News and notes from Lookout’s Lily Belli on Santa Cruz County food and drink.
Capitola & Soquel
Posted inFood & Drink
New Leaf Markets sets October departure date for downtown Santa Cruz store
New Leaf Community Markets will close its downtown Santa Cruz store on Oct. 15, and plans to open a new store with a much larger footprint on River Street in 2025. Later this year, New Leaf will also open a larger Capitola location on 41st Avenue and celebrate five years in Aptos.
Posted inFood & Drink
Hot dog! Here’s where to enjoy the best hot dogs of the summer in Santa Cruz County
Hot dogs are an iconic summer meal, and in Santa Cruz County, six hot dog vendors plus one café are offering fresh takes on the classic all year long. Lily Belli tried them all, and brings a recommendation from each.
Posted inLatest News
Murder trial set for Theo Lengyel after two days of harrowing testimony in Alyx Herrmann case
A Santa Cruz court heard testimony this week from law enforcement officials who investigated the December disappearance of Capitola resident Alice “Alyx” Herrmann, with detectives from the East Bay and Capitola describing their interactions with Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, her former boyfriend who will now stand trial on charges of murder, burglary and auto theft.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
At $2,830 per square foot, you can buy a piece of Capitola’s colorful Venetian Court
One of the brightly colored beachside homes in Capitola’s Venetian Court is officially on the market, as the complex celebrates its 100th year as one of Santa Cruz County’s most recognizable landmarks as well as “California’s first vacation home complex.” The two-level, 1,926-square-foot property, currently divided into two units, is listed as a single-family home and asking $5.45 million.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
RTC approves up to $3 million to Caltrans for Highway 1 project cost overruns
The Highway 1 expansion project has run well over the initially estimated costs, leading the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission to approve an additional $3 million to Caltrans to cover its construction cost overruns, despite some pushback from several commissioners. Caltrans will return to the commission in August with a more detailed estimation of the project’s cost.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Where graduating Santa Cruz County student-athletes will play sports in college
In his final roundup of the 2023-24 academic year, Thomas Frey looks at where Santa Cruz County stars across the high school sports landscape will be continuing their careers at the next level.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
A historic new park begins another chapter in the bizarre saga of Capitola’s Rispin Mansion
No, the Rispin Mansion won’t be reopening to the public, but the City of Capitola is undertaking an ambitious overhaul of the riparian land surrounding it, including a restoration of the mansion’s famous grand staircase, gardens, a fountain/reflecting pool, public art and a small amphitheater – with city planners aiming to open the park by the end of October.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, May 31-June 6
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 inArts & Entertainment
Baine’s Nine: Nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, May 30-June 6
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.