Bartender and tattoo artist Bear Nataraj Champlain is among 12 national semifinalists to, among other honors, get his face on thousands of cans of Montucky Cold Snacks lager.
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for almost two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything from plane crashes and arts & culture to state politics, including assisting with the coverage of former New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation. After getting her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she moved to the West Coast and covered crime and breaking news for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has also worked for KION and written for a variety of local, regional and national publications on both coasts, including Evanston Patch, The Good Times, Santa Cruz Waves and many others.
Posted inFood & Drink
New Santa Cruz vodka takes top honors at San Francisco competition
A double gold at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition has Santa Cruz Spirits’ flagship vodka trending, and its founders are aiming to ramp up production and make waves well beyond the county’s borders.
Posted inEnvironment
California state officials announce new plans for salmon habitat restoration
After this year’s commercial and recreational salmon season was shut down, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to build a fishway that will enable salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and lamprey to get around the Daguerre Point Dam on the Yuba River.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Award-winning local vodka, Santa Cruz cockfighting, and more erosion concerns
With two cockfighting cases pending in Santa Cruz Superior Court, it’s “a serious issue in the community,” said Todd…
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Checking out Firefly Tavern, prize-winning pies and a quest for tuna niçoise
Hello eaters! Jessica M. Pasko here. While Lily is out on maternity leave, I’m pitching in on the latest local food news. A little about me — I’m a writer and a native of upstate New York, living in Santa Cruz for over a decade. Our rich food culture is just one of the many […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Firefly Tavern brings new concept to former 99 Bottles space
Aiming to provide a spot in downtown Santa Cruz that both fosters a sense of community and boasts delicious food, Hans Losee and April Wilkerson opened Firefly Tavern in April in the Walnut Avenue location that formerly housed 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz Mountains wine passport back for 2023
With more than 35 wineries participating, the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association’s passport program has returned from its COVID layoff. A $90 investment gets holders complimentary tastings and other perks, and kickoff events are happening Saturday at Chaminade and elsewhere.
Posted inFood & Drink
Beckmann’s pies take top honors at national pie competition
Judges at the National Pie Championships earlier this month in Florida found out what many in Santa Cruz County already knew: Beckmann’s Old World Bakery makes some tasty pies, and the Beckmann’s team now has four best-in-show ribbons after wowing with its pumpkin, cherry, pecan and mixed berry entries.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Lily Belli on Food, Riverfront project underway, and JAG advocates for women in justice system
Demolition has begun along Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz for the new complex to be known as the Riverfront…
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: My Thai Beach reopens, new restaurant from Trestles owner & the solo cooking doldrums
Hello eaters! Jessica M. Pasko here. While Lily is out on maternity leave, I’m pitching in on the latest local food news. A little about me — I’m a writer and a native of upstate New York, living in Santa Cruz for over a decade. Our rich food culture is just one of the many […]