LOOKOUT PM: Adios to another downtown institution, PVUSD addresses teacher shortage
We have officially made it past another Monday, everybody. Hallelujah!
And with the passing of another Monday came the passing of another longtime downtown Santa Cruz dining institution. More about that and the mysterious local restaurateur who might take over the popular Walnut Ave. space below.
We also have some updates on the PVUSD teacher shortage, the Big Sur fire, 49ers’ fans latest big SoCal road trip and the can’t-miss column from our affordability reporter Grace Stetson. (Better not miss it.)
And read to the bottom to learn about a cool and tasty new newsletter product that will be headed your way tomorrow.
The headlines ...
Soif closing: ‘Wow, that was a great 20 years’
Another downtown restaurant closure: While Patrice Boyle takes a bow, continues to manage La Posta and tries to spend some more time at home, a mystery longtime local restaurateur, who is said to be well known, will take over the downtown Santa Cruz restaurant as the retail wine business continues on its own. Lily Belli with the scoop here.
➤ ICYI: Goodbye to India Joze, a restaurant that reflected Santa Cruz back to itself for 50 years (Wallace Baine)
PVUSD addresses teacher vacancies in wake of complaint
It also vows to keep hunting for new classroom leaders: After complaints were filed in November about the impact of teacher vacancies in the district, administrators filed a formal report detailing how many of the jobs had been filled and what they have been doing to recruit. More from Hillary Ojeda here.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: ‘Horribly understaffed’: PV High teachers’ complaints about staff shortage impacts paint grim picture (Hillary)
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Good news on Big Sur wildfire: Burn zone not as large as originally feared
Burn scar adjustment: Officials originally estimated the rare January wildfire had burned 1,500 acres, but on Monday adjusted the burn zone to about 700 acres. More from the LA Times here.
Supreme Court signals it could outlaw most affirmative action at universities
Conservative decision ahead? The Supreme Court takes on affirmative action, and its conservative justices might be ready to forbid race as a factor in admissions to universities — though the effect in California could be limited. The LA Times explores further.
A cup of kindness: how a chance meeting with a former NFL player transformed a UCSC student’s life
A cup of kindness: how a chance meeting with a former NFL player transformed a UCSC student’s life
Quick Take
UC Santa Cruz student Tommy Alejandrez was living on the streets when he met former NFL player Zack Follett on a busy...
What you need to know before going to Yosemite and other national parks in 2022
Know before you go: With demand surging at national parks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s a look at parks in California, Arizona and Utah. These tips could save your winter, spring or summer trip. The LA Times has more here.
Can 49ers fans take over Rams stadium again?
Red & Gold in LA: The Rams will host the NFC championship game but they may not have home field advantage if San Francisco 49ers take over SoFi Stadium again. The Times with more here.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: Another chance to beat L.A.: 49ers to face Rams with Super Bowl berth on line (Lookout)
Moving toward a zero textbook cost model at Cabrillo College
Moving toward a zero textbook cost model at Cabrillo College
Quick Take
As the cost of college textbooks continue to rise, educators and students alike are looking to more contemporary modes...
ICYMI: Our affordability reporter’s continuing saga
From landing pad to uncertainty in six months: With the future unclear yet again, will our Grace Stetson have to return to the endless Craigslist and Facebook searches she long ago came to dread? Come along on our affordability correspondent’s latest quixotic journey through the rental market.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: What happens when your new affordability reporter isn’t finding anything affordable? Grace’s story
More from here & elsewhere
➤ Hot mic catches Biden calling Fox reporter ‘son of a b*tch’ (CNN)
➤ NASA’s James Webb telescope arrives at home 1 million miles from Earth (USA Today)
➤ Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on ‘heightened alert’ as U.S. weighs military action against Russia (NBC News)
➤ Bay Area CVS pharmacy worker ‘violently’ beaten during robbery (SF Gate)
➤ Family sues Stanford, roommates after son’s death at fraternity (SF Gate)
➤ What to know about 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame vote: Will Bonds, Clemens fall short? (ESPN)
Coming to you tomorrow
Our resident food & drink guru Lily Belli will be launching a brand new newsletter giving you a look at the week ahead in local food & drink news. As a subscriber of Lookout PM, you don’t have to do a thing to receive it. Just be checking your inbox around the lunch hour.
That is all for this penultimate Monday night in January. Yes, folks, 2022 is already flying by us. All the more reason to get out and enjoy this beautiful month, as my friend Wallace already implored you to do over the weekend.
See you back here tomorrow and don’t forget to keep this local journalism enterprise going by becoming a Lookout member. We cannot do it without your support.
Mark Conley
Deputy Managing Editor
Quick Take
Tom Brezsny of Brezsny Associates looks forward to the future to compile his top predictions for 2022’s booming real...
