Holiday Gift Guide

Inside This Issue: Memories of Santa’s Village Local Holiday Happenings Extraordinary Gift Selection

Sunset on Snowflake Lake

29 ber above m e v r • No s $995 o $995 E L a an v A Y S ition Can s less th A D a anv FRI d Ed CK y Limite Edition C Details A L n r B d on a mite ry fo $200 n any Li t Galle e v o Sa tac $100 Con and

The Legend of St. Nicholas Circle II

By Thomas Kinkade

Just a snowball's throw from St. Nicholas Circle, we can see Sunset on Snowflake Lake. The Snowy wonderland is decorated for Christmas with the town's residents skating, sleighing, making a snowman and enjoying a fresh blanket of snow.

Original Art Published November 2013

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S.C. COUNTY SYMPHONY The Gift of Music

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MEMORIES OF SANTA’S VILLAGE

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THE NUTCRACKER The Original Nutcracker

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HO HO HOLIDAY TREATS Simple and Sweet!

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MAKE THE PLEDGE To Shop Local

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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS For the Entire Family

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HOLIDAY DINING Local Restaurants

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HOLIDAY CRAFTS Fun Projects for Kids!

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A SEASON FOR GIVING Local Charities

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HOLIDAY CALENDAR Don’t Miss These Holiday Events!

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The 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

is a publication of the Times Publishing Group Inc.­located at 9601 Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003. Entire contents © 2013

by Patrice Edwards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

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Baritone Ryan Speedo Green, soprano L

Give the Gift of Music

The Santa Cruz County Symphony is offering up a special gift for your friends and family – musical gift packages for the remaining three concerts of the Symphony’s historic 56th Season. Live classical music makes a perfect gift for the aspiring musician and music-lover alike.

Your loved ones can attend three ex– ceptional performances of classical music, and as you receive the satisfaction of knowing your gift is enriching their lives with creativity and culture and will continue to do so long after the holiday decorations come down. We all have too much stuff. This year, consider giving a meaningful gift to both inspire and uplift your loved ones’ spirits… the gift of music!

There has never been a better time to witness this musical gem of our community!

JANUARY CONCERTS “Immortal Love” Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m.

Mello Center, Watsonville

Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde Prokofiev: Selections from Romeo and Juliet

The Symphony devotes this concert- just The 56th season marks the dawn of a new weeks before Valentine’s Day- to the power era for the Symphony – it is the inaugural of love and the love stories that have stood the test of time. The breathtakingly season of the Symphony’s energetic beautiful songs of Gustav Mahler new Maestro, Daniel Stewart. would come to form the founLast season, Maestro Stewart dation for his nine, vocally was overwhelming selected infused symphonies. The by audience and orchesgifted young baritone tra members and as the Yunpeng Wang joins the favorite of 5 conducSymphony to sing his tors who auditioned for ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’. the position. He is a The Symphony then professional violist, acturns to the legend of complished composer Tristan and Isolde, one of and a conductor at the history’s most celebratMetropolitan Opera in ed love stories that inNew York. Maestro StewMaestro spired Richard Wagner to art takes over an organizaDaniel Stewart create what would become tion that has grown trementhe most influential musical dously over the 21-year tenure work of the Romantic era. or its former Maestro, and aims to take the Symphony to new heights.

His first two concerts were wildly success- Following, the Symphony will present ful and have imbibed the local music scene the world’s most beloved love story of with tremendous energy and excitement. all, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, in one

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of the 20th century’s most ecstatic, tender and transporting masterpieces. Originally written as a ballet, Prokofiev wrote an exhaustive amount of music on the subject, which the Symphony will condense into forty minutes of storytelling magic.

MARCH CONCERTS “Dance Prisms”

Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m.

Santa Cruz Civic Sunday, March 23, 2 p.m.

Mello Center, Watsonville Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor Ives: The Unanswered Question Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite The ‘Rumanian Folk Dances’ of Bela Bartok, Hungary’s most celebrated composer of the 20th century, are brimming with gypsy fire and mysticism. Bach’s hypnotically buoyant and elegant second orchestral suite features seven different dances for strings and solo flute.

Ives’ The Unanswered Question presents our universal, eternal, and increasingly complex question of existence with singular success in his visionary work from 1906, while Stravinsky, looking to dance forms from Pergolesi and other composers from the 18th century, wrote his Pulchinella, a ballet that was originally premiered with costumes and sets designed

by Picasso, on themes of the Commedia

Santa Cruz County Symphony Holiday ad 2013 Aptos Times Run date: Nov., Dec. 2013 To: info@cyber-times.com patrice@cyber-times.com From: marguer@pacbell.net

Sa nt a Cr u z C ou nt y

SYMPHONY

4.312 x 11.375 4 color

Daniel Stewart, Music Director

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING...

Lei Xu, tenor Mario Chang, mezzo-soprano Reneé Tatum, baritone Yunpeng Wang dell’arte. The Symphony invites you to come enjoy this kaleidoscopic festival of dances, over two dozen of them, and celebrate the rich diversity of, and connections between, each.

Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms is one of the 20th century’s most celebrated choral masterpieces. Sung in Hebrew, they express joyful, impassioned, and universal themes of brotherhood and gratitude. Mozart’s Requiem Mass, one of the most profoundly moving experiences in all of western art, was the last piece of music that Mozart struggled to complete before his tragically early death at the age of 35. Working under mysterious conditions, (he was commissioned through an anonymous source who hoped to claim the work as his own), Mozart believed that he was writing the piece for himself. Featuring vocal soloists from the Metropolitan Opera and the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, we will conclude our season on a note of uplift and renewal. -

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SYMPHONY Gift Subscriptions: Call the Symphony office at 831.462.0553 ext. 10.

Single Tickets: $20 - $65 Purchase online at SantaCruzTickets.com or at the Civic Box Office. Phone: 831.420.5260 Civic Auditorium Box Office , 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz Box office opens 90 minutes before concerts.

Hours: Tu-F 11- 6 PM and Sat 10 AM – 1:30 PM All single tickets subject to taxes and service charges.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC! january 25/26 MAHLER Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), Yunpeng Wang, baritone

WAGNER Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde PROKOFIEV Selections from Romeo and Juliet march 22/23 BARTÓK Rumanian Folk Dances BACH Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor IVES The Unanswered Question STRAVINSKY Pulcinella Suite may 17/18 MOZART Ave Verum Corpus BERNSTEIN Chichester Psalms MOZART Requiem Featuring the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, and soloists Lei Xu, Reneé Tatum, Mario Davila and Ryan Speedo Green from the Metropolitan Opera

Call 462-0553, ext. 10

to purchase Symphony concert gift packages for your family and friends!

Mello Center, 250 E. Beach Street, Watsonville Box office is open 90 minutes before concert only. Advance sales through Civic Box Office. All single tickets subject to taxes and service charges.

