At age 73, Fred Keeley is wrapping up the first year of what will likely be the final chapter in his nearly 30-year career in elected public office. As Santa Cruz’s first mayor to be directly elected by voters to serve a full four-year term, he has worked to set the tone for what it means to have a full-time mayor. But will it be enough to entice others to follow in his footsteps?
Westside / Downtown
Posted inLatest News
Former Santa Cruz High band employee charged in 2001 sexual assault
Santa Cruz police say a former Santa Cruz High School band employee assaulted a student in 2001. They’re asking anyone with information about the case or any other allegations to contact the police department.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz police nearing arrest in second Black Lives Matter mural vandalism
Santa Cruz police say they are “pretty confident” they have identified the vandal who threw blue paint across the downtown Black Lives Matter mural in July, and hope to make an arrest within a few weeks.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
B9: Nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment
Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the doorbells-and-sleigh-bells B9:
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Quiet no more: Santa Cruz Public Library turns into unlikely live music venue
The Santa Cruz County Library, bucking a long-time stereotype of libraries as places of enforced quiet, is bringing the noise with its latest in live free music concerts at the downtown Main Branch on Saturday night, where the interior of the library will be transformed into a concert venue, welcoming rappers Mak Nova and Alwa Gordon.
Posted inGuides
Will pickleball take over the planet? We investigate this ‘fastest-growing sport’; laughter, trash talk ensue
Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton, squash and something in the U.K. called padel (Google it). Like you, perhaps, we wondered what the big deal was. So we decided to do the heavy investigative journalism for you. Spoiler alert: Pickleball is easy and addictive. If you try it, you will like it and you will want more. Here’s a guide to discovering your inner pickleballer right here in beautiful, pickleball-weather-friendly Santa Cruz County.
Posted inGuides
Salvias, sages and succulents: A Santa Cruz gardener’s guide to dealing with drought
Lawns are so 20th century, and they’re disappearing from the local landscape. But what to plant as water supply gets increasingly problematic? We talked to the experts and have tips to get you started or keep you going.
Posted inAptos, Capitola & Soquel, Eastside / Live Oak / Pleasure Point, Guides, Watsonville / Pajaro, Westside / Downtown
Slurps up!: Lily’s guide to the best hard slushies in Santa Cruz County
Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven Slurpee machine memories far in the rearview mirror.
Posted inGuides
Guide to food trucks and pop-ups in Santa Cruz County
Forty food trucks and pop-ups now dot the Santa Cruz County landscape. Call it global food tourism — within 30 minutes. Here’s where to find dumplings, Cubanos, yakitori, adobo, tapas and so much more.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel, Eastside / Live Oak / Pleasure Point, Guides, Westside / Downtown
Into the blue: Your guide to Santa Cruz coastal exploration
Whether in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, the waters just off Santa Cruz County are swimming with possibilities. Take it easy in the Yacht Harbor? Cruise around a wharf? Explore the wilds off the Westside? Venture to Shark Park and the Cement Ship? Lookout has you covered no matter what you choose.