With the weekend nearly here, get your B9 shot in the form of Baine’s Nine, Wallace Baine’s recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Aptos
Posted inFood & Drink
Restaurateur-chef duo plots transformation of Aptos’ Palapas to Mexican seafood-focused Dos Pescados
Business partners Brandon Smittcamp and chef Trent Lidgey have plans to transform the 34-year-old Palapas Cantina in Seascape into Dos Pescados, an elevated but casual Mexican seafood restaurant. Palapas will close May 19 and aims to reopen as Dos Pescados in June.
Posted inEducation
New superintendent Heather Contreras brings deep Santa Cruz County ties, willing ear to PVUSD
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Heather Contreras comes from a family of educators, and a family that once made its home in Watsonville. With the district facing ongoing challenges including declining enrollment, she’s starting out with a “Look, listen and learn” tour.
Posted inLatest News
Sick pelicans are turning up across Santa Cruz County. Here’s what might be happening.
Animal rescuers and volunteers have encountered a huge number of sick, injured and disoriented pelicans over the past several weeks. Although these birds are testing negative for avian flu, the afflicted animals keep piling up. What is causing the widespread ailments?
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand’s progress, food and beverage spots for lease, Joby inks Abu Dhabi partnership
Scotts Valley’s Paystand aims to become the “Venmo of business-to-business payments,” with its latest acquisition, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her latest business roundup. Plus, leases for a downtown Santa Cruz food kiosk and cafes at the Tannery Arts Center and on Cedar Street are up for grabs. And Joby Aviation partners with Abu Dhabi and expands its Marina facility.
Posted inLatest News
Board of supervisors unanimously approves two contested segments of Coastal Rail Trail
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve Segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail in Mid-County just over a month after it initially deadlocked on moving the project forward. Regional Transportation Commission staff expects construction to begin no later than summer 2026.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Up in the air: Watsonville’s airport and housing clash on the runway
Lookout’s Christopher Neely puts Santa Cruz County politics and policy in focus in his weekly newsletter.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Soquel Drive improvements moving forward, with biggest impact likely for the summer
Work to encourage residents to cycle, walk and take the bus more is happening along Soquel Drive, and Santa Cruz County staff expect the most noticeable traffic delays to occur over the summer both because of the scope of work and the generally higher traffic levels.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
High school sports roundup: Baseball, softball races coming down to the wire
In his weekly roundup of Santa Cruz County high school sports, Thomas Frey sets the scene for the decisive final stretch in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Pacific Coast Athletic League.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
From Hell to the Hall of Fame: The astonishing story of Sandy Stone
Longtime Santa Cruz County resident Sandy Stone has been named to the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the first transgender woman so honored, thanks to her amazing contributions in everything from computer science to music to transgender studies.
