Lookout PM: A look at Mane Kitchen & Cocktails, wharf collapse and harbor damage one year later, PVUSD board re-approves layoffs

We will pause our newsletters on Christmas Day and on Friday, December 26. We will return to the regular schedule on Monday.

Welcome to Tuesday night’s Lookout PM.

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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lily Belli on Food: Boisterous bistro fare at Mane Kitchen & Cocktails; former local chef leading Chez Panisse offshoot; Lily’s Christmas Eve menu

In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli dishes on Mane Kitchen & Cocktails in downtown Santa Cruz, notes a former local chef helming a sister restaurant for Berkeley’s famed Chez Panisse and an opening date for Dungeness crab season, and unveils her Christmas Eve menu. Continue reading…

Newsmakers 2025: A year after wharf collapse, the worker who fell into the ocean is back to business as usual

A year ago, City of Santa Cruz Development Manager Norm Daly plunged into stormy waters when the section of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf he was standing on collapsed. Now, he’s back on the job like nothing ever happened, working to bring the end of the wharf back to life.

Newsmakers 2025: A year after damaging storm, Santa Cruz Harbor community is recovering and focused on resilience

A year after a historic storm caused an estimated $16 million in damage to Santa Cruz Harbor infrastructure and destroyed more than 15 boats, harbor officials say recovery is underway and planning is increasingly focused on long-term resilience as extreme weather becomes more frequent.

A pelagic perspective on the day waves swept away the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf

The collapse of the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, one year ago Tuesday, inspired artist Laurel Bushman to create a comic looking at the event from the point of view of a pair of sea lions. Continue reading…

Credit: Hillary Ojeda / Lookout Santa Cruz

Pajaro Valley Unified school board re-approves layoffs in special meeting to allow public chance to speak

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board re-approved 81 teaching-related layoffs during a special meeting Monday after hearing public opposition from teachers, students and parents who were previously unable to comment.

City of Watsonville taps San Jose assistant police chief as next police chief

The City of Watsonville announced on Tuesday afternoon that it has chosen San Jose Assistant Police Chief Brian Shab as its next police chief, following longtime chief Jorge Zamora’s retirement in August. Continue reading…

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