Welcome to Thursday night’s Lookout PM.
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Weekender: FashionTeens, 4/20 x Easter and farewell to the indomitable Tammi Brown
Get the download on Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment from Lookout’s man about town, Wallace Baine.
How UC Santa Cruz lost its crown as the ‘most stoned campus on earth’
As UC Santa Cruz students gear up for the annual 4/20 gathering at Porter Meadow, the campus’ once-legendary status as a stoner paradise is fading. Cannabis legalization, Gen Z’s changing social habits and the university’s growing focus on STEM and research have reshaped the school’s identity. Keith A. Spencer explains why UCSC’s stoner identity seems to have gone up in smoke. Continue reading…
UCSC biologist part of team that brought version of dire wolf back to life
Earlier this month, a company focused on conservation, Colossal Biosciences, announced the “de-extinction” of the dire wolf. UC Santa Cruz professor Beth Shapiro, who worked on the project, told Lookout about the history of the effort and its significance, and addressed some of the criticism. Continue reading…
Justin Cummings has shored up unparalleled support for a Coastal Commission reappointment. Will it be enough?
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings has unanimous regional support to remain on the powerful California Coastal Commission. But the decision is up to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas — whose political calculations could complicate what looks to many like a clear choice. Continue reading…
Rising prices ‘inevitable’ as tariffs hit home at 29-year-old cookware store in downtown Santa Cruz
Facing steep price hikes from global suppliers due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported goods, downtown Santa Cruz cookware shop Toque Blanche warns customers of inevitable increases on imported kitchen staples. Owner Charles Nelson says the community’s support — sparked by his candid letter explaining the impact — is keeping his spirits high as he braces for more cost pressures by May 1. Continue reading…
PVUSD board votes to approve contract with controversial ethnic studies consultant
The vote by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board came after months of activism by community members, students and teachers, who urged the board to renew a contract with the consultant, Community Responsive Education. Continue reading…
Best of Santa Cruz County events, April 18-20
Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Apr. 18
- E-Bike Test Rides | 11 a.m. @ Civic Auditorium
- Encouraging Your Child’s Self-Esteem: Triple P Workshop for Parents | 12 p.m. @ Capitola Branch Library
- Community of Digital Artists Members’ Exhibition 2025 | 1 p.m. @ r.blitzer gallery
- Afterschool STEAM: Lego Stop Motion Movies | 3 p.m. @ Aptos Branch Library | Free
- Junebug at Seascape Resort | 5 p.m. @ Seascape Resort
Repeats once more on May. 24
- Family Hoedown | 6 p.m. @ Scotts Valley Community Center | $5
- Vinny Johnson Live at El Vaquero Winery | 6 p.m. @ El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room
- Art of Nature Workshop: Butterflies in Watercolor | 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History | $36
- Scotts Valley Family Hoedown Dance Night | 6 p.m. @ Scotts Valley Community Center | $5
- FashionTeens 2024 | 6 p.m. @ Rio Theatre | Free
- Free Screening of “The Power of Small” | 7 p.m. @ Ben Lomond | Free
- Elemental Sound Bath + Reiki: Fridays in Capitola | 7 p.m. @ Breath+Oneness Yoga | $24
- Third Friday Community Rhythms Class w/ Jim Greiner | 7 p.m. @ Congregational Church of Soquel
- An Evening of Classical Guitar with Connie Sheu | 7 p.m. @ UCSC Music center
- Learn to Line Dance! | 8 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- Melt | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
Saturday, Apr. 19
- Arboretum Members – Join us for Early Bird Saturday | 7 a.m. @ 120 Arboretum Rd
- Capitola Citywide Garage Sale | 8 a.m. @ Capitola
- Spring Show and Sale 2025 | 9 a.m. @ Portuguese Hall of Watsonville
Repeats once more on Apr. 20
- Saturdays in the Soil | 10 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History | Free
- Big Basin Redwoods Plant Walk | 10 a.m. @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park | Free
- Center for Farmworker Families Presentation | 11 a.m. @ Simpkins Family Swim Center
- Understanding the California Farmworker Experience | 11 a.m. @ Live Oak Library Annex
Repeats once more on Apr. 24
- Earth Day Santa Cruz Celebration | 11 a.m. @ Pacific Ave
- Earth Day Santa Cruz 2025 – A FREE Community Celebration! | 11 a.m. @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Earth Day Rockin’ Pop Up! | 12 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History | $5
- Info Session: Temple of Light Crystal Bowl Certification. Learn to play crystal bowls in Capitola! | 1 p.m. @ Breath + Oneness | Free
- Annieglass: Create Earrings with Herkimer Diamonds | 1 p.m. @ Annieglass Inc | $90
- Watsonville Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza | 1 p.m. @ Franich Park
- Scandinavian Easter Egg Hunt | 2 p.m. @ Viking Hall Cultural Center
- The Radio Live at El Vaquero Winery | 5 p.m. @ El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room
- DIYine: A Homebrewing Festival | 6 p.m. @ Veterans Memorial Building | $35
- Tenanan (Mother) | 6 p.m. @ UCSC Music center
- Eternal Breathwork Journey | 6 p.m. @ Breath+Oneness Yoga | $45
- Snazzy Productions presents AMY RIGBY | 7 p.m. @ Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse | $30
- Magic Hunks at Bruno’s | 8 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | 17.79
- Fishhook ROCKS The Crow’s Nest on Saturday, April 19th. Dance Party! | 8 p.m. @ Crow’s Nest Restaurant
Sunday, Apr. 20
- Earth Day Special: Birding Photography | 9 a.m. @ Wilder Ranch State Park | $36
- Green Classroom Celebration | 10 a.m. @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Easter at the Rio | 10 a.m. @ Rio Theatre
- Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market | 10 a.m. @ Pacific Avenue
- Easter Celebration at Lito’s Community Cafe & Market | 12 p.m. @ 2904 Freedom Blvd
- Painting Sunsets: A One Day Workshop with Toaa Dallo | 2 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League
- Junebug’s 420 show at Treehouse Dispensary | 4 p.m. @ Treehouse Dispensary
- Not So Young Neil Young Tribute Band Live at El Vaquero Winery | 4 p.m. @ El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room
- Sunday Evening Sound Bath + Reiki | 7 p.m. @ Breath+Oneness Yoga | $24
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