Morning Lookout: Quarry’s summer concert series; ban coming on gas-fueled cars?

By Will McCahill

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Greetings, Lookout friends! Today is Wednesday, April 13, and it’ll be a mostly sunny day, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the low 60s.

With spring having sprung (today’s chilly start notwithstanding) and summer not far off, we got some more good news yesterday from UC Santa Cruz, where the Quarry Amphitheater is set to debut a new summer concert series — and Lookout’s Wallace Baine is on it.

Meanwhile, Lily Belli brings word about a pair of fires that have affected local restaurants in the past week, plus a vacancy at a downtown landmark and more in her latest food and drink newsletter.

And California regulators are pushing to ban new gasoline-fueled cars by 2035, so rev up as we speed into that and all of Wednesday’s headlines ...

In its rebirth, UCSC Quarry to debut summer music series

Chicano Batman performs at UCSC's Quarry Amphitheater in 2017.

Newly announced concerts by indie pop singer Carla Morrison and electronica band STS9 suggest that the Quarry Amphitheater is ready to emerge as an impressive new concert venue. Wallace Baine has the update.

➤ COMING SATURDAY: Awestruck at the Quarry: Writers, scientists will gather under the stars at UCSC to ponder the cosmos (Lookout)

Restaurant fires; Roux Dat leaves Abbott Square vacancy

The Octagon is the gateway to bustling Abbott Square.

A pair of blazes could have been much worse for some local establishments, and there’s an open spot at downtown’s Octagon. Lily Belli has the scoop on all that and then some in her latest On Food newsletter. Get a taste here.

California unveils proposed measure to ban new gasoline-fueled cars

An electric car plugged in to a charger.

If enacted this summer, California’s mandate — the first in the world — would increase sales of electric or other zero-emission cars to 35% in 2026, and prohibit new gasoline or diesel cars by 2035. Our partners at CalMatters take the proposal for a test drive.

➤ ON OUR LOCAL ROADS: Coming soon: 30-month construction project on Murray Street Bridge (Lookout)

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In governor’s race, challengers attack Newsom’s record on homelessness

Gov. Gavin Newsom and two workers around a pile of stuff.

Two of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s most vocal challengers in this year’s California governor’s race are hoping to tap into voter anger over homelessness, crime and other quality-of-life issues. Our partners at the Los Angeles Times check in on the race.

➤ UNHOUSED SANTA CRUZ: Read our full series here

Coachella, spring break, Easter and rising coronavirus: How to stay safe

A first grader holds hands with his mother as he walks to be tested for the coronavirus

With COVID cases ticking up in some parts of the state, California officials are urging continued caution as residents gather for holidays and social gatherings and travel for vacations. Here’s what the experts told the Times.

➤ LOCAL DATA: COVID Dashboard: UCSC drops mask mandate; second boosters widely available (Lookout)

Puzzle your way through Hump Day

Sudoku, mini-crosswords, word searches ... we’ve got what you need to get that brain in gear over your morning coffee. Check out our new Santa Cruz Puzzle Center.

➤ GOT AN IDEA FOR A SANTA CRUZ-THEMED PUZZLE? Drop us a line at membership@lookoutlocal.com

Finance Manager at O’Neill Sea Odyssey
Admission and Records Technician at Cabrillo College
Finance Director at Gateway Center of Monterey County
Branch Supervisor at Bay Federal Credit Union
Senior Financial Support Specialist (Accounting Grants) at Cabrillo College
DevOps Engineer at Fullpower

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Around the county ...

➤ Drunk driver who crashed into Watsonville firefighter sentenced (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ UC Santa Cruz dorm room broken into as residents slept, police say (KSBW-TV)
➤ Watsonville City Council appoints Rene Mendez as new city manager (The Pajaronian)

Just like that, you’re caught up and ready for another day. There’s more to come today from Lookout, so I’d recommend that you bookmark our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep tabs. You can also sign up all of our newsletters — Lily Belli on Food, if you missed it yesterday, or Wallace Baine’s Weekender, coming tomorrow, are just two of our offerings — and get breaking news alerts by visiting our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.

And all this local journalism isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.

Have a great Wednesday!

Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz