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.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Baine’s Nine: Nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, June 20-27
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.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What might ‘the Latino century’ mean to Santa Cruz and the country? A conversation with political strategist Mike Madrid
In “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy,” veteran Republican Mike Madrid likens the American political struggle as a footrace between an emerging and hopeful, largely Latino generation and an older, privileged, largely white generation with a bleak view of the future. The Lincoln Project co-founder will talk about it July 8 at Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Posted inEducation
‘Love in action’: UCSC’s Smith Society, serving students without a traditional family structure, turns 25
UC Santa Cruz students and alumni describe the incredible impact Smith Society volunteers have had on their lives as the organization turns 25. For students with little or no family, the society helps with all that the new college experience can throw at them.
Posted inLatest News
Ask Lookout: Is the old (but new) shopping center on Mission Street close to reopening?
A little over a year on, the previously scorched Mission Street shopping center is moving toward the completion of its remodel. While a return to full operations is still a ways off, some familiar faces will be coming back to the Westside Santa Cruz complex as other tenants remain to be determined.
Posted inHousing & Development
Downtown Santa Cruz’s 12-story, 1,600-unit SoLa vision around new Warriors arena aims to thread multiple needles
Both Mayor Fred Keeley and Santa Cruz Warriors President Chris Murphy reemphasized their support for the massive South of Laurel Area redevelopment plan at a Tuesday meeting. It aims to create a new neighborhood and entertainment district – one that bridges the space between downtown and the beach. Now, the plan moves from “study” to more planning staff work – and then on to public hearings next year.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Toque Blanche’s iconic partner, where to score olallieberries, worthy at-home hot dogs and a toddler reality check
Catch up on food and drink news from around Santa Cruz County with Lookout correspondent Lily Belli.
Posted inFood & Drink
Toque Blanche partners with French cookware brand Le Creuset on new shop
Iconic French brand Le Creuset opened its first retail “shop within a shop” in California at Toque Blanche in downtown Santa Cruz, bringing the largest selection of its trademark enameled cast iron cookware on the West Coast to Pacific Avenue.
Posted inLatest News
SoLa study session: City leaders, public get look at plan for downtown Santa Cruz’s arena/housing neighborhood south of Laurel
A joint city council/planning commission meeting Tuesday is the first step in moving forward with what is now a concrete plan for expanding downtown Santa Cruz into the area south of Laurel Street, with a new, permanent Warriors arena and up to 1,600 housing units.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
After a brush with death, singer Tammi Brown embraces her second chance at life
Just nine months ago, beloved Santa Cruz jazz/gospel vocalist Tammi Brown was in such dire condition after a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis that she was preparing to die. But not only does a “miraculous” healing journey have her back on stage, she’s the county’s 2024 artist of the year, an achievement she’ll celebrate with a show Saturday at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.