LOOKOUT PM: Downtown library update, a new Second Harvest CEO and Rise Together grows

By Max Chun

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Good evening, friends,

Today was one of those weird days where the weather didn’t know what it wanted to be. I went outside three times today, and each time the weather was different. That’s Santa Cruz for ya, I suppose.

Hopefully you can get out and enjoy the sunny weather this weekend. It’s best to do that while you still have plenty of space before summer tourism begins!

Lastly, stay tuned tomorrow morning for Part 1 of our series on the fentanyl epidemic that is attacking our community. We’ve titled it ‘Poisoned’ for good reason and hope you will read it and then share it with at least a few people you know need to see it — and ask them to share it widely as well.

As part of our public service journalism mission, everyone will have free access to this and subsequent parts of this series.

Let’s get into the news, then, starting with an update on that downtown library project ...

Lookout Update: Santa Cruz will provide more design details on the new downtown library

A preliminary rendering of the interior of the new downtown library.

New design: On Thursday, the city will present its most recent design updates to plans for the new downtown library, one part of the downtown library mixed-use project. Groundbreaking for the development is expected for the latter part of 2023. Grace Stetson has the update.

➤ Santa Cruz updates design proposal for much-debated mixed-use library project

Still serving, just in a different way: Erica Padilla-Chavez will move from PVPSA to Second Harvest Food Bank

New leadership: After seven years with Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Erica Padilla-Chavez will continue to serve South County, and Santa Cruz County as a whole, as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville. Get the details here.

Rise Together adds 11 new members, looks toward the future of equitable access and representation

Growth: Organized in June 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd, the Rise Together Coalition has focused its collective efforts on advancing racial equity throughout Santa Cruz County. With the additions of 11 new members, the group hopes to expand its reach even further. See the whole story from Grace here.

➤ Diversity united: Official kickoff of Rise Together initiative celebrates a team approach to the equity fight

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER

Weekender: Outside Lands announced; big summer solstice for local music fans; Hunter Thompson at MAH

Coming up: Wallace shares some notable entries in the Outside Lands lineup and discusses the Hunter S. Thompson exhibit coming to the MAH. See his weekly newsletter here.

➤ Meet Dead Nettle: Lindsey Wall begins her recording career with a new artistic identity

California strongly recommends transit masking despite federal changes

State Sen. Richard Pan prepares to announce a bill that adds COVID vaccines to California's list of required shots for K-12

The latest: In guidance updated Wednesday, California health officials strongly recommended that people mask up when using public transit, even though it’s no longer required. More from the L.A. Times here.

➤ COVID Dashboard: Cases moving up, California delays K-12 vaccine mandate