Chilly greetings, Santa Cruz County! It’s Friday, Dec. 8, and we’ll see mostly sunny skies through the weekend, the forecast says, with temps inching up from high 50s Friday to the upper 60s by Monday.
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Before we hit the headlines …
Lookout hosted our third birthday party Thursday evening in our new digs on Pacific Avenue. More than 100 members and marketing partners celebrated with us, and watched the unveiling of our just-completed Santa Cruz County News History Wall. That wall showcases the long lineage of news publications – all print except Lookout, from the late 1800s onward. Wallace Baine, who curated the exhibit along with Jamie Garfield and Kevin Painchaud, gave the group an annotated tour. That included both the news covered over decades – earthquakes, floods, the founding of UC Santa Cruz and more – and the titles, including the Surf, the Sentinel and Riptide that have graced local newsstands. Newcomer Lookout Santa Cruz, founder Ken Doctor told the assembled, is “just a real community newspaper that happens to be digital and always-on and available.” We thank Jessie Durant, the Museum of Art & History archivist who helped us create the ongoing exhibit. And we thank Cafe Iveta, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Madson Wines and Sugar Bakery for helping us make merry with great local food and drink.
You might’ve seen the construction crane towering over the Capitola Wharf lately, and as Max Chun reports, the repairs there are keeping the local landmark on track for a summer 2024 reopening.
With her Eaters Digest newsletter coming later Friday, Lily Belli checks in from Westside Santa Cruz distillery Venus Spirits, whose new aquavit release fits right in with Scandinavian holiday traditions.
The Friday headlines also include Weekender, Wallace Baine’s roadmap to fun things to do all over Santa Cruz County. Let’s dig in.
Capitola Wharf on track for summer 2024 reopening
Work is underway on Capitola Wharf repairs, and the city anticipates that it will be ready for reopening by the end of summer 2024. Additionally, a citizen-led project has raised more than $300,000 for enhancements to the wharf, which is undergoing both long-overdue updates and repairs to damage suffered in last winter’s storms. Here’s more from Max Chun.
Venus Spirits releases festive new Scandinavian aquavit perfect for winter sipping
Westside Santa Cruz distillery Venus Spirits released Aquavit 02, a barrel-aged Scandinavian spirit, with savory botanicals layered with oak character. To celebrate the release, the distillery is throwing a “Winter Wonderland” Nordic feast on Dec. 14. Get a taste from Lily Belli.
DAILY DIGEST
We’re full speed ahead toward the weekend, but keep your eyes peeled for more Friday from Lookout. That includes Lily Belli’s latest Eaters Digest, which you can get delivered right to your inbox, along with all of Lookout’s other newsletters plus breaking news alerts, by signing up right here. We also keep you up to date with Santa Cruz County news and views via social media — find Lookout on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads.
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Here’s hoping a smooth Friday awaits, and a safe, relaxing weekend beyond.