Quick Take:
Downtown Santa Cruz businesses that want to make their pandemic-era outdoor dining arrangements permanent must apply for...
Hey hey hey. It is Thursday, June 8, and I, too, was surprised to see rays of sunshine out of a blue sky as dawn arrived. That’ll be the order of the day for Santa Cruz County, with highs into the 70s — so enjoy it, since the forecast calls for a cloudy pattern to return for the weekend.
There’s plenty cooking on Lookout; head this way if you’re too hungry to stick around for the tour.
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Santa Cruz free weekly Good Times has been under the microscope following its publication of an anonymous letter attacking the trans community, and that’s led to a change in leadership, Christopher Neely reports. Media veteran Brad Kava has taken the reins and is charged with striking a balance. “Where do you draw the line for freedom of speech, representing everyone fairly, and hate speech?” he says. “It’s tough.”
Lookout has reported extensively on the citizen-led process aimed at putting a measure to fund affordable housing on the ballot in the city of Santa Cruz in 2024, and in our Community Voices opinion section, advocate James Weller writes that among the options under discussion, a $95 parcel tax makes the most sense.
OK, to the Thursday headlines …
Good Times’ sudden leadership change follows publication of controversial anonymous letter
Santa Cruz free weekly Good Times announced it had tapped media industry veteran Brad Kava to serve as interim editor in the wake of a fierce backlash over the publication of an anonymous letter to the editor attacking the trans community. The decision to run the letter and the subsequent reaction highlights the blurry divide in the media between promoting free speech and giving a platform to hate speech, and where and how those in charge should draw that line. More here from Christopher Neely.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: Drag Story Time organizers denounce anonymous transphobic letter
Santa Cruz needs an affordable housing tax measure; a $95 parcel tax is the best option
The city of Santa Cruz needs more taxes to support affordable housing, writes James Weller, a local housing advocate. A proposed 2024 ballot measure is under discussion by a citizens committee and in recent polls 63% preferred equally either a parcel tax or an assessed-value tax-rate increase. That leaves Weller optimistic. Anyone can join in the planning process over the next month; Weller invites Santa Cruz residents to participate. Read his Community Voices opinion piece here.
➤ MORE ON THE PROCESS: Keeley’s grassroots vision for Santa Cruz’s housing bond has been messy and complicated
That’s it for the moment, but you know there’s more on the way from Lookout. If perhaps your thoughts are turning toward the weekend, Wallace Baine is all over it — his Weekender newsletter will be winging its way to inboxes later Thursday, with news and notes from the Santa Cruz County entertainment scene and recommendations for things to do all over. Sign up here to get that and all of our other newsletters, plus breaking news alerts, delivered right to you — and Lookout is on social media, too, so give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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It’s a beautiful day; don’t let it get away.
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
Upcoming events in Santa Cruz County
FRIDAY 10/20
The Mountain Affair @Ristorante Casa Nostra
Beers, Bikes and Bon Bons @Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Vine to View Dinner @Chaminade Resort & Spa
10 O’Clock Lunch Band @Mid-County Senior Center
“The Thin Place” by Lucas Hnath @Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre
SATURDAY 10/21
Wonderland – The Gala @Hotel Paradox
Pickleball Tournament @Cabrillo College
20th Annual Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival @Crest Ranch
The 7th Annual Floating Pumpkin Patch @Simpkins Family Swim Center
Pleasure Point Sip & Stroll @Pleasure Point
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Uncork Corralitos @Alladin Nursery
SUNDAY 10/22
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts
Lydia Pense & Cold Blood @Moe’s Alley
Gaby Castro @Chaminade Resort & Spa
Solidarity Records: The Fully Baked Tour @Shanty Shack Brewing
An Evening With Patty Griffin & Todd Snider @Rio Theatre