The field is set for Santa Cruz County’s nonpartisan general election on Nov. 5. Scotts Valley Mayor Randy Johnson chose not to seek reelection after 28 years on the city council. In Watsonville, former Cabrillo College trustee Martha Vega is challenging Mayor Vanessa Quiroz-Carter for city council. And there are competitive races for offices ranging from county supervisor to local fire districts. But not all of the 108 seats up for election have attracted candidates, and most races will not be competitive.
Aptos
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, Aug. 9-15
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Pair of Santa Cruz County Olympians get medal chances as Paris Games hit final weekend
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz runs in the women’s 1,500-meter final on Saturday and new Santa Cruz resident Kelsey Robinson Cook is headed to the gold-medal match with with the U.S. women’s volleyball team Sunday. They’re hoping to add to a local medal haul that includes a historic silver for mountain biker Haley Batten.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Weekender: Remembering CZU, October comedy invasion, Cabrillo Fest finale and thinking of Tammi Brown
What’s happening around Santa Cruz County’s arts & entertainment scene? Wallace Baine knows.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Folklorico dance celebration arrives in Santa Cruz County, with classes and performances
Esperanza Del Valle and Cabrillo College join forces for an ambitious deep dive into folklorico dance with a 10-day conference featuring visiting performers from Veracruz, Mexico. The group will perform four shows over two weekends at two separate venues, teach lessons for beginners and advanced dancers, and be the headliners at a big community bash Aug. 23 in downtown Watsonville.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College enrollment for fall up about 10% compared to last year
If current enrollment trends hold, Cabrillo College could see a 10% increase in enrollment this year compared to last year. President Matt Wetstein told Lookout he thinks improved outreach and economics could be reasons for the uptick.
Posted inFood & Drink
Laurie Love on Wine: Promising Santa Cruz wine harvest ahead, a dinner of perfect pairings at Persephone and Cabrillo’s wine program resumes
In her biweekly column, Lookout wine expert Laurie Love reports on a Santa Cruz County pinot noir grape harvest coming early due to the summer’s warm temperatures, the risk of too much sun, a magical night of local food and wine pairings at Persephone Restaurant, and the resumption of the Cabrillo College Wine Program this fall.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz 2024 vintage check-in with local viticulturist Ken Swegles
In her biweekly column, Lookout wine expert Laurie Love reports on a Santa Cruz County pinot noir grape harvest coming early due to the summer’s warm temperatures, the risk of too much sun, a magical night of local food and wine pairings at Persephone Restaurant, and the resumption of the Cabrillo College Wine Program this fall.
Posted inFood & Drink
Perfect pairing: Madson Wines dinner at Persephone Restaurant
Persephone Restaurant in Aptos crafted six exquisite courses, each expertly matched with a Madson wine. Lookout wine columnist Laurie Love takes us through the pairing menu.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College board seeks applicants for vacant seat after member Martha Vega resigns
Martha Vega resigned from the Cabrillo College governing board Thursday, leaving an open seat. College officials are seeking applicants to serve out her remaining term on the seven-member board, which is up for election this November.