Morning Lookout: Overdose awareness, candidates on housing, Testicle Festival & mochi doughnuts

Good morning, world. It is Friday, Sept. 1, and forecasters see another cloudy-ish day around Santa Cruz County, with temperatures struggling to get out of the 70s. A mild Labor Day weekend looks to be on tap, too.

I’ve got doughnuts for you if you take the guided tour, but if you’d rather find them yourself, giddyup.
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Opinion | Events | Guides | Puzzles

Max Chun attended an International Overdose Awareness Day event Thursday at Watsonville Community Hospital, where community members spoke about how they’ve been affected by the opioid crisis. A number of service providers were also on hand, continuing efforts to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

After a wave of visits by California Senate candidates to Santa Cruz County, Christopher Neely breaks down what each said about our pressing housing crisis. Read on to hear from Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee.

And this being Friday, you know Lily Belli is in the house. Not only does she have a mochi doughnut you should try (maybe pick some up on the way to work?), she’s also got a report from last weekend’s Watsonville Testicle Festival and its role in carrying on our area’s agriculture traditions.

With the weekend nigh, the day’s headlines also include Wallace Baine’s latest roundup from Santa Cruz County’s arts and culture scene, complete with recommendations for things to do all over. Proceed with caution, proceed with abandon ... but proceed.

‘Crisis of epidemic proportions’: Families, survivors, workers share personal stories of opioid struggles

(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Nearly 100 community members and service providers came to Watsonville Community Hospital on Thursday afternoon for an International Overdose Awareness Day event. In addition to 21 harm-reduction and substance-use support organizations, a number of people directly affected by the opioid crisis shared their stories, urging awareness and prevention. Max Chun reports.

➤ OPIOID CRISIS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: Find Lookout’s continuing coverage here

Not that kind of ‘oyster’: Watsonville Testicle Festival fundraises for youth in agriculture

(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

The 15th annual Testicle Festival’s main attraction is freshly fried Rocky Mountain oysters, aka bull testicles. The family-friendly barbecue raises money for scholarships awarded to youth entering careers in agriculture. As the farming population ages across America, event organizers say attracting new agriculturists is vital. More here from Lily Belli.

➤ WANT MORE LILY? Sign up here for her newsletters, Lily Belli on Food (Tuesdays) and Eaters Digest (Fridays)

Upcoming events in Santa Cruz County

FRIDAY 9/22
Midtown Fridays @1111 Soquel Ave.
Embroidery Workshop @Wallflower Santa Cruz
Zayante Fire Fundraiser @Felton Music Hall
Stephen Marley @The Catalyst Club
Bodhi Mojo @Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
Frequency Festival @Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

SATURDAY 9/23
Santa Cruz Elks Oktoberfest @Santa Cruz Elks Lodge
Foodie Fruity Wreath Making Extravaganza @Scotts Valley farmers market
Vegan Italian Cooking & Wine Pairing Class @Flipjack Ranch
Teen Kitchen Project Everett Farm Dinner @Everett Family Farm
Echos Of Empire @Civic Auditorium

SUNDAY 9/24
For the love of dogs @Chaminade Resort & Spa
41st Santa Cruz Triathlon @Depot Park
Music at the park @Skypark
Jean Dawson @The Catalyst

Lots to chew on as we hit September and roll into the holiday long weekend. But there’s more coming from Lookout — among other things, Friday means Eaters Digest, and you can get that dish from Lily Belli served right to your inbox by signing up right here. That link will get you signed up for all our newsletters, including the specially curated Sunday Reads and In the Public Interest, Christopher Neely’s dive into Santa Cruz County politics and policy — plus breaking news alerts. Give us a follow on social media, too: Lookout is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads to keep you current on Santa Cruz County news and views.

Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.

May your Friday be all you’re hoping for, and cheers to a safe, relaxing Labor Day weekend — catch you back here Tuesday!

Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz