Quick Take:
When two real estate agents visited a multimillion-dollar house just off Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive being put up for...
Happy Thursday, folks,
Max Chun again reporting for duty. Hope everyone’s had a good week thus far and has a nice weekend planned ahead.
Today is Thursday, July 27, and we’re looking at another day of mellow summer weather with a high of 76F in the mid- to late afternoon.
As always, feel free to jump straight to the news by clicking the links below.
JUMP TO … Latest News | Opinion | Events | Guides | Puzzles
Beki San Martin reports on a mishap at the San Lorenzo River levee, where river stewards say that the city hired contractors who mistakenly covered 150 seedling holes with grout. The Public Works Department plans to make some changes to the way it chooses contractors in order to prevent this from happening again in the future.
Hillary Ojeda reports on the Watsonville Community Hospital, whose board voted unanimously to push ahead with plans for a 2024 bond and property tax measure. The efforts would raise money to buy the hospital’s land and buildings, which the Pajarao Valley Health Care District currently leases for $250,000 a month.
On the Community Voices side, mixed-media artist and 40-year Bonny Doon resident Linda Levy spreads the word about 23 artists in Bonny Doon, including CZU fire survivors, who are opening their studios to the public this weekend. Though she is frustrated with the slow process to rebuild after the fires, she says that events like these showcases the resiliency of her community.
Let’s move onto the news …
Swiss cheese? No, please! A rodent hole debacle rocks the San Lorenzo River levee
San Lorenzo River stewards say the city hired contractors who improperly laid grout along the levee, mistakenly covering 150 seedling holes and damaging efforts to rehabilitate the area’s biodiversity. The Public Works Department says part of the problem has to do with the way the city hires contractors and plans to shift its future processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Read the full story from Beki San Martin here.
➤ MORE NEWS: Rare $1,000 African tree grape plant stolen from UCSC arboretum ‘a real loss,’ says nursery manager
Watsonville Community Hospital’ takes steps toward 2024 bond measure
Pajaro Valley Health Care District voted Wednesday night to push ahead with plans to raise money to purchase the Watsonville Community Hospital’s land and buildings. The health care district purchased the hospital’s assets for more than $65 million. But it does not own the real estate, which it continues to lease from Medical Properties Trust for $250,000 a month. Details here from Hillary Ojeda.
➤ MORE COVERAGE: Watsonville hospital board appoints interim CEO; search for new leader could take nine months
Bonny Doon is rising up from the CZU ashes with art — come visit 23 artists’ studios this weekend
Three years after the devastating CZU fire that destroyed 400 homes, the artists of Bonny Doon are opening their studios to the public. Thirty artists, including the author, mixed-media artist Linda Levy, who has lived in Bonny Doon for 40 years. Here, Levy remembers the devastation of the fire, “those terrible August days,” discusses her frustration over the minimal rebuilds and celebrates her community, which she insists is rising from the ashes. Read the full story from Linda A. Levy here.
➤ MORE FROM COMMUNITY VOICES: Stephen Homan has a perfect record fighting for CZU survivors. But why did he have to fight at all?
That wraps up the morning rundown. Quick reminder that Wallace Baine’s latest Weekender, a recommendation-packed jaunt through Santa Cruz County’s arts and entertainment scene, is coming at you this afternoon. (Click here for a sneak peek at Cabrillo Stage’s production of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.)
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Hope you have a great day. Enjoy the sunshine and I’ll talk to y’all on Friday.
Max Chun
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