Hello there, readers. It’s Tuesday, Sept. 15, and another pleasant day lies ahead for Santa Cruz County, with much sunshine and temperatures from the low 70s to mid-80s.
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The martini, a drink so recognizable that its signature glass is a symbol for all cocktails, is having a moment in the spotlight, and Lily Belli has a guide to where to sample the classic around Santa Cruz County, with some local twists. She’s even got advice on what to pair that martini with at each stop.
Tania Ortiz looks ahead to Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, which will consider a ballot measure and ordinance to give residents the final say over any future artificial intelligence data center proposed in the county’s unincorporated areas. “Rather than wait on a data center being proposed, I’m bringing this item forward to open the discussion at the board,” Supervisor Justin Cummings told Lookout, “and hopefully pass this item giving voters the power to determine for themselves if they want one of these in our community.”
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s take on Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years” is the subject of Jana Marcus’ latest theater review. It’s thoughtful production, she writes, with terrific performances and wonderful live musicianship leading the way. But this musical autopsy of a failed marriage ultimately leaves us with one lingering question: What have we learned from the wreckage?
And in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, the spotlight is on our county’s quiet prowess in surf lifesaving. Dan Ackerstein, who manages the Westcliff Surf Lifesaving Club, writes about the six Santa Cruz-area athletes who have earned spots on the U.S. youth national team – giving the 831 area code 30% of the Americans headed to upcoming international competitions.
The day’s headlines also include the coming reopening of the eastbound lane of the Murray Street Bridge and an overnight closure of Highway 1 in Aptos – read on, won’t you?
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The martini is having a moment. Here’s where to drink one in Santa Cruz County
The martini is having a national resurgence, and Santa Cruz County bartenders are embracing the classic cocktail with riffs featuring olive oil, tomato brine, bonito flakes and wine-based spirits. Lily Belli highlights six standout local martinis, each paired with a complementary dish, and offers a look at how bartenders are using the drink’s simple formula to create new expressions. Check out her guide here.
Santa Cruz County considers requiring voter approval for AI data centers
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is weighing whether to move forward with developing a ballot measure and ordinance that would regulate artificial intelligence data centers and give residents the final say in approval. Tania Ortiz previews Tuesday’s meeting.
DAILY DIGEST
Much to sort through on this mid-September Tuesday, so I’ll let you get to it, but make sure you’re keeping up with Lookout as the day and week unfurl. Download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to get all of our mix of news and views right on your smartphone, including via breaking news notifications. We also offer breaking news alerts via email, plus a host of other newsletters (coming later Tuesday, for one, is more from Santa Cruz County’s culinary scene via Lily Belli on Food) – check ’em all out and sign up for free here. Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Threads are where you can pick up what Lookout’s putting down on social media.
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Thanks for reading, and may your Tuesday be a good one.
Will McCahill