Hiya, folks! Today is Friday, May 6, and, peekaboo marine layer willing, we’ve got a nice one on our hands around Santa Cruz County, mostly sunny and with highs from the mid-60s into the 70s.
Journalism veterans are well aware of the Friday news dump, when agencies or businesses try to bury what would otherwise be big headlines later in the day amid the pre-weekend rush. I’ve got a different spin on that this morning, a Friday news surge, if you will:
- Mark Conley was at Cinco de Barney yesterday, and found that a pair of recent deaths in the Santa Cruz surf community both cast a pall over the annual aerial event and further motivated local surfing veterans to support the next generation.
- A pair of Tony & Alba’s restaurant locations are getting new tenants, Lily Belli tells us in her latest Eaters Digest, wherein she also spotlights a flavor-packed vegan option in downtown Santa Cruz.
- Local faves the Coffis Brothers have a new album out, and they chatted about it with Wallace Baine ahead of a Saturday show at Moe’s.
- With UC Santa Cruz hosting Global Health Day events tomorrow, Hillary Ojeda caught up with professor Matt Sparke, who’s leading the launch of UCSC’s new global and community health program.
- And Max Chun & Co. have compiled events, deals and other goodies for the students among us (or pass it on, if you know one!) with this week’s edition of Student Lookout.
Yowza. Let’s get to the headlines.
‘We’re here for you’
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when a proudly miscreant tone and attitude dominated Santa Cruz surf culture. Some of those who survived that tough period, including big-wave champion Darryl “Flea” Virostko, are trying to pay it forward. Meanwhile, those assembled at Steamer Lane on Thursday afternoon mourned two recent deaths and tried to put them into perspective. Here’s what Mark Conley saw and heard.
➤ MORE FROM THE SURF SCENE: Triumph through tragedy: Tushar Atre’s death spurred his friends to build a unique life opportunity for kids (Lookout)
Pizza Series, Gilman Brewing to replace two old Tony & Alba’s; Huda’s new flavor-packed vegan lunch
The local food and drink scene is popping as usual, and who better to give you the latest dish than Lookout’s foodie guru, Lily Belli? Dig into this week’s Eaters Digest.
➤ EARLIER THIS WEEK: Westside’s Luna Sea Vodka wins platinum and mixes a new trick (Lookout)
- Prospect Development Analyst at UC Santa Cruz
- First Aid Supervisor at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Cloud Software Engineer at Fullpower
- Housing Now Housing Navigator III at Housing Matters
- Dean, Academic Counseling, Career & Education Support Services (ACCESS) at Cabrillo College
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The Coffis Brothers’ ‘pandemic release’ looks on the bright side of life
One of Santa Cruz’s most popular bands for a decade, the Coffis Brothers break out of lockdown times with a throwback new album, “Turn My Radio Up,” that polishes their already sweet country-rock sound. Wallace Baine catches up with the Coffises ahead of tomorrow night’s Moe’s Alley show.
➤ GET WALLACE’S NEWSLETTER: Weekender: Moms, monsters, free music and a bewitching trivia question
Global health degree program launches at UCSC, connecting disciplines to address big questions of our time
Starting this fall, UC Santa Cruz students can major in a new global and community health program, with about 100 expected to opt in. Politics professor Matt Sparke, the program’s executive director, spoke to Lookout about the unprecedented challenges in the field, and how he’ll draw from faculty across the campus to address them. Read his Q&A with Hillary Ojeda.
➤ MORE LOOKOUT Q&AS: Find all our interviews with Santa Cruz County newsmakers here
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Top thrift shops, First Friday art tour and where to get good Chinese food
Students (and anyone who knows a student) won’t want to miss the latest edition of Student Lookout, with deals, events, foodie finds and more all over Santa Cruz. See what Max Chun & Co. have on tap this week.
➤ FREE LOOKOUT FOR STUDENTS: Get more info about student access here
A guide to help you keep up with the Omicron subvariants
With cases again on the rise in Santa Cruz County and across California, how different are the seemingly endless stream of emerging Omicron subvariants from one another and how protected are we? Our partners at Kaiser Health News sort through it.
➤ LOCAL COVID DASHBOARD: Transmission rates rising in the Bay Area, but few severe cases (Lookout)
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT OR REQUEST THE ZOOM LINK
Around the county …
➤ New chief steps into Central Fire District’s top role (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ Liquor store clerk arrested for firing a round in Felton (KION-TV)
➤ Local fire officials urge residents to prep for fire season (The Pajaronian)
➤ San Benito County implementing mandatory water conservation measures (KSBW-TV)
Yep, a Friday news surge indeed. And Lookout has plenty more up our collective sleeve, so I’d suggest you bookmark our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep tabs throughout the day. We’ve also got breaking news alerts and a host of other newsletters, about which you can learn move by clicking over to our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.
And if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.
Enjoy what’s shaping up to be a beautiful Friday, have safe, relaxing weekend — and much love to all the moms out there!
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz