Wonderfil has partnered with UC Santa Cruz, Whole Foods and others to allow customers to refill bottles of soap, detergent and shampoo in their containers of choice in a fully automated process.
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for more than 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.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Selva drone developer clears hurdle; funding for Scotts Valley energy company; Joby, Uber unveil new app
A key milestone for Parallel Flight Technologies, $140 million for Heron Power Electronics Company and another step forward for Joby Aviation are among the topics in this week’s look at local business from Jessica M. Pasko.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: New owners for Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios; Activity Ally aims to help parents find activities for their kids
A key piece of Santa Cruz’s music culture is under new ownership, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look around local business. She also spotlights a new site that aims to be a repository for children’s activities in the area.
Local music lovers vow to keep the good times going at Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios
Drummer and longtime Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios customer Eric Peterson and his wife, Lisa Lincoln, took over earlier this month from Jenn and Paul Gallacher. They aim to keep things affordable for local musicians while planning some renovations and upgrades.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Selva Beach drone company inks Spanish partner; Watsonville’s economic matchmaker
Parallel Flight Technologies has enlisted help in adapting its Firefly drone for maritime environments, Jessica M. Pasko reports in this week’s look around Santa Cruz County business.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby lawsuit against Archer Aviation moves to federal court; residents sound off on Catalyst demolition
Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly look at local business includes an update on Joby Aviation’s suit alleging corporate espionage by a competitor and recaps a contentious meeting on the fate of a downtown Santa Cruz landmark.
Joby rival seeks dismissal of corporate espionage suit; case moved from Santa Cruz County to federal court
Joby Aviation’s lawsuit against a rival electric helicopter service company has been moved to federal court. The defendant, Archer Aviation, filed a motion to dismiss, calling Joby’s claims of stealing trade secrets “speculation and innuendo.”
Residents ‘vehemently oppose’ proposed Catalyst project as developers, city officials present plans
A Thursday meeting hosted by representatives from the City of Santa Cruz and the developer and architect of a proposed project that would demolish downtown music venue The Catalyst met with frustration and skepticism from residents and nearby business owners.
Lights out for Ambient Photonics’ pioneering solar cell technology amid funding shortfalls
Ambient Photonics’ low-light solar cell technology showed great promise for helping reduce reliance on single-use batteries in electronic devices. The company chose Scotts Valley for its headquarters and manufacturing facility, even as many technology companies were moving their production facilities overseas. Despite promising deals with major consumer electronics producers, the company fell short on funding and had to fold.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Scotts Valley solar cell company goes dark; passing the torch at Alta Organic Coffee
In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the demise of Ambient Photonics, notes a generational shift at a local coffee roaster and delivers names, numbers and events to know.

