Welcome to Tuesday night’s Lookout PM.
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Historic horse stable, home to rescue animals, faces eviction as UCSC moves to acquire coastal property
After five decades serving local horse owners and rescue animals, Coast Road Stables faces displacement as UC Santa Cruz and The Conservation Fund move forward with plans to purchase the 200-acre coastal property just north of city limits. With leases set to end by June 2026, boarders say they’ve been left in the dark — and are now scrambling to find alternatives for their animals, many of which are elderly or medically fragile. Continue reading…
In the Public Interest: Upping the urgency around battery storage policy in Santa Cruz County
Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely. Continue reading…
Lily Belli on Food: Union push at Verve Coffee; put your faves on the Lookout List; inside gleaming La Bahia
Around Santa Cruz County food & drink with Lookout correspondent Lily Belli. Continue reading…
Sheriff’s Office investigating remote-controlled aircraft crash resulting in two injuries
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a remote-controlled aircraft crashed into a home, injuring two people during the Fire in the Sky Open House at the Watsonville Municipal Airport over the long weekend. Continue reading…
Carmageddon: City council’s Murray Street Bridge rescue plan could take years, with uncertain benefits
The Santa Cruz City Council’s plans to fix problems caused by the lengthy Murray Street Bridge closure could face a long, costly road ahead, city officials say, with no guarantee they will significantly ease congestion. Continue reading…
All About Theatre delivers energetic take on provocative teen musical ‘Spring Awakening’
If you think community theater can’t rock, “Spring Awakening” at All About Theatre will prove you wrong. With a driving rock score powered by an impressive orchestra and a cast that builds to explosive energy, “Spring Awakening” is messy, moving and alive — a reminder of why supporting local theater matters. Continue reading…
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Best of Santa Cruz County events, December 20-21
Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:
Saturday, Dec. 20
- Christmas Market Watsonville | 4 p.m. @ City Plaza Park | Free
- Exhibition—”Weather and the Whale” | 12 p.m. @ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
- Sewing Lessons for Beginners | 10 a.m. @ Everything Home | $60 to $90 (Save 10% when you purchase 6 weeks up front.)
- Cars and Coffee | 9 a.m. @ East Lake Village Shopping Center | Free
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College | Free
- VOLUNTEER AT HOPES CLOSET / VOLUNTARIADO EN HOPES CLOSET | 10 a.m. @ Hopes Closet | Free
- A Very Shut-Ins Christmas | 7 p.m. @ The Crepe Place | $10
- Big Basin Plant Hunt | 11 a.m. @
Sunday, Dec. 21
- Toy Trains 2025 | 12 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
- Open Mic Comedy at Shanty Shack | 7 p.m. @ Shanty Shack | Free
- Drag Bingo! | 4 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | Free
- Market Place Event | 11 a.m. @ Desert Dream Dance School | Free
- Holiday Gala at Seascape Resort | 7 p.m. @ Seascape Beach Resort | $35
- Redwood Loop Tour – Henry Cowell Redwoods | 12 p.m. @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park | Free
Repeats once more on December 21
- Winter Solstice Community Sing & Song Bath | 3 p.m. @ The German Cultural Center | $20 to $25
- Grief Tending with SoulCollage® | Winter Solstice Workshop | 2 p.m. @ Tumbleweed Found | $55