Pre-concert talks by Dr. Don Adkins will take place at 7 PM in the Civic Auditorium prior to the Saturday evening concerts and by Dr. Anatole Leikin at 1 PM in the Watsonville Mello Center prior to the Sunday matinee concerts.

www.SantaCruzSymphony.org

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Do You Remember Santa’s Village?

The reaction is always the same... “aaww, I went there when I was a kid.” Almost everyone in Santa Cruz, over a certain age, remembers Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley.

Open year-round, it has come to represent a simpler time when even adults believed in the joy of Santa Claus.

As a kid, I thought it was pure magic that Santa’s Village had a North Pole that was always icy and freezing cold. I wanted to lick it to see if my tongue would really stick, but my mom was always watching.

So many memories... Claudia Brown went there as a reward for having her tonsils out.

Christine Giulianelli writes “I have such fond memories of Santa’s Village. I have pictures of Santa on the trolley waving to me and the snowball ride (like Disneyland’s teacups).

It was a magical place for kids.”

First Theme Park

Back then, there were no video games and kids went outside and played, using their imagination to become soldiers, cowboys, or princesses. Highway 17 was just a simple two-lane road through the mountains.

There were no on- or off-ramps, but you could get homemade apple cider up near the Summit.

Noel Smith, editor at Times Publishing, remembers stopping there while visiting Santa Cruz. Having been to other theme parks around the country, Noel was impressed by how first-class our Santa’s Village was: “There was great attention to detail to make it as realistic as possible.”

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Santa’s Village was the first franchised theme park in the country, opening Memorial Day weekend in 1955 near Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County. It beat Disneyland’s opening by less than six weeks. While Walt Disney struggled to find investors for a theme park for a mouse named Mickey, Santa’s Village was the vision of one person: Glen Holland, a Southern California developer.

Scotts Valley was the second of three villages, with a third Santa’s Village near Chicago in Dundee, Illinois. Gen-

eral contractor Putnam Henck built Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley in 9 months at the cost of one million dollars – that would be over $8 million today! It officially opened to large crowds on Memorial Day Weekend: May 30, 1957.

Characters Scotts Valley’s first Santa Claus was played

by Carl Hansen, a native of Denmark and Mrs. Claus was Alma Ragon. After five years, Hansen left to have his own popular TV show on KNTV as Hocus Pocus the Clown and magician.

Elves, pixies and gnomes dressed in green or beige leather vests, green leotards, pointed elf boots with bells, and a green felt hat with a green ostrich feather. They sold tickets, souvenirs, food and refreshments. Ride operators wore leather Lederhosen, suspenders and knee-high socks.

For many who worked there, it was a dream job.

Characters from Alice in Wonderland, Jack Pumpkin Head, the Easter Bunny, Little Bo Peep, and a Good Witch wandered throughout the grounds, greeting youngsters. Sometimes there would be local

celebrity guests such as Captain Satellite, Smokey the Bear, and Romper Room’s Miss Nancy.

Attractions From puppet shows to a petting zoo, there was plenty of free entertainment. Kids could feed goats, sheep, bunnies, ducks, deer, and a Mexican burro. Popular entertainer, Penny Peck, was the piano playing chicken.

Reindeer imported from Unalakleet, Alaska pulled Santa around in his sleigh.

Children could also get lost in the Alice in Wonderland Maze, play with a giant Jack-in-theBox, Santa’s Enormous Boot, Queen of Hearts figure, a p u p p e t theatre or the “refrigerated” North Pole.

Only the rides cost money, including a bobsled roller coaster, spinning snowballs (now re-themed and living at The Boardwalk), a giant whirling Christmas tree ride, pony carts, and a miniature train.

The brightly colored mushrooms can still be spotted here and there around the county. According to Norwegian legend, Vindicans (ancestors to pixies, elves and gnomes) lived in the toadstools and mushrooms.

Visitors could wander around the village and visit Santa’s workshop, Santa’s oversize mailbox (to leave your letters for Santa), treetop-tall wooden soldiers and candy canes, a gingerbread house, the mill-wheel toy factory along the creek, a lollipop tree, a magic shop, the reindeer barn and a gift shop. Mrs. Claus had a kitchen that served hamburgers, hotdogs and steak sandwiches.

Santa even had a Standard Oil (now known as Chevron) gas station to fuel the visitor’s cars!

Appropriate holiday music flowed from speakers hidden in the trees. Upkeep was very important and structures were continuously painted and paths were kept clean. Santa’s Village, in its lovely redwood setting, was a fairyland for young and old.

Changes In 1966, Noorudin Billawalla purchased the Santa’s Village property, leasing it back to Santa’s Village Corporation until they went bankrupt in 1977. Billawalla changed the name to “The Village” and promoted it as an arts and crafts fair, but two years later, Santa’s Village closed. Since 1985, the property changed hands a Continued on Page 21

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The Original Nutcracker

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre celebrates eleven years at the Civic!

W

elcome to the nutcracker! A favorite holiday tradition for people of all ages.

No matter how many times you may have attended, danced in, or played in the orchestra, all agree that The Nutcracker is a gift. The performers truly enjoy telling the story and bringing the magic alive, not just for children, but also for those who count on The Nutcracker to welcome in the season.

Although orchestra Maestro Pamela Martin is new to Santa Cruz, she has many years of experience working with orchestras and dance companies such as Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Ballet West in Salt Lake City, and Oakland Ballet with the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Having conducted various versions of The Nutcracker (including three different versions for the Oakland Ballet!), she expressed that Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s version is musically very pure: “There are very few cuts or changes and most musicians, including myself, are quite appreciative of that. The Nutcracker score itself is truly a masterpiece, and I have always found it artistically very satisfying.”

She also admits to a fondness for conducting for ballet; as she sees it, through the dancers the music becomes visible. As a ballet conductor, she has learned that it is best not to “follow the dancers,” rather, it is her job to lay down tempos that will serve the choreography. And of course, an important part of this process is an orchestra that watches the conductor closely and responds well. As a guest conductor last year, she was delighted to find how cohesive and attentive the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra is. “They are excellent players who give 110% every time.”

Nahshon Marden, a young, promising dancer will be dancing his second year with Santa Cruz Nutcracker, is happy with the great work ethic in rehearsals and how much everyone enjoys the process. He has been learning how to partner not only from his teachers Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher, but also from each dance partner.

“I find that a good partner is someone who knows how to dance with his or her own strength, while blending with their partner’s strength. We are both constantly working at the same time to make it work.”

On differences in dancing to live versus recorded music, Nahshon explained, even though recorded music never changes (an advantage in several ways), he has had a couple of performance experiences when the CD cut out

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Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Presents The Original Santa Cruz Nutcracker Featuring guest artists from the Houston Ballet, plus the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra with 55 professional musicians conducted by the remarkable Maestro Pamela Martin.

Performances: Friday, December 20 at 8 PM; Saturday, December 21 at 1:00 and 4:30 PM; and Sunday, December 22 at 1:00 and 4:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www. santacruztickets.com. You may also purchase in person at the Civic Auditorium Box Office, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, or by calling 831-420-5260.

An additional Nutcracker Sweet Treats backstage event, a delight for children of all ages, can be purchased separately. Join us as Nutcracker magic comes alive prior to curtain! Nutcracker characters will be on hand to greet you for photos, so bring your camera! You will also receive a cookie, compliments of Pacific Cookie Company, and an ornament to commemorate this holiday tradition. Available on Saturday and Sunday only, prior to the 1:00 PM performances. continued... in the middle of a dance. Performing with a live orchestra “makes it much easier for me to have a relationship with the music, to get inside the music.” And the conductor will never let the music stop!

Norman Peck, Orchestra Manager and percussionist, feels that “No digital representation can replace the immediately visceral, first hand experience of the talent and energy of the artists. The Nutcracker is a BIG production and a palatable spark permeates the auditorium completely. The orchestra is placed in the middle of everything in the perfect location to connect with the audience and the dancers.” For the performers onstage, the orchestra becomes an accompanist; however, this does not diminish their role. “Our attention, and the conductor’s, is focused on following the nuances of this very human and therefore unpredictable art form and making that accompaniment as solid and dependable as possible.”

Diane Cypher, co-Executive Director for SCBT, remembers her Nutcracker experiences as a ballerina: “I was fortunate to work with very accomplished conductors. My collaborations with these conductors changed the way I would interpret a role’s musicality, and sometimes even my dramatic interpretation was transformed with their knowledge and advice.” Diane also notes the collaboration she had with Brenda Vahur, who played Celeste to Diane’s Sugar Plum. “Having this kind of camaraderie was definitely a high point of my career as a dancer.” She also points out that “Live music brings an extra human element to it all–which is exciting and makes you listen more carefully.”

Maestro Pamela Martin gets the final word: “Robert Kelley’s Nutcracker is a special version. It not only tells the magical story, it does so with a great deal of heart and has real respect for Tchaikovsky’s score. The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre dancers do a wonderful job of bringing the show to life, and having the exquisite Melody Mennite as the Sugar Plum Fairy makes it extraordinary.” .

Photos: Lynne Owen

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Ho, Ho, Holiday Treats Make the Season Simple and Sweet Instant Snowman: Coat peanut butter sandwich cookies in white Candy Melts candy to create instant snowmen. Decorate with hats, scarves and, of course, carrot noses.

It’s a Wrap: Turn your homemade treats into gourmet gifts. Stock up on holidaythemed gift bags and boxes, colorful tissue paper, ribbons and tags to transform made-from-the-heart goodies into extra special gifts.

Sweet Snowmen Cookies NOthing says home for the holidays like the smell of treats baking in the oven and a crowded kitchen filled with loved ones. Whether making decades-old family favorites or starting new holiday baking traditions, you can create homemade holiday goodies in a (ginger) snap.

The holidays are a time when families are in the kitchen at record rates to bake cookies, build gingerbread houses and create a wide variety of sweet treats. The good news is, even if you only have 30 minutes to spare during this hectic time, you can make amazing desserts for gatherings or gifting.

Try these easy treat ideas to spread holiday cheer: Holiday Helpers: Invite family and friends for a cookie-decorating day to help prepare gifts for upcoming events.

You provide the Sparkling Sugars and Sprinkles, Peppermint Twisted Sticks and red and green icing ... everyone else provides the creativity.

Miracle on Your Street: Crunched for time with a party to attend? Pick up readyto-eat cookies and artfully dip them in red and green Candy Melts candy for an elegant upgrade. No one has to know how simple it was to create customized dessert.

White, Red, Green, Black and Orange Candy Melts Candy Peanut butter sandwich cookies Holiday Confetti, Holiday and Snowflake Mix Sprinkles Cinnamon Drops Black Sugar Pearls Silver Pearlized Sugar Melt white Candy Melts candy following package instructions. Place cookies on cooling grid positioned over parchment-lined cookie sheet. Spoon melted candy over top surface of cookie; chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Turn cookies over, candy side down, on cooling grid. Completely cover cookies with melted candy; chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Repeat, if needed, to completely cover cookie.

To decorate snowmen, melt Candy Melts candy following package instructions as needed. Using red, green and white candy in candy or disposable decorating bag, pipe hats, ear muff band and scarves, adding colored sugar trim to candy before it sets. For ball cap, cut a Candy Melt candy wafer in half; attach with melted candy. Attach sprinkles for buttons, earmuffs and decorative accents using dots of melted candy. Using melted black candy and decorating bag, pipe facial features. Using melted orange candy and decorating bag, pipe nose.

Merry Marshmallow Sticks White, Red, Green and Dark Cocoa Candy Melts candy Large Marshmallows

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Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils and Colored Sugars In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, melt Candy Melts candy separately following package instructions. Dip marshmallows in melted candy and place on cooling grid positioned over parchmentlined cookie sheet. If desired, sprinkle with sugars and sprinkles. Chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set.

Using candy decorating bag or disposable decorating bag, drizzle melted candy or pipe outlines, if desired; immediately sprinkle with sugars or nonpareils. Attach confetti with dots of melted candy. Chill 2 to 3 minutes or until set.

With point of sharp knife, carefully cut through candy on the marshmallow where stick will be inserted.

Insert three marshmallows onto each Colored Lollipop Stick, securing with melted candy.

Fast and Festive Christmas Cookies Green, Red, White, Light and Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Candy Assorted purchased ready-to-eat cookies Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils, Holly Mix, Colored Sugars and Sprinkles In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, melt Candy Melts candy separately following package instructions. Partially or completely dip cookies in melted candy.

Place cookies on cooling grid positioned over parchment-lined cookie sheet. If desired, sprinkle with sugars and sprinkles.

Chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set.

Additional decorating ideas: – Drizzle with melted candy in a contrasting color. Chill 3 to 5 minutes or until set.

– Attach sprinkles with dots of melted candy. Chill 3 to 5 minutes or until set.

– Pipe melted candy bows and other decorations. .

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Make the Pledge to Shop Local Support Your Local Economy

THE MOVEMENT to support small local businesses is really gaining momentum and organizations are seeking ways to incorporate ‘Thinking Outside the (Big) Box’ models.

The Move Your Money campaign asserts that simply moving our money to local banks will empower our communities with real economic muscle. And American Express, along with many U.S. cities, has declared the Saturday after Thanksgiving to be Shop Small Business Saturday, offering incentives to shoppers and free advertising for small businesses.

shoplocal@thinklocalsantacruz.org and state your pledge to shop locally during this week. Then save at least one receipt from one of the Think Local First member businesses – a list of over 600 county businesses are on the website (thinklocalsantacruz.org).

Last year three lucky participants each won over $500 worth of gift certificates for goods and services.

We are empowered to create real economic change simply by considering where we spend our money throughout the holidays and beyond.

