cherry, blueberry, pear and mango (Tush’s personal favorite). There are also seasonal creations such as cranberry, key lime and blood orange.

“Each flavor has its own personality,” she said. “Every time we come up with something new… it’s a different flavor experience.”

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PHOTO GALLERY

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Photo by Tarmo Hannula

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | 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.

SKY BRILLIANCE The sunrise Tuesday in Santa Cruz casts a blaze of brilliant colors.

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

WIND BLOWN A maple leaf is plastered to the wet Photo by Tarmo Hannula

pavement on Main Street in Watsonville during a chilly morning drizzle.

FRUIT ART A young woman walks past a mural on East Beach Street in Watsonville.

HOLIDAY CHEER Watsonville Plaza's Christmas tree

is lit up for the holidays.

DECEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE

Photo by Johanna Miller

Photo by Tarmo Hannula

WIPEOUT A surfer is about to be inhaled in a crashing wave at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.

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