Welcome to Thursday night’s Lookout PM.
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Election 2025: Santa Cruz affordable housing advocates celebrate win on Measure C
Santa Cruz voters have approved Measure C, the housing advocate-supported ballot initiative, with more than 53% of the vote, while the competing Measure B, supported by local real estate interests, failed with just 11.9%. County […]
Weekender: Sasha Dobson comes back to Santa Cruz jazz roots, First Friday’s here again and gearing up for ‘A Christmas Carol’
Wallace Baine takes you inside Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, complete with recommendations for things to do this weekend and beyond.
Watsonville City Council moves to scrap project labor agreement, despite pushback from trades council
The Watsonville City Council voted Wednesday to scrap its project labor agreement, which sets standards for wages, benefits and working hours on city projects. Following the vote, city staff and the local trades council will […]
Scotts Valley assisted living facility to renovate units for disabled residents free of charge as part of class action settlement
Brookdale Scotts Valley, an assisted living facility, has agreed to renovate housing units to accommodate residents with mobility issues and update policies to settle a federal class action lawsuit.
Peggy Townsend’s new mystery novel finds drama and intrigue in the world of science
Longtime Santa Cruz journalist-turned-novelist Peggy Townsend’s new book is inspired by the unsung work and deep devotion of scientists. She’ll discuss “The Botanist’s Assistant” on Nov. 18 at Bookshop Santa Cruz.
OPINION: Santa Cruz looks like paradise but we’re the most distressed county in the Bay Area – I blame housing
Public health data show that Santa Cruz County leads the Bay Area in rates of serious psychological distress and need for mental health or substance-use services. Mental health advocate Kevin Norton believes the real […]
The 2025 Lookout List: Family & Pets
From summer camps and tutoring programs to musical classes, veterinary clinics and pet grooming, Lookout readers picked the places that keep kids learning, pets pampered and families smiling. The 2025 Lookout List: Family & Pets […]
Medi-Cal changes looming for undocumented immigrants, Dientes warns
Changes taking effect Jan. 1 will mean undocumented adults currently covered by Medi-Cal will no longer have access to full dental benefits, Dientes Community Dental warns.
Santa Cruz County public works director goes to D.C. to lobby for local transportation
Matt Machado, Santa Cruz County’s deputy executive officer and public works director, traveled with other local government leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C., last month to push for federal funding for local roads, […]
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Best of Santa Cruz County events, Nov. 7-9
Here are some local events you might be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Nov. 7
- Capitola Plein Air 2025 | All day
- Mindful Movement with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND Liberty
- Evergreen Volunteer Days | 9:30 a.m. @ Evergreen Cemetery
- Kianti’s “Jack Is Back” Holiday Performance | 6 p.m. @ Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar
- Art Exhibition: MAGGIE’S MEN’S GROUP: The View From Where I Sit – First Friday Nov 7, 4 – 8 pm | 4 p.m. @ MUD Gallery of Studio Ceramics
- Live Music with Mark Van Haren! | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- “Tuck Everlasting: The Musical” | 7 p.m. @ Colligan Theater
- (((folkYEAH))) Presents: LAEL NEALE | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
Saturday, Nov. 8
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- Segundo Sabado/Second Saturday Watsonville | 1 p.m. @ Downtown Arts District
- Cars and Coffee | 9 a.m. @ East Lake Village Shopping Center
- Fall Festival & Bake-Off | Noon @ Scotts Valley Community Center | Free
- MAGIC HUNKS® at Bruno’s Bar and Grill! | 8 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- Moe’s Alley Presents: Southern Culture On The Skids w/ special guests | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- EARL SWEATSHIRT: 3L World Tour | 9 p.m. @ The Catalyst
Sunday, Nov. 9
- Live Oak Farmers Market Live Oak | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center
- Soma Sound: Dance & Sound Journey | 11:30 a.m. @ Breath + Oneness
- Paint Party at Bruno’s with Anyone Can Art! | 1 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- Andy Fuhrman on the Westside | 2:30 p.m. @ MJA Vineyards Westside
- Apricot Court | 3 p.m. @ Streetlight Records
- Film Showing and Discussion: “The Tuskegee Airmen” | 5 p.m. @ The 418 Project
- Italian Film: “Vermiglio” | 6:30 p.m. @ Cabrillo Aptos Campus, VAPA Forum, Room 1001
- Open Mic Comedy at Shanty Shack | 7 p.m. @ Shanty Shack Brewing