What are the benefits of shopping from locally owned businesses?

Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors. Chances are, when you buy from a locally owned business, part of your purchase will benefit your neighbors and friends.

Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and employ their own office and support staff.

When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.

What these groups have realized is that supporting locally owned businesses creates vibrant local economies, and that healthy local economies in turn will help revitalize the national economy.

Meanwhile, Think Local First Santa Cruz County continues its efforts to promote a strong local economy.

This holiday season Think Local First is sponsoring the third annual Shop Local Week campaign, which encourages us to consider our shopping habits particularly now as the holiday shopping season is upon us. During the week of December 5th - December 14th county residents are being asked to shop at locally owned businesses in a show of support of our local economy.

Anyone can become eligible to win one of the many gift certificates donated by local businesses. Simply e-mail

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A unique local identity and cultural diversity are created when businesses are themselves unique and locally based, creating an attractive place to live and visit.

Continued on page 16

Continued from Page 14 Locally owned businesses tend to stick around when times get harder. A local owner doesn’t easily pack up and leave town for “better” pastures. This creates more stability in the local economy.

Because they focus primarily on local markets, locally owned businesses tend to be smaller and place a high premium on being easily accessible by local residents. This promotes sustainable neighborhood economies while at the same time reduces our carbon footprints.

Local business owners take better care of the environment and participate in the community. Local businesses on average, give a greater portion of their profits to local not-for-profit organizations.

The number of local businesses now offering online shopping is also growing, offering e-commerce directly on their websites and making it easier than ever to shop local from the convenience of home.

Saving Our Assets Local businesses employ Santa Cruz residents who work, live and play here. This means that, per capita, more dollars stay in the County rather than being shipped back to corporate headquarters in another state. When money remains local Continued on Page 17

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Beach Girl it means that more tax dollars circulate in Santa Cruz, sustaining roads, social services, and schools. According to studies of comparable communities on ThinkLocalSantaCruz.org, for every $100 spent in a locally owned business, $45 stays in the community. In contrast, a corporate, non-local business spends a scant $13 locally in Santa Cruz while sending $87 to their headquarters. Just making a simple switch in where you stop to get your morning muffin and cup of coffee can help support local schools and libraries.

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Whether it's a grocery store, café or a bank, nearly every daily purchase can be made from a Santa Cruz County-ownedand-operated business helping residents' wallets and growing the local economy.

Now that’s a resolution for improving the financial system everyone can get behind.

Think Local First is network of locally owned businesses and organizations joining together to promote economic vitality and to preserve the unique character of Santa Cruz County. For more information about the benefits of shopping locally, visit thinklocalsantacruz.org. .

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▶ Jewelry WM CLAYTON GREENE JEWELERS 245-Y Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley 831.438.1844 www.glasslocket.com So Santa Cruz! Wm Clayton Greene Jewelers offers whimsical glass lockets in Sterling Silver and 14K Gold. Each pendant contains genuine pearls, birthstones, starfish or sand dollars which are also available in 14K gold. Our sterling lockets (with your choice of sea life) start at only $99 and includes an 18” sterling chain.

Order by December 20th for Christmas delivery!

▶ Give the Gift of Beauty Westside Beauty Supply Capitola Store: 3555 Clares Street, Capitola 831.479.1026 www.westsidebeautysupply.com Holiday Hours: M-F: 9am-7pm; Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: 10am-5pm Give the gift of beauty this year with professional styling tools or Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. Westside Beauty has a large selection of styling tools ranging from hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons and crimping irons from Hot Tools, Babyliss and X5.

Locally owned and operated in Santa Cruz County, Westside Beauty Supply has three convenient locations to meet all your beauty needs with a large selection of professional hair and skin care products such as Redken, Purology, Dermalogica, Murad, OPI; Morgan Taylor nail products; hair color and accessories from L’Oreal; makeup from GloMinerals, Bare Minerals,Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Smashbox Cosmetics. Visit their full-service salon with professional stylists and estheticians. They offer free make-up consultations.

▶ Antiques & Collectibles Dusty Treasures, Antiques & Collectibles 723F E Lake Ave., Watsonville 408.422.3896 www.DustyTreasuresAntiques.com Dusty Treasures, Antiques & Collectibles offers a vast collection of Antique, Vintage and Collectible merchandise. Treasures and Antiques include Fenton Glass, Jeannette Glass, Crystal, Pottery, Manufacturing Products and Packaging, and much more. Collectibles include Disney, I Love Lucy, Automobile Memorabilia, an impressive collection of Coca Cola products memorabilia and many other items in demand in the collectibles market.

Gift Ideas continued on Page 20

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Functional and Unique Kitchenware & Gifts

Check out our After-Thanksgiving Sales!

Holiday Art & Crafts Faire Simpkins Swim Center Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 AM - 4 PM Free Admission & Parking Unique hand-made gifts for everyone on your list, created by local artists and craftspeople.

You’ll find jewelry, ornaments, soaps, cards, handbags, chocolates, garden art, hand-knit apparel, hand-turned woodwork, and more!

Mon. thru Sat. 10 - 7 Sun. 11 - 6 Extended Holiday Hours!

Le Chef

For more information, please visit scparks.com.

Kitchenware & More

We’ve Lowered our Prices And We Are Still 50% off Everything!

Fabulous Selection at Affordable Prices!

Give the Gift of Wellness

Over 100,000 Sterling Silver Rings, Chains, Charms, Pendants, Earrings, Bracelets, Bangles, and so much more!

$5 dollars off a purchase of $20 or more

Rentals & Sales • Complete Back & Foot Care Center

Find the perfect holiday gift for that special someone!

Capitola Mall Old Town Sacremento Capitola Village Super Silver Santa Cruz 214 Capitola Avenue Across from food court 1100 2nd Street 1301 Pacifc Ave. Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 Capitola Village, CA, 95010 (831) 477-1932 Sacramento, CA, 95814 (916) 443-2801 (831) 462-9696 (831) 460-9696

Vi s i t us at www.s up ers i lvers ant acr uz .c om

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▶ Super Gifts at Super Silver Super Silver – 3 LOCATIONS

Capitola Village Santa Cruz Capitola Mall 214 Capitola Ave. 1301 Pacific Ave, SC Space #E10 831.462.9696 831.460.9696 831.477.1932 Locally owned and operated, Super Silver offers a dazzling selection of beautiful sterling silver jewelry from around the world! One-of-a-kind Native American designs, rare Larimar, Baltic Amber and many other unique pieces make Super Silver a fun and exotic place to find the perfect gift for any occasion.

▶ Gifts for Your Sports & Fitness Enthusiast PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS

4770 Soquel Dr. (Downtown Soquel) 831.475.1988 www.PlayItAgainSports-Soquel.com Play It Again Sports has a complete line of all snow gear, skies, boots, snowboarding, clothing, etc. We have the largest selection of fitness and exercise equipment in the Monterey Bay area, or: from treadmills, benches, bikes to ellipticals, weight sets, bars- everything for your exercise and rehab needs. We are the store for everyone.

