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Weekender: Dance Week, Ripple Effect, Earth Day make for a celebratory confluence
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County this weekend.
Renaming Watsonville’s Cesar Chavez Middle School could cost $100,000, district says
By Hillary Ojeda
Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials say it will cost more than $100,000 to rename Cesar E. Chavez Middle School as they move forward with the process following recent sex abuse allegations against the late civil rights leader. Trustees voiced support for the change but raised concerns about the expense, the risks of naming schools after individuals and the possibility of spending funds on a campus that could later face closure.
District 4 county supervisor candidates make case to voters during Wednesday night forum
By Tania Ortiz
In a Lookout election forum Wednesday, candidates for the District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat — incumbent Felipe Hernandez and challengers Tony Nuñez and Elias Gonzales — shared their visions to improve South County and their views on hot-button issues.
Watsonville’s El Frijolito adds takeout-only taco spot near Highway 1
By Lily Belli
Watsonville mainstay El Frijolito has opened a second location, Tacos El Frijolito, offering a takeout-only menu of Mexican staples near the Highway 1 corridor. The expansion builds on the family-run restaurant’s nearly 40-year history and recent remodel of its original downtown location.
Outdoor World building razed for affordable housing project
By Max Chun
The site of the long-shuttered Outdoor World on River Street is slated to include 50 units of affordable housing plus commercial space in a six-story development.
‘Dancing in the Streets’ kicks off Santa Cruz Dance Week on Thursday
By Kevin Painchaud
Santa Cruz is set to kick off a high-energy celebration of movement Thursday as Santa Cruz Dance Week brings back its “Dancing in the Streets” event downtown.
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Best of Santa Cruz County events, April 17-19
Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Apr. 17
- Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge | 12 a.m. @ At participating businesses | Free
- ALOHA CALIFORNIA TOUR: George Kahumoku & Kimo West | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- George Kahumoku Jr. & Jim “Kimo” West | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- All About Theatre Presents “Disney’s The Lion King Jr” | 6 p.m. @ Colligan Theater | $22 to $30 (Student discounts for the first Saturday shows.)
- Moe’s Alley Presents: Quique Neira w/ ELeNAH | 9 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Mark Van Haren – ’70s pop-soul | 5 p.m. @ Chaminade Resort | Free
- In Some Dark Valley: The Testimony of Reverend Brand | 7 p.m. @ Actors’ Theatre | $32 to $35
- How Clutter Clearing Heals | 9 a.m. @ | Free
Saturday, Apr. 18
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College | Free
- Emmylou Harris | 8 p.m. @ Civic Auditorium
- Teen Job Training | 10 a.m. @ The Museum of Art and History
- Saturday Shakespeare Featuring Macbeth | 10 a.m. @ Aptos Branch Library
- (((folkYEAH!))) Presents: Dumbo Gets Mad | 9 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- DAN P AND THE BRICKS, BULL SHANNON | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
- Drain and Friends | 7 p.m. @ Quarry Amphitheater
- Cement Ship (21 and Over) | 7 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
Sunday, Apr. 19
- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Play Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning | 7 p.m. @ Quarry Amphitheater
- Animo Cruz | 11 a.m. @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- Dragon Slayers Sundays | 4 p.m. @ Game Santa Cruz | $20
- Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival | 6 p.m. @ Temple Beth El Jewish Community Center | Free
- Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings – Celebrating The New Release “The Sky’s the Limit” | 4 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Dia de La Familia | 9 a.m. @ Live Oak Farmers’ Market | Free
Repeats once more on April 19
- Patriots Day Talk | 2 p.m. @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum | Free
- Brunch Paint & Sip with Live Music | 12 p.m. @ Hotel paradox | $50 to $55 ($55 or 2 for $100)





