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Newsmakers 2025: Seabright, harbor business owners reflect on challenging year, community support and their fears for 2026
By Lily Belli
Business owners Michael Spadafora and Patrice Boyle reflect on a tumultuous year for their businesses as the Murray Street Bridge closure slashed summer traffic, left them struggling to survive and exposed what they describe as a lack of communication and meaningful help from the city. Continue reading…
Seaside’s Other Brother opens cozy taproom in Aptos with award-winning beer, standout sandwiches
By Lily Belli
Other Brother Beer Co. opened its first satellite taproom, in Aptos Village, at the end of December, with 22 taps of its Seaside-brewed beers and a compact, food-forward menu designed for the smaller space. Continue reading…
Books about women top Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ most checked-out books in 2025
By Hillary Ojeda
Books centered on women dominated Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ most checked-out titles in 2025, led by Kristin Hannah’s “The Women” in adult fiction and Britney Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me” in nonfiction. Continue reading…
Beyond the Super Bowl and the semiquincentennial: Your big sneak peek at 2026 entertainment events to come
By Wallace Baine
You made it through a harrowing 2025 and a half-decade of challenge. Now, put aside your fears of catastrophic climate change, the collapse of American democracy, and AI data centers stretching from sea to shining sea — for just a moment — and plan some fun in the year ahead. Continue reading…
Carmageddon: RTC seeking input on coastal resilience project; Watsonville police get grant for bike, pedestrian safety
By Max Chun
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is seeking input on a coastal resiliency project along Highway 1 on the county’s north coast, with a workshop on the project set for the end of January. Meanwhile, the Watsonville Police Department received a state grant for bicycle and pedestrian safety efforts. Continue reading…
City of Watsonville sets Jan. 12-16 for curbside Christmas tree pickup
By Ashley Palma-Jimenez
Curbside pickup for Watsonville residents disposing of Christmas trees will take place Jan. 12 through 16. Continue reading…
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Upcoming Santa Cruz County events, January 5-8
Here are some events you may be interested in this week:
Monday, Jan. 5
- After School Kids Classes | 3 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Maker Studios | $36 to $50
- Knitting at the Library @ Felton | 12 p.m. @ Felton Branch Library
- VOLUNTEER AT HOPES CLOSET / VOLUNTARIADO EN HOPES CLOSET | 10 a.m. @ Hopes Closet | Free
- Theater Winter Camp: Lights, Theater, Action! | 9 a.m. @ Simpkins Family Swim Center | $225 to $248 (Resident / non-resident for 5 days of camp)
- Registration is open for Santa Cruz Little League! | 12 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Little League – Harvey West Park | $175 to $205 (Registration includes hat, uniform, and team photo)
- Winter Maker Day Camp at Santa Cruz Maker Studios | 9 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Maker Studios | $144
- Drop-In Figure Drawing: 3-Hour Long Pose | 10 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | $25
- Tea & Oracle, Insightful Oracle Readings & Relaxing Art Studio Tour | 2 p.m. @ Studio Hozuki | $55
Tuesday, Jan. 6
- Exhibition—”Weather and the Whale” | 12 p.m. @ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
- Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum | 9 a.m. @ UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden | Free
- ((folkYEAH))) PRESENTS: DONNIE EMERSON AND NANCY SOPHIA | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
- Karaoke with Moondog | 7 p.m. @ Bay Bar and Grille | Free
- Watercolor Painting with Linda Lord | 1 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | $200 (SCAL members get a 12% discount on classes!)
- Breath for Life: Re-parenting the Inner Child | 7 p.m. @ Breath + Oneness | $24
- Inter|Act Spoken Word Open Mic | 7 p.m. @ Satori Arts | Free
- Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance | 4 p.m. @ The 418 Project
Wednesday, Jan. 7
- Wig Out Wednesday | 4 p.m. @ Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room and Wine Bar | Free
- Motion Pacific: Dance for PD | 1 p.m. @ The 418 Project
- Summoning Circle | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place | $10
- Elevate LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion: The Power of Belonging | 9 a.m. @ Hotel Paradox
- Painting with Oils and Acrylics – with Toaa Dallo | 1 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | $180 (SCAL members get a 12% discount on classes!)
Repeats once more on January 7
- Pilates & Posture with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND liberty, Center for Learning, Wellness, Sanctuary and Horse Retirement | $25 (This class included with membership)
Repeats once more on January 7
- Family Movie Night | 5 p.m. @ Watsonville Public Library
- Set Up | 6 p.m. @ The 418 Project
Thursday, Jan. 8
- Sewing Lessons for Beginners | 10 a.m. @ Everything Home | $60 to $90 (Save 10% when you purchase 6 weeks up front.)
- Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special | 5 p.m. @ Persephone Restaurant | $40
- Thirsty Thursday with Live Music from Shawn Yanez! | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | Free
- Book talk and signing | 7 p.m. @ Bookshop Santa Cruz | Free
- Pinfall | 9 p.m. @ Blue Lagoon | $10
- Drop-In Figure Drawing: Evening Long Pose | 7 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | $20
- MYCOMIXER @ Far West Fungi | 2 p.m. @ Far West Fungi Store and Cafe | Free
- Gruesome Twosome Trivia at Steel Bonnet Brewery | 6 p.m. @ Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
Repeats once more on January 8