Welcome to Monday night’s Lookout PM.
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In the Public Interest: Tuesday hearing on battery storage ordinance a crucial green energy test
A busy week in Santa Cruz County politics and policy kicks off with the county’s proposed ordinance on battery energy storage systems is set for a hearing before supervisors Tuesday. The Santa Cruz City Council revisits a temporary path to help businesses and residents around the Murray Street Bridge, and Capitola holds a catch-all town hall. Continue reading…
UCSC employees stage a two-day strike amid stalled negotiations
UC Santa Cruz employees represented by AFSCME Local 3299 are striking Monday and Tuesday, reducing dining hall hours, health appointments and bus service on campus. Continue reading…
Santa Cruz City workers ratify tentative agreement, approving three-year contract
Santa Cruz City workers represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 521 (SEIU) voted to approve a tentative agreement with the city on Monday. Continue reading…
Battery storage developer backs Santa Cruz County’s proposed new rules ahead of Tuesday vote
New Leaf Energy, the developer behind the proposed battery storage facility near Watsonville, tells Lookout that the company is hopeful the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will move ahead on new regulations for battery plants on Tuesday. Continue reading…
Carmageddon: As winter arrives, Santa Cruz County, Caltrans work to prep mountain roads
County and state agencies are planning a slate of road work for the Santa Cruz Mountains in preparation for a wet winter. Crews will clear ditches, ready plows and also continue working on a series of improvements to better protect cyclists and pedestrians. Continue reading…
OPINION: Santa Cruz County’s open approach to battery storage puts safety and community first
Santa Cruz County has crafted one of California’s toughest battery-storage ordinances, prioritizing safety, transparency and local control, writes Felipe Hernandez, the chair of the county board of supervisors. After months of expert input and public meetings, the draft rules set strict setbacks, fire-safety standards, monitoring requirements and hazardous-materials limits. Supervisors will review the ordinance Tuesday. Hernandez believes the county has found a way to guide clean-energy growth without compromising community safety. Continue reading…
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Best of Santa Cruz County events, November 17-20
Here are some events you may be interested in this week:
Monday, Nov. 17
- Pilates & Posture with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND liberty, Center for Learning, Wellness, Sanctuary and Horse Retirement | $25 (This class included with membership)
- Knitting at the Library @ Felton | 12 p.m. @ Felton Branch Library
- Yoga, Meditation & Sound Healing | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- Moe’s Alley Presents: The Deslondes | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- VOLUNTEER AT HOPES CLOSET / VOLUNTARIADO EN | 10 a.m. @ Hopes Closet | Free
- West Coast Swing Series in Capitola | 7 p.m. @ Capitola Recreation | $74 to $94 (Discounts for those in the Soquel tax dist. & seniors.)
- The Closet Reset-A Clothes Clearing Workshop | 9 a.m. @ | $165
- Santa Cruz Mountains Brewgrass Festival | 12 p.m. @ Discretion Brewing | $65
Tuesday, Nov. 18
- Exhibition—”Weather and the Whale” | 12 p.m. @ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
- Rik Jam w/ Dalwayne | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Future Forum: Food Systems Dinner | 5 p.m. @ Nextspace | Free
- Newcomers Luncheon and Talk | 11 a.m. @ Back Nine Bar & Grill | $35 (Please bring cash or check. )
- Dance Medicine | 7 p.m. @ Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center | Free
- The Del Mar Trio at Callahan’s | 8 p.m. @ Callahan’s Pub | Free
- Inter|Act Spoken Word Open Mic with Featured Poet Luke Johnson | 7 p.m. @ Satori Arts | Free
- Breathwork & Meditation with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND Liberty | $25 (This class included with membership)
Wednesday, Nov. 19
- Motion Pacific: Dance for PD | 1 p.m. @ The 418 Project
- Happy Hour at your favorite Wine Bar | 5 p.m. @ Capitola Wine Bar
- (((folkYEAH!))) Presents – Delicate Steve | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Westside Wednesdays ~ Live Music with Mighty Doug Young ~ Free Event! | 5 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | Free
- Breabach | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz | $31.25
- Lookout Santa Cruz 5th Anniversary Party | 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History | Free
- Be Natural Music is hosting a Live Music & Fundraiser Event! | 4 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | Free
- Santa Cruz Speed Dating | 6 p.m. @ Laughing Monk Brewery | $25
Thursday, Nov. 20
- 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
- NOUR HARKATI | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
- Samantha Fish (21 and Over) | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
- Paint & Sip | 6 p.m. @ Cocoa Vino Capitola | $45 to $50 (2 for $90 )
- Thirsty Thursday with Live Music by Nick Disalvo | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | Free
- East Coast Swing Dance Series in Capitola | 6 p.m. @ Capitola Recreation | $74 to $94 (discounts for Capitola/Soquel tax payers and seniors)
- HONK! Jr. | 7 p.m. @ San Lorenzo Valley Center for the Performing Arts | $10 to $15 (General $15, Students, Seniors and SLV Staff $10)