Great deals for beginners to deluxe, high-end equipment for the serious enthusiast. We cater to every sporting and fitness need.

▶ Collectible Ornaments the Village Mouse

201 Capitola Ave., Capitola, CA 95010 831.476.7566 The Village Mouse is a family owned gift and collectible shop that specializes in unique gifts for all occasions. Come in and visit for all of your Holiday needs. Some of the brands they carry: Betty Boop Figures, Byers Choice Carolers, Camille Beckman Lotion, Christopher Radko Ornaments, Faire Glen Figures, Harbour Lights Lighthouses, Jim Shore Figures, Madame Alexander Dolls, Rinconada Animals, Suzy Zoo Stationary, Toland Flags, Vera Bradley Purses, Wee Forest Folk Mice, Willow Tree Angels and much more.

Gift Ideas continued on Page 22

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SANTA’S VILLAGE... Continued from Page 9 half dozen times. In 1992, Borland tore down or sold the buildings. Some are currently used as bed and breakfast cabins at Sorenson’s Resort near Lake Tahoe. The current property owner, Lennox Homes, has proposed a development there.

The off-ramp signs are still there, announcing the ghost of Santa’s Village. Many who pass there reminesce, some shed a tear, most wish they could take their children and grandchildren. The rides, though simple, were fun for all ages. Entry was free, so a family could go and have a good time for very little money. Ed Blake commented that it was “a fun place to go to that wouldn’t impact your budget. Not like what you have to put out to go to Great America, Bonfante Gardens, or Disneyland.”

Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley will be featured on a new show called “Lost Parks of Northern California” (greatamericanthrills. net/lost-parks). It is hosted by Kristopher Rowberry on Bay Area NBC. The day they arrived to shoot the Santa’s Village episoide, the bulldozers were there to tear down the last of the buildings: a barn used to house the reindeer. They were excited to find old ticket stubs and other memorabilia.

So I guess we lost our innocence somewhere around 1977. We started requiring bigger thrills, faster rides. As computers became popular, kids stopped using only their imagination. We stopped believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny, but are we better for it? .

Special thanks to Frank Perry at Capitola Historical Museum and Eric Taylor for the use of the photos. Written by W. Wilde.

“HAPPY HOLIDAYS” Let us introduce you to your 2014 Dream Home We Have 36 Agents Ready to Help You! 2601–41st Avenue Suite A Soquel, California Phone: 831.475.8400 Fax: 831.475.0931 www.thunderbird.com

FREE One Week Unlimited Tanning* ❀Gift Certificates Available make up, tanning, and lotions

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831-464-7985

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WINTER HOURS: Mon–Sat 10:30am to 5:30pm

New Inventory Everyday!

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THE WARDROBE Women’s Clothing and Accessories Select Consignment For Resale

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3555 Clares St., Suite V • Capitola Please Call for an appointment to consign

831-429-6363

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▶ Give the Gift of Music SANTA CRUZ SYMPHONY

CIVIC AUDITORIUM - 307 Church Street, SC MELLO CENTER - 250 E. Beach Street, Watsonville This Holiday Season, give a gift that keeps on giving….give the gift of music! Call the Symphony office at 831.462.0553 ext. 10 to purchase Symphony concert gift packages for your family and friends or visit www.SantaCruzSymphony.org

▶ These Boots are Made for Buying!

General Feed & Seed Co.

1900 B Commercial Way • Santa Cruz, CA 831.476.5344 General Feed & Seed is the Santa Cruz location for both English saddles and Western saddles. The selection of saddlery is the most complete in the area. They don’t just carry saddles, but also have a large selection of horse blankets, boots, hats, helmets, riding gear, bits and bridles.

▶ Give a Gift that Pampers Your Loved One Bella Dawna Esthetic Artistry & Care

7556 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 831.688.3203

Bella Dawna is a modern apothecary spa located in the Aptos Center next door to Blue Moon Clothing. They offer a variety of skin care, massage, waxing, spray-tanning, and make-up services; as well as a boutique with a variety of natural, bio-dynamic, and non-toxic products for face, body, bath, fragrance, and nail polish. The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable, and they want to provide you with a service that fits your lifestyle. Bella Dawna is a unique shop where they have a passion and love for the service they provide.

Gift Ideas continued on Page 24

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Holiday Dining in Santa Cruz County From the Beautiful Bay to the Magnificent Redwoods

By Noel Smith

V

ariety is the spice of life when you dine in our county during the holidays. You can dine at the beach on the edge of Monterey Bay, on a wharf over the bay, in one of our picturesque coastal communities, or under the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Living next to one of the most beautiful and seafood-rich bays in the world, we have an amazing variety of fish and shellfish to choose from in the menus of many of our local restaurants.

Considering the history of California and its strong ties to Mexico, we have many fine authentic Mexican restaurants to choose from. We also have a close affinity to our sister communities across the Pacific giving us a choice of excellent Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian cuisine. Our local commercial fishing industry established by families emigrating from Italy have left us with a legacy of first-rate Italian and seafood restaurants.

The finest local eating-places have combined these selections with the best from American and French dishes to provide eating experiences found few places on the West Coast. In addition to the fantastic variety of cuisine to be found, the wineries of Santa Cruz have established themselves as the source of some of the finest reds, whites and desert wines to be found anywhere. So, spoil yourself and your guests with some of our best appellations to make for the perfect dining experience.

Combine this variety of choices with the excitement of holiday dining with friends and family in an unforgettable setting, and there are many opportunities for memorable moments.

Some suggestions for your dining list: Café Cruz Restaurant Bar and Rosticceria 2621 41st Ave, Soquel, CA Lunch: 11:30-2:30 pm Mon-Sat. Happy Hour: 3-6 pm Mon-Fri. Dinner: 5:30 pm Mon-Sat. 5 pm Sun. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For reservations (831) 476-3801 Website: www.cafecruz.com Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd #45 Deer Park Shopping Center, Aptos (Above Deluxe Foods) Open for lunch and dinner Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For reservations and delivery: 831-688-1477 www.mangiamopizza.com Margaritaville – On the Beach 231 Esplanade, Capitola, CA Restaurant: M-F & Sun 11am-8 pm Sat 11 am-9 pm

Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3-6pm

All Night Thursdays

$4 well drinks $3 beers Discounted Apps!*

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEDNESDAYS Burger & Brew Till 6pm $10

Free Entrée

FOR DESIGNATED DRIVERS! Approx. $12-18 value For parties of 4 or more.

Bar: M-F 8 pm-12 am, Sat 9 pm-12 am Open Thanksgiving, specials on Christmas For reservations 831-476-2263 www.margaritavillecapitola.com Zelda’s – On the Beach 203 Esplanade, Capitola, CA Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Special menu on holidays!

