Military veterans packed Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to advocate for changes at the county Veterans Services Office. Executive Officer Nicole Coburn outlined steps the county has planned to support the VSO’s new director.
Mat Weir
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Revved up and ready: The Chop Tops reunite for two final shows
Iconic local rockabilly trio The Chop Tops come to Moe’s Alley for sold-out shows Friday and Saturday. It’s the last stop on a small tour touting their reunion of sorts, but mostly their new album, “Fabrikate.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Citing understaffing, mismanagement at county Veterans Services Office, vets will take case to supervisors this week
Some local veterans have objections to the way the county oversees the Veterans Services Office, and a group of them plans to speak at Tuesday’s meeting of the board of supervisors to ask that the VSO be an independent department. They also plan to meet Monday with County executive Nicole Coburn.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
After singer’s death, Santa Cruz’s The Bad Light emerges from the darkness as Audio 37
In 2022, Santa Cruz blues sludge metal band The Bad Light released their final album, “Goodbye,” in memory of lead singer Celeste Deruisa, who died of cancer. Now, the remaining members have reemerged as Audio 37, bringing with them a new sound, a new name and a renewed sense of purpose.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz punk band Drain to make Coachella debut
Santa Cruz hardcore punk band Drain will perform at Coachella in April 2026, sharing the stage with acts like Iggy Pop and Suicidal Tendencies, plus pop stars FKA Twigs and Karol G. The announcement comes as the band prepares to release its third album in November.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Zombie chickens invade Santa Cruz: Cult studio Troma films latest grindhouse flick downtown
Cult movie studio Troma, which has helped launch the careers of Hollywood A-listers like James Gunn, filmed its latest low-budget shock-horror production, “Poultrygeist 2,” in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Famed Steinbeck boat lives on in guitar and surfboard made of vessel’s reclaimed wood
Wood from the Western Flyer, the boat John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts chartered for a 1940 trip to the Sea of Cortez, is now a guitar and a surfboard made in a collaboration between Santa Cruz Guitar Company and Ventana Surfboards.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘He was larger than life’: Remembering Felix Lozano of pioneering Santa Cruz County Latino punk band Los Dryheavers
Felix Lozano, a longtime bartender at the Blue Lagoon whose work with disabled clients and role in Santa Cruz’s Latino punk rock scene made him a respected figure in the county’s artistic community, died on April 19.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Era más grande que la vida’: Recordando a Félix Lozano de la banda pionera de punk latino de Santa Cruz County, Los Dryheavers
Félix Lozano, un cantinero de larga data en el Blue Lagoon, cuyo trabajo con clientes discapacitados y papel en la escena del punk rock latino de Santa Cruz lo convirtieron en una figura respetada en la comunidad artística del condado, murió el 19 de abril.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘He’s our lifeline’: Veterans rally to reinstate ousted county services officer
Dozens of veterans packed Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to protest the firing of Veterans Services Officer Xavier Bianchi, a Purple Heart recipient praised for his dedicated, hands-on approach to helping fellow veterans.