Welcome to Thursday night’s Lookout PM.
Be sure to sign up for our breaking news email alerts here and take advantage of our breaking news texts by signing up here.
A popular Santa Cruz Facebook page played a political April Fool’s joke on its 73,000 members. Then came the fallout.
A name change prank on Santa Cruz’s biggest Facebook group by one of its own administrators quickly went awry, fueling long-simmering tensions that the page had grown too political since the 2024 election.
Summer’s here (almost): Your quick guide to a summer of fun in Santa Cruz County
Summertime is on the horizon and, lest you’ve forgotten, Santa Cruz County is chock full of fun activities from fine art to family frolics. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to Santa Cruz County’s biggest festivals, […]
Nazis tried to deport my father – let’s stop it from happening to immigrants here
As she prepares for Passover, Rabbi Shifra Weiss-Penzias is worried about the direction our country is headed. Her German-Jewish family escaped Nazi Germany in 1939, but her father always remembered the antisemitism he faced as […]

Capitola police seize e-bike from teen rider as city presses for new state laws
Capitola police seized an electric bike from a teenager who they say ran a stop sign and popped a wheelie in the intersection in front of a police car earlier this week. The news comes ahead […]
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, April 10-17
With the weekend nearly here, check out Wallace Baine’s Best 9 recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it
Terrible trio of a too small housing supply, too high living costs and too many homeless people plague California. A study says metro areas elsewhere are more pro-housing.
Best of Santa Cruz County events, April 3-5
Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Apr. 3
- Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge | 12 a.m. @ At participating businesses | Free
- The Garden, Ghost Mountain | 7 p.m. @ Quarry Amphitheater
- First Friday ~ Collective Art Show ~ ART FOOD AND DIY PAINTING! | 4 p.m. @ The Painted Cork
- Opening Receptino for Spring Into Art | 5 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
- “Harvest: Farm to Walls Cyanotypes” by Stacy Frank at Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room and Tapas Bar | 5 p.m. @ Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room and Tapas Bar
- Dave “Nomad” Miller | 6 p.m. @ Balefire Brewing Company
Repeats once more on April 4
- Spring Awakening: Art Installation + Featured Artist Susan Taylor Brown | 5 p.m. @ Home by Zinnias | Free
- First Friday Boulder Creek Egg Walk | 5 p.m. @ Downtown Boulder Creek | Free
Saturday, Apr. 4
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College | Free
- West Cliff Spring Fling Outdoor Market | 10 a.m. @ Lighthouse Parking Lot , West Cliff drive , Santa Cruz | Free
- Fermented Drinks Workshop | 10 a.m. @ Farm Discovery at Live Earth Farm | cover
- Moe’s Alley and KPIG Present | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- DJ Mark Farina – 21+ | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
- Moe’s Alley Presents: César Rosas (of Los Lobos) & Los Survivors | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Palmetto Superfoods Santa Cruz Grand Opening! | 10 a.m. @ Palmetto Superfoods – Santa Cruz | Free
- SATURDAY SPECIAL ~ $5 OFF ~ Monet’s Cliff Walk ~ Paint & Sip | 4 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $45
Sunday, Apr. 5
- Pigeon Point Light Station – Lighthouse History Walk | 2 p.m. @
- Midnight North – 21+ | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
- Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter FUNDRAISER ~ Paint Your Pet Classic Style | 12 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $75
- Easter Egg Hunt at Lito’s Community Cafe & Market | 12 p.m. @ Lito’s Community Cafe & Market | Free
- Easter Brunch at La Bahia Hotel & Spa | 10 a.m. @ La Bahia Hotel & Spa
- Tour an Outstanding Rhododendron Garden | 12 p.m. @ Monte Toyon Camp and Conference Center | Free
- Rize The People | 3 p.m. @ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
- Richard Thompson | 8 p.m. @ Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
Sign up for your Neighborhood Roundup. Sent every weekday morning, receive a neighborhood-specific roundup of the weather forecast, local news, crime reports, road closures, permit applications, road closures, restaurant inspections, upcoming events and more.





