Last week, staff members from kitchens at five different local school districts participated in a weeklong training on how to incorporate more from-scratch foods into their menus. Since California’s Universal Meals Program launched during the pandemic, local schools have seen a surge in students getting at least one meal per day on campus. New funding is making it easier for schools to pursue more healthy options for kids, but school representatives say their biggest challenges are logistical, including time for training and preparation, and having adequate staff.
Capitola & Soquel
Lily Belli on Food: Pete’s Fish House joining local wave of sustainable seafood, eyes on the wine harvest and one great party trick
Santa Cruz County food & drink news from Lookout’s Lily Belli.
In the Public Interest: The Everest-esque task of paying for affordable housing and other takeaways from Lookout’s housing panel
Inside Santa Cruz County politics and policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Seafood restaurant Pete’s Fish House aims to bring riviera dining to Capitola Village
Restaurateur Sarah Orr, owner of Margaritaville in Capitola and Stokes Adobe in Monterey, will open Pete’s Fish House on the corner of the Esplanade in Capitola Village in August. She’s working with local chefs Anthony Kresge and Desmond Schneider to create a menu that highlights fresh oysters, crudo, chilled seafood and other coastal cuisine, alongside second-story views of Monterey Bay.
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.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Hot summer for tourism, new Santa Cruz Accelerates cohort, Universal Audio hires
In this week’s local business roundup, Jessica M. Pasko reports on a second summer of growth for Santa Cruz County’s tourism industry; eight local startups being picked to compete for seed funding; new executive hires at Universal Audio and changes at other local businesses.
Study: California wildfire smoke contributed to 52,000 premature deaths over 10 years
When wildfires rage, the immediate threat is obvious – but smoke from the fires actually kills far more people than the flames. As fires become more frequent, that smoke is leading to a public health crisis. In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, we found that wildfire smoke likely contributed to more […]
Lily Belli on Food: Dos Pescados opens in Seascape, Food Talk coming to Ulterior, and Watsonville Strawberry Festival returns
LILY BELLI ON FOOD July 30, 2024 Welcome to Lily Belli on Food, a weekly food-focused newsletter from Lookout’s food and drink correspondent, Lily Belli. Keep reading for the latest local food news for Santa Cruz County – plus a few fun odds and ends from my own life and around the web. … New […]
Morning at the Silver Spur — where old-line Santa Cruz goes for breakfast
From newcomers to old-school Santa Cruz County natives, the Silver Spur is a symbol of endurance and stability in a community swirling with change. And for that, it attracts a devoted clientele.
Ask Lookout: What’s going on with that seemingly historic Victorian remodel in Capitola?
A Queen Anne Victorian house along Cliff Avenue overlooking Capitola Village is currently getting a major remodel. That’s not unusual, but this house has a place in Santa Cruz County history, as one of its former owners was both a star professional athlete and a highly civically engaged Capitola citizen.