Happy Hour M-F 2:30 – 5:30 pm For reservations 831-475-4900 www.zeldasonthebeach.com Inquire at these establishments for their weekly and Holiday Specials and be sure to let them know that you found their name in the Santa Cruz County Holiday Gift Guide from Times Publishing, Inc. There are many more exceptional restaurants to be found throughout our county, many with holiday specials. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Have a happy holiday dining and celebrating in Santa Cruz County!

831.476.2263 231 Esplanade Capitola Village 23

â–ś Exclusive Collectibles from Thomas Kinkade THOMAS KINKADE

121 San Jose Avenue, Capitola, CA 831.476.0970 www.kinkadecapitola.com Enjoy a cup of your favorite hot beverage in a beautiful Thomas Kinkade coffee mug. Each mug is artfully wrapped with one of his most popular images. Whether for you or as a gift, these mugs will make a great impression!

In pairs or in sets, our frameless gallery wraps are perfect for any space. The 14x 14 canvas wraps are crafted with our premium canvas reproduction techniques and hand wrapped around a deep 1� hardwood stretcher bar. Hung as an ensemble or by itself, this frame-less presentation gives you a versatile way to display art in your home.

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*Take 25% off minimum product purchase of $19. Discounts: (i) apply to the regular price of the products, (ii) will appear upon checkout, (iii) cannot be combined with other offers or discounts, (iv) do not apply to clearance items, and (v) do not apply to shipping, care and handling, or taxes. Offer expires 12/25/2013.

Holiday Craft Fun for K ids Tis’ the season for kids and crafts! Your child will be proud to show off these fun holiday crafts to family and friends.

Gumdrop Wreath Edible art! Gumdrops never looked this gorgeous!

What you need: One bag of gumdrops, toothpicks broken in half, one 6 inch Styrofoam wreath.

Insert one end of a broken toothpick into a gumdrop and the other end into the wreath. Repeat, row by row, until wreath is covered. Attached a ribbon to the back with straight pin to use as a hanger.

Crayon Crinkle Cards What you need: White paper (computer paper will work) Crayons Paintbrushes Watercolor paint Water and containers White glue Newspapers Create a crayon drawing on the white paper. Try drawing a candle, a snowflake, a star... anything festive will do. Next, take your paper and crumple it.

Then, take the paper and lay it out flat on your work surface (use the newspaper underneath). Using watered down paint (the darker the better) and a paintbrush, cover the crumpled up crayon drawing with color.

When the painting has dried, you will see that all the little cracks that formed when the paper was crumpled, have been filled with paint.

Take an old paintbrush and cover the picture with white glue.

The glue will dry clear and give the crackle picture a nice shiny finish. You can glue the crackle picture onto a piece of construction paper to make a greeting card for a friend or family member.

Felt Dreidel Banner Don’t forget to decorate the railing and mantel! This blue and white string of dreidels is easy to glue and hang.

What you need: Blue, white and yellow felt, pen, scissors, craft glue, string, and tape Outline the shape of a dreidel on the blue felt with the pen and cut it out. Use this shape as a template for other dreidels, cutting eight in all. Snip circles, squares and triangles from the yellow and white felt and then glue these shapes to the blue dreidels. Cut an eight-foot piece of string, glue the dreidels to it and then allow them to dry. Use the tape to hang the banner. .

Lively and Local • • • • •

Full Bar, Patio Dining Sustainable Seafood Specials Nightly Open Copper-Backed Kitchen Source Verified, Natural Meats Many Local, Organic Ingredients

Make Your Reservation for a Seasonal Celebration Holiday Banquets • Office Parties • Christmas Cheer Check out our delicious menu online at

cafecruz.com Reservations welcomed

831.476.3801

2621 41st Avenue • Soquel

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Above the Line - Homes for Kids

9081 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 831-662-9081, abovetheline.org Suzanne Stone: Executive Director

Above the Line is a non-profit collective dedicated to providing housing, education, placement and other vital services to at-risk children and youth in Santa Cruz. Through Foster Family Agency and Homes for Kids, they offer regular orientations to those interested in learning what is involved in becoming a foster parent.

Their team of social workers also provides 24/7 support to our foster families and children. After school programs for at-risk youth are also available.

American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter

Central Coast Center for Independent Living

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter. The International Red Cross Movement provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Get your disaster preparedness kits and register for CPR and First Aid classes at www.sccredcross.org.

CCCIL’s Mission Statement: “Many people with disabilities are excluded from full participation in society. CCCIL is an advocacy and information center organized by and for people with disabilities, serving Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties. CCCIL’s purpose is to make our communities more accessible, and to empower people with disabilities with information and skills to live fulfilling lives in our communities.” CCCIL’s services include: housing assistance, personal assistance services, peer support, independent living skills training and systems advocacy.

2960 Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831-462-2881, sccredcross.org Rita Chick: CEO

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County

1500 41st Avenue, Suite 250 Capitola, 95010 831-464-8691, santacruzmentor.org Marie Cubillas: Executive Director

Aptos Adopt-A-Family

9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 831-688-7549 (TPG, Inc. Office) cathe@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards & Cathe Race: Chair Persons

Adopt-A-Family of Aptos sponsors families every year to make their holiday season an enjoyable one. You can help by sending in a donation or offering to sponsor a family yourself! This is your way to give back to the community. Charity begins at home.

Alzheimer’s Association Santa Cruz Chapter

1777-A Capitola Road Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-464-9982, alz.org Dale Thielges: Site Director

The Santa Cruz Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers countywide services for families coping with Alzheimer’s disease. These include: Helpline, 1-800272-3900, six support groups, an informational library, a newsletter, a wanderer’s identification program, and a speakers bureau. For more information, call the Alzheimer’s Association of Santa Cruz at 464-9982.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County’s mission statement is: To assist children and youth to achieve their highest potential by providing quality mentoring relationships.” For over 27 years they have served youth by creating mentoring relationships between children and carefully screened adult volunteers who provide guidance, friendship and appropriate role modeling.

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz

543 Center Street, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-423-3138, boysandgirlsclub.info volunteer@boysandgirlsclub.info Tom O’Rourke: Executive Director

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz is dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, social and character development of girls and boys ages 7 to 18. It is the only youth service organization in the greater Santa Cruz area that provides daily drop-in-programs five days a week. The Club offers programs that build self-esteem and develop values and skills during the critical periods of growth. Membership is kept low at $20.00 per year to encourage all kids to take advantage of what the Club has to offer.

318 Cayuga St. Suite 208 Salinas, 93901 831-757-2968, cccil@cccil.org Elsa Quezada: Executive Director

Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition

65 Nielson Street, Ste. 108 Watsonville, CA 95076 831-763-3070, www.chpcc.org Lori Butterworth & Devon Dabbs: CoFounders

Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition is a local non-profit organization providing seriously ill children in our area with community-based medical care coordination, emotional support, financial assistance & safe reliable transportation to & from medical treatment at UCSF and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto. All services are provided free of charge to families in need.

