Welcome to Thursday night’s Lookout PM.
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Murray Street Bridge closure delivers fatal blow to Seabright Social
After five years, Seabright Social will serve its last meal at the end of the month, with owners citing the Murray Street Bridge closure as the clear cause of a 30% drop in business.
Betty’s Eat Inn in downtown Santa Cruz to close Sunday, citing challenging environment
After 15 years, Betty’s Eat Inn in downtown Santa Cruz will close Sunday, with owner Laurie Negro citing declining foot traffic, fewer visitors and a challenging downtown environment as key reasons.
With construction underway, city invites public to ceremonial groundbreaking for downtown Santa Cruz library mixed-use project
The public is invited to Lot 8, across Lincoln Street from the site of the future downtown Santa Cruz library and affordable housing on Lot 4, for a ceremony marking the occasion at noon next […]
Weekender: Lewis Black’s last tour swings through, landscapes to love and Gladwell on the horizon
Wallace Baine’s guided tour through Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, including recommendations for things to do this weekend and beyond.
Downtown Plan Expansion — with 1,600 new housing units and pathway to new Santa Cruz Warriors arena — wins state’s OK
The California Coastal Commission has signed off on Santa Cruz’s Downtown Plan Expansion, clearing the way for taller buildings, up to 1,600 new housing units and a potential new Santa Cruz Warriors arena south of […]
Imminent Pajaro River encampment sweeps will displace dozens of levee residents before ‘tiny village’ opening
The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency announced Wednesday it will move forward with scheduling its encampment sweep along the Pajaro River for the end of August, which will displace dozens of levee residents before temporary […]
Santa Cruz Film Festival planning a big ‘resurrection’ in October
After having been dark for three years, the Santa Cruz Film Festival is coming back in October with new leadership and new energy. The goal? Not only to entertain and illuminate audiences, but also to […]
OPINION: What PIT count says about county homelessness numbers: We are making progress amid uncertainty
Robert Ratner, director of Housing for Health for Santa Cruz County’s human services department, and Larry Imwalle, director of Homelessness Response & Community Programs for the City of Santa Cruz, interpret the point-in-time count numbers, […]
Best of Santa Cruz County events, Aug. 15-17
Here are some events you might be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Aug. 15
- “All the Pages Are My Days”: Print and Visual Culture of the Grateful Dead in Context | 8 a.m. @ McHenry Library
- Roaring Camp: Blacksmith Hammer In | 9 a.m. @ Roaring Camp Railroads
- Mindful Movement with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND Liberty
- Evergreen Volunteer Days | 9 a.m. @ Evergreen Cemetery
- Pastel Painting with Joan Hellenthal | 10 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League
- WomenCARE Healing Circle Workshops Friday& Saturdays | 10 a.m. @ On Zoom
- Big Basin Redwoods Fuel Reduction Workday | 10 a.m. @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Saturday, Aug. 16
- Arboretum Members – Join us for Early Bird Saturday | 7 a.m. @ UCSC Arboretum and Botanical Garden
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- Redwood RX: Sunrise Qi Gong | 8 a.m. @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Crescendo Dance Academy Grand Opening | 9 a.m. @ Crescendo Dance Academy
- Pace Trail Building Project | 9 a.m. @ Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
- East Cliff Parkway Beautification | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Parkway
- Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Cars and Coffee | 9 a.m. @ East Lake Village Shopping Center
Sunday, Aug. 17
- Big Queer Weekend: You Better Brunch | 8 a.m. @ Courtyard Santa Cruz
- Race Thru the Redwoods | 8 a.m. @ Roaring Camp Railroads
- Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale | 8 a.m. @ Highlands Park Senior & Community Center
- Sunday Brunch Buffet | 9 a.m. @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Farmers Market Live Oak | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center
- Big Queer Weekend: Flow with Pride Yoga | 9 a.m. @ Courtyard Santa Cruz
- 2025 Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival (Dog Day Sunday) | 10 a.m. @ Skypark Scotts Valley

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