Children’s Outreach

P.O. Box 66424, Scotts Valley, CA 95067 831-439-8800, childrensoutreach.com Wes and Karen Koenig: Founders

Children’s Outreach is a local charity

whose goal is to provide a permanent facility for local children to play sports, take part in drama productions and challenge themselves in academic programs.

Children’s Outreach invites you to give your kids something challenging, character building, and most importantly: fun, to do after school.

Community Bridges

236 Santa Cruz Ave., Aptos, CA 95003 831-688-8840, communitybridges.org info@cbridges.org Sam Storey: CEO

Community Bridges programs include Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, Lift Line, WIC, Live Oak Family Resource Center, La Manzana Community Resources, Watsonville Law Center, Child and Adult Care Food Program and our Child Development Division’s three child care centers.

Families in Transition of Santa Cruz County

210 High St. Room 107 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 458-7124, fitsantacruz.org desiree@fitsantacruz.org Desiree Sanchez: Executive Director

Families in Transition aims to provide housing strategies for those who are homeless or at risk. All services and programs promoted by this organization support financial independence, healthy childhood development, and an increased sense of well being. Donations to this organization can include funds and gift certificates for clothes, furnishings or food. You can also support this organization by shopping at one of hundreds of participating stores by visiting www.onecause.com,

Family Service Agency of the Central Coast

104 Walnut Avenue, Suite 208, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-423-9444, FSA-CC.org David Bianchi: Executive Director

Family Service Agency of the Central Coast is a private, non-profit agency offering a variety of clinical, crisis, educational, outreach and supportive services designed to maintain and strengthen family and community life. Their programs include: Counseling Services, Senior Outreach, Suicide Prevention, I-You Venture and Renaissance.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz & San Benito

Hospice of Santa Cruz County

940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-3000, hospicesantacruz.org info@hospicesantacruz.org Michael Milward: Chief Executive Director

Hospice of Santa Cruz County provides expert medical care, emotional and spiritual support to patients and families in our community so that the final months of life can be spent at home - in comfort and with dignity. The H.U.G. (Healthy Understanding of Grief) program helps hundreds of children each year sort through their feelings of grief and loss in a healthy manner.

Clients & families are helped in creating a network of support and are offered assurance and education regarding end-of-life planning.

800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, 95076 831-722-7110 Hotline 831.662-0991, thefoodbank.org kathy@thefoodbank.org Willy Elliott-McCrea: CEO

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County provides food and necessities to people in need throughout our community. The Second Harvest Food Bank serves 60,000 working poor families, seniors and children each month. Second Harvest provides food to 180 programs and agencies operating pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, group homes, childcare, rehabilitation programs and more. Call 662-0991 from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday, if you or someone you know needs food.

For more information go to thefoodbank. org. Every $1 donated provides five meals.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

115 Brennan Street, Watsonville, 95076 831-728-5649, pvshelter.org contact@pvshelter.org Kimberly Ferm: Executive Director

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services’ goal is to help homeless women, children, and families obtain stable housing through shelter and services. Pajaro Valley Shelter Services has an emergency shelter and sixteen units of transitional housing where families stay up to two years.

Rising International

300 Potrero St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-429-7473, risinginternational.org Carmel Jud: President/ CEO

Rising International seeks to help women who are living in poverty in newly developed and developing nations. They provide women with information and supplies for opening their own craft-based businesses to provide them with a permanent source of income. They focus primarily on women who are at high risk: those living in refugee camps, living with HIV/ AIDS, who are homeless, displaced immigrants, former slaves, or those in war-torn regions of the world.

Valley Churches United Missions 9430 Love Creek Road Ben Lomond 95005 831-336-8258, vcum.org linda@vcum.org Annette Marcum: Unpaid Director

Valley Churches United Missions is hosting its 29th Annual Valley Christmas Project providing food, toys, gifts, necessity items and gift certificates to families, seniors, disabled and homeless. Other projects include Adopt-a-Family, Adopt-a-Senior programs and Christmas Food Drive and serves areas from San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, Bonny Doon, Summit and Holiday Mission Outreach countywide. Donations of cash, food, food vouchers, gift certificates, new toys, cookies, senior gifts, Christmas trees, gift-wrap, poinsettia plants, new blankets, socks, jackets and teenage gifts are accepted. Send cash donations to Valley Churches United Missions, P.O. Box 367, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. .

27

Ongoing Events they raise funds for their respective organizations. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 831-335-4484 or roaringcamp. com

November 29 & 30th; December 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 & 23 Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

November 29– December 25 Capitola Village FREE 3-Hours Holiday Parking

The holidays will be happy for Capitola Village shoppers. The parking meters will be bagged, offering FREE 3-Hour parking November 22 – December 25.

Come on down and take a stroll, do some shopping, have a bite to eat and enjoy the old-fashioned holiday charm of Capitola Village. Free parking– what a nice gift!

Happy Holidays!

Starting from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk ride a beautifully lit holiday train through the streets of Santa Cruz as you sip hotspiced cider, sing carols and meet Santa Claus. Train does not travel to Roaring Camp, Felton. Ticket includes choice of one activity at Neptune’s Kingdom.

Reservations requested. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 831-335-4484 or www.roaringcamp.com.

Santa Claus is at the Capitola Mall!

Visit Santa at the Capitola Mall this Holiday season! Frosty and Rudolph will join Santa Claus, who will be available for photos all day and everyday until Christmas Eve.

December 6-8

Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Friday, December 6: 12:00pm-8:00pm Saturday, December 7: 10:00am-4:00pm Sunday, December 8: 10:00am-4:00pm at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville.

Crafts, gifts, antiques and collectables, food court, toy trains, visit Santa and free carousel rides. Great family fun! Call for more info 831-612-9118.

For a list of photo hours please visit www. shopcapitolamall.com.

December 6-8, 13-15

November 29 &30 December 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15

Thurs–Sat. 3:30pm Sunday 11:00am at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center

Passengers riding the steam train will delight in the tree-lined walk of festive holiday trees displayed atop Bear Mountain. Guests may sip hot cider and view beautifully adorned trees decorated by area businesses and organizations as

Event includes boutique, buffet, and fabulous concert. Boutique features all handcrafted items by more than 30 local crafters. Fee for buffet/concert, tickets required. Call for times, 831-335-4466 www.mounthermon.org

Holiday Tree walk

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November 30

Surfin’ Santa Comes to Capitola 12:00pm Capitola Beach

Ho…Ho…Ho… Santa Claus is coming to town. Surfin’ Santa that is! Santa & his Reindeer will canoe into Capitola Main Beach. Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa’s wave-riding arrival.

Once Santa has toweled off, he’ll settle in his beach chair to hear holiday wishes and have a nice visit with all the children.

November 9 - December 24

Santa’s arrival: November 9th 12:00pm-3:00pm Santa’s Mall Hours: Monday-Friday:11:00am-8:00pm Saturday: 10:00am-8:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am-6:00pm.

December 22 & 23: 10:00am-8:00pm Christmas Eve: 10:00am-6:00pm.

Dated Events

Christmas Crafts Boutique & Concerts

Call the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce for more information at 831475-6522.

December 7

Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Lights Festival

8:00pm, Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Rd. Scotts Valley Join us for the Scotts Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony! Music and fun starts at 8:00pm, as we light the Christmas tree, welcome Santa, and enjoy food and games.

FREE, call 831-438-1010 or visit www. scottsvalleychamber.com. continued on page 30...

Potato Latkes 2 pounds russet potatoes 1 small yellow onion 3 tablespoons matzo meal 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoons kosher salt Vegetable oil, for frying

This Year’s Unique Hanukkah TThanksgiving is on November 28th, HIS IS A RARE HANUKKAH.

which happens to be the first day of Hanukkah (the first “night” of Hanukkah is the night before). As it happens, November 28th is the latest Thanksgiving can be and the earliest Hanukkah can be. This Hanukah, if you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, you’ll want to light the second candle of the menorah at your turkey dinner. The Jewish festival of lights and the American festival of thanks will overlap this year.

Exactly how rare is this?

Extremely — in fact, it’s never happened before, and won’t happen again. As the Jewish calendar drifts forward, eventually the earliest that Hanukkah will fall is Nov. 29.

The final time that Hanukkah will fall on Nov. 28 will be in 2146 — and that will be a Monday, not Thanksgiving.

At Hanukkah, we commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek/ Syrian forces of King Antiochus in the year 165 B.C.E. That regime, those oppressors, sought to impose paganism on the Jewish people. They tried to convince other Jews through all sorts of means the value of paganism over the Bible, over Judaism. They put a pagan idol, Zeus, in the Temple, and they forced Jews to eat non-kosher food. Many Jews tried to accommodate to this culture that had been forced on them.

There was a group of people who decided they wanted their old ways back. This group, called the Maccabees, led by a man named Mattathias and his brothers,

revolted against these Hellenistic authorities. And by the 25th day of the month of Kislev — the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, but usually this date falls during December — they regained control over the Temple, cleansed it from the defilement, and rededicated it. And that’s what Hanukkah means— rededication.

When they regained the Temple and took out all the impurities and idols, they wanted to celebrate but realized there was only enough oil to keep the flame burning for one day.

It would take eight days to get more oil. They knew they did not have enough. They went ahead and lit the flame anyway. They trusted in God, and a miracle occurred — the lamp that was only to last for one day stayed lit for eight days until the new oil came in. This is how Hanukkah became the “festival of lights.”

1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as chives or parsley, for garnish Sour cream, for serving Peel the potatoes and shred them in a food processor or with a hand shredder.

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl.

Repeat with the onion. Transfer the onion to the bowl with the potatoes and stir in the matzo meal, egg, baking powder and salt.

Fill a large skillet with 1/2 inch oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is very hot but not smoking. To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small piece of potato into the oil; if the potato sizzles steadily, the oil is ready.

Working in batches, scoop the potato mixture by 1/4-cupfuls and add them carefully to the skillet, flattening each latke slightly with a spatula. Fry, turning the latkes once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Remove any loose bits of potato mixture between batches with a slotted spoon.

Serve the latkes immediately, or keep them warm in a 200 degree F oven.

Garnish with fresh herbs. .

During Hanukkah, we light the menorah — one candle each night representing the miracle of that day, so that by the end of the eight-day holiday we have eight candles lit. We place the menorah by a window so that people can see the miracle that happened here. There is also a custom of giving gifts, especially to children.

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Dated Events continued from page 28...

December 7

Lighted Boat Parade

5:30pm, rain or shine at Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz.

Features 50 decorated boats parading throughout Santa Cruz Harbor. This festive family oriented event is a great kick off to the holiday season!

Call 831-475-6161 or visit the website: www.santacruzharbor.org for more info.

This annual event features local businesses offering great Christmas gifts at deep discounts. Finish your holiday shopping early, save money and support local businesses. There are great deals on the many products grown right here in Watsonville! This year we are partnering with local restaurants for a special menu designed to “fuel” shoppers. For more information visit www.watsonvillefactorysale.com.

December 8

December 7

Aptos Village Holiday Tree Lighting 2:00pm-Dark, Aptos Village Tree Free event.

Join us for our Annual Holiday Craft Fair & Tree Lighting at the Aptos Village Tree! There will be local vendors, hot chocolate, Christmas Carols, and a special visit from Santa! Bring the whole family down and help us decorate the tree.

December 12

20th Annual Art in the Cellars,

11 a.m. -5 p.m. at Bargetto Winery, 3535 North Main St., Soquel Get an early start on your Holiday shopping at Bargetto Winery’s annual Art in the Cellars. Browse local artists in our historic winery cellar and enjoy award winning Bargetto wines and hot spiced Chaucer’s Mead. Wine tasting with purchase of festival glass. Food available for purchase. Special wine sales and great ideas to help with your holiday list are available all weekend. For more information call (800) 422-7438 or visit www.bargetto.com.

Snow Night- Downtown Santa Cruz

4:00pm-7:00pm, Downtown Santa Cruz.

Kids 12 and under are invited to frolic in the snowy Pacific Ave and Cooper Street.

Free tickets for timed sessions will be available beginning at 3:00pm on the day of the event. Come early as there are a limited amount of tickets available and will be issued on a first come first served basis. Visit the web for more info: www. downtownsantacruz.com.

December 8

Jingle Shells Art & Crafts Festival

12:00pm-5:30 pm at Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

December 7

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade 10:00am-12:00 pm at Pacific Ave., Downtown Santa Cruz.

Join in the fun as floats, marching bands, horses, classic cars, Santa & downtown’s Grand Marshal go down Pacific Ave. Don’t forget to bring your canned food for the many bins Second Harvest will have along the parade route. Donate and help fulfill a great need in the community while celebrating the holiday season with the many spectacular parade participants.

For more information downtownsantacruz.com.

visit

www.

December 7

Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

9:00am-4:00pm at various shops and factories in Watsonville.

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The festival features ocean-themed gifts and books while proceeds directly support marine science education.

Meet artists and authors, shop for unique holiday gifts, enjoy live music, free gift wrapping, children’s activities, and explore Seymour Center exhibits, aquarium, and touch tanks.

For more information, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.

visit

www.

December 31

A New Year’s Eve Party 7:00pm-1:00am at Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with party favors, a balloon drop, festive decorations and countdown at midnight. Enjoy a delicious a delicious buffet featuring Grilled New York Steak, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pasta Primavera, salads, savory sides, and decadent desserts! Listen to live music by The Alison Sharino Band and the The Surfing Magician, enjoy party favors, a full bar, and countdown clock at midnight!

21 & over. Tickets are available online by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006. You can also call the Cocoanut Grove at 831-423-2053. .

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LOW REZ!!!!